or on
his side of the coach, squeezing little Harry behind it; had hold of the
potato-thrower's collar in an instant, and the next moment the brute's
heels were in the air, and he fell on the stones with a thump.

"You hulking coward!" says he; "you pack of screaming blackguards! how
dare you attack children, and insult women? Fling another shot at that
carriage, you sneaking pigskin cobbler, and by the Lord I'll send my
rapier through you!"

Some of the mob cried, "Huzza, my lord!" for they knew him, and the
saddler's man was a known bruiser, near twice as big as my lord viscount.

"Make way, there," says he (he spoke in a high shrill voice, but with a
great air of authority). "Make way, and let her ladyship's carriage pass."
The men that were between the coach and the gate of the "Bell" actually
did make way, and the horses went in, my lord walking after them with his
hat on his head.

As he was going in at the gate, through which the coach had just rolled,
another cry begins of "No Popery--no Papists!" My lord turns round and
faces them once more.

"God save the king!" says he at the highest pitch of his voice. "Who dares
abuse the king's religion? You, you d----d psalm-singing cobbler, as sure as
I'm a magistrate of this county I'll commit you!" The fellow shrunk back,
and my lord retreated with all the honours of the day. But when the little
flurry caused by the scene was over, and the flush passed off his face, he
relapsed into his usual languor, trifled with his little dog, and yawned
when my lady spoke to him.

This mob was one of many thousands that were going about the country at
that time, huzzaing for the acquittal of the seven bishops who had been
tried just then, and about whom little Harry Esmond at that time knew
scarce anything. It was assizes at Hexton, and there was a great meeting
of the gentry at the "Bell"; and my lord's people had their new liveries
on, and Harry a little suit of blue and silver, which he wore upon
occasions of state; and the gentlefolks came round and talked to my lord;
and a judge in a red gown, who seemed a very great personage, especially
complimented him and my lady, who was mighty grand. Harry remembers her
train borne up by her gentlewoman. There was an assembly and ball at the
great room at the "Bell", and other young gentlemen of the county families
looked on as he did. One of them jeered him for his black eye, which was
swelled by the potato, and another called him