FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   410   411   412   413   414   415   416   417   418   419   420   421   422   423   424   425   426   427   428   429   430   431   432   433   434  
435   436   437   438   439   440   441   442   443   444   445   446   447   448   449   450   451   452   453   454   455   456   457   458   459   >>   >|  
at came o' the." The rest of her entreaties were drowned in the shouts of the rabble. "Save her, for God's sake!--save her from those people!" exclaimed Jeanie to Archibald. "She is mad, but quite innocent; she is mad, gentlemen," said Archibald; "do not use her ill, take her before the Mayor." "Ay, ay, we'se hae care enow on her," answered one of the fellows; "gang thou thy gate, man, and mind thine own matters." "He's a Scot by his tongue," said another; "and an he will come out o' his whirligig there, I'se gie him his tartan plaid fu' o' broken banes." It was clear nothing could be done to rescue Madge; and Archibald, who was a man of humanity, could only bid the postilions hurry on to Carlisle, that he might obtain some assistance to the unfortunate woman. As they drove off, they heard the hoarse roar with which the mob preface acts of riot or cruelty, yet even above that deep and dire note, they could discern the screams of the unfortunate victim. They were soon out of hearing of the cries, but had no sooner entered the streets of Carlisle, than Archibald, at Jeanie's earnest and urgent entreaty, went to a magistrate, to state the cruelty which was likely to be exercised on this unhappy creature. In about an hour and a half he returned, and reported to Jeanie, that the magistrate had very readily gone in person, with some assistance, to the rescue of the unfortunate woman, and that he had himself accompanied him; that when they came to the muddy pool, in which the mob were ducking her, according to their favourite mode of punishment, the magistrate succeeded in rescuing her from their hands, but in a state of insensibility, owing to the cruel treatment which she had received. He added, that he had seen her carried to the workhouse, and understood that she had been brought to herself, and was expected to do well. This last averment was a slight alteration in point of fact, for Madge Wildfire was not expected to survive the treatment she had received; but Jeanie seemed so much agitated, that Mr. Archibald did not think it prudent to tell her the worst at once. Indeed, she appeared so fluttered and disordered by this alarming accident, that, although it had been their intention to proceed to Longtown that evening, her companions judged it most advisable to pass the night at Carlisle. This was particularly agreeable to Jeanie, who resolved, if possible, to procure an interview with Madge Wildfire. Conne
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   410   411   412   413   414   415   416   417   418   419   420   421   422   423   424   425   426   427   428   429   430   431   432   433   434  
435   436   437   438   439   440   441   442   443   444   445   446   447   448   449   450   451   452   453   454   455   456   457   458   459   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Jeanie

 

Archibald

 

unfortunate

 
Carlisle
 

magistrate

 

Wildfire

 

cruelty

 

treatment

 

expected

 
received

assistance

 
rescue
 
insensibility
 

rescuing

 
succeeded
 

favourite

 

punishment

 

rabble

 
shouts
 
brought

procure

 
understood
 

workhouse

 

carried

 
interview
 

returned

 

reported

 
unhappy
 

creature

 

readily


ducking

 

accompanied

 

person

 

drowned

 

disordered

 

alarming

 

accident

 

fluttered

 

appeared

 

Indeed


intention

 

proceed

 
advisable
 

judged

 

companions

 

agreeable

 

Longtown

 
evening
 

prudent

 

slight