e gate, barking loudly; and the little children, whom their mothers
vainly endeavoured to quiet, fell to crying and trembling with fear.
The grave-digger, the bard and orator of the bridegroom, now stationed
himself before the door, and in a pitiable voice began a dialogue with
the flaxdresser, who was at the garret-window over the same door.

_Grave-digger._ Hollo! my good folks, my dear neighbours, for mercy's
sake open the door.

_Flaxdresser._ Pray who may you be; and how come you to take the
liberty of calling us your dear neighbours? We don't know you.

_G._ We are honest folks in trouble. Don't fear us, my friends, but
bestow your hospitality on us. The sleet falls fast, our feet are all
frozen, and we have come such a distance that our shoes are worn out.

The flaxdresser inquires sharply who they are, and receives various
ridiculous answers. At length the besiegers say--

_Grave-digger._ Well, then, if you'll not listen to reason, we shall
enter by force.

_Flaxdresser._ Try, if you like. We are strong enough not to fear you;
and as you are insolent, we shall not answer you any more.

So saying, the flaxdresser slammed to the wicket with a bang, and went
down a ladder into the room below. He then took the bride elect by the
hand, and the young folks joining them, all fell to dancing and
shouting gaily, whilst the matrons of the party sang with shrill
voices, and amidst shouts of laughter, at the people outside, who were
attempting the assault. The besiegers, on their side, pretended rage;
they fired their pistols at the doors, set the dogs barking, rattled
the shutters, thumped the walls, and uttered loud cries.

The garrison at last seemed to manifest some desire to capitulate; but
required as a condition that the opposite party should sing a song. As
soon as the song was begun, however, the besieged replied with the
second line; and so long as they were able to do this, they were safe.
The two antagonists were the best hands in the country for a song, and
their stock seemed inexhaustible. Once or twice the flaxdresser made a
wry face, frowned, and turned to the women with a disappointed look.
The grave-digger sang something so old that his adversary had
forgotten it, or perhaps had never known it; but instantly the good
woman took up the burden of the song with a shrill voice, and helped
their friend through his trouble. At length the party of the bride
declared they would yield, provided the others o