This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... mute bewilderment. Till came the Reverend Mr Mac, Nor book nor band had he; The crowd gave way on every side; He strode undauntedly, With pistols in his pouches' syde, And sword upon his thie. He read the letter, line by line, Expounding, as a text, The base compound of Lingua Franc, Low Dutch, and English, mixed; Exciting bravery and fear, And all that be betwixt. A Council then was called in haste; Each member spoke at once.; 'We'll go on board, ' said Provost Greig, And prig him down, perchance. 'Na, by my saul!' quoth Bailie Kyd, 'He'd whup us aff to France.' Up starts the reverend gentleman, So urgent was the case; And there was silence over all, As if they waited grace; And, like a quivering jelly, shook Each pale and pursy face. Then instant forth, as bottle froth, His bold defiance burst: --'What! shall we shame the Auld Round 0? The Auld Round O.--I may mention, in case a stranger should read this, the O is the circular window in the Abbey of Arbroath. No!--Rather perish first: Away! and say to Captain Fall; We dare him to the worst.' 'Messieurs bon jour!' with great sang fro The envoy sought his boat; Departing, he a signal made, Then followed, quick as thought, The flash, the loud report, the ball, --A base, discourteous shot. Whiz went the iron o'er their heads, Red cheeks grew pale with fear; Crack went a block from a herring smack. Like a drop from Beauty's ear: Now, every man was hard at work On board that Privateer. The captured Skipper walked her deck, He said to Captain Fall, 'The people on the Ballast Hill Don't seem to fear your ball.' 'Me make dem fear! Ha, ha! you see--Mon Dieu!--dem running all.' And now, in the assaulted town, Spread terror everywhere, And fathers ran, and mothers ran, Bewildered, here and there; And...