The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. 513
"Name!" said Lance; "why, what a dickens should it be but Robin
Round — honest Robin of Redham; and for business, an you must needs
know, I come on a message from some Parliament men, up yonder at the
Castle, with letters for worshipful Master Bridgenorth of Moultrassie-Ilall;
and this be the place, as I think; though why ye be marching up and down
at his door, like the sign of a Red Man, with your old firelock there, I
cannot so well guess."
"Give me the letters, my friend," said the sentinel, to whom this explanation seemed very natural and probable, " and I will cause them forthwith
to be delivered into his worship's own hand."
Rummaging in his pockets, as if to pull out the letters which never
existed, Master Lance approached within the sentinel's piece, and, before
he was aware, suddenly seized him by the collar, whistled sharp and shrill,
and exerting his skill as a wrestler, for which he had been distinguished in
his youth, he stretched his antagonist on his back —the musket for which
they struggled going off in the fall.
The miners rushed into the court-yard at Lance's signal; and, hopeless
any longer of prosecuting his design in silence, Lance commanded two of
them to secure the prisoner, and the rest to cheer loudly, and attack the
door of the house. Instantly the court-yard of the mansion rang with the
cry of " Peveril of the Peak for ever!" with all the abuse which the Royalists
had invented to cast upon the Roundheads, during so many years of contention; and at the same time, while some assailed the door with their
mining implements, others directed their attack against the angle, where a
kind of porch joined to the main front of the building;- and there, in some
degree protected by the projection of the wall, and of a balcony which
overhung the porch, wrought in more security, as well as with more effect,
than the others; for the doors being of oak, thickly studded with nails,
offered a more effectual resistance fo violence than the brick-work.
The noise of this hubbub on the _outside, soon excited wild alarm and
tumult within. Lights flew from window to window, and voices were heard
demanding the cause of the attack; to which the party cries of those who
were in the court-yard afforded a sufficient, or at least the only answer,
which was vouchsafed. At length the window of a projecting staircase
opened, and the voice of Bridgenorth himself demanded authoritatively
what the tumult meant, and commanded the rioters to desist, upon their
own proper and immediate peril.
"We want our young master, you canting old thief," was the reply;
" and if we have him not instantly, the topmost stone of your house shall
lie as low as the foundation."
"We will try that presently," said Bridgenorth; " for if there is another
blow struck against the walls of my peaceful house, I will fire my carabine
among you, and your blood be upon your own head. I have a score of
friends, well armed with musket and pistol, to defend my house; and we
have both the means and heart, with Heaven's assistance, to repay any
violence you can offer."
"Master Bridgenorth," replied Lance, who, though no soldier, was
sportsman enough to comprehend the advantage which those under cover,
and using fire-arms, must necessarily have over his party, exposed to their
aim, in a great measure, and without means of answering their fire," Master Bridgenorth, let us crave parley with you, and fair conditions.
We desire to do you no evil, but will have back our young master; it is
enough that you have got our old one and his lady. It is foul chasing to
kill hart, hind, and fawn; and we will give you scme light on the subject
in an instant."
This speech was followed by a great crash amongst the lower windows of
the house, according to a new species of attack which had been suggested
by some of the assailants.
VOnI. VII-33