"Are you a clergyman?" one questioned him.
Butler replied that "he was in orders, but was not a placed minister."
"It's Mr. Butler from Liberton," said a voice from behind, "he'll
discharge the duty as weel as ony man."
"You must turn back with us, sir," said the first speaker, in a tone
civil but peremptory.
"For what purpose, gentlemen?" said Mr. Butler. "I live at some distance
from town--the roads are unsafe by night--you will do me a serious injury
by stopping me."
"You shall be sent safely home--no man shall touch a hair of your
head--but you must and shall come along with us."
"But to what purpose or end, gentlemen?" said Butler. "I hope you will be
so civil as to explain that to me."
"You shall know that in good time. Come along--for come you must, by
force or fair means; and I warn you to look neither to the right hand nor
the left, and to take no notice of any man's face, but consider all that
is passing before you as a dream."
"I would it were a dream I could awaken from," said Butler to himself;
but having no means to oppose the violence with which he was threatened,
he was compelled to turn round and march in front of the rioters, two men
partly supporting and partly holding him. During this parley the
insurgents had made themselves masters of the West Port, rushing upon the
Waiters (so the people were called who had the charge of the gates), and
possessing themselves of the keys.
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