"Indeed, uncle," said the little girl next to him, "we have time to listen to one more, if you will be so good as to tell it to us."
This last appeal could not be resisted, and the river Thames was next described:—"It has seldom presented so curious a scene as that I now relate. A king was in his royal barge, surrounded by a few of his noblemen. On the shore there are at least ten thousand of the rabble awaiting his approach; their frightful cries, when they see the vessel, so terrifies the royal party, that they turn the boat's head, and escape to the Tower."
"You have now given us a very difficult one, papa."
"I hope I have; I shall not tell you any more to-night, and you may be as long as you like asking questions."
The nurse now entered, and not liking them to keep her waiting, Mrs. Macdonald told them that Wat Tyler afterwards headed the rabble.
"Then we know the whole history, mama, and will wait for some more stories till another evening."
1. The death of the young queen of Scotland, and infant daughter of the king of Norway.
2. Coronation of Robert Bruce. A.D. 1307.
3. Edward the Second insulted by Maltravers. A.D. 1327.
4. Death of Mortimer, Earl of March. A.D. 1331.