“Yes, a brave and gallant youth, who was the first to break through the barricaded gates.”
“Any one else?”
“Yes, Colonel, several other good citizens were killed or much injured in the fray.”
“And where is this Ned Warbeck?” asked Colonel Blood, biting his lip. “I should like to see him; I wish to report the full particulars to the king.”
“He has saved you that trouble most worthy Colonel,” said Tim, who was still in the crowd, “he has gone to the palace himself; as he did most of the fighting, he thought he had a good right to most of the honor and reward.”
“And who are you that speak so boldly?”
“I, sir, am Mr. Edward Warbeck’s groom—a faithful and brave servant, I have ever proved to be; and, although I say it, no man behaved more gallantly in the encounter than I did.”
A general laugh followed this speech, and the crowd around tittered again with merriment.
“And what did you do?” asked the colonel, with a smile.
“Well, in the first place, most worthy sir, I made a most capital speech to the mob in order to stir them up, and excite them to deeds of valour. The best speech it was as ever I made in my life.”