A mob is like a spring tide in an eastern storm, that retires only to
return with more overwhelming fury. The crowd was taken by
surprise when such a strong and well-armed party issued from the
house with so great fury, laying all prostrate that came in their
way. Those who were next to the door, and were, of course,
the first whom the imminent danger assailed, rushed backwards
among the crowd with their whole force. The Black Bull standing
in a small square half-way between the High Street and the
Cowgate, and the entrance to it being by two closes, into these the
pressure outwards was simultaneous, and thousands were moved
to an involuntary flight, they knew not why.
But the High Street of Edinburgh, which they soon reached, is a
dangerous place in which to make an open attack upon a mob.
And it appears that the entrances to the tavern had been
somewhere near to the Cross, on the south side of the street; for
the crowd fled with great expedition, both to the cast and west,
and the conquerors, separating themselves as chance directed,
pursued impetuously, wounding and maiming as they flew. But
it so chanced that, before either of the wings had followed the
flying squadrons of their enemies for the space of a hundred
yards each way, the devil an enemy they had to pursue! the
multitude had vanished like so many thousands of phantoms!
What could our heroes do? Why, they faced about to return
towards their citadel, the Black Bull.
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