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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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406 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Erskine, and the renowned Mr. Hutton, on whose left may be recognised Mr. Skinner, the landlord of the inn. In the lobby, at the foot of the stair, the combat was valiantly sustained by a postillion of the name of Bruce. He was a noted pugilist and cudgel-player, and on this occasion fully supported his reputation. Armed with the spoke of a carriage wheel, he coolly posted himself at the back door, and, with great deliberation, dealt his favours on all who approached, till- __‘-‘ Sp rawling on the ground, With many a gash and bloody wound,”- the number of the vanquished su5ciently indicated who were the victors. Fortunately, none of the warriors were actually slain ; but, among those whose fate it was to “lie on honour’s truckle-bed,” Neil M‘Millan,’ a chairman from Edinburgh, was perhaps the most severely wounded, his nose having been completely demolished by a blow from the heroic Bruce. Another individual is said to have had his neck deeply cut by a broken bottle thrown during the fight. Though a successful resistance had thus been made to Colonel Erskine and his party, an attack from the whole body of invaders was still to be dreaded ; and a general call ‘‘ to arms ” resounded through the burgh. This was, however, only partially obeyed ; for many of the inhabitants were personally hostile to the town-clerk, as well as politically opposed to the interest which he espoused. In this dilemma one course only remained to be adopted by the electors and their friends, and that was the bold alternative of cutting their way through the line of the besieging forces. To effect this against such mighty odds, more deadly weapons than shilelahs were deemed necessary. A levy of fire-arms was accordingly resorted to ; but, though such a display had not been witnessed since the weapon-schaws of former days, most of the arms available-save two pistols supplied by a tailor of the name of George Damey-were as likely to prove destructive to the possessor as the enemy. Maugre all disadvantages, however, a formidable band was ultimately marshalled-those who had firearms forming the advanced guard, and the cudgel-division bringing up the rear. In this way the sortie was made good in defiance of all opposition, and the electors were safely escorted to Dunfermline, which was still in a state of great excitement. Next morning-16th of June-the day fixed upon for choosing a commissioner for the burgh, the councillors in the interest of Colonel Johnstone assembled early in the Council-Room, and were “ waiting with patience,” as they expressed it, till the hour appointed for proceeding with the election, when, to their astonishment, William Wemyss, Esq., of Cuttlehill, followed by Alexander Law, messenger-at-arms, and assistants, entered with a warrant to apprehend the councillors who had been at Kinghorn, on the ground that several individuals engaged in the late affray were not expected to recover from their injuries. Six M‘Millan was a native of Atholl, and had been a serjeant in the 77th Regiment, or Atholl High- landers. He was for many years a chair-master in Edinburgh, and left considerable property at his death.
Volume 9 Page 542
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