But neither surprise nor anger availed aught. The
windows, well secured with iron bars for keeping assailants out,
proved now as effectual for detaining the inhabitants within. The
battlements were open, indeed; but without ladder or ropes to act as a
substitute for wings, there was no possibility of descending from
them. They easily succeeded in alarming the inhabitants of the
cottages beyond the precincts of the court; but the men had been
called in to strengthen the guard for the night, and only women and
children remained who could contribute nothing in the emergency,
except their useless exclamations of surprise, and there were no
neighbours for miles around. Dame Elspeth, however, though drowned in
tears, was not so unmindful of external affairs, but that she could
find voice enough to tell the women and children without, to "leave
their skirling, and look after the cows that she couldna get minded,
what wi' the awfu' distraction of her mind, what wi' that fause slut
having locked them up in their ain tower as fast as if they had been
in the Jeddart tolbooth."
Meanwhile, the men finding other modes of exit impossible, unanimously
concluded to force the doors with such tools as the house afforded for
the purpose. These were not very proper for the occasion, and the
strength of the doors was great. The interior one, formed of oak,
occupied them for three mortal hours, and there was little prospect of
the iron door being forced in double the time.
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