The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

Interpreter’s house again,—and I will teach ye a’ my
bonny sangs,—and I will tell ye what came o’ the.” The
rest of her entreaties were drowned in the shouts of the
rabble.
“Save her, for God’s sake!—save her from those
people!” exclaimed Jeanie to Archibald.
“She is mad, but quite innocent; she is mad, gentlemen,”
said Archibald; “do not use her ill, take her before
the Mayor.”
“Ay, ay, we’se hae care enow on her,” answered one of
the fellows; “gang thou thy gate, man, and mind thine
own matters.”
“He’s a Scot by his tongue,” said another; “and an he
will come out o’ his whirligig there, I’se gie him his tartan
plaid fu’ o’ broken banes.”
It was clear nothing could be done to rescue Madge;
and Archibald, who was a man of humanity, could only
bid the postilions hurry on to Carlisle, that he might
obtain some assistance to the unfortunate woman. As
they drove off, they heard the hoarse roar with which
the mob preface acts of riot or cruelty, yet even above
The Heart of Mid-Lothian
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that deep and dire note, they could discern the screams
of the unfortunate victim. They were soon out of hearing
of the cries, but had no sooner entered the streets of
Carlisle, than Archibald, at Jeanie’s earnest and urgent
entreaty, went to a magistrate, to state the cruelty which
was likely to be exercised on this unhappy creature.
In about an hour and a half he returned, and reported
to Jeanie, that the magistrate had very readily gone in
person, with some assistance, to the rescue of the unfortunate
woman, and that he had himself accompanied
him; that when they came to the muddy pool, in
which the mob were ducking her, according to their
favourite mode of punishment, the magistrate succeeded
in rescuing her from their hands, but in a state of insensibility,
owing to the cruel treatment which she had received.
He added, that he had seen her carried to the
workhouse, and understood that she had been brought
to herself, and was expected to do well.
This last averment was a slight alteration in point of
fact, for Madge Wildfire was not expected to survive the
treatment she had received; but Jeanie seemed so much