TOM HICKATHRIFT. 55

as it was day, led by the sheriff, they
went out armed with their clubs to the
place where the rebels were gathered
together. When they were got thither,
Tom and the tinker marched up to the
leaders of the band, and asked them
why they were set upon breaking the
King’s peace. To this they answered
loudly, ‘Our will is our law, and by
that alone we will be governed!” ‘‘Nay,”
quoth Tom, ‘if it be so, these trusty
clubs are our weapons, and by them
alone you shall be chastised.” These
words were no sooner uttered than they
madly rushed on the throng of men,
bearing all before them, and laying
twenty or thirty sprawling with every
blow. The tinker struck off heads with

such violence that they flew like balls