The sun beat down upon the street.  The shopkeepers were gathered at their doors, but their chattering was hushed as the dreaded committee passed.  More than one, apparently, had tasted of its discipline.  Colonel Lloyd whispered to me to keep my countenance, that they were not after very large game that morning,—­only Chipchase, the butcher.  And presently we came upon the rascal putting up his shutters in much precipitation, although it was noon.  He had shed his blood-stained smock and breeches, and donned his Sunday best,—­a white, thick-set coat, country cloth jacket, blue broadcloth breeches, and white shirt.  A grizzled cut wig sat somewhat awry under his bearskin hat.  When he perceived Mr. Carroll at his shoulder, he dropped his shutter against the wall, and began bowing frantically.

“You keep good hours, Master Chipchase,” remarked Colonel Lloyd.

“And lose good customers,” Mr. Swain added laconically.

The butcher wriggled.

“Your honours must know there be little selling when the gentry be out of town.  And I was to take a holiday to-day, to see my daughter married.”

“You will have a feast, my good man?” Captain Daniel asked.

“To be sure, your honour, a feast.”

“And any little ewe-lambs?” says Mr. Bordley, very innocent.

Master Chipchase turned the colour of his meat, and his wit failed him.

“‘Fourthly,’” recited Mr. Carroll, with an exceeding sober face, “’Fourthly, that we will not kill, or suffer to be killed, or sell, or dispose to any person whom we have reason to believe intends to kill, any ewe-lamb that shall be weaned before the first day of May, in any year during the time aforesaid.’  Have you ever heard anything of that sound, Mr. Chipchase?”

Mr. Chipchase had.  And if their honours pleased, he had a defence to make, if their honours would but listen.  And if their honours but knew, he was as good a patriot as any in the province, and sold his wool to Peter Psalter, and he wore the homespun in winter.  Then Mr. Carroll drew a paper from his pocket, and began to read:  “Mr. Thomas Hincks, personally known to me, deposeth and saith,—­”

Master Chipchase’s knees gave from under him.

“And your honours please,” he cried piteously, “I killed the lamb, but ’twas at Mr. Grafton Carvel’s order, who was in town with his Excellency.” (Here Mr. Swain and the captain glanced significantly at me.) “And I lose Mr. Carvel’s custom, there is twelve pounds odd gone a year, your honours.  And I am a poor man, sirs.”

“Who is it owns your shop, my man?” asks Mr. Bordley, very sternly.

“Oh, I beg your honours will not have me put out—­”

The wailing of his voice had drawn a crowd of idlers and brother shopkeepers, who seemed vastly to enjoy the knave’s discomfiture.  Amongst them I recognized my old acquaintance, Weld, now a rival butcher.  He pushed forward boldly.