Before many minutes had elapsed the tolling of bells in all parts of the town was heard, and down the different streets leading towards the building large bodies of armed men were seen making their way.
"I had rather have to do with a whole French army, Master Walter," Ralph said, as he stood beside him at an upper window looking down upon the crowd, "than with these citizens of Ghent.

Look at those men with bloody axes and stained clothes.

Doubtless those are the skinners and butchers.
Didst ever see such a ferocious band of savages?
Listen to their shouts.
Death to Van Artevelde! Down with the English alliance! I thought our case was a bad one when the French poured over the walls into Vannes but methinks it is a hundred times worse now.
"We got out of that scrape, Ralph, and I hope we shall get out of this, but, as you say, the prospect is black enough.

See, the butchers are hammering at the door with their pole-axes.

Let us go down and aid in the defence." "I am ready," Ralph said, "but I shall fight with a lighter heart if you could fix upon some plan for us to adopt when the rabble break in.