A loud noise was now heard, and the name of Madge Wildfire was repeatedly called from the bottom of the staircase.
"I am coming,--I am coming," said the person who answered to that appellative; and then reiterating hastily, "For God's sake--for your own sake--for my sake, flee, or they'll take your life!" he left the strong room.
The girl gazed after him for a moment, and then, faintly muttering, "Better tyne life, since tint is gude fame," she sunk her head upon her hand, and remained, seemingly, unconscious as a statue of the noise and tumult which passed around her.
That tumult was now transferred from the inside to the outside of the Tolbooth.

The mob had brought their destined victim forth, and were about to conduct him to the common place of execution, which they had fixed as the scene of his death.

The leader, whom they distinguished by the name of Madge Wildfire, had been summoned to assist at the procession by the impatient shouts of his confederates.
"I will insure you five hundred pounds," said the unhappy man, grasping Wildfire's hand,--"five hundred pounds for to save my life." The other answered in the same undertone, and returning his grasp with one equally convulsive, "Five hundredweight of coined gold should not save you .-- Remember Wilson!" A deep pause of a minute ensued, when Wildfire added, in a more composed tone, "Make your peace with Heaven .-- Where is the clergyman ?" Butler, who in great terror and anxiety, had been detained within a few yards of the Tolbooth door, to wait the event of the search after Porteous, was now brought forward, and commanded to walk by the prisoner's side, and to prepare him for immediate death.

His answer was a supplication that the rioters would consider what they did.

"You are neither judges nor jury," said he.