At that instant, the landlord of the house called out with an
audible voice, that the fire was extinguished, and the ladies had
nothing further to fear: this was a welcome note to the audience,
and produced an immediate effect; the shrieking ceased, and a
confused sound of expostulation ensued. I conducted Mrs Tabitha
and my sister to their own chamber, where Liddy fainted away; but
was soon brought to herself. Then I went to offer my services to
the other ladies, who might want assistance -- They were all
scudding through the passage to their several apartments; and as
the thoroughfair was lighted by two lamps, I had a pretty good
observation of them in their transit; but as most of them were
naked to the smock, and all their heads shrowded in huge
nightcaps, I could not distinguish one face from another, though
I recognized some of their voices -- These were generally
plaintive; some wept, some scolded, and some prayed -- I lifted up
one poor old gentlewoman, who had been overturned and sore
bruised by a multitude of feet; and this was also the case with
the lame person from Northumberland, whom Micklewhimmen had in
his passage overthrown, though not with impunity, for the
cripple, in falling, gave him such a good pelt on the head with
his crutch, that the blood followed.
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