about ten o'clock
Refreshments , such as Tibby could muster , consisting principally of brandy and ale , mixed up in about equal proportions of each , were distributed amongst the soldiers -- who were , in fact , from their long exposure in the open air , in need of some such stimulants ; whilst the poor prisoners were only watched , and made a subject of great merriment by the soldiers . The halt , however , was very temporary ; but , temporary as it was , it enabled several of the members of the field-meeting to reach Edinburgh , and to apprise their friends , and what is termed the mob of the streets , of the doings at `` Braid Craigs . '' Onwards advanced the party -- soldiers before and behind , and their captives in the middle -- till they reached the West Port , at the foot of the Grassmarket . It was near about ten o'clock , and the streets were in a buz with idle ` prentices , bakers ' boys , shoemakers ' lads , & c . The march along the Grassmarket seemed to alarm Clavers , for he halted his men , made them examine their firelocks , spread themselves all around the prisoners , and , advancing himself in front , and on his famous black horse , with drawn sword and holster pistols , seemed to set all opposition at defiance . The party had already gained the middle of that narrow and winding pass , the West Bow , when a waggon , heavily loaded with stones , was hurled downwards upon the party , with irresistible force and rapidity -- Clavers 's horse shied , and escaped the moving destruction ; but it came full force into the very midst of the soldiers , who , from a natural instinct , turned off into open doors and side closes ; in this they were imitated by the poor prisoners , who were better acquainted with the localities of the West Bow than the soldiery . In an instant afterwards , a dense and armed mob rushed headlong down the street , carrying all before them , and shouting aloud , `` Renwick for ever !