About nine o'clock
This brought several other old watchmen from different quarters ; and aged numbers prevailing against youthful spirit -- the two gentlemen , after a considerable scuffle , were overpowered and conveyed to the cage . Snap having muttered something about demanding to look at the _ warrant _ , and then about an action for malicious arrest and false imprisonment , sank on a form , and then down upon the floor , and fell fast asleep . Titmouse for a while showed a very resolute front , and swore a great many oaths , that he would fight the Boots at the inn for five shillings , if he dared show himself ; but all of a sudden , his spirit collapsed , as it were , and he sank on the floor , and was grievously indisposed for some hours . About nine o'clock , the contents of the cage -- viz. Snap , Titmouse , two farmers ' boys who had been caught stealing cakes , an old beggar , and a young pickpocket -- were conveyed before the Lord Mayor to answer for their several misdeeds . Snap was wofully crestfallen . He had sent for the landlord of the inn where they had put up , to come , on their behalf , to the Mansion-house ; but he told Quirk of the message he had received . Mr. Quirk , finding that Gammon could not leave his room through severe indisposition -- the very first time that Mr. Quirk had ever seen or heard of his being so overtaken -- set off , in a very mortified and angry mood , in quest of his hopeful client and junior partner .