noon
Crowds filled the streets , and pressed and fumed to obtain places by the great gates and open squares of the castle , through which both parties must pass . That wind , rain , and sunshine alternately ruled the day , was a matter of small importance ; nor did it signify that English soldiers were returning victorious , with Scottish prisoners , being a thing now of most common occurrence . Before the day was over , however , they found anticipation for once had been less marvellous than reality , and stranger things were seen and heard than they had dreamed of . From sunrise till noon they waited and watched , and waxed impatient in vain . About that time trumpets and drums were heard from the south , and there was a general rush towards the bridge , and hearts beat high in expectancy of they knew not what , as a gallant band of English archers and men-at-arms , headed by some few knights , were discovered slowly and solemnly advancing from the Carlisle road . Where , and who was the prisoner ? A person of some consequence , of dangerous influence it must be , else why had the king made such extraordinary provision for confinement ?