"They were chiefly soldiers who sat at the table -- heavy-looking rustics from Hawkhurst, Cranbrook and Appledore, in brigantines and steel caps, who had been sent in by the magistrates to the nearest seaport to assist in the defence of the coast -- a few of them wore corselets with almain rivets and carried swords, while the pike-heads of the others rose up here and there above the crowd."