between our legs, like so many dogs withstones thrown at 'em."
"It is miserable work, but better than being taken prisoners."
They rode on down into the coombe, and followed its wanderings with rearand advance guards, though they felt but little fear of pursuit, and fora long time hardly a word was spoken along the ranks. The horses weregoing at a foot-pace, and as they went the troopers played surgeon toeach other, and bound up the slight wounds they had received, for thesewere many, though not enough to render them beyond fighting if necessityshould occur.
Once the general called a halt, and posted scouts on the hills around,while he gave his men an opportunity to water their horses at therunning stream at the bottom of the coombe, and to attend to the woundsthe poor beasts had received, many a sword-cut intended for the riderhaving fallen upon his horse.
The surgery in these cases was simple and effectual. It consisted inthrusting a pin, sometimes two, through the skin which formed the lipsof the wound, and then twisting a piece of thread round and round thepin, passing it first under the head, and then under the point, theresult being that the wound was drawn close, and so retained with a padof thread. This rough treatment generally proved sufficient, and whilethe treatment was in progress the poor animals stood patiently turningtheir great, soft, earnest eyes upon the operator with a mournful lookwhich seemed to say, "Don't hurt me more than you can help." Sometimes,but these were the exceptions, when instead of the above a stab had tobe attended to, and a plug of flax thrust in, the horse would start, andgive an angry stamp with its hoof, but only to stand patiently again, asif it resigned itself to its master, who must know what was best.
The general soon gave orders to continue the march, for he knew that thelonger they stayed the stiffer and sorer his force would be; and oncemore the retreat was continued in a south-westerly direction, while, asthe afternoon began to grow old, Samson, after having been very silentfor a long time, turned sharply round.
"What are you thinking about, Master Fred?"
"I was wondering whether Scarlett Markham will behave as well to mymother as I did to his."
"He'd better," said Samson, fiercely. Then, after a pause, "Oh, I don'tfeel afraid about that, sir. He's sure to. You see, he's a gentleman,and there's a deal in being a gentleman. He'll take care of her, neverfear. That's not what I was thinking."
"What were you thinking, then?" said Fred, anxiously.
"Well, sir, to speak the plain, downright, honest truth, as a Coombelandman should, whether he be a soldier or a gardener--"
"Yes, yes. Go on. You talk too much, Samson," said Fred, pettishly,for he was faint and sore.
"Well, sir, suppose I do. But I aren't neglecting anything, and there'snothing else to do. Seems quite a rest to hear one's self speak."
"Then speak out, and say what you were thinking."
"I was thinking, sir, that I wish I was a horse just now."
"A horse? Why?"
"So as I could have a good fill of water, and keep on taking a bite ofsweet fresh green grass."
"Why, Samson!"
"Ah, you don't know, Master Fred. I'm that hungry, it wouldn't be safeto trust me anywhere near meat; and not so much as a turnip anywhere,nor a chance to catch a few trout. I wish I could tickle a few; I'd eat'em raw."
"I'm sorry, Samson, and I haven't a scrap of food with me."
"No, sir, nor nobody else. You see, we were all out for exercise, andnot on the march, with our wallets full. And that aren't the worst ofit. Master Fred, I could lie down and cry."
"Because you are so hungry?"
"No, sir; but when I think of what we've left behind at the Hall.Ducks, sir, and chickens; and there was hams. Oh!" groaned Samson,laying his hand just below his heart, "those hams!"
Fred was weak, tired, faint, and low-spirited, but the doleful aspect ofhis henchman was so comic that he burst into a fit of laughter.
"Well, Master Fred," said the ex-gardener, letting the reins rest on thehorse's neck, as he involuntarily tightened his belt, "I did thinkbetter of you than to s'pose you'd laugh at other folk's troubles. Thenthere was the cider, too. It wasn't so good as our cider at the Manor,sir, for they hadn't got the apples at the Hall to give it the flavour,spite of old Nat's bragging and boasting; but still, it wasn't so verybad for a thirsty man, though I will say it was too sharp, and some Itasted yesterday told tales."
"What of, Samson?"
"My lazy, good-for-nothing brother, sir," said Samson, triumphantly.
"Told tales of your brother--of Nat?"
"Yes, sir. There was a twang in that cider that said quite aloud,`Dirty barrel,' and that he hadn't taken the trouble to properly wash itout before it was used; but all the same, though it was half spoiled byhis neglect, I'd give anything for a mugful of it now, and a good bighome-made bread cake."
"So would I, Samson," said Fred, smiling.
"And them enemies with my brother are all riding comfortably back tofeast and sleep; and while we're camping cold and miserable on thehills, they'll all be singing and rejoicing."
"I hope they are thinking more of the poor wounded fellows they willhave to pick up on their way back. Hallo! Look! Steady there. Halt!"
He passed the word received from the front, for half a mile ahead, onone of the hills, a scout was signalling.
Fresh men were sent forward, and as the signals evidently meant dangerahead, the general hurriedly took up a position of advantage, one whichgave him the choice of advance or retreat.
"Dismount!" was the next order, so as to rest the horses as much aspossible.
"More fighting," said Samson, in a low, grumbling tone. "Well, if onedon't get enough to eat, one get's enough hard knocks, and I never feltmiserly over them. Look here, Master Fred, are we going to have anotherscrummage?"
"Hush! Yet, I think so."
"So do I, sir," said Samson, taking up his belt another hole. "Verywell, then; I'm that hungry, that I'm regularly savage now, and thistime I mean to hit with all my might."
"Silence, there!" said a deep stern voice, and General Hedley rode alongthe regiment, scrutinising his little force, and waiting the return ofthe men sent out before deciding whether he should make a bold advanceor a cautious retreat.
The horses took advantage of the halt to begin cropping the tendergrowth around, and as Fred listened and watched the movements of thescouts far away on the hillside, it seemed hard to realise that he wasin the midst of war, for high overhead a lark was singing sweetly, as itcircled round and round, ever rising heavenward; and at his feet therewas the regular tearing sound of the grass.
These recollections of home and peace came back as, with a look ofboyish pleasure on his face, Samson pointed to the lovely little copperbutterflies flitting here and there, their dotted wings glistening inthe sun.
"Look at 'em, Master Fred," he whispered; and then stood with his handupon his horse's withers, the stern man of war once more, as his mastermade a gesture bidding him hold his peace.
For quite half an hour they stood there by their horses' sides, everyminute being of value in the rest and refreshment it afforded the wearybeasts.
The scouts could be seen following up, as it were, the movements of someforce hidden by the hills from where the regiment had halted, and bydegrees they began to work over the eminence and disappeared, while thegeneral seemed to be fretting with impatience, till all at once thosenear him heard him utter a low "Hah!" and he gave the order to his mento prepare to mount.
A thrill ran through the long line of men, and Fred heard his followerutter a low, adjuration to his unwilling steed.
"Leave off eating, will you? Hold your head up. Who are you, that youare to go on feasting while your master starves?"
The horse looked at him reproachfully, and had to content itself withchewing a few strands of grass off his bit.
The reason for the general's order was plain enough directly, for theycould see one of the advance men coming back at full gallop down thedistant
hill, and long before he could reach them the other scoutsappeared, retiring slowly in two lines, one sitting fast and facing theapproaching force, while the other careered by them, and took up a freshposition in their rear.
There were only ten men out, at a distance of sixty or seventy yardsapart, but as they drew nearer to their goal their lines contracted, andthis was continued so that they could ride in as a compact little knot.
Meanwhile the first man came tearing in as fast as his horse could go,and when he was a few hundred yards away, the order was given, and thedismounted men sprang into the saddle.
"Don't seem to have a bit of fight left in me now," muttered Samson."No dinner, and no Nat here to make a man feel savage. Wish I was backat the Manor, digging my bit o' ground. Anybody might fight for me."
At that moment a fresh order was given, and every man sat stern andready for the advance or retreat, wondering which way they would go, andof what nature the force was, evidently advancing fast.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
THE HALL CHANGES MASTERS AGAIN.
The cheering and triumphant congratulation amongst the Royalist partywas mingled with regret at being unable to crown their little victory bytaking their opponents prisoners to a man. But their horses wereexhausted, and they had the mortification of seeing the little bodyunder General Hedley ride away.
Then the order to return was given, and a strong party was told off tothe painful duty of picking up the wounded, and bearing them back to theHall.
Sir Godfrey Markham gave the order that they should be taken there, andScarlett was deputed to see that the work was properly carried out--agruesome task enough; but he was growing used to such scenes, and thefeeling of doing good and affording help to those in need robbed theduty of much of its terrors.
In this case the task was comparatively light, for there were very fewdead, and of the wounded, fully one-half were able to limp slowly backtoward the Hall, the troops remaining to cover them till they hadreached one of the great barns which was set apart for the temporaryhospital.
To the credit of all concerned, be it said that, principally due to theaction of Sir Godfrey Markham, who was in command of the two regimentswhich had routed the late occupants of the Hall, the wounded weretreated as wounded men, no distinction being made as to whether theywere Cavalier or Roundhead.
All this took some time, and at last Scarlett rode up to where hisfather was standing among a group of dismounted officers, whosefollowers were letting their tired steeds crop the grass in the same wayas that practised by their enemies, when one of the outposts camegalloping in with news which sent the Cavaliers once more into theirsaddles, when lines were formed, and Sir Godfrey gave the order toadvance.
"Could you hear what he said?" whispered Scarlett to Nat, who was closebehind him.
"Coming back, sir, three times as strong," whispered Nat. "Meansanother fight."
The hurried orders and the excitement displayed on the part of theofficers endorsed Nat's words; though, had there been any doubt, thesummons Scarlett had to his father's side cleared it away at once.
"Listen, my boy," said the general, as Scarlett cantered up; "the enemyare upon us, and we shall perhaps have to retreat, for, jaded as we are,they will be too much for us. Be cautious, and don't let your men getout of hand through rashness. We must give way as they did to-day."
"Run, father?"
"No; bend back right to the earth if necessary, so that the rebound maybe the stronger. Now, to your place."
As Scarlett regained his troop, the young officer over him was talkingloudly to his men.
"They're not satisfied with the beating they have already had," he wassaying. "Let's show them now what we can do when we are in earnest. Itwas a mistake to show the rascals mercy this morning. Why, if I hadbeen in command of the men, instead of Sir Godfrey, I would not haveleft two of the rebels together. Now you see the mistake."
"I have no doubt that my father and Colonel Grey did what was right,"said Scarlett, hotly.
"And what does a boy like you know about it, sir?" cried the youngofficer, fiercely. "To your place."
Scarlett felt ready to retort angrily, but he knew his duty, youngsoldier as he was, and resumed his place without a word.
It was none too soon, for directly after there was a glint of steel overthe edge of one of the undulations of the moor, and seen at the distancethey were, with the western sun shining full upon them, it seemed as ifa long array of armed men was rising from the earth, as first theirhelmets, then their shoulders, breastplates, and soon after the horses'heads appeared, and then more and more, till a line of well-mountedtroops appeared advancing at a walk, while behind them, gradually cominginto view in the same way, a second line could be seen.
As they approached over the moor, a third line came into view, while, inobedience to their orders, the Cavaliers retired by troops in sloworder, each in turn having the duty of facing the advancing enemy.
When it came to Scarlett's turn to sit there motionless watching theirapproach, he could not help letting his eyes stray over the moor, everyfoot of which was familiar. Away behind him to the left the groundrapidly descended to the park, with its lake and woods, through which hehad made his way so short a time before. There, hidden by the nobletrees which flourished as soon as the moorland proper, with its blackpeaty soil, was passed, lay the Hall, and a feeling of sadness anddepression came over him as he thought of his home being made the sceneof a bloody fight, and again falling into the enemy's hands.
"May I speak a word, Master Scarlett?" said a voice behind him, in awhisper.
"Yes; what is it?" said the young officer, without turning his head.
"Hit hard, Master Scarlett, and do your best. I don't like killingfolk, and you needn't do that; but do hit hard."
"For the king," said Scarlett, thoughtfully.
"Yes, I suppose so, sir," said Nat, mournfully; "but I was thinkingabout the old home and my garden."
"Silence, there!" came in a stern voice from the leader of the troop;and the next instant the trumpet rang out, and they had to face aboutand trot behind the foremost troop of all, leaving another to face thecoming enemy.
This went on till the slope was reached upon which General Hedley's menhad been going through their evolutions in the morning; and here, infull view of the old Hall, Sir Godfrey Markham and the colonel of theother regiment drew up in a favourable position for receiving the chargewhich seemed to be imminent from the action of the enemy.
This position would force the Parliamentarians to gallop up a hill, andit was the intention of Sir Godfrey to meet them half-way with the_elan_ given by a rapid descent, when he hoped to give them a severecheck, one which would enable him to either rid himself of his enemiesor give him time to make good his retreat on one of the towns in hisrear, where he hoped to find reinforcements.
All turned out as he expected, with one exception. The troop in whichScarlett rode was selected by him, naturally enough, to go on in fronton the line of retreat, while the rest of his little force sat fast onthe hill slope, waiting the moment when the enemy were coming up thehill for their own advance to be made.
The young officer at the head of the little troop of about forty menmuttered angrily at having such a task thrust upon him, but he did hisduty steadily and well, riding slowly on over the moor down toward theManor, which, like the Hall, would be left upon their right.
As they passed over the top of the hill, Scarlett glanced back to seethat the enemy were evidently about to deliver their charge; and hisheart beat painfully as he felt that he would have to imagine what wouldtake place, and pray that no harm might happen to his father.
The next minute the long slope with its dotted trees was out of sight,and he was descending steadily, his ears strained to catch the sound ofthe impending shock, as the notes of a trumpet, softened by thedistance, fell upon his ear, and then his heart gave a sudden bound, andseemed to stand still.
For at that moment their advance gua
rd came galloping back, and beforethey could more than realise their danger, a line of fully a hundred andfifty men wheeled into sight, right in their front, from behind a patchof wood a hundred yards away, and came sweeping down upon them.
To have retreated would have meant annihilation, and with a ringingcheer the little band dashed down to meet their advancing foes.
Then, in the midst of the wild excitement, as the moor seemed to quiverbeneath their horses' feet, there was a cheer, a clash of steel, andamidst shouts and the blaring of trumpets, the stronger prevailed overthe weaker, and Scarlett found himself in the midst of a confused groupof his men being driven back upon the main body higher and higher up thehill, till he reached the summit among a scattered party of his ownside, through whose ranks the Puritans were riding furiously.
One glance showed him where his leaders were, and he made for the spot,fully realising that the Royal force had been driven back by the boldcharge delivered, and then in the midst of the confusion consequentthereon, utterly routed and scattered by the dashing attack on theirrear, while, to fulfil the truth of the adage about misfortunes nevercoming singly, a fresh troop wheeled up on their flank and completed thedownfall.
"Ah, quick, my boy! Here!" cried a familiar voice, as Scarlett rode up,and a party of about fifty dashed down the slope, headed by Sir Godfrey,and, hotly pursued by a squadron of the enemy, galloped round the headof the lake, leaping the stream and then the low