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'Aye, aye, Master Pettigrue, cried the old man. 'The very name given by Dicky Rumbold. He said that either the old Roundhead Clarke or his son would go with him. But who are these? 'This is Master Reuben Lockarby, also of Havant, and Sir Gervas Jerome of Surrey, I replied. 'They are both here as volunteers desiring to serve under the Duke of Monmouth.
'We are off the main road now, 'I remarked; 'even should they pursue us, they would be unlikely to follow this side track. 'Yet it would be wise to show them a clean pair of heels, said Saxon, spurring his mare into a gallop. Lockarby and I followed his example, and we all three rode swiftly along the rough moorland track.
This was followed by the main body of the peasants, and the rear was brought up by ten or twelve men under the command of Lockarby and Sir Gervas, mounted upon captured chargers, and wearing the breastplates, swords, and carbines of the dragoons.
'There is a Captain Lockarby, who is serving in Colonel Saxon's regiment, in Monmouth's army, said I. 'Should things go wrong with me, I would take it as a great kindness if you would bear him my love, and ask him to break it gently, by word or by letter, to those at Havant. If I were sure that this would be done, it would be a great ease to my mind.
Lockarby, do you take these men in hand, and never forget that the German wars have proved that the best of horse has no more chance against steady pikemen than the waves against a crag. Take the captaincy of the second company, and ride at their head. 'Faith! If they don't fight better than their captain rides, whispered Reuben, 'it will be an evil business.
That matter I set straight and proceeded on my way; but I could not pass the sign of the Wheatsheaf without John Lockarby, Reuben's father, plunging out at me and insisting upon my coming in with him for a morning cup. 'The best glass of mead in the countryside, and brewed under my own roof, said he proudly, as he poured it into the flagon.
'I fear that they will scarce be as forward when there is a line of musqueteers to be faced, and a brigade of horse perhaps charging down upon their flank. But here comes friend Lockarby, with news written upon his face. 'I have a report to make, Colonel, said Reuben, hurrying breathlessly up to us. 'You may remember that I and my company were placed on guard this day at the eastern gates?
When the third, however, sprang out into the moonlight, I drew my right-hand pistol from its holster, and resting its long barrel across my left forearm, I fired at it as it passed. The bullet struck the mark, for the brute gave a fierce howl of rage and pain, but true to the scent it never turned or swerved. Lockarby fired also as it disappeared among the brushwood, but with no apparent effect.
'To them and to the justice of our cause. How like ye the news, young sirs? Has the wine lost its smack on account of it? Are ye disposed to flinch from the standard of the Lord? 'For my own part I shall see the matter through, said I. 'And I shall bide where Micah Clarke bides, quoth Reuben Lockarby.
Mistress Timewell seated herself upon the right of the Mayor's place, with Sir Gervas beside her, while the post of honour upon the left was assigned to Saxon. On my left sat Lockarby, whose eyes I observed had been fixed in undisguised and all-absorbing admiration upon the Puritan maiden from the first moment that he had seen her.
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