e men had put up, and directed
them to discover whether, as was probable, the escort was to arrive
that night. If so, they were to mount at daybreak, and assemble
where the road crossed the moor, three miles north of Chapel le
Frith, where they would find Mr. Jervoise awaiting them.

At nine o'clock that evening the troop rode in and, at daybreak,
Mr. Jervoise and the boys started. Two of the men were already at
the spot indicated, and, half an hour later, the whole of them had
arrived.

Mr. Jervoise led them back to a spot that he had selected, where
the road dipped into a deep valley, in which, sheltered from the
winds, was a small wood. Leaving one at the edge, to give warning
directly the escort appeared on the road over the brow, he told the
rest to dismount. Most of them were armed with pistols. All had
swords.

"Do you," he said, "who are good shots with your pistols, fire at
the men when I give the word--let the rest aim at the horses. The
moment you have opened fire, dash forward and fall on them. We are
already as numerous as they are, and we ought to be able to
dismount or disable four or five of them, with our first fire. I
shall give the order as Sir Marmaduke arrives opposite me. Probably
the officer will be riding. I shall make the officer my special
mark, for it may be that he has orders to shoot the prisoner, if
any rescue is attempted.

"I don't suppose they will be at all prepared for an attack. They
were vigilant, no doubt, for the first two days but, once out of
Lancashire, they will think that there is no longer any fear of an
attempt at rescue. Pursue those that escape for half a mile or so,
and then draw rein, and, as soon as they are out of sight, strike
due north across the fells. Keep to the east of Glossop, and then
make your way singly to your homes. It will be better for you to
travel up through Yorkshire, till you are north of Ingleborough, so
as to come down from the north to your farms.

"I know that you have all engaged in this affair for love of Sir
Marmaduke or myself, and because you hate to see a loyal gentleman
made the victim of lying knaves; but when we come back with the
king, you may be sure that Sir Marmaduke and I will well reward the
services you have rendered."

It was an hour before the man on the lookout warned them that the
troop had just appeared over the hill. They mounted now, and,
pistol in hand, awaited the arrival of the party. Two troopers came
first, tr