hem.

The others followed. In two minutes they were under the boughs. Not
daring to breathe, they heard the troopers thunder along the highroad,
all unconscious for the moment of the trick that had been played them.

"Now," said the stranger briefly, "we must divide. I shall proceed to
Portallan alone very warily."

The faces of the boys fell at these words. Relinquish their duty before
a blow had been struck? It was humiliating--impossible. Philip first
found voice. "No, sir," he cried emphatically; "nothing of the kind! My
sister bade me not leave your side until you embarked for France, and
her word is my law."

"And we stand by Phil," said Vernon, with equal emphasis.

"You are brave boys," the stranger answered, "but you must do to-night
as I say. There is no time to argue here, and if I miss the tide I am
undone, for loyal captains are rare birds, I promise you. There may be
not another safe ship this fortnight."

"But the enemy," said Philip,--"you will have to pass them. How can you
do that single-handed?"

"Besides," Hugh interpolated, "is it fair to rob us of our sport like
this?"

"Yes," said Vernon, supporting him, "it is seldom enough one has any
chance of striking a blow for the cause. We are well armed. We are four
to their three."

The young man made a gesture of impatience.

"Peace," he said. "I have told you we must separate; let that be final.
You, Philip, shall accompany me part of the way, at any rate--I owe you
that; but the others will ride each towards the sea by different but
fairly direct ways. They will probably each be pursued, but must do the
best they can, avoiding bloodshed if possible. The captain has two men
with him, and Vernon and Hugh must each decoy one of them away in
pursuit. That will leave merely the captain, who is certain to ride to
the port. You, Philip, will divert him, and the way will thus be clear
and open to me to get on board. Please God, we all get through safely!"

So saying, the stranger shook hands with Hugh and Vernon, who were
convinced by something in his voice that this was their master and
nothing more was to be said, and in a moment he and Philip were gone.

Events happened precisely as the stranger had foretold. Vernon and
Hugh, riding full tilt towards Portallan, attracted each a Roundhead
soldier, and each boy used his knowledge of the country to lead the men
a wild-goose chase. Vernon's pursuer succumbed first, for he and his
horse fell into