Meldew came and had a long talk with me day before yesterday,
sir, and he told me that whatever I did I was to stay peacefully at
home, mind my crops, and not interfere at all. But if I did, I was not
to side with the king."

"He dared to tell you that?" cried Roy.

"Not quite in those words, sir, but he meant it."

"Oh, if he wasn't a clerk, I'd say something," cried Roy; "but what did
you say?"

"Nothing, sir; I only laughed."

"And do you mean to stay at home and do what he told you?"

"Of course, sir, unless there's some fighting comes on, and then I
suppose we shall have to begin."

"Against the king?"

"I'm going to fight for my good old landlord, Master Roy, the best man I
know. He always stood my friend in hard times, and if he sends word I
am to, why, here I be with ten stout fellows, only you'll have to drill
us all, same as you're doing with these here, unless pitchforks and
flails will do; we can handle them."

"Shake hands, Master Raynes," cried Roy; "I want you and the men to come
and drill every day in the mornings, and I want you to bring us in as
much wheat, oats, and flour as we can store up. You must buy when you
have not plenty, for we must be ready in case we are attacked."

"What do you say to me going round and buying up all the ham and bacon
and salt pork I can get, sir?"

"Yes, certainly," cried Roy. "My mother will supply the money."

"Oh, that's all right enough, sir," said the farmer. "But of course you
don't want us to come and live in the place until there's real trouble."

"Certainly not. Give half your time to getting ready for troubles, and
the other half to the farm."

"I see, sir. Ah, morning, Master Pawson. Wild times these."

"Terrible, Master Raynes, terrible," said the secretary, coming up.
"Are you going to be drilled too?"

Roy glanced sharply round, but the secretary spoke earnestly, and with
no suggestion of a sneer.

"Yes, sir, me and my men must come and support my landlord, spite of all
that Parson Meldew may say."

"Does he object?"

"Yes, sir; and pretty strongly, too. If I was him, I don't think I
should say quite so much, for he may be hearing of it again."

"But I hope all we hear is but exaggerated rumour, Master Raynes, for
everybody's sake. If it were half so bad as you all say, I don't know
what would happen."

"Ah well, sir, nothing shall happen here if me and my lads can prevent
it. There, I won't waste time. The lads shall b