thread-the-needle at Greenhill Fair, and going into shows and driving the
showman crazy with cock-a-doodle-doo!'

'I suppose not.'

'Does it make you seem just a trifle uncomfortable, Noakes? Keep up your
spirits, old comrade. Come, forward! we are only ambling on like so many
donkey-women. We have to get into Budmouth, join the rest of the troop,
and then march along the coast west'ard, as I imagine. At this rate we
shan't be well into the thick of battle before twelve o'clock. Spur on,
comrades. No dancing on the green, Lockham, this year in the moonlight!
You was tender upon that girl; gad, what will become o' her in the
struggle?'

'Come, come, Derriman,' expostulated Lockham--'this is all very well, but
I don't care for 't. I am as ready to fight as any man, but--'

'Perhaps when you get into battle, Derriman, and see what it's like, your
courage will cool down a little,' added Noakes on the same side, but with
secret admiration of Festus's reckless bravery.

'I shall be bayoneted first,' said Festus. 'Now let's rally, and on!'

Since Festus was determined to spur on wildly, the rest of the yeomen did
not like to seem behindhand, and they rapidly approached the town. Had
they been calm enough to reflect, they might have observed that for the
last half-hour no carts or carriages had met them on the way, as they had
done further back. It was not till the troopers reached the turnpike
that they learnt what Festus had known a quarter of an hour before. At
the intelligence Derriman sheathed his sword with a sigh; and the party
soon fell in with comrades who had arrived there before them, whereupon
the source and details of the alarm were boisterously discussed.

'What, didn't you know of the mistake till now?' asked one of these of
the new-comers. 'Why, when I was dropping over the hill by the cross-
roads I looked back and saw that man talking to the messenger, and he
must have told him the truth.' The speaker pointed to Festus. They
turned their indignant eyes full upon him. That he had sported with
their deepest feelings, while knowing the rumour to be baseless, was soon
apparent to all.

'Beat him black and blue with the flat of our blades!' shouted two or
three, turning their horses' heads to drop back upon Derriman, in which
move they were followed by most of the party.

But Festus, foreseeing danger from the unexpected revelation, had already
judiciously placed a few intervening yards be