suggested.

"Not very likely that I should agree to it," he answered. "I have you
now in my power, and if your friends attempt to rescue you, I must
pistol you as I promised."

"Look here, Cornet," said Andrew, "should you kill us, our friends will
to a certainty cut you down in revenge; for supposing that twenty or
thirty of them appear, you would have no chance, and as to giving our
word not to attempt under such circumstances to escape, we cannot do
it."

"Well, then, you must take the consequences," answered the Cornet; "you
must ride on with your legs bound under you, but I will allow you the
use of your hands, for if your horses were to fall you might break your
necks, and I should have only dead men to convey to the camp."

Stephen, who all along had had no wish to give his word, was glad of
this arrangement. The Cornet ordering his men to halt, himself unloosed
the prisoners' hands, and bade them take the reins and see that they
kept their horses on their feet. The cavalcade now moved forward at a
more rapid rate than they before ventured to go. Neither Stephen nor
Andrew had the slightest hope of being rescued, as few of the cavalry
who had fled from Sedgemoor had kept together, each man having gone off
in the direction where he hoped safety might most quickly be found.
They concluded, with correctness, that many had been already captured,
and that the dragoons were scouring the country in all directions in
search of others. Their only consolation was, that they had fallen into
the hands of a humane man, who was certainly not thirsting for their
blood. Where there is life there is hope. They therefore rode on less
downcast than under the circumstances might have been expected.

CHAPTER NINE.

Stephen and Andrew Battiscombe had, without hesitation, given their
names and other particulars of their family to Cornet Bryce.

"Well, my friends, I can tell you that I think there is a chance, though
a slight one, that you may escape hanging," he observed, as he rode
alongside them in a familiar fashion, two of his men going in front and
two guarding the rear. "Our General and some of the officers under him
are not above taking bribes, and if you can persuade them that your
father will pay handsomely, you may possibly get off, provided they do
not hang you without asking questions. I give you the hint, as it may
be of value to you."

"Thank you," said Andrew. "I am very sure that our father will