oad and entered a lane. They
pressed along behind the houses of the street to turn the flank of the
English infantry who were drawn up against the demesne wall. The English
commander saw his danger, and sent dragoons charging down the street
again. But Hope's musketeers were in the churchyard this time. They
fired at close range. The dragoons hesitated. The remaining pikemen
rushed out on them. The colonel reeled in his saddle, struck by a
bullet. His men wavered. In one instant the pikemen were among them.
Three horsemen shouted to the men to rally, and with the flats of their
swords struck at those who were retreating. But the dragoons had had too
much of the pikes. They turned and fled up the street. Sweeping to the
left they galloped in confusion from the battle. The three horsemen
who did not fly were surrounded. The main body of the pikemen pressed
forward; the flanking party joined them. The English infantry and
gunners were driven through the gates and took shelter behind the walls
of the demesne.

In the middle of the street the three horsemen fought for their lives
against a handful of men who had held back from the main charge. Neal
recognised two of them--saw with horror Lord Dun-severic and Maurice
cutting at the pikes with their swords. He leaped the wall and rushed
to their help. The third horseman--the unfortunate Lord O'Neill--was
separated far from them. He fell from his saddle, ripped by a pike
thrust. Lord Dunseveric's horse was stabbed, and threw its rider to the
ground. Maurice leaped down and raised his father. The two stood back to
back while the pikemen pressed on them. Then Neal reached them. With his
musket clubbed he beat down two of the pikes. The men cursed him, and,
furious at his interference, thrust at him. A sword flashed suddenly
beside him, and a pike, which would have pierced him, was turned aside.
Neal saw that the red-haired boy who marched with him in the morning had
followed him from the churchyard and was fighting fiercely by his side.
The pikemen realised that they were attacking their friends. Leaving
Neal and his protector, they ran to join their comrades.

"Yield yourselves," shouted Neal. "You are my prisoners. Yield and you
are safe."

Lord Dunseveric bowed.

"Thank you, Neal," he said, quietly, "we yield to you."

A bullet struck the ground at their feet, and then another. The soldiers
behind the demesne wall were firing at them. The boy who had saved Neal
from the