luck proved better than we hoped. For as we drew near the
exit of the lane, I heard a voice challenge. The chorus, which had
lasted us all the way, ceased on a sudden, and was taken up by a
pistol-shot. At once I guessed that here must be help, and, feeling
for my trumpet, found it and blew the call. Naked of weapons as my
comrades were, we charged down on the rear, broke it, and flung it
upon the darkness, where by this time we could hear the voice of
Wilkins, our sergeant-major, bellowing above the tumult.

Within five minutes this double charge settled all. The pack-horses
were ours again, with twenty-one inebriate prisoners. My mare,
galloping home with the third pack-horse at her heels, had alarmed
the picket, and Wilkins, with twenty men, had turned out to scour the
Alton road.

So, while we secured our drunkards to the last man, I had leisure to
bless my fortune.

CHAPTER IV.

By this time dawn had begun to grow in the sky behind us. I handed
over the prisoners to Wilkins and Carey, and gave Wyld and Masters
leave to return with them to Farnham: 'for,' said I, 'they seem the
weariest, and Shackell and Small Owens will serve well enough for
escort by daylight.'

Wilkins stared. 'You are not telling me,' said he, that you intend
going forward with that silly wine, and you in such plight!'

'There's my orders, to begin with,' said I; 'and--bless the man!--you
don't suppose, after this night's work, I mean to miss the fun of it,
now that the luck is turned and is running. As for the wine, Lord
Crawford will get but three firkins for his hogshead; but if his
rascals choose to play highwaymen upon a peaceful convoy, that is
_his_ look-out. And as for my plight, I shall present myself with
these bandages and ask him what manner of troops he commands, that do
violence upon a trumpet honourably sent to him and on his own
petition.'

And this (to shorten my tale) I did. With Shackell and Small Owens I
herded my two pack-horses along the road to Alton, and arrived at the
earl's outposts without mishap and within half an hour past daybreak.
There I sounded my trumpet, and was led without ado to his lordship's
headquarters.

I found him seated with his secretary and with a grave, handsome man,
Colonel John Bolle, that commanded his regiment of infantry, and was
killed next day defending Alton Church (I have heard), in the very
pulpit. This Colonel Bolle bowed to me very courteously, but the
earl