.

As they settled down at last into the line of march, Fred found himself
for the present with the staff, riding behind his father, who was
General Hedley's most trusted follower, but hours went on before a word
passed between father and son. Such conversation as did ensue was with
Samson, who rode behind, neither being considered sufficiently recovered
to go back to the regiment, but settling down to the work of
aide-de-camp and orderly.

And as they rode slowly on, the cavalry halting from time to time to
give the infantry opportunities for keeping up and preserving their
position in the column, it soon became evident that the Royalists, who
had made no sign in their neighbourhood for weeks, must be somewhere
near at hand. For the greatest precautions were taken, scouting parties
were out, and a regiment of horse formed flankers well away on either
side to guard against surprise.

Fred was riding slowly on at a short distance behind his father,
thinking with all a convalescent's freedom from fever and pain, of how
beautiful everything around seemed to be, and longing to cast aside the
trammels of discipline, so as to be a boy in nature once more, as well
as in years, when a low voice behind him made him sharply turn his head.

"Don't it seem a pity, Master Fred?"

"Eh? What, Samson?"

"Why, sir, that we should be all riding and walking along here over this
moor, thinking about hoeing up and raking down people and mowing 'em
off, instead of enjoying ourselves like Christians?"

"Ah, yes," sighed Fred; "it does. It is very beautiful, though, all the
same."

"Beautiful, sir? Ah, Master Fred, how I should like to put away my
tools--I mean this here sword and pistol--and for you and me to take off
our boots and stockings, and wade up yonder stream after the trout."

"Hah!" ejaculated Fred, with his eyes brightening. "Yes."

"Or to go away north, and get out on that there short soft grass, as
always looks as if it had been kept well-mown, out there by the Rill
Head, and lie down on our backs, and look at the sun shining on the sea
and ships a-sailing along, eh, Master Fred?"

"Oh, Samson, Samson, don't talk about it!" sighed Fred, as he gazed
right away in imagination at the scene his rough companion painted.

"Can't help it, sir. Feel as if I must. Steady, my lad! you mustn't
break away for a gallop. We're soldiers now."

This was to his horse, which felt grass beneath its feet and the wind
blowin