vements of some
force hidden by the hills from where the regiment had halted, and by
degrees they began to work over the eminence and disappeared, while the
general seemed to be fretting with impatience, till all at once those
near him heard him utter a low "Hah!" and he gave the order to his men
to prepare to mount.

A thrill ran through the long line of men, and Fred heard his follower
utter a low, adjuration to his unwilling steed.

"Leave off eating, will you? Hold your head up. Who are you, that you
are to go on feasting while your master starves?"

The horse looked at him reproachfully, and had to content itself with
chewing a few strands of grass off his bit.

The reason for the general's order was plain enough directly, for they
could see one of the advance men coming back at full gallop down the
distant hill, and long before he could reach them the other scouts
appeared, retiring slowly in two lines, one sitting fast and facing the
approaching force, while the other careered by them, and took up a fresh
position in their rear.

There were only ten men out, at a distance of sixty or seventy yards
apart, but as they drew nearer to their goal their lines contracted, and
this was continued so that they could ride in as a compact little knot.

Meanwhile the first man came tearing in as fast as his horse could go,
and when he was a few hundred yards away, the order was given, and the
dismounted men sprang into the saddle.

"Don't seem to have a bit of fight left in me now," muttered Samson.
"No dinner, and no Nat here to make a man feel savage. Wish I was back
at the Manor, digging my bit o' ground. Anybody might fight for me."

At that moment a fresh order was given, and every man sat stern and
ready for the advance or retreat, wondering which way they would go, and
of what nature the force was, evidently advancing fast.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

THE HALL CHANGES MASTERS AGAIN.

The cheering and triumphant congratulation amongst the Royalist party
was mingled with regret at being unable to crown their little victory by
taking their opponents prisoners to a man. But their horses were
exhausted, and they had the mortification of seeing the little body
under General Hedley ride away.

Then the order to return was given, and a strong party was told off to
the painful duty of picking up the wounded, and bearing them back to the
Hall.

Sir Godfrey Markham gave the order that they should be taken there