r Godfrey, in a stern deep voice which annoyed
Fred.

"When he knows me as well as he does his own son!"

"Ride back, and tell your leaders that I have laid the contents of their
letter before the gallant gentlemen who are my companions here."

There was a buzz, and an attempt at cheering, which ceased as Sir
Godfrey went on.

"They all join heart and soul with me in the determination to hold my
home here in the name of his majesty the king, so long as there is a
roof above us and a piece of wall to act as shelter, to help us keep
your rascally rebellious cut-throats out of the place."

Fred felt all of a tingle, and his eyes flamed as he gazed up defiantly
at the speaker.

"Tell your leaders that if they will at once lay down their arms and
return to their homes, they shall be allowed to do so in peace."

"Huzza!" came from within.

"But if they still keep in arms against his majesty, they must expect no
mercy. Once more. Tell your leaders that we treat their proposal with
the contempt it deserves."

"As we shall treat your silly proposition, sir," said Fred, quite losing
his temper at being made the bearer of such an absurd defiance from a
little knot of men, completely surrounded as they were. "Am I to fully
understand that you are obstinate enough to say you will hold out?"

"Look here, insolent boy," said Sir Godfrey, sternly, "you are safe--
your character of messenger makes you so--but if you stay where you are
in front of this my doorstep another five minutes, one of the men shall
beat you away with a staff. Go!"

Fred turned white, then red, and he felt the bitterness of the general's
words the more keenly from having forgotten himself and departed from
his neutral position of messenger to speak as he had. He wanted to say
something angry that should show Sir Godfrey and his companions, and
above all, Scarlett, that he was obliged to go, but that it was on
account of his duty, and not that he feared the man with the staff. But
suitable words would not come, and, bubbling over with impotent wrath
and annoyance, he touched his horse's flanks with the spurs, turned as
slowly and deliberately as he could, and began to move away, but only to
face round fiercely as the tall Cavalier at the window said
banteringly--

"Good-bye, young game-cock."

There was a roar of laughter from the careless party looking on.

"You coward!"

"Not I, my lad," came back in cheery tones. "I was only joking.
Go