made it glide swiftly from his hands, and then mounted his horse
to ride back, through the darkness, trusting to chance to reach the camp
unchallenged.

This time they were not so successful, for all at once a sharp voice
bade them halt and give the word.

"Forward's the word, Master Fred," whispered Samson, "full speed, knee
to knee."

Their horses answered to the touches of their heels, and bounded through
the darkness, the man who challenged trying to fire in their direction;
but the match merely made the priming flash, and before he could
communicate with his fellows, Fred and Samson were far over the moor
toward the park, dashing by an outpost, whose men fired and raised the
alarm. It was too late to stop the adventurous pair, who were close up
to the tents and off the horses, which they left to their fate, while
the men whom they encountered now treated them as others who had been
alarmed by the firing on the moor. Drums were beating, trumpets
sounding, and men mustered quickly, waiting a night attack, till the
sentinels were questioned and told their tale. An hour more, and it was
broad daylight, and the men dismissed, after what was treated as a false
alarm.

"And when I went to the tethering stakes, Master, Fred, sir," whispered
Samson, "there were our horses standing alongside o' the others, with
their halters hanging down just as if they'd never left their places."

"But weren't you missed? You were a prisoner."

"No, sir, s'pose not. I should ha' thought they'd ha' looked at me now
and then; but I'd done nothing very wrong, and when a man did tramp into
the tent, he found me lying down, and didn't see the slit through which
I crept out and in."

"Then you are released, Samson?"

"Yes, sir; your father ordered me to be let out, and, oh, how sleepy I
do feel! I say, though, sir, if the colonel know'd all we done last
night, what would he say?"

"Don't talk about it, my good fellow. I hope he would be glad at heart;
but as a soldier--Samson, we must keep our secret, perhaps for years."

Samson gave his mouth a slap with his horny palm, and walked away.

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

GREETINGS AFTER LONG YEARS.

During the month which followed Sir Godfrey's escape, the forces of the
Parliamentarians achieved success after success, Colonel Forrester and
his son being despatched with a little column to the east two days
later.

The dilemma to Fred before starting seemed terrible, but just as he