ever others may
say of you--will you not come with us, and strike in for a good cause?
Zounds, man! you have many an ill deed to atone for, I'll warrant.
Why not add one good one to your account, by risking your life for the
reformed faith?'

'Not I,' the highwayman answered, reining up his horse. 'My own skin is
nothing, but why should I risk my mare in such a fool's quarrel? Should
she come to harm in the ruffle, where could I get such another? Besides,
it matters nothing to her whether Papist or Protestant sits on the
throne of England--does it, my beauty?'

'But you might chance to gain preferment,' I said. 'Our Colonel, Decimus
Saxon, is one who loves a good swordsman, and his word hath power with
King Monmouth and the council.'

'Nay, nay!' cried Hector Marot gruffly. 'Let every man stick to his own
trade. Kirke's Horse I am ever ready to have a brush with, for a party
of them hung old blind Jim Houston of Milverton, who was a friend of
mine. I have sent seven of the red-handed rogues to their last account
for it, and might work through the whole regiment had I time. But I will
not fight against King James, nor will I risk the mare, so let me hear
no more of it. And now I must leave ye, for I have much to do. Farewell
to you!'

'Farewell, farewell!' we cried, pressing his brown horny hands; 'our
thanks to you for your guidance.' Raising his hat, he shook his bridle
and galloped off down the road in a rolling cloud of dust.

'Rat me, if I ever say a word against the thieves again!' said Sir
Gervas. 'I never saw a man wield sword more deftly in my life, and he
must be a rare hand with a pistol to bring those two tall fellows down
with two shots. But look over there, Clarke! Can you not see bodies of
red-coats?'

'Surely I can,' I answered, gazing out over the broad, reedy,
dead-coloured plain, which extended from the other side of the winding
Parret to the distant Polden Hills. 'I can see them over yonder in the
direction of Westonzoyland, as bright as the poppies among corn.'

'There are more upon the left, near Chedzoy,' quoth Sir Gervas. 'One,
two, three, and one yonder, and two others behind--six regiments of foot
in all. Methinks I see the breastplates of horse over there, and some
sign of ordnance too. Faith! Monmouth must fight now, if he ever hopes
to feel the gold rim upon his temples. The whole of King James's army
hath closed upon him.'

'We must get back to our command, then,' I answered. 'If I