k; and he turned to look round, with his
eyes flashing his indignation. Then, as the cheer went rolling away
forward, he repeated his words aloud, unconscious that they would be
heard.

"The wretches! It is not a sight."

"They're a-cheering of 'em, sir," said the dragoon at his elbow, "not
hooting 'em, poor fellows!"

Frank darted a grateful look in the man's eyes, and his heart leaped
with excitement as the light flashed upon him. It was a manoeuvre, and
there would be an attempt to rescue, after all.

"I believe we're in for a row, sir," continued the man, leaning over to
him and speaking in a low voice. "Strikes me the best thing for you to
do would be to step into the carriage to your friend before the fight
begins: I'll hold your horse."

"I!" said Frank sharply. "I wouldn't be such a cur."

"Well said, youngster. Then you try and stick by me. We shall be in
the thick of it, and nobody shall hurt you if I can help it."

"Do--do you think, then, that there will be trouble?"

"Yes, for some of us, sir," said the man. "They mean to try and get the
prisoners, and the attack will be here."

Frank was unconscious of a movement behind him, till a horseman forced
his way in between him and the dragoon, and Captain Murray said sharply:

"Try and ease off, my man."

"Not to be done, sir," replied the dragoon.

"There's going to be an attempt at rescue, Frank," whispered the
captain. "Shake hands with your father before we are forced away."

At that moment word was passed along from the rear, running from man to
man as they still kept on at a slow walk:

"Flats of your swords; drive them back."

The next minute, just as a fresh cheer was being started, the trumpet
rang out behind "Trot!" and the men put spurs to their horses, and
dashed on, driving a road through the crowd; and, amidst a savage
yelling and hooting which took the place of the hearty cheer for the
prisoners, the escort literally forced their way for another fifty
yards, the men in advance striking to right and left with the flats of
their heavy cavalry swords.

But it was soon evident that they were slackening speed, and the trumpet
rang out again, but with an uncertain sound, for it was nearly drowned
by the angry yelling which arose. The command was _gallop_, but the
execution of the order was _walk_, and a minute later the whole escort
came to a stand, literally wedged in, with the frightened horses
standing shivering and snort