"I want no words," said the stranger, "and no delay.Do as I tell you, in the King's name.""Ay, marry!" cried the shepherd; "in the King's name I'll do anything.""Good fellow," said the stranger, "well said.Take off that smock and those legcasings."The man took them off.The stranger divested himself of Rupert's clothes at the same time, and hastily donned those of the shepherd."Tie mine in a bundle," he said to the man."I shall leave you cold to-night, I fear, but here is money.Lie close in a blanket till the morrow, and then send for your wife to buy other clothes.But keep your tongue from wagging."So saying, the stranger shouldered his bundle, and, taking the shepherd's crook in his hand, he left the hut and rejoined Philip."My dear boy," he said, "I must leave you now.I shall creep into the town under cover of this disguise, safely enough, and be on board in half an hour.Farewell.Ishall never forget your services to me, as you will be reminded some day, and from a quarter you least expect." With these words he shook the boy's hand and was lost in the mist.
Philip waited irresolutely for some minutes.Then a plan came to him which, if successful, would make the humiliation of the Roundhead complete."Yes,"he said "I'll do it;" and forthwith he urged his horse towards the town at a smart trot leading the other by the reins and talking loudly with its imaginary rider.The ruse was successful.The Roundhead Captain was, as Philip had suspected, in ambush just at the outskirts, all ready to dart forth and at last make the capture.When within a dozen yards of his form, dimly outlined in the fog, Philip loosed the led horse, and lashing it sharply over the flanks, turned his own steed, and rode off at full gallop which he did not slacken till he reached home.He glowed as he rode.
Barbara's head appeared at the window in response to his clatter.Calling the single word "Safe!" from the gate, he spurred on to Framshott.
"Outwitted clean!" said the Captain to himself, as he came up at last with the riderless animal two hours after."Outwitted, discredited, and by a parcel of children! However, let's make the best of it;" and so saying, he urged his horse towards Myddelton Hall, leading the stranger's by the bridle.
At three in the morning, when the sun was rising, and the air was sweet and cool, and songs of birds made music all around him, Philip rode into the yard of the school-house.He found Rupert waiting for him.
"Hugh and Vernon are in the kitchen making a famine," said Master Ommaney.
"Old Full's down there with them, and he's as pleased as a Merry Andrew about it all! He keeps shaking hands with us.""It's been grand," said Philip, as he shut the stable door on his horse.
"I'm so sorry you couldn't come, too, Rupe, old boy."At about the same time the Captain thundered on the Hall door.The blacksmith very deliberately descended the stairs to unlock it.Barbara followed.
"You must give me lodging to-night," the Captain said curtly."My men will be here soon, and there are three good fellows to be cared for to whom your servants have done serious mischief."Barbara, looking contrite, told the Captain that a room was at his service, and there was food in the kitchen.He attended first to his horse, and then she set a brave supper before him and the smith.
"Well, young lady," said the Captain at length, "I must compliment you on your cleverness.You nested your bird well, and you saw to it that he flew well, too.All we have to show for it is a broken nose, a broken shoulder, and a broken back.It is a sad business for us all; bad for you, when head quarters come to hear of it, and bad for me, in not being sharper.But it might have been worse," he added; "why, the fugitive might have been the Prince himself, instead of this twopenny-halfpenny spy!" Barbara smiled.
* * * *
In conclusion it may be said that, as it turned out, no more was heard of the matter by Colonel Myddelton.The Roundhead Captain felt that the day's work did not sufficiently redound to his credit, and he shrank from the chaff that would follow when it was known that a girl and some schoolboys had outwitted him.He therefore kept silence.
Some years had to pass before Barbara and Philip received their reward; but one of the first acts of the Merry Monarch on ascending the throne was to make Philip a knight and to send Barbara a pair of very beautiful horses and a carriage.
THERE WAS A SILENCE AFTER GODFREY FAIRFAX HAD FINISHED.
THEN, "IS IT TRUE?" GREGORY ASKED.
"IS IT A GOOD STORY?" THE AUTHOR INQUIRED, BY WAY OF REPLY.
"OH, YES," SAID GREGORY."RIPPING!"
"THEN LET'S CONSIDER IT TRUE," SAID MISS REDSTONE.
"OF COURSE IT'S TRUE," SAID HESTER.
"DO YOU LIKE IT AS WELL AS 'FOR THE GOOD CAUSE?" MISS REDSTONE ASKED HORACE.
"NOT QUITE," HE SAID, "BUT VERY NEARLY."
"AND YOU?" SHE INQUIRED OF JACK.
"IT'S JOLLY INTERESTING," HE SAID, "ANYWAY.""WELL, I'M VERY MUCH OBLIGED TO YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME SO LONG," MISSREDSTONE SAID."YOU'VE BEEN VERY KIND, AND YOU'VE CHEERED ME UP EXTREMELY.
GOOD-BYE.I SHALL NEVER FORGET YOUR KINDNESS, AND I SHALL SEND YOU THESTORY WHEN IT IS PRINTED."
AND AFTER GIVING HER THEIR ADDRESS, THEY RESUMED THEIR JOURNEY, ANDDISCUSSED THE ROMANCE AT INTERVALS ALL THE WAY TO BREDON HILL.
