62 A JACOBITE EXILE

Marmaduke and I will well reward the services you have
rendered.”

It was an hour before the man on the look-out warned
them that the troop had just appeared over the hill. They
mounted now, and, pistol in hand, awaited the arrival of
the party. Two troopers came first, trotting carelessly
along, laughing and smoking. A hundred yards behind
came the main body, four troopers first, then the lieutenant
and Sir Marmaduke, followed by the other six troopers.
With outstretched arm and pistol pointed through the under-
growth, Mr. Jervoise waited till the officer, who was riding
on his side of the road, came abreast of him. He had
already told the boys that he intended to aim at his
shoulder.

“They are the enemies of the king,” he said, “but I
cannot in cold blood shoot down a man with whom I have
no cause for quarrel. I can depend upon my aim, and he
will not be twelve paces from the muzzle of my pistol.”

He fired, the officer gave a sudden start and reeled on
his horse, and before he could recover himself the band.
who had fired at the flash of the first pistol, dashed out
through the bushes and fell upon the troopers. Jour men
had dropped, one horse had fallen, and two others were
plunging wildly as with a shout their assailants dashed upon
them. All who could turn their horse’s head rode furiously
off, some along the road forward, others back towards
Manchester. ‘The lieutenant’s horse had rolled over with
him, as that of Mr. Jervoise struck it on the shoulder with
the full impetus of its spring.

“Tt is all over, Sir Marmaduke, and you are a free man.
We have nothing to do now but to ride for it.” And before
the knight had fairly recovered from his astonishment, he
found himself riding south across the moor with his son on
one side of him and Mr. Jervoise and Harry on the other.

“You have saved my life, Jervoise,” he said, holding out