young son. Strange it were to spirit away the lad in that
style. He really thought he was showing us the way, not seeing the
colors we wore until too late."

"My Fairy Prince!" gasped Maid Sally, "my Fairy Prince!"

"Make no more talk," said the third man, stoutly. "No harm hath been
done, no harm whatever! And well paid are we to be. The lad will simply
be detained until too late to join his comrades, a matter of two days or
so."

"I half fear me the sharp wits of the lad will find him a way of
escape," said the first speaker, "and he is but six hours' ride from
Pamunkey turnpike, where the others will ride at noon to-morrow."

"Aha!" said the third man, "but Farmer Hinds will watch him well. His
reward will sharpen his eyes, no doubt."

"He would be all right could he but get a horse," said the first man.

"And no horse will he get within miles of Darius Hinds's old farm place
for days to come," said the second man. "Plenty of oxen, but never a
horse or a mule. But come on! Tired out I am. Our work is done. And no
one knoweth aught, except that the pert young plotter Bromfeld was told
that, at the last moment, Sir Percival Grandison's upstart warrior had
changed his mind and started on a little journey."

CHAPTER XIX.

ONE NIGHT

Home went Maid Sally, head down, heart full. She knew the whole story.
What should she do? Tell Parson Kendall, and let him fly to the rescue?
Then might the king's men interfere, and great trouble come to the good
parson.

Ah! she knew what to do. Find Reginald Bromfeld, and let the gay troop
pass that way on the morrow and release their comrade. That they could
easily do, even should it take a little time.

She went home to her supper, and then, saying she would take a walk,
started for the Widow Bromfeld's, about a mile away. When near the place
she met an old colored uncle, and asked where she might find Master
Reginald Bromfeld.

"Nowhar," answered the old man. "He done gone with young Mars' Sutcliff,
Mars' Byrd, Mars' Spottswood, Mars' Norris, and Mars' Culpeper for
Bosting town, an' only de good Lawd know whedder any ob em ebber come
walkin' back alibe."

"When did they go?" panted Sally.

"Two hour ago, missy. For some reason 'bout gettin' guns, dey mus' stop
on de way. But dey all gets to de big turnpike to-morr' noon. Den dey
cuts fo' Bosting."

Sally turned back, and, walking briskly, was soon at home and in her
room. While it was still early she went to