on duty, and then they had to content themselves with standing
gazing across at the drilling and martial exercises which went on. The
firing of the big guns--for all were tried in turn so as to see that
they were serviceable--was a grand portion of the entertainment, and, in
spite of secret adverse influences at work, the tenants on the estate
soon began to present themselves for enrolment in the little body, eager
to a man to don the castle uniform and bear arms; while the fact that
the officer in command was a mere boy sent the lads of the neighbourhood
half-mad. In fact, day after day they came in pairs to offer themselves
for enlistment, but only to go disappointed away; those who showed the
most surprise at the refusal to accept their services being the very
young.

"Why, bless my heart!" Farmer Raynes would say, with his broad, deep
chuckle, "it would be like putting a 'stinguisher on a rush-light to
stick a steel cap on some of those boys' heads. You'd be putting them
out, Ben Martlet."

"Ay," said the old fellow, showing his teeth; "but a few would be useful
to go down the guns with a brush to clean them out. But there, I'm not
going to laugh at the boys. Shows a good sperrit, Master Raynes, that I
wish more of the older folk would follow."

"Ay, so do I," said the farmer, frowning; "but they're some of 'em
ashamed and some afraid. Parson Meldew has a lot to do with it; and do
you know why?"

"Nay, not I; perhaps it's because her ladyship has been such a good
friend to him."

"Like enough. That sort's always the worst. He has such a poor living
that it's my belief he's glad of the chance of a change. He thinks he
must be the better for it if it does come. I never much liked him; old
parson was the man. Why, if he'd been alive, he'd ha' been up here
every day talking to the lads, and encouraging them to get on as well as
they could to fight for church and state like good men and true. But
you'll have six more here to-day, good strong fellows from Marlow Mill."

"Eh? You don't mean that?"

"Oh, yes, I do," said the farmer. "I was over there with the wagon last
night to get that load o' flour that I brought in this morning, and I
give them all a talking-to about how things are, and my lads showing up
so in their coats and steel caps. It's of no use to bully 'em into
coming. They want coaxing, not driving. I hadn't been talking to 'em
long, 'fore they did exactly what I wanted, asking quest