was coming along splendid, till Bob
Herries happens to look back, and, `Run, lads,' he says; `here they come
arter us!' I was for hiding, sir, but there was no chance, so we all
run our best, with the castle here seeming a long way off; but we got
nigher and nigher, and so did they; and they'd ha' cut us off if it
hadn't been for that gun--though we all thought the next shot might hit
us."

"You did bravely, my lads," cried Roy. "But tell me, what about the men
from the farm?"

"What! aren't they here, sir?" said the man.

"No; we've seen nothing of them."

"Well, I am glad, then, that we aren't the last," said the man, with a
grin of satisfaction; but his face was serious directly. "I don't quite
mean that, sir. I mean I'm sorry they're not here. Then some of those
fellows must have took them. But what I want to know is, how could they
tell we was a-coming to the castle?"

"They must have noticed that you all had a military bearing, my lad.
You are all very different to what you were when you came to join."

A look of pride beamed in the man's face and was reflected in those of
his companions, but he spoke out directly.

"Well, we have tried to get to be soldiers, sir, hard; haven't us,
mates?"

"Ay!" was growled in chorus.

"Yes, you have done well," cried Roy, "and I'm heartily glad to see you
safely here."

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

THE YOUNG CASTELLAN SPEAKS OUT.

The day passed anxiously on, and it was getting well towards sunset, but
there was no sign of the farm men, neither did the enemy appear in
sight. Farmer Raynes appealed to Roy again and again for permission to
go in search of his people; but, anxious as the young castellan was for
news, he could not risk losing one of the strongest and most dependable
men he had.

"They may get here yet, Master Raynes," he said; "and I'd give anything
to see them; but I'd rather lose the swords of all ten than lose yours."

"Mean that, Master Roy?" said the bluff farmer, looking at him
searchingly.

"Mean it? Of course!"

"Thank ye, sir. Then I'll stop; but I feel as if I'd failed you at a
pinch by only coming alone."

"Then don't think so again," said Roy, "but help me all you can with the
men, for I'm afraid we are going to have a hard fight to save the
place."

"Oh, we'll save it, sir. Don't you fear about that," said Raynes; and
he went away to join Ben and talk about the chances of the party
reaching the castle.

In the guard-room