all, till you see
me ride out. Then fall in quietly at my heels."

Presently, as we stood there, came a noise of trumpets and a clatter of
hoofs down the steep street. As they passed, we could see by the
torches of those that marched beside them that this was a great company
of foot and horse, dragging a gun or two with them. 'Twas more of a
rabble than a troop; for the horses, frightened by the glare of the
torches and the shouts of the footmen, reared and plunged, and scattered
the townsfolk who had turned out to see them pass, right and left.

As they passed the corner where we lurked, some of the horses plunged in
among us, and in the darkness all was confusion for a moment.

Then I quietly rode in among them with my five men at my heels, and so,
unseen and unheeded, we joined the troop and passed the gate in safety
into the black country beyond.

Once outside, 'twas easy enough to get clear. I bade my men lag behind
all they could; till at last we must have dropped fifty yards or so,
where, in the darkness, we were quite lost to view. Then I gave the
order to gallop; and overtaking the company, as in hot haste, I rode up
to the officer and saluted.

"A good journey to you, Captain," said I. "'Twill be slower than ours,
for the troop we are to join is already beyond the Bann, and we ride
post-haste to overtake it."

"You are of Merriman's troop then?" said the officer.

"That are we. Good-night to you, Captain. Lay to, my men, and spurs
all!" And so we rode forward.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

HOW CAPTAIN MERRIMAN CAME AND WENT BETWIXT ME AND THE LIGHT.

Our speed did not last long; for very soon the hard road turned off to
the coast, whereas I, being chary, even of minutes, resolved to strike
inland and make direct for the Bann.

I was a fool for my pains, as I presently found; for we were soon
crawling and floundering among thickets and morasses like blind men.

Add to that that the weather grew boisterous and stormy, that our
provisions were sunk very low, that now and again we were set upon by
the clansmen of the Glynns, who, for all the truce, hated England with
all their hearts, and you may guess if we made quick progress.

At length we captured a countryman, who, to save his neck, offered to
guide us out into the Route country, where Castleroe was. But ten
precious days had been lost us in that journey; during which, who was to
say what evil might not be befalling those two helpless ma