ttom, although, it is true he justified himself now by pointing out
that this was no time to hesitate at trifles. Partly because they
talked and partly because the gradient was steep and their horses
needed breathing, they slackened rein, and the horseman behind them
came tearing through the water of the ford and lessened the distance
considerably in the next few minutes.

He bethought him of using his lungs once more. "Hi, Wilding! Hold, damn
you!"

"He curses you in a most intimate manner," quoth Trenchard.

Wilding reined in and turned in the saddle. "His voice has a familiar
sound," said he. He shaded his eyes with his hand, and looked down the
slope at the pursuer, who came on crouching low upon the withers of his
goaded beast.

"Wait!" the fellow shouted. "I have news--news for you!"

"It's Vallancey!" cried Wilding suddenly. Trenchard too had drawn rein
and was looking behind him. Instead of expressing relief at the discovery
that this was not an enemy, he swore at the trouble to which they had
so needlessly put themselves, and he was still at his vituperations when
Vallancey came up with them, red in the face and very angry, cursing
them roundly for the folly of their mad career, and for not having
stopped when he bade them.

"It was no doubt discourteous," said Mr. Wilding "but we took you for
some friend of the Lord-Lieutenant's."

"Are they after you?" quoth Vallancey, his face of a sudden very
startled.

"Like enough," said Trenchard, "if they have found their horses yet."

"Forward, then," Vallancey urged them in excitement, and he picked up
his reins again. "You shall hear my news as we ride."

"Not so," said Trenchard. "We have business here down yonder at the
ford."

"Business? What business?"

They told him, and scarce had they got the words out than he cut in
impatiently. "That's no matter now.

"Not yet, perhaps," said Mr. Wilding; "but it will be if that letter
gets to Whitehall."

"Odso!" was the impatient retort, "there's other news travelling to
Whitehall that will make small-beer of this--and belike it's well on its
way there already."

"What news is that?" asked Trenchard. Vallancey told them. "The Duke has
landed--he came ashore this morning at Lyme."

"The Duke?" quoth Mr. Wilding, whilst Trenchard merely stared. "What
Duke?"

"What Duke! Lord, you weary me! What dukes be there? The Duke of
Monmouth, man."

"Monmouth!" They uttered the name in a breath. "But is this re