Now you see the mistake."

"I have no doubt that my father and Colonel Grey did what was right,"
said Scarlett, hotly.

"And what does a boy like you know about it, sir?" cried the young
officer, fiercely. "To your place."

Scarlett felt ready to retort angrily, but he knew his duty, young
soldier as he was, and resumed his place without a word.

It was none too soon, for directly after there was a glint of steel over
the edge of one of the undulations of the moor, and seen at the distance
they were, with the western sun shining full upon them, it seemed as if
a long array of armed men was rising from the earth, as first their
helmets, then their shoulders, breastplates, and soon after the horses'
heads appeared, and then more and more, till a line of well-mounted
troops appeared advancing at a walk, while behind them, gradually coming
into view in the same way, a second line could be seen.

As they approached over the moor, a third line came into view, while, in
obedience to their orders, the Cavaliers retired by troops in slow
order, each in turn having the duty of facing the advancing enemy.

When it came to Scarlett's turn to sit there motionless watching their
approach, he could not help letting his eyes stray over the moor, every
foot of which was familiar. Away behind him to the left the ground
rapidly descended to the park, with its lake and woods, through which he
had made his way so short a time before. There, hidden by the noble
trees which flourished as soon as the moorland proper, with its black
peaty soil, was passed, lay the Hall, and a feeling of sadness and
depression came over him as he thought of his home being made the scene
of a bloody fight, and again falling into the enemy's hands.

"May I speak a word, Master Scarlett?" said a voice behind him, in a
whisper.

"Yes; what is it?" said the young officer, without turning his head.

"Hit hard, Master Scarlett, and do your best. I don't like killing
folk, and you needn't do that; but do hit hard."

"For the king," said Scarlett, thoughtfully.

"Yes, I suppose so, sir," said Nat, mournfully; "but I was thinking
about the old home and my garden."

"Silence, there!" came in a stern voice from the leader of the troop;
and the next instant the trumpet rang out, and they had to face about
and trot behind the foremost troop of all, leaving another to face the
coming enemy.

This went on till the slope was reached upon which General Hedley