's men
had been going through their evolutions in the morning; and here, in
full view of the old Hall, Sir Godfrey Markham and the colonel of the
other regiment drew up in a favourable position for receiving the charge
which seemed to be imminent from the action of the enemy.

This position would force the Parliamentarians to gallop up a hill, and
it was the intention of Sir Godfrey to meet them half-way with the
_elan_ given by a rapid descent, when he hoped to give them a severe
check, one which would enable him to either rid himself of his enemies
or give him time to make good his retreat on one of the towns in his
rear, where he hoped to find reinforcements.

All turned out as he expected, with one exception. The troop in which
Scarlett rode was selected by him, naturally enough, to go on in front
on the line of retreat, while the rest of his little force sat fast on
the hill slope, waiting the moment when the enemy were coming up the
hill for their own advance to be made.

The young officer at the head of the little troop of about forty men
muttered angrily at having such a task thrust upon him, but he did his
duty steadily and well, riding slowly on over the moor down toward the
Manor, which, like the Hall, would be left upon their right.

As they passed over the top of the hill, Scarlett glanced back to see
that the enemy were evidently about to deliver their charge; and his
heart beat painfully as he felt that he would have to imagine what would
take place, and pray that no harm might happen to his father.

The next minute the long slope with its dotted trees was out of sight,
and he was descending steadily, his ears strained to catch the sound of
the impending shock, as the notes of a trumpet, softened by the
distance, fell upon his ear, and then his heart gave a sudden bound, and
seemed to stand still.

For at that moment their advance guard came galloping back, and before
they could more than realise their danger, a line of fully a hundred and
fifty men wheeled into sight, right in their front, from behind a patch
of wood a hundred yards away, and came sweeping down upon them.

To have retreated would have meant annihilation, and with a ringing
cheer the little band dashed down to meet their advancing foes.

Then, in the midst of the wild excitement, as the moor seemed to quiver
beneath their horses' feet, there was a cheer, a clash of steel, and
amidst shouts and the blaring of trumpets, the stronge