thou hadst crammed some secret message therein to
the camp. But I defy thee, or any of thy batch, to cheat old Gabriel,
the rogue's butler!"

"Prithee, search," said Captain Moseley, drawing the loaf from his
pocket; "thou mayest, peradventure, find treachery in a toothmark, for
o' my troth they be legibly written."

"Nay," said Gabriel, with great self-importance, "the knave's jaws will
score no ciphers. I had as lief interpret pot-hooks and ladles."

The captain again thrusting it beneath his belt, promised to show his
commanders with what coarse fare and severity the prisoners were
treated.

"Wilt thou that I intercede for thee before the Countess?" he continued;
"if so be that she would remit thee of this durance."

In a voice of thunder spake the incorrigible Gideon--

"Intercede!--I would as lief pray to the saints they should intercede
with the Virgin Mary. I will rot from this perch piecemeal ere I pray to
yonder ungodly woman. Yet shall I escape out of their hands, but not by
mine own might, or mine own strength," said the lion-hearted captive.

Leaving this indomitable Roundhead to his fate, Moseley returned to the
camp, reporting the ill success of his mission.

Great part of the day was spent in angry discussion, so that Moseley had
nigh forgotten his message from Gideon; yet he remembered it ere he left
the council. Pulling out a coarse bannock, to the great astonishment of
his auditory, he brake it, relating his interview with the captive. Near
to where the prisoner had taken his last mouthful, Moseley found a bit
of crumpled paper. The surprise and dismay of the assembly may be
conceived after he had read the following billet:--

"MY DEAREST HEART,--

"With much joy and comfort I send thee news that his Highness
Prince Rupert hath gotten a great victory over the rebels at
Newark; and I have besought his Majesty that he should march into
Lancashire. By two days, at farthest, these enemies who now
beleaguer my house shall be cut off. We purpose to come upon them
suddenly, so that they shall be taken in their own snare. I have
raised L3000 on the jewels conveyed to me from Lathom by the last
sally, which sum I purpose giving in largess to the soldiers, that
it may quicken them to thy help. My prayers and blessing for thee
and the children.--Thine,

"DERBY."

This secret intelligence had missed its destination. The gaoler had
unfortuna