' he continued, turning to his staff, 'the courtiers
begin to come in at last. Were you not the man who did fight Sir Thomas
Killigrew behind Dunkirk House? I thought as much. Will you not attach
yourself to my personal attendants?'

'If it please your Majesty,' Sir Gervas answered, 'I am of opinion
that I could do your royal cause better service at the head of my
musqueteers.'

'So be it! So be it!' said King Monmouth. Setting spurs to his horse, he
raised his hat in response to the cheers of the troops and cantered down
the High Street under a rain of flowers, which showered from roof and
window upon him, his staff, and his escort. We had joined in his train,
as commanded, so that we came in for our share of this merry crossfire.
One rose as it fluttered down was caught by Reuben, who, I observed,
pressed it to his lips, and then pushed it inside his breastplate.
Glancing up, I caught sight, of the smiling face of our host's daughter
peeping down at us from a casement.

'Well caught, Reuben!' I whispered. 'At trick-track or trap and ball you
were ever our best player.'

'Ah, Micah,' said he, 'I bless the day that ever I followed you to the
wars. I would not change places with Monmouth this day.'

'Has it gone so far then!' I exclaimed. 'Why, lad, I thought that you
were but opening your trenches, and you speak as though you had carried
the city.'

'Perhaps I am over-hopeful,' he cried, turning from hot to cold, as a
man doth when he is in love, or hath the tertian ague, or other bodily
trouble. 'God knows that I am little worthy of her, and yet--'

'Set not your heart too firmly upon that which may prove to be beyond
your reach,' said I. 'The old man is rich, and will look higher.'

'I would he were poor!' sighed Reuben, with all the selfishness of a
lover. 'If this war last I may win myself some honour or title. Who
knows? Others have done it, and why not I!'

'Of our three from Havant,' I remarked, 'one is spurred onwards by
ambition, and one by love. Now, what am I to do who care neither for
high office nor for the face of a maid? What is to carry me into the
fight?'

'Our motives come and go, but yours is ever with you,' said Reuben.
'Honour and duty are the two stars, Micah, by which you have ever
steered your course.'

'Faith, Mistress Ruth has taught you to make pretty speeches,' said I,
'but methinks she ought to be here amid the beauty of Taunton.'

As I spoke we were riding into the market-pla