e friend or
foe, until, as they came whirling towards me, I recognised that the two
officers who rode in front of them were none other than Reuben Lockarby
and Sir Gervas Jerome. At the sight of me they flung up their hands, and
Reuben shot on to his horse's neck, where he sat for a moment astride of
the mane, until the brute tossed him back into the saddle.

'It's Micah! It's Micah!' he gasped, with his mouth open, and the tears
hopping down his honest face.

'Od's pitlikins, man, how did you come here?' asked Sir Gervas, poking
me with his forefinger as though to see if I were really of flesh and
blood. 'We were leading a forlorn of horse into Beaufort's country to
beat him up, and to burn his fine house about his ears if you had come
to harm. There has just come a groom from some farmer in those parts who
hath brought us news that you were under sentence of death, on which I
came away with my wig half frizzled, and found that friend Lockarby had
leave from Lord Grey to go north with these troopers. But how have you
fared?'

'Well and ill,' I answered, wringing their kindly hands. 'I had not
thought last night to see another sun rise, and yet ye see that I am
here, sound in life and limb. But all these things will take some time
in the telling.'

'Aye, and King Monmouth will be on thorns to see you. Right about, my
lads, and back for the camp. Never was errand so rapidly and happily
finished as this of ours. It would have fared ill with Badminton had you
been hurt.'

The troopers turned their horses and trotted slowly back to Taunton,
while I rode behind them between my two faithful friends, hearing from
them all that had occurred in my absence, and telling my own adventures
in return. The night had fallen ere we rode through the gates, where I
handed Covenant over to the Mayor's groom, and went direct to the castle
to deliver an account of my mission.

Chapter XXVI. Of the Strife in the Council

King Monmouth's council was assembled at the time of my coming, and my
entrance caused the utmost surprise and joy, as they had just heard news
of my sore danger. Even the royal presence could not prevent several
members, among whom were the old Mayor and the two soldiers of fortune,
from springing to their feet and shaking me warmly by the hand. Monmouth
himself said a few gracious words, and requested that I should be seated
at the board with the others.

'You have earned the right to be of our council,' said