Hugh looked up hopefully and saw a glance exchanged between Sir William and his captains that meant his case was won. “We’ll not endanger you with a written message,” the baronet spoke at once; “for I tell you frankly, sir, you run a hundred chances of capture. If you do contrive to bring yourself through the rebel lines, bid Captain Gwyeth from me to hold out but two days, till Saturday, and he shall have help. ’Tis so you have determined, gentlemen?”
“If the Lord aid us, we can recall enough troops to make the town good and ride for the rescue by then,” Turner answered.
“That’s all your message, Gwyeth,” Sir William resumed; “and remember, if the rebels knew the time when relief could be looked for, ’twould aid them mightily, so if you be taken—”
“I’ll not be taken, sir, I do assure you,” cried Hugh, with his hand on the latch of the door; “I’ll come through safe to Kingsford.”
“Heaven grant it!” the other said, with a trace of a smile, and then soberly, “I can warn you, the captain will be glad at heart to see you.”
Turner said something kindly, too, Hugh remembered afterward, but for the present it was just people speaking and wishing him God speed, and he was glad when he clapped on his hat outside the door and could run for his horse.
Outside, the whole castle seemed emptied into the south court; Leveson’s and Turner’s men, some in coats and more in shirt-sleeves, who shouted questions and the tidings back and forth, and swore and scuffled at the jostlings of the crowd. The sun was down, but the early twilight still was clear between the gray walls, enough to bring out every detail of the swarming courtyard, and to enable Hugh to distinguish the faces of the men. Down in the thick of the throng he caught sight of Frank, with a groom holding The Jade, and he ran down from the doorway to him. At that, some of the men set up a cheering, under cover of which Frank, putting his arm round Hugh’s shoulders, said in a low tone: “I want you to take the mare, Hugh; she’s faster than Bayard, and she’s not been used these two days; and I did not know it was your cornetcy I was taking, and I want you to ride her. Into the saddle with you!”
Without wit or time to reply, Hugh found himself on the mare’s back, felt her quiver beneath him, and had opened his mouth to bid the groom let go her head, when the shouting swarm between him and the great gateway was suddenly cleft apart. Up the lane Black Boy came swinging with Strangwayes pulling taut on the bridle so he eased up at Hugh’s side. “Get you down,” Dick cried without question, and, springing to the ground himself, began tearing off his cuirass.
“What will you have? Be brisk,” Hugh shouted, coming out of his saddle.
Strangwayes flung his cuirass about him, and began very deliberately taking in the straps to fit Hugh’s body. “Did you think you were going on a pleasure ride?” he asked. Frank burst into a nervous laugh, which others caught up, and some began cheering for the lieutenant. Hugh heard The Jade prancing with impatience at the sound, and he himself fairly squirmed under Dick’s touch. “Let me be off!” he cried.