“You’ve all night before you,” Strangwayes drawled. “Hold up your arm so I can get at the strap.”
Just then, through the clatter of The Jade’s restless hoofs and the hum of the eager crowd about him, Hugh heard his name called. Looking over his shoulder he saw Cowper, with his face the color of ashes, limp up between two comrades. “They said ’twas you should go to Kingsford, sir,” the man addressed him.
“I’m to venture it,” Hugh answered. “How left you matters there, Cowper?”
“The captain has the church and the graveyard, sir. The rebels hold the village and the bridge over the Arrow. I got across two mile up at the Blackwater ford. The river ran high, and they had set no guard. ’Twas breaking through the village they shot at me.”
“Go tend your hurt now,” Hugh found thought to urge. “I’ll remember the ford, be sure. Are you done now, Dick?”
“Done with that,” replied Strangwayes. “Are your pistols in order? And the word for the night is ‘Gloucester’; you’ll need it at the gates.”
“Yes, yes,” Hugh cried, and made a dash for The Jade, who, dragging her groom at her head, had fretted herself a good ten feet away. A trooper jumped forward and caught her bit to stay her; but it was Dick, Hugh remembered, who held the stirrup so he could swing himself easily into the saddle. “God speed!” he heard Strangwayes say in the instant that followed. “We’ll be at your heels soon. God speed!”
That was all the farewell between them; for the men stood back from The Jade’s head, and, with a shrill squeal, she darted forward across the court. Hugh heard the click of her hoofs on the cobblestones, then lost the sound in the cheer upon cheer that broke from those about him. His arms ached with the tense grip he was holding on the bridle, and then he found the mare had the bit in her teeth. “Go, if you will,” he cried, letting the reins looser. The shadow of the gateway fell upon him; he saw the flicker of the torch beneath it and the white faces of the men on guard. Then he had jammed his hat on hard, and, bending his head, was striving to hold The Jade straight as she tore down the slope and sped through the town.
Houses and shops rushed by; he heard a woman shriek abuse after him for his mad riding; the crash of opening casements, as the townsfolk leaned out to see him pass; once, too, his heart gave a jump as a boy, like a black streak, shot across the road just clear of The Jade’s nose. Then the bulk of the town gate blocked his way; he saw the sentinels spring forth to stay him, and, contriving to check the mare an instant, he leaned from the saddle to say “Gloucester” to the corporal in charge.
“Pass free,” came the word; the men stood from his path, and, giving loose rein to The Jade, he flew by them out into the twilight stretch of open country road.