"You, Tom and Jim, will mount the oak-tree, climb along that limb which crosses the track, and be ready to drop on the Pursuivant at the moment he passes beneath you. Bring him to the ground and bind his arms and legs with your cords.
"Four of you will hide in the wood on the right-hand side of the track, and four on the left-hand. The horses will probably be caught by our rope and will come to ground, their riders being thrown headlong. That is your moment of attack; spring upon them and rope them securely.
"Should a horse escape the stretched rope, his rider must be brought to ground by your cudgels. Beware that no man escapes, or our plan will fail. Above all, remember there must be no bloodshed unless self-defence require it. Leave the rest to me; now, do you all understand?"
"Aye, aye, sir," answered the rustics in a joyful shout.
"Then get to your posts, all of you; our foes may be here at any moment," said Ralph.
For a time absolute silence brooded upon the sylvan scene, save for the humming of insects and the twittering of birds.
Ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes had passed, and yet there was no sign of approaching horsemen. Ralph's heart began to beat tumultuously.
"Perhaps," thought he, "the Pursuivant has taken the long route over the downs, and all our well-laid schemes will come to naught," and he groaned within himself.
He stepped forth from the wood into the track, and looked anxiously in the direction of Lewes.
No sound struck his ear, but at that moment a flash of light caught his eye!