To have retreated would have meant annihilation, and with a ringing cheer the little band dashed down to meet their advancing foes.
Then, in the midst of the wild excitement, as the moor seemed to quiver beneath their horses’ feet, there was a cheer, a clash of steel, and amidst shouts and the blaring of trumpets, the stronger prevailed over the weaker, and Scarlett found himself in the midst of a confused group of his men being driven back upon the main body higher and higher up the hill, till he reached the summit among a scattered party of his own side, through whose ranks the Puritans were riding furiously.
One glance showed him where his leaders were, and he made for the spot, fully realising that the Royal force had been driven back by the bold charge delivered, and then in the midst of the confusion consequent thereon, utterly routed and scattered by the dashing attack on their rear, while, to fulfil the truth of the adage about misfortunes never coming singly, a fresh troop wheeled up on their flank and completed the downfall.
“Ah, quick, my boy! Here!” cried a familiar voice, as Scarlett rode up, and a party of about fifty dashed down the slope, headed by Sir Godfrey, and, hotly pursued by a squadron of the enemy, galloped round the head of the lake, leaping the stream and then the low stone wall of the Hall garden, to take refuge there.
As they reached this haven, a trumpet sounded a recall, and the pursuing squadron missed their opportunity of capturing the flying band, while, when they advanced again, it was to find that the horses were well secured within the Hall yard, whose stout oaken gates were closed, and that the old house was garrisoned by a desperate little force ready to withstand a siege.
“Better than giving up as prisoners, Scar, my boy,” said Sir Godfrey, sadly; “and better than being hunted down. All was over, and it was in vain to keep up the fight. It only meant the useless loss of brave men.”
“Will they attack us here, sir?” said Scarlett.
“Most likely, and if they do, we’ll fight till the very end—fight for our hearth and home, my boy. But there, we must do all we can to make the place more secure before night comes.”
“Look!” said Scarlett, pointing.
“Yes, I see, my boy,” said Sir Godfrey, sadly; “completely scattered, and a strong body in pursuit. Ah, they are going to bivouac there, and we shall have them here directly foraging for food and shelter. Well, cheer up. These are times of reverses. They were here yesterday; it is our turn to-day.”