The men were all armed, and a look of excitement was in every face, notably in that of Farmer Raynes, who was fidgeting about and looking anxious.
Roy handed the flag to Ben, who took it proudly, and nodded his satisfaction.
“You’ll come up and be there at the hoisting, sir?” he said.
“Of course. Yes—what is it?”
“Master Pawson, sir,” whispered the old soldier, with a laugh; “we managed to wake him up at last.”
Roy smiled and went to where the farmer stood, watching him anxiously, and finally making a sign to him to come.
“Want to speak to me, Master Raynes?” he said.
“Yes, sir; I’m in agonies about my men. They’ll be coming along soon and falling into a trap, for some of those troopers will be hanging about the road.”
“Yes, this is serious,” said Roy, who grasped the difficulties of the reinforcements he hoped soon to receive.
Ben was called into counsel, and his suggestion was that the guns on the four towers should be manned ready to cover the advance of the friends, and keep back the enemy.