Four heavily-armed horsemen, all riding furiously, the last however, a long way behind his companions, dashed along the road, and though repeatedly required to stop, they rode recklessly on, with their armour flashing, the horsehoofs striking fire, and disappeared among the Torwood oaks.
"Fire on the sternmost, and make him bring to," cried the admiral, angrily; "throw a shot across his forefoot."
An arquebussier fired: the bullet whistled close to the horseman's casque, and panting and breathless he reined up, while his horse plunged and reared fearfully.
"Hallo! haul taut your reins or braces! don't miss stays," said the admiral.
"From whence come you, sir?" asked Falconer, confronting him.
"From the field, as you may see," he replied, showing a drawn dagger in his right hand.
"Know you aught of the king?"
The other gave a diabolical laugh.
"Elsewhere I have heard that laugh!" said the admiral, advancing a step with his Jedwood axe in his hand.
"Are you not the Admiral Wood?"