"Give me a pistol," she said, "I will help you."
At that moment there was a sound of knocking at the door.
"Let us in!" cried a voice, which I recognized as Clement's, and the landlord's wife rushed towards the door. Ill as I like to touch a woman I felt I must not hesitate, and so with no gentle hand I threw her against the door, whereupon she went into violent hysterics. As for the servant, she went into the backyard screaming. Seeing a key in the door, I quickly turned it, and placed it in my pocket.
"Come, we can follow the servant-maid," I said to Mistress Nancy, but at that moment Otho Killigrew staggered towards us, with his knife uplifted. I struck him a cruel blow, but it could not be helped, and again he fell heavily. Seeing the barrel of a pistol gleaming from his belt, I took it from him and gave it to the maid. She took it without a word, and I knew by the light in her eyes that she meant to use it.
Meanwhile Clement Killigrew kept beating the door, and I knew that he would ere long succeed in breaking it down. It is true I had cocked my pistol, while Mistress Nancy held hers ready to shoot, but I knew not how many were outside, so I dared not wait. I therefore took the dear maid's hand and led her into the yard.
"Amelia," I cried.
"Here you be, sur."
I hurried towards her, and found two horses saddled.
"Mount, mount," I cried quickly, "they'll be after us."
"No, they waan't," retorted Amelia, "I've turned all the other horses out in the field."