“You’d be dull if you didn’t, Walwyn.”
“You mean for us to strike out along the Hereford Road, and intercept the escort?”
“Just so. ’Twill be venturing into the enemy’s ground dangerously far; but with a bold dash we may do it.”
“We will do it!”
“What about leave from Massey? Do you think there will be any difficulty in our getting that?”
“I don’t anticipate any. In my case he can’t object. My command is independent of him; the troop my own; and, though now numbering little over a hundred, they are Foresters, and I’ve no fear to match them against twice their count of Lingen’s Lancers—the gentlemen of Hereford, as they style themselves.”
“Then you agree to it? We go if Massey gives permission?”
“I go, whether he gives it or not. In fact, I don’t feel much caring to ask him.”
“Egad! that may be the best way, and I’m willing to risk it too. Suppose we slip out without saying a word? Time’s everything. Our only chance with the escort will be to take them by surprise—an ambuscade. For that we’ll have to be well along the Hereford road before daylight. I know the very spot; but we must be into the saddle at once.”
“Then at once let us into it!”