"Keep our men in hand," said Firestone. "And let us learn the meaning of this parley."
When within two hundred yards of the gateway the rebel horsemen halted, and one blew a long note on the trumpet.
Hoisting a white flag had not occurred to us, so before we could reply one of our men had to hasten to the living-apartments and procure a tablecloth. This we fastened to a pike, and held it aloft over the gateway.
Upon this the envoys advanced without hesitation. One was a young cornet of dragoons, the other but a common trooper.
At the edge of the moat they drew rein, waiting doubtless for the drawbridge to be lowered, but this was not our intention.
"Your message, sir?" I asked.
"My message is for the ears of Sir Humphrey Markham, now within the residence known as Ashley Castle."
"I am he," I replied. "And if your message cannot be heard by ears other than mine, 'tis best left unsaid."
"Have it then," said the cornet. "'Tis this: General Cromwell offers a safe-conduct to Sir Humphrey, his officers and garrison, on certain conditions, amongst which the castle must be delivered, without malicious damage, into the hands of Captain Chaloner."
"Captain Chaloner?" I asked amazedly.