Jasper at the same time tied a kerchief round his left arm, and both put on the appearance of great exhaustion—Charles allowing his head to droop upon his breast.
"Now march on boldly, brothers," said the elder Penderel. "All will depend upon our firmness."
As they went on, William and Trusty Dick kept close to the supposed prisoners.
Presently the detachment came up.
Drawing up his men so as to bar the way, the officer called out in a loud authoritative voice:
"Halt! and give an account of yourselves. Are you good and true men?"
"Good and true men, and friends of the Commonwealth," replied John Penderel, boldly. "Heaven pardon me for the lie," he muttered.
"So far well," said the officer. "But who have you got with you on horseback?"
"A wounded malignant and his servant, who is likewise wounded," replied Humphrey. "The Cavalier is disguised in the garb of a forester, as you see, but he could not 'scape us."