"Gracious heavens!" ejaculated Charles, "either my eyes deceived me, or I saw Careless and Dame Gives guarded by a couple of troopers."
"You were not deceived, sire," replied Jane. "I saw them distinctly. Their captors are evidently coming to seek shelter here."
As she spoke, another brilliant flash revealed the party.
"You are right, they are about to take shelter in this barn," said Charles. "The rogues must not find us. It shall go hard if I do not contrive to liberate the prisoners."
In another minute the party arrived at the door of the barn. Ezra rode in first, and was followed by the captives, while Madmannah brought up the rear, and posted himself at the entrance to prevent any attempt at escape. However, he did not remain there long, but jumped from his horse, declaring that the lightning had well-nigh blinded him.
Meanwhile the others had dismounted, but Ezra kept strict guard over the prisoners.
"If thy life is of value to thee thou wilt keep quiet," he said to Careless.
"Are we alone here?" cried Madmannah in a loud voice. "What ho! is there any one in the barn?"
"Ay," replied a voice that sounded like that of a countryman, "I be here, Sam Cubberly, of Scrubditch Farm. Who may you be, and what are you doing in Rats Abbey Barn?"
Struck by the oddity of the response, Careless began to think that a friend was at hand.