“Save yourselves!—save yourselves!—you are betrayed!”
Thus warned, the horsemen turned instantly to ride down the hill, but at once perceived that their retreat in this direction was cut off. Osbert did not hesitate a moment, but calling out lustily to the crowd, “Make way, friends!—make way!” a passage was instantly opened for him and his companions, and, ere any hindrance could be offered them, they were all within the ring, and close to the prisoner.
“You will not see this good man barbarously put to death, my masters,” cried Osbert, “but will aid him to escape.”
Several voices instantly answered the appeal, and a great tumult arose amid the crowd.
“Think not of me, but save yourself!” cried Carver to Osbert. “I shall not quit this spot.”
So suddenly had the daring deed we have described been executed, that surprise took away the power of opposition from the constables and halberdiers, but they now took heart, and encircled the horsemen, who had drawn their swords, and kept them off. At the same time, Captain Brand, who was issuing from the inn-yard with his men, vociferated,—
“Stay them, in the Queen’s name!—let them not pass!—they are rebels and traitors[traitors]!”
“Touch us not, good friends,” cried Osbert. “We are true men, and would deliver you from Spanish bondage and Popish thraldom.”
Upon this several of the crowd called out,—
“We are for you, masters. This way!—this way!”