Page 69 - A Jacobite Exile

Glossop, and then make your way singly to your homes. It will be better for
you to travel up through Yorkshire, till you are north of Ingleborough, so as

to come down from the north to your farms.

"I know that you have all engaged in this affair for love of Sir Marmaduke
or myself, and because you hate to see a loyal gentleman made the victim
of lying knaves; but when we come back with the king, you may be sure

that Sir Marmaduke and I will well reward the services you have rendered."

It was an hour before the man on the lookout warned them that the troop
had just appeared over the hill. They mounted now, and, pistol in hand,
awaited the arrival of the party. Two troopers came first, trotting carelessly

along, laughing and smoking. A hundred yards behind came the main body,
four troopers first, then the lieutenant and Sir Marmaduke, followed by the

other six troopers.

With outstretched arm, and pistol pointed through the undergrowth, Mr.

Jervoise waited till the officer, who was riding on his side of the road, came
abreast of him. He had already told the boys that he intended to aim at his

shoulder.

"They are the enemies of the king," he said, "but I cannot, in cold blood,

shoot down a man with whom I have no cause for quarrel. I can depend
upon my aim, and he will not be twelve paces from the muzzle of my

pistol."

He fired. The officer gave a sudden start, and reeled on his horse, and,

before he could recover himself, the band, who had fired at the flash of the
first pistol, dashed out through the bushes and fell upon the troopers. Four

men had dropped, one horse had fallen, and two others were plunging
wildly as, with a shout, their assailants dashed upon them. All who could
turn their horse's head rode furiously off, some along the road forward,

others back towards Manchester. The lieutenant's horse had rolled over
with him, as that of Mr. Jervoise struck it on the shoulder, with the full

impetus of its spring.