"Trust me, my dearie," she answered softly. "An wine can make them drunk they shan’t move till morning. God keep thee safe, my dearie." "And bring your son to you again." "I ride to Wells," said Captain Protheroe as he mounted. "If my men arrive send them after me. Tell Captain Jonas I hope to meet him there anon. Good-even." They clattered off into the darkness. "Was that wise?" whispered Barbara when they had left the village behind them. "Will they not seek us in Wells?" The captain smiled sagely. "Truth is often expedient, Mistress Barbara, because no one believes it. Captain Jonas is one if those crafty fools who if they would ride secretly to Wells say loudly: ’I ride to Taunton,’ and follow the road a mile or so before they double back, chuckling at their wisdom. I trust him to judge me by himself." "Is not horse-stealing a capital offence?" queried Ralph cheerfully. Captain Protheroe laughed. "I’ faith, I have committed so many capital offences during the last three days, that one more or less is of small moment. Prison-breaking, petty larceny, assault and robbery, and horse-stealing; ’tis a lively record." "We are well out of the last danger," sighed Barbara. "By Heavens! Yes. I thought not to get off so easily. My only plan was to make the fellow drunk, or to lead Mistress Barbara to feign illness when ’twas time to set out, and so we remain behind. But the stars are on our side, we have not only routed the enemy, but got off with their supplies and transport, into the bargain. We should be at Wells by nine o’clock." "And what then? How shall we enter? Will not the gates be shut?" "I think not. An they be ’tis no great matter to have them opened. They make small difficulty of letting any enter, ’tis in getting out the trouble lies." "Aye! ’tis ever easier to go into a trap than to get out again," muttered Ralph doubtfully. "Oh, Ralph! what words of ill omen!" cried Barbara with a shudder. "In truth, I see not why we should go to Wells at all. Why not ride straight to the coast?" he queried, discontentedly. "Simply because Mistress Barbara cannot lie out in any hole and corner, until we have the luck to find a vessel bound for Holland. She is not as we are," answered Captain Protheroe sharply. "In Wells she will be at least comfortably housed." "But indeed I am strong. I can endure hardship," cried Barbara eagerly. "Think not of that. Let us to the coast an it be indeed the safer plan." "On my honour, Mistress Barbara, I believe the boldest plan is ever the safest. I know that the coast is strictly guarded, escape in these garments would be impossible; we have ’fugitive’ writ large upon us. But who would dream of seeking us in Wells? Where should we be safer than under the protecting care of my Lord Jeffreys himself?"