The horse was restless and fidgeting, but a gentling hand stilled him after a while. He stood quiet, stretched down his neck, and began lipping at some fallen leaves on the ground. Nearer and nearer, like approaching thunder came the sound of horses on the road, ridden desperately. Up came the bay's head; the ears went forward. Sir Nicholas' hand slid to the satin nose; the pursuit sounded closer still, and Sir Nicholas' long fingers gripped tightly, checking the imminent whinny. The riders swept up and past; they were so close Sir Nicholas could hear the horses' hard breathing and the creak of the saddle-girths. He held tight to the bay's nose, and waited for the soldiers to pass. They were gone in a moment, riding close-wedged, hell-for-leather. In a little while all sound of them had died; they were away, making for the Frontier road, and it would take a deal to stop them with their dogged purpose firm in their minds. Sir Nicholas relaxed his grip on the bay's nose and laughed. "Oh, ye bisson fools!" he said. "Ride on, ride on: ye will have but a cold welcome at the end. So, boy, so!" He led the bay back on to the road, mounted again, and set him at an easy canter along the track towards Vasconosa. * * * * * Dominica, tossed up on to a horse before Joshua, clung tight by the saddle-bow, and tried to speak. Joshua's hand covered her mouth imperatively; he struck off through the wood at a walking pace, making westwards. As soon as he judged it to be safe he bore round a little to meet the track again, came upon it some quarter of a mile beyond the lodge, and kicked his horse to a gallop. Dominica tried to see his face. "No, no, back, I say! back! What, will you leave him? Coward! Oh, base! Back to him, I implore you!" Joshua torn with anxiety, sore at his enforced flight, was in no humour to be patient. "Rest you, mistress, we must make Villanova." She leaned forward to tug at the bridle. "You are leaving him to be slain! Turn, turn! Oh dastard, cur, craven!" "Ho! Fine holiday and lady terms these!" said Joshua, bristling. "Know then, mistress, that were it not for you I would be beside Sir Nicholas now, and had liefer be there, God wot! A plague on all women, say I! What, do I bear you off for my pleasure? Out, out, señorita! These are my master's orders, and an evil day it is that hears him give such ones. Let go the rein, I tell you!" Her fingers were on his bridle hand, clinging, cajoling. "No, no, I did not mean it, but turn, Joshua! For the love of God, set me down and go you back! I will lie close, I will do as you bid me, only go you back to aid Sir Nicholas!" "And get a broken head for my pains," said Joshua. "My master's an ill man to cross, señorita. Nay, nay, we who sail with Laughing Nick must do as we are bid, come weal, come woe. Content you, he has his plans well laid, I warrant you."