And so, after milking time one night in the first week in April I told my mother I must go down to th' Brigg, and she must not be uneasy if I did not come home that night, as I should probably stay at my aunt's; and my mother must needs send by me a basket of eggs and a cream cheese for her sister, and a rubbing bottle for her rheumatism with full directions for its use. I saw a look pass between Martha and Mary when I said I was going to th' Brigg, and Mary said: "Mind yo' don't bring a black eye home wi' thee, i' th' mornin', Ben. But if th' art so set up wi' thissen for feightin', do it by daylight. It's ill wark that winnot bear th' sun's face," and then I knew Martha had been talking. But I reckoned not to understand her, and off I set with as poor a heart for my job as if I were going to be hanged. Up by Kitchen Fold I came up with 'Siah and Soldier Jack. It was a darkish night, wet, drizzling and cold. We made off over by Crosland Moor, and never a soul did we meet till we were falling into Milnsbridge where Justice Radcliffe's house was. Then we passed a patrol of horse. They challenged us, and each of us had to tell a different lie. But they had no ground for stopping us, and they went their way over the moor, their horses pacing slowly and the riders peering on either side into the darkness of the night. I never knew those horse soldiers one bit of use all the time, and with their loose ways they did much harm. Those that had a tale which could pass muster would walk past them bold as brass. Those that couldn't face them just avoided them, which was easy enough whether by day or night, for stone fences are good for men to hide behind, and at the best it is a hard country for men on cavalry horses.