"You are right, they are about to take shelter in this barn," said Charles. "The rogues must not find us. It shall go hard if I do not contrive to liberate the prisoners." In another minute the party arrived at the door of the barn. Ezra rode in first, and was followed by the captives, while Madmannah brought up the rear, and posted himself at the entrance to prevent any attempt at escape. However, he did not remain there long, but jumped from his horse, declaring that the lightning had well-nigh blinded him. Meanwhile the others had dismounted, but Ezra kept strict guard over the prisoners. "If thy life is of value to thee thou wilt keep quiet," he said to Careless. "Are we alone here?" cried Madmannah in a loud voice. "What ho! is there any one in the barn?" "Ay," replied a voice that sounded like that of a countryman, "I be here, Sam Cubberly, of Scrubditch Farm. Who may you be, and what are you doing in Rats Abbey Barn?" Struck by the oddity of the response, Careless began to think that a friend was at hand. "Methinks thou art mocking us, Sam Cubberly," cried Ezra. "Come forth, and show thyself, or I will prick thee with my pike." A derisive laugh was the only response to this threat, and his choler being roused, he marched towards the back of the barn in search of the audacious rustic. But he had not got far, when an athletic young man suddenly sprang upon him, seized him by the throat, and disarmed him. Hearing the disturbance, and at once comprehending what was taking place, Careless made an instant attack on Madmannah, and not only succeeded in depriving him of his weapons but forced him to the ground. Material assistance was given by Dame Gives, who prevented the trooper from using his carabine, and now held it at his head. "Shall I shoot him?" she asked, in a tone that showed she was in earnest. "Ay, shoot him through the head if he stirs," rejoined Careless. He then flew to the spot where the king was engaged with Ezra, and between them they dragged the trooper back to his comrade. "Our safety demands that both these villains be instantly despatched," said Careless. "They have justly forfeited their lives." "Truly, they deserve death, yet I am inclined to spare them," said Charles. "Hark ye, rogues," he continued; "will you swear to desist from this pursuit if your lives be given you?" Both readily responded in the affirmative. "Trust them not," said Careless; "they have broken half a dozen oaths already." "But we will not break this," said Ezra. "We will hold our peace as to all that we have seen and heard, and go back to Colonel James." By this time the fury of the storm had abated. The thunder had rolled off to a distance, and though the lightning still flashed, the rain had entirely ceased. "The storm has cleared off," observed Jane Lane, in a low tone to the king. "There is nothing to prevent our departure."