Then for a long time there was silence betwixt them, while Hugh thought of many things and felt the brave pistol under his coat. He tried to make out a single star in the misty night that was around them, and he strained his ears with listening for hoof-beats, till he wearied of it and put his head down on his arms. Presently Strangwayes took him in the ribs with his elbow. “Hugh,” he whispered in an odd, half-jesting voice, “have you courage?” “In truth, I was wondering,” Hugh blurted out. Strangwayes put his arm about him as they lay, and once more many moments ran by. Then suddenly Strangwayes whispered sharply, “Hark!” Hugh raised his head, and he, too, caught, far off upon the highway, the thud, thud of swiftly approaching horses, that slackened in speed but grew louder and louder. He felt his heart thump shamefully, and, reaching out his hand, griped Strangwayes’ coat. Then the hoofs sounded right upon them, and there came shouts of men and the clatter of horses across the inn yard. Through the misty darkness shone a sudden light, against which Hugh could see outlined the top of the straw-pile. He saw, too, Strangwayes, with his bare head uplifted, peer out through an armful of the loose straw he held up before him, and he heard him whisper: “Six men, Hugh. Two are officers, I judge. One of them has passed into the inn. The rest are heading into the stable.” Hugh pulled himself up on his knees and gazed out. There were torches in the inn yard that made a half circle of light about the stable door, but left the rest black as ever. Men were leading horses into the stable, and calling and swearing to each other, so they could be heard even after the great door swallowed them up. The house itself was silent as before, but a moment later, and, even as he gazed, from the farther window in the upper story a faint light streamed out. “Curse them! They need not have gone prowling so soon,” Strangwayes rapped out between his teeth. “We must make a dash for it. They are only five against two.” Both were now on their feet among the straw, and Strangwayes had made a step to the opening of the shed, when Hugh caught his arm. “Wait, wait, Dick,” he panted, the words instinctively saying themselves, “that’s but a small chance. Nay, I am not afraid; ’tis only I have a better way. With my ragged clothes,—I’ll slip my cap under my jacket,—they’ll think me a stable-boy. Let me go first into the stable. Perhaps I can get a couple of horses out into the court. Yes, I am going.” Strangwayes gave a glance at the lighted window. “If you’re beset, call. God speed!” he whispered, and Hugh ran out from the shed.