At this my heart gave a great bound, for hope grew stronger. I might live to see my dear Nancy again, and this thought nerved my arm. I thought of Otho's threat, and I longed to get to Restormel and see if my love was safe. I still pretended to yield to Benet, and while my guard was still sufficient, I made him believe it was growing weaker. Another cry came from the woods, sharper and clearer. "The signal!" cried the bystanders, "the last signal. We must be away." "No, he yields," cried Benet, "and I promised to kill him, and I will keep my word. Ah!" "But they will soon be here. Let us settle the business for you." "No, by Cormoran, no! What! Benet Killigrew call help? I'll fight and kill him by myself though ten thousand Boscawens stand by!" "But there is danger, man! If we are caught we shall be hanged!" "Can't you see I am fighting!" roared Benet, still keeping his eyes upon me, and never for a moment thrown off his guard. All the same, this talk was not to his advantage. It made him somewhat rash, and I knew that my chance had nearly come. "'Tis they!" one cried presently. "Truscott, give me your pistol!" "I'll kill the man who interferes," said Benet madly; "I promised that there should be no unfair advantage, and by Heaven there shall not!" But his speech caused his own undoing. It was impossible for any man to fence well under such circumstances, and so I was able to use the chance I had long been waiting for, and his sword flew from his hand. At that moment there was the tramp of horses' hoofs and the shout of voices, and I knew that the bystanders became panic-stricken. "We cannot go without killing him," cried one. "No; very good, then"; and a bullet whizzed by my head, after which I heard retreating footsteps. "Fly, Benet Killigrew!" I panted. "No, by God, no!" "Yes," I answered; "you had not fair play. Those fellows confused you. We will finish another time. If the Boscawens take you, you will be hanged!" "Will you fight again?" panted Benet. "Yes; now begone!" But it was too late. A dozen horsemen, headed by Hugh Boscawen, rode up to us. "Safe and unhurt, Trevanion?" he cried. "Yes, my lord." "It is well. Have they all gone! No! At least here is one prisoner." "No, I think not, my lord," I answered; "this gentleman and I have been settling a long-standing affair." "Aye, but he is a rebel." "Nay, my lord, let him go free," I said excitedly, for I could not bear the thought of Benet being treated as a rebel. "I will swear to you that this gentleman hath never plotted against the king. He is an honourable man; but for him I should have been dead ere this." "But you were fighting with him." "The fight was a private matter, my lord. I ask you for his liberty as a special favour. I will give my word that he will never lift up his hand against the king's true subjects."