"It's this, then. Lingen, it appears, don't intend lodging any prisoners in Goodrich Castle. Since the affair at Beachley he has some fear of his castle being besieged; and in a siege the more mouths the worse for him. By the merest accident I heard all this yesterday; and that the party he took away from here will be sent on to Hereford under escort first thing to-morrow morning--that is this morning, since it's now drawing up to it." "I think I comprehend you, Kyrle." "You'd be dull if you didn't, Walwyn." "You mean for us to strike out along the Hereford Road, and intercept the escort?" "Just so. 'Twill be venturing into the enemy's ground dangerously far; but with a bold dash we may do it." "We _will_ do it!" "What about leave from Massey? Do you think there will be any difficulty in our getting that?" "I don't anticipate any. In my case he can't object. My command is independent of him; the troop my own; and, though now numbering little over a hundred, they are Foresters, and I've no fear to match them against twice their count of Lingen's Lancers--the gentlemen of Hereford, as they style themselves." "Then you agree to it? We go if Massey gives permission?" "I go, whether he gives it or not. In fact, I don't feel much caring to ask him." "Egad! that may be the best way, and I'm willing to risk it too. Suppose we slip out without saying a word? Time's everything. Our only chance with the escort will be to take them by surprise--an ambuscade. For that we'll have to be well along the Hereford road before daylight. I know the very spot; but we must be into the saddle at once." "Then at once let us into it!" CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. BETWEEN TWO PRISONS. In Parliamentary war times English roads were very different from what they are of to-day. Those of the shires bordering Wales were no better than bridle paths, generally following the routes of ancient British trackways, regardless of ups and downs. Travel over them was chiefly in the saddle or afoot, traffic by pack-horse, wheels rarely making mark on them save when some grand swell of the period transported his family from town to country house. Then it was a ponderous coach of the chariot order, swung on leathern springs--such as the gossipy Pepys and Sir Charles Grandison used to ride in--calling for at least four horses, with a retinue of attendants. These last armed with sword and pistol for protection against robbers, but also, pioneer fashion, carrying spade and axe to fill up ruts, patch broken bridges, and cut down obstructing trees.