The treason not only winked at, but fostered, by the deposed governor-- now in the prison of Berkeley Castle--had not all been trodden out, but was still rampant, and ready to raise its Hydra head; so that Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes had his hands full in keeping it under. But he could not have had a better man to help him than John Birch. The young captain of Volunteers was especially prepared for this duty; since he had himself suffered from the late governor's delinquency--the insult of having been placed under arrest. So, tempered to vigilance, if not revenge, he held guard upon the bridge-head, watchful and wary, carefully scrutinising all who passed over it. While thus engaged he saw a party approaching of such singular composition as to attract him more than common. Little man with a wooden leg; tall woman nearly twice the man's height; between the two a donkey, with pair of panniers--Jack, Winny, and Jinkum. If Birch was not himself a pack-horse carrier, in his capacity of trading merchant he was well acquainted with all the country routes, and the modes of traffic and transit thereon. At a glance he took in the character of the cadgers; saw they were rustics fresh from the country; and, by the direction from which they were approaching, concluded they must have made entry at the gate towards Gloucester. On the bridge there was light in plenty, both from lamps and shops; and, as they came close, a scrutiny of their features gave the sharp-witted captain an idea that they, too, were of quick wit, especially the woman. She looked like one who did not tramp the roads without seeing what was to be seen, and hearing all that could be heard; one, moreover, capable of forming a correct estimate of how things stood, social, political, or military. If from Gloucester, or even Berkeley, she or the man might have picked up some scraps of news worth extracting from them. Stepping out into the middle of the causeway, he confronted the cadger party, and brought it to a stop, with the interrogation: "Whence come you, my worthy people?" "Frae Gloster, yer honner," responded Jack, spokesman by right of sex and seniority. "And what's your business in Bristol?" "Only our reg'lar business, sir. As ye see, us be cadgers." "But your panniers appear to be empty!" said the officer, peeping into and giving them a shake. "How is that?" The question was awkward, nonplussing Jerky, and, the second time, calling for explanation from his sister; who, however, promptly vouchsafed it. "Ye see, master, us be come to Bristol to take back some things Gloster way, an' far ayont. Us belong to the Forest o' Dean." "Ah! All that way off. And when left you the Forest country?" "A good week agone, yer honner," Jerky giving the response. "At least that, I should say," rejoined the officer, with a look at the wooden leg. "Well, you must have seen and met many people upon the road, especially between this and Gloucester. Can you tell me whether--"