_Ireton:_ If either wing of our horse breaks, it means certain disaster there, even though Skippon could hold in the centre. _Fairfax:_ That's Cromwell again. And all to satisfy the pride of a few useless members that his self-denying ordinance keeps out of command. _Staines:_ Do you think it's that, sir? _Fairfax:_ What else? They are more jealous that he should come to no more honour than that we should succeed. And after all that has been given. _Ireton:_ The blood. _Pemberton:_ It is abominable. _Fairfax:_ But there--we must not distress ourselves. We have our own loyalty. Keep in touch with Skippon, Staines. If you can push their right foot up towards Sibbertoft there, spare nothing in the doing. Have you all slept, gentlemen? _Ireton and the others:_ Yes, sir. _Fairfax:_ Since we lack General Cromwell, more depends on you, Ireton, than on any man, perhaps. You will not be wanting, I know. _Ireton:_ In endeavour at least--and we can die. (A scout comes in.) _Fairfax:_ Yes? _The Scout:_ Something moves across from the east, sir. It is very faint. It may be haze, or it may be dust. _Fairfax:_ Watch. Come again at once. (The scout goes. FAIRFAX and the others go to the tent opening, and look out.) _Fairfax:_ Yes--there. It is moving, isn't it? _Ireton:_ I think not. _Staines:_ Surely. _Pemberton:_ Could it be? _Fairfax:_ No. We should have heard. _Ireton:_ And yet it seems to be moving. _Fairfax:_ Gentlemen, we must keep counsel with ourselves. This is to waste. Nerves must be unclouded to-day. (He returns to his seat, the others with him.) _Fairfax:_ Finally, if we on the right have to fall back on Mill Hill, bring your horse down on to the Kilmarsh Road, Pemberton, if it be any way possible. _Pemberton:_ Yes--there's a ford there, at the fork if we are upstream. _Ireton:_ I'll speak to Whalley, too. _Fairfax:_ If at last there should be a general retreat, it is to the west of Naseby, remember. _Ireton:_ Yes. To the west. That there should be that even in the mind! _Fairfax:_ In that case, the baggage is my concern. (Outside is heard a low murmur of excitement.) _Fairfax:_ Staines, will you tell Conway that five hundred of his best men must dispute the Naseby road to the east. And let Mitchell command under him. _Staines:_ Yes, sir. (The noise outside grows.) _Pemberton:_ What is it? _Fairfax:_ See. (PEMBERTON goes to the tent opening and looks out.) _Pemberton:_ Our men are watching something. It is something moving. Horsemen--it must be. (The excitement grows and grows. IRETON joins PEMBERTON.) _Ireton:_ There is something. _Fairfax:_ Gentlemen, let us promise ourselves nothing. (IRETON and PEMBERTON move into the tent at FAIRFAX'S word. As they do so the voices outside break out into a great shout--"_Ironsides--Ironsides--Ironsides is coming to lead us!_" The scout comes in, glowing.) _Fairfax_ (rising): Yes?