The fugitives journeyed as quietly as possible, yet as quickly as was safe, until the Saturday. And then, about four o'clock, as they gained the ridge of a hill, Dr Thorpe, who rode first, suddenly drew bridle. "Back, all of you!" cried he. "Hide you behind the rocks yonder. An immense crowd of men is in the valley, advancing this way. If these be the commons, God be our help, for we can have none other." "We can sell our lives dearly, at least," said Avery, looking to his matchlock. "We that be men were best to light off our horses," pursued Dr Thorpe, "and leave the women thereon, that they may fly the faster if need be. Set them and the childre behind, and thou, Jack, with me and Tom and Dickon, stand out afore." "They shall fly cruel slow on yon old black jade," said Tom, grinning. "Master," inquired Dickon (who was a Somerset man), "if they catch I, what shall they do to I?" "Hold your idle tongues!" answered Dr Thorpe sternly, "and see that your arms are in good order. Robin, shall we count thee a man, or as one of the childre?" "You shall not count me to be guarded, but to guard," said Robin, stoutly. "Well said," replied Dr Thorpe. "Truly, good Doctor, on my word," interposed Philippa, "but you shall not count me as a sely woman. I have handled a matchlock afore now, and I can knock down a man an' I have hold of a poker. I stand to the front, an' it like you." "Well said, brave heart!" answered he. "So do." So set, they awaited the death that might be at hand, and prayed to God to guard them. All were brave enough but Dickon, and he shivered like an aspen leaf. "Thou white-livered [our ancestors believed literally that cowards had white livers] dolt!" cried Dr Thorpe sharply, and took the matchlock out of his hands. "Go behind for a child as thou art." "And give me his matchlock," said Philippa. "Take it," he answered. "You are ten times over the man that he is." Slowly they heard the tramp of feet advancing nearer and nearer. All were silent now. The feet gained the ridge of the hill--they crossed it--they came forward on the road. All at once Avery, who was next that side, threw down his matchlock with a shout. "Forward, friends!" cried he triumphantly. "These are no rebels--these are the King's Majesty's troops. See you not the royal lions flying at the van? God be with the armies of England!" The revulsion was great from such terror to comfort, joy, and thankfulness. All came forward. The leader of the army looked at the group, stayed his horse, and lifted his visor. A cry of joy broke from Philippa and Isoult, for they saw beneath his helm a face that they had known well in the old Calais days. "Mrs Philippa Basset!" exclaimed he in amazement; "at the least if mine eyes bewray me not. And Mrs Barry! God keep you both! How come you here? and do you lack aid?"