"There's just a chance we may be attacked before we get to Brede, and, Father, though I am loath to say good-bye, still it must be said. It's rare glad I'll be when I grip your hand again." "All in good time; all in good time," said Father Donovan; "I'll go a bit farther along the road with you and see how your men march. They would fight better and better behind a hedge than in the open, I'm thinking." "They'll not have to fight in the open, Father," said I, "but they'll be comfortably housed if we get there in time. Now, Peel, I make you captain of the men, as you've got them together, and so, Forward, my lads." They struck out along the road, walking a dozen different kinds of steps, although there were only nine of them; some with the swords over their shoulders, some using them like walking-sticks, till I told them to be more careful of the points; but they walked rapidly and got over the ground, for the clank of the five guineas that was in each man's pocket played the right kind of march for them. "Listen to reason, O'Ruddy, and even now turn back," said Father Donovan. "I'll not turn back now," said I, "and, sure, you can't expect it of me. You're an obstinate man yourself, if I must say so, Father." "It's a foolhardy exploit," he continued, frowning. "There's prison at the end of it for some one," he murmured. "No, it's the House of Brede, Father, that's at the end of it." "Supposing the Earl of Westport brings a thousand men against you,--what are you going to do?" "Give them the finest fight they have ever seen in this part of England." In spite of himself I saw a sparkle in Father Donovan's eye. The nationality of him was getting the better of his profession. "If it were legitimate and lawful," at last he said, "it would be a fine sight to see." "It will be legitimate and lawful enough when the Earl and myself come to terms. You need have no fear that we're going to get into the courts, Father." "Do you think he'll fight?" demanded the father suddenly, with a glint in his eyes that I have seen in my own father's when he was telling us of his battles in France. "Fight? Why of course he'll fight, for he's as full of malice as an egg's full of meat; but nevertheless he's a sensible old curmudgeon, when the last word's said, and before he'll have it noised over England that his title to the land is disputed he'll give me what I want, although at first he'll try to master me." "Can you depend on these men?" "I think I can. They're old smugglers and pirates, most of them." "I wonder who the Earl will bring against you?" said Father Donovan, speaking more to himself than to me. "Will it be farmers or regular soldiers?" "I expect they will be from among his own tenantry; there's plenty of them, and they'll all have to do his bidding." "But that doesn't give a man courage in battle?" "No, but he'll have good men to lead them, even if he brings them from London."