But as she spoke, Lord Chester saw them; and leaving his Staff, he walked across the Heath, bearing his sword in his hand, followed by Algernon Dunquerque. 'Constance,' he said gravely, 'buckle my sword for me before the battle.' She did it, trembling and tearful. Then, while Faith Ingleby did the same office for Algernon, he took her in his arms and kissed her lips in the sight of all the army. Every man took it as a lesson for himself. He was to fight for love as well as liberty. A deafening shout rent the air. Then Lord Chester sprang upon his horse and rode to the front. Everything was now in readiness. The cannon, masked by bushes, were protected by the pond in front; on either side were the guards ready to lie down; behind them, the regiments, massed at present, but prepared for open order; and in the trees could be seen the gleaming helmets and swords of the cavalry. 'Let us go to my father,' said Faith; 'he and Clarence will pray for us.' 'Algy,' said Lord Chester cheerfully, 'what are you thinking of?' 'I was thinking how sorry Jack Kennion will be to have missed this day.' * * * * * And then there happened the most remarkable, the most surprising thing in the whole of this surprising campaign. There was a movement among the men in front, followed by loud laughing and shouting; and then a party of girls, some of the Company of women which followed the army, came flying across the Heath breathless, because they had run all the way from Marble Arch to convey their news. 'They have run away, my lord!' they cried all together. 'Who have run away?' 'The Army of Avengers--the Convict Wardens. They have all run away, and there is not one left.' 'Run away? What does it mean? Why did they run away?' Then the girls looked at each other and laughed, but were a little ashamed, because they were not quite sure how the Chief would take it. 'It seemed such a pity,' said one of them, presently, 'that any of our own brave fellows should be killed.' 'Such a dreadful pity,' they murmured. 'And by such cruel men.' 'Such cruel, horrible men,' they echoed. 'So that we ... we stole into the camp when they were asleep and we frightened them; and they all ran away, leaving their arms behind them.' Lord Chester looked at Captain Dunquerque. 'Woman's wit,' he said. 'Would you and I have thought of such a trick? Go, girls, tell the Bishop.' But Algy looked sad. 'And after all this drilling,' he said, with a sigh, 'and all our shouting, there is to be no fighting!' CHAPTER XIV THE ARMY OF AVENGERS