"Left it till this morning, sir, when I was feeding my horses, after emptying a couple of sacks for theirs. Waited till there was a chance, and then I jumped on old Ball here, who can go like fun when he gets warm, and galloped off. They shot at me, and I heard the bullets whistle, and then about a dozen came in pursuit, galloping after me till we got within sight of the towers; and then they drew back, and here I am. I thought you ought to know somehow that the enemy was so near." "Then they're not a mere rabble of men?" "Not they, sir. Reg'lar soldiers, and they've got big guns in the market-place. Quite a little army." "Thank you, Raynes," said Roy, gravely. "It was very good and brave of you to bring the news like this. Halt there, men. Take your arms again. We shall perhaps have some work to do." Then briefly giving his orders, which had long enough before been arranged between him and Ben, the latter led one little party to the south-west tower, and the corporal took another to the north-west, while Roy himself mounted with a party into the gate tower, where at his word of command the portcullis dropped with a loud clang, and directly after the drawbridge began to rise till it was back in the position it always occupied by night. This part of the business of preparation for unwelcome visitors being accomplished, Roy mounted to the leads, where he placed a sentry to keep a good lookout, and then turned to see if his men were ready. They stood in a group on each tower waiting, Ben and the corporal swinging a port-fire from time to time to keep it well in a glow; and then standing on the breastwork above the machicolations, Roy looked out as far as he could see in search of enemies, where, however, all looked beautiful and at peace. But it could be no false alarm. The time for action had come; and, turning to the right, he waved his hands, turned to the left, and did likewise; and directly after a puff of grey smoke darted out from the top of each tower, followed by two rapidly succeeding peals like thunder, which echoed through the castle, making the jackdaws fly out of their resting-places to wheel round, crying vociferously. "Now," said Roy to himself, "the staff is ready. It's time to raise the king's flag." But the flag was still in Lady Royland's hands, and the boy descended to cross to her private apartments and fetch it away. But half-way across the pleasaunce he encountered Master Pawson, looking wild-eyed, pale, and strange. "What is the matter?" he cried. "What is that firing for?" "The enemy are near, Master Pawson," said Roy, quietly; "and I suppose that before long they will pay us a visit." "But the guns--why were the guns fired?" "As a signal, of course, for our men to gather, and for such of the village people as like to take refuge here. I thought you knew." "I? No. I did not know. But the people will not come," said the secretary, with undue excitement; and he now looked very pale indeed.