Over the grassy sward of the rolling down poured the rebel cavalry, thinking, no doubt, to take us by surprise by their sudden appearance. The slanting rays of the sun glinted on the armour-clad troopers of Old Noll's own regiment of Ironsides (who had been detached from the siege of Basing House) and on the musketoons of a strong body of dragoons. Finding the drawbridge raised, the rebel horse halted, and in serried masses on the steep hillside they presented a mark too tempting to ignore. Sergeant Lawson gave the signal, the gunners applied their linstocks, and next instant our ordnance had opened fire. This was more than they expected, for the guns, being well masked by the gabions, were invisible to the rebels, though the latter soon became acquainted with their contents, and, with shouts of baffled rage, they wheeled and withdrew out of range, leaving two of their number on the ground, while several others were wounded. "First blood," exclaimed Firestone, with a laugh. "But we'll have the whole swarm about our ears ere long." It was as he said. The infantry took up an extended position on the downs on either hand, and began to throw up rough earthworks, while the horse, moving towards the open ground to the south of the castle, completed the hedging circle of steel. "They are without ordnance," I remarked to the colonel, as we watched in silence the closing of the hostile lines. "That is true," he replied. "Yet their artillery might be following, for 'tis impossible for the ordnance to keep pace with the foot over this hilly country. But see, a pair of horsemen advancing." "They bear a white flag," exclaimed Granville. "Keep our men in hand," said Firestone. "And let us learn the meaning of this parley." When within two hundred yards of the gateway the rebel horsemen halted, and one blew a long note on the trumpet. Hoisting a white flag had not occurred to us, so before we could reply one of our men had to hasten to the living-apartments and procure a tablecloth. This we fastened to a pike, and held it aloft over the gateway. Upon this the envoys advanced without hesitation. One was a young cornet of dragoons, the other but a common trooper. At the edge of the moat they drew rein, waiting doubtless for the drawbridge to be lowered, but this was not our intention. "Your message, sir?" I asked. "My message is for the ears of Sir Humphrey Markham, now within the residence known as Ashley Castle." "I am he," I replied. "And if your message cannot be heard by ears other than mine, 'tis best left unsaid." "Have it then," said the cornet. "'Tis this: General Cromwell offers a safe-conduct to Sir Humphrey, his officers and garrison, on certain conditions, amongst which the castle must be delivered, without malicious damage, into the hands of Captain Chaloner." "Captain Chaloner?" I asked amazedly.