Steadfast was very
anxious, and would not let his sisters stir out of the valley,
keeping the cattle there as much as possible.
One day, when he had been sent for to help to gather in Lady
Elmwood's harvest, in the afternoon the reaping and binding were
suddenly interrupted by the distant rattle of musketry, such as had
been heard two years ago, in the time of the first siege but it was
in quite another direction from the town. Everyone left off work,
and made what speed they could to the top of the sloping field,
whence they could see what was going on.
"There they be!" shouted Tom Gates. "I saw 'em first! Hurrah! They
be at Luck's mill."
"Hush! you good-for-nothing," shrieked Bess Hart, throwing her apron
over her head. "When we shall all be killed and murdered."
"Not just yet, dame," said Master Brown. "They be a long way off,
and they have enow to do with one another. I wonder if Sir George be
there. He writ to my lady that he hoped to see her ere long."
"And my Roger," called out a woman.
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