Nearlyallwerescatterednow。Ofthenoblecountrymenarmedwithscytheorpickaxe，blacksmith’shammer，orfold-pitcher，whohadstoodtheirgroundforhoursagainstblazingmusketryfrommenwhomtheycouldnotgetat，byreasonofthewater-dyke，andthenagainstthedeadlycannon，draggedbytheBishop’shorsestoslaughterhisownsheep；ofthesesturdyEnglishmen，nobleintheirwantofsense，scarceoneoutoffourremainedforthecowardstoshootdown。’Crosstherhaine，’theyshoutedout，’crosstherhaine，andcoomwithinrache：’buttheothermongrelBritons，withamongrelattheirhead，founditpleasantertoshootmenwhocouldnotshootinanswer，thantomeetthechanceofmischieffromstrongarms，andstrongerhearts。
　　Thelastsceneofthispiteousplaywasacting，justasIrodeup。Broaddaylight，andupstandingsun，winnowingfogfromtheeasternhills，andspreadingthemoorswithfreshness；allalongthedykestheyshone，glistenedonthewillow-trunks，andtouchedthebankswithahoarygray。Butalas!thosebanksweretouchedmoredeeplywithagoryred，andstrewnwithfallentrunks，morewoefulthanthewreckoftrees；whilehowling，cursing，yelling，andtheloathsomereekofcarnage，drownedthescentofthenew-mownhay，andthecarolofthelark。
　　ThenthecavalryoftheKing，withtheirhorsesatfullspeed，dashedfromeithersideuponthehelplessmobofcountrymen。Afewpikesfeeblylevelledmetthem；buttheyshotthepikemen，drewswords，andhelter-skelterleapedintotheshatteredandscatteringmass。Rightandlefttheyhackedandhewed；Icouldhearthesnappingofscythesbeneaththem，andseetheflashoftheirsweepingswords。Howitmustendwasplainenough，eventoonelikemyself，whohadneverbeheldsuchabattlebefore。ButWinnieledmeawaytotheleft；andasIcouldnothelpthepeople，neitherstoptheslaughter，butfoundthecannon-bulletscomingveryrudelynighme，Iwasonlytoogladtofollowher。
　　Thatfaithfulcreature，whomIbegantoadmireasifsheweremyownwhichisnolittlethingforamantosayofanotherman’shorse，stoppedinfrontofalowblackshed，suchaswecalla’linhay。’Andheresheutteredalittlegreeting，inasubduedandsoftenedvoice，hopingtoobtainananswer，suchashermasterwaswonttogiveinacheerymanner。Receivingnoreply，sheentered；andIwhocouldscarcekeepupwithher，poorKickumsbeingwearyleapedfromhisback，andfollowed。ThereIfoundhersniffinggently，butwithgreatemotion，atthebodyofTomFaggus。A
　　corpsepoorTomappearedtobe，ifevertherewasoneinthisworld；andIturnedaway，andfeltunabletokeepaltogetherfromweeping。Butthemareeithercouldnotunderstand，orelsewouldnotbelieveit。
　　Shereachedherlongneckforth，andfelthimwithherunderlip，passingitoverhisskinassoftlyasamotherwoulddotoaninfant；andthenshelookedupatmeagain；asmuchastosay，’heisallright。’
　　UponthisItookcourage，andhandledpoorTom，whichbeingyoungIhadfearedatfirsttodo。Hegroanedveryfeebly，asIraisedhimup；andtherewasthewound，agreatsavageonewhetherfrompike-thrustormusket-ball，gapingandwellinginhisrightside，fromwhichapieceseemedtobetornaway。Ibounditupwithsomeofmylinen，sofarasIknewhow；justtostanchtheflowofblood，untilwecouldgetadoctor。
　　ThenIgavehimalittleweakbrandyandwater，whichhedrankwiththegreatesteagerness，andmadesigntomeformoreofit。Butnotknowinghowfaritwasrighttogivecordialunderthecircumstances，Ihandedhimunmixedwaterthattime；thinkingthathewastoofargonetoperceivethedifference。ButhereinI
　　wrongTomFaggus；forheshookhisheadandfrownedatme。Evenatthedoorofdeath，hewouldnotdrinkwhatAdamdrank，bywhomcamedeathintotheworld。SoI
　　gavehimalittlemoreeau-de-vie，andhetookitmostsubmissively。
　　Afterthatheseemedbetter，andalittlecolourcameintohischeeks；andhelookedatWinnieandknewher；
　　andwouldhavehernoseinhisclammyhand，thoughI
　　thoughtitnotgoodforeitherofthem。Withthestayofmyarmhesatupright，andfaintlylookedabouthim；
　　asifattheendofaviolentdream，toomuchforhispowerofmind。Thenhemanagedtowhisper，’IsWinniehurt？’
　　’Assoundasaroach，’Ianswered。’ThensoamI，’
　　saidhe：’putmeuponherback，John；sheandIdietogether。’
　　SurprisedasIwasatthisfatalismforsoitappearedtome，ofwhichhehadoftenshownsymptomsbeforebutItookthemformerelevity，nowIknewnotwhattodo；foritseemedtomeamurderousthingtosetsuchamanonhorseback；wherehemustsurelybleedtodeath，evenifhecouldkeepthesaddle。Buthetoldme，withmanybreaksandpauses，thatunlessIobeyedhisorders，hewouldtearoffallmybandages，andacceptnofurtheraidfromme。
　　WhileIwasyethesitating，astormofhorseatfullgallopwentby，tearing，swearing，bearingawayallthecountrybeforethem。Onlyalittlepollardhedgekeptusfromtheirblood-shoteyes。’Nowisthetime，’
　　saidmycousinTom，sofarasIcouldmakeouthiswords；ontheirheels，Iamsafe，John，ifIhaveonlyWinnieunderme。WinnieandIdietogether。’
　　Seeingthisstrongbentofhismind，strongerthananypainsofdeath，Ievendidwhathisfeebleeyessometimesimplored，andsometimescommanded。Withastrongsash，fromhisownhotneck，boundandtwisted，tightaswax，aroundhisdamagedwaist，IsethimuponWinnie’sback，andplacedhistremblingfeetinstirrups，withabandfromonetoanother，underthegoodmare’sbody；sothatnoswervecouldthrowhimout：andthenIsaid，’Leanforward，Tom；itwillstopyourhurtfrombleeding。’Heleanedalmostontheneckofthemare，which，asIknew，mustclosethewound；
　　andthelightofhiseyeswasquitedifferent，andthepainofhisforeheadunstrungitself，asifhefelttheundulousreadinessofhervolatilepacesunderhim。
　　’Godblessyou，John；Iamsafe，’hewhispered，fearingtoopenhislungsmuch：’whocancomenearmyWinniemare？Amileofhergallopistenyearsoflife。Lookoutforyourself，JohnRidd。’Hesuckedhislips，andthemarewentoff，aseasyandswiftasaswallow。
　　’Well，’thoughtI，asllookedatKickums，ignoblycroppingupabitofgrass，’Ihavedoneaverygoodthing，nodoubt，andoughttobethankfultoGodforthechance。Butasforgettingawayunharmed，withallthesescoundrelsaboutme，andonlyafounderedhorsetotrustin——goodandspitefulasheis——uponthewhole，IbegintothinkthatIhavemadeafoolofmyself，accordingtomyhabit。NowonderTomsaid，“Lookoutforyourself!“Ishalllookoutfromaprisonwindow，orperhapsevenoutofahalter。Andthen，whatwillLornathinkofme？’
　　Beinginthiswistfulmood，Iresolvedtoabideawhile，evenwherefatehadthrownme；formyhorserequiredgoodrestnodoubt，andwastakingitevenwhilehecropped，withhishindlegsfarawaystretchedout，andhisforelegsgatheredunderhim，andhismuzzleonthemole-hills；sothathehadfivesupportingsfromhismotherearth。Moreover，thelinhayitselfwasfullofveryancientcowdung；thanwhichthereisnobalmierandmoremaidensoporific。HenceIresolved，uponthewhole，thoughgrievingaboutbreakfast，tolightapipe，andgotosleep；oratleastuntilthehotsunshouldarousetheflies。
　　Imayhavesleptthreehours，orfour，oritmightbeevenfive——forInevercountedtime，whilesleeping——whenashakingmorerudethantheoldlandlady’s，broughtmebacktotheworldagain。I
　　lookedup，withamightyyawn；andsawtwenty，orso，offoot-soldiers。
　　’Thislinhayisnotyours，’Isaid，whentheyhadquitearousedme，withtongue，andhand，andevensword-prick：’whatbusinesshaveyouhere，goodfellows？’
　　’Businessbadforyou，’saidone，’andwillleadyoutothegallows。’
　　’Doyouwishtoknowthewayoutagain？’Iasked，veryquietly，asbeingnobraggadocio。
　　’Wewillshowtheethewayout，’saidone，’andthewayoutoftheworld，’saidanother：’butnotthewaytoheaven，’saidonechap，mostunlikelytoknowit：andthereupontheyallfellwagging，likeabedofcloverleavesinthemorning，attheirownchoicehumour。
　　’Willyoupileyourarmsoutside，’Isaid，’andtryabitoffairplaywithme？’
　　ForIdislikedthesemensincerely，andwasfaintoteachthemalesson；theyweresounchristianinappearance，havingfacesofacoffeecolour，anddirtybeardshalfoverthem。Moreovertheirdresswasoutrageous，andtheiraddressstillworse。However，I
　　hadwiserletthemalone，aswillappearafterwards。
　　Thesesavage-lookingfellowslaughedattheideaofmyhavinganychanceagainstsometwentyofthem：butI
　　knewthattheplacewasinmyfavour；formypartofithadbeenfencedoffforweaningacalfmostlikely，sothatonlytwocouldcomeatmeatonce；andImustbeverymuchoutoftraining，ifIcouldnotmanagetwoofthem。ThereforeIlaidasidemycarbine，andthetwohorse-pistols；andtheywithmanycoarsejokesatmewentalittlewayoutside，andsettheirweaponsagainstthewall，andturneduptheircoatsleevesjauntily；andthenbegantohesitate。
　　’Goyoufirst，Bob，’Iheardthemsay：’youarethebiggestmanofus；andDickthewrestleralongofyou。
　　Uswillbackyouup，boy。’
　　’I’llwarrantI’lldrawthebadger，’saidBob；’andnotatoothwillIleavehim。Butmind，forthehonourofKirke’slambs，everymanstandsmeaglassofgin。’
　　Thenhe，andanotherman，madearush，andtheotherscamedouble-quick-marchontheirheels。ButasBobranatmemoststupidly，notevenknowinghowtoplacehishands，Icaughthimwithmyknucklesatthebackofhisneck，andwithalltheswayofmyrightarmsenthimovertheheadsofhiscomrades。MeanwhileDickthewrestlerhadgrappledme，expectingtoshowoffhisart，ofwhichindeedhehadsomesmallknowledge；butbeingquiteofthelight-weights，inasecondhewasflyingafterhiscompanionBob。
　　Nowthesetwomenwerehurtsobadly，thelightonehavingknockedhisheadagainstthelinteloftheoutergate，thattheresthadnodesiretoencounterthelikemisfortune。Sotheyhungbackwhispering；andbeforetheyhadmadeuptheirminds，Irushedintothemidstofthem。Thesuddennessandtheweightofmyonsettookthemwhollybysurprise；andforonceintheirlives，perhaps，Kirke’slambswereworthyoftheirname。Likeaflockofsheepatadog’sattacktheyfellaway，hustlingoneanother，andmyonlydifficultywasnottotumbleoverthem。
　　Ihadtakenmycarbineoutwithme，havingafondnessforit；butthetwohorse-pistolsIleftbehind；andthereforefeltgoodtitletotaketwofromthemagazineofthelambs。Andwiththese，andmycarbine，IleapeduponKickums，whowasnowquitegladofagallopagain；
　　andIbadeadieutothatmongrellot；yettheyhadthemeannesstoshootatme。ThankingGodformydeliveranceinasmuchasthosemenwouldhavestrungmeup，fromapollard-ashwithouttrial，asIheardthemtelloneanother，andsawthetreetheyhadsettledupon，Iventuredtogoratherfastonmyway，withdoubtanduneasinessurgingme。Andnowmywaywashomeagain。NobodycouldsaybutwhatIhaddonemyduty，andrescuedTomifhecouldberescuedfromthemischiefintowhichhisownperversenessandloveofchangeratherthandeepreligiousconvictions，towhichourAnnieascribedhisoutbreakhadled，orseemedlikelytoleadhim。Andhowproudwouldmymotherbe；and——ahwell，therewasnobodyelsetobeproudofmenow。
　　Butwhilethinkingthesethings，anddesiringmybreakfast，beyondanypowerofdescribing，andevenbeyondmyremembrance，Ifellintoanotherfoldoflambs，fromwhichtherewasnoexit。These，liketruecrusaders，metme，swaggeringveryheartily，andwiththeirbarrelsofciderset，likesomanycannon，acrosstheroad，overagainstasmallhostel。
　　’Wehavewonthevictory，mylordKing，andwemeantoenjoyit。Downfromthyhorse，andhaveastoupofcider，thoubigrebel。’
　　’NorebelamI。MynameisJohnRidd。IbelongtothesideoftheKing：andIwantsomebreakfast。’
　　Thesefellowsweretrulyhospitable；thatmuchwillI
　　sayforthem。BeingaccustomedtoArabways，theycouldtossagrill，orfritter，ortheinnermeaningofanegg，intoanyformtheypleased，comelyandverygoodtoeat；anditledmetothinkofAnnie。SoI
　　madetherarestbreakfastanymanmighthopefor，afterallhistroubles；andgettingonwiththesebrownfellowsbetterthancouldbeexpected，Icravedpermissiontolightapipe，ifnotdisagreeable。
　　Hearingthis，theyroaredatme，withasuperiorlaughter，andaskedme，whetherornot，Iknewthetobacco-leaffromthechick-weed；andwhenIwasforcedtoanswerno，nothavinggoneintothesubject，butbeingcontentwithanythingbrown，theyclappedmeonthebackandsworetheyhadneverseenanyonelikeme。
　　Uponthewholethispleasedmemuch；forIdonotwishtobetakenalwaysasofthecommonpattern：andsowesmokedadmirabletobacco——fortheywouldnothaveanyofmine，thoughverycourteousconcerningit——andIwasbeginningtounderstandalittleofwhattheytoldme；
　　whenupcamethoseconfoundedlambs，whohadshownmoretailthanheadtome，inthelinhay，asImentioned。