“It is a doubtful question,” Leslie answered, after a pause.  “When Campbell finds that his messenger does not return before morning, he will like enough send others off to learn the reason why.  If they find him gone, Campbell may suspect that his plan has failed and may send warning to Cromwell.”

“At any rate,” Harry continued, “we need not decide before morning.  But at daybreak, Leslie, plant a party of men on the road and stop any horseman riding out.  Let the sergeant in charge say only that he has my orders that none are to pass eastward.  It would be a natural precaution to take, and when the news comes back to the castle, Campbell will not necessarily know that his scheme has been detected.”

The next morning Leslie volunteered to go out with a couple of men and capture the guide, and arraying himself in his clothes, to take his place, and lead the Roundhead troops astray.

“Were the country other than it is,” Harry said, “I would accept your offer, my brave Leslie, even though it might entail your death, for it would be difficult for you to slip away.  But over such ground there is no need of this.  Let the guide lead the Roundhead troops along the path.  We will reconnoiter the morass to-day, and when night falls will so post our men as to open a fire on either flank of him as he comes across the track.  Not more than four footmen can march abreast, according to what Mike says, and we shall surprise him, instead of he surprising us.”

An hour later two horsemen rode out from the castle, but upon reaching the guard Leslie had placed were turned back.  They returned to the castle, and a short time afterward a trooper rode down into the village with a note from Alan Campbell, demanding haughtily by what warrant Colonel Furness ventured to interfere with the free passage of his retainers.  Harry replied that he had, as a military precaution, stationed guards on the various roads leading toward the enemy’s quarter, and that they were ordered to turn back all, whomsoever they might be, who might seek to pass.

Alan Campbell returned a furious answer, that he should sally out with his garrison, and ride where he listed.  Harry replied by marching fifty men up to the road leading to the castle, and by sending a message to Alan Campbell that, although he should regret to be obliged to treat him as an enemy, yet that assuredly if he strove by force to break the military rules he had laid down, he should be compelled to fire upon him.  Leaving the detachment under charge of Lieutenant Long, and the main body in the village under that of Hugh Grahame, Harry, accompanied by Donald Leslie and Mike, rode off to reconnoiter the morass.  They found that it was particularly bad at two points, while between these the ground was firm for a distance of twenty yards on each side of the track.  Beyond the swamp was very deep for thirty or forty yards on both sides, and then it was again somewhat firmer.