upon a road, and judging from the side upon which he had entered it in which direction Reading must lie, he took the western way and went forward.  The ball had passed only through the fleshy part of his shoulder, missing the bone; and although it caused him much pain, he was able, by wrapping his arm tightly to his body, to proceed.  More than once he had to withdraw from the road into the fields beyond, when he heard troops of horse galloping along.

After a long day’s walk he arrived near Abingdon, and there made for the hall.  Instead of going to the door he made for the windows, and, looking in, saw a number of Roundhead soldiers in the hall, and knew that there was no safety for him.  As he glanced in one of the soldiers happened to cast his eyes up, and gave a shout on seeing a figure looking in at the window.  Instantly the rest sprang to their feet, and started out to secure the intruder.  Harry fled along the road, and soon reached Abingdon.  He had at first thought of making for one of his father’s farms; but he felt sure that here also Roundhead troops would be quartered.  After a moment’s hesitation he determined to make for Mr. Rippinghall’s.  He knew the premises accurately, and thought that he might easily take refuge in the warehouses, in which large quantities of wool were wont to be stored.  The streets were deserted, for it was now late at night, and he found his way without interruption to the wool-stapler’s.  Here he climbed over a wall, made his way into the warehouse, and clambering over a large number of bales, laid himself down next to the wall, secure from any casual observation.  Here he went off to sleep, and it was late next day before he opened his eyes.  He was nearly uttering an exclamation at the pain which his movement on waking gave to his wounded arm.  He, however, repressed it, and it was well he did so, as he heard voices in the warehouse.  Men were removing bales of wool, and for some hours this process went on.  Harry, being well back, had little fear that he should be disturbed.

The hours passed wearily.  He was parched and feverish from the pain of his wound, and was unable to deliberate as to his best course.  Sometimes he dozed off into snatches of sleep, and after one of these he found that the warehouse was again silent, and that darkness had set in.  He determined to wait at least for another day, and also that he would early in the morning look out from the window before the men entered, in hopes that he might catch sight of his old playfellow, Lucy, who would, he felt sure, bring him some water and refreshment if she were able.  Accordingly, in the morning, he took his place so as to command a view of the garden, and presently to his great surprise he saw Herbert, whom he had believed with the army, come out together with Lucy.  They had not taken four paces in the garden when their attention was attracted by a tap at the window, and looking up, they were astonished at beholding Harry’s pale face there.  With an exclamation of surprise they hurried into the warehouse.