“Ah!  Drat you!” came a bellow, and there rushed upon the rear of the attackers the old skipper, cutlass in hand, followed close by the rest of his little crew.  This apparition, sudden and unexpected, upset the nerves of the pitmen, and in a moment they began to run, falling away from George and tumbling over each other in their haste.

“No you don’t!” hissed the youngster between his firm-set teeth, and making a grab at a couple he had seen prominent in the fight, he held them with a grip they could not escape.

The attackers were routed; Binfield Towers was saved.  Within a minute George was being greeted, congratulated, thanked, till he was almost fain to run for it, as the bulk of the mob had done.  His father, Matthew, Fieldsend, even old Reuben—­all crowded around with delight.  In no long time Mrs. Maynard and Mary Blackett appeared, smiling through their tears of joy at their great deliverance.  The latter had so grown that George hardly recognized her.  All came up except the old Squire, and he was presently found in an alarming condition, one of his old heart attacks having come on.  It was the only drawback to the joy of the meeting and the ending of the danger that had threatened the household.

Early next morning word was carried to the Fairburns that Squire Blackett was dead; he had never recovered from the shock and the seizure consequent thereon.

“Poor old neighbour!” Fairburn said, with a mournful shake of the head, “I am afraid he has left things in a sorry state.”

Fairburn’s fears were only too well founded.  Mr. Blackett had left little or nothing, and Matthew and his sister would be but indifferently provided for.  Then it was that Fairburn came out like a man.  He proposed to run the colliery for their benefit.  To the world it was to appear that the collieries had been amalgamated or rather that the Blackett pit had been bought up by his rival.  The advantage to Matthew and Mary was too obvious to be rejected, and the required arrangements were made.  Before the time came for the three young officers to go back to their duties they had the satisfaction of seeing Mrs. Maynard and Mary settled in a pretty cottage near, and the colliery in full work and prospering, the district employed and contented.  Mary had been pressed by the Fairburn family to take up her abode with them, but had preferred to go into the cottage with her old governess and friend.  Yet she was overwhelmed with gratitude towards the kindly couple.

CHAPTER X

“OUR OWN MEN, SIR!”

Marlborough was late in taking the field that year.  Important matters engaged his attention at home.  He saw more clearly than ever that the Whigs alone were the real supporters of him and his war plans.  The party even passed a resolution to the effect that they would not hear of peace so long as a Bourbon ruled over Spain.  Then there were the intrigues at work that were undermining the influence of the Duchess of Marlborough, and consequently of the Duke himself, at Court.  Harley was known to be working for the overthrow of Marlborough.  He was preparing to introduce a formidable rival to the Duchess in Anne’s regards.