The terrified attendants knew too well the results which would follow this unaccountable and irreparable mistake.  The whole country would be in commotion.  Hordes of zealous and fanatic idlers and malcontents would repair to the appointed rendezvous, and this premature, and perhaps fatal movement, would be attributed to their carelessness.  Paslew, not over-nice in discriminating their several deserts, would doubtless subject them to immediate and condign punishment.

These were thoughts common to each, unquestionable and conclusive; but what answer to give, or what excuse to make, was far from being decided upon with the same degree of certainty.

“We shall be hanged without mercy,” was the dread sum of these uncomfortable reflections.

“I know not what you may be,” said Will; “but I intend to run for it.  I’ve an old dame would make a sore disturbance at my death, more especially if dangling from the gallows-tree, which of all the trees in the wood hath been my aversion ever since I saw Long Tom of the Nab make so uncomfortable a shriving from thence.”

“Run, then,” said Nicholas, rather stoutly, and in a tone of more confidence than heretofore.  “I’ll stay my ground this bout; and, further, I do propose to commit yon knaves into the holy keeping of our four-cornered crib, where they may be indulged in recreations of another sort than setting the whole country by the ears.  ’Twill save our necks to slip theirs into the noose.”

This happy suggestion, the whole of these honest and conscientious servants of the church were prepared to obey.  They might with safety accuse the strangers; indeed, it was more than probable they had hit out the right source of the mischief; so, marching up boldly to the execution of this Christian purpose, they were proceeding to lay hands on the foremost of the culprits.  At this critical moment he turned suddenly round.  Perhaps from a prior suspicion of their intentions, or from the knavish cast of their countenances, he saw that hostilities were in contemplation:  at any rate, he seemed to be prepared for the event.  Will, being the mouthpiece of the party, and accustomed, moreover, at times to a precise and methodical manner of delivery, was the chief speaker.

“Sir, we arrest you for high treason.  You are charged with firing off beacons without our privity or consent, thereby endangering the safety of the lord abbot, and the peaceable governing of this realm.”  He paused, quaking even at his own eloquence; but the stranger made no reply, till, throwing aside his cloak, he drew out a hagbut or demi-hague as it was sometimes called, being a sort of small harquebuss, with its match ready kindled.

“Tell the Abbot of Whalley that neither ye nor the whole horde of drones and drivellers about his hive, shall take me against my own liberty and consent.  Hold back!  Your first step, is your last, save to your grave!  I will see the abbot shortly, but not by your grace or assistance.”  Saying this, he bounded down the steep like the roused deer, in its first pride of flight, scorning the chase.  The light flashing from his weapons marked his form rapidly receding from their grasp.