It was the savage barking of the hounds that had caught the ears of the alarmed attorney, and made him desirous to scramble back again.  But this was no such easy matter.  Sparshot’s broad shoulders were wanting to place his feet upon, and while he was bruising his knees against the roughened sides of the wall in vain attempts to raise himself to the top of it unaided, Hubert’s sharp teeth met in the calf of his leg, while those of Tristam were fixed in the skirts of his doublet, and penetrated deeply into the flesh that filled it.  A terrific yell proclaimed the attorney’s anguish and alarm, and he redoubled his efforts to escape.  But, if before it was difficult to get up, the feat was now impossible.  All he could do was to cling with desperate tenacity to the coping of the wall, for he made no doubt, if dragged down, he should be torn in pieces.  Roaring lustily for help, he besought Nicholas to have compassion upon him; but the squire appeared little moved by his distress, and laughed heartily at his yells and vociferations.

“You will not come again on a like errand, in a hurry, I fancy Master Potts,” he said.

“I will not, good Master Nicholas,” rejoined Potts; “for pity’s sake call off these infernal hounds.  They will rend me asunder as they would a fox.”

“You were a cunning fox, in good sooth, to come hither,” rejoined Nicholas, in a taunting tone; “but will you go hence if I liberate you?”

“I will—­indeed I will!” replied Potts.

“And will no more molest Mistress Nutter?” thundered Nicholas.

“Take heed what you promise,” roared Nowell from the other side of the wall.

“If you do not promise it, the hounds shall pull you down, and make a meal of you!” cried Nicholas.

“I do—­I swear—­whatever you desire!” cried the terrified attorney.

The hounds were then called off by the squire, and, nerved by fright, Potts sprang upon the wall, and tumbled over it upon the other side, alighting upon the head of his respected and singular good client, whom he brought to the ground.

Meanwhile, all those unlucky persons who had succeeded in scaling the wall were attacked by the hounds, and, unable to stand against them, were chased round the garden, to the infinite amusement of the squire.  Frightened to death, and unable otherwise to escape, for the gate allowed them no means of exit, the poor wretches fled towards the terrace overlooking Pendle Water, and, leaping into the stream, gained the opposite bank.  There they were safe, for the hounds were not allowed to follow them further.  In this way the garden was completely cleared of the enemy, and Nicholas and Richard were left masters of the field.

Leaning out of the window, Mistress Nutter laughingly congratulated them on their success, and, as no further disposition was manifested on the part of Nowell and such of his troop that remained to renew the attack, the contest, for the present at least, was supposed to be at an end.