'What do you mean?' said Richard gruffly.

'I mean that, the king having at length resolved to be more of a
monarch and less of a saint--'

'A saint!' echoed Richard, but the echo was rather a loud one, for
it startled his mare and shook her rider.

'Don't shout like that!' cried the cavalier, with an oath. 'Saint or
sinner, I care not. He is my king, and I am his soldier. But with
this knee you have given me, I shall be fitter for garrison than
field-duty--damn it.'

'You do not mean that his majesty has declared open war against the
parliament?' exclaimed Richard.

'Faithless puritan, I do,' answered Scudamore. 'His majesty has at
length--with reluctance, I am sorry to hear--taken up arms against
his rebellious subjects. Land will be cheap by-and-by.'

'Many such rumours have reached us,' returned Richard, quietly. 'The
king spares no threats; but for blows--well!'

'Insolent fanatic!' shouted Vaughan, 'I tell you his majesty is on
his way from Scotland with an army of savages; and London has
declared for the king.'

Richard and his mare simultaneously quickened their pace.