rising. "I must be on my way back. We are digging trenches about
this great city, assuredly believing that it shall be delivered into
our hands."

"Stay, Jeph," said Patience. "Our corn! Will your folk come and
cart it away as they have done my lady's?"

"The spoil of the wicked is delivered over to the righteous," said
Jeph. "But seeing that the land is mine, a faithful servant of the
good cause, they may not meddle therewith."

"How are they to know that?" said Steadfast, not stopping to dispute
what rather startled him, since though Jeph was the eldest son, the
land had been made over to himself. To save the crop was the point.

"Look you here," said Jeph, "walk down with me to my good Captain's
quarters, and he will give you a protection which you may shew to any
man who dares to touch aught that is ours, be it corn or swine, ox or
ass."

It was a long walk, but Steadfast was only too glad to take it for
the sake of such security, and besides, there was a real pleasure in
being with Jeph, little as he seemed like the same idle, easy-going
brother, except perhaps in those little touches of selfishness and
boastfulness, which, though Stead did not realise them, did recall
the original Jeph.

All through the moonlight walk Jeph expounded his singular mercies,
which apparently meant his achievements in killing Cavaliers, and the
commendations given to him. One of these mercies was the retention