the bridge, smaller puffs, as though pistols were being used, and
forms falling over the parapet, at which sight the men held their
breath, and the women shrieked and cried "God have mercy on their
poor souls." And then the dark-coated troops seemed to be driven
back.

"That was a feint, only a feint," cried Master Brown. "See there!"

For the plumed troop of horsemen had indeed crossed, and came
galloping down the bank with such a jingling and clattering, and
thundering of hoofs as came up to the harvest men above, and Master
Brown led the cheer as they charged upon the compact mass of red
coats behind the bridge, and broke and rode them down by the
vehemence of the shock.

"Hurrah!" cried Blane. "Surely they will turn now and take the
fellows on the bridge in the rear. No. Ha! they are hunting them
down on to their baggage! Well done, brave fellows, hip! hip!--"

But the hurrah died on his lips as a deep low hum--a Psalm tune sung
by hundreds of manly voices--ascended to his ears, to the
accompaniment of the heavy thud of horsehoofs, and from the London
Road, between the bridge and the Royalist horsemen, there emerged a
compact body of troopers, in steel caps and corslets. Forming in
ranks of three abreast, they charged over the bridge, and speedily
cleared off the Royalists who were struggling to obtain a footing
there.

There was small speech on the hill side, as the encounter was
watched, and the Ironsides forming on the other side, charged the