Then, hearing the horses being led back from the stables, they ran to the door and mounted, and, followed by their men, a dozen or more of them, in all, galloped off into the darkness, taking another road for Tilbury, that by which Margaret went, not because they were sure of this, but because it was the shortest.
But the horses were tired, and the night was dark and rainy, so it came about that the clock of some church struck three of the morning before ever they drew near to Tilbury.

Now they were passing the little quay where Margaret and Betty had entered the boat, Castell and Peter riding side by side ahead of the others in stern silence, for they had nothing to say, when a familiar voice hailed them--that of Thomas the groom.
"I saw your horses' heads against the sky," he explained, "and knew them." "Where is your mistress ?" they asked both in a breath.
"Gone, gone with Betty Dene in a boat, from this quay, to be rowed to the _Margaret_, or so I thought.

Having stabled the horses as I was bidden, I came back here to await them.

But that was hours ago, and I have seen no soul, and heard nothing except the wind and the water, till I heard the galloping of your horses." "On to Tilbury, and get boats," said Castell.

"We must catch the _Margaret_ ere she sails at dawn.