"With fifty men we shall never be able to defend the circuit of the village." "Not if they attack all round at once," Harry agreed.

"But probably they will fall upon us in column, and behind stone walls we can do much.
We must keep them out as long as we can; then fall back here, and surround ourselves with a ring of fire." As soon as it was known that the enemy were approaching Harry had given orders that all the inhabitants should evacuate their houses and cross the river, taking with them such valuables as they could carry.

There were several horses and carts in the village, and these were at once put in requisition, and the people crossing and recrossing the river rapidly carried most of their linen and other valuables over in safety, the men continuing to labor for the preservation of their goods, even after the fight commenced.
The Roundheads halted about four hundred yards from the village.

Just as they did so there was a trampling of horses, and Sir Ralph Willoughby, with his troop, now reduced to thirty strong, rode into the village.

He drew up his horse before Harry.
"Master Furness," he said, "Prince Rupert has forbidden me to test your courage in the way gentlemen usually do so.