But there is now a means open.

Let us see which will ride furthest--you or I--into the ranks of yonder horsemen." Harry hesitated a moment; then he said gravely: "My life is not my own to throw away, Sir Ralph.

My orders are to hold this place.

That I can best do on foot, for even if our troops united were to rout the enemy's cavalry, their footmen would still remain, and would carry the village.

No, sir, my duty is to fight here." "I always thought you a coward!" Sir Ralph exclaimed; "now I know it," and, with a taunting laugh, he ordered his men to follow him, issued from the village, and prepared, with his little band, to charge the Roundhead horse, about a hundred and fifty strong.
Just as they formed line, however, the enemy's' guns opened, and a shot struck Sir Ralph full in the chest, hurling him, a shattered corpse, to the ground.
His men, dismayed at the fall of their leader, drew rein.
"Fall back, men," Harry shouted from behind, "fall back, and make a stand here.