I am not under your orders, Sir Ralph, and shall use my discretion in this matter.

This gentleman is as a brother to me." "And I would cut down my brother," Sir Ralph said furiously, "if I found him in the ranks of the enemy!" "Then, sir, we differ," Harry replied, "for that would not I.There are your friends," he said to Herbert, pointing to a body of Roundheads at a short distance, "Give me your word, however, that you will not draw sword again to-day." Herbert readily gave the required promise, and riding off, was soon with his friends.

Sir Ralph and Harry came to high words after he had left; and the matter might then and there have been decided by the sword, had not a party of Roundheads, seeing two cavalry officers so near to them, charged down, and compelled them to ride for their lives.
The following day Sir Ralph reported the circumstance to the general, and he to Prince Rupert.

The prince laughed at the charge.
"Harry Furness," he said, "is as loyal a gentleman as draws sword in our ranks, and as he and I have been well-nigh roasted together, it were vain indeed that any complaint were made to me touching his honor.

I will speak to him, however, and doubt not that his explanation will be satisfactory." The prince accordingly spoke to Harry, who explained the circumstances of his relations with the young Roundhead.
"Had he been a great captain, sir," Harry said, "I might have deemed it my duty to hold him in durance, however near his relationship to myself.
But as a few weeks since he was but a schoolboy, methought that the addition of his sword to the Roundhead cause would make no great difference in our chances of victory that afternoon.