There is no time to delay, for see you not on yonder hill the gleam of pikes?
That is the enemy's footmen.
It is only an advanced party of their horse with which we have had this affair.

You cannot go forward in this direction.

There is a strong body of Roundheads lying a few miles to the north." Harry rode back to Lady Sidmouth, and after a consultation with her and with Master Chillingworth, they decided to throw themselves into Hardley House, where the addition of strength which they brought might enable them to beat off the Roundheads, and then to proceed on their way.

They learned indeed from a peasant that several bodies of Roundheads were advancing from various directions, and that Hardley House was strong and well defended.

Of the choice of evils, therefore, they thought this to be the lightest, and, after an hour's hard riding, they arrived before its walls.