"I have friends along that road, and shall have no trouble about horses." They started at once, at a rattling pace, the animals, though but sorry-looking creatures, being speedy and accustomed to long journeys.

It was evident, from the man's manner, that he believed his passengers were cracksmen who had just successfully carried out an enterprise of importance.

He expressed surprise that they had brought no luggage with them.
They did not care to undeceive him.

Mike had brought with him a bottle of good brandy, and a drink of this soon removed the vexation the man had felt at being kept waiting for them.
Twice during the journey they changed horses, each time at small wayside inns, where some password, given by the driver, at once roused the landlord into activity.

But a few minutes were spent in the changes, and the fifty miles to Rye were accomplished in seven hours--a very unusual rate of speed along the badly kept roads of the period.