'What news from the West ?' 'I must not tarry,' the messenger gasped, slackening his speed for an instant.

'I bear papers of import from Gregory Alford, Mayor of Lyme, to Ins Majesty's Council.

The rebels make great head, and gather together like bees in the swarming time.

There are some thousands in arms already, and all Devonshire is on the move.

The rebel horse under Lord Grey hath been beaten back from Bridport by the red militia of Dorset, but every prickeared Whig from the Channel to the Severn is making his way to Monmouth.' With this brief summary of the news he pushed his way past us and clattered on in a cloud of dust upon his mission.
'The broth is fairly on the fire, then,' quoth Decimus Saxon, as we rode onwards.