Striking spurs into his steed, Catesby dashed forward, and dealing blows right and left, cleared the drawbridge of its occupants, many of whom leaped into the moat to escape his fury.

His companions were close at his heels, and got over the bridge in safety.
"Fly!--fly!" cried Catesby,--"to the horses--the horses! I will check all pursuit." So saying, and while the others flew towards the avenue, he faced his opponents, and making a desperate charge upon them, drove them backwards.

In this conflict, though several shots were fired, and blows aimed at him on all sides, he sustained no injury, but succeeded in defending the bridge sufficiently long to enable his friends to mount.
He then rode off at full speed, and found the party waiting for him at the end of the avenue.

Father Oldcorne was seated on the same steed as his superior.

After riding with them upwards of a mile, Humphrey Chetham dismounted, and resigning his horse to Viviana, bade her farewell, and disappeared.
"And now to London!" cried Catesby, striking into a road on the right, and urging his steed to a rapid pace.
"Ay, to London!--to the Parliament House!" echoed Fawkes, following him with the others.
END OF THE FIRST BOOK.
[Illustration: _Guy Fawkes and Catesby landing the Powder._].