Fawkes replied by cleaving the man's staff asunder, and, having thus disembarrassed himself, was about to pursue his course, when he perceived that Humphrey Chetham was in imminent danger from a couple of soldiers who had stopped him, and were trying to unhorse his companion.

Riding up to them, Guy Fawkes, by a vigorous and well-directed attack, speedily drove them off; and the fugitives, being now unimpeded, were enabled to continue their career.
The foregoing occurrences were witnessed by the pursuivant with the utmost rage and vexation.

Pouring forth a torrent of threats and imprecations, he swore he would never rest till he had secured them, and urging his courser to its utmost speed, commanded his men to give chase.
Skirting a sluice, communicating between the Irwell and the moat, Humphrey Chetham, who, as better acquainted with the country than his companions, took the lead, proceeded along its edge for about a hundred yards, when he suddenly struck across a narrow bridge covered with sod, and entered the open fields.

Hitherto Viviana had remained silent.
Though fully aware of the risk she had run, she gave no sign of alarm--not even when the blow was aimed against her life; and it was only on conceiving the danger in some degree past, that she ventured to express her gratitude.
"You have displayed so much courage," said Guy Fawkes, in answer to her speech, "that it would be unpardonable to deceive you.

Our foes are too near us, and too well mounted, to make it by any means certain we shall escape them,--unless by stratagem." "They are within a hundred yards of us," cried Humphrey Chetham, glancing fearfully backwards.