The people who had followed the soldiers were still outside the haw-haw;
a file of troopers having been stationed by its gate to prevent their
passing through. They could easily have sprung over out of the _fosse_,
but for some reason seemed not to care for it.
Lunsford, after dismounting, had rushed up into the porch, but too late
to hinder the shutting of the door; at which he was now thundering and
threatening to adopt the alternative he had been dared to.
"We shall certainly break it in," he cried out in a loud voice, "if not
opened instantly."