Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/228

 214 REIGN OF ELIZABETH [CH. 53. many other Scots, sent word to Dacres to hold his ground and they and their men would come to Naworth at an hour's notice ; l and so far from being able to take him, the English commanders were in daily fear of finding themselves overwhelmed at their posts. It was more dangerous to sit still than to move. On the I9th of February a warning reached Lord Hunsdon, at Berwick, ' that within two days at most, Buccleuch and West- moreland would join Dacres with 5000 men, and they would then be past dealing with.' He determined to try the chance of a sudden stroke, and, if he failed, to cut his way to Carlisle and join Scrope. With a great effort he collected 1500 men the Berwick harquebuss- men among them, on whose fidelity he could rely, and two hours after dark the little force set out from Hex- ham. The beacons were blazing on hill and church tower, and every hill- side ' was full of men, horse and foot, crying and shouting as if they had been mad.' As they approached Naworth, scouts brought Hunsdon word that Dacres was waiting for him with twice his own strength ; ' if he took any overthrow,' he knew that the whole North would again be immediately in arms, and his own troops would be destroyed to a man. As surprise was impossible, he thought it better to avoid a battle. The road passed near the castle, but the country was open; and striking off to the left, he passed it shortly after daybreak at two miles' distance. The Gelt river was in front of him, running along a deep gorge between precipitous sandstone cliffs. To attempt 1 Scrope to Hunsdow, February 18; Ibid.