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The Children of the New Forest

by Frederick Marryat · English · Gutenberg #6471 · 628,889 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: The Children of the New Forest

Author: Frederick Marryat


        
Release date: September 1, 2004 [eBook #6471]
                Most recently updated: May 25, 2016

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6471

Credits: Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST ***




Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team.










THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST.

BY CAPT. MARRYAT, R.N.



1864.



CHAPTER I.


The circumstances which I am about to relate to my juvenile readers
took place in the year 1647. By referring to the history of England, of
that date, they will find that King Charles the First, against whom the
Commons of England had rebelled, after a civil war of nearly five
years, had been defeated, and was confined as a prisoner at Hampton
Court. The Cavaliers, or the party who fought for King Charles, had all
been dispersed and the Parliamentary army under the command of Cromwell
were beginning to control the Commons.

It was in the month of November in this year that King Charles,
accompanied by Sir John Berkely, Ashburnham, and Legg, made his escape
from Hampton Court, and rode as fast as the horses could carry them
toward that part of Hampshire which led to the New Forest. The king
expected that his friends had provided a vessel in which he might
escape to France, but in this he was disappointed. There was no vessel
ready, and after riding for some time along the shore, he resolved to
go to Titchfield, a seat belonging to the Earl of Southampton. After a
long consultation with those who attended him, he yielded to their
advice, which was, to trust to Colonel Hammond, who was governor of the
Isle of Wight for the Parliament, but who was supposed to be friendly
to the king. Whatever might be the feelings of commiseration of Colonel
Hammond toward a king so unfortunately situated, he was firm in his
duties toward his employers, and the consequence was that King Charles
found himself again a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle.

But we must now leave the king and retrace history to the commencement
of the civil war. A short distance from the town of Lymington, which is
not far from Titchfield, where the king took shelter, but on the other
side of Southampton Water, and south of the New Forest, to which it
adjoins, was a property called Arnwood, which belonged to a Cavalier of
the name of Beverley. It was at that time a property of considerable
value, being very extensive, and the park ornamented with valuable
timber; for it abutted on the New Forest, and might have been supposed
to have been a continuation of it. This Colonel Beverley, as we must
call him, for he rose to that rank in the king's army, was a valued
friend and companion of Prince Rupert, and commanded several troops of
cavalry. He was ever at his side in the brilliant charges made by this
gallant prince, and at last fell in his arms at the battle of Naseby.
Colonel Beverley had married into the family of the Villiers, and the
issue of his marriage was two sons and two daughters; but his zeal and
sense of duty had induced him, at the commencement of the war, to leave
his wife and family at Arnwood, and he was fated never to meet them
again. The news of his death had such an effect upon Mrs. Beverley,
already worn with anxiety on her husband's account, that a few months
afterward she followed him to an early tomb, leaving the four children
under the charge of an elderly relative, till such time as the family
of the Villiers could protect them; but, as will appear by our history,
this was not at that period possible. The life of a king and many other
lives were in jeopardy, and the orphans remained at Arnwood, still
under the care of their elderly relation, at the time that our history
commences.

The New Forest, my readers are perhaps aware, was first inclosed by
William the Conqueror as a royal forest for his own amusement--for in
those days most crowned heads were passionately fond of the chase; and
they may also recollect that his successor, William Rufus, met his
death in this forest by the glancing of an arrow shot by Sir Walter
Tyrrell. Since that time to the present day it has continued a royal
domain. At the period of which we are writing, it had an establishment
of verderers and keepers, paid by the crown, amounting to some forty or
fifty men. At the commencement of the civil war they remained at their
posts, but soon found, in the disorganized state of the country, that
their wages were no longer to be obtained; and then, when the king had
decided upon raising an army, Beverley, who held a superior office in
the Forest, enrolled all the young and athletic men who were employed
in the Forest, and marched them away with him to join the king's army.
Some few remained, their age not rendering their services of value, and
among them was an old and attached servant of Beverley, a man above
sixty years of age, whose name was Jacob Armitage, and who had obtained
the situation through Colonel Beverley's interest. Those who remained
in the Forest lived in cottages many miles asunder, and indemnified
themselves for the non-payment of their salaries by killing the deer
for sale and for their own subsistence.

The cottage of Jacob Armitage was situated on the skirts of the New
Forest, about a mile and a half from the mansion of Arnwood; and when
Colonel Beverley went to join the king's troops, feeling how little
security there would be for his wife and children in those troubled
times, he requested the old man, by his attachment to the family, not
to lose sight of Arnwood, but to call there as often as possible to see
if he could be of service to Mrs. Beverley. The colonel would have
persuaded Jacob to have altogether taken up his residence at the
mansion, but to this the old man objected. He had been all his life
under the greenwood tree, and could not bear to leave the forest. He
promised the colonel that he would watch over his family, and ever be
at hand when required; and he kept his word. The death of Colonel
Beverley was a heavy blow to the old forester, and he watched over Mrs.
Beverley and the orphans with the greatest solicitude; but when Mrs.
Beverley followed her husband to the tomb, he then redoubled his
attentions, and was seldom more than a few hours at a time away from
the mansion. The two boys were his inseparable companions, and he
instructed them, young as they were, in all the secrets of his own
calling. Such was the state of affairs at the time that King Charles
made his escape from Hampton Court; and I now shall resume my narrative
from where it was broken off.

As soon as the escape of Charles I. was made known to Cromwell and the
Parliament, troops of horse were dispatched in every direction to the
southward, toward which the prints of the horses' hoofs proved that he
had gone. As they found that he had proceeded in the direction of the
New Forest, the troops were subdivided and ordered to scour the forest,
in parties of twelve to twenty, while others hastened down to
Southampton, Lymington, and every other seaport or part of the coast
from which the king might be likely to embark. Old Jacob had been at
Arnwood on the day before, but on this day he had made up his mind to
procure some venison, that he might not go there again empty-handed;
for Miss Judith Villiers was very partial to venison, and was not slow
to remind Jacob, if the larder was for many days deficient in that
meat. Jacob had gone out accordingly; he had gained his leeward
position of a fine buck, and was gradually nearing him by stealth--now
behind a huge oak tree, and then crawling through the high fern, so as
to get within shot unperceived, when on a sudden the animal, which had
been quietly feeding, bounded away and disappeared in the thicket. At
the same time Jacob perceived a small body of horse galloping through
the glen in which the buck had been feeding. Jacob had never yet seen
the Parliamentary troops, for they had not during the war been sent
into that part of the country, but their iron skull-caps, their buff
accouterments, and dark habiliments assured him that such these must
be; so very different were they from the gayly-equipped Cavalier
cavalry commanded by Prince Rupert. At the time that they advanced,
Jacob had been lying down in the fern near to some low black-thorn
bushes; not wishing to be perceived by them, he drew back between the
bushes, intending to remain concealed until they should gallop out of
sight; for Jacob thought, "I am a king's forester, and they may
consider me as an enemy, and who knows how I may be treated by them?"
But Jacob was disappointed in his expectations of the troops riding
past him; on the contrary, as soon as they arrived at an oak tree
within twenty yards of where he was concealed, the order was given to
halt and dismount; the sabers of the horsemen clattered in their iron
sheaths as the order was obeyed, and the old man expected to be
immediately discovered; but one of the thorn bushes was directly
between him and the troopers, and effectually concealed him. At last
Jacob ventured to raise his head and peep through the bush; and he
perceived that the men were loosening the girths of their black horses,
or wiping away the perspiration from their sides with handfuls of fern.

A powerfully-formed man, who appeared to command the others, was
standing with his hand upon the arched neck of his steed, which
appeared as fresh and vigorous as ever, although covered with foam and
perspiration. "Spare not to rub down, my men," said he, "for we have
tried the mettle of our horses, and have now but one half-hour's
breathing-time. We must be on, for the work of the Lord must be done."

"They say that this forest is many miles in length and breadth,"
observed another of the men, "and we may ride many a mile to no
purpose; but here is James Southwold, who once was living in it as a
verderer; nay, I think that he said that he was born and bred in these
woods. Was it not so, James Southwold?"

"It is even as you say," replied an active-looking young man; "I was
born and bred in this forest, and my father was a verderer before me."

Jacob Armitage, who listened to the conversation, immediately
recognized the young man in question. He was one of those who had
joined the king's army with the other verderers and keepers. It pained
him much to perceive that one who had always been considered a frank,
true-hearted young man, and who left the forest to fight in defense of
his king, was now turned a traitor, and had joined the ranks of the
enemy; and Jacob thought how much better it had been for James
Southwold, if he had never quitted the New Forest, and had not been
corrupted by evil company; "he was a good lad," thought Jacob, "and now
he is a traitor and a hypocrite."

"If born and bred in this forest, James Southwold," said the leader of
the troop, "you must fain know all its mazes and paths. Now, call to
mind, are there no secret hiding-places in which people may remain
concealed; no thickets which may cover both man and horse? Peradventure
thou mayest point out the very spot where this man Charles may be
hidden?"

"I do know one dell, within a mile of Arnwood," replied James
Southwold, "which might cover double our troop from the eyes of the
most wary."

"We will ride there, then," replied the leader. "Arnwood, sayest thou?
is not that the property of the Malignant Cavalier Beverley, who was
shot down at Naseby?"

"Even so," replied Southwold; "and many is the time--that is, in the
olden time, before I was regenerated--many is the day of revelry that I
have passed there; many the cup of good ale that I have quaffed."

"And thou shalt quaff it again," replied the leader. "Good ale was not
intended only for Malignants, but for those who serve diligently. After
we have examined the dell which thou speakest of, we will direct our
horses' heads toward Arnwood."

"Who knows but what the man Charles may be concealed in the Malignant's
house?" observed another.

"In the day I should say no," replied the leader; "but in the night the
Cavaliers like to have a roof over their heads; and, therefore, at
night, and not before, will we proceed thither."

"I have searched many of their abodes," observed another, "but search
is almost in vain. What with their spring panels, and secret doors,
their false ceilings, and double walls, one may ferret forever, and
find nothing."

"Yes," replied the leader, "their abodes are full of these popish
abominations; but there is one way which is sure; and if the man
Charles be concealed in any house, I venture to say that I will find
him. Fire and smoke will bring him forth; and to every Malignant's
house within twenty miles will I apply the torch; but it must be at
night, for we are not sure of his being housed during the day. James
Southwold, thou knowest well the mansion of Arnwood?"

"I know well my way to all the offices below--the buttery, the cellar,
and the kitchen; but I can not say that I have ever been into the
apartments of the upper house."

"That it needeth not; if thou canst direct us to the lower entrance it
will be sufficient."

"That can I, Master Ingram," replied Southwold, "and to where the best
ale used to be found."

"Enough, Southwold, enough; our work must be done, and diligently. Now,
my men, tighten your girths; we will just ride to the dell: if it
conceals not whom we seek, it shall conceal us till night, and then the
country shall be lighted up with the flames of Arnwood, while we
surround the house and prevent escape. Levelers, to horse!"

The troopers sprung upon their saddles, and went off at a hard trot,
Southwold leading the way. Jacob remained among the fern until they
were out of sight, and then rose up. He looked for a short time in the
direction in which the troopers had gone, stooped down again to take up
his gun, and then said, "There's providence in this; yes, and there's
providence in my not having my dog with me, for he would not have
remained quiet for so long a time. Who would ever have thought that
James Southwold would have turned a traitor! more than traitor, for he
is now ready to bite the hand that has fed him, to burn the house that
has ever welcomed him. This is a bad world, and I thank Heaven that I
have lived in the woods. But there is no time to lose;" and the old
forester threw his gun over his shoulder, and hastened away in the
direction of his own cottage.

"And so the king has escaped," thought Jacob, as he went along, "and he
may be in the forest! Who knows but he may be at Arnwood, for he must
hardly know where to go for shelter? I must haste and see Miss Judith
immediately. 'Levelers, to horse!' the fellow said. What's a Leveler?"
thought Jacob.

As perhaps my readers may ask the same question, they must know that a
large proportion of the Parliamentary army had at this time assumed the
name of Levelers, in consequence of having taken up the opinion that
every man should be on an equality, and property should be equally
divided. The hatred of these people to any one above them in rank or
property, especially toward those of the king's party, which mostly
consisted of men of rank and property, was unbounded, and they were
merciless and cruel to the highest degree, throwing off much of that
fanatical bearing and language which had before distinguished the
Puritans. Cromwell had great difficulty in eventually putting them
down, which he did at last accomplish by hanging and slaughtering many.
Of this Jacob knew nothing; all he knew was, that Arnwood was to be
burned down that night, and that it would be necessary to remove the
family. As for obtaining assistance to oppose the troopers, that he
knew to be impossible. As he thought of what must take place, he
thanked God for having allowed him to gain the knowledge of what was to
happen, and hastened on his way. He had been about eight miles from
Arnwood when he had concealed himself in the fern. Jacob first went to
his cottage to deposit his gun, saddled his forest pony, and set off
for Arnwood. In less than two hours the old man was at the door of the
mansion; it was then about three o'clock in the afternoon, and being in
the month of November, there was not so much as two hours of daylight
remaining. "I shall have a difficult job with the stiff old lady,"
thought Jacob, as be rung the bell; "I don't believe that she would
rise out of her high chair for old Noll and his whole army at his back.
But we shall see."




CHAPTER II.


Before Jacob is admitted to the presence of Miss Judith Villiers, we
must give some account of the establishment at Arnwood. With the
exception of one male servant, who officiated in the house and stable
as his services might be required, every man of the household of
Colonel Beverley had followed the fortunes of their master, and as none
had returned, they, in all probability had shared his fate. Three
female servants, with the man above mentioned, composed the whole
household. Indeed, there was every reason for not increasing the
establishment, for the rents were either paid in part, or not paid at
all. It was generally supposed that the property, now that the
Parliament had gained the day, would be sequestrated, although such was
not yet the case; and the tenants were unwilling to pay, to those who
were not authorized to receive, the rents which they might be again
called upon to make good. Miss Judith Villiers, therefore, found it
difficult to maintain the present household; and although she did not
tell Jacob Armitage that such was the case, the fact was, that very
often the venison which he brought to the mansion was all the meat that
was in the larder. The three female servants held the offices of cook,
attendant upon Miss Villiers, and housemaid; the children being under
the care of no particular servant, and left much to themselves. There
had been a chaplain in the house, but he had quitted before the death
of Mrs. Beverley, and the vacancy had not been filled up; indeed, it
could not well be, for the one who left had not received his salary for
many months, and Miss Judith Villiers, expecting every day to be
summoned by her relations to bring the children and join them, sat in
her high chair waiting for the arrival of this summons, which, from the
distracted state of the times, had never come.

As we have before said, the orphans were four in number; the two eldest
were boys, and the youngest were girls. Edward, the eldest boy, was
between thirteen and fourteen years old; Humphrey, the second, was
twelve; Alice, eleven; and Edith, eight. As it is the history of these
young persons which we are about to narrate, we shall say little about
them at present, except that for many months they had been under little
or no restraint, and less attended to. Their companions were Benjamin,
the man who remained in the house, and old Jacob Armitage, who passed
all the time he could spare with them. Benjamin was rather weak in
intellect, and was a source of amusement rather than otherwise. As for
the female servants, one was wholly occupied with her attendance on
Miss Judith, who was very exacting, and had a high notion of her own
consequence. The other two had more than sufficient employment; as,
when there is no money to pay with, every thing must be done at home.
That, under such circumstances, the boys became boisterous and the
little girls became romps, is not to be wondered at: but their having
become so was the cause of Miss Judith seldom admitting them into her
room. It is true that they were sent for once a day, to ascertain if
they were in the house, or in existence, but soon dismissed and left to
their own resources. Such was the neglect to which these young orphans
was exposed. It must, however, be admitted, that this very neglect made
them independent and bold, full of health from constant activity, and
more fitted for the change which was so soon to take place.

"Benjamin," said Jacob, as the other came to the door, "I must speak
with the old lady."

"Have you brought any venison, Jacob?" said Benjamin, grinning, "else,
I reckon, you'll not be over welcome."

"No, I have not; but it is an important business, so send Agatha to her
directly."

"I will; and I'll not say any thing about the venison."

In a few minutes, Jacob was ushered up by Agatha into Miss Judith
Villiers's apartment. The old lady was about fifty years of age, very
prim and starched, sitting in a high-backed chair, with her feet upon a
stool, and her hands crossed before her, her black mittens reposing
upon her snow-white apron.

The old forester made his obeisance.

"You have important business with us, I am told," observed Miss Judith.

"Most important, madam," replied Jacob. "In the first place, it is
right that you should be informed that his majesty, King Charles, has
escaped from Hampton Court."

"His majesty escaped!" replied the lady.

"Yes; and is supposed to be secreted somewhere in this neighborhood.
His majesty is not in this house, madam, I presume?"

"Jacob, his majesty is not in this house: if he were, I would suffer my
tongue to be torn out sooner than I would confess it, even to you."

"But I have more for your private ear, madam."

"Agatha, retire; and Agatha, be mindful that you go down stairs, and do
not remain outside the door."

Agatha, with this injunction, bounced out of the room, slamming-to the
door so as to make Miss Judith start from her seat.

"Ill-mannered girl!" exclaimed Miss Judith. "Now, Jacob Armitage, you
may proceed."

Jacob then entered into the detail of what he had overheard that
morning, when he fell in with the troopers, concluding with the
information, that the mansion would be burned down that very night. He
then pointed out the necessity of immediately abandoning the house, as
it would be impossible to oppose the troopers.

"And where am I to go to, Jacob?" said Miss Judith, calmly.

"I hardly know, madam; there is my cottage; it is but a poor place, and
not fit for one like you."

"So I should presume, Jacob Armitage, neither shall I accept your
offer. It would ill befit the dignity of a Villiers to be frightened
out of her abode by a party of rude soldiers. Happen what will, I shall
not stir from this--no, not even from this chair. Neither do I consider
the danger so great as you suppose. Let Benjamin saddle, and be
prepared to ride over to Lymington immediately. I will give him a
letter to the magistrate there, who will send us protection."

"But, madam, the children can not remain here. I will not leave them
here. I promised the colonel--"

"Will the children be in more danger than I shall be, Jacob Armitage?"
replied the old lady, stiffly. "They dare not ill-treat me--they may
force the buttery and drink the ale--they may make merry with that and
the venison which you have brought with you, I presume, but they will
hardly venture to insult a lady of the House of Villiers."

"I fear they will venture any thing, madam. At all events, they will
frighten the children, and for one night they will be better in my
cottage."

"Well, then, be it so; take them to your cottage, and take Martha to
attend upon the Miss Beverleys. Go down now, and desire Agatha to come
to me, and Benjamin to saddle as fast as he can."

Jacob left the room, satisfied with the permission to remove the
children. He knew that it was useless to argue with Miss Judith, who
was immovable when once she had declared her intentions. He was
debating in his own mind whether he should acquaint the servants with
the threatened danger; but he had no occasion to do so, for Agatha had
remained at the door while Jacob was communicating the intelligence,
and as soon as he had arrived at that portion of it by which she
learned that the mansion was to be burned down that night, had run off
to the kitchen to communicate the intelligence to the other servants.

"I'll not stay to be burned to death," exclaimed the cook, as Jacob
came in. "Well, Mr. Armitage, this is pretty news you have brought.
What does my lady say!"

"She desires that Benjamin saddles immediately, to carry a letter to
Lymington; and you, Agatha, are to go up stairs to her."

"But what does she mean to do? Where are we to go?" exclaimed Agatha.

"Miss Judith intends to remain where she is."

"Then she will remain alone, for me," exclaimed the housemaid, who was
admired by Benjamin. "Its bad enough to have little victuals and no
wages, but as for being burned to death--Benjamin, put a pillion behind
your saddle, and I'll go to Lymington with you. I won't be long in
getting my bundle."

Benjamin, who was in the kitchen with the maids at the time that Jacob
entered, made a sign significant of consent, and went away to the
stable. Agatha went up to her mistress in a state of great
perturbation, and the cook also hurried away to her bedroom.

"They'll all leave her," thought Jacob; "well, my duty is plain; I'll
not leave the children in the house." Jacob then went in search of
them, and found them playing in the garden. He called the two boys to
him, and told them to follow him.

"Now, Mr. Edward," said he, "you must prove yourself your father's own
son. We must leave this house immediately; come up with me to your
rooms, and help me to pack up yours and your sisters' clothes, for we
must go to my cottage this night. There is no time to be lost."

"But why, Jacob; I must know why?"

"Because the Parliamentary troopers will burn it down this night."

"Burn it down! Why, the house is mine, is it not? Who dares to burn
down this house?"

"They will dare it, and will do it."

"But we will fight them, Jacob; we can bolt and bar; I can fire a gun,
and hit too, as you know; then there's Benjamin and you."

"And what can you and two men do against a troop of horse, my dear boy?
If we could defend the place against them, Jacob Armitage would be the
first; but it is impossible, my dear boy. Recollect your sisters. Would
you have them burned to death, or shot by these wretches? No, no, Mr.
Edward; you must do as I say, and lose no time. Let us pack up what
will be most useful, and load White Billy with the bundles; then you
must all come to the cottage with me, and we will make it out how we
can."

"That will be jolly!" said Humphrey; "come, Edward."

But Edward Beverley required more persuasion to abandon the house; at
last, old Jacob prevailed, and the clothes were put up in bundles as
fast as they could collect them.

"Your aunt said Martha was to go with your sisters, but I doubt if she
will," observed Jacob, "and I think we shall have no room for her, for
the cottage is small enough."

"Oh no, we don't want her," said Humphrey; "Alice always dresses Edith
and herself too, ever since mamma died."

"Now we will carry down the bundles, and you make them fast on the pony
while I go for your sisters."

"But where does aunt Judith go?" inquired Edward.

"She will not leave the house, Master Edward; she intends to stay and
speak to the troopers."

"And so an old woman like her remains to face the enemy, while I run
away from them!" replied Edward. "I will not go."

"Well, Master Edward," replied Jacob, "you must do as you please; but
it will be cruel to leave your sisters here; they and Humphrey must
come with me, and I can not manage to get them to the cottage without
you go with us; it is not far, and you can return in a very short time."

To this Edward consented. The pony was soon loaded, and the little
girls, who were still playing in the garden, were called in by
Humphrey. They were told that they were going to pass the night in the
cottage, and were delighted at the idea.

"Now, Master Edward," said Jacob, "will you take your sisters by the
hand and lead them to the cottage? Here is the key of the door; Master
Humphrey can lead the pony; and Master Edward," continued Jacob, taking
him aside, "I'll tell you one thing which I will not mention before
your brother and sisters: the troopers are all about the New Forest,
for King Charles has escaped, and they are seeking for him. You must
not, therefore, leave your brother and sisters till I return. Lock the
cottage-door as soon as it is dark. You know where to get a light, over
the cupboard; and my gun is loaded, and hangs above the mantlepiece.
You must do your best if they attempt to force an entrance; but above
all, promise me not to leave them till I return. I will remain here to
see what I can do with your aunt, and when I come back we can then
decide how to act."

This latter ruse of Jacob's succeeded. Edward promised that he would
not leave his sisters, and it wanted but a few minutes of twilight when
the little party quitted the mansion of Arnwood. As they went out of
the gates they were passed by Benjamin, who was trotting away with
Martha behind him on a pillion, holding a bundle as large as herself.
Not a word was exchanged, and Benjamin and Martha were soon out of
sight.

"Why, where can Martha be going?" said Alice. "Will she be back when we
come home to-morrow?"

Edward made no reply, but Humphrey said, "Well, she has taken plenty of
clothes in that huge bundle for one night, at least."

Jacob, as soon as he had seen the children on their way, returned to
the kitchen, where he found Agatha and the cook collecting their
property, evidently bent upon a hasty retreat.

"Have you seen Miss Judith, Agatha?"

"Yes; and she told me that she should remain, and that I should stand
behind her chair that she might receive the troopers with dignity; but
I don't admire the plan. They might leave her alone, but I am sure that
they will be rude to me."

"When did Benjamin say he would be back?"

"He don't intend coming back. He said he would not, at all events, till
to-morrow morning, and then he would ride out this way, to ascertain if
the report was false or true. But Martha has gone with him."

"I wish I could persuade the old lady to leave the house," said Jacob,
thoughtfully. "I fear they will not pay her the respect that she
calculates upon. Go up, Agatha, and say I wish to speak with her."

"No, not I; I must be off, for it is dark already."

"And where are you going, then?"

"To Gossip Allwood's. It's a good mile, and I have to carry my things."

"Well, Agatha, if you'll take me up to the old lady, I'll carry your
things for you."

Agatha consented, and as soon as she had taken up the lamp, for it was
now quite dark, Jacob was once more introduced.

"I wish, madam," said Jacob, "you would be persuaded to leave the house
for this night."

"Jacob Armitage, leave this house I will not, if it were filled with
troopers; I have said so."

"But, madam--"

"No more, sir; you are too forward," replied the old lady, haughtily.

"But, madam--"

"Leave my presence, Jacob Armitage, and never appear again. Quit the
room, and send Agatha here."

"She has left, madam, and so has the cook, and Martha went away behind
Benjamin; when I leave, you will be alone."

"They have dared to leave?"

"They dared not stay, madam."

"Leave me, Jacob Armitage, and shut the door when you go out." Jacob
still hesitated. "Obey me instantly," said the old lady; and the
forester, finding all remonstrance useless, went out, and obeyed her
last commands by shutting the door after him.

Jacob found Agatha and the other maid in the court-yard; he took up
their packages, and, as he promised, accompanied them to Gossip
Allwood, who kept a small ale-house about a mile distant.

"But, mercy on us! what will become of the children?" said Agatha, as
they walked along, her fears for herself having up to this time made
her utterly forgetful of them. "Poor things! and Martha has left them."

"Yes, indeed; what will become of the dear babes?" said the cook, half
crying.

Now Jacob, knowing that the children of such a Malignant as Colonel
Beverley would have sorry treatment if discovered, and knowing also
that women were not always to be trusted, determined not to tell them
how they were disposed of. He therefore replied,

"Who would hurt such young children as those? No, no, they are safe
enough; even the troopers would protect them."

"I should hope so," replied Agatha.

"You may be sure of that; no man would hurt babies," replied Jacob.
"The troopers will take them with them to Lymington, I suppose. I've no
fear for them; it's the proud old lady whom they will be uncivil to."

The conversation here ended, and in due time they arrived at the inn.
Jacob had just put the bundles down on the table, when the clattering
of horses' hoofs was heard. Shortly afterward, the troopers pulled
their horses up at the door, and dismounted. Jacob recognized the party
he had met in the forest, and among them Southwold. The troopers called
for ale, and remained some time in the house, talking and laughing with
the women, especially Agatha, who was a very good-looking girl. Jacob
would have retreated quietly, but he found a sentinel posted at the
door to prevent the egress of any person. He reseated himself, and
while he was listening to the conversation of the troopers he was
recognized by Southwold, who accosted him. Jacob did not pretend not to
know him, as it would have been useless; and Southwold put many
questions to him as to who were resident at Arnwood. Jacob replied that
the children were there, and a few servants, and he was about to
mention Miss Judith Villiers, when a thought struck him--he might save
the old lady.

"You are going to Arnwood, I know," said Jacob, "and I have heard who
you are in search of. Well, Southwold, I'll give you a hint. I may be
wrong; but if you should fall in with an old lady or something like one
when you go to Arnwood, mount her on your crupper and away with her to
Lymington as fast as you can ride. You understand me?" Southwold nodded
significantly, and squeezed Jacob's hand.

"One word, Jacob Armitage; if I succeed in the capture by your means,
it is but fair that you should have something for your hint. Where can
I find you the day after to-morrow?"

"I am leaving the country this night, and I must go. I am in trouble,
that's the fact; when all is blown over, I will find you out. Don't
speak to me any more just now." Southwold again squeezed Jacob's hand,
and left him. Shortly afterward the order was given to mount, and the
troopers set off.

Armitage followed slowly and unobserved. They arrive at the mansion and
surrounded it. Shortly afterward he perceived the glare of torches, and
in a quarter of an hour more thick smoke rose up in the dark but clear
sky; at last the flames burst forth from the lower windows of the
mansion, and soon afterward they lighted up the country round to some
distance.

"It is done," thought Jacob; and he turned to bend his hasty steps
toward his own cottage, when he heard the galloping of a horse and
violent screams; a minute afterward James Southwold passed him with the
old lady tied behind him, kicking and struggling as hard as she could.
Jacob smiled as he thought that he had by his little stratagem saved
the old woman's life, for that Southwold imagined that she was King
Charles dressed up as an old woman was evident; and he then returned as
fast as he could to the cottage.

In half an hour Jacob had passed through the thick woods which were
between the mansion and his own cottage, occasionally looking back, as
the flames of the mansion rose higher and higher, throwing their light
far and wide. He knocked at the cottage-door; Smoker, a large dog
cross-bred between the fox and blood-hound, growled till Jacob spoke to
him, and then Edward opened the door.

"My sisters are in bed and fast asleep, Jacob," said Edward, "and
Humphrey has been nodding this half hour; had he not better go to bed
before we go back?"

"Come out, Master Edward," replied Jacob, "and look." Edward beheld the
flames and fierce light between the trees and was silent.

"I told you that it would be so, and you would all have been burned in
your beds, for they did not enter the house to see who was in it, but
fired it as soon as they had surrounded it."

"And my aunt!" exclaimed Edward, clasping his hands.

"Is safe, Master Edward, and by this time at Lymington."

"We will go to her to-morrow."

"I fear not; you must not risk so much, Master Edward. These Levelers
spare nobody, and you had better let it be supposed that you are all
burned in the house."

"But my aunt knows the contrary, Jacob."

"Very true; I quite forgot that." And so Jacob had. He expected that
the old woman would have been burned, and then nobody would have known
of the existence of the children; he forgot, when he planned to save
her, that she knew where the children were.

"Well, Master Edward, I will go to Lymington to-morrow and see the old
lady; but you must remain here, and take charge of your sisters till I
come back, and then we will consider what is to be done. The flames are
not so bright as they were."

"No. It is my house that these Roundheads have burned down," said
Edward, shaking his fist.

"It was your house, Master Edward, and it was your property, but how
long it will be so remains to be seen. I fear that it will be
forfeited."

"Woe to the people who dare take possession of it!" cried Edward; "I
shall, if I live, be a man one of these days."

"Yes, Master Edward, and then you will reflect more than you do now,
and not be rash. Let us go into the cottage, for it's no use remaining
out in the cold; the frost is sharp to-night."

Edward slowly followed Jacob into the cottage. His little heart was
full. He was a proud boy and a good boy, but the destruction of the
mansion had raised up evil thoughts in his heart--hatred to the
Covenanters, who had killed his father and now burned the
property--revenge upon them (how he knew not); but his hand was ready
to strike, young as he was. He lay down on the bed, but he could not
sleep. He turned and turned again, and his brain was teeming with
thoughts and plans of vengeance. Had he said his prayers that night he
would have been obliged to repeat, "Forgive us as we forgive them who
trespass against us." At last, he fell fast asleep, but his dreams were
wild, and he often called out during the night and woke his brother and
sisters.




CHAPTER III.


The next morning, as soon as Jacob had given the children their
breakfast, he set off toward Arnwood. He knew that Benjamin had stated
his intention to return with the horse and see what had taken place,
and he knew him well enough to feel sure that he would do so. He
thought it better to see him if possible, and ascertain the fate of
Miss Judith. Jacob arrived at the still smoking ruins of the mansion,
and found several people there, mostly residents within a few miles,
some attracted by curiosity, others busy in collecting the heavy masses
of lead which had been melted from the roof, and appropriating them to
their own benefit; but much of it was still too hot to be touched, and
they were throwing snow on it to cool it, for it had snowed during the
night. At last, Jacob perceived Benjamin on horseback riding leisurely
toward him, and immediately went up to him.

"Well, Benjamin, this is a woeful sight. What is the news from
Lymington?"

"Lymington is full of troopers, and they are not over-civil," replied
Benjamin. "And the old lady--where is she?"

"Ah, that's a sad business," replied Benjamin, "and the poor children,
too. Poor Master Edward! he would have made a brave gentleman."

"But the old lady is safe," rejoined Jacob. "Did you see her?"

"Yes, I saw her; they thought she was King Charles--poor old soul."

"But they have found out their mistake by this time?"

"Yes, and James Southwold has found it out too," replied Benjamin; "to
think of the old lady breaking his neck!"

"Breaking his neck? You don't say so! How was it?"

"Why, it seems that Southwold thought that she was King Charles dressed
up as an old woman, so he seized her and strapped her fast behind him,
and galloped away with her to Lymington; but she struggled and kicked
so manfully, that he could not hold on, and off they went together, and
he broke his neck."

"Indeed! A judgment--a judgment upon a traitor," said Jacob.

"They were picked up, strapped together as they were, by the other
troopers, and carried to Lymington."

"Well, and where is the old lady, then? Did you see and speak to her?"

"I saw her, Jacob, but I did not speak to her. I forgot to say that,
when she broke Southwold's neck, she broke her own too."

"Then the old lady is dead?"

"Yes, that she is," replied Benjamin; "but who cares about her? it's
the poor children that I pity. Martha has been crying ever since."

"I don't wonder."

"I was at the Cavalier, and the troopers were there, and they were
boasting of what they had done, and called it a righteous work. I could
not stand that, and I asked one of them if it were a righteous work to
burn poor children in their beds? So he turned round, and struck his
sword upon the floor, and asked me whether I was one of them--'Who are
you, then?' and I--all my courage went away, and I answered, I was a
poor rat-catcher. 'A rat-catcher; are you? Well, then, Mr. Ratcatcher,
when you are killing rats, if you find a nest of young ones, don't you
kill them too? or do you leave them to grow, and become mischievous,
eh?' 'I kill the young ones, of course,' replied I. 'Well, so do we
Malignants whenever we find them.' I didn't say a word more, so I went
out of the house as fast as I could."

"Have you heard any thing about the king?" inquired Jacob.

"No, nothing; but the troopers are all out again, and, I hear, are gone
to the forest."

"Well, Benjamin, good-by, I shall be off from this part of the
country--it's no use my staying here. Where's Agatha and cook?"

"They came to Lymington early this morning."

"Wish them good-by for me, Benjamin."

"Where are you going, then?"

"I can't exactly say, but I think London way. I only staid here to
watch over the children; and now that they are gone, I shall leave
Arnwood forever."

Jacob, who was anxious, on account of the intelligence he had received
of the troopers being in the forest, to return to the cottage, shook
hands with Benjamin, and hastened away. "Well," thought Jacob, as he
wended his way, "I'm sorry for the poor old lady, but still, perhaps,
it's all for the best. Who knows what they might do with these
children! Destroy the nest as well as the rats, indeed! they must find
the nest first." And the old forester continued his journey in deep
thought.

We may here observe that, blood-thirsty as many of the Levelers were,
we do not think that Jacob Armitage had grounds for the fears which he
expressed and felt; that is to say, we believe that he might have made
known the existence of the children to the Villiers family, and that
they would never have been harmed by any body. That by the burning of
the mansion they might have perished in the flames, had they been in
bed, as they would have been at that hour, had he not obtained
intelligence of what was about to be done, is true; but that there was
any danger to them on account of their father having been such a stanch
supporter of the king's cause, is very unlikely, and not borne out by
the history of the times: but the old forester thought otherwise; he
had a hatred of the Puritans, and their deeds had been so exaggerated
by rumor, that he fully believed that the lives of the children were
not safe. Under this conviction, and feeling himself bound by his
promise to Colonel Beverley to protect them, Jacob resolved that they
should live with him in the forest, and be brought up as his own
grandchildren. He knew that there could be no better place for
concealment; for, except the keepers, few people knew where his cottage
was; and it was so out of the usual paths, and so imbosomed in lofty
trees, that there was little chance of its being seen, or being known
to exist. He resolved, therefore, that they should remain with him till
better times; and then he would make known their existence to the other
branches of the family, but not before. "I can hunt for them, and
provide for them," thought he, "and I have a little money, when it is
required; and I will teach them to be useful; they must learn to
provide for themselves. There's the garden, and the patch of land: in
two or three years, the boys will be able to do something. I can't
teach them much; but I can teach them to fear God. We must get on how
we can, and put our trust in Him who is a father to the fatherless."

With such thoughts running in his head, Jacob arrived at the cottage,
and found the children outside the door, watching for him. They all
hastened to him, and the dog rushed before them, to welcome his master.
"Down, Smoker, good dog! Well, Mr. Edward, I have been as quick as I
could. How have Mr. Humphrey and your sisters behaved? But we must not
remain outside to-day, for the troopers are scouring the forest, and
may see you. Let us come in directly, for it would not do that they
should come here."

"Will they burn the cottage down?" inquired Alice, as she took Jacob's
hand.

"Yes, my dear, I think they would, if they found that you and your
brothers were in it; but we must not let them see you."

They all entered the cottage, which consisted of one large room in
front, and two back rooms for bedrooms. There was also a third bedroom,
which was behind the other two, but which had not any furniture in it.

"Now, let's see what we can have for dinner--there's venison left, I
know," said Jacob; "come, we must all be useful. Who will be cook?"

"I will be cook," said Alice, "if you will show me how."

"So you shall, my dear," said Jacob, "and I will show you how. There's
some potatoes in the basket in the corner, and some onions hanging on
the string; we must have some water--who will fetch it?"

"I will," said Edward, who took a pail, and went out to the spring.

The potatoes were peeled and washed by the children--Jacob and Edward
cut the venison into pieces--the iron pot was cleaned; and then the
meat and potatoes put with water into the pot, and placed on the fire.

"Now I'll cut up the onions, for they will make your eyes water."

"I don't care," said Humphrey, "I'll cut and cry at the same time."

And Humphrey took up a knife, and cut away most manfully, although he
was obliged to wipe his eyes with his sleeve very often.

"You are a fine fellow, Humphrey," said Jacob. "Now we'll put the
onions in, and let it all boil up together. Now you see, you have
cooked your own dinner; ain't that pleasant?"

"Yes," cried they all; "and we will eat our own dinners as soon as it
is ready."

"Then, Humphrey, you must get some of the platters down which are on
the drawer; and, Alice, you will find some knives in the drawer. And
let me see, what can little Edith do? Oh, she can go to the cupboard
and find the salt-cellar. Edward, just look out, and if you see any
body coming or passing, let me know. We must put you on guard till the
troopers leave the forest."

The children set about their tasks, and Humphrey cried out, as he very
often did, "Now, this is jolly!"

While the dinner was cooking, Jacob amused the children by showing them
how to put things in order; the floor was swept, the hearth was made
tidy. He shewed Alice how to wash out a cloth, and Humphrey how to dust
the chairs. They all worked merrily, while little Edith stood and
clapped her hands.

But just before dinner was ready, Edward came in and said, "Here are
troopers galloping in the forest!" Jacob went out, and observed that
they were coming in a direction that would lead near to the cottage.

He walked in, and, after a moment's thought, he said, "My dear
children, those men may come and search the cottage; you must do as I
tell you, and mind that you are very quiet. Humphrey, you and your
sisters must go to bed, and pretend to be very ill. Edward, take off
your coat and put on this old hunting-frock of mine. You must be in the
bedroom attending your sick brother and sisters. Come, Edith, dear, you
must play at going to bed, and have your dinner afterward."

Jacob took the children into the bedroom, and, removing the upper
dress, which would have betrayed that they were not the children of
poor people, put them in bed, and covered them up to the chins with the
clothes. Edward had put on the old hunting-shirt, which came below his
knees, and stood with a mug of water in his hand by the bedside of the
two girls. Jacob went to the outer room, to remove the platters laid
out for dinner; and he had hardly done so when he heard the noise of
the troopers, and soon afterward a knock at the cottage-door.

"Come in," said Jacob.

"Who are you, my friend?" said the leader of the troop, entering the
door.

"A poor forester, sir," replied Jacob, "under great trouble."

"What trouble, my man?"

"I have the children all in bed with the small-pox."

"Nevertheless, we must search your cottage."

"You are welcome," replied Jacob; "only don't frighten the children, if
you can help it."

The man, who was now joined by others, commenced his search. Jacob
opened all the doors of the rooms, and they passed through. Little
Edith shrieked when she saw them; but Edward patted her, and told her
not to be frightened. The troopers, however, took no notice of the
children; they searched thoroughly, and then came back to the front
room.

"It's no use remaining here," said one of the troopers. "Shall we be
off! I'm tired and hungry with the ride."

"So am I, and there's something that smells well." said another.
"What's this, my good man?" continued he, taking off the lid of the pot.

"My dinner for a week," replied Jacob. "I have no one to cook for me
now, and can't light a fire every day."

"Well, you appear to live well, if you have such a mess as that every
day in the week. I should like to try a spoonful or two."

"And welcome, sir," replied Jacob; "I will cook some more for myself."

The troopers took him at his word; they sat down to the table, and very
soon the whole contents of the kettle had disappeared. Having satisfied
themselves, they got up, told him that his rations were so good that
they hoped to call again; and, laughing heartily, they mounted their
horses, and rode away.

"Well," said Jacob, "they are very welcome to the dinner; I little
thought to get off so cheap." As soon as they were out of sight, Jacob
called to Edward and the children to get up again, which they soon did.
Alice put on Edith's frock, Humphrey put on his jacket, and Edward
pulled off the hunting-shirt.

"They're gone now," said Jacob, coming in from the door.

"And our dinners are gone," said Humphrey, looking at the empty pot and
dirty platters.

"Yes; but we can cook another, and that will be more play you know,"
said Jacob. "Edward, go for the water; Humphrey, cut the onions; Alice,
wash the potatoes; and Edith, help everybody, while I cut up some more
meat."

"I hope it will be as good," observed Humphrey; "that other did smell
so nice!"

"Quite as good, if not better; for we shall improve by practice, and we
shall have a better appetite to eat it with," said Jacob.

"Nasty men eat our dinner," said Edith. "Shan't have any more. Eat this
ourselves."

And so they did as soon as it was cooked; but they were very hungry
before they sat down.

"This is jolly!" said Humphrey with his mouth full.

"Yes, Master Humphrey. I doubt if King Charles eats so good a dinner
this day. Mr. Edward, you are very grave and silent."

"Yes, I am, Jacob. Have I not cause? Oh, if I could but have mauled
those troopers!"

"But you could not; so you must make the best of it. They say that
every dog has his day, and who knows but King Charles may be on the
throne again!"

There were no more visits to the cottage that day, and they all went to
bed, and slept soundly.

The next morning, Jacob, who was most anxious to learn the news,
saddled the pony, having first given his injunctions to Edward how to
behave in case any troopers should come to the cottage. He told him to
pretend that the children were in bed with the small-pox, as they had
done the day before. Jacob then traveled to Gossip Allwood's, and he
there learned that King Charles had been taken prisoner, and was at the
Isle of Wight, and that the troopers were all going back to London as
fast as they came. Feeling that there was now no more danger to be
apprehended from them, Jacob set off as fast as he could for Lymington.
He went to one shop and purchased two peasant dresses which he thought
would fit the two boys, and at another he bought similar apparel for
the two girls. Then, with several other ready-made articles, and some
other things which were required for the household, he made a large
package, which he put upon the pony, and, taking the bridle, set off
home, and arrived in time to superintend the cooking of the dinner,
which was this day venison-steaks fried in a pan, and boiled potatoes.

When dinner was over, he opened his bundle, and told the little ones
that, now they were to live in a cottage, they ought to wear cottage
clothes, and that he had bought them some to put on, which they might
rove about the woods in, and not mind tearing them. Alice and Edith
went into the bedroom, and Alice dressed Edith and herself, and came
out quite pleased with their change of dress. Humphrey and Edward put
theirs on in the sitting-room, and they all fitted pretty well, and
certainly were very becoming to the children.

"Now, recollect, you are all my grandchildren," said Jacob; "for I
shall no longer call you Miss and Master--that we never do in a
cottage. You understand me, Edward, of course?" added Jacob.

Edward nodded his head; and Jacob telling the children that they might
now go out of the cottage and play, they all set off, quite delighted
with clothes which procured them their liberty.

We must now describe the cottage of Jacob Armitage, in which the
children have in future to dwell. As we said before, it contained a
large sitting-room, or kitchen, in which was a spacious hearth and
chimney, table, stools, cupboards, and dressers: the two bedrooms which
adjoined it were now appropriated, one for Jacob and the other for the
two boys; the third, or inner bedroom, was arranged for the two girls,
as being more retired and secure. But there were outhouses belonging to
it: a stall, in which White Billy, the pony, lived during the winter; a
shed and pigsty rudely constructed, with an inclosed yard attached to
them; and it had, moreover, a piece of ground of more than an acre,
well fenced in to keep out the deer and game, the largest portion of
which was cultivated as a garden and potato-ground, and the other,
which remained in grass, contained some fine old apple and pear-trees.
Such was the domicile; the pony, a few fowls, a sow and two young pigs,
and the dog Smoker, were the animals on the establishment. Here Jacob
Armitage had been born--for the cottage had been built by his
grandfather--but he had not always remained at the cottage. When young,
he felt an inclination to see more of the world, and had for several
years served in the army. His father and brother had lived in the
establishment at Arnwood, and he was constantly there as a boy The
chaplain of Arnwood had taken a fancy to him, and taught him to
read--writing he had not acquired. As soon as he grew up, he served, as
we have said, in the troop commanded by Colonel Beverley's father; and,
after his death, Colonel Beverley had procured him the situation of
forest ranger, which had been held by his father, who was then alive,
but too aged to do duty. Jacob Armitage married a good and devout young
woman, with whom he lived several years, when she died, without
bringing him any family; after which, his father being also dead, Jacob
Armitage had lived alone until the period at which we have commenced
this history.




CHAPTER IV.


The old forester lay awake the whole of this night, reflecting how he
should act relative to the children; he felt the great responsibility
that he had incurred, and was alarmed when he considered what might be
the consequences if his days were shortened. What would become of
them--living in so sequestered a spot that few knew even of its
existence--totally shut out from the world, and left to their own
resources? He had no fear, if his life was spared, that they would do
well; but if he should be called away before they had grown up and were
able to help themselves, they might perish. Edward was not fourteen
years old; it was true that he was an active, brave boy, and thoughtful
for his years; but he had not yet strength or skill sufficient for what
would be required. Humphrey, the second, also promised well; but still
they were all children. "I must bring them up to be useful--to depend
upon themselves; there is not a moment to be lost, and not a moment
shall be lost; I will do my best, and trust to God; I ask but two or
three years, and by that time I trust that they will be able to do
without me. They must commence to-morrow the life of foresters'
children."

Acting upon this resolution, Jacob, as soon as the children were
dressed, and in the sitting-room, opened his Bible, which he had put on
the table, and said:

"My dear children, you know that you must remain in this cottage, that
the wicked troopers may not find you out; they killed your father, and
if I had not taken you away, they would have burned you in your beds.
You must, therefore, live here as my children, and you must call
yourselves by the name of Armitage, and not that of Beverley; and you
must dress like children of the forest, as you do now, and you must do
as children of the forest do--that is, you must do every thing for
yourselves, for you can have no servants to wait upon you. We must all
work--but you will like to work if you all work together, for then the
work will be nothing but play. Now, Edward is the oldest, and he must
go out with me in the forest, and I must teach him to kill deer and
other game for our support; and when he knows how, then Humphrey shall
come out and learn how to shoot."

"Yes," said Humphrey, "I'll soon learn."

"But not yet, Humphrey, for you must do some work in the mean time; you
must look after the pony and the pigs, and you must learn to dig in the
garden with Edward and me when we do not go out to hunt; and sometimes
I shall go by myself, and leave Edward to work with you when there is
work to be done. Alice, dear, you must, with Humphrey, light the fire
and clean the house in the morning. Humphrey will go to the spring for
water, and do all the hard work; and you must learn to wash, my dear
Alice--I will show you how; and you must learn to get dinner ready with
Humphrey, who will assist you; and to make the beds. And little Edith
shall take care of the fowls, and feed them every morning, and look for
the eggs--will you, Edith?"

"Yes," replied Edith, "and feed all the little chickens when they are
hatched, as I did at Arnwood."

"Yes, dear, and you'll be very useful. Now you know that you can not do
all this at once. You will have to try and try again; but very soon you
will, and then it will be all play. I must teach you all, and every day
you will do it better, till you want no teaching at all. And now, my
dear children, as there is no chaplain here, we must read the Bible
every morning. Edward can read, I know; can you, Humphrey?"

"Yes, all except the big words."

"Well, you will learn them by-and-by. And Edward and I will teach Alice
and Edith to read in the evenings, when we have nothing to do. It will
be an amusement. Now tell me, do you all like what I have told you?"

"Yes," they all replied; and then Jacob Armitage read a chapter in the
Bible, after which they all knelt down and said the Lord's prayer. As
this was done every morning and every evening, I need not repeat it
again. Jacob then showed them again how to clean the house, and
Humphrey and Alice soon finished their work under his directions; and
then they all sat down to breakfast, which was a very plain one, being
generally cold meat, and cakes baked on the embers, at which Alice was
soon very expert; and little Edith was very useful in watching them for
her, while she busied herself about her other work. But the venison was
nearly all gone; and after breakfast Jacob and Edward, with the dog
Smoker, went out into the woods. Edward had no gun, as he only went out
to be taught how to approach the game, which required great caution;
indeed Jacob had no second gun to give him, if he had wished so to do.

"Now, Edward, we are going after a fine stag, if we can find him, which
I doubt not; but the difficulty is, to get within shot of him.
Recollect that you must always be hid, for his sight is very quick;
never be heard, for his ear is sharp; and never come down to him with
the wind, for his scent is very fine. Then you must hunt according to
the hour of the day. At this time he is feeding; two hours hence he
will be lying down in the high fern. The dog is no use unless the stag
is badly wounded, when the dog will take him. Smoker knows his duty
well, and will hide himself as close as we do. We are now going into
the thick wood ahead of us, as there are many little spots of cleared
ground in it where we may find the deer; but we must keep more to the
left, for the wind is to the eastward, and we must walk up against it.
And now that we are coming into the wood, recollect, not a word must be
said, and you must walk as quietly as possible, keeping behind me.
Smoker, to heel!" They proceeded through the wood for more than a mile,
when Jacob made a sign to Edward, and dropped down into the fern,
crawling along to an open spot, where, at some distance, were a stag
and three deer grazing. The deer grazed quietly, but the stag was ever
and anon raising up his head and snuffing the air as he looked round,
evidently acting as a sentinel for the females.

The stag was perhaps a long quarter of a mile from where they had
crouched down in the fern. Jacob remained immovable till the animal
began to feed again, and then he advanced, crawling through the fern,
followed by Edward and the dog, who dragged himself on his stomach
after Edward. This tedious approach was continued for some time, and
they had neared the stag to within half the original distance, when the
animal again lifted up his head and appeared uneasy. Jacob stopped and
remained without motion. After a time the stag walked away, followed by
the does, to the opposite side of the clear spot on which they had been
feeding, and, to Edward's annoyance, the animal was half a mile from
them. Jacob turned round and crawled into the wood, and when he knew
that they were concealed, he rose on his feet and said,

"You see, Edward, that it requires patience to stalk a deer. What a
princely fellow! but he has probably been alarmed this morning, and is
very uneasy. Now we must go through the woods till we come to the lee
of him on the other side of the dell. You see he has led the does close
to the thicket, and we shall have a better chance when we get there, if
we are only quiet and cautious."

"What startled him, do you think?" said Edward.

"I think, when you were crawling through the fern after me, you broke a
piece of rotten stick that was under you. Did you not?"

"Yes, but that made but little noise."

"Quite enough to startle a red deer, Edward, as you will find out
before you have been long a forester. These checks will happen, and
have happened to me a hundred times, and then all the work is to be
done over again. Now then to make the circuit--we had better not say a
word. If we get safe now to the other side, we are sure of him."

They proceeded at a quick walk through the forest, and in half an hour
had gained the side where the deer were feeding. When about three
hundred yards from the game, Jacob again sunk down on his hands and
knees, crawling from bush to bush, stopping whenever the stag raised
his head, and advancing again when it resumed feeding; at last they
came to the fern at the side of the wood, and crawled through it as
before, but still more cautiously as they approached the stag. In this
manner they arrived at last to within eighty yards of the animal, and
then Jacob advanced his gun ready to put it to his shoulder, and, as he
cocked the lock, raised himself to fire. The click occasioned by the
cocking of the lock roused up the stag instantly, and he turned his
head in the direction from whence the noise proceeded; as he did so
Jacob fired, aiming behind the animal's shoulder: the stag made a
bound, came down again, dropped on his knees, attempted to run, and
fell dead, while the does fled away with the rapidity of the wind.

Edward started up on his legs with a shout of exultation. Jacob
commenced reloading his gun, and stopped Edward as he was about to run
up to where the animal lay.

"Edward, you must learn your craft," said Jacob; "never do that again;
never shout in that way--on the contrary, you should have remained
still in the fern."

"Why so?--the stag is dead."

"Yes, my dear boy, that stag is dead; but how do you know but what
there may be another lying down in the fern close to us, or at some
distance from us, which you have alarmed by your shout? Suppose that we
both had guns, and that the report of mine had started another stag
lying in the fern within shot, you would have been able to shoot it; or
if a stag was lying at a distance, the report of the gun might have
started him so as to induce him to move his head without rising. I
should have seen his antlers move and have marked his lair, and we
should then have gone after him and stalked him too."

"I see," replied Edward, "I was wrong; but I shall know better another
time."

"That's why I tell you, my boy," replied Jacob. "Now let us go to our
quarry. Ay, Edward, this is a noble beast. I thought that he was a hart
royal, and so he is."

"What is a hart royal, Jacob?"

"Why, a stag is called a brocket until he is three years old, at four
years he is a staggart; at five years a warrantable stag; and after
five years he becomes a hart royal."

"And how do you know his age?"

"By his antlers: you see that this stag has nine antlers; now, a
brocket has but two antlers, a staggart three, and a warrantable stag
but four; at six years old, the antlers increase in number until they
sometimes have twenty or thirty. This is a fine beast, and the venison
is now getting very good. Now you must see me do the work of my craft."

Jacob then cut the throat of the animal, and afterward cut off its head
and took out its bowels.

"Are you tired, Edward?" said Jacob, as he wiped his hunting-knife on
the coat of the stag.

"No, not the least."

"Well, then, we are now, I should think, about four or five miles from
the cottage. Could you find your way home? but that is of no
consequence--Smoker will lead you home by the shortest path. I will
stay here, and you can saddle White Billy and come back with him, for
he must carry the venison back. It's more than we can manage--indeed,
as much as we can manage with White Billy to help us. There's more than
twenty stone of venison lying there, I can tell you."

Edward immediately assented, and Jacob, desiring Smoker to go home, set
about flaying and cutting up the animal for its more convenient
transportation. In an hour and a half, Edward, attended by Smoker,
returned with the pony, on whose back the chief portion of the venison
was packed. Jacob took a large piece on his own shoulders, and Edward
carried another, and Smoker, after regaling himself with a portion of
the inside of the animal, came after them. During the walk home, Jacob
initiated Edward into the terms of venery and many other points
connected with deer-stalking, with which we shall not trouble our
readers. As soon as they arrived at the cottage, the venison was hung
up, the pony put in the stable, and then they sat down to dinner with
an excellent appetite after their long morning's walk. Alice and
Humphrey had cooked the dinner themselves, and it was in the pot,
smoking hot, when they returned; and Jacob declared he never ate a
better mess in his life. Alice was not a little proud of this, and of
the praises she received from Edward and the old forester. The next
day, Jacob stated his intention of going to Lymington to dispose of a
large portion of the venison, and bring back a sack of oatmeal for
their cakes. Edward asked to accompany him, but Jacob replied,

"Edward, you must not think of showing yourself at Lymington, or any
where else, for a long while, until you are grown out of memory. It
would be folly, and you would risk your sisters' and brother's lives,
perhaps, as well as your own. Never mention it again: the time will
come when it will be necessary, perhaps; if so, it can not be helped.
At present you would be known immediately. No, Edward, I tell you what
I mean to do: I have a little money left, and I intend to buy you a
gun, that you may learn to stalk deer yourself without me; for,
recollect, if any accident should happen to me, who is there but you to
provide for your brother and sisters? At Lymington I am known to many;
but out of all who know me, there is not one who knows where my cottage
is; they know that I live in the New Forest, and that I supply them
venison, and purchase other articles in return. That is all that they
know: and I may therefore go without fear. I shall sell the venison
to-morrow, and bring you back a good gun; and Humphrey shall have the
carpenters' tools which he wishes for, for I think, by what he does
with his knife, that he has a turn that way, and it may be useful. I
must also get some other tools for Humphrey and you, as we shall then
be able to work all together; and some threads and needles for Alice,
for she can sew a little, and practice will make her more perfect."

Jacob went off to Lymington as he had proposed, and returned late at
night with White Billy well loaded; he had a sack of oatmeal, some
spades and hoes, a saw and chisels, and other tools; two scythes and
two three-pronged forks; and when Edward came to meet him, he put into
his hand a gun with a very long barrel.

"I believe, Edward, that you will find that a good one, for I know
where it came from. It belonged to one of the rangers, who was reckoned
the best shot in the Forest. I know the gun, for I have seen it on his
arm, and have taken it in my hand to examine it more than once. He was
killed at Naseby, with your father, poor fellow! and his widow sold the
gun to meet her wants."

"Well," replied Edward, "I thank you much, Jacob, and I will try if I
can not kill as much venison as will pay you back the purchase-money--I
will, I assure you."

"I shall be glad if you do, Edward; not because I want the money back,
but because then I shall be more easy in my mind about you all, if any
thing happens to me. As soon as you are perfect in your woodcraft, I
shall take Humphrey in hand, for there is nothing like having two
strings to your bow. To-morrow we will not go out: we have meat enough
for three weeks or more; and now the frost has set in, it will keep
well. You shall practice at a mark with your gun, that you may be
accustomed to it; for all guns, even the best, require a little
humoring."

Edward, who had often fired a gun before, proved the next morning that
he had a very good eye; and, after two or three hours' practice, hit
the mark at a hundred yards almost every time.

"I wish you would let me go out by myself," said Edward, overjoyed at
his success.

"You would bring home nothing, boy," replied Jacob. "No, no, you have a
great deal to learn yet; but I tell you what you shall do: any time
that we are not in great want of venison, you shall have the first
fire."

"Well, that will do," replied Edward.

The winter now set in with great severity, and they remained almost
altogether within doors. Jacob and the boys went out to get firewood,
and dragged it home through the snow.

"I wish, Jacob," said Humphrey, "that I was able to build a cart, for
it would be very useful, and White Billy would then have something to
do; but I can't make the wheels, and there is no harness."

"That's not a bad idea of yours, Humphrey," replied Jacob; "we will
think about it. If you can't build a cart, perhaps I can buy one. It
would be useful if it were only to take the dung out of the yard on the
potato-ground, for I have hitherto carried it out in baskets, and it's
hard work."

"Yes, and we might saw the wood into billets, and carry it home in the
cart, instead of dragging it in this way; my shoulder is quite sore
with the rope, it cuts me so."

"Well, when the weather breaks up, I will see what I can do, Humphrey;
but just now the roads are so blocked up, that I do not think we could
get a cart from Lymington to the cottage, although we can a horse,
perhaps."

But if they remained in-doors during the inclement weather, they were
not idle. Jacob took this opportunity to instruct the children in every
thing. Alice learned how to wash and how to cook. It is true, that
sometimes she scalded herself a little, sometimes burned her fingers;
and other accidents did occur, from the articles employed being too
heavy for them to lift by themselves; but practice and dexterity
compensated for want of strength, and fewer accidents happened every
day. Humphrey had his carpenters' tools; and although at first he had
many failures, and wasted nails and wood, by degrees he learned to use
his tools with more dexterity, and made several little useful articles.
Little Edith could now do something, for she made and baked all the
oatmeal cakes, which saved Alice a good deal of time and trouble in
watching them. It was astonishing how much the children could do, now
that there was no one to do it for them; and they had daily instruction
from Jacob. In the evening Alice sat down with her needle and thread to
mend the clothes; at first they were not very well done, but she
improved every day. Edith and Humphrey learned to read while Alice
worked, and then Alice learned; and thus passed the winter away so
rapidly, that, although they had been five months at the cottage, it
did not appear as if they had been there as many weeks. All were happy
and contented, with the exception, perhaps, of Edward, who had fits of
gloominess, and occasionally showed signs of impatience as to what was
passing in the world, of which he remained in ignorance.

That Edward Beverley had fits of gloominess and impatience is not
surprising. Edward had been brought up as the heir of Arnwood; and a
boy at a very early age imbibes notions of his position, if it promises
to be a high one. He was not two miles from that property which by
right was his own. His own mansion had been reduced to ashes--he
himself was hidden in the forest; and he could but not feel his
position. He sighed for the time when the king's cause should be again
triumphant, and his arrival at that age when he could in person support
and uphold the cause. He longed to be in command, as his father had
been--to lead his men on to victory--to recover his property, and to
revenge himself on those who had acted so cruelly toward him. This was
human nature; and much as Jacob Armitage would expostulate with him,
and try to divert his feelings into other channels--long as he would
preach to him about forgiveness of injuries, and patience until better
times should come, Edward could not help brooding over these thoughts,
and if ever there was a breast animated with intense hatred against the
Puritans, it was that of Edward Beverley. Although this was to be
lamented, it could not create surprise or wonder in the old forester.
All he could do was, as much as possible to reason with him, to soothe
his irritated feelings, and by constant employment try to make him
forget for a time the feelings of ill-will which he had conceived.

One thing was, however, sufficiently plain to Edward, which was, that
whatever might be his wrongs, he had not the power at present to
redress them; and this feeling, perhaps, more than any other, held him
in some sort of check; and as the time when he might have an
opportunity appeared far distant, even to his own sanguine imagination,
so by degrees did he contrive to dismiss from his thoughts what it was
no use to think about at present.




CHAPTER V.


As we have before said, time passed rapidly; with the exception of one
or two excursions after venison, they remained in the cottage, and
Jacob never went to Lymington. The frost had broken up, the snow had
long disappeared, and the trees began to bud. The sun became powerful,
and in the month of May the forest began again to look green.

"And now, Edward," said Jacob Armitage, one day at breakfast, "we will
try for venison again to sell at Lymington, for I must purchase
Humphrey's cart and harness; so let us get our guns, and go out this
fine morning. The stags are mostly by themselves at this season, for
the does are with their young calves. We must find the slot of a deer,
and track him to his lair, and you shall have the first shot if you
like; but, that, however, depends more upon the deer than upon me."

They had walked four or five miles when they came upon the slot or
track of a deer, but Jacob's practiced eye pointed out to Edward that
it was the slot of a young one, and not worth following. He explained
to Edward the difference in the hoof-marks and other signs by which
this knowledge was gained, and they proceeded onward until they found
another slot, which Jacob declared to be that of a warrantable
stag--that is, one old enough to kill and to be good venison.

"We must now track him to his lair, Edward."

This took them about a mile farther, when they arrived at a small
thicket of thorns about an acre in extent.

"Here he is, you see, Edward; let me now see if he is harbored."

They walked round the thicket, and could not find any slot or track by
which the stag had left the covert, and Jacob pronounced that the
animal must be hid in it.

"Now, Edward, do you stay here while I go back to the lee side of the
covert: I will enter it with Smoker, and the stag will, in all
probability, when he is roused, come out to breast the wind. You will
then have a good shot at him; recollect to fire so as to hit him behind
the shoulder: if he is moving quick, fire a little before the
shoulders; if slow, take aim accurately; but recollect, if I come upon
him in the covert, I shall kill him if I can, for we want the venison,
and then we will go after another to give you a chance."

Jacob then left Edward, and went down to the lee side of the covert,
where he entered it with Smoker. Edward was stationed behind a
thorn-bush, which grew a few yards clear of the covert, and he soon
heard the creaking of the branches.

A short time elapsed, and a fine stag came out at a trot; he turned his
head, and was just bounding away when Edward fired, and the animal
fell. Remembering the advice of Jacob, Edward remained where he was, in
silence reloading his piece, and was soon afterward joined by Jacob and
the dog.

"Well done, Edward!" said the forester, in a low voice; and, covering
his forehead to keep off the glare of the sun, he looked earnestly at a
high brake between some thorn-trees, about a half a mile to the
windward. "I think I see something there--look Edward, your eyes are
younger than mine. Is that the branch of a tree in the fern, or is it
not?"

"I see what you mean," replied Edward. "It is not, it moves."

"I thought so, but my eyes are not so good as they once were. It's
another stag, depend upon it; but how are we to get near him? We never
can get across this patch of clear grass without being seen."

"No, we can not get at him from this spot," replied Edward; "but if we
were to fall back to leeward, and gain the forest again, I think that
there are thorns sufficient from the forest to where he lies, to creep
from behind one to the other, so as to get a shot at him, don't you?"

"It will require care and patience to manage that; but I think it might
be done. I will try it; it is my turn now, you know. You had better
stay here with the dog, for only one can hide from thorn to thorn."

Jacob, ordering Smoker to remain, then set off. He had to make a
circuit of three miles to get to the spot where the thorns extended
from the forest, and Edward saw no more of him, although he strained
his eyes, until the stag sprung out, and the gun was discharged. Edward
perceived that the stag was not killed, but severely wounded, running
toward the covert near which he was hid. "Down, Smoker," said he, as he
cocked his gun. The stag came within shot, and was coming nearer, when,
seeing Edward, it turned. Edward fired, and then cheered on the dog,
who sprung after the wounded animal, giving tongue, as he followed him.
Edward, perceiving Jacob hastening toward him, waited for him.

"He's hard hit, Edward," cried Jacob, "and Smoker will have him; but we
must follow as fast as we can."

They both caught up their guns and ran as fast as they could, when, as
they entered the wood, they heard the dog at bay.

"We shan't have far to go, Edward; the animal is done up: Smoker has
him at bay."

They hastened on another quarter of a mile, when they found that the
stag had fallen on his knees, and had been seized by the throat by
Smoker.

"Mind, Edward, now, how I go up to him, for the wound from the horn of
the deer is very dangerous."

Jacob advanced from behind the stag, and cut his throat with his
hunting-knife. "He is a fine beast, and we have done well to-day, but
we shall have two journeys to make to get all this venison home. I
could not get a fair shot at him--and see, I have hit him here in the
flank."

"And here is my ball in his throat," said Edward.

"So it is. Then it was a good shot that you made, and you are master of
the hunt this day, Edward. Now, I'll remain, and you go home for White
Billy. Humphrey is right about the cart. If we had one, we could have
carried all home at once; but I must go now and cut the throat of the
other stag which you killed so cleverly. You will be a good hunter one
of these days, Edward. A little more knowledge, and a little more
practice, and I will leave it all to you, and hang up my gun over the
chimney."

It was late in the evening before they had made their two trips and
taken all the venison home, and very tired were they before it was
safely housed. Edward was delighted with his success, but not more so
than was old Jacob. The next morning, Jacob set off for Lymington, with
the pony loaded with venison, which he sold, as well as two more loads
which he promised to bring the next day, and the day after. He then
looked out for a cart, and was fortunate in finding a small one, just
fitted to the size of the pony, who was not tall but very strong, as
all the New Forest ponies are. He also procured harness, and then put
Billy in the cart to draw him home; but Billy did not admire being put
in a cart, and for some time was very restive, and backed and reared,
and went every way but the right; but by dint of coaxing and leading,
he at last submitted, and went straight on; but then the noise of the
cart behind him frightened him, and he ran away. At last, having tired
himself out, he thought that he might as well go quietly in harness, as
he could not get out of it; and he did so, and arrived safe at the
cottage. Humphrey was delighted at the sight of the cart, and said that
now they should get on well. The next day, Jacob contrived to put all
the remainder of the venison in the cart, and White Billy made no more
difficulty; he dragged it all to Lymington, and returned with the cart
as quietly and cleverly as if he had been in harness all his life.

"Well, Edward, the venison paid for the cart at all events," said
Jacob, "and now, I will tell you all the news I collected while I was
at Lymington. Captain Burly, who attempted to incite the people to
rescue the king, has been hung, drawn, and quartered, as a traitor."

"They are traitors who condemned him," replied Edward, in wrath.

"Yes, so they are; but there is better news, which is, that the Duke of
York has escaped to Holland."

"Yes, that is good news; and the king?"

"He is still a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle. There are many rumors and
talks, but no one knows what is true and what is false; but depend upon
it, this can not last long, and the king will have his rights yet."

Edward remained very grave for some time.

"I trust in Heaven we all shall have our rights yet, Jacob," said he at
last. "I wish I was a man!"

Here the conversation ended, and they went to bed.

This was now a busy time at the cottage. The manure had to be got out
of the stable and pigsties, and carried out to the potato-ground and
garden; the crops had to be put in, and the cart was now found
valuable. After the manure had been carried out and spread, Edward and
Humphrey helped Jacob to dig the ground, and then to put in the seed.
The cabbage-plants of last year were then put out, and the turnips and
carrots sown. Before the month was over, the garden and potato-field
were cropped, and Humphrey took upon himself to weed and keep it clean.
Little Edith had also employment now, for the hens began to lay eggs,
and as soon as she heard them cackling, she ran for the eggs and
brought them in; and before the month was over, Jacob had set four hens
upon eggs. Billy, the pony, was now turned out to graze in the forest;
he came home every night of his own accord.

"I'll tell you what we want," said Humphrey, who took the command
altogether over the farm: "we want a cow."

"Oh yes, a cow," cried Alice, "I have plenty of time to milk her."

"Whose cows are those which I see in the forest sometimes?" said
Humphrey to Jacob.

"If they belong to any body, they belong to the king," replied Jacob;
"but they are cattle which have strayed and found their way to the
forest, and have remained here ever since. They are rather wild and
savage, and you must be careful how you go too near them, as the bulls
will run at you. They increase very fast: there were but six a few
years ago, and now there are at least fifty in the herd."

"Well, I'll try and get one, if I can," said Humphrey.

"You will be puzzled to do that, boy," replied Jacob, "and as I said
before, beware of the bulls."

"I don't want a bull," replied Humphrey, "but a cow would give us milk,
and then we should have more manure for the garden. My garden will then
grow more potatoes."

"Well, Humphrey, if you can catch a cow, no one will interfere; but I
think you will not find it very easy, and you may find it very
dangerous."

"I'll look out for one," replied Humphrey, "any how. Alice, if we only
had a cow, wouldn't that be jolly?"

The crops were now all up, and as the days began to be long, the work
became comparatively light and easy. Humphrey was busy making a little
wheelbarrow for Edith, that she might barrow away the weeds as he hoed
them up; and at last this great performance was completed, much to the
admiration of all, and much to his own satisfaction. Indeed, when it is
recollected that Humphrey had only the hand-saw and ax, and that he had
to cut down the tree; and then to saw it into plank, it must be
acknowledged that it required great patience and perseverance even to
make a wheelbarrow; but Humphrey was not only persevering, but was full
of invention. He had built up a hen-house with fir-poles, and made the
nests for the hens to lay and hatch in, and they now had between forty
and fifty chickens running about. He had also divided the pigsty, so
that the sow might be kept apart from the other pigs; and they expected
very soon to have a litter of young pigs. He had transplanted the wild
strawberries from the forest, and had, by manure, made them large and
good; and he had also a fine crop of onions in the garden, from seed
which Jacob had bought at Lymington; now Humphrey was very busy cutting
down some poles in the forest to make a cow-house, for he declared that
he would have a cow somehow or another. June arrived, and it was time
to mow down grass to make into hay for the winter, and Jacob had two
scythes. He showed the boys how to use them, and they soon became
expert; and as there was plenty of long grass at this time of the year,
and they could mow when they pleased, they soon had White Billy in full
employment carrying the hay home. The little girls helped to make it,
for Humphrey had made them two rakes. Jacob thought that there was hay
enough made, but Humphrey said that there was enough for the pony, but
not enough for the cow.

"But where is the cow to come from, Humphrey?"

"Where the venison comes from," replied he: "out of the forest."

So Humphrey continued to mow and make hay, while Edward and Jacob went
out for venison. After all the hay was made and stacked, Humphrey found
out a method of thatching with fern, which Jacob had never thought of;
and when that was done, they commenced cutting down fern for fodder.
Here again Humphrey would have twice as much as Jacob had ever cut
before, because he wanted litter for the cow. At last it became quite a
joke between him and Edward, who, when he brought home more venison
than would keep in the hot weather, told Humphrey that the remainder
was for the cow. Still Humphrey would not give up the point, and every
morning and evening he would be certain to be absent an hour or two,
and it was found out he was watching the herd of wild cattle who were
feeding: sometimes they were very near, at others a long way off. He
used to get up into the trees, and examine them as they passed under
him without perceiving him. One night Humphrey returned very late, and
the next morning he was off before daylight. Breakfast was over, and
Humphrey did not make his appearance, and they could not tell what was
the matter. Jacob felt uneasy, but Edward laughed, and said:

"Oh, depend upon it, he'll come back and bring the cow with him."

Hardly had Edward said these words when in came Humphrey, red with
perspiration.

"Now then, Jacob and Edward, come with me; we must put Billy in the
cart, and take Smoker and a rope with us. Take your guns too, for fear
of accident."

"Why, what's the matter?"

"I'll tell you as we go along; but I must put Billy in the cart, for
there is no time to be lost."

Humphrey disappeared, and Jacob said to Edward--

"What can it be?"

"It can be nothing but the cow he is so mad about," replied Edward.
"However, when he comes with the pony, we shall know; let us take our
guns and the dog Smoker as he wishes."

Humphrey now drove up the pony and cart, and they set off.

"Well, I suppose you'll tell us now what we are going for?" said Edward.

"Yes, I will. You know I've been watching the cattle for a long while,
because I wanted a cow. I have been in a tree when they have passed
under me several times, and I observed that one or two of the heifers
were very near calving. Yesterday evening I thought one could not help
calving very soon indeed, and as I was watching, I saw that she was
uneasy, and that she at last left the herd and went into a little copse
of wood. I remained three hours to see if she came out again, and she
did not. It was dark when I came home, as you know. This morning I
went before daylight and found the herd. She is very remarkable, being
black and white spotted; and, after close examination, I found that she
was not with the herd; so I am sure that she went into the copse to
calve, and that she has calved before this."

"Well, that may be," replied Jacob; "but now I do not understand what
we are to do."

"Nor I," replied Edward.

"Well, then, I'll tell you what I hope to do. I have got the pony and
cart to take the calf home with us, if we can get it--which I think we
can. I have got Smoker to worry the heifer and keep her employed, while
we put the calf in the cart; a rope that we may tie the cow if we can;
and you with your guns must keep off the herd if they come to her
assistance. Now do you understand my plan?"

"Yes, and I think it very likely to succeed, Humphrey," replied Jacob,
"and I give you credit for the scheme. We will help you all we can.
Where is the copse?"

"Not half a mile farther," replied Humphrey. "We shall soon be there."

On their arrival, they found that the herd were feeding at a
considerable distance from the copse, which was, perhaps, as well.

"Now," said Jacob, "I and Edward will enter into the copse with Smoker,
and you follow us, Humphrey. I will make Smoker seize the heifer, if
necessary; at all events he will keep her at bay--that is, if she is
here. First, let us walk round the copse and find her _slot_, as we
call the track of a deer. See, here is her footing. Now let us go in."

They advanced cautiously into the thicket, following the track of the
heifer, and at last came upon her. Apparently she had not calved more
than an hour, and was licking the calf, which was not yet on its legs.
As soon as the animal perceived Jacob and Edward, she shook her head,
and was about to run at them; but Jacob told Smoker to seize her, and
the dog flew at her immediately. The attack of the dog drove back the
heifer quite into the thicket, and as the dog bounded round her,
springing this way and that way to escape her horns, the heifer was
soon separated from the calf.

"Now then, Edward and Humphrey," said Jacob, advancing between the
heifer and the calf, "lift up the calf between you and put it in the
cart. Leave Smoker and me to manage the mother."

The boys put their arms under the stomach of the calf, and carried it
away. The heifer was at first too busy defending herself against the
dog to perceive that the calf was gone; when she did, Jacob called
Smoker to him, so as to bring him between the heifer and where the boys
were going out of the thicket. At last the heifer gave a loud bellow,
and rushed out of the thicket in pursuit of her calf, checked by
Smoker, who held on to her ear, and sometimes stopped her from
advancing.

"Hold her, Smoker," said Jacob, who now went back to help the boys.
"Hold her, boy. Is the calf in the cart?"

"Yes, and tied fast," replied Edward, "and we are in the cart, too."

"That's right," replied Jacob. "Now I'll get in too, and let us drive
off. She'll follow us, depend upon it. Here, Smoker! Smoker! let her
alone."

Smoker, at this command, came bounding out of the copse, followed by
the heifer, lowing most anxiously. Her lowing was responded to by the
calf in the cart, and she ran wildly up to it.

"Drive off, Humphrey," said Jacob; "I think I heard the lowing of the
heifer answered by some of the herd, and the sooner we are off the
better."

Humphrey, who had the reins, drove off; the heifer followed, at one
time running at the dog, at another putting her head almost into the
hind part of the cart; but the lowing of the heifer was now answered by
deeper tones, and Jacob said,

"Edward, get your gun ready, for I think the herd is following. Do not
fire, however, until I tell you. We must be governed by circumstances.
It won't do to lose the pony, or to run any serious risk, for the sake
of the heifer and calf. Drive fast, Humphrey."

A few minutes afterward they perceived, at about a quarter of a mile
behind them, not the whole herd, but a single bull, who was coming up
at a fast trot, with his tail in the air, and tossing his head, lowing
deeply in answer to the heifer.

"There's only one, after all," said Jacob; "I suppose the heifer is his
favorite. Well, we can manage him. Smoker, come in. Come in, sir,
directly," cried Jacob, perceiving that the dog was about to attack the
bull.

Smoker obeyed, and the bull advanced till he was within a hundred yards.

"Now, Edward, do you fire first--aim for his shoulder. Humphrey, pull
up."

Humphrey stopped the pony and the bull continued to advance, but seemed
puzzled who to attack, unless it was the dog. As soon as the bull was
within sixty yards, Edward fired, and the animal fell down on its
knees, tearing the ground with its horns.

"That will do," said Jacob; "drive on again, Humphrey; we will have a
look at that fellow by-and-by. At present we had better get home, as
others may come. He's up again, but he is at a stand-still. I have an
idea that he is hit hard."

The cart drove on, followed by the heifer, but no more of the wild herd
made their appearance, and they very soon gained the cottage.

"Now, then, what shall we do?" said Jacob. "Come, Humphrey, you have
had all the ordering of this, and have done it well."

"Well, Jacob, we must now drive the cart into the yard, and shut the
gate upon the cow, till I am ready."

"That's easy done, by setting Smoker at her," replied Jacob; "but,
mercy on us, there's Alice and Edith running out!--the heifer may kill
them. Go back, Alice, run quite into the cottage, and shut the door
till we come."

Alice and Edith hearing this, and Edward also crying out to them, made
a hasty retreat to the cottage. Humphrey then backed the cart against
the paling of the yard, so as to enable Edward to get on the other side
of it, ready to open the gate. Smoker was set at the heifer, and, as
before, soon engaged her attention; so that the gate was opened and the
cart drove in, and the gate closed again, before the heifer could
follow.

"Well, Humphrey, what next?"

"Why, now lift the calf out, and put it into the cow-house. I will go
into the cow-house with a rope and a slip-knot at the end of it, get
upon the beam above, and drop it over her horns as she's busy with the
calf, which she will be as soon as you let her in. I shall pass the end
of the rope outside for you to haul up when I am ready, and then we
shall have her fast, till we can secure her properly. When I call out
Ready, do you open the gate and let her in. You can do that and jump
into the cart afterward, for fear she may run at you; but I don't think
that she will, for it's the calf she wants, and not either of you."

As soon as Humphrey was ready with the rope, he gave the word, and the
gate was opened; the cow ran in immediately, and, hearing her calf
bleat, went into the cow-house, the door of which was shut upon her. A
minute afterward Humphrey cried out to them to haul upon the rope,
which they did.

"That will do," said Humphrey from the inside; "now make the rope fast,
and then you may come in."

They went in and found the heifer drawn close to the side of the
cow-house by the rope which was round her horns, and unable to move her
head.

"Well, Humphrey, that's very clever; but now what is to be done?"

"First, I'll saw off the tips of her horns, and then if she does run at
us, she won't hurt us much. Wait till I go for the saw."

As soon as the ends of her horns were sawed off, Humphrey took another
piece of rope, which he fastened securely round her horns, and then
made the other end fast to the side of the building, so that the animal
could move about a little and eat out of the crib.

"There," said Humphrey, "now time and patience must do the rest. We
must coax her and handle her, and we soon shall tame her. At present
let us leave her with the calf. She has a yard of rope, and that is
enough for her to lick her calf, which is all that she requires at
present. To-morrow we will cut some grass for her."

They then went out, shutting the cow-house door.

"Well, Humphrey, you've beat us after all, and have the laugh on your
side now," said Jacob. "'Where there's a will, there's a way,' that's
certain; and I assure you, that when you were making so much hay, and
gathering so much litter, and building a cow-house, I had no more idea
that we should have a cow than that we should have an elephant; and I
will say that you deserve great credit for your way of obtaining it."

"That he certainly does," replied Edward. "You have more genius than I
have, brother. But dinner must be ready, if Alice has done her duty.
What think you Jacob, shall we after dinner go and look after that
bull?"

"Yes, by all means. He will not be bad eating, and I can sell all I can
carry in the cart at Lymington. Besides, the skin is worth money."




CHAPTER VI.


Alice and Edith were very anxious to see the cow, and especially to see
the calf; but Humphrey told them that they must not go near till he
went with them, and then they should see it. After dinner was over,
Jacob and Edward took their guns, and Humphrey put Billy in the cart
and followed them. They found the bull where they left him, standing
quite still; he tossed his head when they approached him, which they
did carefully, but he did not attempt to run at them.

"It's my idea that he has nearly bled to death," said Jacob; "but
there's nothing like making sure. Edward, put a bullet just three
inches behind his shoulder, and that will make all safe."

Edward did so, and the animal fell dead. They went up to the carcass,
which they estimated to weigh at least fifty stone.

"It is a noble beast," said Edward; "I wonder we never thought of
killing one before?"

"They aren't game, Edward," replied Jacob.

"No, they are not now, Jacob," said Humphrey; "as you and Edward claim
all the game, I shall claim the cattle as my portion of the forest.
Recollect, there are more, and I mean to have more of them yet."

"Well, Humphrey, I give you up all my rights, if I have any,"

"And I, all mine," added Edward.

"Be it so. Some day you'll see what I shall do," replied Humphrey.
"Recollect, I am to sell the cattle for my own self-advantage until I
buy a gun, and one or two things which I want."

"I agree to that too, Humphrey," replied Jacob; "and now to skin the
beast."

The skinning and quartering took up the whole afternoon, and Billy was
heavy laden when he drew his cart home. The next day Jacob went to
Lymington to sell the bull and the skin, and returned home well
satisfied with the profit he had made. He had procured, as Humphrey
requested, some milk-pans, a small churn, and milk-pail out of the
proceeds, and had still money left. Humphrey told them that he had not
been to see the heifer yet, as he thought it better not.

"She will be tame to-morrow morning, depend upon it," said he.

"But if you give her nothing to eat, will not the calf die?"

"Oh no, I should think not. I shall not starve her, but I will make her
thankful for her food before she gets it. I shall cut her some grass
to-morrow morning."

We may as well here say, that the next morning Humphrey went in to the
heifer. At first she tossed about, and was very unruly. He gave her
some grass, and patted her and coaxed her for a long while, till at
last she allowed him to touch her gently. Every day for a fortnight he
brought her food, and she became quieter every day, till at last if he
went up to her, she never pushed with her horns. The calf became quite
tame, and as the heifer perceived that the calf was quiet, she became
more quiet herself. After the fortnight, Humphrey would not allow the
heifer to receive any thing except from the hand of Alice, that the
animal might know her well; and when the calf was a month old, Humphrey
made the first attempt to milk her. This was resisted at first by
kicking, but in the course of ten days she gave down her milk. Humphrey
then let her loose for a few days to run about the yard, still keeping
the calf in the cow-house, and putting the heifer in to her at night,
milking her before the calf was allowed to suck. After this he
adventured upon the last experiment, which was to turn her out of the
yard to graze in the forest. She went away to some distance, and he was
fearful that she would join the herd, but in the evening she came back
again to her calf. After this he was satisfied, and turned her out
every day, and they had no further trouble with her. He would not,
however, wean the calf till the winter time, when she was shut up in
the yard and fed on hay. He then weaned the calf, which was a cow calf,
and they had no more trouble with the mother. Alice soon learned to
milk her, and she became very tractable and good-tempered. Such was the
commencement of the dairy at the cottage.

"Jacob," said Humphrey, "when do you go to Lymington again?"

"Why, I do not know. The end of August, as it is now, and the month of
September, is not good for venison; and, therefore, I do not see what I
shall have to go for."

"Well, I wish when you do go, you would get something for Alice and
something for me."

"And what is it that Alice wants?"

"She wants a kitten."

"Well, I think I may find that. And what do you want, Humphrey?"

"I want a dog. Smoker is yours altogether; I want a dog for myself, to
bring up after my own fashion."

"Well, I ought to look out for another dog: although Smoker is not old,
yet one ought to have two dogs to one's gun in case of accident."

"I think so too," replied Edward; "see if you can get two puppies, one
for Humphrey and one for myself."

"Well, I must not go to Lymington for them. I must cross the forest, to
see some friends of mine whom I have not seen for a long while, and I
may get some of the right sort of puppies there, just like Smoker. I'll
do that at once, as I may have to wait for them, even if I do have the
promise."

"May I go with you, Jacob?" said Edward.

"Why, I would rather not; they may ask questions."

"And so would I rather he would not, for he will shirk his work here."

"Why, what is there to do, Humphrey?"

"Plenty to do, and hard work, Edward; the acorns are fit for beating
down, and we want a great many bushels for the pigs. We have to fatten
three, and to feed the rest during the winter. I can not get on well
with only Alice and Edith; so if you are not very lazy, you will stay
with us and help us."

"Humphrey, you think of nothing but your pigs and farmyard."

"And you are too great a hunter to think of any thing but a stag; but a
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, in my opinion; and I'll make
more by my farmyard than you ever will by the forest."

"Humphrey has nothing to do with the poultry and eggs, has he, Edward?
they belong to Edith and me, and Jacob shall take them to Lymington and
sell them for us, and get us some new clothes for Sunday, for these
begin to look rather worn--and no wonder."

"No, dearest, the poultry are yours, and I will sell them for you as
soon as you please, and buy what you wish with the money," replied
Jacob. "Let Humphrey make all the money he can with his pigs."

"Yes; and the butter belongs to me, if I make it," said Alice.

"No no," replied Humphrey; "that's not fair; I find cows, and get
nothing for them. We must go halves Alice."

"Well, I've no objection to that," said Alice "because you find the
cows and feed them. I made a pound of butter yesterday, just to try
what I could do; but it's not firm, Jacob. How is that?"

"I have seen the women make butter, and know how, Alice; so next time I
will be with you. I suppose you did not wash your butter-milk well out,
nor put any salt in it?"

"I did not put any salt in it."

"But you must, or the butter will not keep."

It was arranged that Edward should stay at home to assist in collecting
the acorns for the pigs, and that Jacob should cross the forest alone
to see after the puppies, and he set off the next morning. He was away
two days, and then returned; said that he had a promise of two puppies,
and that he had chosen them; they were of the same breed as Smoker, but
they were only a fortnight old, and could not be taken from the mother
yet awhile, so that he had arranged to call again when they were three
or four months old, and able to follow him across the forest. Jacob
also said that he was very near being hurt by a stag that had made at
him--for at that season of the year the stags were very dangerous and
fierce--but that he had fired, and struck off one of the animal's
horns, which made it turn.

"You must be careful, Edward, how you go about the forest now."

"I have no wish to go," replied Edward; "as we can not hunt, it is no
use; but in November we shall begin again."

"Yes," replied Jacob, "that will be soon enough. To-morrow I will help
you with the acorns, and the day afterward, if I am spared, I will take
Alice's poultry to Lymington for her."

"Yes, and when you come back you will help me to churn for then I shall
have a good deal of cream."

"And don't forget to buy the kitten, Jacob," said Edith.

"What's the good of a kitten?" said Humphrey, who was very busy making
a bird-cage for Edith, having just finished one for Alice; "she will
only steal your cream and eat up your birds."

"No, she won't; for we'll shut the door fast where the milk and cream
are, and we'll hang the cages so high that Miss Puss won't be able to
get at them."

"Well, then, a kitten will be useful," said Edward, "for she will teach
you to be careful."

"My coat is a little the worse for wear, and so is yours, Edward. We
must try if we can not, like Alice, find means to pay for another."

"Humphrey," said Jacob, "I'll buy all you want, and trust to you for
paying me again as soon as you can."

"That's just what I want," replied Humphrey. "Then you must buy me a
gun and a new suit of clothes first; when I've paid for them, I shall
want some more tools, and some nails and screws, and two or three other
things; but I will say nothing about them just now. Get me my gun, and
I'll try what the forest will do for me--especially after I have my
dog."

"Well, we shall see; perhaps you'll like to come out with me sometimes
and learn woodcraft, for Edward knows as much as I do now, and can go
out by himself."

"Of course I will, Jacob: I want to learn every thing."

"Well, there's a little money left in the bag yet, and I will go to
Lymington to-morrow. Now I think it is time we were in bed; and if you
are all as tired as I am, you will sleep soundly."

Jacob put into the cart the next day about forty of the chickens which
Alice had reared; the others were kept to increase the number in the
poultry-yard. They had cost little or nothing bringing up; for when
quite young, they only had a little oatmeal cake, and afterward, with
the potatoes which were left, they found themselves, as fowls can
always do when they have a great range of ground to go over.

Jacob came back at sunset, with all the articles. He brought a new suit
for Alice and Edith, with some needles and thread, and worsted, and
gave her some money which was left from the sale of the chickens, after
he had made the purchases. He also bought a new suit for Edward and
Humphrey, and a gun, which was much approved of by Humphrey, as it had
a larger bore and carried a heavier bullet than either Jacob's or
Edward's; and there was a white kitten for Alice and Edith. There was
no news, only that the Levelers had opposed Cromwell, and he had put
them down with the other troops, and Jacob said that it appeared that
they were all squabbling and fighting with each other.

Time passed; the month of November came on without any thing to disturb
the daily employments of the family in the forest: when one evening,
Jacob, who had returned from hunting with Edward (the first time they
had been out since the season commenced) told Alice that she must do
all she could to give them a good dinner the next day, as it was to be
a feast.

"Why so, Jacob?"

"If you can not guess, I won't tell you till the time comes," replied
Jacob.

"Well then, Humphrey must help us," replied Alice, "and we will do what
we can. I will try, now that we have some meat, to make a grand dinner."

Alice made all the preparations, and had for dinner the next day a
piece of baked venison, a venison stew, a pair of roast chickens, and
an apple pie--which, for them, was a very grand dinner indeed. And it
was very well dressed: for Jacob had taught her to cook, and by degrees
she improved upon Jacob's instruction. Humphrey was quite as clever at
it as she was; and little Edith was very useful, as she plucked the
fowls, and watched the things while they were cooking.

"And now I'll tell you," said Jacob, after saying grace, "why I asked
you for a feast this day. It is because exactly on this day twelvemonth
I brought you all to the cottage. Now you know."

"I did not know it, certainly, but I dare say you are right," replied
Edward.

"And now, children, tell me," said Jacob, "has not this year passed
very quickly and very happily--quite as quickly and quite as happily as
if you had been staying at Arnwood?"

"Yes, more so," replied Humphrey; "for then very often I did not know
what to do to amuse myself, and since I have been here the days have
always been too short."

"I agree with Humphrey," said Edward.

"And I am sure I do," replied Alice; "I'm always busy and always happy,
and I'm never scolded about dirtying my clothes or tearing them, as I
used to be."

"And what does little Edith say?"

"I like to help Alice, and I like to play with the kitten," replied
Edith.

"Well, my children," said Jacob, "depend upon it, you are most happy
when your days pass quickest, and that is only the case when you have
plenty to do. Here you are in peace and safety; and may it please God
that you may continue so! We want very few things in this world--that
is, we really want very few things, although we wish and sigh for many.
You have health and spirits, which are the greatest blessings in life.
Who would believe, to look at you all, that you were the same children
that I brought away from Arnwood? You were then very different from
what you are now. You are strong and healthy, rosy and brown, instead
of being fair and delicate. Look at your sisters, Edward. Do you think
that any of your former friends--do you think that Martha, who had the
care of them, would know them?"

Edward smiled, and said, "Certainly not; especially in their present
dresses."

"Nor would, I think, Humphrey be known again. You, Edward, were always
a stout boy; and, except that you have grown very much, and are more
brown, there is no great difference. You would be known again, even in
your present forester's dress; but what I say is, that we ought to be
thankful to the Almighty that you, instead of being burned in your
beds, have found health, and happiness, and security, in a forester's
hut; and I ought to be, and am, most thankful to Heaven, that it has
pleased it to spare my life, and enable me to teach you all to the
present, how to gain your own livelihoods after I am called away. I
have been able so far to fulfill my promise to your noble father; and
you know not what a heavy load on my mind is every day lessened, as I
see each day that you are more and more able to provide for yourselves.
God bless you, dear children, and may you live to see many returns, and
happy returns, of the day;" and Jacob was so much moved as he said
this, that a tear was seen rolling down his furrowed cheek.

The second winter now came on. Jacob and Edward went out hunting
usually about twice a-week; for the old forester complained of
stiffness and rheumatism, and not feeling so active as he used to be.
Humphrey now accompanied Edward perhaps one day in the week, but not
more, and they seldom returned without having procured venison, for
Edward knew his business well, and no longer needed the advice of
Jacob. As the winter advanced, Jacob gave up going out altogether. He
went to Lymington to sell the venison and procure what was necessary
for the household, such as oatmeal and flour, which were the principal
wants, but even these journeys fatigued him, and it was evident that
the old man's constitution was breaking fast. Humphrey was always busy.
One evening he was making something which puzzled them all. They asked
him what it was for, but he would not tell them.

"It's an experiment that I am trying," said he as he was bending a
hazel stick. "If it answers, you shall know: if it does not, I've only
had a little trouble for nothing. Jacob, I hope you will not forget the
salt to-morrow when you go to Lymington, for my pigs are ready for
killing, and we must salt the greatest part of the pork. After the legs
and shoulders have lain long enough in salt, I mean to try if I can not
smoke them, and if I do, I'll then smoke some bacon. Won't that be
jolly, Alice? Won't you like to have a great piece of bacon hanging up
there, and only to have to get on a stool to cut off what you want,
when Edward and I come home hungry, and you've nothing to give us to
eat?"

"I shall be very glad to have it, and I think so will you too, by the
way you talk."

"I shall, I assure you. Jacob, didn't you say the ash sticks were the
best to smoke bacon with?"

"Yes, boy: when you are ready, I'll tell you how to manage. My poor
mother used to smoke very well up this very chimney."

"I think that will do," said Humphrey, letting his hazel stick spring
up, after he had bent it down, "but to-morrow I shall find out."

"But what is it for, Humphrey?" said Edith.

"Go away, puss, and play with your kitten," replied Humphrey, putting
away his tools and his materials in a corner; "I've a great deal on my
hands now, but I must kill my pigs before I think of any thing else."

The next day Jacob took the venison into Lymington, and brought back
the salt and other articles required. The pigs were then killed, and
salted down under Jacob's directions; his rheumatism did not allow him
to assist, but Humphrey and Edward rubbed in the salt, and Alice took
the pieces of pork away to the tub when they were finished. Humphrey
had been out the day before with the unknown article he had been so
long about. The next morning he went out early before breakfast and
when he returned, he brought a hare in his hand, which he laid on the
table.

"There," said he, "my spring has answered, and this is the first fruits
of it. Now I'll make some more, and we will have something by way of a
change for dinner."

They were very much pleased with Humphrey's success, and he was not a
little proud of it.

"How did you find out how to make it?"

"Why, I read in the old book of travels which Jacob brought home with
him last summer, of people catching rabbits and hares in some way like
this; I could not make it out exactly, but it gave me the idea."

We ought to have told the reader that Jacob had more than once brought
home an old book or two which he had picked up, or had given him, and
that these had been occasionally looked into by Humphrey and Edward,
but only now and then, as they had too much to do to find much time for
reading, although sometimes, in the evening, they did take them up.
When it is considered how young they were, and what a practical and
busy life they led, this can not be surprising.




CHAPTER VII.


Humphrey was now after something else. He had made several traps, and
brought in rabbits and hares almost every day. He had also made some
bird-traps, and had caught two goldfinches for Alice and Edith, which
they put in the cages he had made for them. But, as we said, Humphrey
was about something else; he was out early in the morning, and in the
evening, when the moon was up, he came home late, long after they had
all gone to bed; but they never knew why, nor would he tell them. A
heavy fall of snow took place, and Humphrey was more out than ever. At
last, about a week after the snow had laid on the ground, one morning
he came in with a hare and rabbit in his hand, and said,

"Edward, I have caught something larger than a hare or a rabbit, and
you must come and help me, and we must take our guns. Jacob, I suppose
your rheumatism is too bad to let you come too?"

"No; I think I can manage. It's the damp that hurts me so much. This
frosty air will do me good, perhaps. I have been much better since the
snow fell. Now, then, let us see what you have caught."

"You will have to walk two miles," said Humphrey, as they went out.

"I can manage it, Humphrey, so lead the way."

Humphrey went on till they came close to a clump of large trees, and
then brought them to a pitfall which he had dug, about six feet wide
and eight feet long, and nine feet deep.

"There's my large trap," said Humphrey, "and see what I have caught in
it."

They looked down into the pit and perceived a young bull in it. Smoker,
who was with him, began to bark furiously at it.

"Now, what are we to do? I don't think it is hurt. Can we get it out?"
said Humphrey.

"No, not very well. If it was a calf, we might; but it is too heavy,
and if we were to get it out alive, we must kill it after ward, so we
had better shoot it at once."

"So I think," replied Humphrey.

"But how did you catch him?" said Edward.

"I read of it in the same book I did about the traps for hares,"
replied Humphrey. "I dug out the pit and covered it with brambles, and
then put snow at the top. This is the thicket that the herd comes to
chiefly in winter time; it is large and dry, and the large trees
shelter it; so that is why I chose this spot. I took a large bundle of
hay, put some on the snow about the pit, and then strewed some more
about in small handfuls, so that the cattle must find it, and pick it
up, which I knew they would be glad to do, now that the snow is on the
ground. And now, you see, I have succeeded."

"Well, Humphrey, you beat us, I will say," said Edward. "Shall I shoot
him?"

"Yes, now that he is looking up."

Edward shot his ball through the forehead of the animal, which fell
dead: but they were then obliged to go home for the pony and cart, and
ropes to get the animal out of the pit, and a hard job they had of it
too; but the pony helped them, and they did get it out at last.

"I will do it easier next time," said Humphrey. "I will make a windlass
as soon as I can, and we will soon hoist out another, like they turn a
bucket of water up from a well."

"It's nice young meat," said Jacob, who was skinning the bull, "not
above eighteen months old, I should think. Had it been a full-grown
one, like that we shot, it must have remained where it was, for we
never could have got it out."

"Yes, Jacob, we should, for I should have gone down and cut it up in
the pit, so that we would have handed it out by bits, if we could not
have managed him whole."

They loaded the cart with the skin and quarters of the animal, and then
drove home.

"This will go far to pay for the gun, Humphrey," said Jacob, "if it
don't pay for more."

"I am glad of it," said Humphrey, "but I hope it will not be the last
which I take."

"That reminds me, Humphrey, of one thing; I think you must come back
with the cart and carry away all the entrails of the beast, and remove
all the blood which is on the snow, for I've observed that cattle are
very scared with the smell and sight of blood. I found that out by once
or twice seeing them come to where I have cut the throat of a stag, and
as soon as they have put their noses down to where the blood was on the
ground, they have put their tails up and galloped away, bellowing at a
terrible rate. Indeed, I've heard say, that if a murder has been
committed in a wood, and you want to find the body, that a herd of
cattle drove into it will serve you better than even a bloodhound."

"Thank you for telling me that, Jacob, for I should never have supposed
it, and I'll tell you what I'll also do; I'll load the cart with fern
litter, and put it at the bottom of the pit, so that if I could get a
heifer or calf worth taking, it may not be hurt by the fall."

"It must have taken you a long while to dig that pit, Humphrey."

"Yes, it did, and as I got deeper the work was harder, and then I had
to carry away all the earth and scatter it about. I was more than a
month about it from the time that I began till it was finished, and I
had a ladder to go up and down by at last, and carried the baskets of
earth up, for it was too deep to throw it out."

"Nothing like patience and perseverance, Humphrey. You've more than I
have."

"I'm sure he has more than I have, or shall ever have, I'm afraid,"
replied Edward.

During this winter, which passed rapidly way very few circumstances of
any consequence occurred. Old Jacob was more or less confined to the
cottage by the rheumatism, and Edward hunted either by himself or
occasionally with Humphrey. Humphrey was fortunate enough to take a
bull and a cow calf in his pitfall, both of them about a year or
fifteen months old, and by a rude invention of his, by way of windlass,
contrived, with the assistance of Edward, to hoist them uninjured out
of the pit. They were put into the yard, and after having been starved
till they were tamed, they followed the example of the heifer and calf,
and became quite tame. These were an important addition to their stock,
as may well be imagined. The only mishap under which they labored was,
old Jacob's confinement to the cottage, which, as the winter advanced,
prevented him from going to Lymington; they could not, therefore, sell
any venison; and Humphrey, by way of experiment, smoked some venison
hams, which he hung up with the others. There was another point on
which they felt anxiety, which was, that Jacob could not cross the
forest to get the puppies which had been promised them, and the time
was passed, for it was now January, when he was to have called for
them. Edward and Humphrey pressed the old man very hard to let one of
them go, but the only answer they could obtain was "that he'd be better
soon." At last, finding that he got worse instead of better, he
consented that Edward should go. He gave directions how to proceed, the
way he was to take, and a description of the keeper's lodge; cautioned
him to call himself by the name of Armitage, and describe himself as
his grandson. Edward promised to obey Jacob's directions, and the next
morning he set off, mounted upon White Billy, with a little money in
his pocket in case he should want it.

"I wish I was going with you," said Humphrey, as he walked by the side
of the pony.

"I wish you were, Humphrey: for my part, I feel as if I were a slave
set at liberty. I do justice to old Jacob's kindness and good will, and
acknowledge how much we are indebted to him; but still to be housed up
here in the forest, never seeing or speaking to any one, shut out from
the world, does not suit Edward Beverley. Our father was a soldier, and
a right good one, and if I were old enough I think even now I should
escape and join the royal party, broken as it may be and by all
accounts is, at this moment. Deer stalking is all very well, but I fly
at higher game."

"I feel the same as you do," replied Humphrey: "but recollect, Edward,
that the old man's very infirm, and what would become of our sisters if
we were to leave them?"

"I know that well, Humphrey--I have no idea of leaving them, you may be
sure; but I wish they were with our relations in safety, and then we
should be free to act."

"Yes, we should, Edward; but recollect that we are not yet men, and
boys of fifteen and thirteen can not do much, although they may wish to
do much."

"It's true that I am only fifteen," replied Edward, "but I am strong
enough, and so are you. I think if I had a fair cut at a man's head I
would make him stagger under it, were he as big as a buffalo. As young
as I have been to the wars, that I know well; and I recollect my father
promising me that I should go with him as soon as I was fifteen."

"What puzzles me," replied Humphrey, "is, the fear that old Jacob has
of our being seen at Lymington."

"Why, what fear is there?"

"I can not tell more than you; in my opinion, the fear is only in his
own imagination. They surely would not hurt us (if we walked about
without arms like other people) because our father had fought for the
king? That they have beheaded some people it is true, but then they
were plotting in the king's favor, or in other ways opposed to
Parliament. This I have gathered from Jacob: but I can not see what we
have to fear if we remain quiet. But now comes the question, Edward,
for Jacob has, I believe, said more to me on one subject than he has to
you. Suppose you were to leave the forest, what would be the first step
which you would take?"

"I should, of course, state who I was, and take possession of my
father's property at Arnwood, which is mine by descent."

"Exactly; so Jacob thinks, and he says that would be your ruin, for the
property is sequestered, as they call it, or forfeited to the
Parliament, in consequence of your father having fought against it on
the king's side. It no longer belongs to you, and you would not be
allowed to take it: on the contrary, you would, in all probability, be
imprisoned, and who knows what might then take place? You see there is
danger."

"Did Jacob say this to you?"

"Yes, he did: he told me he dare not speak to you on the subject, you
were so fiery; and if you heard that the property was confiscated, you
would certainly do some rash act, and that any thing of the kind would
be a pretense for laying hold of you; and then he said that he did not
think that he would live long, for he was weaker every day; and that he
only hoped his life would be spared another year or two, that he might
keep you quiet till better times came. He said that if they supposed
that we were all burned in the house when it was fired, it would give
them a fair opportunity of calling you an impostor and treating you
accordingly, and that there were so many anxious to have a gift of the
property, that you would have thousands of people compassing your
death. He said that your making known yourself and claiming your
property would be the very conduct that your enemies would wish you to
follow, and would be attended with most fatal consequences; for he
said, to prove that you were Edward Beverley, you must declare that I
and your sisters were in the forest with him, and this disclosure would
put the whole family in the power of their bitterest enemies; and what
would become of your sisters, it would be impossible to say, but most
likely they would be put under the charge of some Puritan family who
would have a pleasure in ill-treating and humiliating the daughters of
such a man as Colonel Beverley."

"And why did he not tell me all this?"

"He was afraid to say any thing to you; he thought that you would be so
mad at the idea of this injustice that you would do something rash: and
he said, I pray every night that my otherwise useless life may be
spared; for, were I to die, I know that Edward would quit the forest."

"Never, while my sisters are under my protection," replied Edward;
"were they safe, I would be out of it to-morrow."

"I think, Edward, that there is great truth in what Jacob says; you
could do no good (for they would not restore your property) by making
your seclusion known at present, and you might do a great deal of
harm--'bide your time' is good advice in such troubled times. I
therefore think that I should be very wary if I were you; but I still
think that there is no fear of either you or I going out of the forest,
in our present dresses and under the name of Armitage. No one would
recognize us; you are grown tall and so am I, and we are so tanned and
sunburned with air and exercise, that we do look more like Children of
the Forest than the sons of Colonel Beverley."

"Humphrey, you speak very sensibly, and I agree with you. I am not
quite so fiery as the old man thinks; and if my bosom burns with
indignation, at all events I have sufficient power to conceal my
feelings when it is necessary; I can oppose art to art, if it becomes
requisite, and which, from what you have said, I believe now is really
so. One thing is certain, that while King Charles is a prisoner, as he
now is, and his party dispersed and gone abroad, I can do nothing, and
to make myself known would only be to injure myself and all of us. Keep
quiet, therefore, I certainly shall, and also remain as I am now, under
a false name; but still I must and will mix up with other people and
know what is going on. I am willing to live in this forest and protect
my sisters as long as it is necessary so to do; but although I will
reside here, I will not be confined to the forest altogether."

"That's exactly what I think too, Edward--what I wish myself; but let
us not be too hasty even in this. And now, I will wish you a pleasant
ride; and, Edward, if you can, procure of the keepers some small shot
for me; I much wish to have some."

"I will not forget; good-by, brother."

Humphrey returned home to attend his farmyard, while Edward continued
his journey through the forest. Some estimate of the character of the
two boys may be formed from the above conversation. Edward was
courageous and impetuous hasty in his resolves, but still open to
conviction. Brought up as the heir to the property, he felt, more than
Humphrey could be expected to do, the mortification of being left a
pauper, after such high prospects in his early days: his vindictive
feelings against the opposite party were therefore more keen, and his
spirit mounted more from the conviction under which he labored. His
disposition was naturally warlike, and this disposition had been
fostered by his father when he was a child--still a kinder heart or a
more generous lad never existed.

Humphrey was of a much more subdued and philosophical temperament, not
perhaps so well calculated to lead as to advise; there was great
prudence in him united with courage, but his was a passive courage
rather than an active one--a courage which, if assailed, would defend
itself valiantly, but would be wary and reflective before it would
attack. Humphrey had not that spirit of chivalry possessed by Edward.
He was a younger son, and had to earn, in a way, his own fortune, and
he felt that his inclinations were more for peace than strife.
Moreover, Humphrey had talents which Edward had not--a natural talent
for mechanics, and an inquisitive research into science, as far as his
limited education would permit him. He was more fitted for an engineer
or an agriculturist than for a soldier, although there is no doubt that
he would have made a very brave soldier, if such was to have become his
avocation.

For kindness and generosity of nature he was equal to his brother, and
this was the reason why an angry word never passed between them; for
the question between them was not which should have his way, but which
should give up most to the wishes of the other. We hardly need say,
that there never were two brothers who were more attached, and who so
mutually respected each other.




CHAPTER VIII.


Edward put the pony to a trot, and in two hours was on the other side
of the New Forest. The directions given to him by Jacob were not
forgotten, and before it was noon he found himself at the gate of the
keeper's house. Dismounting, and hanging the bridle of the pony over
the rail, he walked through a small garden, neatly kept, but, so early
in the year, not over gay, except that the crocus and snowdrops were
peeping. He rapped at the door with his knuckles, and a girl of about
fourteen, very neatly dressed, answered the summons.

"Is Oswald Partridge at home, maiden," said Edward.

"No, young man, he is not. He is in the forest."

"When will he return?"

"Toward the evening is his time, unless he is more than usually
successful."

"I have come some distance to find him," replied Edward; "and it would
vex me to return without seeing him. Has he a wife, or any one that I
could speak to?"

"He has no wife; but I am willing to deliver a message."

"I am come about some dogs which he promised to Jacob Armitage, my
relation; but the old man is too unwell, and has been for some time, to
come himself for them, and he has sent me."

"There are dogs, young and old, large and small, in the kennels; so far
do I know, and no more."

"I fear, then, I must wait till his return," replied Edward.

"I will speak to my father," replied the young girl, "if you will wait
one moment."

In a minute or two the girl returned, saying that her father begged
that he would walk in, and he would speak with him. Edward bowed, and
followed the young girl, who led the way to a room, in which was seated
a man dressed after the fashion of the Roundheads of the day. His
steeple-crowned hat lay on the chair, with his sword beneath it. He was
sitting at a table covered with papers.

"Here is the youth, father," said the girl; and having said this, she
crossed the room and took a seat by the side of the fire. The man, or
we should rather say gentleman--for he had the appearance of one,
notwithstanding the somber and peculiar dress he wore, continued to
read a letter which he had just opened; and Edward, who feared himself
the prisoner of a Roundhead, when he only expected to meet a keeper,
was further irritated by the neglect shown toward him by the party.
Forgetting that he was, by his own assertion, not Edward Beverley, but
the relative of one Jacob Armitage, he colored up with anger as he
stood at the door. Fortunately the time that it took the other party to
read through the letter gave Edward also time for recollecting the
disguise under which he appeared; the color subsided from his cheeks,
and he remained in silence, occasionally meeting the look of the little
girl, who, when their eyes met, immediately withdrew her glance.

"What is your business, young man?" at last said the gentleman at the
table.

"I came, sir, on private business with the keeper, Oswald Partridge, to
obtain two young hounds, which he promised to my grandfather, Jacob
Armitage."

"Armitage!" said the other party, referring to a list on the table;
"Armitage--Jacob--yes--I see he is one of the verderers. Why has he not
been here to call upon me?"

"For what reason should he call upon you, sir?" replied Edward.

"Simply, young man, because the New Forest is, by the Parliament,
committed to my charge. Notice has been given for all those who were
employed to come here, that they might be permitted to remain, or be
discharged, as I may deem most advisable."

"Jacob Armitage has heard nothing of this, sir," replied Edward. "He
was a keeper, appointed under the king; for two or three years his
allowances have never been paid, and he has lived on his own cottage,
which was left to him by his father, being his own property."

"And pray, may I ask, young man, do you live with Jacob Armitage?"

"I have done so for more than a year."

"And as your relation has received no pay and allowances, as you state,
pray by what means has he maintained himself?"

"How have the other keepers maintained themselves?" replied Edward.

"Do not put questions to me, sir," replied the gentleman; "but be
pleased to reply to mine. What has been the means of subsistence of
Jacob Armitage?"

"If you think he has no means of subsistence, sir, you are mistaken,"
replied Edward. "We have land of our own, which we cultivate; we have
our pony and our cart; we have our pigs and our cows."

"And they have been sufficient?"

"Had the patriarchs more?" replied Edward.

"You are pithy at reply, young man; but I know something of Jacob
Armitage, and we know," continued he, putting his finger close to some
writing opposite the name on the list, "with whom he has associated,
and with whom he has served. Now allow me to put one question. You have
come, you say, for two young hounds. Are their services required for
your pigs and cows, and to what uses are they to be put."

"We have as good a dog as there is in the forest," replied Edward; "but
we wished to have others in case we should lose him."

"As good a dog as in the forest--good for what?"

"For hunting."

"Then you acknowledge that you do hunt?"

"I acknowledge nothing for Jacob Armitage; he may answer for himself,"
replied Edward; "but allow me to assure you that if he has killed
venison, no one can blame him."

"Perhaps you will explain why?"

"Nothing is more easy. Jacob Armitage served King Charles, who employed
him as a verderer in the forest, and paid him his wages. Those who
should not have done so rebelled against the king, took his authority
from him, and the means of paying those he employed. They were still
servants of the king, for they were not dismissed; and, having no other
means of support, they considered that their good master would be but
too happy that they should support themselves by killing, for their
subsistence, that venison which they could no longer preserve for him
without eating some themselves."

"Then you admit that Jacob Armitage has killed the deer in the forest?"

"I admit nothing for Jacob Armitage."

"You admit that you have killed it yourself."

"I shall not answer that question, sir; in the first place, I am not
here to criminate myself; and, in the next, I must know by what
authority you have the right to inquire."

"Young man," replied the other, in a severe tone, "if you wish to know
my authority, malapert as you are (at this remark Edward started, yet,
recollecting himself, he compressed his lips and stood still), this is
my commission, appointing me the agent of Parliament to take charge and
superintend the New Forest, with power to appoint and dismiss those
whom I please. I presume you must take my word for it, as you can not
read and write."

Edward stepped up to the table, and very quietly took up the paper and
read it. "You have stated what is correct, sir," said he, laying it
down; "and the date of it is, I perceive, on the 20th of the last
month--December. It is, therefore, but eighteen days old."

"And what inference would you draw from that, young man?" replied the
gentleman, looking up to him with some astonishment.

"Simply this, sir--that Jacob Armitage has been laid up with the
rheumatism for three months, during which time he certainly has not
killed any venison. Now, sir, until the Parliament took the forest into
their hands, it undoubtedly belonged to his majesty, if it does not
now; therefore Jacob Armitage, for whatever slaughter he may have
committed, is, up to the present, only answerable to his sovereign,
King Charles."

"It is easy to perceive the school in which you have been brought up,
young man, even if there was not evidence on this paper that your
forefather served under the Cavalier, Colonel Beverley, and has been
brought up to his way of thinking."

"Sir, it is a base dog that bites the hand that feeds him," replied
Edward, with warmth. "Jacob Armitage, and his father before him, were
retainers in the family of Colonel Beverley; they were indebted to him
for the situation they held in the forest; indebted to him for every
thing; they revere his name, they uphold the cause for which he fell,
as I do."

"Young man, if you do not speak advisedly, at all events you speak
gratefully; neither have I a word of disrespect to offer to the memory
of Colonel Beverley, who was a gallant man, and true to the cause which
he espoused, although it was not a holy one; but, in my position, I can
not, in justice to those whom I serve, give places and emolument to
those who have been, and still are, as I may judge by your expressions,
adverse to the present government."

"Sir," replied Edward, "your language, with respect to Colonel
Beverley, has made me feel respect for you, which I confess I did not
at first; what you say is very just, not that I think you harm Jacob
Armitage, as, in the first place, I know that he would not serve under
you; and, in the next, that he is too old and infirm to hold the
situation; neither has he occasion for it, as his cottage and land are
his own, and you can not remove him."

"He has the title, I presume," replied the gentleman.

"He has the title given to his grandfather, long before King Charles
was born, and I presume the Parliament do not intend to invalidate the
acts of former kings."

"May I inquire what relation you are to Jacob Armitage?"

"I believe I have said before, his grandson."

"You live with him?"

"I do."

"And if the old man dies, will inherit his property?"

Edward smiled, and looking at the young girl, said:

"Now, I ask you, maiden, if your father does not presume upon his
office."

The young girl laughed, and said:

"He is in authority."

"Not over me, certainly, and not over my grandfather, for he has
dismissed him."

"Were you brought up at the cottage, young man?"

"No, sir, I was brought up at Arnwood. I was playmate of the children
of Colonel Beverley."

"Educated with them?"

"Yes, for as far as my willfulness would permit, the chaplain was
always ready to give me instruction."

"Where were you when Arnwood was burned down?"

"I was at the cottage at that time," replied Edward, grinding his teeth
and looking wildly.

"Nay, nay, I can forgive any expression of feeling on your part, young
man, when that dreadful and disgraceful deed is brought to your memory.
It was a stain that can never be effaced--a deed most diabolical, and
what we thought would call down the vengeance of Heaven. If prayers
could avert, or did avert it, they were not wanting on our side."

Edward remained silent: this admission on the part of the Roundhead
prevented an explosion on his part. He felt that all were not so bad as
he had imagined. After a long pause, he said:

"When I came here, sir, it was to seek Oswald Partridge, and obtain the
hounds which he had promised us; but I presume that my journey is now
useless."

"Why so?"

"Because you have the control of the forest, and will not permit dogs
for the chase to be given away to those who are not employed by the
powers that now govern."

"You have judged correctly, in so far that my duty is to prevent it;
but as the promise was made previous to the date of my commission, I
presume," said he, smiling, "you think I have no right to interfere, as
it will be an _ex post facto_ case if I do: I shall not, therefore,
interfere, only I must point out to you that the laws are still the
same relative to those who take the deer in the forest by stealth--you
understand me?"

"Yes, sir, I do; and if you will not be offended, I will give you a
candid reply."

"Speak, then."

"I consider that the deer in this forest belong to King Charles, who is
my lawful sovereign, and I own no authority but from him. I hold myself
answerable to him alone for any deer I may kill, and I feel sure of his
permission and full forgiveness for what I may do."

"That may be your opinion, my good sir, but it will not be the opinion
of the ruling powers; but if caught, you will be punished, and that by
me, in pursuance of the authority vested in me."

"Well, sir, if so, so be it. You have dismissed the Armitages on
account of their upholding the king, and you can not, therefore, be
surprised that they uphold him more than ever. Nor can you be surprised
if a dismissed verderer becomes a poacher."

"Nor can you be surprised, if a poacher is caught, that he incurs the
penalty," replied the Roundhead. "So now there's an end of our
argument. If you go into the kitchen you will find wherewithal to
refresh the outward man, and if you wish to remain till Oswald
Partridge comes home, you are welcome."

Edward, who felt indignant at being dismissed to the kitchen, nodded
his head and smiled upon the little girl, and left the room. "Well,"
thought he, as he went along the passage, "I came here for two puppies,
and I have found a Roundhead. I don't know how it is, but I am not
angry with him as I thought I should be. That little girl had a nice
smile--she was quite handsome when she smiled. Oh, this is the kitchen,
to which," thought he, "the Lord of Arnwood is dismissed by a
Covenanter and Roundhead, probably a tradesman or outlaw, who has
served the cause. Well, be it so; as Humphrey says, 'I'll bide my
time.' But there is no one here, so I'll try if there is a stable for
White Billy, who is tired, I presume, of being at the gate."

Edward returned by the way he came, went out of the front door and
through the garden to where the pony was made fast, and led him away in
search of a stable. He found one behind the house, and filling the rack
with hay, returned to the house and seated himself at a porch which was
at the door which led to the back premises, for the keeper's house was
large and commodious. Edward was in deep thought, when he was roused by
the little girl, the daughter of the newly-appointed intendant of the
forest, who said:

"I am afraid, young sir, you have had but sorry welcome in the kitchen,
as there was no one to receive you. I was not aware that Phoebe had
gone out. If you will come with me, I may perhaps find you refreshment."

"Thanks, maiden, you are kind and considerate to an avowed poacher,"
replied Edward.

"Oh, but you will not poach, I'm sure; and if you do, I'll beg you off
if I can," replied the girl, laughing.

Edward followed her into the kitchen, and she soon produced a cold fowl
and a venison pasty, which she placed on the table; she then went out
and returned with a jug of ale.

"There," said she, putting it on the table, "that is all that I can
find."

"Your father's name is Heatherstone, I believe. It was so on the
warrant."

"Yes, it is."

"And yours?"

"The same as my father's, I should presume."

"Yes, but your baptismal name?"

"You ask strange questions, young sir; but still I will answer you
that: my baptismal name is Patience."

"I thank you for your condescension," replied Edward "You live here?"

"For the present, good sir; and now I leave you."

"That's a nice little girl, thought Edward, although she is the
daughter of a Roundhead; and she calls me 'Sir.' I can not, therefore,
look like Jacob's grandson, and must be careful." Edward then set to
with a good appetite at the viands which had been placed before him,
and had just finished a hearty meal when Patience Heatherstone again
came in and said:

"Oswald Partridge is now coming home."

"I thank you, maiden," replied Edward. "May I ask a question of you?
Where is the king now?"

"I have heard that he resides at Hurst Castle," replied the girl;
"but," added she in a low tone, "all attempts to see him would be
useless and only hurt him and those who made the attempt." Having said
this, she left the room.




CHAPTER IX.


Edward, having finished his meal, and had a good pull at the jug of
ale, which was a liquor he had not tasted for a long while, rose from
the table and went out of the back door, and found there Oswald
Partridge. He accosted him, stating the reason for his coming over to
him. "I did not know that Jacob had a grandson: indeed I never knew
that he had a son. Have you been living with him long?"

"More than a year," replied Edward; "before that, I was in the
household at Arnwood."

"Then you are of the king's side, I presume?" replied Oswald.

"To death," replied Edward, "when the time comes."

"And I am also; that you may suppose, for never would I give a hound to
any one that was not. But we had better go to the kennels. Dogs may
hear, but they can't repeat."

"I little thought to have met any one but you here when I came," said
Edward; "and I will now tell you all that passed between me and the new
intendant." Edward then related the conversation.

"You have been bold," said Oswald; "but perhaps it is all the better. I
am to retain my situation, and so are two others; but there are many
new hands coming in as rangers. I know nothing of them, but that they
are little fitted for their places, and rail against the king all day
long, which, I suppose, is their chief merit in the eyes of those who
appoint them. However, one thing is certain, that if those fellows can
not stalk a deer themselves, they will do all they can to prevent
others; so you must be on the alert, for the punishment is severe."

"I fear them not; the only difficulty is, that we shall not be able to
find a sale for the venison now," replied Edward.

"Oh never fear that; I will give you the names of those who will take
all your venison off your hands without any risk on your part, except
in the killing of it. They will meet you in the park, lay down ready
money, and take it away. I don't know, but I have an idea, that this
new intendant, or what you may call him, is not so severe as he
pretends to be. Indeed, his permitting you to say what he did, and his
own words relative to the colonel, convince me that I am right in the
opinion that I formed."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Not much about him, but he is a great friend of General Cromwell, and
they say has done good service to the Parliamentary cause; but we shall
meet again, for the forest is free at all events."

"If you come here," continued Oswald, "do not carry your gun--and see
that you are not watched home. There are the dogs for your grandfather.
Why, how old must you be, for Jacob is not more than sixty or
thereabout?"

"I am fifteen, past, nevertheless."

"I should have put you down for eighteen or nineteen at least. You are
well grown indeed for that age. Well, nothing like a forest life to
turn a boy into a man! Can you stalk a deer?"

"I seldom go out without bringing one down."

"Indeed! That Jacob is a master of his craft, is certain; but you are
young to have learned it so soon. Can you tell the slot of a brocket
from a stag?"

"Yes, and the slot of a brocket from a doe."

"Better still. We must go out together; and besides, I must know where
the old man's cottage is (for I do not exactly), in the first place,
because I may want to come to you, and in the next, that I may put
others on a false scent. Do you know the clump of large oaks which they
call the Clump Royal?"

"Yes, I do."

"Will you meet me there the day after to-morrow, at early dawn?"

"If I live and do well."

"That's enough. Take the dogs in the leashes, and go away now."

"Many thanks; but I must not leave the pony, he is in the stable."

The keeper nodded adieu to Edward, who left him to go to the stable for
the pony. Edward saddled White Billy, and rode away across the forest
with the dogs trotting at the pony's heels.

Edward had much to reflect upon as he rode back to the cottage. He felt
that his position was one of more difficulty than before. That old
Jacob Armitage would not last much longer, he was convinced; even now
the poor old man was shrunk away to a skeleton with pain and disease.
That the livelihood to be procured from the forest would be attended
with peril, now that order had been restored, and the forest was no
longer neglected, was certain; and he rejoiced that Humphrey had, by
his assiduity and intelligence, made the farm so profitable as it
promised to be. Indeed he felt that, if necessary, they could live upon
the proceeds of the farm, and not run the risk of imprisonment by
stalking the deer. But he had told the intendant that he considered the
game as the king's property, and he was resolved that he would at all
events run the risk, although he would no longer permit Humphrey so to
do. "If any thing happens to me," thought Edward, "Humphrey will still
be at the cottage to take care of my sisters; and if I am obliged to
fly the country, it will suit well my feelings, as I can then offer my
services to those who still support the king." With these thoughts and
many others he amused himself until, late in the evening, he arrived at
the cottage. He found all in bed except Humphrey, who had waited for
him, and to whom he narrated all that had passed. Humphrey said little
in reply; he wished to think it over before he gave any opinion. He
told Edward that Jacob had been very ill the whole of the day, and had
requested Alice to read the Bible to him during the evening.

The next morning Edward went to Jacob, who for the last ten days had
altogether kept his bed, and gave him the detail of what had happened
at the keeper's lodge.

"You have been more bold than prudent, Edward," replied Jacob; "but I
could not expect you to have spoken otherwise. You are too proud and
too manly to tell a lie, and I am glad that it is so. As for your
upholding the king, although he is now a prisoner in their hands, they
can not blame you or punish you for that, as long as you have not
weapons in your hands; but now that they have taken the forest under
their jurisdiction, you must be careful, for they are the ruling powers
at present, and must be obeyed, or the forfeit must be paid. Still I do
not ask you to promise me this or that; I only point out to you that
your sisters will suffer by any imprudence on your part; and for their
sakes be careful. I say this, Edward, because I feel that my days are
numbered, and that in a short time I shall be called away. You will
then have all the load on your shoulders which has been latterly on
mine. I have no fear for the result if you are prudent; these few
months past, during which I have only been a burden to you, have proved
that you and Humphrey can find a living here for yourselves and your
sisters; and it is fortunate, now that the forest laws are about to be
put in force, that you have made the farm so profitable. If I might
advise, let your hunting in the forest be confined to the wild cattle;
they are not game, and the forest laws do not extend to them, and the
meat is as valuable as venison--that is to say, it does not sell so
dear, but there is more of it; but stick to the farm as much as you
can; for you see, Edward, you do not look like a low-born forester, nor
ought you to do so; and the more quiet you keep the better. As for
Oswald Partridge, you may trust him; I know him well; and he will prove
your friend for my sake, as soon as he hears that I am dead. Leave me
now--I will talk to you again in the evening. Send Alice to me, my dear
boy."

Edward was much distressed to perceive the change which had taken place
in old Jacob. He was evidently much worse; but Edward had no idea how
much worse he was. Edward assisted Humphrey in the farm, and in the
evening again went to Jacob, and then told him of the arrangement he
had made to meet Oswald Partridge on the following morning.

"Go, my boy," said Jacob; "be as intimate with him as you can, and make
a friend of him--nay, if it should be necessary, you may tell him who
you are; I did think of telling him myself, as it might be important to
you one day as evidence. I think you had better bring him here
to-morrow night, Edward; tell him I am dying, and wish to speak to him
before I go. Alice will read the Bible to me now, and I will talk with
you another time."

Early the next morning Edward set off to the appointed rendezvous with
Oswald Partridge. The Clump Royal, as it was called, from the peculiar
size and beauty of the oaks, was about seven miles from the cottage;
and at the hour and time indicated, Edward, with his gun in his hand,
and Smoker lying beside him, was leaning against one of those monarchs
of the forest. He did not wait long. Oswald Partridge, similarly
provided, made his appearance, and Edward advanced to meet him.

"Welcome, Oswald," said Edward.

"And welcome to you also, my fine lad," replied Oswald. "I have been
hard questioned about you since we parted--first by the Roundhead
Heatherstone, who plied me in all manner of ways to find out whether
you are what you assert, the grandson of Jacob--or some other person. I
really believe that he fancies you are the Duke of York--but he, could
not get any more from me than what I knew. I told him that your
grandfather's cottage was his own property, and a grant to his
forefathers; that you were brought up at Arnwood, and had joined your
grandfather after the death of the colonel, and the murderous burning
of the house and all within it by his party. But the pretty little
daughter was more curious still. She cross-questioned me in every way
when her father was not present, and at last begged me as a favor to
tell you not to take the deer, as her father was very strict in his
duty, and, if caught, you would be imprisoned."

"Many thanks to her for her caution, but I hope to take one to-day,
nevertheless," replied Edward; "a hart royal is not meat for
Roundheads, although the king's servants may feast on them."

"That's truly said. Well, now I must see your woodcraft. You shall be
the leader of the chase."

"Think you we can harbor a stag about here?"

"Yes, in this month, no doubt."

"Let us walk on," said Edward. "The wind is fresh from the eastern
quarter; we will face it, if you please--or, rather, keep it blowing on
our right cheek for the present."

"'Tis well," replied Oswald; and they walked for about half an hour.

"This is the slot of a doe," said Edward, in a low voice, pointing to
the marks; "yonder thicket is a likely harbor for the stag." They
proceeded, and Edward pointed out to Oswald the slot of the stag into
the thicket. They then walked round, and found no marks of the animal
having left his lair.

"He is here," whispered Edward; and Oswald made a sign for Edward to
enter the thicket, while he walked to the other side. Edward entered
the thicket cautiously. In the center he perceived, through the trees,
a small cleared spot, covered with high fern, and felt certain that the
stag was lying there. He forced his way on his knees till he had a
better view of the place, and then cocked his gun. The noise induced
the stag to move his antlers, and discover his lair. Edward could just
perceive the eye of the animal through the heath; he waited till the
beast settled again, took steady aim, and fired. At the report of the
gun another stag sprung up and burst away. Oswald fired and wounded it,
but the animal made off, followed by the dogs. Edward, who hardly knew
whether he had missed or not, but felt almost certain that he had not,
hastened out of the thicket to join in the chase; and, as he passed
through the fern patch, perceived that his quarry lay dead. He then
followed the chase, and, being very fleet of foot, soon came up with
Oswald, and passed him without speaking. The stag made for a swampy
ground, and finally took to the water beyond it, and stood at bay.
Edward then waited for Oswald, who came up with him.

"He has soiled," said Edward, "and now you may go in and kill him."

Oswald, eager in the chase, hastened up to where the dogs and stag were
in the water, and put a bullet through the animal's head.

Edward went to him, assisted him to drag the stag out of the water, and
then Oswald cut its throat, and proceeded to perform the usual offices.

"How did you happen to miss him?" said Oswald; "for these are my shots."

"Because I never fired at him," said Edward; "my quarry lies dead in
the fern--and a fine fellow he is."

"This is a warrantable stag," said Oswald.

"Yes, but mine is a hart royal, as you will see when we go back."

As soon as Oswald had done his work, he hung the quarters of the animal
on an oak-tree, and went back with Edward.

"Where did you hit him, Edward?" said Oswald, as they walked along.

"I could only see his eye through the fern, and I must have hit him
thereabouts."

On their arrival at the spot, Oswald found that Edward had put the ball
right into the eye of the stag.

"Well," said he, "you made me suppose that you knew something of our
craft, but I did not believe that you were so apt as you thought
yourself to be. I now confess that you are a master, as far as I can
see, in all branches of the craft. This is indeed a hart royal.
Twenty-five antlers, as I live! Come, out with your knife, and let us
finish; for if we are to go to the cottage, we have no time to lose. It
will be dark in half an hour." They hung all the quarters of the stag
as before, and then set off for Jacob's cottage, Edward proposing that
Oswald should take the cart and pony to carry the meat home next
morning, and that he would accompany him to bring it back.

"That will do capitally," said Oswald; "and here we are, if I recollect
right, and I hope there is something to eat."

"No fear of that--Alice will be prepared for us," replied Edward.

Their dinner was ready for them, and Oswald praised the cooking. He was
much surprised to see that Jacob had four grandchildren. After dinner,
he went into Jacob's room, and remained with him more than an hour.
During this conference, Jacob confided to Oswald that the four children
were the sons and daughters of Colonel Beverley, supposed to have been
burned in the firing of Arnwood. Oswald came out, much surprised as
well as pleased with the information, and with the confidence reposed
in him. He saluted Edward and Humphrey respectfully, and said, "I was
not aware with whom I was in company, sir, as you may well imagine; but
the knowledge of it has made my heart glad."

"Nay, Oswald," replied Edward, "remember that I am still Edward
Armitage, and that we are the grandchildren of old Jacob."

"Certainly, sir, I will, for your own sake, not forget that such is to
be supposed to be the case. I assure you, I think it very fortunate
that Jacob has confided the secret to me, as it may be in my power to
be useful. I little thought that I should ever have had my dinner
cooked by the daughter of Colonel Beverley."

They then entered into a long conversation, during which Oswald
expressed his opinion that the old man was sinking fast, and would not
last more than three or four days. Oswald had a bed made up for him on
the floor of the room where Edward and Humphrey slept; and the next
morning they set off, at an early hour, with the pony and cart, loaded
it with venison, and took it across the forest to the keeper's lodge.
It was so late when they arrived, that Edward consented to pass the
night there, and return home on the following morning. Oswald went into
the sitting-room to speak with the intendant of the forest, leaving
Edward in the kitchen with Phoebe, the maid-servant. He told the
intendant that he had brought home some fine venison, and wished his
orders about it. He also stated that he had been assisted by Edward
Armitage, who had brought the venison home for him in his cart, and who
was now in the kitchen, as he would be obliged to pass the night there;
and, on being questioned, he was lavish in his praises of Edward's
skill and knowledge of woodcraft, which he declared to be superior to
his own.

"It proves that the young man has had much practice, at all events,"
replied Mr. Heatherstone, smiling. "He has been living at the king's
expense, but he must not follow it up at the cost of the Parliament. It
would be well to take this young man as a ranger if we could; for
although he is opposed to us, yet, if he once took our service, he
would be faithful, I am sure. You can propose it to him, Oswald. The
hunches of that hart royal must be sent up to General Cromwell
to-morrow: the remainder we will give directions for, as soon as I have
made up my mind how to dispose of it."

Oswald left the room, and came back to Edward. "General Cromwell is to
have the hunches of your stag," said he to Edward, smiling: "and the
intendant proposes that you should take service as one of the rangers."

"I thank you," replied Edward, "but I've no fancy to find venison for
General Cromwell and his Roundheads; and so, you may tell the
intendant, with many thanks for his good-will toward me, nevertheless."

"I thought as much, but the man meant kindly, that I really think. Now,
Phoebe, what can you give us to eat, for we are hungry?"

"You shall be served directly," replied Phoebe. "I have some steaks on
the fire."

"And you must find a bed for my young friend here."

"I have none in the house, but there is plenty of good straw over the
stables."

"That will do," replied Edward; "I'm not particular."

"I suppose not. Why should you be?" replied Phoebe, who was rather old
and rather cross. "If you mount the ladder that you will see against
the wall, you will find a good bed when you are at the top of it."

Oswald was about to remonstrate, but Edward held up his finger and no
more was said.

As soon as they had finished their supper, Phoebe proposed that they
should go to bed. It was late, and she would sit up no longer. Edward
rose and went out, followed by Oswald, who had given up the keeper's
house to the intendant and his daughter, and slept in the cottage of
one of the rangers, about a quarter of a mile off. After some
conversation, they shook hands and parted, as Edward intended returning
very early the next morning, being anxious about old Jacob.

Edward went up the ladder into the loft. There was no door to shut out
the wind, which blew piercingly cold and after a time he found himself
so chilled that he could not sleep. He rose to see if he could not find
some protection from the wind by getting more into a corner; for
although Phoebe had told him that there was plenty of straw, it proved
that there was very little indeed in the loft, barely enough to lie
down upon. Edward, after a time, descended the ladder to walk in the
yard, that by exercise he might recover the use of his limbs. At last,
turning to and fro, he cast his eyes up to the window of the bedroom
above the kitchen, where he perceived a light was still burning. He
thought it was Phoebe, the maid, going to bed; and with no very
gracious feelings toward her for having deprived him of his own night's
rest, he was wishing that she might have the toothache or something
else to keep her awake, when suddenly through the white window curtain
he perceived a broad light in the room--it increased every moment--and
he saw the figure of a female rush past it, and attempt to open the
window--the drawing of the curtains showed him that the room was on
fire. A moment's thought, and he ran for the ladder by which he had
ascended to the loft, and placed it against the window. The flames were
less bright, and he could not see the female who had been at the window
when lie went for the ladder. He ascended quickly, and burst open the
casement--the smoke poured out in such volumes that it neatly
suffocated him, but he went in; and as soon as he was inside, he
stumbled against the body of the person who had attempted to open the
window, but who had fallen down senseless. As he raised the body, the
fire, which had been smothered from want of air when all the windows
and doors were closed, now burst out, and he was scorched before he
could get on the ladder again, with the body in his arms; but he
succeeded in getting it down safe. Perceiving that the clothes were on
fire, he held them till they were extinguished, and then for the first
time discovered that he had brought down the daughter of the intendant
of the forest. There was no time to be lost, so Edward carried her into
the stable and left her there, still insensible, upon the straw, in a
spare stall, while he hastened to alarm the house. The watering-butt
for the horses was outside the stable; Edward caught up the pail,
filled it, and hastening up the ladder, threw it into the room, and
then descended for more.

By this time Edward's continual calls of "Fire! fire!" had aroused the
people of the house, and also of the cottages adjacent. Mr.
Heatherstone came out half dressed, and with horror on his countenance.
Phoebe followed screaming, and the other people now hastened from the
cottages.

"Save her! my daughter is in the room!" exclaimed Mr. Heatherstone.
"Oh, save her, or let me do so!" cried the poor man, in agony; but the
fire burst out of the window in such force, that any attempt would have
been in vain.

"Oswald," cried Edward to him, "let the people pass the water up to me
as fast as possible. They can do no good looking on."

Oswald set the men to work, and Edward was now supplied with water so
fast that the fire began to diminish. The window was now approachable,
and a few more buckets enabled him to put one foot into the room, and
then every moment the flames and smoke decreased.

Meanwhile it would be impossible to describe the agony of the
intendant, who would have rushed up the ladder into the flames, had he
not been held by some of the men. "My daughter! my
child!--burned--burned to death!" exclaimed he, clasping his hands.

At that moment a voice in the crowd called out, "There were four burned
at Arnwood!"

"God of Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Heatherstone, falling down in a swoon,
in which state he was carried to a neighboring cottage.

Meanwhile the supply of water enabled Edward to put out the fire
altogether: the furniture of the room was burned, but the fire had
extended no farther; and when Edward was satisfied that there was no
more danger, he descended the ladder, and left it to others to see that
all was safe. He then called Oswald to him, and desired that he would
accompany him to the stable.

"Oh, sir," replied Oswald, "this is dreadful! and such a sweet young
lady too."

"She is safe and well," replied Edward, "I think so, at least. I
brought her down the ladder, and put her in the stable before I
attempted to put out the fire. See, there she is; she has not recovered
yet from her swoon. Bring some water. She breathes! thank God! There,
that will do, Oswald, she is recovering. Now let us cover her up in
your cloak, and carry her to your cottage. We will recover her there."

Oswald folded up the still unconscious girl in his cloak, and earned
her away in his arms, followed by Edward.

As soon as they arrived at the cottage, the inmates of which were all
busy at the keeper's lodge, they put her on a bed, and very soon
restored her to consciousness.

"Where is my father?" cried Patience, as soon as she was sufficiently
recovered.

"He is safe and well, miss," replied Oswald.

"Is the house burned down?"

"No. The fire is all out again."

"Who saved me? tell me."

"Young Armitage, miss."

"Who is he? oh, I recollect now; but I must go to my father. Where is
he?"

"In the other cottage, miss."

Patience attempted to stand, but found that she was too much exhausted,
and she fell back again on the bed. "I can't stand," said she. "Bring
my father to me."

"I will, miss," replied Oswald. "Will you stay here, Edward?"

"Yes," replied Edward. He went out of the cottage door, and remained
there while Oswald went to Mr. Heatherstone.

Oswald found him sensible, but in deep distress, as may be imagined.
"The fire is all out, sir," said Oswald.

"I care not for that. My poor, poor child!"

"Your child is safe, sir," replied Oswald.

"Safe, did you say?" cried Mr. Heatherstone, starting up. "Safe!
where'?"

"In my cottage. She has sent me for you."

Mr. Heatherstone rushed out, passed by Edward, who was standing at the
door of the other cottage, and was in his daughter's arms. Oswald came
out to Edward, who then detailed to him the way in which he had saved
the girl.

"Had it not been for the ill-nature of that woman Phoebe, in sending me
to sleep where there was no straw, they would all have been burned,"
observed Edward.

"She gave you an opportunity of rewarding good for evil," observed
Oswald.

"Yes, but I am burned very much in my arm," said Edward. "Have you any
thing that will be good for it?"

"Yes, I think I have: wait a moment."

Oswald went into the cottage and returned with some salve, with which
he dressed Edward's arm, which proved to be very severely burned.

"How grateful the intendant ought to be--and will be, I have no doubt!"
observed Oswald.

"And for that very reason I shall saddle my pony and ride home as fast
as I can; and, do you hear, Oswald, do not show him where I live."

"I hardly know how I can refuse him, if he requires it."

"But you must not. He will be offering me a situation in the forest, by
way of showing his gratitude, and I will accept of none. I have no
objection to save his daughter, as I would save the daughter of my
worst enemy, or my worst enemy himself, from such a dreadful death; but
I do not want their thanks or offers of service. I will accept nothing
from a Roundhead; and as for the venison in the forest, it belongs to
the king, and I shall help myself whenever I think proper. Good-by,
Oswald, you will call and see us when you have time?"

"I will be with you before the week is out, depend upon it," replied
Oswald.

Edward then asked Oswald to saddle his pony for him, as his arm
prevented him from doing it himself, and, as soon as it was done, he
rode away from the cottage.

Edward rode fast, for he was anxious to get home and ascertain the
state of poor old Jacob; and, moreover, his burned arm was very
painful. He was met by Humphrey about a mile from the cottage, who told
him that he did not think that the old man could last many hours, and
that he was very anxious to see him. As the pony was quite tired with
the fast pace that Edward had ridden, Edward pulled up to a walk, and
as they went along acquainted Humphrey with what had passed.

"Is your arm very painful?"

"Yes, it is, indeed," replied Edward; "but it can't be helped."

"No, of course not, but it may be made more easy. I know what will do
it some good; for I recollect, when Benjamin burned his hand at
Arnwood, what they applied to it, and it gave him great relief."

"Yes, very likely; but I am not aware that we have any drugs or
medicine in the cottage. But here we are: will you take Billy to the
stable, while I go on to old Jacob?

"Thank God that you are come, Edward," said the old forester, "for I
was anxious to see you before I die; and something tells me that I have
but a short time to remain here."

"Why should you say so! Do you feel very ill?"

"No, not ill; but I feel that I am sinking fast. Recollect that I am an
old man, Edward."

"Not so very old, Jacob; Oswald said that you were not more than sixty
years old."

"Oswald knows nothing about it. I am past seventy-six, Edward; and you
know, Edward, the Bible says that the days of man are threescore years
and ten; so that I am beyond the mark. And now, Edward, I have but few
words to say. Be careful--if not for your own sake, at least for your
little sisters'. You are young, but you are strong and powerful above
your years, and can better protect them than I could. I see darker days
yet coming--but it is His will, and who shall doubt that that is right?
I pray you not to make your birth and lineage known as yet--it can do
no good, and it may do harm--and if you can be persuaded to live in the
cottage, and to live on the farm, which will now support you all, it
will be better. Do not get into trouble about the venison, which they
now claim as their own. You will find some money in the bag in my
chest, sufficient to buy all you want for a long while--but take care
of it; for there is no saying but you may require it. And now, Edward,
call your brother and sisters to me, that I may bid them farewell. I
am, as we all are, sinful, but I trust in the mercy of God through
Jesus Christ. Edward, I have done my duty toward you, as well as I have
been able; but promise me one thing--that you will read the Bible and
prayers every morning and evening, as I have always done, after I am
gone; promise me that, Edward."

"I promise you that it shall be done, Jacob," replied Edward, "and I
will not forget your other advice."

"God bless you, Edward. Now call the children."

Edward summoned his sisters and Humphrey.

"Humphrey, my good boy," said Jacob, "recollect, that in the midst of
life we are in death; and that there is no security for young or old.
You or your brother may be cut off in your youth; one may be taken, and
the other left. Recollect, your sisters depend upon you, and do not
therefore be rash: I fear that you will run too much risk after the
wild cattle, for you are always scheming after taking them. Be careful,
Humphrey, for you can ill be spared. Hold to the farm as it now is: it
will support you all. My dear Alice and Edith, I am dying; very soon I
shall be laid by your brothers in my grave. Be good children, and look
up to your brothers for every thing. And now kiss me, Alice; you have
been a great comfort to me, for you have read the Bible to me when I
could no longer read myself. May your death-bed be as well attended as
mine has been, and may you live happily, and die the death of a
Christian! Good-by, and may God bless you. Bless you, Edith; may you
grow up as good and as innocent as you are now. Farewell,
Humphrey--farewell, Edward--my eyes are dim--pray for me, children. O
God of mercy, pardon my many sins, and receive my soul, through Jesus
Christ. Amen, Amen."

These were the last words spoken by the old forester. The children, who
were kneeling by the side of the bed, praying as he had requested, when
they rose up, found that he was dead. They all wept bitterly, for they
dearly loved the good old man. Alice remained sobbing in Edward's arms,
and Edith in Humphrey's, and it was long before the brothers could
console them. Humphrey at last said to Alice, "You hurt poor Edward's
arm--you don't know how painful it is! Come, dears, let us go into the
other room, and get something to take the pain away."

These requests diverted the attention, at the same time that it roused
fresh sympathy in the little girls--they all went into the
sitting-room. Humphrey gave his sisters some potatoes to scrape upon a
piece of linen, while he took off Edward's coat, and turned up his
shirt sleeves. The scraped potatoes were then laid on the burn, and
Edward said they gave him great relief. Some more were then scraped by
the little girls, who could not, however, repress their occasional
sobs. Humphrey then told them that Edward had had nothing to eat, and
that they must get him some supper. This again occupied them for some
time; and when the supper was ready, they all sat down to it. They went
to bed early, but not before Edward had read a chapter out of the
Bible, and the prayers, as old Jacob had always done; and this again
caused their tears to flow afresh.

"Come, Alice, dear, you and Edith must go to bed," said Humphrey.

The little girls threw themselves into their brothers' arms; and having
wept for some time, Alice raised herself, and taking Edith by the hand,
led her away to her bedroom.




CHAPTER X.


"Humphrey," said Edward, "the sooner all this is over the better. As
long as poor Jacob's body remains in the cottage there will be nothing
but distress with the poor girls."

"I agree with you," replied Humphrey; "where shall we bury him?"

"Under the great oak-tree, at the back of the cottage," replied Edward.
"One day the old man said to me, that he should like to be buried under
one of the oaks of the forest."

"Well then, I will go and dig his grave to-night," replied Humphrey;
"the moon is bright, and I shall have it finished before morning."

"I am sorry that I can not help you, Humphrey."

"I am sorry that you are hurt; but I want no help, Edward. If you will
lie down a little, perhaps you will be able to sleep. Let us change the
potato poultice before you go on."

Humphrey put the fresh dressing on Edward's arm; and Edward, who was
very much exhausted, lay down in his clothes on the bed. Humphrey went
out, and having found his tools, set to his task--he worked hard, and,
before morning, had finished. He then went in, and took his place on
the bed, by the side of Edward, who was in a sound sleep. At daylight
Humphrey rose, and waked Edward. "All is ready, Edward; but I fear you
must help me to put poor Jacob in the cart: do you think you can?"

"Oh, yes; my arm is much easier, and I feel very different from what I
did last night. If you will go and get the cart, I will see what I can
do in the mean time."

When Humphrey returned, he found Edward had selected a sheet to wind
the body in, but could not do more till Humphrey came to help him. They
then wrapped it round the body, and carried it out of the cottage, and
put it into the cart.

"Now, Edward, shall we call our sisters?"

"No, not yet; let us have the body laid in the grave first, and then we
will call them."

They dragged the body on the cart to the grave, and laid it in it, and
then returned back and put the pony in the stable again.

"Are there not prayers proper for reading over the dead?" said Humphrey.

"I believe that there are, but they are not in the Bible, so we must
read some portion of the Bible," said Edward.

"Yes, I think there is one of the Psalms which it would be right to
read, Edward," said Humphrey, turning over the leaves; "here it is, the
ninetieth, in which you recollect it says, 'that the days of man are
threescore years and ten.'"

"Yes," replied Edward, "and we will read this one also, the 146th."

"Are our sisters risen, do you think?"

"I am sure that they are," replied Humphrey, "and I will go to them."

Humphrey went to the door, and said, "Alice--Alice and Edith--come out
immediately." They were both ready dressed.

Edward took the Bible under his arm, and Alice by the hand. Humphrey
led Edith until they arrived at the grave, when the two little girls
saw the covered body of Jacob lying in it.

"Kneel down," said Edward, opening the Bible. And they all knelt down
by the grave. Edward read the two Psalms, and then closed the book. The
little girls took one last look at the body, and then turned away
weeping to the cottage. Edward and Humphrey filled up the grave, and
then followed their sisters home.

"I'm glad it's over," said Humphrey, wiping his eyes. "Poor old Jacob!
I'll put a paling round his grave."

"Come in, Humphrey," said Edward.

Edward sat down upon old Jacob's chair, and took Alice and Edith to
him. Putting his arm round each, he said--

"Alice and Edith, my dear little sisters, we have lost a good friend,
and one to whose memory we can not be too grateful. He saved us from
perishing in the flames which burned down our father's house, and has
protected us here ever since. He is gone, for it has pleased God to
summon him to him, and we must bow to the will of Heaven; and here we
are, brother and sisters, orphans, and with no one to look to for
protection but Heaven. Here we are away from the rest of the world,
living for one another. What, then, must we do? We must love one
another dearly, and help one another. I will do my part, if my life is
spared, and so will Humphrey, and so will you my dear sisters. I can
answer for all. Now it is no use to lament--we must all work, and work
cheerfully; and we will pray every morning and every night that God
will bless our endeavors and enable us to provide for ourselves, and
live here in peace and safety. Kiss me, dear Alice and Edith, and kiss
Humphrey, and kiss one another. Let these kisses be the seals to our
bond; and let us put our trust in Him who only is a father to the widow
and the orphan. And now let us pray."

Edward and the children repeated the Lord's Prayer, and then rose up.
They went to their respective employments, and the labor of the day
soon made them composed, although then, for many days afterward, it was
but occasionally that a smile was seen upon their lips.

Thus passed a week, by which time Edward's arm was so far well that it
gave him no pain, and he was able to assist Humphrey in the work on the
farm. The snow had disappeared, and the spring, although it had been
checked for a time, now made rapid advances. Constant occupation, and
the return of fine weather, both had the effect of returning the
serenity of their minds; and while Humphrey was preparing the paling to
fix round the grave of old Jacob, Alice and Edith collected the wild
violets which now peeped forth on sheltered spots, and planted the
roots over the grave. Edward also procured all the early flowers he
could collect, and assisted his sisters in their task; and thus, in
planting it, and putting up the paling, the grave of the old man became
the constant work-ground; and when their labor was done, they would
still remain there and talk over his worth. The Sunday following the
burial, the weather being fine and warm, Edward proposed that they
should read the usual service, which had been selected by old Jacob, at
the grave, and not in the cottage, as formerly; and this they continued
afterward to do, whenever the weather would permit: thus did old
Jacob's resting-place become their church, and overpower them with
those feelings of love and devotion which gave efficacy to prayer. As
soon as the paling was finished, Humphrey put up a board against the
oak-tree, with the simple words carved on it, "Jacob Armitage."

Edward had, every day, expected that Oswald Partridge would have called
upon him, as he had promised to do, before the week was out; but Oswald
had not made his appearance, much to Edward's surprise. A month passed
away; Edward's arm was now quite well, and still Oswald came not. One
morning, Humphrey and Edward were conversing upon many points--the
principal of which was upon Edward going to Lymington, for they were
now in want of flour and meal, when Edward thought of what old Jacob
had told him relative to the money that he would find in his chest. He
went into Jacob's room and opened the chest, at the bottom of which,
under the clothes, he found a leather bag, which he brought out to
Humphrey; on opening it, they were much surprised to find in it more
than sixty gold pieces, besides a great deal of silver coin.

"Surely this is a great sum of money," observed Humphrey. "I don't know
what is the price of things; but it appears to me, that it ought to
last us a long while."

"I think so too," replied Edward. "I wish Oswald Partridge would come,
for I want to ask him many questions. I don't know the price of flour,
or anything else we have to purchase, nor do I know what I ought to be
paid for venison. I don't like to go to Lymington till I see him for
that reason. If he does not come soon, I shall ride over and see what
is the matter."

Edward then replaced the money in the chest, and he and Humphrey then
went out to the farmyard to go on with their work.

It was not until six weeks after the death of old Jacob that Oswald
Partridge made his appearance.

"How is the old man, sir?" was his first question.

"He was buried a few days after you left," replied Edward.

"I expected as much," said the forester. "Peace be with him--he was a
good man. And how is your arm?"

"Nearly well," replied Edward. "Now sit down, Oswald, for I have a
great deal to say to you; and first, let me ask you what has detained
you from coming here according to your promise?"

"Simply, and in few words--murder."

"Murder!" exclaimed Edward.

"Yes, deliberate murder, sir; in short, they have beheaded King
Charles, our sovereign."

"Have they dared to do it?"

"They have," replied Oswald. "We in the forest know little that is
going on; but when I saw you last, I heard that he was then in London,
and was to be tried."

"Tried!" exclaimed Edward. "How could they try a king? by the laws of
our country, a man must be tried by his equals; and where were his
equals?"

"Majesty becomes naught, I suppose," replied Oswald; "but still it is
as I say. Two days after you left, the intendant hastened up to London,
and, from what I have understood, he was strongly opposed to the deed,
and did all he could to prevent it; but it was of no use. When he left,
he gave me strict injunctions not to go away from the cottage for an
hour, as his daughter was left alone; and as I promised, I could not
come to you; but, nevertheless, Patience received letters from him, and
told me what I tell you."

"You have not dined, Oswald?" said Edward.

"No, that I have not."

"Alice, dear, get some dinner, will you? And Oswald, while you dine,
excuse me if I leave you for a while. Your intelligence has so
astounded me that I can listen to nothing else till I have had a little
while to commune with myself and subdue my feelings."

Edward was indeed in a state of mind which required calming down. He
quitted the cottage and walked out for some distance into the forest,
in deep thought.

"Murdered at last!" exclaimed he. "Yes, well may it be called murder,
and no one to save him--not a blow struck in his defense--not an arm
raised. How much gallant blood has been shed in vain! Spirit of my
fathers, didst thou leave none of thy mettle and thy honour behind
thee; or has all England become craven? Well, the time will come, and
if I can no longer hope to fight for my king, at all events I can fight
against those who have murdered him."

Such were Edward's thoughts as he wandered through the forest, and more
than an hour elapsed before his impetuous blood could return to its
usual flow; at last, his mind having partially resumed its wonted
calmness, he returned to the cottage and listened to the details which
Oswald now gave to him of what he had heard.

When Oswald had finished, Edward asked him whether the intendant had
returned.

"Yes, or I should not have been here," replied Oswald. "He came back
yesterday, looking most disconsolate and grave, and I hear that he
returns to London in a few days. Indeed, he told me so himself, for I
requested permission to come over to see your grandfather. He said that
I might go, but must return soon, as he must go back to London. I
believe, from what Miss Patience told me, and what I have seen myself,
that he is sincerely amazed and vexed at what has taken place; and so,
indeed, are many more, who, although opposed to the king's method of
government, never had an idea that things should have turned out as
they have done. I have a message from him to you, which is, that he
begs you will come to see him, that he may thank you for the
preservation of his child."

"I will take his thanks from you, Oswald: that will do as well as if he
gave them me in person."

"Yes, perhaps so; but I have another message from another party, which
is--the young lady herself. She desires me to tell you that she will
never be happy till she has seen you, and thanked you for your courage
and kindness; and that you have no right to put her under such an
obligation, and not give her an opportunity of expressing what she
feels. Now, Mr. Edward, I am certain that she is earnest in what she
says, and she made me promise that I would persuade you to come. I
could not refuse her, for she is a dear little creature; as her father
will go to London in a few days, you may ride over and see her without
any fear of being affronted by any offers which he may make to you."

"Well," replied Edward, "I have no great objection to see her again,
for she was very kind to me; and as you say that the intendant will not
be there, I perhaps may come. But now I must talk to you about other
matters."

Edward then put many questions to Oswald relative to the value of
various articles, and to the best method of disposing of his venison.

Oswald answered all his questions, and Edward took down notes and
directions on paper.

Oswald remained with them for two days, and then bade them farewell,
exacting a promise from Edward that he would come to the ranger's
cottage as soon as he could. "Should the intendant come back before he
is expected I will come over and let you know; but I think, from what I
heard him say he expected to be at least a month in London."

Edward promised that Oswald should see him in less than ten days, and
Oswald set out on his journey.

"Humphrey," said Edward, as soon as Oswald was gone, "I have made up my
mind to go to Lymington to-morrow We must have some flour, and many
other articles, which Alice says she can no longer do without."

"Why should we not both go, Edward?" replied Humphrey.

"No, not this time," replied Edward. "I have to find out many things
and many people, and I had rather go by myself; besides, I can not
allow my sisters to be left alone. I do not consider there is any
danger, I admit; but should any thing happen to them, I should never
forgive myself. Still, it is necessary that you should go to Lymington
with me some time or another, that you may know where to purchase and
sell, if required. What I propose is, that I will ask Oswald to come
and stay here a couple of days. We will then leave him in charge of our
sisters, and go to Lymington together."

"You are right, Edward, that will be the best plan."

As Humphrey made this remark, Oswald re-entered the cottage.

"I will tell you why I have returned, Mr. Edward," said Oswald. "It is
of no consequence whether I return now or to-morrow. It is now early,
and as you intend going to Lymington, it occurred to me that I had
better go with you. I can then show you all you want, which will be
much better than going by yourself."

"Thank you, Oswald, I am much obliged to you," said Edward.

"Humphrey, we will get the cart out immediately, or we shall be late.
Will you get it, Humphrey, for I must go for some money, and speak to
Alice."

Humphrey went immediately to put the pony in the cart, when Edward said,

"Oswald, you must not call me Mr. Edward, even when we are alone: if
you do you will be calling me so before other people, and, therefore,
recollect in future, it must be plain Edward."

"Since you wish it, certainly," replied Oswald; "indeed it would be
better, for a slip of the tongue before other people might create
suspicion."

The pony and cart were soon at the door, and Edward having received
further instructions from Alice, set off for Lymington, accompanied by
Oswald.




CHAPTER XI.


"Would you have found your way to Lymington?" said Oswald, as the pony
trotted along.

"Yes; I think so," replied Edward; "but I must have first gone to
Arnwood. Indeed, had I been alone I should have done so; but we have
made a much shorter cut."

"I did not think that you would have liked to have seen the ruins of
Arnwood," replied Oswald.

"Not a day passes without my thinking of them," replied Edward. "I
should like to see them. I should like to see if any one has taken
possession of the property, for they say it is confiscated."

"I heard that it was to be, but not that it was yet," said Oswald; "but
we shall know more when we get to Lymington. I have not seen it for
more than a year. I hardly think that any one will recognize you."

"I should think not; but I care little if they do. Indeed, who is thee
to know me?"

"Well, my introduction of you will save some surmises, probably; and I
shall not take you among those who may be inclined to ask questions.
See, there is the steeple; we have not more than a quarter of an hour's
drive."

As soon as they arrived at Lymington, Oswald directed the way to a
small hostelry to which the keepers and verderers usually resorted. In
fact, the landlord was the party who took all the venison off their
hands, and disposed of it. They drove into the yard, and, giving the
pony and cart in charge of the hostler, went into the inn, where they
found the landlord, and one or two other people, who were drinking.

"Well, Master Andrew, how fare you?" said Oswald.

"Let me see," said the corpulent landlord, throwing back his head, and
putting out his stomach, as he peered at Oswald. "Why, Oswald
Partridge, as I am a born man. Where have you been this many a day!"

"In the forest, Master Andrew, where there are no few chops and
changes."

"Yes, you have a sort of Parliamentary keeper, I'm told; and who is
this with you?"

"The grandson of an old friend of yours, now dead, poor old Jacob
Armitage."

"Jacob dead, poor fellow! As true as flint was Jacob Armitage, as I'm a
born man! And so he is dead! Well, we all owe Heaven a death. Foresters
and landlords, as well as kings, all must die!"

"I have brought Edward Armitage over here to introduce him to you,
Master Andrew. Now that the old man is dead, you must look to him for
forest meat."

"Oh, well, well, it is scarce now. I have not had any for some time.
Old Jacob brought me the last. You are not one of the Parliamentary
foresters, then, I presume?" continued the landlord, turning to Edward.

"No," replied Edward, "I kill no venison for Roundheads."

"Right, my sapling; right and well said. The Armitages were all good
men and true, and followed the fortunes of the Beverleys;

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