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diff --git a/old/55966-8.txt b/old/55966-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ffd3b00..0000000 --- a/old/55966-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13695 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of In Taunton town : a story of the rebellion -of James Duke of Monmouth in 1685, by Evelyn Everett-Green - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: In Taunton town : a story of the rebellion of James Duke of Monmouth in 1685 - -Author: Evelyn Everett-Green - -Release Date: November 14, 2017 [EBook #55966] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN TAUNTON TOWN *** - - - - -Produced by readbueno, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - -IN TAUNTON TOWN. - - - - -HISTORICAL TALES - -BY - -E. Everett-Green. - -_In handsome crown 8vo volumes, cloth extra, gilt tops. Price 5s. each._ - - - IN TAUNTON TOWN. A Story of the Days of the Rebellion of James, Duke of - Monmouth, in 1685. - - SHUT IN. A Tale of the Wonderful Siege of Antwerp in the Year 1585. - - THE LOST TREASURE OF TREVLYN. A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot. - - IN THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. A Tale of the Times of the Black Prince. - - LOYAL HEARTS AND TRUE. A Story of the Days of Queen Elizabeth. - - The Church and the King. A Tale of England in the Days of Henry VIII. - - -_In post 8vo volumes, cloth extra. Price 2s. 6d. each._ - - EVIL MAY-DAY. A Story of 1517. - - IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES. - - THE LORD OF DYNEVOR. A Tale of the Times of Edward the First. - - THE SECRET CHAMBER AT CHAD. - -_Published by_ - -T. NELSON AND SONS, London, Edinburgh, and New York - - - - - IN TAUNTON - TOWN - -[Illustration: _JAMES, DUKE OF MONMOUTH._] - - T. NELSON & SONS - - _LONDON, EDINBURGH & NEW YORK_ - - - - - _In Taunton Town_ - - _A Story of the - Rebellion of James Duke of Monmouth - in 1685_ - - _By_ - - _E. EVERETT-GREEN_ - - _Author of_ "_In the Days of Chivalry_," "_The Church and the King_," - "_The Lord of Dynevor_," "_Shut In_" - _&c. &c._ - - [Illustration] - - _T. NELSON AND SONS_ - - _London, Edinburgh, and New York_ - - _1896_ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - I. THE SNOWE FAMILY, 9 - - II. MY CAREER IS SETTLED, 25 - - III. MY NEW HOME, 42 - - IV. MY NEW LIFE, 59 - - V. I GET AMONGST FINE FOLK, 79 - - VI. VISCOUNT VERE, 95 - - VII. A WINTER OF PLOTS, 112 - - VIII. "LE ROI EST MORT," 129 - - IX. THE MUTTERING OF THE STORM, 146 - - X. MY RIDE TO LYME, 163 - - XI. OUR DELIVERER, 180 - - XII. BACK TO TAUNTON, 197 - - XIII. THE REVOLT OF TAUNTON, 214 - - XIV. A GLORIOUS DAY, 230 - - XV. THE MAIDS OF TAUNTON, 250 - - XVI. "THE TAUNTON KING," 264 - - XVII. ON THE WAR-PATH, 281 - - XVIII. IN PERIL IN A STRANGE CITY, 297 - - XIX. A BAPTISM OF BLOOD, 314 - - XX. IN SUSPENSE, 331 - - XXI. BACK AT BRIDGEWATER, 348 - - XXII. FATAL SEDGEMOOR, 364 - - XXIII. TERRIBLE DAYS, 381 - - XXIV. THE PRISONER OF THE CASTLE, 398 - - XXV. JUST IN TIME, 413 - - XXVI. THE TERRIBLE JUDGE, 430 - - XXVII. THE JUDGE'S SENTENCES, 447 - - XXVIII. PEACE AFTER STORM, 463 - - XXIX. MY LORD AND MY LADY, 478 - - XXX. A CHRISTMAS SCENE, 490 - - EPILOGUE, 497 - - - - -IN TAUNTON TOWN. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -_THE SNOWE FAMILY._ - - -I certainly never thought when I was young that I should live to write -a book! Scarce do I know how it betides that I have the courage to -make so bold, now that I am well stricken in years, and that my hair -has grown grey. To be sure (if I may say so without laying myself open -to the charge of boasting, a thing abhorrent to me), I have always -been reckoned something of a scholar, notwithstanding that I was -born a farmer's son, and that my father would have been proud could -he but have set his name on paper, as men of his station begin to do -now-a-days, and think little of it. But times have changed since I -was a boy--perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse; who knows? -Anyhow, there is more of learning in the world, for sure, though -whether more of honesty let others be the judge! - -And now, how and when am I to begin my tale? - -Sitting over the fire and recalling stirring scenes of bygone days, -it seems simple enough to record in writing my memories of those times -when we good folks of the West Country thought we had found a deliverer -who would break from the neck of England the yoke of the hated Papist -tyranny which was being laid upon us (at least so we all feared and -believed) by one whose name is yet spoken in these parts with a curse. -But when one sits to a table with quill and ink-horn beside one, then -it does not appear so simple a task; and inasmuch as I have no skill in -such matters as the writing of chronicles, I must e'en go to work my -own fashion, and if that fashion be a poor one, must ask pardon of all -such as may have the patience or complaisance to read my poor story. - -Well, then, it seems that the first thing to do is to state who I am, -and how it came about that I was so mixed up with that brief period of -history which has left such indelible marks in the hearts of the people -of our fair West Country. The former is quickly and easily explained; -the latter will be unfolded as this narrative proceeds. - -My father was one Joseph Snowe, a farmer of some substance, and the -eldest of three brothers. He was a man of some importance, being the -owner of Five Gable Farm at Shorthorne; and Shorthorne--as I suppose -all men know--lies midway betwixt Taunton and Bridgewater, two notable -fair towns of our fertile and pleasant county of Somerset. - -There was an old saw spoken anent the Snowe family which said that the -men thereof who were not farmers and tillers of the soil were brewers -of malt liquor and the keepers of hostelries. Nor would it become me -to deny with too much eagerness the truth of this saying, seeing that -I myself have been master of an inn these many years, and that I have -brothers who both till the soil and sell and make malt liquor. - -But to return to my father and his two brothers. Five Gable Farm had -belonged to the Snowes as far back as we cared to ask questions. It had -passed from father to son for many generations; and since I was the -youngest of six brothers, there seemed little likelihood of its passing -to alien hands for many a day to come. - -My father's name was Joseph--as became the eldest of the house; for -Joseph was a great name in the Snowe family. Next to him came Uncle -John, of whom I shall have much to say in these pages; and last of the -three, Uncle Robert, who was a good deal younger than the other pair, -two sisters having been born in between. - -Now Uncle John was a big man, as big as father himself, with a loud -voice and a right jovial manner. I doubt not that he found this jovial -address a great source of income to him; for he kept the inn of the -Three Cups in gay Taunton Town, and travellers who paused at his door -to ask the way or quaff a cup of mead on horseback seldom rode onwards -after having had speech of mine host--unless much pressed for time--but -dismounted to taste the good cheer of the house, and more often than -not remained until the morrow beneath the friendly shelter of the -roof-tree. I was to learn all about this in good sooth, as will shortly -be made clear to all. - -Uncle Robert had followed the example of Uncle John, or had perhaps -been guided in his choice by the old adage of which I have spoken; for -he too became master of an inn in Bridgewater, by name the Cross Keys. -It was not such a flourishing or important house as the Three Cups in -Taunton, nevertheless it was a comfortable and well-liked place of -rest; and the name of Snowe went far in the district as a warranty for -good cheer and fair charges. - -Now it will readily be seen that it was a great matter of advantage to -my father to have two brothers within easy distance of the farm, both -in the inn-keeping line of business. All our spare produce was sent to -one inn or the other, bought readily at fair prices, and often bespoken -for months beforehand. We prided ourselves on the breed of our sheep, -the quality of our beef, the excellence of our smoked hams; and the -fame of all these things made us well known both in Taunton and in -Bridgewater, so that private persons from the neighbourhood would come -craving of mother to spare them of our produce, and these earnings of -hers came in the course of a year to a tidy little sum of money. - -But I must not wander on in this fashion, or I shall scarce get my -story told as I have promised. And to pave the way for the tale I am -to tell, I must needs talk for a while about myself, even though this -may savour somewhat of self-conceit and vanity. Not that I have any -cause to be vain of my outward man, as I will incontinently show, for I -have been malformed and somewhat of a hunchback all my life; and if the -word I have used is somewhat too strong, at least it is the one I most -often heard employed towards me when first I mixed with other lads in -Taunton Town. And I may not deny that I had and always have had a stoop -of the neck, and that one of my shoulders is higher than the other, -whilst my stature has always been notably less than that of any of the -men of my name and race. - -Now this would be very surprising in a family noted for its tall and -comely sons and daughters, had it not been for the lamentable fact -that in my tender infancy I was overlooked by a witch, or in some sort -bewitched, so that from that day forward I began to grow crooked, and -never attained the grace or stature which my brothers and sisters -inherited as a natural right. - -And this misfortune befell me in this wise. - -I was but a babe in arms, I think I was nigh upon a year old, and -as fine and comely a child (so at least my mother will have it) as -one need wish to see. She had been out to visit a neighbour, and was -returning across the moor as the dusk was drawing on; and as ill-luck -would have it, her way led her close to the hut where there lived a -witch, who went by the name of Mother Whale--though whether this were -truly her name, or whether witches have rightly any names at all, I -have not knowledge to say. Be that as it may, Mother Whale was so -called by all the country side; and young maids resorted to her to have -their fortunes told, whilst the village swains who dared as much would -purchase from her small bottles in which she had brewed love potions to -win them their sweethearts, or magic draughts to make them strong in -feats of courage or skill. She had worked many notable cures on cattle -and pigs, as well as on human beings, by her charms and simples, and -was held in much repute. Nevertheless men feared her not a little also, -because that she was without doubt possessed of the evil eye; and when -she chose to overlook a man or his possessions, as sure as the sun -shone in the sky some grievous harm would happen to him or to them, as -had been proved times without number--so all the folks of the place -said. - -My mother felt a great fear when she found herself nigh to this lonely -hut so near the day's end, for she had an idea that witches who were -fairly friendly and well disposed by day became full of evil purposes -at night (which may or may not be true--I pass no opinion on the -matter), and she was hurrying by in a great fright, when suddenly the -form of the old woman rose from the very ground at her feet. - -I have heard my mother tell the story many and many a time; and she -always maintains that there was nothing to conceal the old woman--not -so much as a mound or a tuft of grass--and that she must have sprung -out of the bowels of the earth, for there she suddenly was, standing -full in front of her; and my mother being already somewhat scared, fell -now into such a terrible fright that she dropped me upon a heap of -sharp-pointed stones close by (when I ask her if the old woman might -not have been concealed behind this heap of stones, she always grows -irritable, and tells me not to cavil at her words), and fled for her -very life. But inasmuch as the power of a mother's love is a notable -thing, and will run many a risk sooner than leave a helpless babe in -peril, so it befell that my mother turned back after a while, and even -dared to go boldly up to the very hut itself in search of her offspring. - -The door of the hut stood open as she approached, and by the light -of the turf fire she could see what passed within, and a sight was -revealed to her which made her heart stand still and curdled the very -blood in her veins. For the old woman had actually got me laid across -her lap, and was rubbing my back, which was sorely cut and bruised -by the stones, with some preparation of her own; and when my mother -appeared to claim her child, she looked her over with a glance which -made the poor creature shake in her shoes, and chid her severely for -dropping a tender babe and fleeing without so much as a backward glance. - -My mother declares that from that day forward she always knew that harm -would come of it; that the witch had overlooked either her or me. And -in truth from that time I grew puny and peaked, and when I began to -walk (which was not till long after a child should do so) it was easy -to see that something was wrong with me. All the place knew that I had -been bewitched, and held Mother Whale responsible, and respected and -feared her the more for it; but for my part I often wonder whether it -was not the fall upon the stones, for Mother Whale was always very good -to me, and in my lonely childhood I found in her one of my chiefest -friends. - -For my childhood was lonely. I could not work on the farm like my -brothers. I was sickly and weak until I grew to be ten or twelve years -old. My back would ache for almost nothing, and I was so little use -that I was always pushed on one side, or bidden to run indoors out of -the way. My sisters were kind to me, and would find me little light -household tasks; but the manhood in me revolted from doing "woman's -work," and I suppose that is why I became what the neighbours used to -call a scholar,--which convinced them almost more than anything else -that I had indeed been bewitched. - -I could write a long history of the joys opened out before me when -once I had mastered the mysteries of reading, and could cull from -the row of ancient books upon the shelf in the parlour the treasures -they contained. But this would be but tedious reading for others. The -Bible was in itself a perfect storehouse of information, and my mother -encouraged me to read it, thinking that it might prove an antidote to -the poison of witchcraft which she always believed was working within -me. And there were certain godly pamphlets written by persecuted -men of past days, showing forth the evils of Popery, and claiming -for men the rights which Protestants have since won for themselves: -these I was permitted and encouraged to read, and also "Fox's Book of -Martyrs," which had a gruesome fascination for me, the more so as it -was illustrated with many a horrid picture of some martyr enduring -punishment or death. I was brought up in the fervent conviction that -all Papists would like to serve us good Protestants as these martyrs -were being served in my pictures; and not unnaturally I grew up with -a pious horror of the very name of Popery, and shivered from head to -foot when I heard whispers of the Popish inclinations of the King, and -the unconcealed Popery of the Duke of York, who was like to be his -successor--unless, indeed, the Duke of Monmouth should turn out to be -the King's legitimate son, when all danger of a Papist on the throne -would cease at once. - -Without therefore pausing to speak of the other books in which I -delighted more than in all these godly writings put together--to wit, -the immortal dramas of the great bard William Shakespeare, and that -marvellous conception of Mr. John Milton's, "Paradise Lost"--I will -pursue the theme just suggested, that of the Protestant Succession, as -men began to call it, meaning the hopes and aspirations of the people -of the country, that if the King died without issue by his Queen, some -way might be found for placing the Duke of Monmouth upon the throne -instead of the dark Duke of York, whom men both feared and hated. - -Now it is needless to say much respecting the parentage of the Duke of -Monmouth, for all the world knows that he was the son of Lucy Walters, -a woman of whom little good can be written, and that the King was -always supposed to be his father, and indeed gave to him a father's -affection; so much so that men hoped he would seek to pass an Act of -Parliament excluding the Duke of York from the succession, on account -of his religion, and appointing the Duke of Monmouth to succeed him. - -This hope was the more fervent in the minds of the people because there -were many who declared that the Duke was born in lawful wedlock, and -that there was in existence a black box containing all the needful -proofs of this fact. We in the West Country believed in that black box -almost as in an article of faith, and every news-letter that came to -Taunton Town was eagerly opened and scanned in hopes of finding in it -some precious hint with regard to this matter. - -But my own interest in the handsome and dashing young Duke was of a -more personal and particular nature than could have been the case -simply from reading books and leaflets and pamphlets, or even from -hearing through our uncles on their visits the talk of the towns. - -And it came about in this wise. - -I have said before that I was but a puny and sickly child, and that -until I grew to be ten years old I had but little health. This was -indeed my melancholy condition; for in addition to my crooked spine -and lack of muscle, I suffered from time to time from that obscure and -painful malady which used to be known as "King's Evil," and which was -not to be cured by any leech or physician, but only by the touch of the -King's hand, or the hand of his lawful successor. Some indeed declared -that a seventh son could sometimes cure it by touching; but though I -was taken more than once to such, I received no good from the touch. -It was the seventh son of a seventh son in whom the power was said to -lie, and some held that it lay also in the hand of a man who had been -hanged; but my mother would never let me try that touch, and so I went -on enduring the evil until the day of which I am about to write. - -I had an aunt in the town of Ilminster, one Betsy Marwell by name, my -mother's sister, and a widow of some substance. She having heard of me -and my malady, sent one day when I was about ten years old, and bid my -mother let me pay a visit to her, for that she knew a great collector -of herbs and simples who had had wonderful success in curing all manner -of maladies that baffled the skill of the leeches; and she would keep -me in her house and doctor me with his preparations, and send me home, -she fondly hoped, in better and sounder health than I had when I came. - -I remember well even now that first visit I ever paid away from my own -home, and the excitements of dwelling in a town, and of sitting at -table in a parlour with a carpet laid down in the middle, and eating -with a fork instead of a wooden spoon as I had always done at home. I -remember the grave face and the long beard of the man who came to look -at me, and who bid me take many baths with sundry simples thrown in, -and use certain ointments of his preparation, and who said that in time -I should be sound and whole again. - -I abode with my aunt two whole months, and it was during that time that -the wonderful thing happened to me of which I am now about to write. - -I had not been long at Ilminster before the whole town was thrown into -joyful excitement by the news that the Duke of Monmouth was about -to make a progress through the county, staying in the houses of such -of the gentry as had accommodation sufficient to receive him and his -suite, and allowing himself to be seen by the people, and approached -by all who desired it. I soon heard that the house of Mr. Speke--White -Lackington by name--was to be one of the places visited. I knew Mr. -Speke by name right well--he and his son-in-law, Mr. Trenchard, being -looked upon in our county as men of great virtue, and stanch to the -Protestant cause, as in very truth they were, and suffered for it -much; and I knew by this time that White Lackington House was but the -distance of a mile or so from Ilminster, and I thought it would go hard -but that I would make shift to see the Duke when he was there, if I -were still with my aunt. - -Indeed when the time drew near there was no difficulty about this, for -all the world was agog about the Duke, and preparations were being -made to admit all those who desired to see him to the park of White -Lackington upon a certain day; whilst my aunt Betsy was as eager as any -to see the hero, and before the day arrived she drew me to her side and -spoke to me very earnestly. - -First she examined my wounds, and shook her head over them. To be -sure they were better than when I came to her, and some were fast -disappearing; but she was not satisfied with the progress I had made, -and she said to me with grave emphasis,-- - -"Dicon"--my name, I should say, was Richard, but I was never called -anything but Dicon for many a long year of my life--"Dicon, to-morrow, -if by any hap you can make shift to do so, get near to his Grace the -Duke, and pray of him to lay his hand upon you and touch you for the -King's Evil. If he be, as I hold him, the rightful son of our gracious -King, his touch will be a cure for you such as none other can help you -to. If you can only make shift yourself to touch him in the throng, -it will perchance be enough. But let not this chance slip unused. -Providence, it may be, hath sent it. Let the people but know him for -the true heir to the throne, and not all the Dukes of York ever yet -born shall keep him from his own when the right time comes!" - -Whereby it may be seen that my aunt was a woman of spirit, as indeed -she proved herself to be in days to come. - -Upon the morrow we, in common with half the good folks of Ilminster, -set forth for White Lackington to see the Duke at our ease. He had -ridden into Ilminster the previous day, to attend divine service in -the church; but although I had been well-nigh squeezed to death in the -press, I had not succeeded in obtaining so much as a sight of him. But -to-day there would be no such crowding and crushing. The wide park land -gave space for us to move at ease, and all would be able to look upon -the face of one whom they loved, perhaps with scarce sufficient cause. - -How we huzzahed and shouted, and tossed our caps into the air, when -the party from the great house moved across the sunny gardens and came -toward us! For my part, I had a most excellent view, for I climbed -into the fork of the huge chestnut tree which is one of the notable -objects of interest at White Lackington, and from my perch up there -I beheld the Duke, was able to scan his handsome features, to see the -smiles that lighted his face, and almost to hear the gracious words he -addressed to the people who crowded round him as he moved. - -Fortune favoured me that day; for as the throng about him increased, -the Duke took up his position beneath the great chestnut tree, and I -was able to command a fine view of everything that went on. - -I was greatly charmed by the gracious manner of the Duke, by his -kindness to all who approached, and by the friendly way in which he -addressed even the humblest who succeeded in reaching him. I was -wondering whether my courage would permit me to drop myself suddenly at -his feet and ask the boon my aunt had desired, when my way was paved in -a curious fashion. A woman suddenly forced her way through the crowd, -threw herself on her knees before the Duke, touched his hand, and as -suddenly disappeared in the throng, before the Duke had time to speak a -single word or ask the meaning of her approach. - -"Marry, but that is Elizabeth Parcet," said one of those who stood by; -"the poor soul suffers terribly from the King's Evil. Doubtless she has -touched your Grace with a view to cure herself of her malady." - -Now hearing those words, and marking the look upon the Duke's face, I -tarried no longer, but without pausing to think what I was doing or -what I should say, I hastily let myself down from my exalted position, -and fell on my knees before the Duke. - -"Touch me, even me also, your Grace!" I cried, clasping my hands -together. "I too am a sufferer from that dread malady, and I would fain -be made whole." - -Immediately I felt a hand laid kindly upon me, and my face and hands -were touched by long white fingers such as I had seldom seen in all my -life before. - -"There, boy," said a kindly voice which I knew to be the Duke's. "May -thy wish be given thee, and thyself healed of thy malady." - -Bowing and blushing, overcome with confusion now that the thing was -done, I made my way out of the crowd, scarce daring to utter the words -of fervent thanks which rose to my lips. - -As I went home in triumph that day, I knew within myself that I was -healed, and so I told my aunt and the kind old man who had given me his -simples and herbs, and who listened to my eager tale with a smile on -his lips. - -"Ay, lad; ay, lad," he said, nodding his head till his long beard waved -to and fro, "I doubt not that thou wilt be cured. Yet cease not for a -while to use my ointment and simples. They cannot harm thee, and may -give thee strength and health yet." - -I promised I would do so, and I kept my word, for that our father had -always bidden us do. But it was the touch of the Duke's hand that cured -me of my malady; that I never doubted at that time, since within a week -of receiving it all my wounds were healed, and at once I began to gain -such strength and power and vigour as I had not known since the day of -my accident. Herbs and simples may have a value of their own--I would -not take upon myself to deny it; but I was cured of the King's Evil by -other means than that, and went to my home rejoicing when the time came -that I had no further need for my good aunt's care or skill. - -She shed many tears at parting with me, and bid me not forget her, -and come and see her again some day. This I promised I would do when -occasion served, and I kept my word, as this tale will show. But we -little guessed how and under what circumstances the next visit would be -paid, nor how large a part the gay young Duke who had touched me for my -cure would play in my future life. - -At home I was received with wonder and joy. Of course my parents knew -nothing of my adventure at White Lackington, for we did not write -letters to absent friends, as men are beginning to do now. But when -seated at the well-spread supper-table I told them of what had befallen -me, they listened with open eyes and mouths agape, and my father, -bringing his hand heavily down upon the table, cried,-- - -"That settles the question. The black box could do no more. The Duke -of Monmouth is our rightful King. Hurrah for the Protestant Duke! Down -with the Papists and with the Popish Duke of York!" - -And we all echoed these words with acclamation. Our hearts were from -that day forward centred in the Duke. - -All this happened in the year 1680, when I was just ten years of age. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ - - -Of the next two years of my life I need say little. They passed in a -fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough. - -I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this -account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of -my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements -in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they -are like to become as time goes on. My father had a small library of -books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could -have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with -a delight past the power of expression. Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house -in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing -and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I -returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory. - -Nor was there any need for this, since my father showed no disposition -to make use of me upon the farm, having indeed the full belief that -I had been bewitched, and that I should bring him ill-luck with the -beasts if I went amongst them. - -Nor was the belief in my possession of unlawful powers lessened by -an incident which I will forthwith relate, although, truth to tell, -I cannot explain it, nor do I think it to be any proof that there is -aught amiss with me, or ever was. I believe that dumb beasts may be -governed by motives of caprice, even as human beings are, and that they -can take likes and dislikes and act upon them as stubbornly as their -masters. - -My father was a breeder and owner of forest ponies, and once in the -year they were collected from the moors, where they used to run wild -during a great part of the year. The foals were branded, the numbers -of the yearlings and two-year-olds counted, and such amongst the rest -as were old enough and strong enough for work were taken up and broken -in, and sold in the neighbourhood at the various fairs to such as were -wanting the like. - -Now it chanced that one of the ponies thus driven in and kept for -breaking, soon after my return from Ilminster, was a particularly -handsome animal. He had a coat as black as the raven's wing, and eyes -as large and soft as those of a deer; when he galloped round and round -the field in which he was placed, he seemed scarce to touch the ground, -and his pace was such that none could come anigh him save by artfulness -or coaxing. And he would not suffer so much as a halter to be put upon -him, but tossed his head and was off like a lightning flash, and cared -not whom he overthrew and maimed as he wrested himself away; so that -two of our men had been sorely hurt by him, and the rest began to say -that handsome as he was, and valuable as he would prove could we but -get the mastery over him, yet he had plainly been bewitched, and was -possessed of a devil of malice and wickedness, and to try to tame him -would be but labour thrown away. In good sooth, before long people came -so to fear him that my father had perforce to say reluctantly that he -was past breaking, and must either be sent back to the moor to run wild -all his days, or be shot to rid him of the evil fiend within. - -Now when I heard them talk thus I was grieved to the heart, for I -greatly admired the beautiful creature, and had more than once stolen -into the field when none else had been by, and had coaxed him to come -and eat out of my hand, sometimes giving him a bit of bread or a morsel -of sugar that I had reserved from mine own breakfast or midday meal, -and which he came to look for now as his right. He would rub his nose -upon my shoulder, and seemed to like the feel of my hands caressing his -ears and his neck. It seemed to me that I could even make shift to put -a halter upon him if I tried; but I had never dared to do so hitherto, -lest they should say I was spoiling him--it being always thought that I -knew nothing of the ways of beasts or how to manage them. - -Nevertheless it was allowed by all that I could ride. Not being gifted -with the strength of the others for walking, I had been suffered to -ride one of the forest ponies from the time I was little more than an -infant. I could ride barebacked across country without a qualm of -fear, and I had little doubt that if once I could make a spring and -place myself upon the back of this unruly pony, I should be able to -master him forthwith. - -Well, to make a long story short, and to avoid the appearance of -praising myself, I will only say that when all others had given him -up, I went to the refractory colt and used my methods upon him. There -was no magic in these; that I will swear if need be. But I made the -creature fond of me by gentle caresses and endearing words, and when I -was sure of his affection I was able to do what I would with him. He -scarcely resented the halter when it was put upon him; and though the -first time he felt the bit between his teeth he tossed his head and his -eyes grew red and angry, yet a few kind words and caresses reconciled -him even to this; and he made no plunge or unruly demonstration when -I gently clambered upon his back for the first time, talking all the -while and praising him for his docility. I think he looked upon it as -another form of caress, and he held his tail and head high as he set to -trot with his burden around the field, his long elastic stride seeming -to scorn the earth he trod on, and sending thrills of delight through -his rider; for methought it was like the action of one of those winged -steeds from Phoebus' chariot, of which I had read in one of my books. - -Erelong Blackbird--for so I came to call him from his colour and -his easy pace, which always made me think of flying--would carry me -whithersoever I wished, and would follow me about the farm like a dog. -I always looked to him myself within the stable, feeding him with my -own hands, and bringing him water in the pail from the clearest spring. -Indeed not one of the men cared to approach him, even though he was -presently cured of his trick of giving a sly kick to any who passed by. -But there was a look in his eye (so at least they said; I never saw it) -which bespoke the devil within; and some of the men looked askance even -at me, and would whisper, when they saw me tending and caressing my -favourite, that it was plain there was a pair of us. Even my father did -not quite like it, though he made me a present of Blackbird, and was -always rather proud of the conquest I had made. - -Certainly the possession of this light-footed steed all mine own (and -he would suffer none else to mount him even when he had grown tame -within stable walls, so that I had the exclusive use of him and all his -great strength) added not a little to my happiness and health during -the two years which followed my visit to Ilminster. With my books and -some food in a wallet at my back, I would start off with the first -freshness of the morning, and ride to one of those favourite solitary -haunts of which Blackbird and I came to have many. Then turning him -loose--for he would always come at a call or a whistle, and indeed -seldom strayed far away, having come to guard me almost as a dog guards -his master--I would set to study might and main at those arts of -caligraphy and calculation which I was so wishful to acquire. Moreover, -I would also declaim aloud from one of my books, reading out the words -loud, and striving to give each its due weight and meaning, as my aunt -Betsy had taught me to do when she made me read to her. And never was -boy happier than I all through the long days of summer and the mild -sunshiny ones of spring and autumn. I was so hardy by this time that -only severe cold drove me within doors; and there was always a warm -corner in the ingle nook where I could sit at ease. As for my sisters, -when they had time to do so, they were glad enough for me to read to -them out of my immortal Shakespeare, explaining as well as I could the -meaning of all I read, and awakening by degrees within them so great a -respect for my learning that I found myself at last in the way of being -quite famous in our parish. - -This fame of mine gained for me another advantage, which was the -interest taken in me by our parson, who came sometimes to overlook my -self-imposed tasks, and who of his own accord taught me the axioms -and some of the lore of Euclid, and set my brain all in a ferment to -puzzle out the propositions in the little brown volume he lent me. I -never, however, became a mathematician of any note, since these studies -were destined to be speedily interrupted; but much of the last winter -spent at home was given to the scrawling of lines and circles upon the -hearth-stone with a fragment of charcoal, and my brain certainly grew -in those days, and I was conscious of a widening of my mental horizon -such as it is impossible to explain in words. - -But soon a great change came into my life. - -It was a beautiful mild day in May. I had been out with Blackbird as -usual, and riding homewards in time for the supper, I saw our uncle -John from Taunton standing in the yard with father. - -Our uncle John was a favourite with us all, and I was well pleased to -see him. He had always news to tell of what was going on in the world, -and I had begun to desire to know more of this than was possible in our -quiet life upon the farm. So I threw myself off Blackbird's back with -haste and ran up with my greeting. - -"Hey, Dicon lad, but thou hast mended wonderful for the better since I -saw thee last!" cried Uncle John. "We shall make a man of thee yet, I -take it, hunchback or no. What has come to thee, lad?" - -"I was touched for the King's Evil by our gracious Duke," I answered -with enthusiasm, "and since I have been whole from that malady, I have -grown in strength and soundness every way. Tell me of the Duke, mine -uncle. Where is he? what does he? and how goes it with him? Will he be -King after his father? When will the black box be opened and the truth -anent him be brought to light?" - -My uncle smiled as though he knew more than he would say, but he put -his finger to his lips as if to impose caution. - -"Hist, boy, it is not well to wear the heart always on the sleeve. The -days we live in are something too full of peril. There be wheels within -wheels and plots within plots of which we simple country folks know -little. Walk warily, and wait till the right moment comes; that is what -men in these days have to do." - -I was disappointed at the caution of the answer; nevertheless my -uncle did tell us something of the movements of the Duke during the -past year. He had made another "progress" through Cheshire and the -more northern portion of the kingdom, and this progress had been very -jealously regarded by the court party. The Duke of York was always -the enemy of Monmouth, as was perhaps natural, and the King, who -loved them both, had often an evil time of it between them. Sometimes -Monmouth seemed in the ascendant, sometimes his black-browed uncle; -and the plots and machinations of scheming courtiers and ambitious -statesmen were without end. I grew bewildered even trying to follow -Uncle John's talk about all these fine nobles, whose names I scarcely -knew. But when he pulled out from his capacious pocket two or three old -"news-letters," as they were then called, and asked if I could read -them, I soon became absorbed in the contents to the exclusion of all -besides; for anything new to read was as an elixir to me. And when our -father and uncle were smoking their pipes, and mother and the girls -washing up and putting away, I began reading loud to them the most -interesting bits of news that I could find, quite unaware that Uncle -John had ceased to talk with father, and was staring at me open-eyed. - -At last he broke into speech. - -"By the Lord Harry," he exclaimed (a favourite expletive of his), "the -boy reads like a parson! Where did he learn it all?" - -"He has always been a scholar," answered mother, with some pride; -"that is what I say to them that pity his crooked back. He has a better -head than the best of them. He will be a fine scholar in time.--Dicon, -go get thy writing-book, and show thine uncle what thou canst do." - -Aunt Betsy had given me a neat book full of blank paper, and I had -taken pains to write my best themes and most lengthy calculations and -cipherings into it. I showed it to my uncle with some pride; and as -he turned the leaves I saw him look astonished, impressed, and almost -triumphant, and I wondered not a little what could be in his mind. - -"Why, boy," he cried, looking up at me at last, "canst add up rows of -figures like that, and bring the right total at the end?" - -"I trow I can, uncle," I replied with some confidence; for by this time -I knew that I could trust myself to get the right answer however long -the sum might be. "Set me down a sum and I will show you. I can reckon -in my head too, and I seldom make an error." - -Well, not to be tedious in telling all this--for I find it hard to know -just how much to say and how much to leave unsaid in this history--it -appeared at length that our uncle's inn in Taunton was becoming so well -patronized by all sorts and conditions of men, that he knew not how to -find time to keep his books as well as to entertain his guests; and -since neither his wife nor his daughter had any skill with the pen, -he was looking about him for somebody whom he could trust to relieve -him of those laborious duties of book-keeping which he had hitherto -managed to overtake himself, though at the cost of much time and labour. - -Seeing my aptitude at figures, and hearing my fluency at reading aloud, -he had been seized with the idea that I should be valuable to him. - -Many and many a time had he wanted the weekly news-letter read aloud to -his customers and guests in an evening; but there was no one with skill -enough to make it intelligible thus read. He could read to himself, but -had no courage to declaim it to others. Then if only he could have my -pen at command during the evening, he could enter easily and rapidly -into his books the outgoings of the day, and have bills made out when -need was without trouble to himself. Like many men of his class, he -had a marvellous memory for figures, and could keep a whole day's -reckoning in his head without effort; but the trouble of writing it -down afterwards was great, and to be spared that labour he would give -much. - -Then he was proud that any nephew of his should possess such talents -as I did, and he roundly declared to my father that it would be a sin -and a shame to keep such a boy at a farm, where he could learn nothing -but what he could teach himself. In Taunton there was a free school to -which he would send me by day, to learn all I could there with boys of -my own age; whilst in the evening I should aid him with his books, and -read the news-letter to such as desired to hear it, or amuse the guests -of the better sort by declaiming to them some of those scenes from -Shakespeare or Milton which I had now by heart, and which my mother -made me recite to my uncle to show how clever I was. - -It may well be guessed how excited I was whilst this matter was being -discussed over my head. Of course no question was asked of me as to -my own disposition in the matter. It was a thing for my father and -mother to decide as they would; and when my mother argued my lack of -health and strength of body, my uncle laughed at her, and said I was -full strong enough for him; whilst my father remarked that schooling -for a few years would be a grand thing for me, since I should never -make a farmer, lived I all my life on the farm, but that in Taunton -Town I might rise by my wits to some post such as that of clerk, or -schoolmaster, or even parson, and it might be a fine thing for me in -the end. - -Uncle John was very liberal in his offer to my parents. He said he -would feed and clothe me, give me a groat from time to time for myself, -and send me regularly to school for the first year at least, and -probably for two years, till I had learned as much as was needful, and -then they would see what my future career should be. Uncle John had no -son to succeed him in the business, only a daughter, who was likely to -wed a son of Mr. Hucker the serge-maker, and that son was more like to -take to serge-making than to inn-keeping. A hint was given that if I -did well and grew to be a help and comfort to my uncle, I might look -even to be his successor in the business. Certainly that would be a -grand opening for one who had always been looked upon as likely to do -badly in life; and before the talk had lasted an hour, it was settled, -to my great satisfaction, that I was to return with my uncle to -Taunton, and remain in his house as an inmate for at least three years. - -How eagerly I made my few simple preparations for leaving home; and -how I counted the hours until I and my uncle were to start off for his -home in the town! Ever since my stay in Ilminster I had greatly desired -a town life. I loved my home in a fashion, but it did not satisfy the -cravings of my nature. I felt shut up and out of reach of news there. -I missed the heart-beat of a great nation, of which I had been dimly -conscious when at my aunt's house during the excitement of the Duke's -progress, when so many stirring matters had been discussed daily. I -was sure that stirring times were coming upon us. I gathered it from -my uncle's words, as well as from certain statements made in the -news-letter which I had read. I was conscious that there were things -of great moment going on in the world of which we country folk knew -nothing. I wanted to know more--to be in the thick of the tumult and -the strife. Little knew I how fully my aspirations would be fulfilled -during my residence in Taunton, and how fearful would be the scenes -upon which I was destined to look in days to come! - -I was up with the lark upon the following morning; and whilst I was -attending to Blackbird and diligently grooming off from his sleek sides -the last remnants of his winter coat, my uncle came in at the door and -stood looking at me with an air of approval. - -"So you know how to groom a horse as well as how to read a book?" he -said. "That is a pretty pony you have there. I never saw a better -made animal. He will be a fine fellow to go, I take it; and a rare -weight-carrier, if my eye does not deceive me. How old is he?" - -"Five this spring, and he can go like the wind. He's been broken these -two years; but he will not let any ride him save me. Uncle, may I take -him with me to Taunton? If he goes not with me, he must be turned loose -to forget all his breaking, and be a wild thing again; for he will not -suffer any rider on his back save me only." - -Uncle John made me tell all the story of Blackbird's refractory youth -and of my success with him, and at the end gave a cordial assent to my -request to take my favourite with me. - -"To be sure, boy, to be sure. You will want something to ride even in -the town. There is many an errand I shall send you now which I have had -to do myself hitherto. You know something of fat beasts and milch cows, -I take it, else you are scarce your father's son; and if you know not -how to drive a bargain yet, Uncle John will soon teach you!" - -At that we both laughed, and I felt already as though raised to man's -estate by being thus addressed by my uncle. - -The taking of Blackbird to Taunton Town made my departure from home -a matter of much less regret to me; for the distance being less than -seven miles, and Blackbird making nothing of my weight or of that -distance, I could when occasion served pay ready visits to my father's -house, notwithstanding the fact that the road was in evil plight, -as was the fashion with roads then (a matter which time has seen -considerably amended, and may amend even more as coaches seem to grow -more and more in favour), and highwaymen made travelling ofttimes -dangerous, even for such as owned but small worldly wealth. - -How well I remember our start on that bright May morning! Blackbird -seemed to partake of my joy, and held his head proudly, whisked his -long tail to and fro, and arched his neck and looked so proud and gay -withal that my uncle kept regarding him with approving eyes, and more -than once remarked, "Thou shouldst teach him to turn a lady's palfrey, -nephew Dicon, and he would put a pretty penny in thy pocket!" - -But I thought I preferred the feel of my eager steed between my knees -to any gold in my purse. Blackbird and I had been comrades and friends -too long for the thought of parting with him to have any attractions -for me. I patted his glossy neck, and was glad his exclusive preference -for me would brook no other rider. As we galloped across the moorland -that day, making wide circuits from the road in our exuberance of -spirit, and returning to join my uncle's sober roadster when we had -had our fill of motion and fresh air, he would give an approving nod -and say, "Fine pony that; and you know how to ride, boy. When you go -a-wooing it had better be on horseback. Pity one can't sell the steed! -he would fetch a pretty price. We'll see, we'll see! Maybe he will -learn sense in the air of a town." - -I had once spent a night at my uncle John's inn, on the occasion of my -journey to Ilminster. Although living so near to Taunton as we did, I -had never been in the way of going thither. My mother loved not towns -and their ways; and though I had liberty to scour the country round at -will on Blackbird, I was always bidden to keep to the open country, -and never to extend my excursions to either of the towns within reach -of us. So that after we had passed Volis Cross and descended the hill, -the country was almost strange to me, and I eagerly demanded the name -of every house and hamlet we passed, until my attention was completely -absorbed by our entrance into Taunton itself. - -That fine town, which will always be the queen of towns to me, was -looking its best and gayest upon that brilliant May evening. The clocks -were chiming six as we rode across the bridge into North Street, and it -seemed to me that there must be something going on; for the town was -plainly _en fête_--the streets decked with garlands, and the people -saluting each other with the gayest of gay greetings, as though all -hearts were in tune for merriment. - -"What is it? what does it mean?" I asked of my uncle; and he looked -surprised at the question as he replied,-- - -"Why, boy, dost live so nigh to Taunton and not know that to-morrow is -the eleventh day of May?" - -I certainly knew that, for I had a calendar of mine own, and studied it -with care; but why Taunton should be so joyful on that account I did -not know, and my puzzled face said as much. - -"Why, boy," he said again, "thee such a scholar and not to know how -the good folks of Taunton suffered and starved when holding the town -for the Parliament against that villain Goring, who sought to win it -back to its allegiance to a traitor King? Hast never read that page -of history, nor how it was relieved on the eleventh day of May? Well, -that is why we keep the day with garlands and songs and rejoicings, -as thou wilt see to-morrow. Marry, they say that the King likes it -not well, and our Mayor looks sourly on our sports, and threatens us -with penalties if we are thus disloyal to the monarchy. But the people -will e'en go their own way. The King has done his part to gain their -ill-will, as doubtless thou wilt learn in good time. Where are our -stately walls that once held at bay the thousands of a false King's -troops? Where are many of the noble buildings and commodious houses -which once adorned the Eastreech and East Street? He has worked his -will on them. He has destroyed and ravaged at pleasure. But the mind -and the heart and the will of the citizens are not his. If he takes -away our charter (which he did, though we have it again now), he wins -not the love of the people. We give him loyal and liege service, but we -do not give him love and trust." - -My uncle's face was rather grim as he spoke thus, and I understood that -I had come to a place where the divine right of kings, in which I had -believed until now, was not greatly regarded. The story of the nation -had not formed one of my studies. I knew little enough of the events of -the past century, albeit my father had lived through the great civil -war, and had seen some fighting, though holding aloof from it himself. -I had not thought much of anything save the position of the Duke of -Monmouth, and the hope that he would one day be King. As I rode through -the streets of Taunton and saw the decorations being put up for the -morrow, I felt indeed that a new life was opening before me, and that I -was now to learn many things which hitherto had been but names to me. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -_MY NEW HOME._ - - "The eleventh of May was a joyful day, - When Taunton got relief; - Which turned our sorrow into joy, - And eased us of our grief. - - "The Taunton men were valiant then - In keeping of the town, - While many of those who were our foes - Lay gasping on the ground. - - "When Colonel Massey, of the same, - Did understand aright, - He, like a man of courage bold, - Prepared himself to fight. - - "With that our soldiers one and all - Cast up their caps, and cried, - 'What need we fear what man can do, - Since God is on our side?' - - "Long time did Goring lie encamped - Against fair Taunton Town; - He made a vow to starve us out, - And batter our castle down. - - "Within our castle did remain - (A garrison so strong) - Those likely lads which did unto - Our Parliament belong. - - "Before daylight appeared in view, - The news to them was come - That Goring and his cursèd crew - Were all dispersed and gone. - - "But who can tell what joy was there, - And what content of mind - Was put into the hearts of those - Who'd been so long confined? - - "Our bread was fourteenpence per pound, - And all things sold full dear; - Which made our soldiers make short meals - And pinch themselves full near. - - "Our beer was eighteenpence per quart - (As for a truth was told), - And butter eighteenpence per pound - To Christians there was sold. - - "The Cavaliers dispersed with fear, - And forced were to run, - On the eleventh of May, by break of day, - Ere rising of the sun." - -It was with the words of this song, chanted by a number of voices in -the street below, that I was awakened upon the first morning of my -residence in my new home. - -I had slept profoundly, despite the excitements of my arrival; and when -I awoke suddenly, roused by the sound of this unfamiliar chant, it took -me some moments to recollect where I was, and to convince myself that I -was not dreaming still. The moment that memory returned to me I sprang -out of bed, and putting my head out of the open window, tried to obtain -a view of the singers below. - -But this I was unable to do, as I might have known had I taken pains to -consider. My room was high up in the quaint old inn, which even in my -youth was accounted an old house. It looked upon the court-yard behind, -where the stables lay, and where hostlers were already passing to and -fro. I remembered well that I had observed this last night, and that I -had also remarked with satisfaction how my window was provided with a -little wooden balcony, of which the house had many. It was in an angle -of the building above the stables, and not in the main block of the -house where the guests were lodged. Near at hand, and at right angles, -rose the walls of another house, which I could see was not a part of -the inn. It did not look so old, and it was more like a gentleman's -private residence, I thought. All the windows were close curtained, and -I could not gather anything as to the character of its inhabitants. It -seemed passing strange to me then that houses should be thus locked -together; and I was calculating with what ease I could make shift by -the aid of a water-pipe to get in at the window of this house were it -left open, and possess myself of anything the room contained, when the -sound of an impatient neigh from the yard below warned me that time -was getting on, and that Blackbird was probably still unfed (for I had -warned the men not to go to him at first, save in my presence), and -that he was asking for his breakfast as plainly as though he could -utter human speech. - -I, too, was in a great hurry to be up and doing, and to see some of -the wonders of the town of which I was in future to be a resident. In -a few moments I was dressed (words of the song below still floating up -to me clearly enough, and getting fixed in my memory, as all words with -rhyme and rhythm have a trick of doing), and was ready to try to find -my way down the curious stairways and along the intricate passages I -had traversed last night under the guidance of my cousin Meg. It was -not so easy as I expected, but as yet nobody in that part of the house -was stirring. It was still very early, for all that the sun was shining -brightly; and I had Blackbird fed, and was ready and eager to be out in -the streets before there was any sign of my uncle or aunt to be seen. - -However, my impatience was too great to be stayed by any thought of -a rebuke later, and plunging under the archway which led from the -street to the yard, I found myself in the open space where East Street -and Fore Street join, and looked about me with a lively curiosity, -wondering where I should go and what I should do. - -The singers were no longer in sight; they had passed on, and the wide -streets were almost empty. But as I stood looking admiringly about me, -a boy of about my own age came swinging along with a parcel under his -arm, whistling the very tune I had heard set to the words I have just -quoted. - -I looked curiously at him, and he returned my glance with interest. -No doubt he was familiar with most of the faces of the towns-folk in -these parts, and wondered who I was. Perhaps my crooked back attracted -his notice, but I did not think of that then, and noting that he half -paused as though not unwilling to speak, I wished him good-morning, and -he returned the salutation. - -There was something so bright and friendly in his smile as he did so -that I found courage to say, "Are you going somewhere? May I go with -you?" - -"Why, yes, if you like," he answered readily. "I am going to my work. I -am apprenticed to Master Simpson of High Street. If you know aught of -Taunton, doubtless you have heard of him." - -"But I do not. I only came hither yester-e'en with mine uncle. I am -nephew to John Snowe of the Three Cups yonder. I am to dwell with him, -and go to the Free School here. I would fain know all I can of Taunton -Town. It is a right fair city. I like it well." - -"And you have come on a good day!" cried my new friend, with -brightening eyes. "To-night, so soon as the sun be down, we shall light -a great bonfire in Paul's Fields, and all the town will be there to -see. Ah! I would I had lived in the days when Taunton Town held for -the Parliament against King Charles! But it may be even yet that we -may some of us live to see fine doings and hard fighting; for if the -King dies before his brother, and the Papist Duke of York sits upon the -throne--" - -The lad paused as if struck by the magnitude of the thought within him, -and I glanced round to be sure we were not overheard, and asked with -keen interest, "Well, and what then?" - -"Why, then, methinks there would be hard blows struck for the rightful -heir, the young Duke of Monmouth," answered the boy, with sparkling -eyes. "All Taunton and the West Country would rise for him, as they -rose for the rights of the nation against the King's father. The -poltroons of London may lick the dust before a Papist usurper, but not -we of the free West Country! We will know the reason why before we bow -to a Papist, be he never so much the King's brother!" - -The boldness of this boy astonished me greatly, and also his evident -comprehension of the burning questions of the day, with which I myself -was but imperfectly acquainted. My heart always warmed within me at any -mention of the Duke of Monmouth, and I eagerly plunged into the story -of my own miraculous cure at the hands of his Grace--a tale to which my -companion listened with kindling eyes. - -"Marry, but thou shalt come with me and tell it to my master!" he said, -as I ended. "If proof were lacking, there it is; for none save a lawful -King or his lawful heir can cure the King's Evil. There will be a ready -welcome for thee at Master Simpson's. He is one that is bound heart and -soul to the cause of the Duke." - -"And what is thy name?" I asked, as I willingly allowed myself to be -led whither my comrade would. - -"Will Wiseman is my name, and I be apprenticed to Master Simpson, as I -have said. I dwell beneath his roof; but yester-eve I visited my aunt -in the North Street, and tarried with her till dawn. Thou sayest thou -art nephew to Master Snowe of the Three Cups? He is a good man, one of -our Capital Burgesses; and we take it he would be stanch to the good -cause if the time should come for men to declare themselves." - -I was considerably impressed by Will's way of talking. It was as though -he were living in a world of which I knew almost nothing; as though he -were looking forward to something definite and expected, whilst to me -the future was absolutely blank and vague. I felt my ignorance so great -that I did not know so much as how to frame questions; but I was saved -the trouble of doing this partly from the eager talk of my companion, -partly from our speedy arrival at our destination. For soon after -we had passed the bend in High Street, where it turns sharp to the -right toward Shuttern, Will paused before a door with a right goodly -sign hanging above it; and after obtaining entrance, began quickly -taking down the shutters, in which office I gave him what assistance I -could, so that soon the bright light of morning was streaming into the -interior of the shop. - -So soon as this was the case I stood open-mouthed in admiration and -wonder, for I had never seen so goodly a shop in all my life before. -Master Simpson must be a man of much substance--so much I could see at -a glance--and his wares were beautiful to the eye and delicate to the -touch. There were bales of costly silk set in a mighty pyramid in one -place; and cloths and lawns, and the good serge manufactured in Taunton -Town, disposed with a simple eye to effect, in due order along shelves -and in the large window. And besides all these things, there was an -inner shop, visible through an archway, in which I saw a sight that -made my mouth water; for there were shelves, guarded by wire doors, -in which hundreds of books were arranged in tempting order--books new -and books old--a sight that drew me like a magnet, so that I forgot -Will and his work, forgot the strangeness of the house and my lack of -manners, and went straight to the book-cases and began reading the -names of the volumes one by one, speaking them half aloud without -knowing it. - -I was aroused by feeling a strong hand laid upon my shoulder, and by -the sound of a friendly voice in my ear. - -"Hey, but we have a scholar here, in good sooth! So thou art nephew to -good Master Snowe, Will tells me; and hast been touched for King's Evil -by our gracious Duke? Now, boy, tell me all about that, and how the -cure was made, and I will give thee a book for thy pains; for it may be -that this cure of thine shall be a notable thing in the annals of the -day that be coming." - -The speaker was plainly the master of the house and shop. He was -soberly habited, as became his condition in life; but he had a strong -face as well as a strong hand and voice, and I felt drawn towards him I -scarce knew why, and told him my tale very gladly, with the story of my -own brief and uneventful life to boot. - -He listened with attention, nodding his head the while. Heaven forgive -me if I did amiss. I had no thought to deceive him or others, but I -spoke no word of the man of herbs and potions, nor of the ointments I -had been using for my wounds ere ever the Duke's hand touched me. In -good sooth, I had scarce ever thought of him and his simples since. -Never for a moment did I believe that these had had anything to do -with my cure. It is only long since, when I have heard from others how -in nature there be such marvellous cures for human ills to be found -by those who have skill and faith to seek them aright, that I have -wondered if perchance it was the herb baths and ointments, and not the -touch of the Duke's white hand, that made me whole and sound. But in -those days no such thought ever came to me. I had well-nigh forgotten -the kind old man with his long beard, and of him I spoke no word; -only telling how weak and ill I was and had been from childhood, and -how soon after I had besought the Duke to touch me I became sound and -whole, and had no return of the Evil, which none but such a one as he -could cure. - -Master Simpson heard me with great satisfaction, and kept his word -right generously, making me the proud and happy possessor of a small -copy of "Æsop's Fables," with the Latin on one side of the page and -the English on the other--a treasure that in those days was even more -costly than it has become now, and which in spite of its shabby binding -was looked upon as of exceeding worth. - -"Thou hadst better learn the Latin tongue, an thou hast the chance at -the Free School," said Master Simpson. "Learning is a grand thing, and -will be a mighty power in the days to come. Learn all thou canst, boy, -when thou art young. The time may come when thou wilt not have the -leisure; make the most of that leisure now." - -I was well disposed to carry out that sage advice, being greedy after -knowledge, and I almost longed to run away then and there to study my -book, and see if I could make out aught of the strange Latin words. -Even the possession of such a book made me feel almost a scholar. But -I could not refuse the invitation of Master Simpson to come and take -breakfast with him, albeit my uncle and aunt might well be wondering -what had become of me. But, as I reflected, the hostlers would tell him -I had risen and gone abroad, and upon this festive holiday I did not -think I should be chidden for my early walk. - -Behind the shop was a pleasant parlour, and behind that again a -kitchen, from whence a savoury odour proceeded. It gave one an appetite -even to scent it, and I was nothing loath to follow the mercer into -that same kitchen, where a goodly fire burned on the hearth, and a -merry-faced young maiden was flitting about setting trenchers on the -table, and humming a gay ditty the while. She made a reverence as we -came in, and her father (for she was none other than the master's -daughter) gave her a blessing; after which he turned him to a portly -dame who was taking a steaming pot from the fire, and bid her -good-morn, telling her my name and state, and how I was come to Taunton -to make a scholar of myself. - -From the likeness which showed itself between the pair before me, I -felt assured that they must be brother and sister, as was indeed the -case. Master Simpson was a widower, but his sister kept house for him, -and played a mother's part to the young Eliza, who gave her almost a -daughter's love. It was pleasant to see so much affection between those -of a household, for at home, albeit we all loved each other well, it -was not our fashion to show it; wherefore it seemed pretty to me to -watch the sly caresses which Eliza would bestow upon her father, or -the way in which Mistress Susan's glance softened when she addressed -herself to the maid. - -Will Wiseman and a young man who served in the shop, but who spoke no -word and gave himself only to making a right royal meal, sat at table -with us, though somewhat apart; and ever and anon Will would put in a -word when his master turned to him with a question. He plainly heard -and gave heed to everything that passed, with a keen intelligence that -was shown in the glance of his eye and in the ready way in which his -words came when he had occasion to speak. I took a great liking to Will -from the first moment of our acquaintance, and everything I noted about -him increased the good-will I bore him. - -We had a merry meal, and I told the story of my cure yet once again -that day. Lizzie's eyes brightened at the tale (Eliza was always called -Lizzie both at home and abroad, since it appeared that there were many -Elizas in the town, and confusion apt to arise), and she clasped her -hands together and cried,-- - -"Faith, but Miss Blake will greatly rejoice to hear this! I will tell -her forthwith, and I warrant me I shall be high in favour all the -day for the same story. Good Dicon, thou wilt be a rare favourite in -Taunton Town an thou dost uphold here the rights of our well-loved -Duke!" - -"Hist, lassie!" answered her father, yet smiling nevertheless. "It -behoves us to talk with care even in Taunton Town. Let not such words -be heard by the Rev. Mr. Axe, nor still less by Mr. Blewer. The Duke -hath his foes as well as his friends within the town. We must not hurt -a good cause by over-zeal ere the right moment comes." - -Lizzie laughed, and asked with a pretty, saucy air who would trouble to -take note of the words of such an obscure maiden as herself; and then -she looked at the clock and sprang up, and said she must even go, or -she should be late, and Miss Blake would chide. And I then learned that -Miss Blake was the mistress of the school where this maiden went daily -for instruction, and moreover that it stood adjoining my uncle's inn, -and must indeed be the house I had been wondering about in looking from -my windows on awakening this very morning. - -So on understanding this much, I sprang up and asked leave to escort -pretty Lizzie to her school; and soon we were walking along the -garlanded streets, and she was telling me how greatly Miss Blake and -Mrs. Musgrave loved the Duke, and how dear his cause was to the hearts -of the people of Taunton. I also learned that Miss Blake and Mrs. -Musgrave were two ladies of virtue and learning, and that they had each -kept a school for girls in the beginning, but had now joined these two -seminaries into one. Miss Blake took the younger maidens, and Mrs. -Musgrave the elder ones; and my companion chattered so fast about her -companions, telling me their names, ages, and accomplishments with such -fluency, that I was quite bewildered; and the only item of information -which I retained in my head was that there was one, Mary Mead, a -youthful heiress, some years older than any of her companions, who -had been educated by Mrs. Musgrave, and still remained in her charge, -although since she was now of marriageable age it was likely that her -condition in life would speedily be changed. - -We parted the best of friends at the door of the seminary, where some -other maidens were assembling, who looked curiously upon me as I took -off my cap and made my best bow to them all. The door of the school was -a few paces round the corner, and the house was of fine proportions. -I well understood as I looked at it--Lizzie and her companions having -now disappeared within--how it was that my room over our stable -buildings approached so nigh to it. I felt a good deal of interest in -the close vicinity of these bright-faced town maidens, who seemed so -different from the country girls I had lived amongst hitherto. Not that -I would disparage mine own sisters and their friends; but there were -a brightness and ease of manner and readiness of wit amongst these -damsels which dazzled and captivated me, and which I had never seen at -home. - -When I got back to the inn, I found breakfast well-nigh done; but I -received no chiding for my absence, especially when I said whither -I had been and with whom. Master Simpson was plainly a notable man -of good repute in Taunton, and a friend of mine uncle's to boot. My -uncle, too, was pleased at the gift of the book which I had received, -arguing that Master Simpson must have thought well of my scholarship. I -read him two or three of the fables; whereat he laughed not a little, -and bid me hold myself in readiness to amuse his guests therewith on -another occasion. - -I was not to go to school till the following week, and to-day I had -leave to wander whither I would, to see what I could and what I most -desired, and enjoy the merry-making of the town. - -My cousin Meg, a fine buxom lass of nigh upon twenty summers, was all -agog to go with me; and I was proud enough to have such a companion. So -after I had helped her with her dishes and so forth, being skilled in -many feminine tasks through helping my mother at home when she and the -girls were pressed, she donned her holiday gown and gayest hood--and -well she became them both, as I failed not to tell her--and I put on my -best clothes, which seemed to me fine enough even if somewhat lacking -in the grace and fashion I saw in some of the towns-folk of the better -sort; and forth we sallied to see the sights of the town, and to enjoy -any revelry that might be going. - -The best of the merry-making would be towards evening, when the shops -would close, and the apprentices and shopmen be free to join; but even -now there was plenty to see and to admire. The fine proportions of the -streets and public buildings filled me with a great wonder; and when we -dived down a passage past Huish's Almshouse, and came out in front of -St. Mary's Church, I stood still and silent in speechless admiration, -marvelling at its wondrous beauty and lofty dignity, and asking of -myself whether St. Paul's itself in fair London town could be as goodly -a sight. - -It so chanced that service was going on, and nothing would serve me but -that I must go in and hear what it was like. Meg was willing enough to -gratify me: for from being bred a dissenter, like the majority of the -towns-folk, she attended the services of the dissenting flock in Paul's -Meeting Sunday by Sunday; and the offices of the Establishment, which -she was wont to hear stigmatized as "Popish," were quite unfamiliar to -her, and had therefore a certain fascination. - -There were two clergymen taking part in the service; and when we were -in the street again, Meg said to me (interrupting my raptures about the -architectural beauties of the place),-- - -"He with the grey hair peeping from beneath his wig is Mr. Axe. He -is much beloved in Taunton, although men say that he is an enemy -to the Duke of Monmouth, and tells men freely that he can never be -lawful King, but that if the King dies childless, as seems like, we -must submit to see the Duke of York upon the throne--a thing which is -abhorrent to the minds of many. Yet in spite of this he is loved and -trusted. But the other, Mr. Blewer, is hated and feared. I scarce know -why we all think so ill of him, but he hath a cruel face and an evil -eye; and some say that he is the bitter foe of all who follow not the -teachings of the Established Church, whilst there be others who call -him a Papist at heart, and say that when the Duke of York is King (if -ever such a day comes, which Heaven forbid!) he will show what manner -of man he is, and evil will fall upon many in Taunton through him." - -"He has a bad face and a cruel mouth," I answered, having studied -his face with a sense of reluctant fascination for which I could -not account as I knelt in the church. Could it have been that some -presentiment of his cruelty stole over me even then? I know not how -that may be, but I do know that though my hair is now grey, and though -I have lived beyond the allotted span of man's days, I cannot even now -think of that miscreant without a tingling of the blood in my veins -such as I seldom experience for aught besides. - -That day was a notable one in my life, although it seems like a dream -now. I looked upon the outside of many a noble building--St. James's -Church; Paul's Meeting, which I was to worship in for a time; the -Castle; the Free School, which I was to know right well erelong; and -the Almshouses, which had been erected by the charitable in bygone -years for the benefit of the aged poor. - -The town was all bedecked with flags and garlands, and the bands of -singers went about chanting their ditties, receiving rewards from -many of the richer and more prosperous of the towns-folk, as well as -the humbler, who were all so devoted to the cause of what they termed -"liberty and right." - -In the evening there was a grand bonfire in Paul's Field, and another -in Priory Fields at the other extremity of the town. - -Will Wiseman and I joined forces, and rushed from one to the other, -getting an excellent view of both; and we danced around the fire with -the best of them, and hooted for the Duke of York and the Pope, and -shouted for the King and the Duke of Monmouth, until at last we had no -voice left wherewith to shout more. When the embers burned low, and the -sheriff's officer came to bid the people disperse, we went reluctantly -home with the crowd, talking in friendly whispers of the glorious days -that perhaps were coming, when we should be able to show the metal -of which we were made, and almost ready to wish for the excitements -and horrors of another civil war, if only we might bear a share in its -glory and its danger. - -We had heard so many stories from the bystanders who did remember those -days, that our blood was fired, and we ardently longed for a repetition -of such exciting events. - -Well, we were destined to see something of bloodshed before many years -had passed over our heads, and one of us was to shed his blood--as he -sincerely longed at that moment to do, but whether in the fashion that -came about it is not for me to say here. - -And so ended my first eventful day in Taunton Town. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_MY NEW LIFE._ - - -If I were to begin to set down in order all the many things that -happened to me without and within the town of Taunton during the early -days of my residence there, I should go far to fill a volume ere ever I -had reached the matters of which it is my intention more particularly -to speak. - -So I must strive after all the brevity of a skilled master of the craft -of penmanship and story-telling, and seek to skim the cream from the -surface of events, without wearying the reader with overmuch detail. - -Let me say, in the first place, that I was very happy in my new life. -I was kindly treated by my relatives. I made myself useful to my uncle -in many ways, and I was a favourite with his guests, who delighted to -hear the news of the day read to them whilst they smoked their pipes at -ease, and who were all ready to talk with me when the reading was over, -one telling me one bit of public gossip, and another another, till my -mind was quite a storehouse of information, and I was able to talk upon -almost any subject with the air of one who knew something about it. - -The reputation for cleverness and knowledge which I soon gained -(though in good sooth it was less knowledge than a good memory that I -possessed) gave me a small standing of mine own in the place, and I had -quite a brisk little business erelong, in writing letters for those who -could not do it for themselves, and getting them passed on by trusty -hands, by means of some of the many visitors who passed to and fro -between our town and other places. My uncle let me keep for myself all -such moneys as I gained in this fashion, and so I was able to take home -to my mother and sisters presents which made them open their eyes wide -in amaze, on the occasions when I mounted Blackbird and rode over to -my former home. I was looked upon now as a person of some importance; -and although only a lad of thirteen summers, I felt as if I should soon -arrive at man's estate. - -I had something to suffer at the Free School from the gibes and the -envy of the other boys, who liked not to be surpassed at their books -by the "hunchback clown"--such was their name for me for a time--and -who paid me many an ill turn and played off many a malicious trick, -until at last they wearied of it, or I gradually grew into favour, -I scarce knew which, and I was let alone to go mine own way. But in -spite of all this I was happy in my school hours, for I was learning -every day something new; and if the boys misliked me, the masters took -good heed of me and favoured my thirst after knowledge, so that I was -able to study with zeal and success, and to win the praise of Mr. Axe, -who would come from time to time to hear the boys recite, or to ask -them questions from Scripture or secular history, and who never left -without a word of kindness for me. - -I came to revere and love Mr. Axe right well. He was not truly the -Vicar of beauteous St. Mary's Church. The Vicar, in very sooth, was -one Mr. Hart, who was (so it was told me) also Canon of Bristol and -Prebendary of Wells, so that he had but scant time to think of his -duties here. Mr. Axe, however, supplied all that was lacking, and was -greatly beloved by us--as much beloved as Mr. Blewer was mistrusted -and feared: for we would cross the street to avoid coming within the -radius of _his_ basilisk glance; and I for one never saw him without -the feeling that he would prove a cruel foe ere we had seen the last of -him. - -Now I had scarce been a month at my uncle's house before a great -excitement befell us, and a great fear fell upon many of our -towns-folk; for it was rumoured that this thing would lose the Duke of -Monmouth his head, and that even if his life were spared he would have -to fly the country, and be no more seen in this land. - -And the reason for this rumour, which filled all Somersetshire with -sorrow, was the discovery of a vile plot against the life of the King -and that of the Duke of York, which wicked and slanderous tongues were -eager to charge upon the virtuous and high-minded Duke of Monmouth. - -Well do I remember the day when first the news of this infamous plot, -which came to be called the Rye House Plot, reached the good citizens -of Taunton. - -It was upon a Sunday morning, and I, together with my uncle and aunt -and his daughter Meg, had started forth for Paul's Meeting, which we -always attended for morning service, when we noted that the people in -the streets had an air of gravity and anxiety which was not usual, and -that all seemed to be asking questions one of another, although none -seemed to be ready with an answer. - -Now generally we were the first to hear any news that might reach the -town, because that travellers were wont to put up at the Three Cups -rather than at the other hostelries, which were less beliked than our -house. But to-day there had been none arrival, and my uncle stopped to -ask the first acquaintance he encountered what was the meaning of the -general discomposure. - -Now it chanced that this acquaintance was none other than Heywood -Dare--"Old Dare," as he was often called, less perhaps from his actual -years than because he had a son who was also a notable man in his way, -and who had a part to play in the days that were coming. - -Now old Dare had a story of his own, and was a great man in Taunton. He -was by trade a goldsmith, and a man of substance to boot; but it was -not his wealth that had gained for him the repute in which he was held, -but his courage and devotion to the cause of liberty and justice. - -It was one of the grievances of the times that the King would not -permit Parliament to sit sometimes for long years together. Men -whispered that he received great sums of money from France, which -enabled him to dispense with the summoning of his own loyal subjects -to grant supplies. However that may be, the people were grieved and -wroth that their assembly was not called and permitted to sit, as they -claimed that it had the right to do; and petitions from townships were -constantly sent up to his Majesty imploring him to call together his -Parliament, until the King grew greatly incensed, issued proclamations -forbidding the presentation of these petitions, and threatening with -severe penalties those who went about "getting hands," as it was -termed, to put to these documents. Indeed many barbarous severities -had been put in practice against those who still strove to collect -names for such papers; and curious enough were such documents when they -were drawn up, for three-fourths of those who "set hand" to them could -not write their names, but could only make a mark which was to stand -instead of it. - -Now some four years back Old Dare had got up a notable petition, and -it had been signed or marked by half Taunton, and by Bridgewater and -Ilminster and many another fair town. The sturdy old goldsmith pursued -his way to London with it. It was his intention to deliver it to the -King with his own hand; and this intention he carried out, meeting -the King hard by the Houses of Parliament, and presenting his paper -on bended knee. The King took it unsuspecting--for it was a bold man -who would venture to place one of the abhorred petitions in the royal -hands; but on unfolding it he became instantly aware of its nature, and -turning sharply upon the offender, he asked him how he dared to do such -a thing. "Sire," replied the intrepid goldsmith, "my name is Dare!" And -forasmuch as there is always something noble in fearless courage, and -that his Majesty is not without nobility of soul, no hurt was done to -the bold petitioner, albeit no good that I ever heard of came from his -petition. - -Well then, to return to my present tale, it was Old Dare whom we -encountered in the street to-day; and when my uncle asked what the coil -was all about, he shook his head and answered,-- - -"I cannot say with knowledge; but a messenger rode post-haste to the -house of the Mayor but now, and it was plain, by the stains of travel -on him and his horse, that they had been hard pushed to reach the -place. It is something of note, I take it, and something of evil, I -fear." He lowered his voice and said in my uncle's ear (yet I heard -every word, being very keen of hearing), "I fear me it will prove to be -some plot to ruin the Duke and his Council of Six. It may be that they -have been something rash and forward. I fear me we shall hear bad news -ere the day is out." - -I knew well what was meant by the Council of Six. The Duke of Monmouth -had some faithful friends, lovers of liberty and constitutional -rule--my Lord of Russell and Mr. Algernon Sydney being of the -number--who met together often to discuss what might be done for a -country beginning once again to groan beneath the yoke of an arbitrary -exercise of the power of the Crown. Representations had been made to -the King, it was said, to summon Parliament, and give to the people -their lawful voice in the government; but this having proved of none -avail, it had been whispered that these men had spoken of another -Great Revolution, such as had cost the King's father his head; and of -course such talk was accounted rank treason in those days, and was like -to cost many a man his life. - -Now we of the West Country in general, and of Taunton Town in -particular, knew very well that if any rising or tumult took place, it -would be like enough to be in our neighbourhood; and that, even if we -kept ourselves tranquil, we might get the credit of being turbulent, -and have our rights infringed, even if our charter were not taken -from us, as it had been early in the King's reign, although restored -seventeen years later. Also, we all of us pinned our chiefest hopes of -constitutional government and the Protestant religion on the hoped-for -succession of the Duke of Monmouth; and if he were to be implicated in -a plot which should cost him liberty or life, our hopes would receive -a crushing blow, and nothing lie before us but the succession of a -bigoted Papist and a man of known cruelty and tyranny. - -Small wonder was it, therefore, that our faces were grave, and that -we all looked anxiously at our minister, Mr. Vincent, as he mounted -the pulpit a little after the usual time, and looked seriously upon -our upturned faces. He made no attempt at a regular sermon that day, -but after giving thanks for the merciful preservation of his gracious -Majesty the King from a recent and great danger, he proceeded to tell -us that a plot had been laid against the King's life and that of the -Duke of York, and how it was currently rumoured that the Duke of -Monmouth and his friends were concerned in the matter. Arrests had -been made of certain persons, and the Duke had fled and hidden himself. - -Mr. Vincent also told us, with great seriousness, that rumour had -already been forward to declare that an insurrection had commenced, -with Taunton as its centre; and counselled us, as we valued the peace -of the realm and our own safety, to avoid any cause of offence, and to -remain perfectly quiet and tranquil. The time might come in the future -when it would be a righteous thing to rise up and strike a blow for -the liberty and the faith of the country, but certainly that day had -not yet come. The King upon the throne was the rightful one; his rule -was on the whole fair and just. There was no quarrel with him. Nothing -would so injure the righteous cause as a revolt against law and order; -nothing would so greatly hurt the cause of the young Duke of Monmouth. -We must show discretion and wisdom at this time, that none might have -cause to look with suspicion upon us. - -This wise counsel from one who was a pillar of strength amongst us was -not without due effect. We looked at one another and resolved to abide -by Mr. Vincent's counsel. We knew that our Mayor was a bitter enemy to -all dissenters, and would fasten upon us an indictment of disaffection -if we gave the smallest ground. Indeed he took instant action upon -hearing of the plot, and called some bands of the militia into the -town; and I verily believe that it was with his consent, if not at his -instigation, that a deed was done in the town which made us who called -ourselves dissenters tingle with rage and feel almost ready to raise -the very tumult of which we were altogether innocent in fact. - -Now the thing of which I speak was nothing less than the demolishing of -the great chapel called Paul's Meeting, of which I have spoken, and in -which hundreds of citizens met to worship Sunday by Sunday. And this -thing was done, to the great shame of those concerned in it, just when -the excitement which I have mentioned prevailed, notwithstanding that -Mr. Vincent and Mr. Burgess, both of whom preached to us there, were -godly men, and taught us submission to lawful rulers, and spoke no evil -of dignitaries. - -The first I knew of this was one evening just before our house -generally closed for the night--it was summer then, and not dark till -ten of the clock--when Will Wiseman came rushing into the yard, all -bursting with excitement, and crying out to me in panting gasps,-- - -"Dicon, Dicon, come and see! come and see! They are pulling our -meeting-house to pieces, and say they will make such a bonfire of our -pews and pulpit as shall light to bed every dissenter in the county! -Come and see! come and see! I would not go myself till I had told thee!" - -Will Wiseman was certain to be in the forefront of everything; but I -had no mind to be left behind. Forthwith we both rushed out from the -yard, and soon the noise of a great tumult fell upon our ears. In the -streets men were gathered together with dark faces and threatening -mien, some talking angrily against the dissenters, who, it was -declared, had been guilty of plotting against the King's life, but many -more holding a stern silence and regarding their enemies with silent -hostility; whilst hoarse cries and shouts rent the air, and grew louder -and more distinct as we drew near to Paul's Meeting. - -Once within sight of the building, we saw that it was lighted up from -within; and unable to come near to the door for the surging mob around -it, we climbed up to one of the windows and looked in. - -What a sight it was! There were a hundred men inside, I should think, -armed with hammers and saws and other tools and weapons; and these -were all engaged in hammering, sawing, breaking down, and demolishing -the whole of the woodwork in the chapel; and as fast as some pew, or -great piece of panelling, or any large fragment of pulpit or gallery -was broken off, other men would rush forward and drag it forth from -the door, to carry it away into Paul's Fields, where it was plain that -the great bonfire was to be made. And all the while they worked, they -shouted out threats against their fellow-townsmen, calling out, "Down -with all traitors! Down with the King's enemies! We will have nothing -but the Church and the King!" - -Yet many of the fellows now working like furies and shouting out these -words had attended many a service in Paul's Meeting, and were friendly -enough towards us, albeit perhaps not men of much personal godliness. -But they were carried away by the excitement of the moment, and by the -coward fear of getting into trouble with the Mayor should they show -any lack of zeal. Men all over the kingdom were trembling just now in -apprehension of arrest; for informers were going about the country, -and many a lowly as well as many a noble and high personage was flung -into prison on the most trivial charge. To join hands in reviling the -dissenters and calling down blessings upon the King and the Church -seemed the safest way of propitiating the authorities at such a moment; -and this was what our towns-folk were now doing, by demolishing our -chapel, and showing their zeal towards the Court party. - -It was all very exciting; and though my heart and Will's swelled -with indignation, we could not help watching till the whole of the -building was stripped. Then we followed in the wake of the shouting -crowd, and soon saw a great pillar of fire rising up from the midst -of the assembled throng. As the great mountain of flame rose higher -and higher, and waved its crown of smoke and sparks up to the roof of -heaven as it seemed, the crowd yelled and shouted and danced around -the pyre, bawling out every kind of folly that came into their heads; -whilst outside the yelling ring, and a little distance away, stood -the stern-faced men who had been wont to worship there, together -with the ministers who had occupied the pulpit, and they looked on -in silence, and gathered sometimes in groups together. Will Wiseman, -who had the faculty of hearing what everybody said without seeming to -listen, whispered to me, "They are saying that they will still meet for -preaching and prayer whatever is done to their meeting-house." - -And so indeed it proved, although the Mayor looked stern and dark, -and sometimes uttered hints that sounded almost like a threat against -"conventicles," as he termed them. Indeed he made himself so heartily -misliked amongst the towns-folk, that but for the authority and -protection bestowed by his office, I think some mischief would have -been done him. But though a time of exceeding excitement prevailed for -many weeks, there was no rising in the country; and by-and-by we were -made glad by the tidings that there had been a reconciliation betwixt -the Duke of Monmouth and the King, although Lord William Russell and -Mr. Algernon Sydney ended their lives upon the scaffold. - -Not that these men had any complicity in the murder plot against the -King's life. They had souls far above the treachery and meanness -of assassination. But the lesser and more villanous plot of minor -conspirators was grafted upon the larger and wider-reaching intentions -of these champions of liberty and of rule by constitutional rather than -autocratic methods, and they were judged guilty of treason, and were -doomed to death. Some said that the Duke of Monmouth had been led by -promises of restoration to favour to bear witness against his friends. -How that may be I will not say. At this time all Taunton was indignant -at the aspersion cast upon the fair fame of the gallant young Duke, and -the story was indignantly discredited, and by no one more hotly than by -me. Now when my blood is cool, and I have grown wiser and have heard -more of those days, I cannot be so sure of the innocence of the Duke -as I felt then. Men are sorely tempted sometimes, and fall into sin -almost ere they are aware of it. Human nature is weak, and a man may -have many faults and many weaknesses and yet be the idol of the people -for many a long day. - -It was at this time that I grew better acquainted with several of the -families in Taunton. I was in great request when the weekly news-letter -came to my uncle's house--he had one of his own as well as that which -was brought to the Mayor; for, as I have said, the Mayor was a bitter -enemy to the dissenting portion of the towns-folk, and that was a -very large section, as the well-filled building, Paul's Meeting, bore -witness Sunday by Sunday. - -Foremost amongst my friends I still reckoned Master Simpson and his -family. Will Wiseman was my chosen comrade on all occasions, and Lizzie -was the object of my boyish gallantry, and I continued to think her the -prettiest and most charming maid in all Taunton Town. - -But I must not omit to mention others who had a part to play in the -drama that was slowly approaching. Of these I must mention the Herring -family, father and mother, with three daughters, Anne, Susan, and -Grace, all of whom attended Miss Blake's school; and Master John -Hucker, a notable serge-maker, with his daughter Eliza; and the Hewling -family, than which none other was more greatly beloved and esteemed in -the whole of the town. - -Mistress Hannah Hewling was mistress of this happy household. She was -a spinster of some thirty years of age, and she played a mother's part -to two virtuous and handsome young men, who were at the time of which -I am now writing aged twenty and seventeen years respectively. This -family had another home in London, where their parents lived, but owned -this house property in Taunton, too, where these two brothers and their -sister lived in the greatest amity and peace. The Hewlings were gentry, -and people of substance, yet so friendly and kindly disposed towards -their towns-folk that we all regarded them as friends. They would stop -to speak a friendly word to any one of us in the street, and many were -the evenings when they would invite some amongst us to their hospitable -house. Sometimes there would be music to enliven us after supper--for -Mistress Hannah played both harp and spinnet right sweetly, whilst -Master Benjamin discoursed eloquent music on the flute, and Master -William could draw strains from his violin that brought tears to the -eyes of the listeners before they well knew it--or failing music, some -one would read aloud from a godly book, or from some history of past -days, and the elder members of the party would be invited to discuss -the subject, whilst the rest of us listened in respectful silence, and -framed our own opinions on what we heard. - -It was in this way that I came to understand much of the questions of -the day from the standpoint of those who believed the Duke of Monmouth -to be the champion not of freedom and constitutional rule alone, but -also of the Protestant religion. The things we read about the awful -cruelty and treachery of those who were tainted by the curse of -Popery often made our blood run cold within us; and when it became -increasingly certain that the Duke of York was Papist up to the neck, -and would throw off all disguise when once he ascended the throne, it -was scarce to be marvelled at that we should fix our eyes upon one who -might rise up to be a champion and deliverer, and save us from the -oppression of a tyrant and bigot. - -I was heart and soul with all men who held this view, but I noted -often that my uncle would sit mute whilst such talk was going on, and -that he was always slow to commit himself to any open opinion. And -once when I had grown too excited to hold my peace any longer, and had -openly spoken out some of the thoughts that were burning within me, -he had taken me to task afterwards, not sternly indeed, but somewhat -seriously, and had warned me that I had better learn the art of holding -my tongue, and watching the turn of the tide before I launched my bark -upon untried waters. - -"But, uncle," I exclaimed eagerly, "surely you are for the Duke?" - -"I am for the rightful King of the realm, whoever he be," was the -cautious answer. "It is not given to us to choose our monarch. God sets -Kings upon the throne, and bids us submit ourselves to the powers that -be. That is my principle, and will be my practice; albeit I should -greatly prefer to serve a King of the true faith." - -I was puzzled by this way of stating the matter, for it was not after -such cautious fashion that the greater part of our friends talked; but -I began to note as time went by that my uncle was more cautious in many -of his ways than were others, and that he made some small changes in -his methods and habits. - -After the Rye House Plot there was great excitement in the country, -and greater efforts than ever were made to force men to attend -public worship in the churches of the Establishment instead of in -meeting-houses of their own. Many such meeting-houses and chapels were -wrecked (like our own) in various places, and the flocks scattered, -so that they could no longer hear their favourite doctrines preached -by their favourite ministers, but must either absent themselves from -public worship or go to church with the orthodox. - -Now in St. Mary's Church there was held a grand service of thanksgiving -for the safety of the King and the Duke of York, and the Mayor and -Burgesses all attended in civic pomp. My uncle went, of course, in his -capacity of one of the Capital Burgesses; but rather to our surprise, -he desired that all of us should be present; and from that day forward -he regularly attended the parish church, taking his wife and daughter -and other members of his household. He gave as his reason for this, -that it was right to obey the wishes of the ruling sovereign in so far -as it was possible to do so without violation of the conscience, and -that so long as good Mr. Axe filled the pulpit of St. Mary's, he could -go and hear him with edification and pleasure. - -I was quite of that opinion myself, used to the order and liturgy of -the church, and finding the long extempore prayers at Paul's Meeting -less to my liking than the collects set down in the prayer-book. I was -glad to go to church; but I was a little puzzled by my uncle's sudden -zeal for submission and orthodoxy. He said nothing that our friends -could cavil at, and was hearty and warm towards them as ever; but he -seemed to desire to be "all things to all men"--a line of conduct which -I was far too young and hot-headed to understand the use of. - -But I must not omit to mention, in dealing with my early experiences -of Taunton, the school next door, and the two kindly gentlewomen who -conducted it. - -Meg had once been a scholar there, and kept very friendly relations -with her mistresses. My aunt, too, was very kindly disposed towards -them, and would often send me in with some small delicacy for their -supper; and by-and-by I used to be admitted to the parlour where the -ladies sat, and was sometimes bidden to take a seat and to tell them -some of the gossip of the town. For these gentlewomen seldom stirred -abroad themselves, and all their exercise was taken in the old garden -behind the house, where the pupils walked or played for an hour in the -middle of the day when the weather permitted. As I grew to be better -acquainted with them, I was asked sometimes to read awhile whilst -they plied their needles; and this reading became such a pleasure to -them that by the time the first winter of my stay in Taunton arrived, -I went in about once a week to read the news-letter after it had -been exhausted at the inn, and to tell them all I had gleaned from -travellers or from the talk of the towns-folk upon it. - -It was these readings which introduced me first to the notice of fair -Mistress Mary Mead, of whom I had heard upon the very first day of my -sojourn in the town, but of whom I had had no thought till I was months -afterwards brought into her presence. - -And I think it behoves me here to explain somewhat of the history of -fair Mistress Mary; for these pages will have a good deal to say of -her, and it may be well that it should be fully understood what manner -of person she was. - -Her grandfather had been one of Cromwell's generals--a man stanch to -the side of the Parliament; and he had fallen at the siege of Taunton, -of which mention has been made. His son, Mistress Mary's father, had -been enriched by the spoils of the Cavaliers in their misfortunes, -and had amassed a considerable fortune. This daughter was his only -child, and his wife, who was said to be of a noble royalist family, -died in giving her birth. Sir Thomas Mead--for he had won his spurs of -knighthood--died when his child was ten years old, leaving her to the -guardianship of his friend the Earl of Lonsdale. Sir Thomas had trimmed -his sails with the times, and had welcomed the King back from exile at -the Restoration; but it was always supposed that he had not changed his -views to any notable extent, and that his daughter had been brought up -to glory in the doughty deeds of her grandsire, and to hate and abhor -all undue exercise of royal prerogative, and all indications of Popery. - -The girl had been brought up for convenience at the school where the -better towns-folk sent their daughters, Sir Thomas not having yet -learned to hold his head higher than the compeers of his father. When -the child was left an orphan, Lord Lonsdale had summoned her to his -house, and it was supposed that she would remain beneath her guardian's -roof until she married; but some four years later she was suddenly sent -back to the care of Miss Blake and Mrs. Musgrave, not exactly on the -footing of the rest of the scholars, but to remain in their charge as -a member of their household, and to observe the same secluded life as -they did themselves. - -Various surmises were afloat with regard to this sudden and unusual -arrangement. Some declared that Mistress Mary's faithful attachment to -her instructors (which was an admitted fact in all quarters) had led to -this step, and that it was her own earnest pleadings which had caused -her to be sent back. Others affirmed that her guardian was alarmed -and displeased by her independence of mind and by her revolutionary -tenets, and had sent her away in disgrace; but that theory was rather -quashed by the improbability of Lord Lonsdale's choosing Miss Blake's -school as the asylum for a refractory maiden, since both the heads of -the establishment were known to be much of the same way of thinking. -The third whisper was that Lord Lonsdale's son, the gallant and dashing -Viscount Vere, had shown such unmistakable signs of falling in love -with his father's ward, that Lord Lonsdale in a great fright (for he -had other views of a more ambitious nature for his son) had sent Mary -away in haste, choosing a place where she was known to have friends -and to be happy, and hoping she would shortly relieve him of all -embarrassment by selecting a husband for herself. But if this was the -case, his choice of a place had hardly been a happy one; for Mistress -Mary led a life of almost nun-like retirement, and had already been -four years with her former mistresses without showing any signs of -entering into bonds of wedlock. - -I had heard all these tales and surmises respecting her before ever I -was favoured by the sight of her fair sweet face and graceful form. -But she came to be present often at the readings, and I learned to -think her more exquisitely beautiful every time I saw her. There was -a charm in the steady dark grey eyes, the delicate mobile features, -and the easy grace of her every movement, which my poor pen has no -power to describe. Her voice was low and sweet, the sweetest I have -ever heard, and the rare laugh was like music. Surely had I been a -man, and a comely and gallant one to boot, I should straightway have -fallen in love with sweet Mistress Mary Mead. And I ceased to marvel at -the stories of Viscount Vere; for even as a child she must have been -passing fair, and how could he help loving what was so gracious and so -good? - -But I had no suspicion in those early days what I should be called upon -to do for Mistress Mary Mead, nor how great a part I should play in her -life's story. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_I GET AMONGST FINE FOLK._ - - -I have been something remiss all this while in saying no word about -my faithful four-footed friend Blackbird, who had accompanied me to -Taunton, and who remained as constant in his attachment to me there -as he had done at home, notwithstanding all the blandishments and -the praise he received from the hostlers at the inn, and from the -travellers and servants who chanced to note him in the stable. I -could have sold him again and again for a good round sum had I been -so minded, and had he not been so persistent in suffering none other -rider than myself to mount him. Not that I was ever tempted to part -with my comrade; for I was in no need of money, and I found continual -pleasure in the journeys of exploration around Taunton which I made on -Blackbird's back. I came in time to be well acquainted with the whole -of the surrounding country; and very rich and beautiful country it -was, as all men know who are acquainted with our "Queen of the West," -the name given by Taunton men to their beloved city. And in due time -the possession of Blackbird, and my reputation for riding, brought me -employment of which I had never dreamed before. - -I have spoken of beautiful Mistress Mary Mead, whom I came to regard -with a great admiration and reverence. She was like a star in the -firmament of my sky--far, far above me, and yet on whose loveliness -I was ofttimes permitted to gaze, and who would sometimes give me -a kindly smile or a gentle word of praise, which set all my pulses -hammering and the blood tingling in my veins. - -But there was better than this in store for me as the dark cold winter -days passed by, and the spring sunshine began to coax forth the shy -flowers in the meadows, and to woo the swelling buds to show their -tender tints of green and gold. - -Sweet Mistress Mary had been looking somewhat pale and fragile during -the inclement winter, and when the first heat of coming spring filled -the air, it seemed to make her languid rather than brisk; so the leech -who was called in to see her said that she must take the air without -the fatigue of walking, and, in fine, prescribed horse-exercise for her. - -Now in mine uncle's stable was a fair grey palfrey which he had bought -for her good looks, and which carried a lady as carefully and softly -as it is given to steed to do. As soon then as I heard what was spoken -anent Mistress Mary, I set to work to groom and tend Lady Jane (for -so the palfrey was called by us) till her coat shone like satin, and -all the long hair of winter was groomed away. Then I led her round to -Mistress Mary to show her how fair a steed she was; and no sooner had -she seen her than the wish to mount her and ride out into the open -country lanes arose within her heart, and the blood mantled in her -fair cheek, and already the medicine seemed like to work. - -Now hanging upon Mistress Mary's hand, as she came to see Lady Jane, -was a younger maiden whose face was well known to me by this time, and -whose rank in life was equal to that of Mistress Mary, and much above -that of those scholars of Miss Blake's who came to her from the town. -Belike it was this that made these twain consort much together, as I -heard from Lizzie that they did. The laughing maid with chestnut curls -and dancing blue eyes was one Mistress Mary Bridges from Bishop's Hull, -a goodly house lying west of Taunton about a mile away or something -over. Mistress Mary was the only girl out of a fine family of boys. -Perchance she was like to grow somewhat too much of a boy herself, for -it was whispered that she could handle a carbine and shoot straight to -the mark, and that she was as bold and fearless as a young lion; so it -may be that for this same cause she was sent to Miss Blake's school, to -be educated with Mistress Mary Mead, who was known for an accomplished -and right gentle lady. During the inclement months of the winter, the -younger Mistress Mary had dwelt beneath the roof of Miss Blake's house; -but I had heard that with the approach of summer she would ride in and -out on her palfrey. And the words that I heard her speak showed me that -this was like enow to be true. - -"Ah, Mary," she cried, with her rosy face all aglow, "now we will have -right good times together, thou and I. We will go riding forth whither -we will, when I have my pony in good John Snowe's stable. I will show -thee mine own home, and all the beauteous glades and woods of which I -have told thee. We will ride hither and thither, and be free as air! I -have been but as a caged bird all these weeks. Now we will spread our -wings and fare forth together and see the world. I will be Rosalind, -and thou shalt be Celia! I will protect thee, and we will live the life -of the forest together!" And she laughed so joyous a laugh that I could -scarce forbear to join, albeit I knew my place, and strove to look -unconcerned. - -For a few days I heard no more of the matter, and then my uncle -suddenly told me that he had promised I should attend the two -Mistresses Mary three days in the week upon their rides, and that -I must curtail my studies somewhat in order to be able to do this. -Some attendant they must needs have, and to my great satisfaction and -happiness I was told the Mistress Mary Mead herself had said that she -would prefer Dicon Snowe to any other. - -Now, although I say it, I think the maidens had made wise choice, for I -doubt me if any other could so well have shown them the country round -Taunton as Blackbird and I. Moreover, knowing what would be wanted by -the courageous and high-spirited ladies, I went out often early upon -Lady Jane, and taught her the tricks of leaping, creeping through -hedges, and overcoming obstacles that Blackbird was famous for; and -since Mistress Mary Bridges' pony was as daring and eager as herself, -there was little that we could not accomplish together when our minds -were set upon it. - -I knew my place, I hope, and I was careful to speak no word to my -ladies save such as became their servant; but as we grew acquainted -one with another, they would often draw me into their talk, in that -way which the really high-born have no fear of doing, and discuss with -me many matters in which I was more versed than they. And this I say -without boasting of any learning; for what the ladies desired greatly -to learn was news of those things that were going on in the world about -them, of which little reached them, whilst I was always hearing stories -from the travellers who passed by; and though some told one tale and -some another, so that it was not easy to sift the grain of truth from -the chaff of falsehood, yet one felt to know something as time went on, -and I could tell my ladies many a tale which made them hang upon my -lips as though I spoke words of magic charm. - -And ever and again would our talk come back to the Duke of Monmouth, -and the chance of his succeeding to the crown. - -Mistress Mary Bridges came of a race that belonged to what men called -the "Court party." At home she heard no good spoken of the Duke -of Monmouth, and told us that her father had many times said with -authority that there was no truth whatsoever in the story of the black -box; that many men believed the Duke of Monmouth to be the son of -Colonel Robert Sydney, and not of the King at all; that her father -always declared him to be much more like "handsome Sydney," as he was -called, than like the King; and that it would be vile sin and shame to -England if any attempt were made to place upon the throne a man upon -whose birth there rested such a stain and slur. His mother, as all the -world knew, had been a vile woman, and the son was like to be little -better than his mother. These things had young Mistress Mary heard her -father say when he was speaking to his wife and others of this matter, -and the daughter had been brought up to look upon the succession of the -Duke as a silly fable, which would never come to aught save empty talk. - -Her winter's residence in Taunton, however, had done something to shake -this conviction. Her ardent and romantic nature had caught some of the -fire of Mistress Mary Mead's silent but intense love and enthusiasm for -the Duke; and when I told of my own adventure, spoke of his kindly ways -to the people, his gentleness to me, and the miraculous cure he had -worked upon me, she was still more shaken in her former beliefs, and -looking from one to another of us would say meditatively,-- - -"Ah! I wonder which is the truth? I would fain believe him the King's -lawful son. That treacherous black-browed Duke of York will be a -terrible tyrant. I would it were any one else to succeed the King! But -my father says we must never do evil that good may come; and to support -an usurper would be that, even should he make the best King afterwards -that the world has ever known!" - -But then Mistress Mary Mead's soft eyes would light up with a glow of -wondrous beauty, and she would say softly,-- - -"But he is no usurper; he is the lawful heir to the throne, and some -day all men will know it! God will light for the righteous cause, and -the truth will be made clear as the noonday. I know it, I know it! -my heart tells it me!" And such a look would come into her face that -all we could do was to gaze at her as though she had been an inspired -prophetess; and the other Mary would throw her arms about her and cry,-- - -"Now, when thou lookest thus, I cannot but believe every word thou -sayest. I could believe that the angels had revealed these things unto -thee in vision." - -And truly I could almost believe the same; for never saw I more perfect -trust and confidence than in the lovely face of Mistress Mary, and I -knew that she was one of those who would gladly lay down her life if -need be in what she held to be a righteous cause. - -Now, though I must not linger too long over the story of these pleasant -rides, I must not omit to mention that more than once as we sallied -forth into the lanes and woods we encountered a very gay and dashing -young gallant, who (unless my fancy deceived me) looked long and -earnestly at Mistress Mary, with a strange fixedness in his eyes, as -though he saw something in her aspect that touched him nearly. And this -thing happened more than once, till at last I began to wonder whether -our comings and goings were marked and noted by this same gallant, and -whether he put himself of set purpose in our path. - -The first time or two when it happened I doubt if either of my ladies -heeded the passing rider. But there came a day when we met him in a -very straight and narrow way, and had to pass him in single file; and -then it was that a strange thing happened. Young Mistress Mary had -gone in front, and Mistress Mary Bridges followed her--I keeping, as -behoved my position, somewhat in the rear. As Mistress Mary passed by -this horseman, who had drawn rein and pulled his steed well-nigh into -the hedge to let the ladies go by, I saw him put forth a hand and lay -it for a moment on the neck of her palfrey, whilst I was certain that -I heard these words pronounced in a very low tone, "Mary, sweetheart, -hast thou forgotten me?" - -I saw her start, and turn her head towards him who had thus addressed -her; and albeit it was little of her face I could see, yet even that -little had flushed, as I saw well, a vivid and beautiful crimson. She -seemed to pause for a moment, as if without knowing it, and I think she -spoke a soft word, though what it was I could not hear. But I saw his -eyes lighten, and his hand seek hers for a moment, and again I heard -him say as they passed each other by, "I will be faithful, I will be -true." - -Now all this greatly aroused and interested me; for Mistress Mary Mead -was in very sooth the queen of my heart, and that she should be beloved -by so fair and gallant a gentleman seemed to me most right and fitting. -I knew not this dashing young lord (for such I rightly judged him to -be), but I looked at him well as I passed by, and thought that his -face was a right goodly and honest one, and that if any man deserved -the love of my sweet lady, it would be one such as he. Methought he -gave me a quick and earnest glance as he rode by, but he said no word, -nor did he address either me or Mistress Mary when he met us on other -occasions. Yet methinks there is a language of the eyes which is often -more eloquent than that of the tongue, and I noted that the bloom -returned with wondrous speed to Mistress Mary's pale cheeks, and that -the languor and weakness from which she had been suffering grew less -day by day. - -The gay spring-tide flew by as upon wings, and the hot dry summer -followed. There had been something of a drought the previous year, and -again this summer there was great lack of rain, and some of the crops -suffered, although others did well, and all men rejoiced in the brave -sunshine and the way in which the hay was got in and the corn grew and -ripened. - -With these summer days, too, came the holidays at the schools. I had no -more studies to prepare for my tutors and masters; nor had I any rides -to take with my ladies, for Miss Blake's house was empty. Mistress Mary -Mead had gone to spend the vacation with her friend at Bishop's Hull, -and I might have felt my time hang heavy, missing their kindly notice -of me, had it not been that another call was made upon my time, and one -which brought me into contact with one in whom I had come to have a -great interest. - -I was standing idly in the court-yard one day, watching the comings -and goings of various travellers, and exchanging a word now and again -with one whom I knew, when all of a sudden I woke up to a sense of -keen interest and excitement; for into the yard rode the gallant young -gentleman whom we had so often encountered in our rides, and I at once -went up and held his stirrup for him to dismount, asking him how we -could serve him. - -He looked hard at me, and I saw that he knew me instantly. - -"Can I have speech with John Snowe?" he asked; and I at once said that -my uncle was within, and would attend him in person. But he still -remained standing beside his horse regarding me steadily; and before he -moved away towards the inn, he remarked with would-be carelessness of -manner, "I have not seen thee abroad of late with thy ladies." - -"No, my lord," I answered--for I had made up my mind he could be -nothing less--"the ladies be gone away for a while. They will not -return till the summer has waned." - -I thought he looked sorrowful, but he said no more, and turned towards -the inn, bidding me hold his horse till his return, as he should not -be long over his errand. I was curious to know what that errand could -be, and to know the name and rank of the gallant gentleman. I was sure -to find out that from mine uncle, who knew every one, high and low, in -these parts; but my curiosity was gratified sooner than I looked for, -for within five minutes I heard my uncle's voice calling to me to come -in. - -Leaving the horse with one of the hostlers, I ran to obey the summons, -and found myself in the best parlour, where the stranger was half -seated upon the table, tapping his riding-boot with his cane as he -talked, my uncle standing respectfully before him, his cap in his hand. -This confirmed my impressions as to the rank of the visitor; for my -uncle by no means capped to every chance traveller, even of the better -sort. - -"This is the lad of whom your lordship has heard, Dicon Snowe, my -brother's son," said my uncle as I appeared. "If he will suit your -noble father's purpose, and if it be not for too long a time, we will -make shift to spare him, albeit his place here will not be easy to -fill." - -"You shall not be the loser by it, good John," said the young gallant -with a laugh; and I saw that his eyes lighted up with surprise at my -entrance, and I thought that his face looked pleased. - -He did not, however, speak openly to me, only giving me a friendly nod -as he said something about "the morrow" to my uncle; and only when he -was gone and we had seen him ride gaily past the windows did I venture -to ask my kinsman, "Who is he? and wherefore has he come? What is it -that he wants of me?" - -"That is young Lord Vere--Viscount Vere, if you will--eldest son and -heir to Lord Lonsdale of Court House, West Monkton. Doubtless you have -been near the place sometimes when riding forth with the ladies." - -"No," I answered, "Mistress Mary would never ride that way; but I have -seen the house when I have been alone, albeit I knew not who lived in -it. Is it not Lord Lonsdale who is guardian to Mistress Mary Mead?" - -"Ay; and some say his son was so smitten by her girlish charms, that -to keep mischief from following she was sent to Miss Blake, and the -Viscount to London and thence to foreign shores, whence he has but -lately returned. But the business that brought him here was to obtain -for his father, my Lord of Lonsdale, the assistance of a reader, who -can beguile his leisure and write his despatches, whilst he recovers -from an inflammation of the eyes which is keeping him a prisoner in -his room. His secretary is away upon some mission, and his lordship -has been doing all himself of late; but his eyes have suddenly become -greatly inflamed and painful, so that he is unable to use them. It has -been told him that I had here a youth who was an excellent reader and -ready likewise with the pen, and he has sent to ask for him to be sent -to Court House for a while. And so I must e'en make shift to spare -thee, boy; for one must give favourable answer when a lord is the suer." - -I gathered from what I had heard that it was something more than -courtesy which prompted my uncle to part with me; but I was not -disposed to fall foul of his motives, seeing that I was greatly the -gainer thereby. For, like all young things, I was greedy of change, and -thought that it would be a fine thing to belong for a time to my Lord -of Lonsdale's household--to sit with him in his library and read to him -and pen his despatches. I felt an inch taller as I went from my uncle's -presence to make my simple preparations for leaving on the morrow. -I had been not a little fascinated by the beauty and manly grace of -the Viscount, and the thought that he was the secret lover of sweet -Mistress Mary Mead gave him an added charm in my eyes. Perhaps I should -be able to help those two to a happy termination to their courtship. -Did not the mouse in the fable loose the bonds of the lion? And surely -I might be able to do as much as that! - -On the next morning I set forth in great spirits, riding Blackbird, and -carrying a change of apparel in my saddlebag. I knew Court House well, -for I had often seen its chimneys and gables from mine own home, from -which it lay not so very far away by miles, but divided therefrom by a -stretch of swampy land, so that there was no good way of approaching -it. I did not even remember who lived there, though I must surely have -heard. For until I came to dwell in Taunton, I took but small interest -in the affairs of the neighbourhood, save those of the neighbours and -friends amongst whom we lived. - -But I was interested enough as I rode up and passed under the archway -to the stables and inferior offices of the house and made known my -errand there. I thought the men looked rather disdainfully at my -crooked back and small stature, but whether they would have been -rude or not I cannot say, for the Viscount chanced to pass that way, -sallying out to see to a favourite horse that was lame; and seeing me -he nodded in his friendly fashion, and calling to an indoor servant, he -bid him conduct me to the Earl without further ado. - -So I was taken through one long passage and up a flight of stairs, and -along yet another and a longer passage, and through a door into a hall -of such vast and noble proportions that I would fain have lingered to -look at it, only I was constrained to follow my guide, who turned down -a long corridor lighted by tall narrow windows high up in the wall, -and hung with many a fine picture the likes of which I had never seen -before, until he paused at a massive door sunk in a niche in the wall, -and almost immediately I found myself entering a room almost as large -as a church, with windows filled with lozenges of stained glass bearing -heraldic devices, and with cases of books the very sight of which made -my mouth water and my fingers tingle in the longing desire to know what -was within them. - -At the far end of this room, beside a bureau heaped with books and -papers, sat a stately gentleman, soberly but richly clad, and wearing -over his eyes a shade to exclude the light. He held a paper-cutter like -a dagger in his hands, with which he seemed to have been impatiently -toying, and as soon as ever the servant had retired after explaining -his errand, he pointed imperiously to a wooden chair near to the table, -and said, "Sit there, Dicon Snowe, and read to me these letters one by -one. Pause not unless I bid thee. And read thy best and clearest." - -I obeyed in some fear and trembling, for I found it a very different -thing to read out written matter to a lord from having to read the -print of book or news-letter to my uncle's guests, or even to Miss -Blake and Mrs. Musgrave. However, I knew that I should only do worse by -letting myself think of this, and by getting frightened at my position; -so I went to my task with what courage I could muster, and soon found -the work so interesting that I forgot all about Lord Lonsdale's rank, -and was as much at home in my task as though I had been in my uncle's -parlour. - -I may say without vanity that I pleased my master. I found this out -by degrees as I pursued my avocations under his directions. There was -always a good deal of reading and writing of despatches to be done in -the mornings, and sometimes gentlemen would come in and talk with the -Earl, whilst I sat silent over my task or waited idle for orders. I saw -Sir William Portman frequently, the owner of Orchard Portman, and also -of a fine timbered house in the town; and Sir Ralph Bridges, the father -of Mistress Mary, came sometimes and talked long and earnestly with the -Earl. - -I could not hear a great deal of their talk from where I sat in my -recess, and often I had writing to do which engrossed my attention; but -I gathered that the health of the King was beginning to give anxiety -to the Court, that the question of the succession was becoming an -increasingly burning one, and that the power and influence of the Duke -of Monmouth were steadily waning. - -This was regarded as very satisfactory by the friends of the Earl, as -I very well saw, although my own heart used to grow heavy within me -as I heard their talk. The Duke was not in England now. He had fled -to Holland, and was sometimes heard of there, sometimes in Brussels. -It was said that he was planning a secret visit to England, to get -speech with the King and seek to regain his favour. All believed the -King to be greatly attached to him, and feared the result of a personal -interview. But all were equally convinced that Charles would never -pass over his brother and rightful heir, or seek to pass any measure -putting Monmouth into the succession. These men of the Court Party -seemed quite secure on this head; but the unpopularity of the Duke of -York in the country, and the strange influence which Monmouth possessed -over the hearts of the people, were sources of danger which they could -not ignore. I heard the matter discussed in all its bearings, and felt -every day to enter into a better understanding of the case; but all -this did not shake my loyalty and love for the Duke one whit, though it -opened my eyes to the knowledge that he would have a harder battle for -his crown (thus I put it to myself) than I had hitherto believed. - -In the after-part of the day I generally read other things to the Earl: -history, poetry, learned writings of great men whose names I had never -heard--nothing came amiss to Lord Lonsdale, who was a very learned man; -and he was exceedingly kind in pausing from time to time to make some -explanation which rendered the theme under discussion more intelligible -to me. Of course I never paused to ask a question, but if he stopped -to ask if I understood what I was reading (as he sometimes did), -then I had to answer no, and he would give me a brief but masterly -summary of the matter, and permit me then to ask a question if I did -not understand. So I came to have a great love and reverence for the -Earl, and to feel my mental horizon growing wider round me every day. -I was well treated by the servants of the house, with whom I consorted -at other times; and above all I began to feel an intense and growing -admiration and love for young Lord Vere, who took much notice of me -as the days went by, but of whom I will more fully speak in another -chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_VISCOUNT VERE._ - - -It may be that what I have now to relate will have something of a -presumptuous sound, seeing that I was a lad of humble birth, and that -my lord the Viscount was heir to a noble name and estate. Nevertheless -truth is truth, be it never so strange, and there be laws of the heart -which follow not the laws of custom and use. Nor was it anything -strange that my heart should go forth to one so handsome, so noble, so -kind of nature, so brave and gallant as the youthful Viscount, Lord -Lonsdale's son; but it always seems passing strange to me when I think -how he made of me a friend and comrade--me, a crook-backed lad of but -fourteen years when first we became acquaint, the son of a farmer, and -nephew to an inn-keeper--one who might never dare to speak such a word -as "friendship" in connection with such an one as my Lord Vere. Yet so -it turned out, and friends we became; and I may e'en write the word -down without shame, albeit in all humility, since to this very day he -speaks of me as friend, and loves to talk over with me those stirring -adventures in which we both bore a part, as you shall hear. - -How this strange friendship came about it now behoves me to relate. - -I was, as I have explained, installed for a time in Lord Lonsdale's -household, intrusted with the office of reading to him, and of writing -such of his letters as he desired. My duties, however, did not occupy -the whole of my time, and I had many hours of leisure to call mine own. - -It was, I think, upon the third day of my stay, and I had found my way -to the stables to look at Blackbird, and to ask whether it would be -deemed right for me to take him out for exercise, when Lord Vere came -into the yard, and seeing me there, cried out in his free and friendly -fashion, "Well met, Dicon; let us ride forth together. I have somewhat -to say to thee; and that pony of thine looks wild for a gallop." - -So before a quarter of an hour had passed we were riding through the -great gateway--I following in the wake of the Viscount, as was just and -right, but feeling greatly honoured by being permitted thus to attend -him. - -I would fain describe my gallant young lord, only I fear that my poor -pen lacks the skill to bring him before the eye of the reader. It -is easy to speak of handsome, well-cut features, stamped with that -high-bred look that is the birthright of so many of our noble families, -of sunny blue eyes, delicately-arched brows, and a figure full of -grace and power, and skilled in all martial exercises. But these words -sound cold and poor, and do little towards conjuring up the picture of -youthful grace and manhood that was presented in those days by young -Lord Vere. There was a brightness about him which was like nothing so -much as the golden halo round the head of a pictured saint. He seemed -to carry sunshine and light with him. It shone in his eyes, it sparkled -in his smile, it brought light and happiness to the faces of those with -whom he spoke. I have lived long in the world now, and have seen many -men and women whom I have had good cause to love, admire, and revere; -but none amongst these has ever possessed that gracious and brilliant -charm of the Viscount. Never have I felt my heart so stolen away and -enslaved as it was by him. I know what the love is of man to maid, -and how it makes all the world new, and makes a heaven of this earth; -but even this love and glamour is not quite like that which filled my -boyhood's heart when young Lord Vere rode beside me and made of me his -friend. I always think when in Holy Writ I hear how the soul of David -was knit unto the soul of Jonathan, and of how the love of Jonathan -and David is spoken of as a love "passing the love of women," that I -understand the import of these beautiful words better perhaps than -other men may be able to do. - -I felt the beginnings of this glamour as I rode after Lord Vere through -the stately park and watched the sunlight playing in his golden curls -and lighting up the bright tints of his riding coat and vest. The -Viscount's hair was so thick and abundant, and curled with such a -natural grace, that he wore no wig, like the greater part of the gentry -in those days; and for my part I think that nothing could have so well -become him as did his own bright hair, although I have heard envious -gallants, who would fain have copied him an they had known how, sneer -at his "maid's face" and floating love-locks. - -We had scarce passed beyond the view of the house when Lord Vere reined -in his horse and signed to me to come up beside him; and then with one -quick glance round, as though to assure himself that there were none to -overhear, he said in eager accents, "Dicon lad, I have wanted speech -of thee for a purpose. I prithee tell me all thou knowest about sweet -Mistress Mary Mead." - -I was not greatly surprised at the question, albeit it had come -somewhat soon and suddenly. Nor was I loath to speak of Mistress Mary; -and I told my young lord all that I knew of her--how I was favoured -sometimes to read to her with others in Miss Blake's parlour, and how I -had been made her attendant since she had been bidden to take exercise -on her palfrey with young Mistress Mary Bridges. - -He listened eagerly, ever and anon putting some quick question anent -her health or the fashion in which she occupied herself; and when I had -told him all that I could, he looked thoughtful for a moment, and then -said, "Boy, dost thou think her happy?" - -Truth to tell, I had never seriously considered this question. Mistress -Mary seemed to me as a thing apart, so greatly above my world that -I did not judge of her as I should of others nearer to myself; but -having had the thought suggested, I pondered awhile upon it, and then I -answered,-- - -"Methinks, perhaps, that she is as one who feels a shadow resting -upon her life. She is ofttimes pensive. She but seldom laughs, and her -smile is sad as well as sweet. I could think of her as one who has some -secret trouble which she is nursing; but I do not speak with knowledge, -my lord, only as my heart prompts me, thinking of her and what I have -noted when in her gentle presence." - -Now although I could not doubt that the Viscount greatly loved Mistress -Mary, yet methought his face lighted as if with joy to hear that she -was ofttimes sad. And if at first I was surprised at this, I quickly -began to understand better the reason for this joy. - -He rode on for a few minutes in silence, one expression chasing another -over his face; and at last looking earnestly at me, as though he would -read my very soul, he said,-- - -"Dicon, I must speak to some one, else my heart will break for very -impatience of these bonds of silence. Boy, I like thee. There is that -in thy face which draws me to thee. Canst thou be discreet? canst thou -keep a secret? and wilt thou be true to me if I tell thee more perhaps -of myself than any man knoweth as yet?" - -My heart bounded within me at these words. Already it was enslaved by -the charm of this young noble. Even though I had been but three days in -his father's house, I had heard nothing but praise of him, and had come -already to regard him as a bright particular star. To be taken into his -confidence was a favour so far above my merits and so far removed from -anything I had dreamed, that I was bewildered with joy, and could only -breathe forth a hearty and cordial promise that I would be true to the -death, silent as the grave, and the very humble and devoted servant of -the Viscount in any office in which he could employ me and in which I -could serve him. - -He looked at me smilingly as I blundered forth my clumsy asseverations, -but I think he read in my eyes that I meant every word that I said; and -when I had finished he held out his hand, and I placed mine within it, -feeling lifted into another sphere by the very touch of those strong -slim fingers. - -"There, lad, that is the seal to our comradeship," he said, as he -released my fingers with a strong pressure. "Now I must e'en speak to -thee with some freedom; and yet, perchance, thou hast heard somewhat of -this very matter. Has it ever been told thee that I love Mistress Mary -as a man loves the maiden he would fain seek for his wife?" - -"I have heard something of it, my lord," I answered; "albeit I think -that none know rightly whether there be truth in the rumour or no." - -"If men say that I love her as never woman was loved yet, they speak in -very sooth no more than the truth," was the impetuous answer, and the -young lord's face flushed with the generous ardour of his love, whilst -his eyes kindled with such a light as methinks no maiden could resist; -but after a brief moment the flush faded, and he smiled at his own -vehemence, and said,-- - -"Nay, but I must not prate and rant like a hot-headed boy. I have -reached man's estate, and as a man will I woo and win my fair lady. And -thou, good Dicon, shalt help me to this, an thou wilt; for men have -raised barriers betwixt us that be not easily broken down. Not only -have they taken her away and placed her with those who would keep her -from me, but they have taught her to think that her sweet love will -injure me, and that to wed with her would be to do me grievous hurt." - -"Is that so?" I asked, marvelling; and walking our horses at a foot's -pace under the green trees, the Viscount told me all his tale. - -"Truly I think that from very childhood we loved each other. Thou canst -well guess how sweet a maid she was when she came to us, and how in my -lonely boyhood she seemed to come like a creature of light and air; how -we roved the woods and dells together, and played that we were king and -queen of all the earth; and how we plighted our troth a thousand times, -and never thought of life save as a thing to be shared together. - -"I verily believe that, had my mother lived, she would have taken our -part; for Mary was in sooth a daughter to her, and she loved her with a -great and tender love. But she was taken away, and methinks the grief -of that parting changed Mary from child to maiden at an early age. Be -that as it may, when she was not yet fifteen years, and when I was but -eighteen, I could refrain myself no longer, but told her fully and -freely of my love; and she hid her sweet face upon my breast, and said -that she had never known a thought or a wish save to be mine. And so we -plighted our troth standing over my mother's grave, where it was that -her tears had roused within me the resolve to speak at once and for -ever, and to win for myself the right to chase those tears away. Our -troth-plight was the more hallowed to both of us, I know, for that it -was taken in that spot, amid so many memories of her who had been so -infinitely dear to both." - -The Viscount paused a moment and turned away his head; and I thought -none the less highly of his manhood that the memory of his departed -mother had brought tears to his eyes. For a moment he paused, and then -he continued his tale, speaking in a graver tone, and with less of -emotion. - -"Having thus opened my heart to Mary, the time had come for me to speak -to my father. I went to him without fear, and yet I was aware of some -small misgiving in my heart. Not that I could see how he could, by any -manner of means, find aught amiss with my choice; yet I remembered -how he had from time to time spoken of my marriage, and had seemed to -think that a daughter of our good friend Sir William Portman would -prove to be the lady of my choice. Hitherto I had only smiled when he -spoke thus, and had given the matter scarce another thought, having no -intentions towards marriage till Mary should be older. But I remembered -it as I approached the door of his room that day, and my heart sank -somewhat within me." - -"But surely, my lord, your noble father could not have aught but love -for one so sweet as Mistress Mary?" I hazarded. - -The Viscount slightly shook his head. - -"Thou wilt find as thou growest in wisdom and in years, good Dicon, -that a father may love a fair maid right well, and yet not desire her -for his son's wife; and that he may care little for the lady he desires -to call his daughter-in-law the whiles he is very eager to betroth her -to his son. I was speedily to find that my father would hear not a word -of my troth-plight to Mary. He strove first to laugh; and when I would -not have the matter slighted, he grew stern and hard, told me that he -had other projects for me, and that in these dangerous and perilous -times--for they are more perilous than thou dost well know, Dicon, and -are like to be more so should aught happen to the King--no man could -walk too warily. He said he had chosen a wife for me out of the family -of the Portmans, as, in sooth, I had half believed, and that Mary was -no fit match for me. Some wealth she had, but her lineage was not equal -to mine, and, child though she was, she was deeply tainted by the -disloyalty and rebellious notions of her father. He had watched with -pain the development of the germs of this evil, which had been fostered -by those to whom her education had been intrusted, albeit at that time -he had not known this. In short, he would have none of it. He would -not listen to my pleading. He told me that I was but a boy, and knew -not what was for mine own good; whilst she was a child, and would say -yea to any swain who came a-wooing. And since I was unwilling thus to -be treated, and asserted my manhood and my unchanging devotion in the -finest phrases at my command, he took another line with me, and said -that I must have a chance of seeing other maidens than my Mary; and, in -fine, he told me to make ready to be sent to the King's Court, where it -was full time that I presented myself, and where he intended to send me -forthwith." - -"Was not that good news, my lord?" I asked as he paused. "Surely your -lordship must have desired to see the gay world of fashion and the -person of the King's Majesty?" - -"I wanted nothing so much then as to bask in the sunshine of Mary's -bright eyes," answered Lord Vere quickly. "Nevertheless, if that might -not be, and if it were needful to prove my constancy, I was willing to -obey my father; and, indeed, I had no choice but to do as I was bid. -Mary herself told me that I must submit myself to my father's will; and -within a week I had bidden her farewell, vowing to be constant to her -for ever, and quickly found myself in London, and welcomed at Court by -many of my father's friends." - -"And what is the life of the Court like, my lord?" I ventured to -inquire; but the Viscount laughed and shook his head. - -"Ask me that another time, good Dicon, and I will give thee thy fill of -stories of its follies and pleasures and wickedness; but my thoughts -are with my Mary to-day, and I will not sully her name nor her image -by mingling with it any of these polluted memories. I was there some -three months when my father came; and I heard then from him that Mary -had been sent away from Court House to Miss Blake's, or rather to Mrs. -Musgrave's care, in Taunton. My father said that a maid needed the -care of women--which is doubtless true; and that, now my mother was -dead, there was no one here to be a companion to her. I wrote her a -letter when I was able to find a safe messenger; but she was long in -replying, although I begged her to let me hear from her. And when she -did write, it was to tell me that she would not hold me bound by any -of the words I had spoken to her; that, since it would not be for my -happiness or welfare to wed with her, she freely gave me up. She bid -me do my father's will without thought of her; and albeit a spirit of -gentle, sorrowful love breathed in every line of her letter, not a word -of love did it contain, and I understood well that my father had made -her believe it would injure my fortune to mate with her, and that she -was striving to help me to forget, so that I might do that which was -thought by others to forward my fortunes in the world." - -"Ah! that was like her--that was like her!" I could not refrain from -exclaiming. "That is what all who know her say of her--that she thinks -always of others, never of herself. That is why all love her so much. -They say of her ofttimes that she is like one of the holy angels, so -full of goodness and purity." - -Lord Vere's face kindled, as I soon found it always did at any praise -of Mistress Mary; but he made no direct answer, only going on with his -narrative. - -"It was two years before I saw Court House again; but those years had -served only to deepen my love for sweet Mary. Beside the image of her -which I carried always in my heart, other women looked to me like -'painted Jezebels,' as I called them in my thoughts. I never saw one -amongst them who stirred my heart or recalled in anywise the feelings -with which I had regarded my Mary; and when I came back, I was resolved -that I would rid her mind of those false notions which had been -instilled into it by others. But, alas! I was something too impetuous -and outspoken, and my father got wind of my intentions. What steps he -took I know not, but Mary had left Taunton ere ever I was able to ride -over to seek her. All I could learn was that she had been taken away -for the sake of her health, and whither she had gone my father would -not tell me. Kind in all else, he was inexorable about Mary, and soon I -was so seriously beset to pay my addresses to Mistress Julia Portman, -that I was glad to leave Court House once more, and travel abroad -or pay visits at the Court; and only of late have I returned home, -having arrived at man's estate and come into possession of the fortune -bequeathed me by my mother, as fully bent as ever upon winning my Mary -for my wife, albeit I have learned to go to work more warily now, and -to use policy in my methods." - -"And does my lord the Earl know that your heart is yet unchanged, my -lord?" I asked eagerly. - -"To him I have spoken no word," answered the Viscount gravely. "I trow -he thinks my boyish freak forgotten. What he may have said to Mistress -Mary, or to those who have charge of her, to keep her from me, I know -not. That he still desires an alliance with the Portman family I cannot -doubt, although Mistress Julia is now wed, and it is her younger sister -Edith whose praises are from time to time sounded in my ears. But I -have seen Mary. I have spoken to her, as thou, good Dicon, dost know. -I have read in her sweet eyes that however she may strive to turn from -me, yet her heart is mine as mine is hers. Her words may be few and -cold, but her eyes speak eloquent language. Obstacles and difficulties -may lie in our path; but I will overcome them in the strength of my -love, and Mary shall be mine at last!" - -As he spoke, my very heart went out to him in his generous, chivalrous -love; and stretching out my hand and bringing it down upon his -charger's neck in my eagerness, I cried,-- - -"O my lord, what maid could stand out against such love? And if I can -do aught to help you, I am your very humble and devoted servant ever." - -"Good lad, I believe thee," he answered warmly. "There is something in -thy face which draws me to trust thee. I have watched thee oft when -thou hast little known it: for when Mistress Mary rode forth I have -seldom been far away, though not often have I dared to show myself. -I read in thine eyes that thou didst love her. I knew that thou wert -faithful and watchful. And now, tell me true, boy: is she, as my father -would have me believe, one of those who look upon the young Duke of -Monmouth as the coming saviour and deliverer of this nation? And would -she look with aversion and displeasure upon one who (if indeed in days -to come it comes to be a question of fighting) would be forced by duty -and conviction to take up arms upon the other side?" - -At that question I felt my face grow grave; for I knew right well -how Mistress Mary's heart was with the Duke of Monmouth, and how she -did indeed regard him as the coming deliverer of the nation, and the -champion of the cause of true religion. Very deep in her heart were -these matters buried. Very sacred in her eyes was the cause of him whom -she often declared to be the embodiment of all that she held dear in -matters appertaining to freedom of government and of faith. Could she -indeed ally herself to one who was banded upon the other side? It would -be a hard struggle betwixt love and duty--that at least I was sure of; -and did she think also that her love would be hurtful to him to whom it -was given, why, then, in very truth I thought that the scale would be -turned against him. - -The Viscount's face fell as I spoke to him of these matters, and told -him of the assurance Mistress Mary felt, not only of the integrity of -the Duke, but of his right to rule the kingdom as the legitimate son of -the King; and I saw his face cloud over almost as if with impatience, -as he answered sharply and decisively,-- - -"Why will people persist in believing a mischievous fable? If the King -had a lawful son, he would be glad and thankful to proclaim him, and -have done with the endless cabals and plots which are making his life -a misery. Why, Dicon, there have been times when he must have been -sorely tempted by his black brother's jealousy and spite, and by his -love for the Duke, to proclaim him his lawful heir. But he has never -done so; nay, more, when it has been almost offered to him--as it was -to the great Eighth Harry--to appoint his own heir and make an end -of these disastrous disputes as to the succession, he has never let -himself be tempted to do this injustice to his brother. Honour has -withheld him, though certainly were Monmouth his lawful son he would -have acted very differently. Some say he is not the King's son at all, -despite the affection between them. I tell you plainly, Dicon, that -he is by no means the hero you good folk of the West Country imagine. -He has many good qualities. He has distinguished himself in the Dutch -wars by many acts of bravery; but he is tainted by the treachery of the -Stuarts--for I will not deny that they are a treacherous race, though -I am a loyal servant to the King. He is a bad husband to his virtuous -Duchess. The vices of his mother are appearing in him; and though he -is a stanch Protestant and a hater of Popery, yet he is not the saint -and the deliverer you enthusiasts believe him. Have a care, Dicon, how -you act if ever this comes to be a question of blows and of fighting; -for the kingdom is _not_ with the bastard Duke. We may not do ill that -good may come, nor fight against our lawful King to set an usurper on -the throne, be he never such a champion of liberty. What followed when -Cromwell was ruler though not called King? A tyranny worse than the -nation had ever groaned under in the King's time. The people had had -their will then, and it ended in their sighing for their rightful King -and bringing him back in triumph. And so it will be again if the Duke -of Monmouth is ever foolish enough to try to claim the throne. I doubt -me if he will ever succeed in winning it, but I am quite certain that -he will never keep it; and there will be evil days then for those who -take his part." - -I listened with grave face and sinking heart to words which affected -me more as coming from Lord Vere than they had done when spoken by his -noble father and the other gentlemen. Somehow I had fancied that all -young and generous souls would go out in love towards our idol the -Duke, and to hear him spoken of by Lord Vere in such terms gave me a -curious shock. I could not but tremble to think how Mistress Mary would -take such words--she who had dreamed her dreams about the Duke till he -became to her as the hero of some noble tale, as the stainless knight -of romance going forth in the might of truth and righteousness to tread -down all enemies with lofty courage and devotion. - -Methought the Viscount would need all the charm of his grace and the -attraction of their mutual love to approach Mistress Mary with such -words on his lips and such thoughts in his heart; but after all, was -not such love as theirs proof against all difference of opinion in -outward matters? Only to Mistress Mary these things went deep, deep -into her heart, and she could not regard them as mere externals. - -This first ride and first talk were by no means the last; and before I -left Court House (with a generous gratuity in my pocket, over and above -the sum paid to my uncle) I felt that, despite the wide difference of -our stations, I knew the heart of the Viscount as nobody in the world -knew it, and that the word "friendship" between us was no mockery. - -Heart and soul was I with him in his desire to win speech of Mistress -Mary, and to plead his cause in person; and I took back with me a long -letter written by Lord Vere, which I promised faithfully to deliver -into her own hands, unseen by all the world, so soon as she should be -returned and I could find a way of doing this discreetly. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_A WINTER OF PLOTS._ - - -I went back to my uncle's house with my head full of romantic stuff -about lovers and love's dreams, and with every intention of working -might and main to bring about the happiness of the two beings in whom -these romantic notions centred--namely, the dashing young Viscount -and sweet Mistress Mary Mead. Not only did I resolve to deliver the -precious letter upon the first possible opportunity, but I also made up -my mind to speak such glowing words of praise anent the writer thereof -as should move the heart of any maiden, still more of one who I was -very certain was predisposed to think kindly of him of whom I should -thus speak. I was little versed in affairs of the heart; yet I had -not read my Shakespeare so earnestly for nothing all these years, and -I felt very sure that the heart of a young maid was not of adamant, -and that the youthful wooing of which the Viscount had told me could -not have failed to make an impression upon the tender and ardent -imagination of Mistress Mary. - -Nevertheless, in spite of all the eagerness on my part to set things -in train for a happy consummation, I was destined to disappointment; -for not only had Mistress Mary not returned to Miss Blake's house -when I got back, but I speedily heard that she had accompanied her -young namesake on a visit the latter was paying to some relatives in -the adjoining county of Devon, and that she was not like to return to -Taunton for some months to come. Moreover, I could not learn her exact -whereabouts in Devonshire, only that it was at the other side of the -county, and nigh to Cornwall. There was plainly no chance for me to -pay her a flying visit on Blackbird. I should have to wait until she -returned to her abode in the town. I shrewdly suspected that my Lord -of Lonsdale had had somewhat to do with this journey of hers far away. -Belike he had spoken to his friend Sir Ralph Bridges of his wish to -keep his son from the fascinations of Mistress Mary, and this visit for -her had been arranged between them. - -Lord Vere was very sorrowful when he heard what had befallen, -and declared it all part of a plot. But he was resolved that no -machinations on the part of those about them should sunder him from his -Mary, and made up his mind to wait in patience till she returned, and -then see if he could not make shift by hook or by crook to get speech -of her, and plead his cause in person. Meantime he hung much about -Taunton, and improved his acquaintance with that city and with many of -its inhabitants, making himself well beloved by all who saw him for his -gay and winsome ways, and his gracious kindliness of demeanour to his -inferiors. And doubtless this paved the way for what followed later. - -I had not been home long before Will Wiseman sought me out, and with an -air of secrecy and importance invited me to come when occasion served -and visit him of an evening at Master Simpson's house. - -"There be meetings twice or thrice in the week, Dicon," he whispered, -with his finger on his lips. "Men say that the King cannot live -long--that he has a mortal disease which is slowly consuming him. The -friends of liberty are laying their plans, and are taking counsel -together what it is best to do. They meet at Master Simpson's ofttimes, -and if thou wilt come I will take care thou dost hear all that is said. -Money is being got together, and men are secretly working amongst their -fellows, so that at the right moment the whole county will rise as one -man for the right. Come and hear for thyself; but not a word to thine -uncle. He is too cautious a man to join with the friends of freedom. He -desires to see how the issue will be decided ere he commits himself to -take a side. That is not the stuff of which heroes are made." Will's -eyes flashed with his enthusiasm; and I caught the spirit from him, and -vowed I would come so soon as my duties would permit me. - -What Will spoke of mine uncle was too true for me to resent. He was one -of those who desired to embrace the winning side, whichever that side -should be. I knew well that in his heart he favoured the cause of the -Duke of Monmouth; but he was less sanguine than some of his towns-folk -of the chances of the Duke's success, and he had no wish to imperil -his life or his living by any unguarded movement that might cause -him trouble later. He went steadily about his daily business, talking -freely with all who came and went, but always professing that he had -neither time nor knowledge to judge such matters. The making of kings -was no business of his; all he strove after was to obey the laws of the -land, and give his allegiance to the reigning sovereign. - -By these methods he succeeded in keeping the confidence and liking of -all men; for a pleasanter companion, and a more hearty man in his ways, -it would be hard to find. If ever he heard me speak an unguarded word -on great matters, he would smite me on the shoulder, and give me a -kindly hint to guard my tongue, lest it should bring me into trouble, -and urge me not to meddle with matters beyond my understanding. But I -could not abide by such prudent counsel, and was all agog to hear what -was the talk of Master Simpson's parlour, whither I repaired whenever I -had the chance. - -The men most frequently gathered together there for discussion and -mutual encouragement as the winter drew on were the two Hewling -brothers, of whom mention has been made, and who had wealth and leisure -as well as good-will to expend in the cause; Master Herring and Master -Hucker; a gentleman of the name of Sharpe, who was son to the Rev. -Emmanuel Sharpe, who had once been Vicar of St. Mary Magdalen; and -last, but not least, the two Dares, father and son, who always seemed -of all present the most to incline to bold counsel and resolute action. - -I should weary the reader were I to give too much in detail all that -was planned and discussed at these meetings; but as the winter days -drew on, and rumours from London spoke more certainly of the King's -declining health, there was greater and greater desire amongst our -friends to rouse in the minds of the people of the West Country a -resolve to make a stand against Popery and unlawful tyranny. And I -remember well how Heywood Dare stood forth one day and said that -he would straightway go to Holland, find the Duke of Monmouth, and -take counsel with him; whilst those who remained behind were to work -ceaselessly in his interest here: so that when a blow was struck it -might be a heavy and decisive one. - -The Duke of Monmouth was now living at the Hague in a sort of -honourable exile. The King had never ceased to regard him with -affection; but the jealousies and dissensions of the Court, and the -hostility of his own brother, had made him decree this thing for the -sake of peace and quietness. It seemed to us that it should have been -the Duke of York who ought to have been sent away; but unluckily we had -no voice in the ruling of these matters. It was the Protestant Duke -who had been forced to quit the country, and it certainly seemed an -excellent thing to establish direct personal relations with him through -the medium of Heywood Dare, a man of so much courage and devotion. - -Those who worked amongst the people, sounding them and striving to -kindle within their hearts an enthusiasm for the cause, reported -favourably of the temper of the common people, but said that the -gentry held aloof, and were not to be approached. The influence of -the Earl of Lonsdale, Sir William Portman, and Sir Ralph Bridges was -very great around Taunton, and all these gentlemen were loyal in their -allegiance to what was termed the "Court party." - -Sometimes I was called in and questioned about what I had heard at -Court House of the matters appertaining to the Duke, and my reports -were not favourable to our wishes. But I ventured once to hint that I -thought perhaps the young lord, Viscount Vere, might be won over to our -cause; and Mr. Benjamin Hewling was forthwith requested to seek him -out and strive to sound him in the matter. For all those who knew most -about the chances of such a struggle and the fortunes of war--should it -ever come to a passage of arms--declared many times that we must have -men of the better sort to lead and advise our recruits. Undisciplined -soldiers would follow an experienced and gallant captain, when they -would fall away in confusion and fear if they had no one above -themselves to look to. I could well believe that there were hundreds -who would follow the Viscount to danger and death, and fight to the -very last gasp, who would turn tail and run like sheep had they only a -plain townsman at their head. - -How Mr. Benjamin Hewling fared on his mission I did not hear at once, -but I thought in my heart that Lord Vere would scarce be adamant to -a cause in which his Mary's heart was so bound up. He despised and -hated the Duke of York--I knew that very well--albeit he declared his -conviction of the necessity of supporting the rightful heir to the -crown be he never so personally unbeloved. But if Mr. Benjamin, with -his silver tongue and gentle ways, or Mistress Mary, with pleading -glances and eloquent words, could make him see the matter differently, -why, then, in him the good cause would have an able recruit; for my -Lord Vere was skilled in every kind of martial exercise, had seen -action abroad, and was of no small personal valour and gallantry. - -I not unfrequently saw him in the streets arm in arm with Mr. Hewling, -and I heard of him as being seen within their hospitable doors, whilst -men spoke of the friendship which was growing up between him and the -two brothers, of whom all men thought so well. That they were growing -to be friends was evident enough, but whether the brothers Hewling -would persuade him to look at public matters with their eyes was what -none could say as yet. - -Things were in this way at the approach of Christmas, and of that busy -festive season which kept me so close at home that I could scarce -stir abroad in search of amusement or information. There seemed to be -nothing but coming and going from morning till night--the lack of rain, -which still continued even during the winter, making the roads better -for travellers, and the excited state of the country tending to make -men restless and anxious for news. - -But what excited me more than the rumours from London or the -preparations for Christmas-tide was the return of Mistress Mary to Miss -Blake's house just before the festive season came. - -I did not know that she was back; for the school had broken up for the -recess, and my informant Lizzie, who kept me conversant with what went -on within those walls, had not heard anything of the matter when I was -asked to come and read to the ladies, as I was in the way of doing -from time to time. When therefore I entered the parlour, with my book -beneath my arm and the most recent news-letter in my hand, who should -be there, in her accustomed seat beside the fire, but Mistress Mary -Mead, looking as sweet and lovely as ever, though perhaps a little -pale; and seated beside her, with his hungry, cruel-looking eyes almost -always fixed upon her face, was the Rev. Nicholas Blewer, the man whom -above all others in Taunton Town I feared and hated. - -How came he there? and how dared he sit beside Mistress Mary as though -it were his right, and keep his evil eyes so constantly upon her face -as he was doing now? I felt my blood boil in my veins as I saw him, and -I should well have liked to take the knave by the throat and fling him -out at the door. But instead I was forced to sit in my place and read -to him as well as to the rest, and listen to his comments upon the news -of the week--comments which, as I well saw, brought the flush of anger -many times into Mistress Mary's cheek. For Mr. Blewer was a bitter -enemy of those who held for liberty and the Duke; and it was whispered -that at heart he was a Papist, and every whit as cruel as the Duke of -York. - -Now I trust that in thus speaking of Mr. Blewer it will not be thought -that I would willingly speak evil of any man called to a holy office, -or that I have any hatred towards the clergy of the Established Church -of the land, for this is far from being the case. I hold that we owe -them all reverence and honour, and, as these pages will show, I account -Mr. Axe a great and noble man, albeit he took our contrary part in the -struggle I am coming to. Yet inasmuch as there are black sheep in every -flock, and as the cassock and surplice do not do away with a man's evil -nature--nay, the very fact that a man of unbridled passions should -blaspheme the name of God and the Holy Ghost by taking upon himself -vows for which he is unfit, makes his office of necessity a mockery and -a stumbling-block--so it always has seemed to me that if an ordained -priest of God is untrue to his calling, he becomes a much worse man -than if he had not mocked God by taking such vows into his lips. At -least I can but say that Mr. Blewer always appeared to me to be an -emissary of the Evil One disguised as a servant of God, and I am sure -that Mistress Mary shrank from him as though he were indeed such an one. - -It was a great matter of wonderment to me how he came to be in Miss -Blake's parlour, for I was sure that neither she nor Mrs. Musgrave -had any love for him. These ladies and their pupils (such as resided -beneath their roof) attended service at St. Mary's Church, as it was -considered right and proper to do, and Mr. Axe was revered and beloved -by them. But why this evil-faced Mr. Blewer was admitted was a source -of much perplexity to me, and my perplexity was turned to alarm when -I perceived that upon rising to take his leave he saluted Mistress -Mary's hand with a look which could not well be mistaken, and made as -though he would have gone further and saluted her lips also had she not -drawn herself away with a decision that was not to be mistaken. - -I saw an ugly look spring into his eyes at that, and thought his smile -more hideous than a frown would have been. - -"Ah well, I must be patient, sweetheart," he said. "We shall learn to -understand each other better in time." - -Then, with a bow which included all the ladies, he retired, and I was -almost astonished to see gentle Mistress Mary dash the hand that he had -kissed against the marble mantel-shelf with such force that she must -have bruised the tender skin. - -"That odious man!" she cried, with unwonted heat. "Prithee, dear madam, -have pity upon me, and let him come here no more." - -"Dear Mary, I like him as little as thou," answered Miss Blake, with a -shake of the head. "I know he is an evil creature. But what can I do, -when your worthy guardian bids me give him access from time to time, -that he may pay his addresses to you, and tells me that he does this -with his approval and consent?" - -I almost gasped at this, for I began to see that Mistress Mary was -like to be made the victim of a plot which seemed vile and base to -me, although I was certain that Lord Lonsdale had no idea of acting -unjustly or cruelly. Doubtless he would think Mr. Blewer a suitable -husband for his ward. No one knew aught against him, so far as I -had ever heard, and he had some money, and came of a family as good -as Mistress Mary's. To get her safely and quickly married would, of -course, be the easiest way of keeping her out of the path of his son. I -could not wonder at the turn matters had taken, and yet my heart felt -hot within me as I thought of the Viscount and then recalled the cruel, -wolfish face of Mr. Blewer. - -That night, as I reached my room, I stepped out upon the balcony and -eagerly scanned the windows of the house I had just quitted. Once or -twice it had been my hap to see the fair face of Mistress Mary looking -out from a window not very far away; and to-night fortune favoured me, -for I had not been at my post more than a few minutes before a curtain -was drawn aside and a gleam of light shone out. Then quickly a casement -was flung open as if by an impatient hand, and Mistress Mary leaned out -into the clear frosty night as though eager to inhale the fresh cold -air. I thought I heard a sound break from her like a sob or a sigh. -That she was in perplexity and trouble I could not doubt, and I longed -with a longing that would brook no delay to go and comfort her. - -I looked into the yard below. All was perfectly quiet and tranquil. I -scanned all the windows of both houses, but no light shone from any -save Mistress Mary's. I stood above her in my balcony, clasping the -letter I had dashed in to fetch in my hand. The next minute I had -hidden it in the breast of my doublet, and was swinging myself like a -monkey from balcony and waterspout to balcony and waterspout, till my -movements attracted her attention, and she gave a little cry of fear. - -"Hist, mistress!" I cried in a low voice; "fear not. It is I--Dicon -Snowe. I have somewhat to say to thee, and somewhat to give. Have no -fear; I will reach thee without hurt." - -For if my back was crooked, and my legs not of great service for long -walks, I had a length and strength of arm that made amends for much, -and such a transit as this was but child's play to me. I was soon -upon the balcony outside the window by which she stood; but I came no -further, knowing my place better than to intrude upon her. - -"Mistress Mary," I said eagerly, "I have a letter for you from my lord -the young Viscount Vere. I have had it these three months, but never -have seen you to deliver it. I sware to him I would not let it leave my -hands till I could place it in yours. Take it and read it; and if there -be any answer, I will make shift to deliver that. For I love my lord as -much as he deserves to be loved by high and low; and since I know his -heart is bound up in love for you, I would fain carry him good tidings." - -It was perhaps overbold of me to speak so, but my heart seemed burning -within me; and although Mistress Mary's cheek glowed and she turned -away with her letter, yet I saw the soft light which had come into her -eyes, and I knew that her heart was not cold to him, however she might -have schooled herself to think she must thwart his love. - -She read her letter from end to end whilst I stood and watched her, -though since she discreetly turned her back to me I could not see its -effect upon her. Nevertheless, when she turned round I was sure there -were tears upon her cheek, and I did not think that they were tears of -sorrow. - -"O Dicon," she said, coming forward towards me with the confidence that -a sister might show to a brother, "Lord Vere says he has told all the -story to thee. What must I say? What must I do when there be so many -things against it, and it will hurt him so with his father if I let him -have his way?" - -"Methinks, lady, it will hurt him the more if you be cruel to him," I -answered eagerly; "for his very heart is bound up in this matter, and -he has been faithful all these years." - -"I know it, I know it! How can I doubt it, and how could I help loving -him, when he was suffered to be all the world to me in days of yore? -But a maid may not always wed as her heart prompts, and I would suffer -untold woe myself sooner than hurt him. And it has been said to me that -it would hurt him grievously if I were to wed with him; and in very -truth there be many and grievous barriers betwixt us," and she sighed -heavily, whilst a cloud came over her face. - -I guessed of what she was thinking, and that it was the different view -they took of the coming strife, and I knew not how to reassure her -here; but I ventured to remark,-- - -"But Mr. Blewer hates the cause of the Duke and of freedom as my lord -the Viscount never would. Sure it were better to marry a noble foe than -one so cruel and false!" - -"Marry Mr. Blewer!" cried Mistress Mary, with a vehemence I scarce -believed her capable of; "sooner would I die than do that! Nay, come -what will, none shall coerce me there. I can live and die a maid, if -Heaven so will it, but I will never wed with yon bad man!" - -Right glad was I to hear her speak with such spirit and resolve; for we -of the stronger sex are always half afraid that women may be cajoled or -coerced into anything if only the persecution be determined enough. Yet -I could not get her to intrust me with a letter to Lord Vere, nor yet -with a direct message; only when I said that I would tell him what had -passed betwixt us twain, she did not say me nay. - -I had no rest till I had got speech of the Viscount and had told him -all that had passed. His brow darkened ominously as he heard of Mr. -Blewer, and of his own father's support of such a suit. - -"He had better have a care how he goads me," I heard him mutter through -his shut teeth; "he may chance to find he has gone too far an he treat -her and me thus." - -Then I told of the interview I had had with Mistress Mary, and his face -kindled at the recital. As I finished he burst forth,-- - -"They have made her think she will injure me by her love. I must see -her myself, and show her the folly of that belief. Dicon lad, thou -art a trusty comrade; thou must do yet one thing more for me. Thou -must show me how I may get secretly to the balcony of my lady's room, -and so have speech with her, no man but thee knowing it. Once face to -face with her, I warrant I will chase away her fears and her doubts. -Thou shalt keep thy watch whilst I speak with her; nor will I enter her -room, but only stand without as thou hast done. But see her I must, -else shipwreck may come of the happiness of two lives. Wilt thou help -me in this, good Dicon?" - -I think I would have helped him to whatever he asked with such a look -and smile; but anything so like a repetition of the romantic story of -Romeo and Juliet kindled my ardent enthusiasm and interest. I had very -small doubts myself that Mistress Mary would be at her window again -to-night, half repenting her of her refusal to send a message, and on -the look-out for more news of her lover; therefore as soon as the house -was quiet I showed the Viscount how the transit to the balcony might be -made, and myself stood in another balcony commanding all the windows, -just out of ear-shot, but in full view of the lovers, and ready to give -them any assistance by warning or counsel. - -It was a bold scheme, but like many such it won its reward. My lord had -not waited there above ten minutes before the curtains were drawn back, -the casement opened, and then, with a little cry which penetrated even -to my ears, Mistress Mary came face to face with her lover. - -I was very happy at the success of this experiment; but I confess I -had time to grow very cold before the casement closed again and my lord -called cautiously to me to join him. I did this without much trouble, -and then showed him how he might reach the ground without danger of -falling. Soon we stood together in the paved court-yard of the inn, and -he grasped my hands in both of his, whilst I could see that his eyes -were shining as brilliantly as stars. - -"Dicon," he said, "thou art the best and truest of comrades. I will -never forget thy good offices this night." - -And I felt already abundantly rewarded for what I had done. - -It was not my place to ask questions, but surely there was no need in -face of my lord's joyous and triumphant bearing. He seemed to tread on -air. He passed his arm through mine, and drew me forth into the street -with him through the arched gateway, which was not closed at night in -quiet times; nor did we pause till we reached the bridge and stood -looking down into the flowing dark waters together. - -"I could walk all night for very happiness!" cried the Viscount, with -that exhilaration of spirit which comes from a deep joy. "Can England -itself boast a fairer and more gracious maid than my Mary? Ah, the days -will come when my father will rejoice to welcome her as a daughter! -None could stand long against such sweetness and beauty." - -Then, his energies having been spent in pacing awhile through the -frosty night, we turned our steps homewards. I gained ingress by means -of a small side door, the key of which I had in my pocket; and my lord -slept that night at the Three Cups, and rode forth in the morning; -whilst a white hand was waved for a moment from a window above the -yard, and then quickly withdrawn. - -The next time that I was able, at Will Wiseman's eager instigation, to -find my way to Master Simpson's when a meeting had gathered there, I -saw Lord Vere enter arm in arm with Mr. Hewling; and Will gave my ribs -a triumphant dig with his elbow as he whispered joyfully,-- - -"See, we are getting nobles to join us at last. Mr. Hewling has -prevailed with my lord Vere." - -I nodded, keeping my own counsel; but I had a shrewd notion that -something else besides the arguments and persuasions of Mr. Hewling had -prevailed to make a convert of the Viscount. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -"_LE ROI EST MORT._" - - -"Dicon! Dicon! Come down, lad; come down! The whole town is beside -itself, and we want thine eyes and thy tongue here. Get up and come -down. Lose not a moment! Heaven help us all if the thing be true!" - -I was roused from my sleep on a bright February morning by the hearty -tones of my uncle's sonorous voice. I lost not a moment in springing up -and hurrying into my clothes, for there was an urgency in his manner -which betokened that something unwonted was afoot. - -Truth to tell, I was later abed than was my wont, owing to having -aided my Lord Vere to another stolen interview with Mistress Mary -the previous evening, followed by a second stolen interview at Mr. -Hewling's house, where some important letters had been read and -discussed, and where Mr. Speke, from Ilminster, had attended, and had -given an encouraging report of the state of public feeling in his part -of the world. - -It was now known all over the country, I suppose, that the King was -grievously ill and like to die; albeit there were many who declared -that he would be given back in answer to the prayers from the -churches. I suppose all men who had any sort of love for their country -or interest in public affairs felt grave anxiety just at this time. For -there could be small doubt that it would go hard but that bloodshed -of some kind there would be, were the Duke of York to succeed to the -throne; and yet there seemed no other to take that place, seeing that -the Duke of Monmouth was an exile, and that he would have to fight for -the crown ere he could hope to wear it. Men who remembered the horrors -of civil war a generation back, the disruption of families, and the -bloodshed and confusion, shook their heads mournfully, and advised any -submission rather than a repetition of such fearsome things; but we of -younger and rasher spirit--we who had never tasted of such horrors, -but looked only on the glory and honour to be reaped in warfare--felt -very differently. I think I, despite my physical deformities, should -have been grieved to the heart had any prophet arisen to say that -there would be no fighting in our days. The martial spirit had seized -upon me. I, in common with others, watched eagerly the marshalling -and exercising of the train-bands and militia whenever they assembled -under their leaders; and although we knew right well that they were -thus mustered and put through their exercises with a view to showing -the towns-folk how useless would be any rising of the rabble, when -these bands could at once be brought out to crush it, yet knowing the -individual men in the ranks, we were certain that half of them at least -were hot in the cause of our Duke, and that if the chance for joining -him arose, they would come over, arms, ammunition, bright-coloured -uniforms, and all. - -But I must return to that day when the great news reached Taunton. -I rushed downstairs, finishing my toilet as I did so, to find all -the lower rooms filled with excited folk who had come in from the -streets the moment the news had got wind, and were so crowding round a -travel-stained messenger that it was some time before I could approach -near enough to hear what he was saying. But I did not need to do that -to know what had happened, for the news was in every mouth,-- - -"The King is dead! the King is dead! God save us all! The Duke of York -is proclaimed King in his stead!" - -"The King was poisoned by his brother!" whispered a voice in the crowd. -I know not whence it came; but the word was taken up in the lowest -of tones, and one heard it go surging along accompanied by a sort of -shuddering sigh, as though men half feared to utter the fearful words. -Other wild whispers soon got afloat. Some vowed it was the Queen who -had administered the poison in her intolerant jealousy; others, that -it was the notorious Duchess of Portsmouth; but the favourite and -most lasting impression of those who believed that foul means had -been employed to put the King out of the way, was that his brother -the Duke had contrived to poison him, either through his snuff or in -his food,--and since he was the man of all others to reap advantage -from that death, the opinion flourished and gained ground amongst his -enemies apace. - -But crowding round the weary messenger, who had galloped to Taunton -with the news since noon the previous day, we strove to learn from him -every detail of the calamity; and he told his tale again and again. - -That the King had been out of health since the fall of the previous -year was a thing known to all the country. Some called it gout, and -said it was a matter of small moment; others shook their heads over -it, and said it showed a break up of the sound constitution which had -hitherto marked the monarch. But although there had been much anxious -discussion as to the succession, men were not really prepared for this -sudden end to the King's life; and when we heard that he had been only -four days actually ill, the end did indeed seem to be sudden. - -But the terrible thing to us was the story with which the messenger -said that all London was ringing--namely, that upon his death-bed the -King had been admitted into the Romish Church; that a priest had been -found and brought to him by his brother; and that all the courtiers, -with the exception of the Earls of Feversham and Bath, had been turned -out of the room whilst extreme unction had been administered, and his -Majesty confessed and shrived by the priest found with some difficulty -for the office. - -This was indeed grave news; for if the Duke of York had acted thus, -was there any hope but that he would openly profess the Romish faith -when he was set upon the throne? At once a vision of Smithfield fires -rose before the mind's eye of numbers and numbers of those who heard -the story. It seemed to us that with a Papist King, a man notorious for -his cruelty and love of inflicting misery and bloodshed, any sort of -horror was possible. What wonder that faces grew pale, that we looked -at each other in silent amaze, whilst the women wept aloud and gathered -their children into their arms as though to protect them from some -menacing peril! - -"And the King himself, what did he say?" was asked in many quarters. -"Did he speak of the Duke--the Duke of Monmouth? Did he say aught of -him and his rights?" - -The messenger shook his head as this question reached him. The man was -one who knew our Duke and thought well of him. He was a West Country -fellow himself, and not yet vitiated by the atmosphere of the Court in -which he had lived so long. - -"His Majesty called for his other children," said he--meaning, of -course, children born out of lawful wedlock; for, as all men know, the -Queen was childless, to the great grief of the nation--"but of the Duke -of Monmouth no word was spoken. The King did not breathe his name--so, -at least, it is averred. None dared to speak of him, the Duke of York -standing by. Nay, my friends, I fear me there is no hope for England in -that quarter. The Duke of York is King in his brother's stead. But what -we may lawfully do to stand by the laws and the rights of our nation -and our faith, that let every man do to the utmost that is in him. -James may wear the crown and be called King, but we will have no tyrant -forcing us to a faith against which we have fought and triumphed years -ago. He may rule us indeed, but he shall not make of us Papists nor -slaves!" - -A muffled cheer went round the room as these words were spoken; but -many were there standing by who did not endorse the first part of the -speech, but cast looks one at another which seemed to say that it would -go hard before they would acknowledge a Papist King! - -Then a news-letter was produced, and I was called upon to read it loud -whilst the weary messenger supped. Of course it stopped short before -the death of his Majesty, but it gave an account of the life of the -Court up till the time of the King's seizure; and gay and scandalous, -indeed, did the history of the last Sunday evening read to us quiet and -sober country folks. Women shook their heads as they heard in whose -company the King spent his time, and whispered that death had come as a -judgment from heaven. Yet few eyes were dry as the letter spoke of the -sufferings of the King, and of his fortitude and courage under them. - -"After all he was the King, with all his faults and vices," they said; -and we all felt how little there was of kingliness in the dark Duke who -had succeeded him. - -I conjured up before my mental vision the picture of the other Duke as -I had seen him a year or two back, his handsome open face, his winning -address, his kindly grace of manner, and his care and love for all his -poorer subjects (for so did I call them even now in my heart). How -could I help trusting in him as the rightful King, when his touch had -made me whole, as only the touch of a true King's hand could do? - -I found myself telling the story again almost ere I knew it, and the -messenger, who was working steadily at the platter of good victuals -before him, kept throwing keen glances at me and at the people round, -and making odd sounds the while. - -I had hardly finished the reading, and the telling of my well-known -tale, before a little stir in the crowd announced an arrival; and -looking over the heads of the people--for I was set upon a stool to be -better heard and seen--I beheld the cadaverous visage and lantern jaws -of Mr. Blewer. He came in looking to right and left with his sharp, -ferret-like eyes, and his ears seemed to be on the alert to catch any -words that might fall from unwary lips. Something in the sinister -aspect of the man, and in the loathing with which I had come to regard -him, caused the words I was reading to die away upon my lips, and -the sudden silence which fell upon me attracted the attention of all -present to the entrance of the new-comer. - -Mr. Blewer was little beloved in Taunton. It was firmly held by many -that he was nothing more nor less than a spy in the interests of the -Duke of York, or the King as we must needs learn to call him; unless, -indeed--but such things are best not spoken too openly. There were only -too many rogues abroad in the world who lived by selling information to -one or other of the different parties at Court, and men were strongly -of the opinion that the Rev. Nicholas was one of these miscreants. His -very appearing so stealthily in our midst at this time of excitement -seemed to augur ill, and the murmur of voices died into silence as he -made his way into the room. - -"Have a care, good people, have a care!" he said, with a leering smile -that was uglier than his scowl. "I thought I heard some suspicious -word--some phrases that savoured too much of sedition! Have a care how -you let your unruly member run away with you! There be birds in the air -to carry such words whither ye would not. If God has thought good to -take one monarch to Himself, He has given us another of the same name -and race to set upon the throne. Let us thank Him from our hearts for -this great goodness, and cry aloud in joy and gratitude, 'Long live -King James!'" - -As he spoke he lifted his hat and waved it above his head, and all who -wore theirs instinctively uncovered, and many amongst us, led by the -hearty voice of my uncle, strove to raise the shout, "Long live King -James the Second!" But the words seemed to stick in the throats of -many; and Mr. Blewer looked sharply round upon us, saying, with that -evil smile of his,-- - -"Why, that is but a sorry shout for a new-made King; but perchance your -loyal hearts are too full yet of grief for our noble King Charles to -give a right royal welcome to his successor!" - -"Ay, sir," said my uncle; "that is the case with us. We can scarce -yet rejoice in the thought that any other sits in the place of good -King Charles, be he never so great and good a prince. Prosperous and -peaceful has England been beneath his fatherly sway; and sad are we to -learn that he is no more, though I trow that Taunton men will not be -lacking in loving loyalty to his successor." - -Many asseverations of this kind were made, and the talk grew animated -and general. Being no longer required to read the news-letter, which -Mr. Blewer had taken into his own hands, I slipped away through the -throng, and found myself face to face with Will Wiseman, who caught me -by the arm and drew me forth into the street with him. - -"It has come then, Dicon!" he whispered, evidently in great excitement: -"the King is dead, and another King must sit upon the throne. But -whether King James the Second, as in sooth he will be, will be--" - -"Hist, Will, be not so rash!" I exclaimed, drawing him into an entry -and looking nervously round; for I had caught some caution from the -precept and example of my uncle, and I knew that men had paid dear -before now for rash words spoken under stress of excitement. "Take heed -how thou speakest. If Mr. Blewer were to hear thee, it might go ill -with thee in the days to come." - -"A pest upon his ugly face and meddlesome, prying ways!" cried Will -hotly; for he hated Mr. Blewer even more than I did, and with some -reason, since that worthy had done many an ill turn to his master, and -had dealt many cuffs and hard words to the lad himself. - -Will, as ill-luck would have it, had in his pocket a piece of chalk, -and being gifted with the power of drawing lampoons with a wondrous -ease and dexterity, he solaced himself by drawing upon the wall, as we -stood, two representations of Mr. Blewer, in both of which his hideous -face, lantern jaws, and great cavernous mouth were delineated with more -truth than flattery. In the first of these pictures the clergyman was -represented as preaching from the pulpit, the ungainly action of the -man being hit off with wondrous fidelity. In the other he was portrayed -as being whipped by the hangman at the cart's tail--a fate we had -amused ourselves by prophesying for him sometimes when reckoning upon -the good days which Taunton should enjoy when "King Monmouth" should be -upon the throne. In both pictures his mouth was equally wide open, and -beneath each Will wrote, in rude letters,-- - - "THE WORSHIPFUL AND REVEREND MR. NICHOLAS BLEWER - EXTOLLING THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS." - -I doubled myself up with laughter at the clever picture, and a small -crowd of laughing men and boys gathered round to admire. We were -passing comments far from flattering to Mr. Blewer, and Will was -touching up his handiwork so as to make the likeness a little more -frightful, when a sudden scattering of the bystanders and a few words -of whispered warning made us turn suddenly, to see Mr. Blewer himself -regarding us with a baleful light in his eyes, and such a scowl of -malevolence upon his brow that I wished Will's talents anywhere else -at that moment. I drew him away as fast as I could, but not before we -heard the harsh, grating tones of Mr. Blewer's voice following us,-- - -"Very good, Will Wiseman, very good. It will not be the fault of -Nicholas Blewer if thou dost not taste the discipline of the hangman's -whip before he has done with thee." - -"O Will, why didst thou do it?" I asked, in an access of fear and -trembling. "My uncle ever teaches us to speak with respect of -dignitaries, even though they be none of the best. I fear me we were -wrong in this, and shall suffer for it. Mr. Blewer is not a man who -forgives or forgets." - -"Let him remember an he pleases--I care not," answered Will, who had a -much higher courage than I, and far more of that reckless daring which -I read of with envy and admiration, but never attained to myself. It -was one of the things I most admired in him, though it sometimes made -me fear that he would get into trouble sooner or later. - -We walked back to his home together, talking eagerly of the great -news of the day. Personally, we had no especial regrets for his late -Majesty, and could not but rejoice in the prospect of the coming -strife; for that England would calmly accept James Duke of York as -her King was a thing incomprehensible to us, owing to the element -of faction in which we had been living. We ourselves so thoroughly -believed in the rights of the exiled Monmouth, that we could not credit -or understand that these had never been greatly believed in by the mass -of the nation, and that the King's brother was likely to obtain all the -support of the lovers of established monarchy, as well as of those who, -whilst personally regretting the character of the man, would not be a -party to a measure of exclusion which should keep the true heir from -the throne, or favour a possible usurper. - -As days went by the excitement did not lessen. All manner of wild -rumours were flying about; but from my lord the Viscount, who came -daily into Taunton on one errand or another--in hopes, as I knew, of -getting sight or speech of Mistress Mary--I heard the truest tidings. - -King James had declared, immediately on succeeding to his new estate, -that he would guard the established religion of the country as the -choicest treasure of his crown; and a thrill of joy and triumph ran -through the country, whilst men swore that the Prince had been sorely -maligned, and that whatever his wife might be, he was no Papist at -heart. - -But then, on the very heels of the first good news, came tidings that -the King was going openly to Mass with his wife, that the oratory -chapel fitted up for her was to be thrown open for public worship, that -the Papists all over the country were rejoicing, and that banished -priests and Jesuits were beginning to creep back, certain that good -days were in store for them at last. - -Then still more ugly whispers (as some thought) got abroad. The King -had consented to summon a Parliament, having indeed but small choice -in the matter; but it was known in many circles that he had received -a large sum of money from the French King in order to make him almost -independent of that body, and to bribe and corrupt its members when -chosen, that it might be merely an engine for the oppression of the -people at the will of a tyrannical monarch. - -It was steps like these that so roused the scorn and ire of Lord Vere. -Had the new monarch been true and upright in his dealings; had he -thrown off the fatal yoke of France, and trusted himself to his loyal -people as the House of Tudor (with all their faults) had ever been able -to do, I think that even the gentle pleadings of Mistress Mary would -scarce have served to turn him back from that loyalty to the crown -which was his as by natural inheritance. But this crooked statecraft -and treacherous dealing roused all the generous indignation and scorn -within him which the young are wont to feel when brought face to face -with what is base and false. His father and the elder men might shrug -their shoulders, and say that these things had to be; that it was part -of the essence of kingcraft; that it was useless to hope for better. -But the Viscount could not take this view of the matter. Perhaps he had -imbibed more of the opinions and feeling of the towns-folk than he well -knew at the time. At any rate, as the days flew by, and we heard more -and more of the methods of the new King, a dark frown would often rest -upon his brow, and he would say with scornful vehemence, "It is shame -that such a man should call himself England's King!" - -The dissenters of Taunton--and they were very many--were thrown into -great commotion and wrath at the news of the treatment received at the -hands of Lord Chief-Justice Jeffreys by that great and good man Richard -Baxter, who was brought before him to answer for some rash words -spoken in the indignation aroused by the harsh treatment given him for -no other offence than declining to use the Book of Common Prayer in -public worship. We had just before heard with horror of the inhuman -punishment inflicted by the same judge upon Oates and Dangerfield. Not -that we felt sympathy with the vile informers who had brought so many -innocent persons to the block, but that the ribaldry and cruelty of the -judge filled men with horror; and the more so because we knew that this -same judge was likely to come again to the West Country for the autumn -assizes, and that should any luckless dissenter be brought before him -here, he might make up his mind to look for neither justice nor mercy -from such a judge. The account of the insults and brutal language to -which this aged divine and his friends and advocates were subjected by -Lord Jeffreys made the blood boil in the veins of those who read and -those who heard. No jury save one chosen by the miserable Sheriffs of -London, mere tools in the hand of the government, would have dared to -return a verdict of guilty. And when it was known that Jeffreys would -have had the good old man whipped at the cart's tail through London, -had it not been that for once he was overborne by his brethren on the -bench, a sense of horror and loathing arose in the minds of honest -and merciful men, not only against the wicked Judge himself, but -against the King who could smile approval on such a debauched servant, -and actually associate him with Lord Guildford, the Keeper of the -Seals, with the evident intention of promoting him still higher if he -continued to go about his work in the same way. - -The elections and the coronation all added to the dismay of the -Protestant party. It was asserted that the King had so greatly -shortened the service that it was most meagre and insufficient, and -that this was plainly due to his Popish reluctance to take part in any -function of the church he had sworn to uphold and revere. His parsimony -was bitterly and scornfully commented upon; for the same spirit of -greed which had made him refuse the usual splendid obsequies to the -late King (so that men spoke of King Charles as having received "the -burial of an ass"), caused him to do away with much of the pageantry of -his own coronation, and greatly was this resented by the people, who -were by no means too friendly towards him from the beginning. - -We of Taunton heard these stories with a species of sombre joy. There -was more afoot in the city just now than I knew at the time. My uncle -kept me busily employed reading and telling the news. I still continued -to take the news-letter into Miss Blake's house and read it to the -ladies there. I was often sent errands hither and thither into the -country, and kept more busy than I had ever been before; and though I -was dimly aware that much was seething below the surface in the hearts -of our towns-folk, I was not at all certain whither it was tending. - -The elections to which I have alluded took place in May, and the -returns were most wonderfully against our wishes, and in favour of the -Tory and Court party. The King was said to have got just that sort of -packed Parliament which he desired, and would in all probability keep -it all through his reign. This was a heavy blow to some amongst us, -who had hoped that the leaven working through the land would have acted -differently. But at least if disappointed, we knew now what to expect. -Such a Parliament as ours would be little better than a tool in the -hand of a tyrant monarch. Some small protection it might be against the -encroachments of arbitrary power, but so small that it was better to -hope nothing from it. - -I must not close this chapter (which I fear has been but a dull one; -only these things have to be made something clear, or what follows -cannot well be understood) without some mention of a piece of work -going on within the walls of Miss Blake's establishment, which was -destined to bring Taunton almost as much fame as anything that happened -within its environs during the stirring days to come. - -I had noted that immediately upon the death of the King, whenever I had -gone to read to the ladies in the parlour, they were deeply engrossed -upon some large pieces of silken embroidery work, something different -from anything I had seen in their hands before. - -Mistress Mary's was on a large and more gorgeous scale than those of -the others, and it was always the same; whilst Miss Blake's and Mrs. -Musgrave's varied continually, as they seemed to be putting in the -outlines of a pattern which other hands would fill up. - -But Mistress Mary's steadily grew and grew, and although always -carefully covered up, yet revealed much gold and crimson raised work, -and altogether began to have such a wonderfully gorgeous effect that I -could not keep my eyes from straying to it again and again as I sat -and talked. Busy as she was, I saw that she noted these glances, and -one day just before I was about to leave she gave me one of her rare -sweet smiles, and said,-- - -"Come, Dicon, thou needst not eat thine heart out in curiosity. I have -good reason to know that thou art to be trusted. I will show thee my -work." A flush mantled her face as she unpinned and unfolded it, and -she added, with a sudden light in her eyes, "It is a banner for my Lord -of Monmouth, when kind Providence sends him hither as our deliverer." - -Then she displayed before my eyes the gorgeous golden-worked banner, -and I saw that the raised letters surmounted by a crown were none other -than these of momentous meaning--J.R. - -Nor could I doubt for a moment that their meaning was "Jacobus Rex." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -_THE MUTTERING OF THE STORM._ - - -There was a sense of mystery in the air. Life seemed to be flowing in -its accustomed channels and with its wonted smoothness; but yet there -was an under-current of excitement and unrest which surged through -everything and kept every heart beating with expectancy, every ear -alert to catch the first breath of rumour, every eye eagerly scanning -the faces even of the passer-by in the street, lest haply he might be -the bearer of those tidings which some of us longed and some of us -feared to hear. - -Taunton appeared quiet and peaceable. Mr. Bernard Smith, our Mayor, a -man of some force of character, some cruelty of nature, and of known -loyalty to the reigning sovereign, kept a close watch upon us, and let -it be very clearly understood that upon the smallest indication of -disturbance he should call in the train-bands and keep order by strong -methods. He was seconded in his good intentions by the influence of -the country gentlemen round. Sir William Portman often appeared in the -city, and stayed for a few nights in his fine old timbered house, with -its many gables, that is still the pride of Taunton amongst those -who are learned in the matter of domestic architecture. He frequently -appeared in the streets, and when occasion served spoke to the people -in such a way as to encourage them to maintain tranquillity and avoid -giving cause of offence. Lord Lonsdale and Sir Ralph Bridges followed -his example, and were often to be seen in the city, forward to impart -to us any items of news from London likely to be acceptable in our -ears, and striving to rid our minds of some of the many convictions -which recent events had stamped upon them, and especially of that most -favourite one--namely, that King Charles had met his death by poison, -and that this poison had been administered by the hand of his brother. - -But there are some impressions quickly made upon the minds of men -which no after labour will efface. We had heard from trusty men of -our own party of the black spots which had appeared upon the King's -body, of the agonies of pain which had convulsed him, of the sleepless -attendance of his dark brother at his bedside, and we thought we -knew better than our Mayor or our nobles. So though we listened in -respectful silence to their words, our hearts remained unconvinced. - -We hated the Duke of York (for there were some who would not speak of -him as the King save where prudence compelled) with a deadly hatred, -and prayed day and night for deliverance from his malevolent power. - -Now as for my own private concerns at this time, I may speak once again -of those rides taken in attendance upon the two Mistresses Mary, which -began after the inclement winter had passed, and were continued until -the great commotion commenced of which I am about to write. - -These rides were a source of the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to -all concerned; for by means of them the Viscount was able to prosecute -his wooing of gentle Mistress Mary, and we were no longer reduced to -the more risky if more romantic method of the balcony meetings. - -It was easy for me to let my Lord Vere know when and whither we were -to ride forth. He was backwards and forwards between Court House and -Taunton many times in the week, like most of the gentry round, and I -would make shift to give him the news he wanted. Then upon our next -ride, when we were deep in some woodland dell or away across some -lonely bit of breezy moorland, the Viscount would ride up, saluting the -ladies, and before long the younger Mistress Mary would rein back her -steed and join me, leaving the lovers to pace on in front side by side, -in the loneliness so dear to all in like case. - -Mistress Mary Bridges, albeit but a maid of twelve summers, was -wondrous full of life and spirit and imagination. She would talk to me -in a fashion which made me marvel at her high courage and dauntless -nature; and openly did she lament that she was not a man, so that she -might bear a man's part in the struggle which she fully believed was -coming. - -She came of a family loyal to the Court party and to the reigning -sovereign; yet she had heard so much of the other side from her -mistresses and comrades in the school, that she might be said scarce to -hold either with one party or the other, and in truth this was what -she openly averred to be her case. - -"If I were but a man," she would cry with kindling eyes, "I would have -my own good steed and my own good sword, and I would follow no party, -but always fight on the side of right and virtue. I would gather about -me a band of followers, as did bold Robin Hood of old, and I would be -the champion of truth and liberty and righteousness wherever such were -to be found. I hate that false and cruel King James, who will stoop to -fondle such vile creatures as Jeffreys and Kirke. Yet I love not your -Duke of Monmouth, who can keep a crawling knave like Ferguson in his -counsels, and who leaves his virtuous wife and seeks happiness with -another fair lady. Were I a man I would follow neither, but be a free -lance for the cause of right and liberty!" And the little lady would -toss back her ringlets, whilst her face would flush and kindle till -I would regard her with admiration akin to awe, and think that a man -might well follow such a leader to the death. - -But with all her high spirit and courage, she was deeply interested in -the courtship of the Viscount and her dear friend the elder Mistress -Mary, and confided to me that such a gallant lover was worthy of the -prize he had won, though there were few men she had ever seen of whom -she would say as much. - -"And I trow they had best be quick and wed, even if it be done in -secret and in haste," she said one day to me, one bright day in the -latter part of May--the last ride (as it turned out, little as we -guessed it then) that we were destined to take together; "for I have -heard tell that my Lord Lonsdale is anxious to push on his son's -marriage with Mistress Edith Portman with all the speed that may be. He -thinks that the alliance would be desirable and strengthening for both -houses; and the lady is more than willing, since the Viscount is the -most gallant youth in these parts. That is why Mr. Nicholas Blewer's -suit has been favoured by Lord Lonsdale. He is afraid what the beauty -of Mary may effect if Lord Vere ever sees her again. He knows nothing -of our rides. He believes his son is forgetting her; but he will not be -easy in his mind till one or both are wed. What vile things men are!" -cried the little lady, with that flash in her eyes which betokened her -headstrong spirit; "they think of naught in the world but their own -advancement and their selfish ends! It was told to me, Dicon, by a wise -woman, who read my fortune in my hand and in the stars when I was but a -tender child, that I should live to slay a man with mine own hands. I -trembled when I heard it, and many a time have I lain awake of a night, -shivering at the thought; but I shiver not now. Verily I believe I -should rejoice to do such a thing were it in a righteous cause. I would -it might be the Rev. Nicholas Blewer!" and the maid clinched her right -hand and shook it towards Taunton, setting her small white teeth with a -ferocity which seemed strange in one so young. - -Nor could I greatly marvel at her wrath, for I hated Mr. Blewer as one -hates a poisonous and noxious reptile. He was for ever to be seen -gliding here and there with his evil smile and stealthy step; and I -was certain that he was playing the spy wherever he had the chance. -Well did I know that he came to Miss Blake's as much to seek to learn -what was passing there as to court Mistress Mary. That the ladies knew -or suspected his motive I could not doubt, since in his presence the -silken banners were never brought forth, nor was any word spoken of -the matters so near and dear to our hearts. He himself would strive -to entrap us by seeking to lead us to pass censure on the King or his -officers, but we were all resolved not to be thus ensnared; and if cold -looks and short answers could have driven the creature away, sure Mr. -Blewer would have been long since driven from Miss Blake's parlour. -He would have been denied entrance there had the good ladies dared to -refuse it; but it was a perilous thing in those days to make an enemy -of such a man, and Lord Lonsdale's approval of his courtship made it -difficult to exclude him. - -As we rode back into Taunton that day--the Viscount leaving us ere -ever we reached even the outskirts of the place, since he was very -careful never to permit himself to be seen in our company--we were -aware of a subdued tumult going on there. Men and women had gathered -at their doors or had come out into the streets. Faces were grave and -lowering--the faces, that is, of the towns-folk of our fashion of -thinking--and one could see that something had occurred greatly to -disturb the minds of men. - -I dared not pause to ask the reason for it. I feared some disaster had -befallen our cause; but my duty to my charges kept me riding close -beside them, and, of course, they could not pause to pick up the gossip -of the streets, though both must have suspected that something unwonted -was afoot. But my curiosity was relieved sooner than I anticipated; for -Will Wiseman darted out from a side street at sight of me, and running -beside Blackbird at a brisk trot, whispered in my ears the news. - -"They have thrown Mr. Vincent into prison!" he said. Now Mr. Vincent, -as I have before said, was our minister, and a right godly man, beloved -of all his flock; moreover, he was one of those who inculcated maxims -of moderation, and patience, and submission to lawful authority--one -against whom I am very sure it would be hard to prove either sedition -or any other offence. And as I exclaimed in amaze and wrath, Will -continued, speaking in the same rapid undertone only just audible -through the beat of Blackbird's hoofs, "And they have searched the -post-bags here and at Ilminster, and they say that they have found in -them enough to hang a score of men in Taunton alone. Dicon, I trow -things have gone further than you and I know. The Mayor and Mr. Axe and -the gentry have been closeted together this hour and more. Heaven send -we be not undone! I would give my right hand to know what they have -discovered!" - -"I will meet thee anon and hear all I can learn!" I answered in great -excitement; "but let me first home with the ladies. I warrant that Mr. -Blewer has been at the bottom of Mr. Vincent's arrest. He always hated -him with a bitter hatred!" - -A fresh shock of surprise awaited us upon our arrival at the Three -Cups; for there before the door, looking impatiently up and down -the street, stood Sir Ralph Bridges, his horse led up and down by a -servant, and several well-stuffed saddle-bags being laid over the -shoulder of the man's steed. So soon as he caught sight of the approach -of his daughter, he stepped forward and hindered her from alighting, as -she was about to do. - -"I have come to take thee home, Mary," he said. "Thy place is with thy -mother now. Say an adieu to thy companion, and we will get gone. These -are no days for thee to be in Taunton." - -Mistress Mary looked quickly into her father's rather stern and -preoccupied face as though she would fain have asked more. But it was -not for a young daughter to question her father's judgment, and all she -did was to ask falteringly,-- - -"Shall I not go to and fro, sir, to continue my studies as heretofore?" - -For in other years during the summer months she had often ridden to and -fro into the town, as I think I have said, though until to-day she had -remained since Christmas beneath the roof of Miss Blake's house. - -"No, child," he answered shortly, though not unkindly; "thou wilt -remain at home with thy mother. Home is thy place in days such as -these." - -And in hearing the Knight speak thus, I was more sure, even than when -Will Wiseman had been whispering to me, that some unwonted peril was at -hand. - -I saw that Mistress Mary Mead's eyes had kindled as she heard these -words. I read the thought of her heart as well as if it had been spoken -in words. The younger Mistress Mary turned and flung her arms about her -neck ere she slipped from her palfrey, and I heard her whisper in her -friend's ear,-- - -"It is coming, Mary, it is coming! Heaven send that the cause of right -and truth may be victorious! Come what may, nothing shall sever our -friendship." - -Sir Ralph had already mounted, and after saluting Mistress Mary Mead -with courteous good-will, he set spurs to his horse and went clattering -down the Fore Street towards North Street with his daughter beside him. -I escorted Mistress Mary to her own door and assisted her to alight, -and as I did so she said in trembling accents, though it was not fear -that made her voice to shake,-- - -"Go, Dicon, and learn the truth of all this, and bring me word to my -balcony to-night. My heart tells me that the deliverer is near. There -were fear and anxiety upon the face of Sir Ralph; I am very sure of -that. The servants of the tyrant are trembling already. We are thrice -armed who know our quarrel just." - -With that she turned and went quickly indoors, leaving me with my heart -in a flutter of expectation as I led the palfrey to the stable. Will -was already there, unable to keep away, and full of the most intense -excitement as to what had just transpired. - -It seemed that Captain William Speke (the only member of the -Speke family who took the contrary side from the master of White -Lackington and head of the family) had made a raid on the post-bags -at Ilminster--having had notice that suspicious signs had been -noted amongst the dissenters of the Western Counties--and had made -discoveries which had caused him to send in all haste to the Mayor to -counsel him to do likewise. All the Taunton letters, however, had been -delivered save eight; but one of these eight, addressed to a certain -Mr. Cooke, a good friend of ours, had proved of so incriminating a -nature that he was at once summoned before the Mayor and magistrates, -and obliged to enter into recognizances for a thousand pounds, and -find sureties three in number for five hundred each. Mr. Simpson, Mr. -Hucker, and Mr. Herring had willingly come forward for this purpose; -and Will told me that they and the Hewlings had gathered in conclave -immediately afterwards, and that one of the brothers Hewling had -already left the town, though upon what errand he did not know. - -"And what was in the letter?" I asked eagerly. - -"Marry, that I cannot tell you in full. But this much is in all men's -mouths, that it spake of the appearance forthwith in the West of a -certain person, and that all the Court party in London are in a most -dreadful fear and confusion. It is rumoured, too, that in Scotland the -Earl of Argyll is destroying the King's forces right and left. Ah, -Dicon, Dicon! With a Monmouth in the south and an Argyll in the north, -what may not be done in the cause of liberty and right!" - -This was news indeed, and all seemed to confirm it. As Will and I -went forth into the streets, we could not but be aware that a great -excitement was reigning. The Mayor was hurrying to and fro, and many of -his Burgesses with him, seeming scarce to know what he was doing, yet -as it were anxious to be everywhere at once to see that the town was -quiet. Mr. Axe was likewise walking the streets, but in calmer fashion, -and he sought everywhere to persuade the people to remain quiet and -orderly. The air was full of whispers and rumours. It was confidently -believed that the Duke was nigh at hand. Some said, indeed, that he had -already landed, and perhaps might be seen at any moment at the head of -a vast army of loving followers marching to the very heart of Taunton. - -I knew not what to believe of all we heard; but that more news had -reached Taunton than either Will or I knew was more and more evident. -We made our way to Mr. Simpson's house, to find Lizzie in a great -state of joyful excitement; for she had heard enough to make her quite -confident that the Duke was really coming at last. There had been a -collection made of money amongst her father's friends--that she was -very certain of; and one of the brothers Hewling, she was not sure -which, had ridden off with it to the coast, ready to meet the Duke on -his landing. - -Thomas Dare had had a letter from his father several days ago, in which -he had told his son that there had been some trouble in persuading the -Duke to take up arms against his uncle. He had been greatly distressed -at hearing of his father's death, and had declared at first that, since -things were as they were, he should retire into private life, and seek -no more to establish what rights he might justly claim. The Prince -of Orange had counselled him in this, and the only question under -dispute at first was whether the Duke should or should not seek to win -distinction in arms by fighting under the Emperor against the Turks, -or whether he should retire to Sweden with Lady Henrietta Wentworth, -who had followed him into exile, and to whom he considered himself -married in the sight of God, and live there in honourable banishment. -This course of action had been vehemently opposed by Heywood Dare, -who represented to him that all the West Country would rise in his -favour if he would but show himself there. Money and men would flow -in in streams, so Dare declared he had affirmed, and he called upon -his son in strong and eloquent language to do whatever in him lay to -get together men and money and arms, that when their deliverer should -appear he might find there had been no idle boasting on the part of the -citizen of Taunton. This letter had been read with closed doors amongst -a select few some weeks ago, and Thomas Dare had been already absent -from the town almost ever since, beating up recruits, and preparing -the hearts of friends for what might be expected shortly. All this -had been made known to-day to Lizzie by her aunt, and she was as full -of the excitement as we were. She told us now fully and freely of the -seven-and-twenty banners being worked by the hands of the maidens -of the school, and how they hoped to present them in person to the -gallant young Duke when he should appear in triumph at Taunton, as it -was fully believed he would do, and that right quickly. - -How our hearts burned within us as we listened! We could not keep -still, nor remain long in one place. We were out in the streets -erelong, eagerly picking up every scrap of news, and finding that -rumours were flying about as thick as hail in a summer storm. - -Public indignation was rising hot against the Court and the King. Not -only had the arrest of our Mr. Vincent greatly incensed the towns-folk, -but there came citizens from Ilminster to tell of the attempted arrest -of Mr. John Trenchard at White Lackington House, and how a tumult had -been made, and the Sheriffs forced to run without having secured their -prisoner. Again and again were old grievances raked up--the scandalous -trial of Richard Baxter, not many weeks old; and the notorious cruelty -and tyranny of the King. - -"Heaven will fight for us and for Monmouth!" men whispered to each -other. And indeed I think that it was our hearts that were glad and -triumphant, and those of our enemies that were full of fear as the day -waned: for the Mayor looked pale and harassed and full of anxiety, I -thought; whilst as for Mr. Blewer, he was so hooted in the streets when -he showed his ugly face there, that he hastily retired to his lodgings, -and we saw him no more. - -"Will," I said, as the sun went down, and we felt so little inclined -for sleep that the very idea of bed was a mockery, "what sayest thou -to a ride across the moorland to-night by moonshine, and a visit to the -witch, to know what she can tell us of what is coming? Methinks I shall -stifle within doors; but Blackbird and Lady Jane will carry us rarely, -and I can loose them, none knowing it, by a little care. Wilt come with -me?" - -Will simply jumped at such a proposal. He was as loath to think of -bed as I was, and he could ride a horse barebacked right well--saddle -and stirrups were abominable to him. In the excitement and stir about -the inn, I had no trouble in getting the horses out after nightfall; -and making excuse of fatigue to my uncle, I stole away as if to bed, -but was soon mounted and scudding through the dim lanes by the side -of Will, whilst the moon rose higher and higher in the sky, giving us -abundant light. The good steeds, delighting in the freshness of the -night air, went willingly and easily; and Blackbird, so soon as we had -passed the ridge of the hill and were nearing his old home, became as -playful and skittish as a young kitten. - -But it was not homewards that our steps were bent. The farm-house at -such an hour would be fast sleeping, and I had no desire to wake up the -sleepers. It was Mother Whale I desired to find and consult, and unless -she were abroad upon her broomstick, she would like enough be awake at -her fireside concocting her spells and potions; as, indeed, we found to -be the case. - -Tethering our horses outside, we lifted the latch and went in, the old -woman not even turning her head as we did so, but speaking our names, -as though she had eyes in the back of her head, and by some occult -magic knew every person who approached. - -"Good-even, Dicon Snowe, and thou, lad Will. Have a care, Will, lest -thou repent thy rashness in tears of blood ere the year be done. What -have you come for, boys? What is your errand here? There be fine doings -at Taunton, and will be finer yet. But beware the evil eye that will -overlook it--ay, and thee too, Will, ere this chapter close." - -I do not make any effort in these pages to try to give the soft speech -and drawling vowel sounds of our West Country tongue, not having the -skill to spell the same word two ways. I can but follow the model given -me by the Bible and those works of the great poets I have named, and -let those who know the speech of the West figure it for themselves. It -takes a greater skill than I possess to set it down here. - -"Mother," I said, "we have come to ask thee to read us that chapter. -How will the day turn? Which Duke will be England's King? We know -that thou canst read the future in the stars, and the cards, and the -crystal. Prithee tell us what will betide, and whether the friends or -the foes of liberty and religion will triumph." - -It was a bold question; but I had not come empty-handed, and I slipped -the golden guinea Lord Lonsdale had given me into the witch's palm. -She looked at it with glistening eyes. Money was dear to the heart of -the old woman, and I did not doubt for a moment that I should get my -guinea's worth out of her; for I verily believed that she read the -future as I read the page of an open book. - -She bent over the pot, crooning to herself, and seeming to take no heed -of us; but I silenced Will's exclamation of impatience by a warning -sign, for I knew the old woman and her ways, and that nothing was to be -gained by trying to hurry her. - -At last the great black cat beside the fire jumped upon her shoulder -and seemed to whisper in her ear. I confess that a tremor ran through -me, for I verily believed that her familiar was speaking to her, and -that we were in the presence of some satanic agency. - -A minute or two later she threw her arms above her head, and began -to speak in detached sentences, filling up the pauses by a strange -crooning chant, wordless and unintelligible. - -"Blood will be shed--much blood ... but the glory will come first.... -A King will rise and a King will fall.... And blood shall run freely, -ay, even as from a slaughter-house. Heads shall be lifted up.... Oh, -they shall be raised on high for all the world to see!... A brave show, -truly! A brave young King.... And he who now sits upon the throne shall -die in exile and disgrace." - -That was enough for us. We had heard just the answer we wanted, and the -old woman lapsed into a silence which no questions served to break, so -we bade her good-even, and went forth again into the night. - -"The King will die in exile! Dicon, if she be a true witch, we are to -see good days yet," cried Will, dancing in the moonlight like a wild -thing. "Blood and glory, and the rise and fall of Kings! Ah, heaven be -praised that I live in such goodly days! Dicon, Dicon, let us raise a -shout for King Monmouth. Hurrah for the good cause and the King! God -save him and us all!" - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -_MY RIDE TO LYME._ - - -I returned to find my uncle not a little disturbed in mind. - -The Mayor had summoned the Burgesses to meet him in council upon the -morning following my visit to the witch; and my uncle looked harassed -and anxious upon his return, and paced moodily up and down the -passage--a thing most unusual with him--whilst his jovial face looked -more perturbed than I had ever seen it before. My good aunt regarded -him with troubled eyes, wondering if evil had befallen him; and Meg -anxiously whispered in mine ear, asking if I knew what was amiss. -But though I knew that all the town was in a fever of excitement and -expectation, and that it was confidently supposed that the landing of -the Duke was near, I did not know why my uncle should be more disturbed -than other men, nor why his anxiety and fear should be greater. - -Towards noon there was a great commotion in the streets, and we heard -the tread of marching footsteps and the sound of horse-hoofs on the -hard road between the houses. Rushing out in great excitement, willing -to believe that the Duke was actually entering the town, I was in time -to see several companies of the militia, in their gay uniforms with -red and yellow facings, marching towards the Cornhill, followed by one -company of horse. But, alas! it was plain to see that they were not -only not led by the Duke, our expected deliverer, but that they had -been brought in to overawe us and keep order in the town, and prevent -us from rising in the cause of the deliverer when he should appear. -They were led by gentlemen of known loyalty, and behind the horsemen -rode Viscount Vere in all the bravery of a semi-military dress. But I -noted that his face wore a clouded expression, and there were stern -lines about his mouth that I had not seen there before. He rode between -his father and one of the Portman family; but I observed that he spoke -to neither, and that he wore an air of aloofness and offence that was -rather strange to see. - -"Uncle, the train-bands have come into the town!" I cried in great -excitement, rushing back into the inn. "Didst thou know they were to be -called out?" - -"Ay, boy, I knew it," he answered, the cloud still hanging heavy on -his brow; and then, we being alone together for the nonce, he spoke -with more freedom and openness than he had ever shown to me before. "I -tell thee, Dicon, I am in a great strait what to think and how to act. -I would fain keep out of this struggle and strife. What am I to judge -betwixt prince and prince? When the great and learned of the land are -at variance, and know not the truth of the matter, how can a simple -man who has never meddled with high things come to a knowledge of the -truth? I would have none of it could I help it. But the plague of such -times is that men will not let you be. Here is our Mayor on one side -reproaching me with being a dissenter, and lukewarm in the cause of the -King--a matter like to get me into trouble by-and-by should ill befall -this expedition of which all men speak; whilst those of the Duke's side -trust me not, and fall into a sudden silence at sight of me. And should -he win the day, none will have a good word for me with him, nor say -that I was forward in his cause. I am like to get nothing but ill-will -from both sides, and all because I would fain manage my own affairs and -leave those of the nation alone. It is a hard thing that a man should -be so ill thought of simply for attending to his own business, and -meddling not with matters too hard for him." - -Sooth to say, and put in that fashion, the case did seem hard. But -mine uncle was something in the position of the ass in the fable with -the two bundles of hay. He had been striving all this while to eat of -both, and yet to make choice of neither; and the consequence was that -he was now in the position of one not trusted by either party, and not -prepared to throw in his lot decidedly with either. By training and -choice he was a dissenter, and would gladly have welcomed the Duke of -Monmouth as England's King. But he was a long-headed and far-sighted -man, and did not think that the power of the reigning sovereign would -be as easily overturned as his townsmen fancied, wherefore he was -fearful of allying himself with them in their designs. He would fain -have rested strictly neutral, and that indeed was his purpose; but it -was more difficult each day to avoid making open declaration on one -side or the other, and he began to see that if the Duke really landed -and marched to the town, it would be increasingly hard to stand aloof -from both parties. - -"If only I knew which way the day would turn!" he said, pacing -restlessly up and down. "I tell thee, boy, I would serve the Duke, -and be glad to do so; but I am not ready to be ruined for such as he. -My business and my goods are more to me than all these questions of -kingship and policy. I love not black King James, and I know we may -suffer under his sway; but how do we know that we should do better -under another? And civil war is a more terrible ill and calamity than -a little tyranny and a few unjust imposts. Let well alone, say I; and -nothing very bad has followed King James's accession. I like not the -thought of stirring up strife. Yet if strife must come, I would fain be -found on the right side--if I could but know which that was!" - -And by the right side my uncle meant the victorious one, as I very well -knew. - -Well, it is not of such stuff that heroes and patriots are made. But -then my worthy uncle never professed to be either; and a man who has -toiled and laboured to get a good business together, and to stand -well with those around him, has many excuses for feeling loath to see -all swept away for what may seem to him a fantasy or a dream. I could -scarce wonder at his words, though I was all for fighting and dying -in a noble cause, and was glad that Heaven had not made of me a man -of substance, who feared the loss of goods more than the grinding -heel of a tyrant usurper. I could afford to feel pity for my uncle's -perplexities. I was sorry for him, and longed to be able to relieve him. - -"If I did but know more of the feeling of the country!" he said. "I -hear such contrary reports. Our Mayor tells me that it is but just in -a few places here and there in the land that men are for the Duke, -and that the nation at large will have none of him; whilst others say -they have full information that the widespread discontent is ready -everywhere to burst into a flame, and if the Duke do but land he may -march straight to Whitehall if he will, and by the time he reaches it, -will have all the nation and all London at his back. If that indeed -were so--" - -"Uncle!" I cried, struck by a sudden inspiration, "let me fare forth on -Blackbird, and reap what news I can as I go, and bring thee word again. -Let me to the coast, where the Duke, they say, will shortly land, if -he be not landed already; and as I go let me ask news of all men--how -things are going all over the country, and what men are saying, and -what is doing. I am but a lad. I shall not rouse suspicion, and -Blackbird knows not how to tire. Let me go, and I will bring thee word -again, or ever the Duke appear, how the chances of the day seem like to -go. I will talk with men of every degree. Sure I shall gain information -worth the having!" - -Now this plan, so congenial to my restlessness and excitement, took -the fancy of my uncle; and he forthwith slapped me on the shoulder, -and said I was a smart lad and a credit to the family, hunchback or -no hunchback. And then he took money from his purse and gave it me, -and bid me see well to Blackbird, and make a start upon the following -morning, the day being now drawing to its close. He was pleased to -think of any plan that might relieve him in some sort of his anxieties. -He could remain for some days longer without committing himself to -either party, and perchance I might reap information for him which -should decide him whether or not openly to embrace the cause of the -Duke, towards which his private leanings were. - -It was reported that several persons had already left Taunton, and it -was shrewdly suspected that they were going forth with the prospect of -meeting the Duke. When I went to Master Simpson's shop that evening to -tell Will Wiseman of my plan, I heard the Master Hucker had gone, and -young Dare, and that he believed his own master would not be long in -following. - -Will did not know whether any place of landing had been yet settled, -but he had heard a whisper of Lyme more than once; and it seemed a -likely place, being far smaller and less like to be watched than -Weymouth, and much nearer to Taunton, which had the glorious reputation -of being the city most in earnest in its loyal attachment to the noble -Protestant cause. - -Lizzie came and joined us, and said she was certain her father -meditated a speedy journey; and hearing that I too was bound for the -coast, she became greatly excited, bid me strive to be amongst the -first to welcome the gracious and noble Duke, and finally took a ribbon -from her neck, and fashioned it into a rosette for my hat. Lizzie and -I, I must explain, had for many a day made a pretence of being lovers, -and I now felt like a knight going forth on his first feat of arms; so -it seemed right and fitting that his lady-love should thus adorn him by -her token, as Lizzie had decorated me. - -With the first light of the morrow Blackbird and I rode out of Taunton, -Will Wiseman trotting beside us for the first mile of our journey, and -only wishing that he could be my companion all along. - -Glad enough would I have been of his company, but I was not altogether -sorry that this could not be. Will had a vein of rashness and daring -about him that was lacking in me, despite all my brave imaginings; and -on the mission upon which I was bent, discretion was needed almost as -much as valour. - -I resolved to ride leisurely to Ilminster this first day, which was the -first day of June 1685. I should learn from my aunt and her friends -what was the feeling in that city. And I meant to join company with all -of my own degree, or those inferior to me, upon the road, and glean -from them all the news that I could. - -In particular I was minded to question all those who came from the -Devonshire border. For we knew that the Duke of Albemarle, who was the -King's deputy-lieutenant of that county, and his very loyal general, -was at Exeter with a fine body of train-bands and other troops, and it -was of importance to us of Taunton to know whether he proposed to move -out from that city in our direction. One traveller whom I encountered -at a cross-road, and who lingered awhile to talk with me, declared his -belief that if the Duke were to lead his forces against the person of -the Duke of Monmouth, and his men were to see that loved face in the -opposite ranks, they would all go over as one man to join him; and that -the Duke of Albemarle most likely knew something of the temper of his -soldiers, and would be very careful how he brought them into action -against the Duke of Monmouth. They did very well for keeping the town -and district quiet; but he did not believe they would ever take the -field against the champion of the Protestant religion, and against one -they persisted in looking upon as their late King's lawful son. - -This was excellent news, and sent me on my way glad at heart. If this -indeed was the temper of the soldiers against whom the Duke might have -to fight, his march would speedily become the triumphal progress his -friends had foretold. - -Shortly after I had parted from this traveller with expressions -of mutual good-will, I heard upon the road behind me the beat of -approaching horse-hoofs. Plainly the rider was either in some -considerable haste, or labouring under the stress of hot emotion, for -he was galloping at a great pace. I pulled on one side of the narrow -track which we called a road, and which at this time of year was -passable enough, and turned in my saddle to look at him, when, lo and -behold, as he approached I saw that it was none other than my young -lord Viscount Vere. - -Great was my surprise to see him riding thus alone and in haste, and -with that same clouded look upon his face which I had noted yesterday; -and yet more surprised was I to learn, a few minutes later, what had -brought him here. On seeing me he drew rein, and a smile broke over his -face which was like a ray of sunshine breaking through storm-clouds, -and he gave my shoulder a friendly pat, crying out,-- - -"Ha, Dicon man, well met! And whither art thou away? Are we travelling -the same road? If so, let us join forces. I am tired of my own company -and my own black thoughts. Tell me whither thou art bound, and what is -thine errand." - -I told him all, and he listened to the story of my uncle's perplexities -with his gay smile of amusement; but when I had finished he gave me a -glance of a different sort, and said,-- - -"Canst guess whither I am bound, good Dicon?" - -I shook my head, for I had been wondering all the while whither he -could be going at such a time, when the gentry were all gathered about -the city to strive to keep the peace. - -"Marry, to join company with the Duke of Monmouth when he lands!" cried -the Viscount, with a quick flash of the eyes such as bespoke a mind -much disturbed. And upon my uttering an exclamation of surprise, he -broke forth with much heat of manner,-- - -"Ay, they have driven me to it! They have driven me to it with their -plots and plans and projects! There is but one way of cutting the knot, -and cut it I will at all hazard! My Mary's blessing and sweet approval -go with me and rest upon me! I have done with the old life. The new -may be what it will, but Mary and Mary's weal are bound up in it, and -therefore I fare forth fearlessly. When I return I make her my wife, -be the issue of this venture what it may. I saw her last night, and -had speech of her; and I care for nothing now, so as I win and hold -her love. What is the evil black tyrant James to me that I waste in -his cause my youth and my strength, and lose the lady of my choice? -Rightful monarch he may be, but a vile creature, unworthy the name of -King! I will none of him! I will none of them and their machinations! -Henceforth I am my own man, and I win Mary, or perish in the attempt!" - -It took me some time to learn from this excited outburst the truth of -the whole matter, but bit by bit I made it out. Nor could I wonder at -the way in which the young man, badgered and beset, had cut the knot of -his difficulties and perplexities. It seems that some treacherous spy -had reported to Lord Lonsdale that the Viscount had been seen riding -with Mistress Mary Mead in lover-like fashion; that this had so alarmed -and angered him that he and his friends had forthwith put their heads -together; and when Sir William Portman returned from London a few days -back, after having been there for the opening of the Parliament, of -which mention has been made, he brought back with him the marriage -contract, duly drawn up, for an alliance between his daughter and -Viscount Vere, and ever since the young man had had no peace because -this contract must be signed, and the marriage celebrated with what -speed the times would allow. - -Now it is not in my young lord's nature to be brutal; and the lady -was as willing and eager for so fair a husband as he was reluctant to -have her. To his father he had spoken roundly, but had been treated -in a high-handed fashion, as though he were but a refractory boy, and -must be reduced to obedience. Yet this is not the treatment which can -succeed with natures like my lord the Viscount's, and he had been put -into a great heat and anger. Last evening there had been a banquet at -Sir William's house in Taunton, and he had been one of the guests. At -the board open allusion had been made to the approaching nuptials of -the Viscount with Mistress Edith, whose bright eyes gave ready and -eager response to the good wishes and gratulations of her friends. Nor -could the gentle and chivalrous young lord speak open despite to the -lady before her kinsfolk, and do insult to her and to his manhood. But -his blood had boiled within him at the intolerable position in which he -had been placed; for he had believed beforehand that the banquet was -for the officers of the train-bands and the gentlemen who had come into -the city to help to maintain order, else he never would have gone. - -Being thus trapped, and as it were committed to a match to which he -never could consent, there seemed to him but one way out of the -difficulty, and that was one to which his reckless, defiant mood -inclined him, as well as the knowledge that it would be of all others -the measure most likely to be approved by his own true lady. He knew -that, let him once be accounted as a rebel, the prudent Sir William -would none of him for a husband for his daughter; whilst Mary would -regard him the more tenderly for all he might lose or suffer in the -good cause. Disgusted by the treachery, chicanery, and avarice of the -reigning King, eager after the excitements and the glory of warfare, -and keenly moved by the expected approach of one who was looked upon in -so many quarters as the deliverer of his country, it was small wonder -that the Viscount had flung prudence to the winds, and had resolved -to fling in his lot with the Duke who was about to come to the help -of the perplexed nation. I had no difficulty at all in understanding -and sympathizing with the step; my only regret was that he came alone, -and not with a gay and gallant following such as beseemed his rank and -station. - -But he smiled a little grimly as I spoke of this. - -"Nay, Dicon lad," he said, "if I be walking into the lion's jaws, I -will e'en walk thither alone, and not bring a luckless following of -poor knaves after me. Heaven alone knows what the issue of this day's -work will be; but all that I have heard on this vexed question tends -to the belief that England will not have your Duke for King, like she -her present monarch never so little! If that be so, there will be lives -lost and heads will fall--it may be mine amongst others. But no other -man shall lose his life through fault of mine. I might have brought a -score, perhaps a hundred gallant followers into the field, but I would -not tempt one to what may be his doom. Let each man choose his own lot -in the struggle. I have chosen mine, but I will be answerable for none -other besides." - -This speech was not a very blithe one, and showed me well that the -Viscount had more fears than hopes for the issue of the contest. Yet -having once joined with us, I knew he would never turn back; and I -thought that a few more such gallant leaders as he might turn the -fortunes of any campaign. - -We spent that day in company, my lord and I. At the inn where we -baited our horses and refreshed ourselves I passed as his servant, and -we both, in different capacities, gleaned all we could from those we -met. My lord told me afterwards that he saw small indication of any -eagerness on the part of the gentry to flock to the welcome of the Duke -when he should appear. They were all for maintaining law and order and -the tranquillity of the districts in which they lived; but I, on the -other hand, heard from the common people of a great joy and gladness in -the thought of the coming arrival, and everywhere it was whispered that -the soldiers would desert to his standard almost to a man, whilst every -rustic or shopkeeper in country or town would raise a shout for King -Monmouth, and fight for him through thick and thin. - -Wherefore I was more hopeful than my lord of the issue of the contest, -and he listened to me with a smile, and said,-- - -"Ay, ay, good Dicon, believe all thou hearest, and keep up a good -heart; there is nothing like it for making brave soldiers at a pinch. -Thinking the day won beforehand sometimes proves the best way of -winning it at the last." - -But I could see that my lord did not think it won yet. - -At Ilminster I persuaded him to accept, for one night at least, the -humble hospitality of my aunt's roof. He smilingly thanked me and -accepted, for he was always of a gentle and affable nature towards -his inferiors. Great was the joy of my good aunt, Mrs. Betsy Marwell, -when we rode up to her door and I asked her good offices not only for -myself, but for my lord the Viscount, whose gallant air, brave raiment, -and nodding plumes entirely captivated her from the first moment, and -made her eager to put her whole house at his disposal. - -However, he had no following, as he explained to her; and for himself, -he asked permission to join us at the board. This was not what my aunt -would have chosen, since she would have loved to serve him herself -almost on bended knee, I think; but he was allowed his own way when he -asked it with such graceful courtesy. We were soon seated together at -such a supper-table as methinks can only be found in the hospitable -West Country; and my lord was paying his attention to our hostess, and -making her beam and almost blush for pleasure at being so addressed by -a lord, and such a handsome and dashing one to boot; whilst I did ample -justice to the noble repast, and felt proud of my kinswoman and of the -manner in which she had been able to receive us. - -My lord acceded to her desire that he would remain with her as long -as business kept him at Ilminster; and he stayed two nights beneath -her roof, winning golden opinions from all who saw him, and leaving us -quite sorrowful upon his departure. - -I did not accompany him for two reasons: one being that he did not ask -me, and I feared to force myself upon him against his will; another, -that my aunt was resolved to keep me yet a few days longer. And as I -was every day suffered to ride far afield and to pick up all sorts of -odd but useful bits of information, I was the more willing to do so. It -was quite plain that the Duke could not yet have landed, at any rate -upon this coast, or we should have known it of a certainty ere now. I -was anxious to be there to witness his landing when it did take place; -but I could not well refuse my aunt's request, and so I lingered nigh -upon a week at her house, pleasantly assured that Ilminster was loyal -to the good cause, although perhaps not quite so fervent and warm as -the city of Taunton. - -My next halt was at Chard, whither my aunt had sent me with a note to a -trusty friend of her own, who gave me lodging for two nights, and put -me in the way of obtaining all such information as I desired. I could -feel the growing excitement of the people, and I hoped that the Duke -would not tarry much longer. Men are apt to grow faint-hearted or cold -if disappointment and delay fall upon their first ardent longings. It -was now nigh upon fourteen days that we had been expecting tidings of -the landing of the Duke, and still he came not. - -Axminster was my next halting-place, and here I found the temper of the -people very hot and eager. There was an Independent chapel there of -some importance, and a martial minister, whose name I cannot recall, -who was fervent in the cause of the Duke, and who had given out that he -himself would lead forth the men of his flock to join the standard of -liberty when it should be set up, and that he would fight to the last -drop of his blood in the righteous cause. I heard here, too, all the -old stories about the poisoning of the King, and the manifold crimes -laid to the charge of James now on the throne. The mind of the people -was inflamed against the sovereign almost more hotly than I had seen it -yet out of Taunton. - -One gentleman was known to have store of arms and ammunition in his -house, and it was whispered that upon certain news arriving of the -landing of the Duke, he would arm his sons and his household forthwith, -and any able-bodied men who should desire it, so long as his stores -held out; and that he would then march at the head of this band, and -tender his and their services to his Grace. - -I was fast catching the infection of hot partisan spirit, and feeling -more and more certain of the righteousness of our cause and the -certainty of ultimate success. There is a strong impression in the -minds of all communities that if the mass of the nation are in favour -of a cause, that cause will ultimately triumph. I have seen the growth -of this conviction during my long life, and I trow that those who come -after will see its further development. Whether for good or for ill -it is not for me to say, but the people begin to whisper that the -power is theirs, and that the voice of the people is the voice of God. -It was not put so in the days of which I now speak, but the citizens -would lay their heads together and boldly say that they had triumphed -over kings before in a righteous cause, and they would triumph again. -I listened, and I believed them, and sometimes felt as though the day -were well-nigh won. - -And in this mood, on one bright evening in June, I found myself riding -into the pretty little sea-board town of Lyme. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -_OUR DELIVERER._ - - -I had seldom been so near the sea as I was now approaching, and for a -moment the boundlessness of the horizon, the sweep of sky and sea, the -outline of coast, and the tranquil beauty of the summer's afternoon, -filled my senses and drew my thoughts temporarily away from the more -personal and exciting matters upon which they had dwelt so long. - -But as I sat Blackbird on the brow of the green eminence which -overlooked Lyme, and saw the little town nestling as it were beside the -blue sea, groups of trees giving beauty and variety to its aspect, and -the brooding peace of a cloudless summer's day seeming to rest upon it, -I became aware of a small stir behind me, and turning my head saw that -a party of some twenty rustics, with flushed faces and damp brows, had -come swinging up from below; and as soon as they were within speaking -distance the foremost called out to me, asking me, in the broadest and -softest of Dorset drawl, whether I could tell him where the Duke was to -be found. - -"Us have heard that he's coomed," he explained, wiping his brow, and -shifting to the other shoulder the great scythe he carried. Five of his -companions carried scythes, and three or four sickles, whilst the rest -had a miscellaneous assortment of weapons such as bill-hooks and picks. -One had an ancient carbine, which looked better able to slay the person -who fired it than any other; and a tall lad, with the face of one whose -wits were not all under command, brandished with an air of fierce -triumph the broken remnant of what had once been a sword. - -"They du tell we that he's coom, and us be going tu join him," panted -the first speaker as the rest came up. "Happen thee may be able tu put -us in the way of finding him. Thee be bound on the same errand, I take -it, young master." - -"As for that, I have come to seek the Duke," I answered, forgetting -all else now in the excitement of the news just imparted; "but I knew -not that he had yet landed, nor where. What dost thou know of it, good -fellow?" - -"Us heerd tell as he'd landed at Lyme. Us have come out to fight for -un," was all the answer I could get; and being unable to extract more, -and consumed with curiosity to know more of the matter, I wished them -a good journey, and set spurs to Blackbird, heading straight down the -slope of the down and towards Lyme. - -I saw in the bay there two or three white-sailed vessels, and this -in itself seemed to give weight to what the men had said. Those -white-winged messengers might have brought our deliverer to us; and -with ever-increasing excitement and eagerness I drew near to the place, -and was more and more certain that rumour had this time not played me -false, but that some unwonted commotion was on foot. - -I passed numbers of groups of rustics more or less like my first -friends, all hastening in one direction; and the question on all lips -was not whether the Duke had come, but where he was to be found. That -in itself was significant, and seemed to show that something had really -happened to awake such certainty in the minds of the people; and very -soon this certainty was confirmed by a strange and goodly sight which -presently burst upon my eyes. - -Just to the east of the town, and hard by the church which raised its -square tower heavenwards, was a wide expanse of greensward which went -by the name of Church Cliff. Men tell me that since those days a part -of this same cliff has slipped into the sea, and that more is like to -follow. Be that as it may, when I saw it, many long years ago now, it -was a pleasant green plateau, spacious and convenient for the assembly -of a multitude of persons; and to-day it presented an aspect which I -trow it has never done before, and never will again--particularly if it -is like to be engulfed by the hungry waves! - -On a small eminence nigh to the church, but not too near for -convenience, fluttered in the light summer breeze a banner or -standard--for I am not learned in the right names of these things. All -I know was that it was planted upon a tall halberd, and floated in the -breeze with a gentle swaying motion. Even from a distance I could see -that there were letters emblazoned upon it; but only later on, when I -was able to come anigh it, was I able to read the device, which ran as -follows: "_Pro Religione et Libertate._" The meaning of that (as I had -occasion to explain to many an unlettered hind ere the day closed) was, -"for religion and liberty," those two precious gifts to men which the -rule of the present monarch so greatly imperilled. - -But the standard was not the only thing that took the eye of the -spectator. The field was gay with gathering crowds of people of all -degrees. Hard by the standard stood a group of gentlemen, as I could -see by the colours of their riding coats, and the plumes in their -hats. My heart beat as I scanned them. Could the Duke indeed be one of -these? It looked like it, for it was towards this group that the crowds -were for ever pressing. And plainly there was some order observed in -the method of approach; for there was no jostling or crowding in the -immediate proximity of this small group, but persons from the crowd -seemed to be detached from it and brought up one by one, and then to -melt away into the press again, as though their turn had come and gone. - -As I advanced ever nearer and nearer, losing my vantage as I drew more -close, and finding myself gradually drawn into the throng of eager -watchers, I heard men talking one to another, and this was the burden -of their talk:-- - -"The Duke! the Duke! He is enlisting recruits. All the country is -flocking to him! Heaven be praised, our deliverer is come! Down with -the tyranny of the false usurper! A Monmouth! a Monmouth!" - -And this cry was ever and anon taken up by all, and went surging -through the crowd like a mighty thunderclap. - -"A Monmouth! a Monmouth! God save the noble Duke! God fight for the -righteous cause! A Monmouth! a Monmouth!" - -I caught the enthusiasm of the people, and forgetting all about mine -uncle's errand, the prudence inculcated by him, and the mission on -which I had been sent, I flung my cap into the air and shouted aloud -for the Duke as lustily as any. Then finding that I could not make -shift to get nearer to him on horseback, for the press was very great, -I dismounted and turned Blackbird loose on the greensward, knowing well -that he would let none but me catch him again, though he would come -at my whistle like a dog, and gradually approached to the floating -standard, eager above all things else to look once more upon the face -of the Duke. - -Little by little I made my way into the forefront of the crowd, which -had made a ring round the standard and the group near to it, and kept -an orderly and respectful bearing, only breaking out from time to time -into the joyous shouts of which I have made mention. One of such shouts -was being given as I wormed and twisted myself into the foremost ranks, -some good-natured spectators making way for me because that I was small -of stature, and could not otherwise witness what was passing. - -"A Monmouth! a Monmouth!" shouted the crowd, tossing caps and waving -kerchiefs. "Down with Popery! Down with tyrants! Down with all -usurpers! A Monmouth! a Monmouth!" - -And as the people thus shouted, he who stood in the centre of the gay -group about the standard lifted his plumed hat with a courtly grace and -smiled upon us with a winning kindliness and confidence that made the -populace redouble their shouting; and only after several minutes had -gone by was comparative silence restored, and proceedings went on as -before. - -These were simple enough. A man would step forward and ask leave to -enlist in the Duke's army. His name would be asked, and duly inscribed -in a roll which was being kept by a busy scribe. If he had any arms, -he was bidden to one part of the field; if not (as was generally the -case), he was sent to another, and was equipped with some sort of -weapon from the stores brought over by the Duke or obtained for him by -his confederates here. - -We believed then that he had arms and ammunition for half England, -should so many flock to his standard, and at least for the equipment -of as many thousand soldiers as he wanted. It was only later on that -we heard that arms had speedily run short, and that scythes stuck upon -poles, and other barbarous makeshifts, had to be substituted for the -regular weapons of true soldiers. - -My friends the rustics came up in due course, and were enrolled in the -list; and the Duke had a smile and a pleasant word for each, so that -every man believed himself known and remembered by his Grace, and -every mouth was filled with his praises. - -The difficulty seemed to be in getting the names set down fast enough; -and as that fact dawned upon me I plucked up my courage, for being in a -state of great excitement and exhilaration, almost like intoxication, -by the stress of my feelings, I forgot everything but my desire of -winning the approbation of the Duke, and doing somewhat in the good -cause. So I stepped up before him, making a low reverence, without -waiting to be led or bidden by those who were marshalling up the -recruits. - -"Well, my good lad, and art thou come to make a soldier in our ranks?" -asked the Duke, with that pleasant smile which had beamed upon me once -before in my life. "Who art thou, boy, and what is thine errand?" - -"May it please your Grace, I am the boy whom your gracious touch did -cure of the King's Evil five years agone, and who has never ceased to -bless you for that gracious act. Nature has not been pleased to grant -me the strength or the stature for a soldier, but I can make shift to -wield a pen with any scribe, and would humbly ask that I might help in -this matter of writing down the names." - -"Well thought, boy," answered the Duke. "Our worthy scribe there will -be right glad of thy help. There be so many come to join us that his -labours are something severe. Where dost thou hail from, boy, and what -news dost thou bring of the temper of the country?" - -For my travel-stained garments, and the dust upon my clothing, showed -that I had come some distance; and though the Duke's smile was full of -light and confidence, methought there was something of anxiety in his -eyes. - -"All the people be very eager and forward in the good cause, your -Grace, and rejoice to think you near," I answered. "I myself come from -Taunton, where your friends muster strong. But Axminster and Ilminster -are almost as forward to give you welcome, as you will find when you -pass through them. But Taunton will give you royal honours, and I pray -you tarry not longer than need be ere you set foot in that queen of -cities." - -The Duke's face lightened at my answer; and truly I spoke only as -I felt, and I had no thought to tell more than the truth. Looking -round on this crowd of gallant officers and gentlemen, and seeing the -hundreds pressing to join the standard, how could I feel that the Duke -had aught but a triumphal march before him? He rewarded my confidence -by taking me by the hand, and calling me a right brave and honest lad, -whom he should remember in days to come; and then, whilst my hand was -still tingling with the pressure, and my heart leaping for triumph and -joy, I was given a place beside the other scribe, and commenced my -duties as writer of names. - -I know not how long I had been writing when a hand was laid upon my -shoulder, and a familiar voice spoke in my ear,-- - -"Dicon lad, Dicon Snowe, is this the way in which thou dost follow the -behests of thy prudent uncle? Is this how thou dost cater for true news -for him? Is this how thou dost prudently wait the issue of events ere -thou dost declare for one side or the other?" - -Looking up quickly--for the enlisting was well-nigh done for the day, -and there were few left to be enrolled--I encountered the gaze of my -lord the Viscount's dark-blue eyes fixed full upon me with a glance -half of reproach, half of humorous amusement. - -Truth to tell, I had indeed forgotten my character of scout, and had -flung myself into the very thick of the movement; though the future -alone could say whether men would come to call it by the name of -victorious revolution or seditious rebellion. I had been carried away -by the excitement of the scene and by my personal bias, and I had -thrown to the wind alike the prudence inculcated by my uncle and the -diplomacy I had promised to exercise on his behalf. Nevertheless I had -not betrayed myself, and I had not enlisted as a soldier; for who would -enlist a hunchbacked lad like me? Nor had I even told my name, it not -having been asked of me; so that I was not exactly committed to aught. -Yet I felt a thrill of shame run through me, as though I had in some -sort betrayed trust; and I said to my lord with some humbleness,-- - -"My uncle shall not suffer aught through any act of mine. I will keep -my pledge to him, and let him know all I can find ere the Duke enters -Taunton; but how may I hold back from him when I see him face to face, -and when you, my lord, are serving with him, whom I would fain follow -to the world's end or to death?" - -The Viscount smiled that smile of his which I never quite understood, -but the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder was kindly and friendly. - -"It is like enough to be one or the other, wert thou simple enough to -throw in thy lot with me," he said in a low voice. "Exile or death is -like enough to be the fate of those who meddle in this matter." - -His voice was only for my ear, and I heard his words with a start of -dismay and incredulity. - -"But, good my lord, look on these rolls--look on this list of names! A -few hours have brought all these men flocking to the Duke's standard. -What will not days do, and when all the country side knows that he is -here at last?" - -Over the Viscount's face there passed another fleeting smile, and his -eye rested upon my scroll with a strange expression. - -"A few hundred ill-armed, undisciplined, untrained rustic hinds, who -know no more of warfare than I of the plough! Dicon, hast thou read thy -history so ill as that thou thinkest England and England's armies can -be subdued by such as these?" - -"But, good my lord, the train-bands will desert to the Duke as fast as -they are brought into the field against him," I answered eagerly. "All -men say so; and those I have spoken to have sons or brothers or lovers -in the ranks, and they know what they say. O fear not, my lord; be not -down-hearted. The will of the nation is with the Duke." - -"The will of the nation--the hearts of the people!" repeated the -Viscount slowly. "That may be, Dicon, in thy sense, and yet misfortune -may not be far off. Dost know, lad, that except my unworthy self, not -one bearing the name of gentleman has joined the Duke to-day? Even Mr. -Trenchard, who was to have met him with fifteen hundred men, has fled -to France out of the way of peril. We will see what the morrow and the -morrow's morrow bring forth; but methinks if his Grace be wise he will -take to his ships again, and quit the country ere he rouses up the lion -to intercept and destroy him!" - -"O my lord," I cried in distress, "not that--not that!" - -But he made no direct reply, and we could no longer talk together -where we were, for a great cry was raised, "The Declaration! the -Declaration!" and one whom I may call a herald stood forth before the -people with a printed paper in his hand, and forthwith avowed that he -would read in the ears of the people the Declaration drawn up by the -noble Duke of Monmouth, stating wherefore he had come to England, and -what was his object in so doing. - -Now all the people were very attentive to hear this, and held a great -silence; and I listened with the best of them, striving to retain all -in my memory, that I might retail it in Taunton Town when I returned, -and have wherewithal to answer the questions which should be put to me. - -I cannot set down all here, for it was very long, and would weary both -reader and writer; but it was a clear exposition of the wrongs that the -people were enduring from an "unlawful and absolute tyranny" foreign to -the constitution and rights of the nation. It stated also the perils -of Popery and Papist plots, reminding us that the burning of London in -the last King's reign was held to have been the work of Papists; that -the Duke of York, now calling himself King, had unlawfully instituted -all manner of Popish idolatries, had set up the Mass, and was about -to persecute with fierce cruelty all those who opposed him or upheld -the true religion of the land. Next, we were reminded how he had done -to death the late King by poison, and mention was made of others also -who had been put from his path by like means; and as these things were -read, the wrath and ire of the people grew so great and terrible that -they broke at last into yells of rage and execrations against the -false usurper on the throne, and some voice raised a shout, which was -instantly taken up by hundreds and thousands,-- - -"King Monmouth! King Monmouth! We will have no King but him!" - -Was this cry raised spontaneously at this point, or had it been begun -by some person for the sake of effect? At the time I never thought -of such a thing, but later on I have wondered whether some agent of -the treacherous Ferguson may not have been primed to the part. For -the words which followed seemed to fall almost too aptly on our ears, -although we none of us felt it at the time. I can repeat this paragraph -by heart to-day, having studied it from the Declaration itself, which -was once in my hands, though soon it was death and dishonour to have a -copy of it in one's keeping:-- - -"And forasmuch as the said James, Duke of Monmouth, the now Head -and General of the Protestant forces of this kingdom, assembled in -pursuance of the ends aforesaid, hath been and still is believed to -have a legitimate and legal right to the crowns of England, France, -Scotland, and Ireland, with the dominions thereunto belonging, of -which he doubts not in the least to give the world full satisfaction -notwithstanding the means used by the late King, his father, upon -Popish motives, and at the instigation of the said James, Duke of -York, to weaken and obscure it,--the said James, Duke of Monmouth, -from the generousness of his own nature, and the love he bears to -these nations (whose welfare and settlement he infinitely prefers to -whatsoever may concern himself), doth not at present insist upon his -title, but leaves the determination thereof to the wisdom, justice, -and authority of a Parliament legally chosen, and acting with freedom; -and in the meantime doth profess and declare, by all that is sacred, -that he will, in conjunction with the people of England, employ all the -abilities bestowed upon him by God and nature for the re-establishment -and preservation of the Protestant Reformed Religion in these kingdoms, -and for restoring the subjects of the same to a free exercise thereof, -in opposition to Popery, and the consequences of it, tyranny and -slavery. To the obtaining of which ends he doth hereby promise and -oblige himself to the people of England to consent unto and promote -the passing into laws all the methods aforesaid, that it may never -more be in the power of any single person on the throne to deprive -the subjects of their rights, or subvert the fundamental laws of the -Government designed for their preservation." - -Was it wonderful that such words as these raised our enthusiasm and joy -to the greatest height? No more packed Parliaments subservient to the -will of the King, instead of breathing forth the will of the nation! -No more pandering to France, and receiving bribes from her for the -perverting and corrupting of English ministers! No more Mass! No more -idolatry! No more absolutism and oppression and tyranny! - -Oh, how the people cheered and flung their hats into the air! Was it -wonderful that we shouted aloud for "King Monmouth! King Monmouth!" - -Who had drawn up that Declaration? I afterwards heard it was the Rev. -Robert Ferguson, the man who was ever in the Duke's counsels now, -and who was foremost in the cause, and eager to counsel boldness and -advance. - -Long afterwards I heard it whispered that he was one of those crawling -creatures who, to make their own skins safe, play false to their own -friends, by giving secret intelligence to the other side, and therefore -are bold to urge rash counsel on others. What the truth of this may be -I know not. I can only say that Ferguson had the face of a villain, and -that I marvelled to see the Duke take so much heed to him. - -But I must not omit to mention my other acquaintances and friends whom -I saw in the muster about the Duke. Young Mr. William Hewling was -there, and Masters Hucker and Herring, both looking very soldier-like -in their trappings, and now bearing the commission of captains of the -Duke's forces. I quickly distinguished, too, the fine face of Heywood -Dare, which I had not seen for some while. He was paymaster of the -forces, and seemed much in the confidence of the Duke. His son was -ensign to Captain Goodenough, and both gave me a nod and a smile when -they saw me. - -Besides the Viscount, known to my readers, there was no man of rank -in this assembly save Lord Grey, who was in command of the cavalry, -and had solicited the assistance of Viscount Vere. Many harsh things -have since been spoken of Lord Grey, and methinks he lacked skill and -courage in action, as will be seen anon; but he was faithful to the -cause of the Duke, and I like not to hear him railed upon. - -So soon as I could get away after hearing the Declaration read, I -hastened to the town-hall, where the recruits were all taken when -enrolled to be provided with arms, and put through certain martial -exercises in preparation for what might lie before them. The Mayor -of Lyme had fled, we heard, to the Duke of Albemarle at Exeter, with -news of what was passing. Another gentleman, Mr. Dassell, who had -striven to induce the authorities to fire upon the vessels of the Duke -before he landed, had started off, it was said, for London. We began -to understand that we must make the best of our time before the enemy -came upon us; but it was needful that the recruits should be trained -at least how to carry their arms, and how to obey the word of command, -ere they were brought into the field and set in array against trained -soldiers. - -Thursday evening and Friday were thus spent, my lord the Viscount being -one of the most forward and ready to assist in these matters. - -In the counsels of the Duke he seemed to take but little part, but he -was ready to do his utmost in showing the raw rustics how to shoulder -a pike or aim a carbine. And sometimes he would step aside and speak -a few words to me (for I could not keep away from the Bowling Green, -where these things were going on), and he would say with something of -sternness in his aspect,-- - -"At least the honest rogues shall not be shot down like sheep, or -butchered as if in the shambles. They shall learn all that can be -taught them in a few days." - -But as more and more men kept pouring in, it became evident that arms -were giving out, and that all sorts of shifts would have to be resorted -to to put them into the field at all. True, we were cheered by the -sight of many small companies of armed militiamen deserting to the -Duke, and making gay and martial-looking those companies which were -forming with all possible speed. - -We began to speak of the Blue Regiment, the White Regiment, the Yellow -Regiment, according to the prevailing colour of the militia uniform. No -enemy appeared against us. No news came of anything but loyal support. -It was said by scouts from Devonshire that the Duke of Albemarle was -approaching, but that his soldiers were deserting in great numbers--a -fact of which we had the best testimony--and that he was more than -half afraid to bring the rest against us, lest they should go over in a -mass to our Duke. - -All faces brightened at this news. We cheered and huzzahed till the -welkin rang. Even the Viscount's smile was a little more free and full, -and he clapped me on the shoulder and said,-- - -"Perchance I have been a false prophet after all, lad. At least thou -canst bear back good tidings to Taunton and to Mistress Mary. The -issue of the day is yet to come, but at least so far the auguries seem -happy. Let us live in the present, and leave the future to take care of -itself." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -_BACK TO TAUNTON._ - - -Had I been free, had I had none else to think of, had I not been bound -in honour to my uncle, nothing would have held me back from openly -espousing the cause of the Duke, and seeking if I might not at least -enrol myself in some capacity amongst his followers. I would have -implored the Viscount to let me serve him in the capacity of groom or -valet, so that I might be with him, and follow the fortunes of war. - -But I knew that until I had fulfilled the task intrusted to me I was -not mine own master; and yet I felt the fire burning so hot within me, -as I saw the muster of this goodly array and the martial aspect of the -town, that I felt my only safety lay in flight, and that I must tear -myself away before I took some step which would be disloyal to mine -uncle, and a breach of the trust he had reposed in me. - -I thought of all this as I lay in a narrow bed in an attic, counting -myself lucky to have so much as a straw pallet to rest my weary bones -upon--for weary I was with the excitements of the day; and the town -was so full of recruits that numbers of these had to camp in the open -field or in yards and barns. This was no great hardship whilst the dry -warm weather lasted; and all men were so wrought up by the thought -of the coming deliverance from Popery and tyranny, that nothing was -counted a grievance in the good cause. - -On Saturday morning I woke betimes, and after turning over all -things in my mind, I resolved that I must not linger longer where -I was, but make my way back that day as far as my aunt's house at -Ilminster--according to promise--and then on to Taunton on Monday. The -Duke, I had heard, would not leave Lyme before Monday, so I should be -at home in good time to give notice of his approach. - -But I felt that I could not leave without one more look at the Duke; -and, moreover, I bethought me that my lord the Viscount might desire to -send some letter or message to Mistress Mary: in fine, I had a hundred -good reasons for not hastening away, as it might have been wise to do. - -I took as good a breakfast as I could get at such a busy time, and -putting the saddle on Blackbird, sallied forth in the brave sunshine to -find the Viscount, and to pick up as much information as I could as to -the plans and route of the Duke. - -Now, although I think that this was not very well resolved on my -part, I have never regretted it; for it enabled me to witness a most -extraordinary and lamentable occurrence, which did much to damp the joy -which was in all our hearts, and to send me on my way a sadder and -a wiser man. But yet, I ween, there is something in our nature which -makes us eager to see all that is to be seen, whether the sight be of -sorrow or terror or joy; and therefore, when I approached the place -where the Duke's standard had been set up, and saw that some sort of -a tumult was going on about and around it, I pressed the more eagerly -forward, and soon made my way (thinking less of my manners than of my -eagerness and curiosity) into the innermost circle. - -I have spoken many times of Old Dare, as he is still called in Taunton -Town, where his memory is kept green, and of his forwardness in the -cause of liberty and of the Duke; and how that he was always first -to be on the spot when there was any fighting and any struggle for -freedom. He had spent most of the time since landing in scouring the -country for horses for the Duke, and had come in late the previous -evening with some forty good beasts--the one he had purchased for -himself being a very fine animal. - -All this I did not know at the time, but heard it afterwards. What -I did see when I approached was that one of the Duke's captains, -whose name I had been told was Fletcher (I have not spoken of all -the captains, fearing to confuse the reader with so many new names), -was seated upon a fine horse, ready equipped, as it appeared, for a -journey, and that Old Dare stood beside him with his hand upon the -bridle, speaking loud words in a very angry manner. - -Now it had been said to me that the Scotchman Fletcher was one of -the few men about the Duke who really understood the art of war, and -that he was the most valuable man we had on our side; so that I was -astonished to hear high words passing between him and Old Dare, and to -observe that the altercation was fast growing into a serious quarrel. - -But even then I was little enough prepared for what my eyes witnessed. -Scarce had I come into full sight and hearing of the disputants, before -Dare raised his hand in a threatening manner, as though he would have -struck his adversary with the cane in his hand; whereupon Captain -Fletcher, roused to a great wrath, drew forth his pistol and shot Old -Dare dead as he stood. - -I could scarce believe my eyes. A mist seemed to swim before them as -I saw the gallant figure totter and sway, and fall helplessly to the -ground. Instantly all was commotion and alarm. The Scottish gentleman -turned in his saddle and addressed those about him in loud tones,-- - -"Gentlemen, I call you to witness that the fault is none of mine. No -man of honour could suffer himself to be insulted as that fellow was -insulting me. I appeal to any gentleman who saw and heard all. Could I -have done other than I did?" - -A clamour and tumult at once arose of such magnitude that I was glad to -back away out of the forefront of the commotion, and trust to chance to -pick up later the gist of the matter. But whilst the crowd surged round -the body of Old Dare on the ground, and round his slayer, yet mounted -upon the fine charger over which the dispute had appeared to arise, -Captain Thomas Dare came hurrying up at the head of his levies, and all -were crying in loud and angry tones,-- - -"Vengeance! vengeance! Shall the murderer of Dare go free? Let -him be taken before the Duke! Let justice be done upon him! -Vengeance--vengeance--vengeance!" - -The Duke was already upon the scene, a very troubled and anxious look -on his face, as was indeed no wonder, seeing that the day had begun -thus badly. There was a great and increasing tumult around him, and I -could not tear myself away, although I could hear nothing of what was -going on. - -After a long time, I saw Captain Fletcher being escorted to the shore -by a body of officers and troops, followed by a storm of execrations -and hootings. He held his head proudly, and looked indifferent and -scornful. I knew not whether he were going to instant death, or what -had been decreed by the Duke; but as I pressed forward to look, and -strove to learn the truth from those who stood by, I chanced upon my -lord the Viscount, who was looking very grave and anxious. - -"A bad omen, Dicon," he said as I rode up to him; "a bad beginning -when we turn our arms against one another. Nay, I know not where the -blame most lay. It was Dare's charger, but Fletcher had taken it in -the service of the Duke, the better to perform the duty intrusted to -him. It was not matter enough to cause the spilling of blood. And yet -it has lost us two of our best men. Dare lies weltering in his blood, -and Fletcher has been taken on board the frigate to save him from -the fury of the people. He will be carried to foreign shores by the -sailing-master, and we have lost the best officer we have amongst us." - -I was distressed and grieved at the news, yet full of mine own plans -and projects too. I desired (as we do desire such things--I know not -why) to carry the news of this disaster to Taunton myself, albeit it -would be sorrowful tidings there, for Old Dare was greatly beloved and -respected; and my lord encouraged me to leave Lyme and return to my -uncle with the news. He sent messages to Mistress Mary, and trusted -soon to see her; but all through his discourse I felt that there ran -a thread of warning and disquietude. He cautioned me to avoid getting -myself too deeply implicated with the cause of the Duke, reminding me -that those were safest who stood aloof and took no open share in the -quarrel. I could well see that he himself had great doubts about the -triumphant march to London of which our mouths and hearts were full. He -had been driven himself by several goading motives to take up arms in -the Duke's cause, but he was wishful to warn others from following him -too blindly. - -I rode away from Lyme thoughtfully enough; yet all I saw that day -tended to raise my spirits. From all parts men were pouring in to join -the Duke. I met them in companies of two or three, up to a dozen or -twenty, all bent upon the same errand, and hungry to gain news from one -who had seen the Duke and knew what was happening at Lyme. Then there -was another sign which gave me food for pleasant speculation: at many -cross-roads the authorities had posted constables to turn back the -people who should be faring forth in the direction of Lyme. But these -worthies were themselves all for the Duke; and though they stopped many -travellers and asked whither they were bound, and so forth, yet, so -soon as they heard, they wished them good journey, and so let them go, -and then laughed between themselves as though it were all an excellent -joke. - -I made friends with many of these good fellows as I journeyed, and -heard from them how all the country was for the Duke; and indeed I -could make certain of this myself from the numbers of persons going to -join him, many of them being clad in the gay uniform of the militia. -My heart grew light as I journeyed, and by the time I had reached -Ilminster and my aunt's house there, I had forgotten all my doubts and -fears. She received me joyfully, and that evening and the next day I -was beset by eager men and women all agog to hear my tale, and ready to -dance for joy at hearing that the Duke would pass through their city -shortly, on his way to Taunton. - -Already they began to hang their windows with bright stuffs, and the -town took quite a festive aspect before I left on Monday morning. -Children were scouring the fields and woods for green boughs to make -arches, and posies to crown staffs. It seemed to me that the Duke -had nothing but a triumphal march before him, unless indeed, as some -averred, the Duke of Albemarle was on the march eastward from Exeter -to try to intercept him before he reached the heart of the Western -loyalists. - -One thing I must not omit to mention regarding my brief stay at my -aunt's house. Of course she had many questions to ask about the -Viscount, who had so won upon her a day or two before; and in speaking -of him, I could not but say that I feared he was not so hopeful as to -the success of the Duke as we were, and that I sometimes fancied he -himself looked forward to a death upon the scaffold. At that my aunt -looked very grave and troubled; yet both she and I saw that were the -Duke to be defeated, it was likely enough examples would be made of -the leaders and men of most mark and young Viscount Vere might be one -chosen to expiate his rebellious act (as it would then be termed) upon -the scaffold. - -But such a thought filled us both with great dismay; for I loved the -Viscount with a love I cannot hope to express in words. And suddenly my -aunt rose and took a lighted taper, and said (it was now dark and late -at night, and all her household was abed, we having sat up talking long -after all others had gone),-- - -"Dicon, come with me. I will show thee a certain thing; and if the -day should come when it can serve thee or thy good lord the young -Viscount, remember--and I will not fail either him or thee!" - -As I followed my aunt, in great curiosity as to what this speech could -mean, she led me up and up through the house into a great attic in the -roof, whither walking was difficult because of crossed timber beams and -chests stored with household goods; and suddenly stooping down in one -corner, she made a curious clicking sound--I could not see how--and -then, to my astonishment and momentary fear, seemed to sink into the -floor, for soon only her head was visible to me. - -"Come quietly after me, Dicon," she said; and then I saw that she was -pushing herself down through a narrow aperture from which a rickety -ladder led somewhere below. Following her through this trap-door--for -such it must be, though cunningly hidden, as I saw afterwards--I -by-and-by found my hand taken by hers and myself conducted through such -strange narrow places as I had never been in before, till we came out -at last into a small but not incommodious chamber, where stood a bed -and a chair or two and a small table. And then I divined that I was -looking upon one of those secret hidden chambers that were ofttimes to -be found in ancient houses, contrived as places of safety for hunted -priests or monks or Lollards, as the case might be. - -My aunt put her lantern on the table, and said in a low voice,-- - -"I will make provision for an inmate, lest the day go against us; and -if thou, Dicon, or the Viscount should come to trouble and be forced -to fly, fear not to come hither, and I will shelter you. For myself I -have no fears. I am a quiet woman, and take no part in great matters, -and all of my towns-folk think well of me. I shall not be disturbed. -But I will gladly give shelter to some hunted friend of the Duke's if -it be needed. Not a soul in the town knows aught of this chamber. I -trow I could keep any man safe for a month here, and none guess at his -presence." - -I was too much resolved to see nothing but triumph for the Duke to -believe that we should ever need such shelter as this; yet I was -interested in the chamber, and thankful to my good aunt for her -kindness in thus promising me help for myself or my lord should it be -needed. - -On Monday morning, the fifteenth day of June, I started off with the -first of the light to take to Taunton the news of the approach of the -Duke. A messenger had come in overnight to say that the Duke would be -leaving Lyme that morning, and unless delayed by any encounter with -the forces of the Duke of Albemarle, which were said to be advancing -towards Axminster, might be looked for at Ilminster perhaps by the -evening, or at any rate on Tuesday. So I felt there was no time to be -lost in getting to Taunton; and as Blackbird seemed of the same way of -thinking, and went his best and fleetest, it was only high noon before -we arrived at the outskirts of the town, to see in a moment that the -whole place was in a ferment of excitement. - -Had I once allowed myself to be stopped and questioned, had it once -been known that I came from Lyme with tidings direct, I should never -have been suffered to pass on my way, so clamorous were all the people -after news. But as I was sure that this would be so, I kept my mouth -shut, and put Blackbird to a hand-gallop, never drawing rein till I had -him safe within the yard of the Three Cups itself. - -At sound of the horse's feet my uncle came hurrying out, and almost -fell on my neck in his transport of joy. - -"Ah, Dicon lad, how I have watched and longed for thee! Come in, come -in! I made sure some ill had befallen thee. Now tell me all--tell -me all! The whole place is full of rumours, and never heard I such -contrary tales. Our prisons are full of country yokels and farmers, -caught in the act of going to Lyme to join the forces of the Duke. -They tell us here that he will never reach Taunton; that the Duke of -Albemarle will meet and rout him ere the day be done. Tell me, boy, -what news dost thou bring? for faith I am half afraid to stir hand or -foot, lest I find myself in some horrible trouble." - -Well, I told my story as plain as I could, neither making light of such -perils as I had heard of, nor yet failing to report how forward were -all the country folks in the cause of the Duke. My uncle listened, and -his face did not lose its look of perplexity; but after I had told my -tale, I was eager to know, on my side, what had happened at Taunton -during my absence, and my cousin Meg coming in and exclaiming at sight -of me, I quickly got from her the news, whilst my uncle went out to -confer with those of his friends who were still left in the town. - -Meg told me that the public feeling was rising higher and higher for -the Duke, and that soon after I had left Sir Edward Phillips and -Colonel Lutterell had come in with several companies of soldiers to -keep the town quiet. But on Saturday the latter had marched away with -the most part of the troops to join the Duke of Albemarle at Chard or -Axminster, and strive to intercept the advance of the Duke, and cut to -pieces his army, thus quelling the rebellion at a blow. - -Now this had been very grievous news for the people of Taunton, who -knew not whether their beloved Duke might not be forced to fly or ever -he had come to them as deliverer and saviour. The magistrates now had -charge of the town, and were holding the people in check from any sort -of rising, both by their authority and through the doubts entertained -of the result of the engagement between the forces of the two Dukes. - -When I told Meg how many and great were the forces pouring in to the -Duke's standard, and how he was surrounded by so gallant a band of -officers and gentlemen, and how the militia were deserting to him from -every quarter, she took courage and heart again; and others coming -in to hear my news, also thought well of it, and ere nightfall a new -feeling had spread through the town, whilst whispers were abroad that -it would be an easy thing in the absence of the soldiers to make a -general rising, surprise the guard, overawe the magistrates, and seize -and hold Taunton for the Duke. - -But as yet it was only a whisper, and no man dared to speak aloud of -such a thing. Order still prevailed, although I felt that the city was -like to the hot crust over the crater of a volcano, and that at any -moment a tongue of flame might spring forth, and the whole aspect be -changed to seething heat and violent eruption. - -As I was sitting at table satisfying my hunger after so much talking, -and telling those who stood by of the death of Dare--a thing which -caused much grief and heart-burning in the minds of his townsmen--my -uncle came behind me and said that Lord Lonsdale had come in. After -hearing that I had been to Lyme, he had asked to have speech with me; -and I rose at once, and found him in the small parlour where guests of -the better sort were entertained. - -Now although my Lord Lonsdale had not played the part of a good father -(in my humble opinion at least) to his son, and though he was known as -a determined enemy of the Duke, yet to me he had always shown himself -kind and gracious, and I was grieved to see the look of pain and -anxiety upon his handsome face. - -"Dicon Snowe," he said, as I appeared, "it has been told me that thou -hast ridden scout for Taunton, and hast been as far as Lyme, and seen -the following of the Duke of Monmouth. Tell me truly, boy, hast thou -seen aught of my son? He has vanished no man knows where since the -first day of the month, and all that I can hear of him is that he was -seen riding south, as though he would make for the coast. I have been -consumed with fear lest the foolish boy has run himself into deadly -peril. Tell me, Dicon, hast thou seen him? and what was he doing?" - -What could I say? I am a bad hand at lying even to my foes, and to lie -to one who had ever treated me well would have been a disgrace. I could -but tell my lord the truth--that his son the Viscount, goaded by fears -of being forced to wed a lady for whom he had no love, had broken the -yoke the best way he could, and so he had joined himself to the Duke, -his heart not being truly in the cause; and he was now doing all that -one man may do to drill the raw recruits, and make soldiers out of men -used only to the plough. Having so begun, he would, I was convinced, -see this matter through to the end; nor would any misfortune that -befell the Duke draw him from the standard, so long as that standard -floated over the plains of England. - -Whilst I spoke in the finest words I could pick, my lord wrung his -hands together and lamented openly the folly of the "boy," as he called -him, the hot-headed rashness of youth, and the fearful peril into which -he had run himself through his reckless impatience. I was sorry for -the distracted father, who plainly feared his son's head would pay the -penalty; but my sympathies were all the while with the gallant young -Viscount. Nor did I think the cause lost, as the Earl plainly did, -although prudence caused me to be silent on that point, and to express -no opinion. My journey to Lyme was not thought to be an incriminating -thing. Even the Mayor, Mr. Smith, who came to see me and ask questions, -rather praised than blamed me for thus faring forth after news. I -think I sent that worthy away with a flea in his ear. For I spoke of -all the brave sights I had seen, and how joyful the cities were at -thought of the approach of the Duke; and I think he wished himself -anywhere but in charge of Taunton Town, with the citizens all in a -ferment, and the soldiers drawn off elsewhere. - -But my day's work was not done until I had seen Mistress Mary and given -her her lover's messages; and so soon as I could shake myself free of -the crowds that kept coming to hear the news afresh, I stood at the -door of Miss Blake's parlour and sued for admittance. - -I was welcomed almost with tears when it was known where I had been, -and both Mrs. Musgrave and Mistress Mary were summoned to hear my tale, -which did not grow less through repetition. - -Oh how Mistress Mary's eyes did kindle and glow when I spoke to her of -the Viscount, and how he had joined himself to the Duke, and was in -command of a fine company of horse-soldiers under Earl Grey! If she -had never loved him before, I think she would have loved him then on -hearing what he had done, and knowing that for love of herself he had -thus thrown all else to the winds and joined the Duke's standard. As it -was, loving him heart and soul before, her heart could scarce hold all -the joy and gladness that my words aroused; and when I whispered in her -ears the messages with which I was charged, her beautiful eyes kindled -and flashed, and she clasped her hands together as though hardly -knowing how to keep back the words that sprang burning hot to her lips. - -In this house there was no fear as to the result. - -"God will fight for the right," said Miss Blake solemnly. "He will -succour the oppressed in the time of need, and will not suffer His -cause to be trampled in the dust." - -Then she went out of the room for a brief time, and returned bearing -a great burden, which Mistress Mary hastened to help her to undo, and -before my dazzled eyes was then displayed the result of those weeks and -months of patient toil. - -Twenty-seven banners, or colours, as it was the fashion to call them, -were spread out before my admiring gaze. The rich materials had been -provided by the secret gifts of many wealthy inhabitants of Taunton, -but the beautiful needlework had been done by Miss Blake's pupils -under her own eyes; and Mistress Mary's banner--the most beautiful and -the boldest of all, as I have said elsewhere--was her own work every -stitch, and she had purchased with her own money all the materials to -boot. - -"When the King-Duke comes to his loyal city of Taunton," said Miss -Blake with pardonable pride, as she folded the colours once again and -laid them by in order, "a right royal welcome shall not be lacking him, -shall it, Mary my dear?" - -And Mary's eyes kindled and glowed and her cheeks flushed as she -lightly passed her hands over the great raised letters J.R. worked upon -her banner, and looked up to answer,-- - -"Nay; and if they call Taunton the 'Queen of the West,' it is but right -that the Queen should be ready with royal honours for her King." - -Well was it that such words as these were spoken with closed doors! Yet -methinks these women had such courage and devotion that they would have -spoken them aloud for all the world to hear had there been any cause. - -After I had said good-night to these ladies, I found myself so tired -out with the labours and excitements of the day, that I must needs find -my way to my bed; and in spite of all the stir and tumult which reached -me from the street below, I slept well and soundly, unconscious of -what was passing, until daybreak on the following morning, when I was -awakened by such a noise and commotion as would have aroused even the -Seven Sleepers. - -But the account of that memorable day and the rise of Taunton I must -keep for a fresh chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -_THE REVOLT OF TAUNTON._ - - -I woke with a start from a deep sleep, to find that already a new day -had dawned, and to hear in the streets below the sound of trampling -feet and the hum of a multitude of voices. - -Springing out of bed and commencing to dress myself in a great hurry, -I heard steps approaching along the passage, and my uncle came quickly -in, looking haggard and dishevelled, as indeed he well might, not -having been in bed or asleep for two nights. - -"Heaven save us all!" he cried, in a state of genuine alarm. "All -the soldiers have been called out. They say the Duke of Albemarle's -forces have been overthrown, and that the Duke of Monmouth will be -here by noon. Others say that the Duke of Monmouth's army is in full -flight, and that the soldiers have been called out to help to cut them -to pieces and drive them into the sea, so that not one of them shall -remain alive by this time to-morrow. God save us all! What is a man to -think or do, with such frightful news pouring in, and none knowing the -truth of it!" and my uncle groaned aloud. - -Now when I went to bed about ten o'clock the town had been quiet -enough, as I have said. The regular soldiers had most of them gone, -but several bands of the militia were still there, and these were -quite sufficient to overawe the citizens; for they were not at all -disposed to desert to the enemy, like those bands in other places of -which I have spoken, and the magistrates and the Mayor had taken every -precaution that the city should be kept tranquil. - -But with the first light of dawn flying scouts kept hurrying in with -news that there had been a battle between the two Dukes, and now -the whole town was up and astir in the wildest excitement. My uncle -could not learn the truth from anybody. The Mayor and magistrates -tried hard to persuade the people that the Duke of Albemarle was -triumphing, and that he had called upon the militia to finish the good -work his soldiers had begun; but the tale told by flying soldiers who -made their way into the city from Colonel Lutterell's regiment was -very different. They declared that the train-bands under the Duke -of Albemarle had given way everywhere before the Duke of Monmouth's -troops. The engagement had been more or less in the dark and between -hedges. The accounts were so confused that it was hard to tell what -was the truth of the matter; but at any rate there were confusion and -panic everywhere, and all lovers of order were alarmed, striving hard -to quiet the tumultuous citizens and get them to return to their houses -instead of running wildly about the streets adding rumour to rumour, -till none could tell where the truth might lie. - -All through that day this state of wild excitement lasted. Mr. Axe was -to be seen in all parts of the town trying to persuade the populace -to be orderly and quiet; but when towards evening the news came that -the Duke--our Duke, the Duke of Monmouth himself--was in full march -for Taunton, there was no keeping down the tumultuous happiness of -the people. They cheered, they laughed, they shouted, they sang. When -Mr. Nicholas Blewer appeared in the streets (he had been forward in -spreading rumours that the Duke was overthrown, and in striving to set -the people against him by threats of fearful penalties to be dealt -to all traitors), he was so hooted and hustled that he was forced to -fly almost for his life; whilst Will Wiseman led a hooting crowd of -half-mad apprentice boys after him, and drove him ignominiously into -his lodging. - -But yet we dared not do more than raise our voices for the Duke when no -magistrate was by: for there were still bands of militia in the town, -despite the fact that continually companies were marching forth by one -route or another; and guards were set everywhere, whilst the constables -were busy keeping order, though not quite with that air of authority -and certainty that they had shown before; and Mr. Axe and the Mayor -worked hand in hand to keep order in the city. - -There was no going to bed for me that night. I felt that a crisis was -at hand--as indeed proved to be the case; and I sat with Will in a -nook in the Cornhill, which was always like to be the centre of any -disturbance. - -Quiet seemed to have been restored at dark; but that quiet did not -last long, for at midnight the roll of the drums began again, and we -started to our feet, to become quickly aware that the last of the -troops were being marched out of the town. By one or two o'clock in -the morning there was not a soldier left, only the guard and the -constables; and these, if the truth were known, in a great fright for -their own safety. - -"The soldiers have gone! the soldiers have gone!" cried Will, -in a fever of excitement; and forthwith he went from house to -house, knocking cautiously at doors, which flew open without any -delay--plainly showing that the inhabitants were not asleep or abed -that night; and I followed his example, till from all quarters men -began pouring into the street, and the first dawn of the midsummer -morning saw all the Cornhill full of people, looking into each other's -faces as though asking what should be done next. - -I know not who spoke the word first. It is always hard to say when -the explosion comes whose hand set light to the gunpowder. For some -while it had become known that no militia band was in the town, that -the soldiers had gone, that none remained now to impose order upon the -citizens. The town was practically in their own hands; they could do -what they would. - -Then there arose first a low whisper, just a rustle through the moving -mass of humanity, but the whisper that became a shout, and the shout -that became a yell, and was taken up and passed on, till every throat -was vociferating the one word,-- - -"Arms! arms! arms!" - -Now in the tower of St. Mary Magdalene's Church a quantity of arms and -ammunition had been stored in case of emergency, and this fact was well -known to the crowd. Accordingly a movement was made in the direction -of the church, although the doors were known to be very strong; and -we still had reverence for sacred buildings, whilst contemning the -idolatrous usages of Popery. - -But the blood of the citizens was up, and a trifle was not to stay -them. Will Wiseman had, as usual, managed to get into the forefront of -the crowd, and as they halted beside the church, wondering how to get -at the stores, he cried out boldly,-- - -"Help me up, good people; hoist me on your shoulders. Let me but get -footing on yonder ledge, and I'll get the window open and throw you out -the arms as fast as you can catch them!" - -A shout was the answer, and in another minute I saw the bold Will -swarming up to the leads of the church roof, followed by first one -and then another active man or lad. To wrench open the windows, to -get at the store of arms, to pass them to those below until nothing -remained within the tower, was but the work of an hour. By six o'clock -every capable citizen of Taunton was armed and equipped. Those who -had horses were already talking of going forth to meet the Duke and -escort him to the loyal town. Women were hanging their windows with -the costliest stuff their stores contained; children were going forth, -as from Ilminster a few days before, to get flowers for garlands and -green boughs for arches. We laughed aloud in the joy of our hearts. We -shouted for the Duke till our throats were sore. Every flying scout who -came into the city brought some fresh tale of disaster to the King's -forces, and of triumph to the Duke's. Our Mayor had not shown his face -since dawn. It was supposed that he and the magistrates, and those of -the Burgesses who could not bring themselves to declare for the Duke, -were hiding away in fear of the anger of the people, and the possible -punishment the new King (as some of us boldly called him) might inflict -upon them for their resistance. - -Mr. Axe, indeed, came towards us, to try to speak in the name of order -and authority; but an excited citizen marched up to him with a musket, -and exclaiming, "We will not hear you! the town is ours!" looked so -threatening in his aspect that the clergyman quietly retired. - -And then the cry broke out,-- - -"Loose the prisoners! Release Mr. Vincent! Have out the loyal knaves, -who will raise a shout for the Duke!" - -No sooner said than done. The prison was broken open by the mob. Mr. -Vincent appeared before our eyes carried high on the shoulders of the -wildly-cheering crowd. - -"A Monmouth! a Monmouth! Down with Popery! Down with tyranny! A -Protestant King for England! A Monmouth! a Monmouth!" - -There was no resisting that sort of shout; we joined in it almost to -a man. Even my uncle, who took no open part in these proceedings, -remembering perhaps that as Capital Burgess he was expected to be on -the side of law and order, could not refrain from adding a cheer as -the procession went by. The crowd, despite the efforts of Mr. Vincent -to free himself from their well-meant attentions, insisted on carrying -him in triumph through all the main thoroughfares, shouting themselves -hoarse the while; whilst other inferior prisoners were treated to -as much ale and sack as they could drink, and were listened to with -admiration and delight as they told the tale of their capture. We were -assured by this time that all England would declare for the Duke, and -that he would make Taunton his capital in the West, and perhaps even -allow himself to be crowned here (so fast did our imaginations and our -tongues outrun reason and sense); that his enemies would fly before -him, and be scattered as we heard the forces of the Duke of Albemarle -had already been. In our great joy we were like men intoxicated, and -every sense was strained to catch the first tread of approaching -horsemen, which should betoken the coming of the deliverer. - -Toward four o'clock that same afternoon a mighty shout was raised: "He -comes! he comes! The Duke! the Duke!" And men began rushing wildly -towards the road from the south, by which approach to the town from the -coast might be expected. - -Will Wiseman was at the head of the rushing crowd, and as I tried -vainly to keep up with his flying feet, he cried that from the tower -of St. Mary's a scout had seen the approach of a band of horsemen; and -that was quite enough to rouse the shouts which were echoing down the -streets, and to send the whole populace flying forth in one direction. - -Although outrun by Will and the foremost of the crowd, I yet reached -the limit of the town before the horsemen came up. - -Right gallantly did the little cavalcade approach us; yet when they -were near enough for us to distinguish faces, we saw that the leader -was not the Duke himself, but our good friend and townsman John Hucker, -now appearing in all the bravery of his military dress--a Captain in -right of the Duke's commission, and bearing himself right gallantly, so -that we all looked at him in admiration and amaze. - -He drew rein at sight of such a crowd of friends, and his honest face -beamed with pleasure. - -"Good news, my friends, good news!" he cried. "His Grace the Duke is on -his way, and will be here to-morrow with his victorious army, which has -put to flight at Axminster all the army of the Duke of Albemarle. We -are to march straight to Bristol and secure that for the Duke, and then -we look that all the country shall have risen in his favour. London -will be the next place. The King and the Court are quaking and shaking. -They dare not bring men into the field against us, lest they all desert -to the Duke's standard. The stars in their courses are fighting for the -righteous cause. Citizens, be ready with a loyal welcome to-morrow for -the noble Duke--the future King of England!" - -Oh how we did shout and cheer and laugh and weep! This brave message -seemed to infuse new life into us. We on our side pressed round Captain -Hucker, to tell him how we had risen for the Duke, and gained the -mastery of the town in defiance of guard and Mayor and magistrates. We -no longer trembled to think of our audacity and the consequences it -might lead to. We were full of triumphant gladness; and our townsman -promised that the whole story should be told to the Duke, that he might -know and appreciate the loving loyalty and devotion of the men of -Taunton. - -Captain Hucker, however, had private matters to attend to, when he had -given us his first good news, and was able to leave his soldiers in our -care and ride to his own home. - -I think I have said before that Master Hucker--as we had hitherto -called him--was a great serge-maker of the town of Taunton. He had his -mills in the fair valley of the river Tone hard by the town, and he -had a fine house within the city, where he lived with his wife and his -daughter Eliza, who was one of the maidens of Miss Blake's school, and -had been engaged upon that goodly task of working the colours for the -Duke's army. - -Captain Hucker now hastened home; and as it chanced that he passed me -on the way, he asked news of mine uncle and the rest of our household, -and by me sent him a message to ask if he could supply him with any of -those notable wines which he was known to keep in his cellar, and which -commanded a price higher than men cared to give save on very especial -occasions. - -"For, Dicon," added Captain Hucker, "thou mayest tell thine uncle that -the Duke of Monmouth has graciously promised to be my guest during the -days of his stay in Taunton. My poor house is to be honoured as the -resting-place of His Grace, and thou wilt see how it beseems me to -have the wherewithal for his entertainment. And listen again, Dicon." -The Captain leaned from his saddle-bow with a beaming face, though he -spoke in a very low and cautious tone. "It behoves us to give a right -royal reception to the Duke; for although he enters Taunton but as Duke -of Monmouth, yet (if I do not greatly err) it will be as King of all -England that he will quit it." - -And while I stood open-mouthed in amazement, not seeing how this thing -could come so speedily, Captain Hucker laughed and nodded and rode on, -only calling back to me not to forget about the wine, and to bring him -word in a short space what mine uncle could do for him. - -King of all England! The words rang bravely in my ears, but I could -scarce credit them myself. To think that fortune's wheel should bring -to pass that I had seen and spoken to a King, and had held his hand in -mine even for a moment! - -I went with my message to my uncle, who forthwith started off to -Captain Hucker's house to see and speak with him face to face. -Doubtless he wished to learn from him other matters than the amount of -wine to be delivered. As for me, I made my way to Master Simpson's; for -I had seen his face amongst the horsemen who had ridden into Taunton, -and I knew that he would tell us everything that had befallen, and not -send me away from sharing the narrative. - -He was in the garden behind the house and shop--a right pleasant -place, where I had spent many a happy hour with Will and Lizzie. They -were with him in the arbour, filling his glass with the mead he loved -best, and heaping his plate with such viands as they thought he best -relished. He was both thirsty and hungry, as was natural after the -day's march, but he was talking all the while nevertheless; and when -Lizzie saw me she darted forth and dragged me within the pleasant -arbour, exclaiming,-- - -"Now come and hear all father's tale. Oh, why was I not born a lad, -that I might have ridden forth beside him, and joined in the glorious -victory!" - -But her father fondly stroked her bright hair, and said,-- - -"Nay, nay, my maid, but thou hast done thy share at home; and the -maidens' work shall never be forgotten in Taunton Town.--Well, Dicon, -so thou didst find thy way safe home? Thou didst miss the fight at -Axminster, and the rout of the King's general there. Ah! it was a -goodly sight to see. If all battles end as speedily and as merrily, I -care not how many of them we fight." - -He told us all the details of that skirmishing fight in the lanes--how -so many of their adversaries had deserted to them, and how it was -supposed that the Duke of Albemarle had drawn off the rest in fear lest -all his army should melt away before his eyes. - -"Why did you not pursue them, father," cried Lizzie, "and kill all who -would not join you? That is what I should have done. I would not have -left alive one soldier or officer who could hurt us afterwards. I would -have scattered and slain even as the angel of the Lord we read of in -the Bible. Now the Duke of Albemarle will gather his men and bring them -up again perchance. I would not have left him even the remnant of an -army." - -"Well done, little general!" cried the father, looking well pleased -at Lizzie's martial ardour; and then growing a little more grave, he -added, "I have heard others say that that is what we should have done. -Lord Vere was very urgent to pursue and scatter the band; but Lord -Grey was against it, and his word prevailed. I am not a soldier born; -my duty is to obey my superior. Yet if mine opinion had been asked, -I would have said, as my maid here says, that it were better to rout -and disperse the band than give it time and opportunity to re-form and -harass us as we move." - -"I have heard a whisper that my Lord Grey is but a sorry soldier," I -ventured to remark in a low tone; for it is not for us citizens to -condemn our betters. "Did not men say that at Bridport he fled scarce -striking a blow, and left the infantry to be cut to pieces; and no -thanks to him that Colonel Wade got them together and brought them safe -off? That is a story one man told me. I prithee what be the truth of -it, Master Simpson?" - -He laughed a little uneasily. - -"Oh, as for that little skirmish at Bridport, we take none account of -it, being but a small affair," he answered. "We sent to surprise the -militia there, and we gained possession of the town right speedily. -But there was some blundering and misunderstanding betwixt the -officers; Colonel Venner was wounded; and the cavalry under my Lord -Grey galloped back to Lyme. But no great harm was done. Colonel Wade -brought his men back in good order. They say small skirmishes like -that accompany all warfare, but are of small note in the course of the -campaign." - -"I would the Duke would give my lord the Viscount the command of the -horse," I said. "He would not gallop away from the scene of action, and -leave the foot-soldiers to their fate." - -Master Simpson shook his head at my temerity in thus speaking, yet -he could not but say that he thought the Viscount would make the -better leader; then we fell to talking of the death of Dare, and the -unfortunate loss of two such good men as himself and Fletcher. For it -had been found impossible to use Fletcher any more in the West Country, -and the sailing-master of the frigate had weighed anchor and taken him -off elsewhere. Thus one of the best soldiers was lost to us; and, as -we all very well knew, out of those who went in the ranks by the brave -names of colonels, captains, and ensigns, scarce more than two or three -had been trained in arms or had seen service. - -But on a day like this we were not disposed to let grave and despondent -thoughts gain the upper hand. The victorious Duke was on his way to -the town, and all Taunton was decking itself for the reception on the -morrow. - -Master Simpson said he must see what he could do to brighten up his -house, and went to take counsel with his sister; whilst Will and -Lizzie and I went forth together and paraded the streets, watching the -erection of triumphal arches, the decking of windows and balconies, and -listening to the joyful cries and shouts of the people, as they ever -and anon let their spirits get the upper hand, and broke forth into -song and cheering. - -Lizzie was anxious to see her schoolmistress and take her all the news, -so I escorted her thither, and we passed inside together, to find the -house all in commotion. The town girls had not gathered for schooling -upon such a day of excitement. No study could be thought of at a time -like this, yet never had there been a busier day in Miss Blake's -establishment. - -If every window and balcony in the town was to be decorated, how much -was it incumbent upon her to get done before the glorious morrow! All -the resident pupils and the two mistresses were working might and main, -and at once Lizzie and I were pressed into the service; and as our -fingers moved our tongues wagged, and such a clatter as we made amongst -us you would scarce believe. - -Mistress Mary was there, of course--the most skilful of all, and with -her whole heart in the work. Yet she found time to come up to me and -ask in a whisper,-- - -"Has _he_ come in to-day?" - -"No," I answered; "he comes with the Duke to-morrow. You will see him -then, Mistress Mary." And her cheek kindled and glowed; yet there was a -sorrowful look in her eyes also, and I noted it the more because upon -such a day as this I should have thought nobody could have had aught -but thoughts of joy and triumph. - -As we were decorating a window together later on, and nobody else -chanced to be by, I ventured to ask respectfully,-- - -"Is aught amiss, fair mistress?" - -She looked at me, and suddenly the tears sprang to her eyes. She -clasped her hands together, letting her wreath fall to the ground. - -"O Dicon," she exclaimed, in a passionate way quite foreign to her -usual calm, "how will this end--how will it end? Ah, if I only knew -that ill and hurt would not come from it!" - -"Why, Mistress Mary," I said in surprise, "you have been ever most -forward to prophesy victory, even when things looked dark; and now, -when all the world is full of confidence and hope, are you to fear and -doubt?" - -"Dicon," she said in a low tone, "I had a dream last night--a dream -of terror and dread. And yesterday my guardian came to me and said -terrible words." - -"What did he say?" I ventured to ask. - -"He said that I had tempted his son to his own undoing; that I had put -a halter round his neck, and had led him to his ruin. He said that -none but women and fools could believe that aught could come of this -rebellion--that was his word--save a rapid downfall, to be followed, if -the King is of the temper he has shown himself ever, by a fearful and -exemplary vengeance. He said things which made me shake for very fear, -and he spoke with a certainty that rang like a knell in mine ears. And -then I had such a frightful dream of dreadful deaths upon the scaffold, -the hideous form of the executioner, the crowds of faces, the horror -and the agony. And above all, I seemed to see _his_ face looking -reproach upon me, and his voice saying in my heart, if not in my ears, -'It was for thy sake I did it, Mary. I am dying now by thy act.' Oh, it -was terrible, terrible, terrible! I have scarce been able to enjoy this -day for the thought of it." - -I confess I did not like that dream. I had known before of such that -had proved much too terribly true. Also it reminded me unpleasantly of -Mother Whale's prediction about much blood and little glory, which had -always borne a sinister sound in my ears ever since I had heard it. But -then had she not said that the King should die in exile? And if that -should indeed be true, why need we fear the rest? - -However, to Mistress Mary I strove to make light of the dream, and -spoke to her of the prognostications we were hearing on all sides -of the triumphal march lying before the Duke; so I think I left her -comforted. Nor could any person loving the Duke fail to be glad and -happy that night, for we all knew him to be close at hand, and looked -to see him bravely welcomed on the morrow by all Taunton Town. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A GLORIOUS DAY. - - -I had slept soundly and well upon the night preceding that glorious and -memorable eighteenth of June, despite all the excitements of the day; -for the previous night I had not troubled my bed, and nature will claim -her dues, be the moment never so full of stress and emotion. - -But though I slept soundly and well, I awoke betimes; and I was not -astir before others, for I heard the sound of songs and glad voices in -the streets before I left my room. Below in mine uncle's inn all was -life and bustle, for the country folks were pouring in from far and -near to witness the arrival of the Duke; and every hostelry was taxed -to the limit of its resources to find even sitting room for the merry -company, to say nothing of food for man and beast. - -I had never seen our stables so crowded with beasts, and we had to -tether them in the yard beside heaps of fragrant grass and hay. My -uncle's face was wreathed in smiles, and he welcomed every comer with -his wonted heartiness. For the time being he was carried away by the -stream of popular enthusiasm; and although still carefully refraining -from taking any overt part in the day's proceedings, was ready to -give welcome to all comers, and was perhaps glad to be tied by the -exigencies of business within the doors of his house, so that did he -wish it never so much, he could not make shift to leave it, be it the -King himself who was coming to the town that day. - -We knew that the Duke had slept at Ilminster the past night, and -therefore that he could not be here very early, since a march of -sixteen miles is not made without considerable loss of time with an -army of some thousands of men. - -But then there was enough to do, in order to receive that army with -hospitality, to keep us all busy, and I would I could describe the -appearance presented by Paul's Field and the meadows adjoining, -where we guessed the soldiers would encamp; for every citizen, -however humble, had some small contribution to make towards the -accommodation of the good Duke's army and the hospitable welcome of his -followers, and the place looked like a great fair with its tents and -roughly-knocked-up sheds, and its supplies of provision for man and -beast hastily contributed by the eager towns-folk. - -As for the number of horses in the place that day, I never saw the -like. Everybody who had a horse, or could by any means obtain one, -had it ready to ride forth later on to meet the Duke. I could have -sold Blackbird a dozen times over for thrice his value would he but -have suffered any other rider to mount him. As it was, several yeomen -and gentlemen would not be satisfied without making trial of their -prowess; but although one or two contrived by dint of excellent -horsemanship to maintain a seat upon his back for a while, yet none -after that trial desired to conclude any bargain, and Blackbird -remained in mine own keeping, as I was sure from the first he would do. - -Towards noon the horsemen began to gather and ride out along the -Ilminster road, and I perforce went with them, though I could ill be -spared from the inn; but mine uncle saw that my heart was no longer in -my task, and good-naturedly bid me go forth to see the show. - -Almost needless to say that there in the forefront of the -riders--albeit with none but his own feet to carry him--was Will -Wiseman; and so soon as he saw me he came to my side, and I gave him -hold of my stirrup leather, as we had many times done before when I -rode forth, and he ran beside me gallantly, as untired as the horse. - -"The witch is not right, Dicon," he cried more than once; "for come -what may in the future, is not this glory enow to satisfy the heart of -man? Didst ever see town so bedecked as Taunton is this day? And there -will be yet more to follow on the morrow!" - -For Will and I knew what gay show had been devised for the morrow, and -how it would be one that would rouse the enthusiasm of the town to the -highest pitch. And Will (who had a wonderful gift for hearing news -before anybody else) whispered to me that there would be other brave -shows ere the Duke left the Queen city of the West; but when I asked -him what he meant, he only laid his finger on his lips and whispered,-- - -"Hist, Dicon! This be not the time or place to speak of such things. -But dost thou think that England will be content to follow a Duke, -even though he be the son of a King? We want a King and not a Duke to -reign over us. How can men flock to the standard of a Duke, when there -is a King upon the throne? We must have a King, too, else all will be -confusion and mischance." - -This word from Will confirmed what I had heard yesterday about the -Duke's leaving the town as King. I confess I was perplexed how such a -thing could be, the more so as in the Declaration which I had heard -read he had spoken of not insisting upon his title as yet, and only -doing so at the request of Parliament. But then I had read enough -history to be very well aware that no Prince could always adhere to the -resolves laid down at the first. The tide of popular sentiment often -carries them beyond the bound originally set; and it might be very -true, as Will whispered, that the title of Duke would not be sufficient -to content the ardent followers who had flocked to the banner of one -whom they hoped to see reigning as England's King. - -All this was very exciting, and stirred my pulses not a little. At -last my longings were gratified. I was living in times that were truly -historic. I was going forth to meet the champion and deliverer of -the people. What could heart of man wish more? I should see him and -behold his triumphal entry into the city. I should have lived in days -which would go down to posterity as the days of a great epoch in our -country's story. - -Presently the cries and shouts of those in advance of us told us that -the Duke and his army had been sighted. The cloud of dust which the -horse-hoofs of our advance-guard raised kept us for a time from a view -of what they saw; but presently the cloud subsided. All of us drew -away right and left upon the turf, leaving the road track clear for -the coming vanguard; and in another minute cheers and shouts began to -rend the air, and we all tossed up our caps, crying lustily, "God save -the Duke! God save the Duke! God be with your Grace! A Monmouth! a -Monmouth!" - -And one voice was boldly raised to cry, "God save the rightful King!" - -The Duke came forward, riding a fine horse with all the grace and manly -skill which helped to make him a King amongst men. His face was bright -with smiles, he held his head-piece in his hand, and bowed right and -left as he passed through the ranks of shouting, cheering citizens and -country folk, all come out to do him honour. - -Beside him rode a body-guard of some forty or fifty gentlemen, well -mounted and equipped; and amongst these I soon singled out my lord the -Viscount, whose gallant bearing and golden locks made him conspicuous -even amongst so many gay riders. He saw me too, and gave me a smile and -a nod. But he kept his place near to the Duke, and we who had come out -to welcome him escorted that gallant band at a short distance, the main -body of the horse following about a quarter of a mile behind, and the -infantry, waggons, and guns (of which there were very few) bringing up -the rear half a mile away, and proceeding much more leisurely. - -Will had set off running towards the city like a hare so soon as he had -really set eyes upon the Duke and had heard from my lips that it was -truly he. Therefore on our approach to the city we were surrounded by -such a crowd as I surely think no man amongst us had ever seen before. -Hundreds of children lined the roadway into the town, flinging posies -and garlands before the feet of the Duke's horse. A band of minstrels -welcomed him with strains of martial music; and whilst women wept aloud -and called aloud upon him as their saviour and deliverer, men shouted -his name and made the welkin ring with their cries, till one would have -thought the whole place had gone mad with joy. - -So thronged were the streets that it was difficult for the Duke to make -his way along them, and the many pauses which had to be made rendered -it easy for the people to press round him, kiss his hands and shower -blessings of every sort upon him. This gave him opportunity to reply to -them by smiles and gentle words, such as he was very ready with. And he -won all hearts by his gracious demeanour, by the beauty of his person, -and by the kingly grace of his deportment. - -The procession wound slowly up the High Street towards the Cornhill, -and when the open space was reached, the Duke's company moved towards -the right in the direction of Fore Street, thus approaching somewhat -nearly to the Three Cups Inn, and also to that house where Miss Blake -held her school. I think it was by arrangement that the Duke had been -thus slowly urged along Fore Street; for as he approached the corner a -sudden silence fell upon the crowd, whilst all eyes were turned upon a -certain gaily-draped balcony; and immediately there appeared upon it a -crowd of white-robed maidens, and to the accompaniment of the band of -minstrels their voices were raised in a sweet strain. - -They sang several stanzas of some poem, which I afterwards heard had -been culled from the writings of Dryden, and which, it was whispered -to me, had been obtained with some difficulty and set to music by the -organist of St. Mary's Church. Only one verse remains in my memory, and -very appropriate did those words sound as they were chanted forth by -the white-robed throng:-- - - "Thee, saviour, thee, the nation's vows confess, - And never satisfied with seeing, bless; - Swift unbespoken pomps thy steps proclaim, - And stammering babes are taught to lisp thy name." - -The Duke listened to the song with bared head, and at its close made a -graceful reverence to the young maidens, who retreated from the public -gaze so soon as their part had been performed. I saw the Viscount's -eyes fixed upon the balcony; and I had well been able to distinguish -Mistress Mary's rich voice leading the carol, and giving strength and -power to the strain. That she had seen her lover I did not doubt. His -face showed that the magic language of love had been exchanged between -them as they stood so near to one another. - -But there were graver matters on hand than mere songs of praise and -shouts of welcome and devotion. A little stir in the crowd betokened -the setting up of the standard in the centre of the Cornhill; and then -a herald stood forward, and demanded that the city magistrates should -instantly be summoned to attend the reading of the Declaration which -would forthwith be made. - -Eager partisans ran hither and thither to summon these dignitaries, and -no doubt they looked upon discretion as the better part of valour, for -a certain number of them shortly appeared. Some said that Mr. Bernard -Smith, our Mayor, was also present; but of that I cannot be sure, since -I did not see him myself, and I can never be certain that what report -spoke was the truth. - -I have spoken before of that Declaration, and need not more -particularly refer to it here, save to remind you how gratefully -would those fair promises of toleration and justice fall upon the -ears of our citizens who had seen the demolition of their chapel and -meeting-places, and had for years been constrained either to go to -church against their desire or conviction, or to meet privily to hear -the Word preached to them after their own fashion, whilst they were -subject to many and grievous penalties for doing even this. - -Every clause of the Declaration, then, was received with shouts and -cries of joy. The long indictment against the present King fell like -music on the ears of those who had regarded him from the first with -fear and hatred. Enthusiasm was stirred to its highest pitch by the -terms of this long document; and the people crowded so close about -the herald, that I was glad to get out of the press, lest I should be -trodden underfoot and suffocated. - -After the Declaration had been read aloud in the ears of the people, -a copy of it was affixed in one or two places about the town, where -all who could might read it for themselves; and then a proclamation -was read which gave great joy to all the people, showing as it did -the gentle temper of the Duke, and his anxiety that justice and mercy -should always be done in his name. - -This proclamation set forth that whereas, to the great reproach and -scandal of the good cause, and contrary to the commands and wishes -of the Duke, certain lewd and dissolute persons had, under cover of -a pretence of zeal, been guilty of acts of pillage and robbery, and -in especial had taken horses from the good and peaceable country folk -without payment, it is strictly charged that no such acts be committed -any more; and that if any person in the future be robbed of aught he -possesses, he is invited straightway to repair to the camp, and to lay -complaint before the Duke, when justice shall at once be done. - -This proclamation gave great satisfaction to all those who could -remember, or who had heard stories of the cruel depredations inflicted -formerly by the soldiery in times of war, when redress was practically -impossible. I will not go so far as to say that this proclamation had -the desired effect of putting a stop to all such depredations; but at -least it was evidence of the temper and the wishes of the Duke, and -was received with loud acclamations of joy and affection by the people. - -By this time the day had fast waned; and although the sun was still -high in the sky, being nearly at the summer solstice, yet the Duke and -his party were fatigued by their long march in the heat, and by the -fervour of their reception. So when Captain Hucker came forward to say -that he had all in readiness at his house for the entertainment of the -Duke and some of his officers, whilst others were to be received by -substantial citizens with whom they would find abundant good cheer, the -party was glad enough to betake itself to rest and refreshment; and the -good folks from the outlying districts, who had ridden in to see and -welcome the Duke, now hastened away to get their horses, and to leave -the crowded town. - -I heard Captain Hucker invite the Viscount to the hospitality of his -house; but his invitation was courteously declined, Lord Vere saying -quietly that he had business of his own to see to. - -I guessed that that business had somewhat to do with Mistress Mary, nor -was I surprised when presently he came and linked his arm in mine (in -that friendly fashion he was not ashamed to show even in the eyes of -the citizens who knew his rank and my humble birth) and said,-- - -"Good Dicon, thinkest thou thine uncle can find me a bed to-night? I -have not slept in one since leaving Lyme, indeed since reaching Lyme. -I would sooner lie in his house than in any other to-night, for I must -have speech with Mistress Mary to-day if such a thing be possible; and -I trow that I shall gain it best through thy good offices." - -I knew my uncle would be glad enough to have Lord Vere as his guest. -Lord Lonsdale's son was greatly beloved in Taunton, and to harbour him -would not be like to do any man hurt, since Lord Lonsdale was known -for a very loyal servant of King James, and most like would use such -influence on behalf of his son (supposing that evil days fell upon this -expedition, which Heaven forfend) that he would escape the penalty of -his rashness. My uncle did not desire to hold too sullenly aloof from -all the hospitalities offered to the Duke's followers, neither did he -wish too deeply to embroil himself with the rising. So that he was -very well pleased when I brought back my lord the Viscount, and at -once allotted to him the best bed-chamber, and set before him the best -viands left in the house after all the feeding and feasting of the day. - -I waited on my lord, and when he had appeased the worst of his hunger, -he made me sit down and make a meal myself of the fragments; which I -was nothing loath to do, having scarce broken my fast since morning, -for the excitement and bustle of the day. As I ate he sat thoughtfully -toying with some fruit, and at the last asked suddenly,-- - -"Dicon, is it true that there be many colours worked by the maidens -yonder that will be presented to-morrow to the Duke?" - -"I trow so, good my lord," I answered, with secret triumph in my -heart. "I have heard and seen somewhat of it." - -"And will Mistress Mary Mead be amongst those who will present them?" - -"Truly I believe it, my lord. Her banner is the best and most beautiful -of all, and every stitch her own. Is it like that upon such a day she -would be more backward than others?" - -My lord's face was very grave and anxious. - -"Dicon, I would have speech with her this night. Canst thou obtain it -for me? There may be more peril than she wots of in this thing. I would -save her from it if it might be. Can I make shift to see her?" - -"Why, yes, my lord; I see no great difficulty about it," I answered. "I -am always welcome when I go in with news of the day's doing; and after -such a day as this I shall be tenfold more welcome. And if you will -condescend to accompany me to the house--any gallant Captain of the -Duke's forces will be welcomed with honour by Miss Blake. I doubt not -that by this she is in Mistress Mary's secret; and whilst I tell all my -news to her, you can get speech with Mistress Mary in another part of -the room. I see no trouble about it on such a day as this. All Taunton -is on the tip-toe of expectation. None bearing news will be denied -entrance at such a time." - -"Good," answered my lord, rising to his feet: "I will but arrange my -dress and wash away these stains of dust, and present myself to Miss -Blake, and gain speech of Mistress Mary if it may be." - -How gallant and beautiful my lord the Viscount looked when he came down -from his sleeping-chamber a few minutes later my poor pen cannot well -say. I felt that such a lover might well win the heart of any maid; and -I pretty well knew by this time that Miss Blake was in the secret of -Mistress Mary's amours, and that she would do everything in her power -to bring about the happy union of two such loyal and loving hearts. Any -man serving in the army of the Duke would win her regard and respect; -and the personal charm of the Viscount could not fail to make itself -felt, whilst the romantic story of his love for Mistress Mary, and the -sacrifice into which it had led him, could not but touch the heart of -any woman, be she never so hard to please. Wherefore I was very sure -that Viscount Vere would receive a warm welcome in the parlour of the -ladies. - -Nor was I deceived in this. The serving-maid, with a flushed and -smiling face, admitted us at once into the familiar room, bright with -the last flush of day; and there was Mistress Mary still in her white -robes, and the two mistresses flushed and exultant, eager after news -and ready with the warmest welcome for me, and with words of deep -respect and most sincere good-will for my lord, whose appearance in my -wake put them quite into a flutter, and caused Mistress Mary's cheeks -to glow as though the sunset sky had been reflected in them. - -She remained in the deep window seat, and for a while my lord spoke -with the other ladies; but presently he made his way across to where -his mistress sat, and we at the other end spoke of many things. I told -all I had seen of the meeting of the Duke outside the city, and of his -gallant entrance therein. - -What the lovers spoke of at first I know not. I heard the low tone of -Mistress Mary's voice, but not the words, and I guessed that she might -be speaking of those fears and anxieties which she had named to me. -However, of this I cannot speak certainly. What I can answer for is -that presently the Viscount raised his voice so that we all could hear, -and said, rather to Miss Blake than to any other,-- - -"Ladies, I hear that you are to take a bold step to-morrow. Have you -bethought you what the consequences may be should the issue of this -revolt be other than the well-wishers of the Duke desire?" - -"My lord," answered Miss Blake, with an air of unconscious dignity, -"we frail human creatures have naught to do with results; those are in -the hands of Him who cannot do amiss. Our part is to do our duty, and -show forth our love and service in the cause of right and truth and -virtue. This we are resolved to do, and no fear of results will serve -to fright us from our appointed task. You men can go forth and fight -in the righteous cause. There is little that we poor women can do, yet -that little shall not be lacking. You would not, gallant sir, strive to -deter us from taking our small share in this noble struggle?" - -One of the Viscount's strange smiles hovered over his beautiful face. -"Madam," he said, with a bow, "after such words as those, mine sound -but poor and mean and faint-hearted. But you know that I love Mistress -Mary, and that I would lay down my life to keep her from harm. I know -more of the forces at the King's disposal than the country folks here -seem to do, and my fears are therefore greater, and my hopes less -strong, than those which fill the breasts of the citizens of Taunton. -If ill betide this rising, there will be evil days to follow; and those -who are most known to have taken a part in it will be subject to most -danger. I have no right to counsel you, madam; but I have that claim -upon Mary which bids me warn her what she is doing. If she carries -forth her banner to-morrow, it may be that some hurt she little thinks -of now will fall upon her." - -"And if it does, what then?" asked Mistress Mary, raising her head, and -looking so beautiful in her generous enthusiasm that I could only hold -my breath and gaze at her speechlessly. "Dost think, my lord, that it -is only men who are willing to suffer and to die in a noble cause? Nay, -in so thinking thou dost greatly err, thou dost greatly wrong us women. -I would gladly lay down my life for the cause to which I am pledged, -the cause of truth and liberty and righteousness." She turned her eyes -full upon him as she spoke, and then suddenly the light in them, which -had been proud and even tinged with a noble scorn, suddenly softened, -and she laid her hand gently upon his arm, speaking her next words in a -different key, and with a tenderness that I can never hope to make you -hear. "Reginald," she said softly, and in a moment his hand had sought -and covered hers, and I think they both forgot just then that there -were any beside to hear what they said, "thinkest thou that I would -draw back from any cause to which thou hadst pledged thyself? Thinkest -thou that I fear any peril that thou too dost share? Hast thou not -taken up arms in the same good cause? and if peril threaten me, it will -threaten thee also. Shall I fear to share anything with thee? Thou dost -know me wondrous little an thou thinkest that. Together we will live, -or together we will die. What matters it so that we be always together?" - -As she spoke these last words, he raised the hand he held and pressed -it to his lips. She did not strive to withdraw it; and we averted our -eyes, that we might not seem to see too much of what is infinitely -sacred--that mystery of human love which is the mainspring of all the -great actions done in the world. There were tears in Miss Blake's eyes, -and Mrs. Musgrave was wiping hers furtively. In a low whisper one of -them said to the other,-- - -"Was ever love so true and beautiful? My Lord Lonsdale may rage as he -likes an it reaches his ears, it would be sin and shame to strive to -part two such hearts. Heaven has made them for one another. What God -has joined together, let not man strive to put asunder." - -Just at this moment there was a little stir outside the door. It was -opened rather suddenly and hastily, and the serving-maid put in her -head and exclaimed in half-angry, half-frightened tones,-- - -"It is no fault of mine, mistress; he will come in." - -And the next minute we saw before us in the gathering twilight the lank -figure and evil face of Mr. Nicholas Blewer. - -Now Miss Blake had ever hated and distrusted this man, and of late -days, gaining courage from the approach of the Duke, she had dared to -deny him entrance into her house. But I suppose he had to-day found the -maid gossiping in the streets, as maids will do in times of excitement, -and so had forced his way in, and now stood looking round upon us all -with an evil smile upon his cruel face. - -In our part of the room there was not much light; but Mistress Mary and -her gallant lover sat together on the window seat where the western -light shone in upon them, and her white dress and his festal suit of -white and blue caught the last of the evening glow, and seemed to stand -out against the window like a picture. I saw the sudden change which -came over Mr. Blewer's face as he saw who was with Mistress Mary; and -there was something in the tones of his voice that made me long to -spring at his throat and throttle him then and there, so full was it of -covert malice and bitter hostility. - -"I trust I do not intrude. I could not deny myself the pleasure of -seeing you all so happy after this strange day's masquerade. Doubtless -it has seemed to you like the dawn of a new day. But, dear ladies, it -were well to remember that all that glitters is not gold. Be not too -sure that your millennium has already come. There be strange chances -and changes in the fortunes of war.--My sweet young mistress, I must -caution you not to be over-rash in the zeal with which you welcome this -new Prince Absalom." - -He looked straight at Mistress Mary as he spoke these words, and -approached as if he would take her hand; but she suddenly rose and -slipped it within my lord's arm, and, looking full at Mr. Blewer with a -scorn both in face and voice which I think could not well be surpassed, -said simply,-- - -"With my affairs, sir, you have no concern. I never wish to see -your face again, nor to hear the sound of your voice. You have been -forbidden this house, and you are here only by a trick. Go! I have -nothing to say to you. I distrust and I despise you. There! you have my -last word." - -"Go, sir!" said Miss Blake, taking up the gauntlet so boldly thrown -down; "you have ever been a false friend and a spy in this house. Go! -and never darken our door again." - -He turned fiercely upon her, his face hideous in its cruel passion. -"You threaten me, madam! Have a care, else in the days to come you may -bitterly repent the slights you have put upon me. My turn will come all -too soon for you; see if it does not!--And as for you, proud minx--" -wheeling back towards Mistress Mary with flaming eyes. But that was the -last word he spoke in that room. My lord the Viscount sprang forward, -and stood before him with such a noble anger and scorn in his face -that the coward shrank back in affright, as though he feared a blow. -But the Viscount's hand was never raised against him. - -"Sir," he said, "you are protected by your sacred calling, little as -you are worthy of it, and by the presence of ladies. But utter one more -word of threatening, and you will be flung into the streets like the -craven cur you are. You with impunity thought to insult and intimidate -defenceless women. You have made a mistake, and out of this house you -go at the bidding of its mistress without more ado. There is the door, -sir. If you do not desire to go forth faster than you came in, go! I -shall not speak twice." - -Mr. Blewer's eyes seemed to flash baleful fire, but he did not pause -or hesitate; he was gone before we had time to draw three breaths. The -little maid was heard to slam and bolt the door behind him, but came to -say that it was awful to hear him swearing on the other side. - -"He will do us grievous hurt if he ever can," said Mrs. Musgrave, -looking pale. - -"He would have done that in any case," answered Miss Blake calmly; "he -was always a wolf in sheep's clothing.--My Lord Vere, I give you great -thanks for your action in this matter. It is only a coward who dares to -threaten women. You showed him in all his cowardice as it was meet it -should be shown him. Methinks he will come here no more, and that Mary -will be safe from his persecution. That is a good step gained." - -"But he will be an implacable foe to you, Reginald," breathed Mistress -Mary, softly and timorously, so quickly do the moods of women change. -"Oh, I trust he will never have power to harm you!" - -"He will harm us all if he can," answered my lord quietly; "but we will -not begin to fear him yet. Perchance he may find his own fate one of -these days. It may not be given to him to hurt us. And now, ladies, I -must wish you adieu. On the morrow, doubtless, we shall meet. We are -embarked together upon a somewhat perilous voyage. God grant that we -come at last to a fair haven!" - -He took Mary in his arms and kissed her before us all, as though he -felt it might be the last time. She clung to him half sobbing, half -laughing, from excess of joy and sorrow mingled. The next minute we -were once more in the streets, and I found myself saying in my heart, -"I would that evil man had not come to mar the harmony of our evening. -I would that so untoward a thing had not happened." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -_THE MAIDS OF TAUNTON._ - - -I dreamed somewhat uneasy dreams all that night, and woke with a sense -of oppression on my spirit; but the bright sunshine streaming in at -the windows, the air of bustle and gaiety in the streets, the stir -and activity of the house, and above all the feeling that my lord the -Viscount was at hand to be waited on and considered, all served to put -me into a happier frame of mind. As soon as I had performed some of my -rougher duties, and seen to Blackbird and the other horses--for the men -were as busy as ever with persons arriving to see the events of the -day--I got myself into my holiday doublet as on yesterday, and went -down to see if I could help the Viscount at his toilet. - -But he was already up and out of his room, and I found him sitting in -the parlour at breakfast, and my uncle standing beside him, talking -earnestly with him. As I entered I heard these words spoken,-- - -"Thou hadst best go on as thou hast done hitherto, good Master -Inn-Keeper. None can say that thou art slack in serving those who come -from the Duke; but there is no need to put thyself forward in this -matter. The less a man meddles in these affairs the better it often is -for him. Do thy business with diligence, but make no profession, and -do nothing to draw attention upon thyself. So thou mayest be safe in -troubled days. The keeper of an inn is better placed than many; for -none can well lay to his charge the sin of harbouring and entertaining -rebels. A man must abide by his calling; and it were unreasonable -to expect him to inquire into the business and opinions of all who -come and go. Guard a discreet silence on these vexed questions, -and walk warily as thou hast done hitherto, and thou mayest safely -weather the coming storm. And keep an eye upon that nephew of thine, -that he adventure himself not too nearly amongst the rebels. He has -more courage than discretion, that lad; and it is sometimes safer to -cultivate prudence rather than bravery." - -But as I came in at that moment and both saw me, the Viscount stopped -speaking, and smiled; whilst my uncle gave me a knowing look and went -out, leaving me to finish waiting on the guest. - -My lord, however, said nothing to me of what he and my uncle had been -discussing, but finished his meal in some haste, saying that he must -go to Captain Hucker's house to see the Duke, and learn what the -day's duties were to be. I could gather from hints dropped by my lord -that he thought the Duke was wrong in not pushing more resolutely -forward whilst there was no enemy in his path. In lingering first at -one place and then at another he was giving the enemy a better chance -of mustering against him before he had made himself master of one -important stronghold. - -We men of Taunton thought much of our town; but, as the Viscount -pointed out to me, it was useless for a garrison, since its walls and -fortifications had been demolished. Bristol now would be a valuable -place, and it was said that it would open its gates at once to the -Duke; but unless he moved thither somewhat quicker, it was like enough -that Lord Feversham might bring up his troops and intercept the Duke's -on the way. - -"If Fletcher had been with us, we should not be lingering thus," quoth -my lord, as he girded on his sword and put on a plumed hat to-day -instead of any head-piece; "but my lord Grey is all for tarrying and -prudence, and methinks that this prudence will end in disaster erelong." - -So the Viscount went off down the street on foot, followed by the -admiring glances and the reverences of all the people. He replied to -these very courteously; but I was grieved that all the brave show at -Taunton and the welcome received did not make him more hopeful of the -result of the great rising. However, there was but little time to -think of these things, for already a mighty muster of towns-folk was -assembling about the open space at our corner, and I well knew for what -purpose they had thus assembled, and was in no mind not to be in the -foremost rank of the spectators. - -Will Wiseman came pushing towards me at the last moment, wriggling -himself through the crowd like an eel, till he stood flushed and -panting by my side. - -"I would have come earlier," he said, "only I was called upon by so -many to read them the Declarations of the Duke, which can be seen and -read by all who know how. I have been at it this past hour. They be -never satisfied, these good folks. As fast as one lot goes, another -comes up to hear. But I say, Dicon, what has happened to our good -friend and preacher Mr. Blewer? He is as yellow as a guinea this -morning, as though all the gall in his nature had got into his face. I -never saw a more spiteful and evil countenance in all my life. He came -down the street, the people hooting him, albeit without offering him -any indignity; and I asked him as he passed if it would please him to -hear the Duke's Declaration, since I had not seen him at the reading -in the Cornhill yesterday. He gave me such a look as would have turned -milk sour in the pans, and he told me I should rue the day that I had -chosen to insult him. He is an evil hound, and methinks he must be -possessed of a devil. When the Duke comes into his own, I hope he will -rid the country of such pestilent knaves. I would hang every one such -at the cross-roads in chains, to be a warning and example to their -fellows." - -I whispered to Will the story of last night; to which he listened with -infinite relish, and slapped his thigh in ecstasy to think how Mr. -Blewer had been ejected from Miss Blake's house by the Viscount. - -"Marry, but he will do him an ill turn if he can," he remarked, more -gravely, at the end. "Dicon, I almost wish I might make an end of that -vile man. I verily believe he will do one of us a hurt else." - -But I shook my head. I could not counsel Will to commit a crime, even -to save ourselves from possible peril. Perhaps he would meet the due -reward of his evil ways without any act of ours. - -And now the clocks were striking ten, and all other sounds were merged -in the silence of expectancy, as upon the last stroke the door of Miss -Blake's house opened slowly, and straightway there marched forth first -the two schoolmistresses, clad in such a fashion as was appropriate -to their years and calling; and after them more than a score of young -maidens, all in white, headed by beauteous Mistress Mary; and each of -these damsels bore in her hand one of the colours wrought by their -united skill. Now at sight of this goodly procession the people broke -into loud cheering, for the thing was one in which almost all had had -a share; and though the dainty needlework was the handiwork of the -maidens, yet the wherewithal had been found by the towns-folk, and the -colours were borne by their own daughters and sisters and kinswomen: so -that it was no wonder the whole place had turned out to see, nor that -the appearance of the white-robed procession should be hailed with such -a shout of welcome. - -Miss Blake came first, and she carried no colour, but a small and -curiously-bound Bible, and a naked sword with a finely-tempered blade -and a hilt set with gems. Mrs. Musgrave waited till all the damsels -had filed out, and took up her place in the rear. She carried nothing; -and the seven-and-twenty colours were borne by seven-and-twenty young -maidens, amongst whom were Lizzie Simpson, who looked blooming and -intensely happy, Eliza Hucker, and the Herring sisters, and many others -whose names I knew, albeit I will not set them down here, as they have -no part in my story. - -Mistress Mary was by many years older than these other damsels, most -of whom were not aged more than ten or twelve years. She walked alone -at the head of the procession, just behind Miss Blake, whilst the -others followed in pairs behind her. Mistress Mary's dress was of some -soft silken texture, very daintily and dexterously garnished with fair -embroidery in silver. She wore a flowing veil over her beautiful hair, -and upon her feet were dainty shoes of white embossed leather with -silver buckles. Amongst many fair and graceful maidens she was fairest -of all in her wondrous grace and dignity, and the golden banner that -she held took all eyes; for not only were its size and workmanship more -imposing than the rest, but the device of the crown and the letters -J.R. drew forth first the wonder and then the rapturous cheers of the -spectators, as Will Wiseman shouted out, "J.R.--Jacobus Rex. Long -live our new King James!" And although the people were half afraid to -take up the cry themselves, yet they shouted might and main as the -white-robed throng moved onwards, and following close in their wake, -escorted them up to the door of Captain Hucker's house, where it was -well seen that their coming was expected. - -Gay as were all the houses in Taunton that day, it seemed as though the -climax of welcome had been reached here. Flags floated from all the -windows. Every window-frame was wreathed with garlands or greenery. The -balconies were hung with crimson cloth. There was a great triumphal -arch over the door, and to-day there had been laid down in the street -before the porch one of those great carpets which were beginning now -to be brought by merchants from the East, and which were said to cost -fabulous sums of money, and scarce to be seen save in the houses of the -nobility. - -This carpet, however, made a little island as it were, upon which the -crowd did not dare to set foot, but stood respectfully round to witness -the proceedings in which such keen interest was taken. - -Upon the approach of the ladies, the Duke appeared upon the top of the -flight of steps leading up to the door, and with him were assembled a -number of his officers and gentlemen, who stood behind him, but in view -of the spectators. Miss Blake stepped forward with her book and her -sword, and her maidens arranged themselves with simple and unconscious -grace in a semicircle round her. - -I would that my memory would serve me as well in recording the speech -of the lady as it does in presenting before my mind's eye the spectacle -of so much youth and beauty and virtue all gathered together to do -honour to the champion of a noble cause. But although I know that the -speech lacked neither in grace of diction nor in skill of delivery, -all that I can remember of it was that Miss Blake besought the Duke's -acceptance from his loyal town of Taunton of these colours for his -army, telling him that every stitch had been set with a prayer for his -success or an aspiration for the cause of liberty. And then when the -maidens had waved their banners, and the crowd had raised such a shout -as must I think have been heard a mile away, she proceeded to present -the sword and the Bible, saying that it was for the sake of the true -faith and liberty to read the Word of God and study it each in the way -which was most acceptable and comprehensible that they welcomed him -here to-day as a messenger from on high. She also added that with the -sword he was begged to defend the Bible, so that his loyal subjects -and followers might enjoy the blessings of peace, and cease to tremble -before the ever-increasing faction of Popery, which had been raising -its hydra head menacingly ever since the new King had sat upon the -throne. - -There was another tremendous outburst of cheering at that, and the Duke -appeared transported by enthusiasm and ardour. - -Making a step forward, he met the lady half-way up the flight, and -taking from her hands (which he proceeded to kiss with courtly -reverence) the sword and the book, he held both up before the eyes of -the people and proclaimed in a loud voice,-- - -"Brave men and my very good friends and citizens of Taunton, I stand -here amongst you pledged to a noble cause; and these two gifts which -have been placed in my hands are fitting emblems of the work which -shall be done, God helping the righteous cause. With this sword will I -fight for the liberties of all subjects of this realm. I come now into -the field with the set purpose to defend the truths contained in this -book, and to seal it with my blood should there be occasion for it." - -At the sound of these brave words women broke into weeping and -blessing, and men into lusty shouts and cheers. - -"God save the Duke! God bless and protect our noble Duke! A Monmouth! a -Monmouth!" shouted the crowd. - -The Duke bowed his thanks, saluted the lady once again, and pressing -to his heart the book, gave it reverently into the keeping of one from -the house, who carried it indoors. At the same time the Duke's charger -was brought up just beyond the ring of white-robed maidens; and still -holding the sword in his hand, he sprang gallantly upon its back, -whilst at the same time his gentlemen stepped down and presented each -his hand to one of the maidens, who remained standing with the colours -as before. - -Lord Grey was the first, and he gave his hand to Miss Blake, who was, -in spite of her years, a personable lady, with much grace of bearing, -and with fine eyes and good features. Lord Vere followed next, as his -rank warranted, and gave his hand to Mistress Mary, whose face was dyed -with a beautiful blush. Other gentlemen and officers followed, and each -led by the hand one of the smiling maids, all of whom looked brimming -over with joy and pride at the grandeur of their escort, and the brave -show that was being made. - -The procession having thus re-formed, and being headed by the gallant -Duke, who kept his horse at a foot's pace, and paraded slowly onward, -so that the crowd might drink its fill of the gay spectacle, proceeded -leisurely onwards through the streets in the direction of the meadows -where the troops had encamped for the night; and when we arrived there -we found them all drawn up in companies, presenting, in spite of all -drawbacks in the matter of arms and accoutrements, a right goodly and -imposing show. - -Colonel Wade had seen to this part of it, and had taken care to have in -the foremost rank those men who were possessed of uniforms and proper -arms, so that to our unaccustomed eyes the whole rank and file of the -great army (for to us it looked mighty indeed) was as grand and as gay -as the band of gentlemen surrounding the person of His Grace. - -Three thousand men had come with the Duke to Taunton; but I think -that five thousand must have already assembled beneath his banner in -those meadows. I know that when he marched forth a couple of days -later, it was with an army seven thousand strong. Every hour fresh men -were pouring in, the militia deserting to him as fast as opportunity -permitted. Truly it was an inspiriting and invigorating sight that -greeted our eyes as we reached the meadow in the wake of the gallant -procession of chivalry and beauty; and when the Duke rode from rank -to rank, allotting the colours, and telling his soldiers the story -of how they had been made and presented, the shouts and cheers that -rang forth will scarce be forgotten by any that heard them; and the -maidens received a right gallant thanksgiving from the soldiers, albeit -somewhat noisily expressed. - -A great concourse had gathered from far and near to behold the -spectacle, and as I moved about the field my eyes were attracted by -the flutter of a white kerchief. Looking more attentively at the owner -of it (for it appeared to me to be waved with a purpose, and that to -catch my eye), I saw beneath the closely-drawn hood, which almost hid -her features, the bright eyes of Mistress Mary Bridges, albeit she was -dressed in so homely a fashion, with a long grey cloak covering her -gown, that, seated on a pillion as she was, behind a stout fellow who -looked like a countryman, I should never have known her had it not been -that I looked at her very closely. - -Seeing that she had caught my eye, she waved her kerchief again, and I -made my way up to her side as fast as I could. - -"Mistress Mary," I whispered, wonderingly, for I knew her father to be -a stanch supporter of the King in London, "how come you hither?" - -"Hist, Dicon, thou wilt not betray me! I knew not how to keep away when -all the world said there was such a brave show to be seen here, and -I knew well what it all betided. I felt that I must see somewhat of -it. I must see the Duke with mine own eyes, else I should never rest -satisfied; and so I sallied forth in my long cloak and hood, and found -my good foster-father going to the town. I made him take me up behind, -and here I be. Dicon, the Duke is a right gallant gentleman, and I -marvel not that the people love him. I would fain raise a shout for him -myself. But yet I fear me that ill will come out of this day's gallant -show. Dicon, I would whisper something in thine ear." - -I came yet nearer still, and Mistress Mary leaned down to speak so that -none could hear what was said. - -"Dicon," she whispered, "when I hear them talk at home of what is -like to follow this rising of the people if the King's troops are -victorious, as my father says they will be anon, my heart is heavy with -fear for those I have come to love in this town, and above all for my -beautiful and beloved Mary Mead. Dicon, thou knowest that her banner -is, of all others, like to give offence. It may be that she will be in -greater peril than the rest. But be the peril what it may, I will give -my right hand sooner than harm shall befall her. Dicon, thou lovest -Mary, dost thou not?" - -"I would lay down my life to save her!" I answered, with sudden energy. -"Twice over would I give my life--once for love of her, and once for -the love I bear my lord the Viscount, whose heart is bound up with -hers." - -Little Mistress Mary eyed me with approval. She too thought of the -Viscount almost as I did, and regarded him as a very proper lover for -her beloved friend. - -"Dicon," she went on in a low tone, speaking in my ear, "thou dost know -my home at Bishop's Hull, on the road to Wellington?" - -"Yes, Mistress, I know it." - -"Dost thou know the lane which leads into a thick wood, and a very -marshy tract some two furlongs before you reach the gate to the house?" - -"Yes; I have seen it, but never pursued it." - -"My foster-parents have a cottage in that copse, so cunningly hidden, -and so surrounded by the marshy land, that none save those who know the -rights of the way can reach it save with great trouble and difficulty. -I lived in that cottage for three years, my parents being absent, and -my good foster-mother as good as a mother to me. I know every foot of -the ground. My foster-mother will do anything that I ask her; and if -peril should ever menace my Mary, take her thither without delay. She -will be as safe hidden there as though the earth had opened to swallow -her up. I have spoken to her of it, and she is ready and willing. No -human foot ever invades the environs of their cottage, and the good -folks themselves are retainers of my father, and safe from all chance -of harm. Remember that Mary will be safe there, should harm come of -this, should hurt menace her. It is in part to tell thee as much, and -to give thee this charge, that I have made such shift to come hither -to-day." - -"Let me come back with you, Mistress Mary, and see the place," I -answered her eagerly, for after the look I had seen upon Mr. Blewer's -face only yesterday, I did truly think that Mistress Mary might stand -in need of an asylum of refuge, even did the political storm pass by -without hurting her; and the notion pleased the little lady well. I -was on foot, but the distance was not great; and though the worthy -countryman had to go into the city on his master's errand (he had not -come to see the show, but had seen it, as it were, by an accident), -he was glad to put his young mistress in my charge (the Snowes were -well known and trusted throughout the countryside), and get her safe -out of the throng. So when he had set her down a hundred yards away -from the outskirts of the press, he bid us adieu and rode for the town; -whilst Mistress Mary and I made our way by by-paths to the thick copse -standing in the marsh (now almost dry after the long drought), and -I was shown by what way the cottage could be approached even in the -wettest season. We were made welcome to a homely dinner by Mistress -Mary's foster-mother, who listened eagerly to all my tale of the Duke -and the reception he had had, and promised to care for and hide and -befriend Mistress Mary Mead, should ever the time come when she needed -help. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -"_THE TAUNTON KING._" - - -Now although everything had looked so bright and gay since the arrival -of the Duke at Taunton, and though his reception had been so cordial, -and we unlettered folk began to think the cause already won, yet -there were signs which to better-informed minds were ominous and -discouraging; and it was noticed even by ourselves that from time to -time a look of sadness would cloud the Duke's face, whilst for a few -moments he would be lost in thought, and only rouse himself by an -effort to respond to the joyous cheering of the crowd. - -And not to be further tedious, I may as well state at once what was -the main cause of this anxiety, and why it was that even thus early a -presage of coming disaster seemed to fall upon the Duke. - -When first it had been put into his mind to invade England in the cause -of liberty and justice, he had strenuously refused, saying that he had -had enough of the strife of factions, and that since his father had -left him no charge, he would henceforth remain as he was, a private -gentleman, leading a private life in some foreign city. But he had -been persuaded that half England would join his standard if he did -but show himself, that it was his duty to assert his rights and stand -forth as the champion of the rights of the people; and when the Earl -of Argyll had sailed for Scotland to stir up a rebellion there, he had -promised to follow to England in a few days, and gather round him there -all who would join the cause of liberty and Protestantism. - -Nevertheless he had passed his word to the Earl that he came not -as King, but as the supporter of the Commonwealth, and that it was -some such form of government that he should establish were he to be -successful. It will be remembered that in the Declaration made first -at Lyme, and afterwards read in other places, it was fully stated that -he did not insist upon his title as yet, but left that matter to be -decided by a Parliament fairly chosen from the people; although he -declared that he was a legitimate son of the late King, and could prove -as much should need arise. - -Directly upon his landing, as I have been told, there were those about -him who desired that he should cause himself to be proclaimed King; -but he refused, saying that it was contrary to his pledges and to his -Declaration--which no man could deny. - -But many days had now passed, and instead of the whole of the West -Country flocking to him in a body, only the humbler amongst the -people had come forward. Not one single gentleman with a following -of servants and retainers had placed himself under his standard. -The Viscount was the only man of rank who had joined him since his -landing, and he came alone and unattended, in defiance of his father's -wishes and conviction, and more from personal desire to be quit of the -perplexities of his position than from sympathy for the cause. Rustics -and yokels came flocking in, as has been shown, and the militiamen -likewise by hundreds. But it was too significant a fact that the gentry -stood absolutely aloof; and even Mr. Trenchard, who had made brave -promises beforehand, and who was known to be forward in the cause of -liberty, had betaken himself suddenly to France--a thing which had -caused the Duke not a little discomfort and sorrow. - -Soon after his landing, two messengers had come in hot haste from -London with the news that things were ripe for a revolt there, and that -Colonel Danvers was only waiting for the signal of the insurrection in -the West to raise the whole city in the Duke's favour. This, together -with the expectation, everywhere rife, that Cheshire was on the point -of breaking into open rebellion, had cheered his spirits greatly, -as had also the brave reception he had met on his route to Taunton. -But nothing more had been heard of the rising in London. Many of his -followers, who best knew the character of the man, told him plainly -that Colonel Danvers was a time-server and hypocrite, and that no -reliance could be placed upon him; whilst as day after day went by and -still no men of any mark came forward, every person about him began to -feel that matters were growing serious. - -I have to explain all this at some length in order to make it to be -understood why, after his declaration to the contrary, the Duke at -last permitted himself to be proclaimed King, to the great joy of the -citizens of Taunton, who had desired it from the very first. - -It was urged upon him vehemently now that the reason why the -gentlemen stood aloof from his cause, even whilst heartily hating -and distrusting the reigning King, was partly because they hated the -name of Commonwealth even more, and would not take up arms in any -cause that did not promise the continuance of the monarchical system; -partly because, as things were now, there was too much peril for his -followers, and that in case of disaster they were all dead men. - -Now at first sight it may seem strange that such should be the case. -One might naturally suppose that the peril would be greater to those -who followed him (in the case of defeat) if he had proclaimed himself -King; but men who understood the law said that this was not so. And -they further explained their words to the unlettered by telling us -that there was a statute made in the reign of King Henry the Seventh -(who, it will be remembered, obtained his crown by force of arms) -sheltering all those persons who should obey a king who was king _de -facto_, as it was termed, even though he should not be a king _de -juro_. And I understand by this that a king _de facto_ is one who, -like the Duke, comes with a great following, and for the time being -proclaiming himself king, and being obeyed as one, does exercise royal -prerogative, although in law he may be no monarch, and may never live -to wear a crown. If therefore those who obey such a king could shelter -themselves behind this statute, it would naturally give men courage -to join the standard. For instead of being considered mere rebels -following an obscure insurrection, they would be following one who was -for the time being their king. - -This is what was argued upon one side, whilst others said that if the -Duke once took such a step he would make the breach between himself -and his uncle irreconcilable, and seal his own doom in case misfortune -attended him. But the Duke answered to such words that for himself he -cared nothing, that his desire in all things was to do what was right -and best for his followers, and that he would abide by the counsel of -the majority of his advisers. - -There were other matters to discuss also to-day in the council of war -which was held after the grand spectacle of the giving of the colours -which I have described. It was now known that the Duke of Albemarle -was following hard after the rebel army, and that he was either at -Wellington or not far away. Scouts had even come in to say he was -marching upon Taunton, but that had proved untrue. The question arose -as to whether the Duke's army should march back and give battle to -him as early as possible, or march on towards Bristol, which, if once -captured, would be a weighty prize in the hands of the party; for it -would give him a basis of operations which he never could have so long -as no garrison town was in his hands. - -Whether what was decided was wise or the reverse, I cannot say, having -no knowledge of such matters; but I was told by the Viscount that -evening, when he returned to his quarters from the council, that it -had been decided to march in a northerly direction, and that probably -the move would be made on Sunday. It was now Friday night, and when I -asked why not to-morrow, since time seemed of much importance in these -matters, one of his curious smiles passed over the Viscount's face, and -he replied significantly. - -"To-morrow is needed for another matter. To-morrow will give to us a -new King James." - -Then, with a thrill of intense excitement, I realized what was about -to happen, and I quickly ran out into the streets to spread the news. -It was known already in many quarters, and the town was alive with -citizens all crowding together and talking of the coming event. Nothing -but approval reigned in Taunton. We were proud to think that our -town would be honoured by being the one in which the new King should -be first proclaimed. Mistress Mary Mead's banner, although her own -workmanship and design, did but reflect in its legend the feelings and -opinions of the citizens. - -All night long the good folks were up, renewing the wreaths in their -windows, and adding to the festive appearance of their city. And when -soon after break of day the heralds went about giving notice that -all loyal subjects were invited to attend at the Market Cross in the -Cornhill to the proclamation to be made, the press of people gathering -there was almost greater than even upon the day previous; whilst the -windows which gave upon the place were crowded to suffocation, and the -city seemed again to have gone mad with joy. - -Several magistrates were there as on Thursday, wearing their gowns, -and striving to conduct themselves in such a fashion as should give no -cause of offence to either side. I believe they were forced out of fear -to be present, lest they should be torn to pieces by the populace; but -it was against the grain with many to appear, and as soon as they were -able they withdrew, and hid themselves in their houses so long as the -new King remained in the city. - -The Duke was mounted upon his charger, and surrounded by his small band -of gentlemen, as usual. His face was pale, I thought, and although he -returned the vociferous salutations of the crowd with his usual courtly -grace, I thought there was an air of anxiety and restlessness about -him, and in my heart I doubted if he himself desired this honour which -was thrust upon him. - -Places of honour near to the Duke and his _cortége_ had been reserved -for Miss Blake and her white-robed maidens, who appeared once more -before the eyes of Taunton. I noted that Viscount Vere shifted his -position a little so that he stood very close to Mistress Mary Mead, -and I think that they had some minutes of conversation together from -time to time. At any rate their eyes must often have met, and I suppose -that the language of the eyes is often full of eloquence, and says as -much as the tongue can do. - -After a great blowing of trumpets and the usual preliminaries, the -proclamation was read in loud tones by Mr. Tyley, who stood upon the -steps of the Market Cross to do so; and whilst he read a deep silence -fell upon the listening crowd, who drank in every word with eager -avidity:-- - - "Whereas, upon the decease of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, - the right of succession to the Crown of England, Scotland, France, and - Ireland, with the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, did - legally descend and devolve upon the most illustrious and high-born - Prince James Duke of Monmouth, son and heir apparent to the said King - Charles; but James Duke of York (taking advantage of the absence of - the said James Duke of Monmouth beyond the seas) did first cause the - said late King to be poisoned, and immediately thereupon did usurp - and invade the Crown, and doth continue so to do: We therefore, the - noblemen, gentlemen, and commons at present assembled, in the names of - ourselves and of all the loyal and Protestant noblemen, gentlemen, and - commons of England, in pursuance of our duty and allegiance, and for - the delivering of the Kingdom from Popery, tyranny, and oppression, - do recognize, publish, and proclaim the said high and mighty Prince - James Duke of Monmouth our lawful and rightful Sovereign and King, by - the name of James the Second, by the Grace of God King of England, - Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. - - GOD SAVE THE KING. - - Proclaimed at Taunton, the twentieth day of June 1685." - -What cheers and shouts went up from the people as the last words were -read! - -"God save the King!"--"God save the King!" Men shouted themselves -hoarse, women fell a-weeping, and thanked God aloud amid their tears -for sending them such a deliverer. Children, held aloft in their -fathers' arms, flung posies and wreaths at the feet of the newly-made -King; whilst Miss Blake, at the head of her pupils, stepped forward to -claim the privilege of being first to kiss the hand of royalty. - -All the maidens followed in turn, and the King, after permitting each -to kiss his hand, saluted them upon the cheek, as was the custom of the -day, though from royalty a marvellous condescension. Then after the -white-robed procession of virgins had retired within their own doors, -followed by the cheers and good wishes of the people, the Duke was -beset by a loving crowd of men and women, all desiring to kiss his hand -and do homage to him; whilst from the church towers the bells pealed -forth, and that very day in the evening service he was prayed for as -King. Mothers with children afflicted by the King's Evil brought them -to him to be touched, and I heard that many were thus cured in a few -days, though I speak from hearsay and not of mine own knowledge, having -more to think of than the matter of the children. - -Our hearts were made glad to-day likewise by the arrival of Colonel -Basset, one of Cromwell's captains, who came in with a company that he -himself had raised. This looked indeed as though good were to come out -of this step; yet men said that the Colonel looked ill pleased when he -heard of the proclamation just made, being far more in favour himself -of the setting up of a Commonwealth. - -Thus it may well be seen how hard it is to please all men; and every -step gives offence in some quarters, however it may be desired in -others. - -Another man of some note who joined the Duke here was one Colonel -Perrot, from Southwark near London. Men whispered of him that he had -been concerned in that extraordinary attempt of Blood's upon the crown -and regalia; but as I know not the details of that story, and as it -has no concern with the present narrative, I will say no more of it. -Colonel Perrot was warmly welcomed, and thought to be an addition to -our staff of officers; of which, indeed, we stood in need, so many -thousands of common people having flocked to the standard at Taunton. - -And now the Duke, being proclaimed King, and so acknowledged throughout -the town, sent forth almost at once other proclamations which were -eagerly read by the people. The first set a sum of money upon the -head of the usurping James of York; the second declared the present -Parliament a seditious assembly; a third commanded all men to refrain -from paying any taxes levied by the Duke of York; and a fourth declared -the Duke of Albemarle and many others rebels, and authorized all loyal -subjects to wage war upon them till they were destroyed. - -Each proclamation was received with enthusiasm and joy by the people, -and Will Wiseman was kept busy until his voice gave out in reading them -to all who desired to hear. Such bold words seemed to augur success; -and as we said one to another, the Duke would not make such sounding -phrases, nor breathe forth such threatenings and slaughter, did he not -know himself prepared to carry on the war to a successful issue. - -It was soon known also that our King had sent letters both to the Duke -of Albemarle and to Lord Churchill commanding them to lay down their -arms; and we did not doubt that this would greatly perturb and alarm -those generals, who must be by this time finding out the temper of the -people, and how little they could depend upon their soldiers to fight -against their new King. - -But the day was not to be one of entire joy and triumph, for as evening -drew on there began to be some fresh commotion in the streets; and -running forth to see what it might mean, I found people looking scared -and grave, whilst women began to cry out,-- - -"The Duke of Albemarle is coming! We shall be destroyed! Our town -will be demolished! There will be a terrible and bloody battle ere -nightfall. God have mercy on us all!" - -And amongst these cries I heard several whisper, as though half ashamed -of their own words, as well indeed they might be,-- - -"Would to Heaven he had not come! We had at least peace before. Now no -man can say what will become of us!" - -In a state of some alarm and more indignation--for it seemed to me a -coward trick thus to speak because the hour of danger might be near; -but then women have no stomach for fighting, and perhaps mean not -the half of what they say--I ran towards the field where the army was -encamped, thinking I should get the news soonest there. As I did so I -met my lord the Viscount coming towards the town, looking grave and -thoughtful, but with no haste or urgency in his manner; and when his -eye fell on me he paused and smiled. - -"Is there to be a battle, my lord?" I cried, panting in my haste. "In -the town they say the Duke's army is upon us. The people seem in a -sudden fright. Hath aught of hurt befallen?" - -"Nothing of grave moment," answered the Viscount. "A few men of -ours have been killed not far from Chard, whither they had gone to -reconnoitre. They were fallen upon by a body of the enemy's horse, and -some were killed, whilst the rest rode back thither post-haste. But -the Duke and Lord Churchill are generals of no mean valour, and their -close proximity to the town has decided the Duke--nay, I must now say -the King" (and a smile passed over his face that was beyond my power to -read)--"to leave Taunton on the morrow, and seek to reach Bristol as -soon as possible. If we can find entrance there and make it our own, -all may go well for the time; but if we fail in that, it were better to -face our enemies now at once, than go forward with them hanging on our -rear, and Lord Feversham and Colonel Kirke in front." - -"But, my lord, how can we fail, with all the country flocking to the -King's standard?" - -"My good Dicon," answered the Viscount, "dost thou not know that -already we have exhausted our supply of arms, and the recruits who -would fain join our muster have perforce to be sent back, because we -have nothing wherewith to equip them? Hast not heard yet that one of -our frigates sailed away with Colonel Fletcher, after the mischance at -Lyme, and that the other two have been seized upon by our enemies, and -such arms as they contained have all been lost to us? If gentlemen with -armed retainers will now join us, they will be gladly welcomed; but for -unarmed country yokels--why, we have enough and to spare of such. We -are now forced to send them back to their own homes; nor do I think the -cause loses much by so doing. It is not with such forces as these that -the kingdoms of the world are won." - -"But others will join now that the Duke is made King!" I cried eagerly, -having heard some of the reasons for that step. - -"We shall see," answered the Viscount, with his peculiar smile. "At -present it seemeth to me that we have succeeded in disgusting the -advocates of Commonwealth and republican opinion without winning those -whom we have sought." - -"But, my lord, it is but a few hours." - -"Right, Dicon. I speak not from what has happened---or not happened--in -these few hours, but from my own knowledge of the world I come from. -A King proclaimed in Taunton forsooth--at the head of five thousand -scythe-armed rustics! A wondrous thing indeed! A right royal personage! -Dicon, Dicon, methinks the Duke of Monmouth might have won some -following, for men are deeply discontented with the rule of the tyrant -James; but they will not raise a finger for a puppet-king--the King of -a rabble of low-born knaves and varlets! I speak not these words of -scorn of mine own self; I do but rehearse what will be the words in the -mouths of those gentlemen from whom such brave things are expected. -Ferguson, Wade, Hucker--they know no better; but my Lord Grey should -have lifted his voice against it. It is a blunder we can never repair -now; but methinks it will be the death-blow to the cause." - -"My lord, my lord, say not so! All Taunton is rejoicing. All Taunton -will stand by His Majesty to the death!" - -"Is that so, Dicon? thou wilt see erelong. I think it would not take -much misfortune to turn Taunton back to her grudging loyalty to the -present King." - -"O my lord, Taunton has ever been true to the cause of liberty!" - -"Ay, but not to the cause of monarchy. There is the rub. The King -is now pledged to rule as a monarch; and methinks Taunton has been -dreaming all this while of a Commonwealth." - -"But, my lord, think how they greeted the King to-day!" - -"True, carried away by love for him, and the excitement of the hour. -Well, Dicon, thou mayest know thy towns-folk better than I do. Yet I -misdoubt me if Taunton will long lift her voice for her new-made King; -and I would that there had been less of pageant within her boundaries, -and that it had been some other place which had given him such royal -honours. I would that those colours had never been worked and presented -in Taunton, and that my Mary had had no hand in the matter." - -"Dost think harm will come to her, my lord?" I asked anxiously. - -"If this rebellion, or revolution, or what you good folks choose to -call it, come to naught, I verily believe that a signal vengeance will -be taken by the outraged monarch; and if so, the town of Taunton, thou -mayest be sure, will be one to win for herself the first place in the -royal disfavour. Dicon, hast thou ever seen the Lord Chief-Justice -Jeffreys? He came on circuit not so long since in the West. Didst thou -see him then?" - -"No, my lord," I answered, slightly shivering at the name of one -who was held in terror and execration by all dissenters in the West -of England. "It so chanced that when he came I was on a visit to my -father's farm. I heard of him when he had gone." - -"Dicon," said the Viscount gravely, "if thou hadst seen that man, thou -wouldst have felt that thou hadst seen the devil incarnate. If ever -the spirit of a devil looked out of human eyes, it does so from the -eyes of that man. And, Dicon, he stands high in the King's favour. If -a cruel and bloody piece of work has to be done, it will be my Lord -Chief-Justice Jeffreys who will be sent to do it. When I think that -my peerless Mary may in the days to come be brought face to face with -that monster, my blood freezes in my veins with horror. Dicon, I am too -deeply implicated now to be of use to her, and she may need a protector -in the days to come." He broke off suddenly, biting his lips, as -though to subdue an inward agitation, and then he suddenly began again, -"Boy, I think that thou dost love me?" - -"My lord, I would die for you if I might save you from peril!" And in -truth I meant what I said, for it is easy to think and speak of death -when the peril is far off. It is another matter when it seems to be -looking you in the face; but then I did not know that, and spoke in all -sincerity. - -My lord smiled, and put his hand for a moment on my shoulder--a thing -which sent the blood tingling through my veins. - -"I ask none such sacrifice as that, good Dicon," he said. "My life is -of none such great value; yet I believe in thy good-will, boy, and I -thank thee for it. Thou lovest me, I know well, and methinks that thou -dost love my gentle lady too?" - -"My lord, I would die for her too," I answered, not able to think of -any other way of expressing the devotion I felt. - -"Good," he answered; "to die in such sweet service would not, methinks, -be hard. Yet I would not have thee die, good Dicon, but live to serve -and perchance to save her. Boy, I lay this charge upon thee; and if -thou lovest me thou wilt perform it faithfully, in so far as it may be -possible. When the issue of this insurrection is known, and if that -issue be disaster to this new King's cause, and that peril threaten -Taunton and Mary, and I am unable to help or succour her, then do thou -watch over her with all such care and diligence as is possible to thee. -Guard her from harm if such a thing may be; and strive at all risk -to save her from the evil power of Mr. Blewer, if he should seek (as -is like enough) to advantage himself by the winning of her hand and -her fortune when there be none to defend her from him. It may not be -possible, Dicon, that thou canst do this; yet thou hast a shrewd wit, -and thou livest so nigh at hand that thou mayest be able to contrive -what another could not do. Wilt thou at least take this charge from me, -and seek to fulfil it by every means in thy power?" - -And with a heart swelling with pride and devotion I answered, "I will, -my lord." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -_ON THE WAR-PATH._ - - -"Uncle, I cannot help it! I will do nothing to injure any who bear my -name! I will change that name if needs be--but I must go! I cannot -stay behind, knowing nothing of what is happening save what the voice -of rumour whispers. I must see and know for myself. None shall be hurt -through me. But prithee let me go. It may be that I will be able to -send thee word of things that thou wouldst fain know. Hinder me not, -good uncle, for needs must that I fare forth with the King!" - -My uncle regarded me reflectively and gravely, as I poured forth these -words early upon the Sunday morning that had so little of Sabbath -stillness in the air. I had been up and about already, although the day -was yet young. I had heard that the camp was to be broken up forthwith, -and a march made towards Bridgewater. The thought of seeing the King -and all his soldiers march away, and of remaining behind in the city a -prey to all sorts of fancied terrors, and in suspense as to what might -be happening elsewhere, seemed intolerable to me. The fever of war had -got into my blood, and though I knew I could never be a soldier, I felt -that I must needs see war, or I should die of disappointment. - -Perhaps my uncle felt sympathy with me; more possibly he thought that -such a hot partisan of the new-made King was more of a peril to him -in his house than following upon the path of the soldiers in that mob -which always waits upon the steps of an army. There few would know -or take note of me. Here I was known by pretty well every one in the -city. If I was resolved upon throwing in my lot with the army, I might -be in less peril myself and cause less danger to others there than -in the town of Taunton. So after steadily regarding me for a while, -and revolving the matter slowly in his mind, after his fashion, he -answered,-- - -"Well, well, well, a wilful lad will go his own way. Thou must e'en -choose thine own path, Dicon. I will not keep thee here against thy -will, but I counsel thee not to run into greater danger than needs must -be. We may all be in peril of our lives for all I know ere this matter -be settled; and where the greater danger lies Heaven knows and not I. -Wherefore take thine own way, but use all prudence and caution. Thou -hast a good head of thine own, and quick wits when thou dost use them -aright. See that thou walkest as warily as may be in the perilous days -that be like to fall upon us." - -"I will be careful, I will be wary," I answered eagerly. And in great -excitement and joy at having so easily won my uncle's good-will, I ran -to tell Meg and Will Wiseman, and then to groom and feed Blackbird, -and decide what to take with me in my saddle-bags; for I knew little as -to what might lie before me, but desired to be at charges with no man, -and to pay for everything that I might need. - -Meg, whose heart was almost as much in the cause as mine, gave me some -crown pieces out of her store for my needs, and my aunt did the like. -I had money of mine own too, and some of this I took; yet I would not -dip too deeply into my hoard, because I had a feeling that I must -keep it for other needs than mine own. Should evil days fall upon us, -and should I have cause to keep the pledge I had made to my lord the -Viscount, I might need the golden guineas I had earned bit by bit by my -letter-writing, and so forth, and had stored away so carefully these -two past years in a secret receptacle of mine own. The silver coins -I took with me, but the golden guineas I left where they were. A few -groats would go far to keep me; to say nothing of shillings and crowns, -of which I had many. But gold might prove a peril, and I would none of -it. - -Out into the streets I went next, to find the citizens in hot -discussion together, and not all of them well pleased at what was -doing. There were many amongst them who had confidently hoped that -before the Duke left he would have raised up fortifications around the -city, have built up the ancient walls, and left there a garrison to -keep and defend the place for him. - -Colonel Hucker was the centre of this group, and he was speaking warmly -in favour of this thing. - -"What use to the cause is a city without walls?" he was asking. "Why, -if we march out to-day, the Duke of Albemarle can march in to-morrow, -and none can let or hinder him!" [And in very truth that was just what -did happen, for the new King's army left on Sunday afternoon, and -the Duke of Albemarle was in the city on Tuesday, albeit he made no -long stay, but continued his pursuit of our army towards the north.] -"What we want is to leave behind us garrisoned cities holding for his -Majesty. If one King can pull down fortifications, surely another can -build them up! Taunton has held her own gallantly in times of war, and -has stood notable sieges in a good cause; nor has the temper of her -citizens changed. Give her but walls and towers and a few good soldiers -to lead and direct her citizens, and she would hold out as gallantly as -ever. What do you say, fellow-townsmen? Shall not Taunton be restored -to her former glories? Can she not do even as she did before?" - -"Ay, ay; that she can."--"Give us walls and soldiers, and we will show -the usurping tyrant what Taunton can do."--"Where is the King? Let him -but give the word, and every man among us will become for the nonce a -stonemason, that we may begin to build our walls afresh!" - -Such were the cries of the citizens, and such their enthusiasm in the -cause. There is nothing so catching as the martial fever, except it -be the panic which sometimes sets in afterwards. But though the zeal -of the city was great, the young King could not be brought to see the -matter as Colonel Hucker sought to show it him. He said there was no -time to build walls--which was true enough--and that he could not spare -men to garrison it if it were fortified even in a most hasty and rapid -way. - -Colonel Hucker, who had looked to be made captain of the garrison and -Keeper of the City, was not a little disappointed, and all Taunton with -him; but there was too much right on the King's side for us to urge the -matter beyond a certain point; and as the Viscount said to me, as we -rode out at last towards Bridgewater,-- - -"If we can once secure Bristol, there we shall have a fortified city -at our command forthwith. That is the task we should set ourselves to -do without delay. Would that we were already before its walls! These -delays will be the undoing of us, I fear. Already has the King in -London had ten days in which to muster and send forces out west. Had we -been quicker, we might have had a fortress of our own already. Heaven -send there be no more such tardiness!" - -My Lord Vere was one of those men who seem to be soldiers born. He had -not had the training and experience of some of the others, including -our new King himself, yet it seemed to me that if his counsels had but -been followed from the first we should have been marching to victory -now, and making the usurper shake upon his tottering throne. As we rode -along I could not but tell my lord of the witch we had visited, and of -what she had told us. I hoped that it might give him more heart (for I -knew by many signs that he thought the enterprise well-nigh desperate), -but he only gave me one of his curious smiles. - -"A wise woman truly, Dicon, to foresee more blood than glory in this -undertaking." - -"Nay, but, good my lord, she said that the usurper would die in exile. -How may that be, if our gracious King be not victorious?" - -"It may be that thou wilt live to see such a thing one day, Dicon," -answered my lord, "and yet not see King Monmouth on the throne. Knowest -thou not that there be men who have already fixed their eyes upon the -Prince of Orange, husband to the King's daughter, as a possible saviour -and deliverer? The witch knows more of such things, I trow, than thou -dost, boy, in spite of all thy learning." - -"The witch hath a familiar who tells her what the future will bring -forth," I answered quickly, for I liked not to hear my learning -compared with that of an ignorant old woman, who would be nothing -without her familiar. And at that my lord smiled again, but said -nothing; and indeed I forgot the whole matter next moment, for we saw -approaching us from behind, in hot haste, Lord Lonsdale himself, whose -face wore a look of such anxiety and pain that I was quite sorry for -him. - -Now it so chanced that the Viscount was not with his company at this -time. He had been detained by some duty which the King had set him to -do, and had not been able to leave the camp so soon as the soldiers. -This was the reason why, when he came riding after us a little later, -he had drawn rein upon seeing me on the outskirts of the crowd of -followers, and had paused to ask what I did there, and to gently chide -me for my folly in leaving a safe shelter for the uncertainties of war. - -It was whilst we were riding together thus in the rear, having by this -time left behind the crowd who pressed after us on foot--Will Wiseman -amongst them, to see the last of us--that we heard the sound of these -hasty pursuing horse-hoofs, and turning round beheld Lord Lonsdale -riding apace after us. I thought the Viscount's face changed and -hardened slightly as he saw his father; but he drew rein and waited -till he came up. - -"My son, my son," began Lord Lonsdale, in whose face and voice anger -and anxious fear seemed to be struggling together, "what madness, what -folly is this? A son of mine to be in arms with a rebel Duke, daring to -lay claim to the crown of England! Vere, Vere, you are not like these -ignorant rustics whom any one can delude by a specious tale. You know -that England will never submit to see a base-born King sitting upon the -throne. Be the present King never so much the tyrant, he rules by his -hereditary right; and you know that this young Duke has no more chance -of being England's King than thou hast thyself. Boy, thou canst not -look me in the face and tell me that thy heart is in the cause! I know -thee too well for that!" - -Lord Vere made no attempt to meet this challenge, although he looked -his father unflinchingly in the face for all that. - -"Sir," he said, in a low, resolute voice, "your remonstrances come too -late. I have unsheathed my sword in the cause, be it a good or an evil -one; and honour forbids me to sheathe it again until that cause is -either lost or won. You know well who and what drove me forth to break -a bondage that had become unendurable. If I give you pain now, it is -only because you have driven me to it!" - -"Boy, boy, what folly is this! Why didst thou not tell me how thine -heart was bound up in that maid?" - -"I told you many times, sir, that my heart was so bound up with Mary -Mead's that death itself would be preferable to life without her. I -said all that a man could say, and my reward was that I was made by -strategy to appear in public as the plighted husband of Mistress Edith -Portman. It was your hand that severed the bond of mutual confidence -which once existed between us. I have no more to say. I follow in the -steps of one to whom I have done homage as King." - -"Vere, Vere, Vere!" cried the agitated father, almost in tears, as it -seemed to me, his face pale with agitation, "only come back with me, -only give up this mad folly, and thou shalt wed the girl when thou -willest. I will say no word against it. Anything is better than that -thou shouldst put a halter round thine own neck. Come but back with me, -and all shall be as thou desirest!" - -There was sadness now in the Viscount's face--sadness and even a little -bitterness--but no sign of wavering. - -"Sir, it is too late," he answered. "Hadst thou spoken those words but -ten short days ago, I would gladly have followed thee home, and given -to thee a sweeter daughter than son has ever given to father yet. But -it is too late now. Mine honour is pledged, and not even for the sake -of my duty towards you nor my love towards the lady can I lay aside -that honour and break my plighted word. Nay, were I to do so my lady -would be the first to cry shame upon me. She is a soldier's daughter, -and holds honour in more esteem than life itself. A deserter from the -cause so near her heart would find no favour with her. She might have -let love win the day had I not taken up arms for this young King--" - -"King!" breathed Lord Lonsdale, in a tone only just audible, but full -of bitter scorn; "knowest thou what he is called--he and his army--by -all loyal and honest folk? 'King Scott and his vagabonds' is the name -he goes by. My son, my son, to think thou shouldst be following such an -one as he!" - -The Viscount's face wore a look half sad and half bitter--like his -voice when he spoke. - -"Yes, it seemeth strange sometimes even to me; but there be strange -shifts in a man's life, and a Viscount may sometimes come to be ranked -amongst vagabonds. Father," and here his tone changed and became -softer, "believe me, I am not ungrateful for your care and thought for -me, and it pains me to give you pain. But I cannot go back now. I would -things had been different with me; but since they are not--since I have -been driven to this step--I cannot and I will not draw back. If you -lose your only son by a traitor's death, it will be a grievous sorrow -to you, I wot well. But even if things go ill with us, there will be -many that may hope to escape with life. Perchance I will be one of -these. For my Mary's sake as well as yours I shall make a battle for my -life." - -Lord Lonsdale would have stayed to reason longer, but his son shook his -head as though to say that argument was useless, as indeed it was when -both father and son thought really alike upon the question, and only -a sense of honour bound Lord Vere to the cause he never professed to -believe in with his heart or soul. - -"Farewell, father," he said softly, and put out his hand; but the Earl -drew back with a look of such pain as I shall not soon forget. - -"I may not touch the hand of a rebel," he said; and so father and son -parted with more bitterness and sorrow than I like to think of even now. - -My lord was very grave and silent for a long time after this, as indeed -he well might be, but presently rode on ahead of me to join the army. - -As for me, I could please myself what I did and what pace I travelled -at. The infantry had gone on in advance that morning, and had covered -the distance well. I thought that they would reach Bridgewater easily -by nightfall, and I decided that for my part I would stop for the night -at my own home and tell all the news there. - -I was a little depressed by what I had heard between Lord Lonsdale and -his son, and perhaps it had slightly damped my enthusiasm in the cause. -I began to see that war could be a very hideous and evil thing, and I -almost found it in my heart to wish that the Viscount had consented to -return with his father, and marry Mistress Mary Mead forthwith, thus -saving both (as I trusted it would) from all future perils. I knew that -I loved and honoured him for his words, and for ranking honour above -life and happiness, and I well knew that could Mistress Mary have been -there she would have upheld him with all the earnestness and enthusiasm -of her nature. I was resolved that she should one day hear the story, -and know what a noble heart she had won; but just for the moment I was -sorrowful and sad, and I thought that the welcomes of my family would -prove a pleasant diversion for my grief. - -Nor was I mistaken. I found all the house in a great stir, my mother -more hot and bustling and excited than I had ever seen her; for it -seemed that the Duke (I find it hard to say King as I should; wherefore -I think in the future I will still call him the Duke, although for many -days we all of us gave him the royal title, and were proud and glad -to do so) and his company had paused at the farmstead, and had asked -refreshment there. His handsome face and courteous ways had won all -hearts. My mother and sisters could talk of nothing but his beauty and -grace. They had refused all payment for what they had set before him, -and he had kissed my mother ere leaving, and set her all in a flutter -of excitement. To have been kissed by a King was an honour which none -of her friends or relations had ever received. She felt lifted into a -region beyond that of her daily life. - -I was pounced upon for news, and made to talk the whole of the day and -far into the night--a thing very foreign to our home ways--so that -when at last I gained my couch I slept as soundly as a dormouse, and -was ashamed to find the sun high in the sky when I awoke. - -Although my parents and brothers and sisters intermeddled not with such -troublous matters as the rightful succession of Kings, and so forth, -their hearts were all for the gallant young Duke, and I received a -handsome addition to my small stock of money from my father, who bid -me good-speed on my journey and a safe and prosperous return. All the -country side in these parts believed that the cause of the Duke would -be crowned with glory and success; and it was amusing to hear their -stories as to how they had evaded giving any help, and put hindrances -in the way of those who were on the royal side, but how they did -everything to speed the cause of the Duke. - -Blackbird was somewhat heavily laden as we started forth to -Bridgewater, for my mother was in sore fear lest I should not find -enough to eat on the road, and she would fain have hung all manner -of things around my saddle, had I not declared that I should be the -laughing-stock of all the army. - -Then with many adieus I rode off, and was not long in finding my way to -Bridgewater, where, as I have before stated, I had another uncle with -whom I was familiarly acquainted. - -It really seemed to me as I rode into the town that Bridgewater had -striven to outdo Taunton in the welcome she gave the Duke. I heard that -already he had been proclaimed King there; that the proclamation had -been read in great state, the magistrates in their gowns standing by, -and, as I also heard, not unwillingly either. Flags were flying, and -windows and balconies were decked as in our town, whilst the faces of -the people looked as gay and happy as though no such thing as doubt or -fear existed. - -I made my way with all speed to my uncle's house, which I found as busy -as was like to be on such a day. My kinsfolk had scarce time to give -me a welcome; but I set about making myself of use to them, and in so -doing picked up many a piece of news of a welcome nature. - -It seemed that although the recruits were still of the lower class -of the people, much money had been collected for the cause in this -place, and that the Duke and his officers were in better spirits on -that account, and also because of the warmth with which they had been -welcomed. - -The citizens and common people were beginning to think scorn of those -above them, who showed themselves so backward in the good cause, and to -whisper amongst themselves upon the subject. - -"We wonder the gentlemen come not in," they began to say. "But we will -show them that we can do the work without them; and then when we are -the masters we will have their estates!" - -That evening, as I wandered through the streets of Bridgewater, -I suddenly met Lord Vere walking rapidly and hurriedly, with a -preoccupied look upon his face. Seeing him thus thoughtful, I was -drawing aside--for I feared to presume upon that kindness which he had -ever shown me--when he suddenly saw me and paused. - -"Ha, Dicon!" he said, "I was just wondering where thou wert to be -found. I want speech with thee, boy." - -I was at his side in a moment, eager and flattered by his words. - -"The matter is this, Dicon," continued my lord, speaking rapidly and in -a low voice:--"Thou knowest enough of matters in the camp to understand -that it is of the greatest moment for us to win Bristol. If we fail -there, I see naught for it but to be destroyed between the two armies -which are marching upon us--the Duke of Albemarle in our rear, and Lord -Feversham and perchance Lord Churchill (for there are contrary reports -brought in daily and hourly) in front, or marching from the eastward. -We hear that the people of Bristol are anxiously awaiting us; but even -of this there seems no certainty, for they say, too, that the Duke of -Beaufort with a large body of troops has recently come into the city -to hold it for the King--the King in London, Dicon--and that we shall -find it a tough nut to crack. All agree in saying that if once we can -get possession of it we shall find arms and money and provision in -abundance, and shall have achieved the first step towards a lasting -success. But the question is whether we may find entrance there, and if -so what will be the wisest plan of attack; and there be few men here -who know the city and have friends therein who may be trusted." - -"They say Colonel Wade is from Bristol," I remarked; and the Viscount -nodded assent. - -"He is; but he cannot be spared from the counsels of the Duke. In fine, -Dicon, what I have offered to do is to ride alone, or with but one -trusty servant at most, into Bristol myself, to see certain men of the -city with whom I have some acquaintance, and to learn how matters be -there. I am then to return and advise the Duke what he should do; for -never was man so beset before with counsellors all advocating different -views, and sure never had general such a strange company of captains -under him, scarce a man of them trained to war, and some scarce knowing -how to handle arms!" - -"You are going to Bristol then, my lord?" - -"Yes: I shall start with the first light of dawn to-morrow, which will -be shortly after three o'clock; and I have sought thee, Dicon, to know -if thou wilt be mine esquire for the nonce and ride with me. That black -pony of thine will carry thee bravely and well, as I know; and there be -few of the steeds our men have of which I could say the same. Thou hast -no air of martial valour to raise suspicion. I shall but appear like a -traveller upon the road with my servant behind me. I think we shall not -be in danger's way till our errand is done, and--" - -"My lord, I would follow you to the world's end, be the dangers never -so great!" I cried, my heart swelling with pride that he had made -choice of me out of all the company in that great army. "I have been -longing this many a day to do some service either for you or for our -gracious young King. Let me go with you. I will serve you as no servant -would, and lay down my life for you if need be." - -He smiled at my protestation, and answered kindly,-- - -"I trust that may not be needful, good Dicon; but if thou wilt thou -shalt serve me in this thing. Canst meet me then here in this spot by -three of the clock to-morrow morning? Good! I shall look for thee. -See to thy steed to-night, for we must travel with all speed. I shall -strive to reach Bristol to-morrow, and as early in the day as the -distance will permit." - -"I will not fail you, my lord," I answered proudly, my heart beating -high within me. "And shall we return to the army when you have -fulfilled your errand? Shall we see the fight when the foe is before -us?" - -"Truly I think we shall, Dicon," answered my lord with a smile. "The -enemy seems in small haste to attack us; but whether that be a good or -an evil sign I wot not. Yes, boy, I mean to be in the thick of that -fight whenever it does take place;" and his eyes shone for a moment -from beneath their bent brows with the battle light which the thought -of action brings into the faces of all true soldiers. "I too would bear -my share in that fight, as I see thou wouldst too. But I doubt not we -shall be in time for that. It is not fighting, it is this delay, these -pageants and proclamations, which sicken me. Would we were intrenched -before Bristol now, doing and daring all, instead of trusting that -some great thing will come to us. Well, boy, thou and I will see what -is like to be our fate in that city. To-morrow before sunrising; and -Heaven give us a good journey!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -_IN PERIL IN A STRANGE CITY._ - - -Of our long day's ride from Bridgewater to Bristol I do not purpose -to speak in detail, being anxious to get on to more stirring scenes; -and yet it was upon this day that I began to understand somewhat more -clearly the nature of the enterprise on which we were embarked, and to -see that the progress of the Duke was not much longer to be a march of -unmixed triumph. - -As we pursued our journey, sometimes along the roads, sometimes across -open tracts of country, where Blackbird's cleverness and sagacity gave -us great help in picking our way, we encountered bands of stern-faced -men riding along with an air of purpose--men clad in such armour as -was worn by regular soldiers, and showing in their air and bearing a -martial bravery which was greatly lacking in the ranks I had lately -seen. - -These men looked at us with sharp glances as they passed; but our -appearance was so harmless that nothing was said to us of a disquieting -character. Sometimes we were asked if we had seen aught of "King -Scott's army;" and though the gibe in the voice of the questioner made -my cheek flame, my lord would answer quietly enough that he believed it -to be encamped somewhere near to Bridgewater. - -Once we journeyed some little distance with a party of these men. The -commanding officer rode with the Viscount in front, and a couple of the -troopers, who were greatly taken by Blackbird, and would fain know his -history, came and rode beside me. I learned from them that they were on -the way to Bristol to join the garrison there. They had been sent by -the Duke of Albemarle, who was advancing upon Taunton, but had had to -make a wide circuit to avoid the army of "King Scott" at Bridgewater, -and were glad to fall in with travellers upon the waste of moorland, -being but little acquainted with the country. - -I asked them why they spoke of the Duke of Monmouth as "King Scott;" -and they laughed, and said that he had forfeited his right to the -title of Duke by his act of high treason. They told me that since his -marriage, when quite a lad, he had taken the name of his noble wife, -wanting one of his own, and that that name was Scott. They jeered and -gibed at him and his feeble insurrection in a fashion that made my -heart beat fast with mingled wrath and fear, and kept me in constant -dread of betraying myself by some unguarded word. But for my lord's -sake I strove for patience and discretion; and being accounted but a -boy, and a hunchback to boot, I misdoubt if any words of mine would -have been taken seriously by the troopers who rode for a time with us. - -Still I was glad when they left us; and though my lord's face was the -graver after they had gone, he did not tell me aught that had passed -betwixt him and the captain. Indeed a heavy rain began falling soon, -which, though sorely needed by the country after the long drought, was -not a pleasant thing for travellers, and made us wrap ourselves in our -mantles and draw our hats over our brows, and so pick our way with care -and pains. - -It had long been dark, and the rain was pouring down steadily and -pitilessly, and our good horses were growing weary and jaded before the -lights of Bristol flashed through the night, cheering us into a better -pace than we had been able to get out of the horses for the past hour. -The road too became better, and our hearts revived within us; but still -I can remember little of our arrival at that great city, I was so dazed -and wearied and confused by the long journey and the strangeness of -everything about me. - -There were a halt and a parley at the gate ere we got in, but my -lord seemed to have no great trouble in obtaining entrance; and soon -we found ourselves at a snug little hostelry, where there was good -accommodation to be had for both man and beast, and where we were soon -seated at a table set before a grand fire, the damp rising in clouds -from our wet garments as we buckled to over our trenchers and ate as -only men do who have fasted many hours, and travelled far to boot. - -Our host waited himself upon us, many of his people having already gone -to bed, and he was full of the rebellion, and the excitement prevailing -in the city. He was very cautious for a while in telling us what was -the feeling within the walls; but my lord had a way with him which -quickly won the confidence of those with whom he spoke, and by-and-by -I woke up from the doze into which I had fallen to find our host -whispering many things to my lord with an air of eager secrecy. He said -that the people were very discontented with the present King and with -the Parliament, with the way in which justice was administered, and, -above all, with the spirit of persecution which was springing up. - -"If the Duke had but landed here or marched here straight," continued -the man, in a husky whisper, "the town would have been his almost -without the striking of a blow. But now His Grace of Beaufort has come -in with the regulars, and they say the Earl of Feversham is close at -hand, and may be looked for to-morrow or the next day. What can the -citizens do when the iron hand of the army is at their throat? If only -he had come sooner!" - -Interesting as all this was to me, I was too weary to listen to more, -and in fact was taken with such a fit of shivering that my teeth -chattered in my head, and it was with much difficulty that I dragged -myself up the stairs to bed, pulled off my wet clothes, and crept in -there. My lord came himself to see me, and brought me a hot spiced -posset, which, as soon as I had drunk it, sent me off into a sounder -sleep than I think I ever slept before; for when I awoke again I found -that the next day had slipped quite away, and that it was evening of -Tuesday, and I had lain abed like a log when I had meant to be up and -about after any business my lord might give me to do. - -I arose in a great shame, and finding my clothes dried and brushed by -my bedside, I dressed with what speed I might, and went below. - -The room was filled with people of the lower sort, all talking together -in excitement and heat. I sat in a corner and ate a piece of bread -whilst I listened to all that was being said, and strove to gain -knowledge of what had happened during the day. - -One thing I heard which troubled me much. Lord Feversham had -entered the city with a large body of troops--two hundred and fifty -horse-guards, as I learned later. But there was more than this; for I -heard, too, that the bridge over the great river Severn had been broken -down by the Earl's men at Keynsham, so that it should be impossible for -the Duke of Monmouth's army to approach the city. - -This was very bad news for me, and, as it seemed, for the people also. -In this place, at least, there was no hesitation as to which rule -was preferred--that of the Popish King on the throne, or that of the -champion of liberty and Protestantism come to wage war upon him. If men -spoke with bated breath of the coming deliverer, it was not because -they were half-hearted in the cause; and here and there a voice would -be raised to ask why, if all the citizens were agreed, the soldiers -could not be outnumbered and overawed? why the will of the people -should not prevail over some few thousands of hired mercenaries, who at -heart most like did not love the King better than the towns-folk? - -These high sounding-words were taken up and passed from mouth to mouth; -but yet I could see that none knew how concerted action amongst the -citizens could be begun now that the town was guarded by soldiers and -a close watch set about the walls and even in the streets. Yet as the -night drew on other men kept dropping in, and it was whispered that the -Duke of Monmouth was after all approaching; that some of the horse had -already reached Pensford; that another day might bring them beneath the -walls of Bristol; and that then would be the moment for all the city to -rise. - -I listened with beating heart and straining ears to all this, wondering -what the truth of it might be, and if indeed the city would open -its gate to our new-made King. Presently I ventured to enter into -conversation with some of those nearest to me, and told how I had been -in Taunton when Monmouth had been proclaimed King. This excited great -interest in the minds of those about, and I was made to tell the story -out aloud, whilst the people listened with mouths agape, and I could -see by their eager faces how they longed to see him proclaimed here in -Bristol. - -Presently, however, some soldiers came marching in and ordered wine. -They looked about upon the people with an air of suspicion and severity -which quickly changed the aspect of the assembly. First one group and -then another broke up and went out, and in a short time there were -scarce half-a-dozen persons left. - -"Your good customers seem mightily afraid of a buff jerkin and a -musket, landlord," remarked one of the soldiers as he drained his -goblet. "Have a care that you harbour not seditious malcontents in your -house, or it may chance to go ill with you one of these days." - -And then the soldiers clattered out, having probably done what they -came to do; whilst the landlord's face, which had been pale and -submissive in presence of the troopers, grew dark with fear and hatred. - -"Those cursed soldiers!" he hissed beneath his breath. "A man goes in -fear of his life and his property when the city is beset with them." - -"Heaven send us a speedy deliverer!" breathed another, with clinched -hand and frowning brows. "All the city would rise to greet him, I -verily believe--soldiers or no soldiers!" - -Late at night the Viscount came in, and told me something of how his -day had been spent. It was quite true that the citizens were as much -in favour of the Duke here as in the other places where we had seen -the welcome they gave him. But the presence of a strong garrison and -a determined Commander put a very different face upon the matter in -this fortified town. The garrison had possession of the walls and -citadel, and could turn their arms upon the towns-people as well as -upon the foe if there were any tumult or rising. Some were in favour -of stirring up a revolt within the walls so soon as the Duke should be -without, engaging the soldiers in defence of their gates and ramparts; -but men who knew as much of war as the Viscount were doubtful whether -such a rising would be attended with success. There was something in -the presence of regular troops which acted as an effectual check to -burgher risings. A panic quickly set in at the sight of cold steel and -the remorseless action of trained soldiery. Forty years of peace had -weakened the warlike traditions of the past generation who remembered -the civil war. - -"Citizens talk, and speak great swelling words, but too often they run -like sheep at the first sight of pike and musket," said my lord; and -when I remembered how the crowd in this very room had dispersed like a -mist before the handful of troopers who had come into their midst, just -after having spoken such great things of defying the army, I could not -but think that he was in the right. - -Next day I too wandered about the streets of the great city, full of -curiosity and amaze at what I saw. I had never been within a fortified -town, and the frowning walls and gateways struck me with awe and -amaze, as did also the great quays and wharfs where vessels larger -than any I had ever seen lay at anchor. And nothing would content me -but that I must go aboard of one, which I did through the kindness of -a sailing-master with whom I got into talk; and I spent two wonderful -hours amongst the shipping, both hearing tell of the wonders of the -deep, and learning something of the desire amongst seafaring men for -a better King upon the throne, and the hope that the Duke of Monmouth -would "come into his own." - -I asked whether, if there were to be fighting around Bristol, there -were any ships that would help the cause of the Duke by firing upon, or -in any way injuring, the soldiers; but he did not seem to think that -there were any vessels in the harbour that could be trusted to do any -good that way. There had been a close watch kept on all vessels coming -into the river, and some had been sent to the right-about, and not -suffered to make the harbour. - -Towards sundown I retraced my way towards the hostelry where we were -lodging, when I was suddenly brought up short by a most unwelcome -sight. I was aware that a pair of dark sinister eyes were steadily -regarding me; and looking to see whose they might be, I encountered the -malevolent gaze of the Rev. Mr. Blewer, whom I believed to be far away -in Taunton. - -I can scarce say why it was that this gaze troubled me so, but I felt a -sensation as though some person had walked over my grave (as the saying -is); and I was not made any more comfortable by seeing that Mr. Blewer -immediately beckoned to a sentry who was standing near and pointed me -out to him, though what words he spoke I could not hear. - -I found myself trembling all over as I walked onwards, and I railed at -myself for proving nothing but a coward. I was relieved when I got in -to find the Viscount there before me, to whom I told what I had seen. - -But he only smiled, and said,-- - -"I am well pleased that that pestilent fellow is far away from Taunton -and from Mary. I doubt if he would gain speech of her now were he never -so near; but I would sooner he were anywhere else than there." - -"But can he do hurt to me or to you, my lord?" I asked, rather -anxiously; and was answered by a smile of amusement. - -"It is like enough he might if he set himself to it; but we shall not -be here much longer. I have found out all I came to discover; and if it -be true, as men say, that the Duke will be at Pensford to-night with -his whole army, we will join him early and give him the intelligence -he seeks. Thou hadst best go to thy bed early, Dicon, for this may be -the last night for many that thou wilt have a bed to sleep in. Are our -horses in fettle for the road to-morrow? We must be astir right early, -and leave the city with the dawn." - -"The horses are as well as ever they were, my lord; they have been shod -afresh, and well fared and cared for. They will carry us another fifty -miles to-morrow if needs be." - -"Nay, it will be but a short way we need take them; but perchance they, -like ourselves, will fare only badly for a while. Time will show--time -will show. Get thee to bed now, Dicon, and be ready for the start -to-morrow." - -I went to bed, little dreaming of any further adventure that night; and -I suppose I had slept for some hours, when I was awakened by such a -tumult in the street below as made me spring up in a sudden fright, and -I heard men shouting out in every key and tone,-- - -"The Duke! the Duke! He has come! he has come! God be praised! Our -deliverer is here!" - -Although there was no moon in the sky, in which the rain-clouds still -hung heavily, albeit it was not raining that night, my room was almost -as light as day with a red glare that spoke of fire. I was up and into -my clothes faster than I can write all this down, and I dashed across -to my lord's room, to find it already empty--he having been still up -and dressed when the first shout was raised, so that he was in the -streets before me. - -Down I rushed, all the household being awake and alarmed, and the door -standing open like half the doors in the town, as I hurried along not -knowing whither I went, but only agog for news. - -The people were all running and shouting, and the great palpitating -glare in the sky lighted the whole city, and gave a weird brilliance to -the strange scene. All the time the streets were echoing to the cry,-- - -"The Duke! the Duke! To arms, citizens, to arms! The Duke has come! -Down with tyranny and Popery! Down with the usurper! A Monmouth! a -Monmouth for the people!" - -"Where is he? What has happened? Where is the Duke?" I asked, first of -one and then of another. At first none heeded me, but others taking up -the question, we began to get answers bit by bit. - -"He is here! He is coming! That is the beacon light to bring him! -Perchance he is beneath the walls! He may be entering the city even -now! Hark! is not that the sound of arms? He is coming! he is coming! -Heaven be praised, our deliverer is at hand!" - -The people seemed to have gone well-nigh mad. I never saw such a sight -in my life as the streets of this city with all the men and women -swarming out, shouting, weeping, crying, praying, and the great red -cloud swaying over us in the black sky, and at last the steady tramp -of mailed troopers swinging along down the wide thoroughfare. - -"The soldiers! the soldiers! Pray Heaven it be the Duke's men!" -shrieked the women. But the next moment the cry went up, "The King's -troops! the King's troops! Have a care, citizens! Hist! hist!" - -They came swinging along with their great pikes menacingly pointed at -the crowds, which dispersed and fled before them; whilst at intervals a -halt was called, and a voice from their midst rang out in a threatening -word of warning,-- - -"To your beds, citizens; to your homes and your beds. The Duke of -Beaufort makes it known through all the city, that if there be any -rising this night for the rebel Duke of Monmouth, he will fire the town -about your ears in a hundred places at once. Take your choice, men of -Bristol, take your choice. Either disperse in quiet to your homes, or -see yourselves, your houses, and your children burned before your eyes!" - -A horrified silence fell upon the people as these words were heard; and -only one woman dared to raise her voice to ask, "But where is the Duke -of Monmouth?" - -"Ten miles away if a step, woman, and with a swollen river without -bridge 'twixt him and Bristol.--To your homes and your beds, good -people, if you wish to save yourselves and your city to-night." - -Away swung the soldiers, to give their dread message in other places; -and away to their homes scuttled the cowed citizens, led by their -trembling wives; whilst news came that there were twenty companies of -foot drawn up in Redcliffe Mead, ready at a moment's notice to march -through the streets and fire the rebellious city if it should prove -troublesome. Another report said that the fire was in the river; that -a ship there had caught light either by accident or by design; and -that had it not been high tide, with plenty of water in the harbour, -so that other vessels could sheer off, there might have been a fearful -destruction amongst the craft lying there. - -"Some miscreant of the Monmouth faction did the damage," said one party -of soldiers parading the streets to keep and enforce order. "Spies from -the rebel camp have been seen prowling about the streets to-day, and -along the wharfs. Let us but catch them, and their heads will adorn the -city gate by the time the day dawns." - -At these words I shrank into the shadow of a doorway, with my heart -thumping against my ribs as though it would burst out of them. I did -not doubt for a moment that I was reckoned as one of these spies, and -perhaps my lord for another. If Mr. Blewer had seen him he would not -forget it, and would take advantage of any incident to raise a tumult -against him. I realized the fact that we stood in no small jeopardy so -long as we remained in Bristol; and my first thought was to seek the -shelter of the hostelry, to get ready our horses, and then strive by -what method we could best escape from those environing walls. It was -a terrible thing to think of having to pass the sentries if we were -under suspicion. But I trusted that my lord, who knew the city and had -friends there, would have some plan for escape; and to go home and -await him there seemed the best and wisest course to pursue. - -I wished the streets had been a little more full now--that the -citizens had not been so easily cowed and scared back to their homes; -then I should have had a better chance of slipping through the crowd -and making my way unseen. Still, as it was, one of the sides of the -street was in deep shadow, and I was flitting warily along in it, when -suddenly I heard a sound in front like that of shouting and pursuit. -The next moment round the corner, as if with wings to his feet, came -my lord the Viscount, hatless, and with his doublet half torn off his -back, his breath coming in deep gasps, his hair streaming in the wind, -looking like a golden cloud where the red firelight touched it. - -The moment I saw that sight, before the pursuers had rounded the -corner, I sprang out upon him, as one who joined the hue and cry. I -felt as though every muscle in my body had suddenly turned to steel. I -seized him by the hand, and darted with him down a narrow entry that I -had noted that day in coming up from the river. - -"My lord, my lord! this way, this way!" I gasped in his ear, not -knowing whither we were speeding, but perceiving that we were in a -labyrinth of small back streets which might baffle pursuit for a time. -We fled onwards, although I was certain that I had heard a hoarse cry -raised from behind,-- - -"There goes the other of them! Now we shall have them both! After -them! they cannot escape! After them, men! ten pounds to the man that -brings them, dead or alive!" - -I do not think my lord heard, his breath was coming in such deep and -laboured gasps. He let me turn and double whither I would; and I think -that I had the greater skill to baffle pursuit, having a more lively -fear in my heart, perhaps, and knowing something of the ways of wild -things when running for their lives. - -But still I could hear cries and shouts following us, and that word of -evil omen, "The spies! the spies!" and I wondered whether we should -be able to escape them after all, when we suddenly dived down a dark -entry, and were brought up short by a house that stood at the end, -blocking all egress, and as it were enclosing us in a trap. - -"Heaven help us, we are lost!" I cried in despair, realizing that to -return the way we had come would probably throw us into the very arms -of our pursuers, who had scattered hither and thither, and could be -heard coming nearer and nearer. My lord spoke no word, being indeed -past speech, but I saw his hand go to the hilt of his sword, which he -still wore, and I knew that he at least would sell his life dearly. But -then all of a sudden a door behind us opened cautiously, and a woman -looked out. - -"Come in, come in quick!" she said. "This way! along this passage--mind -the holes in the floor--and up yon stair. Go up and up and up to the -top, and out upon the leads. There's an open trap; but ye can shut -and bolt it, and give yourselves a few moments' grace. There's a -mile of leads up there, and spouts and gutters leading from place to -place. I'll keep them here in parley as long as I can. Hide yourselves -somewhere in the holes or behind the chimney-stacks. Men have hidden -away there before now and escaped. If ye be from Monmouth's army, ye -shall not die in Bristol town if Jenny can save you." - -"Heaven reward you!" I cried, as I darted along the passage and up the -stairs, my lord after me; but he paused to ask the woman if she ran -no risk herself ere he would go (which shows the difference there is -between gentle blood and blood like mine; for I thought only of my own -skin, whilst he had thought to spare for her), and I heard her words -come clear and mocking,-- - -"They shan't hurt me--nay, not a bit of it! I'm too well known for -that. Not a man of them would lay a hand on old Jenny; and I'll say I -was knocked down by a pair of insolent, swaggering fellows, who have -made their way out of yon window at the back. Some will go up to the -leads for all that, but some will stay below and search the courts -behind. I know the ways of them; and if there be but two or three to -follow you, slay them one by one as they slip and scramble over the -roofs. Oh, it is rare sport, it is rare sport! I have seen the likes of -it before." - -The woman's uncouth speech and mocking laugh baffle description. I -almost shuddered at her words whilst hurrying up the rotten stairs and -pushing open the trap-door at the top. The next minute we were both out -in the free air upon the leads, with the fading glow of the fire very -near at hand; and we bolted down the trap and made it as firm as we -could before we spoke a word. - -"At least we have a chance of our lives now, Dicon," said my lord; "and -if we have to lay them down, we will at least sell them as dearly as -may be." - -He drew his sword half out of its sheath, and his eyes glittered in the -glow of the fire. I felt a curious thrill run through me as I heard and -saw him, and I felt that to-night I was to receive my baptism of blood. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -_A BAPTISM OF BLOOD._ - - -For the moment we were safe, but only for the moment. From what the old -woman had said, we knew that our pursuers would soon be after us; and -there was another peril of which I had not thought till my lord's voice -spoke in my ear,-- - -"If the woman has played us false, we may be in a trap from which there -is no escape. But at least it was certain death to remain there." - -I felt a cold shudder run through me as I said,-- - -"I do not think she was tricking us, my lord." - -And he answered in the same low voice,-- - -"Neither do I; but such things have been before. We must be on our -guard. Walk warily, Dicon. These leaden roofs are treacherous. Yet what -a labyrinth they form. Methinks we can baffle pursuit yet! See, lad! we -are not far from the river. It may be we shall make shift to find our -way out from the city by water. Canst swim, Dicon?" - -"Ay, verily; better than I can run." - -"Good; yet thou didst run manfully just now with those hell-hounds -after us. Dicon, thou knowest that our enemy Mr. Blewer is in the town?" - -"Ay, my lord." - -"It was he who set them on at me for a spy. He thought to have rid -himself thus easily of a rival and a foe. It may be he will do so even -yet; but if I die to-night, I sell my life dear!" - -He spoke through his shut teeth, and I felt the strange quiver, that -was half like fear and half like exultation, run down my spine again. -All this while we were rapidly picking our way along the leads and -roofs, lighted by the glow of the burning ship upon the river, which -I had no time to stay and look at, as I fain would have done; for -the question of life and death was paramount with us, and it was -no moment for pausing to admire the blood-red river like a flaming -mirror, nor the strange fantastic shadows cast by the leaping flames. -We were glad of the light for making our own way amongst the leads and -chimney-stacks and along narrow parapets, where a false step would have -been destruction; but all the while our ears were strained for the -sound of hammering and pursuing footsteps, and we knew that as soon as -we heard them we must crouch down in some of the many deep niches and -hiding-places of that strange region, else would the brilliant light -lead to our instant discovery. - -All the while we moved my lord kept casting his eyes hither and -thither, and at last I heard him exclaim,-- - -"Hist, Dicon! they are after us. And here is the very place for us. -In with thee, boy! There is room for thee, I trow. I will follow and -guard the entrance. He shall pay dear who seeks to hale us thence." - -My lord spoke through his shut teeth, and I was quaking all over as -I looked about, yet could see nothing like a hiding-place. But the -Viscount's eyes had been sharper than mine, and the next moment he -pushed me gently but firmly into a narrow, narrow niche between two -great chimney-stacks--a long black crevice filled with masonry at -the farther end, looking like a mere slit in the wall, and in which, -unless I had tried, I would not have believed that I or any other -man could stand. But the crevice widened a little after I had pushed -myself into it; and it was in the deepest of deep shadow, for the -dark chimney-stacks rose high above our heads, and the narrow, narrow -aperture by which we had squeezed ourselves in faced away from the -river, so that not a single shaft of light crept into our retreat. - -I drew a gasping breath of relief as I found myself at the far end of -the niche, with ample room to turn round and move my arms; and I said -to my lord, "Surely we are safe now." And he made answer, "Unless they -know the place, perchance we are; but even so it will go hard to oust -us. Methinks I could hold the entrance against a score of enemies, and -run every one of them through as he approached." - -And in truth only one man could approach the place at a time, as I -saw very well; and it made me think of the story I had read in Roman -history of the passage of the bridge that was kept by Horatius and his -two supporters. The Viscount was to me as great a hero as any in the -pages of history or romance, and well could I picture him holding this -place against the onslaught of a hundred foes. - -But the next minute all thoughts save those of a personal nature were -lost in the overwhelming trembling fear which assailed me as I heard -the sound of hurried tramping all along the leads, voices calling one -to the other, and brutal threats shouted out to the accompaniment of -brutal laughter. - -Although the heavy masonry in which I was enclosed hindered me from -catching every word, yet I could well follow the drift of what was -said, and well did I understand that a long rope and a short shrift was -the best we could hope for were we caught. Once I heard a soldier in -passing say to his comrade,-- - -"The clergyman promised a liberal reward to whatever man would show him -the head of the dainty gentleman. We'll have him and get the reward. -I'll run him through with my own sword--I've no pity on a spy." - -All the place seemed alive with searching soldiers, shouting one to -another--sometimes bawling out that they were here or there, sometimes -cursing loudly at having been deceived by a shadow. Some declared they -saw them getting down by a spout, and a rush would be made to this side -or that. Others vowed they had got away from this block altogether, and -would be found elsewhere; and they would fall to cursing this region of -house-roofs and chimneys, which it seemed had favoured the escape of -fugitives before now, as indeed the old woman had implied. - -I cowered against the wall, quaking in every limb. I must needs tell -the truth, even if I am dubbed coward for it. Sometimes the voices were -so near that it seemed as though we must be discovered; then again they -would move further off, and I began to breathe once more, till some -fresh footstep again brought my heart into my mouth. I felt then as if -anything would be better than to be trapped like this without hope of -escape; but when the footstep had passed by again, I felt thankful for -the protection of the friendly niche, which plainly was not known to -the soldiers. - -Gradually the sounds of pursuit died away. Voices angry and -disappointed called one to another that we must have taken to the lower -roofs, or that old Jenny had been right in saying we had got out by a -window, and had not taken to the leads at all. Cursing and swearing, -the men appeared to draw off, and I was just about to approach nearer -to my lord, who had remained all this while close to the entrance of -our retreat, his drawn sword in his hand, when I was deterred by the -sound of a new footfall coming steadily onwards. This footfall did not -pass by our niche, and against the lightness of the sky beyond I saw -outlined a tall martial figure, and knew that this last soldier had -noticed this chink in the masonry, and was speculating about it as he -passed by. - -"A likely place," I heard him mutter, "but an ugly one to enter alone. -Where are the rest? Have all gone? A pretty search they have made. I -will call them back." - -Thump, thump, thump went my heart against my ribs. In spite of its -clangour I heard a sound which I knew was just the beginning of a shout -that would have the effect of bringing the scattered searchers all -rushing back to this place. But one slight hoarse note was all that was -uttered. With a quick rush my lord had sprung out, sword in hand. There -followed for two or three seconds the sound of clashing blades, another -effort at a call, and then the thud of a heavy fall, and a gurgling -noise, which I shall never forget to my dying day. In the dead silence -which followed I heard my lord speaking in a low voice. - -"You can come out, Dicon; I think all is safe now." - -I came out trembling and giddy. There upon the leads, run through the -heart by a swift sword-thrust from my lord, lay the man who had been a -second or two before full of strength and life. His glazing eyes were -upturned to the sky; his tall form lay so still that I could not bear -to look at it. I had never seen a man killed before, and the horror -of the thing was stronger upon me at that moment than the relief of -our escape. My lord was binding with his scarf a gash upon his wrist. -That sight brought me out of my stupor, and I asked leave to help him, -though my hands trembled, and I was clumsy at fastening the knot. I saw -my lord look at me with something of a smile upon his pale, resolute -face. - -"Warfare is a grim thing, Dicon. Thou hast scarce the stomach for it -yet. But, boy, thou wilt see grimmer things yet, I take it, if thou -dost hold to thy purpose of following the Duke's army. Such things -as these are scarce the beginning of horrors. Come now, we must not -linger here. I reckon we shall be safer to seek old Jenny in the house -now than to linger longer on these leads, where soldiers may be posted -watching and spying. Go cautiously, Dicon, and keep in the shadow. -Belike the woman will not be far off." - -This surmise proved a true one, and before we had retraced our steps we -saw the creeping form of old Jenny coming towards us. - -"Hist!" she whispered; "ye have done well to hide and outwit them. Ye -are safer here now than anywhere. How many did ye slay? Only one? I -would it had been a score! Better luck to ye next time! Now, follow me, -and I'll take ye safe to the water-side, and put ye in a boat that'll -land ye further up the river, where ye may find your way to the Duke. -Tell him that all loyal folks in the city will rise for him if he will -but bring his army to the walls. Who cares if the soldiers do fire -the city? Fire means plunder! Who cares for danger where plunder is -to be had? We'll fling the cursed soldiers into the flames they have -kindled, to roast there as they deserve; and for us there will be -plunder--plunder--plunder!" and the old hag waved her arms wildly over -her head, and looked the very embodiment of some fury breathing out -curses and threatenings of coming doom. - -"The Duke shall hear all that I have learned," answered my lord, "and -he shall know that we owe our lives to you, my good woman. But set not -your heart too much upon seeing him here; for Bristol with its present -garrison will be a hard nut to crack, and the Duke has few guns, and -fewer men who know how to handle them." - -The woman had wrapped us each in a heavy cloak, which disguised the -cut of our garments, and bidding us follow her, she glided through -the house once more and out into the street, where it was now very -dark. She passed us, I scarce know how, through a little postern door -giving upon the river, where, at the sound of a whistle, a boat quickly -appeared out of the darkness, and she held a parley with the man who -held the oars. - -"He will take ye as far as a mile beyond the walls," she said, "and -ye will give him a gold piece for his pains. They say the Duke is at -Keynsham, building up the bridge. Ye'll find him there right enow." - -"But our horses, our horses!" I said anxiously, being loath indeed to -part from Blackbird. And when old Jenny learned where the nags and our -belongings were to be found, she nodded her head many times, and said -at last,-- - -"If they be at honest Job Candy's, I'll get them thence directly it is -dawn, and bring them to ye by the wood ye'll see on your right when ye -leave the boat. Never fear, sirs; old Jenny never fails to keep her -word. Farewell to you, and a good voyage. I'll see ye again before many -hours have passed." - -She slipped away into the darkness, ignoring the outstretched hand of -my lord, which would have pressed a golden guinea upon her. - -"Don't linger, sir," said the gruff voice of the boatman; and the next -moment we were speeding up stream with the last of the flood-tide, the -man being anxious to land us at the appointed spot before the strong -ebb should make his task a hard one. - -I had never been on so wondrous wide a river, and looked about me with -awe as the boat flitted along in the shadows. The burning ship farther -down towards the mouth of the great tidal stream had drawn all traffic -away from the upper reaches. Ships had weighed anchor and sheered away -into the wider reaches, to make sure of escape should the fire spread; -whilst small craft had gone to help the burning vessel, and left this -part of the river quiet and lonely. The fire was still burning, but -not fiercely. The ship looked like a phantom one of glowing flame, -reflected double in the sullen water, and illumining the other vessels -in the river with a sombre brilliance. I had never seen such a sight -in my life before, and could not take my eyes off it. When at last we -rounded a bend in the river which hid the fire from view, I saw the -first faint tinge of red stealing into the eastern sky, and knew that -another day had dawned, and that we were alive to welcome it, as once I -had scarce believed we should be. - -The walls of the city seemed to be slowly sinking behind us. The tide -grew slack, and began to turn. Our boatman looked over his shoulder and -pointed towards a wooded hill not far from the left bank of the river, -which was on our right hand as we sat facing him in the stern; and we -gathered from his uncouth words that he was about to land us there, and -that we were to wait in the wood for Jenny and our horses. - -Ten minutes later we stepped ashore, and the Viscount gave the man -his appointed dole, together with words of thanks and courtesy, which -seemed almost thrown away on such a fellow. It was beginning then to -get light, and I saw that my lord's face was ashy pale, and that the -bandage we had made for his arm was soaked through with blood. - -It seemed that our rough boatman had noted as much as that, for he -gave me a look, and then jerked his thumb in a certain direction; and -following the direction of his glance, I saw a little wreath of smoke -curling up through the trees, and gathered that we should find some -sort of a dwelling-place there. - -Nor was I disappointed, for when my lord had dragged his faltering -steps a few furlongs, we came in sight of a thatched cabin belonging to -a woman; and when I knocked at the door and asked admittance, saying -that we had been forced to fly from Bristol by the King's soldiers, and -were on our way to the Duke's army, we were welcomed with open arms. - -The wood fire on the hearth was made bright and cheery with faggots -from the store; and albeit there was nothing in the house but rye bread -and milk, and a little hard cheese, yet the milk, made hot, brought the -colour back to my lord's wan cheek; and we soon stanched his wound, -which was not deep, and bound it up afresh, so that it hindered him but -little in the use of his arm. - -We were both somewhat spent by our night's peril and fatigue, and I -quickly fell asleep by the fire, and slept for several hours without -once waking. When I did open my eyes, it was to find the rain pouring -down, the fire in the cabin burning cheerily, and my lord sitting at -the table with his head resting on his hand, lost in serious reflection. - -As I started up he smiled at me kindly. His face was still pale, but he -was not otherwise changed. - -"Awake, boy," he said, "and ready for a march? Old Jenny has not failed -us; and our horses are in the shed hard by, refreshed by their rest in -the city. The good folks here declare the army to be no further than -Keynsham; and say that the bridge was mended yesterday, and that the -Duke will be passing over to the Gloucester side of the river to-day. -We had better join him as soon as may be, if indeed thou wouldest not -rather go home than see more of the perils of war." - -I felt that I had not distinguished myself in my first adventure, and -my face burned with shame, although I knew my lord had no thought of -mocking me. I stood up and said resolutely,-- - -"If you are going back, my lord, I go with you." - -"I have no choice," he answered gravely; "I am pledged to the cause. -I have my company to lead into action. But the case is different with -thee, Dicon; bethink thee well." - -"I have thought of everything, my lord," I answered. "I go not back -unless it be with you." - -"Thou art an obstinate lad, Dicon," said my lord, with a smile; "yet I -like thee the better for thy stubbornness. Then if thy mind is made up, -let us forth without loss of time. If we wait for the skies to smile -again, we may have long to tarry." - -We had soon thanked and rewarded and said farewell to our hosts, and -were in the saddle once more. Travelling was becoming bad by reason of -the persistent rain, albeit the land sorely needed it. I wondered how -it had fared with our soldiers, and whether the cold and the wet had -damped at all their martial ardour. - -It was but some seven miles, I take it, from where we started to the -bridge at Keynsham, or Cansham as some write it; and long before we -reached the spot we knew that the army was nigh at hand, because all -the people of the scattered villages were going forth to see, and we -saw horsemen scouring the country in search of provisions wherewith -to feed the men. Sheep and oxen were being driven towards the camp, -and though in the main payment was made for what was taken, yet there -were some amongst the farmers and peasants whose faces were dark and -lowering, and who muttered that a bad King was better than an army on -the march. - -The bridge over the river at Keynsham, which the enemy had broken down, -had been repaired by Captain Tyler with skill and despatch; already -the Duke and his gentlemen had passed over it, and the rest of the -army was following when we got up. Pressing on after the Duke's party, -we were not long in coming up with it. Then I fell into the rear, and -mingled with the men: whilst my lord went straight to His Grace, and -was welcomed very graciously, as I heard. - -The news which I brought from the city, despite the favourable -feeling of the common people, did not seem to the soldiers to be very -encouraging. They shook their heads when they heard of the Duke of -Beaufort's threat, and more than one veteran who had seen something of -war in Holland, from which country they had come over with the Duke, -said that in a walled and garrisoned city the towns-folk were helpless -as sheep if the soldiers kept true to their leaders; and so far as we -had heard, there had been no disaffection amongst the regular troops. -It was only the militiamen that deserted to the Duke. - -Later on word came that the Duke had been very sad on hearing the news -brought by my lord the Viscount, and had been heard to exclaim,-- - -"God forbid that I should be accessory to the ruin of my friends, or -that for any consideration I should subject so great a city to the -double calamity of sword and fire!" And although many amongst us loved -him the better for his gracious care of his people, yet the veterans -shook their heads, and whispered together that thoughts like these -would be the ruin of any cause, and that by no such arguments had the -victories of the world been won. - -Still there was talk of an attack upon Bristol that very night; and -since now they were so near to that city, it was suggested that the -troops should fall back upon Keynsham, rather as though they were -retreating, but still encamping upon this side the river, should wait -for nightfall and then march rapidly upon the city and seek to surprise -it. Now this was right good news to the more warlike portion of the -army, who had longed all the while to make a bold stroke. I, too, was -rejoiced to hear it, for methought that if the townsmen did but arise -as one man and attack the garrison in the rear, whilst we engaged them -in front, surely the place must yield; and if our Duke were but master -of Bristol, arms and treasure and stores of all kinds he would have -in abundance, as well as a walled city, and a seaport to boot, whence -supplies could be brought from his friends in Holland, who we were -assured were working for him there. - -Having no post or occupation of mine own, I wandered here and there as -I would, watching the men take up their quarters as if for the night, -and always ready to do any errand for my lord, if he should desire it. -His company of horse was posted in the rear, to guard it from attack; -and as the evening began to fall wet and murky and cheerless, I chanced -to be standing beside him, both of us being mounted, when a scout came -rushing breathlessly out of the town, crying lustily,-- - -"To horse! to horse! the enemy is upon us!" - -In a moment all was confusion and dismay--all save the demeanour of my -lord himself, which was perfectly calm and intrepid. - -"Steady, men, steady!" he kept crying, as his troopers gathered round -him; and as they fell into line, inspired and controlled by the -calmness of their leader, he asked a few questions of the scout, and -was told that two companies of the enemy had come charging into the -town, and would be upon us almost at once. - -And, indeed, whilst we were speaking, there came to our ears the -sound of on-coming horse-hoofs, and the next minute the Viscount had -shouted,-- - -"Stand to your arms, men! Be ready! Charge!" - -In a moment his horse sprang forward, and Blackbird after him. I had -no manner of business in the action, not being armed with anything but -a poniard in my belt, and knowing nothing of warfare; but where the -Viscount's horse went Blackbird must needs follow, nor had I then the -will to check him. Behind us thundered the men, following their gallant -young captain as almost all Englishmen will follow their leader if -he be brave and resolute. They were but country yokels for the most -part, who had seen nothing of fighting, and who knew nothing of the -tactics of war; but they set their teeth and lowered their weapons, and -followed the dashing charge of their leader. - -What happened next I know not. It seemed as though, with some frightful -shock, I was hurled against a solid rock. Sparks danced before my eyes. -There was a sound of singing in my ears; and then another sound--that -of the rattle of musketry. And at that sound I felt Blackbird rear -up on his hind legs as though he would fall over backwards; but he -righted himself, and then, with a swiftness and skill with which I -could scarce have credited him, he dashed off through the heaving mass -of combatants. How he did it I know not to this day; but with the sound -of musket shots and the clash of swords in our ears, he galloped off as -though for dear life as hard as hoofs could take him. - -So bewildered and breathless was I that it was long ere I could check -him. I felt all the while like one in a dream, and knew not whether -the thing were true or no, nor, if it were, whether I had received -some grievous hurt in that first fierce onslaught. But gradually as -I succeeded in pulling up my foaming horse, I came to the conclusion -that I was sound and whole, and was grievously ashamed at having been -thus carried out of the battle by my terrified and refractory steed. -But Blackbird had never been in such a terrible scene, nor had he ever -heard fire-arms save at a distance, and then it was hard to hold him. I -could not wonder that he had served me so; yet I was grievously ashamed -that I had seen none of the fighting, and had left my lord the Viscount -in such a fashion. - -But as I urged the reluctant Blackbird back whence he had come, I saw -that he was not the only horse who had been seized with a like panic at -the rattle of musketry. Horses--some with riders and some without--were -careering wildly about in extremity of terror, and quite unmanageable; -whilst, to my display and terror, I speedily singled out from amongst -these the fine charger ridden by my lord, who so soon as he saw his -friend and comrade of the past days, came and ranged himself beside -Blackbird, as though ready for another charge. - -My heart was full of fear and woe as I saw this, for I knew that -Bucephalus had no fear of fire, that he had been trained to such -scenes, and that to see him thus riderless betokened some hurt to my -lord. - -Already it seemed as though the brief tide of battle was turned back. -I saw a compact body of horsemen, looking like the enemy, riding fast -away. Later I discovered that they had taken us for friends at first, -and had been riding to join us, when they suddenly found out their -mistake, and had been compelled to meet and repel our charge before -they could re-form and retreat. Had our horses and soldiers been -trained, we should have made prisoners of the whole company; as it was, -only a few prisoners were made. The rest galloped off in safety; but -they left lying on the ground as one dead the gallant young captain who -had led the charge against them; and with a cry of fear and horror, I -saw my lord stretched out upon the miry earth, looking as still and -rigid as the soldier on the leads at dawn that day, who had been struck -dead by a blow from my lord's sword. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -_IN SUSPENSE._ - - -With a lamentable cry I flung myself from Blackbird's back, and knelt -beside my lord's prostrate figure; and almost at once there was a crowd -about us, and presently I heard a voice speaking in tones of authority, -"Make way, men, make way! Here is the surgeon!" - -The next moment somebody else was kneeling beside me, and I saw the -grave, clever face of Mr. Oliver, one of the Duke's surgeons. - -"Is he dead? is he dead?" I moaned; for I felt all the courage and life -taken out of me at sight of that white still face. - -"Killed! not a bit of it, boy. It is but a swoon from loss of blood. -Here, let me get to him to stanch the bleeding, else he may bleed to -death!" and the surgeon's busy hands moved to and fro, whilst the flow -of life-blood was quickly checked. But over and above the deep gash -in the shoulder from which the crimson stream flowed, the bone of the -sword-arm had been shattered by a musket-ball; and Mr. Oliver, as he -drew forth the bullet and proceeded to swathe up the injured limb, -shook his head with the remark,-- - -"This will be the last of your fighting for some time to come, my good -sir. The cause will be lost or won without your aid before you can -cross saddle or wield weapon again." - -The Viscount heard not a word, being still sunk in deep -unconsciousness; but a voice above us said in sorrowful accents,-- - -"And so I lose another of those very few who know the art of war. Soon -I shall have not a soldier left!" - -Raising my eyes, I saw our Duke looking down upon my lord's white face -with eyes full of compassion and regret. - -"To lose such a soldier in so small an affray! and he one of the very -few who had the art to command his men!" said the Duke again. And I -loved him the more for his words and his look, seeing that he, too, -loved my lord right well. - -"It is greatly to be regretted, sire," answered the surgeon, who was -now adjusting the torn doublet, and looking about as though to know -what next was to be done with the patient. "Lord Vere is a heavy loss -to us; but he must be well tended and have care and nursing, or it may -go hard with him after such a hurt. He has not that iron frame which a -soldier needs. He is an instrument something too finely tempered for -such rough and ready warfare.--Boy," he said, looking straight at me, -"art thou his servant? I have seen thee ofttimes beside him. Where can -we carry him, so that he shall be well tended whilst he lies helpless -and sick?" - -"His father's house would surely be his best asylum," said the Duke; -but I shook my head doubtfully. - -"I misdoubt me if my lord would go there. His father has cast him off -for joining your Majesty. But if I could get him taken back as far as -Bridgewater, I could there get him all he needs, and he would be well -cared for and tended." - -"He will need that," said the surgeon, with his hand upon the wrist of -my lord. "He will probably fall into a fever from his wounds. But, boy, -let not any leech take more blood from him on that account. He has lost -more already than he can spare. See that further loss is spared him, if -thou be with him. A little more, and they would drain the life from him -altogether--as has been done before now!" - -"I will see to it," I answered eagerly, vowing in my heart that nobody -should do a thing for my lord that I could do myself. He seemed all -at once to have become my charge. My heart swelled with happiness -in feeling this, and yet sank at the thought of the many perils and -difficulties which lay before me. How was I to get him all those long -miles back to Bridgewater? and if I could not get him there, how could -I tend him and care for him in a strange place, from which all stores -had been taken to feed the army, and amidst strangers who would pay -little heed to my prayers, and to whom my lord's life would be of no -moment? - -"I pray you, sir, stay with him but a brief time, and I will see -where I can take him," I petitioned of the doctor; and he nodded, -being in fact still busy over his patient, striving to restore him to -consciousness after his long swoon. We had carried him beneath a group -of fir trees, where the ground was soft and dry; and his cloak had been -rolled up for a pillow beneath his head. - -Leaving him there in good hands, I made my way to the rear of the army, -where the baggage-waggons and guns were, and where I was sure I had -seen a familiar face not long since--the face of a farmer from the -neighbourhood of Bridgewater with whom I was acquainted, and who was, -as I well knew, a kindly man, and a person of substance and importance. -I had seen him in Bridgewater, too, and he had told me there that he -was bringing six of his men to join the Duke, as well as two loads -of provisions for the army. He had shown me one of his waggons--and -waggons were not then so common as they are becoming now--and he was -mighty proud of it. It was laden with provender for man and beast, and -was to follow the army till the corn was all gone. It came into my head -that if that waggon were to be returning empty now, I might get my -lord conveyed as far as Bridgewater therein; and once at Bridgewater I -should be amongst his friends and mine, and could get him tendance and -comfort without fear of rebuff. - -And not to make too long a story of it, I found the farmer, and the -empty waggon too; and not only did he enter into my plans for my lord, -but he said he would come back himself with us, which was a mighty -comfort to me. He had seen enough of fighting--for there had been -skirmishes all along the road these past days--to see that he was not -made for a soldier. He had been somewhat scurvily treated by some of -the officers, and though still loyal to the cause, he was weary of the -long wet marches. He wanted to be at home again, to see how matters -were going there. His ardour for a personal share in the campaign had -considerably dwindled, and the whisper which was going round that it -would not be long before the King's army was upon them four thousand -strong, in which case a real engagement would become inevitable, -added very much to his desire to find himself amongst more peaceable -surroundings. - -So he threw himself with great zeal into my plans for the Viscount. -Together we collected moss in great quantities, and made a deep bed of -it on the floor of the waggon; nor were we content till we had piled -it up two feet high, so that it made the softest of beds for a wounded -man. It was rather damp, to be sure; but the farmer's sacks were spread -in great numbers upon the top, and we were both proud of our handiwork -before it was done. There was some trouble in getting the two strong -horses which had drawn the waggon; for horses were greatly needed by -the army, and it was easier to bring them in than to take them away -again. But by using the Duke's name, and by my making over my lord's -charger, which I knew he would not want for many a week to come, and -which was of real use in battle, we succeeded at last in getting our -horses and yoking them to the waggon. The farmer had kept victuals -enough for the journey, and we were resolved to start at once, and take -a little-trodden route, so as to avoid the bands of soldiers hanging -about the rear of the Duke's army, and perhaps by the morning to be -clear of them. - -Whilst thus bustling about in the camp, I heard news that I thought -augured ill for the success of the Duke's arms. Since the capture of a -few troopers of the enemy, with whom we had engaged not long since, in -the engagement which had cost the Viscount so dear, it had been decided -not to march on Bristol to-night. The Duke had heard that there was -an army of four thousand men close at hand, and he was afraid that he -should be attacked before and behind if he pursued his intention, and -be discomfited altogether. He spoke now of turning aside to Bath, and -trying to obtain possession of that place. For my part, I grieved to -think that he should not seize upon the more important city, and one -which was so well disposed towards him and so full of stores and all -things that he needed. But I was no soldier, and moreover I had other -matters to think of; and by the time we had reached the Viscount once -more with our waggon, I had almost ceased to think of the Duke or the -army, or indeed of anything in the world except my lord. - -His eyes were half open now, and he gave me a feeble smile as I -approached; but his voice was so weak that I was frightened, and had -much ado to keep back my tears. I began to wonder whether we should -ever get him to Bridgewater alive; but both the surgeon and the farmer -were inclined to laugh at my fears, and to tell me I should make but a -sorry soldier if I were so disconcerted at the sight of a little blood. - -They both approved the plan of carrying him to Bridgewater, out of the -immediate tide of battle. As for himself, he was so spent with pain and -loss of blood that he could scarce take note of our words, and let us -do with him what we would. He had lost much blood in the morning before -this second wound laid him low; and I never saw living man look more -like death than he did when at last he lay upon the couch we had made -for him, wrapped up in his cloak and mine against the sharpness of the -night air. - -The surgeon looked at him thoughtfully. - -"Take him gently, take him gently, and give him frequently to drink of -this cordial. Get him away out of this harassed country, where nothing -can be had save the bare necessaries of life. Get him to some quiet -place where he can be tended and watched. He should do well then; but -he lacks the toughness of fibre which a soldier needs. He is all fire -and force, but the body is not seasoned. He has the soul of a soldier, -but the frame of a girl." - -I was rather indignant at the last words, albeit there was some truth -in them; for my lord looked almost like some fair young maiden with his -white face and golden hair, as he lay with closed eyes upon his couch. -It was too much like the marble face of some sculptured monument not to -awaken a sense of pain within me; but I fiercely held back my fears, -and declared that I would save him yet--for Mistress Mary. - -As we journeyed slowly through the summer night--and the night was fair -and starlight, though the ground was heavy with the recent rain--I -mused much of Mistress Mary, wondering how matters were going with her, -and whether I should be able to see and speak with her when I was as -near as Bridgewater, and whether perchance I might so contrive that she -should have sight and speech of my lord. - -I rode Blackbird close behind the waggon for the most part, and when we -halted I strove to give the cordial to my lord, and to get him to take -food; but this he could not be persuaded to do, and sometimes seemed so -sunk in mists of weakness as to know neither me nor what was happening -to him. - -That long journey, which we accomplished safely in two days and three -nights, seems always like a dream to me. We met with no mishap. We saw -no soldiers or foes. The country people were kind, and brought us milk -for my lord whenever we passed a village or farmstead, and listened -with wondering eyes to our tale. I was just absorbed in striving to -keep my lord alive till we could get him proper help and tendance. He -lay almost like one dead, save when the pain of his wound would rouse -him, if the road were more rough and bad than usual. Then he would -strive to raise himself and ease his pain, and would sometimes speak -my name in a tone of gentle fondness when I sought to do aught for his -comfort. But the fever was ofttimes upon him too, and he would lie -back with his lips moving and his eyes seeing things invisible to us; -and at such times he would seem to be in converse with Mistress Mary -or with the Duke, or commanding his men in some sudden attack of the -enemy. It was often hard to keep him from rising and hurting himself; -and night and day I had to watch him, afraid to close my eyes lest he -should be wanting something or doing himself a mischief. - -Right glad was I when at last, upon the evening of the second day, the -sight of the familiar walls and chimneys of Bridgewater rose up before -my weary eyes. My lord was lying like one dead in the cart, sunk in a -deep unconsciousness, and I verily began to fear that he would die ere -ever we could reach the town. - -I took him straight to my uncle Robert's house--the Cross Keys Inn, as -it was called--and there we met such a welcome as cheered my heart and -took a load of anxiety from my mind. - -All Bridgewater was agog for news of the army, and any follower of the -Duke's was welcomed with the greatest love and kindliness. There was -something in the beauty of my lord that appealed to all hearts at first -sight of him; moreover, in Bridgewater he was well known and well loved -for his own sake, and the people were ready to make an idol of him -forthwith when they understood that he had given up everything to join -the Duke, and that he had met his grievous wound in the good cause. - -He was carried forthwith to the best bed-chamber in my uncle's house, -and before long all the leeches in the town had gathered round him, and -I was in the greatest fear lest they should want to use their lancets -upon him--for such was the custom for almost every malady--and I had to -repeat the words of Mr. Oliver many times over; but having done so, I -saw that they would prevail. - -The doctors looked at each other and nodded and shook their heads: one -said that there might be something in the argument, whilst another said -that an army surgeon ought to know what he was talking of. A third, -the eldest, remarked that perhaps a sound sleep would be the best -thing for the patient, and that he had a potion which would probably -induce a long and sweet sleep, and he said he would at least try that -before resorting to any other methods. All having agreed to this, the -potion was given, and soon the furrows of pain smoothed themselves -from my lord's brow, and he sank into a sleep very different from -the trance-like condition in which he had lain often for half a day -together in the waggon, and which seemed to me like a harbinger of -coming life. - -As soon as this was so I stretched myself on a couch at the foot of the -bed and slept also; and I think never was sleep so sound or sweet as -mine that Saturday night. - -During the week which I spent in Bridgewater many things happened, and -I scarce know in what order to tell them, nor which will seem of most -moment to the reader. Perhaps that which at that time seemed of most -moment to me--namely, that I succeeded in getting Mistress Mary Mead -to ride out with me one day from Taunton, and spend a few hours beside -my lord. Such a thing might not have been so easy to compass but for -the excitement and stir prevailing at this time in both towns. It was a -period of intense suspense. We knew not from day to day what news would -be brought in. We heard all manner of rumours of which no man knew -the origin. Sometimes we heard that the Duke's army had been cut to -pieces and was in full flight; at others, that he had obtained a mighty -victory over the King's forces, and was in full march for London, which -was ready to receive him with open arms. One flying scout declared that -there had been a fight at Philip's Norton, that at the first experience -of real warfare the Duke's army had begun to melt, and that thousands -had departed to their own homes. Another report said that Mr. Adlam -from Wiltshire, with a great body of horse, was on his way to effect a -junction with the Duke; whilst the club-men, ten thousand strong, had -gathered somewhere upon Pedwell Plain, and had sent a message to the -Duke promising to join him. - -Perhaps some may not know what manner of men these club-men were; and -indeed their proffer of assistance came to almost nothing in the end. -I have heard that the club-men had their origin in the days of the -civil war, when the people, finding themselves robbed and plundered by -two rival armies without hope of redress or compensation, resolved to -defend themselves from such attacks, and refuse to allow their property -to be taken from them by either party. The men thus banded together -were armed with clubs, and went by the name of club-men. Whether they -were ever much of a power I know not, but from my boyhood I had heard -them spoken of in the country; and now it was said that they were up -and in arms, and ready to join the Duke in considerable numbers. - -Another and a very disquieting rumour also reached us during this week, -which was that the King had issued a manifesto to those engaged in the -service of the Duke, to say that if within certain dates they should -quit the Duke's army and join that of the King, they should be pardoned -their rebellion, and be safe from all punishment. This promise, it was -said, had had the effect of inducing many to quit the Duke's army; -and so disheartened had our young uncrowned monarch become (so the -voice of rumour said) with these desertions, and the failure of the -Bristol project, and the slackness of the gentry to join him, that he -had seriously spoken of flying with his officers to some neighbouring -seaport and taking ship for Holland, leaving his army to avail -themselves of the King's promise of clemency, and be safe from further -harm. - -You may guess what a ferment was stirred up in men's minds by all these -contrary and disquieting rumours. Bridgewater and Taunton were all in -a tumult from morning till night, waiting for fresh news, discussing -what had last been brought, and sending messengers to and fro to seek -tidings and ask their neighbours what they had heard. It was thus -easier than it would have been at any other time to ride unnoticed -from place to place. By the time Thursday came my lord began to show -real traces of amendment. He was as weak as a sick child, and could -scarce lift his head from the pillow, and at present he asked nothing -of the news of the day, seeming too weak to wish to be disturbed. But -the fever had left him, and the good soup and possets which my aunt -made for him were bringing back his strength little by little; and so -I felt that I might safely leave him for a day, and go to Taunton to -seek tidings of my relations there, and, if possible, to gain speech of -Mistress Mary and tell her of her lover. - -All Taunton was in a fever of excitement when I arrived; and I heard -that news had been brought thither that the Duke's army was actually -in retreat, that no help had come from Wiltshire, that Argyll had been -defeated in Scotland, that the army was deserting fast on all sides, -and that the Duke, in great depression of spirits, was falling back -upon those cities which had welcomed him at first. Also a messenger had -come in with the notice of the King's promise to deserters from the -cause, and a great tumult had been thereby stirred up, none knowing -what effect such a manifesto might have upon the soldiers. - -But what I chiefly noted was the change in the feelings of the Taunton -citizens. They who had been so forward to welcome him at first were now -talking together at street corners, and the words that I heard were -such as these:-- - -"Let him not come back hither! Let him not return to Taunton! We gave -him all we had last time. We plundered ourselves to furnish him. We -have no more to offer. We shall be undone by a second visitation! Let -him not come hither again. Let us send word whilst there is yet time -that we want no second visit!" - -What a change from the Taunton of a fortnight ago! I could scarce -believe my ears. Well indeed has it been written that there is no -confidence to be placed in any child of man! When I reached my uncle's -house, I found the tone of his talk quite altered. Without openly -asserting enmity to the Duke, he spoke in a way which made me certain -that his heart had turned against him in the hour of adversity. Since -no capture of Bristol had been made, and no rising amongst the gentry -had followed the proclamation of the Duke's title to the throne, doubt -and despondency had fallen upon Taunton; and my uncle, ever prone to -sail with the wind, was amongst the first to listen with respect to Mr. -Axe's persuasions and the arguments of the Mayor and magistrates, and -avow himself on the side of law and order. He was sincerely relieved -to find that I had been so little with the army, and that I was now -at Bridgewater in quite a humble capacity as body servant to my lord. -He advised me to dissuade my lord from mixing himself up any more in -what he now termed a rebellion; and I was able to answer that I thought -this would be an impossibility in the future, for my lord was like to -be a long while healing of his wounds; whilst, if things did not take -a turn, the Duke would scarce be here in arms more than a short time -longer. - -But I was very sad to find Taunton so changed: for I loved the Duke, -and still cherished bright dreams of what England would be like living -under the righteous sway of such a King. I thought I would go to Miss -Blake's without delay, and give my account of my lord to her and -Mistress Mary. I had scarce put into form my hope that she would come -back with me and see him, and yet such was the case; for scarce had she -fully comprehended that he lay in Bridgewater sick and wounded--wounded -in the righteous cause--than she went up to Miss Blake, who was -listening with tears of sympathy in her eyes, and said,-- - -"Prithee, dear madam, take me to him! I must see him, my gallant love, -who has gotten this hurt in the good cause which, for love of me, he -embraced. Ah! dear lady, the days be long and the way is short! Dicon -will find us horses to take us. Prithee, take me there, dear madam, and -I will bless thee to the last hour of my life!" - -I know not what heart could have resisted Mistress Mary's sweet -pleading; certainly not that of Miss Blake, who was as full of romance -and enthusiasm as any girl, and whose loyalty towards the Duke had -never failed nor faltered through good report or evil report. That is -the way, I think, with women. Love is with them an instinct, and it is -far more faithful and lasting than with men, who reason and think and -weigh matters again and again in the balance. It mattered not to them -that the cause was beginning to look gloomy, that some even went so -far as to say it was lost. They loved and trusted just the same, and -believed that right would be done at last; and since the Viscount had -got his grievous wound in the righteous cause, and Mistress Mary must -needs see him, her good friend rode forth willingly with her that day, -and we reached Bridgewater before the sun had begun to get low in the -sky. - -As I have said, there was too much astir just then, too much coming -and going, and talking and discussing, for the doings of quiet people -to excite much comment. We rode forth without meeting any questions, -and at Bridgewater, where the ladies were not known, no one paid any -heed to us. The town was full of excitement because it was said that -both the army of the Duke and the army of the King were drawing near, -and some thought there would be a battle nigh against the town; whilst -others averred that only the Duke was coming, and that he had already -routed his foes. Any way, there was so much stir in the streets that -none paused to look at us; and soon we alighted at my uncle's inn, -whilst my aunt came forth to welcome the strangers, and listened in -smiling amaze as I whispered my story in her ear. - -"Nay, but thou hast brought him the best medicine of all, Dicon!" she -exclaimed at the close; and when she had taken the visitors to the -parlour, and had seen Mistress Mary without her riding-hood, her heart -was more than won, and nothing was good enough for her. She bustled -about to get the table set, whilst I went to my lord's room, and found -him lately wakened from a sweet sleep, and looking more like himself -than he had done since he was first laid low. - -I did not tell him that Mistress Mary had come; I only told him that -I had been to Taunton, and that I had seen and spoken with her. Even -that word brought a flush of colour to the wan cheek--the first I had -seen; and as he lay looking at me whilst I told of her, and tried to -remember some of her words, the door behind us opened softly, and a -light footstep crossed the floor. - -The next moment I saw such a light leap into my lord's face that I knew -in a moment who had come in. - -"Mary--my Mary!" he cried, and would have lifted himself but that she -came swiftly forward and laid her hand upon him to restrain him. - -"Reginald," she said softly, "you have gotten your wound for my sake. I -must needs come to help to heal it." - -"It is healed already at sight of thee, sweetheart!" he said; and then -I rose and stole forth from the chamber, for I felt that it was no -longer any place for me. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -_BACK AT BRIDGEWATER._ - - -"The Duke back in the town--here!" cried my lord, and he half rose from -his pillows in his excitement; whilst Miss Blake and Mistress Mary, who -were sitting together near to the pleasant oriel window, started up, -and Mistress Mary exclaimed,-- - -"Sure I thought that I heard the sound of a distant tumult but now. -Dicon, Dicon! art sure of it? What has brought him hither again? not -misfortune? Say it is not misfortune!" - -"Mistress, I know not the rights of it yet," I answered, breathless -with the haste with which I had rushed back with the news. "All I can -say is that he is here, and his army is fast following; that all the -town is gone out to meet him, and that the streets are full of people -all talking and welcoming him. There is no cloud on their faces. They -are as glad and as loving as when he entered last. I stayed to ask -nothing, but fled back with the news. I saw him riding bravely amidst -his officers, and I missed no familiar face. If some of his soldiers -have deserted him, I think his captains are stanch." - -"Back at Bridgewater!" repeated my lord, who had sunk again upon his -pillows, being indeed too feeble to sit up. "That is strange! Is it a -retreat, or but a piece of strategy? Dicon, go forth and ask more, and -come and tell us again. Where are the Wiltshire horse of which we have -heard? Ask that, good Dicon. And how about the march upon London? Has -that, too, been abandoned? Does the Duke think his work is done when -but a few ungarrisoned towns in the West stand for his cause?" - -"Dear love, be not dismayed," said Mistress Mary, rising and coming -towards him with that light in her eyes which I knew so well. "What -does it matter to God whether deliverance is wrought by many or by few? -He is the God of battles. He fights ever upon the rightful side. Why -need our hearts quake or feel fear? All will be well. The Lord will -arise, and His enemies will be scattered!" - -I saw a strange smile cross the Viscount's face as Mistress Mary spoke -these words in that full, sweet voice of hers that was like music in -his ears. He did not answer, but put out his uninjured hand, and she -came and laid hers upon it. Then they looked into each other's eyes, -and I think that all thoughts of the Duke or of coming warfare passed -out of the minds of both. I have lived to see something of the power of -love in human lives, but I think I never saw such beautiful and perfect -love as that which existed between my lord and fair Mistress Mary. From -the time, only a day and a half now, since she had first appeared -beside him, he had made a wonderful advance on the road to recovery; -and Miss Blake had, of her own accord, offered to stay for a few days -at the inn, that Mistress Mary might help to nurse her lover back -to health and strength. Just now the whole country was so disturbed -that the movements of private individuals were not like to attract -notice. Lord Lonsdale had gone to London, Mr. Blewer was away none knew -whither. There was nobody to note the absence of Mistress Mary from -her accustomed home; and if any asked for her, he would be content on -knowing that she was away with Miss Blake upon a visit. Her guardian, -the only person who could interfere, was at a safe distance, and there -was no schooling going on at such a time of excitement. Many parents -had removed their daughters in affright at the turn affairs were -taking, and at the prominent way in which Miss Blake and her pupils had -come forward on the occasion of the proclamation of the kingship of the -Duke. So it was easy for both to be absent just now; and it was the -best of medicines for my lord to see the sweet face of Mistress Mary -beside him, and to be ministered to by her gentle hands. I was never -afraid to leave him now, and just at this exciting time was glad of my -liberty. - -I rushed forthwith into the streets again, and soon found my way to the -soldiers' quarters, where they were being bountifully done to by the -loyal towns-folk. There was nothing of dismay or fear in their aspect, -and they told us of a gallant victory they had won at Philip's Norton -over the enemy. I never had a very clear idea of what that battle was -like, for some said one thing and some another; but it was plain our -army had discomfited that of the false King, and that after some sharp -fighting, and a good deal of cannonading which had made great noise but -done little hurt, the rival army had drawn off in retreat, leaving our -bold fellows masters of the field. - -Why they had not then marched forward instead of retreating backward is -a matter I have never fully understood. I think the men themselves did -not know. Some said that they had not enough horse to cross Salisbury -Plain, since Mr. Adlam had not brought his promised troop; and others, -that the Duke was still thinking of a retrograde move upon Bristol. -But however that may have been, the men were very bold of aspect and -full of martial ardour. They admitted that there had been a good many -desertions after the fight at Philip's Norton. Numbers of poor yokels, -who had never seen war before, and had been scared by the guns and -disheartened by the hardships of the wet marches and lack of food, -had deserted to their homes upon finding themselves so near. But the -stouter-hearted fellows who remained laughed at the poor spirit of -these comrades, and vowed themselves better off without them. Mistress -Mary, when she heard, looked at her lover with one of her radiant -glances, and said,-- - -"Is it not like that sifting of Gideon's little band? All who were -faint-hearted were to go to their own homes. In a holy cause we want -none but those whose hearts are set upon the noble end, and who know -not a thought of faltering and fear. Oh, I am glad there has been such -a sifting! I think that God will never work with unworthy instruments. -Dear love, how I would that thou couldst go forth with them again! -Yet I will not even repine at that, since thy hurt was gotten in a -righteous cause, and I have the sweet task of ministering to thee." - -Such sweet words and looks went far to reconcile my lord to the fret -and weariness of sickness. I think he scarce felt the pain of his -wounds when Mistress Mary was by; and if his nights were sometimes -restless and full of feverish visions of disquiet (for my lord always -felt that ill would come of this thing), by day his lady's presence -would chase these visions away, and give him that rest of body and mind -which his state so greatly needed. - -The next day, Saturday, completed the week which we had spent at -Bridgewater, and certainly a great change for the better had taken -place in my lord's condition. He was so much stronger that I sometimes -thought he would ask speech of some of his brothers in arms, now in the -town once more; but he never did. And it may be that this thing was the -saving of him in the days which quickly followed, for I do not think -his presence in the town was ever really known. Men had so much to -think of in those days that faces and names slipped out of their minds, -and there was such coming and going that none could rightly say who was -here and who was not. We had not thought to keep my lord's presence a -secret, yet I verily believe the thing remained hidden from knowledge. -He lay in a large chamber well out of the way of the noise of the inn, -and Mistress Mary took the charge of him, with Miss Blake to help -her, and in all the excitement and stir in the place that quiet upper -chamber and its occupant were well-nigh forgotten. - -Saturday was a day of rejoicing to the town. It was said that help was -at hand, though none knew exactly from whence it was coming. A report -that eight thousand troops from France had been landed to quell the -insurrection in the West was proved to be untrue. Messengers had been -sent out from the Duke in various directions, and the people believed -that great things would come of it. The march upon London was still -eagerly spoken of, and it was in all men's mouths that news was daily -looked for of a rising there; whilst lower whispers declared that there -was a plot on foot to stab the usurping King in Whitehall, and that -Colonel Danvers had declared he believed it would soon be done, the -people being so incensed against him, and that then the Duke would only -have to march boldly forward to find himself King of all the realm. - -The temper of the soldiers was so loyal and fervent that all the -Taunton men were permitted to go home to see their wives that day, -on the promise of returning on the morrow; and that promise they -faithfully fulfilled. And I trust that Taunton felt something ashamed -of its panic of a few days since when tidings reached it of the bravery -of the Duke's army, and the successes it had gained. - -My lord heard all this with great quietness, and it was Mistress Mary's -eyes that kindled and glowed and flashed as I came in and out with -news. Not that any plot for assassination found favour in her pure -eyes; but she said with grave severity of mien,-- - -"A man does but reap that which he sows. If ever monarch has sowed evil -and cruelty and injustice, it is he who now sits upon England's throne. -God is in heaven, judging right; and if He send him a quick retribution -in this life, it may be that he will find pardon in the world to come." - -Sunday dawned fair and clear, and we had no thoughts of what a day it -would be for us. I had heard that the Rev. Robert Ferguson, of whom -mention has been made, who was one of the Duke's chiefest advisers and -the chaplain to the army, was to preach to the soldiers upon the Castle -Green that morning; and I was very anxious to hear him, albeit I had -taken a great dislike to the man from some words dropped anent him by -my lord, who made no secret of his distrust of the fellow. He had been -hoping to preach at Taunton in St. Mary Magdalene's Church two Sundays -before, had it not been decided to move from that city upon that day. -He had even made a raid on Mr. Harte's house in Taunton, where he -seldom was to be found, since he lived at his Cathedral residence, and -left Mr. Axe in charge there, and had robbed him of a gown in which to -enter the pulpit. But the sermon had after all never been preached, and -now we were to hear it in Bridgewater. - -I remember little of the discourse save the text, which was received -with a murmur of approbation when it was spoken, though afterwards I -remember that I thought of it with a certain thrill of dismay,--"The -Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall -know; if it be IN REBELLION, or if in transgression against -the Lord (save us not this day)." - -Mistress Mary was with me, and listened to every word, and went back -to her lover with a new light in her eyes and colour on her cheek. I -fear I looked more at the people than at the preacher, and that his -eloquence was lost upon me. But men said that he had preached a fine -sermon; and when I heard Mistress Mary quote pieces of it to my lord, -I thought it sounded finer and better and purer than it had come from -his lips. I think my lord felt the same, for he presently said with a -smile,-- - -"I think that thou couldst convert me to anything, sweet Mary; but I -fear the reverend gentleman's remarks would have found but little echo -in mine heart. A man must be true to himself and his cause ere he can -look for others to trust him; and if treachery was ever written upon -any face, it is written on the face of that man." - -"But he will not betray the cause?" asked Mistress Mary, breathlessly. - -"May be not. He has more to hope from the Duke than from any other man -or any other cause. Self-interest may keep him stanch; but such a man -as that would sell himself anywhere to the highest bidder. I misdoubt -me now that he is not half a spy." - -Leaving Mistress Mary and my lord to talk these things over together, -I strolled into the sunny street, for to-day was bright and fine; and -hardly had I gone a few furlongs before I was met by a fellow whose -face and name were known to me--one Richard Godfrey, servant to a -gentleman of the neighbouring village of Chedzoy. He was hot with the -haste with which he had come, and on seeing me he cried out,-- - -"Hi, Dicon lad! dost know where the Duke of Monmouth--the King--is to -be seen?" - -At first I thought him jesting, and answered with a jest; but he -quickly made me understand that he really meant what he said. - -"My master has sent me," he said, "to tell the Duke that the King's -army has encamped not six miles away on the plain of Sedgemoor. We saw -them from the church tower this morn, and he sent me to spy out their -numbers, and to bring speedy news thereof to the Duke here. There be -several thousand lying there, close to the village of Weston Zoyland on -Penzoy Pound--thou knowest the place, Dicon. But they be drinking and -revelling, and have no thought, as it seems, of attack. Bring me to the -Duke, and let me tell him all. So is my master's will." - -After hearing this, I lost not a moment in conducting the messenger to -the Duke's quarters; and, as good fortune would have it, we met him -coming forth with several of his officers, all of whom were speaking -of a move that day, though whether upon London, or whether into -Gloucestershire, we humble folks did not know. - -Upon hearing Godfrey's message great excitement prevailed, and a rapid -move was made towards the church tower, from whence, by the aid of -spy-glasses, we could descry the position of the enemy, and see that -our messenger had brought us true tidings. - -Now instantly there came into the minds of the Duke's counsellors -the desire to make a sudden attack by night upon the careless and -unsuspecting foe. We could not see whether they had intrenched -themselves or no, but Godfrey said he would go again and bring us word, -and then guide us over the plain of Sedgemoor by night; for there were -various rhines--as we call the deep water-drains which intersect it--to -be crossed, and only those familiar with the district knew the places -where these were fordable. - -Meantime the waggons were loaded up, the soldiers were drawn up and -fed, and preparations made for a march out so soon as the evening -should be come. The soldiers returning from Taunton, whither they had -gone to see their wives or friends, found that they were to be led into -battle that very night, to cut to pieces (as we fondly hoped) the whole -army of the Earl of Feversham! - -The greatest joy and enthusiasm prevailed. The men who had seen the -King's troops draw off from Philip's Norton, and who had never met any -serious check, despite the fact that they had not been led to the walls -of Bristol, or been called upon for any very great achievement, felt -confident of winning a great victory over a sleeping and careless army. -When Godfrey returned with the news that the enemy was not intrenched, -that the greatest carelessness prevailed, that officers and men were -drinking themselves drunk, and that Lord Feversham was at Chedzoy -with one of his bodies of horse, the men huzzahed aloud, and tossed -their caps into the air. Visions of easy victory, a routed army, and -abundance of plunder rose up before their eyes, and they only clamoured -to be led against the foe as fast as they could travel. - -Godfrey was our leader. He advised the Duke not to take the direct -route to Weston Zoyland, because the Earl had placed bodies of horse -to guard that road; and we must also make a circuit to avoid Chedzoy, -where more dragoons had been posted. Our way lay along the Eastern -Causeway, as the lane is called, as far as Peasy Farm, and then bearing -round to the south, we should march straight down upon them, leaving -Chedzoy on our right. - -How shall I describe the brave show that our army made marching forth -in the bright sunshine of that July evening?--the horsemen with my -Lord Grey (the Duke would not divide the cavalry, as some wished him -to do, though, had my lord the Viscount been there, methinks he would -have put one half under his charge); then the foot-soldiers, the -Blue, the White, the Red, the Green, the Yellow regiments, as well as -the independent company from Lyme; and behind these the waggons of -artillery and the four field-pieces. Never had I seen a more gallant -sight; and I could no more keep away from following than a bee can -tear himself from a flower. Blackbird was as eager as I, and as much -excited; and I rode ahead beside Godfrey, and let him ease himself by -resting a hand on Blackbird's neck as we went. - -At first we did not hasten, for we wanted the darkness to fall before -we emerged from the shelter of the lanes upon the open moor. And as -we wended our way through the gathering dusk, we talked of the great -things that would follow this coming victory, and how, when once the -King's army had dispersed before us, we should march unimpeded to -London to set the crown upon the royal victor's head. - -The march of a great host is a more tedious matter than one would -believe who has not seen it, and darkness had fallen before we reached -the moor. This was what we wanted; but the darkness was bewildering -too, and the crossing of the two great rhines which lay in our path -became more difficult than had been supposed. Indeed Godfrey lost his -way altogether for a time, so that some have said he betrayed us and -the cause, and have spoken much ill of him. But I am well assured that -such was not so, for I was hard by him all that strange journey, and I -am very sure that he did his best to lead us by the right road. - -The troops, as you may guess, were thrown somewhat into disorder by -the passing of these fords; and now believing that the rival army lay -before us without intrenchment or defence of any kind, and being hot -and eager for the struggle, the men marched very fast, and so increased -the disorder in their ranks. - -After passing the second rhine, we were (according to Godfrey) not more -than a mile from the enemy; and here the Duke halted, and I heard that -the cavalry were ordered to advance, followed by the guns, and that the -foot were to get into rank and follow to support the horse so soon as -the first charge had been made. - -And how shall I describe that battle, fought in the darkness of a -summer night, about which so many stories are told that one's brain -reels with the effort of trying to understand and piece together all -that is spoken concerning it? Perhaps I had better content myself with -telling as far as I can remember what I myself saw and heard, though my -recollections are indistinct, and so mixed with the tales afterwards -heard that sometimes I scarce know what it was I saw in person, and -what it was that was afterwards told me. - -But at least I know that when the horse had started I followed behind -them on Blackbird, too eager to feel fear, and resolved, should a -splendid and victorious charge be made, to be the first to carry back -the news of it to the Duke, who remained with the infantry. - -Up till now we believed that our approach had been unknown to the -carelessly-guarded army; but we knew that it could not remain unknown -much longer. The horse were charging straight upon the camp, when -suddenly there came a halt, some angry and dismayed exclamations, and -the sudden accidental discharge of a pistol. Who fired the shot has -never been known; it was believed to have been an accident, caused by -the dismay which seized the horse on finding that a deep rhine--the Old -Bussex Rhine--of which Godfrey seemed to know nothing lay between them -and the camp on Penzoy Pound. - -Immediately confusion reigned, but the word was given to skirt along -and find a ford. In the darkness and disorder I knew little of what -passed; but the whole place was astir--sentries were calling, the -rattle of arms was heard, when suddenly I heard a shout which told me -that our men were across the rhine. Next moment the darkness was lit up -by a flash of fire, whilst the terrible roll of musketry rang through -the night air. These volleys were repeated again and again; yet it -seemed but a few minutes before I was almost carried off my feet by the -return of our horsemen, who came galloping back in confusion and dismay. - -"What has happened?" I cried breathlessly, as Blackbird was carried -along by the backward rush of the snorting horses, terrified at the -flash and smell and noise of fire-arms, so that their riders could not -control them even had they desired to lead them again against the foe. - -Then one said one thing and one another; but all agreed that we -were betrayed, that the cause was lost, that the enemy was securely -intrenched behind a deep fosse, and that those of the horse who had -crossed it would never come back alive. - -At that methinks some spirit not mine own possessed me, for I fell into -a kind of fury, and called out to those about me,-- - -"Men, if you be men and not cowards, follow me for the sake of -England's honour, and strike one blow for freedom and the Duke, if we -die for it!" - -Then pulling up Blackbird, and making him wheel round sorely against -his will, I seized an axe from the belt of one of the men near to -me, and galloped furiously back toward the camp, where the battle was -raging hotly. - -I know not how many came with me; some twenty or thirty, I think. I -trow I must surely have been mad at that moment; but I cared not what -befell me, so that I struck but one blow for the cause I loved. And -I think that the fury of my spirit entered into Blackbird, for he no -longer feared to face the flash of fire nor the rattle of the muskets, -and even the boom of the great field-pieces only made him gallop the -more willingly. I think it was his instinct that led us to the place -where the rhine could be crossed, or else he leaped clean over it. For -the next minute I and some score of followers were charging through the -enemy's camp, scattering right and left all who opposed us, and for the -moment spreading confusion in our train. - -"King Monmouth! King Monmouth!" I shouted at the top of my voice, as I -waved my axe about my head, feeling that I could slay the veriest giant -as though he had been a child; and indeed I did cut down more than one -adversary who aimed a blow at me as I swept past. - -"Down with all usurpers! Death to all traitors and Papists! King -Monmouth! King Monmouth for England!" - -Shouting these words, and charging through the camp like furies, I and -my few followers dashed on madly, whilst behind us we heard the tide -of battle raging, and knew not how the day would turn. Suddenly we -were brought to a halt by a shock the like of which I had never felt -before. We had flung ourselves in the darkness upon a compact mass of -horsemen, drawn up in Weston Zoyland by the Earl of Feversham himself -(as I heard later), and about to start forth to the relief of those in -front. - -"Down with the traitors! No quarter!" I heard shouted, as the awful -shock brought Blackbird to a standstill, flinging him back on his -haunches, and nearly knocking the breath out of my body. - -I remember setting my teeth and trying to pray; for I was assured that -my last hour had now come, and was surprised that I felt no fear, -being yet full of the overmastering fury which had first possessed me -when I saw the flight of Lord Grey's horse. But quicker than lightning -Blackbird had recovered himself; and wheeling round with that dexterous -agility of which he was such a master, he was off through the darkness -like a flash, whither I knew not. I heard a rattle behind me; there -was a whizzing and singing in my ears. The right arm, with which I was -still holding my axe, dropped numb to my side, although I felt no pain. -A sort of mist came round me. The sound of the battle reached my ears -like a continuous hum. I found myself thinking that I was in church, -and that the organ was playing; then I remember nothing more for what -seemed to me an immense time, and woke to find myself lying in a ditch -with Blackbird above me, and the clear light of a summer's morning -breaking slowly in the east. - -Where was I? what had happened? and what meant all that noise of crying -and shouting, groaning and shrieking, which assailed my ears? - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -_FATAL SEDGEMOOR._ - - -Was I alive or dead, sleeping or waking? Was all this tumult part of -a horrid dream? or was I in the midst of unknown and undreamed of -horrors? With a sense of strange suffocation I strove to rise, but was -unable to do so. I was lying in a dry ditch, and Blackbird was on the -top of me, not crushing me by his weight, but so placed that I could -not do more than lift my head and look about me. - -Day had broken, the long low shafts of light fell across the plain, and -I saw, as in a dream, the figures of men in hot pursuit one of another. -I saw men smitten down by their fellows, falling sometimes without a -groan, sometimes with shrieks of agony. I saw worse things than that -too; for even as I lay and watched, scarce knowing who I was nor where -I had got, nor what this fearful sight could mean, I saw fierce-faced -men with bloody swords striding amongst ghastly heaps of writhing -human forms, and dealing awful blows here and there with remorseless -fury, sometimes even laughing at the suppliant cries and groans of -the wounded wretches, but only driving home more fiercely their gory -blades, with a brutal oath or the exclamation, "There goes another -traitor!" - -As I watched with that awful fascination which a scene of horror -always inspires, shivering and shuddering lest my own turn should come -next, sense and memory returned to me. I remembered the events of the -previous night--the strange dark march to Sedgemoor, the attack in -the dead of night, the rout, the fierce irresponsible onset that I -had made, and the roar of battle which had been in my ears when I was -smitten down, I knew not when nor how. - -But now the battle was over. Now there was nothing but an awful carnage -that was not warfare but a shambles. And I lay and watched it, and -tried to pray to God to spare me, or to give me courage to die; and I -kept asking in my heart how the battle had gone, though I knew all too -well by the sights I saw. - -For they were not our men who were marching to and fro upon the bloody -field, slaying without pity all whom they could find. They wore the -dress of the regular army; they had the mien and air of practised -soldiers. They challenged one another in the name of the King, and they -shouted, "Down with all rebels! down with Scott's vagabonds!" as they -sent poor half-armed, wounded rustics to their last account. - -I verily believed that Blackbird saved my life that day; I will say -how anon. As I lay in the ditch, wondering whether he too were dead, -and whether I should ever be able to rise and stand on my feet again, -or whether I should be despatched by the sword-thrust of one of these -bloody men, a groan close at hand told me that I was not alone, and I -spoke low, asking who was there. - -"A wounded soldier," was the answer. "I thought that all were dead here -in this ditch save me. Art thou from Monmouth's following?" - -"I came to see the battle. I am no soldier, but only a lad untrained -to arms. Who art thou? And how came the battle to be lost? Surely we -outnumbered the foe; and we took them unawares in the darkness." - -"It was those accursed horsemen," groaned my unseen companion, who lay -behind me in the ditch. "We always said that my Lord Grey would ruin -any cause. Had the horse but stood their ground even without striking -a blow, we would have won the battle without them. Curse upon those -cowards who taught them to flee! A plague upon Lord Grey and his -poltroons!" - -"What did he do? what did he do?" I asked, in great excitement and -indignation. - -"Do? why, fled like a coward after the first charge; and though we of -the infantry came up rank after rank and fired for hours, and would -have stood firm and won the battle for the Duke yet if we had had -ammunition, those cursed horsemen charged back into the rear and cried -that all was lost; so the waggons made off, and the rear ranks took -fright, and all fled helter-skelter as they could. As for us, we stood -firm, and fired all our ammunition; and when all was done, and no -waggons came up, and we kept calling, 'Ammunition, ammunition! for the -Lord's sake ammunition!' and none was brought us, we had to lay aside -our muskets and take our pikes. And when at last the enemy's horse -formed and charged, we were broken to pieces, and fled; and they came -and cut us down like sheep. A curse upon those horsemen who lost us the -battle!" - -The poor fellow did not speak all this in one breath as I have written -it down, but in gasps and disjointed fragments; and I found he had -heard a part from other fugitives, who had fled with him, but had -become confused, as he was himself in the darkness, and had lost -themselves upon the moor, wounded and faint, and had been struck down -by the weapons of the pursuing soldiers. - -"Where is the Duke?" I asked; and the answer came with another groan,-- - -"Fled--fled with my Lord Grey, long before we had ceased firing, and -when we would have won him the battle yet if the horse had returned -and the waggons come up. Ah me! ah me! it is not hard to die in a good -cause; but it is hard to be deserted by those who should be our leaders -and commanders when the battle is still being fought." - -It was very terrible to lie there and hear all this, and picture that -gallant stand of the untrained foot on the edge of the rhine; and to -know that whilst they were firing, firing, firing, and throwing death -and confusion into the enemy's ranks, they had been deserted by the -Duke, and left to their fate by the cavalry and the rest of the army. -I could well understand that it might not be all the fault of my -Lord Grey, that the untrained horses might soon become unmanageable -in the darkness and the tumult, and that a rout was due more to that -than to the cowardice of their riders; but still they need not have -communicated panic to the rear of the army. They should have encouraged -and not discouraged the fellows behind. But what boots it to muse or to -speak thus? The battle was lost; the Duke was fled; and now what lay -before those who had embraced his cause? - -I was soon to see something of that all too near. Steps were heard -approaching, and a brutal laugh sounded so close above my head that I -shut my eyes and set my teeth, believing verily that my last hour had -come. - -"Here is another of them," cried a voice. "A militiaman too--a deserter -to the rebels! Let us take him to the Earl to be hanged, as an example -to all loyal folks." - -"Get up, you hound!" cried another voice; and I heard the sound of a -blow or kick, followed by a groan from the voice of the man who had -talked to me. - -"I cannot," he said faintly; "I am sore wounded. Have mercy, sirs." - -"Mercy for a rebel cur! You and your fellows will soon see what the -mercy of the gracious King is like. Get up, you hound!" - -Another blow, another groan, and then the first voice said,-- - -"Never mind him; he's not worth the trouble. Kill him, and come away." - -The next moment a sickening sound reached my ears, as a sword was -buried in the unhappy man's body, and he expired with a gurgling groan. - -A cold sweat broke out over me. My head fell back, and my eyes closed. -I felt the horse above move slightly, and his head seemed to come down -upon mine. For a moment I thought I should be suffocated, and almost -cried aloud; but fear held me mute, and almost at once the steps passed -on. Then I felt another movement of Blackbird's, and presently his -whole body moved, there was a struggle and a quiver, and he rose and -stood upon his feet, looking down at me, and touching my face with his -velvet nose, caressing me in his silent fashion, as though he would ask -how I fared. - -I had thought him dead all this while. But he was only exhausted, and I -verily believe some instinct of self-preservation and the preservation -of his master had kept him perfectly still and quiet all this while; -for it was not till the field at this part was deserted of soldiers -that he rose to his feet. And when I struggled upon mine I was alone -with the dead, and nothing but the reddened earth and heaps of slain to -say how the conflict had sped. - -I felt all my limbs, but found none of them broken. I had a wound on -both sides of my arm, where a ball had passed through it; and the -effusion of blood must have made me faint, and then have stopped. I -bound the wound with a kerchief and slipped it under my sleeve, that -I might not look like a wounded man. I washed my face and hands in -a ditch, and rearranged my disordered habiliments. My plain leather -doublet and gaiters did not tell tales, and Blackbird's glossy coat -was soon restored to order by a little careful grooming. I had lost my -cap; but there were many lying about the field, and I found a plain one -suited to my appearance, and put it on, with a shudder as I thought -that its owner was probably lying cold in the sleep of death. - -Having done all this, I mounted Blackbird, and began to pick my way -across the plain in the direction that I saw by the sun must lead me -back to Bridgewater. I knew that I was liable to be caught and slain at -any moment if I met a party of soldiers who suspected me; but I was too -dazed with horrors to feel anything but a sort of numb desire to save -myself if possible. If I did perish, I did perish. There was certainly -nothing else to be done than to try to get back home. - -As I picked my way across the plain, Blackbird snorting and turning -aside again and again from heaps of corpses, I suddenly became aware -of a strange sight. Across the plain in front of me there came at -lightning speed a wild young horse galloping madly. A rope was round -his neck, and the other end of the rope was tied round the neck of a -fine-looking young man, who was stripped of almost all his clothing. -And fast as the horse ran, the man kept pace with him step for step; -till just as they reached one of the great rhines of which I have -spoken, the horse tripped, and fell exhausted, and the man upon him. - -Behind came a number of horsemen, galloping as hard as they could, with -much shouting and laughing. Curiosity got the better of prudence, and -I rode up and asked what was going on. - -"Marry, it is the Earl's sport," cried the fellow I had addressed. "Yon -man was to purchase his life by running with the horse. It was told my -lord that he could run with any steed, and he was promised his life if -he proved it true. Verily it was a brave run. The horse fell before the -man. He has earned his ransom well. Why are they bringing him back?" - -For the runner had been taken by two troopers, and, panting and -exhausted, was being led back in the direction in which all were now -moving. - -"Where take they him now?" I asked, looking with curiosity and awe into -the face of a gallant-looking soldier, whose arms and accoutrements and -mien pronounced him to be a leader and general. - -"To the camp at Weston, I suppose," answered my informant. "We are -about to hang a batch of rebels. Thou hadst better come and see the -fun, boy. There will be rare times for the country now! First they -will have military vengeance from my lord the Earl of Feversham, him -yonder with the stern brow and eagle eyes, and from Colonel Kirke and -his Lambs, of whom doubtless thou hast heard; and when these have done -their part, the Lord Chief-Justice Jeffreys will come down and do his -office. And a rare time you good rebel folks will have when he comes. -Ho! ho! ho!" - -The laugh which followed made my blood run cold; but I dared not refuse -to follow the band, lest I should draw suspicion upon myself. It did -not appear that anybody so far had troubled to waste a thought upon me. -My youth and my hunched back preserved me from suspicion. - -The camp at Weston Zoyland presented a strange and animated appearance. -Already the news of the defeat and flight of the Duke had reached far -and wide, and farmers and gentlemen anxious to propitiate the victors -had come crowding out with hogsheads of beer and wine and provisions -of all sorts for the soldiers, together with loyal expressions of -good-will, and every appearance of delight at the termination of the -ill-starred rebellion. Mirth, revelry, and cruelty were reigning -rampant; and there were nigh upon a score of trembling prisoners only -waiting the word of the Earl to be hanged upon the great oak tree, -still known as the Bussex Oak, and called by the peasants "Hangman's -Oak." - -"String him up with the rest!" cried Lord Feversham, pointing to -the man who had won his race, and whose life had been promised to -him as the reward; and in spite of his pleading and remonstrance he -was dragged off to the tree with the rest. A great fellow with a -horrid-looking knife came forward from the group of soldiers, and I -knew that his office was to dismember the miserable wretches, probably -before they were quite dead, that their heads and quarters might be -nailed up in high places, a terror and a warning to others. - -But I could not stay to see it done. A sickening horror possessed me. I -turned Blackbird's head, and dug my heels into his sides; and unnoticed -in the crowd and in the midst of so much revelry and excitement, I -galloped off along the near road into Bridgewater, which I reached -faint and exhausted some time not long after noon on Tuesday morning. - -What a changed place it was from the one I had quitted on the Sunday -evening! Then all had been hope and brightness and enthusiasm; now a -look of blank terror was seen stamped upon all faces. The people went -about as if afraid each man to look at his neighbour; and in many -houses the shutters were shut and the windows all shrouded, because the -families had fled from the expected vengeance, and were striving to put -the sea between themselves and their remorseless enemies. - -In the market-place there were still drawn up some bodies of troops, -which had fled there with the horsemen on hearing that the Duke had -taken flight and deserted his army. Colonel Hucker was there with -his troop, and I sometimes think that even then if the Duke had but -remained, something might yet have been done to retrieve the fortunes -of the day. - -It has been reported of Colonel Hucker that he betrayed the cause of -the Duke on Sedgemoor, first by firing the pistol which gave the alarm -to the foe, and then by flying with his men before defeat had become a -fact; but those who thus speak do him an injustice, for he never sought -to save himself. It is true that had Taunton been fortified he would -have been made governor, and he was anxious that this should be done; -but his disappointment on that score never made him disloyal to the -cause, as was proved by the fact that he sealed it with his blood, -when he had ample opportunity to make good his escape had he been so -minded. - -The news which I brought of the hangings and massacres on Sedgemoor -added to the terror and despair of the people. The bands of soldiers -melted away, the poor wretches fearing for their lives, as well they -might; and Bridgewater was left defenceless to the fury of the avenger. - -All that day, men were at work all along the road betwixt Weston and -the city, erecting a row of ghastly gibbets; and before two days had -passed, every one of these gibbets bore a horrid burden of human -forms--some hung in chains, to remain there for months and years, the -last being not removed until the landing of William of Orange. - -I think that when I brought the evil tidings to Mistress Mary and my -lord, I gave her a blow from which she found it hard to recover. I well -remember the white face and wild eyes she turned towards me, and the -way in which she wrung her slim white hands together, looking first at -me and then at my lord, as she cried out,-- - -"I brought him into this--and the cause is lost! God has not been on -our side. And perhaps he will even have to die for it. And the fault is -mine! the fault is mine!" - -Then she put her hands before her face, and we saw the tears forcing -themselves through her fingers; and my lord rose up on his elbow and -said,-- - -"Mary, sweetheart, come hither to me!" - -She came weeping, and kneeling down beside his bed she prayed,-- - -"Reginald, canst thou forgive me?" - -"Nay, I have nothing to forgive, sweetheart. And, dearest, if the -cause be good, it is none the less so for being unfortunate. If I have -taken up arms for liberty and right, and God sees not fit to crown -those efforts of ours with victory, it is not that the cause is not -rightful, nor that He will desert the right, but that His time is not -yet, or that He has other means in store by which to work. Be not -faint-hearted, be not cast down. All this has drawn us but close and -closer to one another. I would not have it otherwise; and thou dost -know well, sweetheart, that I was never very sure of present victory. I -did not enter the cause with blinded eyes; and if I have to lay down my -life, as many will, I shall die happy in knowing that thy love has been -mine, and that thou wilt be loving me and praying for me to the last." - -"Ah, Reginald, talk not so! I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it! Thou -shalt not die--thou must not die! it will break my heart!" - -"Mistress Mary," I cried suddenly, "methinks indeed that my lord -shall not die. Let him but rest here in secret, none knowing where he -is, till he be able to take horse again, and I will convey him to a -safe asylum, where he may lie hid until the hue and cry be past." And -then I told them of the secret chamber in my aunt's house, and how -she had promised to hide my lord there if ever he should need a safe -hiding-place from his foes. - -Mistress Mary's face lightened and brightened as she listened, and my -lord smiled too, and gave me a look which reminded me of the charge he -had given me to care for Mistress Mary likewise should peril threaten -her. - -None knew in the days that must follow who would escape and who would -suffer. I might be in no small peril myself, for I had been with the -Duke's army again and again; and though I think that none knew how I -had borne arms in that last battle and had charged so madly into the -enemy's ranks, yet I knew not that I might not be accused of other -crimes, and have to suffer for my love and loyalty in the cause of the -Duke. My youth and hunched back had many times saved me from suspicion, -but it might well cause me to be known and noticed where others would -escape. As I thought of these things I trembled for myself; but in -times of common danger it is strange how quickly one forgets the -pressure of fear and personal peril. One grows used to it and ceases to -think of it; and indeed we had too much to think of in the days which -followed, too much of present horror to see, to have thought to spare -for possible horrors to come. - -"Colonel Kirke is coming! Colonel Kirke is coming! He and his Lambs are -on their way!" cried the terrified towns-people on that well-remembered -Tuesday afternoon, and they all fled to their houses, as though -afraid to look upon the face of the conqueror, although they could -not but crowd to the windows to see him and his soldiers bringing in -waggon-loads of prisoners and miserable wounded wretches, who were to -be hanged and quartered at leisure. - -And I must not here omit to mention the noble and godly labours of our -good Bishop Ken, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who came amongst us at -this time, and himself went amongst the prisoners, the sick, and the -wounded, striving to prepare them for their fate, and doing all that -man can do both to ease their condition in their prisons, and to win -from the stern military tyrant grace and pardon for numbers who would -otherwise have perished. Nor were his labours in vain, for he gained -pardon and freedom for many; and many others were brought to peace and -repentance before they met their end, so that they were able to lay -down their lives cheerfully and with a good courage. - -But to return to my story and Mistress Mary, of whom I must now write. -I stood with her at an upper window of the inn to see the soldiers -enter, and as evil fate would have it, there amongst them, riding not -far behind Colonel Kirke, was the Rev. Nicholas Blewer; and it so -chanced that his evil eyes, roving restlessly about as they were wont -to do, glanced upward in passing at our window, and fixed themselves -upon the face of Mistress Mary. - -She did not see him, and resisted when I would have pulled her back, so -that he saw her plainly; and I saw an evil light flash into his eyes, -and knew that some plan had instantly formed itself in his cunning -brain against my sweet mistress. - -Making a hurried excuse to leave the room, I went straight to my lord -and Miss Blake, who were together in his sick-chamber, the elder lady -having altogether refused to see the sight of the enemy's entrance into -the town. To them I told what I had seen, and at once both declared -that Mary must at once leave Bridgewater and return to her home in -Taunton. - -Amidst her own towns-people, where the name of her guardian, Lord -Lonsdale, was known and respected, she would be as safe as any person -could be at such a time; but here in Bridgewater, with an army fresh -from plunder and slaughter close at hand, in a public-house where -entrance could be denied to none, and where nobody knew or had any -care for her, she was not safe for a day. She must therefore depart -instantly, before Mr. Blewer would believe it possible to accomplish -the flight, and never rest till she was safe beneath the roof of Miss -Blake's house, which the citizens of Taunton would not permit to be -invaded without due and sufficient reason. Mr. Blewer had no friends in -that city. He would not be able to effect there (where he was known and -distrusted) what he might be able to in this place. - -"And, Dicon," said my lord, when Miss Blake had gone to make instant -preparation for departure, "come not back to Bridgewater; but remain at -Taunton, watching over Mistress Mary--" - -"But, my lord, you need my care and tendance." - -"I can do without it if needs be, good Dicon. I have been thinking -I would rather thou wert otherwise occupied than with me since the -defeat on Sedgemoor has put my head in peril." Then as I was about to -protest, he silenced me with one of those movements of his hand which -I knew so well, and continued, speaking quietly: "Go to Taunton, and -remain there. I am for the present safe; and more than that none can -say for himself. I can pay for the tendance thou hast hitherto given -me. And thou must be beside Mistress Mary, to see if any peril threaten -her, and convey her away if it do to that cottage where her friend -and companion will hide her till the storm be past. Wert thou here I -should fret myself into a fever thinking her being carried off by yon -miscreant; but if thou art close at hand and on the watch, I shall feel -that she has a protector." - -I could say no more. Indeed I so loved both my lord and Mistress Mary -that I knew not which stood first in my heart, albeit it was to the -service of my lord that I was pledged. But if he dismissed me on any -mission, it was but for me to obey; and forthwith I went down to the -stables to prepare the horses, and before half an hour had passed we -were riding forth together, Miss Blake and Mistress Mary wearing their -riding-hoods drawn deeply over their faces, and I riding just behind -them, as though I were their servant--as indeed I was. - -All the town had gathered to see the entry of the soldiers--all the -people, that is, who dared to leave their houses; people of the poorer -sort, to whom a show was a show, be the cause never so evil. - -The streets were almost deserted as we rode through them, and Mistress -Mary's head was bent low. She was weeping to herself, as I well knew, -thinking, doubtless, of her joyful entry into the town a few days -before, full of hope for the cause, and happy in thinking of seeing my -lord again, even though he lay sorely wounded. - -Now she had bidden him adieu. She was parted from him, and in such a -time as this none dared to say when and how they would meet again. He -was in sore peril, and she in something of danger herself, though I -know not if she guessed it. He might well be arraigned for treason, -being found in arms against his sovereign. She was the object of -vengeful love of a bad man, who would seek to win her by foul means, -and having possession of her and her fortune, proceed to break her -heart by his cruelty. In sooth, I scarce knew whose peril was the -greater; and right glad was I to reach the shelter of Taunton Town -with my fair charge, having seen and heard nothing of pursuit, and -having plainly given the slip to the cunning Nicholas left behind in -Bridgewater. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -_TERRIBLE DAYS._ - - -How is it possible for me to make any understand the unspeakable -horror of the days that followed? Were I even gifted like the great -Shakespeare himself, methinks I should scarce succeed in drawing a -picture of those days and nights of fear, which were prolonged till men -became almost dead to a sense of the peril in which they stood, until -some fresh panic and new report set all hearts quivering with fresh -affright. - -Soldiers were scouring the country. Miserable fugitives from the army -taken in barns and ditches and cabins were either hung up then and -there by the soldiers, or brought before the officers to be judged and -condemned by them. And these fared even worse than those butchered by -the troopers, for they received the horrible sentence of traitors, and -had their hearts torn out before their faces or ever the breath had -quite left them, and their members and heads dispersed throughout the -country to be exposed to public view. - -How well do I remember seeing the first consignment of these ghastly -trophies passing along the road, and the inn-keepers and such like -being forced to nail them up before their doors as a warning and terror -to the village. Sometimes the air was rendered foul and pestilential -for miles by the hanging corpses and horrid trophies. Women kept within -their doors for weeks together, being so filled with horror at the -sight; and the whole country was filled with stories of marvellous -hairbreadth escapes, or of captures of innocent persons, who were -treated with the same cruelty as those who had been in arms--the -soldiers scarce taking the trouble to listen to their protests, and -brutally telling them that since so many deserving death had escaped, -they must needs die in their stead. - -What fearful days to fall upon England, who had called herself a free -country, and whose people had always believed that the innocent were -protected from violence by the strong arm of the law! Alas! we were -soon to find that the most fearful things of all were enacted by those -who came in the name of Justice and Law. - -I forget exactly what day it was that news reached us that the Duke -had been captured, and was now on his way to London, where, as all men -said, nothing could save him from the wrath of the King. Some said that -had he not proclaimed himself King he might have had a chance for his -life, but that having done this he had nothing to hope, and would end -his life upon the scaffold. - -Yet there were numbers of people who declared that he had got off -safe to Holland in disguise, and that he who was on his way to London -was not the Duke himself, but some follower whose outward aspect was -very like, and who had changed clothes with the Duke and allowed -himself to be taken, that his lord might safely escape and live in -retirement for a while, and then appear again in his kingdom and fight -more successfully for his crown. This belief was held by hundreds and -thousands of people in our western counties for years and years, and -I remember how long it was before the expectation of again seeing the -Duke died out. Some maintained to the end of their lives that he still -lived, and that he would have come again to save England had not the -tyrant monarch been forced to fly, whilst the just William of Orange -ruled (with and in right of his wife) in his stead. - -But we in Taunton had other things more near and personal to think of -than whether or not it was the Duke who was taken. The bloody victors -were at our very gates, and none in the town knew who would escape when -once inquisition for blood was about to be made. Was it not in Taunton -that the Duke had been proclaimed King? Was it not in Taunton that -he had received such royal honours, and such help in money and men? -Were not many of his leading officers Taunton men? And if such signal -vengeance had been taken already on the innocent rabble, who had acted -ignorantly, how should the citizens of Taunton hope to escape? - -Well do I remember that Thursday morning when we heard the people in -the streets shouting out,-- - -"Colonel Kirke is coming! Colonel Kirke is coming! God have mercy upon -us! Kirke and his Lambs are on their way!" - -I rushed out into the streets to hear the news, and even as I did so -I met a horseman riding into the yard of the inn, as though he came -from the army. But I stayed not to ask news of him, for the people were -crying out that twenty men were to be hanged in the city that day, and -that Master John Mason was of that number. - -All the town was in a terror and tumult, for Master John Mason was -a man of most excellent repute, and though he had taken arms in the -Duke's cause, he had only fought at Sedgemoor; and that he of all men -should be a victim was a thing not to be borne. - -At our inn, so near to the open Cornhill, all was hurry and confusion; -for Colonel Kirke and his officers were to lodge there, and a banquet -was to be prepared for them at the very hour at which the victims -were to be slain. The town stood aghast at the horror of the thing, -and awful stories were whispered of Kirke during his governorship of -Tangiers. Some believed that he had caused miserable Jews to be burned -alive there; but others said that he had not burned them himself, but -had sent them to the Inquisition in Spain to be burned there--which -seemed not much better. His soldiers were called Lambs, but whether in -derision because of their fierceness, or (as some said) because when in -Tangiers their banner bore the sign of a lamb, I cannot tell. But at -least at the thought of their coming all men's hearts shook with fear, -whilst the ladies of the town resolved that they would so petition for -the life of Master Mason that even Colonel Kirke would not have the -heart to slay him. - -There was one, Mistress Elizabeth Rowe, a beautiful and godly matron, -blending the graces of youth with the dignity and softness of maturity, -and well known to every resident in Taunton. There was also a legend -in that city, that a "white woman or woman in white" could always -obtain pardon for a condemned criminal; and good Mistress Elizabeth -declared that she would be that woman, and that she would intercede for -the life of Master Mason. On hearing that there was great joy, for it -seemed to all as though not even the bloody Colonel Kirke could resist -so much goodness and beauty; and as we toiled at our preparations for -the ghastly feast, we spoke in whispers of the appeal to be made, and -wondered whether it would succeed. - -What a terrible day that was! The memory of it is yet as clear before -my mind as when it was but a week old. - -It was afternoon when we heard the sound of martial music, fifes and -drums, and the marching of many feet. All Taunton rushed to window and -balcony to look out, and beheld the dark-faced Colonel riding along at -the head of his troops. What a difference from the last triumphal entry -into Taunton, when all the town was decked with boughs and garlands, -and every face beamed with joy! Now almost all faces were grey with -fear and grief. Hardly a citizen but trembled for his liberty or -life, or for that of some near and dear one. The few voices raised in -acclamation as the Colonel rode through the streets sounded hollow and -faint. The drums and fifes and martial strains of their own men kept -the silence from being too ominous. - -At the Three Cups all was hurry and confusion. A great banquet was -being prepared in the long upper chamber with the balcony which looked -up the Fore Street and towards the Cornhill. But we scarce dared look -out of the window ourselves, for just outside, a little to the right, -where the space was wide and free, soldiers were hastily setting up a -scaffold and gibbet. Close beside this gibbet had halted a cart filled -with groaning and wounded prisoners, amongst whom was good Master -Mason; and a whisper had already run through the crowd that they were -to be hanged and dismembered that very day as an accompaniment to the -Colonel's banquet. - -I am proud to say that no Somersetshire man could be found to do the -hideous work of executioner here. The Colonel had had to send for the -executioner from Exeter to do his horrid work. This functionary, whose -gigantic frame and scowling face were enough to inspire terror in the -hearts of all beholders, was already preparing for his bloody task. -He had a great axe and two or three sharp long butcher's knives laid -out before him, and he was calling to the people to bring faggots and -billets for the making of a great fire. - -We knew not for what the fire was intended, but we were to know all too -soon. - -Sounds of revelry and mirth soon arose from the upper chamber where the -Colonel and his officers were feasting. Little recked those fierce men -of the horror and terror and agony that reigned in Taunton. They had -come to punish rebellion, and to strike terror into the hearts of all -who had been concerned in this thing; and Taunton above all places had -been most deeply implicated. - -How shall I speak of the horrors of that day? When the carouse was -at its height, the Colonel, inflamed with wine, appeared upon the -balcony, and his half-drunk officers with him, and gave the signal to -the executioner to commence his task. Already a row of twenty gibbets -had been erected, and the twenty white and wounded prisoners upon the -carts had been set in order beside them. Master John Mason, whom all -Taunton knew and loved, was kneeling devoutly, praying for himself and -his fellow-sufferers, and heeding nothing of what was passing. Some of -those near to him followed his words with tears and ejaculations, and -most of these were calm and resigned; though some, seeing their dear -ones weeping in the crowd, could not keep back their own tears, though -all striving to face death bravely. - -Then before our eyes in that upper balcony appeared a white-robed -figure, and those of us--there were not many--who were in the secret of -the petition held our breath to listen, whilst good Mistress Elizabeth -upon her knees pleaded for the life of the righteous citizen. Now I was -very near to the balcony, being, in fact, just under it, and the parley -lasted so long that I feared respite, even if granted, would come too -late; for the halters were about the necks of all the prisoners, and -the cart was about to be pushed away from under their feet. - -Suddenly I heard a harsh voice above me saying, "It is granted, madam;" -and then in another tone the same voice said, "Go you, Bushe, and see -to it. Tell the executioner to cut the fellow down." - -The next moment one of the younger officers came swaggering half drunk -from the inn door, and went up to the executioner and spoke to him. -There was a brief parley, and he cut one of the halters through. A man -leaped from the cart and dashed away in the crowd, and immediately the -rest were swung into the air, and remained hanging betwixt heaven and -earth. - -"Give them music to their dancing!" cried the voice of the Colonel, as -the legs of the dying men twitched and moved in their last agony; and -the drums and pipes struck up a jubilant strain, which was continued -all through the final scenes of that horrid spectacle. - -Why did I wait and watch? In truth, I was paralyzed by the awful horror -of it. One by one the dead or half-dead wretches were cut down, the -fierce executioner cleft the senseless trunks asunder by a blow of his -axe, and seizing the heart of the victim, tore it from his body and -flung it into the fire, exclaiming as he did so, "There goes the heart -of a traitor;" and at each repetition of the words the martial music -struck up again, as though some jubilant and joyful thing were being -done. - -Yet after all good Master Mason perished with the rest. The Lieutenant -Bushe sent by his Colonel to save the prisoner had not the least idea -of which one the lady had spoken, and on reaching the gallows had said -to the executioner, "Cut down that fellow." "Which fellow?" had been -the question, since twenty were there, and Bushe had no idea which -it was. Master Mason, absorbed in his prayers, took no heed of what -had been passing in the balcony; but another man had seen the whole, -and when the executioner and lieutenant paused in doubt what to do, -he looked up and said that he was the man for whom the lady in white -had pleaded. So the executioner cut the rope, and he sprang away and -vanished in the crowd, as we saw; and in the confusion it was not known -till afterwards that good Master Mason had perished, although his life -had been granted to him at the instance of Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe. - -Such things are too often done in the bloody days of war. - -Twenty victims (save one) perished that day, and thirty upon the day -following, each time the Colonel holding a great feast, and turning -off on the second occasion ten victims with each of his three great -toasts--one for the King, one for the Queen, and one for "the great -Lord Chief-Justice Jeffreys, who is shortly coming to finish the work -that I have just begun." - -As those words were heard, a shudder and a shiver passed through -all who heard them, and a groan went up that was not altogether a -groan of compassion for the last of the batch of victims who were -being butchered in cold blood almost in sight of the revellers. We -all knew what terrible days would follow the appearance of the Lord -Chief-Justice amongst us. We had heard enough of his ferocity and -brutality before now; what would it be like when we were forced to -drink to the dregs the cup of his wrath? - -Acts of singular ferocity and brutality were daily perpetrated under -our very eyes. One man was hanged whilst in a dying state, unable to -move hand or foot, scarce living when he was swung into space. Another -was hanged three times, and three times cut down to ask if he repented -of his crime; but he boldly answered that were he to have his life -given him to live again, he would do just the same. He was at last -hanged in chains, and left upon the gallows, like several more, till -the coming of William of Orange. - -But amongst all these tales of brutality and horror, I must not omit to -mention one incident which reflects credit if not honour upon the cruel -and bloodthirsty Colonel Kirke; and this thing I was witness of with -mine own eyes, so I can testify the truth of it right well. - -In spite of all the horrors of that time, business went on at mine -uncle's house as before; and it so chanced that whilst the Colonel was -in the town, and his soldiers more or less ravaging the whole country -side, an order arrived from Bishop's Hull (the home of Mistress Mary -Bridges) to send thither a hogshead of beer without loss of time. - -Now with the Colonel and his officers quartered in our house, we were -not a little pressed in those days; and my uncle not knowing how to -get this hogshead sent, I asked if I might not take the cart and -drive it over. I had two reasons for this. One was that I desired if -possible to get speech with young Mistress Mary about Mistress Mary -Mead; another was that I sometimes felt as though I should go mad with -the fear and horror of the sights of Taunton Town. For day by day and -all day long the black-browed executioner, and an assistant whom the -townsmen called "Tom Boilman," were engaged in boiling in pitch the -quarters of the victims of the rebellion; and the whole place reeked of -the awful brew, and turned me sick with horror every time I passed that -way. I felt I must get out into the green fields, if only for a few -hours. I had been too busy to be spared all this while; but this errand -was in my uncle's service, and I went gladly. - -It was not a long journey to Bishop's Hull; but the cart travelled at a -slow pace, and I did not hurry the horse. It was a relief to leave the -streets of the city and the careworn faces of the inhabitants behind, -and to see the smiling meadows and innocent, careless life of bird and -beast, unshadowed by the horrors that had fallen upon the land. - -But one could not forget even here that a reign of terror ruled. Bands -of soldiers still scoured the country, seeking after fugitives; and in -almost every principal house in the country round men were quartered, -to keep watch both upon the inhabitants and upon any flying to them for -succour. - -I knew that there had been soldiers living at free quarters at Bishop's -Hull, and doubtless it was for these that the ale was needed. I drove -my cart into the great yard of the house, and delivered its contents -to the servants there. But being anxious to obtain speech of Mistress -Mary, I did not immediately go away, but tied up the horse to a ring, -and entered into talk with the men of the place. - -Sir Ralph was away, I heard. He had been summoned to meet the Duke of -Albemarle, it was thought, or Lord Churchill, and before he left he had -arranged for the removal of the soldiers who had lived for some time in -his house. But to-day some of these had come back and demanded their -old quarters, and some perplexity reigned in the place as to what was -to be done with them. There was confusion in the house, and one of the -servants to whom I spoke, asking news of Mistress Mary, answered,-- - -"Methinks she is somewhere in the great hall. Go in, lad, and fear not. -There be too many coming and going to-day for thy appearance to be -noted. Go seek her for thyself; I have no time to go with thee." - -And in truth every servant about the place seemed flying hither and -thither. I followed the command given me, and made my way towards the -hall of the house, coming upon a scene as strange as any it has been my -lot to witness. - -Seated in a high-backed chair beside the great empty hearth, that was -in this summer season decked with green boughs and great spikes of -foxglove--Mistress Mary's hand in every inch of it--was the stately -lady of the house, surrounded by some frightened-looking maidens, who -were gathered together behind her chair, and seemed to be shrinking in -terror from something or somebody. As I advanced a few steps further -into the hall, I saw that it was half filled by swaggering and tipsy -soldiers, who appeared to be clamouring for something which the lady of -the house was not willing to grant, and whose scowling and angry looks -were the cause of the fright in the faces of the maids. - -A few paces away from her mother, standing at the other side of the -hearth, her slight, strong figure drawn to its full height, her face -in a quiver of anger and scorn, was little Mistress Mary, such a -light in her eyes as I had never seen there before, her hands locked -together, and her whole figure instinct with suppressed passion. What -had passed before I know not. I think the men had been demanding free -quarters again, and that the lady had been telling them that they had -been withdrawn by their officer, and that they had no right to come -again in such a fashion, or to take that tone with her in absence of -her husband, the master of the house and a loyal servant to the King. -However that may have been, I can answer at least for what happened -next; for as I appeared upon the scene, one great tipsy fellow, who -seemed to be the foremost of the band, came lurching forward, and -offered so great and gross an insult to the stately lady sitting there, -that my pen refuses to put it on paper. But mark what followed. Almost -ere the words had passed the fellow's lips, with a bound like that of -a young tiger Mistress Mary had sprung forward; and ere any man of us -knew or guessed what she was about to do, she had seized the fellow's -sword from its sheath, and had run it through his heart as he stood, -so that he fell dead at her feet without a groan. A deep silence fell -upon us all as we saw this deed; and Mistress Mary, her face as white -as death, but with her eyes still flaming fire, faced round upon the -rest of the soldiers and said, pointing first to the corpse and then to -the door,-- - -"Take him, and go!" - -Mechanically the men obeyed her; but some half-dozen, more sober than -the rest, lingered behind and said, firmly but respectfully,-- - -"Mistress, you must answer for this deed before the Colonel. You must -come with us at once." - -"I am ready," answered Mistress Mary, with heroic firmness. "The sooner -the better; I fear none of you!" - -And indeed she spoke no more than the truth. And never have I seen a -more dauntless mien than was carried by that brave child as she rode -beside her mother into Taunton that day, guarded by a band of soldiers, -and followed by me in my cart; for I felt I must see the end of this -thing, and bear my testimony, if I might be heard, when the tale was -told to the fierce Colonel. - -He was, as was usual at that hour of the day, in his room at the -Three Cups; and upon hearing that a prisoner had been brought to be -tried by court-martial, he at once summoned his officers to the long -banqueting-room and ordered the prisoner before him. - -When his eyes fell upon the tender maiden, not more than twelve years -old, with the dauntless mien and steady eyes, his face changed and even -softened as I had never thought that face could do; and he sternly -asked his men why they had brought a woman before him, and she scarce -more than a child. - -When he heard that it was a military offence with which she stood -charged, he bent upon her a searching look, and commanded that all -should be told him. Then the men who had brought her told the tale, not -indeed extenuating the offence of their dead fellow, but putting the -case fairly enough. There was no need for me to speak; there was no -need for Mistress Mary to defend herself. When the Colonel heard the -words which had been addressed to the dignified matron standing just -behind her brave young daughter, and recognized in her the wife of one -of the King's loyal supporters, and the mistress of a house where much -kindness and hospitality had been shown to His Majesty's soldiers, his -face took an expression of mingled sternness and approval which it is -hard to describe; and he said, looking round upon the men who stood -by,-- - -"Where is the sword with which the deed was done?" - -One of the men had chanced to bring it, and it was handed to the -Colonel. The stain of blood was yet upon it, although it had been wiped -clean from blood-drops. The Colonel took it and rose up in his seat. He -made a low bow to Mistress Mary, and handed the sword to her. - -"Mistress Mary Bridges," he said, "you are acquitted of the crime laid -to your charge. The action you performed was not only pardonable; it -was legitimate and noble, and does you every honour. Would that there -were more such women in this land to become the mothers of a soldier -race! Take this sword, fair maiden, take it and keep it; and let it -pass down in times to come to other Mary Bridges of your name and race. -May your house never want such a Mary as you have shown yourself, to -act with such courage and resolution in the hour of need.--Madam, -farewell!" (this to Lady Bridges). "A brave mother makes a braver -daughter. Guard well your child, and honour her as she deserves to be -honoured. A maid who will risk her life for her mother's protection is -one to grow up the pride and glory of her house.---Mistress Mary, I -salute you. Farewell; I could almost wish that you had been born a boy, -that I might have numbered you among my own picked soldiers!" - -And stooping his dark head the Colonel saluted Mistress Mary on the -cheek, and bending low before her, as did also all his officers, saw -her pass from the room, holding the sword in her hands. - -A burst of cheering greeted her as she appeared in the streets clasping -the trophy of victory. Her face was flushed now, and her eyes sparkling -betwixt excitement, triumph, and tears. Her mother's face was quivering -now that the peril was past as it had never quivered whilst her -daughter stood arraigned before the fierce Colonel. - -"Dicon, Dicon, I cannot face all these people with my sword!" cried -Mistress Mary, a girlish shrinking suddenly possessing her, showing -that she was still a maid, though she could act with the courage of a -man when need was. "Take me to Miss Blake's! Take me to Mistress Mary; -I must see her ere I go back!" - -Lady Bridges was willing enough to get out of the cheering crowd, -and quickly we found ourselves beneath the shelter of the next roof. -Mistress Mary, hearing the tumult, came down the stairs to see what it -meant; and the younger Mary, rushing into her arms, and dropping the -sword upon the floor, cried out, betwixt laughter and tears,-- - -"Mary, Mary, I have done it! I have slain, with mine own hands, one of -your Duke's foes!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -_THE PRISONER OF THE CASTLE._ - - -I scarce know how many days had passed after these things before there -happened that which was to me more terrible than all. - -The military executions in Taunton were over. Many soldiers remained, -but the people ceased to go in terror of their lives--for the moment. -An awful sense of coming judgment hung over us. None knew who would -be arrested for complicity in the plot, and haled before the terrible -judge who was coming shortly. But for the moment there was a slight -lull, and the wheels of life revolved just a little more in their -accustomed grooves. - -Sorrow and mourning and fear prevailed in too many homes, however. -Master Hucker was a prisoner awaiting his trial. Master Simpson had -fled none knew whither, and his sister feared him dead. Both the gentle -brothers Hewling had been taken, and were in London for the time being, -though it was said that they would be sent down to Taunton to be tried. -More homes than I can mention here were desolated by the events which I -have been striving to record, and I felt almost heart-broken now when -I went to my friends the Simpsons; for Lizzie's face was pale and -tearful, and even gay Will Wiseman, ever of a joyous courage in olden -days, looked gloomy and troubled. He had loved his master well, and was -faithfully serving him now in his absence, and acting almost like a son -to good Mistress Simpson, the sister. But they lived in daily fear of -hearing of his arrest; and sometimes Lizzie, weeping with my arm about -her--for we were like brother and sister in love--would say,-- - -"Sometimes I think I would almost rejoice to hear that he were dead! It -is such a fearful thing to think that he may even now be brought before -that terrible judge who is coming, and have to suffer the awful death -of traitor. Oh, if we only knew him safe--even if it were in the safety -of a soldier's death!" - -For the prisons were filling fast with fugitives and suspected persons, -and none knew who might be the next to be haled off, there to linger -until the Special Commission headed by Judge Jeffreys sat to judge and -condemn those who had been concerned in this matter. Many judged those -happy who had met a soldier's death, or had been hanged by the soldiers -in the first onset. To linger in suspense in a dismal dungeon, often -laden with irons, and subjected to cruel privations, only to be brought -at last before that merciless man in whose hands the issues of life and -death were to rest, seemed harder than a short shrift and a long rope -at the hands of Kirke and his men. I know I often thought (shivering -lest I might be recognized and sent to prison) that if that were so -with me, I should live to wish I had perished on the fatal field of -Sedgemoor. But my uncle stood high in favour. No word had been breathed -against him. Colonel Kirke had called him an honest knave, and a credit -to his trade; and the Snowes had always held a good repute in the town -for loyalty and order, wherefore I was let alone. - -But to return to the point from which I started, how may I tell the -grief and terror I was thrown into by a sight I saw during the days of -that lull which came betwixt the departure of Colonel Kirke and the -arrival of Lord Chief-Justice Jeffreys? - -I was coming through the streets toward my home, when I perceived a -small knot of soldiers, who seemed to be bringing in a prisoner in -their midst. Now this had become so common a sight that I might not -greatly have heeded it, had it not been that I saw Mr. Blewer riding -with the soldiers, his face wearing its most evil smile of malevolent -triumph. - -At that sight I looked again at the party, and as I did so my heart -stood still within me. There in the midst of the soldiers, partly -held and partly tied upon his horse--for he was almost fainting from -sickness and his wounds--was none other than my lord the Viscount; -and the party were heading straight for the Castle, into which they -presently disappeared with their captive. - -I had followed, speechless and like one in a dream; but when the portal -closed behind them and I was left standing without, I heard a voice in -my ear saying in accents of mock sorrow,-- - -"Alas, good Dicon, that one so young and fair and highly born should be -a rebel! The best grace the young lord can hope to win from the great -Lord Justice is the axe instead of the halter. His would be a pretty -head to set up over the gateway here! Alack! what will Mistress Mary -say? Methinks she had a maid's passing fancy for the fair face of our -young warrior." - -The speaker was Mr. Blewer. With a sense of sickening loathing I -turned away from the man and rushed homewards, putting the saddle upon -Blackbird as quickly as I could, and scarce drawing rein till I stood -before the house of my uncle Robert in Bridgewater. - -I found my aunt in tears, and I had no need to put a question before -she burst out with the tale. - -"Dicon, we could not help it. We breathed no word of his being here; -and when the soldiers had done their hanging and had gone--at least -some of them, and the rest were more for carousing and feasting than -anything else--we felt able to breathe once more. But there was an -evil-faced man for ever prying about, habited like a clergyman, but -with little of the nature that befits that office. He asked so many -questions from one or another about a maiden he had seen here, that -we could not hide from him that Mistress Mary Mead had been a guest -here for a while; but not a word did we breathe of the young lord -upstairs--I give you my word we did not!" - -"I am sure of it, good aunt; I know you had learned to love him right -well. None could fail to do so who came into his presence." - -"Indeed thou speakest sooth, Dicon," she answered. "I waited on and -tended him myself; and never have I seen a gentler and more perfect -gentleman, so patient, so grateful, so anxious to avoid giving any -trouble--as though we grudged what we did for him--and he paying for -all like a prince! I loved him as a son, if I may say it. And yet that -evil man, by hook or by crook, and by dint of ceaseless spying and -prying, got scent of his being here; and to-day there came a troop of -soldiers with an order to search the house for a rebel who was known to -be sheltering here in disguise. Dicon, when that befell us, what could -we do? To have resisted would not have saved the poor young gentleman, -but would have brought all the rest of us to the gallows." - -Her tears broke forth afresh, and I could almost have joined with her -in weeping, had it not been that my heart so burned within me in hot -indignation against the miscreant who had spied and betrayed us. As it -was, the tears would not come to my relief, and all I said was,-- - -"Did he come with them?" - -"Ay, he did! They knew not the face of the young lord; and even when -the monster had found him, they would scarce have taken him, so weak -and ill as he yet was, as white as a lily, and not able to rise. But -yon brutal minister--whom I would I could see beneath the hangman's -hands!--he swore at them that they were traitors and rebels themselves -an they took him not. So he was forced to rise and dress, and was set -upon a horse, though no more fit than a new-born babe; and whether -they get him to Taunton alive the Lord only knows! Oh may He take a -speedy and a bloody vengeance for all the deeds of blood and horror -that have been committed in this city in these last days!" - -But I could not linger to listen even to sentiments so congenial. I had -learned what I had come to learn, and now possessing myself of all my -lord's property, and of a considerable sum of money which my good aunt -was keeping for him--he had contrived to get supplies sent him before I -left--I took horse again, Blackbird having been well fed and as willing -as ever, and was in Taunton once again ere set of sun. - -What to do next I knew not. At home I was resolved I would not breathe -a word of this matter. Mine uncle was striving to forget all other -feelings in the one of loyalty to the powers that be. From him I -should get nothing but a warning to have nothing to do with rebels and -prisoners. From his own point of view he might be right, but I could -not rest so long as my lord lay in durance vile, and with nothing -before him but the mercy of a judge who was pledged to show no mercy. - -Yet I was so distracted by sorrow and fear that I could think of -nothing alone; and after tossing upon my bed that night in a restless -misery, I suddenly came to a resolve. - -"Mistress Mary will counsel me!" I cried, sitting up and pressing my -hands to my hot brow; and even as I took the resolution to see her so -soon as the day should have come, I grew calmer and more hopeful, and -was able to snatch a few hours of much-needed sleep before I had to -rise to my day's work. - -Miss Blake's maidens had some of them come back to her, but there -was little of regularity in the hours kept, and many pupils had been -altogether removed by cautious parents. I was a welcome guest now -whenever I appeared within those doors, and my request to-day to see -Mistress Mary at once soon brought her down to me into the little -parlour, her eyes full of anxious questioning. - -I fear me I broke the evil tidings to her but clumsily, for she went so -white that I feared she would swoon away; but recovering herself with -all speed, she clasped her hands together and cried,-- - -"Dicon, we must save him, we must save him! It was I who led him into -this peril and strait. Thou and I together, good Dicon, must win his -release. Dicon, he must be got out of yon Castle! He must not stand -before that relentless judge! We must save him! we must save him!" - -"Mistress, I will die to save him if I can," I answered; but she gave -me one of her own beautiful smiles as she answered,-- - -"Nay, good lad, thou must live to save him. Dicon, there is no time to -be lost. We must think what can be done!" - -It was this that I had come for, and greatly was I surprised by the -ready wit and shrewdness displayed by Mistress Mary when we sat down to -talk. Methinks she must have spent many hours thinking and pondering -upon such chances as these, for she seemed to have a plan already in -her head, and she quickly set it before me. - -"Dicon, by what thou sayest, I think that they will not dare to cast my -dear lord into a dungeon, sick as he is. He is known in Taunton, and -the soldiers and keepers there are not monsters like Colonel Kirke's -Lambs. Our towns-folk are humane men, and a soldier is but a man after -all though he follow a bloody trade. And then money, Dicon, will unlock -many a door, and it has pleased Providence to make me rich." - -"I have money, too, laid aside." I answered eagerly, "and every penny -of it shall go towards freeing my lord!" - -Again she smiled sweetly, but checked me by her gesture,-- - -"Nay, faithful Dicon, thy money will not be wanted for this; but thy -shrewdness, thy cleverness, thy good-will, shall serve us instead. -Thou art under no suspicion, therefore go boldly to the Castle and -ask leave to bring to my lord such things as he needs. Prisoners, as -thou knowest, live at their own charges, and thou canst represent -thyself as sent by his friends with the things needful for him. Then -by bribes thou canst win leave to take these things to him thyself. -This carnage and slaughter has sickened men's souls within them, and -they are readier now to listen to the promptings of mercy than they -were awhile back. Make friends with him who has charge of my lord; make -him see that it will serve his purpose best to let thee come and go at -will. Doubtless with one weak and ill as my lord, there will be more of -mercy and less of strict watch kept than where the prisoner is hale and -strong. Be it thine, Dicon, to do all this; and having thus done, come -yet again to me and bring me word, and we will talk of what shall be -the next step." - -I left the house with many a golden guinea of Mistress Mary's in my -pouch, for she would have none even of my lord's money for this; she -would do it all herself. And forthwith did I set myself to the task I -had before me, rejoicing that I was able to find so good an excuse for -my first visit to the Castle. For it came into my head (my wits being -sharpened by all this) to ask my aunt if she could not spare a pair of -good fat capons for the Governor there. And this being thought a happy -notion by mine uncle, who was, as I knew, all in a fever to keep in -the good graces of the authorities, I was quickly laden with a basket -containing various good things, and amongst them a bottle of rare good -wine, which, however, never found its way to the Governor's table. - -For before I got to the Castle I took and hid this bottle about my -person; and when I had delivered my message and my load, I began -talking first to the porter and then to one and another of the guards -who came and went, and who were willing enough to stop and chat about -what was going on in the town, and how soon the trials were likely to -begin; until at last I came across the man who had the keeping of my -lord the Viscount, and him I asked to speak aside for a moment. - -He had a little slip of a place at the end of a long corridor, where he -kept watch; and when I produced my bottle of wine, his eyes sparkled, -and we were friends at once. He told me of the prisoners he had in his -charge, and of Lord Vere, who had been brought in wounded and sick -but the day before. He asked me if I thought His father would send him -those things that he needed, as it would go ill with him if he had -not some care; and when I (concealing my exultation under a mask of -indifference) said I would ask, and also asked if I might see Lord Vere -and learn from him what he chiefly needed, the man made no objection at -all, but led me along the passage to a certain door which he opened. -I went in with my finger upon my lips, which sign my lord instantly -perceived, and spoke not as though he had any special knowledge of me, -though most people in the place knew my name by this time. - -He answered my questions, and told me what he most needed. I asked if -his wound were severe, and he answered that it was mending, though the -ride yesterday had inflamed it and brought back some of the fever. -But he looked less feeble than I had feared; and I took great heart -at seeing that he was not in a dungeon, but in a small and fairly -commodious chamber. The warder told me that the dungeons were full; and -I told him I was sure I could get him money from my lord's friends if -he could make shift to keep him there. The man winked at that, and said -that so long as he was sick he would not be moved; and I winked back -and said he had better keep him sick, and he would get money. - -Next day I was there again with such things as my lord had asked for. -I did not seek to go into the room that time, feigning no especial -interest in him, but stayed chatting with the warder, and I gave him a -broad crown piece as an earnest of more to follow if the prisoner were -well looked after. Next day I brought some things I professed to have -forgotten, and another bottle of wine for the man; and this time he bid -me go in to see how well he had cared for the patient, that I might -tell the same to his friends. And as he was anxious to finish the wine -before his fellow came to relieve guard, he locked me for a short while -into the room with my lord; and I spent every moment in eager talk, and -in examining the place, that I might know whether there was any hope of -getting him safe away out of it when he was strong enough for flight. - -I soon saw that this little chamber was in the south side of the -building, a little to the left of the gateway as you stand facing it, -and situated about half-way betwixt that and the round tower at the -corner. From the window, which was heavily barred, there was a drop -of perhaps forty feet into the enclosure behind the wall which lay -all round the Castle. But this wall was neither very high nor very -closely guarded; and I had a wild hope that it might not prove an -insurmountable difficulty if once we were free of the Castle itself. A -dark night would have to be chosen, and many things would have to be -thought of first; but I did not despair either of bribing the jailer to -secrecy, or of making him an accomplice in the flight. Then let us but -once get quit of the Castle, and I knew of a safe place of retreat for -my lord till all hue and cry should be over. - -Days and even weeks flew by all too fast for us; for my lord recovered -but slowly, and until he was sound once more it would be hopeless to -think of such a thing as escape. A long ride of twelve miles into -Ilminster was the first use he must make of his liberty; and if he had -not strength to accomplish that, what use to get him out of prison? -July had merged itself into August, and August was waning towards -September, and men spoke with shuddering dread of the coming Great -Assize, when the fate of all prisoners would be settled, and yet only -by very, very slow degrees had my lord struggled back to health; and -even now, for lack of air and his wonted exercise, he was wan and white -and thin, albeit now able to leave his bed, and walk to and fro for an -hour together in his chamber. - -Meantime with the jailer I had become great friends, and he was quite -fond of my lord likewise; moreover, he whispered to me that the -Governor was greatly interested in the young man, that he was very -friendly with Lord Lonsdale (who had been in London all this while, -and had not sent a message to his son), and that he was very sure he -would be glad, and indulgent to those concerned, if the young nobleman -should make good his escape before the bloody work of Jeffreys should -commence. The warder told me this with bated breath, and a look in his -eyes which gave me my cue; so I told him that I knew I could get him -twenty guineas forthwith from one who loved the Viscount, and twenty -more if the thing should succeed, to help me to get him safe out of the -Castle before the Judge should come. - -At this the man's eyes glistened, and he said that I might count upon -him. He would have done it for less, seeing that the young lord was -so gentle and kind to all, but for that sum he would take care that -nothing miscarried; and I went to Mistress Mary triumphantly with my -news. - -But I found her less exultant than I was myself when she knew all; and -she said with anxious eyes,-- - -"To get him safe out of the Castle is much, good Dicon, but it is not -all. The city is full of soldiers, and these be not kindly men such -as they in the Castle. Some are Colonel Kirke's Lambs, and others the -fierce soldiers of Lord Feversham. They watch with terrible sharpness -those who come and go, and they keep watch by night as well as by day. -Two riders faring forth at any hour of the night will scarce get clear -of Taunton streets; and to be caught and taken back to prison will be -worse than to wait there for what may betide." - -I listened aghast to Mistress Mary, recognizing at once the truth of -her words, and feeling my heart sink into my very shoes. All this -while I had never thought of aught but getting my lord safe out of the -Castle; and now, when this seemed to be a thing possible at last, I was -confronted by another and perhaps a worse danger. - -"Could he not be hidden away?" I asked. - -"Mr. Blewer would find out he was escaped, and raise all Taunton after -him," answered Mistress Mary, "and such places as thou or I know, -Dicon, would first be searched." - -She was silent then a great while, and I had no heart to speak; but -suddenly she raised her head and looked me full in the face with -shining eyes. - -"Dicon," she said, "I see how it must be done!" - -"Oh how, fair Mistress?" - -"It must be done, not in the dead of night, but at break of day. He -must ride forth with thee when the town is beginning to stir." - -"Mistress Mary," I cried aghast, "all the town will know him!" - -She smiled, and touched my hand with her slim white fingers. - -"Foolish boy!" she said softly; and then after a pause for thought she -added, "Dicon, wilt do as I say?" - -"To the death, Mistress!" - -"Then at sunrising to-morrow morning be at this door with Blackbird and -Lady Jane, and we will forth into the fresh morning air together. Then -will I tell thee more." - -"I will not fail you, Mistress," I said; and I went home in a great -perplexity. - -With the first grey light of dawn I was before the house with the -horses, and Mistress Mary came forth clad in a long grey riding-dress -and a grey cloak and hood. This hood she wore drawn well over her face, -as indeed it was the fashion of maidens to go in the streets, with so -many bold soldiers swaggering about. - -We rode quietly down the roads, the soldiers looking at us, and -sometimes challenging us; but there being naught about us to excite -remark or suspicion, we were suffered to go on our way. - -We rode some miles almost in silence, and as we were returning Mistress -Mary said, "Dost understand, Dicon?" - -"No, Mistress, not yet." - -"Come every day at dawn for me so. We ride forth thus day by day till -every sentry in Taunton knows us. Then some morning there shall another -rider sally forth with thee in this grey habit and cloak, and this -hood well drawn over his brows. He shall ride this steed and on this -saddle--though his own good horse shall be waiting at some appointed -place. And who will seek to stop you then, or even give a passing -glance? Say, good Dicon, dost thou see light now?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -_JUST IN TIME._ - - -Days fled by apace. Mistress Mary and I continued our daily morning -ride till every sentry and guard within the place must have seen us. -Often we were stopped and questioned at first, or looked at with -suspicion; but by degrees less and less notice was taken of us, and at -last we came and went unmolested, and we knew our object was gained. - -Meantime my lord steadily regained his strength, but not so fast as -our impatience wished. We were ever in fear lest something should go -wrong, lest something should happen to remove our friendly warder from -the charge of my lord; and every day as it passed was crowded with -anxieties and terrors. - -These terrors were not lessened by what was happening all around us. - -Every day arrests were made of persons suddenly accused of favouring -the rebellion of the Duke. The Bridewell by Tone Bridge was crowded to -suffocation with helpless, hapless prisoners awaiting the coming of the -merciless Judge; and one day, to my horror and amaze, I heard from the -weeping Lizzie Simpson that Will Wiseman had been haled off to prison -that very day, she was certain at the instance of that wicked man the -Rev. Nicholas Blewer! - -I might well tremble with fear on hearing that news; for if Will's -youth did not protect him from the malice of his enemy or the penalty -of the law, neither would mine protect me; and the rancour of Mr. -Blewer against me might be, for all I knew, as great as it had always -been against Will since that unlucky drawing of his. I shook in my -shoes as I heard the news, and I said to myself in breathless gasps,-- - -"Suppose they came and took me--before my lord was safe!" - -Already the implacable Judge Jeffreys had reached Winchester, and with -shuddering horror and many deep-toned execrations we heard of his vile -and inhuman treatment of the noble and innocent old Lady Lisle. If an -aged and honoured matron of high birth and spotless character could be -ruthlessly condemned to a fiery death, and a reluctant jury bullied and -coerced into passing a verdict against her, what could we of Taunton -hope? A thrill of terror and horror ran through the whole place, and -every face one saw was white and stern and set. - -I went that very day to take my lord some provisions and other things, -and to see if the flight might not be made that very night; and when I -had crossed the moat and made my way into the Castle, where I was well -known by this time, the friendly jailer beckoned me aside into his -little narrow room, and whispered some news in my ear. - -"Some prisoners are to be removed to-night from the Castle to the -other prison," he said. "They must have more space here now that the -Assize is coming so near, and there be so many to be lodged here. I -have orders to remove my lord elsewhere--not to Bridewell, but to -some underground place here, whence we might never be able to get him -out. But I will make shift to bring him forth with the rest of the -prisoners who are to be taken away; and then, boy, thou must be ready -to hide him somewhere for the night, and get him forth from the town at -daybreak. He will not be missed from the Castle till I give the alarm -on the morrow--and I will take care to do that none too soon--and at -the Bridewell he is not expected, so there will be no question as to -him there. Thou must lie in waiting beside the deep recess nigh to the -bridge; and when we pass towards the prison, I will see that in the -darkness my lord is pushed out of the line and into thy keeping. Have -the maid's hood and habit to throw over him forthwith; and then get him -safe away to some friendly place of shelter till you can ride forth -without fear from the town in the early morning light." - -I listened with all my ears, my heart beating joyfully, for the detail -of my lord's flight from the Castle had always been full of difficulty -even with this man's ready help. My lord was weak, and unable for great -efforts, and there were the outer wall and the moat to be crossed; -and save by swimming one scarce knew how that last transit was to be -made at such an hour of the night as we must choose. We had waited and -hoped for some favourable conjunction of circumstances; but none had -as yet arisen, and the guards were often changed at the gates, so that -overtures of friendship commenced and carried on for a time became so -much labour lost when the next change was made. - -Now, however, came this happy chance, only just a short while before -the dreaded day of the Judge's entrance. - -How my heart beat as I posted myself in the appointed place that -evening after dark! The night favoured us, for it closed in very -gloomy and wet, the rain falling softly and steadily from low-hanging -clouds that quite obscured any faint light from moon or stars. In my -hiding-place it was as dark as pitch; and I crouched against the wall -for shelter, straining my ears as the minutes passed by for the sound -of approaching tramp of feet, my heart often growing sick within me as -I waited and watched, in fear lest some fresh fiat had gone forth and -the change of the prisoners' habitation had been given up. - -In my anxiety to be in time I was much too soon, and the time of -waiting seemed well-nigh interminable. I had almost resolved to come -forth and wend my way to the Castle for news, when I heard in the -distance a measured tramp of feet, and drew back once more with a sense -of sickening expectation for the procession to pass. - -Nearer and nearer came the tread of many feet. I heard the voices of -the guard as they uttered maledictions on the weather and on the dirty -and uneven state of parts of the road. I crouched in my hiding-place -and held my breath. They were close beside me; they were already -passing! Oh, had this plan failed? where was my lord? - -"Hist, Dicon, be ready!" It seemed as though the whisper was in the -air. A second body of men passed me. I could hear, but could see -nothing. In a moment I felt a figure slip beside me in the embrasure, -and with a great throb of heart I whispered,-- - -"My lord! my lord!" - -"It is I, Dicon," answered the well-known voice, though the tone was -very low, and methought sorrowful. But I said no word, only hasted to -get the grey habit and cloak and hood arranged in the darkness; and by -the time that was done every sound had died into silence, and nothing -but the murmur of the river and the plash of the rain fell upon our -listening ears. - -"Come, my lord," I said, and took his hand, and together we glided out -of our hiding-place and began retracing our way through the streets. It -was late, and the towns-folk were in bed. The prisoners had been moved -only after the hour for the city to be asleep. Perhaps the Governor -feared some attempt at rescue, perhaps some moving and heart-rending -scene on the part of friends or relatives. At any rate, his orders had -been given for a night move; and to this, and to the clever management -of our friendly jailer, we owed my lord's escape from those grim walls. - -He let me lead him whither I would; and I had his place of hiding all -arranged. My low knock at a side door was instantly answered; and the -next moment the door closed upon us, a ray of light streamed out upon -the little group gathered in that place, and my lord passing his hand -across his eyes, spoke for the first time in the exclamation,-- - -"Mary! Mary!" - -For it was Mistress Mary who was standing before him, and Miss Blake -who held the lantern and gazed with eager joy upon the rescued captive. -It was to the house of this brave and generous lady that I had brought -my lord, and that by her own desire. - -"It will be safer so," she had said when I told her of the plan. "Come -to the little side door. None will hear or see you; and then when the -morrow comes, and my lord fares forth disguised as Mistress Mary going -for her morning ride, it will be best that he should sally forth from -this door. Bring him hither then, Dicon. Let the children see each -other once again; for in these perilous times there is no telling, when -we once are sundered, when we may meet again." - -This was almost the first knowledge I had that Miss Blake looked upon -her own position as one of peril. But I read in her eyes then that she -did; and yet she was willing to harbour a fugitive beneath her roof, -knowing that for such an offence Lady Lisle had but just been condemned -to be burnt alive! - -I think that weak women are often braver than men. All honour to the -lady who opened her doors to us that night! - -I could not, however, linger. I wished not to arouse suspicion by -my movements, and I slipped away and into the inn and up to my room -without meeting a soul. My uncle did not trouble much about my comings -and goings, and I knew how to go in and out at will, even when the -doors were closed. But there was little sleep for me that night. I -tossed and turned upon my bed, thinking of every sort of mishap that -might occur to hinder my lord's flight; and with the very earliest of -the dawn, when there was scarce light to dress myself by, I arose, and -was soon in the stable feeding the horses and wondering how I should -feel when next I performed that office here, and whether I should ever -return to Taunton save as a prisoner, to await my trial with the rest. - -I dare not go much before my usual time to fetch my charge from Miss -Blake's house, else might our unwonted promptitude excite remark. It -was a clear, bright September morning, and the sun was beginning to -rise in the east when at last I stood before the door and knocked, -feeling all the while as though my own heart were knocking at my ribs -loud enough to be heard by all the town. - -The door opened, a veiled and muffled figure came out, and but for the -extra height--and Mistress Mary was taller for a woman than my lord for -a man, so that the discrepancy was not so very great--I should never -have guessed but that it was my lady herself. In another minute we had -commenced our ride through the yet quiet streets, few persons being -about save the sentries, who scarce cast a glance upon us as we moved -leisurely along; and indeed, now that he was sitting the horse woman -fashion, it would take a clever pair of eyes to detect any difference -from my companion of every day. And with each turning passed my heart -leaped up within me, for safety seemed to be already gained, and once -free of Taunton-- - -But there my meditations came to a sudden end, my heart seemed to stop -beating till my head felt like to burst, and a mist swam before my -eyes; for there half a street ahead of us, but standing still as if -for us to come up, was Mr. Blewer, mounted on a horse, and looking at -us with such an ugly leer in his eyes that I felt as though he already -knew all, and that we were undone. - -There was shadow still in the street, and my lord wore the hood drawn -right over his face, as Mistress Mary was wont to wear it. Nothing -could be seen of his face at such an hour; but what if the cunning foe -had divined our plan, and insisted on looking beneath? - -"My lord, my lord, have a care," I whispered, "or we are undone! Mr. -Blewer is about to address us." - -That was all I had time to say. Already we were approaching the waiting -horseman; and he, making a sweeping bow with his hat, and giving one of -his most hideous smiles, reined alongside my lord's horse and said,-- - -"Fair Mistress Mary, I have seen thee pass up and down these streets -these many days with thy faithful servant. Methought thou wouldst not -disdain another escort, and the temptation to join thee was too strong -for flesh and blood to resist. Say, sweet mistress, hast thou no kind -word for me? Knowest thou not yet how deep is the devotion of thy poor -servant and humble suitor?" - -There was no answer from the veiled figure, only the head was drawn -up with a haughty gesture, so like that of Mistress Mary when angered -that I could have smiled had I dared. I breathed a little more freely. -I saw that no suspicion had entered yet the evil mind of this man. He -believed that he was addressing Mistress Mary; and I racked my brains -to think of any means whereby this delusion could be kept up, and our -most unwelcome attendant dismissed without his suspicions being aroused. - -Giving him a look and a wink, as though I had something to say to him, -I drew his attention off for a moment from the one he supposed to be -Mistress Mary. Having done so, I dropped behind; and he, after speaking -once more to the silent figure beside him, and receiving no answer, -looked back at me, and on receiving a nod, fell behind too; whilst the -grey-clad figure rode on ahead, as though glad to be rid of us both. - -May Heaven pardon me for my falsehood that day! I have learned, since -I have come to think seriously upon such matters, that it is wrong to -seek to meet evil by evil, and that to be false in order to outwit the -cunning of others, or to stoop to evil practices to secure good ends, -is a thing abominable in the eyes of God, albeit there is too much of -it mixed up in the things of this world. But I was then only a lad. -I felt that I would risk all I possessed in this world and the next -for the safety of my lord; and I had not been taught to look with -abhorrence upon all crooked ways. Wherefore I had rapidly turned over -in my mind how best I could deceive the miscreant who rode beside me, -and I spoke to him false words without a qualm of conscience. - -"Sir," I said, in a whisper that bespoke good fellowship, "if you -really would wed with Mistress Mary, you would do well to wait three -more days till my Lord Lonsdale be come back to his house. I have heard -that he will then summon Mistress Mary home to him there, thinking -Taunton no safe place for her when once the inquisition of blood -begins. Then let her once be there, safe in his care, and I am sure he -will welcome any godly man who comes to woo and wed her. Mistress Mary -has said as much herself. I sometimes think her heart is failing her, -and that she will soon be willing to save herself from peril by doing -her guardian's will, and wedding with the husband he has chosen." - -Mr. Blewer's eyes sparkled greedily. Sometimes I wonder that he -believed me, knowing, as he must certainly have done, of the way in -which I had been mixed up with the cause of the Duke and with my -lord. But then, again, mine uncle had given it out all through the -place (although I knew it not at the time) that I had gone forth as a -spy, and that my mission was to send him news of the movements of the -rebels--and there was enough truth in this to bear out his words; and -since he himself had gained a character for trimming his sails to the -prevailing winds, it was not altogether unlikely that I, his kinsman, -should have caught the trick from him. Also a man is always prone to -believe that which accords with his desires. - -Wherefore Mr. Blewer looked eagerly at me, and asked in a yet lower -whisper, and with an air of confidence and good-will,-- - -"Then thou thinkest, good Dicon, that her heart is already inclining -towards me?" - -"I think it will incline more and more if you, good sir, will hold -aloof for a while, and let her feel her loneliness. My lord the -Viscount, for whom she had a maid's fancy, is in prison, and like to -die, as all men say, if not of his wounds, yet by the hand of the -executioner; and all those whom she most loves are in prison or in -peril. Doubtless she will soon feel the need of some strong man's -arm to lean upon. Only try her not too soon. Let her first feel her -guardian's displeasure. Let him first set before her the peril in -which she stands for her handiwork, and meddling in the matter of -those banners and colours. Afterwards she may incline the more to one -who seeks her in her hour of trouble and desertion. But seem to come -to her then as a deliverer. Trouble her not now, whilst her heart is -still proud, and she is still buoyed up with false hopes. Let her hear -a little more of the work of the Judge, which has but now commenced. -Methinks that will bring her to her senses." - -"Boy, thou dost talk like a philosopher and a student of women. Whence -dost thou get such wisdom at thy years?" - -"Nay, good sir, it is not wisdom; it is but knowing something of the -whimsies of maids from having sisters at home who are as contrary as -the winds of heaven. And now, an it please you, sir, I must join my -lady; but if you will wait for another day, I think your suit will be -the better forwarded." - -Mr. Blewer looked first at me and then at the figure in front as though -in deliberation; but at last, to my infinite relief, he reined in his -horse and said,-- - -"So be it, Dicon; thou mayest be right. And I will make my lady answer -for this pride and haughtiness in days to come." - -So then he turned and rode back whence he had come, whilst I joined my -lord; and we soon left Taunton behind, and knew that for the present -our perils were over. - -Three miles away, at a little obscure farm-house, I had a horse ready -for my lord. All that had been settled days ago, none knowing what -sudden change might cause us to make our attempt without much warning. -I intended, however, to take Lady Jane the whole way, and to let my -lord ride woman fashion into Ilminster in the dusk, cloaked and hooded -as before; for there were soldiers on the watch in every town, and we -should be far less like to draw notice upon ourselves thus than if my -lord rode openly into the city, where his face might like enough be -known. - -So we had a very gentle and easy day, stopping long at the lonely farm -to rest; and I wondered at his silence and sadness, since our journey -had so far been crowned with success. But he smiled when I asked him, -and made answer,-- - -"My sadness is not for myself, good lad; thanks to thy courage and -quickness and my Mary's devotion, all has gone well with me. But I -cannot forget those poor, simple fellow-prisoners of mine, who went -with me from the Castle but yesterday, and who may so soon be called -upon to die a terrible death. They have been so much less guilty than -I. They followed like sheep where they were led. In their simple souls -was no thought but of victory and an easy triumph for a rightful King. -And they must die like sheep; whilst I, who knew better the two sides -of the picture, and who rebelled against the reigning sovereign with -open eyes--I am to escape all consequences, whilst others suffer the -full penalty of the law. I cannot but be sad. I could weep tears of -blood. Were it not for my Mary's sake, methinks I would even now give -myself up, and die with the rest." - -I loved him for his gentle words, but I sought to comfort him too. - -"It would not help them for you to die, my lord." - -"No, else would I die for them," he said. - -The day passed in short journeys and frequent halts, chiefly at places -where I knew the people and was sure of a welcome. The last halt we -made was but three miles from Ilminster; and there we abode till the -dusk fell and we could ride into the town under cover of the evening -shadows, yet not so late as to attract notice or remark. - -My lord donned the grey habit once again, and leaving his own horse -at the farm till I should fetch it thence, took Lady Jane and the side -saddle, and so rode through the gathering twilight into Ilminster. -There I was hailed by one or two friends, all anxious for news of -relatives and friends in Taunton. I showed no haste nor anxiety in -holding parley with them; and when one asked me who was my companion, -I answered at once that it was a maid on her way to her friends at -Lyme, and that I had promised her a bed at my aunt's house, whither her -friends would fetch her on the morrow. - -And thus talking and explaining we rode through the streets, till we -alighted at my aunt's door. - -Right gladly did she receive me, and right kindly did she greet my -companion, whom she took at the first to be a maid, until I whispered a -word in her ear, and got a squeeze of the hand in reply. But so long as -her servants were about the place, she made as though my lord were in -truth a maid, and only when we were alone together in the guest-chamber -did she permit herself to welcome him as his own self. - -The secret chamber was ready, and with some pride and pleasure she took -us up, and showed us all the arrangements made for the comfort of the -fugitive. - -"If it be but changing one prison for another, my lord," she said as -he would have thanked her, only that she put his words aside, "I will -answer for it that you shall lack nothing here; and that so soon as -this cruel and wicked Judge has gone, and peace settles down once more -upon this unhappy land, its doors will open for you, and you will -go forth to your friends, whilst I shall have known the honour and -pleasure of saving the life of Lord Lonsdale's son." - -"Madam," said my lord, "words are all too poor as a medium of thanks. -But tell me, are you sure that no hurt can fall upon you for this good -deed? If peril were to threaten you for this act of charity to me, I -would sooner go forth into the street now, and give myself into the -hands of the guard to do with me as they would." - -"Hoots, my lord, talk not so wildly!" answered my aunt, giving him a -motherly pat on the shoulder. "There is not a soul in this house that -knows of this chamber here. Not a soul in the town wishes me ill, or -would speak a word to trouble me. We will soon contrive, Dicon and I, -that the household believes the maid who entered my doors leaves again -on the morrow. Go to bed, laddie, go to bed--that is the only place you -are fit for--and leave Dicon and me to settle all the rest. He shall -bring you a supper before long that will be better than prison fare; -and then to rest and get sound and strong is all you will have to think -of this many a day." - -I waited on my lord, and soon saw him betwixt the fine woven sheets of -my good aunt's spinning, on a bed so soft that he said it was enough to -send him to sleep of itself. Indeed after he had partaken of the good -cheer prepared for him, he quickly sank to sleep, feeling that at least -no prison walls enclosed him, and that if he were not yet a free man, -he was on the way to freedom. The terrible days that were threatening -Taunton would not touch him. - -My aunt and I sat far up in the night talking in low tones of the -fearful things that were everywhere happening. Every fresh person one -saw in those days had some new story of horror to unfold. Ilminster -had its tale of citizens languishing in different jails till the Judge -should pass sentence upon them; and every house had its cause of fear, -or at best was saddened by the shadow which had fallen upon others. - -With the first light of day I was up, and had brought round Lady Jane, -saddled for the maid; and out to me came my aunt, robed in the grey -hood and habit--for her figure being tall and spare, none who saw her -would know any difference; and the neighbours beginning to open their -windows nodded to me and wished me a good journey, whilst they spoke -kindly to my companion, whom they took to be a girl in a humble walk in -life, and who gave them a low-toned answer of thanks. - -Then we started, I leading the horse by the bridle; and only when clear -of the town did my aunt dismount from her unaccustomed perch, take -from the bundle she carried her own head-gear and cloak, and, leaving -me to dispose of Lady Jane as I would, made her way back by another -route to the town, and was seen in the market as usual making her daily -purchases. - -As for me, I took Lady Jane to the farm where Lord Vere's horse was -stabled, and then made my way back to Ilminster. I remained one more -night with my aunt, saw that my lord had all he needed for comfort, -and was well pleased with his surroundings; and then taking Blackbird -on the following morning I rode him back to Taunton, leaving the other -horses with the farmer till I could reclaim them with safety. - -I got back to Taunton to give the other twenty guineas to the kindly -jailer, and to be in time for the terrible pageant which was to take -place now within its environs. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -_THE TERRIBLE JUDGE._ - - -"Dicon, my father says he has heard that that terrible man will have up -Miss Blake and the Taunton maids who made and presented the colours. -Heaven alone knows what fearful thing will happen to them then! Dicon, -let me have speech with Mary! She must be got away; she must be hidden -till the storm be overpast! I have an hour to spare, whilst my father -has business with Sir William. Dicon, dost thou know that Lord Jeffreys -abides with him in his house here in the town? But he has sent all his -women folk to Orchard Portman. He will not let them meet yon wicked and -terrible man. Methinks a King who can use such instruments is little -fit for his place! Dicon," lowering her voice to a whisper, her eyes -flashing with a noble indignation as she spoke, "dost thou know what -is said?--that if only this monster in human shape slays enough men -here in the West to satisfy that bloody tyrant his master, he is to -be rewarded with the great seal of the Chancellor! Truly the people -had right on their side when they rebelled against such a tyrant; only -they needed one to lead them whose title was above reproach, and who -came not under false pretences. Surely the day will come when such a -champion will arise, and England will free herself from the hateful -yoke of an unjust, an illegal, and a cruel tyranny." - -The speaker was Mistress Mary Bridges, and since her heroic act, of -which I have already spoken, she had become an idol of the people -of Taunton and a companion to her father such as she had never been -before. She had ridden in with him that day, and now was all eagerness -to see Mistress Mary Mead; but when she returned to the inn-yard after -her visit was paid, it was with a grave face and anxious mien. - -"Dicon, I have argued and entreated in vain. She will not fly! She will -not leave Miss Blake to meet the storm alone. Her pupils are nearly all -of them fled. Some few remain in Taunton, but many are conveyed away -I know not whither. Mary says that she had as much to do with those -banners as Miss Blake, and she will not flee and leave her. She says -were all to be done again she would do as she has done. She has no -fear. She is not afraid even of the wicked Jeffreys. She will stay and -confront him, and will not let herself be hidden. But, O Dicon, though -I love her the more for her courage, I fear that ill will come of it!" - -"What can they do to her?" I asked with a shudder. "They will not kill -her?" - -"Oh no, no!" answered Mary. "I asked my father just now, and he said -that the penalty for such an offence was not like to be more than -a heavy fine. Even that monster would not dare to condemn a maid -to worse than that. But it is the being brought before him, being -subjected to his brutal words and looks, his hideous jibes and his -inhuman threats. O Dicon, the stories of yon man in other places make -my blood run cold! To think of Mary exposed to his baleful glance. But -she knows no fear; she will not let Miss Blake bear it alone." - -"It is like her!" I answered, with warm admiration. "And, Mistress -Mary, I will watch over her all I can; and if there be need later, will -take her to the cottage in the marsh, where she will be safe." - -"Ay, she will be safe there; and truly after these rains it is few who -could find the way thither. Dicon, let not Lord Lonsdale take her to -his house. They say he will not return till after the trials. He is in -a great fear for his son, but has been told that the Viscount is not -numbered amongst the prisoners. There has been some error or mistake. -He was taken, as many aver; but he has either died of his wounds or -else has escaped in the confusion--no man clearly knows which. Lord -Lonsdale went to Court to seek to win his pardon from the King should -he be brought up for trial and condemned; and he remains there till the -Judge has gone, having a special messenger here to bring him instant -word if his son should be arraigned. But he himself stays where he -is till all peril is past. Then he will come back, and if I mistake -me not, his first act will be to wed Mistress Mary Mead to some man -of known loyalty, both as a protection to herself and as a means of -keeping her away from his son, should the Viscount ever return. Dicon, -guard her from that an thou canst. I trow that my lord will return one -day to claim her, and she must be free to wed him." - -I promised young Mistress Mary to use all heed and diligence; and then -I watched her ride away with her father, who came to find her, and -thought that two such noble Marys did not live in all the world as the -two who honoured me with their confidence. - -But all Taunton was in a tremble, and within the town there -was that state of things best described by the words of the -prophet--"lamentation, and mourning, and woe." - -The great Assize Hall in the Castle was being prepared for the coming -tribunal, and I must needs go to see. It is a very fine hall, as all -men of Taunton know, a hundred and twenty feet long and thirty wide; -and when Taunton was under the Bishop of Winchester's ecclesiastical -jurisdiction, his court used also to be held here. So that still over -the porch were the two keys and the sword, the arms of the Bishop of -Winchester, together with the three bugle horns which were the private -coat of Bishop Horn, who no doubt was a great personage when the place -was built or repaired. Four cherubs occupy the corners, and within the -surrounding garter are the two mottoes, "Honi soit qui mal y pense," -and "Crux et Vanitas." - -Over the two strong arches of the inner gateway stood the grand-jury -room, soon to be occupied by the trembling jury, who, badgered by the -wicked Judge, feared to return any verdict save that of Guilty, however -insufficient the evidence against the unhappy prisoner. We had heard -already how the monster had raved and foamed with fury at any other -verdict, and had driven the unhappy men away again and again, until -he had terrified them into submission. To begin with, the juries were -selected by the Sheriffs; and since the Sheriffs were all loyal King's -men, they had chosen men all in favour of the King's policy. But even -so, they could not altogether throw to the winds all sense of justice -and right; and yet if they dared to give any verdict save that which -the merciless Judge indicated, they went almost in terror of their own -lives. To such a pass had things come under this Special Commission, -instituted by James the Second and conducted according to his own heart -by his chosen tools! - -The great Assize Hall was being hung with crimson cloth in honour of -the important occasion. Methought the colour something ominous of what -was coming; but it was said that Lord Jeffreys always looked to be -received with due honour. I had a great and lively curiosity to see -this wicked man, and as I was known to one or more of the custodians of -the place, I was promised entrance that afternoon, when his charge to -the jury was to be given; though after that, when the trials themselves -came on, I must take my chance with the rest of the people. The place -would be thronged to suffocation, and if I wished for entrance I must -seek it at the doors with the others. - -I did very much wish to be present, but knew not whether I should -achieve my desire. But at least I was there in a fairly good place that -afternoon, when I knew that the great and wicked Judge had arrived, and -that he was to address the jury at once, so that the business of the -day could commence upon the morrow. - -How my heart beat when at last he came, with his brothers of the bench -in attendance, who seemed of no account beside that great burly figure -with those extraordinary eyes, and that bloated face seamed and lined -by passion and drink till it was more like the face of a devil than -of a man. Although I had heard much of Judge Jeffreys, never had I -pictured such a monster in human shape as I beheld that day, as the -western light, level and clear, illumined the great hall and made -plain all the persons assembled there. It was as if the devil himself -looked out from those eyes; and in the loud rasping tones of the voice, -full of fierce invective coupled with brutal taunts and threats, it -was impossible to conceive that there spoke the voice of a monarch's -servant. Oaths of the most blasphemous description fell from his lips, -mingled with such ribald jests as made one's blood run cold. What was -the nature of the charge I cannot tell, for I seemed to hear nothing -but taunts and threats and profane jests all jumbled together in one -hideous medley. No wonder the jurymen stood huddled together, as if -only longing to be out of reach of those basilisk eyes. No wonder that -amongst the crowd assembled to hear those who had relations or friends -amongst the prisoners felt their hearts sink within them. That all -the men declared the Judge to be drunk seemed small consolation. We -had heard before this that it was his habit to be more or less drunk -whilst performing his duties. Possibly in the morning he might be -something more sober; but there were those who averred that he was -even more to be dreaded sober than drunk. In either case he was a devil -incarnate. About that there were no two opinions. And it was passed -quickly through the town that the only chance a prisoner had was to -plead guilty, and so save the court the trouble of trying him. Those -who did this were condemned to death in a mass; but many were respited. -It was said that the Judge had openly declared he would hang every man -who dared to plead "not guilty," and that these would be at once hung -up, whilst those who pleaded "guilty" would be respited for a time, -and possibly escape the final penalty of the law. This was the Judge's -artifice for shortening his bloody work, and it invariably put him in a -tempest of passion when prisoners dared to plead "not guilty." - -Do as I would, I could not get into court upon the first day of the -trials; and I ran down to Master Simpson's house to see how things were -going there, and if aught had been heard of Master Simpson himself. -Here I found Miss Hannah Hewling mingling her tears with those of -Lizzie and her aunt; for her brother Benjamin was awaiting his trial -now at Taunton, and the gentle William, only nineteen years old and so -full of sweetness and piety, had already been done to death at Lyme, in -spite of all the favour brought to bear on his behalf. - -Amid her tears Miss Hannah read to us a letter he had penned to her -just before he suffered. "I am going to launch into eternity," he -wrote, "and, I hope and trust, into the arms of my blessed Redeemer, -to whom I commit you and all my dear relations." And as he was going -to the place of execution, he repeated to one of his comrades some of -the beautiful words contained in the fourteenth chapter of St. John's -Gospel; and then he added, "Here is a sweet promise for us, 'I will -not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.' Christ will be with us -to the last." And to another who bid him farewell he said, "Farewell -till we meet in heaven. Presently I shall be with Christ. Oh, I would -not change conditions with any in this world! I would not stay behind -for ten thousand worlds." And to a friend who came to comfort him at -the end--not one of the condemned--the friend who had given all these -particulars to Miss Hannah, he said, "Pray remember my dear love to -my brother and sister, and tell them I desire they would comfort -themselves that I am gone to Christ; and we shall quickly meet in the -glorious Mount Zion above." - -And so greatly were the officers who carried out the mandate of the -Court touched by his piety and sweetness and gentleness that some wept, -and others declared that had the Chief-Justice himself been there he -could not have let him die. So though no mandate had been given to -that effect, yet the body of the pious youth was given to the people -of Lyme for Christian burial, and was laid in the grave by a number of -young maidens of that place, who had heard the story of his faith and -resignation, and took this Christian office upon themselves. - -It could not but comfort the sister's heart to hear all this, though -her tears fell fast as she told the tale. Her heart was sore troubled -too for the brother yet living; but her parents in London had sent her -large sums of money, and it was hoped that the Judge might be bribed -into showing mercy, even though he had condemned the prisoner in court. - -Upon the day when Master Benjamin Hewling was to be tried, I was -resolved that I would be there, and would find room too for Miss Hannah -and for Lizzie as well. Money would always do much, and of this there -was no lack; and I went beforehand to the keepers of the doors, and -got a promise that if I would come very early, and keep very quiet -when admitted, they would see that we got smuggled in before the crowd -came thronging and surging in. And this in fact was done; and though -afterwards we were well-nigh suffocated by the press, still we were -placed where we could see and hear. I was the more glad of this because -I heard a whisper that this would be the last day, and that the case of -the Maids of Taunton would come before the Judge at the close of the -more bloody proceedings, and also that of Will Wiseman, the accusation -against whom was only the reading of the Declarations of the Duke to -the populace; his other daring acts seeming not to have become known to -Mr. Blewer, who, we felt certain, was his accuser. - -How my heart quaked when I saw the Judge's terrible countenance beneath -its wig of office! The red robes were scarcely more red than the -inflamed visage, and the eyes rolled from side to side with a sullen -fury that was almost more terrible than the ferocity of their gleam -when first I had seen them. - -The scenes I saw that day will never be effaced from my memory. I would -that I had the skill to tell the tale as it should be told, but I can -but state a few bald facts. Let the reader fill up the outline as he -will. - -Let me speak of the trial of Mr. Simon Hamling--or Hamlyn, as men -indifferently call him. He was a worthy citizen of Taunton, who had -borne a good repute there for long; but had for the last three years -of his life lived some three miles out of the town, and come to and -fro on business. When he heard that the Duke had come, he went to the -town to speak to his son, to advise him to have nothing to do with this -matter of the rising; as he expressed it in his defence, "That as he -expected his blessing and countenance, he should not at all concern -himself in the matter, but submit himself to the will of God in all -things;" and having so delivered himself he went home, and was never -in the town again whilst the Duke was there, save that he came to buy -some provision for his house, as was his custom, on the Saturday. But -he was a dissenter, and the Mayor owed him a grudge. When nothing could -be proved against him as having been concerned in the rebellion, the -Judge fell into such a rage as I have never seen in my life before, so -that all the court quaked and trembled, and he bawled out, "The rascal -is a dissenter! I can smell 'em forty miles!" and forthwith foaming at -the mouth he bid the jury find him guilty, which to their shame they -did; and sentence of death was accordingly passed upon him. Hearing -which the Mayor, being smitten with shame and remorse, strove to get -the sentence reversed; but the Lord Jeffreys turned upon him with one -of his awful oaths, and cried, "You have brought him on; if he be -innocent, his blood be upon you!" and immediately called for the next -prisoner, which was Mr. Benjamin Hewling. - -In such a mood as the Judge was now in all saw that the poor young -gentleman had no chance. Many stood forward to try to bear witness -to his blameless character, but were yelled down by the Judge, who -would hear nothing. The prisoner had been in arms in the rebellion, -and should die the traitor's death. Then enraged by the dauntless and -dignified bearing of the young man, his judge stormed and cursed and -raged at him, and made the horrid words of the sentence tenfold more -horrid by the way he flung it at him, till half the women in the place -fell weeping, and Miss Hannah drooped her head and for a minute quite -swooned away. - -But the spirit of her brothers possessed her too, and she recovered -herself, and was able to make her way out of the court holding Lizzie's -hand. I must needs stay to see how Will Wiseman fared, and to hear what -befell with regard to the Maids of Taunton, as they were beginning to -be called by the world. Several cases came between, all of which were -treated in the same brutal fashion by the Lord Jeffreys; and when one -thought of the pious and blameless lives many of these men had lived, -their godliness and honesty of purpose, and their piety and sweetness -of disposition, it seemed a strange thing to see them arraigned before -this drunken and blasphemous judge, and feel that he had the power, -in despite of the clearest evidence, to doom them to a frightful and -hideous death. - -But my heart beat with a more personal interest when I saw the -familiar face of Will Wiseman in the prisoner's place. He had grown -thin and white during his captivity; for the prisons were crowded and -unwholesome, and the prisoners were but poorly fed. I had done what I -could for him; but I had not succeeded in seeing him, nor could I be -sure that the things I took him from the Simpsons' house ever reached -him aright. - -Jeffreys glared at poor Will as though he would have done him to death -on the very spot; but Will looked at him back without any sign of -fear--though, unless he were double and treble as brave as I, he must -surely have been in a sad affright. And then the witnesses suborned -by wicked Mr. Blewer, who had by this time edged himself very near to -the judges, and was looking on with cruel malice in his eyes, came -forward and bore testimony to the fact that Will had read the different -Declarations of the Duke to the people who wished to hear them; and -thankful indeed was I that none came to tell how he had led the assault -upon the arms in the church tower, for I was not sure that that would -not have been a hanging matter. I thought they could not do much to -poor Will for such a small thing as this; but Jeffreys was licking his -cruel lips, and his face had that smile upon it which was almost worse -than his scowl, and he cried out in his husky, rasping tones,-- - -"A young rogue, but a veritable villain! He must be taught to curb -that mischievous tongue of his! Pity the good old plan of boring it -through with a hot iron is out of fashion now! Never mind; we will -find a cure nevertheless. What does the wise man say? 'Spare the rod -and spoil the child.' Well, we will not do that. The rod shall not be -spared. I give sentence that the prisoner, William Wiseman, be whipped -through every market town in Somerset.--Executioner, warm him well. The -weather is growing sharp. See that he take not cold in the open air. -He will needs be shorn of his clothing. Warm his back for him! warm -it well!" And doubling himself up in brutal laughter at his jest, the -Judge signed for the prisoner to be removed. - -My heart went out in pity and rage; but to myself I kept repeating, "My -hoard of guineas--my golden hoard is still almost untouched. Sure it -can win for poor Will an abatement of his punishment. The executioner -at least will not be as brutal as the Judge." - -When I came to myself, after having been wrapped in thought for I -know not how long, I felt a curious thrill going through the court; -and there I saw Miss Blake and Mary Mead standing side by side before -the wicked Judge, who was regarding them with a face of curiosity and -malevolent interest. - -"And where be the other fair maidens?" he asked, looking at a paper -before him. - -The usher of the court replied that only Miss Blake had been summoned; -that the pupils could be found when necessary, but that they were taken -by their parents, and were scattered here and there, save Mistress -Mary Mead, who had claimed to accompany Miss Blake. - -The names of twenty or more maids were read out as having been -concerned in the making and the presenting of the colours; and much -ribald jesting was indulged in on the part of the Judge, who, however, -seemed in not so evil a humour as heretofore. Whilst the proceedings -were going on, I observed with uneasiness that Mr. Blewer edged himself -up to Lord Jeffreys; and my uneasiness did not decrease when I saw -them laughing together as if on very friendly terms, and keep throwing -glances in the direction of Mistress Mary, who stood white and calm and -collected beside her more agitated mistress. I think perhaps she had -never looked so beautiful as she did then in her devotion and courage; -and I hated to see the eyes of those two bad men scanning her at their -evil pleasure. - -After a while the Judge took up the word again, and said that for the -high misdemeanour of Miss Blake and all the persons named upon the list -which had been read, a fine would be laid upon them by the court; but -that this fine should be the Christmas Box of the Maids of Honour of -her Majesty the Queen, and that they should levy it upon the Taunton -Maids at their will and pleasure. How the sentence was worded I cannot -remember, but that was the substance of it. The Taunton Maids were to -remain at large, but to be given (as it were) to the Maids of Honour -for a Christmas Box; and they were to have liberty to exact as much -money as could be wrung from the parents and guardians of the maids. -But after having so disposed of the irresponsible culprits, the Judge -turned with a heavy frown upon Miss Blake, and thundered out that as -she had been the planner and contriver of all this, and knew what she -was doing, which the young maids did not, she was condemned to be -imprisoned in Dorchester jail at the King's pleasure, where doubtless -she would come to repent her of her evil ways. - -Then whilst poor Miss Blake turned pale and seemed about to swoon, and -the women in the court who had known her for long fell a-weeping, the -Judge turned his evil eyes upon Mistress Mary and said,-- - -"As for you, young Mistress, who are old enough to know better, yet -have been led into evil practices by those about you, I will pass over -your misdemeanour in this matter but lightly. You shall pay your share -of the fine imposed; but for the rest, your imprisonment shall not be -in any jail--that were something too hard for youth and beauty. Yet -inasmuch as you have proved stubborn and rebellious, and are not fit to -be custodian of your own fortune nor of your own person, we give you -here in troth-plight to good Mr. Nicholas Blewer, a godly and a loyal -subject; and he will guide and teach and admonish you, and train you to -be a submissive wife and a good subject. To-morrow we will see you wed -ere we leave the town,--And so, ladies, farewell!" - -I listened aghast. My eyes turned helplessly from the evil face of the -Judge to the triumphant one of Master Blewer, wreathed in smiles that -turned me sick; and then to the cold, calm visage of Mistress Mary, -who seemed scarce to take in the meaning of these terrible words. -After standing for a minute, gazing as if horror-struck at the Judge, -she suddenly pulled her hood over her face, and went out walking -unsteadily, so that many thought her weeping. - -But I knew better: Mistress Mary's spirit was one that rose under -stress of peril when that of another would have sunk. I was near to a -door, and I pushed my way out and fought my way through all sorts of -places where I had no business, till I found myself at her side. Her -face was as white as death; but she grasped me by the hand when she saw -me, and said, in a low, strained voice,-- - -"Take me somewhere, Dicon, before _he_ can get out!" - -"Come with me!" I said, rapidly reviewing the situation, and striving -to know what to do; and as we passed out together, I heard people -saying one to another, "She is ill! she is stricken to death!" "The -evil visage of that man has killed her!" - -"Yes," I cried, seizing my opportunity, "she is ill--she is very ill. -She is stricken with a fever. I must take her to those who can tend -her.--Lean on me, Mistress Mary; I will take care of you." - -She obeyed me mechanically. I do not think she either heard or saw. -There was a stunned look upon her face, as though somehow the soul had -gone out of it. I knew that her mind was working inwardly all the more -keenly and intensely; but to others it looked indeed as though she -had been stricken for death, so ashen grey was her face, so fixed and -irresponsive her eyes. - -She put her hand upon my arm, and by many by-ways and alleys I led -her away, none following, as all interest was still centred in the -doings of the court. Still I was resolved to baffle all pursuit; and -since poor Miss Blake was committed to prison, there was no safety for -Mistress Mary beneath the accustomed roof. - -So I took her straight to the Simpsons' house, where Lizzie welcomed -her with open arms; and after I had whispered long in her ear, a look -of keen intelligence beamed over her face, and she whispered back in -eager accents,-- - -"Trust us, good Dicon. We would do more than that for sweet Mistress -Mary to save her from such a fate!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -_THE JUDGE'S SENTENCES._ - - -And what then was our plan? If, reader, you will trouble yourself so -far as to read the annals of Taunton for this time, and especially the -part of it which refers to the Taunton Maids, you will find it set down -that there was one maid who appeared in court besides Miss Blake; and -that the terrible looks of the bloody Judge struck such terror into -her heart, that she pulled her hood over her face and fell a-weeping, -and so left the court; and that so great was her fright that she went -home and sank down in a swoon, and was dead of sheer terror before the -sun had set. And if you will seek amongst the graves in the churchyard -here, you will find one that bears the name of Mary Mead; and you -will be told by the sexton that it is the grave of the fairest of the -Taunton Maids, who worked the most beautiful of all the banners that -were given to the Duke of Monmouth by Taunton Town, and who fell sick -upon the very day on which she had borne herself so bravely in court -before the wicked Judge Jeffreys, and died and was buried, though she -was to have been wed on the very day of her funeral. - -The story says that it was to a handsome young Viscount that she was to -have given her hand, and claims sympathy for the maid on that account; -but those who remember the real scene know better than that, although -there are but few who know that Mary Mead does not lie in that grave, -but that therein lies only a coffin filled with books and stones; -whilst she--but I must not get on too fast with my story. - -In the confusion and excitement of the town at this time, and the -universal fear and indignation inspired by these trials, it was so -easy to arrange the thing. A coffin was brought to the Simpsons' house -that very night, for a maid stricken with a fever; and after it was -filled with heavy substances, the lid was screwed down, and an order -for burial was easy to obtain. For all had heard the story of Mary -Mead in court, and how she had been stricken as it were for death upon -receiving her sentence from the Judge, so that none were surprised -to hear how sudden the end had been; and since Mr. Blewer had drunk -himself drunk with Lord Jeffreys that night, as a fitting preparation -for his nuptials with a pure and virtuous maiden on the morrow, even he -did not trouble us with any inquiry. Then as all men had a wholesome -horror of fever, the coffin was promptly screwed down, and all made -ready for the burying before the dawn of the day. - -God forgive us if we did amiss; but those were hard and cruel days, and -poor persecuted folks were driven sometimes to sore straits if they -were to escape worse than death. I, at least, felt no qualm at that -time, whatever falsehood I told to stand betwixt Mistress Mary and the -peril of being wedded to that wicked man, who would make of her fair -young life a veritable hell upon earth. For her sweet sake, let alone -for my lord's, I would have done more than I did. As I say again, God -forgive us our sin; for sin we did, albeit I scarce know now how I -should act were such a thing to come into my life once more. - -So whilst all Taunton slept after the excitement of that day, and in -prospect of the near excitements of the coming executions, Mistress -Mary and I slipped from the town on foot, and by unfrequented routes; -and before the first streak of coming day appeared in the east, I -had piloted her through the marshy tract of ground nigh to Bishop's -Hull, and had left her, exhausted but in peace, with the kindly -cottage folks, who had had their instructions from their well-loved -foster-child, and who received this other Mistress Mary with open arms. - -Indeed the story of the scene in the Assize Hall roused within them -feelings of the keenest indignation. They would have done much more -than was asked of them to save a victim of wicked Judge Jeffreys from -the fate he had assigned her. They lived near enough to Taunton to know -somewhat of Mr. Blewer and his evil report; and when I sallied forth -again at break of day, it was to feel that no surer place of refuge -could have been found for Mistress Mary, and no more loving guardians. - -But there was plenty of work awaiting me still. I knew not the day -nor the hour when Will's punishment would commence; and it was needful -that I should see and bribe the hangman, that he laid the stripes but -lightly on my poor comrade's back, despite the charge of the Judge. -The execution of the prisoners condemned to death was fixed for the -thirtieth of the month--only a few days distant; but Will might be -whipped at any time, and if I knew Mr. Blewer aright, he would seek -the pleasure of seeing it done right speedily. Well did I know that -it was his spite alone which had caused Will to be arrested. And the -only marvel was that I had escaped his rancour, the more so that -I had deceived him about Mistress Mary and Lord Lonsdale's speedy -coming. But perhaps he had thought that I spoke in good faith, and was -myself deceived. At least he doubtless saw his way to a more speedy -and triumphant accomplishment of his wishes by gaining the ear of -the wicked Judge, and therefore laid his plans accordingly, caring -nothing for the guardian's consent, now that he had the mandate of the -Chief-Justice. - -I reached the town again before daylight, and found Master Simpson's -house straitly shut up. For already it had been whispered abroad that -Mistress Mary had died of the plague--the report having been set afoot -by the gossip of the excited maid-servant, who had seen the grey and -rigid face of the maiden as she was brought in, and hearing almost -at once that she had died, ran forth in a great fright to her own -relations, and declared that she had seen a dark spot on the brow of -the lady; and in a short while it was being whispered about that the -plague had suddenly stricken her and carried her off--which was thought -only too possible in those days. - -Nothing could have turned out better for our purpose, albeit we had -not ourselves set the rumour afloat, nor did we hear anything of it -till that morning, when a mandate reached the household from the Mayor, -ordering instant burial for the body, and that none should come forth -from that house till leave was given from him. - -Luckily for me I was away when that mandate came, so I escaped the -imprisonment which Lizzie and her aunt suffered for fourteen days, very -willingly. And this saved them from any questioning or trouble from Mr. -Blewer, who did not dare to came anigh the house; and though they say -he raved and raged horribly at the ill turn fate had done him, he did -not suspect for a moment that any trick had been played upon him. He, -like all Taunton, believed in the death of the maid; and only when no -more signs of the plague appeared in the house or the place did men say -it was most like to have been a virulent fever, caught perhaps in court -from some prisoner from the fetid jail, or engendered by the fright of -being brought face to face with the Judge. - -As for me, being unable to obtain entrance to the Simpsons' house, I -went straight home and took from my store several golden guineas; and -then I made my way to the Bridewell, to seek speech with the hangman, -and see if I could bribe him to treat Will but lightly and mercifully. - -Whilst I was passing through the streets I saw a great crowd gathered. -Coming hastily to the edge of it, I asked what was going on, and was -told that Mistress Hannah Hewling had been waiting outside a certain -house where Lord Jeffreys was known to be, to petition him on coming -out for a respite of her brother's sentence; for she verily believed -that such interest would be made by their parents and friends in London -town, that if he could but be respited a few days his pardon would be -assured. - -I heard a woman's voice in the midst of the crowd raised in imploring -tones, and I heard the brutal laugh of the wicked Judge--that malicious -laugh I had heard so often of late, and which seemed the most evil -thing about that most evil man. Then suddenly the crowd parted with -cries of, "Have a care! have a care!" and I saw that the Judge had -stepped into his coach, and that the prancing horses were just starting. - -But even then Mistress Hannah would not cease her pleading. She hung -upon the coach, still rending the air with her cries, and offering--I -think it was a thousand pounds for just two days' respite. But Jeffreys -looked forth from the window, his eyes scintillating with passion, and -he cried out to his coachman,-- - -"Whip her off! whip her off! Cut her hands to pieces! I will not be -badgered thus!" - -And the man, who seemed to be a worthy fellow of such a master, took -his heavy whip and lashed at the poor lady's white hands as they still -clung to the coach; and the people started forward and caught her as -she fell away, half fainting with pain and anguish. And methinks if -the Judge could but have heard the curses with which he was followed as -he drove away, he would scarce have felt comfortable for the rest of -the day. - -Now it so chanced that Mother Whale was in Taunton that day, and she -was standing in the crowd when this thing happened; and suddenly -tossing her withered arms into the air, she burst into a torrent of -execration that sounded almost like words of prophecy. The people stood -agape with a stern joy as she hurled her maledictions upon him, and -screamed after him that his turn would one day come--that he should -himself be a fugitive from mankind, and should sue for the mercy which -should be refused him, and should perish miserably at last like the -wretched brute beast that he was! - -Then all the people cried, "Amen! Amen!" and Mother Whale was taken -into many houses that day and treated sumptuously; but she would add -nothing to the words she had spoken, nor say how and when they would be -fulfilled. All Taunton, however, was whispering that a frightful fate -would follow this monster, and a stern satisfaction was upon the faces -of those who heard and those who told the news. - -So many interruptions on the way hindered my errand, and I was but -just in time. Poor Will was to be whipped through the streets of the -town this very day; but the fellow who had charge of the whipping was -known to me, and had small relish for the office, seeing that Will was -a favourite with all who knew him, and had won golden opinions in -the prison by his wit and cheerfulness, and the way he had served and -entertained his fellow-prisoners, keeping up their courage and making -light of hardships. - -It needed little of my gold to win the promised leniency. - -"I would not lay a finger on the lad if I could help it!" said the -man; "but were I to put the office on another, the poor fellow might -fare worse. He is a right brave and good lad. I would it were yon -black-coated knave of a parson that I had under my lash! I would not -spare him. I would warm his shoulders well, and give them a red jacket -to boot that he should carry for long enough!" - -Mr. Blewer was not beloved in Taunton, and his spite towards Will had -long been known. - -Will came out looking pale, as he had done in court yesterday, but -resolute and fearless for all that. His eyes lighted at sight of me, -and he gave the hand I held out to him a hearty squeeze. - -"It's all for the good cause, Dicon," he said. "Art not thou ashamed to -speak with one who is to be tied to the cart's tail yonder?" - -"Ashamed of thee, Will? I would I were half the man that thou art!" And -then coming a little nearer, I whispered in his ear,-- - -"He will make thy punishment as light as he can, Will; and after the -Judge be safely gone back out of the West, men say that prisoners will -have little to fear. The Mayors and people of the towns will have none -of his brutal sentences carried out. Thou wilt not be sent from town to -town as he said." - -Will gave a nod, but could say no more; for the executioner had come -to tie him to the cart, and Mr. Blewer came hurrying up that he might -witness the pain and shame of the boy he hated. But this was too much -for the crowd. Whether or not this man was a friend of the dreaded -Judge who had not yet left the town, the crowd was not to be quelled. -A storm of groans and hisses arose at sight of him; women shook their -fists in his face, and children took up stones, and would have cast -them at him but for the restraining hands of their mothers. One great -brawny blacksmith came forward with his hammer in his hand and stood -right in front of the white-faced poltroon, who was looking this way -and that, as though he knew not whether to fly or to hurl threats and -defiance at the mob. - -"Look you here, sir," said the man, speaking loud enough for everybody -to hear. "You'd better watch this thing from somewhere else than the -public streets, if you don't want the coat, which you're a disgrace -to, to be torn off your back! I tell you, sir, that it would not take -more than a few words from some amongst us to get you stripped and set -where that poor lad is now; and there's not a man amongst us but would -be glad to lay lashes on your back--ay, and we would too, if once our -blood was up. So if you value a sound skin, go while there is yet time! -Taunton Town is not trodden so much in the dust yet that she cannot -rise in revolt against a monster like you!" - -Yells, hisses, and groans filled the air, and Mr. Blewer's face turned -from white to purple, and again faded to an ashen grey. If ever man -looked cowed and beaten, he did then. But he took the hint, and made -off as fast as his legs would carry him; and I verily believe had it -been any other time--had the sense of fear inspired by recent events -not been still strong upon the people--that he would have been pounced -upon then and there, and whipped at the cart's tail through the streets -of Taunton by the infuriated populace. - -As it was, it was poor Will who was whipped, though the lashes were but -lightly laid on; and I think the boy scarce felt the pain in the sense -of triumph at the discomfiture of his foe, and in the encouragement -and sympathy of his townsmen. I walked beside him all the way, and he -looked at me every now and then with a smile. All sense of shame--which -to some natures is the bitterest part of such a punishment--was saved -him; for he was regarded by the people as a sufferer in a noble cause, -and as a youthful martyr might have been in days of old. Women wept and -blessed him; men called out brave words of praise and encouragement. He -held his head up to the very last; and though he sometimes winced and -shrank, he did not utter a cry the whole way through the town and back. - -But alas, alas! we had only raised in the breast of his implacable foe -a spirit of hostility which would not be satisfied without a speedy -vengeance. As we entered the yard of the prison again, there was Mr. -Blewer waiting for us; and as he cast a scrutinizing glance upon poor -Will's back lined with blue wales, he uttered a snort of contempt and -anger, and turned upon the executioner with an air of stern displeasure. - -Will was led away by the jailer, who treated him kindly enough; but the -hangman was detained by Mr. Blewer, who said severely,-- - -"Why, fellow, what do you mean by carrying out my lord's sentences -in such a fashion? He straitly charged you not to spare the rod; and -you have not only spared it, but have scarce let him feel it! I tell -you, fellow, the Judge's mandates are not thus to be set aside. I will -report the matter to him, and see what he says!" - -And at that the fellow broke out in a great passion, as well indeed he -might. - -"Sir," he cried, "men talk with horror of the cruelties of the Popish -Priests; but commend me to a Church of England Priest for downright -cruelty! You are like the country Justices who will not believe that a -man is burnt in the hand unless they can see a hole through it! Shame -upon you, sir. You would not dare to speak thus were the citizens of -Taunton here to listen!" - -Mr. Blewer's face expressed all sorts of evil emotions. He raised the -cane he held in his hand and slightly threatened the man with it. - -"Have a care, fellow! have a care how you speak, or you may chance to -get a taste of your own rope's end one of these days!" - -"I would I could give you a taste of it!" muttered the man as he walked -off in a rage; and as I followed him to get speech if it were possible -of Will, he broke out again and cried, "I verily believe the whole -place has gone mad. Men seem to be drunk with blood. Surely this is -like the great whore of the Scriptures who is drunk with the blood of -saints and martyrs! The King and his ministers will have a deal to -answer for when the books come to be opened at the Day of Judgment!" - -My heart swells even now with indignation when I think of the rest of -this story. What passed betwixt Mr. Blewer and that wicked Judge I know -not, nor can any man tell, but (although I knew it not till after the -evil deed had been done--whereby I was saved some suffering) a mandate -was sent down that very day to the keeper of the prison, saying that -the boy Wiseman was to be whipped again upon the morrow; and that -another man was to be chosen for the office, that the sentence of the -Judge might be adequately carried out! And this thing was done in the -prison-yard--for methinks the keeper of the prison was afraid to do it -in the open streets--and the poor lad was so cruelly whipped that they -say the bones of his back were laid bare. And it was in almost a dying -state that he was carried back to the prison, where he fell into high -fever, and might well have died had not news come of it to our ears, -and had we not procured for him a separate room, where he could have -ease and quiet, and such good nourishment and tendance as his state -demanded. - -But when I saw him first he knew me not; and though I came day after -day, he lay in a death-like stupor, muttering to himself, but speaking -no word that any might understand, and only moaning a little when his -wounds were dressed by the godly woman whose services we had bespoken -for him. - -"Never weep for him, Dicon," said the good woman to me, as my tears -fell fast at his sad state. "Methinks the Lord will yet raise him up. -And this fever is a merciful thing for him, for it dulls his pains, -and he knows naught of his sufferings: it would be far worse were he -himself. We will get his wounds partly healed before he comes to feel -them. He takes his broth and milk, and he gets a sort of rest by day, -though he is wakeful and feverish at night. Yet I can see that he makes -progress day by day. He is a bold lad and full of spirit. He will be a -sound and whole man yet, please God." - -So I received comfort, though my heart was still full of rage and -grief; and methinks Mr. Blewer would have been well-nigh torn in pieces -in Taunton streets had he dared to show himself there, but he took -himself off to Wells when the Judge moved thither, and for a short time -we saw him no more. - -There was one more terrible day for Taunton upon the last of this month -of September, when the bloody sentences of death were executed upon the -prisoners condemned to die there--nineteen in number. - -Great numbers of other prisoners, who were condemned on pleading guilty -in a body, did not suffer death, but were sold by the Judge to various -persons, who either extorted from their friends a ransom for them, or -in the case of meaner persons, whose friends had no money, shipped them -off to the plantations to be sold there, where it was said that they -fetched about ten pounds a head. Great numbers of these unfortunate men -perished on the outward voyage; but some reached there alive, and of -these some very few returned in after years to their country and their -friends. I have myself spoken with more than one such, who has told me -moving stories of the sufferings they underwent first in the vessels -which conveyed them to these torrid zones, and afterwards at the hands -of cruel task-masters. But of this I cannot more particularly speak -now. It belongs not to my story, save to account for the fact that -whilst so many, many hundreds, and even thousands, were condemned to -death, the greater number of these were not executed, but were treated -in this manner. - -I will not describe further the horrid side of the execution of our -friends and fellow-citizens of Taunton; but I will speak of their -bravery, their resignation, and the words and bearing of them, which -made even their enemies say afterwards, "If you want to learn how to -die, go to the young men of Taunton to learn." - -No respite of his sentence had come for Mr. Benjamin Hewling, and he -was one of the most courageous and steadfast of them all. Of those to -die with him whom I have named in these pages were Master (or Captain) -John Hucker and Mr. William Jenkyns. The only favour that their friends -could obtain for some amongst these was the right to bury them in the -churchyard after death. To save his corpse from dismemberment, Miss -Hannah Hewling had to pay the thousand pounds she had offered for the -life of her brother; and there were a few others who gained this -privilege also, though upon what terms I have never heard. Surely this -Western Assize must have been a fortune in itself for Lord Jeffreys. It -was told us afterwards that he bought a fine property on the proceeds -of the bribes received and the sale of prisoners living or dead. -Methinks that such a house as that must surely have been haunted by the -shades of many an innocent sufferer! - -When the prisoners were brought forth from the Castle by the Sheriffs, -and the sledge brought which was to convey them to the place of -execution--the Cornhill, where already a large fire had been lighted, -so that those who were to be dismembered and their hearts burned might -see the flames beforehand--they came forth looking calm and glad, -and speaking brave words of comfort both to one another and to their -friends, Mr. Benjamin Hewling being (like his younger brother) most -sweet and tender in his fashion of speaking, so that tears ran down -all faces. But the Sheriffs hurried them upon the sledge, grudging to -them even the last words and embraces of their friends; and then the -procession started. But a very strange thing then happened: the horses -kept stopping short and refusing to draw the sledge, and they snorted -and shrank back, and broke out in a sweat, as horses will do when -greatly frightened. And all men marvelled at it, and whispered one to -another that sure the Angel of the Lord stood with a drawn sword in -his hand to keep back His servants from their bloody doom. I believe -indeed that this was so; for I, who was mounted on Blackbird, that I -might see above the heads of the crowd, felt him shake and grow rigid -beneath me, as though he too saw some strange sight. At last the Mayor -and Sheriffs had themselves to come forward and actually pull and force -the horses onwards, although to the very last they resisted, and showed -every sign of terror and reluctance. - -Upon the scaffold the prisoners embraced each other and joined in -prayer; but they were rudely interrupted by the Sheriff, who doubtless -feared some breaking forth on the part of the people. - -"May we not pray a while ere we are brought before our Maker?" asked -one; whereupon the Sheriff answered by a rough question,-- - -"Will you pray for the King?" - -"I pray for all men," was the answer; and having thus prayed, he -further asked if they might sing a Psalm. - -"It must be with the ropes about your necks then," answered the Sheriff -brutally; but with a smile they consented joyfully to this. - -Sure never was Psalm so sweetly or strangely sung as the twenty-third -of David that day by our brothers just with their last breath. So -touched were all by the scene, that it seemed as though all the town -had come forth to bear to their graves those for whom this favour had -been purchased; and as we stood to see the earth thrown upon them, we -broke ourselves into the words of the same Psalm, and felt indeed that -the valley of death had had no terrors for those who walked with the -staff of the Lord in their hands, and were comforted by His presence -even there. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -_PEACE AFTER STORM._ - - -The Judge was gone; the prisons were emptying fast; men began to -breathe again after their long terror; those who had fled their homes, -and had been living in hiding in terror of their lives, came out once -more, and appeared to gladden the hearts of their friends. It was said -that a general pardon would now be issued to all those who had not -suffered, and that the terrible time was over at last. The King, we -heard, had been excellently well pleased by what his Lord Chief-Justice -had done in the West, and soon rewarded him with the Chancellorship, as -had always been believed. I think perhaps it was the knowledge of these -things which went far to stir the hearts of the people against their -sovereign, and to pave the way three years later for the bloodless -revolution which set a Protestant and a Constitutional ruler upon the -throne in place of the Papist tyrant. I sometimes think that had we of -the West Country had more patience, and had we waited till the time was -ripe, we might have been called patriots and saviours of our country -instead of rebels and traitors, to be massacred and hanged by the -hundred. But then, again, I have learned to doubt whether the Duke of -Monmouth would ever have been received by the nation, or have made a -wise ruler had he been so received. Men who best understand him and the -matter say that he could never have made good his title to the throne, -that he was not born in wedlock, and that the people would never have -suffered a sovereign with a stain upon his birth. Queen Mary with her -good husband proved a kind and a wise ruler, and beneath her gentle -sway peace, order, liberty, and prosperity were quickly restored; and -yet there be men who even now talk as though the Duke or his son might -yet come back to put forward a claim, and many declare that he never -died upon the scaffold, but that he was personated to the very last by -a devoted follower. - -All this is looking ahead. In the days of which I speak we had no -knowledge of the good times to come. We breathed indeed, feeling that -the iron hand of military and judicial vengeance was relaxed from our -throat; but it seemed to us then as if the bloody James were seated all -the more firmly upon his throne. - -And now what shall I tell next of all the events that followed in such -quick succession? Perhaps whilst my mind is upon the subject I will -speak of Mr. Blewer and the vengeance which fell upon him for his -cruelty to a Taunton boy. - -I have mentioned before good Bishop Ken, who did so much to ease the -condition of prisoners, and who was beloved throughout all his diocese. -He came to visit Taunton not long after these things had happened; -and going into the prison, he found poor Will in a sad state still, -although greatly better than he had been. - -It chanced, as luck would have it, that I was with him when the Bishop -came; for Will's case had excited much comment in the town, and he was -permitted to see his friends and enjoy many small privileges, which -indeed his state demanded. And after the kindly Bishop had spoken to -the boy, and had prayed beside him a beautiful prayer, he asked me -how he came into so sad a state. Then I told him everything I knew, -striving to hold my wrath in check, as was due to my superior, but -scarce able to keep it from breaking out when I spoke of Mr. Blewer. - -I thought that the Lord Bishop's face grew stern as he listened, and I -hoped that some punishment might fall upon the man who was a disgrace -to the sacred calling he had embraced; and in truth I was not mistaken -in this, as I will proceed to tell. - -I think it was the next day that the Bishop and Mr. Axe were walking -together through the town, and talking of many things--Mr. Axe, as I -have many times said, being a reverend and godly man, well thought of -by all, a loyal servant to the King, and a lover of order, but always -on the side of mercy and justice. - -Well, as these walked and talked there came towards them Mr. Blewer, -mincing and bowing, and plainly resolved to gain the notice of the Lord -Bishop; for he had an eye to promotion to some office in the Church, -and trusted that he might gain the good-will of this good man, and so -be appointed to some living. As he approached, the Bishop looked at -him, asking his companion who the person was who evidently desired to -attract his notice. Mr. Axe replied with some brevity and coldness that -his name was Mr. Blewer, and that he had been living for some time in -Taunton, appointed by Mr. Harte to assist in the services of St. Mary's -Church. - -At the sound of that name the Bishop's fine face became very stern; and -as Mr. Blewer came up with mincing steps and hat in hand, believing -that the Bishop had paused to permit his approach, he fixed his eyes -upon him, and spoke in a tone that all the bystanders could hear. - -"Mr. Blewer," he said, "I have heard of you before. Indeed I have had -it in my thoughts to summon you to my presence." - -"My lord, you do me too much honour!" was the delighted answer, as the -creature stood bowing and mincing before the Bishop, his evil face -wearing its expression of submissive adulation, such as had been seen -upon it in presence of the Lord Chief-Justice. "It is very true that I -have done all in my poor power in the cause of law and righteousness -during these troubled days, but I had scarce hoped that my poor -services would have reached the ears of my gracious lord." - -"Sir," answered the good Bishop, with gathering sternness, "the less -you speak of righteousness the better, for there has been little of -it in your conduct during these troubled days. Sir, think you that at -a time when every man calling himself the servant of God should have -been straining every nerve in the cause of mercy and tenderness, -it is for the clergy to disgrace themselves by acts of selfishness, -rapacity, and barbarity which make all honest men shudder and breathe -forth curses? Nay, sir, answer me not. It is for me to speak and for -you to listen. I have heard of you, Mr. Blewer. I have heard how you -persecuted an innocent maiden, and how you cajoled and bribed a certain -high personage to grant you her hand in marriage, not for any love you -bore her--for you had openly boasted that you would rid yourself of -her in a year's time--but because she had money, which you desired to -possess; and how she was only saved from your malice by the merciful -hand of death. Sir, you are as guilty of that sweet and tender maiden's -death as though you had slain her with your own hands. Small wonder -that the very thought of being placed for life in such cruel hands -caused that deadly fever of which she quickly died. I blush with shame -to think that one who has dared to take upon himself the sacred calling -and the holy office of the priesthood could ever thus disgrace both -himself and his calling!" - -"My lord, my lord, you have been misinformed. Some enemy has been -wickedly slandering me. Alas! in this evil town a godly man has but too -many foes. I swear that I loved the maid--that I would have made her -the best of husbands. My lord, I have been cruelly maligned. There is -no man in Taunton with a tenderer heart than mine. God be my witness -that I speak the truth!" - -The Bishop raised his hand in stern displeasure. "Sir," he said, "take -not that Holy Name to profane it by falsehood. Can a man who will -drink himself drunk with the Lord Jeffreys and his boon companions, -and join with him in profane swearing and ribald jesting--can he be a -fit spouse for a godly and a pure maid, to whom evil is but a name? -Mr. Blewer, think not to deceive me by false swearing; I know too -much of you and of your practices. And as though it was not enough to -seek to wreck the life of this maiden, you must seek also to do to -death in a most cruel and barbarous manner a lad whose only fault has -been a boyish lack of discretion. Sir, my blood tingles in my veins -at the thought of this thing. Were our prisons not crowded enough -with men taken in the very act of rebellion, that you must needs lay -an accusation against a young lad of excellent character for a mere -indiscretion, and get him also incarcerated in those filthy dens, -to languish there for weeks? And having done this, and having borne -witness which gained for the poor child a whipping far in excess of his -fault, what fiend possessed you to carry a tale to the Judge in his -cups, and gain for the boy such handling that his life has barely been -saved by the exertions of his friends and the leniency of the prison -authorities, themselves ashamed of such a deed? Man, man, I almost -forget myself in anger as I think of this thing. You calling yourself -a priest and servant of the Most High God, a minister of His children, -a messenger of peace and righteousness--you to show yourself such a -monster of cruelty that the blood curdles at the tale of your deeds! -Go, sir; let me never see you again. And do not dare ever to pollute -a pulpit, or perform any holy office in the diocese over which I -reign, lest I take upon myself to excommunicate you, as in the good old -days of ecclesiastical discipline would have been done for a far less -offence than yours!" - -And the good Bishop walked on with a stern face, leaving the miscreant -he had so worthily lashed with his tongue cowering and shivering with -rage and fear, his face livid with passion and disappointment, and -his hands nervously clutching at the cane he carried, as though in an -instinctive longing to lay it about the shoulders of some innocent -victim. - -Not daring to follow, or to say another word to the good Bishop, who -was known to be a most tender-hearted man, and whose scathing rebuke -was therefore far more telling than it would have been in the lips of -the military Bishop Mew, who had actually taken the field in person, -the wretched creature lingered staring after the retreating figures -until they had turned the next corner, and then, gnashing his teeth in -impotent shame and rage, he turned towards his own lodgings, and made -as though he would have retired thither. - -But he was not destined to attain this shelter so speedily as he had -thought. A crowd had gathered in the street to hear the Bishop's -reprimand, and murmurs of applause and approval had greeted every -scathing rebuke. The very fact that the Bishop had not scrupled to -speak thus in public to a clergyman showed how greatly his indignation -had been aroused; and as the evil creature turned to leave the scene of -his humiliation, he found himself suddenly confronted by the brawny -blacksmith who had given him a taste of his tongue on another occasion. - -"Ho, ho, Sir Priest! so the good Lord Bishop is not a friend to -drunkenness and debauchery and savage cruelty! And so the discipline of -the Church is relaxed, is it, and its evil servants cannot be touched? -Sure that must be a sore matter of regret to so righteous a man as -good Mr. Blewer.--Friends," and here he turned his face with a not too -pleasant grin upon it towards the crowd now pressing closely round, -"since the good gentleman here is debarred from the discipline of the -Church, suppose we good citizens give him a taste of such discipline as -our town cudgels can bestow." - -A yell of delight answered this suggestion, and a hundred staffs were -immediately waved in the air. Mr. Blewer's face turned a livid green -tint, and he looked at his tormentor with a sickly smile, fumbling in -his pocket the while. - -"Very good, very good, my merry friend. Thou art quite a wag in thy -way," he gasped in his coward terror at the ring of fierce faces around -him. "An excellent jest in truth, and one which I will myself tell to -the good Bishop when I go to clear myself in his sight of the slanders -he has heard against me. All friends of the people have enemies who -malign them, and so it has been with me. Here, my good fellow, take -that, and bid your friends disperse. I am a man of peace; let us have -no unseemly disturbance here in the streets." - -He would have pressed a golden guinea into the blacksmith's hand, but -that honest rogue turned away with an expression of scorn and disgust. - -"Thy money perish with thee!" he cried, in a great access of wrath; and -bringing down his heavy staff upon the shoulders of the luckless Mr. -Blewer, he shouted out, "Take that, thou coward and craven monster of -cruelty! take that and that, and think of Will Wiseman! Would I could -break every bone in that wretched body of thine!" - -With a yell of pain and terror, and an agonized cry for the -watch--which, however, never came--the wretched man sprang away and -hurled himself through the crowd, every man of which, who was armed -with a stick, hit him a blow as he passed, and every woman snatched -at his coat or scratched his face, till his clothing was half torn -off his back, and his face was running down with blood; and every one -who struck him called out in savage accents, "Remember Will Wiseman!" -or, "Take that for Will's sake!" or some phrase like that, till the -wretched man must have wished from the very ground of his heart that -he had let Will Wiseman alone. And when I heard the story, and how Mr. -Blewer had been beaten almost into a jelly ere he reached the shelter -of his house, I felt indeed that Will had been avenged, and that God -had wrought vengeance even by the hands of the lawless and violent men. - -Nor was any notice taken of this outrage by the authorities. I think -both the Mayor and the magistrates felt that Mr. Blewer had only met -his due. The rebuke of the Bishop was known to them, and there was no -desire to take up the cudgels for a creature of such evil notoriety. -All the town was sick of bloodshed and confusion, and was breathing -once more in the hope of quieter days to come. To raise an inquiry and -to punish the ringleaders of the mob would only stir the city into -anger and even rebellion once again. So Mr. Blewer made his plaint -in vain, and got no redress; and it was said of him that he went to -Bristol as soon as he was able to travel, and drunk himself to death -there before the year was ended; but of this I know nothing certain. I -never saw the miserable creature again, and I can only think it very -like him to come to such an end after the disappointments and the -violent usage he had received. - -The news of this discomfiture of his enemy, and of the vengeance taken -upon him by the citizens, did much to hearten up poor Will after his -long illness. I told him the story myself as he lay on his pallet bed -upon his face--for his poor back was still all raw, and it would be -long before his wounds would be healed. But the old spirit was coming -back into my comrade, and I saw his eyes glow and flash just in the old -way. - -"O good Jem Truslove, good Jem Truslove! methinks I can see and hear -him! O Dicon, it were a thousand pities I was not there to see it with -mine own eyes! Had it been somebody else, how I would have thrashed him -mine own self! So they made him remember Will Wiseman, did they? Ah, -it was good of them! it was indeed a kindly act! Dicon, methinks after -all he may have done me a good turn yet, for all that he meant to have -killed me: for the Governor was here yesterday after thou hadst gone, -and he told me that so soon as I could be moved I was free to go back -to my friends; that my sentence had terminated, and that he was sorry I -had been so roughly handled. Now that that monster of a Judge is gone, -men are ashamed to think what he made them do. They are sick to death -of bloodshed and cruelty, and would fain save all his victims from the -fate he desired for them." - -This indeed was very true. The Bloody Assizes, as men began to call -them, had produced an indelible impression all over this West Country. -The gentry, who had been all along against the rising for the Duke, and -had joined hands with the party of order, on seeing the horrible and -bloody vengeance taken upon the wretched inhabitants of their towns and -villages, experienced a revulsion of feeling, and a great hatred of the -King who could rejoice in and applaud such wholesale slaughter. They -had believed that the ringleaders would of necessity suffer death--that -was a necessary consequence of such an act of rebellion; but after the -Duke had been beheaded, and after the rising had been so completely -quelled, it was said by all moderate and merciful men that but a slight -punishment should be inflicted upon the mass of lesser prisoners, who -had been led away by ignorance and enthusiasm misplaced, and were like -sheep following one another they knew not whither. - -The sending down of the bloodiest and most iniquitous Judge upon -the bench with authority to massacre wholesale, and the unbridled -ferocity with which he had carried out his bloody task, had thoroughly -displeased and disgusted all moderate and merciful men; and the -honours heaped upon the bloody wretch by his admiring sovereign on his -return had added to the universal execration in which he was held. All -mercy that was possible was therefore fearlessly shown now to those -who had escaped the peril of the law, or lay under some sentence like -that of Will Wiseman. Other men--ay, and women too--had been condemned -to be whipped through various places at intervals; but the magistrates -took it upon themselves to release them after a very small part of the -punishment had been inflicted. A sense of peace and security settled -down upon a region so long rent by faction and fear. The citizens felt -that the gentry were at heart with them in their indignation against -the King, and in their desire after purer government; and although at -the moment there was no thought of any fresh rising, the people began -to whisper that a deliverer would come some day, and that the oppressed -nation would turn as one man, and hurl the bloody tyrant from his -throne. - -So although there was mourning and woe in too many homes in Taunton, -yet there was rejoicing in others; and amongst these latter was the -house of Master Simpson, which was gladdened by the return of the -master, on the very day when poor Will Wiseman had been got back, after -having been so long away and suffered so much. - -I had brought him back myself in a coach which my uncle had sent from -our inn; and I had made him comfortable upon a couch, and Lizzie and -her aunt were hanging over him and asking him all manner of questions, -and making as much of him as though he had indeed been their brother -and nephew, when we were startled by a heavy footfall up the flagged -garden walk (for the impulse of fear was still strong within us, and -we were easily alarmed at any unexpected sound), and Lizzie suddenly -uttered a little scream of ecstasy, and the next moment had sprung -right into her father's arms. - -Oh, what a clatter of tongues and clamour of voices there was, -everybody speaking at once, and nobody able to listen till the first -joyful excitement had passed! - -Master Simpson--he would never let himself be called Captain again--had -a long story to tell us of his narrow escapes from the bands of -soldiers after the fatal field of Sedgemoor. He had been amongst those -who had made such a gallant stand upon the edge of the rhine, and had -fired volley after volley into the surprised and disordered ranks of -the enemy long after the Duke had fled at the instance of Lord Grey, -and in fact until every round of ammunition had been used. He confirmed -the story told me by the poor soldier in the ditch, that if the -ammunition-waggons had but come up, and the cavalry had but re-formed -even at a distance and shown something of a front, the day might easily -have been ours. He spoke bitterly of Lord Grey, and declared that if -Lord Vere had been there things would have gone very differently. But -I have often thought since that Lord Grey was scarce as much to blame -as our people always said. I doubt whether the untrained horses would -have stood the sound of firing had their riders been never so stout -of heart. It is a long time before the mettlesome creatures can be -made to understand that they must face the flash of fire-arms and the -terrible noise and smell. Sometimes it takes two years before a horse -is seasoned; and these animals had been but a few weeks at most with -the army, and had only smelt powder once or twice before. - -Yet if the horses would not stand, their riders should have sent on the -ammunition as fast as possible, instead of spreading dismay through -the rear of the army and keeping back both the waggons and the rest of -the foot. There was nothing to excuse the confusion which their rout -created in the rear of the army. But what boots it to talk of these -matters now? The day was lost, and Master Simpson, slightly wounded -and greatly exhausted, had crawled into a ditch to hide himself, and -was passed over by the soldiers in their first search. Afterwards he -got up and slunk away in an opposite direction from Bridgewater, and -received much kindness at a woodman's hut, where the people took care -of him for several days, and where he healed him of his wound. Then -fearing to remain so near to the scene of Colonel Kirke's activity, he -fled towards Philip's Norton, knowing the country from having traversed -it before but recently; and many narrow escapes did he have of falling -into the hands of the soldiers. But fortune favoured him, and he -escaped each time, though once he was up hiding in the rafters of an -old barn, whilst the soldiers were eating and sleeping on the ground -beneath him; and he almost gave himself up for lost once, when the beam -creaked beneath his weight, and somebody called out, "Is anybody up -there? Speak, man, or I fire!" - -He did not, however, speak, nor did the soldier fire. The men laughed, -and the officer swore at them for waking him up; and so they settled to -their slumbers again. - -That was the nearest shave he had, but many were his perils; and -Lizzie sat holding his hand, and looking into his face with eyes full -of terror and ecstasy; whilst the aunt bustled about to get the best -supper the town could produce upon a sudden, and Master Simpson turned -to Will and made him tell all his history. - -He shook his head, and his face looked stern as he heard of the cruel -Judge; but it brightened as he heard how Mr. Blewer had been served, -and said, rubbing his hands together,-- - -"Good lads of Taunton, good brother citizens, would I had been there to -add a sounding blow to theirs! Would that we could serve the Judge the -same! Would that he might be at the mercy of the West Country lads some -day!" - -"Somehow," said Will slowly, as he lay white and thin upon his couch, a -strange light coming slowly into his eyes as he spoke--"somehow I seem -to think that I shall have my turn some day even with Judge Jeffreys! I -think that I shall avenge upon him the wrongs of our people before he -lays down his wicked life!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -_MY LORD AND MY LADY._ - - -I have spoken of other matters first; but it must not be thought that -the affairs of Mistress Mary and my lord had been forgotten all this -time. - -Both, however, were in safe hiding; and until the wicked Judge had left -for London, and till peace and tranquillity had settled down upon our -distracted country, it was better that they should remain there. No -one knew exactly what turn might be taken by affairs from day to day; -and especially until Mr. Blewer had left Taunton, I was in continual -anxiety as to Mistress Mary's safety, being haunted by a fear that he -would get wind somehow of the trick played upon him, and discover the -maid in her hiding-place. - -Not that I thought now he could do aught to molest her, for all the -place was hot against him; but the Judge's words were that he had -liberty to wed the maid, and who could tell what steps he might not -take in order to obtain possession of her once more? - -So Mistress Mary lay in hiding, whilst her towns-folk talked of her as -dead; and so the days slipped by. I heard also good news of my lord -at Ilminster, when I rode Blackbird across to ask for him. I had but -a short while to stay; but I saw him for a few minutes, and told him -that Mistress Mary was safe, albeit I gave him not the whole history -of her peril, fearing that he would incontinently come forth from his -hiding-place to defend her, and perhaps put both their lives in peril -thereby. - -For the pardon, although talked of, had not yet reached us; and it was -scarce safe for one of my lord's rank to show himself openly, though -others might venture to do so, as Master Simpson had done. - -I think it was two days after this visit that Mistress Mary Bridges -sent for me on some excuse about her pony--for I had chosen one for her -not long since, and had helped to break it in. When I arrived she took -me into the paddock, dismissing all others; and whilst we stood there -seeming to be talking of the pony, who came and stood beside us, she -began, in her quick, eager fashion,-- - -"Dicon, what are we to do next?" - -I knew what she meant, and I had asked myself the question many a time -before, but I had never found the answer. Mistress Mary continued, in -her quick, imperious fashion,-- - -"Mary cannot stay where she is much longer. It is no fit place for her -when the winter days come. Only those born in the marshes can live -there, and they ofttimes suffer from ague and marsh fever. Mary cannot -stand it much longer. But where can she go? Mary Mead is dead. I know -not whether she would suffer some penalty--or her friends--if she came -to life again; and Lord Lonsdale hath her money, for he is her heir. -And how can we get it back for her without telling all? And I fear Lord -Lonsdale. He is not like my father; and he is a King's man every inch. -What are we to do for her next, Dicon? Methinks that thou and I have -this secret to ourselves. Sometimes I half fear at what we have done, -and then again I say that were it to do over again I would do just -the same. But Mary cannot always lie hidden; and how is she to appear -again? That is what is perplexing me. Dicon, what shall we do?" - -"Marry her to my lord!" I cried suddenly, struck by an unexpected -inspiration. "So she will be my Lady Vere, and Mistress Mary Mead no -longer. If she has lost one name, let her have another bestowed upon -her. Let her be married to my lord!" - -Mistress Mary's eyes brightened like stars. - -"Ah, Dicon, a good thought!" she cried, clasping her hands over the -pony's neck; "but how may that be accomplished?" - -I was not quite so ready with an answer; but after a pause I said,-- - -"Mistress Mary, suppose you tell your lady mother all, and ask for her -advice; and I will think over a notion which has but just now entered -my head. Let us meet again upon the third day from this, and speak of -what we have done. If you could get Mistress Mary safely to Ilminster -in a secret fashion, perchance the rest might be managed; but until the -pardon be issued, my lord cannot openly show himself, for he does not -know that his own father might not give him up to justice, so grieved -and wroth was he at seeing his son in arms against the King." - -"Ah no; he is not so bad as that!" answered Mistress Mary. "And men -talk very differently of the King from what they did a few weeks back. -He has lost many of his friends, and will likely lose more." - -"Then things will be all the better for us and our plans, Mistress," I -said; and after some more conversation of no especial moment, I left -her and returned to Taunton full of my own plan, which was indeed one -of much boldness, seeing how humble mine own birth was, and that it was -something bold of me to think of speaking with the great ones of the -earth. - -Yet my idea was nothing less than to strive to win the good Bishop Ken -to stand our friend; and as he had always given me a friendly smile and -nod since the day when he had seen me in the prison, I thought I might -even presume to seek speech of him, since all men said how gentle and -courteous he was to all who approached him, and how he was striving to -bring back peace and prosperity to his distracted diocese. - -Moreover, he was still in Taunton at this time; and I had heard it said -that he was shortly going to visit Mr. Speke of White Lackington House, -near to Ilminster, of which mention has been made before. Mr. Speke -had lost a son in the rebellion, executed at Ilminster, and he himself -lay under charges to pay a very heavy fine for his supposed or real -share in the rebellion. The Bishop's visit was one of condolence and -friendship, and was likely to last a week or more. If I could but get -speech of him before he started, I felt hopeful of bringing this matter -of my lord's to a happy conclusion. - -Fortune favoured me; for I met the Bishop the very next morning, -walking and meditating quite alone in some of the meadows beside the -stream. I had heard that he had been seen to leave the town, but I -scarce hoped to light upon him thus easily. He gave me a smile and -a nod as usual, and then paused to ask how Will Wiseman fared, and -was pleased to hear that he had been released and taken back to his -master's house, where he was treated now as a son. And when we had -spoken a few minutes of him, and the Bishop would have passed on, I -plucked up my courage and said,-- - -"My lord, may I speak a word to you concerning something that lies -heavy upon my heart?" - -He gave me a quick, keen look, and then motioned me to walk beside him; -and although he was so high and great a man, before whom all men bowed -as he went along the streets, yet I am very sure that he told me as he -walked that he was my servant, and that I need not fear to speak openly -of what was burdening me. And I have thought, both then and since, -that the holier and greater men are, the humbler and gentler they show -themselves. Sure no man could have listened with so much kindliness to -my story had not his heart been as full of the love of God as our good -Bishop's was. - -And I told him everything from first to last--all that I have been -laboriously striving to set forth in these pages--all of it, at least, -that in any way concerned my lord and Mistress Mary; and how that -she was living all the while, though held dead by her towns-folk and -acquaintance; and how my lord was in hiding with mine aunt, and that I -believed it was commonly reported that he had died of his wounds in the -prison, though of that I could not speak certainly. But I spoke of the -love those twain had ever borne one another, and how that death would -be more welcome to either than to be sundered through this life; and -at last, with tears starting to my eyes (for I had worked myself up to -a state of great excitement), I stopped short and threw myself at the -Bishop's feet, and cried through my sobs,-- - -"And, O my lord, if you would but be their friend and marry them, so -that none could sunder them more, they would bless you for ever, and I -trow you never would repent it; and methinks even Lord Lonsdale would -rejoice to have his son given back to him--with so fair and sweet a -bride at his side. He loves Mistress Mary--he always loved her; and -sure to have them both brought back as if from the grave would gladden -any father's heart! O my lord, think of it--think of it, I pray you on -my bended knees!" - -"Nay, nay, lad," answered the Bishop, laying a kindly hand upon my -head; "it is to God alone that prayers must be addressed upon our -bended knee. I am thy brother and fellow-servant; no such prayers -should thy lips frame or my ears listen to. Get upon thy feet, lad, -and calm thyself. I can make thee no promise as to what I will or will -not do in this strange case that thou hast laid before me, but I will -at least relieve thy young shoulders from the burden they bear, see -Lord Vere myself, and that right soon, and hear what he has to say of -all this. I knew him as a fair child, and I have some knowledge of his -father. I am deeply interested in thy tale. I say not that all has -been well done; but I will not condemn thee, because thou hast been -sorely tempted, and in these dark days of fear the best and strongest -are ofttimes led to swerve from the straight path of virtue. There, -boy, go home with thee. I would think more of this. And if thou knowest -what becomes of Mistress Mary, let me hear it ere I leave for Ilminster -three days hence." - -I raced homewards with a heart wonderfully lightened of the load which -had begun to press sorely upon it. And it was still more lightened when -I next saw Mistress Mary Bridges, who told me that she had whispered -her story of Mary's escape into her mother's ear; and that although -the mother was rather disturbed and uneasy at the daring scheme, she -had not chidden her daughter overmuch, and was helping now to get the -other Mary conveyed away to Ilminster, where her face was not known, -and where she might remain in safe obscurity until something had been -decided. Lady Bridges had a sister living in that town, and was about -to send her daughter to her on a visit, the elder Mary accompanying -her as her maid. It was no longer safe for her to remain amid the -unwholesome marshes, and as soon as Sir Ralph should return from town -the matter was to be laid before him, and he would advise the next step. - -My heart bounded with joy when I heard that Ilminster was to be the -place of Mistress Mary's residence; for was not my lord there? and if -he were there and the good Bishop too, what might not happen to bring -all things to a happy conclusion? I did not tell Mistress Mary of my -talk with the Bishop, fearing lest I should stir up hopes which might -not be fulfilled later; but I hugged the knowledge in my heart, and I -thought of little else during the days which followed. My heart was in -Ilminster, but I was kept at Taunton by my work in my uncle's house. -Life was beginning to move in its accustomed grooves again, and I had -my set duties to attend to, and could not rove about almost at will, as -I had done during the months of distraction and excitement during which -life seemed to have entirely changed its conditions. I could run to and -fro in the town, and visit friends there at leisure moments; read or -tell the news to poor Will; and make a little boyish love to Lizzie, -who grew dearer and dearer to me every week. But I could not get off -to Ilminster for some while, and no letter reached me from thence. -Mistress Mary Bridges, as I heard, was still with her aunt; and that -was all I knew. - -The house next door stood blank and empty. Poor Miss Blake had died in -prison of jail fever or small-pox (as was severally reported) very soon -after her admission there. Mrs. Musgrave, who had always kept much more -in the background, had now retired, and the school which had obtained -such a sudden notoriety ceased to exist. - -The general pardon, so anxiously waited for by the still half-fearful -people, came at last; and we were glad when it did so that Miss Blake -was no longer in this world, for her name had been excepted from it, -and figured upon the list of those whom the King refused to pardon. -The Maids who had presented the colours (or rather their parents and -friends) were still being harried by the Maids of Honour for the -fine-money, and the negotiation was long of settlement. The rapacious -Court ladies demanded seven thousand pounds; but after long wrangling -I believe they were forced to content themselves with less than half. -From time to time I used to hear from the indignant Lizzie that the -matter was still under negotiation; but how it was finally adjusted I -cannot now remember, nor is it of any moment to these pages. - -The arrival of the general pardon was the signal for a public holiday. -Bonfires blazed, bells rang joyfully from the church steeples, and I -asked and obtained leave to take myself off and ride to Ilminster to -see how my kinswoman there fared. - -All the town was astir and in holiday guise, as Taunton had been when -Blackbird and I rode forth in the morning. Although the wind was sharp -and keen, the sun shone merrily, and all faces looked beaming and -happy. At my aunt's house I saw an appearance of stir and festivity -by no means usual there; and when I stopped at the door and asked for -her, I was told that she was at the church, and that I had best follow -her there. This I was ready to do, for I took it to be some special -thanksgiving service that was going on, and I was willing enough to -add my voice to that of a glad and happy people, relieved from a long -oppression and fear. But when I neared the church, I saw few persons -going in or coming out, and concluded that my aunt must have gone to -repeat her private thanksgivings there. - -Nevertheless having come so far, I was not to be turned back, and I -entered the building with bent head and hushed footfall, hearing a -voice at the upper end reciting some office, though the seats about the -lower end of the church were all empty. - -Treading cautiously so as not to be heard, I advanced towards the -choir, when I was suddenly arrested by a sight that sent the blood -surging into my head till I felt that I must grasp something solid -or I should surely fall. For the service going on was a wedding. The -bride and the bridegroom were even now joining hands, and speaking -the irrevocable word which made them man and wife. I did not need to -look to recognize the clear tones of my lord's voice, nor the soft -sweetness of Mistress Mary's, nor yet the beautiful mellowness of the -good Bishop's. Yet when the mist had cleared from my eyes, I gazed and -gazed as though I could never satisfy myself. Yes, there was my lord, -looking more beautiful than ever with his golden hair, his deep-blue -eyes, his face still pale from sickness and confinement, but with a -look of restored health, that made my heart bound. And there beside -him, in a long trailing gown of white that gave to her the air and -dignity of an empress, was Mistress Mary Mead--though that name had -but now passed from her keeping for ever--a veil just shading her fair -face, but unable to hide the beautiful features and the glories of the -dark unfathomable eyes. - -Close beside her, as being the one who had given her in marriage, was -Sir Ralph Bridges, tall, upright, and soldier-like; whilst clinging -to her mother's hand, sparkling, kindling, brimming over with joyful -excitement, was the younger Mistress Mary, who can henceforth claim -exclusive right to that title; and behind them, some paces distant, my -aunt, looking proud and happy beyond all words; and some score or more -of persons who had heard the romantic story, and were anxious to be -present at the nuptials. - -The marriage over, the Bishop gave a fatherly blessing; and soon the -little procession moved down the long aisle to the door, to which I had -now retreated. - -As they came out, my lord's eyes suddenly fell upon me, and at once -kindled with such a look as sent the hot blood surging into my face. - -"Dicon--it is good Dicon!" he cried, and held out his hand; whilst -over Mistress--I mean the Viscountess Vere's face there flashed such -a sweet, tender smile, that I cherish the memory of it to this very -day. "Good Dicon, my only sorrow to-day was that thou wert not here to -see it," said my lord. "What fairy messenger brought thee here in time -after all?" - -I could not reply categorically to the question. My lord in his -white-and-silver suit, his golden locks flowing over his shoulders, the -sunlight streaming upon him, his face full of light and unspeakable -happiness, was a vision so bright and so beautiful that my eyes were -dazzled, and my heart too full for speech. I think they understood, for -the lady smiled at me and then at her husband, and she said in a gentle -tone,-- - -"We will see him again anon, Reginald.--For the present, good Dicon, -farewell. Come to us again another time." - -Bowing low before them as they moved towards the coach that awaited -them, I could only exclaim in a gasping voice,-- - -"My dear lord! my gracious lady!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -_A CHRISTMAS SCENE._ - - -The great dining-hall of Bishop's Hull was wreathed in greenery and -all ablaze with lights. In the gallery overhead a band of musicians -discoursed sweet music, whilst below were assembled a party of gay and -merry guests, gathered round Sir Ralph Bridges' hospitable table; and -the only sorrowful face to be seen at that board was the grave, anxious -countenance of Lord Lonsdale. - -I was there, clad in the livery of the house, and waiting at table with -the practised skill which I had learned in my uncle's inn. My heart -was beating fast as I came and went, and caught here and there a word -of the talk passing between the merry guests. Now one gentleman would -relate an anecdote or give us a reminiscence of his youth, or another -would speak to his neighbour, perhaps with bated breath, of some of the -recent events which had made this year so memorable in our part of the -country. - -Although it was the eve of Christmas, and the prevailing wish was to -drop care and keep in the background all sorrowful topics, yet it was -impossible altogether to forget or keep in abeyance thoughts so easily -suggested by the passing mention of persons or places. - -Moreover, the sight of the sword hanging upon the wall in a conspicuous -position--Mistress Mary's sword--called forth towards the close of the -repast an account of that incident, which had become known far and wide -by this time; and when Sir Ralph told the tale, with pardonable pride -in his bright-faced young daughter, whose rosy countenance glowed half -with pleasure and half with modest shame at all the notice bestowed -upon her, every glass was raised to be drained to her health, and a -cheer went up from many throats in honour of the maid who had not -feared to strike so goodly a blow in defence of her mother. - -It was just when this buzz of acclamation was going round that I heard -Lord Lonsdale say mournfully to his host, next to whom he was seated: -"Ah, if my poor boy were living yet, how happy it would have made me -to seek for him the hand of that brave daughter of yours in marriage. -Methinks the maid could soon have learned to love him. I never knew any -whom he had not the power to win by his handsome face and winning ways." - -"He was a very goodly youth," answered Sir Ralph, quietly and gravely. -"Have you given up all hopes of seeing him again? Are you assured of -his death?" - -"I have ceased to hope now," replied the father, with steady gravity. -"It seems probable that he died of his wounds in the Castle, albeit the -Governor was not informed of the fact, and in the general confusion -of those days was unable to trace whether he had died or been removed -by mistake to the pestilential Bridewell, where he was like to perish -quickly, enfeebled as he was, or whether he made good his escape. For -long I hoped that this last had been the case; and from the day on -which the pardon appeared I have been eagerly looking for tidings of or -from him. His name was not upon the list of exceptions. There was no -fear for him once that was out. If in the land of the living, why does -he give no sign? Alas, alas! I fear there can be no doubt but that he -is dead. And I must bear about with me the life-long remorse of having -driven him to his death." - -"Nay, my good friend, how could that be so?" - -"I thwarted the lad in the dearest wish of his heart," answered Lord -Lonsdale sadly. "Ah, how often have I mourned that step and its dire -consequences! Thou knowest my ward, Mary Mead, one of the sweetest -maidens that ever walked this earth? Ah, why did I not see things then -as I do now? I loved her as a daughter, and yet I had never thought -of her as a wife for my son, being anxious to ally myself through him -with the Portman family, as you know. And when, as little more than -children, the pair plighted their troth and sought my blessing, I -denied it harshly, and sought to separate them by sending her away to -that place where she learned those lessons which have been her undoing -and that of my poor boy also." - -"Ah, I see! Had she remained with you and been wedded early to Lord -Vere, she would have been saved from the influences which worked so -strongly upon her--" - -"Ay, and were the cause at last of her death, as well as the cause -of my son's joining the rebels. His heart was not with the Duke of -Monmouth, albeit his soul doubtless swelled within him at the tales of -coward cruelty and tyranny which he heard of his Majesty. After all, -good Sir Ralph, if you and I can foresee a day when perhaps some such -struggle must again be fought, though with another and a more righteous -and legitimate champion, ere this land can be freed from the curse of -tyranny, can we blame so harshly the younger and more ardent souls who -saw in this young Duke a champion of liberty and religion? Had all -England known something more of the temper of the King and the nature -of the tools he employed, and purposes yet more fully to employ, I -sometimes wonder whether more of our class might not have joined issue -with the Duke of Monmouth, in despair of ever serving such a monarch as -the treacherous and unkingly James." - -Sir Ralph Bridges bent his head with a look of sternness upon his face; -and I hearing these words, marvelled at the change already creeping -over the minds of the gentry, who but a short time back, in the hour of -his peril, had rallied so gallantly round their monarch, even though -for his own person they held but small love. - -Surely the coward cruelty of the King and his officers had done much to -estrange the hearts of his subjects from him. - -Then, after a brief pause, Sir Ralph took up the thread of the -discourse. - -"And so you did truly love the poor maiden, who was said to drop down -dead, or nigh to dead, at sight of Jeffreys' evil face? You would -not have forbidden her union with your son had things turned out -differently with both?" - -"Had my son but been restored to me, he should have chosen his wife -when and as he would. I would have never said him nay, never striven -again to force my will upon his. But indeed I sometimes think that had -he returned to find her dead, he would have never recovered the blow. -His heart has been set on her ever since their childhood. I can see it -now. Would to God I had never thwarted them! The load I have to bear -about with me is well-nigh too heavy for me. The death of both lies at -my door! I shall never see grandchildren sporting at my knees, and the -fair mansion in Devonshire prepared for Vere and his bride will remain -desolate and empty till it passes into the hands of aliens." And Lord -Lonsdale's voice quivered as he spoke, and I thought that there was -even a glint of tear-drops in his eyes. - -At this moment Sir Ralph gave me a signal--the signal for which I had -been anxiously waiting all through that long banquet. - -Without a moment's delay I crossed the floor, then opened a pair -of folding doors which shut off a smaller apartment within; and -immediately there stepped forth, in all the bravery and beauty of their -wedding garments, my lord the Viscount and his fair young wife, the -latter so changed and transfigured by the few weeks of wedded happiness -that I was startled by the wonderful radiancy of her beauty. - -At the same moment the band struck up a measure so full of joy and -triumph that no heart could fail to beat in unison with the glad -strain; and to the accompaniment of this soul-stirring music the -Viscount led forward his bride, and kneeling with her at his father's -feet, said in accents which could reach only the few who stood -nearest,-- - -"Father, I have come to ask your forgiveness for everything in which I -have failed in filial duty towards you, and also to beg your love and -fatherly blessing for me and for my wife." - -Well, they call Lord Lonsdale a proud man, and one whose feelings lie -deep hidden, and perhaps they do in the main. But there are moments -in a man's lifetime when he cannot but show of what his heart is -made--when love will not be hidden, but will force itself through the -crust of pride and reserve and show itself to all the world, no matter -who may be there to see. - -The next minute Lord Lonsdale was weeping upon the necks of his -long-lost son and his fair young bride, whilst the guests sprang to -their feet, filled their glasses, and shouted as with one voice, "Long -life and happiness to Lord Vere and his bride! Welcome and happiness -and honour to the bridal pair!" - -Yet whilst others shouted and laughed and made the hall ring with their -acclamations and glad congratulations and wondering questions, I turned -aside and wept for joy. For until this happy hour I had not known with -certainty that all would be well; and now that I knew the best, my -heart so swelled with happiness and triumphant gladness that there was -nothing for it but to weep, although never in all my life had I known -such a moment of unalloyed happiness. - -But one surprise was yet in store for me, and an honour that I little -deserved; for you who have read these pages will know that I am no -hero, albeit it has been my lot to witness some stirring scenes, and to -find myself sometimes in perilous places. Whilst I wept in my corner I -felt a touch upon my arm, and there was my lord standing before me all -shining in his white and silver; and he took me by the hand and led me -forward and presented me to his father and the company as the person -who had saved his life more than once (though how he made that out I -know not, my head was in such a whirl), and my lady put her hand upon -my shoulder and told how I had served her--but that was not me, but -Mistress Mary Bridges. Then the guests shouted again, and drained a -bumper to my good health; and when I left the hall, it was carrying in -my hands a small but weighty packet, which was placed there by my lady, -but which I was too dazed even to look at then. And only when I got to -my own room in the hall did I find that it was a purse containing five -hundred golden guineas, and that I, Dicon Snowe, at the age of fifteen -and a half years, was made a rich man for life. - - - - -EPILOGUE. - - -My story is done, in so far as I set myself the task of telling the -tale of the ill-fated rising of the Duke of Monmouth. Yet methinks it -will be more complete if I add but a few more words, and tell of how -Will Wiseman revenged himself upon that wicked Judge whose cruelty and -injustice wrought such misery and havoc in the prosperous and happy -homes of the West. - -Whilst the King was rousing hatred and anger throughout his realm, -which ended in his being forced to fly the kingdom but four short -years after the events I have related, I was living happily at Master -Simpson's, having elected to join with him in his business (though -later in life I became possessed of the Three Cups Inn, and left the -shop to my eldest son, as being a place of less temptation for a youth -than a house of entertainment), and being at the age of eighteen -betrothed to pretty Lizzie, who loved me in spite of my crooked back, -and has made me the best and most loving of wives. - -Will Wiseman remained with us, rising from apprentice to shopman in -due time; and when the kingdom was all in a turmoil of excitement at -the reports flying about as to the flight of the wicked King, and the -landing of his son-in-law, William of Orange, nothing would serve Will -but that he must go up to London to see and hear the news. And since -he had had no holiday for many years, we gladly encouraged him to do -so; and thus it came about that he became, through God's Providence, an -instrument for the punishment of that most wicked of wicked men, Lord -Jeffreys. - -Will stayed in the house of a poor scrivener at Wapping, and this man -had the most terrible fear of the great Judge, having been once brought -before him, and having never forgotten the gleam of those rolling eyes -nor the frightful aspect of those bloated features. - -All London was in a ferment. The King had fled, so it was said; and -rumour said also that the wicked Chancellor, in awful terror of what -might now befall him, had fled likewise, and that he was about to leave -the kingdom in disguise, hidden away in some coaling-boat. - -No one was perhaps more excited than Will by this intelligence; and -when further information was brought by the mate of a coaling-vessel -lying in the river to the effect that the Chancellor (if indeed he -could be so termed seeing that the King had taken over the Great Seal -into his own possession to destroy it) had come on board in disguise, -and was actually lying hidden there till sailing-time next morning, -Will was one of the excited and furious crowd who rushed off to the -Justices of the Peace in that neighbourhood to obtain a warrant for his -arrest. - -But the Justices complained that since no specific charge was brought -against Jeffreys, they could not grant this; and perhaps they were, in -truth, still afraid of the man before whom so many of them had trembled -in the days of his power. The people might have been baffled by this -rebuff had it not been for the firmness of Will, who suggested that -they should demand a warrant from the Lords of the Council; and from -these dignitaries, who were still sitting, they obtained a warrant to -arrest him on the charge of high treason, those ministers thinking it -injurious to the welfare of the kingdom that he should be allowed to -leave. - -Armed with the warrant, they went on board the coaling-boat, and -searched it through and through, but found no person bearing any -likeness to the Chancellor. The Captain baffled all their inquiries; -and it was only later that they discovered that Jeffreys had indeed -been there, but finding the boat could not sail before morning, had -gone upon another vessel for the night, and thereby nearly saved -himself from his enemies and pursuers. - -Nearly--but not quite. Chance, as some would call it; Providence and an -outraged Maker, as we of Taunton maintain, decreed it otherwise. - -Will, sorely grieved and disappointed, retired home at dark and went to -bed as usual; but with the morning light restlessness came upon him, -and he felt inaction impossible. - -His host, the humble scrivener, was going about his daily duties, and -Will walked with him. Their way led them through an unsavoury lane that -was called Hope Alley, and lay hard by King Edward's Stair at Wapping. -In passing down this alley they saw before them a sign hanging out, -representing a Red Cow, which was the name of a pot-house much -frequented by sailors. Will's glance travelling to this gaudy sign, -suddenly encountered the gaze of a pair of rolling blood-shot eyes -which seemed suddenly and strangely familiar. The next instant he had -recognized, beneath the shade of a tarpaulin hat, the bloated visage of -the terrible Judge last seen by him in the Assize Hall of Taunton. - -Grasping the scrivener by the arm and whispering a few hurried words -to him, Will hastened away for the guard; whilst the scrivener entered -the house and the room, where the too reckless fugitive had adventured -himself in order to indulge once more his intemperate love for strong -drink, and found that worthy shrinking back into a corner, his hat -pulled far over his eyes, his face hidden as much as he could hide it -by a pint pot. - -In a moment the house was surrounded by a hooting and yelling crowd. -I have heard Will describe the scene a hundred times, and each time I -seem to see it more plainly than the last--the cowering, craven coward -now shivering and shrinking before men whom he had sworn at, raved -at, cursed and brow-beaten, more cowed and terrified than the most -miserable of his victims. And verily that crowd would have torn him -limb from limb or ever the guards had come at him (for, contrary to -the custom of an English mob, this one was bloodthirsty and furious -to an extent which can better be imagined than described), had it not -been for the action of the train-bands, who forced a way through the -hooting mob and got the prisoner safe into a coach, though not before -his clothes were torn half off his back, and he had been wounded by -many a flying stone, and had shrieked aloud for mercy in his agony and -terror. - -That very day, after an interview with the Lord Mayor and by his own -desire, he was carried to the Tower, but even so he barely escaped the -fury of the populace; for when it was known that the coach contained -this man so bitterly detested and feared, there were continual and -determined attacks made upon it, and the bloated visage was seen from -time to time appearing first at one window and then at another, whilst -the miserable man clasped his hands and cried aloud for the mercy he -never bestowed upon those who had implored it of him. - -And thus he entered the Tower a miserable and despairing captive, only -a little more than three years after that Bloody Assize with which -his name will always be associated. Four months later he perished -miserably, despised and hated by all men; and not even left in peace -to die, but assailed by all sorts of malicious letters and even gifts -which must have made his last days a hell upon earth to him. But enough -of that bad man. - -We of the West Country heard with stern satisfaction of his end, in the -bright spring-tide and the happiness we were all feeling in the wise -and just rule of our new Sovereigns. And the tale of how Will Wiseman -was the instrument of his final capture, and thus was the means of -avenging the miseries his hands had inflicted upon so many here, will -always be a favourite one with young and old in Taunton Town. - -Men remembered the prognostication of Mother Whale, and how she had -prophesied an evil end for him, even as she had prophesied the exile -of the tyrant monarch. It seemed, indeed, that in spite of all we had -suffered, the Lord had been working on the side of virtue and freedom. -The wicked King was disgraced and driven away; the yet more wicked -Judge had died in the Tower. - - -THE END. - - - - -Library of Historical Tales. - - - Dorothy Arden. A Story of England and France Two Hundred Years Ago. By - J.M. CALLWELL. Crown 8vo, cloth extra. Price 4s. - - _A story of the dragonnades in France in the time of Louis XIV. - Also of the persecutions in England under James II., the Monmouth - rebellion, the Bloody Assize, and the Revolution._ - -How they Kept the Faith. A Tale of the Huguenots of Languedoc. By -GRACE RAYMOND. Crown 8vo, cloth extra. Price 4s. - - "_No finer, more touchingly realistic, and truthfully accurate - picture of the Languedoc Huguenots have we met._"--ABERDEEN FREE - PRESS. - -The Lost Ring. A Romance of Scottish History in the Days of King James -and Andrew Melville. 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