Part 3 (2/2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

”Come in,” said Jacob.

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

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

”What trouble, my man?”

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

”Nevertheless, we must search your cottage.”

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

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

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

”So am I, and there's something that smells well.” said another.

”What's this, my good man?” continued he, taking off the lid of the pot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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