Part 13 (1/2)
”He has soiled,” said Edward, ”and now you may go in and kill him.”
Oswald, eager in the chase, hastened up to where the dogs and stag were in the water, and put a bullet through the animal's head.
Edward went to him, a.s.sisted him to drag the stag out of the water, and then Oswald cut its throat, and proceeded to perform the usual offices.
”How did you happen to miss him?” said Oswald; ”for these are my shots.”
”Because I never fired at him,” said Edward; ”my quarry lies dead in the fern-and a fine fellow he is.”
”This is a warrantable stag,” said Oswald.
”Yes, but mine is a hart royal, as you will see when we go back.”
As soon as Oswald had done his work, he hung the quarters of the animal on an oak-tree, and went back with Edward.
”Where did you hit him, Edward?” said Oswald, as they walked along.
”I could only see his eye through the fern, and I must have hit him thereabouts.”
On their arrival at the spot, Oswald found that Edward had put the ball right into the eye of the stag.
”Well,” said he, ”you made me suppose that you knew something of our craft, but I did not believe that you were so apt as you thought yourself to be. I now confess that you are a master, as far as I can see, in all branches of the craft. This is indeed a hart royal. Twenty-five antlers, as I live! Come, out with your knife, and let us finish; for if we are to go to the cottage, we have no time to lose. It will be dark in half an hour.” They hung all the quarters of the stag as before, and then set off for Jacob's cottage, Edward proposing that Oswald should take the cart and pony to carry the meat home next morning, and that he would accompany him to bring it back.
”That will do capitally,” said Oswald; ”and here we are, if I recollect right, and I hope there is something to eat.”
”No fear of that-Alice will be prepared for us,” replied Edward.
Their dinner was ready for them, and Oswald praised the cooking. He was much surprised to see that Jacob had four grandchildren. After dinner, he went into Jacob's room, and remained with him more than an hour. During this conference, Jacob confided to Oswald that the four children were the sons and daughters of Colonel Beverley, supposed to have been burned in the firing of Arnwood. Oswald came out, much surprised as well as pleased with the information, and with the confidence reposed in him. He saluted Edward and Humphrey respectfully, and said, ”I was not aware with whom I was in company, sir, as you may well imagine; but the knowledge of it has made my heart glad.”
”Nay, Oswald,” replied Edward, ”remember that I am still Edward Armitage, and that we are the grandchildren of old Jacob.”
”Certainly, sir, I will, for your own sake, not forget that such is to be supposed to be the case. I a.s.sure you, I think it very fortunate that Jacob has confided the secret to me, as it may be in my power to be useful. I little thought that I should ever have had my dinner cooked by the daughter of Colonel Beverley.”
They then entered into a long conversation, during which Oswald expressed his opinion that the old man was sinking fast, and would not last more than three or four days. Oswald had a bed made up for him on the floor of the room where Edward and Humphrey slept; and the next morning they set off, at an early hour, with the pony and cart, loaded it with venison, and took it across the forest to the keeper's lodge. It was so late when they arrived, that Edward consented to pa.s.s the night there, and return home on the following morning. Oswald went into the sitting-room to speak with the intendant of the forest, leaving Edward in the kitchen with Phoebe, the maid-servant. He told the intendant that he had brought home some fine venison, and wished his orders about it. He also stated that he had been a.s.sisted by Edward Armitage, who had brought the venison home for him in his cart, and who was now in the kitchen, as he would be obliged to pa.s.s the night there; and, on being questioned, he was lavish in his praises of Edward's skill and knowledge of woodcraft, which he declared to be superior to his own.
”It proves that the young man has had much practice, at all events,” replied Mr. Heatherstone, smiling. ”He has been living at the king's expense, but he must not follow it up at the cost of the Parliament. It would be well to take this young man as a ranger if we could; for although he is opposed to us, yet, if he once took our service, he would be faithful, I am sure. You can propose it to him, Oswald. The hunches of that hart royal must be sent up to General Cromwell to-morrow: the remainder we will give directions for, as soon as I have made up my mind how to dispose of it.”
Oswald left the room, and came back to Edward. ”General Cromwell is to have the hunches of your stag,” said he to Edward, smiling: ”and the intendant proposes that you should take service as one of the rangers.”
”I thank you,” replied Edward, ”but I've no fancy to find venison for General Cromwell and his Roundheads; and so, you may tell the intendant, with many thanks for his good-will toward me, nevertheless.”
”I thought as much, but the man meant kindly, that I really think. Now, Phoebe, what can you give us to eat, for we are hungry?”
”You shall be served directly,” replied Phoebe. ”I have some steaks on the fire.”
”And you must find a bed for my young friend here.”
”I have none in the house, but there is plenty of good straw over the stables.”
”That will do,” replied Edward; ”I'm not particular.”