Part 14 (1/2)

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

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

Oswald found him sensible, but in deep distress, as may be imagined.

”The fire is all out, sir,” said Oswald.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

”Yes, I think I have: wait a moment.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

”Is your arm very painful?”

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

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

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

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