Part 44 (1/2)

”Soldiers,” said Pablo, ”plenty of them, gallop this way-gallop every way.”

”Now, Chaloner, we must get ourselves out of this sc.r.a.pe, and I trust that afterward all be well,” said Edward. ”Bring the horses out to the door; and, Chaloner, you and Grenville must wait within; bring my horse out also, as it will appear as if I had just ridden over. I must in to change my dress. Humphrey, keep a look-out and let us know when they come.”

Chaloner and Edward went in, and Edward put on his dress of secretary. Shortly afterward, a party of Roundhead cavalry were seen galloping toward the cottage. They soon arrived there, and pulled up their horses. An officer who headed them addressed Humphrey in a haughty tone, and asked him who he was.

”I am one of the verderers of the forest, sir,” replied Humphrey, respectfully.

”And whose cottage is that? and who have you there?”

”The cottage is mine, sir; two of the horses at the door belong to two troopers who have come in quest of those who fled from Worcester, the other horse belongs to the secretary of the intendant of the forest, Master Heatherstone, who has come over with directions from the intendant as to the capture of the rebels.”

At this moment, Edward came out and saluted the officer.

”This is the secretary, sir, Master Armitage,” said Humphrey, falling back.

Edward again saluted the officer, and said-

”Master Heatherstone, the intendant, has sent me over here to make arrangements for the capture of the rebels. This man is ordered to lodge two troopers as long as they are considered necessary to remain; and I have directions to tell any officer whom I may meet, that Master Heatherstone and his verderers will take good care that none of the rebels are harbored in this direction; and that it will be better that the troops scour the southern edge of the forest, as it is certain that the fugitives will try all that they can to embark for France.”

”What regiment do the troopers belong to that you have here?”

”I believe to Lambert's troop, sir; but they shall come out and answer for themselves. Tell those men to come out,” said Edward to Humphrey.

”Yes, sir, but they are hard to wake, for they have ridden from Worcester; but I will rouse them.”

”Nay, I can not wait,” replied the officer. ”I know none of Lambert's troops, and they have no information to give.”

”Could you not take them with you, sir, and leave two of your men instead of them; for they are troublesome people to a poor man, and devour every thing?” said Humphrey, submissively.

”No, no,” replied the officer, laughing, ”we all know Lambert's people-a friend or enemy is much the same to them. I have no power over them, and you must make the best of it. Forward! men,” continued the officer, saluting Edward as he pa.s.sed on; and in a minute or two they were far away.

”That's well over,” observed Edward. ”Chaloner and Grenville are too young-looking and too good-looking for Lambert's villains; and a sight of them might have occasioned suspicion. We must, however, expect more visits. Keep a good look-out, Pablo.”

Edward and Humphrey then went in and joined the party inside the cottage, who were in a state of no little suspense during the colloquy outside.

”Why, Alice, dearest! you look quite pale!” said Edward, as he came in.

”I feared for our guests, Edward. I'm sure that if they had come into the cottage, Master Chaloner and Master Grenville would never have been believed to be troopers.”

”We thank you for the compliment, Mistress Alice,” said Chaloner; ”but I think, if necessary, I could ruffle and swear with the best, or rather the worst of them. We pa.s.sed for troopers very well on the road here.”

”Yes, but you did not meet any other troopers.”

”That's very true, and shows your penetration. I must acknowledge that, with troopers, there would have been more difficulty; but still, among so many thousands, there must be many varieties, and it would be an awkward thing for an officer of one troop to arrest upon suspicion the men belonging to another. I think when we are visited again I shall sham intoxication-that will not be very suspicious.”

”No, not on either side,” replied Edward. ”Come, Alice, we will eat what dinner you may have ready for us.”

For three or four days the Parliamentary forces continued to scour the forest, and another visit or two was paid to the cottage, but without suspicion being created, in consequence of the presence of Edward and his explanations. The parties were invariably sent in another direction. Edward wrote to the intendant, informing him what had occurred, and requesting permission to remain a few days longer at the cottage; and Pablo, who took the letter, returned with one from the intendant, acquainting him that the king had not yet been taken; and requesting the utmost vigilance on his part to insure his capture, with directions to search various places, in company with the troopers who had been stationed at the cottage; or, if he did not like to leave the cottage, to shew the letter to any officer commanding parties in search, that they might act upon the suggestions contained in it. This letter Edward had an opportunity of showing to one or two officers, commanding parties, who approached the cottage, and to whom Edward went out to communicate with, thereby preventing their stopping there.

At last, in about a fortnight, there was not a party in the forest; all of them having gone down to the seaside, to look out for the fugitives, several of whom were taken.