Part 4 (1/2)

”At my uncle's, mother. He was ill in bed; the dragoons were there; and my aunt begged me to stay as a safeguard.”

”You did quite right to comply, my boy,” said my father, heartily.

”I trust the dragoons did not misuse thy good uncle.”

”I know not what you call misusing,” replied I, ”if beating their drums round his bed all night did not deserve that term. They almost killed him with their clamor--ate everything in the house--called for more--reviled my aunt--scrambled for her money--broke open the cellar, and drank every drop it contained.”

I spoke this so fast as to be almost unintelligible; they listened in silent dismay. My father, then bidding me be seated, desired me to go over the whole matter from the beginning, with composure and method.

Having drunk a cup of water, I did so; and we then held a family council, in which it was decided that my uncle, in his precarious health, would probably sink under a similar attack of the dragoons, and that it would be expedient for me to return to him at dusk with a covered cart, well supplied with hay, and to place him thereon and bring him back with me, to be kept at our house, in secresy and safety, till he should be able to escape from the kingdom--”though this would have been an easier matter to effect,” observed my father, ”before he had made himself personally obnoxious to the bishop.”

My father then went to his daily business at the silk-factory, while I remained behind awhile with my mother, to a.s.sist her in clearing out a loft for my uncle's reception, the entrance to which could be concealed.

I then paid a hasty visit to Madeleine, whom I found bathed in tears, as she had learnt from my mother that I had been away all night; and though this at another time would have occasioned no alarm, yet at a season of so much uneasiness she had foreboded some sad calamity.

My sudden appearance caused a fresh flow of tears, but they were of thankfulness for my safety. A few tender words rea.s.sured her. I then gave her a short account of what had pa.s.sed, taking care, as my uncle desired me, not to make things worse than they were. But still it was evident that he was marked for the victim of a persecution he was not in a condition to support; and as Madeleine had a sincere regard for him, which his character justly merited, she commended me for standing by him, and rejoiced that I was going to fetch him to our house.

”We have not been quite undisturbed, even during your short absence,”

said she. ”Our evening service was yesterday interrupted, just as the congregation were in the middle of a psalm, by several officials rudely entering the temple, and commanding us to desist, because the Host was being carried by.”

”In the temper in which those in authority seem to be at present,” said I, ”it is to be feared that things will grow worse before they mend.”

”Meanwhile, remember your father's admonition, I entreat you,” said Madeleine; ”and, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

”Rely on it, sweet Madeleine,” said I. ”I am a man of peace, not of war.”

Cheered by my little interview with her, I proceeded to my usual work, and, after supping with my family, stole quietly forth on my mission.

I reached the neighboring town without misadventure, and, leaving the cart out of sight, raised my uncle's latch and went in. He and my aunt had the house to themselves (for their only servant had gone to her friends); and she was sitting on the bed, supporting his head on her shoulder.

”Here's Jacques,” said she, looking up.

”Jacques, my good lad,” said my uncle, holding out his feeble hand, ”I thank you for this visit, and yet more for staying with us last night.”

”You have not noticed any of the dragoons lurking about outside, I hope?” said my aunt, anxiously.

”No,” said I, ”all seems quiet at present; but there is no knowing when they will return, and my parents have sent me to fetch you away.

My mother declares she shall know no peace till she has you under her roof.”

”My good boy, I can no more go to her than I can fly,” said my uncle.

”Oh yes, uncle, you can. I have brought you a nice covered cart, filled with hay, on which you will lie quite easily, and I will carry you down to it on my back.”

My uncle and aunt were most thankful for this, and, after very little preparation, closed the shutters of the little dwelling, and turned the key on it. My uncle was made tolerably comfortable, with my aunt seated beside him; and in this way we stealthily quitted the neighborhood.

I could hear uproarious voices in the distance, and occasionally a faint scream or wail, but gradually left these painful sounds behind. To say truth, I was by no means sure of our performing this journey in safety, and had many alarms by the way; and as for my uncle, my aunt afterwards told me he was in prayer the whole of the way, to which might probably be ascribed our safety; for ours is a G.o.d that heareth prayer, not when it is a mere babble of words, in a language we do not understand, repeated over and over again, and made a merit of; but His ears are attent unto the cry of the contrite heart, and the prayer of them that are sorrowful.

It was far into the night, or rather near morning, when we reached our journey's end. My father cautiously admitted us; my mother received the fugitives with the tenderest affection. A hot supper awaited them, after partaking which they were thankful to retire to the loft; and not even the children were to know they were there, and the youngest of our two servants had been sent to her home; for my father told me that the dragoons were expected to pay us a visit shortly, when the premises would doubtless be ransacked; ”and since your uncle has borne the journey better than might have been expected,” said he, ”the sooner we can get him out of the country the better.”

He then told me what plans he had been devising for this purpose, and that if my uncle were equal to it on the morrow, I should set him and my aunt on their way to a certain point, which, if they reached in safety, they would then be cared for.