"Mr 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 Mr
Heatherstone and his verderers will take good care that none of the
rebels are harboured 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 cannot 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 everything?" 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 passed on: and in a minute or two they
were far in the distance.
"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 passed 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 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 ensure 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 show 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 sea-side, to look-out for the fugitives,
several of whom were taken.
Humphrey took the cart to Lymington, to procure clothes for Chaloner and
Grenville, and it was decided that they should assume those of verderers
of the forest, which would enable them to carry a gun. As soon as
Humphrey had obtained what was requisite, Chaloner and Grenville were
conducted to Clara's cottage, and took possession,--of course never
showing themselves outside the wood which surrounded it. Humphrey lent
them Holdfast as a watch dog, and they took leave of Alice and Edith
with much regret. Humphrey and Edward accompanied them to their new
abode. It was arranged that the horses should remain under the care of
Humphrey, as they had no stable at Clara's cottage.
On parting, Chaloner gave Edward the letter for his aunts; and then
Edward once more bent his steps towards the Intendant's house, and found
himself in the company of Patience and Clara.
Edward narrated to the Intendant all that had occurred, and the
Intendant approved of what he had done; strongly advising that Chaloner
and Grenville should not attempt to go to the continent till all pursuit
was over.
"Here's a letter I have received from the Government, Edward, highly
commending my vigilance and activity in pursuit of the fugitives. It
appears that the officers you fell in with have written up to state what
admirable dispositions we had made. It is a pity, is it not, Edward,
that we are compelled to be thus deceitful in this world? Nothing but
the times, and the wish to do good, could warrant it. We meet the
wicked, and fight them with their own weapons; but although it is
treating them as they deserve, our conscience must tell us that it is
not right."
"Surely, sir, to save the lives of people who have committed no other
fault except loyalty to their king, will warrant our so doing--at least,
I hope so."
"According to the Scriptures, I fear it will not; but it is a difficult
question for us to decide. Let us be guided by our own consciences; if
they do not reproach us we cannot be far from right."
Edward then produced the letter he had received from Chaloner,
requesting that the Intendant would have the kindness to forward it.
"I see," replied the Intendant; "I can forward these through Langton. I
presume it is to obtain credit for money. It shall go on Thursday."
The conference was then broken up, and Edward went to see Oswald.