documents, and folded up his papers in a large envelope: his friend handed him a small flat box containing wafers, but the Outlaw appeared perfectly aware of the necessity of being more particular in times of peril than in those of peace; for he drew forth some wax, and affixed a seal to that which he had written, with as much care as he would have used had he been the occupant of a palace, instead of a hovel. The sound of many voices came from the outer room; and, as he arose from the table, he could not help expressing impatience that men so situated should indulge in such senseless mirth.

"Know ye not,” replied his comrade, "that a grain of joy seasons wonderfully a peck of sorrow ? men are ne'er the worse for a little wholesome merriment-the bow that is aye strung will soonest break; and there is some chap who wisely, but mighty prettily,' as my old companion puppy Pepys would have said had he been here, expresses himself, that Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all the virtues.' I love to see the young happy; few of our friends without have numbered thirty summers, and we cannot look from them for the sobriety which nearly threescore give."

"You saw Zuylestein?"

"I did; and it excited the quality you have just condemned in no small degree, to note the grave Dutchman's consternation on marking my poor countenance beneath a friar-cowl, just after he had offered his congratulations to James on the birth of a prince."

"Was there much tumult outside?"

"Not a great deal. He would have been better received but for the king's guards, who restrained the people. I know too, from good authority, that Louis of France has been generous enough to offer assistance to James, which the infatuated man has rejected."

"God has hardened his heart, as he did the hearts of the Egyptians of old, for their own destruction. I will dispose of these papers in the fittest manner. Shall we look forth

upon the night, or join these revellers ?”

"Let us join them, by all means," said Sir Patrick; "it is ill, treating coldly those whose hearts and souls are devoted to our cause-to their cause, indeed, I may call it, for they have made it their own by services of danger, urged on by most becoming zeal."

CHAPTER XIV.

Most vertuous virgin, borne of hevenly berth,
That, to redeeme thy woeful parent's head
From tyran's rage and ever-dying dread,

Hast wandered through the world now long a day,
Yett ceassest not thy weary soles to lead;

What grace hath thee now hether brought this way?

SPENSER.

WHEN the Outlaw returned to the company of equally zealous but more reasonable men, he found that all he had expected were present, save one-him who was called Buckheart, because of his fondness for the chase, and the extreme eagerness with which he followed up his game, hunting both man, woman, and beast, whenever he fancied a necessity for such sport. Some of the party were accounting for his absence at the expense of a nymph, about whom he rhapsodized as being of marvellous beauty, the wife or mistress of a tumbling, juggling knave, who, it was shrewdly suspected, could be of use to both parties whenever he was paid for it; caring, in truth, for neither, and serving either by serving himself.

The outlaws (for, indeed, they all more or less merited such distinction) discoursed freely upon state affairs, and argued without the remotest respect to the opinions of men in power. Those who remembered the cut-and-slash style of the cavaliers of Charles's court would have recognised but few remnants of that school in any of the persons present. The partisans of James affected greater quietness and steadiness of demeanour, and their opponents were still more reserved. William and Mary were strict in their discipline and conduct; and James put on a garb of morality in the latter days of his reign, which, we may at least hope, was also one of sincerity. These causes-for men, it may be insensibly, emulate their masters-combined to render the gentlemen of both parties cool and considerate: they were more sobered, more tempered, than during the Common

wealth or the reign of Charles; and whoever, like the mysterious Outlaw, launched forth in the enthusiasm of liberty, stood a fair chance of being taxed with fanaticism: indeed, notwithstanding his high repute for wisdom, for activity, for enterprise, and, above all, for honesty, many looked upon him as a visionary, who, forming in his own mind a condition which had little to do with reality, would be disappointed at, and dissatisfied with, any change, because no change could come up to his imaginary perfection. Still, it is almost impossible, in these far colder days, to imagine aught at all approaching to the veneration with which this extraordinary man was regarded by his associates, who rarely disputed his opinions, knowing how repeatedly he had proved his sincerity, and how implicitly William trusted him in most important transactions.

The evening advanced: the burgundy, and Sir Patrick's favourite beverage, known at the present time by the name of toddy, did their work; and when the sentinel on the lookout announced the signal of three sparks of forest flint, it was with a no very steady hand that he who had charge of the portal unclosed its entrance. There, truly, was Buckheart; but, to the amazement of all present, not alone, for he brought with him an old woman and a stripling youth, who appeared sadly disconcerted by the scene and the assembly.

Disconcerted, however, though the youth might be, he was not more so than the company into which he was so unceremoniously introduced; and the Outlaw rated Buckheart in no moderate terms for his imprudence in thus bringing strangers to their retreat.

"If it please ye, sir," said the youth, trembling from head to foot," we have been journeying from Beaulieu, on our way to Hythe, to eross the Southampton water, where ́ we seek to arrive ere night, if it be possible; but our path was sore beset by the soldiery, and we hid in a neighbouring thicket, where this gentleman discovered us, and accused us of being spies, which, God knows! is far from our hearts or intentions. My mother is weary, and so am I; but if it please you to grant us a little rest and refreshment, all we desire is to proceed on our way."

66

Weary, when you have only arrived thus far on your VOL. I.-O

journey, young sir!" said Dreadnought. at Southampton?"

"What seek ye

"We are going on to London, an it please you," replied the boy.

"To London!" repeated the same gentleman; for the Outlaw had stood apart, and was scrutinizing both the old and the young with intense interest. "And to what purpose do ye journey to London ?"

The youth looked at his mother, who apparently made some sign, for he hesitated, and turned pale.

“Come, come! this freemasonry will not serve: speak the truth!"

"The truth!" repeated the Outlaw, and at the sound of his deep voice the lad started and looked round; but the spot on which the speaker stood was so completely in the shade that he could discover only the outline of his figure.

66

Speak quickly, young sir," said Sir Patrick, "for if you do not, there is a way to make you!"

"Gentlemen, it ill becomes you to threaten where threats are uncalled for. I deny your right to question me; you can work no evil out of my plain intent,” replied the youth, whose slight and boyish figure grew into dignity from the nature of his feelings, which even his peasant frock could not conceal. "I deny your right; yet, as matter of courtesy, will inform you that we are going to London to visit a friend who is both sick and in trouble."

"His or her name, stripling?"

"The

"It's a she-it's a she!" vociferated Spritsail. lad has an eye to the petticoats already; you may see that by his jaunty air, and the style with which his hat bobs fore and aft he's the cut of a three-decker middy. Wilt sail with me, boy?"

I like a steady sailer," replied the youth, half-smiling ; "you carry too much sail."

There was a laugh at this, for upon Sprit the burgundy had made, moderately speaking, a slight impression.

"This is no jesting matter; we are surrounded with foes, and yet that witling brings, mayhap, spies among us; let us see to it in time," continued Sir Patrick; "and, with deference to our friend, I would suggest that these two be kept blindfold and apart for some days, until they choose to disclose their names and purposes."

The lad seemed sorely distressed, but the woman maintained a rigid and even a sullen silence.

"There is no disgrace attends him whom we would visit," said the youth, at last, "nor disgrace to us who seek him."

"Who then is the friend of whom you spoke?"

"Sir Everard Sydney," replied the boy, blushing, while a murmur running from lip to lip gave token of the astonishment which so unexpected an announcement created.

The Outlaw at once sprang forward, and, laying his hand on the boy's forehead, pressed back his head, so as to enable him to view his features distinctly. The examination was evidently unpleasing to the youth, who endeavoured to avoid the universal gaze which now was fixed upon him; he turned pale and red within a moment's compass, and at last, bursting into a flood of tears, flung himself upon the bosom of his aged companion, who folded her cloak over him, so as to prese ve him from further scrutiny.

"Oh, why did you tell-why did you tell!" she whispered, while pressing the boy in her arms; heed-never heed !"

"Take the lad in," said the Outlaw.

"but never

"And you, be you what you may, chide not the young for truth-telling."

A sort of convulsive shudder passed through the woman's frame as she obeyed; and ever and anon she cast a furtive glance of strange import towards the Outlaw, who, following them into the inner room, drew close the curtain, and seated himself at the rude table we have before noticed; he then fixed his eye intently on the woman, as she spoke in a low moaning tone to the affrighted youth, who, either from fatigue, or some hidden cause, continued to sob violently.

"God be merciful to us!" said the Outlaw; "these are fearful times, when the young acquire the sorrows of age without its wisdom. Hast thou spoken truth?"

Sir Eve

"As Heaven sees me, such was our purpose. rard's son is with the king, and the old man has none to soften the griefs of captivity; he is the only father I ever knew, and God forbid that I should leave him thus in his sad extremity. We can journey on foot, for small is our store; and, if it please you to let us depart, may soon be there. An orphan's blessing will rest upon your head."

The lad nearly sunk at the Outlaw's feet as he concluded