Barbara Winslow, Rebel

very fugitive felt it a duty to offer his hand to each maid who had fav

faith! 'Tis no thought of

r's eyes which caused his companion to i

you the duty of saving your life by instant departure, if my presence play trait

t one word of hope? I will die an you do. What is life

oo glibly from his tongue, they smacked too much of experience in th

ave been in hiding like yourself. For Rupert's sake, I will give help and shelter to all who need it, but it were too mu

ble all will not adore y

emote possibility, sir," she answered demurely. "Nor

atter for surprise if the man has made wise use of the opportunities the Fates had given to him to perfect a romantic harmony of time and place by pouring forth protestations of undying devotion and

attended by certain untoward circumstances which would have rendered the conventio

upon his head and little hope of life unless by some means he could reach the coast and so compass his escape from the country. Within a mile of where he sat there were those who were seeking high and low to take his person, dead or alive; yet despite his danger he seemed oblivious t

e experience in the management of the sex to gain the sympathy and assistance at least of the women of the household. He met with a welcome even more kindly than he had dared to hope for. Mistress Barbara Winslow had a tender heart for all rebels, her own brother, Rupert, having also ridden with Monmouth, and being himself even then in hiding, she knew not where. Therefore, she and

Monmouth's army, and a small search party had their headquarters in the village itself. The Manor House was suspected, and the Winslows could not hope longer

ree miles from Listoke, and with the help of one Peter Drew, a smith by trade, and a devoted admi

r reluctantly bade farewell to his hostess, and p

e evening, or by pity for his somewhat forlorn condition, proposed to accompany him to the en

eparture from the house, Sir Peter was still seated on the bank at the feet of Mistress Barbara, oblivious alike to her repeated asserti

d by gloomy reflections on their approaching separation, threw prudence to the winds, and burst forth into desperate, and for the time

ad passed his lips, and was consequently quite unmoved by his despair; but this unexpected change from moonlight dreams in the present to practical discussions of the future brought back her mind to realities with a sudden sho

, at which Mistress Barbara smiled under cover of the darkness and they walked to th

ad; two hours' riding should bring you to the place. Pray Heaven you fall not in with Captain Protheroe and his men. But if you do you should soon outstrip them, for their horses will be weary; they have been out seeking you sinc

ss her hand and mounted

to thank you. But at least I shall hope fo

ed the girl with a sigh. "That he will escape I am assured; Rupert could never come to harm;

Peter mournfully. "You care more for his littl

er the more precious?" she answered saucily.

t one hear

t limit to the time

naught of the matter, for you

still have one, considering ho

vow

us

he same moment they became aware of horses slowly approaching, a sound whi

s," whispered Barbara. "

re Sir Peter had fully grasped the situation, the troopers had roun

sacking the barns, following a wild-goose chase after false information extracted from the sullen country-folk, and were now returning to the village,

ad at this hour, and the horrified exclamation of the girl, all tended to prove that this was the man whom they sought. With a quick exclamation, the leader sprang from

es with a muttered curse. But in Mistress Barbara the danger only roused

Who is afraid of yo

nswer. He threw an angry glance in the direction of the girl, a

do you surrender, or must I

he girl again, "that you c

kground laughed, and the capta

same time wrenched the reins from his grasp and dug his spurs into the horse's flanks. The animal leaped forward suddenly, and before the men could recover from the confusion and make a furthe

t to overtake the fugitive, he opened his lips to give the order to fire, that the man might be stopped, dead or alive. But ere he could speak the wor

much astonished to move, then a

gitive was out of sight, and though several troopers presently set out in pursuit, it was obvious that the hope of recapture was very s

aptain Protheroe turned furious

claimed harshly, "

fallen back, and he found himself gazing in

e to take him at all costs, dead or alive, and now, being but few miles from the coast, and being well mounted, 'tis very like he may be altogether quit

e curtsey and turned to

ered from the effect of her eyes. He seized

ave some information from you f

him in grave

wrist," she compla

e held it out to him gravely, that he might see

his: Was that Sir Peter Dare who hath escaped us,

forgetful of the place and hour. Bethink you, 'tis scarce m

l not avail. You thought it no shame ten minutes since to rem

ir," she answered with a most inno

an! Well!

r," she said and pointed again r

all the country maids, and he could not see her dress beneath. Furthermore she spoke with a slight Somersetshire accent, and this, together with her sau

ad the sweetest voice and the most bewitching dimple i

"I am sorry I hurt thee, girl, but an

ed at hi

e it, he was-he was a certa

laughed unwillingl

better account of him

rry! How one may be deceived. I have ever heard Captain Protheroe spoken of as

et if the girl persisted in her saucy masquerade, he resolved at

fooling, girl,"

not, I will e'en take my leave," she interp

oe seized her cloak

the information I require or, by Heaven, I'll march you back to the village and

regarded him gravel

arked coolly, as the resu

an you answer not my questions, and that speedily, I must

ands were clasped convulsively at her throat, the fingers fidgeting with the ribbons of her cloak. She shoo

lute. Then she began

with a quick movement she twisted herself free from the cloak which she had previously unfastened, leaving

de a motion to pursue her, bu

added, laughing, "The wench deserves her freedom. Fall i

eparted, Captain Protheroe stooped and tore a ribbon from the discarded cloak,