Barbara Winslow, Rebel

cended his pulpit steps in the little church of Durford and prepared to deliver his dis

n life the threefold longing to satisfy his superiors, to breed the best poultry in the country-side, and to live at peace with

derness of rebellion, but his doubts then lest possibly the rebellion might prove successful, forbade

he same caution forbade him to display openly the deep sympathy which his kind he

h his Sabbath discourses and his week-day intercourse with his flock had succeeded in ignoring the very existence of the

ed prophet may be o'er

ere and inexplicable malady had kept the worthy minister prisoner in his house, and had pr

Wednesday, however, he had once again recovered fu

he himself proposed to attend the service on the morrow, a discourse upon the sinfulness of rebellion would be regarded by the authorities as a satisfactory proof of the preac

Marmaduke was

edly before him, but escape was impossible; for the worthy corporal, finding himself in a position of unquestioned authority, was once more minded to enjoy it to the full. He could not enter the pulpit himself, but he was resolved to cause such a discourse to be delivered

the morning of the Sabbath had he fully realis

ich he was to condemn. To his left sat Corporal Crutch, attended by two troopers, sitting as judges upon the loyalty and fervour of his discourse. While immediately below the pulpit sat

le as they were to recent events, instantly aroused the attention of his hearers. The worthy preacher groaned inwardly; would they but sleep or allow their attention to wander, as was ordinarily the custom, all might yet be well; this unwonted interest was but another c

k, he plunged into his subject and wandered for some time among the ramifications of the history of the Israelites, until an impat

forth into an eloquent reference to the triumph of the supporters of the Lord's Anointed

of the building were giving vent more noisily to their grief. The faces of the men were dark with anger, and below him the figure of Mistress Barbar

demnation of rebellion in general, but was again driven forward by the thre

hen he paused, and when he continued broke out with new vehemence. For full three minutes the struggle contin

ghts hopelessly astray. Desperately he grasp

. (This to soothe the corporal.) But had not many rebelled in ignorance, led astray by misrepr

tion he maintained, endeavouring by appreciative references to the noble supporters of justice on the one hand, and

e felt was more than any maid should be called upon to accept in silence, and but for Cicely's restraining hand and entreating whispers she would have left the church. In deference to her cousin's fe

in the great rising, except in so far as it concerned her brother, and had certainly been no ardent support

direct her course with argument or reason, and the current of he

iscretion and a lengthened indulgence in the seclusion afforded by the vestry secured the peace-loving occupant from an encounter not wholly unanticipated. In ignorance of the exact n

ith him. Throwing a disdainful glance in his direction, she swept haughtily down the grass-grown path to the lych-gate. Here she was perforce delayed. Her cousin had pause

es saddled and bridled, and a third in charge of a rough-looking cart. She noted these preparations fo

followed by his two attendant troopers, came down the p

her shoulder, cried in a voice wherein pompou

aint you as a rebel, and arrest

owever, of a murmur of anger and surprise from the cro

matter? Wha

must know, it means that this woman is attainted as a rebel, and I hold a warrant f

possible! she

e been hanged for less," answered the corporal,

lessly. "Taunton gaol! Why she is a woman, ye cannot.

e, that in such affairs of state, least said is soonest mended. Now, mis

ngering crowd, and Peter Drew, the blacksmit

ung Miztrez to Taunton gaol. Zhall her be ta?ken, lads? Zha

reatment sustained at the hands of the troopers during their occupation of the village; and lastly, the spirit of revolt against injustice and

and closed in round the corporal and his men with gestures w

ellion, to recall the exiles from Holland, and to succeed in establishing justice and the Protestant Religion, or die fighting for the Cause. Had not other women done as much! These men, she knew, would cheerfully fight to the death for her; the country was still f

there pressed forward an old woman, who f

ll if a faight. And zee there," pointing with her trembling hand at a tall stalwart fellow, prominent amongst the throng

ferred to. "Would ee have un ta?k the

and she recognised the hopelessness of any resistanc

ands of the old crone, she sprang on to the wa

Royal Warrant for my arrest, an that be so I must e'en go with him. Be assured they cannot harm me; I have done no wrong. Besides," she added proudly, "I would not have them think me afeared to go. P

n upon them, until with reluctance, and many incoherent mutterings, the crowd, somew

st to return to the Manor House to collect some n

d her pompously, "that you have deci

"I do not doubt but you are indeed rejoiced. But come, I must to the Manor H

ill accompany

ugh of my good faith, but as you will," answere

pleaded Cicely, as she hastened after her cousin. "'

ld'st thou do there? Where could'st

ance advise too what 'twere best to do for thee. There is good Mistress Lane,

h, "I would fain have thee near, if 'twere only to te

minutes' preparation before her journey to Taunton, but having resigned herself to fate Barbara had no mind to delay

trengthened at sight of the ramshackle

ortunes have fallen!" she

eated like honest folk," remar

l till I be proved such, therefore I warn thee 'twere best be more careful of thy

t task of cheering the other. Upon leaving the village and their friends behind them, some sense o

the interest and amusement she found in watching her escort, had their effect. The result

oubt not I shall meet much good company; an interview with Lord Jeffreys (I would fain see him, they say he is a right handsome man, for all

dare to harm a woman. I make no doubt these tales of my Lord Jeffreys' punishment and-and of Lady Alice Lisle, ar

a's face fell slightly, but she

o, they could prove nought against me. They have no testimony

ously. "And in justice none could

d-headed trooper, didst eve

over its head ere he sees Taunton. Note his face when the

n ambuscade at every corner, and well-nigh fell from his horse with fright when old Mother Gilkin's

ton. But as night drew on the sky became overcast with clouds, and a cold wind and drizzling rain added to th

did Barbara br

sitation, "thinkest thou that Captai

astonishment. "Why, Barbara, ch

elieve that of him," an

to be duped as thou hast duped him, without some revenge? Oh! I tell thee as I have ever

know him," pleaded Barbara.

y. "What hath he done to win such trust? Or dost thou deem, perchance, that thou hast bewitched him, and so bound him to

and stared thoughtfully into the gathering dar

nd 'twas little past noon when they set out on their journey,

lage to seek a smith. The escort halted more than once for refreshm

e butchery which for many weeks had devastated the fairest county of the West. Gaunt figures swinging in their chains from the sign-posts,

the royal troops, blazed with light, and the shouts of laughter and snatches of song from within indicated that the soldiery were holding revelry, heedless alike of th

stared carelessly at the passing company. Barbara with a gasp of astonishment half rose to

ntinue his inspection of the night all unconscio