In the Days of Queen Mary

and Chiddingly had resumed its normal

horses, and at eventide the maidens went to see to the kine with their bright milk-cans in their hands. The rooks

of Chiddingly, save a few who were bedridden, flocked into the parish churc

es, which were "to be said or sung," were always sung to the acco

Vicar marvelled, while Mistress Susan's bright eyes glowed with pride an

alutations to them, cap in hand. There was nothing servile in this-it was but the public exhibition of the love and fidelity in which the family of the Jefferay

marked that the lad wore the livery of the De Fynes of Herstmonceux-a

Lewes?" said Su

ady," repl

reply; go to the kitchen after you have stabled your

his departure, glad to foll

r father, who had

her," she said, "I w

Susan hastened to her own room

she had half hoped to have seen him

so, her cheeks paled and her hands trembled. Then she rang a small silver bell

er to me, Janet," she said,

red her room, his face st

d suddenly as he looked upon his daug

" he said quickly,

she replied in a

the pity of all men. The head of the house of Geoffrey de Fynes had suffered a traitor's de

missed its mark as when young Lo

he office of Secretary to the High Sheriff of the

nd between him and Susan a strong attachment had

from his daughter's hand and read

his letter, and I do so with a clear conscience, though the writing of it might cause the loss of my post, and make m

e at once t

ant has been issued by the Crown for the

ays hence, soon after daybreak. They will travel on horseback, and their objec

me plan may be devised whereby he shall escape the malice of his foes. I sugge

Fynes drifted off into other ma

you to destroy it-for Geoffrey's sake," said William

aid Susan, "wha

father, "unless we can p

ed to stay among his people-he is strong in his innocence, and

l show him De Fynes's letter if needs be, or at least tell him its contents. I thi

y is assured. Ralph will be here to-morrow; he is coming to spend my birthday with us. Oh!

and it will need discretion as well as valour; I shall se

talked together, ma

s to send us this warning!" said Susan; "would

y; "he has compromised himself enough already, an

must be so," answere

rs attending once more in full force, little thinking of

t voice trembled with emotion as she sang the words, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace." So also the psalm for

rty services of the day had filled his heart with joy, and the evident good-wil

re seated together in the library, that Jefferay, laying

s! that I should have bad news for you-n

or trepidation, William Jefferay recounted all that

be done!" said th

one, but not always in the manne

san int

icar's side, took his

torm, for it would break our hearts were you taken from us by cruel men,

r shook

an hireling; the good shepherd give

he laid his hand affectionately on he

Jefferay took

or better times; and my brother Sir John tells me that all men

voice to almost a w

taking heart. This may be treason, but, as God lives, I believe it is true! Save yourself, then, Vica

ve interest with the captain, and I can answer for him that he will accept you as a passenger. We

answer to-morrow,"

ul friends would n

Golden Horn puts to sea early in the day,

r waxed late before the reluctant consent was given. To the l

ses will be ready to start the moment you arrive," said

-God willing," r

ition that, on Susan's suggestion, Jefferay should accompany the

e confiding Susan had revealed to him all that had passed, and that on Wedne

endowed by nature with a very combative disp

ingly rustics when they dipped the apparitor in the h

, and, unfortunately, at this moment he lacked the restraining influence of hi

ants among the Chiddingly rustics, and at nightfall ten of the

warts were admitted to it, and these pledged themselves to secre

e "young Squire" (as he was known among the rustics) set forth in sufficiently guarded language the nat

Ralph was, he saw the necess

rkable and ty

though they lacked great intelligence, possessed

hed their blood for her and for their country against Spain

, and for King Philip in particular-nor did the Sussex people ever forget or forgive the r

take vengeance on the Pursuivant as they had done upon the

ursuivant and his party should be waylaid on Wednesday morning at a poi

e should be no bloodshed if it were possible to prevent it; the obnoxious v

s, and would surely find their way home in due time; and, if not

dnesday morning; they would thus reach the place appointed for the attack an hou

and every detail arranged by the

atter of supreme delight-little re

ted his cob and rode to the spo

nty town well-known beaten tracks existed. These were well-nigh impassab

the trackway led through forest glades of much beauty; at other times it was a narrow pass between giant oaks and elms whos

latter kind that Ralph cam

route on the following day; any other would involve a détour o

; eventually he seemed to find what he needed, namely, two stout young s

friends assembled again, at his summons, in the taproo

ot; he would not involve her or any member o

his heart-the absence

this one thing for Ralph's perfect happiness; his brother had been compelled to remai

the Wednesday morning as Ralph made his way t

he rarely went abroad-for this enterprise was to be carried

ough in the hands of a Sussex rustic! Round his waist he had begirt

eeded at a gentle pace towards the wood

was about to rise, and the twittering of countless bi

ops of dew bedecked the leaves of the hazel bus

the horizon into a cloudless

not a cloud flecked the

x downs in graceful outline-rising at Firle Bea

orest, the deep embowered

long the trackway he broke into song, as if in emulation of the

and he checked his song as he caught sight of on

Roger," he cried to the

others are all in front o

e, Roger, why do you call me Mr.

augh. "I thought for the moment that Mr. William h

his head and looked at it

brother's cap; it was dark when I left ho

, and in a few minutes he

the track narrowed to a breadth of sixteen or seventeen f

if nature was conspiring on behalf of the stalwarts. Ralp

se in the dense wood, and there

g his bridle rein into the h

him up carefully; see that

sir," sai

m, with the assistance of his men. One end of it was securely fastened to the

nd side, and the rope was drawn taut. The rough grass which grew

his waist, and Ralph carefully inspected these co

final instructions," said Ralph

s the track, and be ready to drop on the Pursuivant at the moment he passes be

-hand. The horses will probably be caught by our rope and will come to ground, their riders

ls. Beware that no man escapes, or our plan will fail. Above all, remember there must be no

nswered the rustic

of you; our foes may be her

n the sylvan scene, save for the hummin

ad passed, and yet there was no sign of approaching

ong route over the downs, and all our well-laid scheme

into the track, and looked anxi

but at that moment a flas

e cuirasses of two musketeers. They were mounted on stout horses in war panopl

action was nigh. The horsemen were approaching at a brisk trot; their arquebuses were attached to th

nt and they

own violently upon the track. The Pursuivant, who was riding about three yards

m, and he was caught in a strong embrace, while Ralph Jefferay stood at his horse's head, his hand on the bridle. Meanwhile the eight rustics had sprung from

their feet, two rustics sprang t

uivant; then, addressing Ralph, whom he rec

ueen's officer, and that you sto

ors dismounted him from his saddle,

disdaining to make any rep

s the Pursuivant was relieved of a big official-looki

rrant for the apprehension of the Vicar

atter it to the winds!" s

lives!" shouted agai

ent he had torn the formidable document to shreds, to

this, sir," growled t

ther on a message of death, and now your plans are frustrated

dare!" replie

ed aloud, a

y know that God is on their side; yet your experience to-day

e, and you and your men can go back to Lewes to tel

ou to these trees by the roadside and relieve you of your horses. Before nightfall there will, do

could find words for a reply, R

risoners securely to the trees by the

carried out. Then Ralph bowed wit

wish you a speedy release a

e whole gang dived into the forest,

, and was soon trotting quietly homewards, his stalwarts follo

an to struggle desperately in a vain endeavour to escape

Pursuiv

to recognize some of these ruf

his men; "I have often seen him in

d the Pursuivant, r

e man, "I know hi

ng for this, Mr. William Jefferay, as s

y, and the bound men began to feel the pangs of thi

ed loudly for help-but th

night in the woods would be their fate-perhaps death itsel

urning from his daily toil,

the cries of the prisoners, and ca

!" cried the woodman.

ed the luckless Pursuivant; "bring hith

weather-beaten features a

be, and how you came to this pas

ry, "I am a Queen's officer, and these are my

e master of the situation, a

to be awakened-there was, doubtless,

do you this little job," he said

ground his te

ou hesitate any longer; come, bring thy

he man; "then I leaves you to y

h he began t

ud howl of entreaty-their worst f

, and returned once

came straight

cut your cords?" said he, an

st thought was tinged with bitter rage: he would

at he gave this man; they were three to one-when once they w

thy hand in my doublet pocket and take

und the purse; it was well line

inspired the Pursuivant's generosity had occurred to h

men-at-arms was bound, he raised his ax

s," he cried, as he b

nions; by that time the woodman with the purse in

h lay before the three men ere the lig

did the Pursuivant seek rest till the first step in his revenge was taken, a