The Children of the New Forest

nt, who officiated in the house and stable as his services might be required, every man of the household of Colonel Beverley had followed the fortunes of their m

fore, found it difficult to maintain the present household; and although she did not tell Jacob Armitage that such was the case, the fact was, that very often the venison which he brought to the mansion was all the meat that was in the larder. The three female servants held the offices of cook, attendant upon Miss Villiers, and housemaid; the children being under the care of no particular servant, and left much to themselves. There had been a cha

old Jacob Armitage, who passed all the time he could spare with them. Benjamin was rather weak in intellect, and was a source of amusement rather than otherwise. As for the female servants, one was wholly occupied with her attendance on Miss Judith, who was very exacting, and had a high notion of her own consequence. The other two had more than sufficient employment; as, when there is no money to pay with, every thing must be done at home. That, under such circumstances, the boys became boisterous and the little girls became

e other came to the door, "I

enison, Jacob?" said Be

u'll not be

an important business, so s

not say any thing

was about fifty years of age, very prim and starched, sitting in a high-backed chair, with her feet

ster made hi

iness with us, I am tol

lace, it is right that you should be informed that his

escaped!" rep

to be secreted somewhe

t in this house,

e were, I would suffer my tongue to be torn ou

e for your priv

indful that you go down stairs, a

t of the room, slamming-to the door so a

med Miss Judith. "Now, Jaco

rs, concluding with the information, that the mansion would be burned down that very night. He then point

go to, Jacob?" said

my cottage; it is but a poor pla

party of rude soldiers. Happen what will, I shall not stir from this-no, not even from this chair. Neither do I consider the danger so great as you suppose

remain here. I will not leave th

not ill-treat me-they may force the buttery and drink the ale-they may make merry with that and the venison whi

ll events, they will frighten the children, and

ha to attend upon the Miss Beverleys. Go down now, and desire A

ng in his own mind whether he should acquaint the servants with the threatened danger; but he had no occasion to do so, for Agatha had remained at the door while Jacob was communicating the intelligence,

cook, as Jacob came in. "Well, Mr. Armitage, this is

amin saddles immediate

, Agatha, are to g

to do? Where are we to

tends to remain

ad enough to have little victuals and no wages, but as for being burned to death-Benjamin, put a p

a sign significant of consent, and went away to the stable. Agatha went up to her mis

the children in the house." Jacob then went in search of them, and found them pl

this house immediately; come up with me to your rooms, and help me to pack up yours and yo

acob; I mus

tary troopers will bur

e is mine, is it not? Who da

are it, and

t and bar; I can fire a gun, and hit too,

sible, my dear boy. Recollect your sisters. Would you have them burned to death, or shot by these wretches? No, no, Mr. Edward; you must do as I say, and lose no tim

ly!" said Humphre

he house; at last, old Jacob prevailed, and the clothes w

doubt if she will," observed Jacob, "and I think we shal

hrey; "Alice always dresses Edith and

es, and you make them fast on the

aunt Judith go?"

Master Edward; she intends to s

o face the enemy, while I run away from

ve your sisters here; they and Humphrey must come with me, and I can not manage to get them t

re still playing in the garden, were called in by Humphrey. They were told that

brother and sisters: the troopers are all about the New Forest, for King Charles has escaped, and they are seeking for him. You must not, therefore, leave your brother and sisters till I return. Lock the cottage-door as soon as it is dark. You know where to get a light, over the cupbo

the little party quitted the mansion of Arnwood. As they went out of the gates they were passed by Benjamin, who was trotting away with Mar

?" said Alice. "Will she be bac

"Well, she has taken plenty of clothes in

urned to the kitchen, where he found Agatha and the cook col

en Miss Judi

r chair that she might receive the troopers with dignity; but I don't admire th

jamin say he

ill to-morrow morning, and then he would ride out this way, to ascer

ob, thoughtfully. "I fear they will not pay her the respect that sh

t be off, for it

are you g

t's a good mile, and I

e me up to the old lady, I'l

d taken up the lamp, for it was now qui

"you would be persuaded to le

se I will not, if it were fille

, ma

too forward," replied t

, ma

ge, and never appear again. Quit

nd so has the cook, and

I leave, you

e dared t

ed not st

ed. "Obey me instantly," said the old lady; and the forester, finding all remonstr

k up their packages, and, as he promised, accompanied them to G

they walked along, her fears for herself having up to this time made h

come of the dear babes?" s

ave sorry treatment if discovered, and knowing also that women were not always to be

those? No, no, they are safe enough;

ope so," re

The troopers will take them with them to Lymington, I suppose. I've n

for ale, and remained some time in the house, talking and laughing with the women, especially Agatha, who was a very good-looking girl. Jacob would have retreated quietly, but he found a sentinel posted at the door to prevent the egress of any person. He reseated himself, and while he was listening to the conversation of the troopers he was recogn

may be wrong; but if you should fall in with an old lady or something like one when you go to Arnwood, mount her on your crupper an

our means, it is but fair that you should have something fo

blown over, I will find you out. Don't speak to me any more just now." Southwold again squeezed J

e glare of torches, and in a quarter of an hour more thick smoke rose up in the dark but clear sky; at last the flames b

mes Southwold passed him with the old lady tied behind him, kicking and struggling as hard as she could. Jacob smiled as he thought that he had by his little stratagem save

g back, as the flames of the mansion rose higher and higher, throwing their light far and wide. He knocked at the cottage-door;

d Edward, "and Humphrey has been nodding this half

and look." Edward beheld the flames and fie

burned in your beds, for they did not enter the house to see

claimed Edward, c

dward, and by this

o to her t

. These Levelers spare nobody, and you had better let

knows the con

ould have been burned, and then nobody would have known of the existence of the chil

you must remain here, and take charge of your sisters till I come back, and the

hat these Roundheads

shaking

our property, but how long it will be so remain

ssion of it!" cried Edward; "I shall,

o now, and not be rash. Let us go into the cottage, for it's n

d the property-revenge upon them (how he knew not); but his hand was ready to strike, young as he was. He lay down on the bed, but he could not sleep. He turned and turned again, and his brain was teeming with thoughts and plans of vengeance. Had he s