The Children of the New Forest

himself at the gate of the keeper's house. Dismounting, and hanging the bridle of the pony over the rail, he walked through a small garden, neatly kept, but, so early in the year

dge at home, maid

he is not. He is

ill he

s time, unless he is more

ard; "and it would vex me to return without seeing h

ut I am willing to

ge, my relation; but the old man is too unwell, and has been

large and small, in the kennels;

t wait till his retu

" replied the young girl, "

wed, and followed the young girl, who led the way to a room, in which was seated a man dressed after the fashion of the Roundhead

rd, who feared himself the prisoner of a Roundhead, when he only expected to meet a keeper, was further irritated by the neglect shown toward him by the party. Forgetting that he was, by his own assertion, not Edward Beverley, but the relative of one Jacob Armitage, he colored up with anger as he stood at the door. Fort

oung man?" at last said t

Oswald Partridge, to obtain two young hounds, whi

on the table; "Armitage-Jacob-yes-I see he is one of t

ld he call upon you,

charge. Notice has been given for all those who were employed to come here, that t

ted under the king; for two or three years his allowances have never been paid, and he ha

young man, do you live

so for more

ay and allowances, as you state, pray b

epers maintained thems

tleman; "but be pleased to reply to mine. What has

ken," replied Edward. "We have land of our own, which we cultiva

have been

archs more?" r

me writing opposite the name on the list, "with whom he has associated, and with whom he has served. Now allow me to put one question.

forest," replied Edward; "but we wished

as in the fores

hun

nowledge that

for himself," replied Edward; "but allow me to assure y

ou will ex

is authority from him, and the means of paying those he employed. They were still servants of the king, for they were not dismissed; and, having no other means of support, they considered that the

cob Armitage has killed

hing for Jac

you have kille

, I am not here to criminate myself; and, in the next, I m

llecting himself, he compressed his lips and stood still), this is my commission, appointing me the agent of Parliament to take charge and superin

ve stated what is correct, sir," said he, laying it down; "and the date of it is, I per

that, young man?" replied the gentleman,

ny venison. Now, sir, until the Parliament took the forest into their hands, it undoubtedly belonged to his majesty, if it does not now; the

even if there was not evidence on this paper that your forefather served under

r before him, were retainers in the family of Colonel Beverley; they were indebted to him for the situation they held i

erley, who was a gallant man, and true to the cause which he espoused, although it was not a holy one; but, in my position, I can not, in justice to tho

you say is very just, not that I think you harm Jacob Armitage, as, in the first place, I know that he would not serve under you; and, in the next,

, I presume," rep

e King Charles was born, and I presume the Parliament

t relation you are

ve said before,

ive wi

d

an dies, will inh

d looking at the

if your father does not

irl laughed

in auth

nd not over my grandfather

t up at the cott

Arnwood. I was playmate of the

ed with

would permit, the chaplain was al

when Arnwood w

time," replied Edward, grindin

is brought to your memory. It was a stain that can never be effaced-a deed most diabolical, and what we thought wo

ndhead prevented an explosion on his part. He felt that all w

ridge, and obtain the hounds which he had promised

y s

not permit dogs for the chase to be given away to thos

me," said he, smiling, "you think I have no right to interfere, as it will be an ex post facto case if I do: I shall not, therefore, interfere,

will not be offended, I wi

ak,

gn, and I own no authority but from him. I hold myself answerable to him alone for any de

opinion of the ruling powers; but if caught, you will be punish

upholding the king, and you can not, therefore, be surprised that they uphold him

d. "So now there's an end of our argument. If you go into the kitchen you will find wherewithal to r

know how it is, but I am not angry with him as I thought I should be. That little girl had a nice smile-she was quite handsome when she smiled. Oh, this is the kitchen, to which," thought he, "the Lord of Arnwood is dismissed by a Covenanter and

behind the house, and filling the rack with hay, returned to the house and seated himself at a porch which was at the door which led to the back premises, for the keeper'

, as there was no one to receive you. I was not aware that Phoebe had

d and considerate to an avow

e; and if you do, I'll beg you off i

ed a cold fowl and a venison pasty, which she placed on t

ng it on the table, "tha

eatherstone, I believe.

, it

you

y father's, I

your bapti

sir; but still I will answer you t

ondescension," replied

, good sir; and

not, therefore, look like Jacob's grandson, and must be careful." Edward then set to with a good appetite at the viands

ridge is now

replied Edward. "May

s the k

ded she in a low tone, "all attempts to see him would be useless and only h