In the Wars of the Roses: A Story for the Young

when going about their avocations. "Our peril is the same, and it is I who have led you into danger. I will not have it so. We will share in all things alike. If we are purs

y image of a prince; and Paul's heart swelled with lo

toiling along on foot, and there has been ample time for a mounted messenger to ride back and give the warning to such of the robbers as are yet here. They know that the twain of us are travelling together. Wherefore, for the few miles that separate us now from the kindly shelter of the Priory, it will be better that we journey alone. This smock and battered hat will protect you from recognition, the more so w

s not a prince thus to clothe himself. Wear it yourse

r own master; you are the servant of your loyal and true-hearted subjects, who have suffered already so much in the cause. To throw your life away, nay, even to run into needless peril, were a sin to them and to the country. I say nothing of your mother's despair, of the anguish of your bri

k by this argume

annot bear to play the coward's part, and

ife. I could lead them a fine chase yet. But we may never sight an adversary. These woods are still and silent, and we have heard no sounds of dread import all these long, weary miles. It may well be that we shall reach the Priory i

had they been attacked Edward would have fallen an easy prey; but alone in this disguise, hobbling along with the heavy gait of an aged rustic, he would attract no suspicion from any robber band. And Paul was eager to see him thus equipped; for they

eful for the warmth they afforded; for he was feeling the bitter cold of the northern latitude, and was desperately tired from his long day and

ugh ash stick to help himself along; and a smile of triumph stole over his own countenance as he heaved a long sigh of relief--for he felt quite certain

by the feeling that the safety and perhaps the life of the young Prince of Wales depended in a great measure upon his sagacity, endurance, and foresight. To get the prince to Leigh's Priory, beneath the care of the good monks who were stanch to the cause of the saintly Henry, was the one aim and object of his thoughts. He had known all along that the last miles of the journey would be those most fraught with peri

more. He fancied his eyes had been closed but for a few seconds, when some noise close at hand caused him to raise his head

track which wandered through the wood. Paul would have started to his feet and fled to the thicket, but his benumbed limbs refused their off

for Edward, and only second for hims

safe at the Priory, if he make good speed, as methinks he will; for with the hope of speedy ease and rest, even the weariest traveller plucks up heart and spirit. If they are following him, to find even me will delay them. If not, they will pass me by unheeded. I am not li

he was calm with the calmness of physical exhaustion, and in truth his chance of escape would have been small indeed. He could have m

one of the dogs suddenly gave a deep bay, and came rushi

m; "the dogs have found. They never give ton

it is; there is something mo

, and made a step forward, though uncertainly, a

ect me where I can get food and shelter for the night? I have been w

t had spoken before; and immediately a bright gleam of light

?" asked the leader of his followe

t, marry, I can scarce tell one from the other when they are apart. What has he done

d the robber, addressing Paul sternly. "Where is your companion? You

in his veins. He tried hard to keep his faculties cle

slowly. "I told him to go his own way; I would not be a s

off pursuit from him, his point might be gained. He had not forgotten the episode of the first adve

not unkindly, doffed his hat respectfully at these words, and sa

d as if in assent, and the man cont

e been sent out on purpose to bring you into a place of safety. My followers will provide you with a good horse, and you will soon be in saf

attempt at resistance would be met by an appeal to force. And he had no disposition to resist. The longer the fiction was kept up, the longer there would be fo

d with simple dignity; "I presum

ard had done, in the woodman's hut, and it was now more than thirty-six hours since sleep had visited him, and those hours had been crowded with excitement, peril, and fatigue. The potent liquor he had just drunk helped to steal his senses away, and as the party jogged through the dim aisles of the wood, Paul fell fast asleep, with his head resting on t

rely unfamiliar to Paul, although he could not fo

ered the man who had been leader of the little ban

and square it I will one of these days. But bring in the prize--bring him in. Let us have a look at him. He is worth the capture, anyhow, as the Chief will say when he re

ted in his endeavour to carry off the lady of his choice; and who was, as he well knew, his bitterest foe. His heart beat fast and his breath came fitfully as he realized this, and he looked quickly round t

he captain of the band, strode forward and fixed his eyes upon the lad, his

n?--Lads, this isn't the prince at all; this is the other of them, who has fooled you as he fooled the Chief himself lon

hy did you not wring the truth out of him, when the other quarry could not h

ooked full into Paul's face, and aske

k the truth. Are you the

f Simon Dowsett's bullet in his shoulder, and he was too well known by him to p

t all. He is beyond the reach of you

?" asked the

they might even make a raid on the Priory, or watch it night and day, and to prevent th

e laid a hand upon

t be able to resist. You have a bitter enemy in Devil's Own, as he is called, and he will not spare you if you provoke. I will stand your friend, if you will but speak out and tell us where

of value. You will be made to do so

service of his prince; and though what he might be called upon to suffer might be far worse than death itself, his will stood firm, and he gave no sign of yielding. The man, who would hav

speak, or will you not? It is

ead and looking at his old enemy with a contempt and lo

ou. I have many old scores to settle with you yet, and so has the Chief when he come

it is a pity to spoil good clothes that may be useful to

ter and Joe, and lay it on w

e intended to inflict. Paul's upper garments were quickly removed, and his hands and feet tightly bound with leather thongs. An upright and a crossway beam, supporting the roof of the cave, formed an excellent substitute for the whipping post not uncomm

from him. But he was resolved that his foe should not have the satisfaction of extorting from him any outward sign of suffering save the convulsive writhings which no effort of his ow

ld,

see him killed outright. Take him down and lock him up safely till the Chief returns. He will say what is to be done with him next. It is

wsett with a cruel sneer; "this is only a foretast

kill him too soon. Keep him safe, and we wi

imself unbound and carried roughly along down some dark passage, as he fancied. There was a grating noise, as if a door ha

g way off a glimmering light, which approached nearer and nearer, though he was too dizzy and faint to heed its movements much. But it certainly approached quite

Paul Stukely?"

s that seemed to hang over his eyes. A sweet and very lovely face was hanging over hi

t an

nce of my father's return tonight. I have brought you your clothes, and Madge has given me some rag steeped in a concoction of herbs of her own making, which will wonderfully ease your wounds if you will let me lay it on them. Old Madge is a wonderful leech, and she ca

g? If you can put your clothes on whilst I am gone, I will bring

might befall him if he could not avail himself of this strange chance of escape. By the time the fair-faced girl had returned with a steaming basin in her hands, he had contrived to str

f, did I not? Well, so I am; and my father loves me the more, I think, that he never loved any other being save my mother, and she died in this very cave when I was born. He has always loved me and given me my own way; but these last weeks a change seems to have come over him, and he talks of giving me in wedlock to that terrible man T hate worse

ntents of the basin, and feeling wonderfully invigorated thereby; indeed, he was sufficiently restored to feel a qualm of sur

is home and his mother, and there shall I lie hid in safety until such time as the priest may wed us. And, Paul, it is a happy chance that brought you hither this night instead of another; for we will fly together, and you will be safe at Figeon's as I. For they will not suspect whit

worn and suffering was he; but anything was better than remaining behind in the power of

rom here. You shall ride her, and I will run beside you, and guide you to the trysting place, where my Jack will be awaiting me, and his great roan will carry the pair of us. Now silence, and follow me. There is a narrow exit from

ed an alarm yet, often as I have slipped out unawares. Give me your hand--so; now stoop your head, and squeeze through this narrow

avier burden tonight, but you will d

shall soon be out of

ng through the dun wood by intricate paths, a fairy-like figure springing throu

could do to maintain his seat on the animal that bounded lightly along with her unaccustomed bu

ed the fairy, springing forwar

ly back to you. You must take care of him as well