The Children of the New Forest

e from the table and went out of the back door, and found there Oswald Partridge. He accosted him, stating the reason for his comin

Edward; "before that, I was

king's side, I pres

ied Edward, "whe

give a hound to any one that was not. But we had better

" said Edward; "and I will now tell you all that passed between

ng of them, but that they are little fitted for their places, and rail against the king all day long, which, I suppose, is their chief merit in the eyes of those who appoint them. Howev

, that we shall not be able to find a sa

ill meet you in the park, lay down ready money, and take it away. I don't know, but I have an idea, that this new intendant, or what you may call him, is not so severe

know who

l, and they say has done good service to the Parliamentary cause

at you are not watched home. There are the dogs for your grandfather. W

en, past, n

. You are well grown indeed for that age. Well, nothing like

ut without bri

ertain; but you are young to have learned it so so

slot of a broc

I do not exactly), in the first place, because I may want to come to you, and in the next, that I m

, I

re the day after to-m

ve and d

the dogs in the leash

st not leave the pony,

stable for the pony. Edward saddled White Billy, and rode awa

so profitable as it promised to be. Indeed he felt that, if necessary, they could live upon the proceeds of the farm, and not run the risk of imprisonment by stalking the deer. But he had told the intendant that he considered the game as the king's property, and he was resolved that he would at all events run the risk, although he would no longer permit Humphrey so to do. "If any thing happens to me," thought Edward, "Humphrey will still be at the cottage to take care of my sisters; and if I am obliged to fly the country, it

st ten days had altogether kept his bed, and gave him

ur sisters will suffer by any imprudence on your part; and for their sakes be careful. I say this, Edward, because I feel that my days are numbered, and that in a short time I shall be called away. You will then have all the load on your shoulders which has been latterly on mine. I have no fear for the result if you are prudent; these few months past, during which I have only been a burden to you, have proved that you and Humphrey can find a living here for yourselves and your sisters; and it is fortunate, now that the forest laws are about to be put in force, that you have made the farm so profitable. If I might advis

e; but Edward had no idea how much worse he was. Edward assisted Humphrey in the farm, and in the evening again

are; I did think of telling him myself, as it might be important to you one day as evidence. I think you had better bring him here to-morrow nigh

the oaks, was about seven miles from the cottage; and at the hour and time indicated, Edward, with his gun in his hand, and Smoker lying beside him, was leanin

Oswald," s

re the Duke of York-but he, could not get any more from me than what I knew. I told him that your grandfather's cottage was his own property, and a grant to his forefathers; that you were brought up at Arnwood, and had joined your grandfather after the death of the colonel, and the murderous burning of the ho

day, nevertheless," replied Edward; "a hart royal is not meat f

must see your woodcraft. You s

can harbor a s

his month,

e eastern quarter; we will face it, if you please-or, rat

swald; and they walked

a likely harbor for the stag." They proceeded, and Edward pointed out to Oswald the slot of the st

duced the stag to move his antlers, and discover his lair. Edward could just perceive the eye of the animal through the heath; he waited till the beast settled again, took steady aim, and fired. At the report of the gun another stag sprung up and burst away. Oswald fired and wounded it, but the animal made off, followed by the dogs. Edward, who hardly knew whether he had missed or not, but felt almost certai

Edward, "and now you m

where the dogs and stag were in the water,

ag out of the water, and then Oswald cut its th

iss him?" said Oswald; "

id Edward; "my quarry lies dead in

rantable stag,

art royal, as you wil

e hung the quarters of the animal on a

, Edward?" said Oswald

hrough the fern, and I must

ld found that Edward had put the b

of the craft. This is indeed a hart royal. Twenty-five antlers, as I live! Come, out with your knife, and let us finish; for if we are to go to the cottage, we have no time to lose. It will be dark in half an hour." They hun

"and here we are, if I recollect right,

e will be prepared fo

ference, Jacob confided to Oswald that the four children were the sons and daughters of Colonel Beverley, supposed to have been burned in the firing of Arnwood. Oswald came out, much surprised as well as pleased with the infor

d Edward, "remember t

we are the grandchi

e you, I think it very fortunate that Jacob has confided the secret to me, as it may be in my power to be

it across the forest to the keeper's lodge. It was so late when they arrived, that Edward consented to pass the night there, and return home on the following morning. Oswald went into the sitting-room to speak with the intendant of the forest, leaving Edward in the kitchen with Phoebe, the maid-servant. He told the intendant that he had brought home some fine venison,

Parliament. It would be well to take this young man as a ranger if we could; for although he is opposed to us, yet, if he once took our service, he would be faithful, I am sure. You can propose i

have the hunches of your stag," said he to Edward, smiling: "and the

or General Cromwell and his Roundheads; and so, you may tell the in

the man meant kindly,

ou give us to eat,

ly," replied Phoebe. "I hav

d a bed for my yo

but there is plenty of go

eplied Edward; "I

ld and rather cross. "If you mount the ladder that you will see agai

ate, but Edward held up his

, followed by Oswald, who had given up the keeper's house to the intendant and his daughter, and slept in the cottage of one of the rangers, about a quarter

, he was wishing that she might have the toothache or something else to keep her awake, when suddenly through the white window curtain he perceived a broad light in the room-it increased every moment-and he saw the figure of a female rush past it, and attempt to open the window-the drawing of the curtains showed him that the room was on fire. A moment's thought, and he ran for the ladder by which he had ascended to the loft, and placed it against the window. The flames were less bright, and he could not see the female who had been at the window when lie went for the ladder. He ascended quickly, and burst open the casement-the smoke poured out in such volumes that it neatly suffocated him, but he went in; and as soon as he was inside, he stumbled against the body of the person who had attempted to open the window, but who ha

d also of the cottages adjacent. Mr. Heatherstone came out half dressed, and with horror on hi

ave her, or let me do so!" cried the poor man, in agony; but the fire burs

eople pass the water up to me as fast as

re began to diminish. The window was now approachable, and a few more buckets enabled

have rushed up the ladder into the flames, had he not been held by some of the men.

e crowd called out, "There w

ne, falling down in a swoon, in which sta

fire had extended no farther; and when Edward was satisfied that there was no more danger, he descended the ladder, and lef

"this is dreadful! and su

ed to put out the fire. See, there she is; she has not recovered yet from her swoon. Bring some water. She breathes! thank God! There, t

us girl in his cloak, and earned her

which were all busy at the keeper's lodge, they put her

d Patience, as soon as she

d well, miss,"

ouse burn

ire is all

ed me? t

Armitag

ect now; but I must go t

ther cott

oo much exhausted, and she fell back again on the bed

ied Oswald. "Will yo

the cottage door, and remained there

ble, but in deep distr

all out, sir,

r that. My poo

safe, sir," r

ed Mr. Heatherstone, sta

e. She has se

or of the other cottage, and was in his daughter's arms. Oswald came out

oebe, in sending me to sleep where there was no stra

tunity of rewarding go

wa

my arm," said Edward. "Have you a

k I have: wa

h some salve, with which he dressed Edward's

ught to be-and will be, I hav

ony and ride home as fast as I can; and, do y

I can refuse him,

d save the daughter of my worst enemy, or my worst enemy himself, from such a dreadful death; but I do not want their thanks or offers of service. I will accept nothing from a Roun

fore the week is out,

wa

as his arm prevented him from doing it himself, and,

phrey about a mile from the cottage, who told him that he did not think that the old man could last many hours, and that he was very anxious to see him. As t

arm very

replied Edward; "but

do it some good; for I recollect, when Benjamin burned his hand a

rugs or medicine in the cottage. But here we are: will y

er, "for I was anxious to see you before I die; and someth

say so! Do you

I am sinking fast. Recollect

wald said that you were not

l, and who shall doubt that that is right? I pray you not to make your birth and lineage known as yet-it can do no good, and it may do harm-and if you can be persuaded to live in the cottage, and to live on the farm, which will now support you all, it will be better. Do not get into trouble about the venison, which they now claim as their own. You will find some money in the bag in my chest, sufficient to buy all you want for a long while-but take

ne, Jacob," replied Edward, "and I

Edward. Now ca

ed his sister

king them. Be careful, Humphrey, for you can ill be spared. Hold to the farm as it now is: it will support you all. My dear Alice and Edith, I am dying; very soon I shall be laid by your brothers in my grave. Be good children, and look up to your brothers for every thing. And now kiss me, Alice; you have been a great comfort to me, for you have read the Bible to me when I could no longer read m

They all wept bitterly, for they dearly loved the good old man. Alice remained sobbing in Edward's arms, and Edith in Humphrey's, and it was long before the brothers could console th

e scraped potatoes were then laid on the burn, and Edward said they gave him great relief. Some more were then scraped by the little girls, who could not, however, repress their occasional sobs. Humphrey then told them that Edward had had nothing to eat, and that they must get him so

ou and Edith must go

ms; and having wept for some time, Alice raised herself,