of a mile. What their number was, it was impossible to see, as the evening was drawing on apace, and from the white fleecy clouds which were gradually becoming thicker and thicker, they could distinguish very little at that distance, beyond the appearance of a body of horsemen; how many, whether friends, or foes, they could not tell,—some asserted positively one, some the other. In this state of doubt, and apparent danger, Corporal Holdfast gave evidence of a coolness and courage which proved that the parliamentary leaders had not mistaken their man in giving him the office he held. "My men," he said, as soon as they were all assembled together, the two rear soldiers having now come up to the spot were the others had halted,—“ as far as we can judge, that body before us, which like ourselves appears at present to be stationary, is, in all probability, a portion of the enemy's cavalry. We had accounts yesterday from our General telling us to be on the look out, for he had received notice of an intended march of the enemy upon some of the places in this neighbourhood, now in our hands; I have, therefore, good reasons for supposing that these men form a part of that body who are employed in this service,- probably a few men picked up by some rebellious gentlemen in this neighbourhood, now going to join the main body. If such be the case, we must instantly decide whether we shall betake ourselves to flight, or go forward. The latter I think best, as from the state of our horses, tired as they are, and the presence of our prisoners, it is impossible that we should be able to escape them, should they determine to follow. If but a small body, eight or ten raw recruits perhaps, they will not wait for our approach, and we shall march on unmolested; if a large body, we must lay down our arms and submit; but, as I have experienced before, a few days will end our captivity, and we shall be exchanged for some of their party now in our hands. If, however, they should prove to be tried soldiers, in number equal to ourselves, why, my boys, we must do as we have done before, fight."

Under existing circumstances this advice appeared to be the best, and accordingly forming themselves into order three abreast, and placing the prisoners in the rear, under the care of Longfass, they marched forward, ready for friend or foe, as might turn out. In order to reach the place where the supposed enemy had been seen, for a turn in the road had lately kept them out of sight, they had to pass over a small ravine, beyond which there was some low brushwood, extending about one hundred yards. As soon as they emerged from this, and were now again on open ground, they looked in the direction where the horsemen had appeared, but none were to be seen. "I thought so," said Holdfast; "I thought they were some raw fellows that would rather get out of our way than meet us, and so you see it has happened; but march steadily, my men, and be on the look out."

They were now about half way up the hill, riding cautiously along, although momentarily becoming more and more satisfied that the enemy had fled, when in passing a lane on the left which they had not observed, just as the corporal with the three leading men had arrived at it, they were suddenly attacked on their flank, and before they had time to face about, so as to front the enemy, three of their men, including Holdfast, were down, and the rest so completely thrown out of order, that having no one to command them, and not knowing what to do, they betook themselves to flight, and galloped away as fast as they could, more careful of their own safety, than curious of the fate of their companions. It was now too dark to think of pursuing them, so the victors, satisfied with what they had accomplished, turned their attention to the prisoners whom they had taken. In the first place there was Corporal Holdfast, who, independently of a severe sword-cut which he had received across his face, was so severely bruised from his fall, and so battered by the hoofs of the horses which had trampled upon him, that there appeared but little prospect of his ever being aroused from the state of insensibility into which he was fallen. Another of the men was killed outright, having

been pierced through the throat. The third soldier, the only other one who had fallen, was not much hurt; being a bad rider, the concussion of one of the enemy's horses had destroyed his balance, and shaken him out of his stirrups, and before he was able to right himself, a heavy blow came upon his left shoulder which completed his downfall. The only person who was taken besides these was Mr. Peters, who, feeling less apprehensions from the enemy than from his captors, had determined to allow Longfass and his fellow prisoners to make their escape without him, which they did as rapidly as they could; Longfass, to his justice be it said, having endeavoured to the utmost of his power, to prevent the men from flying, and calling upon them to rally, and destroy the Amalekites. All, however, to no purpose, they saw their leader beaten down, and had no wish to be similarly treated, so took to their heels, leaving the chaplain to follow when he thought fit, which he did as soon as he saw that there was no prospect of a rescue left. Mr. Peters was for some time so confounded at what had taken place, which, indeed, took up less time in the acting than we have taken to recount it, that he was not at the first aware of what had happened; his suspense, however, was of brief duration, one of the victors rode up to him, and dark as it now was, regarded him for an instant with a look of enquiry, as though he was not quite sure whether his senses deceived him or It was but for an instant-in the next, they were cordially greeting and embracing each other, with the faltering but affectionate tones, of "My father," and "My son."

not.

CHAPTER VII.

Follow me

Speak not for him, he's a traitor.

SHAKSPERE.

We must now return to Mrs. Peters, whom my readers will remember, we left in very pitiable case, turned out of a comfortable home in the beginning of a winter night, with only a few hours notice, and, of course, without much preparation for departure. The little time which was allowed her, was employed in packing up some few necessary articles of clothing, and gathering together such few things as the commissioners would allow her to take. In this she was assisted by one or two neighbours, who had been permitted to come in, among whom was James Otter, a farmer in the village, at whose house she proposed to pass the night. When the news first arrived, and she saw the commissioners and soldiers enter the house, and make free with its contents, as though they had been the masters there for years, she was so astonished that she scarcely knew what course to pursue, and it was only by degrees that she was brought to understand how matters really stood. It was then that her character broke forth, and showed that she was worthy of the husband she possessed. Her address to the commissioners on the occasion was calm and dignified, and worthy of a Christian pastor's wife. "I am to understand, sir," said she, "that you have taken away my husband, and upon an unjust accusation have condemned him to prison, that you have sequestrated his living, and are now come to turn out of doors his defenceless wife, and destitute children. As a wife and mother I could weep at these troubles so heavily pressed upon us, but, as a Christian, I know it is my duty to submit without murmuring, and this by the grace of God I propose

to do. It has been through the infinite mercy of GoD, and His kind overruling providence, that we have been spared thus long, and have hitherto enjoyed the blessings of peace, while so many of the noble and good have perished, and but few places in this once happy land have escaped the horrors of war. To Him, for His great goodness, be all the praise. Our time of affliction has now arrived; we, too, unworthy as we are, are to bear our testimony to the truth of our religion, and for His sake to suffer some of that persecution which is now falling so fiercely upon His Church and people. I am willing to do it, and only pray that strength may be given me to act worthy of my high and holy calling. You say that the commissioners have directed you to take possession of everything in the house, and it is only by favour that we are to be allowed to remove the few things which you are pleased to allow us to pack up. It is useless, I fear, to ask further favour, as I do not suppose that any request of mine would alter the decision you have come to. I shall therefore submit myself to your orders, and as soon as possible take my departure."

After this interview with the commissioners, Mrs. Peters immediately commenced preparations for going, and was just putting the last wrapper around her youngest child's neck, when she heard a great noise in the room where the commissioners were sitting, and the voice of her son Clement uttering in no placid tones, his opinions upon the course which these agents of the Parliament were pursuing. Fearing mischief from his impetuous temper, which in truth was of a more fiery nature than might have been expected in a son of such parents, she hurried down stairs, just in time to catch the concluding words of what we make no doubt was a very eloquent oration, against oppression and injustice. She pushed at the door whence the voice proceeded, intending to gain admission, and to check, if possible, any ebullition of feeling on her son's part, which, she was well aware, could only invite further annoyance, and might prove, perhaps, the occasion of their placing him in con