The Children of the New Forest Read online

  CHAPTER II.

  Before Jacob is admitted to the presence of Miss Judith Villiers, wemust give some account of the establishment at Arnwood. With theexception of one male servant, who officiated in the house and stableas his services might be required, every man of the household ofColonel Beverley had followed the fortunes of their master, and as nonehad returned, they, in all probability had shared his fate. Threefemale servants, with the man above mentioned, composed the wholehousehold. Indeed, there was every reason for not increasing theestablishment, for the rents were either paid in part, or not paid atall. It was generally supposed that the property, now that theParliament had gained the day, would be sequestrated, although such wasnot yet the case; and the tenants were unwilling to pay, to those whowere not authorized to receive, the rents which they might be againcalled upon to make good. Miss Judith Villiers, therefore, found itdifficult to maintain the present household; and although she did nottell Jacob Armitage that such was the case, the fact was, that veryoften the venison which he brought to the mansion was all the meat thatwas in the larder. The three female servants held the offices of cook,attendant upon Miss Villiers, and housemaid; the children being underthe care of no particular servant, and left much to themselves. Therehad been a chaplain in the house, but he had quitted before the deathof Mrs. Beverley, and the vacancy had not been filled up; indeed, itcould not well be, for the one who left had not received his salary formany months, and Miss Judith Villiers, expecting every day to besummoned by her relations to bring the children and join them, sat inher high chair waiting for the arrival of this summons, which, from thedistracted state of the times, had never come.

  As we have before said, the orphans were four in number; the two eldestwere boys, and the youngest were girls. Edward, the eldest boy, wasbetween thirteen and fourteen years old; Humphrey, the second, wastwelve; Alice, eleven; and Edith, eight. As it is the history of theseyoung persons which we are about to narrate, we shall say little aboutthem at present, except that for many months they had been under littleor no restraint, and less attended to. Their companions were Benjamin,the man who remained in the house, and old Jacob Armitage, who passedall the time he could spare with them. Benjamin was rather weak inintellect, and was a source of amusement rather than otherwise. As forthe female servants, one was wholly occupied with her attendance onMiss Judith, who was very exacting, and had a high notion of her ownconsequence. 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 thelittle girls became romps, is not to be wondered at: but their havingbecome so was the cause of Miss Judith seldom admitting them into herroom. It is true that they were sent for once a day, to ascertain ifthey were in the house, or in existence, but soon dismissed and left totheir own resources. Such was the neglect to which these young orphanswas exposed. It must, however, be admitted, that this very neglect madethem independent and bold, full of health from constant activity, andmore fitted for the change which was so soon to take place.

  "Benjamin," said Jacob, as the other came to the door, "I must speakwith the old lady."

  "Have you brought any venison, Jacob?" said Benjamin, grinning, "else,I reckon, you'll not be over welcome."

  "No, I have not; but it is an important business, so send Agatha to herdirectly."

  "I will; and I'll not say any thing about the venison."

  In a few minutes, Jacob was ushered up by Agatha into Miss JudithVilliers's apartment. The old lady was about fifty years of age, veryprim and starched, sitting in a high-backed chair, with her feet upon astool, and her hands crossed before her, her black mittens reposingupon her snow-white apron.

  The old forester made his obeisance.

  "You have important business with us, I am told," observed Miss Judith.

  "Most important, madam," replied Jacob. "In the first place, it isright that you should be informed that his majesty, King Charles, hasescaped from Hampton Court."

  "His majesty escaped!" replied the lady.

  "Yes; and is supposed to be secreted somewhere in this neighborhood.His majesty is not in this house, madam, I presume?"

  "Jacob, his majesty is not in this house: if he were, I would suffer mytongue to be torn out sooner than I would confess it, even to you."

  "But I have more for your private ear, madam."

  "Agatha, retire; and Agatha, be mindful that you go down stairs, and donot remain outside the door."

  Agatha, with this injunction, bounced out of the room, slamming-to thedoor so as to make Miss Judith start from her seat.

  "Ill-mannered girl!" exclaimed Miss Judith. "Now, Jacob Armitage, youmay proceed."

  Jacob then entered into the detail of what he had overheard thatmorning, when he fell in with the troopers, concluding with theinformation, that the mansion would be burned down that very night. Hethen pointed out the necessity of immediately abandoning the house, asit would be impossible to oppose the troopers.

  "And where am I to go to, Jacob?" said Miss Judith, calmly.

  "I hardly know, madam; there is my cottage; it is but a poor place, andnot fit for one like you."

  "So I should presume, Jacob Armitage, neither shall I accept youroffer. It would ill befit the dignity of a Villiers to be frightenedout of her abode by a party of rude soldiers. Happen what will, I shallnot stir from this--no, not even from this chair. Neither do I considerthe danger so great as you suppose. Let Benjamin saddle, and beprepared to ride over to Lymington immediately. I will give him aletter to the magistrate there, who will send us protection."

  "But, madam, the children can not remain here. I will not leave themhere. I promised the colonel--"

  "Will the children be in more danger than I shall be, Jacob Armitage?"replied the old lady, stiffly. "They dare not ill-treat me--they mayforce the buttery and drink the ale--they may make merry with that andthe venison which you have brought with you, I presume, but they willhardly venture to insult a lady of the House of Villiers."

  "I fear they will venture any thing, madam. At all events, they willfrighten the children, and for one night they will be better in mycottage."

  "Well, then, be it so; take them to your cottage, and take Martha toattend upon the Miss Beverleys. Go down now, and desire Agatha to cometo me, and Benjamin to saddle as fast as he can."

  Jacob left the room, satisfied with the permission to remove thechildren. He knew that it was useless to argue with Miss Judith, whowas immovable when once she had declared her intentions. He wasdebating in his own mind whether he should acquaint the servants withthe threatened danger; but he had no occasion to do so, for Agatha hadremained at the door while Jacob was communicating the intelligence,and as soon as he had arrived at that portion of it by which shelearned that the mansion was to be burned down that night, had run offto the kitchen to communicate the intelligence to the other servants.

  "I'll not stay to be burned to death," exclaimed the cook, as Jacobcame in. "Well, Mr. Armitage, this is pretty news you have brought.What does my lady say!"

  "She desires that Benjamin saddles immediately, to carry a letter toLymington; and you, Agatha, are to go up stairs to her."

  "But what does she mean to do? Where are we to go?" exclaimed Agatha.

  "Miss Judith intends to remain where she is."

  "Then she will remain alone, for me," exclaimed the housemaid, who wasadmired by Benjamin. "Its bad enough to have little victuals and nowages, but as for being burned to death--Benjamin, put a pillion behindyour saddle, and I'll go to Lymington with you. I won't be long ingetting my bundle."

  Benjamin, who was in the kitchen with the maids at the time that Jacobentered, made a sign significant of consent, and went away to thestable. Agatha went up to her mistress in a state of greatperturbation, and the cook also hurried away to her bedroom.

  "They'll all leave her," thought Jacob; "well, my duty is plain; I'llnot leave the children in the house." Jacob then went in search ofthem
, and found them playing in the garden. He called the two boys tohim, and told them to follow him.

  "Now, Mr. Edward," said he, "you must prove yourself your father's ownson. We must leave this house immediately; come up with me to yourrooms, and help me to pack up yours and your sisters' clothes, for wemust go to my cottage this night. There is no time to be lost."

  "But why, Jacob; I must know why?"

  "Because the Parliamentary troopers will burn it down this night."

  "Burn it down! Why, the house is mine, is it not? Who dares to burndown this house?"

  "They will dare it, and will do it."

  "But we will fight them, Jacob; we can bolt and bar; I can fire a gun,and hit too, as you know; then there's Benjamin and you."

  "And what can you and two men do against a troop of horse, my dear boy?If we could defend the place against them, Jacob Armitage would be thefirst; but it is impossible, my dear boy. Recollect your sisters. Wouldyou have them burned to death, or shot by these wretches? No, no, Mr.Edward; you must do as I say, and lose no time. Let us pack up whatwill be most useful, and load White Billy with the bundles; then youmust all come to the cottage with me, and we will make it out how wecan."

  "That will be jolly!" said Humphrey; "come, Edward."

  But Edward Beverley required more persuasion to abandon the house; atlast, old Jacob prevailed, and the clothes were put up in bundles asfast as they could collect them.

  "Your aunt said Martha was to go with your sisters, but I doubt if shewill," observed Jacob, "and I think we shall have no room for her, forthe cottage is small enough."

  "Oh no, we don't want her," said Humphrey; "Alice always dresses Edithand herself too, ever since mamma died."

  "Now we will carry down the bundles, and you make them fast on the ponywhile I go for your sisters."

  "But where does aunt Judith go?" inquired Edward.

  "She will not leave the house, Master Edward; she intends to stay andspeak to the troopers."

  "And so an old woman like her remains to face the enemy, while I runaway from them!" replied Edward. "I will not go."

  "Well, Master Edward," replied Jacob, "you must do as you please; butit will be cruel to leave your sisters here; they and Humphrey mustcome with me, and I can not manage to get them to the cottage withoutyou go with us; it is not far, and you can return in a very short time."

  To this Edward consented. The pony was soon loaded, and the littlegirls, who were still playing in the garden, were called in byHumphrey. They were told that they were going to pass the night in thecottage, and were delighted at the idea.

  "Now, Master Edward," said Jacob, "will you take your sisters by thehand and lead them to the cottage? Here is the key of the door; MasterHumphrey can lead the pony; and Master Edward," continued Jacob, takinghim aside, "I'll tell you one thing which I will not mention beforeyour brother and sisters: the troopers are all about the New Forest,for King Charles has escaped, and they are seeking for him. You mustnot, therefore, leave your brother and sisters till I return. Lock thecottage-door as soon as it is dark. You know where to get a light, overthe cupboard; and my gun is loaded, and hangs above the mantlepiece.You must do your best if they attempt to force an entrance; but aboveall, promise me not to leave them till I return. I will remain here tosee what I can do with your aunt, and when I come back we can thendecide how to act."

  This latter ruse of Jacob's succeeded. Edward promised that he wouldnot leave his sisters, and it wanted but a few minutes of twilight whenthe little party quitted the mansion of Arnwood. As they went out ofthe gates they were passed by Benjamin, who was trotting away withMartha behind him on a pillion, holding a bundle as large as herself.Not a word was exchanged, and Benjamin and Martha were soon out ofsight.

  "Why, where can Martha be going?" said Alice. "Will she be back when wecome home to-morrow?"

  Edward made no reply, but Humphrey said, "Well, she has taken plenty ofclothes in that huge bundle for one night, at least."

  Jacob, as soon as he had seen the children on their way, returned tothe kitchen, where he found Agatha and the cook collecting theirproperty, evidently bent upon a hasty retreat.

  "Have you seen Miss Judith, Agatha?"

  "Yes; and she told me that she should remain, and that I should standbehind her chair that she might receive the troopers with dignity; butI don't admire the plan. They might leave her alone, but I am sure thatthey will be rude to me."

  "When did Benjamin say he would be back?"

  "He don't intend coming back. He said he would not, at all events, tillto-morrow morning, and then he would ride out this way, to ascertain ifthe report was false or true. But Martha has gone with him."

  "I wish I could persuade the old lady to leave the house," said Jacob,thoughtfully. "I fear they will not pay her the respect that shecalculates upon. Go up, Agatha, and say I wish to speak with her."

  "No, not I; I must be off, for it is dark already."

  "And where are you going, then?"

  "To Gossip Allwood's. It's a good mile, and I have to carry my things."

  "Well, Agatha, if you'll take me up to the old lady, I'll carry yourthings for you."

  Agatha consented, and as soon as she had taken up the lamp, for it wasnow quite dark, Jacob was once more introduced.

  "I wish, madam," said Jacob, "you would be persuaded to leave the housefor this night."

  "Jacob Armitage, leave this house I will not, if it were filled withtroopers; I have said so."

  "But, madam--"

  "No more, sir; you are too forward," replied the old lady, haughtily.

  "But, madam--"

  "Leave my presence, Jacob Armitage, and never appear again. Quit theroom, and send Agatha here."

  "She has left, madam, and so has the cook, and Martha went away behindBenjamin; when I leave, you will be alone."

  "They have dared to leave?"

  "They dared not stay, madam."

  "Leave me, Jacob Armitage, and shut the door when you go out." Jacobstill hesitated. "Obey me instantly," said the old lady; and theforester, finding all remonstrance useless, went out, and obeyed herlast commands by shutting the door after him.

  Jacob found Agatha and the other maid in the court-yard; he took uptheir packages, and, as he promised, accompanied them to GossipAllwood, who kept a small ale-house about a mile distant.

  "But, mercy on us! what will become of the children?" said Agatha, asthey walked along, her fears for herself having up to this time madeher utterly forgetful of them. "Poor things! and Martha has left them."

  "Yes, indeed; what will become of the dear babes?" said the cook, halfcrying.

  Now Jacob, knowing that the children of such a Malignant as ColonelBeverley would have sorry treatment if discovered, and knowing alsothat women were not always to be trusted, determined not to tell themhow they were disposed of. He therefore replied,

  "Who would hurt such young children as those? No, no, they are safeenough; even the troopers would protect them."

  "I should hope so," replied Agatha.

  "You may be sure of that; no man would hurt babies," replied Jacob."The troopers will take them with them to Lymington, I suppose. I've nofear for them; it's the proud old lady whom they will be uncivil to."

  The conversation here ended, and in due time they arrived at the inn.Jacob had just put the bundles down on the table, when the clatteringof horses' hoofs was heard. Shortly afterward, the troopers pulledtheir horses up at the door, and dismounted. Jacob recognized the partyhe had met in the forest, and among them Southwold. The troopers calledfor ale, and remained some time in the house, talking and laughing withthe women, especially Agatha, who was a very good-looking girl. Jacobwould have retreated quietly, but he found a sentinel posted at thedoor to prevent the egress of any person. He reseated himself, andwhile he was listening to the conversation of the troopers he wasrecognized by Southwold, who accosted him. Jacob did not pretend not toknow him, as it would have been useless; and Southwold put manyquestions to him as
to who were resident at Arnwood. Jacob replied thatthe children were there, and a few servants, and he was about tomention Miss Judith Villiers, when a thought struck him--he might savethe old lady.

  "You are going to Arnwood, I know," said Jacob, "and I have heard whoyou are in search of. Well, Southwold, I'll give you a hint. I may bewrong; but if you should fall in with an old lady or something like onewhen you go to Arnwood, mount her on your crupper and away with her toLymington as fast as you can ride. You understand me?" Southwold noddedsignificantly, and squeezed Jacob's hand.

  "One word, Jacob Armitage; if I succeed in the capture by your means,it is but fair that you should have something for your hint. Where canI find you the day after to-morrow?"

  "I am leaving the country this night, and I must go. I am in trouble,that's the fact; when all is blown over, I will find you out. Don'tspeak to me any more just now." Southwold again squeezed Jacob's hand,and left him. Shortly afterward the order was given to mount, and thetroopers set off.

  Armitage followed slowly and unobserved. They arrive at the mansion andsurrounded it. Shortly afterward he perceived the glare of torches, andin a quarter of an hour more thick smoke rose up in the dark but clearsky; at last the flames burst forth from the lower windows of themansion, and soon afterward they lighted up the country round to somedistance.

  "It is done," thought Jacob; and he turned to bend his hasty stepstoward his own cottage, when he heard the galloping of a horse andviolent screams; a minute afterward James Southwold passed him with theold lady tied behind him, kicking and struggling as hard as she could.Jacob smiled as he thought that he had by his little stratagem savedthe old woman's life, for that Southwold imagined that she was KingCharles dressed up as an old woman was evident; and he then returned asfast as he could to the cottage.

  In half an hour Jacob had passed through the thick woods which werebetween the mansion and his own cottage, occasionally looking back, asthe flames of the mansion rose higher and higher, throwing their lightfar and wide. He knocked at the cottage-door; Smoker, a large dogcross-bred between the fox and blood-hound, growled till Jacob spoke tohim, and then Edward opened the door.

  "My sisters are in bed and fast asleep, Jacob," said Edward, "andHumphrey has been nodding this half hour; had he not better go to bedbefore we go back?"

  "Come out, Master Edward," replied Jacob, "and look." Edward beheld theflames and fierce light between the trees and was silent.

  "I told you that it would be so, and you would all have been burned inyour beds, for they did not enter the house to see who was in it, butfired it as soon as they had surrounded it."

  "And my aunt!" exclaimed Edward, clasping his hands.

  "Is safe, Master Edward, and by this time at Lymington."

  "We will go to her to-morrow."

  "I fear not; you must not risk so much, Master Edward. These Levelersspare nobody, and you had better let it be supposed that you are allburned in the house."

  "But my aunt knows the contrary, Jacob."

  "Very true; I quite forgot that." And so Jacob had. He expected thatthe old woman would have been burned, and then nobody would have knownof the existence of the children; he forgot, when he planned to saveher, that she knew where the children were.

  "Well, Master Edward, I will go to Lymington to-morrow and see the oldlady; but you must remain here, and take charge of your sisters till Icome back, and then we will consider what is to be done. The flames arenot so bright as they were."

  "No. It is my house that these Roundheads have burned down," saidEdward, shaking his fist.

  "It was your house, Master Edward, and it was your property, but howlong it will be so remains to be seen. I fear that it will beforfeited."

  "Woe to the people who dare take possession of it!" cried Edward; "Ishall, if I live, be a man one of these days."

  "Yes, Master Edward, and then you will reflect more than you do now,and not be rash. Let us go into the cottage, for it's no use remainingout in the cold; the frost is sharp to-night."

  Edward slowly followed Jacob into the cottage. His little heart wasfull. He was a proud boy and a good boy, but the destruction of themansion had raised up evil thoughts in his heart--hatred to theCovenanters, who had killed his father and now burned theproperty--revenge upon them (how he knew not); but his hand was readyto strike, young as he was. He lay down on the bed, but he could notsleep. He turned and turned again, and his brain was teeming withthoughts and plans of vengeance. Had he said his prayers that night hewould have been obliged to repeat, "Forgive us as we forgive them whotrespass against us." At last, he fell fast asleep, but his dreams werewild, and he often called out during the night and woke his brother andsisters.