Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/305

 and answer for themselves. Tell those men to come out," said Edward, to Humphrey.

"Yes, Sir, but they are hard to wake, for they have ridden from Worcester; but I will rouse them."

"Nay, I cannot wait," replied the officer. "I know none of Lambert's troops, and they have no information to give."

"Could you not take them with you, Sir, and leave two of your men, instead of them; for they are troublesome people to a poor man, and devour every thing?" said Humphrey, submissively.

"No, no," replied the officer, laughing, "we all know Lambert's people—a friend or enemy is much the same to them. I have no power over them, and you must make the best of it.—Forward! men," continued the officer, saluting Edward as he passed on: and in a minnte or two they were far in the distance.

"That's well over," observed Edward. "Chaloner and Grenville are too young-looking, and too good-looking for Lambert's villains; and a sight of them might have occasioned suspicion. We must however expect more visits. Keep a good look-out, Pablo."

Edward and Humphrey then went in and joined the party inside the cottage, who were in a state of no little suspense during the colloquy outside.

"Why, Alice, dearest! you look quite pale!" said Edward, as he came in.

"I feared for our guests, Edward. I'm sure that if they had come into the cottage, Master Chaloner and Master Grenville would never have been believed to be troopers."

"We thank you for the compliment, Mistress Alice," said Chaloner; "but I think, if necessary, I could ruffle and swear with the best, or rather the worst of them. We passed for troopers very well on the road here."

"Yes, but you did not meet any other troopers."