Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/80

 at this moment. Deer stalking is all very well, but I fly at higher game."

"I feel the same as you do," replied Humphrey, "but recollect, Edward, that the old man's very infirm, and what would become of our sisters if we were to leave them?"

I know that well, Humphrey, I have no idea of leaving them, you may be sure; but I wish they were with our relations in safety, and then we should be free to act."

"Yes, we should, Edward; but recollect that we are not yet men, and boys of fifteen and thirteen cannot do much, although they may wish to do much."

"It's true that I am only fifteen," replied Edward, "but I. am strong enough, and so are you. I think if I had a fair cut at a man's head I would make him stagger under it, were he as big as a buffalo. As young as I have been to the wars, that I know well; and I recollect my father promising me that I should go with him as soon as I was fifteen."

"What puzzles me," replied Humphrey, "is, the fear that old Jacob has of our being seen at Lymington."

"Why, what fear is there?"

"I cannot tell more than you; in my opinion, the fear is only in his own imagination. They surely would not hurt us, (if we walked about without arms like other people,) because our father had fought for the king? That they have beheaded some people is true, but then they were plotting in the king's favour, or in other ways opposed to Parliament, This I have gathered from Jacob: but I cannot see what we have to fear if we remain quiet. But now comes the question, Edward, for Jacob has, I believe, said more to me on one subject than he has to you. Suppose you were to leave the forest, what would be the first step which you would take?"

"I should of course state who I was, and take possession of my father's property at Arnwood, which is mine by descent."