brook, and then let's see how they will stand our onset. George, I defy you!"

He and some others dashed into the stream, when, from above, some bushes were pushed away, and four guns, tremendous for that time, were seen, with their open throats full pointed on their advance. The gunners held their linstocks alight. Parson Colman shouted with reverberating voice, "They are crossing the river! Fire!" One gun roared forth, with report loud enough for four. The shots, no doubt, were supposed to whistle over the soldiers.

Then the King's men began to retire on the road. It was too serious and strong a defence to storm, and the fishermen were already slinking away into the byroads, and among the swamps.

At first the foe retreated in soldierly order; but being pressed by the Major and horsemen, they broke and fled, and many were taken prisoners. The mounted officers rode furiously, to reach their vessels; and Wren and Green, with one vessel-load, got away to sea. The staunch old Knight would not leave his men, and had some months' imprisonment in the Castle (while his friends were fighting), affording an opportunity for devising fresh allegories.

Thus satisfactorily ended this attempted invasion of the Eastern Counties. Before leaving for Norwich, George, who had sent on part of his force with the prisoners, spent an hour or two with his happy and exultant friends at Holt. The soldiers were entertained at the market hall; but the noble withdrawing-room of the Herveys' mansion was opened for the friends of the family. Heartily were they received by the ladies,-at first, with feelings overcharged with solemn joy that what might have proved a deadly engagement had been so free of casualty. Rudolph created the first laugh by his remark, "It was a battle without harm, except the poor gunner who burnt his hand in firing the powder, and a few other slight wounds."

The Major, seizing Rudy by the waist, and lifting him

on his shoulder, exclaimed in triumph, "This boy deserves praise that might spoil him. His energy has saved the lives of hundreds to-day; and he may even have saved Norwich from surprise."

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Come, George, draw it mild," was Rudy's response. “I don't swallow that. I was only, as Sir Christopher Heydon would say, 'like a carrier pigeon, with a letter under his wing;' and I carried it safely."

"Nay, boy," said his father, “but you did much more. Therefore, I give you this," taking down a fine old military sword, "which your grandfather won abroad. Your sisters shall gird you with it. May you be 'chevalier sans peur et sans reproche !' Be bold, true, and loyal."

The sisters came forward and girded the weapon at the side of the boy-hero with due solemnity, but could not prevent it from trailing on the ground behind the short figure, while his face was all aflame with emotion as they kissed him and bade him grow up a noble man.

SOON after the events last described, Cromwell sent in haste for the Major and all his available forces, since the King had thrown off the mask, and raised the flag of war at Nottingham. "The time has now come, Alie," said George, "for stern duty, and I must depart to scenes whence many will never return."

"We who remain at home will have sore hearts, George, and will offer constant prayers till that time," said Alice, looking down rather distantly.

"What is the matter, Alie? I cannot leave you with this chillness between us. You have permitted me the dearest hopes: you will not withdraw them now?"

The tears filled her eyes as she answered, "I did not foresee the cruel changes war would cause. For brothers

like Edward and you to turn on each other, and drive each other from home, and from friends and religious duty! Oh, George, this seems so shocking!"

"It is shocking, Alie,-harder for those who have to act thus than for those who witness it. And to go away and draw the sword and fight with fellow-countrymen-this is very hard! But is it not a duty as sacred in its season as even prayer or benevolence? Alie, look not so cold."

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George, I am not so; but when I see you so changed to Edward, how may you alter to others?"

"Yet I have given Edward better terms than his party would give me. He is free, and will find congenial work as chaplain to the Royal troops. In your sympathies and religious interests you are hardly just, Alie. Stephen Wren misled Edward, but he and you all should have known that bad man better."

"George, I always disliked him, and only tolerated him because I could not help his presence. Even respecting Edward, my sorrow at his going away is much more for a dear friend than for myself. I did not think you would so coolly refuse the request of both May and myself."

George reflected, and his face cleared a little at this explanation, and then said, taking her hand, "Alie, I never had so hard a duty; but if we have misunderstood each other, let us at least part in restored affection."

All answer was silenced in a long and passionate embrace, in which for a time all displeasure was dissolved.

That night Ann had a talk with her mistress in which she freely expressed her wifelike sorrow at losing Will; and then, pausing, looked at Alice so sad and silent, when she suddenly broke out, "But here am I talking of myself and Will, when I ought to think of you and the dear Major. He will be a woful man to-morrow,—he is that tender. Why, he has been to our house to comfort me to-day, and so kindly he did talk: Now, Ann, don't take on; Will and I will care for each other-we are used to

it, you know. You will have Mistress Alice to see after: she will be troubled to lose her two brothers. And tell her that perhaps, should there be a battle, we may send for her and the Lady Gabrielle to nurse the poor fellows, as they did me.' This did seem to comfort Alice, and in the morning, when the Major started, she whispered, "I know what you said to Ann about nursing the wounded of your soldiers; and mind, I shall be ready at your call." There was a fresh colour in her cheek and a light in her eye by which George knew well that her heart had recovered itself again.

The Major was soon fully engaged in the command of his men, horse and foot, through the long rapid march to join Essex, which they did about Northampton. At Huntingdon he met Cromwell, whom he found amid the tender work of farewells to his neighbours, and to his fond wife and pretty daughters. The leave-taking was pious and touching. "Oliver," said his wife, "you will send a courier when you reach head-quarters."

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Surely, dearest wife, if the Lord permit," was his answer. "Now, girls, I must part from my playmates for awhile;" -here he tenderly embraced each. "Take care of your mother; walk closely with your God; pray for us every day while we strive hard for your liberty and happiness." When mounted on his noble horse, and ready to follow the regiment, he took off his broad hat, and, looking up to heaven, said, "The Lord watch between you and us while we be absent one from another. Farewell!" Then striking spurs into his horse, he and the officers galloped away, waving their hats, and leaving behind a weeping, sobbing crowd.

Arrived at head-quarters, Lord Essex received them heartily, surrounded by numerous lords and Parliamentmen of the moderate school, who were greatly alarmed at breaking with the King, and hoping for some accommodation. These were constantly depreciating their own side,