Page 29 - A Jacobite Exile

be no more shilly-shallying or hesitation. Every loyal man will mount his
horse, and call out his tenants, and, in a few days, England will be in a

blaze from end to end."

Charlie troubled himself but little with what was going on. His father had
promised him that, when the time did come, he should ride by his side, and
with that promise he was content to wait, knowing that, at present, his

strength would be of but little avail, and that every week added somewhat
to his weight and sinew.

One day he was in the garden with Ciceley. The weather was hot, and the
girl was sitting, in a swing, under a shady tree, occasionally starting herself

by a push with her foot on the ground, and then swaying gently backward
and forward, until the swing was again at rest. Charlie was seated on the

ground, near her, pulling the ears of his favourite dog, and occasionally
talking to her, when a servant came out, with a message that his father
wanted to speak to him.

"I expect I shall be back in a few minutes, Ciceley, so don't you wander

away till I come. It is too hot today to be hunting for you, all over the
garden, as I did when you hid yourself last week."

It was indeed but a short time until he returned.

"My father only wanted to tell me that he is just starting for Bristowe's, and,
as it is over twenty miles away, he may not return until tomorrow."

"I don't like that man's face who brought the message to you, Charlie."

"Don't you?" the boy said carelessly. "I have not noticed him much. He has
not been many months with us.

"What are you thinking of?" he asked, a minute later, seeing that his cousin
looked troubled.