Page 58 - A Jacobite Exile

Chapter 3

: A Rescue.

The two lads walked slowly down the hill together. Harry had heard no
more than Charlie had done, of what was going on. The messenger from his

father was a young fellow, of seventeen or eighteen, with a gipsy face and
appearance. How he had managed to elude the vigilance of the men on

watch, Harry did not know. He, himself, had only learnt his presence when,
as he passed some bushes in the garden, a sharp whisper made him stop,
and a moment later a hand was thrust through the foliage. He took the little

note held out, and caught sight of the lad's face, through the leaves, as he
leant forward and said:

"Go on, sir, without stopping. They may be watching you."

Harry had thrust the note into his pocket, and sauntered on for some time.
He then returned to the house, and there read the letter, with whose contents

Charlie was already acquainted. Eagerly, they talked over what each had
been thinking of since they had parted, early on the previous day; and
discussed Charlie's idea of an attack on Lancaster jail.

"I don't know whether I could get as many men as you say, Charlie. I don't

think I could. If my father were in prison, as well as yours, I am sure that
most of the young fellows on the estate would gladly help to rescue him,
but it would be a different thing when it came to risking their lives for

anyone else. Of course I don't know, but it does not seem to me that fifty
men would be of any use, at all, towards taking Lancaster Castle. It always

seemed to me a tremendously strong place."

"Yes, it does look so, Harry; but perhaps, on examining it closely, one

would find that it is not so strong as it looks, by a long way. It seems to me
there must be some way or other of getting father out, and, if there seems

even the least bit of a chance, I shall try it."