Page 64 - A Jacobite Exile

possibility of raising a force, and attacking Lancaster Castle. We agreed,
however, that this would be nothing short of madness. The country is

wholly unprepared at present. The Whigs are on the alert, and such an
attempt would cost the lives of most of those concerned in it. Besides, we

are all sure that Sir Marmaduke would be the first to object to numbers of
persons risking their lives in an attempt which, even if, for the moment,
successful, must bring ruin upon all concerned in it. Nor do we see that,

were we to remain and to stand in the dock beside him, it would aid him.
Our word would count for no more than would this protest and denial that

we have signed together. A prisoner's plea of not guilty has but a feather's
weight against sworn evidence.

"At the same time, Charlie, I do not intend to leave the country until I am
sure that nothing can be done. As force is out of the question, I have

advised the others to lose not an hour in trying to escape and, by this time,
they are all on the road. Two are making for Bristol, one for Southampton,
and two for London. It would be too dangerous to attempt to escape by one

of the northern ports. But, though force cannot succeed, we may be able to
effect your father's escape by other means, and it is for this purpose that I

am determined to stay, and I shall do so until all hope is gone. Alone you
could effect nothing; but I, knowing who are our secret friends, may be able
to use them to advantage.

"We will stay here tonight, but tomorrow we must change our quarters, for

the search will be a close one. During the day we will go far up over the
hills, but tomorrow night we will make for Lancaster. I have warned friends
there to expect us, and it is the last place where they would think of

searching for us."

"You will take me with you, too, father?" Harry exclaimed eagerly; while
Charlie expressed his gratitude to Mr. Jervoise, for thus determining to risk
his own life in the endeavour to effect the escape of Sir Marmaduke.

"Yes, I intend to take you with me, Harry. They will pretend, of course,

that, in spite of our assertions of innocence, our flight is a confession of
guilt, and you may be sure that we shall be condemned in our absence, and