matter over when we are a little more at leisure; there is no immediate hurry. The Dutch pink and dogger which we left at Lyme, will doubt! less be seized; but my friend Fletcher, of Salton, whose head is as provident and thoughtful as his heart is honest, promised to hover off the coast till he learnt the result of the battle, in order that, if it proved unfortunate, he might carry off the Duke, or any of his associates. After the first ardour of pursuit shall have a little relaxed, we must make for the sea-shore, and take our chance of finding his cutter, or some other that may tilt us over to Holland, and then-hey for another plot, and a fresh descent !"

"But at present we are galloping away from the coast," observed Reuben.

"We have not been allowed much choice of a road," replied Fludyer," and could not have made direct for the sea without carrying a few bullets in our bodies. The best way to reach it at last is to go inland at first, as the bowl that makes the widest circuit in the beginning, often hits the jack the surest at the end of its course.

How we shall enjoy our sail over to Holland, after this little troublesome affair of our escape has been disposed of!"

"You are to be envied in being always able to look forward with so much confidence."

'Why, just at this moment," replied Fludyer, whose acute senses were all upon the qui vive, even when he seemed most indifferent about his situation, "there is no great pleasure in looking backwards; for my ear has caught from time to time the tramping of a horse at full speed behind us, and now, at yonder turning of the road I spy a fellow in pursuit of us, whose better steed threatens to introduce him to our acquaintance in a few minutes. Are your pistols loaded ?"

Reuben replied in the affirmative.

"I have but one of my own weapons left," resumed Fludyer; "but as I am probably the best shot, I will let fly at him as he approaches, while you reserve your fire to make sure of him at close quarters. And this being settled, pull up your horse, who by his puffing and panting will not be sorry to take breath, and soon as we

have disposed of this impertinent, we

sume our conversation and our ride.”

re.

our ride." So say

ing, he examined the pan and flint of his pistol, and continued, "Now, though I seldom lay bets, I will hold you a silver decus to a doit that this foolish fellow's horse will arrive before his master; for as I rarely miss a swallow on the wing, 'twere sorry bungling if I could not hit a trooper on his war-horse, and tumble him into the dust ere he come ten yards nearer." So saying, he levelled his weapon, and was very deliberately taking aim, when the stranger, observing his attitude, snatched from his bosom a white ribbon, which was the badge of Monmouth's partisans, and kept waving it in the air as he galloped up to them. "Trenchard!" exclaimed Fludyer, replacing his pistol in his belt, “is it you? Lay by that lucky white-fillet în lavender, or hang it up in the temple of Fortune, for had you not flourished it at the ment you did, you would have had a brace of bullets in your body, and I should have lost one of my best and bravest friends."

mo

"It is not my first escape to-day," said

Trenchard," and I hope it will not be my last, for I foresee that we shall have hot and close pursuit. Scouring parties have been detached in all directions, one is already behind us, and at no great distance, which will account for my speed. We have no time for parley: on, on, for heaven's sake! for we may well try to win the race when we are riding for our lives." At these words he again clapped spurs to his horse, and being much better mounted than his companions presently distanced them, and disappeared on the opposite side of a hill; at the foot of which Reuben's steed, which had for some time been exhibiting signs of exhaustion, suddenly stopped, and could not be prevailed on either by blows or encouragement, to advance a step further. "How truly unfortunate!" exclaimed Reuben, in a tone of regret and apprehension.

"That remains to be seen," replied his companion; “I-have often known these little disappointments turn out the luckiest things in the world, and prove by their results that it is we who are blind, and not Fortune. Your horse

knocks up on purpose to remind me that we cannot be doing a more foolish thing than to continue together. If we are to be caught at all, let them catch one at a time, and we shall at all events last the longer. I am an old of fender, and may act as a Jonah to all those who are found to be of my crew; you are a begin ner, and may perhaps be pardoned for a first offence. Mount my horse, therefore, who will yet hold you a gallop of some miles, throw away your sword and belt, and change your helmet with the first peasant that will give you his hat in return. Some good friend of Lord Feversham's army, foreseeing that mine might lead me into a scrape, kindly knocked it off my

head

with a bullet. When your horse is jaded, make for the woods on foot, find your way if you can to the sea-coast, in the neighbourhood of Lyme, for we shall soon be in Dorsetshire; prowl about the beach at night; if any of Fletcher's men are patroling the sands to bring off stragglers, you will know them by their white dresses; and we may perhaps scud over to Holland in the same cutter, and in another fortnight