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REUBEN APSLEY.

was

placed the lives of the speakers in his power; and which," he felt painfully aware, would equally put his in theirs, should he happen to be discovered. One of the party was a Dutchman," an authorized agent of the Prince of Orange, who long before his invasion of Eng. land Sent emissaries into different counties, to ascertain the spirit of the people, and the pro bable numbers that would join him, in order that he might choose the most eligible part of the coast for a descent. With this associated a refugee French Protestant, an enthusiast in the cause of his religion, who had procured this appointment, by stating his competency to act as interpreter, from his knowledge of Dutch and English which, however, so far as the latter language was concerned, was of a very limited nature. The other eight were patriotic gentlemen of Devonshire, whom the failure of Monmouth's rebellion, and all the severities of Jeffreys, had not deterred from forming new schemes for the downfal of the tyrant, though they miglit dictate an additional degree of caution in their proceedings. From

the conversation that ensued, it appeared that the Prince already contemplated a descent in Devonshire, a measure, which the gentlemen of that county strenuously advocated, pledging themselves individually to support him with all their interest, and giving in the names of various friends and adherents on whose co-ope ration he might confidently rely. The discontents were represented as being universal throughout the country, every thing as being favourable to the projected enterprize, and the sanguine Frenchman, jumping rather too hastily to its successful conclusion, strutted up and down the cave ejaculating, "Ah, ha! le voilà donc chassé, congedié, renvoyé, ce pauvre Roi Jacques!"

Swinging round upon his heel in the triumph of this anticipated achievement, his other foot came in contact with Reuben's body, when the astonished Gaul, not knowing whether he had disturbed a man or a beast, drew his sword, and prepared to make a thrust at the undistinguishable object of his alarm. Reuben started suddenly on one side to avoid the blow, when the

Frenchman cried out," Tonnerre de Dieu! nous sommes trahis, nous sommes trahis!"> ̧bu ai

The swords of his companions leaped from their scabbards at the sound, and in a moment Reuben found himself rudely grappled by half a dozen hands at once, while as many weapons were pointed at his throat, amid confused and angry cries that he should declare who and what he was. Otez vous de là! take yourselves from that," shouted the Frenchman, drawing a pistol from his breast, which he cocked and pointed at Reuben" Attendez! you shall see just now how I will make his brains jump!"

"Silence! Sir-silence!" said one of the Englishmen, putting down the muzzle of his weapon; "this is our last resource; we will have nothing done rashly; desperadoes we may be, but we are not assassins. We will' at all events hear what he has to say for himself."

So saying, they dragged him roughly forwards into the light, when Reuben stated very candidly who he was, declared that he had come there by accident, merely to avoid the storm, and protested most vehemently that he

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should never reveal what he had so unintention ally heard, since he had already been a sufferer in the cause of liberty, and was as anxious as any of his auditors could be for the success of the Prince's enterprize. Unfortunately for Reuben he was only known to one of the party, and to him in so unlucky a manner, that instead of benefiting him, it exercised a most sinister influence upon his fate. The individual in question, having accidentally seen him at the little village by the sea-side, had learnt in answer to his inquiries, that he was lodging in the miserable tenement of a fisherman; that he was obviously skulking there for no good purpose, and that it was generally suspected he was a Government spy. No sooner was this informa tion stated than several of the party again clapped their hands upon their swords or pistols, exclaiming, "A manifest spy! despatch him! despatch the villain, or we are all ruined." The recent barbarous executions, and the system of espionage and treachery, by which they had been followed, had rendered all those who were now exposing themselves to the vengeance of

the law, at once, distrustful and remorsele feelings in which the present party f ty felt them. selves so fully justified in participating, that

they were about to sacrifice Reuben to the fears without further inquiry, especially as the Dutchman, who had hitherto stood, perfectly still, a most phlegmatic spectator of their proceedings, now t took the pipe from

his mouth, spat upon the ground, and deliberately and very deliberately

observed in Dutch: "It is a simple matter of

calculation; just ten lives to one One he resumed his smoking.

when

"Sacre! you have reason," exclaimed the Frenchman. "When one has affair to do wid an Espion—a what you call-il ne s'agit que de le tuer" and so saying, he once more raised his pistol.

Stop, Sir, stop!" said the party who had first interfered in Reuben's behalf, again laying

his hand upon the uplifted weapon; "this gentleman may truly be what he has represented himself; at all events he is our countryman; he indeed resides in Dorsetshire, as he states,

if