ty little daughter. He
thought he might there possibly gain some information of what had taken
place at home, and be guided accordingly. He might probably also,
should his own good steed be unable to proceed, obtain another horse
from the miller, on which to continue his journey to Harwood Grange. It
was getting dark as Jack rode up to the mill, and he found the miller
knocking off work and disconnecting his water-wheels.

"Don't you know me, Master Simpson?" said Jack, as the miller stared at
him from beneath his well-powdered brows.

"Ay, in troth, that do I! Mr John Deane, if I mistake not," answered
the honest miller. "Why, lad, you seem to have ridden hard this
evening! What is your pleasure?"

"A night's rest, and some food for my horse and myself," answered Jack,
dismounting. "You will give it me, like a kind man, and ask no
questions. I have business of importance which takes me some distance
from hence, and I'm afraid if I were to ride on through the night with
my tired steed, that we both of us should roll in the mud before day
dawns."

The miller made Jack welcome; and, having stabled his horse as usual, he
was soon seated opposite pretty Margery Simpson, by the side of the kind
dame. Jack had to confess that he had not been at home for some time,
in order to make inquiries respecting his friends at Nottingham. He
could, however, gain no information; but the miller told him that as
soon as the roads dried up a little with the March winds, he purposed
going there. It struck Jack, therefore, that by this means he might
communicate with his family, and fortunately having some paper in his
valise, he was able to write a few lines to his brother Jasper. He told
him of his welfare, and that he purposed immediately going on board a
man-of-war, and seeking his fortunes at sea.

"I will not enter into my reasons, brother Jasper," he wrote; "but I
find the land not suited for me, and I wish to prove my loyalty to our
brave King William, and to seek for adventures on the ocean, where, I
have an idea, more gold, and as much honour is to be gained as on
shore."

Jack sent his best love to his father and mother and sisters, and begged
that they would not forget him, or condemn him, whatever they might hear
to his discredit. He carefully sealed this letter, which Master Simpson
promised faithfully to deliver either to Jasper, or to Polly, should the
former be absent from home.

"Now, Master Simpson, I