t have done if he had been mounted on
Billy's back. Edward walked quick, followed by his dog, which he had
taught to keep to heel. He felt happy, as people do who have no cares,
from the fine weather--the deep green of the verdure chequered by the
flowers in bloom, and the majestic scenery which met his eye on every
side. His heart was as buoyant as his steps, as he walked along, the
light summer breeze fanning his face. His thoughts, however, which had
been more of the chase than anything else, suddenly changed, and he
became serious. For some time he had heard no political news of
consequence, or what the Commons were doing with the king. This reverie
naturally brought to his mind his father's death, the burning of his
property, and its sequestration. His cheeks coloured with indignation,
and his brow was moody. Then he built castles for the future. He
imagined the king released from his prison, and leading an army against
his oppressors; he fancied himself at the head of a troop of cavalry,
charging the parliamentary horse. Victory was on his side. The king
was again on his throne, and he was again in possession of the family
estate. He was rebuilding the hall, and somehow or another it appeared
to him that Patience was standing by his side, as he gave directions to
the artificers--when his reverie was suddenly disturbed by Holdfast
barking and springing forward in advance.

Edward, who had by this time got over more than half his journey, looked
up, and perceived himself confronted by a powerful man, apparently about
forty years of age, and dressed as a verderer of the forest. He thought
at the time that he had seldom seen a person with a more sinister and
forbidding countenance.

"How now, young fellow, what are you doing here?" said the man, walking
up to him, and cocking the gun which he held in his hand as he advanced.

Edward quietly cocked his own gun, which was loaded, when he perceived
that hostile preparation on the part of the other person, and then
replied, "I am walking across the forest, as you may perceive."

"Yes, I perceive you are walking, and you are walking with a dog and a
gun: you will now be pleased to walk with me. Deer-stealers are not any
longer permitted to range this forest."

"I am no deer-stealer," replied Edward. "It will be quite sufficient to
give me that title when you find me with venison in my possession; and
as for going with you, that I certainly shall not. Sh