ntents of the kettle had disappeared. Having satisfied
themselves, they got up, told him that his rations were so good that
they hoped to call again; and, laughing heartily, they mounted their
horses, and rode away.

"Well," said Jacob, "they are very welcome to the dinner; I little
thought to get off so cheap." As soon as they were out of sight Jacob
called to Edward and the children to get up again, which they soon did.
Alice put on Edith's frock, Humphrey put on his jacket, and Edward
pulled off the hunting-shirt.

"They're gone now," said Jacob, coming in from the door.

"And our dinners are gone," said Humphrey, looking at the empty pot and
dirty platters.

"Yes; but we can cook another: and that will be more play, you know,"
said Jacob. "Edward, go for the water; Humphrey, cut the onions; Alice,
wash the potatoes; and Edith, help everybody, while I cut up some more
meat."

"I hope it will be as good," observed Humphrey; "that other did smell so
nice!"

"Quite as good, if not better; for we shall improve by practice, and we
shall have a better appetite to eat it with," said Jacob.

"Nasty men eat our dinner," said Edith. "Shan't have any more. Eat
this ourselves."

And so they did as soon as it was cooked; but they were very hungry
before they sat down.

"This is jolly!" said Humphrey, with his mouth full.

"Yes, Master Humphrey. I doubt if King Charles gets so good a dinner
this day. Mr Edward, you are very grave and silent."

"Yes, I am, Jacob. Have I not cause? Oh! If I could but have mauled
those troopers!"

"But you could not; so you must make the best of it. They say that
every dog has his day, and who knows but King Charles may be on the
throne again!"

There were no more visits to the cottage that day, and they all went to
bed and slept soundly.

The next morning Jacob, who was most anxious to learn the news, saddled
the pony, having first given his injunctions to Edward how to behave in
case any troopers should come to the cottage. He told him to pretend
that the children were in bed with the smallpox, as they had done the
day before. Jacob then travelled to Gossip Allwood's, and he there
learnt that King Charles had been taken prisoner, and was at the Isle of
Wight, and that the troopers were all going back to London as fast as
they came. Feeling that there was now no more danger to be apprehended
from them, Jacob set off as fast as he could for Lymington. He went to
one