Pestilence have laid
waste and destroyed every Thing that before was fair and flourishing.

On this occasion no man's service is compelled, but you are invited
voluntarily to come forward in defence of everything that is dear to
you, by entering your Names on the Lists which are sent to the Tything-
man of every Parish, and engaging to act either as _Associated
Volunteers bearing Arms_, _as Pioneers and Labourers_, or as _Drivers
of Waggons_.

As Associated Volunteers you will be called out only once a week,
unless the actual Landing of the Enemy should render your further
Services necessary.

As Pioneers or Labourers you will be employed in Breaking up Roads to
hinder the Enemy's advance.

Those who have Pickaxes, Spades, Shovels, Bill-hooks, or other Working
Implements, are desired to mention them to the Constable or Tything-
man of their Parish, in order that they may be entered on the Lists
opposite their Homes, to be used if necessary. . . .

It is thought desirable to give you this Explanation, that you may not
be ignorant of the Duties to which you may be called. But if the love
of true Liberty and honest Fame has not ceased to animate the Hearts
of Englishmen, Pay, though necessary, will be the least Part of your
Reward. You will find your best Recompense in having done your Duty
to your King and Country by driving back or destroying your old and
implacable Enemy, envious of your Freedom and Happiness, and therefore
seeking to destroy them; in having protected your Wives and Children
from Death, or worse than Death, which will follow the Success of such
Inveterate Foes.

ROUSE, therefore, and unite as one man in the best of Causes! United
we may defy the World to conquer us; but Victory will never belong to
those who are slothful and unprepared. {207}

'I must go and join at once!' said Bob.

Anne turned to him, all the playfulness gone from her face. 'I wish we
lived in the north of England, Bob, so as to be further away from where
he'll land!' she murmured uneasily.

'Where we are would be Paradise to me, if you would only make it so.'

'It is not right to talk so lightly at such a serious time,' she
thoughtfully returned, going on towards the church.

On drawing near, they saw through the boughs of a clump of intervening
trees, still leafless, but bursting into buds of amber hue, a glittering
which seemed t