ed that he had parted from
the Duke only a few hours before. The pursuers recommenced the search
with more zeal than ever, and at length a tall gaunt figure was
discovered in a ditch. Some of the men were about to fire at him, but
Sir William Portman coming up, forbade them to use violence. He was
dressed as a shepherd, his beard, several days' growth, was prematurely
grey. He trembled, and was unable to speak. Even those who had often
seen the Duke of Monmouth did not recognise him, till, examining his
pockets, the insignia of the George was discovered, with a purse of gold
and other articles, among them some raw pease, which he had gathered to
satisfy his hunger. This left no doubt who he was. He and Lord Grey
were kept at Ringwood strictly guarded for two days, and then sent up to
London. Broken-down in health and spirits, he wrote abject letters to
his uncle entreating for pardon, and begging that the king would see
him. The latter petition was agreed to, and he was brought into the
presence of James, his arms secured by a silken cord. He had fancied
that should the king see him, his life would be spared, and he made the
most abject proposals to obtain it. James had resolved that the hated
rival should be put out of the way as soon as possible, and refused to
listen to his plea. Lord Grey behaved with far more dignity and courage
than the Duke. Both were sent to the Tower; the Duke was ordered for
execution, Lord Grey was allowed to live, and ultimately, on the payment
of a heavy fine, escaped, though hundreds who were certainly less guilty
in the eye of the law were mercilessly put to death. The Duke was
beheaded a couple of days after being sent to the Tower. As his blood
flowed on the scaffold, the crowd rushed forward to dip their
handkerchiefs in it, and his memory was long cherished by those who had
risen in arms to support his cause, while no inconsiderable number
believed that he was still alive, and would appear again to lead them to
victory. Two impostors in succession, taking advantage of this belief,
represented Monmouth. One was whipped from Newgate to Tyburn; another,
who had raised considerable contributions, was thrown into prison, where
he was maintained in luxury by his deluded followers. So ends the
ill-starred Monmouth's sad history.

We must now return to the more prominent characters of our tale.
Stephen and his brother Andrew, on parting from the Duke, consulted what
directio