troops are
being landed from Ireland to join his clans."

"Yes, yes; but in England?" cried the boy. "My father is not in
Scotland. It is about what is going on in England that I want to know."

It was always the same, and by degrees, as the days went by, Frank
learned that his father had, with other gentlemen, joined the Earl of
Derwentwater, and that they were threatening Newcastle.

It seemed an age before the next tidings came, and Frank's heart sank,
while those in the Palace were holding high festival, for the
Pretender's little army there had been beaten off, and was in retreat
through Cumberland on the way to Lancashire.

A little later came news that in the boy's secret heart made him rejoice
and brought gloom into the Palace. For it soon leaked out that the
county militias had been assembled hastily to check the Pretender's
forces, but only to be put to flight and scattered in all directions.

Then despatch after despatch reached the Palace from the north, all
containing bad news. The rebels had marched on, carrying everything
before them till they neared Preston in triumph.

"Then they'll go on increasing in strength," whispered Frank, as he sat
with Captain Murray on the evening of the receipt of that news, "and
march right on to London!"

"Want them to?" said the captain drily.

"Yes--no--no--yes--I don't know."

"Nice loyal sort of a servant the Prince has got," said the captain.

"Don't talk to me like that, Captain Murray," said the boy passionately.
"I feel that I hate for the rebels to succeed; but how can I help
wishing my father success?"

"No, you cannot," said the captain quietly. "But he will not succeed,
my lad. He and the others are in command of a mere rabble of
undisciplined men, and before long on their march they will be met by
some of the King's forces sent to intercept them."

"Yes, yes," cried the boy, with his cheeks flushing, "and then?"

"What is likely to happen in spite of the training of the leaders? The
undrilled men cannot stand against regular troops, even if they are
enthusiastic. No: disaster must come sooner or later, and then there is
only one chance for us, Frank."

"For us? I thought you said that the King's troops would win."

"Yes, and they will. I as a soldier feel that it must be so. We shall
win; but I say there is only one chance for us as friends--a quick
escape for your father to the coast and taking refuge in France. We
must not have h