Charles turned on his heel, and walked through the room with long steps. At this period the Peverils, father and son, were announced to have reached the palace, and were ordered into the royal presence. These gentlemen had received the royal mandate at a moment of great interest. After being dismissed from their confinement by the elder Bridgenorth, in the manner and upon the terms which the reader must have gathered from the conversation of the latter with Christian, they reached the lodgings of Lady Peveril, who awaited them with joy, mingled with terror and uncertainty. The news of the acquittal had reached her by the exertions of the faithful Lance Outram, but her mind had been since harassed by the long delay of their appearance, and rumours of disturbances which had taken place in Fleet-Street and in the Strand. When the first rapturous meeting was over, Lady Peveril, with an anxious look towards her son, as if recommending caution, said she was now about to present to him the daughter of an old friend, whom he had never (there was an emphasis on the word) seen before. "This young lady," she continued, "was the only child of Colonel Mitford, in North Wales, who had sent her to remain under her guardianship for an interval, finding himself unequal to attempt the task of her education." "Ay, ay," said Sir Geoffrey, "Dick Mitford must be old now beyond the threescore and ten, I think. He was no chicken, though a cock of the game, when he joined the Marquis of Hertford at Namptwich with two hundred wild Welshmen.-Before George, Julian, I love that girl as if she were my own flesh and blood! Lady Peveril would never have got through this work without her; and Dick Mitford sent me a thousand pieces, too, in excellent time, when there was scarce a cross to keep the devil from dancing in our pockets, much more for these law-doings. I used it without scruple, for there is wood ready to be cut at Martindale when we get down there, and Dick Mitford knows I would have done the like for him Strange that he should have been the only one of my friends to reflect I might want a few pieces." Whilst Sir Geoffrey thus run on, the meeting betwixt Alice and Julian Peveril was accomplished, without any particular notice on his side, except to say, "Kiss her, Julian-kiss her. What the devil! is that the way you learned to accost a lady at the Isle of Man, as if her lips were a red-hot horse-shoe? -And do not you be offended, my pretty one; Julian is naturally bashful, and has been bred by an old lady, but you will find him, by and by, as gallant as thou hast found me, my princess.-And now, Dame Peveril, to dinner, to dinner!--the old fox must have his belly-timber, though the hounds have been after him the whole day." part which he considered by no means extravagant, CHAPTER XLIX. In the King's name, Let fall your swords and daggers !-Critic. WHEN the father and son entered the cabinet of audience, it was easily visible that Sir Geoffrey had obeyed the summons as he would have done the trumpet's call to horse; and his dishevelled gray locks and half-arranged dress, though they showed zeal and haste, such as he would have used when Charles I. called him to attend a council of war, seemed rather indecorous in a pacific drawing-room. He paused at the door of the cabinet, but when the King called on him to advance, came hastily forward, with every feeling of his earlier and later life afloat and contending in his memory, threw himself on his knees before the King, seized his hand, and, without even an effort to speak, wept aloud. Charles, who generally felt deeply so long as an impressive object was before his eyes, indulged for a moment the old man's rapture."My good Sir Geoffrey," he said, "you have had some hard measure; we owe you amends, and will find time to suffering no debt," said the old man; “I our debt." cared not what the rogues said of me-I knew they could never get twelve honest fellows to believe a word of their most damnable lies. I did long to beat them when they called me traitor to your Majesty that I confess-But to have such an early opportunity of paying my duty to your Majesty, overpays it all. The villains would have persuaded me I ought not to come to Court-aha!" The Duke of Ormond perceived that the King coloured much; for in truth it was from the Court that the private intimation had been given to Sir Geoffrey to go down to the country, without appearing at Whitehall; and he, moreover, suspected that the jolly old Knight had not risen from his dinner altogether dry-lipped, after the fatigues of a day so agitating. "My old friend," he whispered, "you forget that your son is to be presented-permit me to have that honour." Lance, whose joyous congratulations were next to be undergone, had the consideration to cut them short, in order to provide a plain but hearty meal from the next cook's-shop, at which Julian sat like one enchanted, betwixt his mistress and his mother. He "I crave your Grace's pardon humbly," said Sir easily conceived that the last was the confidential Geoffrey, "but it is an honour I design for myself, friend to whom Bridgenorth had finally committed as I apprehend no one can so utterly surrender and the charge of his daughter, and his only anxiety now deliver him up to his Majesty's service as the father was, to anticipate the confusion that was likely to that begot him is entitled to do.-Julian, come forarise when her real parentage was made known to ward, and kneel.-Here he is, please your Majesty his father. Wisely, however, he suffered not these Julian Peveril-a chip of the old block-as stout, anticipations to interfere with the delight of his pre- though scarce so tall a tree, as the old trunk when sent situation, in the course of which, many slight at the freshest. Take him to you, sir, for a faithful but delightful tokens of recognition were exchanged, servant, à vendre et à pendre, as the French say; if without censure, under the eye of Lady Peveril, under he fears fire or steel, axe or gallows, in your Macover of the boisterous mirth of the old Baronet, who jesty's service, I renounce him-he is no son of spoke for two, ate for four, and drank wine for half-a-mine-I disown him, and he may go to the Isle of dozen. His progress in the latter exercise might have Man, the Isle of Dogs, or the Isle of Devils, for proceeded rather too far, had he not been interrupted what I care." by a gentleman bearing the King's orders, that he should instantly attend upon the presence at Whitehall, and bring his son along with him. Lady Peveril was alarmed, and Alice grew pale with sympathetic anxiety; but the old Knight, who never saw more than what lay straight before him, set it down to the King's hasty anxiety to congratulate him on his escape; an interest on his Majesty's Charles winked to Ormond, and having, with his wonted courtesy, expressed his thorough conviction that Julian would imitate the loyalty of his ancestors and especially of his father, added, that he believed his Grace of Ormond had something to communicate which was of consequence to his service. Sir Geoffrey made his military reverence at this hint, and marched off in the rear of the Duke, who proceeded to CHAP. XLIX.] PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. inquire of him concerning the events of the day.-| Julian, with the plainness and precision which such a subject demanded, when treated in such a presence, narrated all that had happened, down to the entrance of Bridgenorth; and his Majesty was so much pleased with his manner, that he congratulated Arlington on their having gained the evidence of at least one man of sense to these dark and mysterious events. But when Bridgenorth was brought upon the scene, Julian hesitated to bestow a name upon him; and although he mentioned the chapel which he had seen filled with men in arms, and the violent language of the preacher, he added, with earnestness, that notwithstanding all this, the men departed without coming to any extremity, and had all left the place before his father and he were set at liberty. "Then will we call the Countess hither," said the King: "It is fit we should learn who this little fairy really is; and if she be now so absolutely at the beck of Buckingham, and this Master Christian of ladyship know so much, since I question if she will wish, in that case, to retain her in her service. Besides," he continued, speaking apart, "this Julian, to whom suspicion attaches in these matters from his obstinate silence, is also of the Countess' household. We will sift this matter to the bottom, and do justice to all." The Countess of Derby, hastily summoned, entered the royal closet at one door, just as Christian and Zarah, or Fenella, were ushered in by the other. The old Knight of Martindale, who had ere this returned to the presence, was scarce controlled, even by the signs which she made, so much was he desirous of greeting his old friend; but as Ormond laid a kind restraining hand upon his arm, he was prevailed on to sit still." The Countess, after a deep reverence to the King, "And you retired quietly to your dinner in Fleet- acknowledged the rest of the nobility present by street, young man," said the King, severely, "with-slighter reverence, smiled to Julian Peveril, and looked out giving a magistrate notice of the dangerous meeting which was held in the vicinity of our palace, and who did not conceal their intention of proceeding to extremities?" Peveril blushed, and was silent. The King frowned, and stepped aside to communicate with Ormond, who reported that the father seemed to have known nothing of the matter. And the son, I am sorry to say," said the King, seems more unwilling to speak the truth than should have expected. We have all variety of evidence in this singular investigation-a mad witness like the dwarf, a drunken witness like the father, and now a dumb witness.-Young man," he continued, addressing Julian, "your behaviour is less frank than I expected from your father's son. I must know who this person is with whom you held such familiar intercourse-you know him, I presume?" "Any one else?" continued the King. "An unfortunate female of my family, who disappeared from the Island of Man at the same time Julian acknowledged that he did, but, kneeling on when Julian Peveril left it upon business of importone knee, entreated his Majesty's forgiveness for con-ance. She was thought to have fallen from the cliff cealing his name; "he had been freed," he said, "from into the sea." his confinement, on promising to that effect." "That was a promise, made, by your own account, under compulsion," answered the King, "and I cannot authorize your keeping it; it is your duty to speak the truth-if you are afraid of Buckingham, the Duke shall withdraw." "I have no reason to fear the Duke of Buckingham," said Peveril; "that I had an affair with one of his household, was the man's own fault, and not mine." "Oddsfish!" said the King, "the light begins to break in on me-I thought I remembered thy physiognomy. Wert thou not the very fellow whom I met at Chiffinch's yonder morning?-The matter escaped me since; but now I recollect thou saidst then, that thou wert the son of that jolly old three-bottle Baronet vonder." "It is true," said Julian, "that I met your Majesty at Master Chiffinch's, and I am afraid had the misfortune to displease you; but" "No more of that, young man-no more of thatBut I recollect you had with you that beautiful dancing siren.-Buckingham, I will hold you gold to silver, that she was the intended tenant of that bass-fiddle?" "Your Majesty has rightly guessed it," said the Duke; "and I suspect she has put a trick upon me, by substituting the dwarf in her place; for Christian thinks" "Damn Christian!" said the King, hastily-"I wish they would bring him hither, that universal referee." And as the wish was uttered, Christian's Let him attend," said the arrival was announced. King: But hark-a thought strikes me.-Here, Master Peveril-yonder dancing maiden, that introduced you to us by the singular agility of her performance, is she not, by your account, a dependant on the Countess of Derby?" "I have known her such for years," answered Julian. Impossible!" said the Countess; " she cannot "I believe," said the King, "she can do more feats than your ladyship either suspects or would approve of." The Countess drew up, and was indignantly silent. The King proceeded "No sooner is Peveril in Newgate, than, by the account of the venerable little gentleman, this merry maiden is even there also for company. Now, without inquiring how she got in, I think charitably that she had better taste than to come there on the dwarf's account.-Ah ha! I think Master Julian is touched in conscience!" Julian did indeed start as the King spoke, for it reminded him of the midnight visit in his cell. The King looked fixedly at him, and then proceeded "Well, gentlemen, Peveril is carried to his trial. and is no sooner at liberty, than we find him in the dangerous, on such accusations as we have been able el house where the Duke of Buckingham was arranging to collect, to impeach the character of a zealous what he calls a musical mask.-Egad, I hold it next Protestant like his Grace-Had he been a Catholic, to certain, that this wench put the change on his under such circumstances of suspicion, the Tower Grace, and popt the poor dwarf into the bass-viol, had been too good a prison for him." reserving her own more precious hours to be spent with Master Julian Peveril.-Think you not so, Sir Christian, you, the universal referee? Is there any truth in this conjecture?" Christian stole a glance on Zarah, and read that in her eye which embarrassed him. "He did not know," he said; "he had indeed engaged this unri valled performer to take the proposed part in the mask; and she was to have come forth in the midst of a shower of lambent fire, very artificially prepared with perfumes, to overcome the smell of the powder; but he knew not why-excepting that she was wilful and capricious, like all great geniuses,--she had certainly spoiled the concert by cramming in that more bulky dwarf." "I should like," said the King, "to see this little maiden stand forth, and bear witness, in such manner as she can express herself, on this mysterious matter. Can any one here understand her mode of communication?" Christian said, he knew something of it since he had become acquainted with her in London. The Countess spoke not till the King asked her, and then owned drily, that she had necessarily some habitual means of intercourse with one who had been immediately about her person for so many years. "I should think," said Charles, "that this same Master Julian Peveril has the more direct key to her language, after all we have heard." The King looked first at Peveril, who blushed like a maiden at the inference which the King's remark implied, and then suddenly turned his eyes on the supposed mute, on whose cheek a faint colour was dying away. A moment afterwards, at a signal from the Countess, Fenella, or Zarah, stepped forward, and having kneeled down and kissed her lady's hand, stood with her arms folded on her breast, with an humble air, as different from that which she wore in the harem of the Duke of Buckingham, as that of a Magdalen from a Judith. Yet this was the least show of her talent of versatility, for so well did she play the part of the dumb girl, that Buckingham, sharp as his discernment was, remained undecided whether the creature which stood before him could possibly be the same with her, who had, in a different dress, made such an impression on his imagination, or indeed was the imperfect creature she now represented. She had at once all that could mark the imperfection of hearing, and all that could show the wonderful address by which nature so often makes up for the deficiency. There was the lip that trembled not at any sound-the seeming insensibility to the conversation which passed around; while, on the other hand, was the quick and vivid glance, that seemed anxious to devour the meaning of those sounds, which she could gather no otherwise than by the motion of the lips. Examined after her own fashion, Zarah confirmed the tale of Christian in all its points, and admitted that she had deranged the project laid for a mask, by placing the dwarf in her own stead; the cause of her doing so she declined to assign, and the Countess pressed her no farther. Every thing tends to exculpate my Lord of Buckingham," said Charles, "from so absurd an accusation; the dwarf's testimony is too fantastic, that of the two Peverils does not in the least affect the Duke; that of the dumb damsel completely contradicts the possibility of his guilt. Methinks, my lords, we should acquaint him that he stands acquitted of a complaint, too ridiculous to have ever been subjected to a more serious scrutiny than we have hastily made upon this occasion." Arlington bowed in acquiesence, but Ormond spoke plainly. "I should suffer, sire, in the opinion of the Duke of Buckingham, brilliant as his talents are known to be, should I say that I am satisfied in my own mind on this occasion. But I subscribe to the spirit of the times; and I agree it would be highly Buckingham bowed to the Duke of Ormond, with a meaning which even his triumph could not disguise. -"Tu me la pagherai!" he muttered in a tone of deep and abiding resentment; but the stout old Irishman, who had long since braved his utmost wrath, cared little for this expression of his displeasure. The King then, signing to the other nobles to pass into the public apartments, stopped Buckingham as he was about to follow them; and, when they were alone, asked with a significant tone, which brought all the blood in the Duke's veins into his countenance, "When was it, George, that your useful friend Colonel Blood became a musician ?-You are silent," he said; "do not deny the charge, for yonder villain, once seen, is remembered for ever. Down, down on your knees, George, and acknowledge that you have abused my easy temper.-Seek for no apology-none will serve your turn. I saw the man myself, among your Germans as you call them; and you know what I must needs believe from such a circumstance." "Believe that I have been guilty-most guilty, my liege and King," said the Duke, conscience-struck, and kneeling down; "believe that I was misguidedthat I was mad-Believe any thing but that I was capable of harming, or being accessory to harm, your person." "I do not believe it," said the King; “I think of you, Villiers, as the companion of my dangers and my exile, and am so far from supposing you mean worse than you say, that I am convinced you acknowledge more than you ever meant to attempt." "By all that is sacred," said the Duke, still kneeling, "had I not been involved to the extent of life and fortune with the villain Christian" "Nay, if you bring Christian on the stage again," said the King, smiling, "it is time for me to withdraw. Come, Villers, rise-I forgive thee, and only recommend one act of penance-the curse you yourself bestowed on the dog who bit you-marriage, and retirement to your country-seat." The Duke rose abashed, and followed the King into the circle, which Charles entered, leaning on the shoulder of his repentant peer; to whom he showed so much countenance, as led the most acute observers present, to doubt the possibility of there existing any real cause for the surmises to the Duke's prejudice. The Countess of Derby had in the mean while consulted with the Duke of Ormond, with the Peverils, and with her other friends; and, by their unanimous advice, though with considerable difficulty, became satisfied, that to have thus shown herself at Court, was sufficient to vindicate the honour of her house; and that it was her wisest course, after having done so, to retire to her insular dominions, without farther provoking the resentment of a powerful faction. She took farewell of the King in form, and demanded his permission to carry back with her the helpless creature who had so strangely escaped from her protection, into a world where her condition, rendered her so subject to every species of misfortune. "Will your ladyship forgive me?" said Charles. "I have studied your sex long-I am mistaken if your little maiden is not as capable of caring for herself as any of us." Impossible!" said the Countess. "Possible, and most true," whispered the King. I will instantly convince you of the fact, though the experiment is too delicate to be made by any but your ladyship. Yonder she stands, looking as if she heard no more than the marble pillar against which she leans. Now, if Lady Derby will contrive either to place her hand near the region of the damsel's heart, or at least on her arm, so that she can feel the sensation of the blood when the pulse increases, then do you, my Lord of Ormond, beckon Julian Peveril out of sight-I will show you in a moment that it can stir at sounds spoken." The Countess, much surprised, afraid of some embarrassing pleasantry on the part of Charles. vet unable to repress her curiosity, placed herself near Fenella, as she called her little mute; and, while making signs to her, contrived to place her hand on her wrist. At this moment the King, passing near them said, "This is a horrid deed-the villain Christian has stabbed young Peveril !" The mute evidence of the pulse, which bounded as if a cannon had been discharged close by the poor girl's ear, was accompanied by such a loud scream of agony, as distressed, while it startled, the goodnatured monarch himself. "I did but jest," he said; "Julian is well, my pretty maiden. I only used the wand of a certain blind deity, called Cupid, to bring a deaf and dumb vassal of his to the exercise of her faculties."* "I am betrayed!" she said with her eyes fixed on the ground-"I am betrayed!--and it is fit that she whose life has been spent in practising treason on others, should be caught in her own snare.-But where is my tutor in iniquity?-Where is Christian, who taught me to play the part of spy on this unsuspicious lady, until I had well nigh delivered her into his bloody hands?" "This," said the King, "craves more secret examination. Let all leave the apartment who are not immediately connected with these proceedings, and let this Christian be again brought before us.Wretched man," he continued, addressing Christian, "what wiles are these you have practised, and by what extraordinary means?", Lady of Derby, that, if the daughter of Edward Christian, the niece of her murdered victim, served her as a menial, it was but for the purpose of vengeance -miserably, miserably frustrated!-Thou seest thy folly now-thou wouldst follow yonder ungrateful stripling-thou wouldst forsake all other thoughts to gain his slightest notice; and now, thou art a forlorn outcast, ridiculed and insulted by those on whose necks you might have trod, had you governed yourself with more wisdom!-But come, thou art still my daughter-there are other skies than that which canopies Britain." Stop him," said the King; "we must know by what means this maiden found access to those confined in our prisons." "I refer your Majesty to your most Protestant jailer, and to the most Protestant Peers, who, in order to obtain perfect knowledge of the depth of the Popish Plot, have contrived these ingenious apertures for visiting them in their cells by night or day. His Grace of Buckingham can assist your Majesty, if you are inclined to make the inquiry."* "Christian," said the Duke, thou art the most barefaced villain who ever breathed!" "Of a commoner, I may," answered Christian, and led his daughter out of the presence. See after him, Selby," said the King; "lose not sight of him till the ship sail; if he dare return to Britain, it shall be at his peril. Would to God we had as good riddance of others as dangerous! And I would also," he added, after a moment's pause, "that all our political intrigues and feverish alarms could terminate as harmlessly as now. Here is a plot without a drop of blood; and all the elements of a romance, without its conclusion. Here we have a wandering island princess, (I pray my Lady of Derby's pardon,) a dwarf, a Moorish sorceress, an impenitent The unfortunate girl stared on him with astonish-rogue, and a repentant man of rank, and yet all ends ment. "You said," at length she stammered forth, without either hanging or marriage." "that I was the daughter of your slaughtered brother?" "She has betrayed me, then!" said Christian"Betrayed me to bonds and death, merely for an idle passion, which can never be successful!-But know, Zarah," he added, addressing her sternly, "when my life is forfeited through thy evidence, the daughter has murdered the father!" "Not altogether without the latter," said the Countess, who had an opportunity, during the evening, of "That was partly to reconcile thee to the part thou much private conversation with Julian Peveril. wert to play in my destined drama of vengeance- "There is a certain Major Bridgenorth, who, since partly to hide what men call the infamy of thy birth. your Majesty relinquishes further inquiry into these But my daughter thou art! and from the Eastern proceedings, which he had otherwise intended to clime, in which thy mother was born, you derive that abide, designs, as we are informed, to leave England fierce torrent of passion which I laboured to train to for ever. Now, this Bridgenorth, by dint of the law, my purposes, but which, turned into another channel, hath acquired strong possession over the domains of has become the cause of your father's destruction.-Peveril, which he is desirous to restore to the ancient My destiny is the Tower, I suppose?" He spoke these words with great composure, and scarce seemed to regard the agonies of his daughter, who, throwing herself at his feet, sobbed and wept most bitterly. "This must not be," said the King, moved with compassion at this scene of misery. "If you consent, Christian, to leave this country, there is a vessel in the river bound for New England-Go, carry your dark intrigues to other lands." "I might dispute the sentence," said Christian, boldly; and if I submit to it, it is a matter of my own choice. One half hour had made me even with that proud woman, but fortune hath cast the balance against me.-Rise, Zarah, Fenella no more! Tell the This little piece of superstition was suggested by the following incident. The Author of Waverly happened to be stand ing by with other gentlemen, while the captain of the Selkirk Yeomanry was purchasing a horse for the use of his trumpeter. The animal offered was a handsome one, and neither the officer, who was an excellent jockey, nor any one present, could see any imperfection in wind or limb. But a person happened to pass, who was asked to give an opinion. This man was called Blind Willie, who drove a small trade in cattle and horses, and what seemed as extraordinary, in watches, notwithstanding his having been born blind. He was accounted to possess a rare judgment in these subjects of traffic. So soon as he had examined the horse in question, he immediately pronounced it to have something of his own complaint, and in plain words, stated it to be blind, or verging upon that imperfection, which was found to be the case on close examination. None present had suspected this fault in the animal; which is not wonder ful, considering that it may frequently exist, without any appearance in the organ affected. Blind Willie, being asked how he made a discovery imperceptible to so many gentlemen who had their eyesight, explained, that after feeling the horse's limbs, he laid one hand on its heart, and drew the other briskly across the animal's eyes, when finding no increase of pulsation, in consequence of the latter motion, he had come to the conelusion that the horse must be blind. VOL. IV. 20 owners, with much fair land besides, conditionally, that our young Julian will receive them as the dowery of his only child and heir." "By my faith," said the King, "she must be a foulfavoured wench indeed, if Julian requires to be pressed to accept her on such fair conditions." "They love each other like lovers of the last age," said the Countess; "but the stout old Knight likes not the roundheaded alliance." Our royal recommendation shall put that to rights," said the King; "Sir Geoffrey Peveril, has not suffered hardship so often at our command, that he will refuse our recommendation when it comes to make him amends for all his losses." It may be supposed the King did not speak without being fully aware of the unlimited ascendency which he possessed over the spirit of the old Tory; for, within four weeks afterwards, the bells of MartindaleMoultrassie were ringing for the union of the families, from whose estates it takes its compound name, and the beacon light of the Castle blazed high over hill and dale, and summoned all to rejoice who were within twenty miles of its gleam.t It was said that very unfair means were used to compel the prisoners, committed on account of the Popish Plot, to make disclosures, and that several of them were privately put to the torture. + History of Colonel Thomas Blood.-This person, who was capable of framing and carrying into execution the most desperate enterprises, was one of those extraordinary characters, who can only arise amid the bloodshed, confusion, destruction of morality, and wide-spreading violence, which take place during civil war. The arrangement of the present volume admitting of a lengthened digression, we cannot, perhaps, enter upon a subject more extraordinary or entertaining, than the history of this notorious desperado, who exhibited all the elements of a most accomplished ruffian. As the account of At one these adventures is scattered in various and scarce publications, I name a discredit, or perhaps did not know it; nevertheless it is it will probably be a service to the reader to bring the most re-affirmed in a pamphlet written by a person who seems to have markable of them under his eye, in a simultaneous point of view. been well acquainted with the incidents of his life, that he Blood's father is reported to have been a blacksmith; but shared the dangers of the defeat at Pentland Hills, 27th Nothis was only a disparaging mode of describing a person who vember, 1666, in which the Cameronians were totally routed. had a concern in iron-works, and had thus acquired indepen- After the engagement, he found his way again to Ireland, but dence. He entered early in life into the Civil War, served as a was hunted out of Ulster by Lord Dungannon, who pursued hira lieutenant in the Parliament forces, and was put by Henry very closely. On his return to England he made himself again Cromwell, Lord Deputy of Ireland, into the commission of the notorious by an exploit, of which the very singular particulars peace, when he was scarcely two-and-twenty. This outset in are contained in the pamphlet already mentioned. The narlife decided his political party for ever; and however unfit the rative runs as follows:-"Among the persons apprehended for principles of such a man rendered him for the society of those the late fanatic conspiracy, was one Captain Mason, a person for who professed a rigidity of religion and morals, so useful was whom Mr. Blood had a particular affection and friendship. Blood's rapidity of invention, and so well was he known, that he This person was to be removed from London to one of the was held capable of framing with sagacity, and conducting with northern counties, in order to his trial at the assizes; and to skill, the most desperate undertakings, and in a turbulent time, that intent was sent down with eight of the Duke's troop to was allowed to associate with the non-jurors, who affected a guard him, being reckoned to be a person bold and courageous. peculiar austerity of conduct and sentiments. In 1663, the Act Mr. Blood having notice of this journey, resolves by the way to of Settlement in Ireland, and the proceedings thereupon, affect- rescue his friend. The prisoner and his guard went away in ed Blood deeply in his fortune, and from that moment he ap the morning, and Mr. Blood having made choice of three more pears to have nourished the most inveterate hatred to the Duke of his acquaintance, set forward the same day at night, without of Ormond, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whom he consi- boots, upon small horses, and their pistols in their trowsers, to dered as the author of the measures under which he suffered. prevent suspicion. But opportunities are not so easily had, There were at this time many malecontents of the same party neither were all places convenient, so that the convoy and their with himself, so that Lieutenant Blood, as the most daring prisoner were gone a good way beyond Newark, before Mr. among them, was able to put himself at the head of a conspi- Blood and his friends had any scent of their prisoner. racy which had for its purpose the exciting a general insurrec place, they set a sentinel to watch his coming by; but whether tion, and, as a preliminary step, the surprising of the Castle of it was out of fear, or that the person was tired with a tedious Dublin. The means proposed for the last purpose, which was expectation, the sentinel brought them no tidings either of the to be the prelude to the rising, augured the desperation of the prisoner or his guard, insomuch that Mr. Blood and his compaperson by whom it was contrived, and yet might probably have nions began to think their friend so far before them upon the succeeded, from its very boldness. A declaration was drawn up road, that it would be in vain to follow him. Yet not willing by the hand of Blood himself, calling upon all persons to take to give over an enterprise so generously undertaken, upon Mr. arms for the liberty of the subject, and the restoration of the Blood's encouragement, they rode on, though despairing of Solemn League and Covenant. For the surprise of the castle, success, till finding it grow towards evening, and meeting with it was provided, that several persons with petitions in their a convenient inn upon the road, in a small village not far from hands, were to wait within the walls, as if they staid to present Doncaster, they resolved to lie there all night, and return to them to the Lord Lieutenant, while about fourscore of the old London the next morning. In that inn they had not sat long daring disbanded soldiers were to remain on the outside, dress- in a room next the street, condoling among themselves the ill ed like carpenters, smiths, shoemakers, and other ordinary me- success of such a tedious journey, and the misfortune of their chanics. As soon as the Lord Lieutenant went in, a baker was friend, before the convoy came thundering up to the door of the to pass by the main guard with a large basket of white bread said inn with their prisoner, Captain Mason having made choice on his back. By making a false step, he was to throw down of that inn, as being best known to him, to give his guardians his burden, which might create a scramble among the soldiers, the refreshment of a dozen of drink. There Mr. Blood, unseen, and offer the fourscore men before mentioned an opportunity of had a full view of his friend, and of the persons he had to deal disarming them, while the others with petitions in their hands with. He had bespoke a small supper, which was at the fire, secured all within; and being once master of the castle and the so that he had but very little time for consultation, finding that Duke of Ormond's person, they were to publish their declara- Captain Mason's party did not intend to alight. On this account tion. But some of the principal conspirators were apprehended he only gave general directions to his associates to follow his about twelve hours before the time appointed for the execution of example in whatever they saw him do. In haste, therefore, they the design, in which no less than seven members of the House of called for their horses, and threw down the money for their Commons (for the Parliament of Ireland was then sitting) were reckoning, telling the woman of the house, that since they had concerned. Leckie, a minister, the brother-in-law of Blood, met with such good company, they were resolved to go forward. was, with several others, tried, condemned, and executed. Blood Captain Mason went off first upon a sorry beast, and with him effected his escape, but was still so much the object of public the commander of the party, and four more; the rest staid beapprehension, that a rumour having arisen during Leckie's exe- hind to make an end of their liquor. Then away marched one cution, that Major Blood was at hand with a party to rescue the more single, and in a very small time after the last two. By this prisoner, every one of the guards, and the executioner himself, time, Mr. Blood and one of his friends being horsed, followed shifted for themselves, leaving Leckie, with the halter about his the two that were hindmost, and soon overtook them. These neck, standing alone under the gallows; but as no rescue ap- four rode some little time together, Mr. Blood on the right hand peared, the sheriff-officers returned to their duty, and the criminal of the two soldiers, and his friend on the left. But upon a sudwas executed Meantime Blood retired among the mountains den, Mr. Blood laid hold of the reins of the horse next him, of Ireland, where he herded alternately with fanatics and Pa- while his friend, in observation to his directions, did the same pists, provided only they were discontented with the govern- on the other hand; and having presently by surprise dismountment. There were few persons better acquainted with the ed the soldiers, pulled off their bridles, and sent their horses to intrigues of the time than this active partisan, who was alter pick their grass where they pleased. These two being thus made nately Quaker, Anabaptist, or Catholic, but always a rebel, and sure of, Mr. Blood pursues his game, intending to have reached revolutionist; he shifted from place to place, and from king- the single trooper; but he being got to the rest of his fellows, dom to kingdom; became known to the Admiral de Ruyter, and now reduced to six, and a barber of York, that travelled in their was the soul of every desperate plot. company, Mr. Blood made up, heads the whole party, and stops them; of which some of the foremost, looking upon him to be either drunk or mad, thought the rebuke of a switch to be a sufficient chastisement of such a rash presumption, which they exercised with more contempt than fury, till, by the rudeness of his compliments in return, he gave them to understand he was not in jest, but in very good earnest. He was soon seconded by his friend that was with him in his first exploit; but there bad been several rough blows dealt between the unequal number of six to two, before Mr. Blood's two other friends came up to their assistance; nay, I may safely say six to two; for the barber of York, whether out of his natural propensity to the sport, or that his pot-valiantness had made him so generous as to help his fellow-travellers, would needs show his valour at the begin ning of the fray; but better had he been at the latter end of a feast; for though he showed his prudence to take the stronger side as he guessed by the number, yet because he would take no warning, which was often given him, not to put himself to the hazard of losing a guitar-finger by meddling in a business that nothing concerned him, he lost his life, as they were forced to dispatch him, in the first place, for giving them a needless trouble. The barber, being become an useless instrument, and the other of Mr. Blood's friends being come up, the skirmish began to be very smart, the four assailants having singled out their champions as fairly and equally as they could. All this while, Captain Mason, being rode before upon his thirty-shilling steed, wondering his guard came not with him, looked back, and observing a combustion, and that they were altogether by the ears, knew not what to think. He conjectured it at first to have been some intrigue upon him, as if the troopers had a design to tempt him to an escape, which might afterwards prove more to his prejudice; just like cats, that, with regardless scorn, seem to give the distressed mouse all the liberty in the world to get away out of their paws, but soon recover their prey again at one jump. Thereupon, unwilling to undergo the hazard of such a trial, he comes back, at which time Mr. Blood cried out to him, Horse, horse, quickly! an alarm so amazing at first, that he could not believe • Remarks on the Life of the famed Mr. Blood, London, 1680. Fello In particular, about 1665, Mr. Blood was one of the revolution ary committee, or secret council, which continued its sittings, notwithstanding that government knew of its meetings. For their security, they had about thirty stout fellows posted around the place where they met, in the nature of a corps de garde. It fell out, that two of the members of the council, to save them selves, and perhaps for the sake of a reward, betrayed all their transactions to the ministry, which Mr. Blood soon suspected, and in a short time got to the bottom of the whole affair. He appointed these two persons to meet him at a tavern in the city, where he had his guard ready, who secured them without any noise, and carried them to a private place provided for the purpose, where he called a kind of court-martial, before whom they were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot two days after in the same place. When the time appointed came, they were brought out, and all the necessary preparations made for putting the sentence in execution; and the poor men, seeing no hoped escape, disposed themselves to suffer as well a they could. At this critical juncture, Mr. Blood was graciously pleased to grant them his pardon, and at the same time advised them to go to their new master, tell him all that had happened, and request him, in the name of their old confederates, to be as favourable to such of them as should at any time stand in need of his mercy. Whether these unfortunate people carried Mr. Blood's message to the king, does not anywhere appear. It is however certain, that not long after the whole conspiracy was discovered in consequence of which, on the 26th of April, 1666, Col. John Rathbone, and some other officers of the late disbanded army, were tried and convicted at the Old Bailey for a plot to surprise the Tower, and to kill General Monk. After his concern with this desperate conclave, who were chiefly fanatics, and Fifth-Monarchy men, Blood exchanged the scene for Scotland, where he mingled among the Cameronlans, and must have been a most acceptable associate to John Balfour of Burley, or any other who joined the insurgents more out of spleen or desire of plunder, than from religious motives. The writers of the sect seem to have thought his |