"
"As to that, your honour," replied Harry, "I'd never think of waiting
for pay in a matter of life and death. I am glad if I can help off a
gentleman that has been on the King's side."
So the plan was arranged. Edmund was to be disguised in the
fisherman's clothes, spend the day at his hut, and at night, if the
weather served, Fletcher would row him out to sea, assisted by the
little boy, in hopes of falling in with a French vessel; or, if not,
they must pull across to Havre or Dieppe. The doctor promised to
bring Rose at ten o'clock to meet him on the beach and bid him
farewell. As to the horse, Fletcher sent the little boy to turn it
out on the neighbouring down, and hide the saddle.
All this arranged, Dr. Bathurst returned to his school; and Rose,
dressed in Anne's plainest clothes, rested on her bed as long as her
anxiety would allow her, then came down and helped in her household
work. It was well that Rose was thus employed, for in the afternoon
they had a great fright. Two soldiers came knocking violently at the
door, exhibiting an order to search for the escaped prisoner. Rose
recognised two of the party who had been at Forest Lea; but happily
they had not seen enough of her to know her in the coarse blue stuff
petticoat that she now wore. One of them asked who she was, and Anne
readily replied, "Oh, a friend who is helping me;" after which they
paid her no further attention.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115