20 A JACOBITE EXILE

tics, and you would lose patience in a very short time. I
do myself occasionally. Many who are the foremost in
talk when there is no prospect of doing anything, draw back
when the time approaches for action, and it is sickening to
listen to the timorous objections and paltry arguments that
are brought forward. Here am I, a man of sixty, ready to
risk life and fortune in the good cause, and there are many
not half my age, who speak with as much caution as if they
were gray-beards. Still, lad, I have no doubt that the mat-
ter will straighten itself out and come right in the end. It
is always the most trying time for timorous hearts before
the first shot of a battle is fred. Once the engagement
commences, there Is no time for fear; the battle has to be
fought out, and the best way to safety is to win a victory.
I have not the least doubt that as soon as it is known that
the king has landed, there will be no more shilly-shallying
or hesitation. Every loyal man will mount his horse and
call out his tenants, and in a few days England will be ina
blaze from end to end.”

Charlie troubled himself but little with what was going
on. His father had promised him that when the time did
come he should ride by his side, and with that promise he
was content to wait, knowing that at present his strength
would be of but little avail, and that every week added
somewhat to his weight and sinew.

One day he was in the garden with Ciceley; the weather
was hot, and the girl was sitting in a swing under a shady
tree, occasionally starting herself by a push with her foot
on the ground, and then swaying gently backward and for-
ward, until the swing was again at rest. Charlie was seated
on the ground near her, pulling the ears of his favourite
dog, and occasionally talking to her, when a servant came
out with a message that his father wanted to speak to him.

“T expect I shall be back in a few minutes, Ciceley, so
don’t you wander away till I come. It is too hot to-day