56 A JACOBITE EXILE

are forced to leave the realm until such time shall arrive
when we can rely on a fair trial, when our reputation and
honour will weigh against the word of suborned perjurers
and knaves.

“We were not forgetful of your father’s case, and we
debated long as to whether our remaining here could do
him service. We even discussed the possibility of raising
a force and attacking Lancaster Castle. We agreed, how-
ever, that this would be nothing short of madness. ‘The
country is wholly unprepared at present. ‘The Whigs are
on the alert, and such an attempt would cost the lives of
most of those concerned in it; besides we are all sure that
Sir Marmaduke would be the first to object to numbers of
persons risking their lives in an attempt which, even if for
the moment successful, must bring ruin upon all concerned
in it. Nor do we see that were we to remain and to stand
in the dock beside him, it would aid him. Our word

- would count for no more than would this protest and
‘denial that we have signed together. A prisoner’s plea
of not guilty has but a feather’s weight against sworn
evidence.

“At the same time, Charlie, I do not intend to leave the
country until Iam sure that nothing can be done. As force
is out of the question, I have advised the others to lose not
an hour in trying to escape, and by this time they are all
on the road. ‘I'wo are making for Bristol, one for South-
ampton, and two for London. It would be too dangerous
to attempt to escape by one of the northern ports; but
though force cannot succeed, we may be able to effect your
father’s escape by other means, and it is for this purpose
that I am determined to stay, and I shall do so until all
hope is gone. Alone you could effect nothing; but I,
knowing who are our secret friends, may be able to use
them to advantage. We will stay here to-night, but to-
morrow we must change our quarters, for the search will