The Children of the New Forest

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER XIX.

  "We will put them into the yard for the present. I mean that Holdfastshall take charge of them by-and-by. I will soon teach him."

  "Yes, he take charge of coat, or any thing I tell him; why not takecharge of goats. Clever dog, Holdfast. Massa Humphrey, you think MassaEdward take away both his dogs, Smoker and Watch? I say better not takepuppy. Take Smoker, and leave puppy."

  "I agree with you, Pablo. We ought to have two dogs here. I will speakto my brother. Now run forward and open the gate of the yard, and throwthem some hay, Pablo, while I go and call my sisters."

  The flock of goats were much admired, and the next morning were drivenout into the forest to feed, attended by Pablo and Holdfast. When itwas dinner time, Pablo drove the flock near to the cottage, telling thedog to mind them. The sensible animal remained at once with the goatsuntil Pablo's return from dinner; and it may be as well to observehere, that in a few days the dog took charge of them altogether,driving them home to the yard every evening; and as soon as the goatswere put into the yard, the dog had his supper; and the dog took care,therefore, not to be too late. To return to our narrative.

  On Saturday, Humphrey and Pablo went to Lymington, to bring homeEdward's clothes, and Humphrey made Pablo acquainted with all that hewanted to know, in case it might be necessary to send Pablo there alone.

  Edward remained with his sisters, as he was to leave them on the Monday.

  Sunday was passed as usual; they read the service at old Armitage'sgrave, and afterward they walked in the forest; for Sunday was the onlyday on which Alice could find time to leave her duties in the cottage.They were not more grave than usual at the idea of Edward's leavingthem; but they kept up their spirits, as they were aware that it wasfor the advantage of all.

  On Monday morning, Edward, to please his sisters, put on his newclothes, and put his forester's dress in the bundle with his linen.Alice and Edith thought he looked very well in them, and said that itreminded them of the days of Arnwood. The fact was, that Edwardappeared as he was--a gentleman born; that could not well be concealedunder a forester's dress, and in his present attire it was undeniable.After breakfast, Billy was harnessed and brought to the cottage-door.Edward's linen was put in the cart, and as he had agreed with Humphrey,he took only Smoker with him, leaving the puppy at the cottage. Pablowent with him, to bring back the cart. Edward kissed his sisters, whowept at the idea of his leaving them, and, shaking hands with Humphrey,he set off to cross the forest.

  "Who would ever have believed this?" thought Edward, as he drove acrossthe forest, "that I should put myself under the roof and under theprotection of a Roundhead--one in outward appearance, and in theopinion of the world at least, if he is not so altogether in opinions.There is surely some spell upon me, and I almost feel as if I were atraitor to my principles. Why I know not, I feel a regard for that man,and a confidence in him. And why should I not? He knows my principles,my feelings against his party, and he respects them. Surely he can notwish to gain me over to his party; that were indeed ridiculous--a youngforester--a youth unknown. No, he would gain nothing by that, for I amnobody. It must be from goodwill, and no other feeling. I have obligedhim in the service I rendered his daughter, and he is grateful."Perhaps, had Edward put the question to himself, "Should I have been onsuch friendly terms with the intendant--should I have accepted hisoffer, if there had been no Patience Heatherstone?" he might then havediscovered what was the "spell upon him" which had rendered him sotractable; but of that he had no idea. He only felt that his situationwould be rendered more comfortable by the society of an amiable andhandsome girl, and he inquired no further.

  His revery was broken by Pablo, who appeared tired of holding histongue, and said, "Massa Edward, you not like leave home--you thinkvery much. Why you go there?"

  "I certainly do not like to leave home, Pablo, for I am very fond of mybrother and sisters; but we can not always do as we wish in this world,and it is for their sakes, more than from my own inclinations, that Ihave done so."

  "Can't see what good you do Missy Alice and Missy Edith 'cause you goaway. How it possible do good, and not with them? Suppose bad accident,and you away, how you do good? Suppose bad accident, and you atcottage, then you do good. I think, Massa Edward, you very foolish."

  Edward laughed at this blunt observation of Pablo's, and replied, "Itis very true, Pablo, that I can not watch over my sisters, and protectthem in person, when I am away; but there are reasons why I should go,nevertheless, and I may be more useful to them by going than byremaining with them. If I did not think so, I would not leave them.They know nobody, and have no friends in the world. Suppose anythingwas to happen to me--suppose both Humphrey and I were to die--for youknow that we never know how soon that event may take place--who wouldthere be to protect my poor sisters, and what would become of them? Isit not, therefore, wise that I should procure friends for them, in caseof accident, who would look after them and protect them? and it is myhope, that by leaving them now, I shall make powerful and kind friendsfor them. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes, I see now; you think more than me, Massa Edward. I say just now,you foolish; I say now, Pablo great fool."

  "Besides, Pablo, recollect that I never would have left them as long asthere was only Humphrey and I to look after them, because an accidentmight have happened to one of us; but when you came to live with us,and I found what a good, clever boy you were, and that you were fond ofus all, I then said, 'Now I can leave my sisters, for Pablo shall takemy place, and assist Humphrey to do what is required, and to take careof them.' Am I not right, Pablo?"

  "Yes, Massa Edward," replied Pablo, taking hold of Edward's wrist, "youquite right. Pablo does love Missy Alice, Missy Edith, Massa Humphrey,and you, Massa Edward; he love you all very much indeed; he love you somuch that he die for you! Can do no more."

  "That is what I really thought of you, Pablo, and yet I am glad to hearit from your own mouth. If you had not come to live with us, and notproved so faithful, I could not have left to benefit my sisters; butyou have induced me to leave, and they have to thank you if I am ableto be of any service to them."

  "Well, Massa Edward, you go; never mind us, we make plenty of work; doevery thing all the same as you."

  "I think you will, Pablo, and that is the reason why I have agreed togo away. But, Pablo, Billy is growing old, and you will want some moreponies."

  "Yes, Massa Edward; Massa Humphrey talk to me about ponies last night,and say plenty in the forest. Ask me if I think us able catch them. Isay yes, catch one, two, twenty, suppose want them."

  "Ah! how will you do that, Pablo?"

  "Massa Edward, you tell Massa Humphrey no possible, so I no tell youhow," replied Pablo, laughing. "Some day you come and see us, see fiveponies in the stable. Massa Humphrey and I, we talk about, find outhow; you see."

  "Well, then, I shall ask no more questions, Pablo; and when I see theponies in the stable, then I'll believe it, and not before."

  "Suppose you want big horse for ride, catch big horse, Massa Edward,you see. Massa Humphrey very clever, he catch cow."

  "Catch gipsy," said Edward.

  "Yes," said Pablo, laughing, "catch cow, catch gipsy, and by-and-bycatch horse."

  When Edward arrived at the intendant's house, he was very kindlyreceived by the intendant and the two girls. Having deposited hiswardrobe in his bedroom, he went out to Oswald and put Smoker in thekennel, and on his return found Pablo sitting on the carpet in thesitting-room, talking to Patience and Clara, and they all threeappeared much amused. When Pablo and Billy had both had something toeat, the cart was filled with pots of flowers, and several, otherlittle things as presents from Patience Heatherstone, and Pablo set offon his return.

  "Well, Edward, you do look like a--" said Clara, stopping.

  "Like a secretary, I hope," added Edward.

  "Well, you don't look like a forester; does he, Patience?" continuedClara.

  "You must not judge of people by their clothes, Clara."

/>   "Nor do I," replied Clara. "Those clothes would not look well uponOswald, or the other men, for they would not suit them; but they dosuit you: don't they, Patience?"

  Patience Heatherstone, however, did not make any answer to this secondappeal made by Clara.

  "Why don't you answer me, Patience?", said Clara.

  "My dear Clara, it's not the custom for young maidens to make remarksupon people's attire. Little girls like you may do so."

  "Why, did you not tell Pablo that he looked well in his new clothes?"

  "Yes, but Pablo is not Mr. Armitage, Clara. That is very different."

  "Well, it may be, but still you might answer a question, if put to you,Patience: and I ask again, does not Edward look much better in thedress he has on than in the one that he has generally worn?"

  "I think it a becoming dress, Clara, since you will have an answer."

  "Fine feathers make fine birds, Clara," said Edward, laughing; "and sothat is all we can say about it."

  Edward then changed the conversation. Soon afterward dinner wasannounced, and Clara again observed to Edward,

  "Why do you always call Patience Mistress Heatherstone? Ought he not tocall her Patience, sir?" said Clara, appealing to the intendant.

  "That must depend upon his own feelings, my dear Clara," replied Mr.Heatherstone. "It is my intention to wave ceremony as much as possible.Edward Armitage has come to live with us as one of the family, and hewill find himself treated by me as one of us. I shall, therefore, infuture address him as Edward; and he has my full permission, and I maysay it is my wish, that he should be on the same familiar terms with usall. When Edward feels inclined to address my daughter as he does you,by her name of baptism, he will, I dare say, now that he has heard myopinion, do so; and reserve 'Mistress Heatherstone,' for the time whenthey have a quarrel."

  "Then I hope he will never again address me that way," observedPatience, "for I am under too great obligations to him to bear even theidea of being on bad terms with him."

  "Do you hear that, Edward?" said Clara.

  "Yes, I do, Clara, and after such a remark you may be sure that I shallnever address her in that way again."

  In a few days, Edward became quite at home. In the forenoon, Mr.Heatherstone dictated one or two letters to him, which he wrote; andafter that his time was at his own disposal, and was chiefly passed inthe company of Patience and Clara. With the first he had now become onthe most intimate and brotherly footing; and when they addressed eachother, Patience and Edward were the only appellations made use of. OnceMr. Heatherstone asked Edward whether he would not like to go out withOswald to kill a deer, which he did; but the venison was hardly yet inseason. There was a fine horse in the stable at Edward's order, and heoften rode out with Patience and Clara; indeed his time passed soagreeably that he could hardly think it possible that a fortnight hadpassed away, when he asked permission to go over to the cottage and seehis sisters. With the intendant's permission, Patience and Claraaccompanied him; and the joy of Alice and Edith was great when theymade their appearance. Oswald had, by Edward's request, gone over a dayor two before, to tell them that they were coming, that they might beprepared; and the consequence was, that it was a holyday at thecottage. Alice had cooked her best dinner, and Humphrey and Pablo wereat home to receive them.

  "How pleasant it will be, if we are to see you and Clara whenever wesee Edward!" said Alice to Patience. "So far from being sorry thatEdward is with you, I shall be quite glad of it."

  "I water the flowers every day," said Edith, "and they make the gardenlook so gay."

  "I will bring you plenty more in the autumn, Edith; but this is not theright time for transplanting flowers yet," replied Patience. "And now,Alice, you must take me to see your farm, for when I was here last Ihad no time; let us come now, and show me every thing."

  "But my dinner, Patience; I can not leave it, or it will be spoiled,and that will never do. You must either go with Edith now, or wait tillafter dinner, when I can get away."

  "Well, then, we will stay till after dinner, Alice, and we will helpyou to serve it up."

  "Thank you; Pablo generally does that, for Edith can not reach down thethings. I don't know where he is."

  "He went away with Edward and Humphrey I think," said Edith. "I'llscold him when he comes back, for being out of the way."

  "Never mind, Edith, I can reach the dishes," said Patience, "and youand Clara can then take them, and the platters, and put them on thetable for Alice."

  And Patience did as she proposed, and the dinner was soon afterward onthe table. There was a ham, and two boiled fowls, and a piece of saltedbeef, and some roasted kid, besides potatoes and green peas; and whenit is considered that such a dinner was bet on the table by such youngpeople left entirely to their own exertions and industry, it must beadmitted that it did then and their farm great credit.

  In the mean time, Edward and Humphrey, after the first greetings wereover, had walked out to converse, while Pablo had taken the horses intothe stable.

  "Well, Humphrey how do you get on?"

  "Very well," replied Humphrey. "I have just finished a very tough job.I have dug out the saw-pit, and have sawed the slabs for the sides ofthe pit, and made it quite secure. The large fir-tree that was blowndown is now at the pit, ready for sawing up into planks, and Pablo andI are to commence to-morrow. At first we made but a bad hand of sawingoff the slabs, but before we had cut them all, we got on pretty wellPablo don't much like it, and indeed no more do I much, it is suchmechanical work, and so tiring; but he does not complain--I do notintend that he shall saw more than two days in a week; that will besufficient: we shall get on fast enough.

  "You are right, Humphrey; it is an old saying, that you must not work awilling horse to death. Pablo is very willing, but hard work he is notaccustomed to.

  "Well, now you must come and look at my flock of goats, Edward, theyare not far off. I have taught Holdfast to take care of them, and henever leaves them now, and brings them home at night. Watch alwaysremains with me, and is an excellent dog, and very intelligent."

  "You have indeed a fine flock, Humphrey!" said Edward.

  "Yes, and they are improved in appearance already since they have beenhere. Alice has got her geese and ducks, and I have made a place largeenough for them to wash in, until I have time to dig them out a pond."

  "I thought we had gathered more hay than you required; but with thisaddition, I think you will find none to spare before the spring."

  "So far from it, that I have been mowing down a great deal more,Edward, and it is almost ready to carry away. Poor Billy has had hardwork of it, I assure you, since he came back, with one thing andanother."

  "Poor fellow! but it won't last long, Humphrey," said Edward, smiling;"the other horses will soon take his place."

  "I trust they will," said Humphrey, "at all events by next spring;before that I do not expect that they will."

  "By-the-by, Humphrey, you recollect what I said to you that the robberI shot told me just before he died."

  "Yes, I do recollect it now," replied Humphrey; "but I had quiteforgotten all about it till you mentioned it now, although I wrote itdown that we might not forget it."

  "Well, I have been thinking all about it, Humphrey. The robber told methat the money was mine, taking me for another person; therefore I donot consider it was given to me, nor do I consider that it was his togive. I hardly know what to do about it, nor to whom the money can besaid to belong."

  "Well, I think I can answer that question. The property of allmalefactors belongs to the king; and therefore this money belongs tothe king; and we may retain it for the king, or use it for his service."

  "Yes, it would have belonged to the king, had the man been condemned,and hung on the gallows as he deserved; but he was not, and therefore Ithink that it does not belong to the king."

  "Then it belongs to whoever finds it, and who keeps it till it isclaimed--which will never be."

  "I think I must speak to the intendant about
it," replied Edward; "Ishould feel more comfortable."

  "Then do so," replied Humphrey; "I think you are right to have noconcealments from him."

  "But, Humphrey," replied Edward, laughing, "what silly fellows we are!we do not yet know whether we shall find any thing; we must first seeif there is any thing buried there; and when we have done so, then wewill decide how to act. I shall, if it please God, be over again in afortnight, and in the mean time, do you find out the place, andascertain if what the fellow said is true."

  "I will," replied Humphrey. "I will go to-morrow, with Billy and thecart, and take a spade and pickax with me. It may be a fool's errand,but still they say, and one would credit, for the honor of humannature, that the words of a dying man are those of truth. We had bettergo back now, for I think dinner must be ready."

  Now that they had become so intimate with Patience Heatherstone--and, Imay add, so fond of her--there was no longer any restraint, and theyhad a very merry dinner party; and after dinner, Patience went out withAlice and Edith, and looked over the garden and farm. She wished verymuch to ascertain if there was any thing that they required, but shecould discover but few things, and those only trifles; but sherecollected them all, and sent them to the cottage a few daysafterward. But the hour of parting arrived, for it was a long rideback, and they could not stay any longer if they wished to get homebefore dark, as Mr. Heatherstone had requested Edward that they shoulddo; so the horses were brought out, and wishing good-by, they set offagain--little Edith crying after them, "Come again soon! Patience, youmust come again soon!"