said I: "what a hurry you are in! I am for the
King of course."

"But not enough to fight for him. Only enough to vote, I suppose, or
drink his health, or shout for him."

"I can't make you out to-day, Cousin Ruth; you are nearly as bad as
Lizzie. You do not say any bitter things, but you seem to mean them."

"No, cousin, think not so of me. It is far more likely that I say them,
without meaning them."

"Anyhow, it is not like you. And I know not what I can have done in any
way, to vex you."

"Dear me, nothing, Cousin Ridd; you never do anything to vex me."

"Then I hope I shall do something now, Ruth, when I say good-bye. God
knows if we ever shall meet again, Ruth: but I hope we may."

"To be sure we shall," she answered in her brightest manner. "Try not
to look wretched, John: you are as happy as a Maypole."

"And you as a rose in May," I said; "and pretty nearly as pretty. Give
my love to Uncle Ben; and I trust him to keep on the winning side."

"Of that you need have no misgivings. Never yet has he failed of it.
Now, Cousin Ridd, why go you not? You hurried me so at breakfast time?"

"My only reason for waiting, Ruth, is that you have not kissed me, as
you are almost bound to do, for the last time perhaps of seeing me."

"Oh, if that is all, just fetch the stool; and I will do my best,
cousin."

"I pray you be not so vexatious; you always used to do it nicely,
without any stool, Ruth."

"Ah, but you are grown since then, and become a famous man, John Ridd,
and a member of the nobility. Go your way, and win your spurs. I want no
lip-service."

Being at the end of my wits, I did even as she ordered me. At least I
had no spurs to win, because there were big ones on my boots, paid for
in the Easter bill, and made by a famous saddler, so as never to clog
with marsh-weed, but prick as hard as any horse, in reason, could
desire. And Kickums never wanted spurs; but always went tail-foremost,
if anybody offered them for his consideration.

[Illustration: 595.jpg Tailpiece]

CHAPTER LXIV

SLAUGHTER IN THE MARSHES

[Illustration: 596.jpg James I.]

We rattled away at a merry pace, out of the town of Dulverton; my horse
being gaily fed, and myself quite fit again for going. Of course I was
puzzled about Cousin Ruth; for her behaviour was not at all such as I
had expected; and indeed I had hoped for a far more loving and moving
farewell than I got from her. But I said to myself, "It is useless ever