r gun?"

"I always carry my gun," replied Edward.

"In pursuit of game?"

"No, sir, I was not. I have never been out in pursuit of game during
night-time in my life."

"What were you then about? You did not go out for nothing?"

"I went out to commune with my own thoughts: I was restless, and I
wandered about without knowing where I went, and that is the reason why
I lost my way."

"And pray what may have excited you?"

"I will tell you: I was over with Oswald Partridge the day before; you
had just arrived from London, and he gave me the news that King Charles
had been proclaimed in Scotland, and that news unsettled me."

"Well, proceed."

Edward met with no more interruption in his narrative. He stated
briefly all that had taken place, from the time he fell in with the
robbers till the winding up of the catastrophe.

The clerk took down all that Edward had stated, and then read it over to
him, to ascertain if he had written it down correctly, and then inquired
of Edward if he could read and write.

"I should hope so," replied Edward, taking the pen and signing his name.

The clerk stared, and then said, "People in your condition do not often
know how to read and write, Mr Forester, and therefore you need not be
offended at the question."

"Very true," replied Edward. "May I ask if my presence is considered
any longer to be necessary?"

"You stated that there was a boy in the house, young man," said the
Intendant: "what has become of him?"

"He is removed to my cottage."

"Why did you do so?"

"Because when his father died I promised to him that I would take care
of his child; and I intend to keep my word."

"You had spoken with him, then, before he died?" said the Intendant.

"Not so; it was all carried on by signs on his part, but it was as
intelligible as if he spoke, and what I replied he well understood; and
I really think I removed a great anxiety off his mind by giving him the
promise."

The Intendant paused, and then said, "I perceive that some articles have
been removed--the bedding, for instance--have you taken anything away?"

"I have removed bedding, for I had no bed to offer to the lad, and he
told me that the cottage and furniture belonged to his father; of course
by his father's death it became his, and I felt that I was warranted in
so doing."

"May I ask, did you remove any papers?"

"I cannot tell; the lad packed up his own things; there were some boxes
removed, which