he bed, but he could not sleep. He
turned and turned again, and his brain was teeming with thoughts and
plans of vengeance. Had he said his prayers that night, he would have
been obliged to repeat, "Forgive us, as we forgive them who trespass
against us." At last he fell fast asleep, but his dreams were wild, and
he often called out during the night, and woke his brother and sisters.

CHAPTER THREE.

The next morning, as soon as Jacob had given the children their
breakfast, he set off towards Arnwood. He knew that Benjamin had stated
his intention to return with the horse and see what had taken place, and
he knew him well enough to feel sure that he would do so. He thought it
better to see him, if possible, and ascertain the fate of Miss Judith.
Jacob arrived at the still smoking ruins of the mansion, and found
several people there, mostly residents within a few miles, some
attracted by curiosity, others busy in collecting the heavy masses of
lead which had been melted from the roof, and appropriating them to
their own benefit; but much of it was still too hot to be touched, and
they were throwing snow on it to cool it, for it had snowed during the
night. At last Jacob perceived Benjamin on horseback riding leisurely
towards him, and immediately went up to him.

"Well, Benjamin, this is a woeful sight. What is the news from
Lymington?"

"Lymington is full of troopers, and they are not over civil," replied
Benjamin.

"And the old lady--where is she?"

"Ah, that's a sad business," replied Benjamin, "and the poor children,
too. Poor Master Edward! He would have made a brave gentleman."

"But the old lady is safe," rejoined Jacob. "Did you see her?"

"Yes, I saw her; they thought she _was_ King Charles--poor old soul."

"But they have found out their mistake by this time?"

"Yes, and James Southwold has found it out too," replied Benjamin; "to
think of the old lady breaking his neck!"

"Breaking his neck? You don't say so! How was it?"

"Why, it seems that Southwold thought that she was King Charles dressed
up as an old woman, so he seized her and strapped her fast behind him,
and galloped away with her to Lymington; but she struggled and kicked so
manfully, that he could not hold on, and off they went together, and he
broke his neck."

"Indeed!--a judgment--a judgment upon a traitor," said Jacob.

"They were picked up, strapped together as they were, by the other
troopers, and carried to Ly