that you made, and you are master of
the hunt this day, Edward. Now, I'll remain, and you go home for White
Billy; Humphrey is right about the cart. If we had one, we could have
carried all home at once; but I must go now and cut the throat of the
other stag which you killed so cleverly. You will be a good hunter one
of these days, Edward. A little more knowledge, and a little more
practice, and I will leave it all to you, and hang my gun up over the
chimney."

It was late in the evening before they had made their two trips and
taken all the venison home, and very tired were they before it was all
safely housed. Edward was delighted with his success, but not more so
than was old Jacob. The next morning Jacob set off for Lymington, with
the pony loaded with venison, which he sold, as well as two more loads
which he promised to bring the next day, and the day after. He then
looked out for a cart, and was fortunate in finding a small one just
fitted to the size of the pony, who was not tall, but very strong, as
all New Forest ponies are. He also procured harness, and then put Billy
in the cart to draw him home; but Billy did not admire being put in a
cart, and for some time was very restive, and backed and reared, and
went every way but the right; but by dint of coaxing and leading, he at
last submitted, and went straight on: but then the noise of the cart
behind him frightened him, and he ran away. At last, having tired
himself out, he thought that he might as well go quietly in harness, as
he could not get out of it; and he did so, and arrived safe at the
cottage. Humphrey was delighted at the sight of the cart, and said that
now they should get on well. The next day Jacob contrived to put all
the remainder of the venison in the cart, and White Billy made no more
difficulty; he dragged it all to Lymington, and returned with the cart
as quietly and cleverly as if he had been in harness all his life.

"Well, Edward, the venison paid for the cart, at all events," said
Jacob, "and now, I will tell you all the news I collected while I was at
Lymington. Captain Burly, who attempted to incite the people to rescue
the king, has been hung, drawn, and quartered, as a traitor."

"They are traitors who condemned him," replied Edward in wrath.

"Yes, so they are; but there is better news, which is, that the Duke of
York has escaped to Holland."

"Yes, that is good news; and the king?"

"He is still a prisoner in Ca