ould be granted in the way
he should take.

Hereupon they separated, wishing each other "God speed."

Through the darkness and tempest of that fearful night George Marsh
approached the town, where, in a narrow lane leading from the brow of
the hill by the church, abode his mother and her youngest son. Raising
the latch, he saw the old woman alone, seated by the fire, weeping.

"Praised be His mercy, thou art yet safe!" said she, clasping her
withered hands together. "They have again been here to seek for thee,
and I was fearful thou hadst not escaped their power."

"Who has been here, and from whence?"

"Divers of Justice Barton's servants were here again, not an hour ago,
who have charged thy brother Robert and thy cousin William Marsh to seek
for thee, and by to-morrow, ere noon, to render thee up at Smethells.
They are now gone to Atherton, and elsewhere, for aught I know."

"Then may I not tarry here to-night?"

"Nay, I beseech thee, flee for thy life. In tarrying here shall thou not
escape; for a man's enemies are now truly those of his own household."

Marsh, after a pause, determined to listen to her advice, and departed.

Cold and weary, he retraced his steps, going beyond Dean Church, where,
at a friend's house, he staid for the night, "taking ill rest," as he
quaintly expresses it in his journal, "and consulting much with myself
of my trouble." He expected, or at least hoped, that some intimation
would be vouchsafed from his Master as touching the way he should
pursue, but none was granted; and he lay there, full of tossing and
unquiet, the greater part of the night. On the following morning, at his
first awaking, which was early, being still in heaviness, and not
knowing what to do, came another friend to his bedside, who advised him
that he should in no wise depart, but abide boldly, and confess the
faith. At these words he felt so convinced, and, as it were, suddenly
established in his conscience, that he doubted not, as he says, but the
message was from God. He thenceforth consulted not with flesh and blood,
but resolved on immediately presenting himself before his persecutors,
and patiently bearing such cross as it might please Heaven to lay upon
him.

He arose betimes, and as his custom was, recited the English Litany,
with other prayers, kneeling by his bedside; after which he prepared to
go towards Smethells, calling, as he went, at the dwellings of several
whom he knew, desiring them to pra