come three miles out of my road on purpose to call upon you. I believe,
Sir, you are acquainted with my brother, Mr. John Pike, of Tiverton,
teacher of a dissenting congregation of that place; and you have
undoubtedly heard something of his brother Roger Pike, which unfortunate
man I am, having been taken prisoner coming from Boston in New England,
by two French privateers, and carried into Boulogne, where we were
cruelly treated. Alack, alack! said the parson; pray come in, good Mr.
Roger. I am indeed very well acquainted with that worthy servant of God,
your brother, Mr. John Pike, and a gracious man he is; I have likewise
heard him mention his brother Roger. He then ordered some victuals and
drink to be instantly brought out for good Roger Pike. While he was
eating, he inquired how he got away from Boulogne. He replied, that
twenty-five of them had broken out of prison, and seized upon a vessel,
in the harbour, by which they had got safe to the English coast. Well,
said the parson, what news did you hear in France? It is reported there,
replied he, that the rebels are very powerful in Scotland, and that great
numbers are gone over to them safe from France. Stop a little, Roger,
cried the parson; and running up stairs, soon after came down with a
letter in his hand, which he read to him, wherein it was said that the
rebels were very powerful; then shaking his head very sorrowfully, cried,
indeed, Mr. Pike, I cannot be at ease, for they say they will make us
examples, on account of the 30th of January. Never fear them, Sir, said
Mr. Carew; we shall be a match for them in Devonshire and Cornwall. I am
afraid not, cries the parson, shaking his head again; I have had no rest
for thinking of them these several nights past. After some farther
discourse, he fetched Mr. Pike a good Holland shirt, and clapped a
half-guinea into his hand, entreating him to take a bed with him that
night, for that he should be heartily welcome; but he desired to be
excused, and took his leave with many thanks, and returned to Miss
Hawker's again. Well, Mr. Carew, cried the ladies, you have had a very
long conference with the parson. Ay, ay, replied he, and to good purpose
too, for this shirt and a half-guinea are the fruits of it; and then told
them in what manner he had deceived the parson, which made them laugh
very heartily; they then gave him five shillings, and promised to keep
Mr. Pike's secret for a day or two.

A few days a