riends. I would not wave at first; I was surly; but after
about a minute I waved my hat to her. Then I set off up the road to Mr.
Blick's. Ten minutes later, I was in Mr. Blick's house, telling him all
that I have now told you.

Mr. Blick kept me in his house for a day or two less than four weeks,
when business took him to Exeter. I went with him; for he gave out that
he was taking me to school there, as his dead sister had wished. His
real reason was to pass the word through the country that King Monmouth
was coming. He was one of the few men in full knowledge of the Duke's
plans; but as we went about from town to town, spreading the word among
the faithful, I saw that the Duke was expected by vast numbers of the
country folk. Our clients were not much among the gentry; they hung by
themselves, as, in this country, they always will, in times of popular
stir. But among the poorer people, such as small farmers, or common
labouring men, we were looked for as men sent from on high. At more than
one little quiet village, when we went into the inn-parlour, we saw the
men looking at us, half frightened, half expectant, as though we, being
strangers, must needs have news of the King for whom they longed. Often
some publican or maltster would tell us that Gyle (their name for the
unfortunate Argyle, then a defeated man in Scotland, if not already put
to death for his rebellion) was taken, looking at us carefully as he
spoke, for fear lest we should be of the wrong side. Then, if we seemed
sympathetic, he would tell us how perhaps another would have better luck
elsewhere. After that, we would tell our news. It was dangerous work,
though, carrying that message across the country. In many of the towns
we found guards of the Devon red regiment of militia. I am quite sure
that if Mr. Blick had not had me by his side, as an excellent excuse
for travelling to Exeter, he would have been lodged in gaol as a
suspicious character. The soldiers had arrested many travellers already;
the gaols were full. King James's great man in those parts, the Earl of
Albemarle, knew very well that something was in the air; but as he was a
great lord the hearts of the poor were hidden from him. He had no
guess of what was planning. In a way, the Duke's affairs were very well
planned. The eastern end of Devon, all Somerset, with the western end of
Dorset, were all ripe to rise, directly he appeared. They knew that he
was coming; they were prepared to join h