friend, and found
him propped up with cushions upon his couch, breathing with some pain,
but as bright and merry as ever. Our prisoner, Major Ogilvy, who had
conceived a warm affection for us, sat by his side and read aloud to him
out of an old book of plays.

'This wound hath come at an evil moment,' said Reuben impatiently.
'Is it not too much that a little prick like this should send my men
captainless into battle, after all our marching and drilling? I have
been present at the grace, and am cut off from the dinner.'

'Your company hath been joined to mine,' I answered, 'though, indeed,
the honest fellows are cast down at not having their own captain. Has
the physician been to see you?'

'He has left even now,' said Major Ogilvy. 'He pronounces our friend to
be doing right well, but hath warned me against allowing him to talk.'

'Hark to that, lad!' said I, shaking my finger at him. 'If I hear a word
from you I go. You will escape a rough waking this night, Major. What
think you of our chance?'

'I have thought little of your chance from the first,' he replied
frankly. 'Monmouth is like a ruined gamester, who is now putting his
last piece upon the board. He cannot win much, and he may lose all.'

'Nay, that is a hard saying,' said I. 'A success might set the whole of
the Midlands in arms.'

'England is not ripe for it,' the Major answered, with a shake of his
head. 'It is true that it has no fancy either for Papistry or for a
Papist King, but we know that it is but a passing evil, since the next
in succession, the Prince of Orange, is a Protestant. Why, then, should
we risk so many evils to bring that about which time and patience must,
perforce, accomplish between them? Besides, the man whom ye support has
shown that he is unworthy of confidence. Did he not in his declaration
promise to leave the choice of a monarch to the Commons? And yet, in
less than a week, he proclaimed himself at Taunton Market Cross! Who
could believe one who has so little regard for truth?'

'Treason, Major, rank treason,' I answered, laughing. 'Yet if we could
order a leader as one does a coat we might, perchance, have chosen
one of a stronger texture. We are in arms not for him, but for the old
liberties and rights of Englishmen. Have you seen Sir Gervas?'

Major Ogilvy, and even Reuben, burst out laughing. 'You will find him
in the room above,' said our prisoner. 'Never did a famous toast prepare
herself for a court ball as he i