risk as well as he."

He felt better satisfied the next minute, as he glanced sidewise at the
bold, manly bearing of the captain, mounted on the splendid,
well-trained charger.

"Captain Murray can take care of himself," he thought; and the feelings
which were shut within his breast grew into a sensation of excitement
that was almost pleasurable.

"Quite countrified out here, Frank," said the captain suddenly, as the
road began to ascend; and after passing Highbury the houses grew scarce,
being for the most part citizens' mansions. "Don't be down-hearted, my
lad. The law is very curious. It is a strong castle for our defence,
but full of loopholes by which a man may escape."

"Escape?" cried Frank excitedly. "You think he may escape?"

"I hope so, and I'd give something now if my oaths were not taken, and I
could do something in the way of striking a blow for your father's
liberty."

For a few minutes the boy felt eagerly ready to confess all he knew; but
the words which had raised the desire served also to check it. "If my
oaths were not taken," Captain Murray had said; and he was the very soul
of honour, and would not break his allegiance to his King.

"My father did," thought the boy sadly. Then he brightened. "No," he
thought, "the King broke it, and set him free by banishing him from his
service."

"How do you get on with your horse, lad?--Walk." The horses changed
their pace at the word. The hill was getting steep.

"Oh, I get on capitally. It's like sitting in an easy-chair. I haven't
been on a horse for a year."

"Then you learned to ride well, Frank. Find the advantage of having
your boots, though. Fancy a ride like this in silk stockings and
shoes!--You ought to go into the cavalry some day."

Frank sighed.

"Bah! Don't look at the future as being all black, boy. Stick to Hope,
the lady who carries the anchor. One never knows what may turn up."

"No, one never knows what may turn up," cried the boy excitedly; and
then he checked himself in dread lest his companion should read his
thoughts respecting the rescue. But the captain's next words set him at
rest.

"That's right, my lad. Try and keep a stout heart. Steep hill this.
Do you know where we are?"

"Only that we are on the great north road."

"Yes. When we are on the top of this hill, we shall be in the village
of Highgate; and if it was daylight, we could see all London if we
looked back, and the country right away