That by the burning of
the mansion they might have perished in the flames, had they been in
bed, as they would have been at that hour, had he not obtained
intelligence of what was about to be done, is true; but that there was
any danger to them on account of their father having been such a
stanch supporter of the king's cause, is very unlikely, and not borne
out by the history of the times: but the old forester thought
otherwise; he had a hatred of the Puritans, and their deeds had been
so exaggerated by rumor, that he fully believed that the lives of the
children were not safe. Under this conviction, and feeling himself
bound by his promise to Colonel Beverley to protect them, Jacob
resolved that they should live with him in the forest, and be brought
up as his own grandchildren. He knew that there could be no better
place for concealment; for, except the keepers, few people knew where
his cottage was; and it was so out of the usual paths, and so
imbosomed in lofty trees, that there was little chance of its being
seen, or being known to exist. He resolved, therefore, that they
should remain with him till better times; and then he would make known
their existence to the other branches of the family, but not before.
"I can hunt for them, and provide for them," thought he, "and I have a
little money, when it is required; and I will teach them to be useful;
they must learn to provide for themselves.
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