Edward and Humphrey pressed the
old man very hard to let one of them go, but the only answer they
could obtain was "that he'd be better soon." At last, finding that he
got worse instead of better, he consented that Edward should go. He
gave directions how to proceed, the way he was to take, and a
description of the keeper's lodge; cautioned him to call himself by
the name of Armitage, and describe himself as his grandson. Edward
promised to obey Jacob's directions, and the next morning he set off,
mounted upon White Billy, with a little money in his pocket in case he
should want it.
"I wish I was going with you," said Humphrey, as he walked by the side
of the pony.
"I wish you were, Humphrey: for my part, I feel as if I were a slave
set at liberty. I do justice to old Jacob's kindness and good will,
and acknowledge how much we are indebted to him; but still to be
housed up here in the forest, never seeing or speaking to any one,
shut out from the world, does not sun Edward Beverley. Our father was
a soldier, and a right good one, and if I were old enough I think even
now I should escape and join the royal party, broken as it may be and
by all accounts is, at this moment. Deer stalking is all very well,
but I fly at higher game.
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