He had decided to
conduct his two friends to the cottage that night, and the next
morning to ride over in his Parliamentary costume to the intendant's
house, and bring the first news of the success of Cromwell and the
defeat at Worcester; by which stratagem it would appear as if he had
been with the Parliamentary, and not with the Jacobite, army.
As they had traveled along, they found that the news of Cromwell's
success had not yet arrived: in those times there was not the rapidity
of communication that we now have, and Edward thought it very probable
that he would be the first to communicate the intelligence to the
intendant and those who resided near him.
As soon as it was dusk the three travelers left their retreat, and,
guided by Edward, soon arrived at the cottage. Their appearance at
first created no little consternation, for Humphrey and Pablo happened
to be in the yard, when they heard the clattering of the swords and
accouterments, and through the gloom observed, as they advanced, that
the party were troopers. At first, Humphrey was for running on and
barring the door; but, on a second reflection, he felt that he could
not do a more imprudent thing if there was danger; and he therefore
contented himself with hastily imparting the intelligence to his
sisters, and then remaining at the threshold to meet the coming of the
parties.
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