CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. The Eve of the War
CHAPTER II. For the King
CHAPTER III. A Brawl at Oxford
CHAPTER IV. Breaking Prison
CHAPTER V. A Mission of State
CHAPTER VI. A Narrow Escape
CHAPTER VII. In a Hot Place
CHAPTER VIII. The Defense of an Outpost
CHAPTER IX. A Stubborn Defense
CHAPTER X. The Commissioner of the Convention
CHAPTER XI. Montrose
CHAPTER XII. An Escape from Prison
CHAPTER XIII. Public Events
CHAPTER XIV. An Attempt to Rescue the King
CHAPTER XV. A Riot in the City
CHAPTER XVI. The Execution of King Charles
CHAPTER XVII. The Siege of Drogheda
CHAPTER XVIII. Slaves in the Bermudas
CHAPTER XIX. A Sea Fight
CHAPTER XX. With the Scotch Army
CHAPTER XXI. The Path Across the Morass
CHAPTER XXII. Kidnaped
CHAPTER XXIII. The Battle of Worcester
CHAPTER XXIV. Across the Sea.
CHAPTER XXV. A Plot Overheard
CHAPTER XXVI. Rest at Last
FRIENDS, THOUGH DIVIDED.
CHAPTER I.
THE EVE OF THE WAR.
It was a pleasant afternoon in the month of July, 1642, when three young
people sat together on a shady bank at the edge of a wood some three
miles from Oxford. The country was undulating and picturesque, and a
little more than a mile in front of them rose the lofty spire of St.
Helen's, Abingdon. The party consisted of two lads, who were about
fifteen years of age, and a girl of ten. The lads, although of about the
same height and build, were singularly unlike. Herbert Rippinghall was
dark and grave, his dress somber in hue, but good in material and well
made. Harry Furness was a fair and merry-looking boy; good humor was the
distinguishing characteristic of his face; his somewhat bright and
fashionably cut clothes were carelessly put on, and it was clear that no
thought of his own appearance or good looks entered his mind. He wore
his hair in ringlets, and had on his head a broad hat of felt with a
white feather, while his companion wore a plain cap, and his hair was
cut closely to his head.
"It is a bad business, Harry," the latter said, "but, there is one
satisfaction that, come what may, nothing can disturb our friendship. We
have never had a quarrel since we first met at the old school down
there, six years ago. We have been dear friends always, and my only
regret has been that your laziness has prevented our being rivals, for
neither would have grudged the other victory."
