CHAPTER II. THE FOREST CONVENTICLE. AT his feet the extensive gorge lay now plainly visible. Bordered on all sides by dark beeches and majestic oaks, it formed a natural church, a cathedral which the power of the Creator had erected with invisible hands. The magnificent trees loomed up like imposing Gothic pillars, and their green tops seemed to be the gigantic organ animated by the Lord's breath. The softened rays of the setting sun stole through the foliage, as if through painted church-windows, filling the gorge now with a golden light, now with a purple glow. The soft turf was a comfortable carpet, and in its centre welled forth a sparkling spring as a baptismal font. The first Christians of England had, perhaps, celebrated their secret rites at the same spot when dangers were still besetting them on all sides. To-day their successors were compelled to resort to the same hiding-places. The whole life of humanity is but a repetition, and one page of the history of the world often bears a most striking resemblance to another. A numerous crowd had assembled here to worship the Lord in the open air and after their own fashion. They were Christians, hated and persecuted by Christians. Their only crime consisted in their refusal to acknowledge the Episcopal Church of England, and in basing their creed exclusively on the Bible and its teachings. Hence, they were obliged to repair to this hiding-place; but God Himself had built for them the church which was refused to them by man, their king, and the then powerful bishops. They had fled hither with their stubborn, immovable courage and faith in God. Men, women, and children, lay around in picturesque groups. On one side a rude pulpit had been constructed with gray slabs of slate piled one above another. On it stood the worthy preacher with silvery hair and beard. His tall, emaciated form was wrapped in a black Genevan coat, devoid of any other marks of distinction. He never would have donned the surplice of the Anglican clergy; for it was an abomination in his eyes, because it reminded him of Babylon and Antichrist, which were the titles he applied to the Roman Catholic Church and the detested Pope. The pale face of the preacher bore distinct traces of profound sufferings and the prison air which he had breathed for a long time. But all these persecutions had been unable to damp his zeal, and no sooner had the faithful pastor been released than he had returned to his anxious flock, ready at any moment to suffer the same martyrdom for the sake of his faith. The Rev. Samuel God-will-be-my-help (such was the name which he had assumed in ac cordance with the custom of the Puritans of that time) awaited the conclusion of the psalm which his congregation was singing, when he delivered one of those impassioned sermons so well calculated to fire the hearts of his audience, and render them proof against the persecutions of the government and the bishops. Round the pulpit and the preacher stood or sat groups of the most different aspect. Thomas, who was concealed merely by the trunk of a tree, was able to distinguish the several persons from his stand-point. Most of those present were poor people, of lowly con dition; but among them was to be seen here and there the form of a wealthier farmer or a well-to-do commoner. It is true, the difference of their costumes was but slight. Nearly all wore plain black woollen doublets and breeches, white stockings, and shoes on which rosettes of darkcolored ribbons filled the places of silver buckles. Their heads were covered with pointed hats, likewise devoid of any ornaments. There were no waving plumes, no golden clasps, or bright-colored trimmings, such as were required by the ostentatious taste of that period. Their hair was clipped even and short around their heads. At that | and coquetry found even under the most untime, when long and neatly-curled ringlets favorable circumstances a way of skilfully were deemed peculiarly becoming, and were adding here a ribbon, there a pretty little generally worn, the reverse could not but be knot. The small white, close-fitting caps imthe more surprising, and therefore called forth parted even a singularly prepossessing appearthe nickname of "Roundheads," which was ance to many a youthful face, and worldly applied to the members of this denomination feeling cropped out now and then notwithby their enemies. They called themselves standing the semblance of austere piety. children of God, or the chosen people. In Thomas, who possessed a most refined taste full harmony with this sombre simplicity of in such matters, noticed among the young dress was an air of gloomy fanaticism prevail- girls several who might have risked a coming in the whole assembly. Almost all faces parison with his beautiful sister Alice. exhibited the same expression of sullen defiance and self-conscious energy. Sufferings of every description had aroused their power of resistance, and the firm conviction of the truth of their principles, and the ultimate victory of the good cause, had imparted to them a pride which was not devoid of haughtiness, and which greatly increased the exasperation of their enemies. It was plainly to be seen that these strong, heavy-built men submitted to circumstances only with inward rage, and that they were waiting impatiently for the day of retribution. A close observer might have read in their faces, besides the marked expression of piety, an almost savage determination; and while their lips were singing the psalm with great unction, their eyes shot fire whenever the words alluded to the adversaries of the Lord—a designation which they applied, of course, to their own hated enemies. The youth made such observations from his hiding-place only long after the notes of the anthem, which had attracted him so powerfully, had died away. After a brief pause, the preacher was about to begin his sermon. The congregation thronged closer round the pulpit, probably to hear better what the worthy minister would say to them. Curiosity, and his adventurous spirit, induced Thomas likewise to leave his safe hiding-place. He stole, slipping along cautiously between the trees, toward the side of the gorge where the pulpit had been erected. This was not noticed by anybody, and the first success restored his former boldness to the daring youth. He had long wished to hear a sermon from a Puritan preacher, and his merry spirit depicted to him the intense enjoyment which he would derive from the speaker's nasal tone and ridiculous gestures; for, in accordance with the universal belief of the Episcopalians, he thought every Puritan minister must preach in that style. After the usual murmuring and hemming, which are heard in all large assemblies on such occasions, had died away, the Rev. Samuel God-will-be-my-help commenced speaking, This austere and repulsive impression was somewhat softened by the presence of the women and children. Even among the former, there were not wanting sombre forms, with hard, disagreeable features; the majority, however, and particularly the younger generation among them, were distinguished for a certain mild enthusiasm, which lent an additional | amidst a silence so profound, that the rustling charm to their generally fresh and beautiful of the foliage in the breeze and the bubbling faces. Their dress, too, notwithstanding its of the spring were distinctly to be heard. The Puritanie simplicity, was not so monotonous men looked grave and gloomy, and even the and sombre as that of the men. Female vanity female part of the congregation manifested * unusual attention. It was evident that these people yearned sincerely for the Word of God, for the sake of which they had come from distant parts of the country, and were incurring the greatest dangers. "People of Israel, listen to me," said the minister, in a low, tremulous voice, which, during the progress of the sermon, became louder and louder. "Your enemies are increasing from day to day, and the number of your adversaries is legion; but fear not, for the Lord is with you. He will be your protector, and strike down your adversaries with the strength of His arm. A king has arisen in our midst worse than Pharaoh, who oppressed the chosen people, and imposed the most laborious services on them; but we still likewise have a Moses, who will strike him down with the keen edge of his sword, and bury him and his whole host in the deep bed of the sea. Bear with patience the sufferings which you have to endure, and resist the temptations to which you are exposed; for the plagues of Egypt will come upon the tyrant and his evil advisers. He is intent on compelling you to worship the foreign idols, and bend your knees after the fashion of Rome. His bishops are strutting about in unholy vestments, and smell of superstition and idolatry. Woe to them! They leave untried no means to induce the pious flock to deviate from the right path. They threaten the true believers with shackles and imprisonment, and lacerate their backs with sharp scourges. Who is there among us that could not bear testimony to their cruel rigor ? " A low murmur of assent broke the solemn stillness for a moment. On remembering the oppressions which they had undergone, the men clinched their fists involuntarily, and their threatening faces betrayed only too plainly the rage which they restrained with difficulty. "Heavy penalties in person or property," continued the aged minister, "have been in | flicted more or less upon us all; but the sun will sooner deviate from his course, and rise in the west instead of the east, than we should prove recreant to the Lord and His commandments. He will not forsake His faithful believers, but raise them from the dust to greater splendor. Only a brief space of time, and all Israel will rise as one man, and wreak vengeance on his tormentors. I tell you, and the Lord speaketh out of my mouth, the day will soon dawn when the children of God shall enter the New Jerusalem. Then the chosen people will rejoice exceedingly, and the impious wretches will tremble on account of their ruthlessness. Therefore, be glad and hopeful, bear new burdens with patience, until the moment comes when you may throw them off. But we will not await the day of retribution in vain idleness. Let the peasant grind his scythe, for the harvest is drawing nigh; let the warrior whet his sword for the bloody work which is in store for us. Up, up, my people; prepare for the day of retribution; arm your hands, and unfurl your holy standard!" The preacher paused again, exhausted by his effort. His fragile body was no longer sufficient for the fiery zeal of this soul, exasperated by all sorts of sufferings and persecutions. He tried to gather fresh strength, in order to continue in the same violent strain. While he was speaking, his deep-lying eyes, concealed under the gray shaggy brows, shot fire, and his emaciated form seemed to grow in size. His words fired the sufficiently prepared and susceptible hearts of his audience. The whole congregation was carried away and plunged into a state of violent excitement. Old and new wrongs which they had endured rankled in the breasts of the men, and they remembered with gnashing teeth the tortures which they had suffered but recently. Somewhat different was the impression which the sermon produced upon the youth who happened to have fallen among these enthusiasts. He could not laugh at it as he had expected at first, for his own position was too alarming for that, and the bearing of the whole assembly was too grave and stern. A mixture of sympathy and repugnance captivated him in spite of himself. The son of the Lord President of Wales had been educated in the strictest principles of loyalty and attachment to his king and the Episcopal Church of England, and he shared, moreover, the prejudices of his age, and of most of the members of his class, against the votaries of Puritanism. Their austere, morose bearing, and their simple, sombre costume were looked upon as hypocrisy, and were by no means calculated to enlist the sympathies of merry youths and overbearing courtiers. The seditious words of the preacher wounded his loyal feelings; nevertheless, he could not deny that what he heard and saw exhibited a certain dignity and simple grandeur. He was fascinated in spite of himself, and disregarded the requirements of caution, so far as to give up his reserve, and approach gradually closer and closer to the circle of the audience. While the worthy minister was speaking, his sermon engrossed the attention of the congregation so exclusively, that they overlooked the appearance of the young newcomer. It was only during the pause now ensuing that the immediate bystanders perceived him. The presence of a stranger, whose rich and striking dress, and defiant bearing, seemed to indicate that he was an impudent intruder and an enemy of the children of God, was sufficient to inflame still further the excitement already prevailing among the Puritans. The rage and hatred of the assembly had suddenly found a definite target. The rash youth was immediately surrounded by a threatening crowd; wild and distrustful glances met him, and loud imprecations burst forth in whatever direction he tried to turn. The universal exasperation increased from second to second. Already some of the men had stretched out their arms toward him; already Thomas, who awoke only now to a full sense of his dangerous position, had put his hand on the hilt of his sword, in order, if need be, to repel violence by violence, even though without any prospect of success; when, all at once, a vigorous gentleman of distinguished and almost chivalrous bearing, ordered the excited crowd to be still. The preacher, too, being prevented by the sudden uproar from resuming the thread of his sermon, had descended from the pulpit and hastened to the scene of the disturbance as quickly as his infirmity permitted. "Who is this youth, and what does he want here?" asked the before-mentioned gentleman, who seemed to exercise a certain authority over the Puritans. "A spy who has watched us and intends to betray us," cried the men on all sides. "You lie!" replied Thomas, courageously. "An accident has brought me hither and made me a witness of your meeting. What should your cant and sanctimonious doings concern me otherwise? I care not so much as that about them." "Hear the impious rascal!" roared the furious crowd. "Down with the wretch, down with the son of Belial!" The imprudent words which the rash youth had uttered had aggravated his danger materially. Vainly did the aged minister and his companion endeavor to allay the fury of the excited congregation. Some of the men laid their hands upon Thomas, who, with quick determination, now unsheathed his sword. However, before he had been able to make a dangerous use of his weapon, it had already been wrested from his hand. Thus disarmed, the youth was exposed to the wrath of his exasperated adversaries. He stamped angrily with his foot, and his impotent rage drew a tear from his eye. Thus he stood, with glowing cheeks and defiant face, in the midst of the crowd. The women, too, had hastened to the spot, and were now contemplating, with a mixture of ness. I request you once more, sir, to give compassion and anxiety, the handsome youth, me your name." who seemed to them by no means so dangerous as he did to the rude and distrustful men. The sight of the flashing blade, which fortunately had done no further harm, had filled them with increased rage. The imprecations and threats levelled at the intruder became more violent from minute to minute. Only the presence of the worthy minister and the other gentleman protected Thomas from corporal injuries. After reëstablishing some degree of order, these two held a brief consultation. They spoke in a low whisper of the entirely unexpected incident which, to them also, seemed fraught with danger. While this consultation was going on, the congregation observed a grave and measured attitude toward the prisoner, whose arms were held by two strong men, for the purpose of rendering it impossible for him to escape or offer further resistance. After a short pause, during which Thomas had had an opportunity to indulge in not overpleasant reflections upon the predicament in which he was placed, the gentleman who seemed to be leader or elder of the congregation approached and addressed him. "You have intruded in a manner entirely uncalled for into this asylum," he said to the youth, with calm dignity. "Our safety requires me to put to you some questions which you will answer frankly and truthfully. Above all things give me your name." "I do not know with what right you dare subject me to a regular examination," replied Thomas, whose defiant spirit was not broken, but rather strengthened by the danger. “Our right is the right of the stronger, and we make the same use of it to-day as our adversaries. Take the advice of an older and more experienced man, and do not aggravate your position by such untimely supercilious "I shall not do so before you have told me yours." This bold reply excited another outburst of indignation among the Puritans, and it required all the authority of their leader to quiet the exasperated men. After he had succeeded in so doing, he turned with a smile to the rash youth. "I do not know," he replied, "why I should conceal my name from you. It is Overton." "Overton, Sir John Overton!" exclaimed the youth, in surprise. "Your name is not unknown to me. If I am not mistaken, I have heard it mentioned repeatedly, and with great respect, at my father's house. You are, therefore, a cavalier like myself.” "Now you will certainly not hesitate to comply with my request, and will no longer conceal your name from me." "My name is Thomas Egerton." "Son of the Lord President of Wales." "And I can 'bear witness that the young man tells you the truth," interposed a deep, grave voice, which issued from the mouth of a gloomy-looking old man. Thomas turned his eyes involuntarily to the side where stood the speaker, whom he had not hitherto noticed in the crowd. He likewise now recognized the old man, by whose side was standing a lovely young girl in the costume of the rural population. Her blue eyes met the dark ones of the youth, and a sudden blush suffused the fine and highly-expressive face of the beautiful girl. No one in the assembly took any notice of this brief intermezzo, and yet it was a significant meeting after a long separation. The features of the young girl awakened many feelings and reminiscences in the soul of the youth. Lucy Henderson (that was the name of the old man's daughter) had been Alice's foster-sister and the playmate of her brothers while they |