Egbaston, and had better lose no time in joining them. You are known to me, my masters,' he added, in a tone that could not be heard by the household; but I will not betray you. Get you gone.'

The conspirators did not fail to act upon the suggestion, and as soon as they got out of sight, struck across the country in the direction of Rowley Regis, and arrived at the farm-house which was their destination, in about an hour.

Pelborrow chanced to be in a barn adjoining his house, and alone, and on seeing them readily offered to hide them. No one had noticed their approach, and carefully concealing them amid the hay in the loft, he proceeded about his business as if nothing had happened. He could not just then procure them provisions without exciting suspicion, but when night arrived, brought them a sufficient supply for the next day. In this way they passed nearly a week, never venturing to stir forth, for they had been traced to the neighbourhood, and constant search was going on after them. Pelborrow had great difficulty in keeping his men out of the barn, and the disappearance of the provisions excited the suspicions of his female domestics, who began to think all was not right.

He therefore intimated to the conspirators that they must change their quarters, and in the dead of the night they removed to the house of another farmer named Perkes, residing on the borders of Hagley Park, to whom Pelborrow had confided the secret of their being in the neighbourhood, and who, on the promise of a large reward, readily undertook to secrete them.

Perkes met them at a little distance from his house, and conducted them to a barley-mow, where he had contrived a hiding place amid the straw for them. A woman-servant and a man were both let into the secret by Perkes, and a sum of money given him for that purpose bribed them to silence. Here they remained close prisoners, unable to stir forth, or even to change their habiliments for nearly six weeks, during which time they received constant intelligence from their protector of what was going forward, and learnt that the search for them had not relaxed. They were not without hope, however, that the worst was over, when an incident occurred that gave them serious uneasiness.

One night Perkes, who was a stout, hale yeoman, and had formerly been warrener to Mrs. Littleton, went to catch conies, with a companion named Poynter, and returned laden with spoil. After drinking a cup or two of ale together, the pair separated, and Poynter feeling fatigued with his exertions, as well as drowsy with the ale he had swallowed, determined to pass the night in his friend's barn, and entering it, clambered up to the loft, and laid himself in the straw. In doing this, he slipped into the hole made for the conspirators, who, aroused by his fall, instantly seized him. Terrified to death, and fancying he had fallen into the hands of gipsies or other plunderers, Poynter roared for mercy, which they were not at

first disposed to show him; but the poor wretch, finding into whose hands he had fallen, besought them in such piteous terms to spare his life, affirming with the strongest oaths that he would never betray them, that they consented to spare him, on condition of his remaining with them as long as they should occupy their place of concealment.

When Perkes appeared in the morning, he was not a little surprised at finding his comrade caught in such a trap, but entirely approved of the course taken by the conspirators. Poynter, as may be supposed, was no willing captive; and being constantly pondering on the means of escape, and of obtaining the reward for the apprehension of the conspirators, at last hit upon the following expedient. While engaged in the poaching expedition with Perkes, he had received a slight wound in the leg, and the close confinement to which he was now subjected, inflamed it to such a degree as to render it highly dangerous. This he represented to the conspirators, who, however, would not suffer him to depart; but desired Perkes to bring him some ointment to dress his wound. The request was complied with, and feigning that it was necessary to approach the light to apply it, Poynter scrambled up the straw, apparently for that sole purpose. He did not attempt to fly for several days; but at last, when they were grown less suspicious, he slided down the other side of the loft, and made good his retreat.

The conspirators saw the error they had committed when it was too late. Not daring to pursue him, they remained in fearful anticipation of an arrest throughout the day. But they were not disturbed until night, when Perkes made his appearance. They told him what had happened; but he did not appear to be much alarmed.

'I do not think you need be afraid of him,' he said. 'Let me have some money, and I will go in quest of him at once, and will bribe him to silence.'

'Here are fifty marks,' replied Stephen Littleton. If that is not enough, take more.'

'It will amply suffice,' replied Perkes. 'I will answer for his silence.'

This assurance greatly relieved the conspirators, and they were made completely easy by the return of Perkes in less than an hour afterwards, who told them he had seen Poynter, and had given him the money, binding him by the most solemn oaths not to betray them.

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'I have still better news for you, my masters,' he added. Mrs. Littleton has set out for London to-day; and I have received orders from Mr. Humphrey Littleton to bring you to the hall at midnight.'

This last intelligence completed their satisfaction, and they awaited Perkes's return with impatience. Shortly before midnight, he came to summon them, and they set forth together. Perkes's house lay about a mile from the hall, and they soon entered the park. The night was clear and frosty-it was now the middle of December— and as the conspirators trod the crisp sod, and gazed at the noble but

leafless trees around them, they silently returned thanks to Heaven for their restoration to freedom. Humphrey Littleton was waiting for them at the end of an avenue near the mansion, and tenderly embraced them.

Tears of joy were shed on both sides, and it seemed to Humphrey Littleton as if his brother had been restored from the grave. Dismissing Perkes with warm thanks, and promises of a further recompense, they then entered the house by a window which had been left purposely open. Humphrey Littleton conducted them to his own chamber, where fresh apparel was provided for them, and to poor wretches who had not been able to put off their attire for so long a period, the luxury of the change was indescribably great.

The arrival of the prisoners was kept secret from all the household except the man-cook, John Ocklie, upon whose fidelity Humphrey Littleton thought he could rely. A good supper was prepared by this man, and brought up into his master's chamber, where the conspirators were now seated before a hearth heaped with blazing logs. The conspirators needed no solicitation to fall to, and they did ample justice to the good things before them. His spirits being raised by the good cheer, Robert Winter observed to the cook, who was in attendance upon them,

'Ah! Jack, thy mistress little thinks what guests are now in her house, who have neither seen fire nor tasted a hot morsel for well-nigh two months.'

'Ay, it is a sad matter,' returned the cook, shaking his head, and I wish I could offer your worships a flask of wine, or a cup of stout ale at the least. But the butler is in bed, and if I were to rouse him at this hour it might excite his suspicion. If you are willing, sir,' he added to Humphrey Littleton, 'I will hie to my mother's cottage in the park, and bring a jug of ale from her.'

This was agreed to, and the cook left the house. His sole object, however, was to instruct his mother to give the alarm, so that the conspirators might be arrested before morning.

On reaching her cottage, he was surprised to see a light within it, and two men there, one of whom was Poynter, and the other Mrs. Littleton's steward, Robert Hazlewood. Poynter had acquainted Hazlewood with all he knew respecting the conspirators, supposing them still in the barley-mow, and they were discussing the best means of arresting them, when the cook entered the house.

'The birds are flown,' he said, 'as you will find, if you search the nest. But come to the hall with a sufficient force betimes tomorrow morning, and I will show you where to find them. I shall claim, however, my share of the reward, though I must not appear in the matter.'

Having fully arranged their plan, he procured the ale from his mother, and returned to the hall. The conspirators soon disposed of the

jug, threw themselves on the couch in the room, and instantly dropping asleep, enjoyed such repose as only falls to the lot of those who have similarly suffered. And it was well they did sleep soundly, for it was the last tranquil night they ever enjoyed.

Humphrey Littleton, who, as has been stated, reposed implicit confidence in the cook, had committed the key of the chamber to him, strictly enjoining him to call them in the morning; and the fellow, feeling secure of his prey, retired to rest.

About seven o'clock, he burst suddenly into the room, and with a countenance of well-feigned alarm, which struck terror into the breasts of the conspirators, cried,

'Master Hazlewood and the officers are below, and say they must search the house. Poynter is with them.'

"The villain has betrayed us,' cried Stephen Littleton. 'Fools that we were to spare his life.'

There is no use in lamenting your indiscretion now, sir,' replied the cook, 'leave it to me, and I will yet effect your escape.'

'We place ourselves entirely in your hands,' said Stephen Lit

tleton.

'Go down stairs, sir,' said the cook, and hold Master Hazlewood in conversation for a few minutes, and I will engage to get the gentlemen safely out of the house.'

Humphrey Littleton obeyed, and descending to the steward, told him he was willing to conduct him to every room in the house.

'I am certain they are here, and shall not quit it till I find them,' rejoined Hazlewood. Ah!' he exclaimed, as if struck with a sudden thought, you say they are not in the house. Perhaps they are in the garden-in the summer-house. We will go and see.'

So saying, he took half-a-dozen of his men with him, leaving Poynter and the rest with Humphrey Littleton, who was quite perplexed with his conduct.

Meanwhile, the cook led the two conspirators along the gallery, and from thence down a back staircase, which brought them to a small door communicating with the garden. A few seconds were lost in opening it, and when they issued forth they encountered Hazlewood and his men, who instantly arrested them. The unfortunate conspirators were conveyed under a strong guard to London, where they were committed to the Tower, to take their trial with their confederates.

WE read in Romance, Poem, Novel, and Play,
Be the subject mysterious, tragic, or gay,
In Forget-me-not, Keepsake, and all other Annuals,
Voyages, Essays, Tales, Handbooks, and Manuals,
Of soul-piercing eye,

Of brow fair and high,

Of locks that with ravens' jet plumage may vie,
Of cheeks that disclose

Warmer blush than the rose,

But tell me what poet has sung of the Nose? 'Tis a cutting disgrace

To each well-moulded face,

Its best feature by scornful neglect to abase:
Ye, who write verse or prose,

Will make thousands of foes,

If ye follow the fashion in slighting the nose.
As in eyes folks are apt to prefer black or blue,
As in hair a rich auburn's a popular hue.
As a maidenly blush is more charming to view
Than the loveliest flow'r that in garden ere grew,
As the lips should appear for a warm kiss to sue,

As the breath should be sweeter than rose wash'd with dew,
So the nose, to be perfect, (for tho' 'tis true, no man
Can be perfect, his nose may,) should surely be Roman.

WOL. VIII.

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