Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

one of his myrmidons, and desiring him to accompany the lady to a place of safety, he submitted to his auditor whether a doubt could be entertained, as to the real motives of his conduct. These suggestions were indeed more than plausible; and when he saw they had wrought their effect upon Jocelyn, by exciting him to a passion of jealousy, he began to inveigh bitterly against the general depravity of the Court, the degradation of the country, and the ruinous tendency of all the King's measures; obscurely intimating that public affairs had now arrived at a crisis that called upon every true-born Englishman to come boldly forward, and lend his assistance towards averting the impending calamities.

Jocelyn acknowledged the demoralised and humiliating state of the country, and professed his readiness to contribute towards its regeneration, could any honourable mode of effecting that object be pointed out to him. By dark and mysterious hints, the Colonel gave him to understand that a plan was already in agitation for remedying the

evils of the state, that some of the most distinguished characters were at that moment engaged in maturing it, and that its success, of which there could be no doubt, would redound not less to the interest and advancement, than to the glory of the parties embarked in it. When pressed to be more explicit, he declared that the time was not yet ripe for a full communication, quoted long passages from the Revelations, whose accomplishment he pronounced to be at hand, and talked so wildly about astrological predictions, and a ruling planet, portending the subversion of monarchy, that Jocelyn began to set him down for one of those narrow-minded and desperate enthusiasts, whose society it would be much safer to avoid than to cultivate. Rathborn's attentions, however, during his sickness, continued unremitted, and the service he had conferred would not allow Jocelyn to refuse his urgent solicitations to dine with him at Battersea; after which visit he determined to drop his acquaintance altogether, and not listen any more to dark and unde

fined propositions, of which he only understood enough to see that they were of a dangerous

nature.

water.

On the very first day accordingly of his quitting his chamber, he took boat with the Colonel, who had come to escort him to his residence, and proceeded to Battersea. The house was a lone and sufficiently forlorn-looking tenement, standing in the fields at a little distance from [the "I have invited a few friends to meet you," said the Colonel, as they debarked, “ with whom I wish you to become better acquainted; they are men of right religion, of approved zeal and courage, and, what is of more consequence, of lucky horoscopes; they are associated with me as brethren in the great work; and if, after this day's meeting, they pronounce you fitted for election, you may perhaps have the honour."

The clashing of swords and the uproar of angry voices, sounding from the house as they approached, cut short the remainder of his

harangue, and occasioned him to draw his sword and rush forward, exclaiming-" Ha! are we betrayed? are we surprised? let every man defend himself to the last, and die the death of the righteous!" Instinctively drawing his sword, and following the Colonel, Jocelyn · hastened into the house and entered a back room, where a scene presented itself which for some time completely baffled all his attempts towards elucidating its meaning. In the middle of the room stood his old acquaintance, Winky Boss, surrounded by six or eight gaunt figures, whose shabby-genteel dress, reckless looks, and ferocious gestures, indicated broken fortunes, and desperate character. Several of them were collaring the Dutchman, cursing, swearing, and threatening by turns; all had their swords pointed at his throat; while Boss, whose eyes were winking in double-quick time, repeatedly ejaculated-"Niet een woord !-niet een woord!

-Ik kan niet spreeken een woord van Engelsch:"-intimating that he could not speak a single word of English.

To explain the perilous predicament in which he had unwaringly placed himself, it may be necessary to state that Winky Boss, having found his way to England in search of his master, had learned the sad tidings of his death from Mr. Ashmole, who not only invited him to remain at South Lambeth, till an opportunity should occur for his returning to Holland, but made him a handsome present in money. With the latter he soon obtained consolation for all sorrows and disappointments, by betaking himself to the Dolphin, a public-house at Battersea, famous for its strong spirits and good tobacco. Unfortunately for Winky Boss, liquor only made him more thirsty, without ever producing intoxication, although it might render his faculties somewhat muddy and obtuse. In this drowsy plight, after wandering about the fields of Battersea for some time, he chanced to pass the back of Colonel Rathborn's house, and, beholding through an open window, a table spread out with glasses and bottles, he very unceremoniously

« ZurückWeiter »