"Tell us some o' 'em," requested Rob, placing himself in an attitude to listen. "Well," proceeded the cadger, "it be most all 'bout politicks there now, wi' rumours o' war, they say be a brewin'. The market war full o' them rough 'uns from Raglan side, Lord Worster's people, bullyin' everybody an' threetenin' all as wudn't cry out for the King." "Ay;" here interposed the big sister, with a sneer, "an' you cried it, Jack--shouted till I was afeerd you'd split yer windpipe. That ye did!" "And if I did," rejoined Jack, excusing himself, "how war I to help it? If I hadn't they'd a throttled me; may-be pulled off my wooden leg, and smashed my skull wi't. An' ye know that, Winny. A man who'd a said word there favour o' the Parlyment wud a stud good chance o' gettin' tore limb fro' limb. Tho' I han't two for 'em to tear sunderwise, I wasn't the fool to go buttin my head 'gainst a wall when no good could come o't. If I did cry `Long live the King!' I thinked the contrary, as Rob knows I do." "That do I, Jack, right well. A true free-born Forester, as myself, I know you ha' no leanin' like as them o' Monnerth and Lydney; Royalists an' Papists, who want to make slaves o' us, both body and soul, an' keep us toilin' for them an' their fine-dressed favourites--devil burn 'em!" Having thus delivered himself, the free-born Forester dropped conversation with Jerky, confining it to the sister. For which Jack gave them an opportunity, shrewdly guessing it was desired. Once more saluting Jinkum with a "yee-up!" he started the animal off again up the hill, himself stumping briskly after. CHAPTER TWELVE. A COMBAT IN A QUARRY. The man and woman left behind, as they stood _vis-a-vis_, presented a striking appearance. Such a pair in juxtaposition were a sight not often given to the eye. He some inches the taller--though well matched as regarded the distinction of the sexes; but both of towering stature, with air so commanding that one, who could have seen them there and then, would not have given a thought to the coarseness of their apparel, or, if so, instantly forgetting it. Looking at their faces, in their eyes as they met in mutual gaze, he would have noticed something of a nature to interest more than any quality or fashion of dress--the light of love. For they loved one another warmly, and, perhaps, as purely and tenderly, as if their hearts had been beating under robes of silk. No words of love passed between them now. If they intended speaking such, they held them in reserve till matters more pressing should be disposed of. Upon these the man entered at once, asking,-- "Heerd you anythin' 'bout me, Win?" "Yes, Rob." "What?" "They have been wonderin' how ye managed to get out o't gaol, an' blame Will Morgan for lendin' ye a hand. Day afore yesterday a party came over from Lydney wi' that young officer as be wi' Sir John Winter-- Trevor I think they call him."