_Jas._ I’m a cavalier colonel, a trifle out of repair, and a thought begrimed, maybe, but that’ll wash off. Royalist to the backbone, as I proved some time since at Worcester, where my backbone had to bear the brunt of the flight! This is my regiment, the King’s Dragoons (_indicating REUBEN_). Come, doff thy hat, King’s Dragoons, and salute the gentleman; the credit of the corps is in thy keeping, Reuben, for thou’rt all that’s left of it! (_To DAN’L._) A worthy fellow, this regiment of mine, but somewhat shy and constrained in good company, but he will improve when he sees that flask of Schiedam that thou art about to surprise us with. Now, tell me, art thou for the Parliament? _Dan._ No. _Jas._ Then thou art for the king? _Dan._ It’s a lie! I’m for myself. _Jas._ And for us. _Dan._ Nay, I’ll be damned if I am! _Jas._ Nay, I’ll swear thou’rt for us if thou be not traitor to thyself; for if we hang at all we all hang together. _I’ll_ see to that. Now, what food have you got? _Dan._ None (_sulkily_). _Jas._ What can you get? _Dan._ Nothing. _Jas._ Where are we then? _Dan._ Nowhere. _Jas._ Harkee, sir, I’m just in that mood that I don’t care the flash of a flint whose life is swept out of my way when it comes betwixt me and my wants. I want food--get it. _Dan._ I’ve no food--I’m a beggar. _Jas._ Here’s a coin--our last--go and get bread, meat, and drink. Now be off, or Reuben here shall whip you with his sword-flat till he drops. (_REUBEN draws._) And, mark me, if by deed, word, or sign you do aught to give a clue to our hiding-place, I’ll burn the hut to the ground, and everything in it. _Dan._ But---- (_REUBEN pushes him._) _Jas._ Not a word. Be off, and do your errand--and mind, no treachery, or---- (_JASPER takes a burning log from the fire, and holds it immediately over the hole where DAN’L’S money is concealed. DAN’L snatches it from him._) _Dan._ Put that down, put that down, for the love of Heaven--put it down, I say, you’ll have the hut afire--and I’ll see what I can do, I’ll see what I can do. [_DAN’L throws log on fire and exit._ _Jas._ Whew! I’ve brought the old devil to his senses. What a life this is! Was ever poor dog so hounded about from pillar to post as Jasper Combe? and for no better reason than that he is a gentleman, and loves his king! _Reu._ Pardon, sir, but I never was accounted a gentleman, and for my king I care not one jot, yet am I hounded much as you are. _Jas._ Thou art hounded much as I am because thou thyself art as I am, though in a lower degree. King Charles is my king (_raises hat_)--God bless him!--and I serve him, and am hunted for so doing. Jasper Combe is _thy_ king (_REUBEN raises hat_)--God bless him likewise!--and thou servest him, and thou art hunted for so doing. The analogy is complete. Be thou as faithful to thy king as I am to mine, and thy king will reward thee--when my king rewards me! Is the child safe?