"Get your horse to stable, Doctor, and we will be down to welcome you." The next moment the house was astir from one end to the other—bells were ringing, lights moving hither and thither, men and women running downstairs, and at the open door Mrs. Swaffham and Jane waiting for the messenger, their eager faces and shining eyes full of hope and expectation. He kept them waiting until he had seen his weary horse attended to, then hurrying across the courtyard he clasped the hands held out in welcome, and with a blessing on his lips came into the lighted room. It was joy and strength to look at him. His bulk was like that of the elder gods; his head like an antique marble, his hazel eyes beaming, joyous, and full of that light which comes "from within." A man of large mind as well as of large stature, with a simple, good heart, that could never grow old; strong and courageous, yet tender as a girl; one who in the battle of life would always go to the front. So it was good even to see him, and how much better to hear him say— "Israel Swaffham is well, and God hath given us a great victory." "And John?" "I left him following after the enemy. We have smitten them hip and thigh; we——" "And Cymlin?" "He was guarding the prisoners. We have ten thousand of them, and——" "And Tonbert?" "Nothing has hurt him. He was in a strait for one five minutes; but I cried to him—’Set thy teeth, and fight for thy life, Tonbert;’ and he came safely away with the colours in his hands, when he had slain two of the rogues who wanted them." "Now then, we shall have peace, Doctor?" "No use, Martha, in crying peace! peace! when peace is wickedness. Our Protestant liberty was won by men willing to go to the stake for it; our civil liberty can only be won by men willing to go to the battle-field for it. But here come the beef and bread, and I am a hungry man. Let me eat and drink. And you women, bless the Lord and forget not all His benefits." It was not long before he took a pipe from his pocket, lit it, and drew his chair to the hearthstone. "Now we will talk," he said. "When did you hear of us last?" "About the tenth of August. You were then in camp near Edinburgh," said Mrs. Swaffham.