In the Wars of the Roses | Page 8

should be ever grateful. I am sore athirst and weary,
too."
The child was nevertheless much pleased with his nest, and forthwith
curled himself up in it like a young dormouse, delighting in the

conviction that no attendants despatched by his mother to capture him
would ever find him here. Boys have been young pickles ever since the
world began, and were just as full of pranks in the fifteenth century as
they are now. Edward had: a full share of boyhood's mischievous
delight in his own way, and owing to the strong will and the
ever-present vigilance of his mother, he had not had many chances of
indulging his natural craving for independence. Therefore he rejoiced
the more in it now, and was quite determined to return to his royal
parents at such time only as it suited his own whim.
Paul was willing enough to do the behest of the prince, and stayed only
to make him comfortable before starting off on the quest for water. He
thought young Edward would soon be asleep, as indeed he was, so
luxurious was his leafy couch within the giant oak; and resolved to run
as far as a certain well he knew of in the wood, the water of which was
peculiarly fresh and cold and clear, and where a cup was always kept
by the brothers of a neighbouring monastery for the benefit of weary
travellers.
Paul sped away on his mission with a light heart He was elated above
measure by his day's adventure, and his head was brimming over with
plans and dreams of the future, which was to be so glorious and so
distinguished.
He the chosen comrade of their future king! he the loyal upholder of
that king's rights, the bulwark of the throne, the trusted noble, the
shrewd counsellor, the valiant warrior! A boy's ambition is
boundless--innocent of envy or evil, but wild in its flights.
Paul went on his way with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, till a
stealthy sound in the bushes beside him made him stop short, listening
intently. He heard voices in cautious whisper.
"He cannot be far away. He certainly came to the wood. Long Peter
says he had another boy with him; but be that as it may, he is here, and
close at hand. We must lose no time. The alarm will be given if he is
missed. Take one, or take both, it matters not if we but get the prince
into our hands. He may be known by his ostrich plume and his golden
curls, and the jewelled collar he wears about his neck."
Paul heard these words plainly, and it seemed as if his heart were in his
mouth. It beat so violently that he fancied the conspirators must surely
hear. The words he had heard but yesterday flashed back into his mind.

It was true then. There was a conspiracy to carry off the young prince,
and the band of men pledged to the deed were actually on their track
and close at hand. How could he warn the prince in time? How could
he save him from their hands?
For a moment the boy's courage seemed to desert him. A cold sweat
broke out on his face, his knees trembled beneath him. But his fear was
not a selfish or unworthy one; it was all for the royal child, whose peril
was so imminent.
And then, with a sudden revulsion of feeling, he recollected that he
himself wore the cap with the white plume, the jewelled collar of
royalty, and the dagger the little prince habitually carried in his girdle.
And had he not the same floating golden curls, the same cast of features,
the same active figure, and almost the same stature? Might he not save
the real prince by playing his part to some purpose for the time being?
The men would not distinguish between the pair--he felt certain of that;
they would at once make off with their prize. Later on, of course, they
would discover the trick, but then the prince would be safe. His own
followers would have long since discovered him. Yes, he would do
it--he would save the prince at all cost. What did it matter if his own
life were the forfeit? The heir of England would be saved.
It was no small act of heroism to which the boy made up his mind in
those few moments. Those were lawless days, and human life was held
very cheap. The band of fierce men who had believed they were
carrying off a prince, would think nothing of running him through with
their swords when they discovered how they had been tricked, and that
by a mere child. Paul set his teeth hard and braced himself up