With Marlborough to Malplaquet: A Story of the Reign of Queen Anne

wn, laddie,

ing in England. A wonderful vehicle the York and Newcastle coach, covering the eighty-six long miles between the two towns in the space of two-and-thi

ncipal inn of the then quiet little country town of Darlington, a place which roused itself from its general sleepiness only on market and fair days, or now, since the mail

and swinging himself up to the top of the coach, he seized the dilatory passenger by the arm, saying,

necessary. Bring the bairn in, Charley." The invitation came from a kindly and portly dame, the hostess, w

stir," the boy replie

f but half awake. He was, in f

ee the sight and to pick up any stray penny that might be available. A minute later George Fairburn was rapidly thawing before the rousing

ow, and I'll go. Thank y

at comfortably in the arm-chair by the cosy chimney corner. "

reply; "my father is not a rich man, and I'

t particularly strong. He had, in truth, somewhat of a bookish look, and his rounded shoulders already told of much poring over a

e explained, in a rather pleasanter tone, as if ashamed o

ompanion's shoulder, "just make yourself comfortable here with me for the night, and I'll settle the b

is face. And, seizing his little bag, the lad strode from the room and out of the inn, shive

s purse-proud patronage!" he

Fairburn thinks a deal of his independence, as he calls it; I should call it simply pride, myself. But I might have known that he wouldn't accept my offer after his ref

Tory party, and had never been easy under the rule of Dutch William. He was proud and somewhat arrogant, yet not wanting his good points. George Fairburn, on the other hand, was the son of a much smaller man, of one, in truth, who had by his energy and thrift become the proprietor of a small pit, of which he himself acted as manager. The elder Fairburn was of a sturdy independent character, his independence, however, sometimes asserting itself at the exp

k many sizes too big for her, covering her from head to foot. It had, in fact, originally been a soldier's cloak, and had seen much hard service in the continental campaigns under William III. The good dame was very demonstrative in her affection, and kissed George again and again

e dead than alive when thy father sees thee at Newcastle. But don't forget that pasty; 'tis good, fo

" George called from the top of the coach. "Don't s

orner. "What a curious old rustic!" he said to himself, "and she's the aunt, it appears." As for George him

roudly on their cliff above the river came in sight. There was an unwonted stir in the streets of the pict

ere are squires and baronets and lords in his train, and as for his servants and horses, why-" the good

w bishop first comes to the see he is met at Croft bridge by all th

fore a poor passenger too, who appeared so well infor

ed old fortress of Newcastle and the lantern tower of St. Nicholas. Fairburn, almost as helpless as on

s a store of good things ready for her bairn and for Christmas. And here is old Dapp

a gentleman who had just driven up

Mr. Blackett well,

cendingly. "This is your boy? Looks a trifle cold, don'

o recognition whatever of the son, Mr. Blackett linked

ather looked annoyed;

said, "let us

had much to tell his son of the prosperity that was at last coming. Orders were being booked faster than the modest staff of the colliery could execute

an, and too easy-going to attend to his business as he should. Bu

e, "and by that energy is taking the business out of the hands of t

y short time; it is more than likely that several of the men wil

sort of war, this business competition, it seems to me

eaceable man, and would fa

word up to the house that there was some sort

George," said the mother. "Father's gone to

a big scarf about his neck, and made

d he had not time to inquire before he too was mixed up in the fray. The first thing that met his eye, in truth, was one of the crew of the Fairburn collier brig lying helpless on his back and

s he rushed to the spot. "Let him get up, I

ve up the advantage he had obtained, howe

ado George flung himself at the bully, and toppled him over, the side of his

r, was of little more use when he had been helped up, and staggered about in a dazed and aimless sort of way. He was, in

d to his feet, his face black with

n I must fend for myself," and he seized

successful grab at another stick a couple of yards away. It was the ha

his short but heavy weapon, "this i

e collier, was tall as well as strongly built, and in the very prime of life; while George, though a st

a leisure hour at singlestick. In vain did Bill endeavour to bring down his stick with furious whack upon the youngster's scalp; his blow was unfailingly parried. It was soon evident to the man that the boy was playing with hi

, endeavoured to administer a vicious kick. It was time to take to more effective tactics, and while the man's leg was poised in the air, George put in a thwack that made his skull resound, and threw him q

my, whoever they might be, had been beaten off, and the crew

?" he inquired of the man t

after we had made fast, and bring in their big schooner over there. Some of 'em are vexed, 'cos 't

egin, Jack,

ckon. We'd both had a drop of Christmas ale, you

eorge. "See that you keep out of the way of Blackett's men,

e walk

nnoyed when he hea

urbances like this I shall have to take serious steps, and the coolness between Blackett and me will become an open enmity. 'As much as lieth in you,' s

but now had been placed in the hands of his humbler but more energetic rival. Its departure was hailed by the shouts and threats of