CHAPTER I. The Eve of the War

Chapter II.  For the King

Chapter III.  A Brawl at Oxford

Chapter IV.  Breaking Prison

Chapter V. A Mission of State

Chapter VI.  A Narrow Escape

Chapter VII.  In a Hot Place

Chapter VIII.  The Defense of an Outpost

Chapter IX.  A Stubborn Defense

Chapter X. The Commissioner of the Convention

Chapter XI.  Montrose

Chapter XII.  An Escape from Prison

Chapter XIII.  Public Events

Chapter XIV.  An Attempt to Rescue the King

Chapter XV.  A Riot in the City

Chapter XVI.  The Execution of King Charles

Chapter XVII.  The Siege of Drogheda

Chapter XVIII.  Slaves in the Bermudas

Chapter XIX.  A Sea Fight

Chapter XX.  With the Scotch Army

Chapter XXI.  The Path Across the Morass

Chapter XXII.  Kidnaped

Chapter XXIII.  The Battle of Worcester

Chapter XXIV.  Across the Sea.

Chapter XXV.  A Plot Overheard

Chapter XXVI.  Rest at Last

FRIENDS, THOUGH DIVIDED.

CHAPTER I.

The Eve of the war.

It was a pleasant afternoon in the month of July, 1642, when three young people sat together on a shady bank at the edge of a wood some three miles from Oxford.  The country was undulating and picturesque, and a little more than a mile in front of them rose the lofty spire of St. Helen’s, Abingdon.  The party consisted of two lads, who were about fifteen years of age, and a girl of ten.  The lads, although of about the same height and build, were singularly unlike.  Herbert Rippinghall was dark and grave, his dress somber in hue, but good in material and well made.  Harry Furness was a fair and merry-looking boy; good humor was the distinguishing characteristic of his face; his somewhat bright and fashionably cut clothes were carelessly put on, and it was clear that no thought of his own appearance or good looks entered his mind.  He wore his hair in ringlets, and had on his head a broad hat of felt with a white feather, while his companion wore a plain cap, and his hair was cut closely to his head.

“It is a bad business, Harry,” the latter said, “but, there is one satisfaction that, come what may, nothing can disturb our friendship.  We have never had a quarrel since we first met at the old school down there, six years ago.  We have been dear friends always, and my only regret has been that your laziness has prevented our being rivals, for neither would have grudged the other victory.”