appear, drew back, like a necromancer afraid of the spectre which he has evoked.

« He has come to the battlement," said Pearson to his General.

« In what dress or appearance ?» answered Cromwell from within the chamber.

« A grey riding-suit, passmented with silver, russet walking-boots, a cut band, a gray hat and plume, black hair.»

« It is he, it is he," said Cromwell; « and another crowning mercy is vouchsafed!»

Meantime, Pearson and young Lee exchanged defiance from their respective posts. « Surrender," said the former, « or we blow you up in your fastness.»>

"

<< I am come of too high a race to surrender to rebels," said Albert, assuming the air with which, in such a condition, a king might have spoken,

"I bear you to witness,» cried Cromwell, exultingly, he hath refused quarter. Of a surety, his blood be on his head.-One of you bring down the barrel of powder. As he loves to soar high, we will add what can be taken from the soldiers' bandeliers.Come with me, Pearson; thou understandest this gear.-Corporal Grace-be-here, stand thou fast on the platform of the window, where Captain Pearson and I stood but even now, and bend the point of thy partizan against any who shall

attempt to pass. Thou art as strong as a bull; and I will back thee against despair itself.>>

But," said the corporal, mounting reluctantly, «< the place is as the pinnacle of the Temple; and it is written, that Eutychus fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead."

« Because he slept upon his post,» answered Cromwell, readily. « Beware thou of carelessness, and thus thy feet shall be kept from stumbling. You four soldiers, remain here to support the corporal, if it be necessary; and you, as well as the corporal, will draw into the vaulted passage the minute the trumpets sound a retreat. It is as strong as a casemate, and you may lie there safe from the effects of the mine. Thou, Zerobabel Robins, I know wilt be their lance-prisade.»

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Robins bowed, and the General departed to join those who were without.

As he reached the door of the hall, the petard was heard to explode, and he saw that it had succeeded; for the soldiers rushed, brandishing their swords and pistols, in at the postern of the turret, whose gate had been successfully forced. A thrill of exultation, but not unmingled with horror, shot across the veins of the ambitious soldier.

« Now-now!» he cried; « they are dealing with him!"

His expectations were deceived. Pearson and the others returned disappointed, and reported they had been stopt by a strong trapdoor of grated iron, extended over the narrow stair; and they could see there was an obstacle of the same kind some ten feet higher. To remove it by force, while a desperate and well-armed man had the advantage of the steps above them, might cast many lives, << which, lack-a-day," said the General, « it is our duty to be tender of. What dost thou advise, Gilbert Pearson?>>

« We must use powder, my lord,» answered Pearson, who saw his master was determined he should have the whole merit of the proceeding--<< There may be a chamber easily and conveniently formed under the foot of the stair. We have a sausage, by good luck, to form the train-and so

« Ah!» said Cromwell, « I know thou canst manage such gear well-But, Gilbert, I go to visit the posts, and give them orders to retire to a safe distance when the retreat is sounded. You will allow them five minutes for this pur

pose,"

<< Three is enough for any knave of them all," said Pearson. « They will be lame, indeed, that require more on such a service-I ask but one, though I fire the train myself.>>

«Take heed," said Cromwell, « that the poor soul be listened to, if he asks quarter. It may

be, he may repent him of his hard-heartedness, and call for mercy."

« And mercy he shall have-» answered Pearson, «providing he calls loud enough to make me hear him; for the explosion of that damned petard has made me as deaf as the Devil's dam.»>

<< Hush, Gilbert, hush!" said Cromwell; « you offend in your language."

"Zooks, sir, I must speak either in your way, or in my own,» said Pearson, « unless I am to be dumb as well as deaf?-Away with you, my lord, to visit the posts; and you will presently hear me make some noise in the world.»

Cromwell smiled gently at his aid-de-camp's petulance, patted him on the shoulder, and called him a mad fellow, walked a little way, then turned back to whisper, « What thou doest, do quickly;» then returned again towards the outer circle of guards, turning his head from time to time, as if to assure himself that the corporal, to whom he had intrusted the duty, still kept guard with his advanced weapon upon the terrific chasm between Rosamond's Tower and the corresponding turret. Seeing him standing on his post, the General muttered between his mustachios, « The fellow hath the strength and courage of a bear; and yonder is a post where one shall do more to keep back than an hundred in making way. » He cast a last look on the gigantic figure who

stood in that airy position, like some Gothic statue, the weapon half levelled against the opposite turret, with the butt rested against his right foot, his steel cap and burnished corslet glittering in the rising sun.

Cromwell then passed on to give the necessary orders, that such sentinels as might be endangered at their present posts by the effect of the mine should withdraw, at the sound of the trumpet, to the places which he pointed out to them. Never, on any occasion of his life, did he display more calmness and presence of mind. He was kind, nay, facetious with the soldiers, who adored him; and yet he resembled a volcano before the eruption commences all peaceful and quiet without, while an hundred contradictory passions were raging in his bosom.

Corporal Humgudgeon meanwhile remained steady upon his post; yet, though as determined a soldier as ever fought among the redoubted regiment of Ironsides, and possessed of no small share of that exalted fanaticism which lent so keen an edge to the natural courage of those stern religionists, the veteran felt his present situation to be highly uncomfortable. Within a pike's length of him arose a turret, which was about to be dispersed in massive fragments through the air; and he felt sinall confidence in the length of time which might be allowed for his escape from such a dangerous vicinity. The duty of constant vi