320 THE SMUGGLER. 



the soldiers are gone. If you could bring me a woman's dres*, 

 I could easily get away.' I should not be afraid of going any 

 more, mother," the girl continued, "for he seems quite 

 changed by his misfortune, and not rude and jesting as he 

 always used to be, whenever I saw him before/ 3 



The idea of the woman's clothes seemed to strike Mrs. Clan 

 very much ; and the good widow and her daughter set their 

 wits to work, to consider how all that was necessary could be 

 procured; for a very serious impediment thrust itself in the 

 way of either mother or child lending him a suit of their own 

 apparel. Neither of them were very tall women ; and though 

 young Radford was himself not above the middle height, yet 

 Kate's gown would not have fallen further than half way down 

 his leg; and the poor girl laughed merrily, to think of what a 

 figure he would make dressed in her garments. It would have 

 been the old story of the wolf in sheep's clothing, assuredly. 



" If we could but accomplish it, and enable him to escape," 

 thought Mrs. Clare, "especially after Harding has just been 

 up here, it would show Mr. Radford clearly enough that John 

 had nothing to do with informing against him." But the 

 question, of where fitting apparel was to be procured still re- 

 mained unsettled, till Kate suggested that perhaps her aunt's, 

 at Glassenbury, might do. " She is very tall," continued the 

 girl, " and I am sure she would lend them to me, for she and 

 my uncle have always been so kind. Suppose I walk over 

 early to-morrow, and ask her?" 



Now the little farm which Mrs. Clare's brother held was 

 somewhat more than seven miles off, on the other side of 

 Cranbrook. But still, what is the exertion which woman will 

 not make for a fellow- creature in distress? and Mrs. Clare de- 

 termined that she would rise betimes and go to William Har- 

 ris's herself, certain of a kind reception and ready consent from 

 those who had always displayed towards her, in adversity, the 

 feelings of affection, which the more worldly-minded generally 

 shower upon prosperity alone. 



It was far for her daughter to walk, she thought; and be- 

 sides, Harding might come, and it would not do for Kate to 

 be absent. Thus had she settled it in her own mind, when 

 Mr. Radford entered the cottage to inquire after his son. 



High were the praises that he bestowed upon Kate and Mrs. 

 Clare for their kindness ; and he expressed his warm approval 



