The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

WOODSTOCK. 289
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 trap-door 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 cost 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 too modest to reserve to himself 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 purpose."
" 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, "provided 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 aide-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 dost, 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 mustaches, " 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 but 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. Ile was kind, nay, facetious with the soldiers,
who adored him; and yet he resembled the volcaro before the eruption
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