True to Trust; Or the Story of a Portrait [By J.R. Shortland]. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 Excerpt: ...to their fate; truly they seem determined that the town shall be empty when thenvisitors come. I suppose they deem it more prudent to retire and allow their homes to be destroyed than to remain like brave men and defend them.' 'Your words are too true; and it is because I could not rally them that I sent to crave your powerful assistance. But this exceeding fear which has seized upon them, Sir Cuthbert, is not the effect of cowardice, but takes its rise from a strange prophecy written, in ages gone by, in the Cornish tongue, and which says that a time will come when " Strangers landing on the rocks of Merlin will burn Paul's Church, Penzance, and Newlyn." Now the people think that these are the strangers mentioned, and that if they are to burn the town, why then naught can prevent the prophecy from coming true.' 'Then, my good friend, ' replied Sir Cuthbert, smiling ironically, 'there is nothing to be done, but we must needs wait patiently for the accomplishment of this prophecy. I see well that I can be of no service to you.' The conversation was here interrupted by a cry that reechoed through the town. 'They come, they come ' exclaimed voices on every side. A precipitous flight ensued. Sir Cuthbert, however, could not bring himself to imitate the example of the fugitives, and turning his horse in the opposite direction, and facing the enemy, he cried in a loud voice, 'Let all brave men follow me ' Without looking to see if his appeal had been responded to, he rushed forward. He had not proceeded far when a bullet from the invaders struck his horse; the animal and its rider fell over. His followers at once fled, and the Spaniards, without opposition, entered the deserted town, and finding little to plunder, they at once set fire to it. Sir Cuthber...