pursued among the rocks where the wild goats had their dwellings; who was sheltered by the accursed, and who begged a morsel of bread from the hireling, and from the heathen a drop of water-for he was hungered and athirst? Yet was he the Lord's anointed, and him the Lord raised to be king over the thousands, and the tens of thousands of Israel's children; -but no, the clay must be softened before it can be moulded " Then turning again to the prince, he said, "Tell me now, Exile of Deira, what reward would you give to him that should rid you of this sadness and this sorrow, and shew you that no danger can come near you? Tell me what you would give to him who should persuade King Redwald that he should neither hurt you himself nor deliver you up to your merciless enemies?"

"If you know me," said Edwin, "you know that the means of recompense are not with me; but such reward as one who is a prince in all but wealth and lands, could give, would I give for so good a turn."

"Tis well," he repeated; "and ⚫ now tell me, if beside all this, he shall warrant you that you shall be a king! that all your enemies shall be vanquished; and that not only so, but that you shall excel in worth and power all who have gone before you, all who have ever swayed the sceptre of any British kingdom-tell me what then?"-

"What then," exclaimed Edwin, rising and looking boldly and joyfully into the stranger's face," then when I had the power what would I not do for such a one? Doubt not," he continued, more tranquilly, "but that at all times, and in all places, I would be ready to give him such gratitude as such a king could give."

"Tis well," said the stranger; and again he paused for a few moments.

He spoke a third time," But now tell me again-if, besides all this, he who now sheweth you truly and unfeignedly that which surely and undoubtedly you shall hereafter be, can give you also better counsel-counsel more profitable for your soul's health and salvation than was heard by any of

your parents or ancestors. Tell me would you hearken to his wholesome sayings, and obey them?"

Edwin answered eagerly, "Surely would I listen and obey the counsel of him who should deliver me from the straits and dangers that now surround me, and afterwards exalt me to be king over mine own country-surely would I listen to such a one, for his counsel must be good."

"Tis well," said the stranger, a third time; and again he regarded longer, and with more attention, the countenance of Edwin-full of animation and hope as it had now become.

"Tis well; and when these things have happened, remember the answer I have heard and taken remember that your promise be fulfilled and accomplished-remember well this time, and this our talk; and remember this, which shall be for a sign between us.'

So saying, he laid his right hand on the head of the young prince.

When Edwin raised his eyes, the stranger was gone. A moment was scarcely passed; he felt as if the hand still gently pressed his brow; yet he saw no one. He gazed anxiously around, and listened to hear some departing step; he beheld nought but the boughs of the oak, that bent on all sides of him, and heard only the wind among its branches.

"Edwin, Prince Edwin!" It was the voice of the young erle; and it was loud and fearless. Oswald drew near, and grasped his friend's hands, then bent his knee, looked upwards, and exclaimed, "Now blessed be the Good Being who prompted our King to virtue: blessed be the Unknown God!"

"The Unknown God!" murmured some voice near them. The friends started, and Oswald looked terrified around; "Surely," said he, "twas but the echo of the decayed tree; there is no one near us: but let us hasten, and take counsel together within."

"Who is this Unknown God?" inquired Edwin; there was no answer, and he passed on. The young erle then briefly explained to the prince, that the queen had joined with many of the nobles, in effectually reasoning

with the King against the infamy of delivering up their royal guest to certain destruction: that the Ufinga had resolved to preserve his honour, and despise equally the gold and the threats of Adelfrid, whose ambassadors had received their final answer, and were to leave the palace at day-break.

Edwin and his friend sat together, in the prince's chamber, until the grey twilight had passed from the face of earth; and the morning had risen calmly and beautifully after the last day's storm. They regarded the change in nature as a type of the wanderer's destiny; and while they spoke of the gloom that was gone, it was in happy anticipation of the sunshine that was approaching. The trampling of horses beneath the outer wall, soon announced the departure of the Northumbrian Ambassadors from the East Anglian court, and the friends retired to rest.

When Edwin rose from refreshing slumbers and cheering dreams, he found that King Redwald and his principal Thanes were assembled in the council-room of the palace, and he soon ascertained the subject of their deliberations. The Uffinga knew that he had now no choice between war and destruction; and the ambassador was scarcely gone when he summoned his officers together, explained to them the part he had taken, and called on them for assistance. So much loved was the exiled prince, and so deeply hated was his oppressor, that an immense army was raised, to avenge the one and to punish the other, almost as soon as the messenger had arrived at the tyrant s court'

King Redwald knew that if he gave time to his enemy, the superior force and resources of the Northumbrian monarch must insure his success. He therefore instantly marched his army towards the Humber. Adelfrid advanced to meet him; but with an army hastily collected, ill provided, and discontented. A battle was fought on the east side of the river Idel, in Nottinghamshire, where a victory was obtained over the tyrant of Deira, who was killed almost at the commencement of the encounter. In this engagement Edwin held a distinguished post,

and before the soldiers of his friend, as well as those of his own hereditary kingdom, coaducted himself with so much courage and gallant bearing, that his oppressor had no sooner fallen than the battle terminated, and Edwin was proclaimed on the one side, and welcomed on the other, as monarch of Deira and Bernicia.

Thus, according to the prophetic words of the strange visitor who communed with him under the old oak, tree, was Edwin not only saved from the malice of his deadly enemy, but given the crown of Northumberland.

For some years, Edwin governed his kingdom with justice and integrity, reclaiming his subjects from licentious courses to which they had been accustomed; and giving an example of virtue and uprightness to the other monarchs of the island; so that "such was the peace and tranquilitie throughout all Britannie, that a weake woma might have walked with her new borne babe ouer all the yland, euen from sea to sea, without anie dammage or danger." But still Edwin was not a Christian; he had listened to the Missionaries, who preached the faith of Christ, and he had reflected upon its nature; yet, although he offered no sacrifices to his idols, he hesitated concerning the new creed, and doubted whether it were holier and more worthy of the Deity, than the service of those gods whom he worshipped after the manner of his forefathers."

After some years of peaceful and happy reign, he obtained in marriage, Edilburga, a princess of Kent; into her family and kingdom. the light of Christianity had been successfully introduced. She was accompanied to her husband's court, by Paulinus, one of the earliest of the Missionaries to Britain. He is described by the venerable Historian, as being "in personne a taule man, somewhat crooked backe, and black of heare, lene in face, and having a hooked and thin nose; in countenance bothe dredful and reuerent;" and his mind was active, intelligent, and upright.

One day, when Edwin was sitting alone in his chamber, and brooding over the important truths that had

affection,