you are right; but tell me, Dalton, how is it
that, till lately, you so completely abandoned this island, and kept to
the Devon and Cornwall coasts? I should have thought this the most
convenient; your storehouse here is so well arranged."

"Ay, ay, sir; but this is over-near London, though it used to be a safe
place enough; but now that Sir Michael Livesey--regicide that he
is!--abides so continually at Little Shurland, what chance is there for
any good to such as I? I tell ye, Cromwell's nose is ever on the scent."

"A great advantage to him, and a disadvantage to his foes," said Robin:
"he has only to put the said nose to the touch-hole of the biggest
cannon, and off it goes; it never costs the army a farthing for matches
when he's with it."

"Pshaw, Robin! but is he indeed so red-nosed? You have often seen him,
Captain."

"Ay, dressed in a plain cloth suit, made by an ill country tailor;
his linen coarse and unclean; his band unfashionable, and often
spotted with blood; his hat without a band; his sword close to his
side; his countenance swollen and reddish; and, as to his nose,
it looked to me more purple than aught else. But, sir, to see
Cromwell, see him in battle--he is a right noble horseman; and
the beast (a black one especially he was once so fond of) seemed
to have been tutored by the evil one: its eye was as vigilant as
its rider's. Cromwell sits his saddle not gracefully, but firmly,
just as if he were part and portion of the animal; then, with a
sword in his right hand, and a pistol in his left---- Sir, it was
unlike any thing I ever saw! He must have managed the horse by the
pressure of his heel; for I never could make out, such was the decision
yet rapidity of hism movements, whether he held reins or not: now here,
now there--firing--preaching--shouting--praying--conquering--yet
everything done in its right place and time, never suffering the
excitement of the moment to bear down one of his resolves. Had
he been born a king----"

"He would never have been what he is," said the Cavalier; "for
contention is the school of greatness."

"It's mighty fine to see you two sit there," exclaimed Robin, "praising
up that man in the high place: pretty Cavaliers indeed! Well, my opinion
is, that--but indeed it is rude to give an opinion unasked, so I'll keep
mine to myself. You were talking of the conveniences of this place; why,
bless you, sir, it's nothing to fifty others along St. George's Channel.
'Twoul