ho, I found, was the Protector's own doctor going to cure Sir Robert
Cecil! What do you think of that, captain?"

Dalton saw no necessity for reply, and Springall continued:--

"I gathered from their talk that Cromwell himself was on the road,
coming bodily to inquire into the murder, (as they supposed,) and to
rout out the smugglers; and the rascals were even talking about the
prizes, having heard the place was full of riches; and they said they
were sure that more than one thing brought his Highness such a journey.
At every stumble their horses made, the psalm-singing scoundrels offered
up an ejaculation. May I never reef a sail, captain, if they didn't pray
more, going that length of road, than you, and I, and all the crew of
the Fire-fly put together, have prayed during the last twelve, ay, twice
twelve months!--How is Mistress Barbara?"

"What a giddy mind is yours, Springall," said Dalton; "in the same
breath you speak of danger, and ask for my peace-loving child."

"More than she would do for me," replied the boy, sulkily, adding, with
some of the wisdom of matured manhood, "she must not remain here,
though, no, not another night, for who knows what those rascals would be
at? I am much inclined to think with the crop-eared fellows, that his
Highness (the devil take such highnesses, say I!) would never lay to
windward and trust himself on the island, unless he had good reason to
think he could kill two, ay, ten birds with one stone; he is too old a
man now to go dancing about the country because of a murder, or a
wedding--neither of which he cares much about."

"Except when they come home--quite home--and Mistress Constantia is to
him like an own child. There's a deal of difference in the colour of our
own blood and that of other people. But we must see to it, Springall,
and without delay. The Fire-fly is, as you know, tricked out like a
Dutch lugger, masts--sails--all! I defy even Robin Hays to know her; and
I had a report spread at Sheerness and Queenborough that she had the
plague aboard. Tom o' Coventry, and another o' the lads have talked of
nothing else at the hostelries; and not an hour ago I sent a message to
Jabez Tippet, with a three gallon memorandum of the best Nantz, so that
he might prate of it to all who crossed the Ferry. Her cargo is nearly
discharged, and there are but four men aboard; they walk the deck by
two, as sentries, to keep up the deception; but evil is in the wind when
the Protector