King James. I acknowledge no other, and therefore I
feel myself at liberty to draw my sword in opposition to any one who
claims the title of my king."

"How are we to be sure that you have this authority, good sir?" asked
the former speaker. "I have served under the banners of many leaders,
and have always been faithful to those who trusted me; but before I draw
my sword against the Prince of Orange I should like to know that it is
according to the wish of James, late King of England, who by that means
may recover his own."

"Here, then, incredulous men," exclaimed the person who had been
addressed as `Sir George;' "listen to the commission I have received
from King James himself:--

"`Our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby fully authorise, strictly
require, and expressly command, our loving subjects to rise in arms and
make war upon the Prince of Orange, the usurper of our throne, and all
his adherents, and to seize for our use all such forts, towns, and
strongholds within our dominion of England as may serve to further our
interest, and to do from time to time such other acts of hostility
against the Prince of Orange and his adherents as may conduce most to
our service. We judge this the properest, justest, and most effectual
means of procuring the Restoration and their deliverance, and we do
hereby indemnify them for what they shall act in pursuance of this our
royal command, given at our court of Saint Germain-en-Laye, the 27th of
December, 1695.'

"This will, I hope, satisfy you, gentlemen, that we are not acting
without due authority; moreover, you should be aware that the Duke of
Berwick came over to England a few months ago, and visited many of the
principal adherents of King James, who are all ready, on the signal
which we shall make them, to rise in arms, and raise the standard of our
lawful king. He is also at the present moment prepared to put himself
at the head of an army of 20,000 French soldiers, who are drawn out of
the different garrisons of the neighbourhood of Calais. There is also a
fleet ready to bring them across as soon as they receive the signal
which we are preparing to give. The French king has promised to support
King James, and will follow with another army, which will be as soon as
possible collected."

"That appears a well-arranged, straightforward scheme, such as soldiers
and men of honour can engage in," observed another speaker.

"I am glad you think so, Captain," obse