the day, and soothing its spirit to enjoy the deeper rest
and tranquillity of the night. There was a little horseplay amongst
the lads gathered round the tumblers and tavern doors, but it hardly
disturbed the calm peacefulness of the scene. The side streets were
practically deserted, Chepe and St. Paul's Churchyard being the
fashionable promenades. Not a solitary figure blotted the narrow vista
of Wood Street when the three friends turned their wearied legs into
it. They found "Ye Swanne" in charge of the tapster and the
serving-wench, and with Paignton Rob for its solitary guest. He hailed
his hosts of the previous day with delight, and hastened to inform them
that Dame Fortune was "smiling upon him with both eyes." Whilst
lounging in the aisles of St. Paul's he had been recognized by a
Dartmouth skipper under whom he had once crossed the Atlantic on a
piratical expedition against Spain. The venture had failed, and the
golden visions dangled before Rob's eyes had vanished. But the
Dartmouth captain had tried again, and had been eminently successful,
bringing home a shipload of rich booty. Hearing Rob's story of
Oxenham's expedition, and seeing for himself the marks of Spanish
cruelty on the seaman's body, the generous skipper had made Rob a
present of ten crowns, and had also given the Johnsons--whom he had
never seen before--a couple of crowns apiece, and offered all three a
berth aboard his ship, which was leaving for Dartmouth on the next
morning's tide. The Johnsons had accepted, but Rob had declined, being
resolved to see Raleigh and some other gentlemen adventurers concerning
his plans for a recovery of Oxenham's buried treasure.

"And now," added the sailor, "I owe ye a debt of hospitality, and am
come hither to pay it. The tapster hath my orders, and ye will not
refuse to take bite and sup with me this night."

Not one of the company said "Nay," for Rob was evidently bent upon
playing the host. But Captain Dawe asked where his daughter and
Mistress Stowe had hidden themselves, and got for answer the tidings
that they had gone out into the Moorfields to take the air and see an
archery contest, the heat in the city having been well-nigh intolerable
that afternoon.

The twilight was growing faint, the narrow street was in semi-darkness.
Johnnie inquired which way the ladies would return, and getting the
direction started out to meet them and give them escort. He had not
gone far before he saw two