ct for Lisbon. So far no
human enemy had molested him.

The ship was nearing the coast of Portugal, and the sailors were
expecting to sight land on the morrow. March was half-way through, the
sun warm by day and the breezes often southerly and genial. Morgan and
Jeffreys were wondering what might befall them in the realms of King
Philip, and how they should get ship from there to England. They had
but little money, as the captain had treated them as guests of gentle
birth, paying with food the services they could render him. Spain was
dangerous ground for English feet, and no foreign land could well be
pleasant to a set of penniless men. The prospect was not alluring.

Now and again sails appeared above the horizon, and after weary
watching Jeffreys espied one that he declared to be English. The
vessel was coming up from the south, and the _Donna Philippa_ was
steering almost due east. At a certain point their paths would cross.
The two Englishmen went to the captain and called his attention to
this, and asked him to shape his course so as to meet the oncoming
boat, and put them aboard if she chanced to be English.

The skipper demurred at first. His cargo was precious, but safe; he
was almost in sight of home. Why should he run risks? The adventurers
assured him that there could be no risk. The stranger vessel was a
small one; if any other than English, she would never dare to fight a
ship of the tonnage of the _Donna Philippa_; and if English, they would
guarantee that not a blow should be struck. After much persuasion the
captain consented.

The little ship was hailed, and proved to be a Canary trader bound for
Bristol. Morgan went aboard and explained matters, and the captain
gladly consented to receive them and give them a passage home. So, to
the surprise of the crew of the galleon, the men were transhipped a
day's sail from harbour.

Ten days later the trader dropped anchor in the Avon. Morgan went to
the mayor of the city, saw him privately, and explained who he was, and
what had befallen him and his comrades. His worship listened to the
story, and advanced the adventurer money to take him and his friends to
their homes. The next day the seven, with handshakes, kisses, even
tears, separated and went their several ways.

Chapter LI.

THE FOREST AGAIN--AND THE SEA.

Johnnie Morgan had tramped up from Bristol to Berkeley, and now stood
on the Severn bank at the eastern end of the f