work as well as my companions
and I. "There are a good many strangers in the town, and it would not
do to leave the house empty. Margaret can trim the lantern, as she
knows how to do it better than I do. Be quick about it, for I must be
off again as fast as my legs can carry me."

"Take a crust of bread and a piece of cheese in the meantime, Master
Ben," said Margaret, as she took down the lantern, and examined the
wick.

"I have no time for eating; I am not hungry," I answered, and I watched
her impatiently, while she poured in some fresh oil. Taking the lantern
as soon as it was lighted, I hurried out, and, holding it before me, ran
on without fear of rushing against any one coming from an opposite
direction. I had got a short distance when I found myself in the midst
of a body of men, who were coming up from the harbour carrying loads on
their shoulder. They had, I discovered from the remarks which reached
me, just landed.

"Do you bring any news?" I inquired.

"Fine news, young sir," answered one of the men. "Prince Maurice has
been driven away from Plymouth, which he tried to take, but couldn't.
But, as maybe he will pay a visit to Lyme, we have brought you powder
and shot, and other munitions of war, and no doubt Colonel Blake will
make good use of them."

Having obtained all the information I could from the communicative
seaman, I hurried on with the satisfactory intelligence to the works,
where I found my father leaning on his spade, pretty well tired out by
his unusual exertions. The light of the lantern I brought, however,
enabled us to proceed, and he recommenced digging with as much energy as
before.

As we were running backwards and forwards, I could see numerous other
lights all along the line, within a few yards of each other, marking the
spots where the people were working.

It was nearly midnight before our task was concluded. Not one of us had
felt hungry or thirsty. My father then insisted on our returning home,
and on our way we left Lancelot and Dick at their respective homes.

We found Audrey and Margaret sitting up for us, both looking somewhat
pale, naturally supposing that if the finishing of the earthworks was so
important, immediate danger was to be apprehended. Supper over, we
knelt in prayer, which, on all occasions and under all circumstances,
was our wont. Then retiring to bed, I for one slept like a top. Next
day was like the previous one.

The news that Prince