well mounted and provisioned; and then, without
a moment lost, called them to horse.

"Farewell, comrade," said Tom, as he saw me go. "I could even envy
thee, though it is like to cost thee somewhat. For the Captain hath
twenty men already, and hath eyes and ears in his head. Commend me to
thy lass, and let her know she hath had a narrow escape of a sweetheart
in Tom Price."

"She shall thank you for your honesty, comrade, with her own sweet
lips," said I, and hallooed my men forward.

Next day we were at the sea, and embarked--horses and all--on a barque
that was even then weighing anchor with other troops on board for
Knockfergus.

To my surprise, among the men that crowded the deck was the fellow I had
seen two days ago, who had reminded me of Peter Stoupe. When I saw him
now, I knew for certain it was he.

I stood full in front of him, to see if he would know me again, for I
cared not if he did. He looked at me meekly without a sign of
recognition, and humming ever, passed his eyes to some other place.

"So, so, Peter," thought I, "as you know not your old shopmate, why
should I disturb your humming?"

And I carelessly asked a man who stood next him whither his company was
bound and on what service.--

"Westward," he said, "to look for Spaniards. And you?"

"To join one Captain Merriman in the north."

It tickled me much to see Peter start and change colour at that.

"Ah, 'tis a brave gallant, I'm told," said the man. "'Twas he slew
Sorley Boy's son, was it not?"

"Ay, a brave deed that was," said I. "I saw it."

The fellow laughed.

"You know him, then? Ha! ha! You can satisfy Peter here better than I
can. He desireth to know the Captain's whereabouts; and when I tell him
he is no further off than the nearest pretty face, he turneth up his
eyes as if he expected to see him at his own side. He! he! What say
you, Peter?"

"I say, alack that such men should wear her Majesty's colours," said he,
with a snivel.

"Amen to that," said I, giving him a thwack on the back that made him
jump. "'Tis a pity her Majesty hath not more like you, Peter. How do
you call your name?"

"Stoupe," said he, looking up at me meekly and rubbing his shoulder.

After that we went to look to our horses, and I saw little more of him
that voyage; for from the moment we put out to sea he fell as sick as a
dog, and lay on the floor of the ship praying Heaven to put an end to
his sorrows, till we reached Knoc