me that I could not have a better
opportunity. Your chest has been transferred to the _Ruby_, and you can
carry your valise while I carry mine."

They hastened down to the boat and immediately stepped aboard, when the
boatmen began to row lustily down the stream, the tide fortunately
favouring them. They safely shot under the arches of London Bridge, and
were now among vessels of various sizes and rigs, some moored to the
banks, others brought up in the stream. Though the day was long, it was
dusk before they reached the _Ruby_ Shaking Roger by the hand, Mr
Handscombe bade him answer the hail of the sentry, and then without loss
of time stepped up the side with his valise.

"Are you not coming, sir?" asked Roger. "No, my lad," was the answer;
"I am going on board a merchant vessel which sails by the next tide.
Fare thee well. I hope to meet you again some time when you return
home; at present I know not exactly what is to be my destination."

Roger, as desired, answered the sentry's hail, and was allowed to step
on board, when the boat glided away immediately, and was lost to sight.
Captain Benbow, who was on board, received him cordially, and expressed
his satisfaction at seeing him return so punctually. Roger expected to
be questioned as to what was taking place in the west, but the Captain
showed very little interest in the matter. He merely observed, "The
Duke of Monmouth has landed, I understand. He did a foolish thing, but
will do a wiser if he gets out of the country as fast as he can. Now,
Willoughby, there is plenty of work for us on board; we have to
fresh-rig the ship and get the crew into good discipline. At present
except the men I brought from the _Benbow_ frigate, for one and all
volunteered to follow me, we have not many worth their salt."

Roger was well pleased at being treated in a confidential way by his
Captain; it showed that he was looked upon not only as a sailor, but as
fit to become an officer. Except one lieutenant, the master, and
boatswain, the other officers, strange as it may seem, had not been
regularly bred to the sea.

"We must get another tarpaulin or two if the ship is ever to be brought
into order," observed Benbow; "these young gentlemen from the shore are
very well in their way, but they are more ornamental than useful."

As soon as Roger had parted from the Captain, on going round the ship he
encountered old Sam Stokes.

"Glad to see you aboard our new ship, Mr W