guns
of the Beggars!

"These scenes," I exclaimed, "will sicken me for war for the rest of my
days!"

"I cannot say that it has that effect on me," said A'Dale. "It is very
horrible, but people fight to kill, and know that they run the risk of
being killed. Now I am rather weary of the merchant's desk, and if some
of these gallant captains will receive me as an officer on board their
ships, I propose joining them."

"You an officer, A'Dale?" I said; "you know but little of nautical
affairs."

"But I can soon learn," he answered. "Very few of them knew much about
the sea a few months ago. Besides, I have a fancy for a rover's life on
the ocean."

"But what is to become of Mistress Margery?" I asked, in a low voice.

"Ah! there's the rub," he answered. "I will tell you about it
by-and-by. It is not that I do not love her, or that she does not
return my affection. Do not suppose that; but this is not the place to
talk about it."

We had returned to our boat when he said this, and were pulling towards
one of the Beggars' ships which lay between us and the _Falcon_. On
stepping on board, the commander received us very courteously. I found
that he was a well-known noble, William de Blois, of Treslong. Fearing,
notwithstanding the promise of the first officer who had visited us,
that Don Rodrigo's life would be endangered, we begged Captain Treslong
to interfere in his favour, explaining who he was, and the generous way
he had behaved towards us. He promised faithfully to do so; and our
minds were thus greatly relieved with regard to Don Rodrigo. I proposed
returning to the _Falcon_; but, to my surprise and regret, A'Dale there
and then tendered his services to Captain Treslong, who accepted his
offer.

"You must not expect any high rank given to you at first," he said; "but
you will fight your way up to that in time, I doubt not, from the
account you give of yourself; and I fully believe you will be a credit
to the cause. You had better go back to your ship and see your friends,
and come on board before we part company. We shall probably see you
safe in sight of the English coast. By the bye, your captain must not
expect to escape without paying salvage. Our men are disappointed at
having lost the Spaniard's large ship; and they will be in no good
humour unless they collect a little prize money."

With this not very satisfactory message, we pulled back towards the
_Falcon_. I asked A'Dale again