Heaven the
lives of all who should adventure on the sea.

At the landing-creek there had already gathered about a dozen of the
outlaws. To these the skiff was left, and they were bidden embark
without delay.

A little farther up the beach Dick found Lord Foxham hurrying in quest
of him, his face concealed with a dark hood, and his bright armour
covered by a long russet mantle of a poor appearance.

"Young Shelton," he said, "are ye for sea, then, truly?"

"My lord," replied Richard, "they lie about the house with horsemen; it
may not be reached from the land side without alarum; and Sir Daniel
once advertised of our adventure, we can no more carry it to a good end
than, saving your presence, we could ride upon the wind. Now, in going
round by sea, we do run some peril by the elements; but, what much
outweigheth all, we have a chance to make good our purpose and bear off
the maid."

"Well," returned Lord Foxham, "lead on. I will, in some sort, follow you
for shame's sake; but I own I would I were in bed."

"Here, then," said Dick. "Hither we go to fetch our pilot."

And he led the way to the rude alehouse where he had given rendezvous to
a portion of his men. Some of these he found lingering round the door
outside; others had pushed more boldly in, and, choosing places as near
as possible to where they saw their comrade, gathered close about
Lawless and the two shipmen. These, to judge by the distempered
countenance and cloudy eye, had long since gone beyond the boundaries of
moderation; and as Richard entered, closely followed by Lord Foxham,
they were all three tuning up an old, pitiful sea-ditty, to the chorus
of the wailing of the gale.

The young leader cast a rapid glance about the shed. The fire had just
been replenished, and gave forth volumes of black smoke, so that it was
difficult to see clearly in the farther corners. It was plain, however,
that the outlaws very largely outnumbered the remainder of the guests.
Satisfied upon this point, in case of any failure in the operation of
his plan, Dick strode up to the table and resumed his place upon the
bench.

"Hey?" cried the skipper tipsily, "who are ye, hey?"

"I want a word with you without, Master Arblaster," returned Dick; "and
here is what we shall talk of." And he showed him a gold noble in the
glimmer of the firelight.

The shipman's eyes burned, although he still failed to recognise our
hero.

"Ay, boy," he said, "I am with you.--Gossip,