a I
will cleave. Besides, I am Francis Drake's man now, and with him I shall
see rare ventures. Already there is talk of an expedition against the
Spaniards. That is the life for me."

So there was no more to be said, and I gave him my hand sorrowfully, for
he had proved a true friend.

"Good-bye, then, Pharaoh Nanjulian."

"Good-bye, master. We have seen some rare ventures together. I thank God
for bringing us safely out of them."

"Amen! I shall not forget them or thee. And God grant we may meet
again."

So we pressed each other's hands with full hearts, and I went away and
left him gazing after me.

CHAPTER XX.

BEECHCOT ONCE MORE.

Because it was autumn, I found some slight difficulty in traveling
across country from Plymouth to Beechcot, and it accordingly was several
days before I reached York and entered upon the final stage of my
journey. At Plymouth I had bought a stout horse, and pushed forward,
mounted in creditable fashion, to Exeter, and from thence to Bristol,
where I struck into the Midlands and made for Derby and Sheffield. It
took me a fortnight to reach York, and there, my horse being well-nigh
spent, though I had used him with mercy, I exchanged him for a cob,
which was of stout build, and good enough to carry me over the thirty
miles which yet remained of my journey.

Now, as I drew near the old place, in the twilight of a dull October
afternoon, my heart beat within my breast as if it would suffocate me. I
had been away two years, and had gone under circumstances of the
strangest character. Those whom I had left behind had probably long
since given me up as dead. Worse than that--how did I know what
malicious story might not have been invented and set forth by my cousin
Jasper as to my disappearance? Well, the time was now at hand when all
should be explained. But yet--what changes might there not be? I dreaded
to think of them. I might find my good uncle dead, Jasper in possession,
my sweetheart married--but nay, that seemed hardly to be believed. And
yet if she thought me dead?

Thus I went forward, my heart torn by many conflicting emotions. Then I
began to think of the changes that had taken place in me. Two years ago
I had set out a light-hearted, careless lad, full of confidence and
ignorance, knowing naught of the world nor of its cruelties. Now I came
back a man, full of strange experiences, my mind charged with many
terrible memories, my body bearing witness of the suf