Sir Walter, anxious to secure the reputed convict, expressed his approval of such an arrangement, and Shedlock hastened to carry it out. Having written the note, he handed it over to Sir Walter, and that individual, who had now no further business with him, and was heartily weary of his company, thereupon took his leave, and departed.
His groom waited without with his horse, and, quickly mounting, Sir Walter bade him attend him to Topsham.
Topsham, the port of Exeter, was a small straggling town, situate on the estuary of the Exe. It was only five miles distant, and though the road, owing to a recent copious rain, was somewhat heavy, and their horses had that morning been ridden many miles, they passed along at a quick pace, and soon entered the principal street.
At that point of their journey, Sir Walter espied a person approaching, in company with three sailors, whom he recognised as the lieutenant, or chief mariner, of his favourite ship; and he called to him to stop.
“Ho, Master Halyard!” he cried, drawing up his horse.
The person addressed immediately came to a halt, and then, looking round, let his eye fall full on Sir Walter’s face. After he had thus surveyed his features, he raised his hand to the brim of a very broad tarpaulin hat; and the three sailors who were with him, and who, on his coming to a halt, had ranged themselves in his rear, instantly performed the same evolution. Having caught a good hold of the brim of his hat, the lieutenant pulled his head forward, as if he intended to make a bow; and the three sailors, as in the first instance, followed his example.
“Ay, ay, Sir!” cried the lieutenant.
“Ay, ay, Sir!” cried the three sailors.
“Is your captain aboard?” asked Sir Walter, with a smile.
“I’faith, no, Sir,” answered the lieutenant. “About a week agone, when we had set all taught aboard, he started on a cruise inland. He hath not shown his colours here since.”