“But what shall we do with her now that we have got her? We don’t want any pretty women among our band; the lads would be cutting each other’s throats over her.”
“No fear of that; she won’t stay long in the company of the Dozen. The king would give any price for her.”
“Then he shall have her.”
“Not so fast,” said Captain Jack, leading the way to a small public-house, not more than a hundred yards from their store-house on the river side, “not so fast, Bates, not so fast. She is well provided for the night, you say, and that is sufficient. I must pay a hasty visit to Darlington ere we make up our mind what to do.”
They had now reached the public-house, and were conversing in an undertone together when a post-boy rode up and dismounted.
Tired, dirty, and muddy he was, and seemed ready to sink from fatigue.
“Come far to-night?” said Captain Jack.
“Yes, sir, a good many miles, and have ridden faster than ever I did in my whole life.”
“Where from?” said Bates, shoving over his bottle to the post-boy.
“From Darlington.”