"Pa'son sent me to fetch Sir Bevil and yeomanry, sir," said the man. "The French hev landed."
"Good heavens! Is it Boney himself?" cried the riding-officer.
"No, it be Maister Delarousse from Rusco: he've come and catched Maister John, and hev shet hisself in the inn."
"Delarousse, begad! Well, my men, there's a thousand pounds offered for the capture of that rascally Frenchman. Ride on, then; we'll have the villain!"
They galloped on, sparks flying from beneath the horses' hoofs. When they came to the crest of the high ground overlooking the Towers, they saw smoke and flame rising from the Dower House, and spurred the faster. In another minute they spied three figures making their way towards the Towers. The middle one of the three was a plump, red-faced woman in a print dress, her bonnet askew, her ribbons flying. On the left she was supported by a sturdy, thick-set lad, on the right by a slim and comely maid. Each clasped the woman about the waist, their arms crossing, and thus assisted her slowly over the ground. The dragoons kissed their hands gallantly to the maid as they flashed by.
"All safe at the Towers, Sam?" shouted Mr. Polwhele.
But Sam at that moment was too self-conscious and abashed to reply.
Meanwhile the whole population of Polkerran was gathered on the shore of the harbour, watching the privateer fade away into the distance, and discussing the extraordinary events of the past hour. Doubledick and Tonkin were the centre of an excited throng, to whom they had to relate over again the tale of John Trevanion's iniquities. The Squire and Mr. Carlyon had withdrawn to the inn-parlour, where they sat conversing over their pipes and glasses of rum shrub. Some of the children had climbed the hill to witness the Dower House blazing. Nobody thought of making an attempt to save the place, which indeed would have been impossible.
"Well," said Petherick, in the midst of the crowd, "'tis the Lord's doin', and marvellous in our eyes. But now I axe 'ee, Zacky, where be yer boy Jake?"
"What d'ye mean, constable?" asked the fisher.