“Why,” quoth he, “knowing your story as I do, Master Salkeld, I make no wonder that you should be in some haste to return to your own friends. I pray God that you may find all well with them.”
Then he generously pressed upon me a sum of money in gold, wherewith to fit myself out for the journey and defray my expenses on the way; and for this kindness I was deeply grateful, seeing that I was utterly penniless, and owed the very garments I then wore to the charity of one of his officers. So I said farewell to him and his company, and begged them to remember me if we should meet no more, and then I went to find Pharaoh Nanjulian.
“Pharaoh,” said I, when I came upon him on the deck of the Golden Hinde, “I am going home.”
He pushed back his cap and scratched his head and looked at me.
“Aye,” he said, “I supposed it would be so, master. As for me, I have no home to go to. My mother is dead and buried in Marazion churchyard, and I have neither kith nor kin in the wide world.”
“Come with me to Beechcot,” said I, “you shall abide there for the rest of your days in peace and plenty.”
But he shook his head.
“Nay, master,” he answered, “that would never do. I am naught but a rough sea-dog, and I should be too big and savage for a quiet life. Besides, yon constable of yours would be forever at my heels, fearing lest I should break the peace again.”
“There shall no man harm you if you will come with me,” said I. “Come and be my man.”