The two men looked significantly at each other, as much as to say, “It is time for us to be off.”
“I have one question more to ask,” said Laud. “Where is Margaret?”
“She is gone to service at her Uncle Leader’s, of Brandiston. It is no great place for her, but she will be out of the way of reproaches she has suffered, Laud, on your account. Moreover, she has refused the hand of a most respectable young man, whom I should have been glad that she would have accepted. But he is gone to a distant land, and neither you nor I, Will, shall see him again. John Barry has sailed, as a free settler, either to Van Diemen’s Land, or to Canada, I know not which.”
These words were most welcome to the listener’s heart. He had not heard any which sounded so joyful to him for a long time. He made no reply, however, but tendered a purse to the old man.
“No; keep your money to yourself, Laud, and make an honest use of it. I would not touch it, if I was starving. But you may rest here if you please, and such cheer as my poor cot can afford you shall be welcome to, for my dear daughter’s sake!”
“No, no, I thank you. We must be on board our ship again to-night. Our bark is in the river, and if the enemy catch us, he will show us no quarter. So good-night, father, good-night!”
“I do not wish to detain you, but hear me, Laud. If you have a mind to make my poor girl happy, leave off your present life, and this acquaintance too, this man’s company.”
“Come on!" said Luff, impatiently—"Come on! We’ve got no time to lose. Our boat will be fast upon the mud. Good-night, old man, and when you and I meet again, let us be a little more friendly to each other.”
It was well for both of them that they departed as they did; for, shortly after they were gone, the tramp of horses along the road told of the return of the coastguard.
They stopped at Catchpole’s cottage, and calling aloud, young Edward went out to them.