found Rye a snug little town, and so entirely peaceable-looking that when I went out in the morning I was afraid there would be nobody there who would join me in the hazardous task of taking possession of the place of so well-known a man as the Earl of Westport. But I did not know Rye then as well as I do now: it proved to be a great resort for smugglers when they were off duty and wished to enjoy the innocent relaxation of a town after the comparative loneliness of the sea-coast, although, if all the tales they tell me are true, the authorities sometimes made the sea-shore a little too lively for their comfort. Then there were a number of seafaring men looking for a job, and some of them had the appearance of being pirates in more prosperous days.
As I wandered about I saw a most gigantic ruffian, taking his ease with his back against the wall, looking down on the shipping.
"If that man's as bold as he's strong," said I to myself, "and I had half a dozen more like him, we'd hold Brede House till the day there's liberty in Ireland;" so I accosted him.
"The top o' the morning to you," said I genially.
He eyed me up and down, especially glancing at the sword by my side, and then said civilly:
"The same to you, sir. You seem to be looking for some one?"
"I am," said I, "I'm looking for nine men."
"If you'll tell me their names I'll tell you where to find them, for I know everybody in Rye."
"If that's the case you'll know their names, which is more than I do myself."
"Then you're not acquainted with them?"