"My cousin and my future bride, gentlemen will sing you another song; and I don't mind following suit myself, just to show there is no ill feeling between us; and our worthy captain, he will oblige after me, I am sure. It may be a good many years before we meet again."
"It may," said the captain, laconically.
"I—I cannot sing any more, Reuben," cried Sophie.
"Try, Sophie, for all our sakes; our home's sake—the home they would strip, or burn to the ground, if they had only the chance."
"Why do you wish to keep them here?" Sophie whispered back to him.
"I was released by a troop of soldiers who were coming in this direction," he said, hurriedly. They have gone on toward Finchley in search of these robbers, but, failing to find them, they will return here as my guests till morning. That was their promise."
"Oh!"
Sophie could not say more. Reuben had left her side, and was talking and laughing with Stango as though he loved him.
"Your sweetheart, then, this cock o' the game?" said the captain to Sophie, as he approached her once more.
"Yes."