Mr. Wesley made an effort to move him, but the justice continued inflexible, and the applicants, who had made certain of success, left in high dudgeon.
But they were determined not to be baffled, and at the minister's instance, Reuben and Hammet set off at once for Lyme Regis, for the purpose of laying the matter before Captain Macy.
"I shall be greatly surprised," said Wesley, "if the captain, who is keen and clear-sighted, very different from this dull-witted, prejudiced justice, does not immediately discern the truth."
They were not long in getting to Lyme Regis, and very soon found Captain Macy—a fierce and zealous Republican soldier—who listened to all they had to narrate with the utmost interest and attention.
As Mr. Wesley anticipated, he took a very different view of the case from Justice Butler.
"You have done well in coming hither," he said; "and if the young man, Charles Stuart, be captured, as with Heaven's grace he will be, ye shall both be amply rewarded. I will start in pursuit of him at once, Ye say that he and his attendants are gone towards Bridport."
"The person, whom I believe to be Charles Stuart, is gone in that direction," said Reuben. "You will know him, inasmuch as he hath a fair young damsel seated on a pillion behind him."
"Two of his companions took a different course," remarked Hammet. "But no doubt they will rejoin him."
"Charles Stuart is the prize I aim at," cried Captain Macy. "Him will I follow."
"Him will you assuredly capture, provided you loiter not by the way, captain," said Reuben.