“You have rendered me a great service,” said the prince. “But where am I to go on board the sloop?—at Berwick?”
“No, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “Since there is almost a certainty of fine weather, Captain Hawker will weigh anchor at nine o'clock, and fire a gun to let you know when he gets off the castle.”
The prince signified his approval of the arrangement.
“A boat shall be ready to take you to the sloop, so that your majesty may embark immediately,” said Forster.
Again the prince expressed his satisfaction, but he asked Mr. Forster if he had noticed the boat containing the armed men, that had crossed the Fairway, apparently to reconnoitre the castle.
“Those men were only fishermen, my liege,” replied the squire. “I felt sure they would move off, and so they did. It is not by those poor fellows that your majesty's departure will be hindered.”
VIII.—HOW THE SHERIFF AND HIS TROOP WERE CARED FOR.
Early in the morning, Captain Wogan with his brother, and Mr. Talbot and his brother, set forth on horseback to patrol the country, and proceeded towards Dunstan-borough, stationing themselves at various points commanding the road.