Roger turned inquiringly towards them.
“As Captain Benbow is good enough to take you, we will do our best to get the things you require ready,” said Madam Pauline.
“I am loath to lose Roger, but if he will accept some of my clothing, I will ride back to Langton Park and get it for him,” said Stephen. “It is much against the grain, though, I confess.”
“Thank you, thank you, Stephen,” cried Roger, grasping his friend’s hand. “I know that you are sorry to part from me, but then you know how much I long to go to sea, and may never have so good an opportunity.”
The matter being thus settled, Madam Pauline and Alice hastened to inspect poor Roger’s scanty wardrobe, and to consider how with the materials in the house they could most speedily add to it, while Stephen, mounting his horse, rode away for Langton, and Roger himself, accompanied by Master Holden, hunted through the big lumber-room at the top of the house, with the hopes of finding a chest in which his property might be stowed. He soon found one of oak, clamped with iron, which, though larger and heavier than was desirable, might, he thought, serve the purpose required. Their next business was to collect the treasures, including a few well-thumbed books, which Roger wished to take with him, and which he at once placed in the bottom of the chest. The rest of the party remained at table, the Colonel talking chiefly with Captain Benbow, whom he looked upon as an old friend.
“You will remain at the manor-house to-night, I hope,” said the Colonel, “and you may return in the morning with my nephew at as early an hour as you desire. I suspect that the females of the family will take but few hours of rest, as their needles will be busy during the night in preparing the young fellow’s wardrobe.”
“Thank you for the offer, Colonel, but I have made a rule, from which I never depart, always to sleep on board my ship,” answered the Captain. “I know not what may happen during the night, and I am thus in readiness for any emergency.”
Mr Willoughby was engaged in earnest conversation with Master Handscombe, the merchant, on matters which, it appeared, they were unwilling should reach the ears of the Colonel. They spoke of the Duke of Monmouth, Lord Shaftesbury, and many other persons. Master Handscombe appeared to be very anxious to ascertain the political opinions of the landowners and other gentlemen residing in that part of Dorsetshire and the neighbouring counties of Wilts and Devon. It might have been suspected that the cloth-merchant had other objects in view besides those connected with his mercantile pursuits.
In spite of the exertions made by the indefatigable Madame Pauline and her assistants during the evening, Roger’s wardrobe was not completed; indeed, darkness was approaching before Stephen Battiscombe returned with the bundle of clothing which he had generously devoted to the use of his friend. Captain Benbow had risen from the table, and having wished the Colonel and the rest of the party good-bye, was prepared to set out on his return to his ship. Stephen and Roger insisted on accompanying him, and he was glad of their society, as he confessed that he might have some difficulty in finding his way alone. His boat was waiting for him at the beach.
“You will come down with your traps as soon as possible after daylight, my lad,” he said, as he stepped on board, “and I will send a boat on shore for you.”