“Who goes there?” asked a voice, which they recognised as that of Mr Willoughby. “Whither are you going, lads, on such a night as this?” he inquired.
“We are greatly afraid that some misadventure may have befallen the Benbow frigate, and are going to see, father. You will not say us no, I hope?”
Mr Willoughby hesitated, but Roger pressed the point, and finally obtained leave, his father assisting them to close the door, to do which required no small amount of exertion. So great was the darkness, in spite of Roger’s knowledge of the road and the lantern he carried, the lads could not at times clearly see their way. The wind blew in their faces the branches waved to and fro, the tall trees bent, while ever and anon down came the rain in huge drops battering against them. Still they struggled on. Crossing the downs, they had still to make greater exertions, or further progress would have been impossible, but they were not to be daunted.
“We must take care that we do not go suddenly over the edge of the cliff,” said Stephen, who was always cautious. “Even with the light of the lantern it is difficult to distinguish it.”
“I shall see it clearly enough when we get there,” said Roger. “But I propose that we first visit Ben Rullock’s cottage, and get him and his boy to help us; he will know whereabouts the ship lies.”
“But you do not think we can go off to the ship in his boat?” remarked Stephen.
“No; my fear is that the ship may be driven in close to the shore, and that her crew may be unable to escape from her,” said Roger.
He, knowing the locality well, even in the darkness, managed to hit the path which led down to the old fisherman’s cottage; he and his companion, however, had to walk cautiously, for it was narrow and winding, and a false step might have sent them over the cliff.
On reaching the door they knocked loudly.
“Ben Rullock, turn out! turn out! there is a ship in danger!” shouted Roger. But the dashing of the breakers on the shore, and the howling of the wind, produced so wild an uproar that his voice was not heard. Again and again he and Stephen shouted and knocked louder and louder.