“You are of an inquisitive disposition regarding all things nautical, Roger,” observed the Colonel. “I have no objection, if your father has not, but take care you are not carried off to sea. We must make Stephen Battiscombe answerable for that; and if the vessel has a suspicious look, remember that you are not to venture on board.”
“Ah, yes; do take care that the strange ship you speak of is not a pirate. It would be dreadful to have you spirited away, as I have heard has sometimes happened,” observed Madam Pauline.
“There is not much risk of that,” observed Mr Willoughby. “Since the noble Blake commanded the fleets of England, such gentry have not dared to venture into the English Channel.”
“And are you also going, Master Battiscombe?” asked Alice, turning to Stephen.
“I have no great fancy for the expedition, and would rather spend my time here, Mistress Alice,” he answered. “But Roger begs for my companionship, and I must go to look after him, for I suspect that he would not be greatly grieved if he were to be carried off, as his heart is set on visiting foreign lands, and he knows not how to accomplish his wishes.”
“If you go I know you will advise him wisely,” said Alice, in a tone which showed that she placed confidence in the person she was addressing.
Stephen looked gratified. “I will not betray my trust,” he said, “and I hope, Mistress Alice, that I shall act in a way to merit your approval.”
The lads did not allow their plates to remain idly before them. Roger sent his for an additional supply of the goodly sirloin which the Colonel was carving, and then, as soon as he had finished eating, without waiting for the pasties or Master Holden’s grace, he started up and said: “We have your leave, uncle, my father not objecting, to visit the stranger, and I doubt not we shall bring you before evening a good account of her.”
Mr Willoughby nodded his assent. “You may go, Roger, and Stephen is his own master, but remember the caution you have received. Should you find, which is most probable, that the commander is a goodly person, and his ship is going to remain long enough at anchor, you may invite him up to the manor-house, and say we shall gladly receive him. It may be that he has been long at sea, and some fresh provisions will be welcome.”
“Thank you,” said Roger, leaving his chair.—“Come along, Stephen; we shall find Ben Rullock and Toby at their hut before they leave for their evening fishing, if we make haste.”