After this the Benbow frigate continued her course across the Bay of Biscay without meeting with any adventure. One day the Captain was talking over his plans with Stephen. “When I get to London, as soon as I have discharged my cargo and secured another freight, one of the first things I shall have to do will be to present myself to King James and see what notice he is inclined to take of the King of Spain’s recommendation.”
“To King James!” exclaimed Stephen. “Why, I was not aware that King Charles the Second was dead.”
“Dead he is though, and, as the Spaniards say, died a true Catholic. Cannot say it is much to his credit, as he always pretended to his subjects to be a Protestant, and now that King James, who is more honest in that respect, acknowledges himself to be a Catholic, the French and the Spaniards are rejoicing at the thought that England will be turned back to the old faith, and that the object of the Spanish Armada will be gained.”
“Heaven forbid that such should be the case!” exclaimed Stephen.
“I have no wish for it, and do not believe the people of England will consent to such a change,” remarked the Captain; “but as I am a tarpaulin, as they call us, I do not trouble myself with affairs on shore, and it is my business to obey the laws, and do my duty to whatever king is on the throne.”
“I cannot altogether agree with you there,” said Stephen. “Our fathers fought to gain our civil and religious liberty, and it behoves us, their children, to defend those liberties with our lives.”
The Captain shrugged his shoulders, remarking that he had not given his thoughts to such matters.
The news he had heard made Stephen meditate a great deal, and become more than ever anxious to return home. At length the Lizard was made, and the eyes of the adventurers were gladdened with the sight once more of their native land. The wind being fair, the Benbow frigate soon afterwards passed the Start, when she came up with a small vessel running in for the land. The Captain hailed her.
“Where are you bound for?” he asked.
“Lyme,” was the answer.