“No, good sir, I said not so,” answered Mr Handscombe. “I am merely repeating at your desire what people do say in the city, and in the towns also through which I passed.”
While they were speaking, Tobias Platt had placed a smoking hot dish before the hungry traveller, on which the Colonel bade him fall-to. Scarcely, however, had he commenced operations, when young Roger hurried into the hall.
“We have brought him, uncle; he was very willing to come, and you will like him as much as we do. I ran on to announce him, and he and Stephen will be here anon.”
“But who is your friend?” asked the Colonel. “You have not told us.”
“He is the captain of the fine ship we saw entering the bay; his name is Benbow, and his ship is the Benbow frigate. He received us in a courteous manner when we went on board, and told him that we had come to invite him on shore. He said as there was no prospect of a breeze for some hours, he would gladly accept your invitation.—Here he comes.”
A youngish, broadly-built man, with light blue eyes and somewhat sun-burnt complexion, dressed as a sea-going officer of those days, entered the hall accompanied by Stephen Battiscombe, and advanced, hat in hand, towards the Colonel, who rose to receive him.
“You have come just in time, Captain Benbow, for such I hear is your name, to partake of a dinner prepared for a friend from London; you are heartily welcome.”
“Thanks, good sir, but I dined before I came on shore, though I shall be happy to quaff a glass of wine to your health and that of your guests,” he answered, as he seated himself in a chair, which the Colonel offered, by his side.
“We have not many visitors in this quiet place, and are always glad to receive those who have sailed, as you have undoubtedly, to many foreign lands,” observed the Colonel, as he poured out a glass of sparkling wine for the new-comer, who, before putting it to his lips, bowed to the ladies and then to the Colonel and the other gentlemen.
“Methinks I should know you, Captain Benbow,” said Mr Handscombe, looking up at him from the other side of the table. “We have met on ’Change, and I may venture to say it in your presence that no sea-captain stands higher than you do in the estimation of the merchants of London.”