The Buccaneer - A Tale

"Safe from one at least," said Robin, jumping in ecstasy, but yet

speaking in a subdued voice. "I would know the neigh of that black steed

amid a thousand; its tone is like that of a trumpet, mightiest among its

kind. I feel as if the weight of a hundred stone was off my heart--don't

you?"

Dalton replied not, for he was fearlessly striding towards the house,

not, as before, sneaking among the bushes.

"Let us to the window, Captain," said Robin.

"Not I," he replied. "What care I for any of them now? I shall

demand Walter from Sir Robert."

"You are foolhardy. What can be done quietly, ought to be done quietly.

If we cannot succeed so, why dare both Sir Robert and Sir Willmott?"

"I believe you are right, though I hate sailing on a lee-shore. The

open, open sea, for my money! Hark ye! Cecil dare not refuse me this."

"Or any thing else, I suspect--though I know not why," replied Robin, as

he commenced climbing by the creeping plants to the prison-window,

beneath which they now stood. "How delighted he will be to see my ugly

face, poor fellow!"

Robin continued muttering broken sentences all the while he ascended,

having previously arranged with the Buccaneer that he was to remain

below. "Ah! firm footing this old ivy. There, now we are up!--Master

Walter! Master Walter!--He sleeps behind that screen, I warrant me,

little thinking of his faithful friends. So, so! the rust has done its

duty. Strong room! strong walls they mean; but what signify strong walls

without strong windows?--Good! There goes another, and another--better

still! And now----"

He entered the chamber, passed to the front of the screen, opened the

large cupboard, cast his eyes upon the untrimmed lamp, and then

perceived that the door was slightly ajar; but no vestige remained of

Walter De Guerre, except his cloak, that was flung over the chair. His

first movement was to close and bolt the door, and then call softly to

the Buccaneer to ascend.

"He is gone!" exclaimed Robin with a trembling voice, as Dalton entered

the room.

"Gone!" repeated the Skipper: "then is there treachery. My brave boy,

that I loved as my own son! By Heavens! I'll rouse the house! Had it not

been for my accursed plots, he would not have come over. I'll have him

delivered up to me, did Sir Robert plan his destruction as skilfully as

he plotted that of----"