The Buccaneer - A Tale

"I sought you there to-night on this very errand," replied the wily Sir

Willmott, "but you were absent."

"Still I repeat, you know where to find me. And now for my parting

words. Observe, I dread no meeting with any; you have more reason to

tremble than I have, if all were known. But now--see that no harm happen

to the Cavalier, who, but an hour since, occupied this chamber; for, by

the God of heaven! if but a hair of his head fall to the earth, I will

hunt you to your own destruction! Never tell me that you have no power,

no control, over him or his destiny. All I say is,--see to it. It would

be better that you had been drowned, like a blind kitten, at your birth,

than that any harm happened to Walter De--De--De----" Dalton looked

confused, then, recovering himself, he glanced a fierce look at Sir

Willmott, and commenced his descent from the window, muttering, "Devil!

I forgot his name; couldn't he have taken an English one? D--n all

foreigners!" With this John-Bullish exclamation, which seems so natural

to the natives of "Old England," the Skipper reached the ground. Nor was

Robin long in following his example: he cared not to tarry Sir

Willmott's questioning, and touched the earth sooner than his friend,

inasmuch as he sprang down, when midway, with his usual agility.

They had not gone three steps on their path when Sir Willmott's voice

arrested their progress.

"Hist, Dalton! hist!--here is the youth's cloak--put it on, good Dalton,

the night is raw; here it goes. Well caught, Robin; make the Captain put

it on; you can return it to the Cavalier when you see him, which you

doubtless will, and soon--I entreat you put it on. The path by the lake

leads straight to the Gull's Nest. I wish, Robin, you could tarry here

till morning--I shall want you on business of importance."

Robin shook his head in denial. Dalton threw the cloak over his

shoulder, and almost mechanically took the path that Burrell had pointed

out. Sir Willmott immediately withdrew from the window. They had not

gone more than a hundred yards when Robin looked back towards the house,

and, by the light of the moon, caught a glimpse of the Master of

Burrell, as if intent on their movements. He at the time took no notice

of this to the Buccaneer, but they no sooner arrived at a spot where the

branches of the trees overshadowed their path, than Robin plucked the

cloak from the shoulders of his companion.