The Buccaneer - A Tale

"But, sir, I thought you had sustained some wrong at the hands of Sir

Willmott Burrell, from your visit at such an hour, and your manner on

that night."

"Wrong! ay, such wrong as turns a father's hair grey, his veins dry,

and scorches up his brain." The old man paused, for his feelings had

overpowered him.

"I know none more faithful than Robin Hays," urged the pearl-merchant;

"and now that I call to remembrance, the time he served that same

knight, (who, I hear, is going to repair his fortunes by a wealthy

marriage,) I think he did well as a lackey; though, to own the truth, I

should fancy him more in his place, and to his liking, as the servitor

to a bold Buccaneer."

"Buccaneer!" repeated Ben Israel--"What Buccaneer?"

"Oh!" said the merchant, smiling, "Hugh Dalton--the fairest man in the

free trade."

"Hugh Dalton!" repeated the Jew, slowly: then adding, after a lengthened

pause, "Art cunning in disguises?"

"As cunning as my body will permit," replied Robin.

"You have seen my faithful Samuel?"

"I have, sir."

"Then array thyself on the instant as much after his dress and fashion

as is possible."

Robin hastily and right cheerfully obeyed this command; and, in less

than half an hour, was rolling along the road to Hampton Court, in the

guise of a serving Jew.