"Could not such be found?" he continued, addressing Robin more pointedly

than before.

"A person found, did your Highness ask, who would betray his comrades

unto death, and give up his master's property to destruction?"

"No, I meant not that: but think ye, is there not one, who, convinced

of the wickedness of his past ways, would lead blind Justice on the

right track, insomuch that plundered property might be restored to its

rightful owners, and the cause of the Lord and his people be forwarded

many steps?"

"May I speak to your Highness as a man, or as a servant?" inquired

Robin.

"Even as a man--I am neither a king nor a tyrant."

"Then, with all respect, I say that such men may be found; but they

would be unworthy pardon, much less reward. May it please your Highness,

a Buccaneer is, to my mind, only one who takes advantage of troubled

times to secure unto himself the most power and the most property that

he can. The sea is as free to him as the land to--to--to any other man.

His is no coward's trade, for he risks his all, and is neither an

assassin, nor a traitor, nor a rebel, nor a----"

"Peace, atom, peace!" interrupted Cromwell; "I did not want to hear your

reasons on the legality, and justice, and mercy of the Buccaneer; I only

gave you to understand (and I know ye to be quick of comprehension) that

I wished for information touching this retreat--this maze--this

labyrinth--this embowelling of nature, formed in the cliffs--ay, and

that in more than one place, along the Kentish coast--that so I might

erase one red cross at the least. Mark ye, knave--your own name is in

the list, though I may regret it, seeing that there is a mixture of

honest blood in your veins, and a sprinkling of wit in your head, which

might lead to some distinction. Worse men than you have risen to high

places."

"Your Highness mocks me! Wit!--high place! With this mis-shapen body

tackled to a world of wit--a place as high as any of those turrets that

cut the midnight air, still should I be a thing for men to scorn! Your

Highness bitterly mocks me!"

"I mock no one; it is ill Christian sport. But at your own

pleasure--within the space of fifteen minutes you may go forth from this

our house, conduct a chosen few to the Gull's Nest Crag--point out its

ways--give us the necessary information as to the other smuggling

stations--telegraph the Fire-fly into smooth water, and the next sun

will rise on a rich, ay, and a well-favoured gentleman!"




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