Never was there a dwelling more appropriately named than the cottage of

Mother Hays. It stood on either a real or artificial eminence between

Sheerness and Warden, facing what is called "The Cant," and very near

the small village of East Church. The clay and shingle of which it was

composed would have ill encountered the whirlwind that in tempestuous

weather fiercely yelled around the cliffs, had it not been for the firm

support afforded to it by the remains of an ancient watchtower, against

which the "Gull's Nest" leaned. Perched on this remarkable spot, and

nestling close to the mouldering but still sturdy walls, the very stones

of which disputed with the blast, the hut formed no inappropriate

dwelling for withered age, and, if we may be allowed the term,

picturesque deformity. Robin could run up and down every cliff in the

neighbourhood like a monkey--could lie on the waters, and sport amid

the breakers, with the activity of a cub-seal--dive like an otter; and,

as nature generally makes up in some way or other for defects similar to

those so conspicuous in the widow's son, she had gifted him with so

sweet a voice, that the fishermen frequently rested on their oars

beneath "Gull's Nest" crag, to listen to Robin's wild and mournful

ballads, which full often mingled with the murmur of the small waves as

they rippled on the strand. But the manikin, Robin, had higher and

better qualities than those we have endeavoured to describe--qualities

which Hugh Dalton, with the ready wisdom that discovers at once what is

excellent, and then moulds that excellence to its own purpose, had

assiduously cultivated. Many years before the period of which we treat,

Robin had accompanied the Buccaneer on one or two piratical cruises; and

though it cannot be denied that Hugh was a better sailor than scholar,

yet he generously sought to secure for little Robin the advantages he

did not himself possess; Robin, accordingly, received daily instruction

in penmanship from a run-away merchant's clerk, the clerk and

bookkeeper, the lubber and idler of the crew.

Robin laboured to reward this kindness by unshaken fidelity, unceasing

watchfulness, and a wild enthusiasm which endeared him to the rude

captain, as if he were something that belonged exclusively to himself.

The Buccaneer knew that secrets, where life and property were at stake,

were safe in his keeping; and as the renowned Dalton had often worked in

the service of both Cavaliers and Roundheads, a person of ready wit and

true heart was most invaluable as an auxiliary on the coast.

If the Buccaneer entertained any political creed, it was certainly in

favour of the exiled Charles: a bold and intrepid spirit like his felt

something most galling and repulsive in the stern and unyielding

government of the Protector. A ruler who not only framed acts, but saw

those acts enforced, whether they regarded a "Declaration for a day of

Publique Thanksgiving," or "A Licence for transporting Fish in Foreign

Bottoms," was not likely to be much after the taste of one who had the

essence of lawgiving only within himself, and who perceived clearly

enough that the royal but thoughtless Stuarts would be more easily

managed--more prone, if not from feeling, at all events from indolence,

to overlook the peccadilloes of such as Dalton, than the unflinching

Oliver, who felt that every evil he redressed was a fresh jewel in his

sceptre. Nevertheless, as we have seen, the Buccaneer had decided on

offering his services to the Commonwealth: he believed that Cromwell

knew his talents and valued his courage; but he also knew that the

Protector piqued himself upon consistency, and that, consequently, there

would be vast difficulties to overcome, as a price had more than once

been set upon his head.




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