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.