The Buccaneer - A Tale

"So do I," said the Skipper, with a sigh; for his mind was still

'harping on his daughter:' "So do I, but women have strange fancies. Let

me now ask you what news you have, for I cannot see how this concerns

me."

"Let me read my log my own way, or I cannot read it at all--and you

know, master, I never spin a long yarn, except when I can't help it."

Dalton smiled, for, of all the youths he had ever known, Springall loved

the most to hear himself talk.

"When I had delivered my message, and had the satisfaction of knowing

that a rascally Roundhead, and a princess (as they call her,) was

employed in doing my bidding," continued the lad, "I tacked about, and

loitered along, looking at the queer tackling of the hedges, and the gay

colours hoisted by the little flowers, and wondering within myself how

any one would like to be confined to the land with its hills and

hollows, where it's the same, same thing, over and over again; when I

spied two steel caps and a gentleman in black steering along the road to

Cecil Place. So I thought it would be only civil to go with them, seeing

they were strangers; but I did not care to let them spy me, so I

anchored in the hedge till they came up, and then crept along--along, on

the other side, like a tortoise, and as slowly too, faith! for the road

is so bad they were forced to lead their horses, except the black one,

who, I found, was the Protector's own doctor going to cure Sir Robert

Cecil! What do you think of that, captain?"

Dalton saw no necessity for reply, and Springall continued:-"I gathered from their talk that Cromwell himself was on the road,

coming bodily to inquire into the murder, (as they supposed,) and to

rout out the smugglers; and the rascals were even talking about the

prizes, having heard the place was full of riches; and they said they

were sure that more than one thing brought his Highness such a journey.

At every stumble their horses made, the psalm-singing scoundrels offered

up an ejaculation. May I never reef a sail, captain, if they didn't pray

more, going that length of road, than you, and I, and all the crew of

the Fire-fly put together, have prayed during the last twelve, ay, twice

twelve months!--How is Mistress Barbara?"

"What a giddy mind is yours, Springall," said Dalton; "in the same

breath you speak of danger, and ask for my peace-loving child."