Nothing daunted, he advanced with a steady and determined step, without

so much as removing his hat, until he stood directly opposite to

Cromwell, whose countenance, under the influence of awe and horror, had

something in it more than usually terrific. The clear blue eye of the

young intrepid boy encountered the grey, worn, and bloodshot orb of the

great and extraordinary man.

For an instant, a most brief instant, eye rested upon eye--then the

young seaman's dropped, and it would seem that his gay and lofty head

bent of itself, the hat was respectfully removed, and he confessed to

himself that he trembled in the presence of the mysterious being.

"We would not quench the spirit," said the Protector, addressing

Fleetword, "but let your prayer be short--a word in season is better

than a sermon out of season. We have somewhat to investigate touching

the incendiaries by land as well as sea."

For the first time in his life Springall considered that a prayer might

not be of wearisome length. There he stood, as if nailed to the same

spot, while the smoke of the Gull's Nest ascended, and the soldiers

remained with their helmets in their hands.

Cromwell manifested an occasional impatience, but only by moving first

on one leg, then on the other; which, however, escaped the observation

of Fleetword, who most certainly became a more dignified and

self-important person ever after the hour when he was "permitted to

speak in the presence of the ruler in the New Jerusalem."

His address was brief and emphatic; and upon its conclusion the

Protector commanded Springall to advance.

"It appears to us that you had something to communicate."

"I believe I made a mistake," replied the boy, "I took you--your

Highness, I should say--for one Major Wellmore."

"We know you to be a faithful watchman, but it remains to be proved if

you are an honest witness. Canst tell how came about this business, and

how Sir Willmott Burrell escaped, and took refuge there?"

"It was always settled, please your Highness, that, if any thing

happened, whoever could was to fire off the trains, which were always

ready laid, to make an ending when needed: we little thought that there

was any living being within the nest; but Sir Willmott had access to

many of the cells, being as deep in their secrets as other resorters to

this place--only he never had the bravery of the free trade about him,

seeing he was far from honest."

Springall observed not the warning finger of Robin Hays, nor heard the

murmured sentence of caution that fell upon his ear from the lips of

Walter Cecil. Although he had assumed an attitude of daring, his whole

thoughts were fixed on the Protector. He was proceeding in the same

strain, when Cromwell interrupted him.




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