tions, Before them, glittering white in the
sunlight, rose the pinnacles of the magnificent fane of Saint Paul's,
with its lofty dome--just then verging towards completion, to the
satisfaction of its talented architect, Sir Christopher Wren--while
beyond could be seen, winding on through meadows and green fields, and
then amidst the houses and stores of London and Westminster, the city
and the borough, the blue stream of the Thames, covered with numerous
boats and barges. Keeping to the right, Long Sam led his companion
round the outside of London, at the back of the palace at Kensington, to
the village of Hammersmith.

"We shall there find proper stables, and a careful groom to look after
our horses," he observed; "and purchasers will not object to ride down
there to inspect them--they may deem them of more value than if they
were brought to their doors."

The village then consisted chiefly of a single street, with here and
there a few houses on either side of branch roads. Instead of selecting
the chief inn, Long Sam rode up to the door of a small house, with the
sign of "The Bear" swinging on poles before it. Some good-sized stables
showed that he had selected it more on account of the accommodation it
could afford the horses than that which they would find within its doors
for themselves.

"We're pretty full, masters," said the landlord, as he eyed the two
travellers; "but I'll manage to put you up as best I can, as it's cold
weather to sleep out in the lofts. I've got a room for you," he said,
looking at Long Sam, "where, by adding two or three feet to the bed, you
will find room to stretch yourself; and you, my lad, will be content
with a little closet we have got on the stairs. There's not much air or
light comes in, but it's pretty warm, considering it's near the kitchen
chimney; and as for light, you will do well enough without that at
night."

Jack, who had been accustomed to rough lodgings since he started with
Will Brinsmead, expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the
accommodation which was promised him. Long Sam, taking a valise which
he had before him, followed the landlord up to his room.

Jack soon found that his companion intended to make him act the part of
the careful groom, the person he spoke of, for some reason or other, not
being forthcoming.

"You must keep a watchful eye on the horses, Jack," he observed, when he
came down-stairs. "I have business which calls me elsewhere, and