as he thought, broken the ice, he hoped to get yet
farther in, but just as the party were rising from breakfast, which had
been put off to a later hour than usual, a visitor was announced, and
Jasper Deane entered the room. His surprise at seeing Jack was very
great. They greeted each other, however, as affectionate brothers,
though Jasper refrained from asking Jack questions which it might have
been disagreeable to him to answer in the presence of Alethea and Mr
Harwood.

"I am sure, Jasper, you will answer for our parents being ready to
receive Miss Harwood," said Jack, "during the temporary absence of her
father. I have brought him some news, with which I need not trouble
you, which requires him to leave home immediately."

"Why not trust me?" answered Jasper; "surely I would not betray Mr
Harwood's secrets!"

"For your own sake it may be better for you not to know them," answered
Jack. "It is time that we should be on our road. Bear my duty to my
father and mother and my love to our sisters, and I will write to them
of my proceedings as soon as I have an opportunity."

Jack saw that Mr Harwood was impatient to be off, while he himself knew
the importance of losing no time in getting to a place of safety; he had
no opportunity, therefore, of asking Jasper questions as to what had
taken place at Nottingham, nor did he himself wish to tell him what he
had been about. He merely mentioned his letter entrusted to the miller.
"That will tell you more about my intentions," he observed. If a pang
of jealousy crossed his heart when he saw his brother ride off by the
side of Alethea, he quickly banished it, and immediately afterwards he
and Mr Harwood, with their valises strapped to their saddles, were
making their way through the forest to the east.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

JOHN DEANE TURNS SAILOR, AND JOINS THE "WEYMOUTH," CAPTAIN JUMPER.

At no time for many years had there been greater activity in the chief
naval ports of England than in February, 1696. All the ships in the
service were ordered to be brought forward, and as many more as could be
obtained were purchased for the Royal Navy. Officers and men eagerly
offered their services; indeed the enthusiasm of all ranks and
professions was very great. Numerous seamen from the merchant service
joined the navy, and there was no lack of volunteers eager to be
employed. A squadron lay in the Medway, fitting out as quickly as
stores could be brought on boa