y my needless haste. Now," he
added, rising in the stirrups and looking about him, "which, I wonder,
is the Lightning?"

At this moment, as if in reply to his words, a man lying on a coil
of cables rose and advanced a few steps toward him. Mordaunt drew a
handkerchief from his pocket, and tying a knot at each corner--the
signal agreed upon--waved it in the air and the man came up to him. He
was wrapped in a large rough cape, which concealed his form and partly
his face.

"Do you wish to go on the water, sir?" said the sailor.

"Yes, just so. Along the Isle of Dogs."

"And perhaps you have a preference for one boat more than another. You
would like one that sails as rapidly as----"

"Lightning," interrupted Mordaunt.

"Then mine is the boat you want, sir. I'm your man."

"I begin to think so, particularly if you have not forgotten a certain
signal."

"Here it is, sir," and the sailor took from his coat a handkerchief,
tied at each corner.

"Good, quite right!" cried Mordaunt, springing off his horse. "There's
not a moment to lose; now take my horse to the nearest inn and conduct
me to your vessel."

"But," asked the sailor, "where are your companions? I thought there
were four of you."

"Listen to me, sir. I'm not the man you take me for; you are in Captain
Rogers's post, are you not? under orders from General Cromwell. Mine,
also, are from him!"

"Indeed, sir, I recognize you; you are Captain Mordaunt."

Mordaunt was startled.

"Oh, fear nothing," said the skipper, showing his face. "I am a friend."

"Captain Groslow!" cried Mordaunt.

"Himself. The general remembered that I had formerly been a naval
officer and he gave me the command of this expedition. Is there anything
new in the wind?"

"Nothing."

"I thought, perhaps, that the king's death----"

"Has only hastened their flight; in ten minutes they will perhaps be
here."

"What have you come for, then?"

"To embark with you."

"Ah! ah! the general doubted my fidelity?"

"No, but I wish to have a share in my revenge. Haven't you some one who
will relieve me of my horse?"

Groslow whistled and a sailor appeared.

"Patrick," said Groslow, "take this horse to the stables of the nearest
inn. If any one asks you whose it is you can say that it belongs to an
Irish gentleman."

The sailor departed without reply.

"Now," said Mordaunt, "are you not afraid that they will recognize you?"

"There is no danger, dressed as I am in this pilo