n, where the surgeon had dressed
his wound. Dick, who had been ordered to watch him, came rushing out
after some time, looking greatly terrified, and declared that the
captain was raving and swearing that he would rise and blow up the ship
rather than yield to the Roundheads.

Fortunately we found the surgeon, who sent two men to watch over him,
and Dick was relieved from his trying duty. A boat now came alongside
with orders to remove more of the prisoners, and among them Martin and
my two friends and I were ordered to get into her. In a short time we
were conveyed on board the _Constant Warwick_, and found ourselves
standing on her deck together with the other prisoners.

"Now is our time," I exclaimed to Lancelot. "Let us go boldly aft and
tell the captain who we are, or we shall be sent below and placed in
irons with the rest."

Lancelot took my advice. We stepped aft, followed by Dick and Martin.

"What have you to say, lads?" asked the captain, looking greatly
astonished at our audacity.

We gave him the same account of ourselves that we had to the officer who
had come on board the _Charles_.

"You are ready enough now to declare yourselves Roundheads," answered
the captain, "but you were found on board an enemy's ship, and must be
treated like the rest."

"They are brave little fighting-cocks, Cavaliers to the backbone,"
shouted one of the men from the group of prisoners, not wishing that we
should receive more favour than themselves.

I had observed a young officer standing close to the captain. I looked
at his countenance, and the thought flashed across me that I had seen
him before.

"Captain Stayner," he said, "allow me to say that I believe the account
these young gentlemen give of themselves. I was at Lyme with my uncle,
the admiral;" then turning to us he inquired our names.

"I thought so," he said, putting out his hand; "I remember them all
well. One is the son of Mr Kerridge, the mayor, who fought so bravely
for the good cause; the father of the other, who served under my
grandfather, was killed during the siege; and this one," he added,
taking Dick by the hand, "is the son of Mr Harvey, who expended his
means in aiding in the defence of Lyme."

While the young officer was speaking, I recognised him as the nephew of
Colonel Blake. "I truly rejoice to see you," he continued, turning to
us, "for, putting into Lyme some weeks ago, I found your relatives and
friends in great sorrow at