said, "you should have trusted me; and, my boy, let me urge
you never to undertake anything for which you cannot ask the blessing of
your Father in heaven as well as your earthly parent. Now go to rest.
Before to-morrow evening important events may have occurred."

On rising the next morning, I saw a goodly array of ships at anchor
before the town. Soon after I had left home I met my friend Lancelot,
and we hurried down to have a look at them.

While standing on the quay, Colonel Blake with two other officers came
down, about to embark to hold a consultation with the Earl.

"Would you like to accompany us and see the big ships?" he asked,
looking kindly at Lancelot and me.

We doffed our hats, and answered that it was the very thing we wished.

"Come, then!" he said; and we followed him and his companions into the
boat. We pulled away for the _Vanguard_, one of the largest ships, on
the deck of which the Earl stood ready to receive Colonel Blake.

Briefly exchanging greetings, they went to work on business at once,
while Lancelot and I were allowed to go round the ship to see the big
guns, the huge lanterns, the stores of pikes, and the tops high up the
lofty masts, each capable of holding a score of men.

"Have you a mind to sail with us, youngsters?" asked one of the
officers. "You are likely boys, and will become prime seamen in time."

I answered that it was the desire of my heart, but that I must be guided
by my father's wishes, for that he, being himself a master mariner, well
knew the nature of the calling. The officer laughed at my reply, and I
was about to ask him why he laughed, when Lancelot and I were summoned
to return with Colonel Blake to the shore.

From the conversation I overheard I found that the Earl had brought, by
order of Parliament, some provisions and military stores, of which we
stood greatly in need. Indeed, by this time we wanted nearly
everything. One third of our men had no shoes or stockings, and large
numbers were but scantily clothed, while famine had made the faces of
the stoutest look pale and thin.

So shocked were the brave seamen with the appearance of the garrison,
that they made collections of food and clothing on board their ships,
while they gave a fourth of their daily allowance of bread for a month
to supply our wants. Colonel Blake had also arranged with the Earl a
plan by which it was hoped the Prince would be more signally defeated
than before, should he