"We cannot stay here," said she, "Mistress Straw, kind as she is, hath
not the room nor the means to keep us. Besides, my husband bade me,
when this happened, seek shelter from Master Udal, the minister, at
Kingston. To him we must go, anon. As for you and poor Peter--who
means well, I think--I grieve for you. For I can give you neither work
nor board."

"Nay," said I, "you are not done with me, mistress. I will at least see
you and the little ones safe to Kingston. But first I would see my
master, if I may."

"You may try," said she, brightening up, "but before that, you must have
food, for you look weary and half-starved. Come, Jeannette, make ready
something for breakfast, and do you, Peter, help us."

After much ado, I was admitted to see Master Walgrave, in the White
Lion. He was in a sour mood and well disposed to look on me as the
author of his troubles. When I showed him how that could not be, he
softened a little.

"I make no complaint for myself," said he. "'Tis a good cause on which
I am embarked, and I shall see it through yet. As for my wife and
little ones, let your last service to me be to see them safe to Master
Udal's. Had it been possible, I would have had them safe at Rochelle,
where even their Graces have no jurisdiction. But for the present I
have a claim on the minister for this shelter. Peter Stoupe I mistrust,
the more so that he bade me mistrust you. When I am released, you may
still claim me as master, though I can no longer claim you as
apprentice."

I assured him I wanted no better master, and hoped I might yet serve
him. Meanwhile, I promised, that same day, to conduct his family to
Kingston.

I had some trouble to persuade Peter Stoupe that his service was neither
expected nor desired. Nay, he claimed so stoutly his master's authority
to be the guardian of the family, that I had to shake his obstinacy out
of him a bit before he would be still. My mistress and the pretty
Jeannette were, I think, glad to be rid of him; and after many thanks to
Mistress Straw, we embarked on a fair tide, by which. Prosper and I
plying the oars diligently, we reached Mortlach; whence in a cart we
drove as night fell to Kingston. Little enough baggage we had, for the
Company's men had forbidden aught to be removed from the house till such
time as a further search should be made. So all had to be left until
then.

You may fancy Master Udal's amazement, when we landed at his door. H