ly French wife, Madam Pauline, on his right, and his
brother-in-law, Master Ralph Willoughby, Roger's father, on his left.

"You are late, lads," said the Colonel, looking first at one, then at
the other, in a somewhat stern manner. "You know the rules of the
house--how comes it?"

"Please, sir, I was looking for Roger, and only lately discovered him,"
answered Stephen, who was the elder, and thought it incumbent on him to
speak first. "He was not aware how the hours had gone by."

"And why were you not aware how time passed, Master Roger?" asked the
Colonel, turning to his nephew. "The sun is shining in the heavens, and
you should have known when noon arrived."

"I was sitting in the shade and reading, good uncle," answered Roger in
a brisk tone, which showed that he had little fear of the Colonel's
displeasure; "besides, to say the truth, I was watching a fine ship
standing in for the coast, which ship I have a notion has come to anchor
not far from this, and as soon as Stephen and I have stowed away some
food, with yours and my father's leave and good pleasure we propose
going on board her to learn what cargo she carries, whither she is
bound, and all about her."

"You are of an inquisitive disposition regarding all things nautical,
Roger," observed the Colonel. "I have no objection, if your father has
not, but take care you are not carried off to sea. We must make Stephen
Battiscombe answerable for that; and if the vessel has a suspicious
look, remember that you are not to venture on board."

"Ah, yes; do take care that the strange ship you speak of is not a
pirate. It would be dreadful to have you spirited away, as I have heard
has sometimes happened," observed Madam Pauline.

"There is not much risk of that," observed Mr Willoughby. "Since the
noble Blake commanded the fleets of England, such gentry have not dared
to venture into the English Channel."

"And are you also going, Master Battiscombe?" asked Alice, turning to
Stephen.

"I have no great fancy for the expedition, and would rather spend my
time here, Mistress Alice," he answered. "But Roger begs for my
companionship, and I must go to look after him, for I suspect that he
would not be greatly grieved if he were to be carried off, as his heart
is set on visiting foreign lands, and he knows not how to accomplish his
wishes."

"If you go I know you will advise him wisely," said Alice, in a tone
which showed that she placed confidence in th