ighteous; but who is to settle that?" said Alice
gravely.

While they were speaking the ships stood off the coast, the wind flowing
northerly, and soon again were lost to sight.

"Perhaps after all that may not be the squadron which has been looked
for," said Stephen. "Then you have uselessly been made anxious."

"I trust it may be so," said Alice.

And they continued their walk discoursing on subjects far more
interesting to themselves than politics. Stephen spoke of his expected
career at Bristol, and hoped, he said, to pay occasional visits to
Langton and the spot endeared to him more than his paternal home.
Though neither wished to return, they remembered that Madam Pauline and
the Colonel might naturally complain were they long absent, and they at
length bent their steps homeward. As they approached the manor house
they were met by a loud shout; presently Roger came rushing out towards
them. He greeted Alice as a sister, and shook Stephen warmly by the
hand.

"I have just arrived from London town," he exclaimed. "We only got into
the Thames a week ago. I scarcely expected to get leave, but Master
Handscombe pressed the point with the Captain, and undertook that I
should return in ten days, so that my holiday will be a very short one,
and I must make the most of it."

Alice and Stephen expressed their delight at seeing him, and inquired
the cause of his delay. He then described to them the gale in which the
frigate had lost her masts, and their strange encounter with the French
Captain Bart. Stephen required very little pressing to stop for the
evening meal, which was soon to be placed on the table. He mentioned to
Mr Willoughby that he and Alice had seen some strange vessels in the
offing. Mr Willoughby seemed deeply interested at the account, and
became very thoughtful.

"It agrees with the message which Roger brought me down from London, and
which I would have you carry to your father, for he would intrust
nothing to him in writing. The future man is on his way, and whether
our slavery is to continue or freedom is to be obtained depends on the
preparations made for his reception. If the gentlemen and yeomen of the
West rise to a man, success would be secured; pray say that I shall be
glad to have some conversation with your father without loss of time."

As the days were long, Stephen had broad daylight with which to return.
Roger accompanied him, as the two young men had naturally much to ta