Stephen. "We
are willing to pay accordingly. We will hand over to you a security,
and pay a certain sum down, and give you a promissory note for the
remainder."

The old man seemed to be turning the matter in his mind. "I cannot send
the boat alone, but you shall have the man who usually sails her since I
have been laid by, Joe Savin, and my lad Tom Peddler, provided you pay
their wages from the time they sail to the time they return into
harbour."

To this Stephen willingly agreed, highly pleased to make the bargain
with so little trouble. He accordingly, mounting his horse, rode back
to where he had left Andrew and Simon, who at once accompanied him to
the house of the old pilot, for such he appeared to be. Here they all
three underwent a further scrutiny.

"Here are our horses, which, if I mistake not, are worth a considerable
portion of the value of the boat; I will, in addition, pay you five
pounds down, and will give you a promissory note for a further 10
pounds, which my father, Mr Stephen Battiscombe of Langton Hall, will
pay you."

"That is tolerably good payment, I will allow, for the risk I run of
losing my boat," said the pilot; "but that risk is very considerable,
and you must understand that if I did not suspect more than you have
told me, I would not enter into the venture. I do not ask questions."

From this remark Stephen knew that the old pilot suspected him and his
companions to be fugitives from the field of Sedgemoor, and entertained
a sympathy which he was unwilling to allow.

"As there is no time to be lost, we will ask you, friend, to give
directions to your men to go on board to store the craft with such
provisions as we shall require for the voyage. I, of course, shall be
ready to pay for them in addition; five mouths to feed, we will require
a good store."

"I have a cask of salted herrings, some dried cod, and I will see what
my good wife, who is out marketing, can supply when she comes home,"
said the pilot. "May be we shall find some bread and other things in
the village."

Fortunately for the fugitives the goodwife soon returned home. On
hearing the account they gave of themselves, she seemed to take as warm
an interest in them as did her husband, by her exertions. Joe Savin and
his mate being summoned, the little vessel was quickly provisioned.
There was still some time of daylight when they finally went on board,
having bid farewell to the old pilot and his wife.