You will not say us no,
I hope?"

Mr Willoughby hesitated, but Roger pressed the point, and finally
obtained leave, his father assisting them to close the door, to do which
required no small amount of exertion. So great was the darkness, in
spite of Roger's knowledge of the road and the lantern he carried, the
lads could not at times clearly see their way. The wind blew in their
faces the branches waved to and fro, the tall trees bent, while ever and
anon down came the rain in huge drops battering against them. Still
they struggled on. Crossing the downs, they had still to make greater
exertions, or further progress would have been impossible, but they were
not to be daunted.

"We must take care that we do not go suddenly over the edge of the
cliff," said Stephen, who was always cautious. "Even with the light of
the lantern it is difficult to distinguish it."

"I shall see it clearly enough when we get there," said Roger. "But I
propose that we first visit Ben Rullock's cottage, and get him and his
boy to help us; he will know whereabouts the ship lies."

"But you do not think we can go off to the ship in his boat?" remarked
Stephen.

"No; my fear is that the ship may be driven in close to the shore, and
that her crew may be unable to escape from her," said Roger.

He, knowing the locality well, even in the darkness, managed to hit the
path which led down to the old fisherman's cottage; he and his
companion, however, had to walk cautiously, for it was narrow and
winding, and a false step might have sent them over the cliff.

On reaching the door they knocked loudly.

"Ben Rullock, turn out! turn out! there is a ship in danger!" shouted
Roger. But the dashing of the breakers on the shore, and the howling of
the wind, produced so wild an uproar that his voice was not heard.
Again and again he and Stephen shouted and knocked louder and louder.

"Who's there wanting me at this hour of the morning?" they at length
heard a voice from within exclaim. Roger repeated what he had before
said, and at length old Ben came to the door with a candle, which was
immediately blown out.

"A ship in danger, young master!" he exclaimed. "I have not heard her
guns firing, or other signal of distress, and my ears are pretty sharp,
even when I am asleep."

"We are anxious about the _Benbow_ frigate, as we are afraid that she
may have been driven on shore."

"Her captain knows too well what he is about to allow her to