quence compared to the advantage it
would be to Roger to travel with a gentleman who would, of course, have
several servants in attendance.

The morning arrived in which Roger Willoughby was to start from the home
of his childhood to commence the active business of life. He was to
sleep at Langton Park that he might start at daybreak the following
morning with Mr Battiscombe.

The Colonel accompanied him part of the way.

"It is as well that you should make your appearance alone," he observed.
"It will show that you can take care of yourself, for your father and I
have given you plenty of good advice, and all I have now to counsel you
is to remember and follow it at the proper time. I have always found
you to be honest and upright. Continue to be so. Fear God, and do your
duty to man, and you will grow up all your father and I wish to see you.
Now, fare thee well," he added, pressing Roger's hand. "If this
proposed expedition to sea be carried out, you will witness strange
sights and things of which you little dream at present, and you will
come back, I hope, well able to amuse us two old men in our solitude
with an account of your adventures."

The Colonel turned his horse's head, and Roger rode forward on his nag
to Langton Hall. The squire received him in the kindest way possible.

"As I cannot take one of my sons, I am glad of your company, Roger,
though it may delay your arrival at Bristol for some days," he observed.

"I thought that the journey could be performed in three days," said
Roger.

"So it can under ordinary circumstances," answered Mr Battiscombe, "but
there may be interruptions, and we may have to tarry at the houses of
friends; but I will talk to you more about that matter when we are on
the road."

Roger was always treated as a friend by the family at Langton Hall, who
thought of him more as the son of Mr Willoughby, who agreed with them
in politics and religion, than as the nephew of the Cavalier Colonel
Tregellen, with whom they differed on many points.

At an early hour the following morning the whole family were astir to
see the travellers start. Mr Battiscombe took with him a couple of
stout serving-men, well mounted on strong horses. Farewells were
uttered, and they set out. Leaving Axminster and Chard to the west,
they proceeded northward along green lanes, the hedges on either side
rich with flowers of varied tints. For some distance they met with few
persons, for the lab