this the better. I am also bound
for England, and will bear you company. My vessel lies not far from
you; and knowing what was likely to happen, I was on the watch, so that
the instant I heard the sounds of strife, I was able to come to your
assistance."

Captain Davis thanked the stranger warmly. "But, friend," he said, "I
have not yet learned your name. I should like to know what to call you
when we meet again."

"Oh! that is of little consequence," answered the stranger. "To confess
the honest truth, I have had more than one name. Call me Rover. I have
wandered not a little about the world, and it is a name you will not
easily forget."

"But that is not your real name, surely?" observed A'Dale.

"Young master, when you have lived longer in the world, you will know
that you should not ask such a question. A man, in my opinion, may have
a dozen names, and slip them off and on in these troublous times as
often as he lists. I beg you will remember me as Captain Rover, of the
_Falcon_. We shall see more of each other ere long, probably. I hope
that you will not lose sight of the _Falcon_, nor I of the _Diamond_,
till we are safe in the Thames."

Saying this, Captain Rover ordered his men into their boats, and pulled
away down the stream. His advice was too important to be despised. We
continued to keep a bright look-out, knowing that at any moment we might
be attacked. We only hoped that his departure might not have been
discovered by our enemies. We soon lost sight of him, although we could
hear the oars of the boat some time afterwards, as they dipped at
intervals into the water, every moment growing fainter and fainter.

I had begun to feel considerable pain from my wound, though the darkness
prevented my friends from observing what had happened. It was not till
I went down into the cabin with Captain Davis and A'Dale that they
perceived that I was hurt. The blood had stained my coat. I felt very
faint from the loss of blood, and should have sunk on the deck of the
cabin had not A'Dale caught me.

"My dear Ernst," he exclaimed, "you are badly hurt! why did you not let
us know before?" I heard him say, though I was then unable to make a
reply.

He and the captain lifted me into my berth. They then took off my
clothes, and the latter examined my wound, so I was afterwards told. He
had seen so many sword-cut wounds that he knew exactly what to do; and
he immediately, with lint and bandage,