t we were allowed to proceed; but I did
not like the way in which our descriptions were taken. Once on our
journey, shortly after we had left Sidmouth, where the soldiers had been
very suspicious, we turned out of the highway to leave word at a town
called Seaton. We spread the watchword at several villages near the
sea, before we came to Seaton, so that we were rather late in arriving.
Thinking no wrong, we put up at one of the inns in Seaton, intending to
pass the night there. We were at supper in our inn, when some yeomanry
rode up to the door, to ask the landlord if an elderly man had passed
that way with a boy. The landlord, who was a good deal scared by the
soldiers, showed the captain in to us at once. We were quite as much
scared to see him as the landlord had been. The captain of the soldiers
was the very man who had given us such a searching examination in
Sidmouth that morning.

"Well," he said to Mr. Blick, "I thought you were going to Dorchester.
What brings you here?" "Sir," said Mr. Blick, "we've been so much
interrupted by soldiers that we hoped to travel away from the
main-roads."

"Well, sir," said the captain, "I've had you watched. Since you left
Sidmouth, you've been into every inn upon the road, listening to a lot
of seditious talk about Argyle. That's not my point, though. You gave
out to me that you were going to Dorchester. Instead of that you slink
off the Dorchester road at the first opportunity. You will have to
explain yourself to my superiors. You're under arrest."

"Sir," said Mr. Blick, "I am sorry that you should think ill of me. We
will gladly come with you to answer for our conduct to the authorities.
But while the horses are being saddled, perhaps you will join us at
supper. Landlord, bring a couple of bottles more. The captain sups with
us."

But though the captain drank his couple of bottles of port, he did not
become any gentler with us. As soon as supper was over we had to ride on
again, with the troopers all round us.

"Sir," said Mr. Blick, "may I ask you where we are going with you?"

"Axminster," said the captain.

"Well. That's on my way," said Mr. Blick.

"It'll probably end your way, for some time," said the captain.

"I'm perfectly willing to abide by the decision of the authorities," Mr.
Blick answered calmly. "But what is the meaning of all these soldiers
everywhere? I've asked the people; but nobody seems able to give a
straight answer."

"I think you know