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"Aye," nodded Godby, "that's the word, 'free-trader,' Mart'n So I aot ory and his catchpolls, rot 'em" But here Adam entered, very soberly dressed in sad-coloured clothes, and we sat down to sup forthwith

"Do we sail soon, Captain?" questioned Godby in a while

"I hope to be clear o' the Downs a few days hence," says Adam

"And you so short-handed, Cap'n," quoth Byues every one I'll be sworn"

"Sir Rupert--?" says I

"My lady's cousin, Martin, and captain of the expedition"

"Is he a sailor, Adam?"

"No, Martin, like entleation than this cheese, which is just as well, Martin, aye, hty well!"

"How so?"

"Who shall say, Martin, who shall say?" And here he took a long draught of ale In a while, ourended, Penfeather rose: "As to arht beside your knife?"

"My staff and this pistol," says I, taking out the silver-mounted weapon my lady Brandon had thrust uponand nodded "Good!" says Adam, "Here's five shot betwixt us, that should suffice Up wi' the trap, Jo, and we'll out" Hereupon Byreat settle by the hearth, stooped and raised one of the flagstones, discovering a flight of worn, stone steps, dohich we followed hireat cellar or vaulted crypt, where stood row upon row of barrels and casks, piled very orderly to the stone roof Along the narroay between strode Bystone with e-way fairly paved, whence divers other passages opened right and left And e had gone soht no further, Jo," says he "And hark'ee, Joel, as to this black rogue--this--y'knoho I mean, Jo?"

"Aye--hi and if you find out aught worth the telling, let one o' your lads ride post to Deptford, Jo"

"Aye, Cap'n Aboard ship?"

"Aboard ship"

"Cap'n," quoth he, grasping Ada enough here wi' o's run, but, say the word, and I'll sail along o' you come battle, murder or shipwreck--"

"Or a hook, Joel?" says Penfeather softly, whereat Joel clawed at his beard and blinked into the lanthorn; finally he gives a great tug to his beard and nods: "Aye, Cap'n," says he, "for you--even that, by cock!"