"Could not such be found?" he continued, addressing Robin more pointedly
than before.
"A person found, did your Highness ask, who would betray his comrades
unto death, and give up his master's property to destruction?"
"No, I meant not that: but think ye, is there not one, who, convinced
of the wickedness of his past ways, would lead blind Justice on the
right track, insomuch that plundered property might be restored to its
rightful owners, and the cause of the Lord and his people be forwarded
many steps?"
"May I speak to your Highness as a man, or as a servant?" inquired
Robin.
"Even as a man--I am neither a king nor a tyrant."
"Then, with all respect, I say that such men may be found; but they
would be unworthy pardon, much less reward. May it please your Highness,
a Buccaneer is, to my mind, only one who takes advantage of troubled
times to secure unto himself the most power and the most property that
he can. The sea is as free to him as the land to--to--to any other man.
His is no coward's trade, for he risks his all, and is neither an
assassin, nor a traitor, nor a rebel, nor a----"
"Peace, atom, peace!" interrupted Cromwell; "I did not want to hear your
reasons on the legality, and justice, and mercy of the Buccaneer; I only
gave you to understand (and I know ye to be quick of comprehension) that
I wished for information touching this retreat--this maze--this
labyrinth--this embowelling of nature, formed in the cliffs--ay, and
that in more than one place, along the Kentish coast--that so I might
erase one red cross at the least. Mark ye, knave--your own name is in
the list, though I may regret it, seeing that there is a mixture of
honest blood in your veins, and a sprinkling of wit in your head, which
might lead to some distinction. Worse men than you have risen to high
places."
"Your Highness mocks me! Wit!--high place! With this mis-shapen body
tackled to a world of wit--a place as high as any of those turrets that
cut the midnight air, still should I be a thing for men to scorn! Your
Highness bitterly mocks me!"
"I mock no one; it is ill Christian sport. But at your own
pleasure--within the space of fifteen minutes you may go forth from this
our house, conduct a chosen few to the Gull's Nest Crag--point out its
ways--give us the necessary information as to the other smuggling
stations--telegraph the Fire-fly into smooth water, and the next sun
will rise on a rich, ay, and a well-favoured gentleman!"