"So do I," said the Skipper, with a sigh; for his mind was still
'harping on his daughter:' "So do I, but women have strange fancies. Let
me now ask you what news you have, for I cannot see how this concerns
me."
"Let me read my log my own way, or I cannot read it at all--and you
know, master, I never spin a long yarn, except when I can't help it."
Dalton smiled, for, of all the youths he had ever known, Springall loved
the most to hear himself talk.
"When I had delivered my message, and had the satisfaction of knowing
that a rascally Roundhead, and a princess (as they call her,) was
employed in doing my bidding," continued the lad, "I tacked about, and
loitered along, looking at the queer tackling of the hedges, and the gay
colours hoisted by the little flowers, and wondering within myself how
any one would like to be confined to the land with its hills and
hollows, where it's the same, same thing, over and over again; when I
spied two steel caps and a gentleman in black steering along the road to
Cecil Place. So I thought it would be only civil to go with them, seeing
they were strangers; but I did not care to let them spy me, so I
anchored in the hedge till they came up, and then crept along--along, on
the other side, like a tortoise, and as slowly too, faith! for the road
is so bad they were forced to lead their horses, except the black one,
who, I found, was the Protector's own doctor going to cure Sir Robert
Cecil! What do you think of that, captain?"
Dalton saw no necessity for reply, and Springall continued:-"I gathered from their talk that Cromwell himself was on the road,
coming bodily to inquire into the murder, (as they supposed,) and to
rout out the smugglers; and the rascals were even talking about the
prizes, having heard the place was full of riches; and they said they
were sure that more than one thing brought his Highness such a journey.
At every stumble their horses made, the psalm-singing scoundrels offered
up an ejaculation. May I never reef a sail, captain, if they didn't pray
more, going that length of road, than you, and I, and all the crew of
the Fire-fly put together, have prayed during the last twelve, ay, twice
twelve months!--How is Mistress Barbara?"
"What a giddy mind is yours, Springall," said Dalton; "in the same
breath you speak of danger, and ask for my peace-loving child."