Nothing daunted, he advanced with a steady and determined step, without
so much as removing his hat, until he stood directly opposite to
Cromwell, whose countenance, under the influence of awe and horror, had
something in it more than usually terrific. The clear blue eye of the
young intrepid boy encountered the grey, worn, and bloodshot orb of the
great and extraordinary man.
For an instant, a most brief instant, eye rested upon eye--then the
young seaman's dropped, and it would seem that his gay and lofty head
bent of itself, the hat was respectfully removed, and he confessed to
himself that he trembled in the presence of the mysterious being.
"We would not quench the spirit," said the Protector, addressing
Fleetword, "but let your prayer be short--a word in season is better
than a sermon out of season. We have somewhat to investigate touching
the incendiaries by land as well as sea."
For the first time in his life Springall considered that a prayer might
not be of wearisome length. There he stood, as if nailed to the same
spot, while the smoke of the Gull's Nest ascended, and the soldiers
remained with their helmets in their hands.
Cromwell manifested an occasional impatience, but only by moving first
on one leg, then on the other; which, however, escaped the observation
of Fleetword, who most certainly became a more dignified and
self-important person ever after the hour when he was "permitted to
speak in the presence of the ruler in the New Jerusalem."
His address was brief and emphatic; and upon its conclusion the
Protector commanded Springall to advance.
"It appears to us that you had something to communicate."
"I believe I made a mistake," replied the boy, "I took you--your
Highness, I should say--for one Major Wellmore."
"We know you to be a faithful watchman, but it remains to be proved if
you are an honest witness. Canst tell how came about this business, and
how Sir Willmott Burrell escaped, and took refuge there?"
"It was always settled, please your Highness, that, if any thing
happened, whoever could was to fire off the trains, which were always
ready laid, to make an ending when needed: we little thought that there
was any living being within the nest; but Sir Willmott had access to
many of the cells, being as deep in their secrets as other resorters to
this place--only he never had the bravery of the free trade about him,
seeing he was far from honest."
Springall observed not the warning finger of Robin Hays, nor heard the
murmured sentence of caution that fell upon his ear from the lips of
Walter Cecil. Although he had assumed an attitude of daring, his whole
thoughts were fixed on the Protector. He was proceeding in the same
strain, when Cromwell interrupted him.