His rude assault, and rugged handëling
Straunge seemed to the knight, that aye with foe
In faire defence, and goodly menaging
Of arms, was wont to fight.--The Faerie Queene
The three young men pursued their way; at first laughing and chatting
merrily upon the events of the morning; but gradually becoming more and
more silent, as persons usually do when the first flush of revelling is
over. The taller of the three, who has of course been recognised as the
mysterious visiter at Lady Cecil's funeral and in the cave of the
Buccaneer, although he bore himself towards them with all the courtesy
of a true-born gentleman, received the deference of his more humble
associates only as his due, and in a manner that showed he had been
accustomed to more than merely respectful treatment. After traversing
much low and marshy ground, they suddenly reached a spot where the road
divided, the one path leading to Cecil Place, the other to Gull's Nest
crag.
"Come with me, Robin; unless, indeed, the master wishes your company. I
ask his pardon for not thinking of that afore," said Springall.
"Not I, good Springall," replied the gentleman. "I think you need a
guide, for you walk the quarter-deck better than the dry land; and, if I
mistake not, there are sundry pit-falls in the way to your present home.
I know my path; and, besides, am a regular land-lubber."
"Save and bless your honour!" exclaimed the young sailor, holding all
land-lubbers in thorough contempt: "that ye're not: land-lubber, indeed!
I'll be at the Nest to-morrow early--if----"
"Hush!" said the more careful Robin, "never speak words of secret,
openly--See ye yonder?"
"Yes," replied Springall, "two horsemen on the other road; too far off
to hear my words, unless they had the ears of a hare."
"I had better go with you, sir," observed Robin earnestly: "I will go
with you, that's the truth of it. Good night, Spring--steer to the left
till you come to the red gap; after that, along the stone fence, on the
right; it will lead you to the orchard, then you know your way."
"Why did you not go with him?" inquired the Cavalier, kindly; "it is a
dark night, poor boy, he has small skill in land-steering."
"He must learn, sir, as I do," answered Robin; "and my duty calls me to
attend on you, particularly when strange people are a-stir."
"You are to be my champion, Robin?"