From its advantageous situation near the mouth of the Adur, Shoreham soon became one of the principal harbours on the Sussex coast. At the time of our Tale it was much frequented, and several sloops, with other vessels of larger tonnage, were now to be seen in the haven. At low water, the embouchure of the Adur, which is of some width, is characterized by large, glistening banks of mud, but as the channel at this time happened to be full, it presented the appearance of a broad and goodly river. The ancient church, with the habitations near it, which could be seen on the near banks of the river, was that of Old Shoreham; but it was towards New Shoreham and its haven that our friends bent their course. Here, as at the older seaport, there is a church of great antiquity and beauty; and after passing this noble structure—not without bestowing upon it a glance of admiration—the disguised Cavaliers proceeded to the Dolphin, an inn built on the edge of the quay, much frequented by seafaring people, and then tenanted by one Absolom. Bridger. Dismounting, and giving their horses to John Habergeon, by whom they were taken to the stables, the two friends entered the house, and after ordering some oysters and a bottle of sack, and desiring to be shown into a private room, Colonel Gunter inquired of the host whether he knew Captain Tattersall, of the Swiftsure.
“Know him! I have known Nick Tattersall since he was a boy!” exclaimed Bridger; “and a better seaman or an honester fellow doesn’t exist.”
“Thou speakest warmly of him, friend Absolom,” replied Colonel Gunter, thinking it necessary, to support his puritanical character; “but is he in your harbour of Shoreham at present?”
“He was here this very morning,” Bridger replied, “by the same token that he discussed a cup of sack with an egg in it. He has but newly returned from Plymouth, and will soon make a trip to Poole, in Dorsetshire.”
“So I have heard,” replied Colonel Gunter. “I have a commission to give him, and would gladly speak with him, if he can be found.”
“Found he can easily be, I will answer for it,” Bridger replied. “I will fetch him to you anon, and you shall have the oysters and sack without delay.”
Not many minutes after the host’s disappearance, the door was suddenly opened, and a tall man, clad in a plainly-cut black cloak and Geneva band, and wearing a lofty steeple-crowned hat, peered inquisitively into the room. His eye rested upon Clavering, who at once recognized him, and was about to address him, when the other raised his finger to his lips in token of silence, hastily retreated, and closed the door.
“Who is that mysterious personage?” Colonel Gunter inquired, not altogether liking the intrusion. “I hope he is not an enemy—he evidently knows you.”
“I ought to regard him as a friend, seeing that he once rendered me a most important service,” Clavering replied. “But I confess I distrust him, and am sorry to see him here. It is Increase Micklegift, who, when our worthy Mr. Beard was deprived of his living at Ovingdean, succeeded to the church. He is an Independent minister. Ever since he assisted Lord Wilmot and myself, with the others, to escape from the church, he has never dared, so I learn from John Habergeon, to show himself at the rectory or in the village. I am surprised to find him here.”
“I am sorry he recognized you,” Colonel Gunter replied, somewhat thoughtfully; “for though he may not suspect our errand, he may be troublesome to us.”
“I do not think any danger is to be apprehended from him,” Clavering replied. “He is in as much jeopardy as we ourselves are, and if he were to fall into Stelfax’s hands little clemency would be shown him.”
“Granting that his conduct has compromised him with the Roundheads,” observed Colonel Gunter, “do you not see, my good young friend, that he is the more likely to be anxious to purchase his safety, which he might easily do if he knew our design. He could make his own terms with Stelfax.”
“True,” rejoined Clavering, uneasily. “I see the danger. But I trust it may be averted. Ah! here comes our host. We will question him on the subject.”