“And you were made prisoner?” cried the king.
“I was made prisoner,” replied the skipper, “and with several of my fellow shipmasters was brought before the young prince. And what do you think his Royal Highness did?”
“Nay, I can’t tell,” replied the king. “Treated you like rebels, it may be?—ordered you all to be handcuffed and placed below the hatches?”
“Nothing of the sort,” rejoined Tattersall. “The only punishment he inflicted upon us was to make each of us toss off a glass of brandy to his royal father’s health, and then—bless his noble heart!—he set us all free.”
“Oddsfish! that’s rather like him, I must say,” observed Charles. “He has been doing foolish things all his life—eh, Barlow?”
“Perfectly true, Mr. Jackson,” replied the other.
“But I don’t look upon this as a foolish thing,” said Tattersall. “Leastways, his clemency wasn’t thrown away upon me, for I vowed then, that if ever opportunity offered, I’d show my gratitude, and I’ll be as good as my word.”
“Delighted to hear you say so, Captain Tattersall,” observed the king. “The feeling is very creditable to you. But I don’t see how I am connected with the circumstance you have related.”
“We are friends of Cæsar, I believe?” said Tattersall.
“All friends of Cæsar, captain,” replied the host, bringing in a bottle of brandy and glasses, while his wife followed with pipes and tobacco. “Mrs. Bonfellow Smith is Cæsar’s particular friend. Which nobody can deny!”
“He always was fond of the lasses,” said Tattersall, laughing. “Give me a glass of brandy, sirrah host. As I told you just now, I drank to the late king’s health by command of the noble prince, his son.”
“But that was upon compulsion,” observed Charles, “and must have gone against the grain.”
“It went no more against the grain than the pledge I am about to drink now,” rejoined the skipper. “Here’s to the noble young prince who gave me freedom, and by the act bound me to him by ties of everlasting gratitude! Here’s to him who ought to wear the crown of England, only rogues have dispossessed him of it. Here’s to my royal master—for I acknowledge no other, except the Master above!—and may he soon be out of the reach of his enemies, and it shan’t be Nick Tattersall’s fault if he be not so.” So saying, he drained the glass to the last drop.
“Oddsfish! Tattersall,” cried the king, “you were represented to me as a half-Republican, but I find you a thorough-going Royalist.”
“Whatever flag I may be obliged to hoist, my true colours are the king’s colours, and those I wear next my heart,” replied Tattersall. “And now to cut matters short, since all’s settled, I’ll make bold to tell your Majesty what I think had best be done. You may have noticed that I brought a bundle of seamen’s clothes with me. Let me recommend your Majesty, and your fellow-passenger that is to be, to rig yourselves out in the gear. You will find a suit apiece, so that in case of any unexpected hindrance—as you have no passes, and might be stopped—you can go on board as part of my crew. The brig will slip her moorings, and get out of the harbour two hours after midnight, and will lie off shore in waiting for us. I’ve got a boat to take us to her. I don’t anticipate any difficulty, but it’s best to be on the safe side.”
“I quite agree with you, Tattersall,” replied Charles. “You have shown great forethought. I ought to have introduced Lord Wilmot to you. (Tattersall bowed.) His lordship and I will at once proceed to change our attire. Colonel Gunter will attend to your wants in the interim, and ere you have smoked your first pipe we will be back with you, fully equipped in the habiliments you have so thoughtfully provided for us.”
So saying, his Majesty and Lord Wilmot quitted the room, preceded by the hostess, bearing a light.
III
INTRODUCING TWO OF CAPTAIN TATTERSALL’S CREW
“AND now, Captain Tattersall,” said Gunter, as soon as they were alone, “we’ll settle our accounts, if you please. Here’s the other half of the passage-money—fifty caroluses.”