“Not altogether unhurt, an please your majesty,” replied Ninian, stepping forward. “I have received a few sharp cuts, but nothing to signify. I gave the Roundheaded rogues as good as they brought,—and better!”
“I doubt it not,” said Charles, smiling. “Thou art a brave lad. But what do I see? Surely these are the gentlemen whom I met at Steyning?”
“Your Majesty is in the right,” replied Goldspur, coming forward and making an obeisance. “I and my friend Jervoise Rumboldsdyke have been anxious to approve our loyalty, and at length we have found occasion for doing so. Mr. Clavering Maunsel will declare whether we have comported ourselves well or not.”
“Both gentlemen behaved with great bravery, sire,” said Clavering.
“I am glad to hear it,” said the king. “I only wish I could reward you according to your deserts. But my exchequer is pretty much in the same state as your own.”
“Our exchequer is better furnished than your Majesty supposes,” rejoined Goldspur; “that is, it will be so to-morrow,” he added, correcting himself. “A rascally porter, named Skrow Antram, who served old Zachary Trangmar, the rich usurer of Lewes, joined us this evening, and was shot in the fight on Kingston Hill. With his dying breath he confessed to me and my friend Rumboldsdyke that he had robbed the old usurer his master, and told us where he had hidden the gold. To-morrow we shall visit old Zachary, and make a bargain with him for the discovery of the treasure. The old usurer must come down handsomely, for his porter had purloined a good round sum.”
“Well resolved,” replied Charles. “I am sure you will not make yourselves accomplices of the rogue Antram, and sully your honour as Cavaliers by appropriating the treasure. And now, Captain Tattersall, there is no need to tarry longer here. Let us to Shoreham. These gentlemen will go with us, and constitute my escort.”
“I am at your Majesty’s disposal,” replied the skipper.
“Farewell, then, my worthy host and hostess,” said Charles. “Rest assured I shall often think of the eventful night I have spent at the George at Brightelmstone.”
“I shall venture to remind your Majesty of it one of these days,” said Smith.
“You shall not need, my good fellow; nor you, my buxom Joan. Harkye, gentlemen, he amongst you who has the stoutest horse must give Captain Tattersall a seat behind him.”
“Then I will take him,” said Colonel Philips, “for I am well mounted.”
“Give me thy purse, Wilmot,” said the king. And on receiving it, he took forth five gold pieces, and placed them in the hostess’s hands. “There is for the reckoning, bonny Joan. One kiss at parting, and then adieu!”
Charles then left the room, and was attended to the yard by both host and hostess, neither of whom would leave him till he took his departure. Honest Smith prayed that every blessing might attend his Majesty, coupled with a hope that the George might speedily be again honoured by his presence. Mrs. Smith’s sobs prevented her from saying anything. At length all the party were mounted, Captain Tattersall being accommodated with a seat behind Colonel Philips. The king then gave the word to start, and bade adieu to the host and hostess, giving his hand to the latter, who bathed it with her tears, while pressing it to her lips.
The cavalcade being then put in motion, took the road along the coast through Hove. It was a fine, clear, starlight night, with the wind blowing freshly from the north-east. In little more than half an hour the troop approached Shoreham, no misadventure or hindrance of any kind having occurred to them. Captain Tattersall now directed the king’s attention to a vessel which could just be distinguished lying out at sea, at about a quarter of a mile’s distance, and informed him it was the Swiftsure.
A halt was then called. Charles dismounted, and bade adieu to his followers, thanking them all warmly for their services, and saying something kindly to each. His last words were reserved for Clavering Maunsel. Bidding the young man remember him to his father, he added, “And fail not to commend me to good Mr. Beard and fair Mistress Dulcia. Ere long, I hope to hear of your union with the object of your wishes.”