The man stood staring for a few minutes, while the horse pawed impatiently, as if asking to be admitted to its stable. Then he opened the door, the weary beast went in, and the man stood staring with true Devon stolidity before he bethought him of the necessity for removing the saddle from its awkward position. This seen to, it suddenly occurred to him that something ought to be done about the captain, and he roused up the coachman to spread the alarm in the house. "Nay, we'll only scare the poor ladies to death," said the Jehu of the establishment, grey hairs having brought him wisdom. "Let's zee virst, lad, if there be anything really bad. If he be droonk and valled off, he won't thank us for telling his wife. Zaddle the dwo coach-horses, Ridgard, and we'll ride to town and zee." The horses were quickly saddled, and the two men-servants trotted along the Dartmouth road till about half-way, where, in one of the gloomiest parts, their horses began to snort and exhibit signs of fear, and as they drew up a voice shouted-- "Here! Who's that! Help!" "Why, it be Mr Humphrey," said the old coachman; and dismounting he gave his rein to his companion, and ran forward. "What be wrong, zir?" "The captain. Much hurt," was the reply. "I thought zo, zir. His horse comed home without him. He's been throwed--or pulled off," he added to himself. "It's something worse, I'm afraid. Here, help me, and let's get him home." The old coachman lent his aid, and with some difficulty the captain was placed across one of the horses, the lieutenant mounting to hold him on and support him, while the two servants followed slowly behind. "Pulled off?" whispered the groom. "Mebbe," said the old coachman; and then to himself, "Looks bad for Mr Humphrey; and if he died, what should I zay to them as asked how I found 'em?" The old man walked slowly on for half an hour before he answered his mental question, and his answer was-- "They'd make me tell 'em the truth, and it might bring Mr Humphrey to the gallows; and if it did, it would be all through me." CHAPTER FIVE. A KEEN ENCOUNTER. The prognostications of his fellow-officer did not prove true, for Captain Armstrong, instead of being sobered by the ride up the hill, grew more drunken. The fresh air blown straight from the ocean seemed to dizzy his muddled brain, and when he rode down the hill he was more drunken than ever, and rolled about in his saddle like his ship in a storm. This seemed to amuse the captain, and he talked and chuckled to himself, sang snatches of songs, and woke the echoes of the little village street at the top of the next hill, where the tall, square church tower stood up wind-swept and dreary to show mariners the way to Dartmouth harbour.