White did not answer, only I heard him urge the men to put on more sail. A moment--then a dull roar, and the culverins crashed, as somewhere behind us they fired. A scornful laugh from the deck. Evidently we were out of range now. Then I heard a cry from above: "The man-of-war is making sail for us!" And there was the sound of hurried steps, as the men ran to and fro upon the deck in fear. If we could only keep this up but for a few minutes, we would soon be upon the high seas. The wind was blowing a very gale, as with every stitch of sail set, the vessel plunged through the water. It was broad daylight now, and every moment was golden to us; at any instant a vessel might block our way, and all would be lost. Four long hours passed; several merchant vessels had gone by on their way to London, their crews pointing at us and staring in wonder as we dashed on at full speed. One or two had attempted to hail us, but we had paid no attention to their repeated shouts, and had kept steadily down the river. Our pursuer had fallen far behind us and was out of sight; only the rippling Thames lay before us. A man knocked upon the door and informed us that Governor White awaited us on deck, and we followed him to where White stood, a little apart from his men. "We have almost reached the ocean," he said as we approached him. "If Sir Robert desires to land, he had best do so now; but say the word and thou shalt go ashore where thou dost wish." Bobby turned to me. "I have half a mind to go with thee, Thomas," he said in a low voice. "It would be a change of scene, and I would be company for thee in that strange land." I shook my head. "No," I replied, "thy duty is here; there is enough for thy hand to do, without wandering out into an unknown wilderness. Thou must watch over Margaret," I whispered in his ear. "What will she do here at the mercy of Dunraven? No, thou must remain. We have come to the parting of the ways--thine lies in England; mine in distant Virginia. We will walk as best we may, nor murmur though the task seem hard, and dark the way before us. Thy boat awaits thee--we must part." "Thomas," he replied, "I cannot see thee go thus, for I feel that it will be years before I see thy face again, if ever. That land swarms with hidden dangers and I cannot see thee go alone." "It is best," I answered. "Thou couldst do no good. Tell the Lady Margaret that I remain as ever her humble servant--and may the good angels watch over you both." White came forward. "I grieve to interrupt your parting, gentlemen," he said, "but time is precious, for I know not what moment our pursuer will round yonder bend, and cut off our retreat." "Thou art right," I answered, wringing Bobby by the hand once more. "Over with thee, old friend, and remember all I have said to thee. Keep up a brave heart, and all will be well." He made no answer; perhaps some thought of what I had been to him choked his voice; he only clasped my hand tighter for an instant.