Some distance down the river a vessel lay at anchor. To this the boat made its way and lay alongside. Devereaux, the young man whom he had called Walter, and Francis scrambled aboard, and the wherry put off. The sails of the ship were raised, and, as she glided swiftly toward the open sea, Devereaux gave a shout of exultation. "Now for Plymouth and the Dons," he cried gaily. "Oh, Francis, is it not glorious to be free?" "Yes;" replied Francis, scarce able to speak so overcome was she by her emotion. "And as soon as we touch Plymouth thou canst take passage in another vessel for France." Then indeed did the girl turn upon him with flashing eyes. "France?" she cried. "Go to France while England is in danger? Never! Never! At Plymouth do I stay, Edward Devereaux, with the fleet. I am resolved to meet the Dons as well as thou." "But, Francis, thy faith! 'Tis the same as the Spaniards! Thou canst not meet them." "'Tis true that I am Catholic, but still am I not born English? Never would I see alien foot tread English soil, be the intruder of whatever faith he may." "And there spake a true Englishman," said he whom Edward had called Walter. "So spake Charles Howard, Lord High Admiral of the navy. And so also hath spoken every true Englishman of Roman Catholic faith. Who is thy friend, Edward? I was surprised to find that another accompanied thee in thy flight from the Tower." As Devereaux opened his lips to reply, Francis touched his hand warningly and answered for herself. "I am Francis Stafford. I was imprisoned in the Tower charged with treason to the queen, though of that I am innocent." "Well, Master Stafford, prove thy mettle at this, England's time of need, and it may be that England's queen will overlook thy past transgressions. I am Walter Mildemay, kinsman of Edward Devereaux, and a true subject of the queen's majesty, save and except for abetting the rescue of Edward Devereaux. For that I hope to make my peace with the queen if we meet the Spaniards." "Hath their ships been sighted yet, Walter?" asked Edward. "Nay; but they watch for them hourly as they have been doing for days. 'Twill surely not be much longer till they come." The summer's sun was casting its lengthening shadows across the quiet harbor of Plymouth as the little vessel containing the three, Walter Mildemay, Edward Devereaux, and Francis Stafford, anchored not far from the town. A boat put off, bearing the three named to the place where they had been informed Admiral Lord Howard was.