“Perfectly, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “I have hired a sloop now in Berwick harbour, which was to sail this evening for London. But I have induced Captain Hawker of the _Saint Abbs_, as the sloop is called, to alter his plan. In a word, he has engaged to take your majesty to Dunquerque.” “You have rendered me a great service,” said the prince. “But where am I to go on board the sloop?--at Berwick?” “No, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “Since there is almost a certainty of fine weather, Captain Hawker will weigh anchor at nine o'clock, and fire a gun to let you know when he gets off the castle.” The prince signified his approval of the arrangement. “A boat shall be ready to take you to the sloop, so that your majesty may embark immediately,” said Forster. Again the prince expressed his satisfaction, but he asked Mr. Forster if he had noticed the boat containing the armed men, that had crossed the Fairway, apparently to reconnoitre the castle. “Those men were only fishermen, my liege,” replied the squire. “I felt sure they would move off, and so they did. It is not by those poor fellows that your majesty's departure will be hindered.” VIII.--HOW THE SHERIFF AND HIS TROOP WERE CARED FOR. |Early in the morning, Captain Wogan with his brother, and Mr. Talbot and his brother, set forth on horseback to patrol the country, and proceeded towards Dunstan-borough, stationing themselves at various points commanding the road. They did not return till late in the afternoon, and then they brought no alarming intelligence. There were no signs whatever of the approach of the enemy. They had seen Sir John Webb's carriage in the distance, but it came on so slowly that they had not waited for it. Half an hour afterwards the carriage arrived, and then the prince learnt what had happened and was greatly amused by Sir John's description of the arrest made by the sheriff. It appeared that the supposed royal prisoner was taken to Newcastle, where the mistake was quickly discovered, and the man set at liberty. Sir John was likewise allowed to proceed on his journey. “The sheriff was very much mortified by the great blunder he had made,” remarked Sir John. “But I don't think he will give up the pursuit, and I fear your majesty may expect a visit from him at Bamborough.” “I hope I shall be gone before he makes his appearance,” said the prince. “To-night I set sail for France.” “Since such is the case, I have only to wish your majesty a safe and speedy voyage,” said Sir John. “And I sincerely trust nothing may occur to interfere with your departure.” A plan to be adopted in the event of any sudden emergency having been decided upon, the prince agreed to dine at the mansion, and the whole of the party assembled as before, with the addition of Sir John and Lady Webb.