To avert these if possible, Lord Derwentwater shouted lustily to attract the attention of the captain of the sloop which was now not more than a furlong off. Captain Hawker was already on the alert, and prepared to render assistance. The firing had shown him the relative position of the boats, and comprehending exactly how matters stood, he thought it high time to interfere. Putting a speaking-trumpet, therefore, to his mouth, he roared out: “Sheer off, or I'll sink you!” The warning reached the ears for which it was intended, but produced no effect. The men went on, as boldly as ever, determined not to be baulked of their prey. However, they were speedily checked, for Captain Hawker turned a swivel-gun upon them and sent a shot through the bottom of their boat, which began presently to fill, and compelled them to look to their own safety. Being now disembarrassed from his pursuers, the prince got safely on board the sloop, after taking an affectionate leave of his friends. Their duty being now performed, the two nobles returned to Bamborough Castle without concerning themselves further about their pursuers, whose vociferations proved they were still afloat, and able no doubt, in some way or other, to reach the Home Island. The sheriff had still to be dealt with, but now that the prince was safe they had little fear of him. Free from all peril, the sloop, with its important burden, passed tranquilly through the Fairway, and entered the open sea. END OF BOOK THE SECOND. _BOOK THE THIRD_--THE INSURRECTION IN SCOTLAND. [Illustration: 0096] I.--THE HUNTING IN BRAEMAR. |Not till the accession of George the First did the general insurrection take place, for which the partisans of the Pretender had been preparing so long. During the latter years of Anne, who was so much and so deservedly beloved by the people, the Jacobites had remained quiescent, believing that in the political crises certain to arise on the queen's death, the Chevalier de Saint George would be called to the throne. Disappointed in this expectation, they determined not to tolerate a rule adverse to the religion of the majority, and hateful to all. In the year 1715, at which date we shall resume our story, a formidable plot spread throughout England and Scotland, causing the greatest alarm to the Government by the avowed intention of the conspirators to depose the reigning monarch, whom they described as a tyrannous usurper, and restore the ancient sovereignty. Aware of the designs of his enemies, King George made an appeal to the Nation, in which he said, that after his solemn assurances, and the opportunities he had taken to do everything that might tend to benefit the Church of England, it was unjust and ungrateful to doubt him, and he refused to believe that the people could be so far misled by false representations as to desire to place a Popish Pretender on the throne.