"Gently, my fire-eating jack printer. I came not to tell thee only this. The Captain addeth these words: 'Send me six trusty men here, for my affairs require such before I am free to join you. Send them forward with all speed. Do you cross leisurely to Dublin, and there await me. I am in hopes it may not be needful for me to return again thither. Send trusty men, and speedily.' What say you, Humphrey? Art thou a trusty lad? Could I trust thee to pick out five honest fellows like thyself and show them the way to a certain pair of black eyes and rosy lips on the banks of the Bann?" I loved Tom Price like a brother then, and told him as much. In an hour's time I had chosen five stout fellows, all of whom I could trust with my last farthing, and whom I could count on for any service. I had them armed to the teeth, well mounted and provisioned; and then, without a moment lost, called them to horse. "Farewell, comrade," said Tom, as he saw me go. "I could even envy thee, though it is like to cost thee somewhat. For the Captain hath twenty men already, and hath eyes and ears in his head. Commend me to thy lass, and let her know she hath had a narrow escape of a sweetheart in Tom Price." "She shall thank you for your honesty, comrade, with her own sweet lips," said I, and hallooed my men forward. Next day we were at the sea, and embarked--horses and all--on a barque that was even then weighing anchor with other troops on board for Knockfergus. To my surprise, among the men that crowded the deck was the fellow I had seen two days ago, who had reminded me of Peter Stoupe. When I saw him now, I knew for certain it was he. I stood full in front of him, to see if he would know me again, for I cared not if he did. He looked at me meekly without a sign of recognition, and humming ever, passed his eyes to some other place. "So, so, Peter," thought I, "as you know not your old shopmate, why should I disturb your humming?" And I carelessly asked a man who stood next him whither his company was bound and on what service.-- "Westward," he said, "to look for Spaniards. And you?" "To join one Captain Merriman in the north." It tickled me much to see Peter start and change colour at that. "Ah, 'tis a brave gallant, I'm told," said the man. "'Twas he slew Sorley Boy's son, was it not?" "Ay, a brave deed that was," said I. "I saw it." The fellow laughed. "You know him, then? Ha! ha! You can satisfy Peter here better than I can. He desireth to know the Captain's whereabouts; and when I tell him he is no further off than the nearest pretty face, he turneth up his eyes as if he expected to see him at his own side. He! he! What say you, Peter?" "I say, alack that such men should wear her Majesty's colours," said he, with a snivel. "Amen to that," said I, giving him a thwack on the back that made him jump. "'Tis a pity her Majesty hath not more like you, Peter. How do you call your name?"