But next moment the weapon was knocked from his hand. He now stood, unarmed and defenceless, before the bold intruder. “Who _art_ thou?” said the king, in surprise. “Thy equal,” said Jack, in an assumed voice. “What, is it nothing that you now cringe before me, and yet a moment ago you would for ever have dishonoured this blameless girl? Out upon thee, for a craven!” “Save me, save me!” sobbed Ellen. “Peace, lass, thou art safe,” said Captain Jack. “And as for thee,” said he, turning towards the king with a gesture of disgust, “as for thee, more anon.” “How, knave, wouldst thou dare to stand there prating to your superior, when with one word I could have thee hanged? You know not who nor what I am.” “Nor do I want to know, sirrah; and mark me do not let thy tongue wag so carelessly, for by my word, be you king or peasant, I’ll make a lame duck of ye. Out upon thee, man! would ye, like a cowardly interloper, come poaching on these strange grounds, when you know the master is away?” “What mean ye, impudent rogue?” “Mean? why, I mean that you had not courage to try your fortune here while Colonel Blood was at home; but, like a clown, must crawl in when he had gone away.” “You seem to know all this?” “I do,” said Captain Jack, telling a lie. “I know not only all you would have done, but who you are, for all your disguise.” “You do?” said the king; “then, as you know me, stranger, reveal not my name or station.” And as he spoke he placed one finger on his lip in token of silence. “’Tis the king,” said Ellen Harmer, “I was told so to-night.” “No, no——.” “It is not the king,” said Jack, again telling a lie, “because if he were he would not give me that signet ring he now wears, as you will see presently.” The king smiled, and, taking off his signet ring, gave it to Captain Jack. “I told you it was not the king, fair one,” said Jack, lightly laughing, “for if it had been he would not have so humbled himself; besides, lassie, the king would never think of insulting a poor defenceless girl.” As he spoke these words, Captain Jack left the room, and as he departed, said to the king, “Stay you here for at least twenty minutes; if you move I will not be answerable for your life.” He closed the door, and carrying his lovely burden lightly on one arm, made the best of his way into the garden. As he did so, he heard the alarm given by old Bates and others outside. Old Bates and his companion watchers whistled very shrilly, and so loud did they become, that Captain Jack and his companions, with their treasure, hurried towards the river bank. In a moment or two, the clash of swords and report of pistols were heard in the garden. “To the boat! to the boat! my merry men!” shouted old Bates. “We are discovered!” “On to ’em, men! Cut and thrust! Spare none of them!” was the response of some one who now advanced at the head of a body of men, with links, torches, and the like. “On to ’em, they are all rogues and vagabonds!”