"Then, sirs," said the English captain, "when you have signed it, this shall acquaint King Henry that ye are his liegemen, and pledge yourselves, with life, limb, and fortune, to further the English alliance of His Grace the Duke of Rothesay, on the understanding that Henry, by his new ambassador, urges your claims to the peerage, and that, on the espousal day, you each receive the sum of twenty thousand English crowns." "It is agreed," said Shaw of Sauchie, as he and Gray touched the pen of Kraft, who wrote the names they were unable to sign; but Borthwick, having been educated as a priest, wrote in a bold hand, amid a multitude of flourishes, _Heu Bortwyck, Knyt_, at the bottom of this precious document. "From the Inchcape, gentlemen, we must run over to St. Abb's-head; and after hanging off the land for a day or two, we will stand again towards the Tay. Here, on the evening of the 10th--St. Anthony's Day--we will be in the offing; if by that time you can give me this dainty dame to stow under hatch, all your fortunes are made." "Enough--we shall see to it, Captain Howard," said Sir Patrick Gray, resuming his mask and cloak. "Remember this, sir captain," said Borthwick: "the king's chaplain, James, Bishop of Dunblane, who is returning from Rome, will pass through England in disguise. I would recommend his capture, and the seizure of whatever papers may be found in his possession, for they may prove of much service to Henry, your king." "Another thousand crowns to thee, Master Borthwick! Zookers! man, thou wilt die rich as a Jew of Lombard-street! Now then, Kraft, hast thou scribbled all this into thy devil's log-book?" "Yes, sir," replied the secretary, securing his volume by a curious lock in the iron band which encircled it. "Then fill the wine-pots. Take another cup, gentlemen," said the Englishman, with that contempt for his guests which the necessity of pandering to the snake-like policy of his court could not repress. "'Tis time we were all in our hammocks; and your boat is waiting, sirs." Shaw and Gray, who knew very well that they were in his power, gave him dark and savage glances; and as they left the cabin, they heard him issue orders to-- "Lower away the port-lids, larboard and starboard; to run back the culverins--lash and make fast; to stand off before the land breeze; for," said he, "we must make the offing ere daybreak--ay, and be hull down, if we can." They left the English ship just as the bell rang the middle watch, and the hoarse voice of the boatswain was heard ringing in prolonged echoes between decks. Howard, who mistrusted his visitors, by an after-thought, came in person to see them over the ship's side, and into their boat. "Fare ye well, gentlemen," said he, in his jibing way. "Adieu, noble Master Borthwick--I beg pardon--_Sir Hew_. I hope you will not forget your visit to Ned Howard, and the good ship _Harry_. I pray it may not shorten your cruise for life."