"Can't stop for no trying on now," he said; "you must do as we used in the army,--change about till you get them as fits you." This done, the firelocks and bandoleers followed, and, lastly, to each man a belt and sword. And all the time the old soldier handed every article to the recipient with a grave dignity and a solemnity of manner which seemed to say, "I am giving treasures to you that I part from with the greatest regret," and he finished with-- "Now, my lads, look here: it's a great honour to bear arms in the service of your king, and if you're carrying Sir Granby Royland's arms you're carrying the king's, so take care of 'em. A good soldier wouldn't have a speck of rust on his helmet or his sword; they're as bright as I can make 'em now, and as sharp, so mind they're always so. Now go to your new quarters and put 'em on--proper, mind; and your master, the captain here, will have a parade in an hour's time." The men went off, leaving Roy wondering at the calmness with which he stood by listening while old Ben talked to the men and kept on referring to him as "your master." Ben now turned to him. "What do you say, sir?" he said. "Don't you think we had better go down and see if all's right in the powder-magazine?" "But it's in the cellar, Ben, and you'd want a light." "Hardly fair, sir, to call it the cellar. I believe it's one of the old dungeons where they used to shut people up in the good old times." "That would be darker still, Ben. How are we to see?" "Have to feel, sir; for I don't fancy taking down a lantern. Once we get there and the place open, we can go round and tell with our hands how many kegs there are on the shelves, and then if we bring one out and try it, and it turns out all right, we shall know we're safe." "Very well: it isn't a nice job; but, if it has to be done, we'd better get it over." "As you say, sir, it aren't a nice job; but, if we're very careful, I don't see as we can come to much harm; so, if you'll get the keys, sir, we'll go at once." Roy nodded, and went in without a word, to find his mother seated in the library writing. "What is it, my boy?" she said. "What do you want?" Roy hesitated for a moment, and then said, rather huskily, "The keys. Ben and I are going down into the magazine." Lady Royland looked at him in a wondering way. "The magazine? Do you mean the store-room?" "No; the powder-magazine." She started now, and looked anxious. "I had almost forgotten its existence, Roy. But is it necessary? It may be dangerous to go into such a place." "We shall take care, mother, and have no light. It is necessary, Ben says, for we must be provided with gunpowder, and he wants to try whether it is good, because it must be very old." "Very old, my boy. Probably older than your grandfather's day. I hardly like you to go upon such an errand." "But if I'm to be captain, mother, and look after the place, I can't go back and tell Ben that. It would look so weak."