The deck was deserted, but from a half-open hatch came the gleam of a lamp that shot upwards through the thick night vapour, like a stray shaft of light that finds its way into the dusty atmosphere of a darkened room. Judging by the sounds of the different voices, the boat carried a large crew, and for a moment I hesitated to hail them, fearing they might be a gang of smugglers, who, in these troublous times, often added piracy to the list of their numerous accomplishments. But, to my surprise, I heard a well-known voice exclaim: "Yet before we adventure ourselves in this matter, I would fain seek out Sir Humphrey Markham." Caution was no longer necessary, and pounding on the deck with my fist, I called: "Ralph! Ralph! 'Tis I--Humphrey." The next instant Ralph Granville rushed up through the hatch, closely followed by Nick Firestone. "Come aboard! Come aboard, Humphrey!" exclaimed Ralph. Then, as I came within range of the light, he continued: "And to think we should find you in the garb of a fisherman or woodman!" "Which, I perceive, is a like garb to that which you yourselves are wearing," I replied, laughing, for there was little difference between our dress and that of the crew, amongst which I recognised Dick, the master of the _Emma Farleigh_. Then I realised that I stood once more on the deck of the staunch little craft that effected my rescue from the sea, when my horse carried me willy-nilly over the cliffs of the Cornish coast. "Come below and tell us how you have fared this long while," exclaimed Firestone. "And how came ye to find us?" "Find you?" I repeated. "'Twas by pure chance that I saw you come in, not knowing who and what you were. But what brought you in hither?" "To look for you, knowing that you were somewhere about in these parts. Our business is of a stern nature. Look behind you." Ranged along the bulkhead of the cabin were several musketoons, pistols, boarding-pikes, and heavy swords known to seamen as cutlasses, while two swivel guns completed the armoury. In addition to Granville, Firestone, and myself, there were ten lusty seamen, all Cornishmen of the good old sea stock, crowded into the little cabin, their bronzed, bearded faces gleaming with zeal and intelligence. "Turned pirate to build up the fortune of your home, Ralph?" I asked jocosely. "Nay, lad, nay. 'Tis an affair of duty and honour. In short, we hope to have His Majesty aboard the _Emma Farleigh_ or her consort, the _Three Brothers_, within a couple of days. Dost remember his futile attempt to escape during the spring?" "Ay," I replied. "Seeing that I had a hand in it." "Then fie on you for a bungler, Humphrey. But to continue the story of our plans. The _Three Brothers_ lies in Newtown River, within an hour's ride of Carisbrooke. Thither we will repair, and joining hands, there will be sufficient men to surprise the castle and effect a rescue. Then hey for France! Wilt join with us?"