"I know not but thou art right; though, rest thee satisfied, he shall be sufficiently guarded." The worthies here separated--one to his indictments and his desk, the other to gloat on the mischief he had either committed or prevented. About an hour before midnight a heavy jarring sound announced to the prisoner that the time was at hand for his departure. "Quick--quick, sir," said the jailer; "the mayor and his posse will see you safe aboard." "The mayor! Wherefore comes he to swell the procession?" "A prisoner of your rank and influence must be well looked after, I guess. The mayor will see you safely afloat, sir, and then he may go home with a quiet heart. He has had sore misgivings on account of your safety." The earl accompanied his keeper; a close carriage was at the gate, well guarded. Mr Mayor and his green-eyed clerk took their seats with the prisoner: and the heavy vehicle rumbled dismally through the now deserted streets, wakening many a drowsy burgher as it passed. They gained the low landing-place without interruption, having taken the precaution to chain the legs and wrists of their prisoner to prevent escape. The mayor and his shadow, the gossiping clerk, stepped out first, the carriage being well guarded on each side. Conducted along a jet or wooden pier, they saw a fishing-boat lying beneath. The waves flapped heavily on her sides, beating to and fro against the pier. Four rowers were leaning silently on their oars, awaiting the arrival of their cargo; their dark, low-crowned hats heaving above the dim light which yet lay upon the water. The wind howled in the rising sail, and the creaking cordage whistled through the block. The sail was hoisted. The wind was fresh, and the rowers raised their oars. The earl was lifted into the boat by two of the attendants. The jailer next stepped in; three other myrmidons of justice followed. "You know the offing well, my lads, I guess?" said the jailer. "Ay, ay, sir," replied several voices. "Where is the king's cutter?" said he, addressing the stranger, who was already in the boat. "Lying to, between us and the Peel of Fouldrey," replied he. "This is a strange boat I think," said the inquisitive jailer. "We came with fish to market from Church Town," was the reply. "One of your own men engaged her," said the stranger; "and these have grumbled long and hard enough, that they should have the ill-luck to be pressed into this disagreeable service." "I would you had laid your paws on some other boat. We shall ha' na' luck after this," said the elder of the seamen. "You may hire another now, and welcome." But there were none at hand. The jailer, with a hearty curse at his insolence, bade him be silent and push off. "Hast thou gotten the memorial touching my poor services to the king?" inquired the trenchant mayor. "Have ye gotten the warrant safe, and the prisoner in close custody?" inquired the clerk.