But Amyas said more. He told Butler the captain plainly that, if the bark went back, he would not; that he had seen enough of ships deserting their consorts; that it should never be said of him that he had followed Winter's example, and that, too, on a fair easterly wind; and finally that he had seen Doughty hanged for trying to play such a trick; and that he might see others hanged too before he died. Whereon Captain Butler offered to draw and fight, to which Amyas showed no repugnance; whereon the captain, having taken a second look at Amyas's thews and sinews, reconsidered the matter, and offered to put Amyas on board of Sir Humphrey's Delight, if he could find a crew to row him. Amyas looked around. “Are there any of Sir Francis Drake's men on board?” “Three, sir,” said Yeo. “Robert Drew, and two others.” “Pelicans!” roared Amyas, “you have been round the world, and will you turn back from Westward-ho?” There was a moment's silence, and then Drew came forward. “Lower us a boat, captain, and lend us a caliver to make signals with, while I get my kit on deck; I'll after Captain Leigh, if I row him aboard all alone to my own hands.” “If I ever command a ship, I will not forget you,” said Amyas. “Nor us either, sir, we hope; for we haven't forgotten you and your honest conditions,” said both the other Pelicans; and so away over the side went all the five, and pulled away after the admiral's lantern, firing shots at intervals as signals. Luckily for the five desperadoes, the night was all but calm. They got on board before the morning, and so away into the boundless West.* * The Raleigh, the largest ship of the squadron, was of only 200 tons burden; The Golden Hind, Hayes' ship, which returned safe, of 40; and The Squirrel (whereof more hereafter), of 10 tons! In such cockboats did these old heroes brave the unknown seas. CHAPTER XII HOW BIDEFORD BRIDGE DINED AT ANNERY HOUSE “Three lords sat drinking late yestreen, And ere they paid the lawing, They set a combat them between, To fight it in the dawing”--Scotch Ballad.