|All eyes were turned in the direction whence the sound had come, and
a single masted vessel could be imperfectly distinguished, about half a
mile off.
“'Tis the sloop!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington.
“Yes, I am summoned, and must go,” cried the prince. “Farewell!
Farewell!”
On hearing the signal, the two men instantly pushed down the boat into
the water. All was ready, for the valise had been previously placed
inside it by the porter, together with a couple of firelocks.
It had been arranged that the two nobles should accompany the prince to
the sloop. Accordingly they entered the boat with him.
As the bark quitted the strand, the prince stood up to wave an adieu to
the ladies--but they were soon lost to sight.
Rowed by two strong men, the boat made good way towards the sloop,
and it seemed would soon reach her, when an unlooked-for interruption
occurred.
A dark object was seen lying directly in their course, and as there
could be no doubt it was a boat, much larger than their own, they turned
aside to avoid it.
As they did so, the larger boat was put in motion, with the evident
design of giving chase, while a loud authoritative voice called out to
the occupants of the small bark to stop.
As may be imagined, the order was entirely disregarded while Lord
Widdrington urged the oarsmen to pull their hardest for the ship, and
they made such exertion that they appeared to gain on their pursuers.
Of the purpose of the latter no doubt could now be entertained. It was
certain they were endeavouring to intercept the prince's flight, and
effect his capture. How they had obtained information could only be
surmised, but they had laid their plans well. The prince's companions
were greatly alarmed, but he himself maintained perfect composure.
“'Tis the boat I beheld this morning from the castle walls,” he said. “I
felt sure it meant mischief, though Mr. Forster thought otherwise. The
men within it are armed.”
“Luckily, we have arms,” said Lord Derwentwater, giving Lord Widdrington
one of the muskets and keeping the other himself. “Shall we use them?”
“Certainly,” replied the prince. “I will never surrender to those men.”
A conflict, indeed, appeared inevitable, if they were overtaken, for a
voice called out from the larger boat:
“Stop! or we will fire.”
As no notice was taken of the threat, except that the rowers redoubled
their efforts, a shot was fired, and a bullet whistled past the prince's
head, but without doing any injury.
Exasperated by the audacious act the two nobles discharged their
muskets, and with good effect, as was shown by the outcries that
followed.
Evidently a couple of men were wounded, and great confusion was caused
among the rest.
In consequence of this they lost way, and the distance between the boats
was perceptibly increased.
However, they soon recovered, and continued the chase with fresh ardour,
again shouting to the fugitives to stop.
“Stand off, villains, or we will fire again!” cried Lord Derwentwater.
“What do you mean by molesting us thus?”
“We want the Pretender, and will have him,” rejoined the voice that
had first spoken. “You had best deliver him up quietly. He shall not
escape.”
Though very well inclined to answer this insolent speech by a shot, Lord
Derwentwater forbore, but the pursuers again fired, and this time one
of the rowers was hit in the arm, so that he could not pull at the oars,
whereupon, Lord Widdrington took his place.
But the change, though quickly effected, caused some little delay, and
the pursuers gained upon them.
An encounter now seemed imminent, and since the prince was determined
not to yield, it might be fraught with most serious consequences.
To avert these if possible, Lord Derwentwater shouted lustily to attract
the attention of the captain of the sloop which was now not more than a
furlong off.
Captain Hawker was already on the alert, and prepared to render
assistance. The firing had shown him the relative position of the boats,
and comprehending exactly how matters stood, he thought it high time to
interfere.
Putting a speaking-trumpet, therefore, to his mouth, he roared out:
“Sheer off, or I'll sink you!”
The warning reached the ears for which it was intended, but produced no
effect.
The men went on, as boldly as ever, determined not to be baulked of
their prey.
However, they were speedily checked, for Captain Hawker turned a
swivel-gun upon them and sent a shot through the bottom of their boat,
which began presently to fill, and compelled them to look to their own
safety.
Being now disembarrassed from his pursuers, the prince got safely on
board the sloop, after taking an affectionate leave of his friends.
Their duty being now performed, the two nobles returned to Bamborough
Castle without concerning themselves further about their pursuers, whose
vociferations proved they were still afloat, and able no doubt, in some
way or other, to reach the Home Island.
The sheriff had still to be dealt with, but now that the prince was safe
they had little fear of him.
Free from all peril, the sloop, with its important burden, passed
tranquilly through the Fairway, and entered the open sea.