Roger Willoughby | Page 8

on which the Colonel bade him fall-to.

Scarcely, however, had he commenced operations, when young Roger
hurried into the hall.
"We have brought him, uncle; he was very willing to come, and you
will like him as much as we do. I ran on to announce him, and he and
Stephen will be here anon."
"But who is your friend?" asked the Colonel. "You have not told us."
"He is the captain of the fine ship we saw entering the bay; his name is
Benbow, and his ship is the Benbow frigate. He received us in a
courteous manner when we went on board, and told him that we had
come to invite him on shore. He said as there was no prospect of a
breeze for some hours, he would gladly accept your invitation.--Here
he comes."
A youngish, broadly-built man, with light blue eyes and somewhat
sun-burnt complexion, dressed as a sea-going officer of those days,
entered the hall accompanied by Stephen Battiscombe, and advanced,
hat in hand, towards the Colonel, who rose to receive him.
"You have come just in time, Captain Benbow, for such I hear is your
name, to partake of a dinner prepared for a friend from London; you are
heartily welcome."
"Thanks, good sir, but I dined before I came on shore, though I shall be
happy to quaff a glass of wine to your health and that of your guests,"
he answered, as he seated himself in a chair, which the Colonel offered,
by his side.
"We have not many visitors in this quiet place, and are always glad to
receive those who have sailed, as you have undoubtedly, to many
foreign lands," observed the Colonel, as he poured out a glass of
sparkling wine for the new-comer, who, before putting it to his lips,
bowed to the ladies and then to the Colonel and the other gentlemen.
"Methinks I should know you, Captain Benbow," said Mr Handscombe,
looking up at him from the other side of the table. "We have met on

'Change, and I may venture to say it in your presence that no
sea-captain stands higher than you do in the estimation of the
merchants of London."
"Much obliged to you, Master Handscombe, for the opinion you
express of me," said Captain Benbow, at once recognising the worthy
merchant. "I have always wished to do my duty towards those whose
goods I carry, and to defend my cargo against pirates, privateers, and
corsairs of all descriptions, as well as to carry it safely to its
destination."
"The name of Benbow sounds familiar to my ears," said the Colonel,
looking earnestly at the merchant captain. "I had two old well-loved
comrades, Colonel Thomas and Colonel John Benbow, gentlemen of
estate in Shropshire, who raised regiments in the service of his late
Majesty, of pious memory, and for whom I also had the honour of
drawing my sword. I well remember that 20th of September in the year
of grace 1642, when they and many more came with their faithful men
to Shrewsbury to enrol themselves under the King's standard, and
opposed those who had resolved on his destruction. From that day
forward we fought side by side in many a bloody battle, sometimes in
the open field, sometimes in the defence of towns or fortified
manor-houses, till the King's cause was lost and his sacred head struck
off, though even then we did not despair that the cause of monarchy
would triumph; and as soon as our present King, marching from
Scotland, reached Worcester, I, with the two Colonel Benbows, who
had mustered their Shropshire men, and a few other noble
gentlemen--alack! not so many as we had a right to expect--arrayed
ourselves under the King's standard. We had secured, as we hoped, a
strong position, and expected that when Cromwell and his Ironsides
marched against us we should drive them back and hold our own, with
Wales and other loyal counties in our rear, till the nation was aroused.
But such was not to be, for without waiting to give himself
breathing-time after his march, Cromwell set upon us. Though many
fought bravely, others grew faint-hearted, and took to flight, and the
day was lost. I fell wounded, and was conveyed to the house of a
faithful friend, who concealed me; but unhappily the Colonel Benbows

were both made prisoners, and Colonel Thomas Benbow with the Earl
of Derby and several other gallant noblemen. To my grief, I heard soon
afterwards that Colonel Thomas Benbow was shot with the Earl and
several others, for engaging in what the usurper pleased to call
rebellion; but of my friend Colonel John Benbow I could for a long
time hear nothing, and had myself to escape across seas."
"I am the son of Colonel John Benbow,