The Settlers | Page 9

got ready for sea. On going onboard, the
captain and his son were well pleased with the Rainbow's appearance,
though of opinion that her tackling and sails required renewing, and
that the necessary repairs would take longer than her owner had stated.
The captain, as has been said, was a man of action; having satisfied
himself as to the fitness of the vessel, on returning on shore he
concluded the purchase, with such deductions as were considered just
by her owner, Master Holdfast, who, knowing him to be a man of
substance as well as a man of honour, was content to abide his time
with regard to payment.
The next day found Vaughan and Gilbert, accompanied by Roger
Layton, on their way to the neighbourhood of Dartmouth. Lettice, who
had been anxiously waiting for their return, seeing them come over the
hill in the distance, hastened down to the gate to receive them. After
bestowing on her an affectionate embrace, they introduced Roger as the
son of their friend Captain Layton, returned from the Indies, who was
ready to sail forth again in search of their father. It is needless to say
that he received a warm welcome from Mistress Audley, as well as
from Lettice. Roger had thought his sister Cicely was as near perfection
as a damsel could reach, but he could not help acknowledging that
Lettice Audley was her superior.
Mistress Audley was anxious to hear Captain Layton's opinion and
what plans he proposed. "He is, indeed, a true, generous friend," she
exclaimed, when Roger told her that his father had actually purchased a
stout ship in which he was about to sail in the hopes of recovering her

husband.
"But the first thing we have to do is to ascertain, more exactly than we
now know, the part of the country to which he has been carried,"
observed Roger. "I therefore propose setting off at once to London, to
learn, from those with whom the seaman Richard Batten returned, the
place where they received him on board; and then, with your leave,
Mistress Audley, I will come back here to make our final arrangements.
Do you yourself propose accompanying your sons? or will you remain
here with your daughter till we have concluded our search, and returned,
as I hope, successful?"
"I cannot so far restrain my anxiety as to remain at a distance while
others are engaged in the search, and if a way is opened out to us, my
daughter Lettice and I have resolved to proceed to Virginia," answered
Mistress Audley.
"You are a brave lady, truly," exclaimed Roger; "my sister Cicely
purposes going for the sake of being with our father, and it would be an
honour and satisfaction if you would take a passage on board his ship."
Mistress Audley expressed her gratitude, and said she would consult
her son Vaughan on the subject.
Roger Layton did not attempt to conceal the admiration he felt for
Lettice Audley, and he would gladly have remained another day could
he have found sufficient excuse. Duty had, however, always been his
guiding star, and he accordingly the next morning at daybreak was
ready to depart. He had taken leave of Mistress Audley and Lettice the
night before, but when the morning came Lettice was in the parlour to
serve him with breakfast, and he enjoyed some minutes of her society
before her brothers made their appearance. They came down booted
and spurred, prepared to accompany him part of the way. He promised
not to spare his good steed; but even so, he could not hope to be back
much within a fortnight, and soon after that time he expected that the
Rainbow would be ready for sea, and he thus could not remain more
than a day at Mistress Audley's on his way to Plymouth.

In the evening Vaughan and Gilbert returned home. As they reached
the gate, they were surprised to see two stout horses, held by a groom,
standing before it. They inquired who had arrived. "Your worships'
cousin, master Harry Rolfe and a stranger, a stout and comely
gentleman, who has the air and speech of a sea-captain--though he may
be, judging by his looks, some great lord," answered the groom.
"Poor Harry! I thought after the unkind treatment as he called it which
he received from our sister, that he would not come back again to this
house--but I shall be glad to see him," observed Vaughan to his brother.
As they entered the parlour, they found their mother and Lettice with
the two gentlemen who had just arrived. Their cousin, Harry Rolfe,
whose appearance was much in his favour, sprang from his seat to greet
them, and introduced his companion as Captain John Smith, "With
whom, in the company of