“We owe them thanks, even for this concession,” said La Tour to his lieutenant; “and, by my faith, we will return with such a force as shall make the traitor D’Aulney fly before us to the inmost shelter of his strong hold;—­aye, he may thank our clemency if we do not pursue him there, and make the foundations of his fort tremble like the walls of Jericho.”

“It must be with something more than the blast of a trumpet,” returned De Valette; “if common report speaks truth, he has strongly intrenched himself in this same fort that he took from the worthy puritans, some few years since.  In truth, I think we do them good service by avenging this old grievance, which they have so long complained of, and I doubt if we are not indebted in some measure to this same grudge for the benefit of their assistance.”

“I care not by what motives they are actuated,” said La Tour, “as long as my own designs are accomplished; and our chief concern, at present, is to take advantage of this favourable crisis, and, if possible, to get under sail, before the enemy hears of our success, and makes his escape.”

“Yes,” said De Valette, “and before our friends have time to change their minds, and withdraw the promised assistance.”

“Why do you suggest such an idea?” asked La Tour, his brow darkening with displeasure; “by heavens, they dare not provoke me by so gross an act of treachery!”

“I do not think they intend it,” returned De Valette; “but you know there is a powerful opposition to our interest in this good town, and if any of their worthy teachers should chance to hit upon a text of scripture which they could interpret against us,—­farewell to the expected aid!  Nay,” he added, laughing, “I believe there are already some, who fancy they see the cloven foot of popery beneath our plain exterior, and, if that should once shew itself, why, they would as soon fight for the devil, to whom they might think us very closely allied.”

“You forget, Eustace,” said La Tour, lowering his voice, and looking cautiously around, “that we stand on open ground, and a bird of the air may carry our secrets to some of these long-eared, canting hypocrites! but go now, muster your volunteers as soon as possible, and our sails once spread to a fair wind, their scruples will avail them little.”

The apprehensions of De Valette were not without foundation, and his keen observation had detected symptoms of retraction in some who were at first most forward in their proffers of service.  The decision of the magistrates had been very generally condemned by the graver part of the community; its advocates were principally found among the young and enterprising, who gladly embraced any opportunity to signalize their courage and activity.  With these, Arthur Stanhope was conspicuous for his zeal and perseverance, though he had many difficulties to contend against, arising from the inveterate prejudices of his father.