72 A JACOBITE EXILE

lads were greatly interested in watching the well-wooded
slope on the left, with the stately ruins of ‘Tintern Abbey
rising above the trees. ‘Vhen they passed the round fort at
the water’s edge on their right, and issued out from South-
ampton Water into the broad sheet between the island and
the mainland. It was dotted with sails, fishing craft and
coasters for the most part, but with some larger ships bound
from the east to Southampton, and others that had come in
through the Solent. ‘This was very entertaining to the boys,
and they were still more pleased when they saw the forti-
fications of Portsmouth, with cannon pointing seaward, and
with many vessels riding in the strait by the side of the
town.

“That fort would give the French or the Dutch a hot
reception were they at any time to think to capture the
dock-yard and shipping,” Sir Marmaduke said.

“The Dutch have already captured the place, and that
without shedding a drop of blood,” Mr. Jervoise remarked.

“That is true enough,” the knight said, stamping his foot
angrily on the deck, “but what has been won so easily may
be lost as quickly. I have seen several changes since I[
can first remember, and I hope I may live to see another.
However, we need not talk of that now.”

“No, indeed,” Mr. Jervoise agreed. “It may be, Sir
Marmaduke, that it would be better if we had talked and
thought less of it during the last twelve years, better for
ourselves and for these lads. We might still have been
ready to join His Majesty as soon as he landed, but as, till
then, we could do nothing, it seems to me now that it would
have been wiser had we gone about our business without
worrying our heads, to say nothing of risking them, about
amatter that may not take place during our lives; as we
know well enough the King of France uses the Stuarts only
for his own convenience, and at heart cares nothing for
them or their cause. It is convenient to have the means of