250 MASTER SKYLARK

Sir Francis Drake sailed round the world,
Round the world, round the world;

John Hawkins fought the “Victory,”
And we ha’ beaten Spain!

Whither they were going he did not know. Whither
they were going he did not care. He was English: this
was England still! He set his teeth and threw back his
shoulders. “I be na feared of him!” said he.

“But my father will come for us soon, won’t he, Nick?”
faltered Cicely.

“High! just don’t he wish that he might!” laughed
Goole.

“Oh, ay,” said she, and nodded bravely to herself ; “he
may be very busy now, and so he cannot come. But
presently he will come for me and fetch me home again.”
She gave a joyous little skip. “To fetch me home again
—ay, surely, my father will come for me anon.”

A lump came up in Nick Attwood’s throat. “But what
hath he done to thee, Cicely, and where is thy pretty
gown ?” he asked, as they hurried on through the crooked
way ; for the gown she wore was in rags.

Cicely choked down a sob. “He hath kept me locked
up in a horrible place, where an old witch came in the
night and stole my clothes away. And he says that if
money doth not come for me soon he will turn me out to
starve.”

“To starve? Nay, Cicely; I will na leave thee starve.
I'll go with thee wherever he taketh thee; I ll fend for
thee with all my might and main, and none shall harm