M orning came, and nothing had occurred to cause alarm. The prince slept soundly in the tower, and was up betimes, and, on the walls, enjoying the view, and inhaling the fresh sea-breeze. So well pleased was he that the thought that he must speedily quit the castle pained him.

But he did not delude himself with the idea, that, strong as was the fortress, it would be possible to maintain it against a regular attack. Flight, therefore, was his only alternative. A vessel must be procured to convey him to France—and this must be accomplished without delay.

Accordingly, when Lord Derwentwater and Lord Wid-drington joined him, he made known his wishes to them. They both endeavoured to dissuade him from his purpose, but, finding him resolved, Lord Widdrington undertook to proceed forthwith to Berwick-upon-Tweed, and make all necessary arrangements.

“I have many friends at Berwick—some of them partisans of your majesty,” said Lord Widdrington; “and I doubt not I shall be able to hire a small vessel to convey you to Dunquerque, but it may perhaps be necessary for you to embark from Holy Island, or the Fame Islands, but this will depend, in some measure, on the master of the ship. As soon as I have succeeded in making an arrangement I will return, and let your majesty know what I have done.”

“I should like to start to-night,” said the prince.

“That is allowing very short time for preparation, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “But I will do my best to carry out your majesty's wishes.”

“I am sorry to give your lordship so much trouble,” said the prince. “But I know you make light of it in your zealous desire to serve me.”

“That is perfectly true, my liege,” rejoined Lord Widdrington. “I only regret that I cannot give stronger proof of my devotion. I heartily wish your majesty would stay where you are, but since you are determined to leave us, I will do my best to expedite your departure.”

As he bent before the prince, the latter passed his arms affectionately round his neck and bade him adieu.

In less than ten minutes the loyal noble, though greatly disliking his mission, was speeding along the road to Berwick-upon-Tweed, followed by a groom.

The early part of the day passed without any incident worth narrating. The prince did not quit the castle, but breakfasted in his tower, and, later on, visited the keep attended by Lord Derwentwater and the two young ladies, and thus obtained a more perfect notion than he had hitherto formed of the strength of King Ida's castle.

From the summit of the lofty structure he looked down upon the islands that studded the sea in front of him, and was amazed by the multitude of sea-birds that covered their rocks and precipices, and occasionally rose in clouds, uttering shrieks and cries that could be distinctly heard where he stood.

The sea was calm now, but Anna described its terrific appearance in a storm when tremendous waves were dashed against those rocks, and columns of spray were thrown up through their fissures to a prodigious height.

The islands consisted of two groups, and the more distant of them seemed entirely whitened by sea-birds. The Home Island, as the nearest of the Fame Islands is designated, is not much more than a mile from the mainland, and on that bright, sunshiny day looked close at hand. Dorothy pointed out Prior Castell's Tower, which served as a beacon.

While the prince was examining the little bay almost shut in by rocks that formed an entrance to the Home Island, he observed a boat come forth. It was large and roomy, strongly built and well calculated for a rough sea, and seemed to contain a dozen men armed with muskets or fowling-pieces.

The appearance of this boat and its crew excited some misgiving on the part of those who watched it, especially when they found it was steering direct for the castle.

Lord Derwentwater was preparing to descend to the court and give the alarm, when the boat, which had now got within a quarter of a mile of the shore, suddenly changed its course, and turned off on the left.

Its movements were anxiously watched in the apprehension that the men might be landed, but it went on, and after rounding Beadnell Point was lost to view. The prince then breathed more freely.

“I thought those men were about to attack the castle,” he said. “But it seems they had no such design.”

“I am not so sure of that, my liege,” observed Lord Derwentwater. “They were evidently reconnoitring the place, but something caused them to change their plans, and steer off. Yet a rumour that your majesty is here can scarcely have reached yonder remote island.”

“The island is not so remote as your lordship supposes,” remarked Dorothy. “Boats are constantly passing to and fro over the Fairway, as the strait is called, and it is highly probable the islanders have heard the news. But I should have thought they were more likely to aid his majesty than to attack him.”

“They may be stimulated by the hope of a reward,” said the prince. “But be that as it may, I am glad they have given up the attempt.”

“We may have another visit from them, so it will be well to be on our guard,” observed Lord Derwentwater. “Next time they may approach by land.”

“I shall be glad when our carriage arrives,” said Anna. “I hope no accident has occurred.”

“You need not be uneasy,” said Derwentwater. “Sir John and Lady Webb would probably pass the night at Morpeth, and in that case they could not be here till late in the afternoon.”

Just then a noise was heard at the entrance to the roof of the keep, and Lord Widdrington made his appearance, accompanied by Mr. Forster and Colonel Oxburgh.

Everybody seemed surprised to see his lordship, and no one more so than the prince.

“What! so soon returned from Berwick?” exclaimed his highness. “Have you succeeded in your errand?”

“Perfectly, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “I have hired a sloop now in Berwick harbour, which was to sail this evening for London. But I have induced Captain Hawker of the Saint Abbs, as the sloop is called, to alter his plan. In a word, he has engaged to take your majesty to Dunquerque.”

“You have rendered me a great service,” said the prince. “But where am I to go on board the sloop?—at Berwick?”

“No, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “Since there is almost a certainty of fine weather, Captain Hawker will weigh anchor at nine o'clock, and fire a gun to let you know when he gets off the castle.”

The prince signified his approval of the arrangement.

“A boat shall be ready to take you to the sloop, so that your majesty may embark immediately,” said Forster.

Again the prince expressed his satisfaction, but he asked Mr. Forster if he had noticed the boat containing the armed men, that had crossed the Fairway, apparently to reconnoitre the castle.

“Those men were only fishermen, my liege,” replied the squire. “I felt sure they would move off, and so they did. It is not by those poor fellows that your majesty's departure will be hindered.”