"Ah! I also go to Lyme, though not to join the Duke; but rather to my bed."
"Good, then by your leave I’ll bear you company," said he. "So, when you are ready----"
He paused a moment to gaze down upon the two dead men, then off we went together.
"Know you who those coward rascals were?" he asked me as we strode along.
"Some of Duke Monmouth’s men," I answered.
He stopped and looked at me, then broke into a laugh.
"Why, just to think of it," said he, "that I should start my fighting for the Duke’s cause by drawing sword against his followers! But, say, why did these fellows thus attack you?"
"Because I stand in no high favour with a man named Robert Ferguson."
"Ah! a canting rogue. I know him well. And so you are not for the Duke?"
"Nay, I am for the King," I answered boldly, having now made up my mind on that point.
"Oh, what a mocking whirligig is life!" said he. "Here walk I side by side with one with whom perchance I may cross swords in battle."
"Aye, like enough," I answered grimly; "but, say, why stand you for the Duke?"
"Well, now, it might well be for the same reason that you join King James; but, to tell honest truth, it is because his side doth seem to promise most of fine adventure. I love adventure; I was made for it; and some day I will make my name thereby, though not with sword--with pen."
"Nay, but a sorry scribbler as yet; but, look you, some day I will write a book which shall assuredly set all England tingling in my praise. In short, I will be famous. Mark well those words, and think upon them in the years to come."
Talking of many things, we reached at length the place where he must turn aside into the town, while I, who thought it wisdom to avoid the haunts of men, intended to go home along the shore. There he took my hand, and said:
"Aye, twenty, and they are granted if ’tis in my power to do it," I answered warmly.
"Nay, ’tis but a little one," said he. "I would know the name of one who used his sword so well."
"My name is Michael Fane; and may I, too, know that of one who saved my life?"
"Dan Foe--a name unknown at present, but one which, as I told you, shall hereafter be as common and familiar as the King’s. And so, friend Fane, good night; and if we meet in battle, may we fight fair and bravely, like true Englishmen!"