I will , in some sort , follow you for shame 's sake ; but I own I would I were in bed . '' `` Here , then , '' said Dick . `` Hither we go to fetch our pilot . '' And he led the way to the rude alehouse where he had given rendezvous to a portion of his men . Some of these he found lingering round the door outside ; others had pushed more boldly in , and , choosing places as near as possible to where they saw their comrade , gathered close about Lawless and the two shipmen . These , to judge by the distempered countenance and cloudy eye , had long since gone beyond the boundaries of moderation ; and as Richard entered , closely followed by Lord Foxham , they were all three tuning up an old , pitiful sea-ditty , to the chorus of the wailing of the gale . The young leader cast a rapid glance about the shed . The fire had just been replenished , and gave forth volumes of black smoke , so that it was difficult to see clearly in the further corners . It was plain , however , that the outlaws very largely outnumbered the remainder of the guests . Satisfied upon this point , in case of any failure in the operation of his plan , Dick strode up to the table and resumed his place upon the bench . `` Hey ? '' cried the skipper , tipsily , `` who are ye , hey ? '' `` I want a word with you without , Master Arblaster , '' returned Dick ; `` and here is what we shall talk of . '' And he showed him a gold noble in the glimmer of the firelight . The shipman 's eyes burned , although he still failed to recognise our hero . `` Ay , boy , '' he said , `` I am with you . Gossip , I will be back anon . Drink fair , gossip ; '' and , taking Dick 's arm to steady his uneven steps , he walked to the door of the alehouse . As soon as he was over the threshold , ten strong arms had seized and bound him ; and in two minutes more , with his limbs trussed one to another , and a good gag in his mouth , he had been tumbled neck and crop into a neighbouring hay-barn . Presently , his man Tom , similarly secured , was tossed beside him , and the pair were left to their uncouth reflections for the night .
And now , as the time for concealment had gone by , Lord XXXXX 's followers were summoned by a preconcerted signal , and the party , boldly taking possession of as many boats as their numbers required , pulled in a flotilla for the light in the rigging of the ship .
Arblaster Dick Foxham Lawless Richard alehouse anon left night sea-ditty