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The first intimation that his sons were still alive was received from Farmer Stubbs, who had brought Stephen's letter, saying that he and Andrew were in the hands of Cornet Bryce, and that they were to be carried to Bridgewater or Taunton. Mr Battiscombe immediately sent off to Colonel Tregellen to ask his advice.
"I had some intimation of this a few days ago, and so timed my journey to Bristol that I might be able to pay my respects to our brave Duke," said Mr Battiscombe. As soon as dinner was over the farmer and his sons mounted their horses, and the whole party rode forward at a more rapid rate than Mr Battiscombe and Roger had gone on the previous day.
Roger fancied they had all gone by, when, looking up, he observed a smaller party riding in better order. In the last among them, and apparently acting as an officer, he recognised Stephen Battiscombe, who kept continually turning round as if he expected some one to be following.
I warrant he thinks thou art worth living for." "Stephen Battiscombe," answered Alice. "Why, he is one I yesterday sentenced to death; he should have been hung by this time, so you are too late, wench." "Please you, my lord, it was his elder brother, Andrew Battiscombe," said Alice.
At length one day Mr Battiscombe made his appearance, having ridden over from Langton Park, and desired to have a word with the Colonel alone. He looked graver and sadder than usual. "I bring you news," he said, "and I beg you to break it to my friend Willoughby. Our two sons, as you know, sailed in the Dolphin.
"How do you know my name?" she asked. "What, Alice! what, Miss Tufnell! don't you remember Stephen Battiscombe!" exclaimed the stranger. "Is it possible?" she exclaimed, putting out her hand and gazing at his face. "I knew you were not lost; I always said so. And Roger, my dear brother Roger, why has he not come with you? Where is he?" she asked in an anxious tone.
They had fancied him unconscious, but he had been aroused by the sound of the ship striking, the meaning of which he knew too well. "Battiscombe," he said, "help me on deck. I know what has happened, and that mate of mine has been the cause of it. I must see what can be done." Though he was very weak they did as he directed them. His appearance tended to restore order.
Not knowing where he might be, he addressed the letters to Langton Park, but he received no replies. At length the ship was ready for sea, and, dropping down the Thames, stood out in the channel for a cruise. We must now return to Lyme. The cordial reception Stephen Battiscombe met with from the Duke made him more than ever devoted to his cause.
At one end of the table sat the sturdy farmer with his buxom wife and his sons and daughters; at the other were the farm-servants, with wooden bowls and platters before them, their knives the only implements they possessed to help themselves to food. "We are about to make holiday this afternoon Mr Battiscombe," said the farmer.
The day after Monmouth had assumed the kingly title he marched out of Taunton at the head of an army, which, in point of numbers, might well have encouraged him with hopes of success, but Stephen Battiscombe observed with regret that he looked dispirited, in spite of the acclamations of the devoted thousands which were raised wherever he appeared.
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