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Updated: May 7, 2025
The merchants traded chiefly to the West Indies and the American plantations, as also to the coast of Africa and the Levant. It was in one of these princely firms that Stephen Battiscombe and Roger Willoughby were so fortunate as to find employment, and, thanks to the strong recommendation of Mr Handscombe, they were both placed in posts of trust.
Captain Benbow is expecting you, and I promised to send you down as soon as you arrived, for I may not remain here long. Before you go you must take some refreshment, and I in the meantime will order a boat to be in waiting." "Where snail I find the Benbow frigate?" asked Roger. "She is not the ship you are to join," answered Mr Handscombe.
Mr Willoughby was anxious to see Roger before he again sailed, but his difficulty was to know where to find him. "I must write to Master Handscombe," he observed; "he will ascertain when the Benbow frigate comes into port, and will easily convey a message on board desiring him to come, and requesting the Captain to give him leave."
Mr Willoughby was engaged in earnest conversation with Master Handscombe, the merchant, on matters which, it appeared, they were unwilling should reach the ears of the Colonel. They spoke of the Duke of Monmouth, Lord Shaftesbury, and many other persons.
The Colonel was satisfied with this explanation; it did not occur to him that any evil consequences would arise from his receiving so respectable a personage as Mr Handscombe at his house.
"Much obliged to you, Master Handscombe, for the opinion you express of me," said Captain Benbow, at once recognising the worthy merchant. "I have always wished to do my duty towards those whose goods I carry, and to defend my cargo against pirates, privateers, and corsairs of all descriptions, as well as to carry it safely to its destination."
"I have just arrived from London town," he exclaimed. "We only got into the Thames a week ago. I scarcely expected to get leave, but Master Handscombe pressed the point with the Captain, and undertook that I should return in ten days, so that my holiday will be a very short one, and I must make the most of it."
They safely shot under the arches of London Bridge, and were now among vessels of various sizes and rigs, some moored to the banks, others brought up in the stream. Though the day was long, it was dusk before they reached the Ruby Shaking Roger by the hand, Mr Handscombe bade him answer the hail of the sentry, and then without loss of time stepped up the side with his valise.
Be that as it may, many persons speak boldly of the Duke of Monmouth some day becoming King of England." "What is your opinion, Master Handscombe?" asked the Colonel. "I have merely reported what is said," answered the merchant. "My business is in buying and selling, and I have no wish to enter into political affairs."
He did not venture to say who would share his fortune with him, or to hint that Mistress Alice might be interested in the matter. All this time no news had been received of Roger. Mr Willoughby had written to Mr Handscombe, who was still in London.
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