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'Solomon Sprent is a very different man, though good enough in his way, said I. 'But you shall judge him from his letter. "Master Clarke. Sir, When last we was in company I had run in under the batteries on cutting-out service, while you did stand on and off in the channel and wait signals. Having stopped to refit and to overhaul my prize, which proved to be in proper trim alow and aloft "
On the second occasion the garrison had been reduced to dog's-flesh and horse-flesh, but no word of surrender had come either from them or their heroic commander, who was the same Blake under whom the old seaman Solomon Sprent had fought against the Dutch.
The native prophets called on all the Maori population to defend the soil, and promised the extermination of the pakekas, or white men. General Cameron had three thousand volunteers at his disposal, and they gave no quarter to the Maories after the barbarous murder of Captain Sprent.
The third is from Solomon Sprent, a retired seaman, for whom I have an affection and respect. 'You have a rare trio of newsmen. I would I knew your father, Clarke, he must, from what you say, be a stout bit of British oak.
THAT night lay Solomon before the ship with little fellowship. And when he was asleep him thought there came from heaven a great company of angels, and alighted into the ship, and took water which was brought by an angel, in a vessel of silver, and sprent all the ship. And after he came to the sword, and drew letters on the hilt.
I made up my mind, therefore, that I would out into the world also. To this end I borrowed a sword from Solomon Sprent, and my father having gone to Gosport, I helped myself to the best nag in his stables for I have too much respect for the old man to allow one of his flesh and blood to go ill-provided to the wars.
So spoke the old carpenter with a voice which trembled with earnestness, and went to work upon his plank once more, while I, with a few words of gratitude, went on my way pondering over what he had said to me. I had not gone far, however, before the hoarse voice of Solomon Sprent broke in upon my meditations. 'Hoy there! Ahoy! he bellowed, though his mouth was but a few yards from my ear.
If this should indeed come to pass, it may perhaps happen that these young Saxons or their children may have a hand in the building of it. God grant that they may never let their hearts harden to the little isle of the sea, which is and must ever be the cradle of their race. Solomon Sprent married and lived for many years as happily as his friends could wish.
I thought of my father and my mother, of the old carpenter and of Solomon Sprent. Then I pondered over Decimus Saxon, his many-faced character having in it so much to be admired and so much to be abhorred. Did I like him or no? It was more than I could say.
Yours to command, SOLOMON SPRENT." Sir Gervas had been chuckling to himself during the reading of this epistle, but at the last part we both broke out a-laughing. 'Land or sea, he will have it that battles are fought in ships, said the Baronet. 'You should have had that sage piece of advice for Monmouth's council to-day.
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