Page 288 - A Jacobite Exile

among people of whose tongues you were ignorant, you ought to be able to
manage on English soil."

"At any rate, I will do my best, father, of that you may be sure. I have the

advantage of knowing the fellow, and am pretty certain that he will not
know me."

"Not he, Charlie," his father said confidently. "Even in the last two years,
since you were here with Jervoise and the others, you have changed so

much that I, myself, might have passed you in the street without knowing
you.

"Now, you had better go off and see about your things. There is no time to
be lost. I have drawn out a hundred guineas of my money, which will, I

should say, serve you while you are away; but don't stint it, lad. Let me
know if it runs short, and I will send you more."

"I have money, too, father. I have four months' pay due, besides money I
have in hand, for there was but little need for us to put our hands in our

pockets."

Ten days later, Charlie arrived in the Port of London, and took up his abode

at the Bull's Head, where he found the quarters comfortable, indeed, after
the rough work of campaigning. The next morning he took a waiter into his

confidence.

"I have come to London to see a little life," he said, "and I want to be put

into the way of doing it. I don't want to go to places where young gallants
assemble. My purse is not deep enough to stand such society. I should like

to go to places where I shall meet hearty young fellows, and could have a
throw of the dice, or see a main fought by good cocks, or even sally out and
have a little fun with the watch. My purse is fairly lined, and I want some

amusement--something to look back upon when I go home again. What is
the best way to set about it?"