Page 76 - A Jacobite Exile
P. 76
How can trade be carried on, if the country is to be disturbed by plots, and
conspiracies?"
"How, indeed?" the landlord repeated heartily. "I do not meddle in politics,
being content to earn my living by my business, and to receive all who can
pay their reckoning, without caring a jot whether they be Whigs or Tories."
The next morning Mr. Jervoise and Sir Marmaduke went down to the port,
leaving the lads to wander about the town at their pleasure, as two persons
were likely to attract less attention than four. They found that there were
two vessels in port, loading with munitions of war for Sweden, and that one
of them would sail shortly. They at once went on board her, and saw the
captain.
"Do you carry any passengers?"
"None have applied so far," the captain said; "but, if they were to offer, I
should not say no to them."
"We want to take passage for Sweden," Mr. Jervoise said. "The King of
that country is, as they say, fitting out an army. Clothes are as necessary for
troops as swords and guns, and we think we could obtain a contract for
these goods. There is no hope of doing so, unless we ourselves go over,
and, though sorely loath to do so, for neither of us have ever before set foot
on board a ship, we determined on making the journey, together with our
two clerks, for whom we will take passage at the same rate as for ourselves,
seeing that they are both related to us."
"Have you any goods with you?"
"We shall take over but a bale or two of cloth, as samples of the goods we
can supply; but, beyond that, we have but little luggage, seeing that our stay
may be a very short one."
There was a little haggling for terms, as the two gentlemen did not wish to
appear eager to go; but the matter was finally settled to the satisfaction of