This
movement of sympathy was led by Sir John Killigrew, and it spread in so
rapid and marked a manner that very soon Master Lionel was almost
persuaded that it was no more than he deserved, and he began to sun
himself in the favour of a countryside that hitherto had shown little
but hostility for men of the Tressilian blood.
CHAPTER VIII
THE SPANIARD
The Swallow, having passed through a gale in the Bay of Biscay--a gale
which she weathered like the surprisingly steady old tub she was--
rounded Cape Finisterre and so emerged from tempest into peace, from
leaden skies and mountainous seas into a sunny azure calm. It was like
a sudden transition from winter into spring, and she ran along now,
close hauled to the soft easterly breeze, with a gentle list to port.
It had never been Master Leigh's intent to have got so far as this
without coming to an understanding with his prisoner. But the wind had
been stronger than his intentions, and he had been compelled to run
before it and to head to southward until its fury should abate. Thus it
fell out--and all marvellously to Master Lionel's advantage, as you
shall see--that the skipper was forced to wait until they stood along
the coast of Portugal--but well out to sea, for the coast of Portugal
was none too healthy just then to English seamen--before commanding Sir
Oliver to be haled into his presence.
In the cramped quarters of the cabin in the poop of the little vessel
sat her captain at a greasy table, over which a lamp was swinging
faintly to the gentle heave of the ship.
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