"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 both parties.
On their return to the inn, Mr.Jervoise took the host aside.
"We have business connected with our trade in cloth in Sweden, where we hope to obtain a large contract.