CHAPTER IX.
THE FOUR MEN AT THE "WHITE LAMB".
"Well, my son," began Captain Salt, as the Earl reascended the stairs.

"Thanks be that we are alone together at last! Do I not keep my promises ?" "Indeed, father, you are kind.

There is only one thing--" "What is that ?" "I should prefer to return to Harwich alive; and seeing that I have eaten nothing for a day and a half--" His father interrupted him by taking his arm and hurrying him off to the kitchen of the auberge, where a fat woman was basting a couple of ducks before a roaring fire.
"Pardon me, mistress," he began in Dutch; "but can you give this young man a breakfast ?" The hostess seemed to be annoyed.
"What does he want ?" she inquired sharply.
The question being interpreted to Tristram, he answered that he wanted everything, but that in the meantime the ducks would serve to break the edge of his fast.
"But these are for his Majesty." "What have you besides ?" "Salt fish." "I will begin with salt fish." "Bacon." "I see," said Tristram, nodding up at a regiment of hams that depended from a rack overhead; "I will eat these also.

What else ?" "Cheese." "On second thoughts, I will begin with cheese while the fish is being prepared.

Is that all ?" "Mother of God! Is it not enough ?" "How can I tell yet?
Let me see your bread and cheese." The woman left her ducks, and in a minute had dumped down a loaf and a huge round cheese of an orange colour before our hero.
"When do we start ?" he asked, with his mouth full.
"Shortly after dark." "Then I have plenty of time." "I should hope so.