When you are done with them, you will please to return
them to me, if it be only to save a poor fellow's eye; for unless the
door is kept locked, I shall not dare to look about me for a moment."
Cecilia promised to return the keys, and she had applied one of them to
a lock with a trembling hand, when Alice Dunscombe arrested her arm, and
addressed the soldier.
"Say you there are three?--are they men in years?"
"No, my lady, all good serviceable lads, who couldn't do better than to
serve his majesty, or, as it may prove, worse than to run from their
colors."
"But are their years and appearance similar? I ask; for I have a friend
who has been guilty of some boyish tricks, and has tried the seas, I
hear, among other foolish hazards."
"There is no boy here. In the far room on the left is a smart, soldier-
looking chap, of about thirty, who the captain thinks has carried a
musket before now; on him I am charged to keep a particular eye. Next to
him is as pretty a looking youth as eyes could wish to see, and it makes
one feel mournful to think what he must come to, if he has really
deserted his ship. In the room near you, is a smaller, quiet little
body, who might make a better preacher than a sailor, or a soldier
either, he has such a gentle way with him."
Alice covered her eyes with her hand a moment, and then recovering
herself, proceeded:
"Gentleness may do more with the unfortunate men than fear; here is a
guinea; withdraw to the far end of the passage, where you can watch them
as well as here, while we enter, and endeavor to make them confess who
and what they really are.
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