eighteen stand of colours were displayed on the outer sides of the
columns. Again the drums beat, the trumpets blew, and with the same
state as that in which he had arrived, the king was escorted back to the
castle.

As soon as Charles and his followers had been relieved of their full
dress they renewed the conversation in which they had been interrupted
on the sands, Elliot first endeavouring to improve the occasion into an
argument against the king's remaining in Jersey.

"That malapert bumpkin will be no friend either to me or to your
majesty," he said. "At himself I snap my fingers. But it seems to me
there are some two thousand of them who cry 'Vive le Roi' for half a
pistole, but would cry 'Vivent nous autres' for nothing. If the French
land here they will turn against you at once. If the Parliament prevail
they will submit, willy nilly. And your majesty may feel no ailment, yet
have to be attended by the surgeon who cured your father."

"Whither should I go hence?" asked the other. "The news of Ireland is
hardly such as to give colour to Ormonde's invitation."

"I have told you what to do, sir, but got small thanks for my pains.
Think on it well. Now, by your leave I must attend to affairs of my own.
May I find you in a wiser mood when I return!"

"Farewell, then, Tom," said Charles. "But beware of poaching on a Jersey
manor!"

"There are no game laws here, or if there be the keeper is away." With
these words Elliot retired with a careless bow, and the king waved his