Troops  of  friends  were  seen  in  the  act  of  arriving  —
their  dispersed  ponies  flying  to  the  moors  in  every  di-
rection, to  recover  their  own  pastures  in  the  best  way
they  could ;  —  such,  as  we  have  already  said,  being
the  usual  mode  of  discharging  the  cavalry  which  had
been  levied  for  a  day's  service.  At  a  small  but  com-
modious harbour,  connected  with  the  house  and  ham-
let, those  visitors  were  landing  from  their  boats,
who,  living  in  distant  islands,  and  along  the  coast,
had  preferred  making  their  journey  by  sea.  Mor-
daunt  and  his  companions  might  see  each  party
pausing  frequently  to  greet  each  other,  and  strolling
on  successively  to  the  house,  whose  ever  open  gate
received  them  alternately  in  such  numbers,  that  it
\ah,  I.  — 12


178  THE  PIRATE.
seemed  the  extent  of  the  mansion,  though  suited  to
the  opulence  and  hospitality  of  the  owner,  was  scarce,
on  this  occasion,  sufficient  for  the  guests.
