112

HISTORY 03? ENGLAOT.

CHAP.

XVI.

J G!) 0 .Informa-tion ofthe plotgiven toCaermar-then.

Arrest 01Presionami hiscompa-nions.

Every thing was now ready for Preston’s departure. Butthe owner of the James and Elizabeth had conceived a suspicionthat the expedition for which his smack had been hired wasrather of a political than of a commercial nature. It occurredto him that more might be made by informing against his pas-sengers than by conveying them safely. Intelligence of whatwas passing was conveyed to the Lord President. No intel-ligence could be more welcome to him. He w'as delighted tofind that it was in his power to give a signal proof of his attach-ment to the government which his enemies had accused him ofbetraying. He took his measures with his usual energy anddexterity. His eldest son, the Earl of Danby, a bold, volatile,and somewhat eccentric young man, was fond of the sea, livedmuch among sailors, and was the proprietor of a small yacht ofmarvellous speed. This vessel, well manned, was placed underthe command of a trusty officer named Billop, and was sentdown the river, as if for the purpose of pressing mariners.

At dead of night, the last night of the year 1690, Preston,Ashton and Elliot went on board of their smack near the Tower.They were in great dread lest they should be stopped andsearched, either by a frigate which lay off Woolwich, or by theguard posted at the blockhouse of Gravesend. But, whenthey had passed both frigate and blockhouse without beingchallenged, their spirits rose: their appetite became keen:they unpacked a hamper well stored with roast beef, mincepies, and bottles of wine, and were just sitting down to theirChristmas cheer, when the alarm was given that a vessel fromTilbury was flying through the water after them. They hadscarcely time to hide themselves in a dark hble among thegravel which w'as the ballast of their smack, when the chasewas over, and Billop, at the head of an armed party, came onboard. The hatches were taken up: the conspirators werearrested; and their clothes were strictly examined. Preston,