On the other hand, he had another hour of twilight, and the low tide could cut a few hours off the time it would take him to work his way round the estuary, cross the river, and find the high road to London. He had the strongest feeling that important things were happening there; and as for the King, and his improvised Court here at Sheerness: if the local pub scum couldn't bring themselves to take him seriously, why should the Secretary of the Royal Society? Daniel aimed his horse's backside at the King of England and then spurred the animal forward into the light.