第1章

CHAPTERI——THEVILLAGE

"Andamightysing’larandprettyplaceitis，aseverIsawinallthedaysofmylife！"saidCaptainJorgan，lookingupatit。

CaptainJorganhadtolookhightolookatit，forthevillagewasbuiltsheerupthefaceofasteepandloftycliff。Therewasnoroadinit，therewasnowheeledvehicleinit，therewasnotalevelyardinit。Fromthesea—beachtothecliff—toptwoirregularrowsofwhitehouses，placedoppositetooneanother，andtwistinghereandthere，andthereandhere，rose，likethesidesofalongsuccessionofstagesofcrookedladders，andyouclimbedupthevillageorclimbeddownthevillagebythestavesbetween，somesixfeetwideorso，andmadeofsharpirregularstones。Theoldpack—

saddle，longlaidasideinmostpartsofEnglandasoneoftheappendagesofitsinfancy，flourishedhereintact。Stringsofpack—

horsesandpack—donkeystoiledslowlyupthestavesoftheladders，bearingfish，andcoal，andsuchothercargoaswasunshippingatthepierfromthedancingfleetofvillageboats，andfromtwoorthreelittlecoastingtraders。Asthebeastsofburdenascendedladen，ordescendedlight，theygotsolostatintervalsinthefloatingcloudsofvillagesmoke，thattheyseemedtodivedownsomeofthevillagechimneys，andcometothesurfaceagainfaroff，highaboveothers。Notwohousesinthevillagewerealike，inchimney，size，shape，door，window，gable，roof—tree，anything。Thesidesoftheladdersweremusicalwithwater，runningclearandbright。Thestavesweremusicalwiththeclatteringfeetofthepack—horsesandpack—donkeys，andthevoicesofthefishermenurgingthemup，mingledwiththevoicesofthefishermen’swivesandtheirmanychildren。Thepierwasmusicalwiththewashofthesea，thecreakingofcapstansandwindlasses，andtheairyflutteringoflittlevanesandsails。Therough，sea—bleachedbouldersofwhichthepierwasmade，andthewhiterbouldersoftheshore，werebrownwithdryingnets。Thered—browncliffs，richlywoodedtotheirextremestverge，hadtheirsoftenedandbeautifulformsreflectedinthebluestwater，undertheclearNorthDevonshireskyofaNovemberdaywithoutacloud。Thevillageitselfwassosteepedinautumnalfoliage，fromthehouseslyingonthepiertothetopmostroundofthetopmostladder，thatonemighthavefancieditwasoutabird’s—

nesting，andwas（asindeeditwas）awonderfulclimber。Andmentioningbirds，theplacewasnotwithoutsomemusicfromthemtoo；fortherookwasverybusyonthehigherlevels，andthegullwithhisflappingwingswasfishinginthebay，andthelustylittlerobinwashoppingamongthegreatstoneblocksandironringsofthebreakwater，fearlessinthefaithofhisancestors，andtheChildrenintheWood。

ThusitcametopassthatCaptainJorgan，sittingbalancinghimselfonthepier—wall，struckhislegwithhisopenhand，assomemendowhentheyarepleased——andashealwaysdidwhenhewaspleased——andsaid，—

"Amightysing’larandprettyplaceitis，aseverIsawinallthedaysofmylife！"

CaptainJorganhadnotbeenthroughthevillage，buthadcomedowntothepierbyawindingside—road，tohaveapreliminarylookatitfromthelevelofhisownnaturalelement。Hehadseenmanythingsandplaces，andhadstowedthemallawayinashrewdintellectandavigorousmemory。HewasanAmericanborn，wasCaptainJorgan，——aNew—Englander，——buthewasacitizenoftheworld，andacombinationofmostofthebestqualitiesofmostofitsbestcountries。

ForCaptainJorgantositanywhereinhislong—skirtedbluecoatandbluetrousers，withoutholdingconversewitheverybodywithinspeakingdistance，wasasheerimpossibility。Sothecaptainfelltotalkingwiththefishermen，andtoaskingthemknowingquestionsaboutthefishery，andthetides，andthecurrents，andtheraceofwateroffthatpointyonder，andwhatyoukeptinyoureye，andgotintoalinewithwhatelsewhenyouranintothelittleharbour；andothernauticalprofundities。Amongthemenwhoexchangedideaswiththecaptainwasayoungfellow，whoexactlyhithisfancy，——ayoungfishermanoftwoorthreeandtwenty，intheroughsea—dressofhiscraft，withabrownface，darkcurlinghair，andbright，modesteyesunderhisSou’westerhat，andwithafrank，butsimpleandretiringmanner，whichthecaptainfounduncommonlytaking。"I’dbetathousanddollars，"saidthecaptaintohimself，"thatyourfatherwasanhonestman！"

"Mightyoubemarriednow？"askedthecaptain，whenhehadhadsometalkwiththisnewacquaintance。

"Notyet。"

"Goingtobe？"saidthecaptain。

"Ihopeso。"

Thecaptain’skeenglancefollowedtheslightestpossibleturnofthedarkeye，andtheslightestpossibletiltoftheSou’westerhat。

Thecaptainthenslappedbothhislegs，andsaidtohimself，—

"Neverknewsuchagoodthinginallmylife！There’shissweetheartlookingoverthewall！"

Therewasaveryprettygirllookingoverthewall，fromalittleplatformofcottage，vine，andfuchsia；andshecertainlydignotlookasifthepresenceofthisyoungfishermaninthelandscapemadeitanythelesssunnyandhopefulforher。

CaptainJorgan，havingdoubledhimselfuptolaughwiththatheartygood—naturewhichisquiteexultantintheinnocenthappinessofotherpeople，hadundoubtedhimself，andwasgoingtostartanewsubject，whenthereappearedcomingdownthelowerladdersofstones，amanwhomhehailedas"TomPettifer，Ho！"TomPettifer，Ho，respondedwithalacrity，andinspeedycoursedescendedonthepier。

"Afraidofasun—strokeinEnglandinNovember，Tom，thatyouwearyourtropicalhat，stronglypaidoutsideandpaper—linedinside，here？"saidthecaptain，eyeingit。

"It’saswelltobeonthesafeside，sir，"repliedTom。

"Safeside！"repeatedthecaptain，laughing。"You’dguardagainstasun—stroke，withthatoldhat，inanIcePack。Wa’al！WhathaveyoumadeoutatthePost—office？"

"ItisthePost—office，sir。"

"What’sthePost—office？"saidthecaptain。

"Thename，sir。ThenamekeepsthePost—office。"

"Acoincidence！"saidthecaptain。"Aluckybit！Showmewhereitis。Good—bye，shipmates，forthepresent！Ishallcomeandhaveanotherlookatyou，aforeIleave，thisafternoon。"

Thiswasaddressedtoallthere，butespeciallytheyoungfisherman；

soallthereacknowledgedit，butespeciallytheyoungfisherman。

"He’sasailor！"saidonetoanother，astheylookedafterthecaptainmovingaway。Thathewas；andsooutspeakingwasthesailorinhim，thatalthoughhisdresshadnothingnauticalaboutit，withthesingleexceptionofitscolour，butwasasuitofashore—goingshapeandform，toolonginthesleevesandtooshortinthelegs，andtoounaccommodatingeverywhere，terminatingearthwardinapairofWellingtonboots，andsurmountedbyatall，stiffhat，whichnomortalcouldhavewornatseainanywindunderheaven；

nevertheless，aglimpseofhissagacious，weather—beatenface，orhisstrong，brownhand，wouldhaveestablishedthecaptain’scalling。WhereasMr。Pettifer——amanofacertainplumpneatness，withacurlywhisker，andelaboratelynauticalinajacket，andshoes，andallthingscorrespondent——lookednomorelikeaseaman，besideCaptainJorgan，thanhelookedlikeasea—serpent。

Thetwoclimbedhighupthevillage，——whichhadthemostarbitraryturnsandtwistsinit，sothatthecobbler’shousecamedeadacrosstheladder，andtohaveheldareasonablecourse，youmusthavegonethroughhishouse，andthroughhimtoo，ashesatathisworkbetweentwolittlewindows，——withoneeyemicroscopicallyonthegeologicalformationofthatpartofDevonshire，andtheothertelescopicallyontheopensea，——thetwoclimbedhighupthevillage，andstoppedbeforeaquaintlittlehouse，onwhichwaspainted，"MRS。RAYBROCK，DRAPER；"andalso"POST—OFFICE。"Beforeit，ranarillofmurmuringwater，andaccesstoitwasgainedbyalittleplank—bridge。

"Here’sthename，"saidCaptainJorgan，"sureenough。Youcancomeinifyoulike，Tom。"

Thecaptainopenedthedoor，andpassedintoanoddlittleshop，aboutsixfeethigh，withagreatvarietyofbeamsandbumpsintheceiling，and，besidestheprincipalwindowgivingontheladderofstones，apurblindlittlewindowofasinglepaneofglass，peepingoutofanabuttingcorneratthesun—lightedocean，andwinkingatitsbrightness。

"Howdoyoudo，ma’am？"saidthecaptain。"Iamverygladtoseeyou。Ihavecomealongwaytoseeyou。"

"Haveyou，sir？ThenIamsureIamverygladtoseeyou，thoughI

don’tknowyoufromAdam。"

Thusacomelyelderlywoman，shortofstature，plumpofform，sparklinganddarkofeye，who，perfectlycleanandneatherself，stoodinthemidstofherperfectlycleanandneatarrangements，andsurveyedCaptainJorganwithsmilingcuriosity。"Ah！butyouareasailor，sir，"sheadded，almostimmediately，andwithaslightmovementofherhands，thatwasnotveryunlikewringingthem；"thenyouareheartilywelcome。"

"Thank’ee，ma’am，"saidthecaptain，"Idon’tknowwhatitis，Iamsure；thatbringsoutthesaltinme，buteverybodyseemstoseeitonthecrownofmyhatandthecollarofmycoat。Yes，ma’am，Iaminthatwayoflife。"

"Andtheothergentleman，too，"saidMrs。Raybrock。

"Wellnow，ma’am，"saidthecaptain，glancingshrewdlyattheothergentleman，"youarethatnighright，thathegoestosea，——ifthatmakeshimasailor。Thisismysteward，ma’am，TomPettifer；he’sbeena’mostalltradesyoucouldname，inthecourseofhislife，——

wouldhaveboughtallyourchairsandtablesonce，ifyouhadwishedtosell’em，——butnowhe’smysteward。Myname’sJorgan，andI’maship—owner，andIsailmyownandmypartners’ships，andhavedonesothisfive—and—twentyyear。AccordingtocustomIamcalledCaptainJorgan，butIamnomoreacaptain，blessyourheart，thanyouare。"

"Perhapsyou’llcomeintomyparlour，sir，andtakeachair？"saidMrs。Raybrock。

"Ex—actlywhatIwasgoingtoproposemyself，ma’am。Afteryou。"

Thusreplying，andenjoiningTomtogiveaneyetotheshop，CaptainJorganfollowedMrs。Raybrockintothelittle，lowback—room，——

decoratedwithdiversplantsinpots，tea—trays，oldchinateapots，andpunch—bowls，——whichwasatoncetheprivatesitting—roomoftheRaybrockfamilyandtheinnercabinetofthepost—officeofthevillageofSteepways。

"Now，ma’am，"saidthecaptain，"itdon’tsignifyacenttoyouwhereIwasborn，except——"Butheretheshadowofsomeoneenteringfelluponthecaptain’sfigure，andhebrokeofftodoublehimselfup，slapbothhislegs，andejaculate，"Neverknewsuchathinginallmylife！Hereheisagain！Howareyou？"

ThesewordsreferredtotheyoungfellowwhohadsotakenCaptainJorgan’sfancydownatthepier。Tomakeitallquitecompletehecameinaccompaniedbythesweetheartwhomthecaptainhaddetectedlookingoverthewall。Aprettiersweetheartthesuncouldnothaveshoneuponthatshiningday。Asshestoodbeforethecaptain，withherrosylipsjustpartedinsurprise，herbrowneyesalittlewideropenthanwasusualfromthesamecause，andherbreathingalittlequickenedbytheascent（andpossiblybysomemysterioushurryandflurryattheparlourdoor，inwhichthecaptainhadobservedherfacetobeforamomenttotallyeclipsedbytheSou’westerhat），shelookedsocharming，thatthecaptainfelthimselfunderamoralobligationtoslapbothhislegsagain。Shewasverysimplydressed，withnootherornamentthananautumnalflowerinherbosom。Sheworeneitherhatnorbonnet，butmerelyascarforkerchief，foldedsquarelybackoverthehead，tokeepthesunoff，——

accordingtoafashionthatmaybesometimesseeninthemoregenialpartsofEnglandaswellasofItaly，andwhichisprobablythefirstfashionofhead—dressthatcameintotheworldwhengrassesandleaveswentout。

"Inmycountry，"saidthecaptain，risingtogiveherhischair，anddexterouslyslidingitclosetoanotherchaironwhichtheyoungfishermanmustnecessarilyestablishhimself，——"inmycountryweshouldcallDevonshirebeautyfirst—rate！"

Wheneverafrankmannerisoffensive，itisbecauseitisstrainedorfeigned；fortheremaybequiteasmuchintolerableaffectationinplainnessasinmincingnicety。Allthatthecaptainsaidanddidwashonestlyaccordingtohisnature；andhisnaturewasopennatureandgoodnature；therefore，whenhepaidthislittlecompliment，andexpressedwithasparkleortwoofhisknowingeye，"Iseehowitis，andnothingcouldbebetter，"hehadestablishedadelicateconfidenceonthatsubjectwiththefamily。

"Iwassayingtoyourworthymother，"saidthecaptaintotheyoungman，afteragainintroducinghimselfbynameandoccupation，——"Iwassayingtoyourmother（andyou’reverylikeher）thatitdidn’tsignifywhereIwasborn，exceptthatIwasraisedonquestion—

askingground，wherethebabiesassoonasevertheycomeintotheworld，inquireoftheirmothers，’Neow，howoldmayyoube，andwa’atairyouagoin’tonameme？’——whichisafact。"Hereheslappedhisleg。"Suchbeingthecase，Imaybeexcusedforaskingyouifyourname’sAlfred？"

"Yes，sir，mynameisAlfred，"returnedtheyoungman。

"Iamnotaconjurer，"pursuedthecaptain，"anddon’tthinkmeso，orIshallrightsoonundeceiveyou。Likewisedon’tthink，ifyouplease，thoughIdocomefromthatcountryofthebabies，thatIamaskingquestionsforquestion—asking’ssake，forIamnot。Somebodybelongingtoyouwenttosea？"

"Myelderbrother，Hugh，"returnedtheyoungman。Hesaiditinanalteredandlowervoice，andglancedathismother，whoraisedherhandshurriedly，andputthemtogetheracrossherblackgown，andlookedeagerlyatthevisitor。

"No！ForGod’ssake，don’tthinkthat！"saidthecaptain，inasolemnway；"Ibringnogoodtidingsofhim。"

Therewasasilence，andthemotherturnedherfacetothefireandputherhandbetweenitandhereyes。Theyoungfishermanslightlymotionedtowardthewindow，andthecaptain，lookinginthatdirection，sawayoungwidow，sittingataneighbouringwindowacrossalittlegarden，engagedinneedlework，withayoungchildsleepingonherbosom。ThesilencecontinueduntilthecaptainaskedofAlfred，—

"Howlongisitsinceithappened？"

"Heshippedforhislastvoyagebetterthanthreeyearsago。"

"Shipstruckuponsomereeforrock，asItakeit，"saidthecaptain，"andallhandslost？"

"Yes。"

"Wa’al！"saidthecaptain，afterashortersilence，"HereIsitwhomaycometothesameend，likeenough。HeholdstheseasinthehollowofHishand。Wemustallstrikesomewhereandgodown。Ourcomfort，then，forourselvesandoneanotheristohavedoneourduty。I’dwageryourbrotherdidhis！"

"Hedid！"answeredtheyoungfisherman。"Ifevermanstrovefaithfullyonalloccasionstodohisduty，mybrotherdid。Mybrotherwasnotaquickman（anythingbutthat），buthewasafaithful，true，andjustman。Wewerethesonsofonlyasmalltradesmaninthiscounty，sir；yetourfatherwasaswatchfulofhisgoodnameasifhehadbeenaking。"

"Aprecioussightmoreso，Ihope——bearinginmindthegeneralrunofthatclassofcrittur，"saidthecaptain。"ButIinterrupt。"

"Mybrotherconsideredthatourfatherleftthegoodnametous，tokeepclearandtrue。"

"Yourbrotherconsideredright，"saidthecaptain；"andyoucouldn’ttakecareofabetterlegacy。ButagainIinterrupt。"

"No；forIhavenothingmoretosay。WeknowthatHughlivedwellforthegoodname，andwefeelcertainthathediedwellforthegoodname。Andnowithascomeintomykeeping。Andthat’sall。"

"Wellspoken！"criedthecaptain。"Wellspoken，youngman！

Concerningthemannerofyourbrother’sdeath，"——bythistimethecaptainhadreleasedthehandhehadshaken，andsatwithhisownbroad，brownhandsspreadoutonhisknees，andspokeaside，——

"concerningthemannerofyourbrother’sdeath，itmaybethatI

havesomeinformationtogiveyou；thoughitmaynotbe，forIamfarfromsure。Canwehavealittletalkalone？"

Theyoungmanrose；butnotbeforethecaptain’squickeyehadnoticedthat，ontheprettysweetheart’sturningtothewindowtogreettheyoungwidowwithanodandawaveofthehand，theyoungwidowhadhelduptohertheneedleworkonwhichshewasengaged，withapatientandpleasantsmile。Sothecaptainsaid，beingonhislegs，—

"Whatmightshebemakingnow？"

"WhatisMargaretmaking，Kitty？"askedtheyoungfisherman，——withoneofhisarmsapparentlymislaidsomewhere。

AsKittyonlyblushedinreply，thecaptaindoubledhimselfupasfarashecould，standing，andsaid，withaslapofhisleg，—

"Inmycountryweshouldcallitwedding—clothes。Fact！Weshould，Idoassureyou。"

Butitseemedtostrikethecaptaininanotherlighttoo；forhislaughwasnotalongone，andheadded，inquiteagentletone，—

"Andit’sverypretty，mydear，toseeher——pooryoungthing，withherfatherlesschilduponherbosom——givingupherthoughtstoyourhomeandyourhappiness。It’sverypretty，mydear，andit’sverygood。Mayyourmarriagebemoreprosperousthanhers，andbeacomforttohertoo。Maytheblessedsunseeyouallhappytogether，inpossessionofthegoodname，longafterIhavedoneploughingthegreatsaltfieldthatisneversown！"

Kittyansweredveryearnestly，"O！Thankyou，sir，withallmyheart！"And，inherlovinglittleway，kissedherhandtohim，andpossiblybyimplicationtotheyoungfisherman，too，asthelatterheldtheparlour—dooropenforthecaptaintopassout。

CHAPTERII——THEMONEY

"Thestairsareverynarrow，sir，"saidAlfredRaybrocktoCaptainJorgan。

"Likemycabin—stairs，"returnedthecaptain，"onmanyavoyage。"

"Andtheyareratherinconvenientforthehead。"

"Ifmyheadcan’ttakecareofitselfbythistime，afteralltheknockingabouttheworldithashad，"repliedthecaptain，asunconcernedlyasifhehadnoconnectionwithit，"it’snotworthlookingafter。"

Thustheycameintotheyoungfisherman’sbedroom，whichwasasperfectlyneatandcleanastheshopandparlourbelow；thoughitwasbutalittleplace，withaslidingwindow，andaphrenologicalceilingexpressiveofallthepeculiaritiesofthehouse—roof。Herethecaptainsatdownonthefootofthebed，andglancingatadreadfullibelonKittywhichornamentedthewall，——theproductionofsomewanderinglimner，whomthecaptainsecretlyadmiredashavingstudiedportraiturefromthefigure—headsofships，——motionedtotheyoungmantotaketherush—chairontheothersideofthesmallroundtable。Thatdone，thecaptainputhishandinthedeepbreast—pocketofhislong—skirtedbluecoat，andtookoutofitastrongsquarecase—bottle，——notalargebottle，butsuchasmaybeseeninanyordinaryship’smedicine—chest。Settingthisbottleonthetablewithoutremovinghishandfromit，CaptainJorganthenspakeasfollows：—

"Inmylastvoyagehomeward—bound，"saidthecaptain，"andthat’sthevoyageoffofwhichInowcomestraight，IencounteredsuchweatherofftheHornasisnotveryoftenmetwith，eventhere。I

haveroundedthatstormyCapeprettyoften，andIbelieveIfirstbeataboutthereintheidenticalstormsthatblewtheDevil’shornsandtailoff，andledtothehornsbeingworkedupintotooth—picksfortheplantationoverseersinmycountry，whomaybeseen（ifyoutraveldownSouth，orawayWest，furenough）pickingtheirteethwith’em，whilethewhips，madeofthetail，floghard。Inthislastvoyage，homeward—boundforLiverpoolfromSouthAmerica，Isaytoyou，myyoungfriend，itblew。Wholemeasures！Nohalfmeasures，normakingbelievetoblow；itblew！NowIwarn’tblowncleanoutofthewaterintothesky，——thoughIexpectedtobeeventhat，——butIwasblowncleanoutofmycourse；andwhenatlastitfellcalm，itfelldeadcalm，andastrongcurrentsetoneway，dayandnight，nightandday，andIdrifted——drifted——drifted——outofalltheordinarytracksandcoursesofships，anddriftedyet，andyetdrifted。Itbehoovesamanwhotakeschargeoffellow—critturs’

lives，nevertorestfrommakinghimselfmasterofhiscalling。I

neverdidrest，andconsequentlyIknewprettywell（’speciallylookingoverthesideinthedeadcalmofthatstrongcurrent）whatdangerstoexpect，andwhatprecautionstotakeagainst’em。Inshort，weweredrivingheadontoanisland。Therewasnoislandinthechart，and，therefore，youmaysayitwasill—mannersintheislandtobethere；Idon’tdisputeitsbadbreeding，butthereitwas。ThanksbetoHeaven，Iwasasreadyfortheislandastheislandwasreadyforme。Imadeitoutmyselffromthemasthead，andIgotenoughwayuponheringoodtimetokeepheroff。I

orderedaboattobeloweredandmanned，andwentinthatboatmyselftoexploretheisland。Therewasareefoutsideit，and，floatinginacornerofthesmoothwaterwithinthereef，wasaheapofsea—weed，andentangledinthatsea—weedwasthisbottle。"

Herethecaptaintookhishandfromthebottleforamoment，thattheyoungfishermanmightdirectawonderingglanceatit；andthenreplacedhisbandandwenton：—

"Ifeveryoucome——orevenifeveryoudon’tcome——toadesertplace，useyouyoureyesandyourspy—glasswell；forthesmallestthingyouseemayproveofusetoyou；andmayhavesomeinformationorsomewarninginit。That’stheprincipleonwhichIcametoseethisbottle。Ipickedupthebottleandrantheboatalongsidetheisland，andmadefastandwentashorearmed，withapartofmyboat’screw。Wefoundthateveryscrapofvegetationontheisland（Igiveityouasmyopinion，butscantandscrubbyatthebestoftimes）hadbeenconsumedbyfire。Asweweremakingourway，cautiouslyandtoilsomely，overthepulverisedembers，oneofmypeoplesankintotheearthbreast—high。Heturnedpale，and’Haulmeoutsmart，shipmates，’sayshe，’formyfeetareamongbones。’

Wesoongothimonhislegsagain，andthenwedugupthespot，andwefoundthatthemanwasright，andthathisfeethadbeenamongbones。Morethanthat，theywerehumanbones；thoughwhethertheremainsofoneman，oroftwoorthreemen，whatwithcalcinationandashes，andwhatwithapoorpracticalknowledgeofanatomy，I

can’tundertaketosay。Weexaminedthewholeislandandmadeoutnothingelse，saveandexceptthat，fromitsoppositeside，I

sightedaconsiderabletractofland，whichlandIwasabletoidentify，andaccordingtothebearingsofwhich（nottotroubleyouwithmylog）Itookafreshdeparture。WhenIgotaboardagainI

openedthebottle，whichwasoilskin—coveredasyousee，andglass—

stopperedasyousee。Insideofit，"pursuedthecaptain，suitinghisactiontohiswords，"Ifoundthislittlecrumpled，foldedpaper，justasyousee。Outsideofitwaswritten，asyousee，thesewords：’Whoeverfindsthis，issolemnlyentreatedbythedeadtoconveyitunreadtoAlfredRaybrock，Steepways，NorthDevon，England。’Asacredcharge，"saidthecaptain，concludinghisnarrative，"and，AlfredRaybrock，thereitis！"

"Thisismypoorbrother’swriting！"

"Isupposeso，"saidCaptainJorgan。"I’lltakealookoutofthislittlewindowwhileyoureadit。"

"Prayno，sir！Ishouldbehurt。Mybrothercouldn’tknowitwouldfallintosuchhandsasyours。"

Thecaptainsatdownagainonthefootofthebed，andtheyoungmanopenedthefoldedpaperwithatremblinghand，andspreaditonthetable。Theraggedpaper，evidentlycreasedandtornbothbeforeandafterbeingwrittenon，wasmuchblottedandstained，andtheinkhadfadedandrun，andmanywordswerewanting。Whatthecaptainandtheyoungfishermanmadeouttogether，aftermuchre—readingandmuchhumouringofthefoldsofthepaper，isgivenonthenextpage。

Theyoungfishermanhadbecomemoreandmoreagitated，asthewritinghadbecomeclearertohim。Henowleftitlyingbeforethecaptain，overwhoseshoulderhehadbeenreadingit，anddroppingintohisformerseat，leanedforwardonthetableandlaidhisfaceinhishands。

"What，man，"urgedthecaptain，"don’tgivein！Beupanddoinglikeaman！"

"Itisselfish，Iknow，——butdoingwhat，doingwhat？"criedtheyoungfisherman，incompletedespair，andstampinghissea—bootontheground。

"Doingwhat？"returnedthecaptain。"Something！I’dgodowntothelittlebreakwaterbelowyonder，andtakeawrenchatoneofthesalt—rustedironringsthere，andeitherwrenchitupbytherootsorwrenchmyteethoutofmyhead，soonerthanI’ddonothing。

Nothing！"ejaculatedthecaptain。"Anyfoolorfaintingheartcandothat，andnothingcancomeofnothing，——whichwaspretendedtobefoundout，Ibelieve，byoneofthemLatincritters，"saidthecaptainwiththedeepestdisdain；"asifAdamhadn’tfounditout，aforeeverhesomuchasnamedthebeasts！"

Yetthecaptainsaw，inspiteofhisboldwords，thattherewassomegreaterreasonthanheyetunderstoodfortheyoungman’sdistress。

Andheeyedhimwithasympathisingcuriosity。

"Come，come！"continuedthecaptain，"Speakout。Whatisit，boy！"

"Youhaveseenhowbeautifulsheis，sir，"saidtheyoungman，lookingupforthemoment，withaflushedfaceandrumpledhair。

"Didanymaneversayshewarn’tbeautiful？"retortedthecaptain。

"Ifso，goandlickhim。"

Theyoungmanlaughedfretfullyinspiteofhimself，andsaid—

"It’snotthat，it’snotthat。"

"Wa’al，then，whatisit？"saidthecaptaininamoresoothingtone。

Theyoungfishermanmournfullycomposedhimselftotellthecaptainwhatitwas，andbegan："WeweretohavebeenmarriednextMondayweek——"

"Weretohavebeen！"interruptedCaptainJorgan。"Andaretobe？

Hey？"

YoungRaybrockshookhishead，andtracedoutwithhisfore—fingerthewords，"poorfather’sfivehundredpounds，"inthewrittenpaper。

"Goalong，"saidthecaptain。"Fivehundredpounds？Yes？"

"Thatsumofmoney，"pursuedtheyoungfisherman，enteringwiththegreatestearnestnessonhisdemonstration，whilethecaptaineyedhimwithequalearnestness，"wasallmylatefatherpossessed。Whenhedied，heowednomanmorethanheleftmeanstopay，buthehadbeenabletolaybyonlyfivehundredpounds。"

"Fivehundredpounds，"repeatedthecaptain。"Yes？"

"Inhislifetime，yearsbefore，hehadexpresslylaidthemoneyasidetoleavetomymother，——liketosettleuponher，ifImakemyselfunderstood。"

"Yes？"

"Hehadriskeditonce——myfatherputdowninwritingatthattime，respectingthemoney——andwasresolvednevertoriskitagain。"

"Notaspectator，"saidthecaptain。"Mycountrywouldn’thavesuitedhim。Yes？"

"Mymotherhasnevertouchedthemoneytillnow。Andnowitwastohavebeenlaidout，thisverynextweek，inbuyingmeahandsomeshareinourneighbouringfisheryhere，tosettlemeinlifewithKitty。"

Thecaptain’sfacefell，andhepassedandrepassedhissun—brownedrighthandoverhisthinhair，inadiscomfitedmanner。

"Kitty’sfatherhasnomorethanenoughtoliveon，eveninthesparingwayinwhichweliveabouthere。Heisakindofbailifforstewardofmanorrightshere，andtheyarenotmuch，anditisbutapoorlittleoffice。Hewasbetteroffonce，andKittymustnevermarrytomeredrudgeryandhardliving。"

Thecaptainstillsatstrokinghisthinhair，andlookingattheyoungfisherman。

"Iamascertainthatmyfatherhadnoknowledgethatanyonewaswrongedastothismoney，orthatanyrestitutionoughttobemade，asIamcertainthatthesunnowshines。But，afterthissolemnwarningfrommybrother’sgraveinthesea，thatthemoneyisStolenMoney，"saidYoungRaybrock，forcinghimselftotheutteranceofthewords，"canIdoubtit？CanItouchit？"

"Aboutnotdoubting，Iain’tsosure，"observedthecaptain；"butaboutnottouching——no——Idon’tthinkyoucan。"

"Seethen，"saidYoungRaybrock，"whyIamsogrieved。ThinkofKitty。ThinkwhatIhavegottotellher！"

Hisheartquitefailedhimagainwhenhehadcomeroundtothat，andheoncemorebeathissea—bootsoftlyonthefloor。Butnotforlong；hesoonbeganagain，inaquietlyresolutetone。

"However！Enoughofthat！Youspokesomebravewordstomejustnow，CaptainJorgan，andtheyshallnotbespokeninvain。Ihavegottodosomething。WhatIhavegottodo，beforeallotherthings，istotraceoutthemeaningofthispaper，forthesakeoftheGoodNamethathasnooneelsetoputitright。AndstillforthesakeoftheGoodName，andmyfather’smemory，notawordofthiswritingmustbebreathedtomymother，ortoKitty，ortoanyhumancreature。Youagreeinthis？"

"Idon’tknowwhatthey’llthinkofusbelow，"saidthecaptain，"butforcertainIcan’topposeit。Now，astotracing。Howwillyoudo？"

Theyboth，asbyconsent，bentoverthepaperagain，andagaincarefullypuzzledoutthewholeofthewriting。

"Imakeoutthatthiswouldstand，ifallthewritingwashere，’Inquireamongtheoldmenlivingthere，for’——someone。Mostlike，you’llgotothisvillagenamedhere？"saidthecaptain，musing，withhisfingeronthename。

"Yes！AndMr。TregarthenisaCornishman，and——tobesure！——comesfromLanrean。"

"Doeshe？"saidthecaptainquietly。"AsIain’tacquaintedwithhim，whomayhebe？"

"Mr。TregarthenisKitty’sfather。"

"Ay，ay！"criedthecaptain。"Nowyouspeak！TregarthenknowsthisvillageofLanrean，then？"

"Beyondalldoubthedoes。Ihaveoftenheardhimmentionit，asbeinghisnativeplace。Heknowsitwell。"

"Stophalfamoment，"saidthecaptain。"Wewantanamehere。YoucouldaskTregarthen（orifyoucouldn’tIcould）whatnamesofoldmenheremembersinhistimeinthosediggings？Hey？"

"Icangostraighttohiscottage，andaskhimnow。"

"Takemewithyou，"saidthecaptain，risinginasolidwaythathadamostcomfortablereliabilityinit，"andjustawordmorefirst。

Ihaveknockedaboutharderthanyou，andhavegotalongfurtherthanyou。Ihavehad，allmysea—goinglifelong，tokeepmywitspolishedbrightwithacidandfriction，likethebrasscasesoftheship’sinstruments。I’llkeepyoucompanyonthisexpedition。Nowyoudon’tlivebytalkinganymorethanIdo。Clenchthathandofyoursinthishandofmine，andthat’saspeechonbothsides。"

CaptainJorgantookcommandoftheexpeditionwiththatheartyshake。Heatoncerefoldedthepaperexactlyasbefore，replaceditinthebottle，putthestopperin，puttheoilskinoverthestopper，confidedthewholetoYoungRaybrock’skeeping，andledthewaydown—stairs。

Butitwashardernavigationbelow—stairsthanabove。Theinstanttheysetfootintheparlourthequick，womanlyeyedetectedthattherewassomethingwrong。Kittyexclaimed，frightened，assherantoherlover’sside，"Alfred！What’sthematter？"Mrs。Raybrockcriedouttothecaptain，"Gracious！whathaveyoudonetomysontochangehimlikethisallinaminute？"Andtheyoungwidow——whowastherewithherworkuponherarm——wasatfirstsoagitatedthatshefrightenedthelittlegirlsheheldinherhand，whohidherfaceinhermother’sskirtsandscreamed。Thecaptain，consciousofbeingheldresponsibleforthisdomesticchange，contemplateditwithquiteaguiltyexpressionofcountenance，andlookedtotheyoungfishermantocometohisrescue。

"Kitty，darling，"saidYoungRaybrock，"Kitty，dearestlove，ImustgoawaytoLanrean，andIdon’tknowwhereelseorhowmuchfurther，thisveryday。Worsethanthat——ourmarriage，Kitty，mustbeputoff，andIdon’tknowforhowlong。"

Kittystaredathim，indoubtandwonderandinanger，andpushedhimfromherwithherhand。

"Putoff？"criedMrs。Raybrock。"Themarriageputoff？AndyougoingtoLanrean！Why，inthenameofthedearLord？"

"Motherdear，Ican’tsaywhy；Imustnotsaywhy。Itwouldbedishonourableandundutifultosaywhy。"

"Dishonourableandundutiful？"returnedthedame。"Andistherenothingdishonourableorundutifulintheboy’sbreakingtheheartofhisownplightedlove，andhismother’shearttoo，forthesakeofthedarksecretsandcounselsofawickedstranger？Whydidyouevercomehere？"sheapostrophisedtheinnocentcaptain。"Whowantedyou？Wheredidyoucomefrom？Whycouldn’tyourestinyourownbadplace，whereveritis，insteadofdisturbingthepeaceofquietunoffendingfolklikeus？"

"Andwhat，"sobbedthepoorlittleKitty，"haveIeverdonetoyou，youhardandcruelcaptain，thatyoushouldcomeandservemeso？"

Andthentheybothbegantoweepmostpitifully，whilethecaptaincouldonlylookfromtheonetotheother，andlayholdofhimselfbythecoatcollar。

"Margaret，"saidthepooryoungfisherman，onhiskneesatKitty’sfeet，whileKittykeptbothherhandsbeforehertearfulface，toshutoutthetraitorfromherview，——butkeptherfingerswideasunderandlookedathimallthetime，——"Margaret，youhavesufferedsomuch，souncomplainingly，andarealwayssocarefulandconsiderate！Dotakemypart，forpoorHugh’ssake！"

ThequietMargaretwasnotappealedtoinvain。"Iwill，Alfred，"

shereturned，"andIdo。Iwishthisgentlemanhadnevercomenearus；"whereuponthecaptainlaidholdofhimselfthetighter；"butI

takeyourpartforallthat。Iamsureyouhavesomestrongreasonandsomesufficientreasonforwhatyoudo，strangeasitis，andevenfornotsayingwhyyoudoit，strangeasthatis。And，Kittydarling，youareboundtothinksomorethananyone，fortruelovebelieveseverything，andbearseverything，andtrustseverything。

And，motherdear，youareboundtothinksotoo，foryouknowyouhavebeenblestwithgoodsons，whosewordwasalwaysasgoodastheiroath，andwhowerebroughtupinastrueasenseofhonourasanygentlemaninthisland。AndIamsureyouhavenomorecall，mother，todoubtyourlivingsonthantodoubtyourdeadson；andforthesakeofthedeardead，Istandupforthedearliving。"

"Wa’alnow，"thecaptainstruckin，withenthusiasm，"thisIsay，Thatwhetheryouropinionsflattermeornot，youareayoungwomanofsense，andspirit，andfeeling；andI’dsoonerhaveyoubymysideinthehourofdanger，thanagoodhalfofthemenI’veeverfalleninwith——orfallenoutwith，ayther。"

Margaretdidnotreturnthecaptain’scompliment，orappearfullytoreciprocatehisgoodopinion，butsheappliedherselftotheconsolationofKitty，andofKitty’smother—in—lawthatwastohavebeennextMondayweek，andsoonrestoredtheparlourtoaquietcondition。

"Kitty，mydarling，"saidtheyoungfisherman，"Imustgotoyourfathertoentreathimstilltotrustmeinspiteofthiswretchedchangeandmystery，andtoaskhimforsomedirectionsconcerningLanrean。Willyoucomehome？Willyoucomewithme，Kitty？"

Kittyanswerednotaword，butrosesobbing，withtheendofhersimplehead—dressathereyes。CaptainJorganfollowedtheloversout，quitesheepishly，pausingintheshoptogiveaninstructiontoMr。Pettifer。

"Here，Tom！"saidthecaptain，inalowvoice。"Here’ssomethinginyourline。Here’sanoldladypoorlyandlowinherspirits。Cheerherupabit，Tom。Cheer’emallup。"

Mr。Pettifer，withabrisknodofintelligence，immediatelyassumedhisstewardface，andwentwithhisquiet，helpful，stewardstepintotheparlour，wherethecaptainhadthegreatsatisfactionofseeinghim，throughtheglassdoor，takethechildinhisarms（whoofferednoobjection），andbendoverMrs。Raybrock，administeringsoftwordsofconsolation。

"Thoughwhathefindstosay，unlesshe’stellingherthat’t’llsoonbeover，orthatmostpeopleissoatfirst，orthatit’lldohergoodafterward，Icannotimaginate！"wasthecaptain’sreflectionashefollowedthelovers。

Hehadnotfartofollowthem，sinceitwasbutashortdescentdownthestonywaystothecottageofKitty’sfather。Butshortasthedistancewas，itwaslongenoughtoenablethecaptaintoobservethathewasfastbecomingthevillageOgre；fortherewasnotawomanstandingworkingatherdoor，orafishermancominguporgoingdown，whosawYoungRaybrockunhappyandlittleKittyintears，butheorsheinstantlydartedasuspiciousandindignantglanceatthecaptain，astheforeignerwhomustsomehowberesponsibleforthisunusualspectacle。Consequently，whentheycameintoTregarthen’slittlegarden，——whichformedtheplatformfromwhichthecaptainhadseenKittypeepingoverthewall，——thecaptainbroughtto，andstoodoffandonatthegate，whileKittyhurriedtohidehertearsinherownroom，andAlfredspokewithherfather，whowasworkinginthegarden。Hewasaratherinfirmman，butcouldscarcelybecalledoldyet，withanagreeablefaceandapromisingairofmakingthebestofthings。Theconversationbeganonhissidewithgreatcheerfulnessandgoodhumour，butsoonbecamedistrustful，andsoonangry。Thatwasthecaptain’scueforstrikingbothintotheconversationandthegarden。