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。
