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。