se curtains raised; and, so ran the gossip, John Lowe being
what John Lowe was, a long time again before those curtains would be
raised.

John Lowe sat reading his black-typed, double-columned page by the
table, and over by the stove John Lowe's second wife sat rocking
herself.

John Lowe's daughter came in, removed her shawl, and took a chair on the
other side of the stove. Her stepmother spoke a word; but no word of
greeting did her father offer until his chapter was finished, and then
he no more than half turned, while his harsh voice asked: "Has he come
into the bay yet?"

"He has. Tim Lacy, that shipped wi' him out o' here, was to Shepperd's
to-day--and he'll be to Shepperd's to-night, Tim says."

"Tim Lacy. Another o' his kin. And what would be bringin' him to
Shepperd's to-night?"

"It will be a dance to-night."

"Oh, the dancin'! No fear but you'll know o' the dancin'. An' he'll be
there, the drinkin', murderin'----"

"It's no' right, father, to be speakin' like that o' a man you never set
eyes on."

"An' how come it you know him, girl? Where was it you had truck wi' him?
Where?"

"I never had truck wi' him. But I see him. Who could help seein' him--he
was in an' out o' Shepperd's his last time in."

"Well, take care you see him no more. An'--" A step outside the door
caused John Lowe to pause.

"Ah-h--" John Lowe almost smiled.

His wife glanced at the clock. "It will be the trader," she explained.

"Aye, an' now we'll ha' the news--now we'll ha' the news."

A knock followed the step, and, following the knock, the door opened and
in stepped the expected trader. No wild daredevil, no sail carrier this,
but a smooth, passionless man of business. And he got right down to
business.

"By dawn, John Lowe, there'll be two hundred men of the bay drawn up on
Half-Tide Beach. And an hour later the _Ligonier_ and all's in her will
be lyin' on the bottom of the bay--or so"--he glanced doubtfully at the
girl--"or so we planned it. Will you be there, John Lowe?"

"He'll no' be there, Mr. Lackford." Mrs. Lowe half rose from her chair.

John Lowe glared at her. "And since when is it for you to say I'll not
be there?"

"I'm your lawful wife, John Lowe. And who is this man would tell you
what to do? You read your Bible night and morn, John Lowe, and you tell
me and you tell Bess we should read it, too, and all the bay knows it.
An' how can you preach to us as you do an' join in this deed? 'Righteous
shal