cottage. He should astonish them, he knew, by waking them up
in the middle of the night, or rather so early in the morning; but they
would appreciate his desire to wish them good-bye, and would be very
much obliged to him for telling them of the treasure in the cavern.

It would make their fortunes, and Jeannette would be the richest heiress
in the neighbourhood; for, of course, he would bargain that she should
have a good share. There might be some difficulty in getting the goods
away without being discovered, which would be a pity, as they were of as
much value as the boxes of gold. However, he was doing what was right
in giving them the opportunity of possessing themselves of the treasure,
though he considered that he could not take it himself.

He got round to the back door, under the room where Pierre slept. He
knew that he would not be out fishing then, as the weather would have
prevented him.

He knocked at once. No answer came. The third time, and he heard some
one moving, and presently Pierre sang out, "Who's there?"

"It's one you know; let me in," answered Bill, in a low voice, for he
was afraid of any one who might by chance be in the neighbourhood
hearing him.

Pierre came downstairs and opened the door. Bill explained all that had
happened, except about the treasure.

"You going away!" cried Pierre. "It would be madness! You will only
float about till another storm arises and you will be lost."

"You don't know what we can do," answered Bill. "We shall probably be
picked up by one of our ships before we reach England; and, if not, we
shall get on very well, provided the wind holds from the southward, and
after the long course of northerly gales there's every chance of its
doing that."

"I must consult my father before I let you go," said Pierre.

"You would not keep us prisoners against our will," said Bill, laughing,
as if Pierre could only be in joke. "Come, call your mother and father
and Jeannette, and let me wish them good-bye. I haven't many minutes to
stop, and I've got something to tell them, which I've a notion will be
satisfactory."

Pierre went to his father and mother's and Jeannette's rooms, and soon
roused them up. They appeared somewhat in _deshabille_, and looked very
astonished at being called out of their beds by the young Englishman.

"What is it all about?" asked Captain Turgot.

"We are going away," replied Bill, "but we could not go without again
thanking yo