esn't touch it.
There is some discipline on a privateer, though it's not as bad as on a
King's ship. My advice is--let him go."

"It's only natural, after all," said my grandfather, with a thoughtful nod.
"Who's the best man to go with, George?"

"Torode of Herm makes most at it, they say. But--"

"A rough lot, I'm told, and he has to keep a tight hand on them. But I know
nothing except from hearsay. I've never come across him yet."

"Jean Le Marchant could tell you more about him than anyone else round
here," said Uncle George, looking musingly at me. "They have dealings
together in trading matters, I believe. Then, they say, John Ozanne is
fitting out a schooner in Peter Port. He's a good man, but how he'll shape
at privateering I don't know."

"Who's going to command her?" I asked.

"John himself, I'm told."

"Then I'll go across and see Jean Le Marchant," I said.

At which prompt discounting of John Ozanne, Uncle George laughed out loud.

"Well, I don't suppose it can do any harm, if it doesn't do much good. He's
at home, I believe. Someone got hurt on their last run, I heard--"

"Yes, Aunt Jeanne told me,--two of them."

"Maybe you'll not find them in any too good a humour, but you know how to
take care of yourself."

"I'll take care of myself all right."

"Will you stop and have supper with us, George?" asked my grandfather.

"Yes, I will. It's a treat to sup in company;" and my mother busied herself
over the pots at the fire.

I had often wondered why Uncle George had never married. He was such a good
fellow, honest as the day, and always ready to help anybody in any way. And
yet, ever since his mother died, and that must have been ten years ago at
least, he had lived all alone in his house at La Vauroque, though he had
prospered in various ways, and was reputed well to do. He lived very
simply--made his own coffee of morning, and for the rest depended on an old
neighbour woman, who came in each day and cooked his meals and kept the
house clean. Yes, I had often wondered why, and not until this night did I
begin to understand.

Long afterwards, when he was telling me of other matters, it did not
greatly surprise me to learn that he had waited all these years in hopes of
my mother coming round to him at last. And the wall of division that stood
between them and stirred him to bitterness at times--not against her, but
against what he counted her foolish obstinacy--was the fact that long ago
my fa