bourhood, at least of those in authority and concerned with
public matters. As one of an ancient family, possessing the land for
centuries, I have every right to be here, and to pursue my private
business in privacy. But if it once gets talked about that a French
officer is with me, these stupid people will awake their suspicions more
strongly by their own stupidity. In this queer island you may do what
you like till the neighbourhood turns against you; and then, if you
revolve upon a pin, you cannot suit them. You understand? You have heard
me before. It is this that I never can knock into you."

Renaud Charron, who considered himself--as all Frenchmen did then, and
perhaps do now--far swifter of intellect than any Englishman, found
himself not well pleased at this, and desired to know more about it.

"Nothing can be simpler," the Englishman replied; "and therefore nothing
surer. You know the old proverb--'Everything in turn, except scandal,
whose turn is always.' And again another saying of our own land--'The
second side of the bread takes less time to toast.' We must not let the
first side of ours be toasted; we will shun all the fire of suspicion.
And to do this, you must not be seen, my dear friend. I may go abroad
freely; you must hide your gallant head until matters are ripe for
action. You know that you may trust me not to keep you in the dark a day
longer than is needful. I have got the old shopkeeper under my thumb,
and can do what I please with his trading-ship. But before I place you
in command I must change some more of the crew, and do it warily. There
is an obstinate Cornishman to get rid of, who sticks to the planks like
a limpet. If we throw him overboard, we shall alarm the others; if we
discharge him without showing cause, he will go to the old Admiral and
tell all his suspicions. He must be got rid of in London with skill,
and then we ship three or four Americans, first-rate seamen, afraid of
nothing, who will pass here as fellows from Lancashire. After that we
may run among the cruisers as we like, with the boldness and skill of a
certain Captain Charron, who must be ill in his cabin when his ship is
boarded."

"It is famous, it is very good, my friend. The patience I will have, and
the obedience, and the courage; and so much the more readily because my
pay is good, and keeps itself going on dry land as well as sea."

CHAPTER XIX

IN THE LINE OF FIRE

No wonder there had been a great dea