r man faltered, gave way,
and resumed his speech.

"She's a masterful woman, I tell ye! She thinks Deacon Scraper is a
dangerous man, and there aint nobody here but what'll agree with her
that far. Then--he--he's got a mortgage on my farm, same as he has on
others,--plenty of others as is better clothed with means than ever I've
been; and, all about it, my wife aint willing for us to make an enemy of
the old man. That's where the land lays, and you can see for yourself.
Plenty in the village is fixed the same way; he's got power, that old
grape-skin has, power over better men than he. We don't want to see that
child put upon, but we aint no blood to him, and there aint anybody but
feels that he himself aint just the one to interfere. That's the way my
wife feels, and I,--well, there now! you're a stranger, and I may never
set eyes on you again; but I take to you, somehow, and I don't mind
telling you that I feel as mean as dirt whenever I think of that lamb in
that old fox's den; mean as dirt I feel, and yet I aint got the spunk
to--the strenth is gone out of my legs," he added, piteously, "these ten
years back, and I think some of my sperrit went with it. That's where
it is! I haint got the sperrit to stand up against 'em."

There was a long silence, and then the Skipper shut his knife with a
click, and rose from the table, holding out his hand.

"You are a good man, Senor Pike," he said. "I think no worse of you, and
am glad to make the acquaintance. With regard to this child, I shall
remind you,"--here he shook his head with a backward gesture in which
there was something at once proud and humble.--"I shall remind you that
there are powers very high, more high than of prophets; and that God
will do the works as seems Him good. I may have the honour to wait upon
your distinguished lady at a future day; I think to be some days in this
place, for purposes of selling my cargo, as well to take in wood and
water. Never before in these parts, it is for me of interest to observe
the place and people. You will take a lemonade that Franci brings? Hola,
Franci! This is Senor Pike, Franci, at all times to be admitted to the
schooner."

"Pleased to meet you!" said Mr. Bill Hen.

"Servicio de Usted!" said Franci, who did not understand English except
when he thought the speaker was likely to interest him; and they sat
down to the lemonade.

CHAPTER VII.

THE CAPTIVE.

"Franci!" the Skipper called up the companion