Benjamin turned on him with sudden passion.

"I hate you--and I am the most miserable wretch alive, but if she is
happy, it is no matter about me. You've won easily what I've slaved
and toiled all my life for. You won't value it as I'd have done--but
if you make her happy, nothing else matters. I've only one favour to
ask of you. Don't let her come to the shore after this. I can't stand
it."

August throbbed and burned itself out. Affairs along shore continued
as usual. Benjamin shut his sorrow up in himself and gave no outward
sign of suffering. As if to mock him, the season was one of phenomenal
prosperity; it was a "mackerel year" to be dated from. He worked hard
and unceasingly, sparing himself in no way.

Braithwaite seldom came to the shore now. Mary Stella never. Mr.
Murray had tried to speak of the matter, but Benjamin would not let
him.

"It's best that nothing be said," he told him with simple dignity. He
was so calm that Mr. Murray thought he did not care greatly, and was
glad of it. The older man regretted the turn of affairs. Braithwaite
would take his daughter far away from him, as his sister had been
taken, and he loved Benjamin as his own son.

One afternoon Benjamin stood by his boat and looked anxiously at sea
and sky. The French Canadians were eager to go out, for the other
boats were catching.

"I don't know about it," said Benjamin doubtfully. "I don't half like
the look of things. I believe we're in for a squall before long. It
was just such a day three years ago when that terrible squall came up
that Joe Otway got drowned in."

The sky was dun and smoky, the glassy water was copper-hued, the air
was heavy and breathless. The sea purred upon the shore, lapping it
caressingly like some huge feline creature biding its time to seize
and crunch its victim.

"I reckon I'll try it," said Benjamin after a final scrutiny. "If a
squall does come up, we'll have to run for the shore mighty quick,
that's all."

They launched the boat speedily; as there was no wind, they had to
row. As they pulled out, Braithwaite and Leon came down the road and
began to launch the Murray boat.

"If dem two gits caught in a squall dey'll hav a tam," grinned Mosey
Louis. "Dat Leon, he don't know de fust ting 'bout a boat, no more dan
a cat!"

Benjamin came to anchor close in, but Braithwaite and Leon kept on
until they were further out than any other boat.

"Reckon dey's after cod," suggested Xavier.

The ma