aventure_," remarked the shipwright, meditatively. "Iss,
her be a very purty ship, very purty indeed. What be her exact tonnage,
Garge?"

"One hundred and twenty-seven," answered George. "Yes," he agreed, "she
_is_ a pretty ship in every way, and as good as she is pretty. And
fast! There's nothing sailing out of Plymouth that can beat her--
although perhaps I ought not to say as much to you, Mr Radlett, seeing
that 'twas Mr Mason, your rival, who built her."

"Never mind vor that, boy, never mind vor that," answered Radlett,
heartily. "'Tis true what you do say of the ship, every word of it; and
she be a credit to the man who built her, although he do set up to be my
rival. But 'twont be true very much longer, Garge, for I've a-got a
ship upon my stocks now as'll beat the _Bonaventure_ every way and in
all weathers. I've a called her the _Nonsuch_, because there's never
been nothin' like her avore. I drawed out the plans of her shortly
a'ter the _Bonaventure_ was launched, because I couldn't abear to be
beaten by Mason nor nobody else. And I altered they plans, and altered
'em, and altered 'em until I couldn't vind no more ways of improvin' of
'em, and then I started to build. And now the _Nonsuch_ be just ready
for launchin', and I'd like you to come over and look at her avore I
puts her into the water."

"Certainly; I will do so with very great pleasure," answered George,
delightedly, for he had a very shrewd suspicion that this invitation
meant more than appeared upon the surface, that indeed--who knew?--it
might mean that the eccentric old fellow was rather taken with his
(George's) scheme, and might be induced to take a very important hand in
it. "When shall I come?"

"Come just so soon as ever you can, the sooner the better; to-morrow if
you do like," answered Radlett. "And now," he continued, rising, "I
must be gettin' along, for 'tis growin' late and I be keepin' of you
from your supper. No, thank'e, madam, I won't stay. My supper be
waitin' vor me to whoam, and a'ter I've had it I've a lot o' things to
do that won't wait for time or tide. So good-bye to 'e both. And you,
madam, keep up your spirits about Mr Hubert; for I'll warrant that
Garge, here, 'll have mun out o' Spanish prison in next to no time."

George was up and stirring betimes on the following morning, and, after
an early breakfast, set out for Mr Radlett's shipyard at Millbay. He
found the old man busily engaged upon certain