st like cyclopean walls, built in regular layers by the giants of
whom Josh Helston had told. The wonder was that in some north-east gale
the little fleet of fishing vessels was not dashed to pieces by the huge
breakers that came tearing in, to leap against the rocks and fall back
with a sullen roar amidst the great boulders. And one storm would have
been enough, but for the harbour, into which, like so many sea-birds,
the luggers huddled together; while the great granite wall curved round
them like a stout protective arm thrust out by the land, and against
which the waves beat themselves to spray.

It was a wild but singularly attractive view from Peter Churchtown, for
the simple Cornish folk did not trouble themselves to say "Saint," but
invariably added to every village that boasted a church the name of
churchtown. High above it, perched upon the steepest spots, were the
tall engine-houses of the tin and copper mines, one of which could be
seen, too, half-way down the cliff, a few hundred yards from the
harbour; and here the galleries from whence the ore was blasted and
picked ran far below the sea. In fact it was said that in the pursuit
of the lode of valuable ore the company would mine their way till they
met the work-people of the Great Ruddock Mine over on the other side of
the bay, beyond the lighthouse through the curve of the shore.

As the mist lifted from where it had half-hidden the tall lighthouse,
with its base of black rocks, against which the sea never ceased
breaking in creamy foam, a boat could be seen on its way to a large
black, mastless vessel, moored head and stern with heavy chains, and
looking quite deserted in the morning light.

"There they go off to work, Josh," exclaimed Will suddenly.

"Well, and you're off to work too," said Josh gruffly, as he picked from
the net the half, of a pilchard, the tail portion having been bitten off
by some predatory fish, as it hung helplessly by its gills. "Them hake
have been having a nice game wi' the fish to-night."

As he spoke he picked out another and another half pilchard, and threw
them as far as he could, when, almost as each piece touched the water, a
soft-looking grey gull swept down and caught it from the surface with
its strong beak, uttering a low peevish-sounding wail as it swept up
again, hardly seeming to move its long white-lined wings.

"I should dearly like to go aboard the lighter and see what they are
doing," said Will eagerly