rough—they are done for, they can't escape to the open. That's it, old man. I beg your Reverence's pardon, I mean, sir. When I said that such weather was bad for some and good for others you can understand me now—bad for the wrecked, good for the wreckers."
"But surely you have no wreckers here?"
Mr. Scantlebray laughed. "Go and tell the bridegroom that you think so. I'll let you into the knowledge of one thing"—he winked over his glass—"there's a fine merchantman on her way to Bristol."
"How do you know?"
"Know! Because she was sighted off St. Ives, and the tidings has run up the coast like fire among heather. I don't doubt it that it has reached Hartland by this; and with a thick fog like to-day there are a thousand hearts beating with expectation. Who can say? She may be laden with gold-dust from Africa, or with tin from Barca, or with port from Oporto."
"My boy Oliver is coming home," said Mr. Menaida.
"Then let's hope he is not in this vessel, for, old man, she stands a bad chance in such weather as this. There is Porth-quin, and there is Hayle Bay ready to receive her, or Doom Bar on which she may run, all handy for our people. Are you anything of a sportsman, sir?"
"A little—but I don't fancy there is much in this precious country—no cover."
"What is fox-hunting- when you come to consider—or going after a snipe or a partridge? A fox! it's naught, the brush stinks, and a snipe is but a mouthful. My dear sir, if you come to live among us, you must seek your sport not on the land but at sea. You'll find the sport worth something when you get a haul of a barrel of first-rate sherry, or a load of silver ingots. Why, that's how Penwarden bought his farm. He got the money after a storm—found it on the shore out of the pocket of a dead man. Do you know why the bells of St. Enodoc are so sweet? Because, so folks say, melted into them are ingots of Peruvian silver from a ship wrecked on Doom Bar."
"I should like to get some silver or gold," said Jamie.
"I daresay you would, and so perhaps you may if you look out for it. Go to your good friend, Captain Coppinger, and tell him what you want. He has made his
