Part 31 (1/2)
”It is impa.s.sable except for the birds.”
”And the fish.”
”Scarcely: in bad weather they give themselves hard knocks against the walls.”
”There is sand near the Minquiers?”
”Around the Maisons.”
”There are eight rocks visible from Jersey.”
”Visible from the strand of Azette; that's correct: but not eight; only seven.”
”At low water you can walk about the Minquiers?”
”No doubt; there would be sand above water.”
”And what of the Dirouilles?”
”The Dirouilles bear no resemblance to the Minquiers.”
”They are very dangerous.”
”They are near Granville.”
”I see that you St. Malo people, like us, enjoy sailing in these seas.”
”Yes,” replied the St. Malo man, ”with the difference that we say, 'We have the habit,' you, 'We are fond.'”
”You make good sailors.”
”I am myself a cattle merchant.”
”Who was that famous sailor born of St. Malo?”
”Surcouf?”
”Another?”
”Duguay-Trouin.”
Here the Parisian commercial man chimed in:
”Duguay-Trouin? He was captured by the English. He was as agreeable as he was brave. A young English lady fell in love with him. It was she who procured him his liberty.”
At this moment a voice like thunder was heard crying out:
”You are drunk, man!”
IV