Part 21 (1/2)
”No; meet me at Ian Davey's boathouse at sunset Let Ned keep an eye on yon two”
Chapter XXIX
THE WIDOW'S HOUSE
The springtide sun set ruddily and frostily across the Sound; and as the fiery ball hung for a moment on the western shore, a broad pathway like a pathway of rippling blood, or deep-tinged, running gold, went in a line from Ian Davey's boatyard to the Cornish coast
”An o with the eye of the superstitious sailor
”We sail to wealth over a golden sea”
Nick shook his head ”The colour is not yellow enough for
Is the boat ready?”
”Ay”
”Then let us be going whilst the breeze holds easterly”
Ian Davey's lad came out of the boathouse with a pair of oars on his shoulders He went down to a little fisher boat that rocked gently against the end of the wooden jetty The two sailor-men followed him
The mast was stepped, and they pushed out fro As soon as they were far enough out to catch the breeze the sail was set, and the little craft went bowling along over the fast-darkening sea The oars were shi+pped, and Dan fell toHe tried to recollect the occasion of his last visit to the Cornish village fro, and was astonished to find that, in the suues of travel sincedid not once enter He stroked his red beard, perplexed at the oddity of the whole thing He pictured the steep, cobbled street leading up from the shore, and peeped into every rees Slowly he recalled the nairl corandfather's house For half the voyage the object which had prootten The journey was as silent as a secret journey should be It began in twilight and ended in darkness The keel of the boat grated on the soft sand Dan and Nick Johnson stepped out
”How long will ye be?” asked Davey's lad
Dan pondered ”Ye cannot get back without us; 'twill be aThis place is hallowed soil to me, and my feet have not trodden it for thirty years
Bide thou here to-night; I will find thee supper and a pallet There are many folk houe concerning us: ill speak for ourselves Tie up thy boat, and ask for John Pengelly If he be dead, ask for any of his children; they will entertain thee for my sake”
Dan took his companion's arm, and cli and peering into the darkness, then he e The shutter was not closed, and the faint glow of leaping firelight shone through the oiled paper stretched across the bars of the lattice The sailor turned to the door, and pulled the latch string
”Peace be to you all, friends,” he said ”'Tis the voice of a Pengelly that speaks”
”Co familiarly,”
ca Nick on the threshold
A young fisherht, and beside theenial war wood into flame
”Close the door, friend,” said the fisherman
”I have a co hi for his intrusion, and giving his nauarantee of his honesty of purpose
”Ye are welcome both,” replied the fisherman ”We have supped, but the wife shall setand drinking,” said Dan, ”and have but looked in for a little chat, seeing that ye were not abed”