"And there are others who have the same idea," the Colonel replied.
"They can see nothing but misery and death right ahead."

"But is there any real danger, captain?" Jean asked.

"There is always more or less danger in a country such as this," was
the quiet reply. "This river has witnessed stirring scenes. Look at
those little clearings over yonder, for instance," and he pointed to
the western shore. "A few settlers had their homes there, but the
Indians drove them out, and burned their houses. It has been the same
in other places, and it may happen again. But I have made many trips
on this river, and the natives have never troubled me yet. It may be
because I sail on the _Polly_," he added with a twinkle in his eyes.

"What has the _Polly_ to do with it, captain?"

"Oh, she leads a charmed life. She has got into no end of difficult
places, but has always come out on top. I have driven her through
storms between here and the West Indies that would have swamped a much
larger vessel. At one time she was forced by a wild gale on the top of
the wharf at Newburyport. But she was pulled off all right. Several
times she was captured by pirates, though generally she was able to
show her heels in a lively manner to the fastest pursuer. She has
carried all kinds of loads, from fish taken at Annapolis and
Passamaquoddy to barrels of rum from Jamaica. But this is the most
important cargo she ever carried, and she seems proud of it. She's
English to the core, the _Polly_ is. Now, look how she swings away
from that point. She doesn't like the place."