"Now," he said, "my friends, I can thank you all for the aid you
have given us. It is to you we owe our lives, for without your aid
I never should have succeeded."

"Say nothing about it, monsieur. We are happy to have saved such a
brave young man, and to have rescued two victims from those monsters."

"Do you think there is any danger of anyone here taking the news
of our landing to the town?" Harry asked. "They must have seen us
come up to the cottage."

"There is no fear," Pierre said confidently. "There is not a man
or woman here who would not tear the scelerats to pieces if they
had the chance. Have they not spoiled our market by killing all
our best customers? And now how are we to earn our living, I should
like to know? Why, not even the poorest beggar in Nantes would buy
fish out of the river for months after this. No, you need have no
fear of them. They may guess who you are, but it is no business of
theirs, and they will hold their tongues."

"At anyrate, Pierre, you had better distribute a few crowns among
them, to help them live till the fishing is good again."

"That I will do, monsieur. It is quite safe; but it is as well to
make it even safer."

In half an hour Pierre's wife came in from the inner room, and said
that both girls were sound asleep.

"Now, Adolphe, it only remains for you to arrange with your captain