Sylvia\'sLoversOhforthyvoicetosootheandbless！Whathopeofanswer，orredress？Behindtheveil！Behindtheveil！TennysonCHAPTERIMONKSHAVENOnthenorth—easternshoresofEnglandthereisatowncalledMonkshaven，containingatthepresentdayaboutfifteenthousandinhabitants。Therewere，however，buthalfthenumberattheendofthelastcentury，anditwasatthatperiodthattheeventsnarratedinthefollowingpagesoccurred。MonkshavenwasanamenotunknowninthehistoryofEngland，andtraditionsofitshavingbeenthelanding—placeofathronelessqueenwerecurrentinthetown。Atthattimetherehadbeenafortifiedcastleontheheightsaboveit，thesiteofwhichwasnowoccupiedbyadesertedmanor—house;
andatanevenearlierdatethanthearrivalofthequeen，andcoevalwiththemostancientremainsofthecastle，agreatmonasteryhadstoodonthosecliffs，overlookingthevastoceanthatblendedwiththedistantsky。MonkshavenitselfwasbuiltbythesideoftheDee，justwheretheriverfallsintotheGermanOcean。Theprincipalstreetofthetownranparalleltothestream，andsmallerlanesbranchedoutofthis，andstraggledupthesidesofthesteephill，betweenwhichandtheriverthehouseswerepentin。TherewasabridgeacrosstheDee，andconsequentlyaBridgeStreetrunningatrightanglestotheHighStreet;andonthesouthsideofthestreamtherewereafewhousesofmorepretension，aroundwhichlaygardensandfields。Itwasonthissideofthetownthatthelocalaristocracylived。Andwhowerethegreatpeopleofthissmalltown？Nottheyoungerbranchesofthecountyfamiliesthatheldhereditarystateintheirmanor—housesonthewildbleakmoors，thatshutinMonkshavenalmostaseffectuallyonthelandsideaseverthewatersdidonthesea—board。No;theseoldfamilieskeptalooffromtheunsavouryyetadventuroustradewhichbroughtwealthtogenerationaftergenerationofcertainfamiliesinMonkshaven。ThemagnatesofMonkshavenwerethosewhohadthelargestnumberofshipsengagedinthewhaling—trade。SomethinglikethefollowingwasthecourseoflifewithaMonkshavenladofthisclass:——Hewasapprenticedasasailortooneofthegreatshipowners——tohisownfather，possibly——alongwithtwentyotherboys，or，itmightbe，evenmore。DuringthesummermonthsheandhisfellowapprenticesmadevoyagestotheGreenlandseas，returningwiththeircargoesintheearlyautumn;andemployingthewintermonthsinwatchingthepreparationoftheoilfromtheblubberinthemelting—sheds，andlearningnavigationfromsomequaintbutexperiencedteacher，halfschoolmaster，halfsailor，whoseasonedhisinstructionsbystirringnarrationsofthewildadventuresofhisyouth。ThehouseoftheshipownertowhomhewasapprenticedwashishomeandthatofhiscompanionsduringtheidleseasonbetweenOctoberandMarch。Thedomesticpositionoftheseboysvariedaccordingtothepremiumpaid;sometookrankwiththesonsofthefamily，otherswereconsideredaslittlebetterthanservants。Yetonceonboardanequalityprevailed，inwhich，ifanyclaimedsuperiority，itwasthebravestandbrightest。
AfteracertainnumberofvoyagestheMonkshavenladwouldrisebydegreestobecaptain，andassuchwouldhaveashareintheventure;alltheseprofits，aswellasallhissavings，wouldgotowardsbuildingawhalingvesselofhisown，ifhewasnotsofortunateastobethechildofashipowner。
AtthetimeofwhichIwrite，therewasbutlittledivisionoflabourintheMonkshavenwhalefishery。Thesamemanmightbetheownerofsixorsevenships，anyoneofwhichhehimselfwasfittedbyeducationandexperiencetocommand;themasterofascoreofapprentices，eachofwhompaidaprettysufficientpremium;andtheproprietorofthemelting—shedsintowhichhiscargoesofblubberandwhalebonewereconveyedtobefittedforsale。Itwasnowonderthatlargefortuneswereacquiredbytheseshipowners，northattheirhousesonthesouthsideoftheriverDeewerestatelymansions，fullofhandsomeandsubstantialfurniture。Itwasalsonotsurprisingthatthewholetownhadanamphibiousappearance，toadegreeunusualeveninaseaport。
Everyonedependedonthewhalefishery，andalmosteverymaleInhabitanthadbeen，orhopedtobe，asailor。DownbytheriverthesmellwasalmostintolerabletoanybutMonkshavenpeopleduringcertainseasonsoftheyear;
butontheseunsavoury\'staithes\'theoldmenandchildrenloungedforhours，almostasiftheyrevelledintheodoursoftrain—oil。Thisis，perhaps，enoughofadescriptionofthetownitself。Ihavesaidthatthecountryformilesallaroundwasmoorland;highabovetheleveloftheseatoweredthepurplecrags，whosesummitswerecrownedwithgreenswardthatstoledownthesidesofthescauralittlewayingrassyveins。Hereandthereabrookforceditswayfromtheheightsdowntothesea，makingitschannelintoavalleymoreorlessbroadinlongprocessoftime。Andinthemoorlandhollows，asinthesevalleys，treesandunderwoodgrewandflourished;sothat，whileonthebareswellsofthehighlandyoushiveredatthewastedesolationofthescenery，whenyoudroppedintothesewooded\'bottoms\'
youwerecharmedwiththenestlingshelterwhichtheygave。Butaboveandaroundtheserareandfertilevalesthereweremoorsformanyamile，hereandtherebleakenough，withtheredfreestonecroppingoutabovethescantyherbage;then，perhaps，therewasabrowntractofpeatandbog，uncertainfootingforthepedestrianwhotriedtomakeashortcuttohisdestination;
thenonthehighersandysoiltherewasthepurpleling，orcommonestspeciesofheathergrowinginbeautifulwildluxuriance。Tuffsoffineelasticgrasswereoccasionallytobefound，onwhichthelittleblack—facedsheepbrowsed;
buteitherthescantyfood，ortheirgoat—likeagility，kepttheminaleanconditionthatdidnotpromisemuchforthebutcher，noryetwastheirwoolofaqualityfineenoughtomakethemprofitableinthatwaytotheirowners。Insuchdistrictsthereislittlepopulationatthepresentday;
therewasmuchlessinthelastcentury，beforeagriculturewassufficientlyscientifictohaveachanceofcontendingwithsuchnaturaldisqualificationsasthemoorspresented，andwhentherewerenofacilitiesofrailroadstobringsportsmenfromadistancetoenjoytheshootingseason，andmakeanannualdemandforaccommodation。Therewereoldstonehallsinthevalleys;therewerebarefarmhousestobeseenonthemoorsatlongdistancesapart，withsmallstacksofcoarsepoorhay，andalmostlargerstacksofturfforwinterfuelintheirfarmyards。
Thecattleinthepasturefieldsbelongingtothesefarmslookedhalfstarved;
butsomehowtherewasanodd，intelligentexpressionintheirfaces，aswellasinthoseoftheblack—visagedsheep，whichisseldomseenintheplacidlystupidcountenancesofwell—fedanimals。Allthefenceswereturfbanks，withloosestonespiledintowallsonthetopofthese。Therewascomparativefertilityandluxuriancedownbelowintheraregreendales。Thenarrowmeadowsstretchingalongthebrooksideseemedasthoughthecowscouldreallysatisfytheirhungerinthedeeprichgrass;whereasonthehigherlandsthescantyherbagewashardlyworththefatigueofmovingaboutinsearchofit。Eveninthese\'bottoms\'thepipingsea—winds，followingthecurrentofthestream，stuntedandcutlowanytrees;butstilltherewasrichthickunderwood，tangledandtiedtogetherwithbrambles，andbrier—rose，[sic]andhoneysuckle;andifthefarmerinthesecomparativelyhappyvalleyshadhadwifeordaughterwhocaredforgardening，manyaflowerwouldhavegrownonthewesternorsouthernsideoftheroughstonehouse。ButatthattimegardeningwasnotapopularartinanypartofEngland;inthenorthitisnotyet。Noblemenandgentlemenmayhavebeautifulgardens;
butfarmersandday—labourerscarelittleforthemnorthoftheTrent，whichisallIcananswerfor。Afew\'berry\'bushes，ablackcurranttreeortwo（theleavestobeusedinheighteningtheflavouroftea，thefruitasmedicinalforcoldsandsorethroats），apotatoground（andthiswasnotsocommonatthecloseofthelastcenturyasitisnow），acabbagebed，abushofsage，andbalm，andthyme，andmarjoram，withpossiblyarosetree，and\'oldman\'growinginthemidst;alittleplotofsmallstrongcoarseonions，andperhapssomemarigolds，thepetalsofwhichflavouredthesalt—beefbroth;suchplantsmadeupawell—furnishedgardentoafarmhouseatthetimeandplacetowhichmystorybelongs。Butfortwentymilesinlandtherewasnoforgettingthesea，northesea—trade;refuseshell—fish，seaweed，theoffalofthemelting—houses，werethestaplemanureofthedistrict;
greatghastlywhale—jaws，bleachedbareandwhite，werethearchesoverthegate—poststomanyafieldormoorlandstretch。Outofeveryfamilyofseveralsons，howeveragriculturaltheirpositionmightbe，onehadgonetosea，andthemotherlookedwistfullyseawardatthechangesofthekeeppipingmoorlandwinds。Theholidayramblesweretothecoast;noonecaredtogoinlandtoseeaught，unlessindeeditmightbetothegreatannualhorse—fairsheldwherethedrearylandbrokeintohabitationandcultivation。Somehowinthiscountryseathoughtsfollowedthethinkerfarinland;whereasinmostotherpartsoftheisland，atfivemilesfromtheocean，hehasallbutforgottentheexistenceofsuchanelementassaltwater。ThegreatGreenlandtradeofthecoastingtownswasthemainandprimarycauseofthis，nodoubt。Buttherewasalsoadreadandanirritationineveryone\'smind，atthetimeofwhichIwrite，inconnectionwiththeneighbouringsea。SincetheterminationoftheAmericanwar，therehadbeennothingtocallforanyunusualenergyinmanningthenavy;andthegrantsrequiredbyGovernmentforthispurposediminishedwitheveryyearofpeace。In1792thisgranttoucheditsminimumformanyyears。In1793theproceedingsoftheFrenchhadsetEuropeonfire，andtheEnglishwereragingwithanti—Gallicanexcitement，fomentedintoactionbyeveryexpedientoftheCrownanditsMinisters。Wehadourships;butwherewereourmen？TheAdmiraltyhad，however，areadyremedyathand，withampleprecedentforitsuse，andwithcommon（ifnotstatute）lawtosanctionitsapplication。Theyissued\'presswarrants，\'
callinguponthecivilpowerthroughoutthecountrytosupporttheirofficersinthedischargeoftheirduty。Thesea—coastwasdividedintodistricts，underthechargeofacaptaininthenavy，whoagaindelegatedsub—districtstolieutenants;andinthismannerallhomeward—boundvesselswerewatchedandwaitedfor，allportswereundersupervision;andinaday，ifneedwere，alargenumberofmencouldbeaddedtotheforcesofhisMajesty\'snavy。ButiftheAdmiraltybecameurgentintheirdemands，theywerealsowillingtobeunscrupulous。Landsmen，ifable—bodied，mightsoonbetrainedintogoodsailors;andonceintheholdofthetender，whichalwaysawaitedthesuccessoftheoperationsofthepress—gang，itwasdifficultforsuchprisonerstobringevidenceofthenatureoftheirformeroccupations，especiallywhennonehadleisuretolistentosuchevidence，orwerewillingtobelieveitiftheydidlisten，orwouldactuponitforthereleaseofthecaptiveiftheyhadbypossibilitybothlistenedandbelieved。Menwerekidnapped，literallydisappeared，andnothingwaseverheardofthemagain。Thestreetofabusytownwasnotsafefromsuchpress—gangcaptures，asLordThurlowcouldhavetold，afteracertainwalkhetookaboutthistimeonTowerHill，whenhe，theattorney—generalofEngland，wasimpressed，whentheAdmiraltyhaditsownpeculiarwaysofgettingridoftiresomebesiegersandpetitioners。
Noryetwerelonelyinlanddwellersmoresecure;manyarusticwenttoastatutefairor\'mop，\'andnevercamehometotellofhishiring;manyastoutyoungfarmervanishedfromhisplacebythehearthofhisfather，andwasnomoreheardofbymotherorlover;sogreatwasthepressformentoserveinthenavyduringtheearlyyearsofthewarwithFrance，andaftereverygreatnavalvictoryofthatwar。TheservantsoftheAdmiraltylayinwaitforallmerchantmenandtraders;
thereweremanyinstancesofvesselsreturninghomeafterlongabsence，andladenwithrichcargo，beingboardedwithinaday\'sdistanceofland，andsomanymenpressedandcarriedoff，thattheship，withhercargo，becameunmanageablefromthelossofhercrew，driftedoutagainintothewildwideocean，andwassometimesfoundinthehelplessguidanceofoneortwoinfirmorignorantsailors;sometimessuchvesselswereneverheardofmore。Thementhuspressedweretakenfromtheneargraspofparentsorwives，andwereoftendeprivedofthehardearningsofyears，whichremainedinthehandsofthemastersofthemerchantmaninwhichtheyhadserved，subjecttoallthechancesofhonestyordishonesty，lifeordeath。
Nowallthistyranny（forIcanusenootherword）ismarvelloustous;
wecannotimaginehowitisthatanationsubmittedtoitforsolong，evenunderanywarlikeenthusiasm，anypanicsofinvasion，anyamountofloyalsubserviencetothegoverningpowers。Whenwereadofthemilitarybeingcalledintoassistthecivilpowerinbackingupthepress—gang，ofpartiesofsoldierspatrollingthestreets，andsentrieswithscrewedbayonetsplacedateverydoorwhilethepress—gangenteredandsearchedeachholeandcornerofthedwelling;whenwehearofchurchesbeingsurroundedduringdivineservicebytroops，whilethepress—gangstoodreadyatthedoortoseizemenastheycameoutfromattendingpublicworship，andtaketheseinstancesasmerelytypesofwhatwasconstantlygoingonindifferentforms，wedonotwonderatLordMayors，andothercivicauthoritiesinlargetowns，complainingthatastopwasputtobusinessbythedangerwhichthetradesmenandtheirservantsincurredinleavingtheirhousesandgoingintothestreets，infestedbypress—gangs。Whetheritwasthatlivingincloserneighbourhoodtothemetropolis——thecentreofpoliticsandnews——inspiredtheinhabitantsofthesoutherncountieswithastrongfeelingofthatkindofpatriotismwhichconsistsinhatingallothernations;orwhetheritwasthatthechancesofcaptureweresomuchgreateratallthesouthernportsthatthemerchantsailorsbecameinuredtothedanger;orwhetheritwasthatservinginthenavy，tothosefamiliarwithsuchtownsasPortsmouthandPlymouth，hadanattractiontomostmenfromthedashandbrilliancyoftheadventurousemployment——itiscertainthatthesouthernerstooktheoppressionofpress—warrantsmoresubmissivelythanthewildnorth—easternpeople。ForwiththemthechancesofprofitbeyondtheirwagesinthewhalingorGreenlandtradeextendedtothelowestdescriptionofsailor。Hemightrisebydaringandsavingtobeashipownerhimself。Numbersaroundhimhaddoneso;andthisveryfactmadethedistinctionbetweenclassandclasslessapparent;andthecommonventuresanddangers，theuniversalinterestfeltinonepursuit，boundtheinhabitantsofthatlineofcoasttogetherwithastrongtie，theseveranceofwhichbyanyviolentextraneousmeasure，gaverisetopassionateangerandthirstforvengeance。AYorkshiremanoncesaidtome，\'Mycountyfolkareallalike。
Theirfirstthoughtishowtoresist。Why！Imyself，ifIhearamansayitisafineday，catchmyselftryingtofindoutthatitisnosuchthing。
Itissointhought;itissoinword;itissoindeed。\'Soyoumayimaginethepress—ganghadnoeasytimeofitontheYorkshirecoast。Inotherplacestheyinspiredfear，buthererageandhatred。TheLordMayorofYorkwaswarnedon20thJanuary，1777，byananonymousletter，that\'ifthosemenwerenotsentfromthecityonorbeforethefollowingTuesday，hislordship\'sowndwelling，andtheMansion—housealso，shouldbeburnedtotheground。\'Perhapssomethingoftheill—feelingthatprevailedonthesubjectwasowingtothefactwhichIhavenoticedinotherplacessimilarlysituated。
Wherethelandedpossessionsofgentlemenofancientfamilybutlimitedincomesurroundacentreofanykindofprofitabletradeormanufacture，thereisasortoflatentill—willonthepartofthesquirestothetradesman，behemanufacturer，merchant，orshipowner，inwhosehandsisheldapowerofmoney—making，whichnohereditarypride，orgentlemanlyloveofdoingnothing，preventshimfromusing。Thisill—will，tobesure，ismostlyofanegativekind;itsmostcommonformofmanifestationisinabsenceofspeechoraction，asortoftorpidandgenteelignoringallunpleasantneighbours;
butreallythewhale—fisheriesofMonkshavenhadbecomesoimpertinentlyandobtrusivelyprosperousoflateyearsatthetimeofwhichIwrite，theMonkshavenshipownersweregrowingsowealthyandconsequential，thatthesquires，wholivedathomeateaseintheoldstonemanor—housesscatteredupanddownthesurroundingmoorland，feltthatthecheckupontheMonkshaventradelikelytobeinflictedbythepress—gang，waswiselyordainedbythehigherpowers（howhightheyplacedthesepowersIwillnotventuretosay），topreventoverhasteingettingrich，whichwasascripturalfault，andtheyalsothoughtthattheywereonlydoingtheirdutyinbackinguptheAdmiraltywarrantsbyallthecivilpowerattheirdisposal，whenevertheywerecalledupon，andwhenevertheycoulddosowithouttakingtoomuchtroubleinaffairswhichdidnotafterallmuchconcernthemselves。Therewasjustanothermotiveinthemindsofsomeprovidentparentsofmanydaughters。Thecaptainsandlieutenantsemployedonthisserviceweremostlyagreeablebachelors，broughtuptoagenteelprofession，attheleasttheywereverypleasantvisitors，whentheyhadadaytospare;whoknewwhatmightcomeofit？Indeed，thesebraveofficerswerenotunpopularinMonkshavenitself，exceptatthetimewhentheywerebroughtintoactualcollisionwiththepeople。
Theyhadthefrankmannersoftheirprofession;theywereknowntohaveservedinthoseengagements，theverynarrativeofwhichatthisdaywillwarmtheheartofaquaker，andtheythemselvesdidnotcomeprominentlyforwardinthedirtyworkwhich，nevertheless，waspermittedandquietlysanctionedbythem。SowhilefewMonkshavenpeoplepassedthelowpublic—houseoverwhichthenavyblue—flagstreamed，asasignthatitwastherendezvousofthepress—gang，withoutspittingtowardsitinsignofabhorrence，yet，perhaps，theverysamepersonswouldgivesomeroughtokenofrespecttoLieutenantAtkinsoniftheymethiminHighStreet。Touchingtheirhatswasanunknowngestureinthoseparts，buttheywouldmovetheirheadsinadroll，familiarkindofway，neitherawagnoranod，butmeantallthesametoimplyfriendlyregard。Theshipowners，too，invitedhimtoanoccasionaldinnerorsupper，allthetimelookingforwardtothechancesofhisturningoutanactiveenemy，andnotbyanymeansinclinedtogivehim\'therunofthehouse，\'howevermanyunmarrieddaughtersmightgracetheirtable。Stillashecouldtellarattlingstory，drinkhard，andwasseldomtoobusytocomeatashortnotice，hegotonbetterthananyonecouldhaveexpectedwiththeMonkshavenfolk。Andtheprincipalshareoftheodiumofhisbusinessfellonhissubordinates，whowereoneandallregardedinthelightofmeankidnappersandspies——\'varmint，\'
asthecommonpeopleesteemedthem:andassuchtheywerereadyatthefirstprovocationtohuntandtoworrythem，andlittlecaredthepress—gangforthis。Whateverelsetheywere，theywerebraveanddaring。Theyhadlawtobackthem，thereforetheirbusinesswaslawful。Theywereservingtheirkingandcountry。Theywereusingalltheirfaculties，andthatisalwayspleasant。Therewasplentyofscopeforthegloryandtriumphofoutwitting;
plentyofadventureintheirlife。Itwasalawfulandloyalemployment，requiringsense，readiness，courage，andbesidesitcalledoutthatstrangeloveofthechaseinherentineveryman。FourteenorfifteenmilesatsealaytheAurora，goodman—of—war;andtoherwereconveyedthelivingcargoesofseveraltenders，whichwerestationedatlikelyplacesalongthesea—coast。One，theLivelyLady，mightbeseenfromthecliffsaboveMonkshaven，notsofaraway，buthiddenbytheangleofthehighlandsfromtheconstantsightofthetownspeople;andtherewasalwaystheRandyvow—house（asthepublic—housewiththenavyblue—flagwascalledthereabouts）forthecrewoftheLivelyLadytoloungeabout，andtheretoofferdrinktounwarypassers—by。Atpresentthiswasallthatthepress—ganghaddoneatMonkshaven。
chapter02CHAPTERIIHOMEFROMGREENLANDOnehotday，earlyinOctoberoftheyear1796，twogirlssetofffromtheircountryhomestoMonkshaventoselltheirbutterandeggs，fortheywerebothfarmers\'daughters，thoughratherindifferentcircumstances;
forMollyCorneywasoneofalargefamilyofchildren，andhadtoroughitaccordingly;SylviaRobsonwasanonlychild，andwasmuchmadeofinmorepeople\'sestimationthanMary\'sbyherelderlyparents。Theyhadeachpurchasestomakeaftertheirsaleswereeffected，assalesofbutterandeggswereeffectedinthosedaysbythemarket—womensittingonthestepsofthegreatoldmutilatedcrosstillacertainhourintheafternoon，afterwhich，ifalltheirgoodswerenotdisposedof，theytookthemunwillinglytotheshopsandsoldthematalowerprice。ButgoodhousewivesdidnotdespisecomingthemselvestotheButterCross，and，smellinganddepreciatingthearticlestheywanted，keptupaperpetualstruggleofwords，trying，ofteninvain，tobeatdownprices。Ahousekeeperofthelastcenturywouldhavethoughtthatshedidnotknowherbusiness，ifshehadnotgonethroughthispreliminaryprocess;andthefarmers\'wivesanddaughterstreateditallasamatterofcourse，replyingwithagooddealofindependenthumourtothecustomer，who，oncehavingdiscoveredwheregoodbutterandfresheggsweretobesold，cametimeaftertimetodepreciatethearticlesshealwaysendedintaking。Therewasleisureforallthiskindofworkinthosedays。Mollyhadtiedaknotonherpink—spottedhandkerchiefforeachofthevariouspurchasesshehadtomake;dullbutimportantarticlesneededfortheweek\'sconsumptionathome;ifsheforgotanyoneofthemsheknewshewassureofagood\'rating\'fromhermother。Thenumberofthemmadeherpocket—handkerchieflooklikeoneofthenine—tailsofa\'cat;\'butnotasinglethingwasforherself，nor，indeed，foranyoneindividualofhernumerousfamily。TherewasneithermuchthoughtnormuchmoneytospendforanybutcollectivewantsintheCorneyfamily。ItwasdifferentwithSylvia。Shewasgoingtochooseherfirstcloak，nottohaveanoldoneofhermother\'s，thathadgonedownthroughtwosisters，dyedforthefourthtime（andMollywouldhavebeengladhadeventhischancebeenhers），buttobuyabran—newdufflecloakallforherself，withnotevenanelderauthoritytocurbherastoprice，onlyMollytogiveheradmiringcounsel，andasmuchsympathyaswasconsistentwithalittlepatientenvyofSylvia\'shappiercircumstances。Everynowandthentheywanderedofffromtheonegrandsubjectofthought，butSylvia，withunconsciousart，soonbroughttheconversationroundtothefreshconsiderationoftherespectivemeritsofgrayandscarlet。Thesegirlswerewalkingbare—footandcarryingtheirshoesandstockingsintheirhandsduringthefirstpartoftheirway;butastheyweredrawingnearMonkshaventheystopped，andturnedasidealongafoot—paththatledfromthemain—roaddowntothebanksoftheDee。Thereweregreatstonesintheriverabouthere，roundwhichthewatersgatheredandeddiedandformeddeeppools。Mollysatedownonthegrassybanktowashherfeet;butSylvia，moreactive（orperhapslighter—heartedwiththenotionofthecloakinthedistance），placedherbasketonagravellybitofshore，and，givingalongspring，seatedherselfonastonealmostinthemiddleofthestream。
Thenshebegandippingherlittlerosytoesinthecoolrushingwaterandwhiskingthemoutwithchildishglee。\'Bequiet，wi\'the\'，Sylvia？Thou\'stsplashingmeallower，andmyfeyther\'llnoanebesokeeno\'givingmeanewcloakasthineis，seemingly。\'Sylviawasquiet，nottosaypenitent，inamoment。Shedrewupherfeetinstantly;and，asiftotakeherselfoutoftemptation，sheturnedawayfromMollytothatsideofherstonyseatonwhichthecurrentranshallow，andbrokenbypebbles。Butoncedisturbedinherplay，herthoughtsrevertedtothegreatsubjectofthecloak。Shewasnowasstillasaminutebeforeshehadbeenfulloffrolicandgambollinglife。Shehadtuckedherselfuponthestone，asifithadbeenacushion，andshealittlesultana。Mollywasdeliberatelywashingherfeetanddrawingonherstockings，whensheheardasuddensigh，andhercompanionturnedroundsoastofaceher，andsaid，\'Iwishmotherhadn\'tspokenupfort\'gray。\'\'Why，Sylvia，thouwertsayingaswetoppedt\'brow，asshedidnoughtbutbidtheethinktwiceaforesettlingonscarlet。\'\'Ay！butmother\'swordsarescarce，andweighheavy。Feyther\'slikerme，andwetalkadealo\'rubble;butmother\'swordsarelikertohewnstoneSheputsadealo\'meaningin\'em。Andthen，\'saidSylvia，asifshewasputoutbythesuggestion，\'shebidmeaskcousinPhilipforhisopinion。
Ihateamanashasgettenanopiniononsuch—likethings。\'\'Well！weshallnivergettoMonkshaventhisday，eitherfortoselloureggsandstuff，ortobuythycloak，ifwe\'resittin\'heremuchlonger。
T\'sun\'sforslantinglow，socomealong，lass，andlet\'sbegoing。\'\'ButifIputonmystockingsandshoonhere，andjumpbackintoyonwetgravel，I\'senotbefittobeseen，\'saidSylvia，inapathetictoneofbewilderment，thatwasfunnilychildlike。Shestoodup，herbarefeetcurvedroundthecurvingsurfaceofthestone，herslightfigurebalancingasifinacttospring。\'Thouknowsthou\'llhavejusttojumpbackbarefoot，andwashthyfeetafresh，withoutmakingallthatado;thoushouldstha\'doneitatfirst，likeme，andallothersensiblefolk。Butthou\'stgettennogumption。\'Molly\'smouthwasstoppedbySylvia\'shand。Shewasalreadyontheriverbankbyherfriend\'sside。\'Nowdunnotlectureme;I\'mnoneforasermonhungoneverypego\'words。
I\'mgoingtohaveanewcloak，lass，andIcannotheedtheeifthoudostlecture。Thoushallhaveallthegumption，andI\'llhavemycloak。\'ItmaybedoubtedwhetherMollythoughtthisanequaldivision。Eachgirlworetightly—fittingstockings，knitbyherownhands，oftheblueworstedcommoninthatcountry;theyhadonneathigh—heeledblackleathershoes，comingwellovertheinstep，andfastenedaswellasornamentedwithbrightsteelbuckles。Theydidnotwalksolightlyandfreelynowastheydidbeforetheywereshod，buttheirstepswerestillspringywiththebuoyancyofearlyyouth;forneitherofthemwastwenty，indeedIbelieveSylviawasnotmorethanseventeenatthistime。Theyclamberedupthesteepgrassypath，withbramblescatchingattheirkiltedpetticoats，throughthecopse—wood，tilltheyregainedthehighroad;andthenthey\'settledthemselves，\'astheycalledit;thatistosay，theytookofftheirblackfelthats，andtieduptheirclusteringhairafresh;theyshookoffeveryspeckofwaysidedust;straightenedthelittleshawls（orlargeneck—kerchiefs，callthemwhichyouwill）thatwerespreadovertheirshoulders，pinnedbelowthethroat，andconfinedatthewaistbytheirapron—strings;andthenputtingontheirhatsagain，andpickinguptheirbaskets，theypreparedtowalkdecorouslyintothetownofMonkshaven。Thenextturnoftheroadshowedthemtheredpeakedroofsofthecloselypackedhouseslyingalmostdirectlybelowthehillonwhichtheywere。
Thefullautumnsunbroughtouttheruddycolourofthetiledgables，anddeepenedtheshadowsinthenarrowstreets。Thenarrowharbouratthemouthoftheriverwascrowdedwithsmallvesselsofalldescriptions，makinganintricateforestofmasts。Beyondlaythesea，likeaflatpavementofsapphire，scarcelyaripplevaryingitssunnysurface，thatstretchedoutleaguesawaytillitblendedwiththesoftenedazureofthesky。Onthisbluetracklesswaterfloatedscoresofwhite—sailedfishingboats，apparentlymotionless，unlessyoumeasuredtheirprogressbysomeland—mark;
butstill，andsilent，anddistantastheyseemed，theconsciousnessthatthereweremenonboard，eachgoingforthintothegreatdeep，addedunspeakablytotheinterestfeltinwatchingthem。ClosetothebaroftheriverDeealargervessellayto。Sylvia，whohadonlyrecentlycomeintotheneighbourhood，lookedatthiswiththesamequietinterestasshedidatalltheothers;
butMolly，assoonashereyecaughtthebuildofit，criedoutaloud——\'She\'sawhaler！she\'sawhalerhomefromt\'Greenlandseas！T\'firstthisseason！Godblessher！\'andsheturnedroundandshookbothSylvia\'shandsinthefulnessofherexcitement。Sylvia\'scolourrose，andhereyessparkledoutofsympathy。\'Istasure？\'sheasked，breathlessinherturn;forthoughshedidnotknowbytheaspectofthedifferentshipsonwhattradetheywerebound，yetshewaswellawareoftheparamountinterestattachedtowhalingvessels。\'Threeo\'clock！andit\'snothighwatertillfive！\'saidMolly。\'Ifwe\'resharpwecanselloureggs，andbedowntothestaithesbeforeshecomesintoport。Besharp，lass！\'Anddownthesteeplonghilltheywentatapacethatwasalmostarun。
Aruntheydarednotmakeit;andasitwas，therateatwhichtheywalkedwouldhavecauseddestructionamongeggslesscarefullypacked。Whenthedescentwasended，therewasyetthelongnarrowstreetbeforethem，bendingandswervingfromthestraightline，asitfollowedthecourseoftheriver。
Thegirlsfeltasiftheyshouldnevercometothemarket—place，whichwassituatedatthecrossingofBridgeStreetandHighStreet。Theretheoldstonecrosswasraisedbythemonkslongago;nowwornandmutilated，nooneesteemeditasaholysymbol，butonlyastheButterCross，wheremarket—womenclusteredonWednesday，andwhencethetowncriermadeallhisproclamationsofhouseholdsales，thingslostorfound，beginningwith\'Oh！yes，oh！yes，oh！yes！\'andendingwith\'Godblessthekingandthelordofthismanor，\'andaverybrisk\'Amen，\'beforehewentonhiswayandtookoffthelivery—coat，thecoloursofwhichmarkedhimasaservantoftheBurnabys，thefamilywhoheldmanorialrightsoverMonkshaven。OfcoursethemuchfrequentedspacesurroundingtheButterCrosswasthefavouritecentreforshops;andonthisday，afinemarket—day，justwhengoodhousewivesbegintolookovertheirwinterstoreofblanketsandflannels，anddiscovertheirneedsbetimes，theseshopsoughttohavehadplentyofcustomers。Buttheywereemptyandofevenquieteraspectthantheirevery—daywont。Thethree—leggedcreepie—stoolsthatwerehiredoutatapennyanhourtosuchmarket—womenascametoolatetofindroomonthestepswereunoccupied;knockedoverhereandthere，asifpeoplehadpassedbyinhaste。Mollytookinallataglance，andinterpretedthesigns，thoughshehadnotimetoexplaintheirmeaning，andherconsequentcourseofaction，toSylvia，butdartedintoacornershop。\'T\'whalersiscominghome！There\'sonelyingoutsidet\'bar！\'Thiswasputintheformofanassertion;butthetonewasthatofeagercross—questioning。\'Ay！\'saidalameman，mendingfishing—netsbehindaroughdealcounter。
\'She\'scomebackairly，andshe\'sbroughtgoodnewso\'t\'others，asI\'veheeredsay。TimewasIshouldha\'beenonth\'staithesthrowingupmycapwit\'t\'beston\'em;butnowitpleasest\'Lordtokeepmeathome，andsetmetomindotherfolks\'gear。Seethee，wench，there\'savasto\'folkha\'lefttheirskepso\'thingswi\'mewhilethey\'reawaydowntot\'quayside。Leavemeyoureggsandbeoffwi\'yefort\'seet\'fun，formebbeye\'lllivetobepalsiedyet，andthenye\'llbefrettingowerspiltmilk，andthatyedidn\'ttak\'allchanceswhenyewasyoung。Ay，well！they\'reouto\'hearin\'o\'mymoralities;I\'dbetterfindalamiterlikemysentopreachto，forit\'snotiverybodyhast\'luckt\'clargyhasofsayingtheirsayoutwhetherfolkslikesitornot。\'Heputthebasketscarefullyawaywithmuchofsuchtalkasthisaddressedtohimselfwhilehedidso。Thenhesighedonceortwice;andthenhetookthebettercourseandbegantosingoverhistarrywork。MollyandSylviawerefaralongthestaithesbythetimehegottothispointofcheerfulness。Theyranon，regardlessofstitchesandpainsintheside;onalongtheriverbanktowheretheconcourseofpeoplewasgathered。TherewasnogreatlengthofwaybetweentheButterCrossandtheharbour;infiveminutesthebreathlessgirlswereclosetogetherinthebestplacetheycouldgetforseeing，ontheoutsideofthecrowd;
andinasshortatimelongertheywerepressedinwards，byfresharrivals，intotheverymidstofthethrong。Alleyesweredirectedtotheship，beatingheranchorjustoutsidethebar，notaquarterofamileaway。
Thecustom—houseofficerwasjustgoneaboardofhertoreceivethecaptain\'sreportofhiscargo，andmakedueexamination。Themenwhohadtakenhimoutinhisboatwererowingbacktotheshore，andbroughtsmallfragmentsofnewswhentheylandedalittledistancefromthecrowd，whichmovedasonemantohearwhatwastobetold。SylviatookahardgraspofthehandoftheolderandmoreexperiencedMolly，andlistenedopen—mouthedtotheanswersshewasextractingfromagruffoldsailorshehappenedtofindnearher。\'Whatshipisshe？\'\'T\'ResolutionofMonkshaven！\'saidhe，indignantly，asifanygoosemighthaveknownthat。\'An\'agoodResolution，andablessedshipshe\'sbeentome，\'pipedoutanoldwoman，closeatMary\'selbow。\'She\'sbroughtmehomemyae\'