The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-26
CHAPTER XVI

They all thought of young Ca bell as standing at the prov of the barkentine Hardy, avoiding the British and sailing home to them, as good Federalist as when he had left them. They little dreamed of his new life, his new ideas and his new friend, Jeremiah Whit field.
 Corly proved to be a score Of shabby fishermen hutS located to the right of the Kings Highway, be- tween marsh grass and booming sea. Their excuse for being was 8 Shal- low harbor that all but vanished at low tide It was a dejected spot.
 Polly having been put down there with her dog and trunk looked after the departing coach with & regret that bordered on panic.
 She noted one house in. the vil- lage that seemed to be an inn. Through not less ramshackled than its neighbors, 1t was larger and carried a sign. Polly dragged her trunk from the roadside and pulled it along a sandy path to this building. Arrived there, she left Nuisance to stand guard while she entered the inn. She was leaning heavily on her stick and drowning sharply.
 Never had she seen or smelled so unpleasant room. It reeked of fried fish, bad rum and other indiscriminating odors, and 1t was occupied by a half dozen men who wore fishermen garb but had the unmistakable look of outlaws ana pirates, She was shocked ana frightened for she was accustomed to the self-respecting bearing ot New England fisherman who, no matter how poor, took pride III their calling. She did not have to simulate the shaking of her hand on her staff. ,o
 "Where can I find John Mo Gean?" she asked the room at large. ;
 A man in a dirty apron, eVl- dently the keeper of this unwnole- some place, answered her. Yer in luck, old dame. The Sea ser pent. is boat, is anchored of Coriy today. Just in, e is, from Lttle trip, and soon to put out :. Look! There e comes along the wharf"
 Polly went outside and stopped to give Nuisance a reassurlng pat, for the little dog was looking uneasy and restive. He was greatly puzzleo bv her altered appearance. Her stan made him nervous and the odor or hex rusty black dress and Wnlte wls disnaved him. It was only when Slle hent her face close to his ana scratched his neck with her familiar fingers that he was at ease.
 "Stay here!" Polly commanaeo him. and he lay down beside the doeskin trunk. His nose rested on his paws but his alert eyes lol- lowed his mistress as she WellI along the rotting wharf to meet all unknown man. oox,o
 The skipper, who had just come ashore from an ugly IWo-hi""'eN had heard described in America - - Iupger with patched brown sails was large and forbidding. He hao heavy handsome features coal black hair that he W in queue and bold prominent yes St this is a smuggler! Polly thoughl and was disappointed that he was not smooth and suave Ike Ine famous Jean La Fitte whom she had heard described in Amerlca- La Fitte who could kiss lady hand as gracefully as he couio take ship.
 If you are John McGean," she said to this man, T have business with you"
 "Then speak it. Times valu' able" He stared hard at her.
 Polly spoke her business, a' commanded. She talked to hln urgently; but since money talk best in the long run, she offered him what she could afford to pa! and still keep enough to carry he to Cherbourg. For this he grudg ingly agreed to convey her acros the Channel to a fishing port nea . Calais. He was sailing that nlgn'
 I ' if the wind was favorable
 e around ten he woui' r. m the wharf in a dory ant