“You exaggerate the risk,” he answered calmly. “Well, you’ve done me a good turn. Why did you do me a good turn?” “Oh sir, I’m sure.” “I shall often think of you,” said Captain Margaret. “Are you sure you won’t come with me?” “Oh no, sir. I couldn’t really be persuaded, sir.” “Well, think of us.” “I shall think of you always, sir. You _are_ a real buccaneer, sir?” “Oh yes. Real. In my ship yonder, there’s a man who knew Morgan.” “I’ve never had anything happen to me, sir, before.” “Does it make any difference, do you find?” “Oh, sir.” “Will you wear this charm of mine to remember me by?” He detached a small gold jewel, set with symbolical stones. “It is said to bring success in love. I don’t believe it.” The man took the symbol as though it were an eggshell. “Thank you, sir,” he said with fervour. “Thank you very much, sir.” Then he started violently. “Oh, sir,” he cried, remembering the risk, “do go, sir. It’s frightfully dangerous, sir.” “Yes,” said Margaret, “I mustn’t keep the lady waiting. I hope you run no risk yourself; for warning me?” “Oh no, sir. I just showed a customer to the docks.” “And I’m very much obliged. Good-bye.” “Good-bye, sir. Oh, sir, I’m much honoured indeed, sir. I hope we shall meet again, sir.” “Well, if we don’t, we shall think of each other, shan’t we?” “Oh yes, sir.” “And I shall be on the Main, and you’ll be here. Here on this spot.” “Often, sir, I suppose I shall be.” “Good-bye. There is your soldier friend, I think.” He nodded carelessly towards the bend of the road; then made a half-bow to the shopman, and stepped into the boat. “Shove off,” he said. “Back a stroke, port oars. Down starboard and shove her off.” As he placed the boat-rug over his knees, he heard the hoofs of horses trotting on the road. “Give way together,” he said coldly, as the boat swung round. He glanced over his shoulder at the shopman, half expecting to see the officers beside him. Then he turned to his boat’s crew. “Come. Shake her up. Shake her up,” he said. “Rally her out. Give way, now. Put your backs into it. Come on, now. Toss her up.” The stroke quickened, the boat gathered way; she shot out into the harbour, spreading a ripple. She was a hundred yards out, keeping a fine steady stroke, when Captain Margaret turned again. He saw the figure of the shopman pointing towards him, while a man on horseback stood at his side looking towards the boat. Another horseman was galloping fast back to town, evidently to get a boat at the landing-stage. “They aren’t very clever, these soldiers,” he thought; “but I’ve had a little luck to-day. Or was it luck? Who knows? It may not have been luck, after all. It may have been anything but that.” He drew from the stern-locker a little flag nailed to a batten. He tied a knot in the flag. “What are you doing that for?” said Olivia, as he waved the “weft” in the air.