Now, as I said when I commenced writing this history, there are many things which happened to me that I cannot understand. For my own part, I have tried to explain away what Betsey told me even in the light of after events, which I shall tell presently. I have tried again and again to show that her words were very vague, and could have no definite meaning. I maintained this to Mr. John Wesley when I told him the story, but he shook his head, and said something about dreaming dreams and seeing visions. Not that I attach any undue weight to Mr. Wesley's words. I have nothing against this man; but, for my own part, the old religion of the parish church and the Prayer-book is good enough for me. These Methodists, who have grown very mighty these last few years, who claim a sort of superior religion, and tell a man he's going to hell because he's fond of wrestling, are nothing in my way. The Penningtons have been wrestlers for generations, and never threw a man unfairly; besides, they always shook hands before and after the hitch as honest, kindly men should, and when I'm told that they were on the wrong road because of this I say the new religion does not suit me. At the same time, Mr. John Wesley, who is doubtless a good man, although some folks call him a Papist and others a madman, did believe Betsey Fraddam had powers which the common run of folks do not possess. Not that he believed that those powers were good; concerning that the great man was very reserved. But I am going away from my story, and that I must not do, for I have many things to tell, so many that it will not be well for me to stray away from the track of the tale. I must confess that the words which I heard Betsey say impressed me very much, so much that they were engraved on my memory. Besides, I had become more and more interested in what she was doing, and was now eager to hear more. "What is the half of the tale which is not told?" I asked, eagerly. But she did not reply. "Eli, Eli, you hear?" she cried. "Iss, iss," grunted Eli. "'Tes the smugglin' gang." "'Tes Jack! Jasper, you mus'n be seed. Git out in the gar'n." "He caan't," laughed Eli. "The spence, Jasper. Run to the spence." I entered a door which opened into a small compartment, in the which Betsey's firewood, a box of tools, and many household utensils were hidden. I had scarcely closed the door when I heard the voices of Cap'n Jack Truscott and others of his gang. I kept very quiet, for I knew that if I were discovered my life would not be worth an hour's purchase. I was very anxious, too, for I was not quite sure of Betsey's feelings toward me. All the same I listened very intently. CHAPTER XIII BETSEY FRADDAM AND CAP'N JACK MEET--I GO TO FALMOUTH AND MEET NAOMI--AFTERWARD I SEE MR. JOHN WESLEY