At least, Reuben observed, the old man was letting him keep a hand on his arm, seemed even to welcome it, and must know that Ben was on his other side. John Kenny was not predictable, his manner tending to put love in its place--an acquaintance respected, possibly feared a little, and not permitted any too forward liberties. "The boy Wilks thought not, Mr. Kenny, but was not certain. One of the cutlass blows had destroyed his right eye." Captain Jenks panted: "Mr. Eames--I asked you--be there any word how Sam Foster died?" "With a seaman's fortitude apparently, although not, alas, in a state of grace. He was struck down soon after the enemy boarded. Wilks saw him lying in his blood and cursing them, but did not see the moment of his death, whether he then turned his thought to the Lord." "Well, Mr. Eames," said John Kenny, "you have accomplished your errand, and I thank you for the trouble you have taken to bring me word. I beg you also, commend me to your good Captain Bart. I will speak with him when I may." * * * * * "I keep thinking in what sorry fashion I came home on this road last night." "Forget that, Ben." "I can't, quite. I feel as though I'd given him another burden when already he hath too much to bear--well, you did say, didn't you, that he wasn't too troubled about my--my----" "Wasn't at all. Would you have everyone perfect, devil any lapse from virtue, and yourself a saint in ivory?" "Oh, I know.... I swear I ought not to be going to Harvard. You must go, but damn it, I'm no scholar. Uncle John himself wishes me to go into trade with him some day. I say, if I do, it ought to be now." "I disagree." "Ay, you too.... Ru, a few weeks ago Uncle John told me--only in passing, because then it was nothing to trouble him--that he had debts waiting on the profit the ship _Iris_ was to have brought him. Most of the debt is from the building of _Artemis_, and her maiden voyage won't have fetched enough to satisfy it. It could happen, Ru, the creditors will be on top of him like a pack of wolves." "I--didn't know that." "You do now. Look: wouldn't it be unwise to send _Artemis_ to be gone for months on the Barbados triangle, when she's all he owns--she and the little sloop _Hebe_ at Newport that can't give much account of herself?" "What would you have him do?" "I think _Artemis_ should make short voyages--should take that salt cod, for instance, maybe no further than New York, back at once for more, until the debt is cleared. I suppose the harshest of 'em would give him that much time. And then I think that when the debt is cleared, he ought to get a few more little fast vessels like _Hebe_ for the coastal trade, for heaven knows that's the bread and butter of this colony, and let the long ventures wait a few years." "Then tell him so, Ben."