CH. IX.] The Village Harbour. 153 



manfully ; and he led me up through the 

 village street, and then turning down a short 

 steep lane brought me to a little cove that 

 was partly sheltered by a spit of rock that 

 jutted out into the sea. There, such as it 

 was, was the harbour of the village, and by 

 the fitful light I could see some dozen fishing 

 boats drawn up high on the beach above the 

 force of the waves ; and beyond, a cluster of 

 low, one-storied cottages and sheds, with 

 small boats, spars, timbers, windlasses, etc., 

 all denoting the home of fishermen. From 

 this cove, early that morning, two boats had 

 sailed with their nets for the fishing grounds 

 out beyond the sands, and it was for these 

 my friends behind the boat were patiently 

 watching, and it was to say a few words to 

 cheer and comfort the wives and families of 

 these men that the old rector had now 

 come. 



From a latticed window just in front of us 



