THE INNKEEPER AND HIS WIFE I3 



Tlenty, and big ones too; biggest there is in the sea/ 

 rephed the man. 



The other sailor, a young fellow in his twenties, spoke 

 for the first time. 



*If you speak of whales — and I believe you do — would 

 it not be better to acquaint the boy with the differences 

 between them and the ordinary fishes Hke cod and 

 mackerel ?' he said with civility. 



* 'Old your tongue, young whippersnapper,' growled 

 Blackwhiskers. *I was 'untin' whales on these shores 

 before you were born and I tell you sure as the Devil, the 

 whale's a fish like all others and there ain't another man 

 in Sherburne 'Id say different.' 



*And that, Nathan Sykes, is where you are as far adrift 

 as a pig in mid- Atlantic,' boomed the voice of Mr. Mather 

 as he entered the parlour. T would for one. Take no heed 

 of his talk, lads, except when he says that there are many 

 as ignorant of God's works as himself 



Nathaniel Sykes rose to his feet and his face, where it 

 was not covered by his whiskers, went red with anger. He 

 tried to speak but words failed him and he stalked to the 

 door and disappeared into the passage muttering. 



Mr. Mather turned to the young sailor. 'Be cautious 

 of that man, sailor. He makes a bad enemy to those 

 that cross him.' 



*He seems to have much influence with the Indians,' 

 said the sailor. 



'Yes,' replied Mr. Mather, 'but only by reason of the 

 fire-water that he takes to their villages. The red man is 

 strong enough in the bow of a boat with a harping iron 

 in his hand, but give him a sniff of Nathan's nectar and 

 he's no more will than a babe in arms.' He lifted his 

 wig and scratched his bald pate. 'And there is precious 

 little that Godfearing folk can do to stop it.' 



The sailor rose to take his leave. 'It is good,' he said, 

 *to meet an older man who shares my beliefs about the 



