Under the figure of the Virgin was written, in gilt capitals, the word

Matutina--the name of the vessel, not to be read just now on account

of the darkness.

Amid the confusion of departure there were thrown down in disorder, at

the foot of the cliff, the goods which the voyagers were to take with

them, and which, by means of a plank serving as a bridge across, were

being passed rapidly from the shore to the boat. Bags of biscuit, a cask

of stock fish, a case of portable soup, three barrels--one of fresh

water, one of malt, one of tar--four or five bottles of ale, an old

portmanteau buckled up by straps, trunks, boxes, a ball of tow for

torches and signals--such was the lading. These ragged people had

valises, which seemed to indicate a roving life. Wandering rascals are

obliged to own something; at times they would prefer to fly away like

birds, but they cannot do so without abandoning the means of earning a

livelihood. They of necessity possess boxes of tools and instruments of

labour, whatever their errant trade may be. Those of whom we speak were

dragging their baggage with them, often an encumbrance.

It could not have been easy to bring these movables to the bottom of the

cliff. This, however, revealed the intention of a definite departure.

No time was lost; there was one continued passing to and fro from the

shore to the vessel, and from the vessel to the shore; each one took his

share of the work--one carried a bag, another a chest. Those amidst the

promiscuous company who were possibly or probably women worked like the

rest. They overloaded the child.

The Man Who Laughs