"To-morrow Jean Touzel and his wife and I go to the Ecrehos Rocks in Jean's boat," said he.

"A vessel was driven ashore there three days ago, and my carpenters are at work on her.

If you can go and the wind holds fair, you shall be brought back safe by sundown--Jean says so too." Of all boatmen and fishermen on the coast, Jean Touzel was most to be trusted.

No man had saved so many shipwrecked folk, none risked his life so often; and he had never had a serious accident.

To go to sea with Jean Touzel, folk said, was safer than living on land.