From the troubles which such doubts might cause, he strove to keep the natives free.
Flamburians scarcely understood this largeness of good-will to them.
Their instincts told them that free trade was every Briton's privilege; and they had the finest set of donkeys on the coast for landing it.

But none the more did any of them care to make a movement toward it.

They were satisfied with their own old way--to cast the net their father cast, and bait the hook as it was baited on their good grandfather's thumb.
Yet even Flamborough knew that now a mighty enterprise was in hand.

It was said, without any contradiction, that young Captain Robin had laid a wager of one hundred guineas with the worshipful mayor of Scarborough and the commandant of the castle, that before the new moon he would land on Yorkshire coast, without firing pistol or drawing steel, free goods to the value of two thousand pounds, and carry them inland safely.

And Flamborough believed that he would do it.
Dr.Upround's house stood well, as rectories generally contrive to do.
No place in Flamborough parish could hope to swindle the wind of its vested right, or to embezzle much treasure of the sun, but the parsonage made a good effort to do both, and sometimes for three days together got the credit of succeeding.