And yet I do not think she would have had me stay, for she was as wise as she was gentle, and she ever set other people's wishes before her own.

She had borne a man-child, and the inevitable Island penalty of parting with him she bore without a murmur, though the look on her face told its own tale at times.
"Change of pasture is good for young calves," was Jeanne Falla's characteristic comment when they were discussing the matter one evening.
And when my mother, in a moment of weakness, urged the likelihood, if not the absolute certainty, of my never returning alive, Aunt Jeanne's trenchant retort, "Go where you can, die where you must," put an end to the discussion and helped me to my wishes.
My grandfather procured me a berth as seaman on the barque _Hirondelle_ of Peter Port, Nicolle master, and in her I made three voyages--to the West Indies, then on to Gaspe in the St.Lawrence, and thence to the Mediterranean.

That was our usual round, and what with contrary winds, and detentions in various ports, and the necessity of waiting and dodging the enemy's cruisers and privateers, the voyages were long ones, and not lacking in incident.
My story, however, is not concerned with them, except incidentally, and I will refer to them as little as possible.
My grandfather went across with me to Peter Port the first time.

He had known George Nicolle many years, and felt me safe in his hands, and his confidence was well placed.

The _Hirondelle_ was a comfortable ship, and I never heard a real word of complaint aboard of her.