She gave him a straight look, turning her head stolidly towards him to do so.
“He’s mate of a merchantman, I think,” said she. “We don’t see much of him up here, and we shouldn’t mind if we saw less. He’s a rough fellow, and free with his fists when he’s in liquor.”
“It seems you know how to manage him, however,” said Tregenna.
Ann only smiled. And Tregenna, who saw that she meant to let him know no more, allowed the subject to drop.
They had by this time jogged some distance out of the village, and were descending a slope towards the river.
“We shall have to cross the water by the ford,” said she. “You’re not afraid, sir, to do it in the dark?”
“Not with you,” answered Tregenna, promptly. “Have you much further to go, when the river is crossed?”
“Not above another mile,” replied Ann. “And if you can’t stay the night at the farm, sir, we can put you in the way of coming back by a path, a little higher up, where there’s a ferry-boat to take you across.”
“Thanks,” replied Tregenna. “I wish I could avail myself of your hospitality, but I must return to my boat to-night.”
They were descending the hill in the same jog-trot fashion, and were within a few yards of the river, which was flowing swiftly, and looked, Tregenna thought, somewhat perilous to negotiate, when Ann uttered an exclamation of dismay.