The scene of this daring adventure was to the westward of the island, off the bays known as Le Vazon and Caûbo, on the shore of the former of which Jean Breton’s cottage was situated, and full in view of Sir James Saumarez’s own manorial residence, a position truly remarkable, for on one side was a prospect of death or a French prison, on the other side home with all its joys! When in the most perilous part of the Channel, Sir James asked the pilot whether he was sure of his marks? “Quite sure,” was Jean Breton’s reply, “for there is your house and yonder is my own!”
[232] Editor’s Note.—This was true years ago when Sir Edgar MacCulloch wrote the above, but it has ceased to be true now.
CHAPTER XV.
Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Games.
“Gather up all the traditions, and even the nursery songs; no one can tell of what value they may prove to an antiquary.”—Southey, in a letter to Mrs. Bray, quoted in her Borders of the Tamar and the Tavy.
[Some of these I have found lying loose among Sir Edgar MacCulloch’s MSS. I have put them together, and added to them a few I have collected among the old country people.—Ed.]