E-text prepared by Steven Gibbs
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Though the story contained in the following pages has noconnection with them, yet it is my wish to dedicate this littlework to "The Conway Boys," and all those connected with that mostinvaluable institution, "H.M.S. Conway," lying at Rockferry,Birkenhead.
I have particular reason to speak well of the "Conway," as any"Boy" may know who may have been on board for the last five or sixyears, from the fact that two of my brothers, after passing asuccessful career under the careful teaching of the Rev. HenryO'Brien; L.L.D., Cork, continued to build on the good foundationlaid, and left the "Conway" with credit both to their teachers andthemselves. I shall always have pleasure in meeting with any"Conway Boy," and hearing of the good old ship to which I wish along continuance of her success in preparing Boys creditably forone of the great sources of our national strength andwealth—"Our Merchant Navy."
I must just add a word of thanks to my friends in Guernsey andelsewhere, who so kindly encouraged and supported me whenpublishing on a former occasion, and whom I see, by reference tothe subscription list, coming forward again—among some newfriends—with a repetition of their kindness.
Montpelier, Guernsey, 1872.
In the year 165–, when Cromwell had gained ascendancy inEngland and over the greater portion of the Channel Islands, therelived in Guernsey, at the Bay of Moulin Huêt, a miller of thename of Pierre Moullin. Unlike his class generally, he was a verymorose man, hard in his dealings with the poor around him, andexceedingly unsympathizing in all his domestic relations, as willappear as our story unwinds itself. Before speaking of the familysurroundings of Pierre Moullin we will glance at the circumstancewhich forms the basis of the present tale. Visitors to the Bay ofMoulin Huêt, as well as to other parts of this and thesurrounding Islands, may have observed a crimson appearance on therocks, suggesting very sanguinary ideas, but for which, geologistsdoubtless, would be able to account in a very satisfactory manner.Looking at a portion of the original gully through which the waterruns after passing through the mill wheel, we find that thiscrimson appearance is very visible, and as our purpose is not toraise scientific enquiries, we will take one of the fancifulreasons (of which there are two or three in existence), for thiscoloring on by the hand of Nature, which has so abundantly bedeckedGuernsey in general, and Moulin Huêt in particular. Dippinginto the Fairy l