They made many promises to see each other again
when the war came to an end.
"I shall never forget your kindness, Jacques; and if I am still at
Dover when peace is proclaimed I will run over to Dunkirk by the very
first vessel that sails."
"As for the kindness, it is nothing," Jacques replied; "and beside
that, you saved my life from that snake. I dream sometimes of the
beast still. And it was really owing to you that I am here now, and
that I shall get a round sum coming to me when I return home. If it
hadn't been for you I should not have been chosen to stop behind and
get three shares instead of one of the prize money. And in the next
place it is your doing that I am free to start at once, and to make my
way back as soon as I can, instead of spending four or five years, it
may be, in an English prison. Why, my Louise will be ready to jump for
joy when she sees me arrive, instead of having to wait another two
years for me, with the chance of my never coming back at all; and she
will hardly believe me when I tell her that I shall be able to afford
to buy that fishing boat and set up in a house of our own at once; and
she will be most surprised of all when I tell her that it is all owing
to an English boy I fished on board on a dark night in the channel."
"Well, Jacques, we won't dispute as to which owes the other most.
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