d as if they were alive
with strange marine creatures, which kept on writhing and whispering
together, and making gasping and sucking noises, as the tide heaved and
sank among the loose rocks and seaweed, while Archy could not divest
himself of the idea that they were watched by people keeping pace with
them higher up on the top of the cliff.

"Wonder whether those two have landed the cow by this time?" whispered
Gurr, breaking in upon one of Archy's reveries, in which he saw himself
following a band of smugglers laden with contraband goods.

"I don't know," he replied. "We must take care they do not see us."

"Not likely on a dark night like this. Won't be so foggy, though, as
'twas last."

Nothing was seen or heard of the late prisoners' boat, and for very good
reasons; and at last they found themselves abreast of the opening into
the cove, where they lay upon their oars for a time listening.

All was still. Not a sound to be heard on either of the luggers lying
at their buoys, and no light was visible at the cottages at the head of
the little bay.

"I might venture now," whispered Archy. "Have me rowed close in to the
shingle beach on the right, not close ashore, but so that I can wade in.
I shall drop over the side where it's about two feet deep. Let them
back in and we can try the depth with the boat-hook."

The order was whispered, the boat glided in through the broad opening,
was turned quickly, and then the men backed water till told to stop,
Archy, who had the boat-hook over the side, suddenly finding it touch
the shingly bottom at the depth of about a foot.

"Good-bye," he whispered, and, gliding over the side, he softly waded
ashore and stood on the beach.

It looked light in front, where the limestone rocks had given place to
chalk, but to right, left, and seaward, all was black as night, and
stepping cautiously along, the lad approached the cottages, listening
attentively, but not hearing a sound save the gurgling of water as it
trickled under the stones on its way to the sea.

As he reached the track leading past the cottages he had a narrow escape
from falling over a boat that was drawn up on the stones, but he saved
himself with a jerk; and, feeling hot with the sudden start, he turned
and crouched down, but there was not a sound to indicate that he had
been heard, and drawing a long breath he stepped on to reach the hard
earth where his feet were not among the water-worn pebbles, and in