hat's all."

"But I shall be as guilty as you."

"Guilty?" the man laughed. "I never could see a bit o' harm in doing
what I do. Never feel shamed to look my boy Ramillies in the face. If
a bit o' smuggling was wrong, Sir Risdon, think I'd do it? No, sir; I
think o' them as was before me. My father was in Marlborough's wars,
and he called me Blenheim, in honour of the battle he was in; and I
called my boy Ramillies, and if ever he gets married, and has a son,
he's to be Malplackey. I arn't ashamed to look him in the face."

"But I shall be afraid to look in the face of my dear child."

"Mistress Denise, Sir Risdon? Tchah! Bless her! I don' believe she'd
like her father to miss getting a lot of things that would be good for
him, and your madam. There, Sir Risdon; don't say another word about
it. Leave the door open, and go to bed. You shan't hear anybody come
or go away, and you're not obliged to look in the cellars for a few
days."

"But, my child--the old servant--suppose they hear?"

"What? The rats? Tell 'em to take no notice, Sir Risdon. Good day,
Sir Risdon. That's settled, then?"

"Ye-es--I suppose so. This once only, Master Shackle."

"Thank ye, Sir Risdon," said the man. "Jee, Dutchman!"

The horse tugged at the tumbril, and Sir Risdon went thoughtfully along
the field, toward a clump of trees lying in a hollow, while Master
Shackle went on chuckling to himself.

"Couldn't say me nay, poor fellow. Half-starved they are sometimes.
Wonder he don't give up the old place, and go away. Hope he won't.
Them cellars are too vallyble. Hallo! What now?"

This to the fair curly-headed lad, who came trotting up across the short
turf.

"Been looking at the cutter, father?"

"Oh, she don't want no looking at. Who brought those cows down here?"

"Jemmy Dadd."

"He's a fool. We shall be having some of 'em going over the cliff. Go
home and tell mother to put a clean napkin in a basket, and take two
rolls of butter, a bit of honey, and a couple of chickens up to the
Hoze."

"Yes, father."

"And see if there's any eggs to take too."

"Yes, father. But--"

"Well?"

"Think the lugger will come to-night?"

"No, I don't think anything, and don't you. Will you keep that rattle
tongue of yours quiet? Never know me go chattering about luggers, do
you?"

"No, father."

"Then set your teeth hard, or you'll never be a man worth your salt.
Want to grow into a Jemmy Dadd?"

"No, fa