, he went and reported all he had heard to the lieutenant,
who nodded his head, looked severe, and ordered the two boats to be
manned.

The midshipman took the order on deck, and Ram stared.

"I say," he said, "what's the good of going now? You'll have to row all
the way to the cove and walk all the way along by the cliffs. If you
wait till the tide's right out, you can get in through Grabley's hole."

Archy reported this, and in due time Gurr was left in charge of the
cutter, the lieutenant went off in one boat, and the other was in
Archy's charge.

It all seemed very matter of fact now, as they rowed in through the
opening, left the boats in the little pool, climbed the zigzag; and a
halt was called, during which the little lieutenant wiped his streaming
face, and recovered his breath.

Then the party marched for the farm, where, red-eyed, and her florid
face mottled and troubled-looking, Mrs Shackle met them.

"Well, woman," said the lieutenant severely; "I have to search this
place."

"If you please, sir," said the woman humbly.

"One moment. Answer me honestly. Is there any contraband article
stored about the farm?"

"No, sir, and never was."

"Humph! That's what your son said."

"My son? Oh, pray, pray tell me, gentlemen, is he safe? I heard that
he was burned to death."

"Your son is quite well, aboard my ship."

"Thank God! Oh, thank God!" cried the poor woman, sinking upon her
knees to cover her face with her hands, sobbing violently, and rocking
herself to and fro.

"There!" she cried, jumping up quickly, and wiping her eyes; "I've no
cause to fret now."

"He has volunteered for the navy," continued the lieutenant; "and if he
is a good lad, we shall make a man of him."

"Then you will, sir; for a better boy never stepped."

"For a smuggler, eh?" said the lieutenant drily.

"Well, sir, he was my husband's boy, and he did what his father told
him."

"And your husband?"

"The men came and told me, sir, that he escaped in the lugger."

"And the men--where are they?"

"They got away yesterday, sir, those who were left. They felt that they
must leave these parts for good."

"Yes, for _good_!" said the lieutenant emphatically. "Now, Mr
Raystoke, have you anything to say?"

"Only to deliver my message. Mrs Shackle, Ram told me to tell you he
was all right."

"Thank Heaven!" said the woman, wiping away a tear; "and you won't
punish him, sir, and you'll keep him away from th