hackle, sir."

"Is--is that your name, sir," said the lieutenant pompously, "or are you
trying to get a laugh at my expense?"

Ram stared.

"Do you hear what I say, sir?"

"Yes, but I dunno what you mean."

"Here, my man, what's that boy's name?" cried the lieutenant to Jemmy
Dadd in the boat.

"Ram Shackle," said Jemmy gruffly. "Christen Rammylees!"

"And is this your cow?"

"No, sir!"

"Then, you young rascal, how dare you come and claim it," cried the
lieutenant wrathfully.

"Because it's ours. My father's; I didn't mean it was my own."

"Can you give me some proof that it is yours?" said the lieutenant.

"Eh!" exclaimed Ram, staring.

"I say, show me that the cow is yours, and you shall have her."

"Oh," cried Ram, and he ran to the side, unfastened the rope used as a
halter for the patient beast, ran right forward, and began to call,
"Tally, Tally! Coosh-cow, coosh-cow!"

The effect was magical, the cow turned sharply round, stretched out her
nose so as to make her windpipe straight, and uttered a low soft lowing,
as she walked straight forward to where Ram stood, thrust her nose under
his arm, and stood swinging her tail to and fro.

"Mr Raystoke!"

"Ay, ay, sir!" said Archy, going aft and saluting.

"It seems to be their cow; let them take it ashore."

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"Stop. Bring the boy here," said the lieutenant.

Archy marched forward.

"Come here, boy," he said importantly; and Ram followed him to where the
little fat officer stood near the helm, frowning.

"Now, sir," said the lieutenant, "I want you to answer me a few
questions. What is your name--no, no, stop, you told me before. Where
do you live?"

"Yonder, at the farm."

"Oh! At the farm. Look here, boy, did you ever hear of smugglers?"

"What?"

"Did you ever hear of smugglers?"

"Yes, lots o' times," said Ram glibly. "They're chaps that goes across
to France and foreign countries, and brings shipfuls o' things over
here."

"Yes, that's right. Ever seen any about here?"

"Well," said Ram, taking off his red cap, and scratching his curly head,
"I dessay I have. Father says you never know who may be a smuggler:
they're all like any one else."

"Humph! Know where they land their cargoes?"

"Oh, yes; I've heard tell as they land 'em all along the cliff here."

"Bah! Impossible," shouted the lieutenant.

"Is it, sir?" said Ram vacantly. "My father said it was true."

"Seen any smugglers' craft a