bout during the last few days?"

"No, sir; not one," cried the boy with perfect truth.

"That will do, boy. Mr Raystoke let him take his cow and go."

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"Then get the gig alongside, and we'll explore round more of the coast
close in."

"Ay, ay, sir! Now, boy, this way."

Ram looked vacantly about him, but there was a very keen twinkle about
his eyes, as he followed Archy forward to where the cow stood blinking
her eyes, and swinging her tail amongst the men.

"I say," he said.

"Did you speak to me, sir?" cried Archy, facing round, and frowning.

"Yes. Is that little sword sharp?"

"Of course."

"Pull it out, and let's have a look."

Archy frowned.

"Take your cow and go," he said. "She is a miserable thing without a
drop of milk in her."

"What?" cried Ram, with his face becoming animated. Then he shouted to
the man in the boat, "Hi! Jemmy, he says Tally's got no milk in her."

"How do he know?" cried Jem scornfully.

"Why, I tried ever so long," said Dick, who could not refrain from
joining in.

"Ck!" laughed Jemmy.

"Why, she's our best cow," cried Ram. "I say skipper."

"Here, you mustn't speak to an officer like that," whispered Archy.

"What does the boy want?" said the plump little lieutenant, marching
forward.

"On'y want our cow."

"Then take her, sir, and go!"

"Have a drop of milk?"

"No," said the lieutenant, turning his back. "Perhaps Mr Raystoke here
might like a little. Can you milk?"

"I can't," said Ram, shaking his head. "He can. Here, Jemmy, take hold
of the painter and come aboard."

"Stop!" cried the lieutenant, "you must not speak like that. You must
ask leave, sir."

"Ask who?" said Ram, vacantly.

"Touch your cap, and ask the lieutenant to let you."

"Why, I have touched it twice. Want me to pull my hair off? I say,
skipper, if you'll let him come aboard--oh! He is aboard now,"--for
Jemmy was already making the boat fast--"Here, give me a clean pail."

The little commander of the cutter tried to look important, and Archy
more so, but they forgot everything disciplinarian the next moment, in
the interest of the proceedings, as Jemmy Dadd took the bucket handed to
him, turned another up beside the side of the cow, and as he was sitting
down, Dirty Dick dug his elbows into his messmates' ribs right and left,
whispered "Look out! And over he goes." Then he drew in a long breath,
ready for a roar of laughter when the bucket went f