cutter's gig close to them, and the lieutenant ready to
ask him the meaning of the smuggled spirits being there.

For there was no mistaking the fact that the kegs were full of smuggled
spirit. The one the king's men had dragged dripping from the sea, bore
certain unmistakable markings, and it was evidently brother to those on
the rock.

Ram and Jemmy had no time for thinking; the gig was run quickly up
alongside of the ledge, and Dick tossed in his oar, sprang out, sending
the clear water splashing with his bare feet, as he crossed up to the
kegs, and, taking one under each arm, went more slowly and cautiously
back to the boat, where his messmates took them carefully, with many a
chuckle and grin, to deposit them beside the others.

"Now, my lad, run her alongside of the cow--I mean of the other boat,"
cried the lieutenant.

This was quickly done, and the little officer turned sharply to where
Ram and Jemmy Dadd were seated on the rock, looking on as stolidly as if
nothing whatever was coming.

"Hi! You, sir; come here!" cried the lieutenant.

"Me, or him?" replied Ram coolly.

"You, sir."

Ram got up, whistled softly, and went down to the boat.

"Want some more milk?" he said, with a grin.

"Silence, sir! Do you see those?"

"What, them tubs?"

"Yes, sir."

"Not till you got 'em. Wish I had!"

"I dare say you do, sir. Now, then: how did they come there?"

"Why, your chaps put 'em there. I see 'em just now."

"No, no; I mean in the sea and on that rock."

"Come there?" said Ram, with a vacant look.

"Yes, sir! How did they come there? Now, no trifling; out with it at
once."

"Been a wreck, p'r'aps, and they're washed up."

"Bah!" cried the lieutenant.

"Ah, you may say `Bah!' but they might. Why, there was a big ship's
boat and a jib-boom washed up here one day; warn't there, Jem?"

"Yes," growled the rough-looking fellow, half-fisherman half
farm-labourer. "And don't you 'member the big tub o' sugar, as was all
soaked with water, till she was like treacle?"

"Ay, and the--"

"That will do--that will do!" cried the lieutenant.

"Washed up, eh? What's in those kegs?"

"I know," cried Ram, showing his teeth, and looking at Archy. "Full o'
hoysters! Give us one!"

"Come, sir; this won't do for me. You know as well as I do what's in
those kegs. Where are the rest?"

"Rest?" said Ram, looking round. "Are there any more of 'em?"

"Yes, I'll be bound there are. Now, the