n, out with it, if you want to
save your skin."

"Skin? That's what father said this morning about the cow; but she
wasn't drowned."

"Look here, boy. All this sham innocency won't do for me. Now, then,
if you will tell me where the other kegs are, you shall have a reward;
if you don't, you'll go to prison as sure as you're there. Jump ashore,
two of you, and arrest them before they run."

Ram turned, and stared at Jemmy Dadd with an ill-used countenance.

"What does he mean, Jemmy?"

The man shook his head.

"Do you know where the other little barrels are?"

"Wish I did," grumbled Jemmy. "Say, master, what would you give a man
if he showed you where they were?"

"Ten guineas; perhaps twenty," said the lieutenant eagerly.

"Ten guineas! Twenty pounds!" said Jemmy, taking off his red worsted
cap, and rubbing his head. "My! Was they your'n? Did you lose 'em?"

"No," roared the lieutenant; "it's plain enough, and you know. A cargo
has been run here on this ledge. Now, then; it's no use to try and hide
it. You know where it is; so will you gain a reward by giving evidence,
or will you go to prison?"

Jemmy shook his head, and gave Ram a puzzled look.

"We came after our cow, sir, please," said the latter, looking up at the
sailor, who stood with a hand upon his arm, while Jemmy did the same.

"Here, boy!" cried the lieutenant. "You know what a lot of money ten
guineas would be?"

"Yes," said Ram grinning.

"Why, you could buy yourself a watch and chain, and be doing your duty
to the king as well. Come, did you see a French boat down here last
night?"

"No," said Ram. "It was so foggy."

"You are playing with me, sir. Now then, will you answer?"

"I did answer," said Ram meekly. "Didn't I, Jemmy?"

"Jump ashore, you two," said the lieutenant, "and have a good search all
among those rocks. The cargo's there for certain. You two others," he
continued, "draw cutlasses, and keep guard over the prisoners."

His orders were obeyed, and the two men stood by guarding Ram, Jemmy,
and the cow, who blinked her eyes and smelt at the sea water from time
to time, raised her head and uttered a soft low, which was answered from
the green top of the cliff two hundred feet above them, where another
cow stood gazing down.

The lieutenant and Archy stood up in the boat watching and directing as
Dick and his companion searched about in all directions along the lower
ledge, and then managed to climb u