p to the one twenty feet above, where
the next minute Dick gave a shout.

"Hah!" cried the lieutenant joyfully. "He has found them."

Ram shut one of his eyes at Jemmy, who made a rumbling noise, but his
face did not change.

"What is it, my lad?"

"Cave," cried Dick.

"What's in it?"

"Lobster-pots and old sail. All wore out."

"Nothing else?"

"No, sir."

"You go and look."

The second man disappeared, but returned directly.

"It's on'y a bit of a hole, sir, and there's nothin' else."

The search was continued and ended, for the ledge was shut in by the
mighty wall of rock towering above their heads, and the lieutenant was
soon convinced that it was impossible for any one to climb that without
tackle from above.

"Come back aboard," he said. "You two stop and guard those prisoners."

The sailors stepped back into the boat and resumed their oars, to row
steadily east for about half a mile, past several shallow caves, but
they could not see one likely to become a hiding-place for smuggled
goods, and the rock rose higher and higher above their heads, precluding
all ascent.

The boat was rowed quickly back past where the prisoners sat contentedly
enough; save the cow, which kept making the great rock wall echo with
her lowings, while three more of her kind now stood on high, gazing down
at her plight.

The lieutenant now had himself rowed west for about the same distance,
but in this direction they did not pass a crack in the great rock wall,
let alone a cave, and once more the gig was rowed back.

"Get back into your boat," said the little officer sharply.

"Thank ye, sir," cried Ram. "Come along, Jemmy. Find your little
barrels?"

"Come aboard, my lads," continued the lieutenant, without replying to
the question. "Make fast her painter to the ring-bolt here."

This was done, a fresh order given, and, with the rough boat and cow in
tow, the gig began to make slowly for the cutter.

Ram bent his head down in the boat.

"Hist, Jemmy!" he whispered.

"Hallo!"

"Shall we jump over and swim ashore?"

"Nay; what's the good?--they'd come arter us, and there's no getting
away."

"I say," shouted Ram, "what are you going to do?"

Archy turned to the lieutenant.

"Take no notice. A day or two aboard will make him speak."

"The cow wants turning out to grass," shouted Ram; but no heed being
paid to his words, "Oh, very well," he said, "I don't care. She'll die,
and you'll have to pay