o was already clambering down the ledges
of rock to get to the boat.

"Because it's dead men's property," answered Lewis. "It belongs to the
crew of this boat that's been wrecked. They'll be coming to claim it
if you don't leave it alone."

"Rubbish!" retorted the man. "Keep your sailor yarns for a ship's
fo'castle!--Hurray, boys! See here! Call me a Dutchman if it isn't a
keg of smugglers' brandy; and there's another bobbing about just over
yonder!"

The group by the fire scrambled hastily to their feet, and I heard
Lewis mutter a curse. He must have known all along what the kegs which
we had seen floating in the water as we entered the cave really
contained, and have foreseen the consequences of their coming into the
possession of his companions. As it was, he stepped quickly from my
side, and I saw him talking in quick, eager tones to Rodwood.

It would have been as easy to wrest a carcass from a pack of starving
wolves as to rob this band of criminals of their newly-found store of
liquor.

"Steady, lads, steady!" was all their leader could say. "One sup all
round, and then let it rest; we shall need clear heads until we're safe
out of the wood."

The words might as well have been spoken to the winds. The two ankers
were quickly dragged up on to the platform, and one of them was
broached with the aid of George's knife. The metal cup from the
coachman's flask and a small mug found in the locker of the boat
afforded the means of conveying the fiery spirit to eager lips. From
hand to hand it passed. Rodwood himself, after some protestation, took
his share with the rest, and even Lewis could not for long withstand
the temptation of the liquor which was almost forced upon him.
Woodley, however, was naturally a sober fellow, and kept his senses.
He took one sip at the mug when it was handed to him, to avoid rousing
the convicts to a still further feeling of hostility, after which he
and I edged away from the rest, and sat down at the farther end of the
platform.

What followed during the course of the next few hours it would be
difficult to describe. The rousing of the appetite which they had for
so long been unable to gratify was like applying a light to a heap of
straw. Forgetful of food or of their perilous position, the men tossed
the ardent spirit down their throats, and passed the cup for more. In
a very short time the effect of the drink began to make itself evident,
the more so that for som