d see that they were put tidy and right.

Smallbones retired behind one of the rocks, and soon shifted his
clothes; he put everything on the hind part before, and had to alter
them when she came. She adjusted the shawl, and then led him into the
cave where he found Mistress Alice, and some of the women who were not
busy with the cargo.

"Here's the poor lad who was thrown overboard, madam," said Nancy,
retaining her gravity. "All his clothes were torn off his back, and I
have been obliged to give him these to put on."

Lady Ramsay could hardly repress a smile. Smallbones' appearance was
that of a tall gaunt creature, pale enough, and smooth enough to be a
woman certainly, but cutting a most ridiculous figure. His long thin
arms were bare, his neck was like a crane's, and the petticoats were so
short as to reach almost above his knees. Shoes and stockings he had
none. His long hair was platted and matted with the salt water, and one
side of his head was shaved, and exhibited a monstrous, half-healed
scar.

Lady Ramsay asked him a few questions, and then desired Nancy to give
him some refreshment, and find him something to lie down upon in the
division of the cave which was used as a kitchen.

But we must now leave Smallbones to entertain the inhabitants of the
cave with the history of his adventures, which he did at intervals,
during his stay there. He retained his women's clothes, for Nancy would
not let him wear any other, and was a source of great amusement not only
to the smugglers' wives, but also to little Lilly, who would listen to
his conversation and remarks, which were almost as naive and
unsophisticated as her own.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

IN WHICH MR. VANSLYPERKEN MEETS WITH A DOUBLE DEFEAT.

It was late in the evening of the day after Smallbones had been so
satisfactorily disposed of that the cutter arrived at Portsmouth; but
from daylight until the time that the cutter anchored, there was no
small confusion and bustle on board of the Yungfrau. When
Vanslyperken's cabin door was found to be locked, it was determined that
Smallbones should not appear as a supernatural visitant that night, but
wait till the one following; consequently the parties retired to bed,
and Smallbones, who found the heat between decks very oppressive, had
crept up the ladder and taken a berth in the small boat, that he might
sleep cool and comfortable, intending to be down below again long before
Mr Vanslyperken was