I think twelve, sir--the same as Tim." For Tim and I were twins.

He looked hard at me again, and then said, "What was it your mother sent
word?"

"She said would your honour plaze to come quick, for she felt like
dying, and wished to spake to you before."

"Was that all?"

"Indeed, sir, she talked queerly the night about a dead lassie, and
called on your honour to save my father, if you plaze, sir."

He went to a cupboard and poured himself out a glass of raw whisky and
drank it. Then he beckoned to me to follow him down to the boat.

CHAPTER TWO.

A LOAD OF TURNIPS.

Mr Gorman seated himself silently in the stern, while I shoved off, and
hauled up the sail.

The storm was blowing still, but more westerly, so that the water was
quieter, and we could use the wind fairly to the point of the shoals.
After that it would be hard work to make my father's cabin.

I handed the sheet to his honour, and curled myself up in the bows.
Maurice Gorman was no great seaman, as I knew. But it was not for me to
thrust myself forward when he took the helm. Yet I confess I felt a
secret pleasure as I looked at the breakers ahead, and wondered how soon
he would call me aft to steer him through them.

To-night, as it seemed to me, he hugged the eastern shore more than
usual, thereby laying up for himself all the harder task when the time
came to cross in the face of the wind.

"Begging your honour's pardon," said I at last, "luff her, sir."

He paid no heed, but held on as we went till the shoals were long
distanced, and the black cliff of Kilgorman rose above us.

The day was now dawning, and the terrors of the place were somewhat
diminished. Yet I confess I looked up at the gaunt walls and chimneys
with uneasiness.

Now, as we came nearer, the mystery of the moving lights of the night
before suddenly cleared itself. For snugly berthed in a narrow creek of
the shore lay the strange cutter whose daring entry into the lough I had
yesterday witnessed. At the sight of her the curiosity I had felt, but
which my poor mother's message had driven from my head, revived.

Who and what was she? and what was she doing in Lough Swilly?

Then I recalled the strange words his honour had spoken last night in my
hearing, about the arms being landed and stowed. And I remembered
hearing some talk among the fisher folk of foreign weapons being
smuggled into Ireland against the king's law, and of foreign soldiers
coming, to hel