laughed; but I stuck to it, knowing how far the
tale would go. They take it for a crotchet of mine, and will expect it,
especially after they have seen us standing out; and their plans will be
laid accordingly."

"The head-piece ye have is beyont me inthirely. And if ye stand out, how
will ye lay close inshore?"

"By returning, my good friend, before the morning breaks; each man
to his station, lying as close as can be by day, with proper outlooks
hidden at the points, but standing along the coast every night,
and communicating with sentries. Have nothing to say to any
fishing-boats--they are nearly all spies--and that puzzles them. This
Robin Hood's Bay is our centre for the present, unless there comes
change of weather. Donovan's beat is from Whitby to Teesmouth, mine from
Whitby to Scarborough, and Bowler's thence to Flamborough. Carroway goes
where he likes, of course, as the manner of the man is. He is a
little in the doldrums now, and likely enough to come meddling. From
Flamborough to Hornsea is left to him, and quite as much as he can
manage. Further south there is no fear; our Yarmouth men will see to
that. Now I think that you quite understand. Good-by; we shall nab some
of them to a certainty this time; they are trying it on too large a
scale."

"If they runs any goods through me, then just ye may reckon the legs of
me four times over."

"And if they slip in past me," said Bowler, "without a thick fog, or a
storm that drives me off, I will believe more than all the wonders told
of Robin Lyth."

"Oh! concerning that fellow, by-the-bye," Commander Nettlebones stopped
his brother officers as they were making off; "you know what a point
poor Carroway has made, even before I was sent down here, of catching
the celebrated Robin for himself. He has even let his fellows fire at
him once or twice when he was quietly departing, although we are not
allowed to shoot except upon strenuous resistance. Cannon we may fire,
but no muskets, according to wise ordinance. Luckily, he has not hit him
yet; and, upon the whole, we should be glad of it, for the young fellow
is a prime sailor, as you know, and would make fine stuff for Nelson.
Therefore we must do one thing of two--let Carroway catch him, and get
the money to pay for all the breeches and the petticoats we saw; or
if we catch him ourselves, say nothing, but draft him right off to the
Harpy. You understand me. It is below us to get blood-money upon the
man. We ar