before descending
again to the boat.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

"I say, Tom," said Aleck, "that was cleverly aimed, but you had better
mind or you'll be breaking one of the boys' legs."

"Well-aimed, sir? Oh, that was nothing tickler. An easy shot that,
sir. No fear o' my breaking no legs. I can tell exactly how much
powder to fire with. I give it 'em just strong enough to hurt; that's
all."

Just then the officer came back, spoke to the young middy, and went off
again with the six men who had been unsuccessful in their chase of the
red-capped boy, while Aleck and his companion exchanged glances.

"There, Tom, take away the boat," said Aleck; "I must go and get my
uncle's paper."

"Your uncle's paper, sir?"

"Yes, I've run over to get some for him."

"Why, you got some on'y t'other week, sir. Did he have an axdent and
burn it?"

"No," said Aleck, laughing. "It's all used up for writing."

"Wond'ful--wond'ful!" muttered the man. "Here's me can't write a word,
and him allus going at it. Well, I suppose he was born that way. I'll
take care o' your boat all the same, sir."

"What do you mean with your all the same?" asked Aleck, looking puzzled
at the man's words.

"All the same, sir, though I can't write a word."

Aleck went off, being saluted by a nod from the middy, who lay back in
the stern-sheets of the cutter. It was a nod that might have meant
anything--condescension, friendliness, or a hint to keep his distance;
but it did not trouble the lad, who trudged along the pier to fulfil his
mission, and was soon after in the rugged, ill-paved main street, where
he in sight of the naval group from the sloop, evidently busy buying and
loading up with fresh provisions from the little shops.

He passed on, and was nearing the place where, in company with toys,
grocery, and sweetmeats, the shopkeeper kept up a small supply of paper,
for which the captain was his main customer, when a dark-bearded
fisherman-like man suddenly turned out of a public-house, caught him by
the arm, and hurried him sharply down a narrow alley which ran by the
side of the little inn.

The man's sudden action, coupled with the fact that he was the last
person in the county he would have expected to see, took away the lad's
breath for a moment or two while he gazed up in the fierce searching
eyes that seemed to be reading his thoughts.

"You, Eben?" he said at last.

"Me it is, youngster. What game do you call this?"

"I