as would come, sir. They're all lying
low somewhere for fear o' the press-gang."

"Nonsense! Here they come, a lot of them, to get us off."

"Why, so they be," grumbled Tom, in a disappointed way. "Can't see no
faces, but--Master Aleck," he whispered, sharply, "it's them!"

"Well, I said so," began Aleck, impatiently; but he got no farther, the
words being checked by a feeling of astonishment. For a voice suddenly
exclaimed:

"Quick, lads; surround!" and a hand was laid sharply upon the lad's
collar, while two men grappled Tom.

"Now, then," he growled, "what is it?"

"Hold your noise, or you'll have a fist in your mouth," said a sharp
voice. "Who are you?"

"Name Bodger. AB, King's Navee. Pensioner for wounds. See?"

It was dark, but the shooting out of Tom's wooden legs at right angles
to his body from where he sat was plain enough to all of the group of
well-armed sailors who surrounded the boat.

"What are you doing here?"

"Eating my supper; been mending our boat."

"Then who is this?" said the same sharp voice.

"My young master. We got a hole in the boat's bottom and had to put in
for repairs."

"That's right enough, sir; here's the oakum and tools. Been a fire.
Here's the little pitch kettle."

"O' course it's right, messmets. What's yer game--press-gang?"

"Hush!" whispered the commanding voice. "You're an old sailor?"

"Nay, not old, your honour," said Tom. "Thirty-two, all but the legs I
lost. They warn't so old by some years."

"A joker, eh? Well, look here, my lad. We're on duty, and it's yours
as an ex-Navy man to help. Where are the fishermen? There seem to be
none hanging about the cliff."

"I d'know, your honour; up at the publics, p'raps, in the town."

"There's a party of smugglers here to-night?"

"Is there, sir? Running a cargo?"

"You know they are."

"That I don't, your honour. I haven't seen one."

Just at that moment there was the sound of yelling, and a couple of
shots were fired. Then more shouts arose, and a shrill whistle was
heard.

"Answer that, bo'sun," cried the officer in command of the party, and a
shrill chirping sound seemed to cut the night air. "Now, my lads,
forward!"

"One minute," cried Aleck. "We want to get afloat. Tell your men to
give my boat a shove off."

"Hang your boat!" cried the officer, angrily. "Keep together, my lads.
Yes, all right; we're coming."

The party went off after their leader at a run, for anot