irst words were:

"That's right, my boy; let's have breakfast. By the way, did you get my
paper?"

This started the lad, who was crammed with his news, which he hurriedly
made known.

"Humph!" said the old man. "Rather a lively experience for you, my lad;
but you must be careful, for I don't want to have you in trouble over
helping smugglers to escape."

"No, uncle, of course not," said Aleck; "but do you think I did wrong?"

"Certainly, my boy. This fellow--ill-conditioned fellow Megg--was
fighting against the law. He was doubtless there on some business
connected with smuggling, and nearly got caught by the press-gang--an
institution I do not admire, but those in authority consider it a
necessity for the supply of the Navy. Keep away from all these worries,
and as much as possible from Rockabie and its young ruffians."

"Yes, uncle; but I really did not seek to be amongst all that business
in Rockabie yesterday," pleaded Aleck.

"Of course not, my boy, and you need not look so penitent. The law's
the law, of course, but I'm afraid if I had been appealed to as you were
last night I should have done the same, and given the scoundrel a good
talking to as I brought him away. There, have no more to do with it,
and keep out of sight if there are boats landed, as there most probably
will be, to make a search."

"But suppose the officers land and know me again, uncle?"

"There, there, I'm just in the midst of a tiresomely intricate chapter
of my book, and don't want to have my attention taken off."

"No, uncle, of course not; but if the officers and men know me again?"

"Why, let them, my lad. You were doing no harm, and they can do you
none. Now let's finish our breakfast."

"Shall I stay in, uncle?" said Aleck. "Tom Bodger slept down in the
boat last night, and I wanted to take him some breakfast."

"Go and take it then, of course."

"And then stay in?"

"No, no; nonsense. Now don't bother me any more."

"I won't get into any trouble," Aleck said to himself, as he hurried
out, armed with two huge sandwiches and a mug of well-sweetened coffee,
with which he got on pretty well going through the garden, hardly
spilling a drop, till he was startled by the voice of the gardener,
saying, from the other side, in anticipation:

"Thankye, Master Aleck. That's very good of yer."

That startling made the lad half stop, and about a tablespoonful of the
hot preparation flew out on to the path. But Alec