Part 12 (1/2)

Just as I thought all was right, as ill-luck would have it, I happened to want to use my pocket-handkerchief, and in searching for it I incautiously threw open my jacket and exposed my uniform b.u.t.tons to view.

In the first place, the sort of boy I pretended to be would not have possessed such an article as a pocket-handkerchief; and I ought to have remembered that the sight of the crown and anchor would not be acceptable to persons of my friends' vocation.

”Why--hullo, youngster! who are you, I should like to know?” exclaimed the old skipper, seizing me by the arm, and giving me no gentle shake.

”He's a spy, surely, and no mistake,” cried several of the crew. ”Heave the young shrimp overboard.”

”Overboard with him!” exclaimed the rest in chorus. ”We'll teach the Government to send their whelps to hunt us out in this fas.h.i.+on.”

I own that I began to feel very uncomfortable; for the threatening looks of the fellows were in no way calculated to lessen my apprehensions.

Now my feelings always prompt me to try and escape from a dilemma by at once candidly confessing the truth. I therefore acknowledged that I belonged to a revenue cutter, and explained what had occurred.

”I only obeyed the orders of my superior officers in attacking the lugger,” I observed, in as bold a tone as I could manage to muster.

”Her people carried me off against my will; and, as I wanted to get home, I came aboard you; but I never thought of doing you or any of your friends harm, if I could help it. How am I to blame, then?”

”Never listen to his chaff; heave him overboard, I say,” growled out one of the men.

”Thank you all the same, master,” said I, looking him as boldly as I could in the face; ”but I'd rather stay aboard till I can get put decently on sh.o.r.e, and not have to swim there, as you would have me do.”

”Swim! By G.o.d, you wouldn't swim long, I expect,” said the ruffian.

”Faith, I've no fancy for trying, either,” I answered. ”If I intended treachery, do you think, masters, I should have put myself in your power as I have done? just answer me that.”

”Well, now, I don't think as how you would,” exclaimed the old skipper.

”You're a brave lad anyhow, and deserve a better calling than trying to injure poor fellows who are just doing their best to make a honest livelihood for their families.”

”Well,” said I, seeing the favourable impression I was making, ”I'm going soon to be appointed to a frigate on a foreign station, so there's little chance of my falling in with you again. If you kill me you will be hung, that's certain, for murder is always out some day or other.”

”Don't be coming any of your Irish blarney over us,” growled out a sour-looking ruffian. ”If you're a spy, overboard you go, that's all.”

”I'm no spy,” I answered in an indignant tone. ”All I ask of you is to put me on sh.o.r.e anywhere at the back of the Wight, and I'll give you my word none of you will be the worse for my being here.”

The skipper gave an approving nod as I pleaded for my life. Some of the ruffians seemed to give way.

”Just tell me, then, what harm can a small chap like me do you?” I continued. ”How do I know what you've got on board, or what you're going to do with it. Be good-natured fellows now, and if I can ever do you a good turn, I will.”

”Oh, come, let the little chap alone; there's no harm in him, I'm sure!”

exclaimed one of the smugglers, slapping me on the shoulder. ”Cheer up, my lad; we'll do you no harm.”

The others soon came round, and shaking me by the hand, declared that I was a brave little c.o.c.k, and they only wished I was one of them.

A coa.r.s.e but plentiful dinner was soon afterwards placed on the deck, the chief part of it appearing in a square iron pot, round which we sat as merry as crickets; and there was I hob-n.o.bbing with a band of smugglers as if we were the best friends in the world.

Towards evening we made the land, no cutter being in sight. I had a sovereign and a few s.h.i.+llings in my pocket, which I offered the old skipper, but he would receive nothing; and, as good as his word, as soon as it was dark, he ran in and put me on sh.o.r.e not far from Shanklin. As there was some sea on the beach, all hands got not a little wet, but they took it in good part, and wished me a hearty good-bye as I set off to clamber up the cliffs. I at length found a path which took me into the high road; as soon as I reached it I began to make the best of my way towards Ryde. My legs ached, but I ran and walked as fast as I could. I had not proceeded far when I heard the sound of wheels coming along the road. A cart soon overtook me.

”Is this the road to Ryde?” I asked.

”Yes, it be,” said the driver. ”Be you going there?”