Part 59 (1/2)

”You three boys?”

”Yes, and Captain Duncan,” replied Bob.

”And what did the smuggler say to you?” said the lieutenant, turning sharply on me.

”Say to us, _sir_?” I replied.

”Yes, answer quickly, and don't repeat my words.”

”I didn't know smugglers spoke to people they could not see. Hasn't my father told you that we were in hiding?”

The lieutenant was about to say something angry; but we were coming alongside of the bay, and my father stood up, very unwillingly as I could see by his manner, and guided the men so that they might avoid the rocks.

”I suppose we could almost run the cutter in here, Captain Duncan, eh?”

”Oh, yes, I think so,” said my father, ”on a very calm day. There is deep water all along, and a way could be found with ease.”

”Such as the lugger people knew, of course. Steady, my lads, steady; that's it, on that wave.”

The men followed his instructions, and the boat was beached pretty close to the entrance to one cavern, the water being high, and we all jumped out.

”Get the lantern!” cried the lieutenant; ”and light it now, c.o.xswain.”

This was done, and two men being left in charge, the officer gave the order, swords were drawn, and he led the way in.

As he reached the mouth he placed two men as sentries at the entrance of the other hole where the water rained down, and turned to my father.

”You need not enter unless you like, captain. We may have a brush, for some of the scoundrels are perhaps still here. By the way, where's the ledge where you people were hidden?”

”Up there,” said Bob promptly, and I saw the officer scan the place.

”What, coming?” said the lieutenant.

”Yes,” replied my father; ”but I think these lads ought to stand aside in case of danger.”

”Yes,” was the short response. ”Here, boys, you stop here. You are not armed,” he added with a sneering laugh.

”I only wish we had your father's cutla.s.ses here, Sep,” whispered Bob, ”and we'd show them.”

We stood back as the man went first with the lantern, closely followed by the lieutenant with his drawn sword; and we waited as the last disappeared in the opening, fully expecting to hear shots fired.

But all was perfectly still, and Bigley was creeping slowly nearer and nearer to the opening when Bob Chowne made a rush.

”Here, you chaps get all the fun,” he exclaimed. ”I shall go in and see.”

The two sentries laughed, for they were big brown good-tempered looking fellows, and in we all three went, to find ourselves in quite a long rugged pa.s.sage, running upward and opening into a big hollow at the end, where the lantern was being used to peer in all directions, till it was evident that nothing was there.

”We're in the wrong hole,” said the officer. ”Now, my lads, forward!”

He went sharply out into the daylight again, to where the two sentries were on guard, and entered quickly, pa.s.sing through the dripping water closely followed by his men.