Part 69 (1/2)
”No,” said Ra has that Sir Risdon Graeler?”
”Hiood as made him lend us his cellar, because it was nice and handy, and nobody would think of going and searching there Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Ra his white teeth; ”you people went up there one day and touched your hats to Sir Risdon, and were afraid to go close up to the house, when all the time the cellar was choke full”
”I remember,” said the midshi+pman; ”and I found it out But look here, Raentleman, lend him the cellar?”
”'Cause father andwithout father knowing, and taking 'es They just are poor Mother used to send me, and she often used to tell me that they was 'et anything by the s?”
”Hi of brandy for hiet hot that day carrying of 'em up the hill It was last summer”
”Yes; and what did Sir Risdon say?”
”Say? He 'most shi+ed 'em at me, and I had to carry 'em back My! That was a hot day and no mistake”
Somehow Archy felt relieved about the Graemes, and, after a little consideration, he went and reported all he had heard to the lieutenant, who nodded his head, looked severe, and ordered the two boats to be manned
The midshi+pman took the order on deck, and Ra now? You'll have to row all the way to the cove and walk all the way along by the cliffs If you wait till the tide's right out, you can get in through Grabley's hole”
Archy reported this, and in due tie of the cutter, the lieutenant went off in one boat, and the other was in Archy's charge
It all seeh the opening, left the boats in the little pool, cli which the little lieutenant wiped his strea face, and recovered his breath
Then the party marched for the farm, where, red-eyed, and her florid face , Mrs Shackle met them
”Well, woman,” said the lieutenant severely; ”I have to search this place”
”If you please, sir,” said the woman humbly
”One moment Answer me honestly Is there any contraband article stored about the farm?”
”No, sir, and never was”
”Humph! That's what your son said”
”My son? Oh, pray, pray tell entlemen, is he safe? I heard that he was burned to death”
”Your son is quite well, aboard my shi+p”
”Thank God! Oh, thank God!” cried the poor wo upon her knees to cover her face with her hands, sobbing violently, and rocking herself to and fro
”There!” she cried, ju her eyes; ”I've no cause to fret now”
”He has volunteered for the navy,” continued the lieutenant; ”and if he is a good lad, we shall make a man of him”