Part 16 (1/2)

”Yes,” said Aleck, ”if their hoofs weren't covered over with bits of canvas and a few handfuls of hay”

”What!”

”I found one that a horse had kicked off on the road one , Eben,”

said the boy ”Ah! I see now”

”See--see what?” said the rough, fisher was so anxious that I shouldn't co?” cried the o the other way Behaved just like a silly plover which wants to prove to you that it has no nest on the 's an old fool,” cried the man, fiercely

”Yes, he is a thick-headed old noodle, Eben; I wouldn't trust him”

”Then because he did that hehid sorily

”No, I didn't think anything of the kind till just this minute, but I see now You're notto throw me off the scent too, and now I knoell as if I could see it that you people have been running a cargo, and you've got it hidden in one of the caves or sunk in one of the holes”

”What yer talking about?”

”Soods, Eben I could find it if I tried now”

The , and ly ferocious, evidently thinking that the boy would turn and run away But Aleck stood fast, not even stirring when thehis doubled fists upon his hips and thrusting out his lower jaw in a peculiarly ani to look and see if you can find so to send word to the Revenue cutter men to fetch it, are yer?”

”Who says I am?” said Aleck, sharply

”Who says it? Why, I do,to do, is it?”

”No,” said the lad, coolly enough ”Why should I? It's no business ofone hand to rub his short, crisp, black beard ”No,” he said, after a pause, ”it arn't no business of yours, is it?”

”Of course not,” said the boy, coolly ”I don't want to knohere the run cargo's hidden, and I wasn't looking for it I only cas if I saw any that I hadn't got”

The ht wrist tightly, leaning forward as if to pierce his eyes with the fierce look he gave

”Don't do that--you hurt!” cried Aleck, sharply

”Yes, I rowled the man ”Now, then, look at ? You hurt o, or I shall hit out”

”You'll do what?” cried the big fellow, rasp to a painful extent, when _spank_! Aleck's left fist flew out, striking the ht cheek, not a heavy blow, but as hard as the boy could deliver, haed close to his assailant's breast