Part 39 (2/2)
”Not a bad place,” said Aleck; ”and it's easy enough to get in and out when you kno”
”One moment,” said the officer; ”here are plenty of cracks and crevices in the sides of this rift or cave, or whatever you call it, where a fellow ood loud hail or two!
Raven--ahoy!”
The hail rang out, theup a broadside of echoes as if the shout ran along zigzag to the mouth of the place before the hail passed out to sea, while at the first roar athemselves off the shelf and flew up to the surface and away over the cliffs, shrieking and screaain, and as soon as the echoes had died out sent forth a louder roar than ever; but there was no answering cry, and the lieutenant turned disappointed away
”He is evidently not here,” he said ”Forward,tack, squire,” he continued, speaking to Aleck ”Look here; I' each way as close in as we can get for the rocks Heone of the scuffles and then swuet on account of deep water”
”That seems likely,” said Aleck ”Like lers' caves?”
”Oh, no; little places where you couldn't row in, but where anyone ht hide”
”Ah, that's better,” said the officer ”You'll do that?”
”Of course I will,” said Aleck; and after a short visit to the house Aleck led the boat's crew and their leader across the cliff and down the rough descent, feeling greatly relieved on finding that there was not a fisherht, for he was pretty certain that his appearance in coht prove to be a very unco
In due time the beach was reached, and the keepers of the sloop's boat backed in to allow the officer and crew to get aboard, after which there was an order or two given, and then they rowed out a short distance and, keeping in as close as possible, visited cave and crevice for about half aover weed-hung sli to continue the search in the opposite direction far past the entrance to the Den, before rowing back after an exhaustive search
The officer gave the word to stop as the entrance to Aleck's boat haven was reached, and, under guidance, rowed and poled up till he could land
”Thank you for all you've done, youngster,” said the lieutenant; ”it has been a barren search, but I shall give up for to-day Maybe I shall look you up again Meantime I hope you'll keep your ears open, and if you can pick up anything worth having hoist a white tablecloth or sheet on your boat's ht, burn one of the blue lights I'll leave with you Neither of these things will be fighting against your neighbours the s us to find ourmore friends than you know You'll do this for us?”
”Of course,” said Aleck, eagerly
”Hand out three of those blue lights, coxswain! Next ti you a rocket or two There; thankye, and good day!”
”Good day,” said Aleck; ”but can you make your way out?”
”My lads will, never fear,” said the lieutenant, and Aleck stood with the blue lights in his hand, watching the boat till it passed round one of the angles and was out of sight, when he turned round, to find that he was not alone
”You here, To in the shadow of the boat haven, close up to the dark rocks
”Me it is, sir”
”What is it--any news?”
”Me, sir? No; on'y what I got when I co here Say, Master Aleck, I told yer so”
”Yes, Toged out; let's get up to the house I want some dinner You want some too, don't you?”
”Oh, I dunno, sir! I had o What time is it?”