CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
Gurr continued his search till it was quite dark, and then tramped his men back to the cove, where the boat-keeper was summoned, and the boat with her crew, saving Dick, were sent back to the cutter, one of the men bearing a message from Gurr to say that he was going to stay ashore till he had found Mr Raystoke, and asking the lieutenant to send the boat back for him if he did not approve.
It was a very dark row back to the cutter, but her lights shone out clearly over the smooth sea, forming good beacons for the men to follow till the boat was run alongside.
"Got them, Mr Gurr ?" came from the deck.
"No sir, and Mr Gurr's stopping at one of the fishermen's cottages ashore to keep on the search." "Tut, tut!" ejaculated the lieutenant as he turned away and began to pace the deck.
"Beg'n' pardon, sir, Mr Gurr said--" "Well, well, well, what did Mr Gurr say?
Pity he did not do more and not say so much." "Said as his dooty, sir, and would you send the boat for him if you did not think he'd done right." "No, sir! His Majesty's boats are wanted for other purposes than running to and fro to fetch him aboard.

Let him stay where he is till he finds Mr Raystoke and brings him back aboard." "Dear, dear," muttered the lieutenant as he walked to and fro.

"To think of the boy being missing like this .-- Now you, sirs, in with that boat .-- Where can he be?
Not the lad to go off on any prank .-- There, go below and get something to eat, my lads .-- All comes of being sent into a miserable little boat like this to hunt smugglers." "Ahoy!" came from forward.
"What's that ?" cried the lieutenant, and an answer came from out of the blackness ahead.
"What boat's that ?" shouted the man on the watch.

"Mine," came in a low growl.

"What is it ?" "Want to see the skipper." There was a little bustle forward, in the midst of which a boat came up alongside, and the man in it was allowed to come on board.
He was a big, broad-shouldered, heavy fellow, with rough black beard and dark eyes, which glowered at those around as a lanthorn was held up by one of the men.