[Cutlass and Cudgel by George Manville Fenn]@TWC D-Link bookCutlass and Cudgel CHAPTER SEVEN 1/19
CHAPTER SEVEN. "Get away, and give the alarm ?" How could we? There was no rope and pulley up on the cliff now, and the boat was occupied by the cow; while, even if it had been empty, it would have meant a six mile row to reach a landing-place at that time of the tide, and an eight miles' walk back. And here was the cutter's gig close to them, and the lieutenant ready to ask him the meaning of the smuggled spirits being there. For there was no mistaking the fact that the kegs were full of smuggled spirit.
The one the king's men had dragged dripping from the sea, bore certain unmistakable markings, and it was evidently brother to those on the rock. Ram and Jemmy had no time for thinking; the gig was run quickly up alongside of the ledge, and Dick tossed in his oar, sprang out, sending the clear water splashing with his bare feet, as he crossed up to the kegs, and, taking one under each arm, went more slowly and cautiously back to the boat, where his messmates took them carefully, with many a chuckle and grin, to deposit them beside the others. "Now, my lad, run her alongside of the cow--I mean of the other boat," cried the lieutenant. This was quickly done, and the little officer turned sharply to where Ram and Jemmy Dadd were seated on the rock, looking on as stolidly as if nothing whatever was coming. "Hi! You, sir; come here!" cried the lieutenant. "Me, or him ?" replied Ram coolly. "You, sir." Ram got up, whistled softly, and went down to the boat. "Want some more milk ?" he said, with a grin. "Silence, sir! Do you see those ?" "What, them tubs ?" "Yes, sir." "Not till you got 'em.
Wish I had!" "I dare say you do, sir.
Now, then: how did they come there ?" "Why, your chaps put 'em there.
I see 'em just now." "No, no; I mean in the sea and on that rock." "Come there ?" said Ram, with a vacant look. "Yes, sir! How did they come there? Now, no trifling; out with it at once." "Been a wreck, p'r'aps, and they're washed up." "Bah!" cried the lieutenant. "Ah, you may say `Bah!' but they might.
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