y
risk, even to save the life of a fellow-creature.

"You takes time for to think on it, anyhow," cried Smallbones. "You are
going for to leave a fellow-Christian stuck like a herring in a
fishing-net, are you? You would not like it yourself, anyhow."

"It is Smallbones, sir," repeated Jemmy Ducks, "and I'll vouch for him
as a lad that's good and true."

Sir Robert no longer hesitated: "Give way, my lads, and pick him up."

In a few minutes Smallbones was hauled in over the gunwale, and was
seated on the stern-sheets opposite to Sir Robert.

"It's a great deal colder out of the water than in, that's sartain,"
observed Smallbones, shivering.

"Give way, my lads, we've no time to stay," cried Sir Robert.

"Take this, Smallbones," said Jemmy.

"Why, so it is, Jemmy Ducks!" replied Smallbones, with
astonishment--"why, how did you come here?"

"Sarcumstances," replied Jemmy; "how did you come there?"

"Sarcumstances too, Jemmy," replied Smallbones.

"Keep silence," said Sir Robert, and nothing more was said until the
lugger dashed into the cave.

The cargo was landed, and Smallbones, who was very cold, was not sorry
to assist. He carried up his load with the rest, and as usual the women
came half-way down to receive it.

"Why, who have we here?" said one of the women to whom Smallbones was
delivering his load, "why it's Smallbones."

"Yes," replied Smallbones, "it is me; but how came you here, Nancy?"

"That's tellings; but how came you, my lad?" replied Nancy.

"I came by water, any how."

"Well, you are one of us now, you know there's no going back."

"I'm sure I don't want to go back, Nancy; but what is to be done?
nothing unchristian-like, I hope."

"We're all good Christians here, Smallbones; we don't bow down to idols
and pay duty to them as other people do."

"Do you fear God, and honour the king?"

"We do; the first as much as the other people, and as for the king, we
love him and serve him faithfully."

"Well, then, I suppose that's all right," replied Smallbones; "but where
do you live?"

"Come with me, take your load up, and I will show you, for the sooner
you are there the better; the boat will be off again in half an hour if
I mistake not."

"Off, where?"

"To France, with a message to the king."

"Why, the king's in Holland! we left him there when we sailed!"

"Pooh! nonsense! come along."

When Sir Robert arrived at the cave, he found an old friend anxiously
awaiting his