k, to protect that pitch; and
then we'll say done."

"And time it was done, Tom," said Aleck, impatiently. "Look, you've
tired everybody out!"

Tom looked round, and laughed softly.

"Yes," he said, as he noted how to a man the fisher folk had begun to
saunter away. "I see. They've been all on the fidget to go for the
last half-hour."

"And no wonder; but they might have waited a bit longer, to launch her."

"She arn't ready to launch yet, my lad, and she'll be all the better for
waiting till that pitch is well cooled. Besides, in less than an hour
the tide'll be up all round her, and we can shove her off oursens."

"Oh, yes, of course; and as we have to go in the dark I suppose it
doesn't matter to an hour."

"That's what I've been a-thinking of, Master Aleck. But, I say, do you
know why they wanted to be off?"

"Hungry, I suppose."

"Nay! Not them. They're suspicious."

"What of?"

"Why, didn't you see how they kep' one eye on the man-o'-war out
yonder?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well, what does that mean? They've made up their minds as boats'll
come in from the sloop arter dark just to see in a friendly way if they
can't pick up a few likely lads to sarve the King."

"From the smugglers who are hanging about?" said Aleck, eagerly, as he
recalled what had passed between him and Eben Megg that afternoon.

"Smugglers, or fishermen, or anyone else. All's fish that comes into a
press-gang's net--'cept us, Master Aleck. They wouldn't take a young
gent like you, and I should be no good to 'em now, sir," continued the
poor fellow, with a ring of sadness in his voice, which gave place to a
chuckle as he added, "unless they kep' me aboard the man-o'-war to poke
my pins down the scupper holes to keep 'em from being choked. These
here two bits o' thin board I'll nail in close together, and then we'll
let the water come up all round and harden the pitch. Just you rake
them ashes together, Master Aleck, so as not to let the fire go quite
out. I shan't be above half an hour now, and then I shall want a light
for my pipe, and by the time I've done that you'll be back again."

"Back again? I'm not going away."

"Oh, yes, you are, Master Aleck; you're going up to the little shop
yonder to get a noo crusty loaf and a quarter of a pound o' cheese."

"Oh, I can't eat now, Tom," said the lad, impatiently.

"Can't yer, sir?" said Tom, with a grin. "Well, I can--like fun--and if
you'll buy what I says I'll