e smuggler suddenly ceased his desperate efforts to get
free, and lay perfectly still.

"He's turned over a noo leaf, Master Aleck, and p'raps I shall manage
him now. I say, wish I hadn't put them two pieces o' board over the
pitch; he's got it just under his back, and it would have helped to hold
him still."

"Who's that?" said the smuggler, hoarsely.

"It's me, what there is left on me," growled Tom. "Great ugly rough
'un. Best thing you can do will be smuggle me a noo blue shirt from
Jarsey."

"Tom Bodger?"

"Tom Bodger it is."

"Why are you sitting on me? I thought--"

"You thought," growled Tom, scornfully. "What right's a chap like you
to think?"

"But I thought the press-gang had got me."

"Well, I was pressing on yer as hard as I could to keep yer from
shouting and flying out of the boat. Here's Master Aleck and me getting
oursens into no end o' trouble to keep you out o' the press-gang's
hands, and you begins shouting to 'em to come and take you."

"I'm very sorry, mate. I s'pose I was off my head a bit--seemed to wake
up out of a bad dream about fighting. Yes, that's it; I recollect now.
Where's the gang?"

"Cruising about trying to find us."

"It's so dark. Where are we?"

"Somewheers out beyond the pier head, and it's all as black as the
inside of a barrel o' pitch. Keep quiet; don't talk so loud."

"No, mate," said the smuggler, petulantly; "but I'm not quite myself. I
got a crack on the head from something; I've been bleeding a bit. But,
tell me, are we safe?"

"Dunno yet. Hope so."

"Am I lying in Master Aleck's boat?"

"Yes, on yer back," growled Tom. "Are yer comfy? I put in a nice noo
bit o' pine board 'sevening for yer to lie on."

"No; of course I'm not comf'table with you sitting on me."

"Course you arn't. Think I am with that great brass buckle o' yourn
sticking in the bottom o' my chest?"

"Is Master Aleck there?" said the smuggler, after a short pause.

"Yes, I'm here, Eben, steering."

"Ah, I can see you now, sir."

"No, yer can't," growled Tom, "so none o' your lies. Just because you
want to be civil to the young master."

"I tell you I can see him quite plain. Think I've got eyes like a
mole?"

"Look out then, and tell us where we are."

"How can I look out with my head down here?"

"Let him get up, Tom," said Aleck.

"Easy, Master Aleck. Let's make sure first as he won't go off his head
again."

"I shan't go off my head again now I'