m going to have you out of this. Now, then, Eben, bring the light
closer. Where did these fetters come from?"

"Out of a King's ship as was wrecked off Black Point, Master Aleck. We
got dozens out of the sands. They're what they use when they put men in
irons."

"Nonsense."

"I tell you they are, sir. You ask Tom Bodger if they arn't."

"Yes, they're the regular irons," said the midshipman, huskily; and
Aleck, who still held his hand, felt that he was all of a tremble.

"So, you see, Master Aleck, it's on'y fair. Tit for tat, you know."

"That will do, sir," cried the lad, sharply. "Don't be a coward as well
as cruel to this gentleman. Now, then, set down the lanthorn on one of
the stones and unlock this fetter, or whatever it is."

"Can't, sir," said the man, gruffly.

"What! I order you to do it."

"Yes, sir, I hear you, but the chain's locked round his ankle."

"Well, I know that. Unlock it."

"Well, I would, sir, as it's come to this, but I arn't got the key."

"What!" cried Aleck, with a chill of despair running through him.
"Where is it, then?"

"My missus or one of the other women's got it."

"But you said there were a lot of these irons; there must be more than
one key."

"I never saw but one, sir, and that we had up at home. It was my old
woman's idee to chain him up like this. You see, it's three or four of
them irons locked together, and one end's about his ankle and the
other's locked to the ring there that we let into the rock and fixed
with melted lead so as to fix tackle to when we wanted to haul in casks
or moor a boat."

"Then you must go and find your wife, and get it," said Aleck, firmly.

"Go up on the cliff, young gentleman, and walk right into the hands of
the boat's crew hunting for me, eh?"

"I don't care; I will have this gentleman set free. You may not meet
any of the sailors," cried Aleck, and almost at every word of his brave
standing up for the prisoner he felt himself rewarded by a warm pressure
of the hand.

"That's all right enough, Master Aleck Donne, but you know what I've
told you 'bout being made prisoner and having to nearly lose my life in
swimming for my liberty?"

"Yes, perfectly well; but I must have him cast free, even if he has to
wait a bit before he goes out of the cave."

"But you heard, too, what he said, sir, and I shouldn't be a bit
surprised if, when they caught me, they did hang me to the yard-arm of
one of their ships."

"Yes,