yes, I know," said Aleck; "but--"

"But you arn't reasonable, Master Aleck. My life's as much to me as
another man's is to him, whether he's a poor fellow or a gentleman.
Now, look here, you know yourself it arn't safe for me to go out of the
cave now, is it?"

"Well, I'm afraid it is not just yet, Eben; but--"

"Wait a minute, Master Aleck. Give a man a chance. Look here; as soon
as it's dark I'll go up on to the cliff and try and get to my cottage,
and as soon as I can get the key I'll come back and let your orficer
here go loose if he'll swear as he won't show his people the way down
here."

"No," cried the midshipman, firmly; "I can't promise that."

"Not to get free, squire?" said Eben, grimly.

"N-no, I can't do that. It's my duty to help clear out this place. I
can't; don't ask me. I can't promise that."

"Look here," said Aleck, smiling; "could you lead a party down here?"

The midshipman started, and was silent.

"How did you come down here?"

"Come down? I didn't come down. I was half stunned, and then thrown
into a boat. I can just recollect feeling myself dragged out again, and
then I lay sick and giddy, just as if I was in a horrible dream, till I
awoke in the darkness to find that I was chained up here."

"Then he could not lead a party here, Eben," said Aleck; "and you could
get him out of here so that he would never know how he was taken out."

"Ah!" said the middy, sharply. "Then you two didn't come in a boat?"

"Never you mind how we came or how we didn't, my lad," said the
smuggler, "we're here; and as the game's up, Master Aleck, and all I
want to do is to keep out of the clutches of the press-gang and the law,
I'll do as I said, go up by and by and try to get the key, and if I
can't get the key I'll bring down a file."

"That will do, Eben--I'll trust you; and as you're going to do your best
now I don't think Mr--Mr--"

"Wrighton," said the middy.

"Mr Wrighton will want to be hard on a man who wants to escape from
being pressed. How long will it be before it's safe to go up?"

"I daren't go till it's midnight, my lad. I've been run too close
before, and as it is I'm not sure but what they'll be waiting for me
about my home; but anyhow I'll try."

"And I must wait till then?" said the middy, with a break in his voice.

"Yes," said Aleck; "but I shall keep my word--I'll stick by you till
you're free."

"Ah!" ejaculated the lad, and his voice sounded more natural, a