“Slack off there!” cried Craggs, as a squall struck the boat, and laid her almost over.
Billy, however, had obeyed the mandate promptly, and she soon righted, and held on her course.
“I wish they'd show the light again on shore,” muttered the Corporal; “the night is black as pitch.”
“Keep the top of the mountain a little to windward, and you 're all right,” said Billy. “I know the lough well; I used to come here all hours, day and night, once, spearing salmon.”
“And smuggling, too!” added Craggs.
“Yes, sir; brandy, and tay, and pigtail, for Mister Sheares, in Oughterard.”
“What became of him?” asked Craggs.
“He made a fortune and died, and his son married a lady!”
“Here comes another; throw her head up in the wind,” cried Craggs.
This time the order came too late; for the squall struck her with the suddenness of a shot, and she canted over till her keel lay out of water, and, when she righted, it was with the white surf boiling over her.