Dinny looked at Mary and gave her a droll cock of the eye, which made her frown and look uneasy.
“Sure, Misther Jack,” he said, coolly, “don’t you think they’re a bit hard on a boy?”
“Hard?” said Mary, shortly.
“Av coorse. They knocked me down and took away me mushket and bagnet, and there they are in the bottom of the boat. Then they made me get over the gate and eshcape wid ’em; and, now they’re safe, they want to put me ashore.”
“We can’t take you with us,” said Abel, shortly.
“Aisy, now! Think about it, sor. Ye’re going for a holiday, sure; and under the circumstances I’d like one too. There! I see what ye’re a-thinking—that I’d bethray ye. Sure, and I’m a Kelly, and ye never knew a Kelly do a dirthy thrick to anyone. Did I shout for help last night when you towld me not?”
“You were afraid,” growled Bart.
“Afraid!—me afraid! Did ye ever hear of a Kelly who was afraid? No, sor; I said to meself, ‘The poor boys are making a run for it, and I’ll let them go.’ Sure, and I did, and here ye are.”
“It would not be wise to go near the shore now,” said Mary, in a whisper to her brother. “You have nothing to fear from him.”
Abel glanced at the happy, contented face before him, and then turned to Bart.