“Yes,” growled the rough-looking fellow, half-fisherman half farm-labourer. “And don’t you ’member the big tub o’ sugar, as was all soaked with water, till she was like treacle?”
“Ay, and the—”
“That will do—that will do!” cried the lieutenant.
“Washed up, eh? What’s in those kegs?”
“I know,” cried Ram, showing his teeth, and looking at Archy. “Full o’ hoysters! Give us one!”
“Come, sir; this won’t do for me. You know as well as I do what’s in those kegs. Where are the rest?”
“Rest?” said Ram, looking round. “Are there any more of ’em?”
“Yes, I’ll be bound there are. Now, then, out with it, if you want to save your skin.”
“Skin? That’s what father said this morning about the cow; but she wasn’t drowned.”
“Look here, boy. All this sham innocency won’t do for me. Now, then, if you will tell me where the other kegs are, you shall have a reward; if you don’t, you’ll go to prison as sure as you’re there. Jump ashore, two of you, and arrest them before they run.”