“Didn’t you and the skipper find three kegs?”
“Yes, but they might have been there a month ago.”
“Why, of course, my lad. Here, let’s go and tell the skipper so. How I do hate being sent upon a wild-goose chase like this!”
The rest of the journey to the cove was performed almost in silence; they then embarked, heartily tired with their walk, and ready enough to take the rest of the burden of their journey on their hands and arms by rowing steadily and well, the tide being in their favour.
“Yes, I do hate these jobs,” said the master after a long silence. “See that the people was nodding and winking to one another as we went by their cottages?”
“Yes, I did see something of the kind once or twice,” replied Archy.
“Laughing at us, and knowing we should find out nothing, while they knew all the time.”
The first thing plainly visible as the boat approached the cutter was the head of Tally gazing contemplatively at them over the side, as if anxious to know what news there was from home, and directly after Ram and Jemmy looked over in a quiet stolid way, as if not troubled in the least by the fact that they were prisoners.
“Well, Mr Raystoke,” cried the lieutenant, as the young midshipman sprang over the side; “found the cargo and left two men in charge, eh?”
“No, sir.”