“Say to us, sir?” I replied.
“Yes, answer quickly, and don’t repeat my words.”
“I didn’t know smugglers spoke to people they could not see. Hasn’t my father told you that we were in hiding?”
The lieutenant was about to say something angry; but we were coming alongside of the bay, and my father stood up, very unwillingly as I could see by his manner, and guided the men so that they might avoid the rocks.
“I suppose we could almost run the cutter in here, Captain Duncan, eh?”
“Oh, yes, I think so,” said my father, “on a very calm day. There is deep water all along, and a way could be found with ease.”
“Such as the lugger people knew, of course. Steady, my lads, steady; that’s it, on that wave.”
The men followed his instructions, and the boat was beached pretty close to the entrance to one cavern, the water being high, and we all jumped out.
“Get the lantern!” cried the lieutenant; “and light it now, coxswain.”
This was done, and two men being left in charge, the officer gave the order, swords were drawn, and he led the way in.