“I don’t care what you say,” I replied. “I’m sure this is how they’ve got away.”
“Well, let’s hear,” said Bob, and Bigley’s eyes flashed with eagerness.
“Why, they haven’t got away at all,” I said. “They wouldn’t dare to go down Channel after getting the cargo out of the cave, for fear of meeting the cutter just at daybreak.”
“And you think they’ve gone up towards Bristol?” cried Bigley excitedly.
“Yes,” I said; “and they are lying up somewhere over yonder on the Welsh coast till to-night, when they’ll be off again.”
“That’s it,” said Bigley. “I’m sure that’s it.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Bob sharply. “And if it is true, I’m ashamed of you both. Here’s Sep Duncan taking part with the smugglers, and old Big hitting the officers in the eye, and bragging about his father. I shall look out for some fresh mates, that’s what I shall do.”
“Come and have some tea and dinner first, Bob,” I said mockingly.
“Yes, I’ll have some food first, for I’m getting hungry. My, what a game, though! How old Big did run when the lieutenant was going to give him a pill! Ha, ha, ha!”
We strolled about the shore, and then went into the cottage for a bit, and that afforded Bob another opportunity for a few sneers about this being Bigley’s home now, addressing him as the master of the house, bantering him about being stingy with his cider, and finally jumping up as he saw my father coming down from the mine, and then we all went over to the Bay to our evening meal.