“Oh, ay, yes; I did hear a bit of scuffling. Let ’em bide; they don’t do much mischief.”
“Not much mischief!” said the other as Hilary felt his hopes rise as he heard the noise attributed to rats. “Why, there’s a couple o’ hundred fathom o’ mack’rel net lying t’other side there gnawed full of holes.”
“What o’ that?” said the other. “Why, one such night as this, lad, is worth two months o’ mack’rel fishing.”
“Well, yes, so it be. Ah! that’s better. We shall see now what we’re about. I say, it was rather a near one with the cutter to-night. I thought she’d ha’ been down upon us.”
“Down upon us? ay! I wish her skipper was boxed up safe along with young cockchafer yonder.”
“Hang his insolence!” thought Hilary. “Young cockchafer, indeed! He’ll find me more of a wasp.”
“Think anyone sent word to the cutter?”
“Nay, not they. Who would? She’s hanging about after her boy.”
“Boy, eh? That’s I,” said Hilary again to himself. “Well, maybe I shall show ’em I can fight like a man!”
“Here, I say,” said another voice: “why don’t you two begin to stow away these kegs?”