“Oh, I’m not going to run any risks!” said Aleck, coolly. “I know it’s dangerous.”
“Very,” said the hunted man, in a peculiar tone and with a peculiar look. “You stand fast, my lad.”
He had for some time released his hold of the lad, and turned to re-mount the rock.
“What are you going to do?” said Aleck.
“Hush! Don’t shout like that, youngster. Don’t I tell you the cutter’s men saw me and are after me?”
“Oh, yes; of course,” said Aleck, coolly; “but, look here; you hide a bit, and I’ll call them.”
“What!” gasped the smuggler, in his astonishment. “What for? To take me?”
“No, no! They could help to find the poor fellow lying somewhere below there.”
“No, they couldn’t,” said the man, fiercely. “You be quiet there, I say.”
“Well, of course you don’t want to be taken, and I don’t want them to take you, Eben.”