“Then he could not lead a party here, Eben,” said Aleck; “and you could get him out of here so that he would never know how he was taken out.”
“Ah!” said the middy, sharply. “Then you two didn’t come in a boat?”
“Never you mind how we came or how we didn’t, my lad,” said the smuggler, “we’re here; and as the game’s up, Master Aleck, and all I want to do is to keep out of the clutches of the press-gang and the law, I’ll do as I said, go up by and by and try to get the key, and if I can’t get the key I’ll bring down a file.”
“That will do, Eben—I’ll trust you; and as you’re going to do your best now I don’t think Mr—Mr—”
“Wrighton,” said the middy.
“Mr Wrighton will want to be hard on a man who wants to escape from being pressed. How long will it be before it’s safe to go up?”
“I daren’t go till it’s midnight, my lad. I’ve been run too close before, and as it is I’m not sure but what they’ll be waiting for me about my home; but anyhow I’ll try.”
“And I must wait till then?” said the middy, with a break in his voice.
“Yes,” said Aleck; “but I shall keep my word—I’ll stick by you till you’re free.”
“Ah!” ejaculated the lad, and his voice sounded more natural, as he added, in a low tone to Aleck: “Don’t think me a coward, please. You don’t know what it is to be shut up in a place like this.”