He was awakened by the entrance of his host, bringing him some bread and cheese, and a jug of milk.
“There,” he said, “you must be hungry by this time, youngster. It’s more than you deserve, though.”
“How long am I to be kept here?” asked Gilbert.
“I again tell you I did not want to do any one harm; on the contrary, I think you smugglers very fine fellows.”
The man laughed.
“It does not matter what you think; if Dick cannot give a good account of you, you will be sent across the seas, that I can tell you.”
Saying this, the man left the room. Gilbert was very hungry, so he ate the bread and cheese, and drank up the milk. By the light which came through a small chink in the shutter and under the door he saw that it was daytime; but hour after hour passed on, and he was still a prisoner.