Cutlass and Cudgel Part 10

"Ram Shackle," said Jemmy gruffly. "Christen Rammylees!"

"And is this your cow?"

"No, sir!"

"Then, you young rascal, how dare you come and claim it," cried the lieutenant wrathfully.

"Because it's ours. My father's; I didn't mean it was my own."

"Can you give me some proof that it is yours?" said the lieutenant.

"Eh!" exclaimed Ram, staring.

"I say, show me that the cow is yours, and you shall have her."

"Oh," cried Ram, and he ran to the side, unfastened the rope used as a halter for the patient beast, ran right forward, and began to call, "Tally, Tally! Coosh-cow, coosh-cow!"

The effect was magical, the cow turned sharply round, stretched out her nose so as to make her windpipe straight, and uttered a low soft lowing, as she walked straight forward to where Ram stood, thrust her nose under his arm, and stood swinging her tail to and fro.

"Mr Raystoke!"

"Ay, ay, sir!" said Archy, going aft and saluting.

"It seems to be their cow; let them take it ash.o.r.e."

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"Stop. Bring the boy here," said the lieutenant.

Archy marched forward.

"Come here, boy," he said importantly; and Ram followed him to where the little fat officer stood near the helm, frowning.

"Now, sir," said the lieutenant, "I want you to answer me a few questions. What is your name--no, no, stop, you told me before. Where do you live?"

"Yonder, at the farm."

"Oh! At the farm. Look here, boy, did you ever hear of smugglers?"

"What?"

"Did you ever hear of smugglers?"

"Yes, lots o' times," said Ram glibly. "They're chaps that goes across to France and foreign countries, and brings shipfuls o' things over here."

"Yes, that's right. Ever seen any about here?"

"Well," said Ram, taking off his red cap, and scratching his curly head, "I dessay I have. Father says you never know who may be a smuggler: they're all like any one else."

"Humph! Know where they land their cargoes?"

"Oh, yes; I've heard tell as they land 'em all along the cliff here."

"Bah! Impossible," shouted the lieutenant.

"Is it, sir?" said Ram vacantly. "My father said it was true."

"Seen any smugglers' craft about during the last few days?"

"No, sir; not one," cried the boy with perfect truth.

"That will do, boy. Mr Raystoke let him take his cow and go."

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"Then get the gig alongside, and we'll explore round more of the coast close in."

"Ay, ay, sir! Now, boy, this way."

Ram looked vacantly about him, but there was a very keen twinkle about his eyes, as he followed Archy forward to where the cow stood blinking her eyes, and swinging her tail amongst the men.

"I say," he said.

"Did you speak to me, sir?" cried Archy, facing round, and frowning.

"Yes. Is that little sword sharp?"

"Of course."

"Pull it out, and let's have a look."

Archy frowned.

"Take your cow and go," he said. "She is a miserable thing without a drop of milk in her."

"What?" cried Ram, with his face becoming animated. Then he shouted to the man in the boat, "Hi! Jemmy, he says Tally's got no milk in her."

"How do he know?" cried Jem scornfully.

"Why, I tried ever so long," said d.i.c.k, who could not refrain from joining in.

"Ck!" laughed Jemmy.

"Why, she's our best cow," cried Ram. "I say skipper."

"Here, you mustn't speak to an officer like that," whispered Archy.

"What does the boy want?" said the plump little lieutenant, marching forward.