The Lost Middy Part 27

"And time it was done, Tom," said Aleck, impatiently. "Look, you've tired everybody out!"

Tom looked round, and laughed softly.

"Yes," he said, as he noted how to a man the fisher folk had begun to saunter away. "I see. They've been all on the fidget to go for the last half-hour."

"And no wonder; but they might have waited a bit longer, to launch her."

"She arn't ready to launch yet, my lad, and she'll be all the better for waiting till that pitch is well cooled. Besides, in less than an hour the tide'll be up all round her, and we can shove her off oursens."

"Oh, yes, of course; and as we have to go in the dark I suppose it doesn't matter to an hour."

"That's what I've been a-thinking of, Master Aleck. But, I say, do you know why they wanted to be off?"

"Hungry, I suppose."

"Nay! Not them. They're suspicious."

"What of?"

"Why, didn't you see how they kep' one eye on the man-o'-war out yonder?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well, what does that mean? They've made up their minds as boats'll come in from the sloop arter dark just to see in a friendly way if they can't pick up a few likely lads to sarve the King."

"From the smugglers who are hanging about?" said Aleck, eagerly, as he recalled what had pa.s.sed between him and Eben Megg that afternoon.

"Smugglers, or fishermen, or anyone else. All's fish that comes into a press-gang's net--'cept us, Master Aleck. They wouldn't take a young gent like you, and I should be no good to 'em now, sir," continued the poor fellow, with a ring of sadness in his voice, which gave place to a chuckle as he added, "unless they kep' me aboard the man-o'-war to poke my pins down the scupper holes to keep 'em from being choked. These here two bits o' thin board I'll nail in close together, and then we'll let the water come up all round and harden the pitch. Just you rake them ashes together, Master Aleck, so as not to let the fire go quite out. I shan't be above half an hour now, and then I shall want a light for my pipe, and by the time I've done that you'll be back again."

"Back again? I'm not going away."

"Oh, yes, you are, Master Aleck; you're going up to the little shop yonder to get a noo crusty loaf and a quarter of a pound o' cheese."

"Oh, I can't eat now, Tom," said the lad, impatiently.

"Can't yer, sir?" said Tom, with a grin. "Well, I can--like fun--and if you'll buy what I says I'll teach you how."

"Oh, of course, Tom. How thoughtless of me! I've been so anxious; but, of course, you must be very hungry! I'll go and get some bread and cheese. And you'd like a mug of beer, wouldn't you?"

"Well, Master Aleck, I wouldn't say no to a drop if it was here."

"I'll go at once, Tom, without you want me to hold the boards while you nail them."

"All right, sir. Nay, nay, don't make a blaze. Just rake the ashes together; any little ember will do to light my pipe. I say, Master Aleck, we haven't had a single boy nigh us."

"No, not one. How strange!"

"Not it, sir. Just shows as they all know about the boat, and whose game it was."

Aleck hurried off and obtained the simple provisions needed, and returned to find the last nails being driven triumphantly into the boat.

"There you are, Master Aleck," cried Tom, "and I warrant she won't leak a spoonful. There's the tide just beginning to lap up round the stern, so we'll get the rudder on again, step the mast, and put all ship-shape ready for a start, and if it's all the same to you I'll just light up my pipe at once, and smoke it as we get the tackle back in its place."

"Go on, then," said Aleck, and, after filling the bowl of his pipe, the sailor went to the glowing embers of the fire, one of which he picked up with his hardened thumb and finger, lit the tobacco, and began smoking away.

His first act was to scoop up a little water in the boat's baler and extinguish the fire.

"Too hot as it is, Master Aleck. We can feel the way to our mouths, and I'm allus mortal feared of sparks blowing about among boats and sheds."

The shipping of the rudder, the stepping of the mast, and fastening of the boat's grapnel to the ring-bolt followed. Then oars, boat-hook, and ropes were laid in, and the pair seated themselves in the darkness, to begin discussing their much-needed meal, listening the while to the whispering and lapping of the water, Aleck thinking anxiously of how uneasy his uncle would be.

"How soon shall we be able to start, Tom?" he said.

There was a strange sound which made Aleck start.

"What?" he cried. "What's the matter?"

"Beg pardon, Master Aleck; couldn't say it no better. Mouth was full o'

hard crust."

"How long before we start?"

"Good hour, sir. There's a lot o' shallow yonder."

"Oh!" cried Aleck, impatiently. "Let's get some of the fishermen to come and launch us."

"I don't think you'd find anyone as would come, sir. They're all lying low somewhere for fear o' the press-gang."

"Nonsense! Here they come, a lot of them, to get us off."

"Why, so they be," grumbled Tom, in a disappointed way. "Can't see no faces, but--Master Aleck," he whispered, sharply, "it's them!"

"Well, I said so," began Aleck, impatiently; but he got no farther, the words being checked by a feeling of astonishment. For a voice suddenly exclaimed:

"Quick, lads; surround!" and a hand was laid sharply upon the lad's collar, while two men grappled Tom.

"Now, then," he growled, "what is it?"

"Hold your noise, or you'll have a fist in your mouth," said a sharp voice. "Who are you?"

"Name Bodger. AB, King's Navee. Pensioner for wounds. See?"

It was dark, but the shooting out of Tom's wooden legs at right angles to his body from where he sat was plain enough to all of the group of well-armed sailors who surrounded the boat.

"What are you doing here?"

"Eating my supper; been mending our boat."