Oh! you know, reader; if you have ever been in similar circumstances,
you _understand_ what he felt; if you have not, no words from me, or
from any other man, can ever convey to you the most distant idea of
_what_ Ruby felt on that occasion!
On reaching the shore they all went up to the green banks at the foot of
the cliffs, and turned round to watch the men as they pulled the boat to
a convenient point for re-embarking at a moment's notice.
"You see," said the lieutenant, pursuing a conversation which he had
been holding with the captain, "I have been told that Big Swankie, and
his mate Davy Spink (who, it seems, is not over-friendly with him just
now), mean to visit one of the luggers which is expected to come in
to-night, before the moon rises, and bring off some kegs of Auchmithie
water, which, no doubt, they will try to hide in Dickmont's Den. I
shall lie snugly here on the watch, and hope to nab them before they
reach that celebrated old smuggler's abode."
"Well, I'll stay about here," said the captain, "and show Minnie the
caves. I would like to have taken her to see the Gaylet Pot, which is
one o' the queerest hereabouts; but I'm too old for such rough work
now."
"But _I_ am not too old for it," interposed Ruby, "so if Minnie would
like to go--"
"But I won't desert _you_, uncle," said Minnie hastily.
"Nay, lass, call it not desertion. I can smoke my pipe here, an'
contemplate. I'm fond of contemplation--
"`By the starry light of the summer night,
On the banks of the blue Moselle,'
"Though, for the matter o' that, moonlight'll do, if there's no stars.
I think it's good for the mind, Minnie, and keeps all taut.
Contemplation is just like takin' an extra pull on the lee braces. So
you may go with Ruby, lass."
Thus advised, and being further urged by Ruby himself, and being
moreover exceedingly anxious to see this cave, Minnie consented; so the
two set off together, and, climbing to the summit of the cliffs,
followed the narrow footpath that runs close to their giddy edge all
along the coast.
In less than half an hour they reached the Giel or Gaylet Pot.