As for me, I only meant to tell my father when he returned.
So the mining people went to work, and we lads stood gazing out to sea, till suddenly Bob Chowne shouted: "I can see the cutter." He was quite right, for it proved to be the cutter, but there was no prize coming slowly behind; and when at last she came close in, the boat was lowered, and we saw my father step in and come ashore with the lieutenant, we were ready to meet them.
I wanted to speak to my father about what had happened in the night, but I had no opportunity, and it seemed that he had only been brought ashore so that he could go up to the mine, give some orders, and then return, when he was to show the lieutenant where the cave lay to which the smugglers had taken their cargo of contraband goods.
The lieutenant walked up to the mine works with my father, and as he evidently wished me to stop, I remained by the cutter's boat with my companions, and, boy-like, we began to joke the sailors for not catching the lugger.
They took it very good-temperedly, and laughed and said no one had been much hurt.
"He was too sharp for us," the coxswain said grinning; "and--my! How he did do the skipper over getting away.

He's a cunning old fox, and no mistake." "How did you lose the lugger ?" I said.
"Oh, it was too dark to do any more, and she went right in among the rocks about Stinchcombe, where we were obliged to lie to and wait for daylight.

He's a fine sailor, I will say that of him." "What, your lieutenant ?" I said.
"Oh, he's right enough.

I meant smuggler Uggleston.

He's got away, and it don't matter; we're bound to have a lot o' prize-money out of the cargo we're going to seize." "Are you going to seize it this morning ?" I asked.
"Yes, my lad; and here comes the skipper back along o' the old cappen." They were close upon us already, and we boys looked eagerly at the lieutenant, longing to go with them, but not being invited of course.
It was too much for Bob Chowne though, who spoke out.
"I say, officer," he cried, "we three saw the cargo landed night before last." "You three boys ?" "Yes," said Bob, "we were all there." "Jump in then, all of you," said the lieutenant.
We wanted no further asking, and the men pushed off and rowed straight for the little bay, where in due time we arrived in face of the caves.
"And a good snug place too," said the lieutenant.