The Legend of the Phantom Highwayman by Tom McCaughren Page B

way as quickly and as quietly as they could, back the way they had come. Behind them they could hear Whaler and Scamp scrambling up the slippery slope. Pausing at the iron gate, they wondered where to hide. Nearby was the tunnel where they had got lost. They weren’t going to go in there again.
    â€˜Into the boat,’ said Tapser. ‘Quick’.
    Climbing on board, they crawled in under the canvas and lay still just as Whaler and Scamp arrived.
    â€˜No one here, boss,’ they heard Whaler say.
    â€˜Then take out the boat,’ ordered Max. ‘Quickly, we have no time to lose.’
    The engine started and Tapser and Róisín could feel the boat moving out of the cave. Now and then it scraped against the sides. Then they felt it smashing against the waves, and finally settling down to a steady rise and fall as it reached the open sea.
    â€˜I wonder where we’re going?’ whispered Róisín.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ replied Tapser from the darkness beside her. ‘If only we could see out.’
    â€˜I think we’re at the bow,’ said Róisín. ‘That means Whaler and Scamp are probably back at the tiller.’
    Slowly they eased themselves up round to a sitting position. They parted the canvas cover where it was folded over in front of them. It was dark, and at first they couldn’t see a thing. Gradually, as their eyes adjusted to the night, they could make out the stars. The stars rose and fell before them and the noise of the engine was deafening as it pushed the boat further out to sea.
    After a while they began to feel cramped from sitting in the same position for so long. They were also beginning to feel seasick when the tone of the engine changed and they started to slow down.
    â€˜We’re coming to land,’ said Tapser. ‘I can just make out the cliffs.’
    â€˜That’s not land,’ Róisín told him. ‘That’s a ship.’
    â€˜You’re right. I can see it more clearly now.’
    â€˜It’s got its lights switched off. But it looks like a cargo ship.’
    â€˜I bet it’s the one from the harbour,’ said Tapser. ‘Remember, Peppi said it left yesterday.’
    Before they could say anything more, Whaler shouted ‘Ahoy!’ and from high in the darkness came an answering call. They were close to the ship now and soon it was looming over them like a solid black wall. There were many voices, foreign voices, and Whaler and Scamp were talking back up to them.
    A few minutes later there was the sound of wheels turning aboard the ship, and the clanking of a chain. Under the canvas, Tapser and Róisín heard Scamp scurrying around before climbing on top of the crates and tightening something up around them.
    â€˜Oh, no,’ whispered Róisín. ‘We’re being winched on board!’
    Above them, unseen eyes watched as the consignment of crates was lifted from the lobster boat, swung in over the ship and lowered into a darkened hold. There was a bump, and the canvas cover went slack. With hearts thumping, Tapser and Róisín waited to be discovered. The minutes ticked by. They could hear voices far above them.
    â€˜I wonder what’s happening?’ whispered Róisín.
    Cautiously they peeped out. As they did so, the covers of the hold were drawn shut and lights were switched on. They waited, but still nothing happened.
    â€˜Come on,’ said Tapser.
    Pulling aside the canvas, they scrambled across the floor of the hold and hid behind some large wooden boxes. A short time later they saw some men coming down into the hold. The men removed the canvas cover from the crates and stacked them to one side.
    When the men had gone, Tapser said, ‘It says spa water on the crates, but I bet it’s poteen.’
    â€˜So that’s how they do it,’ muttered Róisín. ‘The ship leaves the harbour with spa water, and then they swap