Ralph did not trouble himself about these matters, nor did he see any reason why any one should interest himself in his movements. Had he wandered about among the hills inland he might be taken for a spy trying to find out some of the hidden stills; but sitting here at the edge of the cliff watching the sea, surely no such absurd suspicion could fall upon him. Had he been there at night the smugglers might have suspected him of keeping watch for them; but smugglers never attempted to run their cargoes in broad daylight, and he never came down there after dark. One day a peasant came strolling along. He was a powerful-looking man and carried a heavy stick. Ralph was lying on his back looking up at the clouds and did not hear the man approach till he was close to him, then with a quick movement he sprang to his feet. "I did not hear you coming," he said. "You have given me quite a start." "It's a fine day, yer honor, for sleeping on the turf here," the man said civilly. "I was not asleep," Ralph said; "though I own that I was getting on for it." "Is yer honor expecting to meet any one here?" the man asked. "Sure, it's a mighty lonesome sort of place." "No, I am not expecting any one. I have only come out for a look at the sea. I am never tired of looking at that." "It's a big lot of water, surely," the man replied, looking over the sea with an air of interest as if the sight were altogether novel to him. "A powerful lot of water. And I have heard them say that you often come out here?" "Yes, I often come out," Ralph assented. "Don't you think now it is dangerous so near the edge of the cliff, yer honor? Just one step and over you would go, and it would be ten chances to one that the next tide would drift your body away, and divil a one know what had become of you." "But I don't mean to take a false step," Ralph said. "Sure, there is many a one takes a false step when he isn't dreaming about it; and if ye didn't tumble over by yourself, just a push would do it." "Yes, but there is no one to give one a push," Ralph said. "Maybe and maybe not," the man replied. "I don't say if I was a gentleman, and could spind me time as I liked, that I would be sitting here on the edge of these cliffs, where you might come to harm any minute." "I have no fear of coming to harm," Ralph answered; "and I should be sorry for any one who tried. I always carry a pistol. Not that I think there is any chance of having to use it but it's always as well to be prepared." "It is that, yer honor, always as well; but I don't think I should be always coming out here if I was you." "Why not, my good fellow? I harm no one, and interfere with no one. Surely it is open to me to come here and look at the sea without any one taking offense at it." "That's as it may be, yer honor. Anyhow I have told you what I think of it. Good-morning to you."