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The Rival Crusoes

by William Henry Giles Kingston · English · Gutenberg #23071 · 619,069 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: The Rival Crusoes

Author: William Henry Giles Kingston


        
Release date: October 17, 2007 [eBook #23071]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23071

Credits: Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL CRUSOES ***




Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England




The Rival Crusoes, by W.H.G. Kingston
________________________________________________________________________
Our hero is the sixteen-year-old Dick Hargrave, son of a farmer near
Keyhaven on the Hampshire coast. A good deal of smuggling went on in
that area, but the Hargraves, although turning a blind eye if their
barns were used by the smugglers for temporary storage, were not
involved. The local landlord had been a politician who had been
ennobled and who was now a marquis. One of his sons, Lord Reginald (for
Lord is the courtesy-title of younger sons of a marquis) was in the
Navy. Dick is press-ganged into the navy, and finds himself in the same
ship as Lord Reginald, who does all he can to make Dick's life a
misery. On one occasion Dick jumps ship and goes back home to visit his
family, but is recognised by Lord Reginald.

Before he can be punished there is an engagement with the French in
which Dick distinguishes himself, and the Captain agrees to dispense
with the flogging he should have received.

The ship is posted to the Far East station but is shipwrecked. Both
Dick and Lord Reginald survive the wreck and become "Crusoes", still
with a deadly rivalry. But Lord Reginald is an incompetent, and would
not have survived, had not Dick rescued him, and brought him back to
health. Lord Reginald apologises for his past behaviour. Eventually
they get back to England, and the story ends there.

In a preface Kingston explains that he has taken a much earlier novel
written by a young lady, and has rewritten it with as much improvement
as he can make.

________________________________________________________________________
THE RIVAL CRUSOES, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.



PREFACE.

The title of the following tale was given to a short story written by
the well-known authoress, Agnes Strickland, more than half a century
ago, when she was about eighteen years old.  I well remember the intense
delight with which I read it in my boyhood, and was lately surprised to
find that it had been so long out of print.  The publishers, however,
consider that the work, esteemed as it was in former years, is, from the
style and the very natural mistakes of a young lady discernible with
regard to matters nautical, scarcely suited to the taste of the present
day.  They therefore requested me to re-write it, believing that the
subject might be worked into a deeply interesting story of much larger
proportions than the original.  This I have endeavoured to accomplish,
and I trust that the new version of "The Rival Crusoes" may become as
popular among the present generation as its predecessor was with the
last.

W.H.G.  Kingston.



CHAPTER ONE.

AT KEYHAVEN--IN DANGEROUS COMPANY--THE OLD SMUGGLER--A FRIGATE AFTER
BATTLE--DISLIKE OF BEN FOR THE ROYAL NAVY--AN UNEXPECTED LANDING--
OVERBEARING CONDUCT OF THE MIDSHIPMEN--ANGRY WORDS--LORD REGINALD
OSWALD--TOADY VOULES--AT THE VILLAGE INN--OLD MESSMATES--TEMPTATION--
SUSAN RUDALL'S ANXIOUS LIFE--AN ADVENTURE ON THE WAY TO ELVERSTON--HOME
AT LAST--RECEPTION AT THE HALL.

"I tell you what, Dick, if I was Farmer Hargrave I would not turn out to
please Lord Elverston or any other lord in the land," exclaimed Ben
Rudall, as he stood hammering away at the side of his boat, which lay
drawn up on the inner end of Hurst beach, near the little harbour of
Keyhaven, on the Hampshire coast, at the western entrance of the Solent,
opposite the Isle of Wight.  His dress and weather-beaten countenance,
as well as the work he was engaged on, showed that he was a seafaring
man.

"But Mr Gooch the bailiff says there is a flaw, as he calls it, in the
lease; but what that means I don't know, except that it's not all right,
and that father must turn out, whether he likes it or not," answered
Dick Hargrave, who was standing near, and occasionally giving Ben a
helping hand.  He was a lad about sixteen years of age, strongly built,
with a good-looking face, exhibiting a firm and determined expression.
His dress was more that of a landsman than of a sailor, though it
partook of both.

"Flaw or no flaw, I say again, I would hold on fast to the farm, unless
I was turned out by force.  Your father, Dick, is worth ten of such
lords, or a hundred, for that matter.  He has held that farm since his
father's time.  His father and grandfather and great-grandfather, and I
don't know how many before them, have held it.  And right honest people
they were.  They never thought of interfering with us seafaring men, and
would as soon turn spies to the French as give notice to the revenue
when a cargo was to be run.  If they guessed that any kegs of spirits,
or packages of silks or ribbons, were stowed away in one of their barns,
they took good care not to be prying about too closely until they knew
that the goods had been started off for London."

"My father always wished to live at peace with his neighbours, and would
not injure a smuggler more than any other man who did not interfere with
him, though I believe he has never received a keg of brandy or a piece
of silk for any service he may have done the smugglers," said Dick.

"You're right there, my lad," said Ben.  "I mind once offering your good
mother a few yards of stuff to make her a Sunday gown, and, would you
believe it? she would not take them.  When I just hinted that I should
leave them behind me, she was quite offended, and declared that if I did
she would speak to your father and have the outhouses kept closed, and
that it would be our own fault if some day all our goods were seized.
She shut me up, I can tell you.  Yes, she is a good woman, and as kind
and charitable to the poor as any lady in the land.  To my fancy she is
a lady just as much as Lord Elverston's wife.  I mind when he was only
Squire Oswald.  Because he kept hounds and was in Parliament, and came
into a heap of money, he got made a lord, and then a marquis, and now he
is setting his face against all us seafaring men hereabouts, and vows
that he must uphold the revenue laws, and put a stop to smuggling."

"I have no cause to care for the Marquis of Elverston or his sons
either, for often when I have passed them and touched my hat, as in
decent manners I was bound to do, they have looked at me as if I was a
beggar-boy asking for a ha'penny.  The young one especially--Lord
Reginald--I had words with him one day, when he swore at me for not
picking up his whip which he had let drop out riding; and at another
time, when I was fishing in the lake at Elverston, he ordered me to be
off, because I was catching more than he was--though father has always
had the right of fishing there.  He came up, with his fists doubled; but
I threatened to knock him into the water if he laid hands on me, and he
thought better of it.  I was right glad when he went off to sea, where I
hope he will have learned better manners."

"He will have learned to become a greater bully than ever," growled Ben.
"I have heard enough about king's ships, and catch me setting foot on
board one.  I'd sooner be sent to Botany Bay, or spend a year in prison,
which I did once, when I was taken running a cargo down Portland way
with a dozen other fine fellows.  Many of them accepted the offer to go
on board a man-of-war; and where are they now?  Three or four shot or
drowned; the rest have never come back, though whether dead or alive I
cannot tell.  No, no, Dick; don't you ever go on board a man-of-war of
your own free will, or you'll repent it; and, I say, keep clear of
pressgangs when you get a little older, or you may be having to go,
whether you like it or no."

"I'll take your advice," answered the young farmer, for such Dick might
properly have been called, though he had besides, being an ingenious
fellow, picked up a good knowledge of carpentering and boat-building;
"but what I was going to say just now was that, although the marquis and
his sons may not be liked, no one can utter a word against my lady and
her daughters.  They always smile and nod kindly like when one passes.
When my sister Janet was ill last year, they came to the farm, and asked
after her just as if she had been one of themselves, talking so sweet
and gentle.  If it wasn't for them, I don't think father would dream of
giving in, as he does now."

"Give in?  He mustn't do that!" exclaimed Ben.  "Their talking and
smiling may be all very fine, but I know what that's worth."

"You are wrong there, Ben; I couldn't speak a word against them.  But, I
say, do you think we can finish the boat in time to get off and catch
some fish this evening?  I want to take home a couple of bass or whiting
pout for Janet.  She likes them better than anything else.  Poor girl!
it's only fish and such light things she can eat.  She's very ill, I
fear, though she talks as if she was going to be about soon; but the
doctor tells mother he has no hope of her ever being well again."

"That will be a sore pity, for, blind though she is, there's not a
prettier maiden to be found throughout the forest," answered Ben.  "I'll
do my best to serve you, Dick; but there's two hours' more work to be
done before we can get the craft afloat."  Ben surveyed the boat from
stem to stern as he spoke, and then continued boring holes and driving
nails as diligently as before.

While he was thus employed, Dick, who was looking towards the Isle of
Wight, exclaimed, "See, Ben, see, what a fine ship yonder is, just come
in at the Needles!"

The fisherman, clenching the nail he had just driven in, turned his eyes
in the direction to which Dick pointed.  "She's only a frigate, though a
good big one," he remarked.  "She's not long since been in action, too,
with the enemy.  Look at her topsails and top-gallant sails; they are
pretty well riddled.  I can count wellnigh a score of shot-holes in
them; and her side, too, shows the hard knocks she has been getting.
Just run to the top of the beach, and see if any other ships are
following.  Maybe the fleet has had a brush with the enemy, and yonder
frigate has been sent on ahead with news of the action."

Dick, doing as he was bid, soon reached a point of the shingly bank
whence he could obtain a view of the sea to the westward.  "Hurrah!" he
shouted; "here comes another ship under a fore-jurymast and her bowsprit
gone.  She seems to me to have not a few shot-holes in her canvas,
though it's hard to make out at the distance she is off."

Ben, in his eagerness, forgetting his work, ran up to where Dick was
standing.  "Yes, there's no doubt about it, yonder craft is a prize to
the first.  When she gets nearer we shall see that her sails are well
riddled and her hull battered, too.  Those Frenchmen don't give in till
they've been thoroughly drubbed; but I doubt whether we shall know more
about the matter to-night than we do now, for the wind is falling, and
the tide making out strong against her.  See, the frigate can only just
stem it, and unless the breeze freshens, she must bring up or drift out
through the Needles again."

Such, indeed, was likely to be the case, for though still going ahead,
her progress was very slow.  She had already got some little distance to
the eastward of Hurst Point, when, the wind freshening again, her sails
blew out, and, gliding majestically on, she edged over to the Isle of
Wight shore.

"She'll not get to Spithead to-night, notwithstanding," remarked Ben,
"for there's not a breath of air away to the eastward; see, the sails of
that brig out there are hanging flat against the masts."

Ben was right.  The wind again dropping, presently the hands were seen
flying aloft, the studding-sails were quickly taken in, the courses
brailed up; the topsail yards being rapidly lowered, the ready crew
sprang on to them, and in another minute the frigate dropped her anchor
in Yarmouth Roads.

"All very fine!" growled Ben, as he saw Dick's look of admiration at the
smartness with which the manoeuvre had been effected; "but if you'd been
on board you would have seen how it was all done.  There's the first
lieutenant, with his black list in his hand, and the other lieutenants
with their reports, ready to note down anything they may think amiss;
then there are the midshipmen, the boatswain and his mates, cursing and
swearing, with their switches and rope's ends in their hands, and the
cat-o'-nine-tails hung up ready for any who don't move fast enough.
Again, I say, don't you ever enter on board a man-of-war if you wish to
keep a whole skin in your body."

The old smuggler's picture, though exaggerated, approached too nearly
the truth as to the way in which discipline was enforced on board many
men-of-war in those days.  Happily, some were as free from the reproach
as are those of the present time, when the seamen of the navy have good
reason to be contented with their lot, as everything is done which can
conduce to their comfort and improvement.

Ben's remarks did not fail to have their effect on Dick's mind.

"Don't think I'm a fool!" he answered.  "I'll keep out of their
clutches, depend upon that, for, as I am not a seaman, a pressgang can't
catch hold of me."

"Well, do you be wise, my boy, and don't forget what I say," remarked
Ben.  "But if we stand talking here we shan't get the boat finished, so
come along, and don't let us trouble ourselves about the frigate.  We
shall hear by-and-by what she has been doing, and how the captain and
officers are praised for the victory the seamen have won for them."

Saying this, Ben led the way back to his boat, and went on with his
work, though Dick Hargrave could not help every now and then casting a
look at the beautiful ship as she lay at anchor a little distance off.
Ben was labouring away as assiduously as before, when Dick exclaimed--

"Here comes a boat from the frigate.  I thought I saw one lowered; she
is steering for this point, and it will not be long before she is here."

"Then they intend to put some one on shore at Keyhaven," observed Ben;
"but as the boat can't get up the creek with this low tide, whoever he
may be he'll have to trudge along the beach."

"There seem to be several officers in her," remarked Dick, who stood
watching the boat as she came rapidly on the blades of the oars, as with
measured strokes they were dipped in the water, flashing in the
sunlight.  "They fancy that they can get up to Keyhaven, but they'll not
do that until the tide rises," observed Ben, looking up from his work
with a frown on his brow.  "Let them try it, and they'll stick fast."

The boat passed the spot where Ben and his companion were at work, and
very soon what he had predicted happened.  Two of the officers, whom
Dick recognised by their uniforms to be midshipmen, were heard abusing
the men and ordering them to urge the boat on.  But all the efforts of
the crew to get her afloat were vain.

They then endeavoured to back her off, and at length four of them,
tucking up their trowsers, leaped overboard.  The boat thus lightened,
the men, by shoving her astern, soon got her again into deep water.
When, however, they sprang on board their blackened legs showed the
nature of the mud into which they had stepped, and produced a malicious
chuckle from Ben, who watched them with half-averted head.  By moving
their legs about in the water they soon got rid of the black stains,
when, having resumed their places, they pulled the boat in close to
where Ben and Dick were standing.  As she reached the beach the two
midshipmen leaped on shore.

"I say, you fellows," shouted one of them, "come along here and carry
our portmanteaus to the inn, if there is one in that village there, and
tell us if we can find a post-chaise or conveyance of some sort to take
us to Elverston Hall."

"Don't you answer," said Ben to Dick, hammering on and pretending not to
notice what was said.

"Ahoy, there! don't you hear us?  Knock off that work!" cried the
younger of the two midshipmen, and he repeated what he had just said.

"Yes, we hear," growled Ben looking up; "but we are not slaves to come
and go at your beck, youngster."

"We don't want you to carry our traps for nothing, my man," said the
elder midshipman.  "We'll give a shilling to each of you for the job,
and that's handsome pay."

"To those who want it, it may be," said Ben; "but that youngster there
must learn to keep a civil tongue in his head if he expects any one to
help him.  Hurst beach ain't the deck of a man-of-war, and one chap here
is as good as another, so you may just let your own people carry up your
traps."

The crew of the boat sat grinning as they heard the smuggler bandying
words with their officers, siding probably with the former.

"Do you know to whom you are speaking, my man?" exclaimed the elder
midshipman.  "This is Lord Reginald Oswald, and his father is the
Marquis of Elverston.  His lordship will be exceedingly angry when he
hears the way you have treated his son."

Ben, turning away his head, muttered loud enough for his companion to
hear him, "He might be the marquis himself for what I care; but I'm not
his lordship's slave to come and go at his beck any more than I am
yours."

Dick looked hard at the young lord, and the recollection of their former
intercourse would have made him unwilling to do as he was asked, even
had the request been couched in less dictatorial language.

"Come, come, we will pay you a couple of shillings each, if you are
extortionate enough to refuse our first offer; but carry up our traps
you must, for the boat has to return immediately to the frigate, and we
cannot delay her."

"Extortionate or not extortionate, we are not slaves, as some poor
fellows are," said Ben, glancing at the boat's crew; "if we don't do
what you want for love, we are not going to do it for money, so you may
just carry your portmanteaus yourselves."

"Impertinent scoundrels!" exclaimed Lord Reginald to his companion.
"Just see, Voules, if that young fellow is more amenable to reason than
that sulky old boatman."

"I'll try him," answered Voules.  "Come here, you young chap.  If you
will carry Lord Reginald's portmanteau I will shoulder mine; we must not
delay the boat any longer."

"Don't seem as if you heard him," said Ben to Dick in a low voice, then
looking round he shouted, "Maybe the `young chap' is deaf, and if he
wasn't, he's not a mule or donkey to carry a load on his back.  Let Lord
Reginald carry his own portmanteau, and just do you understand that I'm
not the man to stand any nonsense from him or from any other lord in the
land."

"There is no use in bandying words with these scoundrels!" exclaimed
Voules.  "I'll carry your portmanteau, Oswald, and let my own take its
chance.  I don't suppose these fellows will dare to steal it, until we
can send somebody to bring it on."

"No, no," answered Lord Reginald; "we must get Jennings to allow two of
the men to come with us, and he can explain to the captain the cause of
the delay."

Jennings, the master's assistant in charge of the boat, naturally
indignant at the way his messmates were treated, consented to this,
although he was infringing orders by so doing.  He accordingly directed
two of the crew to take up the portmanteaus and accompany the
midshipmen, who set off at once along the shingly beach.  As they moved
on, a peal of laughter, in which Ben indulged himself, saluted their
ears, which contributed not a little to increase Lord Reginald's anger
and indignation.

"I have a notion that I remember the countenance of the youngest of
those two rascals!" he exclaimed.  "He is the son of one of our tenants,
and used often, when a mere boy, to be impudent to me.  I felt inclined
more than once to thrash him, but he happened to be the stronger of the
two, so I didn't try, but I'll pay him off one of these days.  I'll tell
my father how we were treated, and he'll show him that I am not to be
insulted with impunity."

"Certainly not, Oswald.  I'll bear witness to the impertinent way in
which he behaved.  I only wish that a pressgang may be sent on shore
here some night; I'll take good care that they do not overlook either
the young fellow or that surly old one.  They are not very particular in
the service just now as to age, and both may be taken."

"Pray don't let me hear anything more about the matter, or when I reach
home I shall not be in a condition to receive the congratulations of my
family," said Lord Reginald.  "I wish that the tide had been in and we
had been able to get up to the village instead of having to trudge over
these abominable shingles."

"Certainly," said Voules; "but the fellows are beneath your notice,
though the incident was sufficient to put one out of temper.  If I had
thought Jennings would have consented, I would have proposed landing the
boat's crew and ducking the fellows; it would have brought them to
reason pretty quickly."

"You don't know the character of the men hereabout, or you would not say
so," observed Lord Reginald.  "That fellow Hargrave is a desperate young
villain, and they are all smugglers and poachers, who would not scruple
to burn down the hall if they had an opportunity.  My father is
determined to put a stop to their poaching and smuggling, but he has not
as yet had much success, I believe.  The smugglers, somehow or other,
manage to land their cargoes when the revenue officers are out of the
way, and the poachers dodge our gamekeepers, who vow that although they
hear their shots, they can never catch them."

"It will be good fun some night to try what we can do," observed Voules.
"We should soon get hold of them, and if they are sent to prison or
shipped off to Botany Bay, it will keep the others in awe."

The two seamen who carried the portmanteaus were listening to the
remarks of the young officers spoken in loud tones.  Every now and then
they turned to each other, exchanging winks, and smiling contemptuously,
though they looked as grave as judges when Voules happened to turn round
for a moment to ascertain how far they had got from the boat.  On and on
they trudged, until at last harder ground was gained, and they soon
reached the village inn, or rather beer-shop, for it aspired to no
higher dignity.  Great was their disgust to find that no conveyance of
any sort was to be obtained nearer than Lymington, some three or four
miles off, and it was doubtful whether the single post-chaise or yellow
fly, which belonged to the place, would be disengaged.

"But Lord Reginald Oswald cannot walk all the way to Elverston Hall, and
we must have a carriage of some sort or other, my good woman," exclaimed
Voules to the landlady.

"Then I must send out and find my man, who has been carting coals for
old Captain Knockills on the top of the hill there.  Our cart ain't
exactly fit for young gentlemen like you, but it's better than nothing,
as it will carry your `portmantles,' and you can get in and ride when
you are tired; so, if you will walk in and sit down in the bar, I'll
send the boy off at once.  It won't be long before my man is here, as he
must have finished his work by this time."

"Impossible!" exclaimed Voules.  "Lord Reginald Oswald to be driven home
in a coal-cart!"

The idea, however, seemed to tickle the fancy of the young lord, for he
burst into a fit of laughter.  "It will be better to reach the hall even
in that way, than to wait in this wretched hole until we can obtain a
carriage.  Only, I say Voules, get them to put some clean hay or straw
into the cart, or we and our portmanteaus will be covered with
coal-dust."

In the mean time the two seamen looked with wistful eyes at the cask of
beer in the corner of the tap-room, but Voules, without offering them
any, ordered them to hasten back to the boat.  They grumbled as they
went, looking back to ascertain if the midshipmen had left the inn,
resolving to return, should they have the chance, to drink as many
glasses of ale as they had money in their pockets to pay for.

Voules, however, must have suspected their intentions, for he kept an
eye on them as long as they were in sight.  Just before reaching the
frigate's boat, they met Ben and Dick, who had been on the watch for
their return.  Ben put out his hand and shook that of one of them.

"Well, Bill Webster, I knew you as soon as you stepped on shore.  Glad
to see you with a whole skin on your back," he exclaimed.  "How do you
like serving his Majesty afloat?  A pleasant sort of a life, isn't it?"

Bill shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "Well, it's better than
rotting in prison, though I'd rather be at the old work again."

"Then why not give them leg-bail at once; you've a chance you'll not
find again in a hurry, and we can stow you safe away, where they'll have
a hard job to find you."

"No, no, mate," said Bill's companion, Jack Coyne.  "I know what running
away means.  It's being caught, with a sharp taste of the cat on one's
back at the end of it."

"Then, mates, you'd rather be slaves than free men?" said the old
smuggler.

Jack Coyne, however, was firm; and notwithstanding the arguments Ben
used, he finally persuaded his shipmate to return to the boat which,
immediately they stepped into her, shoved off and pulled for the
frigate.

"Each man to his taste, and some day they'll be sorry they didn't take
my advice," muttered Ben.  "Now, Dick, let's you and I get the boat into
the water, and try to catch some fish for your sister Janet."

As the boat was placed on a steep beach, she was easily launched, and
Ben and Dick, each taking an oar, pulled away some distance from the
shore, when they let down a big stone which served as an anchor.  They
had not to wait long before Ben hauled up a fish, and Dick soon
afterwards got a bite.  In a short time they had caught several bass, a
whiting pout, and two grey mullet, with which, well satisfied, as the
shades of evening were already creeping over the water, they pulled for
the shore.  As the tide had now turned, they were able to get up the
creek to the spot where Ben generally left his boat moored.

"I'm well pleased that I am to send these to your young sister," said
Ben, handing over the mullet and two of the other fish to Dick.  "Your
mother won't mind receiving them, though they haven't paid duty, seeing
as how they are not taxed, though when they will be is more than I can
say.  Always glad to see you down here, my lad; some day you'll take a
trip across the water, aboard the _Nancy_.  You'll like the life, I
know, especially if we are chased by one of those revenue craft.  It is
a pleasure, I can tell you, to give them the go-by, though, to be sure,
we do sometimes have to heave our kegs and bales overboard, but we
generally keep too bright a look-out to have to do that."

"I should like it well enough, Ben; but there are others at home who
would object to my going away on board the lugger.  However, I won't say
no, so good night, Ben, and thank you for the fish;" and Dick Hargrave
set off at a brisk pace towards his home, while his evil adviser--for
such Ben Rudall undoubtedly was--entered his cottage, where his wife was
busy preparing supper for him and their children.

An anxious woman was Susan Rudall.  Sometimes there was an
over-abundance on the board, and she had more money than she well knew
how to spend.  At others it was a hard matter to find a few shillings to
pay the week's bills for bread and other necessaries, though, to be
sure, she could generally obtain credit, as it was hoped that, on the
return of the _Nancy_, Ben would again be flush of money.  Sometimes,
however, she, as well as the tradespeople, were disappointed.  Then
often and often, while south-westerly gales were blowing, she had the
anxious thought that the _Nancy_ was at sea and might perchance founder,
as other similar craft had done, or be cast on the rocky coast, or be
taken by a revenue vessel, when Ben and his companions, if caught with a
cargo on board, would be thrown into prison, or sent to serve his
Majesty on board a man-of-war for three or four years or more.

Poor Susan's lot was that of many other smugglers' wives, who,
notwithstanding the silks and laces with which they could bedeck
themselves, and the abundance of spirits and tobacco in which their
husbands might indulge, had often a troubled time of it.  Not that she,
or any other of the wives and daughters of those engaged in the lawless
trade, thought that there was any harm in it.  Probably their fathers
and grandfathers before them, and most of their male relatives, except
those sent off to sea, followed the same calling, and when any were
caught or killed, they looked on their fate as a misfortune which had to
be borne, without considering that it was justly brought upon
themselves.

Meantime, the two midshipmen, after waiting till their patience was
almost exhausted, having seen their portmanteaus put into Silas Fryer's
cart, set off on foot for Elverston Hall.

"I really regret, my dear Oswald, that you should be exposed to this
inconvenience.  For myself, I confess I do not care; the pleasure of
accompanying you and the honour of being received by your family, will
make ample amends to me for a far greater annoyance.  As a miserable
younger son, with little more than my pay to depend upon, I have often
had to tramp it.  But you, I fear, will be greatly fatigued."

"Not a bit of it," answered Reginald.  "I can walk as well as any man,
and could get over the distance if it were twice as great.  I was only
vexed at the impertinence of those fellows."

"Of course, of course," said Voules, soothingly; "but leave them to me,
and if I have an opportunity while remaining here, I'll endeavour to pay
them off."

Mr Alfred Voules, though an especial friend of Lord Reginald Oswald,
was not a favourite on board his ship, where he was known by the name of
"Toady Voules," an appellation he richly merited by the mode in which he
paid court to any shipmates possessed of titles or amply stored purses.
He had lately won his way into the good graces of Lord Reginald, who had
obtained leave to take him on a visit to Elverston Hall, while the
frigate was refitting at Portsmouth.  When she brought up in Yarmouth
Roads, Lord Reginald explained that his home was a short distance off on
the opposite coast, and that it would save him and his friend a long
journey if they were to land at Keyhaven, as they could easily reach it
from thence.  Much to their satisfaction, their captain allowed them--
certainly an unusual favour--to be put on shore as they desired.  Voules
himself stood well in the opinion of the captain and lieutenants, as,
although he might not have exhibited any especial gallantry, he always
appeared attentive to his duty.

As the two midshipmen stepped out briskly, they soon distanced the cart,
though darkness overtook them when they were still three or four miles
from the hall.  Lord Reginald, however, knew the road, and there was
light enough from the stars to enable them to see it without difficulty.
Elverston was situated some distance from the coast, within the borders
of the New Forest.  They were laughing and talking merrily together as
they made their way along an uncultivated tract, covered with heather
and occasional clumps of trees, here and there paths crossing the main
road, when Voules exclaimed--

"What are those objects moving beyond the trees there?  They seem to me
to be like men on horseback; and, surely, that is the sound of cart
wheels."

As they stopped talking, a low murmur, as of human voices in subdued
tones, reached their ears, and continuing on, they made out distinctly a
train of carts, accompanied by horsemen riding in front and rear.

"What they are is pretty clear," said Lord Reginald.  "Those are
smugglers.  I have heard they muster at times in great force to convey
their contraband goods up to London."

"I wish that we had some of the frigate's crew with us," said Voules;
"we'd soon put a stop to their journey."

"Will you, young masters?" said a voice.  "You'll just come along with
us, and spend the night in different company to what you expect!"

Before the midshipmen could turn round, they found their arms seized by
half a dozen stout fellows, who had apparently been detached from the
main body, and had come up thus suddenly upon them.

"Unhand us!" exclaimed Lord Reginald, indignantly.  "What right have you
to stop us in this way?"

"The right of might, young master," answered the man who had before
spoken.  "Tell us what brings you here at this time of night!"

Voules, seeing that it would be to their advantage to speak the truth,
answered, "My good friends, we have only just landed from our ship, and
being unable to obtain a carriage, are walking on to Elverston Hall.  We
have not the slightest wish to interfere with you or any one else we may
meet on the road; and it would be a serious inconvenience to us to be
detained."

"You speak fairly, my young master," said the man; "and if you and this
youngster here will give us your word of honour that you will not
mention having met us, we will let you go on in a few minutes; but do
not interfere in a matter which does not concern you."

"Oh! certainly, my friend, certainly," answered Voules.  "We will hold
our tongues, depend upon that, and we shall be much obliged to you if
you will let us go at once, for we are desperately hungry, and want our
suppers."

"That may be," said the smuggler, laughing; "but you have not given us
your word yet that you will hold your tongue, and we want to know what
this other lad has to say for himself."

"Oh, I'll give you my word to say nothing about you, if on that
condition you will let us proceed on our way," said Lord Reginald;
"although I cannot make out what reason you have for asking us."

"Our reasons do not concern you, so give us your answer without further
delay."

"I promise, then, on the word of an officer and a gentleman, not to
mention having met you," said Voules.

Lord Reginald repeated the same words.

"Well, then, you may go about your business," said the smuggler; "only
don't in future talk of putting a stop to smuggling; it's what neither
you nor your elders can do.  Now, good night, lads.  Remember, if you
break your words it will be the worse for you."

Saying this, the smuggler and his men rejoined their companions, who had
already crossed the road, and the two midshipmen, glad to escape so
easily, proceeded on their way.

"I thought we were in for it!" observed Voules; "it would have been very
unpleasant if they had carried us off, or knocked us on the head!"

"Yes, indeed," answered Lord Reginald; "they are bold fellows to travel
through the country so openly, even at night; but, as my father says,
`Bold as they may be, they must be put down.'"

"Well, we must try to forget the circumstance at present, or we shall be
letting something slip out," remarked Voules.  "Are we approaching the
hall yet?"

"We cannot be far off, though I should be better able to answer the
question in daylight.  I am only certain that we are on the right road,
and have not reached the lodge gates; we shall see a light shining in
the window when we get near."

Nearly another half-hour passed before the light Lord Reginald spoke of
appeared.  The park-keeper and his wife, who had their minds filled with
the dread of an invasion from the French, or an attack from the
smugglers, were at first very unwilling to open the gates.  Not until
Lord Reginald had explained who he was, and had mentioned several
circumstances to prove that he spoke the truth, would they admit him and
his companion.

"Beg pardon, my lord; but we hope you won't take it amiss," exclaimed
the gate-keeper.

"We meant no offence, that we didn't, my lord," chimed in his wife.
"But you see, your lordship, that there are all sorts of bad characters
about--smugglers and highwaymen and gipsies, and we couldn't tell if it
was some of them come to murder us and burn the hall down, as they swear
they will; or if it was the French, for it's said that they will land
one of these nights, and turn out the king and Parliament."

"Hold your tongue, wife, and don't be keeping Lord Reginald and the
other gentleman waiting," exclaimed the husband.  "You see, my lord, how
my good woman is afeered, and so I hope your lordship will pardon me, as
I mustn't leave her alone, if I don't go up with you to the hall, for if
any strangers were to come there would be no one to open the gate."

"Stop and look after your wife; I can dispense with your attendance, for
I know my way perfectly," answered Lord Reginald, laughing.  "Come
along, Voules, I shall be glad to be at home at last."

The authoritative pull which the young nobleman gave to the hall bell
soon brought the domestics to the door.  The marquis and Lady Elverston,
with their two fair daughters, and Lord John their eldest son, hurried
out to meet Lord Reginald.  His mother and sisters embraced him
affectionately, gazing into his well-bronzed countenance, while his
father and brother warmly wrung his hand, as they expressed their joy at
his safe return.  He then introduced his messmate Mr Voules, who
received a polite welcome to Elverston Hall.

"And now, pray tell us, Reginald, to what circumstances we are indebted
for seeing you so unexpectedly," said the marquis.

"The kindness of Captain Moubray; who, hearing, when our frigate came to
an anchor in Yarmouth Roads, that we were within a short distance of
this, allowed me and my messmate Voules, at my request, to come on shore
and pay you a visit, while the _Wolf_ is refitting at Portsmouth."

"What brings her back?" asked his father.  "I understood that she was
not expected home for some time."

"We have had a glorious fight with a French frigate, which we compelled
to strike, and have brought home as our prize; though, as we did not get
off scot-free, it will take the _Wolf_ some time to repair damages."

"Did you lose many men?" asked the marquis.

"Twenty or more killed or wounded," answered Lord Reginald, in a
careless tone.

"My dear boy, how thankful I am that you escaped!" exclaimed the
marchioness, gazing at him with a mother's love in her eyes.

"Oh, do tell us all about it," cried Lady Lucy, his eldest sister.

"All in good time," answered Reginald; "but to say the truth, we are
very sharp set after our long walk, and should prefer refreshing the
inner man before we exhaust our energies by talking, and I will refer
you on the subject to Voules, whose descriptive powers are far superior
to mine.  All that I can tell is that we saw a ship, which we soon
discovered to be French, and, coming up with her, fired away until, in
the course of a couple of hours, having had enough of it, she hauled
down her colours, and that when we were sent on board to take
possession, we found that we had knocked over some forty or fifty stout
fellows."

The marquis rang the bell, while the midshipmen retired to their rooms
to prepare for supper.

Voules gazed round the handsome chamber in which he found himself, with
a well-satisfied look.  "I have fallen on my feet for once in my life,
at all events," he said to himself.  "If I play my cards well, who knows
what may happen?  It is evident that his family think a good deal of
this young lordling, and I must take care to keep in his good graces.
He is fond of flattery, though it doesn't do to lay it on too thick, but
his sisters and mother will be well pleased to hear his praises sung,
and as I have a fair groundwork to go upon, I may praise him to the
skies behind his back; he is sure to hear what I say of him, and will be
more pleased than if I flattered him to his face.  I shall thus get into
the good graces of the ladies, who may induce the marquis to use his
influence at the Admiralty to obtain my promotion."

His meditations were interrupted by the entrance of a valet, who came to
offer his services.  Voules, supposing from his appearance that he was
one of the other guests who had mistaken his room, made him a polite
bow, and said something to that effect.  The valet, uncertain whether
the young gentleman was a lord or a commoner, thought it wise to be on
the safe side, and addressing him as "My lord," said that he had been
sent by Lord John to brush his clothes and shoes, and as the
portmanteaus had not arrived, to put any of his lordship's wardrobe at
his disposal.

"Oh, ah! my good fellow," said the midshipman, discovering his error;
"much obliged to Lord John; but as there is not time to shift my
rigging, I'll just trouble you to give me a brush down and to bring me a
pair of slippers, and I shall be all to rights."

The valet quickly performed the duties required of him, and Voules,
perfectly satisfied with himself, followed him downstairs to the
drawing-room.



CHAPTER TWO.

VOULES MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME--EAGER LISTENERS--FIGHT BETWEEN THE WOLF
AND A FRENCH FRIGATE--LORD REGINALD'S ACCOUNT--MERIT AND MODESTY--A
BUMPER ROUND--VOULES MAKES HEADWAY--DICK HARGRAVE--AN ENCOUNTER IN THE
FOREST--SMUGGLERS--GOOD FAITHFUL--THE FARMER'S HOME--DICK'S MOTHER--
SOUND ADVICE--CONTENDING INFLUENCES--BITTER FEELINGS--A PRUDENT
RESOLUTION.

Several guests were staying in the house, and a large party were soon
assembled round the supper-table.  The two midshipmen were objects of
general interest, and they had more questions asked than they could well
answer.  Voules had the honour of sitting near Lady Elverston.  Lord
Reginald was at the other end of the table, where his father had placed
him, anxious to hear from his own lips an account of what had occurred.
Just then, however, being very hungry, the young lord was more
interested in discussing the viands placed before him than in narrating
the particulars of the engagement.  Voules had therefore the field to
himself, and although quite as hungry as his brother midshipman, he
restrained his appetite, for the sake of giving full play to his tongue.

"I can assure your ladyship that we have had as fine an action as any
which has been fought during the war, and though his modesty might
induce him to disclaim any peculiar merit, Lord Reginald played no
unimportant part in it," began Toady Voules, bowing to the marchioness,
and then giving a quick glance towards the other end of the table to
ascertain whether his messmate was listening.  Finding that he was fully
engaged with the viands before him, he went on.  "We were about thirty
leagues from the coast of Spain, in the latitude of Cadiz, when early
one morning, we discovered a sail to the south-west, we having the wind
at the time from the north-east.  As you may suppose, we immediately
bore up in chase, for we had every hope that the stranger would prove an
enemy.  It was some time, however, before we could settle the point, as
the wind was light and we made but little way.  At length, to our great
joy, we were almost sure that she was a French frigate by the cut of her
canvas and the appearance of her hull; at last, when she hoisted her
colours and fired a gun to windward, we had no doubt about the matter.
She was hove to, with her mizzen-topsail aback and the main-topsail
shivering, waiting for us.  This showed that her captain was a brave
fellow, and would give us some trouble before we were likely to make him
strike.

"We were all in high spirits, and I never saw Lord Reginald look cooler
or more at his ease than he then did.  Our captain, to prevent the
French frigate from escaping, made up his mind to engage her to leeward.
Our men were at their quarters, with matches in their hands, ready to
fire.  The word, however, was passed along the decks that not a gun
should be discharged until the captain should give the signal, though
the enemy had begun to blaze away, and his shot was passing through our
sails and cutting up our rigging.  The enemy, seeing our intention, wore
and foiled the manoeuvre.  As she sailed much better than the _Wolf_,
our captain at length saw that he must adopt a different plan to that
which he had at first intended.  The Frenchman several times filled and
wore so as on each occasion to bring a fresh broadside to bear on the
_Wolf_, which annoyed us greatly.  It was trying work to have her shot
crashing on board without being able to return the compliment.
Fortunately, the Frenchman firing high, few of our men were hurt.  We
now steered directly down upon the enemy, and having got within
pistol-shot of her, the satisfactory words reached us, `Give it her, my
lads, and enough of it.'  We did give it her, the men tossing their guns
about like playthings, running them in, loading and firing two shots to
the Frenchman's one.  We were now what we wanted to be, engaging the
enemy broadside to broadside, within pistol-shot distance, pouring into
each other a fire of round, grape, and musketry.  I am afraid you would
not understand the various manoeuvres we performed.  As we carried a
press of sail, we shot past the enemy, who, bearing up, managed to cross
our stern and pour in a raking fire.  As our captain saw what she was
about to do, he ordered all hands to fall flat on the deck, and many who
might have had their heads knocked off thus escaped.  As the shot flew
over us like a shower of hail, the only person I saw on his feet besides
the captain and first lieutenant was Lord Reginald.  He told me
afterwards that he could not bring himself to bend before a Frenchman.
`Better, my dear Oswald, to do that than to be knocked down by a
Frenchman's shot,' I observed.  `No, no!' he answered.  `I should have
died an honourable death.'  I beg to observe that I did not agree with
my noble messmate; but I mention the circumstance only to show what
stuff he is made of.

"We were quickly on our feet again, and engaged in firing every gun we
could bring to bear.  After some time, having crossed each other's
courses, we being ahead of the French ship, she stood right at us,
bringing her larboard bow against our starboard quarter, over which her
bowsprit ran, pressing against the mizzen rigging.  The captain
immediately ordered it to be lashed there, to prevent her escaping.
Lord Reginald was, I can assure you, among the first to obey the
captain's order.  Several men were shot in the attempt, but at last it
was successful.  Scarcely, however, was it done, and we had the
Frenchman fast, than we saw the greater portion of her crew rushing
forward, ready to spring down on our decks.  It was as much as we could
do, I can tell you, to keep them at bay.  Our marines, stationed on the
quarter-deck, fired away at them as fast as they could load and
discharge their muskets, but not until our captain himself, at the head
of our own boarders, armed with cutlasses, pikes, and pistols, rushed to
our quarter, over which the enemy had begun to pour, was their progress
stopped.  It was desperate work; those who had gained our deck were cut
down, others were hove into the sea, while the remainder beat a rapid
retreat.  Their foremost guns then began to thunder away at us, and we
could not bring one to bear in return, until a couple of pieces were
dragged aft on the main-deck and run through the cabin windows, which
had been cut down to serve as ports.  We had now an advantage of which
we made good use.  Every shot we fired told with tremendous effect, but
the enemy was still unconquered.  The lashings which held the bowsprit
of the French ship to the mizzen rigging giving way, she began to forge
ahead.  As she did so, a fortunate shot cut away the gammoning of her
bowsprit.  We were now exchanging broadsides yardarm to yardarm, but the
drubbing they had already received seemed to dishearten the Frenchmen.
Still they held out, showing a wonderful amount of pluck.  They had sent
men into the tops, armed with muskets, who were firing down on our deck,
and had already wounded several of our officers.  I was standing a short
distance from our captain, when I saw Lord Reginald seize the musket of
a marine who had just been killed, and at the same time shove the
captain aside and fire at the maintop, when down came a man on deck.
The captain was saved.  The fellow had been taking aim at him, and there
is no doubt that he owes his life to the coolness and resolution of Lord
Reginald, although he looked rather astonished at being treated in so
unceremonious a manner by a midshipman--"

"Why, you make Lord Reginald a perfect hero," observed a dowager duchess
sitting opposite to Voules, who might possibly have suspected that the
young gentleman was drawing on his imagination as to the details of the
action.

"Pray go on, Mr Voules," said Lady Julia.  "I could not listen to you
without trembling; and, did I not see my brother sitting safe there,
should be thinking all sorts of dreadful things.  I wonder any one
remained alive on the decks of the ships engaged in so fearful a
battle."

"A good many did lose the number of their mess, but fewer were killed
than might have been supposed, for round shot and bullets fortunately
have a happy knack of making their way between the heads of people
without hitting them.

"By this time our gallant frigate, which had lately been under a cloud
of canvas, swelling proudly to the breeze, made a deplorable appearance
with rope's ends and torn sails hanging down from every mast and yard.
The French ship, however, was in a still worse condition.  The sails,
however, were of sufficient service to force the two ships through the
water, and the Frenchman took advantage of this, and hauled up, in a
short time getting out of gun-shot, we being unable, in consequence of
the loss of our gaff and topsails, to follow.  Our captain, however, had
no intention, as you may suppose, of letting her escape.  All hands set
to work to knot and splice our rigging, to refit braces and repair other
damages.  While thus employed, we saw the Frenchman's foremast fall over
the side.  Our crew, as you may suppose, raised a loud cheer at the
sight, and redoubled their efforts to be ready, should a breeze spring
up, for again getting within range of our opponent.  Scarcely had the
hands reached the deck, when we saw a ripple playing over the ocean; the
sails were trimmed, and once more, with eager hearts, we steered towards
the French ship.  We did not suppose that she would hold out long, but
after the pluck her captain had exhibited, we fully expected to be at it
again.  In a few minutes the crew were at their quarters, ready to fire
a broadside, when down came the Frenchman's colours.

"`She has struck! she has struck!' resounded through the ship.  We at
once hove to.  The first lieutenant was sent on board to take
possession; I had the honour to accompany him.  The sight I had
witnessed on board our own ship was bad enough, for we had upwards of
twenty men killed and wounded, the former still lying in their blood
where they fell; but on stepping on the Frenchman's deck, it seemed
literally covered with dead men, for the rest of the crew had been too
busy to throw any of them overboard, while the cockpit below was filled
with wounded, many of whom were too much hurt to recover.

"The French captain, who came to the gangway to present his sword to the
first lieutenant, informed us that the ship was the _Reynard_, when we
found that she was not only of larger size and carried four more guns
than we had, but had commenced the action with upwards of two hundred
men more than we mustered.  The French captain, Monsieur Brunet, who had
really fought his ship very gallantly, shrugged his shoulders,
exclaiming, `It is the fortune of war!' as he delivered up his sword,
and was requested, having packed up his personal effects, to go on board
the _Wolf_, in a boat sent for the purpose.  The boats of the French
frigate were too much knocked about to float, and it took us some time
to remove the prisoners and send a prize crew on board.  It was night,
therefore, before we were ready to make sail, when we steered a course
for the north-west, to avoid the French fleet, which was supposed to be
off the coast of Spain or Portugal.

"The scene on board the prize made me very glad to get back to my own
ship.  Though we had gained the battle, we were not allowed to sleep on
beds of roses.  Our prisoners considerably outnumbered our own crew, and
our boatswain, who spoke French, having been taken during the earlier
part of the war, overheard some of them discussing a plan for
overpowering us and regaining the prize.  As we could not put them all
in irons, we had to keep a strict watch over their movements.

"The weather remained fine, but there was a thick mist which prevented
us from seeing far ahead.  It had just gone two bells in the morning
watch, when, as I was forward, I heard a tinkling sound.  I listened
attentively.  Again the sound distinctly struck my ear.  It came borne
along the surface of the water from some distance.  I reported the
circumstance to the officer of the watch, and he immediately sent to
inform the captain.  He soon reached the deck, and after listening for a
while, announced it to be his belief that the sounds proceeded from the
French fleet.  He immediately ordered the ship's course to be changed to
the westward.  In another hour we again hauled up to the northward.
When morning broke, the look-out from the mast announced a fleet in
sight to the south-east.  All the sail we and our prize could make was
set.  We soon discovered, however, that several large ships were in
chase of us, but our captain was not the man to give in while a stick
remained standing.  We continued our course, hoping that a change of
wind or some other chance might enable us to escape our pursuers.  It
would have been tantalising to have lost our prize and have been taken
prisoners ourselves, and some of the least hopeful declared that such
would be our fate.  `Well,' exclaimed Lord Reginald, `we must submit,
but nothing can take away the honour we have gained by capturing a
French frigate of superior force.'  Your ladyship will perceive the
courage and spirit of your gallant son; indeed, he has exhibited them on
many occasions, and I hope that some day we may see him leading
England's fleets to victory."

"What's that you are saying about me?" exclaimed Lord Reginald, from the
other end of the table, for during the sudden silence of those around
him he had caught the last words uttered by his messmate.

"Mr Voules is only speaking of you as you deserve, my dear Reginald,"
said the marchioness.  "He has been giving us an account of the battle
and the gallant way in which you behaved."

"We all behaved gallantly, or we should not have thrashed the enemy,"
said Reginald, laughing.

"I hope Mr Voules has given you a clearer account than Reginald has
himself, for, except that the two ships spent the morning in pounding
away at each other, and that at length the Frenchman, being tired of the
amusement, and having lost his foremast, hauled down his colours, I have
heard no details of the action," said the marquis.

"Then his modesty prevented him relating how he lashed the bowsprit to
the rigging and saved the captain's life," observed the marchioness.

"I lash the bowsprit to the rigging?  Why, the men did that, and very
imperfectly they performed the work, or our antagonist would not have
got clear again; and as to saving the captain's life, I know only that I
took up a musket and brought down a Frenchman, or he would have knocked
over the captain or me, or somebody else."

"Whose account is to be relied on?" asked the marquis, looking somewhat
puzzled.

"I do not wish to gainsay my noble messmate, but your lordship must make
allowance for his modesty, and give me credit for stating facts as they
occurred," answered Voules.

"I see how it is," observed the marquis, glancing approvingly at his
son.

"Merit is always modest, which may account, Mr Voules, for your not
having described your own gallant deeds," said the marchioness, looking
hard at him.  Being a clear-sighted woman, she may have suspected why
the smooth-tongued young gentleman had praised his noble messmate.

"But how did the _Wolf_ and her prize manage to escape from the enemy?"
asked Lady Julia.  "Pray go on and tell us, Mr Voules."

"For some time I must own that we fully expected to be captured, for
wounded as our masts and spars were, we could not venture to make more
sail; indeed, it is a wonder those of the prize which remained standing
did not fall over the side.  Fortunately, we had a good start, and the
wind being light, the French ships did not gain on us as fast as they
would otherwise have done.  To our infinite satisfaction, just about
noon, we saw them haul their wind, having been probably recalled by
their admiral, who thought it possible that they might run into the jaws
of an English squadron, which he must have known was cruising in the
neighbourhood.  We had still no small anxiety about our prisoners, and,
I believe, it was not a little owing to the vigilance of Lord Reginald
that they were prevented from rising.  His perfect knowledge of French,
for which he tells me he is indebted to his sisters, enabled him to
speak to the men, warning them of the danger they would run should they
make the attempt, and in a short time he brought them into good humour,
notwithstanding which, as before, a strict watch was kept on their
movements.  Having stood well to the westward, we got a fair breeze,
which carried us up Channel and safe inside the Isle of Wight, where I
hope the prize is by this time, for she was close in with the Needles,
and was only prevented following us for want of wind and the ebb still
making out against her.  It would be a serious matter if she were to run
on shore during the night, or be retaken by a French cruiser."

"No chance of that," observed Reginald.  "No French cruiser would ever
venture so close in with our shore, and within two or three hours at
most the prize would be able to follow the frigate."

"I must get you, Mr Voules, to repeat the account you have given of the
action for my benefit, as Reginald is wonderfully reticent on the
subject," said the marquis.

"I shall have great pleasure, my lord," answered Voules, bowing.

"In the mean time, do me the honour of taking wine, and we will
afterwards drink a bumper round to the future success of the _Wolf_,"
said the marquis.

"The very toast I was going to propose," said an old general, who had
long since been placed on the shelf.  "Though my fighting days are over,
an account such as we have just heard warms up my stagnant blood, and I
beg to second your lordship's proposal."

"Charge your glasses, gentlemen, and I hope, ladies, that on this
occasion you will join us," exclaimed the master of the house.

No one declining, the fair sex put out their more moderately sized
glasses to be filled as the bottle went round.  The toast was drunk, the
whole party standing, with the exception of the two midshipmen, who,
with assumed modest looks, retained their places.

"And now we will give three cheers for our naval heroes," cried the old
general, making an effort to stand up on his chair, but giving it up, as
he reflected on the danger he might run of toppling over among the
dishes which still covered the board.

"Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!" and the supper-room rang with the sounds, which
were taken up by the servants outside and repeated in the hall below,
where the domestics not in waiting were making merry.

When all the guests sat down they looked at the two midshipmen, while
Reginald made signs to Voules to speak.

"You are the eldest, old fellow, and having been longest in the service,
it is your business to reply."

Voules, nothing loth, rose to his feet.  His only difficulty in
commencing being the doubt whether he should address his friends as "My
lords and ladies."  His tact, however, prevented him doing so, and he
contented himself by neatly expressing his thanks for the honour done to
the glorious service of which he was so humble a representative.  "Had
Lord Reginald been induced to speak," he added, "he would have said more
to the purpose.  My belief is, that should the war continue a few years
longer, my noble friend will be found in command of as fine a frigate as
the _Wolf_, and will outshine the deeds of his predecessors.  Should I
be so fortunate as to have reached the rank of lieutenant by that time,
I hope that it will be my privilege to serve under him."

Voules's modest remark in reference to himself drew forth, as he
intended it should, a reply from his host, who assured him that any
interest he possessed should be exerted to obtain for him the promotion
he deserved, and that he hoped to see him a post-captain as soon as his
son had obtained that rank.

"Thank you, my lord, thank you!" exclaimed Voules, highly delighted.
"Your lordship will allow me to remind you of your promise, whenever
Lord Reginald obtains a step in rank.  I do not aspire to be promoted
before him, and shall be glad to serve in any ship to which he is
appointed, until we are both eligible for independent commands."

The ladies now withdrew, and when the gentlemen left the supper-table it
was found that they had retired to their rooms.  Voules was too prudent
a man generally to take more wine than his head could stand.  So
delighted, however, did he feel with his bright prospects, that he found
considerable difficulty in restraining his tongue, and excusing himself
on the plea of fatigue, was glad to make his way to his room, where he
was followed by Lord John.

"I came to thank you, Mr Voules, for the very handsome way in which you
spoke of my brother," said the latter.  "He is a very fine fellow,
somewhat thoughtless and impetuous, and requires guiding, and I rejoice
to think that he has found so steady a friend as you are to guide and
restrain him."

Voules put on as sedate an air as possible, although just then he did
not feel very capable of guiding himself, for he had had considerable
difficulty in steering a straight course along the passage which led to
his room.  "You may depend upon me, my dear Lord John, that I will do my
best to keep your lordship's brother out of mischief.  I do not profess
to be his monitor, but I may exert an unperceived influence over him to
his advantage."

"And did he really perform all the gallant acts you describe?" asked
Lord John.

"Every one of them, and others besides," answered the midshipman.
"There's not a more gallant young officer in the service, and he'll make
the world know it some day, if no harm befall him."

In spite of all the efforts he made, Voules could not help yawning, and
Lord John, perceiving this, allowed him to go to bed in quiet, while he
went to have a further talk with his brother, who, however, by that
time, had turned in and had already fast closed his eyes.

In the mean time Dick Hargrave hurried towards his home with the fish he
and Ben had caught, anxious to present them to his young sister, whom he
dearly loved.  He stopped at the village inn, the Admiral Benbow, and
found that the two midshipmen had only just left it for Elverston Hall.
"I have no fancy to meet the young lord and his friend," observed Dick,
"or we may chance to fall out, so I'll take the other road, and shall
soon get ahead of them."

Following this wise resolution, he set off at a pace which soon brought
him to the borders of the forest.  He knew the road too well to be
impeded by the darkness.  He was running on, his own footsteps not
allowing him to hear other sounds, when on passing beneath some
overhanging trees, the shadow of which prevented him from seeing objects
ahead, he suddenly found himself close upon a body of men, some on
horseback and others on foot, escorting a line of carts.  Dick at once
knew what they were about, and not wishing to be stopped, he sprang on,
hoping to remain concealed behind the trunk of a tree until they had
passed by; but he had been observed, and two of the men came up to him.

"What business have you here, youngster?" asked one of them, seizing his
arm and dragging him forward.

"I am Farmer Hargrave's son, and am on my way home with some fish Ben
Rudall and I have been catching for my sister Janet," he answered.

"All right, Master Dick," said the man; "we know you well enough; but
don't say that you have seen us, and if Ben has taken care to show
himself, the revenue people won't suspect what's in the wind, as they
will think that he would be sure to be along with us.  Have you any
news?"

"Nothing that much concerns you, Master Fryer," answered Dick, who
recognised the speaker.  "A frigate anchored in Yarmouth Roads this
evening, and two of the officers, one of them Lord Elverston's son, have
landed and gone on to the hall."

"I should like to pay them off for the trouble the marquis gives us,"
said Fryer; "though we have put him on a wrong scent, and he is not
likely to find out this time what we are about, until the goods are safe
in the hands of the London merchants."

"It would not do us much good to interfere with the youngsters,"
observed the other man.  "If the marquis would but let us alone we
should have no ill will towards him.  All we want is free trade and fair
play."

"You are right there, mate," observed Fryer; "and now, Master Dick, you
may go your way, and remember to keep a quiet tongue in your head."

Dick, escorted by his captors, who explained who he was, passed
unquestioned through the main body of the smugglers, who had halted for
some reason for a few minutes, just as he got up to them.  Dick again
hurried on, while the smugglers proceeded along by-paths across the
country, shortly after to fall in, as has been seen, with the
midshipmen.  Dick was met by his faithful dog, who was always on the
watch for him when he was away from home, and having an especial duty to
perform, seldom accompanied him.  That duty, which he performed with
exemplary patience, was to lead about blind Janet, who, under his
guidance, when she was well, would venture in all directions without the
slightest fear of a mishap.  Every one in the neighbourhood knew her and
her dog, and even the roughest characters treated her with courtesy.  Of
late her walks had been greatly curtailed, for the last few days
Faithful's office had become a sinecure, though he still remained at his
post, ready to perform his duty if required.  He was a handsome spaniel,
and had been brought up from a puppy by Dick, who had thoroughly broken
him in.  Though fond of scampering across the fields and poking his nose
into every hole he could find in the hedges and ditches, he became as
sedate as a judge the moment Janet called him and fastened the ribbon by
which she was led to his collar.  Dick was naturally very fond of his
dog, but had become still more so since the animal had shown how useful
it could make itself to poor Janet.

Faithful, who had long been on the watch, when he heard his master's
footsteps, with a bark of welcome leaped over the palings, and came
frolicking and leaping round him, licking his hands to show his joy, and
together they entered the house.

Mrs Hargrave, a comely, pleasant-looking dame, was seated busily
stitching by the side of the table.  "What has kept you so late, Dick?"
she asked in an anxious tone.  "Your father has gone to bed, as he must
be up betimes.  We thought that you had got into some mischief; but I am
thankful to see you back, my son."

Dick explained what he had been about, and exhibited the fish he had
brought.  "And how is Janet this evening?" he asked.  "I thought that I
should have been back in time for her to have one for supper, but
they'll do for her breakfast or her dinner to-morrow."

"She's asleep, sweet dear! though I'm afraid she's no better.  The
Lord's will be done, if He thinks fit to take her; and then, Dick, I
want you to remember that you will be your father's chief hope and stay
in his trouble.  Whether or not we shall have to turn out of our home,
and seek for another farm, is more than I can say.  Your father doesn't
wish to displease the marquis, but he thinks that it is his right to
remain where he is, and that he would not be acting like an Englishman
to give up that right."

"Of course he would not," exclaimed Dick.  "Ben Rudall says he would not
knock under to the marquis or any other lord, and he would hold on fast
with tooth and nail."

"I don't want to say anything against Ben Rudall, my son; but I wish
that you were not such friends with him.  He is a smuggler, and may draw
you into mischief, though maybe you'll think it ungrateful in me to say
so, when he has helped you to catch those fish.  Remember that you
cannot associate with bad characters without getting some harm and being
looked upon as one of them."

"Ben is a right honest fellow, and true as steel," answered Dick.  "I
don't like to hear anything said against him, mother; if he were ever so
bad, he would not lead me astray."

"He is a smuggler, Dick, and though he may be true to his companions, he
is false to his country, or he would not be trying to cheat the revenue,
as the smugglers do."

"I had not thought of that; but don't you trouble yourself about Ben,"
answered Dick.  "Now, mother, I am pretty hungry, and should like some
bread and cheese;" and Dick turned round to go to the larder.

"Sit down, my son, and I'll get them for you," said Mrs Hargrave,
taking the fish at the same time.  "While you are eating, I'll clean
these, and they'll be ready in the morning if Janet has a fancy for one
of them."

She soon returned, not only with some bread and cheese but some cold
meat, and a mug of home-brewed beer, showing that the good housewife did
not stint her family.

Dick described the arrival of the young lord and his shipmate.  "I'd as
leave he had stopped at sea, for, somehow or other, he and I are always
getting foul of each other.  But there will be rare doings up at the
hall to welcome him home, especially if there's been a battle, as Ben
thinks, and his ship gained the day."

"Then, Dick, do you keep out of his way, and no harm can come of it,"
said Mrs Hargrave.  "I am glad, however, for her ladyship's sake, and
the young ladies, for they will be main pleased to see him.  Only this
morning they came here to visit Janet, and when I told my lady what Mr
Gooch says, she promised to speak to the marquis, and that makes me hope
that the matter will be settled better than your father expects."

"Not if that young lord finds out about it.  He'll try and set his
father against us.  You should have heard him and his shipmate this
afternoon blackguarding Ben and me, because we wouldn't carry their
portmanteaus."

"There would have been no disgrace in so doing.  It shows that they
thought you stronger men than themselves," observed Mrs Hargrave.

"I should not have minded doing it, if it hadn't been for Ben; but the
way they spoke put his back up, and he gave them a piece of his mind."

"Just now, Dick, you said that you would not be influenced by Ben; but
surely you were on that occasion," remarked Mrs Hargrave.  "However,
Dick, I do not want to blame you, but just try to keep clear of those
men, and show what a help you can be to your father on the farm.  Now,
as you have had your supper, you had better go to bed, and I'll close
the door.  I want to sit by Janet's side, in case she should awake
before I lie down.  Do not forget to say your prayers, my son, and sing
one of the hymns I taught you, though you look so sleepy that I am
afraid you will not think much about what you are saying."

Dick had in truth given way to several wide yawns, while his eyelids had
begun to droop.  He followed his mother's advice, as far as he was able,
and especially in the last particular; but he was fast asleep as soon
almost as his head touched the pillow.



CHAPTER THREE.

GOOD INTENTIONS--BLIND JANET--POOR FAITHFUL SHOT--A TRYING MOMENT--
DICK'S ANGER--DESIRE OF REVENGE--A DANGEROUS SPEECH--THREATENING TO
SHOOT--THE CONSEQUENCES--TEMPTED--INDIGNATION OF THE FARMER'S SON--A
SORROWFUL DUTY--GRIEF OF THE BLIND GIRL--A SCHEME OF MR GOOCH--DICK'S
FEARS OF ARREST--RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME--AT THE SMUGGLER'S COTTAGE--ON
BOARD THE NANCY--SAFE FOR THE PRESENT.

Dick Hargrave kept to his resolution of trying to avoid meeting with
Lord Reginald.  Should he do so it would not be his fault, and should he
fall in with him, he would endeavour to retain his temper, should his
lordship speak to him in his former style.  He likewise refrained from
going to Keyhaven, or any other place where he was likely to meet any of
his associates engaged in smuggling, although it was difficult to say
who was not, more or less, implicated in the lawless proceedings so
general at that time along the south coast.  He assisted his father on
the farm, and occasionally took Janet out for a short walk, as,
notwithstanding the doctor's expectations, she was able to get up again
the very day after she had appeared to be so ill.

She declared that it was owing to the nice fish Dick had brought her.
Again, however, she was confined to her room.  As she could not take out
Faithful, she begged that Dick would give him a run.  "The poor dog sits
so quietly at my feet all day, and if he sees me moving, I hear his tail
thumping on the floor, and he begins to scamper about, fancying I am
going to take him out.  It is very dull for him, poor dog, and he
deserves some amusement," she said.

Dick promised to follow her wishes, and the next morning, saying that he
would try to shoot a rabbit, and summoning Faithful, who bounded after
him, he set off with his gun in his hand.  With the assistance of the
dog, he soon shot a couple of rabbits, with which he was about to return
home.  Faithful, however, highly delighted at finding himself abroad,
went ranging wildly over the fields.  Dick called to him, but the dog
was too eager in the chase or too far off to hear his voice, and did
not, as usual, return.  Some minutes passed, when Dick heard a shot
coming from the direction in which Faithful had disappeared.  He hurried
on, fearing that one of the keepers had caught sight of him; but then
they all knew Janet's dog, and the most surly would not have had the
heart to fire at the honest brute, even though he might have been
infringing the game laws by scampering for amusement after a hare or
rabbit.  Dick looked out anxiously, hoping to see the dog return; but
though he shouted, "Faithful!  Faithful!" and whistled shrilly, the
animal did not make its appearance.  Wondering what could have become of
it, he went on calling its name.  At last he saw it crawling towards
him, dragging its limbs along in evident pain.  At length the poor dog,
unable to get further, sank to the ground.  Dick, darting forward to
where it lay, stooped down to ascertain how it was hurt.  Its lacerated
side, which bled profusely, showed that it had been shot.

"What villain has dared to hurt you, my poor Faithful?" exclaimed Dick.

The dog's only reply, true to its name, was to lick his hand and
endeavour to rise, but again it fell back, and after a few convulsive
struggles, expired.

"Poor, poor Faithful!  Janet will miss you, that she will!  She will
never find so trusty an animal to lead her about; but I'll be revenged
on the fellow, whoever he is.  He ought to have known that you never
poached, though you did love to run after a hare, for the fun of the
thing.  If I can meet the savage brute I'll shoot him, as sure as my
name is Richard Hargrave."

"What's that you say, you young ruffian?" exclaimed a voice near him.

Dick had not observed three persons who had approached.  Looking up, he
saw Lord Reginald and his brother midshipman, attended by a keeper.

"I do say that the heartless fellow who shot this dog deserves to be
shot himself," exclaimed Dick, looking boldly up.

"I shot the dog; it deserved to be killed for chasing hares on my
father's property," answered the young lord.  "You yourself must have
set him on to drive the hares towards you.  You are a poacher; we must
have you up before the magistrates and punish you accordingly."

"I did not set him on," answered Dick, rising to his feet, "and I had no
intention of killing any hares on the Elverston property.  These rabbits
I shot on my father's farm, and I had a perfect right to kill them.  The
dog belongs to my blind sister.  As she is ill, I took the poor brute
out for a run."

"A very likely story!" exclaimed Lord Reginald.  "You have a gun in your
hand and rabbits over your shoulder, and you had sent your dog
scampering over the fields in search of more.  I know your name, and
shall report you to my father, so you may expect to take up your
quarters in prison before many days are over."

"The lad speaks the truth, my lord, about the dog," observed the keeper,
who had stepped forward and examined poor Faithful.  "I have seen it
many a time leading Farmer Hargrave's blind daughter about, though
whether he shot the rabbits on his father's farm or not is another
matter.  We have never found him poaching before, so that part of the
story may be true also."

"I am sorry to have shot the dog, if it was useful to his blind sister,"
said Lord Reginald; "and, I say, Jackson, I wish you'd look out for
another to give the poor girl, instead of this one; she'll not find out
the difference."

"I wouldn't let her receive it if you should give her one!" exclaimed
Dick, his anger in no way pacified by the young lord's expressions of
regret.  "No dog could be found to equal Faithful; but I myself will
look after a dog to take its place."

"Really, my dear Oswald, I cannot stand by to see you thus insulted by
this ungrateful young ruffian," said Voules.  "He has threatened to
shoot you, and he looks like a fellow capable of doing what he says.
The sooner he is taken up and sent to prison the better."

"I have not been poaching!  If you lay hands on me it will be the worse
for you," said Dick, grasping his gun.

"Come, come, Master Dick, do you go to your home, and do not be so
foolish as to threaten mischief.  It is dangerous to use such words, and
you'll be sorry for them by-and-by," said the keeper, wisely interposing
between the exasperated young men.  "I know where to find you if you are
wanted; but I don't suppose the marquis will be hard upon you, when he
hears how it was your sister's dog was shot.  If, my lord, you'll please
to let the lad go, I'll undertake that he shall not come into the park
again.  His father is not the man to allow him to do anything against
the law."

Lord Reginald, who really much regretted having shot the dog, willingly
listened to the keeper's advice, and Voules, who had no object to gain
in irritating him further against Dick Hargrave, said no more on the
subject.

"Well, Hargrave, I will try to forget your threats, and I again assure
you that had I known the dog was your sister's, I would not have shot
it," said Lord Reginald, turning aside; and without waiting for an
answer he led the way, followed by Voules and the keeper, in the
direction of the hall, leaving Dick still standing by the side of his
dog.

"I do not trust his fair words," said Dick, looking after the party;
"but I am obliged to Jackson for speaking a word in my favour, for if it
had not been for him, matters would have become worse.  Poor Faithful!
I don't know how I shall ever have the heart to tell Janet what has
happened," and stooping down he again examined the dog, to assure
himself that it was really dead.  Of this he was soon convinced.  "I'll
not let you lie here, my poor dog!" he exclaimed, and taking it up in
his arms, he walked away with it towards his home.  He was crossing the
road from Keyhaven, when a voice hailed him, and looking round he saw
Ben Rudall approaching.

"What hast thou got there, Dick?" asked Ben.  "Your sister's dog--and
killed, too!  How did that happen?"

Dick told him, describing what had occurred.

"And thee wouldst trust the chaps, would thee?" said Ben, speaking in
the Hampshire dialect.  "No, no; don't be doin' that.  Measter Jackson
may have spoken fair enough, but he knows that he's got his thumb on
thee, an' can come down on thee when he loiks.  Now, just listen to what
I have got to say.  I was going to look for thee.  The _Nancy_ is
expected in before many days are over, an' she'll be sailing again the
next morning.  If thee'll come down to Keyhaven, there'll be a good
chance of taking a trip, an' 'twill be safer for thee to be out of the
way in case the young lord should change his mind an' have thee up for
poachin'.  When the marquis hears of it, it's my belief that he won't
let thee off, for he's wonderfully strict about the matter, and if he
had his will he'd be sending half the people hereabouts to prison."

Dick had not forgotten his mother's advice to keep clear of Ben Rudall,
and he knew well enough that even though he should only go as a
passenger, he would be committed to whatever was done by her crew.

"You mean kindly, Ben, I know," he said; "but I cannot leave Janet,
she's so ill; and if she gets better, there'll be no one except mother
and me to walk out with her, now poor Faithful's gone; but if I hear
there's a chance of my being had up for poaching, maybe it's the best
thing I can do."

Ben laughed scornfully.  "They'll not let thee know what they intend to
do; but thee would find thyself carried off to Winchester jail some fine
morning, so just don't be a fool, Dick, an' come along with me."

Dick, however, was firm in his resolution not to go off without seeing
his mother and sister, and Ben was obliged to be content with his
promise that he would come down to Keyhaven to talk the matter over.  He
would have been wiser had he not given that promise.

Ben returned the way he had come, and Dick, carrying the body of his
dog, continued on towards his home.

On reaching the cottage, he carried the dog to a corner of the garden,
while he went in for a spade to dig its grave.  While he was searching
for one in the outhouse, his mother saw him.

"What has happened, Dick?" she exclaimed, observing the blood on his
clothes.

He at once narrated what had occurred, for although he had many faults,
he was truthful to her.

"I am very sorry for what has happened.  Poor dear Janet will almost
break her heart.  She said that she should like to take a stroll
to-morrow with Faithful, if you were not able to accompany her.
However, we must bear with it.  From what you say, the young lord would
not have shot the dog if he had known whose it was, and if he gives
Janet another, she may become as fond of it as she was of Faithful."

"I should not like her to become fond of Lord Reginald's dog," answered
Dick.  "If he sends one, I shall have a mind to shoot it, or send it
back to him with a kettle tied to its tail."

"That would not be a right thing to do," observed Mrs Hargrave.  "We
should not harbour ill feelings towards others, though they have done us
wrong.  Come in now, and let me wash the blood off your coat.  It looks
bad, and if your father were to return, it would frighten him, as it did
me.  We'll just break the news gently to Janet, and don't say you won't
receive another dog if the young lord sends one.  Remember how kind his
mother and sisters are, and I dare say he is not so bad at heart, though
he has more than once fallen out with you."

"He has an abusive tongue in his head, and that shows what sort of heart
he has got," answered Dick, not inclined to agree with his mother about
Lord Reginald.  "You tell me the ladies speak so sweetly, but, as Ben
Rudall says, that's all outside show, and I would not trust them."

"That's because you have never been at home when they have called, or
you would have agreed with me, if you had," observed Mrs Hargrave.
"Stay here while I get a sponge and some hot water; I can't let you go
about as you are; I cannot tell what people would say.  If you were
seen, there would be all sorts of tales about you."

"I don't care what is said, and I should just like them to know that
Lord Reginald is a brute.  That's what I call him."

"Hush! hush, Dick!" said his mother.  "Sit you down here, until I have
taken off those blood stains, for although poor Janet cannot see them,
some one else may come in, and ask what has happened."

Dick seated himself on a bench to which his mother pointed, and she
quickly returned with soap and water.  It was no easy operation,
however, to get rid of the stains, and Dick declared that before he came
in he must bury the dog.  To this Mrs Hargrave consented, as she
thought it would be a good opportunity to tell Janet of the loss of her
favourite.

Dick, taking up the spade, and having selected a spot for Faithful's
grave, began digging away.  More than once he stopped and gazed at the
animal, feeling unwilling to put it so soon out of sight; then he went
on more energetically than before.  Having just completed his task, he
leaned on his spade, while the tears rolled down his cheeks, as he
thought he should never see his dog again.  The wind had begun to blow
strong, and dark clouds were gathering in the sky.  The gloomy aspect of
Nature suited his feelings.  On looking up, he saw his mother and Janet
approaching.

"Mother has told me, Dick, what has happened," said his sister, as she
came up.  "I want to stroke Faithful's head once more before you put him
into his grave."  She stooped down by the side of the dog.  "Oh!  He
doesn't feel my hand now," she said.  "I am very sorry; but, Dick, I
want you to promise me not to nourish anger against the young lord.  He
would not have fired had he known the dog was so useful to me.  He told
you as much.  If I forgive him, you must."

"I may forgive, but I do not forget," said Dick.  "If he keeps to his
word, I'll believe that he did not intend to do the cruel act.  However,
we must put poor Faithful in his grave, and if I do not make a vow to be
revenged on Lord Reginald, it is because you are here to prevent me,
Janet."

"I would that you had a higher motive than that," said Mrs Hargrave.
"Now, Janet, you must return to the house; I promised you'd stop but one
minute; Dick will soon have finished his task, and then he'll come in to
supper.  Father will soon be home, Dick, so don't delay."

Dick, having at length brought himself to place the dog in its grave,
hastily shovelled in the earth, muttering as he did so, "He'd better not
cross me again; if he does he'll have to repent it.  Lie there, poor
dog!" he added, as he finished the work.  "I've a mind to put up a
tombstone, and write on it, `Wantonly killed by Lord Reginald Oswald.'"

On entering the cottage, he found that his father, having come in, had
heard what had happened.  He was thankful at all events that he had not
had to break the news to Janet.  Farmer Hargrave said what he thought
would pacify his son, and declared his belief that the young lord had
not killed the dog with any malicious intent.

Dick pressed his lips together and made no reply.  He could not trust
himself.  They were just finishing supper when a knock was heard at the
door, and Dick, opening it, Mr Gooch the bailiff entered.

"Good evening, farmer; good evening, dame; somewhat stormy weather," he
said, throwing back his wet coat, and placing his dripping hat on the
floor, as he took the seat offered him.  "I didn't think it was coming
on to be so bad, until just before sunset.  It blows hard enough now,
and the rain is coming down in torrents, but I wanted to talk over that
affair between us, so I came out in spite of the weather."

"What have you got to say, Mr Gooch?" asked the farmer.  "You know as
well as I do that I have no wish to leave this farm.  It will be a heavy
loss to me to give it up, and I am determined to abide by my rights."

"Very good, Mr Hargrave, very good," said the bailiff, in a bland tone.
"His lordship doesn't want to be hard upon you, and if you have the
right to remain, he would be the last man to ask you to turn out, but as
I before told you, you have not the right, and if you go to law you'll
be worsted.  Now, a little piece of information has come to my knowledge
which may make you see that it would not be wise to go to law, even
supposing there was a chance of your winning.  I have not communicated
with my lord on the subject, so I act on my own responsibility.  This
lad here, your son, has put himself in an awkward position.  He has been
poaching--not for the first time, either.  I have just heard all about
it from Jackson, the keeper, and from a young gentleman who is staying
at the hall.  They can give evidence, not only that he was poaching, but
that he threatened the life of Lord Reginald Oswald--a very serious
business, let me tell you.  Had he fired, as he threatened to do, he
would have been hung to a certainty, and as it is, I see every
probability that he will be sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.
Now, of course, his lordship has it in his power to overlook the
offence, and if I can tell him that you will yield to his wishes and
consent to give up the farm, I am pretty sure that you will hear no more
about the matter, only you must restrain your son from poaching in
future, or from associating with smugglers, as I have evidence that he
is in the habit of doing."

The farmer listened to all the bailiff said, while Dick sat clenching
his hands, with his eyes to the ground, every now and then giving a look
at his mother.

Ben was right, then, in warning him.  Had he accompanied the old
smuggler at once, and got out of the way, Mr Gooch would not have been
able to obtain the upper hand of his father.

When the bailiff had finished, Mr Hargrave replied, "I have before
given you my answer.  I believe the marquis to be a just man.  If he
finds I have the right to continue in the farm, he would not wish to
dispossess me.  In regard to Dick, the provocation he received by having
his dog killed would excuse any thoughtless words he might have uttered.
So I cannot offer to give up my rights for fear of the consequences,
and I will never believe that Lord Elverston would act as you suggest."

"Then you dare to say that you doubt my word, Farmer Hargrave?"
exclaimed the bailiff, in a tone of indignation, rising from his seat.
"I'll give you until to-morrow to think over the matter; but you'll take
the consequences if you have the same answer ready for me.  And dame, I
would advise you to persuade your husband to act as I recommend, or,
whether you go out of the farm or not, that lad of yours, before many
days are over, will be lodged in Winchester jail, and be sent to Botany
Bay, if he doesn't get the chance of entering on board a king's ship.
Perhaps they won't give him his choice, for threatening to shoot a lord
is a serious matter."

"Oh, Mr Gooch, you would not be so cruel as to wish to send our Dick to
prison!" exclaimed Janet, who had been listening to what was said.

"All your father has to do is to agree to what I propose, and he is safe
enough," answered the bailiff.  "I can stay no longer.  I called in to
give some friendly advice.  If not taken, it is not my fault; so good
night to all.  I hope that you'll settle the matter between you!"

Mr Gooch got up to go.  Dick opened the door, having no wish to detain
him.  Looking out, he saw that the account given of the weather was not
exaggerated.

"Is is plaguey dark, Mr Gooch!" he observed.  "You'd better take a
lantern, sir."

"No, no; I know my way as well in the dark as in the daylight," was the
reply, and Mr Gooch stepping out, was soon lost to sight.

No sooner was the door closed than Dick exclaimed, "Don't give in,
father.  I'd sooner go to prison, or Botany Bay, or be sent to sea, or
be hung, for that matter, rather than that you should yield up your
rights and be turned out of this farm."

"I will not give up the farm if I have a right to keep it, but if the
law is against me, go I must; still, I would not have you suffer, Dick,
unless you deserve it, and if it is proved that you were poaching, and
that you threatened to shoot the young lord, you must, as the bailiff
says, take the consequences, though it would well-nigh break my heart to
see you punished.  But I have not much fear on the score either way.  It
is my belief that the marquis does not know much about the matter of the
farm, and from beginning to end it is all the doing of Mr Gooch.  What
he cares for is to please his master, and as he knows that his lordship
has a fancy for extending the park, he wants to get me to turn out, and
now that he thinks he has got hold of you, he fancies that he can
frighten me to do so.  In regard to your affair, Dick, when the marquis
hears of the provocation you received, I don't think he will be hard
upon you."

The farmer made these remarks to tranquillise as far as he could the
mind of his wife.  Perhaps he did not feel so confident himself.  So
Dick at all events thought.  The family soon afterwards separated for
the night.

Dick went to his room, but could not sleep.  The storm itself, though it
whistled and howled around the cottage, would not have kept him awake.
He thought over all that had happened, what he himself had said, and how
Lord Reginald had looked and replied.  "Whatever the gamekeeper may say,
that other young fellow is against me, and if they take me before the
magistrate, Mr Jackson will be upon his oath, and compelled to
corroborate the midshipman's statement.  It all depends on what they
choose to do.  There is no doubt I did threaten to shoot Lord Reginald,
and I felt wonderfully inclined to do it, too.  There's only one way I
can see to get out of it and save father, and that is to take advantage
of Ben Rudall's offer and to keep out of the way until the affair is
blown over; I won't tell father or mother or they may be wishing to stop
me; but I'll write a letter just to wish them and Janet good-bye for a
short time, without saying where I am going, for that would spoil the
whole thing.  Ben says I shall like the life on board the lugger; so I
shall, though I would not have gone if there had not been this good
reason.  I cannot fancy that either father or mother will be really
sorry when they find that I am safe out of the way."  So said Dick to
himself, and having come to this resolution, he at length fell asleep.

It was not a wise one, for it was like falling out of the frying-pan
into the fire.  There was a very remote risk of his being summoned
before the magistrates, and if summoned, of his being committed for
trial, whereas, in addition to the dangers of the sea, if captured on
board the lugger, he would to a certainty be condemned as a smuggler and
be sent to jail, if even worse did not come of it.  For a lad to be sent
to jail in those days was a fearful punishment, for there was no
separation of prisoners, and should Dick go there he would be herded
with ruffians of every description, and could scarcely fail to come out
again without being very much the worse for his incarceration.  Just
then, however, he only thought how he could best keep out of the way of
Mr Gooch, and thus prevent him from inducing his father to yield up his
rights, which he might do, notwithstanding his resolutions to the
contrary, should he be thus able to save his son from punishment.

Dick awoke just as the light of the early dawn made its way into the
room.  The storm had ceased, and the clouds were fast disappearing,
giving promises of a fine day.  He had been a good penman at school, so
that he had no difficulty in writing his letter.  He had bade an
affectionate good night to them all, and he would not run the risk of
being hindered in his project by remaining for breakfast.  His letter
was brief.

"Dear father," it ran, "don't give up the farm.  I shall be all safe,
though I don't want you or any one else to find me until the matter is
settled, but I have made up my mind that they shall not make a cat's paw
of me.  Love to mother and Janet.  So no more from your affectionate
son, Dick."

Leaving the letter on the table, with a bundle of clothes and a few
other articles in his hand, he slipped silently downstairs, thankful to
find that his father was not yet stirring.  Filling his pocket with some
bread and cheese from the larder, he hurried out by the back door, which
was not likely to be opened for some time, and made his way by by-paths
in the direction of Keyhaven.  He felt, it must be confessed, somewhat
like a culprit escaping from justice.  Every now and then he looked back
to ascertain if he was followed; then again he ran on.  He wished, if
possible, to avoid meeting any one who might question him as to where he
was bound at that early hour.  The labourers would be going to work, but
a considerable portion of the country through which he passed was still
uncultivated.  Twice when he saw people coming, he turned aside and hid
himself behind a hedge until the men had passed.  He thus reached Ben
Rudall's cottage, without, as he supposed, being seen by any one who
knew him.  Ben was not at home; but Susan asked him to come in and sit
down.

"He has been out nearly all night, Master Richard, but I am hoping to
see him back safe every minute," she said.  "He got notice that the
_Nancy_ was standing in for the coast, and went out to lend a helping
hand.  I don't mind telling you, as I know that you are not one of those
who side with the revenue people, or would go and give information--"

"Which would injure any of my friends," put in Dick.  "No, indeed, I
would not.  To say the truth, your husband promised me a trip on board
the _Nancy_, which I have come to accept."

"He'll be main glad, for he has agreed to go himself the next trip, and
he told me that he thought the lugger would be away again to-night or
to-morrow at furthest.  She's not likely to be long away, though, and I
don't mind his going as much as I used to do.  Sometimes he has been
from home for six weeks or two months at a time, either looking out for
a cargo or waiting for a good chance to run across and land one on the
English coast."  Mrs Rudall did not hesitate to describe the doings of
the smugglers to Dick, though she would have been wonderfully reticent
to a stranger; yet she showed her anxiety by frequently going to the
door and looking round the corner in the direction she expected her
husband to appear.  "Here he comes! here he comes!" she cried at length,
and Ben, with a sou'wester on his head, a thick flushing coat on his
back, and his legs encased in high boots, made his appearance.

"All right, Susan!" he said, as he reached the cottage.  "We've done the
job neatly, and the goods are twenty miles inland by this time.  We'd a
famous night for it, couldn't have had a better, got the revenue men
away on the wrong scent, and had the coast clear long enough to land a
dozen cargoes.  If we get such another night for the next run, we shall
do well."

"I am thankful," said poor Susan, who thought more of her husband's
safety than probably of his share of the profits.  "Now, come in; here's
a visitor you'll be glad to see."

Ben put out his hand and shook Dick's, but before asking questions he
kissed his children, who came jumping up round him.

"Now, let's have breakfast, for I am main hungry, and I dare say our
friend here is," he exclaimed.  "Have you taken my advice, and made up
your mind for a trip on board the _Nancy_?" he asked, turning to Dick.

Dick replied in the affirmative, and described the visit Mr Gooch had
paid them the previous evening.

"The sooner you get on board and out of his way the better, for they'll
not think of looking for you there, and before to-morrow morning the
_Nancy_ will be away again across the Channel," said Ben.  Breakfast was
just over, and Ben was smoking his pipe in front of his cottage door,
when, looking to the southward, he exclaimed, "There she comes; she is a
beauty!" and he pointed to a fine lugger, which, under all sail, having
rounded Hurst Point, was standing towards Yarmouth.

Ben having put up a few articles, led the way down to his boat,
accompanied by Dick, and followed by his elder children, one carrying a
boat-hook, another the oars, while he himself bore the boat's mast and
sails on his broad shoulders.  The children stood on the beach, watching
them as they pulled away.  The breeze being favourable, Ben soon stepped
the mast and hoisted the sail, when he came aft with the mainsheet, and
told Dick to steer.

"You should never lose the chance of learning to be handy in a boat," he
observed; "you don't know when it may come in useful.  You are very well
as it is, but you are not like one born to it.  Howsumdever, you'll pick
up something on board the _Nancy_, and we shall have you turning out a
prime seaman one of these days."

Dick really steered very well, and Ben every now and then gave him an
approving nod.  Being perfectly familiar with the surrounding scenery,
he scarcely noticed it, occupied as his thoughts were just then by the
position in which he was placed.  Away to the right were the white
Needle rocks, their pointed heads standing high up out of the sea, with
chalky cliffs rising high above them; wide, smooth downs extending
eastward; below which were cliffs of varied colour, with a succession of
bays and rocky reefs; while ahead were the picturesque heights of
Freshwater, covered by green trees, amid which several villas and
cottages peeped out.  Further east still, appeared the little seaport
town of Yarmouth, with its old grey castle and grey stone houses, their
gardens extending down to the water; on the starboard quarter was Hurst
beach, with its massive round castle and tall, red lighthouse; while to
the northward, extended a wood-covered shore, on which could be
distinguished numerous residences, some of considerable size, and the
town of Lymington running up the side of a steep hill.

Ben was proud of his boat, though to the outward eye there was nothing
to admire, as the paint with which she had once been bedecked had been
worn off, her sails were patched, and her rigging knotted in several
places.

"I look at what she can do!" he observed; "and a better sea-boat or a
faster is not to be found between Hurst and Spithead.  It must blow a
precious hard gale before I should be afraid to be out in her night or
day."

That she was fast was proved by the speed with which she ran across the
Channel.  In a short time she was alongside the lugger, which had
brought up close in shore, her crew evidently fearless of the revenue
men, two or three of whom stood watching her.

All on board knew Ben, and gave him a hearty welcome.  "I have brought a
fresh hand, Jack!" he said, addressing the skipper in a familiar tone.
"I have long promised him a trip, and as it happens, it is as well that
he should keep out of the way of the big-wigs over there."  Ben then
briefly explained the danger Dick was in for threatening to shoot the
son of the Marquis of Elverston.

This announcement gained him a warm reception from the smugglers, who,
engaged in lawless pursuits themselves, were naturally inclined to
approve of such an act, and would possibly have looked upon him with
still greater respect had he fired as he had threatened.

"Glad to see you, my lad," said John Dore, putting out his hand.  "Make
yourself at home on board the _Nancy_.  We'll give you work when work
has to be done, and now, if you're tired, you can turn into my berth and
go to sleep till the evening, when, unless the wind shifts round to the
southward, we shall be at sea again."

"The best thing you can do," observed Ben.  "I must go to Keyhaven to
get a hand to take my boat back and look after her while I am away."

Dick, wishing to escape the notice of any one who might visit the lugger
from the shore, accepted the skipper's offer.  As he had closed his eyes
but a very short time during the previous night, he was soon fast
asleep.



CHAPTER FOUR.

UNDER WAY--LIFE ON BOARD THE NANCY--OFF THE FRENCH COAST--SHIPPING THE
CONTRABAND GOODS--RUN FOR ENGLAND--A STRANGE SAIL--THE CHASE--ESCAPE OF
THE LUGGER--LANDING THE CARGO--REVENUE OFFICERS--COOLNESS OF
DORE--"YIELD, IN THE KING'S NAME."--A LITTLE TOO LATE--DICK QUESTIONED.

When Dick awoke, he knew by the motion of the vessel and the sounds he
heard that she was under way.  The _Nancy_ was a craft of nearly a
hundred tons, decked all over, with three short, stout masts, the after
one leaning over the taffrail, with a long out-rigger.  On each of the
masts a large lug was carried, and above them could be set flying
topsails, and when before the wind studding-sails could be rigged out.
She could also hoist an enormous squaresail.  To set these sails, she
carried a numerous crew of tried seamen; promptitude and decision being
required in the dangerous work in which she was engaged.  Her armament
consisted of six short guns and a long nine-pounder, which could be
trained either fore or aft, to bring to a merchantman endeavouring to
escape, or to knock away the spars of an enemy chasing her.  Besides
these guns, she had an ample supply of cutlasses, pistols, and
boarding-pikes, to enable her crew to repel an attack made by boats or
from a hostile craft which might run alongside her.  She was truly an
Arab of the seas, with every man's hand against her, and her hand
against every man.  The captain, by means best known to himself, had
obtained a privateer's licence, and in that character he appeared when
in English waters, though her real employment was more than suspected by
the revenue officers, who were on the look-out to catch her.  In this
they had invariably failed, owing to the vigilance of her crew, and to
the exact information they received from their agents on shore.  Dick,
turning out of the skipper's bunk, went on deck.

He was greeted by Ben Rudall.  "You are safe enough now, lad, from the
constables who may be hunting for you through the country; and glad I am
to have you on board the _Nancy_.  When we get back you must remain
stowed away until we are at sea again, and in a short time they'll get
tired of looking for you."

"I hope they won't revenge themselves on my father," said Dick; "that's
what's troubling me now!"

"No fear of that, for he is not answerable for what you do, any more
than you are for his acts, and as he doesn't know where you are, he
can't tell them."

"I wish, however, that I could let mother and Janet know that I am all
safe; they may be fretting for me," said Dick.

"Never you fear, they'll guess that," said Ben, trying to set Dick's
mind at ease on the subject.  "It doesn't do to think about home or
anything of that sort when we are out on a cruise.  Cheer up, lad! cheer
up!"

A fresh breeze was blowing from the north-west.  The stars were shining
brightly out of a clear sky, and the lugger, close hauled, was passing
the Needle rocks, which could be dimly seen rising out of the dark water
like huge giants on the lee beam, while astern were visible the lights
on Hurst point now brought into one.  The lugger having rounded the
western end of the Isle of Wight, the helm was put up, the yards squared
away, the flying topsails and big squaresail set, and she stood across
Channel, bounding lightly over the dancing seas.  A craft with a fast
pair of heels alone could have caught her.  Her hardy crew remained on
deck, for all hands might at any moment have been required for an
emergency, either to shorten sail, or to alter her course, should a
suspicious vessel appear in sight.  All night long the lugger kept on
her course, steering westward of south.

"I say, Ben, how do the Frenchmen treat us if we go on shore, seeing
that we and they are fighting each other?" asked Dick.

"Never you fear; we shan't go on shore, except it may be at night, in
company with friends.  You will soon see how we manage things," was the
answer.

The lugger made such good way, that when morning dawned, the coast of
France was seen close aboard.  No vessels of any description were in
sight.  As she got closer in, the French flag was hoisted, and other
flags were got ready for making signals.  Dick heard the skipper talking
to three men whom he had not before observed, and whom he now discovered
to be Frenchmen.  He asked Ben who they were.

"One of them is to act as captain, the other two as his mates.  They
will go on shore and arrange about getting our cargo shipped.  They
won't take long, as it will be all ready.  If we have another favourable
night, we may run it, and it will be up in London before a week is
over."

A bright look-out was kept in every direction.  As no suspicious sail
appeared, the _Nancy_ stood on.  The signal which she made was answered
from the shore.

"All right," said Ben; "no fear of interruption for the present."

The topsails were lowered, and under the foresail and mizzen she glided
on into a small harbour between rocks of sufficient height to hide her
short masts from the view of any craft passing outside.  The crew of the
_Nancy_ appeared on deck, dressed as much as possible like French
seamen, while they wisely kept their tongues quiet, so that their true
character might not be suspected.

The two Frenchmen went on shore, while the third remained on board to
answer any questions which might be put to them.  Dick observed that the
lugger lay in such a position that she could easily slip out again,
should danger threaten.  The crew seemed perfectly at their ease,
laughing and talking when below, as if their situation was one to which
they were well accustomed.

The day passed away; still no cargo was forthcoming, nor did the
Frenchmen re-appear.  This made Dick fear that the authorities might
have discovered the true character of the _Nancy_, and in spite of their
precautions the smugglers might be taken in a trap.  He did not,
however, express his apprehensions, and neither Ben nor any of the men
appeared troubled on the subject.  At night the crew lay down on the
deck with their pistols in their belts, and their cutlasses and
boarding-pikes by their sides, each man at his station so that the cable
might be cut and the sails hoisted at a moment's notice.  It showed Dick
that his fears were not altogether without some foundation.  Nothing,
however, occurred during the night, and the following day passed away
much as the first had done.

Dore, however, grew impatient, and a boat was sent to watch outside the
harbour in case any enemy might be stealing along the coast to prevent
the _Nancy's_ escape.  At length, some time after it grew dark, a boat
came off from the shore, bringing the two Frenchmen, who reported that
the cargo was ready and would shortly be on board.  All hands stood
prepared for hoisting it in.  Several boats were quickly alongside, and
with wonderful rapidity bales of silks, laces, and ribbons, and kegs of
spirits and tobacco were transferred to the _Nancy's_ hold.  As soon as
they were stowed away, the anchor was got up, and the boats going ahead
towed her out of the harbour, the Frenchmen wishing her "_Bon voyage_,"
and a speedy return.

Dick breathed more freely when the sails were set, and the _Nancy_
gliding swiftly over the smooth water, the dark outline of the French
coast grew more and more indistinct.  "How soon shall we get back to
England?" he asked of Ben, by whose side he naturally kept when on deck.

"That depends on what may happen," answered Ben.  "We shall have to wait
for a dark night, and to take care that the coast is clear before we run
in.  It may be to-morrow, or it may be a week hence.  We have done very
well as yet, but there's many a slip between tin cup and the lip, as I
have found to my cost more than once."

Dick had to rest satisfied with this answer.  There were plenty of
people on board ready to talk to him, but their conversation was not of
an improving character.  Their chief delight seemed to be to abuse the
royal navy as well as the revenue laws, and those engaged in preventing
their infringement.  Dick was not accustomed to look too deep into
matters, and thought that what they said was very right.  It did not
occur to him that the same men would greatly have objected to free
trade, which would completely have deprived them of their present
illegal way of gaining a livelihood; and though there might have been
some truth in what they said about the navy, they were wrong in the
sweeping condemnation they pronounced against the service.  There were
some abuses still existing, but many had been removed; and there were
not a few commanders of king's ships who did their best to advance the
welfare of their crews, and were at all times kind and considerate to
those placed under them, as had been shown by numerous instances of
devotion on the part of the men to their officers.  The remarks of his
associates, however, gave Dick an unmitigated horror of the navy, while
he learned to look upon smugglers as a much-injured body of men, who
were unjustly interfered with while engaged in endeavouring to gain
their daily bread.  At length, growing sleepy, he was glad to go below
and lie down on one of the lockers in the little after cabin.

Next morning the lugger lay becalmed.  While the breeze lasted, the
smugglers had been in good humour, but as the watch below turned out,
they swore and grumbled at finding their craft lying idle on the smooth
surface of the ocean.  No sail was in sight, and as long as the calm
continued they could not come to harm; but an enemy might bring down a
breeze which would enable her to get close up to them before their sails
were filled.  This was what they dreaded.  All their seamanship and
courage would not avail if she was a vessel too powerful for them to
cope with.

Hour after hour passed away, and still the _Nancy_ lay floating idly,
and carried down Channel by the ebb tide, and swept up again by the
flood.  An anxious look-out was kept for signs of a coming breeze.
Evening was approaching.  From whatever quarter the wind might come, it
might bring up an enemy.  English or French were equally to be dreaded.
The skipper paced the deck, making short turns, telescope in hand, every
now and then sweeping the horizon with it, and casting an eye on the
dog-vanes which hung unmoved by a breath of air.  At last he kept his
glass longer than usual turned to the eastward.

"There's no doubt about it!" he exclaimed.  "Those are the royals of a
big ship of some sort; she's got a fresh breeze, too, or we shouldn't
have risen them so fast above the horizon."

Dick could only see a white spot on which the sun was shining, but it
appeared to be increasing in size and growing higher and higher.  The
gaze of most of those on board were turned towards her.  That she was
either an English or a French cruiser was the general opinion.  Some
thought that she was a frigate, others a corvette; for no merchantman,
at that period, would have come down Channel alone.  One thing was
certain, that she was steering directly for the lugger.

"What chance have we of escaping her?" asked Dick of Ben.

"Many a chance, lad," answered his friend.  "If she's English she may
not send a boat on board to examine us, and we shall pass for a
privateer, or we may get the breeze in time to slip out of her way to
the northward, or to keep ahead of her and give her the go-by during the
night.  If she's French, we must put the Frenchman in command, show our
French papers, and bamboozle the mounseers, or if the worst comes to the
worst, tumble the crew of their boat overboard and try to get away."

"But suppose they fire into us?" said Dick, who though often thoughtless
was alive to the true state of the case.

"We must run the chance of that, my lad," answered Ben, "though my idea
is that yonder craft is an English corvette, and although she may be a
pretty fast sailer, when once the _Nancy_ gets the breeze, we shall show
her a clean pair of heels."

Dick sincerely hoped that such would be the case.  He had not reckoned
on the chance of being captured as a smuggler, or made prisoner by the
enemy, or shot by either the one or the other.  The crew were at their
stations, ready to trim sails the moment the slightest breath of air
should reach them.  The topsails had before been set.  The squaresail
and studding-sails were got up ready to hoist at an instant's notice.
Still the lugger lay motionless, and the corvette, for such she was
pronounced to be, came rapidly on, under every stitch of canvas she
could carry.  She was soon within a mile of the lugger, when some cat's
paws were seen playing over the water; the dog-vanes blew out and then
dropped, the canvas flapped lightly against the masts.  The skipper
swore, and the crew swore, until once more they saw the sails bulging
out slightly.

"Hurrah! here it comes at last!  We'll keep out of that fellow's way,"
cried Captain Dore, eyeing the stranger.  The lugger began gathering
way.  "Port the helm, Tom.  We'll stand to the northward, and shall soon
see whether he wishes to speak us.  If he does, we'll take leave to
disappoint him."

The yards were braced up on the starboard tack, and the lugger stood on
the course proposed, so that the corvette, should she continue on as she
was now steering, would pass astern.  Dore kept his eye fixed on her.

"She's a fancy to know more about us," he remarked, as he observed the
stranger also keeping up to the northward.  "Her shot can't reach us
yet, and we shall soon see, now we have got the breeze, which is the
faster craft of the two."

As Dick looked over the starboard quarter, he saw the sails and dark
hull of the corvette, lighted up by the rays of the setting sun, making
her appear so much nearer than she really was, that he wondered she did
not fire a shot to make the lugger heave to.  He had no cowardly fears
on the subject, but he again thought that he should have acted more
wisely had he stowed himself away safely on shore, instead of coming on
board the lugger.  The corvette looked so powerful, that it seemed to
him that a single broadside from her guns, would send the _Nancy_ with
all on board to the bottom.  He observed, however, that Dore walked the
deck with as calm an air as usual, all the time, however, narrowly
eyeing the king's ship, ready to take advantage of any change which
might occur.

"We shall have darkness down upon us soon, and then we will show yonder
fellow a trick or two.  He wants to jam us up against the English coast;
but we are not to be so caught," he observed to his mate, Ned Langdon.

The breeze had freshened considerably, and was now blowing so strong,
that the lugger could, on a wind, with difficulty carry her topsails,
which were still set.  The corvette had handed her royals, presently she
took in her topgallant sails.  She had lately been gaining on the
lugger.  Dick, with the rest of his companions, seldom had his eyes off
her; the darkness was increasing, and her outline was becoming less and
less distinct.  Presently he saw a bright flash dart from her bows, and
the roar of a gun reached his ears.  The shot, however, had fallen
short.  The smugglers laughed.

"You may blaze away, but you won't do us much harm!" observed Dore.

Another and another shot followed.  The commander of the cruiser
evidently wished to make the lugger heave to.  If he had before had
doubts of her character, he must now have been thoroughly satisfied as
to what she was, and would become more eager to capture her.

"Stand by, my lads, to make sail!" cried Dore.  "Keep up the helm, Tom,
and hoist away on the squaresail!"

The lugger was put before the wind, running considerably faster than she
had hitherto been doing through the water.  The corvette must have
observed her change of course, as she also kept away, and once more her
topgallant sails were loosed.  It was too dark to observe how the masts
stood the pressure.

"I only wish that they would set the royals; with this breeze there
would be a good chance of the spars being carried away," said Dore.

It was very doubtful whether the corvette was gaining on the lugger.
Though the advancing night gradually shrouded her more and more in
gloom, she could still be discerned, her canvas rising up like a dark
phantom stalking over the ocean.  The crew of the lugger stood at their
stations, ready at a moment to obey their captain's orders.  He kept his
eye on the topsails, though if blown away the accident would not be of
much consequence.  The masts were tough, and bent like willow wands.

"They'll hold on as long as we want them now," observed Dore.  Again and
again he looked astern.  Presently he shouted, "Lower the topsails!
Starboard the helm, Tom!  Haul away at the starboard braces!" and the
lugger, on the port tack, stood close hauled to the southward.

The sharpest eyes on board were turned in the direction their pursuer
was supposed to be.  Some time passed away.

"There she is!" cried Ben.  "Although we see her, she doesn't see us, as
we are stern on, and much lower in the water than she is."

Dick looked with all his might.  He could just discern some object
moving along over the water, but so indistinctly that he could not be
certain it was a ship.  Still, the commander of the corvette might
suspect that the lugger had changed her course, and changed his also.

"All right!" cried Dore, after watching the phantom-like stranger in the
distance, until she totally disappeared.  "She'll not catch us this
cruise."

The lugger was put about, on the starboard tack, and once more stood
towards the English coast.

"Shall we be in to-morrow morning?" asked Dick.

"No, no," answered Ben.  "Whatever happens, we shall make the coast at
night, when the revenue men can't see us.  We have friends on the
look-out, who will make signals to show us when and where to run in.
The weather is too fine at present, so that we shall have to dodge about
and wait for a dark night, with thick rain or fog; but we don't much
trust fogs, they may lift suddenly and show our whereabouts to those we
do not want to see us.  However, we must run some risks.  We want to
land our goods in quiet, but if any one interferes with us, we of course
must fight to defend our property.  All right and square, you will
understand, but if there's bloodshed, it is the fault of those who wish
to take it from us."

Dick did not ask himself whether Ben was right or wrong.  He forgot that
one party were breaking the laws, the other performing their duty in
protecting them.

Next morning, when Dick came on deck, he found the lugger hove to, with
the blue line of the English coast to the northward.  Though the shore
could be seen, the vessel herself was too far off to be discerned from
thence.  Most of the crew were below, but the watch on deck, vigilant as
ever, were turning their eyes in every direction, so that, should a
suspicious sail appear, they might at once shape a course which would
enable them to avoid her.  Dick, who had been accustomed to an active
life, began to grow weary at having nothing to do.  He walked the deck
with his hands in his pockets, talking to the men, or he sat below
listening to their yarns, which were generally not of a very edifying
character.

The greater number of the crew passed their time, either sleeping or
playing at cards or dice.  Sometimes, for a change they turned to and
cleaned their muskets and pistols, or burnished up their cutlasses.  It
was a relief when a stranger appeared whom it was thought better to
avoid.  The lugger making sail stood to the southward.  She returned to
her former position, however, as soon as the suspicious craft had
passed.  This occurred twice during the day.  At night she stood close
in to the coast, to look out for signals, but none were seen, and before
the morning she again took up her former position at a sufficient
distance to be invisible from the shore.

For several days the same sort of proceeding took place.  Two or three
times she made all sail, it being supposed that she was chased, and once
she had a narrow escape from a French cruiser, who probably took her for
an English privateer.  The wind continued moderate, and the sky clear,
and Dore began to swear and to wish for some real honest Channel
weather.  At last the wind shifted, first to the southward and
afterwards to the south-west, from which direction a thick bank of mist
was seen coming up, and the lugger, directly she was shrouded by it,
made sail for the English coast.  Although there was no fear of her
being seen from any distance, she still ran the risk of falling into the
lion's jaws, to avoid which a sharp lookout was kept, and all hands
stood ready to trim sails in case it should be necessary.

The night was coming on, and it was soon dark enough to suit their
requirements.  She now frequently hove to, to sound as well as to watch
for any signal from the shore.  At length a light was seen, faint and
dim through the mist, another was shown a short distance from it, and
then a third appeared, when all three in an instant disappeared.  The
lugger stood on, sail was shortened, and the anchor dropped.  Scarcely
had she brought up when half a dozen boats dashed alongside.

"Be smart, my lads!" cried Dore.  "If we are quick about it, we may run
the whole of the cargo before the revenue men are down upon us."

Not another word was spoken; every one knew exactly what he had to do.
The lugger's crew hoisted out the bales and kegs, and the men who had
come off stowed them away in the boats.  The lugger's own boat was not
idle.  Having loaded her, Ben and Dick, with three other men, jumped in
and pushed for the shore.  The surf was pretty heavy, but without
accident they reached the beach, where a large party of people were
collected, with a number of pack horses and carts.  The boats were at
once surrounded, and their cargoes quickly taken out of them and placed
either in the carts or on the backs of the horses.  The work was carried
on with the greatest rapidity, and by the time Dick and his companions
had launched their boat, the whole had begun to move off, and before the
lugger was reached, not a single person was to be seen on the beach.

On their return to the _Nancy_, the boat was hoisted in and preparations
began for making sail.  The operation required care, for should she cast
the wrong way, she might drive on shore.  The skipper himself took the
helm.  The hands went to their stations.  The instant the anchor was
away the sails were sheeted home, and the lugger, casting, as desired,
to port, stood off from the dangerous coast, close-hauled.  She had not
got many cable lengths from the beach when two boats dashed alongside.
A number of armed men sprang on board.

"We've caught you, my fine fellows," exclaimed an officer.  "Yield, in
the king's name!"

"Happy to see you, gentlemen," answered Dore, with the greatest
coolness.  "You are welcome to look over our craft, and if you find
anything contraband on board--for that I suppose is what you are after--
we'll yield fast enough."

The officer was evidently nonplussed, but he was still not inclined to
take the smuggler's word.  He allowed the lugger, however, to stand
further out, until she could heave to with safety, when he ordered the
foresail to be backed.  He, with several of his men, then went below,
Dore ordering Dick and another lad to carry a couple of lanterns, that
the officer might see his way.  The search, as Dore well knew would be
the case, revealed nothing on which the revenue could lay hands--not a
bale nor keg of spirits, nor even a few pounds of tobacco.

"Circumstances certainly were suspicious.  You have cleaned her out
completely," said the officer, turning to Dick, and as he did so eyeing
him narrowly.  "Where was the cargo run?"

Dick was very nearly replying, "Not long ago," and thus confessing that
the cargo had been run, but recollecting in time that the smugglers
might object to such an answer, he said--

"I am merely a passenger on board, sir, and it is not my business to
answer questions."

"What's your name, my lad?" asked the officer.

Dick was on the point of replying, when Ben, who had heard the question,
stepped up.  "It is your business, Mr Lieutenant, to overhaul this
craft and see that there are no smuggled goods on board, and when that
business is over you have nothing more to do.  That youngster's name may
be Jack Robinson, or it may be Tom Jones, but whatever it may be is no
business of yours."

The officer put several questions to others of the crew, but neither
from them nor from the captain could he elicit any of the information he
required.  They were perfectly civil to him, and offered not the
slightest opposition to his going through every part of the vessel, and
joked with the boats' crews, several recognising old shipmates.  They
shook hands, patted each other on the back, and appeared on the most
friendly terms.  Yet the case would have been very different had the
_Nancy's_ cargo been on board.  There would then have been a death
struggle, the one to defend, the other to take possession of the craft,
and they would have fought until one or the other had been defeated.

"Well, Captain Dore," said the lieutenant, "you have been too smart for
us this time, but we intend to catch you some day or other."

"Maybe the _Nancy_ will be sunk by an enemy's cruiser before then.  You
seem to have an idea, lieutenant, that we are smugglers.  I didn't think
fit to gainsay you before, but if you'll step back into my cabin I'll
show you my privateer's licence, which will prove to you that we are
engaged lawfully, making war against the French trade," answered Dore.

"Well, well, whichever you are, I won't longer detain you; but before I
go I wish to have a word with the youngster I saw on board, the son of a
respectable farmer living out Milford way."

"We detain no one on board against his will, except he has signed
articles.  If the lad is the person you suppose, and is willing to go,
go he may, provided you can promise that no harm can come to him."

"I wish to prevent him getting into harm," said the lieutenant, and he
sent one of his men to find Dick, who was soon afterwards brought aft.

Dick was in two minds about going.  When the lieutenant told him of the
anxiety of his father and mother, he was on the point of accepting the
offer.  Just at that moment Ben stepped up.

"You'd better not," he whispered, "for the officer may mean you well,
but remember there are others who want to get you into their power, and
you will repent it."

"Thank you, sir," said Dick.  "I have come on board this vessel of my
own free will, and would rather stay where I am.  If you will see father
and mother, and tell them I am all right, I will be obliged to you."

"You see, sir, that the lad doesn't want to go, and as you have found
nothing on board to enable you to detain this vessel, I must beg you to
let us make sail, for we are drifting in shore closer than is safe."

Again the lieutenant appealed to Dick.  Dore, however, suspected that if
the lieutenant got him into his power he might induce him to come
forward to prove that the _Nancy_ was engaged in smuggling, and that he
should then be deprived of his privateer's licence, so, giving a hint to
his men, they surrounded Dick and carried him forward.

As the lieutenant had performed his duty, he ordered his men into the
boats and they pulled away for the shore, while the _Nancy_ stood out to
sea.



CHAPTER FIVE.

AT THE HALL--REFUSAL OF LORD REGINALD'S GIFT--LADY ELVERSTON AND HER
DAUGHTERS--TROUBLES OF THE FARMER'S WIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR REJOINING THE
WOLF--LIEUTENANT HILTON--INFORMATION RECEIVED OF AN INTENDED LANDING--
LORD REGINALD AND VOULES JOIN THE REVENUE PARTY--FIGHT WITH THE
SMUGGLERS--SUCCESS OF THE KING'S PARTY--AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE YOUNG
LORD AND RICHARD HARGRAVE--DICK'S DEFENCE--LORD REGINALD HURT--ESCAPE OF
THE FARMER'S SON--UNFAVOURABLE OPINION OF DICK AT THE HALL--THE MARQUIS
AND VOULES--THE MIDSHIPMEN REJOIN THE WOLF.

Lord Reginald and his messmate greatly enjoyed their stay at Elverston
Hall.  Parties of all sorts were got up for their amusement, and guests
were invited to meet them--Voules taking good care to sing the praises
of his friend.

He employed his time, much to his own satisfaction, in paying court to
Lady Elverston, and endeavouring guardedly to win his way into the good
graces of the younger ladies.  They were always ready to listen to him
while he was talking of their brother, whose faults they either had not
discovered, or were willing to overlook.  To them, at all events, he was
always affectionate and courteous, whatever he might be to others.

The rest of the household were not altogether so well satisfied with his
dictatorial, overbearing manners, though they acknowledged that he might
be a very brave officer, who would some day prove an ornament to his
profession; but the wish was general, if not expressed, that he would
soon go off again to sea.

Though still feeling angry with Dick for the impertinent and bold way in
which he had spoken to him, he did not forget his promise to replace the
dog he had shot; and as soon as he could find a suitable animal he
despatched it by a groom to Farmer Hargrave's daughter, sending, at the
same time, a note expressing his regret at the accident.  It arrived
just as Mr Gooch had left the cottage, and the interview the farmer had
had with the bailiff had not been calculated to soothe his feelings.
Mr Gooch had again threatened him with legal proceedings, and had
accused him of sending his son out of the way to avoid the consequences
of his misdeeds.  Farmer Hargrave, of course, denied this, asserting
that he did not know where his son was.

He was standing at the door when the groom, leading the dog, arrived,
and delivered his message from Lord Reginald.

"Tell my lord that my daughter doesn't require a dog.  None can replace
the poor brute that was killed, of which she was very fond.  So I beg
you'll take it back, and say I am much obliged to him for his
intentions," he said.

"I don't think my lord will be well pleased to hear this, Farmer
Hargrave," answered the man.  "He thought he was doing your daughter a
great honour in sending her a dog, but he didn't do it on account of
your son, I've a fancy."

"The very reason why I refused to receive the animal," answered the
farmer.  "I have nothing more to say; and the least said the soonest
mended."

"Am I to take this message, then?" asked the groom.

"Yes; I have no other to send.  Good day to you," said the farmer,
turning round as if about to enter his house.

The man led off the dog, observing to himself, "The young lord will be
in a pretty way when he hears this; it won't be the better for the
farmer or Master Dick.  That young fellow will get into more trouble if
he doesn't mend his manners."

Lord Reginald, who had just returned with Voules from a ride, was
standing in front of the house when the groom appeared, leading the dog.

"I thought I ordered you to take that dog to Farmer Hargrave?" exclaimed
the midshipman.

"So I did, my lord, but Farmer Hargrave won't have him, and says he
doesn't want any gifts from your lordship."

"Impudent fellow!" observed Voules.  "The father must be as great a
barbarian as that precious son of his."

"Did you give him my message properly?" asked Lord Reginald.

"Yes, my lord, word for word, and I advised Farmer Hargrave to take the
dog, but he would not on any account."

"Then his daughter must go without the animal.  I sent it to her, not to
him," said Lord Reginald, turning to Voules.  "This sort of thing is
really provoking; the people about here are next door to savages.  I was
rather inclined to pity the old Hargraves on account of their blind
daughter, but I shall persuade my father to do as Gooch advises.  His
house and barns are a great eyesore from the dining-room windows, and we
shall be able to add several acres to the park if he could be removed."

"Whether he is right or no, he ought, for the sake of pleasing the
marquis, to be ready to give up his farm," said Voules, "and if he won't
do so of his own accord, he should be compelled.  I have no idea of the
commonalty venturing to set themselves up against the aristocracy in the
way they have done since the French Revolution."

Lord Reginald had been induced by a right motive to send the dog, and
the refusal of the farmer to receive it again raised his angry feelings
against Dick.  "If I come across the young fellow, I'll punish him for
his own and his father's impertinence!" he exclaimed.

The incident, slight as it may appear, prevented him for some days
enjoying, as he might otherwise have done, the pleasures of home.  Lady
Elverston had fulfilled her promise of speaking to the marquis.

"I would not, of course, act unjustly towards Hargrave," he answered;
"but Gooch, who has consulted the lawyer, tells me that I have a perfect
right to turn him out; besides which I have offered him an ample sum to
go, but he has refused to receive the compensation, and insists on
standing up for what he calls his rights.  I, of course, cannot be
thwarted by a man at my own gates, and have given authority to Gooch to
proceed as he thinks necessary for my interests."

"But we consider the farm-house, the stacks, and the buildings,
picturesque objects in the distance, and we could not desire to have
near us more respectable, worthy people than the Hargraves," urged Lady
Elverston.

"He is an obstinate fellow, and a Republican at heart, and will to a
certainty vote against our son, should John stand for the next
Parliament," answered the marquis.  "However, I promise you I will act
with perfect justice; but you could not wish me to submit to the
insolence of a fellow of his description."

Poor Lady Elverston, though not convinced that her husband was right,
was unable to say anything more.  She saw that he had been strongly
biased against the farmer, and she was naturally displeased with the way
his son had behaved to Lord Reginald.  Her compassionate feelings for
Janet, however, were not altered.  In the afternoon, accompanied by Lady
Julia, she took a drive in her pony carriage.  In passing Farmer
Hargrave's house she stopped to see Janet, wishing also to ascertain the
reason for the objection Mr Hargrave had to giving up his farm, and
hoping to induce him to yield with a good grace to the wishes of the
marquis.

The ladies found Janet and her mother seated in the parlour.  A smile
played over the countenance of the blind girl when she heard the voice
of the marchioness.

"Very kind, my lady, very kind in you to come and see us, and mother
wants so much to talk to your ladyship about the matter of the farm,"
she said, after the ordinary inquiries had been made and answered.

Lady Elverston was glad of this opportunity of entering on the subject,
and she begged to hear what Mrs Hargrave had to say.

"My husband, my lady, doesn't desire to oppose the wishes of the
marquis, but as every Englishman should--as your ladyship will agree--he
stands on his rights, and as he has a long lease of this property, which
his fathers for many generations held before him, he refuses to be
compelled to give it up.  You see, my lady, Mr Gooch has been here and
threatened that the law will force him if he refuses, and when my good
man told him that the law could not compel him, the bailiff said that he
would bring up our son Richard before the justices for threatening to
shoot Lord Reginald, which I cannot believe he ever did, even though he
was vexed at his lordship killing his dog.  My husband, my lady, is a
determined man, and neither I nor any one else can induce him to change
his mind if he thinks he is doing what is right."

"I certainly would not ask him to do what he thinks is wrong," said Lady
Elverston, "and I am quite sure that the marquis did not give authority
to Mr Gooch to use any threats.  Lord Elverston told me this morning
that he was willing to offer any reasonable compensation to your husband
for quitting the farm, and he would probably give him ample time to find
another equally suitable."

"I was sure, my lady, that the marquis would not have allowed the
bailiff to make use of the threats he did; and if you will speak again
to his lordship and induce him to make a fair offer to my husband,
though it would well-nigh break our hearts to move, I will try and get
him to accept it."

Lady Elverston, who suspected that the marquis had been deceived by Mr
Gooch, promised again to speak to him; though well aware that he was as
obstinate as the farmer, she did not say that she was certain of
success.  Lady Julia in the mean time was talking in her gentle way to
Janet, and promised to call for her the first sunny day to take her out
for a drive in the pony-carriage.  Her ladyship then inquired for Dick,
and expressed a hope that he would harbour no ill feelings towards her
son.

"I pray that he won't, my lady; he has ever been a good and faithful son
to us, though somewhat headstrong at times, but he has not a revengeful
spirit, and I am sure he would not wish to harm Lord Reginald.  We are
in sad trouble about him, for Mr Gooch frightened him so by his
threats, that he has gone away, we don't know where."

"Have you no clue to his hiding-place?" asked Lady Elverston.  "I should
much like to have some conversation with him, and I trust that I might
soften any lingering ill feeling--should such exist in his breast--
towards my son."

"I shall never forget your kindness, whatever happens, my lady," said
Mrs Hargrave.

After some further conversation, the marchioness took her departure,
accompanied by Lady Julia, still, however, in considerable doubt whether
she had done much to settle the vexed question.

The time of the two midshipmen's stay at Elverston Hall was drawing to a
close.  Voules had received a letter from a messmate, saying that the
_Wolf_ was nearly ready for sea.  He flattered himself that he had not
let the grass grow under his feet; that he had established himself in
the good graces of Lord and Lady Elverston; and he had even the vanity
to suppose that he had made some progress in those of Lady Julia.  He
was gentlemanly in his manners, and Lord Reginald always spoke of him as
"a capital fellow," and seemed to regard him with affection.

Lord Reginald himself, accustomed to an active life, was, however,
beginning to grow somewhat tired of his stay on shore; though attached
to his family, he was perfectly ready to go back to his ship.  He had
experienced, indeed, lately some difficulty in finding amusement for
himself and companion.  He and Voules had made the acquaintance of the
lieutenant of the neighbouring coastguard station, who, having seen a
great deal of service, and being a merry fellow, with a fund of
anecdote, was an amusing companion.  Lieutenant Hilton had several times
been invited to dine at the hall, an honour he highly appreciated,
although it cost him a long trudge there and back, over a somewhat wild
region, with the risk of encountering some of the lawless characters of
the neighbourhood, who looked upon him as their worst foe.  He had one
day been dining at the hall; the gentlemen having indulged freely in the
bottle, as was too common in those times, were about to join the ladies
in the drawing-room, when a servant entered to inform Lieutenant Hilton
that a person wished to see him immediately on important business.

"He has probably brought information that a run is to be made to-night,
and if so, Hilton, we'll accompany you to see the fun," said Lord
Reginald.  "Don't go off without us, remember.  We'll mount you, and we
will ride together, with any one else who likes to come."

Lieutenant Hilton hurried out to see the messenger.  He returned to say
that Lord Reginald was right in his conjectures, and that there was no
time to be lost, as a suspicious lugger had been seen off the coast, and
that as the night promised to be dark, there was no doubt she would try
to run her cargo before the morning.

The other gentlemen declined the proposed expedition, and Voules would
gladly have remained behind, but he could not venture to allow Lord
Reginald to go without him, especially as he himself had proposed
assisting the revenue, should an opportunity occur.  Very unwillingly,
therefore, he went to his room to prepare for the ride, instead of
passing the evening, as he had hoped, in the society of Lady Julia.

The marquis, although he would rather his son had not undertaken what
might prove a hazardous expedition, could not object, as he had
expressed his resolution by every means in his power to put down the
smugglers.  The horses were soon ready, and the lieutenant and the two
midshipmen, led by the mounted exciseman who had brought the
information, set off by a road which would lead them to the westward of
Milford.  The excise officer informed the lieutenant that a messenger
had been despatched to obtain the assistance of a party of dragoons
stationed at Lymington, and that a small body of sea-fencibles,
belonging to the district, were hurrying on towards the expected scene
of action.  With the aid of the lieutenant's own men, a sufficient force
would thus, it was hoped, be collected to seize the goods should they be
landed, while the boats on the station were despatched to try and
capture the lugger herself before she had completely discharged her
cargo.  The exact spot where it was intended the lugger should run her
cargo was unknown, but it was supposed that it would be somewhere
between Hurst and Christchurch.  The cliffs here are of considerable
height, rising above a narrow beach, and, continually crumbling away,
exhibit numerous fossil remains.  In some places they are broken by
narrow gullies, which, sloping up gradually from the shore to the downs
above, afford easy pathways up which both men and loaded animals can
climb without much difficulty.

Since information had first been received of the intended run from a
treacherous confederate of the smugglers, preparations for their capture
had been carried on with the greatest possible secrecy and rapidity.  It
was important to prevent the smugglers' associates on shore from
discovering that the revenue men were approaching.

Lieutenant Hilton having reached his station, summoned eight of his own
men to accompany him.  Here the midshipmen were provided with pistols
and cutlasses.  Their services were likely to be of use, as it was
certain the smugglers would muster in large numbers.  The horses were
left at the station, while the lieutenant and his party proceeded to the
spot where the sea-fencibles were posted, waiting for any information
they might receive to guide their future proceedings.

It was in a hollow, surrounded by trees and brushwood, and about half a
mile or so from the sea-shore.  The night, as had been expected, was
very dark, the wind a moderate breeze, blowing from the north-west.  Not
a word was spoken above a whisper, for fear lest their position should
be discovered by any passing associates of the smugglers.  The latter
had given it out that the run was to be made on the other side of
Christchurch head, and to induce them to suppose that this was believed,
a party of revenue men had started off in that direction, taking care
that their movements should be observed.  It was hoped by this that the
smugglers would be deceived, and would attempt the run at the spot named
in the private information which had been received.

"This is dull work!" whispered Voules to Lord Reginald.  "I thought we
should be up and doing long ago."

"Dull enough!  I vote we set off by ourselves, to try and find out what
the smugglers are about," answered Lord Reginald.

"I should recommend riding back to the hall, and letting our friends
here follow their own devices," said Voules; "but it would not do, now
that we have once put ourselves under Hilton's command, to desert him."

Their patience was to be further tried.  At last, one of the scouts who
had been set to watch the direction taken by those who were sure to
assist in the landing, came in with the intelligence that he had traced
them midway between the hamlets of Barton and Ash, and that he had seen
suspicious lights both on shore and at sea.  The latter were, it was
guessed, shown on board the lugger, which was exchanging signals with
the spotsmen on shore, leaving little doubt as to where the goods would
be run.  As the distance to the spot was considerable, there was no time
to be lost, for not only might the lugger's cargo be landed, but carried
far away into the interior before the revenue men could get there.
There was a danger, however, should they arrive too soon, of their being
discovered by the smugglers, who would in that case put off to sea again
and wait for a more favourable opportunity.

The road followed by Lieutenant Hilton and his party led some distance
from the shore.  They proceeded as fast as they could move, forming a
compact body, that they might run the less risk of being seen.  The
commander of the sea-fencibles arranged the plan of proceeding.  He,
with his men, would go to the westward, while the lieutenant was to
attack the smugglers on the opposite side, and the excisemen were to
guard the upper part of the hollow or gully which led down to the water,
so as to catch any of the smugglers who might be making their way up it
to escape.  This plan was arranged as they went along.

On reaching the neighbourhood of the spot, they halted, and scouts were
sent out to ascertain if the smugglers had collected where they had been
expected.  In a short time the scouts returned, stating that a large
body of men were on the beach, and one of them added that he had nearly
been discovered by a party with pack animals proceeding down the gully
which led to the same part of the shore.  Lord Reginald was on the point
of exhibiting his satisfaction by giving a loud shout, when Voules
stopped him.

"On my lads!" said the lieutenant in a low voice; and he led his men by
a narrow path which wound down the cliff to the west of the village of
Barton, while the rest of the party, by a wide circuit, made their way
to the opposite side.

It was agreed that Lieutenant Hilton should fire off a couple of pistols
in rapid succession, as the signal for attacking the smugglers, and that
both parties were to rush on them simultaneously, while the men at the
top of the gully should stop them from making their escape in that
direction.

Lord Reginald was eager for the attack, but Voules, as he made out the
numbers in which the smugglers mustered, heartily wished that he had
remained to enjoy the society of the ladies at the hall.

"We are likely to get more kicks than ha'pence, and little honour, at
all events," he muttered to himself.

From where they lay concealed, they could observe the boats coming on
shore with the lugger's cargo.  The lieutenant watched until he
considered that the larger portion had been landed.  He directed Lord
Reginald and Voules, with three men, to guard the foot of a pathway
leading up the cliff, by which possibly some of the smugglers might
attempt to make their escape.  The outlaws had been carrying on their
undertaking in perfect silence.  Not a sound had been heard, when the
report of the two pistols echoed among the cliffs.  It was the signal
for a general uproar.  The revenue men dashed forward from both sides
towards the party on the beach, who began shouting and swearing
vehemently.  Then came the flash of firearms, and the clash of
cutlasses.  The smugglers fought desperately.  Some were hurriedly
loading the horses, hoping to escape with a portion of the goods by
land, others were engaged in throwing the packages back into the boats,
and endeavouring to shove off, and regain the lugger.  The revenue
officers, knowing that this would be attempted, rushed forward to
prevent them.  Here some of the hottest fighting took place.  As they
could not escape through the gully, no attempt was made to stop them
from entering it.  Before long, however, the smugglers discovered how
they had been entrapped, when those who had gone off came running back
with the disastrous intelligence.  All attempts to save the goods were
abandoned.  Each man thought only how he could best make his escape.
Some endeavoured to climb the cliffs, others rushed beneath them, to the
westward.  One party made a dash for the pathway guarded by Lord
Reginald and Voules.  So furious was their onslaught, that Voules was
knocked over, and while their men had each an opponent, two other
smugglers rushed past Lord Reginald.  He fired, but whether his bullet
took effect or not, he could not tell; by the flash, however, he thought
that he recognised the features of Dick Hargrave, whose companion,
wresting the young lord's sword from his grasp, dashed on up the path,
and both were soon lost to sight in the darkness.  Lord Reginald made a
vain attempt to follow the fugitives, but, unable to see his way, was
glad to rejoin his companions.

"I know the young rascal, and have now proof positive that he is a
smuggler!" he exclaimed.  "Voules, did you see him?"

But Voules, who had been lying on the sand where he had been thrown,
some feet below, only just then began to recover.  Several seconds
elapsed before he was again able to take part in what was going forward.
The other smugglers, who had tried to escape up the path, were secured.

The fighting continued, however, for some time longer, till, one after
the other, the smugglers were knocked down and captured, four being
killed, and a large number wounded, while two of the revenue men lost
their lives, and several others were severely hurt.  Dore, with the few
people still remaining on board the lugger, waited in the hopes of the
boats getting off, but when they knew by their not returning that their
friends must have been taken, the cable was cut, and the _Nancy_ stood
out to sea.  She had, however, proceeded but a short distance when two
revenue boats dashed alongside, and her diminished crew, being unable to
make any effectual resistance, she was captured, with the remainder of
the contraband goods on board, more than sufficient to condemn her.

Lieutenant Hilton was very well pleased with the result of the
enterprise.  Seldom had so large a capture been effected.  He had,
however, still a difficult task to perform, as he had scarcely men
sufficient to guard the prisoners, whose desperate character he knew
full well, while he had the additional duty of conducting the
packhorses.

The smugglers at first appeared to submit quietly enough, but that was
no proof that they would continue to do so, should they find an
opportunity of escaping.

As there were not more than three lanterns among the whole party, it was
difficult to ascertain whether the prisoners were properly secured.  At
any moment, they might break loose and effect their escape.  They had,
indeed, every motive for doing so.  They had not only been captured
smuggling, but had weapons in their hands, opposing the king's
authority, and one and all of them might be tried for the death of the
two revenue men who had fallen.  All who had been taken were now brought
together and placed under the cliffs, watched by a strong guard, while
the bales and kegs, which lay scattered about in all directions, were
collected and packed on the horses.

The order to march was given.  The pack animals went first, followed by
the captured smugglers, who uttered curses, deep if not loud, on their
hard fate.  Then came the men told off to carry the wounded who were too
much hurt to walk.  Lord Reginald and Voules brought up the rear.  The
killed were left above high water mark on the beach, until a party could
be sent to carry them to Barton churchyard, where the revenue man and
smuggler were destined to lie side by side.

The party at length reached the top of the cliff, and directed their
course towards the high road running between Christchurch and Lymington.
They had proceeded about a mile, when a number of armed men, springing
out from behind the hedges on either side, suddenly attacked the
conductors of the pack-horses, which they endeavoured to carry off.  The
prisoners, taking advantage of the confusion, attempted to escape, and
there appeared every probability that some would succeed.

"Cut down the fellows, if they try to get off!" cried Voules, and the
other officers repeated the order.

At that moment the clattering sound of horses' hoofs coming along the
road was heard.  A cry arose, "The dragoons are upon us!"  The men who
had made the last daring attempt to recover the goods took to flight.
Two were captured by the soldiers, who went in pursuit, but the rest
effected their escape.

Mr Hilton gladly handed over the prisoners to the charge of the
military, while he accompanied Lord Reginald and Voules back to the
station where they had left their horses.

"I wish that you would remain here until the morning," said the
lieutenant, when they reached it.  "There are a number of rough
characters allied with the smugglers, who, should they fall in with you,
may take it into their heads to revenge themselves by shooting you."

"I am not afraid of them," answered the young lord.  "Voules and I
together are able to tackle a dozen such fellows.  Thank you for your
invitation, but our friends at the hall will be anxious to know what has
happened, and I want to tell my father how admirably you have managed
affairs."

The lieutenant, finding that the midshipmen could not be induced to
remain, ordered the horses to be brought out, and Lord Reginald, saying
that he would the next morning send a groom for the animal the
lieutenant had ridden, being well acquainted with the way, set off with
Voules for the hall.

"As there is no fear of our losing the road, even in the dark, we may as
well take a short cut," he observed, after they had gone some distance.
"We shall save a mile or more, and have the advantage of turf.  The
moon, too, will soon be up, and we shall be able to gallop a good part
of the distance."

Voules had nothing to say against this proposal, though he would have
preferred the high road.

"This lane will lead us on to the heath, and as the sky is clear, there
will be light enough, even before the moon rises, besides which our
horses know the way as well as I do," said Lord Reginald.

They rode down the lane at a more steady pace than they had hitherto
been going, for it was full of ruts, and somewhat narrow and winding.
It conducted them on to a wild heath, beyond which could be discerned
the outskirts of the New Forest, the trees in some places projecting
over the heath like the advance guard of an army, while in others wild
glades opened out extending far into the interior.  Towards one of these
glades Lord Reginald directed his course.

"By keeping a little to the right it will lead us to the high road
again," he observed.  "There's the moon just rising above the trees.  We
shall be able to push along now, without fear of rushing into a hedge."

Crossing the heath by a tolerably well-defined footpath, they entered
the forest, and were galloping along a grassy glade, on which their
horses' hoofs produced scarcely a sound, when Lord Reginald uttered an
exclamation of surprise.

"Halloa!  I see a fellow ahead.  Where can he be going?"

"Probably one of the smugglers, who managed to make his escape,"
answered Voules.

"Whoever he is, we will stop him and ascertain why he is out at this
time of night.  Stop, you fellow!" cried Lord Reginald; "we want to
speak to you."

The person, who apparently had not before heard them coming, only
increased his pace; on seeing which the young lord spurred on his horse.

The stranger, who might possibly have escaped by darting in among the
trees, instead of making the attempt, finding that his pursuers were
gaining on him, stopped and faced them, holding a thick stick, which
might properly have been called a club, in his hand.

"Throw down that bludgeon and come here," said Lord Reginald.

"Not while I am spoken to in that tone," answered the stranger.  "I have
as much right to be out in this forest as you have."

"You must tell us who you are, and where you are going!" cried Lord
Reginald, riding up to him.

The stranger lifted up his club, exclaiming, "Hands off!  If you attempt
to touch me, you must take the consequences."

Just then a gleam of light from the rising moon shone on the stranger's
face.

"I know the rascal!" cried Lord Reginald; "it's that young Hargrave.
Not the first time we have met tonight.  You are one of the fellows who
made their escape from the excisemen; but you are not going to do so
from us; so yield at once!  Come, help me, Voules!" and the young lord,
spurring forward his horse, attempted to seize Dick by the shoulder.

The latter sprang back, and, whirling round his club, struck Lord
Reginald a blow on the arm which effectually prevented him from using
it, and before Voules could lay hold of him, Dick had rushed off among
the trees, which quickly concealed him from view.

In vain Lord Reginald, in spite of the pain he was suffering, urged his
horse after him.  The stems of the trees, growing thickly together,
prevented him from following, and Dick was soon safe beyond the pursuit
of the horsemen.

"This is provoking; but we will have him yet!" cried Lord Reginald.

"I am afraid the villain has broken your arm!" exclaimed Voules.

"It seems something like it from the pain I am suffering," answered Lord
Reginald; "however, the sooner we can get home to have it looked to the
better."

"Yes, indeed," said Voules; "I am deeply grieved.  I would have shot the
young savage had I thought he would have had the audacity to strike
you."

"No, no; I should have been sorry if the fellow had been killed," said
Lord Reginald.  "All I wanted was to take him prisoner, and send him off
with the rest to sea, for I suppose that will be the lot of all who are
fit to serve.  However, as we are not likely to see more of him for the
present, I shall be glad to get home.  This arm of mine hurts me
fearfully."

They again put their horses into a gallop, and continued on until they
reached the end of the glade, which led out on the high road.  Lord
Reginald bore the pain manfully; indeed, it was surprising that he did
not faint and fall from his horse.  The trotting along the road was even
worse than the gallop, and at last he had to tell Voules to stop and
walk.  It was nearly two o'clock in the morning when they reached the
hall.  They found Lord and Lady Elverston, with Lord John, sitting up
for them.

"Most thankful to see you back," said Lord Elverston, who came out to
meet them; "we were too anxious to go to bed.  One of the grooms had
brought word that there had been a desperate fight between the revenue
men and the smugglers, and that there had been a number of killed and
wounded.  Good Heavens! what is the matter?  You look very pale.  Are
you hurt?"

"Yes, but not in the fight," answered Reginald, as he entered the
drawing-room and sank into a chair.  He then described the encounter
with Richard Hargrave.

"The young ruffian must be punished," exclaimed the marquis.  "It is
evident that he is leagued with the smugglers, and this last outrage
shows his desperate character.  Do you feel much pain?"

"Very much; indeed, I fear that my arm is broken," answered Lord
Reginald.

On hearing this Lady Elverston came to his side.  "My dear boy, I trust
not," she said; "you must go to bed, and let Mrs Cross and me examine
your arm."

"If it is broken we must send off for a surgeon immediately," said the
marquis.

"I would rather have some supper first.  I dare say so would Voules, for
we both of us felt very hungry as we came along, and I hope after all,
no bone is broken."

The tray was at once brought up, and though Voules did ample justice to
the viands it contained, Lord Reginald, after making several ineffectual
attempts to eat, had to confess that the pain overpowered him, and he
allowed himself to be led off to his room by his mother and brother.

Mrs Cross, the housekeeper, was soon in attendance, having evidently,
by the way her dress was put on, with her night-cap on her head, just
risen from her slumbers.  The young lord was quickly undressed, when, on
his arm being examined, Mrs Cross declared it as her opinion that no
bone was broken; and all that was required were fomentations and rest.

"I am sorry to hear so bad a character of young Hargrave.  His mother
and blind sister are at all events good people, and it will grieve them
sorely," observed Lady Elverston to her husband, who answered only with
the significant exclamation of--

"Humph!  Perhaps so."

The pain was somewhat relieved by the fomentations applied by the
housekeeper, who offered to sit up with the young lord; and though he
declared that he should do very well without assistance, he was glad at
length to accept her offer.

Voules came in just before going to bed, to express his deep concern.

"I shall do very well in a day or two," said Lord Reginald, "and it
won't prevent me from joining my ship."

Notwithstanding his assertion, he was very feverish during the night,
when he was constantly uttering expressions which showed the animosity
he felt against Dick Hargrave, complaining that he was the cause of the
pain he was enduring.  This was reported the next morning by Mrs Cross
to the marchioness.

"It is a shame, my lady, that so bad a lad should be allowed to be at
large.  I hope my lord will have him taken up and sent off to Botany
Bay, or anywhere out of the way, for if he meets Lord Reginald again, I
don't know what will come of it."

Next morning the doctor, who had been sent for, arrived, and greatly
relieved the minds of Lord and Lady Elverston by assuring them that
their son's arm was not broken.

"No thanks to the young ruffian who inflicted the blow," observed the
marquis; "we must have him apprehended, for such an outrage must not be
allowed to go unpunished."

The doctor directed Lord Reginald's arm to be fomented, and observed
that he must carry it for a few days in a sling, assuring him that he
need not fear any serious consequences.

"Then it will not prevent him from joining his ship?" observed the
marquis, who had his reasons for wishing that the midshipmen should not
remain longer at Elverston.

"Not if he can perform his duty without going aloft, or using his arm
for the present," replied the doctor.

Lord Elverston said he would write to the captain on the subject.

"In that case his lordship may join his ship immediately," observed the
doctor, who seemed to understand the marquis's wishes.

Voules, who had been present during the discussion, was far from
satisfied with the doctor's decision.  He had hoped that the injury Lord
Reginald had received would serve him as an excuse for remaining until
the frigate was on the point of sailing, as he himself was in no hurry
to leave Elverston Hall.

The marquis, however, had observed his attentions to Lady Julia, and
although he gave his daughter credit for discretion, he thought it was
as well to send the young gentleman away.  Having a pretty good
knowledge of the world, he had taken the measure of Toady Voules more
accurately than his son had done, and had seen through him.  When Lord
Reginald, faithful to his promise, had begged his father to use his
influence at the Admiralty to get Voules promoted, the marquis replied
that he should be happy to serve any friend of his, but for certain
reasons he could make no promise, and that he must know more about the
young gentleman before he could recommend him to their lordships.

"But he is really a capital fellow," said Lord Reginald.  "He sticks
like a leech to me, and I can always depend upon him."

"Leeches suck blood," answered the marquis, laughing.  "I don't think
you have well considered the simile."

"I mean that he is always ready at hand when I want him to do anything I
require," answered Lord Reginald.  "He is the most convenient fellow I
ever met."

"Well, well, I will remember your wishes," said the marquis.

Lord Reginald saw that he must not press the point further.  Voules
looked very melancholy at the thought of leaving Elverston.  He was in
an especially bad humour too, for though Lady Julia treated him as she
had always done, he began to suspect that he had made no great way in
her good graces.  The utter indifference she showed when he talked of
going away, convinced him of this, and although to the last the family
treated him, as Lord Reginald's friend, with the utmost kindness, no one
expressed the hope that they might soon again have the pleasure of
seeing him.

A couple of days having passed, the midshipmen were ready to obey the
order to rejoin their ship.  A Yarmouth pilot vessel having been engaged
to convey them to Portsmouth, they set sail in her from Keyhaven.
Taking a favourable tide, with a fair wind, they might easily get there
in six hours, whereas the journey by land would have occupied nearly a
couple of days.  The crew of the pilot vessel, as they stepped on board,
looked at the midshipmen askance, evidently having heard of the part
they had taken in the capture of the smugglers, many of whom were their
relatives and friends.  The captain, however, treated them with the
greatest civility, but took good care not to answer any questions they
put to him concerning the smugglers, leaving them to suppose that he was
ignorant of the existence of such persons, and was not even aware that
there was any smuggling on that coast.

Of Dick Hargrave nothing had been heard, but a warrant had been taken
out for his apprehension, and people were on the watch to capture him
should he make his appearance, or should his place of concealment be
discovered.  A fresh breeze quickly carrying the cutter up to
Portsmouth, Lord Reginald and Voules once more found themselves on board
the _Wolf_, which had hauled away from the dockyard, ready to go out to
Spithead.



CHAPTER SIX.

THE SECOND TRIP OF THE NANCY--PARTICULARS OF THE LANDING--HOW IT FARED
WITH DICK AND BEN--WANDERING IN THE FOREST--IN HIDING--NEARLY CAUGHT--
SEIZED BY A PRESSGANG--KINDNESS OF THE LANDLADY AT THE ADMIRAL BENBOW--
BEN RUDALL A PRISONER--ON BOARD THE TENDER--OFF COWES--THE WOLF--MR
BITTS, THE BOATSWAIN--DICK RECOGNISES LORD REGINALD AND VOULES--AN
ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN EXCHANGE.

When Dick Hargrave sailed the second time on board the _Nancy_, he
forgot the saying that "the pitcher which goes often to the well gets
broken at last," or that few who follow a lawless occupation escape from
suffering in the end.  Of course, he should have been influenced by a
far higher motive, but he had not been taught to look upon smuggling in
the same light which an honest man does nowadays.  Even his father
regarded it with a lenient eye, though he had ever refused to take a
share in the proceedings of the smugglers by permitting his horses to be
used in transporting the goods when landed on the coast.  Dick had a
tolerably pleasant life on board the _Nancy_, as Dore and the crew
always treated him kindly.

The lugger, as before, ran into the quiet little harbour in which she
was wont to take her goods on board, and had a narrow escape from a
French cruiser; but had got free by the very common device of lowering
all her canvas during the night and allowing her pursuer to pass her.
Without further cause for alarm, she made the English coast.  Dick,
though he liked the life well enough, had no wish to continue in it; he
wanted to see his parents and Janet, and to relieve their anxiety about
him.  He had resolved, therefore, to quit the _Nancy_, and to go on
shore with Ben, who did not intend to make the next trip in her.  It was
settled, therefore, that he and Ben were to pull in one of the boats
engaged in landing the cargo, and that afterwards they were to assist in
escorting the goods safe into the interior.  After they had once got
away from the coast, there was but little danger of their being
captured.

"All right," said Ben to Dick, as the lugger stood in to the westward of
the Shingles; "the revenue men have been told that there is to be a run
made this very night, Portland way, and they will all have gone off
there and left the coast clear for us, so that there is no fear as to
our getting the goods safe on shore."

There seemed every probability that Ben's prognostications would prove
true.  The night was dark, and the wind sufficiently off shore to enable
the _Nancy_ to stand close in.  The expected signals were seen.  The
anchor was dropped, the boats lowered, and immediately afterwards,
others came off from the shore, bringing the satisfactory intelligence
that everything was clear for the run.  The vessel was rapidly unloaded.
The greater part of her cargo had been discharged, and was already on
the beach, when the reports of Lieutenant Hilton's pistols were heard,
and the smugglers found themselves beset on both sides by their enemies.
Dick and Ben were already on shore, and were engaged in loading the
packhorses.

"You get out of it, Dick," said Ben, "either climb the cliff or run
along the beach; you've nothing to fight for."

Dick hesitated; he felt that it would be cowardly to desert his
companions.

Ben, though not thus influenced, suspected his motive.  "Come, lad," he
said; "there's a path not far from this, and the chances are there is no
one to stop us going up it; I'll show thee the way."  Saying this, he
dashed forward quickly, followed by Dick.

He was disappointed in one respect--the path was guarded, but knocking
over the first person who opposed him, who happened to be Mr Voules,
and wrenching the cutlass out of Lord Reginald's hand, he dashed on.
Dick, who kept close behind him, had a narrow escape of being shot, and
felt pretty sure that Lord Reginald, whom he recognised, had seen him.

Continuing on a short time, they were satisfied that they were not
pursued, and might proceed homewards with little risk of further
interruption.  Still, Ben could not resist the temptation of trying to
ascertain the fate of his companions.  It appeared to him that they had
been attacked by a comparatively small party, and that could a number of
determined men be collected, they might effect a rescue.  He and Dick
made their way, therefore, to a farm-house, in which it had been
arranged that the heavier part of the goods should be stowed, until they
could be conveyed away to a distance.  Here he found several persons, to
whom he gave the first intelligence of the disaster.  They instantly
hurried off to collect other men from all directions.  As it was well
known what road the party with the captured goods would take, they
intended to form an ambush to surprise them, but the smugglers, not
having time to do this, made their attack in a less favourable position,
with the result which has been seen.

Dick again escaped, but what became of Ben he could not tell, though he
hoped that he also had got off.  Much as he had wished to see his father
and mother, he now almost dreaded to meet them.  His intention was to
reach home by daybreak, and having seen them again to go off and hide
himself in a woodman's hut in the forest, or in some other place, where
he could remain until the search after him had ceased.  It was not
likely indeed, that much trouble would be taken, unless Mr Gooch, for
the sake of influencing his father, tried to get him into his power.

With this intention he was making his way towards home, his thoughts so
occupied that he did not hear the approach of Lord Reginald and Voules
until they were close upon him.  He would gladly have avoided an
encounter, but at the same time he determined not to be taken prisoner
when he saw that such was the young lord's intention.  What happened has
been described.  On escaping from Lord Reginald, he soon reached a thick
bush, behind which he could conceal himself with little chance of being
discovered.  He there lay perfectly quiet until he heard the two
horsemen ride off.

"I am thankful I had not my gun with me, or I might have been tempted to
use it," he said to himself.  "Why should that young lord persecute me?
He had no business to come and help the revenue men, and it could do him
and that other fellow no good to make me a prisoner, except to boast of
what they had done.  If I go home now they will accuse poor father and
mother of harbouring me, and I shall bring them into trouble.  I wonder,
after all, if Ben got off.  If I thought that he did, I'd go to his
cottage.  He would hide me there until these two fellows have gone back
to their ship, and the rest have got tired of looking for me.  If poor
Janet could see, I'd go home and let her alone know that I had come, and
she would hide me away.  As she can't help me, poor girl!  I don't know
what to do."

Such were some of Dick's meditations.  Overcome with fatigue, he lay
down to rest a little, and, as was very natural, fell fast asleep.  When
he awoke it was broad daylight.  It would not now do to venture down to
Keyhaven.  He would too probably meet some of the revenue men, who would
to a certainty capture him.  Home he dared not go; his only alternative
was to remain in the forest until the return of night, when he could
traverse the country with less risk of encountering any one.  He was
very hungry, but he was equally afraid of going to any cottage to beg
for a crust, lest he should be recognised.  Not far off was a pool, of
which there were many in the forest, where he quenched his thirst.  Hips
and haws were now ripe, there were plenty around could, he eat enough to
satisfy the cravings of hunger.  There were tench, too, in some of the
pools--fine, fat fish, which he might catch, as they lay under the bank,
with his hands, but he had no means of lighting a fire to cook them.  He
walked about listening, lest he might be surprised by any one coming;
then, growing weary, he again sat down under his bush.  He was very
hungry and very unhappy.  Sometimes he thought he would go home in spite
of the risk he would run, and try to see his mother alone.  He might
easily hide in one of the out-buildings, and steal in when his father
had left the house, but then, knowing that he had been recognised by
Lord Reginald, who would, he supposed, inform against him, he feared
that he might be discovered by those who would be sent to search for
him, though his mother, he felt sure, would do her best to conceal him.

"I had better not," he said to himself; "it shall only get father and
mother into trouble; if they don't know where I am, they cannot say.
I'll go down to Susan Rudall's; she'll stow me away, if I can reach her
cottage without being seen.  No one will think of looking for me there."

Dick, when on board the lugger, had been rigged out thoroughly as a
young sailor.  The dress, as he thought, was a sufficient disguise,
should he meet any one in the gloom of the evening.  His hunger made him
very eager to reach Susan's as soon as possible.  Soon after the sun had
set, therefore, he started for Keyhaven, going along by the by-paths,
and keeping himself concealed as much as possible among the trees and
brushwood.  He calculated that it would be perfectly dark by the time he
got to the village, and that he might enter Susan's cottage without
being perceived.  For some time, meeting no one, he became bolder, and
made his way along the lanes with less caution than he had before used.
He had just turned an angle of the road, when he saw in the distance
several persons coming towards him.  He darted back, hoping that he had
not been seen, and, getting through a hedge, he lay down in a dry ditch.

Though perfectly concealed, he was almost afraid to breathe, lest he
might be heard by the people passing.  They had been too far off when
first seen to enable him to ascertain who they were, and he dared not
look through the hedge, lest they should perceive him.  His heart beat
quickly as he heard their footsteps approaching; he felt like a criminal
escaping from justice.  Though constitutionally brave, the consciousness
that he had acted wrongly in many respects made him a coward.  The men
were only, as far as he could judge, labourers returning home after
their day's work.  He heard them talking of the attempted run of
contraband goods, the capture of the _Nancy_ and her crew, as well as of
the number of people assisting in the landing who had been taken.

"It will go hard with some of them," observed one of the speakers;
"they'll bring it in `murder,' maybe, as two of the king's officers were
killed, if they can prove who fired the shots.  Whether of not, Botany
Bay is the best they can expect, and many a year before they can see
their wives and families again."

"A reward is offered for catching the chaps who escaped," said another.

What more was said Dick could not hear; he was thankful that he had not
been seen by the men, or they would probably have detained him for the
sake of the reward.  He waited until they had got some distance, and
then, creeping along the hedge, he again got into the lane, and ran on
as before, looking out ahead so that he might not come suddenly on any
other persons.  Hungry and tired, he at length got close to Keyhaven.
To pass through the village without being seen would be difficult.  He
heard voices, as if people were still about, and lights shone in the
windows of the cottages in sight.  Had he not been so hungry, he would
have again hidden under a hedge until later in the evening; but eager to
obtain something to eat, he hurried on, hoping by good chance to reach
Susan's cottage without being observed.  He was passing the Rodney's
Head, when several persons issued from the door.

"Hullo! make that fellow heave to, and see who he is," said a voice; and
two men came rushing after him.

The words made Dick start off as fast as his legs would carry him.  The
men, however, followed.  He might still, he hoped, escape, and reach
Susan's cottage.  It was before him, but should he be seen to enter, it
would afford him no shelter.  If he could get round it, however, he
might double back, making his way along on the other side of the
village.  He was unusually weak from long fasting, and found his
strength failing him.  His foot struck against a piece of an anchor fast
in the ground, and down he fell.  Before he could rise his pursuers were
upon him.

"You made a good run for it, my lad, but you are caught
notwithstanding," said one of the men.  "No use in kicking up a shindy,
so come along with us and make the best of it, as many another lad has
done."

"Who are you?  What are you going to do with me?" asked Dick.

"We are men-of-war's men, and are going to make you serve his Majesty,
as we are doing," was the answer, as Dick was led back to the village
inn.

"Won't you let me go and see my friends first, or let me send them a
message to say where I am gone?"

The men laughed.  "You can send a message when you are safe on board the
tender.  You'll be sent off there presently, with a few other fine
fellows we have laid hands on.  Don't be cast down, lad, you'll like the
service well enough when you get into our ways; and if you don't, like
many others, you'll have to grin and bear it."

Dick made no answer; he was in for it, and it was useless to complain.
The disappointment, however, did not take away his appetite.  He quickly
felt his hunger pressing him as at first.  "I wish that you'd let me
have a crust of bread and a piece of cheese, for I have not put anything
into my mouth for many a long hour."

"Mrs Simmons will soon find that for you, and a glass of ale, too, my
lad," answered the seaman.  "Maybe, if you've no shiners in your pocket,
you'll find some friend inside who will treat you."

On reaching the inn door, Dick saw a large party of seamen under an
officer who had just mustered them outside, while several remained
within, guarding persons with handcuffs on their wrists and seated on
the benches.  Two or three of them looked very disconsolate, but the
rest were endeavouring to keep up their spirits by laughing and joking
and talking to each other, or with their captors.  Among the former,
Dick, to his sorrow, saw his friend Ben Rudall, who, however, did not
appear to recognise him.  The landlady looked far from pleased at the
guests she was compelled to entertain.  Dick caught her eye.

"Do give me something to eat, Mrs Simmons!" he exclaimed.  "I'm pretty
nigh starved."

"Bless me, Richard Hargrave! is that you?  You shall have what little I
have in the house; but it will be a sad night to those at home when they
hear that you are taken."

"I wish that you'd send up and tell them, and get it broken gently to my
mother and Janet," said Dick, as Mrs Simmons placed bread and cheese,
and a piece of cold bacon before him, with a mug of ale.

"Be smart, my lad, and stow that food away," said the seaman, who stood
by with a pair of handcuffs.  "You'll get some breakfast on board the
tender to-morrow morning."

"Maybe; but I should be starved to death before to-morrow morning, if
you don't let me eat this," answered Dick, munching away with all his
might.  He had never eaten so fast, for he expected every moment that
the seaman would lose patience and clap the handcuffs on him.  He was
allowed, however, to swallow the contents of the plate as well as the
ale.

"I'll pay you, Mrs Simmons, some day when I come back; and thank you in
the mean time," said Dick, when he had finished his hasty meal.

"You are welcome to it, my boy," said the landlady, "and who knows but
that you'll one day come back a captain."

The sailor laughed as he clapped the handcuffs on Dick's wrists.
Directly afterwards the officer ordered the prisoners to be brought out,
as the boat had arrived from the tender to carry them on board.

Ben Rudall, who had hitherto been silent, finding that he was at once to
be carried off, rose to his feet and lifting up his manacled hands
addressed the officer, "It is hard lines for me, sir, to be dragged away
from my wife and family, without so much as saying good-bye to them.
They live not many doors off, down the lane; won't you just let me go
down and kiss the children?  Maybe you are a father yourself, and you
wouldn't like to be carried away from your young ones without saying a
few last words to cheer them up."

"It can't be done, my man," answered the officer, turning away.  "If I
grant you the favour, all the rest will be wanting to go and wish their
wives and children farewell, and a fine account I should have to give of
them!  Bring the prisoners along!" he shouted to the seamen.

"You'll tell poor Susan what has happened," said Ben, as he passed the
landlady.  "Tell her to keep up her spirits.  I'll be back home as soon
as I can."

"Trust me, Ben," said kind-hearted Mrs Simmons; "I'll see your wife
to-morrow morning, and tell her what you say."

The officer, losing patience, ordered his party to move on.  The
men-of-war's men kept close around their captives, who would, they knew,
attempt to escape if there was the slightest chance of their doing so,
or they thought it possible that the smugglers' associates might
endeavour to rescue them.  The boat, however, was reached without any
attempt of the sort being made, and the prisoners were compelled to step
on board.

Some of the more daring resisted, hoping that perhaps even then
assistance might come to them, but a seaman's pistol held at the heads
of the refractory ones compelled them to obey, and in another minute
they were all seated in the boat, which at once pulled away for the
tender.

Dick found himself seated next to Ben.

"A bad job this, my boy; I never thought you and I should be hauled away
like this," whispered Ben.  "If they hadn't put our wrists in irons we'd
be overboard and soon stowed away where they wouldn't find us in a
hurry."

Dick did not say he thought that it was owing to Ben he was brought into
his present condition.  He merely answered, "I wouldn't try to escape if
I could.  If a man-of-war is as bad as you say, I shall be dead in a
short time, and it won't much matter to any one."

"Silence there, men!" shouted the officer, who overheard Ben and Dick
talking.  "Give way, lads!"

The boat was soon alongside the tender, a large cutter, which lay off
the mouth of the creek.  The captured men were compelled to mount her
side, two stout fellows standing by to lift them up by the collars of
their jackets, as they were unable to use their hands, when they were at
once sent down into the hold of the vessel, over which a sentry with a
loaded musket kept guard.

It was a large, gloomy place, lighted by a single ship's lantern, which
hung from one of the beams.  Dick could see that it already contained
about twenty people, most of them rough, seafaring men, seated with
their backs against the side, or stretched on the deck.  Some were
talking in low, grave tones, others were endeavouring to forget
themselves in sleep.  A few looked up and nodded as they recognised
acquaintances, but not many words were exchanged between them.  Dick saw
several persons whom he knew, but the greater number had been captured
by the pressgang on other parts of the coast.  Dick, though no longer
hungry, was very tired, and seeing a vacant spot, threw himself down
with his back against the after bulkhead.

"I have found out all about it," said Ben, who some time afterwards
seated himself by his side.  "It is all owing to that young lord and his
father.  The marquis, I hear, wrote over to Portsmouth some time ago to
have this pressgang sent down here to make a clean sweep of all the
seafaring men they could lay hands on.  If they had come a few days
sooner, they would have stopped the _Nancy_ from attempting the run, and
we should have got off again; but as ill luck would have it, they
arrived just in time to catch us, and the other poor fellows who had
come on shore.  I wish that I could lay hands on that Lord Reginald; I'd
pay him off."

"Little chance of that," observed Dick; "he'll soon be safe on board the
_Wolf_, and we shall be sent off, maybe, in some ship to the other end
of the world.  I don't care where I go; but it seems to me what we have
now to do is to make the best of it.  I have been thinking over the
matter since I have been staying here, and of course, as the king wants
men to fight his battles, and as it is my luck, good or bad, to become
one of them, I'll do my best and try to keep clear of the
cat-o'-nine-tails which you used to tell me about."

"You'll be precious lucky if you are able to do that, my lad," growled
Ben.  "Howsumdever, as we're in for it, I don't want to make you think
things are worse than they are.  You'll soon find out what's what."

"I suppose I shall," answered Dick, who was becoming very sleepy, and in
spite of the noises going on around him--the loud talking--the tramping
of feet overhead--the movement of the vessel, which had got under way,
and his uncomfortable position, he was soon in happy forgetfulness of
all his troubles.

The cutter, after proceeding some distance, met with a strong head wind,
and was soon pitching her bows into the fast rising seas.  Dick was
awakened by finding himself slipping away to leeward, and presently
afterwards the vessel shipped a sea, the heavy spray from which came
down through the main hatchway, and gave an unpleasant shower-bath to
those below it, and Dick had to scramble as best he could out of the
water which collected to leeward.  The cutter, under close-reefed
mainsail, stood on, heeling over to starboard for some time; then she
went about, and directed her course towards the north shore.  Once more
she tacked in the direction she had before been going.  The smugglers
grumbled and swore, expressing very little confidence in the seamanship
of the dockyard maties.  At length, however, they heard the order to
take in the jib.  The vessel came on an even keel, the anchor was let
go; she had brought up in Cowes Roads.

"If this wind holds, we shan't see Portsmouth harbour to-day," said Ben.
"I suppose they can't intend to keep the irons on our wrists, now they
have got us all safe.  If we stop here for the night, I have a great
mind to try and get away.  I have many friends on shore, and some of
them are sure to come off to learn what this craft is about.  If I get
the chance, I'll slip overboard and swim to one of their boats.  What do
you say, Dick; will you come?"

"We haven't got the chance yet," answered Dick; "if I get off where
should I go?  I cannot return home, and I should just have to starve or
beg, or take to some worse course.  No, no; you may try it if you wish,
but I'll stay here and learn what a man-of-war is like."

Ben made further vain attempts to induce Dick to join him.  Their
conversation was interrupted by several men coming from forward with a
supply of biscuits and cold salt beef and a grog tub, which, with a
number of tin mugs, was placed in the centre of the deck.  The latter
seemed to afford infinite satisfaction, and the prisoners, in much
better humour than before, laughed and talked and joked as if they had
no cares in the world.  A strict watch was still, however, kept over
them, as, from their desperate character, it was suspected that they
would not fail to try and take advantage of any opportunity which might
offer of getting free.

For upwards of three days the cutter lay at Cowes, the captured men
being narrowly watched, though tolerably well fed and not ill treated.
The time passed heavily away.  Growling and swearing was the order of
the day.  Dick heard some of the smugglers vow that, if taken on board a
man-of-war, they would sooner blow the ship up than remain in her; that
all ships were alike--perfect hells afloat; and that it would be better
to be shot or hung at once than to endure the existence they would have
to lead on board.  Of one thing he himself was certain, that he was
heartily sick of being kept down in the cutter's hold.  He felt eager to
get free, even though he might have to exchange it for one of the
much-abused king's ships.

At length, the weather moderating, the cutter got under way and stood
for Spithead, where several men-of-war rode at anchor.  While the cutter
lay hove to, a boat with a lieutenant from one of them came alongside.
The officer, on stepping on board, ordered the men to be mustered.  Dick
watched him, and thinking from his countenance that he must be a
good-natured, kind man, hoped that he himself might be among those he
was about to select for his ship.  The lieutenant spoke to the men one
by one, asking them various questions, and finally chose a dozen of the
best hands, who were forthwith ordered to get into his boat.

Dick was greatly disappointed on finding that Ben and he were not taken.
The commander of the cutter then received directions to run into
Portsmouth harbour, and to take the remainder of the prisoners on board
another ship, which lay there ready to receive them.  Various surmises
were offered as to what ship she might be.  Neither Dick nor Ben could
gain any information.

"It matters very little; they're all alike," growled Ben.

On entering the harbour the question was soon settled.  A fine frigate
lay at anchor off the dockyard, with her sails bent, and with every
appearance of being ready for sea.  The cutter brought up close to her,
and a signal being made, she at once sent a boat alongside.

"Now, lads, tumble up!" cried the lieutenant.  "You have got to serve
his Majesty, and I would advise you to put a good face upon the matter,
and show that you are honest Englishmen, ever ready to do your duty and
fight for your country.  You'll come back with your pockets full of
prize money, and be glad you went."

Dick listened.  "That's what I want to do," he said to himself; "and I
will if I can."

Some of the old hands--Ben among the rest--were not influenced in the
same way.

"All very fine!" he growled out; "but the proof of the pudding is in the
eating.  We shall get more scars on our backs from the cat than guineas
in our pockets, I've a notion."

The boat was soon alongside, and Dick with his companions were ordered
up on deck, where they stood grouped together until the first lieutenant
came to take down their names, and enter them on the ship's books.  It
was the first time Dick had ever been on board a man-of-war.  He gazed
round with astonishment at the extent of the white decks, the size of
the highly polished guns, the height of the masts, the ropes neatly
flemished down, and the order which everywhere prevailed.

"She's a fine ship, at all events; and if it wasn't for father and
mother and Janet, I should not be sorry to have come," he thought.

The first lieutenant, an active, kind-eyed looking officer, spoke to the
men much in the same way as the commander of the cutter had done.  When
he came to Dick, he inquired whether he had been to sea before.

"Only on board a lugger, sir," answered Dick.

"Well, my lad, I do not inquire what you were doing on board her; but I
tell you, as you look a smart lad, that if you do your duty you will be
sure to get on, and soon obtain a good rating."

Dick touched his cap, as he had seen some of the men doing when they
spoke to an officer, and replied, "I'll do my best, sir."

"That's right, my lad," observed the first lieutenant, as he turned away
to attend to some other duty.

Although on deck strict order and discipline prevailed, Dick on going
below found a very different scene, and it was some time before he got
accustomed to the uproar, the men in hoarse voices bawling to each
other, and laughing and joking and playing all sorts of tricks, some
rushing here and there, others seated in groups, amusing themselves in a
variety of ways.

"At all events, there can't be much to make them unhappy, for they seem
to be a merry set of fellows," thought Dick, as he was standing by
himself, watching what was going forward.  An officer, with a silver
chain and whistle round his neck, coming by, asked him his name.  Dick
told him, and replied to a few other questions.  The officer passed on.

"Who's that?" asked Dick of another lad who happened to be standing
near.

"That's Mr Bitts, the boatswain."

"He seems a fair-spoken gentleman," observed Dick.

"Gentleman!  I don't think he calls himself a gentleman; but he has a
good deal to do with us, and it is wise to stand well with him, for he
can use that rattan he had in his hand pretty smartly."

Shortly afterwards Mr Bitts came back.  Touching Dick on the shoulder,
he said, "I want a boy, and I have applied for you.  You'll understand
you are to attend on me, so look out and do your duty."

Dick, on inquiring of the other lad, found he was to be the boatswain's
servant, which, although not an office of much honour, had its
advantages, if he could manage to please his master.  Dick soon found
that his duties were not very onerous, and provided he was smart and
active, Mr Bitts appeared to be satisfied.  Altogether, when the
hammocks were piped down, and he was allowed to turn into the one
allotted to him, which the boatswain ordered one of the men to show him
how to sling, he was tolerably well pleased with the prospect before
him.  As he was not placed in any watch, he had the advantage of
sleeping through the whole night.

When the hammocks were piped up the next morning, he turned out
refreshed and ready to do anything required

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