our cargo in the bay, for the cutter has been seen to chase us, and they
will all be on the look-out at the Preventive stations for us on shore.
Now, my lads, I have made up my mind that, as these yacht gentlemen have
thought proper to interfere, I will take possession of the yacht for a
few days. We shall then outsail everything, go where we like
unsuspected, and land our cargo with ease. I shall run alongside of
her--she can have but few hands on board; and mind, do not hurt anybody,
but be civil and obey my orders. Morrison, you and your four men and the
boy will remain on board as before, and take the vessel to Cherbourg,
where we will join you.'
In a short time another gun was fired from the yacht.
Those on board, particularly the ladies, were alarmed; the fog was very
thick, and they could not distinguish the length of the vessel. They had
seen the boat board, but had not seen her turned adrift without oars, as
the fog came on just at that time. The yacht was left with only three
seamen on board, and should it come on bad weather, they were in an
awkward predicament. Mr. Hautaine had taken the command, and ordered the
guns to be fired that the boat might be enabled to find them. The fourth
gun was loading, when they perceived the smuggler's cutter close to them
looming through the fog.
'Here they are,' cried the seamen; 'and they have brought the prize
along with them! Three cheers for the _Arrow_!'
'Hilloa! you'll be on board of us!' cried Hautaine.
'That's exactly what I intended to be, sir,' replied Pickersgill,
jumping on the quarter-deck, followed by his men.
'Who the devil are you?'
'That's exactly the same question that I asked Lord B. when he boarded
us,' replied Pickersgill, taking off his hat to the ladies.
'Well, but what business have you here?'
'Exactly the same question which I put to Lord B.,' replied Pickersgill.
'Where is Lord B., sir?' said Cecilia Ossulton, going up to the
smuggler; 'is he safe?'
'Yes, madam, he is safe; at least he is in his boat with all his men,
and unhurt; but you must excuse me if I request you and the other ladies
to go down below while I speak to these gentlemen. Be under no alarm,
miss, you will receive neither insult nor ill-treatment--I have only
taken possession of this vessel for the present.'
'Take possession,' cried Hautaine, 'of a yacht?'
'Yes, sir, since the owner of the yacht thought proper to attempt to
take possession of me. I always thought that yachts were pleasure
vessels, sailing about for amusement, respected themselves, and not
interfering with others; but it appears that such is not the case. The
owner of this yacht has thought proper to break through the neutrality
and commence aggression, and under such circumstances I have now, in
retaliation, taken possession of her.'
'And pray what do you mean to do, sir?'
'Simply for a few days to make an exchange. I shall send you on board of
my vessel as smugglers, while I remain here with the ladies and amuse
myself with yachting.'
'Why, sir, you cannot mean----'
'I have said, gentlemen, and that is enough; I should be sorry to resort
to violence, but I must be obeyed. You have, I perceive, three seamen
only left: they are not sufficient to take charge of the vessel, and
Lord B. and the others you will not meet for several days. My regard for
the ladies, even common humanity, points out to me that I cannot leave
the vessel in this crippled condition. At the same time, I must have
hands on board of my own: you will oblige me by going on board and
taking her safely into port. It is the least return you can make for my
kindness. In those dresses, gentlemen, you will not be able to do your
duty; oblige me by shifting and putting on these.' Corbett handed a
flannel shirt, a rough jacket and trousers to Messrs. Hautaine,
Ossulton, Vaughan, and Seagrove. After some useless resistance they were
stripped, and having put on the smugglers' attire, they were handed on
board of the _Happy-go-lucky_.
The three English seamen were also sent on board and confined below, as
well as Ossulton's servant, who was also equipped like his master, and
confined below with the seamen. Corbett and the men then handed up all
the smuggled goods into the yacht, dropped the boat, and made it fast
astern, and Morrison having received his directions, the vessels
separated, Morrison running for Cherbourg, and Pickersgill steering the
yacht along shore to the westward. About an hour after this exchange had
been effected the fog cleared up, and showed the revenue cutter hove-to
for her boats, which had pulled back and were close on board of her, and
the _Happy-go-lucky_ about three miles in the offing; Lord B. and his
boat's crew were about four miles inshore, paddling and drifting with
the tide towards Portland. As soon as the boats were on board, the
revenue cutter made all sail after the smuggler, paying no attention to
the yacht, and either not seeing or not caring about the boat which was
drifting about in West Bay.
CHAPTER V
THE TRAVESTIE
Here we are, Corbett, and now I only wish my venture had been double,'
observed Pickersgill; 'but I shall not allow business to absorb me
wholly--we must add a little amusement. It appears to me, Corbett, that
the gentleman's clothes which lie there will fit you, and those of the
good-looking fellow who was spokesman will, I am sure, suit me well. Now
let us dress ourselves, and then for breakfast.'
Pickersgill then exchanged his clothes for those of Mr. Hautaine, and
Corbett fitted on those of Mr. Ossulton. The steward was summoned up,
and he dared not disobey; he appeared on deck, trembling.
'Steward, you will take these clothes below,' said Pickersgill, 'and,
observe, that I now command this yacht; and during the time that I am on
board you will pay me the same respect as you did Lord B.; nay, more,
you will always address me as Lord B. You will prepare dinner and
breakfast, and do your duty just as if his lordship was on board, and
take care that you feed us well, for I will not allow the ladies to be
entertained in a less sumptuous manner than before. You will tell the
cook what I say; and now that you have heard me, take care that you
obey; if not, recollect that I have my own men here, and if I but point
with my finger, _overboard you go_. Do you perfectly comprehend me?'
'Yes, sir,' stammered the steward.
'Yes, _sir!_--What did I tell you, sirrah?--Yes, my lord. Do you
understand me?'
'Yes--my lord.'
'Pray, steward, whose clothes has this gentleman put on?'
'Mr.--Mr. Ossulton's, I think--sir--my lord, I mean.'
'Very well, steward; then recollect in future you always address that
gentleman as _Mr. Ossulton_.'
'Yes, my lord,' and the steward went down below, and was obliged to take
a couple of glasses of brandy to keep himself from fainting.
'Who are they, and what are they, Mr. Maddox?' cried the lady's-maid,
who had been weeping.
'Pirates!--_bloody, murderous stick-at-nothing_ pirates!' replied the
steward.
'Oh!' screamed the lady's-maid, 'what will become of us, poor
unprotected females?' And she hastened into the cabin, to impart this
dreadful intelligence.
The ladies in the cabin were not in a very enviable situation. As for
the elder Miss Ossulton (but, perhaps, it will be better in future to
distinguish the two ladies, by calling the elder simply Miss Ossulton,
and her niece, Cecilia), she was sitting with her salts to her nose,
agonised with a mixture of trepidation and wounded pride. Mrs. Lascelles
was weeping, but weeping gently. Cecilia was sad, and her heart was
beating with anxiety and suspense, when the maid rushed in.
'Oh, madam! oh, miss! oh, Mrs. Lascelles! I have found it all out!--they
are murderous, bloody, do-everything pirates!!!'
'Mercy on us!' exclaimed Miss Ossulton; 'surely they will never
dare----'
'Oh, ma'am, they dare anything!--they just now were for throwing the
steward overboard; and they have rummaged all the portmanteaus, and
dressed themselves in the gentlemen's best clothes. The captain of them
told the steward that he was Lord B., and that if he dared to call him
anything else, he would cut his throat from ear to ear; and if the cook
don't give them a good dinner, they swear that they'll chop his right
hand off, and make him eat it without pepper or salt!'
Miss Ossulton screamed, and went off into hysterics. Mrs. Lascelles and
Cecilia went to her assistance; but the latter had not forgotten the
very different behaviour of Jack Pickersgill, and his polite manners,
when he boarded the vessel. She did not, therefore, believe what the
maid had reported, but still her anxiety and suspense were great,
especially about her father. After having restored her aunt she put on
her bonnet, which was lying on the sofa.
'Where are you going, dear?' said Mrs. Lascelles.
[Illustration: '_Pirates!_--bloody, murderous stick-at-nothing
_pirates!' replied the steward._]
'On deck,' replied Cecilia. 'I must and will speak to these men.'
'Gracious heaven, Miss Ossulton! going on deck! have you heard what
Phoebe says?'
'Yes, aunt, I have; but I can wait here no longer.'
'Stop her! stop her!--she will be murdered!--she will be--she is mad!'
screamed Miss Ossulton; but no one attempted to stop Cecilia, and on
deck she went. On her arrival she found Jack Pickersgill and Corbett
walking the deck, one of the smugglers at the helm, and the rest
forward, and as quiet as the crew of the yacht. As soon as she made her
appearance Jack took off his hat, and made her a bow.
'I do not know whom I have the honour of addressing, young lady; but I
am flattered with this mark of confidence. You feel, and I assure you
you feel correctly, that you are not exactly in lawless hands.'
Cecilia looked with more surprise than fear at Pickersgill. Mr.
Hautaine's dress became him; he was a handsome, fine-looking man, and
had nothing of the ruffian in his appearance; unless, like Byron's
Corsair, he was _half savage, half soft_. She could not help thinking
that she had met many with less pretensions, as far as appearance went,
to the claims of a gentleman, at Almack's and other fashionable circles.
'I have ventured on deck, sir,' said Cecilia, with a little
tremulousness in her voice, 'to request, as a favour, that you will
inform me what your intentions may be with regard to the vessel and with
regard to the ladies!'
'And I feel much obliged to you for so doing, and I assure you I will,
as far as I have made up my own mind, answer you candidly: but you
tremble--allow me to conduct you to a seat. In few words, then, to
remove your present alarm, I intend that the vessel shall be returned to
its owner, with every article in it, as religiously respected as if they
were church property. With respect to you, and the other ladies on
board, I pledge you my honour that you have nothing to fear; that you
shall be treated with every respect; your privacy never invaded; and
that, in a few days, you will be restored to your friends. Young lady, I
pledge my hopes of future salvation to the truth of this; but, at the
same time, I must make a few conditions, which, however, will not be
very severe.'
'But, sir,' replied Cecilia, much relieved, for Pickersgill had stood
by her in the most respectful manner, 'you are, I presume, the captain
of the smuggler? Pray answer me one question more--What became of the
boat with Lord B.? He is my father.'
'I left him in his boat, without a hair of his head touched, young lady;
but I took away the oars.'
'Then he will perish!' cried Cecilia, putting her handkerchief to her
eyes.
'No, young lady; he is on shore, probably, by this time. Although I took
away his means of assisting to capture us, I left him the means of
gaining the land. It is not every one who would have done that, after
his conduct to us.'
'I begged him not to go,' said Cecilia; 'I told him that it was not
fair, and that he had no quarrel with the smugglers.'
'I thank you even for that,' replied Pickersgill. 'And now, miss--I have
not the pleasure of recollecting his lordship's family name----'
'Ossulton, sir,' said Cecilia, looking at Pickersgill with surprise.
'Then, with your permission, Miss Ossulton, I will now make you my
confidant: excuse my using so free a term, but it is because I wish to
relieve your fears. At the same time, I cannot permit you to divulge all
my intentions to the whole party on board. I feel that I may trust you,
for you have courage, and where there is courage there generally is
truth; but you must first tell me whether you will condescend to accept
these terms.'
Cecilia demurred a moment; the idea of being the confidant of a smuggler
rather startled her: but still, her knowledge of what his intentions
were, if she might not reveal them, might be important; as, perhaps, she
might dissuade him. She could be in no worse position than she was now,
and she might be in a much better. The conduct of Pickersgill had been
such, up to the present, as to inspire confidence; and, although he
defied the laws, he appeared to regard the courtesies of life. Cecilia
was a courageous girl, and at length she replied--
'Provided what you desire me to keep secret will not be injurious to any
one, or compromise me in my peculiar situation, I consent.'
'I would not hurt a fly, Miss Ossulton, but in self-defence; and I have
too much respect for you, from your conduct during our short meeting, to
compromise you. Allow me now to be very candid; and then, perhaps, you
will acknowledge that in my situation others would do the same, and,
perhaps, not show half so much forbearance. Your father, without any
right whatever, interferes with me and my calling: he attempts to make
me a prisoner, to have me thrown in jail, heavily fined, and, perhaps,
sent out of the country. I will not enter into any defence of smuggling:
it is sufficient to say that there are pains and penalties attached to
the infraction of certain laws, and that I choose to risk them. But Lord
B. was not empowered by Government to attack me; it was a gratuitous
act; and had I thrown him and all his crew into the sea, I should have
been justified: for it was, in short, an act of piracy on their part.
Now, as your father has thought to turn a yacht into a revenue cutter,
you cannot be surprised at my retaliating, in turning her into a
smuggler; and as he has mixed up looking after the revenue with
yachting, he cannot be surprised if I retaliate by mixing up a little
yachting with smuggling. I have dressed your male companions as
smugglers, and have sent them in the smuggling vessel to Cherbourg,
where they will be safely landed; and I have dressed myself, and the
only person whom I could join with me in this frolic, as gentlemen, in
their places. My object is twofold: one is, to land my cargo, which I
have now on board, and which is very valuable; the other is, to
retaliate upon your father and his companions for their attempt upon me,
by stepping into their shoes, and enjoying, for a day or two, their
luxuries. It is my intention to make free with nothing but his
lordship's wines and eatables--that you may be assured of; but I shall
have no pleasure if the ladies do not sit down to the dinner-table with
us, as they did before with your father and his friends.'
'You can hardly expect that, sir,' said Cecilia.
'Yes, I do; and that will be not only the price of the early release of
the yacht and themselves, but it will also be the only means by which
they will obtain anything to eat. You observe, Miss Ossulton, the sins
of the fathers are visited on the children. I have now told you what I
mean to do, and what I wish. I leave you to think of it, and decide
whether it will not be the best for all parties to consent. You have my
permission to tell the other ladies that, whatever may be their conduct,
they are as secure from ill-treatment or rudeness as if they were in
Grosvenor Square; but I cannot answer that they will not be hungry, if,
after such forbearance in every point, they show so little gratitude as
not to honour me with their company.'
'Then I am to understand that we are to be starved into submission?'
'No, not starved, Miss Ossulton; but recollect that you will be on bread
and water, and detained until you do consent, and your detention will
increase the anxiety of your father.'
'You know how to persuade, sir,' said Cecilia. 'As far as I am
concerned, I trust I shall ever be ready to sacrifice any feelings of
pride to spare my father so much uneasiness. With your permission, I
will now go down into the cabin and relieve my companions from the worst
of their fears. As for obtaining what you wish, I can only say that, as
a young person, I am not likely to have much influence with those older
than myself, and must inevitably be overruled, as I have not permission
to point out to them reasons which might avail. Would you so far allow
me to be relieved from my promise, as to communicate all you have said
to me to the only married woman on board? I think I then might obtain
your wishes, which, I must candidly tell you, I shall attempt to effect
_only_ because I am most anxious to rejoin my friends.'
'And be relieved of my company,' replied Pickersgill, smiling
ironically--'of course you are; but I must and will have my petty
revenge: and although you may, and probably will, detest me, at all
events you shall not have any very formidable charge to make against me.
Before you go below, Miss Ossulton, I give you my permission to add the
married lady to the number of my confidants; and you must permit me to
introduce my friend, Mr. Ossulton;' and Pickersgill waved his hand in
the direction of Corbett, who took off his hat and made a low obeisance.
It was impossible for Cecilia Ossulton to help smiling.
'And,' continued Pickersgill, 'having taken the command of this yacht
instead of his lordship, it is absolutely necessary that I also take his
lordship's name. While on board I am Lord B.; and allow me to introduce
myself under that name; I cannot be addressed otherwise. Depend upon
it, Miss Ossulton, that I shall have a most paternal solicitude to make
you happy and comfortable.'
Had Cecilia Ossulton dared to have given vent to her real feelings at
that time, she would have burst into a fit of laughter; it was too
ludicrous. At the same time, the very burlesque reassured her still
more. She went into the cabin with a heavy weight removed from her
heart.
In the meantime, Miss Ossulton and Mrs. Lascelles remained below, in the
greatest anxiety at Cecilia's prolonged stay; they knew not what to
think, and dared not go on deck. Mrs. Lascelles had once determined at
all risks to go up; but Miss Ossulton and Phoebe had screamed and
implored her so fervently not to leave them, that she unwillingly
consented to remain. Cecilia's countenance, when she entered the cabin,
reassured Mrs. Lascelles, but not her aunt, who ran to her crying and
sobbing, and clinging to her, saying, 'What have they done to you, my
poor, poor Cecilia?'
'Nothing at all, aunt,' replied Cecilia; 'the captain speaks very
fairly, and says he shall respect us in every possible way, provided
that we obey his orders; but if not----'
'If not--what, Cecilia?' said Miss Ossulton, grasping her niece's arm.
'He will starve us, and not let us go!'
'God have mercy on us!' cried Miss Ossulton, renewing her sobs.
Cecilia then went to Mrs. Lascelles, and communicated to her apart all
that had passed. Mrs. Lascelles agreed with Cecilia that they were in no
danger of insult; and as they talked over the matter they at last began
to laugh; there was a novelty in it, and there was something so
ridiculous in all the gentlemen being turned into smugglers. Cecilia was
glad that she could not tell her aunt, as she wished her to be so
frightened as never to have her company on board the yacht again; and
Mrs. Lascelles was too glad to annoy her for many and various insults
received. The matter was therefore canvassed over very satisfactorily,
and Mrs. Lascelles felt a natural curiosity to see this new Lord B. and
the second Mr. Ossulton. But they had had no breakfast, and were feeling
very hungry now that their alarm was over. They desired Phoebe to ask
the steward for some tea or coffee. The reply was, that 'Breakfast was
laid in the cabin, and Lord B. trusted that the ladies would come to
partake of it.'
'No, no,' replied Mrs. Lascelles, 'I never can, without being introduced
to them first.'
'Nor will I go,' replied Cecilia, 'but I will write a note, and we will
have our breakfast here.' Cecilia wrote a note in pencil as follows:--
'Miss Ossulton's compliments to Lord B., and, as the ladies feel
rather indisposed after the alarm of this morning, they trust that
his lordship will excuse their coming to breakfast; but hope to
meet his lordship at dinner, if not before that time on deck.'
The answer was propitious, and the steward soon appeared with the
breakfast in the ladies' cabin.
'Well, Maddox,' said Cecilia, 'how do you get on with your new master?'
The steward looked at the door, to see if it was closed, shook his head,
and then said, with a look of despair, 'He has ordered a haunch of
venison for dinner, miss, and he has twice threatened to toss me
overboard.'
'You must obey him, Maddox, or he certainly will. These pirates are
dreadful fellows. Be attentive, and serve him just as if he was my
father.'
'Yes, yes, ma'am, I will; but our time may come. It's _burglary_ on the
high seas, and I'll go fifty miles to see him hanged.'
'Steward!' cried Pickersgill, from the cabin.
'O Lord! he can't have heard me--d'ye think he did, miss?'
'The partitions are very thin, and you spoke very loud,' said Mrs.
Lascelles; 'at all events, go to him quickly.'
'Good-bye, miss; good-bye, ma'am, if I shouldn't see you any more,' said
Maddox, trembling with fear, as he obeyed the awful summons--which was
to demand a toothpick.
Miss Ossulton would not touch the breakfast; not so Mrs. Lascelles and
Cecilia, who ate very heartily.
'It's very dull to be shut up in this cabin,' said Mrs. Lascelles;
'come, Cecilia, let's go on deck.'
'And leave me!' cried Miss Ossulton.
'There is Phoebe here, aunt; we are going up to persuade the pirates
to put us all on shore.'
Mrs. Lascelles and Cecilia put on their bonnets and went up. Lord B.
took off his hat, and begged the honour of being introduced to the
pretty widow. He handed the ladies to a seat, and then commenced
conversing upon various subjects, which at the same time possessed great
novelty. His lordship talked about France, and described its ports; told
now and then a good anecdote; pointed out the different headlands, bays,
towns, and villages, which they were passing rapidly, and always had
some little story connected with each. Before the ladies had been two
hours on deck they found themselves, to their infinite surprise, not
only interested, but in conversation with the captain of the smuggler,
and more than once they laughed outright. But the _soi-disant_ Lord B.
had inspired them with confidence; they fully believed that what he had
told them was true, and that he had taken possession of the yacht to
smuggle his goods, to be revenged, and to have a laugh. Now none of
these three offences are capital in the eyes of the fair sex, and Jack
was a handsome, fine-looking fellow, of excellent manners and very
agreeable conversation; at the same time, neither he nor his friend were
in their general deportment and behaviour otherwise than most
respectful.
'Ladies, as you are not afraid of me, which is a greater happiness than
I had reason to expect, I think you may be amused to witness the fear of
those who accuse your sex of cowardice. With your permission, I will
send for the cook and steward, and inquire about the dinner.'
'I should like to know what there is for dinner,' observed Mrs.
Lascelles demurely; 'wouldn't you, Cecilia?'
Cecilia put her handkerchief to her mouth.
'Tell the steward and the cook both to come aft immediately,' cried
Pickersgill.
In a few seconds they both made their appearance.
'Steward!' cried Pickersgill, with a loud voice.
'Yes, my lord,' replied Maddox, with his hat in his hand.
'What wines have you put out for dinner?'
'Champagne, my lord; and claret, my lord; and Madeira and sherry, my
lord.'
'No Burgundy, sir?'
[Illustration: _'Upon my soul, my lord,' cried Maddox, dropping on his
knees, 'there is no Burgundy on board--ask the ladies.'_]
'No, my lord; there is no Burgundy on board.'
'No Burgundy, sir! do you dare to tell me that?'
'Upon my soul, my lord,' cried Maddox, dropping on his knees, 'there is
no Burgundy on board--ask the ladies.'
'Very well, sir, you may go.'
'Cook, what have you got for dinner?'
'Sir, a haunch of mutt--of venison, my lord,' replied the cook, with his
white nightcap in his hand.
'What else, sirrah?'
'A boiled calf's head, my lord.'
'A boiled calf's head! Let it be roasted, or I'll roast you, sir!' cried
Pickersgill, in an angry tone.
'Yes, my lord; I'll roast it.'
'And what else, sir?'
'Maintenon cutlets, my lord.'
'Maintenon cutlets! I hate them--I won't have them, sir. Let them be
dressed _a l'ombre Chinoise_.'
'I don't know what that is, my lord.'
'I don't care for that, sirrah; if you don't find out by dinner-time,
you're food for fishes--that's all; you may go.'
The cook walked off wringing his hands and his nightcap as well--for he
still held it in his right hand--and disappeared down the fore-hatchway.
'I have done this to pay you a deserved compliment, ladies; you have
more courage than the other sex.'
'Recollect that we have had confidence given to us in consequence of
your pledging your word, my lord.'
'You do me, then, the honour of believing me?'
'I did not until I saw you,' replied Mrs. Lascelles; 'but now I am
convinced that you will perform your promise.'
'You do indeed encourage me, madam, to pursue what is right,' said
Pickersgill, bowing; 'for your approbation I should be most sorry to
lose, still more sorry to prove myself unworthy of it.'
As the reader will observe, everything was going on remarkably well.
CHAPTER VI
THE SMUGGLING YACHT
Cecilia returned to the cabin, to ascertain whether her aunt was more
composed; but Mrs. Lascelles remained on deck. She was much pleased with
Pickersgill; and they continued their conversation. Pickersgill entered
into a defence of his conduct to Lord B.; and Mrs. Lascelles could not
but admit the provocation. After a long conversation she hinted at his
profession, and how superior he appeared to be to such a lawless life.
'You may be incredulous, madam,' replied Pickersgill, 'if I tell you
that I have as good a right to quarter my arms as Lord B. himself; and
that I am not under my real name. Smuggling is, at all events, no crime;
and I infinitely prefer the wild life I lead at the head of my men to
being spurned by society because I am poor. The greatest crime in this
country is poverty. I may, if I am fortunate, some day resume my name.
You may, perhaps, meet me, and if you please, you may expose me.'
'That I should not be likely to do,' replied the widow; 'but still I
regret to see a person, evidently intended for better things, employed
in so disreputable a profession.'
'I hardly know, madam, what is and what is not disreputable in this
conventional world. It is not considered disreputable to cringe to the
vices of a court, or to accept a pension wrung from the industry of the
nation, in return for base servility. It is not considered disreputable
to take tithes, intended for the service of God, and lavish them away at
watering-places or elsewhere, seeking pleasure instead of doing God
service. It is not considered disreputable to take fee after fee to
uphold injustice, to plead against innocence, to pervert truth, and to
aid the devil. It is not considered disreputable to gamble on the Stock
Exchange, or to corrupt the honesty of electors by bribes, for doing
which the penalty attached is equal to that decreed to the offence of
which I am guilty. All these, and much more, are not considered
disreputable; yet by all these are the moral bonds of society loosened,
while in mine we cause no guilt in others----'
'But still it is a crime.'
'A violation of the revenue laws, and no more. Observe, madam, the
English Government encourage the smuggling of our manufactures to the
Continent, at the same time that they take every step to prevent
articles being smuggled into this country. Now, madam, can that be a
_crime_ when the head of the vessel is turned north, which becomes _no
crime_ when she steers the opposite way?'
'There is a stigma attached to it, you must allow.'
'That I grant you, madam; and as soon as I can quit the profession I
shall. No captive ever sighed more to be released from his chains; but I
will not leave it, till I find that I am in a situation not to be
spurned and neglected by those with whom I have a right to associate.'
At this moment the steward was seen forward making signs to Mrs.
Lascelles, who excused herself, and went to him.
'For the love of God, madam,' said Maddox, 'as he appears to be friendly
with you, do pray find out how these cutlets are to be dressed; the cook
is tearing his hair, and we shall never have any dinner; and then it
will all fall upon me, and I--shall be tossed overboard.'
Mrs. Lascelles desired poor Maddox to wait there while she obtained the
desired information. In a few minutes she returned to him.
'I have found it out. They are first to be boiled in vinegar, then fried
in batter, and served up with a sauce of anchovy and Malaga raisins!'
'First fried in vinegar, then boiled in batter, and served up with
almonds and raisins!'
'No--no!' Mrs. Lascelles repeated the injunction to the frightened
steward, and then returned aft, and re-entered into a conversation with
Pickersgill, in which for the first time Corbett now joined. Corbett had
sense enough to feel that the less he came forward until his superior
had established himself in the good graces of the ladies, the more
favourable would be the result.
In the meantime Cecilia had gone down to her aunt, who still continued
to wail and lament. The young lady tried all she could to console her,
and to persuade her that if they were civil and obedient they had
nothing to fear.
'Civil and obedient, indeed!' cried Miss Ossulton, 'to a fellow who is a
smuggler and a pirate! I, the sister of Lord B.! Never! The presumption
of the wretch!'
'That is all very well, aunt; but recollect, we must submit to
circumstances. These men insist upon our dining with them; and we must
go, or we shall have no dinner.'
'I sit down with a pirate! Never! I'll have no dinner--I'll starve--I'll
die!'
'But, my dear aunt, it's the only chance we have of obtaining our
release; and if you do not do it Mrs. Lascelles will think that you wish
to remain with them.'
'Mrs. Lascelles judges of other people by herself.'
'The captain is certainly a very well-behaved, handsome man. He looks
like a nobleman in disguise. What an odd thing it would be, aunt, if
this should be all a hoax!'
'A hoax, child?' replied Miss Ossulton, sitting up on the sofa.
Cecilia found that she had hit the right nail, as the saying is; and she
brought forward so many arguments to prove that she thought it was a
hoax to frighten them, and that the gentleman above was a man of
consequence, that her aunt began to listen to reason, and at last
consented to join the dinner party. Mrs. Lascelles now came down below;
and when dinner was announced they repaired to the large cabin, where
they found Pickersgill and Corbett waiting for them.
Miss Ossulton did not venture to look up, until she heard Pickersgill
say to Mrs. Lascelles, 'Perhaps, madam, you will do me the favour to
introduce me to that lady, whom I have not had the honour of seeing
before?'
'Certainly, my lord,' replied Mrs. Lascelles. 'Miss Ossulton, the aunt
of this young lady.'
Mrs. Lascelles purposely did not introduce _his lordship_ in return,
that she might mystify the old spinster.
'I feel highly honoured in finding myself in the company of Miss
Ossulton,' said Pickersgill. 'Ladies, we wait but for you to sit down.
Ossulton, take the head of the table and serve the soup.
Miss Ossulton was astonished; she looked at the smugglers, and perceived
two well-dressed gentlemanly men, one of whom was apparently a lord, and
the other having the same family name.
'It must be all a hoax,' thought she, and she very quietly took to her
soup.
The dinner passed off very pleasantly; Pickersgill was agreeable,
Corbett funny, and Miss Ossulton so far recovered herself as to drink
wine with his lordship, and to ask Corbett what branch of their family
he belonged to.
'I presume it's the Irish branch?' said Mrs. Lascelles, prompting him.
'Exactly, madam,' replied Corbett.
'Have you ever been to Torquay, ladies?' inquired Pickersgill.
'No, my lord,' answered Mrs. Lascelles.
'We shall anchor there in the course of an hour, and probably remain
there till to-morrow. Steward, bring coffee. Tell the cook these cutlets
were remarkably well dressed.'
The ladies retired to their cabin. Miss Ossulton was now convinced that
it was all a hoax; 'but,' said she, 'I shall tell Lord B. my opinion of
their practical jokes when he returns. What is his lordship's name who
is on board?'
'He won't tell us,' replied Mrs. Lascelles; 'but I think I know; it is
Lord Blarney.'
'Lord Blaney, you mean, I presume,' said Miss Ossulton; 'however, the
thing is carried too far. Cecilia, we will go on shore at Torquay, and
wait till the yacht returns with Lord B. I don't like these jokes; they
may do very well for widows, and people of no rank.'
Now Mrs. Lascelles was sorry to find Miss Ossulton so much at her ease.
She owed her no little spite, and wished for revenge. Ladies will go
very far to obtain this. How far Mrs. Lascelles would have gone, I will
not pretend to say; but this is certain, that the last innuendo of Miss
Ossulton very much added to her determination. She took her bonnet and
went on deck, at once told Pickersgill that he could not please her or
Cecilia more than by frightening Miss Ossulton, who, under the idea that
it was all a hoax, had quite recovered her spirits; talked of her pride
and ill-nature, and wished her to receive a useful lesson. Thus, to
follow up her revenge, did Mrs. Lascelles commit herself so far as to be
confidential with the smuggler in return.
'Mrs. Lascelles, I shall be able to obey you, and, at the same time, to
combine business with pleasure.'
After a short conversation, the yacht dropped her anchor at Torquay. It
was then about two hours before sunset. As soon as the sails were
furled, one or two gentlemen, who resided there, came on board to pay
their respects to Lord B.; and, as Pickersgill had found out from
Cecilia that her father was acquainted with no one there, he received
them in person; asked them down into the cabin--called for wine--and
desired them to send their boat away, as his own was going on shore. The
smugglers took great care that the steward, cook, and lady's-maid should
have no communication with the guests; one of them, by Corbett's
direction, being a sentinel over each individual. The gentlemen remained
about half an hour on board, during which Corbett and the smugglers had
filled the portmanteaus found in the cabin with the lace, and they were
put in the boat; Corbett then landed the gentlemen in the same boat, and
went up to the hotel, the smugglers following him with the portmanteaus,
without any suspicion or interruption. As soon as he was there, he
ordered post-horses, and set off for a town close by, where he had
correspondents; and thus the major part of the cargo was secured.
Corbett then returned in the night, bringing with him people to receive
the goods; and the smugglers landed the silks, teas, etc., with the same
good fortune. Everything was out of the yacht except a portion of the
lace, which the portmanteaus would not hold. Pickersgill might easily
have sent this on shore; but, to please Mrs. Lascelles, he arranged
otherwise.
The next morning, about an hour after breakfast was finished, Mrs.
Lascelles entered the cabin pretending to be in the greatest
consternation, and fell on the sofa as if she were going to faint.
'Good heavens! what is the matter?' exclaimed Cecilia, who knew very
well what was coming.
'Oh, the wretch! he has made such proposals!'
'Proposals! what proposals? what! Lord Blaney?' cried Miss Ossulton.
'Oh, he's no lord! he's a villain and a smuggler! and he insists that we
shall both fill our pockets full of lace, and go on shore with him.'
'Mercy on me! Then it is no hoax after all; and I've been sitting down
to dinner with a smuggler!'
'Sitting down, madam!--if it were to be no more than that--but we are to
take his arm up to the hotel. Oh, dear! Cecilia, I am ordered on deck;
pray come with me!'
Miss Ossulton rolled on the sofa, and rang for Phoebe; she was in a
state of great alarm.
A knock at the door.
'Come in,' said Miss Ossulton, thinking it was Phoebe; when
Pickersgill made his appearance.
'What do you want, sir? Go out, sir! go out directly, or I'll scream!'
'It is no use screaming, madam; recollect that all on board are at my
service. You will oblige me by listening to me, Miss Ossulton. I am, as
you know, a smuggler; and I must send this lace on shore. You will
oblige me by putting it into your pockets, or about your person, and
prepare to go on shore with me. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, you
will deliver it to me, and I then shall reconduct you on board of the
yacht. You are not the first lady who has gone on shore with contraband
articles about her person.'
'Me, sir! go on shore in that way? No, sir--never! What will the world
say?--the Hon. Miss Ossulton walking with a smuggler! No, sir--never!'
'Yes, madam; walking arm-in-arm with a smuggler. I shall have you on one
arm, and Mrs. Lascelles on the other; and I would advise you to take it
very quietly; for, in the first place, it will be you who smuggle, as
the goods will be found on your person, and you will certainly be put in
prison; for at the least appearance of insubordination, we run and
inform against you; and further, your niece will remain on board as a
hostage for your good behaviour--and if you have any regard for her
liberty, you will consent immediately.'
Pickersgill left the cabin, and shortly afterwards Cecilia and Mrs.
Lascelles entered, apparently much distressed. They had been informed of
all, and Mrs. Lascelles declared, that for her part, sooner than leave
her poor Cecilia to the mercy of such people, she had made up her mind
to submit to the smuggler's demands. Cecilia also begged so earnestly,
that Miss Ossulton, who had no idea that it was a trick, with much
sobbing and blubbering, consented.
[Illustration: _Miss Ossulton, frightened out of her wits, took his arm;
and, with Mrs. Lascelles on the other, they went up to the hotel._]
When all was ready Cecilia left the cabin; Pickersgill came down, handed
up the two ladies, who had not exchanged a word with each other during
Cecilia's absence; the boat was ready alongside--they went in, and
pulled on shore. Everything succeeded to the smuggler's satisfaction.
Miss Ossulton, frightened out of her wits, took his arm; and, with Mrs.
Lascelles on the other, they went up to the hotel, followed by four of
his boat's crew. As soon as they were shown into a room, Corbett, who
was already on shore, asked for Lord B., and joined them. The ladies
retired to another apartment, divested themselves of their contraband
goods, and after calling for some sandwiches and wine, Pickersgill
waited an hour, and then returned on board. Mrs. Lascelles was
triumphant; and she rewarded her new ally--the smuggler--with one of her
sweetest smiles. Community of interest will sometimes make strange
friendships.
CHAPTER VII
CONCLUSION
We must now return to the other parties who have assisted in the acts of
this little drama. Lord B., after paddling and paddling, the men
relieving each other, in order to make head against the wind, which was
off shore, arrived about midnight at a small town in West Bay, from
whence he took a chaise on to Portsmouth, taking it for granted that his
yacht would arrive as soon as, if not before himself, little imagining
that it was in possession of the smugglers. There he remained three or
four days, when, becoming impatient, he applied to one of his friends
who had a yacht at Cowes, and sailed with him to look after his own.
We left the _Happy-go-lucky_ chased by the revenue cutter. At first the
smuggler had the advantage before the wind; but, by degrees, the wind
went round with the sun, and brought the revenue cutter to leeward: it
was then a chase on a wind, and the revenue cutter came fast up with
her.
Morrison, perceiving that he had no chance of escape, let run the ankers
of brandy that he might not be condemned; but still he was in an awkward
situation, as he had more men on board than allowed by Act of
Parliament. He therefore stood on, notwithstanding the shot of the
cutter went over and over him, hoping that a fog or night might enable
him to escape; but he had no such good fortune; one of the shot carried
away the head of his mast, and the _Happy-go-lucky's_ luck was all over.
He was boarded and taken possession of; he asserted that the extra men
were only passengers; but, in the first place, they were dressed in
seamen's clothes; and, in the second, as soon as the boat was aboard of
her, Appleboy had gone down to his gin-toddy, and was not to be
disturbed. The gentlemen smugglers therefore passed an uncomfortable
night; and the cutter going to Portland by daylight, before Appleboy was
out of bed, they were taken on shore to the magistrate. Hautaine
explained the whole affair, and they were immediately released and
treated with respect; but they were not permitted to depart until they
were bound over to appear against the smugglers, and prove the brandy
having been on board. They then set off for Portsmouth in the seamen's
clothes, having had quite enough of yachting for that season, Mr.
Ossulton declaring that he only wanted to get his luggage, and then he
would take care how he put himself again in the way of the shot of a
revenue cruiser, or of sleeping a night on her decks.
In the meantime Morrison and his men were locked up in the jail, the old
man, as the key was turned on him, exclaiming, as he raised his foot in
vexation, 'That cursed blue pigeon.'
We will now return to the yacht.
About an hour after Pickersgill had come on board, Corbett had made all
his arrangements and followed him. It was not advisable to remain at
Torquay any longer, through fear of discovery; he therefore weighed the
anchor before dinner, and made sail.
'What do you intend to do now, my lord?' said Mrs. Lascelles.
'I intend to run down to Cowes, anchor the yacht in the night, and an
hour before daylight have you in my boat with all my men. I will take
care that you are in perfect safety, depend upon it, even if I run a
risk. I should, indeed, be miserable, if, through my wild freaks, any
accident should happen to Mrs. Lascelles or Miss Ossulton.'
'I am very anxious about my father,' observed Cecilia. 'I trust that you
will keep your promise.'
'I always have hitherto, Miss Ossulton; have I not?'
'Ours is but a short and strange acquaintance.'
'I grant it; but it will serve for you to talk about long after. I shall
disappear as suddenly as I have come--you will neither of you, in all
probability, ever see me again.'
The dinner was announced, and they sat down to table as before; but the
elderly spinster refused to make her appearance, and Mrs. Lascelles and
Cecilia, who thought she had been frightened enough, did not attempt to
force her. Pickersgill immediately yielded to these remonstrances, and
from that time she remained undisturbed in the ladies' cabin, meditating
over the indignity of having sat down to table, having drank wine, and
been obliged to walk on shore, taking the arm of a smuggler, and appear
in such a humiliating situation.
The wind was light, and they made but little progress, and were not
abreast of Portland till the second day, when another yacht appeared in
sight, and the two vessels slowly neared, until in the afternoon they
were within four miles of each other. It then fell a dead calm: signals
were thrown out by the other yacht, but could not be distinguished, and,
for the last time, they sat down to dinner. Three days' companionship on
board of a vessel, cooped up together, and having no one else to
converse with, will produce intimacy; and Pickersgill was a young man of
so much originality and information, that he was listened to with
pleasure. He never attempted to advance beyond the line of strict
decorum and politeness; and his companion was equally unpresuming.
Situated as they were, and feeling what must have been the case had they
fallen into other hands, both Cecilia and Mrs. Lascelles felt some
degree of gratitude towards him; and, although anxious to be relieved
from so strange a position, they had gradually acquired a perfect
confidence in him; and this had produced a degree of familiarity on
their parts, although never ventured upon by the smuggler. As Corbett
was at the table, one of the men came down and made a sign. Corbett
shortly after quitted the table and went on deck. 'I wish, my lord, you
would come up a moment, and see if you can make this flag out,' said
Corbett, giving a significant nod to Pickersgill. 'Excuse me, ladies,
one moment,' said Pickersgill, who went on deck.
'It is the boat of the yacht coming on board,' said Corbett; 'and Lord
B. is in the stern-sheets with the gentleman who was with him.'
'And how many men in the boat?--let me see--only four. Well, let his
lordship and his friend come: when they are on the deck, have the men
ready in case of accident; but if you can manage to tell the boat's crew
that they are to go on board again, and get rid of them that way, so
much the better. Arrange this with Adams, and then come down again--his
lordship must see us all at dinner.'
Pickersgill then descended, and Corbett had hardly time to give his
directions and to resume his seat, before his lordship and Mr. Stewart
pulled up alongside and jumped on deck. There was no one to receive them
but the seamen, and those whom they did not know. They looked round in
amazement; at last his lordship said to Adams, who stood forward--
'What men are you?'
'Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour.'
Lord B. heard laughing in the cabin; he would not wait to interrogate
the men; he walked aft, followed by Mr. Stewart, looked down the
skylight, and perceived his daughter and Mrs. Lascelles, with, as he
supposed, Hautaine and Ossulton.
Pickersgill had heard the boat rub the side, and the sound of the feet
on deck, and he talked the more loudly, that the ladies might be caught
by Lord B. as they were. He heard their feet at the skylight, and knew
that they could hear what passed; and at that moment he proposed to the
ladies that as this was their last meeting at table they should all take
a glass of champagne to drink to 'their happy meeting with Lord B.' This
was a toast which they did not refuse. Maddox poured out the wine, and
they were all bowing to each other, when his lordship, who had come down
the ladder, walked into the cabin, followed by Mr. Stewart. Cecilia
perceived her father; the champagne-glass dropped from her hand--she
flew into his arms, and burst into tears.
'Who would not be a father, Mrs. Lascelles?' said Pickersgill, quietly
seating himself, after having first risen to receive Lord B.
'And pray, whom may I have the honour of finding established here?' said
Lord B., in an angry tone, speaking over his daughter's head, who still
lay in his arms. 'By heavens, yes!--Stewart, it is the smuggling captain
dressed out.'
'Even so, my lord,' replied Pickersgill. 'You abandoned your yacht to
capture me; you left these ladies in a vessel crippled for want of men;
they might have been lost. I have returned good for evil by coming on
board with my own people, and taking charge of them. This night I
expected to have anchored your vessel in Cowes, and have left them in
safety.'
'By the----' cried Stewart.
'Stop, sir, if you please!' cried Pickersgill; 'recollect you have once
already attacked one who never offended. Oblige me by refraining from
intemperate language; for I tell you I will not put up with it.
Recollect, sir, that I have refrained from that, and also from taking
advantage of you when you were in my power. Recollect, sir, also, that
the yacht is still in possession of the smugglers, and that you are in
no condition to insult with impunity. My lord, allow me to observe, that
we men are too hot of temperament to argue or listen coolly. With your
permission, your friend, and my friend, and I, will repair on deck,
leaving you to hear from your daughter and that lady all that has
passed. After that, my lord, I shall be most happy to hear anything
which your lordship may please to say.'
'Upon my word----' commenced Mr. Stewart.
'Mr. Stewart,' interrupted Cecilia Ossulton, 'I request your silence;
nay, more, if ever we are again to sail in the same vessel together, I
_insist_ upon it.'
'Your lordship will oblige me by enforcing Miss Ossulton's request,'
said Mrs. Lascelles.
Mr. Stewart was dumbfounded--no wonder--to find the ladies siding with
the smuggler.
'I am obliged to you, ladies, for your interference,' said Pickersgill;
'for, although I have the means of enforcing conditions, I should be
sorry to avail myself of them. I wait for his lordship's reply.'
Lord. B. was very much surprised. He wished for an explanation; he bowed
with _hauteur_. Everybody appeared to be in a false position; even he,
Lord B., somehow or another had bowed to a smuggler.
Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck, walking up and down, crossing each
other without speaking, but reminding you of two dogs who are both
anxious to fight, but have been restrained by the voice of their
masters. Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone to Pickersgill;
Stewart went over to leeward to see if the boat was still alongside, but
it had long before returned to the yacht. Miss Ossulton had heard her
brother's voice, but did not come out of the after-cabin; she wished to
be magnificent, and at the same time she was not sure whether all was
right, Phoebe having informed her that there was nobody with her
brother and Mr. Stewart, and that the smugglers still had the command of
the vessel. After a while, Pickersgill and Corbett went down forward,
and returned dressed in the smuggler's clothes, when they resumed their
walk on the deck.
In the meantime it was dark; the cutter flew along the coast, and the
Needles' lights were on the larboard bow. The conversation between Mrs.
Lascelles, Cecilia, and her father was long. When all had been detailed,
and the conduct of Pickersgill duly represented, Lord B. acknowledged
that, by attacking the smuggler, he had laid himself open to
retaliation; that Pickersgill had shown a great deal of forbearance in
every instance; and after all, had he not gone on board the yacht, she
might have been lost, with only three seamen on board. He was amused
with the smuggling and the fright of his sister, still more with the
gentlemen being sent to Cherbourg, and much consoled that he was not the
only one to be laughed at. He was also much pleased with Pickersgill's
intention of leaving the yacht safe in Cowes harbour, his respect to the
property on board, and his conduct to the ladies. On the whole, he felt
grateful to Pickersgill, and where there is gratitude there is always
goodwill.
'But who can he be?' said Mrs. Lascelles; 'his name he acknowledges not
to be Pickersgill, and he told me confidentially that he was of good
family.'
'Confidentially, my dear Mrs. Lascelles?' said Lord B.
'Oh, yes! we are both his confidants. Are we not, Cecilia?'
'Upon my honour, Mrs. Lascelles, this smuggler appears to have made an
impression which many have attempted in vain.'
Mrs. Lascelles did not reply to that remark, but said, 'Now, my lord,
you must decide--and I trust you will, to oblige us, treat him as he has
treated us, with the greatest respect and kindness.'
'Why should you suppose otherwise?' replied Lord B.; 'it is not only my
wish but my interest so to do. He may take us over to France to-night,
or anywhere else. Has he not possession of the vessel?'
'Yes,' replied Cecilia; 'but we flatter ourselves that we have _the
command_. Shall we call him down, papa?'
'Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell Mr. Pickersgill, who is on deck, that I
wish to speak with him, and shall be obliged by his stepping down into
the cabin.'
'Who, my lord? What? _Him?_'
'Yes, _him_,' replied Cecilia, laughing.
'Must I call him my lord, now, miss?'
'You may do as you please, Maddox; but recollect he is still in
possession of the vessel,' replied Cecilia.
'Then, with your lordship's permission, I will; it's the safest way.'
The smuggler entered the cabin; the ladies started as he appeared in his
rough costume. With his throat open, and his loose black handkerchief,
he was the _beau ideal_ of a handsome sailor.
'Your lordship wishes to communicate with me?'
'Mr. Pickersgill, I feel that you have had cause of enmity against me,
and that you have behaved with forbearance. I thank you for your
considerate treatment of the ladies; and I assure you that I feel no
resentment for what has passed.'
'My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have said; and I only hope
that, in future, you will not interfere with a poor smuggler, who may be
striving, by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence for
himself, and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these ladies my intention
of anchoring the yacht this night at Cowes, and leaving her as soon as
she was in safety. Your unexpected presence will only make this
difference, which is, that I must previously obtain your lordship's
assurance that those with you will allow me and my men to quit her
without molestation, after we have performed this service.'
'I pledge you my word, Mr. Pickersgill, and I thank you into the
bargain. I trust you will allow me to offer some remuneration.'
'Most certainly not, my lord.'
'At all events, Mr. Pickersgill, if, at any other time, I can be of
service, you may command me.'
Pickersgill made no reply.
'Surely, Mr. Pickersgill----'
'Pickersgill! how I hate that name!' said the smuggler, musing. 'I beg
your lordship's pardon--if I may require your assistance for any of my
unfortunate companions----'
'Not for yourself, Mr. Pickersgill?' said Mrs. Lascelles.
'Madam, I smuggle no more.'
'For the pleasure I feel in hearing that resolution, Mr. Pickersgill,'
said Cecilia, 'take my hand and thanks.'
'And mine,' said Mrs. Lascelles, half crying.
'And mine too,' said Lord B., rising up.
Pickersgill passed the back of his hand across his eyes, turned round,
and left the cabin.
'I'm so happy!' said Mrs. Lascelles, bursting into tears.
'He's a magnificent fellow,' observed Lord B. 'Come, let us all go on
deck.'
'You have not seen my aunt, papa.'
'True; I'll go in to her, and then follow you.'
The ladies went up on deck. Cecilia entered into conversation with Mr.
Stewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs. Lascelles sat
abaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek,
looking very much _a la Juliette_.
'Mrs. Lascelles,' said Pickersgill, 'before we part, allow me to
observe, that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up my
profession----'
'Why me, Mr. Pickersgill?'
'You said that you did not like it'
Mrs. Lascelles felt the force of the compliment. 'You said just now that
you hated the name of Pickersgill: why do you call yourself so?'
'It was my smuggling name, Mrs. Lascelles.'
'And now that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name we
are to call you by?'
'I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shaken
hands with, and bid farewell to, my companions; and by that time, Mrs.
Lascelles, I shall be away from you.'
'But I've a great curiosity to know it; and a lady's curiosity must be
gratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is my
address.'
Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B. coming on
deck, Mrs. Lascelles hastened to meet him.
[Illustration: _'Mrs. Lascelles,' said Pickersgill, 'before we part,
allow me to observe, that it is you who have induced me to give up my
profession----'_]
The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smuggler
piloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the whole
party went down into the cabin, Lord B. requesting Pickersgill and
Corbett to join him in aparting glass. Mr. Stewart, who had received
the account of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive to
Pickersgill, and took an opportunity of saying that he was sorry that he
had said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered his spirits;
and all was good-humour and mirth, because Miss Ossulton adhered to her
resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quit the yacht. At
ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took his leave of the
honourable company, and went in his boat with his men; and Lord B. was
again in possession of his vessel, although he had not a ship's company.
Maddox recovered his usual tone; and the cook flourished his knife,
swearing that he should like to see the smuggler who would again order
him to dress cutlets _a l'ombre Chinoise_.
The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B. received a
letter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had been
captured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having the
gentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove that
they had sunk the brandy. Lord B. paid all the recognisances, and the
men were liberated for want of evidence.
It was about two years after this that Cecilia Ossulton, who was sitting
at her work-table in deep mourning for her aunt, was presented with a
letter by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs. Lascelles, informing
her that she was married again to a Mr. Davenant, and intended to pay
her a short visit on her way to the Continent. Mr. and Mrs. Davenant
arrived the next day; and when the latter introduced her husband, she
said to Miss Ossulton, 'Look, Cecilia dear, and tell me if you have ever
seen Davenant before.'
Cecilia looked earnestly: 'I have, indeed,' cried she at last, extending
her hand with warmth; 'and happy am I to meet with him again.'
For in Mr. Davenant she recognised her old acquaintance the captain of
the _Happy-go-lucky_, Jack Pickersgill the smuggler.
THE END
_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh._
MACMILLAN'S THREE-AND-SIXPENNY LIBRARY
OF
WORKS BY POPULAR AUTHORS.
In Crown 8vo. Cloth extra. Price 3s. 6d. each.
_By ROLF BOLDREWOOD._
_SATURDAY REVIEW._--"Mr. Boldrewood can tell what he knows with great
point and vigour, and there is no better reading than the adventurous
parts of his books."
_PALL MALL GAZETTE._--"The volumes are brimful of adventure, in which
gold, gold-diggers, prospectors, claim-holders, take an active part."
Robbery under Arms.
The Squatter's Dream.
A Colonial Reformer.
The Miner's Right.
A Sydney-Side Saxon.
Nevermore.
A Modern Buccaneer.
_By HUGH CONWAY._
_MORNING POST._--"Life-like, and full of individuality."
_DAILY NEWS._--"Throughout written with spirit, good feeling, and
ability, and a certain dash of humour."
Living or Dead?
A Family Affair.
_By MRS. CRAIK._
(The Author of 'JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.')
Olive. With Illustrations by G. BOWERS.
The Ogilvies. With Illustrations.
Agatha's Husband. With Illustrations.
Head Of the Family. With Illustrations.
Two Marriages. The Laurel Bush.
About Money, and other Things.
My Mother and I. With Illustrations.
Miss Tommy: A Mediaeval Romance. Illustrated.
King Arthur: Not a Love Story.
Sermons out of Church.
Concerning Men, and other Papers.
_By F. MARION CRAWFORD._
_SPECTATOR._--"With, the solitary exception of Mrs. Oliphant we have no
living novelist more distinguished for variety of theme and range of
imaginative outlook than Mr. Marion Crawford."
Mr. Isaacs: A Tale of Modern India. Portrait of Author.
Dr. Claudius: a True Story.
A Roman Singer.
Zoroaster.
Marzio's Crucifix.
A Tale of a Lonely Parish.
Paul Patoff.
With the Immortals.
Greifenstein.
Sant' Ilario.
A Cigarette-Maker's Romance.
Khaled.
The Three Fates.
The Witch of Prague.
Children of the King.
Marion Darche.
Pietro Ghisleri.
Katharine Lauderdale.
Don Orsino.
_By Sir HENRY CUNNINGHAM, K.C.I.E._
_ST. JAMES'S GAZETTE._--"Interesting as specimens of romance, the style
of writing is so excellent--scholarly and at the same time easy and
natural--that the volumes are worth reading on that account alone. But
there is also masterly description of persons, places, and things;
skilful analysis of character; a constant play of wit and humour; and a
happy gift of instantaneous portraiture."
The Coeruleans.
The Heriots.
Wheat and Tares.
MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD., LONDON.
MACMILLAN'S THREE-AND-SIXPENNY LIBRARY.
Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each volume.
_By CHARLES DICKENS._
The Pickwick Papers.
Oliver Twist.
Nicholas Nickleby.
Martin Chuzzlewit.
The Old Curiosity Shop.
Barnaby Rudge.
Dombey and Son.
Christmas Books.
Sketches by Boz.
David Copperfield.
American Notes and Pictures from Italy.
The Letters of Charles Dickens.
Bleak House.
_By MARY ANGELA DICKENS._
A Mere Cypher.
A Valiant Ignorance.
_By BRET HARTE._
_SPEAKER._--"The best work of Mr. Bret Harte stands entirely
alone ... marked on every page by distinction and quality.... Strength
and delicacy, spirit and tenderness, go together in his best work."
Cressy.
The Heritage of Dedlow Marsh.
A First Family of Tasajara.
_By THOMAS HUGHES._
Tom Brown's Schooldays. With Illustrations by A. HUGHES and S. P. HALL.
Tom Brown at Oxford. With Illustrations by S. P. HALL.
The Scouring of the White Horse, and The Ashen Faggot. With
Illustrations by RICHARD DOYLE.
_By HENRY JAMES._
_SATURDAY REVIEW._--"He has the power of seeing with the artistic
perception of the few, and of writing about what he has seen, so that
the many can understand and feel with him."
_WORLD._--"His touch is so light, and his humour, while shrewd and keen,
so free from bitterness."
A London Life.
The Aspern Papers.
The Tragic Muse.
_By ANNIE KEARY._
_SPECTATOR._--"In our opinion there have not been many novels published
better worth reading. The literary workmanship is excellent, and all the
windings of the stories are worked with patient fulness and a skill not
often found."
Castle Daly.
A York and a Lancaster Rose.
Oldbury.
A Doubting Heart.
Janet's Home.
Nations around Israel.
_By W. CLARK RUSSELL._
_TIMES._--"Mr. Clark Russell is one of those writers who have set
themselves to revive the British sea story in all its glorious
excitement. Mr. Russell has made a considerable reputation in this line.
His plots are well conceived, and that of 'Marooned' is no exception to
this rule."
Marooned.
A Strange Elopement.
MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD., LONDON.
MACMILLAN'S THREE-AND-SIXPENNY SERIES.
Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each volume.
_By CHARLES KINGSLEY._
Westward Ho!
Yeast.
Hypatia.
Alton Locke.
Two Years Ago.
Hereward the Wake.
Poems.
The Heroes.
The Water Babies.
Madam How and Lady Why.
At Last.
Prose Idylls.
Plays and Puritans, etc.
The Roman and the Teuton.
Sanitary and Social Lectures and Essays.
Historical Lectures and Essays.
Scientific Lectures and Essays.
Literary and General Lectures.
The Hermits.
Glaucus: or the Wonders of The Seashore. With Coloured Illustrations.
Village and Town and Country Sermons.
The Water of Life, and other Sermons.
Sermons on National Subjects, and the King of the Earth.
Sermons for the Times.
Good News of God.
The Gospel of the Pentateuch, and David.
Discipline, and other Sermons.
Westminster Sermons.
All Saints' Day, and other Sermons.
_By D. CHRISTIE MURRAY._
_SPECTATOR_.--"Mr. Christie Murray has more power and genius for the
delineation of English rustic life than any half-dozen of our surviving
novelists put together."
_SATURDAY REVIEW_.--"Few modern novelists can tell a story of English
country life better than Mr. D. Christie Murray."
Aunt Rachel.
John Vale's Guardian.
Schwartz.
The Weaker Vessel.
He Fell among Thieves. D. C. MURRAY and H. HERMAN.
_By Mrs. OLIPHANT._
_ACADEMY_.--"At her best she is, with one or two exceptions, the best of
living English novelists."
_SATURDAY REVIEW_.--"Has the charm of style, the literary quality and
flavour that never fails to please."
A Beleaguered City.
Joyce.
Neighbours on the Green.
Kirsteen.
Hester.
Sir Tom.
A Country Gentleman and his Family.
The Curate in Charge.
The Second Son.
He that Will Not when He May.
The Railway Man and his Children.
The Marriage of Elinor.
The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent.
A Son of the Soil.
The Wizard's Son.
Young Musgrave.
Lady William.
_By J. H. SHORTHOUSE._
_ANTI-JACOBIN_.--"Powerful, striking, and fascinating romances."
John Inglesant.
Sir Percival.
The Little Schoolmaster Mark.
The Countess Eve.
A Teacher of the Violin.
Blanche, Lady Falaise.
_By FREDERICK DENISON MAURICE._
Sermons Preached in Lincoln's Inn Chapel. In 6 vols.
Christmas Day, and other Sermons.
Theological Essays.
Prophets and Kings.
Patriarchs and Lawgivers.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Gospel of St. John.
Epistles of St. John.
Lectures on the Apocalypse.
Friendship of Books.
Social Morality.
Prayer Book and Lord's Prayer.
The Doctrine of Sacrifice.
Acts of the Apostles.
MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD., LONDON.
MACMILLAN'S THREE-AND-SIXPENNY SERIES.
Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each volume.
_By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE._
The Heir of Redclyffe.
Heartsease.
Hopes and Fears.
Dynevor Terrace.
The Daisy Chain.
The Trial: More Links of the Daisy Chain.
Pillars of the House. Vol. I.
Pillars of the House. Vol. II.
The Young Stepmother.
The Clever Woman of the Family.
The Three Brides.
My Young Alcides.
The Caged Lion.
The Dove in the Eagle's Nest.
The Chaplet of Pearls.
Lady Hester, and the Danvers Papers.
Magnum Bonum.
Love and Life.
Unknown to History.
Stray Pearls.
The Armourer's 'Prentices.
The Two Sides of the Shield.
Nuttie's Father.
Scenes and Characters.
Chantry House.
A Modern Telemachus.
Bye-Words.
Beechcroft at Rockstone.
More Bywords.
A Reputed Changeling.
The Little Duke.
The Lances of Lynwood.
The Prince and the Page.
P's and Q's, and Little Lucy's Wonderful Globe.
Two Penniless Princesses.
That Stick.
An Old Woman's Outlook.
Grisly Grisell.
_By ARCHDEACON FARRAR._
Seekers after God.
Eternal Hope.
The Fall of Man.
The Witness of History to Christ.
The Silence and Voices of God.
In the Days of thy Youth.
Saintly Workers.
Ephphatha.
Mercy and Judgment.
Sermons and Addresses in America.
_By VARIOUS WRITERS._
SIR S. W. BAKER.--True Tales for My Grandsons.
W. FORBES-MITCHELL.--Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny, 1857-59.
FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT.--Louisiana; and That Lass o' Lowrie's.
R. BLENNERHASSETT AND L. SLEEMAN.--Adventures in Mashonaland.
SIR MORTIMER DURAND, K. C. I. E.--Helen Treveryan.
'English Men of Letters' Series. In 13 Monthly Volumes, each Volume
containing three books.
LANOE FALCONER--Cecilia de Noel.
ARCHIBALD FORBES.--Barracks, Bivouacs, and Battles.--Souvenirs of Some
Continents.
W. W. FOWLER.--Tales of the Birds. Illustrated by BRYAN HOOK. A Year
with the Birds. Illustrated by BRYAN HOOK.
Rev. J. GILMORE.--Storm Warriors.
P. KENNEDY.--Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts.
HENRY KINGSLEY.--Tales of Old Travel.
MARGARET LEE.--Faithful and Unfaithful.
AMY LEVY.--Reuben Sachs.
S. R. LYSAGHT.--The Marplot.
LORD LYTTON.--The Ring of Amasis.
M. M'LENNAN.--Muckle Jock, and other Stories of Peasant Life.
LUCAS MALET.--Mrs. Lorimer.
GUSTAVE MASSON.--A French Dictionary.
A. B. MITFORD.--Tales of Old Japan.
MAJOR G. PARRY.--The Story of Dick.
E. C. PRICE.--In the Lion's Mouth.
W. C. RHOADES.--John Trevennick.
THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE. Vol. I. Comedies. Vol. II. Histories.
Vol. III. Tragedies. 3 vols.
FLORA A. STEEL.--Miss Stuart's Legacy.--The Flower of Forgiveness.
MARCHESA THEODOLI.--Under Pressure.
"TIMES" Summaries.--Biographies of Eminent Persons. In 4 vols.--Annual
Summaries. In 2 vols.
Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD.--Miss Bretherton.
MONTAGU WILLIAMS, Q. C.--Leaves of a Life.--Later Leaves.--Round London:
Down East, and Up West.
Hogan, M. P.--Tim.--The New Antigone.--Flitters, Tatters, etc.
MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD., LONDON.
Transcriber's note
Printer's errors have been corrected.
All other inconsistencies are as in the original.
The author's spelling has been maintained.