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.