Let us go on board.--You observe the guns are iron, and painted black,

and her bulwarks are painted red; it is not a very becoming colour; but

then it lasts a long while, and the dock-yard is not very generous on

the score of paint--or lieutenants of the navy troubled with much spare

cash. She has plenty of men, and fine men they are; all dressed in red

flannel shirts, and blue trousers; some of them have not taken off their

canvas or tarpaulin petticoats, which are very useful to them, as they

are in the boats night and day, and in all weathers. But we will at once

go down into the cabin, where we shall find the lieutenant who commands

her, a master's mate, and a midshipman. They have each their tumbler

before them, and are drinking gin-toddy, hot, with sugar--capital gin,

too, 'bove proof; it is from that small anker, standing under the table.

It was one that they forgot to return to the custom-house when they made

their last seizure. We must introduce them.

The elderly personage, with grizzly hair and whiskers, a round pale

face, and a somewhat red nose (being too much in the wind will make the

nose red, and this old officer is very often "in the wind," of course,

from the very nature of his profession), is a Lieutenant Appleboy. He

has served in every class of vessel in the service, and done the duty of

first lieutenant for twenty years; he is now on promotion--that is to

say, after he has taken a certain number of tubs of gin, he will be

rewarded with his rank as commander. It is a pity that what he takes

inside of him does not count, for he takes it morning, noon, and night.

--He is just filling his fourteenth glass: he always keeps a regular

account, as he never exceeds his limited number, which is seventeen;

then he is exactly down to his bearings.

The master's mate's name is Tomkins; he has served his six years three

times over, and has now outgrown his ambition; which is fortunate for

him, as his chances of promotion are small. He prefers a small vessel to

a large one, because he is not obliged to be so particular in his dress

--and looks for his lieutenancy whenever there shall be another charity

promotion. He is fond of soft bread, for his teeth are all absent

without leave; he prefers porter to any other liquor, but he can drink

his glass of grog, whether it be based upon rum, brandy, or the liquor

now before him.

Mr Smith is the name of that young gentleman, whose jacket is so out at

the elbows; he has been intending to mend it these last two months, but

is too lazy to go to his chest for another. He has been turned out of

half the ships in the service for laziness; but he was born so--and

therefore it is not his fault.--A revenue-cutter suits him, she is half

her time hove to; and he has no objection to boat-service, as he sits

down always in the stern-sheets, which is not fatiguing. Creeping for

tubs is his delight, as he gets over so little ground. He is fond of

grog, but there is some trouble in carrying the tumbler so often to his

mouth; so he looks at it, and lets it stand. He says little, because he

is too lazy to speak. He has served more than _eight years;_ but as for

passing--it has never come into his head. Such are the three persons who

are now sitting in the cabin of the revenue-cutter, drinking hot

gin-toddy.

"Let me see, it was, I think, in ninety-three or ninety-four. Before you

were in the service, Tomkins.--"

"Maybe, sir; it's so long ago since I entered, that I can't recollect

dates,--but this I know, that my aunt died three days before."

"Then the question is, when did your aunt die?"

"Oh! she died about a year after my uncle."

"And when did your uncle die?"

"I'll be hanged if I know!"

"Then, d'ye see, you've no departure to work from. However, I think you

cannot have been in the service at that time. We were not quite so

particular about uniform as we are now."

"Then I think the service was all the better for it. Now-a-days, in your

crack ships, a mate has to go down in the hold or spirit-room, and after

whipping up fifty empty casks, and breaking out twenty full ones, he is

expected to come on quarter-deck as clean as if he was just come out of

a band-box."

"Well, there's plenty of water alongside, as far as the outward man

goes, and iron dust is soon brushed off. However, as you say, perhaps a

little too much is expected; at least, in five of the ships in which I

was first-lieutenant, the captain was always hauling me over the coals

about the midshipmen not dressing properly, as if I was their dry-nurse.

I wonder what Captain Prigg would have said, if he had seen such a

turn-out as you, Mr Smith, on his quarter-deck."

"I should have had one turn-out more," drawled Smith.

"With your out-at-elbows jacket, there, heh!" continued Mr Appleboy.

Smith turned up his elbows, looked at one and then at the other: after

so fatiguing an operation, he was silent.

"Well, where was I? Oh! it was about ninety-three or ninety-four, as I

said, that it happened--Tomkins, fill your glass, and hand me the sugar

--how do I get on? This is No. 15," said Appleboy, counting some white

lines on the table by him; and taking up a piece of chalk, he marked one

more line on his tally. "I don't think this is so good a tub as the

last, Tomkins, there's a twang about it--a want of juniper--however, I

hope we shall have better luck this time. Of course, you know we sail

to-morrow?"

"I presume so, by the leg of mutton coming on board."

"True--true--I'm regular--as clock-work.--After being twenty years a

first-lieutenant, one gets a little method--I like regularity. Now the

admiral has never omitted asking me to dinner once, every time I have

come into harbour, except this time--I was so certain of it, that I

never expected to sail; and I have but two shirts clean in consequence."

"That's odd, isn't it? and the more so, because he has had such great

people down here, and has been giving large parties every day."

"And yet I made three seizures, besides sweeping up those thirty-seven

tubs."

"I swept them up," observed Smith.

"That's all the same thing, _younker_.--When you've been a little longer

in the service, you'll find out that the commanding officer has the

merit of all that is done--but you're _green_ yet. Let me see, where was

I? Oh!--It was about ninety-three or ninety-four, as I said. At that

time I was in the Channel fleet--Tomkins, I'll trouble you for the hot

water; this water's cold.--Mr Smith, do me the favour to ring the bell.

--Jem, some more hot water."

"Please, sir," said Jem, who was barefooted as well as bare-headed,

touching the lock of hair on his forehead, "the cook has capsized the

kettle--but he has put more on."

"Capsized the kettle! Ha!--very well--we'll talk about that to-morrow.

Mr Tomkins, do me the favour to put him in the report, I may forget it.

And pray, sir, how long is it since he has put more on?"

"Just this moment, sir, as I came aft."

"Very well, we'll see to that to-morrow:--You bring the kettle aft as

soon as it is ready. I say, Mr Jem, is that fellow sober?"

"Yees, sir, he be sober as you be."

"It's quite astonishing what a propensity the common sailors have to

liquor. Forty odd years have I been in the service, and I've never found

any difference: I only wish I had a guinea for every time that I have

given a fellow seven-water grog during my servitude as first-lieutenant,

I wouldn't call the king my cousin. Well, if there's no hot water, we

must take lukewarm--it won't do to heave to. By the Lord Harry! who

would have thought it?--I'm at number sixteen! Let me count--yes!--

surely I must have made a mistake. A fact, by Heaven!" continued Mr

Appleboy, throwing the chalk down on the table. "Only one more glass,

after this--that is, if I have counted right--I may have seen double."

"Yes," drawled Smith.

"Well, never mind--let's go on with my story.--It was either in the year

ninety-three or ninety-four, that I was in the Channel fleet--we were

then abreast of Torbay--"

"Here be the hot water, sir," cried Jem, putting the kettle down on the

deck.

"Very well, boy--by-the-bye, has the jar of butter come on board?"

"Yes, but it broke all down the middle; I tied him up with a ropeyarn."

"Who broke it, sir?"

"Coxswain says as how he didn't."

"But who did, sir?"

"Coxswain handed it up to Bill Jones, and he says as how he didn't."

"But who did, sir?"

"Bill Jones gave it to me, and I'm sure as how I didn't."

"Then who did, sir, I ask you?"

"I think it be Bill Jones, sir, 'cause he's fond of butter, I know, and

there be very little left in the jar."

"Very _well_, we'll see to that to-morrow morning. Mr Tomkins, you'll

oblige me by putting the butter-jar down in the report, in case it

should slip my memory. Bill Jones, indeed, looks as if butter wouldn't

melt in his mouth--never mind. Well, it was, as I said before--it was in

the year ninety-three or ninety-four, when I was in the Channel fleet;

we were then off Torbay, and had just: taken two reefs in the top-sails.

Stop, before I go on with my story, I'll take my last glass--I think

it's the last: let me count--yes, by heavens I make out sixteen, well

told. Never mind, it shall be a stiff one. Boy, bring the kettle, and

mind you don't pour the hot water into my shoes, as you did the other

night. There, that will do. Now, Tomkins, fill up yours; and you, Mr

Smith: let us all start fair, and then you shall have my story--and a

very curious one it is, I can tell you; I wouldn't have believed it

myself if I hadn't seen it. Hilloa! what's this? confound it! what's the

matter with the toddy? Heh, Mr Tomkins?"

Mr Tomkins tasted, but, like the lieutenant, he had made it very stiff;

and, as he had also taken largely before, he was, like him, not quite so

clear in his discrimination: "It has a queer _twang_, sir: Smith, what

is it?"

Smith took up his glass, tasted the contents.

"_Salt water"_ drawled the midshipman.

"Salt water! so it is, by heavens!" cried Mr Appleboy.

"Salt as Lot's wife!--by all that's infamous!" cried the master's mate.

"Salt water, sir!" cried Jem in a fright, expecting a _salt_ eel for

supper.

"Yes, sir," replied Mr Appleboy, tossing the contents of the tumbler in

the boy's face, "salt water. Very well, sir,--very well!"

"It warn't me, sir," replied the boy, making up a piteous look.

"No, sir, but you said the cook was sober."

"He was not so _very_ much disguised, sir," replied Jem.

"Oh! very well--never mind. Mr Tomkins, in case I should forget it, do

me the favour to put the kettle of salt water down in the report. The

scoundrel! I'm very sorry, gentlemen, but there's no means of having any

more gin-toddy,--but never mind, we'll see to this to-morrow. Two can

play at this; and if I don't salt-water their grog, and make them drink

it, too, I have been twenty years a first-lieutenant for nothing--that's

all. Good night, gentlemen; and," continued the lieutenant, in a severe

tone, "you'll keep a sharp look-out, Mr Smith--do you hear, sir?"

"Yes," drawled Smith, "but it's not my watch; it was my first watch,

and, just now, it struck one bell."

"You'll keep the middle watch, then, Mr Smith," said Mr Appleboy, who

was not a little put out; "and, Mr Tomkins, let me know as soon as it's

daylight. Boy, get my bed made. Salt water, by all that's blue! However,

we'll see to that to-morrow morning."

Mr Appleboy then turned in; so did Mr Tomkins; and so did Mr Smith, who

had no idea of keeping the middle watch because the cook was drunk and

had filled up the kettle with salt water. As for what happened in

ninety-three or ninety-four, I really would inform the reader if I knew,

but I am afraid that that most curious story is never to be handed down

to posterity.

The next morning, Mr Tomkins, as usual, forgot to report the cook, the

jar of butter, and the kettle of salt water; and Mr Appleboy's wrath had

long been appeased before he remembered them. At daylight the lieutenant

came on deck, having only slept away half of the sixteen, and a taste of

the seventeenth salt-water glass of gin-toddy. He rubbed his grey eyes,

that he might peer through the grey of the morning; the fresh breeze

blew about his grizzly locks, and cooled his rubicund nose. The

revenue-cutter, whose name was the _Active_, cast off from the buoy;

and, with a fresh breeze, steered her course for the Needles' passage.

Chapter III

CUTTER THE THIRD

Reader! have you been to St Maloes? If you have, you were glad enough to

leave the hole; and, if you have not, take my advice, and do not give

yourself the trouble to go and see that, or any other French port in the

Channel. There is not one worth looking at. They have made one or two

artificial ports, and they are no great things; there is no getting out,

or getting in. In fact, they have no harbours in the Channel, while we

have the finest in the world; a peculiar dispensation of Providence,

because it knew that we should want them, and France would not. In

France, what are called ports are all alike, nasty narrow holes, only to

be entered at certain times of tide and certain winds; made up of basins

and back-waters, custom-houses, and cabarets; just fit for smugglers to

run into, and nothing more; and, therefore, they are used for very

little else.

Now, in the dog-hole called St Maloes there is some pretty land,

although a great deficiency of marine scenery. But never mind that: stay

at home, and don't go abroad to drink sour wine, because they call it

Bordeaux, and eat villanous trash, so disguised by cooking that you

cannot possibly tell which of the birds of the air, or beasts of the

field, or fishes of the sea, you are cramming down your throat. "If all

is right, there is no occasion for disguise," is an old saying; so

depend upon it, that there is something wrong, and that you are eating

offal, under a grand French name. They eat everything in France, and

would serve you up the head of a monkey who has died of the smallpox, as

_singe au petite vérole_--that is, if you did not understand French; if

you did, they would call it, _Tête d'amour a l'Ethiopique,_ and then you

would be even more puzzled. As for their wine, there is no disguise in

that--it's half vinegar. No, no! stay at home; you can live just as

cheaply, if you choose; and then you will have good meat, good

vegetables, good ale, good beer, and a good glass of grog--and what is

of more importance, you will be in good company. Live with your friends,

and don't make a fool of yourself.

I would not have condescended to have noticed this place, had it not

been that I wish you to observe a vessel which is lying along the

pier-wharf, with a plank from the shore to her gunnel. It is low water,

and she is aground, and the plank dips down at such an angle that it is

a work of danger to go either in or out of her. You observe that there

is nothing very remarkable in her. She is a cutter, and a good sea-boat,

and sails well before the wind. She is short for her breadth of beam,

and is not armed. Smugglers do not arm now--the service is too

dangerous; they effect their purpose by cunning, not by force.

Nevertheless, it requires that smugglers should be good seamen, smart,

active fellows, and keen-witted, or they can do nothing. This vessel has

not a large cargo in her, but it is valuable. She has some thousand

yards of lace, a few hundred pounds of tea, a few bales of silk, and

about forty ankers of brandy--just as much as they can land in one boat.

All they ask is a heavy gale or a thick fog, and they trust to

themselves for success.

There is nobody on board except a boy; the crew are all up at the

cabaret, settling their little accounts of every description--for they

smuggle both ways, and every man has his own private venture. There they

are all, fifteen of them, and fine-looking fellows, too, sitting at that

long table. They are very merry, but quite sober, as they are to sail

to-night.

The captain of the vessel (whose name, by-the-bye is the

"_Happy-go-lucky_,"--the captain christened her himself) is that

fine-looking young man, with dark whiskers, meeting under his throat.

His name is Jack Pickersgill. You perceive, at once, that he is much

above a common sailor in appearance. His manners are good, he is

remarkably handsome, very clean, and rather a dandy in his dress.

Observe, how very politely he takes off his hat to that Frenchman, with

whom he has just settled accounts; he beats Johnny Crapeau at his own

weapons. And then there is an air of command, a feeling of conscious

superiority about Jack; see how he treats the landlord, _de haut en

bas_, at the same time that he is very civil. The fact is, that Jack is

of a very good, old family, and received a very excellent education; but

he was an orphan, his friends were poor, and could do but little for

him: he went out to India as a cadet, ran away, and served in a schooner

which smuggled opium into China, and then came home. He took a liking to

the employment, and is now laying up a very pretty little sum: not that

he intends to stop: no, as soon as he has enough to fit out a vessel for

himself, he intends to start again for India, and with two cargoes of

opium, he will return, he trusts, with a handsome fortune, and re-assume

his family name. Such are Jack's intentions; and, as he eventually means

to reappear as a gentleman, he preserves his gentlemanly habits: he

neither drinks, nor chews, nor smokes. He keeps his hands clean, wears

rings, and sports a gold snuff-box; notwithstanding which, Jack is one

of the boldest and best of sailors, and the men know it. He is full of

fun, and as keen as a razor. Jack has a very heavy venture this time--

all the lace is his own speculation, and if he gets it in safe, he will

clear some thousands of pounds. A certain fashionable shop in London has

already agreed to take the whole off his hands.

That short, neatly-made young man is the second in command, and the

companion of the captain. He is clever, and always has a remedy to

propose when there is a difficulty, which is a great quality in a second

in command. His name is Corbett. He is always merry--half-sailor,

half-tradesman; knows the markets, runs up to London, and does business

as well as a chapman--lives for the day, and laughs at to-morrow.

That little punchy old man, with long gray hair and fat face, with a

nose like a note of interrogation, is the next personage of importance.

He ought to be called the sailing-master, for, although he goes on shore

in France, off the English coast he never quits the vessel. When they

leave her with the goods, he remains on board; he is always to be found

off any part of the coast where he may be ordered; holding his position

in defiance of gales, and tides, and fogs: as for the revenue-vessels,

they all know him well enough, but they cannot touch a vessel in

ballast, if she has no more men on board than allowed by her tonnage. He

knows every creek, and hole, and corner, of the coast; how the tide runs

in--tide, half-tide, eddy, or current. That is his value. His name is

Morrison.

You observe that Jack Pickersgill has two excellent supporters in

Corbett and Morrison; his other men are good seamen, active, and

obedient, which is all that he requires. I shall not particularly

introduce them.

"Now you may call for another _litre_, my lads, and that must be the

last; the tide is flowing fast, and we shall be afloat in half an hour,

and we have just the breeze we want. What d'ye think, Morrison, shall we

have dirt?"

"I've been looking just now, and if it were any other month in the year

I should say, yes; but there's no trusting April, captain. Howsomever,

if it does blow off, I'll promise you a fog in three hours afterwards."

"That will do as well. Corbett, have you settled with Duval?"

"Yes, after more noise and _charivari_ than a panic in the Stock

Exchange would make in England. He fought and squabbled for an hour, and

I found that, without some abatement, I never should have settled the

affair."

"What did you let him off?"

"Seventeen sous," replied Corbett, laughing.

"And that satisfied him?" inquired Pickersgill.

"Yes--it was all he could prove to be a _surfaire_: two of the knives

were a little rusty. But he will always have something off; he could not

be happy without it. I really think he would commit suicide, if he had

to pay a bill without a deduction."

"Let him live," replied Pickersgill. "Jeannette, a bottle of Volnay, of

1811, and three glasses."

Jeannette, who was the _fille de cabaret_, soon appeared with a bottle

of wine, seldom called for, except by the captain of the

_Happy-go-lucky_.

"You sail to-night?" said she, as she placed the bottle before him.

Pickersgill nodded his head.

"I had a strange dream," said Jeannette; "I thought you were all taken

by a revenue cutter, and put in a _cachot_. I went to see you, and I did

not know one of you again--you were all changed."

"Very likely, Jeannette--you would not be the first who did not know

their friends again when in misfortune. There was nothing strange in

your dream."

"_Mais, mon Dieu! je ne suis pas comme ça moi_."

"No, that you are not, Jeannette; you are a good girl, and some of these

fine days I'll marry you," said Corbett.

"_Doit être bien beau ce jour là, par exemple_," replied Jeannette,

laughing; "you have promised to marry me every time you have come in,

these last three years."

"Well, that proves I keep to my promise, any how."

"Yes; but you never go any further."

"I can't spare him, Jeannette, that is the real truth," said the

captain: "but wait a little--in the meantime, here is a five-franc piece

to add to your _petite fortune_."

"_Merci bien, monsieur le capitaine; bon voyage!_" Jeannette held her

finger up to Corbett, saying, with a smile, "_méchant!_" and then

quitted the room.

"Come, Morrison, help us to empty this bottle, and then we will all go

on board."

"I wish that girl wouldn't come here with her nonsensical dreams," said

Morrison, taking his seat; "I don't like it. When she said that we

should be taken by a revenue cutter, I was looking at a blue and a white

pigeon sitting on the wall opposite; and I said to myself, now, if that

be a warning, I will see: if the _blue_ pigeon flies away first, I shall

be in jail in a week; if the _white,_ I shall be back here."

"Well?" said Pickersgill, laughing.

"It wasn't well," answered Morrison, tossing off his wine, and putting

the glass down with a deep sigh; "for the cursed _blue_ pigeon flew away

immediately."

"Why, Morrison, you must have a chicken-heart to be frightened at a blue

pigeon," said Corbett, laughing, and looking out of the window; "at all

events, he has come back again, and there he is sitting by the white

one."

"It's the first time that ever I was called chicken-hearted," replied

Morrison, in wrath.

"Nor do you deserve it, Morrison," replied Pickersgill; "but Corbett is

only joking."

"Well, at all events, I'll try my luck in the same way, and see whether

I am to be in jail: I shall take the blue pigeon as my bad omen, as you

did."

The sailors and Captain Pickersgill all rose and went to the window, to

ascertain Corbett's fortune by this new species of augury. The blue

pigeon flapped his wings, and then he sidled up to the white one; at

last, the white pigeon flew off the wall and settled on the roof of the

adjacent house. "Bravo, white pigeon!" said Corbett; "I shall be here

again in a week." The whole party, laughing, then resumed their seats;

and Morrison's countenance brightened up. As he took the glass of wine

poured out by Pickersgill, he said, "Here's your health, Corbett; it was

all nonsense, after all--for, d'ye see, I can't be put in jail without

you are. We all sail in the same boat, and when you leave me, you take

with you everything that can condemn the vessel--so here's success to

our trip."

"We will all drink that toast, my lads, and then on board," said the

captain; "here's success to our trip."

The captain rose, as did the mates and men, drank the toast, turned down

the drinking-vessels on the table, hastened to the wharf, and, in half

an hour, the _Happy-go-lucky_ was clear of the port of St Maloes.

Chapter IV

PORTLAND BILL

The _Happy-go-lucky_ sailed with a fresh breeze and a flowing sheet from

St Maloes, the evening before the _Arrow_ sailed from Barn Pool. The

_Active_ sailed from Portsmouth the morning after.

The yacht, as we before observed, was bound to Cowes, in the Isle of

Wight. The _Active_ had orders to cruise wherever she pleased within the

limits of the admiral's station; and she ran for West Bay, on the other

side of the Bill of Portland. The _Happy-go-lucky_ was also bound for

that bay to land her cargo.

The wind was light, and there was every appearance of fine weather, when

the _Happy-go-lucky_, at ten o'clock on the Tuesday night, made the

Portland lights; as it was impossible to run her cargo that night, she

hove to.

At eleven o'clock, the Portland lights were made by the revenue cutter

_Active_. Mr Appleboy went up to have a look at them, ordered the cutter

to be hove to, and then went down to finish his allowance of gin-toddy.

At twelve o'clock, the yacht _Arrow_ made the Portland lights, and

continued her course, hardly stemming the ebb tide.

Day broke, and the horizon was clear. The first on the look-out were, of

course, the smugglers; they, and those on board the revenue cutter, were

the only two interested parties--the yacht was neuter.

"There are two cutters in sight, sir," said Corbett, who had the watch;

for Pickersgill, having been up the whole night, had thrown himself down

on the bed with his clothes on.

"What do they look like?" said Pickersgill, who was up in a moment.

"One is a yacht, and the other may be; but I rather think, as far as I

can judge in the gray, that it is our old friend off here."

"What! old Appleboy?"

"Yes, it looks like him; but the day has scarcely broke yet."

"Well, he can do nothing in a light wind like this; and before the wind

we can show him our heels; but are you sure the other is a yacht?" said

Pickersgill, coming on deck.

"Yes; the king is more careful of his canvas."

"You're right," said Pickersgill, "that is a yacht; and you're right

there again in your guess--that is the stupid old _Active_, which creeps

about creeping for tubs. Well, I see nothing to alarm us at present,

provided it don't fall a dead calm, and then we must take to our boat as

soon as he takes to his; we are four miles from him at least. Watch his

motions, Corbett, and see if he lowers a boat. What does she go now?

Four knots?--that will soon tire their men."

The positions of the three cutters were as follows:--

The _Happy-go-lucky_ was about four miles off Portland Head, and well

into West Bay. The revenue cutter was close to the Head. The yacht was

outside of the smuggler, about two miles to the westward, and about five

or six miles from the revenue cutter.

"Two vessels in sight, sir," said Mr Smith, coming down into the cabin

to Mr Appleboy.

"Very well," replied the lieutenant, who was _lying_ down in his

_standing_ bed-place.

"The people say one is the _Happy-go-lucky,_ sir," drawled Smith.

"Heh? what! _Happy-go-lucky?_ Yes, I recollect; I've boarded her twenty

times--always empty. How's she standing?"

"She stands to the westward now, sir; but she was hove to, they say,

when they first saw her."

"Then she has a cargo in her;" and Mr Appleboy shaved himself, dressed,

and went on deck.

"Yes," said the lieutenant, rubbing his eyes again and again, and then

looking through the glass, "it is her sure enough. Let draw the fore

sheet--hands make sail. What vessel's the other?"

"Don't know, sir,--she's a cutter."

"A cutter? yes; may be a yacht, or may be the new cutter ordered on the

station. Make all sail, Mr Tomkins; hoist our pendant, and fire a gun--

they will understand what we mean then; they don't know the

_Happy-go-lucky_ as well as we do."

In a few minutes the _Active_ was under a press of sail; she hoisted her

pendant, and fired a gun. The smuggler perceived that the _Active_ had

recognised her, and she also threw out more canvas, and ran off more to

the westward.

"There's a gun, sir," reported one of the men to Mr Stewart, on board of

the yacht.

"Yes; give me the glass--a revenue cutter; then this vessel in shore,

running towards us, must be a smuggler."

"She has just now made all sail, sir."

"Yes, there's no doubt of it; I will go down to his lordship--keep her

as she goes."

Mr Stewart then went down to inform Lord B. of the circumstance. Not

only Lord B., but most of the gentlemen came on deck; as did soon

afterwards the ladies, who had received the intelligence from Lord B.,

who spoke to them through the door of the cabin.

But the smuggler had more wind than the revenue cutter, and increased

her distance.

"If we were to wear round now, my lord," observed Mr Stewart, "she is

just abreast of us and in shore, we could prevent her escape."

"Round with her, Mr Stewart," said Lord B.; "we must do our duty, and

protect the laws."

"That will not be fair, papa," said Cecilia Ossulton; "we have no

quarrel with the smugglers: I'm sure the ladies have not, for they bring

us beautiful things."

"Miss Ossulton," observed her aunt, "it is not proper for you to offer

an opinion."

The yacht wore round, and, sailing so fast, the smuggler had little

chance of escaping her; but to chase is one thing--to capture, another.

"Let us give her a gun," said Lord B., "that will frighten her; and he

dare not cross our hawse."

The gun was loaded, and not being more than a mile from the smuggler,

actually threw the ball almost a quarter of the way.

The gentlemen, as well as Lord B., were equally excited by the ardour of

pursuit; but the wind died away, and at last it was nearly calm. The

revenue cutter's boats were out, and coming up fast.

"Let us get our boat out, Stewart," said his lordship; "and help them;

it is quite calm now."

The boat was soon out: it was a very large one, usually stowed on, and

occupied a large portion of, the deck. It pulled six oars; and when it

was manned, Mr Stewart jumped in, and Lord B. followed him.

"But you have no arms," said Mr Hautaine.

"The smugglers never resist now," observed Stewart.

"Then you are going on a very gallant expedition, indeed," observed

Cecilia Ossulton; "I wish you joy."

But Lord B. was too much excited to pay attention. They shoved off, and

pulled towards the smuggler.

At this time, the revenue boats were about five miles astern of the

_Happy-go-lucky_, and the yacht about three-quarters of a mile from her

in the offing. Pickersgill had, of course, observed the motions of the

yacht; had seen her wear on chase, hoist her ensign and pendant, and

fire her gun.

"Well," said he, "this is the blackest ingratitude; to be attacked by

the very people whom we smuggle for. I only wish she may come up with

us; and, let her attempt to interfere, she shall rue the day: I don't

much like this, though."

As we before observed, it fell nearly calm, and the revenue boats were

in chase. Pickersgill watched them as they came up.

"What shall we do," said Corbett,--"get the boat out?"

"Yes," replied Pickersgill, "we will get the boat out, and have the

goods in her all ready; but we can pull faster than they do, in the

first place; and, in the next, they will be pretty well tired before

they come up to us. We are fresh, and shall soon walk away from them; so

I shall not leave the vessel till they are within half a mile. We must

sink the ankers, that they may not seize the vessel, for it is not worth

while taking them with us. Pass them along ready to run them over the

bows, that they may not see us and swear to it. But we have a good half

hour, and more."

"Ay, and you may hold all fast if you choose," said Morrison, "although

it's better to be on the right side and get ready; otherwise, before

half an hour, I'll swear that we are out of their sight. Look there,"

said he, pointing to the eastward at a heavy bank, "it's coming right

down upon us, as I said it would."

"True enough; but still there is no saying which will come first,

Morrison; the boats or the fog, so we must be prepared."

"Hilloa! what's this? why, there's a boat coming from the yacht!"

Pickersgill took out his glass.

"Yes, and the yacht's own boat, with the name painted on her bows. Well,

let them come--we will have no ceremony in resisting them; they are not

in the Act of Parliament, and must take the consequences. We have nought

to fear. Get stretchers, my lads, and hand-spikes; they row six oars,

and are three in the stern sheets--they must be good men if they take

us."

In a few minutes Lord B. was close to the smuggler.

"Boat, ahoy! what do you want?"

"Surrender in the king's name."

"To what, and to whom, and what are we to surrender? We are an English

vessel coasting along shore."

"Pull on board, my lads," cried Stewart; "I am a king's officer--we know

her."

The boat darted alongside, and Stewart and Lord B., followed by the men,

jumped on the deck.

"Well, gentlemen, what do you want?" said Pickersgill.

"We seize you--you are a smuggler; there's no denying it: look at the

casks of spirits stretched along the deck."

"We never said that we were not smugglers," replied Pickersgill; "but

what is that to you? You are not a king's ship, or employed by the

revenue."

"No, but we carry a pendant, and it is our duty to protect the laws."

"And who are you?" said Pickersgill.

"I am Lord B."

"Then, my lord, allow me to say that you would do much better to attend

to the framing of laws, and leave people of less consequence, like those

astern of me, to execute them. 'Mind your own business,' is an old

adage. We shall not hurt you, my lord, as you have only employed words,

but we shall put it out of your power to hurt us. Come aft, my lads.

Now, my lord, resistance is useless; we are double your numbers, and you

have caught a Tartar."

Lord B. and Mr Stewart perceived that they were in an awkward

predicament.

"You may do what you please," observed Mr Stewart, "but the revenue

boats are coming up, recollect."

"Look you, sir, do you see the revenue cutter?" said Pickersgill.

Stewart looked in that direction, and saw that she was hidden in the

fog.

"In five minutes, sir, the boats will be out of sight also, and so will

your vessel; we have nothing to fear from them."

"Indeed, my lord, we had better return," said Mr Stewart, who perceived

that Pickersgill was right.

"I beg your pardon, you will not go on board your yacht so soon as you

expect. Take the oars out of the boat, my lads, two or three of you, and

throw in a couple of our paddles for them to reach the shore with. The

rest of you knock down the first man who offers to resist. You are not

aware, perhaps, my lord, that you have attempted _piracy_ on the high

seas?"

Stewart looked at Lord B. It was true enough. The men of the yacht could

offer no resistance; the oars were taken out of the boat, and the men

put in again.

"My lord," said Pickersgill, "your boat is manned--do me the favour to

step into it; and you, sir, do the same. I should be sorry to lay my

hands upon a peer of the realm, or a king's officer even on half pay."

Remonstrance was vain; his lordship was led to the boat by two of the

smugglers, and Stewart followed.

"I will leave your oars, my lord, at the Weymouth Custom-house; and I

trust this will be a lesson to you in future to 'mind your own

business.'"

The boat was shoved off from the sloop by the smugglers, and was soon

lost sight of in the fog, which had now covered the revenue boats as

well as the yacht; at the same time, it brought down a breeze from the

eastward.

"Haul to the wind, Morrison," said Pickersgill, "we will stand out to

get rid of the boats; if they pull on, they will take it for granted

that we shall run into the bay, as will the revenue cutter."

Pickersgill and Corbett were in conversation abaft for a short time,

when the former desired the course to be altered two points.

"Keep silence all of you, my lads, and let me know if you hear a gun or

a bell from the yacht," said Pickersgill.

"There is a gun, sir, close to us," said one of the men; "the sound was

right ahead."

"That will do, keep her as she goes. Aft here, my lads; we cannot run

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 out-sail 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, as 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 in shore, 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, 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.

"O madam! O miss! O 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 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.

"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 wine 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 taking 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 of 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 tooth-pick.

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?"

"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 night-cap 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 _à 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 night-cap 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, to 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 mean time 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 the 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 in 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, &c., 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.

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 mean time 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 both are

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 mean time, it was dark; the cutter flew along the coast; and the

Needles' lights were on the larboard bow. The conversation between

Cecilia, Mrs Lascelles, 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

good will.

"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 idéal_ 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 upon 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 _à 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.

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 a parting 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 _à 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.