The Three Cutters, by Captain Marryat. 

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Captain Frederick Marryat was born July 10 1792, and died August 8 1848. He retired from the British navy in 1828 in order to devote himself towriting. In the following 20 years he wrote 26 books, many of which areamong the very best of English literature, and some of which are stillin print. 

Marryat had an extraordinary gift for the invention of episodes in hisstories. He says somewhere that when he sat down for the day's work, henever knew what he was going to write. He certainly was a literarygenius. 

"The Three Cutters" was published in 1836, the tenth book to flow fromMarryat's pen. 

This e-book was transcribed in 1998 by Nick Hodson, and was reformattedin 2003, and again in 2005. 

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THE THREE CUTTERS, BY CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

CUTTER THE FIRST. 

Reader, have you ever been at Plymouth? If you have, your eye must havedwelt with ecstasy upon the beautiful property of the Earl of MountEdgcumbe: if you have not been at Plymouth, the sooner that you go therethe better. At Mount Edgcumbe you will behold the finest timber inexistence, towering up to the summits of the hills, and feathering downto the shingle on the beach. And from this lovely spot you will witnessone of the most splendid panoramas in the world. You will see--I hardlyknow what you will not see--you will see Ram Head, and Cawsand Bay; andthen you will see the Breakwater, and Drake's Island, and the Devil'sBridge below you; and the town of Plymouth and its fortifications, andthe Hoe; and then you will come to the Devil's Point, round which thetide runs devilish strong; and then you will see the New VictuallingOffice, --about which Sir James Gordon used to stump all day, and take apinch of snuff from every man who carried a box, which all weredelighted to give, and he was delighted to receive, proving how muchpleasure may be communicated merely by a pinch of snuff; and then youwill see Mount Wise and Mutton Cove; the town of Devonport; with itsmagnificent dockyard and arsenals, North Corner, and the way which leadsto Saltash. And you will see ships building and ships in ordinary; andships repairing and ships fitting; and hulks and convict ships, and theguard-ship; ships ready to sail and ships under sail; besides lighters, men-of-war's boats, dockyard-boats, bum-boats, and shore-boats. Inshort, there is a great deal to see at Plymouth besides the sea itself:but what I particularly wish now is, that you will stand at the batteryof Mount Edgcumbe and look into Barn Pool below you, and there you willsee, lying at single anchor, a cutter; and you may also see, by herpendant and ensign, that she is a yacht. 

Of all the amusements entered into by the nobility and gentry of ourisland there is not one so manly, so exciting, so patriotic, or sonational, as yacht-sailing. It is peculiar to England, not only for ourinsular position and our fine harbours, but because it requires acertain degree of energy and a certain amount of income rarely to befound elsewhere. It has been wisely fostered by our sovereigns, whohave felt that the security of the kingdom is increased by every manbeing more or less a sailor, or connected with the nautical profession. It is an amusement of the greatest importance to the country, as it hasmuch improved our ship-building and our ship-fitting, while it affordsemployment to our seamen and shipwrights. But if I were to say all thatI could say in praise of yachts, I should never advance with mynarrative. I shall therefore drink a bumper to the health of AdmiralLord Yarborough and the Yacht Club, and proceed. 

You observe that this yacht is cutter-rigged, and that she sitsgracefully on the smooth water. She is just heaving up her anchor; herforesail is loose, all ready to cast her--in a few minutes she will beunder way. You see that there are ladies sitting at the taffrail; andthere are five haunches of venison hanging over the stern. Of allamusements, give me yachting. But we must go on board. The deck, youobserve, is of narrow deal planks as white as snow; the guns are ofpolished brass; the bitts and binnacles of mahogany: she is painted withtaste; and all the mouldings are gilded. There is nothing wanting; andyet how clear and unencumbered are her decks! Let us go below. Thereis the ladies' cabin: can anything be more tasteful or elegant? Is itnot luxurious? And, although so small, does not its very confined spaceastonish you, when you view so many comforts so beautifully arranged?This is the dining-room, and where the gentlemen repair. What can bemore complete or _recherche_? And just peep into their state-rooms andbed-places. Here is the steward's room and the beaufet: the steward issqueezing lemons for the punch, and there is the champagne in ice; andby the side of the pail the long-corks are ranged up, all ready. Now, let us go forwards: here are, the men's berths, not confined as in aman-of-war. No! Luxury starts from abaft, and is not wholly lost, evenat the fore-peak. This is the kitchen; is it not admirably arranged?What a _multum in parvo_! And how delightful are the fumes of theturtle-soup! At sea we do meet with rough weather at times; but, forroughing it out, give me a _yacht_. Now that I have shown you round thevessel, I must introduce the parties on board. 

You observe that florid, handsome man, in white trousers and bluejacket, who has a telescope in one hand, and is sipping a glass ofbrandy and water which he has just taken off the skylight. That is theowner of the vessel, and a member of the Yacht Club. It is Lord B---:he looks like a sailor, and he does not much belie his looks; yet I haveseen him in his robes of state at the opening of the House of Lords. The one near to him is Mr Stewart, a lieutenant in the navy. He holdson by the rigging with one hand, because, having been actively employedall his life, he does not know what to do with hands which have nothingin them. He is a _protege_ of Lord B---, and is now on board assailing-master of the yacht. 

That handsome, well-built man, who is standing by the binnacle, is a MrHautaine. He served six years as midshipman in the navy, and did notlike it. He then served six years in a cavalry regiment, and did notlike it. He then married, and in a much shorter probation found that hedid not like that. But he is very fond of yachts and other men's wives, if he does not like his own; and wherever he goes, he is welcome. 

That young man with an embroidered silk waistcoat and white gloves, bending to talk to one of the ladies, is a Mr Vaughan. He is to beseen at Almack's, at Crockford's, and everywhere else. Everybody knowshim, and he knows everybody. He is a little in debt, and yachting isconvenient. 

The one who sits by the lady is a relation of Lord B---; you see at oncewhat he is. He apes the sailor; he has not shaved, because sailors haveno time to shave every day; he has not changed his linen, becausesailors cannot change every day. He has a cigar in his mouth, whichmakes him half sick and annoys his company. He talks of the pleasure ofa rough sea, which will drive all the ladies below--and then they willnot perceive that he is more sick than themselves. He has themisfortune to be born to a large estate, and to be a _fool_. His nameis Ossulton. 

The last of the gentlemen on board whom I have to introduce is MrSeagrove. He is slightly made, with marked features full ofintelligence. He has been brought up to the bar; and has everyqualification but application. He has never had a brief, nor has he achance of one. He is the fiddler of the company, and he has locked uphis chambers and come, by invitation of his lordship, to play on boardof his yacht. 

I have yet to describe the ladies--perhaps I should have commenced withthem--I must excuse myself upon the principle of reserving the best tothe last. All puppet-showmen do so: and what is this but the firstscene in my puppet-show?

We will describe them according to seniority. That tall, thin, cross-looking lady of forty-five is a spinster, and sister to Lord B---. She has been persuaded, very much against her will, to come on board;but her notions of propriety would not permit her niece to embark underthe protection of only her father. She is frightened at everything: ifa rope is thrown down on the deck, up she starts, and cries, "Oh!" if onthe deck, she thinks the water is rushing in below; if down below, andthere is a noise, she is convinced there is danger; and if it beperfectly still, she is sure there is something wrong. She fidgetsherself and everybody, and is quite a nuisance with her pride andill-humour; but she has strict notions of propriety, and sacrificesherself as a martyr. She is the Hon. Miss Ossulton. 

The lady who, when she smiles, shows so many dimples in her pretty ovalface, is a young widow of the name of Lascelles. She married an old manto please her father and mother, which was very dutiful on her part. She was rewarded by finding herself a widow with a large fortune. Having married the first time to please her parents, she intends now tomarry to please herself; but she is very young, and is in no hurry. 

That young lady with such a sweet expression of countenance is the Hon. Miss Cecilia Ossulton. She is lively, witty, and has no fear in hercomposition; but she is very young yet, not more than seventeen--andnobody knows what she really is--she does not know herself. These arethe parties who meet in the cabin of the yacht. The crew consist of tenfine seamen, the steward and the cook. There is also Lord B---'s valet, Mr Ossulton's gentleman, and the lady's-maid of Miss Ossulton. Therenot being accommodation for them, the other servants have been left onshore. 

The yacht is now under way, and her sails are all set. She is runningbetween Drake's Island and the main. Dinner has been announced. As thereader has learnt something about the preparations, I leave him to judgewhether it be not very pleasant to sit down to dinner in a yacht. Theair has given everybody an appetite; and it was not until the cloth wasremoved that the conversation became general. 

"Mr Seagrove, " said his lordship, "you very nearly lost your passage; Iexpected you last Thursday. "

"I am sorry, my lord, that business prevented my sooner attending toyour lordship's kind summons. "

"Come, Seagrove, don't be nonsensical, " said Hautaine; "you told meyourself, the other evening, when you were talkative, that you had neverhad a brief in your life. "

"And a very fortunate circumstance, " replied Seagrove; "for if I had hada brief I should not have known what to have done with it. It is not myfault; I am fit for nothing but a commissioner. But still I hadbusiness, and very important business, too. I was summoned by Ponsonbyto go with him to Tattersall's, to give my opinion about a horse hewishes to purchase, and then to attend him to Forest Wild to plead hiscause with his uncle. "

"It appears, then, that you were retained, " replied Lord B---; "may Iask you whether your friend gained his cause?"

"No, my lord, he lost his cause, but he gained a suit. "

"Expound your riddle, sir, " said Cecilia Ossulton. 

"The fact is, that old Ponsonby is very anxious that William shouldmarry Miss Percival, whose estates join on to Forest Wild. Now, myfriend William is about as fond of marriage as I am of law, and therebyissue was joined. "

"But why were you to be called in?" inquired Mrs Lascelles. 

"Because, madam, as Ponsonby never buys a horse without consulting me--"

"I cannot see the analogy, sir, " observed Miss Ossulton, senior, bridling up. 

"Pardon me, madam: the fact is, " continued Seagrove, "that, as I alwayshave to back Ponsonby's horses, he thought it right that, in thisinstance, I should back him; he required special pleading, but his uncletried him for the capital offence, and he was not allowed counsel. Assoon as we arrived, and I had bowed myself into the room, Mr Ponsonbybowed me out again--which would have been infinitely more jarring to myfeelings, had not the door been left a-jar. "

"Do anything but pun, Seagrove, " interrupted Hautaine. 

"Well, then, I will take a glass of wine. "

"Do so, " said his lordship; "but recollect the whole company areimpatient for your story. "

"I can assure you, my lord, that it was equal to any scene in a comedy. "

Now be it observed that Mr Seagrove had a great deal of comic talent;he was an excellent mimic, and could alter his voice almost as hepleased. It was a custom of his to act a scene as between other people, and he performed it remarkably well. Whenever he said that anything hewas going to narrate was "as good as a comedy, " it was generallyunderstood by those who were acquainted with him that he was to be askedso to do. Cecilia Ossulton therefore immediately said, "Pray act it, Mr Seagrove. "

Upon which, Mr Seagrove--premising that he had not only heard, but alsoseen all that passed--changing his voice, and suiting the action to theword, commenced. 

"It may, " said he, "be called:--

"FIVE THOUSAND ACRES IN A RING-FENCE. "

We shall not describe Mr Seagrove's motions; they must be inferred fromhis words. 

"`It will, then, William, ' observed Mr Ponsonby, stopping, and turningto his nephew, after a rapid walk up and down the room with his handsbehind him under his coat, so as to allow the tails to drop theirperpendicular about three inches clear of his body, `I may say, withoutcontradiction, be the finest property in the country--five thousandacres in a ring-fence. '

"`I dare say it will, uncle, ' replied William, tapping his foot as helounged in a green morocco easy-chair; `and so, because you have setyour fancy upon having these two estates enclosed together in aring-fence, you wish that I should also be enclosed in a ring-fence. '

"`And a beautiful property it will be, ' replied Mr Ponsonby. 

"`Which, uncle? The estate or the wife?'

"`Both, nephew, both; and I expect your consent. '

"`Uncle, I am not avaricious. Your present property is sufficient forme. With your permission, instead of doubling the property, anddoubling myself, I will remain your sole heir, and single. '

"`Observe, William, such an opportunity may not occur again forcenturies. We shall restore Forest Wild to its ancient boundaries. Youknow it has been divided nearly two hundred years. We now have aglorious, golden opportunity of re-uniting the two properties; and whenjoined, the estate will be exactly what it was when granted to ourancestors by Henry the Eighth, at the period of the Reformation. Thishouse must be pulled down, and the monastery left standing. Then weshall have our own again, and the property without encumbrance. '

"`Without encumbrance, uncle! You forget that, there will be a wife. '

"`And you forget that there will be five thousand acres in aring-fence. '

"`Indeed, uncle, you ring it too often in my ears that I should forgetit. But, much as I should like to be the happy possessor of such aproperty, I do not feel inclined to be the happy possessor of MissPercival; and the more so, as I have never seen the property. '

"`We will ride over it to-morrow, William. '

"`Ride over Miss Percival, uncle! That will not be very gallant. Iwill, however, one of these days ride over the property with you, which, as well as Miss Percival, I have not as yet seen. '

"`Then I can tell you she is a very pretty property. '

"`If she were not in a ring-fence. '

"`In good heart, William. That is, I mean an excellent disposition. '

"`Valuable in matrimony. '

"`And well tilled--I should say well educated--by her three maidenaunts, who are the patterns of propriety. '

"`Does any one follow the fashion?'

"`In a high state of cultivation; that is, her mind highly cultivated, and according to the last new system--what is it?'

"`A four-course shift, I presume, ' replied William, laughing; `that is, dancing, singing, music, and drawing. '

"`And only seventeen! Capital soil, promising good crops. What wouldyou have more?'

"`A very pretty estate, uncle, if it were not the estate of matrimony. I am sorry, very sorry, to disappoint you; but I must decline taking alease of it for life. '

"`Then, sir, allow me to hint to you that in my testament you are only atenant-at-will. I consider it a duty that I owe to the family that theestate should be re-united. That can only be done by one of our familymarrying Miss Percival; and as you will not, I shall now write to yourcousin James, and if he accept my proposal, shall make _him_ my heir. Probably he will more fully appreciate the advantages of five thousandacres in a ring-fence. '

"And Mr Ponsonby directed his steps towards the door. 

"`Stop, my dear uncle, ' cried William, rising up from his easy-chair;`we do not quite understand one another. It is very true that I wouldprefer half the property and remaining single, to the two estates andthe estate of marriage; but at the same time I did not tell you that Iwould prefer beggary to a wife and five thousand acres in a ring-fence. I know you to be a man of your word. I accept your proposal, and youneed not put my cousin James to the expense of postage. '

"`Very good, William; I require no more: and as I know you to be a manof your word, I shall consider this match as settled. It was on thisaccount only that I sent for you, and now you may go back again as soonas you please. I will let you know when all is ready. '

"`I must be at Tattersall's on Monday, uncle; there is a horse I musthave for next season. Pray, uncle, may I ask when you are likely towant me?'

"`Let me see--this is May--about July, I should think. '

"`July, uncle! Spare me--I cannot marry in the dog-days. No, hang it!Not July. '

"`Well, William, perhaps, as you must come down once or twice to see theproperty--Miss Percival, I should say--it may be too soon--suppose weput it off till October. '

"`October--I shall be down at Melton. '

"`Pray, sir, may I then inquire what portion of the year is not, withyou, _dog_-days?'

"`Why, uncle, next April, now--I think that would do. '

"`Next April! Eleven months, and a winter between. Suppose MissPercival was to take a cold and die. '

"`I should be excessively obliged to her, ' thought William. 

"`No! No!' continued Mr Ponsonby: `there is nothing certain in thisworld, William. '

"`Well, then, uncle, suppose we arrange it for the first _hard frost_. '

"`We have had no hard frosts, lately, William. We may wait for years. The sooner it is over the better. Go back to town, buy your horse, andthen come down here, my dear William, to oblige your uncle--never mindthe dog-days. '

"`Well, sir, if I am to make a sacrifice, it shall not be done byhalves; out of respect for you I will even marry in July, without anyregard to the thermometer. '

"`You are a good boy, William. Do you want a cheque?'

"`I have had one to-day, ' thought William, and was almost at fault. `Ishall be most thankful, sir--they sell horse-flesh by the ouncenow-a-days. '

"`And you pay in pounds. There, William. '

"`Thank you, sir, I'm all obedience; and I'll keep my word, even ifthere should be a comet. I'll go and buy the horse, and then I shall beready to take the ring-fence as soon as you please. '

"`Yes, and you'll get over it cleverly, I've no doubt. Five thousandacres, William, and--a pretty wife!'

"`Have you any further commands, uncle?' said William, depositing thecheque in his pocket-book. 

"`None, my dear boy: are you going?'

"`Yes, sir; I dine at the Clarendon. '

"`Well, then, good-bye. Make my compliments and excuses to your friendSeagrove. You will come on Tuesday or Wednesday. '

"Thus was concluded the marriage between William Ponsonby and EmilyPercival, and the junction of the two estates, which formed together thegreat desideratum--_five thousand acres in a ring-fence_. "

Mr Seagrove finished, and he looked round for approbation. 

"Very good, indeed, Seagrove, " said his lordship; "you must take a glassof wine after that. "

"I would not give much for Miss Percival's chance of happiness, "observed the elder Miss Ossulton. 

"Of two evils choose the least, they say, " observed Mr Hautaine. "PoorPonsonby could not help himself. "

"That's a very polite observation of yours, Mr Hautaine--I thank you inthe name of the sex, " replied Cecilia Ossulton. 

"Nay, Miss Ossulton; would you like to marry a person whom you neversaw?"

"Most certainly not; but when you mentioned the two evils, Mr Hautaine, I appeal to your honour, did you not refer to marriage or beggary?"

"I must confess it, Miss Ossulton; but it is hardly fair to call on myhonour to get me into a scrape. "

"I only wish that the offer had been made to me, " observed Vaughan; "Ishould not have hesitated as Ponsonby did. "

"Then I beg you will not think of proposing for me, " said MrsLascelles, laughing; for Mr Vaughan had been excessively attentive. 

"It appears to me, Vaughan, " observed Seagrove, "that you have slightlycommitted yourself by that remark. "

Vaughan, who thought so too, replied: "Mrs Lascelles must be aware thatI was only joking. "

"Fie! Mr Vaughan, " cried Cecilia Ossulton; "you know it came from yourheart. "

"My dear Cecilia, " said the elder Miss Ossulton, "you forget yourself--what can you possibly know about gentlemen's hearts?"

"The Bible says that they are `deceitful and desperately wicked, ' aunt. "

"And cannot we also quote the Bible against your sex, Miss Ossulton?"replied Seagrove. 

"Yes, you could, perhaps, if any of you had ever read it, " replied MissOssulton, carelessly. 

"Upon my word, Cissy, you are throwing the gauntlet down to thegentlemen, " observed Lord B---; "but I shall throw my warder down, andnot permit this combat _a l'outrance_. --I perceive you drink no morewine, gentlemen, we will take our coffee on deck. "

"We were just about to retire, my lord, " observed the elder MissOssulton, with great asperity: "I have been trying to catch the eye ofMrs Lascelles for some time, but--"

"I was looking another way, I presume, " interrupted Mrs Lascelles, smiling. 

"I am afraid that I am the unfortunate culprit, " said Mr Seagrove. "Iwas telling a little anecdote to Mrs Lascelles--"

"Which, of course, from its being communicated in an undertone, was notproper for all the company to hear, " replied the elder Miss Ossulton;"but if Mrs Lascelles is now ready, " continued she, bridling up, as sherose from her chair. 

"At all events, I can hear the remainder of it on deck, " replied MrsLascelles. The ladies rose and went into the cabin, Cecilia and MrsLascelles exchanging very significant smiles as they followed theprecise spinster, who did not choose that Mrs Lascelles should take thelead merely because she had once happened to have been married. Thegentlemen also broke up, and went on deck. 

"We have a nice breeze now, my lord, " observed Mr Stewart, who hadremained on deck, "and we lie right up Channel. "

"So much the better, " replied his lordship; "we ought to have beenanchored at Cowes a week ago. They will all be there before us. "

"Tell Mr Simpson to bring me a light for my cigar, " said Mr Ossultonto one of the men. 

Mr Stewart went down to his dinner; the ladies and the coffee came ondeck: the breeze was fine, the weather (it was April) almost warm; andthe yacht, whose name was the _Arrow_, assisted by the tide, soon leftthe Mewstone far astern. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

CUTTER THE SECOND. 

Reader, have you ever been at Portsmouth? If you have, you must havebeen delighted with the view from the saluting battery; and if you havenot you had better go there as soon as you can. From the salutingbattery you may look up the harbour, and see much of what I havedescribed at Plymouth; the scenery is different, but similar arsenalsand dockyards, and an equal portion of our stupendous navy are to befound there; and you will see Gosport on the other side of the harbour, and Sallyport close to you; besides a great many other places, which, from the saluting battery, you cannot see. And then there is SouthseaBeach to your left. Before you, Spithead, with the men-of-war, and theMotherbank crowded with merchant vessels; and there is the buoy wherethe _Royal George_ was wrecked and where she still lies, the fishswimming in and out of her cabin windows but that is not all; you canalso see the Isle of Wight, --Ryde with its long wooden pier, and Cowes, where the yachts lie. In fact there is a great deal to be seen atPortsmouth as well as at Plymouth; but what I wish you particularly tosee just now is a vessel holding fast to the buoy just off the salutingbattery. She is a cutter; and you may know that she belongs to thePreventive Service by the number of gigs and galleys which she hashoisted up all round her. She looks like a vessel that was about tosail with a cargo of boats; two on deck, one astern, one on each side ofher. You observe that she is painted black, and all her boats arewhite. She is not such an elegant vessel as the yacht, and she is muchmore lumbered up. She has no haunches of venison hanging over thestern! But I think there is a leg of mutton and some cabbages hangingby their stalks. But revenue-cutters are not yachts. You will find noturtle or champagne; but, nevertheless, you will, perhaps, find a jointto carve at, a good glass of grog, and a hearty welcome. 

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, butthen it lasts a long while, and the dockyard is not very generous on thescore of paint--or lieutenants of the navy troubled with much sparecash. She has plenty of men, and fine men they are; all dressed in redflannel shirts and blue trousers; some of them have not taken off theircanvas or tarpaulin petticoats, which are very useful to them, as theyare in the boats night and day, and in all weathers. But we will atonce go down into the cabin, where we shall find the lieutenant whocommands her, a master's mate, and a midshipman. They have each theirtumbler before them, and are drinking gin-toddy, hot, with sugar--capital gin, too, 'bove proof; it is from that small anker standingunder the table. It was one that they forgot to return to thecustom-house when they made their last seizure. We must introduce them. 

The elderly personage, with grizzly hair and whiskers, a round paleface, and a somewhat red nose (being too much in the wind will make thenose red, and this old officer is very often "in the wind, " of course, from the very nature of his profession), is a Lieutenant Appleboy. Hehas served in every class of vessel in the service, and done the duty offirst-lieutenant for twenty years; he is now on promotion--that is tosay, after he has taken a certain number of tubs of gin, he will berewarded with his rank as commander. It is a pity that what he takesinside of him does not count, for he takes it morning, noon, and night. He is just filling his fourteenth glass; he always keeps a regularaccount, 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 threetimes over, and has now outgrown his ambition; which is fortunate forhim, as his chances of promotion are small. He prefers a small vesselto a large one, because he is not obliged to be so particular in hisdress--and looks for his lieutenancy whenever there shall be anothercharity promotion. He is fond of soft bread, for his teeth are allabsent without leave; he prefers porter to any other liquor, but he candrink his glass of grog, whether it be based upon rum, brandy or theliquor now before him. 

Mr Smith is the name of that young gentleman whose jacket is so out atthe elbows; he has been intending to mend it these last two months; butis too lazy to go to his chest for another. He has been turned out ofhalf the ships in the service for laziness; but he was born so--andtherefore it is not his fault. A revenue-cutter suits him, she is halfher time hove to; and he has no objection to boat-service, as he sitsdown always in the stern-sheets, which is not fatiguing. Creeping fortubs is his delight, as he gets over so little ground. He is fond ofgrog, but there is some trouble in carrying the tumbler so often to hismouth; so he looks at it, and lets it stand. He says little because heis too lazy to speak. He has served more than _eight years_; but as forpassing--it has never come into his head. Such are the three personswho are now sitting in the cabin of the revenue-cutter, drinking hotgin-toddy. 

"Let me see, it was, I think, in ninety-three or ninety-four. Beforeyou were in the service, Tomkins--"

"Maybe, sir; it's so long ago since I entered, that I can't recollectdates--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 youcannot have been in the service at that time. We were not quite soparticular about uniform as we are now. "

"Then I think the service was all the better for it. Now-a-days, inyour crack ships, a mate has to go down in the hold or spirit-room, andafter 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 comeout of a band-box. "

"Well, there's plenty of water alongside, as far as the outward mangoes, and iron dust is soon brushed off. However, as you say, perhaps alittle too much is expected; at least, in five of the ships in which Iwas first-lieutenant, the captain was always hauling me over the coalsabout 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 aturn-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, eh!" continued Mr Appleboy. 

Smith turned up his elbows, looked at one and then at the other; afterso fatiguing an operation, he was silent. 

"Well, where was I? Oh! It was about ninety-three or ninety-four, as Isaid that it happened--Tomkins, fill your glass and hand me the sugar--how do I get on? This is Number 15, " said Appleboy, counting some whitelines on the table by him; and taking up a piece of chalk, he marked onemore line on his tally. "I don't think this is so good a tub as thelast, Tomkins, there's a twang about it--a want of juniper; however, Ihope, we shall have better luck this time. Of course you know we sailto-morrow?"

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

"True--true; I'm regular--as clock-work. After being twenty years afirst-lieutenant one gets a little method. I like regularity. Now theadmiral has never omitted asking me to dinner once, every time I havecome into harbour, except this time. I was so certain of it, that Inever 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 greatpeople down here, and has been giving large parties every day. "

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

"I swept them up, " observed Smith. 

"That's all the same thing, _younker_. When you've been a little longerin the service, you'll find out that the commanding officer has themerit of all that is done; but you're _green_ yet. Let me see, wherewas I? Oh!--It was about ninety-three or ninety-four, as I said. Atthat time I was in the Channel fleet--Tomkins, I'll trouble you for thehot water; this water's cold. Mr Smith, do me the favour to ring thebell. --Jem, some more hot water. "

"Please, sir, " said Jem, who was bare-footed as well as bare-headed, touching his lock of hair on his forehead, "the cook had capsized thekettle--but he has put more on. "

"Capsized the kettle! Hah!--very well--we'll talk about that to-morrow. Mr Tomkins, do me the favour to put him in the report: I may forgetit. 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 assoon 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 toliquor. Forty odd years have I been in the service, and I've neverfound any difference. I only wish I had a guinea for every time that Ihave given a fellow seven-water grog during my servitude asfirst-lieutenant, I wouldn't call the king my cousin. Well, if there'sno hot water, we must take lukewarm; it won't do to heave-to. By theLord Harry! Who would have thought it?--I'm at number sixteen! Let mecount, yes!--surely I must have made a mistake. A fact, by Heaven!"continued Mr Appleboy, throwing the chalk down on the table. "Only onemore glass, after this; that is, if I have counted right--I may haveseen double. "

"Yes, " drawled Smith. 

"Well, never mind. Let's go on with my story. It was either in theyear ninety-three or ninety-four that I was in the Channel fleet: wewere then abreast of Torbay--"

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

"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, andthere be very little left in the jar. "

"Very well, we'll see to that to-morrow morning. Mr Tomkins, you'lloblige me by putting the butter-jar down in the report, in case itshould slip my memory. Bill Jones, indeed, looks as if butter wouldn'tmelt in his mouth. Never mind. Well, it was, as I said before--it wasin the year ninety-three or ninety-four, when I was in the Channelfleet; we were then off Torbay, and had just taken two reefs in thetop-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 outsixteen, all told. Never mind, it shall be a stiff one. Boy, bring thekettle, and mind you don't pour the hot water into my shoes, as you didthe other night. There, that will do. Now, Tomkins, fill up yours; andyou, Mr Smith. Let us all start fair, and then you shall have mystory--and a very curious one it is, I can tell you, I wouldn't havebelieved 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 soclear in his discrimination. "It has a queer _twang_, sir: Smith, whatis 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 forsupper. 

"Yes, sir, " replied Mr Appleboy, tossing the contents of the tumbler inthe 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 ofhaving 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 makethem drink it too, I have been twenty years a first-lieutenant fornothing, that's all. Good night, gentlemen; and, " continued thelieutenant, 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, whowas not a little put out; "and, Mr Tomkins, let me know as soon as it'sdaylight. 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 drunkand had filled up the kettle with salt-water. As for what happened inninety-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 downto posterity. 

The next morning Mr Tomkins, as usual, forgot to report the cook, thejar of butter and the kettle of salt-water; and Mr Appleboy's wrath hadlong been appeased before he remembered them. At daylight, thelieutenant came on deck, having only slept away half of the sixteen, anda taste of the seventeenth salt-water glass of gin-toddy. He rubbed hisgrey eyes, that he might peer through the grey of the morning; the freshbreeze blew about his grizzly locks, and cooled his rubicund nose. Therevenue-cutter, whose name was the _Active_, cast off from the buoy, and, with a fresh breeze, steered her course for the Needles' passage. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

CUTTER THE THIRD. 

Reader! Have you been to Saint Malo? If you have, you were glad enoughto leave the hole; and if you have not, take my advice, and do not giveyourself the trouble to go and see that or any other French port in theChannel. There is not one worth looking at. They have made one or twoartificial ports, and they are no great things; there is no getting outor getting in. In fact, they have no harbours in the Channel, while wehave the finest in the world; a peculiar dispensation of Providence, because it knew that we should want them, and France would not. InFrance, what are called ports are all alike, --nasty, narrow holes, onlyto be entered at certain times of tide and certain winds; made up ofbasins and backwaters, custom-houses, and cabarets; just fit forsmugglers to run into, and nothing more; and, therefore they are usedfor very little else. 

Now, in the dog-hole called Saint Malo 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 callit Bordeaux, and eat villainous trash, so disguised by cooking that youcannot possibly tell which of the birds of the air, or beasts of thefield, or fishes of the sea, you are cramming down your throat. "If allis right, there is no occasion for disguise, " is an old saying; sodepend upon it that there is something wrong, and that you are eatingoffal, under a grand French name. They eat everything in France, andwould serve you up the head of a monkey who has died of the smallpox, as_singe a la petite verole_--that is, if you did not understand French;if you did, they would call it, _tete d'amour a l'Ethiopique_, and thenyou would be even more puzzled. As for their wine, there is no disguisein that; it's half vinegar. No, no! Stay at home; you can live just ascheaply, if you choose; and then you will have good meat, goodvegetables, good ale, good beer, and a good glass of grog; and, what isof more importance, you will be in good company. Live with yourfriends, and don't make a fool of yourself. 

I would not have condescended to have noticed this place, had it notbeen that I wish you to observe a vessel which is lying along thepier-wharf, with a plank from the shore to her gunwale. It is lowwater, and she is aground, and the plank dips down at such an angle thatit is a work of danger to go either in or out of her. You observe thatthere is nothing very remarkable in her. She is a cutter, and a goodsea-boat, and sails well before the wind. She is short for her breadthof beam, and is not armed. Smugglers do not arm now--the service is toodangerous; they effect their purpose by cunning, not by force. Nevertheless, it requires that smugglers should be good seamen, smartactive fellows, and keen-witted, or they can do nothing. This vesselhas not a large cargo in her, but it is valuable. She has some thousandyards of lace, a few hundred pounds of tea, a few bales of silk, andabout 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 tothemselves for success. 

There is nobody on board except a boy; the crew are all up at thecabaret, settling their little accounts of every description--for theysmuggle both ways, and every man has his own private venture. Therethey are all, fifteen of them, and fine-looking fellows, too, sitting atthat long table. They are very merry, but quite sober, as they are tosail to-night. 

The captain of the vessel (whose name, by-the-bye, is the_Happy-go-lucky_, --the captain christened her himself) is thatfine-looking young man, with dark whiskers meeting under his throat. His name is Jack Pickersgill. You perceive at once that he is muchabove a common sailor in appearance. His manners are good, he isremarkably handsome, very clean, and rather a dandy in his dress. Observe how very politely he takes off his hat to that Frenchman, withwhom he had just settled accounts; he beats Johnny Crapeau at his ownweapons. And then there is an air of command, a feeling of conscioussuperiority, about Jack; see how he treats the landlord, _de haut enbas_, at the same time that he is very civil. The fact is, that Jack isof a very good, old family, and received a very excellent education; buthe was an orphan, his friends were poor, and could do but little forhim: he went out to India as a cadet, ran away, and served in a schoonerwhich smuggled opium into China, and then came home. He took a likingto the employment, and is now laying up a very pretty little sum: notthat he intends to stop: no, as soon as he has enough to fit out avessel for himself, he intends to start again for India, and with twocargoes of opium he will return, he trusts, with a handsome fortune, andre-assume his family name. Such are Jack's intentions; and, as heeventually means to reappear as a gentleman, he preserves hisgentlemanly habits: he neither drinks, nor chews, nor smokes. He keepshis 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. Jackhas 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. Acertain fashionable shop in London has already agreed to take the wholeoff his hands. 

That short, neatly-made young man is the second in command, and thecompanion of the captain. He is clever, and always has a remedy topropose when there is a difficulty, which is a great quality in a secondin command. His name is Corbett. He is always merry--half-sailor, half-tradesman; knows the markets, runs up to London, and does businessas well as a chapman--lives for the day and laughs at to-morrow. 

That little punchy old man, with long grey hair and fat face, with anose like a note of interrogation, is the next personage of importance. He ought to be called the sailing-master, for, although he goes on shorein France, off the English coast he never quits the vessel. When theyleave her with the goods, he remains on board; he is always to be foundoff any part of the coast where he may be ordered; holding his positionin defiance of gales, and tides, and fogs; as for the revenue-vessels, they all know him well enough, but they cannot touch a vessel inballast, 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 tideruns in--tide, half-tide, eddy, or current. That is his value. Hisname is Morrison. 

You observe that Jack Pickersgill has two excellent supporters inCorbett and Morrison; his other men are good seamen, active, andobedient, which is all that he requires. I shall not particularlyintroduce them. 

"Now you may call for another _litre_, my lads, and that, must be thelast; 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, shallwe have dirt?"

"I've been looking just now, and if it were any other month in the yearI 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 StockExchange would make in England. He fought and squabbled for an hour, and I found that, without some abatement, I never should have settledthe 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 kniveswere a little rusty. But he will always have something off; he couldnot be happy without it. I really think he would commit suicide if hehad to pay a bill without a deduction. "

"Let him live, " replied Pickersgill. "Jeannette, a bottle of Volnay of1811, and three glasses. "

Jeannette, who was the _fille de cabaret_, soon appeared with a bottleof 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 takenby a revenue-cutter, and put in a _cachot_. I went to see you, and Idid not know one of you again--you were all changed. "

"Very likely, Jeannette; you would not be the first who did not knowtheir friends again when in misfortune. There was nothing strange inyour dream. "

"_Mais, mon Dieu! Je ne suis pas comme ca, moi_. "

"No, that you are not, Jeannette; you are a good girl, and some of thesefine days I'll marry you, " said Corbett. 

"_Doit etre bien beau ce jour la, par exemple_, " replied Jeannette, laughing; "you have promised to marry me every time you have come inthese last three years. "

"Well, that proves I keep to my promise, anyhow. "

"Yes; but you never go any further. "

"I can't spare him, Jeannette, that is the real truth, " said thecaptain: "but wait a little, --in the meantime, here is a five-francpiece to add to your _petite fortune_. "

"_Merci bien, monsieur le capitaine; bon voyage_!" Jeannette held herfinger up to Corbett, saying, with a smile, "_mechant_!" and thenquitted the room. 

"Come, Morrison, help us to empty this bottle, and then we will all goon board. "

"I wish that girl wouldn't come here with her nonsensical dreams, " saidMorrison, taking his seat; "I don't like it. When she said that weshould be taken by a revenue-cutter, I was looking at a blue and a whitepigeon sitting on the wall opposite; and I said to myself, Now, if thatbe a warning, I will see: if the _blue_ pigeon flies away first, I shallbe 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 puttingthe glass down with a deep sigh; "for the cursed _blue_ pigeon flew awayimmediately. "

"Why, Morrison, you must have a chicken-heart to be frightened at a bluepigeon!" said Corbett, laughing and looking out of the window; "at allevents, he has come back again, and there he is sitting by the whiteone. "

"It's the first time that ever I was called chicken-hearted, " repliedMorrison, in wrath. 

"Nor do you deserve it, Morrison, " replied Pickersgill; "but Corbett isonly joking. "

"Well, at all events, I'll try my luck in the same way, and see whetherI am to be in jail: I shall take the blue pigeon as my bad omen, as youdid. "

The sailors and Captain Pickersgill all rose and went to the window, toascertain Corbett's fortune by this new species of augury. The bluepigeon flapped his wings, and then he sidled up to the white one; atlast, the white pigeon flew off the wall and settled on the roof of theadjacent house. "Bravo, white pigeon!" said Corbett; "I shall be hereagain in a week. " The whole party, laughing, then resumed their seats;and Morrison's countenance brightened up. As he took the glass of winepoured out by Pickersgill, he said, "Here's your health, Corbett; it wasall nonsense, after all--for, d'ye see, I can't be put in jail, withoutyou are. We all sail in the same boat, and when you leave me you takewith you everything that can condemn the vessel--so here's success toour trip. "

"We will all drink that toast, my lads, and then on board, " said thecaptain; "here's success to our trip. "

The captain rose, as did the mates and men, drank the toast, turned downthe drinking-vessels on the table, hastened to the wharf, and, in halfan hour, the _Happy-go-lucky_ was clear of the port of Saint Malo. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

PORTLAND BILL. 

The _Happy-go-lucky_ sailed with a fresh breeze and a flowing sheet fromSaint Malo, 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 ofWight. The _Active_ had orders to cruise wherever she pleased withinthe limits of the admiral's station; and she ran for West Bay, on theother side of the Bill of Portland. The _Happy-go-lucky_ was also boundfor that bay to land her cargo. 

The wind was light, and there was every appearance of fine weather, whenthe _Happy-go-lucky_, at ten o'clock on the Tuesday night, made thePortland lights; as it was impossible to run her cargo that night, shehove 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 thecutter to be hove to, and then went down to finish his allowance ofgin-toddy. At twelve o'clock, the yacht _Arrow_ made the Portlandlights, 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 downon 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 Ican judge in the grey, 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 windwe can show him our heels: but are you sure the other is a yacht?" saidPickersgill, coming on deck. 

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

"You're right, " said Pickersgill, "that is a yacht; and you're rightthere again in your guess--that is the stupid old _Active_ which creepsabout 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 boatsas soon as he takes to his; we are four miles from him at least. Watchhis motions, Corbett, and see if he lowers a boat. What does she gonow? 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 wellinto West Bay. The revenue-cutter was close to the Head. The yacht wasoutside of the smuggler, about two miles to the westward, and about fiveor six miles from the revenue-cutter. 

"Two vessels in sight, sir, " said Mr Smith, coming down into the cabinto 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 hertwenty 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 thenlooking through the glass, "it is her, sure enough. Let draw theforesheet-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 thestation. Make all sail, Mr Tomkins: hoist our pendant, and fire agun--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 herpendant, and fired a gun. The smuggler perceived that the _Active_ hadrecognised her, and she also threw out more canvas, and ran off more tothe westward. 

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

"Yes; give me the glass--a revenue-cutter; then this vessel in shorerunning 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 heras she goes. "

Mr Stewart then went down to inform Lord B--- of the circumstance. Notonly Lord B--- but most of the gentlemen came on deck; as did soonafterwards 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 increasedher distance. 

"If we were to wear round, my lord, " observed Mr Stewart, "she is justabreast of us and in shore, we could prevent her escape. "

"Round with her, Mr Stewart, " said Lord B---; "we must do our duty andprotect the laws. "

"That will not be fair, papa, " said Cecilia Ossulton; "we have noquarrel with the smuggler: I'm sure the ladies have not, for they bringus beautiful things. "

"Miss Ossulton, " observed her aunt, "it is not proper for you to offeran opinion. "

The yacht wore round, and, sailing so fast, the smuggler had littlechance 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 hedare 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 ardourof pursuit; but the wind died away, and at last it was nearly calm. Therevenue-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, andoccupying a large portion of, the deck. It pulled six oars; and when itwas 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, " observedCecilia 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 herin the offing. Pickersgill had, of course, observed the motions of theyacht; had seen her wear on chase, hoist her ensign and pendant, andfire her gun. 

"Well, " said he, "this is the blackest ingratitude! To be attacked bythe very people whom we smuggle for! I only wish she may come up withus; and, let her attempt to interfere, she shall rue the day: I don'tmuch like this, though. "

As we before observed, it fell nearly calm, and the revenue boats werein 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 thegoods in her all ready; but we can pull faster than they do, in thefirst place; and, in the next, they will be pretty well tired beforethey 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. Wemust sink the ankers, that they may not seize the vessel, for it is notworth while taking them with us. Pass them along, ready to run themover the bows, that they may not see us and swear to it. But we have agood half hour, and more. "

"Ay, and you may hold all fast if you choose, " said Morrison, "althoughit's better to be on the right side and get ready; otherwise, beforehalf 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 rightdown 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 notin the Act of Parliament, and must take the consequences. We havenought to fear. Get stretchers, my lads, and hand-spikes; they row sixoars, and are three in the stern-sheets: they must be good men if theytake 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 Englishvessel coasting along shore. "

"Pull on board, my lads, " cried Stewart; "I am a king's officer: we knowher. "

The boat darted alongside, and Stewart and Lord B---, followed by themen, 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 thecasks of spirits stretched along the deck. "

"We never said that we were not smugglers, " replied Pickersgill; "butwhat is that to you? You are not a king's ship, or employed by therevenue. "

"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 attendto the framing of laws, and leave people of less consequence, like thoseastern of me, to execute them. `Mind your own business, ' is an oldadage. 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 youhave caught a Tartar. "

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

"You may do what you please, " observed Mr Stewart, "but the revenueboats 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 willyour vessel; we have nothing to fear from them. "

"Indeed, my lord, we had better return, " said Mr Stewart, who perceivedthat Pickersgill was right. 

"I beg your pardon, you will not go on board your yacht so soon as youexpect. 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 arenot aware, perhaps, my lord, that you have attempted _piracy_ on thehigh seas?"

Stewart looked at Lord B---. It was true enough. The men of the yachtcould offer no resistance; the oars were taken out of the boat and themen put in again. 

"My lord, " said Pickersgill, "your boat is manned, do me the favour tostep into it; and you, sir, do the same. I should be sorry to lay myhands 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 thesmugglers, and Stewart followed. 

"I will leave your oars, my lord, at the Weymouth Custom-house, and Itrust this will be a lesson to you in future to `mind your ownbusiness. '"

The boat was shoved off from the sloop by the smugglers, and was soonlost sight of in the fog, which had now covered the revenue boats aswell as the yacht, at the same time it brought down a breeze from theeastward. 

"Haul to the wind, Morrison, " said Pickersgill, "we will stand out toget rid of the boats; if they pull on they will take it for granted thatwe 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 ora bell from the yacht, " said Pickersgill. 

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

"That will do, keep her as she goes. Aft here, my lads; we cannot runour cargo in the bay, for the cutter has been seen to chase us, and theywill 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 havethought proper to interfere, that I will take possession of the yachtfor a few days. We shall then outsail everything, go where we likeunsuspected, and land our cargo with ease. I shall run alongside ofher--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 andthe boy will remain on board as before, and take the vessel toCherbourg, 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 verythick, and they could not distinguish the length of the vessel. Theyhad seen the boat board, but had not seen her turned adrift withoutoars, as the fog came on just at that time. The yacht was left withonly three seamen on board, and should it come on bad weather, they werein an awkward predicament. Mr Hautaine had taken the command, andordered the guns to be fired that the boat might be enabled to findthem. The fourth gun was loading, when they perceived the smuggler'scutter close to them looming through the fog. 

"Here they are, " cried the seamen; "and they have brought the prizealong with them! Three cheers for the _Arrow_!"

"Hilloa! You'll be on board of us?" cried Hautaine. 

"That's exactly what I intend to be, sir, " replied Pickersgill, jumpingon 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 boardedus, " 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---, " repliedPickersgill. 

"Where is Lord B---, sir?" said Cecilia Ossulton, going up to thesmuggler; "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 ladiesto go down below while I speak to these gentlemen. Be under no alarm, miss, you will receive neither insult nor ill-treatment--I have onlytaken 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 totake possession of me. I always thought that yachts werepleasure-vessels, sailing about for amusement, respected themselves, andnot interfering with others; but it appears that such is not the case. The owner of this yacht has thought proper to break through theneutrality and commence aggression, and under such circumstances I havenow, 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 boardof my vessel as smugglers, while I remain here with the ladies and amusemyself with yachting. "

"Why, sir, you cannot mean--"

"I have said, gentlemen, and that is enough; I should be sorry to resortto violence, but I must be obeyed. You have, I perceive, three seamenonly left: they are not sufficient to take charge of the vessel, andLord B--- and the others you will not meet for several days. My regardfor the ladies, even common humanity, points out to me that I cannotleave the vessel in this crippled condition. At the same time, I musthave hands on board of my own, you will oblige me by going on board andtaking her safely into port. It is the least return you can make for mykindness. In those dresses, gentlemen, you will not be able to do yourduty: oblige me by shifting and putting on these. " Corbett handed aflannel shirt, a rough jacket and trousers, to Messrs. Hautaine, Ossulton, Vaughan, and Seagrove. After some useless resistance theywere stripped, and having put on the smugglers' attire, they were handedon board of the _Happy-go-lucky_. 

The three English seamen were also sent on board and confined below, aswell as Ossulton's servant, who was also equipped like his master, andconfined below with the seamen. Corbett and the men then handed up allthe smuggled goods into the yacht, dropped the boat, and made it fastastern, and Morrison having received his directions, the vesselsseparated, Morrison running for Cherbourg, and Pickersgill steering theyacht along shore to the westward. About an hour after this exchangehad been effected the fog cleared up, and showed the revenue-cutter hoveto 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--- andhis boat's crew were about four miles in shore, paddling and driftingwith the tide towards Portland. As soon as the boats were on board, therevenue-cutter made all sail after the smuggler, paying no attention tothe yacht, and either not seeing or not caring about the boat which wasdrifting about in West Bay. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE TRAVESTY. 

"Here we are, Corbett, and now I only wish my venture had been double, "observed Pickersgill; "but I shall not allow business to absorb mewholly--we must add a little amusement. It appears to me, Corbett, thatthe gentleman's clothes which lie there will fit you, and those of thegood-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, andCorbett fitted on those of Mr Ossulton. The steward was summoned up, and he dared not disobey; he appeared on deck, trembling. 

"Steward--you will take these clothes below, " said Pickersgill, "and, observe, that I now command this yacht; and during the time that I am onboard 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 andbreakfast, and do your duty just as if his lordship was on board, andtake care that you feed us well, for I will not allow the ladies to beentertained in a less sumptuous manner than before. You will tell thecook what I say; and now that you have heard me, take care that youobey; if not, recollect that I have my own men here, and if I but pointwith 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 youunderstand 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 thatgentleman as _Mr Ossulton_. "

"Yes, my lord, " and the steward went down below, and was obliged to takea 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 thesteward. 

"Oh!" screamed the lady's-maid, "what will become of us, poorunprotected females?" And she hastened into the cabin, to impart thisdreadful intelligence. 

The ladies in the cabin were not in a very enviable situation. As forthe elder Miss Ossulton (but perhaps, it will be better in future todistinguish 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. MrsLascelles was weeping, but weeping gently. Cecilia was sad, and herheart was beating with anxiety and suspense--when the maid rushed in. 

"O madam! O miss! O Mrs Lascelles! I have found it all out!--theyare murderous, bloody, do-everything pirates!"

"Mercy on us!" exclaimed Miss Ossulton; "surely they will never dare--?"

"Oh, ma'am, they dare anything!--they just now were for throwing thesteward overboard; and they have rummaged for all the portmanteaus, anddressed themselves in the gentlemen's best clothes. The captain of themtold the steward that he was Lord B---, and that if he dared to call himanything else, he would cut his throat from ear to ear; and if the cookdon't give them a good dinner, they swear that they'll chop his righthand off, and make him eat it without pepper or salt!"

Miss Ossulton screamed, and went off into hysterics. Mrs Lascelles andCecilia went to her assistance; but the latter had not forgotten thevery different behaviour of Jack Pickersgill, and his polite manners, when he boarded the vessel. She did not therefore believe what the maidhad reported, but still her anxiety and suspense were great, especiallyabout 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 whatPhoebe 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 ondeck she went. On her arrival she found Jack Pickersgill and Corbettwalking the deck, one of the smugglers at the helm, and the restforward, and as quiet as the crew of the yacht. As soon as she made herappearance Jack took off his hat, and made her a bow. 

"I do not know whom I have the honour of addressing, young lady; but Iam 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. MrHautaine's dress became him; he was a handsome, fine-looking man, andhad nothing of the ruffian in his appearance; unless, like Byron'sCorsair, he was _half savage, half soft_. She could not help thinkingthat 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 littletremulousness in her voice, "to request, as a favour, that you willinform me what your intentions may be with regard to the vessel and withregard 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 youtremble--allow me to conduct you to a seat. In few words, then, toremove your present alarm, I intend that the vessel shall be returned toits owner, with every article in it as religiously respected as if theywere church property. With respect to you, and the other ladies onboard, I pledge you my honour that you have nothing to fear; that youshall be treated with every respect; your privacy never invaded; andthat, 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 thesame time, I must make a few conditions, which, however, will not bevery severe. "

"But, sir, " replied Cecilia, much relieved, for Pickersgill had stood byher in the most respectful manner, "you are, I presume, the captain ofthe smuggler? Pray answer me one question more--What became of the boatwith 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 hereyes. 

"No, young lady; he is on shore, probably, by this time. Although Itook away his means of assisting to capture us, I left him the means ofgaining the land. It is not every one who would have done that, afterhis conduct to us. "

"I begged him not to go, " said Cecilia; "I told him that it was notfair, and that he had no quarrel with the smugglers. "

"I thank you even for that, " replied Pickersgill. "And now, miss--Ihave not the pleasure of recollecting his lordship's family name--"

"Ossulton, sir, " cried Cecilia, looking at Pickersgill with surprise. 

"Then with your permission, Miss Ossulton, I will now make you myconfidant: excuse my using so free a term, but it is because I wish torelieve your fears. At the same time, I cannot permit you to divulgeall my intentions to the whole party on board. I feel that I may trustyou, for you have courage, and where there is courage there generally istruth; but you must first tell me whether you will condescend to acceptthese terms?"

Cecilia demurred a moment; the idea of being the confidant of a smugglerrather startled her: but still, her knowledge of what his intentionswere, if she might not reveal them, might be important; as, perhaps, shemight 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 beensuch, up to the present, as to inspire confidence; and, although hedefied the laws, he appeared to regard the courtesies of life. Ceciliawas a courageous girl, and at length she replied:--

"Provided what you desire me to keep secret will not be injurious to anyone, or compromise me in my peculiar situation, I consent. "

"I would not hurt a fly, Miss Ossulton, but in self-defence; and I havetoo much respect for you, from your conduct during our short meeting, tocompromise you. Allow me now to be very candid; and then, perhaps, youwill acknowledge that in my situation others would do the same, and, perhaps, not show half so much forbearance. Your father, without anyright whatever, interferes with me and my calling: he attempts to makeme a prisoner, to have me thrown into jail, heavily fined, and, perhaps, sent out of the country. I will not enter into any defence ofsmuggling; it is sufficient to say that there are pains and penaltiesattached to the infraction of certain laws, and that I choose to riskthem. But Lord B--- was not empowered by Government to attack me; itwas a gratuitous act; and had I thrown him and all his crew into thesea, I should have been justified; for it was, in short, an act ofpiracy on their part. Now, as your father has thought to turn a yachtinto a revenue-cutter, you cannot be surprised at my retaliating, inturning her into a smuggler; and as he has mixed up looking after therevenue with yachting, he cannot be surprised if I retaliate, by mixingup a little yachting with smuggling. I have dressed your malecompanions as smugglers, and have sent them in the smuggling vessel toCherbourg, where they will be safely landed; and I have dressed myself, and the only person whom I could join with me in this frolic, asgentlemen in their places. My object is twofold; one is to land mycargo, which I have now on board, and which is very valuable; the otheris, to retaliate upon your father and his companions for their attemptupon 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 hislordship's wines and eatables--that you may be assured of; but I shallhave no pleasure if the ladies do not sit down to the dinner-table withus, 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 ofthe yacht and themselves, but it will also be the only means by whichthey will obtain anything to eat. You observe, Miss Ossulton, the sinsof the fathers are visited on the children. I have now told you what Imean to do and what I wish. I leave you to think of it, and decidewhether it will not be the best for all parties to consent. You have mypermission to tell the other ladies that, whatever may be their conduct, they are as secure from ill-treatment or rudeness as if they were inGrosvenor-Square; but I cannot answer that they will not be hungry, if, after such forbearance in every point, they show so little gratitude asnot 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 breadand water, and detained until you do consent, and your detention willincrease the anxiety of your father. "

"You know how to persuade, sir, " said Cecilia. "As far as I amconcerned, I trust I shall ever be ready to sacrifice any feelings ofpride to spare my father so much uneasiness. With your permission, Iwill now go down into the cabin and relieve my companions from the worstof their fears. As for obtaining what you wish, I can only say that, asa young person, I am not likely to have much influence with those olderthan myself, and must inevitably be overruled, as I have not permissionto point out to them reasons which might avail. Would you so far allowme to be relieved from my promise, as to communicate all you have saidto me to the only married woman on board? I think I might then obtainyour 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, smilingironically, --"of course you are; but I must and will have my prettyrevenge: and although you may, and probably will, detest me, at allevents 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 themarried lady to the number of my confidants; and you must permit me tointroduce my friend, Mr Ossulton;" and Pickersgill waved his hand inthe direction of Corbett, who took off his hat and made a low obeisance. 

It was impossible for Cecilia Ossulton to help smiling. 

"And, " continued Pickersgill, "having taken the command of this yachtinstead of his lordship, it is absolutely necessary that I also take hislordship's name. While on board I am Lord B---; and allow me tointroduce myself under that name; I cannot be addressed otherwise. Depend upon it, Miss Ossulton, that I shall have a most paternalsolicitude to make you happy and comfortable. "

Had Cecilia Ossulton dared to have given vent to her real feelings atthat time, she would have burst into a fit of laughter; it was tooludicrous. At the same time, the very burlesque reassured her stillmore. She went into the cabin with a heavy weight removed from herheart. 

In the meantime, Miss Ossulton and Mrs Lascelles remained below, in thegreatest anxiety at Cecilia's prolonged stay; they knew not what tothink, and dared not go on deck. Mrs Lascelles had once determined atall risks to go up; but Miss Ossulton and Phoebe had screamed andimplored her so fervently not to leave them that she unwillinglyconsented to remain. Cecilia's countenance when she entered the cabin, reassured Mrs Lascelles, but not her aunt, who ran to her crying andsobbing and clinging to her, saying, "What have they done to you, mypoor, poor Cecilia?"

"Nothing at all, aunt, " replied Cecilia, "the captain speaks veryfairly, and says he shall respect us in every possible way, providedthat 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, allthat had passed. Mrs Lascelles agreed with Cecilia that they were inno danger of insult; and as they talked over the matter they at lastbegan to laugh; there was a novelty in it, and there was something soridiculous in all the gentlemen being turned into smugglers. Ceciliawas glad that she could not tell her aunt, as she wished her to be sofrightened as never to have her company on board the yacht again; andMrs Lascelles was too glad to annoy her for many and various insultsreceived. The matter was therefore canvassed over very satisfactorily, and Mrs Lascelles felt a natural curiosity to see this new LordB--- and the second Mr Ossulton. But they had had no breakfast, andwere feeling very hungry now that their alarm was over. They desiredPhoebe 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 ladieswould come to partake of it. "

"No, no, " replied Mrs Lascelles, "I never can, without being introducedto them first. "

"Nor will I go, " replied Cecilia, "but I will write a note, and we willhave 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 thebreakfast 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 ofvenison for dinner, miss, and he has twice threatened to toss meoverboard. "

"You must obey him, Maddox, or he certainly will. These pirates aredreadful fellows. Be attentive, and serve him just as if he was myfather. "

"Yes, yes, ma'am, I will; but our time may come. It's _burglary_ on thehigh 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 MrsLascelles: "at all events, go to him quickly. "

"Good bye, miss; good bye, ma'am; if I shouldn't see you any more, " saidMaddox, trembling with fear, as he obeyed the awful summons--which wasto demand a tooth-pick. 

Miss Ossulton would not touch the breakfast; not so Mrs Lascelles andCecilia, 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 toput us all on shore. "

Mrs Lascelles and Cecilia put on their bonnets and went up. LordB--- took off his hat, and begged the honour of being introduced to thepretty widow. He handed the ladies to a seat, and then commencedconversing upon various subjects, which at the same time possessed greatnovelty. 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 alwayshad some little story connected with each. Before the ladies had beentwo hours on deck they found themselves, to their infinite surprise, notonly interested, but in conversation with the captain of the smuggler, and more than once they laughed outright. But the _soi-disant_ LordB--- had inspired them with confidence; they fully believed that what hehad told them was true, and that he had taken possession of the yacht tosmuggle his goods, to be revenged, and to have a laugh. Now none ofthese three offences are capital in the eyes of the fair sex, and Jackwas a handsome, fine-looking fellow, of excellent manners and veryagreeable conversation; at the same time, neither he nor his friend werein their general deportment and behaviour otherwise than mostrespectful. 

"Ladies, as you are not afraid of me, which is a greater happiness thanI had reason to expect, I think you may be amused to witness the fear ofthose who accuse your sex of cowardice. With your permission, I willsend for the cook and steward, and inquire about the dinner. "

"I should like to know what there is for dinner, " observed MrsLascelles demurely; "wouldn't you, Cecilia?"

Cecilia put her handkerchief to her mouth. 

"Tell the steward and the cook both to come aft immediately, " criedPickersgill. 

In a few seconds they both made their appearance. "Steward!" criedPickersgill, 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, mylord. "

"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 isno Burgundy on board--ask the ladies. "

"Very well, sir, you may go. "

"Cook, what have you got for dinner?"

"Sir, a haunch of mut--of venison, my lord, " replied the cook, with hiswhite 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 bedressed _a l'ombre Chinoise_. "

"I don't know what that is, my lord. "

"I don't care for that, sirrah; if you don't find out by dinner-time, you're food for fishes--that all; you may go. "

The cook walked off wringing his hands and his night-cap as well--for hestill held it in his right hand--and disappeared down the fore-hatchway. 

"I have done this to pay you a deserved compliment, ladies; you havemore courage than the other sex. "

"Recollect that we have had confidence given to us in consequence ofyour 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 amconvinced that you will perform your promise. "

"You do, indeed, encourage me, madam, to pursue what is right, " saidPickersgill, bowing; "for your approbation I should be most sorry tolose, still more sorry to prove myself unworthy of it. "

As the reader will observe, everything was going on remarkably well. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 

Cecilia returned to the cabin, to ascertain whether her aunt was morecomposed; but Mrs Lascelles remained on deck. She was much pleasedwith Pickersgill; and they continued their conversation. Pickersgillentered into a defence of his conduct to Lord B---; and Mrs Lascellescould not but admit the provocation. After a long conversation shehinted at his profession, and how superior he appeared to be to such alawless life. 

"You may be incredulous, madam, " replied Pickersgill, "if I tell youthat I have as good a right to quarter my arms as Lord B--- himself; andthat I am not under my real name. Smuggling is, at all events, nocrime; and I infinitely prefer the wild life I lead at the head of mymen to being spurned by society because I am poor. The greatest crimein this country is poverty. I may, if I am fortunate, some day resumemy name. You may, perhaps, meet me, and if you please, you may exposeme. "

"That I should not be likely to do, " replied the widow; "but still Iregret to see a person, evidently intended for better things, employedin so disreputable a profession. "

"I hardly know, madam, what is and what is not disreputable in thisconventional world. It is not considered disreputable to cringe to thevices of a court, or to accept a pension wrung from the industry of thenation, in return for base servility. It is not considered disreputableto take tithes, intended for the service of God, and lavish them away atwatering-places or elsewhere, seeking pleasure instead of doing Godservice. It is not considered disreputable to take fee after fee touphold injustice, to plead against innocence, to pervert truth, and toaid the devil. It is not considered disreputable to gamble on the StockExchange, or to corrupt the honesty of electors by bribes, for doingwhich the penalty attached is equal to that decreed to the offence ofwhich I am guilty. All these, and much more, are not considereddisreputable; 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, theEnglish Government encourage the smuggling of our manufactures to theContinent, at the same time that they take every step to preventarticles being smuggled into this country. Now, madam, can that be a_crime_ when the head of the vessel is turned north, which becomes _nocrime_ 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 Ishall. No captive ever sighed more to be released from his chains; butI will not leave it, till I find I am in a situation not to be spurnedand neglected by those with whom I have a right to associate. "

At this moment the steward was seen forward making signs to MrsLascelles, who excused herself, and went to him. 

"For the love of God, madam, " said Maddox, "as he appears to be friendlywith you, do pray find out how these cutlets are to be dressed; the cookis tearing his hair, and we shall never have any dinner; and then itwill all fall upon me, and I--shall be tossed overboard. "

Mrs Lascelles desired poor Maddox to wait there while she obtained thedesired information. In a few minutes she returned to him. 

"I have found it out. They are first to be boiled in vinegar, thenfried in batter, and served up with a sauce of anchovy and Malagaraisins!"

"First fried in vinegar, then boiled in batter, and served up withalmonds and raisins. "

"No--no!" Mrs Lascelles repeated the injunction to the frightenedsteward, and then returned aft, and re-entered into a conversation withPickersgill, in which for the first time, Corbett now joined. Corbetthad sense enough to feel, that the less he came forward until hissuperior had established himself in the good graces of the ladies, themore favourable would be the result. 

In the meantime Cecilia had gone down to her aunt, who still continuedto 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 hadnothing to fear. 

"Civil and obedient, indeed!" cried Miss Ossulton, "to a fellow who is asmuggler and a pirate! I, the sister of Lord B---! Never! Thepresumption of the wretch!"

"That is all very well, aunt; but recollect, we must submit tocircumstances. These men insist upon our dining with them; and we mustgo, 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 ourrelease; and if you do not do it Mrs Lascelles will think that you wishto remain with them. "

"Mrs Lascelles judges of other people by herself. "

"The captain is certainly a very well-behaved, handsome man. He lookslike a nobleman in disguise. What an odd thing it would be, aunt, ifthis 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 shebrought forward so many arguments to prove that she thought it was ahoax to frighten them, and that the gentleman above was a man ofconsequence, that her aunt began to listen to reason, and at lastconsented to join the dinner-party. Mrs Lascelles now came down below;and when dinner was announced they repaired to the large cabin, wherethey found Pickersgill and Corbett waiting for them. 

Miss Ossulton did not venture to look up, until she heard Pickersgillsay to Mrs Lascelles, "Perhaps, madam, you will do me the favour tointroduce me to that lady, whom I have not had the honour of seeingbefore?"

"Certainly, my lord, " replied Mrs Lascelles. "Miss Ossulton, the auntof 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 MissOssulton, " 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 perceivedtwo well-dressed gentlemanly men, one of whom was apparently a lord andthe other having the same family name. 

"It must be all a hoax, " thought she, and she very quietly took to hersoup. 

The dinner passed off very pleasantly; Pickersgill was agreeable, Corbett funny, and Miss Ossulton so far recovered herself as to drinkwine with his lordship, and to ask Corbett what branch of their familyhe 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 remainthere till to-morrow. Steward, bring coffee. Tell the cook thesecutlets were remarkably well-dressed. "

The ladies retired to their cabin. Miss Ossulton was now convinced thatit was all a hoax; "but, " said she, "I shall tell Lord B--- my opinionof their practical jokes when he returns. What is his lordship's namewho is on board?"

"He won't tell us, " replied Mrs Lascelles; "but I think I know; it isLord Blarney. "

"Lord Blaney you mean, I presume, " said Miss Ossulton; "however thething is carried too far. Cecilia, we will go on shore at Torquay, andwait 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 govery far to obtain this. How far Mrs Lascelles would have gone, I willnot pretend to say; but this is certain, that the last innuendo of MissOssulton very much added to her determination. She took her bonnet andwent on deck, at once told Pickersgill that he could not please her orCecilia more than by frightening Miss Ossulton, who, under the idea thatit was all a hoax, had quite recovered her spirits; talked of her prideand ill-nature, and wished her to receive a useful lesson. Thus, tofollow up her revenge, did Mrs Lascelles commit herself so far, as tobe confidential with the smuggler in return. 

"Mrs Lascelles, I shall be able to obey you, and, at the same time, tocombine business with pleasure. "

After a short conversation, the yacht dropped her anchor at Torquay. Itwas then about two hours before sunset. As soon as the sails werefurled, one or two gentlemen, who resided there, came on board to paytheir respects to Lord B---; and, as Pickersgill had found out fromCecilia that her father was acquainted with no one there, he receivedthem in person; asked them down in the cabin--called for wine--anddesired them to send their boats 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'sdirection, being a sentinel over each individual. The gentlemenremained about half-an-hour on board, during which Corbett and thesmugglers had filled the portmanteaus found in the cabin with the lace, and they were put in the boat; Corbett then landed the gentlemen in thesame boat, and went up to the hotel, the smugglers following him withthe portmanteaus, without any suspicion or interruption. As soon as hewas 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 wassecured. Corbett then returned in the night, bringing with him peopleto receive the goods; and the smugglers landed the silks, teas, etcetera, with the same good fortune. Everything was out of the yachtexcept a portion of the lace, which the portmanteaus would not hold. Pickersgill might easily have sent this on shore; but, to please MrsLascelles, he arranged otherwise. 

The next morning, about an hour after breakfast was finished, MrsLascelles entered the cabin pretending to be in the greatestconsternation, and fell on the sofa as if she were going to faint. 

"Good heavens! What is the matter?" exclaimed Cecilia, who knew verywell 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 thatwe 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 downto dinner with a smuggler!"

"Sitting down, madam!--if it were to be no more than that--but we are totake 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 astate of great alarm. 

A knock at the door. 

"Come in, " said Miss Ossulton, thinking it was Phoebe; when Pickersgillmade his appearance. 

"What do you want, sir? Go out, sir! Go out directly, of I'll scream!"

"It is no use screaming, madam; recollect, that all on board are at myservice. 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 willoblige me by putting, it into your pockets, or about your person, andprepare to go on shore with me. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, youwill deliver it to me, and I then shall re-conduct you on board of theyacht. You are not the first lady who has gone on shore with contrabandarticles about her person. "

"Me, sir! Go on shore in that way? No, sir--never! What will theworld 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 onearm, and Mrs Lascelles on the other; and I would advise you to take itvery quietly; for, in the first place, it will be you who smuggle, asthe goods will be found on your person, and you will certainly be put inprison: for at the least appearance of insubordination, we run andinform against you; and further, your niece will remain on board as ahostage for your good behaviour--and if you have any regard for herliberty, you will consent immediately. "

Pickersgill left the cabin, and shortly afterwards Cecilia and MrsLascelles entered, apparently much distressed. They had been informedof all, and Mrs Lascelles declared, that for her part, sooner thanleave her poor Cecilia to the mercy of such people, she had made up hermind to submit to the smuggler's demands. Cecilia also begged soearnestly, that Miss Ossulton, who had no idea that it was a trick, withmuch 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 otherduring Cecilia's absence; the boat was ready alongside--they went in, and pulled on shore. Everything succeeded to the smuggler'ssatisfaction. 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 aroom, Corbett, who was already on shore, asked for Lord B---, and joinedthem. The ladies retired to another apartment, divested themselves oftheir contraband goods, and, after calling for some sandwiches and wine, Pickersgill waited an hour, and then returned on board. Mrs Lascelleswas triumphant; and she rewarded her new ally--the smuggler--with one ofher sweetest smiles. Community of interest will sometimes make strangefriendships. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

CONCLUSION. 

We must now return to the other parties who have assisted in the acts ofthis little drama. Lord B---, after paddling and paddling, the menrelieving each other, in order to make head against the wind, which wasoff shore, arrived about midnight at a small town in West Bay, fromwhence he took a chaise on to Portsmouth, taking it for granted that hisyacht would arrive as soon as, if not before himself, little imaginingthat it was in possession of the smugglers. There he remained three orfour days, when, becoming impatient, he applied to one of his friendswho 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 thesmuggler had the advantage before the wind; but, by degrees, the windwent round with the sun, and brought the revenue-cutter leeward: it wasthen 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 ankersof brandy that he might not be condemned; but still he was in an awkwardsituation, as he had more men on board than allowed by Act ofParliament. He therefore stood on, notwithstanding the shot of thecutter went over and over him hoping, that a fog or night might enablehim to escape; but he had no such good fortune; one of the shot carriedaway 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 menwere only passengers; but, in the first place, they were dressed inseamen's clothes; and, in the second, as soon as the boat was aboard ofher, Appleboy had gone down to his gin-toddy, and was not to bedisturbed. The gentlemen smugglers therefore passed an uncomfortablenight; and the cutter going Portland by daylight, before Appleboy wasout of bed, they were taken on shore to the magistrate. Hautaineexplained the whole affair, and they were immediately released andtreated with respect; but they were not permitted to depart until theywere bound over to appear against the smugglers, and prove the brandyhaving been on board. They then set off for Portsmouth in the seamen'sclothes, having had quite enough of yachting for that season, MrOssulton declaring that he only wanted to get his luggage, and then hewould take care how he put himself again in the way of the shot of arevenue cruiser, or of sleeping a night on her decks. 

In the mean time Morrison and his men were locked up in the gaol, theold man, as the key was turned on him, exclaiming, as he raised his footin vexation, "That cursed blue pigeon!"

We will now return to the yacht. 

About an hour after Pickersgill had come on board, Corbett had made allhis arrangements and followed him. It was not advisable to remain atTorquay any longer, through fear of discovery; he therefore weighedanchor 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 anhour before daylight have you in my boat with all my men. I will takecare that you are in perfect safety, depend upon it, even if I run arisk. I should, indeed, be miserable, if, through my wild freaks, anyaccident should happen to Mrs Lascelles or Miss Ossulton. "

"I am very anxious about my father, " observed Cecilia. "I trust thatyou 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. Ishall disappear as suddenly as I have come--you will neither of you, inall probability, ever see me again. "

The dinner was announced, and they sat down to table as before; but theelderly spinster refused to make her appearance, and Mr Lascelles andCecilia, who thought she had been frightened enough, did not attempt toforce her. Pickersgill immediately yielded to these remonstrances, andfrom that time she remained undisturbed in the ladies' cabin, meditatingover the indignity of having sat down to table, having drank wine, andbeen obliged to walk on shore, taking the arm of a smuggler, and appearin such a humiliating situation. 

The wind was light, and they made but little progress, and were notabreast of Portland till the second day, when another yacht appeared insight, and the two vessels slowly neared, until in the afternoon theywere within four miles of each other. It then fell a dead calm: signalswere thrown out by the other yacht, but could not be distinguished, and, for the last time, they sat down to dinner. Three days' companionshipon board of a vessel, cooped up together, and having no one else toconverse with, will produce intimacy; and Pickersgill was a young man ofso much originality and information, that he was listened to withpleasure. He never attempted to advance beyond the line of strictdecorum and politeness; and his companion was equally unpresuming. Situated as they were, and feeling what must have been the case had theyfallen into other hands, both Cecilia and Mrs Lascelles felt somedegree of gratitude towards him; and although anxious to be relievedfrom so strange a position, they had gradually acquired a perfectconfidence in him; and this had produced a degree of familiarity ontheir parts, although never ventured upon by the smuggler. As Corbettwas 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, youwould come up a moment, and see if you can make this flag out, " saidCorbett, 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 LordB--- 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 hislordship and his friend come: when they are on the deck, have the menready in case of accident; but if you can manage to tell the boat's crewthat they are to go on board again, and get rid of them that way, somuch the better. Arrange this with Adams, and then come down again--hislordship must see us all at dinner. "

Pickersgill then descended, and Corbett had hardly time to give hisdirections and to resume his seat, before his lordship and Mr Stewartpulled up alongside and jumped on deck. There was no one to receivethem but the seamen, and those whom they did not know. They lookedround in amazement; at last his lordship said to Adams, who stoodforward--"What men are you?"

"Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour. "

Lord B--- heard laughing in the cabin; he would not wait to interrogatethe men; he walked aft, followed by Mr Stewart, looked down theskylight, and perceived his daughter and Mrs Lascelles, with, as hesupposed, Hautaine and Ossulton. 

Pickersgill had heard the boat rub the side, and the sound of the feeton deck, and he talked the more loudly, that the ladies might be caughtby Lord B--- as they were. He heard their feet at the skylight, andknew that they could hear what passed; and at that moment he proposed tothe ladies that as this was their last meeting at table they should alltake a glass of champagne to drink to "their happy meeting with LordB---. " This was a toast which they did not refuse. Maddox poured outthe wine, and they were all bowing to each other, when his lordship, whohad come down the ladder, walked into the cabin, followed by MrStewart. Cecilia perceived her father; the champagne-glass dropped fromher hand--she flew into his arms, and burst into tears. 

"Who would not be a father, Mrs Lascelles?" said Pickersgill, quietlyseating himself, after having first risen to receive Lord B---. 

"And pray, whom may I have the honour of finding established here?" saidLord B---, in an angry tone, speaking over his daughter's head, whostill lay in his arms. "By heavens, yes!--Stewart, it is the smugglingcaptain dressed out. "

"Even so, my lord, " replied Pickersgill. "You abandoned your yacht tocapture 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 onboard with my own people, and taking charge of them. This night Iexpected to have anchored your vessel in Cowes, and have left them insafety. "

"By the--" cried Stewart. 

"Stop, sir, if you please!" cried Pickersgill; "recollect you have oncealready attacked one who never offended. Oblige me by refraining fromintemperate language; for I tell you I will not put up with it. Recollect, sir, that I have refrained from that, and also from takingadvantage of you when you were in my power. Recollect, sir, also, thatthe yacht is still in possession of the smugglers, and that you are inno condition to insult with impunity. My lord, allow me to observe, that we men are too hot of temperament to argue or listen coolly. Withyour permission, your friend, and my friend, and I, will repair on deck, leaving you to hear from your daughter and that lady all that haspassed. After that, my lord, I shall be most happy to hear anythingwhich 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 withthe smuggler. 

"I am obliged to you, ladies, for your interference, " said Pickersgill;"for, although I have the means of enforcing conditions, I should besorry to avail myself of them. I wait for his lordship's reply. "

Lord B--- was very much surprised. He wished for an explanation; hebowed 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 eachother without speaking, but reminding you of two dogs who are bothanxious to fight, but have been restrained by the voice of theirmasters. Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone to Pickersgill;Stewart went over to leeward to see if the boat was still alongside, butit had long before returned to the yacht. Miss Ossulton had heard herbrother's voice, but did not come out of the after-cabin; she wished tobe magnificent, and at the same time she was not sure whether all wasright, Phoebe having informed her that there was nobody with her brotherand Mr Stewart, and that the smugglers still had the command of thevessel. After a while, Pickersgill and Corbett went down forward, andreturned dressed in the smugglers' clothes, when they resumed their walkon deck. 

In the mean time it was dark; the cutter flew along the coast, and theNeedles' lights were on the larboard bow. The conversation betweenCecilia, Mrs Lascelles, and her father, was long. When all had beendetailed, and the conduct of Pickersgill duly represented, LordB--- acknowledged that, by attacking the smuggler, he had laid himselfopen to retaliation; that Pickersgill had shown a great deal offorbearance in every instance; and after all, had he not gone on boardthe yacht, she might have been lost, with only three seamen on board. He was amused with the smuggling and the fright of his sister, stillmore with the gentlemen being sent to Cherbourg, and much consoled thathe was not the only one to be laughed at. He was also much pleased withPickersgill's intention of leaving the yacht safe in Cowes harbour, hisrespect for the property on board, and his conduct to the ladies. Onthe whole, he felt grateful to Pickersgill, and where there is gratitudethere is always good will. 

"But who can he be?" said Mrs Lascelles; "his name he acknowledges notto be Pickersgill, and he told me confidentially that he was of goodfamily. "

"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 animpression which many have attempted in vain. "

Mrs Lascelles did not reply to the remark, but said, "Now, my lord, youmust decide--and I trust you will, to oblige us; treat him as he hastreated us, with the greatest respect and kindness. "

"Why should you suppose otherwise?" replied Lord B---; "it is not onlymy wish but my interest so to do. He may take us over to Franceto-night, or anywhere else. Has he not possession of the vessel?"

"Yes, " replied Cecilia; "but we flatter ourselves that we have _thecommand_. Shall we call him down, papa?"

"Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell Mr Pickersgill, who is on deck, that Iwish to speak with him, and shall be obliged by his stepping down intothe 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 inpossession 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 hisrough costume. With his throat open, and his loose black handkerchief, he was the _beau ideal_ of a handsome sailor. 

"Your lordship wishes to communicate with me?"

"Mr Pickersgill, I feel that you have had cause of enmity against me, and that you have behaved with forbearance. I thank you for yourconsiderate treatment of the ladies; and I assure you, that I feel noresentment for what has passed. "

"My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have said; and I only hopethat, in future, you will not interfere with a poor smuggler, who may bestriving, by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence forhimself, and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these ladies myintention of anchoring the yacht this night at Cowes, and leaving her assoon as she was in safety. Your unexpected presence will only make thisdifference, which is, that I must previously obtain your lordship'sassurance that those with you will allow me and my men to quit herwithout molestation, after we have performed this service. "

"I pledge you my word, Mr Pickersgill, and 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 ofservice, you may command me. "

Pickersgill made no reply. 

"Surely, Mr Pickersgill--"

"Pickersgill! How I hate that name!" said the smuggler, musing. "I begyour lordship's pardon--If I may require your assistance for any of myunfortunate 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 goon 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 MrStewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs Lascellessat abaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek, looking very much _a la Juliette_. 

"Mrs Lascelles, " said Pickersgill, "before we part, allow me toobserve, that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up myprofession--"

"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 youcall yourself so?"

"It was my smuggling name, Mrs Lascelles. "

"And now that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name weare to call you by?"

"I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shakenhands with, and bid farewell to my companions; and by that time, MrsLascelles, I shall be away from you. "

"But I've a great curiosity to know it; and a lady's curiosity must begratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is myaddress. "

Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B--- coming ondeck, Mrs Lascelles hastened to meet him. 

The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smugglerpiloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the wholeparty went down into the cabin, Lord B--- requesting Pickersgill andCorbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart, who had receivedthe account of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive toPickersgill and took an opportunity of saying that he was sorry that hehad said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered hisspirits: and all was good humour and mirth, because Miss Ossultonadhered her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quit theyacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took hisleave of the honourable company and went in his boat with his men; andLord B--- was again in possession of his vessel, although he had notship's company. Maddox recovered his usual tone; and the cookflourished his knife, swearing that he should like to see the smugglerwho would again order him to dress cutlets _a l'ombre Chinoise_. 

The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B--- received aletter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had beencaptured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having thegentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove thatthey had sunk the brandy. Lord B--- paid all the recognisances, and themen were liberated for want of evidence. 

It was about two years after this that Cecilia Ossulton, who was sittingat her work-table in deep mourning for her aunt, was presented with aletter by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs Lascelles, informingher that she was married again to a Mr Davenant, and intended to payher, a short visit on her way to the Continent. Mr and Mrs Davenantarrived the next day; and when the latter introduced her husband, shesaid to Miss Ossulton, "Look, Cecilia, dear, and tell me if you haveever seen Davenant before. "

Cecilia looked earnestly: "I have, indeed, " cried she at last, extendingher hand with warmth; "and happy am I to meet with him again. "

For in Mr Davenant she recognised her old acquaintance the captain ofthe _Happy-go-lucky_, Jack Pickersgill the smuggler. 

THE END.