left aground."

"You seem to know a good deal about it, my lad?" said the little
lieutenant.

"Good job for you," was the reply, as the sails were lowered, and the
cutter lay close in under the cliff waiting. The boats were down, the
men armed, and the guns loaded, ready in case the smuggler vessel should
attempt to escape.

Then followed a long and patient watch, in the most utter silence; for,
in the stillness of such a calm night a voice travels far, and the
lieutenant knew that a strange sound would be sufficient to alarm those
for whom he was waiting, and send the boat away again to sea. He might
overtake her, but would more probably lose her in the darkness, and see
her at daybreak perhaps well within reach of a port where he dare not
follow.

It was darker now, for clouds had come like a veil over the bright
stars, but the night was singularly clear and transparent, as soon after
eight bells the informer crept silently up to where the lieutenant was
trying to make out the approach of the expected vessel.

The little officer started as the man touched his elbow, so silently had
he approached, and on looking down, he dimly made out that the man had
divested himself of his heavy boots.

"Do be quiet, master," whispered the great fellow. "Can't 'ford to lose
fifty pounds for fear o' getting one's feet cold. See anything?"

"No," whispered the lieutenant, after sweeping his glass round.

"Tide serves, and she can't be long now. But two o' your chaps keep
whispering for'ard, and it comes back off the cliff. No, no--don't
shout at 'em. We daren't have a sound."

"No," replied the lieutenant; and he went softly forward toward where a
group of men were leaning over the bulwarks, peering into the darkness
and listening to the tide as it gurgled in and out of the rocks, little
more than a hundred yards away.

"Strict silence, my lads, and the moment you get the word, over into
your boats and lay ready. Are those rowlocks muffled?"

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the boatswain, who was to be in command of one of
the boats.

"No bloodshed, my lads. Knock any man down who resists. Five minutes
after you leave the side here ought to make the smuggler ours. Hush!
Keep your cheering till you've taken the boat."

A low murmur ran round the side of the cutter, and every eye was
strained as the little officer whispered,--

"A crown for the first man who sights her."

After a while, the lieutenant mentally said,--