edge of the wild
cliffs, now near the sea, now far away. At one time he could hear the
dull thud and dash of waves, for a good brisk breeze was blowing, and he
fancied that he had a glint of a star through the thick covering, but he
was not sure. Then the sound of the waves on the shore was completely
hushed, and he felt that they must either be down in a hollow, or going
farther and farther away inland.

Twice this happened, and the third time, as all was still, and he could
feel a hard road beneath his feet, he became sure. There was an echoing
sound from their footsteps, dull to him, but still plain, and it seemed
as if they were down in some narrow cutting or rift, when all at once!
Just in front, after the men about him had been talking more loudly, as
if clear of danger, there rang out a stern--

"Halt--stand!"

There was a hasty exclamation. Then came in the loud, gruff voice,--

"Back, lads, quick!"

He was seized, and retreat had begun, when again rang out:--

"Halt--stand!"

The smugglers were between two fires.

The midshipman was conscious of a familiar voice crying,--

"No shots, lads. Cutlashes!"

There was a rush; the sound of blows, men swayed and struggled about
wildly, and the lad, bound, blindfolded, and helpless, was thrust here
and there. Then he received a sharp blow from a cudgel, which sent him
staggering forward, and directly after a dull cut from a steel weapon,
which, fortunately for him, fell upon and across the rope which bound
his arms to his sides. There were oaths, fierce cries, and the
struggling grew hotter, till all at once there was a rush, Archy went
down like a skittle, men seemed to perform a triumphal war-dance upon
his body, and then they passed on with the fight, evidently consisting
of a retreat and pursuit, till the sounds nearly died away.

A minute later, as Archy lay there perfectly helpless, the noises
increased again. Men were evidently laughing and talking loudly, and
the sounds seemed to come round a corner, to become plainer all at once.

"Pity we didn't go on after them? Nonsense, my lad! They know every
hole and corner about here, and there's no knowing where they'd have led
us," said a familiar voice.

"Well, it is precious dark," said another.

"Too dark to see what we are about. But I take you all to witness, my
lads, they 'tacked us first."

"Ay, ay: they began it," came in chorus.

"And if it happens that they are not smugglers, a