iful Father
in heaven would change his heart--would lead him from the paths of sin,
and put a right spirit within him, even although he might be brought to
poverty, and she might no longer enjoy the luxuries which he allowed
her. She was sure, however, that he could make, by a lawful calling,
enough for all their wants; whereas a large portion of what he now
gained was spent in feasting and treating with open hand his smuggling
companions; so at the end of the year, except for the dresses and other
articles which were utterly useless to Susan, they were very little the
better for all his toil and the many fearful risks he had run. She
stood watching him with tearful eyes and a foreboding heart, as he
descended the cliff on which their cottage stood.

Bob, as Hanson was called by his companions, looked in at three or four
of the huts which formed the fishing village at the foot of the cliff,
and gave sundry directions to their inmates. The answer he received
from all of them was much the same: "Never fear, captain, we'll be
ready."

"You understand, Dore," he said, stopping at one of the huts for some
little time, "you'll be on the look-out for us on Tuesday night at
Durlstone Point. Now mind you also tell Green, the landlord of the
`Jolly Tar,' to have the two covered carts there, with his fastest
horses and trusty men to drive--Bill Snow and Tom Thatcher--they are
true men; but not that fellow Dennis--he'll bring the Coast Guard down
on us one of these days, you'll see, if we trust him--and take care that
we've no lack of hands to run the cargo up the cliff."

Such were some of the directions Hanson gave to his confederates. He
then, with active steps, proceeded to a small harbour at a little
distance along the shore, where a fast-looking cutter of about forty
tons lay at anchor. He hailed her. A preventive man (as the revenue
officers are called), with his spyglass under his arm, passed him.

"What, Bob, off again?" he said, in a careless tone; "we'll be on the
look-out for you, if you'll tell us when you are coming back."

"May be next week, or the week after, or a month from this; but thank
you all the same," answered Bob, laughing, as he stepped into the punt
which came for him. As soon as he was on board, the _Saucy Sue_ made
sail for the French shore, and, under a crowd of canvas, was soon out of
sight.

It was soon known at each preventive station along the coast that Bob
Hanson was away in the _S