aucy Sue_, and might ere long be expected back
with a cargo of contraband. A sharp look-out was accordingly kept for
him. Often and often before this, however, he had been expected, but
the goods had been run, notwithstanding, and the _Saucy Sue_ having
appeared in the offing, had come into the harbour without an article of
contraband on board, Bob and his crew looking innocent as lambs.

Tuesday came. Susan knew that on that night the attempt to run the
cargo was to be made. There was no moon. The sun set red and lowering
over Durlstone Point, and dark clouds were seen chasing each other
rapidly across the sky, rising from a dark bank which rested on the
western horizon, while white-crested seas began to rise up out of the
sombre green ocean, every instant increasing in number. The wind
whistled mournfully among the bushes and the few stunted trees, with
tops bending inland, which fringed the cliffs, and the murmur of the
waves on the beach below changed ere long into a ceaseless roar.

Susan sat in her cottage, watching the last rays of the setting sun as
her foot rocked her baby's cradle. She knew well the path to Durlstone
Point along the cliffs. No longer able to restrain her anxiety (why
more excited than usual on that evening, she could not have told), she
left her child in charge of her young sister, who had come in to see
her, and hurried out. The clouds came up thicker and thicker from the
south-west, and the darkness rapidly increased. She had good reason to
dread falling over the cliff. Several times she contemplated turning
back; but the thought of her husband's danger urged her on. "If I could
find the spotsman, Ned Dore, I would beseech him to warn the cutter
off," she said to herself; "it can never be done on a night like this."
She went on till she came to a dip, or gulley, when a break in the cliff
occurred. A steep path led down the centre to the beach. She heard the
sound of wheels, with the stamp of horses' feet, as if the animals had
started forward impatiently and been checked, and there was also the
murmur of several voices. Suddenly a light flashed close to her.

"Oh, Ned Dore, is that you?" she exclaimed. "Don't let them land
to-night; there'll be harm come of it."

"No fear, Mrs Hanson," said Dore, recognising her voice. "All's
right--the cutter has made her signal, and I have answered it. Couldn't
have a better time. The revenue men are all on the wrong scent, and
we'll