lades of the oars, as with
measured strokes they were dipped in the water, flashing in the
sunlight. "They fancy that they can get up to Keyhaven, but they'll not
do that until the tide rises," observed Ben, looking up from his work
with a frown on his brow. "Let them try it, and they'll stick fast."

The boat passed the spot where Ben and his companion were at work, and
very soon what he had predicted happened. Two of the officers, whom
Dick recognised by their uniforms to be midshipmen, were heard abusing
the men and ordering them to urge the boat on. But all the efforts of
the crew to get her afloat were vain.

They then endeavoured to back her off, and at length four of them,
tucking up their trowsers, leaped overboard. The boat thus lightened,
the men, by shoving her astern, soon got her again into deep water.
When, however, they sprang on board their blackened legs showed the
nature of the mud into which they had stepped, and produced a malicious
chuckle from Ben, who watched them with half-averted head. By moving
their legs about in the water they soon got rid of the black stains,
when, having resumed their places, they pulled the boat in close to
where Ben and Dick were standing. As she reached the beach the two
midshipmen leaped on shore.

"I say, you fellows," shouted one of them, "come along here and carry
our portmanteaus to the inn, if there is one in that village there, and
tell us if we can find a post-chaise or conveyance of some sort to take
us to Elverston Hall."

"Don't you answer," said Ben to Dick, hammering on and pretending not to
notice what was said.

"Ahoy, there! don't you hear us? Knock off that work!" cried the
younger of the two midshipmen, and he repeated what he had just said.

"Yes, we hear," growled Ben looking up; "but we are not slaves to come
and go at your beck, youngster."

"We don't want you to carry our traps for nothing, my man," said the
elder midshipman. "We'll give a shilling to each of you for the job,
and that's handsome pay."

"To those who want it, it may be," said Ben; "but that youngster there
must learn to keep a civil tongue in his head if he expects any one to
help him. Hurst beach ain't the deck of a man-of-war, and one chap here
is as good as another, so you may just let your own people carry up your
traps."

The crew of the boat sat grinning as they heard the smuggler bandying
words with their officers, siding probably with the former.

"Do