, and scouts were
sent out to ascertain if the smugglers had collected where they had been
expected. In a short time the scouts returned, stating that a large
body of men were on the beach, and one of them added that he had nearly
been discovered by a party with pack animals proceeding down the gully
which led to the same part of the shore. Lord Reginald was on the point
of exhibiting his satisfaction by giving a loud shout, when Voules
stopped him.

"On my lads!" said the lieutenant in a low voice; and he led his men by
a narrow path which wound down the cliff to the west of the village of
Barton, while the rest of the party, by a wide circuit, made their way
to the opposite side.

It was agreed that Lieutenant Hilton should fire off a couple of pistols
in rapid succession, as the signal for attacking the smugglers, and that
both parties were to rush on them simultaneously, while the men at the
top of the gully should stop them from making their escape in that
direction.

Lord Reginald was eager for the attack, but Voules, as he made out the
numbers in which the smugglers mustered, heartily wished that he had
remained to enjoy the society of the ladies at the hall.

"We are likely to get more kicks than ha'pence, and little honour, at
all events," he muttered to himself.

From where they lay concealed, they could observe the boats coming on
shore with the lugger's cargo. The lieutenant watched until he
considered that the larger portion had been landed. He directed Lord
Reginald and Voules, with three men, to guard the foot of a pathway
leading up the cliff, by which possibly some of the smugglers might
attempt to make their escape. The outlaws had been carrying on their
undertaking in perfect silence. Not a sound had been heard, when the
report of the two pistols echoed among the cliffs. It was the signal
for a general uproar. The revenue men dashed forward from both sides
towards the party on the beach, who began shouting and swearing
vehemently. Then came the flash of firearms, and the clash of
cutlasses. The smugglers fought desperately. Some were hurriedly
loading the horses, hoping to escape with a portion of the goods by
land, others were engaged in throwing the packages back into the boats,
and endeavouring to shove off, and regain the lugger. The revenue
officers, knowing that this would be attempted, rushed forward to
prevent them. Here some of the hottest fighting took place. As they
cou