ld not escape through the gully, no attempt was made to stop them
from entering it. Before long, however, the smugglers discovered how
they had been entrapped, when those who had gone off came running back
with the disastrous intelligence. All attempts to save the goods were
abandoned. Each man thought only how he could best make his escape.
Some endeavoured to climb the cliffs, others rushed beneath them, to the
westward. One party made a dash for the pathway guarded by Lord
Reginald and Voules. So furious was their onslaught, that Voules was
knocked over, and while their men had each an opponent, two other
smugglers rushed past Lord Reginald. He fired, but whether his bullet
took effect or not, he could not tell; by the flash, however, he thought
that he recognised the features of Dick Hargrave, whose companion,
wresting the young lord's sword from his grasp, dashed on up the path,
and both were soon lost to sight in the darkness. Lord Reginald made a
vain attempt to follow the fugitives, but, unable to see his way, was
glad to rejoin his companions.

"I know the young rascal, and have now proof positive that he is a
smuggler!" he exclaimed. "Voules, did you see him?"

But Voules, who had been lying on the sand where he had been thrown,
some feet below, only just then began to recover. Several seconds
elapsed before he was again able to take part in what was going forward.
The other smugglers, who had tried to escape up the path, were secured.

The fighting continued, however, for some time longer, till, one after
the other, the smugglers were knocked down and captured, four being
killed, and a large number wounded, while two of the revenue men lost
their lives, and several others were severely hurt. Dore, with the few
people still remaining on board the lugger, waited in the hopes of the
boats getting off, but when they knew by their not returning that their
friends must have been taken, the cable was cut, and the _Nancy_ stood
out to sea. She had, however, proceeded but a short distance when two
revenue boats dashed alongside, and her diminished crew, being unable to
make any effectual resistance, she was captured, with the remainder of
the contraband goods on board, more than sufficient to condemn her.

Lieutenant Hilton was very well pleased with the result of the
enterprise. Seldom had so large a capture been effected. He had,
however, still a difficult task to perform, as he had scarcely men
suff