re, that
not only their goods but they themselves would be taken. To make the
matter more sure, it was arranged that one party, led by Walter, who
knew the cape as if he had been born on it, should go by land,
accompanied by Mr Clare; while our salt tutor, with the rest of us, was
to go in the cutter. Five seamen, with a petty officer, formed the land
party, all well armed. They were to proceed cautiously across the
downs, watching the movements of the cutter, and keeping themselves as
much as possible under cover, so as not to be seen by any smugglers who
might be on the lookout. As soon as the boat which took them on shore
returned, the cutter's foresail was let draw, and with a fresh breeze
she stood out of our cove. Our hearts beat quick as we glided rapidly
on towards the scene of our proposed exploit. We might possibly soon be
engaged in a scene of real fighting. There might be ten or perhaps even
fifty smugglers concealed in the cave, with large stores of silks, and
tobacco, and spirits; and if so, it was not likely that they would give
in without striking some hard blows for their liberty. The breeze
freshened, and our speed increased, though, as the wind was off the
land, the water was smooth. Every inch of canvas the cutter could carry
was clapped on her, that we might have the better chance of taking the
smugglers by surprise. She heeled over to the breeze till her lee
gunwale was under water, while we stood holding on to the weather
rigging, and looking out for the entrance to the little cove. We neared
it at last. Our hearts beat quicker than ever as we luffed up round a
point which formed one of the sides of the little cove. Sail was
rapidly shortened, the foresail hauled down, the jib-sheet let fly, and
in half a minute we were at anchor. The next instant the crew, already
fully armed and prepared, flew to the falls, and two boats were lowered,
into which they and we, with Captain Treenail, the commander, and one of
the mates of the cutter, and our own salt tutor, immediately jumped.
Literally, before a minute had elapsed, two boats were pulling as fast
as boats could pull for the shore. Harry and I now felt ourselves of
more consequence than we had ever been in our lives before. We were
expected to show the way to the cavern, and therefore, as soon as the
boats touched the shore, we leaped out, and, pointing to the spot where
the mouth of the cavern was to be found, ran towards it along the