the day, as he was
taking a cut across some fields near the cliffs, he had seen him seated
under a tree, and that he was either loading or cleaning a pistol of the
size and shape of the one now produced. Indeed there was ample
circumstantial evidence to enable Mr Gibson to issue a warrant for the
apprehension of Myers on a charge of murder, whenever and wherever he
could be found. A reward was afterwards offered to whoever should
capture him. It is very extraordinary that the cave could not be
discovered, nor could we gain any information about the goods which had
been seen. Of Myers himself no tidings could be obtained. There was no
doubt that he had committed the murder, and he must have been aware that
many of his old friends might be tempted by the prospect of the reward
to deliver him up, should he venture again among them. The general
opinion was, therefore, that we should hear nothing more of him. We,
however, continued cruising in search of his lugger; but, though we
chased at different times several craft which we thought might be his,
we never got them within range of our guns. We, however, captured
several other smuggling vessels, and made prize of a considerable number
of tubs. The latter we picked up, either floating out at sea, or we got
them by groping after they had been sunk. Smuggling vessels carry a
considerable portion of their cargo lashed along outside, just above the
water. When hard pressed these are cut away, and the rest are thrown
overboard, so that when overhauled, nothing contraband may be found on
board. When within a short distance of land, so that marks on the shore
can be seen, weights are attached to the tubs, which are all fastened
together; and the marks being observed, so that the spot should be known
again, they are sunk. Sometimes we saw them being hove overboard and
sunk; and then, of course, we did our best to get them again. We at
length took a longer cruise than usual, and were for some time knocking
about in the longitude of Plymouth, and that turbulent portion of the
aqueous world--the Chops of the Channel. There was a light wind and a
smooth sea, and we were dodging along under easy sail, being in no hurry
to get anywhere. I was walking the deck with Hanks, talking on matters
doubtless very erudite and abstruse; but I now forget what they were.
Scriven was casting up his accounts--literally, not metaphorically, be
it understood; Growl was endeavouring to forget