a hundred ways. We
ran on for a couple of hours, with our main-boom over the larboard
quarter, the tack triced up, and the peak-halyards eased off, for we had
no reason to hurry. It was just about striking five-bells in the
morning-watch, when, as I happened to cast my eyes ahead, I thought I
saw a dark object looming through the mist. The look-out saw her at the
same moment. "A sail on the starboard bow," he sung out in a low
voice--for revenue men learn to be cautious. On hearing this, the
Commander stepped forward, and I followed him. We could just
distinguish through the mist the three sails of a long, low lugger,
standing close-hauled to the northward.

"By Jupiter, there's the _Kitty_ at last!" exclaimed my uncle, rubbing
his hands. "We'll have her this time, however."

There could be little doubt that if she was the _Kitty_, her people
would be keeping too bright a look-out not to have seen us; but probably
they fancied we had not observed them, for they did not alter their
course, which would have carried them clear across our bows. For
another minute we stood on as before, thus rapidly drawing nearer the
stranger. During this time, our guns were cast loose, loaded and
primed, ready to fire, in case she should prove to be the smuggler, and
refuse to heave-to.

"Let the mainsail jibe over; down with the tack; hoist the foresail,"
sung out the Commander in a brisk tone. "Be smart, my lads; set the
gaff-topsail. Stand by, to haul in the mainsheet."

These orders were issued just as the lugger was about to cross our bows;
but our helm being put down, prevented her from accomplishing this
purpose; and a shot, sent skimming along the sea ahead of her, showed
her that we were wide awake. All hands who had time to turn their heads
in her direction, were peering at her through the fog; and the general
opinion was that she was no other than the long-sought-for _Kitty_. To
the shot she paid not the slightest attention, hoping to forereach us,
probably, and to get away in the fog. The chances were much in her
favour, unless we could wing her, for some little time to come; but
after that, we should get her into the bay, and then we might jam her
down into the bight, and catch her.

"Give her another shot across her fore-foot, Mr Waddilove," cried the
Commander. "If she does not pay attention to that, fire right into her,
and we will try to knock away some of her spars."

"Ay, ay, sir," answered the gun