boxes of laces and ribbons, and casks of
spirits: indeed, everything with a high duty on it was here collected,
ready to be sent up to London or through the country, to the _highly
respectable_ shops which dealt in such things. I had not time, however,
to make many observations, when the fierce ruffian at the head of the
table commenced the proceedings by inquiring who we were and what was
our object in coming on shore that night.

"You know perfectly well who we are, and with regard to our object on
shore, you certainly are not qualified to question me," answered my
uncle, with a firm voice.

"Then I must answer for you," replied the smuggler. "You came,
instigated by a wretch whose body lies there, under the hopes of taking
me and my men in our nest. He has received his reward. The very moment
he was thinking he had got us secure, a pistol bullet went through his
head. What do you think you deserve?"

My uncle did not answer.

"Speak, and answer me!" exclaimed the ruffian, levelling a pistol at
him.

I tried to spring forward to throw myself before him, but the smugglers
held me back, though the action, instead of making them angry, seemed to
gain we more respect from them, as they held me less rudely than before,
and no longer amused themselves by twisting the handkerchief, Thug
fashion, round my gullet.

My uncle looked calmly at the smuggler and answered, "I came on shore in
pursuit of my lawful duty, to apprehend you, or any others, breaking the
revenue laws. Further than that, I have no feeling of ill-will against
you, or any of those connected with you."

"Very fine talking, Mr Lieutenant; but that won't do here. You came to
injure us; there's no doubt about that, from what you own yourself; and
you must take the consequences."

"You will suffer for it, if you injure me or any of my people!"
exclaimed my uncle, indignantly.

"We don't want to hurt any of your people; but you and that young cub of
an officer must be prepared to die this very night. Your man there we
don't intend to hurt; and he may, if he likes, join us, which he
probably will be glad enough to do; if not, we carry him away over the
water, far enough from this."

"No, that I won't, you cold-hearted scoundrels, you!" exclaimed Jack
Stretcher, vehemently. "My Commander there, I tell you, is a truer and
braver man than any one of you; and you to think of murdering him
because he is doing his duty, and that young innocent boy,