t, the crews of the two
boats caught sight of a large lugger run ashore, and not twenty yards
away.

The lieutenant's orders to the gunner were short and sharp.

"Board her on the larboard side; I'll take this! Off; give way, my
lads! Close in; out cutlasses and up and have her!"

Softly as his whisper was uttered it was heard upon the lugger by the
watchful smugglers. A shrill whistle rang out; there was a rush of feet
to get back aboard, and men sprang to their arms.

But the _Kestrels_ were too close in this time. The boats were run one
on either side; the crews pulled out their cutlasses and sprang up,
racing as to who should be first on board; and after a short sharp
struggle the smugglers were beaten down, and the lugger was taken.

"Now, Waters, make sure of the prisoners, and don't trust them below!"
cried the lieutenant. "Come, my lads. Crew of the first boat head for
the shore."

"Would you like lanterns, sir?" said the gunner.

"What! to show the rascals where to shoot!" said the lieutenant. "No,
sir. We could take the lugger in the dark, and now we'll have the rest
of the gang and the cargo. Look here, my men," he said, turning to the
prisoners, "fifty pounds and a free pardon to the man who will act as
guide and show us the way to the place where the lugger's cargo has been
placed."

There was no answer.

"Do you hear there, my men? Don't be afraid to speak. Fifty pounds,
liberty, and my protection to the man who will act as guide."

Still no answer.

"A hundred pounds, then," said the lieutenant, eagerly.

"Come, be quick; there is no time to lose."

There was not the slightest notice taken of the offer.

"Look here," cried the lieutenant, "I promise you that the man who will
tell where the cargo is carried shall be amply protected."

Still no reply.

"Come, come, come!" cried the lieutenant; "who is going to earn this
money? There, time is valuable; I'll give two hundred pounds if we
capture the rest of the cargo."

"If you'll give me two hundred pounds I'll tell you where it is," said a
voice out of the darkness; and a groan and a hiss arose from the
prisoners.

"Bravo! my lad," cried the lieutenant. "I give you my word of honour
you shall have the two hundred pounds. Now, then; where is it? Which
way shall we go? Quick! where is it?"

"Where you and your lot won't never find it," said the man; and there
was a tremendous roar of laughter.

"Come, my lads," said