sheltered from the light breeze which blew off the land. I
had been on foot all day since early dawn, and very naturally became
drowsy. Instead of at once jumping up I sat on, and in consequence fell
fast asleep. When I awoke I found that the sun had set, and that the
daylight was fast departing. I was just going to get up, when I heard
voices proceeding from the inside of the barn. Though not intending to
play the part of an eavesdropper, I could not help listening to what
they said. The men spoke in low voices, so that I didn't catch
everything, but I heard enough to convince me that the speakers were
smugglers arranging a spot where a cargo was to be run the first night
when there would be no moon, and the wind blowing off shore. As far as
I could make out, it was to be close to where I then was. Below me was
a little sandy bay, where the boats could come ashore even should there
be a heavy sea running outside.

One of the speakers, whom I knew to be Ned Burden, lived in a cottage
hard by, and he was to show a light in his window should the coast be
clear. At present the weather was far too favourable for their purpose,
but they counted on a change in four or five days. At last I heard them
fix on the following Wednesday. I was afraid of moving lest the
smugglers should hear me, and I knew that if they discovered my
whereabout they would look upon me as a spy, especially as everybody was
aware of the way my father, had been speaking against smuggling. Still
they went on talking, and I heard some more of their designs.

In order to draw off the Revenue-men from the spot, it was proposed to
set one or two hayricks on fire at a large farm near Sandgate, when it
was supposed that they would collect to try and extinguish the flames,
so as to prevent the fire communicating with the other surrounding
ricks. As this was sure to be no easy work, it was calculated that the
smugglers would have time to run the cargo, and carry the goods away
into the interior. It was an opportunity I had long been looking for.
I could now, by giving the information I possessed, secure the favour of
Sir Reginald, and thus induce him to further my object. I sat on,
scarcely daring to breathe, lest I should be heard, and heartily wishing
that the men would go away. They had evidently, however, met there for
the purpose of discussing various subjects. Ned Burden probably didn't
wish to go far from home, and apparently was unwillin