I must have looked. The man
good-naturedly began to brush the flour off my clothes and hair, and one
of them lent me his handkerchief to wipe my face. They inquired what
had become of my jacket and waistcoat. I told them how the smugglers
had taken them from me.

"Perhaps the fellows may have hidden them somewhere about here. They
wouldn't like to have the things found on them. Jenkins and Brown, do
you go and search all round. Maybe we'll come upon another opening into
the vault."

The two men hurried off to obey the orders they had received, while the
others examined the mill; and the chief boatman sat by me fanning my
face, for he evidently thought me in a bad way. The time appeared very
long since the man had started for the provisions, but I believe he was
not absent many minutes. I was thankful when he returned, bringing a
basket with some eggs, and ham, and cheese, and some delicious bread,
and a bottle of milk. I fell to immediately like a hungry wolf, and
felt very much better by the time I had finished.

"We'll keep the remainder in case you want any more, my lad. And now we
must get you to show us the way into the vault," said the officer.

I was quite ready to do this, for I confess that I had a bitter feeling
against the smugglers on account of the treatment I had received. We
soon reached the trap which had been covered over by the sacks of flour.
The men looked down, not quite liking to descend into the darkness.
The spar by which I had got up was still in its place. I offered to go
down first, but this the chief boatman would not allow, and he and
another man at once lowered themselves to the bottom. It was, however,
so dark beyond the smaller vault, that they declared they could see
nothing, and they had to wait until a man was sent to the farm for a
lantern. We then too descended, but as the lantern only dimly lighted
up the vault, I could scarcely believe that it was the same place in
which I had spent so many hours. I had fancied that it was of immense
size and height, and crowded with piles of boxes, and bales, and casks.
Instead of this there were only a few old packing-cases, in one of which
I found I had been shut up. There were besides about a dozen bales,
most of them apparently damaged, and what the revenue-men considered of
more value, nearly half-a-hundred small casks of spirits, and some boxes
of tobacco. These had been covered over with planks. I had not felt
them on