my exploring expeditions in the dark. The revenue-men were well
satisfied with their haul, as they called it, though they had thought
that it was possible they might find some articles of value.

As I was anxious to return home to relieve the anxiety of my father and
mother, I begged the chief boatman to let me do so at once.

"We cannot let you go alone; some of these smugglers might meet you and
give you a clout on the head for having shown us their hiding-place.
Wait a bit until I can send one of the men with you. We must first get
these casks up. We can't spare a hand at present, as one of the men
must go on to the station to give information of our find, and to
procure some carts for carrying the things away."

In hunting about the men had discovered a coil of rope and some blocks,
which had evidently been used for lowering the casks into the vault.
The seamen were not long in fitting up a tackle to hoist them out.
While one of the men was sent off as proposed, the rest worked away with
a will. In a short time the chief contents of the vault were hoisted up
and rolled outside.

"Here's a job for you, my lad," said the chief boatman. "You stay by
these things, and give us notice if you see any suspicious characters
coming, while we get up the remainder."

This task I gladly undertook, for I was heartily sick of the vault where
I had spent so many unpleasant hours, and glad to breathe the fresh air
outside. I sat down on the cask, nibbling away at some of the contents
of the basket, for my appetite had returned. At last a drowsiness stole
over me, and slipping off the cask, against which I placed my back, I
fell fast asleep. I was awakened by hearing some one shouting, and
looking up I saw a person running towards me. I sprang to my feet, when
what was my surprise to see my father, who rushed forward, and at the
joy of seeing him I leaped into his arms.

"Why, Dick, my boy," he exclaimed, "we have been in fearful anxiety
about you. How have you got into this plight? Where have you been?
What has happened?"

I answered him as fast as I could.

"I won't find fault with you now, though you had no business to steal
out of the house at night. You have had a narrow escape. Though the
ruffians who carried you off and put you into the vault might not have
intended to leave you to starve, they most probably would have been
unable to return. Several have been captured, and so hot is the hue and
cry after