position--My father receives a threatening letter--Aunt Deb decides on
action--Preparations for my departure--The journey in the coach--Our
fellow-travellers--A false alarm--My aunt's character further comes
out--Our arrival at Liverpool--Our reception--Mr Butterfield--I
explore Liverpool--My first visit to the "Emu"--I gain some
information--I lose my way--Aunt Deb's anxiety on my account--A small
difficulty well got out of--I pay another visit to the "Emu"--My ideas
as to officers and seamanship receive a somewhat rude check--I make
the acquaintance of Gregory Growles--I lose my cutter--"Thief!
Thief!"--I speak to Mr Butterfield as to my going to sea--His
opinions on the subject--He makes me a kind offer--Matters still
unsettled--A reference to Aunt Deb.

My father supported me as we walked home; for, now that the excitement
was over, I felt so exhausted that without his assistance I could not
have got along. Before we had got far, however, we fortunately fell in
with some of the people who had been sent by my father to look for me.
They, taking me in their arms, saved me from the necessity of making
further exertions. As we went on we met several seafaring men, boatmen
and others, who I thought scowled at me as I passed.

The news of the capture of the goods having got abroad, it had been
reported that I had given the information. My mother and sisters
received me affectionately. To my satisfaction I found that Aunt Deb
was out in the village. On her return, having heard some account of my
adventures, looking at me sternly she said--

"Well, Master Richard; and so you have been continuing your foolish
pranks, and throwing us all out of our wits. Depend upon it, nephew,
you'll come to a bad end if you don't manage to act with more discretion
during your future course in life."

I felt too tired just then to reply to Aunt Deb's remarks as I should
have liked to do. I merely said--

"I could not help being carried off by the smugglers; and as I have been
the means of getting a good many of them captured, and also of enabling
the revenue-men to seize their stores, I hope that Sir Reginald will now
feel anxious to reward me by obtaining for me the appointment I have so
long wished for."

"If it suits Sir Reginald's convenience he may do so," said my aunt.
"We shall see; we shall see."

I had to give an account of my adventures to every one in the house, and
I was very thankful when I