the raging breakers, and speeds forth on his errand of
mercy over the black and stormy sea with as much hearty satisfaction as
if he were hasting to his bridal, instead of, as is too often the case,
to his doom.

Near the north end of Deal beach, not very far from the ruins of Sandown
Castle, there stood an upturned boat, which served its owner as a hut or
shelter whence he could sit and scan the sea. This hut or hovel was a
roomy and snug enough place even in rough weather, and although intended
chiefly as a place of out-look, it nevertheless had sundry conveniences
which made it little short of a veritable habitation. Among these were
a small stove and a swinging oil lamp which, when lighted, filled the
interior with a ruddy glow that quite warmed one to look at. A low door
at one end of the hovel faced the sea, and there was a small square hole
or window beside it, through which the end of a telescope generally
protruded, for the owners of the hovel spent most of their idle time in
taking observations of the sea. There was a bench on either side of the
hut which was lumbered with a confused mass of spars, sails,
sou'westers, oil-skin coats and trousers; buoys, sea-chests, rudders,
tar-barrels, and telescopes.

This hovel belonged jointly to old Jeph and Captain Bluenose. Bax had
shared it with them before he was appointed to the command of the
"Nancy." In the olden time the owners of these nautical huts dwelt in
them, hence the name of "hoveller" which is used at the present day.
But with the progress of civilisation the hovellers have come to reside
in cottages, and only regard the hovels as their places of business.
Hovellers, as a class, do little else than go off to ships in distress
and to wrecks; in which dangerous occupation they are successful in
annually saving much property and many human lives. Their livelihood
from salvage, as may be supposed, is very precarious. Sometimes they
are "flush of cash," at other times reduced to a low enough ebb. In
such circumstances it almost invariably follows that men are
improvident.

Not many years ago the hovellers were notorious smugglers. Many a bold
deed and wild reckless venture was made on Deal beach in days of old by
these fellows, in their efforts to supply the country with French lace,
and brandy, and tobacco, at a low price! Most of the old houses in Deal
are full of mysterious cellars, and invisible places of concealment in
walls, and beams, and