on the one
hand, that if the gale continued to increase, it would be necessary to
run for the nearest place of safety; and he felt, on the other hand,
that if he did not succeed in landing the goods at Fiddler's Cave, there
would be small chance of his getting them ashore at all.

"There's the glim," cried one of the men.

"All right! up with a bit o' the sail," said Long Orrick, seizing the
tiller from the man who held it.

In a second or two they were driving before the wind straight for the
shore. With such a stiff breeze the boat was soon close to the
breakers, and now the utmost care was necessary in order to prevent it
from broaching-to and being capsized. No anxiety was felt, however, by
the crew of the little craft. Deal boatmen are noted for their
expertness in beaching their boats and in putting off to sea in rough
weather, and the man who held the tiller of the little boat which danced
on the white crests of the waves that night had many and many a time
come through such trifling danger scatheless.

"Look out, Bill," cried Orrick, as the thunder of the waves on the beach
sounded in his ears, and the great chalk cliffs rose up, ghostlike and
dim, before him. To one unaccustomed to such scenes it might have
appeared an act of madness to run ashore on such a night. But the
danger was not so great as it seemed.

The man at the bow stood ready with a boat-hook. In a moment the keel
grated on the shingle. Instantly the men were over the side, and the
boat was hauled up the beach.

"Now, then, for the tubs. Make for the cave straight. Rodney Nick will
be here in a minute. Ah, here he comes! Well, Rodney, we've done it
pretty smart," said Long Orrick, wading with a keg of brandy towards a
figure which approached him from the beach. "Here you are! there's lots
more of 'em. We're in luck. Look alive. The coast's clear, I
suppose?"

"Hall right," said the dark figure in a hoarse whisper, which terminated
in a low chuckle, as Long Orrick placed the keg innocently in the arms
of old Coleman and returned to the boat for more!

It may be as well to remark here--in order to clear up this mystery--
that although Coleman had not observed the flash of Rodney Nick's
lantern, his sharp eye had observed the gleam of the light in the boat,
when one of the men, as already mentioned, threw it on the face of his
timepiece.

Supposing, erroneously, that this latter was a signal to the shore,
Coleman, neverth