elf to make inquiries
about the galley, when a ring was heard at the gate, and Becky Bott, the
maid, came to say that blind Peter, the pedlar, wanted to see the
captain. Blind Peter with his dog Trusty traversed the country round,
selling needles, thread, tape, and such like small wares. Peter seldom
failed, when he required it, to obtain a crust of bread, and a piece of
cheese, and a glass of cider for himself, and a few bones for his dog.
He had always met with a kind reception at the tower, and seemed to have
taken a very great fancy to little Margery. "It's her sweet gentle
voice I love to hear," he said one day talking to Becky. "That's what
goes to my heart."

"What brings you here, Peter, at this time of night?" asked Captain
Askew, with some anxiety in his voice.

"I wish, captain, I could say it was pleasant news I've brought you, and
yet when there's evil it is better to know it, that we may find a
remedy," answered the blind man. "I wouldn't like to frighten the
missus though--but it's just this--Master Jack has been taken with Bill
Starling, Bob Herring, and a lot of other chaps, by the coastguards'
men, with a cargo of contraband, and they are all now on their way to
Mr Ludlow's. He's long been wishing for such a haul, and he'll commit
one and all of them to prison, and Master Jack too, if you don't go and
bail him out."

Peter's news caused a considerable amount of anxiety, for Mr Ludlow's
stern character was well known. However, the only thing to be done was
to set off immediately to see him. Fortunately the post-chaise which
brought Captain Summers was still at the public-house in the village,
and the postboy sufficiently sober to undertake to drive to the hall.
The two captains found Mr Ludlow seated in magisterial state, with the
prisoners before him, making out their committal for trial.

"I am very sorry for this, Captain Askew, very sorry," he remarked, as
they were introduced. "The case is clear against all the party, and
your son was with them. He is young, and may have been led astray by
others, but a severe example is necessary, and he must suffer with the
rest. He will be sent to prison for a year, or to sea in a ship of
war." In vain Captain Askew and his friend pleaded for Jack. Mr
Ludlow would not listen to their explanations. Captain Summers, as a
last resource, offered to take Jack away with him to sea, and, to his
surprise, Mr Ludlow at once agreed to the proposal. Jack