a-dozen
fierce smugglers or so, and he felt somewhat disappointed at the
inactive part he was called on to play. From the words Polly had
dropped he guessed that the cottage was the one inhabited by old Dame
Herring, who was looked upon by the inhabitants of the country for miles
round as a witch, and known to be a very bad character. She took
advantage of her evil reputation, and practised on the credulity of the
people. It is not necessary to mention her bad practices. A few years
before she would very probably have been burnt as a witch; she now ran a
risk of being ducked in a horse-pond.

Polly seemed to be a long time absent. Tom had the gift of patience,
and was accustomed to wait, and so, though he was fully as anxious as
Charley to have Margery safe under his charge, he made no complaint; but
Charley began to lose patience, and to wonder what could have become of
Polly, contemplating even going to look for her. Those who have had
experience in life know that it is much more difficult to wait for an
event than to rush forward to meet it; passive courage is therefore
often the greatest. Still, when difficulties occur, the wisest course
is boldly to face them at once. To the eyes of the multitude the
soldier who rushes onward into the thickest of the fight may appear the
bravest, and yet he may be a positive coward, urged forward by despair.
The truly brave is he who can stand undaunted to meet the shock of the
onset. Charley had to wait and wait till his patience was taxed to the
utmost. At length his ear caught a light footstep approaching, and
Polly came up to him. "I couldn't get the little girl out, for she is
shut up in a room by herself," she whispered. "I had to wait till they
were all asleep, and then I crept out to tell you. Still, I think if
you are careful you may manage to get her. I will show you the window
of the room where she is shut up, and if you can climb in and awake her
without making any noise you may do it; but understand that there are
several men sleeping in the cottage with loaded pistols under their
heads, which they are very quick to use; and remember that the slightest
noise will alarm them. Come along, but you must wait ten minutes to let
me get into the cottage before you begin your business."

Charley and Tom, of course, promised to attend to Polly's injunctions,
and eagerly followed her through the garden to the back of the cottage.
She showed them the window, which