supper, and indulging in a carouse, of the materials for which
their calling afforded them an ample supply.

The smugglers were drinking when Peter went to sleep, and when he again
woke some were still at the table, and talking loudly and wildly, though
others had, apparently overcome by the liquor, dropped off to sleep.
They spoke as men do when the wine is in their heads, without fear or
caution. The wildest proposals were made to carry out their objects.
One man suggested that if they could get rid of their two principal
opponents, Mr Ludlow and Captain Askew, they would have no one to
interfere with them. The idea was taken up by others, who did not
scruple to talk of murder; though, tipsy as they were, when they spoke
of so awful a deed, they sank their voices so low that Peter did not
clearly hear all they said. His ear, however, caught one or two ominous
expressions, such as--"over the cliff," "sink him out at sea," "entice
him from the house," "the sooner the better." These words convinced him
that the speakers would not scruple to commit the most atrocious crime
if they fancied it would advance their interests. They made him also
very anxious to get away to warn those who were threatened of their
danger.

But how to get away was the question. He might fancy that no one was
observing him, and yet be watched the whole time. One thing he hoped
was that Herring and his associates, trusting to his blindness, fancied
that he did not know where he had been carried to, and that he could not
possibly get away. By degrees the speakers dropped off, and the loud
snores which came from the room showed that the occupants were mostly
asleep. He hoped that all might be so. Considering what he should do
kept him broad awake. He had not remained so long, when his attention
was drawn to a scratching under the window. The night was warm, and the
lattice had been left open. He went to the window and put out his hand,
and directly he did so he felt it licked by the tongue of his faithful
Trusty. He put down his hand still further, and calling the animal by
name, it leaped up and he was able to drag it in. Poor Trusty showed
his delight at meeting his master by jumping up and licking his face and
hands all over. "But can you help me out of this, good Trusty?" said
Peter, whispering in the dog's ear.

Trusty, as if he understood the meaning, immediately went to the window,
and leaped up on the sill.

"He thinks tha