them, over the downs in the direction of the sea. The night was so far obscure, that objects at any distance were but very imperfectly visible. It was calm and serene, however, and the sound of the guns, coming from time to time full on the ear, served as a guide to their steps.

pery.

As they were hurrying on, their attention was suddenly arrested by the trampling of horses, and the confused clamour of voices, and in the imperfect light, they perceived a horseman advancing, bearing behind him something resembling a human figure, much enveloped in draThe horse was galloping as fast as possible under his double load, but the rider spurred him on, as if to force him to greater exertions. Beside him rode a taller man, and three or four others followed at different distances, as the speed or strength of their horses enabled them. Their course was from the shore, and so intent were they upon flight, that they did not perceive Cleaver and his attendants till they were almost upon them.

Ah! per

Dio!" said the leader to his companion, "'tis all over for the present. Sangue di San Gennaro! how unlucky we have been!

-but an hour sooner, and we might have been off in spite of that Doganiere."

66

"A thousand curses on him!" said the other. "Oh my poor ship!-well!-but hush, here are people."

"To the left!" exclaimed the leader.

This order was obeyed as soon as given. The leaders and the stragglers of the troop darted instantly off to the left. As they fled, some faint female shrieks reached them. Cleaver shouted to them with the voice of a Stentor; but they heeded him not. They passed away like a whirlwind, and, in a few moments, even the sound of their horses' feet was entirely lost.

"Who could those queer fellows be?" said Cleaver to the groom.

"Honest fouk, I'se warrant, Sir, wha ride wi’ a keg o' brandy now an' then," replied Thomas. "By my troth, yon foremost chield was weil mounted!-Keep us a'! how he leathered awa' upon yon black naig !—an' wi' a hizzy ahint him too!"

"Who could the woman be ?" said Cleaver; "she seemed to ride with no good will."

"Faith, I daursay she's some o' their ain kind

o' cattle, nae great things!-I wadna free her to be a wee skier wi' ower muckle drink!"

The reports of the guns continued to come thicker upon them at intervals, the sound being louder also as they rose over the intervening high grounds. They hastened on, and soon reached the summit of the cliffs. There they looked out, over the sea, rendered visible to a considerable extent, by that dim species of light often reflected at night from the surface of a sheet of water, when all around it is obscure.

The shadowy forms of two vessels were perceptible at some distance in the offing; and the flashes proceeding from the renewed discharge of their guns, gave them such momentary illumination, as enabled Cleaver immediately to decide, that one of them was manoeuvring to get out from the embarrassment of the land, so as to ef fect her escape, whilst the other was endeavouring to prevent her doing so, by running athwart her course. The cannon-shots were fired as each came within range of the other.

"It is a King's cutter attacking a smuggler,” said Cleaver. "I wish I were on board the little Dasher!"

He looked towards the bay, upon the bosom of which his yacht still seemed to repose in peace.

"Aye, aye! she's safe enough I see," said he; "there she lies, like a tame duck upon a millpond. I'll try and get aboard of her, that I may see some of the sport.-But hay!" said he, as he looked again, "why, what the devil are they about, think ye, Bill?—I see something white yonder, as if they were hoisting the sails!-By Jupiter they are moving !"

A flash from the guns of the vessels engaged, now showed that the Dasher was certainly getting under weigh.

"The scoundrels !" cried Cleaver, in a rage, "why did they not send for me?—would I were on board of her!-would I could find a boat!" and then clapping a hand on each cheek, as if he could have been heard, "Illy-ho-ho-hoah-oy!" cried he, "send the boat ashore for me!"

But he might have as well roared to the man in the moon. The little Dasher gallantly cut the waves, as if with the intention of shooting. ahead of the innermost of the two vessels.

Cleaver was in an ecstasy not to be conceived. Divided between the delight he experienced in

seeing his yacht behaving in so brave a manner, and the rage he felt at being cut off from all chance of participating in her glory, he shouted and stormed by turns.

"Bravo! bravo! well done, my brave boys -Oh ye lubbers! why did ye not send for me? -That's it!-up with your little gaff!-hurrah! now she sends!-Oh! you rascal, Jack Markham, I'll never forgive you for this!-Hurrah! now they are closing upon the beggarly scoundrel!-Well done, my dear boy Jack! I'll have you made a master for this, but oh! ye swab, why did ye not send for me?"

The smuggler,

What Cleaver said was true. for smuggler she undoubtedly was, having in one of her tacks run in shore, for the purpose of taking a larger reach out, with the intention of getting beyond the cutter, ventured too much under the lee of a high headland, and, as the wind was partly off shore, it immediately becalmed her, and whilst the cutter was standing in upon her, the yacht was running right across her stern, and already fired several shots at her in passing. One of these knocked away her