THE SMUGGLER. 39 



where the roof of a house intercepted the view, was open before 

 Osborn 's eyes; yet neither upon the shore itself, nor upon the 

 green upland, which was broken by rocks and bushes, and 

 covered by thick dry grass, could he perceive anything resem- 

 bling a human form. A minute after, however, he thought 

 he saw something move against the rugged back-ground, and 

 the next moment, the head and shoulders of a man rising over 

 the edge of the hill caught his eyes, and as his companion 

 walked forward in silence, he inquired : 



" Have you known him long, or is this one of your sudden 

 judgments, my good friend?" 



"I knew him when he was a boy and a lad," answered 

 Warde; " I know him now that he is a man, so it is no sudden 

 judgment. Come, let us speak with him, Osborn;" and he 

 advanced rapidly by a narrow path up the side of tho slope. 



Osborn paused a single instant, and then followed, saying, 

 44 Be upon your guard, Warde, and remember how I am circum- 

 stanced. Neither commit me, nor let him commit himself." 



"Xo, no, fear not," answered his friend, " I am no smug- 

 gler, young man ;" and he strode on before, without pausing 

 for further consultation. As they climbed the hill, the figure 

 of the man of whom they had been speaking became more and 

 more distinct, while walking up and down upon a flat space at 

 the top of the first step or wave of ground ; he seemed to take 

 no notice of their approach. When they came nearer still he 

 paused, as if waiting for their coining; and the moon shining 

 full upon him, displayed his powerful form, standing in an at- 

 titude of easy grace, with the arms folded on the chest, and 

 the head slightly bent forward. He was not above the middle 

 height, but broad in the shoulders and long in the arm ; robust 

 and strong; every muscle was round and swelling, and yet not 

 heavy; for there was the appearance of great lightness and 

 activity in his whole figure, strangely combined with that of 

 vigour and power. His head was small, and well set upon his 

 shoulders ; and the very position in which he stood, the firm 

 planting of his feet on the ground, the motionless crossing of 

 his arm upon his breast, all seemed to argue to the mind of 

 Osborn, and he was one not unaccustomed to judge of charac- 

 ter by external signs, a strong and determined spirit, well 

 fitted for the rough and adventurous life which he had under- 

 taken. 



