THE SMUGGLER. 61 



many another. As to stopping this traffic, they are no more 

 good than so many old women!" 



" But you must get it all over before the rest come," replied 

 Mr. Radford, in an argumentative manner, taking hold of the 

 lappel of his companion's jacket; "there's no use of running 

 more risk than needful. And you must remember that we 

 have a long way to carry the goods after they are landed. 

 Then is the most dangerous time." 



"I don't know that," said Harding; "but, however, you 

 must provide for that, and must also look out for hides* for 

 the things. I won't have any of them down with me; and 

 when I have landed them safely, though I don't mind giving 

 a help to bring them a little way inland, I won't be answerable 

 for anything more." 



"No, no; that's all settled," answered his companion; 

 " and the hides are all ready, too. Some can come into my 

 stable, others can be carried up to the willow cave. Then 

 there's Sir Robert's great barn." 



"Will Sir Robert consent?" asked Harding, in a doubtful 

 tone. "Pie would never have anything to do with these 

 matters himself, and was always devilish hard upon us. I 

 remember he sent my father to gaol ten years ago, when I 

 was a youngster." 



" He must consent," replied Radford, sternly; " he dare as 

 soon refuse me as cut off his right hand, I tell you, Harding, 

 I have got him in a vice, and one turn of the lever will make 

 him cry for mercy when I like. But no more of him. I shall 

 use his barn as if it were my own; and it is in the middle of 

 the wood, you know, so that it's out of sight. But even if it 

 were not for that, we've got many another place. Thank 

 heaven, there are no want of hides in this county!" 



" Ay, but the worst of dry goods, and things of that kind," 

 rejoined the smuggler, "is that they spoil with a little wet, so 

 that one can't sink them in a cut or a canal till they are 

 wanted, as one can do with tubs. "Who do you intend to 

 send down for them? That's one thing I must know." 



"Oh! whoever comes, my son will be with them," an- 

 swered Mr. Radford, "As to who the others will be, I can- 



* It may be as well to explain to the uninitiated reader, that the 

 secret places where smugglers conceal their goods after landing, are 

 known by the name of "hides." 



