136 THE SMUGGLER. 



We shall want you. Your known impartiality will give weight 

 to our decisions, whatever they may be." 



The baronet sat down again, but evidently with so much 

 unwillingness, that his brethren marvelled not a little at this 

 fresh instance of the influence which Mr. Radford exerted over 

 his mind. 



44 Who is the next prisoner, Mr. Mowle?" demanded Sir 

 Robert Croyland, as soon as he had resumed his seat. 



"Mr. Richard Radford, I suppose, sir," said Mowle; "but 

 these two men are not disposed of." 



" Well, then," said Mr. Jollivet, who was very well inclined 

 to commence a career of lenity, " as no proof has been given 

 that this is the second offence, I think we must send them 

 both for a month. That seems to me the utmost we can do." 



The other magistrates concurred in this decision, and the 

 prisoners were ordered to be removed; but ere they went, the 

 one against whom the officers had most seriously pressed their 

 charge, turned round towards the bench, exclaiming, in a gay 

 tone: "Thank you, Squire Jollyboat. Your worship shall 

 have a chest of tea for this before I'm out a fortnight." 



A roar of laughter ran round the magistrates, for such 

 matters were as indecently carried on in those days, on almost 

 all occasions, as they sometimes are now; and in a moment or 

 two after, young Radford was brought in, with a dark scowl 

 upon his brow. 



" How is this, Dick?" cried his father. " Have you been 

 dabbling in a run, and suffered yourself to be caught?" 



"Let these vagabonds make their accusation, and bring 

 their witnesses," replied the young man, sullenly, "and then 

 I'll speak for myself." 



" Well, your worships," said Mowle, coming forward, " the 

 facts are simply these: I have long had information that goods 

 were to be run about this time, and that Mr. Radford had 

 some share in the matter. Last night, a large quantity of 

 goods were landed in the Marsh, though I had been told it 

 was to be near about Sandgate, or between that and Hythe, 

 and was consequently on the look-out there. As soon as I 

 got intimation, however, that the run had been effected, 1 got 

 together as many men as I could, sent for a party of dragoons 

 from Folkestone, and, knowing pretty well which way they 

 would take, came across by Aldington, Broadoak and Kings- 



