THE SMUGGLER. 179 



" Ay, that they did, granny," replied the boy, with a look 

 of simplicity; " and when I went to the tap of the Dragon to 

 get twopenn'orth, I heard the landlord say that Mowle was up 

 with the dragoon colonel, telling him all about the fine morn- 

 ing's work they had made." 



"Devilish fine, indeed!'' cried Ned Ramley. "Why they 

 did not get one quarter of the things; and if we can save a 

 third, that's enough to pay very well, I can tell them." 



"No, no! they know nothing as yet," continued the old 

 woman, with a sapient shake of the head ; " I can't say what 

 they may hear before to-morrow night; but, if they do hear 

 any thing, I know where it will come from, that's all. People 

 may be blind if they like; but Fin not, that's one thing." 



"No, no! you see sharp enough, Galley Ray," answered 

 the major. " But hark, is not that the sound of a horse com- 

 ing down?" 



All the men started up; and some one exclaimed, "I 

 shouldn't wonder if it were Mowle himself. He's always 

 spying about.'' 



" If it is, I'll blow his brains out," said Ned Ramley, 

 motioning to the rest to make their way into the room 

 behind. 



" Ay, you had best, I think, Neddy," said Galley Ray, in 

 a quiet, considerate tone, answering his rash threat as coolly 

 as if she had been speaking of the catching of a trout. 

 " You'll have him here all snug, and may never get such 

 another chance. 'Dead men tell no tales,' Neddy. But, get 

 back; 'tis a horse, sure enough! You can take your own 

 time, if you go in there." 



The young man retreated ; and bending down her lips to 

 the boy's ear, the old witch inquired in a whisper, " Is t'other 

 door locked, and the window fast?" 



"Yes," said the boy, in the same tone; " and the key hid 

 in the sacking." 



"Then if there are enough to take 'em," murmured Gaily 

 Ray to herself; "take 'em they shall! If there's no one but 

 Mowle, he must go: that's clear. Stretch out that bit o'sail, 

 boy, to catch the blood." 



But before the boy could obey her whisper, the doo/ of the 

 hut was thrown open ; and instead of Mowle there appeared 

 the figure of Richard Radford. 



