THE SMUGGLER. 199 



floating. High up over his neck, and round his chin, he tied 

 a large blue handkerchief, and when thus completely accoutred, 

 gave himself a glance in the glass, saying, " I don't think I 

 should know myself." 



He seemed considerably re-assured at finding himself so 

 completely disguised; and then looking at his watch, and per- 

 ceiving that the hour named for the meeting was approaching, 

 he put a brace of pistols in his breast, where they could be 

 easily reached through the opening in front of the smock- 

 frock. 



He had already reached the door, when something seemed 

 to strike him; and saying to himself, "Well, there's no know- 

 ing'what may happen ! Its better to prepare against anything," 

 he turned back to his sitting-room, and wrote down on a sheet 

 of paper : 



"Sir I am gone up to see what they are about. If I 

 should not be back by eleven, you may be sure they have 

 caught me, arid then you must do your best with Birchett 

 and the others. If I get off, I'll call in as. I come back, and 

 let you know. 



" Sir, your very obedient servant, 



" WILLIAM MOWLE." 



As soon as this was done, he folded the note up, addressed 

 and sealed it; and then, blowing the light out, he called an 

 old female servant who had lived in his house for many years, 

 and whom he now directed to carry the epistle to the colonel 

 of dragoons who was up at the inn, adding that she was to 

 deliver it with her own hand. 



The old woman took it at once; and knowing well how 

 usual it was for the custom-house officers to disguise their per- 

 sons in various ways, she took no notice of the strange change 

 in Mr. Mowle's appearance, though it was so complete that it 

 could not well escape her eyes, even in the darkness which 

 reigned throughout the house. 



This having been all arranged, and the maid on her way to 

 convey the letter, Mowle himself walked slowly forward through 

 the long narrow lanes at the back of the town, and along the 

 path up towards Saltwood. It was dusk when he set out, but 

 not yet quite dark; and as he went he met two people of the 



