210 THE SMUGGLER. 



brandy, issuing from any hovel door that happened to open as 

 they passed. But the two officers did not judge it expedient 

 to go forth ; for it was late, they were warm and comfortable 

 where they were, a good bowl of punch stood before them, and 

 one of them, as he ladled out the exhilarating liquor to the 

 other, remarked, with philosophical sagacity, ''It's such a 

 foggy night; who the deuce could see anything on the water 

 even if they went to look for it?" 



The other laughed with a meaning wink of his eye, and 

 perfectly agreed in the justice of his companion's observation. 

 "Well, we must go out, Jim, about twelve," he said, "just 

 to let old Mowle see that we are looking about ; but you can 

 go down to High Nook, and I can pretend I heard something 

 suspicious in the Marsh, farther up. Otherwise, we shall be 

 broke, to a certainty." 



" I don't care if I am broke," answered the other. "I've 

 got all that I want now, and can set up a shop." 



" Well, I should like to hold on a little longer,'' replied his > 

 more prudent companion; "and besides, if they found us out, 

 they might do worse than discharge us." 



"But how the deuce should they find us otft?" asked the 

 other. "Nobody saw me speak to the old gentleman; and 

 nobody saw you. I didn't; nor did you see me. So we can 

 say nothing, and nobody else can say anything; I shan't 

 budge." 



"Well, I shall 1" said the other. "'Tis but a walk; and 

 you know quite well, Jim, that if we keep to the westward, 

 it's all safe." 



It was evident to the last speaker that his comrade had 

 drunk quite enough punch; but still they went on till tho 

 bowl was finished ; and then, the one going out, the other did 

 not choose to remain, but issued forth also, cursing and growl- 

 ing as he went. The murmur of a good many voices to the 

 eastward of Dymchurch saluted their ears the moment they 

 quitted the house; but that sound only induced them to hasten 

 their steps in the opposite direction. 



The noise which produced this effect upon the officers had 

 also been heard by another person, who was keeping his soli- 

 tary watch on the low shore, three or four hundred yards from 

 the village, and to him it was a pleasant sound. He had been 

 cm the look-out there for nearly two hours; and no sight had 



