THE SMUGGLER. 211 



he seen, nor sound had he heard, but the water coming up as 

 the tide made, and every now and then driving him further 

 back to avoid the ripple of the wave. Two or three minutes 

 after a step could be distinguished; and some one gave a 

 whistle. 



The watcher whistled in return; and the next instant he 

 was joined by another person, somewhat taller than himself, 

 who inquired, "Have you heard anything of them yet?" 



"No, sir," answered the man, in a respectful tone. 

 " Everything has been as still and as sleepy as an old woman's 

 cat." 



" Then what the devil's the meaning of these fires all over 

 the country?" asked young Radford; for he it was who had 

 come down. 



"Fires, sir?" said the man. "Why they were to light 

 one upon Tolsford Hill, when Harding sent up the rockets; 

 but I have heard of none but that, and have seen none at all." 



" Why, they are blazing all over the country," cried young 

 Radford, " from Tolsford to Dungeness. If it's any of our 

 people that have done it they must be mad." 



*' Well, if they have lighted the one at Tolsford," answered 

 the man, " we shall soon have Tom Ilazlewood down to tell 

 us more ; for he was to set off and gallop as fast as possible, 

 whenever he saw anything." 



Young Radford made no reply, but stood musing in silence 

 for two or three minutes; and then starting, he exclaimed, 

 " Harkl wasn't that a cheer from the sea?" 



"I did'nt hear it," answered the man; " but I thought I 

 heard some one riding." 



Young Radford listened ; but all seemed still for a momenf, 

 till, coming upon harder ground, a horse's feet sounded dL- 

 tinctly. 



" Tom Hazlewood, I think," cried Radford. " Run up, ai.d 

 see, Billl" 



"He'll come straight down here, sir," replied the man; 

 " he knows where to find me." And almost as he spoke, a 

 man on horseback galloped up, saying, "They must be well in 

 shore now." 



"Who the devil lighted all those fires?" exclaimed young 

 Radford. " Why they will alarm the whole country!" 



" I don't know, sir,'' answered the man on horseback. " I 



