THE SMUGGLER. 2 1 7 



longer immediately before their eyes, they were like schoolboys 

 in the master's absence, and careless of the consequences which 

 they did not see. Twice Harding said, in a low voice, "I 

 hear them again to the east, there!" and twice young Radford 

 urged his men to a quicker pace ; but many of them had come 

 far, horses and men were tired, every one considered that as 

 the goods were safely landed, and no opposition shown, the 

 battle was more than half won ; and all forgot the warning of 

 the day before, as man ever forgets the chastisements which 

 are inflicted by Heaven for his good, and falls the next day 

 into the very same errors, for the reproof of which they were 

 sent. 



"Now," said Harding, as they approached the spot where 

 the Marsh road opened upon the highway to Bonnington, 

 " spread some of your men out on the right and left, Mr. 

 Radford, to keep you clear in case the enemy wish to make 

 an attack. Your people can easily close in, and follow quickly, 

 as soon as the rest have passed." 



"If they do make an attack," thought young Radford, 

 "your head shall be the first I send a ball through;" but the 

 advice was too judicious to be neglected, and he accordingly 

 gave orders to Ned Ramley and the major, with ten men each, 

 to go one or two hundred yards on the road towards Bilsing- 

 ton on the one hand, and Hurst on the other, and see that all 

 was safe. A little confusion ensued, as was but natural in so 

 badly disciplined a body; and in the mean while the laden 

 horses advanced along the road straight into the heart of the 

 country, while Richard Radford, with the greater part of his 

 mounted men, paused to support either of his parties in case 

 of attack. He said something in a low voice regarding the 

 money to Harding, who replied abruptly, " There, never mind 

 about that; only look out, and get off as quickly as you can. 

 You are safe enough now, I think; so good night." 



Thus saying, he turned, and with the six or eight stout 

 fellows who accompanied him, trod his way back into the 

 Marsh. What passed through young Radford 's brain at that 

 moment it may be needless to dwell upon ; but Harding escaped 

 a peril that he little dreamed of, solely by the risk of ruin to 

 the whole scheme, which a brawl at that spot and moment 

 must have entailed. 



The men who had been detached to the riirht advanced 



