THE SMUGGLER. 221 



taous ways and zig-zag paths, the smugglers descended into 

 Komney Marsh, and advanced rapidly towards Dymchurch. 

 Mowle was, perhaps, as brave and daring a man as any that 

 ever existed; but still the sensation of impending death can 

 never be very pleasant to a person in strong health, and well 

 contented with the earth on which he is placed ; and Mowle 

 felt all the disagreeable points in his situation, exactly as any 

 other man would do. It would not be just to him, however, 

 were we not to state, that many other considerations crossed 

 his mind, besides that of his own personal safety. The first of 

 these was his duty to the department of government which he 

 served ; and many a plan suggested itself fipr making his escape 

 here or there, in which he regarded the apprehension of the 

 smugglers, and the seizure of the goods that they were going 

 to escort into the country, fully as much as his own life. 



His friend the major, however, took means to frustrate all 

 such plans, and seemed equally careful to prevent Mr. Mowle 

 from effecting his object, and to guard against his being dis- 

 covered by the other smugglers. At every turn and corner, at 

 the crossing of every stream or cut, the major was by his side; 

 and yet once or twice he whispered a caution to him to keep out 

 of the way of the lights, more especially as they approached 

 Dymchurch. When they came near the shore, and a number of 

 men with lanterns issued forth to aid them from the various 

 cottages in the vicinity, he told Mowle to keep back with one 

 party, consisting of hands brought out of Sussex, who were 

 stationed in the rear with a troop of the horses. But at the 

 same time Mowle heard his compassionate friend direct two of 

 the men to keep a sharp eye upon him, as he was a stranger 

 of whom the leaders were not quite sure, adding an injunction 

 to blow his brains out at once, if he made the slightest move- 

 ment without orders. In the bustle and confusion which 

 ensued, during the landing of the smuggled goods and the 

 loading of the horses, Mowle once or twice encouraged a hope 

 that something would favour his escape. But the two men 

 strictly obeyed the orders they had received, remained close to 

 his side during more than an hour and a half, which was con- 

 sumed upon the beach, and never left him till he was rejoined 

 by the major, who told him to march on with the rest. 



"What's to come of this?" thought Mowle, as he proceeded, 

 " and what can the follow intend to do with me? If he drags 



