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peated once or twice, with some mention of Woodchurch and 

 the road by Red Brooke Street. The order was then given 

 to mount, and march ; and Mowle remarked that four troopers 

 rode off at a quick pace before the rest. 



" Now, Mr. Mowle, we shall want you with us, if you 

 please," said Captain Irby, in a civil tone. " Where is your 

 horse ? ' ' 



" Horse! I have got none;" answered the officer of customs, 

 a good deal piqued ; " did I not say that I have been a prisoner 

 with the smugglers for the last five hours? and as to my going 

 with you, sir, I see no use I can be of, if you do not choose to 

 do what I require, or follow my advice." 



" Oh, the greatest, the greatest!" replied the young officer, 

 without losing his temper for an instant; " and as to a horse, 

 we will soon supply you." 



An order was immediately given ; and in three minutes the 

 horse of a dragoon officer, fully caparisoned, was led up to 

 Mowle 's side, who, after a moment's hesitation, mounted, and 

 rode on with the troop. It must not be denied that he was 

 anything but satisfied, not alone because he thought that he 

 was not treated with sufficient deference; although, having for 

 years been accustomed to be obeyed implicitly by the small 

 parties of dragoons which had been previously sent down to 

 aid the customs, it did seem to him very strange that his 

 opinions should go for nought; but also because he feared that 

 the public service would suffer, and that the obstinacy, as he 

 called it, of the young officer, would enable the smugglers to 

 escape. Still more was his anxiety and indignation raised, 

 when he perceived the slow pace at which the young officer 

 proceeded, and that instead of taking the road which he had 

 pointed out, the party kept the Priory Wood on the right 

 hand, bearing away from Chequer-tree, to which he had 

 assured himself that Richard Radford and his party were 

 tending. 



He saw that many precautions were taken, however, which, 

 attributing them at first to a design of guarding against sur- 

 prise, he thought quite unnecessary. Two dragoons were 

 thrown forward at a considerable distance before the head of 

 the troop ; a single private followed about twenty yards behind 

 them; two more succeeded, and then another, and last came 

 Captain Irby himself, keeping Mr. Mowle by his side. From 



