242 THE SMUGGLER. 



share, if any, in such things, and were quite willing to aid the 

 soldiers in securing the prisoners, till they could be marched 

 off .to prison. 



The first excitement had subsided before noon, but still, 

 from time to time some little bustle took place : a prisoner was 

 caught and brought in, and carried to the public-house where 

 the colonel had established himself; an orderly galloped 

 through the street; messengers came and went; and four or 

 five soldiers, with their horses ready saddled, remained be- 

 fore the door of the inn, ready, at a moment's notice, for any 

 event. The commanding officer did not appear at all beyond 

 the doors of his temporary abode, but continued writing, 

 giving orders, examining the prisoners, and those w r ho brought 

 them, in the same room which he had entered when first he 

 arrived. As few of the people of the place had seen him, a 

 good deal of curiosity was excited by his quietness and reserve. 

 It was whispered amongst the women that he was the hand- 

 somest man ever seen ; and the men said he was a very fine 

 fellow, and ought to be made a general of. The barmaid com- 

 municated to her intimate friends, that when he took off his 

 cloak, she had seen a star upon the breast of his coat; and 

 that her master seemed to know more of him, if he liked to 

 tell ; but the landlord was as silent as a mouse. 



These circumstances, however, kept up a little crowd before 

 the entrance of the inn, consisting of persons anxious to be- 

 hold the hero of the day; and just at the hour of two, the 

 carriage of Mr. Croyland rolled in, through the people, at the 

 usual slow and deliberate pace to which that gentleman accus- 

 tomed his carriage horses. 



The large heavy door of the large heavy vehicle was opened 

 by the two servants who accompanied it ; and out stepped Mr. 

 Croyland, with his back as straight and stiff as a poker, and 

 his gold-headed cane in his hand. The landlord, at the sight 

 of an equipage which he well knew, came out in haste, bowing 

 low, and welcoming Mr. Croyland in the hearty good old 

 style. The nabob himself unbent a little to his friend of the 

 inn, and after asking him how he did, and bestowing a word 

 or two on the state of the weather, proceeded to say: " And 

 now, Miles, I wish to speak a word or two with Captain 

 Osborn, who is in your house, I believe." 



" No, Mr. Croyland," replied the landlord, looking at the 



