384 THE SMUGGLER. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



AFTER parting with Sir Edward Digby at Woodchurch, Henry 

 Layton had ridden on at a quick pace to Park-gate, and thence 

 along the high road, to Cranbrook. He himself was habited 

 in the undress of his regiment, though with pistols at his 

 saddle, and a heavy sword by his side. One of his servants 

 followed him similarly accoutred, and an orderly accompanied 

 the servant, while by the young officer's side appeared our 

 good friend Mr. Mowle, heavily armed, with the somewhat 

 anomalous equipments of a riding officer of customs in those 

 days. At a little distance behind this first group, came Cornet 

 Joyce, and his party of dragoons; and in this order they all 

 passed through Cranbrook, about nine o'clock; but a quarter 

 of a mile beyond the little town they halted, and Mowle rode 

 on for a short way alone, to the edge of Hangley Wood, 

 which was now close before them. There he dismounted, and 

 went in amongst the trees ; but he was not long absent, for in 

 less than five minutes he was by the colonel's side again. 

 "All's right, sir,'' he said, "the boy assures me that they 

 were all there still, at six this morning, and that their captain, 

 Radford, does not move till after dark, to-night. So now we 

 shall have the worst fellows amongst them: the two Ramleys 

 and all." 



" Well then," answered Layton, "you had better go on at 

 once with the party, keeping through the wood. I %-ill remain 

 behind, coming on slowly ; and if wanted, you will fmd me some- 

 where in the Hanger. Cornet Joyce has his orders in regard 

 to surrounding the house ; but of course he must act according 

 to circumstances." 



No more words were needed : the party of dragoons moved 

 on rapidly, with Mowle at their head; and Layton, after paus- 

 ing for a few minutes on the road, dismounted, and giving his 

 rein to the servant, walked slowly on into the wood, telling 

 the two men who accompanied him to follow. There was, at 



