THE SMUGGLER. 425 



though very blasphemous expletives were then tolerated in 

 what was called the best society, and were prevalent amongst 

 all the inferior classes, he proceeded to read the few lines 

 which the letter contained, and which something, perhaps the 

 emotions he felt, had prevented him from seeing distinctly at 

 first. 



The epistle was, as we have seen, addressed to no one, and 

 was drawn up, indeed, more in the form of a general notice 

 than anything else. Many, of nearly the same import, as was 

 afterwards discovered, has been delivered at various farm- 

 houses in the neighbourhood; but, as all were in substance 

 the same, one specimen will suffice. 



"We give you to know," so the letter ran, " that, unless 

 Edward llamley and his two comrades are set free before day- 

 light to-morrow, we will come to Goudhurst, and burn the 

 place. Neither man, woman, nor child, shall escape. We 

 are many, more than you think, and you know we will keep 

 our word. So look to it, if you would escape 



"VENGEANCE!" 



Harding approached the bed, with the letter in his hand, 

 gazed steadfastly upon the corpse for several minutes, and 

 then, without a word, quitted the room. He went straight 

 to the chamber which farmer Harris and his wife now occu- 

 pied, and knocked sharply at the door, exclaiming, " Harris, 

 Harris! I want to speak with you!" 



The good farmer was with difficulty roused; for though no 

 man felt more warmly, or, indeed, more vehemently, yet the 

 corporeal had its full share with the mental; and when the 

 body was fatigued with more than its ordinary portion of labour, 

 the mind did not keep the whole being waking. At length, 

 however, he came out, still drowsy, and taking the letter, 

 gazed on it by the light of the candle, "with lack-lustre eye!" 

 But Harding soon brought him to active consciousness, by 

 saying, " They threaten to burn the village, Harris, unless the 

 murderers be suffered to escape. I am going up to the church, 

 where they are kept. Wake some one to sit up stairs. 1 

 will die before a man of them goes out." 



"And so will I," cried Harris; "let me sec, let me sec! 



