CHAP. xvi. CHANGES OF STATION. 243 



letterpress. Although he had never had a lesson in 

 drawing, he also endeavoured, to the best of his power, 

 to copy out all the engravings. By this and other 

 means, he laid the foundations of a great deal of know- 

 ledge of the lower forms of marine life, while carrying 

 on his humble office of mounted guard in the Eevenue 

 service along the northern coast of Norfolk. 



His business was to look after smugglers, and pre- 

 vent them landing their illicit goods at any part of the 

 coast. His work was done partly at night and partly 

 by day. He must be constantly on the alert. The 

 mounted guard were not allowed to remain long in one 

 place. After remaining at Sherringham for about two 

 years, Peach was removed to Hasboro. After a year's 

 service there, he was sent to Cromer ; then from Cromer 

 back to Cley, where he remained for two years. Here 

 he married, and entered upon a new career, that of 

 bringing up a family on small wages. But he met 

 every difficulty cheerfully. He was fond of home life, 

 and his wife helped to make his home happy. 



At Cley he was placed in charge of the station. He 

 superintended the look-out after smugglers, and he 

 did his duty carefully. Notwithstanding this, he was once 

 charged with having neglected it. A jack-in-office, an 

 Irish naval captain in command of the coast service 

 there, assembled the Coastguard before him, and charged 

 them all with being bribed by the smugglers. Peach 

 was justly indignant. He protested for himself and on 

 the part of his men that they were loyal and honest 

 servants of her Majesty, and he challenged the captain 



