THE SMUGGLERS 315 



As late as the year 1891 there was an old man living 

 in a neighbouring village who in his youth had been trans- 

 ported for smuggling. Another man at about the same 

 time, also transported, left his locked box at his master's, 

 who had it nailed down to the floor with hoop-iron. It 

 was never claimed. 



Now that the district has become so much more populous, 

 there are good roads whore formerly there was only the 

 roughest lane or forest track. The one in the picture has 

 only become a well-kept road within my recollection. 



When the country people discovered the hiding-place of 

 contraband goods, the result of a successful ' run,' it was 

 customary for the finder to put a chalk mark on a small 

 proportion of the number of articles. When the smugglers 

 went again to collect their kegs, the marked ones were left. 

 This was well understood as a bargain, in consideration of 

 the discovery not being reported. 



A squire, new to the country, came to live at a place 

 in the hills near Dorking in the early part of the nineteenth 

 century. One morning, before he was dressed, his valet 

 brought him an urgent message from the bailiff to say 

 that he Avished to see him. The master said he must wait, 

 as he was not dressed. The message came again, still more 

 pressingly worded. 



' Well, send the fellow up,' said the unfinished squire. 



The man came in with a mysterious air and watched 

 the servant out of the room, and then said in a hoarse half- 

 whisper : 'There ivas a run last night, sir, and I've marked 

 four.' 



