trong
party shall land. I'll lead them myself, and we'll try and surprise
them. It's quite likely that the signals I saw last night may mean
business for to-night. If so, we shall be on the spot."

"Won't you go at once?" Archy ventured to observe.

"No, certainly not; what would be the good? We would be watched, of
course, and the scoundrels would signal from hill to hill, and our every
step would be known. This evening, my lad, at dusk. Now, my lads, give
way."

The boat was rowed rapidly from under the shadow of the mighty cliff,
and the midshipman could not repress a shudder as he noticed how swiftly
the current ran right out to sea, and fully realised what would have
been the consequences to any one who had tried to swim along the coast
if he had managed to descend in safety to the cliff foot.

Back on board the cutter there was a fair amount of bustle and
excitement among the men, for, after months of unfruitful hanging about
the coast, chasing luggers which proved to be empty, following false
leads to get them off the scent or out of the way when contraband goods
were to be landed, here was genuine information at last, the smugglers
having, after such long immunity, placed themselves in the hands of the
King's men.

Consequently cutlasses were being filed up, pistols carefully examined
as to their flints and nicked off to see that they threw a good shower
of sparks into the pans, and the men sat and talked together as eagerly
as if they were about proceeding upon a pleasant jaunt, instead of upon
a risky expedition which might result in death to several, and certainly
would in serious injury.

"Yes," the lieutenant said, "rats will run away as long as they can, but
when driven to the end of their holes they will fight."

"But will they dare, do you think, sir?" said Archy.

"Dare! Yes, my lad. You had a bit of a taste of it the other night
when they were surprised in the lane. They will be more savage in their
holes, and therefore, as you are so young, I should like you to go with
the men, show them the way, and then leave them to do the work."

Archy stared at him.

"Yes: I mean it. Of course as an officer you cannot shrink from your
duty, but, as you are a mere boy, it is not your duty to go and fight
against strong men who are sure to get the better of you."

"But they are not all men there, sir," said the midshipman, with a look
of disappointment getting heavier in his face. "There's