STANCE" OF WAR.

The arrival of Ramsay and his party was so unexpected, that, at first,
Lady Barclay imagined they had been betrayed, and that the boat was
filled with armed men from the king's cutter, who had come on shore with
a view of forcing a entrance into the cave. In a minute every
preparation was made for defence; for it had long been arranged, that in
case of an unexpected attack, the women should make all the resistance
in their power, and which the nature of the place enabled them to do.

But, as many observed, the party, although coming from the cutter, and
not badly armed, did not appear to advance in a hostile manner. After
waiting some time near the boat, they advanced, each with a box on his
shoulder; but what those boxes might be was a puzzle; they might be
hand-grenades for throwing into the cave. However, they were soon down
to the rock at which the ladder was let down, and then Smallbones stood
up with a musket in his hand, with his straddling legs and short
petticoat, and bawled out, "Who comes there?"

Ramsay, who was assisting Wilhelmina, looked up surprised at this
singular addition to the occupants of the cave. And Wilhelmina also
looked at him, and said, "Can that be a woman, Ramsay?"

"At all events, I've not the honour of her acquaintance. But she is
pointing her musket. We are friends," cried Ramsay. "Tell Mistress
Alice it is Ramsay."

Smallbones turned round and reported the answer; and then, in obedience
to his order from Mistress Alice he cried out, in imitation of the
sentinels, "Pass, Ramsay, and all's well!"--presented his arms, and made
a flying leap off the rock, where he stood, down on the platform, that
he might lower the ladder as soon as Ramsay was up, who desired
everybody might be sent down to secure the boxes of specie as fast as
they could, lest the cutter's people, releasing themselves, should
attempt an attack. Now, there was no more concealment necessary, and
the women as well as the men went down the precipitous path and brought
up the treasure, while Ramsay introduced Wilhelmina to Lady Barclay,
and, in a brief, but clear narrative, told her all that had passed, and
what they had now to expect. There was not a moment for delay; the
cutter's people might send the despatches over land if they thought of
it, and be there as soon, if not sooner than themselves. Nancy Corbett
was summoned immediately, and her instructions given. The whole of the
confederates