f the way of the big-wigs over there." Ben then
briefly explained the danger Dick was in for threatening to shoot the
son of the Marquis of Elverston.

This announcement gained him a warm reception from the smugglers, who,
engaged in lawless pursuits themselves, were naturally inclined to
approve of such an act, and would possibly have looked upon him with
still greater respect had he fired as he had threatened.

"Glad to see you, my lad," said John Dore, putting out his hand. "Make
yourself at home on board the _Nancy_. We'll give you work when work
has to be done, and now, if you're tired, you can turn into my berth and
go to sleep till the evening, when, unless the wind shifts round to the
southward, we shall be at sea again."

"The best thing you can do," observed Ben. "I must go to Keyhaven to
get a hand to take my boat back and look after her while I am away."

Dick, wishing to escape the notice of any one who might visit the lugger
from the shore, accepted the skipper's offer. As he had closed his eyes
but a very short time during the previous night, he was soon fast
asleep.

CHAPTER FOUR.

UNDER WAY--LIFE ON BOARD THE NANCY--OFF THE FRENCH COAST--SHIPPING THE
CONTRABAND GOODS--RUN FOR ENGLAND--A STRANGE SAIL--THE CHASE--ESCAPE OF
THE LUGGER--LANDING THE CARGO--REVENUE OFFICERS--COOLNESS OF
DORE--"YIELD, IN THE KING'S NAME."--A LITTLE TOO LATE--DICK QUESTIONED.

When Dick awoke, he knew by the motion of the vessel and the sounds he
heard that she was under way. The _Nancy_ was a craft of nearly a
hundred tons, decked all over, with three short, stout masts, the after
one leaning over the taffrail, with a long out-rigger. On each of the
masts a large lug was carried, and above them could be set flying
topsails, and when before the wind studding-sails could be rigged out.
She could also hoist an enormous squaresail. To set these sails, she
carried a numerous crew of tried seamen; promptitude and decision being
required in the dangerous work in which she was engaged. Her armament
consisted of six short guns and a long nine-pounder, which could be
trained either fore or aft, to bring to a merchantman endeavouring to
escape, or to knock away the spars of an enemy chasing her. Besides
these guns, she had an ample supply of cutlasses, pistols, and
boarding-pikes, to enable her crew to repel an attack made by boats or
from a hostile craft which might run alongside her. She was truly an
Arab of the