l, except he has signed
articles. If the lad is the person you suppose, and is willing to go,
go he may, provided you can promise that no harm can come to him."

"I wish to prevent him getting into harm," said the lieutenant, and he
sent one of his men to find Dick, who was soon afterwards brought aft.

Dick was in two minds about going. When the lieutenant told him of the
anxiety of his father and mother, he was on the point of accepting the
offer. Just at that moment Ben stepped up.

"You'd better not," he whispered, "for the officer may mean you well,
but remember there are others who want to get you into their power, and
you will repent it."

"Thank you, sir," said Dick. "I have come on board this vessel of my
own free will, and would rather stay where I am. If you will see father
and mother, and tell them I am all right, I will be obliged to you."

"You see, sir, that the lad doesn't want to go, and as you have found
nothing on board to enable you to detain this vessel, I must beg you to
let us make sail, for we are drifting in shore closer than is safe."

Again the lieutenant appealed to Dick. Dore, however, suspected that if
the lieutenant got him into his power he might induce him to come
forward to prove that the _Nancy_ was engaged in smuggling, and that he
should then be deprived of his privateer's licence, so, giving a hint to
his men, they surrounded Dick and carried him forward.

As the lieutenant had performed his duty, he ordered his men into the
boats and they pulled away for the shore, while the _Nancy_ stood out to
sea.

CHAPTER FIVE.

AT THE HALL--REFUSAL OF LORD REGINALD'S GIFT--LADY ELVERSTON AND HER
DAUGHTERS--TROUBLES OF THE FARMER'S WIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR REJOINING THE
WOLF--LIEUTENANT HILTON--INFORMATION RECEIVED OF AN INTENDED LANDING--
LORD REGINALD AND VOULES JOIN THE REVENUE PARTY--FIGHT WITH THE
SMUGGLERS--SUCCESS OF THE KING'S PARTY--AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE YOUNG
LORD AND RICHARD HARGRAVE--DICK'S DEFENCE--LORD REGINALD HURT--ESCAPE OF
THE FARMER'S SON--UNFAVOURABLE OPINION OF DICK AT THE HALL--THE MARQUIS
AND VOULES--THE MIDSHIPMEN REJOIN THE WOLF.

Lord Reginald and his messmate greatly enjoyed their stay at Elverston
Hall. Parties of all sorts were got up for their amusement, and guests
were invited to meet them--Voules taking good care to sing the praises
of his friend.

He employed his time, much to his own satisfaction, in paying court to
Lady Elverston, and