ittle risk of further
interruption. Still, Ben could not resist the temptation of trying to
ascertain the fate of his companions. It appeared to him that they had
been attacked by a comparatively small party, and that could a number of
determined men be collected, they might effect a rescue. He and Dick
made their way, therefore, to a farm-house, in which it had been
arranged that the heavier part of the goods should be stowed, until they
could be conveyed away to a distance. Here he found several persons, to
whom he gave the first intelligence of the disaster. They instantly
hurried off to collect other men from all directions. As it was well
known what road the party with the captured goods would take, they
intended to form an ambush to surprise them, but the smugglers, not
having time to do this, made their attack in a less favourable position,
with the result which has been seen.

Dick again escaped, but what became of Ben he could not tell, though he
hoped that he also had got off. Much as he had wished to see his father
and mother, he now almost dreaded to meet them. His intention was to
reach home by daybreak, and having seen them again to go off and hide
himself in a woodman's hut in the forest, or in some other place, where
he could remain until the search after him had ceased. It was not
likely indeed, that much trouble would be taken, unless Mr Gooch, for
the sake of influencing his father, tried to get him into his power.

With this intention he was making his way towards home, his thoughts so
occupied that he did not hear the approach of Lord Reginald and Voules
until they were close upon him. He would gladly have avoided an
encounter, but at the same time he determined not to be taken prisoner
when he saw that such was the young lord's intention. What happened has
been described. On escaping from Lord Reginald, he soon reached a thick
bush, behind which he could conceal himself with little chance of being
discovered. He there lay perfectly quiet until he heard the two
horsemen ride off.

"I am thankful I had not my gun with me, or I might have been tempted to
use it," he said to himself. "Why should that young lord persecute me?
He had no business to come and help the revenue men, and it could do him
and that other fellow no good to make me a prisoner, except to boast of
what they had done. If I go home now they will accuse poor father and
mother of harbouring me, and I shall bring them in