Again he took up the thread of his story--

"'Twas my father's death made me--what I am." The pause was ominous. "He
was one of us--a smuggler."

"Ah!"

"A run had been planned----"

"I----"

"My father was young and daring. To him was entrusted the most
venturesome part of the night's work. But I am anticipating. He had a
rival--a man who sought my mother. But she was true to my father."

"I remember----"

"Steady, cap'n! You may have known him--perchance he was once your
friend?"

"No, no!" hoarsely. "He--I----"

A bright light suddenly flashed through the fog, and from right ahead.

"A signal?" cried the captain.

"From a friend," and the pilot ported helm. "'Tis a dangerous spot
hereabouts, so nothing has been left to chance. We're now abreast of
Green Point. Steady, lads, for the next tack!"

Shortly another light flashed right upon the lugger's bows. The pilot
jammed over the helm to starboard. There was a slight shock, and
something grated along the lugger's side.

"All clear now, cap'n; but 'twas a narrow go. We grazed Rudder Rock! The
fool stationed there with the light flashed it a full minute too late!"

"Boy, you must have dealings with----"

"Steady, cap'n! Your nerves are unstrung. Perhaps the conclusion of my
story 'll steady them. Well, the venture that was planned was no less
than to take the goods in under Black Rock, and have them hauled up the
face of the cliff. In the end 'twas safely done--to all but my father.
He had been lowered down to fasten on the bales. Those who were out that
night came back saying he had fallen from the cliff. They recovered his
body the next day, and they found the piece of rope around the mangled
corpse had been cut."

"Ay, by the rocks."

"No, no! A poor fellow who witnessed the act was shot by the hand that
cut the rope; but he lived long enough to tell my mother the truth."

"Or a parcel of lies."

"Dying men don't lie, cap'n! I was born that same night. Years
afterwards, when I was old enough to understand--when my mother was on
her deathbed--she told me the story; and my last word to her was a
promise to hunt down my father's murderer."

"And you have failed!" cried the captain.

"Let go the anchor!" cried the pilot. "See, cap'n, I'll bring her head
up into the wind, and she'll ride with her sails set. Off with the
hatches, my lads!"

A bright light flashed three times from left to right. The pilot took
the lantern and waved responsive s