they could not distinguish the length of the vessel. They
had seen the boat board, but had not seen her turned adrift without
oars, as the fog came on just at that time. The yacht was left with
only three seamen on board, and should it come on bad weather, they were
in an awkward predicament. Mr Hautaine had taken the command, and
ordered the guns to be fired that the boat might be enabled to find
them. The fourth gun was loading, when they perceived the smuggler's
cutter close to them looming through the fog.

"Here they are," cried the seamen; "and they have brought the prize
along with them! Three cheers for the _Arrow_!"

"Hilloa! You'll be on board of us?" cried Hautaine.

"That's exactly what I intend to be, sir," replied Pickersgill, jumping
on the quarter-deck, followed by his men.

"Who the devil are you?"

"That's exactly the same question that I asked Lord B--- when he boarded
us," replied Pickersgill, taking off his hat to the ladies.

"Well, but what business have you here?"

"Exactly the same question which I put to Lord B---," replied
Pickersgill.

"Where is Lord B---, sir?" said Cecilia Ossulton, going up to the
smuggler; "is he safe?"

"Yes, madam, he is safe; at least he is in his boat with all his men,
and unhurt: but you must excuse me if I request you and the other ladies
to go down below while I speak to these gentlemen. Be under no alarm,
miss, you will receive neither insult nor ill-treatment--I have only
taken possession of this vessel for the present."

"Take possession," cried Hautaine, "of a yacht."

"Yes, sir, since the owner of the yacht thought proper to attempt to
take possession of me. I always thought that yachts were
pleasure-vessels, sailing about for amusement, respected themselves, and
not interfering with others; but it appears that such is not the case.
The owner of this yacht has thought proper to break through the
neutrality and commence aggression, and under such circumstances I have
now, in retaliation, taken possession of her."

"And, pray, what do you mean to do, sir?"

"Simply for a few days to make an exchange. I shall send you on board
of my vessel as smugglers, while I remain here with the ladies and amuse
myself with yachting."

"Why, sir, you cannot mean--"

"I have said, gentlemen, and that is enough; I should be sorry to resort
to violence, but I must be obeyed. You have, I perceive, three seamen
only left: they are not sufficient to tak