enough to Portland Bill
to be distinguished by any one looking out for her; and she was standing
with a light breeze from the north-east, as if bound across Channel. We
stood on till dusk, and then tacked and worked back into the bay, till
we got close in with the Dorsetshire coast. The cutter was now hove-to,
and the boats were lowered and manned, all hands being well-armed.

"Mr Hanks," said my uncle, as he came on deck, "you will take charge of
the ship, and keep her as near as possible to where she now is: I expect
to be absent about an hour."

Hanks gave the usual "Ay, ay, sir," and then continued the duty he was
about in superintending the lowering the boats. I seized the
opportunity, while he was waiting for the final preparations, to go up
and speak to my uncle.

"May I go, sir?" I asked. "If there is anything to be done, I should
like to see it."

"We shall only find hard knocks and little glory," he replied.
"However, a midshipman should see everything. Can you spare Mr D'Arcy,
Mr Hanks?"

"Oh yes, sir, if you please," said Hanks, laughing.

I had at first felt very grand at the way my uncle spoke of me; but
there was something in Hanks' tone of voice which considerably lowered
my pride. However, I gained my object, and jumping into the first gig
with my Commander, the order was given to shove off, and away we pulled
towards the shore.

There was no moon, but the sky was clear, and the stars overhead shone
brightly forth into the calm, silent water beneath them. I never saw
the water smoother; and the little wind there was came off the shore,
gently sighing as it passed over the dry grass and low bushes which
fringed the edge of the cliffs above our heads. Not a word was spoken,
and our oars were muffled, as we pulled along shore, a considerable
distance to the westward of where we left the cutter. There were three
boats, so we all knew it was possible some considerable opposition might
be expected.

After we had pulled about three or four miles, our Commander ordered two
of the boats to remain off shore, the crews resting on their oars, till
they should see a blue light burned; they were then to give way as fast
as they could, and support us if necessary. We then pulled slowly in,
our people being told to make as little noise as possible on beaching
the boat.

"Neil," said my uncle, "we have a chance of catching that accomplished
rascal, Myers, through the means of another rascal, who h