the other side of the water; and knowing that you have
acquaintance with those who run to and fro, we thought you might help
the poor young woman to a passage."

"That's to say, you've heard that I was a smuggler. People do say so;
but, gentlemen, I now pay customs and excise--my tea has paid duty, and
so has my tobacco; so does everything--the king has his own. The Bible
says, `Render under Caesar the things which are Caesar's.' Gentlemen, I
stand by the Bible. I am a poor, sinful old wretch--God forgive me."

"We ask nothing against the Bible, Mr Waghorn; it's our duty to assist
those who are in distress; it's only a poor young woman."

"A poor young woman. If she's poor, people don't do such work for
nothing; besides, it's wrong, gentlemen--I've given up all that,--I've a
precious soul to look after, and I can't divert my attention from it. I
wish you good-bye, gentlemen."

At this moment Mary and her mother returned, and we rose up. "Mrs
James, is that you and Mary? Here's a captain and his friend come to
me; but it's a fool's errand, and so I've told them."

I then stated to Mrs James what we had come for, and begged that she
would persuade Mr Waghorn.

"Well, Mr Waghorn, why won't you?--it's a good action, and will have
its reward in heaven."

"Yes; but she's a poor young woman, and can't pay her passage, so it's
no use."

"On the contrary," replied I, "the captain here will become security,
that 100 pounds shall be paid down as soon as she arrives in any part of
France or Holland."

"Will he? But who's the captain?"

"I haven't a ship just now, but I expect one soon," replied Bob; "the
money shall be paid at once, if you will only receive the young woman
until she can be sent off."

"Well let me see--there's James Martin; no he won't do. There's Will
Simpson; yes, that's the man. Well, it's a good act; and, captain, when
will you bring the money?"

Now the ship was to be paid off on Wednesday and as we had each three
years' pay due, there was no difficulty about that; so I replied, "On
Wednesday, the captain will give the money to this lady, or whoever
comes with us to receive the young woman; will you not, Captain Cross?"

"Oh! certainly; the money is ready at an hour's notice," replied Bob.
"I'm sure that she'll pay me back, if she can; and if she can't, it's of
no consequence."

"Well, well, it's a bargain," replied the old man. "I'm a poor blind
beetle, a sinful old soul; I've no