hatch, the trampling
of feet, and a short scuffle, and as Hilary leaped over his prostrate
officer, and, sword in hand, dashed up at the hatch, it was to find it
fastened, for they had been cleverly trapped, and without doubt the
cutter was in the smuggler's hands.

CHAPTER FOUR.

IN COMMAND.

Hilary Leigh was only a boy, and he acted boyishly at that moment, for
in his rage and mortification he first of all struck at the hatch with
his fist, and then shouted to the people on deck.

"Here, hi! you sirs, open this hatch directly."

But as he shouted he knew that his order was absurd, and tucking the
lieutenant's sword under his arm he buckled on his own before leaping
down to where his leader lay.

"Are you much hurt, sir?" he asked; but there was no answer.

"I've got a orfle whack side o' the head, sir," growled Tom Tully.

"So've I, sir," said another man.

"Serve you right too, for not keeping a good lookout," cried Hilary
savagely; "here, it's disgraceful! A king's ship taken by a set of
smuggling rascals. Look alive, there, my lads. Here, you marines, be
smart. Where's Billy Waters?"

"Here, sir," cried that worthy.

"Serve out the arms smart, my man. Two of you carry the lieutenant into
the cabin. Steady there! He isn't dead."

For two of the men had been seen, by the dim light of a horn lantern, to
seize their commanding officer in the most unceremonious way, to lug him
into the cabin.

By this time the 'tween decks of the cutter was alive with dimly-seen
figures, for in a vessel of this description the space devoted in a
peaceful vessel to the storage of cargo was utilised for the convenience
of the comparatively large crew.

"Heave those hammocks out of the way," cried Hilary next; and this being
done, he stood there with twenty well-armed men awaiting his next
orders--orders which he did not give, for the simple reason that he did
not know what to do.

It was a ticklish position for a lad of his years, to find himself
suddenly in command of a score of fighting men, one and all excited and
ready for the fray, as, schooled by drill and discipline, they formed
themselves into a machine which he was to set in motion; but how, when,
and where?

There was the rub, and in the midst of a dead silence Hilary listened to
the trampling of feet overhead.

It was a curious scene--the gloomy 'tween decks of the cutter, with the
group of eager men standing about awaiting their young officer