t have been brought officially before me. I decline to listen to
uncharitable rumors. But however that matter may be, there are officers
on the spot to deal with it. My commission as a justice of the peace
gives me no cognizance of offenses--if such there are--upon the high
seas. Ah! you see something particular; my dear, what is it?"

"Captain Carroway has found something, or somebody, of great importance.
He has got a man by the collar, and he is absolutely dancing with
delight. Ah! there he goes, dragging him along the deck as if he were
a cod-fish or a conger. And now, I declare, he is lashing his arms
and legs with a great thick rope. Papa, is that legal, without even a
warrant?"

"I can hardly say how far his powers may extend, and he is just the man
to extend them farther. I only hope not to be involved in the matter.
Maritime law is not my province."

"But, papa, it is much within three miles of the shore, if that has got
anything to do with it. My goodness me! They are all coming here; I am
almost sure that they will apply to you. Yes, two boat-loads of people,
racing to get their oars out, and to be here first. Where are your
spectacles, dear papa? You had better go and get up the law before they
come. You will scarcely have time, they are coming so fast--a white boat
and a black boat. The prisoner is in the white boat, and the officer
has got him by the collar still. The men in the white boat will want
to commit him, and the men in the black boat are his friends, no doubt,
coming for a habeas corpus--"

"My dear, what nonsense you do talk! What has a simple justice of the
peace--"

"Never mind that, papa; my facts are sound--sounder than yours about
smuggling, I fear. But do hurry in, and get up the law. I will go and
lock both gates, to give you more time."

"Do nothing of the kind, Janetta. A magistrate should be accessible
always; and how can I get up the law, without knowing what it is to be
about--or even a clerk to help me? And perhaps they are not coming here
at all. They may be only landing their prisoner."

"If that were it, they would not be coming so, but rowing toward the
proper place, Bridlington Quay, where their station-house is. Papa, you
are in for it, and I am getting eager. May I come and hear all about it?
I should be a great support to you, you know. And they would tell the
truth so much better!"

"Janetta, what are you dreaming of? It may even be a case of secrecy."

"Secrecy,