ull use of his benumbed
limbs. During this period, the boy related all he had heard, and urged
his companion to "look alive." But Coleman required no urging. The
moment he became aware of what was going on he felt for his cutlass,
which the smugglers had not taken the trouble to remove, and, slapping
Tommy on the back, stumbled among the tombs and over the graves towards
the wall, which he vaulted with a degree of activity that might have
rendered a young man envious. Tommy followed like a squirrel, and in a
very few minutes more they were close at the heels of Long Orrick and
his friends.

While they hurried on in silence and with cautious tread Coleman matured
his plans. It was absolutely necessary that the utmost circumspection
should be used, for a man and a boy could not hope to succeed in
capturing six strong men.

"Run, Tommy, to the beach and fetch a friend or two. There are sure to
be two of the guard within hail."

Tommy was off, as he himself would have said, like a shot, and on
gaining the beach almost ran into the arms of a young coast-guard-man
named Supple Rodger, to whom he breathlessly told his tale.

"Stop, I'll call out the guard," said Rodger, drawing a pistol from the
breast-pocket of his overcoat. But Tommy prevented him, explained that
it was very desirable to catch the villains in the very act of breaking
into old Jeph's cottage, and hurried him away.

At the back of the cottage they found Coleman calmly observing the
proceedings of the smugglers, one of whom was calling in a hoarse
whisper through the keyhole. Apparently he received no reply, for he
swore angrily a good deal, and said to his comrades more than once, "I
do b'lieve the old sinner's dead."

"Come, I'll burst in the door," said the voice of Long Orrick, savagely.

The words were followed by a crash; and the trampling of feet in the
passage proved that the slender fastenings of the door had given way.

"Now, lads," cried Coleman, "have at 'em!"

He struck a species of port-fire, or bluelight, against the wall as he
spoke; it sprang into a bright flame, and the three friends rushed into
the cottage.

The smugglers did not wait to receive them. Bursting the fastenings of
the front window Long Orrick leaped out into the street. Supple Rodger
dashed aside the man who was about to follow and leaped after him like
an avenging spirit. All the men but two were over the window before
Coleman gained it. He seized the ma