gdom, but ere
long to lose his head.

Still further west, we came off the white and lofty cliff known as Beer
Head. Near to it is Beer, a fishing-village possessing "an ancient and
fish-like smell." The inhabitants are primitive in their habits, and
were at one time as daring smugglers as any on the coast. As the wind
fell we dropped anchor, and pulled on shore, to visit a curious cavern,
partly natural and partly a stone quarry. We carried with us all the
lanterns we could muster from both vessels. We could not at first see
the mouth, owing to a cloud produced by the different temperature of the
outer air and that from within. The entrance is under a rocky archway,
over which hung in rich festoons wreaths of green foliage. For some
distance we had to grope our way through a narrow low passage, with the
water dripping down on our heads. At last we found ourselves in a huge
cavern supported by substantial pillars. In the more ancient part, from
which stone was quarried by picks, the sides and roof were perfectly
smooth. In one place there was a dome, with four well-formed arches,
not unlike the interior of a cathedral crypt. From hence we were told
the stone was hewn for the building of Exeter Cathedral. The modern
portions of the cavern have been excavated by gunpowder, which has of
course torn off huge masses without any regard to symmetry.

When we returned on board, Paul Truck told us that in days of yore a
smuggler bold--Jack Rattenbury by name--took possession of the cavern,
in which to store his goods after he had safely landed them from his
lugger. For some time he carried on his trade undiscovered, for, being
a cautious man, he dug a vault, in which his cargoes of brandy and bales
of lace and silks were concealed, covering the floor over again with
heaps of stone. The Revenue officers, however, at length got scent of
Jack's doings, and came in strong force, hoping to capture him and take
possession of his property. But he had received timely notice, and
nothing could be found within the cavern.

Of course they did not fail to pay many a subsequent visit. Once more
Jack--hearing that they were coming when his vault was full of goods,
and that they had an inkling of the true state of the case--managed to
carry off a considerable portion. The remainder fell into their hands
as the reward of their perseverance. Shortly afterwards Jack himself
was captured by the Revenue officers, who got possessi