on of all his
contraband goods. In the larder of his house was a fat goose, which
they were anxious to possess, in order to have a feast to commemorate
their success, but the goose not being contraband, they dared not take
possession of it, so they offered to purchase the bird at a large price.
Jack and his wife, however, were firm. Nothing would induce them to
sell the goose, though money might be useful to Jack, who was to be
carried off to prison; and the officers were fain to be content with the
bread and cheese and cider with which he supplied them. Jack used to
tell the story with great glee, observing that the goose was well
stuffed with point lace, every yard of which was worth ten times as much
as the bird.

The smuggler sometimes turned the tables on his pursuers. A daring
Revenue officer having suddenly come upon him, Jack and his companions
seized the unfortunate man, and kept him fast bound until they had
removed all their merchandise. Though supposed to be unusually
successful, and looked upon as the prince of smugglers in those parts,
Jack did not manage to save money, and ultimately died a poor man. Papa
said that such a clever, ingenious fellow must have made his fortune in
any honest business.

We were becalmed off Sidmouth while attempting to reach Exmouth, at the
mouth of the river Exe, some way up which stands the large town of
Exeter. Though some distance from the shore, we could hear plainly the
rumble of the trains as they passed along the railway, the water being a
great conductor of sound. We had a lantern with a bright light hanging
from the forestay, to show our position to any passing steamer which
might otherwise have run us down. This was the only danger to be
apprehended, for no sailing vessel could have come near us, and at the
distance we were from the land there was no risk of being drifted on the
rocks.

Uncle Tom hailed us, and we went on board the Dolphin to supper. Of
course we heard many anecdotes about that part of the country. Uncle
Tom, who had spent some time at Sidmouth, described it to us. The
surrounding scenery is highly picturesque. It was while residing here,
for the sake of his health, that the Duke of Kent died. In the same
house the Queen spent much of her childhood.

At a village near Beer, where the women are employed in manufacturing
lace, Her Majesty's wedding dress was made. The country people
throughout the district are employed in the manufa