r to advance in a hostile manner. After
waiting some time near the boat, they advanced, each with a box on his
shoulder; but what those boxes might be was a puzzle; they might be
hand-grenades for throwing into the cave. However, they were soon down
to the rock at which the ladder was let down, and then Smallbones stood
up with a musket in his hands, with his straddling legs and short
petticoat, and bawled out, "Who comes there?"

Ramsay, who was assisting Wilhelmina, looked up surprised at this
singular addition to the occupants of the cave. And Wilhelmina also
looked at him, and said, "Can that be a woman, Ramsay?"

"At all events, I've not the honour of her acquaintance. But she is
pointing her musket,--we are friends," cried Ramsay. "Tell Mistress
Alice it is Ramsay."

Smallbones turned round and reported the answer; and then, in obedience
to his orders from Mistress Alice, he cried out, in imitation of the
sentinels, "Pass, Ramsay, and all's well!" presented his arms, and made
a flying leap off the rock where he stood, down on the platform, that he
might lower the ladder as soon as Ramsay was up, who desired everybody
might be sent down to secure the boxes of specie as fast as they could,
lest the cutter's people, releasing themselves, should attempt an
attack. Now, there was no more concealment necessary, and the women as
well as the men went down the precipitous path and brought up the
treasure, while Ramsay introduced Wilhelmina to Lady Barclay, and, in a
brief, but clear narrative, told her all that had passed, and what they
had now to expect. There was not a moment for delay; the cutter's people
might send the despatches over land if they thought of it, and be there
as soon, if not sooner than themselves. Nancy Corbett was summoned
immediately, and her instructions given. The whole of the confederates
at Portsmouth were to come over to the cave with what they could collect
and carry about their persons; and, in case of the cutter sending over
land, with the precaution of being in disguise. Of arms and ammunition
there was sufficient in the cave, which Ramsay now felt was to be
defended to the last, until they could make a retreat over to the other
side of the channel. In half an hour, Nancy was gone, and that very
night had arrived at Portsmouth, and given notice to the whole of the
confederates. Upon consultation, it was considered that the best
disguise would be that of females; and, in consequence, they w