e fact is, they were all sulky, from
the major downwards, among the military, and from Vanslyperken
downwards, among the naval portion of the detachment. Nancy Corbett,
satisfied with having effected her object, had crossed over the night
before, and joined her companions in the cave, and what was extremely
fortunate, on the same night Sir Robert Barclay came over in the lugger,
and finding how matters stood, immediately hoisted both the boats up on
the rocks, and taking up all the men, prepared with his followers for a
vigorous resistance, naturally to be expected from those whose lives
depended upon the issue of the conflict.

Next morning the cutter was seen coming down with the boats in tow,
hardly stemming the flood, from the lightness of the breeze, when Nancy
Corbett requested to speak with Sir Robert Barclay. She stated to him
what she had done, and the dissatisfaction among the troops and seamen
in consequence, and submitted to him the propriety of all the smugglers
being dressed as women, as it would operate more in their favour than if
they had fifty more men to defend the cave. Sir Robert perceived the
good sense of this suggestion, and consulted with Ramsay, who strongly
urged the suggestion being acted upon. The men were summoned, and the
affair explained to them, and the consequence was, that there was a
scene of mirth and laughter, which ended with every man being fitted
with woman's attire. The only one who remained in the dress of a man was
a woman, Wilhelmina Krause, but she was to remain in the cave with the
other women, and take no part in the coming fray.

Chapter L

In which the officers, non-commissioned officers, and rank and file, are
all sent to the right about.

About noon the _Yungfrau_ hove-to off the cave, and the troops were told
off into the boats.

About half-past twelve the troops were in the boats all ready.

About one Mr Vanslyperken had hoisted out his own boats, and they were
manned. Mr Vanslyperken, with his pistols in his belt, and his sword
drawn, told Major Lincoln that he was all ready. Major Lincoln, with his
spy-glass in his hand, stepped into the boat with Mr Vanslyperken, and
the whole detachment pulled for the shore, and landed in the small cove,
where they found the smugglers' boats hoisted up on the rocks, at which
the men appeared to be rejoiced, as they took it for granted that they
would find some men to fight with instead of women. The major headed his