This remark fully enlightened Louis in regard to the character of the villanous-looking fellows in the boat. They were _contrabandistas_, as smugglers are called in Spanish. The town of San Roque on the hill has the reputation of being largely the abode of this class of people, and the surrounding country doubtless is inhabited by great numbers of them. "Gibraltar is a free port, and a resort in consequence of Spanish smugglers, who drive an amazing trade by introducing contraband goods into Spain. The British government is not altogether free from a charge of a breach of faith, in the toleration it has given to these dishonest men; for it is bound by many engagements to use its best exertions to prevent any fraud on the Spanish revenues, in consequence of its possession of this peninsula." This is an extract from an English book, published in London. The writer has not set up a windmill for the purpose of giving the knight-errant on board of the Salihé a job to knock it down. It was plain enough to Louis, who had read the account of Gibraltar from which we have quoted, that the occupants of the boat alongside had a small vessel in the Palmones, loaded for a voyage to some port in Spain. The wind had been tolerably fresh during the afternoon, but at sunset it had entirely subsided, and at the present time the surface of the bay was glassy in the moonlight. The custom-house officials from Algeciras or elsewhere might pounce upon them before morning, or the next day if the vessel was compelled to remain in the river for the want of wind. "Is Captain Chickworth on board of the steamer?" asked Gray, addressing those on the forecastle of the steamer. "He is not on board," replied Louis. At this moment the engine, which had been doing its most vigorous work, triumphed over the mud, and began to move, to the great satisfaction of all the party on board, and perhaps to the discomfiture of those in the boat. She went astern very slowly, as though she had not yet fully conquered her enemy at the bottom of the bay. Gray, who was still holding on at the rail of the steamer, looked about him, as if to interpret the motion he could not help feeling. Then he said something to the man nearest to him, who passed up to him the painter, though those on board could not see what was done. "All right now!" exclaimed Scott, as he ran into the pilot-house and grasped the spokes of the wheel. "Don't crow till you are out of the woods," added Louis. "She has got started and she will go it now," said Felix, as he went to the bow to see what progress the steamer was making.