It was the voice of the attendant who had been bending over him; he was to all appearances a simple fisherman, clad in rough fisherman's clothes, and with a shaggy crop of hair that needed much the barber's art. "And what place is this?" "This es Prussia Cove." A revelation dawned upon the mind of the captain of the Helston hurlers. He had often heard of Prussia Cove and its famous smuggling hero, Captain Carter, who, on account of his great resemblance to Frederick the Great, was named the "King of Prussia." Many a keg of brandy and bale of silk and lace found its way into the neighbourhood of Helston through him. Many a landlord and poor peasant profited by this illicit trade. But smuggling was not esteemed a crime by the people. The government, by imposing duties on imports, was viewed partly in the light of a tyrant and justly to be opposed and hoodwinked. The people loved the smuggler better than the king. Even rectors of the church considered smuggling an honourable occupation and the smuggler a brave citizen seeking a livelihood. The government itself was not bitterly opposed to it, at least such was its position until after the Napoleonic wars, for by smuggling a hardy race of seamen was bred that laid, primarily, England's prestige on the sea. The lad, like many others, felt a kindly interest in them and looked for their welfare. "And you are the King of Prussia?" "Not 'zackly," said the man with a smile; "I'm just 'is prime minister on land." "The watchman?" "Aye, and I saw 'ee a-tumbling down the cliff just now and brought 'ee in. I thought 'ee was done for, sure." "And the King?" "Is out on the King's highway taking a walk." "By which you mean that he is out on the sea, and is expected home to-night?" "'Zackly so." "I'm much obliged for your kind care; and now I feel able to stand I'll have to be travelling after the boys, for it's getting dusk." "I think 'ee had better stay, at least until the King comes, for 'ow do I know but what 'ee favours the coastguard." There was an anxious and cunning look in the watchman's eye. "Well, just as you say; I'll stay." The adventure of coming in contact with the watchman and the idea of meeting the celebrated King of Prussia harmonised with the lad's daring spirit and he was not loathe to remain. "That's right, better so, and 'ee'll see a fine sight," nodded the watchman, relieved of much of his fears. "And now I suppose 'ee'rt hungry, leastways I be, and we'll 'ave a bit of scrowled pilchards and say biscuit."