That night Bob Cross told me that Mary and her mother were quite willing to assist, and that they thought it would be a very good introduction to old Waghorn: that we must expect some religious scruples at first, but we must persevere, and they had no doubt that the old man would contrive to get the young man over to Cherbourg, or some other place on the other side; that we had better call on him in the evening, and they would be out of the way. As soon as the work was over for the day, Bob Cross and I obtained leave, and set off for Mr Waghorn's house. We were met by Mary and her mother, who pointed it out to us, and then continued their walk. We went to the door, and found the old man smoking his pipe. "Who's there?" cried he, as we lifted the latch of the gate. "Friends, sir," replied Cross; "two persons who come to talk on business." "Business! I've no business--I've done with business long ago: I think of nothing but my perishing soul--poor blind worm that I am." He was a very fine-looking old man, although weather-beaten, and his silver locks hung down on his collar; his beard was not shaved, but clipped with scissors: his want of sight gave him a mournful look. "Nevertheless, sir, I must introduce myself and my friend, the captain," replied I, "for we want your assistance." "My assistance! poor blind beetle--how can I assist you?" "The fact is, sir, that a young woman is very anxious to return to her friends, on the other side of the water; and knowing that you have acquaintance with those who run to and fro, we thought you might help the poor young woman to a passage." "That's to say, you've heard that I was a smuggler. People do say so; but, gentlemen, I now pay customs and excise--my tea has paid duty, and so has my tobacco; so does everything--the king has his own. The Bible says, `Render under Caesar the things which are Caesar's.' Gentlemen, I stand by the Bible. I am a poor, sinful old wretch--God forgive me." "We ask nothing against the Bible, Mr Waghorn; it's our duty to assist those who are in distress; it's only a poor young woman." "A poor young woman. If she's poor, people don't do such work for nothing; besides, it's wrong, gentlemen--I've given up all that,--I've a precious soul to look after, and I can't divert my attention from it. I wish you good-bye, gentlemen." At this moment Mary and her mother returned, and we rose up. "Mrs James, is that you and Mary? Here's a captain and his friend come to me; but it's a fool's errand, and so I've told them." I then stated to Mrs James what we had come for, and begged that she would persuade Mr Waghorn. "Well, Mr Waghorn, why won't you?--it's a good action, and will have its reward in heaven." "Yes; but she's a poor young woman, and can't pay her passage, so it's no use." "On the contrary," replied I, "the captain here will become security, that 100 pounds shall be paid down as soon as she arrives in any part of France or Holland."