When they were all assembled at the brow of the precipice, with the exception of Lazarus, who looked like a little old woman, a more gigantic race of females was never seen; for, determined upon a desperate resistance if discovered, they had their buff jerkins under their female garments. They were soon in the cave, and very busy, under Ramsay's directions, preparing against the expected attack. Sir Robert Barclay, with his boat, had been over two days before, and it was not known when he would return. That his presence was most anxiously looked for may be readily conceived, as his boat's crew would double their force if obliged to remain there; and his boat would enable them, with the one brought by Ramsay, to make their escape without leaving one behind, before the attack could be made. Nancy Corbett, as the reader may have observed, did not return to the cave with the conspirators. As she was not suspected, she determined to remain at Portsmouth till the last, and watch the motions of the authorities. The cutter did not arrive till the evening of the second day, and the despatches were not delivered to the admiral till the third morning, when all was bustle and preparation. Nancy Corbett was everywhere, she found out what troops were ordered to embark on the expedition, and she was acquainted with some of the officers, as well as the sergeants and corporals; an idea struck her which she thought she could turn to advantage. She slipped into the barrack-yard, and to where the men were being selected, and was soon close to a sergeant whom she was acquainted with. "So, you've an expedition on hand, Sergeant Tanner." "Yes, Mistress Corbett, and I'm one of the party." "I wish you joy," replied Nancy, sarcastically. "Oh, it's nothing, Mistress Corbett, nothing at all, only some smugglers in a cave; we'll soon rout them out." "I've heard a different account from the admiral's clerk." "Why, what have you heard?" "First, tell me how many men are ordered out." "A hundred rank and file--eight non-commissioned officers--two lieutenants--one captain--and one major." "Bravo, sergeant, you'll carry all before you." "Why, I hope so, Mistress Corbett, especially as we are to have the assistance of the cutter's crew." "Better and better still," replied Nancy, ironically. "I wish you joy of your laurels, sergeant, ha, ha, ha." "Why do you laugh, Mistress Corbett, and what is that you have heard at the admiral's office?" "What you may hear yourself, and what I know to be true; there is not a single smuggler in the cave." "No!" exclaimed the sergeant. "What, nobody there?" "Yes, there is somebody there, the cave has been chosen by the smugglers to land their goods in." "But some of them must be there in charge of the goods."