Four boxes and the two guns were hauled across before Sam consented to venture himself, and then only because he feared he could carry no more when he got to the other side. "’T’ud be a sin," he said, "to leave all these silks and satins behind." "How do you know the boxes contain silks and satins?" "’Cos I opened ’em and felt ’em in the dark. ’Twas like strokin’ a cat’s back, wi’out no fear o’ scratches. You’ll be sure and not let me drop into the pit, Maister?" "Yes. Come along; I want my supper." "Be-jowned, and so do I. Here I come." He grasped the rope, let himself gently down, and was hauled to the other side. "Oh, Maister Penwarden," he cried as he landed, "I be ’nation glad to see ’ee safe and sound. Wheer have ’ee been all this time? You have gied us all a terrible deal o’ trouble." Penwarden growled. "Never mind about that, Sam," said Dick. "Our trouble is well repaid, and we had better get home as soon as we can." "True. If you go first and turn the lantern so’s it do gie me a light, I’ll be able to carr’ these boxes wi’out tumblin’ and breakin’ my head. So for home-along." On the homeward way Dick related his adventure. The old man said nothing until he heard of the discovery of lace and silks. "Ah!" said he, "and these boxes that young Sam be carr’in’ on his head are filled with silks and laces, I s’pose." "Iss, fay," cried Sam exultantly, "and noble gowns and pinnies they will make, to be sure." "Well," said Penwarden, "then I seize ’em in the King’s name." "Rake it all!" exclaimed Sam. "Did the King buy ’em? Did he bury ’em? Did he find ’em? No, the King be a good man, but ’a never did no free-tradin’ in his life, I reckon, and we won’t part with ’em, will we, Maister Dick?" "I know my duty," said Penwarden, "and seized they be. Resist at yer peril." "Daze me if I don’t wish ye’d been carr’d to France," cried Sam. "Arter what we’ve been through for ’ee, too!" A wordy war ensued that lasted until they reached the door of the Towers, where the boxes were deposited for the night. It required a peremptory command from Mr. Polwhele next day to induce Penwarden to relinquish his claim on them, the old man then being more than ever convinced that the world was a strange mix-up. CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH Petherick makes a Discovery About an hour before Doubledick was embarked for Roscoff, a group of men employed by Mr. Polwhele as his assistants stood on the bridge spanning the stream that flowed through the village. It was freezing, and they stamped and swung their arms to keep themselves warm. "’A said he would jine us by half-past nine o’clock," said one. "Well, church-clock has tolled the half-hour, and ’tis gashly cold. What shall us do, neighbours?" asked a second.