"Well, Captain Dore," said the lieutenant, "you have been too smart for us this time, but we intend to catch you some day or other." "Maybe the _Nancy_ will be sunk by an enemy's cruiser before then. You seem to have an idea, lieutenant, that we are smugglers. I didn't think fit to gainsay you before, but if you'll step back into my cabin I'll show you my privateer's licence, which will prove to you that we are engaged lawfully, making war against the French trade," answered Dore. "Well, well, whichever you are, I won't longer detain you; but before I go I wish to have a word with the youngster I saw on board, the son of a respectable farmer living out Milford way." "We detain no one on board against his will, except he has signed articles. If the lad is the person you suppose, and is willing to go, go he may, provided you can promise that no harm can come to him." "I wish to prevent him getting into harm," said the lieutenant, and he sent one of his men to find Dick, who was soon afterwards brought aft. Dick was in two minds about going. When the lieutenant told him of the anxiety of his father and mother, he was on the point of accepting the offer. Just at that moment Ben stepped up. "You'd better not," he whispered, "for the officer may mean you well, but remember there are others who want to get you into their power, and you will repent it." "Thank you, sir," said Dick. "I have come on board this vessel of my own free will, and would rather stay where I am. If you will see father and mother, and tell them I am all right, I will be obliged to you." "You see, sir, that the lad doesn't want to go, and as you have found nothing on board to enable you to detain this vessel, I must beg you to let us make sail, for we are drifting in shore closer than is safe." Again the lieutenant appealed to Dick. Dore, however, suspected that if the lieutenant got him into his power he might induce him to come forward to prove that the _Nancy_ was engaged in smuggling, and that he should then be deprived of his privateer's licence, so, giving a hint to his men, they surrounded Dick and carried him forward. As the lieutenant had performed his duty, he ordered his men into the boats and they pulled away for the shore, while the _Nancy_ stood out to sea. CHAPTER FIVE. AT THE HALL--REFUSAL OF LORD REGINALD'S GIFT--LADY ELVERSTON AND HER DAUGHTERS--TROUBLES OF THE FARMER'S WIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR REJOINING THE WOLF--LIEUTENANT HILTON--INFORMATION RECEIVED OF AN INTENDED LANDING-- LORD REGINALD AND VOULES JOIN THE REVENUE PARTY--FIGHT WITH THE SMUGGLERS--SUCCESS OF THE KING'S PARTY--AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE YOUNG LORD AND RICHARD HARGRAVE--DICK'S DEFENCE--LORD REGINALD HURT--ESCAPE OF THE FARMER'S SON--UNFAVOURABLE OPINION OF DICK AT THE HALL--THE MARQUIS AND VOULES--THE MIDSHIPMEN REJOIN THE WOLF.