"If we were to wear round, my lord," observed Mr Stewart, "she is just abreast of us and in shore, we could prevent her escape." "Round with her, Mr Stewart," said Lord B---; "we must do our duty and protect the laws." "That will not be fair, papa," said Cecilia Ossulton; "we have no quarrel with the smuggler: I'm sure the ladies have not, for they bring us beautiful things." "Miss Ossulton," observed her aunt, "it is not proper for you to offer an opinion." The yacht wore round, and, sailing so fast, the smuggler had little chance of escaping her; but to chase is one thing--to capture, another. "Let us give her a gun," said Lord B---, "that will frighten her; and he dare not cross our hawse." The gun was loaded, and not being more than a mile from the smuggler, actually threw the ball almost a quarter of the way. The gentlemen, as well as Lord B---, were equally excited by the ardour of pursuit; but the wind died away, and at last it was nearly calm. The revenue-cutter's boats were out, and coming up fast. "Let us get our boat out, Stewart," said his lordship, "and help them; it is quite calm now." The boat was soon out: it was a very large one, usually stowed on, and occupying a large portion of, the deck. It pulled six oars; and when it was manned, Mr Stewart jumped in, and Lord B--- followed him. "But you have no arms," said Mr Hautaine. "The smugglers never resist now," observed Stewart. "Then you are going on a very gallant expedition, indeed," observed Cecilia Ossulton; "I wish you joy." But Lord B--- was too much excited to pay attention. They shoved off, and pulled towards the smuggler. At this time the revenue boats were about five miles astern of the _Happy-go-lucky_, and the yacht about three-quarters of a mile from her in the offing. Pickersgill had, of course, observed the motions of the yacht; had seen her wear on chase, hoist her ensign and pendant, and fire her gun. "Well," said he, "this is the blackest ingratitude! To be attacked by the very people whom we smuggle for! I only wish she may come up with us; and, let her attempt to interfere, she shall rue the day: I don't much like this, though." As we before observed, it fell nearly calm, and the revenue boats were in chase. Pickersgill watched them as they came up. "What shall we do?" said Corbett,--"get the boat out?" "Yes," replied Pickersgill, "we will get the boat out, and have the goods in her all ready; but we can pull faster than they do, in the first place; and, in the next, they will be pretty well tired before they come up to us. We are fresh, and shall soon walk away from them; so I shall not leave the vessel till they are within half a mile. We must sink the ankers, that they may not seize the vessel, for it is not worth while taking them with us. Pass them along, ready to run them over the bows, that they may not see us and swear to it. But we have a good half hour, and more."