The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smuggler
piloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the whole
party went down into the cabin, Lord B--- requesting Pickersgill and
Corbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart, who had received
the account of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive to
Pickersgill and took an opportunity of saying that he was sorry that he
had said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered his
spirits: and all was good humour and mirth, because Miss Ossulton
adhered her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quit the
yacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took his
leave of the honourable company and went in his boat with his men; and
Lord B--- was again in possession of his vessel, although he had not
ship's company. Maddox recovered his usual tone; and the cook
flourished his knife, swearing that he should like to see the smuggler
who would again order him to dress cutlets _a l'ombre Chinoise_.
The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B--- received a
letter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had been
captured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having the
gentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove that
they had sunk the brandy. Lord B--- paid all the recognisances, and the
men were liberated for want of evidence.
It was about two years after this that Cecilia Ossulton, who was sitting
at her work-table in deep mourning for her aunt, was presented with a
letter by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs Lascelles, informing
her that she was married again to a Mr Davenant, and intended to pay
her, a short visit on her way to the Continent. Mr and Mrs Davenant
arrived the next day; and when the latter introduced her husband, she
said to Miss Ossulton, "Look, Cecilia, dear, and tell me if you have
ever seen Davenant before."
Cecilia looked earnestly: "I have, indeed," cried she at last, extending
her hand with warmth; "and happy am I to meet with him again."
For in Mr Davenant she recognised her old acquaintance the captain of
the _Happy-go-lucky_, Jack Pickersgill the smuggler.
THE END.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Three Cutters, by Captain Frederick Marryat
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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