"Yes, sir; she is the _Scout_, revenue cutter. But they will not trouble themselves with the lugger, for they know she has no cargo on board." "But if we can get on board her," said Headland, "and send her in chase, she will have a better chance of overtaking the lugger than the fishing boat would have." "Thank you, sir," exclaimed Adam. "I will let my crew know they are wanted, and when I have spoken a few words of comfort to my poor missus, who is ill in bed, I'll be with you on board the _Nancy_." Adam, sending off a lad to summon his men, directed him at the same time to beg that Mrs Brown would come down and stay with his missus, while the two officers rode to the Texford Arms to leave their horses. They then hurried to the quay, where Adam and most of his crew were collected. As soon as the remainder arrived they went on board the _Nancy_. She was quickly under weigh, and the wind being off-shore ran out of the harbour. "Is your boat a fast one?" asked Captain Headland of Adam. "Yes, sir; not a faster out of the Tex, but I am afraid she has little chance of overhauling the lugger." "But if the wind falls light we may pull after her, and shall then have the advantage," observed Captain Headland. "She has got long sweeps too, sir. But we will try it, and my lads will give way with a will. I can trust them for that." "Ay, ay, no fear," answered the men, looking towards the smuggler as if they were eager to be alongside her and to rescue Jacob. "I believe that our best course would be to get on board the cutter, and for her to go in chase of the lugger," said Harry; "though I do not think the smugglers would dare to oppose us if we could get up with them." "Whether or not, we will try to get back our Jacob, and the lads would make good play with the boat's stretchers in spite of the cutlasses and pistols the villains have to fight with." "They would scarcely venture to use them when they see two king's officers in the boat," observed Headland. "I am not so sure of that," said Adam. "But they have a bad cause and we have a good one to fight for. We will get the oars out, lads," he added, addressing his crew. _The Nancy_ thus assisted made good way, for the wind being light and off-shore, as has been said, the water was perfectly smooth, and the oars helped her along. Still it became evident to Captain Headland that she was not likely to overhaul the lugger. He therefore agreed with Harry that it would be best to get on board the cutter if they could. The cutter was, however, sailing away from them, apparently watching the movements of the lugger. Their hope was that the _Nancy_ might be seen, and that she might stand back to speak her.