The Rival Crusoes | Page 8

Reginald, indignantly. "What right have you to stop us in this way?"
"The right of might, young master," answered the man who had before spoken. "Tell us what brings you here at this time of night!"
Voules, seeing that it would be to their advantage to speak the truth, answered, "My good friends, we have only just landed from our ship, and being unable to obtain a carriage, are walking on to Elverston Hall. We have not the slightest wish to interfere with you or any one else we may meet on the road; and it would be a serious inconvenience to us to be detained."
"You speak fairly, my young master," said the man; "and if you and this youngster here will give us your word of honour that you will not mention having met us, we will let you go on in a few minutes; but do not interfere in a matter which does not concern you."
"Oh! certainly, my friend, certainly," answered Voules. "We will hold our tongues, depend upon that, and we shall be much obliged to you if you will let us go at once, for we are desperately hungry, and want our suppers."
"That may be," said the smuggler, laughing; "but you have not given us your word yet that you will hold your tongue, and we want to know what this other lad has to say for himself."
"Oh, I'll give you my word to say nothing about you, if on that condition you will let us proceed on our way," said Lord Reginald; "although I cannot make out what reason you have for asking us."
"Our reasons do not concern you, so give us your answer without further delay."
"I promise, then, on the word of an officer and a gentleman, not to mention having met you," said Voules.
Lord Reginald repeated the same words.
"Well, then, you may go about your business," said the smuggler; "only don't in future talk of putting a stop to smuggling; it's what neither you nor your elders can do. Now, good night, lads. Remember, if you break your words it will be the worse for you."
Saying this, the smuggler and his men rejoined their companions, who had already crossed the road, and the two midshipmen, glad to escape so easily, proceeded on their way.
"I thought we were in for it!" observed Voules; "it would have been very unpleasant if they had carried us off, or knocked us on the head!"
"Yes, indeed," answered Lord Reginald; "they are bold fellows to travel through the country so openly, even at night; but, as my father says, `Bold as they may be, they must be put down.'"
"Well, we must try to forget the circumstance at present, or we shall be letting something slip out," remarked Voules. "Are we approaching the hall yet?"
"We cannot be far off, though I should be better able to answer the question in daylight. I am only certain that we are on the right road, and have not reached the lodge gates; we shall see a light shining in the window when we get near."
Nearly another half-hour passed before the light Lord Reginald spoke of appeared. The park-keeper and his wife, who had their minds filled with the dread of an invasion from the French, or an attack from the smugglers, were at first very unwilling to open the gates. Not until Lord Reginald had explained who he was, and had mentioned several circumstances to prove that he spoke the truth, would they admit him and his companion.
"Beg pardon, my lord; but we hope you won't take it amiss," exclaimed the gate-keeper.
"We meant no offence, that we didn't, my lord," chimed in his wife. "But you see, your lordship, that there are all sorts of bad characters about--smugglers and highwaymen and gipsies, and we couldn't tell if it was some of them come to murder us and burn the hall down, as they swear they will; or if it was the French, for it's said that they will land one of these nights, and turn out the king and Parliament."
"Hold your tongue, wife, and don't be keeping Lord Reginald and the other gentleman waiting," exclaimed the husband. "You see, my lord, how my good woman is afeered, and so I hope your lordship will pardon me, as I mustn't leave her alone, if I don't go up with you to the hall, for if any strangers were to come there would be no one to open the gate."
"Stop and look after your wife; I can dispense with your attendance, for I know my way perfectly," answered Lord Reginald, laughing. "Come along, Voules, I shall be glad to be at home at last."
The authoritative pull which the young nobleman gave to the hall bell soon brought the domestics to the door. The marquis and Lady Elverston,