The Rival Crusoes | Page 8

goods up to London."
"I wish that we had some of the frigate's crew with us," said Voules;
"we'd soon put a stop to their journey."
"Will you, young masters?" said a voice. "You'll just come along with
us, and spend the night in different company to what you expect!"
Before the midshipmen could turn round, they found their arms seized
by half a dozen stout fellows, who had apparently been detached from
the main body, and had come up thus suddenly upon them.
"Unhand us!" exclaimed Lord 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,