Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-27
THE SMUGGLERS.
/CoDfinued)

AS nav readily be imagined, the events re-
corded in the last chapter created powerful
sensation among all classes Of people ~ the
neighbourhood Little else, indeed, was talked
of for several days after the arrest OF the pns-
oner; and all united in sentiments OF commi>-
Grafton, as well for Brockman, who was uniVer-
sally esteemed to have fallen victim TO the
wiles Of his associates, as Tor his Inflated moth
er. Nor was the latter less deserving OF pity
than the former. Her grief knew no bounds;
and the reflection, that all had been brought a.
bout, in great measure, through her own rash
ness, infused degree of bitterness into her sor
row not necessarily an ingredient there
The crime having been committed beyond
the Jurisdiction ofthe Cirque Ports, no choice
was left TO the magistrates except TO forward
the guilty associates TO Maidstone. IhIlher
they were accordingly sent, TO await the arrival
of the Circuit-court and thither, at the earnest
entreaty Of Mrs. Brockman, | repaired shortly
after, with the design Of offering such consola-
ton to her son as he might be capable OF reoeN-
ing, and inQulring, at moment oil calmnesS,
into the real state oil the case. For though APP
pearanccs were so strongly against him, be-
lief was every where prevalent, that oil the more
heinous crime he must be innocent; al all events
as il was pretty clear that OF the parties
WOuIu DC 10 give SNuNHNNS III OAHN'
fully to convict the rest, something at least
would be gained, could he be prevailed upon TO
stand forward IN that capacity.
With these plans in my head, proceeded az
the hour Of four one morning to take my place
in the stage. 1t was still quite dark, conse-
ouently could make nothing farther Of my fei
low-passeugers, except to discover, by means OF
the sense of touch, that they were three in num-
md two me
posi,e For the first FIVE or ten minutes, no one
smoke word; but at the end of that time, a di-
alocue began between the two men, III which
could not but take very lively interest ltstruck
me, at the time, as having reference tothe bus
mess on which was engaged, and found al
forwards that my surmises had not been Ill
founded.
eve must not lose heart" said he whose
knees rubbed against mine; "all will yet be we'll
II is a bad business, no doubt, but where is the
use Of being down-hearted?"
eft all comes Of your internal stupidity was
the reply. You knew what was going TO hap
pen, and you might have hindered II. What
had YOU 10 do sending such fellows about II, *
sending them, too, so id exact to their time:
Were the bows but out Of the scrape, / should
be right glad the fool got paid of Tor his med
ding
"Nav," reioineG the speaker, sit was no fault
of mine. had not the choice Of the men, nor
the direction of their movements. II was rath-
err the fault Of that hotheaded fellow, Ned-he
is so COMPOUNDED ready with his hands.
swell, well, we need no, quarrel about 1t; the
thing Is to get them off if we can. We may
depend upon you, suppose
"Certainlv, provided we succeed in muzzllnS
the young one"
"Never lear for that; leavethat to us"
The conversation ended here, and was not
resumed, for one Of the speakers happening to
nut question to me, which | answered, the
tone of my voice appeared 10 produce strong
effect upon the whole party private signal
passed between them; and the female, as well as
the more remote Of the two men, wrapped
themselves closely up, and were silent. When
day dawned, therefore, | could not discover
feature Of their faces and those Of the third per-
son, though not so well concealed, were not SUI
ficiently familiar 10 be recognised.
We reached Maidstone in such time as 10 al
low my paying short visit TO my Parlshioner
that day. found him, as had expected to
frd him, utterly and fearfully detected. For
his lifes he protested that he had no regard; but
his character was gone forever, and the distress
of his poor mother affected him not less than
anvil; part of his nisfortunes. At first, indeed,
his manner was that of man thoroughly reck-
less He would hardly enter upon the subject
of the murder at all; and he positively refused
to come forward, should such measure be
proposed, as a witness against his associates.
hNo, sir" said he, "my name is black enough
already, but never shall it be said that those who
were nv companions, suffered through my
treacherv." OF course, did my best to over
come this absurd resolution, but my efforts
were fraitless, and the hour of locking up being
at hand, was compelled to desist
In returning along the passage, was startled
by the appearance Of old Petley and his daugh-
ter, as they issued from one Of the cells, The
whole truth now flashed upon me. The voice
which had sounded so familiar in my ears du-
ring the progress of my journey hither, was
that of the smuggler, and the caution with
which nv fellow-travelers had concealed their
features, was explained. Not that there either
was or could be the slightest improperly in
their using every fair and legitimate means for
the deliverance Of their own relatives from
trouble; but knew them too well not to be "a
ware, that they would not eontine themselves to