The national whig., 1847-07-08
NATIONAL WHIG.
THE MAIL ROBBER.
A THRILLING TALE.

end of the English autumn, the sun was
setting red and fiery, and seemed struggling
for a resting-placa around the dark and
heavy masses of clouds, that rose from the
horizon with strange and wonderful rapid
ty. The sea breeze howled dismally as It
dashed against the rugged face of tall cliff,
whose rocky eminence frowned on the wa
tiers Of humble bay; while the waves broke
angrily on the narrow strip Of beach be-
meath, with loud continuous roar. The
spray Of the surf danced in the wind; and
the gulls, as they wheeled to their craggy
resting-places, screamed out their hideous
notes as if they joyed in the presase of the
coming storm. The fishermen's barks were
high and dry upon the beach-not sail
was to be seen on the sea, although an ex-
pcrienced eye might have detected a small
lugger hull down in the ofhng, but standing
to and fro under easy sail, evidently wait
ing her opportunity TO run in at the proper
state Of the tide, or waiting for commu-
nication from the shore.
The shades of night closed rapidly round.
A blue light was suddenly ignited in one Of
the recesses Of the cliff, and burnt steadily
for few seconds, when it was suddenly
quenched. The lugger was Immediately put
about, her fore and main sail taken in, and
under small jib and mizzen she made d.
rect for shore. A loud whistle from above,
blown in short and sudden jerks, reused the
inmate Of the cleft, who dashed from his
hiding place in the rock, and jumped pistol
in hand upon the beach. Some few yards
before him he discovered figure, closely
wrapped in boat-cloak, gliding rapidly
away.
whats the time Of night, boy: = said the
smuggler, evidently expecting the password
in return.
The stranger kept on without reply.
sSkulker ahoy !-heave to, or fren said
the former speaker, cooking his pistol.
johnson, is that you p replied the stran-
ger, turning back and walking towards the
smuggler.
What, Mr.. Etherington' Well, am
glad you knew my voice and answered my
hail, for had you kept on, ] should have
fired and with the blood Of friend upon
my hands, / could not have expected to run
the bosky little Susan's cargo safe and snug,
although everything does promise SO fair
why, it was but last week that you sue
ceeded in landing valuable cargo free from
interruption. Is she SO soon off the coast
againi' .
'God bless the little Susan!' said John
son it's the name of the girl love best,
and the name of the craft that is making me
q rich and hanrv man
Ay,' said Etherington, with a groan,
you say well-rich and happy! The
cursed gold has resolved itself in the es-
sence of our existence. The draught Of
bliss can be imbibed but from golden vase
while the metallic taint infects the quality
Of each ingredient, and spoils the taster's
perception
why, lawyer, what's the matter? Your
lips are white and thin, your eyes roll, and
your cheeks are pale and haggard. | have
half an hour TO spare-come with me te
Robins Nook: have fire there and {
keg Of brandy-you seem as if you wantet
warming inside as well as OUT
Mir. Etherington was lawyer of som
little eminence in the adjoining town, an
had been Of material service to Johnson il
conducting his defence when prosecuted 10
smuggling. The penalties sought TO be re
covered were ruinous in amount, with tn
certainty Of Imprisonment, if found guilty
until the whole was paid. On another occa
sion, an affair Of life or death, the presump
tive evidence against johnson, for the mur
der Of missing revenue officer, was s,
strong that everybody anticipated the Ger
tainty Of his swinging against the walls 0
the new county Jail and Ethcrington's tao
and ingenuity, aided by q powerful use Q
the awam portable, robbed the executione
Of his fees. The smuggler's gratitude kne,
no bounds; and many an anker Of Holland
or Cogniac, roll Of fine lace or silk, or
small leaden box Of tea for the old lady
evinced that the lawyers services were nc
forgotten.
After short conversation, wherein Eth
erington related the circumstances whic
brought the darkness over his brow, th
smuggler continued
And so old Norris will not let you splic
Miss Ellen unless you can post the pom
for five thousand. He promises 10 put dow
the same sum, eh, and leave you the lum
of his money when he drops of. Nothin
can be fairer than that, TO be sure; but then
fyou have not the five thousand, and dom
know where to get it neither, why, ma,
say that you are jammed hard up
And Ellen, too, is ridiculous enough t
second her father in his absurd and impos
eible scheme. When / told her had no
the money, she said that we were boil
young aud could wait until / had carne,
IL
Good advice, lawyer; go to work, ear,