The daily crescent., 1851-11-12

the cargoss were very valuable desperate re-
sistance to the coastguard, in the event Of detee
tion, had been organized. Our plan was soon az
ranged. The Rose was sent away with barely
enough men to handle her, and with the remainder
of the crew, l, as night fell, took up po-
sition above Netley Abbey Two other dstach-
ments of the coast-guard were posted along the
shore at intervals of about mile all, of course,
connected by signal-msn not more than hundred
yards apart. There was faint starlight, but the
moon would not rise till near midnight; and from
this circumstances, well from the state Of the
tide, we could pretty we'll calculate when to expect
our friends, should they come at all. 1t was not
long before We were quite satisfied, from the
stealthy movements of a number of persons about
the spot, that the information we had received
was correct. Just after eleven o'clock low, pc
culiar whistle, taken up from distance to distance,
was heard and by placing our ears to the ground,
the quick jerk of oars in the rolocks was quite ap-
parent. After about five minutes Of eager restless
ness, gave the impatiently expected order; we
all emerged from our places Of conceament, and
by this time busy smugglers. The two luggers
were beached upon the soft sand or mud, and be-
tween forty and fifty men we're each receiving two
and three gallon kegs, with which they sPeeded
of to the carts in waiting at a little distance.
There were also about twenty fellows ranged as
guard all armed az efficiently as ourselves gave
the word but before we could close with the
astonished desperadoes they fired pistol volley.
by which one seaman, John Bailey, fine, ath-
letlc young man, was killed, and two others seri-
ously wounded. This done, the scoundres fed in
all directions, hoty pursued, of course was get
ming by his side suddenly turned, and raising
pistol, discharged it at my head. He fortunately
missed his mark, though the whistle of the bullet
was unpleasantly close. | closed with and caught
the young rascal, who struggled desperately, and
to my great surprise, had almost written dismay,
discovered that he was young Barnaby! 1t was
not time for words, and hastily consgning the
the boy to the custody of the nearest seaman. with
briet order to take care of him, l resumed the
pursuit. A bootess one it proved Favored by
their numbers, their perfect acquaintance with the
hedge and ditch neighborhood, the contrabandlsts
all contrived to escape. The carts also got of,
and our only captures were the boy, the luggers,
which there had been time to get of, and their
cargoes, with the exception of the few kegs that
had reached the carts.
The hunt after the dispersed smugglers was con-
tinued by the different parties who came in subse-
quently to our brush with them, so that sfter the
two wounded seamen were carried off on litters,
aud sufficient guard left in the captured boat,
only two men remained with me. The body Of
John Bailey was deposited for the present in one
OF the luggers, and then the two sailors and my
self moved forward to Itchen with the prisoner,
where intended to place him in custody for the
night.
The face of the lad was deadly pale, and no.
ticed that he had been painfully affected by the
sight of the corpse; but when | addressed him, his
expressive features assumed scorntul, defying ex-
preston. First, ordering the two men to drop as
tern out of hearing, said: You will be hanged
for your share in this nights work, young man,
depend upon it."
Hanged F" he exclaimed in quick, nervous
tone; hanged! You say that to frghten me
1t was not who shot the man. You know that;
or perhaps" he added with kind of hysterical
cry, perhaps you want to kill me you did
az have no more inclination my poor boy" l
answered. "to injure you than l had to harm your
any l-wl?"
"Why should you? Oh, know very we'll -
You know more than do, then; but enough
of this folly. wish, hardly know why, to save
you. Ii was no. you, am quite aware, that fired
the fatal shot, but that makes no difference to
your legal guilt. But think if you could put us
on the track of your associates, you might yourself
escape"
The led's fine eye perfectly lghtened with scorn
and Indignation " Turn informer!" he exclaimed
Betray them that loved aud trusted me! Never
If they could hang me thousand times over!"
made no answer, and nothing more was said
till we had reached and were passing the Abbey
ruins. The boy then abruptly stopped, and with
quivering voice, whilst his eyes filled with tears,
said " should like to see my mother"
" See your mother! There can be no particular
objection to that; bu, she lives further on at
Weston, does she not!"
"No, we have sold off, and moved to Aunt Dia-
per's, at Netley, up yonder, In day or two we
fathers brother lives, and l was to have been
prenticed to the captain of Gresnlander buI
now,' he continued with an irrepressibe outburs
of grief and terror, Jack Ketch will you say, be
my master, and / shalt be only 'prenticed to the
gallows."
"Why, if this be 80, did your mother permit you
to join the lawless desperadoes to whom you owe
your present unhappy and degraded position!"
Mother did not know of it; she thinks an
gone to Southampton to inquire about the day the
hanged!" exclaimed the lad. with renewed burs
Of passionate grief; "and surely you would no
kill herr
"It is not very likely should wish to do SO, con
sidering that had never seen her.''
oh, yes-yes, you have!" he sharply re
joined.
"Then perhaps you do not know. Unite or Gu
| these Cords" he added, approaching close to m,
and speaking in a low, quick whisper. give m,
chance; mothers girls name was Ellen Dible.
Had the lads fettered arm been free, and he hat
| suddenly dealt me blow with knife or dagger
the stroke could not have been more sharp OF ter
rible than these words conveyed.
God of mercy" exclaimed, as the momentl,
arrested blood again shot through my heart will
reaetve violence, " can this be true I"
| Yes, yes-true, quite true !" continued the boy
with the same earnest look, and low, hurrie
speech. saw, when your waistcoat flew opel
the struggle just now, what was at the end of tn
black ribbon You will give me chance, 70
mothers sake, won't you !''
A storm of grief. regret, remorse, was sweepin
through my brain, and could not for a while max
| any answer, though the lads burning eyes con
tinued fixed with fevered anxiety upon my face.
| At last said-gasped rather: l cannot releas
you-it is impossible; but all that can be done-al
that can-can legally be done, shall be.''
Tbs boys countenance fell, and he was agai
"You shall see your mother" added. "Te
Johnson where to seek her; he is acquainted wit
Netley." This was done, and the man wake
briskly off upon his errand.
"Come this way" l said, after few minute
| reflection, and directing my step towards the ol
ruined fort, by the shore, built, suppose, as ds
fence to the abbey against pirates. There was on
flight OF steps to the summit, and no mode of eyre.
save by the entrance from whence they led. +"
| will relieve you of these cords while your mothe
| is with you. Go up 10 the top of the fort. Yo
Will De unobserved, and we can watch here againi
| any foolish attempt to escape"
Fairly caught at last. old fellow !" excaime
exultingly, in reply TO the maedictions he showers
on us. And now pull the boats head round, an
make for the Blue-sysd Maid, or I'll run yo
through the body"
:" Pull her head round yourself,'' he suddenly n
joined, as he rose from the thwart and unshipps
his oar. SKIS bad enough to be robbed of one
hard earnings without helping the thieves to do it,
His refusal was of no consequence the waite
mems light skif was made fast astern, and in
few minutes we were pulling steadily towards tb
| still mot0nless cutter. Old Barnabv was fumbliD