The Washington critic., 1889-05-02
THE SMUGGLER.

In the year lI'3, previous to the an
nexation of the Isle of Man to the Eng
lish Crown, the inducements for SNUG
Cling from that well known spot were
of the most seductive character, giving
employment to few hardy and daring
spirits, whose large profits in their per
| ious trade more than compensated
them for the continual risk they en-
| counterrd in their nightly voyages from
the island to the shores of tho Solway.
| This island OF the Irish sea, once rem
| devious for numerous freebootcrs and
smugglcrs, is now rendered place of
no small commercial importance, as well
as forming a military and naval depot
for the crowded ranks and numerous
fleets of the British army and navy.
Its productive soil and highly cult.
| waited lands, its neat cottages and ad-
| mirable roads are picture OF modern
| improvements, while at all times 1t
wears lively and busy appearance.
| From the highest point of the island,
| in clear weather, the visitor has q view
of three united Kingdoms.
II was at the close of o fine day In the
latter part of August, l712, that two
mastcd luggcr was seen riding ut q sin.
| gle anchor in quiet cove on the west
side of the island. The craft might
have been of about 100 tons burden,
though her dark, low hull gave her the
appearance OF being much smaller,
while the symmetry of her spars and
rigging, tapering beautifully at their
various points as seen against the sky,
showed her to be II craft upon whose
rig time and care had been expended.
Around her hull extended q line of red,
broken at two points on each side by IN
open port, while the height of the waist
showed that it was intended TO serve as
brcastwork to those who navigated
the vessel In times OF danger.
Altogether, you would have pro
nounccd the lugger at first sight a
suspicious craft, and, unless She car
ricd the kings commission, one most
likely bent upon mischief. At the hour
of which | write. an individual rather
below the usual height, yet command
ing in appearance, in scaman's garb,
with broad belt about his waist, into
which was thrust a coublc of boarding
pistols, was pacing the quarter deck; in
| HE manu- n'Ni ~
which at this moment he raised to his
lips and issued the necessary orders for
getting under weigh.
Fifty us fine fellows as ever handled
marlinspke sprang chcerfully to ex-
cute his orders, cnlivcncd by the shrill
tones of the boatswain's whistle.
While all was hustle and activity about
him, the captain slowly promenaded
the quarter deck, presenting the picture
of young hero Blended in his open
countenancc was the spirit of daring,
but yet of noble purpose, his mild,
thoughtful eye belied his otherwise
spirited appearance. His form, as we
have said, was rather below the ordi
nary height, yet he was handsome in
figure, his person evincing great power
of endurance, with strength and agility
he might have been in age about %
years.
1--WE are brought to, sir" said tho
first lieutenant of the luggcr TO his cap
tain.
"Heave round SIR was the prompt
nautical reply. "Heave and pail. "
The anchor being raised and slowed
the wide breadth of canvas peculiar to
the luggcr rig, formerly so well known
in the Bay of Biscay and the British
channel, was spread upon the life lik,
vessel, and bending gracefully undel
the influence of the gentle west wind
she took her course under cloud o.
I, canvas for the shores of the Solway.
"Mr. Merrick,' said the captain I,
his first officer, II think we are likely
to have trouble on this nights trip.
learn from trusty agents that, intel
ligcncc has been lodged relative to til,
} character of our swift-footcd craft
and fear there has been treacher,
aboard the Dolphin" So was the lug
ger named.
: Il hardly think that, captain" Ii
l replied, though the crew have ha;
? full freedom on shore and have latel,
, visited Carlisle and Keswick."
"They know the rules of the ship
j Mr. Mcrrick," said the commander
: sternly, 'and how treachcry will be re
warded. Let the crew sleep will
one eye open; we may have work TO
/, them"
! The watch was set, while the re
c mainder of the crew turned in al
: standing" which signifies in sea pai
/, lance with their clothes on, ready fo
: prompt and immediate service. Th
Q cargo on board the craft that no,
= rounded the mouth Of the shcltcrin
cove was contraband and valuable, an
the object of the commander was {
u land II safely and return from the mai
4 land to the island before morning.
Q The lugger held on her course ii
/, rounding the northern point of til
q island, when the captain, who had M
e left the deck, discovered off his sta
Is board bow n vessel, whose indistin,
q outlines alone discernable in the darl
n ness Of the night, appeared TO be tho'
}. of large craft; at the same momcl
d the lookout forward discovered and al
). nounced the stranger as sloop-of WI
!. under easy sail.
e The course of the Dolphin WI
e changed two or three points mo-
II northerly, in the hope of passing II
,r strange sail at such distance as not
Is be noticed by her crew; the effort vi
IA successful; the commander of the slool
not expecting his prey at this hour, WI
not on the lookout for the smuggle
On board the well-rcgulated lugger a
was silent us the night itself, viii
n every sail expanded with the freshe
rs ing breeze.
i "Mr. Merrick," said the captain
when silence was no longer necessar!
9. pipe the crew TO quarters, sir; | hay
~ a few words to say to them that mc
,r serve asa rough night cap for eve
/. these sea dogs
Ia The wakeful crew, most of whol
a were already on deck, having heard {
n the proximity of the stranger, gatherC
r. quietly aft near the sacred precincts {
ID the quarter deck, where they stood wit
nc their hats of and their hair wavir