The Monte Vista journal., 1900-10-13
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! A LACK OF PROOF !
nraE Lord hath delivered you into
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

my hands," DICK looked al the
speaker, Lieut.. Curwen. of the revenue.
seated on the keg In triumph; he
looked at the landlord OF the Green
Dragon, a prisoner like himself; al the
two revenue men who guarded the
door, and he thought dolefully that
there was some truth in the lieutenant's
remark. All night Dick had been ou'
in the Betsy Jane, and though, Of
course, being a mere visitor to this lit
tie seaside inn, he had only gone for
the sake of the sail and the excitement.
it was impossible to deny that. when
the lugger dropped anchor in the black
pool some time before dawn, Is kegs
had been landed, and he had helped to
land them. For all Dick carcd-or
kncw-,hey might have contained wa
ter. Fourteen went into the country
in the charge of silent men who seemed
to know their road even by that half
light. One, Notwithstanding the re-
monstrances Of the Betsy James skip
per, who declared it a dangerous pro-
ceeding, had been placed on bar
row and wheeled up to the Green
Dragon by Dick and Mr.. Prendergast,
landlord OF the same. Prendergnst was
positive that the gaugers had no ink
ling of the landing; Dick was content
to regard the cask as n cask-w which
might coHtain water. The cOnsc-
qucnce was that no sooner had they in
stalled the kcg in this attic than a rap
at the door came. followed by the en-
try OF Lieut.. Curwen and dozen rev.
cnue men. Dick and the landlord were
at once arrested. That was the miser-
able fact. True, Prendsrgnst, before
he lapsed into sulky silence. had con
yeycd TO Dick that the other II kegs.
after which the lieutenant had sent
ten of his men, We're safe from pursuit.
But there was little consolation in that.
The fact remained that here was the
discriminating keg. and the lieutenant
seated upon i, in fanaiical triumph.
lie was only waiting for the return of
his men before he took the prisoners
and the spoil up to the squire's.
Dick looked the miserable fact in the
face. The worst of it was that the
squire would take the lieutenant's
view. for he detested smuggling. No
doubt Dick could show the absurdity
of pressing such charge against him
seriously. but to have been found aid
ing or abetting, even by his presence,
would lose him the squirc's favor.
which he had been at desperate pains
to acquire. Probably, too, il would
lose him the squire's conseut-not ye,
besough,-to the hand OF his daugh-
ter. Besides, it was this Curwen's iri-
umph The long-faced. fanatical fcl-
low was jealous, pointlcss though his
jealousy was. lie had waited for his
chance against Dick, and seemed to
fancy he had got it.
The Lord hath delivered yew into
my hands" he repeated.
Think so?'' said Dick, obviously.
'Tew of my men saw yew landing
kegs from the luggcr; they saw yew
wheel this one in a barrow up to III
inn"
Its uncommonly hard work wheel
ing barrow" said Dick.
Twill not assist ycw TO make n
mockcry of your crime
True. my dear sir. quite true" said
Dick, fcigning lcvity he did not feel.
But you see my contention is that
80 far as I'm aware-thcr. is no brandy
in that kcg."
The lieutenant did not Geign TO re-
cask. which gave back gurgling.
liquorish sound.
soda water. perhaps" Dick suggest
cd. pleasantly.
\ knock was heard at the door, and
the lieutenant said. Coon in," pomp-
"usly. Entered Sal Prcndergas,. with
a fcar-stain.d face.
lis a letter." she said, difidently.
'for Mr.. Sh.nsfon.''
May the captive OF your spear re-
ceiyc communications? Dick asked.
ui'ably.
Prom whom does the letter Gomez"
demanded the lieutenant.
From Miss Judy. SUR said Sal. and
his brows contracted augrily. she
was passcn and seed me cryen--"
Thou shalt not mourn for the
wicked" said the lieutenant
Not cf ma fathers taken by the
gnug.rs an charged o. runn,n kags? 2"
Sal flashed out. "Miss Judy dew not
think so, and when tailed her she
said II was sheame-''
Peace. girl" said the lieutenant.
What more did she say?" Dicl,
asked, eagerly.
"Nothcn of Importance" said Sal.
Til. Lieutenant had taken possession
Of the not. and was examining the
supcrScription. II he had opened IL.
as he seemed half inclined To do,
Dicks crime would have extended to
assault aud battery. Bu, he handed
IL over, saving. grimly.