Year: 1876

the truth I alone could discern the
hand that had inflicted the blow.


''But from that day remained utterly
ignorant of the fate of my son, until
within q few weeks past, when I receiv-
ed some intelligence from Paris, which,
vague and indefinite though it is, leads
me to believe that my lost child may
possibly be discovered in the North of
Franco. And, in view of the assistance
which / think I may be able to give you
in your pursuit of these smugglers, I am
emboldened to ask your cooperation in
my behalf"


7~t'Your story, sir, is one which enlists
all my sympathy" said I; sand should
III any event, deem it no more than q
duty to afford you all the assistance in
my power. The name of Derwent does
not occur to my mind as one with which
[ have been acquainted but it is more
than probable that I may have been
brought into contact with your evil
hearted brother under different name.
at some other time you may open this
matter to me more fully, and will turn
my serious attention to it. Now, be SO
good as to relate what you know of the
smngglers upon this coast if you have
learned anything of them, you have been
more successful than myself


81 first came to Bonsecours rather
more than a week ago." replied my in
formant. "Thc day after my arrival I
spent in rambling over these cliffs, and
exploring some neighboring inlets and
merely by accident made the impor-
tant discovery of which I am about to
tell you.


cit had grown quite dark before I
commenced my return to the village, and
L was feeling my way around a huge
rock near the edge of the cliff, when I
was suddenly brought to an abrupt halt
by hearing a low whistle, seemingly pro-
ceeding from somewhere beneath my
feet. 1t was Immediately answered
among the rocks at the left and soon I
discovered, to my surprise, the head and
shoulders of a man just above the top of
the cliff. Gaining the firm ground, he
quickly disappeared in narrow apera-
ture between two perpendicular lodges,
and was followed by another man, and
still another, until no less than twenty
men had appeared and disappeared in
this manner. They all bore heavy packs,
which were strapped firmly to their
shoulders.


''When the last had gore, and there
was no longer any danger of discovery,
crept to the verge of the precipice and
examined the means Of their ascent. 1t
was, as I surmised, ladder of ropes,
secured to the face of the rock, and
swinging and vibrating to and fro in the
night wind. The surf dashed against
the rocks far below, and I could distin-
guish two or three boats drawn up on
the beach,"


''Have you informed any one of this
discovery % was my first eager question,
when he finished.


He at once gave me the gratifying as
surance that he had not


'.But do you know the spot sufficient
ly well to find it again ?'' [ asked.


''There Will be no difficulty in finding
it" he replied. ''I have visited it sew
eral times by daylight. and am perfectly
acquainted with the locality


s'Then L Will lose no time in availing
myself of your knowledge" said I.
"Your revelation is a most opportune
one for me /; and by proceeding quickly
and cautiously, I hope to be able to eff
feet the object this very night for which
[ came to Bonsecours' %


Mr.. Derwent assented to my arrange
ments, which were planned and conduct
ed with the utmost secrecy and dispatch,
and an hour later, under his guidance,
myself and my men were repairing to
the place which he had described. No
person in the village was aware of our
movements, and in less than half an hour
we were all snugly entrenched behind
friendly hodge, awaiting the arrival of
the contrabandists. The place was one
which had hitherto escaped lay atten-
ton, by reason Cf its distance from the
village, as well as the peculiar character
of its approaches.


| The night was extremely dark, and for
q long time we waited, but without re-
eeiving any indication of the presence of
those we sought. At length Mr.. Derwent
touched my arm, and bade me look off
to the north. did so, and saw three
rapidly revolving lights tw;nkling upon
the water, and apparently at no great
distance from the shore.


SIT is probably the signal of the
smuggling vessel" said he sand bark!
it is answered from the rocks behind
u.s.


The dull report of musket corrobo-
rated his words, and we now waited in
almost breathless silence, screening our
selves more perfectly behind the rocks.
A long interval elapsed before we receiv-
ed any further intimation, but at length
a dark figure appeared suddenly upon
the platform of the rock before us, seem
ing to rise from the ground, and, stag
gering under the weight of heavy bur-
den, he hastily entered neighboriGg
pass between the rocks.


The men had been previously instruct
ed to remain quiet, and out of sight, un-