"Why, he is the fellow who before brought the soldiers downupon us, and this youngster has been sent out to learn where we aregoing, and will be setting the dragoons from Lymington on our heels. IfMr Maitland ever falls into our hands, he will find we have a heavyscore to settle with him."
These remarks were interlarded with numerous fierce oaths, which neednot be repeated.
The men now turning round the pony's head, led Gilbert back, swearing athim in a way which made his blood curdle, and fancy that they intendedto shoot him or knock his brains out.
They had not got far when Gilbert saw a long line of horsemen riding twoand two, in close order, crossing the road. They appeared to have heavypackages on their saddles, and were armed with blunderbusses and swords.Gilbert's conductors seemed to be watching for some one to come up.After the horsemen came a line of waggons, with an armed man sitting infront of each and another behind, while a horseman rode on either side.There seemed to be no end of them, one following close upon the other.Gilbert counted a hundred or more. At last another band of horsemenappeared. One of Gilbert's captors called to a man riding among themwhom he addressed as "Captain," and told him of the way they had foundGilbert, and their suspicions.
"Bring him along with you," was the answer, "we will have a talk by andby with him."
Gilbert's captors joined the ranks, and the party of smugglers continuedto make their way by unfrequented paths through the forest. He nowrecollected hearing that a strong force of military had been sent downto Lymington to assist the Revenue officers, and every moment heexpected to see the smugglers attacked. They, however, seemed to haveno dread of being interfered with, but rode on, laughing and joking withthe utmost indifference. From the remarks Gilbert overheard, he foundthat they had taken good care to mislead the military, who were waitingfar behind them, near the coast, under the belief that the intended runof contraband goods had not yet been landed. At length the smugglersreached a spot where their large band was to break up into separateparties who were to branch off in various directions, some with silksand ribbons to go even as far as London, others to different towns,while a portion of the goods were to be stored in hiding-places in theforest. A large party of mounted men still remained after the waggonshad gone off. Among them were those who had seized Gilbert.
"Well, Captain, what shall we do with this young viper; he is a son ofold Maitland's, and there is no doubt has been after mischief."
"Do?" answered the person addressed, a big dark-bearded man, clothedlike his companions in rough seafaring costume. "The easiest way wouldbe to leave him here to frighten the crows," and he looked up at theoverhanging branch of a tree.
Gilbert felt ready to drop from his pony with terror.
"Oh, don't, don't hang me!" he cried out; "I did not want to do you anyharm. If you will let me go, I will not say a word about what I haveseen."
"Very likely?" growled the Captain, "but you knew that a cargo was to berun, and were galloping off to bring the dragoons down on us."
"I knew that a cargo was to be run, because Dick Hockley told me so; butI was not going to fetch the dragoons, for I did not even know wherethey were."
"A very likely story; and if Dick Hockley has been chattering to you, hewill have to answer for it," observed the Captain. "However, bring thelad along. We will hear what Master Dick has to say for himself."
The troop, with Gilbert in their midst, now rode back by the way theyhad come towards the coast.
Gilbert supposed that they were about three miles from Christchurch,when, turning to the left, they came in sight of one of the numeroussmall farms which existed in those days in the forest, consisting ofseveral straw-thatched mud buildings. Here he was told to tumble offhis pony, which was led away, while he was conducted into a small innerroom in the cottage. The window, high up near the roof, was closed by ashutter from the outside. The only furniture was a truckle-bed and astool. The cottage apparently belonged to one of the men who hadcaptured him, for Gilbert heard him inviting the rest to partake of theprovisions he placed before them. They were all engaged in eating anddrinking and talking loudly for some time. He heard the Captain at lastsay--
"We will now go and hear what account Master Dick has to give us aboutthis youngster, and if he has been trying to play us a trick, he must beshipped off out of the way."
Gilbert could not tell whether the smuggler referred to Dick or tohimself, though as it was very evident they would not scruple to useviolence if they thought it necessary for their own safety, he felt veryuncomfortable.
At last, from the sounds he had heard, he supposed that most of the menhad mounted their horses and ridden off. Feeling tired, he groped hisway to the bed, on which he threw himself, and in spite of his anxiety,was soon asleep.
He was awakened by the entrance of his host, bringing him some bread andcheese, and a jug of milk.
"There," he said, "you must be hungry by this time, youngster. It'smore than you deserve, though."
"How long am I to be kept here?" asked Gilbert.
"I again tell you I did not want to do any one harm; on the contrary, Ithink you smugglers very fine fellows."
The man laughed.
"It does not matter what you think; if Dick cannot give a good accountof you, you will be sent across the seas, that I can tell you."
Saying this, the man left the room. Gilbert was very hungry, so he atethe bread and cheese, and drank up the milk. By the light which camethrough a small chink in the shutter and under the door he saw that itwas daytime; but hour after hour passed on, and he was still a prisoner.
CHAPTER THREE.
Mr Maitland became seriously anxious when morning dawned and Gilbert didnot return. Calling up Hugh and Arthur, he told them to mount theirponies, and ride in the direction Gilbert was most likely to have taken;and as soon as the farm servants arrived, he sent them out to search theforest far and near. He himself, after consulting Mary, mounted hishorse, and rode off to Christchurch, to ascertain from Dick Hockleywhether Gilbert had paid him a visit.
He found the young man lolling over a gate smoking.
"Your son, Mr Maitland? what, has not he got home?" he exclaimed inunfeigned surprise. "Yes, he paid me a visit yesterday. He is an oldschoolfellow, you know, and I am always happy to see him. He and I arevery good friends, and there is no reason we should not be that I knowof."
"That is not to the point," said Mr Maitland, sternly. "You acknowledgethat he paid you a visit. I wish to know when he left you."
"Somewhere about five o'clock, as far as I recollect," answered youngHockley; "and as he was as sober as a judge, I should think his foresterought to have carried him home in a couple of hours at the outside."
Mr Maitland continued to cross-question Dick.
"I tell you he left me at five o'clock, and I know nothing more abouthim," was the only answer he could obtain. Mr Maitland was at lengthconvinced that young Hockley knew nothing more than he said about hisson. He made inquiries in the neighbourhood, and ascertained from twoor three people that they had seen a lad resembling Gilbert inappearance riding towards the forest. He gained, however, a piece ofinformation; it was that a large cargo of goods had been run thatevening from the well-known lugger, the _Saucy Sally_, and had beenconveyed with a strong escort inland, under the command of her daringcaptain, Slippery Rogers, who was so called from the way in which hemanaged on all occasions to elude the Revenue cruisers afloat, and theGovernment officers and soldiers sent in pursuit of him on shore.
"It's lucky you did not fall in with them, Mr Maitland," observed hisinformant. "They have vowed vengeance against you; and it would fareill with you if they were to get you into their power."
"I am not afraid of them, or any ruffians like them!" said Mr Maitland."I shall do what I consider right; and try to rid the country of suchpests as these outlaws have long been to it. It is a disgrace to thosewho should know better, and who yet encourage them by buying theirgoods, and refusing to give evidence when they are
caught. They notonly deprive the king of his just dues, but injure legitimate trade, andencourage a general lawlessness among the whole population of the coast.However, I must hasten off, and try and find out what has become of mypoor boy."
On making further inquiries, Mr Maitland ascertained the route thesmugglers had taken, and became convinced that Gilbert must have crossedtheir path, and probably fallen into their hands. He accordingly calledon the two neighbouring magistrates, and deposed, to his belief, thatviolence had been offered to his son by the smugglers. He gaveinformation also to the Revenue officers, who promised all theassistance they could afford.
Having done all he could, hoping that Gilbert might in the meantime havearrived there, he set off home. Mary met him at the gate.