"Surrender in the king's name."
"To what, and to whom, and what are we to surrender? We are an English vessel coasting along shore."
"Pull on board, my lads," cried Stewart; "I am a king's officer—we know her."
The boat darted alongside, and Stewart and Lord B., followed by the men, jumped on the deck.
"Well, gentlemen, what do you want?" said Pickersgill.
"We seize you—you are a smuggler; there's no denying it: look at the casks of spirits stretched along the deck."
"We never said that we were not smugglers," replied Pickersgill; "but what is that to you? You are not a king's ship, or employed by the revenue."
"No, but we carry a pendant, and it is our duty to protect the laws."
"And who are you?" said Pickersgill.
"I am Lord B."