The Rival Crusoes

by William Henry Giles Kingston

Following this wise resolution, he set off at a pace which soon brought him to the borders of the forest. He knew the road too well to be impeded by the darkness. He was running on, his own footsteps not allowing him to hear other sounds, when on passing beneath some overhanging trees, the shadow of which prevented him from seeing objects ahead, he suddenly found himself close upon a body of men, some on horseback and others on foot, escorting a line of carts. Dick at once knew what they were about, and not wishing to be stopped, he sprang on, hoping to remain concealed behind the trunk of a tree until they had passed by; but he had been observed, and two of the men came up to him.

“What business have you here, youngster?” asked one of them, seizing his arm and dragging him forward.

“I am Farmer Hargrave’s son, and am on my way home with some fish Ben Rudall and I have been catching for my sister Janet,” he answered.

“All right, Master Dick,” said the man; “we know you well enough; but don’t say that you have seen us, and if Ben has taken care to show himself, the revenue people won’t suspect what’s in the wind, as they will think that he would be sure to be along with us. Have you any news?”

“Nothing that much concerns you, Master Fryer,” answered Dick, who recognised the speaker. “A frigate anchored in Yarmouth Roads this evening, and two of the officers, one of them Lord Elverston’s son, have landed and gone on to the hall.”

“I should like to pay them off for the trouble the marquis gives us,” said Fryer; “though we have put him on a wrong scent, and he is not likely to find out this time what we are about, until the goods are safe in the hands of the London merchants.”

“It would not do us much good to interfere with the youngsters,” observed the other man. “If the marquis would but let us alone we should have no ill will towards him. All we want is free trade and fair play.”

“You are right there, mate,” observed Fryer; “and now, Master Dick, you may go your way, and remember to keep a quiet tongue in your head.”

Dick, escorted by his captors, who explained who he was, passed unquestioned through the main body of the smugglers, who had halted for some reason for a few minutes, just as he got up to them. Dick again hurried on, while the smugglers proceeded along by-paths across the country, shortly after to fall in, as has been seen, with the midshipmen. Dick was met by his faithful dog, who was always on the watch for him when he was away from home, and having an especial duty to perform, seldom accompanied him. That duty, which he performed with exemplary patience, was to lead about blind Janet, who, under his guidance, when she was well, would venture in all directions without the slightest fear of a mishap. Every one in the neighbourhood knew her and her dog, and even the roughest characters treated her with courtesy. Of late her walks had been greatly curtailed, for the last few days Faithful’s office had become a sinecure, though he still remained at his post, ready to perform his duty if required. He was a handsome spaniel, and had been brought up from a puppy by Dick, who had thoroughly broken him in. Though fond of scampering across the fields and poking his nose into every hole he could find in the hedges and ditches, he became as sedate as a judge the moment Janet called him and fastened the ribbon by which she was led to his collar. Dick was naturally very fond of his dog, but had become still more so since the animal had shown how useful it could make itself to poor Janet.

Faithful, who had long been on the watch, when he heard his master’s footsteps, with a bark of welcome leaped over the palings, and came frolicking and leaping round him, licking his hands to show his joy, and together they entered the house.