Headland at once agreed to do as Harry proposed, and leaving Julia with the Miss Pembertons, they rode down to the fisherman’s cottage.
They found Adam at the door, Mad Sal having just before left him; but the information she had given had been in such incoherent language, that not till Harry and his friend arrived did he comprehend what had happened.
“It must be the doing of that scoundrel Miles Gaffin,” he exclaimed, “as his lugger is the only vessel lying off the mill. Ah, there she stands under all sail away from the coast,” looking through his glass. “I saw a boat go off to her just now, but I little thought my Jacob was aboard. The villains cannot have the heart to hurt him, yet it’s hard to say what they won’t do. Oh Jacob, my boy, my boy,” and Adam lifted up his eyes to heaven, as if for protection for his son.
Directly Harry spoke of the possibility of recovering him by going in pursuit, he exclaimed—
“Yes, to be sure, sir; the Nancy is as fast a craft as any, and there will be plenty of lads to go off with us.”
Headland, meantime, was looking seaward.
“What is that craft out there?” he asked, “she looks to me like a cutter.”
Adam lifted his glass.
“Yes, sir; she is the Scout, revenue cutter. But they will not trouble themselves with the lugger, for they know she has no cargo on board.”
“But if we can get on board her,” said Headland, “and send her in chase, she will have a better chance of overtaking the lugger than the fishing boat would have.”