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Page 27
Trembling and almost gasping for breath, she fell on her knees and
implored mercy.
"It can be shown," said my father "only on one condition, a full
confession of every thing connected with your being here."
"But," faltered she, "if I do shall I be given up to _them_ and they
will surely kill me if I am."
"Tell the truth," said my father, "and if, as I judge from your last
words; you are the tool of others, you shall be protected, and if
deserving, or even repentant, shall be cared for: but stay," said he,
pouring out a glass of wine, "you are greatly agitated, take this and
then sit down. Now, if you will tell the truth, you may dismiss your
fears, and by making the only reparation in your power, a full
disclosure, you may also make a friend of me."
"Indeed Sir I will, for I feel sure you will keep your word."
"You see before you one, who till the last few years, knew not the
ways of sin. I was carefully and tenderly brought up some miles from
here; but forming an acquaintance with a young man, I married him
against the wishes of my parents. I soon found out he was a smuggler,
for he brought me to these parts, where I have been compelled to act
the character you saw this evening, to prevent any body buying the
place, it being so near the sea and having a passage under ground it
just suited for the purpose. The gang consists of six men who are all
but one gone out with a boat to fetch a cargo; the moon sets about
half past three, when they will bring it in. Had you been here last
night they were all in the cave."
"Would you like to return to the paths of duty and virtue?" asked my
father.
"Oh yes Sir, but how can I, who will now look on me, how can I leave
one, who though so wicked and I fear hardened in wickedness is still
very dear to me?"
"Only purpose to do rightly," said my father, and God will surely open
a way for you. All you have to do, is to pray to and trust in him."
"Oh Sir that is what my poor old father would say, that is just how he
used to talk to me;" and she fell to crying bitterly.
"Is he still living?"
"He is Sir, for a letter I wrote begging his forgiveness, was returned
to a neighbouring post-office, only the other day."
Papa then insisted on her taking some more refreshment, and looking at
his watch perceived it was nearly one o'clock: much was to be done,
ere the smugglers returned. The woman informed him that only one then
remained who ought to have been on the watch, to light a beacon
prepared in case of any danger, but that there was so little fear of
any thing of the kind, that he had freely indulged in spirits, of
which there were plenty in the cave and was now fast asleep, in a
state of intoxication, consequently, could be secured without any
difficulty. She accompanied papa and Davy to the bed, but on reaching
it started back with horror, and would have fallen, had not the latter
caught her; for the wretched being that lay before them, was her
husband who had returned wounded and from the state of exhaustion he
was in, it appeared dangerously so. She was alarmed, and both papa and
Davy were so too, least the man they expected to find had escaped, and
given the alarm; but it was not the case; for at a little distance,
they found him lying on the ground, so completely under the influence
of drink, that he was easily secured. Papa now concluded it better to
light the beacon, particularly when he learnt that doing so would
deter the smugglers from running their cargo, till another signal was
given. The poor creature entreated that something might be done for
her husband, and papa much moved by her distress, told her a surgeon
should be sent for, but that he did not consider it safe for either
Davy Evans or himself to remain alone. She then pointed to a door
which contained the arms and ammunition of the gang, in case of being
discovered. He secured the key of this, and then despatched Davy to
the village, who soon roused Griffy Davis to whom he triumphantly
announced the capture of the ghost, and speedily returned with several
of the villagers, whom he assured should be well rewarded from the
spoils of the smugglers. The latter soon after seeing the light
announcing danger sent a secret emissary, who finding all was
discovered, returned to the others, who immediately left the country;
and although a strict search has been made, no tidings have yet been
heard of them, and it is supposed they have flown to foreign parts.
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