dark,the wanderers did not mind that a bit, because they could hide theircaravan under trees, so that, although they could see no oneapproaching, no one could see them. In two days' time they bivouackedfor the night near the cave in which we now find them prisoners, thefaithful dog standing guard by their side.
About sunset they had started off to climb the hill, which was veryhigh. They lost their way coming back, and got belated. Where they hadwandered to they never knew. But much to their sorrow they were met andcaptured by these terrible men, who looked so fierce and ugly that Effiewas afraid to let her eyes rest upon them.
Captain Bland asked them many questions, which Leonard answeredfaithfully and truthfully. Then a consultation was held in a corner ofthe cave. Captain Bland soon returned.
"Now, young squire," he said. "We have made up our minds what we aregoing to do with you."
"I hope, sir," said Leonard, boldly, "you will send Effie home, even ifyou kill me."
The smuggler smiled.
"We won't have any killing in the matter, but just answer me onequestion now, for you are too brave a lad to tell a lie. What do youthink we are?"
"Why, smugglers, of course," replied Leonard. "I have often read ofsuch people as you. Those men make whisky in the cave, and you take itaway in a ship and sell it."
"I see you know about all. Yes, I take this whisky away in a ship toFrance, where they make it into brandy, and then I bring it back andsell it. Well, you've seen so much, and know so much, that I'm going totake you and your sister away in my ship with me."
"And Ossian?" said Effie, anxiously.
"Well, he can go too. I couldn't make you into brandy," he continued,laughing, "else I would, but we will turn you into gold."
"Oh, sir!" said Effie, with round wondering eyes.
"Don't be afraid, little Red Riding-Hood. I'm not going to eat you, andyou won't be hurt, and in good time I trust you will be landed onceagain at your father's house. Now keep your minds easy. There is aroom in there with plenty of skins and plaids, and a lamp burning, whereyou can sleep soundly and safely till morning."
"Pray, sir, what about Don and our caravan?"
"I'm going to send one of our brave and gallant fellows back with it toyour father's house."
"Oh! tell him to haste then, and to be so good to Don," Effie implored.
"There, there, my little maiden, go to bed, and all will be right."
The apartment into which this robber captain showed them was wellremoved from the larger cave. The passage that led to it was soconcealed by a door, painted and fashioned so as to resemble the rocks,that no one could have guessed at its existence.
Having bade them good-night, and wished them sound repose and pleasantdreams, Captain Bland left them, and they now began to gaze around themand wonder. Although lofty, it was by no means a very large apartment,but it was furnished in a style of luxuriance that quite astonished ourlittle wanderers. The walls were draped all round with tapestry, thefloor covered with thick soft carpets; there were chairs and couches,and a library of books, near which stood a harp, while the light fromcoloured lamps diffused a soft radiance around. Nor had creaturecomforts been forgotten, for here, on a little sideboard, stood a jointof meat, a game pasty, and cruets of wine.
"You heard what the robber captain said, didn't you, Effie? We arequite safe, and I'm hungry. Sit in, Eff, and have some supper. Thispasty tastes splendid."
For a time, however, Effie could not be prevailed upon to eat, but shefinally relented so far as to taste a tiny morsel. Then, as eating onlywants a beginning, she allowed Leonard to help her freely.
In about half an hour the door of the apartment was opened after aknock, the curtain that hid it was drawn aside, and Captain Blandhimself came in.
"Ha!" he said, "I'm glad to see you enjoying yourselves. I'm goingaway."
Effie's face fell, and he noticed it.
"Not for long, my little Red Riding-Hood," he said, kindly. "I'll beback early in the morning. I only came to tell you that if you wantanything, you are to go to the door at the other end of the passage, andknock. Don't be afraid. You are quite safe. Good-night, again."
"Leonard," said Effie, "that is a good robber, and I'm sorry he hasgone. He puts me in mind of the story of the good robber in the Babesin the Wood. I hope there isn't a bad robber, though, who will want tokill us."
"We must say our prayers, Eff, and never fear."
"I wish though, Leonie, that we had not come away so far from homegipsying. Poor papa and mamma--what will they think?"
About two hours afterwards, when both were sound asleep, they weresuddenly awakened by a noise in the room. They started from theircouches and looked about, Effie terribly frightened, and Leonard just alittle. It was a stone dropped from the roof, and there it lay.
"Hist!" cried a voice from above, in a loud whisper, "are you asleep?"
"No," from Leonard. "Who is it, and where are you?"
"Don't be afraid; it's only Zella, the little gipsy lass you saw in thewoods when her granny was dying. I am up here outside on the hill,talking down to you through a little hole."
"Can you take us away out of this place?" asked Leonard.
"No, no, no. I could not even come to you, and if they found me herethey would kill me."
"Well, why did you come?"
"To help you, if possible."
"What can you do?"
"I can take your donkey and cart, and drive away to your home--I knowwhere it is--and get assistance."
"But they are going to take us away in a ship."
"Well, you are safe, so far, only don't say I came."
"Oh no!" said Leonard. "We are so thankful. Take poor Don, and hurryaway. He will be safe with you."
"Yes, and I'll be so good to him."
"Good-night."
"Good-night."
The strangest part, reader, about this little interview, if so it couldbe called, was that Ossian had never even barked or growled, but laylooking very wise and wagging his long tail.
"I'm sure," said Effie, "she is a good girl, else Ossian would have beenangry."
They slept again more soundly now, and it was far into the next daybefore they awoke. Perhaps they would not have wakened even then, hadnot a knocking at the door aroused them.
"Are you all alive, little ones? Breakfast is waiting."
It was Captain Bland's voice.
"Yes, thank you," cried Leonard; "we'll soon come out."
Having finished their toilets, with all speed they hastened to the largecave.
"My men have all gone--only myself here," said the robber chief, asEffie called him. "Now, dears, eat heartily; you have a long journeybefore you. By-the-bye, your donkey wandered away somewhere by himselflast night. Very likely some farmer has found him. But my men havebeen sent to look everywhere about, and it is sure to be all right."
The journey was indeed a long one, for it was nearly evening before theyarrived at a little village near the sea. The captain took them into aninn there, and they had an excellent supper, the smuggler chief tellingthem stories that made them laugh.
"I suppose," said Leonard, quite bravely, "there is not much chance ofour escaping?"
"Not much," said Captain Bland, laughing. "You're going to kidnap us,aren't you?"
"Well, I daresay that is just the word, young sir. And now, if you'refinished, we'll march; the boat is waiting."
Once on board the lugger, sail was set immediately, with neither noisenor shouting, and away southward through the darkness, with the starsoverhead and the black waves all around, went the smuggler's lugger_Sea-horse_.
Book 1--CHAPTER SEVEN.
LIFE IN THE LIGHTHOUSE.
"The winds and the waves of ocean, Had they a merry time? Didst thou hear from those lofty chambers The harp and the minstrel's rhyme?
"The winds and the waves of ocean, They rested quietly; But I heard on the gale a sound of wail, And tears came to mine eye."
/> Longfellow.
Scene: A prettily-furnished room in a building that forms part andparcel of a lighthouse, on a small lonely island on the coast. Theisland is little else save a sea-girt rock, though on one green side ofit some sheep are grazing. Effie and Leonard standing by the window,gazing silently and somewhat sadly over the sea.
Effie (_speaks_). "It is nearly a month, Leonard, since Captain Blandsailed away and left us here. I wonder if he will ever, ever comeback."
_Leonard_. "Oh! I am quite sure he will, unless--"
_Effie_.