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still is, carried on to a great extent upon some

parts of the coast.

The intention of Barnabas to leave his situation with farmer Thomson was known to his mother before the time arrived; and the good woman, hearing of the character of his new connexions, was not long in conjecturing what was her son's purpose. But he had gone so far, had laid himself under such obligations to his companions, and besides, had already acquired so great a fondness for an idle and wicked life, that the weeping remonstrances and entreaties of his mother produced only a temporary effect, and poor Susan had soon to learn that, whatever hopes she once entertained that Barnabas would return to his usual and regular habits of life, it was now vain to expect it, as he had quitted farmer Thomson's, and it was supposed had gone over the sea with his friend Tom Wheeler.

This conjecture was but too correct. Al

though the winter was far advanced, and Barnabas, on account of the season, would gladly have waited till the spring, yet he was so much in debt to Wheeler, that he could not make any sufficient excuse. The smugglers were at this time particularly pressed for help, in consequence of some of their number having been apprehended and put into confinement. The knowledge of this fact made Barney feel very uncomfortable; but he thought it impossible and disgraceful to go from his engagement; therefore with the daring adventurers he at length embarked.

It was in the evening of a cold day, about the middle of December, that Barnabas set off from the public house, where they had been drinking freely. The road to the shore led, as we have before remarked, by the farm at which he had lately lived. A mingled emotion of regret and apprehension arose in his mind on passing that spot, where, if he had not

been happy formerly, he had at least been free from those cutting reflections which had since disturbed his few thoughtful moments. From the farm the path, after gradually winding among the fields which had so lately been the scene of his daily occupations, opened upon a wild and rocky common, inclining towards the sea, whose waves beat with unceasing noise upon the pebbly shore below them. The sun had set, and the clouds rising in wild and jagged forms, from the south-east, wore a threatening aspect; and the low murmurings of thunder were heard in the distance. As it happened too, one of those vessels called revenue cutters, and which are appointed to prevent smuggling, appeared sailing past, and, as if willing to get into a place of safety before the storm, was extending all her sails to the wind. This circumstance, as it would enable them to put to sea in a short time without observation, could not but be very acceptable to the smugglers;

though one or two of the least daring seemed desirous of waiting another day on account of the unfavorable appearance of the sky. Wholly unaccustomed to the sea, engaged in an employment which exposed him to so many hazards, and with a conscience ill at ease, poor Barnabas began to quake with alarm, and at that moment would gladly have exchanged his situation and occupation for the hardest day's work he ever did at farmer Thomson's, with one of his master's worse humors into the bargain.

"Tom," said he to his companion softly, as they crept down the narrow foot-way which passed between the rocks, with fern and furze wildly intermixed, "I hope, that is, I suppose, they won't be for going off to-night."

"Why not," answered the other roughly, "what is there to be afeard of? Don't you

see the cutter has given us a clear coast ?"

"But it's like to be a bad night of it," added Barney: "see how black the sky is get

ting, and how it thunders and lightens every

minute."

"So much the better, you cowardly landlubber," replied his hardened comrade, "we shan't want for light upon our voyage."

"Don't call me coward," said the other, who

feared being exposed and laughed at by the others, "I shan't flinch from my part."

On the shore, just above the washing of the waves, was a rude thatched house, which served to shelter the boat in which they were about to embark, when it was not in use, and which was professedly and occasionally employed for the purpose of fishing, but more frequently occupied in the business now before them. Being a strong and well-formed boat, it was fitted to encounter a rough sea, though only the forepart was covered. By means of rollers, it was soon removed into the water; and its crew, seven in number including Bar-. nabas, all got on board. The sails were then

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