Well, sir, he rang his bell, called up all his servants, got lights, and made a thorough search; but the devil a goblin was to be found.

He had no sooner turned in again, and the rest of the family gone to sleep, than the foul fiends began their game anew.

The commodore got up in the dark, drew his cutlass, and attacked them both so manfully, that in five minutes everything in the apartment went to pieces, The lieutenant, hearing the noise, came to his assistance.

Tom Pipes, being told what was the matter, lighted his match, and going down to the yard, fired all the patereroes as signals of distress.

Well, to be sure the whole parish was in a pucker: some thought the French had landed; others imagined the commodore's house was beset by thieves; for my own part, I called up two dragoons that are quartered upon me, and they swore, with deadly oaths, it was a gang of smugglers engaged with a party of their regiment that lies in the next village; and mounting their horses like lusty fellows, rode up into the country as fast as their beasts could carry them.