In this vessel Brown embarked, and resolved to make that place his temporary abode, until he should receive letters and money from England.
In the course of their short voyage he entered into some conversation with the steersman, who was also owner of the boat, a jolly old man, who had occasionally been engaged in the smuggling trade, like most fishers on the coast.

After talking about objects of less interest, Brown endeavoured to turn the discourse toward the Mannering family.

The sailor had heard of the attack upon the house at Woodbourne, but disapproved of the smugglers' proceedings.
'Hands off is fair play; zounds, they'll bring the whole country down upon them.

Na, na! when I was in that way I played at giff-gaff with the officers: here a cargo taen--vera weel, that was their luck; there another carried clean through, that was mine; na, na! hawks shouldna pike out hawks' een.' 'And this Colonel Mannering ?' said Brown.
'Troth, he's nae wise man neither, to interfere; no that I blame him for saving the gangers' lives, that was very right; but it wasna like a gentleman to be righting about the poor folk's pocks o' tea and brandy kegs.

However, he's a grand man and an officer man, and they do what they like wi' the like o' us.' 'And his daughter,' said Brown, with a throbbing heart, 'is going to be married into a great family too, as I have heard ?' 'What, into the Hazlewoods' ?' said the pilot.