Their officer shouted to them to press forward at full speed, while, from the beach below, a hubbub of voices suddenly broke out, and, at the same moment, a blue light was lit on the cliff above.
"Beat them back, my lads," one of the smugglers was shouting, as James ran down to the little crowd of men standing near two boats.

"We are five to one against them.

Come on." "Surrender in the king's name," the revenue officer shouted, as he rushed forward, followed by his men.
The answer was a pistol shot, and, in a moment, a furious melee began.
The advantage in numbers was all on the side of the smugglers.

Those who had landed with the kegs were all armed with pistol and cutlass, and the countrymen had heavy sticks and bludgeons.

The ten revenue men would have been overpowered, but suddenly a shout was heard, and another party of sailors ran up along the shore, and joined in the fray.