I wish they hadn't boarded it up, so that a fellow can't see where they used to hide the cargoes of silk and lace and kegs of brandy the French luggers brought across from Saint Malo--wasn't that where they ran them from, Captain ?" "Aye," replied the old sailor.

"They don't now, though, my boy.

Our coastguardsmen are too sharp for that, and the mounseers have to find another market for their goods! But are you all agreed about our paying a visit to Southampton to-morrow, my friends ?" "It's a long voyage," observed Mrs Gilmour, who, although she had forsworn her resolve anent excursion steamers in her desire not to interpose any selfish obstacle, such as her own wishes, to the enjoyment of the others during their holiday by the sea in proper seafaring fashion, yet could not forget the _Bembridge Belle_ catastrophe.

"Are you sure the vessel is safe ?" "Oh yes," answered the Captain.

"She's one of the regular boats, and is as safe as a man-of-war." "Then we may consider the expedition arranged," said Mrs Strong, who, being anxious to see the city of the great Saint Bevis, had no objection to the trip up Southampton Water; for, having been already across the Solent, and even voyaged round the Isle of Wight, so to speak, without feeling sea-sick or qualmish, she was confident of being a `born sailor,' as the saying goes, and thus only too pleased to have an opportunity of testing her new experiences further.