[Cutlass and Cudgel by George Manville Fenn]@TWC D-Link book
Cutlass and Cudgel

CHAPTER TEN
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Come along." Archy's heart gave a bound.
Here was news! He had been growing dull and disheartened, thinking that his expedition was foolish and impossible, and here at once he had learned what he wanted.

He knew that now all he had to do was to take advantage of every wall and tree, even to creep along the ground if necessary, and he would be able to follow the smugglers to the place where they had hidden the run cargo, watch them bring it out, and then track them to the fresh hiding-place.
He would thus learn everything, and be able at daybreak to make his way to the cliff, signal for a boat, and a grand capture would be made.
His heart beat high as he thought of the lieutenant's delight, and of the joy there would be amongst the men, for this would mean prize-money, and perhaps the means of deluding the vessel that had brought the cargo into a trap, so that it could be captured, and more prize-money as well as honour be the result.
It did not take him long to think all this; and then he rose cautiously and dropped down again, for the door was re-opened, and the light beamed out so that the watcher felt that he must be seen.
"That my Rammy ?" cried Mrs Shackle.
"Yes," growled the farmer; "keep that door shut and your mouth too." "But do be careful, master.

I don't want him took prisoner again." "It's all right, mother." "Come along, boy." Archy heard the departing steps, and began to suffer a fresh agony of suspense.

He could not stir, for the farmer's wife stood at the open door, and the slightest movement would have caused a discovery; and all the time he could hear the footsteps growing more and more faint.
"Oh!" he said to himself; "and it's so dark I shan't be able to tell which way they have gone." What should he do?
Start up and run?
If he did the woman was certain to raise an alarm; and, knowing that, he could do nothing but wait till she went in, when he might chance to pick up the clue again.
His heart beat so loudly that he felt as if it must be heard, but Mrs Shackle was too intent upon listening to the departing footsteps, which grew more faint till they died out entirely, and as they passed away the midshipman's heart sank.
"Had all my trouble for nothing," he thought.

"So near success, and yet to fail!" "Ah, deary deary me!" said a voice from close at hand, "I'm very sick and tired of it all.


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