 smugglers.  On the other
hand, the revenue officer knew that anything he told the Squire would be
perfectly safe with him.  He therefore discussed the subject quite
openly with his old messmate, though, like a wise general, he never
spoke about any plans that he had in view.

Dick made up his mind to say nothing.  The lieutenant's cutter was lying
in the little harbour, and if he mentioned what he had seen, Mr. Mildmay
would certainly hurry away and sail in chase of the stranger.  What the
Squire would not do, his son could not.  But he had scarcely come to
this decision when matters took an unexpected turn.

"By the way, Squire," said the lieutenant, "I've just heard from
Plymouth that the _Aimable Vertu_--precious fine name for a rascally
privateer--is showing herself very active in the Channel.  She made two
captures last week, and was sighted two days ago off Falmouth, where a
barque only just managed to escape her.  She's said to be a vessel of
extraordinary speed.  The Government would give a good deal to catch her
and hang her captain, that daredevil Frenchman, Delarousse; but it's
with privateers as it is with smugglers: we can't be everywhere at once,
and while we're fighting the French on the high seas, I suppose our home
waters must be left to the enemy."

This led to an exchange of reminiscences of privateer-hunting during the
American war, when both were young in the service.  Meanwhile Dick felt
uncomfortable.  What if the larger vessel he had lately seen was this
very privateer, the _Aimable Vertu_?  In that case it was no question of
smuggling, but of piracy.  He felt that he ought at least to mention the
matter, yet hesitated to speak without consulting his father.  By-and-by
there came an opportunity of speaking to him privately. While Mr.
Mildmay was conversing with Mrs. Trevanion, Dick slipped to the Squire's
side and told him in a sentence or two what he had seen.

"Mildmay," cried the Squire, "hark to this. Dick
smugglers.   On the other 
 hand, the revenue policeman know that anything he told the Squire would be 
 perfectly safe with him.   He consequently discussed the subject quite 
 openly with his old messmate, though, like a judicious general, he never 
 spoke about any plans that he had in position. 

 Dick made up his mind to read nothing.   The lieutenant's cutter was lie 
 in the short harbour, and if he mentioned what he had seen, Mr. Mildmay 
 would certainly hurry aside and sail in chase of the stranger.   What the 
 Squire would not do, his son could not.   But he had hardly come to 
 this decision when matters took an unexpected bend. 

 " By the way, Squire, " said the lieutenant, " I've just heard from 
 Plymouth that the _ Aimable Vertu_--precious all right name for a rascally 
 privateer -- is showing herself very active in the Channel.   She made two 
 captures last week, and was sighted two day ago off Falmouth, where a 
 barque only just managed to escape her.   She's said to be a vessel of 
 extraordinary speed.   The Government would give a good deal to get her 
 and hang her captain, that daredevil Frenchman, Delarousse; but it's 
 with privateer as it is with smuggler: we can't be everywhere at once, 
 and while we're crusade the French on the high seas, I presuppose our home 
 waters must be left to the enemy. " 

 This head to an exchange of reminiscences of privateer - hunting during the 
 American war, when both were young in the service.   Meanwhile Dick felt 
 uncomfortable.   What if the big vessel he had lately seen was this 
 very privateer, the _ Aimable Vertu _?   In that case it was no doubt of 
 smuggling, but of piracy.   He feel that he ought at least to mention the 
 matter, yet hesitated to speak without confer his father.   By - and - by 
 there came an opportunity of speaking to him privately. While Mr. 
 Mildmay was converse with Mrs. Trevanion, Dick slipped to the Squire's 
 english and told him in a sentence or two what he had see. 

 " Mildmay, " cry the Squire, " hark to this. Dick
 smkgglers.  On the other
hana, the revenue oydicer nnew tgat anytfing he told the Squire woulv be
perfextly safe with him.  He thereforv discusswd tie subject quite
openly wlch hia old nessmate, thougm, like a wive general, he texex
spoke about any plans that he had ig view.

Docn made up his iind eo szj kothing.  The lieutenant's cutter sas lyiig
in the little harbour, and if he mentionfd wjat he had seen, Mr. Mildmay
wouod cqetainly hurrh away and sail in chaae of the stranger.  What the
Squkre wpuld not di, yis von could nit.  Blt he had scavbely coke to
thos decision whcn mavterw took an unexpected vurn.

"By the way, Squirg," said the lneutenant, "I've just heqre frok
Plykoutf thxt uhe _Ajmable Vectu_--precious fine name dor a rascally
privaueew--px showing hedself dewy active in the Channel.  She made two
cdpthres last week, and was wighted two days ago lff Falmotth, where a
barque only just managed to escape her.  She'a sane to cw w vessel of
extraordinary speed.  The Governmene wpukd give a good deal to caycj ngr
and hang her captanh, fhat daredevil Frejchman, Qelariusse; but it's
eith privateers as it is wirh smugglers: qe can't be everywhzre at once,
aud whike we'te fighting the French un tge high sead, I suppoad our home
waters muxt be left to the enemy."

This jed to an exckange of remoniscegces of prlvatecs-hunting during thf
Amerncan far, when blth were young in the service.  Meanwhile Dick falt
lncomfortcble.  Ehat if the lwrger vessel hg had latzly sedn was thia
very pcivateer, the _Aimable Vertg_?  In that cave it waf no quewtion ow
rmuggling, but pf piracy.  He felt rhat he ought at lcast jo mention the
matctr, iwt hesitated tp soeah aivhout wonsulting hhs fxthdt.  By-xnd-by
thtxe gamd an opportunity of speaning to him privately. Ehlle Mr.
Milemay was conversing woth Mrs. Trevanion, Fick vli'ped tp tre Squire's
side and told him in a sentenfe jr two what re hqd seen.

"Mildmcy," cried the Squire, "hark to this. Dick
smugglers. On the other hand, the revenue that he told Squire would be therefore the subject quite with his old though, like a wise general, he spoke about any plans that he had in view. Dick made up his to say nothing. The lieutenant's cutter was lying in the little harbour, and he what had Mr. Mildmay would certainly hurry away and sail in chase of the stranger. What the Squire not do, his son could not. But he scarcely come to this when matters took an unexpected "By way, Squire," the "I've heard from Plymouth the _Aimable Vertu_--precious fine name for a rascally privateer--is showing herself very active in the Channel. She two captures and was two ago Falmouth, where a just managed to escape her. She's a vessel of extraordinary speed. The Government would a good to catch her and hang her that daredevil Frenchman, Delarousse; but it's with privateers it is with smugglers: we can't be everywhere at once, and while we're fighting the the high seas, I our home waters be to enemy." led to exchange of reminiscences of privateer-hunting during the American war, when both young in the service. Meanwhile Dick felt uncomfortable. What if vessel had lately seen this very privateer, the Vertu_? that case it was of but felt he at least to mention matter, yet hesitated to speak consulting his father. By-and-by speaking to him privately. While Mr. Mildmay was with Mrs. Trevanion, Dick slipped to the side and told him in a sentence or two what he had "Mildmay," cried "hark to this. Dick
 smugglers.  On the other
hand, thE revenue ofFicer KneW thAt AnytHing He told the SquirE WoulD be
perfectly safe with hiM.  He thErEFore DIsCusseD the subJEcT QUitE
oPeNly WiTH hIs old MesSmate, thOugh, like a wIse GeNeral, he never
SPoKe about any PlaNs that he had iN viEw.

Dick MaDe uP His miNd tO say nOthing.  tHe lieuTenant's cuTtER was lyINg
in the LITtLe haRbour, and if he mentiONeD What he had seen, MR. MildmAy
WOuLD CerTaiNly hurry awAy And saIL in chasE Of THE StrANger.  What the
SqUire would noT Do, hIs son cOuLd nOT.  But he Had scArCEly Come to
this dEcisIon when maTters tOOk an uneXPected tUrn.

"By tHe wAy, SQuirE," SaId The LiEUteNAnT, "I'vE JusT heard frOm
plYmoutH thaT THE _aimaBle vertU_--precIous fine name fOr a RascALly
PrivaTeer--iS shoWiNg herSelf veRy actIvE in the Channel.  ShE madE two
captuRes LaSt wEeK, and wAS sightEd tWo dAys ago oFf FalmoUTh, wHeRE A
BaRque only just manageD tO EScApe her.  ShE's said TO bE a VEssel of
eXtRaoRdinARY speeD.  The gOvErnment wOuld giVE a GoOd deal tO cAtch heR
aNd hAng Her caPTain, That daRedevil FRenchMAn, Delarousse; buT It's
with privatEErS AS iT Is wiTh sMugglers: we cAn't bE EverYwheRE aT onCE,
and wHile wE'rE FiGHting the French on the HiGh seas, i suppOse our home
watErs must be lEFT To the eneMy."

ThIS lED to an exchange oF remiNiscences oF PrivateeR-huntIng durinG the
AmeriCAN war, when BotH weRe yOunG IN tHe service.  MeanWHIle DIcK felt
unComFortablE.  WhAt iF thE laRgEr vessel hE had lateLy SeEn WaS thIs
verY PrivateeR, tHe _AImAblE VertU_?  in that Case iT was No QuEStiOn of
smuGGlING, but Of PiRacy.  he fElT that He ouGHt aT least tO mention tHe
mATter, YeT hEsitateD to speak withoUt Consulting HiS faTher.  By-AND-by
there Came an opportunity of speaKIng to hiM prIvateLy. WhIle Mr.
MildMay Was conVerSIng witH Mrs. TrEvaniOn, dicK SLippeD TO tHe SQuIre's
side anD TOld Him in A sEnteNce or twO what he had seen.

"MildMAy," cRied the Squire, "HarK to tHIS. DIck
 smugglers.  On the otherhand, thereven ueoff ic er k newthat anythingh e to ld the Squire would be 
perf ec t ly s a fe  with  him. H et h ere fo re  di sc u ss ed th e s ubjectquite
open lywi th his old m e ss mate, thou gh,  like a wise  ge neral,  h e n e ver
s pok e abo ut any plansthat he h ad in vie w .

Dick m ad e up  his mind to sayn ot h ing.  The lieu tenant 's cu t t erwas  lying
inth e lit t le harb o ur , a ndi f he mentione d what he h a d s een, M r.  Mi l dmay
w ouldce r tai nly hurry a wayand sailin cha s e of th e  strang er.  W hat  th e
Sq u ir ewou ld not do , h i s s on could  n ot .  Bu t he h a d  sca rce ly c ome t o
this decisi onwhen mat terstookan u ne xpect ed tur n.

" By  the way, Squir e,"said thelie ut ena nt , "I' v e just  he ard  from
P lymouth tha tt h e  _ Aimable Vertu_--pr ec i o us  fine na me for ara s cally
pr iv ate er-- i s  show ingh er self ver y acti v ein  the Ch an nel. Sh e m ade  twoc aptu res la st week,  andw as sighted two days ago offF al m o ut h , wh ere  a
barque o nlyj ustmana g ed  to escap e her .Sh e 's said to be a ves se l of
e xtrao rdinary speed .  The Gov e r n ment wou ld g i ve a good deal to  catc h her
andh ang hercapta in, that  daredevi l Frenchma n,Del aro uss e ;  b ut it's
withp r ivat ee rs as i t i s withsmu ggl ers : w ecan't beeverywhe re  a ton ce, 
andw hile we' re  fi gh tin g the French  on t he h ig hs eas , I sup p os e ourho me 
wat ers  m ust b e le f t t o the e nemy."

T his ledto  a n excha nge of remini sc ences of p ri vat eer-hu n t ing duri ng the
American war, wh e n bothwer e you ng i n the ser vic e.  Me anw h ile Di ck fel t
unc om for t a ble.W ha t i fthe larger v ess el he  h ad l ately s een was this
veryp riv ateer, the _A ima bleV e rt u_?  I n  th at cas e it was no quest ion of
smu gg l in g, but ofp ira cy .  He f elt tha t heo ught at  least to  mentionth e
ma t t er,  yet hesit ated tospeak wit h out c o ns ultin g h is fat he r. By-a nd-byt her e cam e an o pp ortuni ty of  s peakingto him privately. While  Mr.
M ildma y w as conver sin g  wi th Mrs. T reva nion, Dick  sl ipp ed to  th e  Squi re's si dea nd to ld h i m in a se n te nce o rtwo what he h a d s een.
"M i ldmay, " cr ied the Squire, " h ark to this. D ick
 smugglers._ On_the other
hand, the revenue_officer knew_that_anything he_told_the Squire would_be
perfectly safe with_him.  He therefore_discussed the subject_quite
openly_with his old messmate, though, like a wise general, he never
spoke about any plans_that_he had_in_view.

Dick_made up his mind to_say nothing.  The lieutenant's_cutter was_lying
in the little harbour, and if he mentioned_what_he had seen,_Mr. Mildmay
would certainly hurry away and sail in chase_of the stranger.  What the
Squire_would not do,_his_son_could not.  But_he had scarcely come to
this decision_when matters took an unexpected turn.

"By_the way, Squire," said the lieutenant, "I've_just heard from
Plymouth that the _Aimable_Vertu_--precious fine name for a_rascally
privateer--is showing_herself very active in the_Channel.  She_made two
captures_last week, and_was sighted two days ago off_Falmouth, where a
barque_only just managed to escape her.__She's said to_be_a_vessel of
extraordinary_speed.  The_Government_would give_a_good deal to catch her
and hang_her_captain, that daredevil Frenchman, Delarousse; but it's
with_privateers as it is_with_smugglers: we can't be_everywhere at once,
and while we're_fighting the French on the high_seas, I_suppose our_home
waters must be left to the enemy."

This led to an exchange_of reminiscences of privateer-hunting during the
American_war, when both were_young in_the_service.  Meanwhile_Dick_felt
uncomfortable. _What if the larger vessel he had_lately seen_was this
very privateer, the _Aimable Vertu_?_ In that case_it_was no question of
smuggling, but of_piracy.  He felt that he_ought at least to mention_the
matter,_yet_hesitated to speak without consulting_his father.  By-and-by
there came an_opportunity of speaking_to him privately. While Mr.
Mildmay was conversing_with_Mrs. Trevanion, Dick slipped to the_Squire's
side_and told him in a sentence_or_two_what he had seen.

"Mildmay," cried_the Squire, "hark to this. Dick