Wessex Poems and Other Verses

t stealth, as if she knew very well that he would be watching, and were resolved to brave his displ

e step beside her, who now again appeared as a littl

id, repressed by

all go too

she exclaimed in more buoyant ton

ould!' he said. 'But

scarcely a word passing between them. The evening was rather less favourable to smuggling enter

lighter,' sa

to-day at four o'clock, and I expected clouds. I hope we shall be able to do it this dark, for wh

as to what he should say to her, decided that he would not attempt expostulation now, while she was excited by the adventure, but wait till it was over, and endeavour to keep her from such practices in future. It occurred to him once or twice, as they

t of the shore they sought. Lizzy broke the silence this time: 'I have to wait here to meet the carriers. I don't kno

wait. These carriers were men whom Lizzy and other proprietors regularly employed to bring the tubs from the boat to a hiding-place inland. They were all young fellows of Nether-Moynton, Chaldon, and th

forehand without reference to success or failure; but, besides this, they had the privilege of selling as agents when the run was successfully made. As soon as it was done, she said to them, 'The place is the old o

Newberry followed at a distance of a stone's

s, some carpenters, some shoe-makers, some thatchers. They are all

p that,' sai

inclined, because they supply the pa'son with all the spirits he r

hoose 'em?' s

they are strong and surefooted, and able to ca

well acquainted with its conditions and needs. And yet he felt more tenderly towards her at this moment than he had felt all t

m, Lizzy,'

ides, we may never be to each oth

,' said he, and they w

earthwork called Round Pound. An hour's brisk walking brought them within sound of the sea, not many hundred yards from Lulstead Cove. Here they paused, and Lizzy and Stockdale came up with them, when they went on together to the verge of the cliff. One of the men

he bottom, Lizzy?' sa

watch,' she said. 'O

p of heavy oars, and the dashing of waves against a boat's bow. In a moment the keel gently touched the shingle, and S

kdale's hand rested, began to swerve a little, and the carriers one by one appeared climbing up the sloping cliff; dripping audibly as they came, and sustaining themselves by the guide-rope. Each man on reaching the top was seen to be carrying a pair of tubs, one on his back and one on his chest, the two being slung together by cor

t?' said Lizzy

t waiting for the rest, the foremost men plunged across the down; and, when the last had ascended, Lizzy pu

about Owlett's safet

man!' said Lizzy. 'Wh

k,' said Stockdale heavily. 'But I'

s have got so far a

bar, walked by her side towards the downs;

ay when you spoke of having busines

lied. 'I never see hi

hat kind with a you

father and his, wh

e would be a peculiar appropriateness in her answering Owlett's standing question on matrimony in the affirmative. This did not soothe Stockdale, its tendency being rather to stimulate in

two companies of unequal size, each of which made off in a direction of its own. One company, the smaller of the two, went towards the church, and by t

put in the church again,' observed Lizzy. 'Do you re

o wonder you had permission to broac

om myself. The day after that they went several miles

before began leaping one by one from the hedge opposite Lizzy's house

, isn't it?' h

id she. 'What'

tched. We must sling the apple-tree in the orchet if there's time. We can't put any more under

'Be quick about it-that

inister!-you two that can't do anything

im had been descending one by one from the hedge; and it unfortunately happened that when the hindmost took his leap, the cord

ll!' said Owlet

od deal, I suppos

smell! It is so blazing strong before it has been lowered by water, that it smells dreadfu

e did not care to follow them, for several on recognizing him had looked wonderingly at his presence, though they said nothing. Lizzy left his side and went to the bottom of the garden, looking over the hedge into the orchard, where the men could be di

ill abstractedly leaning. 'It is all finished: I am going indo

' said Stockdale;

rses' hoofs broke upon the ear, and it seemed to come from t

oo late!' cried

said St

r, and some assistant of hi

bolted the door. 'Please don't get

I will no

he side of the king,' said L

now it perfectly well; and you ought to know, if you do not, what I

hurriedly. 'Yet I don't see wh

on the landing, but before they had taken three steps apart, the tramp of the horsemen suddenly revived, almost close to the house. Lizzy turned to the staircase window, opened the casement ab

ing to his companion which neither Stockdale nor Lizzy could hear. Its drift was, however, soon made evident, for the other man stopped also; and sharply turning the h

ghtly opened casement; and thus it occurred that at last their cheeks came positively into contact. They went on listening, as if they did not know

nds as they paced slowly along. When they reached the s

re,' said the second officer.

t us off the scent. They wouldn't kick up this stink anywhe

of 'em, must have been brou

aying a word, and come the first thing in the morning with more hands. I know they have storages about here, but we can do nothing

e village, the street of which curved round at the bottom and entered the turnpike road at ano

id Stockdale, withdraw

th as much coolness as she could command under her disappointment at his manner. 'We often have such storms as this. You would not be frightened if you knew what fools they are. Fancy riding o' horseback through the place: of course they

ere a tear fell from her eyes; and that not be