“I had nearly got into disgrace, Susan,” Will said, “for visiting you so often. The captain, you know, had only lately been appointed, and he got it into his head that I should be telling you what we knew about the contemplated run; but the lieutenant smoothed it over, and I was chosen as one of the main body to capture the smugglers, whilst another party were to seize the goods. Thus I was in the thick of the fight. We had kept watch on your father and brothers, as well as some others, all the day, so we know when Deaf Jacob arranged the signals, and I was told off with another to look after him. We were not far from where he was, but further inland, whilst your father and his people were nearer the beach. When I went along with my comrade to look after Deaf Jacob, who do you think I saw instead?” Here the happy lover placed one arm around her waist, and gazed at her with a semi-mysterious expression, whilst her cheeks were suffused with conscious blushes as he proceeded. “It was someone I knew well, but whom my comrade did not, for he was taken aback, and frightened out of his wits. I thought that very lucky, so persuaded him to stay where he was (I hadn’t much difficulty in doing it!) whilst I went forward. I couldn’t for my life think what you could be after, but, however, I followed, longing to speak to you, but dared not, and saw you go to Old Jacob, and then put out the lights, so guessed what your dodge was. Well! I watched you set off towards home again, and I was just thinking I would follow you a bot, when somebody else came gently along. I believe it was Joe, your brother, ; anyhow I was obliged to see what he was after, so kept quiet, and saw him undo your handiwork, by re-lighting the signal, and then go to Deaf Jacob. So whilst he was there I went back to my comrade, and told him it was only one of the smugglers whom we had seen, so together we tracked your brother, or whoever it was, back to his hiding place. Very soon there came the splash of oars, a low whistle, and the smugglers ran their boat on the beach and landed. We had prepared some tar barrels to throw a light on the skirmish, so just as they were in the thick of landing the goods (and they were jolly quick at it too) we made a grand blaze and rushed amongst them. It was a smart fight for a time, and several bit the dust at the first volley. I was on the outskirts of our people, looking for your father, when he rushed at me with his sword lifted. I retired a bit to draw him away, and he followed, hammering away at me until it was as much as I could do to save my life. At last I heard a scream, and knew that it was you dear, so that drew my attention away, and your father’s sword came down on my shoulder with such force it tumbled me to the ground, and I thought I was killed.”
“Poor, dear Will; and to think it was my father wo did it,” exclaimed Susan, as she laid her head on his breast, and then, eager to hear the remainder of his story, asked – “Was it a bad wound? Tell me all, dear Will.”
“There’s not much more to tell, dear. It was not such a very bad would; but I lost a good deal of blood, and must have fainted, for when I came to my senses, your brother Stephen and another man were carrying me. They lifted me into a boat and got in themselves. Then I looked round and saw the fight was about over. Our men were chasing the smugglers, I think – for we could not see far, although the barrels were still burning – and some were laid on the ground. Directly they got me in the boat, they pushed off, and we were soon out of range of the light. The smugglers were swearing awfully, but pulled away as hard as they could until we reached the lugger, which was lying about half a mile out, and all got on board; Stephen saying to me as he helped me up, “Cheer up, Hardisty, I’ll look after you.” And he did, he saved my life. Some of the smugglers were like wild animals, and would have tossed me overboard; but he stuck up for me, and got the captain on his side, so they did nothing but mutter savage oaths, and scowl at me, hinting what they would do some day. We were fully a week knocking about at sea. The wind was dead against us, and the water very rough at the other side, but we landed at last at Flushing, and I went ashore with Stephen and a Dutchman who seemed great friends with him. Stephen said he had brought me because if I had been left, and his father caught, I should have been obliged to give evidence, and it might have been a heavy matter for the old man. Whereas, as he did not fight with any other, even though he was captured, it would not be so very bad. And Stephen was right, Susey dear!”
“Yes, Will!” Susan replied, “I always thought Stephen was kind, and fold of us, although he often appeared very rough; but he might have sent you back sooner.”
“I came, dear, directly after he heard your father was not a prisoner, and had gone away. He behaved very well to me, and said he hoped you and I would soon be wed. What do you say, dear?”
“But what is he doing now, Will?” asked Susan, evading the last qusstion, yet feeling her heart beating faster at the idea of having to soon answer it.
“I shall not tell you any more until you answer my question,” returned Will, with a playful salute.
Susan had recently pondered over the reply she should give when such a query should be made, and the late occurrences had seemed to unite her future so irrevocably with her lover, making her feel almost as though they were already husband and wife; that although she felt all a maiden’s bashful timidity, she answered at last in quite a serious businesslike tone, that showed the strength of her trust in the one she had chosen.
“My future is yours, dear Will! Do with it as you think best.”
“Than that is settled, and I will talk to my sister about it,” said the young lover, tenderly embracing her. And for a short space neither spoke, being buried in a dream of the approaching happiness. At length Hardisty said “Now you have dutifully answered me, I will tell you the rest. There is not much. First, as to Stephen. Hid friend the Dutch smuggler had persuaded him to enter himself as one of the crew of a large ship which he had already joined, and which was on the point of sailing for India; so that when we heard of your father’s safety my passage home was arranged and he went on board. I went also to see the last of him, and we parted very good friends. He sent his love to you, and the last words he said were, ‘”‘Mind you’re good to her, Will, for if I find you’ve ill-used her I’ll shoot you directly I come back.’ But he need not fear, dear!”
“Dear Stephen!” interposed Susan, “For some things I am glad of the trouble, somehow it seems to have brought us closer together, and proved that all affection was not quite dead.”
“I know I have cause to be glad, Susey!” responded Will. “It has given you to me, much sooner at all events.” Then after a pause he continued. “There is nothing more of my story to tell. After Stephen left, I only felt weary till the time came for leaving, and I got on board at Flushing and came straight back to find a bonny little wife awaiting me.”
This was all Will Hardisty had to tell of his adventures abroad, but the story added greatly to the serenity which had come to Susan’s heart; from it she learned that however rough her relatives might have been in their treatment of her at times, they yet loved her, and were satisfied with the choices she had made.