THE HOSTAGE,

OR

THE SMUGGLERS'S BOAT.

BY L. A. WILMER.

THE records of smuggling on the coast of England furnish many adventures which for romantic incredibility are unmatched, perhaps, among all the occurrences of real life. The following narrative, although by no means as frightful and horrible in its. details as many other stories relating to similar scenes and incidents, will exemplify the ferocity and audacity frequently exhibited by persons engaged in the contraband trade.

At a small British sea-port lived Mr. James Markley, a gentleman of superior education, considerable landed property and great amiability; but for reasons which will be explained as we proceed, much less popular than he deserved to be in his own neighborhood. He was a widower with two children,-Catharine, a very charming maiden of eighteen, and James, a mere child, who had not yet reached his eighth summer. Mr. Markley was in the commission of the peace, and as a magistrate was rather more exact in the administration of justice than his neighbors. thought necessary: for, be it understood, that most of Mr. Markley's neighbors were disposed to connive at those violations

of the revenue laws which enabled them to procure certain commodities at a reduced price; and, as self-interest is an obscure medium through which to examine the morality of any practice, it was very difficult to make them believe that they were pursuing a very censurable course.

As soon as Mr. Markley became vested with the requisite authority, he made a vigorous movement for the suppression of this illicit business, and called on the more respectable inhabitants of the neighborhood to assist him in that good work. But few responded to the call, while many felt indignant at his interference with what they had learned to consider a privilege; viz. the purchase of goods fraudulently introduced into the country. It is lamentable to see how the moral sense of a whole community. can be blunted by long indulgence in one vicious custom.

One day, Mr. Markley received information that a party of smugglers had landed with a quantity of merchandize which they intended to convey to the interior. He immediately armed his servants and a few others on whom he could depend, and proceeded to intercept the "free traders," as they called themselves, on the route they had taken with a wagon load of their commodities. The wagon was but indifferently guarded by six or eight men, four of whom were made prisoners after a slight resistance, and the others, at the first glimpse of the magistrate with his formidable posse, betook themselves to flight, leaving their goods in the possession of the victorious party. In the haste and excitement of this surprise, Mr. Markley did not observe that he was followed by his little son, who, from the curiosity natural to his age, had kept within view of the whole transaction. The lad, as if sensible of a fault in thus following the party without his father's permission, endeavored, after the skirmish was over, to return by a different route, but was met on the way by two of the retreating smugglers; one of whom, being an old resident of the neighborhood, immediately recognized him. These men. seized the child, threatened him with death if he made a noise or

attempted to escape, and conducted him to a spot on the sea side, where the smugglers could make signals to their comrades in their boat which lay at some distance from the shore.

The boat, a small sloop-rigged craft, approached and took them on board, when the whole crew were horrified with intelligence of their disaster, the loss of their goods and the capture of their companions. Rage with these men was a stronger emotion than grief; and when it was understood that the son of the man, against whom they uttered the most bitter imprecations, was in their boat and entirely at their mercy, it was difficult for Ben Hodges, the chief of the gang, to restrain them from the immediate sacrifice of the boy. Hodges having, with great exertion, silenced the clamors of his blood-thirsty company, addressed them to the following effect :

"Comrades, you may think it a very fine thing to take revenge on Mr. Markley, but do you observe that the murder of this lad will not bring back our teas and tobacco, nor liberate our friends who have been made prisoners? It is well known that Markley is doatingly fond of his children. have nursed many a time and should hate to see foolishly murdered,) would cut him to the heart and leave him nearly desolate. It would be a pity-"

The loss of this boy, (whom I

Here the speaker was interrupted by a groan or yell of disapprobation.

"Yes," continued Hodges, raising his voice, "I say it would be a pity, as well as a sin, to murder the boy. But seeing that you have neither compassion nor conscience, I did n't intend to talk about the pity or the sin to you. Here is the whole matter: do you want your goods back and a neat sum of money to boot? Do you want to have our comrades liberated? Answer to that." 'Ay, ay; certainly; to be sure we do," sounded from all parts of the boat.

"Why, then," resumed the orator, "you have only to let Markley know that we have his son, and that the only condition.