In a moment two or three men, armed, mounted, and each leading a spare horse loaded with packages, appeared on the lawn, and, without keeping upon the road, which makes a small sweep, pushed right across for the door of the house.

Their appearance was in the utmost degree hurried and disordered, and they frequently looked back like men who apprehended a close and deadly pursuit.

My father and Hazlewood hurried to the front door to demand who they were, and what was their business.

They were revenue officers, they stated, who had seized these horses, loaded with contraband articles, at a place about three miles off.

But the smugglers had been reinforced, and were now pursuing them with the avowed purpose of recovering the goods, and putting to death the officers who had presumed to do their duty.