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148 a fitting-conclusion to their day's rejoicing. They well knew that the custom-house officers of the government were not in sufficient numbers, either there or anywhere else, to offer more than a show of opposition to a determined band of contrabandistas!

They sallied forth to the beach at once; and the half-dozen custom-house men hastily prepared to make good their claim to the hogsheads they had seized. It was a moonlight night; and, in a short time, the coast echoed with hoarse shouts and execrations, and the brilliant light shone upon uplifted arms and eager combatants. But the skirmish was only of very brief continuance: the government officers had to contend against fearful odds; they were none of the bravest by nature; and, at the close of the first onset, they turned to fly. The smugglers followed, in a resolute manner, at their heels; and would no doubt have overtaken and captured them, but that their steps were not quite so steady and certain as usual, by reason of the liquor they had drunk. As it was, they were only able to take one prisoner, who had been slightly wounded in the fight; and him they seized and drove