basket was drawn up at a gallop, and the hinge of the derrick allowing it to turn inward, threw the cargo out upon the grass without further difficulty, the whole pro cess being accomplished in less than ten minutes ; which was repeated or not, according as the smugglers' scouts, posted to the right or left, gave notice of anyone approaching- the height of the cliff making no other difference than as it might require a few fathoms of rope, more or less, to effect the object. "
The incident by which this method of smuggling was detected may appear exaggerated ; but there are many officers living who can testify to its truth. One very dark night, when a cargo was to be derricked over the cliff near Birling Gap, by some mistake the smugglers landed their goods before the last sentinel had quitted the beach. The scouts, perceiving him strolling unconsciously toward the spot, gave silent and timely notice of his approach, and the whole party, retreating hastily into their boat, pushed off unseen. In the con fusion, however, created by this interruption, they either forgot to give the usual signal for pulling up the goods , or it was unfelt by those at the top of the cliff ; so that, in passing along, the sentinel actually ran against the basket, and not knowing how it was suspended, or what were its contents, he began pulling at the rope, when he felt the basket beginning to ascend, and, endeavouring to keep it down by main force, was suddenly swayed off his legs, and carried up with such velocity that, not -
