As, however, there was nothing to be gained by it,
Ralph never made the attempt.
Looking back over the land the view was a dreary one. There was not a
human habitation within sight, the hills were covered with brown
heather, while in the bottoms lay bogs, deep and treacherous to those
who knew not the way across. It was rarely that a human figure was
visible. Once or twice a day a revenue man came along the edge of the
cliff, and would generally stop for a talk with Ralph.
"There was," he said, "a good deal of smuggling carried on along that
part of the coast during the war; but there is not so much of it now,
though no doubt a cargo is run now and then. It does not pay as it did
when the French ports were all closed, and there was not a drop of
brandy to be had save that which was run by the smugglers. Now that
trade is open again there is only the duty to save, and I fancy a good
many of the boats have gone out of the business. You see, the revenue
has got its agents in the French ports, and gets news from them what
craft are over there loading, and what part of the coast they come
from. Along the English coast there is still a good deal of it. There
lace pays well; but there is not much sale for lace in Ireland, and
not much sale for brandy either, excepting in the towns. The peasants
and farmers would not thank you for it when they can get home-made
whisky for next to nothing.
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