In the soldier who arrived upon this post, advancing with head erect and light elastic tread, no one could have recognised Pepé the sleeper Pepé, habitually plunged in a profound state of somnolence Pepé, of downcast mien and slow dragging gait and yet it was he. His eyes, habitually half shut, were now sparkling in their sockets, as if even the slightest object could not escape him even in the darkness.
After having carefully examined the ground around his post, and convinced himself that he was entirely alone, he placed his lantern in such a position that its light was thrown along the road leading to the village. Then advancing some ten or twelve paces in the direction of the water, he spread his cloak upon the ground, and lay down upon it in such an attitude that he could command a view both of the road and the bay.
Ah, my captain! soliloquised the coast-guard, as he arranged his cloak around him to the best advantage, you are a very cunning man, but you have too much faith in people who are always asleep; and devil take me! if I dont believe that you are interested in my sleeping most soundly on this particular night. Well, quien sabe ? we shall see.
For about the period of half an hour Pepé remained alone delivering himself up to his reflections, and in turns interrogating with his glance the road and the bay. At the end of that time a footstep was heard in the loose sand; and looking along the pathway, the sentinel perceived a dark form approaching the spot. In another moment the form came under the light of the lantern, and was easily recognised as that of Don Lucas, the captain of the coast-guard.
The officer appeared to be searching for something, but presently perceiving the recumbent sentinel, he paused in his steps.
Pepé! cried he, in a low mincing voice.
No reply came from Pepé.
Pepé! repeated the captain, in a tone a little more elevated.
Still no reply from the sentinel, who remained obstinately silent.
The captain, appearing to be satisfied, ceased calling the name, and shortly after retraced his steps towards the village. In a few seconds his form was lost in the distance.
Good! said Pepé, as his superior officer
passed out of sight; just as I expected. A moment ago I was fool enough to doubt it. Now I am sure of it. Some smuggler is going to risk it to-night. Well, I shall manage badly if I dont come in for a windfall though it be at the expense of my captain.
Saying this, the sentinel with one bound rose erect upon his feet.
Here I am no more Pepé the Sleeper, continued he stretching himself to his full height.
From this time his eyes were bent continually upon the ocean; but another half hour passed without anything strange showing itself upon the bosom of the water nothing to break the white line of the horizon where sea and sky appeared to be almost confounded together. Some dark clouds were floating in the heavens, now veiling and now suddenly uncovering the moon, that had just risen. The effect was fine; the horizon was one moment shining like silver, and the next dark as funeral crape; but through all these changes no object appeared upon the water, to denote the presence of a human being.
For a long while the coast-guard looked so intently through the darkness, that he began to see the sparks flying before his eyes. Fatigued with this sustained attention, he at length shut his eyes altogether, and concentrated all his powers upon the organs of hearing. Just then a sound came sweeping over the water so slight that it scarce reached him but the next moment the land-breeze carried it away, and it was heard no more.
Fancying it had only been an illusion, he once more opened his eyes, but in the obscurity he could see nothing. Again he shut them closely and listened as before. This time he listened with more success. A sound regularly cadenced was heard. It was such as would be made by a pair of oars cautiously dipped, and was accompanied by a dull knocking as of the oars working in their thole-pins.
At last we shall see! muttered Pepé, with a gasp of satisfaction.
A small black point, almost imperceptible, appeared upon the horizon. Rapidly it increased in size, until it assumed the form and dimensions of a boat with rowers in it, followed by a bright strip of foam.
Pepé threw himself suddenly à plat ventre , in fear that he might be seen by those on the water; but from the elevated position which he occupied, he was able to keep his eye upon the boat without losing sight of it for a single instant.
Just then the noises ceased, and the oars were held out of water, motionless, like some sea-bird, with wings extended, choosing a spot upon which to alight. In the next instant the rowing was resumed, and the boat headed directly for the shore of the bay.
Dont be afraid! muttered the coast-guard, affecting to apostrophise the rowers. Dont be afraid, my good fellows come along at your pleasure!
The rowers, in truth did not appear to be at all apprehensive of danger; and the next moment the keel of the boat was heard grinding upon the sand of the beach.