Captain S - was a man of enterprise, and never lost an opportunity of scheming to supplement the freight of the vessel he commanded.  His common phrase was, “Look for business, and you’ll meet it on the road.”  He was well known all over the Mediterranean, and had done much trade with the Spanish ports, so that he got to know a good deal about the character and methods of their business.  On one occasion, at Gibraltar, a deputation of traders, as they called themselves, made him a proposition that was startling in its remunerative dimensions.

“I presume,” said the captain, “this business which you are good enough to put before me is sound; there is no humbug about it?”

“Not one bit, captain.  You undertake to do certain work for which we pay you before starting.”

It was arranged that he should wire from his last port of call when passing down the Mediterranean.  He fixed his mind on the amount he was to receive, and did not inquire too closely into the character of the business.  He would have been virtuously indignant if any one had hinted that he was capable of going beyond the limits of stern rectitude, although he admitted the undertaking to be extraordinary, otherwise he would not have been so well paid for it.  His knowledge of character told him that he was going to do business with a squad of rascals who knew no moral law, and yet the fascination of exciting enterprise held him in its grip.  So it came to pass that he sent his telegram announcing approximately when he might be expected at Gibraltar, and asking them to have all in readiness against his arrival.  In the early morning of the eighth day after leaving Malta, the steamer crept from under the Great Rock into the beautiful bay, and was promptly boarded by a few gentlemen of effusive manners who were greatly concerned about the health of Captain S .  The latter requested them to cease their chatter and to get to business.

“Are the craft ready?” said he.

“Oh yes,” replied the Rock-scorpions; “but you will have to wait until dark before they can be brought from their moorings.”

This was agreed to.  The captain put his vessel alongside the coal hulk, and by noon the required bunker coal had been shipped, and through the kindness of the captain of the hulk she was allowed to remain alongside until darkness set in, on the plea of repairs being done to defective machinery.  She was then slowly moved towards three feluccas which lay waiting in the bay.  The night was still, and the moon shone bright and made the sea silvery by its reflection; but a large halo encircled it, and the seamen knew that foreboded stormy weather.  “Telegraph boys” were coming up from the west very swiftly.  There was to be trouble outside Cape Spartel, and they were anxious to get through the stream before the gale had developed strength.  A boat came alongside.  Two Levantines stepped aboard.  The captain said-

“So you have come at last.  Have you got the money with you?  Let me have no wriggling, or I will have you put over the side and steam away without your merchandize.”

“No, no, capitan, you must not do that!  Come to the charthouse and you shall be paid at once.”

After three-fourths of the agreed sum had been counted out the paymaster stuck, and said, “Capitan, you must be satisfied.  We are poor men like yourself.”

In an instant the captain was out of the charthouse with his money, and went on to the upper bridge and called out to his officers to see the gentlemen into their boat.  They pleaded to him to come into the charthouse again, and every cent due to him would be handed over according to agreement.

“I did not mean what I said to be taken seriously,” said the financial agent.

“But I did,” replied the captain.  “And take notice that if you wriggle again I will make short work of this business.”

The balance of freight was handed over without further demur, and the craft taken in tow as arranged.  It was urged that the heaviest laden of the three lighters should tow astern of the others.  The engines were set easy ahead.  The two scorpions were asked to get into their boat quickly.  They wished the captain good luck, and gave him instructions to steer over to the African side of the gut, as the current was easier there.  He was warned in true Levantine eloquence, and with an accent and tone that indicated anxiety for the success of the project, to look sharply after the “wolves” when they got off Tarifa, for this is the narrowest part of the entrance to the Mediterranean.  It was clear that this traffic welcomed no publicity.

The C - was soon plunging into a strong westerly swell, though there was as yet but little wind.  They had got Tarifa abeam, when the look-out man reported a small vessel three points on the starboard bow.  In a few more minutes the “wolves” announced themselves by a few small shot rattled against the smoke stack.  Orders were given to the second officer to go aft with a hatchet, and when the signal was given he had to snap the tow-rope of the last felucca.  All hands were ordered to lie low-i.e., lie under shelter of the bulwarks.  The captain and chief officer took shelter on the port side of the charthouse.  The vessel’s course was altered, but being so far over on the African coast there was not much room to play on.  The firing was still directed at the funnel, though at times it was erratic.  One of the seamen shouted, “I’m hit!” In an instant the captain blew his whistle, and the tow-line of N craft was cut.  The steamer’s speed increased, though it did not much matter so far as getting out of the fire zone was concerned, as the Spanish Costaguardia’s attention became fixed on the abandoned craft.

“My God!” soliloquized the chief mate, “the Rock-scorpions are right.  They have pounced upon the derelict like wolves.  I almost wish I was there to see the effect when they realize they have been fooled, and they find that that craft is loaded with stones.  It was just done in the nick of time; they might have compelled us to heave to.”

“I would never have done that,” said the captain.  “I knew they would not risk being defeated in their object when they saw so excellent a prize thrown at them.”

“They are setting the sail,” observed the officer.

“Yes,” responded the captain.  “The gentlemen will find one of their craft anchored in Gibraltar Bay to-morrow morning, and may be the whole three.  I do not like the look of it; both the wind and sea are making.  I hope we may be able to reach to the westward of Trafalgar Bay before it gets worse.”

Instructions were given to have the wounded seaman brought to the saloon, and it was found that he was not seriously injured.  After the wound was dressed, orders were given to set the regular watch.  Little progress was made during the night, owing to the heavy west wind.  By six the following morning she was just a little west of Cape Spartel, and the wind had increased to a heavy gale.  The engines had to be slowed down in order to save the two little vessels from being dragged under water; indeed, as it was, their hulls were sometimes buried.  The captain saw that he was in for a tragedy if the craft were kept in tow.  He did not like to slip them, as it meant certain capture, and while he was thinking out the wisest and best course to pursue, the problem was solved by the people aboard the feluccas letting go the tow-line, and the last that was seen of them was that they were heading towards the Spanish coast with small storm sails set.

Captain S -’s vessel had a severe passage, and on arrival in Falmouth he went to an hotel.  In the course of the evening he was relating the incidents of the voyage, as was the custom with orthodox captains on arrival in port, and of course he included his experiences with the Rock-scorpions and their feluccas.  Before he had completed the tale, the proprietor interposed by reading as follows from a shipping paper:-

“Information was conveyed to the Spanish Customs Authority that a British steamer had run out of Gibraltar Bay with three feluccas laden with manufactured tobacco destined for Cadiz.  She was to be intercepted at Tarifa by the coastguards, and the craft with their cargo were to have been seized.  When she got to Tarifa the coastguards fired at her.  The third lighter was slipped, boarded by the officials and their men, and taken behind the Rock, when it was discovered on removing the hatches that she was laden with stones.  The other two parted their tow-ropes, and were driven through the Gut and captured.  These were laden with tobacco.  The stone-laden craft was obviously intended as a decoy, and but for the heavy gale that came on, the other two would have succeeded in reaching their destination.”

A few months later, Captain S - entered Gibraltar Bay, and was boarded by the chief commissioner of the last enterprise, accompanied by a friend, who was introduced as being engaged in “our” trade.

“Ah,” said the former in genuine Rock-scorpion dialect, “The last was a great disaster; but it has never been said that you did not do all that was possible to carry out your contract properly.  If there had been any appearance of not doing so, my friend and I would not have said that Captain S - is the very man to carry out our new affair, which is doubly better than the other.”

“Well, shut up about that,” said the captain.  “Come to the point.  What is it you wish me to do?”

“Ah! capitan, but for the knowledge we have of your ability, and the affection my friends and myself have for you, we would have hesitated to show you this token of our much esteem.”

“Shut up!” interjected the sailor.  “I don’t want a display of pretty nothings.  I want business.”

“Oh! capitan, why do you say such things when we are so anxious to put something your way.  I tell you there are thousands of men that would be glad to have your chance.  The job we have is this:  three feluccas are lying up in the harbour laden with tobacco.  Tonight you must lie off the town without anchoring, and they will be brought alongside.  You must take the cargo aboard, and proceed off Amonti Pomoron.  A pilot and interpreter will go with you, and you must not go near the land until darkness comes on, when craft showing signals which the pilot understands will be there to meet you and have men to tranship the cargo into lighters.  You will have L400 for doing this-half in cash before leaving, and the other half on arrival at Amonti.  The transaction will be quite straight.”

“It seems to me so uncommonly like a huge smuggling affair, that I cannot entertain it,” replied S .

“No, no! my dear capitan; here you are mistaken.  We would not ask such a thing of you.  How can it be smuggling?  The cargo is put aboard in neutral waters; you take it off the coast of Spain and deliver it as arranged.  You get your money, and know nothing more about it.  How can that be smuggling?”

“Well,” said the captain, “it has nothing to do with me where the stuff comes from, or where it is going to.  If you will give me five hundred pounds, all cash, before leaving here, I will agree to take it.”

The Rock-scorpion gasped-

“What, five hundred pounds!  Capitan, now do be reasonable.  I tell you no other man would get the half of what you are offered.”

“Very well, then,” replied the captain, “it is off.  Give it to the person who will do it for half.”

“Certainly not; that is not what I mean,” said the commissioner.  “How can I face my friends with such news after all I have said to them about you?  They will form a bad opinion of both you and myself.”

“Oh! d - both you and your friends.  Get over the side, or I’ll help you.”

“Well, Capitan S -, I have never seen a man in such a temper before.”

“Oh, go to !”

“Oh no, no, capitan; don’t say that.  I cannot tell my friends of this.”

“I wouldn’t take your stuff for a thousand pounds now,” said the captain.

“Forgive me, my best friend.  I did not mean to be offensive; you have misunderstood my meaning.  I will give you five hundred pounds, though I know I will have to pay one hundred out of my own purse.  It is very hard.”

The captain hesitated, but was overcome by the thought of making so large a clean profit without involving any material loss of time.  In less than an hour after darkness came on the cargo was being put aboard with amazing facility.  The first lighter was nearly discharged, when the captain asked the agent to pay the freight.  This gentleman, with many greasy apologies, informed him that he had only half of the money with him.  He could not get his friends to agree to pay all before starting, “but they will agree to pay half here and the other half as soon as the lighters come to you at Amonti.”  “Very well, then; I won’t take another bale in, and will steam away at once.”

“But,” said the cunning Rock-scorpion, “you have a lighter of goods aboard.  You are very dreadful for talking about running away with it.”

“You make me sick,” said the captain, with a killing look of scorn.

“Capitan, you say queer things to your best friends.  Now, I tell you what I will do:  I will on my own responsibility give you in cash two-thirds now, and the other third I pledge myself will be paid at Amonti.  It would be a scandal to all concerned to allow it to drop at the present time.”

“Scandal be d -d!” replied the commander.  “You’re a fine lot to talk about scandal-you who would rob Jesus Christ of his shoe-strings.”

“Capitan, you do me wrong; I would never do the things you say.”

“Stump up the dross like a man, then, and don’t stand whining there like a sucking turkey craving for pity,” retorted Captain S .  A look of injured piety came over the old rascal’s face, who was playing a game of Levantine jugglery, subtle and crafty.

“Ah,” said he, “I am so sorry.  Indeed, I cannot express my grief that you should have changed in so short a time from the kind, generous capitan of old times long ago to the very cruel, disobliging person of this minute, who calls me names and refuses to reciprocate kindness for kindness.  I think my friends will say that I tell lies, which they would not think of me, when I tell them that you have become morose and disobliging.  They will stare and say that my judgment has been deceived.  But to show my trust in you, nevertheless, I will, as I have said, give you two-thirds cash, and the other third you will be paid at your destination.  No other man in Gibraltar would do the same; but we are old friends who have done business together before-not profitable, but still it was business, very hard business.  Come, now, capitan, do be reasonable, and do not look at me as though you would like to strike my face with your fist.”

The captain had been standing in a reflective mood during the Rock-scorpion’s harangue, obviously reviewing the whole position and the policy that should be adopted.  He was dubious as to the wisdom of accepting the terms offered; but seeing that the risk to him was less than it was to them, he spontaneously replied-

“Agreed!  But I warn you, and you must intimate the warning to your friends, if there is any attempt at deceiving me, or any reluctance shown at the other end to pay the balance of freight, I will steam off with the merchandise and the men you propose sending with me, and I don’t care to say what will become of them.”

“Shake hands,” said the wily agent; “and I give you my word of honour, which everybody trusts but you since you came this time, that there will be no trouble made.  Now come to the charthouse and take over the cash.”

This formality was speedily accomplished, though not without a further attempt to reduce the cash payment on the plea that it would endanger his professional reputation in the eyes of his commercial friends.

“I care nothing for your reputation,” murmured the candid sailor.  “What I want is two-thirds freight, so stump it all up, or I will have it taken from you and then hoist you into your boat.”

Whereupon the agent became afflicted with grief at his dear friend’s threatened cruelty.

“Really, my best friend, I must not give way here, but I will shed tears when I get to my silent home, and speak with myself of the change that has come to your mind.”

“Don’t you bother about shedding tears; you see that your friends play the game,” said the inexorable captain.  “I will carry out my part; but, by heavens! if your people don’t carry out theirs, you shall all pay dearly for it.”

“You are too excited on this occasion, my dear capitan, and for this I am sorry, as I like to see you as usual.  I tell you if they do not play the fair way, I will be responsible and be very vexed.”

“Shut up, you blatherskite; the cargo is all aboard.  Get into your boat quick, and remember what I have said to you when you can overcome the effects of your wriggling and dodging.  Your cargo can only be delivered on one condition.  Keep in mind what it is.  Begone, and never let me see your evil countenance again.”

Thus spoke the enterprising commander, who had begun to realize that he was having dealings with a gang whom he would have to fight in order to get his own.  The engines were put at full speed, and kept at that until she was fifty miles north-west of Cape Spartel, when they were slowed so that she might not arrive before the appointed time.  As the vessel trailed sinuously over the quiet sea, the captain’s thoughts were centred on material things and the reception he was likely to have on meeting the men his mind’s eye pictured as cut-throat ruffians.  He had several conferences with the interpreter, whose look and speech he regarded as a revelation of villainy.  He was tall and slim, with ricketty legs, dark shifty eyes, a low receding forehead, and a mouth and chin that indicated the animal.  The captain felt instinctively the approach of trouble, and frankly told the wretch, who he knew was deceiving him, that every bale of tobacco would be held until after the freight was paid over in gold sovereigns; and with an air of ostentatious authority he gave instructions to have all the muskets and revolvers loaded and ready in case they should be required.  The hideous scoundrel fixed his eye on the captain, and with ironic accent intimated he could not help being filled with concern when he heard the orders given to prepare the firearms.

“Capitan, we are not pirates; we are respectable men carrying on a respectable trade.  You need not prepare anything; we are honest tradesmen.”

The captain laughed heartily at this comic assurance of fidelity, and felt convinced that a deep impression had been made, as the interpreter shortly after was seen vigorously conversing with his two compatriots.  The one had been introduced as the representative of the owner of the cargo, and the other the pilot, whose business it was to direct the captain to that part of the coast where the craft was awaiting the vessel’s arrival.  The treacherous dusk was casting its shadows over them, and had brought with it a weird sound of the moaning wind.  The crew stood in little knots, talking earnestly to each other.  Obviously they conversed of the night’s work, and all the grave possibilities that lay in front of them.  For the most part they wore an anxious look on their faces, but there was one there whose eye was full of sparkling fun, and whose face beamed with a self-satisfied expectation of exhilarating dangers.  The captain called him to the bridge, and gave him some specific orders as to how he was to act when certain signals were given.  The chaste and simple motto of “the blow first and jaw afterwards” guided him, and he was only profane when discipline demanded it.  His superstitious tendencies were in an ordinary way an anxiety to him, but on the night in question the only signs he gave of being affected in this way was by the half coherent remark to the captain that he did not like to hear the shrill wail of the wind through the rigging; “it seems to be speaking to us of some trouble near at hand.”  Suddenly the interpreter called out, “I see the feluccas.”  In a moment all thought of the wail of the wind had disappeared, and this fine athletic seaman was commanding his men like a hero.  He had been told by his captain that there would more than likely be rough work to do, and he prepared for it with a skill and vigour that left no doubt as to how his instructions would be carried out.  “Give the signal at the proper time,” said he, “and leave the rest to me.”  A shipwrecked crew was being taken home in the steamer, and these, together with her own crew, made the number look formidable, and although they were never requested to give assistance, they offered it in case of need.  Undoubtedly the addition to the ordinary crew had a moral effect upon the Spaniards.

The craft came alongside, and her crew jumped aboard and commenced to handle the bales.  They were peremptorily stopped by the captain giving instructions that not a single bale was to be allowed to pass into the lighters until the freight was paid and he had given orders.  Soon there was a carnival of foes.  The captain called to the interpreter to bring the man with the money to the saloon.  The interpreter came but not the man.  The former said the money was coming on the second lighter, but the one alongside must be loaded and sent away first.

“No, no!” interposed the captain; “no money, no bales.”  He would wait until the second lighter came, which could easily be placed alongside astern of the first one.  In a short time number two came, and was moored as directed.  A large number of men jumped aboard from both craft.  The captain again called out to bring the man with the money, and again no one turned up but the interpreter.  This time he was defiant.  He put his back against the saloon side, folded his arms and began-

“Capitan, you see the number of people aboard your vessel.  They can take her from you, if they so wish it.  I tell you frankly we have no money; but, by God! we must and shall have the tobacco.”

The captain had been reared amidst a race of men who had imbued him with the importance of hitting decisively and with promptness, when confronted with situations which demanded physical action.  In an instant he had hold of the scoundrel, who, he was convinced now, was the leader of a plot to take the cargo by force.  Under peremptory compulsion, the Levantine was rushed on deck, informed that he had miscalculated with whom he had to deal, and that any one who attempted to carry out his threat would be fired upon.

“I give you fair warning there shall be no half measures, and I command you to inform your friends what I have said; and also state to them that as soon as I have been paid my freight, they will not only be allowed to have the cargo, but I will instruct my crew to assist in the transhipment.”

It never will be known now what this plant of grace intimated precisely to his colleagues, but the general impression was at the time that the captain’s message had not been conveyed verbatim.  Soon the babble of tongues charged the air and gave an impression of Bedlam.  The captain had resolved upon a course of action which was strenuous.  He had given certain orders to the chief engineer, and was standing on the lower bridge reviewing the situation, when the second officer came up to him and said in a whisper-

“The Spaniards are all armed to the teeth, sir.”

“All right,” said the captain, “they will soon be disarmed.  Meanwhile, as a precaution, put our men on their guard.  This business must be carried through vigorously, and with dash.”

At this juncture the interpreter, apparently with the intention of breaking the deadlock, attempted to come on the bridge, and was warned if he put his foot on the ladder he (the captain) would jump on top of him.  He did so, and the next moment he was flattened on the deck.  The Spaniards, in great excitement, surrounded the two.  At last, one of the shipwrecked men spoke to them in Spanish, and the master asked him if he could really speak Spanish.  He replied in the affirmative.

“Then,” said the captain, “translate to these men that I do not wish to hold the cargo, but that my agreement was for the freight to be paid immediately the craft came alongside.”

This pronouncement seemed to make an impression, but they still coveted and cavilled for the goods.  They endeavoured to persuade the master of the steamer, who had gone on to the bridge again, to anchor, and the money would be brought off in the morning.  He prevaricated with them, and at the same time told the chief engineer secretly to put the engines easy ahead.  She was brought head on to the sea, and the wind having risen, a nasty swell came with it, which caused the lighters to jump and put jerky strains on their moorings.  A few of their crew jumped aboard, and were trying to pass additional ropes around the rigging of the steamer when the captain blew his whistle.  In an instant the tow-rope of the forward lighter was cut; then it was that the Spaniards realized what was happening.  They remonstrated with the captain; they shouted to each other excitedly; those that had not got aboard the feluccas flew along the deck and jumped, one after the other, on to their vessel as she swung round.  Another shrill whistle, and the last rope of lighter N was snapped.  Captain S - called out to the interpreter, who was pleading piteously to allow them to have only some of the cargo, to jump at once if he did not wish to lose his passage, and to be taken away with the steamer.  He quickly realized his true position, and sprang over the stern.  It was supposed that he was picked up by one of the craft.  They then commenced to fire wildly from the feluccas, but little harm was done, and in a brief time the steamer had travelled far outside the range of their guns, and was heading towards Cape St. Vincent, with the whole of the contraband aboard of a value of something like L5000.  The question of how it was to be disposed of was a problem not easily solved.  The first thought was to take it to Lisbon.  This idea having broken down, the next thought was one of the Channel Islands (Jersey or Guernsey).  This also, for specific reasons, gave way.  It was then decided to take it to the port of discharge of the ordinary cargo; but after calculating all the trouble, the payment of duty, time lost, and possible legal technicalities, the captain resolved that the best and cleanest way of disposing of it was to jettison the whole of it.  This decision brought him into sharp conflict with his chief officer, who entirely disagreed with such a course.

“Is it for this,” he said, “that we risked being shot and having the steamer seized and confiscated?  The tobacco belongs to us by right of conquest, as well as by moral right, and it will be an abomination to throw it overboard.  Even if we make only a thousand pounds out of it, it is always something; but to put it into the sea would be sinful beyond description.  I cannot bring myself to be a party to such a thing.”

The decision of the captain was irrevocable, in spite of the persuasive eloquence of a deputation of the crew and engineers.  So, after passing the Burlings, orders were given to cut the bales, save the packing, and shovel the tobacco overboard.  This very nearly caused open revolt, but the captain made a few tactful statements which had good effect.  He presented a case that could not be controverted, and they yielded to the inevitable.  The jettisoning commenced with bad grace, and a continual growl was kept up until the captain himself was overcome by the sight of the beautiful tobacco being thrown away.  He called a halt, after persuading himself that a new idea might be presented to the mind as time went on, which would show how a profit could be made without risking any vital interest; but this only endured for a couple of days.  No really sound idea came, and so the work of destruction was resumed until only half a dozen bales were left, and it was resolved to hold these whatever happened.  The mate was a sailor of the old school, and clung to the grog and tobacco traditions of the eighteenth century.  He might have forgiven the purveyors of defective food, but if bad grog and tobacco were supplied there was no forgiveness for that, here or hereafter!  He believed in the crew being served with grog whenever they were called upon to do extra work, such as shortening sail or setting it, and although he never allowed smoking when on duty, or expectoration on the quarter-deck, a skilful seaman was all the more popular with him if he chewed.  His opinion was that they did better work, and more of it, when they rolled a quid about in their mouths.  If his attention was called to a small boy who was practising the habit, a pride-of-race smile would come into his face, and his laughing eyes indicated the joy it was giving him.  Then he would say, “Thank God, the race is not becoming extinct.  I have always hope of a youngster turning out satisfactorily if he works well and chews well.”  As a matter of fact, his conviction was that a boy or man who adopted the practice did so instinctively because they were born sailors, and were true types of British manhood.  Indeed, he regarded manhood as strictly confined to his own class, though on many occasions I have seen volcanic evidences of shattered faith.  It was not so much the money value of the tobacco, but the racial affection he had for it that caused him to feel indignant at the suggestion of it being thrown to the waves.

The second day subsequent to this conflict, it was the first mate’s afternoon watch below.  He had partaken of his midday meal, and went to the bridge to have a smoke.  As he looked down at the bales of goods, he said to the second mate-

“However the thought of destroying that beautiful stuff can have entered the mind of man I cannot fathom.  I think I have got him persuaded to leave well alone.  It must be nothing short of stark lunacy.”

And the two men were agreed that had their captain been as short of it as they had been one time and another he would not talk such foolishness.  The chief mate intimated that he was going to have a nap, but that his mind was torn with presentiment which he could not speak about calmly.  At four o’clock when he came on deck he was made aware of what had taken place during his watch below, whereupon he lapsed into a kind of inarticulate stupor, and could not speak the unutterable.  He placed his right hand on his brow, and then on his left breast, and stood gazing at the long Atlantic rollers, which had the appearance of an uneven reef of rocks.  The stage of stupor and grief was superseded by that of resigned indignation.  He plaintively called out-

“Well, I’ll-be-teetotally-d -d!  Miles of sea to be paved with that beautiful tobacco!  Retribution will come to somebody; and, by thunder! it should come with a clattering vengeance.  I will never forget the sight as long as I have breath.”

The captain came up to him, and seeing that his mind was centred on what he regarded as not only a calamity but a crime, he was so much amused at his ludicrously pathetic appearance that he laughingly repeated-

“Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that is still.”

The inappropriate words were merely used as a piece of chaff, but Mr. S - was not in a chaffing mood, so he retorted that he did not see where the humour came in, and there was nothing to laugh at, and so on.  He then walked on to the bridge, and he and the captain were not on friendly speaking terms any more during the voyage.

At midnight on the sixth day after parting company from the Spaniards, the vessel was hove to to take a pilot aboard.  Captain S - took him aside as soon as he boarded, and asked him in an undertone if he ever did anything in the contraband line.  He held up his hands as though he were horrified at the suggestion, and exclaimed-

“Not for the world, captain!”

“Very well,” replied the captain; “you go below, and I will join you in a minute or two, after giving orders to the steward to make tea for us.”

As a matter of fact, he remained behind to give orders to the mate to throw overboard the remaining six bales, which was a further trial to the grief-stricken officer; and having done this the captain joined the pilot, and entered into conversation with him.  The two men were not long in discovering that they each belonged to the brotherhood of Freemasons.  This put them on easy terms at once, and encouraged the pilot to inquire into the meaning of the words spoken to him on boarding.

“I do not quite know how I stand in relation to that,” said the captain.  “Indeed, I am perplexed as to the plan I ought to adopt.  So many difficulties confront me as the scheme of development goes on; but so far as I have been able to work out the problem, I think my attitude must be straightforward, and that I should make a full voluntary statement to the authorities.  Meanwhile, if you pledge me your Masonic honour to keep it a secret until I have made it public, I will tell you the whole story.”

The undertaking was readily given, and long before the whole story was told, the pilot’s Christian virtues had broken down.  At frequent intervals while the narrative was being told he interjected, “Oh! why didn’t you tell me?” His mind was transfixed.  Then the processes of it became confused.  The vision of wealth and the reckless squandering of some of it took possession of him, and with uncontrolled zeal he called out-

“My God! what a story!  O captain, why didn’t you tell me what it was at once, and not waste time?  Let us get to work without delay.  I will undertake to land what you have got on an island and share the proceeds with you.”

“Too late, too late, my friend.  You have thrown away an opportunity which may never come to you again,” replied the master, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.  “Transactions of this kind are done spontaneously and with vigour-they are not to be dreamed about.”

“I admit my error, captain; but, oh! how was I to know?  Surely you do not mean to tell me that the balance of the tobacco has been thrown overboard since I came here?”

“Yes, it is all gone.  We do not hesitate when we face the inevitable, no matter what the sacrifice may be.”

“Well, I’m blowed!” soliloquized the pilot.  “It will take me some time to get over this little bit of history.”

“I daresay,” said the captain; “but it is time you took charge-she is now within your jurisdiction.  What do you say to going on the bridge?  You will find the chief officer there, with whom you may condole, if it be safe for a stranger to speak of so delicate a subject to him.  You will, perhaps, find him stupefied with grief and shame at the unpatriotic conduct of his commander, and I daresay his language will impress you with the venerable traditions cherished by his class when things are supposed to have gone wrong.”

The pilot greeted the chief officer cordially, but did not receive a very polite response to his attempts to draw him into conversation about his recent experiences, and was cut short in a sailorly fashion by being told if he wanted any information about experiences, as he called them, to go and ask “that - fool of a skipper about it.”

“I have had a little conversation with him,” replied the pilot; “and it does seem to me extraordinary-and if I were not here I might almost say an outrage-that no other course could be found than utter sacrifice.”

“Oh, don’t talk to me!” exclaimed the vivacious mate, in a flood of passion.  “You call it extraordinary and an outrage!  Is that a proper name for such wickedness?  You ask me what I think of it?  I tell you I cannot think.  You talk about outrage!  I say, sir, it is joining outrage to injustice, and I cannot believe that any other than a frozen-souled fool would have done it.  There is not a glimmering of common-sense in it.  The wonder is that he didn’t take it back to the scoundrels, for pity’s sake!”

This outburst of withering scorn encouraged the pilot to ask what the sailors thought of it.

“Go and ask them, if you want to hear something you’ve never heard before.”

The captain, who was in the charthouse, could not help hearing these interesting opinions of himself, nor could he help enjoying the rugged humour of them.  His mate had his peculiarities, but he never doubted his loyalty to himself, and he was sure that on reflection he would come to see the wisdom of disentanglement.  He went on to the bridge as though all was serene, asked a few questions of the pilot, and settled down until the vessel arrived at her discharging port.

On landing, a message-boy told him there was a telegram at the office for him.  He eagerly asked if he knew where it was from.  The boy replied, “Gibraltar.”  He requested the messenger to get it for him, and found it was from the agent who shipped the tobacco, the purport of it being to offer him L500 to bring it back, and intimating that a letter was on the way.  When this came to hand, it explained exhaustively the reason the freight was not paid as agreed, and boldly accused the port authorities and officials of having organized a plot in order to accomplish their own evil ends.  This precious document was signed by the writer, and, needless to say, was not replied to.  As a necessary protection to himself, the master had a declaration signed by the whole of the crew, stating that they had no tobacco concealed or in their possession other than that shown to the Custom-house officers.

As is usual after a vessel arrives in a home port, and is properly moored and decks cleared up, the crew go aft, draw a portion of their wages, and then go ashore.  They had a fine tale to relate, and it may be taken for granted that no incident connected therewith lost any of its flavour in the process of narration.  It would appear that the sailors got drunk and “peached” in a most grotesque way.  They declared that although much of the contraband had been disposed of, this was only done as a blind, and that there were tons beneath the iron ore and in the peaks and bunkers, and all over the vessel.  The story spread, and grew as it was passed along, until it became the most colossal smuggling enterprise ever known in the country.  The captain came on board at noon on the day following the arrival, and found a large number of Custom-house officers on board.  Some were in the holds digging vigorously at the ore with picks and shovels.  Their coats were off, and their shirt sleeves doubled up.  Others were on deck ready for action, but the chief mate prevented them going into the forepeak, which caused both suspicion and irritation.  The captain gave them permission.  Two went forth full of hope and confidence that they were on the point of reaping their reward.  They had no sooner got down than indescribable cries for God to help them were heard.  A rush was made to see what had happened.  The lights were out, and nothing was visible.  They groped their way to the peak ladder, and were nearly dead with fright when they reached the deck.  When they had sufficiently recovered, they said that there was something in the peak alive, which kept butting up against them.  They were sure it wasn’t a man, and that it must be something evil.  An Irish sailor stood close by laughing and jeering at them, and in genuine brogue he charged them with being haunted by their own “evil deeds.”

“You had no business there,” said he, “and to prove to you that I am right I’ll swear divil a thing is there in the peak but cargo gear and other stores.  I’ll go down myself and face the evil one you talk about.”

And down he went, but the fright of the officers was feeble to the Irishman’s.  He shrieked and flew on deck shouting, “Be God, you’re right, he’s there!”

The chief mate suspected what it was, but was not keen on going down himself or ordering any one else to do so, so the anchor light was lowered down and shone upon the captain’s pet goat.  It had been long aboard for the purpose of supplying milk to the captain and his wife.  The peak hatch had been off, and Nannie, accustomed to go wherever she pleased, strayed into the darkness and tumbled down.  The incident stopped all work for a time, and created a lot of good-humoured chaff.  The Irishman was especially droll, and endeavoured to carry it off by swearing he knew it was the goat, but he wanted some other fellow to have a go at it.  “But no fear,” said he; “every one of them was dying with funk.”

After a time the captain thought it right to disillusion the officer in charge, and going up to him asked the meaning of the raid.

“Well,” replied the officer, “we have information that there is a large quantity of tobacco aboard, and that some of it is in the forepeak, but most of it is about a couple of feet below the iron ore.”

The captain replied, “We had a lot of it a few days since, but there is not a leaf aboard now that I know of.  Every particle has been thrown overboard.  Let me reassure you on this point.”

“But,” said the officer, “what about the packing?  My men have come across a large quantity.”

“That is very true,” said the commander; “the packing is the only thing we saved.  Now get your men ashore, there’s a good fellow.  You are only working them to death for no earthly reason.”

“But the sailors say the tobacco was emptied out of the packing and covered over with ore.”

“Well, if you believe the sailors and you don’t believe me, go on digging.  I can only repeat, the search is futile.”

“Very well,” replied the disconcerted official, “I shall withdraw all my men but two, who must remain to watch and make sure of there being no concealment.  Not that I disbelieve you.  It is merely a formal precaution which I hope you will think nothing of.”

The whole affair had been reported to the Collector of Customs, and the master was informed that all things considered, the best thing had been done in ridding himself of an awkward encumbrance.  In a few days an emissary of the Gibraltar syndicate had an interview with the captain, and then disappeared.  It was said that he was strongly advised to disappear, lest he should be detained by legal authority.

The owner received the freight paid in advance with obvious pleasure, like a good, Christian gentleman; but the intelligence of how it was earned and the disastrous conclusion of the undertaking was listened to with studied gravity.  A sermon on the danger of little sins such as covetousness and the growing love of money was impressively preached.  The owner was convinced that if ever the gentlemen involved in this little transaction got the opportunity they would take the master’s life, so in the goodness of his heart he determined that the vessel should not call there for coal until the spirit of vengeance had had ample time to cool down.

More than twelve months had elapsed since these affairs occurred, when the owner was offered a charter from the Black Sea, but one of the unalterable conditions was that the vessel should call at Gibraltar for orders.  The captain strongly urged his owner not to lose so good a charter because of his anxiety for him, but he was obdurate until the captain said-

“Then I shall have to resign my command.  I cannot go on like this any longer.”

“If you make this the alternative, then I must give way; but the responsibility is yours alone,” was the reply.

The charter was signed, and on a fine summer day two months after, the C - let go her anchor in Gibraltar Harbour to await her orders.  A tall, fine-looking man came aboard to solicit business of a legitimate character.  He spoke English with fluency and an almost correct accent.  The captain knew he had some business connection with the syndicate, but did not give him any reason to suppose he had this knowledge.  He was cognisant of the characteristics of these people, and determined that his safety was in assuming an injured attitude, and making a slashing attack on the blackguards who had done him so much harm.  Excepting for a slight humorous twist in the corner of his mouth, Mr. - received the onslaught with perfect equanimity.  The captain asked if he knew the rascal P .

“Yes,” said he, “I know him.  He is a bad lot, and I advise you never to trust him again.  But if you wish me to, I will convey to him what you say; and I think you would be perfectly justified in carrying out your intention.” (The intention was to horsewhip him publicly.)

The following morning the captain landed with his wife and family, and boldly walked past the resorts of the men who he had reason to believe were on his track.  He kept his hand on the revolver which was in his trouser-pocket, and the sound of every foot behind him seemed to be a message of warning.  This ordeal went on for four days, and never a sign of the dreaded assassins was seen.  On the afternoon of the fifth day he was walking down towards the boat-landing to go on board, when his eye came in contact with the interpreter and the whole gang that were concerned in the tobacco enterprise.  There was a look of murder on their villainous faces, which the captain said would haunt him to his dying day.  He spontaneously and without thought said to his wife, who walked beside him-

“I see the smugglers.  Don’t look!”

But it came so suddenly upon her that she could not restrain the temptation of seeing them, and the impression of their malignant looks had a lasting effect on her.  When they reached the boat, the gentleman who had boarded her on arrival was there.  He drew the captain aside, and whispered that he was being shadowed, and urged that a double watch be kept at the entrance to the cabin.  As a matter of policy the captain assumed an air of defiance.  He promised a sanguinary reception for them if they attempted to come near his vessel, and he believes to this day that this alone was the means of preventing an attack.

Next morning orders were brought off, and no time was lost in weighing anchor and clearing out, and he has never visited the place since.