So the cutter that I command was
ordered to Portsmouth. As soon as the plotters there found the
'Terrapin' cruising off that port they knew they must find some other
way of getting the goods out of the country, for it is against the law
to ship arms from this country for use against any other established
government.
"So the plotters hit upon a new plan. They engaged the skipper of a
regular fishing smack to carry small lots of arms out to sea, there to
transfer them to a sloop. Captain Billy was the man selected to
receive the arms and ammunition at sea. He brought them in here,
hiding them, with the intention of putting out some dark night, making
several short trips, and transferring all the rifles and
cartridges--eight thousand rifles and three million cartridges, to a
small steamer that would be waiting in the offing. The steam vessel
would then carry the cargo to Cuba, landing the goods at some secret,
appointed place. Captain Billy, as our government learned, was to
receive one thousand dollars for his share in the work. It was a bit
risky, as he faced prison if caught--as he surely would have been
imprisoned had he lived."
"Poor man!" sighed Harriet sympathetically.
"I agree with you," nodded Captain Rupert gravely.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233