Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-03-26

Oh Ql1nlne 10 take down TO his sugar plan
tatiOn in the West Indies and, pointing ia
small wooden box that stood ON Inc
counter, remarked "Ihere 1t is now.
and worth Its weight in gold"
MOOre's watChful eyes ca Ight the in
scrpton on the boX-the strangers name
and address. Within the next two days
he had made the acquaintance of Mr.
Ropes" and, by representing himself rs
an ardent friend of he South DESTROYS of
helping the cause, succeeded in gaining
his confidence. Moore entered heartily
into his proposed scheme, ami together
they completed their purchases of wooden
goods boots, shoes and medicines
When the time came to select the vessel,
they visited together the docks and
wharveS of the city, looking for Il suitable
brig or schooner to take Il cargo of mer-
chandse to Santa Cruz. After II few days
spent in search, they found what they
wanted, II trim looking schooner owned
by n captain, who was not averSe to dis
posing of II, as his crew had all left him
in pO:t, to enlist for the war, and he had
been stranded there for some weeks, with
no means of getting away.
Together they paid for the schooner, and
it became their property
After considerable trouble they hired "A
captain, mate and five men to make the
trip to Santa Cruz and return, and com
menced loading the stores.
Moore and his friend, "Mr. Ropes"
moved on board the schooner, and by
nightfall of the second day everything
was ready. The last and most important
thing was to secure competent pilot, one
who knew the coast and the harbor of
Wilmington, North CarOlina-fOr tfat
was to be their destinatIOn-and more
than that, they needed Il man on whom
they could thoroughly rely in case of an
emergency Together they made the
rounds Of the lodging-houses frequented
by sailors, and at last found just the man
they wanted, tom Brand" II man of
about - years of age, with pilots cert
licHte, and who knew every harbOr from
Boston To Texas Il reckless fellow willing
to run any risk, provided he was well
paid
1t seems hardly necessary to say that
the pilot Brand" and the detective Tom
Moore, the elder brother, We're one and
the same person
Everything being now ready, the schoon
er's lines were cast Off, and she was tOwed
down the river until the breakwater was
reached, when sail was set, and with fair
wind she bOwled merrlly along. The sail
or was left in charge of the deck, and at
the invitation of Mr. Ropes and Moore
the captain and the mate accompanied
them 10 the cabin, and were for the first
time informed of their actual destination,
and the possible risks attending the ven
ture.
They announced their willingness to ac-
cept the situation, as the pay offered them
was considerable, and the captain was
then directed to notify the crew, and, if
opposition or reluctance was manifested,
to offer double pay to one and all.
The crew assented on the condition of
receiving double pay in advance.
The course was then laid and those not
on duty turned in below.
On the morning of the third day the
little schooner was oil Cape Charles at
the entrance of Chesapeake Bay, when
Stean-tug was seen bearing down in their
direction from inside the bay.
As they had no business with the tug,
the captain of the schooner did not at first
alter his course but ordered all hands to
! stand ready to shake ont the reefs and put
her before the wind, if the tug continued
to approach her.
All at once u puff of smoke arose from
the tug, II report was heard and II solid shot
passed across the bows of the schooner,
about IL loO feet in front Of her.
/ The men Sprang to their feet, the reefs
We're shaken out, the helm was shifted,
and the httle schooner fairly jumped
/ through the water as she felt the full
force of the stiff breeze.
Another pun of smoke from the tug,
another report and shot passed between
the schooners masts matters began to
assume Il serious aspect, but still the
schooner kept ON her course.
/ Notwithstanding the schOOner's rate of
speed the tug was visiby gaining on her
one more shot and the main -tOpnIa~t came
crashing to the deck. The schooner came
up into the wind, and the tug drew rapid
ly up alongside.
Mr. Ropes and Moore disappeared
Though the hatchway, and, making their
way through the cargo, hid themselves
behind some bales, leaving the captain OF
the schooner to manage affairs rs best ht
might. An officer from the tug boarded
ia a kAl hn - nj 81 ~ hal
he meant by trying TO run away after ht
had been warned by the first snot to heavt
to. The captain said that as the tug hat
no flag up ihe thought she was n Confed
crate cruiser running out from Norfolk
and he was running away to avoid cap
ture by the Confederates.
The officer demanded the schoOners pa
pers they We're produced by the captain
. Everything was apparently right mani
fest, bills of lading, all the papers seemed
straight. Left Philadelphia, bound fOl
Santa Cruz what more could the Office
want
To the captains mind it did, indeed
seem as il they were to get clear after all
when the officer insisted on searching tn,
vessel. Some of the men from the tu-
descended into the hold, and our TIVE
friends, Mr. Ropes and Moore, We're drag
ged ANONYMOUSLY on deck, handcutfed
and were informed that all was known
the nature of their cargo, their proposed
destination, and their Intention OF runnln.
the blockade.
Every one on the schooner was placed il
irons, and taken ON board the tug a lint
was made fast, and, with some men t,
manage her, she was towed up the Chesa
peake to Baltimore, and the facts reported
TO the Provost Marshal
The schooner and cargo were contiscate'
by the government, the captain and tn
crew. after a short confinement, were dis
charged from custody. mr.. Ropes" afte
an interview with the Provost Marshal
was sent To Fort MclIenry under guard,
sadder but wiser man, and the two detec
tives, Tom" Moore, the pilot, and hi
brother "Jim,' resumed their usual du
ties at headquarters, until their service
were again required
The schooner and cargo were sold al auc
ton, aud the money received WAS turned
into the United States treasury.
OF many instances Of IA similar mature
that occurred to the writer's knowledge
the exploit OF the two MOores was Ion.
considered rs the best piece of detective
work over Gnu,. uptipr he secret SelNlC,