The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-21

quaintance OF "Mr. Ropes" and, by representing
himself as an ardent friend of the South desir-
ous of helping the cause succeeded in gaining
his confidence. Moore entered heartily into his
proposed scheme, and 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 suitable brig or schooner to
take cargo of merchandise to Santa Cruz.
After few days spent in search, they found
what they wanted, a trimlooking schooner,
owned by captain, who was not averse to dis.
posing of it, as his had all left him in port.
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 cap
tain, mate and five men to make the trip to
Santa Cruz and return, and commenced loading
the stores
Moore and his friend. ''Mr Ropes" moved on
board the schooner, and by nightfall of the Sec
ond 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, n. C.-for that was to be their
destfnation-and, more thar that, they needed a
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-HTom Brand, a
man of about forty-fve years of age, with a
pilots Certificate, and who knew every harbor
from Boston to Texas a reckless fellow, willing
to run any risk, provided he was we'll paid.
1t seems hardly necessary to say that the pilot
Brand" and the detective Tom Moore, the elder
brother, were one and the same person.
Everything being now ready the schooner'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 merrly
along. The sailor was left in charge of the deck,
and at the invitation of Mr.. Ropes and Moore,
and the captain and the mate accompanied them
to the cabin, and were for the first time informed
of their actual destination, and the possible
risks attending the venture.
They announced their willingness to accept
the situation, as the pay offered them was con-
notify the crew, and. if opposition or reluct-
ance was manifested to offer double pay to one
and all.
The crew assented on the condition of recsiv-
ing 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 off Cape Charles, at the entrance
Of Chesapeake bay, when steam-tug was seen
bearing down in their direction from inside of
the bay.
AS they had no business with the tug, the cap
tain of the schooner did not at first alter his
course, bnt ordered all hands to stand ready to
shake out the reefs and put her before the wind,
if the tug continued to approach her,
All at once puff of smoke arose from the tug,
report was heard and solid shot passed across
the bows of the schooner, about a hundred feet
in front of her.
The men sprang to their feet, the reefs were
shaken out. the helm shifted, and the little
schooner fairly jumped through the water as she
felt the full force of the stiff breeze.
Another puff of smoke from the tug, another
report and shot passed between the schooners
masts; matters began to assume aserious aspect,
but still the schooner kept on her course.
Notwithstanding the schooner's rate of speed,
the tug was visibly gaining on her; one more
shot and the main topmast came crashing to the
deck. The schooner came up into the wind, and
the tug drew rapidly up alongside.
Mr.. Ropes and Moore disappeared through
the hatchway. and, making their way through
the cargo. hid themselves behind some bales,
leaving the captain of the schooner to manage
affairs as best he might. An officer from the
tug boarded the schooner and asked the captain
what he meant by trying to run away after he
had been warned by the first shot to heave to-
The captain said that, as the tug had no flag up,
he thought she was confederate cruiser rum
ming out from Norfolk and he was running
away to adyoid capture by the confederates.
The officer demanded the schooner's papers;
They were produced by the captain. Every
thing was apparently right; manifest, bills of
ladng, all the papers seemed straight. Left
Philadelphia, bound for Santa Cruz; what more
could the officer wantl
~ tHo captains Inluu IL QlU, lnQoeQ, seem as
If they were to get clear after all, when the
officer insisted on searching the vessel. Some
of the men from the tug descended into the
hold. and our two friends. Mr.. Ropes and Moore
were dragged ignominiously on deck, hand
cuffed. and were informed that all was known;
the nature of their cargo, their proposed des-
tination. and their intention of running the
blockade.
Everyone on the schooner was placed in irons
and taken on board the tug, line was made
fast, and, with some men to manage her. she was
towed up the Chesapeake to Baltimore, and the
facts reported to the provost marshal. .
The schooner and cargo were confscated by
the government the captain and the crew, after
a short confinement, were discharged from Gus
tody "Mr. Ropes" after an interview with the
provost marshal, was sent to Fort McHenry I'M
der guard, sadder but wiser man, and the two
detectives. sTom" Moore, the pilot and his
brother Jim" resumed their usual duties at
headquarters until their services were again re-
quired.
The schooner and cargo were sold at auction
and the money received was turned into the
United States TreasurLss
OF many instances of a similar nature that &C.
Cured to the writer's knowledge. the exploit of
the two Moores was long considered as the best
piece of detective work ever done under the Sc
cret Service regime.