Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-11
IC BOU N D,
Bv ". CLARK RUSSELL.

Author or "Ihe IVrec1; of the GrosUe7oT."
 ssJaci Courtship," My Watch Be-
 lo,p ns TAe Lady Maud Etc. him. I had the keys of the chests in my pocket; lifting the after hatch, we entered tho lazaretre, and Mason gazed about him with astonishment. But was ill too great a hurry to return to suffer him to idly stand and stare. opened the second hatch and descended into the run, and crawling to the jewel chest opened it, removed a few of the small arms, and bade him look for himself.
 "Incrediblel incredible!" he cried. s'Is it possible! is it possible! We'll, to be sure" And for some moments he could find no more to say, so amazed and confounded was he.
 quickly showed him the gold and silver ingots, and then returned the fire arms and locked the chests.
 'These," said I, emphatically, pointing to the cases, "have been my difficulty; not tho lading, though there is value there too. My crew knew nothing of these chests-of their value, mean: they believe them cases of small arms. How am I to get them ashore? If I tell the truth, they will be seized as piratical plunder. If I equivocate, may tumble into Q pit of difficulties. I durst not carry them to the Thames-the river swarms with thieves and custom house people. I am terrified to finger here lest be boarded and the booty discovered There is but one plan, think; we must hireisome Deal snug giers to run these chests and the cargo for us. The boat now alongside might serve, and I don't doubt the men are to be had at their own price.n
 My relative had regained his wits, which the sight of the treasure had temporarily scattered, and surveyed me thoughtfully while spoke, and then said, "Let us return to the fire; think I have a better scheme than yours"
 The men still sat around the table talking Some liquor yet lay in one of the bowls, and the fellows were happy enough. smiled at Wilkinson as passed, that he might suppose our inspection below very satisfactory, and saw him look meaningly and pleasantly at Washington Cromwell, who sat with laced hat on his head.
 'Paul," said Mason, sitting down and fold ing his arms, 'your smuggling plan will not do. It would be the height of madness to trust those chests to the risks of running and to the honesty of the rogues engaged in that business"
 'What is to be done?'
 "Tell me your lading,'' said he.
 gave it to him as accurately as I could
 "Why," he exclaimed, "a single boat would take long time to discharge ye; observe the perils-several boats would mean large number of men; they would eat you up; they would demand so much you would have nothing left And suppose they opened the chests! No, your scheme is worthless"
 'What's to do, then, in Gods nameg'
 "Ill tell you!" he exclaimed, smiling with the complacency of man who is master of great fancy. 1T shall sail to Dover at once. 'Tis now quarter past 4. Give me twelve r London and be there by early morning. Now, Paul, attend you to this. Today is Wednes- day; by tomorrow night youanust contrive to bring your ship to an anchor off Barking Level"
 s'The Thamesp' cried.
 He nodded.
 looked at him anxiously. He leaned to me, putting his hand on my leg.
 ''I own lighter" said he. ''She will he alongside of you at dusk. I have people of my own whom can trust. The lighter will empty your hold and convey the lading to ship chartered by me, arrived from the Black sea on Sunday and lying in the pool. The stuff can be sold from that ship as it is
 ''But the chests-the chests, Mason!'
 s'They shall be lowered into another boat will be in waiting-I in it-and driven to my home"
 clapped him on the shoulder in a trans port
 'Nobly schemed, indeed!" cried. ssBut have we nothing to fear from the customs peopleF'
 'No, not low down the river and at dark. You bring up for convenience, dye see? Mind it is dark when you anchor. A lighter and boat shall be awaiting you It is down the river, you know, that all the Jumpers drop with the lighters they go adrift in from ships sides. There's more safety in smuggling over Thames mud than on this coast shingle. One thought more: You say that Wilkinson be- ieves the chests hold small arms?"
 "Yes,n
 "Then account to him for sending the chests away separately by saying that have found a purchaser, and that they are going to him direct. You have your cue-you see allp'
 "An."
 ''Let me hurry, then, Paul. That brandy should fetch you half a guinea a pint. You are in luck's way, Paul See that you bring your ship along safely. Till tomorrow night"
 He clasped and wrung my hand, and ran into the cabin
 ''Now, lads, off with us!' he cried. ".Of to Dover! Put me ashore there smartly, and you shall find your account. Off now-time presses!"
 Five minutes afterward the boat was gone
 When fortune falls in love with man she makes him a bounteous mistress. Every thing fell out as could have desired. We got our anchor at 5, and by daybreak were off Hastings, jogging quietly along toward London river, the weather conveniently ob- scure, the wind south, and forty hours before us to do the run in. exactly explained my relatives scheme to Wilkinson and the others, who declared themselves perfectly satifed, Wilkinson adding that though he had not objected to the Deal smuggling project he throughout considered the risk too heavy to adventure. I told them that MT. Mason believed he could immediately find a pur- ! chaser for the small arms, in which case ! they would have to be sent privately ashore; and to give proper color to this ruse made them pack away all the remaining weapons in the arms room and carry them to the run, ready to be taken with the other 1 chests.
 Once fairly round the Forelands, half my anxieties fell from me. There was no longer l the French cruiser or privateer to be feared and however wonderingly the people of my own country's vessels might stare at the un. common figure of my schooner, they could find no excuse to board us Besides, as |