Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-10-02
Copyright, 1875, by the Author.
CHAPTER Y.


we resolved to abandon the Bank OF
England matter temporarily, possibly
forever, because it was too dangerous,
md the delay would be too great Our
new plan was to go to South America
ON a buccaneering expedition, there be-
ing no cable in 1879, and it took, as we
ascertained. 40 days to send a letter
from Rio d, Janeiro to Europe and get
q reply, so that if we executed an opera
tion boldly and we'll We might hope for
anything.
Our plan was, in the main, similar to
the one we had lately used with 30
much success in Germany and France
Only in this case we proposed to use
the credit Of the London and Westmin-
ster bank, and therefore obtained the
documents required to carry through
such an operation successfully.
The steamer Lusitania Of the Pacific
Steam Navigation company was adver-
tised to sail on the l2th. and we deter.
mined to 80 by her. .
Modern buccaneers indeed were we,
engaged in nineteenth century pirat-
ical descent upon the shores Of South
America. Instead Of the burly, much
beweaponed pirate Of other years we
were mild hammered, soft spoken, cour-
teous youngsters, yet our steel pen and
bottle Of ink were more deadly instru-
ments, or at least Of snrer fire and OF
better aim, than the long toms and horse
pistols Of the piratical braves of the sew
enteenth century.
The Monday; before we sailed for Bra
zil I called at the bank and told the
submanager that was going to St Pc
tersburg and on to southern Russia for
a time 10 inspect some work I was doing
there, and purposed to withdraw my
account. He begged me not to do 80,
said many hasterins things me and
urged that it would be convenient to
have an open account In London.
We'll" said, looking at my pass
book, II see have 1885 to my credit
/ will leave the odd eS5 with you. " he
instantly acquiesced Had be said, "No.
you must leave at least $500. as our
rules reqnire," l should have said all
right and have made it e500 / drew
out the G2, 800 at once, intending to de-
posit $500 before leaving London, but
In the haste Of our preparations neg
lected it, and my balance at the bank
stood eS5 for all the weeks / was on
our piratical cruise to the Spanish main.
Storing most Of our baggage In Lon
don, we took the train to Liverpool, and,
purchasing tickets for Rio, we went on
board the good ship Lusitania
The firm Of Maua in Rio was the
most considerable in all South America,
and Macs introductions were to this
firm. The plan was for Mao to present
himself to Maua & Co., and to draw
within "a hours at least e10, 900, so as to
make sure Of our expenses, and a day or
two before steamer day to arrange for
very large sum, ego, 1000 or ESQ, 900.
Fate, providence, call it what you
will, seldom fails to upset wrongdolng,
making it rocky for the wrongdoer:
By an irony Of fortune we carried
with us that which was, going to balk
all, or nearly all, our fine scheme
In our letters Of credit in some mys-
terious way the name Of the submana-
ger Of the London and Westminster
bank had been omitted, although this
was absolutely essential to the validity
Of the letters There was also another
error, an error Of such an extraordinary
nature-that of spelling "indorse" with
a a"c''-that it is enough to make any
man contemplating an unlawful act de-
spair Of success, since we could, be de-
feated by so mysterious and unforeseen
accidents
A few hours after our arrival Mac
called at the bankers and was we'll re-
ceived by the manager.
He told him Of his credits for e5, 600
to e2O, 900 each, and that he should
want e1O, 900 the next day. Would they
have it ready?
The next day he went to the bank.
George and myself being posted outside
In ten minutes he reappeared with a
square bundle under his arm He smiled
as he passed us, and, turning corner,
entered a cafe, where we Joined him
His bundle contained 100000 in Bra
lillian bank notes. he assured Us that
everything was serene at the bank; that
he could have eIO0. 900 if he wanted to
ask for it.
The next day Mao went to the bank
ers again and was requested by the
manager to show the letter Of credit on
which was indorsed the e10, 900 he had
drawn against it Looking at the letter,
the manager said: "This Is singular.
There is only the name Of Mr.. Brad
shaw, the manager, ON this letter. J.
p. Shipp, the submanager's name,
should be on the credit as well" " And
then he went on to say that some time
since they had been notified by the Lon
don bank that all letters issued by them
would bear two signatures
Mac was O man Of nerve, but 1t re-
quired all he had not to betray his un-
easiucss. He said he really could not say
how the omission had occurred; he sup
posed it must have been accidental. but
he would examine his other letters as
soon as he went back to the hotel
The look of chagrin and ve1ation on
Macs face when he came out was a
sight to see and one that is as vivid in
my memory now as in that faroff day
IN 1879. What sea Of misery rolls be-
tween then and nowl
He went direct to the hotel, and
there George and soon Joined him We
sat down and looked at each other. The
game apparently was up, and we w'fe
q sorely disgusted party. We did not
Foil ont with or renroach each other,