University of Virginia Library

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19

3. CHAPTER III.
THE DESPATCHES. THE SMUGGLER AND
THE ADMIRALS.

The bucanier, after glancing around
the cabin, and satisfying himself that
they were alone, the nobleman also making
the same inspection, thus began his
recital.

`You need not, I see, be told, my
lord, that when I was a young man, I
was a smuggler. How I came to be so,
you will probably care little to hear;
but I will say that it was not my own
choice. I was very successful in my
trips to France and Holland, and made
money rapidly. I also got a name of
some celebrity, as I was never taken
though closely watched on land by the
coast-guard, and often hotly pursued at
sea. But I had a fast-sailing vessel, and
I had friends ashore, who always gave
me warning and helped me to land my
goods. Perhaps, my lord, you will re
collect when I escaped from a brig and
schooner of war, both of which twice got
within ball range of me!'

`I do. It made some noise at the
time, and a large reward was then offered
for your capture! Was it not so?'

`Yes, my lord. Eight hundred pounds
if I was taken at sea with my vessel, and
three hundred if I were captured on
land. But I did not the less diligently
pursue my vocation. I took pride in it,
and exulted in being able to defeat the
enemies of free-trade. I took pride in
the speed of my vessel, the Dart, in the
boldness and skill of my men, and the
number and success of my trips. I was
a smuggler and nothing else. But I
had been brought up to the business from
a boy. My first recollections are with
the deck of the smuggler, and a cavern
upon the coast where they concealed
their goods. So far as I know, I was
born on board a smuggler.'

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20

`I only know that I found myself one
as a boy, and have been one ever since.
If ever a man thoroughly served his trade
I did, my lord, for I was serving it all
my life!'

`You served your trade under—
if I mistake not!'

`Your lordship is well informed!—
Yes, he was my master, and the only
father I ever knew; though all the crew
used to tell me that I was not his child.
But he treated me as well as if I had
been, and I shall always think well of
him, though he was a man that would
not hesitate to use the knife where other
men would be content with the fist.—
With such a teacher I was soon perfect.
By the time I was twenty, I was a Captain
myself; and I soon began to take
as much pride, my lord, in my occupation
as if it had had the King's license.
I always in bravado carried a flag on
which was emblazoned the `broad-arrow.'
But I wont detain your lordship
with reminiscences in which I now even
take no little pleasure.

`About three weeks after my escape
from the two vessels of war, hostilities
commenced with France. The intercourse
between the two nations soon
ceased, and so vigilantly did the French
fleets watch the ports of England that
scarcely a vessel could get to sea. But
I continued to run under the French
flag, and landed almost as many goods on
the coast as before the war.

`At length one day it became necessary
to send some important intelligence
to the English fleet off the coast of Holland.
Not an English vessel could get
out to carry the news; one having been
captured by the French in the attempt,
and two others compelled to return to
port, and restore the sealed packages to
the Admiralty.

`I was on shore in a small inn which
I used to stop at, at such times, in the
suburbs of Dover, when about two hours
before dark, some men came in, and
seating themselves, called for beer; and
while they were drinking it, I overheard
them speaking about the failure of the
vessels to get out of port.

`What vessels and where bound?' I
asked, for being dressed as a gentleman's
servant with powdered wig, I was thoroughly
disguised.

`They then informed me of the attempts
of the Admiralty to send a fast
sailing vessel, but without success, with
some important despatches to the fleet.
They said a thousand guineas was offered
to any skipper that would undertake
it.

`An idea instantly flashed upon my
mind. I was expecting my schooner in
that very night, with a valuable cargo
of lace goods, and distilled spirits; and
I had been remaining behind secretly,
to effect the sale of them to my buyers,
and partly to keep a sharp look out upon
the coast guard, upon whose movements
I was acting as a spy in person; for they
had of late got some new place of concealment
on the coast, and I resolved to
find it out. My schooner was in charge
of my mate, a man who had learned his
business under my own-eye.

Upon hearing the intelligence communicated
by these men-of-war's men, I
resolved that I would offer my services
to the Admiralty on condition that the
laws overlooked my past pecadilloes. I
had no sooner come to this decision than
I went up stairs, and, sitting down, wrote
a note which I addressed to the first lord
of the Admiralty, who was then at Dover,
and offering my services as bearer of
despatches.'

'This was exceedingly bold,' said
Earl Percival, looking surprised.

`Yes, bold and impudent enough, too.
But I was not a person to look at trifles,
when I had decided upon my action.'

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`Do you recollect what you wrote?'

`Yes, my lord. I will repeat the contents
of the note, if you desire it.'

`I should like to hear them. A correspondence
between the famous smuggler
Vance and the Admiralty must possess
interest,' added the nobleman, smiling.'

`Of that you can judge,' answered
Bonfield. `My note ran thus:

`And this was your note to the first
Lord of the Admiralty,' exclaimed the
Earl with surprise, and looking upon the
smuggler with feelings of mingled curiosity
and respect. `Your address to him
was as well worded as bold; and did his
lordship pay any attention to it?

`I sealed and sent it by a lad who sailed
with me, who was remarkable for his
intelligence and tact, and who had the
faculty of assuming as many characters
as a stage player. He was one of the
most efficient and useful spies I had, and
was always with me on land or sea.
Dressed neatly as a young man-of-war's
man, he took my note, went with it into
town, and suceeded in getting it sent into
his lordship, who was stopping, with
some others of the Board, a few days in
Dover.

`I will describe what followed, in the
language of the lad Nickerson, or `little
Nick,' as he used to be called by my
men. He said that after giving the note
to a sentry in waiting to be sent in, he
waited at a little distance, so that he
might be at hand if called for, and yet
ready to escape if he saw that danger
was to be apprehended. He soon saw a
footman appear, and look about and
then speak to the soldier who pointed to
him. He saw by their manner that
there was nothing to fear, so he advanced,
and the footman hastened towards
him, calling him to hurry at the same
time.'

`Are you the lad that brought a note
just now?' asked the lacquey.

`Yes,' responded Nick, touching his
hat.

`Then come along with me. His
lordship wants to speak with you.' were
the powdered gentleman's words.

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“I went in at once after him,' said
Nick to me, `and he led me through two
rooms full of officers and other people
waiting to see the Admirals. I passed
'em all by, and the footman opening a
farther door, pushed me in telling me to
take off my hat. I did so, and found
myself in a large chamber, in the centre
of which was a green cloth table, at
which sat four old gentlemen in bobs,
rear-admirals, if I ever saw one,' observed
Nick, with emphasis. `Upon seeing
me one of them, an old white head in
gold specs, called out to me,

`Come this way, my lad?'

`I went towards him, and made my
best bow.

`Who are you?' he asked, looking at
me as if he meant to make a gimblet hole
in me.

`I am Nick Nickins, your lordship's
honor,' said I.

`You just brought a nate to me, did
you?'

,Yes, your lordship.'

`Do you know the man who gave it to
you, for you don't look like a smuggler
yourself.'

`Not I,' I said. He saw me going by
a tavern down on the Sea Road, and
told me if I was going to town, and
would hand it to the Admiral's court he'd
give me a French crown.

`This is not true,' said the old fellow
at once to me. Then turning to the other
Ads he added, `This Vance is too
wise and acute to trust such a note as
this to chance. No doubt the boy is
one of the crew.'

`That matters not if he is!' answered
one of the others. `It is my opinion
that we accept this smuggler's offer. His
vessel sails like the wind; and besides
we have no vessel that is at all fleet.'

`The others entered into the discussion
and very warmly,' replied Nick, `at
length it was unanimously desided that
I should be employed. The first lord
then turned to Nick and said,

`Where is your Captain?'

`I left him at the inn,' innocently
answered Nick, taken by surprise.

At this reply the Admirals all laughed
and then Nick discovered that he had
betrayed his connection with me. But
he was never frightened.

`You are one of his smugglers, then,'
said the old Admiral.

`I am, my lord,' was Nick's answer.

`And do you think your Captain is
to be trusted to take private despatches
to lord Nelson's fleet.'

`Yes, your lordships. If he says he'll
take them, he'd take them if the devil
was in his path!' responded Nick.

`You don't think be would take them
to the French,' said one of the board.

`No, my lord, my Captain is too much
of an Englishman to do this. Besides,
he is a gentleman and a man of honor
every inch of him.'

`At this speech the lord's laughed and
the first lord, turning to the others, said,

`It is decided then, that we take up
with this conveyance.'

`Yes, yes,' was the unanimous response.
`There is no alternative.'

`Vance, I think, observed the first
lord, `will take a pride in doing this
service faithfully. Shall I write a note
to him desiring him to come and see us
under the seal?'

`Yes but he may not trust to it?' remarked
one of the admirals.

`If your lordships give your promise
in writing that he shall go and come
safe,' said Nick pertly, `he is too much
of a gentleman himself to doubt that
your lordships will fulfil your word.'

`Then you think he will come to see
us?' asked tha first lord of Nick.

`Yes, my lord,' was his confidant reply.

His lordship then pennnd a note to

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`Now, my lad, hasten with this to
your captain, and tell him we shall be
happy to see him here precisely at seven
o'clock this evening. As it will then be dark he can oome without danger of detection.'

Nick was then shown out of the chamber,
and dismissed at the outer door glad
enough to have escaped so easily, when
at one time he believed that he would
not only be detained as a smuggler, arrested
also, for wearing the naval button
on his natty blue jacket. He said that
he never felt more uneasy in his life than
when under the keen, gimblet eye of the
old lord, and at one period of their discussion
of my proposition he thought it
was all up, and that he would be compelled
to turn informer against me, or
swing for it. As it was, therefore, he
was fortunate in getting off as he did.

`What was the purport of the note
you received from the Admiral, Captain
Bonfield?' asked the Earl Percival.

`I can repeat it. The note I have also
but not with me. It was as follows, dated from the admiralty chambers and
sealed with the court's seal:

`Sir: Your proposition is before the Board. In extraordinary emergencies
it is often necessary to make use of extraordinary
means. The lords of the
Admiralty would be happy to see you
early this evening, and do hereby insure
to you security of person should you
wait upon them. Your offer, I may
say, will be accepted. But it is necessary
to have an interview with you that
you may receive verbal instructions.—
The sentry at the door is instructed to
conduct to me whoever inquires for the
`Admiral Collingwood.' '

`Did you comply with this request?'
asked the Earl taking deep interest in
his narrative of an event so unusual in
the policy of governments.

`I resolved to do so without hesitation
—especially when I heard from Nick a
detailed account of the proceedings.—
Before going I exchanged the costume
of a valet which I wore, for a suit of
plain, respectable citizen's dress. I
passed through the streets of the town
without suspicion and at dark reached
the building where the Admirals held
their sittings. A sentry was before the
door above which hung a lantern that
shone upon the face of all who approached.

`I wish to speak with Admiral Collingwood,'
said I in answer to the soldier's
challenge.

`Then follow me,' was his reply, and
leaving his post he crossed a hall and
opening a door at the opposite side, added,
`go in there sir, and you will find
the Admiral, for I suppose you are the
person he told me to send to him.'

`I entered a small apartment where to
my surpriee, I saw two Admirals at their
dinner, and now over their wine. One
of them I recognized at once as the first
lord, Collingwood. Upon seeing me
enter he fixed a keen glance upon me,
and the other also closely regarded me.
But I saw from their looks that they
were at fault. Evidently they thought I
was quite another person from the smuggler
Vance.

`Who do you wish to see?' demanded
the Admiral in a vexed and disappointed
tone.

`Admiral Collingwood!' I responded.
`I am Vance the smuggler.'

`The devil you are!' exclaimed his
lordship, looking at me with amazement.
`You seem to be a very worthy citizen
in your outside. Under false colors,
hey!'

`I have to hoist them, my lord, I have
so many kind friends on shore who
would like to take me by the shoulder,'
I answered.

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`Well, you are welcome here, Captain
Vance,' said his lordship very civilly and
in the frank, hearty tone which characterised
that brave seaman; `your person
is safe. I am surprised, however, to
find you such a quiet appearing person.
Sit down, sir, and take a glass of wine.'

`Is it possible!' exclaimed the Earl
Percival.

`Yes, my lord,' answered Bonfield;
the Admiral treated me like a gentleman.
I took the glass of wine standing, refusing
to sit, and drank their healths. When I
had set the glass down upon the board,
his lordship said to me,

`Vance, I like your appearance. The
Old Boy with the hoof isn't half so bad
as he is painted. Your impudent note
was received by us. It surprised us, I
must confess; but after a little reflection
we have concluded to accept your offer
of service. I am willing to trust you. I
am confident, the more I look at you,
that I can do so. I feel assured you will,
in this matter, act like a full blooded
Englishman, and by a faithful discharge
of your mission, atone in some measure
for your past sins against the crown!'

`I shall do all I can to make such
atonement, my lord,' I responded, with a
low bow.

`I see you will, I believe you will!' he
replied in a cordial, unhesitating manner
that fairly made me love him. `Now
hear what you have to do. It is of the
utmost importance that these sealed despatches,'
he said, placing his hand upon
a small packet before him, `should be
placed in the hands of Nelson within
three days. Information of the utmost
importance in relation to a movement of
one of the enemy's fleets, has reached
me, and it is of vital importance that Lord
Nelson should know it, that he may get
under weigh and check-mate the French
Admiral. I have despatched three, one
after the other, of the only fast sailing
vessels at command from the port with
the despatches, but one was captured in
two hours after leaving the harbor, and
the other two could not get out. Here
are the despatches made up again, for
the captain of the vessel captured doubtless
cast his overboard as he had orders
to do, if he was likely to be taken.—
You see that these are in a leaden case.
It is to sink them if you are likely to be
captured.'

`If I take the despatches, my lord,'
said I, `I shall not put them out of my
hands, save into Lord Nelson's.'

`I like that speech,' said the other
Admiral striking hs hand upon the table.

`Where is your schooner?' asked the
first lord.

`She will be on the coast at midnight,'
I answered. `I have a cargo to land,'
I added, smiling, `and shall be ready to
sail again on this expedition for your
lordship at two o'clock!'

`You talk coolly enough, you rogue,
of landing your cargoes of smuggled
goods,' said his lordship, trying to look
stern, yet laughing. `You must, for
this time, let your cargo remain on board.
There is not an hour to lose.'

`Very well, my lord,' I answered. `I
will be ready to sail at twelve o'clock.
My vessel being on the coast has an advantage.
The French will only be
watching the ports. Besides, I can run
under the Frenchman's flag, as I do in
smuggling.'

`Very well. You may run your own
way so you get the despatches to Nelson,'
answered both Admirals at once.

`On condition you take them in safety
and in time, Captain Vance,' said the
first lord, `your past offences shall be
overlooked by the crown; and you shall
have one thousand guineas. And I would
advise you to give up smuggling and take
service in your country's ships.'

`I will think of it, my lord,' I answered.

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25

`I hope you will. Here now, Captain
Vance, are the despatches,' said Admiral
Collingwood seriously and impressively,
as he took the package from the
table and laid it in my hand. `In committing
this to you, we place confidence
in you that, to a man of your pride and
ambition, must be infinitely flattering.—
We treat you, sir, as a man of honor.—
We regard you as an Englishman who
would disdain to betray his country to
the enemy.'

`You judge me rightly, my lords,' I
answered with emotion; `for this high
trust elevated me in my own self-respect.
I almost felt like becoming a good citizen
and serving my country in the
navy; but the freedom, the adventures,
the perils and escapes of a smuggling
life had too many charms for me.'

`I took the parcel and placed it in my
bosom. and buttened it up. I then prepared
to leave.

`Stay, Captain Vance,' said his lordship,
filling my glass again; `one more
glass of wine to the success of your enterprize.
Your vessel's reputation as a
fast sailer is too well known to us; and
I have no doubt you will see Nelson in
three days' time.'

`I will return at once and report my
success to your lordships,' I answered.
`If the winds hold good, you will see
me in this room again in a week from
this time.'

`That rings well! But we shall be
in London then! Will you trust your
self there to let us know the result? Besides
you must receive your pay.'

`I have such confidence in the admirals!'
I responded, `that I shall have no
hesitation in walking through London
openly.'

`But you need not do that. We
don't want to be called upon to protect
you, captain,' answered the admiral,
laughing. `We have no desire to be regarded
as your patrons. This affair, from
this moment, must be secret. We look
upon you to hold it so.'

`I will do so, my lord. At least I
shall never speak of it to do mischief.—
Nor will I ever avail myself of your confidence
in me, so far as to appeal to you
should I get into trouble hereafter for
smuggling.'

`After some further instructions,' continued
Bonfield to Lord Percival, `I took
my leave of them and hastened to my
inn in the suburbs. At half-past nine
o'clock I saw the signal light of my vessel
in the offing. Before twelve o'clock
every box, bale, and cask, was landed
and concealed in our hiding places on
the coast; and by twelve o'clock I was
on board and flying before a fresh nor'
west wind towards the coast of Holland.