A SMUGGLING STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10014, 28 December 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SMUGGLING STORY.

About fifty years ago thoro died in Perth a man who was a great smuggler, and who had many a tussle with the officers of the Excise. He was about the middle height, very stout, and of extraordinary strength. Ha was known far and wide for his outertaining stories, pawky jokes, and odd proverbs. His humorous way of relating them acted almost as a charm on listeners. Mr. George Morrison tells of this worthy that on one occasion he went to l'erth with four casks of whisky in his cart. The casks were covered ovor with straw, as if he were going to the market. He had a companion with him. Before entering Perth his companion left him to make arrangements for the delivery of the whisky at a certain place in Georgestreet. At Bridge End the smuggler was met by a ganger. They knew each other well,as they had been at loggerheads before over the prohibited trade, As the gaugor was sura of his m irk this time ho put himself little about. .Neither did the smuggler concern himself much, as ho was quite as sure of outwitting the other. The smuggler had a habit, when leading his horse, of walking straight in front in tlio middle of the road, with both his hands behind his back holding the reins. Proceeding in this fashion, he met the gauger, and in this manner they both entered the "Fair City." The smuggler was aware that the gauger was fond of old stories, so ho had to try his best in this line to take up the ganger's attention for a short time, as his position was somewhat critical. lie commenced relating some of 1 lie most curious and fanciful tales imaginable. The officer was so fascinated that ho never thought of looking behind him until they arrived opposite the Exciso office.

Turning round and seeing no horse and cart, the gauger asked tho smuggler with astonishment and dismay where they had gone to. The smuggler appeared as much bewildered as himsolf, as the reins were still in his hands, and tho bridle was trailing behind. Tho smuggler caught hold of the ganger, and declared lline ho would have his life for stealing his horso and cart, asserting that the ganger had made a compact witii some associates to take away his horse and cart. At last, after much contention, they came to a mutual understanding to search for the horso. The smuggler was taken to the gauger'i house, where he had a good breakfast. It turned out afterwards that while the gauger and Ihe smuggler wero walking along Gourde- street, tho ono narrating interesting anecdotes, and tho other deeply absorbed in listening, the smuggler's friend had stepped up behind, drawn the bridle ovor tho horse's head, and turned the horse and cart in to a court opposite to that in which tho whisky was to be left. This schemo was arranged by the two before they parted, in case tho gangers should meet the smuggler with his dart before he reached the place of salo, as this was the only way to get out of tho difficulty. When the Revenue officer hoard tho right story of tho whole affair, ho declared that ho would give tho smuggler a chance again if ho could, for tho able manner in which ho had done him out of his prize, Upon another occasion the same smuggler came to Perth with two small casks or ankers of whisky in his care. When near tho town ho unyoked the horse, drew the cart, into a field, and set tho horse at large. Ho laid one uf t he ankers behind the hedge, and, taking the other between his thumb and fingers, boldly walked into Perth through tho principal streets, swinging the cask quite lightly in his hands as if it wero empty, lie passed on the opposite side of the street two Revenue officers, and shouted to them to come and have a drink with him out of tho cask. They sarcastically replied that if ho had such he would bo the la«t to entertain them, and remarked to oacii other that they were not fools enough to go after him for an empty cask.

After disposing of ono, ho went) for the other, and returned with it in the same manner. Ho was again met by tho gaucers, and he again invited them to a dram of his well-stilled mountain dew. They were hoard to remark contemptuously that surely he was going mad, carrying an empty cask in sucli a manner through the city. T'lo gaugers had 110 idea of the strength of tho smuggler, and did not dream that «ny man could carry an anker in his hand full of whisky in such a fashion.