ived off Ryde pier that morning at
seven o'clock. She had five Frenchmen on board besides Gosselin. It
was found that her tub-boat was a new one, and when she arrived this
was on deck, but it had since been hoisted out, and Gosselin, having
been brought ashore, crossed by the Ryde steamer to Portsmouth at 9
A.M.

What business he transacted in Portsmouth cannot be stated definitely,
but it is no foolish guess to suggest that he went to inform his friends
at what spot in the neighbourhood of the Isle of Wight he had deposited
the casks of spirits a few hours previously. However, Gosselin did not
waste much time ashore, for he had returned, got up anchor and sails,
and was off Bembridge Ledge by five in the afternoon, at which time the
_Georges_ was sighted by Captain Hughes, commanding the Revenue cutter
_Petrel_. The _Georges_ was boarded and searched, and there was a strong
smell of brandy noticed, and it was clear that her tub-boat had been
recently used. Somewhere--somehow--she had recently got rid of her
"crop," but where and when could not be ascertained. The _Georges'_
master protested that he was very anxious to get back to Cherbourg as
quickly as possible; and as there was nothing definite found on board
this foreign craft, Captain Hughes decided to release her.

That was on May 9, then. But exactly a week later this same _Georges_
came running into Torbay. On arrival here she was found to have no
tub-boat, although in her inventory she was said to have a boat 21
feet long and 9 feet broad. Some of her crew were also absent, which
looked still further suspicious. Still more, she was found to have
battens secured along her bulwarks for the purpose of lashing tubs
thereto. This made it quite certain that she was employed in the
smuggling industry, and yet again there was no definite reason for
arresting this foreign ship. We pass over the rest of May and June
till we come to the last day of July. On that date the lieutenant in
charge of the coastguard at Lyme (West Bay) reported that he had
received information from Lieutenant Davies of the Beer station that a
landing of contraband goods was likely to be attempted on the
Branscombe station, which is just to the west of Beer Head. It was
probable that this would take place on either the 1st or 2nd of
August, and at night. Orders were therefore given that a vigilant
look-out should be kept in this neighbourhood. Nothing occurred on
the first of these dates, but ab