A POWDER MAGAZINE. • 87 



that the position was really embarrassing. But wliat to 

 do to stop the deluge of powder, especially at a time 

 when the general disarmament was taking place. The 

 government was seeking out arms and ammunition every- 

 where with the nose of a ferret, and this providing must 

 be put an end to. The next time the English steamer 

 arrived, all the authorities were mustered in imposing 

 array. Heads of departments, gendarmes in quantity, 

 douaniers, were all there, whispering and looking bin;. 

 Something was on the tapis, as I remarked to a friend : 

 distinguished refugees wishing again to warm themselves 

 at their natal hearth perhaps, and likely to have too much 

 of it, and be burnt. At length the boat arrived, and had 

 scarcely touched the quay when she was violently boarded 

 by the whole force. Jack turned his quid and looked mis- 

 chievous — glancing towards his captain, as much as to say, 

 " Give the word, Sir, and we'll soon have these ^Crappos' 

 overboard." But the captain was pohte and civil to the 

 strangers, and accompanied them below. There, as I 

 afterwards learnt, they searched everywhere, smelt sus- 

 picious holes, sounded the planks, overhauled beds over 

 and under, and found ''I know not what;" in fact did 

 all their duty and more, and did it all in vain. If 

 powder was there, it was hid as powder never -was 

 before, and therefore the search, commenced in civility 

 when success they thought was certain, ended in rudeness 

 as they found themselves beaten, and one by one they 

 came up the steps on deck, looking as savage as could be, 

 and ready apparently to quarrel with the many quiet smiles 

 which were about them, could they only find occasion. 



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