286 H. MICHELIi WHITLEY ON 



kept as well as her own share, the bulk of what was to have 

 been that of her maid servants. 



Hawkins, who appears to have been the ringleader, was 

 sworn to strict secrecy by Lady Killigrew, who was exceedingly 

 nervous lest the secret should be discovered. The leather that 

 fell to her share was placed in a cask and buried in the garden 

 at Arwenack, and Lady Killigrew told him she should keep all 

 from her husband's knowledge, as if he knew it, it might cause 

 them all to be hanged. And now there comes a quaint little 

 episode in the evidence worth recording at greater length, as an 

 illustration of the manners, and customs, of those homely days : 

 At Penryn there lived one Margaret Piper, who had been 

 indebted to Lady Killigrew, and had received as well some of 

 the stolen goods, hearing of her Ladyship's intended departure 

 to London, and that she would not probably return for three 

 years, she wished to give her a small present, meaning to bestow 

 a capon upon my lady, but was told by one of her maids 'that 

 if she meant to pleasure my lady indeed, it would be better to 

 give her xii*^-, as she had more need of money than capons. So 

 she went to Arwenack to my ladie, and gave her this, with 

 thanks for her courtesies, at which my ladie replied (and that 

 with tears) that she would alwaies be mindful of her goodwill : 

 and my lady being busy about her despatches, without any more 

 speeche, she tooke her leave and soe departed from her." 



Such was the general result of the enquiry (for which the 

 Earl highly commended the Commissioners), which also disclosed 

 the fact that Lady Killigrew had endeavoured to hush up the 

 matter, by every means in her power. 



We are now in a position to compare Hals' statement with 

 the facts, and it is curious to note that every detail he gives is 

 inaccurate. 



It was not about the end, but about the middle of Queen 

 Elizabeth's reign, that the occurrence took place. Lady Killigrew 

 did not board the ship, but remained on shore. It was not two 

 Dutch vessels, but one Spanish one which was stolen. The 

 Spanish merchants were not killed, but on the contrary were the 

 only ones who escaped, and it was not two barrels of pieces 

 of eight, but sundry bolts of Hollands, and packs of leather, 

 that were taken ashore, whilst to crown all, it was not Dame 



