The book

The Hawkhurst Gang

A smuggler’s story.

Holkhurst Genge

Chapter 1

The change begins. (1730)

 

The inn keeper was wiping the bar of spilt stale ale. The fire crackled and spat out sparks leaving a trail of smoke, close by the fire the inn keepers dog sat nervously watching the embers landing nearby and giving each dying ember a sniff as it landed. The room was dusky and dimly lit; candles cast eerie flickering shadows creating movement where there was none.  A group of men sat near the fire trying to keep warm as they drunk ale and spoke about their day’s work with the occasional sound of laughter to keep their spirits high, pipe smoke creating a haze and filled the air and wafted around the room from where they sat.

The door burst open as if like a sail that had been caught by the wind, the hinges creaking from lack of oil, and in with the wind and leaves came a shadowy figure, silhouetted against the setting sun. Forcing the door shut against the wind, he turned, paused to catch his breath, looked up and removed his hat and wiped his brow. Through strained and weathered eyes, he looked around, his eyes growing accustomed to the dim candlelit room of the old bar, the leaves finally settled where the wind had taken them. The old wooden beams showing the age of the inn, which to him has always played a part in his life like an old friend. He looked around the room, anyone who was unfamiliar would stand out, even in this dim light, trust and friendship is a hard thing to come by, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

All eyes were looking at the figure as they all looked up to see who entered their domain, creating a hush that came over the men, the smoke had cleared but soon returned back to the haze as they stared at the figure.

The leaves blown in hardly had time to settle before a voice broke the silence from another part of the room.

“Is that you William?”

The voice came from a darkened corner lit only by a single candle placed on the table. The voice had a certain tone, one of confidence of unquestioning obedience about it.

“Yes” the reply came,” it is I”, I said lifting the lantern I was carrying to extinguish the flame. It didn’t sound like my voice, as the cold had got in too deep, I needed warming up, as I moved nearer the fire and placed the lantern on the hearth with a few others that had already been placed there. The hush turned to murmurs again as the men carried on about their business.

“John”, again came the voice from the corner, above the murmur, “two ales over here when you are ready, this time fill them up”. “Looks like you’ll be needing to throw some more logs on the fire as well”.

With the first command John the bar keep, stopped what he was doing and cleaned out two tankards with what looked like an old dirty rag.

I rubbed my hands together close to the now dying embers of the fire, trying to get the feeling back into my fingers, I undid my coat so I could feel the heat getting into my body, a tingling sensation came over me as I could feel the warm blood coursing its way around my frozen body, the dog looked at me wagging its tail in anticipation that it was getting something, he only got a stroke and a pat on the head before the voice was heard again.

“Come over here William and sit down, rest your weary bones”, came the voice again, eagerly trying to pull me away from the little heat that the fire was giving out.

I reluctantly pulled myself away from the fire and moved slowly towards the voice, my eyes getting used to the dim light as I sat down on an old stool and pulled myself closer to the ale-stained oak table that the figure was sitting at, the flickering light from the candle shed enough light for me to see his face now from the candle set on the table, it was Arthur Grey.

We both looked as each other before turning towards John who was filling two tankards with ale, “the last ale he gave me wasn’t full”, Arthur said, “let us hope he fills it this time”, with some anticipation in his voice.

How is everything, I hope everything is good with you”? Arthur said in a much quieter voice.

“I am well as can be in this cold”, I said.

“And feels like it will only get colder as the winter months draw in”, Arthur said.

I looked towards Arthur, his face showing signs of being weathered from being outside in the cold, like lines on a map. Mine must have looked pretty much the same with this cold.

“Are you hungry lad, would you like John to get you something to help with the cold”?

Although Arthur had this way about him, one that you wouldn’t push too hard for fear of turning him against you, to his friends he did have a softer side, but still, you would still be wary of him. I have seen both sides of him and I know which side I’d rather be on.

John came over with the tankards full of ale, he was trying his hardest not to spill a drop.

He placed the tankards on the table, reaching down to collect the few coins that were placed there by Arthur for the ale.

“Much obliged”, John said, touching his brow and tipping his head as a mark of respect as he lifted the coins and placed them in the top pocket of his shirt, making his way to the fire to throw a few logs on the fire, as he did a mass of sparks flew up the chimney causing the dog to sit up in alarm.

“Did you want something to eat William”? asked Arthur.

“I will have something to help warm me up if John has anything”, I said, now finding my voice. Before I could say another word.

“John”, shouted Arthur, “do you have anything that will warm this frozen lad up after being outside in the cold”?

John stood up from the fire, wiping his hands still with the same dirty rag, “We do have some leftover soup that my wife made today, and what is leftover of the bread she baked in the oven this morning if that would be good enough”, said John.

“That will do for me”, I said, “that’s more than I have at home”.

“That will warm you up, take the chill out of your bones”, said Arthur.

With that John turned and disappeared into the shadows behind the bar.

The inn has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember, we have spent many nights here with our friends reliving our stories and speaking about the past. John the bar keep is a good friend to us and we’ve enjoyed each other’s company on many occasions drinking till the cock crows at sunup, then had to stagger home while everyone else went about their day’s work, that wasn’t always an ideal situation as Arthur had a butcher shop to run and I had work to get to work. I work as a carpenter, it is good work and people rely on me as I am the only carpenter in the village, it gives me an income, enough to keep the roof over my head and my belly full, but not enough for luxuries that I would have liked to have, would be nice to get another horse and a better cart to carry wood around, I thought to myself.

Just then John returned with a bowl of steaming soup and a large lump of bread. He placed them on the table along with a wooden spoon, giving it a quick wipe over with the rag he had been carrying around with him. I looked at it through the steam, not quite knowing or failed to ask what soup it was, the steam hit my nose, it did smell nice, and for my hungry stomach this was good enough, I handed over a few meagre coins for the pleasure,

“Thank you Will”, said John, again the coins disappearing into his top pocket.

Arthur had a look in his eye as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his pipe and a small leather bag tied with a cord, I could see his thoughts were elsewhere as he had a blank stare, so I didn’t disturb him as he sat there with his tankard of ale. He opened the leather pouch and reached in and filled up his pipe with tobacco he found in there, then got up and moved towards the fire.

The dog decided it was either hot enough now by the fire or try its luck at getting a free meal as it came over to sit by me, it looked up at me as if he’d never been fed, then laid down, still not taking its eyes off me waiting for any morsel of food that might come its way.

The soup wasn’t that bad, I was still trying to work out what it was, beef, lamb, it was hot and tasty, I called over to John,

“John, what’s in this soup”?  I asked.

“Rabbit”, he said, “I caught them this morning as they were eating my cabbages in the yard, pesky things rabbits, but they make good eating”.

Arthur returned from the fire after lighting his pipe from a piece of wood that he got from the fire.

“I’m glad you came in tonight William”, Arthur said breaking the silence, “I’ve been doing me some thinking”.

“You know I've been thinking of giving up my shop, I've mentioned it to you a few times?”

“Yes, I do”, I answered wiping my mouth.

“There’s a group of men that keep coming to my shop every now and then, they have been taking more of my money and goods, I’m finding it hard to keep on the straight and narrow, seems I’m working long hours only to have my stock and money taken from me whenever they feel like it, I can’t go on like this, so something has to change. I’ve been in touch with the customs to see if there is anything that can be done, but they don’t seem to be interested in my problems, neither the local mayor or magistrate when I told them, and I can’t fight them off by myself, there’s too many, they did it when I had my shop in Marden, not so much mind, but it’s happening even more now since I opened the shop here in Hawkhurst.

“Can’t you get a few people to help fend them off”? I said.

“I never know when they are coming in lad”, he said scratching his head.

I’ve been doing some thinking”, he said placing the pipe to his lips, making a sucking noise, I watched as his face glowed from the embers in his pipe.

“What’s that”? I said taking a mouthful of bread, realising that it was not as tasty as the soup but, filling none the less.

Arthur was a big man and someone you wouldn’t cross, but I know of the problems he’s been having with a group that’s been going around demanding money and goods, not just Arthur but the whole village. I’ve heard of people getting set upon if they don’t hand over what they ask for, and you can’t fight off a group of them, if Arthur has had enough, it’s because the gang have been coming round for a long time and seems no one can stop them, it must be hard for him to keep doing what he’s doing just to line their pockets with his hard work.

Arthur took a mouthful of ale and looked across the room at the group of men sitting by the fire, “well more like Thomas and I have been doing some thinking”, he said, taking another puff on his pipe filling the air with smoke.

Thomas Kingsmill was a shady character younger than Arthur, and again someone you didn’t want as an enemy, he was good friends with Arthur and have known each other for years, grew up together.

He spends a lot of time in Rye and frequents the Mermaid Inn, seems to make it his own from what I’ve heard, him and his brother George have gained a reputation in there. He likes it here too and spends a lot of time with Arthur, I’ve seen them drinking till sunrise.

Arthur was the bigger man of the two, and Thomas would always show him respect.

When they get together, they’d pick on people and ridicule them in such a way that it’ll either clear the bar or cause a fight to which the outcome is assured. They change when they are together, no one seems safe from their vile comments.

So, whatever it is that they have been talking about I’m sure that I’m not going to like it.

“Enough is enough, I’ve been asking around and from what I hear, think these men come from the Hastings area, going from village to town, causing trouble wherever they go, taking whatever, they like, and no one seems to be able to stop them from doing what they do, helping themselves to people’s money and goods. At first, I thought it’s not right, but then I got to thinking how easy it would be to give up my trade, my shop, and do the same as them, no one would know if we kept it a secret and we could make a lot of money doing so, we don’t see many customs men round here and seems they are not interested in the likes of us anyway, so, Thomas and I have been thinking about going into business together with a few others, but this goes no further, I want you to keep this quiet, between ourselves like, until we have got things sorted out”, he said taking another puff on his pipe.

I listened intently, this didn’t sound good, I thought to myself.

“I take it we can have your trust in this matter”? he said, looking directly at me.

“Err yes”, I said, a bit hesitant, as if he caught me off guard, my mind was wild with images of what he was saying to me, “You can trust me; I won’t say a word”. I said sipping my ale.

“I’ve been keeping this from you for a while, but we’ve started up a gang of our own, and been organizing a few things, ways of making money on the side so to speak, we’ve been selling the wool from the sheep around here, getting it off the local farmers and giving them some of the money, the taxes are far too high for them to make any money, so we have started selling it to France where they pay a pretty penny and more for it. This is why you haven’t seen me around the butcher’s shop for a while, so, as I said I’ve decided to give that up and let my sister Elizabeth take over the business, she can do it just as well as I can, this will leave me to do as I want, make extra money and the shop will be there still in case things go wrong, I couldn’t see myself being a butcher for the rest of my life, not after what I’ve seen, and know what I can get”.

“Are you sure?” I said, “you’ve spent years trying to build that shop up, you’ve done your apprenticeship too, it’ll all be for nothing”.

“Don’t worry, it’s not as if I’m giving it up all together, I can still go back anytime and work with my sister, she’s been working with me for a long time, she knows one end of a cow to the other so she’ll fit right in, besides if the shop goes then the locals might get suspicious, and it’ll also be a good place to store a few items. After seeing what this gang have been doing and the way they are making a name for themselves around here, we thought that we would like to be a part of that. We have a plan of how to make some extra money for ourselves and getting a better life, this has been involving a lot of people that we know, some old friends, friends that go back a long way, and so far, we have been doing quite well out of it, so secrecy will be the word.  I didn’t think that I’d be doing something like this, but I thought if they can get away with it then so can we, do you understand”? Said Arthur.

He now turned to face me, now with the lines on his face showing more deeply, I’ve seen that look before, a very stern look, he sent a shiver down my spine, I’ve seen it many times but never directed at me, normally he saves that look for his enemies and people that have crossed him.

“Yes”, I said, “I understand”.

My smile disappearing, as I soaked up his words.

“I will let you know more details as and when I need you to know”, said Arthur taking another puff on his pipe, and staring around the room to see if anyone had been listening to our conversation.

This all sounded a bit worrying to me, but as I know Arthur’s temperament, I thought it a wise decision to do as I was told and follow orders, for now.

“Don’t worry”, he said, “this is far bigger than you can realise, than we can all realise”, we have got a lot of members in the gang as I’ve said, and getting more joining us, but first thing we are going to do is to sort this gang out that keep on intimidating us and the Village, and make sure they don’t return, enough is enough, it’s going to be our turn from now on and get them to stop bothering us, but for now I think I’ve told you enough, we can let you know more when we find out who they are,  as for now, I’m off”, he said, getting a last puff on his pipe and drinking the last of his ale.

“Be in here tomorrow, before sundown, he said, wiping the ale from his mouth,

 “I will tell you more then, just keep this to yourself”.

I think he wanted to tell me more, but seemed reluctant, almost testing me to see my reaction or if I was trustworthy or not, but he seems to have forgotten where we have come a long way together; he should know me better, I was thinking to myself.

With that he stood up, he was a giant of a man, and with the low beams of the Inn, made him look even bigger, he made towards the fire tapping his pipe over the fire then stooping down to pick up a lantern which John keeps for the regulars to use. Picking up a piece of burning wood, he lit the lantern, the dog by my side stared up at him as if he had something to offer, he waved to John and bid him goodnight and moved towards the door, stooping to avoid the beams, placing his hat on his head and turning up his collar, with one hand on the solid oak door, he turned and looked across the shadowy figures in the room, grabbed the rim of his hat as he looked at me as a way of goodbye, looked again around the room as if to see if he was being followed, before disappearing into the night air.

I had now finished my bread and soup, the dog disappointed with no scraps returned to the slowly dying fire, and there was I thinking I had a friend, I smiled lightly to myself, trying to forget the news I’d just been given.

It was getting late, the soup had done its job on my stomach and warmed me up, I finished my ale with my mind now full of thoughts about what had been said. I too moved near the fire, I bid good night to John and told him to thank his wife for the soup, I rubbed my hands near the fire, warming them one last time, I reached down to pick up my lantern and grabbed a burning stick to light it, the dog looking up at me wagging its tail, still expecting to get something for its trouble,

“You won’t want to eat this”, I said throwing the stick back on the fire, the dogs eyes followed it. I turned up my collar as protection against the wind, I walked towards the oak door, not looking forward to going back out into the cold night air, I thought. I turned the handle of the heavy oak door and pushed passed the wind trying to get in as I made my way out into the cold night air with my lantern trying to light my way.

My horse complained as I climb into the saddle, but soon settled into a trot towards home.

The way was dark, just the odd lights of lanterns in windows, how warm and inviting each one looked as I made my way home.

I reached my house, it looked cold and unwelcoming after being in the warm Inn, puddles filled the road that led from the village, overhanging branches were scraping against me eager to remove an eye if I wasn’t  careful, the lantern offering little way of lighting the way, I was cold but with my belly full I was happy to get home, one last job before going to bed was to feed my horse and bed him down for the night, ready for the morning, my fingers now frozen with the cold undoing the harness, the warmth of the soup slipping slowly from my body.

I finally got through the door, the fire was out as I’d been out all day, it was so cold, I lit it again using the flame from the lantern, after a while the heat from the fire started to fill the room after putting more wood on it than I normally would, another job, I thought, I need to cut more wood and dry it out, but in this weather that was going to be hard. I made myself a hot drink and sat by the fire sipping it, thinking about what had been said in the Oak and Ivy.

What plans had Arthur to make more money, who were the other members of this gang that he had started up with Thomas, what if we got caught, this lead to more thinking and this made me tired.

I lay back in my chair by the fire, placed a large old sack over my legs, my head full of thoughts and drifted off to sleep.

The following morning, I awoke to the cockerel crowing his morning song.

“Sometimes I wish that cockerel wouldn’t make that noise so early”, I said to myself.

My body stiff from where I had been sitting in the chair, I should have made it to the bed last night, thinking to myself as I tried to move.

I put some more wood on the fire while it was still glowing to get myself warm again.

“I hate these winter months, it’s too cold and too dark”, I said out loud as if someone was listening.

I got up but my leg was still asleep as I shook it to get some life back in it as I looked for something to eat as I was hungry, the rabbit soup, the night before was good but now I needed something to start the day.

I cut a piece of bread that I bought from the village and a slice of dried beef, just to get me going and remove the night’s sleep from my mouth. There wasn’t much food in this old house of mine, never had a wife to help prepare anything for me, I do grow some vegetables when I get time, but as autumn was fast approaching, and me wishing I’d planted more earlier in the year, I must dig up the rest of them before it gets much colder. With the onset of autumn, I knew it was only going to get colder and darker earlier too. My food supplies were running low I would have to go to the village to get more food.

I kept thinking about what Arthur said in the Inn the night before about going into business with Thomas, what could they be up to I thought, and what were they going to do to this other gang once they find them?

 I placed more logs on the fire in the hope it would keep the house warm during the day and still be alight by the time I got home later.

The sun was high in the sky by the time I got to village after making sure my horse was fed and watered, there were the usual faces of the traders whom I normally bought my supplies from, familiar faces bidding me a good day as they were trying to keep on my good side for my business, there were a lot of people going about their daily lives, children trying to steal what they could from the traders, hoping not to get caught as the punishment would be harsh, I just laughed to myself as I watched them.

I knew what supplies I needed and with not much money on my person I had to watch what I bought.

Being the only carpenter in the village one would think that I was rich but far from it, most people can hammer a nail in, so most people do things for themselves, it’s only the larger jobs that I get, and those jobs take time so money, what there is of it is slow to come my way.

I took my meagre, purchases, and headed back to my house. On the way out of the village I saw George Chapman, he is a friend of Arthur and Thomas.

“Hello George”, I said

He was dressed in a long coat tied up in the middle with a piece of string, trying to keep the wind and cold out and had a pair of what looked like rough leather gloves without any fingers so he could hold the reins of his horse.

“We don’t get to see much of you around these parts”. I said eyeing him up and down.

From the way he was dressed I’d have said his way through life hadn’t treated him much better in the way of wealth either.

“Hello William”, he said, in his country accent.

“I hope you are well”? I said.

“Oh yes, I am well as can be expected in this cold”, Said George trying to hold his horse still.

What are you doing here, I haven’t seen you for a while”? I asked.

“I’m here because Arthur sent a message and told me to come to Hawkhurst”, he said not giving too much away.

 “Did he say why”?  I hesitated, thinking about Arthur’s words of secrecy.

“He just said, come to Hawkhurst and be at the Oak an Ivy later”, he said pulling his collar closer around his neck.

“Did you ask why”? I said, asking the same question a different way to try and get a response.

“Yes, he said something about a meeting, but he didn’t say what for”, he was more carefree of talking about it than I was.

“There is going to be a meeting there with a few others, are you going to be to be there too”? asked George.

I looked at him and could see him start to shiver as the cold was biting into him, his long coat didn’t look to be doing much in the way of keeping out the cold.

“I should imagine you are as you always seem to be close to Arthur”, he said.

“Do you have any idea as to why they have called this meeting”? I asked with anticipation and picking for information, looking about me to see if the coast was clear before gaining any knowledge.

“I have no idea why, I can’t tell you any more than that, I was asked to make sure I was here and that’s all, we shall just have to wait and see. But as far as I can tell from what I’ve heard it’ll be good for everyone involved, but hearsay can always be distorted, so we will just have to wait until we are told”. said George, leaning forward towards me before imparting me with that information.

“Yes, news will not be the same as it was intended, I will be there and await the news first-hand”, I said.

With that he bid me farewell, “till later then”, he said, and he carried along on his way to the village.

I bid him farewell and carried on with my journey, now my mind was racing, what could this news that Arthur was talking about this has got me wondering, I haven’t seen George in a while, and how many others were going to be there?

I reached home with my stomach aching for some more food and my mind buzzing with questions.

The embers were still glowing nicely on the fire, so I was able to get some food cooking.

I will just have to wait, the questions slowly disappearing from my mind as I concentrated on my stomach. I put some mutton in a pan with some vegetables, I closed my eyes thinking about the day’s events, the heat of my now roaring fire was beginning to send me to sleep again, happy to be back in the warm, I thought to myself, I took my boots off to warm my frozen wet feet.

I felt satisfied that I’d eaten, warmed my bones, I placed a few more logs on the fire in the hope it would still be alight when I returned, now I was ready to set out again to the Oak and Ivy for the meeting.

The food I cooked went well with a little drop of rum that I had in the house to help wash it down but now looking forward to a tankard of ale by a raging log fire with the company of good friends and to find out the news.

I saddled my horse again, he seemed reluctant to leave his warm, albeit small barn and mix of straw and oats that he was eating. The roads were soddened as it had been raining during the previous night, leaves covered the puddles and deep depressions, so I had to be careful where to lead my horse, the lamp I had with me wasn’t giving off much light either, so it was slow going. 

After a long and uncomfortable ride on my horse, back in the cold. I reached the Oak and Ivy to see a Iot of horses tied up outside I was glad to finally reach the inn.

I tied my horse up next to the others, thinking he’ll be happy now he has company, picked up some hay and a small bag of oats that was left in a small shelter kept next to the inn that John keeps, and placed it on the floor and emptied the bag of oats over the hay by the water trough, what a simple life a horses leads I thought to myself, I walked to the front of the inn and opened the large oak door to hear a rabble of noise coming from inside, a stark difference from the previous night, not quiet at all. I removed my hat and undid my coat, again my eyes getting used to the light that was inside the inn, I could make out Arthur, Thomas, George, who I’d met earlier in the village, John Diamond, John Mills alias Smoker, Poole, Richard Mills, James Stanford and George Kingsmill, Thomas’s brother, all sitting in the corner drinking ale laughing and talking between themselves, above them a cloud of smoke now disbursing from the wind through the open door.

Anyone else in the inn had given them plenty of room and kept themselves to themselves.

“Hello William, come over, sit here”, Arthur calling to me in an excited voice, as he was happy to see this gathering of old friends.

“Bar Keep”, he paused as if to catch his breath,” John”, he called,

“Bring us more ale over here, Will has just arrived”, he said with excitement in his voice.

I looked to see Thomas sitting next to Arthur to his left, smiling as he saw me.

I extinguished my lantern and placed it with the others by the fire and made my way over to where they were sitting. 

“Move over everyone, make way so Will can sit down”, Arthur shouted at the others.

I moved next to Arthur away from Thomas, I’ve always had a distrust for Thomas although we get on alright together, but there’s something about him that I distrust, probably nothing, just me perhaps.

“Nice to see you all again”, I said hiding my distrust.

“Yes, good to see you here”, came the voices all talking at once.

John brought over the ales as requested and took some of the coins that were gathered in the centre of the table.

“Have you had a good day William”? Thomas asked. “I heard that you met up with George earlier”, he said.

“Well, I’ve had a busy day getting a few provisions from the village stores when I met George, it was good to see you again, George”, I said, looking down at him whilst adjusting the stool on the uneven floor.

The door opened again and entered another figure, he came straight over and sat down near Thomas, a man with striking features, William Fairall.

This man I have heard about, seen him many times before, normally with Thomas, nasty to everyone except his friends and even then, you’d have to be careful.

Welcome Shepherd said Arthur and Thomas together.

I found out later from Smoker that William Fairall likes to be called Shepherd, doesn’t like to incriminate himself by using his own name.

“I’m glad that we are all here”, Arthur said, “shows loyalty, I like my friends to stay loyal it shows trust”.

There were cheers as we raised our tankards to old and loyal friends.

Arthur wiped the ale from his lips and proceeded to fill his pipe with tobacco, Richard pulled a burning ember from the fire for Arthur to light his pipe.

“Listen”, he said, taking puffs on his pipe, his pipe smoke was mixing with Smoker’s who had filled and lit his as well.

There was silence as John came around to give us more candles for the table, there wasn’t that many people in the Inn tonight, must have realised that Arthur and Thomas were going to be there, and stayed clear from their comments, or decided to leave earlier than normal.

“Come closer, I don’t want to be overheard”, said Arthur.

We all sat closer, not a good idea as Smoker stank plus his pipe tobacco didn’t help, I think he hadn’t bathed in months, come to think of it neither had any of us, it was far too cold for that.

Smoker was a funny sort of character, a comical chap, been known around Hawkhurst since he was a boy,  he lost his parents while in his teens, and we think that’s what changed him, having to fend for himself, he never learned how to read and write he was someone who would always help out, always willing to run errands for people, just to make a bit of money to support himself, some saw him as the village idiot, simple in the way he behaved, others saw him as a friend and he was always very loyal to his friends, and here he was sitting next to me puffing his smoke out and choking everyone in the process.

“We’ve have had an idea Thomas and I, we are fed up with living life at the lowest end while the rich get the best life, we have struggled through life just to make those in a richer position richer, and others at the lower end of society, including ourselves poorer, so we are going to changed things around”. Said Arthur, looking at us all.

“I take it that all that is said tonight at this table will go no further”? with that he screwed his eyes up, looked around the room, paused then reached inside his coat and pulled a pistol out and placed it on the table.

There was a shocked surprise as we looked at the pistol.

“Yes, you have our word”, could be heard through the startled rabble, looking at the pistol that just got our attention.

“Good, loyalty and friendship go a long way, I knew I could trust you all”, Arthur laughed as he removed the pistol from the table to back under his coat.

“We need to sort out the gang of men that keep coming to our Village and taking the goods and money from us, we have an idea who they are but can’t really be sure and now there’s enough of us to put a stop to it, we are on the lookout for these men and have put the word out, so we now have many ears and eyes, we want to be in charge now, this is our village and that’s the way that we want it to stay. Thomas, his brother George and I, have got our heads together and while we are making this village our own, we need to make money for ourselves, look at us all, we don’t have a huge amount of money between all of us”, said Arthur, looking around the table,

“I’m running a butcher’s shop, Will is the local carpenter, Smoker is struggling to survive, we can do better, look at you George, when I saw you earlier, I felt sorry for you, your coat is done up only with string”, he said.

“Aye, lost the buttons long time ago”, said George, looking down at his coat then around at the others to see how they were dressed.

“We all look like we are the poorest in the village, it’s time to change, it’s our turn to make money and make a better life for ourselves, all of us, and that’s what we are going to do, we have to be careful, we could lose it just as quick as we can make it, and with dire consequences from the customs men if they ever found out, I for one don’t want to wear a noose, so we need your trust in this. What I’m about to tell you, you will keep to yourself, there is no going back, if you decide to leave the gang after there will be consequences from the rest of us, we couldn’t have you going to the customs men, is that understood, if there’s a problem with that then you can leave now before we go any further, it’s going to be that simple”. Said Arthur.

There was a pause as everyone looked at each other to see who was going to move or say something first.

“With that silence I take it I have your word that this will go no further”, Arthur said looking round at all of us.

Thomas picked up his tankard of ale and held it over the centre of the table.

“To us and the future”, he said in a proud voice.

We all picked up our tankards to cheer on the toast that had been made.

“To us and the future”, was said by everyone, not realising the full consequences of what the future held for them.

“From now on we begin”, said Thomas, there was a pause we all took another mouthful of ale.

“In five days’, time we will be getting some goods in from Guernsey, it’s our first real shipment and it’s our start to something big, our chance to change”, said Arthur.

“A boat is coming in just off the coast at Fairlight full of goods, we’ll go and meet it at Fairlight cove early on that morning, once we signal the coast is clear they will offload the goods into smaller boats and come ashore, then we’ll load up our carts, and hide them somewhere where they can’t be found by prying eyes”. Said Arthur, being more open now.

“I take it you’ve organised that as well”? asked James.

“Aye, that we have, we are going to use a farm and farmhouse, friend of Smoker actually”, said Thomas, with this Smoker removed his pipe from his mouth and tipped his head, as a way of acknowledgment, not saying a word, simply happy to listen and return the pipe to his mouth. 

“So far, so good then, everything has been organised, we’ll meet up before first light in five days’ time, by the old windmill next to Gibbet’s Marsh in Rye, all is set, and nothing should go wrong, at least we hope it doesn’t, so don’t be drinking too much in the Mermaid the night before”. Continued Arthur.

“I take it everyone knows where that is”? asked Thomas, again looking around at everyone.

“Aye”, came the response from around the table.

“Let’s hope everything goes alright and we have no trouble”, said Thomas, watching Arthur puffing on his pipe.

 “Any trouble from anyone and we will let them know who they are up against”, Thomas continued, Arthur patted where his pistol was hiding, and smiling.

At that Thomas reached inside his coat and pulled out a pistol, placing it on the table. Thomas smiled, bearing his brown teeth. Arthur gave out a loud laugh as he saw the pistol.

“We have more where these came from for each of you”, Thomas said, still grinning.

Thomas quickly replaced the pistol inside his coat.

“Shhh”, John the barkeep came over again with more ale for all of them, and again taking the coins from the table, he turns and walks over to the fire to place more wood on the dying embers.

“So, what are the details of the plans”, I said, taking a mouthful of ale, and what must have looked like excitement on my face.

“What goods will be coming from Guernsey and how much of it is there”? asked George.

“I wondered when someone would ask that”, said Arthur.

“Got your interest now, have we”? Said Thomas.

“Keep your voice down, this place has ears”, said Arthur, with this his face scoured and looked around the room, the fire now burning a bit brighter making the room flicker a bright yellow.

“It’s not a huge amount, we will have Tea, some of this will be wrapped in bails and wrapped in oilskin to keep them watertight and easy to carry, spirits, gin and brandy, caramel a few silks”, said Arthur.

“What’s that caramel for, are we bringing food in as well”? said James, looking up with surprise.

“The way the French have made the brandy, it’s as it was when it came out of the still, so don’t go drinking it, its colourless and over proof, we wanted it that way as its cheaper for us, we can add water and the caramel to make it drinkable and give it some colour, plus we can water it down a little bit more, if need be, to make more profit, no one will know”, said George Kingsmill.

“We’ve done a bit of looking around and asking the right questions to some people to see how things are done, we are not doing this totally ignorant,”. Said Thomas in a sterner voice than his brother.

“We are going to meet before first light by the old Mill in Rye, so get there early”, Said Arthur.

“That’s a long way from here and getting there before first light I’ll be travelling through the night”, I said.

“Then you’ll just have to organise yourself to get there earlier or spend the night at an Inn so that you can get there early, and that goes for the rest of you, if you are with us, you make the effort, no one lets us down or we all suffer”, said Thomas.

“Let’s get things straight, if we are all going to be in this then we all need to pull together to make this work, and if that means living rough, or having to spend a few shillings for the trouble then so be it, think of the rewards that will come later for a small inconvenience”, said Arthur, reiterating what Thomas had just said.

“Thomas and I will be at the Mermaid, you lot can make your own plans”, said Arthur, looking at me as if the comment was for me alone.

“I don’t want anyone to be late. When we are set, we shall head off towards Fairlight, when we arrive, we will check to make sure the coast is clear and wait there on the beach, we will give off a signal for the boats to come in and get the goods off loaded.

We sent Richard Perin and Richard Glover over to Guernsey where, with the money that we gave them, should have bought a lot of goods, just enough to make a start, something small, we are hoping, about five carts full, rum, whiskey, brandy, tea and tobacco”, with that Thomas burst out laughing!

“I don’t suppose any of you have seen that much on one cart let alone five”, said Thomas.

Arthur continued, looking at Thomas, hoping he hadn’t drawn attention to us.

“We will meet Perin and the others down there, they will be waiting offshore waiting for our signal, if all is clear then they’ll fill the rowing boats and bring them ashore, we’ll load up the carts and take them back through Rye and onto the marshes to John’s farm. We’ll need about six carts just in case they’ve added some extras, to our cause”, Arthur said with a smile.

“So, Smoker and George should have organised carts to help get the goods off the beach.

I take it this has already been taken care of this time”? Arthur said looking at Smoker and George.

“Aye that we have”, said George, “I've managed to get two carts and six people bringing them, Smoker will bring two more carts, and I've organised a few lads to meet us with two more carts along the way, they will be stopping overnight at the ruins of Camber castle, just outside Rye”.

“Good”, said Arthur.

This time, I thought, “You’ve done this before”? I said, with a look of surprise.

“Yes, a few times”, said Arthur, with excitement in his voice, “nothing for you to worry yourself about, nothing big”, a big smile on his face.

“I take it John is still in agreement about using his barn Smoker”? said Thomas.

“He is, but not sure about his wife”, Joked Smoker.

“Don’t worry about her”, Thomas said raising his voice and changing the expression on his face.

 “Shush,” Arthur, looking at him as though he had forgetting where he was.

“She will do all right out of what we give her, no need to be moaning at us like she was family, she’ll be fine, Thomas said, touching the area of his coat where he had his pistol.

“Don’t worry, John will be waiting for us as planned, if he knows what’s good for him”. Said Arthur now patting his pistol again, with a glint in his eye.

I’ve never seen Arthur like this, I never knew he would relish using a pistol, if he had to use it, I was thinking to myself, would he?

This is a different side to Arthur I have never seen before; I know that he and Thomas have their way when they get together and have been spending quite a bit of time together recently, I would never have known they would get into something like this, I think Thomas would use it, no question, he seems to have a mean streak, good to stay on his good side.

“If all goes well, we should have tea, whisky, brandy, rum and anything else they bring over, we will celebrate here at the inn “. Said Arthur to cheers from the men.

“The brandy and whiskey are in casks”, Arthur carried on before I interrupted him.

“casks”? I said.

“Yes”, came the response, “half-anchors they call them, not a big cask like you’re thinking lad, not like John’s got at the back of the Inn, they are half the size, they are easier to handle, there’ll be tea in oil skin bags, whiskey, brandy in half-anchors and whatever else Perin and Richard can bring over”. Said Arthur, reaching into his pocket for his pouch of tobacco.

“Easier to transport and keep the sea from spoiling. They are made in such a way and got just the right amount inside them that if they were to be thrown overboard, we can pick them up later and they’ll be just below the surface hidden from customs men. We are using Fairlight because that’s where they are being dropped off plus we know the area and escape routes, and its quiet and want to keep it that way just in case customs come poking their noses into our affairs, don’t you lot worry, everything has been sorted, should be easy, all you lot need to worry about is getting there”. said Thomas.

“The boats will leave Guernsey at night from a secluded spot called Petit Bot Bay on the south side of the island, to avoid being seen, it’ll be a big enough haul enough for us to sell, and keep some for ourselves, it’ll keep us happy till the next time”, Said Arthur.

Next time, I thought, let’s see how this goes first before we get too excited about getting more goods in, I was beginning to feel a little nervous about what I was hearing, goods in from Guernsey, pistols, customs men, nooses, this didn’t bear to well with my way of life.

I looked around at the others as they were taking this all in, listening without realising what they were getting themselves into, not thinking of the outcome should this go wrong, the consequences of getting involved with the customs men. I've seen others hung for stealing goods from shops, this is not our way of life, but as I've said I would join In and help anyway I could, there was the thought of having the others set about me now if I didn’t.

“There will be many more and with bigger loads as and when we can afford, this is just the start, there’s no turning back now, we sold the last lot of goods that we bought for more money than I can make in a month, do you think I’m not going to continue doing that, go back to a meagre money for being a butcher, get up early and work late for the rest of my life with nothing to show for it”, said Arthur, getting red in the face as he thought about his past life

There was a pause as everyone let Arthur calm down.

“Life as a smuggler ha, smuggling or infamous traffic as I heard people call it” said Smoker, breaking the silence, a grin came to his lips bearing his black teeth, as his mind started to race with thoughts.

I stared blankly as I took another mouthful of ale.

“The rich steals from us with all their taxes so we just steals a little for ourselves, it’s only fair, it will keep us on our toes and makes a bit of money for us to live the ways we want to”. Said George. “I might even be able to afford a new coat”, he laughed.

I looked across to Arthur, who seemed to be mesmerized by the embers of the fire.

“We likes to make it clear that we won’t have anyone against us, anyone who get in our way will find trouble, we show gratitude to those that help us, of course this being only fair, and we like it done that way, and in a way, It's like we are adding members to our gang as they get some of the spoils, they won’t go running to the customs for fear of revenge and reprisals, fear is a good friend to have in this line of work, it gives us control, and that’s what we likes to have”.  Said Arthur looking at Thomas who gave an agreeable nod, confirming what was said.

Arthur taking another mouthful of ale and wiping the froth from his top lip, and now filling his pipe again.

“I take it we are all in agreement as to what we want from you lot, which is silence”? he said looking around at all of us.

A mumbled yes went around the table,

“You have our word”, said George.

“In that case I think a round of rum to seal our accord and to the future”, said George Kingsmill, calling over to John to bring a bottle of rum to the table.

“Well, I think we all know what is expected of you, don’t let us down or you’ll find us not so agreeable, we shall see you in five days’ time at the old mill in Rye, early, after sunup, any questions? I should imagine I've covered everything, just don’t be late down there, if there’s any change to the plans, I’ll let you know at the old mill, you’ll find me here if you have anything to add, in the meantime I’m off, I’ll leave you lot here to enjoy yourselves, something wrong with the ale in here tonight, not up to the usual standard, you lot enjoy yourselves, but again, keep all this to yourselves, don’t let the drink talk”, said Arthur

“And maybe we should get him some proper ale for next time?” said George, to a burst of laughter from around the table.

“Aye and throw in a few casks of brandy to for good measure”. Said Smoker

Arthur smiled, as he stood up, raising the mug to his lips for the last time, getting his last mouthful of ale. He moved over to the fire to pick up a piece of wood to light his pipe and a lantern, pulled up his coat as if to brace for the cold night air, looking around at the others sitting nearby, to see if any of them had taken an interest in what was being said, then came past us.

“See you in five days’ time, and don’t be late”, he said in a low voice as he picked up a tankard and banged it on the table, making Smoker jump in the process.

“Don’t worry, we will be there”, said Smoker.

Then Arthur made his way to the large wooden door.

“Don’t be late William”, Arthur looked my way as if I were going to let the side down.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there”, I said.

He opened the door, letting in the cold night air and leaves in as he went through, a loud bang as he shut the door, stopping the leaves dead in their tracks.

We were left just finishing our ale, he was right, it didn’t taste as good as it did the previous night.

But then John brought over the bottle of rum and rest of us sat around drinking and talking about what we were going to do with the money and how things were going to change for the better.

The sparks began to fly from the dying embers as John the inn keeper threw on another log.

We drank the rest of the rum, feeling a bit better now and warmer to face the cold so we all decided as the bottle was finished the meeting was over now Arthur had gone and no one wanted to stay. Thomas got up and left with his brother and the others followed.

I stood up and moved to the fire, just to get the last bit of heat before facing the night air again, my back aching from the position I was sitting in, leaning back to get some feeling back in it, I’m not that old, but I feel a lot older probably because of the cold, colder this year than most I've known, and if old wife’s tales are anything to go by will only get colder,

I picked up a lantern and lit it with one of the embers, watching the flame get stronger. John’s dog looking as the light got brighter, I looked at him and his tail started to wag, I patted him on the head and made my way the door, the door was solid oak and kept the weather at bay. I ruffled my collar around my neck to keep the cold out, I looked back at John with a puzzled look on my face, “John”, I said, “I've been coming here for many years now, you’ve had this mutt now for a few years,  why have I never known its name”, John laughed out loud, as he was cleaning a few tankards that were left on the bar, he still didn’t answer my question as he was chuckling to himself, I left him to his work, I bid John a good night, then closed the oak door behind me, again with another unanswered question I thought to myself, I don’t even know if it’s a dog or a bitch. I stood outside again with a lantern to guide my way, nice feeling in there I thought to myself as I made my way over to my horse, oh well.

The night was cold, the sky was clear, stars were going to light my way, I could feel the cold cut deep to my bones, I mounted my horse, tilted my hat, braced myself towards the wind and headed home.

Hard to sleep with all the anticipation of the days to come, I lay still for a while trying to keep warm, my thoughts turning to the evenings events and those yet to come.

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I hope you enjoy the first chapter and want to know how it all end, go and buy the book and enjoy their story.