Trouble was in store for the well-hated mariner even before he turned his vessel’s prow into the Mediterranean, for—in spite of the fact that the Italians were neutral—their sympathies were strongly with France, and they looked with decided disfavor upon the graceful hull of the Saint George, as she bobbed serenely upon the surface of the bay. Knowing full well the reputation of this famous seaman, they paid particular attention to his little craft, and sent a number of officials to inspect her. In a few days the intrepid Fortunatus received the information that, as his was a merchant vessel, he must carry a crew of only five-and-twenty men, and an armament of four small guns.
At this the old sea-dog only laughed, and exhibited the greatest anxiety to comply with the requirements of the law.
“I would suggest,” said he to one of the officials of the town, “that you keep guard-boats rowing around my ship in order to be sure that I do not take on more guns and men than the law permits, before I set sail.”
The officer smiled. “We are watching you closely,” said he. “For Monsieur Wright, it is said that you are as crafty as a cat!”
The mariner grinned, and, before going to sea, obtained from the Governor, a certificate to the effect that he had complied with all the requirements of the law.
Armed with this, on July 28th, 1756, he put to sea, in company with four merchant vessels laden with valuable cargoes, and bound for the shores of England. Carefully the Saint George had been watched, so carefully, in fact, that the authorities had overlooked the lading of the other vessels, aboard which numerous guns, howitzers, and hand-spikes had been smuggled, besides a number of seamen who were well-experienced in fighting upon the ocean. It is true that Fortunatus Wright was as crafty as a cat, or—as they say in Maine—“You’d have to git up early if yer wanted ter lick him.”
Not only had the officials at Leghorn watched every move of this well-known privateersman, but they had sent word to the French that Wright had only a feeble force, that he was accompanying several rich prizes, and that he could be easily beaten and captured by a vessel of any size. So much hated was he, that it is said the French king had promised Knighthood and a handsome life pension to the sailor who could bring Wright to the shores of France dead or alive. The merchants of Marseilles were particularly bitter against him, for he had captured many of their ships, and in the market-place (where all could see it) had been posted a placard, which ran:
“ALL SAILORS AND SEAMEN ATTENTION!
To the person, or persons, who will capture and bring to France, the body of the arch-villain Captain Fortunatus Wright, shall be given
A SUM DOUBLE THE VALUE OF WRIGHT’S VESSEL.