Post-Captain Richard Raggett of the Royal Navy was a stout man of about sixty years of age. “Old Dick Raggett,” as he was familiarly known throughout the service, was an officer of the school that gave Britain such sailors as Rodney, Nelson, Collingwood, and others whose names are inseparably connected with the story of England’s glory on the high seas. He had fought under his country’s flag in every quarter of the globe and for nearly half a century he had served his king with devoted loyalty, always obeying orders no matter what those orders might be. In battle he was unrelenting, but he was never known to press unfairly a beaten foe. He had no liking for his present duty on the coast of Massachusetts. There was no glory in bullying defenceless villagers and he had not exerted himself overmuch in the operations against Cape Cod. But London had reminded him that there was a state of war between the United States and Great Britain and that the government expected some positive results from the blockade of the New England coast. Raggett was stung by the sarcasm of the reminder. He knew his enemies at headquarters were at work to discredit him and he was determined to outwit them at any hazard.
He was, then, in no amiable mood as he addressed the Cape men:
“So you have been running the blockade in a whaleboat? Pretty small business for shipmasters like you?”
“Shipmasters without a ship, Captain Raggett, and until captured engaged in bringing necessaries of life from Boston to our town,” replied Captain Knowles.
“By G——, sir!” cried Raggett with the suspicion of a smile, “your people have a pretty good idea of what are necessaries of life. I find that your cargo mostly consisted of good Jamaica rum.”
This rather upset Win, but Hoppy was equal to the occasion.
“It’s like this, Captain Raggett,” said he; “there’s been quite a lot of sickness in the place, and we old sailors know there’s nothing can break up a cold like the old-fashioned cure of rum and molasses.”
“Well, I’m afraid the invalids will have to suffer this trip.”
“Looks that way, Captain Raggett,” assented Hoppy dolefully.
“Now, my men,” said Raggett, “you know I have been very lenient about this business. It’s not the sort of warfare I’m used to. But it’s got to stop now. I’ve got myself into hot water with the authorities in London on account of my leniency and I don’t mind telling you that I don’t like being reprimanded by fellows who never went a mile to sea in the whole course of their clerkly lives. But that has nothing to do with the matter at present. Dick Raggett has got orders and, by George, he’s going to obey them! I have had scouts out for you for some time, and I’m going to hold you until ransomed.”