Part II

The Custom officials as explained were very zealous in their duties and anxious to earn their bonuses but above all, to impress their superiors with their zeal, as came to light in the following affair.

The Custom official at Pwllheli was awaken one night by the sound of a cart moving backwards and forwards over the cobblestones many times during the night outside his house. This activity naturally aroused his curiosity and the following morning during his investigation he found a large amount of coal in a yard belonging to a Captain’s house. The ship called “Peggy” commanded by a Captain Thomas Samuel had docked late the previous night at the port and had unloaded a taxable cargo of coal.

It was always difficult if not impossible to prove whether tax had been previously paid on coal at the previous port. The poor captain was subjected to a prolonged and persistent interrogation. He finally admitted that the coal had been loaded ballast for his voyage home and was liable to tax and of course he had to pay an additional heavy fine.

Smugglers, as stated were severely punished, the ship together with its crew would be immediately arrested and the ship confiscated, together with any horses and carts (телеги) that had been caught in the operation. These goods would then been offered for sale by public auction.

Sometimes the whole situation was however not without its humour and irritation (раздражение). Smugglers were fully aware that the Customs were keeping a close watch on their movements. They would sometimes enjoy causing the maximum irritation to the authorities by playing a game of cat and mouse with them.

They would sail up and down the coast in broad daylight in full sight of their oppressors, but carefully keeping in international waters, where they were safe from prosecution much to the fury, frustration and annoyance (досада) of the Customs.

Note: Pwllheli (Welsh pronunciation: [pʊɬˈhɛlɪ]) is a community and the main market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. The town’s name means saltwater basin. The pronunciation of Pwllheli includes a sound not found in the English language, the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative [ɬ].

Exercise 11. Scan Part II and match left and right.

1) to offer for sale by public auction	a) подвергаться длительному и тщательному допросу
2) to earn bonuses	b) платить большой штраф
3) to keep a close watch on smb’s movements	c) предлагать для продажи на аукционе (публичных торгах)
4) to arouse curiosity	d) плавать под парусом в зоне видимости / в поле зрения (своих) ‘преследователей’
5) to pay a heavy fine	e) быть строго наказанным
6) to be subjected to a prolonged and persistent interrogation	f) вызывать крайнее раздражение
7) to be liable to tax	g) возбудить любопытство
8) to sail in full sight of (their) oppressors	h) зарабатывать вознаграждения (премии)
9) to be severely punished	i) вести наблюдение за передвижением кого/чего-либо
10) to cause the maximum irritation	j) подлежать обложению налогом

Exercise 12. Read Part III to answer the following questions:

1. What was Boaz Pritchard notorious for?

2. Where were brandy casks hidden?

3. Why were the poor inhabitants of Caernarfon frightened?

4. Was Boaz Pritchard caught and imprisoned?

5. Why do you think Boaz Pritchard was a skilful smuggler?