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SUSSEX SMUGGLERS. 189
Court. When you looked at your arms to see if they were primed at Dean, are you sure all the prisoners were there, or which of them ?
Steel. They were all five there at that time, and we went together till we came near Poole, when Stringer and Willis went forward to see how the way stood ; and when we came within about a mile of the town, Willis and Stringer* came and met us, and one of them said it was impossible to be done. We turned our horses again, and came to a little lane, and every man got off, and tied our horses up to a rail, which was put along a sort of a common. There were thirty-one horses; we left them under the care of Thomas Lilliwhite and Perrin ; we every man went to the custom-house, and broke it open. I and another went to the quay, to see that nobody came to molest us. When I came back again the custom-house was broken open; they said it was done with iron bars. They were carrying the tea when the other man and I came to them.
Court. Who do you mean were carrying the tea ?
Steel. All that went on purpose to break the customhouse open ; I do not mean any in particular.
Court. Were any of the prisoners there ?
Steel. Yes; Glover, Kingsmill and Fairall, Lilliwhite and Perrin being still with the horses. When we came we found the strings and tied it together, and carried it away to a gravelly place. There we fetched our horses to the place, and loaded them and carried it away. Then we went to a place called Fordingbridge, where we baited and refreshed ourselves. We loaded, and went for a place called Sandy Hill; but at a place called |
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* Willis and Stringer stand both indicted for the murder of Galley and Chater. |
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