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Pictures and Poems
The following two poems, Smugglers and The Treasure Ship, are by Greatstone resident Anthony Webb, with illustrations by John White.
Smugglers
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1 When next you see a moonless night
Keep away from smugglers!
For across the stormy sea
Will come the fast flying luggers.
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4 Treasure ships win make their landfall, Smugglers assembled on the beach
Move contraband with lightning speed
Beyond the Excise reach.
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2 Don't make a noise, keep very still,
Just look out to sea
You'll see a single lantern flash,
That's where the ships will be.
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5 The smugglers find the hollow pathways
Ponies carrying all the loads
Moving inland through the night,
Along the hidden roads.
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3 The smugglers on the shore
Wll answer with their light,
And signal for the boats to come
In the darkness of the night.
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6 Pipe tobacco, best of brandy,
In churchyard, barn and stable,
Smugglers hide she contraband
As fast as they are able.
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7 Their work complete,
Into the covering night
The smugglers slowly fade,
Until they're out of sight.
 History:Smuggling
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The Treasure Ship
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1 Through the dark and gloom
The lookout sees the light,
A slowly swinging lantern
Shining through the night.
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6 The smugglers take a fast look back
Across the silent beach,
They see a cutter at the boats,
They're now beyond its reach.
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2 The captain gives his orders,
'Open up the hold!
Signal for the boats to come,
Then load up the gold!'.
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7 The treasure ship must be pursued
As quickly as can be,
The cutter turns towards the ship,
and the open sea.
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3 The smugglers see the signal,
Row the boats out to the ship.
With muffled oars and hooded lights,
For rhe dangerous trip.
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8 The captain of 'The Rose'.
That's what the ship is called,
Sees the Excise cutter near,
His sails quickly unfurled.
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4 The gold now safely loaded
With many skilful hands,
Soon they make their landfall,
Arid beach upon the sands.
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9 As the cutter skirts the ship
The sea mist swirls around,
Ghostlike, all encompassing.
The ship's not to be found.
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5 The gold last taken from the boats
The ponies quickly load,
To hide inisnd from Excise men
Along the hidden road.
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10 Through the fog and darkness
'The Rose' it makes its way.
The captain at the wheel.
To fight another day!
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