Page 50 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Cornish accent with a local Porthleven slant to it. Then there was a purposeful
rush on the quay. ‘Come on Johnny Boy, I’ve got to help out now’. So I
followed in his quick footsteps.

Trying to keep up with him was difficult but I did manage to ask him another
question, where were we going and what was the rush? The reply came back
quick and quiet, ‘the Preventative men are on their way, the contraband has
to be hidden and the French schooner has got to catch the breeze and be gone
from our shore.’ ‘Who are the Preventative men?’ I ask the Skipper. ‘You
know them as Customs Officers in your world Johnny Boy’.

A horse and cart passed us fully loaded with small casks of rum and whiskey.
Sometime later a man (spirit) riding a horse (spirit) stopped in front of the
Skipper. I thought it must be one of these preventative men but why are they
very happy laughing and talking together. After a minute or two the Skipper
turned to me and said, ‘Boy meet the King of Prussia, John Carter’. I was
faced with a weather-worn faced man with a kind smile. As I couldn’t shake
his hand I smiled (nervously). The King of Prussia dismounted his horse and
walked with the Skipper and me. I recalled learning about this famous
smuggler at school so assumed he must be part of this local smuggling gang.
The Skipper was heading for the cave (my cave!) and stopped outside. The
Skipper looked at me and said, ‘A bit of information for you Johnny, people
think we have a cave in the Ship Inn but they are wrong. This cave is the
closest to the Ship Inn and it runs up to Methleigh Manor’. Now, do you
recognise this cave (there’s a twinkle in his eyes)?

Just then I noticed the French schooner in full sail going past. ‘Sort of’. I
replied, looking at John Carter. Both of them roared with laughter. ‘You
should do Johnny’, said the Skipper, ‘this is where you do your courting and
seducing with the girls from the Cellar Bar at the Ship Inn. This is where
you keep your mizzen sail!’

Immediately I thought ‘what else do they know about me? ‘Don’t worry boy,
we are quite discrete, we know a lot but we know when to look the other
way. The King of Prussia and I think you do the Cornish proud, romancing
they maids!!’