“No, sir: I brought off the captain’s wife, if you must know the whole of it,” said the captain of the “Moonlight.” “She lived in the country, and did not reach New York in season to come out in the ship. Though I don’t know any thing about it, I think it is more likely than not that the owners of the ship objected to his taking her on the voyage as a passenger, and he did not care to have her come on board before she left the pier. Of course you will regard what I say as told you in confidence; for I don’t wish to get my friend the captain into trouble with his owners.” “What sort of cargo did you receive from her?” asked the officer. “No cargo at all: the ship is just out of New York,” replied the captain of the yacht. “Do you think she has smuggled any thing out of the country?” “No; but I have known a vessel to keep her contraband goods on board till she was ready to sail on another voyage, and then ship them into some gentleman’s private yacht. I want to seize one such pleasure-craft,” added the officer. “Well, sir, you can make a beginning with the ‘Moonlight,’” laughed Capt. Bendig, delighted to find that the revenue-officer did not suspect the true nature of his business with the “Housatonic.” “I think her owner can fight his own battle as well as any of them.” “I don’t say that any thing of this kind has been done; but the captain of the cutter directs me to ascertain your errand with that ship,” added the lieutenant. “Well, sir, I have told you my errand; and I don’t know that I have done any thing to violate the laws of the United States,” added Capt. Bendig, beginning to bluster a little. “I don’t know that you have: I came to ascertain. It becomes my duty to search your vessel,” continued the officer. “You can do that as much as you please; and I can tell you in the beginning that you will find no smuggled goods on board,” said Capt. Bendig, with more pertness than the occasion required. The officer called certain men from his boat, and a thorough search was made of the “Moonlight.” Her skipper made a great show of opening every locker, closet, and trunk, where it was possible to conceal a piece of silk or a box of cigars. Of course nothing was found, and the captain crowed accordingly. “I hope you are satisfied,” said the skipper, when the search was completed. “Entirely satisfied,” replied the courteous officer. “I am very sorry to have troubled you.” “It is not much trouble to me; but I will take care to inform my owner that his yacht has been searched for contraband goods,” said Capt. Bendig, who could not resist the opportunity to bully when occasion offered. “Of course you are at liberty to do that, as I am to inform the owners of the ‘Housatonic’ that you conveyed the captain’s wife on board of her; and possibly your owner would like to know the fact,” replied the revenue-officer, who was very much disgusted with the tone and manner of the captain.