Having steamed out of sight of the signalling station, the crew were set to work to change the colour of the funnel from white to black, and of the boats (with the exception of two) from blue to white, and at night, with her lights screened, the FERRET returned westwards through the straits. While passing through, the two boats that had not been altered, some empty casks, several life-belts, and other articles, all having the steamer’s name painted on them, were thrown overboard, for the purpose of making it appear that the vessel had foundered. So evident did this seem that as a matter of fact the underwriters paid the Highland Railway Co. their claim for the total loss of the steamer. That same night all the crew were sent aft to the saloon, where Smith made a speech to them, in which he stated that he was a political refugee from the United States; that he had purchased the FERRET to use partly as a yacht, and partly for trading; that after he had traded for some time he would sell the boat, and make it worth their while to keep his secret; but on the other hand, if any of them disclosed anything they saw or heard on board, he would blow their brains out. The crew, when arrested, alleged that it was the fear of this threat which prevented them giving information, when in port, of what they knew to be suspicious actions. [Illustration: FERRET S.S.] Avoiding the Canary Islands, presumably as being too much frequented by British shipping, the conspirators kept away to the southward until they reached St. Vincent, C.V. Entering the harbour, they anchored there for several days, during which they took in fresh water, and a supply of pigs, poultry, fruit and vegetables, paying for them in their usual manner by means of worthless bills. The “Times” (23rd June, 1881) Sydney correspondent states that after leaving St. Vincent the vessel’s name was altered to the BENTON. But this seems most improbable, as it would be apparent that the FERRET did not founder in the Mediterranean, and further it would have left a clue by which she could easily have been traced. The truth probably is, that the alteration was made immediately she got clear of the Straits of Gibraltar. Be this as it may, the BENTON arrived at Santos on the 26th December. At Santos, Smith went on shore and lost no time in opening negotiations with the local shipping agents, to whom he stated that the BENTON was from Cape Town in ballast, bound for England. The negotiations resulted in the shipment of 3,992 bags of coffee, consigned to various consignees at Marseilles. Having obtained this cargo, the BENTON sailed from Santos on the 11th January, 1881, but instead of proceeding to Marseilles she steamed direct to Cape Town.