Several times he accepted Crawford's word as sufficient security when cash was not immediately forthcoming, and in no instance did he bear out the character traditionally attributed to his race.
On arrival at Kiel, Crawford, after a short absence from the tug, was informed that three men had been inquiring from the lightermen and the tug's skipper about the nature and destination of the cargo.

All such evidences of curiosity on the subject were rather alarming, but it turned out that the visitors were probably Mexicans--of what political party there it would be impossible to guess--whose interest had been aroused by the rumour, which Crawford had encouraged, that guns were being shipped to that distracted Republic.

Still more alarming was the arrival on board the tug of a German official in resplendent uniform, who insisted that he must inspect the cargo.

Crawford knew no German, but the shipping agent who accompanied him produced papers showing that all formalities had been complied with, and all requisite authorisation obtained.

Neither official papers, however, nor arguments made any impression on the officer until it occurred to Crawford to produce a 100-marks note, which proved much more persuasive, and sent the official on his way rejoicing, with expressions of civility on both sides.
The relief of the Ulsterman when the last of the Kiel forts was left behind, and he knew that his cargo was clear of Germany, may be imagined.