Uriah closed his eyes and softly moaned, "And the kegs held gun power. I should have guessed."

Caleb gasped, "Gun power? We sailed three thousand miles on a ship filled with gun power?"

"We cannot be certain," Uriah said.

"Of course we can," Matthew argued. "Where were the revenue ships when we sailed into Boston Harbor? You're right, my boy, we should have guessed." Matthew abruptly left the room again.

When he returned, he poured himself a double portion of wine and sat down. "Smuggled goods sell for lower prices than English goods, then the price of English goods are lowered and the merchants suffer. They complain to Parliament, Parliament complains to the King and the King sends yet another threat."

Jane hadn't bother to knock. Instead, she walked right in carrying a silver tea service. She grinned at Matthew, set the tray down and began to pour. "Miss Etta don't like you drunk, Matthew."

Matthew rolled his eyes. "I know. Let's not tell her, shall we?"

With a twinkle in her eye, Jane set the tea pot down and turned to him. "A full pound sterling?"

"A full pound? It cost me but a farthing yesterday."

Jane giggled, "A farthing then and not a farthing less."

"Oh very well." He dug in his pocket, pulled out a farthing and placed it in the waiting girl's palm. Then he playfully touched the end of her nose with his finger. "You need a husband."