Note 8 — Chapter XIII

As a general rule packages sent by English ships are rarely tampered with, unless they happen to contain wine or spirits, in detecting which the British seaman shows a marvellous readiness. When leaving England Hooker had carried out a nest of wooden cases intended for sending home living plants. In the innermost of these he had with his own hands placed two bottles of brandy as a provision for the journey. The lid of the inner box was screwed down, and this placed within the next, which was also screwed down, and this again within another. When the cases, seemingly untouched, were opened at Mogador, the brandy had disappeared.