Men of Sorrows
Smugglers of the Marsh
by
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‘That’s uncustomed tea!’ Tom Carswell said waving his pistol towards the oilskin bags slung over Will’s horse. ‘Of course it is,’ Arthur snapped. ‘ Now put up your weapon and let us get on with our business.’ ‘Get that light out of my face, Arthur!’ Tom replied crossly. ‘I can’t see you.’ ‘Not till you put up your weapon. What in God’s name are you doing here?’ Tom hesitated. His horse shied up. ‘Dismount, Will,’ Carswell shouted suddenly. ‘And drop the oilskins on the sand.’ ‘I’ll be damned if I do,’ Will replied. ‘Tom, don’t point your pistol at Will,’ Arthur said warningly. ‘I’ll blow your brains out!’ Carswell said to Will, a note of panic in his voice. ‘This is madness, Tom,’ George Chapman said, steadying his horse. ‘There are two pistols aimed at you.’ ‘Well drop them,’ Tom insisted. ‘I’ll shoot Will if you don’t.’ Will’s horse made a sudden movement forward. There was a burst of gunfire and three flashes in the semi darkness where the guns had gone off. Arthur, horrified, saw Tom Carswell drop to the ground and then he saw Will slump forward over his horse, both hands clutched to his side. Arthur reached up to put his arm on Will’s shoulder. Will with an effort raised his head and looked at his brother as if he were trying to bring him into focus. ‘Take me home, Arty,’ he gasped. Shaking with effort, he put out his right hand to grasp his brother’s wrist and Arthur felt with alarm that Will’s hand was warm and sticky with blood. A disembodied voice near Arthur’s ear said flatly, ‘Carswell’s dead.’ Arthur turned his head slowly to see Tom Kingsmill standing next to him. ‘Two shots, one in the chest one in the shoulder,’ Kingsmill added. Arthur looked at him. ‘We must… I need to get Will home,’ was all he could say.
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About the Book
Romney Marsh, Kent in the 1700's - it was sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll! The drug is opium, the rock 'n' roll is Handel and the sex is - well, the same as it has always been! There are no lawmen, no policemen and ordinary people are taxed on their favourite commodities to finance a succession of costly overseas wars. The time is ripe for any man (or woman) to chance their luck and cross the Channel to bring over untaxed goods from France.
'Men of Sorrows' is a novel based on the true adventures of the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers - the largest and most successful smuggling gang of their time. Arthur and William Gray are brought up in poverty until Arthur chances upon a smuggling gang and finds his future with them. Beth Stone also joins them - beautiful, high-born Beth whom Arthur has loved all his life. But his brother Will also loves her.
This story of love, comradeship, betrayal and treachery takes place amid the sweeping, eerie beauty of the mysterious Romney Marsh.
About the Author
Mary-Elizabeth Thomas lives on the edge of Romney Marsh and has always been fascinated by the accounts of the activities of the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers who carried on their business in the first half of the eighteenth century. She spent several years researching the factual evidence which is the basis of her first novel.
Her previous publications include articles, short stories and poems, and many papers in connection with her former profession. Retired early from running a therapy department in the NHS, she now devotes her time to writing, entertaining friends and exploring the villages, churches and pubs dotted over the Marsh, many of which are mentioned in 'Men of Sorrows'.