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CHAPTER 7
INTERNAL CONTROL AND CASH
SUMMARY OF QUESTION TYPES BY LEARNING OBJECTIVE, LEVEL OF
DIFFICULTY, BLOOM’S TAXONOMY, CPA CODES, AND AACSB CODES
Item LO LOD Bloom’s CPA AACSB Item LO LOD Bloom’s CPA AACSB Item LO LOD Bloom’s CPA AACSB
True-False Statements
1. 1 E K AA AN 11. 2 E C AA AN 21. 3 M C AA AN
2. 1 E K AA AN 12. 2 E C AA AN 22. 3 E C AA AN
3. 1 M C AA AN 13. 2 M C AA AN 23. 3 M C AA AN
4. 1 M C AA AN 14. 2 E C AA AN 24. 4 E K AA AN
5. 1 M K AA AN 15. 2 E C AA AN 25. 4 M K AA AN
6. 1 M K AA AN 16. 3 E C AA AN 26. 4 M C AA AN
7. 1 M C AA AN 17. 3 E C AA AN 27. 4 E K AA AN
8. 1 E C AA AN 18. 3 M K AA AN 28. 4 E C AA AN
9. 1 M C AA AN 19. 3 M K AA AN 29. 4 E C AA AN
10. 1 E C AA AN 20. 3 E K AA AN
Multiple Choice Questions
30. 1 M C AA AN 52. 1 H C AA AN 74. 3 M C AA AN
31. 1 M C AA AN 53. 1 M C AA AN 75. 3 E C AA AN
32. 1 H K AA AN 54. 1 E C AA AN 76. 3 M AP AA AN
33. 1 E K AA AN 55. 2 E C AA AN 77. 3 M AP AA AN
34. 1 E C AA AN 56. 2 E C AA AN 78. 3 M C AA AN
35. 1 M K AA AN 57. 2 M C AA AN 79. 3 M C AA AN
36. 1 M K AA AN 58. 2 E C AA AN 80. 3 M C AA AN
37. 1 E K AA AN 59. 2 E C AA AN 81. 3 E C AA AN
38. 1 M K AA AN 60. 2 M C AA AN 82. 3 E AP AA AN
39. 1 M C AA AN 61. 2 M C AA AN 83. 3 H AP AA AN
40. 1 M C AA AN 62. 2 E K AA AN 84. 3 M AP AA AN
41. 1 M C AA AN 63. 2 E C AA AN 85. 3 M AP AA AN
42. 1 M C AA AN 64. 2 M C AA AN 86. 3 H AP AA AN
43. 1 E C AA AN 65. 3 M K AA AN 87. 4 M C AA AN
44. 1 M K AA AN 66. 3 M C AA AN 88. 4 M C AA AN
45. 1 E K AA AN 67. 3 M C AA AN 89. 4 M C AA AN
46. 1 E K AA AN 68. 3 M C AA AN 90. 4 M C AA AN
47. 1 E C AA AN 69. 3 M C AA AN 91. 4 E K AA AN
48. 1 M K AA AN 70. 3 M C AA AN 92. 4 M K AA AN
49. 1 M C AA AN 71. 3 E C AA AN 93. 4 M K AA AN
50. 1 H C AA AN 72. 3 E C AA AN 94. 4 E K AA AN
51. 1 M K AA AN 73. 3 M K AA AN 95. 4 E C AA AN
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7-2 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 3
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7-4 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
1. Explain the components of an internal control system, including its control activities
and limitations. Internal control systems have the following components: the control
environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and
monitoring activities. Control activities include assignment of responsibility, segregation of
duties, documentation, physical controls, and review and reconciliation.
2. Apply the key control activities to cash receipts and payments. Control activities over
cash receipts include (a) designating only personnel such as cashiers to handle cash; (b)
assigning the duties of receiving cash, recording cash, and custody of cash to different
individuals; (c) obtaining remittance advices for mail receipts, cash register tapes for over-
the-counter receipts, and deposit slips or confirmations for bank deposits; (d) using
company safes and banks to store cash, with access limited to authorized personnel, and
using cash registers in executing over-the-counter receipts; (e) depositing all cash intact
daily in the bank account or using EFT; and (f) making independent daily counts of register
receipts and daily comparisons of total receipts with total deposits.
Control activities over cash payments include (a) making all payments by cheque or by
EFT; (b) having only specified individuals authorized to sign cheques; (c) assigning to
different individuals the duties of approving items for payment, paying the items, and
recording the payments; (d) using prenumbered cheques and accounting for all cheques;
(e) storing blank cheques in a safe with access restricted to authorized personnel, and
using electronic methods to print amounts on cheques; (f) comparing each cheque or EFT
payment with the approved invoices before initiating payments; and (g) making monthly
reconciliations of bank and book balances.
3. Prepare a bank reconciliation. In reconciling the bank account, the cash balance per the
company’s books is reconciled with the cash balance reported by the bank on the bank
statement. There can be differences between the company’s books and the bank due to
timing differences and errors. Reconciling items for the bank include deposits in transit,
outstanding cheques, and any errors made by the bank. Reconciling items for the company
include EFT receipts, interest, EFT payments, service charges, NSF cheques, and any
errors made by the company. Journal entries must be made for all items required to adjust
the balance per books to the reconciled cash balance.
4. Explain the reporting and management of cash. Cash is usually the first current asset listed
on the statement of financial position. Cash that is restricted for a special purpose is
reported separately as a current asset or as a non-current asset, depending on when the
cash is expected to be used. Compensating balances are a form of restriction on the use of
cash and are reported as a current or non-current asset depending on the term of the
restriction.
The six principles of cash management are to (a) collect receivables quicker, (b) keep
inventory levels low, (c) delay the payment of liabilities, (d) plan the timing of major
expenditures, (e) invest idle cash, and (f) prepare a cash budget.
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Internal Control and Cash 7-5
TRUE-FALSE STATEMENTS
3. The responsibility for keeping the records for an asset should be separate from the physical
custody of that asset.
4. The person responsible for making credit sales should be the vice-president of finance.
5. External auditors report on whether or not the company’s financial statements fairly present its
financial position and results of operations.
7. An effective control activity results when at least two individuals are assigned to one cash
drawer so that each can serve as check on the other.
8. The responsibility for ordering, receiving, and paying for merchandise should be assigned to
different individuals.
11. The use of a bank account makes internal control over cash more difficult.
12. The use of electronic funds transfers normally results in better control over cash.
13. Control over cash disbursements is improved if all expenditures are paid by cheque or through
use of electronic funds transfers.
14. An example of segregation of duties is having a cheque signer record cash disbursements.
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7-6 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
15. An authorized signing officer should sign a cheque only after reviewing the appropriate
supporting documentation.
16. To obtain maximum benefit from a bank reconciliation, the reconciliation should be prepared
by the person authorized to sign cheques.
18. All reconciling items in determining the reconciled cash balance per books require the
depositor to make adjusting journal entries to the Cash account.
19. NSF cheques received from customers are debited by the bank to the depositor’s account.
20. A bank reconciliation is generally prepared by the bank and sent to the depositor along with
cancelled cheques.
22. NSF cheques received are accounted for by adding them to the cash balance per books.
23. Deposits in transit require an adjustment to the cash balance per books.
24. Management only needs to know how much cash is available at the end of the month (when
the bank reconciliation is prepared).
25. Debt investments due within three months are normally classified as cash equivalents.
27. Cash restricted in use should be reported separately on the statement of financial position.
28. When the cash account has a credit balance in the general ledger, it is reported as a non-
current liability.
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Internal Control and Cash 7-7
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7-8 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
31. Which of the following statements is true in terms of an internal control system?
(a) A good internal control system will help a company achieve reliable financial reporting,
effective and efficient operations, and compliance with laws and regulations.
(b) An internal control system cannot be considered effective until the possibility of human error
has been completely eliminated.
(c) Only large companies need to be concerned with a system of internal control.
(d) The extent of internal control activities adopted by a company must not be evaluated in terms
of cost-benefit.
33. Which one of the following is not a primary component of an internal control system?
(a) control activities
(b) delay payment of liabilities
(c) risk assessment
(d) control environment
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Internal Control and Cash 7-9
39. Internal controls are concerned with all of the following except
(a) computerized systems of accounting.
(b) effective and efficient operations.
(c) ensuring reliable financial reporting.
(d) compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
40. An employee who makes a sale, ships the goods, and bills the customer violates which
control activity?
(a) review and reconciliation
(b) documentation
(c) segregation of duties
(d) assignment of responsibility
42. Having one person responsible for the related activities of ordering merchandise, receiving
goods, and paying for them
(a) increases the potential for errors and fraud.
(b) decreases the potential for errors and fraud.
(c) is an example of a control activity.
(d) reduces cost and maximizes benefit.
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7 - 10 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
(a) evaluate the system of internal controls for the companies that employ them.
(b) are employees of the company.
(c) are independent of the company.
(d) plan and perform an internal audit.
45. When two or more people get together for the purpose of circumventing prescribed controls,
it is called
(a) fraud prevention.
(b) collusion.
(c) a division of duties.
(d) assignment of responsibilities.
46. The control activity related to not having the same person authorize and pay for goods is
known as
(a) physical controls.
(b) review and reconciliation.
(c) segregation of duties.
(d) assignment of responsibility.
47. Arthur is warehouse custodian and also maintains the accounting records of the inventory
held at the warehouse. Which control activity is violated?
(a) documentation
(b) review and reconciliation
(c) segregation of duties
(d) assignment of responsibility
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 11
51. The independent audit committee of the board of directors is not responsible for reviewing
the company’s internal control systems to ensure that they are adequate to result in
(a) fair financial results.
(b) complete financial results.
(c) reasonable financial results.
(d) accurate financial results.
52. A system of internal control can only provide reasonable assurance, which is based on the
belief that
(a) the system is infallible.
(b) the system can always detect errors and irregularities.
(c) the costs of establishing control activities should not be greater than their expected benefit.
(d) the human element is not important.
53. Two employees at a retail store work the same cash register. You evaluate this situation as
(a) a violation of assignment of responsibility.
(b) a violation of segregation of duties.
(c) supporting assignment of responsibility.
(d) supporting review and reconciliation.
54. An accounts payable clerk also has cheque signing authority. Which control procedure is
violated?
(a) assignment of responsibility
(b) review and reconciliation
(c) documentation
(d) segregation of duties
56. Which of the following is not a good control activity over cash?
(a) Payments to creditors should be made in cash.
(b) There should be limited access to cash.
(c) The amount of cash on hand should be kept at a minimum.
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7 - 12 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
58. Which of the following is not a suggested procedure to establish a good control activity over
cash disbursements?
(a) pre-signed blank cheques
(b) Different individuals approve and make payments.
(c) Blank cheques are stored with limited access.
(d) The bank statement is reconciled monthly.
61. Allowing only the treasurer to sign cheques is an example of which control activity?
(a) documentation
(b) segregation of duties
(c) physical controls
(d) assignment of responsibility
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 13
66. Which one of the following would not cause a bank to debit a depositor's account?
(a) bank service charge
(b) collection of a note receivable
(c) payment of a note payable
(d) cheques marked NSF
67. On the April 30 bank reconciliation, a deposit made by a company to its bank account on
April 18 will likely appear as a(n)
(a) addition to the balance per books.
(b) deduction from the balance per books.
(c) deduction from the balance per bank.
(d) This will not affect the current period’s bank reconciliation.
68. An NSF cheque received from a customer should appear in which section of the bank
reconciliation?
(a) addition to the balance per books
(b) deduction from the balance per books
(c) addition to the balance per bank
(d) deduction from the balance per bank
69. On a bank reconciliation, which of the following would be deducted from the balance per
books?
(a) outstanding cheques
(b) deposits in transit
(c) electronic payment by a customer on account
(d) bank service charges
70. On a bank reconciliation, which of the following would be added to the balance per books?
(a) outstanding cheques
(b) deposits in transit
(c) electronic payment by a customer on account
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7 - 14 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
71. On a bank reconciliation, which of the following would be deducted from the balance per
bank?
(a) outstanding cheques
(b) deposits in transit
(c) electronic payment by a customer on account
(d) bank service charges
72. On a bank reconciliation, which of the following would be added to the balance per bank?
(a) outstanding cheques
(b) deposits in transit
(c) electronic payment by a customer on account
(d) bank service charges
73. A cheque in the amount of $425 was returned by the bank marked "NSF". A bank service
fee of $20 was charged for processing the returned cheque. Upon notification of the NSF, the
company who initially received the customer’s cheque will most likely
(a) reverse the customer’s payment on their books to re-establish the accounts receivable for
$425.
(b) make no changes to the accounting records but advise the customer that the payment was
declined and is still outstanding.
(c) reverse the customer’s payment on their books to re-establish the accounts receivable for
$425 and debit bank charges expense for the bank service fee of $20.
(d) reverse the customer’s payment on their books to re-establish the accounts receivable for
$425 and debit the accounts receivable for the bank service fee of $20.
74. Outstanding cheques from the prior period which clear the bank in the current period
(a) should be added to the balance per books.
(b) should be deducted from the balance per books.
(c) should be deducted from the balance per bank.
(d) do not affect the current period’s bank reconciliation.
76. If a cheque correctly written and paid by the bank for $483 is incorrectly recorded on the
company's books for $384, the appropriate treatment on the bank reconciliation would be to
(a) add $99 to the balance per bank.
(b) add $99 to the balance per books.
(c) deduct $99 from the balance per books.
(d) deduct $99 from the balance per bank.
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 15
77. A cheque written by the company for $182 is incorrectly recorded as $218. On the bank
reconciliation, the $36 error should be
(a) added to the balance per books.
(b) deducted from the balance per books.
(c) added to the balance per bank.
(d) deducted from the balance per bank.
78. For which of the following errors should the appropriate amount be added to the balance per
bank on a bank reconciliation?
(a) cheque for $86 recorded as $68 by the depositor
(b) deposit of $300 recorded by the bank as $30
(c) a paid cheque for $600 recorded by the bank as $60
(d) cheque for $28 recorded as $82 by the depositor
79. Which of the following bank reconciliation items would not require an adjusting entry on the
depositor’s books?
(a) bank service charge
(b) outstanding cheques
(c) a customer’s NSF cheque
(d) electronic payment on account
80. Which of the following bank reconciliation items would require an adjusting entry on the
depositor’s books?
(a) error by the bank
(b) outstanding cheques
(c) bank service charge
(d) deposit in transit
81. All of the following bank reconciliation items would require an adjusting entry on the depositor’s
books except
(a) interest earned.
(b) deposits in transit.
(c) a bank service charge.
(d) a customer’s NSF cheque.
82. Notification by the bank that a customer’s deposited cheque was returned NSF requires that
the depositor make the following adjusting entry:
(a) Accounts Receivable
Cash
(b) Cash
Accounts Receivable
(c) Bank Charges Expense
Accounts Receivable
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7 - 16 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
83. On Andrew Corp.’s April bank reconciliation, cheques outstanding totalled $9,620. In May, the
corporation issued cheques totalling $26,800. The May bank statement shows that $24,250 in
cheques cleared the bank in May. A cheque from one of Andrew Corp.'s customers in the amount
of $325 was also returned marked "NSF." The amount of outstanding cheques on Andrew’s May
bank reconciliation should be
(a) $2,550.
(b) $11,845.
(c) $12,495.
(d) $12,170.
Solution: $9,620 + $26,800 – $24,250 = $12,170.
84. Stardust Corporation gathered the following reconciling information in preparing its October
bank reconciliation:
Cash balance per books, October 31 ......................... $6,200
Deposits in transit....................................................... 225
Electronic collection of account receivable ................. 1,150
Bank charge for cheque printing................................. 25
Outstanding cheques ................................................. 1,700
NSF cheque ............................................................... 200
The reconciled cash balance per books at October 31 is
(a) $7,125.
(b) $6,900.
(c) $5,200.
(d) $5,650.
Solution: $6,200 + $1,150 – $25 – $200 = $7,125.
85. Angel Hair Limited gathered the following reconciling information in preparing its November
bank reconciliation:
Cash balance per books, November 30 ..................... $36,100
Electronic collection of account .................................. 7,200
Outstanding cheques ................................................. 13,600
Deposits in transit....................................................... 18,100
Bank service charge................................................... 3,650
NSF cheque ............................................................... 2,875
The reconciled cash balance per books at November 30 is
(a) $16,675.
(b) $21,175.
(c) $39,275.
(d) $36,775.
Solution: $36,100 + $7,200 – $3,650 – $2,875 = $36,775.
86. Sunny Sky Corporation gathered the following reconciling information in preparing its August
bank reconciliation:
Cash balance per bank, August 31 ............................ $18,200
Note receivable collected by bank .............................. 4,500
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 17
87. Which of the following would not be included in the determination of cash equivalents?
(a) bank overdrafts
(b) 90 day treasury bills
(c) restricted cash
(d) money markets
92. Which of the following is not true with respect to the reporting of cash?
(a) Cash equivalents are normally combined with cash and reported as a current asset.
(b) Compensating balances are minimum cash balances required by the bank.
(c) Restricted cash can be either a current or a non-current asset, depending on when it is
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7 - 18 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
expected to be used.
(d) Cash overdrafts are reported as contra-assets.
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Internal Control and Cash 7 - 19
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7 - 20 Test Bank for Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Seventh Canadian Edition
EXERCISES
Ex. 96
Aiken Bike Shops has two purchasing agents. Each agent prepares purchase orders to
suppliers by entering the purchase details into the company’s financial system under the
username “purchaser” and password “purchaser”. Both agents are using the same credentials
to access the system. The purchasing agents record the receipt of the shipment and match this
to the purchase order and invoice. The agents then transfer the goods to the respective shop,
sign off on the invoice and forward to accounts payable for vendor payment.
Instructions
Identify any control activities that are violated in this situation and why.
Solution 96
The assignment of responsibility control activity is violated as the username and password is not
assigned to the individual purchasing agents making it impossible for the company to identify
which purchasing agent has made which order. As responsibility has not been assigned to
specific individuals, accountability cannot be determined.
The segregation of duties control activity is also violated as the same individual is authorized to
make a purchase order, record the receipt of shipment, match the purchase to the shipment and
the invoice, and authorize payment. As these duties to authorize, record and take asset custody
are not segregated to different individuals, opportunity for fraud exists.
Ex. 97
Below are descriptions of internal control problems. In the space to the left of each item, enter the
code letter of the one best control activity that is related to the problem described.
Control Activity
A. Assignment of responsibility
B. Segregation of duties
C. Physical controls
D. Documentation
E. Review and reconciliation
____ 1. The same person opens incoming mail and posts the accounts receivable subsidiary
ledger.
____ 2. Three people handle cash sales from the same cash register drawer.
____ 3. A clothing store is experiencing a high level of inventory shortages because people try
on clothing and walk out of the store without paying for the merchandise.
____ 4. The person who is authorized to sign cheques approves purchase orders for payment.
____ 5. Some cash payments are not recorded because cheques are not prenumbered.
____ 6. Cash shortages are not discovered because there are no daily cash counts by
supervisors.
____ 7. The external audit firm reports on the financial statements each year.
Solution 97 (5 min.)
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her question the security she felt in my hands. In all sorts of weather,
under sail or steam, she had carried me clear of every pursuing ship
that challenged her speed. However rough the usage she never
rebelled or complained; wherever I directed her she went as true and
straight as an arrow, with never a misstep or a falter. If she had been
disgraced it was because I had elected to dishonor her; no part of
the blame was hers. She was not an inanimate, unfeeling thing
conceived by man out of iron and steel, but a living, breathing,
human creation, with all the passion and sympathy and devotion of a
woman, and, as is the way of most mortals, I did not know my own
love for her until I was about to lose her. I am not much given to
weeping, but there were tears in my eyes as I gave the signal that
stilled forever the steady pulsations of her great, true heart, and I
could feel the death tremor running through her as she came to a
stop.
While a royal salute boomed from her yacht’s gun forward I read
over her the burial service at sea prescribed by the Church of
England. Her own flag was sent to the maintop and the rest of her
bunting was astream from stern to bowsprit, over the mastheads.
Then, with the small boats forming a cortege alongside, we opened
her seacocks, pulled a short distance away, and watched her slowly
sink to her grave, tenderly lowered by her own mother, the sea. We
had taken our revolvers along for that particular purpose, our
protection being a secondary consideration, and as the waves that
her broken heart had warmed caressed the topmost flag we fired
another salute in her honor, as the final tribute of a love that, long
smouldering and not understood, had been fanned into full flame by
her burial, and she was gone. I owned many ships after that but
never one among them was I so sure of, under all conditions, as I
was of her.
The ocean whispered to itself of her brave deeds as it closed in over
her and we hoisted rags of sails on our three boats and headed for
Aden, where we landed late in the afternoon with a carefully
prepared story of the sinking of an imaginary ship. Aden was a port
of call for ships running out East and we took the next one that came
in for England.
We reached London early in 1877 where I learned with delight that
war between Russia and Turkey was imminent. The first thing I did
was to dissolve my partnership with Norton. While I had greatly
enjoyed the adventures that were a part of it, I did not relish the
business to which he had introduced me. I do not seek to avoid any
responsibility for my own acts; I went into the business with my eyes
open but it was not exactly the sort of thing I was cut out for, and it
left a bad taste in my mouth. Moreover, I preferred to operate alone.
Norton joined his wife, who was living in Devonshire, and I went to
the Langham Hotel, where I put myself in touch with my old agents
and other dealers in contraband, for I hoped the coming war would
produce some legitimate business. I was not disappointed, for very
soon I was asked to meet the diplomatic agent of Montenegro, a little
principality lying on the Adriatic between Turkey and Austria-
Hungary, which was at that time subject to the Sublime Porte. It was
cut off from the sea by a narrow military strip which was occupied by
Austria. Cattaro, the natural seaport of Montenegro, was within this
strip and was guarded by Austrian soldiers. The Montenegrin border
was not more than a mile away, right at the top of the precipitous
mountains that surround the little town, but the passage of arms
across it was forbidden, and so strictly was this law enforced that
people crossing from or into Montenegro were compelled to leave
their rifles and even their revolvers with the guard at the frontier, until
they returned. Everything that passed into Montenegro was
subjected to close inspection by the Austrian troops, and it seemed
to me, as I first studied the situation, that the delivery of a cargo of
contraband to the little principality would present many unusual and
interesting difficulties.
I met the diplomatic agent, by appointment, at the old Jerusalem
Coffee House, near Corn Hill, and he showed me a commission from
Prince Nicholas himself to establish his responsibility. He wanted me
to deliver a cargo of arms at Cattaro for Montenegro and said he was
willing to pay liberally but not extravagantly for the service, as the
danger, to one skilled in the handling of contraband, would be slight.
I inquired what he proposed to do with the arms after they reached
Cattaro, as their importation into his country was forbidden, but he
politely replied that that was something with which I need not
concern myself, inasmuch as he could positively assure me that I
need have no fear of having my ship seized at Cattaro or getting into
trouble there. He told me the Montenegrins proposed to take
advantage of the Russo-Turkish war, which was then certain, though
it was not formally declared until April 27, to make a determined
effort to throw off the Turkish yoke, and that the arms were urgently
needed for that purpose. He said that if the Porte heard so much as
a hint that they were buying arms I might be stopped by a Turkish
ship; therefore the greatest secrecy must be maintained and I should
be prepared with a full set of forged papers which would be so
convincing that any Turk who might board my ship would be afraid to
inspect the cargo for fear of offending England.
We came to terms without any difficulty, as I was anxious to get back
into my own business, and, as I had no ship of my own, I chartered a
small steamship for the voyage. The arms were shipped to
Amsterdam, to conceal their real destination, and I picked them up
there, after they had been repacked into cases weighing from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds. This was done so that they
could be taken up the mountain-side from Cattaro on muleback
without unpacking. There were about ten thousand rifles and a great
quantity of ammunition. We encountered no inquisitive Turks and the
trip was made without incident. Cattaro is buried at the head of the
Bocche di Cattaro (mouths of Cattaro), a great S-shaped bay, and
rare scenic views of impressive grandeur were opened up to us with
every turn of the tortuous channel, as we wound our way through it.
Bold, bluff mountains ran right down to the water’s edge and off to
the north were the high peaks of Herzegovina.
According to programme, we got up to Cattaro just at dusk and after
the custom house had closed. As soon as we had made fast a
Montenegrin official, who had been waiting for us, came aboard, paid
me my charges in gold, and asked me to get the cargo out as quickly
as possible. With the appearance of the first boxes a long string of
pack ponies came trotting down the dock, and as fast as they were
brought up from the hold the boxes were placed on their waiting
backs and hustled off up the mountain-side. By daylight the whole
cargo was across the frontier, or close to it. I could not but feel that I
was taking some chance in letting it go so unceremoniously, but I
had been so convincingly assured, both by the diplomatic agent in
London and by the official who took charge of the unloading, that
there would be no trouble for me, that I decided to run the risk. When
the custom house opened I presented my papers, which called for a
cargo of general merchandise. No questions were asked as to the
disposition of the goods and I was given a clearance, or permit to
leave the port. This clinched my suspicion, which had been growing
stronger with each of the preceding incidents, that the arms were
imported with the secret approval of the Austrian Government.
Austria had previously proved her friendship for Montenegro by
refusing to allow the Turks to occupy Cettinje, the capital, after they
had suppressed the last revolt. The Montenegrins rose again during
the Russo-Turkish war, which began soon after our arrival at Cattaro,
and, with the aid of the arms I had carried to them, finally achieved
their long-prayed-for independence, which was acknowledged by
Turkey in the Treaty of Berlin.
I devoted a few days to a visit in Cettinje, which, far from what my
imagination had pictured it, was nothing but a collection of hovels,
but the people were in marked contrast to their surroundings and
made up for the shortcomings of their homes. The men were tall,
very few of them being under six feet, and handsome; the girls were
beautiful, with the grace and features of nobility, but, as most of the
hard work fell to them while the men protected them, they aged
quickly. In their picturesque native costume, resplendent with
crimson and gold, they were the handsomest race I had seen in
Europe. War enthusiasm was rampant and nothing else was talked
of. I was tempted to stay and fight with them; if I had known their
language I think I would have done so, for they are born warriors and
the love of it will never fail them. Their dream, as with all of their race
in the Balkans, is the restoration of the great Servian Empire of six
hundred years ago, which included practically all of the peninsula,
and so long as they exist they will be trying to drive the Turk out of
Europe.
I loafed along through the Mediterranean on my way back to London
and spent the next year or more in enjoying myself and squandering
money, which, in those days, was my favorite pastime after a series
of adventures. I knew I had only to go to sea to coin more money, so
the spending of it produced nothing but pleasure. In the Spring of
1879, with the breaking out of the boundary war in which always
aggressive Chile was matched against Peru and Bolivia, which two
neighbors had long been in secret alliance to guarantee the
independence of each other, the call to South America came to me
again. I itched to have a hand in the affair and my desire was soon
gratified when I responded to a summons from the manager for Sir
William Armstrong & Co., the gun makers. He said he had a
shipment of heavy guns for Peru, which were to be delivered at San
Lorenzo, a fort on an island, which guards the city, at the entrance to
the Bay of Callao. Callao is the port of Lima, the capital, and I was
advised that the Chilanos were maintaining an effective blockade
there. Peru had only six serviceable ships when the war started.
Chile had a much stronger fleet though her ships were of inferior
speed. She had so many of them, however, that Peru had been
unable to raise the blockade. After stating the situation, Armstrong’s
manager sent me to Great Portland Place to interview the Peruvian
naval attaché, who had charge of the shipment. “It is a ticklish job,”
was the manager’s parting advice. “You will find spies all along the
line and it will require all of your skill to deliver the cargo. Don’t be
mealy-mouthed about the price you ask for it.”
I agreed with the naval attaché to deliver the guns at Callao for fifty
thousand dollars. He was inclined to haggle over the price, but came
to my terms in the end. It was stipulated that I was to receive that
amount if the cargo was delivered or if my ship was sunk by the
Chilanos while defending herself, whereas if I was captured or if I
sank the ship to avoid capture, I was to get nothing. I knew I would
need a ship that could do sixteen knots an hour or better for this
undertaking and as I preferred to own her, so that I could do what I
pleased with her, I bought the “Britannia” outright, for seventy-five
thousand dollars, from the London and Hull Steamship Company.
She had done seventeen knots, and probably could do it again, and
was strongly built, though she was not intended for a dead weight
cargo in deep-sea sailing.
In the eyes of international law carrying arms, or other contraband,
for warring nations is very different from furnishing munitions of war
to rebels, though the moral principle, as I see it, is the same. In the
first instance, friendly powers, so called, are glad to furnish the
warring nations with guns, with which they may kill each other off, at
a profit to their own citizens. In this case it is a survival of the fittest,
with the peaceful nations extending their sympathy to both of the
fighters and their aid to the one with the deepest war chest. On the
other hand, the sale of arms to rebels is forbidden, regardless of the
fact that there can be no revolution without a rebellion, and that it is
only through revolution, which is simply evolution, that mankind has
advanced out of the so-called dark ages, even though they may
have been, after all, the best. With the rebels, no matter how lofty the
principles they are fighting for, it is not at all a question of the survival
of the fittest, but the perpetuation of the government that is, no
matter how bad. The “comity of nations” is such a fearsome bugaboo
that those who revolt against the established order of things,
however galling it may be, are frowned upon by all nations and given
no rights at all. To furnish them with arms is a crime; a violation of a
law which, I am glad to say, I never have respected.
In the case of Peru and Bolivia and Chile it was a war of nations,
with all of the other powers smiling approval; therefore no trans-
shipment of the cargo, at Amsterdam, or some other convenient
clearing house, was necessary. Secrecy was required only to keep
from the Chilean Government knowledge of the fact that arms had
been shipped to Peru and, if that could not be done, to prevent it
from discovering the vessel on which they had been despatched. We
got the cargo aboard without, so far as could be seen, arousing the
suspicion of the Chilean agents, though there was no doubt in my
mind that they knew of the purchase of the guns. We then took on as
much coal as the ship would carry, including a lot of smokeless, and
got out, ostensibly headed for Japan. I promptly rechristened the
ship the “Salome” and prepared a set of papers which indicated that
we were bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a general cargo. We put
in at St. Vincent, in the Cape Verde Islands, for coal, and, for the
same purpose, at Pernambuco and Montevideo. At the latter port I
took on every pound of coal the ship would hold, including a
deckload, for it was a long run from there to Callao.
I did not take a chance on going through the narrow Straits of
Magellan, and right past the Chilean port of Punta Arenas, but went
clear around the Horn. On the way down to the Horn from
Montevideo I stood far out, for I suspected that the Chilanos might
have a ship doing sentry duty at the lower end of the east coast and,
while I had no fear that she could run me down, I wished to avoid all
suspicion. When we rounded the Horn I headed straight west for
three days, until we were well clear of the coast and outside of the
regular course, and then steamed due north until we reached the
latitude of Callao. Then we began burning our smokeless coal and
headed in, slowly and cautiously. When we were twelve or fifteen
miles offshore I sighted the smoke of a vessel coming down from the
north, and, soon afterward, another one approaching from the south.
Experience and that sixth sense which every successful blockade
runner must possess, told me that they were two of the blockading
fleet. I stayed so far down on the horizon that I could make out
nothing but their smoke and watched them as they approached each
other, met, and drew apart. I waited until each of them was, as nearly
as I could calculate it, as far from what my course would be as I was
from the harbor, and then made a dash for it, taking chances on
finding one or two guard ships on post right in front of the city, and
prepared to show them my heels the moment I sighted them. Luckily,
there were no ships off the harbor nor did either of the patrol ships
sight me, and I sailed up to the government dock with no more
trouble than if I had been going into Liverpool. The guns were taken
out and I received my money, which was the easiest I had ever
honestly earned, but it was because I understood the game and had
been careful.
While the cargo was being unshipped the blockaders learned that I
had run past them and, to get even with me, I suppose, they laid in
wait for us to come out. That did not worry me, however. I was in no
particular hurry to leave and waited until they were weary of
watching. Then, on a dark night, I stole out, hugged the shore to the
south and slipped away from them, without having as much as a hail
thrown at me. I restored the ship to her proper name and self but
took the same course back again around the Horn to keep clear of
any entangling alliances with the Chilean warships. I put in at
Buenos Ayres for coal, picked up a cargo for Liverpool, and on my
arrival there resold the ship for a few thousand dollars less than I
had paid for her.
CHAPTER XI
STEALING A BRITISH SHIP