It was not until the beginning of February 1914 that Crawford returned to Hamburg to accept this offer, and to make arrangements with B.S. for carrying out the rest of his scheme for transporting his precious but dangerous cargo to Ulster.  On his way through London he called again on Carson.

“I pointed out to Sir Edward, my dear old Chief,” says Crawford in a written account of the interview, “that some of my Committee had no idea of the seriousness of the undertaking, and, when they did realise what they were in for, might want to back out of it.  I said, ’Once I cross this time to Hamburg there is no turning back with me, no matter what the circumstances are so far as my personal safety is concerned; and no contrary orders from the Committee to cancel what they have agreed to with me will I obey.  I shall carry out the coup if I lose my life in the attempt.  Now, Sir Edward, you know what I am about to undertake, and the risks those who back me up must run.  Are you willing to back me to the finish in this undertaking?  If you are not, I don’t go.  But, if you are, I would go even if I knew I should not return; it is for Ulster and her freedom I am working, and this alone.’  I so well remember that scene.  We were alone; Sir Edward was sitting opposite to me.  When I had finished, his face was stern and grim, and there was a glint in his eye.  He rose to his full height, looking me in the eye; he advanced to where I was sitting and stared down at me, and shook his clenched fist in my face, and said in a steady, determined voice, which thrilled me and which I shall never forget:  ’Crawford, I’ll see you through this business, if I should have to go to prison for it.’  I rose from my chair; I held out my hand and said, ‘Sir Edward, that is all I want.  I leave to-night; good-bye.’”

Next day Crawford was in Hamburg.  He immediately concluded his agreement with B.S., and began making arrangements for carrying out the plan he had outlined to the Committee in Belfast.  As will be seen in the next chapter, he was actually in the middle of this adventure at the very time when Seely and Churchill were worrying lest “evil-disposed persons” should raid and rob the scantily stocked Government Stores at Omagh and Enniskillen.

FOOTNOTES: 

[84] Ante, p. 123.

[85] Ante, p. 161.

[86] From a manuscript narrative by Colonel F.H.  Crawford.

CHAPTER XVIII

A VOYAGE OF ADVENTURE