A ship with a full cargo of rum runs aground near Skebawn, and the locals engage in drunken revelry as the barrels wash ashore.
The police search reveals practically no signs of rum.
The Major tries to forget the frustrating rum incident with a snipe hunt and an ill-trained dog, but when the afternoon is cut short, he is left to deal with the mystery of the missing rum, an expired clergyman, and his wife, who is frightened by a noise sounding like snoring.
A cask of the rum turns up at the Magistrates residence and when his wife asks - “What are you going to do about it”
The R. M. says “Absolutely nothing” lest he be accused of smuggling. 