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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32723-h.zip b/32723-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b12449 --- /dev/null +++ b/32723-h.zip diff --git a/32723-h/32723-h.htm b/32723-h/32723-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ea1143 --- /dev/null +++ b/32723-h/32723-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10920 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Minute Boys Of Boston, by James Otis. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .tocnum {position: absolute; top: auto; right: 10%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .right {text-align: right;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Minute Boys of Boston, by James Otis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Minute Boys of Boston + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: L. J. Brideman + +Release Date: June 7, 2010 [EBook #32723] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AMERICAN HISTORY STORIES FOR BOYS</h2> + +<h3>THE MINUTE BOY SERIES</h3> + +<h4>By Edward Stratemeyer and James Otis</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of Lexington<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of Bunker Hill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>THE MEXICAN WAR SERIES</h3> + +<h4>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For the Liberty of Texas<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Taylor on the Rio Grande<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Under Scott in Mexico<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="center">DANA ESTES & COMPANY Publishers Estes Press, Summer St., Boston</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><a name="front" id="front"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 427px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="427" height="650" alt=""AND WE DID CHECK THEM!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"AND WE DID CHECK THEM!"</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>The Minute Boys of Boston</h1> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h2>JAMES OTIS</h2> + +<h4>Author of "The Minute Boys of Long Island," "The Minute Boys of Wyoming +Valley," "Boys of '98," "Teddy and Carrots," "Boys of Fort Schuyler," +"Under the Liberty Tree," etc., etc.</h4> + +<h3><i>Illustrated by</i></h3> + +<h2>L. J. BRIDGMAN</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 138px;"> +<img src="images/deco.jpg" width="138" height="175" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +BOSTON<br /> +DANA ESTES & COMPANY<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +<br /> +<i>Copyright, 1910</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">By Dana Estes & Company</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>All rights reserved</i><br /> +<br /> +THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON<br /> +<br /> +<i>Electrotyped and Printed by</i><br /> +<i>THE COLONIAL PRESS</i><br /> +<i>C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U.S.A.</i><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p> +CHAPTER <span class="tocnum">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +I. <span class="smcap">Why We Were Enrolled</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span><br /> +<br /> +II. <span class="smcap">Raising a Company</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></span><br /> +<br /> +III. <span class="smcap">The War Begun</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IV. <span class="smcap">The Prisoner</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_71'>71</a></span><br /> +<br /> +V. <span class="smcap">Suspicious Information</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VI. <span class="smcap">A Cloudy Night</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VII. <span class="smcap">The Summons</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_126'>126</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VIII. <span class="smcap">Hog Island</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IX. <span class="smcap">On Special Duty</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_163'>163</a></span><br /> +<br /> +X. <span class="smcap">On Breed's Hill</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_183'>183</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XI. <span class="smcap">The Retreat</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_203'>203</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XII. <span class="smcap">In Boston Town</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIII. <span class="smcap">Grave Doubts</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIV. <span class="smcap">The Secret Passage</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_261'>261</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XV. <span class="smcap">An Awkward Capture</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVI. <span class="smcap">Important Documents</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_298'>298</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVII. <span class="smcap">Hiram's Venture</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_316'>316</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVIII. <span class="smcap">Turning the Trick</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_334'>334</a></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p> +<span class="tocnum">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">And we did check them!</span>" (p. <a href="#Page_195">195</a>) <span class="tocnum"><i><a href="#front">Frontispiece</a></i></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">I could have tossed my hat aboard their craft</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">I leaped the fence</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">The Encampment at Cambridge</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">The second flash of lightning showed me this scene</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"'<span class="smcap">Who shall say now that we haven't the right to call ourselves Minute Boys?</span>'" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_157'>157</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Master Lord held up the unscreened lantern</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"'<span class="smcap">Would you do murder?</span>'" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_282'>282</a></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>WHY WE WERE ENROLLED</h3> + + +<p>Archie Hemming is as straight-headed a boy as was ever raised in Boston +town, and he insists that, while we are seemingly idling our time away +here in the Cambridge camp, I ought to set down what small share we lads +of Boston have had in beating the lobster backs, for certain it is we +have done our share, and no less a man than General Israel Putnam has +told us plainly that we have already been of great aid to the Cause.</p> + +<p>After such praise as that it would not be strange if we allowed +ourselves to be puffed up with pride, more especially because we can +recall many a time since a baker's dozen of us took the high sounding +name of "Minute Boys of Boston," when we have come off best in a tussle +with the king's soldiers or the rascally Tories.</p> + +<p>It may seem a matter of surprise to those who have not had a hand in +teaching his majesty a long-needed lesson, that there should be in this +colony of ours, men, and boys too, who could be so evil minded as to do +all they might against those who were shedding their blood, or +imperilling their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> lives, to release them from the oppressive yoke of +English misrule, but such was, and is, the fact.</p> + +<p>During my short life, for I am not yet turned fifteen years, I have been +in more danger, and suffered more of hardships from and through Tories, +our own neighbors and alleged friends, than ever came my way by the +efforts of the red-coated soldiers who allowed to whip us off-hand, +before getting a taste of our metal at Breed's hill—I can never bring +myself to speak of that battle as having taken place at Bunker hill, for +the simple reason that we did not fight there.</p> + +<p>Archie, who is sitting nearby with Silas Brownrigg, looking over my +shoulder to make certain I keep steadily and correctly at the task he +has assigned me, says that he did not count on my beginning the story in +such a roundabout way, for he wants to see in black and white, as soon +as may be, an account of what we Boston Minute Boys have done thus far +in the war against the king.</p> + +<p>Now it seems to me that I ought to begin this tale with the reason why +some of us Boston lads decided it might be possible for us to work in +behalf of the Cause, and in order to do that I must hark back to what +has been done these two years past to us of Boston by the king, and +those hangers on of his who counted on grinding us into the dust as if +we were made of baser stuff than they.</p> + +<p>We lads, being young, did not realize all the iniquity of which General +Gage was capable, when his acts were purely political, and, perhaps, +gave but little heed to our elders when we heard them predicting that he +would ruin the colony if it should not be possible to check his unlawful +career; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> when on the first day of June, in the year of grace 1774, +he closed our port of Boston to all vessels save those of the king's, +shutting us up like mice in a trap to starve, or leave the colony as +fugitives, then did we realize that the moment had come for something +more than talk.</p> + +<p>General Gage had brought soldiers from Halifax, Quebec, New York and +even Ireland, to keep us of Boston in subjection to him, until the +lobster backs out-numbered our people two to one, or so it seemed to me, +and when he had us cooped up, through having set his hirelings to guard +the Neck, thereby preventing us from going out, or our friends of the +country from coming in, then did he crown the height of his oppression +by making declaration that the port was closed to all.</p> + +<p>He had under his command ships of the king enough to enforce this +unrighteous act, and there we were, much the same as tied hand and foot. +The poor people became beggars because there was no work by which they +could earn money to buy food, while the rich found that with all their +wealth it was impossible to purchase what was not for sale because of +the scarcity, and meanwhile the king's lobster backs fed on the fat of +the land, devouring us and our substance as did the locusts that were +sent to aid the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for the people in the other colonies who sent us rice, +wheat and even money, there were many in our town of Boston who would +have died of starvation. Why even the charitable men of London, who must +have understood that we were being wronged, subscribed one hundred and +fifty thousand dollars for the poor among us.</p> + +<p>I have heard it said that even the most cowardly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> animal will fight when +he is cornered and his life threatened, and so it was with us. The men +banded themselves together as if for war, and made ready for the +struggle which all knew must be near at hand, unless his majesty should +succeed in gaining better sense than he had shown since our people built +up for him a nation in this New World.</p> + +<p>We lads did not believe it possible we could do anything at such a time; +but looked forward to the day when, having come to man's estate, we +might enlist as soldiers to drive out General Gage, and such as he, from +among us.</p> + +<p>Then the fortifications on the Neck were strengthened, the better to +hold us prisoners; all the gunpowder belonging to the province that had +been stored at Charlestown and Cambridge was seized by the man who had +made of himself our jailor, and we were terrified by rumors that the +king's ships were about to open fire on the town because our people were +arming themselves.</p> + +<p>The true men of New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and from all the country +roundabout Boston, rose up in their might, marching at their best pace +to our assistance, and General Gage must have understood that he was +stirring up a hornet's nest, for the rumors were denied, and those who +would have begun the war then and there, returned to their homes.</p> + +<p>If you will believe it, there were, at the close of the year 1774, +eleven regiments of British soldiers in Boston, to say nothing of all +the artillery, and yet more were coming. Five hundred marines were +landed from the Asia Man-of-War, and thousands of lobster backs were +voyaging from the Jerseys, New York, and Quebec!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>Was it any wonder that we of Boston were the same as eaten out of our +homes? These men wearing red-coats were not suffered to lack for the +best of food; but it mattered little what we colonists had, and yet +there were those among us, born and bred in Boston town, who claimed +that General Gage was acting the part of an honest man!</p> + +<p>At the beginning of the year 1775 no less than an hundred and fifty +soldiers were on duty at the Neck night and day, and yet our people were +able to send past them secretly such of weapons and ammunition as were +to provide us, at a later date, with what might be needed to uphold our +rights. Even the youngest among us understood that the day was not far +distant when we must stand face to face with the lobster backs in battle +array, if we would preserve our own rights, and every article which +might be used in the coming struggle was smuggled under the noses of the +guards.</p> + +<p>Our fathers sent out muskets in loads of manure, cartridges in candle +boxes, pistols and swords in the baskets of such market women as were +permitted to enter the town that they might bring provisions for the +king's soldiers, and the loyal men of Boston had collected at Cambridge +quite a store of what would be needed when the time came that blood must +be shed. Then, suddenly, the thick-headed lobster backs discovered what +was being done, and scores upon scores of firearms were captured by +them.</p> + +<p>Many of our people had fled the town by this time; but a large number +yet remained. My father, Samuel Wright, had lately gone to Cambridge on +business. We were then living on Lyn street, close by the old ship-yard +near Hudson's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> point, and not far away, that is to say, on Hull street +opposite the burying place, was the home of Archie Hemming, the lad who +sits near me at this moment watching every motion of mine lest I falter +in the task he has set me. Silas Brownrigg lived on Salem street nearby +the corner of Charter, and we three were close friends in those dark +days when the king's men swaggered through the town, cuffing or kicking +any of us lads who chanced to be in their high and mighty way.</p> + +<p>Now it was on a certain evening near the middle of June that we three +lads chanced to come upon Amos Nelson near the city dock. He, like all +his father's brood, was that miserable thing known as a Tory, and we had +no idea of bandying words with him, believing it beneath us to talk with +such scum; but he was minded to pick a quarrel, believing that General +Gage would soon drive us, who claimed to be true to the colony, from our +homes.</p> + +<p>Because of what happened shortly afterward, I believe the Tory cur had +heard at home some inkling of what was to be done by the lobster backs, +for never had I seen him so bold, who was ever somewhat of a coward.</p> + +<p>I was the one he pitched upon to vent his spite, and when we would have +passed him, he shouted in that squeaky voice of his which ever set my +nerves on edge:</p> + +<p>"Hi! there, Luke Wright, has that scurvy father of yours mended his ways +yet, or does he think the king's officers will wait awhile before +sending him to the gallows where he belongs?"</p> + +<p>Now while I hold that no lad should take part in a street brawl, I ask +what would any boy have done whose father had been thus assailed by one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +who was not fit to speak his name? I set upon the miserable Tory so +suddenly that he, taken unawares, so to speak, went down beneath me, and +then I pummelled him as he deserved, until the cur howled for mercy, +Silas and Archie standing by with hands in their coat pockets lest Amos +Nelson should say afterward that the three of us had attacked him.</p> + +<p>"You'll hear from me one day, in a way that won't be to your liking," +Amos cried threateningly after I had allowed him to get up, and he had +taken to his heels until having gotten a safe distance away. "We'll see +what General Gage has to say when he knows how the king's friends are +treated by you, who would be rebels if you had stomach enough to use +your hands as well as you do your tongues!"</p> + +<p>"You one of the king's friends!" Archie cried derisively. "If he picks +his intimates from such spawn as you there's good reason why he has +allowed these colonies of his to come to open rebellion against +injustice."</p> + +<p>"You've said it! You've said it!" the Tory cur cried as if in delight. +"You've admitted that you are rebels, and the king's officers shall hear +of what you say, for the time has come when they are marking such as you +for future punishment."</p> + +<p>"And what have they marked you for?" Silas asked with a laugh. "Are you +counted on being able to act the part of a half-way decent scarecrow, or +are you ranked as a lickspittle to some lobster back who hasn't yet +learned to speak English?"</p> + +<p>"Before we're many days older you shall come to understand some of the +marks, and I'll be the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> one to explain them in a way that won't be to +your liking," Amos shouted, and just then he was bowled over by a clod +of earth that Archie flung with an aim which would have done your heart +good to see.</p> + +<p>"There's what you call a rebel mark," the dear lad cried with a laugh at +his own success, "and I'm counting you'll carry it longer than shall we +that which the tyrant Gage puts upon us."</p> + +<p>At that instant Archie was seized by the collar from behind, and I was +near to letting out a cry of fear, for I counted as a certainty that +some lobster backs, having overheard our words, were come to lend the +Tory lad a hand.</p> + +<p>Luckily the cry was choked before it escaped my lips, else I should have +been bowed with shame, for on the moment I saw that it was none other +than Doctor Warren who had seized Archie, and we lads knew him for one +who would cut off his right hand rather than take the part of a Tory +against a so-called rebel.</p> + +<p>"Is it well to spend your time brawling on the streets with such as that +lad, when there is work you might do in behalf of the Cause?" the doctor +asked sharply, and, twisting himself round that he might look the good +man squarely in the face, Archie cried:</p> + +<p>"What is there that lads like us might do at such a time, sir? We are +willing enough; but lack opportunity."</p> + +<p>"I came out in search of one who can be trusted to carry a message into +the country; but fail to find him. It strikes me that lads like you +could be employed in such tasks, and thus give men full grown the +opportunity of doing braver work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> though nothing could be more important +than my business of this night. Think you it would be possible to leave +Boston within the hour, and without attracting the attention of the +guards?" the doctor added after a brief time of thought.</p> + +<p>"Ay, we can go out of Boston a dozen times over, 'twixt now and sunrise, +without any lobster back being the wiser," I cried, determined if there +was aught to be done in behalf of the Cause that night, I would have a +hand in it.</p> + +<p>"Are you the son of that Samuel Wright who lately left home to go to +Cambridge, and has not yet returned?" the doctor asked, releasing his +hold on Archie's collar that he might wheel about to face me.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I am, sir," was my reply, "and that he has left Boston on +honest business Master Hancock himself can testify."</p> + +<p>"There is no need of testimony as to his character so far as I am +concerned," the gentleman said with a kindly smile. "I can trust his +son, surely, knowing the father as I do. Now how might it be possible +for you to leave this town secretly?"</p> + +<p>"I have a boat hidden at the old ship-yard where the lobster backs will +never be able to find her, and we three have been to Roxbury in her half +a dozen times since the guard at the Neck have had their eyes opened, +without any one's being the wiser. If so be you would send a message, we +three can carry it, sir," and so eager was I for him to accept my +services that I trembled like one in an ague.</p> + +<p>"And who may this young gentleman be?" the doctor asked as he pointed at +Silas Brownrigg, who was striving to make himself look as large as +possible to the end that he might attract attention.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My father is Robert Brownrigg, who has been enrolled among the Minute +Men these many days, and has called himself a Son of Liberty since I can +remember."</p> + +<p>"I know him well, and now believe that one or all of you can serve me +well and faithfully, meaning that you will be serving the Cause. I +desire to send a message with all speed to Colonel James Barrett, who +can be found about a mile this side the town of Lexington, at Samuel +Hadley's home."</p> + +<p>"We will carry your message, sir, and bind ourselves to deliver it +before sunrise," I cried, burning with the desire to have a finger in +this pie of rebellion against the king and General Gage.</p> + +<p>"It is a written message I would send, and it will not be necessary for +all three of you lads to undertake the journey—one can perform the task +as well as a dozen."</p> + +<p>"We three have always been close comrades, sir," Archie interrupted, +"and while it may not be necessary that all should aid in carrying the +message itself, two more hands in the skiff will shorten the journey to +the Penny ferry, for there it would be well to take to the shore, rather +than striving to work entirely around this town in order to gain the +Cambridge river."</p> + +<p>"The three shall have a part in the work," Doctor Warren cried, as if he +had but just understood how eager we were to be of service to the Cause. +"It is important that Colonel Barrett receive the missive before +sunrise, and you are to set about the task as seems best to you, with +the understanding that all are of equal rank in this matter. I will call +you Minute Boys, and pledge my word that by seeking out the colonel at +the earliest possible moment, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> will be doing as valuable work as any +Minute Men in the colony."</p> + +<p>There was little need for him to say more. We were literally burning +with desire to be off on our first task that had to do with the Cause, +and he could not have worked us up to greater enthusiasm had he preached +all night.</p> + +<p>"You have first to make your parents acquainted with what you are about +to do," the doctor said with a smile because of our eagerness. "I have +the message with me; but there is no good reason why you should carry it +while making arrangements for departure, lest it be lost or seized, +therefore do what may be necessary, and meet me at this place in half an +hour."</p> + +<p>We could hardly have moved more quickly if each had been provided with +wings. In a twinkling the three of us were off, every lad headed toward +his own home, and for my part, I know that it seemed as if I hardly gave +myself time to breathe, so eager was I to return to the rendezvous in +the shortest possible space of time.</p> + +<p>As I look at the matter now, I can understand why my mother cried out +against the venture, declaring it was work that should be undertaken by +men, when I repeated to her what the doctor had said, and the tears came +very near my eyelids as I pleaded with her, for it seemed just then as +if I should never again have such an opportunity of serving the Cause. I +urged that we had given our word to Doctor Warren; that we would be +shamed, and he have reason to set us down as cowards, if we failed to do +as had been promised, winding up my entreaties with the assertion that +if father was at home he would insist most strongly upon my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> doing +whatsoever little I might in behalf of that effort to teach the king a +lesson which seemed so near at hand.</p> + +<p>I believe it was this last part of my argument which had most weight, +for no sooner had I spoken of what my father would have me do, than she +gave way, setting about making ready for me a small parcel of food +before having said that she gave her permission.</p> + +<p>Wild with delight, I gave little heed to the loving kiss she bestowed +upon me, hardly returning it so eager was I to be again at the +rendezvous, and taking the parcel without a word of thanks for her +loving thoughtfulness, I hurried away at full speed, coming up with +Archie in Salem street.</p> + +<p>He also carried a parcel under his arm, and without slackening speed I +ranged alongside him, asking, with difficulty because of my heavy +breathing, if his mother had made any protest against his acting the +part of messenger.</p> + +<p>"At first she cried out that I should not risk my neck in a tom-fool +matter; but when I made her understand that it was no less a man than +Doctor Warren who required our services, she held her peace; yet I took +note that the tears came into her eyes, as if she believed the business +might be of danger."</p> + +<p>"And so it is until we are ashore beyond Charlestown," I said with no +little of satisfaction, for it pleased me to believe we were staking our +lives, perhaps, on this venture which had to do with the Cause. "If our +skiff is overhauled by the guards—"</p> + +<p>"There isn't a king's boat, no matter of how many oars, that can +overhaul us this night if we get well away from the ship-yard," the dear +lad interrupted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> sharply. "Give us three minutes the start, and I'll +agree that the whole boiling of his majesty's navy may come full cry +after us."</p> + +<p>It would have pleased me better if he had allowed that there was much of +danger in the enterprise; but I would not speak further of such +possibility lest he believe I had grown faint hearted with thinking of +what might be, and in silence we continued on our way, arriving at the +appointed meeting place only to find Silas there awaiting us. He had +been even more eager than we, if that could be possible, and was +returned a full five minutes in advance, despite all our efforts to move +swiftly.</p> + +<p>Doctor Warren did not show himself until after what seemed like a very +long time of waiting, and we had grown impatient, fearing lest he had +found some other who might be more to his liking, to carry the message. +Had we been shut out from the enterprise just then, I know for my part +it would have seemed as if all the world had gone wrong, therefore it +was that I could have cried aloud with joy when he came toward us as if +having walked down Union street.</p> + +<p>"Are you lads ready for the journey?" he asked, speaking softly and +looking around cautiously like one who fears his words may be overheard.</p> + +<p>"We will set off in one minute after receiving your directions, sir," I +made haste to say, speaking hurriedly because I was in haste to have him +commit the message to us at once so we might know none other could get +in ahead of us.</p> + +<p>"It is only that you deliver this into the hands of Colonel James +Barrett, who may be found 'twixt now and sunrise at the home of Samuel +Hadley, near Lexington," he said, taking a folded paper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> from the inner +pocket of his coat. "In case you arrive at whatsoever point you have +decided upon, in safety, it will be well for one to procure a horse and +rush on in advance, otherwise you may arrive too late—"</p> + +<p>"We can trust our legs for getting us there as quickly as any farmer's +nag could carry us," Archie interrupted with a laugh, and I was puffed +up with pride when the doctor gave the paper into my keeping as he said +gravely:</p> + +<p>"It would work ill to the Cause if this was read by our enemies, +therefore it must be destroyed in case you are like to be taken by any +of the king's mercenaries."</p> + +<p>"We won't be taken, sir," Archie said, speaking as if he was one who +could read the future, like the witches they hanged at Salem. "Once we +are under way in the skiff there is nothing in Boston harbor that can +overtake us."</p> + +<p>"Do not be over-confident, young gentleman," the doctor said in a tone +of mild reproof. "While I do not admit that you will be in any serious +danger, it is the part of a wise man to count all the cost, and give due +heed to every possibility. Come to an end of your journey at the +earliest moment, and until the message has been delivered, put no trust +in strangers however fair they may speak you."</p> + +<p>He stood looking at us as if everything necessary had been said, and, +fortunately, I had wit enough to motion that my comrades follow me as I +went toward the ship-yard without any other word to Doctor Warren, for +at such times he who shows himself too ready to spend time in talking, +gives proof that he may not be depended upon to work quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>The doctor made no effort to detain us; but, looking back over my +shoulder, I saw that he remained as we had left him until the gloom shut +him out from my view.</p> + +<p>"I would we had been asked for a service of more importance than simply +carrying a written message," Silas said in a tone that was almost one of +discontent, as we made our way toward the place where my skiff was +hidden, and Archie, ever cautious and wise, added in reproof:</p> + +<p>"It is not well we say anything which might show that we are bent on an +errand of importance, for no one can tell how many Tory ears may be +hidden hereabout. We are going out for a sail, pleasing ourselves by +showing that we three can leave this town of lobster backs whenever it +is our pleasure to do so, and of more than that it is not necessary to +speak."</p> + +<p>I understood by the lad's tone that he looked upon this mission of ours +as something which might be of vital importance to the Cause, and the +fact that he deemed it dangerous for us even to discuss the business in +the streets, went farther toward rendering me cautious than any words of +the doctor's might have done.</p> + +<p>Citizens of Boston, save they were rank Tories, were not given to +roaming the streets of the town after nightfall, therefore we met but +few while making our way to the ship-yard, and those few gave no heed to +us. At this time the so-called rebels were so small in numbers as +compared with our oppressors, that, save to make us the object of their +sport, as Amos Nelson had attempted to do, little attention was given to +us, most like because it was believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> we could not break through the +net General Gage had thrown around us.</p> + +<p>We arrived at the ship-yard without interruption, and then it behooved +us to move with more of caution, for if so be the guards saw three lads +embarking in a skiff, there would be little delay in halting them by +means of a bullet.</p> + +<p>Under what remained of a small wharf which had fallen into decay long +before I could remember, we kept the craft, so securely hidden that he +who would seek her out must needs have sharp eyes, and we had pulled +away the timbers in such manner that it was possible to get on board and +make ready for hoisting the mast and sail before hauling her out into +view of any passer-by.</p> + +<p>After making certain that we had not been observed, the three of us let +ourselves down between the rotten timbers into the skiff, and while +Archie and Silas took up the oars, I made ready for hoisting the spar, +which was of no great weight or size.</p> + +<p>"Now then!" Archie whispered. "It is not so dark but that we can be seen +a long distance away, and until we are sheltered by the shore of +Charlestown, it will not be well that we indulge in much speaking."</p> + +<p>He gave way on the oar at the same moment; Silas did the same, and we +were no more than well out from under the old timbers than I saw, even +while raising the short spar, one of the guard-boats within less than an +hundred feet.</p> + +<p>It was the only time we had ever come upon the king's men in the dozen +or more voyages we had made from Boston town simply through a spirit of +bravado, and my heart leaped into my mouth, so to speak, for it seemed +certain we were about to be called to an accounting before having gotten +well started on our first mission in behalf of the Cause.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 429px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="429" height="650" alt=""I COULD HAVE TOSSED MY HAT ABOARD THEIR CRAFT."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I COULD HAVE TOSSED MY HAT ABOARD THEIR CRAFT."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fortunately Archie was a quick-witted lad, as I have said before, +otherwise we should have been made prisoners in a twinkling; but he +backed water with his oar before we were well out from the shadow of the +old dock, thus forcing the skiff among the timbers instantly, and we +three sat like statues, our hearts thumping loudly as trip hammers, +waiting to learn whether the enemy had seen us.</p> + +<p>There were no less than ten men in the guard-boat, and they were so +busily engaged trying to explain one to the other exactly what General +Gage ought to do in order to put a speedy end to the rebellion, as to +have given no heed to anything near them.</p> + +<p>They passed so near the head of the ruined wharf that I could have +tossed my hat aboard their craft, and the only screen we had was the +shadows cast by the timbers; but they saw us not. Going on their way in +ignorance, and happy in the belief that at the first overt show of +rebellion we of Boston would be crushed out of existence, the king's men +continued their round, and verily it seemed as if the good God had +interposed to render it possible for us lads to carry the message which +had been entrusted to our keeping by Doctor Warren.</p> + +<p>Not until they were so far in the distance that it was no longer +possible to hear the sound of their oars, did we venture to draw a long +breath, and then it was that Archie said in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"Now then, Silas, pull well out into the current, and the sooner Luke +gets the mast into place, the quicker we'll be heading toward +Charlestown. Put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> a hand over your oar to prevent any creaking, and +don't open your mouth save when it is necessary to breathe."</p> + +<p>Both Silas and I understood that Archie was the one who should act as +commander of our small expedition, and we obeyed in silence, the skiff +darting ahead once she felt the weight of the wind, as if understanding +full well the need of speed.</p> + +<p>Not until we were well off Morton's point did either of us venture to +break the silence, and then Silas asked suddenly, as if he had been +stewing over the matter for some time:</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't there be Minute Boys as well as Minute Men, and why, +since we have begun to work for the Cause in good earnest, shouldn't we +raise a company?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>RAISING A COMPANY</h3> + + +<p>That which Silas proposed startled and at the same time surprised me. Of +course there was no good reason why we lads should not be banded +together in the service of the colony, and yet it seemed a forward thing +to do, thus to ape our elders.</p> + +<p>Archie, however, was greatly taken with the idea from the start, and +Silas had hardly more than finished speaking when he cried, incautiously +loud as it appeared to me:</p> + +<p>"Well, and why shouldn't we raise a company of Minute Boys? What is +there to prevent, if so be we are minded to stake our lives for the +Cause, even as our fathers are doing?"</p> + +<p>"It is for them to say whether we be permitted to bind ourselves +together," I replied, having a doubt as to the wisdom of Silas's scheme, +and yet wishing most fervently that it might be carried out.</p> + +<p>"Think you your father or mine, Luke Wright, would set their faces +against our raising a company of Minute Boys after Doctor Joseph Warren +has seen fit to intrust to us a mission of importance? If we are capable +of doing Master Warren's work, then of a verity have we proven our +ability, if not our right, to serve the Cause as Minute Boys."</p> + +<p>There was much of truth in what Archie said, and yet I could not bring +myself on the moment to believe we might do what seemed a most +venturesome<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> thing. Since, however, I could not well answer the +arguments he brought up, I set about as if to throw cold water on the +scheme, by saying with the air of a lad who knows it all:</p> + +<p>"I fear it would be a small company we could raise, if, peradventure, we +were forced to find all our recruits in Boston town. I believe truly +that I can count on the fingers of one hand, all whom we could trust. Of +course you would reckon on keeping the matter a secret if it so chanced +that we set about enrolling lads?"</p> + +<p>"Why?" Archie asked hotly. "What reason might we have for striving to +keep secret the fact of having bound ourselves to aid the Cause as far +as lays in our power?"</p> + +<p>Again had the lad put forth an argument which I could not answer, and +yet it seemed to me then as if we might better be able to aid our elders +in the coming struggle if we hid our purpose from the enemy, and by the +enemy, I mean such scurvy rascals as Amos Nelson, of whom we could find +many in Boston town without straining ourselves overmuch in the search.</p> + +<p>"It makes very little difference whether you keep the matter a secret or +not," Silas interrupted, "if so be we can find lads who have sufficient +of courage to join us. We will choose only those who are to be trusted, +and, after consulting our elders, may, if so be they approve of the +enterprise, hold the matter private or make it public as they advise."</p> + +<p>I was not minded to continue the discussion just at that time, for it +seemed to me we might better bring our mission to a successful end if we +held our peace. Water, as one well knows, will carry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> sound a long +distance, and we were now so near the Charlestown shore that there could +have been an hundred Tories or lobster backs hiding within the shadow of +the foliage without our being the wiser. It was, therefore, with some +petulance, mayhap, that I said:</p> + +<p>"Whether we are to raise a company of Minute Boys or no, there is little +possibility of getting very far in the scheme until after having +returned to our homes. My idea is that, instead of speaking loudly of +what we would do, it is best first to finish the business upon which we +are embarked."</p> + +<p>Then it was that Archie laughed heartily, and with great good humor, as +he said cheerily, but without intending to throw anything of irony into +his tone:</p> + +<p>"There are times, Luke Wright, when you speak with much of good sense. +Silas is at fault, and I also, because of raising our voices when it +would have been better our tongues had remained quiet; but that which he +proposed was at the same time so surprising and so satisfying that I +forgot we were bound to carry out Master Warren's work before doing, or +even thinking of, anything else."</p> + +<p>"I will say no more about it," Silas added with a laugh; "but at the +same time am bound to maintain that we can do as I have stated, if so be +the matter is gone about in proper fashion, and when we are at the +ship-yard once more I will lay before you lads the plan in something +approaching due order."</p> + +<p>It was then we ceased speaking and gave all our attention to the task in +hand, as indeed we had need to, for no one could say how soon we might +come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> upon those who, mistrusting somewhat of our purpose and being +enemies to the Cause, would put an end to our share of the night's work.</p> + +<p>My comrades, as well as I, understood that we had need to gain the +landing place as quickly as might be, for once on shore there remained a +dozen or fourteen miles to be traveled before we were come to Lexington.</p> + +<p>It is not needed that I should make a very long story of what ought to +be told in few words, and therefore it is that instead of setting down +all which we said and did from the time of beginning the journey afoot +until we were come to our destination, I will content myself with saying +that Doctor Warren's message was delivered before sunrise, and we lads, +leg-weary and hungry, threw ourselves down upon the straw in Master +Hadley's barn to wait until Colonel Barrett should say we were at +liberty to depart.</p> + +<p>Now all this had been plain sailing, and we should have found no reason +to plume ourselves upon having done anything deserving of credit, for +from the time we screened ourselves when the guard boat appeared, until +having come to Master Hadley's house, no man had placed aught in our +way. Yet I did feel somewhat of pride, thinking that we had done our +first work in behalf of the Cause, all of which was folly as you may +see, for surely three hulking lads need not carry their heads very high +because of simply having sailed a skiff two or three miles and then +walked a dozen more over a smooth highway.</p> + +<p>I venture to say that Colonel Barrett did not hold us very high in his +esteem because we had succeeded in delivering the message. He acted, as +most like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> he felt, as if it was nothing of consequence which we had +done, save for the fact that he had received the information, and a +single lad a dozen years of age might have accomplished the same end.</p> + +<p>I would have been well content to remain stretched out at full length on +the straw in Master Hadley's barn until another night had come, so weary +was I from walking and worn with lack of sleep; but when Colonel Barrett +summoned us to the house, evidently for the purpose of sending us back, +we could not well make protest.</p> + +<p>He had prepared a written reply to Doctor Warren's message, and this he +handed to me as he said:</p> + +<p>"You may return as soon as is your pleasure; it matters little whether +Master Warren receives my reply early or late."</p> + +<p>"It will not be safe for us to make a try at getting into Boston until +after nightfall, therefore we may go our way leisurely," I said to the +gentleman, addressing him as I believed it was proper a soldier should +address his superior officer, which shows that Silas's idea of enrolling +a company of Minute Boys had found speedy lodgment in my mind.</p> + +<p>"Set off when you will, and see to it that the paper is delivered +safely, although that which it contains is so worded as to convey little +of importance to an enemy," he added carelessly, and turned from us as +if to say that he was done with speaking, therefore we might go when it +pleased us best.</p> + +<p>Now I had had in mind when we left Boston, that having once arrived at +this house of Master Hadley's as messengers from Doctor Warren, we would +be received with open arms and greatly praised because of the valuable +service rendered; but we were not even asked to stay our hunger, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> at +that time I believe of a verity I could have eaten anything less hard +than a flint.</p> + +<p>However, not for all the food in Massachusetts colony would I have +admitted that we stood in need of refreshments after so long a delay had +been made in offering us any, and without further words I led the way +down the lane to the road, Archie and Silas following close at my heels.</p> + +<p>It was not until we had traveled a full mile that either of us ventured +to speak, and then Archie said as if there was much which was comical in +the situation:</p> + +<p>"It seems that however highly we value ourselves, and whatsoever of +importance we may attach to carrying a message from Doctor Warren to +Colonel Barrett, no one else appears to be of our opinion. I had not +thought they would kill a fatted calf for us as if we were Prodigal +Sons; but surely some one might have asked, knowing we had traveled all +night, whether or no a bit of corn bread would go amiss."</p> + +<p>When he thus spoke we were come opposite a small, rude dwelling situate +in one corner of a pasture wherein even a sheep would have found it +difficult to satisfy its hunger, and in the door of this building stood +a motherly looking old woman, her hands on her hips, and her eyes fixed +on us in curiosity, as I fancied.</p> + +<p>"You children are looking weary," she cried, and mayhap I bridled +somewhat because she had called us who counted on soon being a portion +of the Colonial army, "children." "Will you not wait and rest a while?"</p> + +<p>I would have kept on, punishing my own body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> because Master Hadley's +people had failed to show hospitality; but Silas accepted the invitation +without ado, and threw himself down upon the moss nearby the door as if +too weary to advance any further.</p> + +<p>After this had been done Archie and I could do no less than follow his +example, at least so far as coming to a halt was concerned, and I soon +forgot the vexation in my heart because of what I counted as neglect, +for the old woman ministered to us in as kindly, generous a fashion as +our own mothers would have done.</p> + +<p>That she was not well off in this world's goods might readily have been +told by her surroundings, yet did she give of what she had freely, +buttering the coarse food with so many kindly words that I believe of a +verity I shall never partake again of so appetizing a meal.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course she asked many questions as to why we were in the +neighborhood, and perhaps there was no reason why we might not have +satisfied her curiosity without explaining everything; yet it did not +seem to me well that we should make any one acquainted with our mission. +Even after we were told that she had a son who was then in Cambridge +ready and eager to serve the colony as a soldier, we held our peace, +save in so far as we told her that we were bound on getting into Boston, +where were our homes.</p> + +<p>It was natural she should ask many questions as to what the British were +doing; whether we were so shut in by the lobster backs that it was +impossible for any to get out save with a written pass, and equally +reasonable, since her son counted on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> becoming a soldier, that she +wanted to know if those who favored the Cause were ready to strike a +speedy blow against the king's officers.</p> + +<p>On all these points we gratified her curiosity in so far as lay in our +power, meanwhile devouring her corn bread and fried pork without a +thought as to whether we might not be depriving the poor soul of that +which she absolutely needed to keep life in her shrivelled body.</p> + +<p>We remained there an hour, and on taking our departure promised the good +woman that we would on the first opportunity seek out her son, in order +to tell him we had lately seen his mother.</p> + +<p>Hiram Griffin was his name, so she told us, and I fixed it in my memory +with little thought that the day would soon come when, because of +keeping our promise to this old woman, we should be making the +acquaintance of one who would befriend us in our time of sorest need.</p> + +<p>Mistress Griffin bade us adieu as if we were her own kith and kin, and I +for one felt the better for having come in touch with so kindly a soul +after the neglect, as it seemed to me, of Samuel Hadley's people to +minister to our needs.</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the journey afoot we met, mayhap, a dozen +farmers who lived on our line of march, and it seemed to me much as if +they knew more concerning what the colonists would do in their own +behalf than did we, who were so lately come from town. I noted, as also +did Archie, so he told me later, that there was an air of anxious +expectancy about all these people when, judging from our dress that we +had come from Charlestown, or even Boston itself, they questioned us +concerning the doings of the Sons of Liberty,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> the enrollment of Minute +Men, and the smuggling of weapons across the Neck.</p> + +<p>I said to myself that there was some movement afoot among these men +concerning which I had not heard, and then straightway reproved myself +for being such a simple as to believe they knew more regarding the +purpose of our friends than did I, who heard discussed every day +measures which would soon be taken to relieve ourselves of the burdens +which the king had put upon us.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we had no means of knowing, except through their +own speech, whether those we met were Tories, or true sons of the +colony, therefore it behooved us to be guarded in our words, putting +trust in no man however fairly he spoke us, and verily some of those +big-hearted farmers, who shortly afterward shed their blood so freely in +the defence of the colony, must have set us down as being woefully +churlish.</p> + +<p>Now and then as we walked Silas would come back to the subject of +enrolling a company of Minute Boys, persisting in discussing the matter +whenever we were in the open country where it was possible to make +certain there were none lurking nearby who might hear us, and so eager +was he on the scheme, that before we were come to where the skiff had +been left, just below the ferry, it was already settled in our minds +that we would make the attempt on the following day, if so be we arrived +at our homes in safety.</p> + +<p>We had even decided among ourselves as to which of our acquaintances +should be invited to share the glory that all felt certain would come to +us, once we had been allowed to join those who were to stand against the +king in defense of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> homes, and there yet remains as vividly in my +mind as though it were yesterday that we walked from Master Hadley's to +the ferry above Charlestown, all the details of the conversation we had +concerning Seth Jepson.</p> + +<p>We three knew the lad fairly well. He lived in Crooked lane, nearby Dock +square, and was seemingly a kindly hearted youth, ready to do a favor +for another even at his own expense; but yet I set my face against +admitting him into the ranks of our Minute Boys, for no other reason +than that I had often seen him in the company of Amos Nelson and two +other young Tories.</p> + +<p>Archie said my suspicions were idle because they had no other foundation +than what I have set down, and that he might laugh me out of them he +said with a grin:</p> + +<p>"I have seen Baker's old gray goose paddling around among the chickens; +but I never suspected him of being a rooster."</p> + +<p>"Your wit is poor," I replied, nettled somewhat, "for there exists no +likeness between a lad who may plot, and a goose that simply flocks with +chickens to gain his food. I hold to it that we should have no +association with those who traffic among the Tories."</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, however, as we afterward came to realize, my companions +over-rode my misgivings as to making him a comrade. Silas claimed that +he had known the lad in fair weather and in foul, finding him true, with +never a taint of Toryism, whoever his associates, and Archie declared +stoutly that Seth was as loyal to the Cause as either of us. What more +could I say? There were two opinions against mine, and I was not so +stiff-necked as to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> hold out against these lads who had as much right as +I to say who should or should not be allowed to join our company, if so +be we formed one. As a matter of fact, the scheme being Silas's, he was +the one who had the best right to decide any vexed question, and I felt +at the time that it was no more than my duty to set in the background +all the suspicions which I had formed against Seth Jepson, accepting the +word of these my comrades that he was a lad true to the best interests +of our colony.</p> + +<p>We had so far decided upon this company of Minute Boys as to have set +down in our own minds the names of fourteen lads, including Seth Jepson, +whom we believed would be glad of an opportunity to join us, and it was +agreed, by the time we were come to the end of the land journey, that on +the following day, after having asked advice of Doctor Warren and if the +scheme met with his approval, to raise a company of Minute Boys, calling +upon those whom we had selected.</p> + +<p>Then we were come to where the skiff had been hauled up on the shore. It +was long past sunset, for we had walked leisurely giving no heed to +making speed because of our desire not to arrive until after night had +shut down, and the gathering clouds in the heavens stood our friends, +inasmuch as they would serve to hide us from the view of General Gage's +men who guarded the waterways. As a matter of fact, now was the moment +above all others when we stood in danger, and I was more than willing to +fancy the peril greater than it really was, to the end that the work we +had performed might seem to be of some importance.</p> + +<p>However, despite all my desire to make the service rendered appear +perilous, I did not neglect any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> precautions for our safety, although I +must confess to having been somewhat disappointed when, about midnight, +we pulled in under the tumble-down wharf without having so much as seen +the glint of a lobster back's belt buckle.</p> + +<p>There is little need to say with what warmth mother welcomed me, after +much pounding on the door I succeeded in making her understand that I +was come home.</p> + +<p>I fear that at the time I gave but slight heed to her loving words +because of being so weary that it seemed almost impossible to keep my +eyes open while standing, and tumbling, rather than laying down, upon +the bed, I was soon gone into the land of dreams. Until eight of the +clock I slept as only a tired boy can, and would not then have wakened +but for the fact that Archie and Silas were standing by my bedside, both +doing their best to arouse me into wakefulness.</p> + +<p>I understood without being told that they were come to accompany me to +Master Warren's house so we might deliver the reply to the message sent +to Colonel Barrett, and promising my mother that I would speedily come +back to breakfast, I hurried away with the lads, wondering how it was I +could have slept so long when such an important question was to be +settled; for, if you remember, we had agreed to leave the matter of +raising a company of Minute Boys to Doctor Warren himself.</p> + +<p>If at the home of Samuel Hadley we were treated with scant courtesy, and +if Colonel Barrett had seemed to believe that which we had done was +nothing remarkable when performed by three lusty lads, we surely had no +reason to complain when we met the doctor, for on the instant we +presented ourselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> before him he exclaimed in surprise that we had +been able to return so speedily. It almost seemed as if he never would +have done with praising us for our industry in behalf of the Cause.</p> + +<p>"It turned out a simple matter, which anyone might have worked out," I +said, striving to belittle our work even when believing it should be +praised. "We had no opportunity of coming to grief on the way, however +careless might have been our movements, for, except at the outset, when +the guard-boat passed just as we were getting under way, we have met +none who appeared friendly to the king."</p> + +<p>"I shall remember the service rendered, and it may be that sometime in +the future I can repay you," the doctor said with one of his kindly +smiles which always went deep into my heart when bestowed upon me.</p> + +<p>"You may repay us now in full, if it so pleases you," Archie made bold +to say.</p> + +<p>"In what way, young master?"</p> + +<p>"By deciding whether or no ten or twenty lads of this city by binding +themselves together under, perhaps, the high-sounding name of Minute +Boys, could be of service to the Cause?"</p> + +<p>"And why might they not be of service?" the doctor asked quickly. "Think +you that if such a company was enrolled, composed of boys who were to be +trusted in every way, they could not do much in aid of the Cause? Even +though called upon to perform only such work as you have just finished, +they would be of valuable assistance, for now when Boston is in the +hands of the enemy, and, as I hope, may soon be besieged by our friends, +lads could come and go where men would be unable to move without +exciting suspicion."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then you would advise that we raise a company?" I asked eagerly, and he +replied "yes," so emphatically that there could be no doubt as to his +approval.</p> + +<p>"And think you it would sound simple to call ourselves Minute Boys?"</p> + +<p>"By no means, lads, for that is what you count on being, and I venture +to predict that in the days to come, when you are men grown old, such a +title will bring to your hearts more of pride than any which could be +bestowed by a king. The time is not far distant when this colony shall +be freed from British rule, and all those who have had a part in the +work may well give thanks because God allowed them such abundant +opportunity of serving their country."</p> + +<p>Now after that think you we loitered in the work of enrolling the Minute +Boys? So eager were we to set about it that I believe we left the kindly +doctor with but scant ceremony, running into the open air like so many +sheep set free.</p> + +<p>Chance, or some evil fortune, decreed that the first lad we should meet +after having left Master Warren's house, was that same Seth Jepson whom +I was opposed to counting as a comrade, and Silas, eager to gain the +first recruit for our company of Minute Boys, hailed him in a friendly +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Should we not wait until deciding more fully whether it will be well to +let him come among us?" I asked, hoping even then that it might be +possible to shut him out; but Archie said with somewhat of impatience:</p> + +<p>"If we are to quibble over the name of each fellow who is likely to join +our company, and strive to find in him ever so slight a leaning toward +the king,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> then we may as well give over the effort at once, for certain +it is we haven't enough time to raise recruits in such manner."</p> + +<p>What could I have said after such a remark, which savored more of +irritation than I am able to make appear by words? Even though I had had +proof that Seth Jepson was not the kind of a lad we should take on as +comrade, that which Archie said would have silenced me.</p> + +<p>Silas did not wait many seconds before plunging into the business he was +so eager to carry out, and in a twinkling Seth knew as much about the +scheme as did we who had hatched it. Search his face with my eyes as I +might, it was impossible to tell by any expression there whether the +plan seemed to him good or ill; but when Silas was come to an end of his +brief explanation the lad said, as if asking a question:</p> + +<p>"And would you enroll me among your Minute Boys?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, else why should I spend my breath in recounting the plan," Silas +cried impatiently. "Are you of the mind to join us, or is it more to +your liking to follow Amos Nelson and act as lickspittle to any lobster +back you chance to come upon?"</p> + +<p>"I have never done so yet," Seth replied, and I waited in vain to hear +him declare that his greatest desire was the success of the colonies in +the coming struggle. "In case I set myself down as a member of your +company, what may be expected of me?"</p> + +<p>Now according to my belief, a lad of Boston town who had such a +proposition made to him should, if he had been of the right metal, have +jumped at it eagerly instead of waiting to learn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> whether he would have +much or little work to perform, and I looked meaningly at Archie, +believing he would detect in this hesitation of Seth's, as I did, a +leaning toward Toryism; but he, thinking only of enrolling a sufficient +number of names to make our company of decent size, apparently gave no +heed to that which caused me so much of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>Silas was at a loss to answer the question asked by Seth, for we had not +gone so far in our speculations as to say what our duties might be +before we could, and with truth, call ourselves Minute Boys; but finally +he made reply stammeringly:</p> + +<p>"You will be expected to do whatsoever you may in behalf of the Cause. +Now we three lads have ourselves been sent to Lexington by Doctor Warren +to carry a message, and most likely similar work will fall to the share +of the Minute Boys."</p> + +<p>"You have just come from Lexington?" Seth cried, looking up sharply, and +even Silas must have understood that he had been indiscreet, to say the +least, in thus divulging what should have been kept a secret.</p> + +<p>"I only spoke of that to show you what the Minute Boys may be called +upon to do. As a matter of course, we will be under the command of +others, and bound to set our hands to whatsoever work is found for us."</p> + +<p>Seth did not appear very eager to take advantage of this opportunity to +serve the colony. He stood there as if chewing it over in his mind until +I said with somewhat of impatience, and no little hope that he might +finally refuse:</p> + +<p>"If the idea does not seem good to you there is no reason why you may +not refuse to join us. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> want only those lads who are eager to aid the +Cause in so far as in them lies."</p> + +<p>"I was only asking myself whether you might depend upon me to answer any +call promptly, for my parents do not leave me as free as are some of +you. However, I think you can reckon it a bargain, and I will do my best +to obey orders."</p> + +<p>"We are to have a meeting to-night at the old ship-yard, near to Luke +Wright's home," Archie said, evidently thinking we had spent too much +time over the gaining of this one recruit, and as we hurried away Seth +cried, in what sounded to me like an odd tone:</p> + +<p>"Don't fear but that I will be there."</p> + +<p>I was so irritated because Seth had become our first recruit, and owing +to the fact that Silas had publicly spoken of our journey to Lexington, +that I could make no comment on what had been done, and as we walked on +with our faces set toward my home, where I counted on breaking fast, +Archie said laughingly:</p> + +<p>"You are disgruntled because we chanced to run upon Seth."</p> + +<p>"Whether I am or no makes little difference now, since he has agreed to +join us," I replied, and the lad, to win me out of what was very like a +sulky mood, continued:</p> + +<p>"I am certain you wrong Seth, and you yourself can only give as a reason +for suspecting him that he has often been seen with Tory lads. Now it is +in my mind that if you and I had as our neighbors half a dozen of those +foolish boys who had rather serve the king than the colony, we would +often be seen in their company."</p> + +<p>"There is no good reason why we should discuss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the matter now that the +mischief, if any comes of it, has been done," I replied, and then eager +to be alone for the moment, suggested that I go home for something to +eat, meeting my comrades an hour later near the city dock.</p> + +<p>To this Silas agreed quickly, for he was eager to continue the work of +gaining recruits, and had no stomach for idling the time away at my +home.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that we three parted company, and when at somewhere +near the time agreed upon I went to the rendezvous, neither Silas nor +Archie were to be seen.</p> + +<p>Their absence gave me no uneasiness, for it was possible to guess +exactly why they had not come, and I loitered idly about, watching now a +squad of General Gage's lobster backs as they marched upon some duty +which was likely to be unpleasant to those who loved the Cause, and +again listening to snatches of conversation when two or three whom I +knew to be Tories passed in earnest converse. Without being able to give +any reason, I became impressed, as while returning from Master Hadley's +home, with the idea that something of moment was on foot—something of +which I remained in ignorance,—and that it was important such as Doctor +Warren should know of my suspicions.</p> + +<p>It was not until the day had grown near to noon that I saw either of my +comrades, and then it was Archie who came up, looking thoroughly well +pleased as he said in a tone of triumph:</p> + +<p>"What think you, Luke Wright, of our having enrolled fourteen lads as +Minute Boys, and without having spent half a day at the task?"</p> + +<p>Archie gave me the names, and, except in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> case of the first recruit, +I could find no fault with any.</p> + +<p>Then the lad set about telling me how he and Silas had accomplished the +work, making of it so long a story, and with so much of detail, that I +gave little heed to anything he said, until from the opposite side of +the dock that Tory cur, Amos Nelson, shouted in a tone of derision, +speaking to one of his kindred spirits who was yet quite a distance +away:</p> + +<p>"There are two who count on raising a mob of rebels to drive the king's +soldiers from Boston!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE WAR BEGUN</h3> + + +<p>There could be no question, after this cry from Amos Nelson, but that he +and his Tory friends had in some way come to learn of what we lads would +do toward aiding the Cause.</p> + +<p>It was natural that I, suspecting Seth Jepson, should set down to his +door the crime of having betrayed us to our enemies; but when I put that +thought into words Archie would have none of it. He declared that +however much Seth might be inclined toward Toryism, he was not such a +knave as to join us with traitorous intentions in his heart.</p> + +<p>We had made no reply to Amos Nelson, and it appeared much as if his only +desire was to let us understand that he was in possession of our secret, +for immediately after having taunted us he went off in the direction of +Corn hill, taking his friend with him, therefore Archie and I had +nothing to do except discuss the possibility of our having been +betrayed, with not a little warmth but no result.</p> + +<p>Silas was still engaged in the work of enrolling recruits, and failed to +come to the rendezvous, most like believing he could be doing better +service in seeking out those who would become Minute Boys, than by +wagging his tongue at the city dock with us.</p> + +<p>Because of knowing that that which we would keep private was a secret no +longer, I grew disheartened,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> and instead of agreeing to Archie's +proposition that the remainder of the day be spent in gaining yet more +recruits, I turned my face homeward once more, agreeing crustily to meet +those who had promised to become Minute Boys at the old ship-yard that +evening.</p> + +<p>A blind man might have seen that Archie was not well pleased with my +sudden lukewarmness in the matter of raising a company. He believed he +knew there had been no betrayal by Seth, and therefore set down my +behavior to ill nature, rather than disappointment because the plan had +gone awry even before it was well begun.</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the day I kept closely housed, doing whatsoever +came to hand in the way of helping my mother, therefore it was, perhaps, +that I failed of hearing much which might have startled, and even +frightened me.</p> + +<p>When the night was come I went according to agreement to the ship-yard, +and there found assembled those whom Archie and Silas had enrolled. A +goodly company it was, for all told we numbered sixteen, and surely if +that many lads, eager to do whatsoever they might in aid of the Cause, +could be found in Boston town within twelve hours, the time must be near +at hand when we could boast of sufficient recruits to make a showing +before our elders.</p> + +<p>Seth Jepson was among the number, and I must confess at being surprised. +So firmly did I believe him to be the one who had betrayed us, that I +fancied the fellow would not dare show his head, yet there he was with +no token of guilt, so far as I could see, but appearing to be on most +friendly terms with every one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was so outspoken in behalf of the Minute Boys; so confident they +might in time to come make for themselves an enviable name, that my +belief in his treachery was almost shaken for the moment.</p> + +<p>Then came that which I least expected. It had been decided that we would +have two officers, one a captain, and the other a lieutenant. Archie +Hemming spoke up boldly, declaring that I was his choice as leader; but +before it was possible for me to make any protest, the others had backed +him up with so many noisy words that the matter was settled without my +permission, and decidedly against my inclination. It was Archie who +should have been the commander of the Minute Boys, because his head was +clearer than mine. He was more ready of wit; but when I would have said +as much to my comrades, Silas shut me off with a sharp turn, declaring +laughingly that Archie should be the lieutenant, and thus hold a +position where he could counter-balance all my shortcomings.</p> + +<p>This also was decided in a twinkling, and thus was our company of Minute +Boys officered despite the better judgment of him who had been selected +as captain.</p> + +<p>There was much to discuss on this first night of meeting if we were to +become, as we claimed, a company of soldiers. Plans should be laid +concerning how we best might set about making ourselves recognized by +the Sons of Liberty, or by the officers of the militia. Then we had to +decide upon some regular rendezvous, where at the first summons we might +all assemble, and this last we agreed should be where we then were, at +the old ship-yard, on the tumble-down dock beneath which my skiff was +hidden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>Every fellow had some plan to suggest which would work to the benefit of +our company, and while nothing was actually decided upon save the place +where we should meet at the first summons, the time passed so rapidly +that it was midnight before the last of us had freed his mind. Then, as +a matter of course, we scurried home, going singly or in couples that we +might the better evade the red-coated watch, which patrolled every +street, and fearful lest we be chided by our parents, even though we +called ourselves by the high sounding name of "Minute Boys," for having +remained out so late.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that we lads, who prided ourselves on being keenly on the +alert for any movement of the lobster backs, and much the same as +imprisoned in our own city where it all happened, failed of knowing that +shortly before the meeting of the Minute Boys was broken up, eight +hundred of the king's men were embarked in boats at the Common, bound, +as we afterward knew, and as many of our elders were then aware, for +Lexington and Concord.</p> + +<p>Before nightfall of the next day the Minute Boys of Boston assembled at +the rendezvous without having been summoned, for word had been brought +into town of the bloody work at Lexington and Concord, and we lads, who +counted on taking such active part in the struggle against the king, had +lost the first opportunity of showing what it might be possible for us +to do.</p> + +<p>Sixty-five of the king's soldiers had been killed, one hundred and +eighty wounded, and twenty-eight taken prisoners; while of our people +fifty-nine were killed, thirty-nine wounded, and five failed to answer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +to the roll call, having, most like, crawled away, as do the lower +animals, to die alone.</p> + +<p>All this had been done within and around that town we had so lately +visited, and yet Archie, Silas and I, who counted ourselves as being +keen-witted, had failed to have the slightest inkling of what was so +near at hand.</p> + +<p>While we had been making simple plans for the future, loitering in +Boston when we might have been of service elsewhere, our people were +being shot down by the lobster backs, and as these thoughts came into my +mind I felt as if I had committed some grievous sin in laying up against +Samuel Hadley the charge of being inhospitable, for he was among the +first to yield his life in behalf of the Cause.</p> + +<p>Doctor Warren was there, and also my father, while most like the old +woman's son, Hiram Griffin, helped to do that which proclaimed to the +king our readiness to give our lives rather than submit to injustice. As +I counted over those whom I knew and guessed had taken part in that +battle, it seemed to me as if of all who would serve the Cause, our +Minute Boys were the only ones absent.</p> + +<p>It is needless for me to set down all the unavailing words of regret +which were spoken among us that night after having heard the news, for +it can readily be fancied how we reproached ourselves, and how bitter +was our disappointment. In our shortsightedness and inability to realize +that the work at Lexington and Concord was but the beginning of the +struggle against the king, we failed to understand that we would again +and again have ample opportunity of showing what it might be possible +for us lads of Boston to do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>What at this day seems to me strangest, was that in our grief and +vexation we failed to make any plans for future work. It was as if we +had come to believe that the butchery at Lexington ended it all, and we +Minute Boys would no longer be needed.</p> + +<p>Perhaps our dullness may be accounted for by the fact that there was so +much of excitement on this night and the next day, that we hardly had +time to think of ourselves. Those yet remaining in Boston, who were +devoted to the Cause, gathered here and there to talk over what at the +same time brought us sorrow and rejoicing—sorrow that so many of our +people had been slaughtered, and rejoicing that the struggle against +British misrule had finally begun.</p> + +<p>The Tories made a big show of themselves, taking good care to appear in +public and boast that this first lesson was but the beginning of a +series which the king would teach us. They talked so loudly and gave +themselves so wholly over to rejoicing that one would have believed a +great victory had been won, whereas, as a matter of fact, our people, +all unused to the art of war and but poorly armed, had, as it were, sent +the king's trained men home like whipped curs.</p> + +<p>If the battle of Lexington was a victory for the lobster backs, then of +a verity when the king's men had won a dozen of a similar kind, we of +the colony were come off conquerors.</p> + +<p>Archie's father was at home during the battle, but on the evening of +that day he was summoned to Cambridge, where, so it was stated, our +people were gathering in great numbers. His last command to my comrade, +and also advice to others of the company who called themselves Minute +Boys, was that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> he and we remain under cover as much as possible during +the next three or four days, for it was reasonable to suppose the +Britishers would be more severe in their rule than they had been; that +only the slightest provocation would be needed to lodge in jail those +who favored the Cause.</p> + +<p>It was not in my mind that we lads would be allowed to go to Cambridge +where an army was gathering under the command of the Committee of +Safety, until we had in some way proven ourselves, and therefore, much +to my disappointment, I had made up my mind that by not having been in +Lexington at the time of the battle we had lost all opportunity for +taking part in active work.</p> + +<p>Luckily, however, I had sufficient sense to give warning that all those +who had been enrolled as Minute Boys should stay near to their own homes +until it might be possible to know what our people intended to do, and +at the same time hold themselves in readiness for any summons which +might come.</p> + +<p>It was on the second night after the Lexington butchery that Archie came +to my home, having the permission of his mother to sleep with me. We had +been earnestly trying to hit upon some way of showing what could be done +by lads such as us, and this visit of his to my home was planned that we +might have more time in which to discuss matters.</p> + +<p>From noon until perhaps three hours after we had gone to bed, we lads +talked, suggesting one scheme after another only to discard each as +being impossible of execution, when there came a summons at the outer +door which brought both of us to our feet trembling with apprehension, +although we could not have said why.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>Visitors did not often come at such a time, and there were so few among +our neighbors friendly to the Cause, who yet remained in Boston town, +that it did not seem probable any of them would be abroad so late while +the Tories were given over to rejoicing because of what had been done at +Lexington.</p> + +<p>I could hear my mother as she went to the barred door and asked as to +who might be there, after which came the answer, so distinct that I +could catch every word:</p> + +<p>"I would see Luke Wright, having a message from his father."</p> + +<p>"And who may you be?" mother asked.</p> + +<p>"Hiram Griffin," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"It is the son of the old woman who fed us when we were hungry," I cried +joyfully to Archie as I ran down the stairs, taking three or four steps +at a bound, for I knew this Hiram Griffin had been loitering in +Cambridge until he might be of service to the Cause, and his coming +could not betoken ill for me or mine.</p> + +<p>As soon as might be I unbarred the door, while my mother was striving +with trembling fingers to get a flame to the candle, and then there +entered a young fellow who could hardly have been one and twenty, stout +of frame, with a face betokening rarest good nature, but yet at the same +time giving one to believe that he might be dull and heavy in his +movements.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?" I asked, forgetting that it was my duty, in +the absence of my father, to welcome this visitor.</p> + +<p>"I am from Cambridge where our people are gathering as flies gather +around molasses, so that in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> time we may have men enough to meet all the +forces General Gage can send against us."</p> + +<p>"How did you get here?"</p> + +<p>"Partly by walking, partly by pulling in a skiff, and partly by +swimming, for one of his majesty's guard-boats ran me down half a mile +or more from the shore, and had I not played the muskrat, being able to +stay under water as long as that animal, I had been in the city jail by +this time."</p> + +<p>Now it was I saw his clothes were sodden; the water which dripped from +every fold of his garments made a puddle upon the floor, whereat I +quickened the embers on the hearth into a blaze that he might dry +himself, and, understanding what I would do, this Hiram Griffin said +with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"A little more or less of water won't do me any harm, and I can well +afford to take the wetting because of shutting the eyes of the lobster +backs so finely. They counted that I must have drowned, since one of the +lubbers aimed a blow at my head and shattered the gunwale of the boat. +Most like he thought my skull was stove in, and consequently they did +not spend much time looking for a dead man that was believed to be at +the bottom of the harbor."</p> + +<p>"But you came with a message," Archie interrupted as he descended the +stairs, looking curiously at the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Ay, and won't be long in the giving of it, seeing as it's no written +word. Your father, if so be your name is Luke Wright," he added turning +to me, "would have you and a lad named Archie Hemming come to Cambridge +as soon as may be."</p> + +<p>"But what for?" Archie asked sharply, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> Griffin, looking at him in +surprise because he thus interrupted the conversation, said curtly:</p> + +<p>"It was not for me to ask why Luke was wanted. My part was to bring the +message, if so be I could get into this town, and I allow General Gage +would need more lobster backs than he has now to keep me out if once I +was set on entering."</p> + +<p>"When are we to start?" Archie asked again, and Griffin cried:</p> + +<p>"And who may you be, young sir?"</p> + +<p>"I am Archie Hemming."</p> + +<p>"Oho! so it seems I have killed my two birds with one stone, eh? Well, +that may turn out luckily, for I am little acquainted with the streets +of Boston, and was counting on having somewhat of trouble to find your +home."</p> + +<p>"How did you know where we lived?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Your father put it in words so plainly that I could not have missed my +aim after once coming upon the ship-yard. Now if you have done with +questioning, suppose we set off?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that the lads are to go to Cambridge at once?" my mother +asked in mingled surprise and anxiety, whereupon Hiram Griffin said with +a clumsy bow:</p> + +<p>"Those were the orders. Master Wright claimed that it would not be safe +for us to make any try at leaving Boston save at night, and unless we +set off at once four and twenty hours will be wasted just when time is +most precious."</p> + +<p>It can well be imagined that I was in the highest state of excitement at +thus being summoned to where the friends of the Cause were gathering to +continue the rebellion against the king which had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> been begun at +Lexington. It seemed that although our Minute Boys had failed to take +advantage of their first opportunity, it might yet be possible to do +something which would bring them among those who were devoting +themselves to the colony.</p> + +<p>"You are to understand that the lobster backs wrecked my boat, therefore +another will be needed, unless you count on leaving town by way of the +Neck," Hiram said while Archie and I were hurriedly dressing, and then, +if never before, did I bless the inclination to buy, a short twelve +months since, out of my slender purse, the skiff which was hidden under +the dock at the ship-yard.</p> + +<p>"We have all we may need in that line," Archie said cheerily, and I +could well understand how glad was his heart because this summons had +come to us. "But for that which was done at Lexington, Luke Wright and I +would have sought you in Cambridge long ere this."</p> + +<p>"Sought me?" Griffin repeated in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"Ay, so we promised your mother," Archie replied, and then he went on to +tell of our halt on the road from Master Hadley's, and when he was done +Hiram said fervently:</p> + +<p>"God bless her, her heart was ever as large as that of an ox, and she +could no more see man or boy pass by hungry without trying to make +amends for it, than she could fly. Some day, please God, the three of us +will go to the home which isn't much to look at; but no lad ever had a +better one so far as a mother's love and care counts."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if the visitor was recalled by this outburst of devotion, +to his immediate duty, for on the instant he changed his tune by crying +gruffly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are we to stand here until the sun is so near to rising that we will +find it a ticklish job to slip by the guard-boats?"</p> + +<p>"Archie and I have never had any trouble in leaving Boston, or of coming +into it when we were so minded, and we will set you on the road to +Cambridge without turning a hair."</p> + +<p>"I am told that the lobster backs are keeping sharper watch since +Lexington, than ever before, and for a certainty around this end of the +town the guard-boats are as thick as fleas on a dog, therefore I'm +thinking it is best we set off before the night gets old."</p> + +<p>By this time both Archie and I were ready; that is, we were fully +clothed, and since the journey, in case it was not interrupted, would be +short, there were no further preparations to be made, except that we +first go to warn my comrade's mother of his intended departure.</p> + +<p>I proposed that Hiram Griffin should remain at my home until we were +done with this part of the business; but he, having found us so readily, +was not willing we should give him the slip even for a moment, and +therefore it was we doubled the danger of being brought to an accounting +by the patrol, in taking him across to Hull street.</p> + +<p>All might have gone well if we had contented ourselves with this much, +leaving to my mother and Archie's the task of notifying the other Minute +Boys of our whereabouts; but I must needs attend to more than was +necessary, thinking my position as captain demanded it, and after +leaving Hull street, instead of embarking without delay as we should +have done, I insisted that we pay a visit to Silas Browrigg's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> for the +purpose of explaining to him what ought to be done with the company +during our absence.</p> + +<p>Now up to this time we had been so fortunate as not to have come in +contact with the patrol or any straggling lobster back, and it would +have been possible, had we gone directly there, for us to have gained +the ship-yard unobserved.</p> + +<p>Hiram Griffin grumbled not a little because I deemed it necessary to pay +so many visits, but, unfortunately, I gave no heed to his words, being +speedily brought to repent of my heedlessness, for no sooner did we turn +the corner into Salem street than we came upon two of the watch, and +with them a squad of six lobster backs.</p> + +<p>Now, as of course you know, we had no lawful right to be abroad in the +streets at that hour without a pass; but it would have been useless for +us who called ourselves rebels to have applied for any such permission +to wander about for, as a rule, none save Tories were so favored. Since +General Gage had begun to hold us the same as prisoners, I and all my +friends had taken the chances of venturing out even after nine of the +clock, and because thus far we had not gotten ourselves into trouble, I +was grown bolder than a prudent lad should have been.</p> + +<p>When we came upon the watch, reinforced by the lobster backs, however, I +realized on the instant how dangerous was the situation. Without passes, +and known to be sons of those who favored the Cause, there was no +question but what we would be committed to prison, and at some time, +meaning when Governor Gage or his understrappers saw fit, brought up for +examination.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 429px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="429" height="650" alt=""I LEAPED THE FENCE."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I LEAPED THE FENCE."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Therefore it was that my thoughts turned to flight, and stepping back a +pace to check Hiram Griffin's advance, I whispered hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"Get over to the ship-yard and hide under the old wharf!"</p> + +<p>However dull and heavy Hiram may have appeared, he surely was +quick-witted, needing not a kick to emphasize a hint, for the words were +no sooner out of my mouth than he was off like a deer, taking the +precaution to run in a zig-zag course lest the lobster backs should send +a shower of bullets after him.</p> + +<p>I followed his example, so far as taking refuge in flight was concerned; +but instead of continuing on by the street, I leaped the fence of Parson +Reed's yard, making my way across his garden with but little heed to the +damage that might be done the young plants.</p> + +<p>On the instant came shouts from the watch and from the soldiers for us +to halt, and a few seconds later the crackle of musketry telling that +they had opened fire, most like on Hiram Griffin, for by this time I was +well hidden from view.</p> + +<p>I listened with painful intentness for a cry from Hiram which would +betoken that one of the British bullets had found its billet, because he +would be like to cry out in case of being wounded.</p> + +<p>Happily no such dismal warning came to my ears, and believing I was safe +from pursuit because of knowing my way through the gardens hereabout, +and having close at hand many a safe hiding place, I asked myself for +the first time what might have been Archie's fate.</p> + +<p>I had not seen the lad escaping; he was two or three paces in advance of +me when we turned the corner, and the chances were that the poor fellow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +had been made prisoner before having had time to realize the danger +which we had come upon so suddenly. While one might have counted ten I +stood irresolute, wondering whether it was not my duty to learn his fate +even at the expense of being captured, in order that I might do +something toward aiding him; but then I come to understand that such a +course would be sheer folly. I could do nothing toward effecting his +release, and it seemed necessary, at whatever hazard, that I make my way +to Cambridge according to orders.</p> + +<p>Yet even when I would have continued the flight came the thought that it +was cowardly to thus desert a comrade; that as captain of the Minute +Boys duty demanded that I stand by every member of the company, however +great their peril, yet of what avail would it be?</p> + +<p>Even while these thoughts were in my mind I was running as does the hare +when the dogs are close on his scent, and at the same time that I +reproached myself I strained every effort to gain the goal, which was +the ship-yard, where I believed Hiram Griffin would sooner or later make +his way.</p> + +<p>Behind me I could still hear the cries of the watch and the crackle of +musketry as the lobster backs fired at random, for it was not possible +that Hiram yet remained in view, and with this noise were mingled the +shouts of citizens who had been wakened from their slumbers, until there +was a perfect bedlam at that corner of Hull and Salem streets.</p> + +<p>To my relief I came to understand that the noise grew fainter and +fainter as I advanced, and, therefore, was it certain that the +Britishers were not on my trail; but with such pleasing knowledge came +the thought that Hiram might have been shot down, or,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> failing to +continue a true course, was doubling here and there with the pursuers +close upon his heels.</p> + +<p>I ran as never before, straining every nerve and muscle in the race as +one will when he knows that a prison awaits him if he be overtaken, and +it was well the road was no longer, for when finally I dashed in under +the broken timbers of the old wharf my breath was coming so short and +thick that I question if I had been able to advance twenty paces +further. I was hidden from view, but had any come in search of me they +must have heard my heavy breathing, or the beating of my heart, which +was thumping like a trip-hammer.</p> + +<p>Lying upon the wet mud and seaweed, for the tide was luckily at about +half-ebb, I strove desperately to regain my breath and my strength so +that I might have both at command if by some chance the lobster backs +got an inkling of my whereabouts.</p> + +<p>How long I remained there it is impossible to say, for at such times a +minute seems a whole hour. I only know that I had recovered in a great +measure from the fatigue of the race when there came to my ears the +sound of footsteps approaching the hiding place, and in a twinkling I +was on my knees ready to spring out in either direction if the +red-coated pursuer showed himself, for at that time I had no doubt but +what he who thus advanced was in search of me. You see I had for the +instant almost the same as forgotten that Hiram Griffin, if not a +prisoner, or Archie, if by some lucky chance he had escaped, would +strive to meet me at that place.</p> + +<p>During the merest fraction of time I gave myself up to fear, and then, +my mind clearing and common<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> sense returning, I crept softly out, still +keeping within the shadow of the timbers, until I could see against the +sky the form of him who was coming toward the hiding place.</p> + +<p>One glance was sufficient to show that it was Hiram Griffin, and even +then when my mind was in such a whirl, I said to myself that he must be +a keen lad who could find his way thus deftly across a strange town.</p> + +<p>Standing up that he might see me and know in what direction to advance, +I held out both hands, welcoming him when he was come near, as we +welcome those who have literally escaped from the jaws of death.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking that we best not do much in the way of tongue wagging +while standing here in the open," he said, speaking with difficulty +because of his heavy breathing, and straightway I led him under the +timbers where I had been hiding, asking meanwhile how he had succeeded +in getting away from the red coats.</p> + +<p>"It was only a case of using my legs," he cried grimly. "When a fellow +knows that he is being chased by bullets he is able to move right fast. +If you had skipped that last visit, thinking more of duty to those who +sent me than to your comrades in the company of Minute Boys, we had +gotten off without turning a hair."</p> + +<p>"Ay, it is my fault and mine only that Archie has been made prisoner," I +cried bitterly, and Hiram asked in surprise, for until this moment he +believed the lad to be with me:</p> + +<p>"Has he been taken?"</p> + +<p>"It must be so, since he has not come up. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> most like ran into the +very arms of the watch before realizing the danger," I replied.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's a pretty kettle of fish," and Hiram spoke much as if the +capture of Archie would be fatal to all the plans of those who had sent +him.</p> + +<p>"Think you we should go back and try to find the lad?" I asked +helplessly, and he cried as if in anger:</p> + +<p>"To what end? Have you an idea that two might take him by force from +such a gang as made him prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"We could at least go to prison with him, and not have it said we +deserted a comrade."</p> + +<p>"Lad," Hiram began, laying his hand impressively on my arm, "before this +'ere squabble with the king has come to an end there will be many a good +lad clapped into prison, and many another sent into the next world by +means of British bullets. If we of the colonies count on gaining our +freedom we must not let the life or liberty of one person stand in our +way, however dear to our hearts that one may be."</p> + +<p>"Then you believe we should leave the poor lad to his fate?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Ay, what else can be done? I came for two lads, and if so be it is +possible I will carry back at least one with me. In case that can't be +accomplished, I'll do my best to save my own skin in order to make +report. Where's your skiff?"</p> + +<p>"Just yonder," and I pointed to a dark mass twenty feet or more away.</p> + +<p>"'Tis time we were setting off, for no one can say how much more of +danger we may strike before crossing the water."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hiram was making of what seemed to me a most exciting adventure, nothing +more than business, and his matter-of-fact way of looking at the +situation did more toward bringing me to my senses than any line of +argument he could have used.</p> + +<p>I ran to the skiff, and when we had dragged her down the shore until she +was waterborne, both of us stopped as with one accord to listen lest an +enemy might have been creeping up on us.</p> + +<p>Nothing came to our ears save the splash of oars in the distance nearby +where the king's ships were at anchor, and a distant hum as of people +moving about in the town a long way off.</p> + +<p>"I reckon this is as good a time as we'll find for making the start," +Hiram said as he clambered into the skiff. "I don't count myself as much +of a sailor, and therefore you will have to take a hand in this until we +have landed somewhere near to Willis creek, which is our best course on +the road to Cambridge."</p> + +<p>"Why not go by Cambridge river?" I asked, eager to save myself a long +tramp on land.</p> + +<p>"If you are willing to take the risk, I'm agreed; but it strikes me that +if the guard-boats are very thick hereabouts we'll have a better show of +getting off scot free by going up the creek, than if we sailed entirely +around the town, as we must in order to gain the river."</p> + +<p>There was some good sense in what he said, which I understood even +before he ceased speaking, and I made reply while pushing the skiff out +from amid the rotten timbers:</p> + +<p>"It would seem as if you were sailor enough to understand what dangers +lie in our course, and perhaps I had best give over the command to you, +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> verily I showed myself a simple by thinking it possible to go by +the river."</p> + +<p>"I have been around Cambridge a few days, an' seein's how there was a +chance my mother's son might get himself into a scrape while these 'ere +Britishers are so careless with their guns, I made it my business to +pick up a pretty good idee of the situation," Hiram said with a chuckle +of mirth at his own precautions. "I figured quite a spell ago that if a +man wanted to get across to the other shore, he'd best make the water +part of the journey as short as might be."</p> + +<p>By this time we were well out from beneath the wharf. I had taken up the +oars, since there was not wind enough to fill the sail, and was counting +on stretching across from Hudson's point to Charlestown, when Hiram +whispered softly:</p> + +<p>"Turn about lad; head exactly opposite to where you count on going, for +yonder, coming this way if I'm not mistaken, is a craft of some kind."</p> + +<p>Fortunately I acted on his suggestion without delaying to ask the reason +for such a move, and it was well that I did, since we were no sooner +headed toward Noddle island than I could make out, even in the gloom, a +boat filled with men which seemingly had come from the direction of the +water mill.</p> + +<p>It is needless to say that I put every ounce of strength on the oars; +but in the other craft there were no less than four men pulling +vigorously, and our chances of escaping unobserved would have been +slight indeed had not Hiram lent his aid.</p> + +<p>Seizing the second pair of oars he swung himself around on the after +thwart, and although he made no claim to being a sailor, I never saw +one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> who worked to better advantage. It seemed as if he had the strength +of a dozen men in his arms, and the skiff shot forward into the gloom as +if hardly touching the water, until we were come so near the shore of +Noddle island as to be in the denser shadows, where we could afford to +wait until learning what course our pursuers might be taking.</p> + +<p>I was not able to distinguish objects clearly because of the gloom, yet +I fancied it was possible to make out that a certain number of the eight +or ten men occupying the oncoming boat were armed—they surely had the +bearing of soldiers, and I said to myself, that suspecting Hiram and I +might take to the water, they were come in search of us.</p> + +<p>The same thought was evidently in my companion's mind, for he turned his +head to whisper ever so softly:</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking we had best make a landing near here, where we can haul +the skiff out of the water, for yonder crew will make a close search if +I am not mistaken."</p> + +<p>There was a chance that by circling the shore of Noddle island until we +were come off Morton's point, it might be possible to give these fellows +the slip; but then we would be a long distance from our destination, in +addition to running the risk of being captured, and it seemed to me I +was warranted in acting upon Hiram's suggestion.</p> + +<p>We worked the oars softly, as can well be imagined, and having come to +the land went waist-deep into the water lest the grounding of the +skiff's bow upon the sand might be heard.</p> + +<p>It was no great task to lift the small craft so that she could be +carried without scraping against the rocks, and we lugged her into a +clump of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> bushes which grew near the water's edge, where so well was she +hidden that she could not have been seen even in the daylight, after +which we set ourselves to listen in order to gain some idea of what +those in the other boat might be doing.</p> + +<p>Before half an hour had passed there was no longer any doubt in my mind +but that they were in search of us, having a pretty good idea, from the +direction of our flight, that we were bent on gaining the water-front, +and also, most like, that we could not pass Hudson's point without being +seen by them.</p> + +<p>The boat was pulled to and fro between the island and the ship-yard as +if they were standing guard, and when she had set across, mayhap, three +or four times, Hiram asked of me in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"Think you your comrade might have told them what we would try to do?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not!" I replied with somewhat of anger in my tone that he +should suspect Archie of any such vileness. "The lad is true to his +friends, and would never betray them no matter how much silence might +cost him."</p> + +<p>"Then it looks as if some one had got an amazingly good idee of what we +would do, and from what part of the town we'd set off," Hiram said +thoughtfully. "Those fellows couldn't have set about their work better +if we'd told them in advance that we'd leave the ship-yard and try to go +to Cambridge."</p> + +<p>Like a flash came into my mind the thought that Seth Jepson might have +succeeded in doing us this mischief, if mischief had really been done; +but I dismissed it on the instant, saying to myself that surely the lad +could not have known what we were likely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> to do, even were it probable +he had had opportunity of speaking to those we had stumbled against.</p> + +<p>"It is neither more nor less than blind chance," I said in reply to my +companion's words. "Because we headed for the ship-yard they supposed we +had a boat nearby, and because our people were gathering at Cambridge +they would naturally say it was our purpose to go there."</p> + +<p>"Whichever way you put it, it's going to be mighty tough on us, for +unless those fellows get tired of pulling that heavy boat 'twixt now and +sunrise, we are like to be held here until to-morrow night."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE PRISONER</h3> + + +<p>Whether it was that those who were the same as holding us prisoners on +the island had an inkling we were somewhere in the vicinity, or if it +was by pure chance that they happened to patrol that particular part of +the harbor just then, I am unable to say; but certain it was that they +remained continually on the move throughout the entire night, never +going so far away that we had half an opportunity of slipping out +unobserved, and now and then coming so near that it was possible for us +to hear their conversation.</p> + +<p>As the moments passed and it became almost certain we must remain in +hiding during the coming day, I fell into a perfect fever of impatience. +Now blaming myself most bitterly for having attempted to warn Silas of +what we were to do, and again saying that I was showing myself a coward +by thus leaving Archie to his fate, although what I might have done just +then in his behalf I could not have said.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we had brought with us neither food nor water, +thinking the voyage to Cambridge would be accomplished in a few hours at +the most, and therefore it was that Hiram and I faced hunger and thirst, +knowing that both must be endured by us before the sun had set again.</p> + +<p>"It's a case of bearing whatever comes, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> looking pleasant," my +companion said when the grey light of a new day appeared in the eastern +sky. "I allow that the hours will seem precious long before we dare poke +our noses out of this clump of bushes again, but what can't be cured +must be endured, and seein's how we haven't had any sleep, I'm proposing +to bottle up as much as I may while those blooming lobster backs hold us +here like rats in a trap."</p> + +<p>Having said this Hiram looked about for a level place in which to +stretch out at full length; but failing to find it he curled himself up +as if trying to hug the twigs, and almost immediately appeared to fall +into profound slumber.</p> + +<p>I was so uncomfortable in mind that it would not be possible for me to +settle down to sleep however much I might need repose. We were not so +well hidden from view but what in the broad glare of day any who chanced +to pass near at hand might see us, and although unarmed and therefore +unable to make any defence, it seemed absolutely necessary one of us +should remain on watch.</p> + +<p>When the day had fully dawned it was possible for me to see the +guard-boats which had been on duty all night, pulling here and there +like spiders which have been disappointed in their prey; but until about +an hour after sunrise there were no small boats 'twixt Noddle island and +the town. However, a dozen or more could be seen going from one to +another of the king's ships, for the <i>Lively</i>, the <i>Somerset</i> and the +<i>Falcon</i> were anchored off the shore, stretching from the South to the +North battery.</p> + +<p>At one time I was on the point of awakening Hiram<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> and proposing that he +and I make the venture of rowing up the coast of the island till +opposite Morton's point, and from there to the Penny ferry; but I stayed +my hand even while it was outstretched to seize his arm, realizing that +I was not warranted in taking the chance for two very good and +sufficient reasons. The first, that it was necessary I obey the summons +to present myself at Cambridge, and again, that I must preserve my +liberty if I would do anything toward aiding the dear lad whom I doubted +not was lodged in the prison on Queen street.</p> + +<p>How it might be possible for me to succor him had not come to my mind, +yet I believed that with all our company of Minute Boys to aid, +something might be done even while he was held by the king's men, who +would rather shoot him down than allow a rebel to escape from their +clutches.</p> + +<p>Then it was I began to cast about for some plan which would promise at +least a shadow of success, and I had ample time before me for such +effort, unless, perchance, some inquisitive lobster back or marine came +upon our hiding place.</p> + +<p>It was not possible for me to make much headway in laying plans. I +worked out one in my mind only to abandon it; then another to find it +was impossible of execution, and again a third which proved yet wilder +than the others, until the heat of the sun, which beat down upon me in +full fervor, and the low murmur of the water on the shingly beach, +lulled me to drowsiness. Even while saying to myself that I must remain +awake and on guard, I fell asleep, being conscious of nothing more +until, without apparent cause, I opened my eyes to find<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> that the sun +was in the western sky and Hiram sitting with his elbows on his knees +and his chin in his hands, regarding me fixedly.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" I cried incautiously loud as I rose to a sitting +posture.</p> + +<p>"The matter is that we are tied here all these hours instead of being in +Cambridge where, mayhap, there is plenty for us to do."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been awake?"</p> + +<p>"Nigh about three days, as it seems to me, though I reckon it can't be +more than a couple of hours."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen or heard anything of the Britishers?"</p> + +<p>"As much as you may see now by looking out from among the bushes. No one +has come our way, and if they had I believe I'd eaten them, for since +yesterday morning no bite of food has passed my lips."</p> + +<p>It would have been better for me if he had refrained from speaking of +food, because the mere words made me hungry, and on the instant I +realized, or fancied I did, that my mouth was parched with thirst. The +knowledge that I could minister to neither one desire nor the other, +until we were come to Cambridge, only served to make them all the more +intense.</p> + +<p>It would be worse than childish to complain when no good could come from +uttering peevish words, and I strove to put from my mind all that I +desired, by speaking of Archie, idly wondering where he might be.</p> + +<p>"Unless he is snug at home, I'm allowing the Britishers have got him +penned up in such shape that neither you nor I can do much toward +aiding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> him," Hiram said emphatically, and then to my distress of mind +he set about telling of an acquaintance of his who had had the ill +fortune to displease some of General Gage's following, thereby bringing +himself to a sojourn in Boston prison.</p> + +<p>After that we talked of this thing and of another, it makes little +difference what, I meanwhile watching the sun until my eyes ran water, +coming to believe now and then it was standing still in the heavens, so +slowly did it move.</p> + +<p>Finally, however, the night came, as all nights will while we remain in +this world, whether they be for our good or for our evil. The shadows +had hardly more than begun to gather when Hiram, shaking himself as does +a dog, said in a business-like tone:</p> + +<p>"I'm allowing, lad, that we can't start any too soon. The guard-boats +will be out as thick as flies around a molasses jug within the next half +hour, and even though there's a chance of being seen, by skirting along +the shore of this island we have reason to believe it'll be possible to +keep out of sight. According to my way of thinking the risk will be less +now, than if we waited for the lobster backs to begin their night's +work."</p> + +<p>As Hiram suggested so we did, working rapidly in launching the skiff, +and when she was waterborne we pulled as fellows will who believe death +is pursuing them, meanwhile realizing keenly that once chase should be +made we could not hope to escape.</p> + +<p>Fortune favored us this time, however scurvy a trick she had played the +night before, and we gained Morton's point on the Charlestown shore +without apparently having been seen by friend or foe.</p> + +<p>Night had so nearly shut in now that we were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> hidden by the gloom, and +had every reason to believe we were come out from amid our enemies +without other harm than suffering with hunger and thirst.</p> + +<p>If Archie had been with me, I could have cried aloud with joy as we +aimed a straight course for the Penny ferry.</p> + +<p>There is no need that I go into details of that tramp from the Medford +river to Cambridge, nor for me to set down all which was said between +us. It is enough if I write that we were come in the early morning to +where were gathered those brave hearts who counted on making a great +army which was to be raised against the king, and in defence of the +colonies.</p> + +<p>Already had the place begun to look like a military encampment, except +that instead of glistening white canvas tents such as the king's men +had, our people were housed as best they might be in shelters of brush, +tents formed of blankets, and even many with nothing 'twixt their +illy-clad bodies and God's sky.</p> + +<p>Hiram, who appeared to be thoroughly familiar with this poor imitation +of an encampment, passed rapidly along until we were come to a building +in front of which stood a man without a uniform, but with a musket over +his shoulder, who was acting as sentinel.</p> + +<p>There were no military salutes exchanged between my companion and this +man on duty; but they greeted each other as old friends, the sentinel +saying in a querulous tone as if he was well acquainted with the mission +on which Hiram had been sent:</p> + +<p>"I had come to think you counted on staying with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> the blooming +Britishers, instead of coming back here to do your share of playing at +soldiering."</p> + +<p>"I hope I may never run the same risk among the lobster backs again. It +was too tight a squeeze to suit me," Hiram replied grimly, and added, +"Are the gentlemen in?"</p> + +<p>"They were when I came on duty, and I reckon none of 'em have slipped +away since."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go in," and without further ceremony Hiram entered the +building as if it was his own home, I following close at his heels as a +matter of course, never dreaming that we were to meet an officer, owing +to the lack of military show. I began to believe I had simply been +brought there to speak with one of the citizens.</p> + +<p>I came speedily to know, however, that we were at the headquarters of +the Committee of Safety, that body of men which stood at the head of +what you might call the "rebellion", and they all unguarded except for +that farmer-sentinel at the door, who was seemingly ready to admit any +that might desire to enter.</p> + +<p>Telling me to await his return in a room which looked not unlike one +that might have been fitted up for a merchant's use, Hiram disappeared, +his heavy footsteps betokening that he had ascended to the floor above, +and ten minutes later a cry of joy burst from my lips when none other +than Doctor Warren himself entered the room.</p> + +<p>"So it was you who sent for me, sir?" I asked, and he replied:</p> + +<p>"Remembering what you said about raising a company of Minute Boys, and +believing you would do so, I fancied it might pleasure you to know that +there was come so soon an opportunity to aid the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> Cause. I counted on +seeing two, however," he added as if in disappointment.</p> + +<p>In the fewest possible words I told him of our misadventure the night +previous, and asked if he believed it might be possible for us boys to +do aught toward effecting the poor lad's release.</p> + +<p>"I question if an equal number of men could do anything," the doctor +replied, speaking as if he was sorrowful because of not being able to +hold out hope. "His father is known as a Son of Liberty, and it will +most like be charged against him that he was attempting to carry +information to us rebels here in Cambridge, therefore he will be guarded +more closely than if he had been guilty of some grievous crime."</p> + +<p>I strove unsuccessfully to choke back the sob which finally escaped my +lips, and then, thinking that if I was to have any opportunity to serve +the Cause it ill became me to play the part of a baby, asked with as +much firmness as I could muster:</p> + +<p>"What work have you for us Minute Boys to do, sir?"</p> + +<p>"The Committee of Safety believes that you lads can be of great service +in bringing to us news from the town, and it was to discuss with you how +best one of your company might make his way to us here, when you had +learned that which it would advantage us to know."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it would be possible to lay out any one route by which +we would be able come at all times." I made bold to reply. "On certain +nights we might perchance set off from Fox hill, and come across without +difficulty. Again we could, perhaps, make Barton's point our place of +departure. In fact it would depend upon where the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> red-coats had been +stationed, and what they were about."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, lad, I understand that full well. What we had in mind was to +settle how you might hide skiffs at these various places in order to +take sudden advantage of any favorable opportunity. Your father is in +camp; have speech with him, and come back to me here an hour later."</p> + +<p>If Hiram Griffin had been standing near the door listening to our +conversation he could not have entered the room at a better moment, for +the doctor had but just spoken those words which were the same as token +of my dismissal, when he came in, and I asked if he could tell me where +my father might be found.</p> + +<p>It seems no more than right I should set down here the fact that Hiram +Griffin, during all the time I knew him, seemed ever to be in possession +of such information as a curiously inclined person might pick up. I +believe of a verity he spent all his spare moments gathering that which +seemed at the time useless knowledge, for, leave him four and twenty +hours in town or camp, and he had become acquainted with all the minor +personages and details of the place.</p> + +<p>In answer to my question he motioned for me to follow, and so I did with +such good avail that within a quarter-hour I was in my father's arms, he +pressing me to his heart as if I had just come out from some terrible +danger.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that I soon made him acquainted with all which +had taken place from the time Hiram Griffin entered our home, and when I +spoke of the possibility that we Minute Boys might succeed in releasing +Archie from his imprisonment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> he said emphatically, as if the matter +admitted of no argument:</p> + +<p>"You must not for a moment think of any such desperate venture. Even if +the lad was not guarded as he surely is, what could any number of you +boys do toward releasing him? It would be opposing yourselves to all the +king's forces that are at present in Boston, and that is the same as if +I had said you would come to certain death."</p> + +<p>Then, as if to dismiss the matter without question, he began to speak +with me of what the Committee of Safety believed our Minute Boys might +be able to do in aid of the Cause, and explained where we could lay our +hands on at least three skiffs which he knew had been secreted by those +who loved the colonies.</p> + +<p>"You will be told, before leaving here, how to get possession of the +boats; but as to disposing of them in such places as may best suit your +conveniences and opportunity in leaving the town, I can offer no advice. +That is a matter which you lads must settle among yourselves later."</p> + +<p>"Do you believe we will be aiding the Cause?" I asked, still doubtful as +to whether these true men here in Cambridge were minded to lean upon us +Minute Boys to any great degree.</p> + +<p>"If you are prudent, close-mouthed, and energetic, there is no question +but that you may serve the army which is to be raised, by bringing +information of what goes on in Boston, better than could an equal number +of men."</p> + +<p>Then my father gave me much advice regarding the future, urging, which +was unnecessary, that I should ever hold the good of the Cause above +discomfort, above suffering, above even my own life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> It mattered +little, he declared, if we who had begun the struggle should go down +into the Valley of Death, so that we left behind, for those who were to +come, a land free from misrule and the oppression of tyrants.</p> + +<p>Now, strange as it may seem, having once arrived in Cambridge I forgot +how bitterly hunger and thirst had assailed me during the four and +twenty hours just past, until my father was come to an end of his loving +converse, when suddenly my desire for food and water returned like a +flood, and I cried as if in pain.</p> + +<p>One would have thought the dear man had done me some grievous wrong by +not remembering that I might stand in need of refreshment, so many were +the words of reproach which he addressed to himself while leading me to +where I speedily found all that could be desired.</p> + +<p>In going through this encampment it seemed that already had we of the +colonies gathered a vast army, yet my father told me there were less +than five thousand men then in Cambridge; but promised that they would +be speedily increased in numbers as the days went by.</p> + +<p>"It is but the beginning," he said, "already are those who favor the +Cause marching toward this place as rapidly as may be, though as yet we +have no real military head. The Provincial Congress has voted to raise +an army of thirteen thousand six hundred men. Word has been sent out +both by the Congress and Committee of Safety to other colonies, asking +them to send all the troops they can spare, and Doctor Warren has +written a stirring appeal, as you shall read, for I have made of it a +copy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Having said this he took from his pocket a folded paper which he gave to +me, and I can set down exactly what was written upon it, for I have the +document before me even to this day. It is as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="right"> +"In Congress at Watertown, April 30th, 1775.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gentlemen</i>,—The barbarous Murders of our innocent +Brethren on Wednesday the 19th Instant, has made it +absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an army to +defend our Wives and our Children from the butchering Hands +of an inhuman Soldiery, who, incensed at the obstacles they +meet with in their bloody progress, and enraged at being +repulsed from the Field of Slaughter, will, without the +least doubt take the first Opportunity in their Power to +ravage this devoted Country with Fire and Sword. We conjure +you, therefore, that you give all Assistance possible in +raising an Army. Our all is at Stake. Death and Devastation +are the certain Consequences of Delay. Every Moment is +infinitely precious; an Hour lost may deluge your Country in +Blood, and entail perpetual Slavery upon the few of your +Posterity who may survive the Carnage. We beg and entreat +you, as you will answer it to your Country, to your own +Conscience, and, above all, as you will answer to God +himself, that you will hasten and encourage, by all possible +Means, the Enlistment of Men to form the Army, and send them +forward to Headquarters at Cambridge, with that expedition +which the vast Importance and instant Urgency of the affair +demands.</p> + +<p class="right"> +"<span class="smcap">Joseph Warren</span>, President."</p> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 434px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="434" height="650" alt="THE ENCAMPMENT AT CAMBRIDGE." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE ENCAMPMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>I would I might set down all I heard and saw during that day in +Cambridge; but it cannot be if I am to tell the story of what we Minute +Boys succeeded in doing during a certain portion of the year of Grace +1775.</p> + +<p>It is enough to say that before nightfall I had received all the +instructions and advice that could be given, and was ready to make an +attempt at getting into town once more, mourning meanwhile because of +having left the skiff so far away that a long tramp would be necessary +in order to come at her.</p> + +<p>Even amid his duties, and they were many, Doctor Warren had time to +think of me and my well-being, for when, near to sunset, I was standing +with my father in front of the building occupied by the Committee of +Safety, already taking leave of him, the doctor came up smiling as if +seeing in me an old and valued friend, and said:</p> + +<p>"I am not minded, lad, that you should tramp from here to the ferry in +order to regain your skiff. Leave her where she is, and she may serve +you a good turn at another time. Hiram Griffin has made ready a boat on +the river, and you can embark in her, if so be it is prudent to land on +either shore of the town."</p> + +<p>"I will take the chance, sir, at one place or another," I said, feeling +wondrously relieved at thus being spared the many miles of travel, and +for a moment thinking it might be the doctor's purpose to send Hiram +with me.</p> + +<p>After I found the boat which had been made ready, I could not repress an +exclamation of disappointment at seeing that she was a large craft, far +too heavy to be handled by a single person.</p> + +<p>"I have the long tramp before me even now," I said in a tone of dismay +to my father, who had accompanied me to the river. "With a craft like +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> I would have no hope of escape if peradventure the lobster backs +gave chase."</p> + +<p>"I reckon the two of us can manage to make a decent show of speed," +Hiram said with a laugh, and then it was I learned that he counted on +going with me into the town, taking his chances of getting back later, +rather than allow me to go alone.</p> + +<p>"You had better join us Minute Boys and have done with it, Hiram," I +said gleefully, taking my seat in the boat after having bidden my father +good by. "It seems to me you are like to meet with more of adventure in +our company, than loitering behind here at Cambridge where all are much +like a flock of sheep without a leader."</p> + +<p>"Faith, and I begin to believe that myself," Hiram replied as he took up +the oars, and a moment later we were gliding down the river in the +twilight which would be deepened to darkness before we were come within +sight of Boston.</p> + +<p>No sooner were we well under way than there came to me again the same +hope I had had during a portion of the time we lay hidden on Noddle +island, regarding the possibility of being able to free Archie from +prison, and I asked in what I intended should be a careless tone:</p> + +<p>"Hiram, if it so chanced while you were in Boston town that there was +the shadow of a hope of getting Archie out of prison, would you lend a +hand?"</p> + +<p>"Give me half a show to do aught toward thwarting the lobster backs, and +I'll stay with you till the crack of doom, if so be I live that long and +the job is not finished before."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll find the way," I said as if believing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> the words were true, +even though at the same moment I deemed it little less than the fancy of +a madman to think anything could be done to aid the dear lad while he +was held so closely by the enemy.</p> + +<p>After we were arrived at the mouth of the river, came the question as to +what part of Boston we would aim to strike. There was much of danger +that we might be overhauled by the guard-boats if so be we attempted to +pull around Hudson's point, and yet perchance greater peril in striving +to land anywhere between West and Fox hill.</p> + +<p>"I favor the shortest voyage by water," Hiram said when I had laid +before him that which was in my mind. "If so be you can hide the boat as +well on this side as at your ship-yard, then let's make the venture, for +I'm thinking we'll meet no more lobster backs ashore than afloat."</p> + +<p>And so it was we headed for the nearest point, taking all the chances, +and that night's work caused me to believe that he who goes boldly about +a matter, is in no more danger than the timorous one who strives to make +certain the way be clear before he sets out.</p> + +<p>We came straight across from the river, landing well to the south of the +Powder House, where were scrub oaks enough to afford a partial hiding +place for the boat, although I doubted not that she would be come upon +by the Britishers before another day had passed.</p> + +<p>"It will be better she is taken by the lobster backs empty, than with us +in her," Hiram said grimly when we drew her up on land, and it can well +be fancied that I was of the same opinion.</p> + +<p>Now was come the most hazardous portion of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> journey, for if we ran +against the watch, or a red-coated squad, we were come to grief and like +to join Archie instead of aiding him.</p> + +<p>There was little sense in standing on the shore discussing the danger, +therefore we set off at once across the Common as if headed for the +Bridewell, until we were come to within an hundred yards of it, when we +left the Alms house on our right, going over Beacon hill and thence +across to the mill pond. It was a roundabout way to gain Salem street, +where Silas Brownrigg lived; but it seemed to me the safest, although +even by such a course we twice narrowly escaped the patrol, saving +ourselves by taking refuge first in a garden, and then by sneaking +behind Master Mountford's house.</p> + +<p>So that we escaped the danger I did not count fatigue, and felt very +well satisfied with fortune when we finally stood at the door of Silas +Brownrigg's home, knocking cautiously lest we arouse other than him whom +we desired to see.</p> + +<p>It was not such a difficult matter to waken the lad, even though it was +past midnight, for in those troublous times the people in Boston who +favored the Cause slept lightly, young or old, never knowing how soon a +red-coated squad of men might demand admission in the name of the king, +having come through some whim of General Gage's, or of his +understrappers.</p> + +<p>Silas was not greatly surprised at seeing us. During the day while Hiram +and I lay in hiding on Noddle island, he had gone to my home in search +of me, and there learned from my mother that I had set out for +Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Before nightfall Seth Jepson gave him information that Archie was lodged +in prison on the charge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> of attempting to carry news to the "rebels," +and he would have been dull indeed could he not have guessed the whole +story from that on.</p> + +<p>While Hiram and I gave him an account of our doings from the time of +that unfortunate stumbling upon the watch, he fed us royally, his mother +even dressing herself that she might be certain we had food in plenty, +and before we were done with eating and talking we had discussed a dozen +impractical plans for freeing our comrade.</p> + +<p>It was decided that we would call the Minute Boys together at the +ship-yard, and there lay before them what had been asked of us by our +people at Cambridge, after which we might, if possible, find some means +of aiding Archie.</p> + +<p>Not until it was broad day did I venture to go home, for only in the +light might a "rebel" walk the streets of his own town without fear of +being molested by the Britishers, and once there it can well be fancied +how warm was my welcome. My mother had heard from Silas of Archie's +imprisonment, and it was only natural she should feel even more anxious +for me than otherwise would have been the case, knowing that already was +one of our number come to grief through striving to aid the Cause.</p> + +<p>But for the fact that my father was in full accord with all I strove to +do as a Minute Boy, and had even mapped out the work for our company, I +believe of a verity the good woman would have insisted then and there +that I give over any attempt to play the soldier.</p> + +<p>However, she did no more than urge me to be cautious, never running my +head in danger when there was no real need for it, and seemed to have +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> idea that such information as we lads could pick up concerning the +movements of the Britishers in Boston, would be of but little value to +those brave men at Cambridge.</p> + +<p>I had left Hiram behind me at Silas's home, for there was no reason why +he should show himself, a stranger in the town, more than might be +necessary; but at about nine of the clock he came to tell me that the +Minute Boys were assembling at the rendezvous, and I set off to meet my +future comrades.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>SUSPICIOUS INFORMATION</h3> + + +<p>When Hiram and I came out at Lyn street, where it was possible to have a +view of the ship-yard, we saw only two lads, one well over toward the +point, and the other south of the pier, who were loitering about +aimlessly as if they had nothing of importance with which to occupy +themselves.</p> + +<p>It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Hiram if he had made a mistake in +regard to the gathering of the Minute Boys, and then I realized that +Silas had taken the precaution to keep all the company out of sight +except these two, who appeared to be standing watch.</p> + +<p>At that time, when the Britishers were suspicious of the "rebels," and +General Gage eager to find some cause of complaint whereby he might put +in prison those who loved the colony, even a gathering of sixteen lads +would not have escaped rigid scrutiny by those who misruled in Boston, +and the most imprudent thing we could have done, would have been to come +together in the open air where any who passed might see us.</p> + +<p>"They are under the wharf?" I said questioningly to Hiram, and he +replied curtly:</p> + +<p>"Ay, your friend Silas told me they were to meet there," and then it +seemed as if he was on the point of saying something more; but if such +had been his intention he checked himself right suddenly, walking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +silently by my side until we were come to that point on the shore from +whence we could look under the wharf.</p> + +<p>Silas stepped out as I came into view, and said in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"I have kept the lads out of sight lest some meddling lobster back +should report a dangerous gathering. Every fellow is present, and eager +to hear what you learned at Cambridge."</p> + +<p>"Have you not told them?" I asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I was not certain how far you cared to make public what had been said +at the encampment, and therefore held my peace regardless of their +questions, promising that you would tell them the story in due time."</p> + +<p>As I look back now to that moment when was first assembled the company +of which I had been chosen captain, it seems passing strange I should +have made a blunder which was near akin to a crime, before having been +with them five minutes. After the advice, repeated so many times by my +father and Doctor Warren, that I be prudent, it seems as if I showed +myself the thickest-headed lad in all the colony, else would I have +begun the business by keeping a closer tongue.</p> + +<p>Even while I was greeting the lads they cried out impatiently to know +what I had heard and seen in Cambridge, and I, like a simple, must needs +repeat parrot fashion all the instructions which had been given me, when +common prudence would have dictated that I set the boys about gathering +information, without making known that we were much the same as detailed +as spies.</p> + +<p>In my folly I even went so far as to lay plans how and when we might +best leave the town to make report,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> and even gave a list of those to +whom we should apply for skiffs.</p> + +<p>While my tongue ran loose I fancied Hiram moved uneasily about, as if he +would say something to me privately; but I, puffed up with pride because +of taking upon myself for the first time command of the Minute Boys, +gave no heed to him until I had stripped myself bare of information, so +that if, peradventure, there was a traitor among us he could go direct +to General Gage with a story of all that we proposed to do.</p> + +<p>Having finished the recital I asked if there were any who could give +information concerning Archie which had not already been made public, +and one of the lads spoke up promptly, saying:</p> + +<p>"He is not so badly treated in prison, when you remember his father's +standing among the Sons of Liberty, for instead of occupying a cell, he +is locked in one of the small rooms near the end of the building."</p> + +<p>"Who told you that?" I asked, wondering how so much of information could +have been come at by our lads, and he answered, pointing with his +finger:</p> + +<p>"It was Seth Jepson told me."</p> + +<p>Wheeling about suddenly to face the lad whom I had suspected when it was +first proposed he be allowed to join the Minute Boys, I fancied there +was a look of uneasiness, almost of fear, upon his face, as if he had +just realized the danger of having imparted too much information. Then, +like a flash, there came upon me a great wave of self-reproach because I +had spoken so freely concerning our plans. If Seth Jepson was inclined +to be a traitor, verily he had it now in his power to do us gravest +injury.</p> + +<p>"How did you learn so much regarding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> Archie?" I asked sharply. "Have +you been allowed to visit the prison?"</p> + +<p>"It was Amos Nelson told me," Seth replied, and again I fancied I saw a +troubled look come over his face.</p> + +<p>Because of blaming myself for having told all I knew, it was much as if +I strove at this time to make a scape-goat of some other.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it well," I asked sharply, "now that you have been +enrolled as a Minute Boy, promising to do whatsoever you may in behalf +of the Cause, to hold converse with as rank a Tory lad as Amos Nelson?"</p> + +<p>"And why should I not?" he cried boldly. "Would you have me advertise +the fact that I am a member of this company by refusing to speak with a +neighbor? For some reason, I know not what, Amos was taken into the +prison, most like to work for the soldiers on duty there, and he saw +Archie Hemming, or heard that the lad was locked up in the small room. +It was no more than natural he should tell me the news, and I did not +shut my ears to his words, believing it would be to the advantage of all +here if I learned as much as he knew."</p> + +<p>The lad spoke fairly, although, as I fancied, with too much of boldness, +and just a spice of anger in his tones.</p> + +<p>I could find no fault, for of a verity he had learned that which might +be of importance to us, and yet all the old suspicions that had been in +my heart came back with redoubled force, the stronger, perhaps, because +I had put myself and my comrades so wholly in his power.</p> + +<p>The mischief was worked now, however, and the only course was for me to +do what I might toward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> keeping, or having kept, a close watch on Seth +Jepson, in the future holding my tongue in his presence as to what we +would do.</p> + +<p>To this end, and in the hope that it might be possible to take advantage +of the information he had given, I proposed that a certain number of +lads should loiter about the town to learn if there was anything new +going on among the Britishers; afterward whispering to Silas that he +send with Seth one whom he could trust thoroughly well, in order to make +certain the lad held no communication with Amos Nelson.</p> + +<p>"I will do it," Silas replied; "but to what purpose? You have suspected +him from the first, and yet allowed that he should hear what our people +want us to do."</p> + +<p>"And in talking so freely I showed myself a fool. Now I would, if +possible, do what I can to remedy the evil."</p> + +<p>"All of which will be very little, because we cannot keep a spy at +Seth's heels every hour, and when he has gone home for the night what +will prevent him from having speech with Amos Nelson?"</p> + +<p>Then, as if not considering the matter of so much importance as I would +make it, Silas moved about among the company, suggesting that this +couple go here and the other there, until he had sent away all save two, +and these were lads whom he and I knew might not with truth be accused +of being other than loyal to the Cause.</p> + +<p>"Have you aught to say?" I asked when they made as if to draw near to +where Hiram and I were standing, and Silas said quickly:</p> + +<p>"It has been in my mind that we might send some of the company down near +the prison to loiter there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> in the hope of gaining speech with Archie, +if so be Seth Jepson's words are true."</p> + +<p>"I know where the room is, in which Amos Nelson declared he was held a +prisoner," Harvey Pearson said. "If all that has been told us be true, I +warrant you I can get word with him after the night has come, in case he +may be made to know that we are nearby for that purpose."</p> + +<p>"Then do you two lads attend to that matter. Silas shall look after +whatsoever he thinks best, while Hiram Griffin and I set off to make +certain there will be no difficulty in getting skiffs."</p> + +<p>"I am thinking it will be well if I search for the boat you left on the +shore near Fox hill," Silas suggested. "It may be I can bring her around +to this place, and surely that would be of advantage, because we have no +craft of any kind, unless you succeed in getting one before nightfall."</p> + +<p>To this I agreed, and soon Silas had set off, when Hiram and I were left +alone.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he said questioningly. "If you are satisfied with what has been +done this morning, and believe the Cause can be advantaged much by the +Minute Boys, suppose we get our heads together to decide how I may be +able to leave this town?"</p> + +<p>"Are you going away at once?" I asked in surprise, for although he had +not so much as hinted he might stay a while with us, such a thought had +found lodgment in my mind.</p> + +<p>"To what end should I stay?" he asked. "Surely a stranger like me can do +nothing in the way of playing the spy in a strange town, and I am of the +mind that there may be work for me in Cambridge."</p> + +<p>"I had hoped you would wait on some chance of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> being able to help us set +Archie free," I said after a moment's hesitation.</p> + +<p>"An' that were true, I would loiter here till the month's end, giving no +heed to what those in the encampment might think of my absence," he +replied heartily.</p> + +<p>"Then stay!" I cried. "Greater things than freeing a lad who is shut up +in the cell of a prison, has been done by poorer tools than can be found +among us Minute Boys. You shall lodge at my home, going and coming as +best pleases you."</p> + +<p>"I'll stay, lad," Hiram said promptly, "and am all the more willing to +do so because it strikes me you need a deal of watching."</p> + +<p>I fancied it was possible to read in his face the thought which he had +in mind, and my cheeks were flaming red as I said in the tone of one who +admits his error:</p> + +<p>"You believe I made a blunder in telling the lads all that the Committee +of Safety would have us do?"</p> + +<p>"It was more than a blunder, lad, unless you could answer for all of +your comrades as you can for yourself. No harm would have come if you +had held your peace, simply telling them it was necessary you should +know all that was going on in order the better to guard against evil."</p> + +<p>"Instead of which I laid myself bare," I cried bitterly, "and at the +same time was suspicious of that lad, Seth Jepson. Not until he admitted +getting information concerning Archie from Amos Nelson, did I realize my +mistake."</p> + +<p>"Well," Hiram said soothingly, "no good ever came of crying over spilt +milk. You must try to conjure up some plan for holding Seth Jepson in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +such fashion that he will be harmless, or, if so much cannot be done, +see to it he is kept ignorant as to what you would do."</p> + +<p>There was no reason why we should linger under the old wharf, and I was +eager to be alone despite the fact that I craved Hiram's companionship, +for it seemed as if I must work out some scheme by which it would be +possible to prevent Seth Jepson from playing us false.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I led the way to my house, and said when we were come +to the door:</p> + +<p>"You are free here to do as you will; but I'm thinking it may be wiser +if we two are not seen together overly much. I am counting on going +across the Common with the idea of helping Silas, if he believes it safe +to bring the boat around."</p> + +<p>"Never fear but what I'll look after myself," he said cheerily as he +entered the house, and I went my way alone.</p> + +<p>Now it is not needed that I set down too many words in striving to tell +that which is of little importance. It will be as well if I pass over +four and twenty hours, and come to the afternoon of the day following my +woeful blunder.</p> + +<p>During that time many things had happened, and instead of our sending +information to Cambridge, great news had come from there to us in Boston +who were loyal to the Cause.</p> + +<p>It was reported by one who had succeeded on entering the town by way of +the Neck, despite all the vigilance of the guards there, that so many +men had arrived from all quarters to aid in opposing the king's troops, +that no less than twenty thousand were then in the encampment, and +General Ward had taken command of what was really an army.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> Israel +Putnam had led thither a large number of volunteers from Connecticut; +Colonel John Stark, of New Hampshire, was come with a great following, +and the only trouble was lack of discipline and housing for so many +people.</p> + +<p>General Ward had held a council of war with all the officers who had +been previously appointed by Congress, and it was decided that Boston be +besieged. Fancy! we of the colonies called "rebels" were making +preparations, to the extent of having raised a large army, to take from +the Britishers the town they had seized!</p> + +<p>It must have been that General Gage received the same news as had come +to us, for on the hour orders were issued that no person should be +allowed to leave the town without a pass, and everyone caught while +attempting to depart would be imprisoned.</p> + +<p>The Tories themselves had begun to understand that our people might be a +power in the land, for straightway two hundred of them were enrolled as +a military company, with that arch traitor, Timothy Ruggles, as their +captain.</p> + +<p>"It seems that the Minute Boys have nothing to do," I said bitterly to +Hiram Griffin when he and I came together at my home on the evening +after the Tory company had paraded on the Common. "It is from Cambridge +that the important news is being sent, and we who are shut up here have +no word of news to tell."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me, lad, that you have already got quite a budget of +information which our people in Cambridge should hear. Mayhap it is +already known in the encampment that no one can leave Boston town +without a permit, and it's also possible they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> know of the arming of the +Tories; but you who were assigned to the duty of gathering news should +not set yourselves down idly and say that it has already been made +public."</p> + +<p>"Meaning that we should go our way carrying stale information at the +risk of being arrested, and repeating what no one cares to hear?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, that is exactly what I mean. You were not asked to seek this +or that; but to carry to Cambridge information of what was going on in +town. It is for General Ward to say whether that which you bring him is +of importance or no."</p> + +<p>"But it seems that we have other work on hand which should come first," +I said, having kept back a bit of news which I knew would startle him. +"Harvey Pearson succeeded this afternoon in seeing Archie—"</p> + +<p>"How did he get into the prison?"</p> + +<p>"There's no such good word as that. What I mean is that he attracted his +attention from the outside, and by dint of gestures, with a word here +and there, made him understand that at midnight, after the guard has +been changed, he will attempt to have speech with him."</p> + +<p>Hiram looked at me in surprise, as if not crediting all I told him, and +then, much as if dismissing the matter from his mind, he said:</p> + +<p>"If I were the captain of the Minute Boys of Boston, I should strive to +send a messenger to Cambridge this night. I myself have picked up such +bits of news as I believe General Ward would be pleased to hear."</p> + +<p>"But how can I go, when there is a chance of having word with Archie +to-night?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I fail to see any reason why you should in every case act as messenger +'twixt here and Cambridge. Send some other of your company. It is true +we lost the boat in which you and I came, because of having left her +where any blundering lobster back might stumble upon the craft; but you +said this morning that it would be possible for us to get two small +skiffs at any time." Then he asked abruptly, "How high from the street +is the window of the room where your comrade is held prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"Not more than five or six feet," I replied, failing to understand; but, +making no explanation, he rose quickly to his feet, clapping his hat on +his head as he said:</p> + +<p>"I'm off for a stroll. There are many things in this town I haven't seen +as yet, and it would be a pity if I was suddenly called to Cambridge +without having learned all that may be come at."</p> + +<p>He went out before I could stop him, and but for the fact that Silas +came in immediately afterward, I might have followed to learn what Hiram +was about.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, my comrade was all afire with the possibility +that we might soon have speech with Archie, and would have explained +exactly how Harvey counted on bringing the matter about, had I not told +him Hiram's opinion as to what should be done in the way of sending +information to the American encampment.</p> + +<p>Much to my surprise he pressed eagerly for permission to go as +messenger, saying that above all else he desired to see the encampment +so he might compare our troops with those under the command of General +Gage, and, knowing he could make the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> journey as well or even better +than I, there was no reason in my mind why he should not undertake the +venture.</p> + +<p>I must set down here the fact that from the time of our first meeting as +Minute Boys, which is the same as saying during the past four and twenty +hours, more than one of us had kept constant watch over Seth Jepson +without seeing aught to blame in him. It was possible, as a matter of +course, that he might have had speech with Amos Nelson; but we could not +believe he had told the Tory cur all I had so foolishly divulged else, +as Silas and I reasoned, we would have been brought before General Gage +on some such serious charge as that of treason, unless perchance he +could make of our movements a more serious offence.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that after we had decided Silas should go to the +encampment with the information already gathered, I cautioned him +against letting Seth have any suspicions of his intention, and he +replied confidently:</p> + +<p>"Leave the matter to me, Luke. I'll guarantee to get away without any +one's seeing me, and what is more, come back with a whole skin. I'm not +such a simple as to give myself away to Seth, or any other lad, and +therefore it is I propose that at such time as best suits me, and in +whatsoever manner I please, to set off for the American camp 'twixt now +and midnight, keeping secret even from my mother how and when I count on +going."</p> + +<p>It surprised me somewhat that he should be willing to go away at the +very time when we believed it possible to hold some communication with +Archie; but, as I afterward learned, he had little faith we could get +speech with the lad, and was not without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> fear that one or more of us +might be taken into custody for loitering around the prison. To his +credit I must say, however, that the desire to see the encampment was so +great as to shut out all else from his mind.</p> + +<p>I went over with him all I believed it necessary to say to whosoever he +should come upon in Cambridge, understanding that if I neglected +anything of importance those whom he met would question him so closely +as to bring from his lips all he had heard and seen.</p> + +<p>"I have been keeping my eye on Seth Jepson since yesterday, whenever it +could be done handily, and advise you to do the same," he said as he +went out of the house, refusing to divulge anything whatsoever +concerning his plans for the night.</p> + +<p>With his words in mind I also went out into the street, counting on +going to Dock square, thence past the prison and near the governor's +house, with my ears open to catch any word which might be let drop by +the lobster backs, and my eyes strained to get a glimpse of the lad I +suspected.</p> + +<p>Before having come to Union street, however, I fell afoul of Hiram +Griffin, who looked so well content with himself that I could not +refrain from asking what good fortune had befallen him, as if there +could be anything good for us who loved the Cause and yet remained in +Boston town.</p> + +<p>"I have been taking a squint at the prison where I'm told your comrade +is held, and am come to believe that unless these 'ere Britishers are +much like weasels, it won't be such a hard thing to get him out of that +scrape."</p> + +<p>"What?" I cried in amaze and delight.</p> + +<p>"There, there, lad, I allow I'm a good deal like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> you were yesterday, +letting my tongue run away with me. What I counted on saying was +something much after this fashion: If we could have a cloudy night, or, +better still, a stormy one, and if so be he understood to what end we +might be working; and in case we could get across the town after having +pulled him out, without being overhauled by lobster back or patrol, why +then there would be a chance, and such an one as would tempt me to make +a try for it, you lads helping, as a matter of course."</p> + +<p>"And shall it be done to-night?" I cried eagerly, thinking Hiram was +minded to go about the task at once.</p> + +<p>"If everything had happened as I've laid out, then we might start at +once; but according to the looks of things this night is likely to be a +fair one, while we are needing darkness. Pulling your comrade out from +the clutches of the Britishers isn't such an easy task that you can +begin it whenever you are feeling so disposed. Let him know what's in +our minds, and be ready to help himself when the time comes to suit us. +What about sending word to Cambridge?"</p> + +<p>I told him all my conversation with Silas, and it appeared to please him +greatly that the lad was not willing to explain how he counted on going.</p> + +<p>"He'll turn the trick all right? When you find a boy who can be cautious +to the extent of holding his tongue even among friends, it may be set +down as a fact that he won't come to grief, unless meeting with the +direst kind of an accident. Which reminds me that it wouldn't be a bad +idea for you to overlook the doings of that same Seth Jepson."</p> + +<p>"What of him?" I cried in dismay, fearing to hear ill news.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nothing that I can be certain of, lad, save that I saw him chumming +with a couple of lobster backs down at the dock, and it strikes me they +were amazingly friendly with a lad of his size, for he's not one a man +would take to naturally—an honest man I mean."</p> + +<p>"I will go after him at once; but there is little chance of learning +anything, for if he is minded to play the traitor he'll keep a still +tongue in his head when I overhaul him."</p> + +<p>"Go your way, lad," Hiram said as if he pitied me because I fancied it +would be possible to convict a traitor out of his own mouth. "I am +minded to have speech with Silas Brownrigg before he sets off for +Cambridge, and am allowing there is a chance of finding him at home now +while it is yet day."</p> + +<p>Then Hiram Griffin left me suddenly, as if it was dangerous to be seen +speaking with me on the street, and I walked slowly toward Dock square, +asking myself how I might so trap Seth Jepson as to prove that he was +playing us foul, while at the same time I questioned whether there was a +possibility we could free the dear lad who lay eating his heart out in +prison.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A CLOUDY NIGHT</h3> + + +<p>It was not needed that I should walk very far in order to find Seth +Jepson. He was on the westerly side of the dock when I came into the +square, talking to two or three lads whom I had good reason to believe +were of Tory leanings.</p> + +<p>Instead of appearing disconcerted because of my finding him in such +company, he acted much as if it gave him pleasure that I was come, and +straightway leaving his companions, advanced eagerly to meet me.</p> + +<p>"Have you been up to the prison in the hope of having speech with Archie +Hemming?" he asked as soon as we were within speaking distance, and I, +suspicious of the lad, believed he thus counted on learning what we +might have in mind to do, therefore replied with somewhat of sourness in +my tone:</p> + +<p>"It is too dangerous a matter to be seen loitering about that place, +especially for a lad like me, whose father is known to be a Son of +Liberty."</p> + +<p>"I have seen Harvey Pearson there more than once, and thought most like +you had sent him."</p> + +<p>By this time it was clear to me that Seth was striving to learn if we +had any plan on foot to release Archie, and striving to appear +indifferent, as if to my mind the matter was so fraught with +difficulties that it would be useless to make any attempt, I said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If Harvey chooses to loiter where there is great danger of being taken +into custody, it is no affair of mine. On first learning that Archie had +been imprisoned, I was so foolish as to say, without really believing it +could be done, that we would form some plan for his rescue; but came to +see right soon that it would be a piece of folly to raise our hands in +such direction."</p> + +<p>"And you will let him stay there?" Seth asked as if in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Let him?" I repeated laughingly. "It's a question of his being obliged +to stay there, and has nothing to do with us. General Gage is the one +who is allowing him to remain there."</p> + +<p>Seth appeared perplexed by my seeming indifference, and while one might +have counted twenty he stood silent as if considering some matter, after +which, his face brightening a bit, he led me a short distance toward +Union street, where we might stand in the open with no fear any +eavesdroppers could come upon us unawares, and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Believing it would be possible for me to get more information, such as +you say is needed in Cambridge, at the houses of the Tories than +anywhere else, I dropped in at Amos Nelson's home, and while there heard +his father talking with Master Landers, saying that a town meeting is to +be held to-morrow evening. General Gage has decided that, if the +selectmen will agree, the people who wish to go out of Boston may do so +with their household belongings, provided they leave all weapons of +whatsoever kind in Faneuil Hall, the same to be returned to them at some +suitable time. Now it seems that the Tories, according to what Amos's +father said, are opposed to such an arrangement, claiming that once<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> the +rebels have departed they will not scruple to burn the place, and such +men as Master Nelson and Master Landers have decided to urge that +General Gage hold the women and children in the town, instead of +allowing them to leave with their husbands and fathers."</p> + +<p>Now this was information of value, particularly the latter part of it, +and, therefore, much of my suspicions regarding Seth's loyalty vanished. +I counted it in his favor that he had given us such a bit of news, and +then came the thought that Silas should add this to the budget he was +carrying to Cambridge, yet I did not believe myself warranted in going +to his home, for Hiram was probably there by this time, and if too many +called at the house the enemy might grow curious.</p> + +<p>In order that Seth should not believe I was eager to leave him, I +loitered in the vicinity a full half hour talking of this and that which +was of no particular importance, except that all the while I strove to +trap the lad into betraying his traitorous desire, if so be he had one, +by some hasty word.</p> + +<p>He spoke me fairly, even going back to that which I had said to him +under the old wharf, regarding his keeping company with lads who were +known to favor Toryism, and declared that it would be possible for him +to learn more from them than in any other way, speaking with such an air +of innocence and earnestness that I almost came to reproach myself for +having suspected him.</p> + +<p>"So long as I am on friendly terms with Amos Nelson, it is a simple +matter for me to go into many places where the Britishers congregate, +which would otherwise be closed in my face. Amos's father, as you well +know, is a particular friend of Timothy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> Ruggles, and thus it is +possible for the lad to be present when the enemies of the Cause meet +for deliberation, as you may understand from what I have told you +already in regard to their purpose of holding the women and children in +Boston town as hostages. When I joined your company of Minute Boys it +was with the understanding I do whatsoever I might in behalf of the +colony; but if you believe I should shut off all intercourse with Tory +lads, then shall it be done."</p> + +<p>What else could I say than advise him to keep on the same path he was +traveling? At the time I was impressed by his words; but later, after +having had an opportunity to turn them over in my mind, I came to ask +myself why he should at that moment have so strongly defended himself +when I had charged him with no evil.</p> + +<p>The result of this interview was that I not only urged the lad to +continue as he had been doing; but came to have more faith in him than +ever before, yet was I sufficiently prudent to hold my tongue concerning +our doings, and he got nothing from me that he could turn to the +advantage of his Tory friends.</p> + +<p>With the exception of Silas, Harvey, and Hiram, none of our company knew +there was any hope or intention of striving to release Archie, and I was +determined the matter should remain a profound secret if any word or act +of mine could compass that end.</p> + +<p>Although burning to speak with Silas, when I left Seth it was to saunter +in the direction of Queen street as if I walked aimlessly, rather than +with a purpose, and fortune so favored me that on turning into Corn hill +I came upon Harvey Pearson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is it well for you to remain near to the prison after having warned +Archie?" I asked sharply, and the lad replied with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"Don't fear that I'll make such a simple of myself as to do anything of +the kind. I haven't been on Queen street since I warned the lad that we +would be there this night."</p> + +<p>"Have you met any others of the company?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mayhap four or five, all of whom are loitering about with their +ears and eyes wide open; but I fancy they haven't caught much that would +be of value to our people at Cambridge."</p> + +<p>"Have you said to other than Silas or me that you count on getting +speech with Archie to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Never a word."</p> + +<p>"Then see that you don't. I have just left Seth Jepson, and because of +his questions it came to me he was eager to learn what we counted on +doing; but I gave him no satisfaction."</p> + +<p>Harvey soon set my mind at rest regarding his intention to keep our +secret, and then, still having in mind to find Silas before he should +leave the town, I roamed up School street, through Treamount, and down +Hanover until coming to Back street, when, having idled away the greater +part of the afternoon, I was so lucky as to come upon Hiram Griffin.</p> + +<p>Hurriedly I repeated to him that which Seth Jepson had told me, and he +replied with a grin:</p> + +<p>"I got all that three hours ago, and Silas will repeat it to our +friends. But doesn't the fact that Seth brought to you such news as +early as possible, go far toward showing that you were wrong in +suspecting him?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that it does, and he spoke me so fairly, explaining at greater +length than when we first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> came together under the wharf, why he should +hold with the Tory lads, that I could not but believe, at least for the +time, in his loyalty. Now, however, having had an opportunity to turn +over in my mind his words, it seems as if he was too eager to prove his +desire to serve the Cause. But what of Archie?" I added, and Hiram +replied:</p> + +<p>"We are needing a cloudy night, or, what would be better, a pelting rain +storm before any attempt can be made toward setting the lad free. In +case you can keep secret your intention, and such a night comes while he +still remains where your comrade saw him, it strikes me the matter would +be plain sailing; but in the meanwhile have everything in readiness for +the venture."</p> + +<p>"Meaning what?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"First make sure of two skiffs—three would serve as well—, and have +them hidden at different places, that is to say, one in your ship-yard, +another off Barton's point, and the third on the shore of the Common. +That done, those who count on taking a hand should decide upon certain +hiding places to the end that if we succeeded in freeing the prisoner +and were pursued beyond the possibility of taking to the water, each +would know where he might best be secreted."</p> + +<p>"There are many such places," I replied. "First we might find lodgement +in the rope walk at Barton's point, or again at our old rendezvous; the +burying place near to the Bridewell has in it many a famous hide, as you +know full well. Greenleaf's yard, near the long warehouse, if you +chanced to come so far near the Neck—"</p> + +<p>"Show me some of these places," Hiram interrupted, "leading me by the +most direct way so that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> I may get my bearings to such purpose that it +will be possible to find them in the darkness."</p> + +<p>"You know full well how to get to the rendezvous."</p> + +<p>"Ay, we need spend no time over that."</p> + +<p>"Come with me to Barton's point," I said, now grown eager through +understanding that Hiram was ready to lay plans for the rescue, and +determined that no loitering of mine should put any obstacle in the way.</p> + +<p>Night was already come when I had completed the task of pointing out the +available hiding places near at hand, and then we two went to my +mother's house for supper.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking we had best bottle up forty winks of sleep, if so be we +are to make a midnight visit to the prison, for no one can say whether +our business may not keep us a long while," Hiram said once his hunger +had been appeased, and, not waiting to learn what might be my opinion, +he went upstairs to my chamber.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course my mother was eager to know what might be afoot, +for she understood, because of our long absence and Hiram's words, that +something was in the wind, and therefore it was I told her what we +counted on doing, and all we hoped it might be possible to accomplish on +the first cloudy or stormy night.</p> + +<p>She, dear soul, had naught to say against our purpose, knowing that we +of the colonies were fully committed to the struggle against the king; +but she grieved because I was like to have so much of a hand in the +business.</p> + +<p>"With your father in the army it would seem as if a poor woman's only +son should be left at home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> to comfort and protect her. Yet I would not +say that which might prevent you from doing what your heart inclines to. +You have ever been a good boy, Luke, and it would indeed be a sad blow +to me should misfortune overtake you, therefore I pray that you be +careful and prudent, undertaking no hazardous enterprise which may be +avoided with honor and in view of your duty to the Cause."</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that I promised to keep in mind all she had said, +striving in so far as lay within my power to do what she desired. Then, +following Hiram's example, for mother had promised to waken us near to +ten of the clock; I went into the chamber where, despite all of +excitement which was in my mind, I speedily fell asleep by the side of +the widow's son.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if I had but just lost myself in the blissfulness of +slumber when mother wakened us with word that the time had come, and we +made ready to set out, Hiram, much to my surprise, taking from behind +the kitchen door a stout oaken stick, too long to be used as a cudgel.</p> + +<p>"For what purpose is that?" I asked curiously.</p> + +<p>"A whim of mine, lad."</p> + +<p>"But it is not a walking stick, nor could it be used in a fight," I said +laughingly, and he replied:</p> + +<p>"Ay, true for you, and yet on the night when the clouds have gathered in +the heavens, and your comrade Archie is still where he can be come at +with somewhat of ease, you may find this a very timely implement to +have."</p> + +<p>I failed utterly of understanding his meaning; but since he was not +disposed to make it plain I held my peace, and we two went out into the +night, not by way of the streets, but through the gardens,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> and along +alleys, where we might pass without coming in contact with the +Britishers, or with the patrol.</p> + +<p>Before we were well started on our devious way Hiram came to a full +halt, as he caught me by the arm and pointed toward the sky.</p> + +<p>For the instant I could not make out the meaning of his gesture, and +then it was I saw down in the south an inky mass of clouds which seemed +to be coming swiftly against the wind, and my heart leaped into my +mouth, for verily it seemed as if this would be the cloudy night we +desired. If that dark mass proved what it promised, there would be such +a downpour that the Britishers must keep themselves well within cover.</p> + +<p>I was trembling with excitement as we went on, believing the time for +our dangerous venture to be near at hand, and I prayed most fervently +that the tempest which was seemingly gathering upon us, would burst +before midnight. Then came a cold chill to my heart, as I realized that +I had not had time to gather the skiffs as Hiram advised, because of +having been occupied with showing him the best hiding places.</p> + +<p>I was nigh to tears as I said to myself that however advantageous the +night might be for our purpose, we could not profit by it because of +lacking means of leaving the town by water—as for thinking of going +across the Neck, if by any fortunate chance we succeeded in releasing +Archie, that would be out of the question so closely was the place +guarded.</p> + +<p>"It's a pity we hadn't spent a little time getting the skiffs into +convenient places, rather than looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> for a chance to hide," Hiram +said as if to himself when we came up through Master Hayes's back yard +to Middle street, listening there for some token of the watch, for it +would be necessary to continue on as far as Hanover street by the +highway where there was no opportunity of concealment.</p> + +<p>"Then you believe this night would serve our purpose?" I said in what +you might call a tearful tone, for I was near to crying with vexation +because of having wasted a goodly part of the afternoon loitering about +the town when I might have had everything in readiness for a hasty +flight.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, yonder clouds mean plenty of rain and wind, and I am much +mistaken if within the hour the night be not so black and stormy that +you might pass in the same street a squad of Britishers, and they be +none the wiser."</p> + +<p>"And it may be a month before such an opportunity comes again," I said +mournfully. "We shall most like have storms in plenty; but never one at +exactly the right moment, as this promises."</p> + +<p>Hiram made no reply; but having satisfied himself there were no enemies +in the immediate vicinity he strode on in advance swiftly, carrying the +oaken stick on his arm as if it were a musket, and I could almost fancy +from his bearing that he had in mind some purpose which he would strive +earnestly to carry out, even though our preparations were not completed.</p> + +<p>That this purpose was the rescue of Archie, I need not say, for just +then we had none other, and I trembled with fear at the thought that we +might succeed in freeing the dear lad only to find ourselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> pursued, +captured and clapped into prison with him, where we would be powerless +either to aid the Cause or to work to his advantage.</p> + +<p>Once at the corner of Hanover street it was possible for me to find the +way through gardens and waste land until we were come to Brattle street +church, from whence the journey to the prison must be made in the open.</p> + +<p>The clouds had gathered so quickly that by this time they veiled the +stars until one could hardly see ten paces in advance, therefore we had +little hesitation in going boldly to that place where we counted on +meeting Harvey Pearson, nor did we count in vain. The lad came out from +between two buildings as we approached, and seizing me by the arm, led +us into his hiding place where we might talk, if so be we spoke in +whispers, without danger of being overheard.</p> + +<p>"Archie is on the alert, and expects our coming," he said guardedly. +"Within ten minutes have I clambered up until getting a hold on the +window ledge where I could tap the glass, and he returned the signal, +therefore you need not linger long if you would have speech with him."</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why we shouldn't wait here to get our breath," Hiram +said in an odd tone. "I'm thinking it won't be a waste of time, and half +an hour more or less can make little difference to him since he must +perforce stay where he is."</p> + +<p>"How could you tap on the glass?" I asked of Harvey. "Are there no bars +outside that window?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, and in plenty; iron bars standing less than six inches apart; but +there was room to thrust my fingers between and thus come at the +glass."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>I turned suddenly to lay my hand upon the oaken stick which Hiram had +been carrying, understanding now for the first time to what purpose he +intended using it, and feeling, rather than seeing, my gesture, he +whispered:</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, you have caught the idea at last. With this we should be able +to make short work of one or two of those bars, providing we are not +interrupted, and if so be there is thunder enough to drown whatsoever of +noise may be made."</p> + +<p>It was well nigh impossible for me to control myself so far as to act in +any way approaching a decent fashion. The knowledge that Hiram was not +only bent upon making an effort to rescue Archie that very night, but +had come prepared for it, and the weather promised to be all we could +desire, so wrought upon me that I was literally atremble with excitement +until it was difficult to remain in one place five seconds at a time.</p> + +<p>That Harvey was in a similar condition I could well understand, when he +asked in a whisper so tremulous that only with difficulty could I +understand the words:</p> + +<p>"Do you believe he counts on doing anything to-night?"</p> + +<p>Hiram overheard the question, spoken cautiously though it was, and +replied decisively:</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, that's exactly what I count on doing, and save for the fact +that we have no boats ready, matters could not be more to our liking. In +less than half an hour, unless I have lost all power of judging the +weather, we are like to have as heavy a thunder gust upon us as this +town has ever seen. What more could be asked? How long think you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> we +might be forced to wait for another such opportunity?"</p> + +<p>"But the boats!" Harvey exclaimed. "Of what avail may it be to release +him from prison when the Britishers will make short work in their search +after the day has come?"</p> + +<p>"That part of the business is what we must take our chances on, lad. The +hardest portion of the work is to get him out of yonder jail, and that +done we'll trust to luck for the rest. Have you no skiffs in mind that +could be come upon by some search?"</p> + +<p>"There are boats in plenty near to Long wharf," Harvey replied; "but +there the Britishers have so many men on duty that what between their +guards, marines passing to and fro from the shore to the ships, and the +sentinels, it would be impossible to give them the slip."</p> + +<p>"How was Silas to get out of town?" Hiram asked, turning to me.</p> + +<p>"Master Fish has a skiff hidden near his smokehouse, and the lad was +counting on taking it."</p> + +<p>"In all this town do you know of none other?" and Hiram shook me +violently, as if he would force from my mouth that which he most desired +to know.</p> + +<p>"The skiffs belonging to our friends are hidden, for by General Gage's +orders all craft that could be found have been taken possession of by +the lobster backs. We might search a full day without coming upon any."</p> + +<p>"Well, as I have said, the first thing is to get the lad out of prison. +We'll trust to accident, chance, or whatever you choose to call it, for +the balance."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 438px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="438" height="650" alt=""THE SECOND FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED ME THIS SCENE."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THE SECOND FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED ME THIS SCENE."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time the rain drops were beginning to fall in token of the +oncoming shower, and Hiram stretched out his hand to learn how heavy was +the downpour, for, screened as we were by the building, one could hardly +judge of what might be going on.</p> + +<p>Then came a flash of lightning, followed by a peal of thunder so loud +that we knew the heart of the storm was directly upon us, and clutching +Harvey and me by the arms Hiram literally burst, as it were, from our +hiding place, as he said:</p> + +<p>"Now has come the time; work quickly; have your wits about you, and +remember that to waste ten seconds may be the ruin of our plans."</p> + +<p>There was little need for Hiram to thus incite us. I was strung up to +the highest tension until it seemed as if all the nerves in my body had +suddenly been laid bare, and a moment appeared like a half-hour, so +keenly did I realize that the critical time had come.</p> + +<p>When we went out into the street the rain was falling like unto a second +deluge, and it seemed to me I had not taken a dozen steps before my +clothing was soaked with water; but I heeded it not save as cooling +application upon my fevered body.</p> + +<p>Harvey led us around the prison until we were come to the window of that +room where we believed Archie was still confined, and without waiting a +single second—it seemed almost as if while continuing the advance—, +Hiram thrust the end of his oaken stick between two center bars, +standing there like a statue waiting for the next volley of thunder.</p> + +<p>The second flash of lightning showed me this scene which is yet engraven +on my memory as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> painted upon canvas: Hiram holding one end of the +heavy stick like a young giant; Harvey standing beside him looking up +with expectancy written on his face, and I crouching near by ready to +follow the slightest movement of our leader.</p> + +<p>Then came the heavy, deafening roll of thunder. Even in the darkness I +fancied I could see Hiram put all his weight and strength upon the oaken +lever, and I believed that the bars gave way; but so heavy was the +cannonading in the heavens that I could hear no sound, yet, as we +learned an instant later, he had not only fetched away the iron screen, +but crashed through the glass of the window.</p> + +<p>Whether Archie had been aware that we stood there ready to make this +supreme effort, I cannot say; but something must have warned him that +the time for action had come, because the crash of thunder had not died +away when I could see dimly his head and shoulders through the aperture.</p> + +<p>Hiram must have instantly thrown aside the stout lever which had thus +opened the way for Archie's liberty, because, moving with the quickness +of thought, he leaped up as does a cat, seizing the lad by the shoulders +and pulling him out into the street as if he had been no more than a +bundle of rags.</p> + +<p>During the merest fraction of time we stood silent and motionless, every +nerve aquiver, listening with bated breath for that fatal token which +would tell that the Britishers inside had been aroused, and then Hiram +pushed me forward violently as he said in a hoarse whisper:</p> + +<p>"Now then, lad, let your heels save your head, and make for Long +wharf."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But the Britishers!" I cried even as I obeyed his command.</p> + +<p>"Let them go hang, so that we find a boat wheresoever it may be. Before +this storm has come to an end we must be out of Boston town, or count on +taking up our quarters in this same prison."</p> + +<p>How we ran! Archie clasped my hand—there was no time for words—, and +we two led the way at a swifter pace than I ever showed before, or ever +expect to again; but even while putting forth every effort in the race +was my heart grown sore with fear, for truly did it seem that Hiram had +lost his wits to take such chances as would come if we tried to get from +the Britishers themselves means for leaving the town.</p> + +<p>"Better we had attempted to make our escape across the Neck," I said to +myself, burning to speak my thoughts to him who had thus far led us +safely, and yet not daring to slacken pace in order so to do. "There is +one chance in an hundred that we might get past the guards during the +tempest; but none whatsoever that we shall succeed in making our way by +water, for before we can lay hands on a boat we shall be overpowered."</p> + +<p>Luckily I did not dare slacken speed; fortunate was it indeed that Hiram +had his way in the matter, and that he urged us on even while we were +putting forth every effort. Had I been given command at that moment, +then it is almost the same as certain we had been taken before another +night came; but, thanks to the son of that good woman who fed us when we +were hungry, the seemingly impossible was accomplished.</p> + +<p>So rapid were our movements from the very beginning of the attempt at +rescue, that the thunder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> tempest was hardly grown to its height before +we gained the water front at Long wharf, and there to my amazement we +met no one; indeed, we might almost have touched shoulders with a dozen +and yet not been able to see them because of the darkness and the +seemingly unbroken sheets of water which descended.</p> + +<p>Now it was that Hiram took the lead, as if fearful lest our courage +might fail us, and wading waist-deep into the water alongside the wharf, +he came upon a small boat which was made fast stem and stern.</p> + +<p>We followed close at his heels, not because of belittling the danger; +but because there was no other course. The peril would have been greater +had we attempted to beat a retreat, and since it seemed to me that +capture was absolutely certain, we might as well go one way as another.</p> + +<p>Hiram had not stopped to unmoor the boat; but taking from his pocket a +knife, slashed here and there at the hawsers until she was adrift, and +the wind, driving from the south in furious gusts, sent her whirling in +the direction of Hudson's point as if impelled by a dozen pairs of oars.</p> + +<p>It was only by the merest accident that we lads succeeded in getting +aboard, for Hiram was like a fury unchained, giving no heed to anything +whatsoever save that goal which he had set before him. I only know that +Archie and I had been swept off our feet by the waves when the craft +whirled past us, yet we contrived to clutch the gunwale and were +dragged, as it seemed to me, an hundred yards before succeeding in +clambering aboard.</p> + +<p>Then it was my heart sank, for hurriedly looking around as best I could +in the darkness I made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> out but three forms, and cried in my fear and +agony:</p> + +<p>"We have freed Archie only to leave Harvey to drown or be taken +prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Here, help me in!" came from the stern of the craft, and stepping +quickly aft, hardly crediting the evidence of my ears, I felt two cold, +wet hands that were gripping the stern-board.</p> + +<p>Hiram gave no heed as Archie and I pulled the brave lad in; but was +fumbling about in search of oars that it might be possible for him to +guide the craft, and thus it was we were driven by the tempest from out +the very midst of the Britishers where they must have been as thick as +ants in a hill, although, fortunately for us, ill inclined to brave the +fury of the blast in the open.</p> + +<p>Every red-coated rascal on duty had sought some place of shelter, and +Hiram must have counted upon this fact when he decided that we would +despoil the enemy of at least one boat, at the same time taking chances +which seemed little short of madness.</p> + +<p>Hiram succeeded in finding that for which he sought, and when he was on +the forward thwart with a pair of oars in his hands, pulling only when +it was necessary to give her a sheer from the land, or toward it, he +said in the tone of one who speaks in a place of security:</p> + +<p>"I call that a mighty neat trick, and if so be you lads are lucky enough +to turn the tables once more on the Britishers in the same clean fashion +that we have done to-night, you can count yourselves on the way to earn +commissions in the American Army."</p> + +<p>"It is you who should have the commission, if this night's work counts +in the eyes of our people,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> I cried, determined that the brave fellow +should have all the credit due him. "Except you had forced us, we would +never have made such a venture, for when we left the prison it seemed to +me you were little better than a madman to make a try for that which has +turned out so happily."</p> + +<p>"There was little of madness in it, lad, when you count that we had +everything our own way. The only surprising part would have been that we +had come across a Britisher while the rain was pouring down as now. I +haven't seen overly many of the king's men; but those I have come across +took good care of their bodies, and hated like the mischief to do that +which might mar the beauty of their flashy uniforms."</p> + +<p>Then it was that Archie spoke for the first time since Hiram hauled him +neck and crop out through the shattered window:</p> + +<p>"If ever the time comes when I can repay you fellows for what you have +done this night, I'll strive hard to make the reckoning even."</p> + +<p>"You'll not do anything of the kind, lad, for we have done only our +duty. I'm hoping every one of us would have worked just as eagerly had +the prisoner been a stranger, for we who count on aiding the Cause must +reckon everyone who loves it, as a friend."</p> + +<p>It was Hiram who spoke, and his tone was so fervent, I might almost say +devout, that I was moved by it more than by the dangers through which we +had just passed, and came to understand better what it meant when we of +the colonies armed ourselves against the king's men.</p> + +<p>"I was expecting to see you because of what Harvey told me; but did not +think for a minute you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> would dare make any effort to set me free," +Archie said after a long pause, and Hiram added with a chuckle of mirth +which I could hear even above the whistling of the wind and the swish of +the waves:</p> + +<p>"It must have surprised you when that 'ere glass was broken in; but I +noticed it didn't take a great while to get your wits about you."</p> + +<p>"I had been warned. Standing near by the window when the lightning +flashed, I saw you, and knew what might be your purpose."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a great night for business like this," and again Hiram chuckled as +if the whole matter was a huge joke. "Here we are in one of his +majesty's own boats, snug as bugs in a wet rug, and being carried faster +than any ten-oared barge could move, we not raising a hand. Talk about +getting out of Boston town! I can't say that it is any great trick, and +we are going as comfortably as possible except, perhaps, that there's a +little too much water about. If this 'ere thunder gust holds out ten +minutes longer we should be well off the Penny ferry. It would give +Silas a good shaking up if we got into camp before he did," and Hiram +laughed long and loud, seeming to enjoy making a noise now that we were +the same as free from pursuit.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Harvey put me to shame by much the same as proving I +had not head enough to hold command of the Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>"I can see full well why Archie should go to Cambridge," he said, forced +almost to scream in order to make his words heard above the noise of the +tempest; "but what puzzles me is why Luke Wright and I are going? It +appears as if we were advertising the fact that we had a hand in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +lad's escape, whereas, by returning to our homes now, and showing +ourselves to-morrow morning in the usual places, no suspicion would be +aroused."</p> + +<p>Hiram stared at the speaker as if in surprise during a dozen seconds, +and then said emphatically:</p> + +<p>"That's no mean head you've got on your shoulders, lad, and it mixes me +up not a little because I was such a simple as not to have thought that +for you and Luke Wright to disappear at the exact time Archie did, would +be much the same as confessing that you had a hand in the neat little +trick done at the Britishers' prison."</p> + +<p>Now that Harvey had spoken, reminding me of my duty, I could understand +full well how foolish we would be to remain with Hiram and Archie. We +could gain nothing by going to Cambridge, because Silas was most like +already on his way there carrying such information as had been gathered, +and the dullest fellow that ever walked the streets of Boston town could +not fail to realize how much of trouble we might be laying up for +ourselves. Therefore it was that I asked quickly of Hiram whether or no +he could work the boat so far in shore that we might land.</p> + +<p>By this time we were well off Barton's point, having sailed around the +easterly end of the town, and the tempest was yet as fierce as when we +set off.</p> + +<p>"Bless your soul, lad, I can put her almost anywhere on this 'ere shore, +though I don't claim to be what you might call a sailor, nor even a good +imitation of one: but it's a mighty poor stick that can't work a pair of +oars."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he swung the little craft around to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> the westward, thus +bringing the full strength of the wind on the port side, which caused +her to make more leeway than headway.</p> + +<p>For some moments I was in doubt as to whether he might be able to work +the trick; but he showed himself on this occasion, as he did many times +in the days that came, a fellow bent upon accomplishing that which he +set out to do, and I verily believe he would have run his neck close +into a Britisher's noose rather than admit that this thing or the other +was impossible for him.</p> + +<p>The storm was well-nigh spent when Harvey and I leaped on shore near the +rope walk; but the wind yet blew strong and steadily so that the journey +might be continued without much labor, if so be Hiram counted on making +land at the Penny ferry.</p> + +<p>"We'll see you before many days have passed!" I cried to Archie, and he +replied:</p> + +<p>"I hope so, Luke Wright, for even though I am going among friends, out +of the king's prison, my heart is sore at parting."</p> + +<p>"Never fear but that we'll meet before growing gray headed," Hiram +added. "It's an even bet, though, that the two of us don't venture into +Boston town within the next ten days."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE SUMMONS</h3> + + +<p>It was as if this escape of Archie's had brought an end to anything of +excitement, so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, and to lads who +were burning with impatience to have a hand in great matters, it +appeared that our people were no longer striving to struggle against the +king.</p> + +<p>Harvey and I, after having been set ashore by Hiram Griffin, succeeded +in making our way down from Barton's point without meeting anyone who +offered to molest us. Perhaps because of the disagreeable weather the +patrol had sought shelter; but for whatsoever reason they seemingly +disappeared off the face of the earth I never troubled my head, since it +enabled us to gain our homes in safety.</p> + +<p>I had fancied a hue and cry would be raised next morning, when it was +discovered that Archie had unceremoniously taken his departure from the +prison; but, so far as concerned the outside world, it was as if nothing +had happened. The lobster backs held their peace; but I was not such a +simple as to believe no effort would be made toward learning who had +given him assistance.</p> + +<p>On that morning when I went down to Dock square after having spent four +or five hours in bed; it was with nervous trembling that I came upon a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +red uniform, whosoever the wearer, fearing lest I might be charged with +having aided in the escape of a prisoner.</p> + +<p>No one appeared to give any attention to me however, and then I listened +for a proclamation by the town crier; but none met my ears, neither did +I see printed notices of any kind referring to Archie.</p> + +<p>During the forenoon I came upon Seth Jepson, and believed it was from +him I would first learn the news; but if that lad had any inkling of the +matter he kept a close tongue in his head. Question as I might, it was +impossible to get from him a single word on the matter, and I finally +came to believe he remained in ignorance of the previous night's doings, +more particularly after he asked me with such an innocent air that I +could not believe it assumed, if we did not propose to make some effort +for the relief of our comrade.</p> + +<p>He had nothing of importance to report, and I left him in Dock square +loitering about in the hope of overhearing some conversation among the +lobster backs which would interest our friends at Cambridge, as I went +boldly through Queen street.</p> + +<p>There it was I met Harvey Pearson, who had come upon much the same +errand as I, and when we were within speaking distance he asked +anxiously:</p> + +<p>"Have you heard anything?"</p> + +<p>"So far not a word. I have just left Seth Jepson, and it is evident he +has failed of learning the news."</p> + +<p>"Can it be the lobster backs haven't missed him yet?" Harvey asked, and +I proposed what might seem reckless:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let us walk past the prison and see if anything has been done toward +mending that window."</p> + +<p>This we did, taking care, however, not to gaze too intently at the walls +of the jail; but seeming to have our attention attracted toward the +opposite side of the street, yet before we were well come up to the +scene of the previous night's adventure it was possible to see that the +mischief wrought by Hiram Griffin had been partially repaired. The bars, +which he had bent with his oaken stick, were not yet straightened, but +had been put into place after a fashion, and the shattered window was +closed with heavy planks.</p> + +<p>There was no longer any question but that the Britishers were well aware +their prisoner had given them the slip, yet why they failed to raise a +hue and cry passed all my understanding. If searchers had been sent out +in the hope of capturing the fugitive, neither Harvey nor I had chanced +to come upon them, which was the more strange because there were many +so-called rebels who lived near to my home, and such section of the town +would have seemed to be the best hunting ground for the red-coats.</p> + +<p>Chew it over as we might, neither Harvey nor I could make head nor tail +of the matter. Both of us had the good sense to realize that it was best +to let sleeping dogs lie, and the less inquisitive we showed ourselves +to be regarding Archie, the least likelihood there was we would bring +suspicion upon ourselves.</p> + +<p>And now, because during the week that followed nothing of import +happened so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, I will pass over that +time with as few words as may be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>During these days Hiram failed to keep his word in regard to coming +back; Archie remained in camp as a matter of course, since it would have +been the height of folly for him to venture into Boston, and it was as +if Silas had decided to stay with the army.</p> + +<p>Seth Jepson seemed striving to show himself exceedingly busy in the work +that had been set him, and took advantage of every opportunity to report +the lightest word he heard from the enemy; but, however, bringing +nothing of importance which would warrant the sending of a message to +our people.</p> + +<p>Harvey and I came to the conclusion that the Britishers believed it best +to keep secret the fact that a prisoner could escape so readily, and +since Archie was no great catch, having been taken into custody only +because found prowling around the streets at night, they were fairly +willing to let go their grip of him.</p> + +<p>During this time, however, General Gage had not been idle. It will be +remembered that I have set down the substance of an agreement between +the selectmen of the town and the king's representative, to the effect +that any person so disposed might leave the town, after having deposited +his weapons at Faneuil Hall.</p> + +<p>I have also stated what Master Nelson and Master Landers had discussed, +and it seemed that the Tories of Boston exerted considerable influence +over General Gage, for after having allowed a few of the people to go +out with their household belongings under the protection of a pass +signed by himself, the governor put his foot down against any women or +children leaving. It was much the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> as if he had said he would not +keep his pledged word.</p> + +<p>We, who were shut up in Boston, learned that the people of Charlestown, +who formerly numbered nearly three thousand, had become so alarmed that +they left their homes, believing the Americans in Cambridge could afford +them better protection than might be had from the king's hirelings. So +thoroughly panic stricken were the inhabitants, that it was said no more +than two hundred now remained in the village.</p> + +<p>We heard now and then of this colony or of that sending troops or money +to our aid, although how the news came I cannot say, and it was +whispered among the people who were true to the Cause, that Rhode Island +had sent as many as fifteen hundred men under Brigadier Nathaniel +Greene.</p> + +<p>Connecticut voted to raise six thousand soldiers, and the Provincial +Congress passed an act authorizing the enrollment of two thousand troops +in addition to those who were already in the field.</p> + +<p>Nor did the Britishers content themselves with the large force already +in Boston. The Cerberus man-of-war came into the harbor having on board, +in addition to the troops, three generals: Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne.</p> + +<p>It was as if General Gage had until this time considered his army too +small to cope with our people, but now that new troops were arrived, +increasing his force to at least ten thousand men, he gathered courage +to impose yet further upon us, and issued a proclamation which declared +the town under martial law, stating in the document that all our people +who favored the Cause were "rebels, parricides of the Constitution." He +offered a free<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> pardon to all who would swear to serve the king loyally, +with the exception of Masters John Hancock and Samuel Adams. These last +two he declared traitors, and offered a reward for their capture.</p> + +<p>We in Boston had had but little liberty under the British rule, and now +were to be treated more like prisoners than before, for any red-coat +holding the king's commission could seize us on the streets, or even +take us from our homes, without form of law; but simply because of his +own whim or suspicion.</p> + +<p>I had more than once, at the time when it was believed General Gage +would be gentleman enough to keep his word and allow the citizens to +leave the town, urged upon my mother that she seek safety near the +American army, but she, dear soul, hesitated to abandon her home, and I +failed to insist as strongly as I might have done, fearing lest her +going would involve mine also, thus depriving me of an opportunity to +serve the Cause with my company.</p> + +<p>Then came the time when the Britisher who called himself a gentleman, +went back on his word, refusing to allow women or children to go out +from the town, and there was no longer an opportunity for her to escape.</p> + +<p>As the days rolled on and we neither saw those of our number who had +fled to Cambridge, nor were called upon for any service, it began to +appear to me as if I need not have been so eager to remain in Boston +because of the Minute Boys, since most like there were so many men +joining the American army that lads were no longer considered of any +account.</p> + +<p>Then came the day when Hiram Griffin suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> appeared, coming to my +home at the moment when my mother and I were breaking our fast, and one +might have fancied from his manner and the business-like way in which he +spoke, that no more than a dozen hours had passed since we last saw him.</p> + +<p>I literally overwhelmed him with questions, so eager was I to learn of +Archie, and what progress our people might have been making against the +king which had not come to us in Boston, until before each had satisfied +the other's curiosity the forenoon was nearly half spent.</p> + +<p>He told me that he and my comrade had arrived at Cambridge the morning +after the escape, having encountered no danger on the way, and being +forced to land at the Penny ferry owing to the fact that the wind blew +so strongly they could not hope to pull the boat down to the Charles +river. Silas had gained the encampment and unfolded his budget of news +before they arrived.</p> + +<p>From some of our people who came out of the town under pass from General +Gage, it was learned that no action had been taken by the Britishers +regarding Archie's escape, yet it was not safe for him to venture into +Boston. Silas had remained with the army because, so his father +believed, there was no real need of his coming back until work had been +found for us Minute Boys to do. Master Brownrigg claimed that there were +enough of us in town to get all the information regarding the Britishers +that could be desired. In fact, as Hiram represented it, there was +little need for us lads to act the part of spies while so many of our +people could procure a British pass.</p> + +<p>Now, however, was come the time when we lads, were called upon to show +of what metal we were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> made, and, therefore, Hiram had been sent to +summon the Minute Boys; not on an expedition of a warlike nature, much +to my sorrow, but simply to aid in the work of gathering supplies for +the army at Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Our soldiers numbered no less than sixteen thousand, so Hiram assured +me, and while the people from the country round about gave generously +from their stores, it was a difficult matter for the leaders, all +unprepared as they were to care for such a body of men, to keep up the +supply of provisions. It had been decided that, not only in order to +provide rations for our own people, but to aid in cutting off food from +the enemy, the farms on the islands near to Boston were to be ravaged +and everything eatable, whether belonging to friend or foe, was to be +transported to Cambridge, if indeed that might be done.</p> + +<p>Now it seems, as I learned later, for he himself was all too modest to +admit having been given command of an important undertaking, that Hiram +had been charged with the work of seizing on Noddle and Hog islands such +provisions as might be found, to which end he was provided with two +small sloops, and had selected from the army four men whom he could +trust to aid him in the task.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course such small force was all insufficient to perform +the necessary labor; but he had hit upon the plan of impressing us +Minute Boys into service, and therefore it was that during the night, +and despite the strict guard kept by the Britishers, one of his vessels, +taking advantage of a stiff breeze, had set him ashore near to Hudson's +point, from which place he made his way to my home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now this is my plan;" he said to me when we were done with swapping +information. "You have from now until nearly midnight to call your +company together at the rope walk where I landed. Sometime between then +and daybreak my comrades will either come near to the land in one of the +sloops, or send two or three boats to bring you off, and an hour after +sunrise, if so be everything goes as I have reckoned, we will be putting +aboard a cargo of such stuff as shall fill the stomachs of those who are +loitering near to Cambridge awaiting a good chance to slap his majesty +in the face."</p> + +<p>At the time it did not appear to me we Minute Boys were called upon to +play any very heroic part in the so-called "rebellion." It seemed that +there would be little of glory gained in loading the sloops with live +stock, wheat and corn, and yet before the task was accomplished we +Minute Boys of Boston saw what was a veritable battle, although on a +small scale, but with as good an opportunity of shedding one's blood as +the most ardent warrior could have desired.</p> + +<p>I smile even at this late day when I think of what a simple I showed +myself to be while setting about the task, for on summoning my comrades +I was ashamed to tell them we were to work like drovers and farmers +rather than as soldiers, therefore led each to understand we were bent +on some secret mission to an island near by. And when one and another +speculated as to the possible danger to be encountered, or of the +opportunities of showing ourselves worthy to be called soldiers, I +nursed such fancies until they believed we were going as an independent +company to slaughter or to capture whole squads of trained, red-coated +soldiers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>As a matter of course I set about the work of getting speech with each +of my company immediately Hiram had finished explaining matters, and so +difficult was it to find them all, scattered about the town as they +were, that night had come before I returned to my home.</p> + +<p>Then I had succeeded in warning every member of the company, even +including Seth Jepson, to be at the rope walk on Barton's point, +recommending that they come singly, rather than in couples or squads, so +that there might be less chance to arouse suspicion, and right weary was +I from much running to and fro.</p> + +<p>Mother had made ready a hearty supper because of my having fasted at +noon, and Hiram and I ate until the wonder was that we were not so heavy +as to be incapable of active exercise. But when we set out for the +rendezvous I speedily learned that whether my companion had spared the +food, or devoured more than his share, it was possible for him to move +at such a pace as caused me to breathe quickly and hard in the effort to +keep at his heels.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that we could go from my home to Barton's point +through the streets without coming upon some of the lobster backs, for +since the town was put under martial law the watch had been replaced by +soldiers, and there were so many of them patrolling the streets 'twixt +sunset and sunrise that one could hardly poke his nose outside the door +without brushing it against half a dozen.</p> + +<p>We were not delayed in the short journey, however, because of my +familiarity with the gardens and byways on the route, which admitted of +our making fair progress while shunning the streets, and he who could +have pounced upon us would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> indeed have been a quicker-witted lobster +back than I have yet seen.</p> + +<p>When we arrived at the rope walk we found some of the lads overly +impatient, as indeed they had good cause to be, for those whom I warned +earlier in the day had gone immediately to the rendezvous, therefore +were forced to cool their heels there from six to eight hours, which +must have seemed a long time when you realize that they were literally +burning with impatience to play the part of soldiers, and I could not +but ask myself with somewhat of anxiety, how they might view the +situation when coming to understand that they were to be employed as +drovers, or in carrying bags of grain from the shore to the vessels?</p> + +<p>"Are they all here?" Hiram asked me when standing beneath the shelter of +a lean-to which served as store-house, as he surveyed my company.</p> + +<p>"Ay, every one of them," I replied carelessly, believing it was possible +to see them all, and as I spoke Harvey Pearson piped up in his shrill +voice:</p> + +<p>"All save Seth Jepson. An hour ago he suddenly remembered that he must +attend to some work which his mother had laid out for him, and went off +at full speed, promising to come back before you showed yourselves."</p> + +<p>"So! He's the lad you believed might have a leaning toward Toryism," +Hiram said sharply as he wheeled about to face me, and on the instant I +understood that he doubted the truth of Seth Jepson's excuse for leaving +the company.</p> + +<p>"How long did he stay here?" I asked of Harvey, whom I knew to have been +one of the first to arrive at the rendezvous.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps a couple of hours. I did not take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> much heed of the time +because we were all speculating as to what duty might be required of us, +and therefore the minutes passed swiftly."</p> + +<p>"Are all the others here?" and Hiram turned once more to me.</p> + +<p>In order to be certain this time I called the names of each lad in turn, +and, counting them, found we had thirteen present, which, with Archie +and Silas, whom Hiram said were on board one of the sloops, made up our +full number.</p> + +<p>It could readily be seen that Griffin was sorely disturbed in mind +because of Seth's absence, and his uneasiness was speedily shared by +Harvey and me as we put our heads together, trying to make out how the +lad might do us harm.</p> + +<p>Once more I came to believe him an arrant Tory who had joined the +company only that he might betray it. This was the first opportunity he +had had to play the traitor, and it seemed of a verity he counted to +take advantage of it, understanding that now was come the time when the +king's men might find us in unlawful assemblage with a member of the +American army in our midst.</p> + +<p>"He had no chance to betray us before, and has therefore acted as if his +desires and ours run in the same channel," I said bitterly to Harvey, +striving in vain to hit upon some plan by which we could thwart Seth's +purpose. "Now has come the time when he may lay us all by the heels, and +he intends to do it as surely as you and I stand here."</p> + +<p>"Ay, so it appears to me," Harvey replied. "It is not reasonable to +suppose the fellow would have left home knowing he was like to be gone +several days, without first having made everything ready for his +absence. Thus suddenly remembering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> something his mother told him to do, +is a childish excuse, and shows that he thinks we are a party of idiots +to take any stock in him."</p> + +<p>"How long think you would it take a lad to go from here to the +governor's house, have speech with him, and come back?" Hiram asked, and +I knew full well he was trying to figure how many moments of freedom +were left to us.</p> + +<p>Harvey declared it might be done in less than two hours; but I was of +the mind that much more time would be required, because even a Tory lad +would not speedily be admitted into the presence of his high-mightiness, +Governor Gage. Then there were the chances that this governor sent by +the king might not be at home, or, receiving Seth at once, some little +time would be required to muster a squad of soldiers, for it was likely +that if they counted on taking into custody thirteen lads and a man a +considerable show of force would be made. Therefore it was I set it down +as three hours before we had good right to expect any result from Seth's +sudden remembrance of his mother's desires.</p> + +<p>"We'll make it two hours and run no risk," Hiram said after a moment's +thought, and fell to pacing to and fro as if struggling to solve some +question which he found difficult of answer.</p> + +<p>Little was said by us lads as we stood there beneath the shelter of the +lean-to. Each realized that in a short time he might be a prisoner, and +all knew, or believed they knew, that there was much trouble in store +for us through Seth Jepson.</p> + +<p>During an hour I believe the only words I heard spoken were concerning +what this lad or that would do to the traitor when the opportunity came, +until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> tiring of hearing such idle words I said to Harvey impatiently:</p> + +<p>"It is of little use for us who are in the frying pan to talk about +throwing another into the fire. Instead of striving to decide how you +may serve out Seth Jepson, when it is likely he will get the first blow +at us, spend your time hunting for a means of escape, if so be the +lobster backs come upon us."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to be done in that line," one of the lads said +bitterly, "unless perchance we turn tail now and go to our homes. Then +would Seth Jepson be in a pretty muddle because of having led the +lobster backs here on what appeared as a false scent."</p> + +<p>This idea caught the fancy of many. By our dispersing instantly Seth +would seemingly show himself a lad ready to make mischief among the +king's people. It would be a mighty neat way of turning the tables on +the traitor, and right thoroughly would I have loved to do it but for +the fact that we would be abandoning Hiram.</p> + +<p>Before many minutes had passed I came to understand that there was +certain danger of our failing in this the first real work which had been +given us to do, for as the lads discussed the matter they became more +and more impressed with the idea of hoodwinking the traitorous Tory and +the lobster backs at the same time. They began to believe it would be of +more importance thus to prove Seth a liar, than to join in the business +on which Hiram was engaged.</p> + +<p>It required all the arguments I could bring to mind, to hold them there +in a body, and so insistent on carrying out their plan did some of them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +become, that I was forced to call on Hiram, who speedily put an end to +their insubordination by saying in a scornful tone:</p> + +<p>"A fine set of lads are you to call yourselves Minute Boys, who haven't +learned that a soldier's first and last duty is to obey! Because of +seeing some chance to play a trick on a scurvy Tory, you would +straightway throw all orders to the wind, leaving me to return to +Cambridge to make report that the Minute Boys of Boston refuse to follow +where duty calls. Do you not realize that if Seth Jepson brought the +lobster backs here, and failed to find you, he would give to whatsoever +officer accompanied him the name of each and every one, to the end that +'twixt now and morning you might be ferreted out and lodged in prison? +There's like to be two ends to such a trick as you would play, and I'm +thinking he would come out best in the end."</p> + +<p>"But by staying we are like to be taken into custody, if so be your +vessels or boats fail to come on time," one of the company suggested, +and Hiram replied in ringing words:</p> + +<p>"Ay, and then would you have no reason for shame, since to be captured +while performing a duty is often the fate of a soldier, and does not +work to his discredit; but suppose you refuse to obey the orders which I +have brought, and then are taken, like rats in their nests, false to the +Cause, false to your friends, and false to yourselves? How about it +then?"</p> + +<p>It was as if he had lashed them with a whip. The lads shrank back into +the further corner of the lean-to as if unable to stand against his +anger and scorn, and I noted well that those who talked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> the loudest of +the pleasure of playing the trick on Seth, were showing the greatest +fear of Hiram.</p> + +<p>It was all very well, however, to speak of doing our duty; but not so +pleasant to remain there with no means of escape, knowing beyond a +peradventure that within a couple of hours at the longest the lobster +backs would be upon us. While there was no thought in my mind of +sneaking away, I was frightened by the prospect before me, and all the +more so because Hiram appeared so disturbed. He went from the building +to the edge of the water twenty times in as many minutes, striving to +pierce the gloom with his eyes, hoping to see the boats which, according +to his arrangements, should have been there before then.</p> + +<p>Finally, when he had remained on the shore gazing seaward longer than +usual, I went to him and asked in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"Is there any chance they may have mistaken your plans, and will fail to +come to-night?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever, lad, unless some accident has befallen them, for +everything was mapped out as plainly as could be done by words. It was +on Hog island we were to do our first work; one of the sloops was to go +there, while the other, towing all our small boats, should have been off +this point an hour ago."</p> + +<p>"What is to be done?" I asked helplessly.</p> + +<p>"Nothing save stand here and take our medicine like men. We won't give +over hope until the last minute, for even when the red-coats are in +sight, there may be a chance for us to slip off in the darkness if so be +the boats are at hand."</p> + +<p>Then came a weary time of waiting which seemed long because of our +anxiety. I could well fancy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> there was in the mind of every lad, as in +mine, a picture of the prison into which we would speedily be thrust, +and thus an end be put to all our dreams of glory that was to come while +working for the Cause.</p> + +<p>As the minutes passed and we failed to hear any sound from out over the +waters betokening the coming of those who were to meet us, it was only +with difficulty I refrained from crying aloud in my impatience and fear, +and when one of the boys moved suddenly, breaking the silence, I started +in alarm, believing the lobster backs were close at hand.</p> + +<p>When two full hours had passed, and we knew beyond a peradventure that +Seth had played the traitor, it seemed as if our time of trial was close +at hand. Hiram paced to and fro along the shore, ceasing either to +return to the building, or make reply when I attempted to speak with +him. All his mind was fixed upon that vague space in the darkness from +out of which he was striving to see that which we so sorely needed, and +then when it did come he was like unto one who has received a cruel +blow. Staggering as if drunken, he said hoarsely to me who chanced to be +standing by his side:</p> + +<p>"They are coming, and just in time to save our necks, for I question +whether the red-coats would give us much more of a breathing spell!"</p> + +<p>The lads who had been crouching in the lean-to, most like trembling with +fear, now rushed out to where Hiram and I stood knee-deep in the water +as if the enemy was so near that a few more inches of distance might +save us, and there we remained, alternatingly turning landward expecting +to hear the tread of armed men, and straining our eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> into the gloom +to see more clearly the approaching boats.</p> + +<p>The first craft which came ashore brought Archie Hemming, and no sooner +did her bow grate upon the shingle than he leaped over, clasping me in +his arms as if I had only recently escaped from the grave, but to my +mind there was no time to indulge in any show of affection, and almost +thrusting him from me, I whispered:</p> + +<p>"It is plain Seth Jepson has played the traitor, by going after the +lobster backs to take us into custody while we remain here. There is no +time to be lost; we must embark on the instant."</p> + +<p>There was little need for me to urge that the moments were precious.</p> + +<p>As three boats, one after another, came up to the shore, our company of +Minute Boys leaped into them until each had its full cargo, and I +believe not more than four minutes passed from the time Archie had +clasped me in his arms before we pushed off and were heading out into +the darkness toward where the sloop lay.</p> + +<p>And we had left that shore none too soon, for our little fleet could +hardly have been swallowed up by the gloom before we heard the tramp of +men, and a few seconds later came the sound of angry voices, telling of +the Britishers' disappointment in failing to trap us.</p> + +<p>We had turned a neater trick on Seth Jepson than would have been +possible had we gone back to our homes when the matter was first +suggested, for now he might indeed give our names to the king's +officers; but they would fail to find us in Boston town, and who could +say when we had left?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>HOG ISLAND</h3> + + +<p>We were safe on board the sloop, which lay about half a mile from the +shore, and once there I ceased to speculate overmuch as to what might be +the result of Seth Jepson's treachery. That he had proven himself a +traitor there was no longer the slightest chance for doubt, and I was +resolved that if my life was spared the day should come when he would +pay a heavy penalty for his dastardly crime.</p> + +<p>Now, however, he had no part in our lives, nor would it be in his power +to work us a wrong unless we might make an attempt to enter Boston town +while the Britishers held possession.</p> + +<p>For the time being it was enough that our company was at last fully +embarked upon some service which had to do with the Cause, and while it +would have pleased me beyond the power of words to express, if we had +been called for some service with more of danger and more befitting +soldiers than that of the transportation of grain, I was in a certain +degree content, even if for no other reason than that our people at +Cambridge had remembered there was such a company as the Minute Boys of +Boston.</p> + +<p>No time was lost in getting under way for the short voyage to Hog +island. It seemed to me that Hiram Griffin believed every moment +precious, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> he urged the crew of the sloop to their utmost, and once +we were on our course, he questioned the helmsman if he was steering in +as nearly a straight line as might be possible.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, Archie, Silas and I came together immediately we +gained the deck of the sloop, for there was much we had to say to each +other, although the lads so lately from Cambridge could not tell me more +concerning the doings of our people than Hiram had already done.</p> + +<p>Archie would have spent the time giving words to his gratitude because +of what Harvey, Hiram and I had done toward effecting his release; but I +was not minded thus to waste the precious moments when he might, +instead, be telling me what he had seen while with our army.</p> + +<p>We three were talking fast and earnestly, having ample food for +conversation; but I took heed to the efforts which Hiram was making +toward a speedy arrival at our destination, and my curiosity became so +great I could not refrain from asking if he feared pursuit.</p> + +<p>"I do not <i>fear</i> it lad; but according to my way of thinking the chances +are more than even we shall be followed speedily, for those lobster +backs whom Seth Jepson led to the rope walk will be thick-headed indeed +if they fail to understand that we left Boston town by water. It is +possible they may charge him with having led them on a wild goose chase; +but I'm not figuring that such will be the case."</p> + +<p>"And you believe they may come in pursuit?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it will amount to much the same thing, though I allow that their +chief purpose won't be to take us into custody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why then should they give chase?" I asked in surprise, and Hiram +replied in a low tone, as if he feared lest the other lads might +overhear him:</p> + +<p>"You must know that our people in Cambridge are not the only ones who +need to be fed. The king's men are famous meat-eaters, and General Gage +is not such a simple but that he has understood some time since that two +birds might be killed with one stone if he acted promptly. To prevent us +from getting supplies in the country back of Boston town would be +impossible; but he can take steps to stop us from picking up what may be +found on the islands, and in so doing not only deprive the Americans of +such an amount of food, but take possession of it for his own troops."</p> + +<p>I grew so surprised as he went on with his explanations that it had been +impossible to interrupt him. While he had told to me in Boston what our +people would have the Minute Boys do, I fancied it was the simplest of +tasks, being all labor and no danger. Now, however, I was coming to +understand that while acting as drovers we might find employment as +soldiers, and when he ceased speaking I said in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"Would you resist in case the king's men came upon us while we were +taking a cargo on board?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I would, if so be they had no larger force than two to our +one."</p> + +<p>"Have you then soldiers on board the other sloops?" I asked, not yet +understanding his purpose.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I have not; where would be the need of others when here are all +the Minute Boys of Boston?" he said laughingly.</p> + +<p>"But while the Minute Boys may be ready to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> resist the king's men, they +could not make much of a fist at it without weapons, and we have nothing +of the kind."</p> + +<p>"In that you are making a mistake. There are on board the other sloop +muskets and ammunition enough to serve us through quite a battle, if so +be you lads have what is needed in the way of backbone."</p> + +<p>"Then there is a chance we may have to fight with the lobster backs?" I +cried, forgetting that in event of an encounter more than one, perhaps, +of our company might be killed, so eager was I that the Minute Boys +should have an opportunity of showing what they could do.</p> + +<p>"I count it more than a chance, lad. It is an even thing, according to +my way of thinking, now that your precious Tory has given notice to the +Britishers of our intention. Unless all hands of them are asleep, one or +more vessels will be sent out to-morrow morning to overhaul us, +therefore it is I am eager to begin the work of taking on cargo as +speedily as may be, so that if they come upon us with too large a force +we shall be ready for flight, and not go away empty-handed."</p> + +<p>I was near to blessing Seth Jepson because of having played the traitor, +since it might result in our winning a name for the Minute Boys, and +without delay I went back to my comrades, hurriedly giving them to +understand that at last our company was to be armed as befitted +soldiers, even though we were lads, and, what was to me the more +gratifying, it was possible that we would be called upon to measure +strength with the lobster backs.</p> + +<p>From this moment all was excitement among our lads. I question if there +was one of them who did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> not, like myself, fail to count the danger, +because of his eager desire to prove that we might be trusted to do the +work of men.</p> + +<p>The sloop was a dull sailor, or so it seemed to us lads who were burning +with impatience to come up with the other vessel that we might get the +weapons in our hands, for only then would it appear as if we were real +soldiers of the American army.</p> + +<p>We could not quicken the movements of the sluggish craft fret as we +might, and when, as balm to my impatience, I would have talked with +Hiram concerning the possibilities of the future, he showed no further +inclination to converse on the matter, thus proving, as I believed, that +he was more anxious concerning the outcome of the venture than he would +permit us to see, all of which was most gratifying because it accorded +well with my desires.</p> + +<p>Despite the apparently slow progress of the sloop, we were come to +anchor between Noddle and Hog islands before there were any signs of +coming day, and it can well be fancied that we Minute Boys lost no time +in taking possession of the weapons.</p> + +<p>These, together with the ammunition, had been stored in the cuddy of the +sloop, and after each of us lads had selected a musket I saw there were +no less than a dozen remaining, while of powder and balls it seemed to +me the amount was so great that we could not use it all even though we +loaded and discharged our muskets with reasonable rapidity during an +entire day.</p> + +<p>While we were thus engaged in what might seem to some like a childish +fashion, Hiram had seen to it that the two sloops were warped in as +close to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> the shore as was possible without danger of their going +aground. The holds of the vessels had been cleared, the hatches removed, +tackles for hoisting gotten into place, and, in fact, everything made +ready for the taking on of a cargo.</p> + +<p>By this time day was come, although the sun had not yet risen, and Hiram +began the work in hand by asking me to call the names of three lads who +should be left on board the sloops as sentinels, and when I had done as +was desired, he said to them, speaking gravely and with the air of one +who sees in the future more of danger than he is willing to admit:</p> + +<p>"You lads are to keep sharp watch. Do not let your attention be drawn to +the shore, for nothing threatens from that quarter; but remain +constantly on the alert for approaching vessels. Don't fail to give an +alarm the instant you make out a craft bearing to the eastward after +passing Morton's point. It may be that the lives of all of us who go +ashore will depend on your faithful discharge of duty, therefore act as +soldiers should. When you have made certain that any vessel, or boat +with a considerable number of men on board, is coming in this direction, +discharge one of the muskets, after which make ready to help us on board +with whatsoever we may bring."</p> + +<p>Then Hiram, together with the remainder of us Minute Boys and the men he +had brought with him to work the sloops, went on shore, and at the first +farmer's dwelling we came upon I understood that our visit was not +unexpected.</p> + +<p>Fifty or more sheep were penned in a small enclosure, and John Weston, +the owner of the land,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> together with his son, were busily engaged +putting grain into bags that it might the more readily be transported.</p> + +<p>We began our work by stacking arms and setting to at the task of +carrying the sheep to the shore, bundling them into the small boats, and +then pulling out to the sloops.</p> + +<p>Where there were so many laborers the task was soon completed, and then +came the more fatiguing portion of the business, meaning the +transportation of the grain.</p> + +<p>However, we set to it with a will for there was one more farm on Hog +island which should be visited, and Hiram, fearing lest we might be +interrupted, urged us to our utmost.</p> + +<p>The day was warm; the bags of grain far too heavy for easy handling, and +in a short time I was so weary that but for Hiram's shouts of +encouragement or reproaches, I should have ceased work for a short time +of rest.</p> + +<p>It was just at the moment when I had made up my mind to declare I could +not continue the labor until after having a breathing spell, that the +report of a musket rang out on the still air so startlingly that each +fellow who had a burden dropped it to look hastily about, and those who +were empty-handed, including Hiram, ran with all speed to the shore.</p> + +<p>I was among the foremost, and having reached a bend where it was +possible to get a fairly good view to the westward, an exclamation of +dismay burst involuntarily from my lips as I saw a schooner-rigged craft +coming around the westerly end of Noddle island.</p> + +<p>"It's bound to be the Britishers!" some one near<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> me exclaimed, and I +replied, speaking somewhat petulantly because of my fears:</p> + +<p>"Who else could it be, coming from that quarter? Our people would not +despatch a craft of that size after having sent two sloops, and +therefore it may be we'll have use for that ammunition 'twixt now and +noon."</p> + +<p>Hiram had arrived at the shore almost on my heels, and having taken a +good look at the oncoming craft cried:</p> + +<p>"Now is the time when you must work lively, lads, in order to get all +the grain aboard if it be possible! We have a good hour before us, +according to the way yonder craft is sailing, and should be able to +clean up all that John Weston has made ready for us."</p> + +<p>Then, as we lads started on a run for the farm-house, he shouted to the +watchers on deck:</p> + +<p>"Don't lose sight of that vessel for an instant, and give the signal +when she is come up to yonder small fir tree on Noddle island!"</p> + +<p>Having said this he turned about to work as desperately as ever man +could, crying out against him who lagged ever so little, and encouraging +by words and example those who were putting forth every effort.</p> + +<p>I dare venture to say that Farmer Weston's grain was never handled more +quickly than on this occasion, and we had all of it aboard, with the +exception of mayhap ten bags, when a cry from the shore warned us that +the enemy had approached to within the distance set by our leader.</p> + +<p>Now it must be borne in mind that all these goods had been put aboard +one of the sloops, leaving the other clean, so far as concerned a cargo, +and I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> not a little surprised when Hiram gave the word for the four +men to go on board the laden vessel to make ready for getting under way. +Then we lads were sent into the empty craft, in which was stored the +ammunition, and word was given to "up anchor and hoist the canvas."</p> + +<p>"Is it a case of running away?" I asked sharply of the leader, who, with +half a dozen of the lads, was swaying down on the mainsail, and he +replied, speaking with difficulty because of his heavy breathing:</p> + +<p>"One of the sloops will try to run away; but it won't be ours."</p> + +<p>I now understood full well what was his plan. We were to engage the +enemy in a regular battle so that the other sloop, laden with +provisions, might succeed in going free. I am willing to confess that +despite all my previous longings to show myself worthy of being a +soldier, the cold chill of fear began to run up and down my spine, as I +realized that the time was come when we must strive to kill while others +were doing their best to shed our blood.</p> + +<p>I question much, now that I have taken part in other conflicts, whether +any one, man or lad, ever looks forward to an action at arms without a +certain degree of uneasiness, even of fear. If there had been on board +the laden sloop a party of our people whom we were struggling to save, +then there would have been something heroic in thus engaging in an +unequal struggle to the end that better lives than ours might not be +taken. As it was, however, we would be fighting for a lot of sheep and a +certain amount of grain, which seemed to me worthless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> in comparison +with the life of any one member of the company.</p> + +<p>I failed to take heed of the fact that by getting the cargo past the +Britishers, thus preserving it for the use of our people, we might be +sparing those who had devoted themselves to the Cause much of suffering +by way of hunger, and this would be a good and sufficient reason why we +should shed our blood.</p> + +<p>All this which I have set down passed through my mind as does a flash of +lightning across a darkened sky, and meantime we were forging toward the +schooner, while the second sloop was being got under way more leisurely, +swinging around in such position that we remained between her and the +Britishers.</p> + +<p>By this time it was possible to see clearly those who stood on the +schooner's deck, and, as nearly as I could judge, that mass of red which +showed amid-ships was made up of no less than twenty soldiers, all fully +armed, and with the sunlight glistening upon bayonet and buckle until it +seemed as if each piece of metal was throwing off a tiny jet of flame.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer did we draw to this danger, while the other sloop was +creeping around to northward, ready to take advantage of the southerly +breeze when we had put ourselves into position to prevent pursuit on the +part of the Britishers, and in the meanwhile Silas, Harvey and Hiram +were bringing ammunition into the cabin, distributing among the Minute +Boys a generous supply of powder and balls.</p> + +<p>I believe that no more than two hundred yards separated our sloop from +the schooner when Hiram<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> said in a low tone, but one which thrilled me +to the marrow:</p> + +<p>"If we would aid the Cause, lads, now has come the time when each must +stand to his musket without sign of fear, whatever may be in his heart. +There is no chance a fight can be avoided, unless so be you are willing +to show the white feather by turning tail. Remember that not every +British bullet finds its billet, for the king's men are known to be +mighty poor marksmen, however soldierly their appearance. When the +scrimmage opens, set about the work of shooting down those who have come +to oppress us yet more bitterly, as if you were firing at squirrels. +Don't waste your shot; but take careful aim. Now let each lad conceal +himself as best he may under the rail so that no more than his head and +arms be exposed to view."</p> + +<p>This little speech heartened me wonderfully, as I know it did many of +the other lads, because their faces brightened and they clutched their +muskets with a certain show of determination which told that they would +do their best to obey the command.</p> + +<p>We made our preparations as Hiram had suggested, and were none too soon +in gaining the protection of the rail, for before he who was our leader +had made any move toward screening himself, a volley of bullets came +whistling over our heads.</p> + +<p>The aim of the Britishers was poor, for not a missile came within ten +feet of the deck, but the jib and mainsail looked like a sieve.</p> + +<p>Then I shouted to Hiram that he should obey his own command and get +behind the rail.</p> + +<p>"Some one must steer the sloop lest we fail of putting her in such a +position that our consort may go free. Get to your work since the +lobster backs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> have opened the game, and let them see what kind of +marksmen are the Minute Boys of Boston. Now then, lads, fire as you +please so that you take steady aim!"</p> + +<p>I believe it was Harvey Pearson who first discharged his musket, and I +saw a red-coat reel back, his arm, which had been raised to charge his +musket, falling heavily at his side.</p> + +<p>Then came our answer to the opening fire, the sharp crackle of musketry +seemingly running the whole length of the port rail, and on the instant +the compact mass of red was shrunken, with here and there gaps which +told that more than one had been stretched upon the deck.</p> + +<p>After having emptied my gun, and while recharging it, I turned ever so +slightly to look at our consort, which was now edging away to the +westward, we having come so far up on the enemy's quarter that he could +not have turned in pursuit without running afoul of us.</p> + +<p>Now as to what was done in particular during the next ten minutes or +more I cannot rightly set down, because so great was my excitement and +so intense the fever which had come upon me after the first volley, +while the acrid odor of burning powder assailed my nostrils, that I +hardly know what I myself did.</p> + +<p>I was like unto one in the delirium of fever; it seemed as if there was +a red veil before my eyes; I loaded and discharged my musket, taking aim +as best I could, rapidly until the barrel of the weapon was so hot that +I threw it on the deck, running into the cabin to get from the spare +weapons a cool one.</p> + +<p>As I came up the companion-way, brushing past Hiram who shouted +something in my ear, I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> not what, I was dimly conscious of seeing +the laden sloop standing well over on the northern shore, every inch of +canvas set and drawing.</p> + +<p>Then I began to charge the weapon, and while so doing glanced +involuntarily across the deck, seeing here and there a tiny thread of +dull red. On the instant my heart turned cold, for until then I had had +no thought that any of our lads were hurt.</p> + +<p>"Some of the boys are wounded!" I cried shrilly, turning to Hiram, and +then I saw that his left arm hung by his side as if useless, while he +held the tiller with his right hand, standing astride it that his legs +might aid him in the grip.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, some of us must pay the price, although I reckon we are making +it tolerably expensive for the lobster backs."</p> + +<p>It was the first time since the action began that I could see clearly, +and glancing across the narrow space of water which separated the two +vessels, I saw that the mass of red had dwindled until no more than six +or seven lobster backs stood opposed to us, while three sailors were +doing whatsoever they could toward wearing ship in order to take to +their heels.</p> + +<p>It was a sight which filled me with astonishment and pride. That the +Minute Boys of Boston, not one of whom was above fifteen years old, had +saved for the American army all the provisions that were on board the +sloop which was now sailing away to the westward, seemed too good to be +true, and, what was absolutely amazing, these same lads had thrashed the +king's men, those who had come to the colony for the purpose of whipping +us into subjection—thrashed them, until their only desire was to run!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 437px;"> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="437" height="650" alt=""'WHO SHALL SAY NOW THAT WE HAVEN'T THE RIGHT TO CALL +OURSELVES MINUTE BOYS?'"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"'WHO SHALL SAY NOW THAT WE HAVEN'T THE RIGHT TO CALL +OURSELVES MINUTE BOYS?'"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<p>I became as wildly delirious with joy and pride as I had been during the +turmoil of battle, and, waving the ramrod of the musket above my head, I +cried triumphantly to the lads who were still pouring lead into the +red-coats:</p> + +<p>"Who shall say now that we haven't the right to call ourselves Minute +Boys, and to take our stand side by side with the men at Cambridge?"</p> + +<p>Half a dozen of the lads cheered wildly, after which they again devoted +their attention to the human targets, while Hiram cried as he swung the +tiller down, willing now to give the lobster backs a chance to run away:</p> + +<p>"You have done your work like little men, and when we gain port my first +act will be to ask that I may be permitted to enroll myself among the +Minute Boys of Boston, rather than with the company to which I now +belong."</p> + +<p>Hiram said that "we had done our work," and indeed he was right, for the +battle, and truly it may be called such, was over so far as the +Britishers were concerned. They were now putting forth every effort to +wear ship in order that they might get out of our way, and never one of +those fancifully dressed soldiers of the king had fired a shot during +the past three minutes.</p> + +<p>Had we been blood-thirsty, or, perhaps I may say, had we become hardened +to warfare, we might have shot down every last one of them before they +could get beyond our line of fire; but we lads did not have the heart to +shoot down human beings who were simply struggling to escape, no matter +what crime they might have committed against us.</p> + +<p>In fact, once the musketry fire had ceased and we were given time to see +how much of injury had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> been inflicted upon the Minute Boys, I for one +lost all stomach for further fighting.</p> + +<p>It was sickening to stand where I did well aft, and look along the deck +where were four of our fellows lying upon the planks as if lifeless, +while as many more had a bandaged arm or leg telling of wounds which did +not quench their ardor in the effort to prove themselves worthy of +standing against the king's men as defenders of the Cause.</p> + +<p>As I have said, Hiram allowed the sloop to come well before the wind, +thus giving the schooner's crew an opportunity to put about as they were +so eager to do, and finally when she was brought on a course which would +carry her past Noddle island to the passage eastward of the Charlestown +shore, they clapped on all sail, having had such a bellyful of the +medicine dealt out by us Minute Boys as to make them anxious only to get +under cover.</p> + +<p>Once they were well off, and our consort so far away in the distance +that there was no possibility of her being overtaken, even though the +lobster backs had sufficient pluck remaining to make the attempt, we +lads, wounded as well as sound, sent after them a ringing cheer of +triumph. I can well fancy that those soldiers who had counted on +grinding us of the colonies into the dust with but little effort, must +have felt like hiding their faces for very shame at having been thus +soundly whipped by a company of boys who had never until that moment +even so much as played at being warriors.</p> + +<p>We followed close in the wake of the schooner with scarce sixty yards +between us, and then, had we been so blood-thirsty, we might have picked +off every man that showed himself on her deck, while they could have +inflicted no damage upon us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>Once we had stretched off on a course that would lead us to the mouth of +the Mystic or the Charles river, whichever we saw fit to make, Hiram +gave up the tiller to Archie, who, like myself, had come off without a +scratch, and he and I set about doing whatsoever we could in our +ignorant way for the relief of those who were suffering.</p> + +<p>My heart grew sick within me when we found two of the poor lads lying on +deck still in death; but our first care was necessarily for the living, +and we did whatsoever we could in our poor way for the two who were most +grievously wounded, after which was made an examination of the lesser +injuries.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys had gone into the battle fifteen strong, and, counting +Hiram, we had our full number on board the sloop; two of these had gone +over into that world of the Beyond; two lay, as it seemed to me, nigh +unto death, while five had received what might be called trifling +wounds, although I question whether a fellow who suffers from the pain +caused by a British bullet through the fleshy part of his arm or leg, +would be willing to call the hurt "trifling."</p> + +<p>Long though the list was, it must have been small in comparison with +what we had done to the lobster backs. From all I had seen, it appeared +to me that at least five were put beyond all power of doing harm to us +of the colonies, and I dare venture to say that not more than three or +four of the entire number escaped without some evidence of our skill as +marksmen.</p> + +<p>And now, if you will believe me, in the midst of our rejoicing, for we +did rejoice even though those two poor lads lay in the bow silent and +motionless,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> covered with canvas, Hiram broke out with complaint because +our work had not been finished, whereupon I asked in amazement and no +little anger what he considered the finishing of the task.</p> + +<p>"We failed of getting more than one cargo, and there were two to be had +on Hog island, as I know full well. But for the fact that we are what +you might call short-handed because so many are wounded, I would put +about and pick up what laid ready for our hands but for the coming of +the lobster backs," he said, much as though sorrowing because we had not +been able to do that which an equal number of men would have failed at. +"There is a chance that we might take aboard a bit more of meat and +grain, with the Westons to help us, even if the second farm does stand +two miles from the shore."</p> + +<p>Fancying that I read on his face a half-formed determination to return +to Hog island that very moment, I cried indignantly:</p> + +<p>"The Minute Boys shall not have a hand in anything whatsoever save the +running of this sloop, until those who have been wounded are cared for +by a surgeon. Go whither you will so they can be set ashore where kindly +hands may minister to their hurts; but more than that is not to be done +this day."</p> + +<p>I truly believe Hiram, glutton though he was in behalf of the Cause, +felt more than a little bit ashamed of having suggested that we might +accomplish more, for he made no reply to my angry outburst; but +continued on with me to look after the injured lads, bathing this wound +or giving that sufferer the water which he craved, without heed to his +own injury, which was indeed slight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p>As a matter of course the schooner, having more canvas than we spread to +the breeze, speedily drew away from us; but when she was come to the +passage between Charlestown and Noddle island it was a case of standing +down against the wind, and as we ran past I had a good view of her deck.</p> + +<p>Only five men could I count on their feet, although there might have +been sound ones below; but surely it was that they had suffered more +than we.</p> + +<p>We had no argument as to where it might be best to make a landing, for +with the wind due south it would have been little less than folly had we +attempted to gain the mouth of the Cambridge river. The Britishers could +have sent out guard-boats in sufficient number to board us past all hope +of successful resistance on our part, and once that schooner arrived at +Boston town with the news of what we Minute Boys had done, our rejoicing +must speedily have been changed to wailing.</p> + +<p>Venturesome though Hiram Griffin was, he did not even suggest that we do +other than take such course as was indicated by the direction of the +wind, and we went on past Morton's point, counting to bring the voyage +to an end at near about the Penny ferry, where we surely would find +housing for our wounded, while those who were sound in body might make +their way to the American encampment.</p> + +<p>The laden sloop which we had protected at risk of our lives, could be +seen far in the distance as we swept on up past Morton's point. She had +come to anchor near where I counted we would make land, and from the +number of boats plying between her and the shore, it was easy to +understand that our people had already begun to take from her that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +cargo which had cost the lives of two of the Minute Boys, and the blood +of many others.</p> + +<p>I wish I might set down here, so that all could realize fully, the sense +of satisfaction and of pride which came over me as I saw this token that +our work had been well done! I gave no heed, as had Hiram, to the fact +that we might have brought more from Hog island, for truly, I said to +myself, any person who would set himself as judge of our work must see +that we had accomplished all within reason.</p> + +<p>Now in truth had come the time when we could present ourselves at +Cambridge, and ask with good grace to be considered as part of the +American army, for had we not already shown ample proof of our ability +to stand up against the king's men, and, what is more, beat them +handsomely in fair fight where one would have supposed the odds to be +all against us who were unversed in warfare?</p> + +<p>Somewhat of the same thought must have been in Archie's mind, for as we +two stood side by side well aft, while Hiram was still busying himself +ministering to our wounded, he said in a tone of exultation:</p> + +<p>"Since yesterday we have come off first best against all that a +traitorous comrade could do, and I take no little pride in it, though it +did happen by accident and was so close a shave that we were within a +hair's breadth of being made prisoners. Put that close shave by the side +of what we have done since morning, and then you may say with good +reason that we have been of service to the Cause."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>ON SPECIAL DUTY</h3> + + +<p>When we were come to the Penny ferry our consort had discharged her +cargo, and there were forty or fifty men, I should say, engaged in +driving the sheep and transporting the grain out of harm's way, for, +save as to a few sentinels, our people had no force stationed at that +place.</p> + +<p>After some considerable trouble Archie and I succeeded in getting two +carts with horses to carry our dead and wounded, for I was determined +the bodies of those lads who had given up their lives for the Cause +should be carried where they might receive a soldier's burial.</p> + +<p>Because we were forced to move slowly on account of the wounded, another +day had fully come before we entered the encampment, and I was surprised +at finding that all our people there seemed to know as much concerning +what had been done near Hog island as did we who had taken part in the +action.</p> + +<p>The sailors of the sloop which we had aided to escape, were so loud in +their praise of what the Minute Boys of Boston had done, and so eager to +make every person acquainted with the part we had played, that had we +been veritable heroes the reception accorded us could not have been +warmer.</p> + +<p>Men whom I had never seen before shook me by the hand as if we were +friends of long standing, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> had much to say in praise of the past +day's work. Doctor Warren seemingly made it his especial business to +greet each of us in turn, and repeated again and again that he was not +surprised because of our having shown ourselves men, since he knew the +day we carried his message to Lexington that we had in us the making of +soldiers.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I was proud of being thus received by my elders, +but when my father came up hurriedly, taking me in his arms and kissing +me on the cheek as if I had been a mere child, truly was my cup of +happiness running over!</p> + +<p>I tried to belittle the affair, although way down in my heart I believed +it was of considerable importance; but he would have none of it, +claiming that those who manned the sloop could not have stretched the +truth, since the result showed that we must have acted nobly.</p> + +<p>Now it can well be fancied that we Minute Boys were considerably puffed +up because of all this praise, more particularly when our elders greeted +us as equals. My pride and happiness vanished, however, on that +sorrowful day when our comrades were buried.</p> + +<p>General Ward had issued orders that the lads be committed to the earth +with all the ceremony of a military funeral, and we Minute Boys who were +able to march, acted as guard of honor. It was all very imposing; but at +the same time solemn, and my heart grew chill with fear as to the +future, when I realized that it was more than probable others of our +company would give up their lives before we had won out in this fight +against the king.</p> + +<p>During four or five days after the funeral our company of Minute Boys +remained within the encampment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> for by this time we were come to be +considered a portion of the army, or, a better way of putting it would +be, that our elders recognized us as being worthy of being called +soldiers, and meanwhile Hiram's wound was healed.</p> + +<p>Many, many times during every twenty-four hours did we discuss the +question of going back to Boston town, the greater number of us +believing that we could do better work as spies than by loitering around +the camp, where were so many idle ones.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact we did not, even in our warmest discussions, +consider for a moment that Archie would be warranted in returning, and +all of us understood that most like our names were down in General +Gage's black books, for it was reasonable to suppose that Seth Jepson +had given to the enemy all information concerning us that was possible.</p> + +<p>It was true we might walk the streets of Boston without being recognized +by the lobster backs, even though the hue and cry had been raised, but +should we by accident come upon Seth Jepson, Amos Nelson, or any of that +kidney, then was it certain they would compass our arrest.</p> + +<p>However, despite all the dangers which might attend our entering the +town, Silas and I were hankering to make the attempt. Hiram would give +us no advice either way, claiming that until the wound in his arm had +fully healed, or, in other words, meaning while he was not in condition +to perform a soldier's duty he would take no part in recommending others +to risk their necks.</p> + +<p>I pressed him to know whether, if he was in fit bodily condition, he +would advocate going into Boston on the chance of being able to learn +something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> that might be of importance to our people; but he evaded a +direct answer by saying:</p> + +<p>"All that is as may be. Should it happen that the lobster backs began to +nestle around like a hive of bees making ready to swarm, then it might +be I should say we had best go; but just at present there is nothing to +show that you could learn more than may be picked up by any of our +friends in town."</p> + +<p>Then it was I appealed to Doctor Warren, telling him we Minute Boys were +eager to be up and doing, and that it seemed as if we might be of +assistance as spies; but he cut short the conversation by saying in what +sounded to me like an odd tone:</p> + +<p>"There'll soon be ample work near here, and I see no reason why you lads +should be so venturesome when there is little call for anything of the +kind."</p> + +<p>It is needless to say that I abandoned the idea of going immediately +among the lobster backs, for Doctor Warren's opinion had great weight +with me, and he had spoken so positively against it that I set about +trying to make myself content with the idle life we were leading.</p> + +<p>It was soon proven that I was to get my fill of right down hard work, +together with more of danger than the most gluttonous swashbuckler could +have mapped out.</p> + +<p>I think it was the second, or it might have been the third, day after my +conversation with Doctor Warren, when Hiram Griffin sought me out where +Silas and I lay on our backs in the college yard, sunning ourselves as +do chickens. There was an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> expression of wisdom on his face, as if he +knew more than he intended to impart, when he said to me:</p> + +<p>"Lad, do you know Colonel Prescott of the Pepperell Minute Men?"</p> + +<p>"You yourself pointed him out to me not long ago," I replied lazily.</p> + +<p>"Do you know where his headquarters are?"</p> + +<p>"With his men, I reckon. One of them acted as sailor aboard the sloop +that carried the live stock and grain from Hog island, and you can get +from him what information you need concerning the colonel."</p> + +<p>"It's not information I'm after, lad. You, as captain of the Minute Boys +of Boston, are ordered to report to Colonel Prescott."</p> + +<p>"For duty?" I cried excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon it may be something of the kind, for it don't stand to +reason that such a man as Colonel Prescott sends out orders for a lad +like you to report, if he simply wants an every-day bit of gossip."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Silas! If there's a chance for us Minute Boys to have a finger +in any pie that is baking, don't let's linger here!"</p> + +<p>"Silas best stay where he is," Hiram said, and there was a look of +disappointment on the lad's face, for he was no less eager than I to be +doing something against the lobster backs, and most like burned with +impatience to know what Colonel Prescott might have in hand for us.</p> + +<p>I had but little difficulty in finding the officer who had sent for me, +and he did not keep me in suspense many minutes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How many lads in your company are fit for duty now?" he asked +immediately I stepped before him.</p> + +<p>"Eleven, sir, I believe—twelve if Hiram Griffin calls himself one of us +and can use his arm."</p> + +<p>"Muster your company in front of General Ward's headquarters an hour +before sunset, taking care to provide yourselves with blankets and one +day's rations."</p> + +<p>Having given this command he turned to speak with an officer who was +standing nearby, and seemingly gave no more heed to me, yet I stood like +a simple, rather than one who claimed to be a soldier, awaiting further +information, until mayhap five full minutes had passed when I came to +realize my stupidity. Then saluting, even though his back was turned +toward me, I went out and ran with all speed to where I had left Silas +and Hiram.</p> + +<p>They were awaiting me patiently, evidently counting on my coming +directly back, and once I was within speaking distance Hiram asked +laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Well, did the colonel send for you that he might learn whether the +Minute Boys had any complaint to make regarding their quarters or their +rations?"</p> + +<p>"We are ordered to assemble in front of General Ward's headquarters an +hour before sunset!" I replied breathlessly, giving no heed to his +banter.</p> + +<p>"Then there is some work to be done!" Silas cried joyfully.</p> + +<p>"It must be so since we are to provide ourselves with blankets and a +day's ration."</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking that Colonel Prescott would have been wiser had he +forgotten the blankets and ordered more food," Hiram said with an odd +expression<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> on his face, and I taxed him with knowing more regarding the +purpose for which we were to assemble than he had told us.</p> + +<p>"Nay, lad, whatever may be in my head is only suspicion, aroused by a +word here and a word there dropped by some of our officers. You know I +always hold that a man should gather all the information he can when +there is nothing else to be done. I've had my ears opened mighty wide +since knowing the Committee of Safety held a secret session not long +ago, and from that time out it strikes me there have been many +conversations between our commanders."</p> + +<p>"Tell us what you suspect," Silas demanded, and Hiram shook his head +with the air of one who has come to an end of his budget of news.</p> + +<p>"It is only that we are to make some important move mighty soon, and +more than that I am in the dark. You can set it down as a fact, however, +that this ordering of the Minute Boys to be ready for what looks like +special duty, goes to prove that our people are aiming to give General +Gage a black eye inside of a short time."</p> + +<p>We speculated upon what might be in the wind, during ten minutes or more +without coming to any satisfactory conclusion, and then I realized it +was my duty to make the other lads acquainted with the orders of the +day, so far as they concerned us, therefore I hastened away in order to +find them, for my Minute Boys were prone to scatter all over the +encampment, instead of remaining in any one particular place.</p> + +<p>There is little reason why I should waste words in trying to repeat all +that we said regarding this special duty, or in striving to describe the +joy which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> was felt by all because of our having been ordered to report, +thus showing that we were considered as a portion of the army.</p> + +<p>It may readily be understood that at the appointed time we Minute Boys +were drawn up in line facing General Ward's headquarters, and within the +next fifteen minutes no less than a thousand men filed into the Common +in our rear.</p> + +<p>When we had been there nearly an hour, during which time I could hear +those directly behind me striving in vain to hit upon the duty which was +to be performed, General Ward, Colonel Prescott, and mayhap a dozen +other officers, came out of headquarters, and with them was Parson +Langdon, he who, as I afterward learned, was the president of the +college.</p> + +<p>While we stood at attention the clergyman prayed long and devoutly, thus +proving to my mind, at least, that we were to be engaged in a service of +great danger and much importance.</p> + +<p>After the prayer had been ended there was no little delay caused by a +conference of the officers, who seemed to be at loggerheads about +something, and it was near to nine of the clock before the order was +given for us to march. By this time night had come, and in order that we +might not go astray, Colonel Prescott himself, with two sergeants +carrying dark lanterns which were opened toward the rear, led the way.</p> + +<p>Now although Hiram Griffin had claimed that his wound was still +troubling him, he fell into line with us when we marched down to +headquarters, declaring that it was his right so to do since he +considered himself as belonging to the Minute Boys rather than any other +organization.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>When I would have argued that none but the able-bodied were called for, +he insisted it was possible for him to do as good service as any other +of the company, and refused to give way despite all our urging.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that when we set out on the march in columns of four he +walked by my side. Next him was Archie, and then Silas. Thus we had an +opportunity for conversation, provided our voices were not pitched too +high, for orders had been given that we refrain from making a noise, and +when Colonel Prescott and the two sergeants took the lead with their +lanterns, Hiram said in a low tone to me as if it was a matter that gave +him greatest pleasure:</p> + +<p>"I'm beginning to think this movement is of more importance than I +fancied. You may be certain something of moment is afoot, for a thousand +or more armed men are not sent out under cover of darkness unless for a +weighty reason, but what that may be beats me."</p> + +<p>It was idle for us to speculate as to the future, and yet we did +throughout that march of nearly three hours, although we failed to +succeed in convincing ourselves upon any one point until we were come to +Charlestown Neck. There we found drawn up by the side of the road, wagon +after wagon filled with spades, pick-axes and such like tools, whereupon +Hiram cried suddenly:</p> + +<p>"I'm not claiming to be any great shakes of a soldier; but he must be a +blind man who could not see that our business this night is to throw up +intrenchments at some place, and where should that be, considering the +road we have come, if not in Charlestown?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again did it appear as if our officers were not fully decided upon what +should be done, for Colonel Gridley and Colonel Prescott, together with +a number of captains, consulted a long time, while we remained in line +near the wagons.</p> + +<p>Then we were ordered forward again, nor did that portion of the command +which our Minute Boys followed halt until we were come to a hill in +Charlestown, mostly of pasture land, lying about an hundred and thirty +rods southeast of Bunker hill, where all hands were speedily set to work +with spades and pick-axes throwing up the earth to form breastworks +according to instructions given by Colonel Gridley.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys could handle pick-axe or shovel as well as any man, and +I'll answer for all that they labored most industriously once the work +was laid out for them.</p> + +<p>"If we were hankering for danger, truly we are getting all that is +needed," Archie whispered to me as we stood side by side throwing up the +mound of earth which was to protect our people against the onslaught of +the Britishers. "It seems as if we were close upon the lobster backs, +for more than once have I heard the cries of their sentinels, and unless +the king's ships have changed anchorage since I was last in Boston town, +then they must be near to this shore."</p> + +<p>Our officers understood as well as did Archie or I, how much of danger +there was in our thus working under the very noses of the enemy, for, +when not wielding the pick or shovel, they were walking around among the +men cautioning them against making any noise save that which was +absolutely necessary, until I came to believe there was even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> more of +peril in this undertaking than the lads of our company had fancied.</p> + +<p>The dullest among us could well understand that what was being done must +be finished before daybreak, or else left uncompleted, for it went +without saying that as soon as the Britishers got a glimpse of us, there +would be lively times. We worked like beavers with that thought in mind, +for now it was certain we had been sent to make ready for the coming of +those who were to hold that which we had built, and negligence on our +part might cost the lives of many.</p> + +<p>There was little wonder Parson Langdon had prayed so fervently, for he +must have known we were going down into the very jaws of the lion, +risking our lives an hundred times over, and yet there were many of our +people in the secret who believed it would be impossible for us to do +all that we did.</p> + +<p>Now I am minded to set down what I afterward learned regarding that +night's work, and put it in proper words as told me by another, for I am +not sufficiently well versed in warfare to be able to describe so +important a thing in my own language.</p> + +<p>You must first understand that the easterly and westerly sides of this +hill on which we worked, were very steep. On the easterly side, and near +the foot, were brick kilns, clay pits, and much marshy land, while on +the westerly side was the more central portion of the town itself.</p> + +<p>The redoubt which we built was eight rods square, with the eastern side +bordering a large field or stretch of pasture. On the northern side was +an open passageway, and the breastworks on the easterly side extended +about one hundred yards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> northward. The trench we did not have time to +finish. Between the south end of the breastwork and the redoubt was a +sally-port, and on the inside of the parapet were steps of wood and +earth on which, during an action, men might mount and discharge their +weapons.</p> + +<p>Now even though you may not be versed in warfare, you must realize that +for a thousand men to throw up such a fortification as I have described, +between midnight and daybreak, which came about four of the clock, was a +wonderful piece of work, and in addition to all this two strong fences +made of stones and rails had been built either side of the entire works, +thus forming a fairly good obstacle in case an enemy attempted to make +an attack elsewhere than directly in front. In the rear was the sharp +slope of the hill up which soldiers could not well make their way.</p> + +<p>When the day broke we were all working at our best speed, giving no heed +to fatigue because by this time every man jack among us had come to +understand the importance of the labor. Then it was the lobster backs +gave the first warning that they had discovered what we were about.</p> + +<p>His majesty's ship <i>Lively</i>, which was lying at anchor midway between +the ferry and Morton's point, suddenly opened fire with her great guns, +and upon the instant we dropped our intrenching tools, standing erect as +if expecting to be attacked immediately; but straightway I heard Colonel +Prescott cry out:</p> + +<p>"Keep to your work, lads, that ship can do no harm to us, and before the +red-coats have got their wits fully about them we can strengthen these +defenses amazingly!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>As a matter of fact the missiles from the ship were passing directly +over us as we worked within the intrenchment, and after I had heard two +or three balls sail across with an ominous whistling, I gave no more +heed than if they had been so many locusts singing in the air.</p> + +<p>Reeking with perspiration, aching in every joint, and knowing full well +that within a short time we would have all the king's men striving to +dislodge us, we Minute Boys did our portion of the work with the men, +and it gave me no little pride to see that never one of them shirked, +although here and there I could see great hulking farmers throw +themselves upon the ground as if it was impossible to remain longer +standing.</p> + +<p>I believe Hiram did more to hearten and help us, than did the knowledge +of all that depended on this labor of our hands.</p> + +<p>He ever had a cheery word; was always on the lookout to aid this lad or +that who might be struggling with some weight beyond his strength, and +all the while continued to picture what we would do with General Gage's +lobster backs before another sun had set.</p> + +<p>Some among us ate as we worked, taking a bite of corn bread now, and a +bit of bacon then, as they stopped to regain their breath; but others, +like myself, waited until the task should be completed, believing then +we would have a breathing spell. As the day grew older we who had +rations at hand forgot our hunger as we gazed across to Boston town +where it was possible to see the people gathering, most like in +amazement at what had been done, until it was as if that portion of the +water-front facing us was crowded with human beings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm wondering if Seth Jepson is among that gang," Archie said grimly as +he and I wasted twenty precious seconds or more gazing at the throngs.</p> + +<p>"If he is I'm thinking it doesn't do his heart any good to know how +thoroughly we have outwitted the Britishers," I replied gleefully. "It's +almost certain there will be a battle soon, and most like that cur comes +no nearer than the shore of the town; but let him stick ever so close to +his red-coated friends, the day must dawn when we Minute Boys will have +a chance to pay the debt we owe him."</p> + +<p>"That is if so be we live long enough," Silas suggested, and for the +instant I fancied it possible to detect a tremor in his voice. "Instead +of watching yonder curious ones who can do nothing for nor against us, +look around at the king's ships, and see what a force General Gage has +got behind him when he sends the lobster backs to shoot us down."</p> + +<p>Now, strange though it may seem, while saying to myself that before many +hours had passed the red-coats would be upon us, I had failed to +consider, even for a moment, how much of strength the enemy had; I had +given no thought to the thousands upon thousands of men who could be +sent across from Boston to over-run the hill we were fortifying.</p> + +<p>Directly in front of our intrenchments was, as I have already said, the +<i>Lively</i>, a ship of twenty guns, and, as I afterward learned, carrying +an hundred and thirty men; northward, over away somewhere opposite the +brick kilns, was the <i>Falcon</i>, which must have been as heavily manned as +the <i>Lively</i>; nearly abreast of the town hall was the <i>Somerset</i>, of +sixty-eight guns, and having on board five hundred and twenty men, then +came the <i>Cerberus</i> of thirty-six<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> guns; the <i>Glasgow</i>, twenty-four +guns, and the transport <i>Symetry</i>.</p> + +<p>Taking it all in all, as nearly as a landsman like me could figure it, +there must have been among that shipping of his majesty's no less than +one hundred and eighty-six guns, with somewhere about twelve to thirteen +hundred men. In addition to these, General Gage could transport anywhere +from five to eight thousand men, landing them upon Charlestown shore +close under our noses.</p> + +<p>Now as all this came to my mind, with the proof so distinctly before me, +I am not ashamed to say that for the moment I grew timorous, believing +the time was near at hand when I should fall as had fallen those two +brave comrades of ours in the engagement off Hog island, and, let him +laugh who will, there came into my heart a feeling of regret because I +could not hope to be laid away in Mother Earth as they had been.</p> + +<p>Those aboard the <i>Lively</i> must have understood that her shots were doing +no damage, for after twenty minutes or more the cannonading ceased; but +we continued strengthening the defense, for, as Hiram said:</p> + +<p>"If the Britishers are fools enough to give us a chance to do as we +will, it's a case of buckling to it the best we know how."</p> + +<p>"That's what we have been doing since midnight," Archie replied grimly, +"and while there is no thought of complaining in my mind, I'd almost +welcome the coming of the enemy, since it would give us good excuse for +throwing down these pick-axes and shovels."</p> + +<p>"If General Gage knows on which side his bread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> is buttered, the lobster +backs will soon be upon us," Hiram cried as if exulting in such a +possibility. "I fail to understand why two or three thousand of their +fancy red-coated, overly-drilled men have not been sent already to stir +us up."</p> + +<p>"It may be the king's governor is so kindly-hearted that he means to +give us every opportunity to make ready for his coming," Silas +suggested.</p> + +<p>Then one lad had some bantering word, or another pictured what the +Tories might be doing and thinking, while a third proposed that the +enemy would wait before attacking, until reinforcements could come from +England, and so the time went on with many a quip and jest; but no +cessation of the work until about an hour and a half after daybreak, +when the British battery of six guns on Copp's hill opened upon us as if +beginning the battle.</p> + +<p>These last missiles were like to do us more harm than had those from the +<i>Lively</i>, for the iron balls came among us far too plentifully, and +altogether too near at times, to be pleasing to those among us whose +hearts were inclined to be faint, and I question much whether all our +people would have remained at work during such a cannonading but for the +fact that Colonel Prescott showed himself here and there, regarding not +the danger in order to encourage and prevent the least show of +retreating.</p> + +<p>When he cried out that that which we failed of doing might cost the life +of many a good man, or as he shouted that every spadeful of earth thrown +up was accomplishing just so much toward protecting those who were +devoting themselves to the colony, from the hirelings of the king, we +forgot that our hands were torn and blistered, that our joints ached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +with fatigue, or that our backs had been bent until near to the breaking +point—forgot all save that we must put forth every effort in making +ready for this real measuring of strength between well-armed soldiers of +his majesty's and "rebels," who had whatsoever in the way of weapons +could be picked up at home, with no uniforms and but little knowledge of +military drill.</p> + +<p>I cannot say when we first became aware that troops were being made +ready for transportation across from Boston. As the day wore on and +nothing was heard from General Gage, save now and then a shot from the +<i>Lively</i>, or the random firing from the guns on Copp's hill, it seemed +much as if the king's governor was afraid to attack us, even despite the +fact that his force out-numbered us eight or ten to one, and when noon +came we were nearly at the end of our work with pick and shovel.</p> + +<p>Then it was possible to hear the beating of drums in Boston; the rumble +of artillery trains, or even the cries of the mob in the streets. We +could see dragoons galloping here and there as if carrying orders; then +came the marching and counter-marching of troops, and finally the +ringing of church bells. It was when this last noise struck upon our +ears that Hiram said with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"It must be that General Gage counts on calling out all the old women +and children, else why should the bells be ringing as if there was a +fire?"</p> + +<p>"It is the firing on Copp's hill they are ringing for, and if so be the +people would gather there to quench it, I should feel less need to duck +my head now and then, for truly I find it impossible to stand straight +when a bullet comes near my ears," Archie cried cheerily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was astonishing that we had been permitted by the enemy to do so +much, for, as I have already said, we had completed the fortification +with the exception of the trench, while during the forenoon much had +been done toward strengthening the fences on either side, putting up +additional steps of wood and earth so that men might mount to discharge +their weapons, and in nearly every portion of the work the breastworks +were raised six feet high.</p> + +<p>Two or three times during the forenoon did I see officers sent away on +the road over which we had come, and on calling Hiram's attention to the +fact, when Major Brooks set off at full speed, was more than surprised +to learn that he believed Colonel Prescott was sending for +reinforcements.</p> + +<p>"Reinforcements!" I cried in dismay. "Are we who have walked or worked +all night supposed to be the army that shall defend this fortification? +After laboring with pick and shovel since midnight, is there one among +us able to do the duty of a soldier during a battle?"</p> + +<p>"That's yet to be seen," Hiram replied. "It is a fact in my mind that we +were not only sent here to build this fortification, but to hold it, and +now when it is to be attacked, as can be seen from the movements in +Boston, and he believes the lobster backs will come upon us in great +numbers, our colonel is asking for assistance."</p> + +<p>"And why should not all the troops in Cambridge be sent here?" I asked +petulantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are many good reasons, my lad. That place is to be held, +even if we are driven out of here, and a sufficient number of men are +bound to stay there lest the enemy, making believe attack us, turn about +the other way and disperse our army.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> Every point which we now occupy on +yonder shore must be held by men enough to resist any ordinary force, +and what becomes of us is of little moment as compared with the need of +keeping the Britishers shut up in Boston town, as in fact they are now, +save that they may come across here for the sake of killing a few +rebels."</p> + +<p>Hiram's explanation was not so plain that I could understand fully why +we had been sent to throw up intrenchments simply that they might prove +to be our grave, and for the moment I gave way to anger, even charging +General Ward and those around him with having needlessly sacrificed our +lives.</p> + +<p>At high noon, and while I was still ranting like the stupid I have ever +shown myself to be, word was given for us to cease work and partake of +such rations as we had. This command went far toward restoring me to a +more decent frame of mind.</p> + +<p>I was needing water more than food, and the cask which had been set near +where the Minute Boys were working having been emptied, I went further +to the rear in search of something to quench my thirst. Then it was I +found that the last two casks of water had been knocked to splinters by +random shots from one of the vessels, and, so far as I could learn, +there was no more that could be come at by us who were in the +intrenchments, which was a bad outlook if so be we were called upon to +fight.</p> + +<p>When we ceased work the flag of New England was hoisted over the +redoubt. The intrenching tools which we had been using were sent across +to Bunker hill where, as I was afterward told, a few hundred men, who +had just come over from Medford, were set at work throwing up another +breastwork under command of General Putnam.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>While we munched our corn bread, wishing in vain for something with +which to wash it down, my comrades and I watched the lobster backs as +they were embarked in barges, some from Long wharf, and some from the +North battery, making such a scene of warlike array as I had never +before witnessed.</p> + +<p>Even though they were our enemies, it was a glorious sight to see the +precision with which detachment after detachment came up, took their +places in the boats, and remained motionless as statues while the +oarsmen pulled them across, heading for Morton's point, as it seemed to +me.</p> + +<p>Now the cannons from the <i>Lively</i> and the <i>Falcon</i> began to belch forth +flame and iron missiles, sweeping all that plain between our redoubt and +the water as if to prevent us from making any attempt at opposing the +landing.</p> + +<p>Had General Gage, or whosoever gave the orders for the vessels of war to +open fire, known how weary, how thirsty and nearly exhausted we were, +their powder and balls might well have been saved, for I question if +even Colonel Prescott, warrior though he was, or Doctor Warren, whom I +had not seen until just before noon, would have given the word for us to +charge in the hope of checking that advance of well-trained soldiers, or +to prevent them from stepping foot on shore.</p> + +<p>"How many men think you are in yonder barges?" I heard Silas ask Hiram, +and he replied with never a tremor in his voice:</p> + +<p>"Nigh about three thousand, lad, and if they don't make us wish for +water 'twixt now and night I'll agree never to satisfy my thirst +again."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>ON BREED'S HILL</h3> + + +<p>It was somewhere near about this time when our numbers were slightly +increased by the arrival of a portion of Colonel Stark's regiment, and I +verily believe that the coming of those men did more to dishearten us +than if they had stayed away. After having had sight of such a small +force, a few of the faint-hearted cried out in anger, declaring we were +to be left to our fate, or that some one had blundered in sending us +where there could be no question but that an assault would be provoked.</p> + +<p>Hiram allowed no one to say aught against our leaders in his hearing. He +aroused us all by calling this man a coward, and accusing another of +showing the white feather, when any grumbling was indulged in, fairly +shaming the timorous one into silence by declaring that he who raised +his voice in protest against embracing the first opportunity to measure +strength with the Britishers, despite the fact that the odds were +greatly against us, was an enemy to the Cause. He even went so far as to +declare, although he had no knowledge regarding it whatsoever, that +heavy reinforcements were already on the way from Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Just at that time I was giving more heed to the spectacle before me, +than to the great disparity in numbers between the Britishers and +ourselves. The barges laden with red-coated men, who stood or sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +immovable as statues with the sunlight glinting on their accouterments +like tiny flashes of lightning, came on steadily. The oarsmen worked +with the greatest precision, while the <i>Lively</i> and the <i>Falcon</i> swept +with iron hail all that tract of land between Breed's hill and the +point.</p> + +<p>It was a wondrous sight, the landing of those troops at Morton's point. +Even though they were enemies, and were come to grind us yet further +into the dust, I could not but admire the military exactness with which +they disembarked and moved in heavy lines straight up on what we +sometimes called Morton's hill, as if the whole force was one gigantic +piece of machinery instead of being formed of human atoms.</p> + +<p>General Howe was in command of the Britishers, as we afterward learned, +and he acted as if intending to take matters in the most leisurely way +possible, for after all the troops had arrived and ascended the hill, +huge tubs containing punch made from spirits, and baskets seemingly +filled to repletion with food, were brought ashore from the barges, +while we who were thirsty and hungry could look down upon those +red-coated men as they were allowed to stretch themselves at ease upon +the ground, eating and drinking at their pleasure.</p> + +<p>The sight was one well calculated to cause us greater desire for food +and drink than before, if indeed that could be possible, and for a time +I believed General Howe had done this for no other purpose than to +tantalize us, thus showing how different was the care taken of those +hired men who served the king only for the money to be gotten thereby, +and us who were struggling to free our land.</p> + +<p>Afterward I came to learn that the reason for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> long halt on Morton's +hill was that the troops had brought with them cannon balls too large to +be used in their pieces, and the delay in making an attack was enforced +that this mistake might be rectified by sending to Boston for what was +needed.</p> + +<p>By the time the lobster backs had come to an end of their sumptuous +dinner, we on Breed's hill were heartened by seeing the remainder of +Colonel Stark's regiment and all of Reed's corps coming forward on the +double quick, and then those grumblers who had declared we had been sent +to this place that we might be sacrificed, were forced to hold their +peace, for the dullest among them must have understood that General Ward +had sent to us all the men that could safely be spared from the posts +nearabout.</p> + +<p>"How many think you we shall number after yonder troops come up?" I +asked of Hiram, and he put the figure at about three thousand. I have +since seen it set down that the whole number of our people, including +those who came to cover the retreat, did not exceed four thousand.</p> + +<p>I felt better in mind after Hiram had replied to my question, believing +that we would be somewhere near even in point of numbers; but within ten +minutes that sense of security had vanished, for I saw yet another fleet +of barges coming out from Boston town laden with infantry, marines, and +grenadiers.</p> + +<p>Hiram could not but note the look of dismay which came over the faces of +the Minute Boys on seeing these reinforcements, for he said laughingly, +as if the whole matter was a gigantic joke:</p> + +<p>"General Howe must indeed be a prudent man. The king's governor has said +that a British soldier is the equal of five such rag-tag as makes up +our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> army, and yet he doesn't deem it wise to come toward us until his +army is increased by two thousand or more. Let us say there are five +thousand lobster backs yonder and on the water, yet 'twixt now and +nightfall we shall show them that little more than half the number of +our people can play hob with the whole blooming outfit."</p> + +<p>Then he fell to whistling Yankee Doodle, that tune which the Britishers +had set for the purpose of making sport of our people, and it was well +he took it up just then, for more than once during the battle which +followed did I hear our fifers and drummers screaming and beating out +those notes of derision, as if to tell the red-coated hirelings that +Yankee Doodle had indeed come to town, and come to stay even longer than +might be pleasant.</p> + +<p>The British reinforcements arrived at Madlin's ship-yard, some of them +remaining on the shore at the point of disembarkation, and others +marching to join those on Morton's hill.</p> + +<p>Now truly did it seem as if the prudent General Howe had made all his +arrangements for wiping us off the face of the earth, and yet he +lingered like the small boy that stands naked on the brink of a stream +of icy water, knowing he must plunge in sooner or later, but dreading +woefully to do so.</p> + +<p>All of us who had worked during the night, and a considerable number of +those who had just come up, were ordered to take post within the +redoubt, and it cheered me wondrously to see with Colonel Prescott, +Doctor Warren, that kindly gentleman who never passed a lad without a +friendly smile or word, and who had many for us Minute Boys as we filed +in striving to look as much like soldiers as possible.</p> + +<p>As nearly as I can now remember, our two artillery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> companies were +between the breastwork and the rail fence on the eastern side, and a +small number of men lined the cartway on the right of the redoubt. The +Connecticut and the New Hampshire men were at the rail fence on the west +side of the redoubt, and there were two or three companies drawn up on +the main street at the base of our hill.</p> + +<p>Now up to this point I can speak with considerable of certainty, having +Hiram at my elbow to point out this movement or that; but once we were +fronting the Britishers, and the fumes of burning powder assailed my +nostrils, I lost all knowledge of what was being done save immediately +around me, and there were times, when the fight grew hottest, that I +could not for the life of me have told you what I did or said.</p> + +<p>This much I must set down in justice to our Minute Boys of Boston: It +was not a cheerful position even for tried soldiers to be in, this +seeing the flower of the king's troops marching up the hill, well fed +and well armed, outnumbering us two to one, while we who had never even +seen warfare, hungry and thirsty to such point that our tongues were +parched dry, and with but a scanty supply of ammunition, stood behind +our breastworks awaiting what surely seemed must be little less than a +slaughter of us all who loved the Cause.</p> + +<p>I dare venture to say that every fellow in my company understood full +well all the danger that menaced, and yet not one of them flinched; each +lad did a man's full duty, and performed, I might say, more than is +demanded of a soldier.</p> + +<p>It was near to three of the clock in the afternoon before General Gage +was ready to wipe us out. Then we saw those long lines of red moving +steadily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> forward, and my heart leaped within me when our fifers blew +all their breath into the tune of Yankee Doodle, while an hundred or +more of us sang that song which the Britishers had written as a cheap +way of showing their contempt for those people who had been loyal to the +king until he and his ministers, by cruel oppression, drove them to this +so-called rebellion.</p> + +<p>"Don't fire until they are within seven or eight rods," I heard officer +after officer caution us as we stood there with muskets ready for that +oncoming line of red. "When you can see the whites of their eyes, aim at +their waistbands, and remember that the finest coats cover the +commanders, who it were better to pick off than if you shot half a dozen +men."</p> + +<p>Again and again was that command repeated, and even while it was being +dinned into our ears so emphatically, Doctor Warren, seeming to think we +Minute Boys might show the white feather, came up to us as we stood +where we could peer over the breastwork, and said:</p> + +<p>"Steady, lads, it is not the number that counts, but the spirit. +Remember that every British bullet does not find its billet; but see to +it that all of yours strike the target. You lads smelled burning powder +off Hog island when the odds against you were greater than they are now, +and came off victorious, as you will this day if you hold true to your +training."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, doctor, but that the lads will give a good account of +themselves!" Hiram cried in a cheery tone. "A little bit of red acts on +them much the same as it does on a bull, and the Minute Boys won't be +the first to turn tail, that I promise you."</p> + +<p>"There is no need of a promise, my lad. I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> it full well; but +between now and when you open fire is a vexing time, during which many a +good man has lost his head, therefore have a care just at this moment."</p> + +<p>Now despite all the warnings that had been given, there were some in the +redoubt who could not stand inactive while those lines of red were +coming so steadily upon us, and I know full well how the men who +disobeyed the command must have felt, for it was only by the greatest +exercise of my will that I could prevent myself from pulling the trigger +as I stood there, peering over the intrenchments, my musket leveled full +at a fellow who had seemingly more of gold lace than cloth in his +uniform.</p> + +<p>The Britishers were well within gunshot when three or four men at my +right, overcome most like by nervous excitement, discharged their +weapons.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Colonel Prescott, leaping from the platform on which he +had been standing, cried out that he would shoot the first man who fired +before word was given, and at the same moment Colonel Robinson ran +around the top of the works knocking up the leveled muskets so that we +might not be tempted to fire.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if we were wasting time in allowing the enemy to come so +near before giving them a taste of our quality; but because of the +rating which Colonel Prescott had given those who offended, I no longer +had any desire save to await the word of command.</p> + +<p>Steadily but surely the red-coated lines advanced until it was as if +they would literally over-run us while we remained inactive. I had again +leveled my musket at the man who wore such a plentiful supply of gold +lace, and it seemed to me as if he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> no more than two yards away, +although as a matter of course the distance was much greater, when +Colonel Prescott shouted:</p> + +<p>"Fire! my men, take aim and fire!"</p> + +<p>Never before nor since have I seen such effective results. It seemed to +me as if whole squads went down. There were great gaps in the line +through which I could see as far as Morton's point, and the grass was +strewn with blotches of red until it was like as if a carpet of crimson +had suddenly been thrown over it.</p> + +<p>Immediately our muskets were discharged we reloaded, firing whensoever +we could, and by this time such of the Britishers as were yet on their +feet answered us with a volley that did little or no execution, because +of being aimed over our heads.</p> + +<p>There was the rattle of musketry close about us; the heavy booming of +cannon from the king's ships, and from the guns General Howe had brought +with him. It was as if all the shore of Boston town had suddenly been +lined with great guns belching forth fire and shot, while the smoke +settled down over us and over those scattered ranks in front of the +intrenchments, parching our throats and burning our eyes until we could +no longer see anything before us.</p> + +<p>Then it was that the fever of battle took possession of us; I was +conscious only of loading and discharging my musket as rapidly as +possible. Now and then shrieks of agony came to my ears, mingled with +the volleys of great guns and the rattle of small arms, which seemed +only a natural accompaniment to the din, and to the blood-thirstiness +which assails one at such times.</p> + +<p>Once I understood, as if looking down upon two figures with whom I had +no connection, that Archie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> was speaking; but I neither heard the words +nor made any answer, and could not tell whether he turned away, or +remained there talking, when suddenly a great shout went up, and +everywhere around me men were crying:</p> + +<p>"The lobster backs have turned tail! They have got all of Yankee Doodle +they needed!"</p> + +<p>Our people cheered wildly. Some even threw down their weapons to dance +about as do children, and, coming fairly to my senses, I leaned over the +breastwork seeing, as the smoke cleared away, those men who had so +lately come up to over-run us, fleeing like frightened sheep, leaving +behind them here and there squads of dead or wounded comrades, some of +whom shrieked with pain, and others, striving to follow in the retreat, +crawling on hands and knees, dragging after them shattered limbs, +staining the grass with crimson, until one could almost fancy that even +amid the fumes of powder it was possible to detect that acrid odor which +comes from blood.</p> + +<p>In my delirium it was as if I had lived a whole life-time fighting, +struggling to force back those soldiers of the king who fought only for +the wage they received, caring naught for the righteousness of their +cause, and yet, as I was told, we had not been at the work above ten +minutes.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes! and in that time we had forced back full twice our number! +We, the rag-tag of the colonies, had in fair fight against great odds +beaten all the men they had sent to slay us, and this in the face of +that furious fire from ships, and from the batteries in town!</p> + +<p>While I stood there craning my neck to view the results of our own +blood-thirstiness, I gave heed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> only to the victory which we had won, +never thinking what might be the cost until Hiram plucked me from +behind, and, turning, I saw lying here and there within the redoubt one +and another of our people writhing in pain, or lying stark and still in +death.</p> + +<p>Strange though it may seem, until that moment I had not believed our +friends might have suffered. In my foolishness I fancied, if indeed I +gave it a thought, that we had come out from that storm of lead without +a scratch, and all my exultation vanished beneath a chill that was like +unto fear.</p> + +<p>"How many of our poor fellows have been cut down?" I cried, and there +must have been in my voice that which told Hiram I was near to showing +the white feather, for he shouted harshly, and as if in anger:</p> + +<p>"It's no affair of yours, Luke Wright, how many have paid for the love +they bear the colonies! The battle is but just begun, and many another +among us will follow them before the day has come to a close!"</p> + +<p>"But just begun?" I repeated stupidly. "We have whipped them, Hiram! +Look yonder, not a man remains on the hill who can run or crawl about."</p> + +<p>"Don't flatter yourself as to that. These men who have been hired to +take the chances of death will be forced back upon us. Look yonder," and +he pointed toward Boston town. "One, two, three, four, five barges, and +filled with marines, if so be I can make out the color they wear after +all the glare of red that has been before my eyes. Howe has called for +yet more reinforcements! The coward dares not meet us again two to one; +but must make the odds yet greater!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<p>I do not understand how it was; but when Hiram thus pointed out to me +that which, under other circumstances, would have made my heart more +cowardly, it was as if all my waning courage came back to me, and +instead of shrinking on seeing the shattered lines reformed for assault, +I was eager to have them come, gluttonous to have more share in the +cutting down of those who counted on killing us of the colony.</p> + +<p>After taking my station on the platform I suddenly bethought myself of +Archie and Silas, and turning, failed to see but two of our Minute Boys +near at hand.</p> + +<p>"Where have they gone?" I cried, fearing more than I ever feared aught +on this earth, that they had run away.</p> + +<p>"Look over the intrenchment nearby where those red-coats are lying, and +you will see not only the Minute Boys, but many a man," Hiram shouted.</p> + +<p>When I did as he told me, I saw mayhap fifty of our people searching the +bodies of the dead lobster backs for powder and balls in order that +their own scanty store might be replenished. I also saw one of our men +raise a Britisher's canteen to his lips and drink, and then all my +desire for water came once more, until it seemed as if my tongue was +like a dry stick clicking against the roof of my mouth.</p> + +<p>Perspiration was streaming down my face and from my hands, and in my +desire for moisture I scraped it from my cheek, finding it hot and +salty, causing soreness of the tongue and a certain nausea of the +stomach.</p> + +<p>Then there was no longer any opportunity for me to consider my own +desires or suffering. The marines in the barges had landed, and forming +in line<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> with those ranks of red, were advancing once more, this time, +as I understood full well, with greater fury than at the first assault +because of having the deaths of their comrades to avenge.</p> + +<p>At this moment the cannonading from the ships seemed to be redoubled, +and I could see thrown from the guns on Copp's hill great pieces of +something, larger than three or four cannon balls together, which fell +among the houses in the town, and, bursting open, set fire in all +directions until it seemed to me that every building on the main street +was in flames, while the smoke drifted over our fortification until it +shut out from view even the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Stand by your muskets, lads; this is but a trick to prevent us from +seeing what the troops are doing!" some one shouted, and just then, as +if God himself was aiding us of the colonies, the first breeze of wind I +had felt that day came up from the west, sweeping away the smoke until +we could see line after line of the Britishers marching steadily up the +hill, but not coming in such close formation, being forced to turn aside +here and there lest they trample upon the bodies of those who were left +behind during the first retreat.</p> + +<p>I heard some one near me say that General Howe was marching in advance +of his men; but I failed to single him out. It seemed impossible to +center my attention upon any one place; I could see only the blaze of +red with the sunlight tipping the steel bayonets until one's eyes ached +from the glare.</p> + +<p>Again we were cautioned not to fire until the word had been given, and +this time, having had somewhat of experience, we obeyed, standing with +beating hearts, parched throats, and joints aching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> from the labor of +the night, to cut down once more that apparently resistless wave.</p> + +<p>Then came the command, and as before, the red-coats fell to the earth in +dozens and twenties until it seemed to me, who was the same as looking +through a veil of red, that those who were upon the ground lay there in +sufficient numbers to form a breastwork for the advancing men.</p> + +<p>I could see here and there officers beating men onward with the flat of +their swords, forcing them toward our intrenchments from which came such +a deadly fire.</p> + +<p>"Keep it up, lads! Don't waste any time, for they are making ready to +turn tail again!" I shouted, and then Archie leaped up on the platform +by my side, screaming as if suddenly bereft of his senses, while he +discharged his musket again and again.</p> + +<p>The lines of red wavered, were broken, or moved back here and there, +until it was impossible to make out amid the smoke any definite action, +and once more I lost my head, knowing nothing save that I was struggling +with all my might to check those who would have over-run us.</p> + +<p>And we did check them! For the second time the pride of the king's army +ran in utter rout down the hill, despite all their officers could do to +check them, and we, the rag-tag, had accomplished that which a few days +before Governor Gage had said was impossible.</p> + +<p>Once more had we whipped them in fair fight, and once more we gave way +to rejoicing, no longer believing that the battle was won; but grown +strong in the knowledge that twice had they sent their best men against +us, and twice we had driven them back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> in ignoble defeat, even though +during the last assault General Howe himself led the way to give his men +courage.</p> + +<p>One of our Minute Boys had been killed outright, and lay on his face +upon the ground within a few feet of where I stood. How long he had been +there no one could say; but we knew that he was alive when we were +rejoicing over the first repulse.</p> + +<p>Singular as it may seem when so many among us had been killed and +wounded, no other of the Minute Boys had fallen, and while we stood +inside the redoubt in the first flush of this second victory, we clasped +each other by the hands as if congratulating ourselves that we were yet +in the land of the living after having, as it were, gone down to the +very brink of that dark river which separates this world from the next.</p> + +<p>It is not well that I set down very much concerning our lads, for even +at this late day it makes my heart ache as I recall to mind their +appearance.</p> + +<p>One could see hunger and thirst written on their powder-begrimed faces. +It seemed to me as I looked at Archie, that his eyes were sunken, and I +know full well his lips were drawn apart as are those of one who has +been suddenly killed.</p> + +<p>Save for the excitement of the battle we would have been in most painful +distress; but the mind is so much stronger than the body that even when +we had time to think of our condition, little heed was given to anything +save the desire to do once more what we had twice done before, and make +an end by the final repulse of the lobster backs.</p> + +<p>Yet even I, raw recruit as I was, understood with a sinking of the heart +which I cannot well explain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> that we were far less able to cope with +those lines of red now than when they first came upon us.</p> + +<p>It was not that we counted our loss in numbers, nor that our bodies were +more illy fitted to stand the strain; but we were sorely weakened +because of lacking that with which to fight. Our ammunition was well +nigh spent; I question if we had fifty bayonets among us all told, with +which to resist an attack should the Britishers succeed in scaling the +breastworks, and when the last ounce of powder had been burned what +would be our plight?</p> + +<p>I was not the only one who speculated upon these terrible things. Every +man in the redoubt knew that we had not of powder and ball sufficient to +repulse the next assault however desperately we might strive. There were +many who did not have a single charge for their muskets, and Colonel +Prescott gave orders that we should divide, those having considerable +sharing with those who had none, until, when this was done, I had mayhap +four charges, while those around me could boast of no more.</p> + +<p>Some among us gathered up rocks to be used as missiles; others ventured +out, even though the enemy was pouring from Copp's hill and the ships of +war, volleys of grape and solid shot upon the hillside where the +red-coated dead lay in such numbers, and strove to add to their store, +more than one losing his life in the attempt to get that which he needed +in the hope of saving it.</p> + +<p>And now lest it be asked why powder and ball were not sent to us from +every American post nearby, I desire to set down that which I afterward +read concerning the condition of the forces at Cambridge and elsewhere, +and at the same time it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> must be understood that the Britishers were +sweeping that narrow stretch of land which we called Charlestown Neck, +with such a heavy fire that it was almost the same as death for any one +to venture across. This is what I have seen elsewhere:</p> + +<p>"During this gallant work on Breed's hill all was confusion elsewhere. +General Ward was at Cambridge without sufficient staff officers to carry +his orders. Late in the afternoon the commanding general despatched his +own with Patterson's and Gardner's regiments, to the field of action; +but to the raw recruits the aspect of the narrow Neck was terrifying, +swept as it was by British fire.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Gardner succeeded in leading three hundred men to Bunker hill, +and was advancing boldly at their head when he was wounded mortally. His +men were thrown into confusion, and very few of them engaged in the +combat until the retreat commenced. Other regiments failed to reach the +lines. Putnam in the meantime was using his utmost exertion to form the +confused troops on Bunker hill and get fresh men with bayonets across +the Neck."</p> + +<p>Now it is easy to understand why we, so sorely pressed and lacking the +wherewithal to hold our own, were left on Breed's hill to meet this +third assault, which would be made by fresh men, as we understood when +we saw yet more barges put out from Boston, and afterward learned that +General Clinton was joining Howe as a volunteer, bringing with him +additional reinforcements.</p> + +<p>All this time we were struggling to make such preparations as lay in our +power, and as the moments passed without any further movement on the +part of the enemy, some of our people began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> believe General Howe had +had enough of it—that we would be allowed to remain on the field +victorious.</p> + +<p>Hiram speedily put an end to any such hope, saying to one man who had +declared that the lobster backs would not come upon us again:</p> + +<p>"Don't count your chickens before they have begun to hatch. If fresh +troops are coming across from Boston, think you they will be allowed to +remain on the shore idle? Do you believe General Howe is going to take a +flogging from the rag-tag and lay down quietly under it? Instead of +predicting what you fancy, make ready for the next assault."</p> + +<p>"When a man has only three charges for his musket he hasn't much to do +in the way of getting ready," the fellow replied as he shook his powder +horn to show how nearly empty it was.</p> + +<p>"If so be you will, it is possible to bring down three lobster backs +with that number of charges, and unless we waste our ammunition by +shooting at random, there is yet a chance that you will see the back of +the red-coats again as they go scurrying down the hill."</p> + +<p>I looked Hiram full in the face, striving to make out if he really meant +all he said; but I might as well have stared at the earth, so far as +gaining any information was concerned. I have seen many a man who could +put on a bold front when he knew mortal danger menaced, but never one +who was able to stand up with a smile on his lips and a quip on his +tongue when he knew he had been much the same as been driven into a +corner, as did Hiram Griffin that day.</p> + +<p>I believe we were left a full half-hour waiting for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> the third assault. +Certain it was that the time seemed long to me, and I whispered once to +Archie, saying:</p> + +<p>"I would they might set upon us without delay, for then I shall be able +to forget how sorely I am needing so much of water as will moisten my +tongue."</p> + +<p>"Don't wish the time away, lad," my comrade said gravely. "It may be +that you and I have not overly many minutes of life left."</p> + +<p>Hiram heard this dismal speech, and quickly stepping a pace nearer to +Archie he said with somewhat of irritation in his tone:</p> + +<p>"Are you counting on being the first Minute Boy to show the white +feather?"</p> + +<p>"In what way am I doing that?"</p> + +<p>"By croaking about 'last minutes,' instead of allowing your mind to go +on to that time when we can eat and drink our fill, the lobster backs +having been driven into the swamp. Thus far the Minute Boys of Boston +have shown themselves, if you leave out Seth Jepson, to have all the +pluck that is needed, and now being come thus far through the battle +with full share of credit, it ill beseems you to make dismal predictions +regarding the future."</p> + +<p>Before Hiram ceased speaking his tone had grown harsh, and I feared +there might be angry words between the two even while we stood much the +same as face to face with death.</p> + +<p>Before I could break in upon them, however, the enemy had begun to show +signs of moving, and on the instant we understood that this third +assault was to be different from the first two.</p> + +<p>At some time during the battle they must have gotten their artillery +into favorable position, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> now, suddenly, the whole interior of our +breastworks was swept with ball and grape-shot, more blood being shed +within five minutes than had been spilled on our side in all the +terrible work thus far.</p> + +<p>It was no longer possible for any man to remain within the breastwork +and live, therefore all were ordered to come into the redoubt, where we +were better sheltered, and where the enemy had not as yet found the +range.</p> + +<p>Forgetting the danger, in my eagerness to know what might follow this +new method of attack, I leaned far over the fortification until it was +possible for me to see, in the distance, the Britishers coming once more +upon us, and that scene was not calculated to give me courage, for I +soon understood that the king's soldiers were making better preparations +than they had in the past attempts. Instead of climbing the hill laden +with heavy knapsacks and sweltering in thick, tightly-fitting uniforms, +they had cast aside all that might impede or distress them, and even +like the rag-tag, they counted on fighting in their shirt-sleeves as +should have been done on such a hot day when they first set the pace.</p> + +<p>I cannot set down in military terms the tactics which General Howe now +displayed; but certain it is that instead of marching straight up the +hill, thus giving us every chance at them, after using their artillery +to drive us back into the redoubt, they counted on assaulting us at the +weakest point, which was the space between the outworks and the rail +fence, as I have already set down.</p> + +<p>But whatsoever might be their intentions, certain it was they were +coming with as much show of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> determination as ever before, and we must +perforce stand against them so long as our ammunition lasted, and what +then?</p> + +<p>My heart sank within me as I tried to answer my own question even while +making ready to do my share in the faint hope of repulsing the +Britishers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE RETREAT</h3> + + +<p>I believe of a verity that we on Breed's hill might have driven back the +Britishers once more, even though our store of ammunition was so small, +had it not been for the enemy's artillery which, as I have already said, +swept the interior of the breastwork from end to end, forcing us into +the redoubt.</p> + +<p>Grimly we awaited the oncoming of those lines of red coats. I believe +our people fired with truer aim than at any other time during the +action, for each knew only too well how necessary it was that every +bullet should count.</p> + +<p>As they advanced, and the word for us to fire had been given, among the +first that fell was one of their colonels, and then two of their majors, +after which Hiram set up a shout of triumph, claiming that he had +wounded General Howe himself. Even amid the smoke of the battle I could +see that the British leader was moving painfully, yet I must confess +bravely, in order to remain at the head of his men.</p> + +<p>The breeze from the westward, which had come up just in time to blow +from our eyes the smoke of the burning buildings in the town, still +continued, and the battle field was more clearly in view than ever +before.</p> + +<p>During mayhap ten minutes we of the American<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> army did quite as great +execution as during the previous assault, cutting great gaps in their +lines, and bringing down officer after officer in rapid succession.</p> + +<p>Then it was that we could see the beginning of the end. Glancing quickly +around to the right and left as I rammed home my last charge, I could +see this man and that standing idle, and it was the idleness of +impotence and despair, for they had come to the end of their ammunition.</p> + +<p>There was no longer anything to be done save await that final assault, +with the poor hope of beating back troops armed with bayonets, by the +use of clubbed muskets.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the red lines, swarming like hornets over the +breastworks, and we all powerless to prevent them!</p> + +<p>Could we have had at that moment but half the powder and balls with +which we began this battle on Breed's hill, there would never have been +a red-coated soldier show his head above our line of works and lived to +tell of it.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if all the space between the fortification and the +foot of the hill was covered with lobster backs swarming upon us, and I +know that if perchance they were twenty musket-charges left among us, it +was what might be called, in such desperate straights, rare good +fortune.</p> + +<p>Then the enemy clambered up over the parapet, while we met them with a +volley of stones, throwing the missiles with as good aim as we had +discharged our muskets, and while one might have counted thirty, held +them in check.</p> + +<p>I have often wondered since, if we had had at our hand as many stones as +could have been used,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> what would have been the result? But even that +poor method of warfare was denied us, for the supply we had gathered was +speedily expended, and, what was worse, the fact that we had ceased to +shoot bullets showed the Britishers plainly the plight into which we had +fallen.</p> + +<p>The first officer who appeared above the parapet was that same Major +Pitcairn who had led the troops at Lexington when our people were +slaughtered there, and although I was no longer assailed by the fever of +battle, and could not well look upon the death of a human as being a +reason for rejoicing, yet I shouted aloud in glee when a negro soldier +among us shot that dastard through the head.</p> + +<p>My cry of triumph was speedily swallowed up by the shouts of the lobster +backs as they leaped into the redoubt from all sides, coming at us +fearlessly with their bayonets, knowing full well we could not make +reply save with the butts of our muskets, and these we used, so +desperate had our people become, until a score of the king's men had +fallen before such crude weapons.</p> + +<p>Again and again as we thus fought hand to hand, we Americans retreating +backwards step by step, striving to keep the red-coated enemy from +spitting us like larks on a toasting fork, I saw the muskets of our +people shattered, the butt breaking from the barrel with the force of a +blow upon the head of an enemy.</p> + +<p>"Are we ordered to retreat?" I shouted wildly in Hiram's ear as we +fought side by side, Archie and Silas just behind us.</p> + +<p>"Some one has said that Colonel Prescott gave the order; but whether he +did or not there is no longer any chance to make resistance," Hiram +replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> as he crushed the head of a Britisher much the same as you +would shatter an egg. "We'll not turn tail and run as the lobster backs +did; but go out of here like men, if so be we may."</p> + +<p>It was no longer a battle. There were no armies contending; but it had +become a fight of the rabble, where each man was striving to defend +himself or deal death as best he might, and at such close quarters that +those of the Britishers nearest us had no opportunity to reload their +weapons. Therefore, save for the fact of having bayonets, they were in +little better condition than were we.</p> + +<p>We who called ourselves part of the American army were much like a +handful of rats surrounded by a pack of dogs, save that there was in our +hearts the satisfaction of knowing we had twice bested these same +soldiers who were fighting for money alone, and would have beaten them +back the third time but for the misfortune of not having the wherewithal +to deal out death as we had done before.</p> + +<p>How we succeeded in getting out of the redoubt I cannot well say. In a +street brawl where forty or fifty men are engaged, those in the thickest +of the fight have no idea of what may be going on around them, and so it +was with me. We Minute Boys remained in a solid body so far as was +possible, aiding each other whenever the opportunity came to ward off a +blow from a comrade's head, or striking down with musket or stone a +Britisher who was about to thrust his bayonet into a companion's heart.</p> + +<p>I only know distinctly that when what was left of our company succeeded +in fighting their way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> backward out of the redoubt, Colonel Prescott and +Doctor Warren were yet facing the Britishers as if it was their purpose +to be the last to leave this poor fortification, and immediately we were +come into the open where the lobster backs could use their bayonets to +greater advantage, it was a case of depending upon our legs entirely, +for the red-coats strove mercilessly to cut us to pieces.</p> + +<p>Our people were doing their best to gain Bunker hill, where were four or +five hundred men of the American army striving bravely to cover our +retreat by pouring a heavy fire into the red-coated ranks, and save for +this aid we had never lived to gain Charlestown Neck.</p> + +<p>After we had turned to run, and I did not do so until Hiram Griffin +demanded fiercely that I must in order to save my life, I heard some one +shout that Doctor Warren had been killed, and during two or three +minutes, mayhap, even while I was putting forth my best efforts at +running, did it seem as if it mattered little whether I escaped or not +since that friend of the Cause, he who was ever the kindly gentleman and +true son of the colony, had been killed even when the battle was at an +end.</p> + +<p>It was to my mind more like being murdered than having been killed in +fair fight, and I shouted to those around me that we should turn about +and avenge his death, when Hiram seized me by the shirt collar, forcing +me on in front of him as he swore that unless I put forth my best +efforts he would strangle me.</p> + +<p>I was not the only one fleeing toward Charlestown Neck pursued by the +lobster backs, who was much the same as crazy. We were mad with +disappointment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> frenzied by the thought that all this had come about +because we lacked the means of finishing the battle as it had been +begun.</p> + +<p>And now right here let me set down what we afterward learned was the +cost in blood of this engagement at Breed's hill. Our officers reported +that one hundred and fifteen had been killed or were missing; three +hundred and five wounded, and thirty taken prisoners, making in all a +total of four hundred and fifty who had either given up their lives, or +were suffering from wounds. The most serious of our losses, as it seemed +to me, was the death of Doctor Warren. Colonel Gridley was wounded; but +had been carried by our people from the field.</p> + +<p>General Gage reported to the British Government that two hundred and +twenty-six of his men had been killed; eight hundred and twenty-eight +wounded, making in all ten hundred and fifty-four as against our four +hundred and fifty. Among the British were killed eighty-nine officers.</p> + +<p>About four hundred buildings in Charlestown were burned by the British, +and the estimated money loss was six hundred thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>I have put this in here lest I forget to make mention of the fact, that +in what the Britishers set down as a victory they lost twice and a half +as many men as we, and all that had been gained by this outpouring of +blood were the hastily constructed works which we had thrown up on +Breed's hill.</p> + +<p>And now to continue my feeble attempt at telling what part we Minute +Boys of Boston took in that terrible retreat.</p> + +<p>I believe of a verity that had it not been for Hiram Griffin some, if +not all, of us would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> fallen into the hands of the lobster backs, +for it is true that we were sadly confused—frightened if you choose to +put it in such words, and had so far lost mastery of ourselves that but +for his holding us up sharply to the work we would have come to grief.</p> + +<p>As I said, the men who had come to Bunker hill did good work in covering +our retreat until they themselves became panic-stricken, heeding not the +entreaties nor the threats of Israel Putnam, as he strove in vain to +hold them steady that we who were without ammunition might have some +small show of escaping with our lives.</p> + +<p>Then it was that when all of General Putnam's attempts were shown to be +vain, these men of ours who should have held their own on Bunker hill, +joined in the retreat, and we set off, a rabble rather than the remnants +of an army, in the perilous attempt to pass across Charlestown Neck, +which was swept with shot from the ship <i>Glasgow</i> and the small craft +which had been anchored by the British in position to cover that narrow +passage in order to prevent reinforcements being sent to us who were +struggling on Breed's hill.</p> + +<p>Panic-stricken as we were, the only thought in our minds was that the +enemy would pursue us even as far as Cambridge, in order to make an end +of the so-called rebellion at once, and while fleeing at my best speed, +dodging now and then a British cannon ball, I feverishly hoped they +would come after us with all their force, for there, where we could find +ammunition, it might be possible for us to pay back some part of the +debt of revenge which we owed.</p> + +<p>Of that terrible retreat it is, perhaps, not necessary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> I should set +down more than that after we had succeeded in crossing the Neck, leaving +behind us many a poor fellow weltering in his blood, we continued on at +a speed which, in view of our fatigue, would not have been possible save +because of the seeming certainty that death must overtake him who played +the laggard.</p> + +<p>Not until we were come to the encampment at Cambridge and were lying at +full length upon the ground as do dogs after a furious race, did I +realize all of the exhaustion which had been brought about by the night +of perilous toil and the day of suspense and desperate fighting, +together with the mad flight which called for the last remaining ounce +of strength in our bodies.</p> + +<p>I no longer gave heed to my comrades; it was as if the Minute Boys of +Boston had never an existence—almost as if the Cause was forgotten, +while I lay prone upon the ground so weary that it was an exertion to +breathe. Hunger and thirst had no place in my mind, nor did I realize +anything distinctly, save the utter physical collapse, until another day +had come, when Hiram aroused me to a sense of life and responsibility.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" I cried stupidly, staggering to my feet when he had +shaken me into consciousness, and he replied grimly, like one who has a +deep sore in his heart and strives to hide it by showing anger:</p> + +<p>"Much has happened as you will understand when slumber has been driven +from your eyelids. Now is not the time for you to remain idle, after +having had eight hours of sleep. Where are your Minute Boys?"</p> + +<p>"Here, if I mistake not," I answered, not yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> fully realizing all that +had taken place since we marched out from Cambridge under the leadership +of Colonel Prescott.</p> + +<p>"I have been astir since sunrise, and find but seven, counting you and I +as two. It seems certain many of the lads have given up their lives; but +I have learned from what seems good evidence that Silas Brownrigg was +taken prisoner by the lobster backs."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?" I cried, my voice sounding shrill because of the +fear which came upon me concerning the other lads.</p> + +<p>"I have talked with those who saw him far in the rear before we were +come to Charlestown Neck, and there is one here who claims that he saw a +grenadier seize the lad just before we were arrived within range of the +<i>Glasgow's</i> fire."</p> + +<p>"What of Archie and Harvey?" I cried, instantly full of apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Over yonder, not twenty paces away," and Hiram pointed across the field +where were two hundred or more men fallen into the same sleep of +exhaustion from which I had just awakened.</p> + +<p>"Let's go to them," I said suiting the action to the words, and a few +moments later the two lads, with slumber yet hanging heavily on their +eyelids, were sitting bolt upright listening to me as I repeated Hiram's +words.</p> + +<p>"It will be a ticklish job to make our way into Boston town now while +the enemy is so keenly on the alert," Archie said, as if there was no +question in his mind but that we would set off without delay to do +whatsoever we might to help our unfortunate comrade.</p> + +<p>"Do you so much as fancy we might get into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> the town? Or, having +smuggled our way through the lines, that we could remain there an hour +without being detected?" I cried, amazed because my comrade had +seemingly suggested such a perilous adventure.</p> + +<p>"It matters little whether we can succeed or not, the attempt must be +made," Archie said promptly, and I understood there was in his mind the +thought that now had come the time when he might be able to show his +willingness to aid a comrade, even as we had shown ours in his behalf.</p> + +<p>I looked at Hiram, believing he would cry out against any such desperate +hazard; but he remained silent as if agreeing with all Archie had said.</p> + +<p>"Since the battle it stands to reason that the Britishers will keep a +sharper watch then ever before," I said, determined at the outset to +show all the dangers which were in the way of such an attempt as Archie +had suggested. "Even though we succeeded in getting into the town, what +could we accomplish, except it was possible to move about the streets +freely? You know full well that within an hour after we show ourselves, +some of the young Tories will spy us out, and there is no need for me to +say what would happen then."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to agree the chances are much against us," Archie replied, +"and yet there is a possibility that by some lucky accident we could +come across Silas. I realize what it is to be held prisoner by the +lobster backs, and yet that which I suffered must be as nothing compared +with his situation, for more than one of the Britishers know he fought +desperately well. Perhaps the lad lies wounded, lacking attention, +lacking nursing. Are we to stay here in safety?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm not saying aught against our doing all that is possible," was my +hot retort; "but it is beyond reason to suppose we might help him even +in the slightest degree."</p> + +<p>"So most like you said when I was in prison, and yet by a singular +combination of lucky accidents I was set free."</p> + +<p>I understood full well that it would be useless for me to attempt +further to combat the resolution which my comrade had already formed, +and yet I could not bring myself to see in the two cases any likeness +one to the other. The dullest among us knew in what frame of mind the +Britishers must be after having been so nearly whipped by the "rag-tag" +of the colonies, and it was almost certain that the prisoners captured +during the battle, or the retreat, would be guarded so closely as to +prevent any such slight aid as we might be able to give.</p> + +<p>What Harvey thought of the matter I could not guess. As we discussed it +I fancied now he took sides with me, and again that he believed Archie +to be in the right. As to Hiram, it was evident that any mad scheme +which might be proposed would meet with his favorable attention.</p> + +<p>If I could have seen the least ray of hope in such an enterprise, none +would have been more eager than I; but to my mind there was not one +chance in an hundred that we could even succeed in getting into the +town, yet a word from Harvey caused me to become as eager as either +Archie or Hiram to set about the apparently hopeless attempt.</p> + +<p>"If there are but seven of our Minute Boys here in the encampment, it is +the duty of those who have come out from the battle unscathed to learn +the fate of the others. Who can say that the lobster backs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> may not have +more than Silas in their clutches?"</p> + +<p>It was much the same as if Harvey had said that I, as captain of the +Minute Boys, was in duty bound to learn the fate of those who were +absent, regardless of how much danger might be attached to such an +effort, and from that instant I was ready, even showed eagerness, to +undertake anything whatsoever which they should propose so long as it +had reference to the missing members of our company.</p> + +<p>It so chanced that my father passed near at about this time, and I ran +to have speech with him, explaining what my comrades would have me do, +and why there was apparent reason for our making every effort to enter +Boston town.</p> + +<p>"It is not to be thought of," he cried sharply, before I was come to an +end of the story. "There is no hope of your being able to aid the lad, +if so be he is a prisoner; you would only be venturing your heads into +the lion's mouth to no purpose."</p> + +<p>"But we did succeed in rescuing Archie when it seemed impossible +anything could be done," I insisted, ready to argue now that he had shut +down upon the plan so decidedly.</p> + +<p>"The situation was far different then. A battle had not been fought; the +Britishers were not smarting under a sense of defeat, although most like +they will speak of the action at Breed's hill as a victory, and now that +we of the American army have shown ourselves able to cope with trained +soldiers, every precaution will be taken against our spying upon their +movements. It is a mad scheme, and the sooner you put it out of your +mind the better."</p> + +<p>But for the fact that Harvey had much the same as reminded me of my duty +as captain of the Minute Boys, I would have allowed that my father's +opinion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> settled the matter definitely; but as it was I believed duty +demanded that I go as had been suggested, regardless of every danger.</p> + +<p>None of my comrades asked any questions when I returned from the +interview with my father. They had evidently read from the expression on +his face, and the tone in which he spoke, although it had been +impossible to hear the words, that he set his face against any movement +of the kind, and I fancied the three were waiting to hear whether I +counted to crawl back from the enterprise, therefore it was I said +promptly:</p> + +<p>"The attempt shall be made, and because of having been chosen captain of +the company it is my duty to go, and go alone."</p> + +<p>"Why alone?" Harvey asked.</p> + +<p>"Because there is no reason why the lives of four Minute Boys be +sacrificed. If there is any show of coming upon the lad, I may be able +to aid him single-handed, and for all of us to venture into town would +be increasing the chances of detection."</p> + +<p>"You could not have released me single-handed," Archie cried, "however +might have been your inclination, and therefore it is I shall go whether +you are willing or not."</p> + +<p>The other two were quite as decided in their intention to take part in +the venture, and, realizing how useless it would be to make any effort +at bringing about a change of opinion, I agreed that we would all go, +even though believing that we were not warranted in so doing.</p> + +<p>Once this matter had been settled Hiram seemed to consider himself the +leader of our party, regardless of the fact that I had been chosen +captain of the company, and straightway began to lay plans,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> thus +showing, to my mind at least, that he had decided, even before awakening +me, on some such scheme.</p> + +<p>Had the matter been left to my decision, I would have held that our +efforts at gaining the town must be made by water, either from Mystic +river or Willis creek; but Hiram said in a tone which admitted of no +argument:</p> + +<p>"We'll go down the Cambridge to Muddy river in a skiff, and from there +strike into Dorchester where we shall find a small body of our own +troops."</p> + +<p>"And also, where we'll be bottled up in great shape, for even you cannot +believe there will be any chance of our getting past the British +fortifications on Boston Neck," I said, believing I had found such a +defect in his plan that he would not attempt to carry it out.</p> + +<p>"I'm at a loss to see how we are bottled up any worse in Dorchester, +than here, and because our people haven't been making many attempts to +get into the town from that direction, I believe our best chance of +success lies there. It is not absolutely necessary we attempt to go over +the Neck; but it should be possible, on a dark night, to slip across in +a boat from nearabout Nook's hill to some part of the town south of +Windmill point."</p> + +<p>"And what then?" I asked with no slight show of impatience, for it +seemed as if there was mighty little of common sense in this plan of his +by which we were to risk our necks.</p> + +<p>"That's as far as we can get by laying out the work in advance. All the +rest must come about through accident."</p> + +<p>"But once in the town," I insisted, "how is it going to be possible for +us to learn where the prisoner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> is confined, since we do not dare show +ourselves in broad day?"</p> + +<p>"There are yet people in Boston town who love the Cause?" Hiram said as +if asking a question, and I contented myself with nodding, for it seemed +much as if he would put me off with empty words.</p> + +<p>"Aye," I replied, "most like hundreds of them."</p> + +<p>"And you lads who have lived there should be able to find a hiding-place +without going among those who might be suspected of harboring a rebel."</p> + +<p>"I could go to twenty such places, and yet not be able to say how we +would be able to provide ourselves with food while keeping under cover."</p> + +<p>"Well then," and it seemed as if Hiram was losing his patience, "I +cannot lay out for you in so many words a plan of work when so much +depends upon accident; but if you will do whatsoever you may toward +getting into the town, I believe there is a possibility of at least +finding where Silas is imprisoned, and if so be we are not able to lend +him any aid, I'm of the mind we can get out again no matter how alert +the lobster backs may be."</p> + +<p>"When would you set off?" I asked, speaking more sharply than was +necessary.</p> + +<p>"Within an hour," was the prompt reply.</p> + +<p>"Does that please you, lads?" I asked, turning to Archie and Harvey, and +they said "Yes," so emphatically that I could not put further obstacles +in the way, save at the expense of setting myself down as being +faint-hearted, or unwilling to venture into danger for the purpose of +striving to release Silas.</p> + +<p>It was then agreed among us that we should make such preparations as +were possible, each lad getting ready for the work in hand as seemed to +him best, and were to meet on the Common within the hour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>My preparations consisted chiefly in getting all in the shape of food +possible. I did not believe we could make our way into Boston armed with +muskets, therefore borrowed from an old sailor a pistol with a plentiful +supply of ammunition, and bargained with a New Hampshire recruit for a +knife which hung in a sheath attached to a belt, like that which is worn +by seamen. Then I went to the rendezvous, being the first to arrive, and +Hiram came up within a few moments.</p> + +<p>He had prepared himself for this hazardous venture by procuring such an +amount of rations as might serve one person two or three days. As for +weapons, he had none, and when I asked him whether he did not believe it +wise to make some provision for meeting an enemy suddenly, he replied +that when he came upon a lobster back unawares it would be at such time +and in such place as would shut off all chance of using firearms.</p> + +<p>"My own two hands will be enough, so far as I am concerned. If we +stumble upon a single lobster back other weapons will not be needed. In +the event of meeting a squad, it would be folly to make any show of +resistance."</p> + +<p>I was rapidly losing my good opinion of Hiram's judgment. The first +cause being his proposition to embark upon such a wild-goose chase, and +the second, his intention to set off without providing himself with any +means of defense.</p> + +<p>Silas brought with him his musket, and more of powder and ball than he +could comfortably carry during a long march, while Archie had only a +knife, which was better adapted for the cutting of food than defending +his life.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that we had with us a musket, a pistol<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> and two knives, +together with as much in the way of provisions as would serve the four +of us two days.</p> + +<p>"We are well outfitted," I said, intending to speak in a tone of irony. +"And now let's set off without delay, for the less time we have in which +to consider the chances against success, the better will be my courage."</p> + +<p>Hiram gave no heed to my disagreeable tone, but at once led the way +toward the river, and then it was we came to understand he had made +other arrangements for the journey than those of simply supplying +himself with provisions.</p> + +<p>He brought us to where a skiff was hauled up on the shore, and from +appearances one would have said she had but lately been put in that +position, for two pair of oars laid ready at hand, while in the +stern-sheets were three or four blankets.</p> + +<p>Hiram launched her, motioning for us to take our places, and when Archie +asked at what hour he had thus made preparations for the voyage, he +replied laughingly:</p> + +<p>"A great deal may be done in a few minutes, and it so happened that more +than half of my work in getting possession of this skiff, had been done +before I awakened Luke Wright."</p> + +<p>"But at that time you did not know if we would set out in the hope of +aiding Silas," I cried, whereupon he added in a business-like tone:</p> + +<p>"True for you; but I was mighty certain that I should go, even though +none other agreed to bear me company."</p> + +<p>"And you were also decided that your plan should be carried out," Harvey +said with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Aye, because if you lads had agreed upon getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> into the town by the +same route as you have been doing, I should have set off by myself."</p> + +<p>It vexed me not a little that Hiram had gone through the form of +consulting us when he was already determined on what he would do and how +it should be done; but no good could come from my giving words to such +thoughts, and I held my peace.</p> + +<p>Hiram and Harvey worked the oars. I made myself as comfortable as +possible in the stern-sheets, while Archie perforce remained in the bow +of the craft in order that he might, as Griffin expressed it, "trim +ship."</p> + +<p>We went rapidly down past the two breastworks known as "number one" and +"number two" without having been hailed by those on shore, and indeed +there was no good reason why our people should interfere with any who +were so far up the river.</p> + +<p>Near to nightfall, however, when we were come to that three-gun battery +which stood just above where Fort Brookline was afterward built, the +sentinel made peremptory demand that we come on shore and give an +account of ourselves.</p> + +<p>"This is work for you to do, since you are the captain," Hiram said to +me, and I retorted:</p> + +<p>"I may be the captain of the Minute Boys, but I am surely not the leader +of this expedition. If there is any question raised here against our +continuing the voyage, you are the one who must answer it."</p> + +<p>"That can be done in short order," Hiram replied laughingly as, swinging +the bow of the boat around until it was stuck fast in the mud, he leaped +ashore with the bearing of one who sets about some trifling task.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was almost a hope in my mind that we might be prevented from going +further on our hazardous venture, but when in less than ten minutes +Hiram returned, looking as if he had never known a care in his life, I +understood that either by making a clean breast of the matter, or by +inventing some plausible reason for our leaving Cambridge, he had +satisfied the officer in command of the battery.</p> + +<p>It was long past midnight when we were arrived at the mouth of the +river, and since there was no good reason why we should strive to come +to an end of our journey a few hours sooner or later, we hauled the +skiff ashore where grew a thicket of bushes, such as would conceal us +from view of any who might pass either by land or water.</p> + +<p>After the skiff was pulled up within the screen of foliage, Hiram spread +out two of the blankets to protect us from the damp earth, and the +others he proposed we should use as a covering of what he was pleased to +call a "field bed."</p> + +<p>Then we sat ourselves down to partake of food for the first time since +leaving the encampment, and I noted with no little anxiety that if we +continued to have such appetites during the next four and twenty hours, +our store of food would be sadly diminished.</p> + +<p>Despite my forebodings as to the outcome of this hazard, I fell asleep +shortly after stretching myself out at full length between Archie and +Harvey, nor did I awaken until Hiram shook me into consciousness, saying +that the sun would rise in half an hour, and we should be well on our +journey before the heat of the day had grown too great.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>IN BOSTON TOWN</h3> + + +<p>It seemed as if Hiram grew bolder the nearer we advanced to the point of +danger, for instead of going up Muddy river and from thence making our +way across to Dorchester through Roxbury, as had been much the same as +agreed upon the night previous, he put straight for Stony brook, and, +hugging the eastern shore of the point, we made our way along until +having come to the American outpost, arriving there about nightfall.</p> + +<p>Here we had no difficulty in making ourselves known, owing to the +fortunate circumstance that the captain who was in command at that time +had seen us Minute Boys and Hiram more than once at Cambridge, therefore +was he ready to welcome us in as hearty a manner as possible, sparing +not his stores so that we might husband what little food we had brought +from the encampment.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course he was curious to know where we were bound, and +when he asked questions concerning our purpose we lads would have put +him off with evasive replies, believing Hiram desired to keep secret +that which we would do, therefore was our surprise great when Griffin +made a clean breast of the whole scheme, even going into details so far +as lay in his power.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me only natural the captain would cry out against such a +hair-brained scheme, and so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> he did, speaking forcefully to the effect +that while it was possible we might succeed, when all the circumstances +were favorable, in sneaking past the red-coated sentinels, he was +confident we would be made prisoners within four and twenty hours after +arriving in town.</p> + +<p>I rather encouraged him in his outcry against the venture, believing his +opinion would have no little weight with Hiram; but it was much the same +as pouring water on a duck's back, to argue against what our leader had +already set his mind upon.</p> + +<p>He listened to all the captain said, making no reply, and when the +conversation had come to an end I believe of a verity he was more +determined in his purpose than before.</p> + +<p>"Are you still bound to find out what a British prison is like?" the +captain asked just a trifle petulantly when he was come to an end of his +remonstrances.</p> + +<p>"We are not minded that they shall take us prisoners; but at the same +time we are going into Boston, and if in all that town, where yet remain +many who love the Cause, we cannot succeed in hiding ourselves past +reasonable danger of being found, then do we deserve to be shut up +within stone walls."</p> + +<p>When Hiram had said this the captain looked at him pityingly, as I +thought, and made reply:</p> + +<p>"He who is pig-headed will go his way despite all that others can say to +the contrary, therefore I but waste my breath in striving to point out +the dangers which are known better by me, than by you lads."</p> + +<p>With this he turned on his heels, leaving us to eat our supper, and when +he was out of earshot Hiram<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> said as if the captain's sharp words had +pleased him not a little:</p> + +<p>"I have known many who didn't have sufficient of pig-headedness in their +nature, and we saw some of them in the battle; but, thank God! they were +mighty few!"</p> + +<p>All of which meant, as I interpreted it, that our leader had been +strengthened in his purpose rather than weakened.</p> + +<p>Well, we remained at the outpost all night, and by break of day set off +on the highway for Dorchester, where we came upon more of our troops, +and were forced to spend no little time explaining why we desired to +continue on to Nook's hill.</p> + +<p>Here, as at the Roxbury outpost, we were given much advice which I +considered good, for it was to the effect that we go back to Cambridge +rather than sacrifice our liberty, perhaps our lives, in what was little +less than an act of folly.</p> + +<p>You can fancy that these words had as little effect on Hiram as had the +advice of the captain in Roxbury, and on we tramped until coming to +where the highway ended in a pasture, when we turned sharply to the +westward. On this last course we were headed for the shore, and, having +arrived there, followed the line of the coast to a small gun-battery, +nearby which was a block-house for the shelter of the men who were in +charge of that apology for a fortification.</p> + +<p>Here we found no one who could vouch for our loyalty to the Cause, and +it was difficult to convince the lieutenant in charge that we were true +Americans, for he failed utterly of understanding why, if we would serve +the Cause, it was our intent to sacrifice ourselves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>However, before night had come Hiram succeeded in making the officer +understand that we had told him no more than the truth, for it seemed +that this lieutenant came from Concord, and Griffin was intimately +acquainted with many of his friends.</p> + +<p>When he found that it was not possible to turn us back, he set about +doing all he could to further what he called "the mad plan," and to that +end agreed that when everything was in favor of our making an attempt to +enter Boston, meaning on the first cloudy or stormy night, he would +provide us with a skiff. He also directed us to an old man who lived at +Windmill point, by name of Job Lord, whom he declared would do for us +all within his power, and insisted that we might trust him as we would +our own fathers.</p> + +<p>We remained with these soldiers four days, during which time even Hiram +saw no fair opportunity to cross over into the town, and meanwhile we +were eating our hearts out with impatience. As has already been said, +too often, perhaps, I did not favor the plan, but yet before a suitable +night came I was eager to be about the undertaking, for anything was +better than remaining there twirling our thumbs, and it seemed certain +that each day we lingered rendered it more difficult for us to come at +Silas.</p> + +<p>Then, near about sundown on a certain afternoon, clouds began to gather +in the sky. There was a promise of rain in the southerly wind, and +before darkness had fully come we saw to it that our skiff was made +ready for the short journey; that the oars were muffled, and that such +provisions as the men at the battery could spare, were bestowed among +our clothing in such a way as would least hamper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> us in case we were +forced to depend upon our heels for safety.</p> + +<p>The men, whom we had come to know right well during our long stay, bade +us "good bye" as if believing we would never meet again, and so solemn +was the leave-taking that much of my eagerness to forward the venture +was dispelled.</p> + +<p>We waited until after nine of the clock, and then pushed cautiously out +from the shore, heading as nearly as we might for Windmill point, it +being our purpose to seek out this Job Lord, to whom we had been +commended, before doing anything else. But there was much of danger in +the way ere we could come upon the man, for the lieutenant had assured +us that the vigilance of the Britishers before the battle at Breed's +hill, was as nothing compared with what we would find it now.</p> + +<p>Save the weather had favored us as it did on that night when we fled +from Boston after having rescued Archie, no better time could have been +chosen for the attempt. The rain did not bear out the token which the +southerly wind gave; but the sky was covered with dense clouds, and had +we been provided with a sail the journey might have been made in short +order, unless, peradventure, it was interrupted by a British guard-boat.</p> + +<p>It can well be supposed that we held our peace as we approached the +point and heard the cries of the sentinels on the shore, and I believed +of a verity that we could not put the skiff aground without being +halted.</p> + +<p>We came up on the eastern side of the point. Hiram steering with the +oars after having cautioned that we should do no more than remain +motionless, and when the water shoaled our leader stepped out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> over the +port rail, motioning for us to do the same. When we were standing +knee-deep in the water, Griffin gave the light skiff a vigorous thrust, +sending her up past the town, for he did not count on her being found +next morning to give proof that someone had made a landing.</p> + +<p>We had come to the town, as you might say, without having seen a +red-coated sentinel, and because I had believed it would not even be +possible for us to approach the shore without being hailed, it seemed to +me this was a good omen, therefore did my spirits rise higher than at +any time since we set out on the venture.</p> + +<p>About midway between the point and Darby's wharf we scrambled up on the +land, Archie leading the way because he was better acquainted with this +portion of the town than any other of the company, and headed across +lots for South street, counting to gain Cow lane where we were told Job +Lord lived.</p> + +<p>As we made our way cautiously, noiselessly as Indians might have done, +it was possible to hear loud voices coming from the direction of Hill's +wharf, and I had no doubt but that a guard of Britishers was stationed +there, being all the more convinced that such was a fact because of our +not having come across any of the lobster backs when finally we stood at +the corner of Cow lane.</p> + +<p>If I remember rightly, there were then on the right-hand side as you +faced Fort hill, three buildings. The first a small dwelling, next a +stable, and then a house built partly of logs and partly of sawed +timbers, in which last the lieutenant at the battery had told us Master +Lord lived. The officer had also said that instead of going directly to +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> door to demand admittance, we must pass around to the easterly side +and knock on the second shutter from the end.</p> + +<p>Now it was Hiram's turn to take the lead, and he ordered us to remain +within the shadow cast by the stable until having made certain there was +no one on the street, after which he walked swiftly around the house in +which Master Lord lived, and gave the signal as had been advised.</p> + +<p>We followed closely upon his heels, as you can well imagine, and after +he had rapped softly on the window I wondered what would be the result +if we had hit upon the wrong building, when a cautious voice was heard +from the inside.</p> + +<p>"If you have aught of business with me go to the rear door."</p> + +<p>This we did, and, still acting in accordance with the instructions of +the lieutenant, Hiram said, not waiting for the door to be opened:</p> + +<p>"We are come to learn if you can supply us with fish?"</p> + +<p>"When do you want them?" was the answer, and our leader replied:</p> + +<p>"As soon as possible, for fear some one will come up and interrupt the +bargain."</p> + +<p>All this conversation, we had been told, was necessary in order to +convince Master Lord that his visitors were true to the Cause and +desired his aid.</p> + +<p>That we had repeated the words correctly was shown by the opening of the +door, and although no one could be seen, we four stepped inside +hurriedly, after which the door was closed and barred, when the screen +was thrown from a lantern which set on a rude table. Then we saw before +us the man whom we had been told would be able, above all others, to aid +us in our dangerous venture.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 436px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="436" height="650" alt=""MASTER LORD HELD UP THE UNSCREENED LANTERN."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"MASTER LORD HELD UP THE UNSCREENED LANTERN."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<p>Master Lord was a tall, thin, hatchet-faced person, with shifty eyes +which gave you the impression that he had something to conceal. In fact, +he was the reverse of the man in whom I would put confidence, and yet +the lieutenant at the battery had assured us that again and again Job +Lord had given evidence of his loyalty to the Cause.</p> + +<p>However, it was not for us to find fault with his personal appearance, +for however true or however false he might be, we were dependent upon +him, or would be, after having explained the purpose of our coming.</p> + +<p>Master Lord held up the unscreened lantern that he might scrutinize each +in turn, and this he did in silence, devoting to it no little time, +after which he commanded us to follow him as he led the way through a +trap-door into the cellar.</p> + +<p>I was considerably surprised at finding this place more comfortably +furnished than the room above. There were two couches made of saplings +and covered with beds of straw; a table, and a fire-place, behind which +hung all the implements for cooking. Suspended from the beams were two +large lanterns. One of these Master Lord lighted, carrying back the +smaller lantern to the room above, and, rejoining us, took his seat on a +stool at the table, asking sharply with much the air of a judge:</p> + +<p>"What brings you lads into Boston at this time?"</p> + +<p>"It is an overly long story," Hiram replied, drawing up to the table a +stool for himself and sitting down as if to begin the tale; but before +he could say more Master Lord interrupted him by demanding of Archie:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is not your father that John Hemming who is known as a Son of Liberty?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, sir, that he is."</p> + +<p>"Then you four must have been in the party that set off from Barton's +point not long since, and were afterward heard of at Hog island?"</p> + +<p>"That we were, sir," Archie replied.</p> + +<p>"And it may be you know somewhat concerning the doings at Breed's hill?"</p> + +<p>"These lads should be well acquainted with what took place there, since +they acted a manly part," Hiram cried before anyone else could speak. +"There was no man in the ranks who behaved in better fashion than they."</p> + +<p>"And having kept clear of the Britishers that day, you are come to give +them another chance at you?" Master Lord inquired, still looking at +Archie, and again Hiram took it upon himself to make reply:</p> + +<p>"You had best hear the story as to why these lads have come," he said, +fearing, as I believed, lest Master Lord insist that we take advantage +of the darkness to retrace our steps.</p> + +<p>Then, without waiting for permission, Hiram told all that we had learned +concerning Silas; explained why we left the encampment, and gave the +details of our stay at the battery near Nook's hill, adding in +conclusion:</p> + +<p>"When the Britishers come to know that Silas Brownrigg was of that same +party which carried away the provisions from Hog island, and begin to +suspect he might have been concerned in releasing a prisoner, they will +most like treat him with greater severity than may be shown those +unfortunates who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> were captured at the close of the battle, having no +worse record than love of the colonies."</p> + +<p>Master Lord nodded, as if to say that he quite agreed with Hiram; but +remained silent so long that it seemed as if he had forgotten we were +there, and I ventured to ask with no little timidity:</p> + +<p>"Do you know, sir, where the prisoners taken at Breed's hill are +confined?"</p> + +<p>"Some of them are in the Queen-street prison, and a goodly number have +been taken to the Bridewell. Who could give information to the +Britishers that you were concerned in the work at Hog island?" he asked, +turning squarely upon me.</p> + +<p>"Seth Jepson," I replied, and then I told him of our having enrolled +that young Tory among the Minute Boys, as well as the reason we had for +suspecting him before he openly played the traitor by bringing the +lobster backs to Barton's point.</p> + +<p>Again Master Lord fell silent, and this time none of us ventured to +question him. We sat there, Hiram drumming with his fingers impatiently +upon the table while we three lads stared at our host, until it seemed +to me a full five minutes had passed when Master Lord, his eyes shifting +uneasily from one to the other, began as if simply giving words to his +thoughts:</p> + +<p>"This place has served many a time, since General Gage began making +trouble, as a refuge for those who were in sore need of hiding, and thus +far the Britishers have had no suspicion that I did all within my power +to serve the Cause. To make any attempt at releasing a prisoner now, +when the lobster backs are so sore over that victory at Breed's hill, +which was nothing more nor less than defeat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> promises to reveal the +work which has been carried on here."</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking a full minute, and then cried out as if believing we +suspected him of being afraid:</p> + +<p>"Not that I care about myself, for I'll engage to give the Britishers +the slip if I have five minutes warning of their intent to take me into +custody; but I'm questioning whether we might not be doing more harm to +the Cause by making known the secret of this place in order to rescue +from prison a single lad, than if we left him to his fate, keeping +secure our refuge here for those who may stand in greater need than he +does of liberty."</p> + +<p>"We were not counting on your taking any hand in this matter," Hiram +said promptly when the old man ceased speaking. "Our first need is a +hiding-place until we get true knowledge of where the lad may be, and +possibly you can send us to some trusty person who, knowing all the +circumstances, would give us shelter."</p> + +<p>"It is certain you can do nothing this night, and I am willing to +confess that you have accomplished a great deal by getting into Boston, +for it has not been an easy matter since the battle. Are you in need of +food?"</p> + +<p>"We have had for supper all that four persons could desire," I replied +quickly, fearing lest he might think we had it in mind to depend upon +him entirely.</p> + +<p>"Then lie down and take your rest, giving no heed to anything you may +hear in the night. Regardless of what takes place, hold your peace, and +I'll answer for it that no one will suspect there are any hiding here. +When the day comes I shall strive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> to learn what I may regarding your +comrade, and meet you again at the first opportunity."</p> + +<p>Having said this, and without giving us a chance to add a word, he went +up the ladder which led to the kitchen above, leaving us staring at each +other in something very like perplexity and doubt.</p> + +<p>Despite all that had been said in Master Lord's favor by the lieutenant +at the battery, I could not put full confidence in this man as being a +true friend to the Cause. His general appearance was against him, so I +thought, and those shifty eyes, which never met yours squarely, were +well calculated to breed distrust.</p> + +<p>Now it is true that a lad like myself had no right to judge adversely of +another who had proven himself true, and yet as I looked into the faces +of my companions after our host had gone into the upper room, I saw, or +fancied I did, written there much the same as was in my mind.</p> + +<p>Certain it is that Hiram was not particularly well pleased because we +had given ourselves so unreservedly into the power of Master Lord, and +of this he gave proof by saying when we were alone:</p> + +<p>"Having come thus far on the venture we must take things as we find +them; but it will do no harm if we keep a sharp watch over every one we +meet, and it would seem that the four of us should be able to discover +anything smacking of treachery."</p> + +<p>"Meaning that you have doubts concerning—"</p> + +<p>I did not finish the sentence, which was spoken in a whisper, but +pointed with my thumb upward so that he might know who I meant, +whereupon he said quickly:</p> + +<p>"Meaning no one in particular, and everybody in general."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I would that we had come into this town trusting none but ourselves," +Archie said, and Hiram cried much as though the words irritated him:</p> + +<p>"Since we are come, and since we have given our secret to another, there +is no good sense in harking back to what might have been done. We have +set our faces toward Silas, and so long as we remain alive and free they +are not to be turned from the goal. Instead of sitting here conjuring up +old women's fancies which can do nothing save make the heart faint, +suppose we follow Master Lord's advice and get a night's rest, for no +one may say when we shall have another such opportunity?"</p> + +<p>After this long speech Hiram set the example by throwing himself down on +one of the beds of straw, and we lads soon followed him, for it was +disheartening to sit there giving words to our fears and doubts when we +were at the mercy of the man we distrusted.</p> + +<p>How long I slept after my eyes were closed in uneasy slumber, it is +impossible for me to say; but looking back at the matter afterward I +fancied at least three hours had passed since we entered this cellar, +when the sound of loud voices in the room above brought the four of us +to our feet as if moved by a single spring of steel.</p> + +<p>The floor was of roughly hewn planks, looking, so far as one might see +by the light of the lantern, to be very heavy, and we who were in the +cellar could not distinguish words spoken in an ordinary tone; but now +so excited and apparently angry were the speakers, that we could catch a +word here and there, although not in sufficient numbers as to give any +inkling to the trend of the conversation.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me, judging from the sounds, as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> there were three or +four in the room just over our heads, and that all were on the eve of a +quarrel—fight would be the better word—so menacing were some of the +tones.</p> + +<p>It was evident Master Lord had been expecting there would be trouble +before morning in this home of his, else why had he warned us against +making any outcry or movement if we heard aught that might alarm? Surely +his angry visitors could hardly be friends of the Cause, for they would +not dare raise their voices so high lest the attention of the patrol be +attracted, and if they were not of our people, why was this man, so +greatly to be trusted by us "rebels," having any connection with them?</p> + +<p>Before we had been awake three minutes came a clattering as if the table +was overturned, and I distinguished sounds betokening the splintering of +wood, telling that some article of furniture had been destroyed, while +above such noises came the trampling of heavy feet, and shouts, and +cries.</p> + +<p>When this disturbance was at its height Hiram ran toward the ladder as +if it was his intent to ascend, despite the warning which had been +given; but I clutched his arm, holding him back by main strength as I +said in a hoarse whisper:</p> + +<p>"If Master Lord is not to be trusted, you would be making a bad matter +worse by showing yourself at this time. In case he is true to the Cause, +then most like you would do an injury to our people such as could not be +repaired."</p> + +<p>"You are right," Hiram said after the briefest hesitation, and he went +back from the ladder to take a seat on the bed.</p> + +<p>The lantern was still burning. None of us had been minded to extinguish +the flame when we laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> down to rest, because of the doubts which +assailed us all, and therefore it was we could look into each others' +faces during that seemingly desperate struggle which was going on above, +mutely asking for some solution to what was a fearsome mystery.</p> + +<p>Once when the uproar was greatest, Archie whispered that he would go to +the top of the ladder, hoping it might be possible there to distinguish +something of what was said; but he failed in the attempt, coming back to +report that he could see no glimmer of light around the edges of the +door, therefore believed it must be covered on the upper side, either to +prevent those same visitors from seeing the entrance to the cellar, or +to shut out from us all sound.</p> + +<p>I think the quarrel, or fight, whichever it may be called, continued +upward of half an hour, and then it seemed much as if those who had +taken part in it were become friends again, for we heard nothing +betokening anger, while now and then came the tramp of footsteps across +the floor, showing that the visitors yet remained in the house.</p> + +<p>After a time slumber lay so heavy on my eyelids that I stretched myself +out on the bed once more, falling asleep almost immediately, and when I +next awakened there was the belief in my mind that another day had come.</p> + +<p>Because of being in the cellar, which was wholly underground, no light +could come to us from the outside; but the lantern burned dimly as if +the oil had been nearly consumed, and I fancied it was day.</p> + +<p>My comrades awakened very shortly afterward like lads who have had their +fill of slumber, and we lay on the beds trying for at least the +twentieth time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> to get some glimmer of an idea regarding the strange +doings of the night before, as well as questioning whether it might not +be possible for us to learn whether Master Lord was at home.</p> + +<p>While we talked Hiram, growing impatient, went boldly up the ladder, +setting his shoulder against the trap-door; but failing to move it ever +so slightly, and at this seeming evidence of our being held prisoners we +grew alarmed.</p> + +<p>So narrow was the ladder that two of us could not stand side by side on +the upper rung in order to come at the barrier, and when each in turn +had spent his strength against the heavy timbers without effect, we came +together near the table, groping about that we might touch hands, for by +this time the flame of the lantern had died away entirely, leaving us in +total darkness.</p> + +<p>"If Master Lord wanted to make friends with the Britishers, he would be +on a fair road to so doing by giving us up to General Gage," I +suggested, striving to speak in a mirthful tone as if in my mind there +was no possibility of such treachery on his part, and Harvey clutched me +by the hand nervously, as he whispered:</p> + +<p>"Don't! Don't give words to what seems so very like the truth!"</p> + +<p>"Have done with talk like that!" Hiram cried angrily. "To judge Master +Lord an enemy is the same as calling the lieutenant, who treated us in +such friendly fashion, a traitor."</p> + +<p>"But why are we locked in here when it surely must be daylight?"</p> + +<p>"There can be no answer to that question until Master Lord himself comes +to make it, and I am bound to hold him a good man and true because of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +what we have been told, until he proves the contrary."</p> + +<p>I believe Hiram himself was more than a little alarmed, for it seemed to +me he struggled overly much to convince us he was apparently easy in +mind, and we were yet giving words to our painful doubts when, without +our having heard a sound previously, the trap-door was raised, letting +into the cellar a flood of light as if the day had already grown old.</p> + +<p>It was no more than natural we should step quickly toward the foot of +the ladder, meeting there Master Lord himself, who looked about as if +surprised because we were in darkness, and then, ascending quickly, he +returned before we had time to follow, bringing with him the smaller +lantern.</p> + +<p>Not until he had set this aflame and placed it on the table did he give +any heed to the questions which we were showering upon him; but then he +said with the air of one who is vexed with too many words:</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is full noon. I would have come to you before; but was on your +business, and believed you could content yourselves, even in this poor +place, knowing that your work was being forwarded. Are you suffering for +food?"</p> + +<p>"We can bear with hunger many hours and make no complaint, as has +already been shown at Breed's hill," Hiram replied in a tone of +sharpness. "Because of what we heard last night, and through knowing +that we were locked in here as prisoners, did we come to be somewhat +uneasy in mind."</p> + +<p>"Then you tried to get out when there was trouble above, regardless of +my warning?" the old man cried angrily.</p> + +<p>"We held ourselves as you commanded," and now Hiram's voice rang with +temper. "It was this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> morning we strove to learn whether we were free to +come and go as we pleased, and found that such was not the case."</p> + +<p>"Neither are you free, so far as leaving this house without my consent +is concerned. I have much the same as promised to aid you, and am doing +so, even at risk to myself and injury to the Cause, therefore it is you +are holden here until I shall give the word that you may depart without +endangering the secret of this place."</p> + +<p>Master Lord spoke with such an air of authority, as if he understood +full well we were thoroughly in his power, that I was more alarmed than +at any time since we came into the town, and mayhap there was somewhat +of the same feeling in Hiram's heart, for he asked as if he had the +right to know:</p> + +<p>"What was going on above us last night?"</p> + +<p>"What did you think might be happening?" Master Lord asked.</p> + +<p>"It sounded as if three or four men were fighting to such purpose that +the furniture of the room was destroyed."</p> + +<p>"You have such a good idea of the matter that there is no need for me to +make any explanation," Master Lord replied somewhat indifferently. +"There were three Tories with me last evening, and but for the fact of +their being well known as favoring the king, I am thinking one or more +of us might have been taken into custody by the patrol."</p> + +<p>"Then you consort with enemies of the Cause?" Hiram asked, and the old +man replied:</p> + +<p>"Aye, that I do, else how might it be possible for me to do our people a +good turn here in Boston town?"</p> + +<p>The man could have made no reply which would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> have disturbed me more +sorely than did this, for it was in substance exactly what Seth Jepson +had said when we taxed him with being traitorously inclined, and if it +had been possible to get out of that cellar without leaving my comrades +in the lurch, I would have taken to my heels, fleeing through the +streets of Boston town at risk of being arrested by the patrol, rather +than remain there at his mercy.</p> + +<p>If Hiram remembered the excuse Seth made for having been seen in the +company of Tories, and set the words alongside those just spoken by +Master Lord, he failed to give proof of the fact; but asked as if +believing everything had been explained:</p> + +<p>"Did you succeed in learning aught concerning Silas Brownrigg?"</p> + +<p>"There is a lad among the prisoners in the Bridewell, and none, so far +as I can learn, in the Queen-street prison. I am of the belief your +friend is the boy I have heard about, because I saw young Jepson +loitering around the building as if expecting to see some one that might +interest him."</p> + +<p>"How is this Bridewell guarded?" Hiram asked after a moment's pause.</p> + +<p>"Forty men are stationed there, twenty being kept on duty all the time, +and unless you can find one of the lobster backs who would lend his aid, +there is no possibility of your doing that for which you came."</p> + +<p>Master Lord spoke decidedly, and as if he believed our mission was come +to an end because of the difficulties which lay in the way, whereupon +Hiram said in a mild tone, which gave one the idea that he had every +confidence in his host:</p> + +<p>"Then you would advise that we give it up as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> bad job, feeling certain +we shall be able to do nothing?"</p> + +<p>To my bewilderment Master Lord acted as if surprised because Hiram was +willing to abandon the enterprise so quickly, and replied hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"If so be you have grown faint-hearted, then turn back now while there +is yet time; but if I had taken the chances of coming into Boston town +knowing the Britishers were eager to clap me into prison, I would hold +to the work so long as I held to life."</p> + +<p>"And that is exactly what we count on doing, Master Lord," Hiram cried +emphatically, as he brought his hand heavily down upon the old man's +shoulder. "We are thanking you for the information given, and now are +ready to leave this house if there is likelihood we may bring suspicion +upon you."</p> + +<p>"Where would you go?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take our chances on the street when night has come."</p> + +<p>"But you are not driven out from here!" Master Lord cried quickly. "I'm +advising that you stay where it is possible to remain securely hidden, +until such time as the chance you are waiting for presents itself."</p> + +<p>He spoke like an honest man, and yet on the instant there came to my +mind the question as to whether he had any traitorous intent in thus +advising us, after having much the same as said we could not hope to +succeed in our purpose.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>GRAVE DOUBTS</h3> + + +<p>Master Lord was evidently of the opinion that we could do no better than +remain where we were until it should become possible for him to show us +whereby we might aid Silas, and I wondered much that he spoke in such a +strain, after having declared that the force of lobster backs at the +Bridewell was so large that we had no hope of getting at the lad even to +give him a cheering word.</p> + +<p>This much I ventured to remark, glancing meanwhile at Hiram in order to +learn, if possible, what he might think of the matter, for it was come +to my mind that our comrade, who was ever eager to be up and doing, had +turned about strangely, as if content to spend any number of days in +that underground hiding-place.</p> + +<p>"There is such a thing as a fortunate accident," Master Lord replied +gravely, "and in this struggle against the king we of the colonies who +are weak in numbers as compared with the force he can bring against us, +must ever be on the alert for some turn in affairs which will work to +our advantage. It is true that at present there are so many lobster +backs on duty at the Bridewell that you cannot hope to come at your +comrade; but who shall say how soon the number of sentinels there may be +lessened?"</p> + +<p>"Have you enough influence among the lovers of the king to succeed in +getting inside the Bridewell?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> Hiram asked in a placid tone, as if the +matter was of but little importance to him, and I fancied Master Lord +replied to the question eagerly, as if anxious we should have full faith +in him, when if he had been a true man, so it seemed to me, there would +have been no question in his mind as to the possibility of our doubting +his intentions:</p> + +<p>"I believe before many days have passed, aye, perhaps by to-morrow, I +may be able to drop a hint to the lad that you are here in search of +him."</p> + +<p>"On what pretext could you get inside that portion of the Bridewell +where the prisoners who were taken at Breed's hill are confined?" Hiram +asked in the same quiet, indifferent tone.</p> + +<p>"There are many people in Boston, and especially among the Tories, who +are curious to see these so-called rebels; some in order to learn if +perchance they may have acquaintances among them, and others to jeer at +the unfortunates, reminding them how useless it is to struggle against +the king's power. I can be of one party or the other; but the time must +be ripe before it may be done. In other words, matters must have moved +fortunately for me, when there are on guard those of the lobster backs +with whom I am acquainted," and Master Lord spoke as if most eager to +convince us of his loyalty. "In order to make myself of service to the +Cause, it has been necessary to be friendly with these red-coated gentry +who rule the town."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can well understand that," Hiram replied in a tone of content. +"We know you will do for us all that lays in your power, and are ready +to take your advice in the matter," Hiram went on as if the work we had +set ourselves was of no especial importance, and my heart burned with +anger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> against him because of his seeming indifference. "In turning the +matter over, I can see that from the standpoint of one who would do the +greatest good to the greatest number, you cannot well afford to have +this secret hiding-place of yours discovered, and we are not so selfish +as to ask that you do other than seems to you wise. Go as far as you +prudently can in our behalf, and then leave us to take our own way."</p> + +<p>"You may be certain I shall not abandon the enterprise upon which you +have come, so long as there appears any likelihood of success; but when +one hits upon a stone wall it is wiser to go around, than to beat his +head against the rocks. Therefore when it is shown that I can effect +nothing, we will come to a stop; but until then trust in me."</p> + +<p>"Indeed we do, Master Lord, thanking you not only for the willingness to +aid us, but for the work in behalf of the Cause which you have already +done."</p> + +<p>I was so angry at hearing Hiram thus lay himself down at the feet of the +man whom it surely seemed we had every reason to distrust, that I could +have risen up against him, crying out all which was in my mind; but, +fortunately, I checked the words which were on the tip of my tongue, and +threw myself sulkily upon one of the beds, vowing mentally that never +again would I put faith in any human being howsoever fair might be his +speech.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Master Lord set about discussing plans for the future +as if we were like to remain in that underground hiding-place many a +long day, while Archie and Harvey listened to the conversation in +seeming bewilderment, failing to understand, even as did I, this +complete change in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> him whom we had come to look upon as the leader in +our hazardous venture.</p> + +<p>I cannot set down all these two said, for the very good reason that I +failed to charge myself with taking in the purport of the conversation; +but this I do know, that when they had come apparently to understand +each other, and were grown to be as thick as two thieves, Master Lord +explained that in order we might remain more securely hidden from +suspicion, and that none of the neighbors should come to fancy he had +visitors in the building, we must prepare our own food, cooking it in +the fire-place of the cellar.</p> + +<p>By such a course the house would remain open to whosoever might visit +it, and unless the secret of our hiding-place was revealed by our haste, +we were as safe in Boston town as in any other place, meaning, of +course, in event of Job Lord's proving to be a true man as he claimed to +be.</p> + +<p>To all of this Hiram agreed as if satisfied in every particular, and +then claimed to be prodigiously hungry, which was another surprise on +his part, for we had even then with us enough of provision to satisfy +all our desires during the next four and twenty hours.</p> + +<p>However, Hiram clung to the assertion that he was nigh to being +famished, and Master Lord went without delay to the floor above, as if +to procure that which might be needed.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he ascended the ladder than I stole softly to Hiram's +side, asking in an angry whisper:</p> + +<p>"What has come upon you so suddenly, that you fail to see anything +suspicious in our being thus asked to lay here content with what that +man may be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> able to do, never ourselves raising a hand in behalf of +Silas?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it seems as if I had not broken my fast for four and twenty +hours," Hiram replied in a loud tone, at the same time motioning toward +the floor above, as if to say that he would not converse with me however +guardedly, while Master Lord was where he might come to believe we were +holding secret council.</p> + +<p>This gesture of our comrade's soothed me somewhat, for I began to fancy +he had a plan in his mind to thwart our host if so be he gave token of +treachery, and yet I failed to understand how it might be done while we +remained there much the same as prisoners. In my stupidity I lost sight +of the fact that we were absolutely powerless. If this Job Lord was +indeed double-faced, then at the moment we ventured out despite his +advice, it was only necessary for him to give word to the lobster backs, +when we would, perhaps, come upon Silas by being ourselves made +prisoners.</p> + +<p>So far as ministering to our wants was concerned, Master Lord showed +himself most generous. After ascending and descending half a dozen +times, he had on the table before us an ample supply of corn meal, salt +pork, and, what was indeed a rarity, a leg of freshly-killed lamb, and +this at a time when our people in Cambridge believed the rank and file +of the king's army were living upon salt food, because of our having +shut off their supplies from the country roundabout.</p> + +<p>In addition, Master Lord brought a jar of whale oil, which I myself knew +had been hard to come upon in Boston, even before the butchery at +Lexington; but he must have been plentifully supplied, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> he insisted +we use it freely, saying it was not well for us to remain in darkness, +and that we should strive to make our gloomy quarters as comfortable as +possible.</p> + +<p>"There is no good reason why you should not enjoy yourselves so far as +may be," he said in the most friendly of tones when he had laid before +us the last of the supplies. "Until the time for action comes, you can +do no less than remain here, and it is well to be content in mind, +trusting that I will give the signal at the first moment anything may be +done to aid your comrade."</p> + +<p>Then, looking about him scrutinizingly as if to make certain he had +forgotten nothing, he turned and went up the ladder, halting when nigh +to the top, and saying:</p> + +<p>"You can understand that every precaution against discovery of this +place must be taken, therefore it is that I bolt the trap down, covering +it afterward with such things as can most handily be come at in my +kitchen, so that one may not see where the timbers are sawn apart."</p> + +<p>He was striving to explain why we were kept close prisoners, and again +my anger rose, for I failed to understand if the trap-door was covered +and screened from view of any who might enter the room above, why it +should be bolted so that we might not raise it in case of an emergency.</p> + +<p>After we had been thus closely confined beyond all hope of leaving the +place, and could hear Master Lord moving about the room above, I strove +once more to have an explanation with Hiram; but again he motioned +toward the ceiling, although this time, clutching me by the shoulders, +he drew my ear close to his lips as he whispered:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take station just beneath where the side door which leads into the room +above is located, and there do your best to learn whether any come in, +or if our exceedingly good friend goes out."</p> + +<p>Then he set about making ready the meal, in which work every +convenience, including a spit, was to be found near the fire-place, and +meanwhile talking so loudly regarding his hunger and our good fortune in +finding so secure a hiding-place, that Master Lord himself must have +been able to hear distinctly some of his words.</p> + +<p>Because he gave no warning that we should remain silent, were my +suspicions regarding his loyalty increased, for if peradventure our +presence there must be kept a profound secret from everybody, then +should he have checked Hiram, since in event of a Tory or a lobster back +entering the building, our comrade's voice would be heard.</p> + +<p>However, I went to that part of the room as nearly under the door of the +building as I could judge, and there took my station as Hiram directed, +feeling certain now that he had in mind some plan for the discovery of +Master Lord's real intention.</p> + +<p>I had not been thus endeavoring to play the eavesdropper above half an +hour, and the leg of lamb on the spit was sending forth a most +appetizing odor, when I distinctly heard the door above open, and then +came to my ears the footfalls of at least two, whom I judged to be men +because of the heaviness with which they stepped.</p> + +<p>Immediately afterward, and while we could hear the subdued hum of voices +above, Hiram whispered to Archie that he and Harvey should attend to the +cooking of the meat, then tapping me on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> shoulder with a gesture +which I understood meant for me to follow.</p> + +<p>Moving cautiously, in marked contrast to the loud tones in which he had +spoken a few moments previous, Hiram began at the end of the cellar +which was nearest the street, making a careful examination of the walls +as if seeking some means of outlet, I copying his every movement.</p> + +<p>Heavy logs, laid up with as much care as one would bestow in building +the sides of a house, formed this refuge of ours, and I was saying to +myself that if my comrade had any hope of finding a means of leaving the +place without knowledge of Master Lord, then was he doomed to +disappointment, when we were come to the fire-place, on one side of +which stood mayhap half a dozen casks, as if carelessly stacked there +out of the way.</p> + +<p>Hiram motioned for me to bear a hand, and one by one we moved the casks. +Setting each down upon the beaten earth which formed the floor so that +not the slightest noise would be made, we cleared all away until what +had the appearance of a rubbish hole was brought to view. One might have +guessed that this had originally been made as an entrance to the cellar +from the outside, and afterward closed up carelessly with rocks and +earth, the casks having been set before the place as a screen.</p> + +<p>There was a look of triumph on Hiram's face as he wriggled amid the +rubbish, pushing aside a rock here and scraping away the earth there +until his body was almost hidden from view.</p> + +<p>Then, while I stood with bated breath believing we had found what would +serve us in time of need, he appeared to have come to an end of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +exploration, for backing out, he straightway began brushing up the +litter which had been pulled upon the floor, as carefully as a +house-wife might have done, save that he used his hands instead of a +broom.</p> + +<p>More than once I made as if to ask what he had found further than I +could see; but he gave me to understand that we must make no attempt at +holding a conversation, and whispered that I go back to where it might +be possible to learn when those who were above had left the building.</p> + +<p>I did as he thus commanded; but my heart was lighter than at any time +since we entered this prison-like hiding-place, for the belief was +strong in my mind that if worse came to worse, and Master Lord was +indeed the treacherous villain I believed him, we might be able to +escape, so far as leaving the cellar was concerned.</p> + +<p>While I remained by the wall, straining my ears to catch the lightest +sound from above, Hiram continued his work as cook, and before the hum +of conversation had ceased in the room over my head, the leg of lamb was +done to a turn, while Griffin had ready for eating a tempting loaf of +corn bread.</p> + +<p>Then, somewhat to my surprise, after the food had been placed upon the +table Hiram took my station by the wall, insisting that we three lads +should partake of the meal, and because I was beginning now to have full +faith that he was not allowing himself to be hood-winked by Master Lord, +I did as commanded, although there was in my mind the idea that we might +give over listening, at least during such time as would be necessary to +satisfy our hunger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> + +<p>Before we had come to an end of our eating it was possible to hear the +outer door swung to with no little force, and there was a look of +satisfaction upon Griffin's face as he joined us at the table.</p> + +<p>"Unless my ears have played me false, the room above is empty. I heard +at least three go out, and if only two entered when you were on duty, +Luke, then we are alone in the building; but in order that we may take +no chances, my advice is that none of us speak above a whisper."</p> + +<p>"You think we have need of taking council together?" Archie asked, +whereupon Hiram replied grimly:</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad, if ever the time was that we needed to thrash out a matter in +order to come upon the best road, surely it is now."</p> + +<p>"Then you have come to believe that Master Lord is not such a friend to +the Cause as he professes, even though the lieutenant at the battery +declared he would trust the man with his life?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"The lieutenant's eyes may have been shut just as Job Lord would shut +ours," Hiram said with a smile, much as if it pleased him to have thus +settled the matter in his own mind. "It must be that this man has done +good service among our people, otherwise he would not have such a +reputation for loyalty to the colony. But whatever he may have done in +the past, it seems certain to me he is ready to play us false now."</p> + +<p>"I fail to see why he need take any roundabout lane to get at such a +knavish result," Harvey suggested. "If he counts to give us up to the +lobster backs, it only needs that he call in the first squad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> which +comes past the building, for here we are like rats in a trap, ready to +be taken whenever it is the pleasure of those who have caught us."</p> + +<p>"I wish it might be possible for me to make that part of it plain in my +mind," Hiram said thoughtfully. "I can figure out all else; but why it +should be his purpose to keep us here any length of time, instead of +delivering us up at once, is more than I can come at. Certain it is he's +playing a game, and it remains for us to learn what it may be."</p> + +<p>"And in the meanwhile what about Silas?" Archie asked, whereupon Hiram +replied sharply, as if it vexed him because the lad would carry the +conversation so far afield:</p> + +<p>"He is no more a prisoner than we are, and until it is possible for us +to get out of this place, at the same time finding some means of +preventing Job Lord from giving the lobster backs warning of our +whereabouts, we need not trouble our heads concerning him. I have no +mind to arouse your fears, lad, and surely you can understand the +situation as well as I; but to my thinking we would be safer shut up in +the Bridewell, as prisoners of war, than here in the power of this man +who claims to be devoted heart and soul to the Cause."</p> + +<p>Such words silenced me. I had come to believe that Hiram could see +treachery in Master Lord's course; but until this moment had no idea he +believed the situation to be so desperate. It must have been that he saw +what was very like to fear written on my face, for he added after a +short pause:</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, lad, do not let me persuade you into making mountains out of +mole hills; but let us not fall into the mistake of failing to see the +mole hills.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> You stood up bravely when we were on Breed's hill with +three or four thousand lobster backs striving to kill us, and I saw no +sign of fear on your face. Now we have but one man against us, and it +will go hard indeed if we four cannot outwit the scoundrel, if scoundrel +he be, providing he gives us time."</p> + +<p>"But why should he give us time?" Harvey persisted, and again Hiram +said:</p> + +<p>"That's what puzzles me lad; but I am hoping to find out before many +hours have passed. In the meanwhile, when he comes here it is for us to +make him believe we are not only willing, but pleased to remain as he +would have us. Do not let it appear that we have any suspicions of him +whatsoever, but fall in with all he suggests, for indeed we can do no +less while shut up here."</p> + +<p>"If that rubbish hole leads outside, why may we not escape by means of +it?" I asked, and the reply came promptly:</p> + +<p>"Because we would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. It is +evidently not Master Lord's intention to deliver us over to the lobster +backs yet a while, providing we remain quietly here as he desires; but +let us once take to flight, as he would discover within an hour or more +after we had gone, and our liberty is not worth a day's purchase. You +can see plainly that if he is the traitor we are beginning to believe +him, it would be impossible for us to find another hiding-place in this +town which the Britishers could not discover."</p> + +<p>"We are setting it down as a fact that this Job Lord, who has probably +made many of our people believe him true to the Cause, is a traitor," +Archie said thoughtfully, as if he had been turning the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> matter over and +over in his mind. "It seems to me that we should, until knowing to the +contrary, at least put it in our reckoning that the chances are even he +may be doing according to his professions. If that be the case, then we +are making as much progress toward giving Silas aid as if we were on the +outside; perhaps more, because Master Lord can succeed where we would +fail."</p> + +<p>"All of which means what?" I asked impatiently.</p> + +<p>"That since we are powerless to do otherwise, but must remain here, let +us say that perhaps matters are going as they should, which won't +prevent keeping our eyes open to take advantage of any turn that may +come in our favor."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if all these words irritated Hiram, for, after having +partaken sparingly of the appetizing food, he sprang to his feet with +the air of one who has much work to perform.</p> + +<p>"Give me your pocket-knife, Archie, and do you three lads remain at the +table until it is impossible to eat more, for we who serve the Cause do +not come upon such food often."</p> + +<p>Archie did as was desired, and we all watched Hiram curiously as he +began cutting cautiously at one of the crevices between the planks above +our heads.</p> + +<p>Not until he had been at work several moments did I come to understand +what he would do, and then it flashed upon me that it was his purpose to +make an aperture through which we might the better hear what was going +on in the room above.</p> + +<p>It was not reasonable to suppose he could cut away the planks to any +extent without danger of his work being seen from above, and in fact, +when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> he stepped aside as if the task had been performed, it appeared to +me that he had enlarged the crevice no more than an eighth of an inch, +and that for a distance, mayhap, of half a finger's length.</p> + +<p>Wetting his hand, he took from the fire-place a small quantity of ashes, +making them into a paste, and this he rubbed over the freshly cut space +until it had been darkened to a shade like unto the remainder of the +flooring, while I, eager to aid in whatsoever of work was being done, +picked up carefully each tiny shaving of wood, throwing them on the +embers that they might be consumed.</p> + +<p>Then Hiram went through the same operation at a place directly above the +table, and within half an hour he had thus opened slight communication +with the room above. There was not much reason for hoping these tiny +apertures would serve the purpose for which they had been made; but yet +there was a possibility we could hear better what was said or done by +Master Lord's visitors, and to people in our situation every chance, +however slight, must be caught at.</p> + +<p>"Why not learn what we can about yonder rubbish hole?" I asked when +Hiram seated himself at the table once more, as if there was nothing +else which demanded attention.</p> + +<p>"It is not well to make a try at going too far at one time," he replied +with a certain air of content.</p> + +<p>It was well I had not been looked upon as the leader of our little +company, otherwise we might have come to grief even before we had well +made a start toward arming ourselves against the possible treachery of +Master Lord.</p> + +<p>I would have continued the work which was begun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> by making the +apertures, in the rubbish hole, regarding not the possibility of an +interruption; but should have hardly more than have commenced before our +host returned, when most-like everything might have been discovered.</p> + +<p>As it was, thanks to Hiram's precaution, we four were seated at the +table in a most comfortable manner, as if having nothing on our minds +save pleasure, when Job Lord, who must have come into the house with the +utmost caution in order to learn what we might be about, raised the +trap-door suddenly, peering down before venturing to descend.</p> + +<p>There was no question after this but that he was minded to make certain +we followed his advice, and thus sneaking into the house like a spy to +catch us unawares was further proof that he meditated mischief.</p> + +<p>For the life of me I could not have greeted the scoundrel in a friendly +tone; but Hiram hailed him as if believing he was our best friend, and +asked in a jovial tone that he come down and partake of the sumptuous +dinner.</p> + +<p>Master Lord looked well content with himself, which meant that he was +satisfied we were minded to do as he bade us, when he descended the +ladder and took seat in a most affable manner at the table.</p> + +<p>"I have been out on your business," he said, helping himself to a slice +of roasted lamb.</p> + +<p>"And I dare venture to say you have done more in an hour than we four +could have accomplished in a full week," Hiram added genially.</p> + +<p>"Well, I may say we have got along famously this day," Master Lord +replied in a jolly tone. "Thanks to my acquaintance among the lobster<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +backs, and their belief that I am devoted heart and soul to the king, it +has been possible for me to enter that part of the Bridewell where the +prisoners taken at Breed's hill are confined."</p> + +<p>"Did you see Silas?" Harvey asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"There was but one boy in the place, and if so be your comrade is +prisoner here, then have I seen him. It would have been ill advised had +I attempted to get speech with him, because I was there professedly out +of motives of curiosity, and took good care not to arouse suspicion by +talking with any of the so-called rebels."</p> + +<p>"Is the guard around the building as large as it was yesterday?" Hiram +asked as if deeply interested, and having perfect confidence in what our +host might tell him.</p> + +<p>"As nearly as could be judged there has been no change; but I heard on +the street that General Gage counts on advancing his outposts at Boston +Neck with the idea of pushing our people back from Roxbury, in which +case he will need all the men at his command, when I doubt not the guard +at the Bridewell will be lessened."</p> + +<p>"Then your opinion is the same as when we last talked together?" and +Hiram urged Master Lord to partake more heartily of his own provisions.</p> + +<p>"Aye, that seems to me wisest. In fact, there is nothing else for you to +do, and surely you are comfortable here as any four so-called rebels to +be found in the colony could be."</p> + +<p>"That we are, sir, thanks to you, but for our having found this very +agreeable hiding-place, which is guarded by a man so deeply devoted to +the Cause, most-like we would be keeping our comrade company in the +Bridewell by this time," and one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> would have said from Hiram's tone that +he firmly believed Master Lord was the only person in all this world who +could have lent us aid. "We would be unwise as well as ungrateful should +there be any thought in our minds of doing other than as you advise."</p> + +<p>There is no need why I repeat all which was said between Job Lord and +Hiram Griffin, for each was bent on deceiving the other, as it appeared +to me, and the words which were spoken amounted to nothing, so far as +our work of releasing Silas was concerned.</p> + +<p>The result of it was, however, as I fancied, that Hiram succeeded in +making Master Lord believe we had the fullest confidence in him, and at +the same time was firmly convinced our host to be as thorough paced a +scoundrel as when we had talked with him previously.</p> + +<p>"It must not be that I spend all my time with you lads, pleasant though +your company is," Master Lord said after having made a hearty meal, and +at the same time satisfied himself that we were not meditating any move +other than as he directed. "I must pick up all the information I can +concerning General Gage's intentions to advance on the outposts at the +Neck, in order that word be sent to Cambridge without delay; therefore +it is necessary I go abroad for a while."</p> + +<p>"Do as you would if we were not here," Hiram replied, "and above all, +neglect not the work of the Cause in order to show your kindly +disposition toward us."</p> + +<p>Then after a few more friendly, and, as I believed, false words, Master +Lord ascended the ladder; the trap-door was shut and bolted, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> while +this was being done Hiram clambered upon the table softly that he might +approach his ear to the aperture made in the floor, motioning me to take +my former station, while Archie clambered up on a stool to hear what he +might from the other crevice.</p> + +<p>Between us all we contrived to make out with reasonably certainty when +our host, having moved about the room a few minutes as if searching for +something, left the building, locking the door behind him, and after +mayhap five minutes had passed in silence, Hiram said in a low tone as +he came down from his perch:</p> + +<p>"I'm allowing the worthy Master Lord will remain abroad, striving +earnestly to aid the Cause, for at least an hour, and during such time, +if you lads are so disposed, we will see what may be done with that +rubbish hole, which, as I believe, points out to us the fairest road we +could have for the thwarting of treacherous schemes."</p> + +<p>You can fancy with what eagerness I set about removing the casks, +believing we might speedily effect our purpose; but it was not in +Hiram's mind that we should be rash.</p> + +<p>"Fair and softly, lad, else by too much haste you spoil the whole broth. +That which chokes the passage must be disposed of if we would count on +opening it, and where do you reckon we may put what is taken out, so +that when our host visits us again he shall see no signs of our labor?"</p> + +<p>I had shown myself thick-headed many a time before; but never so dull as +now when I would have begun pulling out the rubbish without means of +hiding it, and I stepped back in despair, not understanding how we might +at the same time remove and keep it hidden from view.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<p>It seems that Hiram had already been making plans to such end, for he at +once began taking out some of the larger stones, and stowing them in two +of the casks from which the heads had been removed.</p> + +<p>"We can get rid of considerable in this way, and after that much has +been done it may be possible to pack the earth down so closely that we +can drive a tunnel through," he said, working energetically, and we +three lads, understanding what was in his mind, lost no time in bearing +a hand.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE SECRET PASSAGE</h3> + + +<p>Fortunately for us all the casks save two were unheaded, and these we +filled in short order, for it can well be supposed that every one worked +with utmost speed, not knowing how soon Job Lord might take it into his +head to return.</p> + +<p>Once filled, they were placed in front of the rubbish hole very nearly +in the same position, save in so far that a narrow passage was left +behind them, through which we might, with some difficulty, force +ourselves.</p> + +<p>On top of these, especially in order to prevent our host from seeing +what had been done, the two unheaded casks were placed, and then Job +Lord must have been keen-eyed indeed to have observed any change at that +portion of the room.</p> + +<p>It was Hiram who had remained inside the passage, passing out rocks or +clods of earth, and when we had come thus far in our labor he decided it +would be safer to cease work a short time, lest he who was apparently +holding us prisoners should succeed in returning secretly.</p> + +<p>"How far have you got toward the outside?" I asked as Hiram came from +behind the casks, brushing his clothing carefully, and washing his hands +that no token of the labor could be seen when next our host visited us.</p> + +<p>"I am of the belief that we have made what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> you might call a tunnel +straight through, and within a dozen inches of the surface," he replied. +"I had no means of guessing as to the distance, except by taking the +flooring of the building as being well on the level, and from that I +feel positive I had made my way upward to a point equal in height to the +last rung of the ladder. The question that bothers me is, how we can +break through the crust of earth without leaving behind token of what +has been done?"</p> + +<p>"Why should we care whether any person saw how we escaped?" Archie asked +in bewilderment. "Once Job Lord fails to find us he will know we have +gone, and it matters little how soon he discovers the tunnel."</p> + +<p>"Aye, if so be we counted on taking to our heels at once; but there is +in my mind an idea that we may play this double-faced Master Lord a +reasonably neat trick. It is agreed that we want to stay in Boston until +it is possible to aid Silas, or we have come to know that nothing can be +done, and where could we find a better hiding-place than this?"</p> + +<p>"But surely we can't count on going in and out at our pleasure, for the +chances would be against us. Master Lord might come at any time, and +when we attempted to return the jig would be up."</p> + +<p>"As to that I am not certain," Hiram said as, having removed all traces +of the work from his person, he seated himself at the table evidently +ready to enter into an argument should any of us dispute his +proposition. "While working in the tunnel the idea came to me that if we +carried the digging through successfully, one of us might be on the +outside, and Master Lord fail to discover the fact even if he paid us a +visit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How do you make that out?" Harvey asked incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Suppose, for instance, Luke ventured outside through the passageway, if +so be we can hit upon a plan of preventing the end of the tunnel from +being seen on the surface. Now then, it should not be a very difficult +job for us to rig up a dummy which would have somewhat the appearance of +a lad lying on the bed as if asleep. Then we will say that you, Harvey, +lie down beside the figure, pretending to be asleep. Master Lord comes; +finds Archie and me sitting here at the table; glances at the bed, sees +Harvey's face, and also what appears to be Luke's head. Think you he +would have any suspicion that matters were wrong?"</p> + +<p>"But suppose he did?" I insisted, determined to understand all the +possibilities of Hiram's scheme; but not allowing that it might be put +through successfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, we will suppose his suspicions are aroused, and he goes over to +the bed to make certain Luke is there. How much worse off are we in case +he discovers the trick? We know him to be our enemy, regardless of the +confidence which our people may put in him, and it is also a fact that +we are bound to keep our eyes open for the first move he shall make, +because the end of this matter, from his point of view, is our capture +by the Britishers when the time comes that all his purposes are served."</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?" I demanded impatiently. "Once he has made the +discovery that I am outside, can you prevent him raising an alarm, and +thus bringing the lobster backs upon those who are inside?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Aye, that seems to me a very simple matter," Hiram replied. "The moment +our double-faced friend went toward the dummy to make certain he had +been tricked, our plan would be to fall upon him, and I'll eat my head +if the three of us can't truss him up like a fowl ready for the +roasting, however much of a fight he may make."</p> + +<p>"Well, and if we have him prisoner, what then?"</p> + +<p>"We'll simply hold him here until we get ready to leave town, and I'm +thinking that won't be any difficult matter," Hiram said laughingly. +"With him bound hand and foot, and one of us ready to plump a gag in his +mouth if he makes too much noise in the way of calling for assistance, +it seems to me he would be about as harmless as a kitten in a cage. As a +matter of fact, it is very nearly what we must do finally, for I am not +counting to take to my heels through yonder passage, leaving him behind +free to give word to the lobster backs that we are somewhere in the +town, or striving to get out of it. We are in such a box, lads, that it +would be worse than useless to hesitate at anything which promises, +however slightly, to aid us," and now Hiram spoke in a grave tone, as +does one who speculates upon some hazardous venture. "We shall not be +able to leave this place without having a tussle with Master Lord, and +no one can say how soon that may be necessary, therefore I hold to it we +are warranted in taking many chances, if so be we are working toward the +end that we set ourselves when leaving Cambridge. Even though we may not +hold this place as a refuge eight and forty hours before the trick is +discovered, then have we gained just so much time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<p>I could think of no argument against this plan of Hiram's, ponder over +it as I might. We were in desperate straits, and all of us knew full +well that the danger would not be so great when Master Lord had +discovered that we had a means of escape, providing we could hold him +prisoner, than if he remained in ignorance of our purpose and at liberty +to set the lobster backs on us whenever he chose.</p> + +<p>"The only thing against your plan, Hiram, is that which you yourself +have confessed," Archie said thoughtfully. "The difficulty of concealing +the mouth of the tunnel after one of us has made his way through it."</p> + +<p>"Aye, there's the rub, lad; but it strikes me that 'twixt the four of +us, seeing's how we have all got some share of common-sense, we ought to +be able to overcome that trouble in course of time. I cannot say just +now what way it may be done; but we will hit upon an idea lads, we'll +hit upon an idea."</p> + +<p>It may seem that this slight change in the situation was not so +favorable to our enterprise as to warrant very much in the way of +rejoicing, and yet I felt more nearly light-hearted after Hiram was at +an end of explaining what he had done, and how the tunnel might be made +to serve us, than at any time since I left Cambridge, although I am +bound to confess we were no nearer accomplishing our purpose because of +this secret passage, than before. In fact, we had simply succeeded in +entering the town, and then plunged ourselves into greater difficulties +than ever, therefore it is possible the means of escape was simply a +step toward righting the mistake that had been made.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Harvey asked suddenly, as if it was a matter of great +moment:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who knows whether it yet be day, or has the night come?"</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we had lost all knowledge of time, shut up in that +cellar where no ray of light penetrated, sleeping and eating as our +desires prompted, and now the question had been raised I grew keen to +know whether another night had come, or if we had been there as +prisoners less than four and twenty hours.</p> + +<p>"It was nearabout midnight when we came into this place," Hiram replied +to Harvey's question, as if still working out a problem in his mind. "We +spent much time with Master Lord; let us say until daybreak. Then we +slept, and the chances are it must have been near to another night fall +when we were awakened by a racket overhead. I'm allowing it was the next +night after our arrival, perhaps late in the evening, when our +double-faced host brought us the provisions, and that we most-like have +spent one entire night eating and working on the tunnel. Therefore to my +mind it is some time in the second day after our arrival. Surely it +cannot be very late in the night, else would Master Lord have returned."</p> + +<p>All this seemed good reasoning, and yet now that we had seemingly +settled the matter, of what did it avail us? What mattered whether the +sun was shining, or the earth shrouded in darkness, so that we dared not +venture out in either case?</p> + +<p>Hiram speedily settled this matter, as in fact he did every one we +discussed, by asking:</p> + +<p>"What say you to my making our first venture through the secret passage +after that scoundrel who professes to be working in our interests, +visits us the next time?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Meaning that you would go out whether it was night or day?" Archie +asked.</p> + +<p>"Surely not, lad; but I am allowing we can so far trust him as to take +for granted what he tells us as to the time. Now if I am guessing +rightly, he will come back in the evening, and there is no good reason +why he should not say what is o'clock when we put the question. It ought +to be possible for us to learn whether he goes to bed, or ventures out +again, and if it so chances that he turns in, I will try the secret +passage."</p> + +<p>"When you made the holes in the floor for the purpose of hearing what +might be going on in the room above, did you realize that they would +serve to let him know what we are doing?" Harvey asked, and Hiram's +reply was a cheery one:</p> + +<p>"Aye, that I did, lad; but I'm not minded he shall get any advantage +because of them, since it won't be a great exertion to plug the holes +with rags."</p> + +<p>It was evident that Hiram had given more thought to the situation, and +to the possibility of turning it to our advantage, than had any of us. +From that moment I was well content to do as he suggested, save in one +particular, and that was as to which of us should make the first +venture, therefore I demanded to know why he claimed the right.</p> + +<p>"Because in the first place, so far as the lobster backs know, I haven't +been mixed up in the doings of the Minute Boys as have the rest of you."</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out?" Archie cried sharply. "Seth Jepson has told +the Britishers all he knows, and your name has been put down with the +others."</p> + +<p>"Seeing's how I am the least known in this town of Boston, it strikes me +there is nobody who can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> go out with less danger than myself," Hiram +declared, and straightway I put an end to his pretensions by saying:</p> + +<p>"You would not be able to effect one half as much as any of us three, +because of being unacquainted with the town and the people. Besides, you +would be missed more quickly by Master Lord; the chances are if he +should come, and you were asleep, he would insist upon awakening you, +for you have acted as spokesman all the way through this business. Now I +am the one who has the right to go, and I can be of more service than +any other."</p> + +<p>As a matter of course all hands insisted on knowing upon what I based my +claims, and I put the matter plainly, perhaps with some show of +arrogance:</p> + +<p>"In the first place because I was chosen captain of the Minute Boys, +which gives me the right to say what shall or shall not be done; then +again I am as well acquainted with the people in this town as any other, +knowing who may be trusted and whom we need fear."</p> + +<p>"What would you do in case we agreed you should be the first to venture +out?" Hiram asked, and I could well understand that he was inclined to +believe me in the right.</p> + +<p>"First I would go to my own home, and it would be safe to do so because +no one save Master Lord has any idea that I am in town. My mother must +know somewhat of the doings hereabouts since we left, and may be able to +give valuable information."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" Archie asked as if he considered my plan to be of little +importance so far as the work of releasing Silas was concerned.</p> + +<p>"I would take advice from her as to who among the men known to love the +Cause, it would be safe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> for me to visit, and to such person give full +information of how we are situated, and what we strive to accomplish. +That I fancy is as much as any one of us can do in a single night."</p> + +<p>Archie would have had more to say regarding the matter, as I could +understand from the expression on his face; but just at that moment the +outer door was heard to open noisily and close with a bang, after which +it seemed as if we could hear whoever had entered barring it behind him, +and Hiram whispered softly to me:</p> + +<p>"Get you on the further side of the bed, and let Harvey lie down beside +you. Keep your face turned to the wall, as if you were the dummy of +which we have spoken."</p> + +<p>I understood that now he would make an experiment of the plan which he +had suggested, and as softly as might be I followed his instructions, +repeating them to Harvey.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling we two lads were disposed of, I smothering my face in the +blanket while my companion lay facing the table, and in a very short +time after these preparations had been made the trap-door was opened.</p> + +<p>Master Lord came down the ladder with a noisy welcome, as if it pleased +him to see us thus apparently contented, and before he had an +opportunity to make any remark, Hiram asked in a tone of curiosity:</p> + +<p>"May it be night or day, Master Lord? We have been shut in here so long +without seeing a ray of light that it has come to be a matter of no +little importance to us."</p> + +<p>"It is nigh to nine of the clock, when all found loitering on the street +without a pass will be taken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> into custody, else I would have remained +abroad later, for I am hoping most earnestly to seek out some way by +which you can aid your comrade."</p> + +<p>"Was it last night that we came here?" Hiram continued, as if prompted +solely by curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Not so; nearly eight and forty hours have passed since you arrived."</p> + +<p>"Hiram guessed rightly, as he nearly always contrives to do," I said to +myself, and then Master Lord asked:</p> + +<p>"Why are you so interested in the time of day? Since you must perforce +remain here idle while I am cutting out the work for you, it is of no +especial importance whether the sun or the moon is shining."</p> + +<p>"Aye, that may be," Hiram replied reflectively; "but you see yonder +sleepy heads declared they would turn in because another night had +surely come, and I was trying to persuade them they would be spending +the day in slumber, which as I look at the matter is wrong, even though +we may not venture out."</p> + +<p>Master Lord appeared to be content with this explanation, and at once +began telling of what he had heard on the street regarding General +Gage's probable plans, giving no very important news save the fact that +our people were sending troops to this post and that in the work of +besieging the town, and it was understood by the Britishers that they +were much the same as held fast, without means of leaving Boston, save +they chose to beat a retreat by water.</p> + +<p>"It stands to reason General Gage could not do anything of that kind, +however much he might desire it," our double-faced host explained. "It +is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> true he is not advancing the king's work by staying here, yet to +evacuate the town would be to admit that the Americans had beaten him by +that victory which he claims at Breed's hill."</p> + +<p>Then he went on with a lot of words intended, as I fancied, rather to +keep us quiet in mind than for any other purpose, and, giving but little +heed to his talk, I tried in vain to guess why he wished to hold us in +this place rather than turn all four over to the Britishers immediately, +as I doubted not but that he intended to do finally.</p> + +<p>He remained mayhap half an hour talking with Hiram, for neither Harvey +nor Archie ventured to take part in the conversation, and giving no heed +to me. If the dummy we proposed to make had been in my place, and I on +the outside, he would have remained in ignorance of the fact.</p> + +<p>"If he could thus be deceived once, why not twice or thrice?" and I said +to myself that Hiram Griffin had worked out a plan as nearly perfect as +anything of the kind could be reckoned.</p> + +<p>When Master Lord had ascended to the upper floor, and closed and bolted +the door to make certain we could not give him the slip, Hiram crept +like a cat upon the table, pressing his ear against one of the +apertures. He stood there as it seemed to me a full hour before he came +down as cautiously as before, and leaned over the bed where I lay, to +whisper softly in my ear:</p> + +<p>"After I have plugged up the holes, lad, it is time for you to get to +work, if so be you are minded to make the venture as was agreed upon."</p> + +<p>Minded? I was burning with the desire to set out, foolishly believing +that once I was free in the streets of Boston town, it would not only be +possible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> for me to avoid the patrol, but I could do very much toward +that release of Silas Brownrigg's on which we had set our hearts.</p> + +<p>Not until Hiram had filled the two small apertures with pieces of cloth +torn from his shirt, did I make any move, and then it can well be +fancied that I strove to rise from the bed without noise.</p> + +<p>Hiram was already wrapping his coat around a large rock taken from one +of the casks, which as I understood was intended to represent my head, +and when this had been placed upon the bed, he made a roll of blankets +to form the body. Over this he threw a second blanket, and if so be the +light was dim, I believed, as I stood near the table where Master Lord +would naturally come if he should pay us a visit during the night, that +it was a fair resemblance to myself as he had just seen me.</p> + +<p>"I'm allowing that you can make your way out after five minutes of +digging," Hiram whispered to me, and then came to my mind the one +important question which we had failed to settle.</p> + +<p>"How shall I cover the hole?"</p> + +<p>"That is for you to decide after getting out. My idea is that the turf +may be thrown up in such a way that it can be replaced, and yet I +question much whether it is of any very great importance to conceal the +mouth of the tunnel during such time as you may be absent, for why +should any person, much less Job Lord, be prowling around the rear of +this building in the night?"</p> + +<p>With this Hiram dismissed the matter as if believing it was not a vital +one, and instructed me as to how the first portion of the work should be +performed. He was to stand on the table, having pulled out the plug of +cloth from one of the apertures,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> where it might be possible to hear +what was going on overhead. Archie would take station a few feet +distant, toward the casks, while Harvey remained close by the rubbish +hole. Then if Hiram heard any suspicious sounds he would motion to the +one nearest, who could in turn let the next sentinel know, and this last +might warn me to keep quiet in the tunnel. If perchance Master Lord did +come down into the room, because of being suspicious, or in order to +hold any further converse, I must stay in the passage, and the dummy +play my part the same as if I had gained the outside.</p> + +<p>When all this had been decided upon and understood, the lads stationed +themselves, and I crept into the tunnel, finding the passage so very +much narrower than I had counted upon that already was I beginning to +fear I might, through clumsiness, so wedge myself in that it would be +impossible to advance or retreat.</p> + +<p>That, however, was one of the chances which must be taken, if we would +get about the work in the only manner that promised success, and I +wriggled my way upward until having come to where the earth was +seemingly solid above my head, on the alert meanwhile for a signal from +Harvey which should tell of danger in the rear.</p> + +<p>Without delay, and yet not hastily lest by too much speed a blunder be +made, I scraped away the dirt from above my head, allowing it to fall +wheresoever it would, until I could feel the roots of the grass, and +knew I was come to the turf.</p> + +<p>Then, feeling carefully around at the very edge, so that I might force +it upward in such a manner as to form a lid that would drop back into +place again, I pressed with all my strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> + +<p>The roots of the grass tore asunder; a draft of fresh air struck upon my +face, and, looking upward, I could see stars twinkling in the sky in a +most friendly fashion, as it seemed to me.</p> + +<p>Within sixty seconds I was standing erect in the rear of the building +which Master Lord counted to be our prison, free to go whithersoever I +would, so that I kept myself clear from the patrol and did not blunder +upon too many Tories.</p> + +<p>I had in the belt by my side the knife of which I have already spoken, +and it was the only weapon which I could carry while making a way +through the narrow tunnel; but this I was determined to use with deadly +intent if peradventure I should come upon only one, or mayhap two +enemies who recognized me, and I believe of a verity that, excited and +desperate as I was become, it would have been possible for me to have +fought for liberty with the energy of half a dozen lads.</p> + +<p>It can well be fancied that I did not stand many seconds in the open +talking with myself as to what I would do in case of a pinch. It seemed +to me the most dangerous portion of my undertaking was to slip past the +building without being overheard by Master Lord, and I flattered myself +that no Indian on the war path ever moved more noiselessly than I, until +having gained Long lane.</p> + +<p>Even while making my way through the tunnel I had mapped out the course +to be pursued, which was that I would cross the vacant land from Long +lane to the corner of Bishop's alley and Milk street, after which it +would be necessary to take my chances of coming upon the patrol. I +counted even on going as near the governor's house as Old South Church, +and from thence boldly down Corn hill,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> passing dangerously near the +prison until coming to Dock square. As to the rest of the journey, I +said to myself it should be determined by chance.</p> + +<p>Once at a safe distance from Master Lord's house I walked rapidly, +keeping my ears wide open, as you can well suppose, for any sound of the +patrol, until I was come to Milk street, and from thence on my heart was +literally in my mouth, for then I was in that part of the town where I +must reasonably expect to come upon enemies.</p> + +<p>Twice I was within a hair's-breadth of being discovered by the patrol, +but it seemed as if fortune favored me on this venture, for each time +when the sound of their footfalls came to my ears I was nigh a +convenient hiding-place, either in a garden or at the rear of some +building, and although it may seem impossible that the trick could have +been turned so readily, I passed through Dock square and gained Union +street without having come face to face with a single person.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I steered a course for the water mill, and thence kept +on along the shore of the mill pond, where was less danger of coming in +contact with a lobster back, and after that the way was, as you might +say, plain sailing.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most difficult part of the venture thus far, was when I +strove to awaken my mother without attracting the attention of the +neighbors. She, dear soul, had secured every door and window lest +thieves might break in and steal what little of property the Britishers +had left us, and more than once did I half turn as if to depart, +believing I was courting too much of danger in thus striving to have +speech with her.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, however, I continued my efforts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> sufficiently long to +arouse the dear woman, and heard in a low, frightened tone from inside, +the question as to who was demanding entrance.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that the door was opened very suddenly when I +whispered my name, and on feeling her arms around me I was so heartened +that it seemed as if I could successfully encounter any ordinary number +of Tories or red-coats who might seek to make me prisoner.</p> + +<p>She would have cried out against it when I told her for what purpose we +had come to Boston town, and I knew full well that if I had explained +the dangers to which we were exposed, even while under the supposed care +of Job Lord, she would have begged and insisted so strenuously for us to +give over that which had in it so much of hazard, that I might not have +prevailed against her.</p> + +<p>I contented myself with telling her how we had chanced to come upon this +Master Lord, and repeated what had been said concerning his loyalty to +the Cause, thereby giving her to believe we were in perfect security +while remaining at his dwelling, all of which went far toward calming +her fears. It was what you might call deceiving one's mother, and yet I +believed that under the circumstances was I fully warranted in so doing, +otherwise had I left her as I must, she would have eaten her heart out +with anxiety and forebodings.</p> + +<p>To her mind it was not possible we could do anything whatsoever in aid +of Silas. She had heard from our friends that the prisoners taken at +Breed's hill were closely guarded; that none save those who were known +to be of the king's side could even so much as have a glimpse of them, +and knowing I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> could not remain in town very long without being taken +into custody, instead of pleading that I remain with her, she begged me +to go with all speed to Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Explaining that I would have speech with some man who was devoted to the +Cause and yet remained in Boston, she proposed that I go to Master +William Mansfield, who lived in Mackrell lane, for he was one who had +proven himself a true son of the colony, having staid in town because of +lameness in the leg which prevented him from serving as a soldier.</p> + +<p>I remained with my mother not more than half an hour, although it would +have pleased me right well could I have staid there until break of day; +but time was exceedingly precious if I would save my own skin as well as +that of my comrades, and I hastened away, counting to do no more than +have a plain talk with Master Mansfield before going back to the +hiding-place which was a prison, knowing full well that the lads there +must be filled with apprehension and fear as the moments went by, lest I +might have been taken into custody, thus bringing about discovery of the +secret passage.</p> + +<p>Now, because of having succeeded so well thus far in my mission it may +be I grew careless, although even to this day it seems as if I exercised +every caution while on the way from my home to Mackrell lane.</p> + +<p>Certain it was, however, that on going up Ann street to the town dock I +failed to hear the sound of footsteps behind me, until a hand was laid +on my shoulder, and a disagreeably familiar voice cried in a tone as of +triumph:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + +<p>"After what was done at Hog island, and then at Breed's hill, have you +the courage to come into this town, Luke Wright?"</p> + +<p>I wheeled suddenly as you may fancy, and it was as if the very blood +grew chill in my veins when I saw that he who had spoken was none other +than the traitorous cur, Seth Jepson.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>AN AWKWARD CAPTURE</h3> + + +<p>I was thoroughly dazed at having let myself be come upon by the one lad +in town who could do me the most mischief. It was literally impossible +to speak for a full minute, and during such time as I remained staring +stupidly into the lad's face there ran through my mind like a flash of +lightning all it was possible for him to do, not only against myself, +but those I had left behind in the cellar of Job Lord's house.</p> + +<p>It is true that the Tory cur had then no means of knowing whether others +had come into the town with me; but should he give an alarm and I be +taken into custody, as must surely follow, then would that host of ours +who claimed to be such a devoted friend to the Cause, make known the +contents of his cellar in order to have a share in the credit of +capturing "rebels."</p> + +<p>I realized almost as soon as the scoundrel had spoken, that we two must +not part; that the safety of all our little company depended upon my +silencing him in some way; but how might it be done save at the expense +of killing? Even though his death would have been of benefit to the +Cause, I could not find it in my heart to do that which seemed much the +same as murder.</p> + +<p>"I little expected to find you at large in the streets of this town," +Seth said in what he meant to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> be a jeering tone, but, with all my +senses on the alert because of the imminence of the danger, I noticed +that he looked uneasily out of the tail of his eye as if having it in +mind to give me the slip, and this, as you may suppose, heartened me, +although even while I stood gazing at him did I realize that he was +simply casting about in his mind for some means whereby he might take +advantage of thus meeting with me.</p> + +<p>I answered boldly enough, however, and was well pleased to continue the +conversation sufficiently long to have an opportunity of deciding upon +my course of action, therefore said:</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me how long since I have not had the privilege of walking +the streets of Boston town, Seth Jepson?"</p> + +<p>"That's a question easily answered. You lost the right when you attacked +the king's men off Hog island."</p> + +<p>"Well, and what did you lose when you showed yourself not only a traitor +to the Cause, but a cur, gaining the confidence of your comrades only +that you might betray them to a British prison? Can such as you walk the +streets freely while I, who have made no pretense of being other than +what your governor calls a rebel, must remain in hiding?"</p> + +<p>"It is the duty of every true man, as well as lad, to serve the king, +and there can be no such thing as treachery when one works in behalf of +his lawful sovereign," Seth replied, wincing and raising his arm before +his face as if thinking I counted on striking him.</p> + +<p>"The lawful sovereign of these colonies is whosoever the people shall +choose to be their ruler, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> the time is speedily coming, Seth Jepson, +when the lobster backs will be driven out of Boston. After that has been +done you will be called upon to settle with the Minute Boys, and I +assure you the debt won't be easily paid."</p> + +<p>I was deliberately striving to work myself up into a fury that I might +strike the cur senseless with a blow, taking the chance of killing him, +for as the seconds sped I realized how great was our danger unless his +tongue could be silenced.</p> + +<p>He must have seen something of this in my face, for he wheeled about +suddenly, crying at the full strength of his lungs as he attempted to +flee:</p> + +<p>"Murder! murder!"</p> + +<p>He had no time to make further outcry, for as soon as the word was +repeated I clutched him by the throat from behind, dragging him +backward, and burying my fingers so deeply in his neck that he was like +to be strangled.</p> + +<p>It was only when his eyes bulged out and his tongue protruded, as after +the hangman has finished his work, that I realized I was within an ace +of taking a human life. Then I released my hold; kneeling on his breast, +I pinned both his arms down to the ground so that he had no opportunity +of escaping, or making an attack upon me.</p> + +<p>No sooner had I done this, and he began to breathe more freely, than I +realized that by my assault I had increased the danger, for surely, even +at that time of night, those living near about must have heard that +shrill, frantic cry.</p> + +<p>To leave him now in condition to follow me, would be the greatest folly +of all, and acting upon the impulse of the moment I clutched him by the +collar, dragging the cur to his feet as if he had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> of no more +weight than a baby. Then I forced him on before me down Union street +toward the mill pond as I said sharply, yet in a cautious tone, while I +withdrew my knife from its sheath that he might see I had a weapon:</p> + +<p>"I'm not minded you shall send me to a British prison, Seth Jepson, and +I swear solemnly that if you raise your voice above a whisper, or fail +to run at your best pace, I'll thrust this knife into your heart with +the certainty of killing you."</p> + +<p>"Would you do murder?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, and I knew from the +tremor of his voice that he was in an agony of fear.</p> + +<p>"It will not be murder to kill such as you, and I shall have no +hesitation in doing so unless you obey every command promptly."</p> + +<p>During such time as we had been speaking the pace was not slackened, and +that the cowardly cur had lost all heart, I understood when he forged +ahead at his best speed, as if believing implicitly in the threat I had +made.</p> + +<p>Running swiftly we were soon on the shore of the mill pond, having +arrived without seeing or hearing anything to betoken pursuit, and +believing it safe to slacken the pace that I might reserve my strength +in case we were come to that pass where I must release the prisoner in +order to save my own skin, I allowed the Tory cur to walk, but took good +care to keep a firm grip on his collar as I mentally asked myself how it +would be possible to rid myself of the prisoner with due regard to +safety.</p> + +<p>I began to realize that I had made an awkward capture; that I had under +my hand one whom I dared not set free, and could not take with me. It +was a most perplexing situation, and during a few seconds I well nigh +lost heart because of having thus plunged my comrades into yet greater +difficulties.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 432px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="432" height="650" alt=""'WOULD YOU DO MURDER?'"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"'WOULD YOU DO MURDER?'"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<p>Yet what other could I have done? If, when he accosted me, I had turned +to flee, he would have followed, and within two or three minutes a score +of lobster backs must have been on my trail, when there could be no +chance of escape. My only safety lay in holding fast to him, and yet by +so doing was I increasing the peril.</p> + +<p>He must have fancied I had grown faint-hearted to a certain degree, for +as we walked on by the shore of the mill pond, he obeying every motion +of mine as does a dog that has been whipped, the scoundrel began to +whimper, being fool enough to think that by the use of soft words he +could make his standing good once more.</p> + +<p>"You do me wrong, Luke Wright, when you believe I led the Britishers up +to Barton's point that night you were embarking for Hog island."</p> + +<p>"Who has accused you of doing that?" I cried, giving way to temper +because he should believe he might make excuses for his treachery.</p> + +<p>"You have much the same as said so," he whined. "Because I was forced to +go home for ever so short a time, having forgotten to do what my mother +bade me, you immediately cried out that I was a traitor."</p> + +<p>"How know you that, Seth Jepson, unless it be that you did play us +false, and how was it you returned in company with the Britishers?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't," Seth replied, not speaking as an honest lad would; but +rather like a knave who is too thoroughly frightened to be able to tell +a falsehood that can be believed. "The Britishers were there when I came +up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We were but a short distance from the shore when you returned in their +company, and heard the conversation that was held while you were accused +of having brought them on a false scent," I cried hotly, and then +realizing that no good could come from thus bandying words when at any +moment we might come upon the patrol, I said sharply, forcing him once +more into a run:</p> + +<p>"You are to hold your tongue from this out, or as I live this knife +shall find its way into your back."</p> + +<p>"I will do whatsoever you say, so that you spare my life," he whined, +and I could have kicked him for failing to show the spirit of a decent +lad.</p> + +<p>Not knowing whithersoever I ought to go; but having in mind a clear idea +that I must make my way so far out of the town as to lessen the danger +of coming upon a squad of lobster backs, I pushed him on until we were +come to Boling Green, and then made a straight cut across Cambridge +street, heading for Beacon hill at a smart pace until we were 'twixt +there and the rope walk, where it seemed to me we were past the danger +line for the time being.</p> + +<p>Then it was I did a mighty deal of thinking. The first plan I formed was +to cross over to the western shore of the town with the poor hope of +finding there a skiff in which I might make way to Cambridge with my +prisoner, even though in so doing I should be abandoning my comrades +who, if I failed to return before daylight, would be set upon by Master +Lord in whatsoever way he purposed to deal with them.</p> + +<p>The thought that I would thus be purchasing my own safety, if indeed I +was lucky enough to come upon a skiff on the shore, at the expense of my +comrades<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> shamed me, and, pulling Seth sharply around to the left, I +continued at a yet swifter pace down past the powder house, across the +Common, my brain in such a whirl that it seemed I must of necessity go +once more to Cow lane.</p> + +<p>By this time little clouds had begun to gather in the sky, so that the +night was darker than it had been when I set out, and as we came to the +end of Hog alley I believed it safe to stop there an instant in order to +regain my breath, for now both captive and captor were breathing +heavily.</p> + +<p>Here, as we crouched within the shadow of an outhouse, Seth began his +whining once more; but I cut him short with an extra twist in the collar +of his shirt, at the same time warning him in a whisper that my knife +would find its place in his back if he dared speak one word, however +cautiously.</p> + +<p>Now was come the time when I must decide upon what should be done, and, +despite the danger, in my perplexity I decided to take the chances of +regaining Master Lord's dwelling, saying to myself that the only hope +remaining was to get Seth into that place of refuge which was at the +same time our prison. Once there Hiram Griffin could decide whether we +would not be warranted in turning our backs upon the mission which had +brought us to Boston town, and make every effort to gain Cambridge with +the prisoner.</p> + +<p>It was a wondrous relief to have settled upon some plan, however poor +and desperate, and without further loss of time I pushed Seth on once +more, vowing that we should not slacken pace, unless it might be to +avoid the patrol, until having come to Cow lane.</p> + +<p>Down through the alley, across Newbury street;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> through the gardens +there to Short street, and thence on to Blind lane; past the New South +Church, and down Summer street, finally coming to our destination.</p> + +<p>Even as I set this down it seems wondrous strange that we could have +come thus far, and for a certain distance through a settled portion of +the town, without having seen or heard anything of life. Yet such was +indeed the case, else I had not been here to tell this poor story of our +Minute Boys of Boston, for had we been captured while I held Seth Jepson +in my power, then was the end speedily come for me, because every Tory +in town would have seen to it that such charges were brought to my door +as would lead to the gallows.</p> + +<p>It was when we were come to the rear of Master Lord's house, I still +clutching the Tory cur firmly by the collar, that my heart misgave me. +How would it be possible for me to send him down through that narrow +tunnel without his making an outcry, and should the plan succeed, how +were we to keep him in hiding where we ourselves were prisoners?</p> + +<p>However, I had come so far on the way that there was no turning back. +The plan must be carried out as it had been hastily made, whether +foolish or no, and if peradventure it brought us all to grief then I +ought not be so severely censured, because there was naught else to be +done, as it then appeared to me.</p> + +<p>When having, as I have said, come to the rear of Master Lord's house and +I had knelt down to raise the turf, which was much like unto a lid, Seth +Jepson's small remnant of courage fled, and I could feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> the scoundrel +sink beneath my hand as if his life had suddenly taken flight.</p> + +<p>Now I dared not even whisper; but, holding the knife in my teeth, and +with a strength which was born of desperation, I thrust the Tory villain +in head foremost as if he was no more than a log of wood, pushing on his +legs until he was entirely within the tunnel and I despairing of being +able to force him further because he was as limp as any rag, when +suddenly it was as if the scoundrel shot forward. You may be certain I +followed as quickly as possible, fearing lest he, on gaining the floor +of the cellar, should set up an outcry which would alarm our +double-faced host.</p> + +<p>When I had succeeded in making my way through the tunnel an odd picture +presented itself, and one which will ever remain vivid in my memory.</p> + +<p>The lantern was burning sufficiently bright to illumine the room. I saw +Hiram holding Seth Jepson by both shoulders as he stared into his face +in wonder and perplexity, while Archie and Harvey, each with their hands +on their knees, stooped that they might look up at what must have seemed +a ghastly visitor, for probably the idea of that Tory cur coming into +their hiding-place was the last thought that would have entered their +minds.</p> + +<p>At the same instant I realized how it was that Seth had so suddenly shot +forward when I was striving to push him through the tunnel. Hiram, +hearing the slight noise, and thinking I was stuck fast in the narrow +passage, seized him by the shoulders, dragging him through and out past +the screen of casks until smitten with fear and amazement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<p>It may well be fancied that I did not stand still many seconds to take +in the scene. It was pictured upon my mind like a flash of light, and +then I pressed my knife against Seth's breast, whispering in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Remember, we will kill you like the cur you are, if you so much as +whisper!"</p> + +<p>"Are you so tired of life that for the sake of revenge you bring this +fellow here?" Hiram asked softly; but with a world of anger in his tone, +and I, realizing that there must be no more conversation than was +absolutely necessary, told him in the fewest possible words why I had +been so rash, adding feverishly:</p> + +<p>"I could not stop to let down the turf over the tunnel, and it must be +looked after."</p> + +<p>Hiram went noiselessly behind the screen of casks, while I stood +directly in front of Seth with my knife ready for use if he should +attempt to speak; but such precaution was unnecessary. The scoundrel was +so thoroughly frightened as to be incapable of either speech or action, +and when Hiram had come back into the room he sank upon the floor of +earth an inert mass.</p> + +<p>Can you fancy our mental condition as we four stood looking mutely into +each other's faces, with Seth Jepson sprawled out between us? It is +difficult for me, even at this time, to understand all the fearsomeness +of that moment.</p> + +<p>Master Lord might at any moment come down to make sure those whom he +believed he was deceiving yet retained confidence in him, and once he +did so there would be a desperate struggle, in which we must take a +human life, or perchance lose our own.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> + +<p>For the first time since I had known him, did I see Hiram Griffin in +doubt. He stood there gazing alternately at each of us, and I could well +understand that he was striving fiercely to see some way out of this +tangle which seemed positive must bring us to the prison, or worse, and +meanwhile Seth lay there among us showing no other sign of life than a +succession of short, quick sobs.</p> + +<p>How long we remained there in painful doubt and perplexity I will not +undertake to say; but I do know that my heart was beating like a trip +hammer, and I strained my ears to hear those sounds which would betoken +a visit from Master Lord.</p> + +<p>The suspense was finally ended by Hiram who, without giving any +intimation of his purpose, began tearing his shirt into strips, and +having thus formed what would serve in place of rope, he set about +binding Seth's hands and feet so deftly that while the lad was trussed +up like a chicken ready for the roasting, there was little fear of his +suffering from the tightness of his bonds.</p> + +<p>While this was being done Seth made no resistance; but gazed at us with +terror in his eyes, and I believe the scoundrel was firmly convinced we +had brought him there to his death.</p> + +<p>Then Hiram, kneeling by the Tory's side, whispered softly in his ear, I +bending over to catch the words:</p> + +<p>"Our own lives depend upon keeping you silent, therefore can it be +understood that we would kill you rather than suffer death ourselves. +Within a short time there will come into this room a man who is devoted +to the Cause, so he says; but who must not know that you are here. I +question much whether we can depend upon your solemn promise;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> but yet +rather than put you to the torture of being gagged during four and +twenty hours, I am inclined to take the chances, promising faithfully +that at the first outcry from you, and whatsoever may be the danger to +myself, I will take your life."</p> + +<p>"You may believe me, and I promise to do whatsoever you say," Seth +whispered, the tears of fear rolling down his cheeks.</p> + +<p>Then Hiram lifted him in his arms as if he had been no more than a baby, +and carrying him behind the screen of casks, laid the scoundrel down in +the tunnel, where, I fancied, because of the time Griffin remained +absent, the threat was repeated.</p> + +<p>After returning he motioned us lads to the far corner of the cellar, and +there, crouching with our heads close together, we began discussing the +situation, which was now become doubly dangerous because of the +prisoner.</p> + +<p>As a beginning, and in order that Archie and Harvey might understand the +better why I had brought the Tory with me, Hiram insisted upon my +telling once more the story of what had happened since I crept out +through the tunnel, and this I did, speaking cautiously, as you can well +fancy, for if peradventure Master Lord had heard the hum of our +conversation he would have made it his business to learn what we were +talking about.</p> + +<p>"I'm free to admit that you could not have done otherwise, lad, and yet +it has put us in a mighty small box."</p> + +<p>And Archie asked in a mournful tone:</p> + +<p>"Is there no other way left open than for us to turn our backs upon +Silas, setting off this very moment in the hope of being able to gain +Cambridge?"</p> + +<p>"We can wait here another four and twenty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> hours, mayhap, although the +chances are much against it," Hiram replied grimly.</p> + +<p>"But if Job Lord should learn that he is here—" Harvey began, and +Griffin interrupted him by saying sharply:</p> + +<p>"If he does, it is a case of our taking another prisoner, unless it so +happens that the man fights desperately, forcing us to end the struggle +by the shedding of blood."</p> + +<p>"If he finds Seth in the passage—"</p> + +<p>"Aye, if he simply finds the tunnel are we done for, unless it be +possible to overcome him. We can count that that young Tory cur is so +frightened he will not venture to make any outcry during the next five +or six hours; but after that I am not so certain. Once his limbs become +cramped, and he is suffering pain, there's no knowing what the coward +might be brought to do. This much is true, however: when Job Lord visits +us each one must be on the alert, ready to spring upon him in case his +suspicions are aroused. At the first word or movement of his, betokening +the belief that we are keeping something from him, an attack must be +made. Don't wait each for the other; but let the first who sees aught of +danger jump upon the double-faced villain, and the rest will bear a +hand."</p> + +<p>And this was the only plan we were able to form, although I dare venture +to say the four of us remained crouching in the corner discussing the +situation from every point of view, a full hour.</p> + +<p>It had simply come to this, that we were to make another prisoner, +perhaps, thus adding to the danger that already surrounded us, and after +that had been done the chances for saving our own necks were no better.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if I lived a whole life-time during the remainder of +that night, hoping Job Lord would come to put an end to the suspense, +and at the same time fearing he might do so.</p> + +<p>Then, when the trap-door was finally opened I leaped up in surprise, as +if there had never been a thought in my mind that he would come, and, +being on my feet, must perforce do something to explain the sudden +movement, as well as hide the fear which I realized was written on my +face.</p> + +<p>After we had finished whispering in the corner Hiram proposed that we +lay down on the bed, taking the dummy apart now it was of no further +use, and there we were stretched out at full length when the raising of +the trap-door brought me to a standing posture.</p> + +<p>Luckily I had wit enough to continue on toward the fire-place as if bent +on doing something in the way of cooking, and had begun to rattle the +pans before Master Lord descended the ladder. Not until then did it come +to my mind that in the event of any trouble arising from this visit, I +was in a good position to deal out to Seth Jepson that which he +deserved.</p> + +<p>"Getting hungry, eh?" Master Lord asked in an oily tone as he seated +himself on one of the stools by the table, and Hiram stretched himself +lazily as he replied:</p> + +<p>"It must be late in the morning, and we are inclined for a bit to eat, +although we haven't earned it."</p> + +<p>"That's right, make yourselves as comfortable as possible, and don't +worry about earning your food, because it is as free as the wind that +blows. You'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> earn all you get here, and much more, when the time for +real work comes."</p> + +<p>"Is that like to be soon?" Archie asked.</p> + +<p>"As matters are moving, I believe you will find enough to keep you busy +after getting back to Cambridge."</p> + +<p>"I would we might start this very day!" Hiram exclaimed in so earnest a +tone that I knew full well the words had come from his heart, without +any thought of speaking for the sake of keeping up the pretense of +friendship with Job Lord.</p> + +<p>"So do I, lad, for your sake, because it must be dull work here; but +remember that such a task as you have set yourselves is not to be +performed in a minute, and you can well afford to wait many a long day +if finally you are successful."</p> + +<p>"What o'clock is it?" Hiram asked.</p> + +<p>"Seven in the morning, and a dull day with a misty rain falling."</p> + +<p>"Just the kind of weather for a visit to the Bridewell, if so be matters +were right there," Hiram said quickly.</p> + +<p>"Even though it were the worst tempest that ever raged, you could do +nothing there while so many Britishers are on guard," Master Lord cried +in a decisive tone, as if to put an end to any such conversation; but +Hiram was not disposed to let the matter drop.</p> + +<p>"It was in your mind that some of the lobster backs might be drawn off +while General Gage is pushing his outposts on the Neck. How can you say +that such may not have been done this very morning?"</p> + +<p>"I shan't need many hours in which to settle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> that question, for it is +in my mind to go there now, hoping I may be so fortunate as to get +speech with your comrade."</p> + +<p>At this moment I was cutting up the leg of lamb, putting the slices into +a frying-pan as if intending to warm them, and Master Lord eyed me +curiously, most like thinking I was an awkward lad at such work. His +steady gaze annoyed me because I feared each instant he might discover +that the position of the casks had been changed, and in my nervousness I +went toward the table in order to place there the frying-pan, intending +to give over my attempt at playing the cook.</p> + +<p>While doing so, naturally my gaze was fixed upon the face of this man +whom we knew to be an enemy while he professed to be a friend, and I saw +an expression of surprise suddenly come over it as his eyes were fixed +upon the screen to the tunnel.</p> + +<p>"Been playing house-wife by setting things to rights?" he asked in an +odd tone, as he rose to his feet and started with an assumption of +carelessness toward the casks.</p> + +<p>My heart leaped into my mouth fit to choke me. The moment had come when +everything which we had done would be discovered, for he could not fail +to see Seth if he stepped behind the screen, or of knowing what we had +done when he looked at the contents of the casks.</p> + +<p>It was my place, because of what we had agreed, to have leaped upon him +on the instant, trusting that the others would follow my example, and +yet so stupefied was I, whether through fear, or astonishment because +the secret could not have been kept longer, that there was no movement +on my part until Hiram Griffin, who had been sitting on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> edge of the +bed, bounded forward like a cat, alighting on the shoulders of our +treacherous host and bearing him, as a matter of course, to the floor.</p> + +<p>Job Lord was possessed of greater strength than one might have fancied +from his build, and although all three of us lads sprang on the instant +to Hiram's aid, for I recovered from my stupefaction as quickly as I had +fallen into it, he succeeded in turning Griffin completely over, gaining +a hold upon his throat in such manner as threatened to put a speedy end +to the struggling.</p> + +<p>Hiram was not one who would lose his head at such a time, and +straightway the two floundered about, first one on top and then the +other, to such an extent that we who were anxiously striving for an +opportunity to take part in the fight failed of so doing. Meanwhile +Hiram's eyes were protruding as had Seth's, until I believed he would be +strangled to death before we could get a hold of the traitor.</p> + +<p>Finally, and after what seemed to me a full ten minutes, I contrived to +seize Job Lord by the arm, and as I pulled at the limb Archie was able +to get a hold on his throat, thus, as can well be imagined, bringing the +fight to an end.</p> + +<p>We lads had not done our part any too soon, for by the time Master Lord +was forced to let go his grip, Hiram appeared to be nigh unto death, and +indeed such a sorry spectacle did he present that I would have let go my +hold of Job Lord in order to give him to drink, but that he cried +hoarsely, divining what was in my mind:</p> + +<p>"Keep him fast, lad, keep him fast! I'll get my breath in a second," and +then he struggled to his feet.</p> + +<p>During all this time we had been fighting in silence,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> no one venturing +to raise his voice; but now when he saw himself helpless and at our +mercy Job Lord let out such a yell as might have been heard a full +quarter-mile away, while from behind the casks Seth set up a whimpering +cry, which was caused by fear rather than any desire to raise an alarm.</p> + +<p>Even though we were in the cellar with a heavy flooring of planks above +us, there could be no question but that Job Lord would succeed in +alarming some of the neighbors unless his wind was shut off, and I saw +Archie dig his fingers into the fellow's throat with a grip that must +have caused intense pain, but yet I am bound to give the traitor credit +for struggling to raise his voice again.</p> + +<p>By this time Hiram had so far recovered as to take up the coat which had +been used for the head of the dummy, and thrown on the floor when it was +no longer of service, saying as he came forward:</p> + +<p>"Let him open his mouth once more and I'll shove a clapper in that will +put an end to any such noise."</p> + +<p>Until now Job Lord's face, what with the choking and with anger, had +been darkened, so to speak; there had been on it an expression of +intense hatred, and a desire to do bodily harm, but when Hiram came up +with that which would serve as a gag, he grew pale, while his lips +quivered as if suddenly and for the first time realizing how completely +he was in our power.</p> + +<p>"I'm no such fool as not to know when I am whipped," and I am willing to +give him credit for speaking firmly, even though he must have believed +his very life was trembling in the balance. "There is no need to gag me, +because I promise to hold my peace."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Meaning that you will do so until some one knocks at the outer door, +and then we shall hear from you again," Hiram cried hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"I'm not ready to say I wouldn't take advantage of any chance to call +for help; but just now I'd give a lot to know how it was you imposed +upon our friends to such an extent that they were willing to send you +hither?"</p> + +<p>I looked at the man in amazement, wondering what he meant, when Hiram +cried in a voice thick with anger:</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to keep up the pretense that you are serving the Cause +rather than the king?"</p> + +<p>"There are people in plenty, both at Cambridge and in this town, who +have had so much information and assistance from me that they can swear +with all truth that there is none more devoted to the Cause than I."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS</h3> + + +<p>Even though I believed we had good proof that Master Lord was playing a +double game, his assertion of loyalty to the Cause, made so earnestly +and with such seeming good faith, staggered me.</p> + +<p>Was it possible, I asked myself, that we were mistaken? Had we allowed +ourselves to be blinded by suspicion, and was Job Lord all he professed?</p> + +<p>We knew from what the lieutenant at the battery had told us, that this +man whom we claimed to be in league with the Britishers, had been of +great service to the Cause, having sent much valuable information to our +people and aided many a man who otherwise might have fallen into the +clutches of the enemy. Could it be that all these things had been done +as a blind, and we four the first who discovered his double dealings?</p> + +<p>I looked around at my comrades and saw mingled doubt and fear written +upon the faces of Archie and Harvey, showing that they also were +beginning to question whether we had not made a grievous mistake. With +Hiram, however, the matter was different. He had settled in his mind +that Job Lord would work us harm as soon as it suited his purpose, and +there was nothing the man might say which would convince him to the +contrary.</p> + +<p>"You talk well, Master Lord," he said, holding the coat ready to be +thrust into the mouth of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> villain if so be he attempted to make any +outcry, "and I know full well that you could give proof of having served +the Cause to a certain extent; but if you haven't worked greater +advantage to the king, I'll agree to crawl on all fours so long a time +as I may live."</p> + +<p>"If I had counted on playing false, why were you allowed to remain here +all this time, and why did I make you as comfortable as was in my +power?" Master Lord asked, now beginning to understand that soft words +would be of but little avail with one like Hiram.</p> + +<p>"Those are questions which I cannot answer just now; but after we have +put you in such plight that it will be no longer possible to make an +outcry, I'm counting on doing what I may at finding out. It will go hard +if there isn't something in the room above that will disprove your +words."</p> + +<p>For the first time since we had fallen upon him did I see the man wince, +and on the instant all my fears that we might have made a grievous +mistake were dispelled, for I knew as well as if he had told me in so +many words, that evidence would be found against him if the house was +searched.</p> + +<p>"You've hit it right, Hiram!" I cried; "but don't spend too much time +talking here, lest those who have visited him before should come again +and discover that the trap-door is open."</p> + +<p>"Run up the ladder, lad, and see to it that doors and windows are barred +securely," he said quickly, and I obeyed feverishly, fearing lest before +I could do as he desired those men who had quarreled with Master Lord +might return.</p> + +<p>In addition to the locks on the side and rear doors, were stout bars, +and after having assured myself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> that the bolts were shot, I put the +timbers securely in place; then examined carefully the fastenings of +every shutter until having satisfied myself beyond peradventure that +none could enter from the outside save by battering down the barriers.</p> + +<p>When I was come into the cellar again, Job Lord had been bound hand and +foot after much the same fashion as was Seth Jepson, and the lads must +have lifted him upon one of the beds, for he was lying there with a gag, +formed from Hiram's coat, in his mouth, glaring at us fiercely.</p> + +<p>"We may as well bring the Tory lad out here to bear him company," Archie +suggested, and in a twinkling Hiram came from behind the casks with Seth +in his arms.</p> + +<p>Even though up to this time we had had suspicions in our minds that a +wrong was being done Job Lord, they would have vanished when those two +saw each other.</p> + +<p>Seth Jepson gave vent to a cry of surprise, and on Master Lord's face +could be read that which told, so I fancied, of an acquaintance between +them.</p> + +<p>"Shall we gag Seth?" Harvey asked, and Hiram replied as if it was a +matter of little moment:</p> + +<p>"There's no need of taking so much trouble. You and Archie are to stay +here while Luke and I have a look over the house, and if so be Seth +unwisely attempts to make a disturbance, put your knife into him, for we +should be doing the Cause no little service by sending both these +fellows out of the world."</p> + +<p>Then, motioning to me, Hiram led the way up the ladder, and after some +searching in that room which served Job Lord as a kitchen we found a +store of tallow dips, one of which we lighted, because, since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> the +shutters had been closed, it was almost dark within the dwelling.</p> + +<p>Master Lord's home was not sumptuously furnished; but he was well +outfitted with chests of drawers and cupboards such as housewives fancy, +and among these we began our search, taking first that piece of +furniture which was at the same time a desk for writing and a receptacle +for books and papers.</p> + +<p>We had not long to search, if to prove that Job Lord had been acting as +a tool for the Britishers was our only aim. On the top of the desk, as +if it had been but lately placed there, was a folded paper, and when +Hiram opened it eagerly I read these words across the top:</p> + +<p>"Information for Job Lord to send to the rebels."</p> + +<p>Then followed what I knew to be a false account of the doings of the +Britishers; but neither Hiram nor I cared to read it entirely.</p> + +<p>"I reckon here's enough to hang Master Lord, if so be we had him in +Cambridge," my companion said grimly, and then, his appetite for +evidence being whetted by that which had come so conveniently to hand, +he continued the search, finding four or five documents proving that our +host was in friendly communication with the Britishers.</p> + +<p>Then we came upon that which caused Hiram to cry aloud in triumph and +satisfaction, for it was neither more nor less than a pass from General +Gage himself, permitting the bearer <i>and friends</i> to leave the city by +any route whatsoever.</p> + +<p>"I'm allowing we won't have to swim from here to Cambridge!" Hiram said +exultantly, as he carefully folded and placed the precious document +inside his stocking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>I believed this would be the end of our search, because we had found all +for which we came, and more. To people in our situation a safeguard from +the king's governor was something of more value than can well be +understood by those who did not live in the days when British might made +right.</p> + +<p>"Now we can go when we please, and the sooner we set off the better, for +surely it would be folly to make any attempt at aiding Silas while he is +so closely guarded," I cried, and Hiram replied grimly:</p> + +<p>"Even though we decide to leave without making any effort toward +accomplishing that for which we came, I'm allowing there's no need for +overly much haste, more especially since we can pass ourselves off as +Job Lord and friends easier after night has fully come."</p> + +<p>Then Hiram began searching once more among the papers, this time doing +it in a methodical manner, and I, who feared each instant lest there +should come a summons at the door, or we hear tokens of trouble from the +room below, had half-turned to go toward the trap-door when Hiram caused +me to wheel about suddenly as he leaped to his feet, waving above his +head a slip of paper as if having taken leave of his senses.</p> + +<p>"I'm allowing there's still a chance left for us to lend Silas Brownrigg +a hand!" he cried, speaking so loudly that I leaped upon him, covering +his mouth with my hand lest peradventure some one from the outside might +hear and be so inquisitive as to make an attempt at entering.</p> + +<p>"Read this, lad! Read this!" Hiram cried as soon as he could free his +mouth from my hand, and at the same time he laid upon the desk, where +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> flickering light of the tallow dip might fall upon it, the paper +which had caused him so much of excitement.</p> + +<p>During a full minute I stood gazing at the document, not daring to +believe the evidence of my own eyes, and saying to myself over and over +again that it must be impossible such an order could have come into our +hands.</p> + +<p>This is what I read, and you may see whether a lad in my situation would +not have doubted even the written words:</p> + +<p>"The bearer, Job Lord, is hereby authorized to take from the Bridewell +any one of the prisoners captured at Charlestown, which he may select. +The officer on duty will follow the bearer's instructions in every +particular, and retain this order as receipt for the prisoner."</p> + +<p>It was signed by the governor's aide-de-camp as secretary, and bore the +king's seal. In other words, it was a direct command from General Gage +to the officer at the Bridewell to deliver over any one of the prisoners +taken at Breed's hill which Job Lord might point out, and, what is more, +was dated the very day before we made a prisoner of this double-dyed +villain!</p> + +<p>"If we had a key to all the plots in that scoundrel's head, then would +you find that this permit to take away a prisoner is part and parcel of +some scheme concerning us," Hiram said emphatically, and I was quite of +the same mind, being convinced thereto because the document had been so +lately written.</p> + +<p>In some way, and I hoped it might be made clear before many days had +passed, the delivery of a prisoner to Job Lord was, together with the +holding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> of us, a trap for more important ends; but what those ends +might be my mind failed totally in the grasping.</p> + +<p>Hiram, like me, no longer had any interest in Master Lord's belongings. +We had found sufficient to brand him the vilest of traitors, and, what +was more to our purpose, had obtained at the very moment when we +despaired of being able to aid our comrade in any way, that which would +effect his release, unless it so chanced that the worthy Master Lord was +particularly well known at the Bridewell. This last thought came into my +mind, darkening all hope, at the moment Hiram turned to go into the +cellar that he might acquaint the other lads with our good fortune, and, +clutching him nervously by the arm, I reminded him of the disagreeable +fact that whosoever presented himself with that order from Governor +Gage, might speedily find himself a prisoner with the tables turned +completely in favor of Job Lord.</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad, I have already reckoned on that, yet at the same time when +night has come it is my purpose to go to the Bridewell as boldly as that +double-faced villain would have done, trusting I can get my nose out of +the scrape if so be the officer on duty chances to know the scoundrel we +have got tied up below."</p> + +<p>"It is a desperate chance," I said with an inward tremor that was much +like faint-heartedness, and he replied laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Luke Wright, how much more desperate is it to go out armed +with a safeguard from the king's governor, and due authority to take +charge of a prisoner, than was your act in capturing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> Seth Jepson at the +very time when we ourselves were captives?"</p> + +<p>"I did that because there was nothing else to be done," I cried.</p> + +<p>"And so shall I go to the Bridewell, because there is nothing else to be +done if we would aid Silas Brownrigg."</p> + +<p>It was not my intention to say aught which might discourage him from +taking advantage of the document so strangely come into our possession. +As a matter of course I burned to have him do it; but I could not for +the life of me refrain from considering all the chances against us.</p> + +<p>Snuffing out the tallow dip, we two went into the cellar, Hiram holding +'twixt his thumb and finger the precious order from Governor Gage, and +when we were come to where Job Lord lay, Griffin took up the lantern +that the scoundrel might see what we had found.</p> + +<p>There was no change of expression on his face. The villain knew full +well that we would come upon evidence against him after ever so careless +a search of his belongings, and therefore counted on our having this +paper through which he hoped to work some wild scheme.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What are you showing him?" Archie asked eagerly, and Hiram, +disappointed because the prisoner had failed to show any signs of +surprise or distress, held it up for the lad to read.</p> + +<p>"But that cannot be!" Archie cried in amazement. "Governor Gage would +never issue any such order!"</p> + +<p>"But he has done so, else another must have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> stolen the king's seal," +and Hiram pointed triumphantly to the impression in wax which was +fastened to a short length of blue ribbon.</p> + +<p>"But how could it be that Job Lord would be allowed to choose a prisoner +from among those taken at Breed's hill?" Archie continued in +bewilderment, and I cried, eyeing the prisoner sharply all the while:</p> + +<p>"He got it for some purpose which General Gage understood and approved, +and that purpose was all of a piece with our being held here! Some day +we shall learn the secret, and then I hope most earnestly that this same +Master Lord, who has claimed to be devoted body and soul to the Cause, +may be given over to my mercy even as he is at this moment."</p> + +<p>They were high sounding words, perhaps, for a lad like me to use, and +yet Master Lord shrank under them as if in fear, which was the first +exhibition of feeling he had given since we came from the room above.</p> + +<p>It can well be understood that after Archie and Harvey had recovered +from the amazement caused by reading the order from Governor Gage, our +tongues were loosened, and during a certain time we gave ourselves over +to rejoicing, as if already the task we had set ourselves was +accomplished. But even while we indulged in words of triumph, there was +in my heart a certain undefined fear because all this had come about in +such a mysterious way, having really been gained by that blunder of mine +in making a prisoner of Seth Jepson, when it had seemed as if such an +act on my part would lead to direst results.</p> + +<p>Hiram still held to it that when nightfall was come he would present +himself at the Bridewell, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> with that as a starting point we set +about laying plans for the future.</p> + +<p>They were simple enough, if so be everything worked as we would have it, +because once with Silas in our company we could, thanks to the pass in +Hiram's stocking, march out over Boston Neck as bold as lions. The +stumbling block was, a possibility that the officer at the Bridewell +might be sufficiently well acquainted with Master Lord to take into +custody whoever presented the governor's order, and the greater part of +our discussion had to do with that chance.</p> + +<p>Hiram claimed that we should allow no more than an hour to elapse from +the time he set off for the Bridewell, before taking to our heels if so +be he failed to return, because, as he said, within that time he would +either be returned to Cow lane with Silas by his side, or lie in one of +the cells of the jail.</p> + +<p>"You shall take this pass, Luke Wright," he said, pulling the paper from +his stocking, "and see to it that if I'm held in custody you make all +speed out of the town, leaving me to my fate."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I will do nothing of the kind," was my reply, and I refused to +take the paper from his hand. "If you are held at the Bridewell, all the +more reason why we three should strain every nerve to do whatsoever may +be in our power to aid you."</p> + +<p>"The only thing within your power, lad, will be to save your own skins, +for once this trick of ours is discovered, you may rest assured the +Britishers will pay a visit to Job Lord's house in order to learn what +has become of him, and if peradventure you delay after there is reason +to believe I am a prisoner, you will have effected nothing save a loss +to the Cause of three stout-hearted lads."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> + +<p>Well, we chewed over this question as to whether it would not be +cowardly to desert Hiram if he was taken, until a full two hours had +passed, when Archie very wisely said:</p> + +<p>"If no move is to be made until nightfall, will some one tell me what +prevents our breaking fast? My stomach cries out for food, and if +peradventure all goes this night as we would have it, then is it +necessary we put our bodies in fair condition, for there are many miles +to be traveled before we again see the encampment at Cambridge."</p> + +<p>Hiram immediately acted upon this suggestion, insisting that he was +better fitted to play the part of cook than any other, and as he set +about the task I saw Job Lord writhing in pain, which caused me to +realize how much of bodily suffering must be his, therefore said to my +comrades:</p> + +<p>"Don't let it be thought that there is any softness in my heart for such +as him; but it does not become us to cause another unnecessary +suffering, therefore it is I propose we take the gag out of Master +Lord's mouth for a time, since he must be in great pain."</p> + +<p>"I never saw any good come of favoring a snake," Hiram grumbled; but yet +he did not make any protest against my proposition, and I pulled the gag +from the mouth of the man who had worked us so much injury, saying at +the same time as I seated myself near the bed, holding the knife which +had been taken from its sheath:</p> + +<p>"You can well understand that we would not stick at doing you harm, and +it may be our fingers itch to pay you for your treachery, therefore +should any one approach this building and you attempt to make an outcry, +I shall consider that I have done the Cause a service by taking your +life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was nearly a minute before the man could speak, so cramped were his +jaws, and then, with a look which had in it, if such a thing can be +possible, a mingling of gratitude and hatred, he said softly:</p> + +<p>"I'm not such an idiot as to kick when I'm fairly downed; but you need +fear no visitors before sunset."</p> + +<p>"We'll keep our ears open for them just the same, seeing's how it don't +stand to reason we can put overly much faith in your words," Hiram +cried, and added to me, "Have your knife ready, lad, and don't hesitate +to use it at the first show of a disturbance. He may speak you fairly +now; but once there was a decent chance of taking your life without +losing his, you'd be in the next world in a twinkling."</p> + +<p>"All of which is true," Master Lord replied quietly, and I could not but +give him credit for such show of courage under the circumstances. "If I +held you at the same disadvantage, would you hesitate to strike on the +first opportunity?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, no," Hiram replied laughingly. "And now you are talking like a +decent man, although far from being one. Once we get you in Cambridge, +where there's no fear your friends may come, I shall breathe freely; but +until then I'm watching every move you make."</p> + +<p>"Surely you are not so foolish as to think you can take me to +Cambridge?" the man cried quickly, and Hiram asked as he continued his +task of cooking:</p> + +<p>"Why not? We've got your pass, and I'm allowing that you and Seth Jepson +can be counted as among our friends during such time as we are under the +eyes of the lobster backs."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That pass does not allow of your taking two prisoners out," Master Lord +said with a snarl which was much like that of an angry cat's.</p> + +<p>"Why not? If you were leading a party of friends, and had just made +selection of one of the prisoners taken at Breed's hill, how would you +account for him?"</p> + +<p>Master Lord refused to answer, and I asked myself if Hiram could be so +venturesome as to think it possible we might carry these two Tories out +of the town. If so, then our wondrous fortune must have turned his head, +for verily none but a madman would, after having gotten out of such a +tangle as we had been in, take yet more desperate chances.</p> + +<p>Now for the first time did Seth Jepson come out from the fever of terror +which had assailed him since I thrust him into the tunnel, and began to +plead most earnestly, like the coward that he was, for us to show him +what he called mercy. Having heard our conversation with Master Lord, +and understanding that we were in fair position to work our will, he +realized, perhaps better than ever before, how wholly he was in our +power.</p> + +<p>Had the lad shown the slightest token of courage I might have had some +sympathy for him, for surely it was hard to thus suddenly find himself +at the mercy of those whom he had wronged, at the very moment he must +have believed everything was going his way; but the fellow was such a +veritable coward that even the softest-hearted could not feel aught save +contempt for him.</p> + +<p>He whined and whimpered, declaring it had never been in his mind to do +us wrong, and swearing to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> that which we knew was absolutely false, +until Hiram cried angrily:</p> + +<p>"Put a stopper on that fellow's jaw! It makes me sick to hear his +howling. I have some respect for a lad or man who can take as well as +give; but when it comes to working all the harm he may, and then showing +the white feather so completely, my patience is soon gone."</p> + +<p>Seth shut his mouth like a clam. I believe the coward would have tried +to stand on his head, had Hiram given any such command, so eager was he +to show his willingness to obey, and I said to myself that of the two, +Job Lord, who had meditated worse treachery against the Cause than Seth +could ever have hoped to work, was the better.</p> + +<p>In due time Hiram had as appetizing a meal as could be prepared from all +the stores to be found in the building, for once he had set about the +work of a cook he did not scruple at overhauling the provisions in the +room above, finding there many a toothsome dainty which had been +supplied this miserable double-faced spy by his British friends.</p> + +<p>We ate heartily, and with greater relish than at any time since this +venture in aid of Silas had been proposed, for now was the greater +portion of the burden removed from our hearts, and we could see our way +out, where before all had been darkness with a British prison at the +end.</p> + +<p>When the meal was ready I would have put the gag back into Job Lord's +mouth; but before it was possible to do so he said with the air of one +who speaks the truth:</p> + +<p>"I'm not minded to take so much of punishment as that involves, if it +can in any way be avoided,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> therefore it is I give you my solemn word +not to raise my voice above a whisper from now till sunset."</p> + +<p>I looked at Hiram to see what he thought of the proposition, for there +was in my mind a suspicion that Master Lord might have some scheme in +his head to do us harm; but our comrade said decidedly:</p> + +<p>"As a rule I wouldn't take the word of such as he for the value of a +button; but since he knows full well that we could fall upon him before +he had time to let out more than one yell, and also understands that +that one yell would be his last, I'm thinking it is safe enough to let +him have the use of his jaws."</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that while we feasted Master Lord asked in what you +might call a manly fashion, if, when the meal was come to an end, we +would give him so much of food as might serve to satisfy his hunger, +claiming that he had not broken fast that day.</p> + +<p>"Neither have I," whined Seth, "and I'm nearly dead with having been +mauled about so much."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't do a little bit of harm if you were wholly dead; but we're +not counting on starving either of you, so depend upon it that your +stomachs shall be filled, for when we once set out, having Silas +Brownrigg in our company, you will be called on to step mighty lively."</p> + +<p>I looked at Hiram questioningly, asking, so far as was possible with my +eyes, whether he was wild enough to think of hampering us with these +prisoners, and he nodded in a way to show that he was not minded to have +any argument regarding it.</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad, if I read your face aright, that's exactly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> what I do count +on doing. There is no better place for hatching a scheme than over a +cook-stove when you have plenty with which to work, as I had this +afternoon, and I've got an idea that it won't be such a terrible hard +matter to land these fellows in Cambridge. If so be everything goes to +my liking, you will soon understand that it is as easy to take the +prisoners, as to go alone."</p> + +<p>I knew that Hiram did not care to discuss whatsoever plan he might have +in mind while the prisoners might hear him, and therefore held my peace; +but when we were done with feasting because it was impossible to eat any +more, I beckoned him to follow me into the room above, where I asked +what mad scheme he had hit upon.</p> + +<p>"It may come to naught, lad, therefore we won't discuss it; but I'm +going out around the town a bit, and you can bar the door after me. I'll +knock twice on the window shutter when I come back."</p> + +<p>"Going out in the daytime?" I cried sharply. "Show yourself in this town +where you are like to be taken into custody? Don't, Hiram, don't take +foolish risks now when, by being careful, we have plain sailing before +us!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not taking chances," he replied doggedly. "You must remember that +my face is not known here as yours is, and with what I have in my pocket +who will dare put aught of hindrance in my way?"</p> + +<p>"The first officer you come across may know Job Lord well, and, finding +you in possession of a document which belongs to him, will come here +without delay."</p> + +<p>"Since when have officers taken a hand in such matters, save after a man +was already in the custody of the watch or the patrol?" Hiram asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +scornfully. "You know, lad, that all I have to fear is the possibility +of coming in contact with a squad of lobster backs in charge of a +corporal or a sergeant, and if I can't shut their eyes it is high time I +was taken to the Bridewell."</p> + +<p>It was useless for me to argue against his purpose, whatever that might +be, for the fellow was determined, and even though I had gone down on my +knees to him he would have done that which he said.</p> + +<p>He was not sparing of strength when he thrust me back from him as he +began to unbar the door and I would have hindered him; but said as I +staggered against the wall almost overthrown:</p> + +<p>"Have no fear for me, lad. I know what I'm about, and take my word for +it that I'm not running into the least little bit of danger. Listen for +two raps on the shutter when I come back, which will be within an hour."</p> + +<p>He was gone even as he spoke, and all I could do toward repairing what I +believed to be serious mischief, was to lock and bar the door after him, +saying to myself that if he failed to come back as he had promised, and +aught suspicious was heard, I would insist that Archie and Harvey join +me in flight, for then would Master Lord's house be the one place in +Boston town where lurked the greatest danger for us.</p> + +<p>"Where is Hiram?" Archie asked when I descended the ladder alone.</p> + +<p>"Gone out of doors," was my sulky reply.</p> + +<p>"Out of doors!" both lads cried as with one voice. "In the daytime?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, that he has, and verily it seems as if good fortune has turned his +head."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If he depends upon that pass in my name as a safeguard while he wanders +the streets, I'll answer for it the tables will be turned before you +have time to choose among the prisoners at the Bridewell," Job Lord said +vindictively, and his words were not needed to make my heart heavy, for +already had I come to believe that after all the good work he had done, +our imprisonment, perhaps our death, could be laid directly at his +door.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>HIRAM'S VENTURE</h3> + + +<p>The other lads were equally disturbed in mind regarding what seemed to +be a foolish venturing forth on the part of Hiram. After matters had +come about so mysteriously in our favor when we had given up all hope of +being able to succeed in the undertaking, it seemed much like flying in +the face of Providence to take any risks that were not absolutely +necessary.</p> + +<p>We would be bound to incur so much of danger in order to make an attempt +at releasing Silas, that to put all this on the hazard, simply to +satisfy what I believed only a whim, was to my mind little less than +criminal folly.</p> + +<p>You can fancy we were not heartened after Job Lord had spoken so +decidedly regarding the certainty that Hiram would speedily come to +grief, because the pass he believed to be of so much value could avail +nothing when he was come upon by the patrol.</p> + +<p>I fancied it was possible to see on that double-faced villain's +countenance joy because of what was being done, and there could be no +question but that he firmly believed Hiram had, as people say, +overturned his dish of porridge.</p> + +<p>It may be simply because I was in such a wretched frame of mind that I +imagined it; but for the time it was to me a fact that Seth had regained +a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> goodly portion of his courage on seeing Master Lord so well pleased, +and even found his tongue once more, saying vindictively, even as had +the man who hoped to have betrayed us, that we were about come to the +end of our rope, when he would have his turn.</p> + +<p>That Archie was nearly as disturbed in mind as I, and had quite as many +fears regarding the future, I knew when he said angrily, leaning over +the bed as if to strike the Tory lad:</p> + +<p>"It is not well for you to crow yet a while, Seth Jepson. Up to this +moment you have been so cowardly as hardly to know what was going on, +and therefore it is we will have no words from you."</p> + +<p>"It can do you no more harm to hear me speak, than when Master Lord +talks," he muttered, and Archie replied with no slight show of temper:</p> + +<p>"Job Lord has not shown himself to be the white-livered cur you have. +One may take from him who gives proof of some little courage, more than +would be listened to from a veritable coward."</p> + +<p>Seth glanced toward Master Lord as if thinking he would bear him out in +his insolence; but however traitorous the elder prisoner was, he had +neither love nor sympathy for such as Seth Jepson had shown himself to +be, therefore remained silent, and the Tory lad did not venture to speak +again.</p> + +<p>We could not talk of our plans for the future without being overheard by +Job Lord, and this would have been, so I argued, in the highest degree +dangerous, for there was yet the possibility he might succeed in making +his escape before we could leave the town, in which case he would have +us at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>Neither were we minded to speak of trifling matters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> The situation was +all too full of peril, and there were so many chances we would come to +grief, that it was well nigh impossible for us to do other than sit +there in gloomy silence, watching the prisoners even while we feared +each instant to hear an outcry at the door, which would tell that the +lobster backs had come to learn we from Cambridge were hiding there.</p> + +<p>As the moments passed, so slowly that it seemed as if each was near an +hour in length, I came to believe beyond a question that Hiram would be, +if he had not already been, taken into custody, and strove to form some +plan of action, saying to myself that we would wait no longer than until +the setting of the sun before taking to our heels, leaving the prisoners +to be set free by whomsoever should visit the house.</p> + +<p>Now and again at short intervals I ascended the ladder, peering through +the crevices of the shutters to learn how near to setting the sun might +be, and thus succeeded in so working myself into a fever of anxiety and +fear as to be like one who has lost his senses.</p> + +<p>It so chanced that I was in the upper room trying to gain some idea of +the time, when there came two sharp raps on the shutter through which I +was peering, and so nervous had I become that I cried aloud in fear, +darting back to the trap-door, positive that none other than a lobster +back or a Tory could be thus striving to attract our attention.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted ten I entirely forgot what had been agreed +upon between Hiram Griffin and me, and my feet were already upon the +rungs of the ladder to descend, when the cob-webs seemed suddenly to +have been blown from my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> brain, allowing me to realize that despite all +the dangers Hiram had succeeded in gratifying his whim without loss of +liberty.</p> + +<p>You may well fancy that I opened the door in a twinkling, for it was +dangerous to have him standing there in the broad light of day, and when +he was come into the room, having closed and barred the door behind him, +I flung my arms around his neck, clinging to him as if he was one lately +returned from the very verge of the grave, as indeed I believe to this +day was the case.</p> + +<p>"Why, lad, what has come over you?" he asked in astonishment. "You are +shaking like an old woman with the palsy, and your face is as white as I +have heard it said ghosts' faces are."</p> + +<p>"I had brought myself to believe you were taken into custody, Hiram! Job +Lord was so certain the pass would not avail you, that it was almost the +same as if I had seen you in the clutches of the lobster backs. You were +cruel to leave us at such a time, simply to show that you could roam +about the city at will, when the slightest mistake would have caused our +chances for escaping with Silas to fall to the ground."</p> + +<p>"Is it in your mind, lad, that I went out simply on a whim? That I am so +light-headed as to take chances in this Tory town for the purpose of +showing that it could be done?" he asked in a tone that was really one +of reproof.</p> + +<p>"Why else then did you go?" I cried, now grown angry, having recovered +from my timorousness.</p> + +<p>"There came into my mind the idea that it would be a brave act to carry +Job Lord and Seth Jepson back to Cambridge, and so I said to you lads; +but no one believed it might be done. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> I had what has turned out to +be a lucky thought, and said to myself if perchance it would be possible +to get possession of a skiff we could, without much trouble or danger, +take those two curs with us as proof that, aside from releasing Silas, +our coming here had not been without good results."</p> + +<p>"But even though you found a boat, Hiram, how might we take passage in +her, hampered by Job Lord and Seth Jepson?" I cried petulantly, for it +excited my anger yet more to have him thus speak of what seemed an +impossibility, from whatever point you viewed it.</p> + +<p>"That was the question in my own mind, lad, when the matter first came +to me; but before coming back I settled it."</p> + +<p>"Settled it?" I repeated dumbly.</p> + +<p>"Aye, and what's more, every arrangement is made. Who, think you, I have +been hob-nobbing with this last half hour?"</p> + +<p>"It would be of much the same piece with what you've already done, had +you been so venturesome as to go even to the guard-house near Hill's +wharf," I said angrily, and his laugh was as hearty and full of joy as +if we were already come among our friends, having accomplished all that +had been in our minds.</p> + +<p>"You are a great guesser, Luke Wright. It is to the guard-house I have +been, and if by this time those lobster backs do not believe that I am +as simple minded and jolly a Tory as ever set foot in Boston town, then +have I made the mistake of my life."</p> + +<p>"You at the guard-house?" I cried, not able even now to understand that +which I myself had guessed at.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Aye, and it was to have a quiet chat with the officer on duty there, +who chances to be a blooming Britisher, thick-headed as are all of his +kidney, having the rank of sergeant, and believing himself to be the +best soldier that ever came to this benighted colony."</p> + +<p>"But why should you go there?" I cried, now grown yet more angry. "Why +take chances which were unnecessary?"</p> + +<p>"I am of the mind that it was the best stroke of work I have ever yet +done, for not only is the skiff nearby where we can walk out at our +leisure and step on board her; but that red-faced, beef-eating Britisher +stands ready to help us put our prisoners over the rail."</p> + +<p>"What?" I exclaimed in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Aye, and even more, if you please, lad. The sergeant will send with me +to the Bridewell one of his men, so that I shall have no difficulty in +bringing back that raging rebel whom I count to select on the strength +of General Gage's permit, or order, whichever you choose to call it."</p> + +<p>I could no longer speak, so perplexing was that which Hiram had said, +and there came into my mind the belief that he was striving to make a +fool of me by telling a cock-and-bull story whereby, after I had shown +faith in it, he might laugh me to scorn.</p> + +<p>"It was like this, lad," he said in a grave tone, clapping both hands on +my shoulders as if it was needed he should hold me where my attention +could not be distracted. "I was minded to try on some such lobster back +as would be found in yonder guard-house, the effect of General Gage's +order allowing Job Lord to select a prisoner. I said to myself that by +striving to make friends with one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> of the rank and file, I might get +some idea as to how such a yarn as must be put up at the Bridewell would +be taken, and with the pass also in my possession, I allowed that no +officer of less rank than a captain would dare interfere with my +movements. Therefore it was I went to the guard-house."</p> + +<p>"What excuse did you make for going there?" I contrived to ask.</p> + +<p>"It was simply a matter of business, lad. I told this sergeant how +finely Job Lord and myself had been tricking the rebels by giving up +certain information now and then, and aiding such of them as were of +little importance in General Gage's eyes, in order to establish a +reputation as being true friends to the Cause. It was to him mighty +funny, and it seems that he already has had some traffic with our +friend, Master Lord, having more than once received from his superior +officer orders to aid our double-faced villain whenever it might be +necessary. Therefore he was not surprised, save because of never having +come across me. I explained this last by saying what you know to be +true, which was that I had been in the American camp looking about to +see what I could pick up."</p> + +<p>By this time I had come to understand that Hiram was speaking no more +than the truth, and could thoroughly enjoy the story which he was +telling with so much of pleasure.</p> + +<p>"I showed the sergeant General Gage's order for one of the Bridewell +prisoners to be delivered, and then told him that we were counting to +set a trap for some rebels who were of importance. That this prisoner +taken at Breed's Hill was to be the cheese with which we should bait it, +all of which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> amused him hugely. Then, in order to explain why Master +Lord was not the head and front of this trick, I told him Job was not +quite himself to-day; was suffering a little; could not move about +without considerable difficulty, which was also true, and he swallowed +it as a baby swallows fresh milk."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but how did you get the skiff?" I cried, now impatient to hear the +result of all this scheming.</p> + +<p>"That came in right naturally when I told him about the trap, and that +it must be set on the Roxbury shore. I simply asked him what boat Job +Lord used when he made an excursion among the rebels on General Gage's +business, and he at once pointed out a craft that lay alongside the +wharf, saying it was the property of Master Lord. Well, that seemed to +work in very reasonably, and I told him I reckoned I would bring it down +along shore because it was necessary that what we did be kept secret +even from those who served the king. He quite agreed with me, so the +boat is within five minutes' walk of this house, and our friend, the +sergeant, stands ready to help us leave town, because of the pass we +have, at any time that may best suit our pleasure. Now do you think I +went out to satisfy a whim, Luke Wright?"</p> + +<p>"Hiram, you have a longer head than any man I ever met, and save for you +our company of Minute Boys would have played a mighty small part since +their enrollment. But I wonder that you dared attempt to hood-wink the +Britisher."</p> + +<p>"I had to do it, lad, for it struck me that we were in about as delicate +a position as any four could possibly get into, and I doubted whether, +unless we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> could cook up some scheme like the one which has worked so +successfully, it would be possible for us to get away with whole skins."</p> + +<p>"But while talking with us lads you allowed it would be an easy matter +to carry the plan through as we had formed it," I said irritably, and he +replied laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Aye, true for you, lad; but of what avail would it have been had I set +forth all the dangers of the enterprise as they presented themselves to +my mind? Would it have given you courage had I allowed that there was a +great doubt in my mind whether we might not be taken into the custody +immediately on showing ourselves at the Bridewell?"</p> + +<p>"Well," I interrupted, "have you done away with all danger? Is there any +less chance now that you will be detected, simply because of having +convinced some thick-headed sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad, it strikes me the danger is very much less, because I count +on going there with a lobster back as guard and assistant. The officer +on duty at the Bridewell will never stop to ask who sent the soldier +with me; but seeing the governor's order, will, unless he is a rank +idiot, conclude that General Gage himself showed me such delicate +attention, and I'm counting that by having a red-coated escort I've +wiped out more than half the chances that the order will be questioned."</p> + +<p>The very fact of his having made such a venture frightened me, even +though it was all happily come to an end, and to our advantage, as it +seemed. Once more I trembled with fear, and then, realizing that Archie +and Harvey must be burning with impatience to know why we delayed coming +into the cellar, I said to Hiram that he should remain where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> he was +while I sent our comrades up that they might hear the wonderful story.</p> + +<p>He was perfectly willing to do as I suggested, for it pleased him to +repeat the tale of having tricked the lobster backs, and I wondered not +that he should feel a pride in what had been done, therefore I went into +the cellar, telling the lads that there was one in the room above who +would have speech with them.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard Hiram's voice," Archie said, wheeling about to face +me, for he had understood that I would have him believe a stranger had +come.</p> + +<p>"So it was Hiram's voice," I replied, "and you will not be saddened by +that which he has to tell."</p> + +<p>"So he had the good luck to get back, did he?" Job Lord asked grimly, +and it must have been a grievous disappointment to the man who had +believed firmly that Hiram could not remain at liberty ten minutes while +on the street.</p> + +<p>"Aye, he has come back," I said, "and now there is little question but +that you and Seth will go with us to Cambridge," I replied in a tone of +triumph, for the longer I had time to realize what arrangements my +comrade had made, the stronger was my belief that we would carry the +enterprise through in safety.</p> + +<p>The pallor of fear came over Seth Jepson's face at these words; but Job +Lord gave no token of being disturbed in mind, and for the very good +reason, as I afterward came to know, that he did not believe we could +work such a scheme.</p> + +<p>"When you show that it is possible to take this lad and me through the +streets of Boston as prisoners, then I will be willing to believe I +stand in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> danger of seeing the rebel army in Cambridge; but not before. +You are putting all your faith in that safeguard and the order from +General Gage, which were stolen from me; but you are like to be in more +danger with, than without them, for the king's officers in this town +know me full well, and your man Griffin cannot pass himself off in my +stead."</p> + +<p>Master Lord spoke in a tone of conviction, and this seemed to give Seth +a little courage, for straightway the color came into his face again, +and he looked up at me with a sickly smile, as if to say that he was not +to be taken in by any threats I might make.</p> + +<p>It would have pleased me hugely had it been safe to tell the +double-faced scoundrel how thoroughly well Hiram had laid his plans, and +how readily some of the king's people could be made to swallow the story +he told. But I refrained from doing so because it was yet possible +something might occur which would give the man an opportunity to reveal +our plans to those who might thwart them.</p> + +<p>While I sat by the bedside leaning over the prisoners in a menacing +attitude, ready to carry out the threats we had made in case they should +attempt to raise an outcry, we could hear shouts of laughter from Archie +and Harvey as Hiram told of tricking the Britisher, and I was of the +opinion that those sounds of mirth went further toward convincing Master +Lord that we were in shape to do as I had said, than any words of mine +could have done, for he began to look seriously disturbed, turning his +head first one way and then the other as if striving to catch a word now +and then to get an inkling of what was being said.</p> + +<p>Those in the room above did not return to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> cellar for a long time, +as it seemed to me; but when they were come below Hiram went to the +table and began eating heartily, for we had not taken the trouble to put +the food away after our last meal was ended, and said to me in a +business-like tone as he ate hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"It is close to sunset, lad, and I count on setting forth about my work +without delay, for it strikes me we had better leave here as near to +nine of the clock as may be. While I am gone you three shall fill your +stomachs, and it won't be a bad idea to share the food with the +prisoners, for they have a reasonably long journey before them."</p> + +<p>Although I had been waiting impatiently for this time to come, his words +sent a chill through my heart, and it was as if I had not been prepared +to hear them. The knowledge that we were come to the very moment of +making as desperate a venture as I dare say had ever been made in +Boston, frightened me, and my breath came thick and fast as I asked, +much as though I would delay the fateful moment:</p> + +<p>"Would it not be better that you wait until night has fully come?"</p> + +<p>"When I have work on hand that isn't as pleasant as it might be, it's a +whim of mine to set about it without delay, and, besides, I'd rather +take my chances at the Bridewell before nine of the clock than +afterward."</p> + +<p>"It makes little difference what time you set out, for you'll spend the +remainder of the night, whether you go late or early, in prison," Master +Lord growled, and Hiram made answer with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"I shall be back within an hour, my two-faced friend, and my coming will +be the signal for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> setting out to visit in Cambridge those over +whose eyes you have pulled the wool this many a day."</p> + +<p>"I shall believe in going to Cambridge when I get there, and not +before," Job Lord said surlily; but I could detect a tone of anxiety +such as he had never shown before, which was not to be wondered at, for +Hiram acted and spoke like a man who knows beyond a peradventure that +matters will go exactly as he has arranged.</p> + +<p>I followed Griffin up the ladder when, his hurried repast at an end, he +ascended to the room above, and there, while he unbarred the door I +asked tremulously:</p> + +<p>"What shall we do in case Master Lord's Tory friends come while you are +gone?"</p> + +<p>"Pay no attention to them, lad; that is the only course. If you +remember, Lord said there was no danger of any one's coming until after +sunset, which was much the same as telling us that then he expected +visitors, therefore it is I am pushing matters forward sooner than would +otherwise be the case. Of course there's a chance they may make trouble +for us; but if I am not delayed at the Bridewell, we will be on our road +to Cambridge before they arrive."</p> + +<p>"But suppose you, coming back with Silas, having compassed his release +without trouble, find here two or three demanding admittance?"</p> + +<p>"Then it will be a case of waiting a short time, and if they persist in +hanging around we must take the chances of a fight. I will knock on the +shutter as has been agreed upon, and if when Silas and I come in there +are others who follow us, we must be ready to do by them as we have by +Job Lord: but I'm hoping we won't be put to that trouble."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hiram laughed as he spoke these last words, yet I could not believe that +it was from mirth, but rather a desire to hearten me by letting it +appear he had no fear as to the final result, when all the while I knew +there must be in his mind many a question as to whether he could play +his part before the officers of the Bridewell, as he had with the +thick-headed sergeant.</p> + +<p>Then he went out with never a word of farewell, and strode off into the +gloom, walking steadily with head upright like the true man he had ever +shown himself to be, and I closed and barred the door while a fervent +but unspoken prayer went up from my heart that it might be permitted him +to pass unscathed through the danger which menaced, because of the +justness of the Cause for which he labored.</p> + +<p>Again we three lads sat near the prisoners in what was very like fear. I +know for my part that I was trembling so violently that I failed in +attempting to take up a bit of meat in order to carry out Hiram's +instructions, and I know full well that any one close by might have +heard the beating of my heart.</p> + +<p>"We are not filling our stomachs as Hiram commanded," Archie cried, +striving to appear light-hearted as he rose to his feet and set about +arranging the provisions on the table so they might look more palatable. +"Everything must be in readiness for a quick start when he comes back, +and eating is the first of the duties to be performed."</p> + +<p>"You'll have plenty of time to eat 'twixt now and his return," Master +Lord growled. "The next person who enters this house will be one of his +majesty's officers, come to learn how General Gage's order passed from +my possession into that of the rebels'."</p> + +<p>We made no reply to this remark, not being in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> mood to bandy words +with the villain, for all our thoughts and hearts had gone out with +Hiram, while in fancy we could see him meeting with suspicion when he +was come to the Bridewell, and finally clapped into a cell without +having been so near Silas as to have speech with him.</p> + +<p>I had no desire for food, and doubtless my comrades felt much the same; +but yet we ate because of having been told so to do, and forced the meat +down our throats when it was like to choke us.</p> + +<p>Seth Jepson was not as averse to filling his stomach as were we, and ate +greedily when Harvey fed him, while Master Lord positively refused to +accept a mouthful of anything save water, of which he drank eagerly at +short intervals, thus telling me that there was, despite all his brave +words, a fear in his heart which parched his tongue.</p> + +<p>Now because it was past sunset, when, according to what Job Lord had +said some time before, there might be danger of Tory visitors, we took +all precautions to prevent our prisoners from crying out. In fact, +Archie proposed that we gag them then and there; but I, believing Hiram, +even though he succeeded in all his purpose, would be long delayed, had +no heart to cause them suffering which might be avoided. I proposed that +we pull the bed out from the wall so that he could sit with bare knife +by the side of Seth, while I looked after the man who had deceived our +people so many days, and once more we promised to take their worthless +lives without compunction if they raised their voices ever so slightly.</p> + +<p>The time passed slowly, wearingly, painfully on, and there we sat by the +side of the prisoners ready to take their lives if need be, while Harvey +paced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> to and fro, or ascended the ladder to the upper room only to +descend, until the noise of his footsteps well nigh drove me to +distraction, and I cried out that unless he remained quiet I should lose +my senses.</p> + +<p>"You lost them when you embarked in such an enterprise as this of making +me prisoner," Job Lord snarled. "But what could be expected of three +boys, led on by a crazy man? I would have set your comrade free, and +sent you on your way in safety; but that you must needs upset all my +plans."</p> + +<p>"The setting of Silas free and sending us back to our friends was not a +part of your plan, Job Lord," I said in a low tone, fearing lest even +then some one might be approaching the house; but determined to thrash +the matter out with the double-faced villain, if for no other purpose +than to occupy the time which was dragging so painfully.</p> + +<p>"How else could it be, since I failed to deliver you up to the British?" +he asked with an air of innocence. "Had I been so minded, you would have +been made prisoners within an hour after coming into this house, and the +fact that you were not taken into custody shows that I was playing +honestly with you."</p> + +<p>"Which proves that you had some plan in mind which could be made to work +more of harm to the Cause if we were held here," I said, and then there +came into my mind Hiram's words when he was telling the story of the +British sergeant, and I added sharply, as if having discovered all his +scheming, "We were to be held here as bait in a trap for some of our +people whom you hoped to catch, and who would be more of value to +General Gage than we three lads."</p> + +<p>He turned his eyes toward me quickly, as a deep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> flush overspread his +face, and I knew full well that I had hit the mark while repeating much +the same as Hiram had invented for the benefit of the sergeant.</p> + +<p>I continued to dwell upon the matter, hoping he might be provoked into +telling me for what purpose he counted on taking from the Bridewell one +of our people who had been captured at Breed's hill; but the scoundrel +was sharp enough to hold his peace regardless of what I said, never +letting out a word that could serve as an inkling to that portion of the +plan.</p> + +<p>As I sat there by his side, my ears strained to catch the first sound +which should tell of Tory visitors or of Hiram's return, I believed I +knew it was Silas Brownrigg whom he would have selected from among the +prisoners, and that he had been trying to keep us quiet, not daring to +bring the lad down from the Bridewell until the last moment lest we +should insist on leaving Boston immediately afterward.</p> + +<p>Once such a thought came into my mind, I repeated it to him, catching +again a glimpse of the dark flush which told, to my mind at least, that +the blow had struck home.</p> + +<p>Archie must have been in much the same frame of mind as was I before +beginning this conversation with Job Lord, for now he cried out sharply, +as if the sound of my voice jarred upon his quivering nerves:</p> + +<p>"In the name of all that's good, Luke Wright, hold your peace! We can't +better ourselves by bandying words with such as Master Lord, and it may +be some one from the outside will hear you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p> + +<p>Even as he spoke there came to our ears distinctly three smart raps on +the outer door, and I leaned over Master Lord with my knife upraised, +for I knew that now was come our time of greatest peril.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>TURNING THE TRICK</h3> + + +<p>Archie glanced up at me with a look of fear on his face, as he whispered +in a tremulous voice:</p> + +<p>"Don't take any chances!" and, softly making his way to the center of +the room, he took from the floor Harvey's coat, which had been thrown +there when we were minded to gag Seth Jepson. This he gave to me +nervously, and, holding the knife between my teeth, I rolled one end of +it into a wad such as would fit snugly into the mouth of that man who +had counted on delivering us over to the Britishers.</p> + +<p>Master Lord opened his jaws without waiting to be bidden, for he must +have seen on my face a determination to put an end to his career of +treachery at the lightest token of making an outcry.</p> + +<p>While I was doing this, Harvey, understanding the need of securing both +the prisoners beyond any possibility they could do us a mischief by +raising their voices, tore off the sleeve of his shirt, and Archie +speedily thrust it into Seth Jepson's mouth.</p> + +<p>When this had been done there seemed little chance either of the +captives could do more than give utterance to moans; but, lest they +might succeed in loosening their bonds, I whispered to Harvey:</p> + +<p>"You must stay here and keep sharp watch over them, while Archie and I +go to the room above."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To what end?" he asked in surprise, and I replied hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"Hiram may return at any moment, and we must be ready to open the door +for him."</p> + +<p>Just then the summons was repeated more sharply than before, and I dared +not linger to explain to Harvey what had been agreed upon between Hiram +and myself, therefore, motioning for Archie to follow, I went up the +ladder with all possible speed, yet at the same time taking extra good +care, as may be supposed, not to make so much of noise as could be heard +by those on the outside.</p> + +<p>Once on the floor above I halted to whisper in Archie's ear that which +was to be done in case Hiram returned before these unwelcome visitors +had departed, and meanwhile we could hear voices on the outside, as if +those who awaited the opening of the door were discussing among +themselves the cause of Master Lord's delay in giving them entrance.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily Archie looked around hurriedly for something which would +serve him as a weapon in case we should be obliged to give battle, and, +thus reminded that we would be at a disadvantage unless having other +than our bare fists with which to strike a blow, I followed his example.</p> + +<p>Nothing fitting met my gaze save a three-legged stool which had been +thrown in one corner, the top shattered, and this I seized hastily, +finding it possible to pull out one of the legs without making any noise +worth mentioning.</p> + +<p>Archie armed himself with a second leg, and I laid the third up where it +might be come at conveniently in case, by any mischance, one of us +should need a spare weapon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + +<p>Verily it seemed as if a kind Providence was watching over us, for no +sooner were we thus prepared to meet Job Lord's Tory friends, if +perchance it became necessary to give them entrance, when we heard loud +voices, as if other visitors had come up, and Archie took me by the hand +to hearten himself as well as me, for now did it seem certain a conflict +was near at hand.</p> + +<p>One can the better understand what a long head was Hiram Griffin's, when +I set it down that before leaving the house he had lighted a tallow dip, +leaving it in one corner of the room where the feeble rays of light +could not be seen through the crevices of the shutter, and but for his +forethought in this regard we would have been in darkness, which is the +same as saying we must find ourselves at a great disadvantage in event +of a fight with Master Lord's friends.</p> + +<p>Archie and I stood within three paces of the door, still clasping each +other by the hand and striving to hear what was being said on the +outside to the end that we might have some inkling of how many had come, +when two loud, deliberate knocks on the shutter told that Hiram Griffin +was returned.</p> + +<p>My heart literally ceased beating for the instant, and it seemed as if I +was in danger of suffocation, so great was my excitement and anxiety. +Hiram had come back from the Bridewell; but had he brought with him +Silas Brownrigg?</p> + +<p>Whether he had or no, it was necessary we open the door without delay, +and at the same time stand ready for a rough and tumble fight, because +there was no question but that those who first demanded admittance were +still there, while it was also positive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> Hiram had decided upon carrying +into execution the plan agreed upon before he set out.</p> + +<p>Motioning Archie to take station on one side of the door where he might +be ready to strike a blow at the first opportunity, I whispered in a +tremulous voice:</p> + +<p>"Be careful not to miss your aim, and put sufficient of strength into +the blow to bring down your man. Hiram will send the Tories in first, as +a matter of course."</p> + +<p>Then, with all the blood in my body seemingly surging into my head, I +opened the door, and on the instant heard Hiram say in an exceedingly +friendly tone:</p> + +<p>"Enter, good sirs. Master Lord will return within a short time to +conclude the business concerning which you squabbled the other night."</p> + +<p>These words were spoken, no doubt, to warn Archie and me that there +could be no question as to the character of those to whom they were +addressed, and I raised the leg of the stool high above my head, +understanding full well that if we failed of overcoming them at the +onset, our race in Boston town had come to a speedy end.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately it so chanced that both Archie and I struck at the man who +was in the lead, and the fellow had no more than got well across the +threshold when he pitched headlong, as an ox falls under the axe of the +butcher.</p> + +<p>Even as this was done I could see that the second man attempted to leap +backward, a cry of fear escaping his lips, and my heart grew cold, for +it needed not any one should tell me that if he succeeded in giving us +the slip the lobster backs would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> soon learn what kind of a trick we had +striven to play.</p> + +<p>I might have understood, however, that Hiram Griffin stood in readiness +to guard against any such danger, and even as the fear came into my +heart he had leaped upon the shoulders of the fellow who strove to turn +back, the weight of his body sending both himself and his captive into +the room.</p> + +<p>A fourth figure leaped nimbly in and aided me in closing the door, +therefore I understood that the game at the Bridewell had been played +without an error, for it could be none other than Silas Brownrigg who +followed Hiram so closely.</p> + +<p>There was no time for greetings or rejoicing; but I did delay +sufficiently long to ask in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Were there only two?"</p> + +<p>"No more," Silas cried quickly as he leaped to aid Hiram, who was +struggling with the fellow he had thrust into the room, and verily the +Tory was putting up a stout fight.</p> + +<p>"Gag him!" Hiram cried even while the two were rolling here and there so +rapidly that it was with difficulty we could, in that faint light, +distinguish friend from foe, and Archie sacrificed a sleeve of his +shirt, rolling it into a wad as he stood ready to thrust it into the +Tory's mouth at the first opportunity.</p> + +<p>The fellow whom Archie and I had stricken down was sprawled out on the +floor upon his face, like one dead, and I knew we had nothing to fear +from him for some time to come, even if the life yet remained in his +body, therefore I took a hand in the battle Hiram was waging so +desperately.</p> + +<p>With us three lads to lend a hand, the struggle was soon brought to an +end, and when we had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> bound and gagged the stranger so securely that he +could not have made the slightest sound had his life depended on it, I +turned to Silas, crushing his hands in mine as I cried, giving no heed +to the possibility that there might be more enemies on the outside:</p> + +<p>"We have got you, lad, from out the lion's jaws! How was it done?"</p> + +<p>"I am yet bewildered," Silas replied as if in a maze. "Hiram had with +him a lobster back, who walked with us to the corner of the lane, and +therefore we had no opportunity for conversation."</p> + +<p>"You can do your tongue wagging when we are clear of this blooming +town," Hiram cried sharply. "Stories will keep; but there's no telling +how soon the wind may shift against us, for we are sailing mightily +close-hauled. What about this lover of the king's?" and he stooped over +the man whose head had received Archie's blow as well as mine.</p> + +<p>There was little need to spend much time in the examination. It was +certain he yet breathed; but more than that could not be said, and Hiram +cried as he rose to his feet:</p> + +<p>"Now then, lads, move lively, for we must be under way within the next +five minutes, or take the chances of stopping here longer than will be +pleasant."</p> + +<p>"Are any of the lobster backs suspicious?" I asked in a fever of fear, +and he replied in a grim tone:</p> + +<p>"The lieutenant at the Bridewell failed to understand why Job Lord did +not come in person for the prisoner, and save that he feared to set awry +some plan of General Gage's, he would have held me there till word could +be sent to headquarters. There's no telling how soon he may get word to +those who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> will come to find out if everything is as it should be."</p> + +<p>Even while speaking Hiram was descending the ladder, at the foot of +which Harvey stood white-faced, with staring eyes, for he had no means +of knowing how the battle was going, and I could understand full well in +what a turmoil must have been his mind.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, lad," Hiram said reassuringly as he laid his hand on +Harvey's shoulder. "Pull yourself together, for we must make a quick +flitting. Best carry Seth up stairs, so he may have company while we are +gone."</p> + +<p>"I thought it was agreed he would go with us," I cried hotly, not of the +mind to lose one of our prisoners even though we yet stood in so much of +danger.</p> + +<p>"We can't take the chances of two, as matters stand now, and Job Lord is +the more valuable to our friends in Cambridge," Hiram said, speaking +hurriedly as he began to cast off the bonds from the man's feet. "The +lobster back who went with me to the Bridewell knows I was given but +one, and he is to aid us in embarking, therefore to have two would cause +a suspicion to enter even his thick head."</p> + +<p>Hiram had Master Lord in shape for walking by this time; but the fellow +flatly refused to rise from the bed, declaring that his limbs were so +cramped he had no control over them.</p> + +<p>"It will be well that you get them into shape in short order, for we +count on taking you with us, or leaving you here dead, and there is +little time in which to make a choice," Hiram said in a tone which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> gave +proof that his were no idle words. "Carry the boy up the ladder, and +leave him on the floor," he added to me, and this Harvey and I did with +all speed, while Archie and Silas stood by to lend our leader a hand if +so be he might need it.</p> + +<p>I had no opportunity of hearing whether Master Lord made further protest +against doing as he had been commanded; but it seemed to me that Harvey +and I had no sooner laid Seth Jepson by the side of the Tory who had +been so severely injured, than Hiram appeared at the top of the ladder +with the double-faced scoundrel by his side.</p> + +<p>"Do you know where the ship-yard that is owned by a man named Edes may +be located?" Hiram asked immediately he had come up into the room, and +we lads soon gave him to understand that the place was familiar to us.</p> + +<p>"Then lead the way, stepping out lively, for I am not minded to linger +here many minutes," he said sharply, turning to seize Master Lord by the +collar.</p> + +<p>"But what about these fellows?" I asked, pointing to Seth and the two +men. "Are they to be left helpless and gagged?"</p> + +<p>"There is no other way out of it, and I dare venture to say they would +not have any heart-ache to leave us in even a worse plight."</p> + +<p>"But the wretches will starve to death!" I cried in horror, and Hiram +replied grimly:</p> + +<p>"I would leave them to such a fate rather than miss taking Job Lord to +those whom he has deceived so long; but there is little danger, though I +won't say but they'll be mighty uncomfortable for a time. 'Twixt now and +morning one or more of this scoundrel's friends will come to concoct yet +further<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> harm to the Cause, and, if we leave the door unlocked, they'll +be released sooner than is deserved."</p> + +<p>Archie would have lingered to make Seth a bit more comfortable by +loosening the gag ever so little; but Hiram literally drove him toward +the door as he cried in an angry tone, which I dare say was assumed to +cover his nervousness:</p> + +<p>"Look after yourself, lad, and give over being soft-hearted about such +curs. We've got no easy job before us, and are needing every moment of +time." Then to Master Lord he added, "If you are minded to make any +noise as we walk through the streets, remember what I have threatened to +do, and understand that it's my belief I'd be doing a good deed to put +you out of the world!"</p> + +<p>It seemed to me there was little need for such caution. The traitor was +yet gagged, and strive as he might could not have done other than moan +ever so softly.</p> + +<p>We left the house which had been our prison, in haste, as if already the +pursuers were at our heels, and when we stepped into the open air I +recalled that which Hiram had said regarding the lobster back who was to +aid us in embarking, therefore whispered to our leader as we went at a +swift pace in the direction of the ship-yard:</p> + +<p>"Is there not danger the Britisher who went with you to the Bridewell +will come to understand that you have made a change of prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"That is one of the chances we are taking, lad. I strove to keep him +from having a fair look at Silas, and hope the effort was successful. If +not, it will be a case of fighting another battle with all the odds +against us, for the guard-house is so near at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> hand that we could not +make much of a disturbance without being overheard by those on duty. +Push forward, and do not try to find fresh cause for fear, since we have +all of danger before us that I care to think about."</p> + +<p>Acting in accordance with Hiram's instructions, we lads pressed closely +around Job Lord for the double purpose of hiding him from view as much +as possible while at the same time we forced him to a rapid pace, and in +silence, save for the heavy breathing of the prisoner caused by the gag, +and the sound of our footsteps, we advanced unchallenged to where the +skiff was found.</p> + +<p>But for the fact that I believed death lurked very closely in our rear, +I could have found something comical in the fact that we were being +aided in our flight by one of the king's men, who believed he was having +a finger in the pie to be baked for the "rebels," and even though I +trembled with fear and anxiety, it was impossible to check a smile when +I saw the thick-headed Britisher waiting patiently by the water's edge +for us to come up.</p> + +<p>In order that we might get away the more quickly, he had the skiff +afloat, holding her by the painter, and as we approached Hiram thrust +Job Lord on board in advance, following so closely as to screen him from +view. If the lobster back had previously had any suspicions, he might +have noted something strange in the manner of our clustering around the +prisoner even after we had taken our places in the boat; but the dull +fellow believed he was aiding in what would work injury to those whom he +had come across the ocean to kill, and gave heed to nothing save his own +part in the enterprise.</p> + +<p>As I think of the matter now, it seems almost like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> a fairy tale, this +story of being aided to escape by one of the king's men, with a squad of +soldiers at the guard-house nearby ready to lend a hand in case we +needed it; but such was the case, and had it not been so I believe of a +verity we had never gone out of Boston town alive, for if the tables had +been turned, Master Lord and his friends would have seen to it that we +were hanged on one pretext or another.</p> + +<p>Whatever the dangers we had encountered, or however narrow the escape, +we were free at last, for even though one of the guard-boats overhauled +us, the pass signed by General Gage himself would have been enough to +insure safe conduct, and when the skiff had been pulled by Harvey and +Silas so far from the shore that we could see behind us nothing save the +lights that twinkled here and there, it was with difficulty I repressed +a shout of triumph.</p> + +<p>As it was I could not hold my peace; but, leaning toward Hiram as he sat +by Master Lord's side in the stern-sheets, said gleefully:</p> + +<p>"We have come out from among the Britishers without a scratch, and in +addition to releasing one of our own who was in prison, are taking to +Cambridge a spy who might have worked the Cause fatal harm, therefore +who shall say that the Minute Boys, if so be you still count yourself +one, have not shown themselves able to do the work of men?"</p> + +<p>"I sure do count myself one of the Minute Boys, lad, and shall do so +till our little muss with the king has come to an end, leaving us +colonists on the top of the heap. But say, Luke Wright, this last trick +over which we have the right to do a good bit of crowing, has been a +close shave. Unless everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> had worked according to our desires, we +would have been undone, and I'm thinking the shadow of the gallows was +dark over us in that hour when I set off for the Bridewell."</p> + +<p>"Tell me what happened there?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't much of a story, for the plan worked as if it had been +greased, though I'm free to confess that I had but little hope of +pulling through when I left you. My heart was thumping fit to burst when +I called for the officer on duty, holding my head high as if General +Gage had been my brother. The lieutenant who gave me a hearing was by no +means the dullard you might have expected him to be, and eyed me in a +way that wasn't comforting. Of course I had to explain that Master Lord +wasn't quite in condition to venture out, and that I was helping him in +setting a trap for the rebels. While you might have counted twenty I +felt certain he was minded to send to headquarters to learn if the order +was all right, and I made bold to urge that a delay of half an hour +would set all our plans awry, which you'll agree was nothing more than +solemn truth."</p> + +<p>"Then he allowed you to take Silas?" I asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, after considerable humming and hawing; but I'm of the belief that +if the lobster back hadn't been with me it would have been a different +matter. The lieutenant couldn't fail of being impressed by the fact that +I had come with one of his own kidney as escort, and from this out I +shall have a kindly feeling for a red coat, even though I fail to love +the one that wears it."</p> + +<p>"And now we'll give the officer at the battery the surprise of his life, +when we show him Job Lord<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> as prisoner after he sent us to him with such +recommendations as to his loyalty," I cried with a laugh, whereupon +Hiram replied gravely:</p> + +<p>"If I have my way, we'll give the battery a wide berth, lad, and for two +reasons. The first is that I'm not minded to be delayed on the journey +to Cambridge, and who can say that the lieutenant wouldn't insist on +taking charge of our prisoner, which would be depriving us of the credit +we deserve. The second reason is more serious. Because the officer at +the battery vouched so strongly for Job Lord, it is barely possible that +he may be as great a traitor as our captive, and I'll give him no chance +to set his partner free."</p> + +<p>"Of course you'll have your way, so far as leading us lads is +concerned," I said quickly. "Surely you have earned the right an hundred +times over, even though we were disposed to contest it, which we are +not. How do you count on getting to Cambridge?"</p> + +<p>"We'll pull up the creek as far as is possible to take the skiff, giving +our battery as wide a berth as we give those fortifications manned by +the Britishers, and, once forced to abandon the craft, set off on the +highway, stopping for nothing this side of Cambridge, for the sooner Job +Lord's treachery is made known to our people there, the more easy in +mind I'll be concerning his being held securely."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>And now because of the fact that within the past hour it has been +whispered around the encampment that we of the American army are about +to strike another blow against the Britishers, and preparations are +being made for the march, I must bring this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> poor yarn of mine to a +speedy close lest I find myself unable to finish it.</p> + +<p>As Hiram had said so we did, and before another day was come we were in +the American encampment, telling to General Ward all we had learned.</p> + +<p>There is little need to say that Job Lord was cared for securely, and +Hiram believes that after this movement which seems to be on foot, has +been made, the double-faced villain will be hanged for his crimes, more +especially since it is now known how much of harm he succeeded in +working to the Cause while professing to be devoted to it.</p> + +<p>Our people have learned to a certainty that this same Master Lord had +been paid regularly by General Gage for his services as traitor; but we +can only guess as to why he wanted to hold us prisoners in his house, +and at the same time get possession of Silas, for it seems positive the +lad was the prisoner whom he counted on taking when he presented the +order which Hiram used to such good effect.</p> + +<p>My father believes it was Job Lord's aim to hold us lads as a bait to +entice some of our prominent people into making a try at succoring us, +and thus succeed in delivering to General Gage one or more of the +American officers. Hiram declares that if we had made thorough search of +the villain's house, it is likely we might have found that which would +give us a clue to the whole plot as he had schemed it.</p> + +<p>I am of the mind that we remained in the building on Cow lane quite as +long as was safe, and it makes little difference what he counted on +doing, since we blocked his game and at the same time brought him to +grief.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p> + +<p>Archie is confident that the day must come when, by getting hold of Seth +Jepson once more, as all of us lads believe will be our good fortune, we +shall be able to learn no little of Master Lord's villainy which as yet +is a secret between himself and his Tory cronies. It is certain that if +we ever get the treacherous little traitor in our hands again, he can be +made to turn himself inside out, because of being so cowardly that in +order to save himself from punishment he will not hesitate to betray his +friends.</p> + +<p>When we have discovered what Job Lord would have done with us had his +career not been cut so short, then shall we most likely learn the cause +of what was much the same as a fight between himself and his visitors +when we were prisoners in the cellar; but I have very little curiosity +regarding this last matter, now that we have come to be members of the +army, holding as honorable a position as if we were men grown.</p> + +<p>Yes, after the venture into Boston town, and the taking of Job Lord as +prisoner, it was allowed that we had the right to be regularly enrolled, +and to-day, when we are making ready to give the king another slap in +the face, there is no company of soldiers in the encampment who are +seemingly held in higher esteem by our commanders, than the Minute Boys +of Boston.</p> + +<h4>THE END</h4> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Minute Boys of Boston, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON *** + +***** This file should be named 32723-h.htm or 32723-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/7/2/32723/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Minute Boys of Boston + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: L. J. Brideman + +Release Date: June 7, 2010 [EBook #32723] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON + + + + +AMERICAN HISTORY STORIES FOR BOYS + +THE MINUTE BOY SERIES + +By Edward Stratemeyer and James Otis + + The Minute Boys of Lexington + The Minute Boys of Bunker Hill + The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains + The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley + The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley + + +THE MEXICAN WAR SERIES + +By Capt. Ralph Bonehill + + For the Liberty of Texas + With Taylor on the Rio Grande + Under Scott in Mexico + +DANA ESTES & COMPANY Publishers Estes Press, Summer St., Boston + +[Illustration: "AND WE DID CHECK THEM!"] + + + + +The Minute Boys of Boston + +BY + +JAMES OTIS + +Author of "The Minute Boys of Long Island," "The Minute Boys of Wyoming +Valley," "Boys of '98," "Teddy and Carrots," "Boys of Fort Schuyler," +"Under the Liberty Tree," etc., etc. + +_Illustrated by_ + +L. J. BRIDGMAN + +[Illustration] + +BOSTON +DANA ESTES & COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + +_Copyright, 1910_ +BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY + +_All rights reserved_ + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON + +_Electrotyped and Printed by_ +_THE COLONIAL PRESS_ +_C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U.S.A._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. WHY WE WERE ENROLLED 11 + +II. RAISING A COMPANY 29 + +III. THE WAR BEGUN 48 + +IV. THE PRISONER 71 + +V. SUSPICIOUS INFORMATION 89 + +VI. A CLOUDY NIGHT 104 + +VII. THE SUMMONS 126 + +VIII. HOG ISLAND 144 + +IX. ON SPECIAL DUTY 163 + +X. ON BREED'S HILL 183 + +XI. THE RETREAT 203 + +XII. IN BOSTON TOWN 222 + +XIII. GRAVE DOUBTS 242 + +XIV. THE SECRET PASSAGE 261 + +XV. AN AWKWARD CAPTURE 279 + +XVI. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS 298 + +XVII. HIRAM'S VENTURE 316 + +XVIII. TURNING THE TRICK 334 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + +"AND WE DID CHECK THEM!" (p. 195) _Frontispiece_ + +"I COULD HAVE TOSSED MY HAT ABOARD THEIR CRAFT" 27 + +"I LEAPED THE FENCE" 61 + +THE ENCAMPMENT AT CAMBRIDGE 83 + +"THE SECOND FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED ME THIS SCENE" 117 + +"'WHO SHALL SAY NOW THAT WE HAVEN'T THE RIGHT +TO CALL OURSELVES MINUTE BOYS?'" 157 + +"MASTER LORD HELD UP THE UNSCREENED LANTERN" 229 + +"'WOULD YOU DO MURDER?'" 282 + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WHY WE WERE ENROLLED + + +Archie Hemming is as straight-headed a boy as was ever raised in Boston +town, and he insists that, while we are seemingly idling our time away +here in the Cambridge camp, I ought to set down what small share we lads +of Boston have had in beating the lobster backs, for certain it is we +have done our share, and no less a man than General Israel Putnam has +told us plainly that we have already been of great aid to the Cause. + +After such praise as that it would not be strange if we allowed +ourselves to be puffed up with pride, more especially because we can +recall many a time since a baker's dozen of us took the high sounding +name of "Minute Boys of Boston," when we have come off best in a tussle +with the king's soldiers or the rascally Tories. + +It may seem a matter of surprise to those who have not had a hand in +teaching his majesty a long-needed lesson, that there should be in this +colony of ours, men, and boys too, who could be so evil minded as to do +all they might against those who were shedding their blood, or +imperilling their lives, to release them from the oppressive yoke of +English misrule, but such was, and is, the fact. + +During my short life, for I am not yet turned fifteen years, I have been +in more danger, and suffered more of hardships from and through Tories, +our own neighbors and alleged friends, than ever came my way by the +efforts of the red-coated soldiers who allowed to whip us off-hand, +before getting a taste of our metal at Breed's hill--I can never bring +myself to speak of that battle as having taken place at Bunker hill, for +the simple reason that we did not fight there. + +Archie, who is sitting nearby with Silas Brownrigg, looking over my +shoulder to make certain I keep steadily and correctly at the task he +has assigned me, says that he did not count on my beginning the story in +such a roundabout way, for he wants to see in black and white, as soon +as may be, an account of what we Boston Minute Boys have done thus far +in the war against the king. + +Now it seems to me that I ought to begin this tale with the reason why +some of us Boston lads decided it might be possible for us to work in +behalf of the Cause, and in order to do that I must hark back to what +has been done these two years past to us of Boston by the king, and +those hangers on of his who counted on grinding us into the dust as if +we were made of baser stuff than they. + +We lads, being young, did not realize all the iniquity of which General +Gage was capable, when his acts were purely political, and, perhaps, +gave but little heed to our elders when we heard them predicting that he +would ruin the colony if it should not be possible to check his unlawful +career; but when on the first day of June, in the year of grace 1774, +he closed our port of Boston to all vessels save those of the king's, +shutting us up like mice in a trap to starve, or leave the colony as +fugitives, then did we realize that the moment had come for something +more than talk. + +General Gage had brought soldiers from Halifax, Quebec, New York and +even Ireland, to keep us of Boston in subjection to him, until the +lobster backs out-numbered our people two to one, or so it seemed to me, +and when he had us cooped up, through having set his hirelings to guard +the Neck, thereby preventing us from going out, or our friends of the +country from coming in, then did he crown the height of his oppression +by making declaration that the port was closed to all. + +He had under his command ships of the king enough to enforce this +unrighteous act, and there we were, much the same as tied hand and foot. +The poor people became beggars because there was no work by which they +could earn money to buy food, while the rich found that with all their +wealth it was impossible to purchase what was not for sale because of +the scarcity, and meanwhile the king's lobster backs fed on the fat of +the land, devouring us and our substance as did the locusts that were +sent to aid the children of Israel. + +Had it not been for the people in the other colonies who sent us rice, +wheat and even money, there were many in our town of Boston who would +have died of starvation. Why even the charitable men of London, who must +have understood that we were being wronged, subscribed one hundred and +fifty thousand dollars for the poor among us. + +I have heard it said that even the most cowardly animal will fight when +he is cornered and his life threatened, and so it was with us. The men +banded themselves together as if for war, and made ready for the +struggle which all knew must be near at hand, unless his majesty should +succeed in gaining better sense than he had shown since our people built +up for him a nation in this New World. + +We lads did not believe it possible we could do anything at such a time; +but looked forward to the day when, having come to man's estate, we +might enlist as soldiers to drive out General Gage, and such as he, from +among us. + +Then the fortifications on the Neck were strengthened, the better to +hold us prisoners; all the gunpowder belonging to the province that had +been stored at Charlestown and Cambridge was seized by the man who had +made of himself our jailor, and we were terrified by rumors that the +king's ships were about to open fire on the town because our people were +arming themselves. + +The true men of New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and from all the country +roundabout Boston, rose up in their might, marching at their best pace +to our assistance, and General Gage must have understood that he was +stirring up a hornet's nest, for the rumors were denied, and those who +would have begun the war then and there, returned to their homes. + +If you will believe it, there were, at the close of the year 1774, +eleven regiments of British soldiers in Boston, to say nothing of all +the artillery, and yet more were coming. Five hundred marines were +landed from the Asia Man-of-War, and thousands of lobster backs were +voyaging from the Jerseys, New York, and Quebec! + +Was it any wonder that we of Boston were the same as eaten out of our +homes? These men wearing red-coats were not suffered to lack for the +best of food; but it mattered little what we colonists had, and yet +there were those among us, born and bred in Boston town, who claimed +that General Gage was acting the part of an honest man! + +At the beginning of the year 1775 no less than an hundred and fifty +soldiers were on duty at the Neck night and day, and yet our people were +able to send past them secretly such of weapons and ammunition as were +to provide us, at a later date, with what might be needed to uphold our +rights. Even the youngest among us understood that the day was not far +distant when we must stand face to face with the lobster backs in battle +array, if we would preserve our own rights, and every article which +might be used in the coming struggle was smuggled under the noses of the +guards. + +Our fathers sent out muskets in loads of manure, cartridges in candle +boxes, pistols and swords in the baskets of such market women as were +permitted to enter the town that they might bring provisions for the +king's soldiers, and the loyal men of Boston had collected at Cambridge +quite a store of what would be needed when the time came that blood must +be shed. Then, suddenly, the thick-headed lobster backs discovered what +was being done, and scores upon scores of firearms were captured by +them. + +Many of our people had fled the town by this time; but a large number +yet remained. My father, Samuel Wright, had lately gone to Cambridge on +business. We were then living on Lyn street, close by the old ship-yard +near Hudson's point, and not far away, that is to say, on Hull street +opposite the burying place, was the home of Archie Hemming, the lad who +sits near me at this moment watching every motion of mine lest I falter +in the task he has set me. Silas Brownrigg lived on Salem street nearby +the corner of Charter, and we three were close friends in those dark +days when the king's men swaggered through the town, cuffing or kicking +any of us lads who chanced to be in their high and mighty way. + +Now it was on a certain evening near the middle of June that we three +lads chanced to come upon Amos Nelson near the city dock. He, like all +his father's brood, was that miserable thing known as a Tory, and we had +no idea of bandying words with him, believing it beneath us to talk with +such scum; but he was minded to pick a quarrel, believing that General +Gage would soon drive us, who claimed to be true to the colony, from our +homes. + +Because of what happened shortly afterward, I believe the Tory cur had +heard at home some inkling of what was to be done by the lobster backs, +for never had I seen him so bold, who was ever somewhat of a coward. + +I was the one he pitched upon to vent his spite, and when we would have +passed him, he shouted in that squeaky voice of his which ever set my +nerves on edge: + +"Hi! there, Luke Wright, has that scurvy father of yours mended his ways +yet, or does he think the king's officers will wait awhile before +sending him to the gallows where he belongs?" + +Now while I hold that no lad should take part in a street brawl, I ask +what would any boy have done whose father had been thus assailed by one +who was not fit to speak his name? I set upon the miserable Tory so +suddenly that he, taken unawares, so to speak, went down beneath me, and +then I pummelled him as he deserved, until the cur howled for mercy, +Silas and Archie standing by with hands in their coat pockets lest Amos +Nelson should say afterward that the three of us had attacked him. + +"You'll hear from me one day, in a way that won't be to your liking," +Amos cried threateningly after I had allowed him to get up, and he had +taken to his heels until having gotten a safe distance away. "We'll see +what General Gage has to say when he knows how the king's friends are +treated by you, who would be rebels if you had stomach enough to use +your hands as well as you do your tongues!" + +"You one of the king's friends!" Archie cried derisively. "If he picks +his intimates from such spawn as you there's good reason why he has +allowed these colonies of his to come to open rebellion against +injustice." + +"You've said it! You've said it!" the Tory cur cried as if in delight. +"You've admitted that you are rebels, and the king's officers shall hear +of what you say, for the time has come when they are marking such as you +for future punishment." + +"And what have they marked you for?" Silas asked with a laugh. "Are you +counted on being able to act the part of a half-way decent scarecrow, or +are you ranked as a lickspittle to some lobster back who hasn't yet +learned to speak English?" + +"Before we're many days older you shall come to understand some of the +marks, and I'll be the one to explain them in a way that won't be to +your liking," Amos shouted, and just then he was bowled over by a clod +of earth that Archie flung with an aim which would have done your heart +good to see. + +"There's what you call a rebel mark," the dear lad cried with a laugh at +his own success, "and I'm counting you'll carry it longer than shall we +that which the tyrant Gage puts upon us." + +At that instant Archie was seized by the collar from behind, and I was +near to letting out a cry of fear, for I counted as a certainty that +some lobster backs, having overheard our words, were come to lend the +Tory lad a hand. + +Luckily the cry was choked before it escaped my lips, else I should have +been bowed with shame, for on the moment I saw that it was none other +than Doctor Warren who had seized Archie, and we lads knew him for one +who would cut off his right hand rather than take the part of a Tory +against a so-called rebel. + +"Is it well to spend your time brawling on the streets with such as that +lad, when there is work you might do in behalf of the Cause?" the doctor +asked sharply, and, twisting himself round that he might look the good +man squarely in the face, Archie cried: + +"What is there that lads like us might do at such a time, sir? We are +willing enough; but lack opportunity." + +"I came out in search of one who can be trusted to carry a message into +the country; but fail to find him. It strikes me that lads like you +could be employed in such tasks, and thus give men full grown the +opportunity of doing braver work though nothing could be more important +than my business of this night. Think you it would be possible to leave +Boston within the hour, and without attracting the attention of the +guards?" the doctor added after a brief time of thought. + +"Ay, we can go out of Boston a dozen times over, 'twixt now and sunrise, +without any lobster back being the wiser," I cried, determined if there +was aught to be done in behalf of the Cause that night, I would have a +hand in it. + +"Are you the son of that Samuel Wright who lately left home to go to +Cambridge, and has not yet returned?" the doctor asked, releasing his +hold on Archie's collar that he might wheel about to face me. + +"Ay, that I am, sir," was my reply, "and that he has left Boston on +honest business Master Hancock himself can testify." + +"There is no need of testimony as to his character so far as I am +concerned," the gentleman said with a kindly smile. "I can trust his +son, surely, knowing the father as I do. Now how might it be possible +for you to leave this town secretly?" + +"I have a boat hidden at the old ship-yard where the lobster backs will +never be able to find her, and we three have been to Roxbury in her half +a dozen times since the guard at the Neck have had their eyes opened, +without any one's being the wiser. If so be you would send a message, we +three can carry it, sir," and so eager was I for him to accept my +services that I trembled like one in an ague. + +"And who may this young gentleman be?" the doctor asked as he pointed at +Silas Brownrigg, who was striving to make himself look as large as +possible to the end that he might attract attention. + +"My father is Robert Brownrigg, who has been enrolled among the Minute +Men these many days, and has called himself a Son of Liberty since I can +remember." + +"I know him well, and now believe that one or all of you can serve me +well and faithfully, meaning that you will be serving the Cause. I +desire to send a message with all speed to Colonel James Barrett, who +can be found about a mile this side the town of Lexington, at Samuel +Hadley's home." + +"We will carry your message, sir, and bind ourselves to deliver it +before sunrise," I cried, burning with the desire to have a finger in +this pie of rebellion against the king and General Gage. + +"It is a written message I would send, and it will not be necessary for +all three of you lads to undertake the journey--one can perform the task +as well as a dozen." + +"We three have always been close comrades, sir," Archie interrupted, +"and while it may not be necessary that all should aid in carrying the +message itself, two more hands in the skiff will shorten the journey to +the Penny ferry, for there it would be well to take to the shore, rather +than striving to work entirely around this town in order to gain the +Cambridge river." + +"The three shall have a part in the work," Doctor Warren cried, as if he +had but just understood how eager we were to be of service to the Cause. +"It is important that Colonel Barrett receive the missive before +sunrise, and you are to set about the task as seems best to you, with +the understanding that all are of equal rank in this matter. I will call +you Minute Boys, and pledge my word that by seeking out the colonel at +the earliest possible moment, you will be doing as valuable work as any +Minute Men in the colony." + +There was little need for him to say more. We were literally burning +with desire to be off on our first task that had to do with the Cause, +and he could not have worked us up to greater enthusiasm had he preached +all night. + +"You have first to make your parents acquainted with what you are about +to do," the doctor said with a smile because of our eagerness. "I have +the message with me; but there is no good reason why you should carry it +while making arrangements for departure, lest it be lost or seized, +therefore do what may be necessary, and meet me at this place in half an +hour." + +We could hardly have moved more quickly if each had been provided with +wings. In a twinkling the three of us were off, every lad headed toward +his own home, and for my part, I know that it seemed as if I hardly gave +myself time to breathe, so eager was I to return to the rendezvous in +the shortest possible space of time. + +As I look at the matter now, I can understand why my mother cried out +against the venture, declaring it was work that should be undertaken by +men, when I repeated to her what the doctor had said, and the tears came +very near my eyelids as I pleaded with her, for it seemed just then as +if I should never again have such an opportunity of serving the Cause. I +urged that we had given our word to Doctor Warren; that we would be +shamed, and he have reason to set us down as cowards, if we failed to do +as had been promised, winding up my entreaties with the assertion that +if father was at home he would insist most strongly upon my doing +whatsoever little I might in behalf of that effort to teach the king a +lesson which seemed so near at hand. + +I believe it was this last part of my argument which had most weight, +for no sooner had I spoken of what my father would have me do, than she +gave way, setting about making ready for me a small parcel of food +before having said that she gave her permission. + +Wild with delight, I gave little heed to the loving kiss she bestowed +upon me, hardly returning it so eager was I to be again at the +rendezvous, and taking the parcel without a word of thanks for her +loving thoughtfulness, I hurried away at full speed, coming up with +Archie in Salem street. + +He also carried a parcel under his arm, and without slackening speed I +ranged alongside him, asking, with difficulty because of my heavy +breathing, if his mother had made any protest against his acting the +part of messenger. + +"At first she cried out that I should not risk my neck in a tom-fool +matter; but when I made her understand that it was no less a man than +Doctor Warren who required our services, she held her peace; yet I took +note that the tears came into her eyes, as if she believed the business +might be of danger." + +"And so it is until we are ashore beyond Charlestown," I said with no +little of satisfaction, for it pleased me to believe we were staking our +lives, perhaps, on this venture which had to do with the Cause. "If our +skiff is overhauled by the guards--" + +"There isn't a king's boat, no matter of how many oars, that can +overhaul us this night if we get well away from the ship-yard," the dear +lad interrupted sharply. "Give us three minutes the start, and I'll +agree that the whole boiling of his majesty's navy may come full cry +after us." + +It would have pleased me better if he had allowed that there was much of +danger in the enterprise; but I would not speak further of such +possibility lest he believe I had grown faint hearted with thinking of +what might be, and in silence we continued on our way, arriving at the +appointed meeting place only to find Silas there awaiting us. He had +been even more eager than we, if that could be possible, and was +returned a full five minutes in advance, despite all our efforts to move +swiftly. + +Doctor Warren did not show himself until after what seemed like a very +long time of waiting, and we had grown impatient, fearing lest he had +found some other who might be more to his liking, to carry the message. +Had we been shut out from the enterprise just then, I know for my part +it would have seemed as if all the world had gone wrong, therefore it +was that I could have cried aloud with joy when he came toward us as if +having walked down Union street. + +"Are you lads ready for the journey?" he asked, speaking softly and +looking around cautiously like one who fears his words may be overheard. + +"We will set off in one minute after receiving your directions, sir," I +made haste to say, speaking hurriedly because I was in haste to have him +commit the message to us at once so we might know none other could get +in ahead of us. + +"It is only that you deliver this into the hands of Colonel James +Barrett, who may be found 'twixt now and sunrise at the home of Samuel +Hadley, near Lexington," he said, taking a folded paper from the inner +pocket of his coat. "In case you arrive at whatsoever point you have +decided upon, in safety, it will be well for one to procure a horse and +rush on in advance, otherwise you may arrive too late--" + +"We can trust our legs for getting us there as quickly as any farmer's +nag could carry us," Archie interrupted with a laugh, and I was puffed +up with pride when the doctor gave the paper into my keeping as he said +gravely: + +"It would work ill to the Cause if this was read by our enemies, +therefore it must be destroyed in case you are like to be taken by any +of the king's mercenaries." + +"We won't be taken, sir," Archie said, speaking as if he was one who +could read the future, like the witches they hanged at Salem. "Once we +are under way in the skiff there is nothing in Boston harbor that can +overtake us." + +"Do not be over-confident, young gentleman," the doctor said in a tone +of mild reproof. "While I do not admit that you will be in any serious +danger, it is the part of a wise man to count all the cost, and give due +heed to every possibility. Come to an end of your journey at the +earliest moment, and until the message has been delivered, put no trust +in strangers however fair they may speak you." + +He stood looking at us as if everything necessary had been said, and, +fortunately, I had wit enough to motion that my comrades follow me as I +went toward the ship-yard without any other word to Doctor Warren, for +at such times he who shows himself too ready to spend time in talking, +gives proof that he may not be depended upon to work quickly. + +The doctor made no effort to detain us; but, looking back over my +shoulder, I saw that he remained as we had left him until the gloom shut +him out from my view. + +"I would we had been asked for a service of more importance than simply +carrying a written message," Silas said in a tone that was almost one of +discontent, as we made our way toward the place where my skiff was +hidden, and Archie, ever cautious and wise, added in reproof: + +"It is not well we say anything which might show that we are bent on an +errand of importance, for no one can tell how many Tory ears may be +hidden hereabout. We are going out for a sail, pleasing ourselves by +showing that we three can leave this town of lobster backs whenever it +is our pleasure to do so, and of more than that it is not necessary to +speak." + +I understood by the lad's tone that he looked upon this mission of ours +as something which might be of vital importance to the Cause, and the +fact that he deemed it dangerous for us even to discuss the business in +the streets, went farther toward rendering me cautious than any words of +the doctor's might have done. + +Citizens of Boston, save they were rank Tories, were not given to +roaming the streets of the town after nightfall, therefore we met but +few while making our way to the ship-yard, and those few gave no heed to +us. At this time the so-called rebels were so small in numbers as +compared with our oppressors, that, save to make us the object of their +sport, as Amos Nelson had attempted to do, little attention was given to +us, most like because it was believed we could not break through the +net General Gage had thrown around us. + +We arrived at the ship-yard without interruption, and then it behooved +us to move with more of caution, for if so be the guards saw three lads +embarking in a skiff, there would be little delay in halting them by +means of a bullet. + +Under what remained of a small wharf which had fallen into decay long +before I could remember, we kept the craft, so securely hidden that he +who would seek her out must needs have sharp eyes, and we had pulled +away the timbers in such manner that it was possible to get on board and +make ready for hoisting the mast and sail before hauling her out into +view of any passer-by. + +After making certain that we had not been observed, the three of us let +ourselves down between the rotten timbers into the skiff, and while +Archie and Silas took up the oars, I made ready for hoisting the spar, +which was of no great weight or size. + +"Now then!" Archie whispered. "It is not so dark but that we can be seen +a long distance away, and until we are sheltered by the shore of +Charlestown, it will not be well that we indulge in much speaking." + +He gave way on the oar at the same moment; Silas did the same, and we +were no more than well out from under the old timbers than I saw, even +while raising the short spar, one of the guard-boats within less than an +hundred feet. + +It was the only time we had ever come upon the king's men in the dozen +or more voyages we had made from Boston town simply through a spirit of +bravado, and my heart leaped into my mouth, so to speak, for it seemed +certain we were about to be called to an accounting before having gotten +well started on our first mission in behalf of the Cause. + +[Illustration: "I COULD HAVE TOSSED MY HAT ABOARD THEIR CRAFT."] + +Fortunately Archie was a quick-witted lad, as I have said before, +otherwise we should have been made prisoners in a twinkling; but he +backed water with his oar before we were well out from the shadow of the +old dock, thus forcing the skiff among the timbers instantly, and we +three sat like statues, our hearts thumping loudly as trip hammers, +waiting to learn whether the enemy had seen us. + +There were no less than ten men in the guard-boat, and they were so +busily engaged trying to explain one to the other exactly what General +Gage ought to do in order to put a speedy end to the rebellion, as to +have given no heed to anything near them. + +They passed so near the head of the ruined wharf that I could have +tossed my hat aboard their craft, and the only screen we had was the +shadows cast by the timbers; but they saw us not. Going on their way in +ignorance, and happy in the belief that at the first overt show of +rebellion we of Boston would be crushed out of existence, the king's men +continued their round, and verily it seemed as if the good God had +interposed to render it possible for us lads to carry the message which +had been entrusted to our keeping by Doctor Warren. + +Not until they were so far in the distance that it was no longer +possible to hear the sound of their oars, did we venture to draw a long +breath, and then it was that Archie said in a whisper: + +"Now then, Silas, pull well out into the current, and the sooner Luke +gets the mast into place, the quicker we'll be heading toward +Charlestown. Put a hand over your oar to prevent any creaking, and +don't open your mouth save when it is necessary to breathe." + +Both Silas and I understood that Archie was the one who should act as +commander of our small expedition, and we obeyed in silence, the skiff +darting ahead once she felt the weight of the wind, as if understanding +full well the need of speed. + +Not until we were well off Morton's point did either of us venture to +break the silence, and then Silas asked suddenly, as if he had been +stewing over the matter for some time: + +"Why shouldn't there be Minute Boys as well as Minute Men, and why, +since we have begun to work for the Cause in good earnest, shouldn't we +raise a company?" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RAISING A COMPANY + + +That which Silas proposed startled and at the same time surprised me. Of +course there was no good reason why we lads should not be banded +together in the service of the colony, and yet it seemed a forward thing +to do, thus to ape our elders. + +Archie, however, was greatly taken with the idea from the start, and +Silas had hardly more than finished speaking when he cried, incautiously +loud as it appeared to me: + +"Well, and why shouldn't we raise a company of Minute Boys? What is +there to prevent, if so be we are minded to stake our lives for the +Cause, even as our fathers are doing?" + +"It is for them to say whether we be permitted to bind ourselves +together," I replied, having a doubt as to the wisdom of Silas's scheme, +and yet wishing most fervently that it might be carried out. + +"Think you your father or mine, Luke Wright, would set their faces +against our raising a company of Minute Boys after Doctor Joseph Warren +has seen fit to intrust to us a mission of importance? If we are capable +of doing Master Warren's work, then of a verity have we proven our +ability, if not our right, to serve the Cause as Minute Boys." + +There was much of truth in what Archie said, and yet I could not bring +myself on the moment to believe we might do what seemed a most +venturesome thing. Since, however, I could not well answer the +arguments he brought up, I set about as if to throw cold water on the +scheme, by saying with the air of a lad who knows it all: + +"I fear it would be a small company we could raise, if, peradventure, we +were forced to find all our recruits in Boston town. I believe truly +that I can count on the fingers of one hand, all whom we could trust. Of +course you would reckon on keeping the matter a secret if it so chanced +that we set about enrolling lads?" + +"Why?" Archie asked hotly. "What reason might we have for striving to +keep secret the fact of having bound ourselves to aid the Cause as far +as lays in our power?" + +Again had the lad put forth an argument which I could not answer, and +yet it seemed to me then as if we might better be able to aid our elders +in the coming struggle if we hid our purpose from the enemy, and by the +enemy, I mean such scurvy rascals as Amos Nelson, of whom we could find +many in Boston town without straining ourselves overmuch in the search. + +"It makes very little difference whether you keep the matter a secret or +not," Silas interrupted, "if so be we can find lads who have sufficient +of courage to join us. We will choose only those who are to be trusted, +and, after consulting our elders, may, if so be they approve of the +enterprise, hold the matter private or make it public as they advise." + +I was not minded to continue the discussion just at that time, for it +seemed to me we might better bring our mission to a successful end if we +held our peace. Water, as one well knows, will carry sound a long +distance, and we were now so near the Charlestown shore that there could +have been an hundred Tories or lobster backs hiding within the shadow of +the foliage without our being the wiser. It was, therefore, with some +petulance, mayhap, that I said: + +"Whether we are to raise a company of Minute Boys or no, there is little +possibility of getting very far in the scheme until after having +returned to our homes. My idea is that, instead of speaking loudly of +what we would do, it is best first to finish the business upon which we +are embarked." + +Then it was that Archie laughed heartily, and with great good humor, as +he said cheerily, but without intending to throw anything of irony into +his tone: + +"There are times, Luke Wright, when you speak with much of good sense. +Silas is at fault, and I also, because of raising our voices when it +would have been better our tongues had remained quiet; but that which he +proposed was at the same time so surprising and so satisfying that I +forgot we were bound to carry out Master Warren's work before doing, or +even thinking of, anything else." + +"I will say no more about it," Silas added with a laugh; "but at the +same time am bound to maintain that we can do as I have stated, if so be +the matter is gone about in proper fashion, and when we are at the +ship-yard once more I will lay before you lads the plan in something +approaching due order." + +It was then we ceased speaking and gave all our attention to the task in +hand, as indeed we had need to, for no one could say how soon we might +come upon those who, mistrusting somewhat of our purpose and being +enemies to the Cause, would put an end to our share of the night's work. + +My comrades, as well as I, understood that we had need to gain the +landing place as quickly as might be, for once on shore there remained a +dozen or fourteen miles to be traveled before we were come to Lexington. + +It is not needed that I should make a very long story of what ought to +be told in few words, and therefore it is that instead of setting down +all which we said and did from the time of beginning the journey afoot +until we were come to our destination, I will content myself with saying +that Doctor Warren's message was delivered before sunrise, and we lads, +leg-weary and hungry, threw ourselves down upon the straw in Master +Hadley's barn to wait until Colonel Barrett should say we were at +liberty to depart. + +Now all this had been plain sailing, and we should have found no reason +to plume ourselves upon having done anything deserving of credit, for +from the time we screened ourselves when the guard boat appeared, until +having come to Master Hadley's house, no man had placed aught in our +way. Yet I did feel somewhat of pride, thinking that we had done our +first work in behalf of the Cause, all of which was folly as you may +see, for surely three hulking lads need not carry their heads very high +because of simply having sailed a skiff two or three miles and then +walked a dozen more over a smooth highway. + +I venture to say that Colonel Barrett did not hold us very high in his +esteem because we had succeeded in delivering the message. He acted, as +most like he felt, as if it was nothing of consequence which we had +done, save for the fact that he had received the information, and a +single lad a dozen years of age might have accomplished the same end. + +I would have been well content to remain stretched out at full length on +the straw in Master Hadley's barn until another night had come, so weary +was I from walking and worn with lack of sleep; but when Colonel Barrett +summoned us to the house, evidently for the purpose of sending us back, +we could not well make protest. + +He had prepared a written reply to Doctor Warren's message, and this he +handed to me as he said: + +"You may return as soon as is your pleasure; it matters little whether +Master Warren receives my reply early or late." + +"It will not be safe for us to make a try at getting into Boston until +after nightfall, therefore we may go our way leisurely," I said to the +gentleman, addressing him as I believed it was proper a soldier should +address his superior officer, which shows that Silas's idea of enrolling +a company of Minute Boys had found speedy lodgment in my mind. + +"Set off when you will, and see to it that the paper is delivered +safely, although that which it contains is so worded as to convey little +of importance to an enemy," he added carelessly, and turned from us as +if to say that he was done with speaking, therefore we might go when it +pleased us best. + +Now I had had in mind when we left Boston, that having once arrived at +this house of Master Hadley's as messengers from Doctor Warren, we would +be received with open arms and greatly praised because of the valuable +service rendered; but we were not even asked to stay our hunger, and at +that time I believe of a verity I could have eaten anything less hard +than a flint. + +However, not for all the food in Massachusetts colony would I have +admitted that we stood in need of refreshments after so long a delay had +been made in offering us any, and without further words I led the way +down the lane to the road, Archie and Silas following close at my heels. + +It was not until we had traveled a full mile that either of us ventured +to speak, and then Archie said as if there was much which was comical in +the situation: + +"It seems that however highly we value ourselves, and whatsoever of +importance we may attach to carrying a message from Doctor Warren to +Colonel Barrett, no one else appears to be of our opinion. I had not +thought they would kill a fatted calf for us as if we were Prodigal +Sons; but surely some one might have asked, knowing we had traveled all +night, whether or no a bit of corn bread would go amiss." + +When he thus spoke we were come opposite a small, rude dwelling situate +in one corner of a pasture wherein even a sheep would have found it +difficult to satisfy its hunger, and in the door of this building stood +a motherly looking old woman, her hands on her hips, and her eyes fixed +on us in curiosity, as I fancied. + +"You children are looking weary," she cried, and mayhap I bridled +somewhat because she had called us who counted on soon being a portion +of the Colonial army, "children." "Will you not wait and rest a while?" + +I would have kept on, punishing my own body because Master Hadley's +people had failed to show hospitality; but Silas accepted the invitation +without ado, and threw himself down upon the moss nearby the door as if +too weary to advance any further. + +After this had been done Archie and I could do no less than follow his +example, at least so far as coming to a halt was concerned, and I soon +forgot the vexation in my heart because of what I counted as neglect, +for the old woman ministered to us in as kindly, generous a fashion as +our own mothers would have done. + +That she was not well off in this world's goods might readily have been +told by her surroundings, yet did she give of what she had freely, +buttering the coarse food with so many kindly words that I believe of a +verity I shall never partake again of so appetizing a meal. + +As a matter of course she asked many questions as to why we were in the +neighborhood, and perhaps there was no reason why we might not have +satisfied her curiosity without explaining everything; yet it did not +seem to me well that we should make any one acquainted with our mission. +Even after we were told that she had a son who was then in Cambridge +ready and eager to serve the colony as a soldier, we held our peace, +save in so far as we told her that we were bound on getting into Boston, +where were our homes. + +It was natural she should ask many questions as to what the British were +doing; whether we were so shut in by the lobster backs that it was +impossible for any to get out save with a written pass, and equally +reasonable, since her son counted on becoming a soldier, that she +wanted to know if those who favored the Cause were ready to strike a +speedy blow against the king's officers. + +On all these points we gratified her curiosity in so far as lay in our +power, meanwhile devouring her corn bread and fried pork without a +thought as to whether we might not be depriving the poor soul of that +which she absolutely needed to keep life in her shrivelled body. + +We remained there an hour, and on taking our departure promised the good +woman that we would on the first opportunity seek out her son, in order +to tell him we had lately seen his mother. + +Hiram Griffin was his name, so she told us, and I fixed it in my memory +with little thought that the day would soon come when, because of +keeping our promise to this old woman, we should be making the +acquaintance of one who would befriend us in our time of sorest need. + +Mistress Griffin bade us adieu as if we were her own kith and kin, and I +for one felt the better for having come in touch with so kindly a soul +after the neglect, as it seemed to me, of Samuel Hadley's people to +minister to our needs. + +During the remainder of the journey afoot we met, mayhap, a dozen +farmers who lived on our line of march, and it seemed to me much as if +they knew more concerning what the colonists would do in their own +behalf than did we, who were so lately come from town. I noted, as also +did Archie, so he told me later, that there was an air of anxious +expectancy about all these people when, judging from our dress that we +had come from Charlestown, or even Boston itself, they questioned us +concerning the doings of the Sons of Liberty, the enrollment of Minute +Men, and the smuggling of weapons across the Neck. + +I said to myself that there was some movement afoot among these men +concerning which I had not heard, and then straightway reproved myself +for being such a simple as to believe they knew more regarding the +purpose of our friends than did I, who heard discussed every day +measures which would soon be taken to relieve ourselves of the burdens +which the king had put upon us. + +As a matter of course we had no means of knowing, except through their +own speech, whether those we met were Tories, or true sons of the +colony, therefore it behooved us to be guarded in our words, putting +trust in no man however fairly he spoke us, and verily some of those +big-hearted farmers, who shortly afterward shed their blood so freely in +the defence of the colony, must have set us down as being woefully +churlish. + +Now and then as we walked Silas would come back to the subject of +enrolling a company of Minute Boys, persisting in discussing the matter +whenever we were in the open country where it was possible to make +certain there were none lurking nearby who might hear us, and so eager +was he on the scheme, that before we were come to where the skiff had +been left, just below the ferry, it was already settled in our minds +that we would make the attempt on the following day, if so be we arrived +at our homes in safety. + +We had even decided among ourselves as to which of our acquaintances +should be invited to share the glory that all felt certain would come to +us, once we had been allowed to join those who were to stand against the +king in defense of their homes, and there yet remains as vividly in my +mind as though it were yesterday that we walked from Master Hadley's to +the ferry above Charlestown, all the details of the conversation we had +concerning Seth Jepson. + +We three knew the lad fairly well. He lived in Crooked lane, nearby Dock +square, and was seemingly a kindly hearted youth, ready to do a favor +for another even at his own expense; but yet I set my face against +admitting him into the ranks of our Minute Boys, for no other reason +than that I had often seen him in the company of Amos Nelson and two +other young Tories. + +Archie said my suspicions were idle because they had no other foundation +than what I have set down, and that he might laugh me out of them he +said with a grin: + +"I have seen Baker's old gray goose paddling around among the chickens; +but I never suspected him of being a rooster." + +"Your wit is poor," I replied, nettled somewhat, "for there exists no +likeness between a lad who may plot, and a goose that simply flocks with +chickens to gain his food. I hold to it that we should have no +association with those who traffic among the Tories." + +Unfortunately, however, as we afterward came to realize, my companions +over-rode my misgivings as to making him a comrade. Silas claimed that +he had known the lad in fair weather and in foul, finding him true, with +never a taint of Toryism, whoever his associates, and Archie declared +stoutly that Seth was as loyal to the Cause as either of us. What more +could I say? There were two opinions against mine, and I was not so +stiff-necked as to hold out against these lads who had as much right as +I to say who should or should not be allowed to join our company, if so +be we formed one. As a matter of fact, the scheme being Silas's, he was +the one who had the best right to decide any vexed question, and I felt +at the time that it was no more than my duty to set in the background +all the suspicions which I had formed against Seth Jepson, accepting the +word of these my comrades that he was a lad true to the best interests +of our colony. + +We had so far decided upon this company of Minute Boys as to have set +down in our own minds the names of fourteen lads, including Seth Jepson, +whom we believed would be glad of an opportunity to join us, and it was +agreed, by the time we were come to the end of the land journey, that on +the following day, after having asked advice of Doctor Warren and if the +scheme met with his approval, to raise a company of Minute Boys, calling +upon those whom we had selected. + +Then we were come to where the skiff had been hauled up on the shore. It +was long past sunset, for we had walked leisurely giving no heed to +making speed because of our desire not to arrive until after night had +shut down, and the gathering clouds in the heavens stood our friends, +inasmuch as they would serve to hide us from the view of General Gage's +men who guarded the waterways. As a matter of fact, now was the moment +above all others when we stood in danger, and I was more than willing to +fancy the peril greater than it really was, to the end that the work we +had performed might seem to be of some importance. + +However, despite all my desire to make the service rendered appear +perilous, I did not neglect any precautions for our safety, although I +must confess to having been somewhat disappointed when, about midnight, +we pulled in under the tumble-down wharf without having so much as seen +the glint of a lobster back's belt buckle. + +There is little need to say with what warmth mother welcomed me, after +much pounding on the door I succeeded in making her understand that I +was come home. + +I fear that at the time I gave but slight heed to her loving words +because of being so weary that it seemed almost impossible to keep my +eyes open while standing, and tumbling, rather than laying down, upon +the bed, I was soon gone into the land of dreams. Until eight of the +clock I slept as only a tired boy can, and would not then have wakened +but for the fact that Archie and Silas were standing by my bedside, both +doing their best to arouse me into wakefulness. + +I understood without being told that they were come to accompany me to +Master Warren's house so we might deliver the reply to the message sent +to Colonel Barrett, and promising my mother that I would speedily come +back to breakfast, I hurried away with the lads, wondering how it was I +could have slept so long when such an important question was to be +settled; for, if you remember, we had agreed to leave the matter of +raising a company of Minute Boys to Doctor Warren himself. + +If at the home of Samuel Hadley we were treated with scant courtesy, and +if Colonel Barrett had seemed to believe that which we had done was +nothing remarkable when performed by three lusty lads, we surely had no +reason to complain when we met the doctor, for on the instant we +presented ourselves before him he exclaimed in surprise that we had +been able to return so speedily. It almost seemed as if he never would +have done with praising us for our industry in behalf of the Cause. + +"It turned out a simple matter, which anyone might have worked out," I +said, striving to belittle our work even when believing it should be +praised. "We had no opportunity of coming to grief on the way, however +careless might have been our movements, for, except at the outset, when +the guard-boat passed just as we were getting under way, we have met +none who appeared friendly to the king." + +"I shall remember the service rendered, and it may be that sometime in +the future I can repay you," the doctor said with one of his kindly +smiles which always went deep into my heart when bestowed upon me. + +"You may repay us now in full, if it so pleases you," Archie made bold +to say. + +"In what way, young master?" + +"By deciding whether or no ten or twenty lads of this city by binding +themselves together under, perhaps, the high-sounding name of Minute +Boys, could be of service to the Cause?" + +"And why might they not be of service?" the doctor asked quickly. "Think +you that if such a company was enrolled, composed of boys who were to be +trusted in every way, they could not do much in aid of the Cause? Even +though called upon to perform only such work as you have just finished, +they would be of valuable assistance, for now when Boston is in the +hands of the enemy, and, as I hope, may soon be besieged by our friends, +lads could come and go where men would be unable to move without +exciting suspicion." + +"Then you would advise that we raise a company?" I asked eagerly, and he +replied "yes," so emphatically that there could be no doubt as to his +approval. + +"And think you it would sound simple to call ourselves Minute Boys?" + +"By no means, lads, for that is what you count on being, and I venture +to predict that in the days to come, when you are men grown old, such a +title will bring to your hearts more of pride than any which could be +bestowed by a king. The time is not far distant when this colony shall +be freed from British rule, and all those who have had a part in the +work may well give thanks because God allowed them such abundant +opportunity of serving their country." + +Now after that think you we loitered in the work of enrolling the Minute +Boys? So eager were we to set about it that I believe we left the kindly +doctor with but scant ceremony, running into the open air like so many +sheep set free. + +Chance, or some evil fortune, decreed that the first lad we should meet +after having left Master Warren's house, was that same Seth Jepson whom +I was opposed to counting as a comrade, and Silas, eager to gain the +first recruit for our company of Minute Boys, hailed him in a friendly +fashion. + +"Should we not wait until deciding more fully whether it will be well to +let him come among us?" I asked, hoping even then that it might be +possible to shut him out; but Archie said with somewhat of impatience: + +"If we are to quibble over the name of each fellow who is likely to join +our company, and strive to find in him ever so slight a leaning toward +the king, then we may as well give over the effort at once, for certain +it is we haven't enough time to raise recruits in such manner." + +What could I have said after such a remark, which savored more of +irritation than I am able to make appear by words? Even though I had had +proof that Seth Jepson was not the kind of a lad we should take on as +comrade, that which Archie said would have silenced me. + +Silas did not wait many seconds before plunging into the business he was +so eager to carry out, and in a twinkling Seth knew as much about the +scheme as did we who had hatched it. Search his face with my eyes as I +might, it was impossible to tell by any expression there whether the +plan seemed to him good or ill; but when Silas was come to an end of his +brief explanation the lad said, as if asking a question: + +"And would you enroll me among your Minute Boys?" + +"Ay, else why should I spend my breath in recounting the plan," Silas +cried impatiently. "Are you of the mind to join us, or is it more to +your liking to follow Amos Nelson and act as lickspittle to any lobster +back you chance to come upon?" + +"I have never done so yet," Seth replied, and I waited in vain to hear +him declare that his greatest desire was the success of the colonies in +the coming struggle. "In case I set myself down as a member of your +company, what may be expected of me?" + +Now according to my belief, a lad of Boston town who had such a +proposition made to him should, if he had been of the right metal, have +jumped at it eagerly instead of waiting to learn whether he would have +much or little work to perform, and I looked meaningly at Archie, +believing he would detect in this hesitation of Seth's, as I did, a +leaning toward Toryism; but he, thinking only of enrolling a sufficient +number of names to make our company of decent size, apparently gave no +heed to that which caused me so much of uneasiness. + +Silas was at a loss to answer the question asked by Seth, for we had not +gone so far in our speculations as to say what our duties might be +before we could, and with truth, call ourselves Minute Boys; but finally +he made reply stammeringly: + +"You will be expected to do whatsoever you may in behalf of the Cause. +Now we three lads have ourselves been sent to Lexington by Doctor Warren +to carry a message, and most likely similar work will fall to the share +of the Minute Boys." + +"You have just come from Lexington?" Seth cried, looking up sharply, and +even Silas must have understood that he had been indiscreet, to say the +least, in thus divulging what should have been kept a secret. + +"I only spoke of that to show you what the Minute Boys may be called +upon to do. As a matter of course, we will be under the command of +others, and bound to set our hands to whatsoever work is found for us." + +Seth did not appear very eager to take advantage of this opportunity to +serve the colony. He stood there as if chewing it over in his mind until +I said with somewhat of impatience, and no little hope that he might +finally refuse: + +"If the idea does not seem good to you there is no reason why you may +not refuse to join us. We want only those lads who are eager to aid the +Cause in so far as in them lies." + +"I was only asking myself whether you might depend upon me to answer any +call promptly, for my parents do not leave me as free as are some of +you. However, I think you can reckon it a bargain, and I will do my best +to obey orders." + +"We are to have a meeting to-night at the old ship-yard, near to Luke +Wright's home," Archie said, evidently thinking we had spent too much +time over the gaining of this one recruit, and as we hurried away Seth +cried, in what sounded to me like an odd tone: + +"Don't fear but that I will be there." + +I was so irritated because Seth had become our first recruit, and owing +to the fact that Silas had publicly spoken of our journey to Lexington, +that I could make no comment on what had been done, and as we walked on +with our faces set toward my home, where I counted on breaking fast, +Archie said laughingly: + +"You are disgruntled because we chanced to run upon Seth." + +"Whether I am or no makes little difference now, since he has agreed to +join us," I replied, and the lad, to win me out of what was very like a +sulky mood, continued: + +"I am certain you wrong Seth, and you yourself can only give as a reason +for suspecting him that he has often been seen with Tory lads. Now it is +in my mind that if you and I had as our neighbors half a dozen of those +foolish boys who had rather serve the king than the colony, we would +often be seen in their company." + +"There is no good reason why we should discuss the matter now that the +mischief, if any comes of it, has been done," I replied, and then eager +to be alone for the moment, suggested that I go home for something to +eat, meeting my comrades an hour later near the city dock. + +To this Silas agreed quickly, for he was eager to continue the work of +gaining recruits, and had no stomach for idling the time away at my +home. + +Therefore it was that we three parted company, and when at somewhere +near the time agreed upon I went to the rendezvous, neither Silas nor +Archie were to be seen. + +Their absence gave me no uneasiness, for it was possible to guess +exactly why they had not come, and I loitered idly about, watching now a +squad of General Gage's lobster backs as they marched upon some duty +which was likely to be unpleasant to those who loved the Cause, and +again listening to snatches of conversation when two or three whom I +knew to be Tories passed in earnest converse. Without being able to give +any reason, I became impressed, as while returning from Master Hadley's +home, with the idea that something of moment was on foot--something of +which I remained in ignorance,--and that it was important such as Doctor +Warren should know of my suspicions. + +It was not until the day had grown near to noon that I saw either of my +comrades, and then it was Archie who came up, looking thoroughly well +pleased as he said in a tone of triumph: + +"What think you, Luke Wright, of our having enrolled fourteen lads as +Minute Boys, and without having spent half a day at the task?" + +Archie gave me the names, and, except in the case of the first recruit, +I could find no fault with any. + +Then the lad set about telling me how he and Silas had accomplished the +work, making of it so long a story, and with so much of detail, that I +gave little heed to anything he said, until from the opposite side of +the dock that Tory cur, Amos Nelson, shouted in a tone of derision, +speaking to one of his kindred spirits who was yet quite a distance +away: + +"There are two who count on raising a mob of rebels to drive the king's +soldiers from Boston!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE WAR BEGUN + + +There could be no question, after this cry from Amos Nelson, but that he +and his Tory friends had in some way come to learn of what we lads would +do toward aiding the Cause. + +It was natural that I, suspecting Seth Jepson, should set down to his +door the crime of having betrayed us to our enemies; but when I put that +thought into words Archie would have none of it. He declared that +however much Seth might be inclined toward Toryism, he was not such a +knave as to join us with traitorous intentions in his heart. + +We had made no reply to Amos Nelson, and it appeared much as if his only +desire was to let us understand that he was in possession of our secret, +for immediately after having taunted us he went off in the direction of +Corn hill, taking his friend with him, therefore Archie and I had +nothing to do except discuss the possibility of our having been +betrayed, with not a little warmth but no result. + +Silas was still engaged in the work of enrolling recruits, and failed to +come to the rendezvous, most like believing he could be doing better +service in seeking out those who would become Minute Boys, than by +wagging his tongue at the city dock with us. + +Because of knowing that that which we would keep private was a secret no +longer, I grew disheartened, and instead of agreeing to Archie's +proposition that the remainder of the day be spent in gaining yet more +recruits, I turned my face homeward once more, agreeing crustily to meet +those who had promised to become Minute Boys at the old ship-yard that +evening. + +A blind man might have seen that Archie was not well pleased with my +sudden lukewarmness in the matter of raising a company. He believed he +knew there had been no betrayal by Seth, and therefore set down my +behavior to ill nature, rather than disappointment because the plan had +gone awry even before it was well begun. + +During the remainder of the day I kept closely housed, doing whatsoever +came to hand in the way of helping my mother, therefore it was, perhaps, +that I failed of hearing much which might have startled, and even +frightened me. + +When the night was come I went according to agreement to the ship-yard, +and there found assembled those whom Archie and Silas had enrolled. A +goodly company it was, for all told we numbered sixteen, and surely if +that many lads, eager to do whatsoever they might in aid of the Cause, +could be found in Boston town within twelve hours, the time must be near +at hand when we could boast of sufficient recruits to make a showing +before our elders. + +Seth Jepson was among the number, and I must confess at being surprised. +So firmly did I believe him to be the one who had betrayed us, that I +fancied the fellow would not dare show his head, yet there he was with +no token of guilt, so far as I could see, but appearing to be on most +friendly terms with every one. + +He was so outspoken in behalf of the Minute Boys; so confident they +might in time to come make for themselves an enviable name, that my +belief in his treachery was almost shaken for the moment. + +Then came that which I least expected. It had been decided that we would +have two officers, one a captain, and the other a lieutenant. Archie +Hemming spoke up boldly, declaring that I was his choice as leader; but +before it was possible for me to make any protest, the others had backed +him up with so many noisy words that the matter was settled without my +permission, and decidedly against my inclination. It was Archie who +should have been the commander of the Minute Boys, because his head was +clearer than mine. He was more ready of wit; but when I would have said +as much to my comrades, Silas shut me off with a sharp turn, declaring +laughingly that Archie should be the lieutenant, and thus hold a +position where he could counter-balance all my shortcomings. + +This also was decided in a twinkling, and thus was our company of Minute +Boys officered despite the better judgment of him who had been selected +as captain. + +There was much to discuss on this first night of meeting if we were to +become, as we claimed, a company of soldiers. Plans should be laid +concerning how we best might set about making ourselves recognized by +the Sons of Liberty, or by the officers of the militia. Then we had to +decide upon some regular rendezvous, where at the first summons we might +all assemble, and this last we agreed should be where we then were, at +the old ship-yard, on the tumble-down dock beneath which my skiff was +hidden. + +Every fellow had some plan to suggest which would work to the benefit of +our company, and while nothing was actually decided upon save the place +where we should meet at the first summons, the time passed so rapidly +that it was midnight before the last of us had freed his mind. Then, as +a matter of course, we scurried home, going singly or in couples that we +might the better evade the red-coated watch, which patrolled every +street, and fearful lest we be chided by our parents, even though we +called ourselves by the high sounding name of "Minute Boys," for having +remained out so late. + +Thus it was that we lads, who prided ourselves on being keenly on the +alert for any movement of the lobster backs, and much the same as +imprisoned in our own city where it all happened, failed of knowing that +shortly before the meeting of the Minute Boys was broken up, eight +hundred of the king's men were embarked in boats at the Common, bound, +as we afterward knew, and as many of our elders were then aware, for +Lexington and Concord. + +Before nightfall of the next day the Minute Boys of Boston assembled at +the rendezvous without having been summoned, for word had been brought +into town of the bloody work at Lexington and Concord, and we lads, who +counted on taking such active part in the struggle against the king, had +lost the first opportunity of showing what it might be possible for us +to do. + +Sixty-five of the king's soldiers had been killed, one hundred and +eighty wounded, and twenty-eight taken prisoners; while of our people +fifty-nine were killed, thirty-nine wounded, and five failed to answer +to the roll call, having, most like, crawled away, as do the lower +animals, to die alone. + +All this had been done within and around that town we had so lately +visited, and yet Archie, Silas and I, who counted ourselves as being +keen-witted, had failed to have the slightest inkling of what was so +near at hand. + +While we had been making simple plans for the future, loitering in +Boston when we might have been of service elsewhere, our people were +being shot down by the lobster backs, and as these thoughts came into my +mind I felt as if I had committed some grievous sin in laying up against +Samuel Hadley the charge of being inhospitable, for he was among the +first to yield his life in behalf of the Cause. + +Doctor Warren was there, and also my father, while most like the old +woman's son, Hiram Griffin, helped to do that which proclaimed to the +king our readiness to give our lives rather than submit to injustice. As +I counted over those whom I knew and guessed had taken part in that +battle, it seemed to me as if of all who would serve the Cause, our +Minute Boys were the only ones absent. + +It is needless for me to set down all the unavailing words of regret +which were spoken among us that night after having heard the news, for +it can readily be fancied how we reproached ourselves, and how bitter +was our disappointment. In our shortsightedness and inability to realize +that the work at Lexington and Concord was but the beginning of the +struggle against the king, we failed to understand that we would again +and again have ample opportunity of showing what it might be possible +for us lads of Boston to do. + +What at this day seems to me strangest, was that in our grief and +vexation we failed to make any plans for future work. It was as if we +had come to believe that the butchery at Lexington ended it all, and we +Minute Boys would no longer be needed. + +Perhaps our dullness may be accounted for by the fact that there was so +much of excitement on this night and the next day, that we hardly had +time to think of ourselves. Those yet remaining in Boston, who were +devoted to the Cause, gathered here and there to talk over what at the +same time brought us sorrow and rejoicing--sorrow that so many of our +people had been slaughtered, and rejoicing that the struggle against +British misrule had finally begun. + +The Tories made a big show of themselves, taking good care to appear in +public and boast that this first lesson was but the beginning of a +series which the king would teach us. They talked so loudly and gave +themselves so wholly over to rejoicing that one would have believed a +great victory had been won, whereas, as a matter of fact, our people, +all unused to the art of war and but poorly armed, had, as it were, sent +the king's trained men home like whipped curs. + +If the battle of Lexington was a victory for the lobster backs, then of +a verity when the king's men had won a dozen of a similar kind, we of +the colony were come off conquerors. + +Archie's father was at home during the battle, but on the evening of +that day he was summoned to Cambridge, where, so it was stated, our +people were gathering in great numbers. His last command to my comrade, +and also advice to others of the company who called themselves Minute +Boys, was that he and we remain under cover as much as possible during +the next three or four days, for it was reasonable to suppose the +Britishers would be more severe in their rule than they had been; that +only the slightest provocation would be needed to lodge in jail those +who favored the Cause. + +It was not in my mind that we lads would be allowed to go to Cambridge +where an army was gathering under the command of the Committee of +Safety, until we had in some way proven ourselves, and therefore, much +to my disappointment, I had made up my mind that by not having been in +Lexington at the time of the battle we had lost all opportunity for +taking part in active work. + +Luckily, however, I had sufficient sense to give warning that all those +who had been enrolled as Minute Boys should stay near to their own homes +until it might be possible to know what our people intended to do, and +at the same time hold themselves in readiness for any summons which +might come. + +It was on the second night after the Lexington butchery that Archie came +to my home, having the permission of his mother to sleep with me. We had +been earnestly trying to hit upon some way of showing what could be done +by lads such as us, and this visit of his to my home was planned that we +might have more time in which to discuss matters. + +From noon until perhaps three hours after we had gone to bed, we lads +talked, suggesting one scheme after another only to discard each as +being impossible of execution, when there came a summons at the outer +door which brought both of us to our feet trembling with apprehension, +although we could not have said why. + +Visitors did not often come at such a time, and there were so few among +our neighbors friendly to the Cause, who yet remained in Boston town, +that it did not seem probable any of them would be abroad so late while +the Tories were given over to rejoicing because of what had been done at +Lexington. + +I could hear my mother as she went to the barred door and asked as to +who might be there, after which came the answer, so distinct that I +could catch every word: + +"I would see Luke Wright, having a message from his father." + +"And who may you be?" mother asked. + +"Hiram Griffin," came the reply. + +"It is the son of the old woman who fed us when we were hungry," I cried +joyfully to Archie as I ran down the stairs, taking three or four steps +at a bound, for I knew this Hiram Griffin had been loitering in +Cambridge until he might be of service to the Cause, and his coming +could not betoken ill for me or mine. + +As soon as might be I unbarred the door, while my mother was striving +with trembling fingers to get a flame to the candle, and then there +entered a young fellow who could hardly have been one and twenty, stout +of frame, with a face betokening rarest good nature, but yet at the same +time giving one to believe that he might be dull and heavy in his +movements. + +"Where did you come from?" I asked, forgetting that it was my duty, in +the absence of my father, to welcome this visitor. + +"I am from Cambridge where our people are gathering as flies gather +around molasses, so that in time we may have men enough to meet all the +forces General Gage can send against us." + +"How did you get here?" + +"Partly by walking, partly by pulling in a skiff, and partly by +swimming, for one of his majesty's guard-boats ran me down half a mile +or more from the shore, and had I not played the muskrat, being able to +stay under water as long as that animal, I had been in the city jail by +this time." + +Now it was I saw his clothes were sodden; the water which dripped from +every fold of his garments made a puddle upon the floor, whereat I +quickened the embers on the hearth into a blaze that he might dry +himself, and, understanding what I would do, this Hiram Griffin said +with a laugh: + +"A little more or less of water won't do me any harm, and I can well +afford to take the wetting because of shutting the eyes of the lobster +backs so finely. They counted that I must have drowned, since one of the +lubbers aimed a blow at my head and shattered the gunwale of the boat. +Most like he thought my skull was stove in, and consequently they did +not spend much time looking for a dead man that was believed to be at +the bottom of the harbor." + +"But you came with a message," Archie interrupted as he descended the +stairs, looking curiously at the stranger. + +"Ay, and won't be long in the giving of it, seeing as it's no written +word. Your father, if so be your name is Luke Wright," he added turning +to me, "would have you and a lad named Archie Hemming come to Cambridge +as soon as may be." + +"But what for?" Archie asked sharply, and Griffin, looking at him in +surprise because he thus interrupted the conversation, said curtly: + +"It was not for me to ask why Luke was wanted. My part was to bring the +message, if so be I could get into this town, and I allow General Gage +would need more lobster backs than he has now to keep me out if once I +was set on entering." + +"When are we to start?" Archie asked again, and Griffin cried: + +"And who may you be, young sir?" + +"I am Archie Hemming." + +"Oho! so it seems I have killed my two birds with one stone, eh? Well, +that may turn out luckily, for I am little acquainted with the streets +of Boston, and was counting on having somewhat of trouble to find your +home." + +"How did you know where we lived?" I asked. + +"Your father put it in words so plainly that I could not have missed my +aim after once coming upon the ship-yard. Now if you have done with +questioning, suppose we set off?" + +"Do you mean that the lads are to go to Cambridge at once?" my mother +asked in mingled surprise and anxiety, whereupon Hiram Griffin said with +a clumsy bow: + +"Those were the orders. Master Wright claimed that it would not be safe +for us to make any try at leaving Boston save at night, and unless we +set off at once four and twenty hours will be wasted just when time is +most precious." + +It can well be imagined that I was in the highest state of excitement at +thus being summoned to where the friends of the Cause were gathering to +continue the rebellion against the king which had been begun at +Lexington. It seemed that although our Minute Boys had failed to take +advantage of their first opportunity, it might yet be possible to do +something which would bring them among those who were devoting +themselves to the colony. + +"You are to understand that the lobster backs wrecked my boat, therefore +another will be needed, unless you count on leaving town by way of the +Neck," Hiram said while Archie and I were hurriedly dressing, and then, +if never before, did I bless the inclination to buy, a short twelve +months since, out of my slender purse, the skiff which was hidden under +the dock at the ship-yard. + +"We have all we may need in that line," Archie said cheerily, and I +could well understand how glad was his heart because this summons had +come to us. "But for that which was done at Lexington, Luke Wright and I +would have sought you in Cambridge long ere this." + +"Sought me?" Griffin repeated in perplexity. + +"Ay, so we promised your mother," Archie replied, and then he went on to +tell of our halt on the road from Master Hadley's, and when he was done +Hiram said fervently: + +"God bless her, her heart was ever as large as that of an ox, and she +could no more see man or boy pass by hungry without trying to make +amends for it, than she could fly. Some day, please God, the three of us +will go to the home which isn't much to look at; but no lad ever had a +better one so far as a mother's love and care counts." + +It seemed as if the visitor was recalled by this outburst of devotion, +to his immediate duty, for on the instant he changed his tune by crying +gruffly: + +"Are we to stand here until the sun is so near to rising that we will +find it a ticklish job to slip by the guard-boats?" + +"Archie and I have never had any trouble in leaving Boston, or of coming +into it when we were so minded, and we will set you on the road to +Cambridge without turning a hair." + +"I am told that the lobster backs are keeping sharper watch since +Lexington, than ever before, and for a certainty around this end of the +town the guard-boats are as thick as fleas on a dog, therefore I'm +thinking it is best we set off before the night gets old." + +By this time both Archie and I were ready; that is, we were fully +clothed, and since the journey, in case it was not interrupted, would be +short, there were no further preparations to be made, except that we +first go to warn my comrade's mother of his intended departure. + +I proposed that Hiram Griffin should remain at my home until we were +done with this part of the business; but he, having found us so readily, +was not willing we should give him the slip even for a moment, and +therefore it was we doubled the danger of being brought to an accounting +by the patrol, in taking him across to Hull street. + +All might have gone well if we had contented ourselves with this much, +leaving to my mother and Archie's the task of notifying the other Minute +Boys of our whereabouts; but I must needs attend to more than was +necessary, thinking my position as captain demanded it, and after +leaving Hull street, instead of embarking without delay as we should +have done, I insisted that we pay a visit to Silas Browrigg's for the +purpose of explaining to him what ought to be done with the company +during our absence. + +Now up to this time we had been so fortunate as not to have come in +contact with the patrol or any straggling lobster back, and it would +have been possible, had we gone directly there, for us to have gained +the ship-yard unobserved. + +Hiram Griffin grumbled not a little because I deemed it necessary to pay +so many visits, but, unfortunately, I gave no heed to his words, being +speedily brought to repent of my heedlessness, for no sooner did we turn +the corner into Salem street than we came upon two of the watch, and +with them a squad of six lobster backs. + +Now, as of course you know, we had no lawful right to be abroad in the +streets at that hour without a pass; but it would have been useless for +us who called ourselves rebels to have applied for any such permission +to wander about for, as a rule, none save Tories were so favored. Since +General Gage had begun to hold us the same as prisoners, I and all my +friends had taken the chances of venturing out even after nine of the +clock, and because thus far we had not gotten ourselves into trouble, I +was grown bolder than a prudent lad should have been. + +When we came upon the watch, reinforced by the lobster backs, however, I +realized on the instant how dangerous was the situation. Without passes, +and known to be sons of those who favored the Cause, there was no +question but what we would be committed to prison, and at some time, +meaning when Governor Gage or his understrappers saw fit, brought up for +examination. + +[Illustration: "I LEAPED THE FENCE."] + +Therefore it was that my thoughts turned to flight, and stepping back a +pace to check Hiram Griffin's advance, I whispered hurriedly: + +"Get over to the ship-yard and hide under the old wharf!" + +However dull and heavy Hiram may have appeared, he surely was +quick-witted, needing not a kick to emphasize a hint, for the words were +no sooner out of my mouth than he was off like a deer, taking the +precaution to run in a zig-zag course lest the lobster backs should send +a shower of bullets after him. + +I followed his example, so far as taking refuge in flight was concerned; +but instead of continuing on by the street, I leaped the fence of Parson +Reed's yard, making my way across his garden with but little heed to the +damage that might be done the young plants. + +On the instant came shouts from the watch and from the soldiers for us +to halt, and a few seconds later the crackle of musketry telling that +they had opened fire, most like on Hiram Griffin, for by this time I was +well hidden from view. + +I listened with painful intentness for a cry from Hiram which would +betoken that one of the British bullets had found its billet, because he +would be like to cry out in case of being wounded. + +Happily no such dismal warning came to my ears, and believing I was safe +from pursuit because of knowing my way through the gardens hereabout, +and having close at hand many a safe hiding place, I asked myself for +the first time what might have been Archie's fate. + +I had not seen the lad escaping; he was two or three paces in advance of +me when we turned the corner, and the chances were that the poor fellow +had been made prisoner before having had time to realize the danger +which we had come upon so suddenly. While one might have counted ten I +stood irresolute, wondering whether it was not my duty to learn his fate +even at the expense of being captured, in order that I might do +something toward aiding him; but then I come to understand that such a +course would be sheer folly. I could do nothing toward effecting his +release, and it seemed necessary, at whatever hazard, that I make my way +to Cambridge according to orders. + +Yet even when I would have continued the flight came the thought that it +was cowardly to thus desert a comrade; that as captain of the Minute +Boys duty demanded that I stand by every member of the company, however +great their peril, yet of what avail would it be? + +Even while these thoughts were in my mind I was running as does the hare +when the dogs are close on his scent, and at the same time that I +reproached myself I strained every effort to gain the goal, which was +the ship-yard, where I believed Hiram Griffin would sooner or later make +his way. + +Behind me I could still hear the cries of the watch and the crackle of +musketry as the lobster backs fired at random, for it was not possible +that Hiram yet remained in view, and with this noise were mingled the +shouts of citizens who had been wakened from their slumbers, until there +was a perfect bedlam at that corner of Hull and Salem streets. + +To my relief I came to understand that the noise grew fainter and +fainter as I advanced, and, therefore, was it certain that the +Britishers were not on my trail; but with such pleasing knowledge came +the thought that Hiram might have been shot down, or, failing to +continue a true course, was doubling here and there with the pursuers +close upon his heels. + +I ran as never before, straining every nerve and muscle in the race as +one will when he knows that a prison awaits him if he be overtaken, and +it was well the road was no longer, for when finally I dashed in under +the broken timbers of the old wharf my breath was coming so short and +thick that I question if I had been able to advance twenty paces +further. I was hidden from view, but had any come in search of me they +must have heard my heavy breathing, or the beating of my heart, which +was thumping like a trip-hammer. + +Lying upon the wet mud and seaweed, for the tide was luckily at about +half-ebb, I strove desperately to regain my breath and my strength so +that I might have both at command if by some chance the lobster backs +got an inkling of my whereabouts. + +How long I remained there it is impossible to say, for at such times a +minute seems a whole hour. I only know that I had recovered in a great +measure from the fatigue of the race when there came to my ears the +sound of footsteps approaching the hiding place, and in a twinkling I +was on my knees ready to spring out in either direction if the +red-coated pursuer showed himself, for at that time I had no doubt but +what he who thus advanced was in search of me. You see I had for the +instant almost the same as forgotten that Hiram Griffin, if not a +prisoner, or Archie, if by some lucky chance he had escaped, would +strive to meet me at that place. + +During the merest fraction of time I gave myself up to fear, and then, +my mind clearing and common sense returning, I crept softly out, still +keeping within the shadow of the timbers, until I could see against the +sky the form of him who was coming toward the hiding place. + +One glance was sufficient to show that it was Hiram Griffin, and even +then when my mind was in such a whirl, I said to myself that he must be +a keen lad who could find his way thus deftly across a strange town. + +Standing up that he might see me and know in what direction to advance, +I held out both hands, welcoming him when he was come near, as we +welcome those who have literally escaped from the jaws of death. + +"I'm thinking that we best not do much in the way of tongue wagging +while standing here in the open," he said, speaking with difficulty +because of his heavy breathing, and straightway I led him under the +timbers where I had been hiding, asking meanwhile how he had succeeded +in getting away from the red coats. + +"It was only a case of using my legs," he cried grimly. "When a fellow +knows that he is being chased by bullets he is able to move right fast. +If you had skipped that last visit, thinking more of duty to those who +sent me than to your comrades in the company of Minute Boys, we had +gotten off without turning a hair." + +"Ay, it is my fault and mine only that Archie has been made prisoner," I +cried bitterly, and Hiram asked in surprise, for until this moment he +believed the lad to be with me: + +"Has he been taken?" + +"It must be so, since he has not come up. He most like ran into the +very arms of the watch before realizing the danger," I replied. + +"Well, here's a pretty kettle of fish," and Hiram spoke much as if the +capture of Archie would be fatal to all the plans of those who had sent +him. + +"Think you we should go back and try to find the lad?" I asked +helplessly, and he cried as if in anger: + +"To what end? Have you an idea that two might take him by force from +such a gang as made him prisoner?" + +"We could at least go to prison with him, and not have it said we +deserted a comrade." + +"Lad," Hiram began, laying his hand impressively on my arm, "before this +'ere squabble with the king has come to an end there will be many a good +lad clapped into prison, and many another sent into the next world by +means of British bullets. If we of the colonies count on gaining our +freedom we must not let the life or liberty of one person stand in our +way, however dear to our hearts that one may be." + +"Then you believe we should leave the poor lad to his fate?" I asked. + +"Ay, what else can be done? I came for two lads, and if so be it is +possible I will carry back at least one with me. In case that can't be +accomplished, I'll do my best to save my own skin in order to make +report. Where's your skiff?" + +"Just yonder," and I pointed to a dark mass twenty feet or more away. + +"'Tis time we were setting off, for no one can say how much more of +danger we may strike before crossing the water." + +Hiram was making of what seemed to me a most exciting adventure, nothing +more than business, and his matter-of-fact way of looking at the +situation did more toward bringing me to my senses than any line of +argument he could have used. + +I ran to the skiff, and when we had dragged her down the shore until she +was waterborne, both of us stopped as with one accord to listen lest an +enemy might have been creeping up on us. + +Nothing came to our ears save the splash of oars in the distance nearby +where the king's ships were at anchor, and a distant hum as of people +moving about in the town a long way off. + +"I reckon this is as good a time as we'll find for making the start," +Hiram said as he clambered into the skiff. "I don't count myself as much +of a sailor, and therefore you will have to take a hand in this until we +have landed somewhere near to Willis creek, which is our best course on +the road to Cambridge." + +"Why not go by Cambridge river?" I asked, eager to save myself a long +tramp on land. + +"If you are willing to take the risk, I'm agreed; but it strikes me that +if the guard-boats are very thick hereabouts we'll have a better show of +getting off scot free by going up the creek, than if we sailed entirely +around the town, as we must in order to gain the river." + +There was some good sense in what he said, which I understood even +before he ceased speaking, and I made reply while pushing the skiff out +from amid the rotten timbers: + +"It would seem as if you were sailor enough to understand what dangers +lie in our course, and perhaps I had best give over the command to you, +for verily I showed myself a simple by thinking it possible to go by +the river." + +"I have been around Cambridge a few days, an' seein's how there was a +chance my mother's son might get himself into a scrape while these 'ere +Britishers are so careless with their guns, I made it my business to +pick up a pretty good idee of the situation," Hiram said with a chuckle +of mirth at his own precautions. "I figured quite a spell ago that if a +man wanted to get across to the other shore, he'd best make the water +part of the journey as short as might be." + +By this time we were well out from beneath the wharf. I had taken up the +oars, since there was not wind enough to fill the sail, and was counting +on stretching across from Hudson's point to Charlestown, when Hiram +whispered softly: + +"Turn about lad; head exactly opposite to where you count on going, for +yonder, coming this way if I'm not mistaken, is a craft of some kind." + +Fortunately I acted on his suggestion without delaying to ask the reason +for such a move, and it was well that I did, since we were no sooner +headed toward Noddle island than I could make out, even in the gloom, a +boat filled with men which seemingly had come from the direction of the +water mill. + +It is needless to say that I put every ounce of strength on the oars; +but in the other craft there were no less than four men pulling +vigorously, and our chances of escaping unobserved would have been +slight indeed had not Hiram lent his aid. + +Seizing the second pair of oars he swung himself around on the after +thwart, and although he made no claim to being a sailor, I never saw +one who worked to better advantage. It seemed as if he had the strength +of a dozen men in his arms, and the skiff shot forward into the gloom as +if hardly touching the water, until we were come so near the shore of +Noddle island as to be in the denser shadows, where we could afford to +wait until learning what course our pursuers might be taking. + +I was not able to distinguish objects clearly because of the gloom, yet +I fancied it was possible to make out that a certain number of the eight +or ten men occupying the oncoming boat were armed--they surely had the +bearing of soldiers, and I said to myself, that suspecting Hiram and I +might take to the water, they were come in search of us. + +The same thought was evidently in my companion's mind, for he turned his +head to whisper ever so softly: + +"I'm thinking we had best make a landing near here, where we can haul +the skiff out of the water, for yonder crew will make a close search if +I am not mistaken." + +There was a chance that by circling the shore of Noddle island until we +were come off Morton's point, it might be possible to give these fellows +the slip; but then we would be a long distance from our destination, in +addition to running the risk of being captured, and it seemed to me I +was warranted in acting upon Hiram's suggestion. + +We worked the oars softly, as can well be imagined, and having come to +the land went waist-deep into the water lest the grounding of the +skiff's bow upon the sand might be heard. + +It was no great task to lift the small craft so that she could be +carried without scraping against the rocks, and we lugged her into a +clump of bushes which grew near the water's edge, where so well was she +hidden that she could not have been seen even in the daylight, after +which we set ourselves to listen in order to gain some idea of what +those in the other boat might be doing. + +Before half an hour had passed there was no longer any doubt in my mind +but that they were in search of us, having a pretty good idea, from the +direction of our flight, that we were bent on gaining the water-front, +and also, most like, that we could not pass Hudson's point without being +seen by them. + +The boat was pulled to and fro between the island and the ship-yard as +if they were standing guard, and when she had set across, mayhap, three +or four times, Hiram asked of me in a whisper: + +"Think you your comrade might have told them what we would try to do?" + +"Of course not!" I replied with somewhat of anger in my tone that he +should suspect Archie of any such vileness. "The lad is true to his +friends, and would never betray them no matter how much silence might +cost him." + +"Then it looks as if some one had got an amazingly good idee of what we +would do, and from what part of the town we'd set off," Hiram said +thoughtfully. "Those fellows couldn't have set about their work better +if we'd told them in advance that we'd leave the ship-yard and try to go +to Cambridge." + +Like a flash came into my mind the thought that Seth Jepson might have +succeeded in doing us this mischief, if mischief had really been done; +but I dismissed it on the instant, saying to myself that surely the lad +could not have known what we were likely to do, even were it probable +he had had opportunity of speaking to those we had stumbled against. + +"It is neither more nor less than blind chance," I said in reply to my +companion's words. "Because we headed for the ship-yard they supposed we +had a boat nearby, and because our people were gathering at Cambridge +they would naturally say it was our purpose to go there." + +"Whichever way you put it, it's going to be mighty tough on us, for +unless those fellows get tired of pulling that heavy boat 'twixt now and +sunrise, we are like to be held here until to-morrow night." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE PRISONER + + +Whether it was that those who were the same as holding us prisoners on +the island had an inkling we were somewhere in the vicinity, or if it +was by pure chance that they happened to patrol that particular part of +the harbor just then, I am unable to say; but certain it was that they +remained continually on the move throughout the entire night, never +going so far away that we had half an opportunity of slipping out +unobserved, and now and then coming so near that it was possible for us +to hear their conversation. + +As the moments passed and it became almost certain we must remain in +hiding during the coming day, I fell into a perfect fever of impatience. +Now blaming myself most bitterly for having attempted to warn Silas of +what we were to do, and again saying that I was showing myself a coward +by thus leaving Archie to his fate, although what I might have done just +then in his behalf I could not have said. + +As a matter of course we had brought with us neither food nor water, +thinking the voyage to Cambridge would be accomplished in a few hours at +the most, and therefore it was that Hiram and I faced hunger and thirst, +knowing that both must be endured by us before the sun had set again. + +"It's a case of bearing whatever comes, and looking pleasant," my +companion said when the grey light of a new day appeared in the eastern +sky. "I allow that the hours will seem precious long before we dare poke +our noses out of this clump of bushes again, but what can't be cured +must be endured, and seein's how we haven't had any sleep, I'm proposing +to bottle up as much as I may while those blooming lobster backs hold us +here like rats in a trap." + +Having said this Hiram looked about for a level place in which to +stretch out at full length; but failing to find it he curled himself up +as if trying to hug the twigs, and almost immediately appeared to fall +into profound slumber. + +I was so uncomfortable in mind that it would not be possible for me to +settle down to sleep however much I might need repose. We were not so +well hidden from view but what in the broad glare of day any who chanced +to pass near at hand might see us, and although unarmed and therefore +unable to make any defence, it seemed absolutely necessary one of us +should remain on watch. + +When the day had fully dawned it was possible for me to see the +guard-boats which had been on duty all night, pulling here and there +like spiders which have been disappointed in their prey; but until about +an hour after sunrise there were no small boats 'twixt Noddle island and +the town. However, a dozen or more could be seen going from one to +another of the king's ships, for the _Lively_, the _Somerset_ and the +_Falcon_ were anchored off the shore, stretching from the South to the +North battery. + +At one time I was on the point of awakening Hiram and proposing that he +and I make the venture of rowing up the coast of the island till +opposite Morton's point, and from there to the Penny ferry; but I stayed +my hand even while it was outstretched to seize his arm, realizing that +I was not warranted in taking the chance for two very good and +sufficient reasons. The first, that it was necessary I obey the summons +to present myself at Cambridge, and again, that I must preserve my +liberty if I would do anything toward aiding the dear lad whom I doubted +not was lodged in the prison on Queen street. + +How it might be possible for me to succor him had not come to my mind, +yet I believed that with all our company of Minute Boys to aid, +something might be done even while he was held by the king's men, who +would rather shoot him down than allow a rebel to escape from their +clutches. + +Then it was I began to cast about for some plan which would promise at +least a shadow of success, and I had ample time before me for such +effort, unless, perchance, some inquisitive lobster back or marine came +upon our hiding place. + +It was not possible for me to make much headway in laying plans. I +worked out one in my mind only to abandon it; then another to find it +was impossible of execution, and again a third which proved yet wilder +than the others, until the heat of the sun, which beat down upon me in +full fervor, and the low murmur of the water on the shingly beach, +lulled me to drowsiness. Even while saying to myself that I must remain +awake and on guard, I fell asleep, being conscious of nothing more +until, without apparent cause, I opened my eyes to find that the sun +was in the western sky and Hiram sitting with his elbows on his knees +and his chin in his hands, regarding me fixedly. + +"What's the matter?" I cried incautiously loud as I rose to a sitting +posture. + +"The matter is that we are tied here all these hours instead of being in +Cambridge where, mayhap, there is plenty for us to do." + +"How long have you been awake?" + +"Nigh about three days, as it seems to me, though I reckon it can't be +more than a couple of hours." + +"Have you seen or heard anything of the Britishers?" + +"As much as you may see now by looking out from among the bushes. No one +has come our way, and if they had I believe I'd eaten them, for since +yesterday morning no bite of food has passed my lips." + +It would have been better for me if he had refrained from speaking of +food, because the mere words made me hungry, and on the instant I +realized, or fancied I did, that my mouth was parched with thirst. The +knowledge that I could minister to neither one desire nor the other, +until we were come to Cambridge, only served to make them all the more +intense. + +It would be worse than childish to complain when no good could come from +uttering peevish words, and I strove to put from my mind all that I +desired, by speaking of Archie, idly wondering where he might be. + +"Unless he is snug at home, I'm allowing the Britishers have got him +penned up in such shape that neither you nor I can do much toward +aiding him," Hiram said emphatically, and then to my distress of mind +he set about telling of an acquaintance of his who had had the ill +fortune to displease some of General Gage's following, thereby bringing +himself to a sojourn in Boston prison. + +After that we talked of this thing and of another, it makes little +difference what, I meanwhile watching the sun until my eyes ran water, +coming to believe now and then it was standing still in the heavens, so +slowly did it move. + +Finally, however, the night came, as all nights will while we remain in +this world, whether they be for our good or for our evil. The shadows +had hardly more than begun to gather when Hiram, shaking himself as does +a dog, said in a business-like tone: + +"I'm allowing, lad, that we can't start any too soon. The guard-boats +will be out as thick as flies around a molasses jug within the next half +hour, and even though there's a chance of being seen, by skirting along +the shore of this island we have reason to believe it'll be possible to +keep out of sight. According to my way of thinking the risk will be less +now, than if we waited for the lobster backs to begin their night's +work." + +As Hiram suggested so we did, working rapidly in launching the skiff, +and when she was waterborne we pulled as fellows will who believe death +is pursuing them, meanwhile realizing keenly that once chase should be +made we could not hope to escape. + +Fortune favored us this time, however scurvy a trick she had played the +night before, and we gained Morton's point on the Charlestown shore +without apparently having been seen by friend or foe. + +Night had so nearly shut in now that we were hidden by the gloom, and +had every reason to believe we were come out from amid our enemies +without other harm than suffering with hunger and thirst. + +If Archie had been with me, I could have cried aloud with joy as we +aimed a straight course for the Penny ferry. + +There is no need that I go into details of that tramp from the Medford +river to Cambridge, nor for me to set down all which was said between +us. It is enough if I write that we were come in the early morning to +where were gathered those brave hearts who counted on making a great +army which was to be raised against the king, and in defence of the +colonies. + +Already had the place begun to look like a military encampment, except +that instead of glistening white canvas tents such as the king's men +had, our people were housed as best they might be in shelters of brush, +tents formed of blankets, and even many with nothing 'twixt their +illy-clad bodies and God's sky. + +Hiram, who appeared to be thoroughly familiar with this poor imitation +of an encampment, passed rapidly along until we were come to a building +in front of which stood a man without a uniform, but with a musket over +his shoulder, who was acting as sentinel. + +There were no military salutes exchanged between my companion and this +man on duty; but they greeted each other as old friends, the sentinel +saying in a querulous tone as if he was well acquainted with the mission +on which Hiram had been sent: + +"I had come to think you counted on staying with the blooming +Britishers, instead of coming back here to do your share of playing at +soldiering." + +"I hope I may never run the same risk among the lobster backs again. It +was too tight a squeeze to suit me," Hiram replied grimly, and added, +"Are the gentlemen in?" + +"They were when I came on duty, and I reckon none of 'em have slipped +away since." + +"Then we'll go in," and without further ceremony Hiram entered the +building as if it was his own home, I following close at his heels as a +matter of course, never dreaming that we were to meet an officer, owing +to the lack of military show. I began to believe I had simply been +brought there to speak with one of the citizens. + +I came speedily to know, however, that we were at the headquarters of +the Committee of Safety, that body of men which stood at the head of +what you might call the "rebellion", and they all unguarded except for +that farmer-sentinel at the door, who was seemingly ready to admit any +that might desire to enter. + +Telling me to await his return in a room which looked not unlike one +that might have been fitted up for a merchant's use, Hiram disappeared, +his heavy footsteps betokening that he had ascended to the floor above, +and ten minutes later a cry of joy burst from my lips when none other +than Doctor Warren himself entered the room. + +"So it was you who sent for me, sir?" I asked, and he replied: + +"Remembering what you said about raising a company of Minute Boys, and +believing you would do so, I fancied it might pleasure you to know that +there was come so soon an opportunity to aid the Cause. I counted on +seeing two, however," he added as if in disappointment. + +In the fewest possible words I told him of our misadventure the night +previous, and asked if he believed it might be possible for us boys to +do aught toward effecting the poor lad's release. + +"I question if an equal number of men could do anything," the doctor +replied, speaking as if he was sorrowful because of not being able to +hold out hope. "His father is known as a Son of Liberty, and it will +most like be charged against him that he was attempting to carry +information to us rebels here in Cambridge, therefore he will be guarded +more closely than if he had been guilty of some grievous crime." + +I strove unsuccessfully to choke back the sob which finally escaped my +lips, and then, thinking that if I was to have any opportunity to serve +the Cause it ill became me to play the part of a baby, asked with as +much firmness as I could muster: + +"What work have you for us Minute Boys to do, sir?" + +"The Committee of Safety believes that you lads can be of great service +in bringing to us news from the town, and it was to discuss with you how +best one of your company might make his way to us here, when you had +learned that which it would advantage us to know." + +"I do not believe it would be possible to lay out any one route by which +we would be able come at all times." I made bold to reply. "On certain +nights we might perchance set off from Fox hill, and come across without +difficulty. Again we could, perhaps, make Barton's point our place of +departure. In fact it would depend upon where the red-coats had been +stationed, and what they were about." + +"Yes, yes, lad, I understand that full well. What we had in mind was to +settle how you might hide skiffs at these various places in order to +take sudden advantage of any favorable opportunity. Your father is in +camp; have speech with him, and come back to me here an hour later." + +If Hiram Griffin had been standing near the door listening to our +conversation he could not have entered the room at a better moment, for +the doctor had but just spoken those words which were the same as token +of my dismissal, when he came in, and I asked if he could tell me where +my father might be found. + +It seems no more than right I should set down here the fact that Hiram +Griffin, during all the time I knew him, seemed ever to be in possession +of such information as a curiously inclined person might pick up. I +believe of a verity he spent all his spare moments gathering that which +seemed at the time useless knowledge, for, leave him four and twenty +hours in town or camp, and he had become acquainted with all the minor +personages and details of the place. + +In answer to my question he motioned for me to follow, and so I did with +such good avail that within a quarter-hour I was in my father's arms, he +pressing me to his heart as if I had just come out from some terrible +danger. + +It goes without saying that I soon made him acquainted with all which +had taken place from the time Hiram Griffin entered our home, and when I +spoke of the possibility that we Minute Boys might succeed in releasing +Archie from his imprisonment, he said emphatically, as if the matter +admitted of no argument: + +"You must not for a moment think of any such desperate venture. Even if +the lad was not guarded as he surely is, what could any number of you +boys do toward releasing him? It would be opposing yourselves to all the +king's forces that are at present in Boston, and that is the same as if +I had said you would come to certain death." + +Then, as if to dismiss the matter without question, he began to speak +with me of what the Committee of Safety believed our Minute Boys might +be able to do in aid of the Cause, and explained where we could lay our +hands on at least three skiffs which he knew had been secreted by those +who loved the colonies. + +"You will be told, before leaving here, how to get possession of the +boats; but as to disposing of them in such places as may best suit your +conveniences and opportunity in leaving the town, I can offer no advice. +That is a matter which you lads must settle among yourselves later." + +"Do you believe we will be aiding the Cause?" I asked, still doubtful as +to whether these true men here in Cambridge were minded to lean upon us +Minute Boys to any great degree. + +"If you are prudent, close-mouthed, and energetic, there is no question +but that you may serve the army which is to be raised, by bringing +information of what goes on in Boston, better than could an equal number +of men." + +Then my father gave me much advice regarding the future, urging, which +was unnecessary, that I should ever hold the good of the Cause above +discomfort, above suffering, above even my own life. It mattered +little, he declared, if we who had begun the struggle should go down +into the Valley of Death, so that we left behind, for those who were to +come, a land free from misrule and the oppression of tyrants. + +Now, strange as it may seem, having once arrived in Cambridge I forgot +how bitterly hunger and thirst had assailed me during the four and +twenty hours just past, until my father was come to an end of his loving +converse, when suddenly my desire for food and water returned like a +flood, and I cried as if in pain. + +One would have thought the dear man had done me some grievous wrong by +not remembering that I might stand in need of refreshment, so many were +the words of reproach which he addressed to himself while leading me to +where I speedily found all that could be desired. + +In going through this encampment it seemed that already had we of the +colonies gathered a vast army, yet my father told me there were less +than five thousand men then in Cambridge; but promised that they would +be speedily increased in numbers as the days went by. + +"It is but the beginning," he said, "already are those who favor the +Cause marching toward this place as rapidly as may be, though as yet we +have no real military head. The Provincial Congress has voted to raise +an army of thirteen thousand six hundred men. Word has been sent out +both by the Congress and Committee of Safety to other colonies, asking +them to send all the troops they can spare, and Doctor Warren has +written a stirring appeal, as you shall read, for I have made of it a +copy." + +Having said this he took from his pocket a folded paper which he gave to +me, and I can set down exactly what was written upon it, for I have the +document before me even to this day. It is as follows: + + "In Congress at Watertown, April 30th, 1775. + + "_Gentlemen_,--The barbarous Murders of our innocent + Brethren on Wednesday the 19th Instant, has made it + absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an army to + defend our Wives and our Children from the butchering Hands + of an inhuman Soldiery, who, incensed at the obstacles they + meet with in their bloody progress, and enraged at being + repulsed from the Field of Slaughter, will, without the + least doubt take the first Opportunity in their Power to + ravage this devoted Country with Fire and Sword. We conjure + you, therefore, that you give all Assistance possible in + raising an Army. Our all is at Stake. Death and Devastation + are the certain Consequences of Delay. Every Moment is + infinitely precious; an Hour lost may deluge your Country in + Blood, and entail perpetual Slavery upon the few of your + Posterity who may survive the Carnage. We beg and entreat + you, as you will answer it to your Country, to your own + Conscience, and, above all, as you will answer to God + himself, that you will hasten and encourage, by all possible + Means, the Enlistment of Men to form the Army, and send them + forward to Headquarters at Cambridge, with that expedition + which the vast Importance and instant Urgency of the affair + demands. + + "JOSEPH WARREN, President." + +[Illustration: THE ENCAMPMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.] + +I would I might set down all I heard and saw during that day in +Cambridge; but it cannot be if I am to tell the story of what we Minute +Boys succeeded in doing during a certain portion of the year of Grace +1775. + +It is enough to say that before nightfall I had received all the +instructions and advice that could be given, and was ready to make an +attempt at getting into town once more, mourning meanwhile because of +having left the skiff so far away that a long tramp would be necessary +in order to come at her. + +Even amid his duties, and they were many, Doctor Warren had time to +think of me and my well-being, for when, near to sunset, I was standing +with my father in front of the building occupied by the Committee of +Safety, already taking leave of him, the doctor came up smiling as if +seeing in me an old and valued friend, and said: + +"I am not minded, lad, that you should tramp from here to the ferry in +order to regain your skiff. Leave her where she is, and she may serve +you a good turn at another time. Hiram Griffin has made ready a boat on +the river, and you can embark in her, if so be it is prudent to land on +either shore of the town." + +"I will take the chance, sir, at one place or another," I said, feeling +wondrously relieved at thus being spared the many miles of travel, and +for a moment thinking it might be the doctor's purpose to send Hiram +with me. + +After I found the boat which had been made ready, I could not repress an +exclamation of disappointment at seeing that she was a large craft, far +too heavy to be handled by a single person. + +"I have the long tramp before me even now," I said in a tone of dismay +to my father, who had accompanied me to the river. "With a craft like +that I would have no hope of escape if peradventure the lobster backs +gave chase." + +"I reckon the two of us can manage to make a decent show of speed," +Hiram said with a laugh, and then it was I learned that he counted on +going with me into the town, taking his chances of getting back later, +rather than allow me to go alone. + +"You had better join us Minute Boys and have done with it, Hiram," I +said gleefully, taking my seat in the boat after having bidden my father +good by. "It seems to me you are like to meet with more of adventure in +our company, than loitering behind here at Cambridge where all are much +like a flock of sheep without a leader." + +"Faith, and I begin to believe that myself," Hiram replied as he took up +the oars, and a moment later we were gliding down the river in the +twilight which would be deepened to darkness before we were come within +sight of Boston. + +No sooner were we well under way than there came to me again the same +hope I had had during a portion of the time we lay hidden on Noddle +island, regarding the possibility of being able to free Archie from +prison, and I asked in what I intended should be a careless tone: + +"Hiram, if it so chanced while you were in Boston town that there was +the shadow of a hope of getting Archie out of prison, would you lend a +hand?" + +"Give me half a show to do aught toward thwarting the lobster backs, and +I'll stay with you till the crack of doom, if so be I live that long and +the job is not finished before." + +"Then we'll find the way," I said as if believing the words were true, +even though at the same moment I deemed it little less than the fancy of +a madman to think anything could be done to aid the dear lad while he +was held so closely by the enemy. + +After we were arrived at the mouth of the river, came the question as to +what part of Boston we would aim to strike. There was much of danger +that we might be overhauled by the guard-boats if so be we attempted to +pull around Hudson's point, and yet perchance greater peril in striving +to land anywhere between West and Fox hill. + +"I favor the shortest voyage by water," Hiram said when I had laid +before him that which was in my mind. "If so be you can hide the boat as +well on this side as at your ship-yard, then let's make the venture, for +I'm thinking we'll meet no more lobster backs ashore than afloat." + +And so it was we headed for the nearest point, taking all the chances, +and that night's work caused me to believe that he who goes boldly about +a matter, is in no more danger than the timorous one who strives to make +certain the way be clear before he sets out. + +We came straight across from the river, landing well to the south of the +Powder House, where were scrub oaks enough to afford a partial hiding +place for the boat, although I doubted not that she would be come upon +by the Britishers before another day had passed. + +"It will be better she is taken by the lobster backs empty, than with us +in her," Hiram said grimly when we drew her up on land, and it can well +be fancied that I was of the same opinion. + +Now was come the most hazardous portion of the journey, for if we ran +against the watch, or a red-coated squad, we were come to grief and like +to join Archie instead of aiding him. + +There was little sense in standing on the shore discussing the danger, +therefore we set off at once across the Common as if headed for the +Bridewell, until we were come to within an hundred yards of it, when we +left the Alms house on our right, going over Beacon hill and thence +across to the mill pond. It was a roundabout way to gain Salem street, +where Silas Brownrigg lived; but it seemed to me the safest, although +even by such a course we twice narrowly escaped the patrol, saving +ourselves by taking refuge first in a garden, and then by sneaking +behind Master Mountford's house. + +So that we escaped the danger I did not count fatigue, and felt very +well satisfied with fortune when we finally stood at the door of Silas +Brownrigg's home, knocking cautiously lest we arouse other than him whom +we desired to see. + +It was not such a difficult matter to waken the lad, even though it was +past midnight, for in those troublous times the people in Boston who +favored the Cause slept lightly, young or old, never knowing how soon a +red-coated squad of men might demand admission in the name of the king, +having come through some whim of General Gage's, or of his +understrappers. + +Silas was not greatly surprised at seeing us. During the day while Hiram +and I lay in hiding on Noddle island, he had gone to my home in search +of me, and there learned from my mother that I had set out for +Cambridge. + +Before nightfall Seth Jepson gave him information that Archie was lodged +in prison on the charge of attempting to carry news to the "rebels," +and he would have been dull indeed could he not have guessed the whole +story from that on. + +While Hiram and I gave him an account of our doings from the time of +that unfortunate stumbling upon the watch, he fed us royally, his mother +even dressing herself that she might be certain we had food in plenty, +and before we were done with eating and talking we had discussed a dozen +impractical plans for freeing our comrade. + +It was decided that we would call the Minute Boys together at the +ship-yard, and there lay before them what had been asked of us by our +people at Cambridge, after which we might, if possible, find some means +of aiding Archie. + +Not until it was broad day did I venture to go home, for only in the +light might a "rebel" walk the streets of his own town without fear of +being molested by the Britishers, and once there it can well be fancied +how warm was my welcome. My mother had heard from Silas of Archie's +imprisonment, and it was only natural she should feel even more anxious +for me than otherwise would have been the case, knowing that already was +one of our number come to grief through striving to aid the Cause. + +But for the fact that my father was in full accord with all I strove to +do as a Minute Boy, and had even mapped out the work for our company, I +believe of a verity the good woman would have insisted then and there +that I give over any attempt to play the soldier. + +However, she did no more than urge me to be cautious, never running my +head in danger when there was no real need for it, and seemed to have +the idea that such information as we lads could pick up concerning the +movements of the Britishers in Boston, would be of but little value to +those brave men at Cambridge. + +I had left Hiram behind me at Silas's home, for there was no reason why +he should show himself, a stranger in the town, more than might be +necessary; but at about nine of the clock he came to tell me that the +Minute Boys were assembling at the rendezvous, and I set off to meet my +future comrades. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +SUSPICIOUS INFORMATION + + +When Hiram and I came out at Lyn street, where it was possible to have a +view of the ship-yard, we saw only two lads, one well over toward the +point, and the other south of the pier, who were loitering about +aimlessly as if they had nothing of importance with which to occupy +themselves. + +It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Hiram if he had made a mistake in +regard to the gathering of the Minute Boys, and then I realized that +Silas had taken the precaution to keep all the company out of sight +except these two, who appeared to be standing watch. + +At that time, when the Britishers were suspicious of the "rebels," and +General Gage eager to find some cause of complaint whereby he might put +in prison those who loved the colony, even a gathering of sixteen lads +would not have escaped rigid scrutiny by those who misruled in Boston, +and the most imprudent thing we could have done, would have been to come +together in the open air where any who passed might see us. + +"They are under the wharf?" I said questioningly to Hiram, and he +replied curtly: + +"Ay, your friend Silas told me they were to meet there," and then it +seemed as if he was on the point of saying something more; but if such +had been his intention he checked himself right suddenly, walking +silently by my side until we were come to that point on the shore from +whence we could look under the wharf. + +Silas stepped out as I came into view, and said in a whisper: + +"I have kept the lads out of sight lest some meddling lobster back +should report a dangerous gathering. Every fellow is present, and eager +to hear what you learned at Cambridge." + +"Have you not told them?" I asked in surprise. + +"I was not certain how far you cared to make public what had been said +at the encampment, and therefore held my peace regardless of their +questions, promising that you would tell them the story in due time." + +As I look back now to that moment when was first assembled the company +of which I had been chosen captain, it seems passing strange I should +have made a blunder which was near akin to a crime, before having been +with them five minutes. After the advice, repeated so many times by my +father and Doctor Warren, that I be prudent, it seems as if I showed +myself the thickest-headed lad in all the colony, else would I have +begun the business by keeping a closer tongue. + +Even while I was greeting the lads they cried out impatiently to know +what I had heard and seen in Cambridge, and I, like a simple, must needs +repeat parrot fashion all the instructions which had been given me, when +common prudence would have dictated that I set the boys about gathering +information, without making known that we were much the same as detailed +as spies. + +In my folly I even went so far as to lay plans how and when we might +best leave the town to make report, and even gave a list of those to +whom we should apply for skiffs. + +While my tongue ran loose I fancied Hiram moved uneasily about, as if he +would say something to me privately; but I, puffed up with pride because +of taking upon myself for the first time command of the Minute Boys, +gave no heed to him until I had stripped myself bare of information, so +that if, peradventure, there was a traitor among us he could go direct +to General Gage with a story of all that we proposed to do. + +Having finished the recital I asked if there were any who could give +information concerning Archie which had not already been made public, +and one of the lads spoke up promptly, saying: + +"He is not so badly treated in prison, when you remember his father's +standing among the Sons of Liberty, for instead of occupying a cell, he +is locked in one of the small rooms near the end of the building." + +"Who told you that?" I asked, wondering how so much of information could +have been come at by our lads, and he answered, pointing with his +finger: + +"It was Seth Jepson told me." + +Wheeling about suddenly to face the lad whom I had suspected when it was +first proposed he be allowed to join the Minute Boys, I fancied there +was a look of uneasiness, almost of fear, upon his face, as if he had +just realized the danger of having imparted too much information. Then, +like a flash, there came upon me a great wave of self-reproach because I +had spoken so freely concerning our plans. If Seth Jepson was inclined +to be a traitor, verily he had it now in his power to do us gravest +injury. + +"How did you learn so much regarding Archie?" I asked sharply. "Have +you been allowed to visit the prison?" + +"It was Amos Nelson told me," Seth replied, and again I fancied I saw a +troubled look come over his face. + +Because of blaming myself for having told all I knew, it was much as if +I strove at this time to make a scape-goat of some other. + +"Do you think it well," I asked sharply, "now that you have been +enrolled as a Minute Boy, promising to do whatsoever you may in behalf +of the Cause, to hold converse with as rank a Tory lad as Amos Nelson?" + +"And why should I not?" he cried boldly. "Would you have me advertise +the fact that I am a member of this company by refusing to speak with a +neighbor? For some reason, I know not what, Amos was taken into the +prison, most like to work for the soldiers on duty there, and he saw +Archie Hemming, or heard that the lad was locked up in the small room. +It was no more than natural he should tell me the news, and I did not +shut my ears to his words, believing it would be to the advantage of all +here if I learned as much as he knew." + +The lad spoke fairly, although, as I fancied, with too much of boldness, +and just a spice of anger in his tones. + +I could find no fault, for of a verity he had learned that which might +be of importance to us, and yet all the old suspicions that had been in +my heart came back with redoubled force, the stronger, perhaps, because +I had put myself and my comrades so wholly in his power. + +The mischief was worked now, however, and the only course was for me to +do what I might toward keeping, or having kept, a close watch on Seth +Jepson, in the future holding my tongue in his presence as to what we +would do. + +To this end, and in the hope that it might be possible to take advantage +of the information he had given, I proposed that a certain number of +lads should loiter about the town to learn if there was anything new +going on among the Britishers; afterward whispering to Silas that he +send with Seth one whom he could trust thoroughly well, in order to make +certain the lad held no communication with Amos Nelson. + +"I will do it," Silas replied; "but to what purpose? You have suspected +him from the first, and yet allowed that he should hear what our people +want us to do." + +"And in talking so freely I showed myself a fool. Now I would, if +possible, do what I can to remedy the evil." + +"All of which will be very little, because we cannot keep a spy at +Seth's heels every hour, and when he has gone home for the night what +will prevent him from having speech with Amos Nelson?" + +Then, as if not considering the matter of so much importance as I would +make it, Silas moved about among the company, suggesting that this +couple go here and the other there, until he had sent away all save two, +and these were lads whom he and I knew might not with truth be accused +of being other than loyal to the Cause. + +"Have you aught to say?" I asked when they made as if to draw near to +where Hiram and I were standing, and Silas said quickly: + +"It has been in my mind that we might send some of the company down near +the prison to loiter there in the hope of gaining speech with Archie, +if so be Seth Jepson's words are true." + +"I know where the room is, in which Amos Nelson declared he was held a +prisoner," Harvey Pearson said. "If all that has been told us be true, I +warrant you I can get word with him after the night has come, in case he +may be made to know that we are nearby for that purpose." + +"Then do you two lads attend to that matter. Silas shall look after +whatsoever he thinks best, while Hiram Griffin and I set off to make +certain there will be no difficulty in getting skiffs." + +"I am thinking it will be well if I search for the boat you left on the +shore near Fox hill," Silas suggested. "It may be I can bring her around +to this place, and surely that would be of advantage, because we have no +craft of any kind, unless you succeed in getting one before nightfall." + +To this I agreed, and soon Silas had set off, when Hiram and I were left +alone. + +"Well?" he said questioningly. "If you are satisfied with what has been +done this morning, and believe the Cause can be advantaged much by the +Minute Boys, suppose we get our heads together to decide how I may be +able to leave this town?" + +"Are you going away at once?" I asked in surprise, for although he had +not so much as hinted he might stay a while with us, such a thought had +found lodgment in my mind. + +"To what end should I stay?" he asked. "Surely a stranger like me can do +nothing in the way of playing the spy in a strange town, and I am of the +mind that there may be work for me in Cambridge." + +"I had hoped you would wait on some chance of being able to help us set +Archie free," I said after a moment's hesitation. + +"An' that were true, I would loiter here till the month's end, giving no +heed to what those in the encampment might think of my absence," he +replied heartily. + +"Then stay!" I cried. "Greater things than freeing a lad who is shut up +in the cell of a prison, has been done by poorer tools than can be found +among us Minute Boys. You shall lodge at my home, going and coming as +best pleases you." + +"I'll stay, lad," Hiram said promptly, "and am all the more willing to +do so because it strikes me you need a deal of watching." + +I fancied it was possible to read in his face the thought which he had +in mind, and my cheeks were flaming red as I said in the tone of one who +admits his error: + +"You believe I made a blunder in telling the lads all that the Committee +of Safety would have us do?" + +"It was more than a blunder, lad, unless you could answer for all of +your comrades as you can for yourself. No harm would have come if you +had held your peace, simply telling them it was necessary you should +know all that was going on in order the better to guard against evil." + +"Instead of which I laid myself bare," I cried bitterly, "and at the +same time was suspicious of that lad, Seth Jepson. Not until he admitted +getting information concerning Archie from Amos Nelson, did I realize my +mistake." + +"Well," Hiram said soothingly, "no good ever came of crying over spilt +milk. You must try to conjure up some plan for holding Seth Jepson in +such fashion that he will be harmless, or, if so much cannot be done, +see to it he is kept ignorant as to what you would do." + +There was no reason why we should linger under the old wharf, and I was +eager to be alone despite the fact that I craved Hiram's companionship, +for it seemed as if I must work out some scheme by which it would be +possible to prevent Seth Jepson from playing us false. + +Therefore it was I led the way to my house, and said when we were come +to the door: + +"You are free here to do as you will; but I'm thinking it may be wiser +if we two are not seen together overly much. I am counting on going +across the Common with the idea of helping Silas, if he believes it safe +to bring the boat around." + +"Never fear but what I'll look after myself," he said cheerily as he +entered the house, and I went my way alone. + +Now it is not needed that I set down too many words in striving to tell +that which is of little importance. It will be as well if I pass over +four and twenty hours, and come to the afternoon of the day following my +woeful blunder. + +During that time many things had happened, and instead of our sending +information to Cambridge, great news had come from there to us in Boston +who were loyal to the Cause. + +It was reported by one who had succeeded on entering the town by way of +the Neck, despite all the vigilance of the guards there, that so many +men had arrived from all quarters to aid in opposing the king's troops, +that no less than twenty thousand were then in the encampment, and +General Ward had taken command of what was really an army. Israel +Putnam had led thither a large number of volunteers from Connecticut; +Colonel John Stark, of New Hampshire, was come with a great following, +and the only trouble was lack of discipline and housing for so many +people. + +General Ward had held a council of war with all the officers who had +been previously appointed by Congress, and it was decided that Boston be +besieged. Fancy! we of the colonies called "rebels" were making +preparations, to the extent of having raised a large army, to take from +the Britishers the town they had seized! + +It must have been that General Gage received the same news as had come +to us, for on the hour orders were issued that no person should be +allowed to leave the town without a pass, and everyone caught while +attempting to depart would be imprisoned. + +The Tories themselves had begun to understand that our people might be a +power in the land, for straightway two hundred of them were enrolled as +a military company, with that arch traitor, Timothy Ruggles, as their +captain. + +"It seems that the Minute Boys have nothing to do," I said bitterly to +Hiram Griffin when he and I came together at my home on the evening +after the Tory company had paraded on the Common. "It is from Cambridge +that the important news is being sent, and we who are shut up here have +no word of news to tell." + +"It strikes me, lad, that you have already got quite a budget of +information which our people in Cambridge should hear. Mayhap it is +already known in the encampment that no one can leave Boston town +without a permit, and it's also possible they know of the arming of the +Tories; but you who were assigned to the duty of gathering news should +not set yourselves down idly and say that it has already been made +public." + +"Meaning that we should go our way carrying stale information at the +risk of being arrested, and repeating what no one cares to hear?" + +"Ay, lad, that is exactly what I mean. You were not asked to seek this +or that; but to carry to Cambridge information of what was going on in +town. It is for General Ward to say whether that which you bring him is +of importance or no." + +"But it seems that we have other work on hand which should come first," +I said, having kept back a bit of news which I knew would startle him. +"Harvey Pearson succeeded this afternoon in seeing Archie--" + +"How did he get into the prison?" + +"There's no such good word as that. What I mean is that he attracted his +attention from the outside, and by dint of gestures, with a word here +and there, made him understand that at midnight, after the guard has +been changed, he will attempt to have speech with him." + +Hiram looked at me in surprise, as if not crediting all I told him, and +then, much as if dismissing the matter from his mind, he said: + +"If I were the captain of the Minute Boys of Boston, I should strive to +send a messenger to Cambridge this night. I myself have picked up such +bits of news as I believe General Ward would be pleased to hear." + +"But how can I go, when there is a chance of having word with Archie +to-night?" + +"I fail to see any reason why you should in every case act as messenger +'twixt here and Cambridge. Send some other of your company. It is true +we lost the boat in which you and I came, because of having left her +where any blundering lobster back might stumble upon the craft; but you +said this morning that it would be possible for us to get two small +skiffs at any time." Then he asked abruptly, "How high from the street +is the window of the room where your comrade is held prisoner?" + +"Not more than five or six feet," I replied, failing to understand; but, +making no explanation, he rose quickly to his feet, clapping his hat on +his head as he said: + +"I'm off for a stroll. There are many things in this town I haven't seen +as yet, and it would be a pity if I was suddenly called to Cambridge +without having learned all that may be come at." + +He went out before I could stop him, and but for the fact that Silas +came in immediately afterward, I might have followed to learn what Hiram +was about. + +As a matter of course, my comrade was all afire with the possibility +that we might soon have speech with Archie, and would have explained +exactly how Harvey counted on bringing the matter about, had I not told +him Hiram's opinion as to what should be done in the way of sending +information to the American encampment. + +Much to my surprise he pressed eagerly for permission to go as +messenger, saying that above all else he desired to see the encampment +so he might compare our troops with those under the command of General +Gage, and, knowing he could make the journey as well or even better +than I, there was no reason in my mind why he should not undertake the +venture. + +I must set down here the fact that from the time of our first meeting as +Minute Boys, which is the same as saying during the past four and twenty +hours, more than one of us had kept constant watch over Seth Jepson +without seeing aught to blame in him. It was possible, as a matter of +course, that he might have had speech with Amos Nelson; but we could not +believe he had told the Tory cur all I had so foolishly divulged else, +as Silas and I reasoned, we would have been brought before General Gage +on some such serious charge as that of treason, unless perchance he +could make of our movements a more serious offence. + +Therefore it was that after we had decided Silas should go to the +encampment with the information already gathered, I cautioned him +against letting Seth have any suspicions of his intention, and he +replied confidently: + +"Leave the matter to me, Luke. I'll guarantee to get away without any +one's seeing me, and what is more, come back with a whole skin. I'm not +such a simple as to give myself away to Seth, or any other lad, and +therefore it is I propose that at such time as best suits me, and in +whatsoever manner I please, to set off for the American camp 'twixt now +and midnight, keeping secret even from my mother how and when I count on +going." + +It surprised me somewhat that he should be willing to go away at the +very time when we believed it possible to hold some communication with +Archie; but, as I afterward learned, he had little faith we could get +speech with the lad, and was not without fear that one or more of us +might be taken into custody for loitering around the prison. To his +credit I must say, however, that the desire to see the encampment was so +great as to shut out all else from his mind. + +I went over with him all I believed it necessary to say to whosoever he +should come upon in Cambridge, understanding that if I neglected +anything of importance those whom he met would question him so closely +as to bring from his lips all he had heard and seen. + +"I have been keeping my eye on Seth Jepson since yesterday, whenever it +could be done handily, and advise you to do the same," he said as he +went out of the house, refusing to divulge anything whatsoever +concerning his plans for the night. + +With his words in mind I also went out into the street, counting on +going to Dock square, thence past the prison and near the governor's +house, with my ears open to catch any word which might be let drop by +the lobster backs, and my eyes strained to get a glimpse of the lad I +suspected. + +Before having come to Union street, however, I fell afoul of Hiram +Griffin, who looked so well content with himself that I could not +refrain from asking what good fortune had befallen him, as if there +could be anything good for us who loved the Cause and yet remained in +Boston town. + +"I have been taking a squint at the prison where I'm told your comrade +is held, and am come to believe that unless these 'ere Britishers are +much like weasels, it won't be such a hard thing to get him out of that +scrape." + +"What?" I cried in amaze and delight. + +"There, there, lad, I allow I'm a good deal like you were yesterday, +letting my tongue run away with me. What I counted on saying was +something much after this fashion: If we could have a cloudy night, or, +better still, a stormy one, and if so be he understood to what end we +might be working; and in case we could get across the town after having +pulled him out, without being overhauled by lobster back or patrol, why +then there would be a chance, and such an one as would tempt me to make +a try for it, you lads helping, as a matter of course." + +"And shall it be done to-night?" I cried eagerly, thinking Hiram was +minded to go about the task at once. + +"If everything had happened as I've laid out, then we might start at +once; but according to the looks of things this night is likely to be a +fair one, while we are needing darkness. Pulling your comrade out from +the clutches of the Britishers isn't such an easy task that you can +begin it whenever you are feeling so disposed. Let him know what's in +our minds, and be ready to help himself when the time comes to suit us. +What about sending word to Cambridge?" + +I told him all my conversation with Silas, and it appeared to please him +greatly that the lad was not willing to explain how he counted on going. + +"He'll turn the trick all right? When you find a boy who can be cautious +to the extent of holding his tongue even among friends, it may be set +down as a fact that he won't come to grief, unless meeting with the +direst kind of an accident. Which reminds me that it wouldn't be a bad +idea for you to overlook the doings of that same Seth Jepson." + +"What of him?" I cried in dismay, fearing to hear ill news. + +"Nothing that I can be certain of, lad, save that I saw him chumming +with a couple of lobster backs down at the dock, and it strikes me they +were amazingly friendly with a lad of his size, for he's not one a man +would take to naturally--an honest man I mean." + +"I will go after him at once; but there is little chance of learning +anything, for if he is minded to play the traitor he'll keep a still +tongue in his head when I overhaul him." + +"Go your way, lad," Hiram said as if he pitied me because I fancied it +would be possible to convict a traitor out of his own mouth. "I am +minded to have speech with Silas Brownrigg before he sets off for +Cambridge, and am allowing there is a chance of finding him at home now +while it is yet day." + +Then Hiram Griffin left me suddenly, as if it was dangerous to be seen +speaking with me on the street, and I walked slowly toward Dock square, +asking myself how I might so trap Seth Jepson as to prove that he was +playing us foul, while at the same time I questioned whether there was a +possibility we could free the dear lad who lay eating his heart out in +prison. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A CLOUDY NIGHT + + +It was not needed that I should walk very far in order to find Seth +Jepson. He was on the westerly side of the dock when I came into the +square, talking to two or three lads whom I had good reason to believe +were of Tory leanings. + +Instead of appearing disconcerted because of my finding him in such +company, he acted much as if it gave him pleasure that I was come, and +straightway leaving his companions, advanced eagerly to meet me. + +"Have you been up to the prison in the hope of having speech with Archie +Hemming?" he asked as soon as we were within speaking distance, and I, +suspicious of the lad, believed he thus counted on learning what we +might have in mind to do, therefore replied with somewhat of sourness in +my tone: + +"It is too dangerous a matter to be seen loitering about that place, +especially for a lad like me, whose father is known to be a Son of +Liberty." + +"I have seen Harvey Pearson there more than once, and thought most like +you had sent him." + +By this time it was clear to me that Seth was striving to learn if we +had any plan on foot to release Archie, and striving to appear +indifferent, as if to my mind the matter was so fraught with +difficulties that it would be useless to make any attempt, I said: + +"If Harvey chooses to loiter where there is great danger of being taken +into custody, it is no affair of mine. On first learning that Archie had +been imprisoned, I was so foolish as to say, without really believing it +could be done, that we would form some plan for his rescue; but came to +see right soon that it would be a piece of folly to raise our hands in +such direction." + +"And you will let him stay there?" Seth asked as if in surprise. + +"Let him?" I repeated laughingly. "It's a question of his being obliged +to stay there, and has nothing to do with us. General Gage is the one +who is allowing him to remain there." + +Seth appeared perplexed by my seeming indifference, and while one might +have counted twenty he stood silent as if considering some matter, after +which, his face brightening a bit, he led me a short distance toward +Union street, where we might stand in the open with no fear any +eavesdroppers could come upon us unawares, and whispered: + +"Believing it would be possible for me to get more information, such as +you say is needed in Cambridge, at the houses of the Tories than +anywhere else, I dropped in at Amos Nelson's home, and while there heard +his father talking with Master Landers, saying that a town meeting is to +be held to-morrow evening. General Gage has decided that, if the +selectmen will agree, the people who wish to go out of Boston may do so +with their household belongings, provided they leave all weapons of +whatsoever kind in Faneuil Hall, the same to be returned to them at some +suitable time. Now it seems that the Tories, according to what Amos's +father said, are opposed to such an arrangement, claiming that once the +rebels have departed they will not scruple to burn the place, and such +men as Master Nelson and Master Landers have decided to urge that +General Gage hold the women and children in the town, instead of +allowing them to leave with their husbands and fathers." + +Now this was information of value, particularly the latter part of it, +and, therefore, much of my suspicions regarding Seth's loyalty vanished. +I counted it in his favor that he had given us such a bit of news, and +then came the thought that Silas should add this to the budget he was +carrying to Cambridge, yet I did not believe myself warranted in going +to his home, for Hiram was probably there by this time, and if too many +called at the house the enemy might grow curious. + +In order that Seth should not believe I was eager to leave him, I +loitered in the vicinity a full half hour talking of this and that which +was of no particular importance, except that all the while I strove to +trap the lad into betraying his traitorous desire, if so be he had one, +by some hasty word. + +He spoke me fairly, even going back to that which I had said to him +under the old wharf, regarding his keeping company with lads who were +known to favor Toryism, and declared that it would be possible for him +to learn more from them than in any other way, speaking with such an air +of innocence and earnestness that I almost came to reproach myself for +having suspected him. + +"So long as I am on friendly terms with Amos Nelson, it is a simple +matter for me to go into many places where the Britishers congregate, +which would otherwise be closed in my face. Amos's father, as you well +know, is a particular friend of Timothy Ruggles, and thus it is +possible for the lad to be present when the enemies of the Cause meet +for deliberation, as you may understand from what I have told you +already in regard to their purpose of holding the women and children in +Boston town as hostages. When I joined your company of Minute Boys it +was with the understanding I do whatsoever I might in behalf of the +colony; but if you believe I should shut off all intercourse with Tory +lads, then shall it be done." + +What else could I say than advise him to keep on the same path he was +traveling? At the time I was impressed by his words; but later, after +having had an opportunity to turn them over in my mind, I came to ask +myself why he should at that moment have so strongly defended himself +when I had charged him with no evil. + +The result of this interview was that I not only urged the lad to +continue as he had been doing; but came to have more faith in him than +ever before, yet was I sufficiently prudent to hold my tongue concerning +our doings, and he got nothing from me that he could turn to the +advantage of his Tory friends. + +With the exception of Silas, Harvey, and Hiram, none of our company knew +there was any hope or intention of striving to release Archie, and I was +determined the matter should remain a profound secret if any word or act +of mine could compass that end. + +Although burning to speak with Silas, when I left Seth it was to saunter +in the direction of Queen street as if I walked aimlessly, rather than +with a purpose, and fortune so favored me that on turning into Corn hill +I came upon Harvey Pearson. + +"Is it well for you to remain near to the prison after having warned +Archie?" I asked sharply, and the lad replied with a laugh: + +"Don't fear that I'll make such a simple of myself as to do anything of +the kind. I haven't been on Queen street since I warned the lad that we +would be there this night." + +"Have you met any others of the company?" + +"Yes, mayhap four or five, all of whom are loitering about with their +ears and eyes wide open; but I fancy they haven't caught much that would +be of value to our people at Cambridge." + +"Have you said to other than Silas or me that you count on getting +speech with Archie to-night?" + +"Never a word." + +"Then see that you don't. I have just left Seth Jepson, and because of +his questions it came to me he was eager to learn what we counted on +doing; but I gave him no satisfaction." + +Harvey soon set my mind at rest regarding his intention to keep our +secret, and then, still having in mind to find Silas before he should +leave the town, I roamed up School street, through Treamount, and down +Hanover until coming to Back street, when, having idled away the greater +part of the afternoon, I was so lucky as to come upon Hiram Griffin. + +Hurriedly I repeated to him that which Seth Jepson had told me, and he +replied with a grin: + +"I got all that three hours ago, and Silas will repeat it to our +friends. But doesn't the fact that Seth brought to you such news as +early as possible, go far toward showing that you were wrong in +suspecting him?" + +"Ay, that it does, and he spoke me so fairly, explaining at greater +length than when we first came together under the wharf, why he should +hold with the Tory lads, that I could not but believe, at least for the +time, in his loyalty. Now, however, having had an opportunity to turn +over in my mind his words, it seems as if he was too eager to prove his +desire to serve the Cause. But what of Archie?" I added, and Hiram +replied: + +"We are needing a cloudy night, or, what would be better, a pelting rain +storm before any attempt can be made toward setting the lad free. In +case you can keep secret your intention, and such a night comes while he +still remains where your comrade saw him, it strikes me the matter would +be plain sailing; but in the meanwhile have everything in readiness for +the venture." + +"Meaning what?" I asked. + +"First make sure of two skiffs--three would serve as well--, and have +them hidden at different places, that is to say, one in your ship-yard, +another off Barton's point, and the third on the shore of the Common. +That done, those who count on taking a hand should decide upon certain +hiding places to the end that if we succeeded in freeing the prisoner +and were pursued beyond the possibility of taking to the water, each +would know where he might best be secreted." + +"There are many such places," I replied. "First we might find lodgement +in the rope walk at Barton's point, or again at our old rendezvous; the +burying place near to the Bridewell has in it many a famous hide, as you +know full well. Greenleaf's yard, near the long warehouse, if you +chanced to come so far near the Neck--" + +"Show me some of these places," Hiram interrupted, "leading me by the +most direct way so that I may get my bearings to such purpose that it +will be possible to find them in the darkness." + +"You know full well how to get to the rendezvous." + +"Ay, we need spend no time over that." + +"Come with me to Barton's point," I said, now grown eager through +understanding that Hiram was ready to lay plans for the rescue, and +determined that no loitering of mine should put any obstacle in the way. + +Night was already come when I had completed the task of pointing out the +available hiding places near at hand, and then we two went to my +mother's house for supper. + +"I'm thinking we had best bottle up forty winks of sleep, if so be we +are to make a midnight visit to the prison, for no one can say whether +our business may not keep us a long while," Hiram said once his hunger +had been appeased, and, not waiting to learn what might be my opinion, +he went upstairs to my chamber. + +As a matter of course my mother was eager to know what might be afoot, +for she understood, because of our long absence and Hiram's words, that +something was in the wind, and therefore it was I told her what we +counted on doing, and all we hoped it might be possible to accomplish on +the first cloudy or stormy night. + +She, dear soul, had naught to say against our purpose, knowing that we +of the colonies were fully committed to the struggle against the king; +but she grieved because I was like to have so much of a hand in the +business. + +"With your father in the army it would seem as if a poor woman's only +son should be left at home to comfort and protect her. Yet I would not +say that which might prevent you from doing what your heart inclines to. +You have ever been a good boy, Luke, and it would indeed be a sad blow +to me should misfortune overtake you, therefore I pray that you be +careful and prudent, undertaking no hazardous enterprise which may be +avoided with honor and in view of your duty to the Cause." + +It goes without saying that I promised to keep in mind all she had said, +striving in so far as lay within my power to do what she desired. Then, +following Hiram's example, for mother had promised to waken us near to +ten of the clock; I went into the chamber where, despite all of +excitement which was in my mind, I speedily fell asleep by the side of +the widow's son. + +It seemed to me as if I had but just lost myself in the blissfulness of +slumber when mother wakened us with word that the time had come, and we +made ready to set out, Hiram, much to my surprise, taking from behind +the kitchen door a stout oaken stick, too long to be used as a cudgel. + +"For what purpose is that?" I asked curiously. + +"A whim of mine, lad." + +"But it is not a walking stick, nor could it be used in a fight," I said +laughingly, and he replied: + +"Ay, true for you, and yet on the night when the clouds have gathered in +the heavens, and your comrade Archie is still where he can be come at +with somewhat of ease, you may find this a very timely implement to +have." + +I failed utterly of understanding his meaning; but since he was not +disposed to make it plain I held my peace, and we two went out into the +night, not by way of the streets, but through the gardens, and along +alleys, where we might pass without coming in contact with the +Britishers, or with the patrol. + +Before we were well started on our devious way Hiram came to a full +halt, as he caught me by the arm and pointed toward the sky. + +For the instant I could not make out the meaning of his gesture, and +then it was I saw down in the south an inky mass of clouds which seemed +to be coming swiftly against the wind, and my heart leaped into my +mouth, for verily it seemed as if this would be the cloudy night we +desired. If that dark mass proved what it promised, there would be such +a downpour that the Britishers must keep themselves well within cover. + +I was trembling with excitement as we went on, believing the time for +our dangerous venture to be near at hand, and I prayed most fervently +that the tempest which was seemingly gathering upon us, would burst +before midnight. Then came a cold chill to my heart, as I realized that +I had not had time to gather the skiffs as Hiram advised, because of +having been occupied with showing him the best hiding places. + +I was nigh to tears as I said to myself that however advantageous the +night might be for our purpose, we could not profit by it because of +lacking means of leaving the town by water--as for thinking of going +across the Neck, if by any fortunate chance we succeeded in releasing +Archie, that would be out of the question so closely was the place +guarded. + +"It's a pity we hadn't spent a little time getting the skiffs into +convenient places, rather than looking for a chance to hide," Hiram +said as if to himself when we came up through Master Hayes's back yard +to Middle street, listening there for some token of the watch, for it +would be necessary to continue on as far as Hanover street by the +highway where there was no opportunity of concealment. + +"Then you believe this night would serve our purpose?" I said in what +you might call a tearful tone, for I was near to crying with vexation +because of having wasted a goodly part of the afternoon loitering about +the town when I might have had everything in readiness for a hasty +flight. + +"Ay, lad, yonder clouds mean plenty of rain and wind, and I am much +mistaken if within the hour the night be not so black and stormy that +you might pass in the same street a squad of Britishers, and they be +none the wiser." + +"And it may be a month before such an opportunity comes again," I said +mournfully. "We shall most like have storms in plenty; but never one at +exactly the right moment, as this promises." + +Hiram made no reply; but having satisfied himself there were no enemies +in the immediate vicinity he strode on in advance swiftly, carrying the +oaken stick on his arm as if it were a musket, and I could almost fancy +from his bearing that he had in mind some purpose which he would strive +earnestly to carry out, even though our preparations were not completed. + +That this purpose was the rescue of Archie, I need not say, for just +then we had none other, and I trembled with fear at the thought that we +might succeed in freeing the dear lad only to find ourselves pursued, +captured and clapped into prison with him, where we would be powerless +either to aid the Cause or to work to his advantage. + +Once at the corner of Hanover street it was possible for me to find the +way through gardens and waste land until we were come to Brattle street +church, from whence the journey to the prison must be made in the open. + +The clouds had gathered so quickly that by this time they veiled the +stars until one could hardly see ten paces in advance, therefore we had +little hesitation in going boldly to that place where we counted on +meeting Harvey Pearson, nor did we count in vain. The lad came out from +between two buildings as we approached, and seizing me by the arm, led +us into his hiding place where we might talk, if so be we spoke in +whispers, without danger of being overheard. + +"Archie is on the alert, and expects our coming," he said guardedly. +"Within ten minutes have I clambered up until getting a hold on the +window ledge where I could tap the glass, and he returned the signal, +therefore you need not linger long if you would have speech with him." + +"There is no reason why we shouldn't wait here to get our breath," Hiram +said in an odd tone. "I'm thinking it won't be a waste of time, and half +an hour more or less can make little difference to him since he must +perforce stay where he is." + +"How could you tap on the glass?" I asked of Harvey. "Are there no bars +outside that window?" + +"Ay, and in plenty; iron bars standing less than six inches apart; but +there was room to thrust my fingers between and thus come at the +glass." + +I turned suddenly to lay my hand upon the oaken stick which Hiram had +been carrying, understanding now for the first time to what purpose he +intended using it, and feeling, rather than seeing, my gesture, he +whispered: + +"Ay, lad, you have caught the idea at last. With this we should be able +to make short work of one or two of those bars, providing we are not +interrupted, and if so be there is thunder enough to drown whatsoever of +noise may be made." + +It was well nigh impossible for me to control myself so far as to act in +any way approaching a decent fashion. The knowledge that Hiram was not +only bent upon making an effort to rescue Archie that very night, but +had come prepared for it, and the weather promised to be all we could +desire, so wrought upon me that I was literally atremble with excitement +until it was difficult to remain in one place five seconds at a time. + +That Harvey was in a similar condition I could well understand, when he +asked in a whisper so tremulous that only with difficulty could I +understand the words: + +"Do you believe he counts on doing anything to-night?" + +Hiram overheard the question, spoken cautiously though it was, and +replied decisively: + +"Ay, lad, that's exactly what I count on doing, and save for the fact +that we have no boats ready, matters could not be more to our liking. In +less than half an hour, unless I have lost all power of judging the +weather, we are like to have as heavy a thunder gust upon us as this +town has ever seen. What more could be asked? How long think you we +might be forced to wait for another such opportunity?" + +"But the boats!" Harvey exclaimed. "Of what avail may it be to release +him from prison when the Britishers will make short work in their search +after the day has come?" + +"That part of the business is what we must take our chances on, lad. The +hardest portion of the work is to get him out of yonder jail, and that +done we'll trust to luck for the rest. Have you no skiffs in mind that +could be come upon by some search?" + +"There are boats in plenty near to Long wharf," Harvey replied; "but +there the Britishers have so many men on duty that what between their +guards, marines passing to and fro from the shore to the ships, and the +sentinels, it would be impossible to give them the slip." + +"How was Silas to get out of town?" Hiram asked, turning to me. + +"Master Fish has a skiff hidden near his smokehouse, and the lad was +counting on taking it." + +"In all this town do you know of none other?" and Hiram shook me +violently, as if he would force from my mouth that which he most desired +to know. + +"The skiffs belonging to our friends are hidden, for by General Gage's +orders all craft that could be found have been taken possession of by +the lobster backs. We might search a full day without coming upon any." + +"Well, as I have said, the first thing is to get the lad out of prison. +We'll trust to accident, chance, or whatever you choose to call it, for +the balance." + +[Illustration: "THE SECOND FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED ME THIS SCENE."] + +By this time the rain drops were beginning to fall in token of the +oncoming shower, and Hiram stretched out his hand to learn how heavy was +the downpour, for, screened as we were by the building, one could hardly +judge of what might be going on. + +Then came a flash of lightning, followed by a peal of thunder so loud +that we knew the heart of the storm was directly upon us, and clutching +Harvey and me by the arms Hiram literally burst, as it were, from our +hiding place, as he said: + +"Now has come the time; work quickly; have your wits about you, and +remember that to waste ten seconds may be the ruin of our plans." + +There was little need for Hiram to thus incite us. I was strung up to +the highest tension until it seemed as if all the nerves in my body had +suddenly been laid bare, and a moment appeared like a half-hour, so +keenly did I realize that the critical time had come. + +When we went out into the street the rain was falling like unto a second +deluge, and it seemed to me I had not taken a dozen steps before my +clothing was soaked with water; but I heeded it not save as cooling +application upon my fevered body. + +Harvey led us around the prison until we were come to the window of that +room where we believed Archie was still confined, and without waiting a +single second--it seemed almost as if while continuing the advance--, +Hiram thrust the end of his oaken stick between two center bars, +standing there like a statue waiting for the next volley of thunder. + +The second flash of lightning showed me this scene which is yet engraven +on my memory as if painted upon canvas: Hiram holding one end of the +heavy stick like a young giant; Harvey standing beside him looking up +with expectancy written on his face, and I crouching near by ready to +follow the slightest movement of our leader. + +Then came the heavy, deafening roll of thunder. Even in the darkness I +fancied I could see Hiram put all his weight and strength upon the oaken +lever, and I believed that the bars gave way; but so heavy was the +cannonading in the heavens that I could hear no sound, yet, as we +learned an instant later, he had not only fetched away the iron screen, +but crashed through the glass of the window. + +Whether Archie had been aware that we stood there ready to make this +supreme effort, I cannot say; but something must have warned him that +the time for action had come, because the crash of thunder had not died +away when I could see dimly his head and shoulders through the aperture. + +Hiram must have instantly thrown aside the stout lever which had thus +opened the way for Archie's liberty, because, moving with the quickness +of thought, he leaped up as does a cat, seizing the lad by the shoulders +and pulling him out into the street as if he had been no more than a +bundle of rags. + +During the merest fraction of time we stood silent and motionless, every +nerve aquiver, listening with bated breath for that fatal token which +would tell that the Britishers inside had been aroused, and then Hiram +pushed me forward violently as he said in a hoarse whisper: + +"Now then, lad, let your heels save your head, and make for Long +wharf." + +"But the Britishers!" I cried even as I obeyed his command. + +"Let them go hang, so that we find a boat wheresoever it may be. Before +this storm has come to an end we must be out of Boston town, or count on +taking up our quarters in this same prison." + +How we ran! Archie clasped my hand--there was no time for words--, and +we two led the way at a swifter pace than I ever showed before, or ever +expect to again; but even while putting forth every effort in the race +was my heart grown sore with fear, for truly did it seem that Hiram had +lost his wits to take such chances as would come if we tried to get from +the Britishers themselves means for leaving the town. + +"Better we had attempted to make our escape across the Neck," I said to +myself, burning to speak my thoughts to him who had thus far led us +safely, and yet not daring to slacken pace in order so to do. "There is +one chance in an hundred that we might get past the guards during the +tempest; but none whatsoever that we shall succeed in making our way by +water, for before we can lay hands on a boat we shall be overpowered." + +Luckily I did not dare slacken speed; fortunate was it indeed that Hiram +had his way in the matter, and that he urged us on even while we were +putting forth every effort. Had I been given command at that moment, +then it is almost the same as certain we had been taken before another +night came; but, thanks to the son of that good woman who fed us when we +were hungry, the seemingly impossible was accomplished. + +So rapid were our movements from the very beginning of the attempt at +rescue, that the thunder tempest was hardly grown to its height before +we gained the water front at Long wharf, and there to my amazement we +met no one; indeed, we might almost have touched shoulders with a dozen +and yet not been able to see them because of the darkness and the +seemingly unbroken sheets of water which descended. + +Now it was that Hiram took the lead, as if fearful lest our courage +might fail us, and wading waist-deep into the water alongside the wharf, +he came upon a small boat which was made fast stem and stern. + +We followed close at his heels, not because of belittling the danger; +but because there was no other course. The peril would have been greater +had we attempted to beat a retreat, and since it seemed to me that +capture was absolutely certain, we might as well go one way as another. + +Hiram had not stopped to unmoor the boat; but taking from his pocket a +knife, slashed here and there at the hawsers until she was adrift, and +the wind, driving from the south in furious gusts, sent her whirling in +the direction of Hudson's point as if impelled by a dozen pairs of oars. + +It was only by the merest accident that we lads succeeded in getting +aboard, for Hiram was like a fury unchained, giving no heed to anything +whatsoever save that goal which he had set before him. I only know that +Archie and I had been swept off our feet by the waves when the craft +whirled past us, yet we contrived to clutch the gunwale and were +dragged, as it seemed to me, an hundred yards before succeeding in +clambering aboard. + +Then it was my heart sank, for hurriedly looking around as best I could +in the darkness I made out but three forms, and cried in my fear and +agony: + +"We have freed Archie only to leave Harvey to drown or be taken +prisoner." + +"Here, help me in!" came from the stern of the craft, and stepping +quickly aft, hardly crediting the evidence of my ears, I felt two cold, +wet hands that were gripping the stern-board. + +Hiram gave no heed as Archie and I pulled the brave lad in; but was +fumbling about in search of oars that it might be possible for him to +guide the craft, and thus it was we were driven by the tempest from out +the very midst of the Britishers where they must have been as thick as +ants in a hill, although, fortunately for us, ill inclined to brave the +fury of the blast in the open. + +Every red-coated rascal on duty had sought some place of shelter, and +Hiram must have counted upon this fact when he decided that we would +despoil the enemy of at least one boat, at the same time taking chances +which seemed little short of madness. + +Hiram succeeded in finding that for which he sought, and when he was on +the forward thwart with a pair of oars in his hands, pulling only when +it was necessary to give her a sheer from the land, or toward it, he +said in the tone of one who speaks in a place of security: + +"I call that a mighty neat trick, and if so be you lads are lucky enough +to turn the tables once more on the Britishers in the same clean fashion +that we have done to-night, you can count yourselves on the way to earn +commissions in the American Army." + +"It is you who should have the commission, if this night's work counts +in the eyes of our people," I cried, determined that the brave fellow +should have all the credit due him. "Except you had forced us, we would +never have made such a venture, for when we left the prison it seemed to +me you were little better than a madman to make a try for that which has +turned out so happily." + +"There was little of madness in it, lad, when you count that we had +everything our own way. The only surprising part would have been that we +had come across a Britisher while the rain was pouring down as now. I +haven't seen overly many of the king's men; but those I have come across +took good care of their bodies, and hated like the mischief to do that +which might mar the beauty of their flashy uniforms." + +Then it was that Archie spoke for the first time since Hiram hauled him +neck and crop out through the shattered window: + +"If ever the time comes when I can repay you fellows for what you have +done this night, I'll strive hard to make the reckoning even." + +"You'll not do anything of the kind, lad, for we have done only our +duty. I'm hoping every one of us would have worked just as eagerly had +the prisoner been a stranger, for we who count on aiding the Cause must +reckon everyone who loves it, as a friend." + +It was Hiram who spoke, and his tone was so fervent, I might almost say +devout, that I was moved by it more than by the dangers through which we +had just passed, and came to understand better what it meant when we of +the colonies armed ourselves against the king's men. + +"I was expecting to see you because of what Harvey told me; but did not +think for a minute you would dare make any effort to set me free," +Archie said after a long pause, and Hiram added with a chuckle of mirth +which I could hear even above the whistling of the wind and the swish of +the waves: + +"It must have surprised you when that 'ere glass was broken in; but I +noticed it didn't take a great while to get your wits about you." + +"I had been warned. Standing near by the window when the lightning +flashed, I saw you, and knew what might be your purpose." + +"'Tis a great night for business like this," and again Hiram chuckled as +if the whole matter was a huge joke. "Here we are in one of his +majesty's own boats, snug as bugs in a wet rug, and being carried faster +than any ten-oared barge could move, we not raising a hand. Talk about +getting out of Boston town! I can't say that it is any great trick, and +we are going as comfortably as possible except, perhaps, that there's a +little too much water about. If this 'ere thunder gust holds out ten +minutes longer we should be well off the Penny ferry. It would give +Silas a good shaking up if we got into camp before he did," and Hiram +laughed long and loud, seeming to enjoy making a noise now that we were +the same as free from pursuit. + +Then it was that Harvey put me to shame by much the same as proving I +had not head enough to hold command of the Minute Boys. + +"I can see full well why Archie should go to Cambridge," he said, forced +almost to scream in order to make his words heard above the noise of the +tempest; "but what puzzles me is why Luke Wright and I are going? It +appears as if we were advertising the fact that we had a hand in the +lad's escape, whereas, by returning to our homes now, and showing +ourselves to-morrow morning in the usual places, no suspicion would be +aroused." + +Hiram stared at the speaker as if in surprise during a dozen seconds, +and then said emphatically: + +"That's no mean head you've got on your shoulders, lad, and it mixes me +up not a little because I was such a simple as not to have thought that +for you and Luke Wright to disappear at the exact time Archie did, would +be much the same as confessing that you had a hand in the neat little +trick done at the Britishers' prison." + +Now that Harvey had spoken, reminding me of my duty, I could understand +full well how foolish we would be to remain with Hiram and Archie. We +could gain nothing by going to Cambridge, because Silas was most like +already on his way there carrying such information as had been gathered, +and the dullest fellow that ever walked the streets of Boston town could +not fail to realize how much of trouble we might be laying up for +ourselves. Therefore it was that I asked quickly of Hiram whether or no +he could work the boat so far in shore that we might land. + +By this time we were well off Barton's point, having sailed around the +easterly end of the town, and the tempest was yet as fierce as when we +set off. + +"Bless your soul, lad, I can put her almost anywhere on this 'ere shore, +though I don't claim to be what you might call a sailor, nor even a good +imitation of one: but it's a mighty poor stick that can't work a pair of +oars." + +As he spoke he swung the little craft around to the westward, thus +bringing the full strength of the wind on the port side, which caused +her to make more leeway than headway. + +For some moments I was in doubt as to whether he might be able to work +the trick; but he showed himself on this occasion, as he did many times +in the days that came, a fellow bent upon accomplishing that which he +set out to do, and I verily believe he would have run his neck close +into a Britisher's noose rather than admit that this thing or the other +was impossible for him. + +The storm was well-nigh spent when Harvey and I leaped on shore near the +rope walk; but the wind yet blew strong and steadily so that the journey +might be continued without much labor, if so be Hiram counted on making +land at the Penny ferry. + +"We'll see you before many days have passed!" I cried to Archie, and he +replied: + +"I hope so, Luke Wright, for even though I am going among friends, out +of the king's prison, my heart is sore at parting." + +"Never fear but that we'll meet before growing gray headed," Hiram +added. "It's an even bet, though, that the two of us don't venture into +Boston town within the next ten days." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SUMMONS + + +It was as if this escape of Archie's had brought an end to anything of +excitement, so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, and to lads who +were burning with impatience to have a hand in great matters, it +appeared that our people were no longer striving to struggle against the +king. + +Harvey and I, after having been set ashore by Hiram Griffin, succeeded +in making our way down from Barton's point without meeting anyone who +offered to molest us. Perhaps because of the disagreeable weather the +patrol had sought shelter; but for whatsoever reason they seemingly +disappeared off the face of the earth I never troubled my head, since it +enabled us to gain our homes in safety. + +I had fancied a hue and cry would be raised next morning, when it was +discovered that Archie had unceremoniously taken his departure from the +prison; but, so far as concerned the outside world, it was as if nothing +had happened. The lobster backs held their peace; but I was not such a +simple as to believe no effort would be made toward learning who had +given him assistance. + +On that morning when I went down to Dock square after having spent four +or five hours in bed; it was with nervous trembling that I came upon a +red uniform, whosoever the wearer, fearing lest I might be charged with +having aided in the escape of a prisoner. + +No one appeared to give any attention to me however, and then I listened +for a proclamation by the town crier; but none met my ears, neither did +I see printed notices of any kind referring to Archie. + +During the forenoon I came upon Seth Jepson, and believed it was from +him I would first learn the news; but if that lad had any inkling of the +matter he kept a close tongue in his head. Question as I might, it was +impossible to get from him a single word on the matter, and I finally +came to believe he remained in ignorance of the previous night's doings, +more particularly after he asked me with such an innocent air that I +could not believe it assumed, if we did not propose to make some effort +for the relief of our comrade. + +He had nothing of importance to report, and I left him in Dock square +loitering about in the hope of overhearing some conversation among the +lobster backs which would interest our friends at Cambridge, as I went +boldly through Queen street. + +There it was I met Harvey Pearson, who had come upon much the same +errand as I, and when we were within speaking distance he asked +anxiously: + +"Have you heard anything?" + +"So far not a word. I have just left Seth Jepson, and it is evident he +has failed of learning the news." + +"Can it be the lobster backs haven't missed him yet?" Harvey asked, and +I proposed what might seem reckless: + +"Let us walk past the prison and see if anything has been done toward +mending that window." + +This we did, taking care, however, not to gaze too intently at the walls +of the jail; but seeming to have our attention attracted toward the +opposite side of the street, yet before we were well come up to the +scene of the previous night's adventure it was possible to see that the +mischief wrought by Hiram Griffin had been partially repaired. The bars, +which he had bent with his oaken stick, were not yet straightened, but +had been put into place after a fashion, and the shattered window was +closed with heavy planks. + +There was no longer any question but that the Britishers were well aware +their prisoner had given them the slip, yet why they failed to raise a +hue and cry passed all my understanding. If searchers had been sent out +in the hope of capturing the fugitive, neither Harvey nor I had chanced +to come upon them, which was the more strange because there were many +so-called rebels who lived near to my home, and such section of the town +would have seemed to be the best hunting ground for the red-coats. + +Chew it over as we might, neither Harvey nor I could make head nor tail +of the matter. Both of us had the good sense to realize that it was best +to let sleeping dogs lie, and the less inquisitive we showed ourselves +to be regarding Archie, the least likelihood there was we would bring +suspicion upon ourselves. + +And now, because during the week that followed nothing of import +happened so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, I will pass over that +time with as few words as may be. + +During these days Hiram failed to keep his word in regard to coming +back; Archie remained in camp as a matter of course, since it would have +been the height of folly for him to venture into Boston, and it was as +if Silas had decided to stay with the army. + +Seth Jepson seemed striving to show himself exceedingly busy in the work +that had been set him, and took advantage of every opportunity to report +the lightest word he heard from the enemy; but, however, bringing +nothing of importance which would warrant the sending of a message to +our people. + +Harvey and I came to the conclusion that the Britishers believed it best +to keep secret the fact that a prisoner could escape so readily, and +since Archie was no great catch, having been taken into custody only +because found prowling around the streets at night, they were fairly +willing to let go their grip of him. + +During this time, however, General Gage had not been idle. It will be +remembered that I have set down the substance of an agreement between +the selectmen of the town and the king's representative, to the effect +that any person so disposed might leave the town, after having deposited +his weapons at Faneuil Hall. + +I have also stated what Master Nelson and Master Landers had discussed, +and it seemed that the Tories of Boston exerted considerable influence +over General Gage, for after having allowed a few of the people to go +out with their household belongings under the protection of a pass +signed by himself, the governor put his foot down against any women or +children leaving. It was much the same as if he had said he would not +keep his pledged word. + +We, who were shut up in Boston, learned that the people of Charlestown, +who formerly numbered nearly three thousand, had become so alarmed that +they left their homes, believing the Americans in Cambridge could afford +them better protection than might be had from the king's hirelings. So +thoroughly panic stricken were the inhabitants, that it was said no more +than two hundred now remained in the village. + +We heard now and then of this colony or of that sending troops or money +to our aid, although how the news came I cannot say, and it was +whispered among the people who were true to the Cause, that Rhode Island +had sent as many as fifteen hundred men under Brigadier Nathaniel +Greene. + +Connecticut voted to raise six thousand soldiers, and the Provincial +Congress passed an act authorizing the enrollment of two thousand troops +in addition to those who were already in the field. + +Nor did the Britishers content themselves with the large force already +in Boston. The Cerberus man-of-war came into the harbor having on board, +in addition to the troops, three generals: Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne. + +It was as if General Gage had until this time considered his army too +small to cope with our people, but now that new troops were arrived, +increasing his force to at least ten thousand men, he gathered courage +to impose yet further upon us, and issued a proclamation which declared +the town under martial law, stating in the document that all our people +who favored the Cause were "rebels, parricides of the Constitution." He +offered a free pardon to all who would swear to serve the king loyally, +with the exception of Masters John Hancock and Samuel Adams. These last +two he declared traitors, and offered a reward for their capture. + +We in Boston had had but little liberty under the British rule, and now +were to be treated more like prisoners than before, for any red-coat +holding the king's commission could seize us on the streets, or even +take us from our homes, without form of law; but simply because of his +own whim or suspicion. + +I had more than once, at the time when it was believed General Gage +would be gentleman enough to keep his word and allow the citizens to +leave the town, urged upon my mother that she seek safety near the +American army, but she, dear soul, hesitated to abandon her home, and I +failed to insist as strongly as I might have done, fearing lest her +going would involve mine also, thus depriving me of an opportunity to +serve the Cause with my company. + +Then came the time when the Britisher who called himself a gentleman, +went back on his word, refusing to allow women or children to go out +from the town, and there was no longer an opportunity for her to escape. + +As the days rolled on and we neither saw those of our number who had +fled to Cambridge, nor were called upon for any service, it began to +appear to me as if I need not have been so eager to remain in Boston +because of the Minute Boys, since most like there were so many men +joining the American army that lads were no longer considered of any +account. + +Then came the day when Hiram Griffin suddenly appeared, coming to my +home at the moment when my mother and I were breaking our fast, and one +might have fancied from his manner and the business-like way in which he +spoke, that no more than a dozen hours had passed since we last saw him. + +I literally overwhelmed him with questions, so eager was I to learn of +Archie, and what progress our people might have been making against the +king which had not come to us in Boston, until before each had satisfied +the other's curiosity the forenoon was nearly half spent. + +He told me that he and my comrade had arrived at Cambridge the morning +after the escape, having encountered no danger on the way, and being +forced to land at the Penny ferry owing to the fact that the wind blew +so strongly they could not hope to pull the boat down to the Charles +river. Silas had gained the encampment and unfolded his budget of news +before they arrived. + +From some of our people who came out of the town under pass from General +Gage, it was learned that no action had been taken by the Britishers +regarding Archie's escape, yet it was not safe for him to venture into +Boston. Silas had remained with the army because, so his father +believed, there was no real need of his coming back until work had been +found for us Minute Boys to do. Master Brownrigg claimed that there were +enough of us in town to get all the information regarding the Britishers +that could be desired. In fact, as Hiram represented it, there was +little need for us lads to act the part of spies while so many of our +people could procure a British pass. + +Now, however, was come the time when we lads, were called upon to show +of what metal we were made, and, therefore, Hiram had been sent to +summon the Minute Boys; not on an expedition of a warlike nature, much +to my sorrow, but simply to aid in the work of gathering supplies for +the army at Cambridge. + +Our soldiers numbered no less than sixteen thousand, so Hiram assured +me, and while the people from the country round about gave generously +from their stores, it was a difficult matter for the leaders, all +unprepared as they were to care for such a body of men, to keep up the +supply of provisions. It had been decided that, not only in order to +provide rations for our own people, but to aid in cutting off food from +the enemy, the farms on the islands near to Boston were to be ravaged +and everything eatable, whether belonging to friend or foe, was to be +transported to Cambridge, if indeed that might be done. + +Now it seems, as I learned later, for he himself was all too modest to +admit having been given command of an important undertaking, that Hiram +had been charged with the work of seizing on Noddle and Hog islands such +provisions as might be found, to which end he was provided with two +small sloops, and had selected from the army four men whom he could +trust to aid him in the task. + +As a matter of course such small force was all insufficient to perform +the necessary labor; but he had hit upon the plan of impressing us +Minute Boys into service, and therefore it was that during the night, +and despite the strict guard kept by the Britishers, one of his vessels, +taking advantage of a stiff breeze, had set him ashore near to Hudson's +point, from which place he made his way to my home. + +"Now this is my plan;" he said to me when we were done with swapping +information. "You have from now until nearly midnight to call your +company together at the rope walk where I landed. Sometime between then +and daybreak my comrades will either come near to the land in one of the +sloops, or send two or three boats to bring you off, and an hour after +sunrise, if so be everything goes as I have reckoned, we will be putting +aboard a cargo of such stuff as shall fill the stomachs of those who are +loitering near to Cambridge awaiting a good chance to slap his majesty +in the face." + +At the time it did not appear to me we Minute Boys were called upon to +play any very heroic part in the so-called "rebellion." It seemed that +there would be little of glory gained in loading the sloops with live +stock, wheat and corn, and yet before the task was accomplished we +Minute Boys of Boston saw what was a veritable battle, although on a +small scale, but with as good an opportunity of shedding one's blood as +the most ardent warrior could have desired. + +I smile even at this late day when I think of what a simple I showed +myself to be while setting about the task, for on summoning my comrades +I was ashamed to tell them we were to work like drovers and farmers +rather than as soldiers, therefore led each to understand we were bent +on some secret mission to an island near by. And when one and another +speculated as to the possible danger to be encountered, or of the +opportunities of showing ourselves worthy to be called soldiers, I +nursed such fancies until they believed we were going as an independent +company to slaughter or to capture whole squads of trained, red-coated +soldiers. + +As a matter of course I set about the work of getting speech with each +of my company immediately Hiram had finished explaining matters, and so +difficult was it to find them all, scattered about the town as they +were, that night had come before I returned to my home. + +Then I had succeeded in warning every member of the company, even +including Seth Jepson, to be at the rope walk on Barton's point, +recommending that they come singly, rather than in couples or squads, so +that there might be less chance to arouse suspicion, and right weary was +I from much running to and fro. + +Mother had made ready a hearty supper because of my having fasted at +noon, and Hiram and I ate until the wonder was that we were not so heavy +as to be incapable of active exercise. But when we set out for the +rendezvous I speedily learned that whether my companion had spared the +food, or devoured more than his share, it was possible for him to move +at such a pace as caused me to breathe quickly and hard in the effort to +keep at his heels. + +It is not to be supposed that we could go from my home to Barton's point +through the streets without coming upon some of the lobster backs, for +since the town was put under martial law the watch had been replaced by +soldiers, and there were so many of them patrolling the streets 'twixt +sunset and sunrise that one could hardly poke his nose outside the door +without brushing it against half a dozen. + +We were not delayed in the short journey, however, because of my +familiarity with the gardens and byways on the route, which admitted of +our making fair progress while shunning the streets, and he who could +have pounced upon us would indeed have been a quicker-witted lobster +back than I have yet seen. + +When we arrived at the rope walk we found some of the lads overly +impatient, as indeed they had good cause to be, for those whom I warned +earlier in the day had gone immediately to the rendezvous, therefore +were forced to cool their heels there from six to eight hours, which +must have seemed a long time when you realize that they were literally +burning with impatience to play the part of soldiers, and I could not +but ask myself with somewhat of anxiety, how they might view the +situation when coming to understand that they were to be employed as +drovers, or in carrying bags of grain from the shore to the vessels? + +"Are they all here?" Hiram asked me when standing beneath the shelter of +a lean-to which served as store-house, as he surveyed my company. + +"Ay, every one of them," I replied carelessly, believing it was possible +to see them all, and as I spoke Harvey Pearson piped up in his shrill +voice: + +"All save Seth Jepson. An hour ago he suddenly remembered that he must +attend to some work which his mother had laid out for him, and went off +at full speed, promising to come back before you showed yourselves." + +"So! He's the lad you believed might have a leaning toward Toryism," +Hiram said sharply as he wheeled about to face me, and on the instant I +understood that he doubted the truth of Seth Jepson's excuse for leaving +the company. + +"How long did he stay here?" I asked of Harvey, whom I knew to have been +one of the first to arrive at the rendezvous. + +"Perhaps a couple of hours. I did not take much heed of the time +because we were all speculating as to what duty might be required of us, +and therefore the minutes passed swiftly." + +"Are all the others here?" and Hiram turned once more to me. + +In order to be certain this time I called the names of each lad in turn, +and, counting them, found we had thirteen present, which, with Archie +and Silas, whom Hiram said were on board one of the sloops, made up our +full number. + +It could readily be seen that Griffin was sorely disturbed in mind +because of Seth's absence, and his uneasiness was speedily shared by +Harvey and me as we put our heads together, trying to make out how the +lad might do us harm. + +Once more I came to believe him an arrant Tory who had joined the +company only that he might betray it. This was the first opportunity he +had had to play the traitor, and it seemed of a verity he counted to +take advantage of it, understanding that now was come the time when the +king's men might find us in unlawful assemblage with a member of the +American army in our midst. + +"He had no chance to betray us before, and has therefore acted as if his +desires and ours run in the same channel," I said bitterly to Harvey, +striving in vain to hit upon some plan by which we could thwart Seth's +purpose. "Now has come the time when he may lay us all by the heels, and +he intends to do it as surely as you and I stand here." + +"Ay, so it appears to me," Harvey replied. "It is not reasonable to +suppose the fellow would have left home knowing he was like to be gone +several days, without first having made everything ready for his +absence. Thus suddenly remembering something his mother told him to do, +is a childish excuse, and shows that he thinks we are a party of idiots +to take any stock in him." + +"How long think you would it take a lad to go from here to the +governor's house, have speech with him, and come back?" Hiram asked, and +I knew full well he was trying to figure how many moments of freedom +were left to us. + +Harvey declared it might be done in less than two hours; but I was of +the mind that much more time would be required, because even a Tory lad +would not speedily be admitted into the presence of his high-mightiness, +Governor Gage. Then there were the chances that this governor sent by +the king might not be at home, or, receiving Seth at once, some little +time would be required to muster a squad of soldiers, for it was likely +that if they counted on taking into custody thirteen lads and a man a +considerable show of force would be made. Therefore it was I set it down +as three hours before we had good right to expect any result from Seth's +sudden remembrance of his mother's desires. + +"We'll make it two hours and run no risk," Hiram said after a moment's +thought, and fell to pacing to and fro as if struggling to solve some +question which he found difficult of answer. + +Little was said by us lads as we stood there beneath the shelter of the +lean-to. Each realized that in a short time he might be a prisoner, and +all knew, or believed they knew, that there was much trouble in store +for us through Seth Jepson. + +During an hour I believe the only words I heard spoken were concerning +what this lad or that would do to the traitor when the opportunity came, +until tiring of hearing such idle words I said to Harvey impatiently: + +"It is of little use for us who are in the frying pan to talk about +throwing another into the fire. Instead of striving to decide how you +may serve out Seth Jepson, when it is likely he will get the first blow +at us, spend your time hunting for a means of escape, if so be the +lobster backs come upon us." + +"There is nothing to be done in that line," one of the lads said +bitterly, "unless perchance we turn tail now and go to our homes. Then +would Seth Jepson be in a pretty muddle because of having led the +lobster backs here on what appeared as a false scent." + +This idea caught the fancy of many. By our dispersing instantly Seth +would seemingly show himself a lad ready to make mischief among the +king's people. It would be a mighty neat way of turning the tables on +the traitor, and right thoroughly would I have loved to do it but for +the fact that we would be abandoning Hiram. + +Before many minutes had passed I came to understand that there was +certain danger of our failing in this the first real work which had been +given us to do, for as the lads discussed the matter they became more +and more impressed with the idea of hoodwinking the traitorous Tory and +the lobster backs at the same time. They began to believe it would be of +more importance thus to prove Seth a liar, than to join in the business +on which Hiram was engaged. + +It required all the arguments I could bring to mind, to hold them there +in a body, and so insistent on carrying out their plan did some of them +become, that I was forced to call on Hiram, who speedily put an end to +their insubordination by saying in a scornful tone: + +"A fine set of lads are you to call yourselves Minute Boys, who haven't +learned that a soldier's first and last duty is to obey! Because of +seeing some chance to play a trick on a scurvy Tory, you would +straightway throw all orders to the wind, leaving me to return to +Cambridge to make report that the Minute Boys of Boston refuse to follow +where duty calls. Do you not realize that if Seth Jepson brought the +lobster backs here, and failed to find you, he would give to whatsoever +officer accompanied him the name of each and every one, to the end that +'twixt now and morning you might be ferreted out and lodged in prison? +There's like to be two ends to such a trick as you would play, and I'm +thinking he would come out best in the end." + +"But by staying we are like to be taken into custody, if so be your +vessels or boats fail to come on time," one of the company suggested, +and Hiram replied in ringing words: + +"Ay, and then would you have no reason for shame, since to be captured +while performing a duty is often the fate of a soldier, and does not +work to his discredit; but suppose you refuse to obey the orders which I +have brought, and then are taken, like rats in their nests, false to the +Cause, false to your friends, and false to yourselves? How about it +then?" + +It was as if he had lashed them with a whip. The lads shrank back into +the further corner of the lean-to as if unable to stand against his +anger and scorn, and I noted well that those who talked the loudest of +the pleasure of playing the trick on Seth, were showing the greatest +fear of Hiram. + +It was all very well, however, to speak of doing our duty; but not so +pleasant to remain there with no means of escape, knowing beyond a +peradventure that within a couple of hours at the longest the lobster +backs would be upon us. While there was no thought in my mind of +sneaking away, I was frightened by the prospect before me, and all the +more so because Hiram appeared so disturbed. He went from the building +to the edge of the water twenty times in as many minutes, striving to +pierce the gloom with his eyes, hoping to see the boats which, according +to his arrangements, should have been there before then. + +Finally, when he had remained on the shore gazing seaward longer than +usual, I went to him and asked in a whisper: + +"Is there any chance they may have mistaken your plans, and will fail to +come to-night?" + +"None whatever, lad, unless some accident has befallen them, for +everything was mapped out as plainly as could be done by words. It was +on Hog island we were to do our first work; one of the sloops was to go +there, while the other, towing all our small boats, should have been off +this point an hour ago." + +"What is to be done?" I asked helplessly. + +"Nothing save stand here and take our medicine like men. We won't give +over hope until the last minute, for even when the red-coats are in +sight, there may be a chance for us to slip off in the darkness if so be +the boats are at hand." + +Then came a weary time of waiting which seemed long because of our +anxiety. I could well fancy there was in the mind of every lad, as in +mine, a picture of the prison into which we would speedily be thrust, +and thus an end be put to all our dreams of glory that was to come while +working for the Cause. + +As the minutes passed and we failed to hear any sound from out over the +waters betokening the coming of those who were to meet us, it was only +with difficulty I refrained from crying aloud in my impatience and fear, +and when one of the boys moved suddenly, breaking the silence, I started +in alarm, believing the lobster backs were close at hand. + +When two full hours had passed, and we knew beyond a peradventure that +Seth had played the traitor, it seemed as if our time of trial was close +at hand. Hiram paced to and fro along the shore, ceasing either to +return to the building, or make reply when I attempted to speak with +him. All his mind was fixed upon that vague space in the darkness from +out of which he was striving to see that which we so sorely needed, and +then when it did come he was like unto one who has received a cruel +blow. Staggering as if drunken, he said hoarsely to me who chanced to be +standing by his side: + +"They are coming, and just in time to save our necks, for I question +whether the red-coats would give us much more of a breathing spell!" + +The lads who had been crouching in the lean-to, most like trembling with +fear, now rushed out to where Hiram and I stood knee-deep in the water +as if the enemy was so near that a few more inches of distance might +save us, and there we remained, alternatingly turning landward expecting +to hear the tread of armed men, and straining our eyes into the gloom +to see more clearly the approaching boats. + +The first craft which came ashore brought Archie Hemming, and no sooner +did her bow grate upon the shingle than he leaped over, clasping me in +his arms as if I had only recently escaped from the grave, but to my +mind there was no time to indulge in any show of affection, and almost +thrusting him from me, I whispered: + +"It is plain Seth Jepson has played the traitor, by going after the +lobster backs to take us into custody while we remain here. There is no +time to be lost; we must embark on the instant." + +There was little need for me to urge that the moments were precious. + +As three boats, one after another, came up to the shore, our company of +Minute Boys leaped into them until each had its full cargo, and I +believe not more than four minutes passed from the time Archie had +clasped me in his arms before we pushed off and were heading out into +the darkness toward where the sloop lay. + +And we had left that shore none too soon, for our little fleet could +hardly have been swallowed up by the gloom before we heard the tramp of +men, and a few seconds later came the sound of angry voices, telling of +the Britishers' disappointment in failing to trap us. + +We had turned a neater trick on Seth Jepson than would have been +possible had we gone back to our homes when the matter was first +suggested, for now he might indeed give our names to the king's +officers; but they would fail to find us in Boston town, and who could +say when we had left? + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOG ISLAND + + +We were safe on board the sloop, which lay about half a mile from the +shore, and once there I ceased to speculate overmuch as to what might be +the result of Seth Jepson's treachery. That he had proven himself a +traitor there was no longer the slightest chance for doubt, and I was +resolved that if my life was spared the day should come when he would +pay a heavy penalty for his dastardly crime. + +Now, however, he had no part in our lives, nor would it be in his power +to work us a wrong unless we might make an attempt to enter Boston town +while the Britishers held possession. + +For the time being it was enough that our company was at last fully +embarked upon some service which had to do with the Cause, and while it +would have pleased me beyond the power of words to express, if we had +been called for some service with more of danger and more befitting +soldiers than that of the transportation of grain, I was in a certain +degree content, even if for no other reason than that our people at +Cambridge had remembered there was such a company as the Minute Boys of +Boston. + +No time was lost in getting under way for the short voyage to Hog +island. It seemed to me that Hiram Griffin believed every moment +precious, for he urged the crew of the sloop to their utmost, and once +we were on our course, he questioned the helmsman if he was steering in +as nearly a straight line as might be possible. + +As may be supposed, Archie, Silas and I came together immediately we +gained the deck of the sloop, for there was much we had to say to each +other, although the lads so lately from Cambridge could not tell me more +concerning the doings of our people than Hiram had already done. + +Archie would have spent the time giving words to his gratitude because +of what Harvey, Hiram and I had done toward effecting his release; but I +was not minded thus to waste the precious moments when he might, +instead, be telling me what he had seen while with our army. + +We three were talking fast and earnestly, having ample food for +conversation; but I took heed to the efforts which Hiram was making +toward a speedy arrival at our destination, and my curiosity became so +great I could not refrain from asking if he feared pursuit. + +"I do not _fear_ it lad; but according to my way of thinking the chances +are more than even we shall be followed speedily, for those lobster +backs whom Seth Jepson led to the rope walk will be thick-headed indeed +if they fail to understand that we left Boston town by water. It is +possible they may charge him with having led them on a wild goose chase; +but I'm not figuring that such will be the case." + +"And you believe they may come in pursuit?" + +"Well, it will amount to much the same thing, though I allow that their +chief purpose won't be to take us into custody." + +"Why then should they give chase?" I asked in surprise, and Hiram +replied in a low tone, as if he feared lest the other lads might +overhear him: + +"You must know that our people in Cambridge are not the only ones who +need to be fed. The king's men are famous meat-eaters, and General Gage +is not such a simple but that he has understood some time since that two +birds might be killed with one stone if he acted promptly. To prevent us +from getting supplies in the country back of Boston town would be +impossible; but he can take steps to stop us from picking up what may be +found on the islands, and in so doing not only deprive the Americans of +such an amount of food, but take possession of it for his own troops." + +I grew so surprised as he went on with his explanations that it had been +impossible to interrupt him. While he had told to me in Boston what our +people would have the Minute Boys do, I fancied it was the simplest of +tasks, being all labor and no danger. Now, however, I was coming to +understand that while acting as drovers we might find employment as +soldiers, and when he ceased speaking I said in a whisper: + +"Would you resist in case the king's men came upon us while we were +taking a cargo on board?" + +"Ay, that I would, if so be they had no larger force than two to our +one." + +"Have you then soldiers on board the other sloops?" I asked, not yet +understanding his purpose. + +"Indeed I have not; where would be the need of others when here are all +the Minute Boys of Boston?" he said laughingly. + +"But while the Minute Boys may be ready to resist the king's men, they +could not make much of a fist at it without weapons, and we have nothing +of the kind." + +"In that you are making a mistake. There are on board the other sloop +muskets and ammunition enough to serve us through quite a battle, if so +be you lads have what is needed in the way of backbone." + +"Then there is a chance we may have to fight with the lobster backs?" I +cried, forgetting that in event of an encounter more than one, perhaps, +of our company might be killed, so eager was I that the Minute Boys +should have an opportunity of showing what they could do. + +"I count it more than a chance, lad. It is an even thing, according to +my way of thinking, now that your precious Tory has given notice to the +Britishers of our intention. Unless all hands of them are asleep, one or +more vessels will be sent out to-morrow morning to overhaul us, +therefore it is I am eager to begin the work of taking on cargo as +speedily as may be, so that if they come upon us with too large a force +we shall be ready for flight, and not go away empty-handed." + +I was near to blessing Seth Jepson because of having played the traitor, +since it might result in our winning a name for the Minute Boys, and +without delay I went back to my comrades, hurriedly giving them to +understand that at last our company was to be armed as befitted +soldiers, even though we were lads, and, what was to me the more +gratifying, it was possible that we would be called upon to measure +strength with the lobster backs. + +From this moment all was excitement among our lads. I question if there +was one of them who did not, like myself, fail to count the danger, +because of his eager desire to prove that we might be trusted to do the +work of men. + +The sloop was a dull sailor, or so it seemed to us lads who were burning +with impatience to come up with the other vessel that we might get the +weapons in our hands, for only then would it appear as if we were real +soldiers of the American army. + +We could not quicken the movements of the sluggish craft fret as we +might, and when, as balm to my impatience, I would have talked with +Hiram concerning the possibilities of the future, he showed no further +inclination to converse on the matter, thus proving, as I believed, that +he was more anxious concerning the outcome of the venture than he would +permit us to see, all of which was most gratifying because it accorded +well with my desires. + +Despite the apparently slow progress of the sloop, we were come to +anchor between Noddle and Hog islands before there were any signs of +coming day, and it can well be fancied that we Minute Boys lost no time +in taking possession of the weapons. + +These, together with the ammunition, had been stored in the cuddy of the +sloop, and after each of us lads had selected a musket I saw there were +no less than a dozen remaining, while of powder and balls it seemed to +me the amount was so great that we could not use it all even though we +loaded and discharged our muskets with reasonable rapidity during an +entire day. + +While we were thus engaged in what might seem to some like a childish +fashion, Hiram had seen to it that the two sloops were warped in as +close to the shore as was possible without danger of their going +aground. The holds of the vessels had been cleared, the hatches removed, +tackles for hoisting gotten into place, and, in fact, everything made +ready for the taking on of a cargo. + +By this time day was come, although the sun had not yet risen, and Hiram +began the work in hand by asking me to call the names of three lads who +should be left on board the sloops as sentinels, and when I had done as +was desired, he said to them, speaking gravely and with the air of one +who sees in the future more of danger than he is willing to admit: + +"You lads are to keep sharp watch. Do not let your attention be drawn to +the shore, for nothing threatens from that quarter; but remain +constantly on the alert for approaching vessels. Don't fail to give an +alarm the instant you make out a craft bearing to the eastward after +passing Morton's point. It may be that the lives of all of us who go +ashore will depend on your faithful discharge of duty, therefore act as +soldiers should. When you have made certain that any vessel, or boat +with a considerable number of men on board, is coming in this direction, +discharge one of the muskets, after which make ready to help us on board +with whatsoever we may bring." + +Then Hiram, together with the remainder of us Minute Boys and the men he +had brought with him to work the sloops, went on shore, and at the first +farmer's dwelling we came upon I understood that our visit was not +unexpected. + +Fifty or more sheep were penned in a small enclosure, and John Weston, +the owner of the land, together with his son, were busily engaged +putting grain into bags that it might the more readily be transported. + +We began our work by stacking arms and setting to at the task of +carrying the sheep to the shore, bundling them into the small boats, and +then pulling out to the sloops. + +Where there were so many laborers the task was soon completed, and then +came the more fatiguing portion of the business, meaning the +transportation of the grain. + +However, we set to it with a will for there was one more farm on Hog +island which should be visited, and Hiram, fearing lest we might be +interrupted, urged us to our utmost. + +The day was warm; the bags of grain far too heavy for easy handling, and +in a short time I was so weary that but for Hiram's shouts of +encouragement or reproaches, I should have ceased work for a short time +of rest. + +It was just at the moment when I had made up my mind to declare I could +not continue the labor until after having a breathing spell, that the +report of a musket rang out on the still air so startlingly that each +fellow who had a burden dropped it to look hastily about, and those who +were empty-handed, including Hiram, ran with all speed to the shore. + +I was among the foremost, and having reached a bend where it was +possible to get a fairly good view to the westward, an exclamation of +dismay burst involuntarily from my lips as I saw a schooner-rigged craft +coming around the westerly end of Noddle island. + +"It's bound to be the Britishers!" some one near me exclaimed, and I +replied, speaking somewhat petulantly because of my fears: + +"Who else could it be, coming from that quarter? Our people would not +despatch a craft of that size after having sent two sloops, and +therefore it may be we'll have use for that ammunition 'twixt now and +noon." + +Hiram had arrived at the shore almost on my heels, and having taken a +good look at the oncoming craft cried: + +"Now is the time when you must work lively, lads, in order to get all +the grain aboard if it be possible! We have a good hour before us, +according to the way yonder craft is sailing, and should be able to +clean up all that John Weston has made ready for us." + +Then, as we lads started on a run for the farm-house, he shouted to the +watchers on deck: + +"Don't lose sight of that vessel for an instant, and give the signal +when she is come up to yonder small fir tree on Noddle island!" + +Having said this he turned about to work as desperately as ever man +could, crying out against him who lagged ever so little, and encouraging +by words and example those who were putting forth every effort. + +I dare venture to say that Farmer Weston's grain was never handled more +quickly than on this occasion, and we had all of it aboard, with the +exception of mayhap ten bags, when a cry from the shore warned us that +the enemy had approached to within the distance set by our leader. + +Now it must be borne in mind that all these goods had been put aboard +one of the sloops, leaving the other clean, so far as concerned a cargo, +and I was not a little surprised when Hiram gave the word for the four +men to go on board the laden vessel to make ready for getting under way. +Then we lads were sent into the empty craft, in which was stored the +ammunition, and word was given to "up anchor and hoist the canvas." + +"Is it a case of running away?" I asked sharply of the leader, who, with +half a dozen of the lads, was swaying down on the mainsail, and he +replied, speaking with difficulty because of his heavy breathing: + +"One of the sloops will try to run away; but it won't be ours." + +I now understood full well what was his plan. We were to engage the +enemy in a regular battle so that the other sloop, laden with +provisions, might succeed in going free. I am willing to confess that +despite all my previous longings to show myself worthy of being a +soldier, the cold chill of fear began to run up and down my spine, as I +realized that the time was come when we must strive to kill while others +were doing their best to shed our blood. + +I question much, now that I have taken part in other conflicts, whether +any one, man or lad, ever looks forward to an action at arms without a +certain degree of uneasiness, even of fear. If there had been on board +the laden sloop a party of our people whom we were struggling to save, +then there would have been something heroic in thus engaging in an +unequal struggle to the end that better lives than ours might not be +taken. As it was, however, we would be fighting for a lot of sheep and a +certain amount of grain, which seemed to me worthless in comparison +with the life of any one member of the company. + +I failed to take heed of the fact that by getting the cargo past the +Britishers, thus preserving it for the use of our people, we might be +sparing those who had devoted themselves to the Cause much of suffering +by way of hunger, and this would be a good and sufficient reason why we +should shed our blood. + +All this which I have set down passed through my mind as does a flash of +lightning across a darkened sky, and meantime we were forging toward the +schooner, while the second sloop was being got under way more leisurely, +swinging around in such position that we remained between her and the +Britishers. + +By this time it was possible to see clearly those who stood on the +schooner's deck, and, as nearly as I could judge, that mass of red which +showed amid-ships was made up of no less than twenty soldiers, all fully +armed, and with the sunlight glistening upon bayonet and buckle until it +seemed as if each piece of metal was throwing off a tiny jet of flame. + +Nearer and nearer did we draw to this danger, while the other sloop was +creeping around to northward, ready to take advantage of the southerly +breeze when we had put ourselves into position to prevent pursuit on the +part of the Britishers, and in the meanwhile Silas, Harvey and Hiram +were bringing ammunition into the cabin, distributing among the Minute +Boys a generous supply of powder and balls. + +I believe that no more than two hundred yards separated our sloop from +the schooner when Hiram said in a low tone, but one which thrilled me +to the marrow: + +"If we would aid the Cause, lads, now has come the time when each must +stand to his musket without sign of fear, whatever may be in his heart. +There is no chance a fight can be avoided, unless so be you are willing +to show the white feather by turning tail. Remember that not every +British bullet finds its billet, for the king's men are known to be +mighty poor marksmen, however soldierly their appearance. When the +scrimmage opens, set about the work of shooting down those who have come +to oppress us yet more bitterly, as if you were firing at squirrels. +Don't waste your shot; but take careful aim. Now let each lad conceal +himself as best he may under the rail so that no more than his head and +arms be exposed to view." + +This little speech heartened me wonderfully, as I know it did many of +the other lads, because their faces brightened and they clutched their +muskets with a certain show of determination which told that they would +do their best to obey the command. + +We made our preparations as Hiram had suggested, and were none too soon +in gaining the protection of the rail, for before he who was our leader +had made any move toward screening himself, a volley of bullets came +whistling over our heads. + +The aim of the Britishers was poor, for not a missile came within ten +feet of the deck, but the jib and mainsail looked like a sieve. + +Then I shouted to Hiram that he should obey his own command and get +behind the rail. + +"Some one must steer the sloop lest we fail of putting her in such a +position that our consort may go free. Get to your work since the +lobster backs have opened the game, and let them see what kind of +marksmen are the Minute Boys of Boston. Now then, lads, fire as you +please so that you take steady aim!" + +I believe it was Harvey Pearson who first discharged his musket, and I +saw a red-coat reel back, his arm, which had been raised to charge his +musket, falling heavily at his side. + +Then came our answer to the opening fire, the sharp crackle of musketry +seemingly running the whole length of the port rail, and on the instant +the compact mass of red was shrunken, with here and there gaps which +told that more than one had been stretched upon the deck. + +After having emptied my gun, and while recharging it, I turned ever so +slightly to look at our consort, which was now edging away to the +westward, we having come so far up on the enemy's quarter that he could +not have turned in pursuit without running afoul of us. + +Now as to what was done in particular during the next ten minutes or +more I cannot rightly set down, because so great was my excitement and +so intense the fever which had come upon me after the first volley, +while the acrid odor of burning powder assailed my nostrils, that I +hardly know what I myself did. + +I was like unto one in the delirium of fever; it seemed as if there was +a red veil before my eyes; I loaded and discharged my musket, taking aim +as best I could, rapidly until the barrel of the weapon was so hot that +I threw it on the deck, running into the cabin to get from the spare +weapons a cool one. + +As I came up the companion-way, brushing past Hiram who shouted +something in my ear, I know not what, I was dimly conscious of seeing +the laden sloop standing well over on the northern shore, every inch of +canvas set and drawing. + +Then I began to charge the weapon, and while so doing glanced +involuntarily across the deck, seeing here and there a tiny thread of +dull red. On the instant my heart turned cold, for until then I had had +no thought that any of our lads were hurt. + +"Some of the boys are wounded!" I cried shrilly, turning to Hiram, and +then I saw that his left arm hung by his side as if useless, while he +held the tiller with his right hand, standing astride it that his legs +might aid him in the grip. + +"Ay, lad, some of us must pay the price, although I reckon we are making +it tolerably expensive for the lobster backs." + +It was the first time since the action began that I could see clearly, +and glancing across the narrow space of water which separated the two +vessels, I saw that the mass of red had dwindled until no more than six +or seven lobster backs stood opposed to us, while three sailors were +doing whatsoever they could toward wearing ship in order to take to +their heels. + +It was a sight which filled me with astonishment and pride. That the +Minute Boys of Boston, not one of whom was above fifteen years old, had +saved for the American army all the provisions that were on board the +sloop which was now sailing away to the westward, seemed too good to be +true, and, what was absolutely amazing, these same lads had thrashed the +king's men, those who had come to the colony for the purpose of whipping +us into subjection--thrashed them, until their only desire was to run! + +[Illustration: "'WHO SHALL SAY NOW THAT WE HAVEN'T THE RIGHT TO CALL +OURSELVES MINUTE BOYS?'"] + +I became as wildly delirious with joy and pride as I had been during the +turmoil of battle, and, waving the ramrod of the musket above my head, I +cried triumphantly to the lads who were still pouring lead into the +red-coats: + +"Who shall say now that we haven't the right to call ourselves Minute +Boys, and to take our stand side by side with the men at Cambridge?" + +Half a dozen of the lads cheered wildly, after which they again devoted +their attention to the human targets, while Hiram cried as he swung the +tiller down, willing now to give the lobster backs a chance to run away: + +"You have done your work like little men, and when we gain port my first +act will be to ask that I may be permitted to enroll myself among the +Minute Boys of Boston, rather than with the company to which I now +belong." + +Hiram said that "we had done our work," and indeed he was right, for the +battle, and truly it may be called such, was over so far as the +Britishers were concerned. They were now putting forth every effort to +wear ship in order that they might get out of our way, and never one of +those fancifully dressed soldiers of the king had fired a shot during +the past three minutes. + +Had we been blood-thirsty, or, perhaps I may say, had we become hardened +to warfare, we might have shot down every last one of them before they +could get beyond our line of fire; but we lads did not have the heart to +shoot down human beings who were simply struggling to escape, no matter +what crime they might have committed against us. + +In fact, once the musketry fire had ceased and we were given time to see +how much of injury had been inflicted upon the Minute Boys, I for one +lost all stomach for further fighting. + +It was sickening to stand where I did well aft, and look along the deck +where were four of our fellows lying upon the planks as if lifeless, +while as many more had a bandaged arm or leg telling of wounds which did +not quench their ardor in the effort to prove themselves worthy of +standing against the king's men as defenders of the Cause. + +As I have said, Hiram allowed the sloop to come well before the wind, +thus giving the schooner's crew an opportunity to put about as they were +so eager to do, and finally when she was brought on a course which would +carry her past Noddle island to the passage eastward of the Charlestown +shore, they clapped on all sail, having had such a bellyful of the +medicine dealt out by us Minute Boys as to make them anxious only to get +under cover. + +Once they were well off, and our consort so far away in the distance +that there was no possibility of her being overtaken, even though the +lobster backs had sufficient pluck remaining to make the attempt, we +lads, wounded as well as sound, sent after them a ringing cheer of +triumph. I can well fancy that those soldiers who had counted on +grinding us of the colonies into the dust with but little effort, must +have felt like hiding their faces for very shame at having been thus +soundly whipped by a company of boys who had never until that moment +even so much as played at being warriors. + +We followed close in the wake of the schooner with scarce sixty yards +between us, and then, had we been so blood-thirsty, we might have picked +off every man that showed himself on her deck, while they could have +inflicted no damage upon us. + +Once we had stretched off on a course that would lead us to the mouth of +the Mystic or the Charles river, whichever we saw fit to make, Hiram +gave up the tiller to Archie, who, like myself, had come off without a +scratch, and he and I set about doing whatsoever we could in our +ignorant way for the relief of those who were suffering. + +My heart grew sick within me when we found two of the poor lads lying on +deck still in death; but our first care was necessarily for the living, +and we did whatsoever we could in our poor way for the two who were most +grievously wounded, after which was made an examination of the lesser +injuries. + +We Minute Boys had gone into the battle fifteen strong, and, counting +Hiram, we had our full number on board the sloop; two of these had gone +over into that world of the Beyond; two lay, as it seemed to me, nigh +unto death, while five had received what might be called trifling +wounds, although I question whether a fellow who suffers from the pain +caused by a British bullet through the fleshy part of his arm or leg, +would be willing to call the hurt "trifling." + +Long though the list was, it must have been small in comparison with +what we had done to the lobster backs. From all I had seen, it appeared +to me that at least five were put beyond all power of doing harm to us +of the colonies, and I dare venture to say that not more than three or +four of the entire number escaped without some evidence of our skill as +marksmen. + +And now, if you will believe me, in the midst of our rejoicing, for we +did rejoice even though those two poor lads lay in the bow silent and +motionless, covered with canvas, Hiram broke out with complaint because +our work had not been finished, whereupon I asked in amazement and no +little anger what he considered the finishing of the task. + +"We failed of getting more than one cargo, and there were two to be had +on Hog island, as I know full well. But for the fact that we are what +you might call short-handed because so many are wounded, I would put +about and pick up what laid ready for our hands but for the coming of +the lobster backs," he said, much as though sorrowing because we had not +been able to do that which an equal number of men would have failed at. +"There is a chance that we might take aboard a bit more of meat and +grain, with the Westons to help us, even if the second farm does stand +two miles from the shore." + +Fancying that I read on his face a half-formed determination to return +to Hog island that very moment, I cried indignantly: + +"The Minute Boys shall not have a hand in anything whatsoever save the +running of this sloop, until those who have been wounded are cared for +by a surgeon. Go whither you will so they can be set ashore where kindly +hands may minister to their hurts; but more than that is not to be done +this day." + +I truly believe Hiram, glutton though he was in behalf of the Cause, +felt more than a little bit ashamed of having suggested that we might +accomplish more, for he made no reply to my angry outburst; but +continued on with me to look after the injured lads, bathing this wound +or giving that sufferer the water which he craved, without heed to his +own injury, which was indeed slight. + +As a matter of course the schooner, having more canvas than we spread to +the breeze, speedily drew away from us; but when she was come to the +passage between Charlestown and Noddle island it was a case of standing +down against the wind, and as we ran past I had a good view of her deck. + +Only five men could I count on their feet, although there might have +been sound ones below; but surely it was that they had suffered more +than we. + +We had no argument as to where it might be best to make a landing, for +with the wind due south it would have been little less than folly had we +attempted to gain the mouth of the Cambridge river. The Britishers could +have sent out guard-boats in sufficient number to board us past all hope +of successful resistance on our part, and once that schooner arrived at +Boston town with the news of what we Minute Boys had done, our rejoicing +must speedily have been changed to wailing. + +Venturesome though Hiram Griffin was, he did not even suggest that we do +other than take such course as was indicated by the direction of the +wind, and we went on past Morton's point, counting to bring the voyage +to an end at near about the Penny ferry, where we surely would find +housing for our wounded, while those who were sound in body might make +their way to the American encampment. + +The laden sloop which we had protected at risk of our lives, could be +seen far in the distance as we swept on up past Morton's point. She had +come to anchor near where I counted we would make land, and from the +number of boats plying between her and the shore, it was easy to +understand that our people had already begun to take from her that +cargo which had cost the lives of two of the Minute Boys, and the blood +of many others. + +I wish I might set down here, so that all could realize fully, the sense +of satisfaction and of pride which came over me as I saw this token that +our work had been well done! I gave no heed, as had Hiram, to the fact +that we might have brought more from Hog island, for truly, I said to +myself, any person who would set himself as judge of our work must see +that we had accomplished all within reason. + +Now in truth had come the time when we could present ourselves at +Cambridge, and ask with good grace to be considered as part of the +American army, for had we not already shown ample proof of our ability +to stand up against the king's men, and, what is more, beat them +handsomely in fair fight where one would have supposed the odds to be +all against us who were unversed in warfare? + +Somewhat of the same thought must have been in Archie's mind, for as we +two stood side by side well aft, while Hiram was still busying himself +ministering to our wounded, he said in a tone of exultation: + +"Since yesterday we have come off first best against all that a +traitorous comrade could do, and I take no little pride in it, though it +did happen by accident and was so close a shave that we were within a +hair's breadth of being made prisoners. Put that close shave by the side +of what we have done since morning, and then you may say with good +reason that we have been of service to the Cause." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON SPECIAL DUTY + + +When we were come to the Penny ferry our consort had discharged her +cargo, and there were forty or fifty men, I should say, engaged in +driving the sheep and transporting the grain out of harm's way, for, +save as to a few sentinels, our people had no force stationed at that +place. + +After some considerable trouble Archie and I succeeded in getting two +carts with horses to carry our dead and wounded, for I was determined +the bodies of those lads who had given up their lives for the Cause +should be carried where they might receive a soldier's burial. + +Because we were forced to move slowly on account of the wounded, another +day had fully come before we entered the encampment, and I was surprised +at finding that all our people there seemed to know as much concerning +what had been done near Hog island as did we who had taken part in the +action. + +The sailors of the sloop which we had aided to escape, were so loud in +their praise of what the Minute Boys of Boston had done, and so eager to +make every person acquainted with the part we had played, that had we +been veritable heroes the reception accorded us could not have been +warmer. + +Men whom I had never seen before shook me by the hand as if we were +friends of long standing, and had much to say in praise of the past +day's work. Doctor Warren seemingly made it his especial business to +greet each of us in turn, and repeated again and again that he was not +surprised because of our having shown ourselves men, since he knew the +day we carried his message to Lexington that we had in us the making of +soldiers. + +As a matter of course I was proud of being thus received by my elders, +but when my father came up hurriedly, taking me in his arms and kissing +me on the cheek as if I had been a mere child, truly was my cup of +happiness running over! + +I tried to belittle the affair, although way down in my heart I believed +it was of considerable importance; but he would have none of it, +claiming that those who manned the sloop could not have stretched the +truth, since the result showed that we must have acted nobly. + +Now it can well be fancied that we Minute Boys were considerably puffed +up because of all this praise, more particularly when our elders greeted +us as equals. My pride and happiness vanished, however, on that +sorrowful day when our comrades were buried. + +General Ward had issued orders that the lads be committed to the earth +with all the ceremony of a military funeral, and we Minute Boys who were +able to march, acted as guard of honor. It was all very imposing; but at +the same time solemn, and my heart grew chill with fear as to the +future, when I realized that it was more than probable others of our +company would give up their lives before we had won out in this fight +against the king. + +During four or five days after the funeral our company of Minute Boys +remained within the encampment, for by this time we were come to be +considered a portion of the army, or, a better way of putting it would +be, that our elders recognized us as being worthy of being called +soldiers, and meanwhile Hiram's wound was healed. + +Many, many times during every twenty-four hours did we discuss the +question of going back to Boston town, the greater number of us +believing that we could do better work as spies than by loitering around +the camp, where were so many idle ones. + +As a matter of fact we did not, even in our warmest discussions, +consider for a moment that Archie would be warranted in returning, and +all of us understood that most like our names were down in General +Gage's black books, for it was reasonable to suppose that Seth Jepson +had given to the enemy all information concerning us that was possible. + +It was true we might walk the streets of Boston without being recognized +by the lobster backs, even though the hue and cry had been raised, but +should we by accident come upon Seth Jepson, Amos Nelson, or any of that +kidney, then was it certain they would compass our arrest. + +However, despite all the dangers which might attend our entering the +town, Silas and I were hankering to make the attempt. Hiram would give +us no advice either way, claiming that until the wound in his arm had +fully healed, or, in other words, meaning while he was not in condition +to perform a soldier's duty he would take no part in recommending others +to risk their necks. + +I pressed him to know whether, if he was in fit bodily condition, he +would advocate going into Boston on the chance of being able to learn +something that might be of importance to our people; but he evaded a +direct answer by saying: + +"All that is as may be. Should it happen that the lobster backs began to +nestle around like a hive of bees making ready to swarm, then it might +be I should say we had best go; but just at present there is nothing to +show that you could learn more than may be picked up by any of our +friends in town." + +Then it was I appealed to Doctor Warren, telling him we Minute Boys were +eager to be up and doing, and that it seemed as if we might be of +assistance as spies; but he cut short the conversation by saying in what +sounded to me like an odd tone: + +"There'll soon be ample work near here, and I see no reason why you lads +should be so venturesome when there is little call for anything of the +kind." + +It is needless to say that I abandoned the idea of going immediately +among the lobster backs, for Doctor Warren's opinion had great weight +with me, and he had spoken so positively against it that I set about +trying to make myself content with the idle life we were leading. + +It was soon proven that I was to get my fill of right down hard work, +together with more of danger than the most gluttonous swashbuckler could +have mapped out. + +I think it was the second, or it might have been the third, day after my +conversation with Doctor Warren, when Hiram Griffin sought me out where +Silas and I lay on our backs in the college yard, sunning ourselves as +do chickens. There was an expression of wisdom on his face, as if he +knew more than he intended to impart, when he said to me: + +"Lad, do you know Colonel Prescott of the Pepperell Minute Men?" + +"You yourself pointed him out to me not long ago," I replied lazily. + +"Do you know where his headquarters are?" + +"With his men, I reckon. One of them acted as sailor aboard the sloop +that carried the live stock and grain from Hog island, and you can get +from him what information you need concerning the colonel." + +"It's not information I'm after, lad. You, as captain of the Minute Boys +of Boston, are ordered to report to Colonel Prescott." + +"For duty?" I cried excitedly. + +"Well, I reckon it may be something of the kind, for it don't stand to +reason that such a man as Colonel Prescott sends out orders for a lad +like you to report, if he simply wants an every-day bit of gossip." + +"Come on, Silas! If there's a chance for us Minute Boys to have a finger +in any pie that is baking, don't let's linger here!" + +"Silas best stay where he is," Hiram said, and there was a look of +disappointment on the lad's face, for he was no less eager than I to be +doing something against the lobster backs, and most like burned with +impatience to know what Colonel Prescott might have in hand for us. + +I had but little difficulty in finding the officer who had sent for me, +and he did not keep me in suspense many minutes. + +"How many lads in your company are fit for duty now?" he asked +immediately I stepped before him. + +"Eleven, sir, I believe--twelve if Hiram Griffin calls himself one of us +and can use his arm." + +"Muster your company in front of General Ward's headquarters an hour +before sunset, taking care to provide yourselves with blankets and one +day's rations." + +Having given this command he turned to speak with an officer who was +standing nearby, and seemingly gave no more heed to me, yet I stood like +a simple, rather than one who claimed to be a soldier, awaiting further +information, until mayhap five full minutes had passed when I came to +realize my stupidity. Then saluting, even though his back was turned +toward me, I went out and ran with all speed to where I had left Silas +and Hiram. + +They were awaiting me patiently, evidently counting on my coming +directly back, and once I was within speaking distance Hiram asked +laughingly: + +"Well, did the colonel send for you that he might learn whether the +Minute Boys had any complaint to make regarding their quarters or their +rations?" + +"We are ordered to assemble in front of General Ward's headquarters an +hour before sunset!" I replied breathlessly, giving no heed to his +banter. + +"Then there is some work to be done!" Silas cried joyfully. + +"It must be so since we are to provide ourselves with blankets and a +day's ration." + +"I'm thinking that Colonel Prescott would have been wiser had he +forgotten the blankets and ordered more food," Hiram said with an odd +expression on his face, and I taxed him with knowing more regarding the +purpose for which we were to assemble than he had told us. + +"Nay, lad, whatever may be in my head is only suspicion, aroused by a +word here and a word there dropped by some of our officers. You know I +always hold that a man should gather all the information he can when +there is nothing else to be done. I've had my ears opened mighty wide +since knowing the Committee of Safety held a secret session not long +ago, and from that time out it strikes me there have been many +conversations between our commanders." + +"Tell us what you suspect," Silas demanded, and Hiram shook his head +with the air of one who has come to an end of his budget of news. + +"It is only that we are to make some important move mighty soon, and +more than that I am in the dark. You can set it down as a fact, however, +that this ordering of the Minute Boys to be ready for what looks like +special duty, goes to prove that our people are aiming to give General +Gage a black eye inside of a short time." + +We speculated upon what might be in the wind, during ten minutes or more +without coming to any satisfactory conclusion, and then I realized it +was my duty to make the other lads acquainted with the orders of the +day, so far as they concerned us, therefore I hastened away in order to +find them, for my Minute Boys were prone to scatter all over the +encampment, instead of remaining in any one particular place. + +There is little reason why I should waste words in trying to repeat all +that we said regarding this special duty, or in striving to describe the +joy which was felt by all because of our having been ordered to report, +thus showing that we were considered as a portion of the army. + +It may readily be understood that at the appointed time we Minute Boys +were drawn up in line facing General Ward's headquarters, and within the +next fifteen minutes no less than a thousand men filed into the Common +in our rear. + +When we had been there nearly an hour, during which time I could hear +those directly behind me striving in vain to hit upon the duty which was +to be performed, General Ward, Colonel Prescott, and mayhap a dozen +other officers, came out of headquarters, and with them was Parson +Langdon, he who, as I afterward learned, was the president of the +college. + +While we stood at attention the clergyman prayed long and devoutly, thus +proving to my mind, at least, that we were to be engaged in a service of +great danger and much importance. + +After the prayer had been ended there was no little delay caused by a +conference of the officers, who seemed to be at loggerheads about +something, and it was near to nine of the clock before the order was +given for us to march. By this time night had come, and in order that we +might not go astray, Colonel Prescott himself, with two sergeants +carrying dark lanterns which were opened toward the rear, led the way. + +Now although Hiram Griffin had claimed that his wound was still +troubling him, he fell into line with us when we marched down to +headquarters, declaring that it was his right so to do since he +considered himself as belonging to the Minute Boys rather than any other +organization. + +When I would have argued that none but the able-bodied were called for, +he insisted it was possible for him to do as good service as any other +of the company, and refused to give way despite all our urging. + +Therefore it was that when we set out on the march in columns of four he +walked by my side. Next him was Archie, and then Silas. Thus we had an +opportunity for conversation, provided our voices were not pitched too +high, for orders had been given that we refrain from making a noise, and +when Colonel Prescott and the two sergeants took the lead with their +lanterns, Hiram said in a low tone to me as if it was a matter that gave +him greatest pleasure: + +"I'm beginning to think this movement is of more importance than I +fancied. You may be certain something of moment is afoot, for a thousand +or more armed men are not sent out under cover of darkness unless for a +weighty reason, but what that may be beats me." + +It was idle for us to speculate as to the future, and yet we did +throughout that march of nearly three hours, although we failed to +succeed in convincing ourselves upon any one point until we were come to +Charlestown Neck. There we found drawn up by the side of the road, wagon +after wagon filled with spades, pick-axes and such like tools, whereupon +Hiram cried suddenly: + +"I'm not claiming to be any great shakes of a soldier; but he must be a +blind man who could not see that our business this night is to throw up +intrenchments at some place, and where should that be, considering the +road we have come, if not in Charlestown?" + +Again did it appear as if our officers were not fully decided upon what +should be done, for Colonel Gridley and Colonel Prescott, together with +a number of captains, consulted a long time, while we remained in line +near the wagons. + +Then we were ordered forward again, nor did that portion of the command +which our Minute Boys followed halt until we were come to a hill in +Charlestown, mostly of pasture land, lying about an hundred and thirty +rods southeast of Bunker hill, where all hands were speedily set to work +with spades and pick-axes throwing up the earth to form breastworks +according to instructions given by Colonel Gridley. + +We Minute Boys could handle pick-axe or shovel as well as any man, and +I'll answer for all that they labored most industriously once the work +was laid out for them. + +"If we were hankering for danger, truly we are getting all that is +needed," Archie whispered to me as we stood side by side throwing up the +mound of earth which was to protect our people against the onslaught of +the Britishers. "It seems as if we were close upon the lobster backs, +for more than once have I heard the cries of their sentinels, and unless +the king's ships have changed anchorage since I was last in Boston town, +then they must be near to this shore." + +Our officers understood as well as did Archie or I, how much of danger +there was in our thus working under the very noses of the enemy, for, +when not wielding the pick or shovel, they were walking around among the +men cautioning them against making any noise save that which was +absolutely necessary, until I came to believe there was even more of +peril in this undertaking than the lads of our company had fancied. + +The dullest among us could well understand that what was being done must +be finished before daybreak, or else left uncompleted, for it went +without saying that as soon as the Britishers got a glimpse of us, there +would be lively times. We worked like beavers with that thought in mind, +for now it was certain we had been sent to make ready for the coming of +those who were to hold that which we had built, and negligence on our +part might cost the lives of many. + +There was little wonder Parson Langdon had prayed so fervently, for he +must have known we were going down into the very jaws of the lion, +risking our lives an hundred times over, and yet there were many of our +people in the secret who believed it would be impossible for us to do +all that we did. + +Now I am minded to set down what I afterward learned regarding that +night's work, and put it in proper words as told me by another, for I am +not sufficiently well versed in warfare to be able to describe so +important a thing in my own language. + +You must first understand that the easterly and westerly sides of this +hill on which we worked, were very steep. On the easterly side, and near +the foot, were brick kilns, clay pits, and much marshy land, while on +the westerly side was the more central portion of the town itself. + +The redoubt which we built was eight rods square, with the eastern side +bordering a large field or stretch of pasture. On the northern side was +an open passageway, and the breastworks on the easterly side extended +about one hundred yards northward. The trench we did not have time to +finish. Between the south end of the breastwork and the redoubt was a +sally-port, and on the inside of the parapet were steps of wood and +earth on which, during an action, men might mount and discharge their +weapons. + +Now even though you may not be versed in warfare, you must realize that +for a thousand men to throw up such a fortification as I have described, +between midnight and daybreak, which came about four of the clock, was a +wonderful piece of work, and in addition to all this two strong fences +made of stones and rails had been built either side of the entire works, +thus forming a fairly good obstacle in case an enemy attempted to make +an attack elsewhere than directly in front. In the rear was the sharp +slope of the hill up which soldiers could not well make their way. + +When the day broke we were all working at our best speed, giving no heed +to fatigue because by this time every man jack among us had come to +understand the importance of the labor. Then it was the lobster backs +gave the first warning that they had discovered what we were about. + +His majesty's ship _Lively_, which was lying at anchor midway between +the ferry and Morton's point, suddenly opened fire with her great guns, +and upon the instant we dropped our intrenching tools, standing erect as +if expecting to be attacked immediately; but straightway I heard Colonel +Prescott cry out: + +"Keep to your work, lads, that ship can do no harm to us, and before the +red-coats have got their wits fully about them we can strengthen these +defenses amazingly!" + +As a matter of fact the missiles from the ship were passing directly +over us as we worked within the intrenchment, and after I had heard two +or three balls sail across with an ominous whistling, I gave no more +heed than if they had been so many locusts singing in the air. + +Reeking with perspiration, aching in every joint, and knowing full well +that within a short time we would have all the king's men striving to +dislodge us, we Minute Boys did our portion of the work with the men, +and it gave me no little pride to see that never one of them shirked, +although here and there I could see great hulking farmers throw +themselves upon the ground as if it was impossible to remain longer +standing. + +I believe Hiram did more to hearten and help us, than did the knowledge +of all that depended on this labor of our hands. + +He ever had a cheery word; was always on the lookout to aid this lad or +that who might be struggling with some weight beyond his strength, and +all the while continued to picture what we would do with General Gage's +lobster backs before another sun had set. + +Some among us ate as we worked, taking a bite of corn bread now, and a +bit of bacon then, as they stopped to regain their breath; but others, +like myself, waited until the task should be completed, believing then +we would have a breathing spell. As the day grew older we who had +rations at hand forgot our hunger as we gazed across to Boston town +where it was possible to see the people gathering, most like in +amazement at what had been done, until it was as if that portion of the +water-front facing us was crowded with human beings. + +"I'm wondering if Seth Jepson is among that gang," Archie said grimly as +he and I wasted twenty precious seconds or more gazing at the throngs. + +"If he is I'm thinking it doesn't do his heart any good to know how +thoroughly we have outwitted the Britishers," I replied gleefully. "It's +almost certain there will be a battle soon, and most like that cur comes +no nearer than the shore of the town; but let him stick ever so close to +his red-coated friends, the day must dawn when we Minute Boys will have +a chance to pay the debt we owe him." + +"That is if so be we live long enough," Silas suggested, and for the +instant I fancied it possible to detect a tremor in his voice. "Instead +of watching yonder curious ones who can do nothing for nor against us, +look around at the king's ships, and see what a force General Gage has +got behind him when he sends the lobster backs to shoot us down." + +Now, strange though it may seem, while saying to myself that before many +hours had passed the red-coats would be upon us, I had failed to +consider, even for a moment, how much of strength the enemy had; I had +given no thought to the thousands upon thousands of men who could be +sent across from Boston to over-run the hill we were fortifying. + +Directly in front of our intrenchments was, as I have already said, the +_Lively_, a ship of twenty guns, and, as I afterward learned, carrying +an hundred and thirty men; northward, over away somewhere opposite the +brick kilns, was the _Falcon_, which must have been as heavily manned as +the _Lively_; nearly abreast of the town hall was the _Somerset_, of +sixty-eight guns, and having on board five hundred and twenty men, then +came the _Cerberus_ of thirty-six guns; the _Glasgow_, twenty-four +guns, and the transport _Symetry_. + +Taking it all in all, as nearly as a landsman like me could figure it, +there must have been among that shipping of his majesty's no less than +one hundred and eighty-six guns, with somewhere about twelve to thirteen +hundred men. In addition to these, General Gage could transport anywhere +from five to eight thousand men, landing them upon Charlestown shore +close under our noses. + +Now as all this came to my mind, with the proof so distinctly before me, +I am not ashamed to say that for the moment I grew timorous, believing +the time was near at hand when I should fall as had fallen those two +brave comrades of ours in the engagement off Hog island, and, let him +laugh who will, there came into my heart a feeling of regret because I +could not hope to be laid away in Mother Earth as they had been. + +Those aboard the _Lively_ must have understood that her shots were doing +no damage, for after twenty minutes or more the cannonading ceased; but +we continued strengthening the defense, for, as Hiram said: + +"If the Britishers are fools enough to give us a chance to do as we +will, it's a case of buckling to it the best we know how." + +"That's what we have been doing since midnight," Archie replied grimly, +"and while there is no thought of complaining in my mind, I'd almost +welcome the coming of the enemy, since it would give us good excuse for +throwing down these pick-axes and shovels." + +"If General Gage knows on which side his bread is buttered, the lobster +backs will soon be upon us," Hiram cried as if exulting in such a +possibility. "I fail to understand why two or three thousand of their +fancy red-coated, overly-drilled men have not been sent already to stir +us up." + +"It may be the king's governor is so kindly-hearted that he means to +give us every opportunity to make ready for his coming," Silas +suggested. + +Then one lad had some bantering word, or another pictured what the +Tories might be doing and thinking, while a third proposed that the +enemy would wait before attacking, until reinforcements could come from +England, and so the time went on with many a quip and jest; but no +cessation of the work until about an hour and a half after daybreak, +when the British battery of six guns on Copp's hill opened upon us as if +beginning the battle. + +These last missiles were like to do us more harm than had those from the +_Lively_, for the iron balls came among us far too plentifully, and +altogether too near at times, to be pleasing to those among us whose +hearts were inclined to be faint, and I question much whether all our +people would have remained at work during such a cannonading but for the +fact that Colonel Prescott showed himself here and there, regarding not +the danger in order to encourage and prevent the least show of +retreating. + +When he cried out that that which we failed of doing might cost the life +of many a good man, or as he shouted that every spadeful of earth thrown +up was accomplishing just so much toward protecting those who were +devoting themselves to the colony, from the hirelings of the king, we +forgot that our hands were torn and blistered, that our joints ached +with fatigue, or that our backs had been bent until near to the breaking +point--forgot all save that we must put forth every effort in making +ready for this real measuring of strength between well-armed soldiers of +his majesty's and "rebels," who had whatsoever in the way of weapons +could be picked up at home, with no uniforms and but little knowledge of +military drill. + +I cannot say when we first became aware that troops were being made +ready for transportation across from Boston. As the day wore on and +nothing was heard from General Gage, save now and then a shot from the +_Lively_, or the random firing from the guns on Copp's hill, it seemed +much as if the king's governor was afraid to attack us, even despite the +fact that his force out-numbered us eight or ten to one, and when noon +came we were nearly at the end of our work with pick and shovel. + +Then it was possible to hear the beating of drums in Boston; the rumble +of artillery trains, or even the cries of the mob in the streets. We +could see dragoons galloping here and there as if carrying orders; then +came the marching and counter-marching of troops, and finally the +ringing of church bells. It was when this last noise struck upon our +ears that Hiram said with a laugh: + +"It must be that General Gage counts on calling out all the old women +and children, else why should the bells be ringing as if there was a +fire?" + +"It is the firing on Copp's hill they are ringing for, and if so be the +people would gather there to quench it, I should feel less need to duck +my head now and then, for truly I find it impossible to stand straight +when a bullet comes near my ears," Archie cried cheerily. + +It was astonishing that we had been permitted by the enemy to do so +much, for, as I have already said, we had completed the fortification +with the exception of the trench, while during the forenoon much had +been done toward strengthening the fences on either side, putting up +additional steps of wood and earth so that men might mount to discharge +their weapons, and in nearly every portion of the work the breastworks +were raised six feet high. + +Two or three times during the forenoon did I see officers sent away on +the road over which we had come, and on calling Hiram's attention to the +fact, when Major Brooks set off at full speed, was more than surprised +to learn that he believed Colonel Prescott was sending for +reinforcements. + +"Reinforcements!" I cried in dismay. "Are we who have walked or worked +all night supposed to be the army that shall defend this fortification? +After laboring with pick and shovel since midnight, is there one among +us able to do the duty of a soldier during a battle?" + +"That's yet to be seen," Hiram replied. "It is a fact in my mind that we +were not only sent here to build this fortification, but to hold it, and +now when it is to be attacked, as can be seen from the movements in +Boston, and he believes the lobster backs will come upon us in great +numbers, our colonel is asking for assistance." + +"And why should not all the troops in Cambridge be sent here?" I asked +petulantly. + +"Well, there are many good reasons, my lad. That place is to be held, +even if we are driven out of here, and a sufficient number of men are +bound to stay there lest the enemy, making believe attack us, turn about +the other way and disperse our army. Every point which we now occupy on +yonder shore must be held by men enough to resist any ordinary force, +and what becomes of us is of little moment as compared with the need of +keeping the Britishers shut up in Boston town, as in fact they are now, +save that they may come across here for the sake of killing a few +rebels." + +Hiram's explanation was not so plain that I could understand fully why +we had been sent to throw up intrenchments simply that they might prove +to be our grave, and for the moment I gave way to anger, even charging +General Ward and those around him with having needlessly sacrificed our +lives. + +At high noon, and while I was still ranting like the stupid I have ever +shown myself to be, word was given for us to cease work and partake of +such rations as we had. This command went far toward restoring me to a +more decent frame of mind. + +I was needing water more than food, and the cask which had been set near +where the Minute Boys were working having been emptied, I went further +to the rear in search of something to quench my thirst. Then it was I +found that the last two casks of water had been knocked to splinters by +random shots from one of the vessels, and, so far as I could learn, +there was no more that could be come at by us who were in the +intrenchments, which was a bad outlook if so be we were called upon to +fight. + +When we ceased work the flag of New England was hoisted over the +redoubt. The intrenching tools which we had been using were sent across +to Bunker hill where, as I was afterward told, a few hundred men, who +had just come over from Medford, were set at work throwing up another +breastwork under command of General Putnam. + +While we munched our corn bread, wishing in vain for something with +which to wash it down, my comrades and I watched the lobster backs as +they were embarked in barges, some from Long wharf, and some from the +North battery, making such a scene of warlike array as I had never +before witnessed. + +Even though they were our enemies, it was a glorious sight to see the +precision with which detachment after detachment came up, took their +places in the boats, and remained motionless as statues while the +oarsmen pulled them across, heading for Morton's point, as it seemed to +me. + +Now the cannons from the _Lively_ and the _Falcon_ began to belch forth +flame and iron missiles, sweeping all that plain between our redoubt and +the water as if to prevent us from making any attempt at opposing the +landing. + +Had General Gage, or whosoever gave the orders for the vessels of war to +open fire, known how weary, how thirsty and nearly exhausted we were, +their powder and balls might well have been saved, for I question if +even Colonel Prescott, warrior though he was, or Doctor Warren, whom I +had not seen until just before noon, would have given the word for us to +charge in the hope of checking that advance of well-trained soldiers, or +to prevent them from stepping foot on shore. + +"How many men think you are in yonder barges?" I heard Silas ask Hiram, +and he replied with never a tremor in his voice: + +"Nigh about three thousand, lad, and if they don't make us wish for +water 'twixt now and night I'll agree never to satisfy my thirst +again." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ON BREED'S HILL + + +It was somewhere near about this time when our numbers were slightly +increased by the arrival of a portion of Colonel Stark's regiment, and I +verily believe that the coming of those men did more to dishearten us +than if they had stayed away. After having had sight of such a small +force, a few of the faint-hearted cried out in anger, declaring we were +to be left to our fate, or that some one had blundered in sending us +where there could be no question but that an assault would be provoked. + +Hiram allowed no one to say aught against our leaders in his hearing. He +aroused us all by calling this man a coward, and accusing another of +showing the white feather, when any grumbling was indulged in, fairly +shaming the timorous one into silence by declaring that he who raised +his voice in protest against embracing the first opportunity to measure +strength with the Britishers, despite the fact that the odds were +greatly against us, was an enemy to the Cause. He even went so far as to +declare, although he had no knowledge regarding it whatsoever, that +heavy reinforcements were already on the way from Cambridge. + +Just at that time I was giving more heed to the spectacle before me, +than to the great disparity in numbers between the Britishers and +ourselves. The barges laden with red-coated men, who stood or sat +immovable as statues with the sunlight glinting on their accouterments +like tiny flashes of lightning, came on steadily. The oarsmen worked +with the greatest precision, while the _Lively_ and the _Falcon_ swept +with iron hail all that tract of land between Breed's hill and the +point. + +It was a wondrous sight, the landing of those troops at Morton's point. +Even though they were enemies, and were come to grind us yet further +into the dust, I could not but admire the military exactness with which +they disembarked and moved in heavy lines straight up on what we +sometimes called Morton's hill, as if the whole force was one gigantic +piece of machinery instead of being formed of human atoms. + +General Howe was in command of the Britishers, as we afterward learned, +and he acted as if intending to take matters in the most leisurely way +possible, for after all the troops had arrived and ascended the hill, +huge tubs containing punch made from spirits, and baskets seemingly +filled to repletion with food, were brought ashore from the barges, +while we who were thirsty and hungry could look down upon those +red-coated men as they were allowed to stretch themselves at ease upon +the ground, eating and drinking at their pleasure. + +The sight was one well calculated to cause us greater desire for food +and drink than before, if indeed that could be possible, and for a time +I believed General Howe had done this for no other purpose than to +tantalize us, thus showing how different was the care taken of those +hired men who served the king only for the money to be gotten thereby, +and us who were struggling to free our land. + +Afterward I came to learn that the reason for the long halt on Morton's +hill was that the troops had brought with them cannon balls too large to +be used in their pieces, and the delay in making an attack was enforced +that this mistake might be rectified by sending to Boston for what was +needed. + +By the time the lobster backs had come to an end of their sumptuous +dinner, we on Breed's hill were heartened by seeing the remainder of +Colonel Stark's regiment and all of Reed's corps coming forward on the +double quick, and then those grumblers who had declared we had been sent +to this place that we might be sacrificed, were forced to hold their +peace, for the dullest among them must have understood that General Ward +had sent to us all the men that could safely be spared from the posts +nearabout. + +"How many think you we shall number after yonder troops come up?" I +asked of Hiram, and he put the figure at about three thousand. I have +since seen it set down that the whole number of our people, including +those who came to cover the retreat, did not exceed four thousand. + +I felt better in mind after Hiram had replied to my question, believing +that we would be somewhere near even in point of numbers; but within ten +minutes that sense of security had vanished, for I saw yet another fleet +of barges coming out from Boston town laden with infantry, marines, and +grenadiers. + +Hiram could not but note the look of dismay which came over the faces of +the Minute Boys on seeing these reinforcements, for he said laughingly, +as if the whole matter was a gigantic joke: + +"General Howe must indeed be a prudent man. The king's governor has said +that a British soldier is the equal of five such rag-tag as makes up +our army, and yet he doesn't deem it wise to come toward us until his +army is increased by two thousand or more. Let us say there are five +thousand lobster backs yonder and on the water, yet 'twixt now and +nightfall we shall show them that little more than half the number of +our people can play hob with the whole blooming outfit." + +Then he fell to whistling Yankee Doodle, that tune which the Britishers +had set for the purpose of making sport of our people, and it was well +he took it up just then, for more than once during the battle which +followed did I hear our fifers and drummers screaming and beating out +those notes of derision, as if to tell the red-coated hirelings that +Yankee Doodle had indeed come to town, and come to stay even longer than +might be pleasant. + +The British reinforcements arrived at Madlin's ship-yard, some of them +remaining on the shore at the point of disembarkation, and others +marching to join those on Morton's hill. + +Now truly did it seem as if the prudent General Howe had made all his +arrangements for wiping us off the face of the earth, and yet he +lingered like the small boy that stands naked on the brink of a stream +of icy water, knowing he must plunge in sooner or later, but dreading +woefully to do so. + +All of us who had worked during the night, and a considerable number of +those who had just come up, were ordered to take post within the +redoubt, and it cheered me wondrously to see with Colonel Prescott, +Doctor Warren, that kindly gentleman who never passed a lad without a +friendly smile or word, and who had many for us Minute Boys as we filed +in striving to look as much like soldiers as possible. + +As nearly as I can now remember, our two artillery companies were +between the breastwork and the rail fence on the eastern side, and a +small number of men lined the cartway on the right of the redoubt. The +Connecticut and the New Hampshire men were at the rail fence on the west +side of the redoubt, and there were two or three companies drawn up on +the main street at the base of our hill. + +Now up to this point I can speak with considerable of certainty, having +Hiram at my elbow to point out this movement or that; but once we were +fronting the Britishers, and the fumes of burning powder assailed my +nostrils, I lost all knowledge of what was being done save immediately +around me, and there were times, when the fight grew hottest, that I +could not for the life of me have told you what I did or said. + +This much I must set down in justice to our Minute Boys of Boston: It +was not a cheerful position even for tried soldiers to be in, this +seeing the flower of the king's troops marching up the hill, well fed +and well armed, outnumbering us two to one, while we who had never even +seen warfare, hungry and thirsty to such point that our tongues were +parched dry, and with but a scanty supply of ammunition, stood behind +our breastworks awaiting what surely seemed must be little less than a +slaughter of us all who loved the Cause. + +I dare venture to say that every fellow in my company understood full +well all the danger that menaced, and yet not one of them flinched; each +lad did a man's full duty, and performed, I might say, more than is +demanded of a soldier. + +It was near to three of the clock in the afternoon before General Gage +was ready to wipe us out. Then we saw those long lines of red moving +steadily forward, and my heart leaped within me when our fifers blew +all their breath into the tune of Yankee Doodle, while an hundred or +more of us sang that song which the Britishers had written as a cheap +way of showing their contempt for those people who had been loyal to the +king until he and his ministers, by cruel oppression, drove them to this +so-called rebellion. + +"Don't fire until they are within seven or eight rods," I heard officer +after officer caution us as we stood there with muskets ready for that +oncoming line of red. "When you can see the whites of their eyes, aim at +their waistbands, and remember that the finest coats cover the +commanders, who it were better to pick off than if you shot half a dozen +men." + +Again and again was that command repeated, and even while it was being +dinned into our ears so emphatically, Doctor Warren, seeming to think we +Minute Boys might show the white feather, came up to us as we stood +where we could peer over the breastwork, and said: + +"Steady, lads, it is not the number that counts, but the spirit. +Remember that every British bullet does not find its billet; but see to +it that all of yours strike the target. You lads smelled burning powder +off Hog island when the odds against you were greater than they are now, +and came off victorious, as you will this day if you hold true to your +training." + +"Never fear, doctor, but that the lads will give a good account of +themselves!" Hiram cried in a cheery tone. "A little bit of red acts on +them much the same as it does on a bull, and the Minute Boys won't be +the first to turn tail, that I promise you." + +"There is no need of a promise, my lad. I know it full well; but +between now and when you open fire is a vexing time, during which many a +good man has lost his head, therefore have a care just at this moment." + +Now despite all the warnings that had been given, there were some in the +redoubt who could not stand inactive while those lines of red were +coming so steadily upon us, and I know full well how the men who +disobeyed the command must have felt, for it was only by the greatest +exercise of my will that I could prevent myself from pulling the trigger +as I stood there, peering over the intrenchments, my musket leveled full +at a fellow who had seemingly more of gold lace than cloth in his +uniform. + +The Britishers were well within gunshot when three or four men at my +right, overcome most like by nervous excitement, discharged their +weapons. + +Then it was that Colonel Prescott, leaping from the platform on which he +had been standing, cried out that he would shoot the first man who fired +before word was given, and at the same moment Colonel Robinson ran +around the top of the works knocking up the leveled muskets so that we +might not be tempted to fire. + +It seemed as if we were wasting time in allowing the enemy to come so +near before giving them a taste of our quality; but because of the +rating which Colonel Prescott had given those who offended, I no longer +had any desire save to await the word of command. + +Steadily but surely the red-coated lines advanced until it was as if +they would literally over-run us while we remained inactive. I had again +leveled my musket at the man who wore such a plentiful supply of gold +lace, and it seemed to me as if he was no more than two yards away, +although as a matter of course the distance was much greater, when +Colonel Prescott shouted: + +"Fire! my men, take aim and fire!" + +Never before nor since have I seen such effective results. It seemed to +me as if whole squads went down. There were great gaps in the line +through which I could see as far as Morton's point, and the grass was +strewn with blotches of red until it was like as if a carpet of crimson +had suddenly been thrown over it. + +Immediately our muskets were discharged we reloaded, firing whensoever +we could, and by this time such of the Britishers as were yet on their +feet answered us with a volley that did little or no execution, because +of being aimed over our heads. + +There was the rattle of musketry close about us; the heavy booming of +cannon from the king's ships, and from the guns General Howe had brought +with him. It was as if all the shore of Boston town had suddenly been +lined with great guns belching forth fire and shot, while the smoke +settled down over us and over those scattered ranks in front of the +intrenchments, parching our throats and burning our eyes until we could +no longer see anything before us. + +Then it was that the fever of battle took possession of us; I was +conscious only of loading and discharging my musket as rapidly as +possible. Now and then shrieks of agony came to my ears, mingled with +the volleys of great guns and the rattle of small arms, which seemed +only a natural accompaniment to the din, and to the blood-thirstiness +which assails one at such times. + +Once I understood, as if looking down upon two figures with whom I had +no connection, that Archie was speaking; but I neither heard the words +nor made any answer, and could not tell whether he turned away, or +remained there talking, when suddenly a great shout went up, and +everywhere around me men were crying: + +"The lobster backs have turned tail! They have got all of Yankee Doodle +they needed!" + +Our people cheered wildly. Some even threw down their weapons to dance +about as do children, and, coming fairly to my senses, I leaned over the +breastwork seeing, as the smoke cleared away, those men who had so +lately come up to over-run us, fleeing like frightened sheep, leaving +behind them here and there squads of dead or wounded comrades, some of +whom shrieked with pain, and others, striving to follow in the retreat, +crawling on hands and knees, dragging after them shattered limbs, +staining the grass with crimson, until one could almost fancy that even +amid the fumes of powder it was possible to detect that acrid odor which +comes from blood. + +In my delirium it was as if I had lived a whole life-time fighting, +struggling to force back those soldiers of the king who fought only for +the wage they received, caring naught for the righteousness of their +cause, and yet, as I was told, we had not been at the work above ten +minutes. + +Ten minutes! and in that time we had forced back full twice our number! +We, the rag-tag of the colonies, had in fair fight against great odds +beaten all the men they had sent to slay us, and this in the face of +that furious fire from ships, and from the batteries in town! + +While I stood there craning my neck to view the results of our own +blood-thirstiness, I gave heed only to the victory which we had won, +never thinking what might be the cost until Hiram plucked me from +behind, and, turning, I saw lying here and there within the redoubt one +and another of our people writhing in pain, or lying stark and still in +death. + +Strange though it may seem, until that moment I had not believed our +friends might have suffered. In my foolishness I fancied, if indeed I +gave it a thought, that we had come out from that storm of lead without +a scratch, and all my exultation vanished beneath a chill that was like +unto fear. + +"How many of our poor fellows have been cut down?" I cried, and there +must have been in my voice that which told Hiram I was near to showing +the white feather, for he shouted harshly, and as if in anger: + +"It's no affair of yours, Luke Wright, how many have paid for the love +they bear the colonies! The battle is but just begun, and many another +among us will follow them before the day has come to a close!" + +"But just begun?" I repeated stupidly. "We have whipped them, Hiram! +Look yonder, not a man remains on the hill who can run or crawl about." + +"Don't flatter yourself as to that. These men who have been hired to +take the chances of death will be forced back upon us. Look yonder," and +he pointed toward Boston town. "One, two, three, four, five barges, and +filled with marines, if so be I can make out the color they wear after +all the glare of red that has been before my eyes. Howe has called for +yet more reinforcements! The coward dares not meet us again two to one; +but must make the odds yet greater!" + +I do not understand how it was; but when Hiram thus pointed out to me +that which, under other circumstances, would have made my heart more +cowardly, it was as if all my waning courage came back to me, and +instead of shrinking on seeing the shattered lines reformed for assault, +I was eager to have them come, gluttonous to have more share in the +cutting down of those who counted on killing us of the colony. + +After taking my station on the platform I suddenly bethought myself of +Archie and Silas, and turning, failed to see but two of our Minute Boys +near at hand. + +"Where have they gone?" I cried, fearing more than I ever feared aught +on this earth, that they had run away. + +"Look over the intrenchment nearby where those red-coats are lying, and +you will see not only the Minute Boys, but many a man," Hiram shouted. + +When I did as he told me, I saw mayhap fifty of our people searching the +bodies of the dead lobster backs for powder and balls in order that +their own scanty store might be replenished. I also saw one of our men +raise a Britisher's canteen to his lips and drink, and then all my +desire for water came once more, until it seemed as if my tongue was +like a dry stick clicking against the roof of my mouth. + +Perspiration was streaming down my face and from my hands, and in my +desire for moisture I scraped it from my cheek, finding it hot and +salty, causing soreness of the tongue and a certain nausea of the +stomach. + +Then there was no longer any opportunity for me to consider my own +desires or suffering. The marines in the barges had landed, and forming +in line with those ranks of red, were advancing once more, this time, +as I understood full well, with greater fury than at the first assault +because of having the deaths of their comrades to avenge. + +At this moment the cannonading from the ships seemed to be redoubled, +and I could see thrown from the guns on Copp's hill great pieces of +something, larger than three or four cannon balls together, which fell +among the houses in the town, and, bursting open, set fire in all +directions until it seemed to me that every building on the main street +was in flames, while the smoke drifted over our fortification until it +shut out from view even the enemy. + +"Stand by your muskets, lads; this is but a trick to prevent us from +seeing what the troops are doing!" some one shouted, and just then, as +if God himself was aiding us of the colonies, the first breeze of wind I +had felt that day came up from the west, sweeping away the smoke until +we could see line after line of the Britishers marching steadily up the +hill, but not coming in such close formation, being forced to turn aside +here and there lest they trample upon the bodies of those who were left +behind during the first retreat. + +I heard some one near me say that General Howe was marching in advance +of his men; but I failed to single him out. It seemed impossible to +center my attention upon any one place; I could see only the blaze of +red with the sunlight tipping the steel bayonets until one's eyes ached +from the glare. + +Again we were cautioned not to fire until the word had been given, and +this time, having had somewhat of experience, we obeyed, standing with +beating hearts, parched throats, and joints aching from the labor of +the night, to cut down once more that apparently resistless wave. + +Then came the command, and as before, the red-coats fell to the earth in +dozens and twenties until it seemed to me, who was the same as looking +through a veil of red, that those who were upon the ground lay there in +sufficient numbers to form a breastwork for the advancing men. + +I could see here and there officers beating men onward with the flat of +their swords, forcing them toward our intrenchments from which came such +a deadly fire. + +"Keep it up, lads! Don't waste any time, for they are making ready to +turn tail again!" I shouted, and then Archie leaped up on the platform +by my side, screaming as if suddenly bereft of his senses, while he +discharged his musket again and again. + +The lines of red wavered, were broken, or moved back here and there, +until it was impossible to make out amid the smoke any definite action, +and once more I lost my head, knowing nothing save that I was struggling +with all my might to check those who would have over-run us. + +And we did check them! For the second time the pride of the king's army +ran in utter rout down the hill, despite all their officers could do to +check them, and we, the rag-tag, had accomplished that which a few days +before Governor Gage had said was impossible. + +Once more had we whipped them in fair fight, and once more we gave way +to rejoicing, no longer believing that the battle was won; but grown +strong in the knowledge that twice had they sent their best men against +us, and twice we had driven them back in ignoble defeat, even though +during the last assault General Howe himself led the way to give his men +courage. + +One of our Minute Boys had been killed outright, and lay on his face +upon the ground within a few feet of where I stood. How long he had been +there no one could say; but we knew that he was alive when we were +rejoicing over the first repulse. + +Singular as it may seem when so many among us had been killed and +wounded, no other of the Minute Boys had fallen, and while we stood +inside the redoubt in the first flush of this second victory, we clasped +each other by the hands as if congratulating ourselves that we were yet +in the land of the living after having, as it were, gone down to the +very brink of that dark river which separates this world from the next. + +It is not well that I set down very much concerning our lads, for even +at this late day it makes my heart ache as I recall to mind their +appearance. + +One could see hunger and thirst written on their powder-begrimed faces. +It seemed to me as I looked at Archie, that his eyes were sunken, and I +know full well his lips were drawn apart as are those of one who has +been suddenly killed. + +Save for the excitement of the battle we would have been in most painful +distress; but the mind is so much stronger than the body that even when +we had time to think of our condition, little heed was given to anything +save the desire to do once more what we had twice done before, and make +an end by the final repulse of the lobster backs. + +Yet even I, raw recruit as I was, understood with a sinking of the heart +which I cannot well explain, that we were far less able to cope with +those lines of red now than when they first came upon us. + +It was not that we counted our loss in numbers, nor that our bodies were +more illy fitted to stand the strain; but we were sorely weakened +because of lacking that with which to fight. Our ammunition was well +nigh spent; I question if we had fifty bayonets among us all told, with +which to resist an attack should the Britishers succeed in scaling the +breastworks, and when the last ounce of powder had been burned what +would be our plight? + +I was not the only one who speculated upon these terrible things. Every +man in the redoubt knew that we had not of powder and ball sufficient to +repulse the next assault however desperately we might strive. There were +many who did not have a single charge for their muskets, and Colonel +Prescott gave orders that we should divide, those having considerable +sharing with those who had none, until, when this was done, I had mayhap +four charges, while those around me could boast of no more. + +Some among us gathered up rocks to be used as missiles; others ventured +out, even though the enemy was pouring from Copp's hill and the ships of +war, volleys of grape and solid shot upon the hillside where the +red-coated dead lay in such numbers, and strove to add to their store, +more than one losing his life in the attempt to get that which he needed +in the hope of saving it. + +And now lest it be asked why powder and ball were not sent to us from +every American post nearby, I desire to set down that which I afterward +read concerning the condition of the forces at Cambridge and elsewhere, +and at the same time it must be understood that the Britishers were +sweeping that narrow stretch of land which we called Charlestown Neck, +with such a heavy fire that it was almost the same as death for any one +to venture across. This is what I have seen elsewhere: + +"During this gallant work on Breed's hill all was confusion elsewhere. +General Ward was at Cambridge without sufficient staff officers to carry +his orders. Late in the afternoon the commanding general despatched his +own with Patterson's and Gardner's regiments, to the field of action; +but to the raw recruits the aspect of the narrow Neck was terrifying, +swept as it was by British fire. + +"Colonel Gardner succeeded in leading three hundred men to Bunker hill, +and was advancing boldly at their head when he was wounded mortally. His +men were thrown into confusion, and very few of them engaged in the +combat until the retreat commenced. Other regiments failed to reach the +lines. Putnam in the meantime was using his utmost exertion to form the +confused troops on Bunker hill and get fresh men with bayonets across +the Neck." + +Now it is easy to understand why we, so sorely pressed and lacking the +wherewithal to hold our own, were left on Breed's hill to meet this +third assault, which would be made by fresh men, as we understood when +we saw yet more barges put out from Boston, and afterward learned that +General Clinton was joining Howe as a volunteer, bringing with him +additional reinforcements. + +All this time we were struggling to make such preparations as lay in our +power, and as the moments passed without any further movement on the +part of the enemy, some of our people began to believe General Howe had +had enough of it--that we would be allowed to remain on the field +victorious. + +Hiram speedily put an end to any such hope, saying to one man who had +declared that the lobster backs would not come upon us again: + +"Don't count your chickens before they have begun to hatch. If fresh +troops are coming across from Boston, think you they will be allowed to +remain on the shore idle? Do you believe General Howe is going to take a +flogging from the rag-tag and lay down quietly under it? Instead of +predicting what you fancy, make ready for the next assault." + +"When a man has only three charges for his musket he hasn't much to do +in the way of getting ready," the fellow replied as he shook his powder +horn to show how nearly empty it was. + +"If so be you will, it is possible to bring down three lobster backs +with that number of charges, and unless we waste our ammunition by +shooting at random, there is yet a chance that you will see the back of +the red-coats again as they go scurrying down the hill." + +I looked Hiram full in the face, striving to make out if he really meant +all he said; but I might as well have stared at the earth, so far as +gaining any information was concerned. I have seen many a man who could +put on a bold front when he knew mortal danger menaced, but never one +who was able to stand up with a smile on his lips and a quip on his +tongue when he knew he had been much the same as been driven into a +corner, as did Hiram Griffin that day. + +I believe we were left a full half-hour waiting for the third assault. +Certain it was that the time seemed long to me, and I whispered once to +Archie, saying: + +"I would they might set upon us without delay, for then I shall be able +to forget how sorely I am needing so much of water as will moisten my +tongue." + +"Don't wish the time away, lad," my comrade said gravely. "It may be +that you and I have not overly many minutes of life left." + +Hiram heard this dismal speech, and quickly stepping a pace nearer to +Archie he said with somewhat of irritation in his tone: + +"Are you counting on being the first Minute Boy to show the white +feather?" + +"In what way am I doing that?" + +"By croaking about 'last minutes,' instead of allowing your mind to go +on to that time when we can eat and drink our fill, the lobster backs +having been driven into the swamp. Thus far the Minute Boys of Boston +have shown themselves, if you leave out Seth Jepson, to have all the +pluck that is needed, and now being come thus far through the battle +with full share of credit, it ill beseems you to make dismal predictions +regarding the future." + +Before Hiram ceased speaking his tone had grown harsh, and I feared +there might be angry words between the two even while we stood much the +same as face to face with death. + +Before I could break in upon them, however, the enemy had begun to show +signs of moving, and on the instant we understood that this third +assault was to be different from the first two. + +At some time during the battle they must have gotten their artillery +into favorable position, for now, suddenly, the whole interior of our +breastworks was swept with ball and grape-shot, more blood being shed +within five minutes than had been spilled on our side in all the +terrible work thus far. + +It was no longer possible for any man to remain within the breastwork +and live, therefore all were ordered to come into the redoubt, where we +were better sheltered, and where the enemy had not as yet found the +range. + +Forgetting the danger, in my eagerness to know what might follow this +new method of attack, I leaned far over the fortification until it was +possible for me to see, in the distance, the Britishers coming once more +upon us, and that scene was not calculated to give me courage, for I +soon understood that the king's soldiers were making better preparations +than they had in the past attempts. Instead of climbing the hill laden +with heavy knapsacks and sweltering in thick, tightly-fitting uniforms, +they had cast aside all that might impede or distress them, and even +like the rag-tag, they counted on fighting in their shirt-sleeves as +should have been done on such a hot day when they first set the pace. + +I cannot set down in military terms the tactics which General Howe now +displayed; but certain it is that instead of marching straight up the +hill, thus giving us every chance at them, after using their artillery +to drive us back into the redoubt, they counted on assaulting us at the +weakest point, which was the space between the outworks and the rail +fence, as I have already set down. + +But whatsoever might be their intentions, certain it was they were +coming with as much show of determination as ever before, and we must +perforce stand against them so long as our ammunition lasted, and what +then? + +My heart sank within me as I tried to answer my own question even while +making ready to do my share in the faint hope of repulsing the +Britishers. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE RETREAT + + +I believe of a verity that we on Breed's hill might have driven back the +Britishers once more, even though our store of ammunition was so small, +had it not been for the enemy's artillery which, as I have already said, +swept the interior of the breastwork from end to end, forcing us into +the redoubt. + +Grimly we awaited the oncoming of those lines of red coats. I believe +our people fired with truer aim than at any other time during the +action, for each knew only too well how necessary it was that every +bullet should count. + +As they advanced, and the word for us to fire had been given, among the +first that fell was one of their colonels, and then two of their majors, +after which Hiram set up a shout of triumph, claiming that he had +wounded General Howe himself. Even amid the smoke of the battle I could +see that the British leader was moving painfully, yet I must confess +bravely, in order to remain at the head of his men. + +The breeze from the westward, which had come up just in time to blow +from our eyes the smoke of the burning buildings in the town, still +continued, and the battle field was more clearly in view than ever +before. + +During mayhap ten minutes we of the American army did quite as great +execution as during the previous assault, cutting great gaps in their +lines, and bringing down officer after officer in rapid succession. + +Then it was that we could see the beginning of the end. Glancing quickly +around to the right and left as I rammed home my last charge, I could +see this man and that standing idle, and it was the idleness of +impotence and despair, for they had come to the end of their ammunition. + +There was no longer anything to be done save await that final assault, +with the poor hope of beating back troops armed with bayonets, by the +use of clubbed muskets. + +Nearer and nearer came the red lines, swarming like hornets over the +breastworks, and we all powerless to prevent them! + +Could we have had at that moment but half the powder and balls with +which we began this battle on Breed's hill, there would never have been +a red-coated soldier show his head above our line of works and lived to +tell of it. + +It seemed to me as if all the space between the fortification and the +foot of the hill was covered with lobster backs swarming upon us, and I +know that if perchance they were twenty musket-charges left among us, it +was what might be called, in such desperate straights, rare good +fortune. + +Then the enemy clambered up over the parapet, while we met them with a +volley of stones, throwing the missiles with as good aim as we had +discharged our muskets, and while one might have counted thirty, held +them in check. + +I have often wondered since, if we had had at our hand as many stones as +could have been used, what would have been the result? But even that +poor method of warfare was denied us, for the supply we had gathered was +speedily expended, and, what was worse, the fact that we had ceased to +shoot bullets showed the Britishers plainly the plight into which we had +fallen. + +The first officer who appeared above the parapet was that same Major +Pitcairn who had led the troops at Lexington when our people were +slaughtered there, and although I was no longer assailed by the fever of +battle, and could not well look upon the death of a human as being a +reason for rejoicing, yet I shouted aloud in glee when a negro soldier +among us shot that dastard through the head. + +My cry of triumph was speedily swallowed up by the shouts of the lobster +backs as they leaped into the redoubt from all sides, coming at us +fearlessly with their bayonets, knowing full well we could not make +reply save with the butts of our muskets, and these we used, so +desperate had our people become, until a score of the king's men had +fallen before such crude weapons. + +Again and again as we thus fought hand to hand, we Americans retreating +backwards step by step, striving to keep the red-coated enemy from +spitting us like larks on a toasting fork, I saw the muskets of our +people shattered, the butt breaking from the barrel with the force of a +blow upon the head of an enemy. + +"Are we ordered to retreat?" I shouted wildly in Hiram's ear as we +fought side by side, Archie and Silas just behind us. + +"Some one has said that Colonel Prescott gave the order; but whether he +did or not there is no longer any chance to make resistance," Hiram +replied as he crushed the head of a Britisher much the same as you +would shatter an egg. "We'll not turn tail and run as the lobster backs +did; but go out of here like men, if so be we may." + +It was no longer a battle. There were no armies contending; but it had +become a fight of the rabble, where each man was striving to defend +himself or deal death as best he might, and at such close quarters that +those of the Britishers nearest us had no opportunity to reload their +weapons. Therefore, save for the fact of having bayonets, they were in +little better condition than were we. + +We who called ourselves part of the American army were much like a +handful of rats surrounded by a pack of dogs, save that there was in our +hearts the satisfaction of knowing we had twice bested these same +soldiers who were fighting for money alone, and would have beaten them +back the third time but for the misfortune of not having the wherewithal +to deal out death as we had done before. + +How we succeeded in getting out of the redoubt I cannot well say. In a +street brawl where forty or fifty men are engaged, those in the thickest +of the fight have no idea of what may be going on around them, and so it +was with me. We Minute Boys remained in a solid body so far as was +possible, aiding each other whenever the opportunity came to ward off a +blow from a comrade's head, or striking down with musket or stone a +Britisher who was about to thrust his bayonet into a companion's heart. + +I only know distinctly that when what was left of our company succeeded +in fighting their way backward out of the redoubt, Colonel Prescott and +Doctor Warren were yet facing the Britishers as if it was their purpose +to be the last to leave this poor fortification, and immediately we were +come into the open where the lobster backs could use their bayonets to +greater advantage, it was a case of depending upon our legs entirely, +for the red-coats strove mercilessly to cut us to pieces. + +Our people were doing their best to gain Bunker hill, where were four or +five hundred men of the American army striving bravely to cover our +retreat by pouring a heavy fire into the red-coated ranks, and save for +this aid we had never lived to gain Charlestown Neck. + +After we had turned to run, and I did not do so until Hiram Griffin +demanded fiercely that I must in order to save my life, I heard some one +shout that Doctor Warren had been killed, and during two or three +minutes, mayhap, even while I was putting forth my best efforts at +running, did it seem as if it mattered little whether I escaped or not +since that friend of the Cause, he who was ever the kindly gentleman and +true son of the colony, had been killed even when the battle was at an +end. + +It was to my mind more like being murdered than having been killed in +fair fight, and I shouted to those around me that we should turn about +and avenge his death, when Hiram seized me by the shirt collar, forcing +me on in front of him as he swore that unless I put forth my best +efforts he would strangle me. + +I was not the only one fleeing toward Charlestown Neck pursued by the +lobster backs, who was much the same as crazy. We were mad with +disappointment, frenzied by the thought that all this had come about +because we lacked the means of finishing the battle as it had been +begun. + +And now right here let me set down what we afterward learned was the +cost in blood of this engagement at Breed's hill. Our officers reported +that one hundred and fifteen had been killed or were missing; three +hundred and five wounded, and thirty taken prisoners, making in all a +total of four hundred and fifty who had either given up their lives, or +were suffering from wounds. The most serious of our losses, as it seemed +to me, was the death of Doctor Warren. Colonel Gridley was wounded; but +had been carried by our people from the field. + +General Gage reported to the British Government that two hundred and +twenty-six of his men had been killed; eight hundred and twenty-eight +wounded, making in all ten hundred and fifty-four as against our four +hundred and fifty. Among the British were killed eighty-nine officers. + +About four hundred buildings in Charlestown were burned by the British, +and the estimated money loss was six hundred thousand dollars. + +I have put this in here lest I forget to make mention of the fact, that +in what the Britishers set down as a victory they lost twice and a half +as many men as we, and all that had been gained by this outpouring of +blood were the hastily constructed works which we had thrown up on +Breed's hill. + +And now to continue my feeble attempt at telling what part we Minute +Boys of Boston took in that terrible retreat. + +I believe of a verity that had it not been for Hiram Griffin some, if +not all, of us would have fallen into the hands of the lobster backs, +for it is true that we were sadly confused--frightened if you choose to +put it in such words, and had so far lost mastery of ourselves that but +for his holding us up sharply to the work we would have come to grief. + +As I said, the men who had come to Bunker hill did good work in covering +our retreat until they themselves became panic-stricken, heeding not the +entreaties nor the threats of Israel Putnam, as he strove in vain to +hold them steady that we who were without ammunition might have some +small show of escaping with our lives. + +Then it was that when all of General Putnam's attempts were shown to be +vain, these men of ours who should have held their own on Bunker hill, +joined in the retreat, and we set off, a rabble rather than the remnants +of an army, in the perilous attempt to pass across Charlestown Neck, +which was swept with shot from the ship _Glasgow_ and the small craft +which had been anchored by the British in position to cover that narrow +passage in order to prevent reinforcements being sent to us who were +struggling on Breed's hill. + +Panic-stricken as we were, the only thought in our minds was that the +enemy would pursue us even as far as Cambridge, in order to make an end +of the so-called rebellion at once, and while fleeing at my best speed, +dodging now and then a British cannon ball, I feverishly hoped they +would come after us with all their force, for there, where we could find +ammunition, it might be possible for us to pay back some part of the +debt of revenge which we owed. + +Of that terrible retreat it is, perhaps, not necessary I should set +down more than that after we had succeeded in crossing the Neck, leaving +behind us many a poor fellow weltering in his blood, we continued on at +a speed which, in view of our fatigue, would not have been possible save +because of the seeming certainty that death must overtake him who played +the laggard. + +Not until we were come to the encampment at Cambridge and were lying at +full length upon the ground as do dogs after a furious race, did I +realize all of the exhaustion which had been brought about by the night +of perilous toil and the day of suspense and desperate fighting, +together with the mad flight which called for the last remaining ounce +of strength in our bodies. + +I no longer gave heed to my comrades; it was as if the Minute Boys of +Boston had never an existence--almost as if the Cause was forgotten, +while I lay prone upon the ground so weary that it was an exertion to +breathe. Hunger and thirst had no place in my mind, nor did I realize +anything distinctly, save the utter physical collapse, until another day +had come, when Hiram aroused me to a sense of life and responsibility. + +"What has happened?" I cried stupidly, staggering to my feet when he had +shaken me into consciousness, and he replied grimly, like one who has a +deep sore in his heart and strives to hide it by showing anger: + +"Much has happened as you will understand when slumber has been driven +from your eyelids. Now is not the time for you to remain idle, after +having had eight hours of sleep. Where are your Minute Boys?" + +"Here, if I mistake not," I answered, not yet fully realizing all that +had taken place since we marched out from Cambridge under the leadership +of Colonel Prescott. + +"I have been astir since sunrise, and find but seven, counting you and I +as two. It seems certain many of the lads have given up their lives; but +I have learned from what seems good evidence that Silas Brownrigg was +taken prisoner by the lobster backs." + +"How do you know that?" I cried, my voice sounding shrill because of the +fear which came upon me concerning the other lads. + +"I have talked with those who saw him far in the rear before we were +come to Charlestown Neck, and there is one here who claims that he saw a +grenadier seize the lad just before we were arrived within range of the +_Glasgow's_ fire." + +"What of Archie and Harvey?" I cried, instantly full of apprehension. + +"Over yonder, not twenty paces away," and Hiram pointed across the field +where were two hundred or more men fallen into the same sleep of +exhaustion from which I had just awakened. + +"Let's go to them," I said suiting the action to the words, and a few +moments later the two lads, with slumber yet hanging heavily on their +eyelids, were sitting bolt upright listening to me as I repeated Hiram's +words. + +"It will be a ticklish job to make our way into Boston town now while +the enemy is so keenly on the alert," Archie said, as if there was no +question in his mind but that we would set off without delay to do +whatsoever we might to help our unfortunate comrade. + +"Do you so much as fancy we might get into the town? Or, having +smuggled our way through the lines, that we could remain there an hour +without being detected?" I cried, amazed because my comrade had +seemingly suggested such a perilous adventure. + +"It matters little whether we can succeed or not, the attempt must be +made," Archie said promptly, and I understood there was in his mind the +thought that now had come the time when he might be able to show his +willingness to aid a comrade, even as we had shown ours in his behalf. + +I looked at Hiram, believing he would cry out against any such desperate +hazard; but he remained silent as if agreeing with all Archie had said. + +"Since the battle it stands to reason that the Britishers will keep a +sharper watch then ever before," I said, determined at the outset to +show all the dangers which were in the way of such an attempt as Archie +had suggested. "Even though we succeeded in getting into the town, what +could we accomplish, except it was possible to move about the streets +freely? You know full well that within an hour after we show ourselves, +some of the young Tories will spy us out, and there is no need for me to +say what would happen then." + +"I am willing to agree the chances are much against us," Archie replied, +"and yet there is a possibility that by some lucky accident we could +come across Silas. I realize what it is to be held prisoner by the +lobster backs, and yet that which I suffered must be as nothing compared +with his situation, for more than one of the Britishers know he fought +desperately well. Perhaps the lad lies wounded, lacking attention, +lacking nursing. Are we to stay here in safety?" + +"I'm not saying aught against our doing all that is possible," was my +hot retort; "but it is beyond reason to suppose we might help him even +in the slightest degree." + +"So most like you said when I was in prison, and yet by a singular +combination of lucky accidents I was set free." + +I understood full well that it would be useless for me to attempt +further to combat the resolution which my comrade had already formed, +and yet I could not bring myself to see in the two cases any likeness +one to the other. The dullest among us knew in what frame of mind the +Britishers must be after having been so nearly whipped by the "rag-tag" +of the colonies, and it was almost certain that the prisoners captured +during the battle, or the retreat, would be guarded so closely as to +prevent any such slight aid as we might be able to give. + +What Harvey thought of the matter I could not guess. As we discussed it +I fancied now he took sides with me, and again that he believed Archie +to be in the right. As to Hiram, it was evident that any mad scheme +which might be proposed would meet with his favorable attention. + +If I could have seen the least ray of hope in such an enterprise, none +would have been more eager than I; but to my mind there was not one +chance in an hundred that we could even succeed in getting into the +town, yet a word from Harvey caused me to become as eager as either +Archie or Hiram to set about the apparently hopeless attempt. + +"If there are but seven of our Minute Boys here in the encampment, it is +the duty of those who have come out from the battle unscathed to learn +the fate of the others. Who can say that the lobster backs may not have +more than Silas in their clutches?" + +It was much the same as if Harvey had said that I, as captain of the +Minute Boys, was in duty bound to learn the fate of those who were +absent, regardless of how much danger might be attached to such an +effort, and from that instant I was ready, even showed eagerness, to +undertake anything whatsoever which they should propose so long as it +had reference to the missing members of our company. + +It so chanced that my father passed near at about this time, and I ran +to have speech with him, explaining what my comrades would have me do, +and why there was apparent reason for our making every effort to enter +Boston town. + +"It is not to be thought of," he cried sharply, before I was come to an +end of the story. "There is no hope of your being able to aid the lad, +if so be he is a prisoner; you would only be venturing your heads into +the lion's mouth to no purpose." + +"But we did succeed in rescuing Archie when it seemed impossible +anything could be done," I insisted, ready to argue now that he had shut +down upon the plan so decidedly. + +"The situation was far different then. A battle had not been fought; the +Britishers were not smarting under a sense of defeat, although most like +they will speak of the action at Breed's hill as a victory, and now that +we of the American army have shown ourselves able to cope with trained +soldiers, every precaution will be taken against our spying upon their +movements. It is a mad scheme, and the sooner you put it out of your +mind the better." + +But for the fact that Harvey had much the same as reminded me of my duty +as captain of the Minute Boys, I would have allowed that my father's +opinion settled the matter definitely; but as it was I believed duty +demanded that I go as had been suggested, regardless of every danger. + +None of my comrades asked any questions when I returned from the +interview with my father. They had evidently read from the expression on +his face, and the tone in which he spoke, although it had been +impossible to hear the words, that he set his face against any movement +of the kind, and I fancied the three were waiting to hear whether I +counted to crawl back from the enterprise, therefore it was I said +promptly: + +"The attempt shall be made, and because of having been chosen captain of +the company it is my duty to go, and go alone." + +"Why alone?" Harvey asked. + +"Because there is no reason why the lives of four Minute Boys be +sacrificed. If there is any show of coming upon the lad, I may be able +to aid him single-handed, and for all of us to venture into town would +be increasing the chances of detection." + +"You could not have released me single-handed," Archie cried, "however +might have been your inclination, and therefore it is I shall go whether +you are willing or not." + +The other two were quite as decided in their intention to take part in +the venture, and, realizing how useless it would be to make any effort +at bringing about a change of opinion, I agreed that we would all go, +even though believing that we were not warranted in so doing. + +Once this matter had been settled Hiram seemed to consider himself the +leader of our party, regardless of the fact that I had been chosen +captain of the company, and straightway began to lay plans, thus +showing, to my mind at least, that he had decided, even before awakening +me, on some such scheme. + +Had the matter been left to my decision, I would have held that our +efforts at gaining the town must be made by water, either from Mystic +river or Willis creek; but Hiram said in a tone which admitted of no +argument: + +"We'll go down the Cambridge to Muddy river in a skiff, and from there +strike into Dorchester where we shall find a small body of our own +troops." + +"And also, where we'll be bottled up in great shape, for even you cannot +believe there will be any chance of our getting past the British +fortifications on Boston Neck," I said, believing I had found such a +defect in his plan that he would not attempt to carry it out. + +"I'm at a loss to see how we are bottled up any worse in Dorchester, +than here, and because our people haven't been making many attempts to +get into the town from that direction, I believe our best chance of +success lies there. It is not absolutely necessary we attempt to go over +the Neck; but it should be possible, on a dark night, to slip across in +a boat from nearabout Nook's hill to some part of the town south of +Windmill point." + +"And what then?" I asked with no slight show of impatience, for it +seemed as if there was mighty little of common sense in this plan of his +by which we were to risk our necks. + +"That's as far as we can get by laying out the work in advance. All the +rest must come about through accident." + +"But once in the town," I insisted, "how is it going to be possible for +us to learn where the prisoner is confined, since we do not dare show +ourselves in broad day?" + +"There are yet people in Boston town who love the Cause?" Hiram said as +if asking a question, and I contented myself with nodding, for it seemed +much as if he would put me off with empty words. + +"Aye," I replied, "most like hundreds of them." + +"And you lads who have lived there should be able to find a hiding-place +without going among those who might be suspected of harboring a rebel." + +"I could go to twenty such places, and yet not be able to say how we +would be able to provide ourselves with food while keeping under cover." + +"Well then," and it seemed as if Hiram was losing his patience, "I +cannot lay out for you in so many words a plan of work when so much +depends upon accident; but if you will do whatsoever you may toward +getting into the town, I believe there is a possibility of at least +finding where Silas is imprisoned, and if so be we are not able to lend +him any aid, I'm of the mind we can get out again no matter how alert +the lobster backs may be." + +"When would you set off?" I asked, speaking more sharply than was +necessary. + +"Within an hour," was the prompt reply. + +"Does that please you, lads?" I asked, turning to Archie and Harvey, and +they said "Yes," so emphatically that I could not put further obstacles +in the way, save at the expense of setting myself down as being +faint-hearted, or unwilling to venture into danger for the purpose of +striving to release Silas. + +It was then agreed among us that we should make such preparations as +were possible, each lad getting ready for the work in hand as seemed to +him best, and were to meet on the Common within the hour. + +My preparations consisted chiefly in getting all in the shape of food +possible. I did not believe we could make our way into Boston armed with +muskets, therefore borrowed from an old sailor a pistol with a plentiful +supply of ammunition, and bargained with a New Hampshire recruit for a +knife which hung in a sheath attached to a belt, like that which is worn +by seamen. Then I went to the rendezvous, being the first to arrive, and +Hiram came up within a few moments. + +He had prepared himself for this hazardous venture by procuring such an +amount of rations as might serve one person two or three days. As for +weapons, he had none, and when I asked him whether he did not believe it +wise to make some provision for meeting an enemy suddenly, he replied +that when he came upon a lobster back unawares it would be at such time +and in such place as would shut off all chance of using firearms. + +"My own two hands will be enough, so far as I am concerned. If we +stumble upon a single lobster back other weapons will not be needed. In +the event of meeting a squad, it would be folly to make any show of +resistance." + +I was rapidly losing my good opinion of Hiram's judgment. The first +cause being his proposition to embark upon such a wild-goose chase, and +the second, his intention to set off without providing himself with any +means of defense. + +Silas brought with him his musket, and more of powder and ball than he +could comfortably carry during a long march, while Archie had only a +knife, which was better adapted for the cutting of food than defending +his life. + +Thus it was that we had with us a musket, a pistol and two knives, +together with as much in the way of provisions as would serve the four +of us two days. + +"We are well outfitted," I said, intending to speak in a tone of irony. +"And now let's set off without delay, for the less time we have in which +to consider the chances against success, the better will be my courage." + +Hiram gave no heed to my disagreeable tone, but at once led the way +toward the river, and then it was we came to understand he had made +other arrangements for the journey than those of simply supplying +himself with provisions. + +He brought us to where a skiff was hauled up on the shore, and from +appearances one would have said she had but lately been put in that +position, for two pair of oars laid ready at hand, while in the +stern-sheets were three or four blankets. + +Hiram launched her, motioning for us to take our places, and when Archie +asked at what hour he had thus made preparations for the voyage, he +replied laughingly: + +"A great deal may be done in a few minutes, and it so happened that more +than half of my work in getting possession of this skiff, had been done +before I awakened Luke Wright." + +"But at that time you did not know if we would set out in the hope of +aiding Silas," I cried, whereupon he added in a business-like tone: + +"True for you; but I was mighty certain that I should go, even though +none other agreed to bear me company." + +"And you were also decided that your plan should be carried out," Harvey +said with a laugh. + +"Aye, because if you lads had agreed upon getting into the town by the +same route as you have been doing, I should have set off by myself." + +It vexed me not a little that Hiram had gone through the form of +consulting us when he was already determined on what he would do and how +it should be done; but no good could come from my giving words to such +thoughts, and I held my peace. + +Hiram and Harvey worked the oars. I made myself as comfortable as +possible in the stern-sheets, while Archie perforce remained in the bow +of the craft in order that he might, as Griffin expressed it, "trim +ship." + +We went rapidly down past the two breastworks known as "number one" and +"number two" without having been hailed by those on shore, and indeed +there was no good reason why our people should interfere with any who +were so far up the river. + +Near to nightfall, however, when we were come to that three-gun battery +which stood just above where Fort Brookline was afterward built, the +sentinel made peremptory demand that we come on shore and give an +account of ourselves. + +"This is work for you to do, since you are the captain," Hiram said to +me, and I retorted: + +"I may be the captain of the Minute Boys, but I am surely not the leader +of this expedition. If there is any question raised here against our +continuing the voyage, you are the one who must answer it." + +"That can be done in short order," Hiram replied laughingly as, swinging +the bow of the boat around until it was stuck fast in the mud, he leaped +ashore with the bearing of one who sets about some trifling task. + +There was almost a hope in my mind that we might be prevented from going +further on our hazardous venture, but when in less than ten minutes +Hiram returned, looking as if he had never known a care in his life, I +understood that either by making a clean breast of the matter, or by +inventing some plausible reason for our leaving Cambridge, he had +satisfied the officer in command of the battery. + +It was long past midnight when we were arrived at the mouth of the +river, and since there was no good reason why we should strive to come +to an end of our journey a few hours sooner or later, we hauled the +skiff ashore where grew a thicket of bushes, such as would conceal us +from view of any who might pass either by land or water. + +After the skiff was pulled up within the screen of foliage, Hiram spread +out two of the blankets to protect us from the damp earth, and the +others he proposed we should use as a covering of what he was pleased to +call a "field bed." + +Then we sat ourselves down to partake of food for the first time since +leaving the encampment, and I noted with no little anxiety that if we +continued to have such appetites during the next four and twenty hours, +our store of food would be sadly diminished. + +Despite my forebodings as to the outcome of this hazard, I fell asleep +shortly after stretching myself out at full length between Archie and +Harvey, nor did I awaken until Hiram shook me into consciousness, saying +that the sun would rise in half an hour, and we should be well on our +journey before the heat of the day had grown too great. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN BOSTON TOWN + + +It seemed as if Hiram grew bolder the nearer we advanced to the point of +danger, for instead of going up Muddy river and from thence making our +way across to Dorchester through Roxbury, as had been much the same as +agreed upon the night previous, he put straight for Stony brook, and, +hugging the eastern shore of the point, we made our way along until +having come to the American outpost, arriving there about nightfall. + +Here we had no difficulty in making ourselves known, owing to the +fortunate circumstance that the captain who was in command at that time +had seen us Minute Boys and Hiram more than once at Cambridge, therefore +was he ready to welcome us in as hearty a manner as possible, sparing +not his stores so that we might husband what little food we had brought +from the encampment. + +As a matter of course he was curious to know where we were bound, and +when he asked questions concerning our purpose we lads would have put +him off with evasive replies, believing Hiram desired to keep secret +that which we would do, therefore was our surprise great when Griffin +made a clean breast of the whole scheme, even going into details so far +as lay in his power. + +It seemed to me only natural the captain would cry out against such a +hair-brained scheme, and so he did, speaking forcefully to the effect +that while it was possible we might succeed, when all the circumstances +were favorable, in sneaking past the red-coated sentinels, he was +confident we would be made prisoners within four and twenty hours after +arriving in town. + +I rather encouraged him in his outcry against the venture, believing his +opinion would have no little weight with Hiram; but it was much the same +as pouring water on a duck's back, to argue against what our leader had +already set his mind upon. + +He listened to all the captain said, making no reply, and when the +conversation had come to an end I believe of a verity he was more +determined in his purpose than before. + +"Are you still bound to find out what a British prison is like?" the +captain asked just a trifle petulantly when he was come to an end of his +remonstrances. + +"We are not minded that they shall take us prisoners; but at the same +time we are going into Boston, and if in all that town, where yet remain +many who love the Cause, we cannot succeed in hiding ourselves past +reasonable danger of being found, then do we deserve to be shut up +within stone walls." + +When Hiram had said this the captain looked at him pityingly, as I +thought, and made reply: + +"He who is pig-headed will go his way despite all that others can say to +the contrary, therefore I but waste my breath in striving to point out +the dangers which are known better by me, than by you lads." + +With this he turned on his heels, leaving us to eat our supper, and when +he was out of earshot Hiram said as if the captain's sharp words had +pleased him not a little: + +"I have known many who didn't have sufficient of pig-headedness in their +nature, and we saw some of them in the battle; but, thank God! they were +mighty few!" + +All of which meant, as I interpreted it, that our leader had been +strengthened in his purpose rather than weakened. + +Well, we remained at the outpost all night, and by break of day set off +on the highway for Dorchester, where we came upon more of our troops, +and were forced to spend no little time explaining why we desired to +continue on to Nook's hill. + +Here, as at the Roxbury outpost, we were given much advice which I +considered good, for it was to the effect that we go back to Cambridge +rather than sacrifice our liberty, perhaps our lives, in what was little +less than an act of folly. + +You can fancy that these words had as little effect on Hiram as had the +advice of the captain in Roxbury, and on we tramped until coming to +where the highway ended in a pasture, when we turned sharply to the +westward. On this last course we were headed for the shore, and, having +arrived there, followed the line of the coast to a small gun-battery, +nearby which was a block-house for the shelter of the men who were in +charge of that apology for a fortification. + +Here we found no one who could vouch for our loyalty to the Cause, and +it was difficult to convince the lieutenant in charge that we were true +Americans, for he failed utterly of understanding why, if we would serve +the Cause, it was our intent to sacrifice ourselves. + +However, before night had come Hiram succeeded in making the officer +understand that we had told him no more than the truth, for it seemed +that this lieutenant came from Concord, and Griffin was intimately +acquainted with many of his friends. + +When he found that it was not possible to turn us back, he set about +doing all he could to further what he called "the mad plan," and to that +end agreed that when everything was in favor of our making an attempt to +enter Boston, meaning on the first cloudy or stormy night, he would +provide us with a skiff. He also directed us to an old man who lived at +Windmill point, by name of Job Lord, whom he declared would do for us +all within his power, and insisted that we might trust him as we would +our own fathers. + +We remained with these soldiers four days, during which time even Hiram +saw no fair opportunity to cross over into the town, and meanwhile we +were eating our hearts out with impatience. As has already been said, +too often, perhaps, I did not favor the plan, but yet before a suitable +night came I was eager to be about the undertaking, for anything was +better than remaining there twirling our thumbs, and it seemed certain +that each day we lingered rendered it more difficult for us to come at +Silas. + +Then, near about sundown on a certain afternoon, clouds began to gather +in the sky. There was a promise of rain in the southerly wind, and +before darkness had fully come we saw to it that our skiff was made +ready for the short journey; that the oars were muffled, and that such +provisions as the men at the battery could spare, were bestowed among +our clothing in such a way as would least hamper us in case we were +forced to depend upon our heels for safety. + +The men, whom we had come to know right well during our long stay, bade +us "good bye" as if believing we would never meet again, and so solemn +was the leave-taking that much of my eagerness to forward the venture +was dispelled. + +We waited until after nine of the clock, and then pushed cautiously out +from the shore, heading as nearly as we might for Windmill point, it +being our purpose to seek out this Job Lord, to whom we had been +commended, before doing anything else. But there was much of danger in +the way ere we could come upon the man, for the lieutenant had assured +us that the vigilance of the Britishers before the battle at Breed's +hill, was as nothing compared with what we would find it now. + +Save the weather had favored us as it did on that night when we fled +from Boston after having rescued Archie, no better time could have been +chosen for the attempt. The rain did not bear out the token which the +southerly wind gave; but the sky was covered with dense clouds, and had +we been provided with a sail the journey might have been made in short +order, unless, peradventure, it was interrupted by a British guard-boat. + +It can well be supposed that we held our peace as we approached the +point and heard the cries of the sentinels on the shore, and I believed +of a verity that we could not put the skiff aground without being +halted. + +We came up on the eastern side of the point. Hiram steering with the +oars after having cautioned that we should do no more than remain +motionless, and when the water shoaled our leader stepped out over the +port rail, motioning for us to do the same. When we were standing +knee-deep in the water, Griffin gave the light skiff a vigorous thrust, +sending her up past the town, for he did not count on her being found +next morning to give proof that someone had made a landing. + +We had come to the town, as you might say, without having seen a +red-coated sentinel, and because I had believed it would not even be +possible for us to approach the shore without being hailed, it seemed to +me this was a good omen, therefore did my spirits rise higher than at +any time since we set out on the venture. + +About midway between the point and Darby's wharf we scrambled up on the +land, Archie leading the way because he was better acquainted with this +portion of the town than any other of the company, and headed across +lots for South street, counting to gain Cow lane where we were told Job +Lord lived. + +As we made our way cautiously, noiselessly as Indians might have done, +it was possible to hear loud voices coming from the direction of Hill's +wharf, and I had no doubt but that a guard of Britishers was stationed +there, being all the more convinced that such was a fact because of our +not having come across any of the lobster backs when finally we stood at +the corner of Cow lane. + +If I remember rightly, there were then on the right-hand side as you +faced Fort hill, three buildings. The first a small dwelling, next a +stable, and then a house built partly of logs and partly of sawed +timbers, in which last the lieutenant at the battery had told us Master +Lord lived. The officer had also said that instead of going directly to +the door to demand admittance, we must pass around to the easterly side +and knock on the second shutter from the end. + +Now it was Hiram's turn to take the lead, and he ordered us to remain +within the shadow cast by the stable until having made certain there was +no one on the street, after which he walked swiftly around the house in +which Master Lord lived, and gave the signal as had been advised. + +We followed closely upon his heels, as you can well imagine, and after +he had rapped softly on the window I wondered what would be the result +if we had hit upon the wrong building, when a cautious voice was heard +from the inside. + +"If you have aught of business with me go to the rear door." + +This we did, and, still acting in accordance with the instructions of +the lieutenant, Hiram said, not waiting for the door to be opened: + +"We are come to learn if you can supply us with fish?" + +"When do you want them?" was the answer, and our leader replied: + +"As soon as possible, for fear some one will come up and interrupt the +bargain." + +All this conversation, we had been told, was necessary in order to +convince Master Lord that his visitors were true to the Cause and +desired his aid. + +That we had repeated the words correctly was shown by the opening of the +door, and although no one could be seen, we four stepped inside +hurriedly, after which the door was closed and barred, when the screen +was thrown from a lantern which set on a rude table. Then we saw before +us the man whom we had been told would be able, above all others, to aid +us in our dangerous venture. + +[Illustration: "MASTER LORD HELD UP THE UNSCREENED LANTERN."] + +Master Lord was a tall, thin, hatchet-faced person, with shifty eyes +which gave you the impression that he had something to conceal. In fact, +he was the reverse of the man in whom I would put confidence, and yet +the lieutenant at the battery had assured us that again and again Job +Lord had given evidence of his loyalty to the Cause. + +However, it was not for us to find fault with his personal appearance, +for however true or however false he might be, we were dependent upon +him, or would be, after having explained the purpose of our coming. + +Master Lord held up the unscreened lantern that he might scrutinize each +in turn, and this he did in silence, devoting to it no little time, +after which he commanded us to follow him as he led the way through a +trap-door into the cellar. + +I was considerably surprised at finding this place more comfortably +furnished than the room above. There were two couches made of saplings +and covered with beds of straw; a table, and a fire-place, behind which +hung all the implements for cooking. Suspended from the beams were two +large lanterns. One of these Master Lord lighted, carrying back the +smaller lantern to the room above, and, rejoining us, took his seat on a +stool at the table, asking sharply with much the air of a judge: + +"What brings you lads into Boston at this time?" + +"It is an overly long story," Hiram replied, drawing up to the table a +stool for himself and sitting down as if to begin the tale; but before +he could say more Master Lord interrupted him by demanding of Archie: + +"Is not your father that John Hemming who is known as a Son of Liberty?" + +"Aye, sir, that he is." + +"Then you four must have been in the party that set off from Barton's +point not long since, and were afterward heard of at Hog island?" + +"That we were, sir," Archie replied. + +"And it may be you know somewhat concerning the doings at Breed's hill?" + +"These lads should be well acquainted with what took place there, since +they acted a manly part," Hiram cried before anyone else could speak. +"There was no man in the ranks who behaved in better fashion than they." + +"And having kept clear of the Britishers that day, you are come to give +them another chance at you?" Master Lord inquired, still looking at +Archie, and again Hiram took it upon himself to make reply: + +"You had best hear the story as to why these lads have come," he said, +fearing, as I believed, lest Master Lord insist that we take advantage +of the darkness to retrace our steps. + +Then, without waiting for permission, Hiram told all that we had learned +concerning Silas; explained why we left the encampment, and gave the +details of our stay at the battery near Nook's hill, adding in +conclusion: + +"When the Britishers come to know that Silas Brownrigg was of that same +party which carried away the provisions from Hog island, and begin to +suspect he might have been concerned in releasing a prisoner, they will +most like treat him with greater severity than may be shown those +unfortunates who were captured at the close of the battle, having no +worse record than love of the colonies." + +Master Lord nodded, as if to say that he quite agreed with Hiram; but +remained silent so long that it seemed as if he had forgotten we were +there, and I ventured to ask with no little timidity: + +"Do you know, sir, where the prisoners taken at Breed's hill are +confined?" + +"Some of them are in the Queen-street prison, and a goodly number have +been taken to the Bridewell. Who could give information to the +Britishers that you were concerned in the work at Hog island?" he asked, +turning squarely upon me. + +"Seth Jepson," I replied, and then I told him of our having enrolled +that young Tory among the Minute Boys, as well as the reason we had for +suspecting him before he openly played the traitor by bringing the +lobster backs to Barton's point. + +Again Master Lord fell silent, and this time none of us ventured to +question him. We sat there, Hiram drumming with his fingers impatiently +upon the table while we three lads stared at our host, until it seemed +to me a full five minutes had passed when Master Lord, his eyes shifting +uneasily from one to the other, began as if simply giving words to his +thoughts: + +"This place has served many a time, since General Gage began making +trouble, as a refuge for those who were in sore need of hiding, and thus +far the Britishers have had no suspicion that I did all within my power +to serve the Cause. To make any attempt at releasing a prisoner now, +when the lobster backs are so sore over that victory at Breed's hill, +which was nothing more nor less than defeat, promises to reveal the +work which has been carried on here." + +He ceased speaking a full minute, and then cried out as if believing we +suspected him of being afraid: + +"Not that I care about myself, for I'll engage to give the Britishers +the slip if I have five minutes warning of their intent to take me into +custody; but I'm questioning whether we might not be doing more harm to +the Cause by making known the secret of this place in order to rescue +from prison a single lad, than if we left him to his fate, keeping +secure our refuge here for those who may stand in greater need than he +does of liberty." + +"We were not counting on your taking any hand in this matter," Hiram +said promptly when the old man ceased speaking. "Our first need is a +hiding-place until we get true knowledge of where the lad may be, and +possibly you can send us to some trusty person who, knowing all the +circumstances, would give us shelter." + +"It is certain you can do nothing this night, and I am willing to +confess that you have accomplished a great deal by getting into Boston, +for it has not been an easy matter since the battle. Are you in need of +food?" + +"We have had for supper all that four persons could desire," I replied +quickly, fearing lest he might think we had it in mind to depend upon +him entirely. + +"Then lie down and take your rest, giving no heed to anything you may +hear in the night. Regardless of what takes place, hold your peace, and +I'll answer for it that no one will suspect there are any hiding here. +When the day comes I shall strive to learn what I may regarding your +comrade, and meet you again at the first opportunity." + +Having said this, and without giving us a chance to add a word, he went +up the ladder which led to the kitchen above, leaving us staring at each +other in something very like perplexity and doubt. + +Despite all that had been said in Master Lord's favor by the lieutenant +at the battery, I could not put full confidence in this man as being a +true friend to the Cause. His general appearance was against him, so I +thought, and those shifty eyes, which never met yours squarely, were +well calculated to breed distrust. + +Now it is true that a lad like myself had no right to judge adversely of +another who had proven himself true, and yet as I looked into the faces +of my companions after our host had gone into the upper room, I saw, or +fancied I did, written there much the same as was in my mind. + +Certain it is that Hiram was not particularly well pleased because we +had given ourselves so unreservedly into the power of Master Lord, and +of this he gave proof by saying when we were alone: + +"Having come thus far on the venture we must take things as we find +them; but it will do no harm if we keep a sharp watch over every one we +meet, and it would seem that the four of us should be able to discover +anything smacking of treachery." + +"Meaning that you have doubts concerning--" + +I did not finish the sentence, which was spoken in a whisper, but +pointed with my thumb upward so that he might know who I meant, +whereupon he said quickly: + +"Meaning no one in particular, and everybody in general." + +"I would that we had come into this town trusting none but ourselves," +Archie said, and Hiram cried much as though the words irritated him: + +"Since we are come, and since we have given our secret to another, there +is no good sense in harking back to what might have been done. We have +set our faces toward Silas, and so long as we remain alive and free they +are not to be turned from the goal. Instead of sitting here conjuring up +old women's fancies which can do nothing save make the heart faint, +suppose we follow Master Lord's advice and get a night's rest, for no +one may say when we shall have another such opportunity?" + +After this long speech Hiram set the example by throwing himself down on +one of the beds of straw, and we lads soon followed him, for it was +disheartening to sit there giving words to our fears and doubts when we +were at the mercy of the man we distrusted. + +How long I slept after my eyes were closed in uneasy slumber, it is +impossible for me to say; but looking back at the matter afterward I +fancied at least three hours had passed since we entered this cellar, +when the sound of loud voices in the room above brought the four of us +to our feet as if moved by a single spring of steel. + +The floor was of roughly hewn planks, looking, so far as one might see +by the light of the lantern, to be very heavy, and we who were in the +cellar could not distinguish words spoken in an ordinary tone; but now +so excited and apparently angry were the speakers, that we could catch a +word here and there, although not in sufficient numbers as to give any +inkling to the trend of the conversation. + +It seemed to me, judging from the sounds, as if there were three or +four in the room just over our heads, and that all were on the eve of a +quarrel--fight would be the better word--so menacing were some of the +tones. + +It was evident Master Lord had been expecting there would be trouble +before morning in this home of his, else why had he warned us against +making any outcry or movement if we heard aught that might alarm? Surely +his angry visitors could hardly be friends of the Cause, for they would +not dare raise their voices so high lest the attention of the patrol be +attracted, and if they were not of our people, why was this man, so +greatly to be trusted by us "rebels," having any connection with them? + +Before we had been awake three minutes came a clattering as if the table +was overturned, and I distinguished sounds betokening the splintering of +wood, telling that some article of furniture had been destroyed, while +above such noises came the trampling of heavy feet, and shouts, and +cries. + +When this disturbance was at its height Hiram ran toward the ladder as +if it was his intent to ascend, despite the warning which had been +given; but I clutched his arm, holding him back by main strength as I +said in a hoarse whisper: + +"If Master Lord is not to be trusted, you would be making a bad matter +worse by showing yourself at this time. In case he is true to the Cause, +then most like you would do an injury to our people such as could not be +repaired." + +"You are right," Hiram said after the briefest hesitation, and he went +back from the ladder to take a seat on the bed. + +The lantern was still burning. None of us had been minded to extinguish +the flame when we laid down to rest, because of the doubts which +assailed us all, and therefore it was we could look into each others' +faces during that seemingly desperate struggle which was going on above, +mutely asking for some solution to what was a fearsome mystery. + +Once when the uproar was greatest, Archie whispered that he would go to +the top of the ladder, hoping it might be possible there to distinguish +something of what was said; but he failed in the attempt, coming back to +report that he could see no glimmer of light around the edges of the +door, therefore believed it must be covered on the upper side, either to +prevent those same visitors from seeing the entrance to the cellar, or +to shut out from us all sound. + +I think the quarrel, or fight, whichever it may be called, continued +upward of half an hour, and then it seemed much as if those who had +taken part in it were become friends again, for we heard nothing +betokening anger, while now and then came the tramp of footsteps across +the floor, showing that the visitors yet remained in the house. + +After a time slumber lay so heavy on my eyelids that I stretched myself +out on the bed once more, falling asleep almost immediately, and when I +next awakened there was the belief in my mind that another day had come. + +Because of being in the cellar, which was wholly underground, no light +could come to us from the outside; but the lantern burned dimly as if +the oil had been nearly consumed, and I fancied it was day. + +My comrades awakened very shortly afterward like lads who have had their +fill of slumber, and we lay on the beds trying for at least the +twentieth time to get some glimmer of an idea regarding the strange +doings of the night before, as well as questioning whether it might not +be possible for us to learn whether Master Lord was at home. + +While we talked Hiram, growing impatient, went boldly up the ladder, +setting his shoulder against the trap-door; but failing to move it ever +so slightly, and at this seeming evidence of our being held prisoners we +grew alarmed. + +So narrow was the ladder that two of us could not stand side by side on +the upper rung in order to come at the barrier, and when each in turn +had spent his strength against the heavy timbers without effect, we came +together near the table, groping about that we might touch hands, for by +this time the flame of the lantern had died away entirely, leaving us in +total darkness. + +"If Master Lord wanted to make friends with the Britishers, he would be +on a fair road to so doing by giving us up to General Gage," I +suggested, striving to speak in a mirthful tone as if in my mind there +was no possibility of such treachery on his part, and Harvey clutched me +by the hand nervously, as he whispered: + +"Don't! Don't give words to what seems so very like the truth!" + +"Have done with talk like that!" Hiram cried angrily. "To judge Master +Lord an enemy is the same as calling the lieutenant, who treated us in +such friendly fashion, a traitor." + +"But why are we locked in here when it surely must be daylight?" + +"There can be no answer to that question until Master Lord himself comes +to make it, and I am bound to hold him a good man and true because of +what we have been told, until he proves the contrary." + +I believe Hiram himself was more than a little alarmed, for it seemed to +me he struggled overly much to convince us he was apparently easy in +mind, and we were yet giving words to our painful doubts when, without +our having heard a sound previously, the trap-door was raised, letting +into the cellar a flood of light as if the day had already grown old. + +It was no more than natural we should step quickly toward the foot of +the ladder, meeting there Master Lord himself, who looked about as if +surprised because we were in darkness, and then, ascending quickly, he +returned before we had time to follow, bringing with him the smaller +lantern. + +Not until he had set this aflame and placed it on the table did he give +any heed to the questions which we were showering upon him; but then he +said with the air of one who is vexed with too many words: + +"Yes, it is full noon. I would have come to you before; but was on your +business, and believed you could content yourselves, even in this poor +place, knowing that your work was being forwarded. Are you suffering for +food?" + +"We can bear with hunger many hours and make no complaint, as has +already been shown at Breed's hill," Hiram replied in a tone of +sharpness. "Because of what we heard last night, and through knowing +that we were locked in here as prisoners, did we come to be somewhat +uneasy in mind." + +"Then you tried to get out when there was trouble above, regardless of +my warning?" the old man cried angrily. + +"We held ourselves as you commanded," and now Hiram's voice rang with +temper. "It was this morning we strove to learn whether we were free to +come and go as we pleased, and found that such was not the case." + +"Neither are you free, so far as leaving this house without my consent +is concerned. I have much the same as promised to aid you, and am doing +so, even at risk to myself and injury to the Cause, therefore it is you +are holden here until I shall give the word that you may depart without +endangering the secret of this place." + +Master Lord spoke with such an air of authority, as if he understood +full well we were thoroughly in his power, that I was more alarmed than +at any time since we came into the town, and mayhap there was somewhat +of the same feeling in Hiram's heart, for he asked as if he had the +right to know: + +"What was going on above us last night?" + +"What did you think might be happening?" Master Lord asked. + +"It sounded as if three or four men were fighting to such purpose that +the furniture of the room was destroyed." + +"You have such a good idea of the matter that there is no need for me to +make any explanation," Master Lord replied somewhat indifferently. +"There were three Tories with me last evening, and but for the fact of +their being well known as favoring the king, I am thinking one or more +of us might have been taken into custody by the patrol." + +"Then you consort with enemies of the Cause?" Hiram asked, and the old +man replied: + +"Aye, that I do, else how might it be possible for me to do our people a +good turn here in Boston town?" + +The man could have made no reply which would have disturbed me more +sorely than did this, for it was in substance exactly what Seth Jepson +had said when we taxed him with being traitorously inclined, and if it +had been possible to get out of that cellar without leaving my comrades +in the lurch, I would have taken to my heels, fleeing through the +streets of Boston town at risk of being arrested by the patrol, rather +than remain there at his mercy. + +If Hiram remembered the excuse Seth made for having been seen in the +company of Tories, and set the words alongside those just spoken by +Master Lord, he failed to give proof of the fact; but asked as if +believing everything had been explained: + +"Did you succeed in learning aught concerning Silas Brownrigg?" + +"There is a lad among the prisoners in the Bridewell, and none, so far +as I can learn, in the Queen-street prison. I am of the belief your +friend is the boy I have heard about, because I saw young Jepson +loitering around the building as if expecting to see some one that might +interest him." + +"How is this Bridewell guarded?" Hiram asked after a moment's pause. + +"Forty men are stationed there, twenty being kept on duty all the time, +and unless you can find one of the lobster backs who would lend his aid, +there is no possibility of your doing that for which you came." + +Master Lord spoke decidedly, and as if he believed our mission was come +to an end because of the difficulties which lay in the way, whereupon +Hiram said in a mild tone, which gave one the idea that he had every +confidence in his host: + +"Then you would advise that we give it up as a bad job, feeling certain +we shall be able to do nothing?" + +To my bewilderment Master Lord acted as if surprised because Hiram was +willing to abandon the enterprise so quickly, and replied hurriedly: + +"If so be you have grown faint-hearted, then turn back now while there +is yet time; but if I had taken the chances of coming into Boston town +knowing the Britishers were eager to clap me into prison, I would hold +to the work so long as I held to life." + +"And that is exactly what we count on doing, Master Lord," Hiram cried +emphatically, as he brought his hand heavily down upon the old man's +shoulder. "We are thanking you for the information given, and now are +ready to leave this house if there is likelihood we may bring suspicion +upon you." + +"Where would you go?" + +"We'll take our chances on the street when night has come." + +"But you are not driven out from here!" Master Lord cried quickly. "I'm +advising that you stay where it is possible to remain securely hidden, +until such time as the chance you are waiting for presents itself." + +He spoke like an honest man, and yet on the instant there came to my +mind the question as to whether he had any traitorous intent in thus +advising us, after having much the same as said we could not hope to +succeed in our purpose. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +GRAVE DOUBTS + + +Master Lord was evidently of the opinion that we could do no better than +remain where we were until it should become possible for him to show us +whereby we might aid Silas, and I wondered much that he spoke in such a +strain, after having declared that the force of lobster backs at the +Bridewell was so large that we had no hope of getting at the lad even to +give him a cheering word. + +This much I ventured to remark, glancing meanwhile at Hiram in order to +learn, if possible, what he might think of the matter, for it was come +to my mind that our comrade, who was ever eager to be up and doing, had +turned about strangely, as if content to spend any number of days in +that underground hiding-place. + +"There is such a thing as a fortunate accident," Master Lord replied +gravely, "and in this struggle against the king we of the colonies who +are weak in numbers as compared with the force he can bring against us, +must ever be on the alert for some turn in affairs which will work to +our advantage. It is true that at present there are so many lobster +backs on duty at the Bridewell that you cannot hope to come at your +comrade; but who shall say how soon the number of sentinels there may be +lessened?" + +"Have you enough influence among the lovers of the king to succeed in +getting inside the Bridewell?" Hiram asked in a placid tone, as if the +matter was of but little importance to him, and I fancied Master Lord +replied to the question eagerly, as if anxious we should have full faith +in him, when if he had been a true man, so it seemed to me, there would +have been no question in his mind as to the possibility of our doubting +his intentions: + +"I believe before many days have passed, aye, perhaps by to-morrow, I +may be able to drop a hint to the lad that you are here in search of +him." + +"On what pretext could you get inside that portion of the Bridewell +where the prisoners who were taken at Breed's hill are confined?" Hiram +asked in the same quiet, indifferent tone. + +"There are many people in Boston, and especially among the Tories, who +are curious to see these so-called rebels; some in order to learn if +perchance they may have acquaintances among them, and others to jeer at +the unfortunates, reminding them how useless it is to struggle against +the king's power. I can be of one party or the other; but the time must +be ripe before it may be done. In other words, matters must have moved +fortunately for me, when there are on guard those of the lobster backs +with whom I am acquainted," and Master Lord spoke as if most eager to +convince us of his loyalty. "In order to make myself of service to the +Cause, it has been necessary to be friendly with these red-coated gentry +who rule the town." + +"Yes, I can well understand that," Hiram replied in a tone of content. +"We know you will do for us all that lays in your power, and are ready +to take your advice in the matter," Hiram went on as if the work we had +set ourselves was of no especial importance, and my heart burned with +anger against him because of his seeming indifference. "In turning the +matter over, I can see that from the standpoint of one who would do the +greatest good to the greatest number, you cannot well afford to have +this secret hiding-place of yours discovered, and we are not so selfish +as to ask that you do other than seems to you wise. Go as far as you +prudently can in our behalf, and then leave us to take our own way." + +"You may be certain I shall not abandon the enterprise upon which you +have come, so long as there appears any likelihood of success; but when +one hits upon a stone wall it is wiser to go around, than to beat his +head against the rocks. Therefore when it is shown that I can effect +nothing, we will come to a stop; but until then trust in me." + +"Indeed we do, Master Lord, thanking you not only for the willingness to +aid us, but for the work in behalf of the Cause which you have already +done." + +I was so angry at hearing Hiram thus lay himself down at the feet of the +man whom it surely seemed we had every reason to distrust, that I could +have risen up against him, crying out all which was in my mind; but, +fortunately, I checked the words which were on the tip of my tongue, and +threw myself sulkily upon one of the beds, vowing mentally that never +again would I put faith in any human being howsoever fair might be his +speech. + +Then it was that Master Lord set about discussing plans for the future +as if we were like to remain in that underground hiding-place many a +long day, while Archie and Harvey listened to the conversation in +seeming bewilderment, failing to understand, even as did I, this +complete change in him whom we had come to look upon as the leader in +our hazardous venture. + +I cannot set down all these two said, for the very good reason that I +failed to charge myself with taking in the purport of the conversation; +but this I do know, that when they had come apparently to understand +each other, and were grown to be as thick as two thieves, Master Lord +explained that in order we might remain more securely hidden from +suspicion, and that none of the neighbors should come to fancy he had +visitors in the building, we must prepare our own food, cooking it in +the fire-place of the cellar. + +By such a course the house would remain open to whosoever might visit +it, and unless the secret of our hiding-place was revealed by our haste, +we were as safe in Boston town as in any other place, meaning, of +course, in event of Job Lord's proving to be a true man as he claimed to +be. + +To all of this Hiram agreed as if satisfied in every particular, and +then claimed to be prodigiously hungry, which was another surprise on +his part, for we had even then with us enough of provision to satisfy +all our desires during the next four and twenty hours. + +However, Hiram clung to the assertion that he was nigh to being +famished, and Master Lord went without delay to the floor above, as if +to procure that which might be needed. + +No sooner had he ascended the ladder than I stole softly to Hiram's +side, asking in an angry whisper: + +"What has come upon you so suddenly, that you fail to see anything +suspicious in our being thus asked to lay here content with what that +man may be able to do, never ourselves raising a hand in behalf of +Silas?" + +"Yes, it seems as if I had not broken my fast for four and twenty +hours," Hiram replied in a loud tone, at the same time motioning toward +the floor above, as if to say that he would not converse with me however +guardedly, while Master Lord was where he might come to believe we were +holding secret council. + +This gesture of our comrade's soothed me somewhat, for I began to fancy +he had a plan in his mind to thwart our host if so be he gave token of +treachery, and yet I failed to understand how it might be done while we +remained there much the same as prisoners. In my stupidity I lost sight +of the fact that we were absolutely powerless. If this Job Lord was +indeed double-faced, then at the moment we ventured out despite his +advice, it was only necessary for him to give word to the lobster backs, +when we would, perhaps, come upon Silas by being ourselves made +prisoners. + +So far as ministering to our wants was concerned, Master Lord showed +himself most generous. After ascending and descending half a dozen +times, he had on the table before us an ample supply of corn meal, salt +pork, and, what was indeed a rarity, a leg of freshly-killed lamb, and +this at a time when our people in Cambridge believed the rank and file +of the king's army were living upon salt food, because of our having +shut off their supplies from the country roundabout. + +In addition, Master Lord brought a jar of whale oil, which I myself knew +had been hard to come upon in Boston, even before the butchery at +Lexington; but he must have been plentifully supplied, for he insisted +we use it freely, saying it was not well for us to remain in darkness, +and that we should strive to make our gloomy quarters as comfortable as +possible. + +"There is no good reason why you should not enjoy yourselves so far as +may be," he said in the most friendly of tones when he had laid before +us the last of the supplies. "Until the time for action comes, you can +do no less than remain here, and it is well to be content in mind, +trusting that I will give the signal at the first moment anything may be +done to aid your comrade." + +Then, looking about him scrutinizingly as if to make certain he had +forgotten nothing, he turned and went up the ladder, halting when nigh +to the top, and saying: + +"You can understand that every precaution against discovery of this +place must be taken, therefore it is that I bolt the trap down, covering +it afterward with such things as can most handily be come at in my +kitchen, so that one may not see where the timbers are sawn apart." + +He was striving to explain why we were kept close prisoners, and again +my anger rose, for I failed to understand if the trap-door was covered +and screened from view of any who might enter the room above, why it +should be bolted so that we might not raise it in case of an emergency. + +After we had been thus closely confined beyond all hope of leaving the +place, and could hear Master Lord moving about the room above, I strove +once more to have an explanation with Hiram; but again he motioned +toward the ceiling, although this time, clutching me by the shoulders, +he drew my ear close to his lips as he whispered: + +"Take station just beneath where the side door which leads into the room +above is located, and there do your best to learn whether any come in, +or if our exceedingly good friend goes out." + +Then he set about making ready the meal, in which work every +convenience, including a spit, was to be found near the fire-place, and +meanwhile talking so loudly regarding his hunger and our good fortune in +finding so secure a hiding-place, that Master Lord himself must have +been able to hear distinctly some of his words. + +Because he gave no warning that we should remain silent, were my +suspicions regarding his loyalty increased, for if peradventure our +presence there must be kept a profound secret from everybody, then +should he have checked Hiram, since in event of a Tory or a lobster back +entering the building, our comrade's voice would be heard. + +However, I went to that part of the room as nearly under the door of the +building as I could judge, and there took my station as Hiram directed, +feeling certain now that he had in mind some plan for the discovery of +Master Lord's real intention. + +I had not been thus endeavoring to play the eavesdropper above half an +hour, and the leg of lamb on the spit was sending forth a most +appetizing odor, when I distinctly heard the door above open, and then +came to my ears the footfalls of at least two, whom I judged to be men +because of the heaviness with which they stepped. + +Immediately afterward, and while we could hear the subdued hum of voices +above, Hiram whispered to Archie that he and Harvey should attend to the +cooking of the meat, then tapping me on the shoulder with a gesture +which I understood meant for me to follow. + +Moving cautiously, in marked contrast to the loud tones in which he had +spoken a few moments previous, Hiram began at the end of the cellar +which was nearest the street, making a careful examination of the walls +as if seeking some means of outlet, I copying his every movement. + +Heavy logs, laid up with as much care as one would bestow in building +the sides of a house, formed this refuge of ours, and I was saying to +myself that if my comrade had any hope of finding a means of leaving the +place without knowledge of Master Lord, then was he doomed to +disappointment, when we were come to the fire-place, on one side of +which stood mayhap half a dozen casks, as if carelessly stacked there +out of the way. + +Hiram motioned for me to bear a hand, and one by one we moved the casks. +Setting each down upon the beaten earth which formed the floor so that +not the slightest noise would be made, we cleared all away until what +had the appearance of a rubbish hole was brought to view. One might have +guessed that this had originally been made as an entrance to the cellar +from the outside, and afterward closed up carelessly with rocks and +earth, the casks having been set before the place as a screen. + +There was a look of triumph on Hiram's face as he wriggled amid the +rubbish, pushing aside a rock here and scraping away the earth there +until his body was almost hidden from view. + +Then, while I stood with bated breath believing we had found what would +serve us in time of need, he appeared to have come to an end of his +exploration, for backing out, he straightway began brushing up the +litter which had been pulled upon the floor, as carefully as a +house-wife might have done, save that he used his hands instead of a +broom. + +More than once I made as if to ask what he had found further than I +could see; but he gave me to understand that we must make no attempt at +holding a conversation, and whispered that I go back to where it might +be possible to learn when those who were above had left the building. + +I did as he thus commanded; but my heart was lighter than at any time +since we entered this prison-like hiding-place, for the belief was +strong in my mind that if worse came to worse, and Master Lord was +indeed the treacherous villain I believed him, we might be able to +escape, so far as leaving the cellar was concerned. + +While I remained by the wall, straining my ears to catch the lightest +sound from above, Hiram continued his work as cook, and before the hum +of conversation had ceased in the room over my head, the leg of lamb was +done to a turn, while Griffin had ready for eating a tempting loaf of +corn bread. + +Then, somewhat to my surprise, after the food had been placed upon the +table Hiram took my station by the wall, insisting that we three lads +should partake of the meal, and because I was beginning now to have full +faith that he was not allowing himself to be hood-winked by Master Lord, +I did as commanded, although there was in my mind the idea that we might +give over listening, at least during such time as would be necessary to +satisfy our hunger. + +Before we had come to an end of our eating it was possible to hear the +outer door swung to with no little force, and there was a look of +satisfaction upon Griffin's face as he joined us at the table. + +"Unless my ears have played me false, the room above is empty. I heard +at least three go out, and if only two entered when you were on duty, +Luke, then we are alone in the building; but in order that we may take +no chances, my advice is that none of us speak above a whisper." + +"You think we have need of taking council together?" Archie asked, +whereupon Hiram replied grimly: + +"Aye, lad, if ever the time was that we needed to thrash out a matter in +order to come upon the best road, surely it is now." + +"Then you have come to believe that Master Lord is not such a friend to +the Cause as he professes, even though the lieutenant at the battery +declared he would trust the man with his life?" I asked. + +"The lieutenant's eyes may have been shut just as Job Lord would shut +ours," Hiram said with a smile, much as if it pleased him to have thus +settled the matter in his own mind. "It must be that this man has done +good service among our people, otherwise he would not have such a +reputation for loyalty to the colony. But whatever he may have done in +the past, it seems certain to me he is ready to play us false now." + +"I fail to see why he need take any roundabout lane to get at such a +knavish result," Harvey suggested. "If he counts to give us up to the +lobster backs, it only needs that he call in the first squad which +comes past the building, for here we are like rats in a trap, ready to +be taken whenever it is the pleasure of those who have caught us." + +"I wish it might be possible for me to make that part of it plain in my +mind," Hiram said thoughtfully. "I can figure out all else; but why it +should be his purpose to keep us here any length of time, instead of +delivering us up at once, is more than I can come at. Certain it is he's +playing a game, and it remains for us to learn what it may be." + +"And in the meanwhile what about Silas?" Archie asked, whereupon Hiram +replied sharply, as if it vexed him because the lad would carry the +conversation so far afield: + +"He is no more a prisoner than we are, and until it is possible for us +to get out of this place, at the same time finding some means of +preventing Job Lord from giving the lobster backs warning of our +whereabouts, we need not trouble our heads concerning him. I have no +mind to arouse your fears, lad, and surely you can understand the +situation as well as I; but to my thinking we would be safer shut up in +the Bridewell, as prisoners of war, than here in the power of this man +who claims to be devoted heart and soul to the Cause." + +Such words silenced me. I had come to believe that Hiram could see +treachery in Master Lord's course; but until this moment had no idea he +believed the situation to be so desperate. It must have been that he saw +what was very like to fear written on my face, for he added after a +short pause: + +"Nay, nay, lad, do not let me persuade you into making mountains out of +mole hills; but let us not fall into the mistake of failing to see the +mole hills. You stood up bravely when we were on Breed's hill with +three or four thousand lobster backs striving to kill us, and I saw no +sign of fear on your face. Now we have but one man against us, and it +will go hard indeed if we four cannot outwit the scoundrel, if scoundrel +he be, providing he gives us time." + +"But why should he give us time?" Harvey persisted, and again Hiram +said: + +"That's what puzzles me lad; but I am hoping to find out before many +hours have passed. In the meanwhile, when he comes here it is for us to +make him believe we are not only willing, but pleased to remain as he +would have us. Do not let it appear that we have any suspicions of him +whatsoever, but fall in with all he suggests, for indeed we can do no +less while shut up here." + +"If that rubbish hole leads outside, why may we not escape by means of +it?" I asked, and the reply came promptly: + +"Because we would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. It is +evidently not Master Lord's intention to deliver us over to the lobster +backs yet a while, providing we remain quietly here as he desires; but +let us once take to flight, as he would discover within an hour or more +after we had gone, and our liberty is not worth a day's purchase. You +can see plainly that if he is the traitor we are beginning to believe +him, it would be impossible for us to find another hiding-place in this +town which the Britishers could not discover." + +"We are setting it down as a fact that this Job Lord, who has probably +made many of our people believe him true to the Cause, is a traitor," +Archie said thoughtfully, as if he had been turning the matter over and +over in his mind. "It seems to me that we should, until knowing to the +contrary, at least put it in our reckoning that the chances are even he +may be doing according to his professions. If that be the case, then we +are making as much progress toward giving Silas aid as if we were on the +outside; perhaps more, because Master Lord can succeed where we would +fail." + +"All of which means what?" I asked impatiently. + +"That since we are powerless to do otherwise, but must remain here, let +us say that perhaps matters are going as they should, which won't +prevent keeping our eyes open to take advantage of any turn that may +come in our favor." + +It seemed as if all these words irritated Hiram, for, after having +partaken sparingly of the appetizing food, he sprang to his feet with +the air of one who has much work to perform. + +"Give me your pocket-knife, Archie, and do you three lads remain at the +table until it is impossible to eat more, for we who serve the Cause do +not come upon such food often." + +Archie did as was desired, and we all watched Hiram curiously as he +began cutting cautiously at one of the crevices between the planks above +our heads. + +Not until he had been at work several moments did I come to understand +what he would do, and then it flashed upon me that it was his purpose to +make an aperture through which we might the better hear what was going +on in the room above. + +It was not reasonable to suppose he could cut away the planks to any +extent without danger of his work being seen from above, and in fact, +when he stepped aside as if the task had been performed, it appeared to +me that he had enlarged the crevice no more than an eighth of an inch, +and that for a distance, mayhap, of half a finger's length. + +Wetting his hand, he took from the fire-place a small quantity of ashes, +making them into a paste, and this he rubbed over the freshly cut space +until it had been darkened to a shade like unto the remainder of the +flooring, while I, eager to aid in whatsoever of work was being done, +picked up carefully each tiny shaving of wood, throwing them on the +embers that they might be consumed. + +Then Hiram went through the same operation at a place directly above the +table, and within half an hour he had thus opened slight communication +with the room above. There was not much reason for hoping these tiny +apertures would serve the purpose for which they had been made; but yet +there was a possibility we could hear better what was said or done by +Master Lord's visitors, and to people in our situation every chance, +however slight, must be caught at. + +"Why not learn what we can about yonder rubbish hole?" I asked when +Hiram seated himself at the table once more, as if there was nothing +else which demanded attention. + +"It is not well to make a try at going too far at one time," he replied +with a certain air of content. + +It was well I had not been looked upon as the leader of our little +company, otherwise we might have come to grief even before we had well +made a start toward arming ourselves against the possible treachery of +Master Lord. + +I would have continued the work which was begun by making the +apertures, in the rubbish hole, regarding not the possibility of an +interruption; but should have hardly more than have commenced before our +host returned, when most-like everything might have been discovered. + +As it was, thanks to Hiram's precaution, we four were seated at the +table in a most comfortable manner, as if having nothing on our minds +save pleasure, when Job Lord, who must have come into the house with the +utmost caution in order to learn what we might be about, raised the +trap-door suddenly, peering down before venturing to descend. + +There was no question after this but that he was minded to make certain +we followed his advice, and thus sneaking into the house like a spy to +catch us unawares was further proof that he meditated mischief. + +For the life of me I could not have greeted the scoundrel in a friendly +tone; but Hiram hailed him as if believing he was our best friend, and +asked in a jovial tone that he come down and partake of the sumptuous +dinner. + +Master Lord looked well content with himself, which meant that he was +satisfied we were minded to do as he bade us, when he descended the +ladder and took seat in a most affable manner at the table. + +"I have been out on your business," he said, helping himself to a slice +of roasted lamb. + +"And I dare venture to say you have done more in an hour than we four +could have accomplished in a full week," Hiram added genially. + +"Well, I may say we have got along famously this day," Master Lord +replied in a jolly tone. "Thanks to my acquaintance among the lobster +backs, and their belief that I am devoted heart and soul to the king, it +has been possible for me to enter that part of the Bridewell where the +prisoners taken at Breed's hill are confined." + +"Did you see Silas?" Harvey asked eagerly. + +"There was but one boy in the place, and if so be your comrade is +prisoner here, then have I seen him. It would have been ill advised had +I attempted to get speech with him, because I was there professedly out +of motives of curiosity, and took good care not to arouse suspicion by +talking with any of the so-called rebels." + +"Is the guard around the building as large as it was yesterday?" Hiram +asked as if deeply interested, and having perfect confidence in what our +host might tell him. + +"As nearly as could be judged there has been no change; but I heard on +the street that General Gage counts on advancing his outposts at Boston +Neck with the idea of pushing our people back from Roxbury, in which +case he will need all the men at his command, when I doubt not the guard +at the Bridewell will be lessened." + +"Then your opinion is the same as when we last talked together?" and +Hiram urged Master Lord to partake more heartily of his own provisions. + +"Aye, that seems to me wisest. In fact, there is nothing else for you to +do, and surely you are comfortable here as any four so-called rebels to +be found in the colony could be." + +"That we are, sir, thanks to you, but for our having found this very +agreeable hiding-place, which is guarded by a man so deeply devoted to +the Cause, most-like we would be keeping our comrade company in the +Bridewell by this time," and one would have said from Hiram's tone that +he firmly believed Master Lord was the only person in all this world who +could have lent us aid. "We would be unwise as well as ungrateful should +there be any thought in our minds of doing other than as you advise." + +There is no need why I repeat all which was said between Job Lord and +Hiram Griffin, for each was bent on deceiving the other, as it appeared +to me, and the words which were spoken amounted to nothing, so far as +our work of releasing Silas was concerned. + +The result of it was, however, as I fancied, that Hiram succeeded in +making Master Lord believe we had the fullest confidence in him, and at +the same time was firmly convinced our host to be as thorough paced a +scoundrel as when we had talked with him previously. + +"It must not be that I spend all my time with you lads, pleasant though +your company is," Master Lord said after having made a hearty meal, and +at the same time satisfied himself that we were not meditating any move +other than as he directed. "I must pick up all the information I can +concerning General Gage's intentions to advance on the outposts at the +Neck, in order that word be sent to Cambridge without delay; therefore +it is necessary I go abroad for a while." + +"Do as you would if we were not here," Hiram replied, "and above all, +neglect not the work of the Cause in order to show your kindly +disposition toward us." + +Then after a few more friendly, and, as I believed, false words, Master +Lord ascended the ladder; the trap-door was shut and bolted, and while +this was being done Hiram clambered upon the table softly that he might +approach his ear to the aperture made in the floor, motioning me to take +my former station, while Archie clambered up on a stool to hear what he +might from the other crevice. + +Between us all we contrived to make out with reasonably certainty when +our host, having moved about the room a few minutes as if searching for +something, left the building, locking the door behind him, and after +mayhap five minutes had passed in silence, Hiram said in a low tone as +he came down from his perch: + +"I'm allowing the worthy Master Lord will remain abroad, striving +earnestly to aid the Cause, for at least an hour, and during such time, +if you lads are so disposed, we will see what may be done with that +rubbish hole, which, as I believe, points out to us the fairest road we +could have for the thwarting of treacherous schemes." + +You can fancy with what eagerness I set about removing the casks, +believing we might speedily effect our purpose; but it was not in +Hiram's mind that we should be rash. + +"Fair and softly, lad, else by too much haste you spoil the whole broth. +That which chokes the passage must be disposed of if we would count on +opening it, and where do you reckon we may put what is taken out, so +that when our host visits us again he shall see no signs of our labor?" + +I had shown myself thick-headed many a time before; but never so dull as +now when I would have begun pulling out the rubbish without means of +hiding it, and I stepped back in despair, not understanding how we might +at the same time remove and keep it hidden from view. + +It seems that Hiram had already been making plans to such end, for he at +once began taking out some of the larger stones, and stowing them in two +of the casks from which the heads had been removed. + +"We can get rid of considerable in this way, and after that much has +been done it may be possible to pack the earth down so closely that we +can drive a tunnel through," he said, working energetically, and we +three lads, understanding what was in his mind, lost no time in bearing +a hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SECRET PASSAGE + + +Fortunately for us all the casks save two were unheaded, and these we +filled in short order, for it can well be supposed that every one worked +with utmost speed, not knowing how soon Job Lord might take it into his +head to return. + +Once filled, they were placed in front of the rubbish hole very nearly +in the same position, save in so far that a narrow passage was left +behind them, through which we might, with some difficulty, force +ourselves. + +On top of these, especially in order to prevent our host from seeing +what had been done, the two unheaded casks were placed, and then Job +Lord must have been keen-eyed indeed to have observed any change at that +portion of the room. + +It was Hiram who had remained inside the passage, passing out rocks or +clods of earth, and when we had come thus far in our labor he decided it +would be safer to cease work a short time, lest he who was apparently +holding us prisoners should succeed in returning secretly. + +"How far have you got toward the outside?" I asked as Hiram came from +behind the casks, brushing his clothing carefully, and washing his hands +that no token of the labor could be seen when next our host visited us. + +"I am of the belief that we have made what you might call a tunnel +straight through, and within a dozen inches of the surface," he replied. +"I had no means of guessing as to the distance, except by taking the +flooring of the building as being well on the level, and from that I +feel positive I had made my way upward to a point equal in height to the +last rung of the ladder. The question that bothers me is, how we can +break through the crust of earth without leaving behind token of what +has been done?" + +"Why should we care whether any person saw how we escaped?" Archie asked +in bewilderment. "Once Job Lord fails to find us he will know we have +gone, and it matters little how soon he discovers the tunnel." + +"Aye, if so be we counted on taking to our heels at once; but there is +in my mind an idea that we may play this double-faced Master Lord a +reasonably neat trick. It is agreed that we want to stay in Boston until +it is possible to aid Silas, or we have come to know that nothing can be +done, and where could we find a better hiding-place than this?" + +"But surely we can't count on going in and out at our pleasure, for the +chances would be against us. Master Lord might come at any time, and +when we attempted to return the jig would be up." + +"As to that I am not certain," Hiram said as, having removed all traces +of the work from his person, he seated himself at the table evidently +ready to enter into an argument should any of us dispute his +proposition. "While working in the tunnel the idea came to me that if we +carried the digging through successfully, one of us might be on the +outside, and Master Lord fail to discover the fact even if he paid us a +visit." + +"How do you make that out?" Harvey asked incredulously. + +"Suppose, for instance, Luke ventured outside through the passageway, if +so be we can hit upon a plan of preventing the end of the tunnel from +being seen on the surface. Now then, it should not be a very difficult +job for us to rig up a dummy which would have somewhat the appearance of +a lad lying on the bed as if asleep. Then we will say that you, Harvey, +lie down beside the figure, pretending to be asleep. Master Lord comes; +finds Archie and me sitting here at the table; glances at the bed, sees +Harvey's face, and also what appears to be Luke's head. Think you he +would have any suspicion that matters were wrong?" + +"But suppose he did?" I insisted, determined to understand all the +possibilities of Hiram's scheme; but not allowing that it might be put +through successfully. + +"Well, we will suppose his suspicions are aroused, and he goes over to +the bed to make certain Luke is there. How much worse off are we in case +he discovers the trick? We know him to be our enemy, regardless of the +confidence which our people may put in him, and it is also a fact that +we are bound to keep our eyes open for the first move he shall make, +because the end of this matter, from his point of view, is our capture +by the Britishers when the time comes that all his purposes are served." + +"Well, what then?" I demanded impatiently. "Once he has made the +discovery that I am outside, can you prevent him raising an alarm, and +thus bringing the lobster backs upon those who are inside?" + +"Aye, that seems to me a very simple matter," Hiram replied. "The moment +our double-faced friend went toward the dummy to make certain he had +been tricked, our plan would be to fall upon him, and I'll eat my head +if the three of us can't truss him up like a fowl ready for the +roasting, however much of a fight he may make." + +"Well, and if we have him prisoner, what then?" + +"We'll simply hold him here until we get ready to leave town, and I'm +thinking that won't be any difficult matter," Hiram said laughingly. +"With him bound hand and foot, and one of us ready to plump a gag in his +mouth if he makes too much noise in the way of calling for assistance, +it seems to me he would be about as harmless as a kitten in a cage. As a +matter of fact, it is very nearly what we must do finally, for I am not +counting to take to my heels through yonder passage, leaving him behind +free to give word to the lobster backs that we are somewhere in the +town, or striving to get out of it. We are in such a box, lads, that it +would be worse than useless to hesitate at anything which promises, +however slightly, to aid us," and now Hiram spoke in a grave tone, as +does one who speculates upon some hazardous venture. "We shall not be +able to leave this place without having a tussle with Master Lord, and +no one can say how soon that may be necessary, therefore I hold to it we +are warranted in taking many chances, if so be we are working toward the +end that we set ourselves when leaving Cambridge. Even though we may not +hold this place as a refuge eight and forty hours before the trick is +discovered, then have we gained just so much time." + +I could think of no argument against this plan of Hiram's, ponder over +it as I might. We were in desperate straits, and all of us knew full +well that the danger would not be so great when Master Lord had +discovered that we had a means of escape, providing we could hold him +prisoner, than if he remained in ignorance of our purpose and at liberty +to set the lobster backs on us whenever he chose. + +"The only thing against your plan, Hiram, is that which you yourself +have confessed," Archie said thoughtfully. "The difficulty of concealing +the mouth of the tunnel after one of us has made his way through it." + +"Aye, there's the rub, lad; but it strikes me that 'twixt the four of +us, seeing's how we have all got some share of common-sense, we ought to +be able to overcome that trouble in course of time. I cannot say just +now what way it may be done; but we will hit upon an idea lads, we'll +hit upon an idea." + +It may seem that this slight change in the situation was not so +favorable to our enterprise as to warrant very much in the way of +rejoicing, and yet I felt more nearly light-hearted after Hiram was at +an end of explaining what he had done, and how the tunnel might be made +to serve us, than at any time since I left Cambridge, although I am +bound to confess we were no nearer accomplishing our purpose because of +this secret passage, than before. In fact, we had simply succeeded in +entering the town, and then plunged ourselves into greater difficulties +than ever, therefore it is possible the means of escape was simply a +step toward righting the mistake that had been made. + +Then it was that Harvey asked suddenly, as if it was a matter of great +moment: + +"Who knows whether it yet be day, or has the night come?" + +As a matter of course we had lost all knowledge of time, shut up in that +cellar where no ray of light penetrated, sleeping and eating as our +desires prompted, and now the question had been raised I grew keen to +know whether another night had come, or if we had been there as +prisoners less than four and twenty hours. + +"It was nearabout midnight when we came into this place," Hiram replied +to Harvey's question, as if still working out a problem in his mind. "We +spent much time with Master Lord; let us say until daybreak. Then we +slept, and the chances are it must have been near to another night fall +when we were awakened by a racket overhead. I'm allowing it was the next +night after our arrival, perhaps late in the evening, when our +double-faced host brought us the provisions, and that we most-like have +spent one entire night eating and working on the tunnel. Therefore to my +mind it is some time in the second day after our arrival. Surely it +cannot be very late in the night, else would Master Lord have returned." + +All this seemed good reasoning, and yet now that we had seemingly +settled the matter, of what did it avail us? What mattered whether the +sun was shining, or the earth shrouded in darkness, so that we dared not +venture out in either case? + +Hiram speedily settled this matter, as in fact he did every one we +discussed, by asking: + +"What say you to my making our first venture through the secret passage +after that scoundrel who professes to be working in our interests, +visits us the next time?" + +"Meaning that you would go out whether it was night or day?" Archie +asked. + +"Surely not, lad; but I am allowing we can so far trust him as to take +for granted what he tells us as to the time. Now if I am guessing +rightly, he will come back in the evening, and there is no good reason +why he should not say what is o'clock when we put the question. It ought +to be possible for us to learn whether he goes to bed, or ventures out +again, and if it so chances that he turns in, I will try the secret +passage." + +"When you made the holes in the floor for the purpose of hearing what +might be going on in the room above, did you realize that they would +serve to let him know what we are doing?" Harvey asked, and Hiram's +reply was a cheery one: + +"Aye, that I did, lad; but I'm not minded he shall get any advantage +because of them, since it won't be a great exertion to plug the holes +with rags." + +It was evident that Hiram had given more thought to the situation, and +to the possibility of turning it to our advantage, than had any of us. +From that moment I was well content to do as he suggested, save in one +particular, and that was as to which of us should make the first +venture, therefore I demanded to know why he claimed the right. + +"Because in the first place, so far as the lobster backs know, I haven't +been mixed up in the doings of the Minute Boys as have the rest of you." + +"How do you make that out?" Archie cried sharply. "Seth Jepson has told +the Britishers all he knows, and your name has been put down with the +others." + +"Seeing's how I am the least known in this town of Boston, it strikes me +there is nobody who can go out with less danger than myself," Hiram +declared, and straightway I put an end to his pretensions by saying: + +"You would not be able to effect one half as much as any of us three, +because of being unacquainted with the town and the people. Besides, you +would be missed more quickly by Master Lord; the chances are if he +should come, and you were asleep, he would insist upon awakening you, +for you have acted as spokesman all the way through this business. Now I +am the one who has the right to go, and I can be of more service than +any other." + +As a matter of course all hands insisted on knowing upon what I based my +claims, and I put the matter plainly, perhaps with some show of +arrogance: + +"In the first place because I was chosen captain of the Minute Boys, +which gives me the right to say what shall or shall not be done; then +again I am as well acquainted with the people in this town as any other, +knowing who may be trusted and whom we need fear." + +"What would you do in case we agreed you should be the first to venture +out?" Hiram asked, and I could well understand that he was inclined to +believe me in the right. + +"First I would go to my own home, and it would be safe to do so because +no one save Master Lord has any idea that I am in town. My mother must +know somewhat of the doings hereabouts since we left, and may be able to +give valuable information." + +"Is that all?" Archie asked as if he considered my plan to be of little +importance so far as the work of releasing Silas was concerned. + +"I would take advice from her as to who among the men known to love the +Cause, it would be safe for me to visit, and to such person give full +information of how we are situated, and what we strive to accomplish. +That I fancy is as much as any one of us can do in a single night." + +Archie would have had more to say regarding the matter, as I could +understand from the expression on his face; but just at that moment the +outer door was heard to open noisily and close with a bang, after which +it seemed as if we could hear whoever had entered barring it behind him, +and Hiram whispered softly to me: + +"Get you on the further side of the bed, and let Harvey lie down beside +you. Keep your face turned to the wall, as if you were the dummy of +which we have spoken." + +I understood that now he would make an experiment of the plan which he +had suggested, and as softly as might be I followed his instructions, +repeating them to Harvey. + +In a twinkling we two lads were disposed of, I smothering my face in the +blanket while my companion lay facing the table, and in a very short +time after these preparations had been made the trap-door was opened. + +Master Lord came down the ladder with a noisy welcome, as if it pleased +him to see us thus apparently contented, and before he had an +opportunity to make any remark, Hiram asked in a tone of curiosity: + +"May it be night or day, Master Lord? We have been shut in here so long +without seeing a ray of light that it has come to be a matter of no +little importance to us." + +"It is nigh to nine of the clock, when all found loitering on the street +without a pass will be taken into custody, else I would have remained +abroad later, for I am hoping most earnestly to seek out some way by +which you can aid your comrade." + +"Was it last night that we came here?" Hiram continued, as if prompted +solely by curiosity. + +"Not so; nearly eight and forty hours have passed since you arrived." + +"Hiram guessed rightly, as he nearly always contrives to do," I said to +myself, and then Master Lord asked: + +"Why are you so interested in the time of day? Since you must perforce +remain here idle while I am cutting out the work for you, it is of no +especial importance whether the sun or the moon is shining." + +"Aye, that may be," Hiram replied reflectively; "but you see yonder +sleepy heads declared they would turn in because another night had +surely come, and I was trying to persuade them they would be spending +the day in slumber, which as I look at the matter is wrong, even though +we may not venture out." + +Master Lord appeared to be content with this explanation, and at once +began telling of what he had heard on the street regarding General +Gage's probable plans, giving no very important news save the fact that +our people were sending troops to this post and that in the work of +besieging the town, and it was understood by the Britishers that they +were much the same as held fast, without means of leaving Boston, save +they chose to beat a retreat by water. + +"It stands to reason General Gage could not do anything of that kind, +however much he might desire it," our double-faced host explained. "It +is true he is not advancing the king's work by staying here, yet to +evacuate the town would be to admit that the Americans had beaten him by +that victory which he claims at Breed's hill." + +Then he went on with a lot of words intended, as I fancied, rather to +keep us quiet in mind than for any other purpose, and, giving but little +heed to his talk, I tried in vain to guess why he wished to hold us in +this place rather than turn all four over to the Britishers immediately, +as I doubted not but that he intended to do finally. + +He remained mayhap half an hour talking with Hiram, for neither Harvey +nor Archie ventured to take part in the conversation, and giving no heed +to me. If the dummy we proposed to make had been in my place, and I on +the outside, he would have remained in ignorance of the fact. + +"If he could thus be deceived once, why not twice or thrice?" and I said +to myself that Hiram Griffin had worked out a plan as nearly perfect as +anything of the kind could be reckoned. + +When Master Lord had ascended to the upper floor, and closed and bolted +the door to make certain we could not give him the slip, Hiram crept +like a cat upon the table, pressing his ear against one of the +apertures. He stood there as it seemed to me a full hour before he came +down as cautiously as before, and leaned over the bed where I lay, to +whisper softly in my ear: + +"After I have plugged up the holes, lad, it is time for you to get to +work, if so be you are minded to make the venture as was agreed upon." + +Minded? I was burning with the desire to set out, foolishly believing +that once I was free in the streets of Boston town, it would not only be +possible for me to avoid the patrol, but I could do very much toward +that release of Silas Brownrigg's on which we had set our hearts. + +Not until Hiram had filled the two small apertures with pieces of cloth +torn from his shirt, did I make any move, and then it can well be +fancied that I strove to rise from the bed without noise. + +Hiram was already wrapping his coat around a large rock taken from one +of the casks, which as I understood was intended to represent my head, +and when this had been placed upon the bed, he made a roll of blankets +to form the body. Over this he threw a second blanket, and if so be the +light was dim, I believed, as I stood near the table where Master Lord +would naturally come if he should pay us a visit during the night, that +it was a fair resemblance to myself as he had just seen me. + +"I'm allowing that you can make your way out after five minutes of +digging," Hiram whispered to me, and then came to my mind the one +important question which we had failed to settle. + +"How shall I cover the hole?" + +"That is for you to decide after getting out. My idea is that the turf +may be thrown up in such a way that it can be replaced, and yet I +question much whether it is of any very great importance to conceal the +mouth of the tunnel during such time as you may be absent, for why +should any person, much less Job Lord, be prowling around the rear of +this building in the night?" + +With this Hiram dismissed the matter as if believing it was not a vital +one, and instructed me as to how the first portion of the work should be +performed. He was to stand on the table, having pulled out the plug of +cloth from one of the apertures, where it might be possible to hear +what was going on overhead. Archie would take station a few feet +distant, toward the casks, while Harvey remained close by the rubbish +hole. Then if Hiram heard any suspicious sounds he would motion to the +one nearest, who could in turn let the next sentinel know, and this last +might warn me to keep quiet in the tunnel. If perchance Master Lord did +come down into the room, because of being suspicious, or in order to +hold any further converse, I must stay in the passage, and the dummy +play my part the same as if I had gained the outside. + +When all this had been decided upon and understood, the lads stationed +themselves, and I crept into the tunnel, finding the passage so very +much narrower than I had counted upon that already was I beginning to +fear I might, through clumsiness, so wedge myself in that it would be +impossible to advance or retreat. + +That, however, was one of the chances which must be taken, if we would +get about the work in the only manner that promised success, and I +wriggled my way upward until having come to where the earth was +seemingly solid above my head, on the alert meanwhile for a signal from +Harvey which should tell of danger in the rear. + +Without delay, and yet not hastily lest by too much speed a blunder be +made, I scraped away the dirt from above my head, allowing it to fall +wheresoever it would, until I could feel the roots of the grass, and +knew I was come to the turf. + +Then, feeling carefully around at the very edge, so that I might force +it upward in such a manner as to form a lid that would drop back into +place again, I pressed with all my strength. + +The roots of the grass tore asunder; a draft of fresh air struck upon my +face, and, looking upward, I could see stars twinkling in the sky in a +most friendly fashion, as it seemed to me. + +Within sixty seconds I was standing erect in the rear of the building +which Master Lord counted to be our prison, free to go whithersoever I +would, so that I kept myself clear from the patrol and did not blunder +upon too many Tories. + +I had in the belt by my side the knife of which I have already spoken, +and it was the only weapon which I could carry while making a way +through the narrow tunnel; but this I was determined to use with deadly +intent if peradventure I should come upon only one, or mayhap two +enemies who recognized me, and I believe of a verity that, excited and +desperate as I was become, it would have been possible for me to have +fought for liberty with the energy of half a dozen lads. + +It can well be fancied that I did not stand many seconds in the open +talking with myself as to what I would do in case of a pinch. It seemed +to me the most dangerous portion of my undertaking was to slip past the +building without being overheard by Master Lord, and I flattered myself +that no Indian on the war path ever moved more noiselessly than I, until +having gained Long lane. + +Even while making my way through the tunnel I had mapped out the course +to be pursued, which was that I would cross the vacant land from Long +lane to the corner of Bishop's alley and Milk street, after which it +would be necessary to take my chances of coming upon the patrol. I +counted even on going as near the governor's house as Old South Church, +and from thence boldly down Corn hill, passing dangerously near the +prison until coming to Dock square. As to the rest of the journey, I +said to myself it should be determined by chance. + +Once at a safe distance from Master Lord's house I walked rapidly, +keeping my ears wide open, as you can well suppose, for any sound of the +patrol, until I was come to Milk street, and from thence on my heart was +literally in my mouth, for then I was in that part of the town where I +must reasonably expect to come upon enemies. + +Twice I was within a hair's-breadth of being discovered by the patrol, +but it seemed as if fortune favored me on this venture, for each time +when the sound of their footfalls came to my ears I was nigh a +convenient hiding-place, either in a garden or at the rear of some +building, and although it may seem impossible that the trick could have +been turned so readily, I passed through Dock square and gained Union +street without having come face to face with a single person. + +Then it was that I steered a course for the water mill, and thence kept +on along the shore of the mill pond, where was less danger of coming in +contact with a lobster back, and after that the way was, as you might +say, plain sailing. + +Perhaps the most difficult part of the venture thus far, was when I +strove to awaken my mother without attracting the attention of the +neighbors. She, dear soul, had secured every door and window lest +thieves might break in and steal what little of property the Britishers +had left us, and more than once did I half turn as if to depart, +believing I was courting too much of danger in thus striving to have +speech with her. + +Fortunately, however, I continued my efforts sufficiently long to +arouse the dear woman, and heard in a low, frightened tone from inside, +the question as to who was demanding entrance. + +It goes without saying that the door was opened very suddenly when I +whispered my name, and on feeling her arms around me I was so heartened +that it seemed as if I could successfully encounter any ordinary number +of Tories or red-coats who might seek to make me prisoner. + +She would have cried out against it when I told her for what purpose we +had come to Boston town, and I knew full well that if I had explained +the dangers to which we were exposed, even while under the supposed care +of Job Lord, she would have begged and insisted so strenuously for us to +give over that which had in it so much of hazard, that I might not have +prevailed against her. + +I contented myself with telling her how we had chanced to come upon this +Master Lord, and repeated what had been said concerning his loyalty to +the Cause, thereby giving her to believe we were in perfect security +while remaining at his dwelling, all of which went far toward calming +her fears. It was what you might call deceiving one's mother, and yet I +believed that under the circumstances was I fully warranted in so doing, +otherwise had I left her as I must, she would have eaten her heart out +with anxiety and forebodings. + +To her mind it was not possible we could do anything whatsoever in aid +of Silas. She had heard from our friends that the prisoners taken at +Breed's hill were closely guarded; that none save those who were known +to be of the king's side could even so much as have a glimpse of them, +and knowing I could not remain in town very long without being taken +into custody, instead of pleading that I remain with her, she begged me +to go with all speed to Cambridge. + +Explaining that I would have speech with some man who was devoted to the +Cause and yet remained in Boston, she proposed that I go to Master +William Mansfield, who lived in Mackrell lane, for he was one who had +proven himself a true son of the colony, having staid in town because of +lameness in the leg which prevented him from serving as a soldier. + +I remained with my mother not more than half an hour, although it would +have pleased me right well could I have staid there until break of day; +but time was exceedingly precious if I would save my own skin as well as +that of my comrades, and I hastened away, counting to do no more than +have a plain talk with Master Mansfield before going back to the +hiding-place which was a prison, knowing full well that the lads there +must be filled with apprehension and fear as the moments went by, lest I +might have been taken into custody, thus bringing about discovery of the +secret passage. + +Now, because of having succeeded so well thus far in my mission it may +be I grew careless, although even to this day it seems as if I exercised +every caution while on the way from my home to Mackrell lane. + +Certain it was, however, that on going up Ann street to the town dock I +failed to hear the sound of footsteps behind me, until a hand was laid +on my shoulder, and a disagreeably familiar voice cried in a tone as of +triumph: + +"After what was done at Hog island, and then at Breed's hill, have you +the courage to come into this town, Luke Wright?" + +I wheeled suddenly as you may fancy, and it was as if the very blood +grew chill in my veins when I saw that he who had spoken was none other +than the traitorous cur, Seth Jepson. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AN AWKWARD CAPTURE + + +I was thoroughly dazed at having let myself be come upon by the one lad +in town who could do me the most mischief. It was literally impossible +to speak for a full minute, and during such time as I remained staring +stupidly into the lad's face there ran through my mind like a flash of +lightning all it was possible for him to do, not only against myself, +but those I had left behind in the cellar of Job Lord's house. + +It is true that the Tory cur had then no means of knowing whether others +had come into the town with me; but should he give an alarm and I be +taken into custody, as must surely follow, then would that host of ours +who claimed to be such a devoted friend to the Cause, make known the +contents of his cellar in order to have a share in the credit of +capturing "rebels." + +I realized almost as soon as the scoundrel had spoken, that we two must +not part; that the safety of all our little company depended upon my +silencing him in some way; but how might it be done save at the expense +of killing? Even though his death would have been of benefit to the +Cause, I could not find it in my heart to do that which seemed much the +same as murder. + +"I little expected to find you at large in the streets of this town," +Seth said in what he meant to be a jeering tone, but, with all my +senses on the alert because of the imminence of the danger, I noticed +that he looked uneasily out of the tail of his eye as if having it in +mind to give me the slip, and this, as you may suppose, heartened me, +although even while I stood gazing at him did I realize that he was +simply casting about in his mind for some means whereby he might take +advantage of thus meeting with me. + +I answered boldly enough, however, and was well pleased to continue the +conversation sufficiently long to have an opportunity of deciding upon +my course of action, therefore said: + +"Will you tell me how long since I have not had the privilege of walking +the streets of Boston town, Seth Jepson?" + +"That's a question easily answered. You lost the right when you attacked +the king's men off Hog island." + +"Well, and what did you lose when you showed yourself not only a traitor +to the Cause, but a cur, gaining the confidence of your comrades only +that you might betray them to a British prison? Can such as you walk the +streets freely while I, who have made no pretense of being other than +what your governor calls a rebel, must remain in hiding?" + +"It is the duty of every true man, as well as lad, to serve the king, +and there can be no such thing as treachery when one works in behalf of +his lawful sovereign," Seth replied, wincing and raising his arm before +his face as if thinking I counted on striking him. + +"The lawful sovereign of these colonies is whosoever the people shall +choose to be their ruler, and the time is speedily coming, Seth Jepson, +when the lobster backs will be driven out of Boston. After that has been +done you will be called upon to settle with the Minute Boys, and I +assure you the debt won't be easily paid." + +I was deliberately striving to work myself up into a fury that I might +strike the cur senseless with a blow, taking the chance of killing him, +for as the seconds sped I realized how great was our danger unless his +tongue could be silenced. + +He must have seen something of this in my face, for he wheeled about +suddenly, crying at the full strength of his lungs as he attempted to +flee: + +"Murder! murder!" + +He had no time to make further outcry, for as soon as the word was +repeated I clutched him by the throat from behind, dragging him +backward, and burying my fingers so deeply in his neck that he was like +to be strangled. + +It was only when his eyes bulged out and his tongue protruded, as after +the hangman has finished his work, that I realized I was within an ace +of taking a human life. Then I released my hold; kneeling on his breast, +I pinned both his arms down to the ground so that he had no opportunity +of escaping, or making an attack upon me. + +No sooner had I done this, and he began to breathe more freely, than I +realized that by my assault I had increased the danger, for surely, even +at that time of night, those living near about must have heard that +shrill, frantic cry. + +To leave him now in condition to follow me, would be the greatest folly +of all, and acting upon the impulse of the moment I clutched him by the +collar, dragging the cur to his feet as if he had been of no more +weight than a baby. Then I forced him on before me down Union street +toward the mill pond as I said sharply, yet in a cautious tone, while I +withdrew my knife from its sheath that he might see I had a weapon: + +"I'm not minded you shall send me to a British prison, Seth Jepson, and +I swear solemnly that if you raise your voice above a whisper, or fail +to run at your best pace, I'll thrust this knife into your heart with +the certainty of killing you." + +"Would you do murder?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, and I knew from the +tremor of his voice that he was in an agony of fear. + +"It will not be murder to kill such as you, and I shall have no +hesitation in doing so unless you obey every command promptly." + +During such time as we had been speaking the pace was not slackened, and +that the cowardly cur had lost all heart, I understood when he forged +ahead at his best speed, as if believing implicitly in the threat I had +made. + +Running swiftly we were soon on the shore of the mill pond, having +arrived without seeing or hearing anything to betoken pursuit, and +believing it safe to slacken the pace that I might reserve my strength +in case we were come to that pass where I must release the prisoner in +order to save my own skin, I allowed the Tory cur to walk, but took good +care to keep a firm grip on his collar as I mentally asked myself how it +would be possible to rid myself of the prisoner with due regard to +safety. + +I began to realize that I had made an awkward capture; that I had under +my hand one whom I dared not set free, and could not take with me. It +was a most perplexing situation, and during a few seconds I well nigh +lost heart because of having thus plunged my comrades into yet greater +difficulties. + +[Illustration: "'WOULD YOU DO MURDER?'"] + +Yet what other could I have done? If, when he accosted me, I had turned +to flee, he would have followed, and within two or three minutes a score +of lobster backs must have been on my trail, when there could be no +chance of escape. My only safety lay in holding fast to him, and yet by +so doing was I increasing the peril. + +He must have fancied I had grown faint-hearted to a certain degree, for +as we walked on by the shore of the mill pond, he obeying every motion +of mine as does a dog that has been whipped, the scoundrel began to +whimper, being fool enough to think that by the use of soft words he +could make his standing good once more. + +"You do me wrong, Luke Wright, when you believe I led the Britishers up +to Barton's point that night you were embarking for Hog island." + +"Who has accused you of doing that?" I cried, giving way to temper +because he should believe he might make excuses for his treachery. + +"You have much the same as said so," he whined. "Because I was forced to +go home for ever so short a time, having forgotten to do what my mother +bade me, you immediately cried out that I was a traitor." + +"How know you that, Seth Jepson, unless it be that you did play us +false, and how was it you returned in company with the Britishers?" + +"I didn't," Seth replied, not speaking as an honest lad would; but +rather like a knave who is too thoroughly frightened to be able to tell +a falsehood that can be believed. "The Britishers were there when I came +up." + +"We were but a short distance from the shore when you returned in their +company, and heard the conversation that was held while you were accused +of having brought them on a false scent," I cried hotly, and then +realizing that no good could come from thus bandying words when at any +moment we might come upon the patrol, I said sharply, forcing him once +more into a run: + +"You are to hold your tongue from this out, or as I live this knife +shall find its way into your back." + +"I will do whatsoever you say, so that you spare my life," he whined, +and I could have kicked him for failing to show the spirit of a decent +lad. + +Not knowing whithersoever I ought to go; but having in mind a clear idea +that I must make my way so far out of the town as to lessen the danger +of coming upon a squad of lobster backs, I pushed him on until we were +come to Boling Green, and then made a straight cut across Cambridge +street, heading for Beacon hill at a smart pace until we were 'twixt +there and the rope walk, where it seemed to me we were past the danger +line for the time being. + +Then it was I did a mighty deal of thinking. The first plan I formed was +to cross over to the western shore of the town with the poor hope of +finding there a skiff in which I might make way to Cambridge with my +prisoner, even though in so doing I should be abandoning my comrades +who, if I failed to return before daylight, would be set upon by Master +Lord in whatsoever way he purposed to deal with them. + +The thought that I would thus be purchasing my own safety, if indeed I +was lucky enough to come upon a skiff on the shore, at the expense of my +comrades shamed me, and, pulling Seth sharply around to the left, I +continued at a yet swifter pace down past the powder house, across the +Common, my brain in such a whirl that it seemed I must of necessity go +once more to Cow lane. + +By this time little clouds had begun to gather in the sky, so that the +night was darker than it had been when I set out, and as we came to the +end of Hog alley I believed it safe to stop there an instant in order to +regain my breath, for now both captive and captor were breathing +heavily. + +Here, as we crouched within the shadow of an outhouse, Seth began his +whining once more; but I cut him short with an extra twist in the collar +of his shirt, at the same time warning him in a whisper that my knife +would find its place in his back if he dared speak one word, however +cautiously. + +Now was come the time when I must decide upon what should be done, and, +despite the danger, in my perplexity I decided to take the chances of +regaining Master Lord's dwelling, saying to myself that the only hope +remaining was to get Seth into that place of refuge which was at the +same time our prison. Once there Hiram Griffin could decide whether we +would not be warranted in turning our backs upon the mission which had +brought us to Boston town, and make every effort to gain Cambridge with +the prisoner. + +It was a wondrous relief to have settled upon some plan, however poor +and desperate, and without further loss of time I pushed Seth on once +more, vowing that we should not slacken pace, unless it might be to +avoid the patrol, until having come to Cow lane. + +Down through the alley, across Newbury street; through the gardens +there to Short street, and thence on to Blind lane; past the New South +Church, and down Summer street, finally coming to our destination. + +Even as I set this down it seems wondrous strange that we could have +come thus far, and for a certain distance through a settled portion of +the town, without having seen or heard anything of life. Yet such was +indeed the case, else I had not been here to tell this poor story of our +Minute Boys of Boston, for had we been captured while I held Seth Jepson +in my power, then was the end speedily come for me, because every Tory +in town would have seen to it that such charges were brought to my door +as would lead to the gallows. + +It was when we were come to the rear of Master Lord's house, I still +clutching the Tory cur firmly by the collar, that my heart misgave me. +How would it be possible for me to send him down through that narrow +tunnel without his making an outcry, and should the plan succeed, how +were we to keep him in hiding where we ourselves were prisoners? + +However, I had come so far on the way that there was no turning back. +The plan must be carried out as it had been hastily made, whether +foolish or no, and if peradventure it brought us all to grief then I +ought not be so severely censured, because there was naught else to be +done, as it then appeared to me. + +When having, as I have said, come to the rear of Master Lord's house and +I had knelt down to raise the turf, which was much like unto a lid, Seth +Jepson's small remnant of courage fled, and I could feel the scoundrel +sink beneath my hand as if his life had suddenly taken flight. + +Now I dared not even whisper; but, holding the knife in my teeth, and +with a strength which was born of desperation, I thrust the Tory villain +in head foremost as if he was no more than a log of wood, pushing on his +legs until he was entirely within the tunnel and I despairing of being +able to force him further because he was as limp as any rag, when +suddenly it was as if the scoundrel shot forward. You may be certain I +followed as quickly as possible, fearing lest he, on gaining the floor +of the cellar, should set up an outcry which would alarm our +double-faced host. + +When I had succeeded in making my way through the tunnel an odd picture +presented itself, and one which will ever remain vivid in my memory. + +The lantern was burning sufficiently bright to illumine the room. I saw +Hiram holding Seth Jepson by both shoulders as he stared into his face +in wonder and perplexity, while Archie and Harvey, each with their hands +on their knees, stooped that they might look up at what must have seemed +a ghastly visitor, for probably the idea of that Tory cur coming into +their hiding-place was the last thought that would have entered their +minds. + +At the same instant I realized how it was that Seth had so suddenly shot +forward when I was striving to push him through the tunnel. Hiram, +hearing the slight noise, and thinking I was stuck fast in the narrow +passage, seized him by the shoulders, dragging him through and out past +the screen of casks until smitten with fear and amazement. + +It may well be fancied that I did not stand still many seconds to take +in the scene. It was pictured upon my mind like a flash of light, and +then I pressed my knife against Seth's breast, whispering in his ear: + +"Remember, we will kill you like the cur you are, if you so much as +whisper!" + +"Are you so tired of life that for the sake of revenge you bring this +fellow here?" Hiram asked softly; but with a world of anger in his tone, +and I, realizing that there must be no more conversation than was +absolutely necessary, told him in the fewest possible words why I had +been so rash, adding feverishly: + +"I could not stop to let down the turf over the tunnel, and it must be +looked after." + +Hiram went noiselessly behind the screen of casks, while I stood +directly in front of Seth with my knife ready for use if he should +attempt to speak; but such precaution was unnecessary. The scoundrel was +so thoroughly frightened as to be incapable of either speech or action, +and when Hiram had come back into the room he sank upon the floor of +earth an inert mass. + +Can you fancy our mental condition as we four stood looking mutely into +each other's faces, with Seth Jepson sprawled out between us? It is +difficult for me, even at this time, to understand all the fearsomeness +of that moment. + +Master Lord might at any moment come down to make sure those whom he +believed he was deceiving yet retained confidence in him, and once he +did so there would be a desperate struggle, in which we must take a +human life, or perchance lose our own. + +For the first time since I had known him, did I see Hiram Griffin in +doubt. He stood there gazing alternately at each of us, and I could well +understand that he was striving fiercely to see some way out of this +tangle which seemed positive must bring us to the prison, or worse, and +meanwhile Seth lay there among us showing no other sign of life than a +succession of short, quick sobs. + +How long we remained there in painful doubt and perplexity I will not +undertake to say; but I do know that my heart was beating like a trip +hammer, and I strained my ears to hear those sounds which would betoken +a visit from Master Lord. + +The suspense was finally ended by Hiram who, without giving any +intimation of his purpose, began tearing his shirt into strips, and +having thus formed what would serve in place of rope, he set about +binding Seth's hands and feet so deftly that while the lad was trussed +up like a chicken ready for the roasting, there was little fear of his +suffering from the tightness of his bonds. + +While this was being done Seth made no resistance; but gazed at us with +terror in his eyes, and I believe the scoundrel was firmly convinced we +had brought him there to his death. + +Then Hiram, kneeling by the Tory's side, whispered softly in his ear, I +bending over to catch the words: + +"Our own lives depend upon keeping you silent, therefore can it be +understood that we would kill you rather than suffer death ourselves. +Within a short time there will come into this room a man who is devoted +to the Cause, so he says; but who must not know that you are here. I +question much whether we can depend upon your solemn promise; but yet +rather than put you to the torture of being gagged during four and +twenty hours, I am inclined to take the chances, promising faithfully +that at the first outcry from you, and whatsoever may be the danger to +myself, I will take your life." + +"You may believe me, and I promise to do whatsoever you say," Seth +whispered, the tears of fear rolling down his cheeks. + +Then Hiram lifted him in his arms as if he had been no more than a baby, +and carrying him behind the screen of casks, laid the scoundrel down in +the tunnel, where, I fancied, because of the time Griffin remained +absent, the threat was repeated. + +After returning he motioned us lads to the far corner of the cellar, and +there, crouching with our heads close together, we began discussing the +situation, which was now become doubly dangerous because of the +prisoner. + +As a beginning, and in order that Archie and Harvey might understand the +better why I had brought the Tory with me, Hiram insisted upon my +telling once more the story of what had happened since I crept out +through the tunnel, and this I did, speaking cautiously, as you can well +fancy, for if peradventure Master Lord had heard the hum of our +conversation he would have made it his business to learn what we were +talking about. + +"I'm free to admit that you could not have done otherwise, lad, and yet +it has put us in a mighty small box." + +And Archie asked in a mournful tone: + +"Is there no other way left open than for us to turn our backs upon +Silas, setting off this very moment in the hope of being able to gain +Cambridge?" + +"We can wait here another four and twenty hours, mayhap, although the +chances are much against it," Hiram replied grimly. + +"But if Job Lord should learn that he is here--" Harvey began, and +Griffin interrupted him by saying sharply: + +"If he does, it is a case of our taking another prisoner, unless it so +happens that the man fights desperately, forcing us to end the struggle +by the shedding of blood." + +"If he finds Seth in the passage--" + +"Aye, if he simply finds the tunnel are we done for, unless it be +possible to overcome him. We can count that that young Tory cur is so +frightened he will not venture to make any outcry during the next five +or six hours; but after that I am not so certain. Once his limbs become +cramped, and he is suffering pain, there's no knowing what the coward +might be brought to do. This much is true, however: when Job Lord visits +us each one must be on the alert, ready to spring upon him in case his +suspicions are aroused. At the first word or movement of his, betokening +the belief that we are keeping something from him, an attack must be +made. Don't wait each for the other; but let the first who sees aught of +danger jump upon the double-faced villain, and the rest will bear a +hand." + +And this was the only plan we were able to form, although I dare venture +to say the four of us remained crouching in the corner discussing the +situation from every point of view, a full hour. + +It had simply come to this, that we were to make another prisoner, +perhaps, thus adding to the danger that already surrounded us, and after +that had been done the chances for saving our own necks were no better. + +It seemed to me as if I lived a whole life-time during the remainder of +that night, hoping Job Lord would come to put an end to the suspense, +and at the same time fearing he might do so. + +Then, when the trap-door was finally opened I leaped up in surprise, as +if there had never been a thought in my mind that he would come, and, +being on my feet, must perforce do something to explain the sudden +movement, as well as hide the fear which I realized was written on my +face. + +After we had finished whispering in the corner Hiram proposed that we +lay down on the bed, taking the dummy apart now it was of no further +use, and there we were stretched out at full length when the raising of +the trap-door brought me to a standing posture. + +Luckily I had wit enough to continue on toward the fire-place as if bent +on doing something in the way of cooking, and had begun to rattle the +pans before Master Lord descended the ladder. Not until then did it come +to my mind that in the event of any trouble arising from this visit, I +was in a good position to deal out to Seth Jepson that which he +deserved. + +"Getting hungry, eh?" Master Lord asked in an oily tone as he seated +himself on one of the stools by the table, and Hiram stretched himself +lazily as he replied: + +"It must be late in the morning, and we are inclined for a bit to eat, +although we haven't earned it." + +"That's right, make yourselves as comfortable as possible, and don't +worry about earning your food, because it is as free as the wind that +blows. You'll earn all you get here, and much more, when the time for +real work comes." + +"Is that like to be soon?" Archie asked. + +"As matters are moving, I believe you will find enough to keep you busy +after getting back to Cambridge." + +"I would we might start this very day!" Hiram exclaimed in so earnest a +tone that I knew full well the words had come from his heart, without +any thought of speaking for the sake of keeping up the pretense of +friendship with Job Lord. + +"So do I, lad, for your sake, because it must be dull work here; but +remember that such a task as you have set yourselves is not to be +performed in a minute, and you can well afford to wait many a long day +if finally you are successful." + +"What o'clock is it?" Hiram asked. + +"Seven in the morning, and a dull day with a misty rain falling." + +"Just the kind of weather for a visit to the Bridewell, if so be matters +were right there," Hiram said quickly. + +"Even though it were the worst tempest that ever raged, you could do +nothing there while so many Britishers are on guard," Master Lord cried +in a decisive tone, as if to put an end to any such conversation; but +Hiram was not disposed to let the matter drop. + +"It was in your mind that some of the lobster backs might be drawn off +while General Gage is pushing his outposts on the Neck. How can you say +that such may not have been done this very morning?" + +"I shan't need many hours in which to settle that question, for it is +in my mind to go there now, hoping I may be so fortunate as to get +speech with your comrade." + +At this moment I was cutting up the leg of lamb, putting the slices into +a frying-pan as if intending to warm them, and Master Lord eyed me +curiously, most like thinking I was an awkward lad at such work. His +steady gaze annoyed me because I feared each instant he might discover +that the position of the casks had been changed, and in my nervousness I +went toward the table in order to place there the frying-pan, intending +to give over my attempt at playing the cook. + +While doing so, naturally my gaze was fixed upon the face of this man +whom we knew to be an enemy while he professed to be a friend, and I saw +an expression of surprise suddenly come over it as his eyes were fixed +upon the screen to the tunnel. + +"Been playing house-wife by setting things to rights?" he asked in an +odd tone, as he rose to his feet and started with an assumption of +carelessness toward the casks. + +My heart leaped into my mouth fit to choke me. The moment had come when +everything which we had done would be discovered, for he could not fail +to see Seth if he stepped behind the screen, or of knowing what we had +done when he looked at the contents of the casks. + +It was my place, because of what we had agreed, to have leaped upon him +on the instant, trusting that the others would follow my example, and +yet so stupefied was I, whether through fear, or astonishment because +the secret could not have been kept longer, that there was no movement +on my part until Hiram Griffin, who had been sitting on the edge of the +bed, bounded forward like a cat, alighting on the shoulders of our +treacherous host and bearing him, as a matter of course, to the floor. + +Job Lord was possessed of greater strength than one might have fancied +from his build, and although all three of us lads sprang on the instant +to Hiram's aid, for I recovered from my stupefaction as quickly as I had +fallen into it, he succeeded in turning Griffin completely over, gaining +a hold upon his throat in such manner as threatened to put a speedy end +to the struggling. + +Hiram was not one who would lose his head at such a time, and +straightway the two floundered about, first one on top and then the +other, to such an extent that we who were anxiously striving for an +opportunity to take part in the fight failed of so doing. Meanwhile +Hiram's eyes were protruding as had Seth's, until I believed he would be +strangled to death before we could get a hold of the traitor. + +Finally, and after what seemed to me a full ten minutes, I contrived to +seize Job Lord by the arm, and as I pulled at the limb Archie was able +to get a hold on his throat, thus, as can well be imagined, bringing the +fight to an end. + +We lads had not done our part any too soon, for by the time Master Lord +was forced to let go his grip, Hiram appeared to be nigh unto death, and +indeed such a sorry spectacle did he present that I would have let go my +hold of Job Lord in order to give him to drink, but that he cried +hoarsely, divining what was in my mind: + +"Keep him fast, lad, keep him fast! I'll get my breath in a second," and +then he struggled to his feet. + +During all this time we had been fighting in silence, no one venturing +to raise his voice; but now when he saw himself helpless and at our +mercy Job Lord let out such a yell as might have been heard a full +quarter-mile away, while from behind the casks Seth set up a whimpering +cry, which was caused by fear rather than any desire to raise an alarm. + +Even though we were in the cellar with a heavy flooring of planks above +us, there could be no question but that Job Lord would succeed in +alarming some of the neighbors unless his wind was shut off, and I saw +Archie dig his fingers into the fellow's throat with a grip that must +have caused intense pain, but yet I am bound to give the traitor credit +for struggling to raise his voice again. + +By this time Hiram had so far recovered as to take up the coat which had +been used for the head of the dummy, and thrown on the floor when it was +no longer of service, saying as he came forward: + +"Let him open his mouth once more and I'll shove a clapper in that will +put an end to any such noise." + +Until now Job Lord's face, what with the choking and with anger, had +been darkened, so to speak; there had been on it an expression of +intense hatred, and a desire to do bodily harm, but when Hiram came up +with that which would serve as a gag, he grew pale, while his lips +quivered as if suddenly and for the first time realizing how completely +he was in our power. + +"I'm no such fool as not to know when I am whipped," and I am willing to +give him credit for speaking firmly, even though he must have believed +his very life was trembling in the balance. "There is no need to gag me, +because I promise to hold my peace." + +"Meaning that you will do so until some one knocks at the outer door, +and then we shall hear from you again," Hiram cried hoarsely. + +"I'm not ready to say I wouldn't take advantage of any chance to call +for help; but just now I'd give a lot to know how it was you imposed +upon our friends to such an extent that they were willing to send you +hither?" + +I looked at the man in amazement, wondering what he meant, when Hiram +cried in a voice thick with anger: + +"Do you mean to keep up the pretense that you are serving the Cause +rather than the king?" + +"There are people in plenty, both at Cambridge and in this town, who +have had so much information and assistance from me that they can swear +with all truth that there is none more devoted to the Cause than I." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS + + +Even though I believed we had good proof that Master Lord was playing a +double game, his assertion of loyalty to the Cause, made so earnestly +and with such seeming good faith, staggered me. + +Was it possible, I asked myself, that we were mistaken? Had we allowed +ourselves to be blinded by suspicion, and was Job Lord all he professed? + +We knew from what the lieutenant at the battery had told us, that this +man whom we claimed to be in league with the Britishers, had been of +great service to the Cause, having sent much valuable information to our +people and aided many a man who otherwise might have fallen into the +clutches of the enemy. Could it be that all these things had been done +as a blind, and we four the first who discovered his double dealings? + +I looked around at my comrades and saw mingled doubt and fear written +upon the faces of Archie and Harvey, showing that they also were +beginning to question whether we had not made a grievous mistake. With +Hiram, however, the matter was different. He had settled in his mind +that Job Lord would work us harm as soon as it suited his purpose, and +there was nothing the man might say which would convince him to the +contrary. + +"You talk well, Master Lord," he said, holding the coat ready to be +thrust into the mouth of the villain if so be he attempted to make any +outcry, "and I know full well that you could give proof of having served +the Cause to a certain extent; but if you haven't worked greater +advantage to the king, I'll agree to crawl on all fours so long a time +as I may live." + +"If I had counted on playing false, why were you allowed to remain here +all this time, and why did I make you as comfortable as was in my +power?" Master Lord asked, now beginning to understand that soft words +would be of but little avail with one like Hiram. + +"Those are questions which I cannot answer just now; but after we have +put you in such plight that it will be no longer possible to make an +outcry, I'm counting on doing what I may at finding out. It will go hard +if there isn't something in the room above that will disprove your +words." + +For the first time since we had fallen upon him did I see the man wince, +and on the instant all my fears that we might have made a grievous +mistake were dispelled, for I knew as well as if he had told me in so +many words, that evidence would be found against him if the house was +searched. + +"You've hit it right, Hiram!" I cried; "but don't spend too much time +talking here, lest those who have visited him before should come again +and discover that the trap-door is open." + +"Run up the ladder, lad, and see to it that doors and windows are barred +securely," he said quickly, and I obeyed feverishly, fearing lest before +I could do as he desired those men who had quarreled with Master Lord +might return. + +In addition to the locks on the side and rear doors, were stout bars, +and after having assured myself that the bolts were shot, I put the +timbers securely in place; then examined carefully the fastenings of +every shutter until having satisfied myself beyond peradventure that +none could enter from the outside save by battering down the barriers. + +When I was come into the cellar again, Job Lord had been bound hand and +foot after much the same fashion as was Seth Jepson, and the lads must +have lifted him upon one of the beds, for he was lying there with a gag, +formed from Hiram's coat, in his mouth, glaring at us fiercely. + +"We may as well bring the Tory lad out here to bear him company," Archie +suggested, and in a twinkling Hiram came from behind the casks with Seth +in his arms. + +Even though up to this time we had had suspicions in our minds that a +wrong was being done Job Lord, they would have vanished when those two +saw each other. + +Seth Jepson gave vent to a cry of surprise, and on Master Lord's face +could be read that which told, so I fancied, of an acquaintance between +them. + +"Shall we gag Seth?" Harvey asked, and Hiram replied as if it was a +matter of little moment: + +"There's no need of taking so much trouble. You and Archie are to stay +here while Luke and I have a look over the house, and if so be Seth +unwisely attempts to make a disturbance, put your knife into him, for we +should be doing the Cause no little service by sending both these +fellows out of the world." + +Then, motioning to me, Hiram led the way up the ladder, and after some +searching in that room which served Job Lord as a kitchen we found a +store of tallow dips, one of which we lighted, because, since the +shutters had been closed, it was almost dark within the dwelling. + +Master Lord's home was not sumptuously furnished; but he was well +outfitted with chests of drawers and cupboards such as housewives fancy, +and among these we began our search, taking first that piece of +furniture which was at the same time a desk for writing and a receptacle +for books and papers. + +We had not long to search, if to prove that Job Lord had been acting as +a tool for the Britishers was our only aim. On the top of the desk, as +if it had been but lately placed there, was a folded paper, and when +Hiram opened it eagerly I read these words across the top: + +"Information for Job Lord to send to the rebels." + +Then followed what I knew to be a false account of the doings of the +Britishers; but neither Hiram nor I cared to read it entirely. + +"I reckon here's enough to hang Master Lord, if so be we had him in +Cambridge," my companion said grimly, and then, his appetite for +evidence being whetted by that which had come so conveniently to hand, +he continued the search, finding four or five documents proving that our +host was in friendly communication with the Britishers. + +Then we came upon that which caused Hiram to cry aloud in triumph and +satisfaction, for it was neither more nor less than a pass from General +Gage himself, permitting the bearer _and friends_ to leave the city by +any route whatsoever. + +"I'm allowing we won't have to swim from here to Cambridge!" Hiram said +exultantly, as he carefully folded and placed the precious document +inside his stocking. + +I believed this would be the end of our search, because we had found all +for which we came, and more. To people in our situation a safeguard from +the king's governor was something of more value than can well be +understood by those who did not live in the days when British might made +right. + +"Now we can go when we please, and the sooner we set off the better, for +surely it would be folly to make any attempt at aiding Silas while he is +so closely guarded," I cried, and Hiram replied grimly: + +"Even though we decide to leave without making any effort toward +accomplishing that for which we came, I'm allowing there's no need for +overly much haste, more especially since we can pass ourselves off as +Job Lord and friends easier after night has fully come." + +Then Hiram began searching once more among the papers, this time doing +it in a methodical manner, and I, who feared each instant lest there +should come a summons at the door, or we hear tokens of trouble from the +room below, had half-turned to go toward the trap-door when Hiram caused +me to wheel about suddenly as he leaped to his feet, waving above his +head a slip of paper as if having taken leave of his senses. + +"I'm allowing there's still a chance left for us to lend Silas Brownrigg +a hand!" he cried, speaking so loudly that I leaped upon him, covering +his mouth with my hand lest peradventure some one from the outside might +hear and be so inquisitive as to make an attempt at entering. + +"Read this, lad! Read this!" Hiram cried as soon as he could free his +mouth from my hand, and at the same time he laid upon the desk, where +the flickering light of the tallow dip might fall upon it, the paper +which had caused him so much of excitement. + +During a full minute I stood gazing at the document, not daring to +believe the evidence of my own eyes, and saying to myself over and over +again that it must be impossible such an order could have come into our +hands. + +This is what I read, and you may see whether a lad in my situation would +not have doubted even the written words: + +"The bearer, Job Lord, is hereby authorized to take from the Bridewell +any one of the prisoners captured at Charlestown, which he may select. +The officer on duty will follow the bearer's instructions in every +particular, and retain this order as receipt for the prisoner." + +It was signed by the governor's aide-de-camp as secretary, and bore the +king's seal. In other words, it was a direct command from General Gage +to the officer at the Bridewell to deliver over any one of the prisoners +taken at Breed's hill which Job Lord might point out, and, what is more, +was dated the very day before we made a prisoner of this double-dyed +villain! + +"If we had a key to all the plots in that scoundrel's head, then would +you find that this permit to take away a prisoner is part and parcel of +some scheme concerning us," Hiram said emphatically, and I was quite of +the same mind, being convinced thereto because the document had been so +lately written. + +In some way, and I hoped it might be made clear before many days had +passed, the delivery of a prisoner to Job Lord was, together with the +holding of us, a trap for more important ends; but what those ends +might be my mind failed totally in the grasping. + +Hiram, like me, no longer had any interest in Master Lord's belongings. +We had found sufficient to brand him the vilest of traitors, and, what +was more to our purpose, had obtained at the very moment when we +despaired of being able to aid our comrade in any way, that which would +effect his release, unless it so chanced that the worthy Master Lord was +particularly well known at the Bridewell. This last thought came into my +mind, darkening all hope, at the moment Hiram turned to go into the +cellar that he might acquaint the other lads with our good fortune, and, +clutching him nervously by the arm, I reminded him of the disagreeable +fact that whosoever presented himself with that order from Governor +Gage, might speedily find himself a prisoner with the tables turned +completely in favor of Job Lord. + +"Aye, lad, I have already reckoned on that, yet at the same time when +night has come it is my purpose to go to the Bridewell as boldly as that +double-faced villain would have done, trusting I can get my nose out of +the scrape if so be the officer on duty chances to know the scoundrel we +have got tied up below." + +"It is a desperate chance," I said with an inward tremor that was much +like faint-heartedness, and he replied laughingly: + +"Tell me, Luke Wright, how much more desperate is it to go out armed +with a safeguard from the king's governor, and due authority to take +charge of a prisoner, than was your act in capturing Seth Jepson at the +very time when we ourselves were captives?" + +"I did that because there was nothing else to be done," I cried. + +"And so shall I go to the Bridewell, because there is nothing else to be +done if we would aid Silas Brownrigg." + +It was not my intention to say aught which might discourage him from +taking advantage of the document so strangely come into our possession. +As a matter of course I burned to have him do it; but I could not for +the life of me refrain from considering all the chances against us. + +Snuffing out the tallow dip, we two went into the cellar, Hiram holding +'twixt his thumb and finger the precious order from Governor Gage, and +when we were come to where Job Lord lay, Griffin took up the lantern +that the scoundrel might see what we had found. + +There was no change of expression on his face. The villain knew full +well that we would come upon evidence against him after ever so careless +a search of his belongings, and therefore counted on our having this +paper through which he hoped to work some wild scheme. + +"What is it? What are you showing him?" Archie asked eagerly, and Hiram, +disappointed because the prisoner had failed to show any signs of +surprise or distress, held it up for the lad to read. + +"But that cannot be!" Archie cried in amazement. "Governor Gage would +never issue any such order!" + +"But he has done so, else another must have stolen the king's seal," +and Hiram pointed triumphantly to the impression in wax which was +fastened to a short length of blue ribbon. + +"But how could it be that Job Lord would be allowed to choose a prisoner +from among those taken at Breed's hill?" Archie continued in +bewilderment, and I cried, eyeing the prisoner sharply all the while: + +"He got it for some purpose which General Gage understood and approved, +and that purpose was all of a piece with our being held here! Some day +we shall learn the secret, and then I hope most earnestly that this same +Master Lord, who has claimed to be devoted body and soul to the Cause, +may be given over to my mercy even as he is at this moment." + +They were high sounding words, perhaps, for a lad like me to use, and +yet Master Lord shrank under them as if in fear, which was the first +exhibition of feeling he had given since we came from the room above. + +It can well be understood that after Archie and Harvey had recovered +from the amazement caused by reading the order from Governor Gage, our +tongues were loosened, and during a certain time we gave ourselves over +to rejoicing, as if already the task we had set ourselves was +accomplished. But even while we indulged in words of triumph, there was +in my heart a certain undefined fear because all this had come about in +such a mysterious way, having really been gained by that blunder of mine +in making a prisoner of Seth Jepson, when it had seemed as if such an +act on my part would lead to direst results. + +Hiram still held to it that when nightfall was come he would present +himself at the Bridewell, and with that as a starting point we set +about laying plans for the future. + +They were simple enough, if so be everything worked as we would have it, +because once with Silas in our company we could, thanks to the pass in +Hiram's stocking, march out over Boston Neck as bold as lions. The +stumbling block was, a possibility that the officer at the Bridewell +might be sufficiently well acquainted with Master Lord to take into +custody whoever presented the governor's order, and the greater part of +our discussion had to do with that chance. + +Hiram claimed that we should allow no more than an hour to elapse from +the time he set off for the Bridewell, before taking to our heels if so +be he failed to return, because, as he said, within that time he would +either be returned to Cow lane with Silas by his side, or lie in one of +the cells of the jail. + +"You shall take this pass, Luke Wright," he said, pulling the paper from +his stocking, "and see to it that if I'm held in custody you make all +speed out of the town, leaving me to my fate." + +"Indeed I will do nothing of the kind," was my reply, and I refused to +take the paper from his hand. "If you are held at the Bridewell, all the +more reason why we three should strain every nerve to do whatsoever may +be in our power to aid you." + +"The only thing within your power, lad, will be to save your own skins, +for once this trick of ours is discovered, you may rest assured the +Britishers will pay a visit to Job Lord's house in order to learn what +has become of him, and if peradventure you delay after there is reason +to believe I am a prisoner, you will have effected nothing save a loss +to the Cause of three stout-hearted lads." + +Well, we chewed over this question as to whether it would not be +cowardly to desert Hiram if he was taken, until a full two hours had +passed, when Archie very wisely said: + +"If no move is to be made until nightfall, will some one tell me what +prevents our breaking fast? My stomach cries out for food, and if +peradventure all goes this night as we would have it, then is it +necessary we put our bodies in fair condition, for there are many miles +to be traveled before we again see the encampment at Cambridge." + +Hiram immediately acted upon this suggestion, insisting that he was +better fitted to play the part of cook than any other, and as he set +about the task I saw Job Lord writhing in pain, which caused me to +realize how much of bodily suffering must be his, therefore said to my +comrades: + +"Don't let it be thought that there is any softness in my heart for such +as him; but it does not become us to cause another unnecessary +suffering, therefore it is I propose we take the gag out of Master +Lord's mouth for a time, since he must be in great pain." + +"I never saw any good come of favoring a snake," Hiram grumbled; but yet +he did not make any protest against my proposition, and I pulled the gag +from the mouth of the man who had worked us so much injury, saying at +the same time as I seated myself near the bed, holding the knife which +had been taken from its sheath: + +"You can well understand that we would not stick at doing you harm, and +it may be our fingers itch to pay you for your treachery, therefore +should any one approach this building and you attempt to make an outcry, +I shall consider that I have done the Cause a service by taking your +life." + +It was nearly a minute before the man could speak, so cramped were his +jaws, and then, with a look which had in it, if such a thing can be +possible, a mingling of gratitude and hatred, he said softly: + +"I'm not such an idiot as to kick when I'm fairly downed; but you need +fear no visitors before sunset." + +"We'll keep our ears open for them just the same, seeing's how it don't +stand to reason we can put overly much faith in your words," Hiram +cried, and added to me, "Have your knife ready, lad, and don't hesitate +to use it at the first show of a disturbance. He may speak you fairly +now; but once there was a decent chance of taking your life without +losing his, you'd be in the next world in a twinkling." + +"All of which is true," Master Lord replied quietly, and I could not but +give him credit for such show of courage under the circumstances. "If I +held you at the same disadvantage, would you hesitate to strike on the +first opportunity?" + +"Faith, no," Hiram replied laughingly. "And now you are talking like a +decent man, although far from being one. Once we get you in Cambridge, +where there's no fear your friends may come, I shall breathe freely; but +until then I'm watching every move you make." + +"Surely you are not so foolish as to think you can take me to +Cambridge?" the man cried quickly, and Hiram asked as he continued his +task of cooking: + +"Why not? We've got your pass, and I'm allowing that you and Seth Jepson +can be counted as among our friends during such time as we are under the +eyes of the lobster backs." + +"That pass does not allow of your taking two prisoners out," Master Lord +said with a snarl which was much like that of an angry cat's. + +"Why not? If you were leading a party of friends, and had just made +selection of one of the prisoners taken at Breed's hill, how would you +account for him?" + +Master Lord refused to answer, and I asked myself if Hiram could be so +venturesome as to think it possible we might carry these two Tories out +of the town. If so, then our wondrous fortune must have turned his head, +for verily none but a madman would, after having gotten out of such a +tangle as we had been in, take yet more desperate chances. + +Now for the first time did Seth Jepson come out from the fever of terror +which had assailed him since I thrust him into the tunnel, and began to +plead most earnestly, like the coward that he was, for us to show him +what he called mercy. Having heard our conversation with Master Lord, +and understanding that we were in fair position to work our will, he +realized, perhaps better than ever before, how wholly he was in our +power. + +Had the lad shown the slightest token of courage I might have had some +sympathy for him, for surely it was hard to thus suddenly find himself +at the mercy of those whom he had wronged, at the very moment he must +have believed everything was going his way; but the fellow was such a +veritable coward that even the softest-hearted could not feel aught save +contempt for him. + +He whined and whimpered, declaring it had never been in his mind to do +us wrong, and swearing to that which we knew was absolutely false, +until Hiram cried angrily: + +"Put a stopper on that fellow's jaw! It makes me sick to hear his +howling. I have some respect for a lad or man who can take as well as +give; but when it comes to working all the harm he may, and then showing +the white feather so completely, my patience is soon gone." + +Seth shut his mouth like a clam. I believe the coward would have tried +to stand on his head, had Hiram given any such command, so eager was he +to show his willingness to obey, and I said to myself that of the two, +Job Lord, who had meditated worse treachery against the Cause than Seth +could ever have hoped to work, was the better. + +In due time Hiram had as appetizing a meal as could be prepared from all +the stores to be found in the building, for once he had set about the +work of a cook he did not scruple at overhauling the provisions in the +room above, finding there many a toothsome dainty which had been +supplied this miserable double-faced spy by his British friends. + +We ate heartily, and with greater relish than at any time since this +venture in aid of Silas had been proposed, for now was the greater +portion of the burden removed from our hearts, and we could see our way +out, where before all had been darkness with a British prison at the +end. + +When the meal was ready I would have put the gag back into Job Lord's +mouth; but before it was possible to do so he said with the air of one +who speaks the truth: + +"I'm not minded to take so much of punishment as that involves, if it +can in any way be avoided, therefore it is I give you my solemn word +not to raise my voice above a whisper from now till sunset." + +I looked at Hiram to see what he thought of the proposition, for there +was in my mind a suspicion that Master Lord might have some scheme in +his head to do us harm; but our comrade said decidedly: + +"As a rule I wouldn't take the word of such as he for the value of a +button; but since he knows full well that we could fall upon him before +he had time to let out more than one yell, and also understands that +that one yell would be his last, I'm thinking it is safe enough to let +him have the use of his jaws." + +Therefore it was that while we feasted Master Lord asked in what you +might call a manly fashion, if, when the meal was come to an end, we +would give him so much of food as might serve to satisfy his hunger, +claiming that he had not broken fast that day. + +"Neither have I," whined Seth, "and I'm nearly dead with having been +mauled about so much." + +"It wouldn't do a little bit of harm if you were wholly dead; but we're +not counting on starving either of you, so depend upon it that your +stomachs shall be filled, for when we once set out, having Silas +Brownrigg in our company, you will be called on to step mighty lively." + +I looked at Hiram questioningly, asking, so far as was possible with my +eyes, whether he was wild enough to think of hampering us with these +prisoners, and he nodded in a way to show that he was not minded to have +any argument regarding it. + +"Aye, lad, if I read your face aright, that's exactly what I do count +on doing. There is no better place for hatching a scheme than over a +cook-stove when you have plenty with which to work, as I had this +afternoon, and I've got an idea that it won't be such a terrible hard +matter to land these fellows in Cambridge. If so be everything goes to +my liking, you will soon understand that it is as easy to take the +prisoners, as to go alone." + +I knew that Hiram did not care to discuss whatsoever plan he might have +in mind while the prisoners might hear him, and therefore held my peace; +but when we were done with feasting because it was impossible to eat any +more, I beckoned him to follow me into the room above, where I asked +what mad scheme he had hit upon. + +"It may come to naught, lad, therefore we won't discuss it; but I'm +going out around the town a bit, and you can bar the door after me. I'll +knock twice on the window shutter when I come back." + +"Going out in the daytime?" I cried sharply. "Show yourself in this town +where you are like to be taken into custody? Don't, Hiram, don't take +foolish risks now when, by being careful, we have plain sailing before +us!" + +"I'm not taking chances," he replied doggedly. "You must remember that +my face is not known here as yours is, and with what I have in my pocket +who will dare put aught of hindrance in my way?" + +"The first officer you come across may know Job Lord well, and, finding +you in possession of a document which belongs to him, will come here +without delay." + +"Since when have officers taken a hand in such matters, save after a man +was already in the custody of the watch or the patrol?" Hiram asked +scornfully. "You know, lad, that all I have to fear is the possibility +of coming in contact with a squad of lobster backs in charge of a +corporal or a sergeant, and if I can't shut their eyes it is high time I +was taken to the Bridewell." + +It was useless for me to argue against his purpose, whatever that might +be, for the fellow was determined, and even though I had gone down on my +knees to him he would have done that which he said. + +He was not sparing of strength when he thrust me back from him as he +began to unbar the door and I would have hindered him; but said as I +staggered against the wall almost overthrown: + +"Have no fear for me, lad. I know what I'm about, and take my word for +it that I'm not running into the least little bit of danger. Listen for +two raps on the shutter when I come back, which will be within an hour." + +He was gone even as he spoke, and all I could do toward repairing what I +believed to be serious mischief, was to lock and bar the door after him, +saying to myself that if he failed to come back as he had promised, and +aught suspicious was heard, I would insist that Archie and Harvey join +me in flight, for then would Master Lord's house be the one place in +Boston town where lurked the greatest danger for us. + +"Where is Hiram?" Archie asked when I descended the ladder alone. + +"Gone out of doors," was my sulky reply. + +"Out of doors!" both lads cried as with one voice. "In the daytime?" + +"Aye, that he has, and verily it seems as if good fortune has turned his +head." + +"If he depends upon that pass in my name as a safeguard while he wanders +the streets, I'll answer for it the tables will be turned before you +have time to choose among the prisoners at the Bridewell," Job Lord said +vindictively, and his words were not needed to make my heart heavy, for +already had I come to believe that after all the good work he had done, +our imprisonment, perhaps our death, could be laid directly at his +door. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +HIRAM'S VENTURE + + +The other lads were equally disturbed in mind regarding what seemed to +be a foolish venturing forth on the part of Hiram. After matters had +come about so mysteriously in our favor when we had given up all hope of +being able to succeed in the undertaking, it seemed much like flying in +the face of Providence to take any risks that were not absolutely +necessary. + +We would be bound to incur so much of danger in order to make an attempt +at releasing Silas, that to put all this on the hazard, simply to +satisfy what I believed only a whim, was to my mind little less than +criminal folly. + +You can fancy we were not heartened after Job Lord had spoken so +decidedly regarding the certainty that Hiram would speedily come to +grief, because the pass he believed to be of so much value could avail +nothing when he was come upon by the patrol. + +I fancied it was possible to see on that double-faced villain's +countenance joy because of what was being done, and there could be no +question but that he firmly believed Hiram had, as people say, +overturned his dish of porridge. + +It may be simply because I was in such a wretched frame of mind that I +imagined it; but for the time it was to me a fact that Seth had regained +a goodly portion of his courage on seeing Master Lord so well pleased, +and even found his tongue once more, saying vindictively, even as had +the man who hoped to have betrayed us, that we were about come to the +end of our rope, when he would have his turn. + +That Archie was nearly as disturbed in mind as I, and had quite as many +fears regarding the future, I knew when he said angrily, leaning over +the bed as if to strike the Tory lad: + +"It is not well for you to crow yet a while, Seth Jepson. Up to this +moment you have been so cowardly as hardly to know what was going on, +and therefore it is we will have no words from you." + +"It can do you no more harm to hear me speak, than when Master Lord +talks," he muttered, and Archie replied with no slight show of temper: + +"Job Lord has not shown himself to be the white-livered cur you have. +One may take from him who gives proof of some little courage, more than +would be listened to from a veritable coward." + +Seth glanced toward Master Lord as if thinking he would bear him out in +his insolence; but however traitorous the elder prisoner was, he had +neither love nor sympathy for such as Seth Jepson had shown himself to +be, therefore remained silent, and the Tory lad did not venture to speak +again. + +We could not talk of our plans for the future without being overheard by +Job Lord, and this would have been, so I argued, in the highest degree +dangerous, for there was yet the possibility he might succeed in making +his escape before we could leave the town, in which case he would have +us at a disadvantage. + +Neither were we minded to speak of trifling matters. The situation was +all too full of peril, and there were so many chances we would come to +grief, that it was well nigh impossible for us to do other than sit +there in gloomy silence, watching the prisoners even while we feared +each instant to hear an outcry at the door, which would tell that the +lobster backs had come to learn we from Cambridge were hiding there. + +As the moments passed, so slowly that it seemed as if each was near an +hour in length, I came to believe beyond a question that Hiram would be, +if he had not already been, taken into custody, and strove to form some +plan of action, saying to myself that we would wait no longer than until +the setting of the sun before taking to our heels, leaving the prisoners +to be set free by whomsoever should visit the house. + +Now and again at short intervals I ascended the ladder, peering through +the crevices of the shutters to learn how near to setting the sun might +be, and thus succeeded in so working myself into a fever of anxiety and +fear as to be like one who has lost his senses. + +It so chanced that I was in the upper room trying to gain some idea of +the time, when there came two sharp raps on the shutter through which I +was peering, and so nervous had I become that I cried aloud in fear, +darting back to the trap-door, positive that none other than a lobster +back or a Tory could be thus striving to attract our attention. + +While one might have counted ten I entirely forgot what had been agreed +upon between Hiram Griffin and me, and my feet were already upon the +rungs of the ladder to descend, when the cob-webs seemed suddenly to +have been blown from my brain, allowing me to realize that despite all +the dangers Hiram had succeeded in gratifying his whim without loss of +liberty. + +You may well fancy that I opened the door in a twinkling, for it was +dangerous to have him standing there in the broad light of day, and when +he was come into the room, having closed and barred the door behind him, +I flung my arms around his neck, clinging to him as if he was one lately +returned from the very verge of the grave, as indeed I believe to this +day was the case. + +"Why, lad, what has come over you?" he asked in astonishment. "You are +shaking like an old woman with the palsy, and your face is as white as I +have heard it said ghosts' faces are." + +"I had brought myself to believe you were taken into custody, Hiram! Job +Lord was so certain the pass would not avail you, that it was almost the +same as if I had seen you in the clutches of the lobster backs. You were +cruel to leave us at such a time, simply to show that you could roam +about the city at will, when the slightest mistake would have caused our +chances for escaping with Silas to fall to the ground." + +"Is it in your mind, lad, that I went out simply on a whim? That I am so +light-headed as to take chances in this Tory town for the purpose of +showing that it could be done?" he asked in a tone that was really one +of reproof. + +"Why else then did you go?" I cried, now grown angry, having recovered +from my timorousness. + +"There came into my mind the idea that it would be a brave act to carry +Job Lord and Seth Jepson back to Cambridge, and so I said to you lads; +but no one believed it might be done. Then I had what has turned out to +be a lucky thought, and said to myself if perchance it would be possible +to get possession of a skiff we could, without much trouble or danger, +take those two curs with us as proof that, aside from releasing Silas, +our coming here had not been without good results." + +"But even though you found a boat, Hiram, how might we take passage in +her, hampered by Job Lord and Seth Jepson?" I cried petulantly, for it +excited my anger yet more to have him thus speak of what seemed an +impossibility, from whatever point you viewed it. + +"That was the question in my own mind, lad, when the matter first came +to me; but before coming back I settled it." + +"Settled it?" I repeated dumbly. + +"Aye, and what's more, every arrangement is made. Who, think you, I have +been hob-nobbing with this last half hour?" + +"It would be of much the same piece with what you've already done, had +you been so venturesome as to go even to the guard-house near Hill's +wharf," I said angrily, and his laugh was as hearty and full of joy as +if we were already come among our friends, having accomplished all that +had been in our minds. + +"You are a great guesser, Luke Wright. It is to the guard-house I have +been, and if by this time those lobster backs do not believe that I am +as simple minded and jolly a Tory as ever set foot in Boston town, then +have I made the mistake of my life." + +"You at the guard-house?" I cried, not able even now to understand that +which I myself had guessed at. + +"Aye, and it was to have a quiet chat with the officer on duty there, +who chances to be a blooming Britisher, thick-headed as are all of his +kidney, having the rank of sergeant, and believing himself to be the +best soldier that ever came to this benighted colony." + +"But why should you go there?" I cried, now grown yet more angry. "Why +take chances which were unnecessary?" + +"I am of the mind that it was the best stroke of work I have ever yet +done, for not only is the skiff nearby where we can walk out at our +leisure and step on board her; but that red-faced, beef-eating Britisher +stands ready to help us put our prisoners over the rail." + +"What?" I exclaimed in bewilderment. + +"Aye, and even more, if you please, lad. The sergeant will send with me +to the Bridewell one of his men, so that I shall have no difficulty in +bringing back that raging rebel whom I count to select on the strength +of General Gage's permit, or order, whichever you choose to call it." + +I could no longer speak, so perplexing was that which Hiram had said, +and there came into my mind the belief that he was striving to make a +fool of me by telling a cock-and-bull story whereby, after I had shown +faith in it, he might laugh me to scorn. + +"It was like this, lad," he said in a grave tone, clapping both hands on +my shoulders as if it was needed he should hold me where my attention +could not be distracted. "I was minded to try on some such lobster back +as would be found in yonder guard-house, the effect of General Gage's +order allowing Job Lord to select a prisoner. I said to myself that by +striving to make friends with one of the rank and file, I might get +some idea as to how such a yarn as must be put up at the Bridewell would +be taken, and with the pass also in my possession, I allowed that no +officer of less rank than a captain would dare interfere with my +movements. Therefore it was I went to the guard-house." + +"What excuse did you make for going there?" I contrived to ask. + +"It was simply a matter of business, lad. I told this sergeant how +finely Job Lord and myself had been tricking the rebels by giving up +certain information now and then, and aiding such of them as were of +little importance in General Gage's eyes, in order to establish a +reputation as being true friends to the Cause. It was to him mighty +funny, and it seems that he already has had some traffic with our +friend, Master Lord, having more than once received from his superior +officer orders to aid our double-faced villain whenever it might be +necessary. Therefore he was not surprised, save because of never having +come across me. I explained this last by saying what you know to be +true, which was that I had been in the American camp looking about to +see what I could pick up." + +By this time I had come to understand that Hiram was speaking no more +than the truth, and could thoroughly enjoy the story which he was +telling with so much of pleasure. + +"I showed the sergeant General Gage's order for one of the Bridewell +prisoners to be delivered, and then told him that we were counting to +set a trap for some rebels who were of importance. That this prisoner +taken at Breed's Hill was to be the cheese with which we should bait it, +all of which amused him hugely. Then, in order to explain why Master +Lord was not the head and front of this trick, I told him Job was not +quite himself to-day; was suffering a little; could not move about +without considerable difficulty, which was also true, and he swallowed +it as a baby swallows fresh milk." + +"Yes, but how did you get the skiff?" I cried, now impatient to hear the +result of all this scheming. + +"That came in right naturally when I told him about the trap, and that +it must be set on the Roxbury shore. I simply asked him what boat Job +Lord used when he made an excursion among the rebels on General Gage's +business, and he at once pointed out a craft that lay alongside the +wharf, saying it was the property of Master Lord. Well, that seemed to +work in very reasonably, and I told him I reckoned I would bring it down +along shore because it was necessary that what we did be kept secret +even from those who served the king. He quite agreed with me, so the +boat is within five minutes' walk of this house, and our friend, the +sergeant, stands ready to help us leave town, because of the pass we +have, at any time that may best suit our pleasure. Now do you think I +went out to satisfy a whim, Luke Wright?" + +"Hiram, you have a longer head than any man I ever met, and save for you +our company of Minute Boys would have played a mighty small part since +their enrollment. But I wonder that you dared attempt to hood-wink the +Britisher." + +"I had to do it, lad, for it struck me that we were in about as delicate +a position as any four could possibly get into, and I doubted whether, +unless we could cook up some scheme like the one which has worked so +successfully, it would be possible for us to get away with whole skins." + +"But while talking with us lads you allowed it would be an easy matter +to carry the plan through as we had formed it," I said irritably, and he +replied laughingly: + +"Aye, true for you, lad; but of what avail would it have been had I set +forth all the dangers of the enterprise as they presented themselves to +my mind? Would it have given you courage had I allowed that there was a +great doubt in my mind whether we might not be taken into the custody +immediately on showing ourselves at the Bridewell?" + +"Well," I interrupted, "have you done away with all danger? Is there any +less chance now that you will be detected, simply because of having +convinced some thick-headed sergeant?" + +"Aye, lad, it strikes me the danger is very much less, because I count +on going there with a lobster back as guard and assistant. The officer +on duty at the Bridewell will never stop to ask who sent the soldier +with me; but seeing the governor's order, will, unless he is a rank +idiot, conclude that General Gage himself showed me such delicate +attention, and I'm counting that by having a red-coated escort I've +wiped out more than half the chances that the order will be questioned." + +The very fact of his having made such a venture frightened me, even +though it was all happily come to an end, and to our advantage, as it +seemed. Once more I trembled with fear, and then, realizing that Archie +and Harvey must be burning with impatience to know why we delayed coming +into the cellar, I said to Hiram that he should remain where he was +while I sent our comrades up that they might hear the wonderful story. + +He was perfectly willing to do as I suggested, for it pleased him to +repeat the tale of having tricked the lobster backs, and I wondered not +that he should feel a pride in what had been done, therefore I went into +the cellar, telling the lads that there was one in the room above who +would have speech with them. + +"I thought I heard Hiram's voice," Archie said, wheeling about to face +me, for he had understood that I would have him believe a stranger had +come. + +"So it was Hiram's voice," I replied, "and you will not be saddened by +that which he has to tell." + +"So he had the good luck to get back, did he?" Job Lord asked grimly, +and it must have been a grievous disappointment to the man who had +believed firmly that Hiram could not remain at liberty ten minutes while +on the street. + +"Aye, he has come back," I said, "and now there is little question but +that you and Seth will go with us to Cambridge," I replied in a tone of +triumph, for the longer I had time to realize what arrangements my +comrade had made, the stronger was my belief that we would carry the +enterprise through in safety. + +The pallor of fear came over Seth Jepson's face at these words; but Job +Lord gave no token of being disturbed in mind, and for the very good +reason, as I afterward came to know, that he did not believe we could +work such a scheme. + +"When you show that it is possible to take this lad and me through the +streets of Boston as prisoners, then I will be willing to believe I +stand in danger of seeing the rebel army in Cambridge; but not before. +You are putting all your faith in that safeguard and the order from +General Gage, which were stolen from me; but you are like to be in more +danger with, than without them, for the king's officers in this town +know me full well, and your man Griffin cannot pass himself off in my +stead." + +Master Lord spoke in a tone of conviction, and this seemed to give Seth +a little courage, for straightway the color came into his face again, +and he looked up at me with a sickly smile, as if to say that he was not +to be taken in by any threats I might make. + +It would have pleased me hugely had it been safe to tell the +double-faced scoundrel how thoroughly well Hiram had laid his plans, and +how readily some of the king's people could be made to swallow the story +he told. But I refrained from doing so because it was yet possible +something might occur which would give the man an opportunity to reveal +our plans to those who might thwart them. + +While I sat by the bedside leaning over the prisoners in a menacing +attitude, ready to carry out the threats we had made in case they should +attempt to raise an outcry, we could hear shouts of laughter from Archie +and Harvey as Hiram told of tricking the Britisher, and I was of the +opinion that those sounds of mirth went further toward convincing Master +Lord that we were in shape to do as I had said, than any words of mine +could have done, for he began to look seriously disturbed, turning his +head first one way and then the other as if striving to catch a word now +and then to get an inkling of what was being said. + +Those in the room above did not return to the cellar for a long time, +as it seemed to me; but when they were come below Hiram went to the +table and began eating heartily, for we had not taken the trouble to put +the food away after our last meal was ended, and said to me in a +business-like tone as he ate hurriedly: + +"It is close to sunset, lad, and I count on setting forth about my work +without delay, for it strikes me we had better leave here as near to +nine of the clock as may be. While I am gone you three shall fill your +stomachs, and it won't be a bad idea to share the food with the +prisoners, for they have a reasonably long journey before them." + +Although I had been waiting impatiently for this time to come, his words +sent a chill through my heart, and it was as if I had not been prepared +to hear them. The knowledge that we were come to the very moment of +making as desperate a venture as I dare say had ever been made in +Boston, frightened me, and my breath came thick and fast as I asked, +much as though I would delay the fateful moment: + +"Would it not be better that you wait until night has fully come?" + +"When I have work on hand that isn't as pleasant as it might be, it's a +whim of mine to set about it without delay, and, besides, I'd rather +take my chances at the Bridewell before nine of the clock than +afterward." + +"It makes little difference what time you set out, for you'll spend the +remainder of the night, whether you go late or early, in prison," Master +Lord growled, and Hiram made answer with a laugh: + +"I shall be back within an hour, my two-faced friend, and my coming will +be the signal for your setting out to visit in Cambridge those over +whose eyes you have pulled the wool this many a day." + +"I shall believe in going to Cambridge when I get there, and not +before," Job Lord said surlily; but I could detect a tone of anxiety +such as he had never shown before, which was not to be wondered at, for +Hiram acted and spoke like a man who knows beyond a peradventure that +matters will go exactly as he has arranged. + +I followed Griffin up the ladder when, his hurried repast at an end, he +ascended to the room above, and there, while he unbarred the door I +asked tremulously: + +"What shall we do in case Master Lord's Tory friends come while you are +gone?" + +"Pay no attention to them, lad; that is the only course. If you +remember, Lord said there was no danger of any one's coming until after +sunset, which was much the same as telling us that then he expected +visitors, therefore it is I am pushing matters forward sooner than would +otherwise be the case. Of course there's a chance they may make trouble +for us; but if I am not delayed at the Bridewell, we will be on our road +to Cambridge before they arrive." + +"But suppose you, coming back with Silas, having compassed his release +without trouble, find here two or three demanding admittance?" + +"Then it will be a case of waiting a short time, and if they persist in +hanging around we must take the chances of a fight. I will knock on the +shutter as has been agreed upon, and if when Silas and I come in there +are others who follow us, we must be ready to do by them as we have by +Job Lord: but I'm hoping we won't be put to that trouble." + +Hiram laughed as he spoke these last words, yet I could not believe that +it was from mirth, but rather a desire to hearten me by letting it +appear he had no fear as to the final result, when all the while I knew +there must be in his mind many a question as to whether he could play +his part before the officers of the Bridewell, as he had with the +thick-headed sergeant. + +Then he went out with never a word of farewell, and strode off into the +gloom, walking steadily with head upright like the true man he had ever +shown himself to be, and I closed and barred the door while a fervent +but unspoken prayer went up from my heart that it might be permitted him +to pass unscathed through the danger which menaced, because of the +justness of the Cause for which he labored. + +Again we three lads sat near the prisoners in what was very like fear. I +know for my part that I was trembling so violently that I failed in +attempting to take up a bit of meat in order to carry out Hiram's +instructions, and I know full well that any one close by might have +heard the beating of my heart. + +"We are not filling our stomachs as Hiram commanded," Archie cried, +striving to appear light-hearted as he rose to his feet and set about +arranging the provisions on the table so they might look more palatable. +"Everything must be in readiness for a quick start when he comes back, +and eating is the first of the duties to be performed." + +"You'll have plenty of time to eat 'twixt now and his return," Master +Lord growled. "The next person who enters this house will be one of his +majesty's officers, come to learn how General Gage's order passed from +my possession into that of the rebels'." + +We made no reply to this remark, not being in a mood to bandy words +with the villain, for all our thoughts and hearts had gone out with +Hiram, while in fancy we could see him meeting with suspicion when he +was come to the Bridewell, and finally clapped into a cell without +having been so near Silas as to have speech with him. + +I had no desire for food, and doubtless my comrades felt much the same; +but yet we ate because of having been told so to do, and forced the meat +down our throats when it was like to choke us. + +Seth Jepson was not as averse to filling his stomach as were we, and ate +greedily when Harvey fed him, while Master Lord positively refused to +accept a mouthful of anything save water, of which he drank eagerly at +short intervals, thus telling me that there was, despite all his brave +words, a fear in his heart which parched his tongue. + +Now because it was past sunset, when, according to what Job Lord had +said some time before, there might be danger of Tory visitors, we took +all precautions to prevent our prisoners from crying out. In fact, +Archie proposed that we gag them then and there; but I, believing Hiram, +even though he succeeded in all his purpose, would be long delayed, had +no heart to cause them suffering which might be avoided. I proposed that +we pull the bed out from the wall so that he could sit with bare knife +by the side of Seth, while I looked after the man who had deceived our +people so many days, and once more we promised to take their worthless +lives without compunction if they raised their voices ever so slightly. + +The time passed slowly, wearingly, painfully on, and there we sat by the +side of the prisoners ready to take their lives if need be, while Harvey +paced to and fro, or ascended the ladder to the upper room only to +descend, until the noise of his footsteps well nigh drove me to +distraction, and I cried out that unless he remained quiet I should lose +my senses. + +"You lost them when you embarked in such an enterprise as this of making +me prisoner," Job Lord snarled. "But what could be expected of three +boys, led on by a crazy man? I would have set your comrade free, and +sent you on your way in safety; but that you must needs upset all my +plans." + +"The setting of Silas free and sending us back to our friends was not a +part of your plan, Job Lord," I said in a low tone, fearing lest even +then some one might be approaching the house; but determined to thrash +the matter out with the double-faced villain, if for no other purpose +than to occupy the time which was dragging so painfully. + +"How else could it be, since I failed to deliver you up to the British?" +he asked with an air of innocence. "Had I been so minded, you would have +been made prisoners within an hour after coming into this house, and the +fact that you were not taken into custody shows that I was playing +honestly with you." + +"Which proves that you had some plan in mind which could be made to work +more of harm to the Cause if we were held here," I said, and then there +came into my mind Hiram's words when he was telling the story of the +British sergeant, and I added sharply, as if having discovered all his +scheming, "We were to be held here as bait in a trap for some of our +people whom you hoped to catch, and who would be more of value to +General Gage than we three lads." + +He turned his eyes toward me quickly, as a deep flush overspread his +face, and I knew full well that I had hit the mark while repeating much +the same as Hiram had invented for the benefit of the sergeant. + +I continued to dwell upon the matter, hoping he might be provoked into +telling me for what purpose he counted on taking from the Bridewell one +of our people who had been captured at Breed's hill; but the scoundrel +was sharp enough to hold his peace regardless of what I said, never +letting out a word that could serve as an inkling to that portion of the +plan. + +As I sat there by his side, my ears strained to catch the first sound +which should tell of Tory visitors or of Hiram's return, I believed I +knew it was Silas Brownrigg whom he would have selected from among the +prisoners, and that he had been trying to keep us quiet, not daring to +bring the lad down from the Bridewell until the last moment lest we +should insist on leaving Boston immediately afterward. + +Once such a thought came into my mind, I repeated it to him, catching +again a glimpse of the dark flush which told, to my mind at least, that +the blow had struck home. + +Archie must have been in much the same frame of mind as was I before +beginning this conversation with Job Lord, for now he cried out sharply, +as if the sound of my voice jarred upon his quivering nerves: + +"In the name of all that's good, Luke Wright, hold your peace! We can't +better ourselves by bandying words with such as Master Lord, and it may +be some one from the outside will hear you." + +Even as he spoke there came to our ears distinctly three smart raps on +the outer door, and I leaned over Master Lord with my knife upraised, +for I knew that now was come our time of greatest peril. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +TURNING THE TRICK + + +Archie glanced up at me with a look of fear on his face, as he whispered +in a tremulous voice: + +"Don't take any chances!" and, softly making his way to the center of +the room, he took from the floor Harvey's coat, which had been thrown +there when we were minded to gag Seth Jepson. This he gave to me +nervously, and, holding the knife between my teeth, I rolled one end of +it into a wad such as would fit snugly into the mouth of that man who +had counted on delivering us over to the Britishers. + +Master Lord opened his jaws without waiting to be bidden, for he must +have seen on my face a determination to put an end to his career of +treachery at the lightest token of making an outcry. + +While I was doing this, Harvey, understanding the need of securing both +the prisoners beyond any possibility they could do us a mischief by +raising their voices, tore off the sleeve of his shirt, and Archie +speedily thrust it into Seth Jepson's mouth. + +When this had been done there seemed little chance either of the +captives could do more than give utterance to moans; but, lest they +might succeed in loosening their bonds, I whispered to Harvey: + +"You must stay here and keep sharp watch over them, while Archie and I +go to the room above." + +"To what end?" he asked in surprise, and I replied hurriedly: + +"Hiram may return at any moment, and we must be ready to open the door +for him." + +Just then the summons was repeated more sharply than before, and I dared +not linger to explain to Harvey what had been agreed upon between Hiram +and myself, therefore, motioning for Archie to follow, I went up the +ladder with all possible speed, yet at the same time taking extra good +care, as may be supposed, not to make so much of noise as could be heard +by those on the outside. + +Once on the floor above I halted to whisper in Archie's ear that which +was to be done in case Hiram returned before these unwelcome visitors +had departed, and meanwhile we could hear voices on the outside, as if +those who awaited the opening of the door were discussing among +themselves the cause of Master Lord's delay in giving them entrance. + +Involuntarily Archie looked around hurriedly for something which would +serve him as a weapon in case we should be obliged to give battle, and, +thus reminded that we would be at a disadvantage unless having other +than our bare fists with which to strike a blow, I followed his example. + +Nothing fitting met my gaze save a three-legged stool which had been +thrown in one corner, the top shattered, and this I seized hastily, +finding it possible to pull out one of the legs without making any noise +worth mentioning. + +Archie armed himself with a second leg, and I laid the third up where it +might be come at conveniently in case, by any mischance, one of us +should need a spare weapon. + +Verily it seemed as if a kind Providence was watching over us, for no +sooner were we thus prepared to meet Job Lord's Tory friends, if +perchance it became necessary to give them entrance, when we heard loud +voices, as if other visitors had come up, and Archie took me by the hand +to hearten himself as well as me, for now did it seem certain a conflict +was near at hand. + +One can the better understand what a long head was Hiram Griffin's, when +I set it down that before leaving the house he had lighted a tallow dip, +leaving it in one corner of the room where the feeble rays of light +could not be seen through the crevices of the shutter, and but for his +forethought in this regard we would have been in darkness, which is the +same as saying we must find ourselves at a great disadvantage in event +of a fight with Master Lord's friends. + +Archie and I stood within three paces of the door, still clasping each +other by the hand and striving to hear what was being said on the +outside to the end that we might have some inkling of how many had come, +when two loud, deliberate knocks on the shutter told that Hiram Griffin +was returned. + +My heart literally ceased beating for the instant, and it seemed as if I +was in danger of suffocation, so great was my excitement and anxiety. +Hiram had come back from the Bridewell; but had he brought with him +Silas Brownrigg? + +Whether he had or no, it was necessary we open the door without delay, +and at the same time stand ready for a rough and tumble fight, because +there was no question but that those who first demanded admittance were +still there, while it was also positive Hiram had decided upon carrying +into execution the plan agreed upon before he set out. + +Motioning Archie to take station on one side of the door where he might +be ready to strike a blow at the first opportunity, I whispered in a +tremulous voice: + +"Be careful not to miss your aim, and put sufficient of strength into +the blow to bring down your man. Hiram will send the Tories in first, as +a matter of course." + +Then, with all the blood in my body seemingly surging into my head, I +opened the door, and on the instant heard Hiram say in an exceedingly +friendly tone: + +"Enter, good sirs. Master Lord will return within a short time to +conclude the business concerning which you squabbled the other night." + +These words were spoken, no doubt, to warn Archie and me that there +could be no question as to the character of those to whom they were +addressed, and I raised the leg of the stool high above my head, +understanding full well that if we failed of overcoming them at the +onset, our race in Boston town had come to a speedy end. + +Unfortunately it so chanced that both Archie and I struck at the man who +was in the lead, and the fellow had no more than got well across the +threshold when he pitched headlong, as an ox falls under the axe of the +butcher. + +Even as this was done I could see that the second man attempted to leap +backward, a cry of fear escaping his lips, and my heart grew cold, for +it needed not any one should tell me that if he succeeded in giving us +the slip the lobster backs would soon learn what kind of a trick we had +striven to play. + +I might have understood, however, that Hiram Griffin stood in readiness +to guard against any such danger, and even as the fear came into my +heart he had leaped upon the shoulders of the fellow who strove to turn +back, the weight of his body sending both himself and his captive into +the room. + +A fourth figure leaped nimbly in and aided me in closing the door, +therefore I understood that the game at the Bridewell had been played +without an error, for it could be none other than Silas Brownrigg who +followed Hiram so closely. + +There was no time for greetings or rejoicing; but I did delay +sufficiently long to ask in a low tone: + +"Were there only two?" + +"No more," Silas cried quickly as he leaped to aid Hiram, who was +struggling with the fellow he had thrust into the room, and verily the +Tory was putting up a stout fight. + +"Gag him!" Hiram cried even while the two were rolling here and there so +rapidly that it was with difficulty we could, in that faint light, +distinguish friend from foe, and Archie sacrificed a sleeve of his +shirt, rolling it into a wad as he stood ready to thrust it into the +Tory's mouth at the first opportunity. + +The fellow whom Archie and I had stricken down was sprawled out on the +floor upon his face, like one dead, and I knew we had nothing to fear +from him for some time to come, even if the life yet remained in his +body, therefore I took a hand in the battle Hiram was waging so +desperately. + +With us three lads to lend a hand, the struggle was soon brought to an +end, and when we had bound and gagged the stranger so securely that he +could not have made the slightest sound had his life depended on it, I +turned to Silas, crushing his hands in mine as I cried, giving no heed +to the possibility that there might be more enemies on the outside: + +"We have got you, lad, from out the lion's jaws! How was it done?" + +"I am yet bewildered," Silas replied as if in a maze. "Hiram had with +him a lobster back, who walked with us to the corner of the lane, and +therefore we had no opportunity for conversation." + +"You can do your tongue wagging when we are clear of this blooming +town," Hiram cried sharply. "Stories will keep; but there's no telling +how soon the wind may shift against us, for we are sailing mightily +close-hauled. What about this lover of the king's?" and he stooped over +the man whose head had received Archie's blow as well as mine. + +There was little need to spend much time in the examination. It was +certain he yet breathed; but more than that could not be said, and Hiram +cried as he rose to his feet: + +"Now then, lads, move lively, for we must be under way within the next +five minutes, or take the chances of stopping here longer than will be +pleasant." + +"Are any of the lobster backs suspicious?" I asked in a fever of fear, +and he replied in a grim tone: + +"The lieutenant at the Bridewell failed to understand why Job Lord did +not come in person for the prisoner, and save that he feared to set awry +some plan of General Gage's, he would have held me there till word could +be sent to headquarters. There's no telling how soon he may get word to +those who will come to find out if everything is as it should be." + +Even while speaking Hiram was descending the ladder, at the foot of +which Harvey stood white-faced, with staring eyes, for he had no means +of knowing how the battle was going, and I could understand full well in +what a turmoil must have been his mind. + +"It's all right, lad," Hiram said reassuringly as he laid his hand on +Harvey's shoulder. "Pull yourself together, for we must make a quick +flitting. Best carry Seth up stairs, so he may have company while we are +gone." + +"I thought it was agreed he would go with us," I cried hotly, not of the +mind to lose one of our prisoners even though we yet stood in so much of +danger. + +"We can't take the chances of two, as matters stand now, and Job Lord is +the more valuable to our friends in Cambridge," Hiram said, speaking +hurriedly as he began to cast off the bonds from the man's feet. "The +lobster back who went with me to the Bridewell knows I was given but +one, and he is to aid us in embarking, therefore to have two would cause +a suspicion to enter even his thick head." + +Hiram had Master Lord in shape for walking by this time; but the fellow +flatly refused to rise from the bed, declaring that his limbs were so +cramped he had no control over them. + +"It will be well that you get them into shape in short order, for we +count on taking you with us, or leaving you here dead, and there is +little time in which to make a choice," Hiram said in a tone which gave +proof that his were no idle words. "Carry the boy up the ladder, and +leave him on the floor," he added to me, and this Harvey and I did with +all speed, while Archie and Silas stood by to lend our leader a hand if +so be he might need it. + +I had no opportunity of hearing whether Master Lord made further protest +against doing as he had been commanded; but it seemed to me that Harvey +and I had no sooner laid Seth Jepson by the side of the Tory who had +been so severely injured, than Hiram appeared at the top of the ladder +with the double-faced scoundrel by his side. + +"Do you know where the ship-yard that is owned by a man named Edes may +be located?" Hiram asked immediately he had come up into the room, and +we lads soon gave him to understand that the place was familiar to us. + +"Then lead the way, stepping out lively, for I am not minded to linger +here many minutes," he said sharply, turning to seize Master Lord by the +collar. + +"But what about these fellows?" I asked, pointing to Seth and the two +men. "Are they to be left helpless and gagged?" + +"There is no other way out of it, and I dare venture to say they would +not have any heart-ache to leave us in even a worse plight." + +"But the wretches will starve to death!" I cried in horror, and Hiram +replied grimly: + +"I would leave them to such a fate rather than miss taking Job Lord to +those whom he has deceived so long; but there is little danger, though I +won't say but they'll be mighty uncomfortable for a time. 'Twixt now and +morning one or more of this scoundrel's friends will come to concoct yet +further harm to the Cause, and, if we leave the door unlocked, they'll +be released sooner than is deserved." + +Archie would have lingered to make Seth a bit more comfortable by +loosening the gag ever so little; but Hiram literally drove him toward +the door as he cried in an angry tone, which I dare say was assumed to +cover his nervousness: + +"Look after yourself, lad, and give over being soft-hearted about such +curs. We've got no easy job before us, and are needing every moment of +time." Then to Master Lord he added, "If you are minded to make any +noise as we walk through the streets, remember what I have threatened to +do, and understand that it's my belief I'd be doing a good deed to put +you out of the world!" + +It seemed to me there was little need for such caution. The traitor was +yet gagged, and strive as he might could not have done other than moan +ever so softly. + +We left the house which had been our prison, in haste, as if already the +pursuers were at our heels, and when we stepped into the open air I +recalled that which Hiram had said regarding the lobster back who was to +aid us in embarking, therefore whispered to our leader as we went at a +swift pace in the direction of the ship-yard: + +"Is there not danger the Britisher who went with you to the Bridewell +will come to understand that you have made a change of prisoners?" + +"That is one of the chances we are taking, lad. I strove to keep him +from having a fair look at Silas, and hope the effort was successful. If +not, it will be a case of fighting another battle with all the odds +against us, for the guard-house is so near at hand that we could not +make much of a disturbance without being overheard by those on duty. +Push forward, and do not try to find fresh cause for fear, since we have +all of danger before us that I care to think about." + +Acting in accordance with Hiram's instructions, we lads pressed closely +around Job Lord for the double purpose of hiding him from view as much +as possible while at the same time we forced him to a rapid pace, and in +silence, save for the heavy breathing of the prisoner caused by the gag, +and the sound of our footsteps, we advanced unchallenged to where the +skiff was found. + +But for the fact that I believed death lurked very closely in our rear, +I could have found something comical in the fact that we were being +aided in our flight by one of the king's men, who believed he was having +a finger in the pie to be baked for the "rebels," and even though I +trembled with fear and anxiety, it was impossible to check a smile when +I saw the thick-headed Britisher waiting patiently by the water's edge +for us to come up. + +In order that we might get away the more quickly, he had the skiff +afloat, holding her by the painter, and as we approached Hiram thrust +Job Lord on board in advance, following so closely as to screen him from +view. If the lobster back had previously had any suspicions, he might +have noted something strange in the manner of our clustering around the +prisoner even after we had taken our places in the boat; but the dull +fellow believed he was aiding in what would work injury to those whom he +had come across the ocean to kill, and gave heed to nothing save his own +part in the enterprise. + +As I think of the matter now, it seems almost like a fairy tale, this +story of being aided to escape by one of the king's men, with a squad of +soldiers at the guard-house nearby ready to lend a hand in case we +needed it; but such was the case, and had it not been so I believe of a +verity we had never gone out of Boston town alive, for if the tables had +been turned, Master Lord and his friends would have seen to it that we +were hanged on one pretext or another. + +Whatever the dangers we had encountered, or however narrow the escape, +we were free at last, for even though one of the guard-boats overhauled +us, the pass signed by General Gage himself would have been enough to +insure safe conduct, and when the skiff had been pulled by Harvey and +Silas so far from the shore that we could see behind us nothing save the +lights that twinkled here and there, it was with difficulty I repressed +a shout of triumph. + +As it was I could not hold my peace; but, leaning toward Hiram as he sat +by Master Lord's side in the stern-sheets, said gleefully: + +"We have come out from among the Britishers without a scratch, and in +addition to releasing one of our own who was in prison, are taking to +Cambridge a spy who might have worked the Cause fatal harm, therefore +who shall say that the Minute Boys, if so be you still count yourself +one, have not shown themselves able to do the work of men?" + +"I sure do count myself one of the Minute Boys, lad, and shall do so +till our little muss with the king has come to an end, leaving us +colonists on the top of the heap. But say, Luke Wright, this last trick +over which we have the right to do a good bit of crowing, has been a +close shave. Unless everything had worked according to our desires, we +would have been undone, and I'm thinking the shadow of the gallows was +dark over us in that hour when I set off for the Bridewell." + +"Tell me what happened there?" + +"It isn't much of a story, for the plan worked as if it had been +greased, though I'm free to confess that I had but little hope of +pulling through when I left you. My heart was thumping fit to burst when +I called for the officer on duty, holding my head high as if General +Gage had been my brother. The lieutenant who gave me a hearing was by no +means the dullard you might have expected him to be, and eyed me in a +way that wasn't comforting. Of course I had to explain that Master Lord +wasn't quite in condition to venture out, and that I was helping him in +setting a trap for the rebels. While you might have counted twenty I +felt certain he was minded to send to headquarters to learn if the order +was all right, and I made bold to urge that a delay of half an hour +would set all our plans awry, which you'll agree was nothing more than +solemn truth." + +"Then he allowed you to take Silas?" I asked eagerly. + +"Yes, after considerable humming and hawing; but I'm of the belief that +if the lobster back hadn't been with me it would have been a different +matter. The lieutenant couldn't fail of being impressed by the fact that +I had come with one of his own kidney as escort, and from this out I +shall have a kindly feeling for a red coat, even though I fail to love +the one that wears it." + +"And now we'll give the officer at the battery the surprise of his life, +when we show him Job Lord as prisoner after he sent us to him with such +recommendations as to his loyalty," I cried with a laugh, whereupon +Hiram replied gravely: + +"If I have my way, we'll give the battery a wide berth, lad, and for two +reasons. The first is that I'm not minded to be delayed on the journey +to Cambridge, and who can say that the lieutenant wouldn't insist on +taking charge of our prisoner, which would be depriving us of the credit +we deserve. The second reason is more serious. Because the officer at +the battery vouched so strongly for Job Lord, it is barely possible that +he may be as great a traitor as our captive, and I'll give him no chance +to set his partner free." + +"Of course you'll have your way, so far as leading us lads is +concerned," I said quickly. "Surely you have earned the right an hundred +times over, even though we were disposed to contest it, which we are +not. How do you count on getting to Cambridge?" + +"We'll pull up the creek as far as is possible to take the skiff, giving +our battery as wide a berth as we give those fortifications manned by +the Britishers, and, once forced to abandon the craft, set off on the +highway, stopping for nothing this side of Cambridge, for the sooner Job +Lord's treachery is made known to our people there, the more easy in +mind I'll be concerning his being held securely." + + * * * * * + +And now because of the fact that within the past hour it has been +whispered around the encampment that we of the American army are about +to strike another blow against the Britishers, and preparations are +being made for the march, I must bring this poor yarn of mine to a +speedy close lest I find myself unable to finish it. + +As Hiram had said so we did, and before another day was come we were in +the American encampment, telling to General Ward all we had learned. + +There is little need to say that Job Lord was cared for securely, and +Hiram believes that after this movement which seems to be on foot, has +been made, the double-faced villain will be hanged for his crimes, more +especially since it is now known how much of harm he succeeded in +working to the Cause while professing to be devoted to it. + +Our people have learned to a certainty that this same Master Lord had +been paid regularly by General Gage for his services as traitor; but we +can only guess as to why he wanted to hold us prisoners in his house, +and at the same time get possession of Silas, for it seems positive the +lad was the prisoner whom he counted on taking when he presented the +order which Hiram used to such good effect. + +My father believes it was Job Lord's aim to hold us lads as a bait to +entice some of our prominent people into making a try at succoring us, +and thus succeed in delivering to General Gage one or more of the +American officers. Hiram declares that if we had made thorough search of +the villain's house, it is likely we might have found that which would +give us a clue to the whole plot as he had schemed it. + +I am of the mind that we remained in the building on Cow lane quite as +long as was safe, and it makes little difference what he counted on +doing, since we blocked his game and at the same time brought him to +grief. + +Archie is confident that the day must come when, by getting hold of Seth +Jepson once more, as all of us lads believe will be our good fortune, we +shall be able to learn no little of Master Lord's villainy which as yet +is a secret between himself and his Tory cronies. It is certain that if +we ever get the treacherous little traitor in our hands again, he can be +made to turn himself inside out, because of being so cowardly that in +order to save himself from punishment he will not hesitate to betray his +friends. + +When we have discovered what Job Lord would have done with us had his +career not been cut so short, then shall we most likely learn the cause +of what was much the same as a fight between himself and his visitors +when we were prisoners in the cellar; but I have very little curiosity +regarding this last matter, now that we have come to be members of the +army, holding as honorable a position as if we were men grown. + +Yes, after the venture into Boston town, and the taking of Job Lord as +prisoner, it was allowed that we had the right to be regularly enrolled, +and to-day, when we are making ready to give the king another slap in +the face, there is no company of soldiers in the encampment who are +seemingly held in higher esteem by our commanders, than the Minute Boys +of Boston. + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Minute Boys of Boston, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF BOSTON *** + +***** This file should be named 32723.txt or 32723.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/7/2/32723/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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