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Tomlinson + +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 Boys of Old Monmouth + A Story of Washington's Campaign in New Jersey in 1778 + +Author: Everett T. Tomlinson + +Release Date: January 6, 2011 [EBook #34864] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOYS OF OLD MONMOUTH *** + + + + +Produced by Emmy, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 316px;"> +<img src="images/coverpage.jpg" width="316" height="500" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 309px;"> +<img src="images/illus002.jpg" width="309" height="500" alt=""WHAT ABOUT THE BOY?" (page 13)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"WHAT ABOUT THE BOY?" (<a href="#Page_13">page 13</a>)</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>THE BOYS OF OLD<br /> +MONMOUTH</h1> + +<h2>A Story of Washington's Campaign +in New Jersey in 1778</h2> + +<div class='center'>BY</div> +<div class='author'>EVERETT T. TOMLINSON</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Author of "Washington's Young Aids," "Guarding the Border,"<br /> +"The Boys with Old Hickory," "Ward Hill<br /> +at Weston," etc., etc.</i><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 157px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="157" height="200" alt="The Riverside Press" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><br />BOSTON AND NEW YORK<br /> +HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY<br /> +The Riverside Press, Cambridge</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='copyright'> +COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON<br /> +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Old Monmouth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Tom Investigates</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Meeting on the River</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Benzeor's Visitor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Messenger</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Ten-Acre Lot</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Parting of the Ways</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Indian John</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Young Lieutenant</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Story of the Mischianza</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">To Refugee Town</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bathsheba's Feast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">With the Redcoats</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Way to Cranberry</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Boat on the Bar</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ted Wilson's Victim</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Fruitless Chase</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Rare Beast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_233">233</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Release of Benzeor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Fleet of Barges</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_259">259</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ride with the Lieutenant</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Soldier Woman</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_286">286</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Interrupted Journey</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Abode of Indian John</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Beginning of the Great Fight</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Battle of Monmouth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_336">336</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Return to Benzeor's House</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ride to the Mill</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_364">364</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">After the Battle</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_377">377</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Tom Coward's Patient</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_390">390</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Among the Pines</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_403">403</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_416">416</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE BOYS OF OLD MONMOUTH</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>OLD MONMOUTH</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Old</span> Monmouth is an expression dear to +the heart of every native-born Jerseyman. +The occasional visitor seeking health among +its whispering pines, or relaxation in the sultry +summer days along its shore, where the roll +of the breakers and the boundless sweep of +the ocean combine to form one of the most +sublime marine views on all the Atlantic seaboard, +may admire the fertile farmlands and +prosperous villages as much as the man to the +manor born, but he never speaks of "Old" +Monmouth.</p> + +<p>Nor will he fully understand what the purebred +Jerseyman means when he uses the term, +for to the stranger the word will smack of +length of days, and of the venerable position +which Monmouth holds among the counties +of the State.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>Monmouth is old, it is true, and was among +the first of the portions of New Jersey to be +settled by the Woapsiel Lennape, the name +which the Indians first gave to the white +people from across the sea, or by the Schwonnack,—"the +salt people,"—as the Delawares +afterwards called them. But the true +Jerseyman is not thinking alone of the age +of Monmouth when he uses the word "Old." +To him it is a term of affection also, used it +may be as schoolboys or college mates use it +when they address one another as "old fellow," +though but a few years may have passed +over their heads.</p> + +<p>The new-comer or the stranger may speak +of Fair Monmouth, and think he is giving +all the honor due to the beautiful region, but +his failure to use the proper adjective will at +once betray his foreign birth and his ignorance +of the position which the county holds +in the affections of all true Jerseymen.</p> + +<p>Still, Monmouth is old in the sense in +which the summer visitor uses the word. +Here and there in the county an antiquated +house is standing to-day, which if it were +endowed with the power of speech could tell +of stirring sights it had seen more than a +century ago. Redcoats, fleeing from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +wrath of the angry Washington and his Jersey +Blues, marched swiftly past on their way +to the Highlands and the refuge of New +York. Fierce contests between neighbors, +who had taken opposite sides in the struggle +of the colonies for freedom from the yoke of +the mother country, or step-mother country, +as some not inappropriately termed her in +these days, occurred in the presence of these +ancient dwelling-places, and sometimes within +their very walls. Many, too, would be the +stories of the deeds of tories, and refugees, +and pine robbers contending with stanch and +sturdy whigs. Up the many winding streams, +boat-loads of sailors made their way from the +gunboat or privateer anchored off the shore, +to burn the salt works of the hardy pioneers, +or lay waste their lands as they searched for +plunder or for forage.</p> + +<p>The forked trees along the shore, in whose +branches the lookouts were concealed as they +swept the ocean for miles watching for the +appearance of the hostile boat, were standing +until recent years. In their last days broken, +it is true, and almost destroyed by the winter +storms and their weight of long years, still +they stood as the few remaining tokens of +that century when our fathers contended for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +"their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred +honor." At last the pathos and weakness of +old age prevailed, and to-day there remains +scarcely a vestige of those ancient landmarks.</p> + +<p>Perhaps if the boys and girls of New Jersey +had been as mindful of those old trees as the +Cambridge lads and lassies have been of the +spreading elm beneath whose branches the +noble-hearted Washington assumed the command +of the little American army, some of +them might still be standing; but as it is, +the most of them have crumbled and fallen +and disappeared as completely as have the +men who sought the shelter of their branches +in the trying times of '78.</p> + +<p>So, too, for many years stood the famous +tree from whose limbs the noble patriot, Captain +Huddy, was hanged,—as dastardly a +deed as was committed by either side in that +struggle which tried the souls of our fathers. +But the trees are gone, and only a few quaint +houses and venerable landmarks and heirlooms +remain of those things which witnessed +the contests, and deeds high or base, of that +far-away time.</p> + +<p>The lofty monument on the old battle-ground +of Monmouth is surmounted by the +figure of a man whose face is shaded by his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +hand, as if he were still striving to obtain a +glimpse of the redcoats in the darkness as +they hastened to gain the Highlands and the +refuge of the waiting boats which were to +bear them away to the safety of the great +city. But it is itself essentially modern, and +only in its brief records, carved by patriotic +hands upon its sides, and in its figure of the +granite soldier standing upon its summit, does +its suggestiveness lie. It looks down upon a +thriving village and out upon the lands of +thrifty and prosperous farmers, and there is +nothing in all the vision to remind one that +the soil was ever stained by the blood of soldiers +clad in uniforms of scarlet, or of buff +and blue.</p> + +<p>And yet, as fierce a struggle as our country +ever knew occurred within the region. +Women toiled in the fields while their husbands +and sons fought, or even gave up their +lives to drive away their oppressors. Yes, +even in the battles some of the women found +places, and Captain Molly Pitcher was only +one among many who had a share in the +actual struggle of the Revolution. Houses +were doubly barred at night against the attacks +of prowling bands of refugees or pine +robbers, and many times were defended by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +the patriotic women themselves. Spies crept +in among them, and evil men who owned no +allegiance to either side seized the opportunity +to prey alike upon friend and foe. At times +it almost seemed as if the words spoken many +centuries ago were then fulfilled, and that "a +man was set at variance against his father, +and the daughter against her mother, and the +daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and +that a man's foes were they of his own household."</p> + +<p>But with all the suffering and bloodshed +there were many heroes and heroines, and +even the boys and girls were not without a +share in the struggles of the times which +tried men's souls. The houses in which they +dwelt may have disappeared and given place +to far more imposing structures; their very +names may no longer be recalled; but, after +all, they displayed many qualities which the +world ought not willingly to permit to die, +and the heritage which they have bequeathed +to us will lose nothing of its value if we go +back in our thoughts and strive to comprehend +more clearly the price which our fathers +paid for the land we love.</p> + +<p>In the early summer of 1778, while the +feelings of the Monmouth people had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +deeply stirred,—and indeed the patriots of +the county had been among the foremost to +pass resolutions and be enrolled among the +defenders of the new nation,—there had not +as yet come the intense excitement which +followed the advance of General Clinton's +army from Philadelphia. The long winter at +Valley Forge had at last come to an end, and +when the British moved out from the city,—for +holding it longer seemed to be useless,—Washington +had led his troops into the town +almost as soon as the enemy departed. Nor +was that all, for he quickly decided to follow +after the departing general, and overtake and +give him battle before Clinton could lead his +men across the Jerseys.</p> + +<p>The American commander knew that his +own forces numbered nearly as many as those +the British general had; and as, in spite of +the dreadful sufferings of the winter, his men +were in far better condition than they had ever +been before,—thanks to the tireless energy +of Baron Steuben,—he resolved to depart +from Philadelphia and follow after the British.</p> + +<p>Clinton had sent the recently enrolled tories +to New York by water, and as there were +some three thousand of these alone, he soon +decided that his troops must go by land.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>Accordingly, the journey was begun, but +the Continentals, going a little farther to the +north than the line of Clinton's march, planned +to gain a position in advance of the enemy by +the rapidity of their movements, and then, +turning about in their course, fall upon the +redcoats face to face and offer them battle in +some advantageous place.</p> + +<p>The baggage wagons of Clinton stretched +out in a long line of twelve miles as they followed +after the army, and in other ways the +British leader was somewhat embarrassed. +Consequently, when he learned of Washington's +plan, he quickly decided to change +the direction of his march, and, by passing +through "Old Monmouth," lead his army to +the Navesink Highlands and there have them +all embark for New York.</p> + +<p>Washington had first offered the command +of his advance forces to young Lafayette, but +he was somewhat perplexed by the return of +General Lee to his army, and knew not just +what to do.</p> + +<p>Lee had been captured a little more than a +year before this time, through his own carelessness, +near Morristown, and we may be sure +that Washington was not greatly troubled by +the loss. Lee had steadily opposed him, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +was plotting to secure his position for himself. +However, the British general Prescott, +whose capture by the Americans had been +effected in a manner not unlike that in +which Lee himself had been taken, had been +exchanged, and Lee once more returned to +the American army.</p> + +<p>He was still the same Lee, sensitive, jealous, +and suspected of being in league with +Howe, who recently had sailed away for England +to explain to Parliament the causes of +his failures in the preceding year.</p> + +<p>Much as he disliked to make the change, +Lee's return compelled Washington to recognize +his presence, and after some tactful efforts +he removed Lafayette and gave Lee his position +as leader of the advanced forces. Lee +had bitterly opposed the project of following +Clinton, and steadily objected to the march +across the Jerseys.</p> + +<p>Washington, however, was firm in his determination, +and the march was soon begun; +but the lack of confidence which he felt in +General Lee must have sadly increased the +troubles of the great commander, already +beset by perils of so many kinds. Whether +he was mistaken in his estimate of the man, +we shall learn in the course of this story.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such then was the general condition of affairs +as the summer of 1778 drew on. Those +of the people of Old Monmouth who were at +home heard occasional rumors of the advance +of the two armies, but few of them had any +thought of the stirring scenes which were to +be enacted in their midst before the summer +was ended.</p> + +<p>It was now late in June. The summer had +been unusually warm, and the men and boys, +as well as the women, who were at home had +labored busily in the fields, in the hope of an +early as well as an abundant harvest. For +those who cared to avail themselves of them, +the markets in New York provided a ready +place for the sale of their produce, and not +only the tories, but some of the men whose +sympathies as yet had not led them openly to +declare their preferences for either side, or +who perhaps cared more for the prices they +were likely to receive in New York for the +results of their labors than they did for liberty +or any such abstract quality, were not +averse to loading up the boats, which many +of the farmers near the shore owned, and +sailing away for the city.</p> + +<p>Down the lower bay one such boat was +swiftly making its way one afternoon in June,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +1778. On board were four men, three of +whom evidently were in middle life, but the +fourth was a sturdy lad about seventeen years +of age, and it was plain that he was not in +full sympathy with his companions. He took +but little part in the conversation, and the +expression upon his face frequently betrayed +the feelings in his heart. The three men +with him apparently did not give him much +thought or attention, and evidently were too +well satisfied with the results of their expedition +to waste any time in questioning the lad +as to the cause of his silence.</p> + +<p>"There's the old tree now," said one of +the men as they came within sight of the +landmark. "If nothing has gone wrong, +we'll soon be in the Navesink."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and back at work again," grumbled +another. "For my part I think Fenton and +Davenport and the rest of the pine robbers +have the easiest time of all. They swoop +down upon some whig farmer, and all they +have to do is to take what he has worked +out. I don't see why it isn't all fair enough +in war."</p> + +<p>"If it wasn't for that skull of Fagan, with +that pipe stuck in its mouth, nailed up on the +tree over there beyond the Court House, I'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +go in myself," said the first speaker. "The +grin on it is almost more than I can bear."</p> + +<p>"That'll do to frighten women and children +with," said the third man, who had been +silent for a time. "Fagan got a little too +bold, that was the trouble with him. He +carried it a little too far. I happen to know +that there are some men who know enough +to put a finger in, and not get it burned +either."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you've done a little yourself in +that line, Benzeor Osburn?" queried the last +speaker. "I've thought sometimes you could +tell some tales if you wanted to."</p> + +<p>"And who knows but I might?" replied +Benzeor. "I may be able to keep my place +from being confiscated and sold, the way my +brother's was two years ago, but that may not +mean either that I don't know what's to my +own advantage when I see it. You'd do the +same, wouldn't you, Jacob Vannote?"</p> + +<p>"That I would," replied Jacob, "and so +would Barzilla Giberson here, too. All we +want is that some good man like you, Benzeor, +should tell us how to do it."</p> + +<p>"I can tell you," said Benzeor quietly. +"I've made up my mind that I've held off +just as long as I am going to. I'm going in,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +and if you have a mind to join, I'll let you +in, too."</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it," said Jacob eagerly. +"What about the boy?" he added in a low +voice, glancing toward the fourth member of +the party as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"What? Tom Coward? He's a coward +by name as well as by nature. You haven't +anything to fear from him. He's been in my +home since he was five year old. He won't +make any trouble."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the speaker lowered his voice, +and for a long time the trio conversed eagerly +upon the new topic. So intent were they that +not one of them noted the flush upon the +lad's face at the brutal reference to him, nor +saw the look of determination which came a +little later in its place.</p> + +<p>Apparently Tom was not giving any attention +to the men with him in the swift sailing +boat. He retained his seat near the bow, and +seemed to be interested only in the waves +before him. A brisk wind was blowing, and +the waters betrayed the tokens of a coming +storm.</p> + +<p>The boat was pitching more and more as it +sped on, and Tom watched the rolling waves, +many of them capped with white and rising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +steadily higher and higher. The darker hues +gave place to a lighter green as they rose, and +the increasing roughness seemed to reflect +somewhat the feelings in his own heart.</p> + +<p>Far away in the distance stretched the long +sandy beach of the Hook, becoming more and +more distinct as the boat drew nearer. The +gulls were flying low, and the weird cries of +the sea-birds were heard on every side.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom stood upright, and, after +gazing intently for a moment at some object +on the shore, turned to his companions and +said,—</p> + +<p>"Some one's up in the tree, and the signal's +out, too."</p> + +<p>The men instantly ceased from their conversation, +and peered intently at the tree in the +distance.</p> + +<p>Evidently the sight was not altogether +pleasing, for with an exclamation of anger +Benzeor Osburn, who was holding the tiller, +quickly changed the course of the boat, and +started back in the direction from which they +had come.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>TOM INVESTIGATES</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were many exclamations of impatience +heard in the boat as Benzeor changed +her course, and the helmsman himself appeared +to be the most impatient of all. A +drizzling rain was now falling and there were +many signs apparent that a stormy night was +approaching.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew just what the warning was +for," muttered Benzeor. "Fine night this, +to be prowling around the bay in!"</p> + +<p>"There was no mistake about the sign, +though," replied Jacob. "There's something +wrong, or we shouldn't have seen the white +flag. That means there's something going +on up the Navesink."</p> + +<p>"All the more reason for going home +then!" said Benzeor. "Who was on the +lookout to-day? Does any one know?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, 't was Peter Van Mater," said Tom, +who up to this time had taken no part in the +conversation. "He told me yesterday that +he was to be in the tree to-day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What! Little Peter?" demanded Benzeor +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Tom. "I saw him out by +their cornfield yesterday. He was there driving +away the crows and blackbirds."</p> + +<p>"Little" Peter was so called to distinguish +him from his father who bore the same name; +and although his son, a well-grown young +fellow of eighteen, towered more than a half +head above "Big" Peter now, the distinctive +names given several years before this time still +clung to them both.</p> + +<p>The Van Mater place joined the Osburn +farm, and for years Tom and Little Peter had +been the best of friends. On those rare occasions +when a brief break in the arduous labors +on the farms had come, together they had +gone crabbing, or had sailed down to Barnegat, +where the sea-fowl gathered in great +flocks when the proper seasons came.</p> + +<p>Tom's heart had gone out to Little Peter +as it had not to any other person. Peter's +round face shone with an expression of good +nature which nothing but the mention of a +tory or a pine robber seemed to be able to +ruffle. A reference to either of them never +failed to arouse the dormant anger of the +lad, and with all the intensity of his quiet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +and strong nature he hated both. For the +Van Maters, even to the mother and the +girls, were patriots of the strongest kind, and +now Big Peter was away in Washington's +army and had left his eldest son and namesake +to protect the family and manage the +farm in his absence.</p> + +<p>And Little Peter had accepted the task with +an outward assent that deceived even his own +father. Only to Tom had he mentioned his +true feelings, and expressed his determination +to buy up his time, so that he, too, might be +enrolled in the patriot army.</p> + +<p>Tom Coward well knew that the words +expressed Little Peter's feelings and desires +rather than his purpose, for he was satisfied +that nothing would induce his friend to desert +his mother and the children in their +time of need. But he had fully sympathized +with Peter in his desire to buy up his time, +and there were special reasons why the words +meant much more to him than they did to his +friend.</p> + +<p>About a decade before this time, when one +of the numerous "September gales" was +raging along the Jersey shore, a great crowd +had assembled on the beach watching the +efforts of a schooner they could see, about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +a mile out on the ocean, to weather the storm. +All day long the crowd had remained there, +powerless to aid the stricken people on board +the storm-tossed boat, for this was long before +the time of the life-saving crews and +their noble work along the coast.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon on that eventful day, +when the storm had abated somewhat, although +the waves, like moving mountains of +water, still came thundering in upon the beach, +a boat had been manned and started forth to +the aid of the people in their peril; but before +the brave band could gain the schooner, she +had foundered and gone to the bottom.</p> + +<p>The men who had gone forth to the rescue +had been about to return to the shore, when +they thought they saw something floating +over the boisterous waves toward them. When +a second glance was obtained they started +swiftly toward the object, and, as they drew +near, saw a huge cotton bale with a woman +and a little lad strapped upon it. At last, +after some desperate efforts, the bodies were +rescued, but that of the woman was lifeless +and that of the lad was nearly so.</p> + +<p>The rough men had brought both ashore, +and, after some labor on the part of the women +in the assembly, the lad had been restored,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +but the woman was beyond all earthly +aid. Upon some of the clothing of the rescued +boy the name Coward had been found, +and "Tom" was improvised, for that would +do as well as any other for the name of a +stranger lad whose home and parents were to +be, as the people of Old Monmouth thought, +forever wrapped in mystery.</p> + +<p>Tom Coward had been the sole survivor of +the wreck. For days some portions of the +ill-fated schooner and its cargo were washed +ashore, but no clue was ever found as to her +name or destination.</p> + +<p>What to do with the rescued lad then +became the perplexing problem among the +simple folk of Monmouth, and it was at last +solved by "binding him out" to Benzeor Osburn, +which simply meant that Tom was to +live with the man who had taken him until +he was twenty-one years of age, and in return +for the home he received he was to give his +labor and life until that eventful day should +arrive when he, too, would become a man.</p> + +<p>The lad had gone, for he had no voice in +the matter, and all the home he had ever +known had been with Benzeor and his family. +Only a faint recollection of the wreck remained +in his mind, but he had heard the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +story many times and thought much over it +in secret. Often had he visited the unmarked +grave in the churchyard, where he was informed +that all that was mortal of his mother +lay resting. But her name and face were both +alike unknown to him. In his dreams, or when +he had been working alone in some of the distant +fields, it would almost seem to him that +something of another existence would rise +before him, or that he could almost see the +face of a gracious woman bending low over +him whom he could call "mother."</p> + +<p>Who he might be he could not determine. +Who he was, was a matter much more easily +settled, for all knew him as the "bound +boy" of Benzeor Osburn; and while some +of the country people might occasionally think +of him as the little lad, who years before had +been rescued from a sinking schooner, they +seldom referred to it, and the past had been +crowded out by the present. But Tom Coward +had not entirely forgotten.</p> + +<p>Benzeor had received him into his home +the more readily because, as he expressed it, +"all of his boys had been born girls," and he +felt the need of the aid and presence of a boy +about the place. And Benzeor in his way had +not been unkind to the stranger lad, or at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +least not intentionally so, but the labor on the +farms in those days had been severe, and he +was a man to whom money had been the one +thing needful. He did not spare himself, and +certainly he had no thought of sparing those +who were dependent upon him; and, as a +natural consequence, neither the girls nor Tom, +and much less the overworked, spiritless little +mother of the family, found much to relieve +the monotonous round of labor on the farm.</p> + +<p>At first, Tom had not complained and had +accepted all as a matter of course, but of late +his heart had rebelled against his lot more +and more. It was not that he did not appreciate +the rough kindness which was extended to +him, especially by the patient, uncomplaining +mother and the two girls, Sarah and Mercy, +who were nearest his own age. But certain +undefined longings kept rising in his soul, he +knew not how, and the increasing eagerness +of Benzeor "to make his place pay" had apparently +driven all else from the mind of his +foster father.</p> + +<p>Perhaps more than any of these things, +his interviews with his friend Little Peter +had stirred his soul, for Peter had longings, +too, and, as has been said, had even declared +his intention "to buy up his own time." That<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +he was a son in his own home, and was surrounded +by the love of father and mother, had +not made the purpose in Peter's heart appear +in the least strange or unusual, for the custom +was not unknown among those sturdy forefathers +of ours. When they had cared for a +boy in his infancy and helpless years, it was +considered as no more than a just return that +the years of early manhood, which would naturally +be of value to the fathers in their labors +on the farms, should belong not to the son +but to the father. So whenever a well-grown +boy felt that he would like to start in for +himself, it was not unusual for him to offer, +or to promise to pay as soon as he could earn +the money, the amount which was considered +as a fair equivalent for the value of his services +in the few years before he became "of +age," and could enter upon his own career.</p> + +<p>In those days the obligation of the child to +his father was emphasized. In our own time +the obligation of the father to his child is +considered the more important, and all that +love and devotion can offer are laid at the +feet of the children.</p> + +<p>Perhaps justice lies somewhere between +these two extremes, and no one of us desires +to return to the harsher methods of those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +earlier years; but certainly the children who +are so fortunate as to be born in these more +fortunate times have some need of recalling +the words of one who, long before the trying +days of the Revolution, exhorted all to "honor +their fathers and mothers."</p> + +<p>Be that as it may, Tom Coward thought +much and long over his friend Peter's project, +and even went so far at one time as +to hint to Benzeor that he would not be +averse to entering into some such arrangement +with him. But Benzeor's indignation, +and the grief with which Sarah heard of the +proposal, had silenced him, and he had not +referred to the matter again.</p> + +<p>None the less, however, did it remain in +his thoughts, and of late the suspicion with +which he had come to regard many of Benzeor's +actions had increased his feeling of discontent, +for Tom's sympathies were all with +the colonies in their struggle.</p> + +<p>Many a time had he and Peter talked over +the matter, and the eagerness of one to serve +in the army was fully shared by the other. +But Benzeor's patriotism seemed all to be +dormant, and as the troubles increased, his +zeal to make money steadily increased also. +At times he would be absent from home for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +days together, and more than once Tom had +been awakened in the night by the sound +of strange voices heard in conversation with +Benzeor in the room beneath that in which +he was sleeping.</p> + +<p>Thoughts of all these things had been in +Tom's mind throughout that voyage to New +York, and they, as well as his youthfulness, +served to explain the silence he had maintained +since he had set sail. He had known, +however, that Peter was to serve as the lookout +that day, and when he volunteered the +information it was the first time he had spoken +aloud for a half hour.</p> + +<p>The rain now was steadily increasing, and +the uneasiness of the men on board the little +boat became more marked. They were far +from the tree by this time, and no one appeared +to know just what plan to follow.</p> + +<p>"If I was alone, I'd take all the risks," +said Benzeor at last.</p> + +<p>"You needn't stop on our account," replied +Jacob. "I don't believe there's much +danger in starting up the river, any way, for +my part. Little Peter may not have seen +anything to amount to much. If you want +to chance it, go ahead."</p> + +<p>"We don't just know what's ahead of us,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +said Barzilla uneasily. "It may be nothing, +and then again it may not be. I wish there +was some way of finding out before we risk +too much."</p> + +<p>"Why not land farther down the shore and +let Tom go up and see?" said Jacob. "If +Little Peter's gone, it will mean the danger's +gone, too, and if he hasn't, why Tom here +can find out for us and report; though for +my part I'm not afraid to go up the river as +it is. It's too dark for any one to see us, or +it will be soon."</p> + +<p>"That's a good suggestion," said Benzeor +quickly, as he brought the boat about. +"We'll land down the shore and let Tom go +up for us. You're not too much of a 'coward' +to do that, are you Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Tom quietly, although his +cheeks flushed with anger at Benzeor's antiquated +and brutal pun. He had heard it +many times, but never without feeling angry, +although he well knew that Benzeor spoke the +words lightly.</p> + +<p>With the change in the course the wind +seemed to increase. The spray was dashed +into their faces, and the men were soon +drenched. The sail had been shortened, but +the little boat dashed ahead with ever increasing +speed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a rough night outside," said Benzeor, +when at last he gained the desired point +on the shore. "It's lucky for us we're inside +the Hook. Now then, Tom!" he added. +"Bestir yourself, lad, and come back soon."</p> + +<p>Tom leaped ashore and ran swiftly along +the beach toward the tree. He was familiar +with its location and knew that he could find +it in the darkest night. The rain beat upon +him and the darkness momentarily increased, +but the wind was with him, and in a brief +time he recognized the dim outlines of the +tree.</p> + +<p>Then ceasing to run, he began to approach +more cautiously. He was not positive that +Peter was there now, for some one might +have taken his place. Certainly caution was +the better part in any event.</p> + +<p>He stopped and whistled the half dozen +notes which he and Peter used as a call. He +waited a moment, but as no answer was heard +he advanced a little nearer and whistled +again.</p> + +<p>"That you, Tom?" came from some one +in the tree.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>In a moment Peter dropped from his position, +and began to explain to his friend the +cause of the display of the signal of danger.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE MEETING ON THE RIVER</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I've</span> been here since noon," began Peter, +"but it seems more like a whole day to me. +I've listened to the calls of the sea-birds and +heard the roar of the storm which I knew +was coming, till it almost seemed to me I +couldn't bear it any longer. I'm glad you've +come, for I've got a chance to stretch now, +and the sound of a voice will help to quiet +my nerves again."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you had any nerves," replied +Tom. "But we can't stand here in this +storm talking about such things. Benzeor +sent me over to find out what you meant by +hanging out the white flag. You haven't +seen anything suspicious, have you?"</p> + +<p>"I have that," said Peter eagerly. "I was +beginning to think that my coming here was +all a piece of foolishness, when along about +four o'clock—leastwise I should think it was +about that time, though I didn't have any +dial anywhere about to mark the time for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +me—what should I see but a whaleboat making +for the river? You had better believe I +forgot all about the time and everything else +but the boat then, for I didn't know but +some more of the Greens were coming up the +Navesink on another trip such as they made +the other day."</p> + +<p>Peter referred to an expedition which a +band of several hundred tories from New Jersey, +commonly known as the "Greens," had +made a few weeks before this time. They +had set forth from New York and had made +a visit to some of their former neighbors and +friends, and the tokens of their affection +which they had left behind them had chiefly +consisted of the ashes of burned homes and +empty barns. The raid had been a cruel +one, and its object apparently was more for +devastation than for plunder, and many of +the good people of Red Bank and Middletown +and the adjoining towns had good cause +to remember it so long as they lived. The +numbers of the invaders had rendered them +safe from all attacks, and the wanton destruction +they wrought before they returned to +New York had been the chief reason for keeping +a watch stationed in the old tree every +day since their visit. And Peter had received<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +strict orders not to depart from his place of +observation, if he saw anything suspicious, +until he was satisfied that all danger was +past. And Peter was faithful, that was well +known, or he would not have been selected +for the duty that day.</p> + +<p>"Well," resumed Peter, "I watched the +boat till it went out of sight up the river. +There were seven men on board of her, six +of 'em pulling at the oars and the seventh +steering. No more boats followed her, and +I shouldn't have been suspicious if I hadn't +thought I recognized the man who was steering."</p> + +<p>"Who was he?"</p> + +<p>"He looked to me a good deal like Fenton."</p> + +<p>"What? The pine robber?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, though of course I may have been +mistaken. I never saw him but once and that +was when he was a blacksmith over by the +Court House before the war. My father had +sent me over there to have one of the horses +shod at his shop. I don't know that I should +have remembered him if it hadn't been for +something he did that day. I saw him take a +half-inch bar of iron and bend it almost double +with his hands. That made a great impression<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +upon me, for I didn't believe there was another +man in the colony who could do that."</p> + +<p>"Probably not," replied Tom. "But what +made you think this was one of Fenton's +whaleboats?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing but Fenton himself. Of course +I've heard of the stories of what he's been +doing since he became a pine robber. His +gang is one of the worst, you know, and the +minute I set my two eyes on him I suspected +it was Fenton himself."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you get word up the river as +soon as you saw him?"</p> + +<p>"They've got watchers farther up, and +that's their business. Besides, I didn't care +to have him double me up the way he did that +iron bar. Then, my business was to stay +here and give the warning to anybody that +might be going up the stream, you see. +That's why I waved the flag when I saw you +coming."</p> + +<p>"And they haven't come back yet?" inquired +Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"No. That's what I'm waiting for. There +isn't any fun in hanging out here in the wet, +I can tell you. Just as soon as I can see that +whaleboat coming out into the bay again +I'm done."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, Peter, I'll go right back and +report to Benzeor. Maybe he'll take you on +board and carry you home."</p> + +<p>"Not unless I see the whaleboat again," +said Peter doggedly as he prepared to climb +to his seat in the tree again.</p> + +<p>Tom hurriedly departed and started to return +with his message to the waiting Benzeor +and his men, who he knew would be becoming +impatient by this time. As he ran along +the beach the storm smote him full in the +face, but in spite of the driving rain the night +was not very dark. The moon was near the +full and gave sufficient light to enable him to +see far out over the tossing waters. He could +even discern the outlines of the little boat far +up the shore, and as he ran swiftly forward +he was thinking of the report he was to make +to the waiting Benzeor, and his thoughts were +not entirely pleasing.</p> + +<p>Fenton's deeds had become notorious in +Old Monmouth. At the head of his brutal +band, composed of men as desperate and +reckless as he, he had pillaged and plundered +throughout the county during the preceding +year, and up to this time no one had been +found strong enough to put a stop to his evil +deeds. Any unprotected farmhouse was liable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +to receive one of his visits, and such a visit +was seldom made without profit to the outlaws, +for such in fact they were, and with +their ill-gotten gains they hastened away to +store them in their hiding-places among the +pines.</p> + +<p>Nor was Fenton's band the only one which +had its headquarters in that lonely and unfrequented +region known in Old Monmouth as +the "Pines." West, Disbrow, Fagan, Davenport, +and many others of the lawless men, +had engaged in similar occupations, and all +had their hiding-places in the same wild spot, +and in a measure protected and aided one +another.</p> + +<p>Up to this time Fagan had been the only +one to suffer the well-deserved penalty of his +crimes, and in the preceding winter a band of +two hundred of the desperate patriots had assembled +and driven the famous, or rather infamous, +outlaw to bay. At last he had been +taken, and the infuriated men, mindful not +only of the sufferings of their own families at +his hands, but also of their possible future +sufferings as well, had measured out a stern +justice to the man, and with their own hands +had hanged him from the long limb of a tree +which stood by the side of the road which led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +from Monmouth Court House<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> to Trenton. +Afterwards some of the patriots who had suffered +most from his evil deeds had severed the +skull from the body and nailed it to the tree, +and then, placing the pipe between the grinning +jaws, had left the uncanny sight as a +warning to all who might be disposed to follow +in the footsteps of the outlaw.</p> + +<p>For a few weeks the suffering patriots +found relief, but only for a few weeks.</p> + +<p>Despite the terrible warning, the other +bands of pine robbers soon renewed their labors, +and now in the early summer of '78 the +region was suffering more from the marauding +bands than ever had been known before.</p> + +<p>It was all a part of the horrors of war. +Sometimes, when we read of the brave deeds +which have made famous some of the men +who had a share in the struggle, we are prone +to think only of the heroism displayed. And +there was many a true hero in that and in +every other war which our country has waged. +We are never to forget that; but there was +another side which has, to a large extent, +passed from the memory of the present generation. +The loss of property and of life, +the sufferings of the women and children in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +the lonely homes, the barbarity and cruelty +of evil men who, freed from the restraint of +law in a time when the worst passions of men +were aroused, gave free rein to their avarice +and all that was bad in them, have frequently +been ignored or forgotten. The glory of war +or the pride in true heroism cannot entirely +atone for the sufferings that were only too +common in the scattered homes or lonely +places.</p> + +<p>And Fenton's band was one of the worst. +From their strongholds among the pines, into +which few men had the hardihood to enter, +they would set forth on horseback some dark +night, and the tale they might have told upon +their return was ever one of blood and sorrow. +People tortured until in their agony they were +compelled to yield up their scanty savings, +raids upon the flocks and herds already becoming +far too small for the necessities of +their owners, burning houses, and men and +women deliberately shot by the outlaws, were +only a few among the many results of their +raids.</p> + +<p>Not the least of the evils was the knowledge +that among the people of Monmouth +there were some who, while they might not +openly be known as members of the bands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +still gave the desired information to the leaders +as to the places where possessions were +secreted, or of the times when the patriots +were aroused and it was best for the "Barons +of the Pines," as some termed them, to remain +in hiding among the tall dark trees. Professedly, +the outlaws acknowledged no allegiance +to either side in the struggle, but somehow +it had come to pass that a stanch whig was +liable to suffer far more from their depredations +than his tory neighbor, and as a natural +consequence the feeling between neighbors +and those who had been friends was becoming +more and more strained and bitter.</p> + +<p>Thoughts of these things were passing +rapidly through Tom's mind as he ran swiftly +on through the storm to rejoin his companions. +Fenton? Yes, he had heard of him too +many times not to recognize his name and to +feel well assured that a visit from him in such +a night could promise little good for any of +the patriots dwelling near the Navesink.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it, Tom?" said Benzeor, +as the panting lad rejoined them. "Is it +Little Peter on the lookout? He must have +seen a ghost to have warned us to stay out +here in the bay in such a night as this. I'm +wet to the skin."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's Fenton," replied Tom huskily, for he +had not yet recovered his breath. "Peter +said he saw him and six of his men go up +the Navesink about four o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Fenton?" said Jacob quickly. "Then +we're in for a night of it. We don't want +to fall into the hands of that pine robber +when our pockets are as well lined as they +are to-night."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure about that," replied Benzeor +slowly. "There's ten chances to one +that they won't come back before morning, +and if they do they won't be likely to find us +in such a storm as this."</p> + +<p>As he spoke a fresh gust swept the rain +directly into their faces. The storm certainly +was increasing, and the prospect of spending +a night in the bay was dreary enough to +cause the most stout-hearted to hesitate. And +it may have been that other thoughts than +that of the storm influenced Benzeor.</p> + +<p>At any rate he gruffly responded, "You +can do as you please, but I'm going up the +Navesink. If you're afraid, you can stay +here or start out across the country on foot. +You'll have to speak quick if you go with +me, for I'm off."</p> + +<p>Benzeor turned and grasped the bow of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +his boat to push her off the beach upon which +she had grounded. Before he had succeeded, +however, Jacob spoke up quickly and said, +"We're with you, Benzeor. If you can stand +it, we can."</p> + +<p>"Get aboard then, every one of you!" +said Benzeor gruffly.</p> + +<p>Tom and Barzilla quickly took their places +in the stern, while Benzeor, with the aid of +Jacob, soon sent the boat out from the shore.</p> + +<p>The sail was soon rigged and shortened, +and the little party then started for the narrow +mouth of the Navesink. The boat rolled +and pitched in the storm, but Benzeor had +her well in hand, and soon steered into the +more quiet waters of the river. Tom could +see the tree as they passed, and was positive +that Peter could also see them, but no hail +was given, and the point was soon left far +behind them.</p> + +<p>Then up the narrower waters of the river +the boat sped on in her course, but not a +word was spoken by any of those on board. +The storm was still raging and Benzeor's +attention was largely occupied in managing +his craft, and the others were busied with +thoughts which perhaps they did not care to +express.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tom was decidedly anxious. A meeting +with Fenton and his band was something of +which he was fearful, and as they sped on his +fears increased each moment. Benzeor's apparent +indifference had not deceived him, and +deep in his heart there was a lurking suspicion +that perhaps he might be able to account for +it, if he felt so disposed.</p> + +<p>However, he too was silent, and a half hour +had passed and as yet no signs of danger had +appeared. Benzeor was steering as close inshore +as the wind permitted, and Tom was +beginning to hope that they would succeed +in making their way up the river without +being discovered.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jacob, who was seated in the bow +and was keeping a constant lookout ahead, +shouted, "Port! Port your helm, Benzeor! +Quick! Quick!"</p> + +<p>Benzeor instantly heeded the warning, but +his quick movement barely served to enable +them to pass a boat which loomed up in the +darkness. It was a whaleboat, and with a +sinking heart Tom saw that there were six +men rowing, while a seventh was seated in the +stern and was serving as helmsman.</p> + +<p>Instantly Peter's words flashed into his +mind, and he knew that they had barely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +escaped a collision with the very boat which +the lookout had discovered making its way +up the Navesink late in the afternoon. The +party could be none other than that of Fenton +and his outlaw band.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Freehold.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>BENZEOR'S VISITOR</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Hold</span> on there! Hold on, I say! Stop, +or we'll shoot!"</p> + +<p>The words were shouted by some one in +the whaleboat, and Benzeor evidently was +about to heed the sharp command. He +quickly changed the course of the boat, and +as the shortened sail flapped in the wind as +the little craft came about, the whaleboat +came alongside and some one reached forth +with a boat-hook, and the progress was instantly +stayed.</p> + +<p>Tom's heart was beating rapidly in his excitement. +A wild impulse to leap into the +river seized him, but before he could leave +his position in the bow, two of the other +crew clambered on board, and he knew that +an attempt to escape would now be useless. +Doubtless the men were armed, and the darkness +was not deep enough to conceal him +from their sight. His only hope now depended +upon the actions of the men and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +course which Benzeor should decide to follow.</p> + +<p>The sail was instantly lowered in obedience +to the sharp command of the men who had +boarded the boat, and, in great fear, the lad +waited for the purpose of their captors to be +declared. He drew back in his position in +the bow, hoping to escape the notice of all +on board, as he saw that Benzeor had arisen +from his seat and stood facing the men.</p> + +<p>"Who are you? What ye out in a night +like this for? Whose boat is this?" exclaimed +the one who appeared to be the +leader.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Fenton?" replied Benzeor +in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Ho, it's Benzeor Osburn!" exclaimed +the man, peering intently into the face before +him as he spoke. "I thought it was strange +we didn't find you in your house. We waited +an hour as we agreed to, but when you didn't +put in an appearance, we thought we'd start +back. Where ye been, Benzeor? What's +up now?"</p> + +<p>"I'd been back home in time if it hadn't +been for the storm and an alarm we had back +in the bay. I think ye'd better go back +with me now, Fenton. I've got some facts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +that may interest you, and we can't talk them +over here."</p> + +<p>"Who are these men with you?" inquired +Fenton suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're all right. I'll vouch for +them, every one," replied Benzeor. "You +haven't anything to fear from any of my +friends. Come up to my house and I'll tell +ye all about it."</p> + +<p>Fenton hesitated a moment before he replied, +and Tom peered intently at the man of +whom he had already heard so many tales. +He could see his great form, although he +could not distinguish the features of his face +in the darkness. His deep voice and gruff +manner had not tended to allay the lad's fears, +and now Benzeor's words and actions filled +his heart with a new alarm. Was Benzeor +about to cast in his lot with Fenton? His +words betrayed the fact of their previous +acquaintance, and all the recent suspicious +actions of his foster father came back to him. +No one in the party had yet spoken, except +Benzeor and Fenton, but the recent conversation +on board the boat, much of which Tom +had overheard, convinced the troubled lad +that no very strong protest would be made +against any proposal that Benzeor might feel +disposed to make.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm rather of the opinion," said Fenton +roughly, "that it's about time you went +home with me. I don't know who these +fellows on board here are, and I don't care. +You're the one I'm after, Benzeor, and it +seems to me the time's come for you to join +us or quit. You've been shilly-shallying +long enough."</p> + +<p>"Hush! Don't speak so loud!" replied +Benzeor anxiously.</p> + +<p>Fenton laughed outright at Benzeor's evident +alarm, and, turning to his companions +in the whaleboat, said, "I think we'd better +take the boat along with us. We can land +this crew anywhere along the shore, or we +can sink 'em in the river, just which you +please. It's too much of a storm for us to +be hanging around here on the Navesink."</p> + +<p>"Fenton," said Benzeor, rising and stepping +up to the side of the outlaw, "you'd +better do as I say. I've got something to +tell ye, and it's worth hearing, too."</p> + +<p>A low conversation followed between the +two men which Tom, with all his efforts, was +not able to hear. The result of it, however, +quickly became apparent when Fenton turned +to his companions and said, "It's all right, +boys. You go on without me, and I'll join<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +you to-morrow. I'm going up to Benzeor's +now."</p> + +<p>The boat-hook was quickly withdrawn at +his command, and the sound of the oars of +the departing boat soon ceased to be heard.</p> + +<p>The sail of Benzeor's boat was then hoisted +again, and once more the little party, increased +now by the addition of Fenton, began +to make their way up the Navesink. Though +the rain was steadily falling, the wind was +favoring, and the boat, handled by the skillful +Benzeor, held steadily to its way. The low +shores could be seen in the distance on either +side, and an occasional light betrayed the +location of some lonely farmhouse, whose +occupants in the confidence begotten of the +storm had ventured to sit up till a later hour +than was customary in those days.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken on board the boat, +and Fenton had taken a position near Tom +from which he did not move. All were +drenched, but a summer rain was something +which none of them minded in such a time +as that.</p> + +<p>When an hour had passed, Benzeor ran +his boat closer inshore and in a few moments +landed. Then turning to his companions he +said, "Come over to my house to-morrow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +Jacob, and I'll give you and Barzilla your +shares of the money."</p> + +<p>"We'll go with you now," replied Jacob, +evidently not desiring to put off the day of +reckoning too long, a desire in which Barzilla +also shared.</p> + +<p>"No, I can't fix it up to-night. You can +take the bag, though, if you want to, and +bring me my share to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Benzeor's confidence in his fellows served +the desired purpose, and Jacob and Barzilla +speedily departed, taking with them the little +bag of gold which had been received as the +price of the produce they had taken to New +York.</p> + +<p>"Tom, you look out for the boat," called +Benzeor, as he and Fenton started towards +the little house whose outlines could be discerned +in the distance.</p> + +<p>Tom obeyed, and as he worked over the +little boat, looking well to all the details, his +thoughts were far more busy than his hands. +The changes which he had noted in Benzeor +of late seemed almost to have reached their +climax. Was the man intending now to go +with Fenton? All his recent absences from +home came up before the lad's mind, and the +strange visitors he had received there of late<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +were not forgotten. What was it Benzeor +was planning to do? He was not much like +the man he had been a few years before +this time, and as Tom thought over all the +changes, he was troubled more and more.</p> + +<p>He knew that Sarah had not been unaware +of what was going on, for many a time had +they talked it all over together. Sarah had +remained a steadfast champion of her father, +but Tom had not failed to see that she was +none the less troubled by his strange actions. +His grasping disposition had become more +and more apparent of late, and while he had +never in the presence of his family referred +to anything he had in his mind to do against +the patriots, his very silence in such times +was more threatening than any words he could +utter. But Sarah had steadily refused to +believe that her father would desert the cause +for which at the outbreak of the war he had +professed the most ardent attachment; still, +it was impossible for her not to discover, what +Tom for a long time had seen, that he was +strangely silent of late.</p> + +<p>The change in Benzeor Osburn had been +so gradual as to deceive many of his friends +and neighbors. All had known his "closeness," +as the country people termed his love<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +of money, but few of them had thought it +would ever lead him into the position in +which the man at that time really stood.</p> + +<p>Benzeor in '76 had been among the loudest +in his expressions of loyalty to the cause +of the colonies, and had been foremost in +blaming his own brother for his "toryism." +His brother's property had been confiscated, +but Benzeor's had been left unmolested, so +confident had all the whigs been in the sincerity +of his expressions. And at the time +Benzeor had meant what he said, and said +what he meant. But never for a moment +had he dreamed that the struggle would be +such a long-continued one as it had proved +to be, nor had he thought that patriotism +would affect his own possessions. All that +would be done would be to make a strong +protest against the unjust taxation, for Benzeor +had hated taxes as he did few things in +this world, and then a compromise would be +effected, which would permit the colonists to +go on with their occupations, and the mother +country would soon see that it was not to her +own advantage to drive her rebellious children +too far.</p> + +<p>The first shock had come to him when the +Continental Congress had declared the country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +to be a free and independent nation. +That was going too far, Benzeor thought, +and so he freely expressed himself; but still +hoping that a compromise of some kind would +be made, and that his own possessions would +not be disturbed, he had uttered no further +protests, though his voice ceased to be heard +in favor of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>As further events betrayed the weakness of +the patriot cause, and he had found that +patriotism was likely to prove a somewhat +expensive virtue, his feelings had undergone +a still more decided change. At first +he had entered into one or two secret projects +by which he had succeeded in enriching +his own pockets, and the success had so affected +him that as his patriotism decreased +his hopes of gains correspondingly increased; +and soon from deeds for which he tried to +justify himself, he had been gradually drawn +into others which even his own seared conscience +proclaimed to be wrong. In some of +the latter he had come into contact with the +outlaws of Fenton's class, and his association +with them had soon banished the feeling of +disgust he had formerly cherished for them, +until it had even come to pass that Fenton +himself was a not unwelcome guest in his +own home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first the visits had been made secretly, +and the promises of rich harvests to be reaped, +as the result of their evil deeds, had appealed +to Benzeor more strongly than even he himself +was aware. The lawless times, the constant +turmoils, the bitterness between those +who had recently been the warmest of friends, +the ease with which raids were made, and the +apparent impossibility of detection, had all +combined to arouse the avaricious Benzeor +more and more; and now not very much was +needed to draw him still farther within the +toils of Fenton and his band.</p> + +<p>Not all of these things were apparent to +Tom when at last he left the boat and started +towards the house, but he had seen sufficient +to make him suspicious of Benzeor, and he +was as perplexed as he was troubled. All +his own feelings had gone out more and more +to the patriot cause, and more than once had +he been sadly tempted to depart from his +home without waiting for the formality of +buying up his time, and he had even gone so +far as to suggest to Sarah several times what +he had it in his mind to do. Sarah's grief, +however, and the confidence which she still +professed to feel in her father, as well as the +dislike in his own heart to do anything which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +bore any resemblance to stealing,—for so the +troubled lad regarded the taking of time +which did not really belong to him as the +bound boy of Benzeor Osburn,—had hitherto +held him back. How long such feelings +would continue to sway him Tom could not +decide when at last he lifted the latch and +entered the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Benzeor and his guest were seated before +the fire which had been started in the wide +and open fireplace, and were drying their wet +clothing as they conversed eagerly together.</p> + +<p>As Tom came in, Benzeor glanced up +hastily and said, "You can go to bed, Tom. +You must be wet and tired, and there is a lot +of work to be done to-morrow." Benzeor's +voice was not unkind, but Tom did not fail +to see that his presence was not desired. He +quickly lighted a candle with a splinter which +he thrust into the fire and held until it was +in a flame, and then went up the low stairway +to his room directly over the kitchen in which +the men were seated.</p> + +<p>As he entered the room he noted the +gleam which came through the open space +near the rude chimney, and, placing the candle +on the low table, he advanced and peered +down at the men. He could see both plainly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +and, after observing them for a moment, he +was about to turn away and take off his dripping +clothing, when he suddenly stopped. +He had overheard a word which caused his +heart to beat much more rapidly, and in a +moment he was upon his knees striving to +hear what more would be said.</p> + +<p>He remained in the same position for an +hour, and at last arose only when Fenton +opened the door and went out into the darkness. +Then Benzeor closed and barred the +door, and started directly up the stairway.</p> + +<p>Instantly Tom blew out his candle and +leaped into bed, all wet and muddy as he was, +and drew the bedclothes close up around his +face.</p> + +<p>Benzeor came slowly on and then stopped +before the door of Tom's room. The lad +was trembling in his excitement, for he well +knew that if the man should enter and discover +that he had not removed his clothing +before going to bed, his suspicions would +at once be aroused. And above all things +Benzeor's suspicion at that time was what +Tom most desired to lull.</p> + +<p>There were wild thoughts in Tom's mind of +leaping from the bed and, rushing past the +man, making a break for the outside. Perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +the man might not enter, however, and, +trembling with fear and excitement, Tom +waited.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that a long time had +elapsed, and still no sound outside the door +could be heard. Had Benzeor gone on? The +light of his candle which still shone through +the cracks disproved that. What could he +then be doing?</p> + +<p>Tom tried to conjecture what must be +going on on the stairway, but the silence was +still unbroken. The minutes were like hours +to the frightened lad. It seemed to him as +if the beatings of his heart must be heard +throughout the house.</p> + +<p>His suspense was soon ended—when Benzeor +lifted the latch and Tom felt the light +of the candle streaming in full upon his face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE MESSENGER</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> a moment Tom closed his eyes and +waited for the words which he expected and +feared to hear. His body was trembling and +all his strength was required to prevent his +teeth from chattering. If Benzeor should +enter the room Tom knew that at once his +predicament would be discovered, and in the +present state of his foster father's feelings he +was aware that he could expect no mercy at +his hands.</p> + +<p>He heard no footstep, but he felt that the +light of the candle was still shining upon his +face and knew that Benzeor had not departed. +At last, unable to bear the suspense longer, he +opened his eyes, for he felt that he must see +what was going on in the room. There stood +Benzeor in the doorway holding the candle +with one hand, and intently regarding the +apparently sleeping boy before him.</p> + +<p>"I'll be down directly," said Tom drowsily, +as if he were just awaking. "I didn't know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +it was time to get up. I'll be with you in a +minute."</p> + +<p>"It isn't time to get up," replied Benzeor +slowly. "I'm just going to bed. I stopped +to see if you were all right. Have you been +asleep long?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know. Is there anything +wrong?" Tom still kept the bedclothes drawn +tightly about his face, and although he was +feigning that he had been sleeping, he was in +a state of terror. If Benzeor should approach +the bed he well knew what would follow.</p> + +<p>"No, there's nothing wrong," replied Benzeor. +"I just wanted to see if you were all +right. It's been a hard trip, and there's +much work to be done to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tom closed his eyes and did not continue +the conversation, hoping that the man would +feel satisfied and leave him to himself. Nor +was he disappointed, for Benzeor soon withdrew +and closed the door behind him.</p> + +<p>Tom could hear him as he stumbled about +in the adjoining room, preparing for bed. +Frightened as the lad had been, he had not +failed to notice the expression upon Benzeor's +face. It seemed to him that fear and recklessness +were combined there, and that in the +recent decision which the man had made, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +had bidden farewell to everything good in +his nature.</p> + +<p>Benzeor had not been without his good +qualities. Even then, in spite of his alarm, +Tom recalled his rough kindnesses, and +thought how much better in many ways his +foster father had treated him than had some +of the true fathers treated their own sons, for +the times were rough and the one thing which +was demanded of all the growing boys was +implicit obedience to their elders. And this +obedience had been ofttimes compelled by no +gentle means. The use of the strap upon +boys who were as large as their fathers was +not unknown, and no one ever thought of +resenting the harsh treatment. But Benzeor +had seldom struck him. Tom almost wished +that he had, for it would make the carrying +out of the project he had already formed +much easier.</p> + +<p>Then, too, all the kindness he had received +at the hands of Benzeor's wife and +of the girls came back to him. It was true +that this had been largely of a negative character, +but in times like these through which +the troubled lad was then passing, even that +was not forgotten. He had toiled early and +late, and knew that he had given more than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +a full equivalent for the scanty food and +rough clothing he had received. But after +all, Benzeor's home had been all the home he +had ever known, and he was not unmindful +of the benefits he had received.</p> + +<p>His soul now, however, was in a state of +turmoil. The words he had overheard had +proved conclusively that Benzeor was a +changed man, and as Tom thought of the +project which Fenton had presented, and into +which his foster father had entered with apparent +eagerness, his own indignation increased. +The long waiting was past now, +and the time for action, the time of which he +had dreamed and thought so much of late, +had come at last.</p> + +<p>He removed the bed-clothing and sat up +on the side of the bed, listening intently. +Benzeor had ceased to move about in his +room, and the sounds which now came indicated +clearly that he was asleep. Against +the little window the rain was still beating, +and the darkness was so intense in the room +that Tom could not distinguish any object.</p> + +<p>For several minutes he continued in his +position, undecided whether he had better +make the attempt to depart from the house +by the way of the stairs, or through the window<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +in his room. If he should select the +former, the stairs would be sure to creak +under his feet; and then, too, there would be +the bars which must be drawn from the door. +There were too many possibilities of detection +to make that method of departure the +desirable one.</p> + +<p>If he should go through the window, all +he would have to do would be to drop upon +the woodpile directly beneath,—a pile which +Tom knew was there, for he himself had +drawn and cut the wood only a few days before +this time. He decided to use the window.</p> + +<p>Stepping slowly and carefully, he approached +and quietly raised the sash. As he +looked out into the night, the farm buildings +could be seen, and yonder was the road he +was to seek.</p> + +<p>Hesitating no longer, the resolute boy +crawled through the open window, and then, +clinging for a moment to the sash with his +hands, dropped upon the woodpile below. +There was a noise as the wood rolled from +under him, but, quickly rising, he ran to the +long lane which led out to the road, and +then stopped to learn whether his departure +had been discovered or not.</p> + +<p>The silence was unbroken. The outlines<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +of the rude little house stood out in the darkness, +the rain was falling steadily, and the +heavy clouds hung low over the earth. Not +even the dog had been disturbed, and with a +lighter heart Tom turned and ran down the +lane and was soon in the road.</p> + +<p>The mud was now thick and heavy, and +he found his progress difficult. But as he +had not far to go, he ran steadily on, and +soon came within sight of Little Peter's house. +There was no light to be seen within it, and +he was not at all certain that his friend had +returned.</p> + +<p>He approached and stood beneath the window +of the boy's room, which, like his own, +was over the kitchen. Then he gave the low +whistle which they both had used as a "call." +At first there was no response, and when he +had given it two or three times he concluded +that his friend had not returned from his +work as the lookout in the tree by the mouth +of the Navesink. Nothing then remained to +be done but to rouse the family, for Tom was +determined, and was well aware that what he +planned to do must be done quickly.</p> + +<p>Approaching the kitchen door he rapped +loudly upon it. Twice had he repeated the +summons before a window was raised, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +some one looking out upon him called, +"Who's there? Is that you, Peter?"</p> + +<p>"No, it's not Peter. It's Tom Coward, +and I want to get in. I've got something to +tell you."</p> + +<p>"I'll be down in a moment," said Peter's +mother, for Tom had recognized the voice as +her's.</p> + +<p>Tom soon heard the heavy bars withdrawn, +and in a brief time the door was opened, +and then closed and carefully barred behind +him.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, Tom?" inquired the +woman anxiously. "Has anything happened +to Peter?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Tom. "He +was all right when I left him a few hours +ago down by the Hook. But what I want to +know now is whether you've had any word +from his father?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word, except that it's reported the +army's on the march again. Why do you +ask?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I ought to tell you," +replied Tom hesitatingly, "but the truth of +the matter is that I happened to hear that he +was coming home."</p> + +<p>"You've heard something more than that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +Tom Coward," said the woman now thoroughly +alarmed. "I know you've heard +more, or you wouldn't have come over here +at this time of night and in such a storm. +What is it? What is it?"</p> + +<p>Tom perceived that he had gone too far to +retreat now, and so he began his story. He +did not go into all the details, for as yet he +did not desire to implicate Benzeor, at least +in the eyes of all his neighbors.</p> + +<p>"The way of it is this," began Tom hesitatingly. +"I happened to be to-night where +I overheard the talk between two men, and +one of 'em was Fenton, the pine robber."</p> + +<p>Tom could perceive the expression of alarm +which swept over the face of the woman, who +was still standing before him. Apparently +ignoring it, however, he went on. "It seems +that both of the armies are on the march +across Jersey, and that Washington has halted +over by Hopewell. Somehow, Fenton had +got word that your husband was coming +home for a day, and he's fixed up a plan to +trap and take him."</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard a word," said the woman +slowly. "When was he coming?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And Fenton knows of it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes. And he knows something more, +too, or at least he pretends to. I heard him +say that you had some money hidden in an +old sock, which you'd stored away in the +garret."</p> + +<p>Tom saw the woman start at his words, +and knew then that Fenton's statement had +been correct, although he could not conjecture +how the pine robber had received his +information. Little Peter's mother was a +resolute woman, but even the stoutest heart +might well be alarmed to hear that Fenton +was aware of such possessions.</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea when Little Peter +will come home?"</p> + +<p>"No. It's too bad to keep him out in +such a night. And we need him here now."</p> + +<p>"I'll wait till he comes," said Tom quietly. +"There's no danger to-night, but I want to +see him, and I don't think you'll object to +my staying, will you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said the woman eagerly. "Oh, +what times these are! My husband has been +in the army more than a year, and the end +hasn't come yet. What will become of us? +What shall we do? Tom," she added suddenly, +"what was Fenton going to do with +him if he caught him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take him and send him to New York. +You know there's a reward for every prisoner +taken. But he hasn't got him yet."</p> + +<p>"No, that's so; and what's more he won't +either, if it can be prevented. Have you told +Benzeor about it? Hark! There's some +one at the door now!"</p> + +<p>The woman was not mistaken, for a low +tapping on the kitchen door could be distinctly +heard. For a moment neither spoke, +but they could not conceal their fears from +each other. Just then a stronger gust of +wind drove the rain with added force against +the windows. The sound of the storm seemed +to increase the fear of those within the house. +Perhaps Fenton himself had even then come; +or, as was more probable, Tom thought, his +own departure had been discovered, and Benzeor +had come for him. As between the two, +Tom decidedly preferred to meet Fenton at +that time.</p> + +<p>Again the low rapping was heard, and +Tom knew that some response must be made. +"I'll open the door. Maybe it's Little +Peter come back," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't Peter. He wouldn't come +in that way."</p> + +<p>"I'll find out who it is," replied Tom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +more resolutely, although his heart was oppressed +by a great fear. His hands were +trembling, and he almost expected that the +moment he drew back the bars a rush against +the door would be made.</p> + +<p>"You stand ready to push against the +door," he said as he grasped the bar. Slowly +he drew it back, and standing away from the +slight opening called out, "Who's there?"</p> + +<p>No reply was heard, and the wind which +swept through the open space quickly extinguished +the candle, leaving them both in +total darkness. For a moment Tom thought +they were being attacked, and he instantly +slammed the door back, and shot the bar into +its place.</p> + +<p>The rapping upon the door was quickly +repeated, and the voice of some one outside +could be heard. "Don't light the candle +again," whispered Tom. "It'll let them see +what's inside here. Who's out there?" +he called in louder tones. "Who's there? +You'll have to tell who you are, or we shan't +let you in. Who is it?"</p> + +<p>Another rap was the only reply, and Tom +was almost decided not to heed the summons +longer, but to leave the callers, whoever they +might be, out there in the storm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll go upstairs and look out of the window," +whispered Peter's mother; and, creeping +softly out of the room, she soon made +her way up the stairway to the room overhead +from which she had replied to Tom's +own summons a few minutes before.</p> + +<p>Tom waited and listened. The rapping +was not repeated, and no sound could be +heard outside the door. What could it all +mean? Had the marauders gone around to +some of the windows? These were barred by +heavy inside shutters, and no light could be +seen to reveal the presence of any one. The +darkness in the room was intense, and Tom +almost thought he could feel it. He was +breathing hard in his excitement, but he had +not left his position by the door.</p> + +<p>Soon he heard the sound of the woman +returning down the stairway. He waited +breathlessly, and she soon rejoined him.</p> + +<p>"I can't see but one man," she whispered. +"He's right there in front of the door."</p> + +<p>"Is it Benzeor?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't see. You'd better open +the door and let him in. We can handle +one."</p> + +<p>Tom did not feel so positive about that, +but bidding her light the candle, he again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +drew back the bar. "Come in! Come in! +Quick!" he called.</p> + +<p>Some one pushed past him, and the door +was instantly closed and barred again.</p> + +<p>The candle was not yet lighted, and in the +darkness he felt as if some one were about to +grasp him. He could almost feel hands upon +him now. He stepped farther back from +the door, and waited in breathless suspense +for the candle to be lighted.</p> + +<p>After several attempts, the woman succeeded +in igniting a splinter from the embers +in the ashes on the fireplace, and the beams +of the lighted candle quickly dispelled the +darkness.</p> + +<p>"It's Indian John!" said Tom with a +great sigh of relief as he saw the man before +him.</p> + +<p>The visitor was a strange appearing being, +clad in the leggings and moccasins of his race, +while over his shoulders he wore a faded coat +which once had done duty for some Continental +soldier. His dark eyes burned as if +they had caught a reflection from the sputtering +candle, but with a countenance unmoved +he gazed quietly at his companions in the +room.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John, what a fright you gave us!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +said the woman at last. "What brings you +here on a night like this?"</p> + +<p>The Indian made no reply, save to draw a +letter from the pocket of the dripping, faded +coat, and quietly held it forth to the woman.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>IN THE TEN-ACRE LOT</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Little</span> Peter's mother instantly grasped +the letter, and seating herself by the table, +and drawing the candle nearer, at once began +to read. Tom watched her eagerly, but she +did not speak, and the expression upon her +face did not betray any of the emotions in +her heart.</p> + +<p>The Indian still stood motionless in the +position he had taken when he first entered +the room, and except for the occasional turning +of his dark eyes from the boy to the +woman, so far as appearances went he might +have been a statue. The rain still dashed +against the windows, and the sounds of the +wind outside showed that the storm was +unabated. The flickering candle served to +intensify the darkness, and the alarm which +Tom had felt had not entirely departed.</p> + +<p>The woman read the letter all through +carefully, and then, without a word of explanation, +began to read it again. Tom hardly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +knew what to do. He had given her his +warning, and whether she would care for his +further services he could not determine. He +did not feel like interrupting her, and yet he +feared that his presence now might not be +altogether welcome, for he had no means of +knowing what the message was, or who had +sent it.</p> + +<p>His uncertainty was quickly dispelled, however, +as the woman laid the letter upon the +table, and turning to him said, "You were +right, Tom. Peter is coming home; but how +you found it out, I cannot even guess."</p> + +<p>Tom did not feel at liberty to enlighten +her upon the subject beyond what he had +told her already, for he was sadly troubled +about Benzeor and his relations with Fenton. +Doubtless Benzeor was implicated, but matters +had not yet gone so far that he felt he +was at liberty to betray his foster father to +the neighbors.</p> + +<p>"Yes," resumed the woman, "Peter is +coming home, but only for a day or two."</p> + +<p>"Where is he? What does he say of the +army?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"Washington is at Hopewell, as you said, +Tom. When he found out that Clinton +really intended to march across Jersey, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +detached General Maxwell's brigade and some +of the militia to obstruct and bother the British, +and Peter was in the militia, you know. +They were to keep close to the redcoats, and +by their skirmishes keep them from going +too fast, and so give Washington a chance to +pass them, and then, when the place he wanted +was found, turn about and fight. When +the army crossed the Delaware at Coryell's +Ferry, Washington sent Colonel Morgan with +six hundred of the riflemen to reinforce Maxwell, +and with the rest of his men he set out +to march toward Princeton."</p> + +<p>"I thought you said he was at Hopewell +now," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"So he is, Peter writes, but Hopewell isn't +but a few miles from Princeton, you know, +and he decided to stop there and give his +army a good rest. Peter writes that all the +men now think that Clinton is marching so +slowly on purpose, and that his plan is to let +the Americans go on into the lower country +and then gain the right of our army by a +quick march and get possession of the higher +ground on the right of our men. Peter +writes that that is what all the Continentals +think Clinton is trying to do, and so General +Washington has halted at Hopewell. That's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +only five miles from Princeton, you see, and +he is going to stay there a few days so that +he can give his men a good rest before any +engagement takes place; and he can find out +what Clinton's plans are, too."</p> + +<p>"And while the army is waiting there, Big +Peter thinks he'll run up home for a day, +does he?" said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it. He's sent me word +of his coming by Indian John, here. But +you must have been delayed John," she said, +turning to the Indian as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"Heap wet," said the Indian quietly.</p> + +<p>"When does he say he expects to be +here?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow; no, to-day, for it must be +long past midnight now. I shouldn't be +surprised to see him any time."</p> + +<p>"Well I've given you my message, and +you'll know what to do now. I think perhaps +I'd better be going back home, that is, +unless there's something you think I can do +to help you."</p> + +<p>"No, there's nothing more now, Tom. +Little Peter will soon be here, and with him +and Indian John in the house, I don't think +we shall have much to fear. It was good of +you to come, Tom. I shall never forget you,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +and I know that Peter will not, either. I am +sadly troubled, but I think it will be all +right."</p> + +<p>"Good-night, then," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, and thank you again for all +your trouble and kindness."</p> + +<p>Tom drew back the bar, and, opening the +door, passed out into the night, little dreaming +that he had looked upon the face of +Little Peter's mother for the last time.</p> + +<p>As he ran along the lonesome road, he +could see that the clouds were breaking, and +in low masses were swept by the wind across +the sky. The rain had almost ceased now, +but the air was damp and heavy and strangely +oppressive. Perhaps it was the oppressiveness +which affected Tom more than the excitement +through which he had just passed, +for the lad was much depressed as he came +nearer to Benzeor's house. All the conversation +he had overheard between the men came +back to him, and he almost wished that he +had not left Peter's mother alone with Indian +John and the children. His feeling of obligation +to Benzeor had mostly departed now, +and as he recalled the plots of his foster +father his heart was hot within him. He +even thought of going over to the Court<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +House and reporting the matter to Sheriff +Forman that very night; but the hope that +Benzeor still might not join Fenton in the +evil project they had formed deterred him, +and as he just then obtained a glimpse of the +house which for more than ten years had +been the only home he had ever known, his +mind was recalled to his own immediate plans. +At least he had given Peter's mother the +warning, and if Fenton's band should make +the proposed visit, in any event she would be +prepared to receive them.</p> + +<p>At first Tom thought he would not return +to his room, but would pass the night in the +barn; still the fear that Benzeor might discover +his absence, and be led to suspect +its cause, quickly presented itself, and the +troubled lad decided to go back to his accustomed +place.</p> + +<p>Carefully he climbed up on the woodpile, +and grasping the sill drew himself up and +passed through the open window. He stood +for a moment in the room and listened intently. +Not a sound could be heard, and +even the long drawn-out snores with which +Benzeor had been wont to proclaim to the +household the fact that he had entered the +land of dreams were silent now. He waited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +several moments, and as the silence was still +unbroken he proceeded carefully to remove +his wet clothing, and climbed into his high +bed.</p> + +<p>For the first time then he realized how +thoroughly tired he was. The bed had never +been more grateful to him, and a heavy sigh +of relief escaped his lips. He heard the +crowing of the cocks and knew that the +morning could not be far away now.</p> + +<p>Not even the exciting events of the day, +or the treacherous project of Benzeor, or his +anxiety for the safety of Little Peter's father, +now availed to keep the wearied lad awake.</p> + +<p>How long he slept he did not know, but it +was broad daylight when he opened his eyes. +Some one was pounding upon his door, and +with a confused thought that Fenton was +besieging the house, or that Washington had +begun an attack upon Clinton's forces, he +quickly sat up in the bed and listened.</p> + +<p>The summons was repeated, and Tom at +once realized where he was and what was +expected of him. There was no mistaking +Benzeor's rude method of proclaiming the +presence of the morning, and if he had had +any doubts, they would have been quickly +dispelled by the words which followed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, Tom, get up! It's high time we +were at work again!"</p> + +<p>"I'll be down in a minute," replied Tom +as he leaped out of bed and hastily dressed.</p> + +<p>While he was engaged in that occupation +he tried desperately to collect his thoughts +and think of some way out of the troubles +which he feared were sure to come that day. +Should he tell Benzeor plainly that he could +no longer remain under his roof? Ought he +to tell him what he had overheard the night +before? Had the time come for him to declare +himself and to take the open stand +which he had for a long time secretly planned +to do? Thoughts of Sarah and the toiling, +careworn little mother of the household presented +themselves before his troubled mind, +and the longer he thought, the more perplexed +he became.</p> + +<p>The problem was not solved when he passed +down the stairs and went out of the house to +the barrel which stood beneath the corner of +the eaves. He took the rude wooden bowl +and filled it with water, and desperately tried +to arrive at some conclusion as he bathed his +flushed face.</p> + +<p>The family were already seated at the +breakfast-table, and the sounds of Benzeor's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +gruff voice could be distinctly heard through +the open windows. The hens with their +broods were moving about the yard, and the +dog came and rubbed against his leg as the +lad dried his face and hands on the rough +towel that was hanging near the water barrel. +The storm had passed, and the summer sun +was shining clear and strong now.</p> + +<p>As he lifted his eyes and looked out over +Benzeor's fertile lands, only a vision of peace +and restfulness could be seen on every side. +It was all so different from the storm which +was in his own soul that Tom almost groaned +aloud as he turned to enter the kitchen and +take his accustomed place at the table.</p> + +<p>As he entered the room, Benzeor said, +"You're late this morning, lad, but I thought +I would let you sleep, you had such a hard +day of it yesterday. But there's no trip to +New York this morning, and not likely to be +one again soon."</p> + +<p>Benzeor's manner was not unkind, and as +Tom glanced at him he wondered whether +the man was in any wise suspicious of him +or not. Apparently he was not, but without +making any reply Tom seated himself and +quietly decided to wait until they were alone +before he spoke of what was in his mind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tom," said Benzeor after a brief silence, +"I want you to go over to the ten-acre lot +to-day. The ground's wet, but the corn +there needs hoeing, and we can't wait."</p> + +<p>The "ten-acre lot" was on the border of +Benzeor's possessions, and was nearly a mile +distant from the house. On all sides it was +bordered by woods, and was as lonely a place +as could be found in all the region.</p> + +<p>"Are you going, too?" inquired Tom, +with an apparent indifference he was far +from feeling.</p> + +<p>"No. I've got to go in another direction +to-day. I may not be back at night either, +though I can't say as to that. You'd better +take your dinner, too, Tom, and I'll leave +one of the muskets for you. You can load +it up with bird-shot and keep the blackbirds +and crows away. They're raising the mischief +this year, and corn's going to be worth +money this fall, if I'm not greatly mistaken."</p> + +<p>Tom made no reply, although his heart +was beating a little more rapidly than usual. +Benzeor's absence from home promised little +good, and the words which he had overheard +the night before came back now with redoubled +force. Where was Benzeor going? +And why did he send him to work in the distant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +field, when he was positive that some of +the corn nearer the house was in far greater +need of hoeing than that in the ten-acre lot?</p> + +<p>However, he did not voice his questions, +and immediately after the breakfast was over +Benzeor mounted his horse and departed up +the road, going in the opposite direction to +that which led to Little Peter's house.</p> + +<p>Tom went up into the unfinished room in +which Benzeor kept his guns and ammunition, +but instead of taking the musket to +which the man had referred, he selected a +rifle, and loaded it with a ball instead of the +bird-shot as Benzeor had directed. Just why +he did this Tom could not have explained +even to himself, but somehow there was the +feeling in his heart that he might need to be +prepared to deal with larger game that day +than the thieving blackbirds or the noisy +crows.</p> + +<p>"I've got your dinner all ready, Tom," +said Sarah, as the boy came back with his +gun into the kitchen. "Why, you've got +the rifle!" she added in surprise, as she +noted the weapon he had in his hands. +"There's nothing wrong, is there?" she said +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I hope not. I don't know. I thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +I'd take this gun," replied Tom in some confusion.</p> + +<p>Sarah said nothing more, but Tom knew +from her manner that she was alarmed. He +would have been glad to quiet her fears, +but the anxiety in his own heart rendered +him somewhat embarrassed, and without saying +anything more he shouldered his gun, +and picking up the little pail, or "blicky," as +the country people termed it, having adopted +the Dutch word whether they themselves +were Dutch or not, he set forth on his walk +to the distant ten-acre lot.</p> + +<p>He stopped in the barn long enough to +select a hoe, and then with the added implement +resumed his journey across the fields. +When he came to the borders of the woods +through which he was to pass, he turned and +looked back at the house.</p> + +<p>Sarah was still standing in the doorway, +and as she saw Tom stop she waved at him +the sunbonnet which she was holding in one +hand by the strings. Tom waved his "blicky" +by way of a return, and then entered the +woods, which shut out the view of all that +lay behind him.</p> + +<p>The birds were flitting about in the trees +and filling the air with their songs. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +squirrels darted along the branches, stopping +only occasionally to chatter at the intruder. +High over all he could see a fish-hawk and +his mate circling in the air, and Tom knew +that their nest was not far away, and doubtless +they were watching him to see that he +did no harm to their little ones, which by this +time must be well grown.</p> + +<p>As he came near to a marshy little pond +which lay in the centre of an open place in +the woods, he stopped for a moment when he +heard the angry notes of a ground thrush +near by. He soon saw that the bird was +engaged in a fierce contest with a water +snake which had crawled up the bank and +doubtless had been endeavoring to make his +breakfast upon the fledgelings in the nest he +had discovered.</p> + +<p>Tom watched the contest for a moment, +and then advanced to the aid of the bird, +which was beating the ground with her wings, +and occasionally darting swiftly at her foe. +His approach was instantly seen by the snake, +which quickly abandoned the contest, and, +squirming down the bank, slid into the stagnant +water; but Tom could still see the head +which was lifted above the water, and the +glittering little eyes were intently watching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +his movements, although the rest of the long +slimy body was concealed in the pond.</p> + +<p>"That's just like Benzeor," said Tom +aloud, as he dropped his pail, and picking up +a stone threw it savagely at the head he +could see a few yards out from the bank.</p> + +<p>The head instantly disappeared, and Tom +turned to watch the bird, which now was +hopping about in the bushes, uttering harsh +little notes of relief.</p> + +<p>"You're all right now, old lady," said +Tom. "Go back and tend to your babies. +I only wish I could serve every crawling +thing the way I served your enemy."</p> + +<p>He soon arrived at the end of his journey, +and, placing his gun within easy reach, began +his task for the day. Why he had put off +his conversation with Benzeor he could not +explain. But the energy with which he began +his work served to afford a measure of +relief for his pent-up feelings, and when the +noon hour at last came he had done far more +work than a morning often witnessed.</p> + +<p>Once he had stopped suddenly when he +thought he heard the report of a gun in the +distance. The sound had twice been repeated, +but it seemed to be muffled and far away, +and as he resumed his labor he tried to persuade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +himself that it was only Little Peter +firing at the blackbirds or the thieving crows.</p> + +<p>The reports had made him anxious, however, +and when he had stopped for dinner he +had kept his gun near him all the time. The +silence served to increase his feeling of loneliness. +On every side stood the forests; and +the great trees, which had never as yet felt +the stroke of the axe, were companions without +sympathy.</p> + +<p>With a feeling of desperation Tom soon +resumed his labors. The sun passed over +his head and began to sink below the tops of +the taller trees. He had stopped for a moment +to wipe his dripping face and gain a +brief rest, when he was startled by the sight +of some one emerging from the forest.</p> + +<p>He gazed for a moment intently at the new-comer, +and soon recognized Sarah. What +was the trouble? Her dress had been torn by +the bushes, her hair had become loose and +was streaming down her back. But her disheveled +appearance was not the worst, for as +Tom dropped his hoe and ran across the lot +to meet her, he saw that her eyes were filled +with an expression of terror, and her face +betrayed the wild alarm which seemed to +possess the swiftly running girl.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE PARTING OF THE WAYS</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">What's</span> wrong, Sarah? What is it? +What is it?" said Tom excitedly, as he drew +near the almost breathless girl. "Has anything +happened at the house?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom!" was all that Sarah at first +could say. The reaction from her excitement +and the swift pace at which she had been +running had come, and the frightened girl +burst into a flood of tears.</p> + +<p>Tom looked on in helpless amazement. +Sarah was usually such a strong and self-contained +girl that her present distress was all +the more perplexing. He looked at her a +moment, feeling how utterly unable he was +to comprehend the state of her feelings and +how helpless he was to aid or comfort her. +Benzeor might be faced; and even Fenton, in +spite of the fear with which Tom regarded +him, might be met; but a weeping girl was +entirely outside the realm of all his previous +experiences, and he stood leaning upon his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +gun, eager to do something to aid Sarah, and +feeling a deep sympathy for her as he silently +watched her.</p> + +<p>Perhaps his silence was the very best aid +he could offer, for in a brief time the resolute +Sarah gained control of herself, and lifting +her tear-stained face to that of the troubled +lad by her side she said, "Oh Tom, they've +killed Little Peter's mother!"</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Tom in amazement. +"Killed her? You can't mean it! Who +killed her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, they shot her, and have carried off +his father, too."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand, Sarah," said Tom +more quietly. "Tell me about it."</p> + +<p>"Little Peter came over to our house just +a little while ago to leave the children, and +he told us all about it. It seems, he was the +lookout yesterday down by the Hook and +didn't get home till it was almost light this +morning.</p> + +<p>"He said he went up to his room and laid +down upon his bed, and must have gone +to sleep, but he was waked up by the sound +of the voices of men in the house. He +jumped out of bed and listened, and pretty +soon he heard one of them tell his mother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +that she must hand over the money she had +hidden in a stocking up in the garret, and +tell where his father was.</p> + +<p>"She refused to do either, and then Little +Peter hurriedly dressed and ran down the +stairs, but some of the men just grabbed him +and held him fast so that he couldn't do +anything to help his mother. He said the +men all had masks on their faces except +Fenton, for he thinks it was Fenton's band +that did the work, and he was sure he recognized +the blacksmith."</p> + +<p>"No doubt about that!" exclaimed Tom. +"What did they do then?"</p> + +<p>"They held his mother while some of them +ran up into the garret, and pretty soon one +of them came back with the stocking. They +made quite a time over that, and Little Peter +thought they wouldn't do anything more, +but it seems they didn't find as much money +in the stocking as they expected. Little +Peter explained it to me by saying that his +mother had divided it, and had hidden a part +in the garden back of the house and left only +a part in the stocking.</p> + +<p>"For a little time they didn't suspect that, +but wanted to know where her husband was. +Of course she didn't tell them. How could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +she, when he wasn't there? Well, they +searched the place high and low. They tore +open the feather beds, and broke down the +walls in two or three places, but they couldn't +find Peter. Then they went out into the +barns and searched them, but not a trace of +him could they find. They must have been +pretty angry by that time, for when they +came back to the house they told her they +knew there must be more money than they +had found in the stocking, and she must tell +them where it was.</p> + +<p>"Just then one of the children called out +that she knew where it was for she had seen +her mother dig a hole in the ground and put +a bag of money in it. Two of the men then +took the child out into the garden and tried +to make her show them the place where the +money was, but she must either have forgotten +or else did not know, for the men came +back into the house more angry than before, +and told her mother that she must go with +them and show them the place.</p> + +<p>"Of course she refused, and then Fenton +raised his gun and told her he'd give her till +he could count five, to tell. She didn't say +a word, and when the blacksmith had counted +four he stopped a minute to give her a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +chance to speak. He waited, and as she only +shook her head the outlaw pulled the trigger +and shot her in the breast."</p> + +<p>"And killed her?" inquired Tom in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, killed her. The bullet must have +struck her heart, for Little Peter said she fell +dead. They threw the body on the bed and +then they turned upon Little Peter. He said +he thought his turn had come then, but at +that very minute the guard they had stationed +down by the road came running into the +house, and going up to Fenton whispered +something in his ear.</p> + +<p>"Little Peter didn't know what it was, he +said, but in a minute Fenton turned to his +men and gave them some directions, and they +all stopped and went out of the house, that +is, all except two, who were looking after +Little Peter and the children.</p> + +<p>"In almost no time Little Peter heard +some one coming up the lane on horseback +and stop right before the kitchen door. He +heard him jump off from the horse, and after +a pause of a minute the men all made a rush +out of the house. Pretty soon they came +back, and Little Peter saw that his own father +was a prisoner in their hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He said his father took on fearfully when +he saw his wife dead, and what the men had +been doing, but in a minute they bound him +hand and foot, and put a gag in his mouth, +and then he was as helpless as a baby in their +hands.</p> + +<p>"Little Peter said he didn't know what +was coming next. He thought they'd torture +him or his father into telling where the money +was, or would set fire to the house; but before +they could do anything the guard came +running into the house again and called out +that some one was coming.</p> + +<p>"They only stopped long enough to tie +Little Peter to the post of the very bed on +which his mother was lying dead, and then +they made a break out of the house and took +their horses and were off down the lane in no +time."</p> + +<p>"How did you hear about it? How did +Little Peter get away?" said Tom slowly.</p> + +<p>"Why, in a few minutes Indian John came +into the house, and he set Little Peter free. +'Twas lucky for him that he did, for Fenton +might have come back, you see."</p> + +<p>"And Little Peter came over to your house +with the children, then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he brought them all over, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +they're at our house now. But, oh Tom, it's +dreadful! dreadful! I'm so afraid they'll +come to our place next, and so I ran out here +to get you. Come Tom! Come right away! +They may be there now!"</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated, not knowing just what to +do. He was only a boy, and knew that alone +he could do nothing against Fenton and his +band. But the appeal of Sarah and the unprotected +condition of the children and her +mother moved him strongly, and his first impulse +was to return with the frightened girl.</p> + +<p>"Sarah," said he abruptly, "where is your +father?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you know he went away this morning, +and he hasn't come back yet. He said +he might not be back before to-morrow morning. +We're all alone, Tom, and you must +come right away. Oh, it's awful!" And +Sarah buried her face in her hands again as +she spoke.</p> + +<p>It was almost upon Tom's lips to tell her +what he knew of Benzeor. But the misery +of the weeping girl before him was even +stronger than the impression produced by the +sad tale she had just related, and he could +not quite bring himself up to the point of +telling her what he suspected,—that her own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +father had been connected with the attack +upon Little Peter's home. But he had decided +now as to the course of action he must +follow.</p> + +<p>"Sarah," said he gently, "there isn't the +least danger in the world that your house will +be attacked. I can't tell you how I know, +but I know it's so."</p> + +<p>"But we're all alone, Tom! I don't +know what you mean! We're as likely to be +attacked as any one. You must go back +with me! We must go right away, for they +may be there now! Poor mother, she was so +frightened that she didn't want me to leave +and come over here for you! Come! We +must go right back now!"</p> + +<p>"Sarah, I'm never going into that house +again. You can tell your father that I've +slept for the last time under his roof."</p> + +<p>"Not going back with me?" said Sarah +aghast, and looking up in surprise as she +spoke. "Not going back?" she repeated, +as if she did not fully understand what Tom +had said.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not going back," said Tom +firmly. "You know I've been thinking a +good while of leaving, and after what you've +just told me I know the time has come."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>The color slowly faded from Sarah's face +and a different expression came into her eyes. +Even her alarm was apparently forgotten for +the moment, and as Tom looked at her, her +eyes seemed to snap and a sneer replaced the +look of sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Tom Coward, you're afraid!" she said; +"that's what's the trouble with you. You're +afraid, that's what you are! You'd rather +leave mother and me alone there with the +children than run any risks of meeting the +blacksmith! I wouldn't have believed it, +but my father was right. You're a coward +by nature as well as by name."</p> + +<p>"Sarah"—began Tom, his face flushing +at the words of the angry girl.</p> + +<p>"Don't 'Sarah' me! I know you now! +I never could have believed it, never! But +I've heard you with my own ears, and now I +know it's true! You're afraid! You're a +coward, that's just what you are! Oh, you're +well named, you are! Very well, sir, it shall +be as you say. Perhaps we shall be better +off without you than we would with you, for +it would only make another child for us to +look after if you should come back! I'll go +back home and face Fenton and every one +of his band myself! I'm afraid, but I'm no +coward!"</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 304px;"> +<img src="images/illus097.jpg" width="304" height="500" alt=""TOM COWARD, YOU'RE AFRAID!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"TOM COWARD, YOU'RE AFRAID!"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>Turning abruptly away, after giving Tom +a glance which he never forgot, she started +resolutely and swiftly back along the pathway +which she had followed in her flight to +the ten-acre lot.</p> + +<p>Tom looked after her in helpless amazement. +Never before had he heard such an +outburst from the gentle and even-tempered +Sarah, who had been the leading spirit in +Benzeor's household. The children had gone +to her with their troubles rather than to their +mother, and Sarah had never failed to have a +word of comfort or of help for every one. +Even Benzeor himself had come to depend +upon her judgment in many of his affairs, +and she had been as patient and gentle with +him as she had been with the troubled little +ones.</p> + +<p>And to Tom she had been the one true +friend he had ever known. Somehow she +had always understood him, and from the +days of their early childhood it had always +been a matter of pride to him that he was her +acknowledged champion and protector. Many +a time, when he was a sturdy little lad, had he +taken her part against the tormenting boys +in the school. For her he had carved quaint +and strange looking dolls out of horse-chestnuts,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +and the childish Sarah had never failed +to receive them with many expressions of +pleasure, and had lavished a wealth of affection +upon them which was almost as pleasing +to Tom as to the little mother herself. For +her he had gathered the chestnuts in the +autumn and the bright colored flowers in the +springtime; and when, with the passing of +the years, there had come to them both new +feelings and new interests, he still had shared +with her all those dimly perceived ambitions +and longings which are ever present in the +boyish heart when it arrives at that position +where it can look out upon the time when the +boy is to become a man.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Tom had enjoyed her sympathy +and interest the more because of the loneliness +of his own position. But Sarah never +by word or act had caused him to feel that +he was only Benzeor Osburn's "bound boy," +and not truly one of the household.</p> + +<p>Tom was thinking of some of these things +as he watched the departing girl, and, forgetting +for the moment all the anger and shame +which her last words had aroused, he called +aloud after her.</p> + +<p>"Sarah! Sarah!" he shouted. "Wait a +minute! Come back! Come back!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sarah apparently did not hear him, or heed +him if she heard, and without once turning +her head or looking behind her soon disappeared +in the forest.</p> + +<p>An impulse to follow her seized Tom, and +he even ran a few steps after her, but quickly +stopped. How could he explain himself to +her without informing upon Benzeor? And +then her sorrow would be harder for him to +bear than her present anger, hard as that was. +No; all he could do was to remain silent for +the time, and trust that in the future some +explanation might be made which should set +him aright once more in the estimation of +the best friend the homeless boy had ever +known.</p> + +<p>The departure of Sarah left him face to +face with the perplexing problem of what +he was now to do. To return to Benzeor's +house was impossible; but where should he +go?</p> + +<p>Tom stood for several minutes in deep +thought. There was no home which would +now be open to him except Little Peter's, +and that had been wrecked by the dreadful +deeds of Fenton and his followers. Washington's +army he had heard was at Hopewell, +and that was at least forty miles away. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +was to the army he had ultimately hoped to +go, and perhaps the present was the very +time to which he had been looking forward +so long.</p> + +<p>The longer he thought about it the more +strongly was he impressed with the conviction +that his best plan would be to try to make +his way to Hopewell, or to the place to which +the army might have moved by this time. +It was true he was without provisions, and +he knew of no place in which he would be +likely to obtain any, or in which he might +find a resting-place for a night. Of the long +journey he thought but little, for a walk +even of forty miles had no terrors for him.</p> + +<p>Tom decided to start for Washington's +army, but first he must stop at Little Peter's +and learn what his friend's plans were to be, +and offer him such aid as it lay within his +power to give.</p> + +<p>The decision once made, Tom picked up +his rifle, which now he somehow had come +to regard as his own property, and started +through the forest toward the distant road.</p> + +<p>When at last he gained it and started +towards Little Peter's home, he was startled +as he saw some one running down the road, +and his first impulse was to conceal himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +in the forest and wait for the stranger to pass; +but his fears were relieved when he recognized +the long lope of the runner, and then +knew that his old friend Indian John was +approaching.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>INDIAN JOHN</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Indian John</span> had for years been a frequent +visitor in the home of Benzeor, as he had in +many of the other homes of the region. He +was an old man now,—how old no one knew, +perhaps not even Indian John himself,—but +he had lingered about old Monmouth long +after the Schwonnack had taken possession +of the lands and his own tribe had gradually +relinquished their homes and mostly withdrawn +from the region.</p> + +<p>For months together he would disappear, +and no one would know whither he had +gone, although it was thought that he was +on a visit to some of his kindred, who had +withdrawn farther into the interior of the +country; but he would soon return and resume +his wandering life. At such times, +Indian John would be restless and uneasy. +Perhaps then he realized more fully the loss +of the homes of his ancestors, and his heart +would be filled with thoughts he never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +uttered. He continued to be friendly with +the settlers, and though he never refused to +accept the food which almost every housewife +was willing to give him, he had never been +willing to pass a night under a roof. It was +commonly reported that he used a cave in +the woods not far away as his abode, but he +never had welcomed any one there, nor had +any one ever seen the aged Indian in the +place. Still the report was believed, and +"Indian John's cave" was a well-known +name among the boys of Old Monmouth.</p> + +<p>Between Tom and the lonely warrior there +had been a very strong feeling of sympathy, +although not even Tom himself was able to +explain it. It had come about, however, as +the result of an accidental meeting between +them a few years previous to this time. +Tom had gone down to the shore one day +when a storm had been raging, and the +great breakers had been rolling in upon the +beach.</p> + +<p>As the lad had walked on over the sand, +he had been surprised to see the figure of a +man in the distance, standing motionless, and +evidently watching the tumult of the angry +waters. He had not changed from his position +as Tom approached, and the lad did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +know that his presence was even recognized +by the Indian, who seemed to be absorbed in +his reflections as he looked out over the tossing +waves.</p> + +<p>Tom had gone on and at last touched the +Indian upon the shoulder. Indian John had +then slowly turned his head, and Tom knew +that his presence had been perceived, but for +a moment neither had spoken.</p> + +<p>Then the aged warrior, with a gesture +toward the ocean, had said, "Boy no home. +Warrior no home. Brothers."</p> + +<p>It was the first time Tom had known that +Indian John was aware of his own early history, +and his heart had been deeply touched +by the sympathy of the red man.</p> + +<p>"Boy no home. Warrior no home. Both +like waves. Driven here. Driven there. No +rest. No home. Storm there. Storm here," +said the Indian laying his hand upon his +bosom as he spoke.</p> + +<p>From that time, although Indian John +never referred to his loneliness again, a +strong bond of sympathy had existed between +the two, and every time Tom had seen the +old man, he thought of his quiet eloquence in +the presence of that storm which they both +had witnessed from the shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Indian John had been kind and +thoughtful to all the white children of the +region. He had made bows for the boys, +and taught them their use, and as their skill +had increased, his pride was as marked, +although it had not been as demonstrative, +as that of the youthful warriors themselves. +He had taught them how to make and set +their traps for the foxes and the rabbits, +and how to catch the eels in the river. Apparently +his happiest hours had been those +which he passed with his young companions.</p> + +<p>Highly as the boys had prized the lessons +he had given them, still more did they prize +the marvelous tales which Indian John could +tell. To them he told what the waves were +saying when they came rolling in upon the +sandy shore. He knew what the tall trees +were whispering when the wind swept through +their branches and brought the leaves into +contact with one another. The hoarse calls +of the wild geese, when they passed high +overhead on their long journeys in the spring +and autumn, were all known to Indian John, +and the screams of the eagles and the fish-hawks +were all in a language which he +clearly understood.</p> + +<p>He knew, also, all the tales his fathers had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +told him of the first appearance of the Woapsiel +Lennape in Old Monmouth, when, in +the spring of 1524, John de Verrazano, in his +good ship The Dolphin, had entered Sandy +Hook, and had soon after written a long +letter to King Francis the First of France, +and had given a full account of the marvelous +adventures which had befallen him, and +the no less marvelous country he had discovered. +He had heard, also, of the visit, in +the summer of 1609, which Sir Henry Hudson +had made in The Half Moon, and how +that one of his crew had fallen as the first +victim of the rage of the Indians at the +invasion of their lands.</p> + +<p>The tale which Tom had always enjoyed +most, however, was that of the origin of the +troublesome little pests which, in the warm +days of the summer, were the torment of the +people, for Jersey mosquitoes were not unknown +in those far-off times of the Revolution.</p> + +<p>It seemed that ages before this time, indeed +away back in the days before John de +Verrazano or Henry Hudson had come, or +even the memory of the oldest warriors could +run, the Great Spirit had permitted two huge +monsters to appear and prey upon the red<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +men of Monmouth as a penalty for some +crime they had committed, a crime the nature +of which Indian John did not know, or, if he +knew, he never explained.</p> + +<p>In size these monsters were larger than +any house. They had long slender legs +which held their huge bodies higher in the +air than the tallest trees could have done. +They also had immense wings, which, although +they were as fine in texture as the finest silk, +were so large and strong that when the huge +monsters used them they created such a +breeze that even the strongest trees of the +forest fell before them.</p> + +<p>Their most distinguishing characteristic, +however, was an immense "bill," which was +as long as the tallest pine-tree and as sharp +and delicate in its point as that of the smallest +needle. With this they wrought incalculable +destruction and suffering among the +helpless people. The largest man served +only as a single "bite," and the bodies of +little children seemed only to whet the appetite +of these savage monsters.</p> + +<p>The helpless warriors knew not what to do. +They sacrificed, and prayed, and besought the +Great Spirit to free them from their tormentors, +but all was without avail. Their prayers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +were unanswered, and the Great Spirit was +not appeased.</p> + +<p>No man could describe the destruction +wrought by the huge tormentors. Whole +tribes disappeared before them, and it soon +came to pass that the warriors dared not +venture forth in search of food for their +starving little ones, who were kept concealed +in dens and caves of the earth. Watchers +were stationed to give warning of the approach +of the monsters, for their great bodies +cast shadows upon the earth like those of +the low-passing clouds on a summer day, +and long before they appeared in the sky the +cry of the watchman sent all within the sound +of his voice to their places of refuge under +the ground. Not even then were they always +safe, for the monsters could bore into the +ground with their bills, and often brought to +the surface the body of a man, who struggled +and kicked much after the fashion of a frog +impaled on the beak of some long-legged +heron. The torments of the people increased. +The women neglected their fields, and the +warriors remained in their hiding-places, while +the frightened children cried for food.</p> + +<p>At last, rendered desperate by their sufferings, +the warriors of the entire region banded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +themselves together, and one day fell upon +the monsters as they were lying asleep in a +valley which their immense bodies almost +filled.</p> + +<p>The carnage was frightful to behold. All +day long the contest was waged, and the multitudes +of men that fell could not be counted +up for numbers. But at last the red men +were victorious, and when the few remaining +warriors left the field of battle, their enemies +lay stretched upon the valley, dead.</p> + +<p>Great was the rejoicing among the people. +They came forth from their hiding-places, +and their feastings and songs of victory were +continued for two entire days. The land +was freed from its tormentors, and peace and +prosperity would now return, or so at least +they thought.</p> + +<p>Great was the astonishment and sorrow of +Indian John's forefathers when, upon the +third day, they discovered that their troubles +were not ended. As decay had begun to +work upon the dead bodies of the mammoth +mosquitoes, little particles became loosened, +and as they were lifted into the air by the +summer wind, each tiny and separate atom +became endowed with life and received a +body in shape exactly like that of the huge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +monsters themselves, only they were exceedingly +small in size. Day after day clouds of +these tiny torments were borne away by the +breezes from the valley of the dead, and, +filled with a burning desire to avenge the +death of their parents, they fell upon the +unprotected people.</p> + +<p>From these there had been no relief. +The camp-fires of the warriors did not avail, +and although the men went valiantly forth to +give them battle, their efforts were all futile, +and from that day until the present time the +Jersey mosquito has remained a foe to the +red man and the white, and ever consumed +by the one purpose, to avenge the death of +the parents, who had fallen years ago in their +battle with the red-skinned warriors of Old +Monmouth.</p> + +<p>To Indian John this story of the origin of +the pests of New Jersey had been eminently +satisfactory, and never by word or deed had +he shown that he had the slightest doubt of +the accuracy of the tradition which had come +down to him through many generations. +Tom at first had received the account with +all the implicit faith of an ardent admirer of +Indian John, and his first rude shock had +come when Benzeor had laughed aloud upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +his relating the story with all seriousness one +morning at the breakfast-table. With the +passing of the years other doubts as to the +entire reliability of some of Indian John's +stories had crept into his mind. Alas that it +should be so with us all! But his strong +regard for the old warrior had never ceased, +and Tom's heart was glad that morning when +he recognized the new-comer as his long-time +friend.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been, John?" he said, +as the Indian approached.</p> + +<p>"See Peter."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen him?" said Tom eagerly. +"Where is he? Has he got away?"</p> + +<p>"How?" replied the Indian quickly; and +Tom at once perceived from the expression +upon his face that he was aware of some but +not of all the recent events in Peter's home.</p> + +<p>As he related the story which Sarah had +told him, Indian John made no reply, although +his eyes seemed to blaze as he listened to +Tom's words. He then explained that he +had left the house soon after Tom had departed +on the preceding night, to intercept +Big Peter on the road and give to him the +warning which his wife had bidden him to +carry. But Peter must have returned by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +different route from that which he had been +expected to use, and as a natural result Indian +John had not seen him, the warning word +had not been given, and Big Peter had returned +to learn of the sad death of his wife +and to be carried away a prisoner by Fenton +and his brutal band.</p> + +<p>"I don't know just what to do now, +John," said Tom. "I want to go and join +the army. You have been there, and perhaps +you would like to go back with me."</p> + +<p>Indian John had been with the soldiers in +Washington's army, but he made no reply to +Tom's words, and indeed the lad was not +certain that he had heard, for he stood looking +upon the ground and evidently was thinking +deeply.</p> + +<p>"Where Little Peter now?" said the Indian +abruptly, looking up at Tom as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Fenton didn't take him +with him, though I don't know why he +didn't."</p> + +<p>"Little Peter home," said the Indian decidedly. +"Go see Little Peter."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated. He, too, had longed to +go to his friend, not only to express his sympathy +but also to learn what his plans were +to be, for he knew that Little Peter would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +not remain in his home now. Indeed, he +could not, if he would, after such a scene as +that which he had witnessed there. But +Tom's mind was filled with thoughts of Benzeor, +and a meeting with him certainly was +not very desirable at that time.</p> + +<p>"Go see Little Peter," said the Indian +again, starting on up the road as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll go with you," replied Tom, +as he joined his companion.</p> + +<p>Little Peter's house was not far away, and +he would not lose much time in going there. +It was almost night now, and if his friend +should be at home they might be able to +devise some plan by which they could act +together. Besides all that, Tom was more +than glad to have an opportunity to express +his sympathy for his friend in his sorrow.</p> + +<p>They soon came within sight of the house, +and both stopped when they saw a little +group of people near the garden. Tom knew +at once what their presence meant, for they +were near the spot where two of the members +of the family had been buried. He had seen +the rude wooden headstones which marked +their graves many times before this.</p> + +<p>The few neighbors who had assembled to +perform the last rites for Little Peter's mother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +had just returned to the house as Tom and +Indian John approached. Tom at once went +to his friend, and the warm grasp of the hand +was all he could give. Not one of the children +save Little Peter was there, and the hurried +duties had been hastily performed by +kind, though rough hands.</p> + +<p>The two boys withdrew from the house, and +after an awkward silence Tom said in a low +voice, "What are you going to do now?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to leave the children at Benzeor's +house. He has been very kind, or +rather Sarah has, Tom. And then I'm going +to start for Refugee Town; I think father +may be there."</p> + +<p>"Refugee Town?" said Tom in surprise. +"Do you think that will be safe?"</p> + +<p>Tom well knew the place. It was a spot +on the outer beach of the Hook, where some +of the more desperate refugees, tories and +negroes, had assembled. A few huts and +tents served as their dwelling-places, and the +men were supposed to be in league with the +men on board the boats which the British had +stationed near by, for a part of Howe's fleet +was already anchored there, waiting for the +coming of Clinton's men. Clinton's original +plan had been to march across Jersey to New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +Brunswick, there embark his men on the Raritan, +and sail away for New York; but the +rapid march of Washington had caused him +to abandon the project, and word had been +sent for the fleet to be ready for him when +he should arrive at the Highlands.</p> + +<p>Refugee Town had become a familiar name +within the past few weeks.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't safe exactly, but I've got to +do something for father. If he's taken to +New York and shut up in the sugar-house +I'll go with him; and if he's still there at +the Town I may be able to do something, +though I don't know what," said Little Peter +sadly.</p> + +<p>"But there are the children," protested +Tom. "What'll become of them?"</p> + +<p>"They're at Benzeor's, and they'll be all +right. You'll help look after them, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I've left Benzeor's."</p> + +<p>"Left Benzeor's? What for?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to join the army. It's time I +was doing my share."</p> + +<p>Tom gave no other reason. He knew the +children would be safe at Benzeor's, and with +what Little Peter then had it in his mind to +do it would perhaps be unwise to tell him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +all he knew. However, he intended to tell +him all, and that soon.</p> + +<p>"Going to join the army?" repeated Little +Peter, as if he did not comprehend the words.</p> + +<p>"Yes; you know I've been thinking of it +a long time, and now that they're on the +march, and coming this way, I've made up +my mind that my turn has come. I didn't +know but you would want to go, too, now."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to, but I can't. I've got this +other matter on hand. Come into the house, +Tom, and spend the night with me. You +can start in the morning as well as now, and +besides it's almost dark. You can't go in +the night."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated, but finally consented, and +with his friend went into the house which so +recently had been the scene of the greatest +sorrow which had ever entered Little Peter's +life.</p> + +<p>Indian John followed them, but after his +custom refused to remain, although he promised +to return early in the morning. One of +the women of the neighborhood had stayed +to look after Little Peter's immediate wants, +but as soon as her duties were done she departed +for her own home with an eagerness +she could not entirely conceal. And Tom did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +not blame her, for he himself was not without +fear when at last Little Peter closed the +doors for the night, and, after having slipped +the heavy bars into their places, the two boys +sought their bed in the low room over the +kitchen.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was long before daylight when the boys +were stirring on the morning which followed +the events recorded in the preceding chapter. +No one had disturbed them, and with the +return of the day their courage was somewhat +revived. Tom, however, had decided to start +at once for the army, which he knew from +Indian John's words was not many miles +away. He was thoroughly familiar with all +the roads in the county, for he had ridden +over them many times in company with Benzeor, +or when he had been sent on errands to +the more remote regions by his foster father, +and consequently had no fears of losing his +way.</p> + +<p>Little Peter did not urge his friend to +accompany him on his expedition to Refugee +Town, for he was aware of the perils that +were likely to beset him on his journey. He +would not listen to any of the protests of +Tom, for he was fully determined to learn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +what had become of his father, and even +share his experiences if the occasion demanded. +And Tom could not find it in his +heart to blame Little Peter, hopeless as he +considered all his efforts likely to be. Perhaps +he would do the same thing if his own +father had been carried away by the pine +robbers, and he found himself conjecturing +how it was a boy would feel in such circumstances +as those in which his friend had been +placed. The feeling was one of which he +knew nothing by experience, and his own +loneliness seemed to press upon him with a +heavier weight.</p> + +<p>However, he still said nothing to Little +Peter concerning Benzeor's recent actions, +for he was well assured that his friend's +younger brothers and sisters could be in no +place where they would so easily escape all +further troubles for the present as in his +foster father's house; and then all of Little +Peter's plans would be changed at once if he +knew the part which his neighbor had taken +in the tragedy which had recently occurred.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Indian John will go with me," +said Little Peter. "He'll be a great help if +he'll go."</p> + +<p>"That he will," replied Tom, "and I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +sure he'll be glad to go with you. I should +like to go myself."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Tom; I know you would, +but you couldn't do any good, and might +only get into trouble yourself. Perhaps I'll +be with you in a day or two, if I don't hear +anything about my father down by Refugee +Town,—that is, if Benzeor is willing for the +children to stay in his house. I'll have to +look after them, you see, for it's likely I'll +have to be father and mother, as well as big +brother, now," he added sadly.</p> + +<p>"I know, I know," said Tom; "but I'm +hoping you'll have good luck, and if the +army really is coming here, it may be that +you'll get some help from the Continentals if +you need it then. Good-by, Peter."</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Tom," replied his friend.</p> + +<p>Tom placed some bread in his pockets, and +then started forth on his journey. Somewhere +off towards Hopewell the American +army must be, according to all the reports +which had come, and to that place he must +make his way. The time for which he had +been waiting at last had come, and with a +lighter heart than he had known for days the +lad began his journey.</p> + +<p>The summer morning was clear and warm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +The birds were flitting about in the trees and +filling the air with their songs. In spite of +the heat, there was a delicious freshness in +the early morning air, and as he walked rapidly +forward he soon came to feel a sense of +exhilaration which not even the loss and grief +of his boy friend could entirely banish.</p> + +<p>By the time the sun rose red and full +in the east, he had placed several miles between +him and Little Peter's home, but with +unabated zeal he steadily pushed onward, +resolved to make the best possible use of the +early hours before the more intense heat of +the day should come.</p> + +<p>By the middle of the forenoon more than +ten miles had been left behind him, but he +was beginning to feel the effects of his exertions. +His face was flushed and streaming +with perspiration. The rough road was hot +and dusty, for only a single day had been required +to dry out all the vestiges of the recent +storm. He was beginning to feel somewhat +tired, and was about to stop for a brief rest +by the roadside, when he saw some one approaching +on horseback.</p> + +<p>He quickly drew back among the trees +which grew close to the road, thereby hoping +to escape all notice by the stranger; but his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +plan was quickly changed when he discovered, +as the horseman came nearer, that he was clad +in the uniform of the Continental army. His +relief was greater when he recognized the +man as the son of one of Benzeor's neighbors, +who more than a year before this time +had enlisted and had passed the preceding +winter in Valley Forge.</p> + +<p>He quickly resolved to hail the man as he +passed, and accordingly stepped out into the +road and waved his arms as a signal for +the horseman to stop. The man quickly +heeded, and as he drew the rein and checked +his horse he peered down at the lad by the +roadside, and Tom's fears were instantly relieved +when he perceived that he had been +recognized.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tom Coward, what are you doing +here? Nothing wrong over home, is there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is;" and Tom at once proceeded +to give young Lieutenant Gordon an +account of all that had occurred in the past +three days.</p> + +<p>"That's bad," said the lieutenant slowly, +patting his horse's dripping neck as he spoke. +"That's bad. I wish I could take a company +and go over there this minute. I can't, +though; it's out of the question. But the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +army will be here shortly now, and there +may be a chance to give these pine robbers +a dose then. Where are you going now, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I'd start for the army," replied +Tom. "I've no other place to go to, and +I've been waiting to join it a long time."</p> + +<p>The lieutenant smiled at the lad's words as +he replied, "That's all right. You're a +well-grown fellow, and I doubt not they'll +find a place somewhere for you in the Jersey +militia. There are younger fellows than you +there."</p> + +<p>"So I hear," replied Tom eagerly. "Indian +John told me the army was over by +Hopewell, and had halted there, so I thought +I'd put straight for that place."</p> + +<p>"There isn't very much of the militia +there now," said the lieutenant. "They're +mostly regulars at Hopewell, and I doubt not +have started from there before this."</p> + +<p>"Where are the militia then?" said Tom +quickly. "I've got a rifle here, and if I'm +to join them I want to know where they +are."</p> + +<p>"That would be a little difficult to say just +at present, my lad," replied the lieutenant, +assuming a more fatherly air than the difference<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +between their years would seem to warrant. +"That would be a little difficult to +say."</p> + +<p>As Tom plainly showed his disappointment, +the young officer continued: "You +see it's this way, Tom. It was early in the +morning of the 18th when the last of General +Clinton's forces marched out of the city +of Philadelphia. They went by the way +of Gloucester Point, about three miles below +Camden, and then the entire force, +with Knyphausen and his Hessians in advance, +marched over to Haddonfield and +halted there. We had means up at Valley +Forge of finding out what was going on, and +before they were fairly out of Philadelphia +some of our scouting parties and light horse +were in the city, and they gathered in about +sixty or seventy prisoners and were back +again at the Forge with the men and the +news. By three o'clock that same day General +Lee's division had started, and by five +o'clock General Wayne's had gone, too. +They lost no time over there, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"But I don't understand," said Tom. +"Where are the militia, and what are you +doing here?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm explaining to you,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +replied the lieutenant. "Well, at five o'clock +the next morning,—that was the 19th of +June, you know,—Washington had the +rest of the army on the march for Coryell's +Ferry; but the roads were so heavy—for +we've been having some great rains this +month—that the divisions which had been +sent out didn't cross the Delaware until +Saturday morning, and the main body till +Monday. And all this time the British +were mighty careful, let me tell you. They +thought Washington was after their baggage-wagons +and stores, you see. Clinton and his +main body moved out of Haddonfield on +Friday, but he left Knyphausen and his +Dutch butchers, as well as two brigades of +the regulars behind him, while he marched +eight miles up to Evesham and went into +camp there. He wanted to keep his train of +baggage-wagons well protected, you see, for +the militia were doing all sorts of mischief. +You wanted to know where they were. Well, +that's where they were."</p> + +<p>"They're away down at Haddonfield, +then, are they?"</p> + +<p>"No, no. But they'd been sent out to +bother the British, you see, and try to hold +them back by skirmishes and a few such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +gentle deeds. They were tearing up bridges +and firing at the regulars from the woods, +and doing all sorts of things. Why, when +Clinton was marching from Haddonfield to +Evesham, General Leslie, who was in command +of his advanced guard, fell in with a +party of these very militia I'm telling you +about. Leslie hid some of his men in a rye-field, +and they saw Captain Jonathan Beesley. +He was a captain in the Cumberland County +militia, you know, and had been in the army +two years,—yes, and he was one of the best +men we ever had, too, let me tell you. Well, +Leslie's men saw Beesley and a couple of his +officers reconnoitring in advance of their +companies, and they fired on them. Captain +Beesley was wounded, and of course they took +him prisoner and carried him with them into +camp. They tried to get him to own up +what Washington's plans were, but Captain +Beesley just stopped them by saying they +wouldn't get a word out of him. And they +didn't; but the next day the poor fellow died +from his wounds. They'd taken him into +Hinchman Haines's house, you see, and that +was where he died. I understand that they +buried him there with the honors of war, and +I understand, too, that they've given permission<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +for the body to be taken up and placed +in the Friends' burying-ground down at Haddonfield. +It may have been done before this, +for all that I know. Captain Beesley was a +good man. The redcoats couldn't do too +much for him."</p> + +<p>"But where are the militia now? That's +what I want to know."</p> + +<p>"And that's what I'm trying to tell you. +This is too hot to be standing out here in +the road. Let's go into the shade. I've got +time enough, and it may be a bit safer there, +too."</p> + +<p>The lieutenant led his horse a short distance +into the woods, and, slipping the bridle-rein +over his head, he permitted him to graze, +while he himself resumed his story.</p> + +<p>"At four o'clock the next morning,—that +was Saturday, the 20th,—Clinton took up the +line of march, but he only went seven miles, +as far as Mount Holly, and there he halted +till Monday. On Sunday, Knyphausen joined +him, having marched by the way of Moorestown. +The next morning they all marched +on to Black Horse and halted again, but at +five o'clock Tuesday morning they were up +and at it once more. They divided their +forces there a bit, Leslie going by the way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +of Bordentown, Clinton keeping on along the +road to Crosswicks, while Grant and the +Dutch butchers brought up the rear and +served as a kind of guard for the baggage-train. +All this was only yesterday, the 23d, +you see."</p> + +<p>"But where are the militia now?" protested +Tom. "They are the ones I want to +join, not the British. You keep telling me +about them. What I want is the other side."</p> + +<p>"Listen, then, and you shall hear. Yesterday +General Dickinson, with the Jersey militia, +was right there in Bordentown."</p> + +<p>"What! when the British came up?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, when the British came up, that is, +when Leslie's division did. Not all of the +militia were there, though. A good many +had been withdrawn and posted where they +could do the most good. There weren't very +many left in Bordentown, but when they found +out that Leslie was almost upon them, they +made up their minds in very short order that +the climate there was not the best in the world, +so they cleared out and left. But before they +went they left a few slight tokens of their +regard. They pulled up the planks of the +bridge there over Crosswicks Creek, and +raised the draw so that Leslie had to find<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +another crossing-place. Before they did that +they tried to fix up the bridge, but they were +fired upon, and I understand that four were +killed and quite a large number were wounded.</p> + +<p>"Clinton, too, wasn't finding his road all +covered over with roses either. About five +hundred of our men met him as he came up +nearer to Crosswicks, and they thought they +were ready, but they weren't anything of the +kind. They had cut down a lot of trees and +stretched them across the road, but that didn't +stop the British. They came on just as if +they didn't mind marching over such little +things as trees, and there was a little skirmish +there, and two or three of the redcoats were +killed. One of their officers was shot and they +took him up to a house near by, and left him +there. Of course the Americans couldn't +stand there long, but they didn't run very +far.</p> + +<p>"Well, the British divisions joined then +and started on again. They came to another +bridge and our men had it all fixed so that +they could just let it fall by one or two +strokes of an axe. They had one or two +little cannons there, too."</p> + +<p>"Who did? The British?"</p> + +<p>"No, our men. You know Sam Clevenger,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +don't you? Well, he stood there on the +bridge with his axe in his hands when the +British came in sight. He'd cut the sleepers +almost through, and when he saw the redcoats +coming, he lifted his axe, and the third +time he struck down went the bridge and all. +Then Clevenger started to run, but the British +fired at him and he fell dead. They'd +shot him in the back of the head. Our men +then fired their cannon once or twice, but all +they hit was the Friends' meeting-house. Of +course the British didn't mind that, and then +our men pulled back and left. That was +only yesterday. I shouldn't be surprised if +the British were over here by Allentown or +Imlaystown now, or it may be both."</p> + +<p>"What! not more than ten or fifteen miles +away?" said Tom excitedly.</p> + +<p>"That's what I say. And they'll be +nearer, too, before they're farther off, let me +tell you."</p> + +<p>"Why? How? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"They'll never go to Brunswick or Amboy, +for Washington's right in front of +them, and ready to head them off. They'll +just have to come this way or go back, and +that they won't do, for 'Britons never retrograde.' +That's one of their pet words, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +know. Isn't that what John Burgoyne said, +too?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about that," said +Tom. "Then General Washington has been +using a part of the militia and a part of the +regulars to bother Clinton and keep him from +getting to Brunswick or Amboy, has he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shan't have very far to go, then, +to join them now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're not going to join them. +You're coming with me. You're just such +a lad as I have been looking for, and you +can help me, if I'm not greatly mistaken."</p> + +<p>As Tom made no reply except to look up +in surprise, the young officer at once began +to explain to him the nature of the task to +which he had referred.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE STORY OF THE MISCHIANZA</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I've</span> been sent out, as a good many +others have been, to look up the bridges over +the creeks" (the young officer called them +"runs," as many of the Jerseymen did then, +and still do for the matter of that) "and find +out the lay of the land. As I happened to +be born in Old Monmouth, and lived here +till I was a man grown, it was naturally +thought I'd be pretty well informed, so you +see I was selected for this special work. I +don't know that I object to it, but I'd rather +be back with my men."</p> + +<p>"And that's what you've been doing, is +it?" said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've been in that work ever since +the British started out from Philadelphia. +I've kept just a little ahead of the men all +the way, and have gone back every night to +report, and then the next day they'd follow +all my plans. You see I've got a map of +every road in the county here," and as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +spoke the young lieutenant drew from his +pocket a paper on which had been traced +every road and every little stream in the +region, while the places where bridges were +to be found were indicated by red marks.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" he added, throwing back his +coat. "Isn't it warm! I don't believe +there's been a summer like this in years. +We've had showers and thunder-storms +almost every day. The air now feels as if +we'd get another one pretty soon, too."</p> + +<p>The air was exceedingly sultry, and a +strange stillness seemed to be resting over all. +Not a leaf was stirring, and as Tom looked +up through the tops of the trees the bright +blue of the sky appeared to be more intense +than ever he had seen it before. Here and +there separate masses of heavy clouds could +be seen, which, with the sunlight streaming +through them, glistened almost like silver. +He knew the signs well. There was the +appearance of a coming shower.</p> + +<p>"It's too hot to go on," said the young +lieutenant. "I'm almost afraid to take my +horse out in such heat. I've got the most +of my work for the day done, though, and I +thought that perhaps you might be able to +help me out, Tom. You must know every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +bridge in this part of the country. Now you +go over this map with me, and tell me if the +places are marked right. I've been gone so +long I'm not sure of myself, but you ought +to know. It'll save me a trip in this broiling +sun, if you can help me."</p> + +<p>Tom took the map and looked over it carefully. +He was thoroughly familiar with the +roads and streams, as the lieutenant had intimated, +and in a brief time he had given him +all the information he possessed.</p> + +<p>"There," said the lieutenant at last, folding +the paper and restoring it to his pocket +again, "that helps me out. I'd been over +most of the way, and the two or three places +you have told me about finishes the whole +thing. I'm ready to go back and report. I +think I'll take a bite, though, before I start, +and wait and see what the weather is likely +to be."</p> + +<p>Going to his saddle-bags the young officer +brought out the dinner which he carried with +him. "Sometimes I stop at some farmhouse +and get something to eat," he explained, +"but it isn't always safe to trust to that, you +see, so I always go provided. I want you to +join me, Tom. It'll seem almost like old +times."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>The horse had been tied to one of the trees, +and, as the lieutenant seated himself upon +the ground, Tom gladly joined him. He +was tired and hungry, and the piece of bread +which he had in his own pocket would keep, +and, as he was aware that he might find +further use for it, he was the more willing to +accept the invitation which had been given +him. For a few minutes neither spoke, for +they both seemed to be intent upon the +immediate duty.</p> + +<p>As soon, however, as the first pangs of his +hunger were relieved Tom said, "I never +understood just why it was that the British +left Philadelphia. They'd been there all +winter, and after holding the city so long I +never could understand why it was that they +abandoned it without even a skirmish. What +did they do it for?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the way of it was this," replied the +lieutenant, taking an unusually large bite of +the bread he was holding in his hand, as he +spoke. "You see, we'd been trying for a +long time to get up some kind of a treaty +with France. Ben Franklin, and I don't +know who all, had been over there trying to +work it up, and at last the Frenchmen agreed. +Our Congress ratified the treaty on the 4th<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +of last May, and that completely changed the +plans of the redcoats."</p> + +<p>"I don't see just how that could do it," +replied Tom, somewhat puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Why it really means a declaration of war +by the French against the British. I don't +believe the Frenchmen care very much for +us, barring young Lafayette and a few others +of his kind, but they hate the British, and +took this way to get even with them. It's +expected that they'll send a fleet over here, +and of course the redcoats have got to be +ready to meet it,—that is, if they can. Well, +Philadelphia doesn't amount to very much +any way in war times. It isn't very easy +to get into it, so the British there thought +they'd better get out and go over to New +York, which was a good deal more likely to +be threatened by the French fleets. That's +the cause of the change, my lad."</p> + +<p>"I should think the redcoats would feel +like giving up, now that the French are +going to join us."</p> + +<p>The young officer laughed as he replied: +"That's just where you're mistaken, my +young friend. They don't feel that way +after they've sent so many armies over here +and have spent so much money in discovering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +us, you see. And then, too, they don't object +to getting a few taxes and such like +things out of us, either. I've a dim suspicion +that the Frenchmen may have just a +bit of a dream that they may get back some +of the country that dropped out of their +hands during the French and Indian war. +But, however that may be, we're glad to +have their help now, for we need it badly +enough, and will have to let the future take +care of itself."</p> + +<p>"I don't see that any one can blame the +British for wanting to hold on to us. They +have spent a lot of money, and lots of their +soldiers have been killed in the wars with the +Indians and the Frenchmen."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, we don't blame them," laughed +the lieutenant. "We don't blame them. +It's all natural enough for them to want to +hold on to us, but how about ourselves? +What about the Stamp Act and the tea tax? +What about all their oppression and the way +they've treated us? They seem to forget +that we're men of like passions with themselves. +Oh, it's all natural enough for them +to want to keep a good hold on us, but it's +just as natural for us to object to being held +on to. And, Tom, such things as have happened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +lately, too! Why, this story about +Little Peter's mother is only one of a thousand +here in Jersey. I've been pretty much +all over the colony—the state, I mean—and +it's the same story everywhere. It's just +plundering, and robbing, and worse. And +then to bring over here those Dutch butchers,—that's +the worst of it all! To think of +hiring those butchers! Why, it just makes +my blood boil to think of it! And against +us, too, who are their own blood relatives! +That's more than human nature can stand!"</p> + +<p>Tom felt the contagion of the young lieutenant's +enthusiasm, but he made no reply, +and his companion continued, "The redcoats +had a great time when they cleared out +of Philadelphia. I was there and saw it +myself."</p> + +<p>"You were there? I thought you were +up at Valley Forge all winter!"</p> + +<p>"So I was, when I wasn't in Philadelphia. +I had to go there sometimes, but I never +wore my uniform then. Oh no, I didn't +think it was very becoming to my peculiar +style of beauty, so I always left it behind +me."</p> + +<p>"What were you, a spy?"</p> + +<p>"That isn't what we call it," replied the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +young officer, lowering his voice and glancing +quickly about him at Tom's words, "Never +mind what I was, but I was there and that's +enough. I'm telling you now about the +time the redcoats had when Sir William Howe +gave over the command to Sir Henry Clinton. +His officers got it up as a kind of a farewell, +you see. They called it the Mischianza."</p> + +<p>"What's that? I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"What, the Mischianza? Oh, that's an +Italian word, and means a 'mix up' or a +'medley,' or some such thing; I don't know +just what. But I'm telling you now what +it was, and what they did. It commenced +with a kind of a regatta which they'd arranged +in three divisions. Up the river in +front came the Ferret galley, and on board +were some of the general officers and their +ladies. Then came the Centre galley,—that +was called the Hussar,—and carried both the +Howes and Clinton and their suites, along +with a lot of ladies. Behind came the Cornwallis +galley, in which were Knyphausen and +some of the British generals, and, of course, a +lot of ladies.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, they looked fine, I can tell you, +for I was in the crowd which watched the +affair from the shore, and I saw every bit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +it. On each quarter of the galleys there +were five flatboats, all lined with green, and +having lots of people on board. Then, in +front of the galleys, were three more flatboats, +and a band of music was on board of each, +and they could play, too, let me tell you, if +they were redcoats. Six rowed along each +flank, and they were all dressed up in bright +colors, and so were the ships and the transport +boats, which made a line all the way +down to the city. All the wharves were +crowded and the people were just wild. The +boats started out from Knight's wharf—that's +away up in the northern part of the +city, you know—and rowed all the way +down to Market wharf. There they rested +on their oars, the bands played 'God save the +King,' the people shouted and sang, and I +couldn't help feeling something of the excitement, +though I hate the very sight of a +redcoat.</p> + +<p>"Well, they landed at the Old Fort, and +the bands were still playing, and the Roebuck +fired seventeen guns and then the Vigilant +fired seventeen more. The grenadiers had +been drawn up in a double file on shore, and +the company then marched up between the +lines. They had horsemen there, too, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +what with the bright dresses of the ladies +and the bright favors of blue and white ribbons +on the breasts of the managers, who +moved in front of the procession, and the +uniforms and all, it was a great sight. I +should have thought Lord Howe would almost +have been sorry he was going to leave.</p> + +<p>"The avenue led up to a big lawn, which +was all fixed up with arches and rows of +benches, rising one above another, where the +ladies were to be seated; and then they had +some tilts and tournaments, something as they +used to have in old England. There were +young ladies there, too, lots of them, and they +were all dressed up in Turkish costumes, and +such like.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon the trumpets sounded, and +then a band of knights, dressed in red and +white silk, on horses all decked out in the +same colors, advanced. Lord Cathcart was +the chief, and he had squires to carry his +lances and others to carry his shield, and two +black slaves with silver clasps on their bare +necks and arms held his stirrups. The band +then marched around the square and saluted +the ladies, and then the herald, after a great +flourish of trumpets, declared the ladies of +the Blended Rose were ahead of all others.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"When the challenge had been given the +third time, some other heralds and a trumpeter +came in, along with a lot of knights +dressed up in black and orange, and after +going through a lot of motions and the bands +had played, the herald proclaimed that the +Knights of the Burning Mountain were prepared +to contest the claim of the others. +Then the gauntlet was thrown down and +picked up, and the encounter began.</p> + +<p>"After they had met four times, the two +leaders, Lord Cathcart and Captain Watson, +advanced and began a contest between themselves. +After they had kept it up a little +while, the marshal of the field rushed in between +them, and declared the ladies were all +right on either side, and commanded the men +to stop. Then bands filed off in different +directions, playing lively tunes and saluting +the ladies as they marched.</p> + +<p>"Then the whole company marched through +great arches to the garden, and then up into +the hall, which had been painted up to resemble +Sienna marble. They had a faro table +in that room and one great cornucopia all filled +with flowers and fruit, and another one empty. +Then they went to the ballroom, which was +all painted in pale blue, and there were festoons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +of flowers, and I don't know what all. +I never saw anything like it before. There +were eighty-five big mirrors in the room, and +they were all fixed out with ribbons and flowers, +and as they sent back the light from the +branches of waxlights, it made the room look +bright enough, I can tell you. On that +same floor they had four drawing-rooms, +where they got their refreshments, and these +rooms were all decorated and lighted up, too.</p> + +<p>"They kept up the dancing till ten, and +then the fireworks began and the windows +were all thrown open. I remember that the +first of the fireworks was a great bouquet of +rockets,—but that was only one, and they +kept it up till twelve o'clock.</p> + +<p>"When midnight came, the great folding +doors, which had been all covered over with +flowers so that no one knew they were there, +were thrown open, and there was a great +room all decorated and lighted up, most too +wonderful to tell about; and there, too, was +a great table, which they said had twelve +hundred dishes on it—just think of that, +will you?—and four hundred and thirty +people could sit down to the table at the same +time.</p> + +<p>"They had supper then, and when they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +had finished that part of the programme the +herald and trumpeters entered and proclaimed +the health of the king and the royal family. +Of course all the people there responded, and +then there was a toast for the knights, and +the ladies, and lots of others, and there was +a great flourish of trumpets as each toast was +announced.</p> + +<p>"Then they all went back to the ballroom +and began to dance again. They kept it up +till four o'clock, and I don't know how much +later, for I left then."</p> + +<p>"And you saw it all?" said Tom slowly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, almost every bit of it; 'twas a great +sight, too. The like of it has never been +seen before on this side of the water, and +never will be again, I'm thinking. By the +way, Tom, I heard a man there called by your +name. It was Captain Coward, I think—though +it may have been colonel or judge; I +don't just recollect."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry for him."</p> + +<p>"You needn't be. Just show that the +name's of no account. But I've got to +start now. I wish I could take you with me, +but I can't. I'll see you soon, though, so +good luck to you till we meet again."</p> + +<p>"But it's raining," said Tom quickly, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +the patter of the falling drops could be heard +on the leaves.</p> + +<p>"Can't stop for that; I'm due at five +o'clock, rain or no rain. Good-by to you, +Tom, and thank you for your help. You've +saved me a hard ride in such a day as this!"</p> + +<p>The young lieutenant was gone, and Tom +waited for the shower to pass. The rain continued +only a few minutes, but left the air +still more sultry than it had been before, and +walking became much more difficult.</p> + +<p>However, Tom started on as soon as the +rain ceased, and kept steadily to his work +until the sun was low in the heavens. His +thoughts had been withdrawn, in a measure, +from the camp at Hopewell, and he was thinking +of the description which the young lieutenant +had given of the Mischianza, and the +brilliant scene which it must have presented. +What could the poor and desperate Continentals +do against men who had feasts like +that? And Captain, or Colonel, Coward, +who was he? Tom found himself thinking +of the man, and wondering how he came to +have the name.</p> + +<p>He turned the bend in the road and saw +a band of soldiers marching directly toward +him, and not far away. Startled by the sight,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +he stopped a moment and gazed intently at +them, striving to discover whether they wore +red coats or buff; but they were covered with +dust and he could not decide.</p> + +<p>He quickly realized that he must act, and +he had just turned about, prepared to run +back in the road, when he heard several shots +fired at the approaching men from the woods +by the roadside.</p> + +<p>The band instantly halted and prepared +to defend themselves. Without waiting to +watch the contest, he once more turned to +run, when he obtained a glimpse of men behind +him, partially concealed among the trees +and standing with their guns raised to their +shoulders, and with their attention fixed upon +the advancing soldiers.</p> + +<p>Were the men friends or foes? Tom +could not determine; and, trembling with fear +and excitement, he stopped. He was between +the opposing bands, while off on his right it +was evident that other men were concealed. +Thoughts of the Mischianza and of the captain +with the unfortunate name were all gone +now. He could not advance; he dared not +retreat.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>TO REFUGEE TOWN</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Little Peter reëntered the lonely +house after his friend Tom departed, the full +sense of his own sorrow for the first time +swept over him. Up to this time the necessity +of action had prevented him from fully +realizing his loss. The death of his mother, +the capture of his father, the provision he +was compelled to make at once for his +younger brothers and sisters, had so absorbed +his thoughts that he had had but little time +to dwell upon his own sorrow.</p> + +<p>With the departure of Tom, however, there +came the reaction, and for a few moments +the heartbroken lad was almost overcome. +The very silence was oppressive. The only +sound he could hear was the loud and regular +ticking of the tall clock which stood in +one corner of the kitchen. How proud his +mother had always felt of that ancient timepiece! +Many a time had she told him of its +history and the pride with which she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +received it from her own father, when as a +young bride she had first entered the new +house which henceforth was to be hers. To +Peter, it almost seemed as if the stately clock +had been a member of the family, and its +voice was almost human to him. On the +summer afternoons, when he was a little +fellow and his mother had been busied in +her household duties, he had often stretched +himself upon the sanded floor, and, resting his +face upon his hands, with eager eyes had gazed +up into the face of the old timepiece and +listened to the swing of its long pendulum, +which for him had had a language all its own.</p> + +<p>And now in the light of the early morning +the old clock still stood in the corner and +regularly ticked off the passing hours, as if +it were unmindful of all the sad scenes to +which it had recently been a witness. And yet +to Peter it almost seemed, too, as if there was +a tone of sadness after all in the monotonous +tickings that day. Perhaps the old clock +was striving to express its sympathy for the +sorrowing boy, but not even its sympathy +must be permitted to interfere with its duty +in marking the passage of the swiftly flying +minutes.</p> + +<p>The few antiquated chairs were standing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +just as they had stood when his mother had +been there. The brass-rimmed mirror, the +one ornament of the room, which hung over +the low mantelpiece, reflected the scene before +it, but in all the picture one figure was +wanting and would be forevermore. Overcome +by the full knowledge of his loss, Little +Peter bowed his head upon his hands and +leaned low upon the table, and burst into a +flood of tears—the first he had shed since +the sad event had occurred. Indian John was +forgotten, the few chores about the place +were ignored, and for a time the heartbroken +lad gave way to his sorrow for the loss of +his mother, upon whose face he never was to +look again.</p> + +<p>How long he remained in that attitude he +did not know, but he was recalled to the +necessities of the present by the sound of +footsteps outside the door. His first thought +was that Indian John had returned, and he +hastily rose to greet him; but quickly he perceived +that the new-comer was not his Indian +friend, but Barzilla Giberson, one of his nearest +neighbors. If Little Peter had looked +carefully into his neighbor's face, he would +doubtless have noticed that the man was evidently +somewhat troubled, and apparently was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +not overjoyed at the prospect of an interview; +but the lad was too busied with his +own thoughts and sorrows to bestow a critical +examination upon a neighbor's countenance, +and Barzilla's evident uneasiness, therefore, +was all passed by unnoticed.</p> + +<p>"Good-morrow to you, Little Peter," said +Barzilla. "The women folks wanted me to +come over and say to you that you were welcome +to make your home with them, if you so +chose."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Barzilla," replied Peter. "If +I were going to stay here I should be glad to +do that, but I'm going away this morning."</p> + +<p>"Sho! Ye don't say so! Where ye goin', +if I may be so bold as to ask?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to look up my father."</p> + +<p>"Where ye goin' to look him up?" said +Barzilla, somewhat uneasily.</p> + +<p>"I'm going down to Refugee Town first. +I don't know what I'll do if I don't find him +there."</p> + +<p>"Ye won't find him there," said Barzilla +quickly. "In course I don't know where he +is," he hastily added, "but I don't b'lieve +ye'll find him there; and, besides, that's no +place for a lad like you to go to alone, for I +take it ye're goin' alone?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm going alone," replied Peter, to +whom Barzilla's anxiety was not apparent.</p> + +<p>"In course it isn't for me to say what ye +shall do and what ye shan't, but I don't +believe a trip there will do ye any good. +Ye've got to remember that other folks has +suffered, too. Yer marm isn't the only one +that's been shot, and yer pop isn't the only +man that's been carried off by the British."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't the British that carried my +father away," said Peter quickly.</p> + +<p>"'Twan't the British? Who was it then, +I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"'Twas Fenton and his band, that's who +it was."</p> + +<p>"Sho! I can't believe that! I reckon +ye're mistaken, Peter. It must 'a' been the +redcoats."</p> + +<p>"It was Fenton," repeated Peter decidedly.</p> + +<p>"I can't b'lieve it," said Barzilla, rising as +he spoke. "I can't b'lieve it. However, +Peter, we'll look after yer place. The women +folks or I will do the chores for ye, while +ye're gone. It's only neighborly, ye know, +and what's friends good for if they can't +help in a time like this?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Peter quietly. "There +isn't much to be done, but if you'll look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +after what there is, I shall be glad. The +children are at Benzeor's house, you know."</p> + +<p>"So I hear. So I hear. Well, they're in +good hands; ye can rest easy about that. +Well, I must be a-goin'. Ye still think ye'd +better go down to Refugee Town, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, good luck to ye. Good luck to ye. +We'll look after the place," called Barzilla as +he departed.</p> + +<p>If Peter had gone to the door, he would +have discovered that Barzilla had not departed +to go to his own house, but that after he had +entered the road he had turned quickly and +started in the direction in which the Navesink +lay. But as Peter did not rise from his seat, +he missed all that, and, besides, in all probability +he would only have been puzzled by +his neighbor's actions and unable to account +for the haste with which he had made the +change.</p> + +<p>Peter prepared his breakfast, and then +waited for the coming of Indian John. The +minutes passed, but the Indian did not put +in an appearance, and the lad began to suspect +that he would not return. At last, when +the sun had appeared, his suspicions passed +into certainty, and, resolving to wait for him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +no longer, he closed the house and started +resolutely on the path which led down to the +bank of the Navesink, where he kept his little +skiff concealed.</p> + +<p>He soon arrived at the familiar place, and, +after taking his oars from their hiding-place +on the bank, pushed the little boat out into +the stream and began to row. The heat of +the morning soon began to make itself felt, +but Peter did not cease from his labors. He +was thinking of his father and where he +might then be. He was hoping that he would +be retained and sent to New York as a prisoner, +for Little Peter was well aware of the +value of the reward which was offered for +every prisoner taken; but Fenton, eager as +he was for money, was not likely to incur +any unnecessary risk for himself by keeping +any one near him who might prove to be a +source of danger. And Little Peter knew +that his father, especially after the recent +events, was not likely to be quiet. Of what +might then occur, the lad hardly dared to +think. He only knew that what he was to +do must be done quickly, if it was to avail, +and he rowed on and on without once stopping +for rest.</p> + +<p>He had covered about half the distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +he was to go, when he heard a hail from +down the river. Hastily turning about at +the unexpected summons, he saw a little cat-boat +slowly coming up the river, and now not +many yards away.</p> + +<p>"It's Benzeor Osburn," said Peter to himself, +as he obtained a glimpse of the man at +the helm. "But who's that with him? It's +Jacob Van Note. Yes, and that's Barzilla +Giberson, too. What in the world"—</p> + +<p>His meditations were interrupted by Benzeor's +hail, "Where ye bound this mornin', +Little Peter? There's to be no lookout to-day, +is there?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard of any," replied Peter, +looking at Barzilla and striving to understand +how it was that the man who had so recently +left his house could now be with Benzeor +sailing up the Navesink.</p> + +<p>"I came down here after I left you," said +Barzilla, as if he felt that he must reply to +the question expressed in Peter's manner, +"and I fell in with Benzeor, so I stopped and +came back to tell him all about the doin's +that have been goin' on since he went away. +Benzeor's been gone from home two days +and more, ye know."</p> + +<p>"Has he?" replied Peter. "No. I didn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +know. Benzeor, the children are at your +house. Sarah said I could leave them there +and she'd look after them. If it isn't all +right, I'll take them away as soon as I come +back."</p> + +<p>"It's all right. In course it's all right. +Barzilla here has been tellin' me about your +troubles. It's hard, Peter, but then ye know +that lots of people have been served the +same way. 'Misery loves company,' ye +know."</p> + +<p>As Peter made no reply, Benzeor quickly +began to talk again, too quickly the lad +might have perceived, if he had not been so +filled with his own thoughts that all else +seemed to escape his observation. "Barzilla +tells me as how ye're goin' down to Refugee +Town to look up yer pop. Is that so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm tellin' ye it won't do any good. +He isn't there—leastwise, that is, I don't +believe he's there. In course I don't know +anything about it, but it stands to reason he +isn't. Ye'd better let me take yer skiff in +tow, as I've done with Barzilla's, and come +along back with us."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go on. If I don't find him +there I can report to Captain Dennis. Perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +he'll be able to help me a bit, if it's +not too late."</p> + +<p>Captain Dennis was in command of the +local militia, and he and his men already had +had several skirmishes with the pine robbers. +Indeed, the militia had been enrolled with +the very purpose of protecting the scattered +homes from the inroads of the outlaws and +refugees. Thus far, however, their efforts +had not met with a very marked success.</p> + +<p>Peter did not observe the scowl which +crept over Benzeor's face at the mention of +the name of Captain Dennis. "Have it +your own way then," said the man gruffly. +"They say there's no fool like an old fool, +but for downright foolishness give me the +young fool every time. I'm tellin' ye that +ye won't find yer pop down at Refugee Town, +but ye'll have to find it out for yerself, I +suppose."</p> + +<p>Surprised as Peter was at the abrupt change +in Benzeor's manner, his own purpose was +not changed, and without replying he picked +up his oars and began to row again. He +could see the men in earnest conversation as +he drew away from them, but it had not yet +entered his thoughts that anything could be +wrong with them. He was puzzled to account<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +for Barzilla's unexpected presence, but +his offer to look after his home in his absence +was still fresh in his mind, and left no room +for suspicion.</p> + +<p>As for Benzeor, Little Peter knew that he +was considered as a strange man,—"odd," +the country people termed it,—and he gave +little heed to him or his words. His one +purpose now was to go to Refugee Town. +He had but little fear of meeting the men +who had assembled there, although he knew +they were all desperate and reckless. They +would not harm him, he thought, and it was +possible that he might find his father there, +or learn of his whereabouts. Just what he +would do if he should find him, he did not +know. In any event, he would be with him +again, and if he was to be sent as a prisoner +to the sugar-house in New York, or to the +Whitby or the Jersey, at least his captivity +might be shared.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Little Peter rowed steadily +forward and in the course of an hour arrived +at the mouth of the Navesink. Then he +landed and hauled his skiff up on the shore, +striving to conceal it among the bushes which +grew there. It was only a mile now across +the sandy strip to the shore of the ocean, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +the lad began to walk rapidly. Refugee +Town was not far away, and the end of his +journey would soon be gained.</p> + +<p>The heat of the sun was now intense. +Across the sands he could see eddies in the +heated air, and he felt as if he were breathing +the blasts from an oven. His face was +streaming with perspiration, while the touch +of the sand beneath his feet seemed almost as +if it would blister them.</p> + +<p>He soon arrived at a place from which he +could look out upon the ocean, and it was +with a sigh of relief he felt its first cool +breath upon his face. Refugee Town now +was not far away, so he began to run.</p> + +<p>He stopped as he saw two gunboats riding +at anchor about a quarter of a mile out from +the shore. What could it all mean? They +were British vessels, their flags disclosed that; +but what was their purpose in casting their +anchors there?</p> + +<p>He was upon the beach now, and stopped +for a moment to gaze at the graceful vessels. +He thought he could almost make out the +figures of the sailors on the deck. And a +little boat was just approaching the larger +of the gunboats. Doubtless it had been +ashore and was now returning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How!"</p> + +<p>Peter turned suddenly as he heard the +exclamation, and saw Indian John standing +before him. His alarm subsided as he recognized +his friend, and he said reprovingly, "I +thought you were going to go with me this +morning, John. Why didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"John been. Go to 'Gee Town. No fader +there."</p> + +<p>"What, my father isn't there? Are you +sure, John?"</p> + +<p>The Indian made no reply, evidently considering +his first words sufficient. He was +gazing intently at the boats in the distance, +and Little Peter almost unconsciously turned +and followed his look. At first he could discover +nothing to indicate what had interested +his companion; but he soon saw that the +little boat, which he had thought was returning +to the gunboat, was coming to the shore. +Startled by the sight, he was about to inquire +of John whether he knew anything concerning +the vessels, when he heard a shout.</p> + +<p>At a distance of a hundred yards up the +beach he saw a motley crowd approaching. +Negroes and poorly clad men were among +them, and the appearance of all revealed that +they were doubtless from Refugee Town.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>Their own presence was discovered at the +same time, and a shout greeted them.</p> + +<p>"Come!" said Indian John quickly; and +in an instant Little Peter obeyed, and both +were running swiftly over the sand along the +beach.</p> +<div class="figright" style="width: 304px;"> +<img src="images/illus163.jpg" width="304" height="500" alt=""THEY'RE AFTER US, JOHN!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THEY'RE AFTER US, JOHN!"</span> +</div> +<p>Their flight was greeted by another shout +from the men behind them, and one or two +guns were discharged, but the bullets passed +harmlessly over the heads of the fugitives. +One glance, however, showed Peter that some +of the men had started in pursuit.</p> + +<p>"They're after us, John!" he said in a +low voice to his companion.</p> + +<p>Instantly increasing their efforts, they sped +swiftly on in their flight, but the shouts, +which were now redoubled, betrayed that the +pursuit had not been abandoned. On and +on ran pursuers and pursued, while at intervals +a gun was discharged and the calls and +shouts could be distinctly heard.</p> + + + +<p>For a half mile the flight had continued, +and Peter was beginning to feel that he could +go no farther. The hot air of the summer +morning, the burning sand beneath his feet, +as well as the weariness arising from his previous +exertions, combined to sap his strength. +His breath was coming in gasps now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +down his face the perspiration was pouring +in streams. He felt that he could go no +farther.</p> + +<p>Another glance behind him showed that +the men had not abandoned the pursuit. A +half dozen of them were still running swiftly +along the beach, and to Little Peter it seemed +as if they were gaining upon him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>BATHSHEBA'S FEAST</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Indian John</span> had been slightly changing +the direction in which they were running, +although Little Peter had not perceived the +change. At first they had kept close to +the water's edge, and at times the creeping +tide had rolled up to their feet. As his companion +had gradually drawn closer to the +higher ridge which extended somewhat farther +back from the beach, Peter had thought +nothing of the slight divergence, except that +the Indian was desirous of keeping a little +farther from the water.</p> + +<p>Along this ridge in advance of him, Peter +saw that thick bushes and stunted trees were +growing, and he thought of the possibility of +finding some hiding-place there; but he was +hardly prepared for the change which Indian +John then made. They had just passed a +bend in the ridge which shut out the view +of their pursuers, and come to a little gully +which the winter storms had in the course of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +many years cut deep into the bank. Here +Indian John turned sharply, and, bidding his +companion follow him, turned directly into +the woods, which extended from the shore +far back into the adjoining country.</p> + +<p>Little Peter instantly followed, but they +had not gone many yards before they came +suddenly upon a wigwam in the midst of the +forest. Indian John stopped, and, after a +few hurried words with the Indian who was +standing near and who had silently watched +the approaching fugitives, beckoned for Peter +to follow him, and both entered the conical +shaped dwelling and threw themselves upon +the ground.</p> + +<p>The lad was so thankful for the respite, +and was so nearly exhausted by his efforts, +that for a time he said nothing, being only +too glad of an opportunity to rest. Every +moment he expected to hear the voices of their +pursuers, and more than once was on the +point of starting forth from the hut and +resuming his flight, so certain was he that +the men had discovered the hiding-place.</p> + +<p>After a time he was positive that he was +not deceived. He could hear the voices of +men in conversation with the Indians, and all +of his fears returned. His companion placed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +his hand upon the arm of the trembling lad, +and Peter waited, listening intently, and fearful +every moment that some one would enter +the hut and summon them to come forth.</p> + +<p>The conversation lasted several minutes, +and then abruptly ceased. Peter could not +determine whether the strangers had departed +or not; but he waited anxiously and did not +speak.</p> + +<p>The moments slowly passed and his suspense +increased. It seemed to him that he +must escape from the place in which he was +concealed. The very air was strangely oppressive, +and the ignorance as to what was +going on outside the wigwam increased the +anxiety of the frightened boy.</p> + +<p>He did not know where he was, nor who +were the people whose abode Indian John +had so unceremoniously entered. No voice +within or without the hut could now be +heard, and the silence itself added to his +alarm.</p> + +<p>He could see that Indian John was seated +upon the ground with his head resting upon +his knees. He had not moved nor changed +his position since they had entered. Motionless +as a statue he remained seated, as if he +were utterly unmindful of all about him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"John!" whispered Little Peter at last.</p> + +<p>The Indian raised his head and looked at +his companion, but did not speak.</p> + +<p>"John, don't you think we'd better start +on again?"</p> + +<p>Indian John still made no reply, and his +head dropped again upon his knees. Peter +then perceived that his companion intended +neither to speak nor to depart, and that he +must wait in silence for him to explain his +purpose, or to act.</p> + +<p>The impatient lad endeavored to possess +his soul in patience, but as the moments +passed his anxiety and fear increased. The +uncertainty, he thought, was even more difficult +to be borne than was the pursuit itself, +for action of some kind was then possible, +while this waiting in silence was almost unbearable. +Not a sound could now be heard. +The very birds were silent under the burning +heat of the noontime, and the grating +notes of the crickets had ceased.</p> + +<p>At last it seemed to him he could bear it +no longer, and he was about to arise and +go forth from the hut, regardless of consequences, +when some one entered and spoke a +few words in an unknown tongue to Indian +John.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come," said the Indian gently, standing +erect as he spoke; and Little Peter at once +followed him out into the open air.</p> + +<p>He glanced quickly about him, but no one +was to be seen except three Indians, one of +whom was a man, and the others, two women. +Little Peter instantly recognized them as +Moluss, or "Charlie" Moluss, as many of the +whites called him, and his wife and her sister.</p> + +<p>The two women were busily engaged in +preparing the contents of a small iron vessel, +which was hanging from a stick supported +by two forked branches, driven into the +ground, and beneath which a brisk fire was +burning.</p> + +<p>One of the women was feeding the fire, +while the other was stirring the contents of +the hanging pot. A savory odor greeted +Little Peter's nostrils, and as soon as he perceived +that he was in no immediate danger +he realized that he was hungry; and, with the +passing of his alarm, there came an eager +interest in the occupation of the two women +before him.</p> + +<p>Little Peter had seen the trio many times +before this. They had their home with +others of their tribe in a little settlement +several miles back in the interior. This settlement<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +was commonly known as Edgepelick, +or Edge Pillock, and to it the Indians had +gradually withdrawn after they had disposed +of their lands, for the good people of Old +Monmouth were as scrupulous as their New +England cousins in not taking the lands from +the dusky owners without giving a so-called +equivalent for them.</p> + +<p>It is true that this "equivalent" sometimes +was a barrel of cider, or a piece of bright-colored +cloth; but perhaps the Indians thought +that was better than nothing, and as their +lands were certain to be taken from them, +even such an equivalent as that which was +offered was not to be despised, and so they +had submitted to the unequal exchange. At +all events, the exchanges had been made, and +in the summer of 1778, many of the Indian +families were dwelling in Edge Pillock, and +there continued to reside until the year 1802, +when the men who had driven such shrewd +bargains with them caused them all to be +removed to Oneida Lake, in the neighboring +State of New York.</p> + +<p>Charlie Moluss, with his wife and her sister, +had been frequent visitors in Little Peter's +home, and he knew them almost as well as he +did Indian John. Somehow, they had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +been content to abide continuously in Edge +Pillock, and at least twice each year came +down to the shore, where they erected a wigwam, +and while Moluss fished and gathered +oysters and clams, the women made baskets +and sold them among the scattered homes of +the settlers. Doubtless this, then, was their +annual visit, thought Little Peter, and their +abiding place had been known to Indian John, +who had sought its shelter as a place of +refuge from their pursuers. And Little Peter +was quite content, at least for the present, +and his feeling of relief was not diminished +by the savory odor which now arose from the +iron vessel.</p> + +<p>Charlie Moluss's wife was a strikingly +handsome Indian woman, and was known as +Bathsheba, which the irreverent settlers had +shortened into "Bath," as they had her +sister's name into "Suke."</p> + +<p>Bathsheba was considered as an Indian +queen, and the respect which the Indians +showed her was, to a certain extent, shared by +the white people, especially by the Quakers. +She was regarded as a highly intelligent +woman, and the most prominent people of +the region were always glad to welcome her +to their homes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Peter thought of all these things as +he seated himself upon the ground beside +the two men, who were, apparently, as deeply +interested in the occupation of the women as +was he, himself. The work went steadily on, +and, while Peter found that his hunger was +increasing, he nevertheless listened to what +Indian John told him of Moluss's success in +turning their pursuers back to their camp at +Refugee Town. Some of them had followed +the fugitives as far as the wigwam, but had +turned away after the Indian had professed +his inability to give them the information +they desired, and, doubtless, before this time, +were safely back in "'Gee Town," as Indian +John termed their little settlement by the +Hook.</p> + +<p>Just why they had been pursued Indian +John could not explain, but he had connected +it in some way with the appearance of the +boat off the shore, and Little Peter was not +inclined to differ from his conclusion. He +was satisfied now that his father was not to +be found in Refugee Town, and he had decided +to go farther down the shore to the +place where he thought he would be likely +to find Captain Dennis, or some of the local +militia who had been stationed near to protect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +the salt works and strive to hold back the +pine robbers, many of whom had their places +of concealment not far away.</p> + +<p>Just at present, however, the thought of +his dinner was uppermost in his mind. He +eagerly watched Bathsheba and her sister in +their work, and, from their movements, he +concluded that his waiting time was soon to +end. One of the women entered the wigwam +and brought out several small wooden bowls. +Into these she dipped some of the steaming +contents of the iron vessel, placing each bowl +upon the ground when it had been filled.</p> + +<p>A word from Bathsheba caused Moluss to +arise, and, approaching the fire, he took one +of the bowls in both hands and then seated +himself upon the ground and proceeded to +blow with his breath upon the soup, preparatory +to drinking it.</p> + +<p>His example was speedily followed by Indian +John and Little Peter, who took their bowls +and seated themselves beside Moluss on the +ground. An expression of deep satisfaction +was manifest upon the faces of the two men, +while the women, apparently proud of their +success in the culinary art, looked on with +evident pleasure. Little Peter also raised the +bowl in his hands and blew upon it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good!" said Moluss, taking a long +draught. "Good hop! Hop good!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" muttered Indian John, following +his friend's example. "Good hop! Good +hop!"</p> + +<p>"What?" said Little Peter suddenly, placing +his bowl again on the ground before him +as he spoke. "What was that you said, +John?"</p> + +<p>"Good! Good hop," replied the Indian, +with evident satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say that hop-toads +are in this soup, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Um!" replied Indian John, with a grunt +of pleasure. "Good! Little hop-hop! John +like um! Good hop! John like um little +hop-hop!" And, suiting the action to the +word, he proceeded to take a deeper draught +of the savory mixture.</p> + +<p>All of Little Peter's hunger, however, had +disappeared. He quickly arose from his seat, +and, with an expression of disgust upon his +face, which he could not entirely repress, prepared +to pass the group and go into the forest.</p> + +<p>A loud laugh greeted his action, and as he +passed Moluss, the Indian held forth his bowl, +and said, "Peter like um hop-hop? Good! +Moluss like um hop-hop! John like um hop-hop!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +Squaw like um hop-hop! All like um +hop-hop! All like um hop-hop! Peter like +um, too?"</p> + +<p>Little Peter was not to be tempted, and the +broad grin upon the faces of the women, as +well as the loud laugh of the men which followed +him as he turned into the forest, did +not tend to overcome his feeling of disgust. +How was it possible that they could be willing +to eat such filthy creatures as hop-toads? +Little Peter was all in ignorance of some of +the dainty viands which, under high-sounding +names, are served up in our modern restaurants, +and so, as a matter of course, could +draw no comparison between the tastes of +the rude, uncivilized savages and those of the +more highly cultivated men of our own times. +Perhaps he would not have compared them +if he had been possessed of the prophet's +foresight. He knew, however, that his own +hunger had disappeared, and as he walked on +he found many excuses for his uncivilized +friends. They were welcome to their own +customs, but they must not expect him to join +them in their feasts.</p> + +<p>He had gone so far from the wigwam by +this time that he thought the repast, which +had so highly delighted his friends, would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +be ended by the time he could walk back. +Accordingly, he reversed his steps, but as he +walked on his own pressing problem returned +in full force.</p> + +<p>His father was not to be found in Refugee +Town, of that he felt certain; for, while Indian +John had not said much, he knew him +so well that he was satisfied he had known +whereof he had spoken.</p> + +<p>Where, then, could he be? It was currently +reported that Fenton's band had a +place in the lower part of the county, to +which they carried their booty and from which +they started forth on their raids. It was just +possible that his father had been taken there +by the outlaws in their flight, but he would +not long be retained there. Fenton knew +what American prisoners were worth in the +New York market, and, doubtless, he would +find some means by which he could send him +there. And the pine robber would act soon, +too, for with the approach of the armies, there +would be many opportunities for his own special +work, and he would not long be hampered +by the presence of a single prisoner, whose +value would be slight compared with that of +the plunder he might secure.</p> + +<p>Little Peter decided that what he was to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +he must do quickly. He would start at once +for the place where Captain Dennis's men +were said to be, and place the entire matter +in their hands. The captain was a man whose +bravery was well known in Old Monmouth, +and he was ever ready to aid the scattered +settlers.</p> + +<p>Captain Dennis would surely help him, too, +Peter thought, and, with his heart somewhat +lightened, he began to walk more rapidly. +He would return to the wigwam and inform +Indian John of his decision. If John would +go with him, he would be glad of his aid, +but, whether he went or not, the lad felt that +his own problem was, in a measure, already +solved.</p> + +<p>"Little Peter, is that you?"</p> + +<p>The startled lad looked up quickly at the +unexpected summons, and saw, standing directly +in his pathway, nine men. Each had a +musket in his hands, but they wore no uniforms, +and for a moment Little Peter could +not determine whether they were friends or +foes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>WITH THE REDCOATS</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fear in Tom Coward's heart, when he +discovered that he was between the lines of +the soldiers, made him almost desperate. The +men before him already had raised their guns, +and at any moment he expected to hear their +report. When he had glanced behind him +he had seen that the men there were also prepared +to shoot, and he was in a position where +he was likely to receive the discharges of both +sides.</p> + +<p>Along by the side of the road was a deep +ditch, which had been worn by the spring +floods. Just at present there was no water +in it, and Tom instantly threw himself upon +the ground, and, still grasping his gun, rolled +toward the place. As he slipped over the +side he heard the discharge of the guns, and +his heart almost stood still in his terror. The +bullets, however, had all gone over his head, +and the lad was unharmed, although he was +so frightened that even the thoughts of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +own personal safety were almost driven from +his mind.</p> + +<p>Shouts and calls followed the discharge of +the guns, and then there was a rush of men +past the place in which he was lying. From +the direction from which the men had come, +Tom concluded that those who were behind +him had fled, and that the others were in +swift pursuit of them. He did not dare to +raise his head, nor try to obtain a glimpse of +the combatants, but lay still in his hiding-place, +hoping that in the excitement his presence +would not be discovered. The shouts +continued, but as they sounded farther and +farther away, the trembling lad concluded +that pursuers and pursued must have turned +the bend in the road. If they kept on, he +would soon be able to crawl forth from the +ditch, he thought, and in the woods would +find some place in which he might remain +until all the immediate danger had passed.</p> + +<p>Still, he did not yet dare to leave his +hiding-place, and, as the moments passed, +his own fears and anxiety were not allayed. +His face and hands were covered with the +mud which had clung to them when he had +slid into the ditch. The mosquitoes gathered +about him, and, do what he would, he could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +not drive off the tormenting little pests. The +sultriness which had followed the brief storm +was almost unbearable, and Tom felt as if he +could not have selected a worse place in which +to conceal himself. There had not been +much of any "selecting" about it, he grimly +thought, for he had crawled into the first +shelter that presented itself. A place in the +muddy ditch was to be preferred to one in +the middle of the road, and between two contending +bands of soldiers. Here the bullets +were not likely to find him, at least for the +present, and his only hope depended upon +the possibility of his presence not having +been heeded. Perhaps the soldiers in either +band had been so intent upon watching what +the others would do, that a frightened lad +between their lines would not be discovered.</p> + +<p>This hope was not strong enough to induce +him to leave his shelter, and he decided +to remain in the ditch until he was satisfied +that all danger was past. The moments +dragged on, and the silence which had followed +the brief contest was unbroken. The +heat was becoming more and more intense, +and Tom felt that he could not remain much +longer in his present position. Still, he +waited and listened, but the sound of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +cawing crows was all that he could hear. He +counted off the minutes, and when what he +judged must be an hour had passed, he concluded +to remain there no longer. The men +had not been heard in all that time, and +doubtless must have disappeared from the +immediate vicinity.</p> + +<p>The sight of the men had shown Tom that +he was nearer the army than he had supposed. +For a moment the thought of his +former eager desire to join it came into his +mind, and when he contrasted his feelings +then with those he now had, his present position +seemed almost ludicrous. Bespattered +with mud, hiding in a ditch by the roadside, +in constant fear of the return of the men, +he certainly did not present the appearance +of a very brave young soldier. Even Tom +smiled as he thought of all this, but he was +wiser than he had been a few days before +this time, and the sound of guns was not +exactly like that of which he had dreamed.</p> + +<p>Tom Coward was not lacking in bravery, +however, but the position in which he had +found himself certainly was a trying one, +and perhaps the boldest of us might have +done no better had we been caught in his +predicament.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>The time had now come, he thought, when +it must be safe for him to venture out upon +the road again, and, grasping his gun, he +prepared to climb out of the ditch, when he +suddenly paused as he thought he heard the +sound of voices once more.</p> + +<p>Yes, there could be no mistake about it; +the men were approaching from the direction +in which both bands had disappeared.</p> + +<p>He crouched lower and waited for them to +pass. If they were foes, it certainly would +be wiser, as well as safer, for him not to +attract their attention; and if they were +friends he was hardly in a condition to present +himself before them.</p> + +<p>The men were coming nearer, and were +almost opposite his hiding-place now. The +lad's excitement returned, and he leaned +harder against the muddy bank. It seemed +to him as if the loud beatings of his heart +would betray him.</p> + +<p>The band had halted, and were within a +few feet of the ditch. What could it mean? +Had his hiding-place been discovered? He +crouched still lower, and did not once look +up. He clutched his gun in his hands as if +he thought he could lean upon that. The +suspense was intense, and almost unbearable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hello! Here's some one in the ditch!"</p> + +<p>Tom's heart sank, and, as he glanced +hastily upward, he saw a redcoated soldier +peering down at him. The end had come, +and all his efforts to conceal himself had +been in vain.</p> + +<p>"The fellow's alive," exclaimed the soldier +in surprise. "Come up out of that and give +an account of yourself!"</p> + +<p>Tom obeyed, and, crawling up the bank, +stood facing the men. There were thirty-five +or forty of them, and, as he saw that +they were clad in the British uniform, he +realized that he was in the presence of the +enemy. The suspense, at least, was ended +now, and, as he glanced at the soldiers, in +spite of the fact that he was well aware of +his danger, much of his alarm had disappeared, +for Tom Coward was not unlike +others in being stronger to face the actual +condition than the uncertainty which is connected +with the approach of perils.</p> + +<p>The men glanced curiously at him a moment +and then burst into a loud laugh. The +troubled boy at first could not discover the +cause of their merriment, but as he glanced +at his hands and saw that they were covered +with the mud which was not yet dry, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +realized that doubtless his face and clothing +were in the same condition. And Tom's +appearance was not very prepossessing at that +moment. His hat was gone, his face was so +completely covered with mud that any one +would have had difficulty in deciding whether +he was white or black, and his bearing was +far from being bold.</p> + +<p>The laughter of the men continued until +an officer approached and said, "Who are +you? What were you hiding for?"</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated a moment, and then replied, +"I was trying to keep out of the way of your +bullets."</p> + +<p>Again the soldiers laughed, and the officer +said, "You didn't differ very much from the +other fellows in the band, although they took +to the woods and you to the ditch."</p> + +<p>"What band?"</p> + +<p>"Why, those men of Dickinson's we've +just driven away. You don't mean to say +that you didn't belong to them?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't belong to any band," said Tom +slowly. "I was just coming across the country, +and when I stepped out into the road I +found I was right between you and the other +fellows. I crawled into the ditch, for I was +afraid that both of you would hit me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quite right, my lad, quite right. But +how does it happen that you carry a rifle? +The most of the Yankees are glad enough +to get muskets, and here you are traveling +round the country with a rifle. I'm afraid +your story won't do, my lad. We'll have to +take you along with us, and let you tell your +story to the colonel."</p> + +<p>Tom perceived that any further protest on +his part would be useless, and, as the word +to advance was at once given, he obediently +took his place in the ranks and marched on +with the men.</p> + +<p>The heat was so intense that they were +compelled to halt frequently for rests. A +few of the men evidently were Hessians, and +their high jack-boots, their heavy fur hats, as +well as the short broadswords they carried, in +addition to the short guns or carbines which +were slung over their shoulders, seemed sadly +out of place under the burning heat of the +summer day. Tom did not know how the +British officers had protested against the customs +of their allies, so unsuitable in the country +in which they were fighting; but the +men from Hesse were obstinate, and, firmly +believing that the equipment which had been +good enough for them in the old country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +would certainly be good enough in the new, +clung to the uncomfortable garments and +unwieldy arms, unmindful alike of the jeers +of their comrades in arms and the danger +they incurred by the use of them.</p> + +<p>In the course of two hours the band arrived +at a little camp in command of a man whom +the leader addressed as Colonel Simcoe. Tom +was at once summoned by him and taken into +the presence of the colonel, or lieutenant-colonel, +as he then really was.</p> + +<p>"What have you here?" inquired the +colonel, glancing at Tom as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"We picked this fellow out of a ditch +back here. We had a little brush with a +band of Dickinson's men, but they didn't +wait for us. We chased them a mile or two +up the road; but the day was so warm, and +as the rebels took to the woods, we soon gave +it up and came back. We found this fellow +on our return. He claims he doesn't belong +to the rebels; but as we found that he carried +a rifle, we thought best to bring him +into camp with us. We didn't know but +he might be able to give you some of the +information you wanted just now."</p> + +<p>"You did right, lieutenant. I'll talk with +him later. Now tell me what you learned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +Did you hear anything more about Washington? +How are the roads and the bridges?"</p> + +<p>"The rebels have been tearing up the +bridges, and Dickinson has a good many of +the militia scattered along in the woods. I +rather suspect they are planning to serve us +as the countrymen served Lord Percy up at +Lexington."</p> + +<p>"I fancy we shall be able to put a stop to +that, though your report is much like that +which I have found out myself. Did you +hear anything more of Washington?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't get a word out of anybody. +I don't believe he's moved from the position +he held yesterday, though."</p> + +<p>For several minutes the men conversed, and +when at last the younger officer departed, +Colonel Simcoe turned to Tom and said, +"Now, my lad, I'll listen to your story."</p> + +<p>"I haven't any story," replied Tom. "I +was coming through the woods back here, and +when I stepped out into the road I found myself +right between the two bands, and as I was +afraid I'd be caught by the fire of both of +them, I crawled into the ditch to be out of +the way. That's why I'm covered with this +dirt," he added apologetically.</p> + +<p>"You don't need any one to confirm your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +words as to that," said the colonel, smiling +slightly, as he spoke, at Tom's appearance. +"Now what I want to know is who you are +and what you were doing with a rifle? Few +people here carry rifles, I find."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated a moment, not knowing just +what to say in reply to the question. The +colonel was watching him intently, and the +lad felt that he must say something. "I live +back here," he said at last. "I've lived in +Old Monmouth all my life. I'd started out +from home to go to—to—to some of my +friends, and, as I told you, I got caught between +the lines."</p> + +<p>"How about the rifle?"</p> + +<p>"My father had the other guns and I had +to take that. The last thing he told me was +to take a gun and scare the blackbirds and +crows from the ten-acre lot."</p> + +<p>"Is your father a loyalist?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"That's good; and now if you can answer +my questions, perhaps I'll be inclined to let +you go. You say you've lived here all your +life. Do you know all the roads and bridges? +Could you find your way anywhere in the +county?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I think I could."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me about the bridges. Have many +of them been torn up?"</p> + +<p>Tom did not know, but he thought of his +meeting with young Lieutenant Gordon that +morning, and boldly answered, "Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"How does it happen that your good +father and the other loyalists permit that?"</p> + +<p>"My father's not at home, and there are +too many of the pa—of the rebels."</p> + +<p>"I thought you told me your father sent +you out with your gun," said the colonel +quickly. "How is that? How could he +send you if he wasn't at home?"</p> + +<p>"He sent me before he left," replied Tom, +his voice trembling in spite of his efforts to +control it.</p> + +<p>"Do you know where Washington is?" +inquired the colonel abruptly.</p> + +<p>"I hear he's up by Hopewell. I don't +know." Tom might have added that he +would be glad to learn, but his wish was not +expressed.</p> + +<p>"That's right. He <i>is</i> at Hopewell. Is +there any talk about his plans? Have you +heard of any rumors among the rebels as to +what he plans to do?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. I hear he is planning to fall on +Clinton's baggage train."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sir Henry Clinton, you mean, I suppose," +said the colonel sharply. "Do you think +you could find your way from here to Cranberry?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Do you know every road?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, I shall expect you to go +with a party to-night and show them the +way."</p> + +<p>"But," protested Tom, "I thought you +said I could go if I answered your questions."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to stay now. Your father's +a good loyalist, you say, and he'll not object +to his son's remaining here for a day or +two and serving as a guide. I'll see that +you have some supper and are ready to start +before it's dark."</p> + +<p>Tom left the colonel's presence, and with +a heavy heart turned to look about the little +camp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE WAY TO CRANBERRY</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was late in the evening when Tom +started from Colonel Simcoe's camp in company +with the lieutenant, whose name he had +learned was Ward, and the band of six men. +A hearty supper had greatly refreshed the +weary lad, and although he was aware that +his companions were not without suspicions +of him, he still had hopes that he would be +able to convince them of his knowledge of +the country roads, and then could leave them. +His efforts to convince the colonel that he +was merely a country lad, who had taken no +part in the hostilities, had not been without a +measure of success, and if they met with no +mishap on the road, doubtless they would be +willing for him to depart.</p> + +<p>As to leading the little band into Cranberry, +Tom had not the slightest objection to +that, for it would be going directly toward +the place where Washington's army lay, and +every step was one nearer the men whom he +was most eager to join.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>The entire party were mounted, and a +horse was also provided for Tom. To be +sure, the steed was not a remarkable one, yet, +as the lad looked him over before he mounted, +he was satisfied that riding would be much +easier than walking, and of walking Tom had +had sufficient, he thought, on that hot June +morning.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lad," said Lieutenant Ward, as +the party prepared to move, "if you do well +by us this night, I have two half joes for +you in my pocket. On the other hand, if you +fail us, or try to lead us into any trap, you +shall have a good taste of the lead my men +carry, or know how it feels to dance at one +end of a rope with your feet a good yard +from the ground. You hear what I'm saying, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Tom replied. "I can lead you +straight to Cranberry, but of course I can't +tell what men we shall meet on the way. All +I know is that General Dickinson has men out, +just as you have."</p> + +<p>"Never mind your 'General' Dickinson. +I only wish we might have the good fortune +to meet the rebel himself. You show us the +way and we'll look after any of his men we +may fall in with. All we want of you is to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +show us the way. They won't be likely to +be out on the road in the night."</p> + +<p>Tom by no means felt so positive concerning +that as the lieutenant did, but the word +to start was then given, and mounting his +horse he departed from the camp with the +men.</p> + +<p>The moon was now full and hung low in +the heavens like a great ball of fire. The +frogs in the swamps were croaking loudly as +the men rode past. The air of the summer +night was almost motionless, and the heat +of the day had only slightly decreased with +the coming of the darkness. In all his life +in Jersey, Tom had never known a hotter +"spell"—as the natives termed it—than +they had experienced during the past few +days. A Hessian was riding beside him, and +Tom could not understand how it was that he +still insisted upon wearing the heavy fur hat +in such weather.</p> + +<p>So intensely warm was the night that the +band were compelled to halt at frequent +intervals to rest their dripping steeds. The +occasional breeze was like the hot breath from +an oven, and, in spite of the fact that he was +riding, Tom's face was wet with perspiration. +The progress was necessarily slow, but the lad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +soon came to Doctor's Creek, and as they +found the bridge across that stream intact, +the lieutenant was pleased and warmly praised +the young guide.</p> + +<p>The Assanpink Creek was crossed not long +afterwards, and as the bridge across that also +was still standing, the elation of the leader +was visibly increased and he ordered the men +to halt for another rest. Some without removing +their clothing waded into the stream, +which was narrow and shallow where they were, +and led their horses in after them. The heaving +sides of the poor beasts were wet with +sweat and foam, and the men themselves +seemed to be but little better. Tom thought +he had never suffered more from the heat.</p> + +<p>After a rest of a half hour the men resumed +their journey. Thus far no one had been +met on the road, and the confidence of the +band was steadily increasing, in spite of the +fact that they were approaching the region in +which the American army was supposed to be.</p> + +<p>Five miles farther on they came to Rocky +Branch and the bridge over this stream was +as strong and safe as those they had left +behind them.</p> + +<p>"The half joes are likely to be yours, my +boy," said the lieutenant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tom made no reply, for he was thinking +that something beside safe bridges might be +discovered before they arrived at their destination. +Only one more stream remained to +be crossed, and then they would be in Cranberry. +Just where they were then to go, or +what was to be done, Tom did not know. +Not a word had been spoken to him concerning +the object of the expedition, and all that +he was expected to do was to lead the band +to Cranberry.</p> + +<p>"How much farther have we to go, my +boy?" inquired the leader.</p> + +<p>"That depends upon the place you've +started for," replied Tom. "We shall be in +Cranberry after we've gone about ten miles +farther, but it covers a good many miles. +The township is a big one."</p> + +<p>"We'll decide that after we get there. +Have we any more streams to cross?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. The Millstone river isn't very far +away now."</p> + +<p>The rests had become so frequent that +morning could not be far away, Tom thought. +With the appearance of the sun their dangers +were likely to be increased, but he made no +mention of the fears in his heart, and the +band soon started on again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they arrived at the Millstone, the +first break in the success of the expedition +was found, for the bridge was down. This +plainly showed that the Americans were not +far distant now, and as the lieutenant drew +rein on his horse, he said,—</p> + +<p>"This means that Sir Henry will find difficulty +in getting his baggage train across here. +Do you know whether the stream can be +forded?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Tom, pointing as he spoke +to a place a little farther down the stream. +"We can wade our horses across there."</p> + +<p>"But can the baggage wagons be driven +through?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot say. I think not."</p> + +<p>"We'll soon find out," said the lieutenant, +leading the way to the ford.</p> + +<p>The men all followed him, but as the +water came well up to their horses' flanks, it +was at once evident that Clinton would find +great difficulty in getting his baggage train +across. The party halted near the bank +after they had crossed the stream, and the +lieutenant had an earnest conversation with +one of his men.</p> + +<p>Tom could not hear their words, but he +had no doubt that they were discussing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +possibilities of Clinton's march by the way +they had come that night.</p> + +<p>"We'll go on a bit farther," said the +lieutenant at last, and the men obediently +mounted and followed their leader.</p> + +<p>The gray of the dawn had just appeared +in the east, and the air was filled with the +songs of the birds. They were now in the +township of Cranberry, and the end of their +journey could not be far away, Tom thought, +although he did not know what that end was +to be. Thus far they had come without +trouble, but with the coming of the morning, +and their proximity to the American army, +their difficulties were likely soon to be increased.</p> + +<p>The men were silent as they rode slowly +forward, and were keeping a constant watch +on every side. The sun by this time had +made its appearance, and the day gave promise +of being even warmer than the preceding +one. Before them they could see two rude +little houses on opposite sides of the road +and at the end of lanes which led back from +the roadside. The one on the left Tom instantly +recognized as the abode of a Quaker +named Nathan Brown, or "Friend Nathan," +as his neighbors called him. Many a time had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +Tom been there, and even then he recalled +many of the quaint expressions of the gentle +man who had steadily opposed all the hostilities, +in accordance with his creed which +forbade even the resistance to tyrants.</p> + +<p>As the lieutenant saw the two houses he +drew the rein on his horse, and the party +halted.</p> + +<p>"It's time we had some breakfast," he +said. "I am wondering whether we can't +find something here in these houses. Do you +know anything about them, my lad?"</p> + +<p>"I know the man that lives in the house +on the left. He is a Quaker," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"All the better for us. I think I'll let +you go up to his house, and I'll send a man +up to the other. The rest of us had better +stay here and keep watch, for there may be +some prowling rebels around here, for all that +we may know."</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Tom quickly. "But I can +leave you then, can't I? We're in Cranberry +now and all you wanted of me was +to lead you there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you wish," replied the lieutenant. +"You've done well, but you'd do better +still to go back with us. The rebels are +not far away, and you may get into trouble.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +You must do as you like, though," he added. +"You've earned your pay," and he drew the +two half joes from his pocket and handed +them to Tom.</p> + +<p>The lad received the money, no small +amount to him, and, after thanking the lieutenant, +started quickly up the lane which led +to Nathan's house. As he glanced behind +him, he perceived that one of the men had +started towards the other house, while all the +others had dismounted and were still in the +road, although they evidently were keeping a +careful watch.</p> + +<p>When Tom drew near the house he saw +the Quaker standing in the doorway. His +broad-brimmed hat and the peaceful expression +upon his face were in marked contrast to +the warlike men he had just left behind him +in the road.</p> + +<p>"How now?" said Nathan, as he perceived +who the approaching man was. "Thee +travels early, Friend Thomas; I trust all is +well at thy house."</p> + +<p>Tom quickly dismounted, and in a few +words explained how it was that he happened +to be there, and what the purpose of his visit +was.</p> + +<p>"Thee doesn't say so!" said Nathan in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +surprise. "And the redcoats even now are at +my door and seek refreshment?"</p> + +<p>"They are out in the road. They want +some breakfast, and I think they'll pay you +for it."</p> + +<p>"Friend Thomas, I think I can trust thee. +I have known thee since thou wert a little +lad. Ah, these are sad times for men of +peace! The sons of Belial are on all sides. +Verily, these days are days of wrath."</p> + +<p>Tom was puzzled by Nathan's manner and +made no reply. The man turned quickly into +the house and soon returned with a well-filled +stocking in his hands. Tom instantly surmised +what the stocking contained, for he was +well aware of the banking purposes to which +that article of clothing was turned in many +of the homes.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, Friend Thomas," said +Nathan, grasping a hoe as he spoke and leading +the way into his garden. There he dug +a hole, and, placing his "bank" within it, +covered it again with the earth.</p> + +<p>"But Nathan," protested Tom, "if these +men search your place for money they'll find +this spot, and it'll show at once you've hidden +something there. The earth is all fresh +and moist here, and it's dry all around it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yea, thou speakest truly, Friend Thomas, +but I have a thought by which I may yet +outwit these men of war. Tarry here till I +return."</p> + +<p>The Quaker instantly turned and again entered +the house. In a moment he appeared, +bearing a large bowl in each hand. One contained +water, which he poured over the place +where his money was concealed, and the other +was filled with corn. He quickly scattered +the corn over the wet ground, and then, +turning towards the barn, called, "Chick! +Chick! Chick! Come, chick! Come, +chick!"</p> + +<p>Instantly there was a fluttering within the +barns, the doors to which were wide open, +and the hens came running from every direction.</p> + +<p>Nathan's face took on a meaning smile as +he watched his flock hastening toward him +for their breakfast, and then, turning to Tom, +he said, "Is it plain to thee, Friend Thomas, +that it is still possible for a man of peace to +outwit these sons of Belial? Now go and +tell thy companions that such food as I have +shall be set before them."</p> + +<p>Tom laughed at the trick of the Quaker, +and then ran back to his horse, and, mounting,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +started towards his recent companions, +whom he could see still waiting in the road. +Doubtless they were becoming impatient by +this time, and, without waiting to go all the +way back to the road, he stopped at a distance +and called to them, beckoning with his +hand for them to come, as he shouted.</p> + +<p>As soon as he perceived that the lieutenant +heard him, he turned about and once more +rode back to Nathan's house. He then dismounted +and tied his horse to a post which +stood near to the kitchen door.</p> + +<p>As he glanced up he saw that the leader +was riding alone up the lane and now was +near the house. Just then he heard the +sound of a horse behind him, and, turning +quickly about, saw young Lieutenant Gordon +dash past him on horseback.</p> + +<p>Amazed by the sudden and unexpected +appearance of his friend, he stood still and +watched him as he rode swiftly up the lane +directly toward the approaching men. Gordon +was leaning low on his horse's neck, and +Tom could see that he was grasping a pistol +in his right hand.</p> + +<p>Before the startled lad could fairly realize +what was occurring, he saw the young lieutenant +raise his weapon and aim it at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +approaching horseman. He waited for the +report, but none came. Again Gordon raised +his pistol, and once more it flashed without a +report.</p> + +<p>His heart almost stopped when he perceived +that the other members of the band had now +entered the lane and were riding towards +their leader, although as yet they were far +behind him. The young lieutenant had also +discovered them, and, instantly turning his +horse about, dashed back up the lane, with +the British lieutenant in swift pursuit.</p> + +<p>Unmindful of Tom, they swept past him, +and Gordon turned the corner of the barn. +Twice around the barn the men raced their +horses, and then Gordon turned his horse into +the open doorway and dashed through to the +other side.</p> + +<p>After him followed the leader of the British +band in desperate pursuit, and then, as Tom +glanced up, he saw his recent companions +come shouting and hallooing into the yard +which was between the barn and Friend +Nathan's little house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE BOAT ON THE BAR</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Little Peter discovered the presence +of the men before him, his first impulse had +been to turn and make a dash into the woods; +but the call which he heard quickly changed +all that. As one after another of the band +appeared, he recognized some of them as men +who had been enrolled in the local militia, +and his alarm for a moment subsided.</p> + +<p>The one who had addressed him he remembered +as a young man not much older than +himself, who had all the summer been away +from his home, busied with his friends and +neighbors in protecting the salt works along +the shore, and striving to hold back the outlaws +from their raids in the county.</p> + +<p>The salt works were of especial value at +this time, as some of them were owned by the +government and aided in increasing the scanty +revenues of the poverty-stricken country. +Several of them already had been burned by +tories or bands of sailors, who had landed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +from some of the gunboats which had come +to anchor off the shore for the purpose of +inflicting such damage as lay within their +power upon the adjacent region.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here, Peter?" repeated +the lad who had first spoken.</p> + +<p>As Little Peter now recognized the men +before him as friends, he quickly related to +them the story of the sad misfortunes which +had come upon his home; and the many expressions +of anger and sympathy which his +words called forth were not unwelcome, we +may be assured, to the troubled boy.</p> + +<p>When his brief story was told, the young +man who had hailed him said, "We're on an +errand that may fit into your feelings a bit. +We're short one man, too. Don't you want +to join us?"</p> + +<p>"What are you trying to do?"</p> + +<p>"We've just had word that a boat is +aground off here on the bar, and we're going +to see if we can't get her. We've got a +whaleboat down here on the shore, and we're +going to put out in her and see if we can't +pull the other boat off and bring her in with +us."</p> + +<p>"But there are a couple of gunboats not +more than three quarters of a mile out," protested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +Peter. "You can't do anything while +they are there."</p> + +<p>"We can try," said the man who was acting +as the leader. "We're one man short, +as Lyman here has just said, and if you feel +inclined to join us we shall be glad to have +you."</p> + +<p>Little Peter hesitated. It was not alone +the danger of the enterprise which troubled +him. He was thinking of his father and his +own purpose to discover whether he had been +sent to New York or not.</p> + +<p>When he explained the cause of his perplexity, +the leader said, "That's all right, +Peter. We're going down to Tom's River +just as soon as we've taken this boat out +here. You see, our watch told us the boat is +loaded with supplies, and, if we can get her, +we're going to do a double deed, for we'll +keep the others from having them, and we'll +make good use of the stuff ourselves. Now, +if you'll go along with us, you'll make another +oar for us, and we'll be all the more +likely to succeed. Then you can go with us +down to Tom's River, and poor company will +be better than none in times like these."</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Little Peter quickly, and +the march was at once resumed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>As they approached the wigwam, where +Peter had left his Indian friends, he stopped +for a moment to explain to Indian John the +cause of the change in his plans.</p> + +<p>John listened quietly until the lad had finished, +and then said, "Me see um again."</p> + +<p>Little Peter did not understand just what +the Indian meant by his words, but he did +not wait to inquire, for his friends were already +in advance of him, and he hastened to +rejoin them.</p> + +<p>No one spoke as they silently walked on +to the shore, but when they had gained the +bluff, Lyman suddenly said, "There! Look +there, will you? The word was all right. +The boat's aground out there on the bar."</p> + +<p>Little Peter instantly recognized the boat +as the one which he had seen approaching +from the gunboats, and for which the band +of men from Refugee Town had evidently +been waiting. Doubtless they had mistaken +him and Indian John for members of the +neighboring militia, and the cause of their +pursuit was now explained.</p> + +<p>The men did not hesitate now, but going +to a place a little farther up the shore, they +hastily removed a pile of brush and drew +forth the long whaleboat which they had concealed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +beneath it. The boat was not heavy, +and, lifting it in their arms, they bore it +down to the water's edge.</p> + +<p>Then grasping its sides, they ran with it +into the water, and, at the word from the +leader, scrambled on board. In a moment +they were all seated, the long oars were +drawn forth, and the men gave way with a +will.</p> + +<p>Little Peter was in the bow, next to his +friend Lyman. The excitement now for a +time banished from his mind the thoughts +of his sorrow, and even the search for his +father was for the moment forgotten.</p> + +<p>About three-quarters of a mile out at sea +were the two gunboats riding at anchor, and +resting as gracefully upon the water as if +they had been birds. Directly before them +was the supply boat, about a quarter of a mile +from the shore, and not more than that distance +in advance. They could see that four +men were on board, and they were still striving +desperately to push her off from the bar +on which she had grounded.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken on the whaleboat +now, and the men were all rowing with long +and steady strokes. The ocean was unusually +calm, but every lift of the heavy groundswell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +disclosed to them more clearly the outlines +of the boat they were seeking. Their +purpose had not yet been discovered by the +men on the other boat, or if it had been discovered +no token was displayed. It was more +than possible that they were regarded as +friends coming to the aid of the unlucky boat.</p> + +<p>In this manner several minutes passed, the +whaleboat, meanwhile, making rapid progress +over the water, driven forward by the efforts +of the determined men. The long, sandy +shore stretched away in the distance, the +masses of clouds in the sky seemed to be +lined with silver as the rays of the sun shone +through them, and not a sound could be +heard except the heavy breathing of the men +and the regular clicks of the oars in the row-locks.</p> + +<p>In spite of the peacefulness of the scene, +however, all the men in the whaleboat fully +realized the desperate nature of their undertaking, +and the likelihood that in a moment +everything might be changed. Still, there +were no evidences of action on the gunboats, +and the men on the grounded boat betrayed +no signs of alarm.</p> + +<p>"There are some men on the shore up +yonder," said the leader, as he saw a group<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +standing on the beach directly opposite the +boat they were seeking. "They don't seem +to be able to help them," he added. "I don't +believe we've anything to fear from them. +Give way, men! Give way!"</p> + +<p>The band responded with a will, and the +whaleboat darted forward with increasing +speed. The other boat lay only a few yards +away, and the end had almost come. The +excitement on board was intense now, and, +although no one spoke, the expression on +every face betrayed the feelings of the men. +They could see that the others were watching +them, but still they manifested no alarm at +the approach of the whaleboat.</p> + +<p>As the latter ran in alongside, and the men +quickly backed water, one of the sailors on +the stranded boat—for such their uniforms +disclosed them to be—called out, "You're +just in time, men! We thought we'd never +get this tub off the bar. The tide's coming +in, but we're stuck fast."</p> + +<p>"That's just what we came for," replied +the leader, as he threw a rope to the other +boat. "Now make fast and we'll yank you +off before you know it."</p> + +<p>One of the sailors caught the rope and +made it fast, but evidently a change came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +over his feelings then, for, glancing suspiciously +at the men before him, the one who +had acted as the leader said, "You're from +Refugee Town, aren't you? You're strangers +to me, but I take it for granted you're +all right!"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; we're militia from Old Monmouth. +We've come out here to get you +and your boat, too. Here, none of that!" +he quickly added, as he saw the men turn to +grasp their guns. "We'll send you to the +bottom before you can tell your names if you +try any of your games on us."</p> + +<p>At his command the men in the whaleboat +quickly covered the others with their guns. +For a moment the silence was unbroken. +The advantage for the present was very decidedly +with the attacking party. Not only +did they outnumber the others, but they were +also in a condition to act, and act quickly. +The situation, however, could not long remain +as it was. The gunboats were not more +than a half mile away, and, doubtless, assistance +would be sent as soon as the predicament +of the men should be discovered.</p> + +<p>Then, too, there were the men on the shore +to be reckoned with. Apparently, they had +no boat with which they could come to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +rescue of the luckless sailors, but they might +soon obtain one, for Refugee Town was not +far away. Why they had not already gone +there was not apparent. Perhaps they were +trusting to the aid of the rising tide and the +efforts of the men.</p> + +<p>"Pass over your guns!" said the leader +on the whaleboat.</p> + +<p>The men obeyed, and silently picked up +and handed their guns to the attacking party.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll see what can be done," said +the leader, after he had deposited the weapons +on the bottom of the whaleboat. "These +fellows are harmless now, and we'll take our +oars and see if we can't pull them off from +the bar."</p> + +<p>His men grasped their oars and began to +row. The rope tightened, the boat started a +little, but still stuck fast to the bottom. Again +the men pulled desperately, but with all their +efforts they could not move the grounded +boat.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we'll have to cast overboard +a part of the load," said the leader, when the +third effort proved as futile as its predecessors.</p> + +<p>He arose from his seat and grasped the +rope to pull the whaleboat nearer, when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +four men before him suddenly united in a +loud shout, and, leaping from their seats, +together grasped some other guns which had +been concealed beneath the sailcloth, and, +turning about before their captors could recover +from their surprise, stood aiming their +weapons directly at their faces.</p> + +<p>"It's our turn," laughed one of the men. +"You'll hand over your own guns now!"</p> + +<p>No one in the whaleboat moved from his +position. The leader still stood, leaning over +the side and grasping the rope with his hands. +Every one had been so startled by the unexpected +summons that he seemed almost incapable +of action.</p> + +<p>"Come, be quick about it!" said the sailor, +as the men still did not move.</p> + +<p>A faint sound of a shout now could be +heard from the shore, and the movements of +the men there, as they ran about the beach, +betrayed the fact that they were aware that +something was wrong. In the distance, Little +Peter could see that two barges filled with +men were starting forth from the gunboats. +The situation was becoming rapidly worse, +critical as it then was.</p> + +<p>"Their guns aren't loaded, men!" called +the leader suddenly. "They can't harm us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>Still his men did not respond. For an instant +no one moved, while their fear was +plainly evident from the expressions upon +their faces. No one knew whether the leader's +words were true or not, and in breathless +suspense they waited, fearing every moment +to hear the reports of the guns in the other +boat.</p> + +<p>As the men did not fire, the leader quickly +shouted again, "They're not loaded, I tell +you! They can't hurt us! Don't pay any +attention to them!"</p> + +<p>His words instantly served to arouse his +companions, for they now knew that if the +guns had been loaded they would have been +discharged before this.</p> + +<p>The sight of the barges which had started +forth from the gunboats, and the increasing +confusion of the men on the shore, combined +to render the attacking party desperate now. +Whatever they were to do they must do +quickly.</p> + +<p>The leader called to his companions to +cover the others with their guns, and, drawing +the whaleboat close up, said: "The +boat's loaded with guns and powder! That's +just what we want. Now you take your oars +and push while my men row," he added,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +speaking to the sailors. "The first one of +you that draws back will get a dose of lead. +Now! Quick! Do as I tell you!"</p> + +<p>The men sullenly laid down the empty +guns, and, picking up their oars, began to +push against the sandy bottom. The men +in the whaleboat were rowing desperately, +and soon could feel that the other boat had +started.</p> + +<p>It was not yet free, however, and the leader +called again to the sailors, "Harder, men, +harder! You aren't half pushing. That's +right! Harder yet! Harder, I say! We'll +be out of this in a minute. Give way, men! +You aren't asleep, are you? Pull! Pull!"</p> + +<p>In his eagerness, the leader laid down his +gun, and, hastily grasping an oar, began +to pull with his companions. Slowly the +grounded boat responded to their efforts. +Inch by inch it slipped from the bar, but was +not yet free.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the confusion on the shore was +increasing. The men were running up and +down the beach, waving their arms and shouting. +The two barges were coming swiftly +from the gunboats, and if the loaded boat +was not soon dragged from the bar, it would +once more be in the possession of the enemy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<p>They were still working desperately. The +perspiration stood out in great drops upon +their faces. They braced their feet against +the seats in front of them and put forth all +their strength. The moments seemed like +hours to the struggling men, but the loaded +boat was slow to respond to their efforts. It +was steadily yielding, however, and at last +they saw the boat slide from the bar and rest +easily upon the open water.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>TED WILSON'S VICTIM</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A shout</span> arose from the eager crew as they +perceived the success which had crowned their +desperate efforts, but an answering shout from +the men in the two approaching barges +quickly recalled them to the necessity for +further and immediate action. Why it was +that the guns of the gunboats had remained +silent they could not understand, but there +was no time now for investigations. It was +sufficient that they had not been molested +thus far; and as the leader at once gave the +command for them to resume their labors +with their oars, the men at once responded +and gave way together, the supply boat still +being towed.</p> + +<p>The whaleboat had been built for speed, +and was long, narrow, and light. Had it +not been for the laden supply boat, which as +yet they were not willing to abandon, they +would easily and speedily have drawn away +from the pursuing barges. As it was, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +swept forward swiftly, and apparently were +almost holding their own in the race.</p> + +<p>For several minutes the desperate efforts of +the men continued. The heavy clouds had +gathered in the sky, and the blaze of the sun +had disappeared. The air was sultry and oppressive, +and the unusual calm which rested +over the waters indicated that the storm which +had been threatening was fast approaching. +No one glanced at the heavens, however, the +set and streaming faces indicating that the +immediate task in hand was sufficient of itself +to occupy all their thoughts.</p> + +<p>On and on rowed the men, and on and +on swept the pursuing barges. Less than +a quarter of a mile lay between them, and, +heavily laden as the supply boat was, it +materially decreased the speed which otherwise +the whaleboat might have made. The +moments passed, but the efforts were not +relaxed. Together, the long oars struck the +water, and the bodies of the men swayed back +and forth as if they were controlled by a +common impulse. The distance between the +boats was not materially changed, although if +any change was to be seen it was in favor of +the barges.</p> + +<p>"This will never do," said the leader at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +last, letting his oar go, and rising in his seat +as he spoke. "Here, you men," he added, +grasping his gun and facing the prisoners in +the other boat as he spoke, "it's time for +you to work your passage. Take those oars +and pull your prettiest! Four oars are better +than one, and I can do more with a gun than +I can by pulling. Take your oars, every one +of you, and the first one to drop will be fired +on!"</p> + +<p>The four men in the supply boat sullenly +obeyed, and the increased impulse of their +efforts at once became manifest. The leader +stood in the stern of the whaleboat facing +the prisoners, and watchful of their every +movement. His words of encouragement +served to inspire his companions, and for a +time it appeared as if they were gaining upon +their pursuers.</p> + +<p>Still, the distance between them did not +materially increase, and such efforts as the +men were then making could not be long +maintained. Indeed, signs of distress were +already becoming apparent, and Little Peter +felt every time he drew in his oar as if he +had not strength enough left to pull another +stroke. His face betrayed the pain he was +suffering, but his condition was not much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +worse than that of some of the other men +with him in the boat.</p> + +<p>The exciting contest could not be continued +much longer, and as the leader glanced +about the boat he almost decided to cut the +rope which held the supply boat, and, leaving +that behind, seek safety in flight.</p> + +<p>He had drawn his knife from his pocket, +and was standing ready to free them from +their heavy load, when the rain began to fall. +In a moment the wind swept down upon +them, and the storm was at hand.</p> + +<p>Prom the first of the pursuing barges +came a shot, but no damage was done, and +the leader muttered, "That's all right. It's +a farewell salute you're giving us. You +might as well say good-by to us, for I take it +you'll never see us again."</p> + +<p>The waves were now rising, and the rain +was falling in torrents. Between them and +the shore it almost seemed as if a cloud +intervened, so heavy was the downpour. The +voice of the leader could hardly be heard by +his men. The deep-toned thunder sounded +almost continuously, and the darting lightning +appeared to be all about them. In +escaping from one peril they had encountered +another.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>The barges could now no longer be seen, +and, with the passing of the fear of pursuit, +the men gave all their attention to their +efforts to keep the whaleboat out of the +trough of the rolling waves. Still, the supply +boat was not cut loose, for the determined +men were resolved to hold to that so long as +it lay within their power to do so.</p> + +<p>For a half hour the shower continued, and +although much water was shipped, and the +men were compelled to bail the boats, they +behaved well. When at last the storm had +passed and the low mutterings of the thunder +sounded far out to sea, they all looked keenly +behind them to discover the whereabouts of +their pursuers.</p> + +<p>Neither of the barges was to be seen. +Doubtless, with the approach of the shower, +they had both put back to the gunboats for +safety. The whaleboat had weathered the +storm, and the supply boat was still safely in +tow.</p> + +<p>Drenched though the men were, new +strength seemed to come with the knowledge +that they were no longer being pursued, and +then, relieved of their fear, they continued +on their way down the shore.</p> + +<p>They frequently stopped for rest and to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +scan the waters behind them, but no boat +could anywhere be seen. Nor was any one +to be discerned upon the beach. Doubtless +the men from Refugee Town had fled for +safety and shelter, or, as the leader grimly +said, "They were afraid of being wet, for +water was something to which all the men +assembled there were strongly opposed."</p> + +<p>For mile after mile they held steadily to +their course, even their excitement apparently +having mostly disappeared. The supply boat +contained guns and ammunition, and if there +was anything of which the militia stood in +need, it was of that very commodity.</p> + +<p>At first it was thought that they would +put in at the entrance to Shark River, but it +was soon decided to continue on their way +until they should come to Manasquan Inlet, +and then go up the river to a place where +some of their friends were to be found. To +gain Tom's River they would be compelled to +keep on to Barnegat Inlet, and then retrace +their way up Barnegat Bay, to the place +where the river entered; and as that would +require a voyage of thirty miles more, no one +regretted the change in the plan.</p> + +<p>They were all nearly worn out by their +exertions, and no one knew what British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +vessel might be met before they could gain +the shelter of Tom's River.</p> + +<p>Little Peter, in spite of his eagerness to go +on to the place where he hoped to learn something +concerning his father, was so weary +from the work of the day, and as he had not +tasted food since early that morning, he rejoiced +with the others when at last the boats +turned into Manasquan Inlet and began to +make their way up the little stream.</p> + +<p>The sun was now low in the western sky, +and the night would soon be upon them. +The shadows already were lengthening when +the two boats passed out of the inlet into +the waters of the river. The leader, however, +had not yet given the word to rest on their +oars, and Little Peter did not know where +they were to pass the night.</p> + +<p>The whaleboat kept steadily on in its course, +and the wearied men were still pulling at the +oars. The river was becoming narrower now, +and more than one was hoping that the word +would soon be given for them to land.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, the leader called to his men, +and, standing erect, pointed excitedly to a +place on the shore not far in advance of them. +His companions quickly looked in that direction +and saw on the little point of land, around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +which the river swept in its course, two men +standing in the water. But what was it they +were doing? One of them was holding the +other and frequently forcing his head beneath +the surface of the river. He would hold +him in that position for a moment and then +lift him upon his feet again, and shake him, +much as a dog might have done with a +rabbit. Apparently neither had observed the +approaching boats, nor had either uttered a +sound which the men in the whaleboat could +hear.</p> + +<p>"The fellow's drowning him!" said the +leader excitedly. "He's drowning him. Give +way, men, and we'll lend a hand."</p> + +<p>The men, no less excited than their leader, +instantly responded, and the boats dashed +rapidly forward. The eyes of all were fixed +upon the two men before them, and the leader +shouted and called; but apparently, unmindful +of their approach, the strange actions +continued. The larger of the two men again +and again forced the head of his companion +under the water, and then would lift him up +and repeat the shaking. So thoroughly intent +was he upon his strange occupation, that he +did not once heed the hail, or even glance +toward the whaleboat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer swept the boats, and +finally, when they were almost upon him, the +man ceased his efforts and glanced coolly up +at the approaching men, still, however, retaining +his grasp on his victim, who apparently +was helpless in his hands.</p> + +<p>A startled exclamation escaped Little Peter's +lips when he saw that the smaller of the men +was none other than his own neighbor, Benzeor +Osburn. "Help him! Help him!" he +said excitedly to the leader. "It's Benzeor! +It's Benzeor Osburn! He's my neighbor! +He's being drowned! He'll be killed!"</p> + +<p>"Be still!" said the leader roughly. "It's +Ted Wilson that's got him. Ted knows what +he's doing. What's the trouble, Ted? +What's gone wrong?" he added quickly, +addressing the man who still held Benzeor +tightly in his grasp.</p> + +<p>The huge man slowly turned his head as +he heard himself addressed, and Little Peter +thought he never before had seen such an +expression of rage upon any human countenance. +His great muscular arms were bare, +and his entire body seemed to express the +marvelous strength he possessed. Benzeor +was not struggling, and indeed there seemed +to be but little hope of protecting himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +from the powerful man whose prisoner he +was.</p> + +<p>Little Peter could see that, although Benzeor +was almost breathless, he had recognized +him, but he made no effort to speak and +scarcely glanced at the men before him.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, Ted?" repeated the +leader. "What's the matter with the man?"</p> + +<p>"The matter isn't with the man, it's with +me," said Ted slowly, speaking in a deep, +gruff voice, which betrayed the strong feeling +under which he labored.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to drown him, are +you?"</p> + +<p>"Naw—though the snake deserves it. +Drownin' is too good for such as he!"</p> + +<p>Ted had not moved from his position, and +still was standing up to his waist in the water.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it. Maybe we can help +you a bit."</p> + +<p>"Naw, ye can't help any. It's my business. +I don't mind tellin' ye how it came +about, though. This forenoon I sold some +corn and stuff up here at the mill, and got +my pay in coin, too. Well, this fellow was +there and he saw me get paid off, and I half +suspected the reptile from the way he looked +at me when he saw me take the money. Here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +you!" he quickly added, as Benzeor struggled +slightly. "Ye want some more, do ye? +Well, I'll give ye all ye want and all ye need, +too," and again he thrust the helpless Benzeor's +head beneath the water.</p> + +<p>"Let him up. You'll drown him!" said +the leader, when Ted had held his victim +several seconds under the water.</p> + +<p>"It's no more than he deserves," replied +the huge man, nevertheless lifting his victim +and shaking him again. "Now will ye keep +still?"</p> + +<p>As Benzeor was unable to reply, Ted again +turned to the men in the boat and said, "Well, +I took that money home and gave it to Sallie. +She's my wife, ye know, and I always gives +her what money I get, not that it's ever very +much, though. I didn't ferget the eyes o' +this fellow, however, and I told Sallie,—she's +my wife, ye know, and as likely a woman as +there is in Old Monmouth, if I do say it as +ought not to,—I told her to keep a good +lookout for the pine robbers, fer I had a kind +of a suspicion this here reptile might know +where they was, and might get word to 'em, +too.</p> + +<p>"I took my axe and went off down into +my swamp-lot to cut some wood, and left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +Sallie up in the house. Sallie's my wife, ye +know. I felt uneasy like all the time, but +I worked on for three hours or more, but +I kept a-gettin' uneasier and uneasier, and, +finally, I just couldn't stand it any longer +and put straight fer the house.</p> + +<p>"'Twas mighty lucky I did, too, I'm +tellin' you, fer when I came in sight o' the +house,—ye can see it up there now," and +Ted pointed to his home, a short distance up +the bank, giving the unfortunate Benzeor an +additional shake as he did so,—"I see somethin' +was wrong. There was three or four +men a-standin' out by the big maple in front +o' my house, and the minit I looked I see +what they was up to. Somebody was a +hangin' from a bedcord they'd threw over a +limb o' that very maple-tree.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe ye know how I felt when I see it +was my Sallie; she's my wife, ye know. +They was a-drawin' her up and then lettin' +her down, and I knew then they was tryin' +to make her own up where that money was. +I had my axe in my hands, and when I see +what they was up to, I didn't wait very long, +I'm tellin' ye. I cut Sallie loose,—she +wasn't very much hurt; she's my wife, ye +know,—and then I took after the rascals.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +They scattered in every direction, but this +vermin started for the river and I after him."</p> + +<p>"You got him, I see."</p> + +<p>"Did I get him? Let him answer for +hisself."</p> + +<p>And the angry Ted again shook the helpless +Benzeor until the men wondered that his +trembling limbs still held together.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A FRUITLESS CHASE</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> surprise of Tom Coward was not diminished +as the novel race continued. Twice +through the open doors of the barn dashed +the two riders, their horses' hoofs slipping on +the rough floor and almost throwing the men +from their seats. Both continued to maintain +their positions, however, and would no +sooner disappear from Tom's sight than they +would be seen coming around the corner of +the barn again, the young American lieutenant +still in advance and the British officer in +close pursuit.</p> + +<p>Friend Nathan was standing in the doorway +of his house, and, in spite of his peaceful +professions, there was an eager expression +upon his face which betrayed the fact that +he was not an uninterested observer of the +strange contest. Tom had not moved from +his position, and his excitement had almost +deprived him of the power of speech.</p> + +<p>Again through the open doorways of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +barn the riders had urged their swiftly running +horses, but as yet their relative positions +had remained unchanged. The British officer +was leaning forward on his horse's neck +and endeavoring to grasp the bridle of the +young lieutenant's horse, but the quick movements +of the latter had prevented him, and +the mad race continued.</p> + +<p>As Lieutenant Gordon dashed around the +corner of the barn, and for the fourth time +prepared to enter the open door, Tom saw +that the other members of the band were just +entering the yard. The excited lad could +not longer remain silent. His friend was +beset by new perils and must be warned.</p> + +<p>"Look out! Look out!" shouted Tom.</p> + +<p>Young Gordon looked up and for the first +time beheld the increase in the number of his +enemies. Without hesitating a moment, he +turned his horse toward the low fence and +cleared it at a bound. Then, directly across +the open lot toward the woods in the distance +he urged his trusty steed, and almost before +the men in the yard perceived what had +occurred, he had placed a considerable distance +between him and the barn.</p> + +<p>The confusion, however, lasted but a moment, +for, with a shout, several of the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +urged their horses forward, and, leaping the +low fence, renewed the pursuit. Those who +did not follow raised their guns and discharged +them at the fleeing officer; but +either his movements were too swift, or their +excitement prevented them from taking careful +aim, for the bullets went wide of their +mark, and in a very brief time the young +lieutenant disappeared within the woods, and +soon after his pursuers followed him.</p> + +<p>"Thee didn't seem to catch him," said +Nathan blandly to the men who remained in +the yard.</p> + +<p>"They'll get him. They'll get him," +replied the leader. "They'll soon run him +down, never you fear. But he's a bold fellow, +there's no mistake about that. What +did you call out to him for?" he added, +turning sharply to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Did I call out to him?" replied Tom. +"I don't just know what I did, I was so +excited. I thought you had him."</p> + +<p>"So I would, if it hadn't been for the +barn floor."</p> + +<p>Tom thought the barn floor was perhaps +as much of a disadvantage to the pursued as +to the pursuer, but he discreetly held his +peace and said no more.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, old man, you can get us some +breakfast. My men will be back here in no +time with the young rebel, and will have all +the better appetite because of their morning's +work. You can feed us all, can't you?" +said the officer.</p> + +<p>"I have spoken to Rachel. Doubtless she +will do her best for thee."</p> + +<p>The men at once proceeded to place their +horses in the barn and serve them freely +from the Quaker's store. Then they entered +the house and seated themselves at the table +which Rachel had spread for them, although +they first stationed one of their companions +as guard.</p> + +<p>For a time no one spoke, so busied were +they in their occupation, and Tom Coward +was not one whit behind any of them. He +was tired and hungry, and the breakfast +was doubly welcome to him. Rachel moved +quietly about the room, her drab dress and +broad white collar being in marked contrast +to the brilliant uniforms of her self-invited +guests.</p> + +<p>"Old man," said the officer at last, "I +wish you'd tell me how it happened that that +young rebel was here on your place. You +weren't sheltering him, were you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nay," replied Nathan. "In times like +these, Friends are not prone to shelter any +soldiers. Our guests are only those who +come without any bidding of ours."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the officer. "I fancy +you mean that as a reproach for us. Well, +we'll pay you for our breakfast, never you +fear about that. Your scruples don't carry +you so far that you object to receiving a +return in good yellow or white metal, do +they?"</p> + +<p>"The laborer is ever worthy of his hire. +I shall be thankful for any equivalent it may +seem good unto thee to bestow upon me."</p> + +<p>"That's right, that's right. Trust a +broad brim for that every time. I'm not +complaining, old man, I'm not complaining. +You don't happen to know just where the +rebel army is at present, do you?"</p> + +<p>"It is reported that Washington is on the +march for this very place. Even now he +may be approaching."</p> + +<p>"Do you know that?" inquired the officer +in a lower tone.</p> + +<p>"Nay. I know nothing of their movements. +It is all of the current report I am +speaking to thee. I fear me that a man of +peace is likely to suffer double ills between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +the two armies, for it is also reported that +the British and their Hessian companions are +also likely to march through this very region."</p> + +<p>If the officer had glanced at the old +Quaker he would have discovered that there +was a very keen expression upon his face as +he ventured the last supposition. But as he +did not look up it was all lost upon him, and +perhaps if he had seen it, he would not have +understood its meaning, since his host was +ostensibly a man of peace.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that," said the officer +quietly. "We've come to look over the +land and report to Colonel Simcoe. What +makes you think the rebels are near here, +and are likely to march this way?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell thee truly. The young man +whom your companions are pursuing slept +last night in my barn. He informed me +frankly that Washington was to pass this +way"—</p> + +<p>"And fall on our army?" broke in the +officer eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That is the natural inference for thee to +draw. It's a sad day for the Friends. They +are ground between the upper and the nether +millstones, for I understood thee to say that +the British also were to come hither."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You can understand what you please," +replied the leader gruffly. "You've given +me the information I most desire and Colonel +Simcoe would be glad to reward you for it, +but being, as you are, a man of peace, of +course you wouldn't be willing to take anything +from a man whose occupation is blood +letting. Hello! here's the guard!" he added, +rising abruptly from the table as he spoke. +"What's wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," replied the guard, "except +that our men are returning from the woods."</p> + +<p>"And did they catch the young rebel?"</p> + +<p>"No, or at least he's not with them now."</p> + +<p>All hurriedly left the table and rushed out +into the yard, Tom also going with them. +The men could be seen returning across the +lot, but it was at once evident that the young +lieutenant was not with them.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble? How was it that +you let the slippery little rebel get away from +you?" demanded the leader, as the soldiers +once more entered the yard.</p> + +<p>"Simply because he could ride faster than +we could," replied one of the band in a surly +tone. "His horse was fresh and ours had +been out all night."</p> + +<p>The officer was angry, but, after a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +sharp words to his men, he bade them enter +the kitchen and get their breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Did thee find him?" inquired Nathan.</p> + +<p>"No, we didn't find him. I'd chase him +right into camp if it wasn't that I must +hurry back to the colonel with the word +you've given me. You're sure about what +you told me?"</p> + +<p>"What did I tell thee?" inquired Nathan +blandly.</p> + +<p>"About the march of the rebels," replied +the officer angrily. "I half believe you're +in league with them yourself, in spite of all +your whining words. If I thought you were +I'd leave your body for the crows to pick."</p> + +<p>"And is that the method which seemeth to +thee to prove thou art right, and that I am no +man of peace?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind, old man, never mind my +words. Perhaps I'm a little too hard with +you. This young rebel's getting away from +us has put me out of temper. What I want +to know is whether you believe what you +said about the rebels coming through Cranberry."</p> + +<p>"I have given thee the words as they were +given me. I am not in the councils of the +'rebels,' as it seemeth good to thee to call<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +them, and cannot say more. It is for thee to +judge, not me, who am a man of peace and +not familiar with the ways of warlike men."</p> + +<p>By this time the men had finished their +breakfast, and a hurried consultation followed. +The decision at which they arrived was soon +apparent when the leader approached Nathan, +and, holding forth some silver in his hand, +said, "There, take that for the breakfast +you've given us."</p> + +<p>"I thank thee," replied Nathan, accepting +the money.</p> + +<p>"Are you going back with us, lad?" said +the officer, turning to Tom as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"No. You said all you wanted of me +was to point out the way to Cranberry."</p> + +<p>"So I did, but if this old man speaks the +truth,—and I'm inclined to think he does,—you'll +be better off with us than you will be +to stay behind when the rebels are coming. +You'll have a good horse to ride, too; you +must not forget that."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll stay. I'm not afraid of the +rebels, and can find my way all right." Tom's +heart was beating rapidly, and the fear that +permission for him to remain would not be +granted was uppermost in his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Have it your own way, lad, have it your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +own way. I only spoke what I thought was +for your own best good."</p> + +<p>He gave a few orders to his men, and in a +brief time the band departed, riding swiftly +up the road and soon disappearing from +sight.</p> + +<p>"This was not a bad morning's work, +Friend Thomas," said Nathan, when at last +the men were gone, jingling the silver in his +pocket as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"It was a good deal better than I ever +expected to have," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>Neither of them realized, however, the full +consequences, for Nathan's words, in addition +to what the officer had already discovered, +caused him to return in all haste with +the information he had received to Colonel +Simcoe. That officer, upon receiving the +word, which was corroborated by other discoveries +he had made, at once reported to +Sir Henry Clinton, and an immediate change +in the plans of the British was made. The +advance to the Raritan was speedily abandoned, +the route to the Highlands was at +once chosen, and it was decided that the +army should march by the way of Monmouth +Court House. The battle of Monmouth, +which soon followed, thus became possible,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +and that, with all its consequences to the +struggling patriots, turned upon the information +which Colonel Simcoe had received, and +which he speedily carried to his commander.</p> + +<p>Upon such slight events do those which we +sometimes call the greater ones turn. Perhaps +as we grow older and wiser we shall +come to perceive more clearly the true relation +which the so-called little things of life bear +to the greater ones. A very wise man once +declared that "he who was faithful in the +little affairs of life was very greatly faithful." +In any event, we have partially learned the +lesson that it is a test of true greatness to be +able to do little things well, and that the +very best evidence of a man's being able to +do the greater things is that he is willing to +do the smaller ones, as they come to him, +faithfully and honestly.</p> + +<p>However, neither Nathan nor Tom was +moralizing after this fashion when they entered +the house after watching the departure +of the British soldiers. Tom then related all +his recent experiences to Nathan, not omitting +the story of Benzeor's misdeeds.</p> + +<p>The old Quaker listened attentively, and it +was apparent from his frequent expressions of +anger that his interest in the success of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +Continentals was not entirely banished by his +peaceful professions.</p> + +<p>"What thee needs now, friend Thomas," +he said, when at last the lad's story was +ended, "is a good rest. Rachel has a bed +ready for thee."</p> + +<p>Tom followed his friend to the room upstairs, +and soon stretched himself upon the +bed. How grateful it seemed to the weary +lad! For a moment he gazed at the four +high posts, but soon everything was forgotten +and he was asleep.</p> + +<p>How long he slept he did not know, but he +was awakened by Nathan, who called to him +and said, "Friend Thomas, there is some one +below who desires to see thee."</p> + +<p>Tom leaped from the bed and followed the +Quaker down the stairs, wondering who it +was that wished to see him. There were +confused thoughts in his mind of the British +officer and Benzeor, but he was not in the +least prepared for the sight upon which he +looked when he entered the room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A RARE BEAST</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is necessary now for us to turn and follow +some of the movements of that army +which Tom Coward was so eager to join.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton fully understood that +he had little to gain from an engagement +with Washington's army at this time. The +Americans were not holding any position +which he desired to gain, their stores and +equipments were of slight value, and if +Washington should be defeated, the result +would be that his men would simply be scattered +in the surrounding region, where they +would still be free to carry on their straggling +methods of warfare, and harass the British +by falling upon their baggage trains and +shooting at the men as they marched along +the country roads.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, Clinton's stores were +numerous and of no little value. The loss of +them would be a serious blow to the redcoats, +while the possession of them by the Continentals<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +would put new life into the cause +of the poorly equipped patriots. And above +all of these things, the danger which now +threatened from the approach of a French +fleet led the British commander to hasten +forward to the defense of New York, which +he feared was likely to be the first place to +be attacked by the allies of the colonies.</p> + +<p>The very motives which caused Sir Henry +to wish to avoid an engagement were those +which appealed most strongly to Washington +to enter into one. He had but little to lose +and much to gain. A defeat for the British +would mean a weakening of the defense of +New York, and the long train of baggage +wagons was a most tempting prize. The possession +of those stores would replenish the +scanty supplies of the Americans; and, as we +know, Washington had eagerly pushed his +army forward, hoping to gain a position in +advance of the British and fall upon them in +some advantageous position which he himself +could select.</p> + +<p>The main body had advanced as far as +Hopewell, as we have already learned in the +course of this story, but there had halted for +a brief time. The weather had been unusually +trying, and as a consequence the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +were suffering intensely. Even the "oldest +inhabitants" had never known such a summer. +The thermometer had climbed well up +into the nineties and then had stayed there. +The frequent thunder showers apparently did +not cool the air and afforded no relief, as the +sultriness seemed to be increased by each +one. The roads had become heavy and well-nigh +impassable in places, and when at last +the men had marched to the plains of Hopewell, +Washington wisely halted to give them +their much needed rest.</p> + +<p>Another matter led the great commander +to remain there for a time. He had now +gained a position which offered him a considerable +advantage, and he wished to call a +council of his officers to consult concerning +his further movements.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the second of the councils +since the army had departed from Philadelphia +was then called, and the one question +in the mind of the commander was this: +"Will it be advisable to hazard a general +engagement?"</p> + +<p>General Charles Lee, who was second in +command, and was by some even then suspected +of being in secret league with Howe, +was present, and his voice was soon heard.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +Lee was a Welshman, brilliant in certain +ways, and had seen much service in the +armies of Europe. Many had preferred him +to Washington as the commander-in-chief of +the American armies, and Lee himself was +not averse to the idea. He affected to regard +Washington with contempt, looking upon +him as a man who lacked military training +and of but little ability. His jealousy +already had been the cause of many serious +troubles, and at the present time, in spite of +the fact that he had been exchanged for the +British general Prescott, captured in a manner +not unlike that in which Lee himself had +been taken in a previous winter at Morristown, +he apparently was unmindful of all the +regard bestowed upon him, and was not unwilling +to see Washington make some mistakes +which would bring upon the leader the anger +of his fellows, and perhaps open the way for +Lee to gain his position. This view of the +case is certainly to be preferred to that which +marked him simply as a traitor and in league +with the enemy, although in all likelihood +both, in a measure, were correct. Probably +Washington understood the man thoroughly +at the time, and we may be certain that his +troubles were not decreased by his knowledge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lee was possessed of a strikingly ugly +face, and his plain features were the cause of +many rude jests among the soldiers who were +opposed to him. But whatever his lacks in +personal beauty or moral character may have +been, he at least had a most persuasive tongue. +His eager and impulsive manner, his commonly +accredited ability, and his foreign +training, which had great influence among +many of his ruder and unpolished companions, +caused some of the men about him +to become ready listeners to what he had to +say.</p> + +<p>In the council which Washington called at +Hopewell, Lee exerted himself to the utmost +to oppose the proposition to enter into an +engagement with the advancing British. So +persuasive were his words that the majority +of the officers voted with him that it would +not be advisable to detach more than fifteen +hundred men from the main body to harass +the enemy on their flank and rear, while the +remainder of the army should preserve their +present position relative to the British, and +be governed by circumstances.</p> + +<p>Just what Lee's motive was is not fully +apparent. Whether he wished to avoid a +battle or simply desired to cause Washington<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +to fail in taking advantage of the favorable +opportunity, which Lee himself must have +seen had presented itself, is not clearly known. +It may have been a combination of both +wishes.</p> + +<p>General Wayne bitterly opposed the proposition +of Lee, and generals such as Greene, +Lafayette, Steuben, and others, expressed +themselves as being decidedly of the opinion +that, at the very least, twenty-five hundred +men should be detached from the main body +and sent forward to carry out Washington's +plan.</p> + +<p>Lee's motion, however, prevailed; but while +Washington seemingly consented to the decision +of the council, we can now see, as we +look backward, that his own purpose was not +changed. Perhaps he was strengthened in +his opinion by the words of General Wayne +and General Greene, spoken after the breaking +up of the assembly, for we know that +they then expressed themselves very freely to +their leader.</p> + +<p>Apparently yielding to the expressed wishes +of the majority, Washington dispatched General +Scott with fifteen hundred men "to +gall the enemy's left flank and rear," as he +expressed it in the letters he wrote that day<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +to General Dickinson and the president of +the Continental Congress; and on the following +day advanced with his army to Kingston, +and halted there on the very day when +Tom Coward arrived at the house of Friend +Nathan Brown in Cranberry.</p> + +<p>As Tom came down the stairs and entered +the room below, his surprise was great when +he saw young Lieutenant Gordon standing +before him. "Where—where did you come +from?" said the astonished boy. "I thought +they chased you out into the woods!"</p> + +<p>"So they did. So they did," laughed the +young officer; "but that doesn't mean that +I was bound to stay there, does it? I had +spent the night with Friend Nathan here, and +I had such a good time I almost decided to +come back for another. And then, too, I +left a lad here whose face haunted me, he +looked so scared and white."</p> + +<p>"I was scared," said Tom, "for I thought +they'd got you. How in the world did you +ever manage to get away from them?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've learned by experience," replied +the lieutenant, laughing. "This was about +the closest call I ever had, and once there, +when my horse slipped on the barn floor, I +thought I was done for; but it's all come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +out right, you see. When I once got into the +woods I knew I was all right, and I didn't +have to go very far, either. About noon I +thought I'd venture back and see what had +become of Friend Nathan and Tom Coward, +for I didn't believe those redcoats would stay +here very long after they found out that our +army is over here by Kingston."</p> + +<p>"Kingston?" said Tom quickly. "Kingston? +Why, that's only ten miles from +here!"</p> + +<p>"Correct, my son; correct. They'll be +nearer yet, very soon."</p> + +<p>Tom was excited in a moment, and eagerly +began to ask many questions. The young +lieutenant replied to them all, and then said +to the Quaker, who had remained silent during +the conversation, "And now, Friend +Nathan, you feel sure that those redcoats will +carry the word back to Clinton that we've +turned out of our way to meet them, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Verily, I do," replied Nathan. "It was +for the very purpose of learning the plans of +Washington that they dared to venture as +far as this. I endeavored to learn from the +soldier what effect he thought his report +would have upon the British leader, but he +did not speak in many words. Doubtless he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +considered them valueless to a man of peace. +But thy surmise is correct, I doubt not."</p> + +<p>"Then the sooner we put out of this the +better, Tom; that is, if you're still of the +same mind you were day before yesterday."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready to go," replied Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>The thought of the American army being +only ten miles away aroused all his enthusiasm +once more. He knew nothing of camp life, +and the hardships were not in his thoughts. +He knew that he had no place to which he +could go, and now that he had left Benzeor's +home he felt like an outcast. Besides, he +had dreamed of joining the army, and, now +that at last the longed-for day had arrived, +all his curiosity and eagerness returned in full +measure.</p> + +<p>"But I haven't any horse and you're +mounted," he added. "I don't see how I +can go with you. You can't wait for me to +trudge along on foot."</p> + +<p>"That is something of a poser," replied the +lieutenant. "No, it's a fact I can't waste +much time on the road with such news as I +have to carry back to camp. Perhaps my +horse will carry double part of the way."</p> + +<p>"I have a beast I might let thee have," +said Nathan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk!" said the lieutenant +eagerly. "Where is this horse of +yours?"</p> + +<p>"It is out in the back lot in the woods. +My heart was filled with fears of the war +men, and I dared not to leave any of my +property within their sight."</p> + +<p>As Nathan still hesitated, the lieutenant +said quickly, "Hurry up, Nathan! Get your +horse and let us start. We've no time to +lose."</p> + +<p>"Thou knowest that I am a man of peace," +said the Quaker slowly. "It is not for me to +waste my property in this wicked war."</p> + +<p>"That's the way the wind blows, is it?" +laughed the lieutenant. "Well, I don't know +that I can promise you very much, but I'll +do what I can for you after I get back to +camp. But I'll tell you what, Nathan, you'll +not be the loser to give up the horse to us, +and with a good grace, too. Both of the +armies are likely to pass this way, and you +won't have much left on your place, I can +tell you. Now, if you give it up you may +get something for it, and then, too, you'll +have the credit of doing something for your +country."</p> + +<p>"What did the war men give thee, Friend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +Thomas? Did I not hear thee say that the +war men rewarded thee for thy services?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Tom quickly, drawing the two +half joes forth from his pocket as he spoke. +"Here they are. You can have them and +welcome."</p> + +<p>"The beast is not what would be considered +a valuable one, Friend Thomas, and +yet he is still capable of rendering some service +to me. I will take one of thy half joes +and leave the other with thee. Then thou +canst see that I am suitably repaid after thou +hast joined thy comrades in the war."</p> + +<p>The young lieutenant slyly winked at Tom +as the lad handed the man one of his half +joes, and then said, "Hurry up, Nathan! +We've got to start soon, and ought to be off +now. We'll do the best we can for you, as +we said. You're going to give us something +to eat, aren't you, before we go?"</p> + +<p>"It shall be according to thy desire. +Rachel, if thou hast some milk and a small +portion of corn bread, set it before these +guests whilst I am gone for my beast."</p> + +<p>The old man departed, and his wife carried +out his request. The lieutenant and Tom at +once seated themselves at the table and hastily +ate the food she set before them, for neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +knew when another opportunity might be +found. In the ten miles which lay between +them and the army of Washington many adventures +might be awaiting them, and it was +only the part of wisdom to make the most of +the present.</p> + +<p>"I have thy beast for thee," said Nathan, +soon afterwards entering the room. "He is +not what might be called by thee a swift +beast, but he is still possessed of some excellent +qualities. Thou hast promised to see +that I am further rewarded for my gift."</p> + +<p>Tom and the lieutenant hastened out of +the room to examine Nathan's "gift," and, as +they saw the horse which he had tied to the +post, they both stopped in surprise and the +lieutenant broke into a loud laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Friend Nathan," said he, adopting +the Quaker's style of speech, "thou art a +friend indeed! Dost thou call that thing a +'beast'? Thou hast cheated the lad woefully. +A good half joe for that scarecrow? +Thou oughtest to reward Thomas for riding +him, for I am of the opinion that I shall be +compelled to carry him into camp in two +pieces if he mounts that 'razorback.' Oh, +Nathan, Nathan! Who would have believed +it of thee?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<p>The horse was old and gaunt. A spavin +was apparent in one leg, while on another +was a great ringbone. One eye betrayed its +blindness, and, altogether, the poor animal +presented a most woe-begone and helpless +appearance.</p> + +<p>"He hath not beauty, as I told thee," said +Nathan soberly. "But he is of value to me, +and thou hast promised to see that I am suitably +rewarded."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! Tom!" laughed the lieutenant. +"What a sight you'll be on the back +of that bunch of bones! There's no help +for it, though. Come on and we'll see what +the poor 'beast' can do!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE RELEASE OF BENZEOR</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Benzeor's</span> plight was a sad one, but as he +gazed about him in his helplessness the only +face upon which he could discover any traces +of sympathy or compassion was that of Little +Peter. The lad had had no suspicion of his +neighbor, and was ignorant, as we know, of +the part which Benzeor had taken in the +attack on his father's house. Even now it +was difficult for him to believe that Ted had +spoken truly. He must have been mistaken, +Peter thought, as he recalled the kindness of +Sarah and Benzeor's wife in permitting the +children to find a shelter in their home.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the perplexed lad's face betrayed +his feelings, for just at that moment Benzeor +looked up and said,—</p> + +<p>"There! That boy knows me!" and he +pointed at Little Peter as he spoke. "He +knows all about me, for he's a neighbor of +mine. I tell you there's been a mistake. +I'm not the man you're"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>Benzeor's words were suddenly interrupted +by Ted, who thrust his head again under the +water, and when he lifted him out once more +the prisoner was sputtering and gasping for +breath.</p> + +<p>"Made a mistake, did I?" exclaimed the +angry giant. "Well, mebbe I did, but I +reckon the biggest one was in not keepin' +you under the river all the time. Runnin' +round here prowlin' on defenseless women +folks and tryin' to steal what little money +they've got left! Drownin' 's too good for +such as you!" And, unable to restrain himself, +the angry man again shook his helpless +victim till it seemed as if the little breath Benzeor +retained must be driven from his body.</p> + +<p>"I—I—I'm telling you the truth," +gasped Benzeor when he had recovered sufficiently +to be able to speak again. "Won't +you help me? Won't you save me from this—this—man?" +he pleaded, turning to the +men in the whaleboat. "That—that boy +there knows me, and he'll tell you I—I—I'm +all right. Won't you, Little Peter? +Please! Please, tell them!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?" said the leader to +Little Peter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the lad quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye don't know any good of him, do ye?" +said Ted, interrupting, and tightening his +grasp upon the collar of his victim as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"He is a neighbor of mine, as he said. I +never knew any bad of him. And his wife +and girl are taking care of the children. I +know that." Little Peter was perplexed, and +his suspicions had been aroused by the discovery +of his neighbor in his present predicament, +but the recollection of Sarah's kindness +moved him to refer to their recent actions, in +the hope that he might aid her father.</p> + +<p>"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Ted. "Then +his wife takes care of her children, does she? +She must be a wonderful woman to do that. +Well, let her take care of her brats, and I'll +take care of her man, and good care, too!"</p> + +<p>As Ted acted as if he were about to renew +his attentions, the leader hastily said, "The +lad doesn't mean this fellow's children, but +his own little brothers and sisters," and in a +few words he related the story of the attack +on Little Peter's home, and the sad loss +which had occurred there.</p> + +<p>"Ye don't say so!" said Ted, bestowing a +glance of sympathy upon the boy. "That's +bad! It is indeed! And ye say this fellow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +has taken yer little brothers and sisters into +his place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Peter eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say is that I'd about as +soon put a hawk to look after chickens, if it +was my doin's."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Benzeor quickly, striving to +take advantage of the impression which Little +Peter's words had momentarily created. +"Yes, the children are all at my house, and +being well looked after, too. That doesn't +look very much, does it, as if I was a bad +man? I tell you there's been a mistake! +There's been a mistake! I didn't have +anything to do with the attack on this man's +place. Help me! Help me!" he hastily cried +out, as Ted acted as if he were about to repeat +his former actions.</p> + +<p>"Hold on a minute, Ted. Perhaps the +man's got something more to say," said the +leader.</p> + +<p>"I am a-holdin' on. Can't ye see that?" +replied Ted grimly, once more tightening his +grasp upon the unfortunate Benzeor's collar.</p> + +<p>"I have got something to say. Something +you want to hear, too," said Benzeor eagerly, +and appealing to the leader in the whaleboat +as he spoke.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Say it," said Ted gruffly.</p> + +<p>"The British are going to make an attack +on the ship down in the bay."</p> + +<p>"What's that you say?" said the leader +quickly. "Do you mean on the Washington?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that's just what I mean. There +are a couple of gunboats off the shore here +now, and they're going to land some men +and get her back again."</p> + +<p>"There are two boats off the shore, Ted. +I happen to know that, for this very craft +we've got along with us we took from them +this afternoon," said the leader. And he +briefly related the story of the capture.</p> + +<p>"There, ye see I'm right!" said Benzeor, +eager to follow up the impression his words +and those of the leader had created. "Now +if you'll help me out of the clutches of"—</p> + +<p>"Keep still, you!" interrupted Ted angrily. +"It'll be time enough for you to +talk when I let go on ye. I reckon nobody +is a-goin' to take you out o' my clutches till +I get good and ready to let ye go. Now +then, stand up straight and speak yer piece +like a little man! How did ye happen to +know the British was a-goin' to make an +attack on the Washington?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I heard one of the men up by your house +say so."</p> + +<p>"I thought ye didn't have anything to do +with that attack on poor Sallie! She's my +wife, I'd have ye know. I thought you was +a-sayin' you wasn't there, and all the time I +see ye, and chased ye right out o' my yard, +clear down to the river! And now ye say +ye heard one of the men there tell about the +plan the British have on deck to get the +Washington back again!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say I wasn't there," pleaded +Benzeor. "All I said was that I didn't +have anything to do with it, and I didn't."</p> + +<p>"Ye"—began Ted, all his anger instantly +returning.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Ted! Hold on! Let's hear +what the man has to say," exclaimed the +leader.</p> + +<p>"I'll hold on, never ye fret yerself about +that!" replied Ted, still retaining a firm +grasp on his victim, but nevertheless abandoning +the action he had evidently had in mind.</p> + +<p>"I was there, I'm not denying that," +pleaded Benzeor; "but I didn't have a gun +in my hands, and I didn't touch the rope +either. I fell in with the men and they +made me go with them. I just couldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +help myself. And it was while I was there +I heard 'em talking about the plan to take +the Love—I mean the Washington," he +hastily added. "They're going to take her +in the morning."</p> + +<p>"You mean they're going to try to take +her," said the leader.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I mean; they're going +to try to take her."</p> + +<p>"The reptile may be tellin' the truth," +said Ted soberly. "I had some o' the best +o' the Washington's cargo myself. Ye know +they brought about all that was aboard o' her +up to Manasquan, and sold it here, or leastwise +Marshal John Stokes sold it for 'em. I +happen to know about that, and the vermin +here may be tellin' the truth. Sometimes he +does it by mistake, I suppose."</p> + +<p>A few weeks prior to this time the British +ship Love and Unity ran ashore near Tom's +River. There were those among the people +of the region who wagged their heads and +winked slyly whenever they referred to the +misfortune of the vessel, for it was a prevailing +impression there that the pilot had not +been especially favorable to the British, and +more by design than by accident had grounded +the vessel near the shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>Be that as it may, the militia had quickly +rallied, and as most of the men were as much +at home upon the water as they were upon +the land, they seized the unfortunate Love +and Unity, and brought her safely into port +as a prize.</p> + +<p>The cargo was considered a very valuable +one, consisting, as it did, chiefly of sugar and +various liquors highly prized by the men of +those days, and, after being duly advertised, +was sold by John Stokes at Manasquan.</p> + +<p>The Love and Unity was renamed the +Washington, and at this time was lying at +anchor near the mouth of Tom's River, +within the shelter of Barnegat Bay. As +most of the men in the whaleboat, as well as +the mighty Ted himself, were familiar with +these facts, the words of Benzeor naturally +created a far deeper impression than they +might otherwise have done.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell ye what," said Ted suddenly, +turning Benzeor about so that he could look +directly into his face as he spoke, "ye seem +so well posted I've half a mind to let ye go."</p> + +<p>"I'm telling you just exactly what I +heard," said Benzeor, his hope of escape +instantly increasing. "That's what I heard +the men say."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And it was in the mornin' when they +was goin' to come?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm a-goin' to let you off. Hold +on a minit," he added as Benzeor strove to +free himself. "I haven't finished yet. I'm +thinkin' of lettin' ye go on one condition."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" said Benzeor eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'm comin' to that pretty quick. I'm +pretty comfortable here, so to speak, and +don't appear to be in such a hurry as +you." As the two men were still standing +in the water, and Benzeor's teeth were chattering +from cold or fear, the words of the +huge man were perhaps not fully appreciated +by his prisoner. "Ye appear to be so happy +over yer information—though fer my part I +don't see what ye held it back till this time +fer—that I'm a-goin' to give ye a treat. I'm +a-goin' to let ye go, yes, I am; ye needn't be +scart about that. Ye're goin', and I'll tell ye +where ye're goin', too. Ye're goin, to join +the crew o' this whaleboat and go down and +help them defend the Washington against +her enemies. That's the condition I'm +placin' on ye, and that's what I'm goin' to +do with ye."</p> + +<p>And the powerful man picked Benzeor up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +in his arms and placed him in the whaleboat +next to Peter, who, we may be sure, had not +been an uninterested observer of all that had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"There ye be," said Ted, breaking forth +into a loud laugh as he saw the dripping +Benzeor hastily take his seat and glance +apprehensively toward him. "Now, then," +he added, turning to the leader, and still +remaining in the water, which came well up +to his shoulders as he placed his hand on +the side of the supply boat, "if ye want me +to, I'll take charge o' yer prize. You'll be +puttin' straight fer Tom's River, I doubt +not, and ye won't want to be bothered by an +extra craft. I'll hide her in a good place up +the shore, and likely enough I may come +down to the bay myself in the night. Ye'll +be settin' up a-waitin' fer me, won't ye?" +he added, speaking to Benzeor.</p> + +<p>As that individual made no reply, Ted +again began to converse with the leader of +the band, and in a few minutes all the details +were arranged. The captured boat was to +be left in his charge, and soon the whaleboat +started down the river toward the ocean.</p> + +<p>The sun had now disappeared from sight, +but the approach of night was all the more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +favorable for the plans of the men. When +once they were out on the ocean, they hoisted +a sail and sped rapidly down the coast.</p> + +<p>A sail of a little more than twenty miles +brought them to Barnegat Inlet, and as they +entered the bay it was decided to make use +of the oars again. It was almost midnight +when at last they saw the Washington at +anchor in Tom's River, and their hail was +quickly answered.</p> + +<p>Little Peter was so thoroughly wearied by +the labors of the long day that he was rejoiced +to be told that he could turn in for +the night. Benzeor was to have a hammock +near him, and, tired as the lad was, he eagerly +began to ply the man with questions when +they had withdrawn from their fellows.</p> + +<p>"Benzeor, I came down here to find out +about father. I suppose you know he was +taken by Fenton's gang and that my mother +was shot?"</p> + +<p>"I heard about it."</p> + +<p>"It was terrible, Benzeor. I don't know +what I should have done if Sarah hadn't +taken the children. 'Twas good of her, and +of you, too, for you know all about it, I see. +I shan't forget it very soon."</p> + +<p>As Benzeor made no reply, Peter continued:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +"I don't know just what to do to find +out about father. The pine robbers have +their quarters down here, I'm told, and I +thought I'd tell Captain Dennis about it and +perhaps he would send out a party to search +for him. I didn't know just what to make of +your being here at first, but I see you have +had trouble with them, too. That was mean +of Ted to treat you as he did when you said +the pine robbers made you go with them. +Was it Fenton's band that got hold of +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that is, I don't think so. I'm not +just sure who they were."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't have been Fenton then, for +you know him when you see him, I'm sure. +Benzeor, don't you think I'd better report +the capture of my father to Captain Dennis +and ask him if he won't send out a searching +party?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Benzeor slowly. "I don't +think that will do any good."</p> + +<p>"Why not? What else can I do?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the fact is," said Benzeor, "I +heard those men talking about your father, +too."</p> + +<p>"Did you?" said Peter eagerly, sitting up +in his hammock as he spoke. He could not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +see his companion's face in the darkness, and +perhaps it was as well for the troubled lad +that he could not, for he would have seen +little to comfort him expressed upon it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard 'em. There's no use in +your reporting it to Captain Dennis or to +any one else."</p> + +<p>"Why not? Why not? They haven't +shot him, have they?"</p> + +<p>"No. He's been sent to New York."</p> + +<p>Peter said no more. The thick darkness +seemed like that within his own soul. All +his efforts had been worse than useless, and +the troubled boy knew not what next to do.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE FLEET OF BARGES</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> present visit was by no means the +first which Little Peter had made to Barnegat +Bay and the vicinity of Tom's River. Before +the outbreaking of the war he had occasionally +gone there with Webberly West, the +most noted hunter of deer and wolves in all +the region. Great had been the pride of +Little Peter when he had returned home with +his first deer, some four or five years before +this time; and, as he lay in his hammock +that night, again and again his thoughts +wandered from his present difficulties to the +days when he had tramped through the +region with the venerable hunter Webberly.</p> + +<p>The old man had died just before the war +began, but many of his quaint expressions +and kindly acts remained in Little Peter's +memory. He it was who had taught him how +to dig the pits and cover them over with +brush, and place the tempting pieces of meat +as a decoy for the prowling wolves. Little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +Peter could never forget the first time success +had crowned his efforts, and he had looked +down upon the eyes of the wolf which had +fallen into the pit. He could feel the thrill +of that excitement even now.</p> + +<p>And <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Webberley'">Webberly</ins> had taught him also how +to catch the great snapping turtles which +abounded in the streams. Sometimes turtles +were taken which weighed fully thirty pounds +each. What savage creatures they were! and +yet the old hunter had handled them as if +he had known no fear. A constant war was +waged upon these creatures by the settlers +for two reasons, one of which was that they +were highly valued as an article of food. +The captive would be thrown into a barrel +and for a few days fed upon the refuse from +the tables, to which perhaps at times more +substantial food would be added, and then +when the turtles had gained the proper degree +of plumpness, a feast would be made to +which friends and neighbors were not infrequently +invited. The eggs of the turtles +also were highly valued; and so plentiful +were they in the warm sand along the shore +that a bushel-basket was frequently filled with +them after a brief search. It was true the +foxes were as eager as the men to dig out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +and devour the turtles' eggs, but the supply +appeared to be almost inexhaustible and there +were more than enough for all.</p> + +<p>Another reason which prompted the settlers +to prey upon the huge turtles was the fact +that their ducks suffered from the savage +creatures. A turtle would seize a duck in +his claws and tear and devour the bird in an +incredibly short time. Naturally, the owners +of the ducks objected to the methods of the +turtles, and a constant warfare was the result.</p> + +<p>Peter had occasionally gone down to +Barnegat with Indian John also. The Indian +always seemed to know just where the +clams could be found in greatest abundance, +and he knew as well just how they ought to +be cooked. He would dig a hole in the sand +and then fill it with wood, to which he would +set fire. Then the clams would be poured +into the place and covered over with seaweed +and brush. When a sufficient time had +passed, the brush and seaweed would be +raked out, and the cooked clams were considered +as a great luxury. This custom of the +Indians was bequeathed to the whites, and +their method of cooking the clams remains +in some portions of the land until this day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>Between the thoughts of his own troubles +and his recollections of former visits to the +place in which he then was, not much sleep +came to Little Peter that night. The knowledge +that his father had been sent to New +York—for the troubled lad did not think of +doubting Benzeor's words—and the prospect +of an attack upon the Washington on the +following morning were both sources of deep +anxiety to the sadly troubled boy. Only four +men were on board when the whaleboat had +returned; and while the addition of the ten +men she brought, or eleven if Benzeor was +to be included in the list of the Washington's +defenders, materially increased her strength, +still, the prospect of a strong defense was +not very bright, and if the truth was known +Little Peter was not the only one on board +who passed a sleepless night.</p> + +<p>In addition to all this, the lad was sorely +troubled as to his own future movements. +With his father a prisoner in New York and +the children quartered for the present at Benzeor's, +Little Peter could not determine what +was best for him to do. To go to the city +and seek to aid his father there would be +worse than useless now; nor was he able to +provide for his younger brothers and sisters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +The problem had not been solved when at +last he fell into a troubled sleep, from which +he was awakened by the sound of men moving +about on deck.</p> + +<p>Hastily arising, and noting that Benzeor +already was astir, he soon made his way up +to his companions. The sun was well up in +the eastern sky, and the men were preparing +for such a defense as might be made against +any attempt to retake the boat.</p> + +<p>Little Peter found that the most of the +men did not believe that any such attempt +would be made; and the suspicion with which +they regarded Benzeor increased the feeling +of sympathy which the lad felt for him, for +to him it seemed as if his neighbor had been +most unjustly treated, not only by the powerful +Ted, but by the men of the whaleboat as +well. He thought he had abundant cause for +believing in Benzeor's honesty, for had he +not received his own little brothers and sisters +into his home? Surely, a man who would do +that could not be bad, and his indignation +against his recent companions increased as +he noticed their ill-concealed dislike for his +neighbor.</p> + +<p>The men all had breakfast on board; and +while a constant watch was maintained, nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +as yet had been seen to arouse their +suspicion that an attack was likely to be +made. Even Little Peter was beginning to +think that either Benzeor had been mistaken +or that the British had changed their plans, +and that nothing would be done that morning. +He was about to approach the leader +and explain to him the necessity for his own +departure, when he was startled by a cry +from the watch.</p> + +<p>Looking out over the bay, Little Peter +could see a number of barges approaching. +Startled by the sight, he counted the boats +until he could distinctly make out eight of +them. Doubtless there were eight or ten +men in each boat, and altogether there must +be at least seventy in the approaching party.</p> + +<p>The excitement on board the Washington +at once became intense. The men stood together +on the deck watching the little fleet on +the bay. The only means by which they +could defend themselves were their muskets, +and it was soon discovered that these would +not avail much against the enemy, for with +the aid of a glass it was discovered that in +the bow of one of the approaching boats a +small cannon had been mounted.</p> + +<p>A hurried consultation was held by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +men on board, to which neither Little Peter +nor Benzeor was invited; the former because +he was considered too young to be of much +account, and the latter because no one trusted +him.</p> + +<p>"They'll get this craft now," said Benzeor, +approaching the place where the lad was +standing. "Perhaps these fellows will believe +me another time."</p> + +<p>There was a tone of exultation in Benzeor's +voice that startled Little Peter, and turning +quickly about he said, "You did speak truly, +Benzeor. I wish I were out of this. We +stand no chance at all."</p> + +<p>"You needn't be alarmed. There won't +be any fighting done. You took my part +yesterday, and I'll not see you suffer now. +I'll fix you out all right."</p> + +<p>"You'll fix me out? I don't see what +you can do. We ought to leave the ship this +minute. I don't see what we're waiting +for." Little Peter spoke anxiously and was +at no pains to conceal the alarm he felt.</p> + +<p>"I hope they won't run," said Benzeor +quietly. His air of confidence was confusing; +but as yet Little Peter was not suspicious of +his neighbor.</p> + +<p>"They don't act as if they were going to,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +said the lad quickly, as the assembly of the +men broke up and all began to rush about +the deck.</p> + +<p>"Come, my lad! come!" said the leader. +"Lend a hand here! And you, too," he +added to Benzeor; "bestir yourself."</p> + +<p>Benzeor's face fell, but he was in no position +to refuse to obey. Such defenses as the +Washington possessed were rolled together +behind the rail, and it was at once evident +that the men were not planning to give up +the ship without a struggle.</p> + +<p>The long whaleboat was placed in readiness +to receive them, in case flight became necessary, +and then the men waited for the approach +of the attacking party.</p> + +<p>The boats came steadily on, keeping well +together. Little Peter found himself sharing +in the excitement, but as the outlines of the +men became more distinct his fears increased. +What could be done against so many, for +it was now seen that there were more men in +the barges than at first had been estimated. +The boats were spread out in a semicircle, +but they were all converging toward the +Washington, and plainly would begin the +attack together. There were more of those +small cannon also than at first had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +seen; and as the boats came nearer and +nearer, it was discovered that a man was +standing near each and ready to fire at +the word of command.</p> + +<p>The faces of the men on board the Washington +were all pale now, and not a word +had been spoken for several minutes. Each +man was intent upon the movements of the +men in the barges, and did not turn away +from the sight before him. Benzeor was the +sole exception, and Little Peter could not +understand the meaning of the half exultant +smile upon his face. For himself, he was too +badly frightened to speak, and the evident +fear manifested by his companions did not +tend to allay his own.</p> + +<p>The waters in the mouth of the river +spread out almost as smooth as glass. The +rays of the morning sun were reflected from +the surface of the water and made it sparkle +like silver. The occasional call of some seabird +or the flight of the low flying gulls +were all that broke in upon the silence, but +no one heeded them. It was that slow moving +but steadily approaching fleet of barges +that held the attention of all.</p> + +<p>Little Peter wondered why the command +to shoot was not given, for the boats were all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +within range now. His own hands were +trembling in his excitement, but he was eager +to act. At one moment he longed to leap +overboard and try to swim to the shore, and +then again he would feel as if he must do +something to check the approach of those +men in the barges.</p> + +<p>Not a word had yet been spoken, however. +The oars of the approaching men could now +be distinctly seen as they rose and fell together. +Steadily on and on came the little +fleet, and now could not be more than two +hundred yards away. Why did not the men +on board do something? He felt that the +time for action had come, but all were standing +silent and motionless, apparently fascinated +by the sight before them. The smile +on Benzeor's face was almost mocking, and +Little Peter saw him look from the fleet to +the men on board, almost as if he were exulting +in their predicament. What could it all +mean? Why was not something done? Surely +the time for action had come, but still no +one spoke.</p> + +<p>A hail now came from the approaching fleet, +and the man who evidently was in command +stood up in his place. He was still too far +away for his words to be heard, and again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +the barges, which had halted for a moment, +resumed their approach and with an increased +speed.</p> + +<p>"Men," suddenly called the leader of those +on board the Washington, in a low voice, +"we must get out of this! We're outnumbered +seven or eight to one, and it would +be just murder for us to stay here. Man +the whaleboat, and we'll put out for the +shore."</p> + +<p>The hopelessness of any defense was so +apparent that the men instantly responded +and made a rush for the whaleboat, which +had been made ready for just such an emergency. +In a moment the men were on board +and had grasped their oars preparatory to +starting for the shore, when Little Peter suddenly +noticed that Benzeor was not with them.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Hold on a minute!" he called. +"Benzeor isn't here!"</p> + +<p>The leader, who had remained on deck to +be the last to leave, turned quickly at the +words and discovered Benzeor striving to +conceal himself among the defenses which +had been piled together against the rail.</p> + +<p>"Here, you!" he shouted. "Come out of +that and get aboard! Be quick about it! +I'll wing you if you don't," he added, raising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +his gun as he spoke, noticing that his +call was not likely to be heeded.</p> + +<p>Benzeor quickly responded, and sullenly +took his place on board the whaleboat; but +the men were all too intent upon their escape +to bestow much attention upon him.</p> + +<p>In a moment the leader leaped on board +and gave the order to give way. The long +whaleboat darted swiftly forward as the men +began to pull desperately at their oars. They +needed no encouragement now, for, with their +departure from the Washington, their only +hope of safety lay in a quick passage to the +shore, which lay about a hundred yards away.</p> + +<p>A shout from the men in the barges +greeted the appearance of the whaleboat as +it shot out into sight, but the hail was not +heeded. One of the small cannon was discharged, +and from one of the barges came a +volley; but only one man was hit, and the +whaleboat rapidly increased its speed.</p> + +<p>The shore was near now, and the desperate +men were putting forth all their strength. +The barges did not pursue, for the sailors +were intent upon gaining the ship first of all. +In a few moments the whaleboat grounded, +and the men leaped out and started quickly +for the woods which grew close to the shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Peter was in the rear, and as he +turned back to see what would be done by +the other party, he was astonished to see +Benzeor turn quickly and start at full speed +for the whaleboat again. In a moment he +had leaped on board, and, seizing one of the +oars, with a strong push sent the boat far +out upon the river.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE RIDE WITH THE LIEUTENANT</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Tom Coward</span> followed young Lieutenant +Gordon as he led the way to the post to +which Friend Nathan had tied the steed, and +then stopped and for a moment gazed ruefully +at the beast. His friend's good-natured +laugh broke forth again as he beheld Tom's +evident hesitancy about mounting to the back +of the animal; and surely to a boy who had +been accustomed to ride the colts in Benzeor's +pastures without saddle or bridle, and dash +about the lots in sheer delight at the antics +and efforts of the unbroken steeds to dislodge +their rider, there was not much to inspire or +impress him in the sight of the broken-winded +beast which Nathan had provided. Even the +horse himself appeared to be conscious of his +degradation, and stood motionless and with +hanging head, as if he, too, would protest +against any warlike efforts on his part.</p> + +<p>"I've only one request to make, Nathan," +said the lieutenant. "I'm sure you will not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +object to it, but I think I'd better make it +before we start."</p> + +<p>"What is thy request?" said the Quaker.</p> + +<p>"If General Washington once sees that +horse, he'll want it for himself. You'll not +object, will you, to his use of it?"</p> + +<p>"Nay. I think not that George Washington +will care for this beast of mine," protested +Nathan soberly, and apparently not +suspecting that the young officer was poking +fun at him. "Still, he may be able to make +him of some use. Thee will not forget to +see that I am suitably rewarded?"</p> + +<p>"Never fear as to that, though I doubt not +my friend Tom here will be of the opinion +that you ought to pay him handsomely for +the pain he will suffer after he has ridden +your beast a few miles. That is, if the horse +can go as far as that."</p> + +<p>"Thy heart may rest easy as to that. He +may limp when he first starts, but as soon as +his joints are warmed he will do thy service."</p> + +<p>"We'll warm his joints, then," laughed +the lieutenant. "You might be warming +him up now, Tom," he added, turning to his +companion, "while I'm getting my horse +ready. He's in the barn, and I'll join you +in a minute or two."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a brief time the officer returned, but +his steed was showing the evidences of his +recent hard work, and Nathan's eyes twinkled +with satisfaction at the sight, for his own +horse, perhaps, might not then be at such a +disadvantage, and the prospect of a "suitable" +reward became more promising.</p> + +<p>The young men quickly mounted, and, +after thanking their host in a substantial +manner for his hospitality, started down the +long lane which led to the road beyond. +Tom's horse limped painfully and caused no +little delight to young Gordon, who again +and again laughed aloud and offered all manner +of suggestions to the lad concerning the +impression he would create when the army +should discover his approach.</p> + +<p>At times Tom thought of dismounting +and, turning the horse loose in the road, strive +to make his own way on foot; but the creaking +joints of the poor beast seemed to find +relief with action, and the young riders had +not gone far on their way before, to the surprise +of both, Nathan's steed was proving his +ability to keep up with the lieutenant's horse, +which evidently had been overridden and +was in no condition for a hard ride.</p> + +<p>But, with the discovery of the service<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +which Tom's horse might render, all the +disposition to regard their journey lightly departed +from the riders, and the serious nature +of their undertaking rendered both of them +silent. The American army could not be far +distant now, but between them and it all the +dangers had not disappeared. The visit of the +British band at the home of Nathan Brown +had indicated that other parties might be in +the region on similar errands; but Tom was +not thinking of these possibilities so much as +was the young officer who was riding by his +side.</p> + +<p>Tom's meditations were mostly concerning +the American army. For months his strongest +desire had been to join it, and now that +the time had come when his desires were +likely to be satisfied, he discovered that much +of his eagerness was gone. Not that he had +any thought of turning back, but the proximity +of the two armies clearly indicated that +a meeting between the forces was not improbable, +and Tom's thoughts were largely of that. +The glamour was all gone now, and the serious +nature of his undertaking was uppermost +in his mind. The silence also of his companion +did not tend to allay his fears, but the +lad did not refer to them, and was doing his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +utmost to make his horse keep up the pace at +which he was going.</p> + +<p>"Whew! This is a warm morning! Let's +give our horses a drink and a rest," said the +lieutenant at last, as he turned into a little +brook that crossed the road.</p> + +<p>Tom followed his example, and the dripping +horses thrust their heads deep into the water. +The sun had now appeared and the beams +fell full on their faces. The air was motionless, +and even at that early hour was in places +quivering under the heat of the summer sun. +The very birds were silent, while high overhead +the heavens were like brass. On the +horizon masses of dark clouds were piled, and +a low, deep rumble startled both the young +riders.</p> + +<p>"Was that a cannon, or was it thunder?" +inquired Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Thunder. We may hear the cannon before +long, though."</p> + +<p>"Why don't we start on, then? The +sooner we gain the army the better. We +don't want to be caught in here between +them." Tom spoke anxiously, and his fear +was as apparent in the expression upon his +face as in his words.</p> + +<p>"We've got to give our horses a bit of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +rest. Mine has been going hard all night, +and yours won't be able to go far in such +heat as this. We'll have to be careful of +their strength, or we shall be worse off than +we are now."</p> + +<p>"Have you been out all night? What +have you been doing?"</p> + +<p>"Finding out what Clinton is up to. When +I was talking with Nathan I knew all the +time more about it than he did."</p> + +<p>"Did you find out?" said Tom eagerly. +"What are the redcoats doing now?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty much the same thing they've been +doing right along. They're making a change +in the direction they're going, unless I'm +greatly mistaken. And then, too, they've +done something else which doesn't promise +very well."</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"They've drawn all their stronger forces +into the rear guard and sent on the Hessians +with the baggage train in front, for one thing."</p> + +<p>"Why do you suppose they have done +that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, they've an idea, I fancy, that we're +going to try to take their supplies. They'll +find out, though, that we're after men more +than we are after their baggage wagons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +However, that explains the change in the +direction of their march, if I'm not greatly +mistaken. They've put the Hessians in front +and the best men behind."</p> + +<p>"I wish they had left the Dutch butchers +there!" said Tom impulsively. "I hate the +Hessians. I hate the very name and sight +of them! Think of it! A lot of men just +hired to come over here and shoot and kill +and steal! I wish they had been left where +they were, that is, if General Washington is +ready for them!"</p> + +<p>"I think you'll find him ready when the +time comes," remarked the lieutenant quietly. +"But about the Hessians. I don't like them +any better than you do, but somehow I can't +bring myself to feel about it as some of the +men do. I can't see that they're to be +blamed for being brought over here, or even +being engaged in such work as they're doing; +and I know more about that than you do, +too. The ones who are the worst are not +those who have come over here, but those who +have sent them. Just think of a petty little +prince, or king, being able to hire out a lot of +his own subjects to pay off his own debts +with! These men feel just the same as you +or I would, I have thought. They have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +wives and mothers and children, and yet they +have to leave them all and come over here +and be marks for our bullets, whether they +want to be or not. They just haven't anything +to say about it. They're told to come +and come they must, though there won't be +so many to go back as came over, I'm thinking. +At least, I'm going to do all I can to +thin out their ranks, though I feel sorry for +the poor fellows all of the time."</p> + +<p>This was a new way of looking at the hated +"Dutch butchers," at least it was entirely +new to Tom Coward. He had heard only +the expressions of rage among the colonists +which their coming had aroused, and their +strange words and brutal acts had never +received much mercy in the judgment which +he had heard passed upon them by his acquaintances.</p> + +<p>The anger of the patriots, perhaps, was but +natural; but the employment of the Hessians +has not furnished the only instance in history +where the first and most apparent view has +not always been the most correct one. Indeed, +it frequently happens that the troubles +between men, to say nothing of boys, arises +from a misunderstanding; and it is the part of +wisdom, as well as of justice, to look below<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +the surface and try to discover the true conditions.</p> + +<p>"Then the British are to be blamed, if +what you say is true," said Tom, after a brief +silence. "They are the ones at the bottom +of it all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the British are the ones who are +most to be blamed. But even there, Tom, if +I'm correctly informed, it's the leaders and +not the people. The way I understand it is +that the rank and file of the common people +in England are opposed to this war, and +would put a stop to it in a moment if they +could."</p> + +<p>"If they could?" repeated Tom. "I don't +understand what you mean."</p> + +<p>"Just what I say. The very best people +in England have, from the very beginning of +this war, been opposed to the taxes, the use +of the Indians, and the hiring of these Hessians. +It's the king and Lord North and +a few others of the pig-headed fellows who +are doing it all. Tom, my father and my +mother both came from England. As far +back as I can remember they have told me +stories of our old home and of the friends +we have over there. Why, do you know +it's been the dream of my life to go over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +there some day, and meet some of my cousins +and see the place where my father and mother +were born."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you were a tory," said +Tom slowly.</p> + +<p>"Tory? I haven't a drop of tory blood +in my veins, and hope I never shall have."</p> + +<p>"But—but—you talk like one."</p> + +<p>"Is it tory talk for me to say I don't blame +the Hessians for coming over here, but those +who hired them and sent them? Is it tory +talk for me to say I love to think of the place +where my father and mother were born, and +that I should be glad to look into the faces +of those who bear the same name I do, and +who have some of the same kind of blood in +their veins? Is it tory talk for me to say +that I'm proud of what Old England has +done, or rather of many things she has done, +from the days of William the Conqueror until +now? And that belongs to me as much as +it does to them, for my own grandfather was +one of the bravest men in the whole British +army! This war is like one between brothers, +and it's all the more wicked on that +account. And it's worse yet, because the +most of the Englishmen are not in favor of +it at all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't just see why you don't fight with +the redcoats, instead of against them, then."</p> + +<p>"Because this is my home and this is my +country, and because the king and his court +aren't fit to govern cannibals, to say nothing +of men. No, sir, it's just because I do believe +in all I've said that I'm fighting for +my country and shall till the war is ended—which +I hope will be soon!"</p> + +<p>"And would you shoot a redcoat or a +Dutch butcher?"</p> + +<p>"Every time! It was a sad thing that the +war had to come, but as come it did, it would +be sadder still not to do everything in our +power now to carry it through. I'm sorry +for the Hessians, but I'd shoot every one of +them if I could do it. I'm sorry for the +redcoats, and I know they are not to be +blamed, or at least some of them are not, +but I'd mow them down now, every one of +them, as I'd cut the grass in haying-time. +Fight? Why, my lad, I'm in this war from +the crown of my head to the sole of my +foot! And I wouldn't stop till the redcoats +cry 'enough,' or we drive them right into +the Atlantic ocean, the way Parson Tennent +used to tell about the pigs in Gadara being +chased by the devils right into the sea. Not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +that I think the ones who are doing the +chasing are in any way connected with the +swine drivers in the parson's story," he added, +laughing lightly as he spoke. "But we must +be going. Our horses are rested now, and +we'll be running into a thunder-storm before +we see the Continentals, if we don't look +out."</p> + +<p>The ride was quickly resumed, but Tom +Coward was silent and sadly puzzled to account +for his friend's words. Apparently, he +was enthusiastic in his devotion to the cause +of the patriots, but he had never heard any +one talk in that manner before. His friends +and neighbors were all hard and bitter, and +the bitterness seemed to increase as the war +continued. But here was his friend, fighting +with all the devotion of his heart, and yet +not blaming the very men he was trying hard +to conquer for the part they were taking in +the war.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him all strange, and while he +was deeply impressed by many of the words +of the enthusiastic young lieutenant, his own +feelings were of a very decidedly different +character. For a half hour they rode forward +as swiftly as their steeds could carry +them, but the heavy clouds had meanwhile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +been climbing higher in the heavens, and the +mutterings of the thunder had now become +deeper and heavier.</p> + +<p>"We'll put into that barn ahead there, +and wait for the storm to pass," said the +lieutenant, pointing as he spoke to a rude +barn by the roadside.</p> + +<p>As the rain was now falling, Tom was glad +to follow the advice, and in a few moments +they approached the open door. They had +not dismounted when a strangely clad being +stepped forth from the barn and shouted:—</p> + +<p>"Halt, will yez? I'll be after havin' yez +give an account of yerselves, that I will."</p> + +<p>Tom glanced up in fear and surprise, and +the sight before him did not tend to allay his +alarm. The soldier presented a gun, but was +its bearer a man or woman? A long petticoat +certainly looked like the garb of a +woman, but the soldier also was clad in an +artilleryman's coat, while a cocked hat and +feathers crowned the head of the strange +being.</p> + +<p>Tall, broad-shouldered, and with a voice +that was gruff and deep, the strangely clad +soldier bore but slight resemblance to a woman, +though the dress certainly seemed to +proclaim the sex of the speaker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rain was now falling in torrents and +Tom was drenched in a moment; but in the +brief silence which followed the demand of the +soldier, he could not determine what course +his companion would decide to follow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A SOLDIER WOMAN</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Why</span>, Molly, you aren't going to keep +us out here in the rain, are you?"</p> + +<p>Tom looked up in surprise as he heard the +young lieutenant's words; and while his fears +were somewhat relieved by the assurance that +his companion evidently had recognized the +peculiar being before them, his confusion +was not diminished by the reply which the +strangely clad woman quickly made.</p> + +<p>"Sure, and it's me bye! It's me beautiful +bye! Come in, me darlint! What +for should ye be standin' out there in the +storm?"</p> + +<p>The two dripping young soldiers speedily +accepted the invitation, and entered the barn, +leading their horses with them. To their +surprise they now discovered that several men +were also in the building, and that other +horses were stalled in the barn.</p> + +<p>The appearance of Tom's horse was greeted +by a shout of delight, and the person whom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +Lieutenant Gordon had addressed as "Molly" +approached, and, after critically examining +the poor beast for a moment, said:—</p> + +<p>"And where in the world did ye be after +findin' that? It's a pity, it is indade, to be +after compellin' such poor bastes as that to be +fightin' the Dootch butchers! Sure, and it's +the surgeon the poor thing is after needin'."</p> + +<p>Molly's hair was of a bright red color, her +face was covered with freckles, which were +like great blotches upon the skin, and her +eyes were so faded as to be almost colorless; +but her expression was so evidently one of +good nature that Tom was compelled to join +in the laugh which her words raised among +the half dozen men who quickly assembled to +pass judgment upon the steed which had been +led into the barn.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's something we bought back +here to carry my friend as far as the army."</p> + +<p>"It's lucky, it is, that ye haven't very far +to go, thin," laughed Molly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you're right, Molly," replied +the lieutenant. "How far back is the army +now?"</p> + +<p>"About a mile, I'm thinkin'."</p> + +<p>"What? What's that you say? Only a +mile from here?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what I'm tellin' yez. The army's +been marchin' in the night; but this rain will +be after compellin' it to halt right in—in +Gooseberry, as I'm told they call it."</p> + +<p>"Cranberry," laughed the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Cranberry or Gooseberry is all one and +the same thing to me. Now, me bye, ye'll +be after wantin' some breakfast, I'm thinkin'. +Jest say the word and I'll be fixin' ye out, +and have a bit left over for yer poor baste, +which doesn't look as if he'd been livin' any +too high of late."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Molly," protested the lieutenant +quickly, and, as Tom thought, with an eagerness +he could not understand. "We're not +hungry, for we had some breakfast before we +started this morning. We did indeed," he +added, as he noted the woman's apparent +unbelief. "We're not hungry, but it's kind +of you to think of us, and we thank you +just the same as if you had fed us."</p> + +<p>In the course of the conversation between +the young lieutenant and the men in the +barn, Tom learned that the main body of the +army was now less than a mile away. The +little band had been one of the advance +parties, and the storm had compelled them to +seek the shelter of the barn by the roadside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the rain continued to fall, and +long after the thunder ceased the storm +showed no signs of abating. The water +almost covered the road and penetrated the +roof of the barn, which was far from being +in a good state of repair. The heavy downpour, +however, did not seem to cool the air, +and the men and horses were in a sad plight. +Just why they should have sought the shelter, +which virtually was no shelter at all, Tom +could not understand; but he asked no questions, +and busied himself in listening to the +conversation of the men, and watching the +intrepid Molly, who to all appearances was +not aware of the fact that she was not as +much of a true soldier as any of the men.</p> + +<p>After a half hour had passed the lieutenant +approached the boy, who was standing before +the open door, looking out upon the storm.</p> + +<p>"Who is she? What is she?" inquired +Tom, indicating by a glance of his eyes the +strange woman whom his friend had addressed +as "Molly."</p> + +<p>"She? Oh, she's the wife of one of the +cannoneers. She's been in the army for a +long time. She's from New Jersey, too, I +understand, though her husband's home is in +Pennsylvania."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I didn't know there were women in the +army."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, there have always been some. +Why, even on that expedition of Arnold's +to Quebec there were several women who +marched all the way with their husbands, and +they say they stood the long tramps and the +cold better than a good many of the men did."</p> + +<p>"Why did you call this woman 'Molly'? +Is that her name?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, in the army, or at least in this army, +the women have been the ones to bring us +water on the warm days, and so we call each +one Molly 'Pitcher.' They've been kept +busy during this hot spell, too. This woman's +name I believe is really Molly, though,—Molly +McCauley. Then you didn't expect to +see women with their husbands in the army?" +laughed the lieutenant, as he noticed that Tom +was regarding Mistress McCauley curiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't. I don't think I like it."</p> + +<p>"You'll find all sorts and kinds of people +in the ranks. Some of the women have been +worth more than the men. There was one up +at Fort Clinton. She was very much such a +looking woman as Captain Molly here, only +she was a good deal more careless. They +used to call her 'Dirty Kate,' because she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +wasn't always very neat in her personal appearance. +But she was brave as a lion, and +such a fighter! Why, she fired the last +cannon at the British, as they came scrambling +over the ramparts, which happened to +be about the same time our men were leaving. +Well, Kate's husband was a cannoneer, just +as Molly's here is, and he was holding the +match in his hand ready to fire the gun when +he saw the redcoats coming, and the sight +suddenly reminded him that he had some +work to do outside the fort which demanded +his immediate attention. Well, Kate just +picked up the match her husband had dropped, +touched off the cannon, and then scampered +away after the men. She was a brave woman, +and so is Captain Molly, here. She'd do as +well as Kate did, if she had the chance, and +perhaps she will before the end comes. I +shouldn't want to have her fight me, I can +tell you!"<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>Tom turned and looked again at the woman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +She stood talking with her husband now, and +her strange garb served to intensify her +peculiarities. Her great size and evident +strength were plainly to be seen, but her face +beamed with good nature, and her enjoyment +of the life she was living was indicated by +her every word and action.</p> + +<p>Tom thought of Sarah, and the contrast +between her gentleness and the rough appearance +and masculine manners of Captain Molly +aroused within him a feeling which was not +altogether in favor of the soldier woman. It +is true that the name of Sarah is unknown +to-day, while that of Captain Molly Pitcher +is recorded in all our school histories; but, +after all, notoriety may not be the most valuable +quality in life, and while the names of +many men and women who lived quiet, faithful, +honest lives may have been forgotten +by their descendants, they may not have been +of the less value to the world because of that +fact. A good name is sometimes better than +a notorious one, and an honest man, though +he may be soon forgotten, may be greater +than a dishonest man whose name is frequently +mentioned. Few of us would desire +to be like Benedict Arnold, although his +name is a very familiar one to all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't see any use in staying here," said +Tom at last. "It's wet inside the barn, and +it can't be much worse outside. Why don't +we start on?"</p> + +<p>Now that he was so near to the American +army, the lad was eager to go forward. All +his dreams and visions of the forces which +were fighting against the redcoats came back +to him, and his impatience to proceed increased +each moment. Perhaps the sight and +presence of Captain Molly, as well as the +account the young lieutenant had given of +her, had created a still greater desire in Tom's +heart to quit the place; but, be that as it +may, he was ready to go, and apparently his +companion shared in his feeling.</p> + +<p>"If you think your horse will stand up for +a mile, we might do as you say," replied the +lieutenant. "I think we'll be going on," +he added, turning to the men as he spoke. +"I've some important information to give +the general, and as I don't see any signs of +the rain stopping, I think we ought not to +delay longer. We can't be much worse off +than we are now."</p> + +<p>"Sure, and ye'll not be after goin' out in +such a storm as this!" protested Molly. "It +would be a shame to take that poor baste out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +into the rain now. He has all he can do to +stand up in the barn, to say nothin' of havin' +to be carryin' a load. It's the last drop +that'll be after breakin' of his back, yez +know."</p> + +<p>The men all laughed at the woman's words, +but the lieutenant was not to be deterred, +and accordingly the horses were brought +forth and the two men speedily mounted. +Tom's horse was limping painfully when he +started, and as the lad glanced backward he +could see Captain Molly standing in the doorway, +her hands resting upon her hips, and her +broad, freckled face beaming with delight +over the sorry spectacle he was well aware +that he presented.</p> + +<p>A feeling of disgust arose in his heart as +he watched her. Surely she must be lacking +in all the qualities which he had most honored +in the women he knew. Coarseness was in +place of delicacy, boldness instead of modesty, +and her entire bearing was such that Tom +never afterwards could hear her name mentioned +without expressing his disgust. Not +even the bravery of the deed which Captain +Molly Pitcher did not many hours after this +time, and which Tom Coward himself witnessed, +entirely banished the prejudice which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +he entertained against the coarse, good-natured, +manly, unwomanly woman.</p> + +<p>The storm had ceased when, after a short +ride, Tom and his companion first came +within sight of the American army. All the +long pent-up hopes of the lad were now about +to be fulfilled, and for the first time in his +life he was to look upon the men whose +names and deeds had long been familiar to +him. His eagerness brought a smile to his +companion's face, but while he watched the +lad he did not speak.</p> + +<p>Molly Pitcher had spoken truly, and the +American army had halted after a brief +march from Kingston in the preceding night, +and now were compelled to remain during the +entire day in Cranberry. Only the advance +corps had moved forward, and at that time +were holding a position on the road to Monmouth +Court House and within five miles of +the rear of the British.</p> + +<p>In spite of his own excitement, and that +which was apparent among the men in the +camp when Tom and the lieutenant entered, +the lad's first feeling was one of keen disappointment. +Were these the men of whom he +had heard so much and from whom so much +was expected? Mud-stained, worn by their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +recent exertions, plainly showing the effects +of the intense heat, many of them without +uniforms, some hatless and coatless, to the +vision of Tom Coward they presented far +more the appearance of a mob than of the +orderly and well-trained soldiers he had expected +to see.</p> + +<p>The young lieutenant had left him as soon +as they entered the camp, leading the two +horses away with him,—a fact over which +Tom did not long lament, we may be sure. An +hour passed before the young officer returned, +for he was to make a report of all that he +had learned, and Tom's hopes were not +strengthened as he watched the men about +him during his companion's absence.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Gordon noticed the expression +upon Tom's face when he rejoined him, but, +attributing it to the fear which he supposed +the lad felt, he did not refer to it, and in the +labors which soon followed no opportunity to +explain was given by either.</p> + +<p>General Dickinson, with the New Jersey +militia, was not with the main body, as we +already know, and Tom found that he could +not be assigned to them. Through the lieutenant's +influence, he was to be retained with +the main body, and to assist in serving as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +a guide for the army, an office which Tom +was well fitted to hold, although it was not +just in accord with the plans he had formed +in his own mind.</p> + +<p>Reports came into the camp during the +day which clearly indicated that the advance +corps was too far away to be properly supported +at once in the present condition of the +roads. But on Saturday morning Lafayette, +with his troops, was ordered to file off by his +left towards Englishtown, and in the same +day the main body, under General Washington, +marched out from Cranberry and encamped +within three miles of the place.</p> + +<p>This brought the two opposing armies +now within eight miles of each other, while +General Lee's forces, five thousand strong, +without Morgan's dragoons or the New Jersey +militia, were three miles nearer the British.</p> + +<p>Such was the condition of affairs on that +night of Saturday, June 27 (1778), and +Tom Coward, as well as many of the men +in Washington's army, slept but little, with +the knowledge that on the morrow the long +delayed battle would doubtless be begun.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> In many of our histories the "Captain Molly" of Monmouth +has been confounded with "Dirty Kate" of Fort +Clinton. They were, however, two women,—not one. Lossing, +in the first edition of his <i>Field Book of the American +Revolution</i>, referred to them as if they were identical, but +the correction was to have been made for his second edition, +and was in type, but through an oversight was omitted.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>AN INTERRUPTED JOURNEY</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> surprise of Little Peter at the unexpected +action of Benzeor was increased when +the escaping man seated himself in the whaleboat +and quickly began to row the long craft +back toward the Washington.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the redcoats! Hurrah for +King George! Hurrah for the British!" +shouted Benzeor defiantly.</p> + +<p>This boldness was as surprising to Peter as +the sudden departure had been; but, as he +glanced toward the Washington and saw that +the attacking party had already boarded her, +and then realized that he himself had been +left alone by his recent companions, he was +quickly recalled to the necessity of action on +his own part. Without waiting to observe +the further movements of Benzeor or the +British, he instantly turned and entered the +woods; but a quarter of an hour had elapsed +before he overtook the men, whom he found +resting by the side of the road which led past +the home of Ted Wilson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> + +<p>To this house the entire party now made +their way, and as Ted listened to the story +of Benzeor's perfidy, his anger broke forth +afresh.</p> + +<p>"I never ought to have let the rascal go!" +exclaimed Ted excitedly. "I had him right +there in the river, and if you hadn't interfered +with me I'd have fixed him so that he +never would have betrayed any one again. +Now the rascal's where he can keep up his +evil doings."</p> + +<p>"He's shown where he stands, any way. +That's some comfort," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"It may comfort you, but it doesn't me," +replied Ted. "I'm a peaceable man, I am, +and I never cared much about whether it was +to be the King of England or the Continental +Congress that ruled over me. I don't see as +it would make very much difference to me, +for my part. But when that rascal hangs my +Sallie up on the limb of a tree,—Sallie's +my wife, ye know,—why, then Benzeor Osburn +has jest got to look out for himself."</p> + +<p>Ted's anger was so evident that Little +Peter almost had a feeling of sympathy for +Benzeor, angry as he himself was at the +treachery his neighbor had displayed.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to follow him up, Ted?" +inquired the leader.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Am I goin' to follow him? That's just +what I'm going to do! I'm goin' to send +Sallie and the babies over to your house, and +I'm just goin' to leave my place here,—they +can't steal that, any way,—and follow up +Benzeor Osburn till I find him. I don't care +if he runs clear to the other side of the Alleghany +Mountains,—I've heard as how there +was some mountains by that name away out +west somewhere,—why, Benzeor'll wake up +some fine mornin' and find himself a-shakin' +hands with me. Yes, sir, this land o' ours +may put up with the Hessians, but it isn't +big enough to hold such a fellow as Benzeor! +Hangin' Sallies! I'll put a stop to his fine +work! Sallie's my wife, ye know!"</p> + +<p>"Remember us to him when you meet him, +Ted," said the leader. "You can charge +him for the loss of the Washington, too!"</p> + +<p>"His door will be free of all chalk scores +when I'm done with him," said Ted savagely. +"That's goin' to be my work, clearin' the +land of pine robbers, just as I once cleared it +of pine stumps!"</p> + +<p>"We must start on now," said the leader. +"Take your wife and children up to my +house, Ted. The women can fight together +against the pine robbers, if they come there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They won't come there," replied Ted. +"There'll be fewer of 'em when I've done +my duty. There'll be no more hangin' Sallies. +Sallie's my wife, ye know."</p> + +<p>"I suspected as much from your words," +said the leader. "Are you going with us?" +he added, turning, as he spoke, to Little Peter.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do now? You +can't get your father out of the New York +prisons. You'd better come with us."</p> + +<p>"I can't. I've other work to do."</p> + +<p>"Have it your own way, my lad, though I +think you're making a mistake not to come +with us."</p> + +<p>The band soon departed, leaving Little +Peter and the huge Ted behind them. There +was slight likelihood that the men who had +captured the Washington would venture on +shore to pursue the fugitives, and the knowledge +of this fact had made all the parties +feel comparatively safe.</p> + +<p>"What are you goin' to do now?" said +Ted, when he and Little Peter were left +alone.</p> + +<p>"I'm going straight to Benzeor's house. +After what I have just seen, I'm afraid to +leave the children there another minute. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +never would have thought Benzeor was a +traitor, never! But he is, there's no doubt +about it now! I don't know what will become +of them. I don't know where to turn, +or what to do."</p> + +<p>Little Peter then went on to relate the +story of the sad loss which had occurred in +his home, Ted listening meanwhile with intense +interest.</p> + +<p>"It's Benzeor's work!" he said excitedly +when the lad at last stopped. "Yes, sir! +You mark my words, Benzeor Osburn was at +the bottom of it all. You'll have to go in +with me and help rid the land of him! The +rascal! Goin' round hangin' Sallies and +shootin' mothers!"</p> + +<p>"I've all I want to do to look after my +little brothers and sisters," said Little Peter +quietly. "I don't know what I can do with +them, but I can't leave them at Benzeor's!"</p> + +<p>"No more you can't," said Ted. "I'll +tell you what to do with 'em. Jest bring +'em all down here and leave 'em with Sallie +over at the captain's. I think they'll be safe +enough there."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; but it's most too far to bring +them, I'm afraid. It's a good twenty miles +from here, and we haven't a horse left."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish I could let ye have one, but all of +mine are gone too, except one little mule; +and you'd have to turn him round and make +him go backward if you wanted to go anywhere, +he's such an obstinate little beast. +I'll tell you what I'll do, Peter! Just as +soon as I've taken Sallie—she's my wife, +ye know—and the babies over to the captain's, +I'll go with ye and help ye out. +That's what I'll do for ye."</p> + +<p>"Thank you again," replied Peter, "but I +don't think you had better do it. You may +be needed around here, and I don't know yet +what I shall do."</p> + +<p>"Maybe you're right, Peter, maybe you're +right. Well, have it your own way. When +are you goin' to start?"</p> + +<p>"Right away."</p> + +<p>Little Peter at once bade his friend good-by +and started forth on his long walk. He +had appreciated the offer of the mighty Ted, +but there were many reasons why he wished +to be alone, for a time at least. Benzeor's +treachery was still so fresh in his mind that +he knew not what to do, and the excitement +attending the escape from the Washington +had not yet disappeared. Then, too, he did +not know what the angry giant might be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +moved to do. Ordinarily good-natured and +easy-going as the powerful man was, when +once his wrath was aroused there would be +no limits to what it might lead him into. +And Little Peter's heart was too heavy, under +the burden of his recent sorrows and present +perplexities, to permit the lad to be drawn +aside from the task which had presented itself +to him.</p> + +<p>He had gone about half the way down the +long lane which led from Ted's house to the +road, when he heard some one calling to him. +Looking quickly behind him, he discovered +Ted himself running rapidly down the path +toward him.</p> + +<p>Startled by the sight and fearful that some +new danger had appeared, he stopped, and +then turned back to meet the man.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What is it?" he called.</p> + +<p>Ted stopped as the lad called, and, shaking +one of his great fists in the air, replied, +"Hangin' Sallies! Hangin' Sallies!"</p> + +<p>"What? Have they tried it again?"</p> + +<p>"No! Once was enough, I should think, +when Sallie's my wife, ye know! I just +wanted to remind ye what the password was. +It's 'Hangin' Sallies,' that's what it is! Ye +won't forget it, will ye?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," replied Peter soberly. "I'll try to +keep it in mind."</p> + +<p>"That's right! See that ye do! Hangin' +Sallies, that's the word. I jest wanted to +remind ye of it, that was all. Hangin' Sallies! +Hangin' Sallies!"</p> + +<p>Little Peter resumed his journey, but, until +he passed around the bend in the road, whenever +he looked behind him he could see the +mighty Ted standing in the lane, and shaking +his fist in the air if he perceived that the lad +beheld him.</p> + +<p>What a strange man Ted was, thought +Little Peter as he walked on. He had known +him for years, as had most of the people in +Old Monmouth. His feats in the country +wrestling matches had made him famous, and +marvelous were the tales told concerning his +almost superhuman strength. It had been +related that Ted one time had lifted a great +ox bodily from the ground, and Little Peter +had believed the report. And yet, with it all, +Ted had always seemed to him like a boy. +Kind-hearted, ever willing to grant a favor or +do anything within his power for another, he +had never before seen him when his wrath +was kindled. "Hanging Sallies!" Perhaps +Ted's feelings were only natural when he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +discovered the pine robbers in their cruel act. +Benzeor would not be likely to escape from +his hands so easily, if the angry man once +held him in his grasp again.</p> + +<p>But Sallie Wilson was still alive, and the +lad thought Ted's position was far better +than his own. His mother shot by the pine +robbers, his father sent away a prisoner, perhaps +to die of starvation in those dreadful +prison ships of which so many stories already +had been told, and his younger brothers and +sisters homeless and helpless, and all looking +to him as their sole support. What could he +do? Surely no one in Old Monmouth had +suffered more than he, although Old Monmouth +itself had known more of the evils of +war than almost any other portion of our land +in all that fearful struggle of the American +Revolution.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>Little Peter's meditations were suddenly +interrupted by Indian John, who stepped +forth into the road and greeted him with his +customary salutation.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from, John? I +thought you were up in Moluss's wigwam."</p> + +<p>"Moluss gone, Bath gone, John gone, too. +Come to help friend. Find fader?" he suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +added, peering keenly, as he spoke, into +Little Peter's face.</p> + +<p>"No; my father has been sent to New +York."</p> + +<p>"Bad. What boy do now?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going back to Benzeor's to look after +the children."</p> + +<p>The Indian's eyes betrayed the question he +might have asked, but did not. Indian John +soon induced his companion to abandon the +road and follow him through the forests. +Many a mile was saved in this manner, and, +under the burning heat of the sun, the shade +of the great trees was most grateful to the +sadly troubled lad. There was something +in the presence of the majestic trees which +seemed to appeal to Little Peter. He was +alone and yet not alone with such companions. +Indian John also seemed to share in his feelings, +and seldom spoke. For mile after mile +they continued on their journey, and the +shadows were lengthening when at last they +stepped forth into the road, which Peter recognized, +and then knew that Benzeor's house +was not far away. The long journey would +soon be ended now, and fresh hope came to +the weary lad, as he thought that he would +see the children again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span></p> + +<p>What he should do with them, however, +was a problem still unsolved, and the solution +apparently was no nearer than when he had +set forth on his journey from the home of +Ted Wilson. With all of the anger which +had come with the discovery of Benzeor's +treachery, Little Peter could not bring himself +to believe that either Sarah or her mother +had any knowledge of his evil deeds. His +confidence in them was still unbroken, and +his sole hope was that they might be able +to suggest some plan by which the children +could be cared for. As for leaving them at +Benzeor's, that was impossible; and as the +lad thought again of the discovery of his +neighbor's crimes, he quickened his pace, +and he and his companion began to walk +more rapidly along the hot and dusty road. +Not more than two miles remained between +them and the end of their journey, and, in +his eagerness, Little Peter almost forgot his +weariness and constantly urged the Indian +by his side to increase their speed.</p> + +<p>They had been in the road but a few minutes +when they heard the sound of horsemen +approaching from behind them. All unsuspicious +of danger, Little Peter and Indian +John halted, waiting for the men to pass.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +There were five of them in the band, and all +were riding swiftly. Their horses were dripping, +and with almost every step flung the +foam from their mouths. Surely something +must be wrong, to induce men to ride like +that upon such a warm day, thought Little +Peter; but his surmises were quickly driven +from his mind when he recognized Fenton +and Benzeor in advance of the band.</p> + +<p>Startled by the unexpected sight, he hardly +knew what to do. The men were too near +for him to hope to escape their notice now; +and, even while he hesitated, he saw Benzeor +quickly draw the rein on the horse he was +riding and leap to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Get him! Shoot him! Stop that boy!" +shouted Benzeor.</p> + +<p>Indian John had been keenly watching the +approaching band, and as he heard the shout +of the angry man, he touched Peter upon the +arm, and said, "Come."</p> + +<p>Little Peter instantly responded, and followed +his companion as he started swiftly +across the open lot toward the woods which +lay beyond it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE ABODE OF INDIAN JOHN</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> pursuit of Little Peter and Indian +John was not long continued, nor was a single +gun discharged; a fact for which the frightened +lad was unable to account at the time, +although on the following morning the cause +for it was made clear.</p> + +<p>Wearied though the lad was by his long +journey, the shout of Benzeor had provided +an impulse sufficiently strong to compel him +to keep up with his companion, who was running +swiftly toward the shelter of the woods +which were not far away.</p> + +<p>In a brief time the breathless fugitives +gained its shelter, and then for the first time +turned and glanced behind them. The men +had turned back and now could be seen still +standing by the roadside, near the place +where Peter and the Indian had started +across the lot. What they were doing could +not be discovered; but, without waiting for +further investigations, the flight was at once<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +resumed, and, keeping well together, the lad +and his companion ran swiftly forward, and +soon the distance between them and the pine +robbers had been still further increased.</p> + +<p>The sunlight had now departed from the +forest, and the dusk had settled over all. The +air was close and oppressive, and Peter's dripping +face betrayed the force of his recent +exertions and the excitement under which he +was laboring. Already the night birds had +made their appearance, and here and there +among the branches of the lofty trees the +bats could be seen darting about in quest of +their evening meal. The very silence served +to increase the feeling of utter loneliness +which swept over the weary, heartbroken lad, +and for a moment it almost seemed to him as +if any further efforts on his part were as useless +as they were difficult. Benzeor's anger +promised little good for the children who had +been left in his home, and fears for his little +brothers and sisters were mingled in Little +Peter's mind with the consciousness of his +own weariness and the thought of his own +forlorn condition.</p> + +<p>Difficult as the problem doubtless was, he +knew he must not give way to it, and when +Indian John indicated in a few moments that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +the time had come when they must go on, the +lad resolutely again turned to follow him, +although he had not the slightest conception +of the plan which was in his companion's +mind.</p> + +<p>Carefully they walked on through the increasing +gloom, and within a half hour Little +Peter heard the sounds of a running brook +in the distance. He instantly recognized the +locality, for many a time had he and Tom +in the springtime followed the course of the +"run," as the people of Old Monmouth called +the stream, and the strings of fish which they +had brought home with them had borne ample +witness to the success which had crowned +their efforts.</p> + +<p>But none of these things were in Little +Peter's mind as he followed Indian John, +who had now turned and was proceeding along +the bank and making his way up the stream. +As they walked on, the sound of a waterfall +began to be more and more distinctly heard, +and soon they came out into a place from +which, in the deepening gloom, the falling +waters could be seen. Into the basin which +had been formed by the sharp fall of the +stream, a tall, large tree had fallen years before +this time. Its broken roots had torn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +up the earth, and now stood like a barrier +on the bank, and Indian John led the way +directly toward this spot.</p> + +<p>As they approached, Peter discovered a +hole in the rocks, but he was not prepared +for the action of his companion; for, without +a word, the Indian dropped upon his hands +and knees and crawled into the entrance and +speedily disappeared from sight.</p> + +<p>Hesitating only a moment, Little Peter +soon followed his companion, and after crawling +along on his hands and knees for a number +of yards, suddenly beheld a large, open +space directly before him. Indian John had +provided a light by this time, for he had been +willing to follow the customs of his more +civilized neighbors to the extent of making +use of candles, and as Peter arose and glanced +about him, he knew at once that he was in +the cave which it was reported was the abode +of the red man.</p> + +<p>Frequently as the lad had passed the very +place into which he had crawled that night, +it had never occurred to him that it was anything +more than a hole in the rocks that +formed the bank of the "run," and his surprise +was therefore the greater at the sight +before him. The spot was considerably above<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +the bed of the stream, and consequently was +comparatively dry. Straw and dry leaves lay +scattered about over the floor, and the sheltered +place apparently was safe from all approach +or danger.</p> + +<p>Indian John at once indicated to his companion +that he was to pass the night there, +and the weary lad was glad to accept the +invitation, and soon stretched himself upon +the bed of straw. The light of the candle +was extinguished, and the Indian then speedily +followed the example of Peter. The sounds +of the running brook came faintly to the +ears of the troubled lad, but that was all he +could hear. The darkness was intense, and +for a time the fear of other occupants of +various kinds prevented Peter from sleeping, +but at last even that was forgotten in the +dreamless sleep that followed.</p> + +<p>When he awoke, Little Peter at first could +not determine where he was, but as the outlines +of the cave were seen in the dim light +which penetrated it, the experiences of the +preceding day were recalled, and he quickly +arose. Indian John was not in the cave, +however, and as the lad now was aware that +the morning had come, he hastily crawled +through the passageway that led to the bank.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p> + +<p>As he regained the bank, he saw that his +companion was busily engaged in roasting +some birds he had shot. The sight was a +welcome one, for Peter was now aware of +the fact that he was decidedly hungry, and, +following his companion's advice, he departed +in search of some berries to add to the morning +meal. In the course of a half hour he +returned with his hat well filled, and, after +bathing his hands and face in the cool waters +of the brook, prepared at once to join his +companion.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes neither spoke, but the +rapid manner in which the roasted birds disappeared +showed that conversation was not +uppermost in their minds.</p> + +<p>At last, when several of the birds had been +eaten, and many of the berries had disappeared, +Indian John turned to his companion +and said, "Boy want 'hop-hop' now? Plenty +'hop-hop.' Make um good."</p> + +<p>"No, no," replied Peter quickly. "The +birds are enough. Where did you get them, +John?"</p> + +<p>"Shoot um. Plenty birds; plenty 'hop-hop.'"</p> + +<p>"You must have been up early this morning, +John. I didn't hear you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Indian made no reply and remained +silent for several minutes. Then, turning abruptly +and looking keenly at Peter, he said, +"What boy do now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Little Peter disconsolately.</p> + +<p>The words brought him face to face again +with the problem that must be solved. The +fresh cool air of the morning, the silence of +the forest, and, above all, the enjoyment of +the breakfast which John had provided, made +him at first wish that he might remain there +and forget all the troubles that were so near. +But Peter was not a selfish lad, and knew +that the motherless children must be provided +for.</p> + +<p>"I was going to Benzeor's," he said after +a time, "but I don't know what to do now. +I can't understand what he meant by coming +back here in broad daylight after what has +happened. He knows that I know all about +it, and that was the reason why he wanted +to catch me last night. I can't go up to his +house now, and yet I don't dare leave the +children there, either."</p> + +<p>"Boy go," said Indian John quietly.</p> + +<p>"But I can't go, John. How can I? +There were four men with Benzeor, and you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +heard what he said. It wouldn't be safe for +me to go there now. I don't know what to +do."</p> + +<p>"Boy go; Benzeor no there."</p> + +<p>"Benzeor not there? How do you know? +What makes you think that, John?"</p> + +<p>"John been there."</p> + +<p>"When? This morning?"</p> + +<p>The Indian nodded his head, and then +said, "Man no there. Girl there. Two, t'ree +little Peters there. Boy go. All safe."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it?" said Peter eagerly, +and standing erect as he spoke. "Come on, +then, John; we'll start this minute."</p> + +<p>"Boy go; Indian no go."</p> + +<p>"Why not? I thought you were going +with me."</p> + +<p>"John no go. John no home, no papoose, +no notin'. All white man now. All +gone. Indian no stay. Boy go."</p> + +<p>"All right, John; I won't urge you. But +if you're right, and Benzeor isn't at home, +you needn't be afraid."</p> + +<p>The Indian's eyes snapped at the words, +but he made no reply, and Little Peter was +too eager to start now to realize the force of +his own words. As he departed, he saw his +recent companion standing on the bank of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +the brook in an attitude as if he were listening +to sounds far off in the forest. Perhaps +if the lad had realized that it was the last +time he would ever behold the face of Indian +John, he would have lingered longer; but, as +it was, his desire to go to Benzeor's house +and learn of the present condition of the children +banished all other thoughts from his +mind, and in a few moments he had started +toward the road.</p> + +<p>He retraced his way across the open lot, +and as he came within sight of the road he +suddenly stopped, as he saw a mounted man +there. Apparently the man was alone, and +what was strange was the fact that he apparently +was not moving.</p> + +<p>Little Peter waited several minutes, but as +the man still retained his position, and no +one joined him, he resolved to proceed. Approaching +cautiously, and ready to run at the +first appearance of danger, his surprise was +increased as he beheld the strange manner in +which the horseman was seated on his beast. +Instead of sitting with his face toward the +head of his steed, his position was exactly +reversed, and to all appearances he either was +going in a direction opposite to that of his +horse or else was riding backward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p> + +<p>Puzzled to account for the strange attitude, +Peter also noticed as he approached that the +beast on which the man was mounted was a +mule and had stopped in the middle of the +road. In a moment he recognized the man as +Ted Wilson, and with a shout he ran forward.</p> + +<p>"Why, my lad, what are you doing here?" +exclaimed Ted, as he beheld the approaching +boy.</p> + +<p>"It's more to the point to ask what you +are doing here. What are you sitting on +that mule that way for? What have you +stopped for? Why don't you go ahead?"</p> + +<p>"There are several good reasons," replied +Ted blandly. "In the first place, if the +mule won't go, I can't go. Then, if he stops, +I have to stop, too. As to the reason for my +being here, why, I'm looking for Benzeor."</p> + +<p>"I don't know where you expect to find +him," laughed Peter—forgetting his own +anxiety for the moment in the ludicrous sight +before him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I got to thinking of it yesterday +after you left me; and when I'd taken Sallie +and the babies up to the captain's,—Sallie's +my wife, ye know,—I jest made up my mind +as how I'd got to look after Benzeor afore +he did any more damage. Goin' around the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +country hangin' Sallies! The rascal! Old +Monmouth never'll be safe till Benzeor +Osburn has been 'tended to. And if I'm +not the man to do it, I don't know who is. +So Jeshurun and I decided to start out last +night, and we've been travelin' ever since."</p> + +<p>"Jeshurun? I don't see anybody with +you," said Peter, glancing quickly about him +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Ted. "Ye're lookin' +too far afield, young man. This here +fellow's Jeshurun. Whoa, Jesh! Whoa!" +he suddenly added, as the mule darted to one +side and turned several circles in the road +before his rider could stop him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; this is Jeshurun, and a more +onery little beast never lived. I told ye +about him yesterday, and how he'd suddenly +take it into his head to go backwards for a +bit. That's the reason I ride him this way +part of the time. He thinks I want to go +the other way, ye see, and that's how I come +it over him by jest sittin' the wrong way, too. +Besides, a good twist of his tail is worth more +than a bridle sometimes. Instead of controllin' +him with a bridle, as any decent beast +would be glad to have me do, I just have to +steer him by twistin' his tail, same's I use the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +rudder in my boat, ye see. Whoa there, +Jesh! Whoa there! What's the matter +with ye, anyhow? Whoa! Whoa!"</p> + +<p>These last remarks of Ted were caused by +a sudden movement on the part of Jeshurun, +whose heels were thrown into the air, while +with his teeth he almost literally bit the dust. +The mule was small and the feet of his rider +almost touched the ground, and the antics of +the pair caused Peter to laugh aloud.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get that name for him?" +he inquired when quiet was restored.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it came to him jest natural like. +Two years ago when I bought him, and was +a-leadin' him home, I got him into the yard +and then he just began to make his heels fly +like a pair o' drumsticks. It's likely there +was some noise made by him or me, I don't +jest know which, and the first thing I knew, +Sallie—she's my wife, ye know—and a +whole lot o' folks came a-runnin' out o' the +house to see what all the rumpus was about. +They was havin' meetin' in the house, though +I didn't know anything about that, or I +wouldn't have argued with the mule as I was +doin', o' course. Well, sir, if you'd believe +it, the parson had been a-preachin' about +somebody in the Old Testament. His text<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> +was: 'But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked: +thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, +thou art covered with fatness.' Yes, sir; +those were his very words. Well, when +Sallie—she's my wife, ye know—set eyes +on this here beast, she said Jeshurun should +be his name, and Jeshurun it's been ever +since. Whoa there! Whoa, I say! What +ye up to now?"</p> + +<p>Perhaps Jeshurun objected to the story, for +he suddenly whirled about and started swiftly +up the road. In vain Ted tried to restrain +him, but after his attempts failed, he turned +and shouted, "I'll see you farther on! +Jesh'll get tired o' this."</p> + +<p>As Jeshurun and his rider disappeared in a +cloud of dust, Little Peter quickly recovered +from his surprise and started briskly after +them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT FIGHT</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> morning of Sunday, June 28, 1778, +dawned clear and warm. Not a cloud could +be seen in the sky, and the air was motionless, +save in occasional places where it quivered +under the burning heat of the summer sun. +By eight o'clock the thermometer already +had indicated ninety-six degrees, and before +the day was done it had risen considerably +above a hundred.</p> + +<p>The British forces had now arrived within +ten or twelve miles of the Heights of Middletown, +and if once they should succeed in gaining +that position, all attempts on the part of +the Americans to attack them would be worse +than useless, for it was now as well known by +Washington as it was by Clinton that British +vessels were lying at anchor off Sandy Hook, +ready and waiting to receive the advancing +army and its stores on board, and transport +all in safety to New York.</p> + +<p>Clinton, as we already know, still believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> +that the Americans were seeking only to capture +his stores and train of baggage wagons, +and, therefore, wisely had placed them +in the care of General Knyphausen and the +Hessian soldiers, in advance of the place of +danger, as he supposed, and also of the place +where the brave leader himself took his stand +with his men. All of the British grenadiers, +light infantry, and chasseurs of the line were +encamped in the strong position that Clinton +had selected in the parting of the road which +led from Monmouth Court House to Middletown, +the right wing extending about a mile +and a half beyond the court house itself, while +the left lay stretched for three miles along +the road from Allentown. Thick woods afforded +strong protection to the flanks, while +a swamp extended toward the rear and the +left, and woods also covered their front. The +British general had chosen his place wisely, +and there he waited until that eventful Sunday +morning.</p> + +<p>General Washington was well aware of all +that was going on, and had determined to +attack the British the moment they moved +from the position they then occupied. Late +on Saturday night, the commander had given +orders for General Maxwell to send out parties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +of observation, who were to watch the British +and report instantly any signs they might +discover of an attempt to retreat during the +night, and to keep up a constant communication +with himself. General orders had also +been given Lee to be prepared to attack Clinton's +forces the moment they should depart +from their camping-place.</p> + +<p>General Lee's treachery or incompetency, +or both, are well known to-day, and the only +cause of surprise is that General Washington +should have given him such discretionary +orders. The great commander must have +been fully aware of Lee's true feelings, for +already he had suffered much from his jealousy +and his traitorous designs; but perhaps +the rest of the army did not know what +Washington himself well knew, and on the +eve of battle he chose the lesser of the two +evils, and thought he would suffer less by +permitting Lee to continue to act, than he +would from the misunderstanding and confusion +that might arise if he dealt with the +man at that time as he justly deserved. At +all events, his orders were somewhat general, +and the fact that he had not given specific +commands is all that remains to-day to be +quoted in favor of the guilty Lee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was about five o'clock in the morning +when a messenger arrived in Washington's +camp from General Dickinson—who, with the +New Jersey militia, was nearest the enemy's +lines—with the information that the front of +the British line had begun its march toward +the Heights of Middletown. Instantly Washington's +army was put in motion, and one of +his aids was sent in all haste to inform General +Lee of the movement of the British, and +to urge him forward to attack them at once +unless some very strong obstacle should be +found, and to assure him that the main body +of the American army would be rushed forward +to his support.</p> + +<p>I am very certain that if my readers could +somehow have been privileged to witness the +march of Washington's soldiers, they would +not have been greatly impressed by the sight. +Many of them were without uniforms, and +their flushed and streaming faces under the +burning heat, while they bore an expression +of determination, after all would not have +been very prepossessing in their appearance. +Numbers of the Continentals had either cast +aside their coats or rolled them up and +strapped them across their backs, so that +entire ranks appeared to be marching to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +battle in their shirt-sleeves. However, although +their personal bearing was not made +more forceful by the absence of coats, their +personal comfort was decidedly improved; +and, as we shall soon see, their work in the +battle was not hindered by their lack of +bright colored uniforms.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the advanced corps under General +Lee had moved from Englishtown, and +was now advancing toward the British. The +redcoats were also in motion, and the left +wing had marched more than a mile beyond +Monmouth Court House when it discovered +that the American columns had out-flanked +it on the north. Lee's forces had +marched along the main road, successfully +crossing the deep ravines and causeways. +They had halted frequently to receive reports +from the scouts and the men in advance as +to the movements of the British, but these +reports apparently were somewhat contradictory +and created some confusion among the +American ranks.</p> + +<p>One of these halts had been made near the +"new church," which was so called to distinguish +it from the smaller structure, which +until 1752 had stood upon the same site. +This "new church" was of wood, its sides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +covered with shingles, and painted white. +There such famous preachers as Whitefield, +the missionary Brainerd, Tennent, and others +had given their messages of peace, but it can +be safely asserted that in all its long history +the "old" church or the "new" had never +seen such a "service" as that which was held +there on that Sunday morning in June, 1778. +Before the day was done bullet marks and +the effect of cannon shot were apparent on +its walls, and while the roof and even the +steeple were said to have been covered with +people on that day, who had assembled to +watch the battle, probably no other congregation +in all our land had ever been gathered +by such summons, or had taken their seats +on the roof of the building instead of in the +accustomed place within the walls.</p> + +<p>Young General Lafayette, who had command +of Lee's right, soon passed the Court +House, and was advancing upon the other end +of the British line on the south at the same +time when the left wing was folding about +Cornwallis on the north; and General Wayne, +who was in command of the American centre, +was also pressing strongly forward. Apparently, +all things were favoring the rugged +Continentals, and had it not been for Lee's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +cowardice or treachery, or both, they would +have won the battle there and then, before +Washington could come with the aid of his +advancing troops.</p> + +<p>Some slight minor engagements had already +occurred, though not one of them was of +much importance; but now General Wayne +discovered that most of the British forces +before him had descended from the high +ground they had occupied and were advancing +along the same route, over the plains of +Monmouth, which the Hessians had followed +when they departed earlier in the morning.</p> + +<p>Instantly the impetuous Wayne sent a messenger +to General Lee requesting permission +for his own "troops to be pressed on." No +such permission was given, however, until it +was discovered that a band of eight or nine +hundred of the redcoats had halted, and, turning +about, appeared to be inviting an attack. +General Wayne was then ordered to take +about four hundred men and advance.</p> + +<p>Despite the smallness of the number, +Wayne eagerly obeyed, when the Queen's +light dragoons were sent back by Clinton to +check the movement.</p> + +<p>So excited was the little band of Americans +that they instantly formed, and drove<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +the horsemen back upon a body of foot soldiers +who had been sent to their aid. A +much larger body of troops were soon discovered +to be moving upon General Wayne's +right, but he immediately opened fire upon +them with the two pieces of artillery he possessed, +sent back for reinforcements, and +gallantly prepared for the battle.</p> + +<p>During this time General Lee apparently +was trying to cut off the force with which +Wayne was engaged by making a detour and +falling upon the line of Clinton's march between +the rear of the main body and that +detachment.</p> + +<p>This action of Lee's, together with those +which three of the others of the divisions +of the American forces were making at the +same time, led Clinton to suppose that his +baggage train was what the Americans were +striving to gain. As we already know, this, +all the time, had been his understanding of +the purpose of Washington, and now the +action and movements of the various bodies +of troops strengthened his suspicion.</p> + +<p>The first thing the British commander did +was to send the Queen's light dragoons against +Wayne. Then he sent a detachment from +the men in advance to strengthen his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> +right, and next he arranged for the main body, +of which Lord Cornwallis was in command, +to form on the plain and prepare to attack +General Lee and the various divisions which +were under him at the time.</p> + +<p>General Wayne and his brave men were +now fighting desperately, and to all appearances +success was about to crown his efforts, +when he was dumfounded by an order he +received from Lee to make only a feigned +attack, and not to press too hard against the +redcoats in front of him.</p> + +<p>Wayne did not know what to make of the +order. He was chagrined and angry to receive +such a word at a time when all things seemed +to favor his determined band. It is said that +he made use of some very forceful language, +and even expressed his opinion of his superior +officer in no very complimentary terms; but +he was too good a soldier not to obey; and, +although he could not understand what Lee +meant by giving him such directions at such +a time, he held back his men, hoping all the +time that Lee himself would come up and +grasp the victory which almost seemed to be +in his hand.</p> + +<p>General Lee had been watching the movements +of the British, and perceived what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +Clinton was trying to do by the actions to +which we already have referred. Instead of +meeting them boldly, and permitting his soldiers, +who were all now eager for the battle, +to advance, he at once prepared to withdraw +them from the field.</p> + +<p>Young Lafayette had just discovered a +body of British cavalry advancing toward +Lee's right, and, quickly riding up to his +commander, he begged for permission to advance +and gain their rear, and so cut them +off from the main body.</p> + +<p>"Sir," replied Lee, "you do not know +British soldiers. We cannot stand against +them. We shall certainly be driven back at +first, and we must be cautious."</p> + +<p>"It may be so, general," said Lafayette +quietly, "but British soldiers have been +beaten, and they may be again. At any rate +I am disposed to make the trial."</p> + +<p>Reluctantly Lee yielded, so far as to permit +the brave young marquis to wheel his column +by the right and make an attempt to gain +the left of the British, but at the same time +he ordered three regiments to be withdrawn +from Wayne's command, thereby weakening +him for reasons which neither Wayne nor any +one of his men ever understood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Lee then rode off to reconnoitre, +as he afterwards declared, and to his astonishment +discovered another large body of +British soldiers marching back on the Middletown +road toward the Court House. If there +was one thing more than another which Lee +apparently disliked at that time, it was the +sight and presence of men clad in scarlet +coats, and he instantly gave orders for the +several corps in his division to retreat, or to +make a "retrograde movement," as he afterwards +explained it.</p> + +<p>His friends claimed for him, and, indeed, +Lee afterwards claimed for himself, that he +had only ordered the right to fall back, and +had commanded the left, under Scott and +Maxwell, to advance, and his order was misunderstood; +and that when Maxwell's men +perceived the retreat of their comrades on +the left, they thought all was ended and they +must save themselves. But, at all events, +proof of the truthfulness of his statement +was wanting, and all his men were soon retreating +toward the "new meeting-house," on +the roof and steeple of which were assembled +the people of the congregation.</p> + +<p>Few of the men beside Lee himself knew +why the retreat was made. The soldiers were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +angry and were giving vent to their feelings +in terms which had not been carefully selected. +General Wayne's men were the only ones +who had even fired a shot, and the anger +of Wayne himself was steadily increasing. +Every soldier felt as if he were being robbed +of success, which by right belonged to him +and to his country.</p> + +<p>Between the "meeting-house" and the +parsonage, General Washington, all unaware +of Lee's disgraceful actions and the retreat of +the advanced division, met a fifer, who appeared +to be in great haste to leave the region.</p> + +<p>Reining in his horse, the great commander +ordered the fleeing man to halt, and then said +sternly:—</p> + +<p>"Who are you? Do you belong to the +army? Why are you running in this fashion?"</p> + +<p>"I am a soldier," replied the trembling +man, "but all the Continentals are running, +too."</p> + +<p>"It isn't true! It can't be true! I'll +have you whipped if you dare to mention +such a thing to another living man!" cried +the astonished commander.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he put the spurs to his horse, +and in a few minutes discovered two or three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +other men, who apparently were in as great +haste to depart as the fifer had been.</p> + +<p>Instantly the trembling men halted at his +sharp command, and again the excited general +demanded an explanation of their actions.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Evidently</span>, the reply which General Washington +received from the men, who were as +greatly frightened by the bearing of the commander +as they had been by the sight of the +redcoats, did not convince him that they had +spoken truly. He had not heard any firing, +except that of a few cannon a considerable +time before this, and he could not believe +that the picked men under Lee's command +had ingloriously retreated without making +even an attempt to stand against the forces +of Sir Henry Clinton.</p> + +<p>This second report, however, caused Washington +to send forward two of his trusty +officers, whom he ordered to ride swiftly in +the direction of the Court House, and, after +they should have discovered the true condition +of affairs, to report instantly to him.</p> + +<p>As the two brave men quickly obeyed and +started their horses into a run, they met on +the bridge the members of a regiment in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> +disorderly retreat. A little farther on another +regiment was discovered, and soon still another +appeared in sight.</p> + +<p>Colonel Ogden, who was in command of +the last, in a towering passion declared, in +reply to the question of the officers, that +Lee's men were indeed retreating and that +"they were flying from a shadow."</p> + +<p>Still hoping that they would find that a +stand had been made farther back, the two +officers pushed eagerly forward and soon met +General Maxwell and his men. That gallant +officer was also in a state of great anger, and +not only confirmed the report that Lee was +retreating, but also added some words of his +own, expressing his opinion of that officer and +of the movement in words that would have +caused the cheeks of the treacherous general +to tingle, if he had chanced to hear them.</p> + +<p>Still hoping against hope, the two aids +pressed forward and soon met General Lee +himself. His face at all times was decidedly +plain, and indeed, as we know, he had the +reputation of having the "ugliest face in +America;" but at this time a scowl rested +upon it which doubtless did not tend to increase +his beauty, and he sullenly refused to +reply to the questions of the men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p> + +<p>The two officers did not long delay to talk +to him, but still urged their horses swiftly +forward, although the straggling, disorderly +troops now almost filled the road, and their +worst fears were confirmed each moment.</p> + +<p>At last, in the post of danger and nearest +to the pursuing British, the two officers discovered +General Wayne and his men. "Mad +Anthony" was certainly "mad" at that time, +and while he assured the aids that the retreat +was genuine and general, at the same time he +declared that it was absolutely needless. He +also declared that "Lee had drawn off his +best men at the very time when he was facing +a body of British far superior to himself +in numbers, but that even then the redcoats +could be beaten if a stand were made against +them."</p> + +<p>There was no time for an extended conversation, +but, doubtless, the two officers understood +what the exceedingly vigorous language +of Mad Anthony Wayne was intended to convey, +and after receiving the suggestions he +sent by them to General Washington, and +assured now that they had discovered the +worst, they put spurs to their horses and rode +swiftly back to give the information they had +received to the great commander.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, General Washington himself +had not been idle, we may be well assured. +Riding swiftly forward, he met band after +band of the retreating, disorderly Continentals, +and heard many expressions of anger and +disgust, very like to that which had already +greeted the two officers he had sent forward.</p> + +<p>At last, in the rear of the retreating column, +he met General Wayne and his angry +men. Hastily summoning Mad Anthony and +two or three of his officers, the great leader +told them that he "should depend upon them +that day to give the enemy a check," and +quickly directed General Wayne to form his +men, and, with their two pieces of artillery, +strive to stop the progress of the redcoats.</p> + +<p>It was just at this moment that General +Lee himself rode up, and the scene which followed +was one which those who witnessed it +never forgot. There is no more sublime sight +in all this world than the towering passion of +a great man. Not pettiness, not irritability, +but the just and righteous anger of a noble, +large-hearted man in the presence of wickedness.</p> + +<p>General Washington probably never before +in all his life had been so angry as he was +at that time. Thoughts of the cause of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> +country he loved, the lives of thousands of +brave and devoted patriots, the sight of angry, +desperate men all about him, the disappointment +at the loss of what he had confidently +counted upon, the loss also of that +for which so many noble men had been sacrificing +and toiling through many weary days +and on their long marches, rushed upon him +like a flood. And before him stood the guilty +man who alone was to be blamed for it all. +Small wonder is it that Washington was +almost beside himself with rage and sorrow.</p> + +<p>The name of Benedict Arnold is one that +is hated to-day by every American schoolboy, +for, after all, most boys can be trusted to +hate evil in whatever form it presents itself. +But the treachery of Benedict Arnold had at +least the merit of being unmasked and comparatively +open, for he took his stand boldly +on the side of the redcoats, whom he at one +time had fought with a bravery none can +ever forget. But the memory of Charles Lee +has not even that redeeming quality, for his +actions on the field of Monmouth can only +be explained on the ground of treachery or +cowardice, and a coward is not very greatly +to be preferred to a traitor. If both Lee and +Arnold had fallen in battle, how much better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> +it would have been for them and their friends, +for "a good name is to be preferred above +great riches," and they left neither. Perhaps +the strange desire which Lee later expressed +in his will, that his "body should not be +interred in any church or churchyard, or +within a mile of any Presbyterian or Baptist +church," was not entirely out of keeping with +the man himself.</p> + +<p>The conversation between Washington and +Lee at the time they met on the retreat at +Monmouth has been variously reported; but +doubtless the fact that those who heard it +were as excited as the generals themselves +may in part account for the differences in the +reports which have come down to us. We +may be sure the conversation was not extended +to the length which some have said it +was, or that it savored largely of the high-flown +expressions which have been quoted.</p> + +<p>One of the men who was present is reported +to have said that Washington in his +sternest manner looked at Lee, and demanded, +"What is the meaning of all this, sir?"</p> + +<p>Dismayed by the terrible appearance of +the commander-in-chief, and mortified that he +should be so addressed in the presence of his +soldiers, the crestfallen general could only +stammer, "Sir? sir?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again the enraged commander demanded +the meaning of the retreat, and Lee attempted +to explain. His orders, he said, had +been misunderstood, his officers had not +obeyed his commands, he had not thought it +wise to attempt to make a stand against the +British with his detachment; but the angry +Washington would not stay to listen to the +lame attempts at explanation, and muttering +something about a "poltroon," he hastened +back to the high ground between the meeting-house +and the bridge, where he quickly formed +the regiments which were waiting there.</p> + +<p>Apparently thinking better of his words, +he then rode back to General Lee and inquired +whether he still desired to retain the +command on that height or not. "If you +will," he added, "I will return to the main +body and have it formed on the next height."</p> + +<p>As Lee accepted the offer, Washington +said: "I expect you will take proper means +for checking the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Your orders shall be obeyed," replied +Lee, "and I shall not be the first to leave +the ground."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the British general Clinton had +also been busy. He had ordered back many +of the troops which the Hessian general<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> +Knyphausen commanded, and was making +vigorous attempts to compel the Americans +to keep up the retreat, which Lee had ordered +with such disastrous results.</p> + +<p>The forces under Mad Anthony had rallied +at the call of their leader, and were bravely +holding their position near the parsonage. +The British grenadiers climbed over the +fence which crossed the lot in front of +Wayne, but were quickly driven back by +the angry Continentals.</p> + +<p>Again the determined British advanced, +and again were driven back. Then their +brave leader, Colonel Monckton, placing himself +at their head, and calling upon his men +to follow him, led the charge. But Mad +Anthony and his men were waiting for them, +and under their terrible fire the brave colonel +and many of his men went down as the grass +falls before the scythe of the mower. Desperate +was the struggle then for the body of +the fallen leader. Hand to hand, clubbing +their muskets, using their bayonets any way, +every way, the men fought on; but the band +of sturdy Americans held both the body and +the place, and as the British fell back it was +not to attack Mad Anthony's men again +during that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton then moved the main +body of his troops against the left of the +Americans, where General (Lord) Stirling +was in command, but the batteries were so +well handled that there also the redcoats were +repulsed.</p> + +<p>Then they turned toward the American +right; but that sturdy blacksmith from +Rhode Island, Nathanael Greene, was there, +and no better success crowned their desperate +and determined efforts. And Mad Anthony +and his men had rushed to the assistance of +their comrades. When his men perceived +the nature of the work which was expected +of them, they prepared for the action after +their own peculiar manner. As we already +know, many of them had cast aside their +coats when they entered the battle, but now +some of them stopped and deliberately rolled +up their shirt sleeves. A shout greeted the +men, when their action was perceived, and +in a moment their companions had followed +their example. Then, with cheers and calls, +the unsoldierly appearing soldiers rushed into +the fray, and so vigorous was their work that +soon the redcoats were compelled to retreat +behind the defile, where the first stand had +been made in the beginning of the battle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span></p> + +<p>There they felt secure. On either side lay +heavy swamps and thick woods, while in front +of them was a narrow pass, through which +the Americans must go if they continued the +attack.</p> + +<p>And that was just what General Washington +determined to do. Carefully he arranged +for divisions to move upon the right and upon +the left, while the artillery was to be brought +up and pour its terrible fire directly into the +front of the position the British had taken.</p> + +<p>The men responded with a will, but before +the detachments could gain the desired position +the night had come, and darkness spread +over the field, wrapping friend and foe alike +within its folds. Although the eager Americans +could not then advance, they resolved +to pass the night in the positions they then +held, which were very near to the lines of +the British, and renew the attack as soon as +the light of the morning came.</p> + +<p>Guards were established, and then the entire +army prepared for the night. The +exhausted men threw themselves upon the +ground, many of them lying at full length +with their arms spread wide and their faces +resting directly upon the sand. Seldom have +men been more completely worn out than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> +were those hardy soldiers on that day of the +battle of Monmouth. Many had fallen, and +when their friends examined their bodies for +the marks of the fatal bullets not a scratch +could be found.</p> + +<p>The beams of the summer sun had accomplished +what, in many instances, the bullets +of the enemy had failed to do. All day long +the sun had hung in the heavens like a great +red ball of fire. Steadily the heat had risen +higher and higher, until it had arrived at a +point which even the "oldest inhabitants" +could not exaggerate in their stories. The +tongues of some of the men had swelled so +that speech became impossible. The poor +Hessians, condemned to wear their heavy fur +hats, left many a lifeless body behind them +which the heat had conquered before the +desperate Americans could accomplish the +same result.</p> + +<p>For hours that night not a sign of life +appeared in the American camp. Motionless +as logs the exhausted soldiers lay stretched +upon the ground, and the sounds of their +deep breathing were all that could be heard. +They had not stopped even to bury their +dead, so little life did the living men apparently +retain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span></p> + +<p>Great was the astonishment in the American +camp when the first faint streaks of +the dawn appeared on the following morning, +and it was discovered that not a soldier +remained in the British camp. Sir Henry +Clinton had permitted his weary men to rest +until ten o'clock, and then, in silence, preparations +were made to join the forces of General +Knyphausen, who, meanwhile, had marched +on and gone into camp at Nut Swamp, near +the Heights of Middletown.</p> + +<p>The British soldiers hastily had collected +their wounded, leaving only forty of the poor +fellows behind them, and then under the light +of the moon began their march to the position +which Knyphausen was holding. So +wearied were the American soldiers, so heavy +was their slumber, and so silent were all the +movements of Clinton's men, that their departure +was not discovered before the morning +came, and by that time the redcoats were with +the Hessians and safe from all danger of an +attack.</p> + +<p>General Washington considered a further +pursuit as "impracticable and fruitless," and +greatly to the chagrin of his army no attempt +was made to push forward. The great battle +of Monmouth had been fought. The soldiers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> +hastily prepared to bury their dead, and so +hurried were their movements that one man +afterwards declared he had seen the bodies of +thirteen men cast into one shallow pit which +had been dug in the sand. Yet the Continentals +were neither brutal nor indifferent. +A British army was near them, and desperate +haste was considered necessary.</p> + +<p>The results of the battle, its effect upon +the redcoats and buffcoats, and those who +wore no coats at all, and the parts which Tom +Coward and certain other of our acquaintances +had taken in the struggle, we must +reserve for another chapter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE RETURN TO BENZEOR'S HOUSE</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were several motives in the mind of +Little Peter which made him eager to overtake +Ted and the fat and kicking Jeshurun, +not the least of which was the sense of protection +he felt in the presence of the powerful +man. Boyish as Ted was in many ways, his +great size and wonderful physical strength +made him a companion to be desired in the +midst of such dangers as the troubled lad +was compelled to face in those sad times in +Old Monmouth.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Little Peter ran eagerly forward, +hoping to overtake Ted before he +should arrive at Benzeor's house, which now +was not more than two miles away. Long +before he came within sight of the place, he +discovered Ted and his steed in advance of +him, and from their motionless attitude he +quickly concluded that Jeshurun had been +seized with another attack of obstinacy.</p> + +<p>His surmise proved to be correct, and as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> +came nearer he beheld Ted seated by the +roadside holding Jeshurun's bridle in his hand, +and apparently waiting patiently for the time +when the little beast should decide to continue +his journey.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see you, lad," remarked Ted, +as Little Peter approached. "I left you +rather suddenly back there, but when Jesh +makes up his mind to start, it's time for me +to go, too, and I can't always stop to say +good-by to my friends. It's easier than +walkin', though, but I wish I knew some way +to fix the little rascal. I've been thinkin' as +how, if Jeshurun kicked when he waxed fat, +it might be that if he waxed thin, the kickin' +would go, too, along with the fatness. I say, +Little Peter, I want to ask ye a question."</p> + +<p>"All right, Ted, go ahead," replied Little +Peter, as he fanned his dripping face with his +hat and took a seat beside his companion.</p> + +<p>"In your opinion," said Ted soberly, "is +the oyster a wild animal, or a tame one?"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Is the oyster a wild animal or a tame +one? Maybe you don't think he's an animal +at all, only just an insect; but my opinion is +that he's an animal, and what I'd like to +know is whether he's wild or tame."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He isn't savage, anyway," remarked +Little Peter demurely.</p> + +<p>"I'm not talkin' about whether he's savage +or not, but whether he's wild or tame. +That's been a-botherin' me a good bit, and I +just can't find any answer. Whoa! Whoa +there, Jesh! What's the matter with ye? +If ye want to start on, I'm your man." +These last remarks were directed at the mule, +which had begun to display some of the +qualities of the famous character for whom +he had been named; but his owner's words +served to calm him, and Jeshurun soon stood +in such an abject attitude that, to one who +was not familiar with his ways, wickedness +and kicking would never have been suspected +of him.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the oyster's a bird more than he +is an insect," said Little Peter. "When his +shell is spread out it looks something like +wings."</p> + +<p>"No, he isn't a bird, he's a animal," said +Ted, "and what I want to know is whether +he's a tame or a wild one."</p> + +<p>"What do you want to know for?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the way of it is this: Some time +ago I planted an oyster-bed off the mouth of +the river, and the first thing I knew my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +neighbors was a-helpin' themselves to it. +When I said I didn't like that very much, +and those oysters was mine, all the men did +was to laugh. Yes, sir, jest laughed," repeated +Ted, as if he felt aggrieved at the +levity of his neighbors. "Then, they went +on to tell me that I couldn't plant oysters, +same as I did 'taties and things in my garden. +Oysters was wild things and belonged to anybody +that found them, jest the same as turtles +and clams and wild geese did. I've been +a-puzzlin' my head a good deal over it, and I +can't make it out. I planted them oysters +for Sallie,—she's my wife, ye know,—and +as long as she had all she wanted of 'em, I +didn't care how much the neighbors helped +themselves; but when it comes to sayin' that +them oysters I planted don't belong to me, +but any one can go and take all he wants, +jest as if they was clams, or gooseberries, or—or—or—saltwater, +I don't know what +to do about it. What do you think, Little +Peter?" he added anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I never thought of it +before."</p> + +<p>Absurd as the question appears to us, it +was far from being so to the people of Old +Monmouth in the times of which we are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> +writing. So warm had the discussion become +that it was soon after carried into the +courts, and in 1808 a case was tried before +the supreme court, but no definite decision +was gained. In 1821 another famous trial +was held, and finally in 1858 the supreme +court decided that oysters were both tame +and wild. Where they had grown naturally +and without being planted, they were to be +considered as wild and the property of any +one who chose to take them; but where they +had been planted, and there was no natural +growth, the oysters were "tame" and the +property of the one who had made the bed. +Even after that decision there was trouble for +a long time in Old Monmouth over the question, +although to-day it is generally accepted +that a man may own oysters as he does other +animals.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry ye can't help me," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"So am I, but I'm not thinking of oysters +just now. I want to go up to Benzeor +Osburn's more than anything else."</p> + +<p>"I'm with ye. We're so near, maybe +Jeshurun will be willing to go, if he doesn't +have to carry me on his back. I'll try him +and see."</p> + +<p>To the surprise of both, Jeshurun appeared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> +to be willing to resume the journey and obediently +followed Ted, who led him by the bridle +rein which he slipped over the mule's head.</p> + +<p>In this wise they all walked on, but as they +came nearer to the end of their journey, conversation +ceased. Little Peter was thinking +of the children and trying to devise some +plan by which he might care for them. What +his companion's thoughts were did not appear, +but the expression upon his face had +undergone a change, and from the occasional +word he dropped, which sounded very like +"Hangin' Sallies," the lad thought he knew +what was going on in Ted's mind. What +would occur if Benzeor should be found at +his home, Little Peter could not determine; +but he felt assured from Ted's manner that +this time his neighbor would not escape so +easily as he had when the angry man had +given him his involuntary bath in the waters +of the Shrewsbury River.</p> + +<p>However, there was a deal of comfort for +the lad in the company of his powerful friend; +and as Benzeor's little house now appeared in +the distance, he was more and more rejoiced +that he was not compelled to approach it alone. +If Indian John's words were correct, Benzeor +was not there now; but it was more than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> +possible that John had been mistaken, or that +the man had returned since his visit in the +early morning.</p> + +<p>These possibilities were sufficiently strong +to increase Little Peter's excitement, and +when they turned into the lane which led up +to the house his heart was beating rapidly +and his breathing was hard and fast. As he +glanced toward the place, he suddenly discovered +some children playing in the yard +and instantly recognized two of them as his +own little brothers.</p> + +<p>The children, then, were safe; and with a +sigh of relief he turned to his companion and +said, "There are my little brothers! They're +all right, and so far it looks better."</p> + +<p>"Hangin' Sallies!" muttered Ted; and +Little Peter said no more, as he perceived that +his companion's rage over the treatment his +wife had received had returned with increased +force.</p> + +<p>Suddenly out from the barn beyond the +house started two men on horseback, riding +directly down the lane toward them. Startled +and perplexed by the sight, both Little Peter +and Ted stopped and waited for the men to +approach. If the lad had been alone he +would instantly have turned and fled without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> +waiting to see who the strangers were; but +Ted's presence restrained him, and although +he was thoroughly alarmed, he waited with +his companion.</p> + +<p>As the horsemen came nearer he discovered +that they were Barzilla Giberson and Jacob +Vannote, the two men who had been with +Tom and Benzeor on their voyage to New +York just before Tom's departure from his +foster-father's home. Quickly recalling what +Tom had reported of their conversation at +that time, the sight of them now did not +tend to allay his fears; but Ted's presence +was a source of comfort, and, although he +was trembling in his excitement, he did not +speak.</p> + +<p>Barzilla instantly stopped his horse as he +recognized Little Peter, and, leaning forward +on his horse's neck as he spoke, said, +"Where's Benzeor?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Little Peter. +"Isn't he here?"</p> + +<p>"No, he isn't here. He came back last +night, but he's gone again, and the women +folks pretend they don't know where he is. +It's lucky for him."</p> + +<p>"What do you want of him?"</p> + +<p>"You and he both will know more about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +that after we've found him," replied Barzilla, +as he touched his horse with his spurs, and +both men rode swiftly down the lane and +soon disappeared from sight up the road.</p> + +<p>Little Peter told his companion of his suspicions +as they resumed their walk, and Ted +quickly stopped, and, shaking his fist in the +direction in which the horsemen had disappeared, +said, "Hangin' Sallies! Maybe I'd +better take after them, if I don't find Benzeor."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Ted. Come on, we're almost +here now."</p> + +<p>They soon entered the yard, and as the +children discovered the presence of their +brother they ran eagerly to him and threw +themselves into his arms.</p> + +<p>"I want to go home. I want to go home. +May we go home now?" said one of them.</p> + +<p>Little Peter's eyes filled with tears as he +lifted the child in his arms and said, "No, I'm +afraid not. We haven't any home now."</p> + +<p>"But I want to go home," persisted the +little fellow pleadingly. "I don't want to +stay here any longer. I want to go home."</p> + +<p>"Hasn't Benzeor been good to you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he isn't here. I want to go +home. I want to go home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Peter glanced up and saw that Ted's +face was moving strangely, and that the tears +were streaming from his eyes. The powerful +man had a heart as tender as a woman's, and +the piteous pleadings of the homeless, motherless +little lad were more than he could endure.</p> + +<p>"Here, Little Peter!" said Ted hastily. +"You go in the house, and I'll look after +the babies while you're gone. Here, my +lads and lassies all! Come take a ride on +the back of Jeshurun."</p> + +<p>In a moment the grief of the little ones +was forgotten, and, laughing in their delight, +they were lifted upon the back of Jeshurun, +who to all appearances had suddenly become +as mild and gentle as a lamb.</p> + +<p>Little Peter glanced back at the laughing +group as he started toward the house, and +then looking up beheld Sarah standing in the +doorway. Her face was red with weeping +and she evidently was in great distress.</p> + +<p>"Why, Sarah!" exclaimed Little Peter. +"What's the trouble? What is it?"</p> + +<p>"My father! My father!" sobbed Sarah, +burying her face in her hands.</p> + +<p>"What's happened to him? Is he killed? +Is he dead?"</p> + +<p>"No, no. It's worse than that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Worse than that? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Little Peter, don't <i>you</i> know?" exclaimed +the girl, looking up again as she +spoke.</p> + +<p>Peter made no reply. He did not know +just what it was to which Sarah referred, and +although he had his own suspicions, he did +not feel that he could refer to them in the +presence of the troubled girl.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Tom?" said Sarah suddenly.</p> + +<p>"No. He's in the army, I think, and I +haven't been near that."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have to go very far. They +say they're both near here, and that there +either has been a battle or there will be one +soon. I wish Tom was here. If you see +him, won't you tell him to come back just as +soon as he can?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if I see him. I don't know that I +shall very soon, though. I don't know what +to do, Sarah. I came to see about the children."</p> + +<p>"They're all right. They seem to be +now, don't they?" she said, as a burst of +laughter came from the noisy group. "Perhaps +you don't want to leave them here now, +though," she added, her eyes filling with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> +tears once more as she spoke. "I wish you +would leave them. It isn't much we can do +for you, but we want to do what we can."</p> + +<p>There was an intensity in Sarah's manner +which Little Peter could not understand. +He was in ignorance of all that Sarah knew, +and perhaps if he had known his reply might +have been somewhat different.</p> + +<p>"It's good of you, Sarah. I don't know +what to do or where to go."</p> + +<p>"You can stay here, too."</p> + +<p>"No, no. I can't do that," he said hastily; +and then fearing that he had said too much, +added, "I'll leave the children for a little +while. They'll be safe here till after the +battle you tell about."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would, Peter. You couldn't +please us better. Who's that man with +you?" she added, apparently for the first +time becoming aware of Ted's presence.</p> + +<p>"A man to see your father," said Little +Peter evasively. "Is he home?"</p> + +<p>"No, no," and Sarah shuddered as she +spoke. "He came last night, but he didn't +stay long. He went away again, and I don't +know when he'll come again. It'll be a +long time. I hope"—</p> + +<p>What Sarah hoped for she did not explain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> +and Little Peter said, "I want to talk with +Ted before I say anything more. He's the +man out there with the children. I'll be +back in a minute."</p> + +<p>Many minutes passed, however, before the +lad returned. He called to Ted and for a +long time they talked together. Ted was +decidedly averse to the plan of leaving the +children in Benzeor's home, and freely offered +to take them with him to the place where he +had left Sallie and his own little ones, also +venturing to refer several times to the fact +that Sallie was his wife.</p> + +<p>Pleased as Little Peter would have been to +accept the offer, Sarah's pleadings could not +be forgotten, and as he felt that the children +would be safe where they then were, he +declined the kind offer of Ted.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what, my lad," said Ted at +last. "If the armies are as near here as the +girl says they are, the thing for you and me +to do is to go over there. They may need +us, too. The most I've done so far has +been to look out for that stuff the men +brought up the Shrewsbury in the supply +boat. That's all in good hands now, and I'm +free to go. Jesh will be glad to go, too."</p> + +<p>"But you can't leave Sallie and the babies."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I can, too. Sallie's my wife, ye +know, and when I took her over to the +Dennises I told her I might not be back for +a week or two. She won't be disappointed, +and Jesh will be tickled to pieces to join the +army. Jest look at his ears now. When his +ears is that way, I always know Jeshurun +wants to fight the Dutch butchers."</p> + +<p>"We've no other place to go to, or at +least I haven't," said Little Peter thoughtfully. +"Well, we'll do as you say. I'll go +and tell Sarah."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad you'll leave the children," +said Sarah eagerly, when Little Peter reported +the decision which had been made. +"It isn't much we can do, as I told you, but +we do want to do everything we can for you."</p> + +<p>"It's good of you to take them."</p> + +<p>"It's good of you to leave them. There's +one thing, though, I must tell you. We +haven't much to eat in the house. There's +some meal over at the mill, and father would +have gone for it if he'd been home to-day. +But he isn't here and I don't know what +we'll do."</p> + +<p>"You'd like to have me go over there and +get it, before we start," said the boy. "Have +you got your horses yet?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, there are two in the barn, and you +can take the heavy wagon. It's kind of +you to do it, Little Peter, but it won't take +you long, and you don't know how much it +will help us just now."</p> + +<p>"I'll go right away."</p> + +<p>Little Peter turned and explained to Ted +the cause of the delay. At first, Ted insisted +upon going with him, but as the lad explained +that only two hours would be required for +the journey, he persuaded him to remain.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the two horses had been +led forth from the barn, and hitched to the +wagon ("geared" was what Ted called the +task), and then Little Peter mounted the seat, +grasped the reins in his hands, and turned +down the lane, on what proved to be the most +eventful ride in all his life.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE RIDE TO THE MILL</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> early morning had not yet gone when +Little Peter started on his journey to the +mill. He knew the place well, for many a +time had he gone there for his father. It +was an antiquated structure beside a pond, +which had been formed by a dam built across +the very brook near which he and Indian +John had passed the preceding night.</p> + +<p>The work at the mill had been somewhat +interrupted since the outbreak of the war, +but the increasing necessities of the people of +Old Monmouth had led the miller to resume +his labors, and Sarah had informed Little +Peter that he would surely find him in his +accustomed place.</p> + +<p>At times, the road led through the woods, +and the boy could almost touch the bushes +that grew close to the sandy roadway on +either side. His view was somewhat obstructed +by these,—and that fact, together +with the unbroken stillness that rested over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> +all, combined to make Little Peter watchful, +and somewhat fearful as well.</p> + +<p>The sunlight flickered through the treetops +and cast fantastic shadows on the ground. +The horses did not increase their speed above +a slow trot, for the heat was oppressive and +the sandy road was heavy; and, eager as +Little Peter was to be back again at Benzeor's +house, he had not the heart to urge +on the toiling beasts. The mill was not +more than three miles from the place from +which he had started, and at the pace at +which the horses were then going the lad +thought he would be back in less than two +hours.</p> + +<p>He had covered about half of the way to +the mill when his horses, with a sudden snort +of fear, darted to one side of the roadway. +Little Peter quickly drew the reins tight, and +stood up to discover the cause of the alarm.</p> + +<p>Two men stepped from the bushes into the +road, and as they grasped the horses by their +bits the lad at once recognized them as Barzilla +Giberson and Jacob Vannote.</p> + +<p>"We thought you were Benzeor," exclaimed +Barzilla, as he discovered who the +driver was.</p> + +<p>"I've got his horses," replied Little Peter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So I see. What are you doing with +them?"</p> + +<p>"Going to the mill. You know the children +are at Benzeor's house, and Sarah +wanted me to go for some meal. She said +there was none in the house and her father +wasn't likely to be home in time to get it, so +I came for it."</p> + +<p>"Where's your father?"</p> + +<p>"He's been sent to New York."</p> + +<p>"So I've heard. Little Peter, do you +know who made the attack on your house?"</p> + +<p>"It was Fenton's gang, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"So am I, and I ought to know, for I was +there myself."</p> + +<p>"You there?" exclaimed Little Peter. +He did not refer to the suspicions he had +entertained concerning the very men who +then stood before him; but he had never expected +them to declare their actions so boldly. +The alarm which he had felt, when the two +men had suddenly presented themselves in +the road, was greatly increased now, and for +a moment he glanced quickly about as if he +were seeking some avenue of escape.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we were there," resumed Barzilla, +apparently ignoring the lad's alarm. "I +didn't know but you knew it, and I've felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +mean enough about it, too. We didn't have +anything to do with what happened there," +he hastily added; "but the truth is, we +thought it was about time some kind of a +stop was put to the doings of the pine robbers,—so +Jacob, here, and I pretended to go +in with them. Of course we didn't like the +work, but we hoped we could learn enough +about their plans to trap them. And we've +almost succeeded. We've been as busy as +you have, my lad, and pretty soon we hope +the murderers of your mother will be run to +cover."</p> + +<p>Little Peter had never thought of the +scheme which Barzilla mentioned, and at first +he did not know whether to believe him or +not. Certainly appearances were against him, +but he was in no position to dispute the +statement.</p> + +<p>"Is that what Benzeor was doing, too?" +he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Benzeor? Benzeor Osburn? Don't you +know what he had to do"—</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Barzilla," interrupted Jacob. +"Little Peter doesn't know about him, or he +wouldn't let the children stay there."</p> + +<p>"Why? What do you mean? Aren't +the children safe there?" said Peter quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Safe? They couldn't be safer if they +were in China, or some other heathing land," +said Barzilla. "Even Benzeor's horses are +safe. There isn't such a team as that left in +Old Monmouth," he added, "and if his beasts +aren't touched, I don't think you need to +worry very much about the young ones."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand," said Little Peter.</p> + +<p>"You don't need to," said Jacob quickly, +"You've got enough to worry about, my +boy, without bothering your head over Barzilla's +words. He talks too much, anyway. +You just go on and get the meal for Sarah; +that's all you need to think about now."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but Little Peter ought to know a bit +more," said Barzilla doggedly. "The truth +is that we've run some of Fenton's gang into +these very woods. There are several of us +scouring the region, and it's only fair to tell +you that you may run across some of 'em if +you keep on. For my part I advise you to +turn back and not go to the mill at all. It +isn't safe."</p> + +<p>"Nobody'll touch him. Let him go on," +said Jacob. "The children will have to be +fed, and he might as well get the meal. He's +safe enough."</p> + +<p>"He can do as he pleases," muttered Barzilla.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Peter was perplexed, for the actions +and words of the men were sadly confusing. +Tom had reported to him some of their previous +conversations, and his own suspicions, +as we know, had been aroused. If Barzilla +spoke truly now, he was in no slight danger +himself, while the very decided difference of +opinion between the two men tended to increase +his confusion.</p> + +<p>"I'm goin' to tell you some more," said +Jacob. "Last night some of Fenton's gang +went over to Mr. Farr's. You know the old +man, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"You mean Thomas Farr, the old man +who lives with his wife and daughter over on +the road to Imlaystown?"</p> + +<p>"That's the very man. Well, Lew Fenton +and some of his gang went over there +about midnight, and attacked the house. +There wasn't any one in it but the old man +and his wife and their daughter, and you +know she's old enough to have arrived at +years of discretion, to put it mildly. The +old people barricaded the doors with logs of +wood just as soon as they discovered who the +men were.</p> + +<p>"The pine robbers tried to break the door +down with some fence rails, but when that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> +failed, they fired a volley of bullets right +through the door. One ball broke the leg +of the old man, but still they wouldn't let +the pine robbers in. Then the villains went +around to the back door and succeeded in +smashing that in. They stuck a bayonet into +the old man, who was helpless on the floor, +and then they murdered his wife right before +his eyes. One of the men struck the daughter +with the butt of his gun, but, although +she was pretty badly hurt, she managed to +get out of the house.</p> + +<p>"Fenton's gang didn't wait to plunder the +place, but, as they were afraid she'd raise an +alarm, they all cleared out. 'Twas mighty +lucky for them that they did, for there was a +lot of us near by. You see we'd seen Benzeor"—</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Jacob. That's enough. Now, +Peter, you see what's going on, and it's my +opinion that some of Fenton's gang, and +maybe Fenton himself, are in these very +woods. That's why I advised ye not to go +on. Now you can do jest as ye like, for +you've got pretty much the whole story."</p> + +<p>"I think you'll be all right," said Jacob. +"It's only a little way up to the mill, and +the children need that meal. I should go if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +I was in your place, and if I didn't have to +keep watch here, I'd go with ye myself."</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Little Peter quietly.</p> + +<p>"Good luck to ye, then," said Barzilla. +"We'll see you here when you come back."</p> + +<p>Little Peter picked up the reins and at +once started, leaving the two men behind +him, who remained standing in the road, and +watched him until he disappeared from sight. +The lad's feelings, however, had undergone +a very decided change. He was convinced +that the story concerning the aged Thomas +Farr was true, and he was also persuaded +that his suspicions of Jacob and Barzilla +were unjust.</p> + +<p>Every tree now might be the hiding-place +of Fenton, or some of his band. Each moment +he expected to see some one step forth +into the road before him and stop his horses. +The very silence in the woods served to increase +his alarm. He quickened the speed of +the horses, and soon they were wet with foam, +as they toiled on through the heavy sand. +The cry of a bird, or the chattering of a +squirrel, caused the excited lad to glance fearfully +in the direction from which the sound +came. To his excited imagination the woods +were filled with his enemies, and more than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +once a fallen tree or a broken branch took +on the outlines of a man.</p> + +<p>It was with a feeling of intense relief that +at last he saw the crumbling old mill before +him. The sound of the water, as it dropped +from the dam to the bed of the brook below, +was like music in his ears; and when he discovered +the miller himself standing in the +doorway, he again increased the speed of his +horses, and soon halted before the mill.</p> + +<p>"I've come for Benzeor Osburn's grist," +he said, as he leaped from his seat to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"They must be pretty hungry over there, +from the looks of your horses."</p> + +<p>"They are. Has any one been here this +morning?"</p> + +<p>"Not a soul. There's no work now, with +all this fighting going on. Have you heard +anything from the soldiers?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, only that both the armies +must be near here now."</p> + +<p>There was nothing, however, in the presence +of the old mill to indicate that war's +rude alarms were to be heard anywhere in the +region. The monotonous sound of the falling +water, the dull hum of the big wheel, the +little garden which the miller had planted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +near his log house close by, the dog lying +asleep on the doorsill, the little urchins playing +in the waters of the brook, the hens fluttering +in the roadway and covering themselves +with dust,—all seemed to declare that +only peace and quiet were to be found in the +region.</p> + +<p>And yet, only a few miles away two great +armies had assembled, and, on the morrow +the summer air would resound with the booming +of cannon, and many a buffcoat and redcoat +would be left lying side by side upon +the plains of Old Monmouth, never again to +be mindful of the struggle, or hear or heed +the calls of their officers as they led the men +into battle.</p> + +<p>At that very time, if the words of Barzilla +Giberson were true, the woods, which extended +between the mill and the main road, +concealed some of the hated pine robbers, as +well as outraged patriots who were searching +for their enemies.</p> + +<p>The wagon was soon loaded, the miller's +share of the grist having first been set aside, +and Little Peter climbed up on the seat and +grasped the reins, as he prepared to start +again.</p> + +<p>"You'd better be careful," said Little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> +Peter. "I'm told some of the pine robbers +are hiding in these woods."</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid," laughed the miller. +"I never harmed them and they won't harm +me."</p> + +<p>The lad related the story of the attack +upon the house of Thomas Farr, but still the +miller to all appearances was not deeply impressed.</p> + +<p>"I haven't any money and they've nothing +to gain by disturbing me. I grind +my grists just the same, whether it's a king +or Congress that rules over me, and I don't +care much, for my part, which it is. I don't +bother my head about such things. All I +want is good water and plenty of corn, and +I'm happy all the day long."</p> + +<p>Little Peter had given his warning, so he +said no more, but bidding the miller good-day, +he spoke to his horses and at once +departed.</p> + +<p>His load was heavier now than when he +had come, and consequently he was compelled +to let his horses walk. Even then the sweltering +beasts labored heavily under the intense +heat, and he was compelled to stop +frequently and permit them to rest in some +cool and shady spot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span></p> + +<p>His own fears had not departed, however, +but every turn of the heavy wheels brought +him nearer to the main road, and once there +he thought he would be safe. Already one +of the three miles had been left behind him, +and he was about to start on, after the brief +rest he had given the horses, when he was +startled by the sound of something breaking +through the bushes that lined the road in +front of him.</p> + +<p>Tremblingly he waited a moment, gazing +with frightened face at the place in the road +where the man, or animal, or whatever it +was, would first appear. His suspense was +not relieved when a horse and rider broke +through the bushes and stopped only a few +yards in advance of him.</p> + +<p>Little Peter's face was deadly pale when he +instantly recognized the man as none other +than Lewis Fenton himself. He noted the +great size, the broad shoulders, the powerful +arms, for the pine robber was riding without +a coat, and his shirt-sleeves were rolled back, +disclosing the great bunches of muscles; but +more than all else the brutal face terrified him.</p> + +<p>Before he could speak or move, Fenton +leaped to the ground, and leaving his horse +by the roadside approached the wagon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How now, young man? Give an account +of yourself. Where you going? Who +are you? As I live, if it isn't Little Peter +Van Mater!" he added in evident astonishment.</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he grasped the frightened +lad by the shoulder and dragged him to +the ground. Then the brutal, cowardly man +struck him two savage blows. The sight of +the woods and even of the pine robber faded +from Little Peter's eyes, and the unconscious +boy dropped heavily upon the sand. Even +then Fenton was not satisfied, for again and +again he kicked the body, apparently not yet +convinced that life was extinct.</p> + +<p>But Little Peter suffered no pain. With +sightless eyes, his blood-stained face looked +up at the blue sky above the treetops, but +neither the passing clouds nor the further +actions of the brutal pine robber were heeded +by the lad.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>AFTER THE BATTLE</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Tom Coward</span>, as we know, had been selected +to serve as one of the guides of the +American army. The roads were not so +numerous as to cause any fear of serious trouble +from confusion; but boys and young men +from the region were nevertheless assigned +to this duty, and in some instances were said +to have been so greatly excited as to have +failed in finding the way themselves. To +this cause some assigned the failure of Morgan's +dragoons to enter the battle; but doubtless +there were other causes as well which +prevented that terrible band of riflemen from +having a share in the struggle.</p> + +<p>Tom had been reserved to move with the +troops that were under the command of General +Washington himself, and that followed +the division which General Lee had failed to +lead into battle. Frightened as the lad was, +he still noted keenly all that was occurring +about him, and had been as highly excited as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +any over the interview which took place between +Washington and Lee when the latter +was retreating. The impressions he there +received were those which the people of Old +Monmouth ever after retained concerning +Charles Lee, for he was remembered, not for +his experiences abroad or for his successes in +the south, but as the man who had been the +traitor in the battle.</p> + +<p>When the engagement began, Tom's duties +as guide were ended, but as no one gave him +any instructions, he was driven from one +band of men to another, and while he still +retained the rifle which he had taken when +he had departed from Benzeor's house, he +had not made any use of it.</p> + +<p>For a time he remained within sight of +the young lieutenant, and they were together +when in the early part of the battle Captain +Molly had done the deed which has caused +her name to be remembered until this day. +Molly had marched with her husband, and as +the advanced batteries opened fire upon each +other the intrepid woman had been running +back and forth between the men and a little +spring, which was near by, bringing water to +her husband and his companions. Her task +was no light one in the heat of that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span></p> + +<p>As she had started to return from one +of her visits to the spring, she turned just +in time to see her husband fall as he was +advancing to his post, for he was a cannoneer, +as we already know. Molly hastily ran to +his assistance, but she at once perceived that +he was dead. She heard an officer order the +cannon to be moved from its position, but +instantly controlling her grief, she declared +her purpose to take her husband's place. +Amidst the cheers of the men she did so, and +so bravely and well did she perform the +duty, that after the battle was ended General +Greene himself presented her to the great +commander and related the story of her +bravery. Washington added his words of +praise and bestowed upon her a lieutenant's +commission. The men received the news +with loud cheers, and then themselves bestowed +upon "Molly Pitcher" the title of +"Captain Molly," and as Captain Molly she +was known thereafter.</p> + +<p>Another story, told afterwards by the +Frenchmen, reflected great credit upon General +Clinton, and perhaps in a measure atoned +for the action of that commander in wantonly +burning so many of the houses in Old Monmouth. +An American officer with about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> +twenty of his men advanced under the English +batteries to observe their position. The +redcoats opened fire, and the officer's aid-de-camp +fell at his side. The men, who were +dragoons, instantly turned and fled,—that +is, all save the officer, who, although he was +directly under the fire of the cannon, calmly +dismounted and advanced to discover whether +the fallen man was dead or not, or whether +the wound had been mortal. Quickly discovering +that the man was dead, the American +officer, visibly weeping, turned and remounted +his horse and slowly rejoined his +comrades. The officer was the young Marquis +de Lafayette, and his white charger had +been recognized by General Clinton, who +himself ordered his men not to fire, and +doubtless thereby saved the life of the brave +young nobleman. It was long cherished as +the one deed of mercy in the midst of a campaign +and battle which left its marks of +suffering and sorrow on every side.</p> + +<p>An instance of the other side of the British +commander's character came to Tom's +attention not long afterwards, when he heard +of the misfortune of an old lady seventy +years of age, in whose house General Clinton +made his headquarters. The British officer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +noticing that his hostess had caused all of +her better furniture and valuables to be removed, +informed her that she need have had +no fears for the safety of her possessions, +for he himself would protect her and them, +and urged her to have them brought back +again. As the old lady expressed her fears +and objected, he repeated his assurances so +strongly that she yielded and sent a man +with a wagon to the place in which they had +been concealed.</p> + +<p>When the wagon-load arrived in front of +her door, she in person applied to the British +commander for a guard; but the permission +was refused and, not even giving her a change +of dress for herself or her aged husband, the +goods were at once confiscated, and the old +lady was compelled to give up her bedroom +and sleep with the negro women upon the +floor of the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Among the congregation which had assembled +at the "new church" to watch the +battle was one man who, instead of joining +his friends upon the roof or steeple, took his +seat upon one of the gravestones. Not long +afterwards, a cannon-ball came speeding in +that direction, and struck the unfortunate +man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span></p> + +<p>The congregation upon the roof did not +wait for the customary benediction to be pronounced, +we may be sure, and while the most +of them hastily dispersed, a few remained to +carry the wounded man into the "meeting-house," +where he died within a few minutes, +and the stains of his blood remained for +many years upon the floor. It was within +six feet of the west end of this same "new +church" that the body of the unfortunate +British Colonel Monckton, over which the +contending forces had such a desperate struggle, +was buried.</p> + +<p>Within the vicinity of Monmouth Court +House many houses and farm buildings were +set on fire and burned by the redcoats, some +of whom openly declared that there was no +hope of conquering the rebels until "they +had burned every house and killed every +man, woman, and child." Just how they +expected to conquer <i>after</i> they had burned +the buildings and slain the people is not +clear to us to-day; but doubtless the expression +and the purpose alike were born of the +fury of the battle, and was only one among +many of the results of war, which even in +its mildest forms appeals to all that is bad +in men. And as the campaign in Old Monmouth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> +presented none of the milder forms of +war, such deeds, terrible as they were, were +not unnatural.</p> + +<p>Nor were they all confined to one side, for +the men in buff and blue were as much +aroused as the men in scarlet, and, while +naturally the anecdotes and incidents of the +battle are largely those of the cruel deeds of +the redcoats, doubtless if all things had been +recorded, we should have found that many of +those brave ancestors of ours were not entirely +guiltless of similar deeds.</p> + +<p>An unusual story was that of Captain Cook +of the Virginia Corps, who was shot through +the lungs. He was carried into a room in a +near-by house and ordered by the surgeon not +to speak. A brother officer came into the +room and tenderly asked of the wounded man +whether anything could be done for him. +Captain Cook, in spite of his sufferings, was +mindful of the surgeon's words and made no +reply. Mistaking the cause of the silence, +his friend departed from the house and reported +to Washington that Captain Cook was +dead, and then the commander ordered a +coffin to be placed under the window of the +room in which the brave captain was supposed +to be lying dead. But Captain Cook was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> +not dead, nor did he die until many years +afterwards, and lived to visit several times the +good people in Old Monmouth, who had tenderly +ministered to his wants until he was +able to rejoin the army.</p> + +<p>After the battle, many of the dead were +found beneath the shade of trees, or beside +the little streams to which they had crawled +for shelter or for water; and many of these +had perished, not from wounds, but from +their labors in the intense heat of the day. +Several houses at Monmouth Court House +were filled with the wounded after the battle, +and every room in the Court House itself was +likewise filled. The suffering soldiers lay +upon the straw which had been scattered over +the floors, and the groans and cries of the +wounded and the moanings of the dying resounded +together. The faces of many were +so blackened that their dearest friends did +not recognize them, and as fast as they died +their bodies were taken and buried in pits, +which were only slightly covered by the sand.</p> + +<p>A similar service was rendered for the +enemy's dead, and among them was found a +sergeant of dragoons whose immense body +had been a familiar sight to both armies, for +the man was said to have been the tallest soldier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span> +ever seen in all the struggle of the Revolution, +and to have measured seven feet and +four inches in height.</p> + +<p>So, side by side, or in neighboring graves, +the nameless bodies of friends and foes were +left for their last long sleep. The roar of +the cannon, the shouts of the men, the calls +of the officers, the bitter feelings of the awful +war were never to disturb or arouse them +again. They had done their part, and done +it well; but the land for which they struggled +could never mark their resting-places, +nor perhaps recall the names of all. But the +heroes whose names we praise would never +have been honored except for the part the +faithful and brave, but nameless and forgotten, +heroes took. In honoring the one class, +let us never forget to pay a tribute of honor +and of praise to the unknown and forgotten +heroes of Old Monmouth.</p> + +<p>The loss of the Americans in the battle +had been three hundred and sixty-two. That +of the British, while it was reported to have +been four hundred and sixteen, was doubtless +much greater, for the Americans buried no +less than two hundred and forty-five of the +redcoats, and had no means of knowing how +many had been carried away. Washington<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +himself believed the loss to have been as +great as twelve hundred.</p> + +<p>Who were the victors on the plains of Old +Monmouth? What were the effects of the +campaign upon the fortunes of the struggling +States? Most American writers have claimed +that the victory belonged to the Continentals +because they had driven the British from the +field, while many British writers have claimed +that it was a drawn battle.</p> + +<p>Certainly, Washington must have felt bitterly +disappointed, for he had hoped to defeat +the enemy and capture their baggage and +stores. His failure to do so was not due to +the British, but to the treachery of Charles +Lee. Had Lee carried out the orders given +him, there can be little doubt to-day that the +battle of Monmouth would have aided in +putting an end to the war long before peace +came.</p> + +<p>We are not concerned by what might have +been the result, however, but by what was +the result. Clinton succeeded in withdrawing +his troops and saving his baggage train, +and with both soon after embarked (June +30) upon the ships which Lord Howe had +been keeping in waiting off Sandy Hook, +and thereby gained the safety of New York.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> +But his men were greatly disheartened, and +came to regard the despised "rebels" in an +entirely new light. Indeed, within a week +more than two thousand deserted, the most +of whom were Hessians, and the confidence of +those who remained was sadly broken. While +it is a current saying that "nothing succeeds +like success," it is also evident that nothing +fails like failure, and this was as true in +those trying days of the Revolution as it is +to-day, and General Clinton soon found it to +be so.</p> + +<p>Upon the Americans, the moral effect of +the campaign and battle was more needed +than the material effect. Valley Forge was +passed now, Philadelphia had been abandoned +by the British, and the Americans had found +upon the plains of Old Monmouth, as they +had at Trenton and Princeton, that their +men were not inferior to their enemies, while +their officers were among the best the world +had known. The opponents and enemies of +Washington, and they were many at the time +both within and without Congress, were compelled +to be silent, and the great commander +was free to face his difficulties and dangers, +which were not ended after the battle of +Monmouth. That campaign had served<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> +chiefly to place behind him one more of his +problems, but, as we shall see, many yet +remained to try the soul of the noblest American +of them all.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 302px;"> +<img src="images/illus399.jpg" width="302" height="500" alt="HE DISCOVERED THAT THE SOLDIER WAS HIS FRIEND" title="" /> +<span class="caption">HE DISCOVERED THAT THE SOLDIER WAS HIS FRIEND</span> +</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, what had become of the lad +Tom Coward? Alarmed by the battle, not +daring to fight and yet not knowing where +to withdraw, although his fear had not been +strong enough to lead to such a result, he +was driven about by the movements of the +men, and in one of the lulls which came in +the conflict, he found himself almost alone. +He was near a barn which stood beyond the +borders of the battlefield, and was just about +to turn the corner when he stumbled over +the body of a fallen man.</p> + +<p>As he glanced down, he was almost overcome +when he discovered that the soldier was +his friend, the young lieutenant. A hurried +examination revealed that he was still living, +though he was badly wounded in the throat. +The lad lifted the head of the suffering man, +but a groan caused him to desist. Almost +overcome by grief and fear, he turned to seek +for aid.</p> + + + +<p>As he looked quickly about him, he perceived +a man in the distance on the border +of the woods away from the battle-ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> +Instantly he turned and ran toward him, and +to his surprise discovered that the man was +none other than Friend Nathan Brown.</p> + +<p>"Come, Nathan! come! Be quick! Lieutenant +Gordon's over here by the barn. +He's terribly wounded and may die any +moment. Come and help me with him!"</p> + +<p>The Quaker instantly responded, and without +explaining how it had happened that he +should be discovered so near a scene to +which in spirit as well as in practice he was +strongly opposed, ran by the side of the +eager lad to the place where the wounded +man had fallen.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>TOM COWARD'S PATIENT</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> place where young Lieutenant Gordon +was lying was in the rear of the barn which +belonged to the parsonage of the "new +church." After the bullet had hit him, he +had managed to crawl to that secluded place, +but the sounds of the battle, which was still +being waged in the vicinity, were not long +heard by the wounded officer, for he had +soon become unconscious, and the roar of the +cannon and the shouts of the men were all +unheeded and unheard.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?" said Nathan in a low +voice, as he looked down upon the unconscious +man.</p> + +<p>"No! no!" replied Tom hastily; "or at +least he wasn't a minute ago. No, he's still +alive," he added after a hurried examination. +"We must carry him away from this place."</p> + +<p>"I see no place for thy friend. These +sons of Belial are not likely to permit thee to +depart unnoticed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span></p> + +<p>Friend Nathan was trembling, and his face +betrayed his alarm. And there was much to +frighten him. Clouds of smoke could be +seen not far away, and the loud shouts of +men and the reports of their guns could be +distinctly heard. The struggle near the +meeting-house was one of the most severe +in all the battle, and the danger of which +the frightened Nathan spoke was not unreal. +But Tom's fears had departed now, and +although he never fully understood the cause +of the change in his feelings, the sight of his +suffering friend and his determination to aid +him had banished all thoughts concerning +his own personal safety.</p> + +<p>At a distance of a half mile, Tom could +see a little farmhouse, and he hastily decided +that the young lieutenant must be carried +there. The building was on the border of +the plain and on the side opposite to the +place where the struggle was going on.</p> + +<p>There would be danger in the attempt to +carry him across the field, but thinking only +of his friend, Tom said hastily, "We must +carry him to that farmhouse yonder, Nathan. +I don't know who lives there, but whoever +does won't refuse to receive a wounded man, +I know. You take hold of his feet, and I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> +lift the head and shoulders, and we'll get +him there somehow. Come, Nathan, we +mustn't delay a minute."</p> + +<p>"Have it thine own way, Friend Thomas," +replied Nathan, as he stooped and grasped +the legs of the wounded officer.</p> + +<p>Tom gently lifted the head of the young +lieutenant at the same time, and carefully +across the field the two men began to move +with their burden. Their progress necessarily +was slow, and the lad's fears were not +allayed by the evident alarm of his companion. +Nathan repeatedly glanced behind him, and +several times Tom was compelled to speak +sharply to recall the frightened man to their +present task. The shouts and reports of the +guns were increasing, and Tom's strongest +desire was to avoid attracting the attention of +any of the combatants.</p> + +<p>They had safely passed beyond the orchard, +and he was just beginning to hope that their +efforts would be successful, when suddenly +Nathan's hat was lifted from his head and +the sound of a whistling musket-ball was +heard as it passed above them.</p> + +<p>For a moment, the startled Nathan looked +down at his hat, and as he perceived the hole +in it which the bullet had made, he instantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +dropped his burden, and turning sharply +about, started in a swift run across the field.</p> + +<p>"Come back, Nathan! Come back! Don't +leave me here!" pleaded Tom; but Nathan +did not heed the call.</p> + +<p>His pace was a marvelous one for a man +of his years, and as he bent low over the +ground, as if to avoid other bullets which +might be coming toward him, and sped +swiftly forward, under other circumstances +Tom might have felt inclined to laugh at the +ludicrous sight the fleeing man of peace presented. +But as it was he felt much more +inclined to cry than to laugh, and, as he +realized his own helplessness, he knew not +what to do. If he had been alone he might +have followed Nathan and gained a place of +safety, but, as he glanced down upon the +suffering man, who now lay stretched upon +the ground, his whole soul rebelled against +the thought of deserting his friend in a time +like that.</p> + +<p>What could he do? The desperate lad +looked about him hoping to discover some +one whom he might summon to his aid. In +the distance he could see the bands of struggling +soldiers, and their shouts and shots +could be clearly heard. But they were all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> +intent upon their own contest, and there was +no one who would hear or heed him if he +should call.</p> + +<p>He could not abandon his friend—that +much at least was certain; and at last he +determined to do his utmost to carry the +helpless, wounded man himself. Placing his +arms beneath the shoulders of the unconscious +lieutenant, and striving to rest the +head against his own body, he started slowly +on, dragging the man with him. His progress +was necessarily slow, and he was compelled +to stop frequently, both for his own +sake and that of his friend. Still, on and on +he persistently made his way. The intense +heat of the day, his constant fear that life +would depart from the body he was dragging +forward, the sound of the battle behind him, +all combined to increase his troubles; but +not for a moment did he think of abandoning +his efforts for his friend.</p> + +<p>Proceeding slowly, stopping at frequent +intervals and then resuming his efforts, he +steadily drew nearer to the farmhouse he +had perceived in the distance. How much +time had been consumed he could not determine. +The minutes seemed like hours to the +struggling lad. His own danger was all forgotten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span> +for the time, and the one purpose in +his mind was to carry Lieutenant Gordon to +some place of safety, where it should be possible +to do something for the relief of the +desperately wounded man.</p> + +<p>At last, only one more lot remained to be +crossed, and with renewed hope Tom was +about to lift his burden, which he had +dropped for one of his brief rests, when he +suddenly discovered a man running toward +him. Startled and alarmed by the sight he +quickly perceived that the approaching man +was Friend Nathan, who, hatless and with a +dripping face, was soon by his side.</p> + +<p>"Thou hast put me to shame, Friend +Thomas," said Nathan soberly. "Thou art +a better man than I, as well as a braver. I +know not why it was, but when my hat was +lifted from my head, and I perceived that +hole the bullet had made, I lost my self-control. +My teaching has been that of peace +and I am poorly prepared for the contests of +war. I will give thee no cause to complain +now."</p> + +<p>"Take hold, then," said Tom quickly. +"We must get the lieutenant out of this +heat, or there'll be no hope for him."</p> + +<p>Nathan eagerly responded, and tenderly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +lifting the wounded man they proceeded +across the lot.</p> + +<p>When they halted for their first rest, Nathan +said, "I have a word to say to thee, +Friend Thomas. What did Washington say +to thee when he heard thy demand for a +recompense for the beast I let thee have?"</p> + +<p>"Say? He didn't say anything, because +I didn't say anything to him. You don't +suppose he hadn't anything more to do than +to talk with a boy like me about your old, +broken-winded razor-back, do you? I don't +even know what has become of the beast. I +know I'm glad I don't have to ride it any +more."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well, Friend Thomas," replied Nathan, +although Tom thought he discovered +a trace of disappointment in the expression +upon his face. "'Tis well, and I would not +have it otherwise. I have been humiliated +by my weakness in deserting thee, a mere +lad, at such a time as this. I would like also +to restore to you the half-joe you paid me for +my beast." And as Nathan spoke, he drew +the coin from his pocket and held it forth +for Tom to take.</p> + +<p>"I don't want your money," said the lad +quickly. "Take hold of the lieutenant again,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> +and this time we'll not stop before we come +to the house."</p> + +<p>Once more they tenderly took up their burden, +and slowly advancing, soon approached +the house. In the doorway a man and a +young woman, evidently his daughter, were +standing, watching the movements of the +approaching men with a curiosity which the +noise of the battle in the distance could not +entirely dispel.</p> + +<p>Tom's heart was lighter when he recognized +the man as Jonathan Cook and the +young woman as his daughter Mary.</p> + +<p>"We've brought this man here," said +Tom quickly, "to find a resting-place for +him. It's Lieutenant Gordon, and he's +terribly wounded. Will you let us put him +in one of your beds?"</p> + +<p>"We will that," said Mr. Cook. "We've +got one poor fellow here now, and will do all +we can for another, too. Take him right in +here," he added, leading the way to a bedroom +adjoining the living-room on the +ground floor.</p> + +<p>Tom and Nathan eagerly followed him, +and in a brief time had placed the suffering +man on the high bed. Although the lad +was almost exhausted by his efforts, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span> +Nathan's aid he soon removed the clothing +of the young officer, and then Mary came +and bathed his bleeding face, and with many +expressions of sympathy listened to the story +the weary boy had to tell.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it's been wise or safe +for us to stay here," said Mary, "but we just +couldn't leave the old place until we had to. +We've been keeping watch all day long, and +if the redcoats come this way we shall have +to go. It's been a good thing we've stayed, +though, for Captain Nealey is upstairs and +he's almost as badly wounded as this poor +man is. Oh, it's horrible, horrible!"</p> + +<p>But intense as Mary's feelings were, they +did not prevent her from bestowing a very +tender care upon the unconscious young lieutenant, +and as soon as Tom was satisfied that +his friend was receiving better nursing than +he could give, the lad went out of the room.</p> + +<p>He discovered Nathan bathing his face and +hands near the water-barrel, which stood beneath +the corner of the eaves, and after he +had followed his example, he began to be +sensible of his own feeling of exhaustion.</p> + +<p>"Now, Friend Thomas, thee must lie down +and get some sleep," said Nathan. "I will +assist Mary in her care of thy friend, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span> +insist that my words he obeyed. The heavy +task has been thine, and my own cowardice +has added to thy burdens, so that now it is +thy turn to rest."</p> + +<p>The tired lad was easily persuaded, and +after again going into the room in which the +unconscious lieutenant was lying, he followed +Mr. Cook up the stairs to a room above, and +soon threw himself heavily upon the bed and +fell into a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>It was dark when he awoke, and at first +it was almost impossible for him to recall +the events of the day. They soon returned, +however, and hastily arising, he made his +way down the stairs and entered the living-room, +where he discovered Nathan seated in +one of the large wooden chairs. The moonlight +came in through the open windows, and +as Nathan perceived the lad, he said,—</p> + +<p>"And did sleep come to thee, Friend +Thomas?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'm rested now. How's the lieutenant?"</p> + +<p>"There has been no change. Mary comes +every hour and bathes his face in cool water +from the well, but he does not open his eyes."</p> + +<p>"Is the battle ended? I don't hear any +guns."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know not. Since sunset all has been +quiet, and it is now midnight."</p> + +<p>"I'll watch now, and you go upstairs and +get some sleep."</p> + +<p>"Nay. I ought not to rest after my cowardice."</p> + +<p>"Never mind that. You will do all the +more if you rest awhile now."</p> + +<p>Nathan was soon persuaded, and Tom took +his place as watch. He could hear the troubled +breathing of the suffering man, but it +was the only sound to be heard. Outside +the house all was silent, and as the slow +hours passed, the only break which came was +the occasional visit of Mary to bathe the face +of the sufferer.</p> + +<p>At daybreak, Mr. Cook brought the news +of the retreat of the British, and great was +the rejoicing in the old farmhouse when it +was learned that at least the Americans had +not suffered defeat in the battle of the preceding +day.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Gordon was still living, although +no signs of improvement in his condition +could be discovered. Tom speedily +decided that, as he was not enrolled in the +army, there was nothing to prevent him from +remaining and caring for his friend. Nathan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> +also declared that he would return to his aid +as soon as he had gone home and explained +to Rachel the necessity for a further absence, +and the lad did not protest, for he thought +he understood the motive which prompted +the action.</p> + +<p>During the day, Mr. Cook brought the +reports of the battle, the hundred prisoners +taken, the number of the dead and wounded, +and the measures which were being taken in +the scattered farmhouses and the old Court-House +for the care of the sufferers.</p> + +<p>Tom did not leave the house. His one +thought now was of his wounded friend, and +all that loving hearts and gentle hands could +do was bestowed upon the suffering soldier, +who as yet had not shown that he was aware +of what was going on about him.</p> + +<p>The long day passed and the dreary night +followed, but still Tom and Mary cared for +the sufferer. Captain Nealey was said to be +improving rapidly, but no change as yet had +come in the condition of the young lieutenant.</p> + +<p>It was the morning of the second day, and +in the early light Tom had gone out to the +water-barrel again to bathe his face and +hands. His heart was heavy, for apparently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> +Lieutenant Gordon was worse, and all the +efforts of the lad and Mary had produced no +improvement in his condition.</p> + +<p>As Tom started to enter the house he +halted upon the doorstep and looked up the +road. A heavy farm wagon drawn by two +horses was approaching, and as it came nearer +the lad suddenly started as he thought he +recognized the team. Surely those were Benzeor +Osburn's horses. A moment later his +suspicions were confirmed, and he knew that +the lumbering wagon was his foster-father's.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>AMONG THE PINES</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Tom's</span> surprise was still further increased +when he recognized one of the men on the +seat as Little Peter, and by his side a sergeant, +who was driving. It was Little Peter's +condition, however, which quickly drew all of +Tom's attention, for the lad was carrying one +arm in a sling, one of his eyes was discolored, +and the marks of suffering were plainly to be +seen on his face.</p> + +<p>Tom quickly ran out into the road, and as +his friend recognized him, at a word from +him the horses stopped, and the two boys +looked at each other for a moment as if each +was trying to understand how it was that +they both were there.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Were you in the +battle?" said Tom, who was the first to +speak.</p> + +<p>"No, that is, I wasn't in the battle by the +Court-House. I met Fenton three days ago +up by the old mill, and these are a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> +tokens of his regard which he left with me," +said Little Peter, slightly moving his wounded +arm as he spoke.</p> + +<p>As Tom still looked blankly at him, the +lad continued, "I suppose Fenton thought +he left me dead, and it's likely I should +have died if Barzilla Giberson and Jacob +Vannote hadn't found me. They took me +up and carried me over to Benzeor's, though +I <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'did't'">didn't</ins> know anything about it at the time. +Sarah and her mother took such good care +of me that I'm all right now, or at least I'm +a good deal better."</p> + +<p>"You don't look as if you ought to be +here," replied Tom. "You say Barzilla and +Jacob found you and took you over to Benzeor's? +I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"They're all right; I understand just how +it is now."</p> + +<p>"What, Benzeor all right?"</p> + +<p>"No, Barzilla and Jacob. I know all +about Benzeor, too," he added in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"He hasn't been seen or heard from in +four days. I don't think he'll come home +again very soon. Tom, Sarah wanted me to +tell you, if I saw you, that you were to come +home just as soon as you could. I think she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +wants to explain something to you," he +added, noting Tom's expression of surprise. +"Since she's found out about Benzeor she +feels all broken up, and wants you to come +home."</p> + +<p>"Then she knows about Benzeor, does +she?" inquired Tom thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and so do I. You'll go, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I can't now; perhaps I will after a while," +and Tom went on to explain the circumstances +which seemed to make his return to Benzeor's +impossible for a time.</p> + +<p>"But how does it happen that you are here +so early in the morning, and with Benzeor's +team? You're almost the last person I expected +to see."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the way of it is like this. Barzilla +and Jacob and some of the Whigs have been +on the track of Fenton for several days now. +We've got word that he's down in the pines, +about two miles below Blue Ball. Several +parties are out after him, for they've made +up their minds to rid Old Monmouth of the +outlaw, if such a thing can be done. Well, +Barzilla came up to Benzeor's yesterday, and +when he found I was all right again, he suggested +that Ted and I report the matter to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> +some of the officers in the American army, +and get a detachment to go down there, so +that's what we've done, you see."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't see," replied Tom, looking +about for the detachment of soldiers of which +Little Peter had spoken. "Ted? Ted who?"</p> + +<p>"Ted Wilson, if you please," said that +worthy, suddenly rising from beneath the +straw with which the wagon-box was apparently +filled. "I'm the Ted what Little +Peter means. Yes, sir, I'm on the lookout +for those fellows that go around hangin' +Sallies. She's my wife, ye know."</p> + +<p>Startled as Tom was by the unexpected +appearance of the mighty Ted, he nevertheless +was compelled to laugh, as the huge man +stood before him striving to shake himself +free from the bits of straw which covered his +face, and shaking his fist at imaginary Fentons, +who went about engaged in the detestable +occupation of "hanging Sallies."</p> + +<p>"We saw General Lee yesterday, but he +had so much trouble of his own that he +couldn't listen much to ours," explained +Little Peter, "but he managed to give us a +sergeant and two men. The sergeant here +is driving, and the men are with Ted under +the straw."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tom's first thought was to inquire concerning +the trouble of General Lee, which Little +Peter referred to, but Ted interrupted his +question by declaring, "Yes, sir, I've got +two companions in my misery, cooped up +here under the straw. I don't see why they +don't let us sit up straight like men; but no, +they must cover us all over with straw, and +then put two or three barrels in the wagon-box +too. 'Tisn't my way o' doin' things, for +I'd take Jesh and go straight down to the +pines and hang Fenton on the first tree I +found. That's the way I'd do it. But I +suppose I'll have to obey orders."</p> + +<p>"That's what you will," said the sergeant, +who had been manifesting signs of impatience +for several minutes. "We mustn't stand here +in the road talking all day. Lie down, Ted, +and we'll cover you up again."</p> + +<p>Reluctantly the huge man consented, and +was soon hidden from sight by the straw +which was thrown over him. The barrels +were again arranged to present the appearance +of an ordinary load, and then the sergeant, +picking up the reins which were lying +loose in his hands, spoke to the horses and +started down the road.</p> + +<p>Little Peter turned and watched Tom, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span> +had remained by the roadside, gazing eagerly +after the departing wagon, and when at last +he could see him no longer, once more gave +all his thought to the dangerous expedition +on which he had started with his companions.</p> + +<p>Benzeor's horses were in much better condition +than those of his neighbors, for reasons +that are apparent now to all our readers, and +they maintained so steady a pace that by +noontime the party had entered within the +borders of the pines.</p> + +<p>The road here became rough and heavy, +and the progress, as a consequence, was correspondingly +slow. The tall stately trees, +the whisperings of the wind, the silence of +the great forest, and above all, the knowledge +that they had entered upon the most dangerous +portion of their journey, made all the +men in the wagon anxious and watchful. +Not a word was spoken now, even Ted +having ceased to complain of his narrow +quarters, and having no remarks to make +concerning the outlaws, whose disposition led +them to go about the country attacking defenseless +men and "hanging Sallies."</p> + +<p>Every tree might conceal an enemy, and at +any moment the discharge of a gun might +indicate that their presence had been discovered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> +The habitations of men had been left +behind them soon after they had entered the +sombre forests, and the few rude little shanties +near the border, occupied by negroes and +people whose reputation in Old Monmouth +was not of the best, had all been passed. +The vegetation was scanty, and long barren +stretches of sand could be seen on every side. +The sunlight only penetrated the gloom in +places, and its presence served to increase +the dark and sombre appearance of the unbroken +forest.</p> + +<p>Little Peter maintained a careful watch +upon one side as they advanced, and the sergeant +watched the other, but they seldom +spoke now, and then only in whispers. The +full sense of the danger of entering a region, +known to be used by the pine robbers as their +headquarters, was appreciated as it had not +been when they started. They had no means +of knowing how many men Fenton might +have with him, and hard as the outlaws were +against the defenseless people of Old Monmouth, +doubtless they would display the honor +which it is said thieves maintain toward one +another, and if others should be within hailing +distance when Fenton was attacked they +would all quickly rally to his assistance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span></p> + +<p>And the resistance which Fenton himself +would be likely to make was not forgotten. +The vision of him, as he suddenly appeared +to Little Peter on that lonely road to the old +mill a few days previous to this time, came up +before the lad now. His big and burly frame, +his bared and powerful arms, the brutal and +merciless expression upon his evil face, were +all seen again, and the lad shuddered as he +recalled his experiences with him.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong?" whispered the sergeant +quickly. "See anything?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet."</p> + +<p>Little Peter had not been in the region +since the breaking out of the war, although +before that time he and Tom had made frequent +visits there. Still, he recognized the +locality, and knew the place to which Barzilla +had reported that Fenton had gone. It +was a rude log house, built of the pine-trees, +and could not be more than two miles in +advance of them.</p> + +<p>The horses were toiling now as they dragged +the heavy wagon through the deep sand. +Fish-hawks had their nests in the tops of the +lofty trees, and occasionally Peter obtained +a glimpse of the great birds as they sailed in +the air far above him. A brown rabbit now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> +and then came forth from his burrow, and +after eying the intruders a moment, would +go bounding away into the thickets, or else +dart swiftly back into his underground home. +The note of a wood-thrush now and again +broke in upon the stillness with its clear, +sweet whistle, and the watchful men would +glance quickly about them, almost thinking +that the sound was the call of the pine robbers +to one another.</p> + +<p>Little Peter's fear and the pain he was +suffering from his recent encounter with Fenton +made his face pale, and as the sergeant +again turned to him and marked his appearance, +he said, "'T was too bad, my lad, that +you had to come."</p> + +<p>"I knew the way. I had to come and show +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes. I know it, but it's hard, for +all that."</p> + +<p>"We're almost there now. The place +can't be more than a quarter of a mile farther +on."</p> + +<p>The sergeant did not reply, but turned +quickly at the words, and peered keenly +into the forest before him. No one could +be seen, and the tall trees guarded well their +secret. The toiling horses were pulling steadily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> +on their load, and they, at least, felt no +alarm; but Little Peter and his companion +were anxious now, and were keeping their +eyes steadily fixed upon the road before +them.</p> + +<p>"There! That's the place!" whispered the +lad excitedly, as he obtained a glimpse of a +little clearing not far in advance of them.</p> + +<p>The sergeant did not reply, but he tightened +his grasp upon the reins, and glanced +down at the gun which he had placed within +easy reach. Little Peter's excitement had +become intense, and he was peering eagerly +ahead of him, while his breathing was quick +and hard. They would soon know what the +result of the expedition was to be.</p> + +<p>The heavy wagon came out into the clearing, +and drew near to the one small house, +which was standing within it. The house +was of logs, and corresponded exactly to the +description which Barzilla had given of it. +As yet, no human being had been seen, and +the sergeant was just about to declare that +the place was not inhabited when the door +was suddenly opened and a man stepped forth +to view. Evidently he had heard the sounds +of the approaching wagon, and had come out +to investigate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was a tall, broad-shouldered, powerful-appearing +man. He was clad in a pair of +rough trousers and high boots, which looked +as if they might have belonged to some Hessian +dragoon at one time, and the red flannel +shirt which partially covered his chest could +not entirely conceal the great bunches of +muscle there. In one hand he grasped a +pistol, and the expression upon his face might +well have caused a man with a much stouter +heart than Little Peter had to tremble.</p> + +<p>The sergeant glanced inquiringly at the +lad by his side, and Little Peter nodded his +head in reply to the unspoken question. The +man was Fenton himself,—the one who had +robbed the widows and the fatherless, had +made the midnight attacks upon the defenseless +people of Old Monmouth, had hanged +trembling women from the limbs of trees, +and tortured his helpless victims into revealing +the places where their scanty savings +had been concealed. He had been the +leader of bands as desperate and wicked as +himself, and the suffering and woe which +the good people of the surrounding region +had experienced at his hands can never be +told. And now the man himself stood waiting +for the wagon, in which were Little Peter,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> +himself a victim of the pine robbers' cruelty, +and his companions, to approach.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" called Fenton. "You're +movin' too fast. What ye doin' here?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant stopped his horses, and as +Fenton approached and stood near the wheel, +he said, "We've come down here to look for +a man we want to find."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'll do as well as any other. +Look at me! Ye're not goin' any farther, +ye might as well understand that now as any +time. Got a bottle with ye?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant drew forth a bottle of brandy +and handed it to the outlaw. Fenton took +it, and raised one foot upon the hub of the +wheel. As he lifted the bottle to his lips, +his eyes fell upon Little Peter, who had been +endeavoring to conceal himself behind his +companion.</p> + +<p>Instantly recognizing the lad, he shouted, +"You here? You? I thought I left ye +dead up by the mill the other day! You +rascal! One whipping wasn't enough, was +it? I'll give ye what ye deserve now!"</p> + +<p>Fenton reached back with one hand to +grasp the pistol he had thrust into his +pocket when he had taken the bottle. +Quickly the sergeant kicked the foot of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span> +Ted Wilson under the straw, and instantly +the men arose, and before Fenton could act, +had brought their guns to their shoulders +and the reports rang out together.</p> + +<p>The pine robber pitched heavily forward, +and lay dead upon the sand. Oh, it was +horrible, awful! A sensation of sickness, of +faintness, swept over Little Peter as he looked +down upon the face of the dead outlaw.</p> + +<p>"What's that? What's that?" said Ted +quickly.</p> + +<p>It was the sound of a gun not far away. +It might be the answer of other bands of pine +robbers to the volley which had just been +fired; and hurriedly throwing the body of +Fenton into the wagon, the sergeant turned +his horses about and started swiftly back up +the road.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>CONCLUSION</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> spite of the heavy sand the horses were +driven swiftly, until their heaving sides and +dripping flanks compelled their driver to give +them a much-needed rest. Ted Wilson and +one of the soldiers then leaped lightly to the +ground and ran into the woods on either +side of the road to ascertain whether they +were pursued or not.</p> + +<p>As the silence of the great forest was unbroken +they speedily returned, and the flight +was resumed. No one was concealed beneath +the straw in the wagon-box now, and every +one stood waiting and ready to share in the +defense which at any moment might become +necessary.</p> + +<p>On past the tall pine-trees, on through the +heavy sandy road, rushed the returning party, +and at last, when they obtained a glimpse of +the open country, they breathed a sigh of +relief as they realized that the danger of +immediate pursuit was gone. It was not until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span> +nearly a year after this time that they learned +that the gun they had heard had been discharged +by De Bow, the desperate leader of +another band of outlaws as evil in every way +as those whom the detested Fenton had himself +led.</p> + +<p>It was near the close of the day when the +party, of which Little Peter was a member, +drove up to Monmouth Court-House. Carelessly, +almost brutally, the sergeant and one +of his companions seized the body of the dead +outlaw, and flinging it from the wagon into +one of the trenches the soldiers had made, +shouted, "Here's a cordial for your tories +and wood robbers!"</p> + +<p>Little Peter had no share in the rejoicing +which followed when it was known that the +pine robber was no more. It was true, he +knew Fenton had richly deserved his fate, +and that no more would the defenseless people +of Old Monmouth suffer from the evil +deeds of his marauding band. He, too, had +known something of Fenton's wickedness, for +he was motherless, homeless, and almost +fatherless because of him, and his own body for +many days bore the traces of his meeting with +him on his return from the mill; but in spite +of all that, his heart was sick whenever he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span> +thought of the dead face he had seen looking +up at him from the wagon-box, and the brutal +rejoicings of the men who had shot him near +his abode among the pines.</p> + +<p>On the following day Tom Coward returned +to Benzeor's house for a brief visit, reporting +a very decided improvement in the condition +of young Lieutenant Gordon. A long interview +between Tom and Sarah followed, and +as the troubled girl explained to the lad what +she had learned concerning the evil deeds of +her own father, and begged him to return +and aid her in caring for the family in the +presence of such dangers and perplexities, +Tom could not find it in his heart to refuse. +The kindness bestowed upon him in the home, +and the obligations to repay as best he could +the care he himself had received there, were +too strong to be ignored, and greatly to the +joy of Sarah and her mother he yielded to +their urgent pleas. He had not yet enlisted +in the army, and so was free to decide the +question for himself.</p> + +<p>He was aided in making the decision by +the fact that Little Peter was also to remain. +His own home had been destroyed, and as +there was no place to which he could take his +little brothers and sisters, there was every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span> +reason why he should accept the invitation +and increase the defenses of the household.</p> + +<p>It was not considered probable that Benzeor +would return, nor was it known what had become +of the man, who had gradually and yet +steadily been drawn into the power of the +pine robbers, until at last he was considered +by them all as one of themselves, and indeed +he was. Neither the boys nor Sarah knew +then whither he had gone. Tom thought he +might have been killed in the battle, and it +was not until more than a year had passed +that word came from the missing Benzeor; +but where he had been and what he had been +doing do not belong to this story.</p> + +<p>On the day following the great battle of +Monmouth, General Lee had, to a certain extent, +recovered from his chagrin at the public +rebuke General Washington had administered +to him, and in his arrogance, and as a relief +to his feeling of mortification, he wrote a childish +letter to the commander, demanding an +apology for the words he had spoken in the +presence of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Washington's reply to Lee's letter was as +follows:—</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I received your letter, expressed, +as I conceive, in terms highly improper. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span> +am not conscious of making use of any very +singular expressions, at the time of meeting +you, as you intimate. What I recollect +to have said was dictated by duty and warranted +by the occasion. As soon as circumstances +will permit, you shall have an opportunity +of justifying yourself to the army, to +Congress, to America, and to the world in +general; or of convincing them that you were +guilty of a breach of orders, and of misbehavior +before the enemy on the 28th instant, +in not attacking them as you had been directed, +and in making an unnecessary, disorderly, and +shameful retreat."</p> + +<p>Lee's reply to this letter, as impudent as it +was childish, certainly did not tend to elevate +him in the estimation of the men of his own +time, or of ours. His letter was as follows: +"You cannot afford me greater pleasure than +in giving me the opportunity of showing to +America the sufficiency of her respective servants. +I trust that temporary power of office, +and the tinsel dignity attending it, will not +be able, by all the mists they can raise, to +obfuscate the bright rays of truth."</p> + +<p>Washington's reply to this insulting letter +was to arrest Lee. The traitor was at once +court-martialed and charged with disobedience<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span> +of orders, misbehavior on the field, making a +disgraceful retreat, and also with gross disrespect +to his commander-in-chief. The trial +lasted more than a month, and the result was +that Lee was suspended for the term of one +year. If strict justice had been measured out +to the man, doubtless he would not have +escaped with so light a sentence; but Washington +was merciful, and although Lee did +not appreciate the kindness shown him, he +owed his life to the man whose heart and +mind were so much greater than his own.</p> + +<p>General Washington did not long delay in +Old Monmouth after the battle. The British +army had gained New York, and so the +American commander moved to the Hudson, +and on the 20th of July went into camp at +White Plains, having left some of the militia +to look well to the needs of the country in +which the great battle had been fought.</p> + +<p>And Monmouth was a great battle. Not +only did the men struggle with a determination +such as has been seldom displayed, but +the results of the engagement itself were also +marked and strong. While the two armies, +after Washington had gone to the Hudson +and Clinton to New York, occupied much +the same relative positions as in the latter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span> +part of '76, the motives which controlled each +were exactly reversed. The Americans now +became the aggressors, and the British were +compelled to defend themselves.</p> + +<p>All this was intensified by the action of +France. Benjamin Franklin had succeeded +in arranging a treaty between that land and +ours. France was to send a fleet of sixteen +war vessels under D'Estaing to our shores, +and also an army of four thousand men. It +was the coming of this fleet which, as we +know, caused the British to depart from Philadelphia +and hasten to the defense of New +York, which place they thought would be +first attacked. The march of the redcoats +and Hessians across New Jersey gave Washington +an opportunity to pursue them, and +while he failed in accomplishing all that he +hoped, and much that he might have done +had it not been for the treacherous actions of +Lee, still he virtually had won a victory. He +compelled the British to retreat with great +losses, he strengthened his own position, he +silenced his enemies in Congress, and, above +all, he aroused a new feeling of hope and +determination in the hearts of the struggling +Americans.</p> + +<p>The British very promptly declared war<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span> +against France, and then coolly invited the +Americans to join them, promising all that +the colonists had asked three years before +this time. The offer had come too late, however, +for now the colonies had become States, +and independence had been declared, and independence +the new nation would have. So +the war was continued, but the part which +the new allies took and the further struggles +of the determined Americans belong to another +story.</p> + +<p>It only remains to refer briefly to the experiences +of our friends, whose fortunes we +have followed in the course of this book.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Gordon at last recovered from +his wound. Tom Coward divided his time +between caring for his friend and the labor +on Benzeor's farm. In the former task he +was aided by Friend Nathan Brown until +such a time as the young lieutenant could be +removed to his own home.</p> + +<p>Friend Nathan had been unable to remain +away from the battle of Monmouth, and while +both his feelings and professions had prevented +him from entering into the struggle, +still his interest had been so intense that he +had started from his home to the scene of the +struggle. There he met Tom, and the part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span> +he then took in caring for the wounded young +officer we already know.</p> + +<p>Neither Tom nor Little Peter was idle. +There was much work to be done on both +farms, and the lads aided each other. The +crop on the ten-acre lot was successfully +grown and harvested, and the immediate +problem of food in Benzeor's household was +in a measure solved.</p> + +<p>Indian John was never seen by our boys +again. Whether he had been slain by the +British or the pine robbers, or had departed +from the homes of his ancestors for a region +into which the redcoats and buffcoats did +not enter, was never known. Both Tom +and Little Peter were inclined to the latter +conclusion, however, and their opinion was +strengthened by the fact that "Charlie" +Moluss, and his wife Bathsheba, and her sister +"Suke" were never seen or heard from +again.</p> + +<p>Several times the boys made their way into +Indian John's cave by the brook, but they +never discovered any signs of their friend. +He had forever disappeared, but his stories +concerning the origin of the Jersey mosquitoes, +his interpretations of the roar of the +ocean and the calls of the sea-birds, and above<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span> +all the assistance he had rendered Little Peter +in the trying days of '78 were never forgotten.</p> + +<p>Weeks had passed before Little Peter positively +learned that Benzeor's statement concerning +his father had been correct, but at +last he received definite information that he +was a prisoner in New York. What that +meant to the troubled lad, few of us to-day +can understand. The sufferings on board +the prison-ships and in the prison-houses of +New York almost baffle description; but we +may be sure of one thing, and that is that +Little Peter did not sit idly down, nor rest +content to leave his father where he was +without making some efforts in his behalf. +But that, too, belongs to another record.</p> + +<p>Barzilla Giberson and Jacob Vannote +after the death of Fenton did not find it +necessary to play a double part. They believed +that their efforts to run the pine robbers +to cover had been successful, and that +now they could boldly and openly take their +stand on the side of the patriots. And take +that stand they did, and their services in the +New Jersey militia are known in all the +region of Old Monmouth.</p> + +<p>Ted Wilson, with Jeshurun "waxen fatter"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span> +and consequently still more inclined to +kick, returned to his home after the death of +Fenton. He found Sallie and the babies +safe at the Dennises, but all of the mighty +Ted's former indifference as to his rulers had +departed. The taste of the struggle he had +had seemed only to whet his appetite for +more, and not many days had passed before +Ted and Jeshurun once more started forth +in quest of service and adventure.</p> + +<p>Sarah Osburn labored faithfully and cheerfully +for the welfare of her enlarged household, +and the boys did not fail to appreciate +her kindness. Tom thought he understood +the motive which prompted much of her care +for Little Peter's younger brothers and sisters, +but throughout the long absence of +Benzeor he never directly or indirectly referred +to it.</p> + +<p>There was a brief lull in the outrages and +attacks of the pine robbers after the death +of Fenton, but it was very brief. Stephen +Burke (or Stephen Emmons as he was sometimes +called), Stephen West, Ezekiel Williams, +Jonathan West, Richard Bird, Davenport, +De Bow, and others were yet living, and as +each was the leader of a band as desperate +as himself, and as all were as reckless and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span> +brave as Fenton had been, in a brief time +the suffering people of Old Monmouth found +that their troubles were by no means ended.</p> + +<p>Redcoat and buffcoat were again to contend +within their borders, salt-works and +houses were to be burned, gunboats were to +anchor off her shore and their crews were to +engage in conflicts with the patriots; whigs +and tories were not yet reconciled, the pine +robbers were not yet subdued. Five long +and terrible years of the struggle of the +Revolution were yet to come, and the sands +of Old Monmouth were again and again to +be dyed by the blood of fallen men.</p> + +<p>The waves which came creeping, crawling +up the long sandy shore, the tall pine-trees +whose tops whispered together as they bent +beneath the summer winds and winter storms, +the fertile plains and noble forests of oak +and chestnut, were unchanged; but the +struggling men and women of Old Monmouth +were yet to endure the bitter hardships +and fierce contests, which the closing +days of the Revolution brought to them in +greater numbers than to almost any other +people of our land.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Boys of Old Monmouth, by Everett T. Tomlinson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOYS OF OLD MONMOUTH *** + +***** This file should be named 34864-h.htm or 34864-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/6/34864/ + +Produced by Emmy, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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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