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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Neal, the Miller
+by James Otis
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+Title: Neal, the Miller
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+Author: James Otis
+
+Release Date: July, 2003  [Etext #4293]
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+[This file was first posted on December 30, 2001]
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Neal, the Miller
+by James Otis
+******This file should be named nealm10.txt or nealm10.zip******
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+Produced by John Kaler.
+
+NEAL, THE MILLER
+
+A SON OF LIBERTY
+
+
+BY JAMES OTIS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1 THE PROJECT
+
+"I FEAR you are undertaking too much, Neal. When a fellow lacks two years
+of his majority--"
+
+"You forget that I have been my own master more than a year. Father gave
+me my time before he died, and that in the presence of Governor Wentworth
+himself."
+
+"Why before him rather than 'Squire White?"
+
+"I don't know. My good friend Andrew McCleary attended to the business for
+me, and to-day I may make contracts as legally as two years hence."
+
+"Even with that advantage I do not see how it will be possible for you to
+build a grist-mill; or, if you should succeed in getting so far with the
+project, how you can procure the machinery. It is such an undertaking as
+Andrew McCleary himself would not venture."  " Yet he has promised me
+every assistance in his power."
+
+"And how much may that be? He has no friends at court who can--"
+
+"Neither does he wish for one there, Stephen Kidder. He is a man who has
+the welfare of the colonists too much at heart to seek for friends near
+the throne."
+
+"It is there he will need them if he hopes to benefit New Hampshire."
+
+"Perhaps not. The time is coming when it behooves each of us to observe
+well the law regarding our arms."
+
+"You mean the statute which declares that' every male from sixteen to
+sixty must have ready for use one musket and bayonet, a knapsack,
+cartridge-box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints?' "
+
+"There is none other that I know of."
+
+"Then I shall not be a law-breaker, for I am provided in due form. But
+what has that to do with your mill? I think you will find it difficult to
+buy the stamped paper necessary for the lawful making of your contracts
+unless you dispose of your outfit for war or hunting, which is the best to
+be found in Portsmouth."
+
+"That I shall never do, even if I fail in getting the mill. Do you know,
+Stephen, that I was admitted to the ranks of the Sons of Liberty last
+night?"
+
+"The honours are being heaped high on the head of the would-be miller of
+the Pascataqua," Kidder replied, with a laugh. " Do you expect the Sons of
+Liberty will do away with the necessity for stamped paper?"
+
+"Who shall say? Much can--"
+
+Walter Neal did not conclude the sentence, for at that instant two men
+passed, and a signal, so slight as not to be observed by his companion,
+was given by one of the new-comers, causing the young man to hasten away
+without so much as a word in explanation of his sudden departure, while
+Stephen Kidder stood gazing after him in blank amazement.
+
+The two friends whose conversation was so suddenly interrupted were
+natives of the town of Portsmouth, in the Province of New Hampshire; and,
+had either had occasion to set down the date of this accidental meeting,
+it would have been written, October 26th, 1765.
+
+As has been suggested, Walter Neal's ambition was to erect a grist-mill a
+certain distance up the Pascataqua River, where was great need of one,
+since land in that portion of the province was being rapidly settled; and,
+although without capital, he believed it might be possible for him to
+accomplish his desires.
+
+He was favourably known to the merchants of Portsmouth, and thanks to the
+efforts of his friend, Andrew McCleary, -ten years his senior, -several
+tradesmen had intimated that perhaps they might advance sufficient money
+to start the enterprise in a limited way.
+
+Neal had inherited a small amount of property from his father; but, like
+many of the farmers in the New World, he was sadly hampered by the lack of
+ready money. During several weeks prior to this accidental meeting with
+Stephen Kidder, he had been forced to temporarily abandon his scheming in
+regard to the mill, that he might try to raise sufficient money with which
+to pay the annual tax, already more than burdensome, upon his small
+estate.
+
+As Neal hastened after the two men who had given him the signal to follow
+them, the most engrossing thought in his mind was as to how the amount of
+four pounds and seven shillings in cash could be raised without a
+sacrifice of the cattle from the home farm.
+
+Ephraim Foulsham had partially agreed to advance the sum if he could be
+secured by a chattel-mortgage, and when Neal overtook those in advance he
+was speculating upon the possibility of getting the amount that day, lest
+execution should be issued against him.
+
+That which he heard, however, speedily drove all thoughts of a personal
+nature from his mind. "Master McCleary would be pleased to see you, and
+quickly," one of the men said, in a low tone, when the three were where
+there was no other to overhear the conversation.
+
+"Is it important I should go at once?"
+
+"Yes; unless you would break the oath. you took last night."
+
+Neal waited to ask no more questions. Ten minutes later he was at Samuel
+Leavitt's store, where he knew McCleary would be found at this time of the
+day.
+
+Before Neal could speak, his friend walked quickly out of the building
+toward the shore of the harbour, giving the would-be mill-owner an
+expressive look, which plainly told that he was to follow.
+
+Not until McCleary was at a point where no one could approach him without
+being seen did he halt, and then Neal was by his side.
+
+"A messenger must be sent to Boston at once," the elder man said, in a low
+tone. "It is not generally known that you have been admitted to our
+association, therefore you are the one to go."
+
+"When shall I start?"
+
+"At once; there is no time to be lost. Will you ride my horse? "
+
+"My Own will serve me better; suspicions might be aroused if I should be
+seen on yours."
+
+"Very true; I had not thought of that. You are to make all speed, and go
+direct to Master Revere's. Say to him that George Messerve, who has been
+appointed distributor of the tax stamps for New Hampshire, will arrive in
+Boston shortly, if, indeed, he is not already there. Tell Master Revere
+that the feeling in our section grows stronger against this last
+imposition every day, until there is danger lest the excesses which marked
+the 26th of August in Boston may be repeated here. He will understand what
+it is we want him to do."
+
+"Shall I have time -"
+
+"You will not have time for delay. Start at once, and as you perform this
+mission, so will you be benefiting yourself in the project of the mill."
+
+"It does not require I should know that in order to be faithful to the
+trust imposed upon me.  I was about to ask if I should have time to attend
+to raising the amount of my taxes, for I have twice been warned that they
+are due".
+
+"I will see to it that you do not suffer by the delay. Go at once, and let
+nothing detain you; we expect the message will be delivered early to-
+morrow morning."  Neal's home lay two miles west of Portsmouth, and
+without waiting to attend to the business for which he had visited the
+town, he hastened toward it at a rapid pace. His mind was easy in regard
+to the payment of the taxes, for McCleary would keep every promise made,
+and when he returned it should be possible to make the necessary
+arrangements with Ephraim Foulsham within twenty-four hours.
+
+When he arrived in view of the log-house which his father had built twenty
+years previous, Walter understood that something out of the ordinary
+course of events had happened. The doors of the barn were open, and his
+mother stood in front of the building, as if in deepest distress. A
+portion of the rail-fence which enclosed the buildings was torn down, and
+the cart that had been left by the side of the road was no longer to be
+seen.
+
+"You could not borrow the money? " his mother said, interrogatively, while
+he was yet some distance away.
+
+"I haven't had an opportunity to see Master Foulsham. What has happened?"
+
+"The worst, my son, that could befall us at this time. The officers have
+attached the cattle and the horse. Even if you can borrow money, the costs
+of the action will eat up all we had to live on this coming winter."
+
+"The horse gone!" Walter exclaimed, as if in bewilderment.
+
+"We could better spare him just now than the cattle, because of the work
+yet to be done."
+
+Neal was not at that moment thinking of the farm duties, nor yet of the
+mill, which was more distant in the future than before, but only of the
+fact that it was necessary he should be in Boston on the following
+morning.
+
+Hurriedly he explained to his mother why it was he must leave home, and
+added in conclusion,-
+
+"Master McCleary has promised that I shall not suffer because of the delay
+in paying the tax, and I am certain he will keep faith with me."
+
+"And do you intend to leave home now?"
+
+"I must; there are those who depend upon me, and they shall not be
+disappointed."
+
+"I am afraid, Walter, you are pursuing the wrong course. It is best that
+wiser and older heads than yours should be concerned in the struggle which
+must come, if the people resist this new tax."
+
+"Father would have done as I am doing; and, since I am to fill his place,
+it is fit I should do what I can."
+
+"But how will you reach Boston without a horse or money?"
+
+Walter hesitated. By returning to Portsmouth he could get the animal which
+McCleary had proposed he should ride, and yet to do so would delay him
+greatly, in addition to the possibility of arousing suspicion against his
+friend.
+
+By leaving the main road six miles farther on, and striking across a tract
+of wooded country, the distance could be reduced materially; but even then
+there would remain at least fifty miles to be traversed.
+
+"I can walk to Salem," he said, at length; "and there, William Cotton will
+provide me with a horse."
+
+"It is a desperate journey, and dangerous, if some should learn why you
+had undertaken it. I--"
+
+"You would not bid me stay, mother, but rather urge me forward. I have no
+time to lose."
+
+"You will at least wait until I can put up some food."
+
+"Yes; it will be necessary to eat, I suppose. Bread and cheese will be
+enough, and even that must be got together quickly."
+
+Mrs. Neal made no attempt to dissuade her son from his purpose. That which
+he had said concerning his father had been sufficient to silence her on
+the score of danger; and, when the small store of provisions were wrapped
+in a stout piece of cloth and placed in the pocket of his coat, she kissed
+him, but did not dare trust her voice to speak.
+
+With a stout hickory stick as a walking-cane, Walter set out, and there
+was sufficient in his mind to provide ample food for thought during the
+first two hours of the journey. He was not at all certain that, now that
+the cost of making an attachment of his property was to be added to the
+amount of his tax, Ephraim Foulsham would be willing to advance the money;
+and, even if the sum could be raised in such a manner, it was so much
+increased that he could not hope to see the wished-for mill under erection
+until another season at the earliest.
+
+At the end of the second hour he had accomplished at least nine miles of
+the distance, and could well afford to indulge in a brief halt while
+partaking of his food.
+
+"Nine miles from home means eleven from Portsmouth," he said aloud, as if
+the sound of his own voice gave him encouragement. "By this path Salem
+cannot be more than twenty-four miles away, and I must make it in five
+hours in order to reach Boston by sunrise. It can be done if I do not
+allow myself too much time in which to rest my legs, and-"
+
+He ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant, as if they had
+descended from the clouds, two horsemen stood before him.
+
+The moss-covered path had deadened the sound of the animals' approach as
+they came up from the rear.
+
+Walter recognized both the new-comers. The foremost was Samuel Haines, a
+man who had made an unsuccessful attempt to get the appointment to
+distribute stamped paper in New Hampshire, and the other James Albert, a
+half-breed Indian, who was well known in Portsmouth as a quarrelsome
+fellow, ready to take part in any business, however disreputable, so long
+as he was provided with an ample supply of rum.
+
+Walter nodded familiarly to Haines, but paid no attention to the Indian.
+
+"Wait a moment, Master Neal," the former said, gravely, as Walter
+attempted to pass him. "Where are you going that you cannot stop for a
+short converse? "
+
+"On business which admits of no delay."
+
+"Do you expect to walk from here to Boston before daylight?"
+
+"Who said I was going to Boston?"
+
+"Perhaps I guessed as much."
+
+"Then kindly guess that I can't wait here simply for the pleasure of
+talking with Master Haines."
+
+"I shan't try to do that, my rebellious friend. When Jim gets ready---"
+
+Walter half turned to see what part the Indian was to play in this
+interview, and as he did so the fellow's arms were around him, pinioning
+his own to his side.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he cried, angrily, as he tried in vain to
+release himself.
+
+"It means, Master Neal, that I wish to see the message you carry," and
+Haines, dismounting, hastily searched the prisoner's pockets.
+
+"You have found yourself mistaken as sadly as when you believed the king
+would give you the dirty work of selling stamped paper," Walter said, with
+a laugh, noting the look of disappointment on Haines's face when he failed
+to find any document.
+
+"You have been intrusted to deliver the message by word of mouth, and it
+will serve my purpose as well if I prevent you from calling on that
+seditious Revere. Here, Jim, tie him to a tree with this," and Haines drew
+from his saddle-bags a piece of stout rope.
+
+It was in vain Walter struggled; taken at a disadvantage as he had been,
+he was powerless, and in a few moments was bound securely to a tree, while
+his captors threw themselves on the ground in front of him, as if to make
+a long stay.
+
+"If you repeat what you were told to say to Revere, I will see to it that
+you are made more comfortable," Haines said, after a long pause.
+
+"And what then? "
+
+"We shall make certain you don't return to Portsmouth for two or three
+days, that is all."
+
+"If I have a message to deliver, I will keep it to myself, instead of
+intrusting it to you," Walter said, grimly; but his mind was sorely
+troubled, for he realized that if he should be delayed here no more than
+four hours the information he was to give might arrive too late.
+
+CHAPTER 2 THE ESCAPE
+
+During the hour which followed Walter's capture the two men remained close
+at hand, while their horses were allowed to stroll along the path, eating
+grass, and at the expiration of that time the animals could no longer
+either be seen or heard.
+
+"Go and bring them back, Jim!" Haines said, in a peremptory tone. "It
+would be a hard job for us if they should stray too far."
+
+The half-breed hesitated an instant, as if undecided whether to obey this
+command, and then, rising slowly to his feet, he slouched down the path
+lazily.
+
+After the brief conversation which had followed the capture of Walter,
+neither of the men had spoken until this moment; but as soon as his
+comrade disappeared among the bushes, Haines said, in what he intended
+should sound like a friendly tone,-
+
+"I am sorry to see a promising young man like you, Neal, led astray by
+these fanatics, who dream of opposing his majesty's just and wise laws.
+You have too much solid sense to train in any such company."
+
+"You seem to have a remarkably good opinion of me," Walter said, grimly.
+
+"So I have, lad, so I have. I know you have been hoping to build a mill of
+your own on the Pascataqua, and am interested in the project, for it is a
+sensible one: there is plenty of money to be made in that section."
+
+"According to appearances now I shan't reap any very large harvest this
+year."
+
+"It depends upon yourself. If you had kept proper company there would have
+been no attachment made to-day.
+
+"How did you know anything about that?" Walter asked, sharply.
+
+"I heard the matter discussed, and feel certain you would have been given
+more time but for your own very unwise move last night."
+
+"Then you know-"
+
+Walter stopped suddenly on realizing that he was about to betray a secret,
+but Haines finished the remark.
+
+"That you enrolled yourself among that rabble who call themselves the Sons
+of Liberty? Yes; I know it, and so do others."
+
+"It seems I am of more importance than I fancied. I never supposed
+anything I did could make any difference to the good people of Portsmouth;
+but I was mistaken."
+
+"It concerns right-minded people anywhere when a boy who stands on the
+threshold of manhood makes a grievous mistake."
+
+"That remains to be proven."
+
+"And it will be speedily, as you must learn to your cost. If you really
+want a mill on the Pascataqua, I will show you how it can be built at
+once."
+
+"I should like to learn the secret."
+
+"Abandon the evil companions you have chosen, reveal such of their plots
+against his majesty's officers as you are acquainted with, and I guarantee
+that a sufficient sum of money to put up the buildings and purchase the
+machinery shall be loaned you within twenty-four hours."
+
+"I am a fool not to have understood the drift of your conversation before
+it reached this point," Walter said, hotly. " I had rather never own a
+mill than get it as you propose; and as for evil companions,' I am proud
+to have been allowed to join them."
+
+"You will soon regret it."
+
+"So you have said before; but since I have little faith in such
+predictions, suppose you change the subject by explaining why you hold me
+prisoner, and how long I am to be kept in this uncomfortable position? "
+
+"There is no reason why both questions should not be answered. You are to
+remain in my custody till George Messerve arrives in Portsmouth, in order
+that your friends may not intimidate him, and it will be necessary to stay
+exactly as you are several hours longer."
+
+Walter asked no more questions. He understood it was the purpose of his
+captors to keep him out of sight, that McCleary might believe his
+messenger had gotten through to Boston in safety; and, in the meanwhile,
+someone else would be sent to warn the newly-appointed distributor of
+stamped paper of something - Walter could not divine what - which might be
+attempted against him.
+
+Ten minutes passed in silence, and then the voice of the half-breed could
+be heard far away in the distance, calling to his comrade.
+
+With an exclamation of impatience, Haines rose to his feet, gave a
+careless glance at the rope which bound Walter, and then replied to the
+Indian as he went quickly in the direction from which the hail had come.
+
+Left alone, Walter looked around, as if expecting to see some one who
+might aid him, and then tugged and strained at his bonds, trying to wrench
+free either hand or foot.
+
+The rope had been tied too securely to admit of his slipping a knot, but
+it was nearly new, and the prisoner's heart beat fast as he realized that
+by exerting all his strength it would be possible to stretch it a trifle.
+
+If he could succeed in making his escape immediately, all might yet be
+well; but if he was forced to remain there until his captors returned,
+there was little chance he would have another opportunity.
+
+Regardless of the pain, he writhed and twisted until bead-like drops of
+perspiration stood out on his forehead, and at the instant when he was
+convinced all efforts were useless, that portion of the rope which
+confined his wrists suddenly loosened sufficiently to enable him to
+withdraw one hand at the expense of no slight amount of skin from the
+knuckles.
+
+Once he was thus far on the road to escape, the remainder was
+comparatively simple.
+
+With the hand which was free he untied the knots, and in less than five
+minutes from the time Haines disappeared among the foliage, he was at
+liberty.
+
+The only thought in his mind now was to take such a course as would best
+enable him to elude his pursuers, and he knew full well that the half-
+breed could track him where the white man would be wholly at a loss to
+find a trace of his movements.
+
+"Its hard to turn back, but it must be done," he said, half to himself, as
+he hesitated the merest fraction of time, and then ran down the path in
+the same direction from which he had come.
+
+He had hardly started when the sound of horse's hoofbeats caused his cheek
+to grow pale. He had regained his liberty only to lose it!
+
+Involuntarily he glanced backward, and then a low cry of satisfaction
+burst from his lips.
+
+The horse coming down the path was riderless. It was the animal Haines had
+ridden, and apparently much the better steed of the two.
+
+Turning quickly, Walter ran toward the horse, seized him by the bridle
+before he had time to wheel around, and in another second was in the
+saddle.
+
+A short riding-whip hung from the pommel, and with this the fugitive
+struck the animal sharply as he forced him directly into the underbrush
+toward the south.
+
+Fortunately, Walter was well acquainted with this section of the country,
+having been over it  many times with his father, and knew exactly which
+direction to take in order to gain that portion of the forest where it
+would be possible to ride at a reasonably rapid gait before venturing on
+the path again.
+
+His escape, however, was not to be as simple as at first seemed. Before he
+was twenty yards from the starting point a loud cry in the rear told that
+his departure had been discovered, and this was followed almost
+immediately by the report of a pistol.
+
+"If you don't do anything worse than shoot, I shan't come to much grief,"
+he said, with a laugh. " Master Haines is not as wise a man as I have
+supposed him to be if he thinks it is possible to bring his game down by
+firing at random, for he surely can't see me."
+
+Walter failed to realize that his movements could be plainly heard, even
+though he was hidden from view by the foliage, and soon the sounds of
+pursuit reached his ear.
+
+"There is no need of the Indian while my horse is floundering among the
+bushes," he muttered to himself. "Haines has mounted the other animal, -
+was probably on his back before I started, and counts on riding me down.
+He can do it, too!" Walter exclaimed, in a louder tone. "Once he is where
+I can serve as a target, the chase will be brought to a speedy end."
+
+Now he understood that if he hoped to escape he must return to the path,
+where the horse would have an Opportunity to show his speed, and he
+wheeled him suddenly around, regardless of the risk of coming directly
+upon Haines.
+
+Fortunately his pursuer was not as near as he had fancied, and soon he was
+riding at the best possible pace over the narrow path. He had emerged
+beyond the spot where the half-breed was stationed, and before him was
+nothing to jeopardize safety; it only remained to distance the white man.
+
+Two miles were traversed in a remarkably short space of time, and then he
+was on that portion of the road which ran in a straight line through a
+sort of clearing. That it was possible for his pursuer to see him during a
+certain time was shown, as a bullet whistled within an inch of the
+fugitive's head.
+
+"That makes two shots, my friend," he said, as if to keep up his courage.
+" Unless I am mistaken, you had only a couple of pistols, and by the time
+they are reloaded I shall be screened by the bushes again."
+
+That his calculations were not correct was shown as a second ball passed
+uncomfortably close, and a third tore through his coat-sleeve, causing the
+warm blood to gush down over his hand.
+
+"Only a scratch, nothing more!" he shouted, and then he was among the
+friendly shelter of the trees again.
+
+The horse upon which Haines rode could not hold the pace, and when half an
+hour had elapsed no sound of pursuit was heard.
+
+It was time Walter gave the captured animal a breathing spell, if he hoped
+to reach Salem as he had calculated, and he brought him to a standstill
+while he pulled off his coat to examine the wound on his arm.
+
+It was rather deeper than a scratch, but yet nothing more serious than to
+cause a goodly show of blood, and Walter put on his coat again without a
+thought that any bandaging might be necessary.
+
+This done, he rode on at a more leisurely pace, but listening intently for
+any sound betokening the approach of his enemy.
+
+Nothing occurred to cause him alarm, and it was not yet sunset when he
+drew rein in front of William Cotton's store.
+
+That gentleman was in and disengaged, as was seen when he came to the door
+for a view of the new arrival.
+
+"What! Is it you, Walter Neal?"
+
+"There is no doubt about it in my mind, although my joints are so stiff
+from long riding that if I was less acquainted with myself I might believe
+I was only a portion of the saddle," Walter said, laughingly, as he
+dismounted, and added, in a graver tone, "I must speak with you alone,
+Friend Cotton."
+
+"I am alone now. Take your horse to the stable, and come back at once."
+
+"I will leave him where he is; perhaps it will not be well for you to know
+anything about him." And then hurriedly entering the store, Walter
+explained why he must reach Boston without delay, after which he gave a
+brief account of his misadventures.
+
+William Cotton, although a sympathizer with those who were about to offer
+resistance to the commands of his most gracious majesty, was a prudent
+man, and feared to be known as a disloyal citizen.
+
+The fact that Samuel Haines would probably soon arrive in search of his
+horse caused Master Cotton no little disquietude of mind, and he said,
+reprovingly,-
+
+"It is well to be zealous in a good cause, Walter; but it is wrong to
+commit a crime in order to compass your own ends."
+
+"What crime have I committed?"
+
+"The theft of the horse will be charged against you, and those who are
+intrusted with the execution of the law do not favour such an association
+as that in which you have enlisted."
+
+"My getting possession of him was the fortune of war, not a theft. I was a
+prisoner, made so unlawfully, and had the right to escape as best I
+could."
+
+"That argument is good here; but will be of little avail to those who look
+upon you as a disloyal youth, who should be deprived of his liberty.'
+
+"If I am to be charged with horse-stealing because of what has been done,
+it cannot be avoided now. Before I am arrested I must carry the message
+with which I have been entrusted, and to do so I need another horse. I had
+believed I could get one from you without difficulty."
+
+"So you can, lad but at the same time you must not think hardly of me if I
+use proper precaution to save myself from being caught in the meshes of
+the law. You know where my stable is j take an animal from there without
+my permission, and I cannot prevent it."
+
+"I am to steal another horse in order that you may not get into trouble?"
+
+"It can make but little difference to you, so long as you see Master
+Revere by daylight, and I must not neglect my own interests. No one has
+seen you, and you may be able to get out of town secretly."
+
+Walter could not afford to waste any more time in what seemed very like
+quibbling, and without further parley he turned to act upon his friend's
+suggestion.
+
+"It is not well that you remain in Boston any longer than may be
+absolutely necessary for your business," the worthy Master Cotton called
+after him, warningly. "There is that being done which you need not be
+identified with."
+
+Walter made no reply; but when he was out of the building on his way to
+the stable, he muttered to himself, -
+
+"If I was as timorous as you, Master Cotton, I should now be in the
+company of Sam Haines, with a rope tied tightly about me."
+
+Five minutes later he was riding out of Salem at full speed on the
+fleetest horse to be found in the stable, and there was every reason for
+him to believe that he would, in due season, deliver the message with
+which he had been charged.
+
+CHAPTER 3 IN BOSTON
+
+THE light of the coming day had not yet appeared in the eastern sky when
+the young messenger drew rein at the edge of Charlestown harbour, and sat
+in the saddle, gazing curiously around, as he speculated upon the chances
+of being ferried across to Boston.
+
+It was well the journey was ended, for the heaving flanks of Master
+Cotton's horse told that he had been ridden so long at full speed as to be
+well-nigh exhausted.
+
+Immediately on leaving Salem, Walter had debated in his mind as to the
+choice of roads. By making a long detour he could ride directly into the
+city of his destination; but it would be at the expense of considerable
+time, which he believed to be precious.
+
+
+On the other hand, by traversing the shortest road he would, as he now
+did, find himself penniless, with a broad stretch of water to be crossed
+before the message could be delivered.
+
+"I shall get over in some way," he had said, as he arrived at a decision,
+and now was come the time when that "some way" must be found.
+
+"It is certain I shan't be able to take the horse with me," he said, after
+a brief time of silence, "and I must look around for a place in which he
+can be hidden."
+
+By riding slowly along the shore-line, he soon found a spot where the
+grass was luxuriant, which was hidden I from view of those on the road by
+a heavy growth of trees, and here he resolved Master Cotton's horse should
+be left to take care of itself. It was not probable the tired animal would
+stray very far from where food could be had in such abundance, and Walter
+made no other preparation for the halt than to secrete the saddle and
+bridle in the thicket.
+
+Returning to the landing-stage of the ferry-boat, he waited impatiently
+for some signs of life on the water-front.
+
+During fully half an hour he was forced to remain in idleness, while he
+mentally reproached himself for not having taken the longest road, and
+thereby arrived in Boston without being forced to depend upon a boat to
+conclude the journey.
+
+More than once was he tempted to take possession of one of the small craft
+hauled up on the shore without the formality of asking the owner's
+permission, but the thought that he had already put himself in a position
+to be charged with theft deterred him from such a lawless proceeding.
+
+Then, just as the day was beginning to break, a boat filled with sailors
+rowed up to the landing. All the occupants save one disembarked without
+paying any attention to the idle boy who was watching them intently, and
+the little craft was being pushed off, when Walter cried,-
+
+If you are going back to Boston I will gladly work the oars to pay for my
+passage."
+
+"Can you row?"
+
+"As well as you."
+
+"Then come aboard, and let me see how quickly you can pull to the other
+shore."
+
+The young messenger did not require a second invitation.  He gave the boat
+a vigorous push with his foot as he clambered over the bow, and the man in
+charge had no reason to complain of his skill at the oars.
+
+"If you want work, you should buy a boat and ply your trade as a
+waterman," the sailor. said, when the short voyage had come to an end, and
+Walter leaped ashore, impatient to conclude the mission with which he had
+been intrusted.
+
+"I want work that will pay," he said, halting for an instant; "but I don't
+intend to find it as a boatman. Can you tell me where Master Paul Revere
+lives?"
+
+"Do you mean the lieutenant,-him as has set up for a goldsmith? "
+
+"The very one."
+
+"And you count on goin' into a shop, instead of pullin' boats, eh? I'll
+wager you're a sailor who has given his captain the slip."
+
+"I have never been beyond the sight of land, neither do I care to work in
+a shop; but I have business which admits of no delay, and if you will give
+me the information I shall be very grateful."
+
+"Do you know where North Square is?"
+
+"I have never been in Boston before."
+
+"Then inquire of the first one you see. It is not far."
+
+Walter waited to hear no more, but ran swiftly on in the direction he
+supposed North Square might lay, and a kindly fortune guided his
+footsteps, for when he had an opportunity to ask the desired question, he
+was within a few paces of his destination.
+
+Master Revere's shop was not yet opened, but the young messenger had
+little difficulty in arousing the household, and a few moments later he
+was standing in a room which, although not furnished with any pretension
+to elegance, was more rich in ornamentation than Walter had ever fancied
+could be found.
+
+Master Revere did not keep him waiting very long; he had received too many
+visitors at unseemly hours to make any delay, and the sun had but just
+risen when Walter's mission was accomplished.
+
+"You have come in good time, young sir," Master Revere said, when the boy
+had repeated the message.
+
+"The ship on which the stamp distributor for the Province of New Hampshire
+sailed from London arrived last evening. I will see him at once, and
+before noon you shall take to your friends such information as I have to
+give. In the meanwhile you will eat breakfast, and then my eldest son
+shall act as host, unless you prefer to sleep, for you have been
+travelling all night."
+
+"I can sleep later, sir; but now that I am in Boston I would like to see
+the city."
+
+"So you shall. You will find much that is fair and comely to look upon;
+but beneath all the air of bravery is the disquietude of oppression, and
+the sense of wrongs yet to be wiped out."
+
+"In the province from which I have come we believe the remedy for
+oppression to be among ourselves, sir," Walter replied, modestly.
+
+"So it is, lad; and may you be one not lacking in wholesome love for your
+country when the time for action arrives."
+
+I fear a boy like me will be of but little service."
+
+"The boys may be men before the time for stirring deeds shall come,"
+Master Revere said, much as if speaking to himself; and then he added,
+quickly, "You will break your fast with me."
+
+Walter was not accustomed to such a meal as was speedily placed before
+him; but the novelty of his surroundings did not prevent him from doing
+full justice to the food.
+
+When the master of the house set out to perform the duty expected of him
+by his friends in Portsmouth, young John took charge of the guest, and
+from that time until nearly noon Walter feasted his eyes upon such wonders
+as he had never even dreamed about.
+
+His first visit was to the magnificent building presented to the city by
+Peter Faneuil, and then to that elm at the head of Essex Street beneath
+the branches of which the association known as the Sons of Liberty had
+sprung into existence.
+
+Here young Revere told him what had occurred during the month of August,
+when on the tree he was then gazing at had been found hanging an effigy of
+Andrew Oliver, his majesty's distributor of stamps for the Province of
+Massachusetts, and a boot, symbolical of Lord Bute, with Satan peeping out
+of it as he displayed a copy of the Stamp Act. John also described the
+scenes when the more lawless members of the community destroyed the
+building which had been erected as the office for the sale of stamps, and
+the dwelling of the Lieutenant Governor was sacked.
+
+"Does your father believe it is by such a course we can be relieved of
+oppression?" Walter asked in surprise, as John Revere concluded his story
+with an account of the violence offered to several others of the king's
+officers.
+
+"By no means. He was among those who gave public expressions of regret
+that such deeds should have been done."
+
+Then young Revere told of the town-meeting which was held immediately
+following the scenes of violence, and by the time he had concluded, the
+boys were on North Square again, where Master Revere was ready to deliver
+the message Walter was to take back to Portsmouth. "I have seen Master
+George Messerve," he said, "and believe he fully sympathizes with us. He
+has already publicly resigned the office of stamp distributor, and I doubt
+not will be found on our side when the decisive moment comes."
+
+Walter understood that with the message given was an intimation for him to
+depart, and although he could have done full justice to a dinner, he took
+his leave without delay.
+
+There is no question but that Master Revere would have been more than
+willing to both feed the young messenger and provide him with sufficient
+funds to pay his passage across to Charlestown in the ferry-boat had he
+any idea that Walter was penniless. The boy made no explanations, and his
+host could not but believe he was fully and properly prepared for the long
+journey before him.
+
+Walter did not have as good fortune on his return as in the morning. When
+he arrived at the shore he saw several boats going to and fro, but the
+afternoon was considerably more than half spent before he succeeded in
+finding a boatman who would allow him to work his passage.
+
+Then, when he finally landed on the opposite shore, an hour was spent in
+searching for the horse, which had wandered into the woods, and by the
+time the boy was ready to begin the return journey the sun hung low in the
+sky.
+
+"It will be another night-ride," he muttered, as he leaped into the
+saddle. "I did hope to reach Salem early in the evening, and so I might
+have done had I been possessed of enough money to pay my ferriage. Master
+Revere would have given it to me, but I could not tell him that I, who had
+been received into the ranks of the Sons of Liberty, had not so much as a
+shilling."
+
+He was comparatively fresh when he drew rein in front of Master Cotton's
+stable shortly before midnight, and although the time could well have been
+spent in slumber, he devoted an hour to caring for the weary steed who had
+borne him so bravely.
+
+To awaken Master Cotton was not a portion of Walter's plan. That gentleman
+had shown himself to be of such a timid nature that the young messenger
+believed he would pot be pleased at receiving any information; therefore,
+as soon as the horse had been cared for, he started out of Salem on foot,
+intending to make himself a bed on the ground when he should be within
+shelter of the woods.
+
+As he walked rapidly on in the cool night air, feeling refreshed because
+of the opportunity of stretching his legs after sitting in the saddle so
+long, the desire for slumber fled from his eyes. There was no reason why
+he should halt until he felt drowsy again, and he continued on, thinking
+alternately of what he had accomplished, of the mill he hoped at some
+future time to see erected on the small tract of land bordering the
+Pascataqua River which his father had bequeathed him, and of the taxes to
+be paid by some means within twenty-four hours of his arrival.
+
+With so much to occupy his mind, he forgot his weariness, and the hours
+went by without his being aware of the passage of time.
+
+When he first realized how near he was to the starting point of his long
+journey, a rosy light in the east told of the coming sun, and he marveled
+that the night had gone so quickly.
+
+Half an hour later, as the knowledge of distance traversed brought with it
+weariness, and he was about to seek a thicket where his slumbers would not
+be disturbed, a noise as of some one approaching brought him to a full
+stop.
+
+In another instant he recognized the form of his friend, Stephen Kidder,
+in the distance, and he ran toward him, crying,-
+
+"What brings you here at this hour, Stephen?"
+
+"I left home at midnight to meet you."
+
+"Meet me? It would have been easier to have waited I there until I
+arrived."
+
+"It is to prevent your arrival that I have come," and Stephen had very
+much the appearance of a bearer of evil tidings.
+
+"What is the matter? Why do you look so glum? Is my mother well?".
+
+"Yes; but sorrowing."
+
+"Tell me what has happened."
+
+"Your cattle and horses have been sold by the sheriff."
+
+"How can that be? It is not forty-eight hours since they were attached,"
+
+"That is true; but yet they have been sold, Samuel Haines is at the bottom
+of the mischief, and he it was who bought them. He is now declaring you
+shall be arrested for stealing his horse, and Master McCleary sent me to
+warn you not to come home until the matter can be arranged."
+
+"Not go home!" Walter repeated, like one bewildered. "Where, then, shall I
+go ?"
+
+"Your mother bade me ask you why you did not visit the land on the
+Pascataqua? It is not likely you would be searched for there, and I should
+be able to find you whenever it might be necessary."
+
+Walter was silent a few moments, as if trying to under stand all that had
+befallen him, and then said, slowly,-
+
+"Haines would never dare to have me arrested. He took me prisoner
+unlawfully, and I had a right to make my escape if possible."
+
+"That is very true; yet, because you are one of the Sons of Liberty,
+Master McCleary thinks an arrest will surely follow."
+
+"Is it not safe for me to see my mother a few moments? "
+
+"She herself told me to warn you against coming. That half-breed, Jim, has
+been seen near the farm twice since yesterday noon, and he can be there
+for no other purpose than to give notice of your arrival."
+
+"But, Stephen, I can't go up the Pascataqua without some preparation. I
+must at least have my musket and ammunition; otherwise, I would stand a
+good chance of starving to death."
+
+"I have arranged for that portion of the business. Your knapsack, well
+filled by your mother, and everything you may need during a few weeks in
+the woods, is hidden a couple of miles down the road. I brought the things
+as far away from the farm as I thought necessary, and then left them in
+the bushes."
+
+CHAPTER IV ON THE PASCATAQUA
+
+TWENTY-FOUR hours after Stephen Kidder had warned Walter Neal against
+returning to Portsmouth the latter was skirting the west bank of the
+Pascataqua River, within sight of the tract of land whereon he hoped to
+see at some day a grist-mill owned by himself.
+
+When Stephen selected such goods as he thought Walter might need during
+his enforced retreat, he did not neglect anything which would possibly be
+useful to the fugitive, and the result was that when the young messenger
+started through the pathless forest, his load was so heavy as to retard
+his progress very decidedly.
+
+Therefore it was that on the following morning he had not yet arrived at
+his proposed destination, although it was but a comparatively short
+distance from Portsmouth.
+
+He had slept in the woods where night overtook him, and at the first faint
+light of day was making a frugal breakfast of the bread and cheese sent by
+his mother.
+
+When the gloom of night had been dispersed by the heralds of the
+approaching sun, Walter was at that point on the river from which he could
+see the landmarks of his tract, and the knowledge that he was about to
+enter on his own possessions served to cheer his drooping spirits.
+
+"If it is necessary to skulk around here in the woods to avoid being seen
+by Sam Haines, there is no reason why I should not make the most of my
+time," he said to himself, as hope began to spring up once more in his
+breast. "There is little chance I shall be able to raise any money for the
+mill now, when I have been defrauded of a goodly portion of my poor
+possessions, but I can at least make preparations for the day when I shall
+be in a position to carry out my plans. It is better to work than remain
+idle."
+
+It was the first time since he took leave of his friend Stephen that the
+mental burden had been lightened, and now he pressed forward eagerly,
+impatient to begin the work resolved upon.
+
+There was very much which he could do toward making ready for the erection
+of that wished-for mill, and he felt confident the labour would not be
+useless, although performed so far in advance of the building operations.
+
+With this idea in mind, his first care was to select the most advantageous
+spot for a mill, and to this end he deposited his burden on the shore of
+the river, where it could readily be found again, after which he set about
+inspecting the property.
+
+He spent several hours in this work, and had fully decided upon the
+location for the building when he was startled by hearing what sounded
+very like a human voice among the underbrush a short distance from the
+shore.
+
+With his gun held ready for instant use in case any danger threatened, he
+went cautiously in the direction from which the noise appeared to have
+come, and after a brief time threw aside the weapon with an exclamation of
+dismay.
+
+In a dense portion of the forest, where were several aged trees partially
+decayed at their base, he dimly saw the figure of a man, apparently pinned
+to the ground by the heavy branches of a fallen hemlock.
+
+He was sufficiently versed in woodcraft to understand that the unfortunate
+had either felled a tree which had fallen upon him, or passed beneath one
+of the giants of the forest at the precise moment when its rotten trunk
+gave way under the burden of the enormous top.
+
+A low moan from the sufferer told he was yet alive, and at the same time
+proclaimed that relief must soon come if death was to be cheated of its
+prey.
+
+"Hold out a few minutes longer, friend," Walter cried, cheerily. "I must
+have an axe before I can do very much toward getting you free from that
+timber."
+
+There was no reply; the poor wretch's strength was nearly exhausted, and
+the boy understood that he must work, with all possible speed if he would
+save a human life.
+
+"It seems that my coming here may be of more use than simply hiding from
+Sam Haines," he cried, as he ran with all speed toward the spot where the
+goods had been left. "I have been grumbling because Stephen brought an axe
+instead of a hatchet, but now I should be able to do very little without
+it."
+
+Ten minutes later he was chopping furiously at the imprisoning branches,
+using due care to prevent additional injury to the helpless man, and when
+so much of the foliage had been cut away as to give him a clear view of
+what was beneath, he exclaimed in surprise,-
+
+"An Indian! What could have brought him so near the town?"
+
+Then he forgot the colour of the sufferer, thought not of what his kind
+had done in the way of savage cruelty to helpless women and children, but
+devoted all his strength and energies to releasing him.
+
+The wretch was so nearly dead as to be unable to render any assistance to
+his would-be rescuer, and at least half an hour elapsed before Walter
+could drag him from beneath the heavy weight which had so nearly deprived
+him of life.
+
+When this work was accomplished, it seemed to have been in vain, so far as
+saving life was concerned; but, fortunately, Walter did not cease his
+efforts. Dragging the apparently lifeless body to the river, he applied
+such restoratives as were at hand, and after a short time had the
+satisfaction of seeing the red man open his eyes.
+
+"Better not try," he said, as the Indian attempted to speak. "You have
+had such a squeezing as would discourage a bear, and it will take some
+time to get over it. Luckily I haven't much of anything to do except take
+care of you, and I'll warrant we shall soon have you around as well as
+ever. So far as I can make out, no bones have been broken, though I doubt
+if you could go through the same experience again and come out anywhere
+near whole."
+
+There was nothing more he could do to relieve the sufferer, and after
+cautioning him to remain quiet, Walter set about putting up some kind of a
+shelter against the elements.
+
+A "lean-to " of brush was soon erected, and in one corner the boy made a
+bed of fir boughs, upon which he placed the sufferer, who, after the first
+attempt, made no effort to speak.
+
+Walter divided with the Indian his store of bread and cheese, and had the
+satisfaction of seeing the latter eat heartily.
+
+"I reckon you're all right if you can get away with as much food as a well
+person, and it's time I did something toward laying in a stock of
+provisions. Will you stay here while I go after game? There are partridges
+enough, even though deer should be shy."
+
+"I wait," the Indian said, with a sigh as of relief; and the boy, gun in
+hand, plunged into the thicket.
+
+The result of this first hunting excursion was half a dozen plump birds,
+and Walter had seen such signs as told he would have but little difficulty
+in bagging a deer on the following morning.
+
+During the remainder of the day Walter acted as nurse and cook; but never
+once did the Indian speak.
+
+Next morning, before the sun appeared, he was out to replenish the larder,
+returning with the hind-quarters of a deer and, when a plentiful supply of
+steaks from these had been broiled over the coals, the Indian ate like one
+in perfect health.
+
+"You'll do now, I reckon. It doesn't stand to reason that you feel like
+moving around very much, therefore, you shall stay here while I go to
+work."
+
+Then he set about making the foundations for a mill that might never be
+completed, and when it was so dark that he could no longer see to work, he
+felt satisfied with the progress made.
+
+The Indian had cooked supper, and the boy showed that he appreciated the
+culinary efforts, rude though they were.
+
+"You know Jim Albert?"
+
+This question was asked when an hour had been spent in almost perfect
+silence by the occupants of the lean-to, and the boy was startled both, by
+the name and the voice.
+
+"Yes; I know him," Walter replied, grimly, thinking of the part played in
+his capture by the half-breed.
+
+"Big rascal!"
+
+"You're right. I know it isn't just the thing to give way to revengeful
+thoughts, but some day that scoundrel shall answer to me for what has been
+done. If he and Sam Haines had remained where they belonged, I wouldn't be
+here hiding as if I really was a thief."
+
+The Indian did not continue the conversation, although Walter gave him
+every encouragement, and at an early hour the tired boy sought the repose
+to be found in slumber.
+
+When he set out for work next morning the Indian accompanied him, and
+during the day laboured faithfully hewing trees, or gathering rocks which
+were to form the foundation of the proposed mill.
+
+"I didn't fancy having an Indian for a companion at first, but it begins
+to look as if finding him under that tree would be a fortunate thing for
+me. We are getting this place into shape very fast, and when it is
+possible for me to raise the money, it won't be necessary to spend very
+much time making ready for the more serious portion of the work."
+
+During the week which followed, with the exception of the Sabbath, the two
+laboured industriously, save at such tittle as one or the other spent in
+hunting, and Walter could see the outlines of the structure he intended
+one day to build.
+
+A large pile of rocks had been rolled together to form the lower walls,
+huge timbers were hewn and roughly "squared " for the framework, and a
+road from the riverbank to the highway, four miles distant, was "blazed" a
+goodly portion of the way.
+
+During all this time, while he had laboured as industriously as if it was
+some project of his own, the Indian remained comparatively silent. He had
+told the rescuer his name was Sewatis; that he was a member of the
+Penobscot tribe, and acquainted with "Jim Albert," but never a word
+regarding the reason for being in that vicinity.
+
+There had been no scarcity of food; the forest teemed with game, and if
+the labourers fancied deer, bear or birds, it was only necessary to go a
+short distance from the encampment in order to get it.
+
+Almost unconsciously Walter had explained to his assistant what it was he
+hoped to do. There had been many times when it seemed positively necessary
+he should speak with some one, and to the silent Indian the boy talked
+freely. It was as if thinking aloud, because no reply was made unless one
+was absolutely required; and it is quite possible the young messenger
+would have been greatly surprised had some one been there to tell him he
+had confided more fully in Sewatis than in any other person except his
+mother.
+
+More than once had Walter suggested that there was no reason why the
+Indian should remain if he had business elsewhere.
+
+"I suppose you think because I pulled you from under that tree you must
+stay here and work, but it is all a mistake. You have already repaid me
+ten-fold, and I don't want you to believe there is any necessity of
+stopping with me."
+
+"Me wait," Sewatis would say, whenever the conversation touched upon this
+subject, and by the end of a week Walter would have felt decidedly lonely
+without his silent companion.
+
+"There's one thing about it," the boy said once, when the Indian had
+refused to leave him, "while you are here I feel as if I could learn at
+any time how matters are at home. It wouldn't be much of a task for you to
+go into Portsmouth? "
+
+Sewatis made a gesture which signified that such a journey would be as
+nothing.
+
+"I think you had better go and see my mother presently. Of course she
+won't be worrying about me, for she knows I am able to take care of
+myself; but at the same time it will give her some satisfaction to know
+what I am doing. You could find my mother?"
+
+Sewatis nodded.
+
+"And it wouldn't be too hard work for you to tell her what we have done."
+
+Another nod, and something very like a smile on the silent Indian's lips.
+
+"If you don't open your mouth to her any oftener than you do to me, you
+might stay on the farm a year without her knowing what we have been
+doing."
+
+"I tell all; make heap much talk."
+
+"Then we'll start you off about day after to-morrow. How long would you
+want for the journey?"
+
+"Go to-day, back to-morrow."
+
+"Of course you understand it wouldn't do to say a word about me to Jim
+Albert, or anyone whom, he knows? "
+
+"Jim Albert, rascal!-I fix him."
+
+"But you mustn't get into trouble while you are there, Sewatis, or I
+shouldn't see you back again very soon. The white men wouldn't allow any
+fighting in town, and there is no reason why you should settle with Jim
+Albert on my account."
+
+"I fix him," Sewatis repeated; and Walter began to fancy it might not be
+prudent to send the Indian into the town, however eager he was to learn
+what Master McCleary had done in his behalf.
+
+He argued the matter for some time with his companion, receiving; only the
+same reply, and then abandoned the attempt.
+
+"It is certain Sewatis won't tell many secrets, whoever he may meet, or
+whatever trouble he may get into, therefore I need feel no anxiety on that
+score. Perhaps it will be as well to let him go, and take the chances of
+his not meeting the half-breed."
+
+The next day was the Sabbath, and the two remained in camp, doing nothing
+save to prepare the meals.
+
+Next morning Walter set about hewing timber, and Sewatis was sent into the
+forest after game, for the larder was not as well filled as it should be.
+
+The Indian was absent the greater portion of the day, and when he
+returned, Walter was half a mile from the camp, up the river.
+
+"What's the matter?" the boy asked, as the Indian approached suddenly,
+looking disturbed.
+
+"White man come; down shore, huntin' for trail! "
+
+Walter dropped his axe in dismay. He could think of but one reason why any
+person should seek him, and that was to arrest him for stealing Samuel
+Haines's horse.
+
+"They mustn't see me," he muttered. "Go back to the camp, that they may
+think it is you who has been doing this work, and I win strike off into
+the forest."
+
+Sewatis handed Walter the gun, and silently turned to retrace his steps.
+
+CHAPTER V STEPHEN KIDDER
+
+Walter's first impulse was to bury himself in the depths of the forest,
+and he had already started toward the denser portion when the thought
+occurred to him that he was reasonably safe in the vicinity of the camp,
+where he would be able to learn when the newcomer retraced his steps.
+
+"If it is a white man I'll guarantee to keep out of his way, and yet
+remain near enough to hear what may be said," he muttered to himself, as
+he halted suddenly, and then moved cautiously toward the lean-to.
+
+After ten minutes had elapsed he could distinguish the sound of voices,
+and a few seconds later he was running at full speed toward the person
+from whom he had previously been trying to escape.
+
+He recognized the speaker's tones, and knew Stephen Kidder had come to pay
+a visit, or bring the cheering news that he might return.
+
+"Am I to go back to town?" he cried, as he came into the cleared space
+wherein the camp had been built; and then, seeing Sewatis standing in a
+threatening attitude in front of the shanty, he added, "This is a friend
+of mine; make him welcome."
+
+The Indian obeyed by moving quickly out of sight among the foliage, and he
+had hardly disappeared when the two clasped each other's hands in a
+caressing way, as Stephen said,-
+
+"I wish I had come to bid you go home; but Master McCleary says you must
+have patience yet a little longer. Haines still threatens to have you
+arrested, and the Sons of Liberty are more obnoxious than ever in the eyes
+of those who pay homage to the king."
+
+
+"Would Governor Wentworth, who has so often spoken in a friendly tone to
+me, allow an act of injustice such as my arrest would be, for I simply
+sought to escape from him who held me unlawfully? "
+
+"The members of the Council are not in accord with the new ideas, and
+Master McCleary believes they might allow Haines, who has no slight
+influence among them, to do as he desires."
+
+"Let it be so, then. When did you see my mother last?"
+
+"Yesterday."
+
+"And she is well? "
+
+"Well, and contented that you should be here. She is cared for by your
+friends in town, and prefers that you remain until the winter comes,
+rather than venture back to be thrown into prison."
+
+"You say she is cared for?"
+
+"Master McCleary attends to it that she wants for nothing. She is now with
+his mother; the crops have been harvested, and there is no longer reason
+why anyone should stay on the farm. There have been brave doings in town
+since you left, and unless the Sons of Liberty are all imprisoned, it
+looks as if we might some day be freed from the heavy burden of taxes."
+
+"Tell me everything!" and Walter threw himself on the ground in front of
+the camp, looking positively happy, now he had been assured his mother did
+not suffer because of his absence.
+
+"In the first place, the New Hampshire Gazette appeared with a heavy
+mourning border on the day before the Stamp Act was to go into effect, and
+Master McCleary read aloud to the people on the street the article calling
+upon those who would be free men to resist this most unjust tax. If so
+many of the best citizens had not been abroad that night, I believe the
+Governor would have called the guards out; but there were too many
+prominent men mingled with the throng to make such a proceeding safe or
+possible. On the first day of November the church bells were tolled, as if
+for a funeral, and when a large crowd had gathered near Samuel Leavitt's
+store, a figure called the Goddess of Liberty was brought out on a bier,
+with Thomas Pickering, John Jones, Jotham Lewis and Nehemiah Yartridge
+acting as pall-bearers.
+
+"All the people on the streets, myself among the number, followed the
+procession to where a grave had been dug, and when the image was about to
+be buried, Jotham Lewis called out that he thought he perceived some signs
+of 1ife in Liberty. With that the statue was carried back to Master
+Leavitt's store, and Master McCleary addressed the assembled throng,
+saying that if the Goddess could be restored to health her Sons were the
+ones to do it. He was greeted with mighty cheers, such as must have been
+heard even at the Governor's house; and when the tumult had died away,
+Master George Messerve declared that he did not intend to accept the
+office the king had bestowed upon him. He then delivered his commission
+and instructions to the Sons of Liberty, and next morning all who are
+known as belonging to that association marched around the town, carrying
+the parchments like a banner, on the point of a sword.
+
+"Master Messerve then took his oath before Justice Claget that he would
+not attempt to issue stamps, and the commission was given to the captain
+of the 'Saucy Mary,' who is sworn to deliver it up to the Commissioners of
+the Stamp Office in London immediately upon his arrival in England. You
+see, matters have changed considerably since the day you started out to
+deliver a message to Master Revere."
+
+"If I had only been there!" Walter exclaimed, when Stephen ceased speaking
+from sheer lack of breath.
+
+"You would not have seen much of the bravery, I fear. The Sons of Liberty
+could not attempt to prevent your being made a prisoner on the charge of
+stealing, however well they understand the case; or that would, as Master
+McCleary says, be too much like trying to overthrow all law and order,
+whereas they profess only to battle against injustice."
+
+"What is injustice, if not. imprisoning me on such a charge? "
+
+"You understand what I mean, Walter. Haines does not think for a moment
+that you would be declared guilty; but by making the arrest he can have
+revenge, since you must lay in jail some time before being brought to
+trial."
+
+"Yes, yes; I understand it all. But there are times when I feel bitterly
+the necessity of remaining in hiding, as if I was in fact a criminal. Have
+you any more news?"
+
+"A messenger from Boston told of effigies of certain persons being burned,
+or hung on the gallows, and from the reports I think it safe to say there
+has been quite as much excitement in that city over the Stamp Act as in
+Portsmouth. People who a few weeks ago denounced the Sons of Liberty as
+seditious persons, now speak of them with respect, saving as in the case
+of Haines and his following. Master Leavitt declares the time has arrived
+when the Province of New Hampshire shall rule herself, and that unless the
+king shows a more friendly disposition, he will lose his possessions in
+America; but of course anything of that kind cannot happen."
+
+"Greater deeds have been done."
+
+"But not by a few people against so mighty a king. I am afraid we shall
+all be made to suffer because of what has already been done against his
+majesty's commands."
+
+If the people can prevent the use of stamps they can do very much more;
+but we won't talk of such matters now. It is enough that I have with me a
+friend with whom I can speak, and I must make the most of your company
+while you are here."
+
+"Then suppose you begin by telling me where you found the Indian?"
+
+Walter gave his friend a detailed account of all that had happened since
+the two parted in the woods ten days previous, and concluded by showing
+him what progress had been made toward the erection of the mill.
+
+Stephen was astonished because of the amount of work which had been
+performed, and said, laughingly,-
+
+"Indeed, I begin to think Samuel Haines did you a favour when he made it
+necessary for you to hide in this place. At the rate you have been
+labouring, the mill will be in working order within a month."
+
+"It would, for a certainty, if I had the necessary materials, which can
+only be procured with money. I truly believe Sewatis and I could do very
+nearly the whole of the task."
+
+"There's no question about it. Shall you try to frame the building?"
+
+"Yes, so far as to get the timbers hewn but we could not make shift to
+raise it without assistance, and what lumber we have in shape will not be
+hurt by seasoning, although I do not use it for two years. Now let me show
+you where I propose to locate the road in order best to accommodate those
+living this side of Portsmouth."
+
+Stephen was more interested in the progress of Walter's work than in the
+stirring events he had just been describing, and the remainder of the day
+was spent by the two young men in discussing every detail connected with
+the proposed mill.
+
+Shortly before nightfall Sewatis returned to camp with a fine buck, and
+prepared the evening meal after his own fashion, which was certainly a
+fashion not to be despised.
+
+It was Stephen's intention to return to Portsmouth on the following
+morning, and the friends sat around the camp-fire until a late hour that
+evening. Walter had many messages to send to his mother and Master
+McCleary, and if the messenger remembered them all his memory must have
+been prodigious.
+
+Finally, the young men crept into the lean-to where Sewatis lay,
+apparently sleeping, and very shortly after they had stretched themselves
+out on the fragrant fir boughs their eyes were closed in slumber.
+
+Then, if a spectator had been in the vicinity, would have been witnessed a
+singular scene.
+
+Soon after the heavy breathing of the white men told that they were in the
+land of dreams, Sewatis rose to a sitting posture, listened intently,
+although nothing could be heard save the cries of the night-birds and the
+usual sounds of a forest when the mantle of darkness has fallen.
+
+The Indian lay down again; but even as his head touched the fir he began
+to slip softly toward the fire until his body was outside the shelter of
+the lean-to. Then he rolled over and over until the bushes hid him
+completely, and no sound came to tell of his whereabouts.
+
+Ten minutes after he disappeared a face peered from amid the foliage, and
+the odour of rum might have been detected upon the air.
+
+The sleepers were suddenly awakened by a crashing amid the underbrush, and
+as they leaped to their feet, awake and on the alert in an instant, Walter
+cried,-
+
+"Look out, there! don't shoot! One of those is Sewatis; but who is he
+struggling with? "
+
+At that moment the combatants rolled toward the fire in such a manner that
+the faces of both could be seen, and Stephen cried,-
+
+"It's Jim Albert! Look out for yourself, Walter; he has come here for
+mischief!"
+
+"And he seems to be getting about as much as he wants," Walter replied,
+grimly, as he darted forward to assist Sewatis in case it should become
+necessary.
+
+The Indian did not require aid, for before either of the boys could have
+interfered, he was uppermost, clutching Jim Albert by the throat so
+vigorously that the latter's tongue was protruding from his mouth.
+
+"Don't kill him! Don't kill him! " Walter shouted.
+
+"Not yet; big rascal!" Sewatis muttered, as he deftly tied his blanket
+around the upper portion of the prisoner's body in such a manner that the
+intruder was helpless to do anything save kick, and that was not a
+pleasant form of exercise, as he soon learned, for the fire was so near
+that at the first attempt his toes were buried among the glowing coals.
+
+After that painful experience the prisoner remained quiet, and in a few
+seconds Sewatis had him trussed hand and foot, like a chicken ready for
+roasting.
+
+"Me fix him! heap big rascal!" the captor exclaimed, lying down once more
+as unconcernedly as if nothing out of the usual course of events had
+transpired.
+
+"What do you suppose this fellow came here for?" Stephen asked, as if
+unable to surmise the reason for Jim Albert's presence.
+
+"He is in the pay of Sam Haines, and tracked you, most likely, in order to
+discover my hiding-place,"
+
+"If that had been the case he would have been in Portsmouth again by this
+time."
+
+A sudden thought came to Walter, and bending over the prisoner quickly, he
+searched under his greasy belt.
+
+"That is why he came!" the boy cried, as he leaped to his feet, holding a
+parchment in his hand. "The halfbreed had undertaken to arrest me, and
+here is his warrant."
+
+Not until Stephen had examined the document carefully was he satisfied the
+statement was correct, and then he said, holding the parchment over the
+fire,-
+
+"We can dispose of this easily enough, but what shall be done with Jim is
+more than I can decide."
+
+Before he could drop the document from his fingers Sewatis leaped from his
+couch, seized the warrant, and went back to his slumbers, saying, as he
+did so,-
+
+"Heap big rascal! me keep talkin'-skin."
+
+"We shall have to let the Indian take care of Jim and his belongings
+whether we want to or not," Walter said, with a mournful smile. "The whole
+affair shows me, however, that I am not secure from Sam Haines even here
+in the woods. He has found one messenger, and can readily get another."
+
+"Now, don't despair. Your red friend has some scheme in his head, or I'm
+mistaken. He has taken such good care of the fellow that we needn't worry
+about him, and if I am to leave this place at daylight, it's time I got
+some sleep."
+
+Stephen resumed his place on the bed, and Walter followed his example, but
+not to rest.
+
+He had believed himself free from all pursuit while he remained in the
+forest; and during the past hour had been shown how vain was that idea.
+
+The stillness of the night, the soothing sounds of the foliage, moved to
+and fro by the gentle wind, soon lulled him to sleep, despite his anxiety;
+and when he next opened his eyes the sun was shining directly upon him
+through the leaves; but neither Sewatis nor the prisoner could be seen.
+
+Walter leaped to his feet, searched to and fro several moments in vain,
+and then found a trail leading eastward across the river.
+
+Sewatis had returned to his own tribe, and with him had gone, however
+unwillingly, James Albert and the warrant for the young messenger's
+arrest.
+
+CHAPTER VI SEWATIS
+
+STEPHEN was naturally surprised when, on being awakened, he was informed
+of the departure of Sewatis with the prisoner; but he did not regard it as
+a matter of any very great importance, save as it indicated that the
+disreputable half-breed would not probably be seen in Portsmouth again.
+
+"Most likely Jim Albert did some wrong to the members of Sewatis's tribe,
+and that is why the old fellow hung around here, waiting for just such a
+chance as he finally got. I don't see why we should trouble our heads
+about it."
+
+"I am sorry Sewatis has gone. In addition to being of great assistance to
+me, he was a companion, and now I shall be entirely alone."
+
+"In that way it has worked you an injury," Stephen replied, carelessly;
+"but on the other hand, you need not fear the half-breed will hunt you
+down again in behalf of Sam Haines, which is more than a fair off-set."
+
+Walter made no reply; a sensation of utter loneliness such as he never
+before experienced had come over him, and he would have been better
+pleased to know James Albert was seeking an opportunity to arrest him,
+providing that by such a change in the situation of affairs Sewatis had
+remained.
+
+It was useless to give words to his troubles, however, and he did his best
+to appear contented, lest Stephen should carry to his mother the report
+that her son had lost courage.
+
+Walter prepared the morning meal; Stephen did full justice to it, and then
+made ready to take his departure.
+
+"I will come again within a week or ten days. What shall I bring?"
+
+"Powder, if you can buy it for me on credit."
+
+"I fancy Master McCleary will provide you with plenty."
+
+"Say to my mother that I suffer for nothing save the opportunity to see
+her. She knows full well what other words I would speak if she were here."
+
+With a hearty clasp of the hands the two friends I separated, Stephen to
+make his way through the forest ten miles or more, and Walter to resume
+the labour which might prove useless.
+
+The would-be miller found it very difficult to continue at his task during
+that day. More than once he almost decided to remain idle until word
+should come that he was at liberty to return home; but then he remembered
+the goal he had set for himself, and laboured more industriously than
+before.
+
+It was no longer possible, now he was alone, to move the larger logs, and
+all he could do was to hew them into shape, without an attempt to remove
+the timbers to the site of the mill.
+
+The days passed slowly and wearily. The Sabbath seemed to have in it three
+times the usual number of hours. He indulged in hunting only when it
+became absolutely necessary he should have food, for the supply of powder
+bid fair to be exhausted before the time set for Stephen's return.
+
+A week elapsed, and the young exile grew more cheerful. His friend must
+soon come. As for Sewatis, Walter did not believe he would ever see him
+again.
+
+At the close of the eighth day, when the solitary supper had been cooked
+and eaten, more as one performs an important duty than something to be
+enjoyed, Walter was lying on the bed of boughs, dreaming of the time he
+could return home without fear of an unjust arrest, when a shadow came
+between his eyes and the fire.
+
+Springing up in alarm, he seized the musket, which stood where it could be
+reached handily, and made ready to defend himself, for it seemed certain
+Sam Haines or one of his emissaries had come to carry him to jail.
+
+Sewatis stood before him.
+
+One would have said that the Indian had been absent but a few moments, and
+was wholly at a Joss to understand the look of surprise on the boy's face.
+
+"I thought you were never coming back!" Walter cried, in a tone of most
+intense relief.
+
+"Come to see mill," the Indian replied, as he seated himself and began to
+eat a deer-steak which had been left near the fire.
+
+"I am beginning to fear you will never see one of mine," the boy said,
+despondently. "I have been foolish enough to think I could borrow as much
+as would be needed, while money is so scarce in this province."
+
+"Build mill next day," Sewatis said, more indistinctly than usual, because
+his mouth was full of meat.
+
+Walter understood the Indian to mean that he would continue the work on
+the morrow, and was not particularly interested in the proposed labour,
+for during the time he had been alone the possibility of ever getting a
+sufficient capital seemed an obstacle which could not be surmounted.
+
+"What did you do with Jim Albert? "
+
+"Big rascal! Jim gone Castine; never come back."
+
+"Castine, eh? Well, you took him far enough away, at all events."
+
+"Heap rascal fetch heap money," and Sewatis drew from beneath his blanket
+a bag which, on being opened, proved to be filled with gold pieces. "
+Hundred pound; more Jim worth alive."
+
+It was some time before Walter could understand the Indian's meaning, and
+then the thought came that he had heard some one say the half-breed came
+to Portsmouth from the Penobscot River.
+
+"Do you mean that there was a price set on Jim's head?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Hundred pound," and Sewatis held up the bag once more. "Now build mill."
+
+"But I have nothing to do with that," Walter cried, as the Indian pushed
+the money toward him.
+
+"Build mill."
+
+"But I surely can't do it with your money, you must understand that."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it ---you know I couldn't."
+
+"Would from white man? "
+
+"That is different. If Master McCleary or Master Leavitt would lend it to
+me, taking a mortgage to secure themselves - "
+
+Sewatis pushed his bag toward Walter once more, and when the latter shook
+his head, as if to refuse the loan, or gift, which ever it might be
+called, the Indian rose to his feet, pulling his blanket more closely
+around him.
+
+"What is the matter? Where are you going?"
+
+Sewatis pointed toward the east, and moved slowly away.
+
+"Come back!" Walter cried, entreatingly. "Come back and help me as you did
+before."
+
+"Build mill?" and the Indian touched the bag of money with his foot.
+
+"Do you mean that you won't stay unless I use that gold? "
+
+Sewatis nodded.
+
+"Suppose I did take it ?"
+
+The Indian seated himself as if to show he would remain.
+
+It was fully an hour before Walter spoke again, and during that time he
+pondered over the matter in all its bearings. It seemed much like taking
+an undue advantage of Sewatis to use his money, and yet there could be no
+question but that he was pained when it was refused.
+
+"I don't know why the fact of his being an Indian should prevent me from
+accepting the offer," the boy said to himself. "I would be perfectly
+willing to receive a loan from Master Leavitt, who has never shown half
+the friendship for me this red man has."
+
+Sewatis watched him intently, and finally pushed the bag nearer.
+
+"Yes, I will take it," Walter said, decidedly. "It is only to be loaned,
+and until I can pay it back you shall have half the profits of the
+business."
+
+Sewatis nodded in approbation.
+
+"And you are to stay here with me?"
+
+"All time; now I call Injuns."
+
+Walter was wholly at a loss to understand the meaning of this remark until
+Sewatis rose to his feet, uttering a cry that might well have been
+mistaken for a night-owl.
+
+In response to it, half a dozen red men, each carrying a burden, came out
+from among the trees, and depositing their heavy loads in the lean-to,
+seated themselves before the fire in silence.
+
+Sewatis motioned for Walter to look at that which had been brought, and
+while the latter wonderingly obeyed, he cut from the haunch of venison a
+sufficient number of steaks to serve as a hearty meal for the new-comers.
+
+The boy's surprise may be imagined when he discovered that each of the
+packages was made up of furs, and he understood that the value of the
+whole lot greatly exceeded the amount of money in the bag.
+
+"Big mill," Sewatis said, in a tone of satisfaction, and then he turned
+his attention to his followers, leaving Walter to speculate upon the good
+fortune which had come to him so unexpectedly.
+
+The Indians remained in camp during that night, and at daybreak, after a
+breakfast of venison, all save Sewatis departed.
+
+Never before had Walter worked as he did on the day succeeding the
+Indian's return. It was a perfect fever of industry, superinduced by the
+knowledge that there was now nothing to prevent the consummation of his
+desires save that which could be done by hands.
+
+His companion appeared as before the coming of Jim Albert, with a single
+exception, and that was at the close of the fatiguing day's work, when he
+pointed to a slight elevation overlooking the site of the proposed mill,
+and said, quietly,-
+
+"Sewatis build house there. "
+
+"So you shall, and between the two of us I reckon we can run the business
+as it should be."
+
+Two days more the boy and his friend worked during every moment of
+daylight, and then came Stephen Kidder.
+
+"Master McCleary is just behind me," he cried, before Walter could greet
+him.
+
+"Master McCleary! Why has he come? Is there more danger for me?"
+
+"You are free to go to Portsmouth this day. Samuel Haines has sailed for
+England, and there is little chance he will ever return."
+
+Before Walter could realize the full bearing which Haines's departure
+would have upon his own affairs, Andrew McCleary came into view.
+
+"It is a brave spot, my lad, and you have done well to choose it. Master
+Leavitt gives me great encouragement in regard to advancing the money, but
+stipulates that he shall be made a partner in the enterprise, you to pay
+him interest on the entire amount until your debt of one-half is
+discharged."
+
+"I shall not need his money, for I already have a partner who neither
+demands interest nor a portion of the profits," Walter replied,
+laughingly; and then he told his now mystified friends of what Sewatis had
+done.
+
+McCleary insisted upon taking the Indian by the hand as he praised him,
+but not a word, either good or bad, could he persuade Sewatis to speak.
+
+The mill was built and opened for business four months after the repeal of
+the Stamp Act, and Sewatis insisted on pouring into the hopper the first
+bushel of corn brought to be ground.
+
+This much regarding Walter Neal and his friends is known through the
+writings of others, and the next mention which is made of either person
+immediately connected with this story is found in Belknap's "History of
+New Hampshire" regarding the battle of Bunker Hill, where he writes
+concerning the three New Hampshire regiments which were mustered into the
+service of Congress:
+
+"The two former were present in the memorable battle on the heights on
+Charlestown, being posted on the left wing, behind a fence, from which
+they sorely galled the British as they advanced to the attack, and cut
+them down by whole ranks at once. In their retreat they lost several men,
+and among others the brave Major Andrew McCleary, who was killed by a
+cannon shot after he had passed the Isthmus of Charlestown."
+
+A letter now before the writer of this story, signed by Walter Neal and
+addressed to his mother at Portsmouth, tells of his service during the
+battle, while he was a member of the regiment to which Andrew McCleary was
+attached, and in it the miller says:
+
+"Tell Sewatis that our noble friend is no more. He has given his life for
+his country, and when America takes her place among nations, McCleary's
+name will stand out bright as the sun."
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Neal, the Miller
+by James Otis
+
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