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McIntyre</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Young Continentals at Lexington</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: John T. McIntyre</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Ralph L. Boyer</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: December 24, 2021 [eBook #67004]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG CONTINENTALS AT LEXINGTON ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontispiece.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><i>A BROAD-SHOULDERED YOUTH -OF SEVENTEEN</i></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>The Young<br /> -Continentals<br /> -at Lexington</h1> - -<p><i>by</i><br /> -<span class="xlarge">John T. M<span class="ls"><sup>c<sub>.</sub></sup></span> Intyre</span><br /> -<i>Author of</i><br /> -“With John Paul Jones”<br /> -“The Boy Tars of 1812”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlelogo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p><span class="large">Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.</span></p> - -<p><span class="large"><i>The Penn Publishing<br /> -Company Philadelphia</i><br /> -<i>MCMIX</i></span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center">COPYRIGHT<br /> -1909 BY<br /> -THE PENN<br /> -PUBLISHING<br /> -COMPANY</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_logo.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Introduction</h2> -</div> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">The Young Continentals at Lexington</span>” -begins with that vital period of our country’s -history when the great forces that made the -Revolution were slowly coming together.</p> - -<p>The port of Boston was closed; an army -under Gage occupied the city; Massachusetts -Bay was thronged with troop-ships and -frigates, and the colonies were writhing under -a series of unjust and oppressive laws.</p> - -<p>It was at this time that the four boys who -play the leading parts in the story began their -experiences. Historical events that led up to -the war for independence are met with in -every chapter; the great personages of the -time figure upon almost every page. From -the meeting of the first Congress at Carpenter’s -Hall to the stand of the minutemen at Lexington -and Concord Bridge, every important -step in the movement for national life is -touched on.</p> - -<p>The second book of the series, “The Young<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> -Continentals at Bunker Hill,” takes up the -thread of history where this book leaves it. -It will show the siege of Boston, and the -glorious defeat on the Hill. It will tell how -Washington was given command of the army; -how he sent word to Ethan Allen; how the -heavy guns he captured at Ticonderoga were -hauled through the winter wilderness upon -sledges to Boston; also how Washington -mounted them upon Dorchester Heights and -finally drove the army of Gage from the city.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Contents</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Ben Cooper Saw the War -a Long Way Off</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_9"> 9</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tells Why Nat Brewster Walked -Toward Cliveden in the Dark</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_20"> 20</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Nat Met “Grumpy Comegies” -and What Came of It</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31"> 31</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Startling News Was -Nat’s Reward at Chew House</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_38"> 38</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">V.</td><td> <span class="smcap">How Nat Brewster Met the Porcupine</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_50"> 50</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Nat Brewster and the -Porcupine Rode Through the -Night</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_64"> 64</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Nat Brewster Met With -Mr. Washington</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_81"> 81</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tells How Things Began to Look -Bad for Ezra Prentiss</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_105"> 105</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nat Brewster Finds More Proof</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120"> 120</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">What the Porcupine Saw at Chew -House</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_130"> 130</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Nat Brewster Spoke to -His Uncle and What Their Resolutions -Were </span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_147"> 147</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">What Happened on the North Road</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159"> 159</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Shows How Nat Met One Stranger -and How the Porcupine Met Another</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_174"> 174</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Night Promises Well</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_192"> 192</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">How the Promise Was Kept</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_203"> 203</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Tall Man Brings a Friend</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_216"> 216</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">What Nat Heard at the Coffee-House -in Orange Street</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_230"> 230</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In Which Dr. Warren and Paul -Revere Listen Intently</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_238"> 238</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In Which a Winter Passes, Bringing -Many Things</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_250"> 250</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nat Brewster is Taken by Foes and -Paul Revere Begins His Midnight -Ride</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_273"> 273</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XXI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nat Brewster Marches With Pitcairn -to Lexington</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_287"> 287</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr" valign="top">XXII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tells How a Mystery Was Solved -and How Victory Came to the -Colonies</span></td><td class="tdr" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_306"> 306</a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Illustrations</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td> </td><td class="tdr"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">A Broad-shouldered Youth of Seventeen </span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">“Who Are You?” He Demanded</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34"> 34</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">I Ask Your Pardon, Mr. Washington</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_103"> 103</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">There is Something Wrong, Then</span>” </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_188"> 188</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">He Saw the Tall Stranger</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228"> 228</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">He Got a Glimpse of the Newcomer</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_270"> 270</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">They Came Within Sight of Lexington</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_303"> 303</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">The Young Continentals<br /> -at Lexington</h2> - -<p> </p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW BEN COOPER SAW THE WAR<br /> -A LONG WAY OFF</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> smart little roan mare drew up at the -gate of the Cooper place, and Ben Cooper -leaned over and lifted the latch with the loop -of his riding-whip. The gate was still creaking -open when the lad noticed old Stephen -Comegies stumping along the road on his -gouty legs, and leaning heavily upon a stout -oaken staff.</p> - -<p>“Good-morning, Mr. Comegies,” saluted -Ben, cheerily.</p> - -<p>But old Stephen seemed not to hear; his -eyes were fixed upon the road, and his lips -were muttering; from the way his gnarled -hand clutched the staff, it would have fared -badly with those who had excited his anger -had they been in reach of its iron-shod foot.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>“A fine morning, Mr. Comegies,” said Ben -Cooper.</p> - -<p>This time he was heard. The old man -paused—leaned upon the staff and regarded -the boy from under his shaggy gray brows.</p> - -<p>“A fine morning,” repeated he. “No! -That it is not. I see nothing fine in it. -But,” and his voice rose a pitch higher, “I -see a great deal of bad in it. I see a great -store of ill being laid up, for future days to -take care of.”</p> - -<p>A slow smile stole over Ben Cooper’s round, -good-natured face. The whole of Germantown -called old Stephen “Grumpy Comegies” -and Ben had listened to him frequently before.</p> - -<p>“It’s fine weather anyway,” insisted Ben. -“The harvests are almost ready; the shooting -is going to be good; the rabbits and birds are -growing fat and plenty. What more can -any one want?”</p> - -<p>“If they had any understanding,” replied -old Stephen, “they might feel sorry that -these colonies are being swept by a flood of ingratitude -to an honest king.”</p> - -<p>Ben’s mouth puckered into a whistle of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> -surprise; for Stephen Comegies was a man of -authority and weight in the community, and -it seemed odd that he should begin a political -discussion with a boy of sixteen years upon -the open road. However, the matter was -explained the next moment, when Ben heard -his father’s voice and saw him rise up from a -bench inside the gate where he had been -sitting with a book.</p> - -<p>“I know, Mr. Comegies,” said Robert -Cooper, “that your words are pointed at myself -and not at the boy; so I will take them up.”</p> - -<p>He leaned upon the fence as he spoke, -fluttering the leaves of the book with his -fingers. He was a tall, spare man with a pale, -studious face; but there was something about -him that was forceful and ready; an opponent -would never find him at a loss for either -words or actions.</p> - -<p>“Can you deny that a spirit of unrest is -abroad?” demanded old Stephen, planting the -iron-tipped staff in the road. “Can you -deny that a rebellion is being fostered against -a generous prince? Can you deny that the -irresponsible firebrands in New England are -arming against their lawful rulers?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>“I shall not deny anything that you -charge,” replied Mr. Cooper sternly, “I shall -only say that it is all true, and further add -that I am greatly pleased to be able to -say it.”</p> - -<p>“Take care,” cried the old man, his gaunt, -once powerful frame quivering with resentment. -“Take care, Robert Cooper. You -and your like are sowing seeds of sedition -that can be reaped only by the bayonets of -the king’s regiments. You can flaunt your -scandalous theories of liberty in the faces of -your neighbors, but when the time for reckoning -comes you may not seem so ready.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” replied Mr. Cooper, calmly, -“that when it does come, the reckoning will -find me ready enough.”</p> - -<p>Old Stephen lifted his staff and shook it -tremulously to the southward.</p> - -<p>“The broth that those vipers brew in Philadelphia,” -declared he, “will be the death of -them!”</p> - -<p>“Those sent by the different colonies to -this Congress that is to meet,” said Robert -Cooper, “are honest American gentlemen. -They have wrongs that require redressing and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -they chose this means, as the best they know, -of procuring the remedy.”</p> - -<p>“It is a threat,” maintained the old man. -“They are shaking a sword in King George’s -face. Why do they not beg redress of wrongs -like dutiful subjects, and not come together -like a lot of skulking rascals?”</p> - -<p>“The time for begging has gone by,” said -Mr. Cooper. “From now on the colonies -will demand—and in a voice not to be mistaken. -We have submitted too long; the king -is an ignorant old man surrounded by incompetents. -There have been no more faithful -subjects than those of America; but they -will not permit themselves to be plundered. -If we are to be taxed we desire a voice in the -government that fixes those taxes.”</p> - -<p>Stephen Comegies gazed at the speaker in -horror. That a man should cherish such -sentiments and still be permitted at large -filled him with wondering alarm. For a moment -he was unable to speak; then, recovering, -he burst out:</p> - -<p>“This is not the first time I have heard -treason from you, Robert Cooper; and the day -is fast coming when you shall rue having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -spoken it.” There was a pause, then he resumed -with a harsh laugh, “They will demand, -will they? And in a voice that will -not be mistaken, eh? Well, take care! It -is easy to send out a summons to draw a -rebel pack together, but it is not always so -easy to actually assemble them.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cooper gazed steadfastly into the deeply-lined -face of the old Tory; there was something -in the countenance threatening and -sombre, and somehow it gave out an impression -of hidden joy at some grim joke. -Mr. Cooper was about to reply, but old Stephen -gripped his staff firmly and moved a step or -two on his way. Then he paused and turned -his head.</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget what I have said,” added he, -with another cackle of laughter, “and don’t -say you were taken unawares.”</p> - -<p>Then he stumped away upon his gouty legs, -the iron-shod staff ringing upon the hard -road, his big gray head bent and his lips -muttering their hatred of all the king’s enemies.</p> - -<p>“He seems to be in a high temper this -morning,” laughed Ben, who had listened<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -with amusement to the Tory’s words. “But -he’s always crying out against something.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cooper shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid,” said he, “that the coming -struggle will see the Tories one of our greatest -sources of vexation.”</p> - -<p>Ben looked at his father in surprise.</p> - -<p>“The coming struggle,” repeated he. “Do -you actually believe that it will come to that, -father?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cooper resumed his seat upon the bench -and opened the book once more. It was easy -to see that his fears were of the worst, but that -he had no desire to impart them to his son.</p> - -<p>“All this controversy is a struggle,” he said. -“And as time draws on, it will grow more -bitter.”</p> - -<p>“But,” queried Ben, his face alight with -anticipation, “do you think it will end in -blows being struck?”</p> - -<p>But his father was bent over the book. All -he would say was:</p> - -<p>“No one can predict the outcome of such a -thing.”</p> - -<p>Ben waited for a moment, thinking he -would speak further; but as he did not, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -lad shook the reins and Molly loped gaily up -the path and off toward the barn.</p> - -<p>In the shadow of the coach house a broad-shouldered -youth of seventeen was engaged in -cleaning a long, shining rifle. He looked up -as Ben dismounted and turned the mare over -to a hired man.</p> - -<p>“Good morning for a ride,” commented he, -as he rubbed industriously at the brass butt -of the weapon. “Wanted to go over my traps, -or I’d have joined you.”</p> - -<p>“You missed something,” replied Ben, as -he sat upon a sawbuck near the other. “The -air is fine upon the road.”</p> - -<p>“I know,” smiled the other, “full of sunshine -and some other things which you can’t -see, but which make you feel like a giant. -It’s that way among the hills, up in the -Wyoming valley.”</p> - -<p>Ben kicked at some chips with the toe of -his riding-boot and looked thoughtful.</p> - -<p>“You <i>are</i> right,” he said, after a short pause; -“there are things in the air this morning—things -that maybe you don’t mean. And the -nearer I rode to the city, the stronger I felt -them.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>The broad-shouldered youth laughed and -his gray eyes twinkled.</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” said he, “they were bits of Mr. -Franklin’s electricity.”</p> - -<p>“It might seem odd to you, Nat,” proceeded -Ben, without noticing the other’s light words, -“but I fancied that the roadside looked different. -Everything seemed closer together and -secretive, somehow. When the trees rustled -in the wind and nodded toward each other, it -seemed as though they were whispering mysteriously.”</p> - -<p>Again Nat Brewster laughed.</p> - -<p>“Ben,” said he, “I think you’ve passed the -glen where Mother Babette lives, and that -she’s put a spell upon you.”</p> - -<p>But Ben paid no attention to the raillery; -his round, good-natured face was serious and -he went on soberly:</p> - -<p>“Of course, I don’t think any of these -things are so. They are merely impressions -caused by something I did not notice at the -time.”</p> - -<p>Nat looked at him with more interest. -The long rifle lay across his knee, and the -burnishing ceased.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>“That’s so,” said he. “I’ve often felt like -that myself. Sometimes when I’ve tramped -alone among the mountains I’ve felt worried -about things that I couldn’t give a name. -And always something of importance turned -up afterward. It was just as though I felt it -coming a long way off.”</p> - -<p>Ben nodded his head.</p> - -<p>“That’s it,” said he. “That’s it, exactly.” -He paused a moment, then continued, “All -along the road the people seemed quiet. Men -burning brush in the fields looked strangely -at me through the smoke. People in carts -who’d usually have something to say just -nodded their heads, and seemed to look after -me, watchfully. I passed the schoolhouse -there at the crossroads and the long drone -that always comes from it, of the scholars -chanting their lessons, was queer and hushed.”</p> - -<p>“It was a strange sort of ride,” commented -Nat. “I wish I’d gone with you.”</p> - -<p>“I went as far as the ‘Bull and Badger.’ -Some farmers were gathered in front of it and -some travelers were upon the porch. It was -the same with them as with the others. The -very inn seemed to be trying to contain some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> -weighty secret; and I turned and rode away -without even getting down.”</p> - -<p>Ben leaned over and his forefinger tapped -his cousin upon the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“I was at the gate of this place before I -found out what caused it all,” said he.</p> - -<p>“What was it?” asked Nat, quickly.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to have a war with England,” -replied Ben. “It means nothing else.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - - -<small>TELLS WHY NAT BREWSTER WALKED TOWARD<br /> -CLIVEDEN IN THE DARK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nat Brewster</span> settled his stalwart frame -back against the coach house wall and, wrinkling -his brows, regarded his cousin attentively.</p> - -<p>“It’s very likely you’re right,” said he at -length. “The expectation of such a thing -would act just about that way upon every one—even -to children and others who did not -understand.” Then he stretched out his long -legs and snapped the lock of his rifle with his -strong brown fingers. “If war does come,” -he went on, “I hope it comes quickly, while -the colonies are aroused to answer the call. -The whole of the north country is ready; and -from reports, the south and coast colonies are -also.”</p> - -<p>There was a silence for a moment; then -Ben asked:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>“Do you think, if it came to blows, the -colonies would dare defy the king?”</p> - -<p>“They’ve done it before now,” replied Nat. -“Charles II tried oppression and his commissioners -were soundly beaten and shipped back -to England to him. James II patterned by -his brother in this, and his governor was first -imprisoned and then banished. If the colonies -were bold enough to do these things -when they were weak, they’ll do others like -them, now that they’re stronger.”</p> - -<p>As Nat finished speaking there came a -clattering of hoofs and the rumble of wheels -upon a side road. Then a strong voice called:</p> - -<p>“Who-o-e-e!”</p> - -<p>The boys looked in the direction of the -sound and saw a light spring cart drawn by -four wiry little horses. A pockmarked man -with fiery red hair sat upon the seat; and in -his hands he held a sealed letter.</p> - -<p>“Hello,” called he, in his loud voice. -“Come get this, some one. I can’t leave these -critters. If I did, they’d try to climb over -the barn.”</p> - -<p>Ben arose and hurried to the fence.</p> - -<p>“Something for us, Tom?” he asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>“Something for you,” replied the pockmarked -man. “Was given to me at the City -Tavern last night.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke the carter tossed the letter to -Ben, who deftly caught it; then he went on:</p> - -<p>“I stopped there to get some things which -came in on the Baltimore coach for Mr. -Pendergast, above here. There’s a lot of -Massachusetts Bay people stopping there; and -one young fellow comes up to me:</p> - -<p>“‘I hear you carry goods up Germantown -way,’ says he.</p> - -<p>“‘I do,’ says I.</p> - -<p>“‘Do you know the Cooper place?’ says he.</p> - -<p>“‘As well as I do my own,’ I says.</p> - -<p>“‘Here’s a letter then,’ he says. ‘And I’d -like it delivered with despatch.’</p> - -<p>“And with that he gives me a half crown -and the message, and tells me to keep the one -and give you the other.” The carter grinned -across at Ben good humoredly and added: -“Anything you want carried toward Whitemarsh?”</p> - -<p>“I think not, Tom,” replied Ben.</p> - -<p>“Good-day to you,” said the man. He -tightened the reins; the wiry little horses<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> -sprang forward against their collars and the -cart went whirling away in a cloud of dust.</p> - -<p>All the time the man was speaking Ben -Cooper’s face wore an expression of astonished -impatience. The astonishment was caused by -a glance at the handwriting upon the letter, -the impatience by the carter’s monologue. -But now that the man had gone, the lad -broke the seal and his eyes ran over the few -lines of writing which the sheet contained. -Then he turned and dashed back toward the -spot where he had left Nat.</p> - -<p>“You’ll never guess what it is,” cried he, -breathlessly. Then, without pausing for a -reply, he added, “Ezra Prentiss, of whom -I’ve told you so much, is in Philadelphia.”</p> - -<p>“In Philadelphia?” echoed Nat.</p> - -<p>“Listen to what he says.” Unfolding the -letter, Ben read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right">“<i>City Tavern, Aug. 23.</i></p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dear Ben</span>:—</p> - -<p>“I know this will astonish you. I’ve -come south with Mr. Samuel Adams and his -brother John, of both of whom you’ve no -doubt heard. They are here to attend the -Congress which is soon to meet at the Carpenter’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -Hall. As you might guess, they were in -a great hurry as they came into the town and -I had no chance to call upon you. We will -be staying in the City Tavern; come in if you -can. In any event I will come to Germantown -in a few days.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="indentright">“Sincerely, your friend,</span><br /> - -“<span class="smcap">Ezra Prentiss</span>.”</p> -</div> - -<p>“Mr. John and Samuel Adams!” said Nat -when his cousin had finished. “They are -the brothers who have spoken so boldly and -openly against the king. It seems to me, -Ben, that your friend keeps very famous company.”</p> - -<p>“He’s a great patriot, you see,” explained -Ben. “Even while he was at school here -several years ago, he used to tell us of the -happenings at Boston and how the citizens -defied the government.”</p> - -<p>“But I think you said his father was an -Englishman.”</p> - -<p>“His grandfather. His father is dead. -He never seemed to care to go deeply into his -family history; but he told me this: Some -years before his father’s death, there was some -sort of an outbreak—against the Stamp Act, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -think. Ezra’s father sided with the townspeople. -But the grandfather was a Tory. -A bitter quarrel was the result and they afterward -no longer saw or spoke to each other.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose there is a great deal of that,” -said Nat. “And if it comes to war, it will be -worse.”</p> - -<p>They had now risen and walked toward -the house. Down the path along which Ben -had ridden in entering they saw Mr. Cooper -pacing to and fro, with bent head.</p> - -<p>“That talk he had with old Stephen Comegies -has upset his nerves,” said Ben. “Politics -always has that effect upon him.”</p> - -<p>As they walked up the step and into the -wide hall he related to his cousin what had -happened.</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Nat, thoughtfully. “That is -what has fixed your impression of war.” He -looked at Ben steadfastly for a moment. -“Tell me again: What was it he said before -he left?”</p> - -<p>“As near as I can remember,” said Ben, -“he said: ‘It’s easy to <i>call</i> a pack of rebels -together, but not always so easy to actually -<i>get</i> them together.’”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>“And you say he seemed to have a sort of—well—a -look, while he said it.”</p> - -<p>“It was a satisfaction to him. I could see -that.”</p> - -<p>“And then he bid your father not to say he -was taken unawares, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Just as he was going,” said Ben. He -looked into Nat’s bronzed, thoughtful face -and was surprised at its expression. “Why, -you don’t think he really meant anything, do -you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Nat shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. Sometimes crabbed old -men delight in making meaningless threats. -This may be one of them.”</p> - -<p>He hung up his rifle upon a rack in the -hall and sat down in a broad seat at the door. -The beautiful suburb with its broad fields, -white roads and stately houses was stretched -out before him.</p> - -<p>“Are there many Tories hereabouts?” he -asked, after a space.</p> - -<p>Ben nodded.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he replied, “a great many. And it’s -the same way in the city. With a very few -exceptions, it is only those who actually suffer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -by the heavy taxes who are aroused and speak -against the government.”</p> - -<p>“The people of consequence, as you might -call them, are then mostly Tories?”</p> - -<p>Again Ben nodded.</p> - -<p>“And they are proud of it,” said he. -“Though I must say I can’t understand what -they have to pride themselves on.” He -pointed across some prosperous grain fields; -behind a clump of heavy, thick-growing trees -could be seen the outlines of a rather fine -looking house. “That’s Cliveden, where the -Chews live,” he continued. “The Tories -meet there now and then and protest about -the growing disloyalty to the king.”</p> - -<p>For a long time Nat Brewster sat gazing -straight ahead and pondering. Ben watched -him curiously for awhile, then as his cousin -said nothing more, remarked:</p> - -<p>“I think after Molly’s rested I’ll ride into -town and see Ezra. He must be a regular -mail-bag for news. Will you come along, -Nat?”</p> - -<p>“I think not,” replied the other.</p> - -<p>“I’ve often spoken to him about you,” persisted -Ben. “He’ll be glad to see you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>“Another time will do just as well. I -hardly feel like going in to town to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” and Ben turned away. -“Some other time then. But you must -know Ezra before he leaves. You’ll like -him.”</p> - -<p>After Ben had gone, Nat clasped his hands -about his knees and continued to gaze across -the fields toward Cliveden. The August -sun was warm and the insects buzzed lazily -about in it, their wings a-glitter. The level, -fertile country was new to Nat; up north in the -Wyoming valley the rugged hills crowded -one upon the other; the grim, defiant forests -circled the settlements; the stony earth -fought stubbornly against the plow.</p> - -<p>His mother had been Mr. Cooper’s sister; -she had met and married Nat’s father and -had gone with him into the wilderness to -make a home. But both were now dead. -Nat, whose mother had carefully taught him, -had served two terms as master in a log -schoolhouse. But the work did not altogether -please him; and when his uncle -sent for him to take him into his office, he -had gladly grasped the opportunity.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>Even in the far Wyoming valley, the -growing discontent was felt; but the boy had -no notion that matters were so grave until he -arrived at Philadelphia and found neighbors -arrayed against each other and representatives -of the colonies scheduled to meet and pass -solemn resolutions protesting against England’s -unfair laws.</p> - -<p>He ran over all his old impressions and his -new ones as well, as he sat in the wide doorway -of the Cooper house. And through all -his thoughts the saying of old Stephen -Comegies kept recurring.</p> - -<p>“‘It’s easy to call rebels together,’” he repeated, -following Ben’s version of the saying -as well as he could. “‘But it’s not always so -easy to get them together.’”</p> - -<p>The boy’s thick black brows came together -in a frown and his locked fingers gripped his -knees closely.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like that,” he murmured. “It -has a bad sound. It may have been the -angry, empty words of a partisan—and then -again, it may not. It would be a good thing -to have it looked into, I think, if it were possible.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>And so this is why Nat Brewster waited -and lounged about for hours after his cousin -had ridden gaily away into the city; and it is -also why, just as the evening shadows were -deepening into darkness, he started across the -fields toward Chew House.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW NAT MET “GRUMPY COMEGIES” AND<br /> -WHAT CAME OF IT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Nat had arrived at Germantown, -some weeks earlier, his place at the office was -not yet ready. In order not to be idle he had -gone to work in the fields with the hired -bands, and so still wore his backwoods -costume. A hunting-shirt, low about the -throat and coming almost to his knees, served -the place of a coat, while his leggings of -tanned deerskin and moccasins gave him the -air of one fresh from the wilderness, which he -was. But for all this homely dress he was a -fine, upstanding youth, broad-shouldered and -tall; his movements were as free and supple -as those of a savage, and his face wore the -look of habitual resolution that comes to -those who live in dangerous corners of the -earth.</p> - -<p>“It’s queer,” he said to himself as he strode -along, “that I can’t get out of the idea that I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> -should take my rifle everywhere I go, as I did -at home. Somehow I don’t know what to do -with my hands when I haven’t it.”</p> - -<p>To supply the place of the missing rifle he -stopped a little later and cut a good-sized -cudgel from a scrub oak; then once more he -started forward, whistling softly.</p> - -<p>Further on, he found it necessary to vault -a fence into a narrow, tree-lined lane. Darkness -had now about set in; the lane, because -of its border of trees, was especially shadowy, -and some little distance away Nat caught the -yellow glow of a lantern as it came halting -and dancing along toward him. Leaning -back against the fence, he waited silently for -the person carrying it to advance.</p> - -<p>Forward it came, hesitatingly, timidly, it -seemed. Nat at length made out the figure -of a man and that of a girl, and in a short -time they were close enough for him to catch -the sound of their voices.</p> - -<p>“But, grandfather,” said the girl, and Nat -saw her look intently ahead in the lamp-light, -“I feel quite sure that I heard some -one.”</p> - -<p>“Pish!” answered the man, impatiently.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>“What if you did? The roads are free to -every one, are they not?”</p> - -<p>“But just now,” persisted the girl, “it is -dangerous, is it not, with all this coming and -going of strange men? Indeed,” with great -candor, “I don’t like their looks any too -well.”</p> - -<p>“Hold your tongue,” cried the man, angrily. -“It’s not for you to question the appearance -of loyal subjects of the king.”</p> - -<p>“And do you think,” said the girl, “they -are really willing to——”</p> - -<p>“Hush, I tell you!” The voice of the man -rose sharply and broke with the quaver of age. -“What talk is that to have in a public place? -For all you know, there may be a score about -to hear you.”</p> - -<p>During the above, the pair continued -advancing along the lane in Nat’s direction; -and all the time the girl gazed ahead, trying -to pierce the darkness beyond the circle of -light. A ray from the lantern fell upon Nat’s -face as the old man spoke the last words, and -the girl halted with a sharp exclamation, -grasping his arm.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked her companion.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>“A stranger!” breathed the girl. “There -near the fence.”</p> - -<p>The old man flashed the lantern in the direction -indicated; and Nat’s lounging figure -was bathed in its rays.</p> - -<p>“What now, sir?” demanded the girl’s -companion, sternly. “What do you mean by -prowling around and startling decent people -in this way?”</p> - -<p>“I beg your pardon,” said Nat, politely, -taking off his cap. “I just happened to be -passing.”</p> - -<p>The old man peered into his face. He was -old, but his eyes were keen and bright; and -he studied Nat closely.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” he demanded. “I don’t -think I have seen you in this neighborhood -before.”</p> - -<p>“Possibly not,” replied the boy. “I have -not been here a great while.”</p> - -<p>An inquiring look came swiftly into the -deeply-lined face of the man with the lantern. -He bent forward eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” said he, “you are from the north.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Nat, calmly. “I am from -the north.”</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_34.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“WHO ARE YOU?” HE DEMANDED</i></p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>“And you are going——?”</p> - -<p>“To Chew House,” with great frankness.</p> - -<p>“Good!” The old man burst into a cackle -of laughter, reached out and patted the boy’s -shoulder approvingly. “Excellent! But,” -with an admonitory air, “it would be as well -to mention no names.”</p> - -<p>Nat had no reply for this, and so remained -silent.</p> - -<p>“I am Stephen Comegies,” continued the -old man. “Perhaps,” with a great deal of -pride, “you have heard of me.”</p> - -<p>“I have,” replied the lad.</p> - -<p>“There are a few who have not,” chuckled -“Grumpy Comegies.” “The king has some -friends who do not fear to speak their minds -to the rabble. And I would not let it end -with speaking,” he went on, with increased -spirit, “if I were twenty years younger. -There is not a lad of you all that would take -horse in the government’s service quicker -than I.”</p> - -<p>Here Nat noticed the girl plucking the old -man’s sleeve. He bent impatiently down and -she whispered some quick words in his ear.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -But he shook his big gray head at her evident -attempt to check his garrulousness.</p> - -<p>“Child,” said he, “leave men’s work to -men. I am old enough to know a friend from -a foe. And I will not hesitate to speak a -word of encouragement to one when I meet -him prepared to do dangerous work for his -master.” He turned to Nat and held out his -hand. “Your hand, lad.”</p> - -<p>Nat extended his hand; the old man grasped -it in a way that showed that all his strength -had not departed from him, and said:</p> - -<p>“If you and your comrades succeed in what -you are about to undertake, you will scatter -this rebellion like chaff. Have no fear; sweep -upon them and crush them out.” He turned -to the girl once more. “Come, child,” he -said. And as he started off he continued over -his shoulder, to Nat, “Good-evening, sir.”</p> - -<p>They had gone barely a dozen yards when -Nat, who stood looking after them, saw the -girl leave old Stephen’s side and dart back -toward him.</p> - -<p>“I do not know who you are,” she said, -“but you have an honest face.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” replied the youth, smiling.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>“My grandfather is a very old man,” she -continued in a breathless, hurried sort of way, -for old Comegies had begun to call rather -angrily to her, “and like most very old men, -he—he says a great many things that perhaps -he should not say.”</p> - -<p>Nat bowed silently, in the shadows.</p> - -<p>“I am glad you understand me,” continued -the girl, who perceived this despite the -thickening darkness. She drew closer to him -and lowered her voice. “If you are not what -he has taken you to be, I beg of you to be -generous and hold none of it to his injury. -Remember, he is, as I have said, an old man.”</p> - -<p>“If it will ease your mind, mistress,” said -Nat gravely, “I promise to forget him in -the matter entirely.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said the girl, gratefully. -“Thank you. You are kind.”</p> - -<p>And with that she darted away toward old -Stephen, who was holding up the lantern and -calling to her in his high-pitched, quavering -voice.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW STARTLING NEWS WAS NAT’S REWARD<br /> -AT CHEW HOUSE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nat Brewster</span> continued to watch the -lantern and the two whose way it lighted, -until the flame grew faint and flickering; -finally a bend in the road hid it altogether.</p> - -<p>“So that is old Stephen Comegies,” he said. -“Well, I never thought I’d be pleased to see a -Tory, but I’m glad to meet this one; for -I think he’s clinched my belief that there is -some sort of a plot on foot against Congress.”</p> - -<p>Through the trees he saw the winking windows -of Cliveden, and he regarded them -soberly.</p> - -<p>“Some people from the north are expected,” -he continued, “and they are going there.” -He stood for a moment in silence; then suddenly -he threw back his head and laughed. -“I’m from the north, just as I told the old -man,” he said, “and,” clutching the oaken -cudgel firmly, “I’m going to Chew House, -also as I told him.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>He clambered over the fence at the opposite -side of the road and started across the fields -once more. The dense growth of trees between -him and the mansion loomed blackly -before his face. There was a breeze stirring -and the boughs set up a warning whispering.</p> - -<p>“There is no doubt of it,” said Nat, and he -laughed at the conceit; “the trees are on the -side of the colonies. This morning they told -Ben of coming war; and now they are doing -their best to make me keep my distance.”</p> - -<p>However this might be, the young mountaineer -did not heed the warning, but went -steadily on. When once among the trees his -pace became slower; but finally he struck a -broad road, where the dim sheen of the sky -was visible through the branches.</p> - -<p>“This evidently leads up to the house,” -muttered the lad. “It has the well-kept feel -of a private way.”</p> - -<p>In this he was correct. It was not more -than a few minutes when the lights of the -house came into view; the broad windows -were like great yellow eyes and winked -genially out upon a wide lawn where flitting, -shadowy people came and went.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>“Men,” said Nat, to himself, “and quite a -number of them.”</p> - -<p>Cautiously he drew nearer; at length he -came to a low stone wall at the edge of the -road, and taking his place behind this, he -set himself to learn what was going forward.</p> - -<p>“Ben said there were Tory meetings held -here,” he continued. “And I shouldn’t -wonder if this were one of them. And, perhaps,” -his grip tightening upon the club -which he still retained, “a very important -one, considering what Stephen Comegies -hinted at.”</p> - -<p>After a little his eyes grew accustomed to -the wide beams of light with the shadows -thickening at their edges; then he began to -make out the figures upon the lawn as those -of men pacing backward and forward in -twos and threes.</p> - -<p>“And very impatiently, I should say,” Nat -told himself shrewdly, as he watched the men. -“They act like persons delayed in something -which they are anxious to accomplish.”</p> - -<p>The wall was at the far side of the lawn; -at first none approached it; but finally Nat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -noticed a pair, who seemed even more impatient -than the rest, gradually coming nearer -and nearer as they unconsciously lengthened -their course at each turn in their walk. One -was a lean, stoop-shouldered man; the other -was tall and burly; their arms were locked, -their heads were close together and they -seemed to be discussing some exasperating -situation that had arisen.</p> - -<p>Nat watched this twain expectantly.</p> - -<p>“At the next turn they’ll get near enough -for me to hear what they are saying,” he calculated. -“Then, maybe, I’ll learn something -worth while.”</p> - -<p>Sure enough, the next turn brought the -two within ear-shot. The first words that Nat -caught were from the burly personage, and -they made him catch his breath and shrink -closer to the wall.</p> - -<p>“It would have been much better if we -had thought of this in time to intercept that -parcel of rascals from Massachusetts Bay,” -the big man said in a harsh voice that was -much like the grumbling of a dissatisfied -animal. “The ring-leaders of the entire -movement were in that party and with them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -safely aboard a British ship, we’d soon have -them in England for trial and execution.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke he slashed at his high boots -with a riding-whip and gave every evidence -of being in a towering rage. But the lean man -with the stooped shoulders spoke soothingly,</p> - -<p>“Don’t let your feelings get the better of -you, my dear Royce,” said he. “We must -have a beginning somewhere, and the Massachusetts -members of the rebel Congress were -already safely in the city when young Prentiss -suggested this idea to us.”</p> - -<p>Prentiss! Nat Brewster heard the name -with a shock of recollection. But at the instant -the recollection was only as to having -heard it before. He mentally groped about -seeking to place it; then suddenly the facts -came to him like a flash.</p> - -<p>“It’s the name of Ben’s school friend,” he -thought. “Is it possible that——” but he -drove the thought from him. “No, it can’t -be the same. There are many others of that -name, of course.”</p> - -<p>The two men turned slowly and began to -retrace their steps.</p> - -<p>“He should have communicated with us<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> -sooner,” maintained Royce in his disagreeable -grumble.</p> - -<p>“You may depend upon it that he made -all the speed he could,” replied the other. -“I never saw a lad more anxious about anything -than he was regarding the taking of -that firebrand Samuel Adams.”</p> - -<p>Royce began speaking once more; but they -were too distant now for Nat to make out his -words; and the indistinct grumble died as the -men slowly paced away.</p> - -<p>“Prentiss!” muttered Nat, still sternly -holding back the idea that tried to possess -him. “It’s an odd kind of a coincidence, -but that’s all it is. It can’t be Ben’s friend! -Why, of course it can’t,” with a relieved laugh -as another thought came to him. “This -Prentiss of whom these two were speaking is -eager to bring ill-fortune upon Mr. Adams, -while the one I’ve heard so much of since I -came to Germantown is his friend.”</p> - -<p>But in spite of the laugh and in spite of -the reasoning, the similarity in the names -troubled the young mountaineer. And when -Royce and his companion drew near once -more, he listened eagerly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>The stoop-shouldered man was speaking and -considerable impatience had crept into his -voice.</p> - -<p>“It is unreasonable and ungenerous,” declared -he, “to blame the boy for something -that is perhaps entirely out of his control.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t he say he was sure this was the -night?—didn’t he ask you to call us together?” -demanded Royce.</p> - -<p>“He told me plainly that he was not sure; -he merely said that this would perhaps be the -night, and that it would be as well to have -everybody ready. You are angry because we -missed the opportunity to take Adams; -don’t lay everything to the lad’s discredit.”</p> - -<p>“I will admit,” said Royce, “that there is -something in what you say. Of course he -doesn’t know just when the members from -Virginia are to cross the ferry, and he can -only notify us when he receives the information. -But I can’t get it out of my head that -he could have used more expedition in the -Adams matter.”</p> - -<p>“You are a natural born grumbler,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -the lean man. “I don’t think it would -be possible to please you, no matter what -was done. Young Prentiss did his best to -get here in advance of the men from Massachusetts; -and he did arrive in advance, as you -know.”</p> - -<p>“But not far enough to be of any service, -Mr. Dimisdale, as you know,” insisted Royce, -stubbornly.</p> - -<p>The two men had paused and leaned their -elbows upon the wall at no greater distance -than two yards from the spot where Nat was -crouched.</p> - -<p>“I know the general estimate placed upon -the importance of these two Adams’,” said -Dimisdale.</p> - -<p>“They are dangerous to the best interests -of the crown,” declared Royce. “They are of -the type of men who lead the people astray by -false doctrines. The country will never be at -peace while they are at large. Did not the -eldest of them—the one named Samuel—have -the effrontery to shake his fist in the -face of an English governor and warn him that -British redcoats—our safeguards—must be removed -from Boston. And all because a few<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -rebellious rascals had been shot in the streets -for an open defiance of the law!”</p> - -<p>The indignation of the burly Tory as he -conjured up this scene almost made Nat -laugh outright, but he stifled the impulse as -Dimisdale began to speak.</p> - -<p>“Please allow me to finish,” said that -gentleman. “When you interrupted me I -was about to show you that these two brothers -are not the only persons of consequence in -this movement.”</p> - -<p>“Go on,” said Royce, sullenly.</p> - -<p>“The prospects of our intercepting the men -from Virginia are good,” said Dimisdale. “If -we succeed, we will, beyond a doubt, have made -as important a capture, if not one of more importance, -than the one you so regret missing.”</p> - -<p>“It will require a great deal to convince -me of that,” remarked Royce, with doubt -plain in his voice.</p> - -<p>“First,” said Dimisdale, impressively, -“there will be Edward Pendleton, one of the -Virginia aristocrats, a man of fine distinction -and attainments, of many friendships and vast -influence in his own colony and far beyond to -the southward.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>“I know that,” said the big man.</p> - -<p>“Then there will be Patrick Henry, whose -name has already gone across the sea and -whose tongue is as a flame in arousing rebellion -among the discontented. And last—but -in my private opinion—standing head -and shoulders above them all—is one whom I -consider to be the most dangerous man -of the period. His very silence up to this -time makes him all the more to be feared. -His resolution is like granite, his talent beyond -dispute. I mean Colonel Washington, -of Mount Vernon.”</p> - -<p>What Royce thought of this estimate -Nat never knew; for at that moment -there came the ring of hoofs in the darkness. -Then a horseman dashed up to the -Chew House and threw himself from the -saddle.</p> - -<p>“Young Prentiss at last!” cried Royce.</p> - -<p>“And come with news of importance, I’ll -be bound,” echoed Dimisdale.</p> - -<p>The two hurried away toward the spot -where an eager group had gathered about the -newcomer; and Nat was left to his thoughts -and the darkness.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>“An attempt to capture the Virginia -members of Congress,” breathed the boy, -his blood thrilling at the idea; “and to-night!”</p> - -<p>He stared at the dim cluster of Tories who -stood in the path before the house listening -to something that was being swiftly imparted -to them by the night rider.</p> - -<p>“And it may succeed,” he said. “It -is a thing so unsuspected that it may succeed!”</p> - -<p>As he watched he saw the group scatter. -Horses were heard trampling and jingling -their equipment; then came the noise of -men mounting and calling to each other -triumphantly. Finally the entire party rode -down the path and into the public road; some -of them bore lanterns to light their way, and -in the dancing rays Nat saw eager, laughing -faces, and also the glint of steel. In the -midst of them rode a boyish figure; it was -the bearer of the news, but Nat could not see -his face, as it was turned away, the boy being -engaged in earnest talk with Dimisdale, who -rode beside him.</p> - -<p>“Keep to the roads on the outskirts,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> -ordered Royce, who seemed to command the -cavalcade. “We might attract attention if we -rode through the city; and we can reach the -lower ferry just as well.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - - -<small>HOW NAT BREWSTER MET THE PORCUPINE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bewildered</span>, and a trifle frightened by the -nature of the proceedings, Nat Brewster stood -by the low wall and listened to the hoof -beats as they died away in a muffled rumble. -But when the silence of the August night -closed in upon him—when he noted the -many lights of Chew House being extinguished -one by one, and heard the doors -and windows closing sharply, he suddenly -came out of his trance, and his naturally alert -brain began to work once more.</p> - -<p>“Something must be done,” he said, aloud. -“And so it seems to have been left for me to -do, I suppose I must do it.”</p> - -<p>Almost in an instant a plan of action was -drawn up.</p> - -<p>“I must reach the lower ferry at the foot -of Gray’s Road before the Tories,” he told -himself, still speaking aloud. “But to do it -I must have a swift horse and one that can -stand a long run without breaking down.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>That there was none such in the stable at -Coopers’ he well knew; and instantly his -mind went to that of the Chews’.</p> - -<p>“They are wealthy people and ride to the -hounds in season,” reasoned Nat, calling to -mind some gossip of Ben’s. “And so, -naturally, they have some good mounts in -their barn.”</p> - -<p>He faced toward the great stone house as he -spoke, and in the darkness a smile came upon -his face.</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose they’d be willing to lend -if I went there and candidly explained what -I meant to do,” he proceeded. “So the best -thing I can do is to borrow first and take the -risk of explaining afterward—that is, if I can -find the barn in the dark.”</p> - -<p>He sprang upon the wall and then down on -the other side. As he made his way -cautiously around the house he saw that -all the lights, save one at the front, were -out.</p> - -<p>“There’s not much chance of my being seen—by -humans, anyway,” he muttered. “But -if they have any dogs about, they’ll be more -likely to scent me than not.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>The words had scarcely left his lips when -there came a tremendous barking and the -swift rush of a heavy body toward him. -Luckily the brute was of a light color and the -boy caught a vague glimpse of it as it bounded -at him. Swinging the cudgel over his head, -he brought it down with a free, double-handed -sweep; there was a moaning yelp and the dog -lay motionless at his feet.</p> - -<p>“A lucky blow,” said the young mountaineer, -as he jeered down at the stricken -beast. “But unlucky for you, old fellow,” -with a sudden qualm, “for I suppose you -were only doing what it was your nature to -do, after all.”</p> - -<p>But he had little time for remorse. The -great door of Cliveden opened; a servant appeared -upon the threshold holding a light -above his head; a tall, aristocratic man stood -beside him.</p> - -<p>“Are you quite sure it was the dog, -Henry?” asked the latter.</p> - -<p>“Quite,” replied the servant.</p> - -<p>There was a pause; then both bent their -heads as though listening: then the first -speaker remarked:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>“It was some passing noise, I fancy. He -seems quiet enough now.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said the servant, who was a -stout, resolute looking fellow. “But had I -not better take a look about?”</p> - -<p>“There is no need,” said the master carelessly.</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir.”</p> - -<p>Both withdrew, the servant casting suspicious -glances into the deep shadows about the -house. Nat drew a breath of relief.</p> - -<p>“That was rather a narrow escape,” he -murmured. “From the way that fellow -looked, I felt sure he’d be out here poking -around with his light whether or no.”</p> - -<p>Once more he cautiously made his way -around the mansion. Some little distance -away he caught the dense bulk of the barn; -and the same instant he noted that a dim -light was filtering through a small window at -one side.</p> - -<p>“A watchman, perhaps,” thought the boy, -in keen disappointment. “If it is, that’s the -end of my plan.”</p> - -<p>However, he carefully advanced and peered -through the window. A lantern hung upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> -a wooden peg; there were some half dozen -horses in the stalls, but, as far as he could see, -no humans.</p> - -<p>“In the loft, I suppose,” muttered Nat. -“More than likely a stable hand, sent to look -after the stock.”</p> - -<p>He waited and watched for some time; once -the sound of a door opening caught his ear; -he turned and saw a barb of light flash along -the ground; then the door closed and the -light vanished.</p> - -<p>“The servant, I suppose,” smiled Nat. -“He was not satisfied and took another short -look to assure himself.”</p> - -<p>He waited for some time after this again, -but as there was no sound within the barn -save for the occasional stamp of the horses, -he finally walked quietly around to the door -and entered. A swift glance showed him -some horse equipment hanging at one side. -He took down a bridle and gave an appraising -look at the mounts.</p> - -<p>“This one looks the best,” said he, softly; -and with that he slipped into the stall of a -powerful looking gray and bitted him with -calm expertness. He had backed the animal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -out and was adjusting a saddle, when a queer, -squeaking voice, from directly over his head, -sounded in his ears.</p> - -<p>“I thought you’d get the right one, master! -He’s a rare goer, he is!”</p> - -<p>Nat started. His eyes went swiftly in the -direction of the voice. First he caught sight -of a comical little pair of legs astride one of -the rafters, then of a huge head, topped with -a shock of stiff, upstanding hair.</p> - -<p>“There ain’t a nag in these parts that’ll get -you to the lower ferry quicker than that one -will,” continued the queer voice, assuringly. -“Always trust a flea-bitten gray to have courage -and bottom.”</p> - -<p>Nat continued to hold the horse by the -bridle with one hand; with the other he -shaded his eyes from the light and examined -the speaker with interest. He saw a big, -moon-like face—a large mouth that grinned -down at him good-naturedly, showing two -rows of strong, white teeth. The creature’s -head was that of a man, but the body was no -larger than that of a ten-year-old boy.</p> - -<p>The sudden discovery of this unusual -creature was in itself enough to startle a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -person with weak nerves. But Nat Brewster -was not troubled with anything of the sort. -It was the words alone that troubled him; the -odd-looking imp on the rafter seemed able to -read his secret purpose.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” inquired the mountain -boy, quietly, after a pause.</p> - -<p>The dwarf grinned more widely than ever.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you know?” asked he. “Have -you been at the Cooper place for two weeks -and not heard of me?”</p> - -<p>Nat shook his head. The dwarf blinked -his small round eyes as though marveling at -this lack of information. With one hand he -smoothed back his upstanding shock of hair; -but it sprang stiffly erect once more.</p> - -<p>“I’m the Porcupine,” announced he. -“Everybody knows me. I live in the woods -when I want to; but I mostly like barns and -such like, after the hay is in.”</p> - -<p>Nat regarded him closely.</p> - -<p>“What made you think I was going to -the lower ferry?” demanded he.</p> - -<p>The Porcupine grinned; his large teeth -gleamed like polished ivory in the lantern -light.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>“Folks don’t calculate I know much,” said -he. “But sometimes I fool ’em. You didn’t -see me down there by the wall, did you? -Well, I was there, not more than a couple of -yards from you all the time.” The squeaky -voice pitched higher, as the dwarf shook with -gleeful recollection. “And I heard what -Master Dimisdale said to Master Royce; also -I heard what Master Royce said to Master -Dimisdale.” He leaned down from his perch -upon the rafter and shook his huge head with -increased enjoyment. “And right away I -knew what you were going to do.”</p> - -<p>“How?” asked Nat, in wonder.</p> - -<p>“When the party rode away and you stood -watching them, I heard what you said,” replied -the Porcupine. “That’s why I came -here. I wanted to see that you got a good -horse. And now that you have,” pointing to -a rangy looking chestnut that stood in a stall -almost beneath, “I want you to put a saddle -and bridle on that one for me.”</p> - -<p>“For you!” said the astonished Nat.</p> - -<p>“Of course, for me,” replied the dwarf, -coolly. “You’re a stranger here. How’ll -you find the lower ferry unless I show you?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>At this Nat burst into a laugh.</p> - -<p>“Right!” said he, cheerily. “How would -I, to be sure? So get down and hold the gray -and I’ll saddle the chestnut for you in a -moment.”</p> - -<p>The Porcupine slid himself along the rafter -dexterously until he reached the wall where -there was a ladder leading to the loft. Down -this he swung easily; and Nat watching him -for the first time noted the great length of his -arms and the size of his hands.</p> - -<p>In a space the chestnut was beside the -other horse, champing its bit in a dissatisfied -sort of way. The dwarf, who scarcely came -to the shoulder of the tall gray, held it by -the rein and watched Nat’s accustomed -fingers approvingly as they flew from buckle -to buckle.</p> - -<p>“So,” said the young mountaineer, as he -worked, “you are for Congress and against -the king, are you?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied the Porcupine, “I’m only -against Neighbor Dimisdale.”</p> - -<p>“And why against him?” asked Nat.</p> - -<p>“Once there was a great robbing of hen-roosts; -they could not find out who was doing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -it, so Master Dimisdale settled upon me and -wanted me sent to the workhouse. He said I -was a vagrant and a danger to the town.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t look very dangerous,” spoke -Nat.</p> - -<p>The dwarf grinned impishly.</p> - -<p>“You don’t know me yet,” he replied. -“But,” returning to his grievance, “Master -Dimisdale is a hard man. Even after I had -caught the real thief, he did his best against -me.”</p> - -<p>“And who was the real thief?” asked Nat, -surprisedly.</p> - -<p>“A clever old mink,” grinned the Porcupine. -“I told them so from the first—but no -one would listen to me but Ben Collins. He -loaned me a trap and gave me a chance to -prove what I said.”</p> - -<p>Nat put his hand upon the dwarf’s shoulder -and looked thoughtfully down into his face.</p> - -<p>“Do you understand the nature of the -errand upon which those men rode away a -while ago?” asked he.</p> - -<p>The big head nodded; a shrewd look came -into the small, round eyes.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the Porcupine.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>“And you will help me prevent their carrying -it out?”</p> - -<p>“I’m against anything that Neighbor -Dimisdale is for,” answered the Porcupine -promptly.</p> - -<p>Without another word Nat led the two -horses out of the barn.</p> - -<p>“Quick, now!” he said, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>With a single heave he tossed the small -body lightly into the saddle.</p> - -<p>The Porcupine clutched the chestnut with -his short legs and grasped the reins with a -practiced hand.</p> - -<p>“Good,” said Nat, to himself. “He knows -what he’s about at all events.”</p> - -<p>His own foot was in the stirrup when a -light suddenly flared in his face.</p> - -<p>“Now then, my friend,” said a cold voice, -“give an account of yourself.”</p> - -<p>For a moment Nat’s eyes were dazzled; -then he made out the countenance of the -speaker and that of the person who had so -suddenly unmasked the lantern. They were -the two who had come to the door of Chew -House but a short time before, attracted by the -barking of the dog. There was a superior<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> -smile on the face of the master and a derisive -grin upon that of the man, as they noted the -boy’s astonishment.</p> - -<p>“Your suspicions were correct, Henry,” -said the former, and Nat saw that he held a -large pistol ready in his hand. “And I thank -you for insisting, so to speak, upon a search.”</p> - -<p>Nat recalled the sound of the door opening -and closing while he gazed through the -window of the barn, and realized that it was -then that they had emerged. Seeing that he -was caught he resolved to put a bold face upon -the matter and watch for any opportunity -that might present itself.</p> - -<p>“I’m sincerely sorry to have disturbed you, -sir,” said he, politely.</p> - -<p>“I can see that,” returned the other. “And -you were so anxious not to do so that you -were upon the point of borrowing my horses -to carry you out of ear-shot.”</p> - -<p>Nat smiled at the quiet mockery of this. -He was about to speak, but the man servant -was before him.</p> - -<p>“The lower ferry would be well out of ear-shot,” -remarked he with a laugh.</p> - -<p>“Hold your lantern up, Henry,” commanded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> -the master; the man complied and -the rays fell upon Nat’s face once more. -“You hold your countenance well, my lad,” -continued the speaker, after a pause. “But -it will not serve you. We overheard your -conversation with this little villain,” nodding -smilingly toward the Porcupine, who had -during all this time remained silently perched -upon his tall steed. “And I think I’m safe in -saying that you’ll carry no warning to the -rebels to-night.”</p> - -<p>Nat made no reply. Through his mind -ran thoughts of a dark, lonely road, of a quiet -party riding forward toward the city, of a -swift rush and capture, of a staggering blow -dealt the cause of the protesting colonies.</p> - -<p>For a moment the man with the pistol -watched Nat’s face, then he turned with a -careless laugh.</p> - -<p>“Now the rope, Henry,” said he. “I’ll -hold the light while you truss them up comfortably.”</p> - -<p>But that moment of carelessness cost him -the success of his plan. The instant he -turned, Nat sprang upon him, wrested the -pistol from his clutch and felled him with its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -heavy butt. With a squeal of excitement the -Porcupine drove his heels into the chestnut -and rode down the man servant, the lantern -being extinguished in his fall. Like a flash -Nat was upon the back of the gray, which was -snorting with fright, then with the dwarf at -his side he went leaping away into the darkness, -the horses’ heads pointed toward the dim -glow that overhung the city.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER AND THE PORCUPINE<br /> -RODE THROUGH THE NIGHT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">This</span> way,” cried the Porcupine, after a -little. “Keep to the left; there’s a gap in the -fence at the far side of this field that will let -us out upon the main road.”</p> - -<p>Nat followed the instructions of the dwarf, -whose knowledge of the ground about the -Chew House seemed perfect and whose sight -was unusually keen in the dark. The break -in the fence was located without any great -trouble, and a moment later found them with -the hard public road under them. Here -Nat drew rein; turning his head he gazed -back toward the mansion.</p> - -<p>“It appears that we have created some little -stir,” remarked he to the Porcupine, who had -drawn up beside him. The dwarf uttered his -peculiar, squealing laugh.</p> - -<p>“Look at the lights,” said he. “They pop -up at window after window, just like fireflies.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>There was also the dim hubbub of far-away -voices; it was as though excited men were -calling loudly to each other, and that their -excitement grew greater with each passing -moment.</p> - -<p>“In a little while they may recover their -senses sufficiently to take horse in pursuit,” -spoke Nat. “So I think we’d better make -the best of our time.”</p> - -<p>“We’d better make it anyhow,” suggested -the Porcupine. “We’ve a long ride ahead of -us and Master Royce’s party have had a good -half hour’s start.”</p> - -<p>So together they gave their mounts the rein -and went galloping down the road. Steadily -the pace was kept up until the horses began -to show signs of distress. Then they were -allowed to walk until they had recovered, -when they were urged into a faster pace once -more. It was not a great while before they -rode into a more thickly built up section; -people were now frequently met with carrying -lanterns and proceeding about their business.</p> - -<p>“And here is the city itself,” at last cried -the dwarf. “See the lamps,” pointing to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -scattering of oil lamps which, owing to the -efforts of Benjamin Franklin, had been lately -placed in the streets. “They say there is no -town in all the colonies that has so many.”</p> - -<p>The light thrown was dim and uncertain -enough; but Nat Brewster was struck with -admiration and looked wonderingly down -each street as they passed. He had been in -Philadelphia several times since his arrival, -but never before at night.</p> - -<p>“Do you know the town very well?” he -asked the dwarf, as they rode along.</p> - -<p>“I was born in it,” replied that personage, -proudly. “And it is the largest city in -America. There are thirty thousand people -living here,” in a tone of almost incredulity, -“and there is a fast coach that makes the -journey to New York in two days.”</p> - -<p>They turned at a smart pace through some -open ground into High Street, then across a -field and to the eastward of the State House -whose tower pointed darkly into the sky.</p> - -<p>“Below here we shall soon come to Gray’s -Road, which leads direct to the ferry,” said -the dwarf. They rode on in silence for some -time after this. But the Porcupine’s manner<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -showed that he had something on his mind; -finally he twisted himself about in his saddle -and asked:</p> - -<p>“What’s your name?”</p> - -<p>“Nat Brewster,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>“Nat Brewster,” repeated the other, slowly, -and with much the manner of a person who -is tasting something. “I kind of like the -sound of that; and,” suddenly, “I kind of -like you. But tell me this, Nat Brewster,” -tapping the young mountaineer upon the elbow -with one finger-tip; “when you come up with -Master Royce and his men, what do you intend -to do?”</p> - -<p>For a moment Nat was startled. He drew -hard upon the rein and the big gray came to -a stand.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said he. “I’ve been in -such haste that the thing entirely escaped -me.”</p> - -<p>“You can’t fight ’em alone,” spoke the -Porcupine wisely. “Of course,” with a grin, -“you won’t be exactly alone, but you might -as well be. I’m not much good in a fight. -I’m not big enough.”</p> - -<p>Nat silently sat upon his horse and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -pondered. Royce’s men were heavily armed; -he knew that, for he had caught the glimmer -of steel in the lights of Chew House. And -that they were determined to carry out their -project in spite of all opposition, he felt sure.</p> - -<p>“If I faced them,” the lad muttered, -“they’d laugh at me and cut me down.”</p> - -<p>But he must have aid! He would turn -about and ride to the City Tavern where -those members of Congress, who had already -arrived, were staying. The idea was seized -upon eagerly; then almost immediately it -was discarded.</p> - -<p>“It will take too much time,” thought the -young mountaineer. “And, another thing: -Would they believe the story I’d have to -tell?”</p> - -<p>He was forced to admit that he did not -think so. The thing was improbable and -would be difficult to credit; valuable time -would be consumed, and in the end he’d -probably be forced to ride away as he came, -and proceed upon his mission alone.</p> - -<p>“And with not so many chances of success,” -said Nat. “For while I’d be seeking -to convince strangers that I was telling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -the truth, the Tories would have more than -likely accomplished what they set out to -do.”</p> - -<p>A watchman’s lantern sparkled ahead as -the man raised it and tried to make out the -details of the two horsemen who stood so -silently in the middle of the street. A bell -struck midnight in a solemn, sonorous sort -of way; the watchman lifted his voice and -chanted:</p> - -<p>“Twelve o’clock—a cloudy night—and all’s -well!”</p> - -<p>“The time’s drawing on,” remarked the -dwarf. “Have you made up your mind?”</p> - -<p>For answer Nat shook the rein and the -gray sprang forward; after a few bounds the -chestnut was alongside once more, and the -dwarfs peculiar, squealing laugh sounded in -the silence.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I thought you’d do,” declared -he. “I can always tell what people will do -by their faces.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” replied Nat, good humoredly, -“if you can see my face in this light, I must -say that Porcupines have remarkably sharp -eyes.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“I can’t see it now,” said the dwarf, composedly. -“But I could the other day when -you were breaking the colt for Farmer Campbell -in the back lot. There’d been a dozen -tried to ride that young beast before you came -to Germantown, and it threw them all. I -heard tell that it almost killed Peter Corbin.”</p> - -<p>“It was somewhat self-willed,” said Nat, -recalling the desperate battle he’d had with -the creature before it was subdued. “But -you can expect that of colts, as a rule.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but they’re not all as wicked as that -one,” and the Porcupine’s voice had a tone of -great positiveness. “I’ve seen lots of them -broken, but that colt fought harder than all of -them put together. But you didn’t ask any -one to help you when it threw itself down and -tried to roll on you, or when it tried to crush -your leg against the fence. You just stuck to -it and won. I knowed then, by your face, -that you’d do it; and I know now, even when -I can’t see it.”</p> - -<p>“You have confidence, at any rate,” laughed -Nat. “And so,” rather grimly, “I’ll try and -live up to your judgment of me.”</p> - -<p>Some distance to the southwest they came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> -to Gray’s Road, and dashed along toward the -river.</p> - -<p>As it drew on past midnight, it grew darker, -the sheen disappeared from the sky, a fact -which told them that the clouds were growing -thicker and that heavy rain might soon be -expected. The Porcupine sniffed as they -sped along.</p> - -<p>“I can smell it,” said he confidently. “It’s -going to come from the direction in which we -are going.”</p> - -<p>Just then Nat, whose eyes were fixed -steadily ahead, uttered an exclamation and -pulled up shortly. The dwarf instantly did -likewise. Both horses were thrown back upon -their haunches by the suddenness of the stop -and snorted with fright. Nat bent his head -forward, staring straight between the gray’s -ears and called sharply:</p> - -<p>“Who’s there?”</p> - -<p>In the silence that followed, the gurgle of -water lapping a bank was plainly heard. -Nat drew from the breast of his hunting-shirt -the heavy pistol which he had wrung from -the master of Cliveden; its clumsy mechanism -clicked loudly as he drew back the hammer.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>“Who’s there?” demanded he, sternly. -“Answer, or I’ll fire.”</p> - -<p>This time a low laugh followed the words.</p> - -<p>“I suppose we’d better do as he asks,” spoke -a voice. “He said that as though he meant -it.”</p> - -<p>The Porcupine leaned his big head toward -Nat.</p> - -<p>“Master Dimisdale,” breathed he. “I’d -know his voice among a thousand.”</p> - -<p>“We are peaceable citizens, sir traveler,” -said the voice. “And we trust that we have -not made ourselves offensive to you.”</p> - -<p>Again came the low laugh; this time it was -slightly mocking and Nat’s anger began to -rise.</p> - -<p>“You will kindly stand out of the road,” -said he, sharply. “I am not here to hold -conversation with you, whoever you are; my -business is more urgent.”</p> - -<p>“And just what may your business be?” -inquired a boyish voice, which Nat at once -recognized as belonging to the person who had -laughed. “We have some small interest in -various matters to-night and who knows but -what yours might be one of them?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>“You can have no interest in me,” replied -Nat, evenly. “You know nothing of the -business that I ride upon.”</p> - -<p>“Let us debate the question,” replied the -boyish voice. “Who knows but what our -knowledge is greater by far than you’d suppose. -It is a fact, and I’ll leave it to my -friends here to substantiate me in the saying, -that we have considerable interest in those -who use this road to-night.”</p> - -<p>There was a chorus of laughter, low pitched -and cautious, at this. The shadowy persons, -who were stretched across the way, seemed -greatly diverted. Then Dimisdale spoke once -more.</p> - -<p>“However,” said he, “we must remember -that these gentlemen are riding in the wrong -direction for us.”</p> - -<p>Again came the laughter; above the others, -Nat could plainly hear that of the boy. And -somehow the sound greatly irritated him. As -a rule, Nat was not the lad for strangers to -make game of, and least of all was this the -case now. The cool, masterful tones of the -young stranger ruffled his temper in a way -that he could not have accounted for even if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -he had tried. But when he spoke, no trace -of his anger crept into his voice; this was just -as even as before.</p> - -<p>“You are disposed to entertain yourselves -at our expense, I see,” he said. “And, candidly, -I dislike it. So I ask you once more to -kindly stand aside that we may go on.”</p> - -<p>“Go on!” came the boy’s voice. “Why -man alive, you should be thankful, indeed, -that we are here to prevent you from going -on. A dozen steps more and you’d be -swimming for your life in the Schuylkill.”</p> - -<p>The sound of lapping water a few momenta -before had given Nat a hint as to this.</p> - -<p>“It’s the ferry landing,” he told himself.</p> - -<p>Almost at the same moment he heard the -Porcupine whisper in his ear:</p> - -<p>“They are waiting here for the gentlemen -from Virginia to cross the river.”</p> - -<p>“Hush!” breathed Nat, fearing that the -words would be overheard. Then aloud he -said, addressing the invisible people before -him:</p> - -<p>“I suppose you have taken up your present -position through motives of kindness entirely. -The fear that some heedless wayfarer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -might ride into the river has kept you all out -of your beds, no doubt.”</p> - -<p>Again came the laugh from the party blocking -the road.</p> - -<p>“Our traveler has wit!” mocked the unseen -boy. “I’ll even venture that he’s as -clever a debater as either of the Adamses, or -Patrick Henry himself.” He paused a moment -and then addressed Nat once more: -“Perhaps it’s your intention to cross the -river?” said he.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>“I’m very sorry, in that event,” returned -the other in his cool, exasperating way. -“But the ferry has just this moment——”</p> - -<p>He had gotten this far when there came a -sudden movement; it was as though a hand -had been quickly clapped over his mouth. -Then Dimisdale was heard to say, quietly:</p> - -<p>“A still tongue makes a wise head, Master -Prentiss. It is not always well to tell everything -you know.”</p> - -<p>But he might just as well have allowed him -to continue, for even as it was, Nat Brewster’s -quick mind had grasped the situation. He -had wondered from the beginning why he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -had not heard the voice of Royce; for that -gentleman was scarcely one to be present and -not be heard. But the heedless words of the -youthful Tory brought the truth to him in a -flash.</p> - -<p>“Royce is not here,” reasoned Nat, to himself. -“He has taken part of the band and -crossed the river on the ferry. They have -made up their minds that it is best to attack -on the far side.”</p> - -<p>The idea was startling; but he kept himself -well in hand. Dimisdale had begun to -speak again, and he listened eagerly.</p> - -<p>“In times like these,” said Dimisdale, “one -should consider everything one says. There -is no telling what small matter inconsiderately -dropped might lead to some larger circumstance -entirely unforeseen.”</p> - -<p>“You talk like a sage, Master Dimisdale,” -laughed the stranger youth, lightly. “But -there is a great deal of truth in what you say, -and I’ll try to be guided by it.”</p> - -<p>While he was speaking, Nat bent toward -the Porcupine.</p> - -<p>“Is there a ford anywhere at hand?” he -whispered.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>“Some distance above,” answered the dwarf -in the same low tone.</p> - -<p>“Do you think you can find it?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure I can.”</p> - -<p>“Then hold yourself ready to run for it.”</p> - -<p>The young Tory had continued speaking; -and now he lifted his voice for Nat’s benefit, -still, however, addressing Dimisdale:</p> - -<p>“However, at the worst there is no great -harm done. These two gentlemen, whoever -they are, are going to remain our guests for -an hour or two.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t be quite so sure of that,” cried Nat, -through his tight shut teeth. Then with a -quick word to the Porcupine they wheeled -their nags and went tearing up the road in -the direction of the city. Behind them came -a confused hubbub; then the voice of Dimisdale -rang out clearly:</p> - -<p>“Halt!”</p> - -<p>But they paid no attention; bending low -in their saddles, they urged the galloping -horses to a greater speed. Then a pistol shot -sounded, followed by another and still another. -The heavy bullets flew wide, and Nat laughed as -he heard them “zip-zipping” among the trees.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>“It takes a sharp eye to sight a pistol in -the darkness,” said he.</p> - -<p>“And it’ll take just as sharp a one to find -the road that’ll take us to the ford,” declared -the Porcupine, as he strained his eyes ahead. -“But I rather think I’m going to do it, for -all.”</p> - -<p>“Do your best,” said Nat. “A great deal -depends upon the next half hour—perhaps -the very lives of Mr. Henry and his friends.”</p> - -<p>In a little while the sounds in the rear died -away. The Tories upon the river bank had -been dismounted; and apparently they did -not think it wise, in any event, to give chase.</p> - -<p>A full hour was consumed in finding the -ford in the dark, and crossing the river; -but upon the far side they picked up the -ferry road once more and turned south. Nat -rode with his hand upon the butt of the -pistol; the Tories were somewhere ahead and -almost any moment might bring another surprise. -Suddenly the Porcupine spoke.</p> - -<p>“Why,” inquired he, “do this Mr. Henry -and his friends travel at night?”</p> - -<p>This very question had been intruding -itself upon Nat in a hazy sort of way for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> -some time, but now he saw its point for the -first time.</p> - -<p>“Is there any good reason for their doing -it?” persisted the dwarf.</p> - -<p>“None that I know of,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>“Then I don’t believe they are doing it,” -said the Porcupine, positively. “I don’t know -much about things, and the Tories at Master -Chew’s seemed to think they would cross the -lower ferry to-night. But if it were left for -me to give an opinion, I’d say that they were -comfortably sleeping at Chester, if they are -anywhere near the city at all.”</p> - -<p>Nat was silent. The suggestion opened up -a new view of the night’s latter developments, -and he examined them carefully.</p> - -<p>“You may be right,” he said at length. -“Perhaps the Tories had some one on the -watch; and when they reached the river they -may have been told that there would be no -crossing attempted until morning.”</p> - -<p>“That’s it,” said the dwarf, shrewdly. -“And then some of them went over in the -boat, while the others were left behind to -make sure.”</p> - -<p>“What purpose did they have in crossing?”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -asked Nat. A thought had sprung, -full armed, into his mind, and he breathlessly -awaited the Porcupine’s reply.</p> - -<p>“They have found out where the gentlemen -are to spend the night,” came the dwarf’s -answer. “And they are going there after -them.”</p> - -<p>For a moment Nat Brewster was too -absorbed to speak. The Porcupine’s reply -agreed so exactly with his thought that the -odd creature might well have read his mind. -At length, however, he asked:</p> - -<p>“Is this the southern road?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“The one the travelers would be likely to -take?”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>Nat stared straight ahead into the darkness. -A few heavy drops of rain were falling and -the wind had begun to blow in warm gusts.</p> - -<p>“We’d better go as we are,” he said, after a -pause. “And,” with a laugh that was full of -expectation, “I rather think that we’ll meet -with some further experiences on the road before -we are an hour older.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER MET WITH MR.<br /> -WASHINGTON</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> two had ridden no great distance from -the river when, close to the roadside, they -came upon a small wooden house, from a -window of which a light was streaming. -This in itself was rather unusual in such a -place at such an hour; but, more surprising -still, they saw, through the window, a man -sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily -away at a piece of leather.</p> - -<p>“A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at -work so late in the night.”</p> - -<p>“His customers must be in great haste,” -laughed the Porcupine. “They don’t give -the poor man time enough to get his natural -sleep.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” answered Nat, who had brought -the gray to a stand in the road opposite the -window, “that it might mean more than -that. At any rate, it will do no harm to exchange<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -a word with this hard-pressed mechanic.”</p> - -<p>They rode close up under the cobbler’s -window; he, roused by the trampling hoofs, -paused in his hammering and lifted his head.</p> - -<p>“You work late, shoemaker,” saluted Nat, -genially. “Business must be over good.”</p> - -<p>“You ride late, young sir,” replied the -cobbler, shrewdly. “And how is business -with you?”</p> - -<p>Nat laughed. The night was warm, and -the small-paned sash was pushed up as far as -it would go, making easy conversation.</p> - -<p>“My present business is a great deal of a -puzzle,” replied the boy. “And I think I -had better see the end of it before I pass any -sort of judgment.”</p> - -<p>The cobbler was a small, dried-out looking -man of middle age. He had a weazened face -and cunning eyes; and yet there was something -engaging about him. He beat at the -thick piece of leather upon his lap-stone for a -moment, then laid down the hammer and said:</p> - -<p>“There is no one on this side of the Schuylkill -that can outdo me in puzzles this night, -young man. And whatever your matter is,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -I’m quite sure that it can’t compare with the -situation that I find myself in.”</p> - -<p>“Why,” said Nat, and the watchful Porcupine -saw an eager look come into his face, -“I had not thought the making of boots so -exciting a trade.”</p> - -<p>“It has nothing to do with the making of -boots,” replied the mechanic. “If it had, I -could understand it readily enough. It is -something else, and something most peculiar -when a man comes to examine it from its -different sides.”</p> - -<p>Nat said nothing to this. He saw that the -cobbler had something upon his mind and -that he was most anxious to unburden himself -of it, even to a stranger who appeared at his -window in the night.</p> - -<p>“It’s best to let him take his own time,” -reasoned the lad. “If I begin to ask questions, -he might take the notion not to -speak—and somehow I fancy that I should -greatly benefit by what he has to say.”</p> - -<p>The little shoemaker rubbed his stained and -calloused hands together reflectively; the thick -candle that burned in a sconce over his head -threw a bright light about his work-room, with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -its array of farmers’ thick boots awaiting repair, -and its clutter of leather and tools. -Finally he spoke, and with the air of a man -who was asking advice.</p> - -<p>“What would you think,” he inquired, -bending forward, “if you were sitting here -upon this bench, pegging away at a sole and -wondering what sort of fall and winter we -have coming upon us, when a very young chap -rode up, much like you have done, only it was -by daylight, and says to you:</p> - -<p>“‘Is this Neighbor Parslow?’</p> - -<p>“‘It is,’ says you.</p> - -<p>“He tries to look careless like, but you see -at once that he’s keen for something; so you -go on pegging and pegging and let him take -his own time about his own business. So -after a while he says to you:</p> - -<p>“‘As I was riding along the river I saw a -rather smart looking barge.’</p> - -<p>“‘Did you?’ says you.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes,’ says he, ‘and as I was told it was -your property, I’ve come to see you about it.’</p> - -<p>“‘It’s not for sale,’ says you.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, I don’t want to buy it,’ he says, -quick enough. ‘I just want to engage it.’</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>“‘Very well,’ says you. ‘That’s what I keep -it for; my charge is four shillings for the day.’</p> - -<p>“‘And how much for the night?’ asks he. -And with that you see he’s a merry chap and -has an honest face.</p> - -<p>“‘It’s seldom or never,’ says you, ‘that -any one hires the barge for after dark, so I -don’t know about that.’</p> - -<p>“‘Have your boat ready at ten to-night,’ -says he briskly, ‘and you’ll earn a handful of -Spanish dollars.’</p> - -<p>“So at that you’re a little taken by surprise.</p> - -<p>“‘Do you want it for a pleasure party?’ -you ask him, and he laughs again in a way -that makes you like him more.</p> - -<p>“‘I don’t know but what you might call it -that,’ says he. ‘I and my friends will take -great pleasure in it; but I have a suspicion -that there are some others who will not like -it so well.’</p> - -<p>“He looks at you closely,” continued the -cobbler to Nat, who was listening with great -attention, “and he sees that you’re not taking -to the idea very keenly. So with that he -whips out a leathern purse and counts out a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> -sum of money upon the window sill such as -you have not seen in months.</p> - -<p>“‘There,’ he says, ‘is your pay in advance. -Have the barge at the ferry landing across the -river and await me and those who shall bear -me company.’”</p> - -<p>The cobbler arose and came closer to the -window, brushing the scraps of leather from -his apron. He peered up at Nat with his -small eyes.</p> - -<p>“Somehow,” he proceeded, “for all the lad -has an honest look and a merry laugh, you -don’t care to do what he asks. There seems -something secret about it. But at the same -time there is the money—all Spanish gold—on -the window sill, staring you out of countenance.” -The speaker paused a moment, -then asked earnestly: “Now, if all these -things happened to you—and remember you -are a poor man—what would you do?”</p> - -<p>“I think,” replied Nat, “I would try to -earn the money.”</p> - -<p>The shoemaker nodded and seemed much -relieved.</p> - -<p>“There are some lads,” remarked he, “who -have more wisdom than their years give them.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -I think you are one of that stamp. That -is the very thing I did. Promptly at ten, for -it was a still night and I could hear the town -bells strike the hour, I was at the landing -upon the other side.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Nat, so eagerly that the watching -dwarf gave him a warning prod with his -knuckles. “And what then?”</p> - -<p>“No one was there,” replied the cobbler. -“And I wailed until eleven struck; then until -almost twelve. At length a great party of -riders came down the road. When a light -was struck I could see that they were all -armed and wore looks that boded no good to -somebody. This troubled me more than -ever; but I had scarcely a glimpse of them -when the youth who had engaged me told me -to recross the river, tie the barge up and hold -myself in readiness here until they wanted -me.”</p> - -<p>“Is that the last you saw of them?”</p> - -<p>“No; the entire party—or so it seemed to -me, at any rate—crossed the ferry and rode by -here less than two hours ago.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” said Nat, carelessly, “you had -no idea as to where they were heading?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“Not the least,” replied the worried -cobbler; then as a sort of afterthought: -“Have you?”</p> - -<p>“How far is it to the nearest inn—on this -road—riding as we are?” Nat ignored the -question, as he had no desire to confide his -suspicions to the talkative mechanic.</p> - -<p>“A matter of some six miles. Perhaps a -little more.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps your friends have stopped there; -if so we might get a glimpse of them.”</p> - -<p>“And if you do and should see anything -that would make you think they’re trying to -entangle me with the king’s laws, it would be -a friendly act for you to ride back and give -me warning.”</p> - -<p>“Take warning now,” said the dwarf, -speaking for the first time. His odd squeak -startled the shoemaker, who had apparently -not noticed him before, and the man stood -staring at the great head and small body in -something like wonder.</p> - -<p>“If you want to avoid entanglements of -every kind,” proceeded the Porcupine, -smoothing his stiff crest, “take warning now -by what I’m going to tell you. Go quickly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> -now and hide your barge somewhere along -the bank; then return, close up your house, -put out your light and go quietly to bed. In -that way you’ll be sure to do no wrong.”</p> - -<p>The man seemed greatly struck by this advice -and nodded his head as though it pleased -him. Nat gathered up his reins and was about -to give the word when a thought struck him.</p> - -<p>“Did you by any chance,” asked he of the -mechanic, “hear the name of the boy who -engaged your boat?”</p> - -<p>“I did,” was the answer. “A large man -was speaking in a loud tone of voice as they -rode up to the ferry landing and he called -him Prentiss.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Nat, and without -further words the pair turned and put their -mounts at a hard gallop down the road.</p> - -<p>“I think I could name what use is to be -made of the barge,” said the dwarf after a -long pause.</p> - -<p>“And I,” replied Nat. “If the Virginian -members of Congress are taken, they will be -put into it, sculled down the river and placed -upon the British vessel which is, no doubt, at -anchor there for the purpose.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>“And I hardly think she’d wait to take on -any further cargo,” remarked the Porcupine, -wisely. “They’d up sail, and away for England, -a quick trial, a tall scaffold and a short -rope.”</p> - -<p>“You are pretty near the truth,” replied -the young mountaineer, grimly. “I’m afraid -the British ministers would not give the -prisoners much of a chance for their -lives.”</p> - -<p>The gusts of warm wind had been growing -heavier. And now the rain began to fall in -torrents. The two riders bent their heads, -doggedly and in silence. Before the storm -began objects had been made out with the -utmost difficulty; now the darkness grew all -but impenetrable; lakes and rivulets formed -in the road; the horses were given their -heads, as being the safer way, and stumbling, -snorting and shaking the streaming rain from -their manes, they pressed onward.</p> - -<p>Nat never knew how much time had -elapsed or how far they had gone, when suddenly -he felt his companion tugging at his -sleeve. Lifting his head, he became conscious -of a warm, yellow glow. Turning, he saw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> -the bright front of an inn, set back a little -from the roadside.</p> - -<p>“And look!” said the Porcupine, forced to -lift his voice, that he might be heard above -the roar of the rain. As he spoke, he pointed -to a long open shed where a couple of wind-mad -lights were dancing. Nat saw a full -dozen horses, saddled and bridled and looking -as though they had but lately been hard -ridden.</p> - -<p>The young mountaineer’s face expressed -the satisfaction that filled him.</p> - -<p>“The inn of which the cobbler spoke,” said -he, “and Royce and his companions are inside.”</p> - -<p>In a few moments the gray and the chestnut -were also beneath the shed; a couple of -stable hands took them in charge and began -rubbing the rain from their streaming coats.</p> - -<p>“And now,” spoke Nat, when he saw that -they were being well taken care of, “let us -go inside; there is sure to be a good fire in -the kitchen where we can dry our clothes.”</p> - -<p>But the dwarf shook his big head.</p> - -<p>“Go in yourself,” said he. “You may be -needed. But I’ll stay here.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>“But you are wet to the skin,” protested -Nat.</p> - -<p>“I’m used to that, and it will do me no -harm.” Nat was about to say something more, -but the Porcupine interrupted him. “There -may be some of Master Royce’s people who -know me,” said he. “And that would bring -suspicion, or at least direct attention, upon -you. So you see, it is best for me to be outdoors. -Another thing,” and a cunning look -came into the odd, round face of the speaker, -“I’m used to prowling around. I may be of -more service out here than you think.”</p> - -<p>Seeing that his new friend was determined -to have his way in the matter, Nat said nothing -more upon the subject.</p> - -<p>“But,” he cautioned, “keep your eyes -and ears open.”</p> - -<p>“Trust me for that,” grinned the Porcupine.</p> - -<p>Nat pushed open the heavy door and found -himself in a large, square, low-ceilinged room -with rafters and sanded floor. There were -heavy settees and chairs and tables standing -about and many rain-soaked coats hanging -upon the wall. The rain and wind together -had turned the night rather chill; a good-sized<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> -fire was burning in a wide-mouthed fireplace, -and a number of men were standing about it, -their bands behind them and their backs to -the blaze.</p> - -<p>As the boy opened the door, the landlord, -a small, meek-looking man in a white apron, -was speaking.</p> - -<p>“But, gentlemen,” he said, “you are well -acquainted with what is required of an innkeeper. -It is quite impossible for me to do -what you ask.”</p> - -<p>The burly Tory, Royce, to whom these -words were apparently addressed, slashed his -tall boots with his riding-whip and stalked -up and down angrily. His heavy tread -sounded noisily upon the sanded floor; his big, -coarse-featured face was flushed.</p> - -<p>“Now listen to me with attention, my good -fellow,” spoke he, wrathfully, and he pointed -the heavy whip at the landlord threateningly. -“We know little of what you call the duties -of an innkeeper and care a great deal less. -As for it being impossible for you to do what -ask—well, we’ll request you to reconsider -that.”</p> - -<p>“The gentlemen when they came begged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -the use of the room,” said the other. “It was -to be strictly private. And I could not now -intrude others upon them.”</p> - -<p>The angry, flushed face of Royce now became -fairly purple.</p> - -<p>“Intrude!” stormed he. “Intrude! Do -you call our presence in your beggarly inn -an intrusion?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir, surely not,” the meek little innkeeper -hastened to say, lifting both his hands -in a gesture of protest. “I am quite overjoyed -to have you, sir; and also your friends,” with -a frightened little bow to the others, who stood -scowling at him menacingly.</p> - -<p>Royce was about to reply to this when he -for the first time noted Nat, who still stood -near the door listening to the conversation -with attention. For a moment the Tory -scanned the boy; then he inquired sharply:</p> - -<p>“Well, sirrah, what do you want?”</p> - -<p>Nat shook the rain from his hunting-shirt; -then he removed his cap and tossed -the clinging drops with a flirt out upon the -floor.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think,” replied he, after a pause -of some length, during which he smilingly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -studied the growing fury in the big man’s -face, “that is any affair of yours.”</p> - -<p>For a moment it seemed as though the Tory -would leap upon him and strike him down. -But perhaps it was the stalwart, strongly-made -figure with its wide shoulders and arching -chest that gave him second thought. At any -rate, he stood and glared; and Nat, as though -he had not noticed his anger, advanced quietly -toward him.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen,” spoke he, courteously, to the -men about the fireplace, “if you could make -room for me, I’d be extremely obliged to -you.”</p> - -<p>Whether it was the calm, indifferent manner -of the lad, or something that they expected -of Royce that made them act as they did, it -would be difficult to say; at any rate, they -drew silently away toward the settees and -chairs at the side, leaving the fireplace to Nat, -while Royce stood inspecting him, enraged, -but mute.</p> - -<p>Finally the man found his tongue once -more; but instead of bursting out in a blaze -of wrath, as all no doubt expected him to do, -he spoke quietly enough.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>“It seems to me,” he said, “that you are -rather forward and plain spoken for one of -your age.”</p> - -<p>There was a sneer in his voice and a look -in his eye that were infinitely more dangerous -than his vented fury could be. Nevertheless, -Nat spread the dripping fringe of his hunting-shirt -to the blaze and answered him, smilingly:</p> - -<p>“In my part of the country we grow rather -quickly, as I suppose people do in most wild -places. So if you find me rather beyond my -years, I beg of you, sir, to lay it to that.”</p> - -<p>In spite of Nat’s seeming carelessness, he -was keenly watching all that went on about -him. For the first time he noticed the air -and dress of those who made up the Tory -party; and for all the slim acquaintance with -the section, he knew at once that the men -did not belong in or about Philadelphia. -Another thing: The queer face of the Porcupine -was pressed inquiringly against the -streaming panes of a side window; and beside -and above it were those of a number of -stable hands, who were frowning belligerently -at the unconscious loyalists. At the sight a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> -quick understanding of the situation came to -Nat and he smiled once more.</p> - -<p>“I see,” thought he, “that the Porcupine -was quite right when he said that he was -used to prowling about and might be of -service outdoors. Those fellows look hardy -and courageous; and I’ll need them before -long, if I’m not mistaken in my reading of the -face of Master Royce.”</p> - -<p>“And where,” inquired the latter, who had -been studying the young mountaineer in -silence after his last reply, “where might -that wonderful region be?”</p> - -<p>“In the north,” answered Nat. And as he -spoke the words, the saying of old Stephen -Comegies came to him like a flash. “In the -north,” he repeated, “where I think,” waving -his hands toward the others, “most of -your friends are from.”</p> - -<p>Watching, he saw Royce suddenly catch -his breath; also there was a quick stir among -the other Tories; some of them even came to -their feet.</p> - -<p>“You are a lad of remarkable observation,” -spoke Royce, after an amazed pause. “But -don’t you think it as well not to see too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -much?” a different note creeping into his -voice—a note that at once challenged Nat’s -attention.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied the boy, with the -same undisturbed air as before. “A good -outlook is not a bad thing to have; indeed, I’ve -found it of distinct advantage more than once.”</p> - -<p>“Unless I am greatly mistaken,” said -Royce, “this will not be one of the times.” -He advanced until he was within arm’s -length of Nat, then resumed: “I asked you, -when you first came into this place, what you -wanted. The inquiry was made simply because -your presence was undesirable.”</p> - -<p>“I think I understand,” replied the boy, -easily enough. “Persons who have particular -and urgent business don’t like to be intruded -upon.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to ask the same question now,” -continued Royce, his jaw set in a grim way, -“and this time I want a plain, straightforward -answer.”</p> - -<p>“The night is wet,” said Nat. “I have -ridden quite some distance. And the lights -of an inn are always particularly attractive at -such a time.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>With a snarling sound the man made a -clutch at the boy’s throat; but Nat, with a -light, quick movement, evaded him. Then -he in turn shot out his hand and gripped the -Tory by the wrist. Though not much over -seventeen, Nat was as large as most men and -stronger than a great many, as Royce at once -discovered. The clutch upon the wrist was -like iron, and with a quick whirl, the young -mountaineer spun the man around.</p> - -<p>“It would be as well, sir,” said he, “not to -lose your temper. It will hardly do you any -good, and may result in doing you considerable -harm.”</p> - -<p>In weight the Tory was greatly the young -mountaineer’s superior. But his bulk was -soft, flabby, untrained and his breath scant. -On the other hand, Nat was hard, supple and -swift, with wind and endurance that would -carry him far.</p> - -<p>What a struggle between them would have -resulted in was still to remain in doubt; for a -quick, forward movement of the followers of -Royce caused Nat to let go and step back, his -hand going to the butt of Mr. Chew’s pistol. -However, there was no need of immediate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> -alarm, for the men, while their attitudes toward -him lacked nothing in hostility, seemed -to have something else in mind. They -whispered and argued with Royce, holding his -arms. He began by struggling and storming -at them and demanding that they set him free -that he might chastise Nat for his impudence -in resisting. But in a few moments he -calmed wonderfully.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said he, quietly enough. -“We have more important matters to carry -out. Gentlemen, I beg your pardon. I’m -afraid I have not kept my temper very well, -and have risked compromising our errand.” -He shook himself like a great dog; turning -once more to Nat, he said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll see to you in a few moments, my lad, -if you’ve the courage to remain.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be at your service whenever you -are disposed to take the matter up,” replied -the youth from the Wyoming.</p> - -<p>Royce addressed the little innkeeper, who -had remained a silent spectator of all that had -passed.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said he, coldly, “let us have that -door open,” indicating a door that apparently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> -led into another of the inn’s public rooms. -“And let there be no further delay about it.”</p> - -<p>“But, my good sir,” protested the frightened -little man, “this is a much more comfortable -room. It’s larger and more airy.”</p> - -<p>Without more ado, Royce threw him aside, -for the man stood between him and the door.</p> - -<p>“Stand out of the way,” growled he. “I’ll -save you the trouble by opening it myself.”</p> - -<p>His hand was upon the knob and he was -about to throw the door open, when a clear -voice cried:</p> - -<p>“Wait!”</p> - -<p>Royce and the others turned their heads, -startled by the suddenness and sharpness of -the command. Nat Brewster stood upon the -hearth facing them, and plain in view of all -was a long-barreled, shining pistol.</p> - -<p>“Before you intrude yourselves upon those -people within here,” said the lad, firmly, “let -us have another word together, Mr. Royce.”</p> - -<p>At the sound of his name the man started, -and he and his followers exchanged looks of -wonder.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” went on Nat, “I know your name; -and more than that, I know why you are here<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -to-night. Also, if it’s any pleasure for you to -be acquainted with the fact, I know why Mr. -Dimisdale and some others hold the ferry -landing across the river; why a certain cobbler -awaited you in a barge and why a -British ship is anchored near the mouth of the -Schuylkill.”</p> - -<p>Open-eyed, the Tories gazed at the daring -boy; while Nat laid the long barrel of the -heavy pistol in the hollow of his left arm and -regarded their amazement amusedly.</p> - -<p>“And you’ve come here alone to tell us -that?” asked Royce grimly.</p> - -<p>“Not altogether,” replied Nat. “I have -this,” and he held up his weapon. “You -may depend upon its being a serviceable arm, -for it is the property of Mr. Chew. Also,” -with a laugh, “I have some small reinforcement -without.”</p> - -<p>Almost as he spoke, the main door swung -open and across the threshold, bearing uncouth -but effective looking weapons, trooped -a half score of stablemen and farm laborers. -With them was the Porcupine, rain-soaked -and with his stiff crest bristling with excitement.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“There they are!” squeaked the dwarf. -“Stand to them, men!” And pointing to -the innkeeper, who was just rising from the -floor, he added, “Shall they do as they like? -See how they have misused the landlord.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_103.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“I ASK YOUR PARDON, MR. WASHINGTON”</i></p> - -<p>The newcomers gripped their blunderbusses, -scythes and bludgeons tightly and were preparing -for a rush upon the Tories, when the -door which Royce had been about to open -was thrown back and a tall, superbly made -man stepped into the room. For an instant -his steady eyes swept the apartment; the sight -of drawn weapons seemed to occasion him no -surprise; he merely turned to the trembling -landlord and said:</p> - -<p>“Sir, you said your inn was a quiet one, -and that we would not be disturbed.”</p> - -<p>“I ask your pardon, Mr. Washington,” said -the frightened host. “Nothing like this has -ever taken place in my house before. I regret -it exceedingly, sir, indeed I do.”</p> - -<p>As Mr. Washington once more directed his -steady gaze at the Tories and stablemen, Nat -addressed him quietly.</p> - -<p>“I think, sir,” said he, “that the disturbance -is about over. This gentleman,” and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> -he bowed to Royce, who stood, a picture of -baffled fury, at one side, “has about discovered -that he’s made a mistake. At any rate, -he and his friends will intrude no longer, as I -think the landlord objects to their presence.” -He paused and waved his hand toward the -door leading to the road in a gesture that was -both an invitation and a command. “The -rain, I see, has somewhat slackened, Mr. -Royce,” he proceeded, “and you will no -doubt find your horses rested and ready.”</p> - -<p>There was a short silence. Then Royce, -who had evidently no desire for a struggle -with the hardy workmen who faced him, -made a sign to his followers, and with never -a word they strode out into the night, the -inn people close at their heels.</p> - -<p>And while the sounds of mounting and the -jeers of the onlookers came from without, -Nat Brewster stood upon the hearthstone before -the log fire and explained the situation -to the grave, attentive Mr. Washington.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - - -<small>TELLS HOW THINGS BEGAN TO LOOK BAD FOR<br /> -EZRA PRENTISS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was almost afternoon on the following -day when Nat Brewster and the Porcupine -reached Germantown once more.</p> - -<p>“And now,” said Nat, with a grimace, -“what are we going to do with the horses?”</p> - -<p>“We can dismount just above here,” -answered the ready Porcupine. “I’ll lead -them down the lane to a field that belongs to -Mr. Chew, take down the bars and drive -them in.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent,” said Nat. “It couldn’t be -better.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly they dismounted when they -came to the lane; the dwarf took the bridles -and prepared to carry out his plan; but before -starting he turned his head and said:</p> - -<p>“I suppose I’ll see you again some time, -eh?”</p> - -<p>Nat went to him, took him by the shoulders<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> -and looked down into his queer, round -face.</p> - -<p>“You’re not very big,” said he, “but -you’ve got courage and brains. And I thank -you for what you’ve done.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, never mind that,” grinned the Porcupine. -“I was thanked enough last night. -The hostlers thanked me for telling them -about how Master Royce and his friends were -bullying the landlord; and the landlord -thanked me for bringing the hostlers in. -And then the gentlemen from Virginia -thanked me for the other thing.” He paused -and looked up at Nat with shrewd inquiry. -“And so Mr. Washington won’t want us to -tell any one about the real reason for the -Tories being at the inn?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Nat. “He thinks that it -would arouse indignation, and maybe bring -on some sort of an attack by the Congress -party. He says it is best to have nothing -of the sort now, for they have not yet given -up hope of bringing all Americans together -in their protests to the king.”</p> - -<p>When Nat reached the Cooper place he -found that his absence had occasioned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> -considerable alarm. But he led his uncle -and Ben quietly aside and explained the -business that took him away. To say that -they were surprised would be putting it -mildly.</p> - -<p>“It was a clever and a dangerous plan,” said -Mr. Cooper, gravely. “It would seem that -men were brought from some point to the -north so that they would not be known in this -neighborhood. But,” with a laugh, “there -were by far too many in the secret. It is not -safe to tell anything of importance to such -rabid partisans as Stephen Comegies; for the -moment they lose their tempers, the truth -comes out.”</p> - -<p>“There’s one thing,” said Ben, “that -pleases me most of all—of course, after seeing -the members from Virginia safe,” hastily. -“And that is that some one else has seen the -good qualities of that little imp, the Porcupine. -I’ve always contended that he was a -faithful and an honest boy; but I could get -few to believe me.”</p> - -<p>A little later the two lads were alone pacing -up and down the lawn discussing the features -of Nat’s adventure. All the time—though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> -he said nothing of it—one thought filled the -mind of the boy from Wyoming, and that -was as to Ben’s friend, Ezra Prentiss. In relating -his experiences he had not mentioned -this name, for he had not seen a way to bring -it naturally about.</p> - -<p>“I must not hurt Ben by letting him see -that I am suspicious,” he thought. “The -suspicions are foolish and absurd, of course. -It could not have been the same person, for -while I was talking to one Prentiss at the -lower ferry, Ben was no doubt talking to the -other at the City Tavern.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you, it’s all very wonderful here,” -said Ben, “and if I’d thought there was going -to be any such work, I’d never have ridden to -the city as I did.”</p> - -<p>Nat laughed.</p> - -<p>“I saw only three members of the Congress,” -said he, “while at the City Tavern I -suppose you saw a great many.”</p> - -<p>But Ben grumbled.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I saw quite a few,” said he. -“But I didn’t see Ezra.”</p> - -<p>Nat darted a quick look at his friend.</p> - -<p>“You didn’t see him?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>“No. They told me he’d been away all -day. And though I waited for him until -quite late in the night, he did not return.”</p> - -<p>As he said this Ben chanced to look up and -caught the look that flashed into his cousin’s -face.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” he asked wonderingly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, nothing,” replied Nat, quickly recovering -from the shock which Ben’s news -had given him. “I was thinking it rather -strange, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose he must have had some urgent -business,” Ben hastened to say in defence of -his friend. “Though it must have been a -private affair,” he added; “for I made bold -to stop Mr. John Adams and make inquiries. -Mr. Adams was much put out about Ezra’s -absence, for it seems that he had gone off -without warning. And, apparently, it had -not been the first time. It seems that Ezra -had left them much the same way on the -road between Bristol and the city.”</p> - -<p>Once more a quick shock ran through Nat, -for he distinctly recalled the words of Dimisdale -and Royce. But this time he hid his -feelings and after a little thought asked:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>“When will you be riding into town -again?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll bear you company,” said Nat, -quietly.</p> - -<p>Nat spent the greater part of what remained -of the day in sleep; when he awoke, evening -was settling down once more; and as he -dressed he thought of the events of the preceding -night.</p> - -<p>“It was all queer enough and unexpected -enough,” thought he. “But there is no part -of it that has the same surprising qualities as -the part played by this boy Prentiss.”</p> - -<p>He stood for some time at the window -thoughtfully, looking across the fields and -woods toward Cliveden. In his mind he drew -up a résumé of the entire matter where it concerned -Ben’s New England friend.</p> - -<p>“First Ben tells me that he has such a -friend,” thought Nat. “Then I learn he’s -strong for the rights of the colonies and -against the king’s ministers. Third, we find -that he’s unexpectedly arrived at Philadelphia -with Samuel and John Adams.” There was -a break in the marshaling of the facts at this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -point. “All these I hear through Ben,” proceeded -Nat. “But now let me come to the -things that I got from other sources. First, I -heard Royce and Dimisdale say that the idea -of the proposed kidnapping had been given -them by a youth named Prentiss, and I was -struck by the similarity of the names. However, -that was slight cause for suspicion, for -there must be many persons of that name. -Then I hear the same men say that the youth -is from New England, and that he has ridden -on ahead of the gentlemen who were coming -to attend the Congress, that he might have -them taken. Third, I hear of the plot against -the Virginians, and see the youth himself, -though in the shadow. Then I meet him at -the ferry landing in the night; and afterward -the cobbler tells me that he’s engaged a barge -which I knew was to carry the prisoners to -some English ship.”</p> - -<p>Again and again the lad went over this -ground; but the result was always the same.</p> - -<p>“It looks like positive evidence against -him,” he thought. “But it all could be -cleared up at one stroke if he had met Ben in -the city last night. His failure to do that,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> -and the fact that he had been gone all day, -seems to clinch the matter, so far as I can see. -Also, there is the circumstance of his mysteriously -leaving his employers upon the road to -Philadelphia. It seems to me that no amount -of reasoning can get beyond that.”</p> - -<p>After making up his mind to this, Nat -Brewster descended to the floor.</p> - -<p>He ate his supper in silence. At different -times his uncle or Ben addressed remarks to -him, but his answers were brief. Even his -aunt noticed it.</p> - -<p>“Are you not well?” she asked, solicitously, -of him.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes,” said Nat; “there is nothing -wrong with me, aunt, thank you.”</p> - -<p>“The dampness of the night air is apt to be -bad for growing boys,” said the good lady, -wisely; and her husband laughed.</p> - -<p>“If Nat is still growing,” said he, surveying -his nephew’s breadth of shoulder, “I -don’t know what he’ll look like by the time -he’s done. We’ll have a giant on our hands, -perhaps.”</p> - -<p>During the evening Nat continued thoughtful. -A dozen times he was tempted to speak<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -to Ben regarding his suspicions, but each time -he checked himself.</p> - -<p>“It is just possible that it was not the same -boy,” thought he. “And though I don’t expect -to find it so, still I’d better wait; something -may turn up that will convince me beyond -a doubt, one way or another.”</p> - -<p>And so, directly after breakfast on the -following day, they saddled their horses to go -into town. Molly was in great spirits, champing -her bit and pawing at the stones in the -yard. Nat’s steed was a tall, raw-boned black -with a hard mouth and an uncertain temper; -but the young mountaineer was accustomed -to such, and got the beast ready, never giving -a thought to his evil qualities. A brisk -gallop through the sunlit morning brought -them to the nearer suburbs; then at an easier -pace they entered the city itself.</p> - -<p>Philadelphia at that time was the largest -and most important city of the colonies. Its -population was timid in regards to throwing -a challenge into the teeth of the British -ministry, and were for a continuance of the -petitioning that had been going on for so -long. The fierce resentment of the people<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> -of Massachusetts excited alarm in the City -of Brotherly Love; it, too, desired to be free, -but it wanted to go about the work in a more -Quaker-like fashion.</p> - -<p>However, in spite of this decided feeling -of conservatism, the gathering of the first -Congress had stirred up considerable spirit in -the town, and as the two lads rode through -the streets they noted a movement and a pent-up -excitement that were unusual.</p> - -<p>This was especially the case at the hostelry -called the “City Tavern.” Here men crowded -the entrances engaged in excited discussion; -others sat upon the heavy benches outside -the door and talked heatedly upon the great -event that was in a few days to befall the -colonies. As the boys got down and gave -their horses into the care of a stableman, they -caught some fragments of one of these debates -and stopped to listen.</p> - -<p>A red-faced personage with a wart upon his -nose and holding a huge knotted stick, which -he pounded upon the pavement when he desired -to emphasize his remarks, was talking -to a mild-looking man whose peaked features -gave him a solemn look.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>“How,” demanded the red-faced man, “can -the protests of the colonies be heard if the -people don’t unite their voices as they propose -to do in this Congress?”</p> - -<p>“But,” replied the peaked man, “the king -is short of temper: he may resent such a -step.”</p> - -<p>The red-faced man grew redder still.</p> - -<p>“Let him,” said he, heatedly. “And much -good it will do him. The people are aroused; -they have stood as much of this kind of -thing as they are going to. It must stop, sir! -It must stop!”</p> - -<p>“But,” protested the mild-looking man, -“suppose it does not stop?”</p> - -<p>“In that event, sir, we will carry it further. -These colonies wore not settled for the purpose -of bringing gain to British merchants -and revenue to the treasury at London. No, -sir! They were settled that the settlers might -be free to conduct their own affairs as they -saw best.”</p> - -<p>“But the king, the parliament, the ministry——” began -the peaked man, but the -other stopped him with a snort.</p> - -<p>“The king,” said the red-faced man, “is a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> -stubborn, ignorant old meddler; the parliament, -with the exception of Pitt and a few -others, are a parcel of incompetents, and the -ministry might well change places with the -clerks to the advantage of the empire!”</p> - -<p>Warming up to his subject, and keeping his -stick beating a tattoo upon the red brick -pavement, the speaker went on:</p> - -<p>“Look at the governors they send us, sir! -What imbeciles! They’ve tried to take away -the charters of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, -and my own colony of Connecticut. They -talk of establishing a peerage in America with -lords and earls and dukes, as grand as you -please. Our officers and men wrested the -country from the French, but they are held -in contempt by the British. An English -captain outranks an American colonel. Our -workmen are forbidden to make the nails that -go into the shoes of their horses; iron manufacturing -is declared a common nuisance; a -hatter in one colony is forbidden to sell his -hats in another, and is permitted to have only -two apprentices.”</p> - -<p>“It is a difficult thing to bear these restrictions -upon the country’s natural trade,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> -said the mild-looking man, his long face -growing more solemn. “But if the matter -were placed properly before the king, perhaps -he would see things in a different -light.”</p> - -<p>“He will never see them in any light but -the one in which he now sees them,” declared -the red-faced man, positively. “The -British tradesmen have the government -under their thumbs; they fear the competition -of America and seek to make it dependent -upon them for everything. Did they not -drive Pitt out of office because he was disposed -to do us something like justice?</p> - -<p>“Then there were their writs of assistance, -as they called them,” proceeded the speaker, -seeing that the peaked man was not disposed -to answer. “Any ruffian in the British service -could break into a man’s house and ransack -it from roof to cellar; and we were not -supposed to object. And even this was not -enough. They must needs saddle us with the -Stamp Act. No deed of sale or any other -legal paper could be made out unless drawn -upon stamped paper that cost anywhere from -threepence to six pounds. Then they clapped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> -the tea tax upon us and sent an army into -Boston because it was resisted.”</p> - -<p>“There was a great waste of a very -profitable article when they threw those -cargoes of tea into Massachusetts Bay,” said -the mild man, regretfully. “I have often -thought that they could have put their objection -into another form.”</p> - -<p>“Be that as it may,” and the other smiled -grimly, “it’s closed the port of Boston as -tight as wax, ruined its merchants and placed -its population upon the verge of starvation.”</p> - -<p>At this point in the discussion the two boys -moved away toward the door of the inn.</p> - -<p>“I noticed when I was here the other day -that the New Englanders were the most -determined and outspoken in this matter,” -said Ben Cooper.</p> - -<p>“That’s because the greater part of the oppression -has so far fallen upon them,” replied -Nat, wisely. “I think you’ll find that the -other colonies will be in no way backward -when the time comes to act.”</p> - -<p>Once within the inn, Ben inquired for Ezra -Prentiss.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>“He’s in the coffee-room, I think,” -answered the person asked. “Just walk in.”</p> - -<p>There was quite a crush of men at the coffee-room -door; and as the two friends were -slowly making their way through it, a ringing, -pleasant laugh fell upon their ears. Nat -started at the sound and caught his breath. -Like a flash, the laugh brought back the experience -at the ferry landing; in every -quality and every tone it was similar to that -of the boy who had spoken to him from the -darkness.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear that?” asked Ben, and his -cousin saw that he was smiling. “That’s -Ezra Prentiss as sure as you live!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - - -<small>NAT BREWSTER FINDS MORE PROOF</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> coffee-room was thronged; men sat -and stood about as they did in the other -rooms; here and there at tables parties were -at breakfast; there was also a great comparing -of papers and much secret conversing in out-of-the-way -corners.</p> - -<p>No sooner had Ben and Nat entered than a -merry voice called:</p> - -<p>“Ben Cooper!”</p> - -<p>Then a hand struck the owner of that -name a most tremendous whack upon the -back; and turning, Ben found himself face -to face with his schoolmate from New England.</p> - -<p>While the two were shaking hands in great -delight, and laughing and greeting each other, -Nat Brewster’s keen eyes were traveling over -Ezra Prentiss for any distinctive qualities -that would confirm his suspicions.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“The height is about the same,” he told -himself, “as near as I can judge. However, -the one was sitting a horse and this one is -standing upon his legs. The general build is -also, I think, the same, though of course I -saw one in the shadow, or at best, the dim -light of a candle, and now see the other in -the full flood of the morning. There is a -good chance that I may be mistaken in both -these things. But in the laugh,” and Nat’s -eyes showed how sure he was, “I cannot be -mistaken. It’s the same. I could tell it anywhere -and any time I heard it.”</p> - -<p>The boy from the mountains was still deep -in his reflections when Ben turned to him -quickly, saying:</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, Nat, for forgetting you. But -I don’t see old friends like Ezra every day, -you see.” Then addressing the latter he -said: “This is my cousin, Nat Brewster—Nat, -this is the friend of whom you’ve heard -me talk so much about—Ezra Prentiss.”</p> - -<p>Ezra’s eyes ran over Nat’s stalwart figure -in great admiration as they shook hands.</p> - -<p>“I say,” said he to Ben, “here’s the chap -we should have had at the Academy. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> -could have put Bully Harvey’s shoulders -upon the floor if any one could.”</p> - -<p>They sat down at a window opening upon -the tavern yard. The two school friends soon -fell to rattling away about old experiences -and friends; Nat listened and studied the -newcomer closely.</p> - -<p>“The cobbler near the river said that the -boy who engaged his boat had an honest look -and a merry laugh. So has this one,” as Ezra -Prentiss’ laugh once more filled the coffee-room -and an expression of boyish glee crossed -his face at something Ben was saying. “I -never saw any one look more honest or more -worthy of confidence. And yet——”</p> - -<p>Nat, try as he would, could not get beyond -the facts as he saw them. There was great -cause to suspect the young New Englander; -but, still, there was also something about him -that made such thoughts of him seem unjust -and ridiculous.</p> - -<p>Frankness itself was in his eyes, and his -face was thoughtful looking even with its -merry expression. He was rather taller than -Ben Cooper and a trifle slimmer; but his -frame was well knit and strong. He talked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> -rapidly and with great spirit; his hands constantly -gestured to point his remarks, and his -white teeth shone in an ever ready smile.</p> - -<p>Nat joined in the talk readily enough -when it touched upon subjects of which he -had any acquaintance.</p> - -<p>“But,” said Ezra, at length, “it’s rather -close here—don’t you think so? Let’s go -outside. There’ll not only be more air, but -more to interest us.”</p> - -<p>With that they arose and made their way -to the street.</p> - -<p>“I never saw such throngs before,” said -Ben, his wondering eyes taking in the loitering people. -“It must be that the entire town -is out to greet the strangers.”</p> - -<p>“It’s the first time, I suppose, that so many -have visited a colonial city at one time,” said -Ezra. “And the fact that they are from -twelve different provinces makes the occasion -all the more remarkable.”</p> - -<p>Just then two horsemen rode out of the inn -yard; Ezra grasped Nat’s arm eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Look,” said he, pointing to the riders. -“There is Patrick Henry, who made that -great speech before the Virginia Assembly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> -and Colonel Washington, who saved Braddock’s -army from destruction in the wilderness.”</p> - -<p>Ben Cooper gazed at those two famous -colonists with the utmost interest. In Mr. -Henry he saw a tall man with bent shoulders -and a strong face; in Washington, the athletic -figure and calm, powerful personality that -impressed every one who saw him. As the -two rode by the place where the boys were -standing they noted Mr. Washington say -something to his companion in a quick undertone. -The latter turned his head with a -look of interest and then both saluted Nat -Brewster gravely.</p> - -<p>As the statesmen proceeded down the street, -Ezra Prentiss looked at the young mountaineer -in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Why, they seem to know you,” exclaimed -he.</p> - -<p>Ben laughed at this; he was about to -speak, when he felt Nat secretly tug at the -skirt of his coat. Discreetly he kept silent.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Nat quietly to Ezra. “I -have a slight acquaintance with the gentlemen.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>Ezra smiled at the tone used by his new -acquaintance.</p> - -<p>“I thought I was going to have the pleasure -of pointing out all the notables,” said he. -“But I’m afraid now that I’m not.” Then -with a quick glance of interest, he added, -“Do you know any of the other members of -the Congress?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Pendleton only,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>At this he saw Ezra start; he also -caught a distinct change of expression. -But a moment later it was gone, and -the youth from Massachusetts Bay laughed -gaily.</p> - -<p>“Good,” said he, “I’m not to be denied my -right after all. See there at the window,” -pointing to a small, earnest group. “They -are the two Rutledges and Christopher -Gadsden of South Carolina.”</p> - -<p>A venerable man, with snowy hair, and a -tall, grave-faced gentleman stood near the -front door.</p> - -<p>“The eldest is Mr. Hopkins of Rhode -Island, and the other is Roger Sherman of -Connecticut. And that man farther on, with -the fine high-bred face, is John Jay of New<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> -York; with him are my two patrons, the -brothers Adams.”</p> - -<p>“Which is which?” asked Ben, eagerly, -for the fame of the great Bostonians made -them persons to be asked after.</p> - -<p>“Can you not tell that by simply looking -at them?” asked Ezra with a laugh. “John -is the shorter and the plumper of the two. -He’s the great debater and brilliant lawyer. -But Samuel is the grimmest fighter; look -at his stern, deeply-lined face and sombre -manner. He has not the ready flood of -eloquence of John, though he can speak -straight to the point when need be. But it -is his nature to be of the silent and relentless -kind—and I think in the long run he’s the -most to be dreaded by the British ministers.”</p> - -<p>They talked for some time about the eminent -persons who were gathered around the -inn in small parties, preparing for the event -which was to prove so important for the nation. -At length Ezra, who had every now -and then stolen an odd, questioning look at -Nat Brewster, said to him:</p> - -<p>“Have you known the members from -Virginia for any length of time?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>“No,” replied Nat, briefly.</p> - -<p>Ben was too much interested in looking -about him to pay any attention to what his -companions were saying. There was a short -pause, and Ezra, with an assumption of carelessness -that did not escape Nat, said:</p> - -<p>“You’ve been something of a traveler -then?”</p> - -<p>But Nat shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Except for one journey into York State, -I’ve kept pretty close to the Wyoming valley -all my life,” he replied.</p> - -<p>Ezra looked puzzled. That he would like -to have asked a great many questions was -plain; but that there was something that kept -him from doing so, was equally evident.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” and the boy from New -England smiled as he said it, “that your -acquaintance with Mr. Washington and his -comrades is somewhat mysterious.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” replied Nat. “It happened that -I was able to be of service to them a night or -two ago. That is how I came to make their -acquaintance.”</p> - -<p>For a moment Ezra gazed steadily into the -speaker’s face.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>“A few nights ago,” said he, an odd note -in his voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” returned Nat, calmly. “It was -rather an urgently needed service; and it just -happened that I was at hand to render it.”</p> - -<p>There was another pause, and then Ezra -spoke again, this time very quietly.</p> - -<p>“Such things are sometimes long remembered,” -said he.</p> - -<p>Nat nodded.</p> - -<p>“And some people,” went on Ezra Prentiss, -in the same quiet way, “remember them to -advantage.” Seeing Nat’s questioning look -he added: “I mean that there are certain -dispositions that take great pleasure in rewarding -a good deed—and others that take -equal pleasure in repaying an evil one.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose there are,” replied Nat, his eyes -never leaving the face of the other. “But,” -with a laugh, “the doer of good deeds can -rest in peace; and the other—well, he can -only be watchful.”</p> - -<p>As these last words were being spoken Ben -Cooper turned. And now he broke in upon -them with a grin.</p> - -<p>“I say,” spoke he, “what are you two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -mumbling away about? And you’re staring -at each other like a couple of owls.”</p> - -<p>In an instant Ezra’s face took on its usual -expression of good humor.</p> - -<p>“Don’t criticise us,” said he laughingly. -“You should see yourself. Your eyes have -grown so goggled through looking at so many -great men that it’s a wonder they don’t pop -out on the ground.”</p> - -<p>All through the day Nat Brewster watched -Ezra Prentiss when he got the opportunity; -and deeper and deeper grew his impression -that beneath the merry laugh and ready good -humor there was a hidden something that -must not see the light.</p> - -<p>“It’s a fear,” thought the young mountaineer, -as he and Ben mounted their horses -late in the afternoon and waved their hands -to Ezra. “It’s a fear. And, perhaps, a fear -that he may be shown to be a traitor to the -cause of the colonies!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - - -<small>WHAT THE PORCUPINE SAW AT CHEW HOUSE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the days that followed, Nat Brewster -saw a great deal of Ezra Prentiss. One -day the latter would ride to Germantown. -On the next, perhaps, the cousins would go -into the city.</p> - -<p>On September 5th, the Congress met for the -first time, at Carpenter’s Hall, with Peyton -Randolph, of Virginia, as its president and -with representatives present from every -colony except Georgia.</p> - -<p>On the very next day, the famous Suffolk -resolves were passed at Milton, Massachusetts; -on the 17th a rider arrived in Philadelphia -bearing a copy of this document to the Congress, -and when a hint of the radical nature of the -resolutions became known, the city was in a -state of feverish suspense.</p> - -<p>It happened that Ezra Prentiss had spent -the preceding night at the Cooper place; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> -that day Ben and Nat rode in company with -him into the city. As they dismounted in -the yard of the City Tavern, Ezra noticed a -well-made, good-natured looking man of -middle age rubbing away at a powerful bay -horse.</p> - -<p>“What!” exclaimed the young New Englander. -“Is it possible that it is Mr. -Revere?”</p> - -<p>The man paused in his rubbing and looked -up. As he caught sight of Ezra, a cheery -smile overspread his face.</p> - -<p>“Why bless my heart and body!” cried he, -“it’s young Ezra Prentiss, as large as life!”</p> - -<p>Ezra hastened forward to shake hands with -the speaker. A hostler who took Nat’s -mount said in a low tone, in which there was -considerable respect:</p> - -<p>“It’s the rider of the Suffolk Convention. -He’s made the trip from Boston in six days.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t wonder at it,” put in another one -of the inn’s people who stood idly by, chewing -at a long straw. “That’s a remarkable -animal he’s got there.”</p> - -<p>“And he’s sure that it will get proper attention,” -grinned the first speaker, “for he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> -won’t let any one put a hand upon it but -himself.”</p> - -<p>Here Ezra called to his companions and -introduced them to the despatch bearer.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad to make your acquaintance, -young gentlemen,” said he in a bluff, sincere -way. “If you’re friends of Ezra, I know -you’re friends of the colonies; and I want all -such to be friends of mine.” He paused a -moment and surveyed them carefully. “Are -you Sons of Liberty?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“I am,” replied Ben promptly, “and so is -my father.”</p> - -<p>“The society has not yet reached the -back settlements,” smiled Nat. “So I am -not yet a member. But I hope to be before -long.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said Paul Revere, clapping him -upon the back. “Every true American -should be one of us. We are united in -hating tyranny and defying our oppressors.”</p> - -<p>After the speaker had seen his steed -properly cared for and given particular -instructions as to how he should be fed, -he went with the boys into the inn.</p> - -<p>“I gave my papers to Samuel Adams,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> -he to Ezra; “and even now the Congress is reading -them. And when their contents get out,” -rubbing his strong hands together and laughing -gleefully, “there will be some excitement, -I can tell you, young gentlemen; for Dr. -Warren, who offered the resolves to the -Suffolk delegates, does not mince his words.”</p> - -<p>They sat in the coffee-room talking to -Revere while he awaited the return of Samuel -Adams from Carpenter’s Hall. He seemed -deep in the movement that was then convulsing -the colonies; every turn was familiar -to him; every New Englander who figured -conspicuously he could call readily by -name.</p> - -<p>“But,” said he at length, “let me show you -some little things that have been thought to -hit off the situation.”</p> - -<p>He produced as he spoke a number of -prints from his saddle-bag, which he had -carried into the coffee-room, and with honest -pride, began to point out their qualities.</p> - -<p>“There is nothing like putting a thing before -the people in a way they’ll understand,” -said he. “And that is the intention of all -my work.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>“You are an artist then, Mr. Revere?” -said Nat, inquiringly.</p> - -<p>The man smiled and waved his hand.</p> - -<p>“Not much of a one, as the pictures themselves -will tell you,” answered he. “I’m -merely an engraver of copper plates. This -one,” indicating a particular print, “shows the -bloody massacre which took place in King -Street, Boston, four years ago. You’ve heard -how a party of the Twenty-ninth Regiment -shot down a number of honest people, I feel -sure. This one,” showing still another print, -“of the Dragon, met with quite a little -success at Boston and other cities.”</p> - -<p>One by one he displayed the quaint -pictures and proudly read the pompous -verses which were printed on the margin of -each.</p> - -<p>“The poems I wrote myself,” stated he, -“and while they may not be of the best, still -I take credit for them because I am no great -scholar. I had to give up school over soon to -go into my father’s shop to learn the trade of -gold and silversmith.”</p> - -<p>“Then you were not brought up an engraver,” -said Ben.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>“No. But, though I do say it myself, I -soon showed some art in fashioning ewers, -tankards, brasiers and mugs; and it is no -great step from that to the copper plate. -However,” and Revere smiled, “I have not -kept myself altogether to such work. When -trade was dull I took up other matters that -would be of service to the public, and incidentally, -to myself.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard tell that you once were a -dentist,” spoke Ezra.</p> - -<p>“A sort of one,” replied the man. “At -least as much as John Baker, the surgeon -dentist, could make of me in a short time. -When I had my shop at the head of Dr. -Clark’s wharf,” to the other two, “I made -very good teeth for those persons who were so -unfortunate as to lose their own. Sometimes -the best in the city resorted to me. Once I -set a molar for Dr. Warren himself, and he -has ever since declared it even better than the -natural one.”</p> - -<p>They were still engaged with this versatile -craftsman when a porter came into the coffee-room -and approached them. Addressing -Revere, he said:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“Mr. Adams has returned and is inquiring -for you, sir.”</p> - -<p>Revere arose with alacrity.</p> - -<p>“Where is he?” asked he.</p> - -<p>But at that moment Samuel Adams, an exultant -light in his stern eyes, entered the -apartment.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Revere,” said he, “I was this moment -seeking you.”</p> - -<p>“Something has been done!” cried Revere. -“I can see it in your face.”</p> - -<p>“The resolutions of the citizens of the -county of Suffolk have been read to Congress,” -replied Mr. Adams, “and have been -received with the utmost approval. Even -now an answering paper is being drawn up -and will be passed upon at our earliest opportunity.”</p> - -<p>“And you will commission me to carry it -back to Boston!” cried Revere, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“To be sure. There is no one I would -trust farther—unless, indeed, it were Ezra,” -and he laid his hand upon the lad’s shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Well,” laughed Revere, “I’ll not be -jealous of him, for I know that he’s served -both the cause and yourself well. He’s only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> -a lad, but many men might well be proud of -the work he’s done for the colonies!”</p> - -<p>“I think,” here spoke Ezra, “that you are -both inclined to overestimate anything that I -have done. Every one has his opportunities, -and it is only his duty that he should accept -them as they come to him.”</p> - -<p>They were still talking in this strain, and -Nat Brewster was listening wonderingly, when -the porter, who was lingering in the room, -touched him upon the arm.</p> - -<p>“Are you Mr. Brewster?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>“There is a boy been asking for you—rather -an odd sort. He’s outside. Shall I -call him in?”</p> - -<p>The porter’s words at once suggested the -Porcupine to Nat.</p> - -<p>“But what in the world is he doing here?” -he thought. Then to the man he said: “I’ll -go out to him.”</p> - -<p>As he turned away from the group in the -coffee-room he noted that the hand of Samuel -Adams still rested upon Ezra Prentiss’ -shoulder. The whole attitude of the statesman -and that of Paul Revere were of perfect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> -trust and confidence in the boy; apparently -they would not hesitate to place their most -cherished projects in his keeping.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand it,” thought Nat. “I -can’t, no matter how I try. Samuel Adams is -not a trustful man; he is more apt to suspect -than not. And Mr. Revere is not without -shrewdness. Both have known Ezra for a -long time, so it seems. They speak of him as -having rendered great services to the cause. -And, surely, they must know! It is not possible -that he can have hoodwinked them and -the many others in Boston who must have -watched his actions.” He paused in the -middle of the outer room, his mind filled with -these reflections. “I have known him but a -short time,” he went on, “and yet I have convinced -myself that he is——” But here he -paused and shook his head. “No,” he said -aloud, “I’m not convinced. If I were I -would not be arguing with myself in this -way.”</p> - -<p>When he reached the door of the inn he -found that the person inquiring for him was -the Porcupine, as he had fancied. The dwarf -was seated upon one of the heavy benches,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -whittling a stick and whistling. At sight of -Nat he grinned widely and nodded his huge -head.</p> - -<p>“What brings you here?” asked the young -mountaineer, as he shook him warmly by the -hand.</p> - -<p>He had seen the boy once or twice since -their joint adventure, and had praised him so -highly to the family that in recognition of his -bravery Mr. Cooper had offered to employ -him upon the place. But the dwarf had -shaken his head.</p> - -<p>“I don’t want to work for nobody—steady,” -he had replied. “I’d rather live around—just -as the squirrels do.”</p> - -<p>Now he looked up at Nat and rubbed his -knife blade on the palm of his hand.</p> - -<p>“I came to see you,” he said. “Went -over to Coopers’ this morning and asked -for you. But they said you’d come into -town. And as my business is important,” -with a renewal of the grin, “I started in after -you.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t walk!” exclaimed Nat.</p> - -<p>“Not on legs as short as these,” returned -the dwarf. “It would take too long. I caught<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> -the carrier as he came by, and as he’s a decent -fellow, he let me ride on top of the load.”</p> - -<p>Nat sat down beside him on the bench.</p> - -<p>“Well,” inquired he, “why did you wish -to see me?”</p> - -<p>At once the face of the Porcupine lost its -grin. He resumed his whittling of the stick -and was silent for some little time. At length -he spoke.</p> - -<p>“You’ve only known me for a little while,” -he said. “Haven’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Not very long,” admitted Nat.</p> - -<p>“And of course when people don’t know -other people for any length of time—well, they -don’t put overmuch faith in them.”</p> - -<p>Nat looked at him inquiringly. But the -dwarf kept his eyes upon the stick and -trimmed it delicately with his knife point.</p> - -<p>“Go on,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>“It’s not very easy to go on,” said the Porcupine. -“Sometimes there are things that are -hard to say.”</p> - -<p>There was another pause. Nat felt that it -was best to make no remarks. Apparently the -lad had something to tell him—something -that he thought would stretch his hearer’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> -credulity—and he was diffident in beginning.</p> - -<p>“But,” proceeded the Porcupine, at length, -“it’s got to be said and I’m going to say it. -Only, I want you to promise to believe me.”</p> - -<p>“Is it going to be as hard as all that?” said -Nat, smiling.</p> - -<p>“Maybe it will be the hardest you ever -heard. I wouldn’t have believed it myself if -anybody had just told me. But I saw it. And -when you see a thing, you must believe it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I suppose so,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>The dwarf here threw down the stick and -placed his knife carefully in his pocket. -Then he drew his short legs under him much -after the posture of a Turk seated upon a rug.</p> - -<p>“It was four nights ago,” he said, “that this -thing happened.”</p> - -<p>“What thing?” asked the other.</p> - -<p>“I’ll come to that in a minute,” answered -the Porcupine quietly. “You see I’d been in -to town here because I wanted to see the -people that were being so talked about; and -when I got back to Germantown it was late -and seemed about to come on rain. There -ain’t a great many places where I’m allowed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> -to sleep now, but I felt sure that Mr. Cooper -wouldn’t take it ill if I crowded into the hay-mow -in his barn for the night.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you come to the house?” said -Nat. “You know they’d have found a bed -for you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t like to be a trouble to people. -And, then, as I said, it was late. But anyway,” -proceeded the dwarf, “I was on the -main road near Mr. Cooper’s; so I just crawled -through the fence, walked across the back lot, -and there I was behind the barn. There’s -always places where you can get into barns, if -you know how,” grinned the boy, “and I was -just hunting around for a door or window that -had been left open when I heard a dog bark.</p> - -<p>“There are very few dogs ’round about -Germantown that ain’t acquainted with me, -and there’s no occasion for me to be afraid -of any of them, for dogs never make any mistakes. -But, anyhow, I stopped and listened -because I thought there might be some one -stirring.”</p> - -<p>“And there was?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and in a very little while I knew -that he was coming in my direction.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“Go on,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t see who it was,” continued the -Porcupine, “but I knew it was only one -person by the footsteps. I heard him stop at -the barn door and fumble with the catch for -a moment. Then I heard him say:</p> - -<p>“‘Locked!’</p> - -<p>“Now this was kind of curious, so I crept -quietly around the building on my toes. Just -as I reached the corner and peeked I heard a -tinder-box snapping, then there was a light -flared up, and I saw that the person at the -barn door was the boy who has been visiting -at Coopers’ of late.”</p> - -<p>“Ezra Prentiss!” almost cried Nat, with a -start.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s his name,” said the dwarf. -“The hired man told it to me the first day I -saw him around the place; and I’ve remembered -it, because it’s not a name,” meaningly, -“that I’m likely to forget.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Nat. Then he added -quickly, “But you haven’t spoken to any -one about his name being the same as that -other?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied the other, promptly. “I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> -never do things like that until I’m sure of -them.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right!” approved the young mountaineer. -“And now, go on.”</p> - -<p>“The light only lasted a moment,” said the -Porcupine, proceeding with his story. “And -as it went out, I heard him say:</p> - -<p>“‘Well, I can’t open that. So I suppose -I’ll have to walk.’ He was still for a little -and then he went on: ‘But it’s not very far -off. I can cut across the fields, and it will take -me no time, if I don’t lose my way in the -dark.’</p> - -<p>“And with that he started off,” said the -Porcupine, “and, because of the sameness of -his name with that other one, I followed -him.”</p> - -<p>Nat had a feeling that somehow this was -not altogether right. He detested spying and -anything like it; but for all that, his interest -was stimulated, as the story seemed to bear -directly along the line of his own suspicions.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said he, trying to keep the eagerness -out of his voice and only succeeding indifferently -well, “where did he go?”</p> - -<p>“Across the fields to Cliveden!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>Nat felt something like a shiver run -through him. His feelings were that no -other proof of Ezra Prentiss’ guilt was wanting. -But his reason and sense of justice told -him that he must not condemn, even yet.</p> - -<p>“As I said,” proceeded the dwarf, “I followed -him. But in the trees upon this side -of Master Chew’s house I lost him.”</p> - -<p>Nat drew something like a breath of relief.</p> - -<p>“And that is all?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“No.” The dwarf drew his little legs under -him more tightly and laid his large strong-fingered -hands upon his knees. “You know -after you lose a thing, you sometimes find it -again. So thinking of that I waited around -in the dark, near the stone wall where you -heard Master Dimisdale and Master Royce -talk on the night that we rode below the -ferry. But the boy didn’t show himself, and -as there was a lighted window at one side of -the house—the side where I knew Master -Chew’s office to be, I worked my way over to -it without any noise. The window was pretty -high for me, but there was a rain barrel almost -under it, and I climbed up that until I -stood upon the chime.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>“But,” questioned Nat, “what did you expect -to see?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” said the Porcupine. “The -light was in the window, and it was late at -night. That wasn’t usual, so I thought I’d -better not miss anything.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Nat, and once more the cold -feeling of dread crept over him, “what did -you see?”</p> - -<p>“I saw,” replied the Porcupine, calmly, -“Master Chew, with the bandage about his -head which he’s been wearing since the night -you struck him with the butt of his own -pistol. I also saw Master Dimisdale, a pair of -glasses perched upon his nose, going over -some papers. Both sat at one side of the big -table in the center of the office. And across -from them, as cool as you please, and chatting -bravely away with Master Chew, was the lad -I’d been following!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW NAT BREWSTER SPOKE TO HIS UNCLE<br /> -AND WHAT THEIR RESOLUTIONS WERE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Nat Brewster heard the Porcupine’s -statement, he was surprised and astonished to -find that quick words of denial sprang to his -lips. The truth was that the merry laugh -and honest face of Ezra Prentiss, which had -impressed the cobbler of the ferry road, had -also impressed Nat. And, not only that, Nat -had seen Ezra’s eyes, full of frankness and -friendliness, something that the worthy mechanic -had missed; and in spite of his -suspicions the young mountaineer felt drawn -toward the boy from New England.</p> - -<p>“It’s impossible!” were his first words. -“It simply can’t be! You were mistaken!”</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget what I told you at the beginning,” -said the dwarf. “I said it would be -hard to believe; I even said I wouldn’t believe -it myself just on somebody’s say-so.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>Nat gazed at the speaker in silence. That -the misshapen boy was sincere he had never -a doubt. But the sudden confirmation of his -own suspicions had startled him; he had -spent some days with Ezra, had come to like -him and so feared to follow where the facts -led.</p> - -<p>“If I were convinced,” his inward thoughts -were, “I might act upon my conviction. I -might point this boy out as a traitor. And, -in the end, in spite of everything I’ve seen -and heard, he might still be innocent.”</p> - -<p>The Porcupine here resumed.</p> - -<p>“Also, I told you at the beginning that -the thing had to be said; and that’s why I -said it. But I wouldn’t have told any one but -you, for you and I are the only ones that -know about him being in the plot to take -Mr. Washington and the others—unless,” and -there was inquiry in the speaker’s little -eyes—“you’ve mentioned it to some others.”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Nat, hastily. “I’ve told Mr. -Cooper and Ben about our adventure, as you -know; but this fact of the name I’ve kept -clear of. You see, Ezra is a warm friend of -Ben’s, and I didn’t care to——”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>“I understand,” said the other, as Nat hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Even in the face of what you’ve told me,” -resumed Nat, “I hesitate to say anything.”</p> - -<p>“Then you believe what I’ve told you?” -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Of course I believe you—everything happened -as you’ve told it—everything! Ezra -Prentiss arose in the night while we were all -in bed, stole out of the house, made his way -to Cliveden and was seen by you in conversation, -in Mr. Chew’s office, with Mr. Dimisdale -and Mr. Chew himself—both of whom are -noted as friends of the British government. -Now,” continued Nat, “we know all this; but -are we quite sure that we know what it -means?”</p> - -<p>“I’m quite sure that I do,” spoke the -dwarf, sturdily.</p> - -<p>“Well, I am not,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>And even while he spoke the words he -knew that he did not mean them—he knew -that he was equally sure. But there was a -something—an instinct, perhaps—that made -him fight the feeling back.</p> - -<p>“It looks bad,” said he continuing, “in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -fact, I am willing to admit that it looks as -though you were right. But let us wait. It -can do no harm, and it may do good.”</p> - -<p>At this moment, Samuel Adams came out -of the inn accompanied by Ezra, to whom he -was speaking in low, confidential tones. As -they went on down the street, side by side, -the Porcupine puckered his eyelids and gazed -after them keenly.</p> - -<p>“You say that waiting can do no harm,” -said he, “but I’m not so sure about that. I -know who that is,” nodding toward Mr. -Adams. “He was pointed out to me the -other day. And,” looking at Nat steadily, -“such men, when they are engaged in such -work as is going on at Carpenter’s Hall, have -many things of importance to say that they -would not say to every one; but they’d be -likely to speak to some one who is in their -confidence. Don’t you think so?”</p> - -<p>A troubled look came into Nat’s face.</p> - -<p>“I’ve thought of that,” said he. “And it’s -a real danger. But we’ll have to risk it—at -least for a little longer.”</p> - -<p>That afternoon as Nat and Ben took the -road once more for Germantown—Nat with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> -the Porcupine perched before him in the -saddle—Ben said:</p> - -<p>“I hardly think we’ll have Ezra with us -much longer.”</p> - -<p>Nat looked inquiringly at his cousin; the -dwarf twisted his big head about and waited -for what was coming.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Revere is going to ride back with -Congress’ answer to those Suffolk resolves,” -proceeded Ben. “And Ezra will more than -likely go with him.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” asked Nat. “I understood that -he was here as clerk to the Adamses.”</p> - -<p>“So he is. And it’s in Samuel Adams’ -service he’ll go north, if he goes at all.”</p> - -<p>Nat’s jaw set at this, and his brows came -together. At the same moment he felt the -Porcupine squirm; and he knew that the -same thought had come to them both.</p> - -<p>“Anything of importance?” inquired Nat, -after they had ridden a little further.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” answered Ben. “But I -suppose so. It’s a private message, I think, -and to Dr. Warren; so I’d judge that it would -be of some consequence.”</p> - -<p>Nat made no reply to this. Indeed, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> -spoke but seldom all the way home. Ben -noticed it, but made no comment. However, -he thought it a little odd.</p> - -<p>“But then,” he told himself, “Nat’s been -keeping to himself for a week back. Sometimes -he goes moping around thinking and -thinking like all possessed; and I’ve really -begun to wonder if he isn’t homesick for -those mountains of his, or something like -that.”</p> - -<p>After supper that evening Mr. Cooper, as -was his custom, took a book and began pacing -up and down the paths at the front of the -house. He was generally left to himself on -these occasions, as it was what he called his -“study hour”; and so, when Nat came out -and quietly fell into pace beside him, he was -a little surprised.</p> - -<p>“I hope I’m not disturbing you, sir,” said -the lad.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cooper placed his book under his arm, -his hands behind him and smiled.</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” said he.</p> - -<p>The boy’s mother had been his only sister, -and a favorite with him. Nat resembled her -and this had, at first, greatly recommended<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> -him to his uncle. But the quiet, strong character -of the boy had quickly made itself felt, -and Mr. Cooper, even in the short time his -nephew had been with him, had come to -value him highly.</p> - -<p>And so when Nat intruded upon his study -hour he felt that there was reason for it; and -in this he was not mistaken.</p> - -<p>“I wanted to speak with you alone, sir, -upon a matter of much importance,” said the -boy. “And I thought that this would be the -best time, if you don’t mind.”</p> - -<p>“If it’s about the office,” said Mr. Cooper, -“don’t worry yourself. You will get down to -work in good time, never fear. We shall -probably be ready for you in a fortnight.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not that,” answered Nat, “though I -had expected to speak to you upon the subject -at some time. This affair,” and his uncle -noticed his face grow grave, “is much more -urgent. I had thought at first to say nothing, -fancying it would untangle itself; but as the -reverse now promises to be the case, I want -your advice.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” said Mr. Cooper quietly and -attentively. He knew that the matter must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> -be of some moment, otherwise Nat would not -speak in such a fashion.</p> - -<p>So with that, Nat began at the beginning -and once more told his uncle the story of his -experiences upon the night that he and the -Porcupine had ridden to the rescue of the -unsuspecting Virginians. But this time there -were no reservations of any kind. When the -name of Prentiss came into the narrative, Mr. -Cooper raised his brows, but said nothing; -however, Nat noticed that his attention grew -more marked from that moment.</p> - -<p>Then came the meeting of Nat with Ezra -at the City Tavern. The similarity of the -voices impressed Mr. Cooper greatly; but -when Nat repeated Ezra’s odd words, spoken -after he learned of Nat’s acquaintance with -Mr. Washington, he uttered an exclamation.</p> - -<p>“That was strangely like a veiled threat,” -said he. “And coming directly on top of -what looks like an appearance, at least, of -knowledge of the Tory plot, it sounds suspicious. -Go over that again, if you please.”</p> - -<p>“He said,” obeyed Nat: “‘There are certain -dispositions that take pleasure in rewarding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> -a good deed—and others that take equal -pleasure in repaying an evil one.’”</p> - -<p>“If that speech were made to me,” said Mr. -Cooper, emphatically, “and under like circumstances, -I would consider that the person -making it were warning me that he’d be revenged.”</p> - -<p>“I thought the same,” replied Nat, “but I -could scarcely bring myself to it.”</p> - -<p>“I understand. The boy is as honest looking -and as truthful appearing as any I ever -saw. But it is facts that count, and not appearances.”</p> - -<p>Then Nat proceeded with Samuel Adams’ -estimate of Ezra, and that of the Suffolk Convention’s -rider, Revere. As he expected, Mr. -Cooper looked puzzled. But upon hearing -the story that the Porcupine had related to -Nat, his face grew dark with anger.</p> - -<p>“The young scoundrel!” he cried. “I’ll -see Mr. Adams to-morrow and——”</p> - -<p>But Nat placed his hand upon his shoulder -and stopped him.</p> - -<p>“First, let us be very—very sure,” said the -boy. “Let us make no mistake that we shall -be sorry for in the future. The whole matter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -looks bad—I confess that I don’t see a shadow -of doubt that would make me think him other -than what you consider him. But for all that, -we had better be sure.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cooper looked at his nephew a moment.</p> - -<p>“Nat,” he said, “you have a wise head. -You are right. As you say, let us be very, -very sure. In spite of everything he may be -innocent, and, in that case, if we charged him -with this shameful thing, we should indeed -have occasion for regrets. But he must be -watched—constantly watched.”</p> - -<p>“But if he goes back to Boston upon this -mission of Mr. Adams?”</p> - -<p>“I had forgotten that,” and Mr. Cooper grew -thoughtful. “In that case he must still be -watched; but how, is a thing that will require -some turning over.”</p> - -<p>Next day Ben rode into town alone. Early -in the afternoon he returned, and his face was -alight with excitement.</p> - -<p>“Father!” he cried, for Mr. Cooper was -standing in the doorway. “Ezra Prentiss is -to ride to Boston—starts to-morrow morning -with Mr. Revere, whom you’ve heard tell of.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> -And,” throwing himself from his mare’s -back, recklessly, “he wants me to go with -him.”</p> - -<p>Nat sat upon the stone step; at these words -he turned his head and glanced up at his -uncle. Like a flash the thought traveled from -one to the other; there could be no mistake -about what was in the boy’s eyes, and Mr. -Cooper said to Ben:</p> - -<p>“Very well; you may go, but not alone. -Nat must go with you.”</p> - -<p>Ben shrieked with delight.</p> - -<p>“Why,” cried he, “Nat’s been asked. Ezra -told me particularly to get him if I could. So -you see, you’re not saddling a caretaker on -me, after all.”</p> - -<p>And as he rushed away to the barn, the -well-trained little mare at his heels, Mr. -Cooper said to Nat:</p> - -<p>“Asked him particularly to get you, if -he could. What does that mean, I wonder?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied Nat, slowly, -“and I’m not going to think about it. In -the frame of mind I’m in now, I’m likely -to see evil in everything that has to do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> -with Ezra Prentiss. But I’m going back -to Boston with him, no matter what it -means. And the future will tell what it will -tell!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - - -<small>WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NORTH ROAD</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was high noon next day when Ezra -Prentiss slipped Mr. Adams’ private despatch -to Dr. Warren into his saddle-bag. Mr. Revere -already had the resolutions passed by Congress, -and the two, together with Nat Brewster and -Ben Cooper, climbed into their saddles. Then -they waved their hands to those gathered in -front of the City Tavern to see them off.</p> - -<p>“Remember what I’ve told you about my -letter and make all speed,” said Mr. Adams, -as a last word. “It is to be given to Dr. -Warren alone, as it is of great importance.”</p> - -<p>This was said in a low tone as the statesman -stood at Ezra’s stirrup; but Nat Brewster, who -sat his horse next to Ezra’s, caught the words; -and likewise he heard the boy’s reply.</p> - -<p>“I understand its urgency and its importance -as well,” said Ezra, gravely. “There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> -shall be no delay on the way north, and Dr. -Warren alone shall receive the message.”</p> - -<p>They took their way northward at a fairly -easy pace, as Paul Revere cautioned them not -to press their horses too hard.</p> - -<p>“Since I’ve taken to riding from city to -city for the various committees,” said that -gentleman, “I’ve had much experience. And -it has shown me that a soft pace in a long -journey is the swiftest in the end. Also, it -is the least laborious and anxious, for you -haven’t a broken nag to help along toward -the finish.”</p> - -<p>The sun shone wonderfully and the breeze -blew in their faces with delightful freshness. -Ben Cooper longed to put Molly at her best, -for her dancing along the road showed that -her spirit was as high as his own.</p> - -<p>“Where do we make the first stop?” inquired -Nat, of Revere.</p> - -<p>“We should reach Bristol at sundown or -a little before,” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“Bristol!” cried Ben. “Why, we could -make——”</p> - -<p>But Revere interrupted him.</p> - -<p>“I know,” said he. “So we could. And<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> -we could make some other place, equally far -off, to-morrow. Then we could sit for a couple -of days at an inn and twiddle our thumbs -while the saddle-galls were healing or the -nag’s swollen legs going down.”</p> - -<p>Ben felt properly rebuked; but he laughed -good humoredly.</p> - -<p>“I guess you’re right,” said he. “So -you’ll have to content yourself as you are, -Molly,” to the frisky mare. “You’ve never -been on so long a journey as this; and maybe -at the end you’ll be sedate enough.”</p> - -<p>As they struck into the long, dusty wagon -roads some distance north of Philadelphia, -Revere and Ezra rode on ahead. After a -time, the watchful Nat noted a marked -peculiarity in the manner of Ezra. The latter -had been very quiet and thoughtful since -leaving the city; and now there was an -anxiety in his whole attitude that could not -be mistaken. Even the unsuspecting Ben -noticed it.</p> - -<p>“Wonder what’s wrong with Ezra,” he said, -with a laugh. “He keeps turning his head -from one side to the other as though it had -been shaken loose.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“He is entrusted with a document of some -importance,” said Nat quietly. “Perhaps he -is a little anxious for its safety.”</p> - -<p>Ben laughed once more.</p> - -<p>“Why, to hear you talk,” said he, “one -would think we were actually at war. Why -should he feel anxious for the safety of the -message? Who knows anything of it but us? -And then,” gaily, “if he thought this was a -bad way to come, why did he argue with Mr. -Revere, who wanted to come by another -way?”</p> - -<p>“Ah,” said Nat, thoughtfully, “did he do -that?”</p> - -<p>“For half an hour. And do you know, he -grew actually warm about it, just as though it -greatly mattered.”</p> - -<p>There was silence for a little while, and -then Ben suddenly exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Hello! What’s that for?”</p> - -<p>Nat had unbuckled the flap of a holster -and loosened the heavy pistol which had been -so lately the property of Mr. Chew.</p> - -<p>“It’s my backwoods nature, I suppose,” -said Nat, carelessly. “Up in Wyoming the -wild things and the Indians never allow us to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> -travel without firearms ready to hand, and I -don’t feel quite comfortable otherwise.”</p> - -<p>“I should think that long rifle would be -enough to take with you through a settled -country,” said Ben, nodding toward the -weapon which his cousin carried slung across -his shoulders.</p> - -<p>“It would be ordinarily. But it is not -quite handy enough on horseback.”</p> - -<p>Ben looked at the speaker with his usual -good-natured grin.</p> - -<p>“Well, all I can say,” remarked he, “is -that it must be in the air. If Mr. Revere begins -to take notions about things also, why, -I’ll have to take general charge of the party, -that’s all.”</p> - -<p>When the shadows began to lengthen by -the roadside and thicken among the clumps -of trees and tall brush, they were still some -miles south of Bristol. The Delaware rippled -smoothly on the right, and here and there the -filled sail of a sloop could be seen as it made -its way up river with wind and tide.</p> - -<p>“What building is that ahead?” asked Nat, -after a time.</p> - -<p>They had rounded a bend in the road, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> -a stone structure, smoke-begrimed and forlorn -looking, showed itself blackly against the -sky-line.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied Ben. “I’ve never -traveled this route before. But it looks like -a burned mill or something of the sort.”</p> - -<p>There are things and there are persons -whom one naturally suspects; there may be -no reason for it that one can see, but still the -suspicion grows stronger and stronger; and -often it turns out that there is cause for it. -When they came in sight of the ruined mill, -frowning gloomily out upon the road, Nat -Brewster felt just such a suspicion growing in -his mind. More than once, among his native -hills in the north, he had run upon an ambuscade—a -crouching panther perhaps; and once -a murderous red man. And so it was a kind -of second nature to him to regard suspicious -places with caution and to advance upon them -with his eyes wide open.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, as they rode toward the -burned building, he eyed it narrowly; when -they were within fifty yards of it his vigilance -was rewarded, for he caught sight of a man’s -head cautiously lifted above the edge of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> -one of the openings that were once windows.</p> - -<p>Instantly the boy struck his spurs into the -tall black; the animal, startled, fought for its -head, and finding that the strong hand upon -the rein did not give an inch, it raced forward. -A score of bounds brought it alongside -of Ezra and Mr. Revere, and they, surprised -at the sudden burst of speed, were turning -their heads, when:</p> - -<p>“Halt!” said Nat, sharply.</p> - -<p>With astonishment written large upon his -face, Revere obeyed, and Ezra did the same.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked the rider from Boston. -“Has anything gone wrong?”</p> - -<p>Nat drew his pistol from the holster and -coolly examined the priming.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied he. “But it’s -rather likely. Just ahead there is a person—perhaps -several of them—who seems interested -in us, in a cautious sort of way.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke his keen eyes went to the face -of Ezra; he saw it pale and the mouth twitch.</p> - -<p>“It would be best,” proceeded Nat, evenly, -“for you all to remain as you are. I’ll ride -forward and look into matters a trifle.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>He was about to do so, but upon second -thought checked his horse.</p> - -<p>“Are you armed, Mr. Revere?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“I am,” answered the rider, promptly, and -out came a squat, serviceable looking pistol.</p> - -<p>“Good,” said Nat. Then he took the rifle -from about his shoulders and threw it to Ben, -who had ridden up and sat listening in silent -amazement. “It’s loaded and ready,” proceeded -the young mountaineer, “and it shoots -straight, as you know. Cover my advance.”</p> - -<p>With that he spoke to the black; the -animal trotted forward; and when it reached -the ruin, Nat drew it in and turned, facing -the structure from the middle of the road.</p> - -<p>“Hello!” cried the boy. “Hello, inside -there!”</p> - -<p>He waited, but there was no answer.</p> - -<p>Then he tried again.</p> - -<p>“Hello! Don’t think that your keeping -silent will deceive me. I know you’re there.”</p> - -<p>Still there was no answer. Down the road, -Nat saw his three companions, their horses -abreast, anxiously watching him. He smiled -when he saw the alert posture of Ben, the -long rifle in his hands, for Nat knew that his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> -cousin shot with unerring skill, and that he -could rest safe under the protection thus afforded. -Once more he turned his gaze upon -the ruin.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you a minute,” continued he. -“If you’re not out in that time, I’m coming -in.”</p> - -<p>This had immediate results. In the broken -doorway of the burned mill appeared a half -dozen men; and behind them Nat made out -a burly figure which he at once recognized as -that of Royce.</p> - -<p>“Well,” inquired one of the men, sullenly, -“what do you want?”</p> - -<p>“I want to have nothing to say to you, sir, -at all events,” replied Nat, readily. Then lifting -his voice a trifle, he continued: “Stand -forward, Mr. Royce. Don’t be backward.”</p> - -<p>The man at once pushed his way to the -front. His coarse, large-featured face was inflamed -and angry looking.</p> - -<p>“So it’s you, is it?” growled he, his fierce -eyes glowering wickedly. “I thought I recognized -your voice.”</p> - -<p>Nat laughed.</p> - -<p>“And I rather thought I recognized your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -face as you took that little observation from -the window a few moments ago.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you want?” asked Royce. -“We can’t be detained here all day by a whipper-snapper -like you.”</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t think of detaining you,” replied -Nat. “I merely desired to make sure -that I and my friends met with no reception -that we were not prepared for.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke he lifted his hand and beckoned -his comrades forward. As they came -up at a trot, Revere and Ben holding their -weapons ready, Nat said to them:</p> - -<p>“I think you’d better ride on while I stay -for a little further talk with these gentlemen. -Ben, you may halt fifty yards away.”</p> - -<p>There was that in the speaker’s manner -that showed Revere that he was perfectly -competent to carry out any plan that he had -made. And so the convention’s messenger -nodded his head and rode along up the road -with the two boys.</p> - -<p>Nat Brewster would have given a great deal -to have seen Ezra Prentiss’ face at that moment. -But he dared not take his eyes from -the sullen, muttering group in the doorway of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> -the mill. He smiled as he heard the hoofs of -his companions’ horses rattling away. To -Royce he said:</p> - -<p>“It seems, Mr. Royce, that our arrangements -clash now and then.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the man, loweringly, “and -take care that it does not happen once too -often.”</p> - -<p>“I think the care should be upon your -part, if you value yourself at all,” said Nat. -“If I had spread the news abroad of your attempt -of a week ago, the people of Philadelphia -would have torn you apart.”</p> - -<p>“If they had caught me,” sneered the man.</p> - -<p>“At least they would have caught Mr. -Dimisdale and a few others. And I have no -doubt that you, also, could have been taken, -had enough people been so minded. There is -too much bitterness in the public mind to -tolerate such plots as you are engaged in.”</p> - -<p>“You seem to know a great deal,” said -Royce.</p> - -<p>“Much more, perhaps, than you even -think,” returned Nat. “But I’ll not put you -to the trouble of listening to it all: I’ll just -say that any message intended for a good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> -patriot is going to reach him. Make no mistake -about that.”</p> - -<p>Then, as the rage of Royce grew greater -and a look of astonishment went around the -others, Nat continued:</p> - -<p>“Now I’ll bid you good-evening. But first -I’ll ask you,” and he never took his eyes from -them, “to look up the road. There, I have -no doubt, you will see a lad with a rifle.”</p> - -<p>The followers of Royce and Royce himself -gazed up the road as directed; and from their -expressions Nat gathered that Ben was waiting -there with the long weapon ready.</p> - -<p>“He,” continued the young mountaineer, -“is going, so to speak, to cover my retreat. -And as I’ve never known him to miss a shot, -I warn you to be very careful what you do.”</p> - -<p>And with that he turned his back fearlessly -upon them, gave rein to his horse and rode -toward Ben, who was dismounted and planted -in the roadway, the rifle at his shoulder.</p> - -<p>When his cousin came up, young Cooper -said:</p> - -<p>“I say, now, what is all this about?”</p> - -<p>“You’ll know in good time,” replied Nat. -Molly stood grazing at the roadside; he took<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> -her rein and continued: “I’ll take the mare -with me. You come along with your face to -them until we get out of pistol shot. They -haven’t any heavier arms that I could see.”</p> - -<p>Ben followed these orders carefully. When -they had moved out of range of any stray -shot, he remounted and slung the rifle before -him, a complaint plain upon his face.</p> - -<p>“I’ll know in good time, will I?” said he, -in an injured tone. “Now, I want you to -understand, Nat Brewster, that I’m not to be -treated as a child. If I’m old enough to keep -these men from shooting you in the back, I’m -also old enough to be told who they are and -what they were after.”</p> - -<p>Nat laughed.</p> - -<p>“Why,” said he, “that sounds like good -sense. And I suppose I’ll have to tell you. -But, remember,” warningly, “it goes no -farther.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” spoke Ben, “I promise.”</p> - -<p>“They are the same men that I met at the -inn on the ferry road,” Nat told him. “And, -while I’m not sure, I think they were waiting -for Ezra.”</p> - -<p>“For Ezra!” Ben stared, open-eyed.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>“To relieve him of the message he’s carrying -to Dr. Warren.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Ben, soberly. Then they rode -forward in silence until they overtook their -companions.</p> - -<p>“The ruffians,” exclaimed Revere, warmly. -“I had not thought that thieves were so bold -in these parts.”</p> - -<p>“Common thieves are not, I suppose,” said -Nat, quietly.</p> - -<p>Revere continued to fume and mutter as they -rode along toward Bristol, the housetops of -which were gradually coming into view. -Ben was now riding with him and Ezra had -fallen back until his mount was abreast of -Nat’s.</p> - -<p>“You think, then,” said Ezra, and his tone -was low, “that those men were not common -thieves.”</p> - -<p>“I do,” replied Nat. “A man’s purse -would be safe with them, I feel sure. Something -of greater value was in their minds, I -feel sure.”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” replied Ezra. He looked at Nat -steadily for a moment and then said with a -faint smile, “You’ve met those men before?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>“Yes,” quietly.</p> - -<p>“I felt sure that you had. And do you recall -some words which I spoke after you told -me of that meeting?”</p> - -<p>The words that had struck both himself -and his uncle as veiling a threat at once recurred -to him.</p> - -<p>“You mean,” said Nat, “those regarding -the disposition of some to reward a good service, -and of others to repay an evil?”</p> - -<p>“I see you remember it,” said Ezra, and he -smiled into Nat’s face. “So I need not repeat -it now.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - - -<small>SHOWS HOW NAT MET ONE STRANGER AND HOW<br /> -THE PORCUPINE MET ANOTHER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bristol</span> was a fair-sized village upon the -west bank of the Delaware, and one very -well known to persons upon their way to and -from New York. Consequently there was a -good inn and our wayfarers at once sought -it out.</p> - -<p>“When I stopped here on my way south,” -said Revere, seriously, to a hostler who came -forward to receive their mounts, “you did -not give my horse proper attention as I desired. -It will not do to rub him down with a -wisp of straw and rush him in, still wet, to -a sloppy supper of bran mash.”</p> - -<p>The hostler protested, but Revere waved his -hand for silence.</p> - -<p>“I want him brushed and combed, and -rubbed with a cloth,” proceeded he, severely. -“And these others,” pointing to the steeds of -the boys, “are to be used likewise. Then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> -they are to be blanketed until they are dry -and cool, when they should be fed—not with -mash, but with grain.”</p> - -<p>The groom promised faithfully to do as he -was bidden; but it was not until he had carefully -repeated his instructions several times -more that Revere was satisfied and consented -to enter the inn.</p> - -<p>“The beasts can’t speak for themselves, or -do for themselves,” said he. “So it is our duty -to see that right is done by them.”</p> - -<p>The inn was a cheerful place, with many -brass candlesticks and painted china plates; -and the landlady was a good-natured, rosy -dame, who bustled about making them comfortable.</p> - -<p>“I shall get you a good supper,” she told -them, “for I’m quite sure that you’ll need it -after being so many hours upon the road. -And there’s warm water and basins and -towels and soap in the little room close by -the kitchen. So you can make yourselves -clean and fresh while you are waiting to be -served.”</p> - -<p>They thanked her for this and made good -use of the articles named. Nat was the first<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -to finish, and as he stepped back into the inn -parlor he noticed that a newcomer had taken -possession of a big chair at the window overlooking -the road, and was calmly reciting his -desires to the obliging hostess.</p> - -<p>“I shall want some boiled mutton,” said -he, “with a savory sauce. And pay heed to -the sauce, madam; let it not be the flavorless -thing one gets at so many inns. The meat -served may be ever so good, but if the sauce -has a breath too much garlic it is all ruined.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; it shall be just as you like it, I -assure you,” said the landlady, dropping the -stranger a curtsey. “And will there be anything -else, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Some potatoes—baked in their jackets—a -small loaf and some mead—if you have any -that’s fit for a gentleman to drink.”</p> - -<p>“There’s none better, sir, in this section,” -said the good dame, rather nettled. “And I -might even say that you’d hardly find better -in your own country.”</p> - -<p>“My own country!” repeated the stranger, -and he looked at her keenly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,—England. For you are an -Englishman, unless your tongue belies you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>The man laughed and waved his hand.</p> - -<p>“That will be all, I think,” said he. “So -make haste and don’t stand making hazards -at the private affairs of your guests.”</p> - -<p>Indignantly the hostess turned away.</p> - -<p>“Such high and mighty ways,” she muttered -to Nat. “It’ll be a blessing if he has -enough money in his purse to settle his score -in the morning.”</p> - -<p>And with this she went angrily into her -kitchen, slamming the door, leaving Nat -to seat himself upon a settle along the -wall and amuse himself by studying the -stranger.</p> - -<p>The latter was a tall man with a high, -prominent nose and a wide, thin-lipped -mouth. His hair was very long and worn in -a queue, and his black-stockinged legs were -thrown carelessly over the arm of his chair in -an unsightly, lounging way that gave him -the appearance of great awkwardness. There -was still considerable daylight, and he read a -newspaper which he took from his pocket as -soon as the landlady had departed.</p> - -<p>“And the newspaper has something in it -which amuses him greatly,” thought Nat, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> -he watched the humorous twitching of the -thin-lipped mouth.</p> - -<p>Wider and wider grew the smile and at last -the man threw the news sheet from him with -a roar of glee.</p> - -<p>“Now out upon them for a parcel of raving -maniacs,” said he. “Did ever any one hear -of such folly before since the world began?”</p> - -<p>As he laughed his eyes rested upon Nat, -and, apparently for the first time, he became -aware of the boy’s presence. The eyes were -light colored, cold and keen, as the lad saw -when they became steadfastly fixed upon him; -and that they were also cruel, he was firmly -convinced.</p> - -<p>“Young gentleman,” said the man, growing -sober enough, “good-evening.”</p> - -<p>“Good-evening, sir,” returned Nat, politely.</p> - -<p>There was a long row of brass buttons down -the front of the man’s coat; he took the one -at the top between a thumb and forefinger in -a speculative sort of way; then the touch -dropped to the second button and so on down -the row until he reached the bottom. And -all the time the cold, light-colored eyes were -fixed upon the lad from the north country;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> -and they were studying and weighing and -estimating him steadily. Finally, so it -seemed, the stranger made up his mind. He -removed his legs from the chair arm and -stretched them out before him; the waning -sunlight played upon the big brass buckles -upon his shoes as he turned his feet first one -way and then the other, inspecting them -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“It will be a fine evening,” ventured he, at -last.</p> - -<p>“So I’ve thought myself,” returned Nat.</p> - -<p>“And following a fine day,” said the -man.</p> - -<p>Nat nodded. He was disappointed. Evidently -the stranger was not nearly so interesting -as he looked.</p> - -<p>“Travel far?” asked the man, after another -pause, but not so long as the first.</p> - -<p>“Not a great way.”</p> - -<p>The stranger pursed up his thin lips and -looked at the boy carefully. Seemingly he -made up his mind that he might venture the -question, for he asked:</p> - -<p>“From the city?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” was the brief answer.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>That there might be no mistake the man -persisted:</p> - -<p>“Philadelphia?”</p> - -<p>Nat nodded. Clearly the stranger was -nothing short of a bore.</p> - -<p>“I’ve just ridden from there myself,” said -the lean stranger. “There is much excitement -there, eh?”</p> - -<p>Nat nodded.</p> - -<p>“I’ve seen places where there was a great -deal more demonstration, so to speak,” -went on the man, “but for genuine interest, -felt of the heart, that city is ahead of them -all.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve thought that it seemed impressed -with the importance of the occasion,” said -Nat. “But that is scarcely to be wondered -at.”</p> - -<p>“It is not, indeed,” agreed the man, readily. -“It would, in fact, be cause for great wonder -if the town and its people were not impressed.” -He leaned toward the boy in a grave sort of -way and continued: “Modern history does -not show anything that can compare with the -events which have happened of late in these -colonies; and those which are on their way to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> -happen will be greater still. We shall show -a stubborn and narrow ministry that we are -determined to be justly dealt by.”</p> - -<p>Nat looked at the speaker with attention.</p> - -<p>“Do you know,” said he, “I’m just a little -surprised to hear you speak after this fashion?”</p> - -<p>“Why?” asked the stranger, and the cold, -light-colored eyes peered through their wrinkled -lids.</p> - -<p>“Because, as our landlady said a short -while since, you are an Englishman, or your -accent greatly misrepresents you.”</p> - -<p>A shade of annoyance crossed the stranger’s -face; Nat, ever watchful, saw his hands clinch -upon the arm’s of his chair. But this only -lasted for a moment; the lean countenance -cleared up, the hands relaxed their grip and -the man lay back in his chair, smiling -amusedly.</p> - -<p>“It is an odd thing,” spoke he, “that the -fact of my being English has been so noted of -late. No sooner do I open my mouth than I -am looked at askance; if I utter a sentiment -in favor of liberty, I am stared at in amaze; -if I condemn tyranny, as every honest man -should, my hearers regard me with wonder.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>He paused and watched Nat, the smile of -amusement still wrinkling the corners of his -mouth. Then he leaned forward, as before, -proceeding:</p> - -<p>“But I can tell you the reason of this. It -is because the country is young. It is inexperienced. -It is not yet mature enough to -know that a man may be a friend to freedom -no matter where he was born. Don’t forget, -young gentleman, that true liberty began in -England, and that it still has its lovers and -upholders there.”</p> - -<p>“Why,” said Nat, “I have no doubt but -that there is a great deal of truth in what you -say.”</p> - -<p>“It is all truth,” stated the stranger positively. -“The fact is recognized by the leading -spirits in this movement, at least. And if -the time ever comes, and I sincerely hope it -shall not, that blows be struck in this land, -there shall be no lack of men of English birth -in the colonial army.”</p> - -<p>The man then proceeded to enlarge upon -his theme and to point out to Nat that the -great mass of the British population sympathized -with the colonists, that it was only certain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> -merchants and ministers who, it seemed, -had combined to oppress them. He was still -so engaged when the landlady appeared in -the kitchen door.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” she announced, addressing the Englishman, -“I would be much beholden to you -if you would step in here and look to your -dishes before they are made ready. I am not -honored by so particular a person every day, -and would wish to be sure that my poor skill -as a cook has not led me wrong.”</p> - -<p>With a laugh the stranger arose, and Nat -saw that he was of remarkable height and -had wide, strong shoulders. And, while the -young mountaineer had had little opportunity -to observe the habits of military men, -he at once put him down as a soldier.</p> - -<p>“He has the bearing that I would think a -trained officer would have,” was the lad’s instant -thought.</p> - -<p>“You’ll pardon me, I know,” said the -stranger. “The art of dining well is a very -important one, as you’ll learn by the time you -reach my age: so I must not miss this opportunity.”</p> - -<p>After the speaker had followed the hostess<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> -into the kitchen, Nat sat upon the bench and -cogitated.</p> - -<p>“There is something queer about him, for -all he’s so well spoken,” was the lad’s judgment. -“I hardly think I should like to -have much dealing with him.”</p> - -<p>He patiently awaited his three companions; -but as they seemed in no hurry to join him he -bent over and picked up the newspaper which -the Englishman had so contemptuously -thrown aside.</p> - -<p>As it happened, it was folded just as the -man had been reading it, and Nat saw at once -that it was a detailed account of the proceedings -of Congress that must have excited the -reader’s derision. Nat put down the sheet, -and an expression of understanding crossed -his face.</p> - -<p>“Lucky I saw that,” said he. “The -man’s quality is plain enough now, and I’ll -know how to use him from now on.”</p> - -<p>A little later at the sound of high voices -he went to a window overlooking the inn -yard. Paul Revere was there, as was also -Ezra and Ben, and the former was lecturing -the grooms for some shortcoming in their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> -care of the horses. Nat looked and listened, -greatly amused at the earnestness of the man -from Boston, and as he did so, he indistinctly -saw, out of the tail of his eye, a small figure -under the brick arch that opened into the -yard. Swiftly turning his head in that -direction he was surprised and astonished to -recognize the form of the Porcupine.</p> - -<p>That the dwarf saw Nat at the window was -at once evident; for he lifted one hand in a -quick beckoning movement and gave a flirt -of his hand toward the front of the inn. Nat -nodded; he turned, walked to the main door -and out upon the porch. Across the road -was a tall elm tree; the Porcupine now stood -near this, but in such a position as not to be -readily seen by any one looking from the -windows of the inn.</p> - -<p>Nat crossed to the elm in a state of amazement.</p> - -<p>“Porcupine,” began he at once, “you are -the most astonishing little animal I ever saw. -How did you ever get so far from home?”</p> - -<p>The dwarf grinned.</p> - -<p>“Oh, this isn’t so far,” replied he. “I’ve -often been here with Simon Nichols, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> -kitchen gardener. You see, he has a sloop -and takes it to the city every second day, in -the season, with fresh green things. When I -heard that you were going off to Boston, I -knew you’d stop here overnight; so I -boarded Simon’s sloop yesterday in Dock -Creek and got here about noon to-day. He’s -always glad to have me because I can help -work ship and do lots of things when he’s -short handed, as he ’most always is.”</p> - -<p>Nat laughed heartily; and yet he was -touched.</p> - -<p>“And you put yourself to all this bother -just to see me off, did you?” he asked; and -the other nodded. “Well, you’re a queer -little fellow, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“So I’ve been told before,” grinned the -Porcupine. “But,” more soberly, “there are -some just as queer, and at no great distance -from here, either.”</p> - -<p>The tone in which these words were spoken -attracted Nat’s attention at once. He had -known the dwarf but a short time, but he -had come to understand that when he -spoke in a certain way he was very much in -earnest.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>“Has anything happened?” asked the lad -from the north.</p> - -<p>The other shook his head dubiously.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” answered he. “But I -should say something is going to, unless the -signs are all wrong.”</p> - -<p>Nat looked at the speaker attentively; but -as usual he did not try to hurry him.</p> - -<p>“As this is the inn where I felt sure you’d -stay for the night,” proceeded the Porcupine, -“I came here as soon as Simon had tied up -the sloop at his place about a mile above. -The landlady is a good sort, for when she saw -me standing about the door, she gave me -some bread and cheese, and I came over here -in the shade to eat it. And while I sat here, -a man came up—a strange-appearing man -with gold rings in his ears and the look of a -gypsy.</p> - -<p>“‘Good afternoon,’ he says as he gets sight -of me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>“I, politely enough, bid him the time of -day and fell to studying him as he stood -there looking up at the inn. He carried a -heavy staff and pack upon his back. As he -came along, I had noticed that he limped like -one footsore from a long journey; but for all, -he seemed cool and clean. There was but -little dust upon his shoes and none at all -upon his stockings.”</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_188.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, -THEN”</i></p> - -<p>“You have excellent observation, Porcupine,” -praised Nat.</p> - -<p>“It does not do to keep one’s eyes shut in -such times as these,” answered the dwarf, -wisely. “And, again, I shouldn’t get any -credit for it, because I was just idling away -the time until you rode up and had no notion -of anything being wrong.”</p> - -<p>“Ah,” said Nat, with increased interest, -“there is something wrong then?”</p> - -<p>“Again I must say that I don’t know,” -and the speaker shook his head. “It only -seemed queer to me; and what followed -looked a great deal more so. But sit down -here,” added the dwarf, indicating a place -where some bushes would screen Nat from -the inn windows. “It would be just as well, -maybe, if you were not seen talking to me.”</p> - -<p>Nat did as directed; then the speaker once -more took up his story:</p> - -<p>“After a few moments the gypsy-looking -man walked over, threw off his pack, sat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> -down and began to fan himself with his hat. -Then I saw that he was tattooed upon the -back of his hands, and looking carefully I saw -that on one was a ship and on the other the -Union Jack.</p> - -<p>“‘Do you belong hereabouts?’ says he.</p> - -<p>“‘Not very far away,’ I answers him.</p> - -<p>“‘I’ve come a long distance,’ says he, ‘to -meet some friends. Has any one gone into -the inn lately?’</p> - -<p>“‘The landlady,’ I told him.</p> - -<p>“And with that,” continued the Porcupine, -“I could see that he began to think me a -great deal of a fool. He was not so careful -thereafter.</p> - -<p>“‘If you’ll go into the inn yard and see -what horses are there, freshly come in, I’ll -give you a shilling,’ he says.</p> - -<p>“‘Very well,’ says I; and I was about to -start across the road; but he stopped me.</p> - -<p>“‘Especially mark,’ says he, ‘if there is a -fine looking bay horse, a small mare, a wicked -looking raw-boned black and a buckskin stallion.’”</p> - -<p>“Our horses!” ejaculated Nat, “and described -as well as I could describe them myself.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>“I found that out afterward,” said the -Porcupine, “though if I’d thought, I’d have -recognized your nag and Ben Cooper’s, even -then. But anyhow, I went into the yard and -looked about, also into the barn; but there -was none but old work horses, and so I told -the man with the rings in his ears when I -came out. He didn’t appear to relish it very -well and muttered and went on at a great -rate. Then something seemed to strike him.</p> - -<p>“‘Is there another inn in Bristol?’ asked -he.</p> - -<p>“‘There is,’ I told him. And I was just -giving him the directions when we heard the -clatter of hoofs, and along you came with -your friends. I stopped until you had all -gone into the yard; and when I turned my -head once more, the man was running down -the road in the direction from which he had -come.”</p> - -<p>“But,” questioned Nat, “why did you not -come in and tell me all this at once?”</p> - -<p>“Because I felt sure there was to be more -come of it. And I was right. The foreign-looking -man had gone no great distance when -a second one rode into the path and stopped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> -him short. They talked together for a little -while and then the first man disappeared in -a thicket, while the second came on quietly -enough and entered the inn.”</p> - -<p>Nat nodded.</p> - -<p>“He was a tall man, lean and with a large, -thin nose, was he not?” came the question.</p> - -<p>“I looked through the window and saw -you talking to him a while ago,” answered -the dwarf. “I suppose, though,” with a grin, -“he didn’t tell you what he wanted.”</p> - -<p>“Hardly,” said Nat, “for from what you -have seen, it would scarcely bear telling.”</p> - -<p>They were silent for a moment, and then -the boy from Wyoming resumed:</p> - -<p>“The day has not been without its interest; -and from the look of things, the night is promising -to keep pace with it.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - - -<small>THE NIGHT PROMISES WELL</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nat Brewster</span> left the Porcupine under the -big elm across from the Bristol inn.</p> - -<p>“Say nothing to any one,” he warned him. -“I’ll have the landlady get you a supper and -make you up a bed somewhere where you’ll -not be noticed. Remember, I don’t even -want Ben to see you.”</p> - -<p>He crossed the road and entered the inn in -deep thought. The mission of the two -strangers greatly troubled him.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” he told himself, “it’s connected -with the message that Ezra carries to -Dr. Warren. But who are these men? They -do not belong to the party we encountered at -the burned mill, I feel sure; for they go about -their work in a more crafty and experienced -manner.”</p> - -<p>Of course, under the circumstances, to show -Ezra that he knew anything about them was -out of the question.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>“And I can’t tell Mr. Revere or Ben anything -either,” he reasoned, “for as soon -as I had done so they would let it all out to -Ezra. And, if there is any truth in my -suspicions that the strangers are friends of his, -he’d warn them at once, a thing that I most -particularly don’t want done.”</p> - -<p>In a very little while the candles were -lighted and the tables spread with smoking -dishes. In the meantime Nat had spoken -quietly to the landlady, and the good soul had -at once fallen in with his plans of feeding and -housing the dwarf.</p> - -<p>“But I quite agree with what you say, -young gentleman, in regard to not allowing -my other guests to know of his presence. -They might object to having such an unfortunate -in the house. Travelers, you know, -are most peculiar.”</p> - -<p>And so Nat had the satisfaction, when he -sat down to his supper, of knowing that his -little friend was also well taken care of, -and in a position, perhaps, to render a -prompt service, if such a thing should be -necessary.</p> - -<p>Revere, Ezra, Ben Cooper and Nat were gathered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> -about a large table; a smaller one was -laid for the tall Englishman, and he smiled -contentedly as he tucked the generous napkin -under his chin.</p> - -<p>“Madam,” said he, to the landlady, “I -take this occasion to ask your pardon. I did -you the discredit of questioning your skill in -cookery; but in the presence of these gentlemen -I take it back unreservedly.”</p> - -<p>“But you have not tasted the dishes as -yet,” protested the landlady, assuming to be -short and vexed. But in reality she was -much mollified.</p> - -<p>“I don’t need to taste them to be assured of -their excellence,” spoke the stranger with a -wave of the hand. “The aroma that arises -as I lift each separate cover is enough for me. -You are not a cook, madam; you are an -artist.”</p> - -<p>And so with great good humor he fell to -and proved to be a worthy trencherman. -Revere, eating generously of his own supper, -watched their neighbor in high admiration. -At length he said:</p> - -<p>“It is not at every inn one finds such excellent -fare, sir.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>“Right!” and the stranger saluted him -with his knife. “Right, sir. And that is -why I was suspicious at the off-start. But,” -and he bowed to the now gratified hostess -with great politeness, “I shall always remember -the town of Bristol. I shall write the -name large in the records of my experiences, -because it is a place that possesses an inn -where a gentleman can dine.”</p> - -<p>As he was speaking the door opened and a -newcomer made his appearance. At sight -of the small gold rings in his ears, the pack -upon his back and the heavy oaken staff in -his hand, Nat Brewster recognized him as the -stranger to whom the Porcupine had talked -on the road. He was a swarthy looking fellow -and decidedly like a gypsy, as the dwarf -had said; but there was a roll to his gait and -an air about him that would have told an experienced -observer that he was no stranger to -the sea.</p> - -<p>“I would like accommodations, madam,” -said he to the landlady, and there was a foreign -blur of some sort that spoiled the distinctness -of his speech.</p> - -<p>“Supper, a bed and breakfast, I suppose,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> -said the woman, very brisk and businesslike. -Foot travelers were never very profitable as a -rule, and she did not waste much time upon -them.</p> - -<p>“If you please,” said the dark man. He -threw down his knapsack and stood the staff -in a corner. “And as I am hungry I should -like my supper as soon as you can give it to -me.”</p> - -<p>“I shall have to lay another cloth,” said -the landlady, with the air of one who does -not altogether like a task. “I would that -you had come sooner, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to be troublesome,” said the -other, civilly enough; but for all, Nat saw a -look in his piercing black eyes that gave the -lie to his words.</p> - -<p>The tall stranger had been quietly listening -to this dialogue with a careless air. But now -he arose.</p> - -<p>“Madam,” said he, politely, to the hostess, -“to save you trouble and offer the hand of -good fellowship to a stranger and a wayfarer,” -bowing to the swarthy man, “let me say that -the other side of my table is at the gentleman’s -service.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>“Why,” said the pleased landlady, “that is -very kind of you.”</p> - -<p>The sailor-like man looked properly grateful.</p> - -<p>“I thank you, sir,” said he. “I did not expect -such civil treatment from one whom I -never saw before.”</p> - -<p>As the newcomer settled himself into a -chair facing the other, Ben, who sat beside -Nat, whispered to him, lowly:</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t have expected it of him at any -rate. But he must be a far better natured -man than I’d put him down to be.”</p> - -<p>However, Nat only smiled. The play between -the two men, who were greeting each -other as strangers, interested and amused him.</p> - -<p>“And they do it very well, too,” he thought, -sadly neglecting his food that he might miss -nothing of what was going forward. “If I -did not know what the Porcupine told me I’d -be deceived as well as the most innocent of -them.”</p> - -<p>“It is a wearying and sultry time of the -year to tramp the roads,” said the tall man to -the newcomer, sympathizingly. “I hope you -have not far to go.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>“To Trenton,” responded the swarthy man. -“And it’s a long journey enough when you -consider that I’ve come from New Castle in -Delaware.”</p> - -<p>“Is it so, indeed? And bearing that pack -upon your shoulders, too.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not so comfortable as it might be,” -laughed the other shortly; “and not so lightly -carried as your saddle-bags, which I see hanging -upon the wall.”</p> - -<p>The tall man turned and looked where the -other pointed.</p> - -<p>“It just happens that I’m not sure that those -are mine,” said he. Then running his eye -over the array of hats, saddle-bags and riding-whips -which hung upon the wooden pegs, he -remarked, addressing those at the other table: -“Did it ever occur to you, gentlemen, how -alike all such things are? For the life of me -I can’t see why we are not continually mistaking -each other’s property.”</p> - -<p>“Now that I think of it,” spoke Mr. Revere, -“I must say that I agree with you.”</p> - -<p>“I knew you would,” said the tall man. -Then with a laugh he added, lightly: “But -let us put it to the test.” He looked at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> -things upon the wall as though reckoning -them up. “There are four—yes, five pairs of -saddle pouches. Come, now,” and he ran his -eyes over his neighbors until they rested upon -Ben, still laughingly, “let us see if you can -tell which is your own and which are your -friends’.”</p> - -<p>Nat, with a start, grasped the man’s idea -instantly.</p> - -<p>“Ezra placed the message to Dr. Warren in -his saddle pocket,” he said to himself. “This -man in some way knows of it, and is taking -this means of making sure which are Ezra’s.”</p> - -<p>It was plain that Ben Cooper did not altogether -relish being selected to make what -the stranger called the test. While the boy -never dreamed of the real truth, as it flashed -into Nat’s brain, still there was something in -the man’s manner that did not please him—a -cunning and a mockery, well hidden, but -present nevertheless. However, he did not -see how he could well refuse, so he set about -the task without further ado.</p> - -<p>“The pair at the end I do not know, so I -suppose they must be yours, sir,” said he. -“Next are Mr. Revere’s, because they are of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> -polished leather, and next are Ezra’s because -they are of pigskin and almost new——”</p> - -<p>“Wait, wait!” interrupted the smiling -stranger. “Which of your friends is Ezra?”</p> - -<p>“That is my name, sir,” answered young -Prentiss steadily enough.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” said the other, and he looked at -him searchingly. “Thank you.” And as -Ben told off the other two pairs of saddle-bags -the speaker added: “Well, well, you have -sharp eyes, young gentleman. I did not think -it could be done so easily.”</p> - -<p>During the above, Nat had not devoted all -his attention to the stranger. Ezra had come -in for his share of observation, and the boy -from the mountains saw the various changes -of expression that had flashed over his face. -At the first reference to the saddle-bags by the -tall man, Ezra had glanced at him quickly—and -there was something in the glance that -was puzzled and hesitating. But as the other -proceeded the boy grew slightly pale and Nat -saw his lips come together in a tight line.</p> - -<p>And as the others talked and laughed, Nat -pondered the subject in his own mind carefully.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>“It is plain to me,” he told himself, “that -these men are met here for the purpose of -possessing themselves of Mr. Adams’ letter. -But why has it been necessary for them to go -to all this trouble if Ezra is in league with -them? Why could he not have arranged to -meet one of them quietly and hand over the -document without further bother? It would -have been much simpler, much easier and -much safer.”</p> - -<p>This point puzzled him for a space; then -the possible reason for all the plotting came to -him like an inspiration.</p> - -<p>“I have it,” he thought. “If the message -were delivered to these people secretly, Ezra -would be held accountable—he would be suspected. -If some show is made of taking it -from him against his will, with all of us as -witnesses, he can easily convince his employers -that he did all he could to safeguard it.”</p> - -<p>This idea grew and took shape in Nat’s -mind. And he began to suspect that the tall -man’s attempt to pass himself off as a sympathizer -with the colonies had not been so clumsy -after all. It was possible that he might have -thrown himself open to suspicion intentionally,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -so that in the end, if he succeeded -in securing the paper, it could be shown that -there had been a systematic plan laid and -carried through for its possession.</p> - -<p>“If this is so, it is very ingeniously and -carefully laid,” thought the boy. “And I -must keep my eyes wide open.”</p> - -<p>After supper they remained in the inn parlor -talking with the two strangers for a time; at -length Revere, looking at a massive silver -watch that he carried, said:</p> - -<p>“It’s coming nine o’clock, lads. Let’s to -bed. We’ll needs be up in the morning early -to get a good start.”</p> - -<p>Willingly enough the three boys arose and -began gathering up their belongings. Nat -saw the hungry eyes of the two men upon the -pigskin saddle-bags, which now hung from -Ezra’s arm, and he smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>“It’s one thing to want a thing and -another thing to get it,” he muttered. “You -may get Mr. Adams’ message in the end, my -friend, but if you do, you’ll have harder work -of it than you think.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - - -<small>HOW THE PROMISE WAS KEPT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">But</span> that Nat Brewster was not the only -one who had noticed something odd in the -evening’s proceedings was made evident as -they all four ascended the wide stairs of the -inn. Lowering his voice to a husky whisper, -Paul Revere said:</p> - -<p>“On the road it’s best, my lads, to pin -your confidence upon no one—unless you are -sure who he is.”</p> - -<p>“Hello,” said Ben Cooper, “what’s brought -that out?”</p> - -<p>Revere held up his flaring candle, for the -landlady had provided each of them with -one; the light danced in their faces and up -and down upon the walls and ceilings, throwing -their distorted, gigantic shadows along the -staircase.</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” answered the horseman of the -Suffolk Convention, “but the caution of an -old traveler. I say nothing against any one,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> -mind you; but it is well to be careful. The -sweetest spoken person is not always the one -most to be trusted.”</p> - -<p>“I think I get your meaning,” spoke Ezra -Prentiss. “You are of the opinion that the -man below is not altogether to be trusted.”</p> - -<p>They had reached the landing upon the -second floor; the rooms which they were to -occupy were just at hand. Revere made a -gesture with the lighted candle that caused -the shadows to crouch and then spring madly -apart.</p> - -<p>“I repeat,” said he, “that I say nothing -against any one. However, it would be just -as well to keep your eye upon this.”</p> - -<p>As he uttered the last word he struck the -pigskin saddle-bags smartly with his hand -and nodded his head wisely.</p> - -<p>“I think it’s very good advice,” said Ben -Cooper, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“And I,” remarked Ezra. “Good-night, -Mr. Revere, and thanks. Good-night, Nat.”</p> - -<p>Good-nights were said and they entered -their rooms. Ezra and Ben were to occupy a -large room in which were a pair of huge -four-poster beds. Nat and Revere had separate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> -rooms, but as it happened, there was a communicating -door between.</p> - -<p>The man placed his candlestick upon the -top of a chest of drawers.</p> - -<p>“I never saw a finer or more careful lad -than Ezra,” he remarked, “but I’d as leave -Mr. Adams had given me his errand to do.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” and Nat Brewster turned his -head, looking at the speaker with interest.</p> - -<p>“Only that a person of years is naturally -more cautious,” returned Revere. “Now -take for example the fact that Ezra hung his -saddle pouches upon the wall. Was that not -very like carelessness?”</p> - -<p>“But he had them before his eyes all the -time,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>Revere waved his hand.</p> - -<p>“I grant you that. But it was no way to -do. A person upon an important mission -cannot be too sure.”</p> - -<p>There was a short pause, then Nat said:</p> - -<p>“You did not mistrust the man below at -first, I think.”</p> - -<p>“No; I thought him a hearty fellow -enough. It was when the other arrived that -I noticed something that rang false. He received<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -the dark man as though he were a -stranger. But I’ll hazard a guess that they -knew one another well enough.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Nat; and after that he had a -greatly increased respect for the observation -of Mr. Paul Revere.</p> - -<p>As it happened, Revere chose the inner -room, the windows of which opened upon the -courtyard. Nat’s apartment overlooked the -road and lay next the hall. In a very little -while the boy heard the dismal creaking of -Revere’s bed as the man climbed into it. -Then, after a great number of yawns, there -came the deep breathing of a person fast -asleep.</p> - -<p>But Nat had no desire to follow his example. -He knew that he ought to be rested -for the long journey of the morrow; but his -brain was full of thoughts, his eyes unwinking; -he had never felt so wide awake in his life.</p> - -<p>There was a high sky that night and the -stars gleamed clearly; but there was no moon -and things were apt to be more vague and -melt more swiftly into the blackness that -lurked under the fences, trees and at the sides -of buildings. Nat stood at his window looking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> -out upon the darkness and waiting for -the sounds that would tell him the strangers -were taking themselves to bed. But as they -seemed in no hurry to do this, the boy soon -fell under the spell of the September night. -Every rustle in the elm across the road was -plain to him; and the rasp of insects, deep in -the grass, came clearly to his ears.</p> - -<p>“I like the nights in this flat country,” he -said softly to himself. “Things seem more -distant. They don’t come crowding upon -you like they do among the hills.”</p> - -<p>Just then the rattle of halyards and spars -sounded from the river, the gleam of a starboard -light came winking over the water in a -long, thin trail and the huge loom of a sail -showed ghostlike against the stars. The romance -of this dim vessel appealed to the boy. -What was she—where was she bound and -what strange adventures would she bring her -crew before her prow parted the waters of the -Delaware again?</p> - -<p>Half dreaming, Nat Brewster continued to -watch; then he was quickly called back to -the present by the sound of footsteps on the -inn stairs. He turned from the window and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -listened. Lightly, swiftly the steps ascended; -a dim glimmer of light from a bedroom candle -was thrown along the hall and entered Nat’s -room at the transom. But in an instant it -had vanished and the footsteps grew fainter -and finally died away.</p> - -<p>“He’s gone the other way,” Nat said to -himself. “His room is probably at the rear -of the building.”</p> - -<p>As they had stood upon the landing listening -to Revere Nat had noticed that the staircase -was in the center of that wing of the -building and that the hallway ran in either -direction from it.</p> - -<p>“Whichever of them it is,” muttered the -boy, “he’ll be well out of the way, at any rate.”</p> - -<p>For a long time he stood and listened for -the other man. But there were no further -footsteps or sounds of any sort.</p> - -<p>“Strange!” thought the listener. “Is it -possible that two really came up that time? -I felt sure that it was only——”</p> - -<p>He had gone so far when he suddenly -shrank back from the window. Across the -road he had seen a moving shadow, unquestionably -the dim figure of a man.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>“I have it,” breathed Nat. “The second -man is to remain on watch outside. And,” -with a grim setting of his jaws, “that proves -to me that there is going to be something attempted, -as I thought.”</p> - -<p>He had laid the long pistol upon a chair -shortly after he had entered the room. Now -he took it up, raised the hammer and renewed -the priming.</p> - -<p>“There is nothing like being sure,” he -thought. “And unless I’m entirely wrong, a -pistol that’s ready to fire will be a useful -thing to have at hand before very long.”</p> - -<p>Again he fell to waiting. A clock from -some distant part of the hostelry struck eleven -and then midnight. It was some time after -that—how much, Nat did not know—for he -had gradually become drowsy—when a faint -creaking noise suddenly came from the hall. -With the step of a cat he crept to his room -door and laid his ear against its edge to -listen.</p> - -<p>He was not mistaken; there was a soft -scuffling sound, much like that which would -be made by a person advancing slowly and -with much caution.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>Outside his door the sound ceased, and a -long silence followed. At first Nat was convinced -that the prowler intended to enter his -apartment; but a moment’s thought showed -him that the man could hardly be working -by chance.</p> - -<p>“The door of the room occupied by Ben -and Ezra directly faces mine,” was Nat’s conclusion. -“It is there he has stopped and it -is there he is going to enter.”</p> - -<p>A faint click—so faint as to be scarcely discernible—came -from the other side of the -door. The prowler had lifted the catch and -was probably at that moment standing with -his eyes peering through the darkness into -the opposite room. Nat gave him a moment -to get well within the room; then he grasped -the handle of his own door, slowly and noiselessly -swinging it open.</p> - -<p>The hall was dark save for the starlight -that sifted through the window at the front. -But just then there came the crackle of a -tinder-box in the room opposite, as it caught -the spark from a steel. Nat saw a form -crouching close to the floor. Then there was -a swift glance—a swifter movement and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> -pigskin saddle-bags were in the hands of the -unknown.</p> - -<p>So, pistol in hand, Nat stepped into the -doorway.</p> - -<p>“Now then, whoever you are,” he said in a -loud tone, “stand steady, or it will be the -worse for you.”</p> - -<p>Instantly the light was extinguished. He -heard the four-posters creak as the sleepers -awoke and sat up; and he was just about to -cry a warning to them when a strong hand -hurled him aside and a dark figure leaped -down the hall toward the window. Nat had -a confused sense of hearing startled voices -calling out; but he did not pause to learn -what they were crying.</p> - -<p>“Stop!” he shouted. “Stop, or I’ll -fire!”</p> - -<p>But the unknown paid no heed. Under -the hall window was a porch roof. Leaping -through the one he gained the other; as he -did so the pistol exploded with a terrific -report and the heavy ball flew by his head. -He was balancing himself upon the edge of -the roof for a leap when Nat sprang out and -upon him. Clutched in each other’s arms they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> -swung backward and forward for a moment -and then fell into the road.</p> - -<p>The shock broke their holds. Bruised and -bleeding Nat Brewster staggered to his feet. -Lights were beginning to flash at the inn -windows and eager faces to peer out. The -stranger was also rising; the saddle-bags were -in his hands, and Nat sprang forward to grasp -them, when he received a terrific blow from -behind and fell forward upon his face in the -dust of the road.</p> - -<p>Ben Cooper, staring from his bedroom -window, candle in hand, saw the person who -struck the blow raise his bludgeon as though -to deliver a second.</p> - -<p>“It’s the stranger with the earrings,” cried -the boy.</p> - -<p>Lights were now shining from various windows -and the roadway before the inn was -dimly illuminated; the man was clearly the -same, and there was a fierce look upon his -face as he steadied himself for the finishing -stroke. But just then came a most tremendous -barking and growling; petrified -with astonishment, Ben saw a great dog -rushing furiously forward from the inn<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> -yard—and held in leash by the Porcupine.</p> - -<p>The monstrous beast sprang upon the -swarthy man and crushed him to the ground; -dragging the dwarf after it like a feather, -it rushed upon the tall man, who had risen -and was gazing around in a most bewildered -manner.</p> - -<p>Then Ben, followed by Ezra, leaped out -upon the porch and thence to the ground; and -though they arrived upon the scene of action -but a moment or two later, it was to find the -two strangers gone, and the Porcupine and -dog masters of the situation.</p> - -<p>With the help of Revere they carried Nat -into the inn parlor; the landlady, who was -now up, as were indeed all the people of the -hostelry, began staunching the flow of blood -from a wicked cut in his scalp, all the time -lamenting that such a thing should have occurred -at her house.</p> - -<p>“The villains!” she said. “The ungrateful -wretches! I hope they get their deserts! -To strike a poor lad like this—to attempt a -robbery here—to run off without settling -their score.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>“Now,” demanded Ben Cooper of the Porcupine, -who was perched upon the arm of the -settle where Nat lay, “how on earth did you -come here?”</p> - -<p>“I came to see him,” answered the misshapen boy, -a catch in his voice.</p> - -<p>The landlady gave the speaker a look that -was full of wonder and contained just a little -fear.</p> - -<p>“How he ever came to make up with that -wicked beast, Hector, is more than I can understand,” -she said to the others. “I have -had that dog chained in the yard these three -years, and only one or two of us dare go near -him.”</p> - -<p>“I can always make friends with dogs,” -said the dwarf. “All I need is a chance to -talk to them. And when you put me in the -loft over the stable to sleep my window was -just above him; so I had no trouble at all. -When the noise began I knew what it was -right away, and so I made good use of Hector.”</p> - -<p>Here Nat opened his eyes and began to -stare bewildered about him. Revere, Ben -and the landlady bent over him, but Ezra -looked keenly at the dwarf.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“When the noise began you knew what it -was,” repeated he. “How was that?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” replied the dwarf, coolly. -“I knew; so let that be enough.”</p> - -<p>Nat’s wits came slowly back to him during -this time, and he painfully grasped each fact -as it presented itself to him. The struggle -with the stranger came first—then, finally, -the object of the man’s visit.</p> - -<p>“The saddle-bags!” he cried, starting to his -feet.</p> - -<p>“Are gone,” replied Ben Cooper in a -startled tone, for in his anxiety for Nat this -important fact had been forgotten.</p> - -<p>Nat’s eyes went accusingly toward Ezra; he -had not fully recovered from the shock of the -blow and the boy’s figure was seen through a -sort of haze.</p> - -<p>“And the message?” spoke Nat, in an unsteady -voice.</p> - -<p>“It is safe,” replied Ezra Prentiss, quietly. -“I have it here in my pocket.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - - -<small>THE TALL MAN BRINGS A FRIEND</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the announcement of Ezra, his companions -gazed at him in surprise.</p> - -<p>“What Mr. Revere said upon the stairs as -we were going to bed,” said the young New -Englander, “made quite an impression upon -me. So I had not been buried in the four-poster -long before I found that I could not -sleep so long as the message was where it was. -So I got up, removed it from the bag and put -it under my mattress.”</p> - -<p>Revere was much gratified at this.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said he, “that was wisdom. And -I am glad that any words of mine saved you -from such a loss. Always be as careful—you -will find that it adds to your peace of mind.”</p> - -<p>But Nat Brewster was puzzled, and the look -which he directed at the dwarf showed that -that personage was in the same state of mind. -However, he was in no condition to grapple -with perplexities, so he put the thing from him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> -for the time. His head was bandaged and -before long they got back to bed once more.</p> - -<p>Next morning the wounded boy had a severe -headache; but toward noon it wore away and -he thought himself fit to travel.</p> - -<p>“But,” said he, decidedly, to Revere, when -announcing his intentions, “we’re going to -be a party of five from now on.”</p> - -<p>“I expected that,” said the other. “Ben’s -been telling me about that little imp that he -calls the Porcupine, and how he rendered you -services of some sort upon other occasions beside -that of last night.” Then after a pause: -“So you think of taking him along?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Nat. “If I can get him a -horse it would be much better; but if not, I’ll -carry him on mine, as he’s no great weight.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see what can be done,” said Revere. -“Horse flesh ought to be plenty in these parts; -and that means that it should be cheap.”</p> - -<p>The result was that Nat paid out about all -the money he had for an angular, swift little -bay horse, along with which came a worn -saddle and bridle. The Porcupine received -these evidences of favor with great delight.</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” said he to Nat, “I’ll be a lot of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -trouble on the road, but I’ll try not to be. -And then,” with his usual grin, “I may be -useful again in some way; for as you know -I’m a pretty handy sort to have around on the -outside.”</p> - -<p>They reached Trenton after dark that night -and by the next were well into the north -Jerseys. They slept one night in New York, -then crossed the little colonies of Rhode Island -and Connecticut into Massachusetts; and at -the end of eight days, were arrived safe at -Boston.</p> - -<p>“And now,” said Revere, as they paused in -Marlborough Street, near the Old South Meeting -House, “I must leave you for a time. -Before I sleep this night the members of the -convention must be notified that the Continental -Congress has acted, so that they may -assemble to-morrow to receive its formal -resolutions.” He shook hands with Nat, Ben -and the Porcupine. “I shall see you again -before you leave the city, no doubt; if not, -good-bye.”</p> - -<p>As Revere left them, Ezra said:</p> - -<p>“It would be as well that I should deliver -my letter to Dr. Warren, also. Misadventures<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> -on the road have taught me that a -messenger is never safe until his errand is -done.”</p> - -<p>They turned their horses’ heads in the -direction of Hanover Street, where the great -patriot lived; and in a little while, leaving -their horses in care of the Porcupine, they -were shown into the library, where Dr. Warren -received them. That he was all eagerness -to read the communication from Mr. Adams -was evident, but first he greeted Ben and Nat, -bidding them welcome and directing a -servant to prepare supper for them at once. -When he had seen them comfortable and inquired -eagerly after the cause in Philadelphia, -he said:</p> - -<p>“And now you’ll pardon me, I know. -Mr. Adams is sure to have matters of moment -to write of.”</p> - -<p>And so, while the lads watched him, he -broke the seals and carefully read the message. -By the way his face lit up they knew that the -news was good, and that the future had a -brighter prospect than the present. When he -had finished, he carefully tore the paper into -fragments.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>“You see,” said he to the boys, laughing, -“it is not well for a marked man, such as I, -to have papers about him that will tell so -much. Almost at any time Gage is likely to -take courage and swoop down upon me with -a file of men.”</p> - -<p>“And how are things in Boston, sir?” -asked Ezra.</p> - -<p>An anxious look came into the doctor’s -fine, worn face. But, for all, there was hope -in it also.</p> - -<p>“Bad enough,” he answered. “But the -people hold out wonderfully. The Port Bill -has them upon the verge of starvation; those -of us who were rich are now poor—those -who were poor are now beggars.”</p> - -<p>“Then the law is enforced strictly?” said -Nat Brewster.</p> - -<p>The doctor laughed bitterly.</p> - -<p>“Strictly enough,” said he. “The harbor -is covered with British ships of war. And -not only is the city’s foreign commerce cut -off, but its domestic as well. Let a scow -bring lumber or iron, or a lighter attempt to -land hay from the islands and they are -stopped. If a farmer attempts to ferry over<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> -his marketings or float his sheep into the -city, the fleet is ever ready to capture or destroy -them.”</p> - -<p>“It is, indeed, a condition of affairs not to -be tolerated,” remarked Ezra, warmly. “But -how has Gage treated the people lately?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, fairly enough. But he dare not do -otherwise. The new laws are observed only -in Boston; the whole outlying colony is in -revolt against them, and I think he’s in fear -that there may be an outbreak before he’s -ready for it.”</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose will be the end of it, -sir?”</p> - -<p>“We must fight!” answered the doctor, -gravely; “and to win, we must make preparations.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Ezra, and the light in his -eyes was that of one who feels deeply. “And -as for the preparation, I suppose that is still -going forward.”</p> - -<p>Dr. Warren nodded.</p> - -<p>“We have magazines of stores at Concord -and Worcester which are constantly being -added to. Cannon, powder and musket-balls -are being gathered from every possible source.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -The organizations of militia are being -drilled daily; the minutemen, as we have -called them, stand ready to answer the call of -the Committee of Safety, day or night.”</p> - -<p>For a long time the patriot talked to the -boys with simple, unsuspicious directness. -And Nat noticed that he, like Revere and -Mr. Adams, seemed to have perfect trust in -Ezra Prentiss.</p> - -<p>That night the boys spent at the “Green -Dragon,” an inn much frequented by the -patriotic townspeople. Next day Ezra made -ready to ride to his home, which had been in -Cambridge for the past year or two.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” he said to Nat, “what time -you stay about Boston, you will spend as my -guest. So get ready and go out with me -now.”</p> - -<p>But Nat shook his head. It was an awkward -situation, and the young mountaineer -felt it deeply. Suspecting Ezra as he did, he -could not accept his hospitality.</p> - -<p>“You will be a great deal more comfortable -at Cambridge than in the city as it now is,” -urged Ezra.</p> - -<p>“I have no doubt of that,” returned Nat.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> -“But there are reasons why I should not go. -However, I thank you for your kindness.”</p> - -<p>The two boys were standing apart upon the -pavement of the Green Dragon; and as Nat -made this answer, Ezra regarded him steadily -with his frank, honest eyes.</p> - -<p>“For the first time in my life I know what -it is to be held at arm’s length,” said he. -“And not only now, but since I first met you.”</p> - -<p>Nat did not reply; and the other resumed:</p> - -<p>“I don’t know when I’ve met any one whom -I’ve more earnestly desired to make my friend -than you. Sometimes I’ve thought it would -come about; but more often I’ve thought it -otherwise.” Nat saw his mouth twitch as he -turned away, adding: “There may be a reason -for it all; if there is,” meaningly, “don’t forget -that it was no fault of mine.”</p> - -<p>Of course Ben accompanied his friend to -Cambridge. He was vastly surprised when -he learned that Nat was not to bear them -company; but after one or two questions he -subsided; for he had come to understand that -Nat only told those things which he desired -to tell.</p> - -<p>And as the two rode away down the street,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> -the lad from Wyoming turned to the Porcupine -who sat upon a bench before the -“Dragon” and said:</p> - -<p>“Well, midget, what do you think?”</p> - -<p>The little eyes of the dwarf seemed to read -what was in his tall friend’s mind. He -nodded toward the riders who were now some -distance away.</p> - -<p>“About him?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Well—yes.”</p> - -<p>“I like him,” said the Porcupine. “I like -him same as you do, and same as every one -does. But he’s got a good many things to explain -before I’d trust him.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” remarked Nat, soberly, “that’s -about what I think too.”</p> - -<p>That afternoon the two paid a visit to Paul -Revere at his shop in North Square; and Nat -had a long talk with the engraver as he -worked industriously at a plate.</p> - -<p>“I can lose no time,” said the man at the -beginning, by way of apology. “I’m taken -away from my work so often now that I must -improve each moment I can snatch.”</p> - -<p>But he talked incessantly just the same; -and Nat learned much of the condition of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> -Boston, its conflict with king and parliament, -of its patriotic population, and the vigorous, -if secret, measures taken to oppose the army of -Gage.</p> - -<p>“And now,” said Revere, at last, pausing -in his work, and surveying Nat with questioning -eyes, “how would you like to stay on in -a town in such a plight?”</p> - -<p>Nat was rather puzzled as to just how to -take this; but before he could speak, Revere -went on:</p> - -<p>“I had some talk about you with your -cousin as we journeyed along, and he told me -just how it is with you. As far as I can see, -though of course my information is limited, -there is no great call for you to go back to -Philadelphia, just yet.”</p> - -<p>“No,” Nat replied. “There is not.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” exclaimed Revere. He leaned -against his bench and scratched his chin. -“There are many brawny, ready young men -of excellent courage in the city, I have no -doubt,” he continued; “but one must see -them in action before making sure. Such -a one is wanted. Dr. Warren has asked -me to recommend him a youth of quality<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> -for work that will need to be done in Boston -during the winter.”</p> - -<p>“And you think I would answer?” inquired -Nat.</p> - -<p>“I am sure you would!” cried Revere, in -high admiration. “Have I not seen you in -stress of danger? You were like a rock for -steadiness, and you planned like an old campaigner.”</p> - -<p>“Just what is the work?” asked Nat.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you another time,” said Mr. Revere, -and Nat noticed him cast a look in the direction -of the Porcupine, who sat in a high-backed -chair drinking in the conversation.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be afraid to trust him,” said Nat, -warmly. “I never had a more faithful friend -than he has proven himself.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll speak to Dr. Warren,” said Revere, -evasively. “It may be that the need he spoke -of has passed. Come to-morrow at this time -and I’ll let you know.”</p> - -<p>Nat spent the remainder of the day and -part of the next wandering about the city, -looking curiously upon the closed stores, the -military encampments, the trim looking warships -and transports that rode at anchor in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> -river. But more than anything else he was -interested in the people, the quiet, watchful -people, so careful that no one should do anything -that could be in any way considered an -offence to the military. Boston knew that -the day of blood was coming; but when it -came she wanted to be able to say that she -did not strike the first blow.</p> - -<p>At about noon on the day following the -departure of Ezra and Ben, Nat paused before -a likely looking coffee-house in Orange Street -not far from Allen’s Lane.</p> - -<p>“Shall we go on to the ‘Dragon’ or shall -we have something here?” asked he of the -Porcupine.</p> - -<p>“I do feel rather peckish,” returned the -dwarf, “and the ‘Dragon’ is a long way off.”</p> - -<p>So without more ado, Nat made his way -into the place, followed by his odd-looking -ally. There were oaken tables and chairs -about the main room, and at the side were -others screened by curtains of baize.</p> - -<p>“It’ll be more comfortable here, I think,” -said Nat, selecting one of these; and so they -seated themselves and made known their wants -to an attentive waiter. As they ate their thick<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> -barley soup with big pewter spoons and -nibbled at bits broken from a crusty loaf, their -eyes wandered about the great square room -and through the door at the people who passed -so quietly, up and down.</p> - -<p>There were some prints upon the wall that -after a little attracted Nat’s attention; and it -was while examining these that he heard a -sputtering cry from the Porcupine. Turning -his head he found that the latter was -apparently choking upon a morsel of bread and -a mouthful of soup; but at the same time he -was almost frantically pointing through the -open door with his spoon.</p> - -<p>Nat turned his gaze in that direction and -his excitement almost equaled that of his -companion when he saw, standing upon the -pavement before the coffee-house, the tall -stranger whom they had encountered at the -Bristol inn.</p> - -<p>But instantly Nat’s excitement left him. -Surprise seldom mastered him; in moments of -danger he usually was at his coolest.</p> - -<p>“Just give that curtain a twitch,” he said to -the dwarf, who was nearest the hanging folds of -baize. “I think the gentleman is coming in.”</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_228.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>HE SAW THE TALL STRANGER</i></p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>The Porcupine did as directed; and it was -none too soon, for the tall man, who had apparently -paused outside to greet an acquaintance, -strode into the coffee-house, laughing -and slapping his boot leg with a thick, silver-knobbed -cane.</p> - -<p>“And look who is with him,” whispered -the Porcupine, clutching his friend’s arm, -almost fiercely.</p> - -<p>“Ezra Prentiss!” breathed Nat, and sank -back into his chair, his face stern and set.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - - -<small>WHAT NAT HEARD AT THE COFFEE-HOUSE IN<br /> -ORANGE STREET</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Nat Brewster and the dwarf breathlessly -watched, the newcomers at the coffee-house -in Orange Street were taken in hand by -the same attentive servant who had waited -upon the boys; and he pulled back chairs for -them at a table only a few feet distant. They -briefly made known what they desired and -when the waiter had taken himself off, the -tall man, after surveying his companion, said:</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose you are glad to get back -to Boston?”</p> - -<p>“Can you doubt it?” laughed the boy, his -elbows upon the table, his chin in his palms. -“It seems that this is the only place in which -I can accomplish anything.”</p> - -<p>The tall man nodded as though he agreed -perfectly with this saying.</p> - -<p>“It seems so indeed,” replied he. “You<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> -had the long journey to Philadelphia practically -for nothing.”</p> - -<p>“And I don’t know when I worked harder,” -said the other. “But everything seemed -against my success—especially this Nat Brewster.”</p> - -<p>A sour, vindictive look came into the man’s -face; his curved nose seemed more hawk-like -than ever and his thin lips were set in a straight -line.</p> - -<p>“As far as I have been able to judge,” went -on the boy, “young Brewster is quite a -person.”</p> - -<p>The dwarf jogged Nat’s elbow and grinned -up at him, but the young mountaineer shook -his head warningly.</p> - -<p>“Well, he was person enough to give me a -nasty fall from the top of that porch,” said the -tall man, morosely.</p> - -<p>The lad across the table laughed amusedly.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Chesbrook,” said he. “Your -hurts will heal. And then you got them in a -good cause. It’s not for a lieutenant in -the royal navy to make faces about a few -bruises.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” remarked Lieutenant Chesbrook,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> -“if it were you that had the same -hurts, you wouldn’t be so apt to laugh about -them.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe not,” returned the lad. “But -Brewster did not get off unmarked.”</p> - -<p>This time the man laughed.</p> - -<p>“That Neapolitan strikes a hard blow,” -said he.</p> - -<p>“Friend Nat is going about with a bandage -around his head, at any rate. But he is -toughly made, and I think would stand a -great deal of rough usage.”</p> - -<p>“I may put him to the test if he remains in -Boston long,” said Chesbrook, grimly. “And -as for that imp who came down upon us with -the dog, I’ll be the death of him. The bites -which the beast gave me before I could get -out of its reach are worse than the other -injuries by far.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s a brisk little villain, that dwarf, -for all,” laughed the boy. “I wish he were -as fast a friend to me as he is to Nat Brewster. -I could make use of him.”</p> - -<p>“But what I complain of worse than anything -else,” continued the lieutenant, “is the -fact that all my hurts are for nothing.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>“But you got a pair of very excellent -saddle-bags,” laughingly.</p> - -<p>“If you had not valued those boys so -lightly,” complained the lieutenant, “it would -not have been necessary to resort to this last -plan of yours.”</p> - -<p>The other nodded. The laughter quickly -vanished from his face and an expression of -vexation took its place.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” he said. “And as it was, -to have broken into the inn at Bristol and -taken the message by force would have been -the proper way of going about it.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget that our friend Royce tried -something of the sort only an hour or so -south of the town. His success was no greater -than mine.”</p> - -<p>“He did not count upon resistance. If he -had, there would probably be a different story -to tell.”</p> - -<p>“Not count upon resistance!” The lieutenant -laughed heartily. “Well, that’s an -odd sort of way of setting out upon a venture. -He and his men were armed, were -they not? Then they must have thought of -a possible resistance. But,” sneeringly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> -“when the time came, they were afraid to -fire.”</p> - -<p>There was a short silence, during which -time their food was served them. When the -waiter had once more departed, the man proceeded:</p> - -<p>“When I got the news of Royce’s failure in -the matter of the men from Virginia, I lost -faith in him. He allowed himself to be beaten -by a boy and a few grooms.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think his courage can be doubted.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not. But his qualities as a leader -can. If a competent man had been on hand -to carry out that enterprise we would have -broken the heart of this growing rebellion at -one blow.”</p> - -<p>“So I think, too. But,” and a deep shade -of anxiety came into the speaker’s face, “as -matters stand now, it looks very bad, eh?”</p> - -<p>“General Gage thinks so, at any rate. You -know when he first arrived to take the governorship -of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, -he had a very poor opinion of Americans. Indeed, -he still pretends to think the same. His -letters to the king’s ministers, so I hear, still -maintain that the colonists are cowards, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> -they will not fight, that they will not hold -together long enough to make this movement -serious, that they are mere blusterers who -think to bully the king into doing what they -ask. But it’s common talk aboard ship, at -least, that he’s grown anxious. When he -sends troops beyond the limits of the city, -though they go bravely enough, with flying -colors and to the music of their bands, he -does not know if they will return alive, or no.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’ve heard that the towns all about -are very determined.”</p> - -<p>“And they show their determination in a -practical way by taking all the ammunition -from the public magazines and hiding it -away for their own use. All the cannon they -can lay hold of are used the same way; those -guns which they have not succeeded in carrying -off, they’ve spiked or thrown into streams. -And, I may add, that the spirit which sets -mothers, wives and daughters to moulding -musket-balls for a defence of what they call -their country’s rights, is one hard to put -down.”</p> - -<p>“But why does not General Gage make an -effort to stop all this?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>“How can he? Massachusetts must first -be overawed by a huge army—which Gage -has not at command—before any sort of successful -measures can be taken. To attempt it -now might cost a thousand lives. And I -know,” added the man, with a grim smile, -“that you wouldn’t care to see that.”</p> - -<p>“No, no,” replied the boy, his face going -pale. “I think that above all else open war -must be prevented.”</p> - -<p>“Gage is willing enough to let matters -stand as they are. He thinks that in the end -the people will become more divided and the -whole matter settle itself. But the Tories -are at him constantly to take measures. -Nothing will do them but that their Whig -neighbors shall be hanged or punished in -some equally vigorous way; and they also demand -that expeditions be sent to suppress the -outlying towns. Up to this time, the governor -has resisted them; but I hardly think he -is man enough to continue to do so.”</p> - -<p>Then for a long time the two ate their food -in silence. Then the man asked:</p> - -<p>“You are living at Cambridge, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the other.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>“And still hold yourself in readiness to -answer our call.”</p> - -<p>“You know that I do.”</p> - -<p>“Good! If all in Massachusetts were half -so ready to prevent an outbreak as you, we’d -need to have no fear of the result.”</p> - -<p>Finally they arose and paid their score. -While awaiting change for the gold piece -which Lieutenant Chesbrook had given the -waiter, that officer asked:</p> - -<p>“But you intend to return to Philadelphia, -do you not?”</p> - -<p>“If there is a message from the Adamses, I -will,” replied the boy.</p> - -<p>And with that their change came; then the -two walked out of the place, while Nat and -the Porcupine sat staring at each other across -their table.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - - -<small>IN WHICH DR. WARREN AND PAUL REVERE<br /> -LISTEN INTENTLY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was some little time before either Nat -or the dwarf spoke; then the latter said -slowly:</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose you have no more doubts -now. I guess you’ll think with me that he’d -only one reason for going to Master Chew’s -house on the night that I saw him there.”</p> - -<p>Nat’s face was sternly set and there was a -look in his eyes that was unmistakable.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied he, “I have no more doubts -now. Ezra Prentiss is all that I have suspected -him to be. But in this he has reached -the end of his rope. I shall keep silent no -longer.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” exclaimed the Porcupine, his stiff -crest of hair seeming to grow more erect with -excitement. “But,” lowering his tone, his -manner changing quickly, “even now there -is something queer about it all.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>Nat looked mutely at the lad for an explanation; -the dwarf went on:</p> - -<p>“There was a plan laid between Ezra and -this naval officer to steal the message of Mr. -Adams, was there not?”</p> - -<p>“Their talk would make it seem so, at all -events,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>“Then why was the plan not carried out? -The matter lay in their own hands. If Ezra -Prentiss wanted the message taken, why did -he remove it from the saddle-bags?”</p> - -<p>“That is more than I can say,” answered -Nat, in a low, brooding voice. “It has a -very unusual look. Something happened, perhaps, -to show the thing not to be desirable at -the time. Otherwise I cannot account for it.”</p> - -<p>They sat in the Orange Street coffee-house -for some time talking over the matter. Nat -had often before noticed the good sense of the -dwarf and the intelligent expression of his -opinions. But to-day both were so noticeable -that in sheer surprise the young mountaineer -finally said:</p> - -<p>“Porcupine, how old are you?”</p> - -<p>“Sixteen,” replied the dwarf.</p> - -<p>“You must have had pretty good schooling.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>“Five years. A Quaker gentleman sent -me to Master File’s Academy. But he died -and I had no money to continue any longer, -so back I went to sleeping in doorways, while -I staid in the city, and in barns when I took -to the country.”</p> - -<p>A little later, Nat, looking at the tall clock -which stood in a corner, said:</p> - -<p>“I think I’d better make my way to North -Square, and see Mr. Revere; and as he seems -disinclined to talk before a third person, you -had better wait for me at the ‘Dragon.’”</p> - -<p>After leaving the Porcupine to make his -way to the inn, Nat Brewster set into a brisk -pace and in a short time found himself once -more at the house of Paul Revere.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” said that worthy, heartily gripping -him by the hand, “I was just this moment -thinking of you.”</p> - -<p>Nat sat down upon an oaken bench; the -engraver went on with his work, every now -and then looking up to nod at his caller; but -all the time he talked steadily.</p> - -<p>“Last night,” he said, “I saw Dr. Warren -and Dr. Benjamin Church, and I talked with -them about you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>“Who is Dr. Church?” asked Nat, who -had never heard of that gentleman before.</p> - -<p>Revere’s face became clouded; a little frown -wrinkled itself across the top of his nose.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Church,” said he, “is a well-known -gentleman who has mixed himself much in -the movement. He is a frequenter of my -shop; he has written verses that have appeared -upon some of my prints.”</p> - -<p>“Ah,” said Nat, “a patriot.”</p> - -<p>But Paul Revere shook his head. Lowering -his voice cautiously, he made answer:</p> - -<p>“I’m not so sure of that. He is a member -of the Committee of Safety, and, with the exception -of Dr. Warren, is the only person who -is told of the secret doings of the Sons of -Liberty. Yet I don’t trust him overmuch. -He’s too friendly with the Tories and, I have -heard, is upon terms with Gage himself.”</p> - -<p>An anxious look crept into Nat’s face.</p> - -<p>“Why, the struggle for liberty is like to be -honeycombed with treachery before it has -fairly begun to live.”</p> - -<p>He was about, there and then, to bring up -the matter of Ezra Prentiss, deeming it a fitting -time; but Revere’s thoughts drifted back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> -to what he had upon his tongue in the first -place.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Warren was most pleased with what -he heard about you,” said the engraver. -“More than ever he desires some one in -whom he can trust to be at hand when -wanted. Ordinarily he would call upon me, -but I’m ofttimes taken up with my own -affairs and cannot attend to the committee’s -business as I’d like. He said,” continued -Revere, “that he’d be pleased to have a talk -with you to-night.”</p> - -<p>It was arranged after some further conversation -that Revere was to call for Nat at the -“Dragon” about eight in the evening and -then they were to go together to the doctor’s -house in Hanover Street.</p> - -<p>This program was carried out, and they -found the great patriot still at his supper.</p> - -<p>“I had been called out, and am but now returned,” -he said. “But I am delighted to see -you both.”</p> - -<p>Nothing would do but that they should -draw up their chairs and join him.</p> - -<p>“Here is an excellent joint,” smiled he, -“and a capon pie that will please you if you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> -admire cookery. And then we can talk more -comfortably, you see.”</p> - -<p>And though they had just supped, they -again sat down with the doctor. After some -little gossip of a general nature, Revere said:</p> - -<p>“I have been talking to Master Brewster, -doctor, as you suggested. And as he seems -anxious to help in the work, I brought him -to see you.”</p> - -<p>The doctor looked at Nat good-naturedly.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Revere is an ardent admirer of yours,” -said he, “and has been telling me some of the -misadventures of your journey north. And -I may say that your own part in them has -taken my fancy.”</p> - -<p>“Travelers,” replied Nat, “come upon unexpected -things, and must somehow overcome -them. That’s all I tried to do.”</p> - -<p>“All!” cried Revere. “All! Well, perhaps -so; but it was enough to save all our -lives from the hulking thieves gathered in -that ruin. And again, it required courage to -do what you did to save Mr. Adams’ letter, -even though you failed.”</p> - -<p>“You see,” said Dr. Warren, laughing; -“Revere will make you out a hero whether<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> -you will or no. But,” and his face grew -graver, “I think you would be of good service -here in Boston if you could but stay.”</p> - -<p>“If there is need of me,” said Nat, “I can -stay.”</p> - -<p>The doctor’s eyes shone with pleasure.</p> - -<p>“Excellent!” ejaculated he. “There is a -promptness and decision about that which I -like. And,” he proceeded, bending toward -Nat, “there is much need of you. We have -things to do which require courage and adaptability—qualities -which I’m inclined to think -you possess.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready to undertake anything that -you think I can do,” said the lad.</p> - -<p>“Gage and his officers are to be watched. -The British must make no move that shall -not at once be reported to us. Revere has organized -a body of mechanics to patrol the -streets night and day; but we must have some -one for a venturesome task—to learn what the -governor’s intentions are before he gives the -command.”</p> - -<p>“How is that to be done?” asked Nat, puzzled.</p> - -<p>“I will explain some ways in which I think<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> -it might be done, later,” said Dr. Warren. -“Ezra Prentiss was to have taken up this -task; but his being selected by the Adamses -to help in their work at Philadelphia prevented -it. I know that he would have been -successful; and I feel sure that you will.”</p> - -<p>Nat had, after careful deliberation, made up -his mind that before this meeting with Warren -came to an end, he would unburden himself -of all his knowledge of Ezra and lay his -suspicions and the cause of them out for the -judgment of that calm-minded patriot.</p> - -<p>As he could imagine no better opportunity -for doing this than the one which now presented -itself, he addressed his host nervously, -across the table.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Warren,” he inquired, “how long -have you known Ezra Prentiss?”</p> - -<p>The patriot hesitated, then turned to Revere.</p> - -<p>“How long has it been since you first -brought him here?”</p> - -<p>“Some two years, I should say,” returned -Revere. “He’d but lately joined the Sons of -Liberty, and seemed so warm for the work -that I thought we could find things out of the -ordinary for him to do.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>“And some of the tasks we set him to perform -were very much out of the ordinary,” -praised Dr. Warren, warmly. “And I never -expect to see anything more enthusiastically -done.”</p> - -<p>“But,” insisted Nat, “do you know nothing -more of him than this?”</p> - -<p>There was something in the boy’s voice that -made the two men look at him questioningly.</p> - -<p>“I know,” answered Revere, “that he is a -native of Boston; but that’s all. However, -we don’t ask for pedigrees in these days. For -proof of that witness your own case. Deeds -are what count with us and nothing else.”</p> - -<p>There was a pause. Dr. Warren laid his -knife and fork crosswise upon his plate, sat -well back in his chair and looked at Nat intently.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said he, at last, “there is something -back of what you’ve said.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to tell you something,” said -Nat, with a grave air. “Something that will -try your credulity, perhaps, but that is nevertheless -true for all that. I ask your attention -and I promise to venture no opinion. I am -going to tell you nothing except what has<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> -happened and will leave it for you to pass -judgment.”</p> - -<p>“Go on,” said Dr. Warren.</p> - -<p>Thereupon Nat began his tale and related it -much after the fashion in which he had told -it to his uncle. But of course there were the -additional things—the happenings since they -had left Philadelphia and, most damaging of -all, the scene in the coffee-house only a few -hours before.</p> - -<p>Both Warren and Revere listened with the -utmost attention; not once did they interrupt -the boy as briefly and lucidly he sketched the -happenings that had given him so much anxiety.</p> - -<p>“And now,” he concluded, “I felt that I -could not withhold this any longer—that it -was my duty to place the facts before you. -And, as I said at the beginning, I venture no -opinion. I leave it to you to say what it all -means.”</p> - -<p>“What you have told us is most astounding,” -said Warren, “and yet there is that in -it which carries conviction. What is your -opinion, Revere?”</p> - -<p>The engraver shook his head.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>“I don’t know what to say,” he replied. -“Ezra has always, as far as I could see, been -worthy of trust. But in the face of all that I -have just now heard——” and he gestured -helplessly, as though unable to finish the -sentence.</p> - -<p>Then the two plunged deeply into the -matter and discussed its every side. Every -now and then they appealed to Nat for the -verification of some fact; and the boy was -greatly relieved to find that not once did they -doubt any feature of his story. At length -Dr. Warren said:</p> - -<p>“To spread this tale abroad would do little -good. In fact, it might do considerable harm; -for the people, you know, are easily struck -with panic. The knowledge that there are -traitors within the lines would have a bad -effect upon many.”</p> - -<p>“But,” said Nat, “will it not be much -more harmful to allow this boy to continue -as he is doing? He occupies a position which -endangers——”</p> - -<p>But Dr. Warren interrupted him.</p> - -<p>“He will not occupy it for long,” said he, -quietly. “I will despatch word to Samuel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -Adams to-morrow detailing everything and -asking him to act upon the matter as he -thinks best. And that will mean only one -thing—that Ezra Prentiss will be entrusted -with no more important work.”</p> - -<p>It was late at night when Revere and Nat -Brewster left Dr. Warren’s house and proceeded -along Hanover Street.</p> - -<p>“I never expected to hear anything like -this,” said the engraver, as he shook his head -sadly. “I’d have trusted that boy with my -life if need be.”</p> - -<p>“I can understand that,” replied Nat. “And -that is the feeling that made me hold my -tongue till now.”</p> - -<p>“However,” spoke the man, “we have other -matters to think about. It’s a sore thing to -lose a friend, but we’ve no time for grieving. -Work is ahead for all of us—work that -will mean much for the colonies if we can -perform it properly.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - - -<small>IN WHICH A WINTER PASSES, BRINGING MANY<br /> -THINGS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> very next night, Nat Brewster was admitted -with all due formality to membership -of that devoted band of patriots known as the -“Sons of Liberty,” of which Paul Revere -was a leading spirit. This organization met -in one of the upper rooms of the “Green -Dragon,” and the young mountaineer was -astonished to find how complete were their -plans of resistance should the time come when -it should be necessary to take up arms.</p> - -<p>Immediately, after another consultation -with Dr. Warren, the boy took up the work -that had been assigned to him.</p> - -<p>“One of the most pressing needs of the -British army now encamped in Boston,” said -the doctor, “is for barracks to shelter them -during the coming winter. The artisans of -Boston have refused to undertake the building,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> -and so bricklayers, masons, plasterers and -carpenters are largely in demand. If you were -one of these now”—and he looked at Nat -speculatively, “you’d be able to get inside -the lines and perhaps gather information of -great value to us.”</p> - -<p>“I have done a great deal of rough carpentry,” -said Nat. “And though I am no -great mechanic, still, I may do, if they are -badly pressed for men.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent!” said Dr. Warren, greatly -pleased. “Lose no time in applying to the -officer in charge.”</p> - -<p>This Nat did, later in the same day; and -his services were snapped up eagerly at much -higher wages than usual.</p> - -<p>“Those villains of Whigs will not take -honest work in the king’s service,” complained -the red-faced captain in charge of the -work. “They’d rather stand about the streets -meditating treason and throwing black looks -at decent persons who uphold the laws.”</p> - -<p>So during the days that followed Nat sawed, -planed and nailed in the midst of the British -with great energy. And all the time he -watched keenly and listened for any news<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> -that might be of importance. At night he -patroled the streets with Revere and his -thirty mechanics; and there was little that -escaped their sharp eyes and alert minds, for -they scattered into every part of the town -where they thought there might be a movement -of the king’s troops.</p> - -<p>Nat saw very little of Ben Cooper, and -nothing at all of Ezra for some days; finally -one evening as he sat at supper at the -“Dragon” Ben burst in upon him.</p> - -<p>“Ezra has been recalled to Philadelphia,” -he stated. “He starts in the morning, so be -ready and you can pick us up on the way.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to remain in Boston,” said Nat, -calmly.</p> - -<p>“Going to remain in Boston!” Ben almost -gasped these words, so great was his astonishment. -“Why, what for?”</p> - -<p>“I have urgent reasons,” replied Nat. -Then seeing his cousin’s reproachful look, he -added, laughingly, “Well, I suppose I’ll -have to tell you about it; but you will have -to promise not to say anything to any one—not -even Ezra.”</p> - -<p>Ben looked at Nat challengingly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>“I say,” said he, “what’s the matter with -Ezra? Somehow or other you don’t take to -him very well.”</p> - -<p>“He’s said something to you, has he?” -said Nat.</p> - -<p>“He’s said nothing,” replied Ben warmly. -“But I’ve got eyes and I can see as well as -the next.”</p> - -<p>Nat was silent for a moment. He could -tell Ben nothing of that particular affair because -Dr. Warren had asked both himself and -Revere to keep silent.</p> - -<p>“I’ll say nothing about your ideas regarding -Ezra and me,” said he, at last. “But I -will say, under promise that you tell no one, -that I remain in Boston to carry out some -work required of me by Dr. Warren.”</p> - -<p>Now there was no more ardent patriot -among them all than good-natured Ben -Cooper. So upon hearing his cousin’s words -he at once gave up all expectation of his accompanying -them south.</p> - -<p>“Very well,” said he. “If that’s the case, -I suppose I’ll have to leave you here. But -the Porcupine will go back with me, of -course.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>“No,” said Nat. “I rather think he wants -to remain. But,” turning to the dwarf who -sat near him, “speak for yourself.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll stay with you if you’ll let me,” came -the answer promptly.</p> - -<p>“So you see,” smiled Nat to Ben, “you -will have the trip all to yourselves. But,” -with a sudden recollection of what was due to -his uncle, “I must get you to take a letter -to your father.”</p> - -<p>So while Ben waited, he got a bottle of ink, -a quill and a sheet of thick paper, with which -he set about composing a long letter to Mr. -Cooper. When he finally finished and sealed -it up, he had told everything of importance -there was to tell. Ben remained for some -time talking and then got upon his horse for -the ride to Cambridge.</p> - -<p>“Do you know,” said he, as he mounted -and sat looking down at his cousin, “that I -rather envy you.”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“Because there is something in the air of -this town that tells me that it’s here or hereabouts -that the explosion is going to take -place.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>“You are always finding things in the air,” -laughed Nat.</p> - -<p>“Well, if I do, I am generally right,” -argued Ben. “Just you wait and see.”</p> - -<p>Then they shook hands and said good-bye; -Ben waved his hand and nodded smilingly to -the Porcupine, who replied with a grin; then -the rein was given the little roan, and she -scampered away down the dimly lit street.</p> - -<p>During the whole of the long, gloomy -winter that followed, Nat Brewster saw no -more of his cousin; once there came a letter -from Mr. Cooper in which Ben enclosed a -page of greetings, but that was all.</p> - -<p>But Nat had little time to think of these -things. As the winter advanced the situation -became more and more tense. The arming of -the people went steadily on, as did the collecting -of the military stores. Nat, in one capacity -or another, served Dr. Warren and the -Committee of Public Safety continuously; he -kept as close as possible to the British sources -of information and more than once was lucky -enough to secure news that was of great help -to the cause. But the Porcupine was invaluable; -he developed a musical talent, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> -Nat had not suspected, and upon a strange looking -string instrument of his own manufacture -he played and sang Tory ballads at inns and -places where the royalists resorted. In this -way he made himself popular with them and -so gained admittance to places which would -otherwise have been denied him; the result was -that there was scarcely a thing of consequence -talked of among the Tories that escaped him, -or failed to reach the ears of the committee in -due course.</p> - -<p>In this way it became known to Warren -and the rest of the patriot committee that -Gage had about despaired of his policy of inaction; -he had made up his mind to disarm -the people and seize their leaders.</p> - -<p>“He has been desirous of having an army -of twenty thousand men before resorting to -this,” Nat told Dr. Warren in repeating what -he had heard. “But he has made up his -mind that these will never be sent him, so he -is going to make the attempt with his present -force.”</p> - -<p>“Which is about thirty-five hundred,” said -Dr. Warren. “But how is he to proceed, or -haven’t you heard?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>“The Porcupine, as it happens, heard that -very subject talked of last night at the ‘George -and Griffin.’ Ruggles, the loyalist leader, -has asked General Gage to send troops to -Marshfield to protect the Tories from violence.”</p> - -<p>“No violence is meditated against them,” -said Warren, sternly. “That is but a subterfuge -to test the willingness of the people to -permit troops to march into the outlying sections.”</p> - -<p>On January 23d, General Gage sent one hundred -men and three hundred stand of arms to -Marshfield. All Boston, it seemed, was on -the streets to watch the tiny column move -out of the city; and as Nat stood gazing with -interest upon the scene, he was surprised to -see Ezra Prentiss upon the edge of the crowd -at the opposite side of the street. They exchanged -formal salutes, but neither made any -attempt to cross to the other. Nat knew that -the brothers Adams had left Philadelphia at -the adjournment of Congress, but he had -heard nothing of Ezra; and, indeed, had given -him but little thought.</p> - -<p>“That means that we must both be more -careful,” said the Porcupine, when Nat told<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> -him of the meeting. “If he sees you among -the British and me among the Tories, he’ll be -sure to whisper something in their ears that -will put us in danger.”</p> - -<p>In sending the troops to Marshfield, Gage -feared an outbreak; but when the colonists -merely looked sullenly on and no hand was -raised against the soldiers, the governor grew -elated.</p> - -<p>“They dare not really oppose the king’s -troops,” he is reported as saying. “And when -the spring opens, I’ll prove it to even themselves.”</p> - -<p>A few brass cannon and gun carriages had -been deposited by the patriots at Salem, and -about a month later Nat, by the merest chance, -learned that Colonel Leslie and a detachment -were to be sent to seize them. At Warren’s -command the young mountaineer sped to Salem -as fast as the hard-mouthed black would -take him.</p> - -<p>It was Sunday morning and the Puritan -town was still and covered with snow. But -within an hour the streets were alive with -citizens, all ready to defend the guns. As the -latter were upon the upper side of North<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> -Bridge, the draw was raised, and when the -British arrived they could not cross the river. -Several large gondolas lay upon the south -bank. Colonel Leslie at once gave orders that -his men cross in these; as the soldiers moved -toward the boats Nat saw a youth, followed -by several older persons, rush forward, push -the craft into the water and proceed to scuttle -them.</p> - -<p>The redcoats waded into the stream and -with their bayonets tried to stop this. The -boy leader lifted an oar with which to defend -himself and then, for the first time, Nat recognized -him.</p> - -<p>“Ben Cooper,” he cried in amazement.</p> - -<p>A moment later the boats sank, and their -occupants struck out for the north side, swimming -lustily and uttering derisive cries.</p> - -<p>Flushed and angry, Colonel Leslie stood at -the open draw and shouted across at the townspeople:</p> - -<p>“Lower the draw in the name of the king.”</p> - -<p>The Rev. Mr. Bernard, a clergyman of -Salem, stepped forward.</p> - -<p>“Colonel,” said he, “I take you for a just -and reasonable man, and one who would not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> -wish to stain the Sabbath day with blood. -This is a private way; you have no right to -cross if the owners see fit to object. So go -your way in peace.”</p> - -<p>Leslie had been especially warned by Gage -not to persist if there was danger of bloodshed; -and now the news reached him that -the minutemen from all the country round -had been sent for, and indeed, that the company -from Danvers had just arrived. But he -was a determined officer, and as he had set -out to cross the bridge he made up his mind -to do so.</p> - -<p>“I am going to march my men across,” -declared he. “If you will peaceably lower -the draw, I’ll agree to proceed no more than -thirty rods beyond it. But if you refuse—well, -you must accept the consequences.”</p> - -<p>Thereupon the draw was lowered; the British -had the empty triumph of crossing; but the -brass guns were safe, and the incoming militia -drew up in line and watched the redcoats -depart, their fifes squeaking dismally, their -drums beating a hollow tattoo.</p> - -<p>When all danger was past, Nat began a -search for Ben Cooper. But the swimmers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> -had landed some distance below the bridge; -he located a few of them, but Ben was nowhere -to be found.</p> - -<p>“The boy who first started for the boats -was a stranger to us,” the men told Nat. -“We never saw him before. But he’s a -plucky one, whoever he is.”</p> - -<p>All the way back to Boston Nat wondered -over this strange incident.</p> - -<p>“Why, I had not thought Ben within hundreds -of miles of Boston,” he said. “And -here he pops up in the midst of a thing like -that just passed. However, I suppose he’ll -hunt me up before long and give an account -of himself.”</p> - -<p>But this Ben did not do; weeks passed and -Nat still heard nothing of him. At last the -latter made up his mind that he had been -mistaken.</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t have been Ben, or he’d have -looked me up,” he reasoned. “It was the -excitement of the moment that led me astray; -one is apt to imagine all sorts of things at -such times.”</p> - -<p>However, as has been noted before, he had -not much leisure to think over his own affairs.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> -With Revere and the thirty faithful mechanics, -who continued to patrol the bleak streets each -night, ever watchful and alert, he gave all his -waking time to the Committee of Safety. And -in pursuance of the change of policy on the -part of their commander, the British grew -aggressively offensive. Once they tarred and -feathered a citizen whom they claimed had -tempted a soldier to desert, and drew him -about the streets upon a dray guarded by -soldiers, their band playing “Yankee Doodle” -in derision.</p> - -<p>They attended public meetings at the Old -South Church and hissed the speakers. On -the day in March set aside by the Provincial -Congress for fasting and prayer, they pitched -tents near to the meeting-houses and the services -were constantly interrupted by the sound -of drum and fife. The very next day Mr. -Hancock’s house was assaulted and damaged.</p> - -<p>“All this is to provoke the people to strike -the first blow,” said Warren.</p> - -<p>And thereupon the precautions taken by -their leaders to prevent their doing so were -redoubled.</p> - -<p>Some fourteen thousand musket cartridges<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> -were seized by the British guard as the patriots -endeavored to get them across Boston -neck, and the driver of the wagon was severely -handled. This was on March 18th; -and the same evening a party of officers -attacked the Providence coach.</p> - -<p>It was about this time that Nat Brewster -became aware that an enterprise of some moment -was soon to be undertaken by Gage. -There was nothing said openly, no one put it -into words; but there was much whispering -and signaling among the younger officers; -and Nat, whose days were almost all employed -at the barracks or officers’ quarters, -listened with all his ears.</p> - -<p>At length, as March neared its end, the -rumor became more definite; and then it was -given a name. The stores at Concord were to -be destroyed!</p> - -<p>When Nat excitedly bore this intelligence -to Warren, a guard was at once placed over -the magazines; teams were held in readiness -to carry them away at the first sign of a -British advance. Riders were also despatched -to carry the alarm to all the towns and have -them hold their companies of militia to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> -answer any call that might be made upon -them.</p> - -<p>Gage now sent out engineer officers to inspect -the state of the towns, to make sketches -and maps of the roads and all possible places -of defence. Bodies of troops were frequently -sent out. On the 30th of March, the first -brigade, numbering some eleven hundred -men, took its way toward Jamaica Plain, -and on their march did much damage by -throwing down stone walls and otherwise -misconducting themselves. Armed to the -teeth, they swaggered through the near-by -towns like ruffians. Little did they dream -what danger they were in. All about them -the country slowly arose; bands of armed -minutemen appeared like magic, and, unseen, -awaited the word. Dr. Warren, watching the -truculent brigade of British from a neighboring -hill, smiled grimly to Paul Revere, who -sat his horse beside him.</p> - -<p>“Let them advance a few miles further, attempt -to destroy a magazine or in any way -abuse our people, and not a man of them will -ever see Boston again.”</p> - -<p>But the time was not yet. In the city, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> -bearing of the king’s soldiers became more -and more proud; the population, unable to -stand their insults, was slowly drifting into -the country. It became quite dangerous for a -patriot of mark to remain, and, indeed, most -of them had taken their leave of the town -long before. But the gallant Dr. Warren remained.</p> - -<p>“Some one must take the risk,” said he, -simply. “And why not I?”</p> - -<p>Gage made every effort to purchase supplies -for camp service; but the people were before -him everywhere; they cut him off both in -Massachusetts and New York. About the -middle of April a reinforcement came, and -the very day of its coming, Nat overheard a -conversation between an ensign and a lieutenant -at a mess table which immediately set -his expectations upon edge. The boy from -Wyoming was fitting a window-sash which -had been much complained of; and as the -two officers were but a half dozen feet from -him, he lost not a word.</p> - -<p>“This is all the general’s been waiting for,” -declared the ensign, a youthful, strapping fellow. -“Now mark my words, he’ll slip a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> -second expedition out upon the Yankees and -capture all the nest-eggs they’ve been hoarding -so carefully at Concord.”</p> - -<p>The lieutenant shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Of course it’s for General Gage to do as -he thinks best,” said he. “But if I were -asked what I thought about it—which I’m -not likely to be—I’d tell him to go slow.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s been going slow since he’s been -here,” exclaimed the ensign, “and what has -it done for him? Not a thing. Here is an -assembly of men, styled the Provincial Congress, -and which is totally unknown to the -constitution, collecting the public moneys. -That alone is enough to arouse him to action; -but when he sees the same moneys invested -in warlike stores to be used against him, he -grows angry. It’s his duty to stop this and -prevent the calamity of a civil war.”</p> - -<p>The lieutenant nodded.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said he, “so it is; but I -don’t like the way he’s going about preventing -it.” He lowered his voice after a glance -at Nat, and continued: “Have you heard -that the grenadiers and light infantry have -been relieved from duty?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>“Yes,” returned the other, with a laugh. -“The excuse is that they are to learn some -sort of a new exercise. It’s a rare good dodge, -for of course they’re being got ready for a -march.”</p> - -<p>“I fancy you are right,” nodded the lieutenant. -“And those boats of the transports, -which were hauled up for repairs, have been -launched again and are now under the sterns -of the men-of-war, ready for service.”</p> - -<p>Late that night, for he always visited Dr. -Warren’s house at hours when he’d be little -likely to be seen, Nat Brewster hastened to -Hanover Street. Revere was with the doctor -at the time and they received the news which -he had to tell with set faces.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Hancock and Samuel Adams are at -the house of the Rev. Jonas Clark at Lexington,” -said Dr. Warren to Revere. “I shall -wish you to bear a letter to them at daybreak -to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“I will be ready,” said Revere.</p> - -<p>Nat bore the courier company on the following -morning.</p> - -<p>“The time,” said Revere, soberly, as they -jogged along, “is not now far off.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>“I fear not,” replied Nat. “If Gage strikes, -we must strike back. And that will mean a -relentless war.”</p> - -<p>“I had some faint foreknowledge of what -you told us last night,” said Revere. “The -whisper came to me that Gage intended to -seize Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams, but just -how or when I did not know until you -came.”</p> - -<p>“If they were taken it would be a worse -blow than the loss of the stores could well -be,” said Nat, seriously. “Such an event -will, of course, be especially guarded against.”</p> - -<p>“Right,” returned the man in the same -tone. “You may be sure that it will be, if I -have any voice in the matter.”</p> - -<p>The house of the Rev. Mr. Clark was -a wooden one upon a shady street; as it happened -both Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock -were at home, and they received the news -calmly.</p> - -<p>“We have arranged for just this emergency,” -said Mr. Hancock. “There are safe -places at Sudbury and Groton for the stores; -within an hour they shall be on their way.”</p> - -<p>“And no British column, no matter how<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> -strong, will be able to get that far in search of -them,” added Mr. Adams, grimly.</p> - -<p>Revere and Nat rode back by way of Charlestown, -and here they met Colonel Conant of -the militia, and some other gentlemen warm in -the cause.</p> - -<p>“It puzzles me,” said Revere, after some -talk, “how we shall get word across the river -when the troops are about to start.”</p> - -<p>“I had thought of that,” answered Conant. -“From where we stand, the tower of Old North -Church is plain to be seen in day-time. When -the troops start, climb to the windows in the -steeple and signal us by flashes of light—one -if they are going by land, two if by water.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” praised Revere, “a fortunate idea, -colonel. We will act upon it. Don’t forget,” -as they were going, “two flashes of a lantern -if they go by water—one, if by land.”</p> - -<p>When they reported to Dr. Warren he -breathed a sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>“It now only remains for us to keep a strict -patrol,” he said, “and give the signals -promptly. Do you,” to Nat, “watch like a -hawk. And you,” to Revere, “see to it that -your men do the same.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>Monday passed, and Nat, still employed at -the officers’ quarters, noted many things that -gave him alarm. Late in the afternoon he -saw a dozen horses brought out and a group -of laughing, chatting officers all ready to -mount.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said the strapping ensign whom -Nat had heard talk a few days before, and who -now made one of this party, “that there will -be little need for us to watch the roads. The -Yankees know nothing, and therefore can send -no warning to the peasants in the out-sections.”</p> - -<p>Nat did not desire to hear more. In a -sheltered spot he scribbled a few words upon -the face of a smooth pine block with the point -of a nail; hiding this beneath his coat, he -made his way to a point beyond the barracks.</p> - -<p>“It’s lucky that I thought to tell the Porcupine -to hold himself ready to carry a message,” -he said as he hurried along.</p> - -<p>Rounding the far end of the barracks, he -heard a door close, then he caught a quick, -sure tread upon some wooden steps; turning -his head the least bit, he got a glimpse of the -newcomer out of the tail of his eye.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_270.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>HE GOT A GLIMPSE OF THE -NEWCOMER</i></p> - -<p>“Ezra!” almost cried Nat, in dismay. But<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> -he choked back the exclamation, lowered his -head and walked steadily on. Even though -his back was now squarely toward the other, -Nat knew that the boy had halted and -was watching him. But it was only for a -moment, then the same light footstep resumed, -now upon the plank walk; and Nat, -with a keen, quick glance over his shoulder, -saw him hurrying away toward the group of -officers who were still gathered, awaiting the -command to mount.</p> - -<p>As luck would have it, there was a sharp -turn around some buildings for Nat to make -in order to reach the place where he had told -the dwarf to await him. As he rounded this -he was screened from view and broke into a -run.</p> - -<p>With set face he sped forward, not knowing -what another moment would develop. And, -as it happened, the very moment that he -caught sight of the grinning face of the Porcupine, -he also heard the roar of hoofs upon -the planks of the barracks road. In a flash -he tossed the dwarf the pine block.</p> - -<p>“To Dr. Warren—and get out of sight -quickly!” he said, hastily.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>The keen perceptions of the dwarf grasped -the situation instantly. Clutching the block, -he vanished between two buildings; and Nat, -his head bent, as though totally unconscious -of everything but his own private affairs, continued -on up the street. Nearer and nearer -sounded the hoof beats; then two horsemen -drew up beside him.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br /> - - -<small>NAT BREWSTER IS TAKEN BY FOES AND PAUL<br /> -REVERE BEGINS HIS MIDNIGHT RIDE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nat</span> gazed up in assumed astonishment at -the two excited faces that bent over him. He -knew that the dwarf was safely away, and all -his native coolness returned to him.</p> - -<p>“What now, my lad?” demanded one of -the horsemen, a puffy faced captain of light -infantry. “Where are you going?”</p> - -<p>“I’m on my way home,” answered Nat, innocently -enough.</p> - -<p>“I think,” said the puffy faced captain, -“you’d better delay that for awhile and come -back to the barracks. A few words with you -may do no harm.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” agreed Nat, promptly.</p> - -<p>And with that he turned and started back -over the road he’d just traveled. His willingness -to do what was demanded of him seemed -to take the two officers by surprise; the second<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> -of them, a lank youth with vacant eyes, -drawled:</p> - -<p>“Why, this fellow is too wooden-headed to -be dangerous, captain. That lad must have -been hoaxing us.”</p> - -<p>“It’s not for us to judge of that,” replied the -puffy faced man, who seemed a competent officer. -“Major Pitcairn told us to bring him -back, and that’s what we are going to do.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, of course,” the lank youth hastened to -say. “We’ll do that surely.”</p> - -<p>So Nat was marched back within the British -lines. Where but ten minutes before there -had been laxity and careless superiority, all -was now tense excitement and bustle. The -group of officers were in the saddle; guards -were being placed at many points where it -had never been deemed worth while to have -them before. Scowling looks met the boy -as he trudged calmly along before the two -riders.</p> - -<p>At Gage’s headquarters they drew up; dismounting, -the officer led Nat past the sentries -into a long room where sat the governor, a -stout, bluff Englishman in undress uniform.</p> - -<p>“Is this the fellow, Pitcairn?” demanded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> -Gage of an immaculately dressed officer across -the table from him.</p> - -<p>Major Pitcairn surveyed Nat carefully.</p> - -<p>“I’ve seen him among the workmen for -some months past,” said he. “But I’m not -sure of anything else.”</p> - -<p>“Ask Lieutenant Chesbrook to step in,” -said General Gage to an orderly who stood at -the door. “And tell him to bring his friend.”</p> - -<p>In a moment the tall naval lieutenant -stalked into the apartment, and following him -was young Prentiss. Nat met the latter’s eye -with a steady, accusing gaze. But the Boston -boy did not flinch. He merely gazed back -with inquiring interest, nodded and smiled -genially.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the hawk-nosed lieutenant, -glancing at Nat and replying to a question of -Major Pitcairn’s. “That is the person.”</p> - -<p>“You are quite sure, lieutenant, that he is -in sympathy with the rebels?” asked Gage.</p> - -<p>“I am positive,” answered Chesbrook.</p> - -<p>“And you?” turning to the other.</p> - -<p>“It is the same boy,” replied young Prentiss.</p> - -<p>There was a moment’s silence, broken by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> -the rattle of hoofs. At the sound, Gage glanced -at Pitcairn and the major nodded.</p> - -<p>“They are off,” said he, briefly.</p> - -<p>“Tell Smith to get his men ready with all -despatch,” commanded Gage.</p> - -<p>Pitcairn arose and left the room; then the -governor turned his bluff countenance upon -Nat once more.</p> - -<p>“So, young man, you’ve been spying upon -us,” said he, sternly.</p> - -<p>Nat saw that there was no use denying anything -that was charged against him. The -best way, so he concluded, was to put a bold -face upon the matter, for it would be as likely -to carry him through as anything else.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he answered, “and have also been -doing some rather competent work as a carpenter. -If one is to count against me, I trust -you will not fail to credit me with the other.”</p> - -<p>A smile stole over the British general’s face.</p> - -<p>“You do not lack coolness,” said he. -“But that alone will do little for you. You -admit that you are a spy. Do you know the -fate of such?”</p> - -<p>This last was asked in a sharp, stern way. -Instantly young Prentiss took a quick step<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span> -forward as though to protest, but the hand of -Chesbrook closed upon his arm and drew him -back. A moment later the lad left the room. -Nat looked steadily into the British general’s -face, paying no attention to this by-play.</p> - -<p>“You mean that spies are shot?”</p> - -<p>“Or hanged,” added Gage, grimly.</p> - -<p>“In time of war—yes,” said Nat. “But -not at such a time as this. Another thing. -I am not a spy in a strictly military sense. -Such a person would be an enemy to the king—which -I am not.”</p> - -<p>“No?” and the governor looked at him -with interest.</p> - -<p>“I came here for the same reason that you -did,” declared Nat, boldly. “And that is to -prevent war.”</p> - -<p>“Your argument is ingenious enough,” said -General Gage, “but it scarcely meets the facts -solidly. However, I have no time now to examine -you. I’ll have you put under a guard -for a few days until I get some important matters -off my mind.”</p> - -<p>“If the taking of the colonial stores at Concord -is one of them,” said Nat, coolly, “you -may as well rid yourself of it now.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>General Gage’s face was naturally red, but -at this it grew much more so.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” remarked he, with a nod -of the head, “that your time here has not -been wasted.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Major Pitcairn reëntered -and the governor turned to him.</p> - -<p>“Pitcairn, see to it that parties are set to -guard all the roads. No one is to leave the city.”</p> - -<p>“Have you learned anything?” asked the -major, with a quick look at Nat.</p> - -<p>“No. But our young rebel here has set me -thinking that our plan may not be so secret -as we think.”</p> - -<p>Once more Pitcairn disappeared. As he -did so, Lieutenant Chesbrook stepped forward -and saluted.</p> - -<p>“General,” said he, “if I may be permitted -to do so, I’d like to offer a suggestion.”</p> - -<p>Gage glanced at him inquiringly. There -was something in the set of the thin lips and -the expression in the cold, light-colored eyes -that gave the impression that Chesbrook’s -suggestion might have value.</p> - -<p>“I shall be happy to listen to you,” answered -the soldier readily.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>Lieutenant Chesbrook bowed his thanks. -With his finger-tips on the edge of the table -he said:</p> - -<p>“Some time ago I was detailed by the admiral -for shore duty—of a certain kind.”</p> - -<p>Gage nodded.</p> - -<p>“Yes; the admiral spoke to me of it at the -time. He said that you had peculiar persuasive -powers,” with a laugh. “Indeed it was -his opinion that no one could resist you if -you chose to set yourself to convince him.”</p> - -<p>“The admiral is most flattering,” spoke -Lieutenant Chesbrook. “But then, I’ve given -him proof upon more than one occasion, so he -speaks from personal knowledge. But what -I was about to say was this: I intend riding -with Lieutenant-Colonel Smith’s column to-night; -and I think if this boy,” indicating -Nat, “were permitted to accompany me, he -would be of considerable service.”</p> - -<p>“In what way?”</p> - -<p>“In several—but more especially in recognizing -and pointing out persons whom it -would be worth while taking into custody.”</p> - -<p>Gage’s eyes snapped.</p> - -<p>“Bravo!” exclaimed he. “That is a most<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> -excellent idea. It never occurred to me. -Take him, by all means.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Chesbrook, and his -cold eyes had an odd expression as they -measured Nat from head to foot.</p> - -<p>But in reply to the look, Nat merely -laughed.</p> - -<p>“You surely do not think,” said he, “that -I will recognize and point out people, as -you put it, or, betray my friends, as I would -put it, just at your request.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think when a little matter like -this presents itself. I act, as you will learn at -no distant time,” replied Chesbrook. “Recollect, -my lad, I have no great love for you.”</p> - -<p>“A small thing like a fall from a porch -roof should not be permitted to sour your -temper so,” said Nat, evenly. “I would have -thought that Lieutenant Chesbrook of His -Majesty’s navy was beyond that.”</p> - -<p>But Chesbrook made no reply to this. The -puffy faced captain called a file of men and -the boy was seized.</p> - -<p>“Be careful of him,” warned Major Pitcairn, -who had reëntered in the meantime and to -whom the arrangement had been explained.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> -“Lock him up securely and keep a guard -over him—a strong guard.”</p> - -<p>The captain and his men saluted. The boy -from Wyoming was placed in the midst of -them and led away.</p> - -<p>He was placed in a room in a small stone -building not far from the barracks. This was -generally used for refractory troopers and contained -a chair, a table, and a heavy chain fastened -to the wall, on the end of which was an -iron band which was now locked about Nat’s -waist.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour went by; the footsteps of -the double guard outside his prison door went -steadily up and down; now and then as the -men passed one another their voices were -heard murmuring. Through a small window, -barred and high up in the wall, Nat got -a glimpse of the sky; it was black and a few -pale stars burned against it waveringly.</p> - -<p>The boy sat with his head drooped forward -upon the heavy table and the thoughts that -filled his mind were gloomy enough.</p> - -<p>“Suppose,” reflected he, “my message did -not reach Dr. Warren; suppose he does not -send Mr. Revere to warn Mr. Hancock and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> -Mr. Adams and rouse the minutemen in defence -of Concord. If General Gage can deal -them this blow, the cause of the colonies may -be wrecked.”</p> - -<p>He pictured to himself the dark, midnight -roads; the armed British troopers that -guarded them. All along the route to Lexington, -so ran his vision, the houses of the -colonists were without lights; the inmates -were wrapped in slumber. He imagined the -party of officers riding far ahead with ready -swords and pistols; then came the column of -troops, solid, compact, dark, winding slowly -along the highway like a huge serpent. And -nowhere was there any one to oppose their -progress; nowhere was there a voice raised to -warn the sleeping ones of the danger that was -approaching, slowly, deliberately, like Fate.</p> - -<p>It was Nat’s helpless situation, chained, -locked in a strong room, guarded by watchful -soldiers, that so tinged his thoughts. The -truth was that matters were not nearly so -hopeless as he pictured them.</p> - -<p>The Porcupine, breathless, pale of face, had -reached Dr. Warren’s door. Scarcely could -he reach the knocker, even by standing upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> -his toes; but when he did reach it, its -“rat-tat-tat” awoke the echoes in Hanover -Street. It was the doctor himself, anxious, -expectant, who came to the door and received -the queer message. As he read it his mouth -tightened.</p> - -<p>“And where is Nat?” inquired he.</p> - -<p>“I think they’ve got him,” said the Porcupine. -“They were after him when he passed -me this and told me to run.”</p> - -<p>Warren said nothing to this. Bidding the -dwarf sit down, he scratched off a note and -sealed it.</p> - -<p>“You’ll take my horse and ride to North -Square,” he said quietly. “Mr. Revere will -still be at home,” with a glance at the clock. -“You’ll give him this note. Don’t fail. A -great deal depends upon it.”</p> - -<p>In an incredibly short time the dwarf -pulled up at Revere’s house, and walking in -presented the note, which that gentleman -immediately read. It was past dark by this -time and some candles burned in the room. -Revere twisted the note into a spill, touched -it to a flame and watched it turn black and -crumble away on the floor.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>“I’ll go with you at once,” he said -quietly.</p> - -<p>So he pulled on his heavy boots, buttoned -his surtout, took up his three-cornered hat -and started back to Hanover Street with the -dwarf. Once there, Warren received them -with great eagerness.</p> - -<p>“I have just sent off William Dawes by the -long way ’round the neck,” said he.</p> - -<p>“It would be as well,” spoke Revere, after -some discussion, “for me to make a personal -examination of things and be sure that the -expedition is really about to start.”</p> - -<p>This was agreed to, and off the engraver -started, the dwarf still with him and riding -Warren’s horse. They had reached the Common -when they noted considerable movement; -rows of boats were drawn up at the water’s -edge at the bottom of the Common, each bearing -a light in its bow. Approaching these -were a body of troops armed and equipped as -for a march.</p> - -<p>“That means two flashes of the lantern in -the North Tower,” said Paul Revere, with a -suppressed laugh. Then as though a thought -had just come to him, he added, in a changed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> -tone, “But suppose by some accident they -do not see the signal?”</p> - -<p>The idea apparently troubled him; for a -moment he stood still; then he turned suddenly -to the Porcupine.</p> - -<p>“You know the sexton of North Church, -do you not?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” came the reply.</p> - -<p>“Ride there at once,” directed Revere, with -the manner of one who has made up his mind, -“ask him to give you the lantern which he -has ready, and do you give the signal.”</p> - -<p>Without a word the Porcupine turned the -horse and galloped off over the soft sod toward -the north. Revere hastened toward the -river; at the end of a deserted wharf he uttered -a whistle and two men came forward -from some unseen hiding-place. Without any -explanation being necessary, they drew a dory -from behind some piles; all three got into it -and pulled sturdily across the river.</p> - -<p>Upon the farther side they found Colonel -Conant and a group of others upon the bank, -and the militia officer greeted Revere hurriedly.</p> - -<p>“We just now received the signal,” said he,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> -“and had secured a horse from Deacon Larkin -upon which to send a courier with the news.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go myself,” said Revere, promptly, -and he vaulted into the saddle of a strong -looking horse which a lad was holding by the -bridle. “Tell the deacon that I’ll ride his -beast as carefully as I can, but not to expect -too much, for speed is the thing that will -count to-night.”</p> - -<p>And then, with a wave of the hand, along -the midnight road, bearing the alarm that was -to awake the whole world to liberty, sped Paul -Revere.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - - -<small>NAT BREWSTER MARCHES WITH PITCAIRN TO -LEXINGTON</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was about the time that Revere and the -Porcupine first sighted the troops on the Common -that Nat Brewster heard a rattling at -his prison door; lifting his head he saw it -open and admit the guards, bearing lighted -candles.</p> - -<p>“We’ll take that little girdle off you, my -lad,” said a grizzled sergeant of infantry who -seemed to be in command. “I suppose you’ll -not make any objection to that.”</p> - -<p>“I’m to be removed from here, then,” spoke -Nat, as the soldiers began unlocking the steel -band that encircled him.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the sergeant with a laugh. -“We thought you’d need a trifle of fresh air.”</p> - -<p>“Where am I to be taken?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>But the sergeant shook his head at this.</p> - -<p>“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> -lies,” answered he. “But,” with a renewal of -his laugh, “you might ask that navy lieutenant; -perhaps he’d be pleased to say.”</p> - -<p>The lock of the steel girdle seemed to work -stiffly and the soldiers grumbled and strove at -it angrily.</p> - -<p>“I’d not like to have that same lieutenant -in charge of me,” said a youthful, flaxen-haired -corporal who made one of the party. -“He’s a bad one, I can tell you.”</p> - -<p>The grizzled sergeant nodded, watching the -efforts at the lock and frowning at the delay.</p> - -<p>“I think,” continued the flaxen-haired -corporal, “that he knows more ways of getting -a groan out of a man than the Grand -Inquisitor himself.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! I think I understand,” said Nat, -and his mouth tightened.</p> - -<p>“If he’s got anything ag’in you and there’s -anything he wants to make you tell, you’ll -understand right enough,” said the old sergeant, -grimly.</p> - -<p>“I’ve seen a good bit of punishment since I -joined His Majesty’s army,” said the corporal, -who seemed of a talkative disposition, “but -that naval chap do beat all. Mind how he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> -took it out of that private of the forty-seventh -the other day?” to the sergeant.</p> - -<p>“Torture?” asked Nat.</p> - -<p>“You may well say so,” returned the flaxen-haired -one. “And when he’d made the private -confess, he took the man charged with -trying to get him to desert and manhandled -him in a way I never heard of before. Did -you see the little parade of tar and feathers -through the streets?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Nat.</p> - -<p>“That was an idea of Chesbrook’s; sort of a -finishing off, you might call it.”</p> - -<p>Here the band and chain clashed to the -stone floor; with muskets at their shoulders, -the guard fell in line, Nat in their midst.</p> - -<p>“As a last word, lad,” said the grizzled -sergeant, not unkindly, “let me say you’d -better do anything that shipman tells you. -It’ll save you a lot, perhaps.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>At a sharp word from the sergeant the guard -marched out of the room and into the open -air. There were very few lights; but the -bustle told Nat, at once, that there was something -under way; and then as he saw line<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> -after line of fully equipped soldiers pass by, -he understood.</p> - -<p>“It’s the column being sent to Concord!” -he breathed. There was a queer tightening -at his heart and throat as he watched the -trained redcoats trudge stolidly toward the -river. Their compact organization was plain; -like a machine they moved at the command of -watchful officers. Behind them were centuries -of discipline and British prestige, proven upon -countless battle-fields. And, at the very best, -there would be to oppose them a but few bands -of roughly organized farmers and workmen, -called hastily from their occupations to take -up arms.</p> - -<p>“What chance have they?” thought Nat, -gloomily, still burdened with his captivity. -“Even if they have been armed, what chance -have they?”</p> - -<p>But he had no great time to think over this -or anything else; being led to the line of boats -he was forced into one of them; and in a few -moments was in midstream. The lights of -the “Somerset” man-of-war, which lay near -at hand, burned clearly, and the tide was at -young flood. Overhead the moon was like a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> -silver disc; and the sprinkling stars wavered -and sparkled like myriads of eyes, gazing -down at the darkness of the world.</p> - -<p>The troops were ferried across the river with -a despatch that spoke well for Gage’s preparations. -Immediately they were formed in -column and the eighteen-mile march to Concord -began.</p> - -<p>Nat now found himself well in the rear -under a close guard; near him rode Major -Pitcairn, the commander of the column, Lieutenant-Colonel -Smith and Chesbrook, all of -whom seemed engaged in earnest conversation. -No one spoke to Nat, save now and then the -grizzled infantry sergeant; but at length a -horseman dropped back from the front, dismounted, -gave his steed in care of a soldier -and approached him.</p> - -<p>But the young mountaineer’s head was bent -and he did not notice the newcomer until he -spoke. Then the head went up swiftly; the -darkness hid the scorn in Nat’s eyes, but -nothing could deny that which was in his -voice.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s you, Prentiss, is it?”</p> - -<p>The other laughed frankly, honestly. It<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> -was the same laugh that had caught the fancy -of the cobbler at the ferry road.</p> - -<p>“You don’t make me very welcome,” said -the New England boy.</p> - -<p>“If there is any reason why I should,” -spoke Nat, “just give it a name.”</p> - -<p>“Why,” said the other, “I can think of -none. From your point of view I suppose I -am a very great rascal, indeed.”</p> - -<p>“There can be no greater crime,” said Nat, -“than to turn traitor to one’s country and -friends.”</p> - -<p>“I agree with you in that,” said the other, -gravely. “But,” and there was a new note -in his voice, “of what does treachery consist?”</p> - -<p>He did not give Nat an opportunity to -reply, but at once proceeded.</p> - -<p>“Two people may love their country; they -may desire with all their hearts to serve it—but -each may have a different idea as to how -it should best be done. You, for example, -think that to defy the king and parliament, to -follow the leadership of Messrs. Adams, Hancock, -Warren and their like, to take up arms -against the lawful governor, is to serve the -colonies. But I think the reverse.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span>“There can be no doubt of that,” replied -Nat, drily.</p> - -<p>But the other paid no heed to the sarcasm.</p> - -<p>“I, too, desire to see the colonies dealt -justly by,” he went on. “I also can see very -plainly the wrongs that have been done -them. But I do not believe in seeking to -right them by any method that will end in -bloodshed. An appeal to the liberal minded -English nation will set everything right.”</p> - -<p>“Has that not been tried?”</p> - -<p>“In a way—yes. But not in the right -way. The British mean kindly by us; and if -the Whigs would cease threatening, we’d -quickly get our rights.”</p> - -<p>“It is not we who threaten,” said Nat; “it -is they. You say you do not believe in -methods that might end in bloodshed—then -what do you think of this present expedition?”</p> - -<p>“It is a peaceable one—a demonstration -only.”</p> - -<p>The boy said this eagerly, with the manner -of one who is anxious to defend a thing which -he strongly desires to be true—but of which -he is not altogether convinced.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span>“Peaceable!” Nat laughed, mockingly. -“Why, there are above a thousand men in -this column, each with musket and bayonet, -powder and ball.”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, their errand is peaceful,” -argued the New England lad. “We but seek -to take the leaders of this sedition that they -may not tempt the people; we mean to -seize the magazines that no madness may be -committed that would bring on a war.”</p> - -<p>“I begin to see your position,” said Nat. -“And so,” sternly, “you think that to bring -these things about, any deceit may be practiced, -and treachery resorted to.”</p> - -<p>“Those are hard words,” said the other, -quietly.</p> - -<p>“But they are true ones. Was it not -treachery to plan the capture of your kind -friends Mr. Adams and his brother by the -Tories? Was it not deceit that you practiced -upon Mr. Cooper and Ben, who trusted you—upon -Dr. Warren, upon Paul Revere?”</p> - -<p>Near at hand a smoking lantern, borne -upon a pole, threw off a red flare of light; in -this the face of the New England lad took on -a sudden troubled look. He laid his hand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> -upon Nat’s arm and was about to speak; but -at that moment the grizzled sergeant broke in -upon them.</p> - -<p>“Sorry to interrupt, my lads,” said he, in -his gruff way. Then addressing himself to -Nat, he continued: “You’re wanted back -here a piece by Lieutenant Chesbrook. And,” -lowering his voice so that no one else might -hear, “now is the time to remember what I -told you in the guard-house awhile ago. I -think you are going to have use for it.”</p> - -<p>The British column had advanced steadily -along the old Charlestown and West Cambridge -road until it had now reached Menotomy. -Lights could be seen flickering at windows; and -as the head of the brigade came on, dark forms -went flitting and vanishing into the night.</p> - -<p>But Nat saw none of this; he was hurried -toward the group composed of Lieutenant-Colonel -Smith and his aides, which had -drawn up before Newell’s tavern. The hoofs -of the horses rang loudly as they stamped -upon the stones; their bridle chains jingled -and they snorted impatiently at the delay. -A party under several officers had just been -sent to enter the inn.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span>“My information is positive,” Nat heard -Lieutenant Chesbrook say to Major Pitcairn, -as he came up. “The rebel Committee of -Safety met here to-day; and I have not -much doubt but that some of them are -passing the night under the same roof.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll root them out, if they are,” returned -the immaculate major. “I suppose you’ll -know them, if taken?”</p> - -<p>“No, but our young friend here will, I -think,” and Chesbrook waved his hand toward -Nat Brewster.</p> - -<p>Just then there came the sound of loud -voices at the inn and the sound of splintering -woodwork as the doors were forced.</p> - -<p>“You give me credit for more knowledge -than I possess,” said Nat, coolly. “The -Committee of Safety is largely composed of -gentlemen who are strangers to me.”</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Chesbrook touched his horse -with the spur; in a moment he was at the -boy’s side and saying in a smooth, persuasive -voice:</p> - -<p>“It would be altogether better for you if -you would not assume that attitude. You -possess information which I want and which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> -I mean to have. So you will profit a great -deal by falling in with my desires.”</p> - -<p>But Nat looked up at him and replied, -calmly:</p> - -<p>“I am the person to judge of what is best -for me, Lieutenant Chesbrook.”</p> - -<p>“I think not,” said the naval officer. -“You see, you don’t know just what it will -mean to refuse. I have with me some few -ingenious little contrivances which are much -used upon shipboard in compelling our men -to do that which they are disinclined to do. -So don’t compel me to bring them out; you’ll -be sorry for it if you do.”</p> - -<p>There was a stir among a group of officers; -a boyish figure darted through them and -stood beside Nat.</p> - -<p>“Lieutenant!” cried this person in a warning -voice; and instantly Chesbrook wheeled -in his saddle.</p> - -<p>“Well?” demanded he, harshly.</p> - -<p>“It was understood between us——” the boy -got this far when the man interrupted him.</p> - -<p>“Have the goodness not to interfere with -my work, Prentiss,” said he, sourly. “This -is no time for boyish notions.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>“But you promised that no one was to be -injured!” There was a note of pleading in -the lad’s voice; he clutched the stirrup of the -officer and held tightly to it.</p> - -<p>Chesbrook laughed.</p> - -<p>“If you were fool enough to think that -matters of this kind,” with a wave of the -hand at the marching column, “could be carried -through like a tea-party, it is no fault of -mine.”</p> - -<p>Nat saw the boy stare up at the speaker, -his face suddenly drawn.</p> - -<p>“Then,” said he, slowly, making almost -the same gesture as the other, “this means -war?”</p> - -<p>“Of course it does!” rapped out Major Pitcairn. -“The king’s troops exist for the purpose -of making war.”</p> - -<p>Before the boy could make reply, an officer -came hastily from the inn.</p> - -<p>“No one there but the servants and such,” -complained he.</p> - -<p>“Bring them out,” directed Lieutenant-Colonel -Smith, angrily. “And bring all of -them.”</p> - -<p>In a few moments a little line of half-dressed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> -folk blinked bewilderedly in the -light of the flaring torches as the British officers -narrowly examined them. But they -were so unmistakably what they claimed to -be that they were quickly dismissed.</p> - -<p>“Get back with you!” cried Lieutenant-Colonel -Smith in a fury. “And if I ever -hear one word against you regarding harboring -rebels it will be the sorriest day for you -that ever dawned.”</p> - -<p>So with that the officers pressed after the -column; and Nat was once more placed in -the midst of his guard, which went trudging -sullenly forward. And as the “tramp-tramp” -grew fainter, the inn people began to laugh. -For safe in an adjoining field were Messrs. -Gerry, Lee and Orne, of the patriot committee. -They had been roused by messengers as the -head of the column passed beneath their bedroom -windows, and had slipped out by a back -door as the British broke their way in by the -front.</p> - -<p>As the brigade advanced, guns began to -boom in the distance and bells clanged a -sonorous warning to the countryside.</p> - -<p>“The entire section is up,” growled the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> -commander. “Some warning must have been -sent after all.”</p> - -<p>After a very few miles, Major Pitcairn was -ordered forward with a body of light infantry.</p> - -<p>“Pick up any one you find on the road and -secure the two bridges at Concord,” directed -the lieutenant-colonel, curtly.</p> - -<p>“It has a bad look,” said Pitcairn, as he -sat his horse, awaiting the formation of the -six companies which were to make up his -command. The clangor, dim but continuous, -crept toward them across the level fields; and -for the first time a serious look had settled -upon the faces of the king’s officers.</p> - -<p>“I fancy,” said the commander, “that a -reinforcement would do no harm; indeed, -judging by all the commotion ahead, it might -be of good service.”</p> - -<p>So a rider was despatched instantly to -Boston for additional troops; and as he -dashed eastward, the light infantry battalion -under Pitcairn took its way to the west. -Chesbrook accompanied this advance force, -and Nat, his captors having their original -plan, apparently, still in mind, was ordered -with them also.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>“But I recognize no man that is captured -on the way,” vowed the boy, his jaw set. -“Let them do as they will, I’ll stick to that.”</p> - -<p>Dawn was beginning to streak the east -with lines of gray when Nat made out young -Prentiss forcing his way afoot through the -compact mass of the battalion.</p> - -<p>“It will soon be daylight,” said he, when -he had approached near enough to speak.</p> - -<p>Nat gave a look at the sky.</p> - -<p>“Within an hour,” returned he briefly.</p> - -<p>Somehow his resentment against the New -England boy was not at all as strong as he -thought it should be. Treachery, all forms of -unfaithfulness and deceit had long been Nat’s -pet aversions, but for all that he could not -lift himself to the pitch of anger that he felt -the other’s acts deserved.</p> - -<p>The rhythmic tramp of the troops continued -and the rattle of equipment was sharp and -distinct in the dawn. Now and then the low -command of a sergeant was heard, but all -other voices were silent.</p> - -<p>“Another hour till daylight,” said Nat, -after a pause, “and then, I fancy, we shall see -desperate work!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>“Do you really believe that?” asked the -other boy, and his tones were anxious and -eager.</p> - -<p>“I do,” replied Nat; “the minutemen are -up. Surely you heard the guns and alarm -bells awhile ago.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know. I understand. But,” hurriedly, -“the British officers will not fire upon -them—they will not permit their men to do -so.”</p> - -<p>Nat turned his face toward the speaker -curiously.</p> - -<p>“You seem to be very anxious to make -yourself believe that,” he said.</p> - -<p>“If I did not believe it,” replied the other -boy, “I should not be here.”</p> - -<p>A thought came to Nat like an inspiration. -Lowering his voice to almost a whisper, he -said:</p> - -<p>“I think I understand. You mean that if -you thought they would fire upon the colonists, -you would not be upon the British side.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” returned the other.</p> - -<p>“And that can only mean that you would -be——” Nat paused without completing the -sentence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_303.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>THEY CAME WITHIN SIGHT OF -LEXINGTON</i></p> - - - -<p>“Upon the side of the Provincial Congress,” -returned the other without the slightest hesitation.</p> - -<p>As they marched along the wheel-cut road -toward Lexington, Nat now and then stole a -look at the boy at his side. The pale dawn -made things visible in a dim sort of way, and -the young mountaineer noted that the other’s -head was bent and that he seemed deep in bitter reflection. -There was something in his manner -that drew Nat powerfully; but in spite of -this, he did not believe in him.</p> - -<p>“He deceived me before,” thought Nat; -“and he deceived others to whom he owed -every allegiance. How am I to know but -that this is another attempt to do the same -thing.”</p> - -<p>But he had not a great deal of time to revolve -the situation, for, still in the gray -dawn, they came within sight of the town of -Lexington.</p> - -<p>Directly ahead was the village green, with -the town meeting-house facing it. Two thin -lines of men, with rifles in their hands, were -gathered here, and as the British came in -sight, a drum rolled warningly from their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> -midst. This sound Pitcairn instantly accepted -as a challenge; and at once the battalion -halted.</p> - -<p>“Load with ball—prime—fix bayonets!” -came the curt commands. Then forward -went the six companies at double quick.</p> - -<p>Nat saw Captain Parker of the militia, -whom he knew by sight, and also Sergeant -William Monroe, walking up and down before -the two lines of minutemen; and from -their gestures he knew that they were speaking -encouragingly.</p> - -<p>Then, unconsciously, his eyes traveled beyond -the militia; three figures stole from the -shadow cast by an inn near the meeting-house; -two of them bore a square, heavy -looking box between them, and Nat gave a -start of wonder as he recognized them.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Revere!” he cried, “and Ben -Cooper!”</p> - -<p>At the same moment he felt a hand touch -his elbow and heard the boy at his side say, -quietly:</p> - -<p>“But the third one—look at him.”</p> - -<p>The last of the three was a boy; he held a -rifle in his hand and seemed to be guarding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> -the two with the box. The face was turned -with eagerness toward the British, and as -Nat’s eyes fell upon it, he stopped, rooted to -the spot with bewilderment.</p> - -<p>For the boy was Ezra Prentiss!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - - -<small>TELLS HOW A MYSTERY WAS SOLVED AND HOW<br /> -VICTORY CAME TO THE COLONIES</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">For</span> an instant only did Nat Brewster stand -still; the British battalion, pushing forward, -forced him on. But as the boy still remained -at his side, Nat clutched him by the arm and -demanded:</p> - -<p>“If that is Ezra Prentiss, who are you?”</p> - -<p>The other looked at him squarely; even -through the trouble that was plain in his face, -a flicker of amusement showed at Nat’s amazement.</p> - -<p>“I am his twin brother, George,” he answered, -quietly.</p> - -<p>At this Nat was almost overwhelmed once -more. Then his mind began to work like -lightning. He had been mistaken all along. -It was this brother—this twin, who looked so -astonishingly like Ezra—who had figured in -all the incidents which he had accepted as -proof of treachery. One by one he began to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> -go over them; but just then he was aroused by -Major Pitcairn calling sternly and at the top -of his voice:</p> - -<p>“Disperse, ye rebels! Lay down your -arms!”</p> - -<p>All else was instantly forgotten; the drama -being enacted before his eyes was more compelling -than even his exciting thoughts. -Once more the command rang out:</p> - -<p>“Why don’t ye lay down your arms, ye -villains! Disperse, I tell you.”</p> - -<p>But the two thin lines of alarm men held -their ground. Then came the report of a -musket; Nat saw a British infantryman, his -piece at his shoulder, the smoke curling from -its muzzle. Another and another shot rang -out from the battalion. Pitcairn, frantic with -passion, turned upon his men and shouted for -them to cease firing. But it was too late.</p> - -<p>A scattered volley came from the rifles of -the minutemen; Pitcairn’s horse went down -with a crash, and the bullets drove above the -massed infantry, doing no other harm. Then -the British began platoon firing, in regular -order, calm, methodical and effective. The -patriots responded from behind stone walls<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> -and other sheltered places which they had -now broken for; and as the leaden messengers -began to whistle about his ears, Nat heard a -voice say:</p> - -<p>“I think we had better get out of this. It -is getting a little too warm for comfort.”</p> - -<p>It was Ezra’s brother who spoke; and as -he saw Nat dart a quick glance about at the -soldiery, he added:</p> - -<p>“They are too much engaged now to pay -any attention to us. But we must be quick.”</p> - -<p>So with that the two darted out of the road -and behind some buildings. Like deer they -raced along the streets, now filled with terrified -women and weeping children.</p> - -<p>The firing abruptly ceased; and in another -moment they noted a little body of minutemen -in retreat across a swamp to the north of -the Common. Upon a piece of rising ground -the boys halted; they saw a full score of dead -and wounded lying upon the village green -and the huzzas of the British came faintly to -their ears.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said Nat. “I was right.”</p> - -<p>“And I was wrong,” answered the other. -“I was wrong from the beginning. But,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> -with a sudden lift of the head, “they have not -yet reached the end. Chesbrook and some -others deceived me shamefully up to this. -But at Concord I’ll try to prove to them that -they can do so no longer.”</p> - -<p>“Come, then,” said Nat, briefly. “Here is -the road. In a little while the British will be -once more on the march.”</p> - -<p>The two lads faced the way to Concord and -went off at a long, swinging lope. The pace -was not a hard one, but it took them swiftly -over the ground. They had covered some two -of the six miles when figures were seen ahead -in the uncertain early light of the April -morning.</p> - -<p>“Halt!” rang out a sharp voice. They saw -the long barrel of a rifle poked out from -behind a tree at the wayside and cover them. -But only for a moment. Then there was a -sharp exclamation, the muzzle was lowered -and a form leaped into the road.</p> - -<p>“George!” cried a voice.</p> - -<p>“Ezra!” replied Nat’s companion; and the -next instant the two brothers stood with -clasped hands, looking into each other’s eyes. -But after a moment Ezra turned to Nat.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span>“Now,” said he, gravely. “You understand?”</p> - -<p>Nat held out his hand.</p> - -<p>“I beg your pardon,” said he, simply, as -they shook hands. “But,” as the thought -came to him, “why did you not explain it all -when you saw that I suspected you?”</p> - -<p>“If I had,” spoke Ezra, “is it a thing you -would have believed?”</p> - -<p>Nat reflected and then shook his head.</p> - -<p>“It is more than likely not,” he replied.</p> - -<p>As the brothers turned to each other once -more and began to speak low and earnestly -together, Nat looked expectantly along the -road to where he had seen the figures ahead. -They were now coming anxiously toward -him, and with delight he recognized Paul -Revere and Ben Cooper. Advancing to meet -them, he gripped their hands warmly.</p> - -<p>“Hot work back there,” said Revere, nodding -his head in the direction of Lexington.</p> - -<p>“You succeeded in arousing the towns, I -see,” spoke Nat.</p> - -<p>“Thanks to your message to Dr. Warren—yes. -But I almost made a failure of it at the -very start; for I had not gone far on the road<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> -through Charlestown, when two British -officers, who seemed to be patroling the road, -popped out upon me. But Deacon Larkin’s -horse was a good one, and I escaped, going -through Medford and alarming almost every -house on the way to Lexington. At Clark’s, -where you and I went together a few days -ago, I roused Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams; -and while they were getting ready to leave, -William Dawes, who was also sent out to -spread the alarm, arrived. He and I set off -to Concord to continue our work, and on the -road met a young man named Prescott who -agreed to give us his help.</p> - -<p>“A little farther along here,” and Revere -pointed up the road, “the other two stopped -at a house to awake a man; but I rode on, -and I had scarcely gone two hundred yards -when I ran suddenly into a nest of British -officers who clapped pistols to my head and -bid me stop.”</p> - -<p>“And you did?” laughed Ben Cooper.</p> - -<p>“Can you doubt it?” asked Revere. “But -let me go on. They took down some bars and -led me into a pasture; there they threatened -me with pistols once more and demanded to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> -know who I was and upon what errand I was -riding.”</p> - -<p>“But you did not tell them,” said Nat.</p> - -<p>“I did,” declared Revere, proudly; “and -in return I suffered great abuse. But one of -the officers seemed much of a gentleman, for -he said to me that none should do me harm. -What I told them seemed to startle them -much; they started toward Lexington with -me in the midst of them, my horse being led -and a man with a drawn pistol on each side -of me. We were nearing a meeting-house -when we heard a gun fired and a bell begin to -ring.</p> - -<p>“Then they took my horse and dashed -away toward Cambridge, leaving me standing -in the road. I returned at once to Clark’s. -Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams had not yet -gone, and I warned them of what had occurred. -They departed at once from the -house, I going with them several miles on the -way. Mr. Hancock then told me of a trunk -filled with papers which he had left at the -village inn and asked me if I’d return for it. -After I had rested a bit, I did so and Ezra -and Ben bore me company.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>“And where did you come upon them?” -asked Nat.</p> - -<p>“They were at Mr. Clark’s when I returned -there, and were urging Mr. Adams and his -friend to flee.”</p> - -<p>Nat turned to Ben, a question in his eye. -But Ben laughed.</p> - -<p>“I know what you’re going to ask me,” he -said. “But I’ll not answer, for I think,” -with a nod of the head toward the Prentiss -brothers, who stood some little distance off, -“there is a great deal for you to hear, and as -my little story is mixed up with it, you’d better -hear all together.”</p> - -<p>Nat noticed that while Revere and Ben -both kept casting marveling glances at the -twins, neither of them seemed greatly astonished.</p> - -<p>“Is it possible that you have known of this -twin brother all along?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“Not I,” and Revere shook his head. “I -heard of him for the first time last night.”</p> - -<p>“And I,” said Ben Cooper, “never knew of -his existence until after I left Boston last -fall.”</p> - -<p>They were all three looking attentively at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> -the brothers when the latter turned. Nat -Brewster never saw a more delighted look -upon the face of any one than was upon that -of Ezra Prentiss at that moment.</p> - -<p>“He looks,” whispered the young mountaineer -to Ben, “as though the most pleasant -thing in the world had happened to -him.”</p> - -<p>“You have no trouble telling one from the -other, then,” smiled Ben.</p> - -<p>“Not now. Together I can see a difference. -But,” hesitatingly, “if they were separated I -might be puzzled once more.”</p> - -<p>“That’s usually the case in the matter of -twins,” said Ben.</p> - -<p>“Ben,” said Ezra, as they came up, “this is -my brother George—George, this is Ben -Cooper, and Mr. Revere.”</p> - -<p>The three named shook hands; then Ezra -continued, addressing Nat and Revere:</p> - -<p>“There is a great deal to explain to you and -to others of my friends, who have seen and -heard things that—that they have not understood. -Ben has known something of it, but -as you two have not, I’ll begin at the beginning; -and if there are any places where the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> -light does not strike, don’t hesitate to speak -of it.”</p> - -<p>“Excuse me,” interrupted Paul Revere. -“But there is a chest of important papers in -the bushes some little distance up the road, -that needs careful carrying to Concord. And -as the British may happen along at any time -now we’d better be off with it.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said Ezra, “and the story -will keep until we get under way.”</p> - -<p>The five hastened forward; the chest was -dragged from its hiding-place; Nat and -Revere each seized a handle and off they set, -trudging manfully. They had gone but a little -distance when Nat said to Ezra:</p> - -<p>“Now for it; I’m so full of curiosity that I -can wait no longer.”</p> - -<p>“You see,” began Ezra, “George has been -brought up by our grandfather, who is a -Tory. All his friends have been king’s men -and he has been taught to believe in British -rule. As for myself, I have always been a -strong Whig like my father—so strong a -one,” and he colored a little, “that I never -spoke of my brother, fearing that some one -would learn of his way of thought.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>“I was always as strong an American as -you, Ezra,” said George, smiling. “Our -methods were different, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps so,” answered Ezra. “But, you -know, it is how we apply our beliefs that -counts.” Addressing himself to the others, -he went on: “When the trouble commenced, -George began acting with our enemies. I -pleaded with him, but he would not listen. -He said I had been led away by demagogues—for -such he had been taught to believe Mr. -Adams and Dr. Warren. When I set out for -Philadelphia I learned that he had formed -the plan to take John and Samuel Adams on -the road and that he was ahead of me.”</p> - -<p>“And you left your party as it neared the -city,” said Nat, understanding, “that you -might overtake him.”</p> - -<p>“Exactly,” said Ezra, eagerly.</p> - -<p>And then he went on to account for his -absence from the City Tavern at Philadelphia -on the night that Ben first called to see him, -in the same way. George had laughingly -told him that Washington and Henry would -soon be prisoners, and not daring to inform -any one of the facts for fear and shame of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> -what might befall his brother, Ezra had set -about to follow him and thwart the plan -alone.</p> - -<p>Nat laughed when Ezra came to their conversation -upon the pavement before the City -Tavern, in Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>“And to think that you were only trying -to tell me that Washington and his friends -would probably remember my work to my -advantage and that the Tories would do the -reverse,” said he. “I understood it as a -threat. When you referred to it afterward -on the road to Bristol you meant, I see now, -to show that you were grateful to me. But -do you know, I was convinced just the other -way about.”</p> - -<p>The boy that the Porcupine had seen leave -the Cooper place in the night and make his -way toward Cliveden had, of course, been -Ezra, still in search of his brother; but the -one whom he saw in consultation with Mr. -Chew and Mr. Dimisdale had been George. -The nervousness of Ezra upon the road to -Bristol was because he feared just what Nat’s -keen eyes showed to exist—an ambush. He -had begged Revere to take an unfrequented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span> -road, thinking to escape one; but the Tories -had out-thought him.</p> - -<p>“I knew from your cold manner,” said -Ezra to Nat, “that you believed me guilty of -treachery; but I could not explain it to you, -as you can now see. But Mr. Adams knew -all, for I had told him everything; and when -Dr. Warren’s letter reached Philadelphia he -was, of course, not surprised. However, we -thought it best to keep the matter strictly to -ourselves. I told Ben a part, as I have said, -that he might be enabled to work with me -intelligently when we returned to Boston the -second time.”</p> - -<p>“We had formed a compact,” said Ben, -laughing and turning to George, who had been -listening soberly, only now and then adding -a few words to the story, “to save you from -the British. And we’ve been quietly on your -trail ever since we came north.”</p> - -<p>“I felt that some one was,” returned George. -Then he reached out and put his hand upon -Ezra’s shoulder. “So all the things that I -have done have fallen upon you!” he said -with feeling. “Forgive me, Ezra, if you can; -and believe me that the possibility of such a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> -thing never entered my mind until this -morning.”</p> - -<p>For answer, Ezra patted him upon the back -encouragingly.</p> - -<p>“Never mind that,” said he. “It’s all -over now.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” returned George, firmly; “it’s all -over; and anything I do in the future, Ezra, -even so warm a patriot as yourself will not be -ashamed of.”</p> - -<p>Now and then they were overtaken by -horsemen, or wagons containing people, heading -for Concord; and Nat smiled to see that all -bore rifles and that their faces wore looks of -determination.</p> - -<p>“There were only a few of us at Lexington,” -cried a young farmer as he tore by upon a -plough horse, “but there will be a different -story to tell farther on.”</p> - -<p>Now and then the strong box changed -hands; but the five never stopped for anything -else, tramping steadily on until they -sighted the town.</p> - -<p>Concord at that time was a fair-sized place -and contained a church, a jail and a court-house. -There were two spans across the river,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> -one called the Old South and the other -the Old North Bridge. The parade ground -was near the meeting-house, and upon -it were companies of minutemen, their -ranks constantly swelling, and even now -being put through their routine by -careful officers. Anxious inquiry on the -part of Revere told them that the last -of the stores had been carted away to safe -hiding-places hours before; and also that -the militia at Lincoln was already upon the -ground.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Nat to Ben Cooper, after Mr. -Hancock’s property had been placed in security, -“let us stand close together in whatever -befalls. Because if you get away from me -again, of course you’ll not take the trouble to -hunt me up.”</p> - -<p>The latter part of this speech was uttered -in a jesting tone, but for all that Ben saw that -his cousin more than half meant it.</p> - -<p>“You know, Nat,” said Ben, “it was not -altogether my fault that I did not find you at -once upon my return to these parts. But you -had left the ‘Dragon’ and I did not care to -make inquiries of Dr. Warren or Mr. Revere<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> -because—well, because I knew that Ezra -would rather I should not.”</p> - -<p>At Revere’s solicitation, rifles were given to -Ben, George, Nat and himself, also powder -and ball; then they hurried out to join the -patriot band upon the square. A party of the -Lincoln minutemen had gone forward on the -Lexington road to meet the British, but they -now came pouring back into the town.</p> - -<p>“The ministerial troops are only about two -miles away,” announced the Lincoln captain, -William Smith, “and they are more than -treble the number of all that we can muster!”</p> - -<p>With that the entire American force fell -back to an eminence behind the town and -formed in two battalions. Colonel Barrett, -who had worked all the night superintending -the removal of the stores, joined them here -and at once placed himself in touch with the -situation.</p> - -<p>“I am none too soon,” remarked this officer, -pointing with his hanger down the Lexington -road. “Here they are, and marching as -though they meant to finish us without delay.”</p> - -<p>Sure enough the British had come in sight. -The early sunshine struck their burnished<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> -arms and they glittered bravely in response; -the red coats, white cross belts and high head -pieces added to the gallant appearance of -the compact column. Hotheads among the -Americans were for at once offering battle. -But the wise Colonel Barrett shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Just now,” said he, “they are too strong -for us. Men are flocking in from all points -of the compass; in a short time we’ll be able -to make a stand, but not yet.”</p> - -<p>So he ordered a retreat across the North -Bridge to another eminence which was about -a mile from the center of the town.</p> - -<p>The British advanced into Concord, and at -once the North Bridge was secured by two -hundred men. Six companies were sent to -destroy the magazines of stores, but, for the -most part, found them empty. In the center -of the town they seized and broke open some -threescore of barrels of flour, knocked off the -trunnions of three cannons, burnt some -wheels, newly made for gun carriages, and -also a few barrels of wooden trenchers and -spoons.</p> - -<p>While this was going forward, the British -all the while conducting themselves after the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> -fashion of people highly amused, the alarm -men were flocking to the hill outside. They -came from Carlisle, from Chelmsford, from -Westford, Littleton and Acton. They were -lined up in rough order to the number of almost -five hundred when several pillars of black -smoke began to mount from Concord, and a -cry of rage at once arose from the colonial -force.</p> - -<p>“They are burning the town!” was the cry.</p> - -<p>Colonel Barrett, who had been calmly -studying the situation, now decided to act.</p> - -<p>“The guard at the North Bridge must be -dislodged,” said he curtly. “Who will volunteer?”</p> - -<p>A mighty shout went up. With a face -shining with pleasure, the leader at once told -off the companies he desired for the service. -Major John Buttrick was placed in command, -and to the number of some three hundred, -the party started down the hill in double file -and with trailed arms.</p> - -<p>“You are required to cross the North -Bridge,” were the commander’s last words to -Major Buttrick; “but do not fire upon the -king’s troops unless they fire upon you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span>Nat, Ben Cooper, Ezra and his brother were -all with the party. Nat and Ezra marched -shoulder to shoulder and as they neared the -river, the latter said in a low tone:</p> - -<p>“I suppose this is a more or less dangerous -undertaking, but do you know, I have never -been so glad to do anything in my life.”</p> - -<p>“We are all glad to get a chance to back -up our words, I suppose,” answered Nat.</p> - -<p>“It’s not that altogether,” said Ezra.</p> - -<p>And Nat saw the look which the speaker -gave the unconscious George, who was trudging -determinedly forward, his cartridge box -pulled round ready to his hand.</p> - -<p>“He’s going to get a chance to prove that -he is a patriot at heart like the rest of us,” -said Ezra. “And,” contentedly, “I have no -fear but that he will.”</p> - -<p>“Nor I,” said Nat, assuringly.</p> - -<p>The two hundred British were upon the -west side of the river; but upon seeing the -provincials approach, they retired to the east -side and formed for a fight; also a detachment -was sent to tear up the planks of the -bridge.</p> - -<p>Seeing that this must be prevented, Major<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span> -Buttrick called upon them to stop, but as they -paid no heed, he said sharply to his command:</p> - -<p>“Forward, lads, at the quick!”</p> - -<p>The colonists increased their pace. Instantly -a rattle of musketry came from the -king’s men. A fifer in the Acton company -dropped with a bullet through him; almost -immediately Captain Davis and a private of -the same company were killed. Seeing the -deadly effect of the volley, the American -leader cried:</p> - -<p>“Fire, fellow soldiers, fire!”</p> - -<p>The American riflemen at once obeyed; as -the leaden couriers began to whistle about -them the British fell into great confusion and -retreated back upon their main body. With -defiant shouts, part of the colonists crossed -the bridge and took up a position on a hill -commanding the main road; the others, bearing -their dead, returned to their starting point, -and all rested upon their arms watching the -redcoats like hawks.</p> - -<p>By this time it was well upon noon, and while -Concord was holding the column in check, -the news of the hostile march of the king’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> -troops was spreading rapidly through all sections -round about, and hundreds of men were -hastening toward the scene of action. All -the roads that led to Concord were thick -with them; they carried the firelock that perhaps -had fought the Indian and the drum -that beat defiance to the French at Louisburg. -And they were led by men who had served -with Wolfe at Quebec and suffered the rigors -of the seven years’ war.</p> - -<p>At noon, Lieutenant-Colonel Smith concluded -that nothing further was to be gained -by an advance; so he gave the word that the -column fall back toward Lexington and -Boston. His left was covered by a strong -flank guard that kept the height that borders -the Lexington road; his right was protected -by a stream of water. They had not gone -very far when they began to understand how -thoroughly the country had been aroused. -It seemed as though men dropped from the -very clouds. From behind every tree, every -stump, every rock, a rifle spat its anger at -them.</p> - -<p>Near Hardy’s Hill, the Sudbury company -attacked the British flank guard; there was a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span> -fierce fight on the old road north of the schoolhouse. -Here the way was lined with woods -upon both sides and the minutemen swarmed -upon them from this shelter like gnats. A -guard on the left flank was ordered out in -desperation; but it proved only a fairer mark -to shoot at, and was instantly ordered back.</p> - -<p>This woody defile stretched away for three -or four miles, and while in it the British suffered -terribly.</p> - -<p>“From their look,” said Nat Brewster, reloading -his piece and wiping the sweat from -his face, “they have ceased to regard their -expedition as a sort of excursion.”</p> - -<p>Ezra Prentiss, to whom these words were -addressed, raised his rifle to his shoulder and -its report was added to the din.</p> - -<p>“And, I think,” said he coolly, as he thrust -his hand into his pocket for another cartridge, -“that they will never start upon such another -one again.”</p> - -<p>It was at this point that Woburn added one -hundred and eighty men to the little provincial -army; at Lincoln, the Lexington company -again appeared upon the field.</p> - -<p>The British carried the greater part of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span> -wounded, but the dead were left in the road -behind them. At Lexington, Lieutenant-Colonel -Smith was shot in the leg. Here, -also, the British found that their ammunition -was fast failing; the men were growing so -fatigued as to be almost unfit for service; -confusion began to grow among them and -their officers were compelled at times to -threaten them with drawn pistols, to keep -them in order.</p> - -<p>Under the murderous fire sustained by the -Americans the column was at last halted and -formed into a hollow square to await the reinforcement -which Colonel Smith had sent -for at daylight. It was here that Lord Percy, -at the head of three regiments of infantry, -two divisions of marines and carrying two -field-pieces came upon them, harassed, worn -and almost upon the point of surrender. -Percy himself had had no easy time in advancing -to the rescue. He had found the -planks of the Cambridge bridge taken up to -delay his crossing the river; then the patriots -had cut off his provision train and left his -men to the hunger of the march.</p> - -<p>At once the field-pieces began to play upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> -the colonists; houses and other buildings -were fired wantonly in Lexington, others -upon the route of the retreat, now resumed, -were broken into and plundered.</p> - -<p>Dr. Warren had joined the patriots just -before the arrival of Percy; and in the midst -of the party that came with him the boys -were delighted to find the Porcupine, perched -upon a tall horse and with a huge pistol in -his belt. At sight of them he grinned and -smoothed back his stiff crest of hair.</p> - -<p>“Had quite a time getting here,” said he, -“but it’s worth all the trouble. I’ve always -wished I’d have a chance to get in the first -fight, and I hope it’s come true!”</p> - -<p>“You’re here in time,” said Nat, with a -laugh. “The troops that have just come up -look fresh and full of spirit, so it is not all -over yet.”</p> - -<p>But though Lord Percy had almost two -thousand men in all, he showed no disposition -to do anything but get safely back to -Boston. Dr. Warren rallied the patriots, who -had been shaken by the cannon, and they -pressed relentlessly after the invaders.</p> - -<p>“Keep up a brave heart,” said Warren to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span> -the riflemen. “They began it; but see to it, -lads, that we end it.”</p> - -<p>Through West Cambridge they fought. -Again the British ammunition ran short, and -the field-pieces became silent. At Charlestown -the main body of the patriots hung -upon their rear and another force was marching -upon them from Roxbury, Dorchester and -Milton.</p> - -<p>It was sundown when the harassed column -staggered down the old Cambridge road to -Charlestown Neck, fighting every step of the -way, but glad to find protection at last under -the guns of their ships of war. Out of gunshot, -the provincials halted; but there they -hung like a cloud, ominous and dark in the -twilight. Next day the shattered battalions -crossed into the city; and at once the Americans -tightened their line; at once the work -began of making the militia and the minutemen -a compact fighting machine of -the sort whose operations would spell -victory.</p> - -<p>It was the next morning that the five -boys stood upon the hill and watched the sun -come up over the city.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span>“Well,” said Nat, “we’ve got them walled -up in Boston.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Ezra Prentiss, as his sober -gaze dwelt upon the still slumbering town. -“And it will not be a great while before we -drive them ever from there.”</p> - -<p>And the events of the days to follow proved -him to be a true prophet.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original.</p> -</div></div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG CONTINENTALS AT LEXINGTON ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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