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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75968-0.txt b/75968-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0aa7a5d --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9473 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75968 *** + + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA + + + + +[Illustration: “WHICH WAY DID HE GO?”] + + + + + THE MINUTE BOYS OF + PHILADELPHIA + + BY + JAMES OTIS + + Author of “The Minute Boys of Long Island,” “The Minute + Boys of Wyoming Valley,” “Boys of ’98,” “Teddy and + Carrots,” “Boys of Fort Schuyler,” “Under the + Liberty Tree,” etc., etc. + + Illustrated by + L. J. BRIDGMAN + + [Illustration] + + BOSTON + DANA ESTES AND COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + _Copyright, 1911_ + BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY + + _All rights reserved_ + + THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA + + + _Electrotyped and Printed by + THE COLONIAL PRESS + C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U. S. A._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. THE SPY 11 + + II. THE SUGGESTION 33 + + III. SKINNY BAKER 57 + + IV. THE RECRUITS 76 + + V. AT SWEDE’S FORD 96 + + VI. VALLEY FORGE 117 + + VII. IN MORTAL FEAR 136 + + VIII. THE CARNIVAL 156 + + IX. ON DUTY 173 + + X. IN THE LION’S MOUTH 194 + + XI. AT BARREN HILL 213 + + XII. THE RETREAT 231 + + XIII. TURNING THE TABLES 249 + + XIV. A WARM PLACE 268 + + XV. A NARROW ESCAPE 287 + + XVI. THE ATTACK 305 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + + “WHICH WAY DID HE GO?” (_Page 18_) _Frontispiece_ + + WE KEPT STRICT WATCH AHEAD AND BEHIND 40 + + “I COULD KILL YOU AND NOT CALL IT MURDER” 72 + + “THIS, GENERAL VARNUM, IS RICHARD SALTER” 113 + + HE FOUND TWO LOBSTER-BACKS GUARDING THE ENTRANCE 144 + + SCALING THE JAIL WALL 191 + + IN A TWINKLING JEREMY WAS UPON HIM 258 + + BUTTING HIM FULL IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH 296 + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SPY + + +In striving to set down what we boys of Philadelphia did during a +portion of the time when General Howe and his lobster-backs held +possession of our city, I have no intention of blowing my own horn. + +If, however, it should appear from what I write that I have made myself +seemingly of more consequence than is my due, it must be set down as +excuse that I am earnestly endeavoring to give a true, faithful account +of our work, for some of us lads of Philadelphia did, so we have been +told by those who stand high in the American army, very much good for +the patriot cause in our own small way. + +It is needless for me to go into details regarding General Howe’s +occupation of the city, for the facts are well known. I question if +there be a boy in all these colonies who does not remember how we of +Philadelphia suffered when the lobster-backs held possession of the +city. + +It is written in history by this time, that we who held to the Cause +were sadly put upon by those whom the king sent overseas to whip +us into subjection. It may be there are some outside this city of +Philadelphia who think we might have done more in our own defence; but +I dare venture to say you will agree with me, if it so please you to +believe all I have written, when I say that we, meaning men, women and +children, did whatsoever we could for the Cause at such times as it was +possible to do so without endangering our lives. + +In more cases than one have I seen even the women render aid which +would have cost them the halter, if so be General Howe, or General +Clinton who came later, had had an idea of what was going on. + +Do you remember the battle of Germantown, as some people call it, that +fight which took place near the Chew house? Well, it was about six +months afterward, when the spring had fully come, that Jeremy Hapgood, +my particular friend, and I, who am by name known as Richard Salter, +had agreed among ourselves that we would attend a vendue of horses to +be held at the London Coffee-House, which is situate on the corner of +High and Front streets, as of course you know. + +To our minds, the only important matter concerning this vendue was that +there were several fine animals to be sold, and among them mayhap four +or five which the British officers had seized from our people nearabout +Germantown, claiming a right to take them in the name of the king +because their owners were said to favor the Cause. + +We lads were not the only persons in Philadelphia with a leaning +towards independence, who counted to be at the vendue that day, for +I had heard it whispered about by Master Norris, who, as you know, +is a most peaceable man, being a Friend, that there was a chance some +attempt might be made during the sale to carry off the horses which had +been much the same as stolen. + +Jeremy and I were minded to know what would be done, hoping there might +be some chance for us to lend a hand, and realizing that it would be +a credit to us if we could say we had had some part in cutting the +combs, however slightly, of these lobster-backs who paraded the streets +shouldering into the gutters all of our people who dared hold the +sidewalk when their high mightinesses were inclined to use it. + +Now, as you know, the London Coffee-House was a famous resort for those +minions of the king, and we lads generally gave that part of the city a +wide berth, not being minded to bear insult, nay, even blows, when it +so pleased the lobster-backs to inflict them. + +To the end that we might see what was going on and at the same +time remain at a respectful distance from the red-coated gentry, I +proposed to Jeremy that we meet in front of that shop at the corner of +Front street and Black Horse alley which was formerly Mrs. Roberts’ +coffee-house, and there we would not only be at a safe distance from +the Britishers who were likely to be in a disagreeable mood from overly +much drinking; but, in addition could, if need arose, readily make our +escape. + +You must know that at the rear of the store was a gate opening on +Chestnut street, where, when the place had been used as a coffee-house, +the gentlemen’s horses were brought in to the stable, and through +that gate we might readily give any lobster-back the slip unless, +peradventure, he was fleeter of foot than we; but there were few in +Philadelphia at that time who could outstrip either Jeremy or me in a +race. + +Well, as we had agreed so we did, and on coming in front of the shop we +could see on the corner of High street a large throng gathered, nearly +every one of whom, save, of course, the grooms, wore a red coat, and +I said to Jeremy that it was in my mind Master Norris had repented of +taking any part in the rescue of the horses, after learning that so +many of the soldiers were gathered. + +As a matter of fact, it would have been a mighty disagreeable task to +run off any of the animals while such a crowd of officers was nearby, +with here and there a squad of soldiers who had gathered by themselves, +not daring to approach too near to their high and mighty masters. + +“If Isaac Norris and his friends had any design to run off the beasts, +then the work should have been done last night while they were stabled, +rather than wait until now, for even the thickest head in Philadelphia +could understand that with so many fine horses offered for sale, the +king’s army would be well represented at this vendue,” Jeremy Hapgood +said grimly, half turning as if it was in his mind to beat a retreat, +for it would profit us little to remain so far from the vendue, if +peradventure we were eager to hear and to see all that was going on. + +The animals had not yet been brought out for sale, and it appeared to +me that the waiting ones were impatient, so much so, in fact, that +there was seemingly considerable excitement nearby the entrance to the +coffee-house, although what had caused it I could not even so much as +guess, and it was on my tongue’s end to propose to Jeremy that we go +down to the water front nearby the Jolly Tar inn, where we had for some +time kept concealed a skiff. + +Now it may sound much as if I am straining the truth when I say that +we two lads had kept hidden from the Britishers all this while a boat, +for, as you well know, it was near akin to a crime for one of us +so-called rebels of Philadelphia to have a craft of any kind in his +possession. + +Every boat and vessel on the river had either been destroyed or taken +in charge by the lobster-backs, as if they were fearful that some of +us enemies to the king might try to get away from their not overly +pleasant company by taking to the water, and that their hold of +Philadelphia would be weakened if man, woman or child was permitted to +leave the city. + +As I have said, it was on the tip of my tongue to tell Jeremy that +we were but wasting our time here while we could be more pleasantly +employed elsewhere, when there arose a sudden commotion nearby the door +of the coffee-house, and in a twinkling I saw three of the red-coated, +swaggering officers fall to the ground as if suddenly stricken with +death. + +Almost at the same instant from out amid the throng there appeared a +man dressed in the garb of a countryman, who, from outward appearance, +might have been one of the farmers nearby, and who, thinking more of +the dollars than of his country’s freedom, was ready to serve the +Britishers with meat and vegetables, if so be he received therefor +sufficient of hard money. + +This fellow came out with a bound, and he it was who had overturned +the lobster-backs. Almost before I could fairly understand what had +happened, he was coming in the direction of Jeremy and me at full +speed, while behind him rose such cries as: + +“Kill him! A spy, a spy! Take after him, you idlers; don’t you see that +he is a spy and escaping?” + +Jeremy and I needed no further introduction to this fleeing stranger. +The fact that the Britishers were bent on capturing him, and accused +him of being a spy, which was much the same as declaring he was one who +had devoted himself to the Cause, was enough to make him our friend, +and in a twinkling, fortunately, I had my wits about me sufficiently +to realize that we could open up to him a way of escape, if so be the +lobster-backs did not press too closely on his heels. + +I knew full well that if I was seen to give aid to one suspected of +being a spy, my shrift would be short indeed, for General Howe’s +officers made quick work of us people of Philadelphia who were +suspected of having lost our love for the king. Therefore it was that +I ran forward as if to seize the man, and did lay hold of him with one +hand, striving as if it was my purpose to detain him, while at the same +time I said loudly, realizing that the uproar behind us was so great +that the words would not be overheard: + +“Get into the alley-way this side the shop! There is a gate leading to +Chestnut street, if so be you are minded to go through; but you should +be able to find a hiding place in the old stables, while Jeremy and I +keep on as if in pursuit, making them think you have passed that way.” + +Then it was I threw myself to the ground, as if he who was shouted +after as a spy had thrown me off roughly; but was able to scramble to +my feet before the foremost of the pursuers came up. + +It was well I moved quickly, otherwise Jeremy might have brought us +all to grief, for he failed utterly of understanding why it was I +would do anything to aid in the capture of the man. He looked at me in +open-mouthed astonishment with reproach written on every feature of his +face, until, seizing him by the coat-sleeve, I dragged him on with me +as I shouted at the full strength of my lungs: + +“A spy, a spy! Come all you good people and catch the spy!” + +“What is the meaning of this?” Jeremy asked angrily. “How does it +chance that you are joining with the lobster-backs in chasing down one +of our people?” + +“Have your wits about you, Jeremy Hapgood, else are you like to get me +into serious trouble!” I whispered angrily. “Follow my example, and it +may be that peradventure we can help this unhappy man who is risking +his life for the Cause.” + +Then, literally dragging Jeremy along with me, I continued on as if in +pursuit of the spy, darting close at his heels up the narrow passage +leading to the ruined stables, and from there to the gate which let on +Chestnut street. + +To my satisfaction, I saw him make a plunge among the decaying timbers +much as does one who, swimming, dives into deeper water, and without +slackening pace I threw open the gate leading on to Chestnut street, +where I made as if I had hurt my leg; but all the while continuing to +cry: + +“A spy, a spy! Catch the spy!” + +“What has come upon you?” Jeremy asked sharply. “I fail to understand +any portion of this game.” + +“It makes little difference whether you understand it or not, Jeremy +Hapgood,” I replied sharply. “Your part is to follow my example, if +peradventure you are so thick-headed as not to be able to look through +a ladder. You know as well as I, that the man went out of here, and I +would have caught him but for the fact that he kicked me on the knee.” + +Then it was that Jeremy began to have an inkling of how I would help +the poor fellow who was so sorely pressed, and a smile of satisfaction +came over his face which would have been fatal to my plans if the +lobster-backs had come up in sufficient time to see it. + +It was necessary the foremost of the pursuers should run a full +half-square before they could come to where we were standing, and no +less than a minute passed from the time I threw open the gate before +the leaders came up, shouting wildly: + +“Which way did he go? Why have you halted in the chase? Where is he?” + +“He passed out through this gate not many seconds ago, disabling me by +a kick as he went, else I would have caught the fellow,” was my reply. + +Now, as a matter of course, all this was a lie, and strictly speaking, +so my mother would say, no lad has a right to tell that which is false. +But I have heard Master Norris, who is as straight a Friend as can +be found in Philadelphia, and a most truthful man, say that in these +troublous times he believes we are warranted in telling the enemies of +our country things which are not true, if so be good can come to the +Cause thereby. + +Surely in this falsehood of mine good must come to the Cause, if +peradventure the man whom I knew to be hiding under the timbers of the +stable, was indeed a spy who had come down from Valley Forge, mayhap, +with the hope of finding such a condition of affairs as would warrant +our people in making an attempt to retake Philadelphia. + +Now, as a matter of course, we lads knew nothing whatsoever of military +matters, and wondered greatly why it was all our people should suffer +as they had been suffering at Valley Forge, without making some attempt +to relieve us who were shut up by the lobster-backs much the same as +prisoners. + +It seemed to me that if I were a soldier I would prefer to fight, +no matter how great the odds might be against me, than remain idle, +half-starved, half-frozen, half-clad, awaiting a favorable opportunity. + +However, as I have said, and as you know full well, my knowledge of +military matters was slight, and in my foolishness, on hearing that a +spy had been discovered in the coffee-house, I believed he could have +been sent for no less a purpose than to learn what he might to aid our +people in making ready for an attack. And as I stood there by the gate, +with the lobster-backs streaming past me, each asking querulously which +way the game had gone, I could almost fancy I saw those patriots from +Valley Forge coming down through Germantown to square accounts. + +It goes without saying that the Britishers did not continue the chase +very far up Chestnut street, because of not being able to see the +man they were so eager to catch, and after running a dozen yards, +mayhap, one by one they turned back to question Jeremy and me as to the +direction which the fugitive had taken. + +I thought of what Master Norris had said regarding truth-telling when +it came to a question of saving a man’s life, and to the best of my +ability I explained how I had seen the man run up the street after +passing through the gate, and then, as my attention was attracted for +an instant to Jeremy, I turned my head to look again; but saw nothing +of him. + +Therefore it was, so I said, that he must have taken refuge in some one +of the houses or outbuildings between where we stood and, mayhap, the +distance of a square. + +By this time Jeremy had succeeded in getting through his head, which +it seemed to me had never been so thick as on this day, somewhat of +the plan in my mind, and bravely did he second my efforts to throw the +lobster-backs off the track. + +He also declared that he had seen the stranger running up the street; +had followed him a certain distance, and declared that but for the blow +which the fellow gave me, we two lads would have secured him. In other +ways Master Hapgood bolstered up his story and mine in such fashion, +that unless there had been serious cause for suspicion, the Britishers +could have done no less than believe all we told them. + +The result was that very speedily we were left alone, for not above +twenty had followed the man through the alley-way, and many of these +had gone back to the coffee-house to explain how the supposed spy had +succeeded in giving them the slip. + +Within five minutes we were alone, standing in the gateway where we +could see all that might take place on Chestnut street in either +direction, as well as make certain whether anyone came upon us from the +rear. + +Thus we were, as you might say, absolutely alone, and Jeremy said to me +in a whisper: + +“Now what is your intent, Richard Salter? It strikes me that this is +your affair, and I am well content to do whatsoever you shall say.” + +I knew not what reply to make, and verily an older head than mine might +have been puzzled to decide exactly what was best to be done, for there +was need of much caution since a man’s life depended upon the decision +that should be made. + +I had succeeded in saving the stranger, whoever he might be, for the +time being, and now it stood me in hand to do whatsoever I might toward +finishing the job in proper fashion. But how the matter was to be +worked puzzled me beyond words to describe. + +Jeremy waited while one might have counted twenty, for me to reply to +his question, and then repeated it in a different form: + +“You have got your spy underneath the timbers of the stable, and within +a stone’s throw of where the king’s officers most do congregate. Now, +how are you to prevent the poor fellow from starving to death?” + +“It is a question which I wish most heartily I might be able to answer, +Jeremy,” I replied soberly, cudgeling my brains meanwhile for some +solution to the difficulty. + +However, there was in my mind the fact that I could not make any move +at once, because of the danger that the lobster-backs who had gone up +Chestnut street might come back into the yard, therefore I said to the +lad, linking my arm in his: + +“There is nothing which can be done yet awhile; we must loiter around +until night has come, and if so be the man who is in hiding has as much +sense and quick wit as a spy needs, then will he understand that we +are forced to wait until the hue and cry has died away before we can +venture a hand to save him.” + +Well, Jeremy had no reply to make to this, and for the very good reason +that there was nothing he could say. + +He knew as well as I, that for us to approach the hiding place of the +stranger now, while the lobster-backs were so near at hand and so +likely to come into the yard, would be much the same as delivering the +fellow over to death, therefore he followed my lead, and we two walked +as slowly away as if there was nothing whatsoever on our minds save a +desire for pleasure, toward the Jolly Tar inn, where there was good +reason to believe we might meet with some of our comrades. + +It can well be supposed that we discussed this sudden change in our +affairs most earnestly as we walked along; but without arriving at any +very satisfactory conclusion. We had most like saved the life of a man +that day, and the question which would come into our minds, despite all +efforts to banish it, was whether or no we might succeed yet further in +the purpose, or if that which we had done was only to keep him on this +earth a few hours longer. + +Certain it was, once the Britishers suspected him of being a spy, he +would suffer the death of one in event of being captured, for the +lobster-backs were not overly careful about spilling the blood of +Americans. + +Now you must know that our boat lay hidden on the bank of Dock creek, +under a pile of lumber and general building material, where, save +strictest search was made, she would be undiscovered by the enemy. + +It is not to be supposed that at this time we boys had very much +opportunity to indulge in boating. The British ships lay so thickly +at anchor in the river off the town that, as Jeremy said, one might +not safely pass a knife-blade between them, and unless we were minded +to go up stream, where was every chance of being overhauled by one of +the guard-boats at the expense of losing our craft, we were forced to +content ourselves with looking at her now and then, thinking with a +deal of satisfaction that we had succeeded thus far in holding that +which his high mightiness, General Howe, insisted we of Philadelphia +should not be allowed to keep in our possession. + +The _Jolly Rover_ was the name of our boat, and she was not very much +to look upon with pleasure, being nothing more than a skiff, as you +might say, with the forward part decked in, so that we might venture +down toward the Capes even in stormy weather, without risk of being +swamped. + +However, to us she was as valuable, and, perhaps, as seemly looking as +any of his majesty’s vessels, and it appeared to me that after having +crawled beneath the lumber to get at her, knowing the lobster-backs +were supposed to keep a strict guard nearby, I could better think out +any problem which presented itself to my mind, because of being, so to +speak, under my own vine and fig tree. + +Therefore it was that I led Jeremy down toward Dock creek, turning over +and over again in my mind, as you may well suppose, the chances for and +against our being able to aid that stranger who, if he acted the truth, +and I doubted it not, was laboring for the American Cause and now had +none on this earth to trust in save us. + +It seemed like the rarest stroke of good fortune that we should chance +to come upon young Chris, meaning Chris Ludwig, son of Christopher +Ludwig, the baker, who was our especial crony, and also an equal owner +in the _Jolly Rover_. + +Young Chris was loitering around Front street nearabout the creek, +having nothing especial to do, for if there was one thing in this +world that he was unfriendly with it was work, and although his father +stood ready at all times, almost too ready, the lad said, to give him +employment, he did his best to evade it. On this day verily I blessed +his indolence, for, with the exception of Jeremy, he was the one person +in Philadelphia to whom I could open my heart without fear of being +betrayed. + +One might suppose that a sensible lad would go at once to his +father with such information as was in my possession--dangerous +information;--but I had none to whom I could appeal. My father had long +since been dead; my mother was a widow who, with what little aid I +could give her by earning a shilling or a sixpence now and then, eked +out a livelihood letting rooms in the house where I was born, therefore +this taking possession of the city by General Howe was not unwelcome to +her in one sense, although she was as good a “rebel” as could be found +in all our colony of Pennsylvania. + +British officers were inclined to spend the king’s gold whenever there +was an opportunity of ministering to their pleasure, and many of them +hired apartments in the city rather than be quartered wheresoever +their billets led them. Thus it was that we had in my home three +lobster-backs, all officers of the Royal Irish regiment, and you can +guess that I heard every day of my life such threats or suggestions +against us of Philadelphia as made my blood boil, although I dared not +speak a word in protest, else had I gone to the stone jail, or to join +the prisoners in the state house, without delay. + +As a matter of course, young Chris was eager to know where we had been +and what was our purpose at present; but although there were none in +the streets nearby who might overhear my words, I refused to make any +explanation whatsoever until we were in our snug hiding place beneath +the lumber pile, and so told him, speaking in such a tone that on the +instant he understood something of great import must be in the wind. + +It required no less than half an hour of skilful manœuvring for us to +get on board the _Jolly Rover_, safely hidden beneath the overhanging +timbers, for we were forced to go one at a time lest, otherwise, undue +attention be attracted to our movements. + +But finally we were on board the craft, and then it was, sparing not +words so that the lad might have full knowledge of all which had +occurred during the morning, I told young Chris of our situation as it +concerned the stranger. + +One might have thought the lad would have been overwhelmed with fear at +the bare idea of harboring a spy, for in our city of Philadelphia in +the year of grace 1778, to do so was such a crime as the lobster-backs +would never overlook until one had danced at the end of a rope so long +as life remained in his body. + +But Chris was not of that stamp. Instead of showing fear, it pleased +him seemingly to a great extent that we had been able to do even so +much as hide the spy, and straightway, without thinking of the danger, +he began speculating as to how we might aid the stranger. + +“I am ready to take the chances of setting off with him in this boat +during the night, going so far up the river that he may be able to get +on shore without being observed, for, of course, it is impossible we +could make our way below the city past all the ships-of-war on which +strict watch is kept.” + +“It strikes me that we should first learn where the man comes from,” +Jeremy interrupted. “Certain it is he ventured into this city on +important business, otherwise he never would have risked his neck +so rashly, and it is for us to learn how his work may be furthered, +rather than say we will do this or do that because it best suits our +convenience.” + +“Very well,” young Chris said quickly. “What is to prevent us from +knowing exactly how he would have us lend him a hand?” + +“In order to do that, we must have speech with him,” I replied quickly, +“and, moreover, there is a possibility the man stands in need of food.” + +Young Chris made a gesture with his hand as if to say I was talking at +random, and cried incautiously loud: + +“What is to prevent your having speech with the man, and that right +speedily? As soon as night has come I will take my station at Black +Horse alley to give warning if any of the lobster-backs approach that +way. Jeremy shall stand guard at the gate on Chestnut street, and then +you, Richard Salter, may go in and talk to the man to your heart’s +content, so that you do not give the lobster-backs an inkling of your +purpose before having entered the shop-yard.” + +Strange as it may seem, this simple plan had not occurred to me; I had +fancied it would cost us a deal of trouble and could be done only at +the expense of much danger, yet the moment young Chris had spoken I +understood how simple it would all be, providing the lobster-backs were +not loitering in the neighborhood, suspecting the man might be hidden +nearby. + +However, I was not minded that the lad should believe he had contrived +something which had escaped my attention, and therefore said, much as +if it had been my purpose all the while to do this same thing: + +“Of course, that is what must be done. The question in my mind, +however, is whether the man still remains where we last saw him.” + +“How could he go elsewhere?” young Chris asked sharply. “He has no +means of knowing but that the Britishers are close about waiting for +him to come out, and because you gave him the hint where a hiding place +might be found, he will depend upon you to aid him farther, unless he +be a veritable simple.” + +Well, we discussed the matter, each in turn suggesting the most +improbable methods of getting the stranger out of the city, and +arriving at no satisfactory conclusion. It seemed well-nigh impossible +we might thus pluck a spy from out the clutches of the Britishers +without bringing ourselves to the gallows. + +You must understand that in this year of grace 1778, we of Philadelphia +were lying, as one might say, bound hand and foot at the mercy of those +whom the king had sent to whip us into subjection; and at the first +move man, woman, or child might make toward doing anything in aid of +their distressed country, then was punishment severe and terrible to +think upon, sure to follow. + +Of course, we could do nothing toward aiding the spy until night had +come, and so excited were we all that there was no thought in the minds +of any that we might be needing food; but it seemed almost as if the +safety of the man depended entirely on our remaining aboard the _Jolly +Rover_, hidden from view, until the favorable moment when we might take +steps in his behalf. + +I knew full well my mother would be anxious regarding me if I failed to +return home at the accustomed time, and yet it seemed that I must stay +there, if indeed I gave much of any heed to such fact. I was so puffed +up with the idea that it might be possible for me to do something +which would give me an enviable name among those who were serving the +colonies, that it was as if I had no home nor anyone who would be +concerned whether I came or remained away. + +Young Chris had no desire to go back to the bakery even for a few +moments, because he knew full well that his father would find some task +for him to do, therefore was he content to remain with me. Jeremy +Hapgood, however, had better sense than either of us, for he understood +he ought to report himself at home at least once during the day, and, +finding that we were not disposed to come out from our hiding place +until it was sufficiently dark to carry into execution the plans we had +formed, he set off alone, counting to relieve his mother’s anxiety, if +so be she felt any concerning him, which was exactly what both young +Chris and I should have had manhood enough to do. + +There is no good reason why I should set down all that was said by +my comrade and me while Jeremy was away, for we talked much that was +foolish, I dare venture to say. Nor were we in any way disgruntled as +Jeremy crept under the lumber pile, when the afternoon was nearly half +spent, his pockets bulging with food which he had brought for us, he +being a thoughtful lad where the comfort of his friends was concerned. + +While we ate greedily, for to tell the truth both of us were +anhungered, he gave us the pleasing information that no Britishers were +to be seen in the vicinity of where the stranger was hidden. + +It appeared surely as if the lobster-backs had come to believe that the +spy made his way up Chestnut street, or sought refuge in some of the +buildings there, rather than nearabout the coffee-house, and, as Jeremy +said with a chuckle of satisfaction, matters were shaping themselves +much as we would desire. + +Jeremy had sufficient good sense to loiter around the London +Coffee-House amid the throng of officers which frequented that place, +hoping he might hear somewhat concerning the events of the forenoon, +and in this he was not disappointed. + +The lobster-backs, it seemed, were discussing over their ale whether +the man who had been chased was indeed a spy, or some witless creature, +as one of them put it, who had inadvertently said that which caused +suspicion to fall upon him. + +It appears that the man had been in the coffee-house seemingly for +the sole purpose of taking refreshment; but, so one of the Britishers +declared, keeping his ears open to all that was said around him. + +Now it so chanced that one of the high and mighty lobster-backs who +sported a sword, had proposed in a drunken spirit that all within the +room should drink to the health of the king, and this man was so slow +in responding, that instantly the Britisher asked him if he was for the +king or for the colonies. + +Now why it was, the man having come into Philadelphia as a spy, if +indeed such had been the case, he should have hesitated to give the +proper answer, I failed to understand, nor could Jeremy learn very much +regarding the particulars of what occurred just at that moment. At all +events, the stranger was immediately accused of being a spy, and when +he indignantly denied it, was asked to go to headquarters that he might +explain his business and tell why he was in Philadelphia at that time, +if indeed he did not live in the city. + +Without making reply to this suggestion, the man leaped to his feet, +counting to trust to his heels rather than his tongue to get him out of +the scrape. Whereupon, every red-coat customer in the coffee-house set +chase after him, crying out as we had heard. + +According to Jeremy’s story, the Britishers were not greatly disturbed +regarding the possibility that a spy from the American army had been +among them. They rather took it for granted that the man was of no +especial importance; that he could do them no harm, since nothing of +a private nature had been discussed in the coffee-house. Because the +farmers were allowed to come in from the country nearabout to sell +their produce, it was not strange that one of them, and this man was +seemingly a farmer by his garb, should be friendly to the colonies to +such an extent as to hesitate about drinking the king’s health. + +All this was in favor, as a matter of course, of the man whom we had +set out to befriend, for it told that there would not be a very strict +watch kept over those who might attempt to leave the city, and again +we knew, or believed we did, that there would be no especial guard +stationed nearabout where the man had disappeared. + +“It is all as plain sailing as a fellow could wish,” young Chris said +in a tone of satisfaction when Jeremy was come to an end of his story. +“The British are here in such numbers, while our army is penned up +in Valley Forge seemingly unable to make a move, that General Howe’s +officers do not fancy any danger can come to them from us rebels; +therefore we have simply to carry out my plan of gaining speech with +your friend the spy as soon as night has come, and you may set it down +as certain, Richard Salter, that you will not be disturbed however +long the conversation may be between you and the man. However, I would +recommend that you put a stopper to your tongue in decent time, +discussing how it is possible for him to get out of the city, rather +than striving to gratify your curiosity.” + +Young Chris’s remarks rather nettled me, although I would not allow +him to see it. I was a year his elder, and although I had done nothing +which gave proof of my ability to serve the colonies, I counted that I +was quite as able to conduct an affair of this kind, dangerous though +it was, as he, and preferred in my folly to be looked on as the leader +in this enterprise, rather than as one who must obey the command of +others. + +Therefore it was that I failed to make reply to his remark, and Jeremy +was tired of talking, consequently we three fell silent, crouching in +the _Jolly Rover_ beneath the overhanging timbers until the sun went +down, and darkness covered Dock creek even as it covered Philadelphia. + +The night had come. There was no longer reason for us to hesitate or +to linger, for we were only counting on darkness to favor us, rather +than the lateness of the hour, and after assuring myself the coast was +clear, by creeping out amid the timbers where I could have a fairly +good view of the surroundings, I said in a whisper to Jeremy and young +Chris that the time had come for us to make an attempt at gaining +speech with the stranger. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SUGGESTION + + +If General Howe himself had been striving to make matters easy for us +in the attempt to visit the spy, matters could not have gone more to +our satisfaction. + +Singularly enough, we failed to meet with a single squad of red-coats +as we came up from Dock creek to Black Horse alley, and having arrived +there, could see no one in the immediate vicinity. + +At the London Coffee-House, just outside the doors, were mayhap half a +dozen officers loitering as if waiting for some friend; but that gave +me no concern, for those who held commissions in his majesty’s army did +not stoop to do such work as hunting down a spy, because there were +plenty of the rank and file to whom they could detail anything which +was disagreeable or laborious. + +Therefore it was that we marched directly into the yard, taking fairly +good care, however, not to make any great display of ourselves. Having +come to the gate which led on Chestnut street, Jeremy went outside +after we had decided that if either he or young Chris should see +anything which was of a suspicious nature, they should give the alarm +by each shouting the other’s name, afterward making their way without +delay to the _Jolly Rover_ where, if so be I was not interfered with, I +could meet them. + +Then it was that young Chris went back to the entrance of Black Horse +alley, and I was left alone in the yard to seek out the man whom I had +undertaken to befriend, even though he had not called upon me for such +service. + +I had marked well the place where he disappeared amid the decaying +timbers, and, lying at full length, I forced my body beneath the rotten +lumber until I was well inside the covering, when I called in a whisper: + +“Hello there! I am the lad who lent you a hand this morning!” + +While one might have counted ten there was no answer to my call, and +not until I had repeated it twice did I hear anything betokening the +man’s whereabouts. + +I was almost come to believe he had taken matters into his own hands, +and, rather than trust to boys, had set about making his way out of +the city. It was even when I was on the point of backing out from +the uncomfortable hiding place that I heard a movement beyond me in +advance, and then came a cautious whisper. + +“Is there no danger in my coming out?” + +“None so long as you remain quiet and are ready to take to cover again +at the first alarm,” I replied, and before the words were hardly out of +my mouth, the man was so near that by stretching forth my hand I could +touch him. + +“Are they searching for me?” was his first question. + +I replied to it by telling him all Jeremy had learned during the +afternoon, whereupon he asked, as if even at this late hour there was +some little distrust in his mind regarding my honesty of purpose in +striving to aid him: + +“Who are you, lad?” + +“Richard Salter, son of that widow who lives in Drinker’s alley, and, +while the lobster-backs are here in Philadelphia, gains a livelihood by +letting to them such rooms in our house as we do not occupy.” + +“There was another lad with you this morning?” he said in a questioning +tone, and I replied promptly: + +“Ay, that was Jeremy Hapgood; but now there is a third fellow who would +strive to save you from the halter.” + +“And who may that be?” + +“Young Chris, son of Christopher Ludwig the baker.” + +“Ah, Ludwig the baker; then surely that lad should be trusted,” the +stranger said, and in such a tone as nettled me, whereupon I cried +incautiously loud, speaking sharply: + +“There are none of us three who may fairly be suspected of doing aught +save that which is for the good of the Cause, else would we have left +you this morning to the mercies of the lobster-backs. If peradventure +one of them had suspected that I was seeking to show you a hiding +place, then would my shrift have been short indeed. In case you are +acquainted here in Philadelphia, you know where I must of necessity +have been at this moment if so be they got any hold upon me.” + +“Ay, ay, lad, I understand all that, and you must forgive me even for +seeming to question your honesty; but when a man is as I am, lying +’twixt the halter and a bullet, it is not to be wondered that he +questions everyone around him, even those who are seemingly doing what +they may to lend him aid.” + +“Never mind that part of it,” I interrupted hastily, ashamed of having +given rein to my tongue at such a time. “I know not whether it may be +possible for us lads to help you out of this scrape; but surely it +seems to me we might do almost as much as men, since boys are not so +likely to be suspected by the lobster-backs as those who are older +grown.” + +“You may do as much as men, and even more, lad. Have you boys here in +Philadelphia who love the Cause, no association such as the Boys of +Liberty in Boston, or the Minute Boys in other colonies?” + +“There is little chance we could have,” I said with a laugh in which +was no mirth. “Perhaps you do not know how closely we are watched by +the lobster-backs.” + +“I dare venture to say you are in no worse condition than are other +lads who, binding themselves together with the agreement to do +whatsoever they may in aid of the colonies, have already succeeded +in accomplishing very much. How many are there of your age, or +thereabouts, in this city who may be trusted?” + +Hurriedly I ran over in my mind those whom I knew to have favored the +Cause, and said at random: + +“A dozen mayhap. There possibly are more; but I do not now recall +others with whom I would be willing to trust my liberty or my life. But +do you really think boys no older than thirteen or fourteen years might +aid the Cause?” + +“Ay, of a verity I do, my lad. Are you not even now doing that which +many a man who claims to be a true son of the colonies, would flinch +at? To aid a spy in his escape is no slight crime in the eyes of those +who serve the king.” + +“But this was something which happened unexpectedly,” I replied, “and +we would not find a like opportunity again in a lifetime, I might +almost say.” + +“Ay; but if you and your friends sought for the opportunity, my lad, +you could do very much, and particularly just at this time,” the man +said earnestly, as if it was of the utmost importance that he interest +me in this matter, and his eagerness surprised me not a little. “With +a dozen lads who were ready to do whatsoever they might, the work of +men like me, who venture into the enemy’s camp, might be lessened very +greatly, and information sent out which could not otherwise be had by +our people,” the man continued, now with his lips close to my ear lest +any might overhear. + +“Tell me how it could be done?” I cried eagerly, now burning with the +desire to do something which should give me a name among those who +were struggling to throw off the yoke of the king, for until this +moment I had not believed it possible lads like myself would be able to +accomplish anything of importance. + +“Suppose I wanted to send word to Valley Forge, or to Swede’s Ford, or +anywhere else you please, of what I have learned in this city, and yet +desired to remain here longer in order to gather more information? How +well you lads could serve the Cause by carrying such message--” + +“Do you mean to General Washington?” I cried excitedly, now raising my +voice so that the man laid his hand on my lips as he replied: + +“Ay, to him, or to any other officer who might be waiting for the +information. In fact, lad, there is no need why I should go into detail +with you, explaining how a company of boys could aid the colonies here +in Philadelphia, even as they have aided them elsewhere since this war +for independence began. Instead of discussing that matter now, let us +set about, if so be it is in our power, to say how I may get away from +the city without loss of time?” + +“And where would you go, sir?” I asked. + +“Anywhere outside the British lines. My purpose is to reach Swede’s +Ford within four and twenty hours.” + +“Would you take the chances of going down the river as far as the +mouth of the Schuylkill, in a small boat which is hardly more than a +skiff?” I asked, and then told him of the _Jolly Rover_, whereupon he +remained silent while one could have counted twenty, after which he +said hesitatingly: + +“I question much, lad, whether it would not be easier to get away by +land rather than water, for from what I have seen, the lobster-backs +are keeping close guard over the river.” + +“Ay, over the Delaware, but not the Schuylkill, and if Swede’s Ford be +the point you aim at, then it behooves you to go up the Schuylkill. I +dare venture to promise that we could get the _Jolly Rover_ out from +beneath the lumber pile twixt now and midnight without any lobster-back +being the wiser.” + +“Do you think I might dare venture out within an hour, say?” the man +asked, and I replied, without hesitation: + +“If so be you go with us, and make a move only when we give the word, +allowing that you are my uncle, or cousin, or whatsoever blood kin you +may choose to say in event of our being overhauled, then do I believe +we might start this moment.” + +He showed himself inquisitive as to my plans, and I surely could make +no complaint as to that, for the man was giving his life, so to speak, +into my hands, and one could well fancy he would be curious to know +whom he was thus trusting. + +The result of all his questions and my answers was, that within five +minutes I backed out from beneath the decaying timbers, ran to the +entrance of Black Horse alley, and in the fewest possible words told +young Chris what we were about to do, asking his opinion. + +He felt quite as confident as I, that at this hour in the night we +might safely make the venture, and after telling me to bring my spy out +into the open, he ran to warn Jeremy that it was no longer necessary +for him to remain on duty at the gate. + +The stranger came promptly out at my bidding, and when he was standing +in the yard, while we were waiting for young Chris and Jeremy to give +the word that the coast was clear, I whispered warningly: + +“If so be we come upon a squad of lobster-backs who are inclined to +question us, it may be as well that you should claim to be my uncle who +has come down from Germantown.” + +“And have you an uncle in Germantown, lad?” the man asked. + +“Indeed I have not; but what concern might that be of yours?” + +“Only this, my boy, that if you had one who lived in Germantown, and I +should afterward come to grief, it might be the worse for him that you +had used his name.” + +It pleased me not a little that the man should be thus careful for my +safety, or for the safety of those who were near to me, and although I +had had no distrust of him before, I felt every confidence from this on. + +We lost no time, after young Chris had signaled that the coast was +clear, in setting out from the shop-yard on the way to Dock creek; but +you may be very certain that we kept strict watch ahead and behind, +lest we should come upon, or be overtaken by, those whose duty it was +to make certain that “rebels” were not abroad after the sun had set. + +Now it may seem like some fanciful tale, rather than reality, that we +could thus walk boldly abroad in the evening when the lobster-backs +were supposed to be on the lookout for everyone who was not of their +kidney. + +But it must be borne in mind that General Howe had long held possession +of the city; that he had come to believe the American army was +powerless to do anything against him; that he felt confident the people +of Philadelphia would not dare make any attempt in their own behalf, +and, in addition to all this, his men, officers as well as privates, +had really grown careless, or I might say, lazy. They no longer were +so keen to search out rebels, because it might take them from their +pleasures, and verily the king’s men in our colony at this time were +living a life of ease and of indolence. + +[Illustration: WE KEPT STRICT WATCH AHEAD AND BEHIND.] + +Much of what I have just set down was said to me by the stranger as we +walked, now in a group, and again stretched out in single file that we +might the better guard against an approach of the enemy. And he spoke +thus in order to let me understand that it was not difficult, if a man +was willing to take his life in his hands, to play the spy upon General +Howe’s army. + +“There is no reason why I should try to make you believe, lad, that +this work of spying upon the red-coats is a simple matter, for hardly +twelve hours are gone since you saw me fleeing for my life. That, +however, was due to my own carelessness; but if a man so chooses, he +may come into this city of Philadelphia and remain day in and day out +without being questioned. It is the possibility of sending away his +report, if so be he has one to make, which oftentimes puzzles him, and +therefore was it that I spoke of you lads binding yourselves together +here as Minute Boys, following the example of those in other colonies.” + +“What’s that? What’s that?” young Chris asked jealously, and the +stranger, understanding that we must not hold overly much converse on +the street, made reply by saying: + +“It was a suggestion which I made to your comrade, and when we are +where we can hold converse without danger of being overheard, or of +running our necks into a noose, I will explain to you what I have +broached to him.” + +Young Chris would have insisted upon knowing then and there all that +had been said between the stranger and myself; but Jeremy interrupted +him by whispering sharply: + +“I am not minded to linger here on the street in such company, even +though it be your pleasure! Our affair is to get this man hidden in the +_Jolly Rover_ until he decides how he will leave the city, and until he +has gone I’d have you bear strictly in mind, young Chris, that we are +not to take more risks than may be absolutely necessary.” + +At another time and in another place, perhaps, young Chris would have +made some sharp reply, for he was not overly patient when there was a +suspicion of reproach. But just at this moment he understood, even as +well as we, that he could not afford to be thin-skinned whatever might +be said, and from then on there was no further need to urge him to +move swiftly toward Dock creek, until we were come within sight of the +lumber pile, when the four of us halted to make certain there were no +prying eyes nearabout. + +“The coast is clear,” Jeremy said thirty seconds later. + +And then, without hesitation, he led us to our hiding place, we +following close at his heels. + +Once we were concealed beneath the lumber pile, I said to myself that +this was good token we would succeed in whatsoever was our purpose, for +if we could come from Black Horse alley in company with the man who +had but so lately been chased as a spy, and gain our place of refuge +without any hindrance, then were we likely to make names for ourselves +as Minute Boys. + +Even while we were crawling beneath the timbers, did I repeat to myself +the words “The Minute Boys of Philadelphia,” and they had a pleasing +ring in my ears, for once we had banded ourselves together in such a +company, and were given by the leaders of the American army work to do, +then might we count ourselves as being well in the forefront of those +who would free the colonies. + +“It was easily done,” young Chris said when the four of us were on +board the _Jolly Rover_, and he spoke much as though he alone and +unaided had brought all this thing about. “Now let us hear what it was +you and Richard Salter had to say that was seemingly of importance,” he +added to the stranger. + +Whereupon the man, and I could fancy he was smiling, although owing to +the darkness it was impossible to see his face, because young Chris’ +tone was so high and mighty, began in a low tone: + +“In the first place let me tell you who I am. My name is Josiah +Dingley, and I did live at Germantown in that house next the Lutheran +church, before the battle; but after that bloody day I cast my lines in +with those who were struggling against the king, having been lukewarm +in the Cause until then. Because of knowing this city well, I was sent +here near to two weeks ago, and I believe the purpose of my visit was +to prepare the way for some move which will shortly be made by our +people at Valley Forge.” + +“And have you been in Philadelphia all that time?” Jeremy asked in +surprise. + +“Nay, lad, I have twice been to Valley Forge, and was but lately +returned when you came upon me.” + +“And have you learned anything of importance in all that while?” I made +bold to ask, whereupon the man replied quickly: + +“That is not for me to say, lad. I have come upon certain things which +were set me to learn; but further than that I must not speak. Now it is +of importance that some other take my place, for after having played +the simple in the London Coffee-House, I must expect to be recognized +if so be I should chance to come upon those lobster-backs who were +there at that time. I have been thinking over your proposition that +I go out from the city by means of this skiff, and I am more than +inclined to believe it might be done.” + +“But first let us hear what it was, Master Dingley, that you had to +say to Richard while you two were in the shop-yard?” young Chris +interrupted, and the spy replied: + +“I will leave that for your comrade to tell you later. Just now it +behooves me to speak of other matters. Are you lads still of the mind +to take the chances of pulling down the Delaware in this craft?” + +“Indeed we are,” I replied stoutly. “If so be you will take the risk +for yourself, we lads will chance it on our part, and I dare venture to +say that between now and daylight we shall not only have carried you to +some point beyond the British lines; but be back here with the skiff +safely hidden once more. The watch which the lobster-backs have been +keeping over us rebels of late is not as sharp as it might be.” + +Now it may seem to some as if I spoke at random in thus declaring that +we could go out from our hiding place, run down the Delaware, and then +up the Schuylkill river so far as this man might want to go, while the +Britishers claimed that they kept sharp guard over both rivers. + +It would seem at first sight almost impossible, and yet we lads had +come to know the movements of the guard-boats so well that unless +something unforeseen took place, we might venture to state positively +where this or that patrol would be at a given time. + +I am not minded to make it appear as if there was no danger in the +enterprise, for surely there was, and in plenty. + +If it should so chance that we lads were taken while we had Master +Dingley on board, and he was shown later to be the same man who had +been chased out of the London Coffee-House, then might we reasonably +expect to share the same fate as his, and all know what a spy meets +with when he has been taken within an enemy’s lines. + +In addition to that, if after we had landed the man we were overhauled +by the Britishers, then would it be indeed difficult for us to explain +why we were abroad at that time of the night, for I am of the opinion +that neither Lord Howe, nor any of his officers, would accept as excuse +for us the fact that we were eager to go boating, and had simply hit by +chance upon such an hour. + +Whether the odds were in our favor or against us, however, the die was +cast, as you might say, when we had made the proposition that we would +take Master Dingley away. + +And now that he much the same as declared his willingness, as well +as his desire, that we should carry out that which was the same as a +promise, it behooved us to make ready for the enterprise in such manner +as if believing we might come to grief before it was ended. + +In order to do this it was necessary we send some word to our people +at home, for while we might excuse ourselves because of having remained +away so long without announcing an intended absence, it would be little +less than cruelty to keep silence until morning, since all three of us +knew full well how deeply our mothers would mourn, believing we had +come into some trouble with the hirelings of the king who were ever so +ready to get us rebels on the hip. + +There was no good reason why all should go out on such an errand, and +therefore it was I proposed that we cast lots to see who should be the +messenger. + +To this young Chris made decided objections. He declared it was his +intention to know what secrets Master Dingley and I talked while we +were hidden in the old stable back of the shop off Black Horse alley, +and if so be the lot fell on him to carry word to our parents, then +would he miss the chance of gaining what he believed was valuable +information. + +I was truly vexed with the lad because of his obstinacy, and for +bringing up such a trifling matter at a time when we were engaged in +work of grave import; but, luckily, before I could utter those angry +words which were already in my mouth, Jeremy said: + +“I am well content to hear what Richard and Master Dingley may have +to tell us, at some later day, therefore, young Chris, if you are +determined the story must be told you at once, I will take it upon +myself to warn our people that we may be away from home mayhap four and +twenty hours.” + +“Why make it such a long time?” young Chris asked grumblingly. “There +is no question but that we shall be back by daylight if we come at +all--” + +“Do not speak so rashly, my young friend,” Master Dingley said gravely. +“There may be very many good reasons why it would be safer for you to +remain away from home eight and forty hours, or even longer, than to +return at once, therefore let your people know exactly what you are +about, and how many are the chances against your returning soon.” + +Jeremy did not wait for any discussion on this point, but without +further delay started from amid the timbers to gain the outer air, +which was a work of no little time owing to the fact that he must first +assure himself the coast was clear before going into the open. + +Young Chris and I, who had so often done that which Jeremy was now +doing, gave little heed to his movements, save as a matter of course +that we kept our ears open to hear any token of a mishap, and after +waiting two or three minutes, at the end of which time we could safely +calculate Jeremy was speeding on his way, young Chris said in a +peremptory tone: + +“Now, if it please you, Richard Salter, we will hear what that great +secret is between you and Master Dingley.” + +“It is no secret whatsoever, and a matter that could better have been +told you to-morrow, or the next day, than now. But since you are so +greedy for the information, and so jealous lest something had been said +of which you are not fully informed, I will explain the matter.” + +Then it was that I told the lad what Master Dingley had said regarding +our forming a certain number of Philadelphia lads into a company of +Minute Boys, and straightway the baker’s son was in an ecstasy of joy. + +It was to him a most happy idea, for Chris delights in being at the +head of whatever may be going on, and this enrolling himself as one of +the colony’s defenders, even though he might not be able to serve her +to advantage, was much to his liking. + +Without stopping to consider the matter, he declared stoutly that we +could enroll no less than twenty lads in such a company, all of whom +would be ready to do whatsoever they might be called upon, and while +he was thus telling what a simple matter it would be, Master Dingley +interrupted him by saying gravely: + +“Be cautious, lad. Remember that whomsoever you shall ask to join in +such an enterprise much the same as holds your life in his hands, and +make certain before you speak one word of your secret, that he to whom +you are talking may be trusted so long as life remains in his body.” + +“I will answer for all of those lads whom I have in mind,” young Chris +replied carelessly, and I fancied that Master Dingley made a gesture +of impatience, for this matter which might turn so seriously for all +concerned, was being treated altogether too lightly by young Chris. + +It behooved him, as well as all of us who were minded to join in the +enterprise, to realize fully with what danger it was attended. If we +formed the company, it should be with the knowledge that our lives +might pay the penalty, for if so be we were taken while carrying +information out of the city, or bringing it in, then was it certain we +would end our days on the scaffold. + +It was as if Master Dingley understood that it would be useless to +argue with young Chris while he was so excited, and therefore held his +peace, as did I, while the baker’s son continued to name lad after +lad whom he would urge to become Minute Boys, many of whom I knew had +a leaning toward the king, or, if they failed to have any decided +opinions themselves, came of such rabid Tory stock that we could not +afford to give up our secret to them. + +However, it matters little what I thought, or what young Chris said +just then. The work in hand was to carry Master Dingley beyond +the British lines, and in the doing of it we might meet with such +misadventure that there would be no Minute Boy business for us in this +world. + +After a time young Chris grew weary with carrying on a conversation in +which neither the spy nor I joined, and during mayhap half an hour we +sat there silently in the _Jolly Rover_, hearing now and then the tramp +of the lobster-backs as they marched too and fro in squads to make +certain we rebels of Philadelphia were not plotting against the king, +when came sounds from outside which told that Jeremy was returning. + +An instant later he was beside me, panting heavily as evidence that he +had been running at full speed, and unable for the moment to speak. + +“Well?” young Chris asked impatiently, “have you seen all our people?” + +“Yes,” Jeremy panted, “and none of them favored our going away.” + +“Did my mother order me to return home?” I asked anxiously, and by this +time Jeremy had so far regained his breath that it was possible to +speak. + +“She did not say you _must_ come, but it was easy to understand +her desire you should do so, and when I said that we had committed +ourselves to aiding Master Dingley, she held her peace, but looked +mightily discontented.” + +“It is not my purpose, lad, to insist upon your carrying out the +promise made, for I understand full well how dangerous it may be, +if your parents are unwilling you should make the venture,” the spy +interrupted. “You have already done me a good turn, and if peradventure +you believe it your duty to stay here, then shall I go my way as best +may be, feeling that you lads have saved my life for a time, at all +events. If it is sacrificed now, it will be through no fault of yours.” + +“We will go as was agreed,” young Chris cried impatiently. “I have no +doubt but that father would like to have me stay with him in order to +help in the bakery, but when work like this can be done by us lads, we +must not think about what those at home may have to say regarding it.” + +“That is where you make a grievous mistake, my lad,” Master Dingley +said gravely. “Your first duty is toward your parents; then shall come +the colony, if you please. But until you are men grown, remember that +the only safe plan is to act as your mother, who surely is a lad’s best +friend, would have you.” + +“There is no question in my mind whatsoever but that if we were this +moment in our homes, and should state exactly what had occurred during +the day, there would be no protest made against our going with you, +sir,” I interrupted, determined that whether we formed a company of +Minute Boys or not, I would have a hand in this saving of a human life, +at the same time that we got the best of the lobster-backs. + +“It shall be as you say, lads, although my mind would be easier if you +went with your parents’ consent. Now when shall we set out?” the spy +asked in a low tone, whereupon I replied, before young Chris had an +opportunity: + +“At once. There is no reason why we should make delay, save to be +certain the river is clear, and then I propose that we creep down +within the shadow of the bank until we are a goodly distance from here, +after which, unless matters have changed greatly of late, we shall, I +believe, be beyond the point of danger.” + +Without waiting for the word, Jeremy crept out toward the water’s edge +where was an overhanging plank that afforded us a famous resting place +while we spied upon the lobster-backs, and within five minutes he came +back, giving us the welcome information that there was no guard-boat in +sight. + +After that we lost no time. There were few preparations to make, save +that of pushing the skiff out from beneath the timbers, which was a +task requiring considerable strength, because we were forced to tip her +first this way and then that, in order to avoid the planks which ran on +either side considerably nearer the water than her height would admit +of passage. + +In this work Master Dingley aided us not a little, and within mayhap +fifteen minutes from the time Jeremy had come back, we were out of +the hiding place, creeping cautiously well within the shadow of the +right-hand shore as we started on the dangerous enterprise. + +Save for the twinkling of the lights from the fleet, and the hum of +voices which came to us from over the water as the sailors lounged +around the decks of the war vessels talking, there were no signs of +life. + +Shoreward, in our immediate vicinity, it was dark as a negro’s pocket, +with never a sound betokening the presence of human beings, and Jeremy +whispered in my ear as we two worked one oar while Master Dingley and +young Chris worked the other, that it was a good token we had got away +thus readily. + +I nervously bade him hold his peace. Until we were really committed to +the work, I had failed to realize all the dangers, but now that we were +afloat where the lobster-backs might come upon us at any moment, my +heart began to fail me. + +While I would not have turned back now that my hand was on the plow, +so to speak, it would have pleased me wondrously if we had never come +across Master Dingley, however eager I was to do whatsoever lay in my +power to aid the colonies. + +If we could go out with the soldiers and stand up in manly fashion +against the Britishers, then might I be proud; but this aiding a spy, +with a shameful death before us if we were captured, was something to +make the cold chills of fear run up and down a fellow’s spine. + +However, we were embarked in the enterprise, and it stood me in hand to +do whatsoever I might toward making it a success, because of the price +which failure would cost. + +There was little we could do just then, save to row as swiftly as was +consistent with silence, for we dared not lift the oars so that any +noise might be made, because, as everyone knows, the water carries +sound a long distance, and even while hidden from view, we might betray +our whereabouts through carelessness. + +We were forced to keep on down the river in order to come to the mouth +of the Schuylkill, and in so doing must pass all the king’s ships. If +peradventure some officer was putting off from the Philadelphia side +to go to his vessel, and we were come just at that time nearabout his +course, then were we in danger. + +You can well fancy, as we neared the huge craft, with what caution we +worked the oars. It was as if I hardly dared to breathe; as though the +sound of my heart-beats would give the alarm, and before we were five +minutes on our way I was dripping with perspiration, caused, I am free +to confess, by fear, while I was almost as wet as if I had gone over +the skiff into the water. + +I have talked later with lads who claimed that it was impossible the +smallest skiff could make her way, even during the darkest night, past +all that fleet where it was reasonable to suppose the sharpest of sharp +watch was kept; but yet that we did, going our course without being +hailed by man or boy, by lobster-back or patriot. + +If we had had the power to direct events according to our own pleasure, +matters could not have worked more favorably for us, because, as I now +look back upon that short voyage, it seems to me almost beyond belief +that we could have done what we did without bringing about our ears a +very nest of red-backed hornets. + +Now in order that you may know how the lobster-backs guarded our city +of Philadelphia, and what danger we lads were running our noses into, I +count to set down here that which I have read within the week, and it +was written by one who has seen it drawn out in clerkly fashion on a +map belonging to General Howe. + +“The line of intrenchments from the Delaware to the Schuylkill extended +from the mouth of the creek just above Willow street to the upper ferry +on the Schuylkill. They consisted of ten redoubts connected by strong +palisades. The first redoubt, which was garrisoned by the Queen’s +Rangers under Simcoe, was near the forks of the roads leading to +Frankford and Kensington. The second redoubt was a little west of North +Second and Noble streets; the third between North Fifth and Sixth and +Noble and Buttonwood streets; the fourth on Eighth street between Noble +and Buttonwood; the fifth on Tenth between Buttonwood and Pleasant; the +sixth on Buttonwood between Thirteenth and North Broad; the seventh +on North Schuylkill Eighth between Pennsylvania avenue and Hamilton +street; the eighth on North Schuylkill Fifth and Pennsylvania avenue; +the ninth on North Schuylkill Second near Callowhill street, and the +tenth on the bank of the Schuylkill at the upper ferry. + +“The encampment extended westward from North Fifth, between Vine and +Callowhill, as far as North Schuylkill Second. The Hessian grenadiers +were encamped between Callowhill, Noble, Fifth and Seventh streets. +The Fourth, Fortieth and Fifty-fifth British grenadiers, and a body of +fusileers, were on the north side of Callowhill, between Seventh and +Fourteenth streets. Eight regiments lay upon the high ground around +Bush’s hill, extending from Fourteenth, nearly on a line with Vine, to +the upper ferry. + +“Near the redoubt at the Ferry was another body of Hessians. The +Yagers, horse and foot, were encamped upon that hill near the corner of +North Schuylkill, Front and Pennsylvania avenue. On the Ridge Road near +Thirteenth street, and on Eighth, near Green, were corps of infantry. +Light dragoons and three regiments of infantry were posted near the +pond between Vine, Race, North Eighth and Twelfth streets. A little +below the middle ferry, at the foot of Chestnut street, was a fascine +redoubt, and near it the Seventy-first regiment was encamped. Some +Yagers were stationed at the Point House opposite Gloucester. + +“When winter set in, many of the troops and all the officers, occupied +the public buildings and houses of the inhabitants, also the British +barracks in the Northern Liberties. The artillery were quartered in +Chestnut street between Third and Sixth street, and the State House +yard was made a park for their use. During the winter, General Howe +occupied a house on High street where Washington afterwards resided; +his brother, Lord Howe, lived in Chestnut street; General Knyphausen +lived in South Second opposite Little Dock street. Cornwallis’ quarters +were in Second above Spruce street, and Major Andre lived in Dr. +Franklin’s house in a court back from High street.” + +Thus it is you can see that our city was literally filled with +lobster-backs, and not only the city, but the banks of the river, +while in the stream itself lay their ships-of-war, and we three lads +were forcing ourselves to believe we could move at will, carrying +information to our people at Valley Forge, or wheresoever it might be +wanted, without running into these red-coated scoundrels who had come +overseas to whip us into loving the king. + +I believe now it would have been wiser had we gone boldly up the +Delaware beyond Frankford, and there let Master Dingley take his +chances of going across country to the Schuylkill; but he had spoken +as if the only way for us to proceed would be to pull down the river +as far as League island and then up the Schuylkill, therefore, without +considering how much more of danger lay in that route than the other, I +had consented. + +Therefore was our journey more than three times what it should have +been had we proceeded, as I now believe, with more of common sense in +our methods. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +SKINNY BAKER + + +Now, after having set down all dangers which compassed us, as if making +ready to tell some tale of wondrous adventure, I am forced to come +down from my high horse and say that we sailed, or rather rowed, the +boat directly around the city until we were come to the Falls of the +Schuylkill, without having been hailed by man or child. + +Here it was, as a matter of course, that Master Dingley counted to +set off by himself, and when he would have praised us for what we had +done in his behalf, I know full well that my cheeks were mantled with +shame, for children half our age could have performed the work equally +as well under the same circumstances; but yet he put it as if we had +accomplished what might have been brought about by none others. + +It was a little past midnight when we pulled up under a clump of bushes +that he might step ashore, and waited there to hear what he had to say +regarding our forming a company of Minute Boys. + +Until this moment we had not ventured to speak one with another, save +in the most cautious of whispers, and only on such matters as were +absolutely necessary for the working of the craft. But now we were in +comparative safety, he harked back to his proposition that we band +ourselves together in a company for the purpose of doing whatsoever we +might to aid the colonies, and took down our names, together with such +information as would serve to show him where we lived if peradventure +he came into the city, or sent another who would seek us out. + +The result of all his talk was, as might be supposed, the agreement on +our part to do, without loss of time, exactly as he had proposed. + +We even went so far as to say that he might, on any day at the hour +of noon, find one of us three lads loitering roundabout the front of +the London Coffee-House, agreeing to go there regularly as if it was a +post of duty, and to hold ourselves in readiness to perform whatsoever +anyone, who could show to our satisfaction that he had come from the +American camp, should desire us to do. + +“I’m thinking that before a week has passed I shall visit at the home +of one or another of you lads, for now that you have agreed to do +that which will provide us with means of sending information out from +the city, whosoever goes there to spy upon the Britishers may remain, +without taking the many chances of detection by going out himself +frequently.” + +Then Master Dingley had very much more to say regarding our duties, +and of what value we might be to the colonies, all of which it is not +necessary I should set down here, for if so be I ever bring to an end +this poor attempt at a story of the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, you +will see, as one incident follows another, that which he had set for us +to do. + +He lost no time after receiving our promises that we would get together +immediately to raise our company of Minute Boys, and also that one +or another of us would be in front of the London Coffee-House each +day; but then left us, moving away at a swift pace as though minded to +finish his journey before sunrise, if indeed that might be possible. + +It would have pleased me right well if we could have stayed there +within the shelter of the bushes during a certain time, for I was +wearied as if having labored severely, when, as a matter of fact, I +had worked no harder than I would have worked had we been out on a +pleasure voyage. The anxiety, the fear that we might come suddenly upon +the lobster-backs, was what had worn me down almost to the verge of +exhaustion; yet I knew that we must continue on, for unless our journey +was done before daybreak, and our skiff back in her old hiding place, +then were we come to grief. + +Therefore it was that immediately Master Dingley disappeared amid the +bushes, we pulled the _Jolly Rover_ out into the stream, and, having +grown careless, I suppose, because of coming thus far in safety without +meeting any who might do us an ill turn, instead of taking due heed +to remain within the shadow of the bank, we kept the middle of the +river, giving little or no heed to the noise which might be made by the +oars. As young Chris said, it would be time enough to creep along at +a snail’s pace while remaining hidden from view, when we were come to +where there was chance of being overhauled by the red-coats. + +But however boldly we might go on, our progress was not so rapid but +that there were signs in the eastern sky of coming day when we neared +Gilson’s point, and even a blind man could have said that we would not +be able to gain Dock creek before the sun had fairly shown himself. + +All this at the moment did not seem of very great importance. We could +readily enough find a hiding place for our skiff during a twelve-hours, +and strike across the city to our homes, contenting ourselves with the +knowledge that we would return next night to carry the _Jolly Rover_ +back to Dock creek. + +Therefore it was at the next clump of bushes, or rather thicket, which +we came upon, the skiff was run up on the bank, and we spent no little +time in hiding her securely amid the foliage, after which we set off at +a rapid pace for home, having, as it may well be supposed, an eye out +for any straggling lobster-backs. + +Strange as it may seem, it was not a Britisher who brought us for the +time being to grief, but rather one of our people--I might almost say +one of our own comrades. + +When the day had fully dawned we were no less than a mile from Chestnut +street. Then was the time when it seemed that we might safely come upon +any number of Britishers, for surely lads of our age were likely to be +out thus early in the morning, for pleasure, if not on some household +errand. + +We were walking carelessly along, feeling that the matter which we had +in hand was well finished, and congratulating ourselves that, lads +though we were, we had within the past four and twenty hours saved the +life of a man who was struggling to aid in this war against the king. + +Suddenly we came upon Benjamin Baker, “Skinny” we called him, a lad for +whom I never had any great affection, nor did I consider him an enemy, +save in so far as his father was a rabid Tory. + +Now if I had had my wits about me, I would have seen by the expression +on Skinny’s face that he knew more concerning our movements than we +could readily suspect, for there was a certain ugly leer upon his face +as he halted us by coming to a full stop directly in our path, as he +asked: + +“Are you lads out often as early as this?” + +“It seems we are out no earlier than you, Skinny,” young Chris said +with a laugh, and would have pushed the lad aside in order to continue +on his way, but that Skinny stopped him very suddenly and caused the +faces of us all to whiten, as he asked in a meaning tone: + +“Why did you leave your skiff down by the Point? Why not have come +around in her?” + +While one might have counted twenty we three stood staring at him in +open-mouthed astonishment, and then I managed to ask in a voice which I +knew was tremulous with fear: + +“How do you chance to know whether we left the boat anywhere or not?” +And then I added like the simple that my timorousness had made me, “we +haven’t been out in a boat this many a day.” + +“And yet you hid one in the thicket, Richard Salter. As a matter of +fact, I chance to know that you came down the Schuylkill. From where, I +can’t say; but my idea is that if the king’s servants should know you +had been spending the night on the river, it would be necessary to make +some explanation.” + +For the life of me I could not have made reply to the lad at that +moment; but young Chris, whose temper is prone to rise beyond all +bounds of prudence, caught him roughly by the shoulder as he asked +angrily: + +“Have you been spying upon us, Skinny Baker? Have you dared to follow +us this night?” + +“And what if I have? Who shall bring me to account? Surely you three, +who must have been engaged in some business which has to do with the +rebels, will not dare question me.” + +“You shall see whether we dare or not!” Chris cried in a rage as he +seized Skinny by the throat, and for the instant I believed it was in +his mind to throttle the lad, therefore I sprang forward, catching him +by the arm as I said warningly: + +“Be careful, Chris, be careful!” + +Before I could say more, Skinny Baker, an evil look on his ugly face, +said in a tone as of triumph: + +“Ay, Richard Salter, young Chris, as well as you and Jeremy Hapgood, +have reason to be careful with me now. I have long had it in mind +that you would play into the hands of the rebels if so be you had the +chance, and now I know it for a verity.” + +“How do you know it?” Jeremy cried, and Skinny said, speaking slowly as +though it gave him the greatest pleasure to torture us: + +“I know it because I saw you going down the Delaware when there were +four in your skiff, and I followed along the bank until having come to +the Point, where I waited, thinking you must return that way. Where is +he whom you had with you?” + +I verily believe anyone could have knocked me down with a feather, so +to speak, when the churlish lad thus gave us to understand that he was +in possession of our secret. I knew full well it was in his heart to +use it to our harm whenever he had the opportunity, and of a verity +there would not be lacking chances in our city of Philadelphia for him +to impart to enemies of the Cause such information as he had stolen. + +We three lads stood gazing at each other in dismay, while Skinny, +looking first at one and then another, grinned with delight, for he +well knew how much of fear he had caused us. + +It might have been better for him if he had been willing to delay his +triumph a while longer; but the evil-minded Tory must needs make it yet +more plain that he held us under his thumb, and said jeeringly: + +“And now, unless I am mightily mistaken, it is I who will do the +fiddling while you dance to my tune.” + +I can’t say what there was in the words which caused me to have a +clearer understanding of the situation than I would otherwise have +gained, owing to my great fear; but on the instant there came into my +mind like a flash of light that this fellow’s tongue must be stopped at +any hazard. That it was for our own safety he be put out of the way. + +Not for a moment did I dream of committing a crime; but by putting him +out of the way, I meant that in some manner, such as had not come into +my mind as yet, he must be silenced, or we stood good chance of being +hanged. + +Young Chris, in obedience to my gesture of a few seconds previous, had +released his hold of Skinny’s throat, and now it was my turn to grab +the Tory by the neck, holding myself ready to choke him if he should +make any outcry, as I said hurriedly to Jeremy and Chris: + +“This fellow knows so much that if we allow him to go free this moment, +we are likely to find ourselves under that beast of a Cummingham’s +thumb, for to prison we shall surely go if he wags his tongue!” + +“And how may we stop him?” Jeremy asked in a tremulous tone, whereupon +I replied, speaking from impulse as it were: + +“That I know not just now. At least, at such an early hour, unless +peradventure we come across a squad of lobster-backs, we should be able +to force him to go with us to the old hiding place where we have kept +the skiff, and once there we must decide upon some plan for keeping his +tongue quiet.” + +I believe of a verity that the cowardly cur thought we had it in mind +to kill him, for straightway all expression of triumph faded from his +face, and but for my hold on his throat he would have begged, like the +coward that he was, for mercy. + +He did succeed in uttering a few words; but I was not in the mood to +listen to what he might say, for though he had promised until he was +black in the face to hold his peace, I never would have given him +credit of keeping the truth. + +It was his liberty against our lives, and if so be any venture, however +bold, could save us, I was determined it should be the Tory who would +suffer. + +Had it been an hour later in the day, I question whether we could have +forced Skinny along, for whoever had seen us, with me clutching him by +the throat, while Jeremy and young Chris prodded him from behind, would +have known that he was a prisoner. + +Realizing that the instant my grasp upon his neck was relaxed ever so +slightly, he would shout for help, and he was already pale with fear, +I was forced to keep him half-choked, while but for Jeremy and young +Chris alternately pushing and pulling, he would not have advanced a +pace. + +As it was, however, we succeeded in forcing him at reasonably good +speed, and, as we had been during the night, so were we now, favored by +fortune, for save here and there a servant girl out on some errand, we +met no person until we were come within two squares of our destination. + +Then there appeared suddenly, coming from around the corner of Second +street, a squad of lobster-backs who were beginning their work of the +day by marching to and fro, with the hope of finding some so-called +rebel who had transgressed General Howe’s laws so far as to bring him +within their power. + +It seemed to me that at that moment were we come to the end of our +rope, and had it not been for Jeremy I truly believe I must have turned +tail and run at my best pace, leaving Skinny Baker to go wheresoever he +would. + +“Keep right on, boys; keep on and make them think it is all in the way +of sport,” Jeremy said in a hoarse whisper, as he pushed Skinny yet +harder, and began at the same time to cry out that he should soon learn +what it meant to be ducked. + +“The odds are that we shall find ourselves in the guard-house mighty +soon,” young Chris said, and I could almost fancy that his teeth were +chattering with fear. + +Yet he could do no better than follow the advice given by Jeremy, +because there was no other course to be pursued, unless we would desert +the prisoner, leaving him free to tell all he knew concerning us. + +It is impossible for me to so set it down that you can understand how +terrified I was as we rapidly approached the British squad, for I had +no faith whatsoever that Jeremy’s plan would work, and if, when we were +come within a dozen paces of them, the corporal who was in command had +called upon me to speak, I believe it would have been beyond my power. + +He did call upon one of us, however, and it was Jeremy who acted the +part of spokesman--Jeremy who proved himself brave, braver than either +Chris or I, for he said laughingly, as if it were one of the best jokes +he had ever heard: + +“This lad believes Washington’s ragamuffin army can march into +Philadelphia whenever it feels so disposed, and we are taking him down +to the creek where we count on washing some of the rebel ideas out of +him.” + +“Dip him deep, lads,” the corporal cried laughingly, making no attempt +to stop us. “It is a pity you couldn’t have more of the rebels to serve +in the same fashion, for were I in command of this city there would be +less treason talked. Dip him deep!” + +“Ay, that we will, sir, never fear. I am not certain that we won’t +anchor him out where he can soak for a while,” Jeremy replied, still +laughing, and at the same time doing all within his power to force +Skinny on at a yet swifter pace. + +That which I have just set down had hardly more than been spoken when +we were past the squad, and hurrying as we had never hurried before to +gain that poor shelter on Dock creek. + +Then it was that young Chris, looking back to make certain the +red-coats were not inclined to follow us in order to see the sport, +called out to me that unless I was minded to kill Skinny Baker then and +there, it would be best I unloosened my hold upon his throat. + +Indeed it was time I did so, for the fellow was literally blue in the +face when I looked at him. Until this instant I had failed to realize +how much force I was exerting, and if peradventure young Chris had +not seen him in time, I verily believe I should have killed the lad +unwittingly. + +Then, when I did release my grasp, and the fellow could draw a long +breath, instead of talking with us like a decent lad, he must needs +go to begging and imploring, as if he believed it was in our minds to +slaughter him as we would a pig. + +Even though I had had any sympathy in my mind prior to that moment, it +would have all vanished with those cowardly words. Instead of making +reply, we forced him on, Jeremy saying in a tone which told he was +making no idle threat, that unless Skinny went on at his best pace he +would prod him in the back with his pocket knife. + +Skinny quickened his steps. In fact, had we told him to do anything +whatsoever that lay within his power, so frightened was the cur that +he would have attempted it without making protest, and it would have +pleased me right well to have pummeled him severely, not because of the +threats he had made against us, but because he was showing himself such +a poltroon. + +“We’ll soon have him under cover,” Jeremy said as if believing that +young Chris and I needed heartening, and I could not refrain from +asking: + +“What then? If we get him under cover, how long may we keep him there? +Surely we must set the fellow at liberty before night falls.” + +“That shall depend upon himself,” Jeremy replied much as though he had +already formed some plan for the future. “If he refuses to do as we +say, then will I hold him there a prisoner till the crack of doom, if +so be he and I stay on this earth till then.” + +I verily believe I was almost as much dismayed by Jeremy’s threat as +by what Skinny had said when he first met us, for it seemed as if we +were sinking deeper and deeper into a mire from which there could be no +escape. + +We had begun this piece of work by aiding a spy, and thereby bringing +upon ourselves the shadow of the gallows. Now had we grown so bold as +to make prisoner of a lad whose Tory father would unquestionably have +no slight influence with General Howe. + +However, we had made our bed, and must lie in it. The question to be +decided was, not what would please us, but how we might best shut this +fellow’s mouth, and that was indeed a serious matter. Let him once be +free of us, regardless of how many oaths he had taken to keep secret +that which had been done this night, he would break them as a child +breaks a bunch of straws, for there was no truth in the lad, as we +fellows had known this many a day. + +As a matter of course, we pushed on at our best pace, for if +peradventure we met another squad of lobster-backs, it might not be +possible to shut their eyes as readily as we had those who were just +passed, and our present safety lay in getting beneath that pile of +lumber where there were at least a few chances we might escape being +taken by General Howe’s men. + +You may rest assured that we hustled Skinny beneath the decaying +timbers, once we were come to the lumber pile, as rapidly as might be, +and in so doing were we putting ourselves yet farther in his power, for +he would know the secret of our hiding place. + +If he escaped us to tell his story to the lobster-backs, then must +we find some other refuge, if indeed we were allowed to go free +sufficiently long to seek one. + +I verily believe Skinny thought he was being taken to the place of his +murder, when we forced him to his hands and knees, for one could not +gain the shelter save by creeping. It was necessary we literally shove +him along in order to make any advance; but once we were come inside +where no less than thirty lads might have found a fairly good resting +place, the expression of fear on his face faded somewhat, and I dare +venture to say it came on mine instead. + +There was no evading the fact that, having gone so far as we had on +this road which was pointed out to us by Master Dingley, we must hold +Skinny for no one could say how long, since it was imprudent to depend +upon his word; and how might that be done, I asked myself. + +Perhaps it was well for me that at this time Jeremy, having an eye +to our necessities and our situation, proposed that he go out to our +homes in order to say we were come safely back to Philadelphia, and, +perhaps, to explain in what situation we were, as well as to get food +sufficient to last us during four and twenty hours. + +This was no more than a necessity, and I bade the lad go with all +speed, urging that he make the matter of as little importance to my +mother as might be, lest she, dear soul, should die with anxiety. + +Now it was that young Chris, having succeeded in doing his share of +carrying Master Dingley to a place of safety, began to take upon +himself the airs of a leader, and insisted that he also must go out, +leaving me to guard the prisoner, at the same time claiming that there +was no real need more than one of us should remain on duty at a time. + +It was true I could take care of Skinny, so far as preventing him from +making any outcry or escaping was concerned; but at the same time I was +not pleased to remain there alone, although I can hardly say why. + +However, there was nothing I, or in fact anyone, could say to change +young Chris’ mind after it was once made up, and when Jeremy hastened +out in order to take advantage of the hour, for the lobster-backs would +not be abroad in any numbers so early in the morning, the baker’s son +went with him, while Skinny and I were left in that dreary hiding +place, facing each other much, I fancy, like two Kilkenny cats who only +await the opportunity to spring one upon the other. + +I was not in the mood for conversation, having so much of disagreeable +forebodings in my mind that I could give heed to little else than the +situation into which we had plunged ourselves; but Skinny, eager, as +a matter of course, to learn what he might regarding our plans as they +affected himself, asked in a whining tone, when mayhap we had remained +silent three or four minutes: + +“How long do you count on keeping me here?” + +“That depends, Master Baker, considerably upon yourself, and yet more +upon our willingness to take your word. You must understand that we +cannot afford to let you go free to carry to the lobster-backs that +information which you have gained this night by spying.” + +“But unless you kill me outright, I must go at some time. It is +impossible you can keep me here many days, even though you would dare +do such a thing, for my father will speedily seek the city through in +search of me.” + +I knew full well we could not keep him there very long, and it was +that which was causing me the greatest anxiety, yet I was not disposed +to let the fellow see that the situation worried me in the slightest +degree; but replied with as much of carelessness as I could assume: + +“It remains to be seen how long we can keep you here, and also whether +it will be possible for your father, seek as he may, to find you while +we remain hidden here. We have had this lumber pile as a rendezvous +ever since the lobster-backs marched into Philadelphia, and as yet it +has been undiscovered.” + +“That may be,” Skinny replied with a world of truth in his words; “but +until to-day there has never been any serious reason for seeking you +out. I dare venture to say I am the first prisoner you have attempted +to take, and now is come the time when the people of the town, meaning +those who are ready to obey the king, will be in arms against you.” + +“All of which may be true,” I said with a laugh which had in it little +of mirth. “But at the same time, Skinny, you are bound to stay with +us until we can decide upon some way of letting you go free without +danger to ourselves. If so be you should make any attempt at getting +away while I am on guard, let me warn you that, in order to save my own +life, I would take yours with no more hesitation than I would crush a +fly.” + +“You would commit murder?” and Skinny’s face paled, as I could see even +in the gloom. + +“I could kill you and not call it murder.” + +“Yet you rebels make a great howl about that which the king’s men do, +if so be they take the life of one of your kidney,” the cur said with a +snarl which sounded to me much like the hiss of an angry cat. + +“The lobster-backs kill those whose only crime consists in striving +to free themselves from the burdens which the king has put upon them, +while whatever we might do to you would be in order to save our own +lives, therefore do I believe we might be warranted in doing it.” + +This was not a very pleasant conversation for Skinny, as can well +be imagined. After looking at me sharply as if to learn from the +expression on my face whether I would really dare carry out the threat, +he fell silent, and we two sat there facing each other, I ready to +spring upon him at the first move he should make giving token that he +was counting on trying to escape, and meanwhile counting the seconds as +they passed, complaining to myself because young Chris had left me +thus alone. + +[Illustration: “I COULD KILL YOU AND NOT CALL IT MURDER.”] + +I was not overly eager to have the son of the baker as companion that +we might converse on pleasant subjects, for the time had gone by when +I could make cheery talk with anyone, at least, until after I was out +of this hobble; but it seemed that two of us should be on guard, if +peradventure it became necessary for one to go outside, and I dare +venture to say that just then I felt quite as timorous and fearful of +the future as did the prisoner. + +How long we two remained there alone I am unable to say; but certain +it is that it seemed to me as if a full day had passed before I heard +those sounds which betokened the coming of a friend, for a friend it +must be who approached us boldly, since I was firmly convinced that the +secret of our hiding place had not been discovered. + +It was Jeremy, good, faithful Jeremy, who went about whatsoever he had +to do in a business-like manner, wasting no time, not eager to win for +himself the applause of others; but ever striving to do with all his +might that which was set him as a task whether in behalf of his friends +or himself. + +The lad was literally laden with the provisions he had gathered, and +said with a long-drawn breath as he shoved a bag in front of me: + +“There, thankful am I that the stuff is here at last! I feared each +moment to be overhauled by some of the lobster-backs who would be +curious to know what I was carrying in this bag, and had come almost to +believe that I should never get here.” + +“Did you see my mother, Jeremy?” + +“Ay, that I did, Richard, and she greatly fears you have undertaken +more than a lad should.” + +“In that she differs not greatly from myself,” I said, striving to +smile, but making a wry face instead. “Did she say aught concerning my +coming home?” + +“Only that you must look well to your own safety, and if so be there +was danger in your coming to Drinker’s alley, it were best you stayed +away a month.” + +“And how about your own mother, Jeremy?” + +The lad made a grimace, which told plainer than words could have +done that he had met with much opposition at home when he would have +returned to the lumber pile, and there was no need of explanation. + +“And now, what about Chris?” + +“He has taken it into his head that the time is at hand when he must +gather together the company of Minute Boys, and instead of thinking of +that which we have on hand, he is going here and there like a dog who +seeks a bone, striving to enlist recruits.” + +I was literally astounded by this information. It verily seemed as if +young Chris was determined to increase our troubles rather than do +whatsoever he might toward lessening them. + +This was no time in which to raise recruits for a company of Minute +Boys, because if peradventure he should speak with one who was not +inclined to join, and willing at some later date to reveal what had +been said, then was the secret of our absence and the knowledge of +our hiding somewhere near at hand with a prisoner, much the same as +discovered. + +“What shall we do, Jeremy?” I cried in despair. “It would seem that +young Chris is determined to work us all the harm he may.” + +“Ay, so it is in my mind, Richard, and yet what is there we can +do, save strive to get ourselves out of this hobble in which that +villainous Skinny has plunged us, giving no heed to what young Chris +may do? You understand quite as well as I, that even if we had him here +this instant, and he was determined to go out seeking recruits for a +company of Minute Boys, he would set off despite all you or I might say +to him, so pig-headed is the lad when he takes a whim into his head.” + +I knew full well that Jeremy spoke no more than the truth. If my heart +had been heavy before, verily it was like unto lead now, for the +dangers were seemingly growing thicker about us, and I could see no way +out of the mire into which we had been led by our desire to aid Master +Dingley. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE RECRUITS + + +Even though I was so woefully distressed in mind, yet did I have a +hearty appetite for that which Jeremy had brought, and Skinny showed +that the fear of death was not so heavy upon him but that he could +eat like a glutton, for we two fell upon the food as if we had been +famished, eating like friends and enjoying every mouthful. + +Meanwhile Jeremy told us of what he had seen around town, which was +nothing of great importance either to the Cause or to us while we were +thus mired, as you might say, with a prisoner. + +After the meal had come to an end, and I am free to confess that we ate +more rapidly than lads who are supposed to have had a decent bringing +up should eat, we, meaning Jeremy and I, talked of this and that +concerning ourselves, but never once speaking of the present situation, +or of what the lobster-backs might do to us of Philadelphia in time to +come. + +It was as if we dared not give words to the thoughts which would come +into our minds, and we therefore spoke on indifferent subjects, as if +it was a relief to thus put far from us all the dangers that hung so +thickly. + +Because of knowing that young Chris was engaged in raising recruits +for our company of Minute Boys, I had no expectation of seeing him +until perhaps another night had come, therefore was my surprise great +when within two hours after Jeremy’s arrival we heard the sounds of +whispered voices in that passage between the timbers which led to our +hiding place. + +An instant later young Chris made his appearance, followed by three +lads, all of whom I believed I had reason to know were friends to the +Cause. + +They were Harvey Norris, Sam Elder, and Timothy Bowers; good lads and +true as I believed, and yet I would not have had them there at that +time. + +“Talk about raising a company of Minute Boys,” young Chris exclaimed in +a tone of triumph. “Why I could recruit a regiment in four and twenty +hours, if it was necessary. Look you here! The first three I came +across, and all standing ready to do whatsoever they may for the Cause, +knowing that we are like to be called upon for dangerous service--” + +“Do they know in what kind of a hobble we are this moment?” Jeremy +asked grimly, and Tim Bowers replied as if he was thoroughly well +satisfied with the situation: + +“Ay, that we do, Jeremy, and if it is a case of holding Skinny Baker +prisoner here during the remainder of this year, I promise faithfully +not to complain at having to perform my part of guarding him.” + +The other lads made much the same talk; but, nevertheless, I was not +easy in mind. The first that I had with which to find fault was the +coming of so many into our hiding place. + +It was not probable that six lads, as we now numbered, could come in +and out from beneath the lumber pile without finally attracting the +attention of the lobster-backs. Once they were grown curious as to why +we crawled among the timbers, the secret of our hiding place would +speedily be made known, and if peradventure Skinny Baker remained at +that time our prisoner, then was the whole fabric of the Minute Boys of +Philadelphia come to the ground. + +However, the mischief, if mischief it was, had been done, and it was +useless for me to borrow trouble when there was no possibility of +avoiding it. Therefore, striving as best I might to put on a pleasant +face, I asked young Chris what he had learned in the city. + +It appeared from his conversation that he had given no attention to +anything whatsoever save the raising of recruits. In fact, he had +not even considered it necessary to go home in order to relieve his +mother’s anxiety; but, finding these three lads ready to join in that +proposition made by Master Dingley, he must needs come back to where +Jeremy and I were, in order to acquaint us with what he considered his +good fortune, instead of trying to make out, as I believed we should +do, whether the British officers who had come upon the spy at the +London Coffee-House, were yet minded to search for him. + +And there was another element of danger in this work of young Chris’s, +which I failed to heed until after it was too late to remedy the matter. + +He had, and I am free to confess that I was equally guilty, spoken +of our company of Minute Boys in the presence of Skinny Baker, who, +unless he was a veritable simple, could understand all that we +proposed to do. + +More than this, while Sam and his comrades were telling of their +willingness to do whatever might be required, the name of Master +Dingley was mentioned several times, and thus was it that Skinny Baker +could put together all the story of our wanderings during the night +previous. + +If he should succeed in making his escape, he could tell to the +lobster-backs every thing of so-called treason to the king with which +we were engaged, and, in addition, he had sealed the doom of Master +Dingley if so be he should be captured. + +Well, the mischief was done, and now were there greater reasons why +Skinny must be held close prisoner, therefore it was I put the matter +plainly to these new comrades who were so proud in calling themselves +Minute Boys of Philadelphia, asking how we should divide our time, for +it was not reasonable more than two need remain on duty at once. + +Before we were well into the discussion, for a discussion did ensue +owing to young Chris, who claimed that he would take sole charge of +the matter, Skinny came to realize more plainly than ever before, that +we counted on keeping him there so long as our safety demanded it, and +he would have been a simple indeed if he did not understand that such +period of time meant during the stay of the lobster-backs in our city. + +“Look here,” he said in a tone between a whine and a sniffle, “you +fellows can’t hold me a prisoner very long. You are bound to get into +trouble for what you have done already, and every hour you keep me +here only makes it worse.” + +“Oh, we can’t keep you, eh?” young Chris cried jeeringly. “Well, you +will find, my fine buck, that we can hold you as long as we choose, and +the way matters look at present, that will be quite a spell. In fact, +I see no chance of your getting out of here until your friends, the +lobster-backs, have left the city.” + +“The British troops left the city!” Skinny cried in alarm. “Why you +must be crazy to think of such a thing! They are like to be here this +many a year, for when the king has whipped you rebels as you need to be +whipped, then will a force of his troops remain here to see that you +don’t do further mischief.” + +Skinny’s anger had led him to give way to his temper, and the last +words he spoke were very much in the nature of a threat, causing young +Chris to leap upon the prisoner as if he was minded to do him bodily +harm. + +“Do you dare threaten us, and tell about what is to be done to rebels?” +he cried, giving voice so loudly that I leaped forward, clapping my +hand over his mouth, for certain it was if any had been passing the +lumber pile just then they would have heard the outcry. + +“You must remember where you are, Chris Ludwig!” I cried, and now it +was my turn to show anger. “Are you minded to betray to any who may be +near at hand our hiding place, when you know what would be the result +if we were taken prisoners? Where is the harm if Skinny makes threats? +That is all he can do, and, to tell the truth, I have a better liking +for the cur when he shows some bit of spirit, rather than whining like +a baby as he has done since we first captured him.” + +Young Chris struggled to throw off my grasp, as if it was still his +intent to strike the prisoner, and then it was that Jeremy took a hand +in what was rapidly becoming a scrimmage, by laying hold of the lad’s +arm and literally dragging him back to the further end of the cave-like +hiding place, saying in a tone which could not be misunderstood: + +“If so be you are minded to play the fool, young Chris, then has it +come time for me to get out of your company, and leave this Minute Boy +association which has hardly yet been formed, for I have no desire to +show myself on the scaffold, as is like to be the case if you continue +in this hot-headed manner!” + +But for the fact that Jeremy was not given to making vain threats, I +believe young Chris would have insisted upon pummeling Skinny because +of what he had said. But he knew full well that this comrade of ours +did not indulge in idle words, and therefore it was he held his peace, +although with very ill grace, and now was added another to the many +troubles I had come upon since we first met Master Dingley. + +It was Tim Bowers who attempted to straighten out matters, +understanding that young Chris’s ill temper might bring us all into +trouble, and he said in a matter-of-fact tone: + +“If so be we are to form ourselves into a company of Minute Boys, and +if also we are to do such things as are like to bring our necks within +a British halter, then it seems to me wise we should decide which one +shall be our leader. Let us choose a captain now, since there are six +of us who are disposed to make up the company, and agree solemnly that +each and every one will obey instantly any command he may give.” + +There was nothing more than good sense in this remark, and I had it in +mind to say that Jeremy Hapgood should be chosen captain of the Minute +Boys, when the lad himself spoke up: + +“It is Richard Salter who shall act as captain of this company, +according to my way of thinking. He it was who first had the wit to aid +Master Dingley, and I believe he has sufficient of good sense to pull +us through any difficulties we may get into, if so be we do as Tim has +proposed and obey his every order without stopping to question.” + +“But I don’t want to be captain; there are others here who can do it +better--you yourself, for instance, Jeremy Hapgood.” + +Now I would not undertake to say young Chris had it in mind that he +should be the commander of our company; but certain it is I noted an +expression of dissatisfaction on his face, and if so be I could have +trusted the lad to help us out of a tight place I would have suggested, +for the sake of keeping harmony, that he be chosen leader. That much, +however, I dared not do, and before it was possible for me to speak, +Tim Bowers said quickly: + +“I am ready to serve under Richard Salter, and to do whatsoever he may +command.” + +So also spoke Jeremy, Sam and Harvey, young Chris holding his peace. I +protested, but it was of no avail. + +All save Chris were determined I should take upon myself the leadership +of the company, and although I shrank from such a responsibility, it +seemed better I assume it than to throw the honor, for indeed it was an +honor, aside that Master Ludwig might take it up, because I knew if the +lad was allowed his head a sufficient length of time, he would bring us +all into direst trouble. + +After turning the matter over in my mind while one might have counted +twenty, I decided upon such a course of action as would carry us +through, I hoped, with safety until the morning. To this end I said to +my comrades, striving the while not to put on any show of authority: + +“There is no reason why all of us remain here throughout the night, and +a good reason why those of us who can, should go home. Therefore it is +I appoint Jeremy Hapgood and Timothy Bowers to take charge of Skinny +Baker from now until morning. The rest of us are to crawl out one by +one, taking due care not to be seen by the lobster-backs, and make such +arrangements at home as will permit of our using the time as best we +can for the benefit of the Cause. Again, it has been agreed with Master +Dingley that one of us would remain nearabout the London Coffee-House. +Because it must be a lad whom he has already seen, I propose that +young Chris perform this duty. It shall be his business to loiter +nearabout that place from to-morrow morning until nightfall, picking up +whatever he may from the conversation of the lobster-backs, and keeping +constantly on watch for Master Dingley, or whoever he may send in his +stead.” + +It was perhaps unwise; in fact, at the moment I made such a selection, +I knew that we were taking more than a few risks in giving to young +Chris the post of duty at the Coffee-House. The most difficult task the +lad found in life was to hold his tongue, even when his elders were +speaking, and there was real danger he might, feeling unduly important +because of being chosen for the post, act or talk in such a suspicious +manner as to give the Britishers cause for looking after him sharply. + +“When am I to come back here?” young Chris asked as he made his +preparations to depart, and I verily believe he counted on beginning +his work immediately, although there was no possibility Master Dingley +would send anyone into the city before to-morrow at the earliest. + +“You will come here only when you are sent for, or after having +received some word from the spy.” + +“But he may not show himself for a week,” young Chris said in a tone +of dissatisfaction, and I replied sharply, for inasmuch as I had been +chosen captain I intended to exercise the authority, mildly if I might, +harshly if it became necessary: + +“Then you will remain on duty there a week, unless we need you here. +There is one thing positive: We must not come in and out of this hiding +place oftener than may be absolutely necessary. For us to run to and +fro at will is, as you yourself can see, most dangerous.” + +To this young Chris made no reply; but straightway crept out between +the timbers and was gone, while Jeremy and I sat looking at each other +questioningly, for there was in his mind much the same as that which +had come into mine, concerning the possibility that young Chris’s zeal +and desire to show himself of importance might bring us to grief. + +“I couldn’t have done differently,” I said in reply to the question +I saw in Jeremy’s eyes. “He was angry, or, I will say at least +disgruntled, because you lads chose me for your captain, and it seems +to me in the highest degree important we keep him feeling fairly good +natured. I do not believe young Chris would deliberately work us a harm +if things went wrong; but I am afraid he might allow certain tokens of +ill temper to escape him now and then, which would prove disastrous. +Therefore did it seem to me best that we take the chances of putting +him at the coffee-house where he can, by his ill temper, do us a bad +turn, with the hope that matters may go as we would have them.” + +Anyone with half an eye could see that Skinny Baker was decidedly +pleased because we were having so much trouble among ourselves, and he +was ill advised enough to say in a sneering tone: + +“Before you lads get through with this business, you will understand +to your cost that it is a dangerous matter, not only to take innocent +lads prisoners without rhyme or reason, but also to plot against his +majesty.” + +I had always thought Tim Bowers a mild mannered lad; but at this moment +he showed himself quite the contrary, for, moving toward Skinny in a +threatening manner, he said sharply: + +“If I am to have a hand in the guarding of a Tory cur like you, +young Baker, bear this well in mind: That I will take no such words +whatsoever from anyone. It may be cowardly to strike a prisoner, as I +have heard said; but if you make further talk about plotting against +his majesty, then will I give you such a drubbing as to make you wish +there never had been a king in England who insisted in sticking his +nose into our affairs.” + +I made no attempt to interfere. Tim was to be on guard during the +night, and he should handle Skinny as best it pleased him. + +I was burning to get home that I might talk with my mother about what +we had done, and consult her regarding future movements. Therefore it +was I said that I would go, and come back again before daylight. At the +same time I suggested that the other two lads creep out from the hiding +place, one in advance of the other, as soon as night had come. + +“Be careful in leaving here, and doubly cautious when you come back,” I +added. “According to my way of thinking, Sam Elder, it would be a good +idea for you, to-morrow, to remain near where young Chris is on duty. +There is a possibility you may be able to prevent him from the shame of +doing that which would work to our harm.” + +“I’ll be there,” was the prompt reply, “and although it is not in my +mind to agree that I or any other lad can keep young Chris straight, +you may count it as certain I will do my best.” + +Then it was that I shook Jeremy by the hand as if reckoning on being +absent a long time. There was so much of danger surrounding us, and the +lad had ever been a good friend of mine, that no one might say whether +we two could come together again free, or if by chance our next meeting +might be in General Howe’s headquarters where we stood accused of +treason. + +When I set off for Drinker’s alley I made it my way to pass nearby the +London Coffee-House, and there, sure enough, was young Chris, parading +to and fro just outside the door in such a consequential manner that +whosoever saw him, and took any particular note of the boy, would know +he had something on hand which he believed to be of importance. + +Fortunately, so I said to myself, no one would suspect a lad like him +of having treasonable designs, and therefore the lobster-backs would +pay little or no heed to his manner, save it might be in the way of +sport. + +Striving earnestly to dismiss all disagreeable thoughts from my mind, +and verily if I was so inclined I could find much to cause fear and +distress, I hurried on toward Drinker’s alley, looking forward to the +meeting with my mother as I had never before done. + +I understood that, because of what I had agreed upon with Master +Dingley, I might not be able to see very much of her in the future, or +that before many days had passed she might fail of seeing me because of +my being held prisoner, and such thoughts caused my heart to be very +tender toward the one person in all the world who I knew full well +loved me dearly. + +Mother herself opened the door as I came up, thus showing that she +must have been on the watch for me, and when she had led me up the +stairs through the hallway and down again into the rear portion of the +house where was the kitchen, explaining what was her purpose in thus +conducting me secretly, as you might say, I understood only too well +why she had been on watch. + +“Jeremy Hapgood has already told me what you have agreed to do for +the Cause, and although it gives me a certain degree of pride to know +that a son of mine may be able to accomplish something in this work of +freeing the colonies, yet am I borne down with grief and apprehension, +for already have you done that which I fear must of necessity bring the +British officers upon you.” + +“What is it you think we have done, mother?” I asked, trying to assume +an innocent air lest she should understand that my heart, too, was +filled with forebodings. + +“What other could it be than that you have been so unwise as to make +a prisoner of Benjamin Baker?” she asked as if in a tone of reproach, +although I knew full well that all her heart was full of sympathy for +me and that which I would do. + +“Well, what if we have taken Skinny to where we kept the boat? I don’t +fancy he is of such importance in this city that there will be any +great hue and cry raised concerning him, if he fails to go home within +a certain time.” + +“It is there that you are making a mistake, my son, for already has the +hue and cry been raised. Within the hour Master Baker himself came here +to ask if you knew aught concerning his son’s absence, which goes to +show that he must have some suspicion you are concerned in the matter.” + +“I have no question but that Skinny’s father and mother will both be +alarmed concerning him, and sorry am I that we were forced to take the +little scoundrel prisoner; but he would have it so by spying on us. +Look you, mother, if we had not taken him as we did, by this time it +would be known that we aided Master Dingley to escape, and you well +understand what would be our fate in such an event. It was his liberty +or ours, and I chose that it should be his. If so be we can keep our +hiding place a secret--” + +“For how long, my son? There must be an end to your holding Benjamin +Baker a prisoner. What do you count on doing with him?” + +“That is a matter which must be referred to Master Dingley when next +we meet him, if so be we are fortunate enough. Certain it is that +Skinny cannot be allowed to go free, else we must flee the city. My +greatest fear is that someone will, while young Chris is in the plot, +finally come to know of our hiding place. I question much whether the +lobster-backs would take any interest whatever in Skinny’s absence; but +surely they would look after us if he had a chance to tell them what we +did in regard to Master Dingley.” + +“But they are already taking interest, my son. Without really playing +the eavesdropper, I heard our lodgers discussing the matter this +afternoon. It seems that Master Baker has been to headquarters, and +while as yet you are not suspected, save perchance the lad’s father +himself may think you were interested in the matter in some way, it +is believed by the Britishers that the appearance of the spy who +was discovered in the London Coffee-House, has somewhat to do with +Benjamin’s unaccountable absence.” + +“And did you hear them say that they were deeply grieved because Skinny +failed to show himself on the street?” I asked in what I intended +should be a jovial tone, but down deep in my heart was I beginning to +grow more timorous even than ever. + +“It seems to me serious for this reason: They claimed, during the +conversation which I overheard, that by seeking out Benjamin, it may be +possible for them to come upon the trail of the spy who disappeared so +strangely. It appears that during the day all the houses on Chestnut +street were searched with the belief that he might have taken refuge +in one of them. Finding that such was not the case, they have come to +believe he has a hiding place here where he can come and go at will.” + +During a full half-minute I stood looking blankly into my mother’s +face, not knowing what I could say that would calm her fears, and at +the same time striving with all my will to down the timorousness which +was coming over me. + +“What do you count on doing with Benjamin?” my mother repeated after a +long pause, and I shook my head as does one who is at a loss for words. + +From the bottom of my heart I wished I might be able to tell her +exactly what we _would_ do with him, for verily was he rapidly +becoming an elephant on our hands, and certain to bring us low if the +lobster-backs were taking up the search for him. + +If peradventure Jeremy Hapgood and I were the only ones concerned in +the matter, then would I believe that he and I might keep the secret +during so long a time that the search for Skinny would be given up; but +with young Chris having a finger in the pie, and so eager to let it +appear that he had important business on hand concerning the colony, or +the king, or both, it seemed certain something regarding our movements +must speedily leak out. + +However, it was necessary I say that to my mother regarding our future +plans which would ease her mind, and since we had none, I made a bluff +at it by outlining what I would be pleased to do. + +“If it so chances that the lobster-backs suspect us lads of aiding +those who come into the city from the American army as spies, then must +we flee, going to Valley Forge, and even though we may not be allowed, +because of our age, to enroll ourselves as soldiers, it is necessary we +stay under the protection of our own people. When that time comes, we +shall take Skinny with us.” + +“But you are thus counting to cut yourself off entirely from me, my +son,” mother said in a tone of deepest sadness. “Since your father’s +death you, Richard, are all I have left that makes life worth the +living, and with you in the army, or, what is even worse, a camp +follower, I truly believe I should die of fear and grief.” + +“Yet when Master Dingley made the proposition which he did, you would +not have had me say nay,” I cried earnestly, and she, dear soul, +answered like the true woman she was: + +“Of course not, my son; but what I would have had is that you had never +met this Master Dingley.” + +“But knowing we did meet him, mother, and that it was possible for us +to save his life, would you have had me turn my back upon the man, +allowing him to be led to the gallows when it should please General +Howe’s high mightiness to hang him?” + +“You have done no more, my son, than was your duty; no more than your +father would have bidden you do were he on this earth. And yet even +that fact does not console me, nor will it give me comfort when you are +away, and I all ignorant of your whereabouts.” + +Well, we two talked in this strain until it was as if my heart was near +to bursting. Then, striving to show myself some part of a man, I said +with as much of courage as I could coax into my voice: + +“Since it has all come about, mother, by chance as you might say, and +because I am in a hobble from which there is no escape if I stay at +home as before this thing came about, let us put the best face we can +upon it. Try to believe what seems reasonable, which is that I shall +succeed in keeping out of the clutches of the lobster-backs, and that +it will be possible for me to see you, if not every day, at least many +times in the week. We will live in the hope that General Washington +counts on leaving Valley Forge soon, to pay a visit to this city of +Philadelphia.” + +Then it was I tried to persuade her that there was fair reason for +believing our people counted on making some speedy move, bringing up as +proof the fact that Master Dingley had deemed it of greatest importance +word be sent out of the city to Valley Forge frequently, and arguing +that unless there was some plan of attack in General Washington’s +mind, he would not be concerning himself regarding the lobster-backs +in Philadelphia, for they were surely doing no harm to the Cause while +they remained in our city idling their time away with foolish sports. + +Perhaps it was because she wanted to believe all this might be true, +which caused her to lend a favoring ear to my words, and after we had +talked together an hour, mayhap, she seemed right cheerful in mind, +going about her household duties, the chiefest of which seemed to be +caring for my comfort. + +Had I eaten all she set before me, then must I have died of +over-feeding, for the dear woman appeared to think, because I had been +away all night, that I must be well-nigh famished, even though she had +sent by Jeremy sufficient of food to keep a hungry boy satisfied during +at least eight and forty hours. + +It was not yet sunset when she insisted that I go to bed because of +having remained awake all the night previous, and in truth I was +willing to act upon her suggestion, for my eyelids were so heavy by the +time I had been sitting in front of the kitchen fire half an hour, that +I could keep them open only by the greatest exertion. + +It seemed to me I had no more than lost myself in slumber, when I was +awakened by mother’s hand being laid gently on my cheek, at the same +time that she shook me lovingly into consciousness. + +I started up in alarm, for at that moment my dreams were most +unpleasant, I fancying myself in the power of the lobster-backs. + +When I would have cried out in fear, she placed her hand gently over my +mouth as she whispered: + +“Samuel Elder has come to see you, and claims it is important that he +deliver a message.” + +“Why not let him come up here?” I asked, and she replied: + +“Because all our lodgers are in the house, having with them no less +than a dozen others from the Royal Irish regiment, and I fear to have +them see the lad; he looks so startled and frightened that there would +be good reason for them to suspect him of mischief.” + +“Where is he now?” + +“I have left him in the shed, not daring to do otherwise, and you are +to come down at once.” + +This last portion of my mother’s speech was not needed, for on the +instant she uttered Sam’s name I concluded young Chris had succeeded in +getting himself into some kind of a difficulty which would work to our +disadvantage, and was putting on my clothes as rapidly as ever a lad +could. + +“Do you believe it will be necessary to go away from home again +to-night?” my mother asked, and I, fearing the moment had come when +I might be forced to flee for very life, replied with as much of +carelessness as I could assume: + +“If it should so be that I must, mother, I promise to come back within +four and twenty hours, so do not fret if I go directly away with Sam +Elder.” + +“It is useless to warn me against fretting, my son, for what mother +could know that her boy was in gravest danger, as I fear you are, and +not feel anxiety?” + +I made no attempt to reply to this, else would the tears have come into +my eyes, and she, kissing me fondly again and again, turned away as I +went down the stairs toward the shed, feeling much like one who goes to +the scaffold. + +Fortunately, matters were not so serious as I had allowed myself to +fear. At least they did not seem so at the time, for when I was come +to where Sam remained half-hidden in the shed, he told me that which +lifted a great burden from my heart. + +Instead of waiting for the morrow before he stood watch over young +Chris, it appears that shortly after I went out from the lumber pile, +Sam and Jeremy decided it would be well if he had a look around in the +vicinity of the London Coffee-House, and there he saw, as had I, the +baker’s son parading to and fro. + +Sam was far too cautious a boy to go directly up to young Chris, +fearing lest the lad might say something incautiously which would +give an inkling of his purpose. Therefore he remained at a distance +up Chestnut street, seeing nothing especial to cause alarm until he +was startled by a hand being laid upon his shoulder from behind, and, +turning, he saw a stranger, who later he came to believe was none other +than Master Dingley. + +“Who is yonder lad?” the man asked, pointing to young Chris, and Sam, +ever cautious, instead of replying asked a question in return: + +“Why would you know that, sir?” + +“Simply to gratify a curiosity, young master,” the stranger replied +laughingly, and added, “are you a friend of yonder lad?” + +“Ay, that I am.” + +“And are you also friendly with one Richard Salter?” + +“I may say that it pleases me to look upon Richard as a friend, more +than it does to count young Chris as one.” + +“And do you know where young Master Salter is at this moment?” + +“Ay, that I do.” + +“Can you get word to him from me?” + +“To what end, sir?” Sam asked suspiciously. + +“There is no reason why you should be on your guard against me,” the +man said with a smile, “and yet I like it well that you are. You need +give me no information regarding Richard Salter; but I would have you, +if so you please, take this word to him: Say that one whom he aided +within the past four and twenty hours would have speech with him as +soon as may be at the Jolly Tar inn.” + +Having said this the man turned sharply about, and Sam, believing he +had but just had speech with Master Dingley, came to my home with all +speed. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AT SWEDE’S FORD + + +I am free to confess that I was somewhat surprised because Master +Dingley had returned so soon, for I made no question but that it was he +who had spoken with Sam. + +All the fear which had come upon me when I was first awakened, fled, +for I said to myself that the gentleman had returned, most like, to +give me instructions as to what we should do in the future, for it +hardly seemed possible he could have any work for us lads so soon after +having made the proposition that we enroll ourselves as Minute Boys. + +I questioned Sam as to what had happened in regard to the prisoner +after I left, and he replied that Skinny remained as if in a fit of +the sulks, speaking no word to anyone, and seemingly having resigned +himself to the probable fact that he would be held prisoner until some +of his friends succeeded in finding him. + +“Don’t let him deceive you into the belief that he remains there +willingly,” I said to Sam warningly. “If the cur no longer appears +frightened, and is putting on meek airs, then you may set it down as a +fact that he is trying to form some plan to get the best of us.” + +“That goes without saying,” Sam replied laughingly. “Suppose either +you or I were in the same hobble Skinny is? Do you not fancy we would +seek in our minds for some way to get the best of those who held us +prisoner?” + +“Ay; but without praising ourselves, I may say that we have more +courage than he, and would show ourselves decent fellows even while +fighting.” + +“Don’t fear but that I understand he will do anything whatsoever in the +way of treachery, and do you know, Richard Salter, I should not blame +him overly much whatever he did, because the provocation is great.” + +“He had no business to stick his nose into our affairs in the first +place. Then he would not be in the lumber pile guarded as he is,” I +replied hotly, and Sam said with a laugh: + +“True enough; but he was well within his rights from his standpoint. He +truly believes we are rebels past all hope of redemption, and thinks he +is doing only his duty when he aids those who serve the king, even as +we believe it is in aid of the Cause when we stand ready to do Master +Dingley’s bidding and call ourselves Minute Boys.” + +I could never have found it in my heart to speak words even of faint +praise for such a Tory cur as Skinny Baker, yet at the same time it +pleased me that Sam stood up for him in such manly fashion, and I said +with a laugh: + +“You may deal out all the praise possible for one like Skinny, and I +will hold my peace, knowing you are a true lad and one who loves the +Cause if there be any in this lobster-back ridden city of ours. Now let +us make all speed for the Jolly Tar.” + +“I am not minded to go with you,” Sam replied quickly, and when I asked +him why not, he declared there was no good reason why we two should +remain together in public; that it were better he went back to the +hiding place with Jeremy, where he might be needed, and adding that +if peradventure it became necessary, I would visit the lumber pile +sometime during the night; if not, they should expect me reasonably +early next morning. + +“Even though there be no good reason why you come to us,” Sam added +earnestly, “remember that we shall be eager to know what business +Master Dingley has, and therefore I beg you to put us out of suspense +as soon as it may be safely done.” + +Then Sam hastened away, and I turned my steps in the direction of the +Jolly Tar inn, wondering not a little whether Master Dingley found +in the host a man who favored the Cause. To me the keeper of that +tavern was a most surly brute, who surely had no friends among those +people whom I knew, and I could not fancy he was of the kind to make a +confidant of anyone. + +He was standing in the tap-room of the inn when I entered, and +seemingly there was none other on the premises, for he asked in an +ordinary tone of voice, as if there was no need for secrecy in the +matter, whether my name was Richard Salter. + +As a matter of course, I told him it was, and straightway, without +parley, he led me upstairs into a small chamber at the rear of the +house, where, instead of finding Master Dingley, I came upon a man who +was an entire stranger--one whom I had never seen before. + +On the instant there came into my mind the fear that some treachery +had been done; that those who favored the king had taken this means of +getting from me information as to what we had done the night previous. + +All such suspicions fled from my mind, however, when the man spoke, +for he said, tapping me on the shoulder in a most friendly manner: + +“I am sorry that Dingley decided to call upon such lads as you for aid, +because this work which we would do has in it far too much of danger +for us to lead boys into a road which may end only at the gallows. +However, he has done so, and now am I come to ask if you can go this +night to Swede’s Ford?” + +“I go to Swede’s Ford?” I repeated like a simple, and in amazement. + +“Ay, lad; there is reason for your visit, and no need why I should +explain. I am come to stay in this city a few days, and when you have +been to Swede’s Ford and returned, if so be you desire to have speech +with me, come to this inn, and, speaking only to the landlord, say that +you would talk with the Weaver of Germantown.” + +“And why may it be that I should need to have speech with you, sir?” I +asked curiously. + +“After you have visited Swede’s Ford you will know better, lad. Where +are your comrades?” + +“Nearabout, sir; somewhere within the city,” I replied, suspicion again +coming into my mind that this stranger might be trying to force from me +a secret with a view of doing us harm. + +The reply seemed to please him, for he said, again tapping me on the +shoulder: + +“Such caution is well, lad, in these times, and I am glad to see +that you understand it. I asked the question only from a spirit of +curiosity, and it is better, perhaps, that you do not answer. However, +you will say to them, wherever they may be, that if during your +absence any danger menaces, either to themselves or to our people at +Valley Forge, they are to come here and have speech with me even as I +explained to you how it should be done.” + +“But what am I to do at Swede’s Ford?” I asked almost impatiently, for +this journey was not to my liking, and the stranger answered in what +was much to me like a riddle: + +“That you will find out once you are arrived there. Take no heed as to +why you are going, but simply present yourself at Swede’s Ford anywhere +to-morrow morning after daylight, and the remainder will be told you.” + +“The remainder will be told me,” I repeated to myself, dazed rather +than otherwise by this proposition. + +Certain it was that the man who was representing Master Dingley’s +interest was quite as careful in his way as I had shown myself to be in +mine. Here he was proposing that I go on a visit which was not without +some danger, because there was the risk of being overhauled by the +lobster-backs before I could get there, and even going so far in his +caution as to fail of giving me any inkling of that which I was to do. + +It was evident that the stranger read, from the expression on my face, +that I was not overly well pleased at thus being forced to set off +blindfold as you might say, and he hastened to add: + +“Be not vexed, lad, because I fail of explaining matters at the outset. +It is well you should not know, for if peradventure you were taken by +the Britishers, then would it be impossible to inadvertently reveal the +secret. You are simply to go to Swede’s Ford, lounge about there as if +you had no particular business, and straightway someone will accost +you, asking if you have been sent by the Weaver of Germantown. Then +may you know that he is one to be trusted, and follow his instructions.” + +“Am I to go alone, sir?” + +“That is as you may please. If so be you have an idea that with a +companion you could more readily explain that you had set off simply on +a pleasure jaunt, or in regard to family matters, take whomsoever you +choose. In fact, the orders from Master Dingley were that he believed +you to be a boy of considerable parts, and one who might be safely +trusted, without definite instructions, to pull through whatsoever he +attempted.” + +I questioned at the moment whether Master Dingley had said anything of +the kind; but rather fancied that this man, believing I was somewhat +disgruntled, counted to flatter me so I might the more willingly set +off on such a blind chase. + +I made no reply to him; but waited until he should speak again, and +mayhap sixty seconds passed in silence, whereupon I said with a half +laugh: + +“Perhaps it is your idea that there is nothing more to be said?” + +“That is exactly it, my lad. Too free a use of the tongue in times like +these, even between sworn friends, is inclined to danger; therefore, +we who are called rebels had best hold as little converse as may be, +although within the walls of this inn, so far as Master Targe, the +landlord, can arrange matters, we are safe to speak our minds, yet +there is no good reason why it should be done at all times. Leave the +city whensoever it pleases you, so that you may arrive at Swede’s Ford +reasonably early to-morrow morning.” + +Then he opened the door, which was surely invitation enough for me to +go, and I went, turning the matter over in my mind as I passed through +the passageway leading to the tap-room, and from thence out on the +street. + +Master Targe was standing just outside his door as I went by him, and +he looked at me so earnestly that I could not but fancy something was +in the wind, therefore halted sufficiently long to ask if he believed +he had seen me before. + +“Nay, lad, I have not charged my memory with you. It may be that you +have been hereabout many a time; but just now I would so fix your face +in my mind that I shall recognize it amid a thousand when I see you +again, for it is likely you may come here often.” + +Even though Master Dingley had been forced to leave Philadelphia +hurriedly and secretly, it was evident he had made arrangements +for whatsoever might turn up. Yet I wondered not a little why this +innkeeper should so readily understand that his guests from outside +the city would be needing or asking for the services of boys, although +there were many reasons why I might believe that the stranger whom I +just left had explained matters. + +Yet, and I asked myself this more than once, how had Master Dingley had +opportunity since we parted with him at the Falls of the Schuylkill, to +make any arrangements with another? + +There was food for thought in such matter, and although I could not +suspect the man whom I had just left, I failed utterly of making +out how all this thing had been brought about to so complete an +understanding in so short a time. + +However, it was not for me to speculate overly much upon the matter, +for if I was to obey the instructions given no time should be lost. +If I counted on journeying to Swede’s Ford, then it would require +every effort in order to arrive there at an early hour next day, and +I quickened my pace that I might the sooner come at the hiding place +where I counted to meet only Jeremy and Sam. + +To my unpleasant surprise, I found young Chris with the two who were +guarding the prisoner, and because I could not let the lad understand +that I was unwilling to trust him entirely, it became necessary, in +order to explain to Jeremy and Sam that I was going out of town, for me +to tell the whole story in young Chris’s presence. + +This I did without seeming to hesitate, for the baker’s son was a +suspicious lad, and it did not require many odd actions or chance words +to arouse his anger. + +Before I had well begun the story young Chris flew into a passion, and +cried out angrily: + +“If I was sent to the Royal Coffee-House to wait for whosoever might +come in search of us, why did Sam Elder go there also? And if he was +there by accident, why did he not report to me that someone had come +who would have speech with you, Richard Salter?” + +Sam would have replied, and probably with considerable temper, if I +could judge by the expression on his face; but when I motioned for him +to remain silent, he obeyed, and I replied to the angry Chris: + +“It is not an overly safe matter in the work we propose to do, bandying +words back and forth, especially in public. Sam had received the +message, and there was less danger if he came directly to me, than if +he waited to explain to you all that occurred, at the risk of being +overheard. Why should you be disgruntled because by chance he was able +to do a portion of the work which had been set for you?” + +“That is exactly why I am disgruntled. The work was for me and not for +him. If he interfered, I should have been informed.” + +“At the expense of having the secret made known?” Jeremy asked grimly, +and young Chris cried in a rage: + +“Ay, at every risk, for I was the one who remained on duty.” + +Then I believed had come the time when I must assert my authority as +commander of the Minute Boys, and I said with as much of sternness +as I could call up, striving at the same time to show somewhat of +friendliness in my tones: + +“You must remember, young Chris, that this work is for all of us, and +not for one individual. If it so chance I have set out on some matter, +and you can do it more safely or quickly, then it were worse than folly +for me to complain. Our only purpose in banding ourselves together as +Minute Boys is to benefit the Cause, and not simply that one or another +may gain glory.” + +I believe that young Chris was secretly ashamed of having shown himself +so foolish, for he said in a tone of sulkiness: + +“I am only complaining because of being set about a task and then +having another lad hoisted over my head.” + +“No one was hoisted over your head, Chris. It so chanced that Sam was +there, and the man spoke to him. He also was a considerable distance +up Chestnut street--not at your post of duty. What folly it would have +been for him to circle around the coffee-house, rather than coming +directly to me.” + +“And I suppose you count on starting for Swede’s Ford at once?” + +“I certainly do. It is necessary I be there early to-morrow morning, +and I believe it will be well for me to go as far as the falls in the +_Jolly Rover_, since there is less likelihood in such course of being +overhauled by the lobster-backs.” + +“Why should you gain all the credit of this work?” young Chris asked, +still in a sulky tone, whereupon I replied sharply: + +“It is not certain there will be any credit attached to it; but far +more likely, as I figure the matter, that the one who goes will +encounter no little danger before he has got back to Philadelphia. Even +though the lobster-backs do not interfere, I am of the opinion that +those who would have us aid them will count that we have only done +our duty. So far as gaining glory in this work is concerned, if that +be what you are after, young Chris, there is every chance you will be +sadly disappointed.” + +“But why should you go alone?” Chris demanded. + +“And why should I not?” I asked, now very nearly losing my temper. + +“Because two will be necessary if you are to go as far as the falls in +the _Jolly Rover_, and if there is no longer need for me to stay on +duty nearabout the coffee-house, then I am of a mind to go with you.” + +Now it was by no means to my liking that young Chris should bear me +company on this mission, whatever it might be, for, as I have already +said, he was not a lad who could be depended upon to keep his temper, +or to be prudent, in a time of danger. + +Yet the thought flashed quickly through my mind even while he was +speaking, that if I should allow the lad to go with me, then was I +removing him from all opportunity of doing harm to those who were +guarding Skinny. + +Straightway, without apparent hesitation, I said to him heartily: + +“If so be you are inclined to go, young Chris, I see no reason why +it shouldn’t be done. I shall be pleased to have company and aid in +working the _Jolly Rover_, therefore, if you count on going home to +explain that you may be absent some time, make all possible haste, for +I would like to be on the journey before another hour goes by.” + +Young Chris hesitated as if it was in his mind to set off without +allowing his parents to know where he went; but when Jeremy suggested +that the work which we would be called upon to do by those who awaited +us at Swede’s Ford might keep us from the city several days, he +concluded to so far save his mother from anxiety as to let her know +that he intended to go away. + +It would have been better for Chris, I thought then and have always +believed since, if his parents had ever held him to a rigid accounting +of his time. But since the day I first knew the lad, he seemed free to +go or come as he pleased without regard to any person or thing. + +I believe the fact of my willingness to have young Chris accompany +me to Swede’s Ford surprised him, for he looked as if dazed for an +instant, and then went out from the hiding place with more of caution +and less noisily than I had ever known him to go before. + +“If I was going away on a mission concerning which I knew nothing +whatsoever, young Chris, although devoted to the Cause, is not the lad +I would choose for a companion,” Jeremy Hapgood said, speaking slowly +as if reaching out in his mind for all the possibilities of danger that +might come to me while in young Chris’s company. + +I made reply in what might have been a sorrowful tone, for I was indeed +disappointed that he was to be my companion: + +“It is better he go with me than that he stay, for there is such +a whirl in his mind regarding our company of Minute Boys and the +possibility of what they may do, that he will be prone to carelessness, +and might bring trouble upon you who are tied here.” + +“Why should they be tied here?” Skinny Baker cried suddenly and hotly. +“Why not do as decent lads would, and take my word that I will never +reveal anything I have seen or heard since you went up the river with +the stranger?” + +“The reason why we don’t do it, Skinny,” Sam Elder said grimly, “is +because your word is not worth a straw. I have known you ready to lie +in small matters when no good could be accomplished by it, and surely +if we were simples enough to let you go free, for the sake of revenge +you would break the most solemn oath.” + +Then it was that Skinny, for the first time since we had made him +prisoner, flew into a veritable rage, and it became necessary Jeremy +and Sam should literally hold him by the arms, else would he have +striven to force his way out, while, save that I clapped my hand over +his mouth, the Tory cur must have screamed aloud for help. + +“You are bound to gag him!” I cried in alarm. + +Really there was every danger he would arouse the neighborhood, for no +one could say who might be passing near at hand, and such a noise as we +were then making must of necessity attract attention. + +This proposition frightened Skinny more than any threat would have +done, for straightway he calmed himself, and said in an imploring tone: + +“Don’t gag me! I promise faithfully to hold my peace! It will be +barbarous to force my jaws apart during such time as I must stay here! +Suppose one of you lads were in my place, do you think it possible you +could sit here with a smile on your face, and never make a move toward +trying to escape?” + +“No, Skinny,” Jeremy replied gravely. “I am quite certain any of us +would make a greater disturbance than you are creating. But we must, +as would you, protect ourselves. Therefore the next time you raise +your voice with the idea of attracting attention from the outside, I +pledge my word that you shall be gagged in such fashion that your jaws +will not come together within three or four inches, and thus shall you +remain, save at such times as we are pleased to take the gag out to +save you from being choked to death.” + +“We two will stay on duty all the time you are away, Richard,” Sam +Elder said as if thinking I needed heartening, as indeed I did. “Go +about your work at Swede’s Ford without fear for us, and howsoever long +you may remain absent, it will only be necessary for you to come here +in order to find Skinny, as well as Jeremy and me.” + +Young Chris returned just at that instant, and I was not able to say +privately to my comrades that which I was counting on doing, for, as +I have already repeated again and again, I did not have sufficient +confidence in Master Ludwig’s son to let him share all my thoughts. And +this not because there was any fear he had a leaning to the side of the +king; but on account of his recklessness. + +Young Chris announced that he had spoken with his father, telling him +all that had occurred, and anyone who was acquainted with baker Ludwig, +knew him to be such a thorough friend of the colonies that if his son +could do whatsoever to aid the Cause, there would be no hindrance from +him. + +Chris had come with full permission to remain away as long as might be +necessary, and, what was more to the purpose, had no less than seven +shillings in his pocket in addition to a generous supply of bread and +meat, enough to serve us, even though we should be hungry all the time, +at least eight and forty hours. + +After the lad had displayed his riches, and they were riches indeed to +us boys who were in the hiding place, for never in my life had I had +more than sixpence at a time, while I knew full well Jeremy and Sam had +hardly seen as much money in the whole course of their lives, we set +off without delay. + +On leaving the hiding place one crawled out considerably in advance of +the other, and when we were in the open, strove to move in a careless +manner as if we had little heed whether we went this way or that. + +Twice did we come upon a squad of lobster-backs who were patrolling +the streets to make certain the rebels of Philadelphia kept snugly +under cover, lest they be tempted to say something disrespectful of his +majesty. + +Each time we came upon the Britishers did young Chris save us from +being marched to the guard-house, for all the lobster-backs were +acquainted with Ludwig the baker, although they did not know him for +a friend to the Cause, and his son might do almost as much without +reproach from them, as if he had for sire the rankest Tory in the city. + +This poor attempt of mine at story-telling would be the more +entertaining if I could set down that we had this or that desperate +adventure while making our way across the city, and yet truth demands +that I must say we went our way as peacefully as though the king’s +troops had never been within a thousand miles of Philadelphia. + +Save in the two cases which I have already mentioned, we were not +molested in the slightest degree, and even the meeting with the +lobster-backs, thanks to young Chris, was nothing more than a pleasure +as you might say, for it gave me no little delight to see them so ready +to let us pass when we were engaged in that work which was to them a +crime well worthy of death. + +We went straight across the city until coming to the river, and there +found the _Jolly Rover_ amid the thicket just as we had left her. + +There was nothing to prevent our setting off at once, and within half +an hour from the time we had left the lumber pile, we were pulling up +stream in a leisurely fashion as if simply bent on sport. + +We arrived at the falls without having met anyone to dispute our +passage, and, leaving there the _Jolly Rover_ hidden securely, set off +on foot for Swede’s Ford, walking with such purpose that the sun had +not shown himself for more than two hours when we were at the journey’s +end, looking anxiously around for whosoever was to greet us. + +As a matter of course, young Chris and I had very much to say to each +other during the tramp, for it was not reasonable to suppose two lads +would walk throughout the entire night without holding converse; but +that of which we spoke has no concern whatsoever with this attempt of +mine to set down the doings of the Minute Boys. + +It needs only to be said that more than once did I, in as delicate +a way as possible, strive to convince my comrade he must exercise +more caution both in speech and movement, if we were to do anything +whatsoever in aid of the colonies. + +And now a word regarding this place where we had arrived, and which was +hardly more than a wilderness, save for the breastworks that had been +thrown up some time since by order of General Washington, to prevent +the Britishers from crossing the river. + +There was also the farm-house which had been built by a man named John +Bull, who was a stanch Whig, and because of this so-called crime, the +Britishers under General Howe, when they marched to Philadelphia the +year previous, burned his barn for him. + +The ruins were yet there, of course; but the house was occupied, or we +judged it to be from the signs of life which could be seen roundabout, +probably by the farmer’s family who had no other place of shelter, +save they went into that city which was held by their enemies. + +There were in the breastworks mayhap twenty men, who were lounging +about as if having no other aim in life than to take their pleasure, +and I fancied they looked at us curiously, perhaps in an unfriendly +manner, therefore it was I suggested to young Chris that we remain +at a distance on the bank of the stream, rather than be questioned +concerning what we could not answer even though disposed to make public +all our doings. + +We walked to and fro on the shore striving to avoid more than ordinary +attention, at the same time that we kept ourselves in view of +whomsoever counted on coming to meet us, and during all the while, as +you can well fancy, both of us speculated as to why we had been sent to +such a lonely place. + +If word had come that we were to present ourselves at Valley Forge, +where was the commander-in-chief, then might I have understood somewhat +concerning the reason. But why we were to come here in the woods, as +you might say, was past my guessing. + +In later days, however, I came to realize that he who takes upon +himself such work as we were then striving to do, must not question the +whys and wherefores; but obey blindly every order which is given, and +do it promptly. + +When half an hour had passed and no one appeared, young Chris began +to lose his patience, and a stranger might have supposed, to hear him +talk, that we two lads were of great consequence in this war against +the king, for he announced angrily that if those persons who had sent +for us did not appear within thirty minutes, he would go away, +leaving them to do their business as best they might. + +[Illustration: “THIS, GENERAL VARNUM, IS RICHARD SALTER.”] + +All this was foolish, as a matter of course, and I made to it no reply, +thus allowing the lad to quiet down a bit. At the end of another +half-hour he had thrown himself upon the ground, making ready to go +to sleep, when I saw in the distance one whom I recognized as Master +Dingley, and with him a man in the uniform of our army, evidently a +superior officer. + +The two came directly to where we were standing, and Master Dingley, +taking me by the hand as if I had been a particular friend of his, said +in a manner that nearly caused my cheeks to flush with shame because +such praise was not warranted: + +“This, General Varnum, is Richard Salter, son of a widow who keeps a +lodging house in Drinker’s alley, where no less a person than Major +Simcoe is wont to frequent. He is a lad, as I know by careful inquiry, +who may be fully trusted, and I believe will do whatsoever you have +with which to entrust him.” + +General Varnum, who was a mild-spoken man, and not such an one as I +had fancied would be chosen to lead a large number of men into battle, +asked many questions concerning my life in the city since the British +had taken possession, and particularly did he inquire concerning my +home, and in what part of the building the Britishers lodged. He was +curious to learn whether I heard any conversation between them, or if +they spoke guardedly when any of my mother’s family were near at hand. + +I cannot undertake to set down all of which we spoke, for a great +deal of it seemed to me have no connection whatsoever with the Cause. +It appeared as if he was gratifying his curiosity, rather than +endeavoring to gain information. + +But when he was come to an end of his questioning, and during all this +time no attention whatsoever had been paid to young Chris, who lay upon +the grass kicking up his heels in evident displeasure, the general said +to Master Dingley: + +“It is well. You may entrust the lad with the mission, Josiah; but +first make certain if his comrade is to be relied upon.” + +At this young Chris sprang to his feet as if to make some angry reply, +and I verily believe he would have given way to his ill temper even in +the presence of the general, had I not caught him quickly by the arm, +looking into his eyes in such a manner as was much the same as if I had +bidden him hold his peace. + +Then the general walked away, and Master Dingley turned to young Chris, +saying to me meanwhile: + +“Who is this comrade of yours?” + +“The son of Christopher Ludwig, the baker,” I made haste to reply. +“And surely knowing the father, you can have full faith in the son’s +willingness to do whatsoever you have for his hand.” + +“Is there any reason why you lads may not linger here four and twenty +hours?” Master Dingley asked. + +I told him we were at his service, yet secretly hoped he would not keep +us in that desolate place long. + +“Is your company of Minute Boys already formed?” Master Dingley asked, +and straightway young Chris’s tongue was loosened as he told of what +he himself had done in the way of raising recruits, speaking so +boastingly, that one who did not know him might come to believe we had +a large number of lads ready to serve the Cause in whatsoever way they +might. + +I took it upon myself to explain how many had joined the company, and +who they were, whereupon Master Dingley said: + +“The work which the commander-in-chief would have you do is such as +requires more than ordinary caution, and of so delicate a nature that +General Varnum, who is entrusted with that part of the scheme, was not +willing you should be informed of what was on foot until he had had +speech with you. Therefore it was I asked that you come here to this +place, rather than at Valley Forge.” + +“And are we not to see the American camp?” young Chris asked eagerly. + +“Now that General Varnum is satisfied regarding you two, I see no +reason why you may not go into camp this night, if so be you are +willing to tramp over a rough bit of country.” + +“We would tramp from here to New York and back again, for the sake of +seeing the army!” I cried excitedly, for my one desire throughout all +the long winter had been to see how our brave fellows bore up under the +privations of which we had but faint idea. + +“Very well; we will set off at once,” Master Dingley replied. + +And so we did. But nothing was seen of General Varnum, and before we +had gone a mile I learned that he had ridden down to within a short +distance of Swede’s Ford on horseback, where he met Master Dingley, and +was now returning in the same manner. + +And now comes what at that time was to me a great mystery. We traveled +leisurely along, talking of this thing and of that concerning the +struggles which our people were making against the king’s rule, and +with no fear that anyone was near to overhear our words, yet never once +did Master Dingley speak concerning the mission which he would send us +on, and for which we had come so far. + +It was as if he had entirely forgotten we had been summoned for some +especial purpose, and believed his sole duty was to escort us to the +American camp. + +Again and again was I tempted to ask why we had been called to Swede’s +Ford; but each time my heart failed me. Then I said to myself that I +would restrain my curiosity, come what might, never hinting that I was +eager to learn of his purpose, and waiting with whatsoever patience I +could until it pleased him to explain matters. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +VALLEY FORGE + + +Now, while we are traveling over the hills hoping speedily to cover +the seven miles between Swede’s Ford and Valley Forge, I burning with +impatience for Master Dingley to speak concerning the business on which +we had been summoned, and young Chris following sulkily in the rear, +disgruntled because he had, according to his belief, not been treated +with as much ceremony as he believed the son of his father should have, +let me set down what at a later day I read concerning Valley Forge and +our people there. + +It cannot be without interest even to those who know it full well +because of having suffered there, and to him who would follow my poor +attempt at telling of the doings of our Minute Boys of Philadelphia, +it seems necessary many things should be known concerning this winter +encampment where was so much of suffering. + +It is perhaps needless for me to say that our army arrived at Valley +Forge on the nineteenth day of December in the year 1777, and there at +once began the work of building such shelters as would serve in some +slight degree to shield them from the cruel weather. + +I myself have seen the written orders which General Washington gave +concerning the making of the huts. He directed the commanding officers +of regiments to have their men divided into parties of twelve, to see +to it each company had its proportion of tools, and that they build a +hut for that number. + +In order to quicken their movements, for General Washington knew how +necessary it was these shelters should be erected without delay, he +promised to give the party in each regiment which finished its hut +the soonest and in the most workmanlike manner, a present of twelve +dollars. He also offered a reward of one hundred dollars to the officer +or soldier who would substitute a covering for the huts, cheaper and +more quickly made than boards. + +These are the directions which he gave concerning the size and style +of the building: “Fourteen feet by sixteen each; the sides, end and +roofs made with logs; the roofs made tight with split slabs, or some +other way; the sides made tight with clay; a fireplace made of wood and +secured with clay on the inside eighteen inches thick; this fireplace +to be in the rear of the hut; the door to be in the end next the +street; the doors to be made of split oak slabs unless boards can be +procured; the side walls to be six feet and a half high. The officers’ +huts are to form a line in the rear of the troops, one hut to be +allowed to each general officer; one to the staff of each brigade; +one to the field officers of each regiment; one to the staff of each +regiment; one to the commissioned officers of two companies; and one to +every twelve non-commissioned officers and soldiers.” + +Do you remember that pitiful letter which Washington wrote to Governor +Clinton about the middle of February, wherein he said: + +“For some days past there has been little less than a famine in the +camp. A part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh, and +the rest three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot +enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, +that they have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings to a +general mutiny and desertion.” + +Now I have heard it said that when the army first went into camp +there were eleven thousand and ninety-eight men, but of this number +two thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight were unfit for duty. +The British army encamped in comfort, almost luxury, in our land of +America, numbered thirty-three thousand, seven hundred and fifty-six, +and nineteen thousand, five hundred and thirty of these were in our +city of Philadelphia, afraid to move in either direction save when they +sent out squads now and then to inflict damage upon the people nearby. + +More than once had I heard Major Simcoe speak of our people under arms +as the “Rag-tag and bobtail,” and yet that same rag-tag and bobtail +were keeping the lobster-backs shut up in Philadelphia, while they were +in the condition which General Varnum described to General Green when +he wrote to him on the twelfth of February, which same letter I also +have seen, as has young Chris, in which he says: + +“The situation of the camp is such that in all human probability the +army must dissolve. Many of the troops are destitute of meat and are +several days in arrears. The horses are dying for want of forage. The +country in the vicinity of the camp is exhausted. There cannot be a +moral certainty of bettering our condition while we remain here.” + +And before this day on which Chris and I were visiting Valley Forge, +Master Dingley told us that again and again was it almost impossible to +find soldiers in condition fit to discharge the military camp duties +from day to day. That those who were naked, and there were very many +who were almost the same as without clothing, borrowed from those who +had clothes, while they went out to stand guard or do such other duties +as were required. And when he said this, Master Dingley added proudly: + +“Yet, amid all this suffering day after day, surrounded by frost and +snow (for it has been a winter of great severity), patriotism is still +warm and hopeful in the hearts of the soldiers, and their love of self +is merged into the one holy sentiment of love for country.” + +If I had been lukewarm regarding the Cause up to this day when we were +traveling over the hills with Master Dingley, I should have burned, as +I really did then, to have my part of the sufferings which these men +were enduring. + +I felt more keenly than ever how small and pitiful it was for young +Chris and me to complain because we had been asked to walk a few miles +into the country, to the end that we might be able to do something +in the behalf of our people, when those brave fellows were suffering +bitterly, so we could teach the king a lesson which he sorely needed. + +Perhaps it is not well for me to set down so plainly the sufferings of +our soldiers at Valley Forge, and yet why should they not be made known +in order that all who come after us may the better understand at what +cost we of the colonies were fighting against the king’s troops, who +swarmed over the land like as locusts, devouring everything that could +be come at? + +I was ashamed that I had been living in Philadelphia with plenty of +food and ample shelter. Ashamed that I had not known better concerning +this suffering at Valley Forge, so I might have been all the more eager +to do whatsoever lay within my power. + +I was yet reproaching myself because thus far I had not shared in the +distress of our people who were serving the Cause, when we came within +sight of the encampment lying in the valley and along the sides of the +hill, and then it was that suddenly, as if just remembering why we had +come there, Master Dingley said: + +“Now then, lads, sit ye down where it will be possible to see our brave +fellows who are waiting an opportunity to fall upon the lobster-backs, +and you shall hear what I would have you do in your own city of +Philadelphia, promising, however, that there are many chances you may +not be allowed to finish the work, because if so be the Britishers have +an inkling of what you are about, your shrift will be short.” + +Then it was I suddenly remembered that Master Dingley was all ignorant +of the fact that we had taken Skinny Baker prisoner. + +It may seem strange I should have forgotten such an important fact; +but the reason of my not speaking with him regarding it was, that +up to this time he had made no inquiries concerning our movements +in Philadelphia, save as to what we had done in the way of raising +recruits for the Minute Boys. + +Then, when he seemed to be on the point of telling us why we had been +called to Swede’s Ford, I made bold to say: + +“There is one thing, perhaps, which you should know before explaining +the purpose for which you sent to us. After leaving you, and getting +nearly home again, we found that the son of a Tory, one Benjamin Baker, +had not only seen us in your company; but knew that we had taken you up +the river. There seemed to be but one thing to do, which was to keep +the fellow safe where he could not tell the lobster-backs what he had +discovered, and the result of it all is that we are holding him captive +in that place where our boat was hidden.” + +“And you have a prisoner on your hands?” Master Dingley cried as if in +dismay, whereupon young Chris said boldly: + +“Ay, how else could we do? The lad was certain to have told his story +to the first lobster-back he met, and if peradventure the soldiers did +not believe him, his father is of sufficient influence to obtain an +interview even with General Howe. It was his liberty or ours.” + +“Ay, I can see that much, and yet there is great danger, as it appears +to me, for you thus to hold him in hiding. Of a surety his father will +make search for the lad.” + +“He has already done so, and yet if our comrades are cautious, holding +themselves well under cover without venturing out more than is +absolutely necessary, I fail to see how Master Baker can come upon his +son,” I replied. + +Master Dingley remained silent while one might have counted twenty, and +then he asked suddenly: + +“Did you tell the Weaver of Germantown that you had a Tory lad in your +keeping?” + +“That we did not, sir,” I replied. + +“Why not?” + +“I was not overly certain that he who called himself the Weaver of +Germantown was a true friend to the Cause. I had only his word for it, +and there was no reason why I should give him more of my affairs than +was absolutely necessary.” + +“The caution does you credit, lad, yet I would he knew of it, for it +might make some difference in his movements.” + +“It can’t be helped now,” young Chris said lightly, as if not +considering the matter of any great importance. “We have got Skinny, +and must hold him so long as we count on staying in Philadelphia, for +no one who knows him would be willing to take his word on any matter +whatsoever, and certain it is he would betray us to the lobster-backs +gleefully, however he might swear to the contrary.” + +“And one could hardly blame him if he did,” Master Dingley said grimly, +after which he fell silent again. + +We two lads sat watching him a full minute, mayhap, when he +straightened up as does one who would throw off some disagreeable +thought, and said with a long-drawn breath that was much like a sigh: + +“What has been done, has been done, and we must make the best of that +which seems to me a dangerous matter, for it is hardly possible you can +keep the lad prisoner within a lumber pile many days. However, what +comes of that is no affair of ours just at this time. It remains for +me to tell you why, and how, you can be of service to the Cause, lads +though you are.” + +Now it was I pricked up my ears, for at last, after what had seemed to +be an exceeding long time of waiting, we were to learn why we had been +summoned. + +“First let me ask if you have heard in the city aught concerning a +change of British commanders?” + +“No, sir, although my mother did say shortly before we met you, that +she heard Major Simcoe speaking somewhat concerning a change; but what +it was she failed to catch.” + +“Well, lads, we have from reliable authority that General Howe is to be +replaced in command by General Henry Clinton; but whether that be good +news or ill, remains to be seen. Now, however, I have to tell you what +I question if even the enemy in Philadelphia are yet aware. It concerns +our affairs with France. That country has acknowledged the independence +of our colonies, and entered into a treaty with us, which is much the +same as saying that she will stand our friend during the remainder of +this war. Such news came to us six days ago, which is as if I had said +on the first of May, and to-morrow there will be rejoicings in this +army here at Valley Forge. Therefore I would have you see and hear +what takes place, to the end that you may tell those of our friends in +Philadelphia whom you can trust, so if peradventure they be weak-kneed +in the Cause it will strengthen them wondrously. It was for that reason +you were asked to come here; but rather than saying you should journey +directly to this place, General Varnum insisted that first he must have +speech with you to learn if--and now I am speaking particularly to +Richard Salter--he and his mother could be depended upon to spread the +news in such manner that the telling of it might not bring them into +trouble.” + +I was becoming confused. I had believed we had been sent for because +of yet greater troubles to the colonies, and now it seemed that instead +of venturing our lives in the Cause, we were simply to be the bearers +of good tidings, after having witnessed a celebration by those men who +had suffered so much during the winter. + +“Here is a copy of general orders which have been issued by the +commander-in-chief, and I would have you lads read it carefully, to the +end that you shall remember it even after you are men grown, for to my +mind this marks an era in our struggle for independence which promises, +for the first time since we arrayed ourselves against the king, that we +may be reasonably certain of accomplishing our purpose.” + +Then Master Dingley took from his coat a folded paper which he handed +me, insisting that I read it aloud, and so I did. + +Even to this day can I remember the words, so deeply were they then +impressed upon my memory, and I am setting each one down, hoping it may +be possible for me to put them exactly in that order as I read while we +were sitting upon the ground overlooking the camp at Valley Forge. + +“It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the +Cause of the United American States, and finally to raise us up a +powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our +liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to +set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness, +and celebrating the important event, which we owe to His divine +interposition. The several brigades are to be assembled for this +purpose at nine o’clock to-morrow morning, when their chaplains will +communicate the intelligence contained in the postscript of the +Pennsylvania Gazette of the 2nd instant, and offer up a thanksgiving, +and deliver a discourse suitable to the occasion. At half-past ten +o’clock a cannon will be fired, which is to be a signal for the men to +be under arms; the brigade inspectors will then inspect their dress +and arms, and form the battalions according to the instructions given +them, and announce to the commanding officers of the brigade that the +battalions are formed. + +“The commanders of brigades will then appoint a field officer to the +battalions, after which each battalion will be ordered to load and +ground their arms. At half-past eleven a second cannon will be fired +as a signal for the march; upon which the several brigades will begin +their march by wheeling to the right by platoons, and proceed by the +nearest way to the left of their ground by the new position. This +will be pointed out by the brigade inspectors. A third signal will +then be given, on which there will be a discharge of thirteen cannon; +after which a running fire of the infantry will begin on the right of +Woodford’s, and continue throughout the front line; it will then be +taken up on the left of the second line, and continue to the right. +Upon a signal given, the whole army will huzza, Long live the King of +France! The artillery then begins again, and fires thirteen rounds; +this will be succeeded by a second general discharge of the musketry in +a running fire, and huzza, Long live the friendly European powers! The +last discharge of thirteen pieces of artillery will be given, followed +by a general running fire, and huzza, The American States!” + +“It will be a fine celebration!” young Chris said excitedly, thinking +more of what was to be done in the way of making a noise, than of that +which it signified. + +I could not for the life of me speak, for it seemed of a verity that +this was indeed the beginning of the end. And I may be pardoned if, +way down in my heart, there was just the slightest feeling of regret +because the war was come to an end so soon that our Minute Boys of +Philadelphia might not have a chance to show the stuff which was in +them; but I need not have fretted concerning that part of it. + +Before many weeks I was to learn that this show of friendship on the +part of the French nation had not won for us our independence; there +must be yet much more bloodshed, and ample time in which we lads of +Philadelphia could prove our metal. + +“And it was simply that we might see this celebration you sent for +us?” I said, whereupon Master Dingley smiled as one might at a foolish +child, while he said in an indulgent tone: + +“Nay, lad, there is yet much work to be done, as you will see. The +chief question which concerns us here is, what will be General +Clinton’s policy once he has taken command of the troops which are in +Philadelphia, and to that end has the Weaver of Germantown taken up his +abode in the Jolly Tar inn, there to remain so long as the Britishers +will allow. In the meanwhile, however, General Varnum believes, as +do I, that two or three lads who can move about without attracting +attention, may gain us certain information concerning the events of the +eighteenth day of May.” + +“That is nearly two weeks from now!” young Chris exclaimed as if +disappointed because our work was not to begin immediately, and I could +not refrain from asking how it was that Master Dingley could set so +decidedly a time when we might be able to do something--how it was he +knew exactly that on a certain day of May we might be of service. + +“It is because on that day a grand festival is to be held under +direction of General Burgoyne and Major John Andre, as a sort of +farewell reception to General Howe, for before that day comes, so our +information goes, General Clinton will be here. This carnival has been +called by its promoters, and I believe it was Major Andre himself who +gave the name, the _Mischianza_, whatever that may mean. Then it is, +when the officers have given themselves over to pleasure, that you lads +may pick up much concerning the possible movements of General Clinton, +for it is certain considerable of that matter will be discussed at +such a time. I learned, while in Philadelphia, that the carnival was +to be held at Master Wharton’s country seat in Southwark, and that the +company will begin to assemble from three to four o’clock at Knight’s +wharf, when they will embark in a grand regatta. It is from that moment +I count on your being able to follow them.” + +“Then all we are to do is go to a party at Master Wharton’s, eh?” young +Chris asked in a tone of discontent, and Master Dingley smiled sadly as +he replied: + +“If it is danger you lads are greedy for, I venture to say that +you have enough of it surrounding you just now. What with the boy +prisoner in the lumber pile; the knowledge that your people, meaning +particularly your father, young Ludwig, are among those who love the +colonies, you will stand a good chance of being brought up with a round +turn to explain why you are loitering around that party of pleasure +seekers, if so be you are not exceeding cautious. Do not be over eager +about running your neck into peril, for you stand nearby it every +moment of your life from this on.” + +It was in my mind that Master Dingley simply said this to pleasure us, +seeing we were eager to run our noses into peril, for I failed utterly +of understanding how we could get into trouble. + +I had not the shadow of a fear that Skinny Baker could succeed in +making his escape while Jeremy and Sam were watching over him, and in +eight and forty hours at the longest I would be there to take part in +guarding him. + +In my folly it seemed to me that we lads, even though the Britishers +did know we came of so-called rebel stock, were as safe in Philadelphia +as we might be even there at Valley Forge, all of which goes to show +how simple a boy can be who counts with certainty upon the future. + +There was very much which Master Dingley had to say to us before we two +were allowed to wander at will through the encampment. + +He explained in great detail how we should set about going to this +carnival with the odd name; how we must deport ourselves once there, +and how best avoid attracting attention at the same time that we +lingered near enough to the lobster-backs to hear some part of their +conversation, speaking a great many words which seemed to me needless, +because I believed the task to be so simple. + +Only after he had unburdened himself in what seemed almost a tiresome +fashion, did he set us free to go whithersoever we would, agreeing to +meet us near General Washington’s marquee, when we were wearied with +sightseeing. + +I felt much like a lad who is suddenly relieved from disagreeable +tasks, when we were thus set free; but before young Chris and I had +wandered very far amid the motley collection of huts, did my joy turn +to mourning, for I saw our people in wretched condition, although later +we were told that they were much improved since winter. + +And the question came to my mind whether it would ever be possible for +such an army, half-clad, the majority of them looking as if they had +just come from the hospital, and all seemingly hungry, for I fancied +I could read on the face of each a desire for food, to do aught +of importance against the king’s men. There was little wonder the +lobster-backs called them rag-tag and bobtail, or that they were not +overly afraid of what the poor fellows might be able to accomplish. + +I had thought it would be many a long hour ere we were ready to rejoin +Master Dingley, and yet before thirty minutes had passed I was so +heart-sick at the distressing sights, that I urged young Chris to come +away with me where we might not see so much to offend the mind and the +eye. + +Although young Chris was not a sensitive lad, he was quite as deeply +impressed by that which we saw as I, and willingly followed me to where +Master Dingley lay on the ground awaiting our coming, as if he had no +other purpose in life than minister to us. + +Once we were with him again he continued to explain how we might carry +out our mission, and had so many words regarding it that I was weary +with the hearing, although it would not have been seemly to show +displeasure, because all which the good man said was intended for our +safety. + +I would I might dwell upon what we saw at Valley Forge next day; but +because the general order explained all that was to be done, it would +be simply repeating the same matters for me to go over every incident +of that day. + +It is enough if I say that everything was carried out as General +Washington had ordered, and we two lads sat more than patiently, +listening to the sermon which was spoken by Parson Hunter, for at such +a time and amid such surroundings did it seem to me as if a pious +discourse was the one thing necessary to finish the sad picture. + +How the ragged soldiers cheered General Washington when the last +of the ceremony had come to an end, and he with his wife and the +officers of his staff left the field to partake of a dinner at his +headquarters--not a feast as you might well suppose, but a plain, +simple meal given in token of thanksgiving, as I believed. + +The men cheered him to the echo, he turning from time to time to raise +his hat in acknowledgment, and then he was lost to our view, we going +to Master Dingley’s hut where we found of bacon and corn bread enough +to satisfy our hunger, but not sufficient to encourage greediness. + +It was near to nightfall by this time, for Parson Hunter’s sermon had +been long drawn out, although it was calculated to touch one’s heart. + +Then it was Master Dingley proposed we set out on our return for +Philadelphia, claiming that we might travel with more safety during the +night than in the daytime, and insisting that we take with us a couple +of soldiers as far as Swede’s Ford, lest we meet with Tories nearabout +who would do us harm, for in this neighborhood of Valley Forge there +were very few, so we were told, outside the army, who favored the +Cause. + +I was weary and needing sleep, therefore such advice did not come in a +welcome fashion; but I was soon given to understand that Master Dingley +had a care to our well being, for he insisted that we first lie down +in his hut and sleep two hours, after which we should set out on our +return to Philadelphia. + +Everything was done as Master Dingley had announced, and it was +nearabout midnight when, arriving at Swede’s Ford, we bade adieu to the +soldiers who had acted as our guides--two men from Massachusetts, and +right pleasant companions were they, who had suffered bitterly all the +long winter, and yet were filled with hope concerning the future. + +They spoke so cheeringly of what it would be possible for the American +army to do once summer had come, that I was ashamed of ever having +fancied we might fail in our attempt to teach the king a lesson. + +Then young Chris and I set off alone, thinking to make a short journey +of it; but giving so little heed to our steps that twice we went +astray, and the new day was nearly half spent when we came to the falls +where we had left the _Jolly Rover_. + +Now it was that, fortunately, I was afflicted with a fit of +timorousness, and declared to young Chris it would be in the highest +degree dangerous for us to continue on during the daylight. + +We knew full well that under the happiest circumstances we would meet +with lobster-backs a dozen times before arriving at the place where we +had left Skinny Baker, and it might not be a simple matter to convince +them we were innocent of mischief when they saw us coming from the +direction of the American camp. + +Therefore it was I insisted we should lay hidden in the thicket where +the _Jolly Rover_ was concealed, until night had come, and luckily +young Chris fell in with my ideas, not on account of believing the +danger to be great, but because slumber was so heavy upon his eyelids +that he was eager to take advantage of an opportunity to sleep. + +In looking back at that time and recalling why we halted at the falls +instead of continuing on, I can but believe that our movements were +directed by some higher power than any on earth, for had we gone +straight on, as would naturally have been our inclination, then had our +time of usefulness as Minute Boys come to a speedy end. + +However, as it was we crawled into the thicket; ate such portion +of corn bread as remained from the store with which Master Dingley +provided us, and then fell asleep, counting to be on our way as soon as +the sun had set. + +Instead of this, however, so weary were we in body, that when I next +opened my eyes it was dark. I knew by the stars it must be well to +midnight, and hurriedly awakened young Chris that we might get off as +speedily as possible lest another day come before we were arrived. + +Because of thus over-sleeping, we did not arrive at the town until +within an hour of sunrise, and then it was too late for us to pull the +_Jolly Rover_ around to the lumber pile. Therefore we left her where +she had been hidden before, and struck straight across the city at our +best pace, for it seemed absolutely necessary we come to the hiding +place before it was light. + +We were feeling in fine fettle as we drew near the lumber pile where +we counted on meeting Jeremy and Sam, for it seemed as if fortune was +favoring us in every way. + +We had not come across a single red-coat in our tramp through the town, +which I venture to say was owing to the early hour, for we all know +that slumber weighs more heavily upon one just before morning than at +any other time, and the lobster-backs were no exception to this rule. + +We were come to the lumber pile just as the first tokens of the new day +appeared in the eastern sky, and, there being seemingly no one in the +vicinity, I said to young Chris that we might both venture to go in at +the same time, instead of waiting one for another, so there would be +less danger of attracting attention. + +I was leading the way, and on crawling through the passage, fearing +lest I should startle Jeremy and Sam, I whispered loudly before I was +come to the space inside which formed our prison, that they need have +no fear--that we were friends who approached. + +There was no reply to these words of mine, and I was simple enough to +think both the lads had fallen asleep, even though they had agreed that +one should remain on watch all the time lest Skinny Baker escape. + +It was dark in there as one might well fancy, and impossible even to +see a fellow’s hand before his face; but I crept on, counting to give +Jeremy the surprise of his life by shaking him into wakefulness. + +So well acquainted was I with the place that I could pick out any +particular spot by sense of touch, and went directly to the spot in +which we had left Skinny, which was a sort of niche or corner, where we +could the better guard him. + +Then I stretched out my hand in either direction, and as I did so a cry +of horror burst involuntarily from my lips, for I touched nothing save +the rough timbers. + +“What is the matter?” young Chris asked excitedly, pressing against me +with an effort to pass, and I replied hurriedly: + +“I fail to find anyone here, Chris. Crawl entirely around the place, +and at once, for if anything has happened then are we like rats in a +trap. It stands to reason that in case the lobster-backs have heard +aught of our doings, they will be watching for our return.” + +We were like two lads who had suddenly lost their senses, as we crept +here and there, bruising our hands upon the rough planking or joists, +and passing and repassing the same place a dozen times, until when it +seemed to me it must be broad daylight, the fearsome thought forced +itself to my mind that our comrades had been captured. + +Neither Skinny nor those who guarded him were in the hiding place, and +we needed no better evidence that they had fallen into the hands of +the enemy, for I knew as well as I knew anything in this world, that +neither Jeremy nor Sam would have taken it upon themselves to carry +the prisoner out of there, whatsoever might have occurred, during my +absence. + +It was at the moment as if I were standing at the foot of the gallows, +with a noose made ready for my neck. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN MORTAL FEAR + + +The horror which came upon me when I learned that our comrades and +the prisoner had disappeared, and realized that they could not +have vanished save through some work of the lobster-backs, was so +overpowering that during three or four minutes maybe--I had no +knowledge of the passing of the time--I remained silent and motionless, +my hand on young Chris’s shoulder as if depending upon him in some way +for support. + +For the first time since I had known the lad was he awed into silence. +He could not have failed to understand, as did I, very much of what had +happened, and realized fully the danger which menaced us. + +For awhile my mind was in such a whirl that I was not capable of +connected thought, and then, as the moments went by, each bringing +nearer to us that peril which I believed, and almost was the same as +certain, awaited us outside our hiding place, I began to gather my +wits. For the first time since the terrible blow had come upon me, I +understood that it behooved young Chris and me to be doing whatsoever +we might to insure our safety. + +And what could we do, I asked myself, clutching my comrade yet more +firmly by the shoulder as if believing he, without questioning, could +give me the solution to the riddle. + +There was no doubt whatsoever but that the lobster-backs had heard from +Skinny that we were gone on a mission to the American army, and like to +return to that very place. Therefore would they keep watch for us, and +that we had been able to get in there without being arrested, was due +to the fact that we had come at the one time of all others during the +night when those who watched would be less keenly on the alert. + +“We must leave here at once,” young Chris said, starting up as if +he would on the instant go into the open air, and I seized the +lad roughly, pulling him back until he was where I could hold him +motionless, as I said: + +“Have you no better sense than to go out now, when we know beyond a +peradventure that there will be lobster-backs nearabout watching for +us?” + +“But we _must_ go,” young Chris cried helplessly. “To stay here is to +be made prisoners.” + +“Ay, and to go out is to make certain of being taken into custody. +There is some slight chance we may escape yet if we but hold ourselves +together, striving to hit upon that which is the wisest course.” + +“There can be no wise course as we are situated now,” the lad replied +with a choking of the breath that was like unto a sob. “We are the same +as taken already. Do you fancy for a single instant that Skinny would +hold his peace concerning the chances of our return?” + +It was as if this question of young Chris’s brought to my mind a plan, +a poor one it is true, and yet better than none at all, therefore I +replied eagerly, thus showing that the idea had just come into my mind: + +“If so be there are lobster-backs on watch for us, then must they be of +the belief that we have not yet returned. How we got in here without +their knowledge I know not, save that they must have slept while on +duty, for I dare venture to swear one or more has been placed over this +lumber pile as guard both day and night. Now we are here, and with +the chance that they yet believe we are up the river, it behooves us +to stay until nightfall at the very least. Between now and then shall +we decide how we can best go away without attracting the attention of +those who would send us to the gallows.” + +“And think you it will be possible, even after night has come, for us +to get away from here?” the lad asked in a despairing tone, whereupon +I, to hearten him rather than because I believed such matter, replied +with as much of cheerfulness as I could assume: + +“It is certain we got in here without being seen, else they would +have nabbed us on the instant, had our approach been known. There is +no chance we could escape if we ventured out in the open day, for not +only would we stand a chance of being seen by those who are on guard +nearby, but the odds are that the hue and cry has been raised against +us, and if peradventure we showed ourselves in the city, someone would +be certain to gobble us up.” + +“But we can’t stay here all day,” young Chris moaned. “Fancy sitting +here eating our hearts out with fear that each instant may bring the +lobster-backs upon us!” + +“Ay, lad; but think of going out and being haled before a company +of British officers who have formed themselves into what is called +a court martial, and have them decide whether we shall be hanged +to-morrow or next day.” + +Young Chris made no reply; but, covering his eyes with his hands, sat +with head bent on his knees, the perfect picture of despair. + +Well might he present such a picture, for look upon the situation as I +could, in the most favorable light, I saw but little hope of our being +able to go free many hours longer. + +However, it was possible, as I figured the matter in my mind, for us to +remain where we were until nightfall--only possible; but yet why not +take the chances of remaining alive yet a little longer? Why rush out +as Chris would have me to do, into the arms of those who would judge us +as spies? + +I could not if I would set down all the horrible ideas which came into +my mind during the long day that seemingly would never come to an end. + +Each minute, full of terror as it was, appeared to have been lengthened +into an hour, and the hours were like unto weeks, until it was all I +could do to prevent myself from crying aloud in agony. + +Chris still remained with his head on his knee when I fancied noon had +come. It was as if the lad had given up all hope, and I questioned +whether there might not be some difficulty in arousing him when I +believed our time for action was come. + +Now and then we could hear voices on the outside of the lumber pile, +and these I made certain were come from those who stood on watch to +seize us. + +More than once did I fancy I heard someone creeping through +the passageway to make certain whether we were there, and then +involuntarily I crouched back against the timbers as if I would force +myself through them, straining every muscle until I felt as sore as if +I had been beaten from head to foot. + +We gave no thought to hunger; in fact, we were not conscious of lack of +food while the mental agony was so great; but there were times when it +seemed as if I would give half my chances of escape, if indeed I had +any, for water enough to moisten my throat. + +Fear had dried my mouth and parched my tongue until it was with +difficulty I could speak, when now and then I would strive to cheer +young Chris from out his terrible despondency. + +However slowly the minutes moved, the day finally came to an end, as +all days will whether they bring us good or evil. + +While the sun was shining this hiding place of ours was lighted +sufficiently for one to see another; but when evening came the darkness +was so intense that it was only by the sense of touch you could +determine where was your comrade, even though he sat close by your side. + +I believe young Chris had remained silent and motionless a full three +hours before this, and then, when we knew that the day had passed, he +said in the tone of one who has lost all hope: + +“When may it be to your mind that we make a change? When do you count +on taking the chances of getting away from here?” + +“As soon as I believe midnight has come.” + +“And have you any faith that we may succeed?” + +“Whether I have or no, it is better we make the attempt. God has +thus far been good to us, inasmuch as He has allowed that we remain +here throughout the day without being discovered, and let us hope +His goodness will so far continue that we may be able to get away +undetected.” + +“And what then?” Chris asked with a groan. “Where can we go? Surely +not to your home or mine, for if the hue and cry be out against us, +then will the lobster-backs pay frequent visits to the bakery and your +mother’s house.” + +“Let us not cross bridges until we come to them, for of a verity we +have trouble enough without looking into the future in search of more,” +I replied sharply, angered because he would persist in striving to +find yet further cause for anxiety when we had so much upon us. “Our +first work is to get away from here, and if so be we should succeed in +leaving this hiding place, then let us take the chances of crossing the +city once more, making our way to Valley Forge, where we know beyond a +peradventure we shall be safe from the Britishers; for however greatly +they outnumber our army, General Howe has not dared to give battle.” + +“There is as little hope we can cross the city since the hue and cry is +most likely out, as that we can go straight from this place to heaven,” +Chris said despairingly, and once more lapsed into silence, which was +irritating to me, for of a verity I needed a cheering word now and then +even as much as did he. + +Again and again I cast about me to decide what we should do if +peradventure we succeeded in getting away from the hiding place; but +without avail. + +Then I fell to counting the minutes, so that I might have some fair +idea of when midnight had come, and in all these ways of making the +time seem to pass more quickly, I failed because of the shadow of the +scaffold which was weighting me down. + +It was at the very moment when I said to myself that we might as well +go out and give ourselves up at the nearest guard-house, as to make any +effort toward escape, when I heard a soft rippling of the water just +at the mouth of our hiding place nearabout where we usually moored the +_Jolly Rover_. + +On the instant all that spirit which had been driven out of me by the +horror of the situation, came back, for I knew that that which I heard +was not the lip, lip, lipping of the tide; but caused by some living +thing, although it might be only an animal. + +“Do you hear that?” I asked feverishly, gripping young Chris by the +shoulder and pulling him toward me, as if by such change of position he +might the better distinguish the sounds. + +He, listening for an instant, fell back once more in helpless fear as +he muttered: + +“’Tis only a rat, or something of that kind. Perchance a cur which one +of the lobster-backs has thrown into the water; but surely nothing that +may be of avail to us, for there is no one who can help us now.” + +I could have pummeled the lad, so great was my irritation because he +refused even to suspect that there might be some in the city who would +try to aid us, and perhaps in my anger I said many bitter things to +him; but I had as well have talked to a stone, so far as making myself +understood was concerned, for young Chris was the same as dead to the +world. + +“Whether it be rat or no, I am minded to find out, for surely something +is moving toward this place against the current.” + +Chris made no reply, and I crept softly down upon a projecting timber +to which we had always moored the _Jolly Rover_, and, hardly conscious +of what I did, stretched my hand out over the surface of the water, +striving to feel that which was causing the ripples. + +Then my heart came up into my throat like to burst the skin, as I +touched the hair of a human being’s head, and an instant later I was +near to losing consciousness because of the wondrous joy that came over +me, as I heard a familiar voice ask: + +“Is that you by any good chance, Richard Salter?” + +“Me? Ay, that it is, Timothy Bowers! God bless you for having come to +me at this moment when I was near dead with fear!” + +“Are you alone here?” and Tim, rising sufficiently out of the water to +clutch the plank on which I was standing, drew himself up beside me all +unaided, for I was so weakened by joy that I could not have raised a +pound’s weight strive however I might. + +Mayhap a full minute passed before I was able to speak connectedly, and +then I answered his question by saying that young Chris was near at +hand. + +“How did you get inside here without being seen by the lobster-backs?” +he asked in amazement. + +“That I know not; we came just before break of day, and saw no one +nearabout. The first we knew that any trouble had befallen our lads, +was when we found this place empty. Tell me what has happened?” + +Now, eager as was I to learn the full extent of the danger which +menaced, I clutched Timothy by the throat so fiercely that he cried +out, and young Chris, hearing the noise, asked stupidly: + +“Who may be there? Who is raising a noise to give an alarm to those who +would hang us?” + +“Arouse yourself, Chris Ludwig,” I cried sharply, creeping back along +the plank to catch him by the arm, for I was minded he should come +out of this swoon of terror as soon as might be. “Rouse yourself, for +here is Timothy Bowers who has come to give us information of what has +happened, even though he may not be able to aid us.” + +“How did he come?” Chris asked stupidly, and as I replied, the idea +came into my mind like a flash of light. + +“He came as we shall go, lad, by swimming! If he could find his way +here, verily we can follow him out, and we are the same as free this +moment!” + +Such words as these could not fail of arousing the lad from his apathy +of terror, and now he was as keenly on the alert as I would have him, +pressing forward in the darkness that he might put his hand upon +Timothy while the lad told his story, which we were burning to hear. + +It was little, however, that Timothy Bowers could tell us when we had +recovered sufficiently from our excitement to listen. + +He knew naught, save that suddenly he saw Skinny Baker free on the +street, and, coming down to the lumber pile as swiftly as might be, +found two lobster-backs guarding the entrance where we were in the +custom of creeping through into the vacant space beyond. + +[Illustration: HE FOUND TWO LOBSTER-BACKS GUARDING THE ENTRANCE.] + +Tim had sufficient sense to understand that if Skinny Baker was walking +the streets free, Jeremy and Sam must be in the clutches of the +lobster-backs, and straightway he took every precaution for his own +safety, going to the house of a cousin who lived on Third street beyond +Chestnut, rather than returning home. + +While he lay there in hiding during the day, his cousin, who was a girl +of mayhap fourteen or fifteen years, went out on the street, where, +after some time had been spent, she gathered that two rebel lads had +been arrested. No sooner was this information come to her than she +ran plumply against Master Baker, who, pluming himself over the fact +that the British officers were taking some notice of him now that his +son had been able to give what seemed to be valuable information, was +strutting along the street like any turkey cock. + +She, dear girl, had wit enough to ask him if he had any news from his +son, for Master Baker had made public the fact that Skinny was missing. + +Then it was the Tory told her that Skinny had been held prisoner by a +party of wicked rebel lads; but now was escaped, and those who held him +captive were themselves in jail, where, so he said, he hoped they would +stay until they went to their death. + +It was poor information enough to us who thirsted for all the details, +and I was mystified as to why Skinny, who was not a quick-witted lad, +nor one who had courage enough to fight his way through, had succeeded +in shaking off Sam and Jeremy. + +However, that was but of little moment so far as our situation was +concerned. + +Our company of Minute Boys had hardly more than been formed when two of +them were prisoners, with the chance of being hardly dealt with, and +here under the timbers were three more who must bring all their wits to +bear if they would preserve their freedom. + +When Timothy had come to an end of his story, I asked him whether he +had seen any lobster-backs on the shore nearby the lumber pile when he +swam down the stream, and he replied grimly, while I could almost fancy +even in the darkness that there was a smile of content on his face: + +“I had no spare time to watch out for lobster-backs, knowing if they +caught a glimpse of my head on the stream they would soon let me +understand I had been discovered, therefore I swam on, giving little +heed to anything save my own progress.” + +“But why did you come here, Timothy, when you knew that the +lobster-backs must be waiting for young Chris and me?” I asked. + +“That was exactly why I did come,” the lad replied promptly. “There was +in my mind a fancy that you might possibly have done exactly as you +did, and were waiting here in the belief that some of our Minute Boys +would come to your aid. Therefore it was I cast about as to how I could +best make my way to this place.” + +“You are a true comrade, Timothy Bowers!” I cried, seizing both his +hands with a grip that caused him to wince with pain. “In all my +reaching out for some means of escape, it never came into my thick head +that one of our lads who called himself a Minute Boy, could or would +come to our aid.” + +“I have come,” Timothy said in a laughing tone; “but whether it is to +your aid or no remains to be seen. In fact I misdoubt my being able +to help, and have an idea that I shall rather be a burden upon you, +for where two might swim up the river unseen, three are like to show +themselves, either by noise, or because of so many black objects upon +the surface of the water.” + +“You have brought aid, Timothy, even though we are taken next minute, +for it has heartened Chris and me, who were well-nigh dead with +despair, to such courage as I doubt not will bring us through in +safety, for a certain time at least. We are boldened to do great things +now, knowing that at the end of them is, perhaps, our safety, therefore +let us get about the work rather than remain here thinking of what may +happen.” + +“In that you are pleasing me exactly,” Timothy replied. “I have no +desire to linger here, and if you are minded to follow me, I am ready +to take to the water; but once there I know not what we shall do, +or which way we are to turn. If I might take you to the house of my +cousin, it would be well; but my aunt has said that if peradventure I +found any of my comrades wandering around the city, I must escort them +to some other place, for she fears that too many boys gathering at her +home would attract the attention of the lobster-backs, thereby bringing +her in danger of arrest.” + +“I have thought that mayhap we might find our way back to Valley +Forge,” I suggested, and Timothy cried on the instant: + +“No, no, do not venture that way! Simcoe’s rangers went up the road to +Germantown this afternoon, so I heard at the house where I have been +hiding, and who shall say that they are not out in search of you? You +must find some hiding place in the city, and mark you, Richard Salter, +I am of the belief that it is our business to teach Skinny Baker a +lesson which as yet he has not received.” + +“What?” young Chris cried in a tone of mingled surprise and fear, +“Would you now, when the hue and cry is out against us, think of paying +Skinny Baker back in the coin which he deserves?” + +“Ay, that I would,” Timothy replied stoutly. “The lobster-backs haven’t +got us yet, and it strikes me that we are timorous lads if we give up +at this moment simply because the Britishers are burning to take us +prisoners. It is our business to do whatsoever we may to aid Jeremy and +Sam, for verily they are in sore distress, and you would not forsake a +comrade at such a time?” + +The lad caused me to feel shame for myself. He stood in quite as great +danger as did Chris and I, and yet instead of mourning over his fate as +I had done during all that long day, he was reaching out in the hope +to help others--had already taken desperate chances on the chance that +we might have come back, and seemed to have cast aside all thoughts of +self. + +Again I clutched him by the hand, and said in a tone which he must have +known was sincerely from the bottom of my heart: + +“Timothy Bowers, you are a comrade among a thousand! I have never +known but one who would do as much for a friend, and that one Jeremy +Hapgood, who you say is now in prison.” + +“Ay, that’s where he is, Richard Salter; but if you and I are half as +keen-witted as we claim to be, it seems to me we should be able to work +him some good, for the lobster-backs feel so secure of holding this +city that they are grown careless, as you know full well. Once you and +Chris are out of this place, which is much like a rat-trap, I dare +venture to say we can find a chance to hide without bringing danger +upon those who care for us, and what matters though we go hungry for a +day or two, if so be we do all that which we should?” + +You can well fancy how I was heartened; how my courage was strengthened +by such words as these from a lad whom I had never believed had it +in him to do brave deeds, and if there was a hero in the city of +Philadelphia that night, I claim it was Timothy Bowers. + +He had brought me out from the slough of despond, and I fancied now +it was possible for me to see my way clear, despite the fact that all +those servants of General Howe who wore red coats were on the lookout +to make me prisoner. + +“It shall be you who leads the way, Timothy, and we are ready at the +word, unless, peradventure, you think better for us to linger here +awhile longer.” + +“This is no place in which to stand idle. The first move is to get +away, for the thick-headed lobster-backs believe there is no question +but that on your return from Valley Forge--and of course Skinny told +them where you had gone--this will be the first place you aim at. +Therefore if so be they fail to see you by to-morrow, I’ll go bail +they’ll search inside here. We have considerable of work before us, for +it is no child’s play to swim against the current.” + +“Go you on and we will follow,” I cried, throwing off my shoes that +they might not encumber me while in the water, and young Chris followed +my example. Timothy himself, I learned by sense of touch, was already +barefoot. + +Then the brave lad led the way down on the plank where we moored the +_Jolly Rover_, and allowed himself to sink gently into the water in +such manner as not to raise the slightest ripple, we following his +every movement. + +I must confess, however, brave though I felt myself to be while he +was talking, there was more than a certain fear in my heart when we +came out from under the timbers, swimming close within the shadow +of the bank, for I feared, and with good reason, that some of the +lobster-backs might be near at hand watching for just such a manœuvre +as we were executing. + +Even while we struck out, striving to avoid making any commotion in the +water and at the same time keeping so near Timothy that I could see his +head even in the darkness, I reproached myself for the cowardly fear +and despair which had come upon me during the day. + +Now, after all my forebodings, we were going peacefully away from the +hiding place without being molested by the enemy, and all because one +certain lad had come to hearten us, showing that we were selfish indeed +to think only of ourselves when there were comrades in sore distress +needing aid. + +I believe that the sense of shame caused by my having shown the white +feather at a time when I needed all my courage, became so great as to +quicken my wits, for even while we swam I bethought me of a safe place +of refuge if so be we might gain it, and, hastening my stroke, I pulled +alongside Timothy as I said to him: + +“There is at the Jolly Tar inn the Weaver of Germantown, who is, as +we know, a friend to the Cause, and it must be that Master Targe, the +innkeeper, is also what the lobster-backs call a rebel. If one can +remain hidden in his tavern, why not all of us, and there we shall find +not only shelter, but food.” + +“It is the place for us,” Timothy replied quickly, and with a note of +relief in his voice. “Surely there is no other house in all the city we +could come at so easily as the inn.” + +As a matter of course this conversation had been carried on in +whispers, and young Chris heard nothing whatsoever concerning it; but +when we turned to enter the creek his curiosity was roused, and he +asked almost angrily if I knew whither we were bound. + +“To the Jolly Tar inn, where is the Weaver of Germantown,” I replied +curtly, and then turned all my attention to swimming as swiftly as +might be, for now we were come so near a place of refuge and could see +no one on the bank, it surely seemed as if we should strain every nerve +in order to arrive at the earliest possible moment. + +I heard a smothered exclamation of satisfaction from young Chris when I +had spoken, and knew that he understood what we might find if so be we +arrived at our journey’s end in safety. + +And this we did, thanks to that same Providence which it appeared to +me had had direct ruling over us from the time we left the falls to go +to the hiding place. + +We came up out of the water within a few yards of the inn, taking due +care to make no noise whatsoever, as you may well suppose, and then, +instead of going boldly into the place, for we knew not who might be +there, we circled around the building until it had been possible, +through the windows, to see the interior of every room on the lower +floor. + +There was no one to be seen inside save the sour-visaged landlord, who +no longer looked surly to me now that I had good reason for believing +he was a true friend to the Cause. + +It is not to be wondered at that Master Targe looked up in surprise +when we three lads, dripping like water rats, and I dare say looking +very much like such animals, entered the tap-room. + +While one might have counted ten he stood gazing at us as if having no +knowledge that he had ever met any of the party before, and I, fearing +he might be pleased to forget that I had been recommended to his care, +said in a low tone as I came close to him: + +“We would have speech with the Weaver of Germantown, and later with +you, if it be possible.” + +“Where have you lads come from?” + +“Out of the river,” Timothy replied laughingly, and Master Targe, +taking no heed to what the lad counted was a joke, asked sternly: + +“Where before that?” + +“Young Chris and I came down from Valley Forge to our hiding place, not +knowing what had happened, and but for Timothy Bowers here, I dare say +before morning we would have been in the hands of the lobster-backs.” + +“Why would you see the Weaver of Germantown?” the innkeeper asked, and +this I thought was displaying rather too much curiosity, therefore +replied, not curtly; but in such a tone as showed that I was not +willing to be questioned closely: + +“That remains for him to tell you, if so be it is his mind. Master +Dingley sent us here, and I believe we should have speech with him +before saying aught to anyone else.” + +To my surprise the innkeeper appeared well satisfied with the reply, +and said in a tone of commendation: + +“Verily you are cautious for a lad of your years, and if so be you +continue in the same way, then will there be less difficulty in doing +the work which may be set for you.” + +Having said this he came out from behind the bar, where he had been +lounging, so to speak, leaning on his elbows over the wooden counter, +and without bidding us follow him, went through the next room and up a +flight of stairs which I knew led to the apartments in the rear. + +Timothy would have hung back to wait for an invitation; but I was +minded to take the innkeeper’s movements as indication that he was +ready to lead us to that man who was called the Weaver of Germantown, +and beckoned for my comrades to follow me. + +Within two or three minutes we were standing before this worker for the +Cause, who was periling his life by remaining in the city, and Master +Targe had left the room, closing the door carefully behind him, after +which the so-called Weaver of Germantown took good care to bolt it +securely. + +Then, looking from one to the other of us with much the same surprise +as had been shown by the innkeeper, he asked of me: + +“Did you fail to meet Master Dingley?” + +“Indeed we did not, and came back from Valley Forge this morning, not +knowing that anything in the way of trouble had occurred.” + +Then the man, as if simply to gratify his own curiosity, questioned us +as to why we were so soaked with water, and not until I had explained +how it was we succeeded in leaving the hiding place among the timbers, +did he show any desire to hear what we might have brought in the way of +instructions or news. + +“Your Timothy Bowers seems to be a boy who can be depended on in time +of trouble,” he said in a tone of satisfaction. “When a lad like him +will undertake to aid his comrades at such risks as he ventured, one +may well put confidence in him. Now tell me what you heard from the man +to whom I sent you.” + +In order that the Weaver of Germantown might understand fully all we +had seen and heard, I made an overly long story of the matter, to which +he listened patiently and with deepest interest until I was come to the +end, when he said as if speaking to himself: + +“Then it appears that he whom you met believed it would be possible +for boys to keep an eye out over those who are to be at the carnival, +with the idea that something may be learned there. At the time such a +proposition was made to you, it was not known that your prisoner had +escaped, and you yourselves in gravest danger of being brought before +a court martial.” + +“Ay, and it seems to me we are come to an end of our rope, so far as +serving the colonies is concerned,” young Chris replied promptly, +whereupon the man looked at him sharply, and said in what I took to be +a tone of irony: + +“When danger threatens you are ready to give over calling yourself a +Minute Boy, eh?” + +“If you accuse me of showing the white feather, then are you doing a +wrong,” Chris replied hotly. “It is one thing to do all a lad may, +taking such chances as come to those who play the spy; but when is +coupled to it the fact that beyond peradventure the hue and cry has +gone out against Richard Salter and myself, while every lobster-back in +the city has been instructed to search for us, then does it seem as if +we might question whether there was a possibility of doing anything, +save allow ourselves to be taken prisoners.” + +“That is as may be, lad,” the Weaver of Germantown replied as if he was +saddened by the fact. “So that you have come to believe you may not go +out of doors without being taken in custody, then indeed has your time +of service come to an end, and we need make no further talk regarding +what is desired by those whom you left at Valley Forge.” + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CARNIVAL + + +I had no idea of being thus cut off from work as a Minute Boy simply +because young Chris had decided it was too dangerous for us to continue +such service, and speaking perhaps more sharply than I should have +done, I said to this man whom we had been instructed to look upon in +the light of a superior officer: + +“There is no question of our refusing duty simply because of danger. It +is for you to say where we shall go, and what we must attempt to do, +you knowing all the circumstances. If, peradventure, you send us where +there is no chance to escape being taken prisoners, then is the matter +on your head rather than ours. Do not be so quick to say that we are no +longer of any use to the Cause.” + +“And what say you, Master Bowers?” the man asked, turning to Timothy, +and the lad replied with a smile, as if he was well content with the +entire situation: + +“I am of much the same mind as Richard Salter. It does indeed look as +though we had little or no chance of gathering information; but I am +ready to make a try for it even at this moment.” + +“Well said, lads!” the Weaver of Germantown cried, and clapping young +Chris on the shoulder in a friendly manner, he added, “I have no doubt +but that your backbone will be stiff by the time you have seen your +comrades begin work.” + +“There is no need of stiffening my backbone,” young Chris replied +sulkily. “I want it to be understood that I am no nearer showing the +white feather than any other lad in this city; but when it is a matter +of our being hounded by all the lobster-backs General Howe has here, +then does it seem to me a foolish matter to make any attempt save that +of remaining in hiding.” + +“Then it shall be you who remains in hiding, and your comrades may go +forth to ply their dangerous business. If there was naught of peril +in this work of ours while we strive to teach the king a lesson, then +could there be no credit attached to what we do.” + +“I shall go wherever Richard Salter and Timothy Bowers dare stick their +noses,” Chris cried angrily. “Since you are so sharp for us to show +whether we are like to be timorous, what is the work you would have us +do just now?” + +“Remain in hiding three or four days, mayhap, and in less than that +time the Britishers will tire of looking for a couple of lads who +amused themselves by making the son of a Tory a prisoner.” + +“That is exactly the question in our minds,” I interrupted. “I dare not +return to my home, for there are lodging British officers who know me +full well, and where else may we go?” + +“I allow that Master Targe can take care of you for a few days, +and here in this inn, unless something unforeseen occurs, you will +be almost as safe as at Valley Forge. Content yourselves to remain +indoors, and confined to one room, until I shall give the word. Then it +is my belief that you may venture out with no more danger than before +the Baker lad gave his information; but feeling fairly safe from being +taken into custody save you run upon someone who knows you exceeding +well.” + +Such advice as this was much to my liking; it was exactly that for +which I had come, and on the instant I felt as if the greater portion +of all my troubles were swept away, save for the fact that I could not +let mother know of my safety. + +However, as to this last I consoled myself with the thought that she +would understand we were not in custody, if she failed of hearing +such news from those lobster-backs who lodged in her house. If, +peradventure, I had been made prisoner, then they would surely give her +information, for, saving the fact that they served the king and were +ready to do whatsoever they might to harm us of the colonies, they were +fairly decent men so far as ordinary acquaintances go. + +Then it was that the Weaver of Germantown made a signal, by knocking +upon the wainscoting of the door in a peculiar manner, and straightway, +within thirty seconds perhaps, the innkeeper appeared, whereupon the +two men held a reasonably long conversation in the passageway, speaking +in guarded tones as if it was not their desire we should overhear the +words. + +When it had come to an end, he whom we had been told to consider our +commander, said in a matter-of-fact tone: + +“You will remain in this house, and the room next this shall be put in +order for you. The three must sleep in one bed, for Master Targe is +not troubled with overly much furniture in this inn of his, and it is +not well the rooms that are ordinarily occupied by lodgers should be +dismantled, lest it appear suspicious to whomsoever might be inclined +to play the spy for the benefit of the Britishers.” + +That we were to be taken care of in fairly good fashion all of us +understood half an hour later, when Master Targe himself came into the +room, bringing so much in the way of provisions that the four of us ate +a very hearty supper, and I am willing to swear that young Chris and I +stood sadly in need of the food. + +While we ate the Weaver of Germantown discussed the escape of Skinny +Baker, and asked Timothy Bowers many questions concerning it; but, as +I have already set down, the lad knew very little beyond the fact that +the Tory cur was at liberty, and Jeremy and Sam had disappeared. + +As a matter of course, we understood that the Britishers were holding +them in one place or another as prisoners, and instead of speaking +regarding what we were to do to aid him in spying, the man, when he was +come to an end of questioning, immediately set about speculating as to +how it would be possible for us to lend a hand to our comrades. + +Until he had spoken as if it was no more than a matter of business, +this rescuing two prisoners from the Britishers, I had not so much as +dreamed we might be the means of setting them free; but now, although +no plan had been proposed, a great hope sprang up in my heart that +before we ourselves had fallen into serious trouble, there was a +possibility of showing Jeremy and Sam that the tie which bound us lads +together as Minute Boys was a strong one. + +“The first task is to find out where the lads are held,” the Weaver of +Germantown said as if speaking to himself, “and that much I fancy we +can rely upon Master Targe to learn. He has the reputation of being one +who would stand neutral in this trouble ’twixt the colonies and the +king, and the Tories are of the belief they may soon bring him around +to their way of thinking. Surely, they say to themselves, he can be no +rebel, otherwise he would not hold himself aloof from them. Therefore +it is that within the past two months Master Dingley and I have learned +very much from him, he having picked it up here and there when he had +as patrons some of the Tory brood.” + +It is not possible for me to set down all we said that night, for +not until a late hour were we three lads willing to go into the next +chamber in order to sleep, so eager had we become over this unformed +plan of liberating Jeremy and Sam. + +If, however, we thought it was a task which would be set about +immediately, then was the mistake a grave one, for on the following +morning the Weaver of Germantown flatly refused to discuss the matter +with us when we were come into his room for breakfast, saying, as if +the matter no longer was of great importance to him: + +“We will wait until finding out where the lads are confined, before +making overly much talk.” + +As a matter of course this did not prevent us lads from talking among +ourselves, and we foolishly laid plans one after another, each of +which I dare say would have been impossible of execution, while our +companion, who it appeared to me, now that daylight had come, was +holding himself aloof from us, refused to take any part. + +When another night shrouded the city in darkness, however, we had good +proof that the Weaver of Germantown had not given over doing whatsoever +he might toward aiding our comrades, for then it was, after the +innkeeper had called him out into the passage for a private interview, +that he came back and said to us, as if the information was something +which gave him greatest satisfaction: + +“Your lads whom you would aid are confined in the Stone Prison, or, at +least, in the work-house portion of the building, and it would seem as +if the Britishers were eager to give us an opportunity of freeing them, +for there is no place in all the city, so far as I know, that would be +so favorable for our plans.” + +Now you must know that this Stone Prison was at the corner of High and +Third streets. The jail itself fronted on High street, and I have heard +it spoken of as the debtors’ prison, while on Third street was another +building joined to the first by a high wall, which formed part of the +yard enclosure, and this was the work-house. There were, in the garret +of this last building, certain rooms set apart for prisoners, in case +the High-street jail proved too small to accommodate all who were under +arrest. + +When General Howe took possession of our city and began clapping into +jail all the so-called rebels he came across, he found himself cramped +for places in which to confine his captives, therefore even the State +House was used for confining prisoners of war. This work-house of +the Stone Prison had ordinarily been used by the Britishers as a +guard-house; that is to say, a place where they confined their own +soldiers who were guilty of some slight misdemeanor. + +Now, as a matter of course, all us lads knew the Stone Prison almost +as well as we did our own homes, and I could say to within the length +of an inch where some of the wall had crumbled away sufficiently to +give a fellow a foothold, if he dug his toes in deeply, because more +than once had Jeremy Hapgood and I clambered up to the top in order to +look over into the work-house, where the lobster-backs were undergoing +punishment for having been drunken, or disrespectful to some popinjay +of a superior officer. + +“If we only knew in what part of the building the lads were held,” +Timothy Bowers said reflectively, and the Weaver of Germantown replied +promptly: + +“They are in the attic of the building, of course, where are the cells, +for it does not stand to reason the Britishers would house them with +the red-coats who are undergoing punishment.” + +“I will undertake to get inside the yard, on any dark night, within +half an hour, if so be the sentries have not been doubled since I last +saw the place,” I said, and young Chris cried in a tone of derision: + +“Much good it would do you to get inside the walls, save you counted on +joining Jeremy and Sam.” + +“Nay, nay, lad,” the Weaver of Germantown added quickly. “If so be you +know a way to get to the top of the wall, it may chance we shall hit +upon a plan of going yet further. It should not be a difficult matter +on a dark night, unless peradventure unusually strict guard be kept, +to gain the roof of the work-house from the wall at the corner of the +streets. If I mistake not, it comes well in height to the eaves of the +building.” + +“And what then?” Chris asked with a sneer. + +“We should at least be nearer the lads then than we are now, and the +remainder is something to be figured out at a later day.” + +Then it was that the man refused to hold further conversation with us, +insisting that we go to bed immediately, and, as a matter of fact, we +could do no less than obey. + +But it was not possible for him to force us to sleep, and we lay there +on the bags of straw many hours, speculating as to what might be done +if we could gain the roof of the building, or as to how we could come +at those cell-like rooms under the eaves where it stood to reason our +comrades were held. + +I fancied I had a scheme which could be worked, if so be the night +was stormy; but I refrained from giving words to it at the time +because Chris was ever ready to make sport of plans formed by another, +therefore held my peace, letting him throw cold water as he would upon +the proposition that we could do anything toward releasing Jeremy and +Sam. + +On the following day our Weaver of Germantown, had again seemingly +become indifferent to that which we would do, and held frequent +interviews with Master Targe in the passageway, until we were becoming +wearied of inaction. + +It may seem strange that after we had escaped such grave peril, +there was even the lightest whisper of grumbling from us because we +were forced to remain hived up in one room where we were seemingly in +safety. Yet did this inaction so weigh upon me, that before eight and +forty hours had passed I came almost to believe it would be better we +went boldly out on the street, taking the chances of arrest, rather +than stay there cooped up like chickens who were being fattened for the +killing. So I said petulantly to this man who could be so friendly at +times, and again appear so distant that one hesitated to speak to him, +whereupon he replied gravely: + +“If you are to accomplish anything in this world, lad, whether it be +playing the part of a spy, or engaging in what some might call a more +honest pursuit, the first thing which you must learn is patience. He +who tires quickly because of the sameness of his surroundings, or +because of a treadmill-like existence, is not the one to climb high +in whatsoever pursuit he follows. To steal from the Britishers their +secrets, or to release two lads who are held under heavy guard as +prisoners, are not simple matters, and he who expects that either one +or the other can be done off-hand without expenditure of time, sets +himself down as a simple.” + +As a matter of course that silenced me, and during the remainder of +the day I strove earnestly to appear patient, as if it mattered little +whether I remained there, or went abroad. + +One day passed after another, each a weary time of waiting for we knew +not what. Again and again would young Chris insist that it was needless +for us to be wasting the hours if we counted on making any attempt to +aid our comrades, and to all of his complaint and reproaches, for he +was not choice of words, this odd man gave no heed. + +There were, in fact, moments when you might have said he failed to hear +the lad, even when young Chris was complaining the most loudly. + +Then on a certain day, however, after we had been cooped up in that +small room so long that it seemed to me almost as if I had spent half +my life there, the Weaver of Germantown said suddenly, as if the fact +had but just been borne in upon him: + +“Now, lads, I believe the hour has come when you may make the venture.” + +“What venture?” young Chris asked sharply. + +“That of striving to be of assistance to our people who are fighting +against the king.” + +“Do you mean that we may go out from here?” Timothy Bowers asked, and +there was a joyous ring in his voice which told how great the relief, +and how little he regarded the possible danger. + +“Since you have been cooped up here General Clinton has arrived to +take command of the troops, and it is to-morrow that this carnival, +which they call the Mischianza, is to be given. Now I propose that +if you lads are willing to make the venture, you shall set off at +nearabout midnight for Southwark, and there loiter around, each taking +a different station, to learn what you may from the guests themselves.” + +“What?” young Chris cried in amazement. “Are we going to the carnival? +We whom the lobster-backs will arrest on sight?” + +“Ay, that is my plan; but I am of the mind that you will not be +arrested. As a matter of course there will be many servants around the +grounds, and Master Targe has secured for you costumes which will +prove an effective disguise. If you are sufficiently quick-witted, it +should be a simple matter to mingle with the other attendants, waiting +upon the guests whenever you are called. It is by no means certain you +will gain valuable information, and yet I believe there is so great a +possibility that we should take advantage of it. Are you willing to +make the trial?” + +“Of course we are, sir,” Timothy Bowers replied gleefully. “To say +nothing of having a chance to take part in the lobster-backs’ carnival, +it will do me solid good to breathe the fresh air once more. There +have been times since I came to this inn when it seemed that I would +stifle, although there is no reason why I make complaint concerning +the accommodations at the Jolly Tar, for he who is in danger of the +gallows, as I count that we three are, should be easily satisfied while +he is allowed to remain at liberty.” + +“But what about our comrades who are held prisoners in the work-house?” +I asked sharply, thinking that the Weaver of Germantown had forgotten +them entirely, whereupon he said severely, and in a tone which was much +like that of reproof: + +“The imprisonment of two lads is but a trifling matter as compared with +the needs of the Cause. Many a one must undergo imprisonment, or even +give up his life, and thousands upon thousands suffer bitterly in order +that we may accomplish that on which we have set our minds. I know to +a certainty that up to the time of General Clinton’s arrival nothing +had been done in the way of punishing your comrades. I suspect that the +Britishers are waiting until you also can be captured. It is equally +positive no move will be made immediately; surely not to-morrow during +the carnival, and it may be that when the festival has come to an end +we shall find time to look after those whom you would free.” + +And now it is, in order that you may the better understand what we lads +did when we literally thrust our heads into the lion’s mouth, or to +what purpose we went this way and that, I must go forward somewhat in +my story, telling of what took place on the following day, even before +I finish speaking of that which we did at the moment when the Weaver +of Germantown set out plainly before us that we were in fact to act +the part of spies, and, if taken while thus at work, there would be no +question but that the gallows would be our final halting place in this +world. + +Therefore I propose to set down what was done at this carnival, after +which I will come back and explain how we went about our duties. In +telling of the gaieties which the lobster-backs indulged in, I count +to read from a letter Major Andre himself wrote to his friends in +England, and which now lies plainly before me, it having been captured +at Monmouth among some of the British camp equipment, though why it was +he failed to send the missive I do not understand. + +This is what he wrote: + +“A grand regatta began the entertainment. It consisted of three +divisions. In the first was the Ferret galley, having on board several +general officers and a number of ladies. In the centre was the Hussar +galley, with Sir William and Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, the officers +of their suite, and some ladies. The Cornwallis galley brought up the +rear, having on board General Knyphausen and his suite, three British +generals and a party of ladies. On each quarter of these galleys, and +forming their division, were five flatboats, lined with green cloth +and filled with ladies and gentlemen. In front of the whole were +three flatboats with a band of music in each. Six barges rowed about +each flank to keep off the swarm of boats that covered the river from +side to side. The galleys were decked out with a variety of colors +and streamers, and in each flatboat was displayed the flag of its own +division. + +“In the stream opposite the centre of the city the _Fanny_, armed ship, +magnificently decorated, was placed at anchor, and at some distance +ahead lay his Majesty’s ship _Roebuck_, with the admiral’s flag hoisted +at the foretop masthead. The transport ships, extending in line the +whole length of the town, appeared with colors flying and crowded with +spectators, as were also the openings of several wharves on shore, +exhibiting the most picturesque and enlivening scene the eye could +desire. The rendezvous was at Knight’s wharf at the northern extremity +of the city. By half-past four the whole Company were embarked, and the +signal being made by the _Vigilant’s_ manning ship, the three divisions +rowed slowly down, preserving their proper intervals, and keeping time +to the music that led the fleet. + +“Arrived between the _Fanny_ and the Market wharf, a signal was made +from one of the boats ahead, and the whole lay upon their oars, while +the music played ‘God save the King,’ and three cheers given for the +vessels were returned from the multitude on shore. By this time the +flood tide became too rapid for the galleys to advance; they were +therefore quitted, and the party disposed of in different barges. This +alteration broke in upon the order of procession; but was necessary +to give sufficient time for displaying the entertainments that were +prepared on shore. + +“The landing-place was at the Old Fort, a little to the southward of +the town, fronting the building prepared for the reception of the +company, about four hundred yards from the water by a gentle ascent. +As soon as the general’s barge was seen to push from the shore, a +salute of seventeen guns was fired from the _Roebuck_, and, after some +interval, by the same number from the _Vigilant_. The company, as +they disembarked, arranged themselves into a line of procession, and +advanced through an avenue formed by two files of grenadiers, and a +line of light horse supporting each file. This avenue led to a square +lawn of two hundred and fifty yards on each side, lined with troops, +and properly prepared for the exhibition of a tilt and tournament, +according to the customs and ordinances of ancient chivalry. We +proceeded through the centre of the square. + +“The music, consisting of all the bands of the army, moved in front. +The managers, with favors of white and blue ribbons in their breasts, +followed next in order. The general, admiral, and the rest of the +company proceeded promiscuously. + +“In front appeared the building, bounding the view through a vista +formed by two triumphal arches erected at proper intervals in a line +with the landing-place. Two pavilions with rows of benches rising +one above the other, and serving as the wings of the first triumphal +arch, received the ladies, while the gentlemen arranged themselves in +convenient order on each side. On the front seat of each pavilion were +placed seven of the principal young ladies of the country, dressed in +Turkish habits and wearing in their turbans the favors with which they +meant to reward the several knights who were to contend in their honor. +These arrangements were scarce made, when the sound of trumpets was +heard in the distance, and a band of knights, dressed in ancient habits +of white and red silk, and mounted on gray horses richly caparisoned +in trappings of the same colors, entered the lists, attended by their +esquires on foot, in suitable apparel.” + +Now then, in this letter of Major Andre’s, he writes many pages +concerning what they did when the knights rode into the field and +fought with lances, and blunt swords, and all that sort of thing, +which it is not necessary I set down. It is this last which is most +important, for in it did young Chris, Timothy and I figure in great +shape, according to our own belief: + +Here is the remainder of General Andre’s letter: + +“The company were regaled with tea, lemonade, and other cooling liquors +when they entered the house. On the same floor with the ball-room were +four drawing-rooms, with sideboards of refreshments. Dancing continued +until ten o’clock, when the windows were thrown open and the display +of fireworks began. At twelve o’clock supper was announced, and large +folding doors, hitherto artfully concealed, being suddenly thrown +open, discovered a magnificent saloon with three alcoves on each side +which served as sideboards. Fifty-six large pier glasses, ornamented +with green silk artificial flowers and ribbons; one hundred branches +with three lights in each, trimmed in the same manner as the mirrors; +eighteen lustres, each with twenty-four lights, suspended from the +ceiling, and ornamented as the branches; three hundred wax tapers +disposed along the supper table; four hundred and thirty covers, twelve +hundred dishes, twenty-four black slaves in Oriental dresses, with +silver collars and bracelets, ranged in two lines, and bending to the +ground as the general and admiral approached the saloon. Then came the +drinking of healths, and the toasts, and after supper the dancing was +continued until four o’clock.” + +That letter gives a pretty good account of the entertainment, so I have +been told. But we three lads who were at the risk of our lives, saw +very little of what was going on, because we were chiefly among the +servants, save when called upon by the gentlemen or ladies to bring +them this or that in the way of refreshments. + +You must not suppose that we were among the “twenty-four black slaves +in Oriental dresses,” for our station was not so high. However it had +been brought about, I know not; but certain it is that the innkeeper +of the Jolly Tar had provided us with costumes such as the ordinary +servant wore, and we were told how we should present ourselves at +Master Wharton’s mansion in order to be admitted. + +You may say that a person who is telling a story has no right to go +ahead in the narrative in order to describe something which happened +in the future; but I have striven several times to relate it in a +different fashion, failing utterly, therefore must I do as I have +and let you put it down to the truth, which is, that I am but a poor +apology for a story-teller. + +Now let me hark back to that room in the Jolly Tar inn where we three +lads were gathered with the Weaver of Germantown, when he astounded us +by announcing that if we were willing to take the chances, then might +we go to this carnival of the lobster-backs. + +We all knew full well where was Master Wharton’s country house at +Southwark, and were told that when midnight was come, we must, having +made up in parcels the dresses which we were to wear for the occasion, +set off, and, if possible, conceal ourselves nearabout the mansion. + +Then at daylight we were to put on our disguises, which I may say here +consisted simply of what I fancied was a Turkish style of dress, made +of some green and black stuff that completely enveloped the body, being +brought up tightly around each ankle, forming thereby a most comical +kind of trousers and tunic all in one piece. + +As a matter of course, the clothing would not serve to hide our faces, +and therein the danger lay. + +If so be we did not come upon any who were acquainted with us, and +there was little chance of such an unfortunate happening save in the +case of those officers who lodged with my mother, then were we safe in +embarking upon the venture. + +We were to present ourselves boldly at the rear of the house, after +having put on our odd clothing, and from that on it would be the duty +of Master Wharton’s upper servants, or the master of ceremonies, to +direct us to what we should do. + +The only matter of which we were absolutely positive was, that in event +of our being discovered, then was death almost certain, for there could +be no question but that we had gone there as spies, and would be dealt +with accordingly. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON DUTY + + +It is not needed that I should set down all we said during this night +before the carnival, when we were listening intently, as you may +well suppose, to the advice which the Weaver of Germantown gave us +concerning our behavior. + +I dare venture to say there was no desire for slumber on the part of +any of our company. I know for fact that I could not have closed my +eyes in sleep even though life had depended upon it, for every now and +then a cold chill of fear would run down my spine as I realized what +would be the result if I came full upon some one of those officers who +lodged with my mother. + +I do not hesitate to say I was given sadly to timorousness during that +time, and if I ever come across a lad who claims to me that he can +venture upon a task which may result in his death, without feeling +certain fear and having many forebodings, then I shall say that he is +either devoid of all feeling, or telling that which is absolutely a lie. + +When midnight had come we were made aware of the fact by Master Targe +entering the room without the ceremony of knocking, and having with him +three small parcels, one of which he handed to each of us lads. + +Then without a word, and in a grave and solemn manner which called up +all my fears once more, the Weaver of Germantown clasped each of us by +the hand, and Master Targe beckoned for us to follow him. + +This we did, leaving the building by a rear door, and when we were come +to the gateway the innkeeper said, speaking curtly as if we had given +him some cause for offence: + +“You know as well as I how to find the place where your work is to be +done. Remember that if things go wrong, and you should be persuaded to +confess how you gained admission to the grounds, or how you came in +possession of the clothes which you carry, great trouble would not only +come upon me; but you might involve in disaster those who are working +hardest in favor of the Cause--those who are able to do our people the +greatest amount of good. Now get on, lads; bear in mind that you must +be cautious; that you are holding your lives in your hands; but strive +not to let such fact appear on your faces.” + +It seemed to me like a sorry send-off, much as if Master Targe had +little hope we would return, and I have no doubt that both Chris and +Timothy were affected by his words, as was I. + +Instead of speaking when we started down the street, both the lads +remained silent, whereupon I fancied they were doing much the same as +I, that is to say, turning over the many, many chances against us in +the hope of finding therein some little ray of hope. + +To tell the truth, I had not the slightest idea that we could present +ourselves as servants and carry off the part without coming to grief. +In the first place we knew nothing whatsoever concerning such duties as +would be demanded of us, and I said to myself that if I was required +to serve one of the guests with the least article of refreshment, I +would have no idea as to how it should be done in the manner which the +lobster-backs were accustomed to from those who served them. + +There was little or no danger that we would be overhauled on the street +while making our way to Southwark. It seemed as if the lobster-backs, +from general to private, were devoting all their time and energies to +making ready for this foolish exhibition of themselves, for I could +look upon the carnival affair as little better than folly. + +The streets were seemingly deserted. We traversed square after square +without meeting a single person. Never before since General Howe came +into our city of Philadelphia had I ventured out nearabout nine o’clock +or after, without coming upon one or more squads of red-coats who were +patrolling the streets to see that we rebels kept under cover. + +As the moments passed and we met with no one to oppose our progress, I +grew bolder, and for the first time since leaving the Jolly Tar inn, +ventured to speak. + +“We might have waited until morning, and taken matters more leisurely,” +I said with a laugh which had in it little or no mirth. “As matters +stand, we must hide ourselves somewhere in the shrubbery, according to +directions given by the Weaver of Germantown, and I am thinking the +minutes will pass slowly, for it can be no less than six or seven hours +we must remain there under cover.” + +“It’s all of the same piece of cloth,” Timothy added cheerily, and +verily that lad was a comrade after my own heart. “It is better we +remain hidden six or seven hours, than that we take what you might be +pleased to call our ease at the Jolly Tar, and then set off to find +ourselves overhauled by the watch, who, seeing these clothes of green +and black, which most like are after the same fashion as those worn by +Master Wharton’s servants, would soon come to understand that a plot of +some kind was on foot.” + +There is no good reason why I should use overly many words in telling +what we did on this night, for after we were come on duty, seemingly +being the most attentive of Master Wharton’s servants, happenings came +so thick and fast, and withal so exciting, that to set down our words +while we were walking leisurely toward Southwark, or while we were in +hiding, would be much like a waste of time. + +Had we been so disposed, it would have been a simple matter for us to +have gained Master Wharton’s house in considerably less than half an +hour. As it was we took our time, seeing no lobster-backs to interfere +with us, and mayhap spent a full hour, when we were come where it was +necessary to search for a hiding place. + +This we had little difficulty in finding close by the rear of the yard, +where grew a lot of bushes so thickly that an hundred or more lads +might have found among them safe cover. + +We three lost no time selecting a spot in which to keep our long vigil, +and then settled down with whatsoever of patience we could assume. + +I had declared that we must not indulge in conversation while near +Master Wharton’s house, and in this matter Timothy fully agreed with me. + +It would have pleased young Chris better if he could have spent the +time talking on this subject or on that, for the lad loved dearly to +wag his tongue; but with Tim and me both setting our faces against +anything of the kind, he could not well do other than follow our +example. + +Surely the remainder of that night passed slowly and was wearisome. +Mayhap if there had been something to fear the minutes would have sped +more swiftly; but we felt perfectly secure while remaining among the +bushes, and when the day finally broke it seemed to me as if we had +been crouching there a full week. + +After the sun rose we put on our odd garments, not without considerable +difficulty, because it was a puzzle indeed to know how they should be +worn; but we finally succeeded in arraying ourselves in fairly good +fashion, and then came the question of when we should begin our duties. + +Young Chris would have gone directly to the house as soon as any of +the inmates were astir; but I insisted that we wait until a throng had +gathered, otherwise were we in more danger of detection. Therefore it +was we stayed in hiding until nearabout eleven o’clock of the forenoon. + +From daybreak until that hour, tradespeople, servants, soldiers with +missives from their superior officers to whoever was acting as master +of ceremonies, and, in fact, a host of visitors, came and went until, +as I have said, within an hour of noon I proposed that we make the +venture. + +“You shall lead the way,” Timothy whispered, pushing me on in advance, +“and neither young Chris nor I will open our mouths save to echo +whatever you may say if we are questioned.” + +Now when we came through a light gateway which marked the rearmost +limit of the servants’ quarters, I fully expected that we would be +brought up with a round turn and asked what was our purpose in being +there. But, much to my surprise, and greatly to my relief of mind, no +one seemingly gave any heed whatsoever to us. + +We went on through what might be called the rear yard, until we were +come to the outbuildings where were an hundred or more cooks all busily +engaged preparing for the evening’s festivities, and had hardly more +than made our appearance before some one of the workers called us lazy +fellows, chiding us because we were loitering when there was so much to +be done. + +Straightway one who appeared to be in authority set us about this thing +or that, until we three were working as earnestly as if our whole +hearts were set upon making of the carnival a success. + +I hardly know what Timothy and young Chris did during the remainder of +this day. As for myself, I was not allowed to spend an idle moment. +Never one there cast a look of suspicion toward me, and it seemed as if +all hands were doing their best to keep me busily employed. + +I ran here with one thing, and there with another; was ordered into the +house to carry chairs to the lawn, was sent on to the lawn to stretch +this bit of canvas or arrange that group of flags, until before the +afternoon was half spent I was so weary with work that I could hardly +walk. + +What I did or did not do matters little to you, for, since I have +already set down what was done at this carnival, it is as well if I +come at once into the more adventurous part of the tale; first making +it plain, however, that when the people were gathered for the eating, +I had nothing to do save bring from the outbuildings food which I +passed to those gaily-dressed servants who waited upon the guests. + +The greater portion of my labors, when the feast was at an end, +consisted in carrying refreshments here and there about the grounds as +I was ordered by this lobster-back or that. + +I even served Major Simcoe himself, who had often visited my mother’s +house when he came to see his friends who were lodging there, without +his giving any evidence that he suspected I was other than one of +Master Wharton’s servants. + +I could see that young Chris and Timothy were doing much as was I, +for I met them now and then as they scurried to and fro between the +shrubbery and the sideboards, for those officers of the king’s were not +long content if they could not have something with which to wet their +throats, and before the evening was well begun there were no less than +twenty who had best have been taken away where the ladies could not see +their foolish movements. + +It was after all that folly of fighting on horseback with lances and +swords had come to an end, and the feast was well-nigh over, that I +waited upon Major Simcoe. + +He had with him three other officers of high rank, as I fancied from +their uniforms, who were discussing earnestly, while they walked from +the house to where seats had been placed among the shrubbery, something +which was seemingly of importance to themselves. + +I put myself in their way, hoping to be called upon for service. Up +to this time I had heard nothing save idle chatter, and it would have +disappointed me woefully had I gone away from that carnival without +having anything of great weight to impart to the Weaver of Germantown. + +If Major Simcoe had been eager to do me a great favor, he could not +have gone about it in a manner that would have pleased me better. + +As I came up, seemingly loitering rather than waiting to be bidden +for service, he called out in a tone much as he might have used in +speaking to his dog, that I was to bring wine for himself and the other +gentlemen to such and such a place which he pointed out. + +Never was a command obeyed more quickly that day I dare venture to say, +than this one of Major Simcoe’s. I felt positive the men were talking +of such affairs as it would please the Weaver of Germantown to hear, +therefore ran at full speed both going and coming, that I might hear +all which was said, and, as the matter turned, I was not disappointed. + +Fortunately for me was it that I chanced to be the one who overheard +that most important of information, for in later days it brought me +recognition from those in the American army whom I most revered. + +When I served the gentlemen they seemingly gave no heed to me; it was +as if I had been no more than a stick or a stone. + +They began drinking their wine, and it was my duty as a servant that +I stand nearby as if awaiting further orders, or to take away the +glasses, which of course I did, when came certain words which caused me +to prick up my ears to such an extent that if the lobster-backs had not +been so intent upon their conversation, they must have suspected from +the expression on my face that I was something more than an ordinary +attendant. + +Major Simcoe began the conversation, or, rather, continued it by saying: + +“This Lafayette most like believes he can effect something by taking +post at Barren Hill. Why he should have left Valley Forge I fail to +understand, save it may be that the rag-tag and bobtail are about to +come out from their dens.” + +“It is well the ragamuffin crowd start soon,” one of the officers said +with a coarse laugh, “else are they like to be disagreeably surprised. +I have no real complaint to make against our commanding officers, save +that they have set the morrow after an entertainment of this kind for +an important move.” + +The third officer added with a laugh: + +“Fancy turning out when one has hardly turned in, to march from here to +Germantown, if not further.” + +“It will be further than Germantown according to my orders,” Major +Simcoe added quickly. “My force has been drafted to General Gray’s +division, and we are to make no halt nearer than three miles from +Barren Hill. I fancy we are like to start immediately the festivities +have been brought to an end here, if not before.” + +I cannot well set down the conversation from that point exactly as +it took place; but this was what I learned from the discussion which +became heated after the gentlemen had partaken generously of wine. + +That General Lafayette had left Valley Forge was news to me, and I felt +quite positive the Weaver of Germantown was also ignorant regarding +it. I knew, however, from what these lobster-backs said, that he had +halted at Barren Hill, and I made no question but that this intended +movement of the Britishers was meant as an attack upon the gallant +young Frenchman who had come overseas to lend his aid to us of the +colonies. + +It appeared from the conversation, as I have already said, that on +the following morning General Grant of the Britishers, assisted by +Sir William Erskine, would set out from Philadelphia, marching up the +Schuylkill; but how far none of the gentlemen who were talking appeared +to know. + +A second force under General Gray, of which Major Simcoe had spoken, +was to advance until arriving within three miles of General Lafayette’s +position. + +Then was to come a third detachment under Sir Henry Clinton himself, +which would pass through Germantown up to Chestnut Hill, and from there +on as might be determined. + +Now all this was to be done on the following morning, and it seemed to +me of the greatest importance that I should get word to the Weaver of +Germantown without delay, for it was then late in the evening, and he +who could gain Valley Forge before the morrow’s dawning must needs be +well mounted. + +Unless Master Targe could provide horses, we had no means of making +our way up the Schuylkill save by boat as far as the falls, and thence +on foot, which would give the Britishers ample time to carry out their +plans for surprising General Lafayette, before we could get word to his +ears. + +It seemed to me necessary I should leave the place at once, and make +all speed toward the Jolly Tar inn. In fact, I was burning to get away +from those three officers who were taking more of wine than was good +for them, and who demanded that I bring this or bring that until I was +well-nigh distracted. + +Having gone to the house at least the fourth time for more in the +way of refreshment, and chancing to come upon another fellow who was +dressed in similar fashion to me, I gave him the bottle which I had +just gotten from the kitchen, ordering him, as if I had the right, to +carry it out to Major Simcoe and attend him and his companions until +they should no longer require any service. + +Fortunate indeed was it for me that this fellow whom I had lighted upon +by chance was no regular servant of the house, otherwise would he have +questioned my authority. + +As it was, however, being most like someone who lived nearby and had +been hired for that occasion only, he meekly did my bidding, and then +was I again fortunate in coming full upon Timothy Bowers, who at the +moment appeared to have no particular service to perform. + +Leading him out of doors where I could make certain no one might +overhear me, I told the lad that I had heard such information as +seemingly made it necessary for us to seek out the Weaver of Germantown. + +When he would have asked what it was I had learned, I put him off by +saying there was no time in which to repeat the words; but begged that +he with me strive to find young Chris, so we three together might make +some move toward getting away without arousing suspicion. + +No less than ten minutes were spent in finding the baker’s son, for +both Timothy and I were forced now and then to cease the search in +order to wait upon some impatient guest who demanded our services; but +finally we three were come together near the rear of the house, where +none save the upper servants might know we were neglecting our duties. + +I had just began to explain to young Chris why I believed we should +run the risk of leaving Master Wharton’s grounds without delay, when +suddenly from the direction of the city came the long alarm roll, as a +glare of light burst up from half a dozen sections at the same instant. + +My heart came into my throat, so to speak, for there could be but one +explanation for all this. + +Our army of rag-tag and bobtail, as the lobster-backs were pleased to +call the “rebels,” had made an attack, and now was come the time, so +I said to myself, when the Britishers would find out of what metal we +were made. + +I was not the only one who believed that the American army had at last +come out from its hole, as Major Simcoe said in derision, for every +lobster-back at the carnival was seized with what might well be called +a panic. + +There were hurryings to and fro, and shouts for the privates who were +on guard at every part of the grounds; cries from one to another while +the half-intoxicated lobster-backs tried to come together, as if +believing it was necessary to defend themselves. + +In fact, confusion reigned, and all this time could we see in the +direction, as it appeared to me, nearabout Chestnut and High streets, +at what I judged were the outposts, flashes of light as if the +buildings were in flames. + +It is impossible for me to give a very clear account of just what I +did see and hear at the time, for I was so excited, so wrought up in +the hope, and the belief, that at last our people were making a bold +attack, I was more like one in a fever than a lad who has been engaged +in a service which requires that he shall keep his head steady. + +“Our people have made an attack upon the lobster-backs at last!” +young Chris cried, clutching my arm, and on the instant I clapped my +hand over his mouth, for there were servants standing nearby who, +overhearing his words, would understand that we were not there by +right, and mayhap we might be taken prisoners even at the very moment +of what seemed to be our triumph. + +It was Timothy Bowers who gathered his scattered wits more quickly than +any of us three, and coming so close to Chris and me that his face +almost touched ours, he said excitedly: + +“There is no question whatsoever but that our people are making +an attack, and it stands us in hand to get out of here as soon as +may be. Perchance the opportunity will come when we can be of more +assistance to the Cause than idling around here with a party of drunken +Britishers.” + +Whether we might be of assistance or not, I understood full well that +this was the moment when we must make our escape from Master Wharton’s +house, otherwise we might find it difficult to explain our sudden going. + +As the confusion increased, the officers running to and fro giving +orders to the guards, and at the same time striving to prevent the +ladies from understanding that danger threatened, no one was near +at hand to give much heed to us, therefore it was I said quickly, +stripping off the foolish garments I wore without making any attempt +to undo the fastenings properly: + +“Get out of these fanciful rags as quickly as may be, and follow me!” + +Even as I spoke had I torn from my person all that regalia of the +carnival, and started at full speed in as direct a line as possible for +the flames which I could see shooting up toward the sky, as it appeared +to me, in almost every direction for a distance of four or five squares. + +As a matter of course Timothy and young Chris followed close at my +heels, and, fortunately for us, those of the lobster-backs who were +setting out were too much excited, too thoroughly overcome by the +copious draughts of wine they had drank, to give any heed whatsoever to +matters save such as concerned their precious selves. + +Verily I believe at that moment every blessed one of the king’s gang +fancied the moment had come when he must stand up against our rag-tag +and bobtail, and battle for his life. + +Never before nor since have I been so excited and exultant as when I +ran with all swiftness, expecting to find the Britishers drawn up in +battle array, as indeed we did see them later, and believing that now +was come the time when we of Philadelphia might pay back in the same +coin we had received, some of that debt owed to those who made up the +king’s army. + +We gave no heed to that which was immediately before us; but rather +kept our eyes fixed upon those long tongues of flame darting +heavenward, which to us were tokens of greatest hope. + +When we were come well toward Walnut and Front streets, I was suddenly +seized by some person who darted from out the shadow of the buildings +nearby, and brought to a standstill so suddenly, that but for the grip +of the stranger upon my coat I should have fallen to the ground. + +For an instant, I believed, and with good reason, that it was one of +the lobster-backs, who, having learned what we had ventured upon that +day, was making a capture on his own account. + +I would have cried out to warn my comrades; but they, so swift was +their pace, came full upon me, staggering from the impact as our bodies +met, and at the same instant I got a fair view of him who held me. + +Then all my fear was changed to rejoicing, for it was none other than +the Weaver of Germantown who had thus made me prisoner. + +“What is it? What is it?” I asked excitedly. “Have our people made an +attack?” + +“I am inclined to believe it is nothing more than a feint; but for +what purpose I fail to understand. However, lads, it has come to us in +a good moment, and it would seem that Providence is on our side, else +I would not have met you. When the first alarm was given I set off to +seek you, and lo and behold you come into my very arms, as it were. Now +is the time when we may accomplish that which a twelve-hours ago seemed +well-nigh impossible.” + +“Accomplish what?” young Chris cried excitedly. “Is it true that we may +be able to help our army?” + +But for his haste and excitement I believe the Weaver of Germantown +would have laughed aloud, and with good reason, at the idea of Chris’s +that we lads might help those brave fellows who, perhaps, had come down +from Valley Forge. + +However, the minutes were too precious to admit of anything in the way +of levity, and he brought me to a sense of the situation with the same +suddenness that one who is heated receives a shock when he plunges into +cold water, for he said sharply and yet in a guarded tone: + +“Now, if ever, is the moment when we may be able to help those lads who +are imprisoned. The Britishers are fearing for their own safety. Every +man who wears a red coat, save those who are on guard in different +parts of the city, and very like many of them, will rush immediately to +the outposts, believing an attack is imminent. If so be we are inclined +to take many chances, I am of the mind that it will be possible to do +very much toward showing your comrades we have not forgotten them.” + +It was like laying a hot iron on a fresh wound, these words of his, so +far as I was concerned, for on the instant I was aflame, and it seemed +to me there was nothing, howsoever venturesome, I would not dare upon +just at that moment. + +Instead of stopping to make any explanation, or lay any plans, the +Weaver of Germantown, pulling me sharply around by the arm, said in a +tone of command: + +“Now lead the way, lad, to that corner of the work-house wall which you +are able to scale, and lose no time about it.” + +He need not have added these last words, for with the possibility in my +mind that I might take part in the freeing of Jeremy and Sam, nothing +short of strength greater than mine could have prevented my going +forward at the best pace of which I was capable, and there is little +need for me to say that both young Chris and Timothy were equally eager +to carry out this attempt, if so be it might be made. + +It seemed to me I had never before moved so sluggishly; my desire was +so far in excess of ability, that it was as if my feet were glued to +the streets, and yet I dare say never before had I run so swiftly. + +The confusion roundabout us increased rather than diminished. Here, +there, and everywhere, I might say, could be heard the tramp of feet +as the lobster-backs were being rushed to the scene of apparent +danger, and we might have boldly proclaimed that we were the lads whom +General Howe was eager to hold as prisoners, without anyone giving the +slightest heed to us. + +Excited though I was, and reaching out in my mind so eagerly toward +those imprisoned comrades of ours, I could hardly repress a smile and a +certain desire to give vent to cheers, as I saw that the lobster-backs, +although outnumbering by three to one our so-called rag-tag and bobtail +of an army, were thoroughly alarmed now that there seemed a possibility +they might be called upon to stand face to face with them. + +It had been the boast of all those red-coated officers whom I had heard +talking, that their one aim was to come up with General Washington’s +imitation army in order to show what British regulars could do, and now +the opportunity was seemingly theirs, they were overwhelmed with fear. + +One might almost fancy that the braggarts were trembling, despite the +Dutch courage they had imbibed during the evening, as they ran here +and there, some of them aimlessly as it seemed to me; but all incited +by the same thought, that those poor wretches who had starved and +been half-frozen at Valley Forge during the winter, were come to make +reprisals. + +I dare venture to say that as I led the way to the work-house adjoining +the prison, I took the most direct course possible, never deviating so +much as one yard from a straight line, save, as a matter of course, +where the buildings forced us to make a detour here and there. Across +yards, down alleys, and whichever way I knew to be the nearest, for all +this part of the city was as familiar to me, and to my comrades who +were following, as was any room in our homes, we ran at our best speed. + +When, finally, we were come to that place at the wall of which I had +told the Weaver of Germantown, the flames were yet soaring skyward, +although the tumult in the streets had decreased to a certain extent +because the hurrying lobster-backs were already out of earshot. + +Never a living being, inside or outside the prison or the work-house, +was to be seen. + +There were lights in the upper part of the building where we had been +told Jeremy and Sam were held prisoners; but no token of life other +than that could we see or hear. + +“Now is the time when one of you lads must make the venture in order +to learn whether the rest of us can safely follow,” the Weaver of +Germantown whispered hurriedly. “Whosoever is most familiar with the +wall, and the yard inside, shall go ahead, and if he comes not into +danger, then will the rest follow. If peradventure he finds himself +in the clutches of a guard, then must he give the alarm by screaming +loudly, and we shall have failed even to the extent of giving the +lobster-backs a third prisoner.” + +[Illustration: SCALING THE JAIL WALL.] + +If he had other to say, I did not wait to hear it. Knowing full well +how I could scale that stone wall, I started upward, giving no heed +that the crumbling fragments of stone tore the skin from my hands until +they were bleeding. + +Having come to the top, I was too greatly excited to look down in order +to make certain whether the coast was clear; but immediately allowed +myself to drop inside, and not until then did I wait to learn whether I +might have given an alarm. + +Save for the distant hum where the lobster-backs were gathering, I +heard nothing. So far as any token of life was concerned, the building +which served General Howe as an additional prison for us rebels, might +have been tenantless; but, and this question came into my mind almost +on the instant that I looked around me and learned that there were no +guards near at hand, how might we come at the prisoners even though we +were inside the walls? + +If that which had been learned was true, they were confined in the +upper story, and unless peradventure we were bold enough to make our +way directly up the stairs through the main door, then I saw no way of +effecting our purpose. + +Even while I stood gazing with dismay at the gloomy building, and +wondering in which part of it our comrades were confined, something +pliable struck me a sharp blow on the arm, and, turning quickly, +alarmed, I saw dangling from the top of the wall a thin rope. + +Afterward, when we had finished this adventure, I learned that the +Weaver of Germantown had some time before counted on making the attempt +of gaining the work-house yard in the same manner which we were now +doing, and began his preparations by having prepared for him two coils +of thin, stout rope which he could carry readily concealed about his +person. + +It was not needed anyone should tell me what to do when I saw that +length of line dangling from the top of the wall, swaying to and fro +like a writhing serpent. + +On the instant I laid hold of it, placing my feet against the +stone-work, for I understood full well that those who were on the other +side would use this to aid them in scaling the wall. + +I had hardly put my weight upon the rope when it was pulled violently, +and I forced to exert all my strength in order to hold it steady. + +Then I saw a figure above, which I knew to be none other than the +Weaver of Germantown, and when he had come down to stand beside me, +young Chris followed. A few seconds later Timothy Bowers did the same, +and we four were standing within the shadow of the wall, turning our +faces mutely toward the man on whom we relied for instruction. + +“One of you will remain here in order to hold steady this rope, +and help whosoever may come out, to scale the wall,” the Weaver of +Germantown whispered cautiously; but so that we all might hear the +words. “Another will stand by the main door to give warning if any +approach from the street, while the third is to follow me.” + +“And how do you count on gaining entrance to the work-house?” I asked +in surprise, whereupon he replied in a matter-of-fact tone, as if +it was a simple matter thus to venture where, in his case at least, +capture meant death: + +“We shall never again have such an opportunity as this. I am counting +that all those who were left on guard have gone out into the street +to learn the reason for the alarm, or are in the prison building. +Therefore is it in my mind to walk boldly inside. If peradventure we +come upon the enemy, then it will be a case of endeavoring to the +utmost to make our escape, and, failing, yield ourselves as prisoners, +with the knowledge that we were taken in a good cause, for surely he +who fails while trying to aid a friend cannot charge himself with +foolhardiness.” + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN THE LION’S MOUTH + + +During all this time of excitement, which began with the seeming attack +upon the British lines, I had entirely forgotten that information which +I gathered at the carnival. + +Now, however, when we were about to venture into the lion’s mouth, as +you might say, it came upon me like a flash, and with it the belief +that I should immediately tell the Weaver of Germantown what I had +heard; but yet, while the words were trembling on my lips, I held my +peace. + +At the same instant there came to me the thought that if peradventure +this man believed the information of such great moment that our people +at Valley Forge should hear of it without delay, he might, instead of +going on with this attempt to aid our imprisoned comrades, consider it +his duty to turn about and lose no time in reaching the American lines. + +Therefore it was I showed myself very nearly a traitor to the Cause, +for the imprisonment, or even the life, of my two comrades might be +as nothing compared with the possible advantage to the colonies which +would come with the repeating of those words I had overhead. + +When it was all over, and I had time to think calmly of my course, +I gave to myself no little blame for not having told the Weaver of +Germantown, when we first met him, all that I heard. However, I did +not, and, fortunately, as it turned out, no particular harm was done. + +You can well fancy that I did not loiter in the yard speculating upon +these things, for the Weaver of Germantown had given us no opportunity +for idling. That which I have set down concerning what I ought to have +done came into my mind like a flash, and as a flash dies out, so did +that go from me until, even though it might be called much the same as +treason, I gave no further heed to the matter. + +And now that which I have to tell sounds at this day, even in my own +ears, much like a fanciful tale rather than a statement of fact; but +yet there was good reason why our adventure proved to be a simple one. + +The Britishers were frightened well-nigh out of their wits, and instead +of thinking that they must care for the prisoners, seemingly gave no +heed to anything save the safety of their own precious bodies. + +We left Timothy Bowers on guard at the rope with orders to keep his +ears wide open for the sound of approaching footsteps. Then, when +we were come to the main entrance of the building, the Weaver of +Germantown turned to young Chris, taking him firmly by the shoulders as +if to make the lad understand that the command which he was giving must +be obeyed without a question, and whispered sharply: + +“You are to stand here, lad, until either we return, or you have good +proof of our having been taken prisoners. Keep your wits well about +you. At the first token that any approaches, either from the prison +side or the street, open this door and cry out at the full strength +of your lungs, after which it shall be your purpose to save yourself +by going over the wall with the aid of the rope, or in whatsoever way +seems best at the moment.” + +Then he opened the door, which strangely enough had been left +unfastened, and walked inside as if simply visiting a friend, I +following him as can well be fancied, keeping so close to his heels +that he could not have taken a step backward without treading on my +toes. + +The passageways were lighted by candles, and I saw on every side +doors which were closed, but evidently led into those rooms serving +as guard-houses for the lobster-backs who had infringed some of his +majesty’s rules regarding the conduct of soldiers who wore red coats. + +There was little time, however, for me to give heed to the immediate +surroundings. The Weaver of Germantown continued straight on up the +stairs as if he knew exactly where it was needed he should go, and, +having gained the second story without hearing or seeing any sign of +life, began trying those doors which led to the rooms at the rear +of the building, at the same time speaking through the keyholes +sufficiently loud for the inmates to hear: + +“If the lads who are Minute Boys be confined here, let them give some +token.” + +Three times was this repeated at these several doors, and each instant +I stood trembling in my shoes, expecting that from below, or out of one +of the many rooms, would appear the lobster-back whom one might suppose +had remained on guard; and then came from the inside of the third +apartment a voice which I knew to be Jeremy’s: + +“Have our people taken the city?” + +Instead of making reply to this question, the Weaver of Germantown set +his shoulder against the door, motioning for me to do the same, and +then it was that I saw the man exert an amount of strength which seems +almost incredible. + +At the second attempt he shattered the barrier, carrying away lock +and bolt, as a matter of course, and making so much of a tumult, that +if there had been any lobster-back inside the building he must have +understood what was going on. + +No one appeared to oppose us; no word was heard from the lower story, +or from any of the other rooms, when I, following the Weaver of +Germantown, after the door was broken in, seized Jeremy around the +neck, kissing him much as I might have kissed my mother; Sam meanwhile +pressing closely, asking, as I dimly understood, a multitude of +questions as to how we had come there and what was the meaning of the +tumult abroad. + +The man who had served us such a good turn in thus coming at the +prisoners, was not inclined to allow us to linger in the work-house, +nor did I have any desire so to do. + +He literally shoved Jeremy and Sam, together with me, out into the +passage, and then made his way down the stairs at a swift pace, while +we followed, for to have loitered a single instant there would have +been worse than folly. + +At each step we took toward freedom I believed we must of necessity +come upon some of the enemy, for it did not seem possible, and even now +appears most improbable, that we could have done all which we did. + +We came down the stairs into the main passage, out of the door at which +young Chris was standing guard, and then, if you will believe me, the +Weaver of Germantown went directly to the main gate, where he found +free exit, for whosoever had been on guard and ran out when the alarm +that the Americans were come had been given, did not take the trouble +to fasten the barrier behind him. + +Instead of climbing over the wall by the rope, and thereby spending +many precious moments, we might have marched directly in as if we were +welcome visitors, gone about our business, and come out even as we did +without a scratch and without hurrying. + +There was little need to summon Timothy, for, seeing us open the gate, +he came quickly forward, and we six went out into the street free, even +though we were in the midst of all that British army. + +We had released two of General Howe’s prisoners without turning a hair, +and now it only remained that we should find some hiding place. + +As may be supposed, the Weaver of Germantown led us by the nearest +course to the Jolly Tar inn, save when one of us lads suggested that +we go through this alley or across that yard in order to avoid the +possibility of coming upon some of the lobster-backs; and yet we need +not have been afraid that they would be met, for every blessed one of +those who had come from overseas to flog us into loving the king, was +gathered nearby where it was supposed our American army was drawn up in +line of battle. + +Even while we ran the rattle of musketry began, and if anything had +been needed to strengthen my belief that a battle was near at hand, +that would have been sufficient. + +I quickened my pace sufficiently to overtake the Weaver of Germantown, +who was a short distance in advance of me, and, clutching him by the +arm, asked if it were not better we should go where our people were +doubtless making a brave effort to whip the enemy. + +But he said curtly, and as if he no longer had very much care regarding +what was being done: + +“Even though we should approach directly to the line of battle which +the Britishers have doubtless formed, it would be impossible to come +at our people. The one duty just now is to ourselves, and we can only +perform it by getting under cover.” + +Not until we were come to the Jolly Tar, and had reconnoitred by going +to the rear of the building and looking through the windows to make +certain there were no patrons inside, did we hear the fusillade from +where the flames were shooting up. + +Then Master Targe opened the door to give us admittance, and his house +looked just at that time as if it was barricaded, he having piled the +furniture against the doors on the inside as if expecting an attack. + +The sounds of the battle continued; but before we were again in that +room where I had first seen the Weaver of Germantown, the commotion +died away, the flames subsided, and it was as if whatsoever had been +begun was at an end. + +“Have our people been whipped?” Timothy asked in a tone of fear, as +the door was closed behind us and Master Targe went down the stairs +to put his tavern in a state of defence once more, and the Weaver of +Germantown replied laughingly: + +“I am of the opinion they were not there to be beaten, lad. Our people +knew full well of this carnival which was being held, and it is in +my mind that some of the younger blood have taken advantage of the +opportunity to give the Britishers a scare, in which verily they have +succeeded.” + +It may be as well here for me to explain at once, and without waiting +for that day when we learned the particulars, all that had occurred +which was so greatly to the advantage of Jeremy and Sam. + +It appears that Colonel Allen McLane, who was of General Lafayette’s +force that had come to Barren Hill, decided to break up the +entertainment without very much of danger to himself or to his men, +and, as has been seen, he succeeded most gloriously. + +With one hundred and fifty soldiers in four divisions, and supported by +Clow’s dragoons, those brave fellows came, each carrying a camp-kettle +filled with light wood on which pitch and tar had been smeared, down to +the first line of British defences. + +There was set on fire the fuel which had been brought, and the men +remained sufficiently long to make reply to the first volley which the +frightened red-coats fired at random. + +It was only a prank, and verily our men, after their long time of +suffering at Valley Forge, had earned the right to indulge in a little +sport, more particularly when they could have the intense satisfaction +of seeing all General Howe’s supposedly brave troops show the white +feather as it had been displayed that night. + +It was all a bit of sport, as I have said, and yet nothing save a +general attack of our people upon the enemy could have served Jeremy +and Sam such a good turn. But even that opportunity would have been +lost except for the Weaver of Germantown, who understood on the instant +what might be done, and who was enabled, under Providence, to come upon +us when he had little or no definite idea as to where we might be found. + +Whenever I am low-spirited, or inclined to believe that Fortune +has dealt hardly with me, I look back upon that night, remembering +what grew out of the prank which Colonel McLane played upon the +lobster-backs, and then realize full well that howsoever far we are +from deserving favors, there is above us all a loving care which, +finally, if we give it the chance, leads us into the right way and to +our own safety. + +As a matter of course, we had made no attempt at conversing one with +another while making our way from the work-house to the inn; but once +inside the building our tongues were unloosened, as Jeremy and Sam +insisted upon our giving a detailed account of what had happened since +they were taken prisoners. + +“It is you rather than we who should play the part of story-tellers,” +I said, feeling so overjoyed at our wondrous success that it was with +difficulty I could restrain from embracing each of the dear lads in +turn, and thereby showing myself a veritable simple. “What we are +burning to know is how you chanced to have fallen into the clutches of +the lobster-backs, and allowed Skinny Baker to go free?” + +“It wasn’t with our permission that he went free,” Jeremy replied +laughingly, and young Chris asked sharply, as if minded at this time of +great joy to find serious fault with those whom we had rescued: + +“How then did it chance that the lobster-backs came upon you? Surely it +must have been through some carelessness of your own.” + +“If anyone is to be blamed in the matter, it is you, Chris Ludwig!” Sam +cried sharply. “We might have stayed there holding Skinny a prisoner +until this time, save for that unruly tongue of yours.” + +“Me?” Chris cried in surprise and anger. “What did I have to do with +it? I was at Valley Forge when you allowed yourselves to be taken.” + +“Ay, that you were; but before going you told Mark Duren that we were +counting on raising a company of Minute Boys, and in your eagerness +to get recruits, even went so far as to tell him of our rendezvous, +explaining how he might make his way through the timbers to come at us.” + +“And why shouldn’t I tell him?” young Chris cried, growing yet more +angry. “He is one who favors the Cause, and showed himself most willing +to join us.” + +“When has he ever favored the Cause? You knew, or should have known, +that he was a close comrade of Skinny Baker’s, and when that young +Tory was missing, Mark went directly to Master Baker, reporting to him +that which you had said. There is no need of further explanations, +for even though Skinny’s father be a Tory, he is not a fool, and +straightway, after hearing what Mark had to tell, he asked for a squad +of lobster-backs to aid him. The first information we had that you were +so incautious as to reveal our hiding place, was when Master Baker +himself appeared, followed by two red-coats.” + +“Didn’t you hear them coming?” Timothy asked, and Jeremy replied sadly: + +“Ay, lad, we did, and believed it was Richard Salter and young Chris, +therefore stood ready to welcome them, rather than taking heed to our +defence. Even then, but for Skinny himself, we might have escaped, +perhaps by leaping into the river; but the currish Tory threw himself +in our way, and betwixt him and his father we were speedily made +helpless.” + +On hearing this story I blamed myself even more than young Chris, for, +knowing the lad as I did, it should have been my one aim to prevent +him from going out while he was so excited over the matter of raising +recruits for the Minute Boys. I ought to have known he would have done +just the same foolish thing which he did, thus bringing Jeremy and Sam +to grief. + +At almost any other time I would have read young Chris a lesson which +he would not speedily have forgotten, because of what he had done; but +at this moment, when our comrades were with us once more after having +been literally plucked from out the lion’s mouth, my joy and relief was +so great that I could not have found fault or spoken a harsh word to my +bitterest enemy. + +I believed the others felt much as I did, and young Chris, who now +understood what a serious injury he had done his friends, took refuge +in what was very like a fit of sulks, throwing himself on the floor in +one corner of the room as if he no longer desired to hold converse with +us. + +During a full minute the silence was most painful, for we realized how +greatly one of our Minute Boys had sinned against the Cause, and yet no +lad felt inclined to say aught concerning his crime. + +It was during this time of silence that again I remembered what had +been overheard during my service as servant at the carnival, and +straightway I repeated, so far as was possible, exactly the words which +I heard from the lobster-backs, the Weaver of Germantown showing by the +expression on his face that he considered my information of greatest +value. + +“Verily much has been accomplished within the last four and twenty +hours,” the man said in the tone of one who is deeply impressed, when I +had come to the end of my story, and I ventured to ask: + +“Then you think that which I heard is of importance?” + +“Ay, lad, of such vital importance that this night the six of us shall +set out, each going by a different route, in an attempt to gain Barren +Hill before daylight, in order to let General Lafayette know what he +may expect.” + +“But why should each go by a different way?” Sam asked curiously, and +the Weaver of Germantown replied gravely: + +“Because, lad, after such a scare as the Britishers have had this +night, I am of the opinion that we shall be more closely shut in than +ever before. Even though they had not been nearly frightened out of +their wits, General Howe or General Clinton is good soldier enough to +understand that this is the time when they must guard closely against +such people as we are striving to be, lest word be carried to the +rebels. It is more than likely some of us will be taken prisoners in +the effort to leave the town, and therefore would I have it that each +goes in his own way, without taking counsel of the others, to the end +that one, if not more, may succeed in carrying the message. Now then, +Richard Salter, repeat again that which you heard, and each of you +lads, including you, Master Ludwig, listen intently, so that you may +impress it upon your memory, for we may not safely set down in writing +the information we carry.” + +Then it was that I told again, and in the fewest possible words, what I +had heard while serving the lobster-backs during the carnival, and each +of my comrades, including young Chris, listened with such eagerness +that one might know by the expression on their faces how hard everyone +was striving to remember all I said. + +Having come to an end of the story, I, without giving due heed to the +words, asked Jeremy Hapgood how he counted on gaining Barren Hill, +whereupon the Weaver of Germantown interrupted us quickly, as he said: + +“Nay, nay, lads, none of that! I would have each of you go +independently, not knowing what the others may do, to the end that we +shall have the more chance of succeeding in our mission, for I give you +my solemn word that at no time in your lives, however long you may stay +on this earth, will you be charged with so much of vital importance to +those who love the colonies.” + +Then, when we would have lingered, the spy forced us out of the room, +saying as he did so: + +“Waste not one single second; but from this moment until you can have +had speech with General Lafayette’s force, bend every effort to +getting within our lines.” + +He himself set the example by going to the lower floor, where during +two or three minutes he held a whispered consultation with Master +Targe, we lads standing back meanwhile, for it was evident he had no +mind we should hear that which he said. + +The innkeeper himself opened the door for us, and as I passed through, +following directly behind the Weaver of Germantown, this surly-visaged +landlord clapped me on the shoulder in a most friendly fashion. + +I can conceive of nothing which would have given me a more vivid idea +of the danger attending this attempt, than that act of his, for it +was so little in accord with his general manner that at the moment it +seemed almost as if he was bidding me good-bye forever. + +Perhaps it was well I should have had this reminder of what lay before +me, for if I had previously been inclined to carelessness, of a verity +now were my wits quickened. Waiting not to learn what my comrades might +do, I set off, counting to go by the way of Southwark in the belief +that through that section of the town I could pass with less of danger. + +Understanding that it would be impossible for me to travel at a rapid +pace all night, I strove to husband my strength, walking at a fairly +good gait; but without striving to make too much speed at the outset. + +That I was wise in thus planning to go from Philadelphia by a +roundabout way was speedily shown. Those revellers who had been at +the carnival were yet at the place where Colonel McLane had made his +feint, less than half a dozen having returned to quiet the alarm of the +ladies, and I made my way directly past Master Wharton’s mansion, or +counted on so doing, when I came upon two horses fastened to the fence +of the back yard nearabout where Chris, Timothy and I had made our +entrance. + +By their accoutrements I knew they were animals belonging to some of +the British officers, and while one might have counted ten I stood +gazing at them enviously. Then came into my mind what seemed little +less than an inspiration, although it was no more than that old adage: + +“As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.” + +If I was caught striving to gain the American lines just at that time, +then was death certain. They could do no more than hang me if, while +trying to perform this duty, I stole a horse, although under all the +circumstances I did not give to it the name of stealing, for this was +indeed war, and to gain the better of an enemy by getting from him +the means of transportation to carry an important message is anything +rather than theft. + +You may well fancy that I did not stand many seconds within a stone’s +throw of Master Wharton’s house, which was yet reasonably well thronged +with ladies, turning all this matter over in my mind. + +Immediately I saw the steeds, and the idea came to me of what great +advantage it would be if I were mounted, not only in enabling me to +gain Barren Hill at an earlier hour, but also in event of pursuit to +make my escape, I quickly unfastened the bridle of that beast which +seemingly was the better fitted for a long journey. + +Then I slowly led him out through the thicket into a path of which I +had long known, that ran straight away into the road I would take. + +Having gone an hundred yards or more thus cautiously, I vaulted into +the saddle, and once there urged the animal into a gallop. + +There was in my mind such a sense of triumph because of having thus +succeeded in making it possible to gain the American forces while it +was yet time, that I had real difficulty in preventing myself from +crying aloud with joy. + +I said over and over again in my mind that now was it positive I would +outstrip all those who were bent on the same mission, even including +the Weaver of Germantown, who, because of his longer experience, should +have been able to go to and fro between Philadelphia and the American +lines more quickly than one who had only done so a single time. + +In fact, I was so puffed up with pride over what was no more than an +accident, and looked upon it as if this gaining a steed for my purpose +was something due to my own wondrous abilities, that I failed to +take any heed whatsoever to what should have ever been in mind--the +fact that I was in the enemy’s country, and more closely surrounded +by lobster-backs on this night, because of the alarm which had been +raised, than at almost any other time since the Britishers occupied the +city. + +However, I was brought to a realization of the situation and of my own +foolishness in striving to take credit to myself, before I had gone +half a mile from Master Wharton’s country house. + +I gained the main road, and the beast which I bestrode had settled +himself down into a long, swinging gallop as if understanding that +considerable of a journey lay before him, when suddenly there came from +a cross road, or lane, the sound of horses’ feet coming rapidly toward +me. Before I had time to fully realize the situation, a voice shouted +out that I should halt or he would fire. + +I was not so thick-headed as to fail of realizing on the instant that +I would be in no greater danger by continuing on regardless of the +summons, than if I stopped and gave the enemy an opportunity of finding +out who I was. + +If they fired, and with true aim, then might I come to my death. But +if I was taken by them at that time, astride a horse belonging to a +British officer and headed straight away for the American lines, then +there could be no question as to how I would go out of the world, and +but little doubt as to its being a speedy exit. + +Therefore it was that, bending low in the saddle, I urged the horse on +to yet greater speed, and had the beast loved the colonies as did I, +and hated the king with equal fervor, he could not have responded more +quickly or more gamely. + +At almost the same instant when the horse increased his pace, I +involuntarily glanced over my shoulder just as half a dozen flashes +of light illumined the foliage nearby, and I heard the whistling of +bullets over my head as the reports of the weapons rang out. + +I fail even now to understand why it chanced I was really so brave at +that time. There was not in my mind any thought of injury to myself, or +fear that I might be hurt; but all my anxiety was lest they cripple the +gallant beast that was bearing me onward so swiftly, and I literally +held my breath while striving to discover from his stride or movements +whether he had been wounded. + +Fortunately, however, I could see no difference after this volley which +had been fired at comparatively short range, for the beast was running +swiftly, and with every evidence of strength, as if this night-race +pleased him hugely. + +Now it was I turned my head to gain some idea of the pursuers, and +could see even amid the gloom that there were not less than six or +seven horsemen in the rear who were seemingly mounted as well as I. +There was in my mind the fancy it was possible for me to make out that +they all wore uniforms. At least, I heard the clank of swords in the +scabbards, and knew that none of our people would be so accoutred while +in the city of Philadelphia, therefore even though the volley which +had been fired at me was not sufficient indication of their character, +I had an exceedingly good idea it was General Howe’s men who were +pursuing. + +That it would be a long race I made no question, for we all seemingly +rode good horses. In fact, it made little difference to me how long +they kept up the pursuit, so that I was enabled to remain in the lead +until having come within hail of General Lafayette’s outposts. + +There was no speculation in my mind as to why these horsemen were +in that vicinity just then. I was not so thick-headed as to fail of +understanding that on the night before an important move was to be +made, and particularly within a few hours after the lobster-backs had +good proof the Americans were not all dead, an unusually strict watch +would be kept to prevent any from leaving the city, therefore was it +reasonable to suppose those whom I had thus unfortunately come upon +were patrolling this side of the town. + +“Even though they do me harm, I shall be the means of luring them away +from their post of duty,” I said to myself with grim satisfaction. “And +if perchance one of the other lads attempts to make his way out of the +city over this same route, then, although I fail, have I been of some +service.” + +I believe we had been going at racing speed no less than ten minutes +when a single shot rang out clear and distinct on the night air; but I +failed to hear the whistling of the missile, nor did I feel any token +from the horse that he had been injured. + +Therefore it was I could almost have laughed aloud in joy because they +were endeavoring to shoot me, since it showed, to my mind at least, +that they had grave doubts whether it would be possible to overtake me, +and were come to understand that their only hope was in crippling the +steed. + +Twice within the next five minutes did the report of firearms come +to my ears, after which I fancied that I had gained a considerable +distance on my pursuers, although as to that I could not be certain, +for their horses were yet running fresh and strong, as was mine, and +one may not safely judge of distances in the gloom. + +By this time the fellows chasing me knew beyond peradventure that I +was striving to gain the American lines, and realizing this, they +understood, unless indeed they had been veritable simples, that I was +carrying important information to that rag-tag and bobtail of an army +of which they had so lately shown themselves afraid. + +Therefore it was that they would spare no effort to overtake me; but +while the pace was so hot there was little chance they could shoot with +any accuracy of aim. The greatest danger, as it appeared to me just +then, was that by some unfortunate accident their bullets might go in +the direction they desired, and the chase come to an end because of the +wounding or killing of the horse I rode. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +AT BARREN HILL + + +I am not of a mind to dwell very long on this night chase, although +to me it was most exciting; but if I should attempt to set down all I +thought or said to myself while the Britishers were so close in the +rear and firing a shot now and then, verily do I believe I might never +come to an end of my story. + +During the first half-hour, mayhap, the lobster-backs held the pace +fairly well; but at the end of that time I understood they were falling +behind, and it was no fancy of mine, although again and again I said to +myself that I must be mistaken owing to the darkness. + +Finally, when it seemed to me I had ridden a full six hours, although +it could not have been one-third that time, they disappeared from view +in the distance; but whether I had so far outstripped them, or because +of their having turned back, I could not say. + +However, I was not disposed to take any chances on the matter, but +continued to keep my horse well in hand, although I slackened the pace +to a slow trot that he might have opportunity to regain his breath, and +all the while listened intently for any token that those whom I had +distanced were inclined to continue yet further in the chase. + +When another ten minutes had passed we were come to a small brook, +and I was sufficiently bold to make a halt there, stopping long enough +to give the faithful beast a few mouthfuls of water. Then, remounting, +I set off at a fairly good pace once more; but came to a halt very +suddenly within the next quarter of an hour, for I heard the footfalls +of horses in the distance ahead of me. + +While one might have counted twenty I remained in painful suspense, +fearing the enemy had already started for Barren Hill and I was coming +upon some messengers who had been sent back to Philadelphia. + +I might have known full well, however, that if I left the city before +the soldiers set off, then there were none ahead of me, for there were +few horses in the town that could have traveled faster than the one I +bestrode. + +During a few seconds I hesitated, questioning whether it would not be +better to strike across through the shrubbery, rather than take the +chances of meeting whosoever was riding toward me. + +Then came the realization that any who were approaching from that +direction must of necessity be friends, and I held the road until +coming within sight of two mounted men who were riding at a reasonably +rapid pace straight toward me. + +As a matter of course they pulled up on finding that I held the middle +of the road, and one of them asked sharply: + +“Who have we here? Who comes from the direction of Philadelphia? Be you +friend to the colonies, or the king?” + +“My name is Richard Salter; my mother that widow who keeps a lodging +house in Drinker’s Alley, and if there be in this country a friend to +the colonies, then am I he, for within the past two or three days have +I taken my life in my hands, as you might say, in order to do somewhat +of good for the Cause.” + +“It is plainly evident that you have a very good idea of your +importance and of your abilities,” one of the horsemen said with a +laugh which nettled me sorely, and I might have made some reply that +would not have been to my credit, but for the second stranger, who said +in a somewhat friendly tone: + +“Perhaps it would be better, young master, if you told us why you are +coming from Philadelphia at such an hour.” + +“I am riding to General Lafayette at Barren Hill.” + +“How knew you General Lafayette was at Barren Hill?” the man asked +sharply, now reining his horse in to my side and grasping the bridle as +if he fancied I might make some effort to escape. + +Whereupon I replied, speaking curtly, because I was by no means pleased +with his tone and manner: + +“I had it from some British officers at the carnival which was held in +Master Wharton’s country house. Through the Weaver of Germantown were I +and my comrades able to appear there as servants that we might pick up +whatsoever of information was to be gained.” + +“The Weaver of Germantown!” the first horseman exclaimed, as if right +well pleased to hear that I had had aught to do with that man. “And you +learned that General Lafayette had gone to Barren Hill?” + +“Ay, not only that; but I heard the plans discussed for making an +attack upon him within the next four and twenty hours. Already, most +like, are three divisions of troops leaving Philadelphia, one of +them led by Sir Henry Clinton. Lord Howe is so positive he will take +General Lafayette prisoner ’twixt now and another sunset, that he has +invited his friends to sup with him when the Frenchman shall be in his +possession and on exhibition, as you might say.” + +“And you heard all this important matter at the carnival?” the second +horseman asked as if doubting that I could have learned so much in +so public a place, and I replied, not a little nettled because they +seemingly questioned my word: + +“As one of the attendants, I was waiting upon three officers who were +drinking more than was well for them, and the matter was discussed +without any attempt at privacy. They most likely believed I was only a +servant who would understand nothing whatsoever of military matters, +even when they spoke plainly.” + +“And having heard this, what then?” the first rider cried, as if +impatient to get at the end of my story. + +“Then came the alarm at the outposts, when it seemed certain the +Americans were attacking the city, and we lads had opportunity to go +where we knew it would be possible to find the Weaver of Germantown; +but he had it in mind that we might be needing him, therefore met us on +the way. Whereupon we took advantage of the opportunity to release two +of our comrades who were in the work-house as prisoners. Straightway +that was done, he sent each of us by a different road to get the +information which I had learned, to General Lafayette. I fancy I am +ahead of them all, having had the good fortune to come upon this horse +which was hitched in front of Master Wharton’s house, where his owner, +most like, was paying court to some of the lady guests who yet remained +there.” + +Surely these men showed themselves to be inquisitive, for even now when +I had told all my story, they questioned me yet further, as if every +little detail was of the greatest importance, and I chafing all the +while at the delay, because I believed every moment would be precious +to General Lafayette. + +Therefore it was, when they asked concerning matters which it appeared +to me had no connection with the Cause, or what might be done at once +nearabout Barren Hill, I said sharply: + +“If you have learned all you desire, gentlemen, allow me to ride on, +for it seems that duty requires I should have speech with General +Lafayette immediately.” + +“And so you should, my lad,” one of the men replied, speaking heartily +and in a most friendly tone. “We had no right to detain you so long, +although I fancy that because of your having made so quick a journey, +we shall arrive in ample time.” + +“_We_ shall arrive,” I repeated, whereupon he said, and I fancied that +he smiled: + +“Ay, lad, for it is our intent to go with you, else might there be a +long delay in your gaining speech with the General. We had been sent on +matters of little importance to New Jersey; but that which you tell us +seems to make it appear as if our services are needed here more than +there.” + +Having said this the speaker wheeled his horse around sharply, and +started off at a smart pace, I following him and understanding from the +sounds which came that the second horseman was close in my rear. + +Now it was that these strangers whom I had overtaken no longer gave any +evidence of inquisitiveness. It seemed as if they had finally begun +to understand how necessary it was we reach General Lafayette with +the least delay, and never a word was spoken as we three, riding at +racing speed now that the horses had had time to breathe, continued +on until the faint ray of light in the eastern sky told that the day +when General Howe counted to vanquish and capture General Lafayette was +dawning. + +Then, suddenly, the stranger who was riding in advance pulled up +quickly, and I saw that one of our soldiers barred the way, while near +at hand I fancied it was possible to see just within the thicket half a +dozen more, therefore did I know we were come to the American outposts. + +The horseman spoke a few words to the sentinel, and again pressed on, I +following his example as a matter of course, and holding my eyes wide +open for any token of our people. + +It was not necessary that I watch very closely. Even though the numbers +of the “rebels” were small, they were exceeding active, and, after +having passed this outpost, we came upon squads or companies of men +moving hither and thither as if some important movement was about to be +executed. + +It was on the tip of my tongue to ask of one or the other of these men +whom I had met, what might be afoot; but they gave me no opportunity. + +Each appeared eager to arrive at headquarters, and when we were come +there verily was I amazed, for this French officer who had come +overseas to aid us in fighting the king, was quartered in what appeared +to be a little better than a hut. + +It was, as I saw when the day was fully come, a small, rude +farm-house, and as we came upon it just in the grey of dawn, sentries +were pacing sleepily to and fro, while from the general air of those +whom we saw, it was positive the Frenchman was not borrowing any very +grave trouble concerning what the Britishers might do. + +Considerable talk on the part of the two men who had come with me, +was necessary before those sleepy sentinels, who had probably been +awakened by our coming, would permit us to enter the building, and when +we did pass inside, entering a room which had been the kitchen of the +farm-house wherein stood a table on which were remnants of a meal and +with military accoutrements strewn everywhere, I looked in vain for the +commander. + +We stood there in silence mayhap two minutes, I gazing in wonderment +at each of the strangers, who I now saw wore the American uniform, and +they remaining motionless as if by no means surprised because we were +thus left to ourselves. + +Then the door of the inner room opened, and there came into this +kitchen, little more than half-clad and looking very sleepy, a young +man, who to me was hardly more than a boy. He was well dressed, +unusually so, as it seemed to me, and I was familiar with the +richness of the lobster-backs’ costumes, while there was on his face +an expression of annoyance because of having been aroused from his +slumbers. + +I liked the looks of this young fellow. It was pleasant to see his +face, even though there were traces of vexation upon it. But my heart +sank within me when I realized that this was the French officer on whom +we had laid so many plans, believing him to be a great soldier, and +verily he was no more, as you might say, than Jeremy Hapgood or myself. + +So young was he in appearance, that I could not believe he had had +overly much experience in the art of warfare, and, like the simple I +was, said it to myself that if this was the General Lafayette from whom +our people expected so much, then might they expect in vain, or as well +look to Jeremy or me for something brilliant in the way of military +manœuvres. + +I had ample time in which to chew the matter over and thus foolishly +discuss with myself the appearance of this young soldier, for +straightway he entered the room the two horsemen who had come with me +went close to him, and the three talked in whispers while one might +have counted sixty, I standing by like a goose who rests her body first +on one leg and then on the other without knowing exactly what to do. + +Then it was that the young officer said to me, speaking in English, but +pronouncing his words in such fashion that one could readily understand +he was not familiar with the language: + +“It is true, young man, what you heard regarding General Howe’s +intentions while you were playing the part of a servant?” + +He said this as if asking a question, therefore I fancied for the +instant that he counted on trying to make me prove the truth of +the information I had brought; but managed to pull myself together +sufficiently to answer him in proper fashion, and then it was that he +began questioning. + +If the two horsemen had shown themselves inquisitive a short time +before, verily was he outstripping them now, for there was no +detail concerning the carnival, the movements of our own people in +Philadelphia, or the bearing of the lobster-backs, that he did not +question me upon; and it seemed as if I stood there a full hour, +answering what was of no consequence, so I argued. + +Having gratified his curiosity, or learned that which was necessary for +him to know, he took my hand in his in the most friendly fashion, and +while I cannot well repeat the words he spoke, because of his queer +manner of speaking, thereby causing them to sound differently from the +spirit in which I understood he intended, he caused my cheeks to flush +red because of the words of praise, and wound up by promising that if +it should be at some future time in his power to reward me for the +service I had done, then would he take advantage of it. + +As a matter of course I understood that I was dismissed when he ceased +speaking, and walked out of the building, hardly knowing what to do +until the man who was standing sentinel directly in front of the door, +and who must have understood I had come with news of importance, +suggested that I go near where the officers’ horses were being fed, +because there could be had provender for the beast that had carried me +so gallantly. + +This I did, as can well be supposed, and I was rubbing the horse’s +legs with whisps of grass to refresh him, for I counted on holding +possession of the animal so long as I might, when I was interrupted by +no less a person than the Weaver of Germantown himself, who said with a +smile as he came up to me: + +“Ah, now I understand how it chanced that you were so much in advance +of me. I also rode after having walked as far as Germantown, but had +not the good fortune to get so good a beast as that. Where did you +find him?” + +“At Master Wharton’s country house, where his owner had left him while +he went in to tell the ladies, most like, that they need have no fear +the miserable rebels would do them harm. It appears to me, Master +Weaver, that you came reasonably fast, for I rode at racing speed and +have not been here an hour.” + +“You came by a longer course, Richard Salter, and it is well you did, +for those two gentlemen whom you turned back on the road, were friends +of mine whom I most desire to have with this portion of the army if so +be the Britishers make an attack.” + +“Then you have seen them already?” I asked in surprise, and the +Weaver of Germantown told me he had just left General Lafayette’s +headquarters, where he had learned from the Frenchman himself what +service I had done. + +“And the Britishers?” I asked. “Do you know if they came out of +Philadelphia according to the information I gained at the carnival?” + +“Ay, lad, and are well-nigh ready to begin operations. One of our +people came in a few moments ago with the word that a considerable +force was at Chestnut Hill, and I myself know that Grant’s troops are +halted at the forks of the road leading to Barren Hill and Matson’s +Ford. There is every reason to believe that General Gray, with at least +two thousand men, is at the ford within three miles of here this very +moment. We are much the same as surrounded.” + +“And General Lafayette must, of course, surrender, unless he can turn +tail and get back to Valley Forge,” I said, thus showing how little I +knew of the mettle of our people who had passed the winter amid so much +of suffering. + +“I’ll venture to say he won’t surrender, lad,” the Weaver of Germantown +replied grimly, “although I must confess that he is in what you might +well call a tight box. His only way of escape is by Matson’s Ford, and +the approach to that is held by at least five thousand Britishers under +General Grant.” + +“And what will happen?” I asked as a feeling of timorousness came over +me, causing, I am afraid, my face to grow pale. + +“It is for General Lafayette to answer that question, and you will get +reply before nightfall if you watch the movements of the men,” the +Weaver of Germantown said in what I fancied was a tone of sadness, +whereupon I was such a simple as to exclaim: + +“If it remains with that lad to get these men out of the trap into +which they seem to have walked with open eyes, then am I afraid their +chances are few, for he knows no more of warfare than does Jeremy +Hapgood.” + +“Unless I am much mistaken, Richard Salter, within the next four +and twenty hours you will have every reason to change your opinion +regarding the French officer. The Britishers are certain to find in him +a real soldier, according to all I have heard, and it will surprise me +much if this day’s doings are not greatly to his credit.” + +Just at that moment one of the soldiers came up to the Weaver of +Germantown, and whispered a few words in his ear, whereupon both went +hurriedly away, leaving me to wonder who this man might be who thus +kept secret his name, as you might say; and I speculated not a little +as to what position he occupied with our American army. + +It appeared to me as if he was anxious to conceal his identity under +this fanciful name of the Weaver of Germantown, and I believed I +already had good proof that he was of more importance, or of higher +rank, if you please, than that of a spy, for since we arrived at the +encampment I noted that all those who came in contact with him showed +no little respect in their bearing. + +However, I was not left long alone to speculate upon any matter, for +within five minutes after the man who called himself a spy had left, +I was not only delighted, but decidedly surprised, to see Jeremy +Hapgood engaged in what seemed much like an altercation with one of the +sentries. + +Straightway I understood what had happened. The lad had succeeded in +gaining Barren Hill in an exceedingly short time, if so be he came on +foot, and now was he doing that which I would have been forced to do +but for having met the two officers on the road--trying to show that he +had fair right to enter the encampment. + +I hurried forward to where the sentry stood barring the way, and +fortunately for Jeremy Hapgood, the soldier had not only seen me when I +entered in company with the two horsemen, but had afterwards seemingly +taken especial note of the fact that I appeared to be on intimate terms +with the Weaver of Germantown. + +Therefore it was that the man listened favourably to me when I +explained that Jeremy was one of the party who had been sent out from +Philadelphia to give warning of what the lobster-backs were about, and +although it might not have been according to military usage or law, the +sentinel allowed my comrade to pass him without referring the matter to +a superior officer. + +It goes without saying that Jeremy was decidedly surprised at finding +me at Barren Hill, having the appearance of one who had been long +there, and before he would answer a single question which I was +striving to put, the lad insisted on knowing how it was I had succeeded +in making my way so rapidly. + +In order to make certain of hearing his story within a reasonable +length of time, it became necessary for me to go into details regarding +all that I had done since we parted, and Jeremy was as delighted as a +baby with a new toy, when I explained how it had been possible for me +to get possession of a horse. + +Not until I had come to the very end of my story, omitting none of the +details, did the lad tell me what had happened to him since we last saw +each other. Although he had not met with much of adventure, verily had +he exerted himself twenty times more than I, for throughout the entire +night he had traveled, walking at times in order to regain his breath, +but running the greater portion of the distance; hiding in the thicket +whenever he heard anyone advancing toward him, and taking such chances +as I had not been called upon to take because of being mounted. + +Verily Jeremy Hapgood had done more for the Cause than I on this night, +and I was ashamed when he had come to the end of his simple story, +because I made so many words of that which, as compared with what he +had done, amounted really to nothing. + +While we stood there within a stone’s throw of General Lafayette’s +quarters, talking about what we had done since leaving Philadelphia, +there was no little stir in the encampment. It was not necessary we +lads should understand overly much of military matters in order to know +that some important movement was near at hand, and, considering the +news we had brought, it was not difficult for us to understand that +General Lafayette was making preparation to meet the enemy; but whether +to give them battle, or retreat, we could not determine. + +Shortly after the men had had rations served out to them, we lads not +sharing in the distribution of the food owing to the fact that we were +not members of the army, the Weaver of Germantown came to where Jeremy +and I were sitting on the ground, and said in a low tone: + +“This portion of the army will begin to move very speedily. It is +for you lads to join it, unless peradventure you are willing to take +the chances of being captured by the lobster-backs. You have General +Lafayette’s permission to ride with his staff, and I advise you to make +ready for the start without delay. The movement about to be executed +will be rapid, and he who lingers ever so little stands a good chance +of being left behind.” + +All this was somewhat of a puzzle to me, and I would have called +after the man, urging that he explain his meaning; but Jeremy Hapgood +clutched me by the coat-sleeve as he said in a low tone: + +“Verily, Richard, this is no time for overly many words, and I am of +the belief that the Weaver of Germantown would not explain to you the +meaning of all he has said, no matter how you might implore him. If we +are to follow the general’s staff, let us make ready to do so, and not +bother our heads further.” + +“But it is not for us to leave this place until our comrades have +arrived,” I exclaimed petulantly. + +It came to my mind that after what I had just done for the Cause, I was +entitled to more consideration than would have been shown an ordinary +lad, and, such a simple was I, that it seemed as if some special +provision should have been made for the safety of my comrades and +myself. + +“Here come Tim Bowers and Sam Elder,” Jeremy suddenly cried, and, +looking up, I saw the two lads both astride a woebegone looking horse, +riding toward the encampment at full speed. + +Understanding that they might have trouble passing the sentinel, I went +forward, beckoning Jeremy to follow me. + +Singularly enough, no one paid any attention to them, which fact was +owing, I suppose, to the general excitement on every hand, and the +forming of the men into columns for marching. + +“How does it chance that you and Timothy are together?” Jeremy cried, +while our lads were yet some distance away striving to force the old +horse into a faster gait. + +“We met just in advance of General Grant’s column,” Sam replied +laughingly as if it were a great joke. “He was coming on one road and +I the other, when the troops appeared so close at our heels that we +made a sudden break into the thicket, running into each other’s arms, +causing both of us, for the moment, no little alarm.” + +“Did you see or hear anything of young Chris?” I asked as the lads +dismounted and turned their weary steed free. + +“It seems reasonably certain he has been taken prisoner,” Sam Elder +replied gravely. “You may fancy how near we were to the advance of the +lobster-backs, when while skulking in the thicket we could hear the +men talking with each other, and there was dropped now and then a word +concerning a boy who had been taken while evidently trying to carry +information to the Americans. Therefore Tim and I have decided young +Chris has been captured.” + +“We also heard somewhat concerning a Tory lad who had had a hand in +the matter,” Timothy Bowers added, “and while Sam won’t agree with me, +I am of the opinion that Skinny Baker played a part in young Chris’s +downfall.” + +“But how could Skinny Baker have known anything concerning young +Chris’s movements?” I cried, not inclined to put any faith in what +Tim had suggested. “That Tory cur, in order to have had any idea +of Chris’s whereabouts, must have known that all of us were at the +carnival--meaning those who were not then in the work-house,” I added +laughingly. “If the miserable coward had had any such information, you +may set it down as a fact that we would never have been allowed to +leave Master Wharton’s house.” + +“But suppose Skinny knew we were there as servants, and suppose he +counted on bringing about our arrest? The pretended attack by the +Americans knocked the miserable cur’s plans awry, and how about it +then?” Tim asked as if he had settled the matter definitely. + +I realized at once that all this guessing might be exceedingly near +the truth, understanding that Skinny Baker would make as great display +of his power, if so be there was chance for him to have us taken as +spies, as the lobster-backs would permit. + +It was well within reason that he might have counted to wait until a +late hour, or, possibly, he had not gotten at the ear of any British +officers in time to make the arrest before the alarm was given that our +people were attacking the outposts. + +From that moment he might have been in pursuit of us, and we, by going +to the work-house, had thrown him off the track. + +It was not impossible, or improbable, that, having lost track of us +during the excitement of the supposed attack, he roamed around until +coming accidentally upon young Chris, and had been able to find enough +of lobster-backs near at hand who would aid him in making the capture. + +At all events, we knew full well that a coward like Skinny Baker would +not have tackled young Chris alone, and were firmly convinced that our +comrade had been made prisoner. + +But there the matter must rest for the time being, since we were +powerless even to learn where he might be confined, and although we had +known all the particulars, how were we to do anything whatsoever at a +time when the lobster-backs had, as it seemed, so nearly surrounded +Barren Hill that all the army under General Lafayette’s command must be +taken prisoners? + +We had little opportunity for further conversation. It was just at +the moment when we had decided young Chris was in the power of Skinny +Baker’s friends, that the Weaver of Germantown came up hurriedly, and +said in a tone very much like that of command: + +“Get you ready, lads. If so be you can follow the general’s staff on +foot, then am I believing all will go well so far as you are concerned.” + +He had no sooner said this than he seemingly noted for the first time +that Tim and Sam had come in; but beyond greeting them in friendly +fashion, he paid no further attention to the lads. + +“There is no time for you boys to loiter here; see to it that you +follow the general’s staff,” he repeated once more, and then walked +away, leaving me undecided as to what I should do. + +With the horse which I had taken from Master Wharton’s grounds I could +readily keep pace with the officers who made up the general’s staff; +but surely four of us might not ride upon one beast, and I hesitated, +for the moment almost inclined to say I would take advantage of the +opportunity, leaving them to follow as best they might. + +Then it came upon me that such a course would be cowardly, if nothing +more, and with a sigh I decided to leave the horse where he was +tethered, allowing whosoever might first chance upon the beast to take +him as a prize. + +“We will all walk,” I said, as if there had never been the slightest +doubt in my mind regarding the matter. “It is true I have a horse, and +you lads also an imitation of one; but verily you had better be on foot +than trust yourselves to the back of that bunch of bones; therefore we +will take even chances.” + +Then I led the way toward where I saw the group of officers, mounted. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE RETREAT + + +As to what happened during the time General Lafayette was striving to +withdraw from the dangerous position he found himself in after the +advance of the Britishers, I cannot of my own knowledge speak clearly. + +To me, and my comrades are of the same mind, the day was apparently +spent in moving here and there blindly, so to speak. It appeared now +and then, from what little I could see in advance of us, that we were +on the very verge of being captured, and again did it appear as if we +had gotten off scot free, while mayhap half an hour later the danger +was seemingly greater than before. + +If I attempted to set down the details of the movement which gave good +proof of the young French officer’s ability to handle men, I should +surely make a bungling job of it. + +Therefore it is I count to copy out what I afterwards read concerning +that escape of ours. There is no good reason why I should do other than +use the words of the man who knew full well what he was writing about; +for we lads had no part or parcel in that retreat, save as we followed +closely at the heels of the officers’ horses, running now and then +in order to keep pace, and again allowed to remain idle five or ten +minutes at a time, all the while so confused as to the general purpose +of the commander as not to be able clearly to understand anything save +when we crossed the ford, where, during a few moments, did it seem to +me as if we were safe. + +We conversed very little during that marching and countermarching, for +we were puzzled, and again it was not seemly we should speculate as to +what was being done, because at times we were so near General Lafayette +himself that he could have heard our words. + +Here is what I have seen set down in printed words regarding the +matter, and after reading it I can the better understand why we went +here or there. + +“Lafayette proved himself adequate to the occasion. In a moment, as +it were, his dangers were revealed, and the one possible means of +extrication resorted to. Dispositions were made as though to receive +Gray; his artillery, by a well directed fire, encouraged the idea that +he proposed to engage. + +“His real aim was, of course, flight, and by the ford; but to attain +it he must pass within a short distance of Grant, who was nearer to it +than himself. + +“He feigned movements as though for an attack, and by an occasional +display of the heads of columns, he for a time persuaded the Englishman +that an action was imminent. + +“Meantime the troops, as fast as they could come up, were hurrying +across the ford, until at last the artillery and a body of Oneida +savages only remained on this side the stream. These were also now +brought over, and on the high ground beyond our men were secure. + +“Grant at last came up and ordered the advance to move on; but it was +too late. They saw but a party of our troops dotting the surface of the +water like the floats of a seine. The prey had escaped. + +“Grant was hopelessly in the rear, and when Gray’s column closed in +there was nothing between the British lines. The only skirmishing even +that seems to have occurred was between a body of light horse and the +Oneidas. Neither had ever encountered a like foe, and when the cavalry +unexpectedly rode among the savages, the whooping and scampering of +the one, and the flashing swords and prancing steeds of the other +party, excited such a common terror that both fled with the utmost +precipitation. + +“Irritated and empty-handed Howe marched back to town, with no one but +his own officers to blame for his ill success.” + +Now it is that he who reads what I have just set down will understand +quite as much as did I, who took part in the manœuvre, how General +Lafayette succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of the Britishers, and +brought off his men without loss of blood when it had seemed as if he +was in a trap from which it would be impossible to escape. + +I would it might be possible for me to set down all that we saw and +heard in the camp at Valley Forge after the French officer had led +his men back in what might well be called a masterly retreat; but I +have not the space nor the time if I am to tell the story of what we +so-called Minute Boys of Philadelphia did. + +It is not necessary for me to make any attempt at explaining how +saddened our soldiers at Valley Forge were when General Lafayette and +his men returned in what you may well call full flight. They had, +hoping even against hope, brought themselves to believe that something +of moment was to be done by this advance on Barren Hill, and when it +was shown to have come to naught, one can readily understand how great +was the disappointment. + +We heard on every hand words which told how much of confidence the men +had placed on the movement; but none were grumbling. The advance had +been of no avail; yet they were not discouraged. + +Already were our people looking forward to the time when a second +attempt would be made to worry the Britishers, and predicting that then +the result would be far different. + +It was near to nightfall when we were come to Valley Forge, and the +Weaver of Germantown took special care to point out to us a small hut +nearby headquarters, which we were to be allowed to occupy, and went to +the extent of getting for us an order on the commissary for such food +as could be procured by these half-starved men. + +Now although I loved the Cause as well as any other man or lad in the +colonies, my first thought when we were safe from the lobster-backs was +concerning young Chris, rather than that which might have been called a +disaster to our arms. + +I feared he had allowed his tongue to bring him into trouble, else did +it seem to me he should have been able to leave Philadelphia secretly, +even as we had done; but whether the fault was his or no, we had no +right to consider it at that moment. + +Unquestionably he had been made a prisoner, for surely the +lobster-backs could not have been talking about any other lad, because +I knew of none who would have put themselves in the way of thus coming +to grief. + +He was our comrade, a member of our company of Minute Boys, and it was +my duty, I having allowed them to call me the captain, to set all my +wits at work to release him. + +We had succeeded, even when all the chances appeared against us, in +effecting the escape of Jeremy and Sam, and I secretly grieved over the +fact that I had cut no better figure in that venture. + +It was the Weaver of Germantown who had done all the work, and we lads +were of little or no assistance to him, therefore as yet, so it seemed +to me, the Minute Boys of Philadelphia had not shown themselves to any +great advantage. + +It is true we had succeeded in gaining valuable information, and +had brought the same within the lines; but I burned to do more--to +accomplish something which should make my name known to those who were +staking their lives in battle, or against starvation. + +It was necessary, so it seemed to me, that our first work, regardless +of what might be needed in aid of the Cause, was to learn what had +become of young Chris. + +After all that had just happened I felt confident the lobster-backs +would keep a sharper watch over us rebels than ever before, and if +peradventure Chris had been thrown into prison, then did I despair, +even though we had the aid of the Weaver of Germantown, in doing +anything whatsoever toward effecting his release. + +However, we would learn all that might be learned, even though we +risked our lives again and again in the effort, and this much I said +to my comrades when we were eating our scanty meal alone in the hut, +whereupon Jeremy Hapgood, seemingly of the same opinion as I had +advanced, asked quietly, as if ready to set off at a moment’s notice: + +“How will you go about gaining this information which is necessary +before we can raise a hand in young Chris’s behalf? I must confess, +Richard Salter, that I question whether it will be possible for anyone +to aid the poor lad just now, unless, peradventure, the British march +out of Philadelphia, as it is rumoured General Clinton intends to do, +although I misdoubt it greatly.” + +“The only way, so far as I can see, is to go back from whence we came.” + +“Into Philadelphia?” Timothy Bowers cried as if in alarm, and I +replied, striving to speak in a careless tone as if familiar with such +desperate ventures: + +“Ay, lad, that is what must be done. At the Jolly Tar inn we may find a +hiding place--” + +“Yes, a hiding place!” Sam cried bitterly, “and where we must keep +under cover if we would save our necks. Of what avail is it to be +in that rear room of the Jolly Tar inn, eating our hearts out with +impatience, as far as aiding young Chris is concerned?” + +“That is what I cannot say, lad; but certain it is while we remain here +there is no possibility of our doing anything whatsoever, and if we are +in the city there is a chance, however slight, that we may see some way +out of what is now a blind hobble.” + +Although we Minute Boys of Philadelphia were not great in numbers, +verily were we ready to do whatsoever came to our hand, and the proof +of this is that when I had thus spoken, never a question was raised +against the proposition. All appeared not only ready but willing to +join me in going back to that nest of lobster-backs, where by this time +we knew were many on the lookout to take us prisoners. + +It was when the matter had thus been settled among us that the Weaver +of Germantown came into the hut, and I fancy he understood by the +expression on our faces that we had been discussing some matter which +was far from pleasing, for he asked in a cheery tone, throwing himself +upon the floor beside me, for the hut boasted of neither chairs nor bed: + +“What have you lads in mind now?” + +“To go back to Philadelphia as soon as may be,” I replied shortly, +thinking he would attempt to persuade us that the venture was far too +dangerous. + +“That is exactly what you should do, lads, and what I am counting on +doing myself within the next eight and forty hours, for now if ever is +the time when we must keep in touch with what the Britishers are doing. +If you set off at once, then may I delay so long as will be necessary +to have a look about Chestnut Hill.” + +Then he would have laid out our work for us, telling what we should do +here or there, when I interrupted him by saying: + +“It appears to me that our first duty is toward young Chris. It is +certain, from what Sam and Tim heard, that Skinny Baker has succeeded +in bringing the lobster-backs down upon him, and we must make the +attempt, even though we fail, to lend him a hand.” + +“Ay, lad, all that is as it should be; but remember this: Your first +duty is to the Cause, and it is while you are working in behalf of the +colonies that you will best be able to discover some way in which you +can help Master Ludwig, if so be he is yet on this earth.” + +“Do you fancy they might have killed him?” I cried in alarm, for until +the man spoke there had been no such fear in my mind. + +“It is possible,” the Weaver of Germantown said slowly and in a subdued +tone. “The Britishers are not feeling overly happy just now, as we can +well understand. The pretended attack on their outposts showed them +that not only the rank and file, but the officers as well, are afraid +of what this rag-tag and bobtail of an army may do. Then the failure to +overwhelm the troops under General Lafayette, after Howe had boastingly +declared that he would bring back the general to Philadelphia a +prisoner, and even gone so far as to invite certain cronies of his to +a supper where he might exhibit the captive. All this, I say, is well +calculated to make the lobster-backs ill tempered, and if so be they +succeed in laying hands upon a spy, and your Skinny Baker can prove to +the satisfaction of any prejudiced person that young Chris has been +working in the interests of the colonies, then there is the chance that +he may have suffered the death.” + +We lads were literally stupefied at the idea of such a possibility. +We had believed young Chris might be held close prisoner; but more +than that never entered our minds, and now, after hearing the Weaver +of Germantown speak in such a solemn tone, while knowing that the +arguments he advanced were sound ones, it seemed to us almost as if we +had learned that Chris was indeed gone from among us forever. + +The man could readily see how he had disheartened us by his words, +and evidently believed it necessary to revive our courage if he would +have us set off speedily for the city, therefore he said in what he +doubtless counted should be a cheery tone: + +“Do not look so downhearted, lads. I was but putting before you the +worst side of the case. It is by no means certain your Skinny Baker +could succeed in proving even to the Britishers that a boy like young +Chris was a spy. Then again, with all the excitement which has been in +the city during the past four and twenty hours, it might be a difficult +matter even for Skinny’s father to have speech with any of the +Britishers in command. Again, you are by no means certain young Chris +is really in the hands of the British. Cease to think of him other +than as one whom you count on finding without delay, and by such means +you will not only succeed better in your work for the Cause, but be in +shape to take a greater advantage of any opportunity which may come for +helping him. When do you set off?” + +I had not gone so far in my plans as to name the hour when we would +leave Valley Forge. In fact, had counted on staying where we were at +least another four and twenty hours, for the march from Barren Hill +had been exceeding tiresome, and we were so weary that a rest seemed +absolutely necessary. But when the man asked the question I replied +quickly, as if it was a matter already settled: + +“We go to-night.” + +The other lads looked up in surprise, as if believing I had lost +my wits to set off when all of us were leg weary; but no one made +any comment save the Weaver of Germantown, who said in a tone of +satisfaction: + +“That is well. The sooner you can shelter yourselves in the Jolly Tar +inn the better, and even though the lobster-backs are likely to be on +the alert for us rebels, I believe you may gain entrance to the city +more readily now than later. Just at this time it stands to reason that +they are considerably upset regarding the failure of their plans, and +surely whoever might be watching out for you--say for instance, Skinny +Baker--will hardly be foolish enough to think you would come directly +back after having made good your escape.” + +I had committed myself to setting off at once, and lest the man should +think I had been talking at random, I immediately rose to my feet, +saying as I did so: + +“I fancy we shall be the better able to make the journey if we set off +before our limbs have stiffened, as they surely will if we remain here +idle two or three hours more.” + +Well, to make a short story out of what might well be a long one, we +left Valley Forge within ten minutes, the Weaver of Germantown walking +with us past all the sentries to be certain we had no difficulty in +leaving the encampment, and then, when he would have turned back, I +counted to hear from him some kindly word of encouragement because we +were venturing our necks once more. + +Instead of anything of the kind, he simply shook us by the hand as if +we were going on an ordinary journey, and then turned to retrace his +steps. + +Eager though we were to prove ourselves worthy to be called Minute +Boys, and burning to be of service to the Cause, there was never one of +us who could put any enthusiasm in this march which might end in our +death. + +We, as I have already said, were weary almost to the verge of +exhaustion, and the miles which lay before us seemed so nearly +interminable that I felt almost as if we could not cover half of them +without failing utterly. + +No one was in the mood for conversation, and we plodded on in the +darkness, keenly on the alert, however, for any sounds which should +betoken the coming of an enemy; but hardly conscious whether we had +traversed one yard or one mile. + +I believe it was the possibility young Chris might have been executed +as a spy that had taken the courage from us to such an extent; but this +I do know to a certainty, that when the day was dawning we were not yet +beyond Germantown, and Jeremy Hapgood said to me in the tone of one who +will not brook opposition: + +“I can go no farther, Richard Salter. Here nearby is a house where I +believe we may remain in hiding during the day, and although I am so +hungry that I could eat anything in the shape of food, yet must I lie +by until another night has come, for my weariness is greater than the +desire for something to eat.” + +“Where may we remain hidden?” Sam asked, and I understood that he was +decidedly of Jeremy’s opinion. + +Then it was the lad told us of a house which had been partially +destroyed by the Britishers when they marched into our city of +Philadelphia, claiming that he had visited it more than once while the +lobster-backs much the same as held us prisoners within our homes. + +Without further parley we followed him, coming to what had originally +been a small cottage, but was now hardly more than a ruin, yet here +did it really seem as if we might find safe concealment, for it was +possible, as Jeremy showed us, to gain admission to the cellar, and +surely it must have been a suspicious lobster-back who would have +looked beneath the charred timbers for a company of lads. + +Although while talking with the Weaver of Germantown I had been strong +in my determination to do whatsoever I might toward aiding young Chris, +yet was I rejoiced at thus coming to a place where I could stretch my +weary body out at full length, even though it was only on the bare +ground, and without making any search of the place, for it was yet too +dark to see clearly our surroundings, I threw myself upon the floor of +the cellar and was lost in slumber almost as soon as I closed my eyes. + +When next I was conscious of existence, the faint light which came in +from beneath the charred timbers that overhung the cellar walls told me +it was yet day, and I raised myself on my elbow to look around. + +My comrades, lying even as they had thrown themselves upon the floor +in exhaustion, were yet sleeping soundly, and dimly I wondered why I +should have been the first to awaken, when the sound of footsteps just +outside the building caused my heart to come into my throat, as the old +saying goes. + +I knew there were none of our people left roundabout Germantown, +therefore whosoever was approaching our hiding place must be a +Britisher or a Tory. In my fear, for verily I was timorous, I fancied +we might have been tracked to this place, and now were come the +lobster-backs to take us in custody. + +Pressing my hand over Jeremy’s mouth lest he should make some outcry +on being suddenly awakened, I shook him into consciousness, and at +the same time motioned with my hand toward the outside, that he might +understand there were possible enemies near at hand. + +Then we two sat bolt upright, listening intently, as you can well +fancy; learning before many seconds had passed that there were no less +than four or five persons who had come somewhere near what had been +a window in the cellar wall of the ruins, and were now taking a rest +while discussing certain matters which concerned themselves. + +So near were they to where we sat listening with all our heart in our +ears, that we could hear distinctly every spoken word, and before +we had thus played the eavesdroppers a dozen seconds did we come to +understand that fate, or fortune, whatsoever you may term it, had +brought us into the one place of all our colony of Pennsylvania where +we had most desired to be. + +The first words we heard were spoken in a voice thoroughly familiar to +us, and we looked at each other in amazement, for it was Skinny Baker +himself who was saying in a whining tone that caused all the anger +within me to spring up, reddening my face until I knew it must have +been nearly the color of blood: + +“I tell you I heard all those fellows said concerning what they would +do against the king,” the Tory cur was saying as if in answer to some +reproof or question. “This lad here has been one of the foremost in +starting what they call the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, and if you +know aught regarding the people of our town, then do you know that +Ludwig, the baker, is as rank a rebel as may be found within the +colonies.” + +Jeremy and I gazed at each other in astonishment. That which we had +heard told us our comrade was within mayhap a dozen paces of where we +sat, and I literally struggled to understand how it could have happened +he was not already lodged in prison. + +Before any of Skinny’s companions made reply there came to my mind like +a flash of light an explanation of this matter, and it was much like +this: I believed young Chris had been taken prisoner within a short +distance, mayhap, of Barren Hill, and put under guard to be carried to +Philadelphia. Skinny, who, there could be no question, was responsible +for Chris’s arrest, had remained with these lobster-backs in order to +gloat over the lad whom he had brought to grief; but why they had not +come down in advance of the army I failed of understanding. + +However, they must have loitered behind for some reason or another, or +might have come as far as this place with the main body of troops and +stopped here to rest, for those who wore the king’s uniform were not +overly eager to do more of labour than was absolutely necessary. + +I have said all this came into my mind like a flash, and it was within +one single instant that I settled the matter, at least, to my partial +satisfaction, and then understood why Skinny was striving to convince +these men of young Chris’s guilt, for one of them said angrily, with +that accent which bespoke the cockney Britisher: + +“If it so happen good King George can be hurt by such an infant as +this, then is it time we who have come to whip these rebels into +subjection, turn about and go home. I enlisted to fight men, not +children.” + +“You watch this fellow a little while, and you’ll come to understand +that there is no child about him,” Skinny replied vindictively. +“Haven’t I already told you what he has done?” + +“Yes, you have, lad, and yet I am not bound to believe it all. If a +chap like you allows himself to be towed around a city filled with +king’s troops without making any attempt at escaping, then is he likely +to draw the long bow when he explains how it happened.” + +It was only natural Skinny should be excited and angry at thus being +much the same as told that he was a coward, and straightway he began +explaining how we lads fell upon him in overwhelming numbers, and how +impossible it was for him to make any outcry while we were marching him +through the streets. + +This explanation occupied so much time that I set about awakening Tim +and Sam, even as I had aroused Jeremy, and the expression on their +faces when they heard Skinny Baker talking would have been to me +comical in the extreme, but for our situation. + +A fellow cannot well laugh when he knows that within the next minute, +perhaps, he may find himself a prisoner, and therefore it was their +looks of surprise and dismay were passed by unheeded. + +When Skinny had told his story with great detail, and a vast amount +of untruth, one of the men asked as if it was a matter of little +importance to him: + +“And now having pointed out this boy as a rebel, what do you count +will become of him? Is it in your mind he shall be dealt with as a spy?” + +“Ay, that it is!” Skinny cried in a fury, and I could well fancy the +expression of hatred on the miserable cur’s face as he spoke. “How else +can he be dealt with after I have told the story of what he did?” + +“That is as those who hear you may be inclined to say whether you are +telling the truth in the interest of his majesty, or striving to pay +off a private grudge.” + +I could have hugged the man who made that suggestion, and really +believe I laughed inwardly when Skinny, now so angry that he could not +speak plainly, snarled: + +“They will believe me when I show what he has done. It is well known +he was among those who held me prisoner, and I can bring lads who will +swear he did his best to make them agree to become Minute Boys. If such +work as that doesn’t bring him to the gallows, then can every rebel in +Philadelphia do whatsoever he may without fear of coming to grief.” + +It was then another voice broke in, saying with a yawn, as if wearied +by the controversy: + +“Why shall we spend our breath talking of what may or may not be? +It simply remains with us to carry this boy into the city and lodge +him in the stone prison, after which we may go about our business, +and blooming glad shall I be, for this escorting children around the +country for the purpose of having them hanged later, is not to my +liking.” + +Then it was that Skinny would have repeated again the list of young +Chris’s crimes; but that one of the men interrupted him by saying: + +“We’ve heard that yarn once, and there is no need of your telling it +again. I am wondering why the prisoner holds his tongue.” + +That same thought was in my mind, for young Chris was never inclined +to remain silent when there was any provocation to wag his tongue, +and now, being almost the same as invited to defend himself, he said, +speaking like a man: + +“Much of what that Tory cur has said is true; a great deal is made +up out of whole cloth. We did take him prisoner, because while being +engaged in work of our own, he played the spy upon us, and we were +not minded he should run to tell the news broadcast over the town, +for it would look much as though we had been engaged in some unlawful +transaction. When we laid hands on him, the wretch was so frightened +that he did not dare defend himself even with his tongue. A lamb going +to the slaughter-house couldn’t have moved more peaceably or willingly. +The only regret I have is that he who has brought me into this trouble +was not a decent fellow, and surely you who have seen and heard him can +have a fairly good idea of what a cur he is.” + +Jeremy clutched my hand tightly as if to show how proud he was because +young Chris had spoken in such a manly fashion, and we lads looked +at each other in triumph, for of a verity we had never given the lad +credit for having so stiff a backbone. + +From the tone of the conversation among the lobster-backs which +followed, I could fancy our comrade had succeeded in gaining sympathy, +if no more, by his speech, and that Skinny Baker had fallen even lower +in their estimation than before; but nothing of consequence to us was +said. + +We now knew that young Chris was to be taken to the stone prison, and +if so be he was confined there rather than in the work-house, then we +might say with good reason that there was no chance whatsoever for us +to aid him. No matter how favourable the circumstances were, there +wasn’t a possibility we, even though with a dozen men like the Weaver +of Germantown to help us, could do aught toward effecting his release. + +However, we had at least learned his destination, which would prevent +us from wasting our time in trying to discover where he might be, and +this was no little gain. + +More than that, we had gotten some satisfaction from having thus +overheard the conversation between Skinny and the lobster-backs, since +it served to show us of what mettle young Chris was made, and if so +be it was permitted he should come from out his troubles, I said to +myself that never again would I doubt his courage, nor never once +raise my voice in reproach when, to my mind, he was speaking rashly or +foolishly. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TURNING THE TABLES + + +And now have I come to that part of my story which sounds like a fable +even to myself, although I had in it an active part. + +You can well fancy that we lads hidden in the cellar of that ruined +house, kept our ears wide open for any word or sound which might come +from the lobster-backs, and during mayhap five minutes after the +conversation ended, as I have already set down, we heard a movement as +if one or more of the men had risen to their feet and were lounging +away, evidently striving to make the time seemingly pass more quickly. + +Then a moment later came a similar noise, and we heard Skinny Baker ask +in a querulous tone: + +“What’s up now? Where are you fellows going?” + +“It may be that is none of your concern,” one of the men replied +sharply from a distance. “If so be we are forced to spend a certain +number of hours lounging around here waiting for our people to come up, +then do we propose to act our pleasure in the matter.” + +“But I am not to be left alone with the prisoner!” Skinny cried as if +in alarm, and one of the men replied with a laugh: + +“Are you so brave a lad as to be afraid of a fellow whose hands are +tied, and who, therefore, could not do you harm even though he be so +inclined, as I fancy he is? Surely you have enough of courage to stand +guard over a helpless prisoner who is hardly as large as yourself.” + +“It isn’t that I am afraid of him,” Skinny said in that whining tone +of his which always aggravated me; “but how do I know if some of the +rebels may not come this way while you are gone?” + +“It would be a reasonably active rebel who could get ’twixt us and our +force on either side. You are penned in here by his majesty’s troops, +my young coward, and no harm can come to you, although I am free to +confess it would not break my heart if you did see a little grief just +now, for I like not the road on which you are traveling.” + +Then all was silent, and Jeremy Hapgood gripped me by the hand until it +seemed almost as if his fingers would break through the flesh, while he +looked meaningly toward the opening that had formerly been the window +of the cellar, whereupon I understood full well that which was in the +lad’s mind. + +The lobster-backs had left Skinny alone with young Chris, and now was +come the moment, at a time we least expected it, when there was a +possibility of aiding our comrade. + +The only thing which might prevent us would be that the Britishers had +not gone out of sight, and as to that I determined to learn without +loss of time; for if peradventure we were to make an attempt at turning +the tables, then must our movements be quick--there were but few +seconds in which to figure how this plan or another might work. It +would be largely a matter of chance. + +And I intended on the instant to make that chance come my way if +possible. + +When I rose cautiously to my feet the eyes of my comrades were upon +me. They understood exactly that which was in my mind as I had divined +what Jeremy was thinking about, and even in the gloom I could see each +fellow nerving himself for a struggle, while I crept slowly forward +until it was possible, without too much risk of exposing myself, to +have a fairly good view of the outside. + +Much to my surprise, and greatly to my delight, not a lobster-back was +in sight. + +Because of being unable to see young Chris and Skinny, I counted that +they were sitting, most like, with their backs against the ruins just +at the right of the window, where they would be screened from view; but +as to their exact position I gave little heed. + +The only question in my mind was as to whether the Britishers had gone +so far away that we might make a bold dash to aid our friend. + +We were in the village of Germantown, and this cottage which had been +considerably more than half-burned by the enemy, stood amid, mayhap, +half a dozen others that were in much the same condition. + +I fancied, in order to explain to myself where the lobster-backs had +gone, that they were simply bent on seeing what their army had done in +the way of destruction. + +Now we had entered the cellar through this same window out of which I +was peering, and, so far as I knew, there was no other way by which we +could leave the place. + +It would mean failure and probable capture if we attempted to crawl +through the aperture in plain sight of Skinny Baker, for while I was +not afraid of that Tory cur when he was alone, I knew that instead of +standing up to give us battle, he would run off screaming to summon the +Britishers. + +Our only hope of making this venture a success, was to creep up on him, +but how that could be done I failed for the instant to see. + +It was Jeremy Hapgood who solved the question, for while I stood +there gazing out, thinking, rather than striving to see anything in +particular, he clutched me by the coat-sleeve, and, turning, I saw that +all my comrades had gathered close around me, whereupon I moved away +from the window half a dozen paces, motioning them to follow. + +When we were so far away that there was little danger Skinny might +overhear what we said, I put into words that which was in my mind. + +Without waiting to make reply, Jeremy began running around the walls of +the cellar like a dog who is on the scent of game, and before one could +have counted twenty he halted suddenly, motioning with his hand for us +to come up. + +When we stood by his side the matter was as clear as a pikestaff, for +there before us was an aperture where the walls had crumbled away, most +like under the heat, through which we might have crawled in couples. + +This was at the rear of the building, so that if we came into the open +we would be to the right of Skinny, and screened from his view by the +ruins of the building. + +You may well suppose that we did not linger after finding this opening. + +Jeremy would have pressed forward to be the first out, and in so doing +have been exposed to the greatest danger, for we could not say but that +the lobster-backs might be within a few paces from where we emerged. I +pulled him back roughly. + +As captain of the Minute Boys, it was not only my right, but my duty, +to take upon myself the greater share of the danger, and when he would +have quarrelled with me because of preventing him from sacrificing +his liberty, perhaps, if not his life, I heeded neither the words nor +the looks; but pushed out through the opening as rapidly as possible, +coming to a stop when my body was half in and half out of the cellar to +have a look around, for I was not minded to go too blindly into what +might prove to be a trap. + +There was more of surprise than of pleasure in my mind when I noted +the fortunate fact that not a living being was in sight. The day had +well-nigh come to a close. Already the sun was sinking behind the +distant hills, and I could not believe the Britishers who were guarding +Skinny, would remain absent very long, for there could be no pleasure +in poking around the ruins of a half-burned village in the darkness. + +Therefore it was I crept outside as rapidly as possible, and when +Jeremy’s head and shoulders appeared in the aperture, I urged him along +by pulling at his coat collar until I brought him out sprawling like a +crab, Timothy’s head appearing at the very instant Jeremy’s feet were +in the open air. + +In less time than it has taken me to tell it, we four lads were out +of the cellar, standing behind the ruins for a single instant before +making the rush. + +Then it was that I said to my comrades: + +“Timothy and I will go around to the left until we have come to that +corner nearest where young Chris is lying. The other two shall stand +ready to leap out at the same moment we do, and if all of us move +swiftly, then have I the idea that we may prevent Skinny Baker from +making any outcry whatsoever.” + +Without waiting to learn what the other lads might think of this plan, +I clutched Timothy by the arm, forcing him to follow me while I went at +the swiftest pace possible with due heed to avoid making a noise, and +when we were come to that corner of the ruins where it was possible to +get a glimpse of Skinny, I saw Jeremy’s head protruding from around the +charred timbers at the other end. + +Thus far we had seen nothing whatsoever of the lobster-backs, and even +though they had been close at hand, verily do I believe we would have +made an attempt at a rescue just then, so thoroughly wrought up and +excited were we by the possibility of aiding our comrade. + +On the instant I saw that Jeremy was ready, I leaped forward, and +fortune favoured me insomuch that Skinny was sitting near the window +on my side of the building, so close to where I was standing that with +one bound I was upon the fellow, jamming my hand over his mouth while I +strove to ward off the blows which the Tory cur was trying to deal me +full in the face. + +Now it may seem odd; but at that moment I had more of a friendly +feeling in my heart for Skinny Baker than ever before, because, for the +first time in his life, did I see him show some signs of manliness. +Therefore when he struggled with me I was glad to learn he had a drop +or two of blood in his body which was not cowardly. + +There was little time, however, for Skinny to show any resistance. In a +twinkling Jeremy was upon him, and while I held the fellow’s mouth so +that he could make no outcry, my comrade pulled the coat from his back, +tying it around the Tory’s mouth and head in such a fashion that verily +I was afraid he might be stifled, therefore would have loosened the +rough bandage, but Jeremy whispered hoarsely: + +“Do not be too tender hearted, Richard Salter. It is in my mind that no +great harm would be done if this Tory did stifle, although I haven’t +the heart to kill him in cold blood.” + +While Jeremy and I were engaged in fettering the prisoner, Tim and Sam +were not idle. They had cut the bonds that bound young Chris’s hands, +and were hustling the lad back to the place from which we had come, +gaining the shelter of the corner of the building just as Jeremy and I +completed our task. + +Up to this moment there had been no thought in my mind as to what we +should do if peradventure we succeeded in rescuing young Chris. + +Now, however, the matter came to me as one of greatest importance, and +even while we were dragging Skinny back on the path our comrades had +traversed, did I very nearly come to a halt in trying to decide this +vital question. + +The Britishers, as we knew, were in front of us, or, in other words, +at Philadelphia in great force. Because of what the lobster-backs said +when they lounged away leaving Skinny alone, we had reason to believe a +certain portion of that force which counted on taking General Lafayette +prisoner, was at the time in our rear, bound for the city, and either +course we might take was likely to lead us directly into the arms of +those who served the king. + +It was fortunate that Jeremy had no doubt in his mind as to exactly +what should be done. He continued on, dragging Skinny behind him, while +I, still clutching the Tory cur by one arm, naturally followed until we +were come to the place from which we had emerged, and there found Tim +and Sam, having forced Chris to go ahead, already creeping under cover. + +It was no more than natural we should follow, and therefore, without +any deliberation or intent on my part, was our plan for the immediate +future settled upon. + +We were forced to shove Skinny through like a log of wood, Jeremy going +ahead to pull him by the shoulders while I pushed at the fellow’s feet, +and when he dropped with a thud to the floor of the cellar, I followed, +asking in my mind whether we were not much the same as voluntarily +entering a trap by thus hiding in a place from which it would be a +simple matter for the lobster-backs to take us, if so be they knew +where we were hidden. + +However, as I said to myself in order to still the doubts which were +rising in my mind, there was no other course just then to be pursued. +Go in whatsoever direction we might from that village of Germantown, +and there was every reason to believe we would come upon the enemy, +after which there could be no hope of escape, therefore even though we +were captured within the next ten minutes, was this our only place of +refuge. + +A quarter-hour had not passed from the time Jeremy called to my +attention the fact that the lobster-backs were leaving Skinny and +his prisoner alone, when we were all in the cellar again, and after +clasping young Chris heartily by the hand to show how rejoiced I +was that we had thus far succeeded--although he must have known it +without the telling,--I set about striving to make Skinny Baker more +comfortable, or, in other words, to render it less liable for him to be +stifled. + +In this work Timothy aided me by tearing off one of the Tory cur’s +coat-sleeves and tying it around the end of a stick, thereby making a +fairly good gag, which we took care to place between the fellow’s jaws +in such a manner that he could not work it loose. + +Then, propping him up against the wall of the cellar where he would be +hidden from view of any who might be curious enough to look inside, we +Minute Boys gathered in one corner of the hiding place to indulge in +not a little crowing because we had succeeded so well in turning the +tables. + +As a matter of course, we were eager to learn how young Chris had been +made a prisoner, and the story was soon told. + +He had not been so fortunate as the rest of us in finding a horse; but +was forced to make his way from Philadelphia toward Barren Hill on +foot, and that the lad travelled swiftly we knew from the fact that he +arrived within four or five miles of General Lafayette’s position an +hour after sunrise. + +Believing himself to be far in advance of the Britishers, he ceased to +exercise that caution which he should have maintained, and gave little +or no heed to what might be going on about him, when suddenly he came +upon a full regiment of red-coats, which had halted, probably awaiting +orders. + +Even then he might have succeeded in persuading those who questioned +him, for as a matter of course he was seized immediately, that he +lived nearabout and had simply ventured there out of curiosity; but +it so chanced that that miserable cur of a Skinny Baker was with the +regiment, and on getting a glimpse of young Chris, immediately cried +out that he was a lad whom General Howe had long been seeking to make +prisoner. + +Now why Skinny should have been with a regiment of soldiers, for he was +not a favourite either with the Britishers or the Tories, and certainly +not with rebels, I failed to understand, save that he must have come +from curiosity alone. + +I dare venture to say that all the Tories in Philadelphia understood at +about the time our people gave them the famous scare, or immediately +afterwards, that a move against the American army was about to be made, +and, as we know, Skinny was abroad that night, therefore it would have +been a simple matter for him to have tailed on behind the first moving +regiment he chanced upon. + +At all events, how he happened to be there was of little consequence. +That he was there resulted in young Chris’s being made prisoner and +thus held throughout all the day, forced to march here and there +while Skinny kept close at his side, jeering now and then, and +again threatening as to what should be done when they got back to +Philadelphia. + +“If I could have smashed his face with my fist, it wouldn’t have +seemed quite so bad,” young Chris said, interrupting himself in the +story; “but my arms had been tied behind my back, as you found me, and +therefore I could do no more than bite my tongue, promising myself at +some later day, if so be I lived, that Skinny Baker would repent the +moment when he delivered me over to the lobster-backs.” + +[Illustration: IN A TWINKLING JEREMY WAS UPON HIM.] + +“I dare say you didn’t bite your tongue so badly but that you could +give him as good as he sent,” Jeremy interrupted grimly, and young +Chris replied, as if regretting having been so cautious: + +“I thought it best not to make overly much talk, for there was no +telling what the lobster-backs might do by way of punishment, therefore +I let the Tory villain continue as he would.” + +Well, it seems, as I have already said, that young Chris, with Skinny +guarding him by way of amusement, was marched here and there at the +tail of the regiment, until about four o’clock in the afternoon, when +suddenly a messenger came up to the commanding officer, whereupon a +guard of four men was detailed to take the prisoner back as far as +Germantown, there to await the coming of the troops. + +That was young Chris’s story, and, as I had feared earlier in the day, +his capture was brought about through his own carelessness, for verily +a lad who would press on blindly at a time when he had every reason +to believe the enemy might be close about him, was much the same as +wickedly foolish. + +However, the mistake had been corrected in some slight degree. Young +Chris was free, so far as being able to move around the cellar was +concerned, and Skinny had changed places with him; but now were we all +in the gravest danger, for within five or ten minutes--say half an hour +at the longest, the lobster-backs would return. + +Failing to find their prisoner, it was only reasonable to suppose +they would make careful search, whereupon our hiding place must be +discovered. We were free as are rats in a trap; that is to say, we +could crawl about at will, but were painfully confined as to the scope +of our movements. + +“We are bound to be taken as soon as the guard comes back,” young Chris +said as he brought his story to a close, and added while glancing +toward the prisoner, “If I want to pay the debt I owe Skinny Baker, +it’s time to set about it.” + +“What do you count on doing?” I asked in alarm. + +“Giving that Tory cur such a lesson that he won’t be able to forget +it in short order, and unless I begin the work now, am I likely to be +interrupted before it is finished.” + +“But surely, young Chris, you don’t count on striking a helpless +prisoner?” I cried, catching him by the arm, and he answered me +fiercely, thus showing that in telling the story he had not given us +all the details: + +“I shall be doing no differently from what he has done a dozen times +this day. I am minded that he shall know full well what it means to be +pummeled when a fellow can’t help himself!” + +As a matter of fact, I had no right to interfere between young Chris +and the Tory villain. The lad had suffered through Skinner Baker during +the day, and I could not wonder that he was burning to make reprisals, +yet although I hated that little sneak quite as much as did he, it +would have pained me severely to see him set upon while he could not +raise a hand in his own defence. + +Fortunately, however, I was not called upon to interfere between young +Chris and the prisoner, for at that moment Jeremy, who had seemingly +been plunged in a brown study during all the time of the story-telling, +whispered hoarsely to me as he laid a restraining hand on Chris’s +shoulder: + +“Why should we sit here waiting for the lobster-backs to come and take +us in custody, as they surely will, for this cellar is bound to be the +first place searched when they find that the prisoner is missing.” + +“And what may we do?” I asked with a laugh which had in it nothing of +mirth. “If so be you can point out the direction in which we stand one +single chance out of a hundred of escaping the enemy, then am I ready +to strive for that one possibility,” I replied sharply, for it seemed +to me at the moment as if Jeremy was talking veriest nonsense. + +Then the lad motioned toward the charred timbers above our heads, +which lay as they had fallen when the building was burned, and even +then I failed to understand what he strove to convey, until he said +impatiently: + +“Among those burned timbers are hiding places for a dozen lads like us, +and of a verity we are needing a refuge, therefore why should we sit +here listening to stories which can be told at any time, when we have +the opportunity to put ourselves out of the way so snugly?” + +Even then I doubted as to whether we might conceal ourselves there, or, +if once hidden among the timbers, the lobster-backs could not bring us +out. + +However, there was a chance, if so be we were able to crawl among the +ruins, and straightway all us lads set about making search for some +means of getting to the top of the cellar, where the timbers were +lodged like jackstraws just thrown on a table ready for the player. + +Within five minutes I saw that Jeremy’s scheme was possible of +execution. That we could hide ourselves there seemed certain; but +whether it might be done in such fashion that the lobster-backs could +not find us, was another matter which would be settled later. + +However, as to this last there was no good reason for anxiety. He who +crosses a bridge before he comes to it is indeed foolish. + +Our first task was to find an aperture amid the ruins into which we +could thrust Skinny Baker, and you can well fancy that we lost no time +in making the search. + +When we had climbed up on the cellar wall where we could have a view +of that mass of half-burned timbers, I saw that fifty boys might have +concealed themselves from view, and whispered to Jeremy and Chris to +pass me the prisoner, which they speedily did, handling him with as +little care as if he had been a log of wood. + +As a matter of course he could make no protest, owing to the gag which +forced his jaws wide apart; but there was a look of terror in his eyes +which I could see even in the darkness, and I understood that the +cowardly cur believed he was come very near to his death. + +After we had hidden the prisoner young Chris gave himself no concern +regarding anything save keeping near Skinny Baker, and I heard him +whisper in the coward’s ear as he laid himself down alongside the lad: + +“Here am I counting to stay, Skinny, and if so be your friends, the +lobster-backs, are like to take me prisoner, I intend to choke the +life out of your worthless body before I am carried away again.” + +Of course Skinny could make no reply; but it was a simple matter to +fancy the expression of terror which came over the scoundrel’s face, +for he must have known, as did I, by young Chris’s tone, that he would +keep his threat to the letter. + +We were all hidden amid the timbers before there came from the outside +any token that the Britishers had returned, and then it was my heart +much the same as leaped into my mouth, when I heard one of the +lobster-backs cry sharply: + +“Where are the lads?” + +“Where you left them, of course,” another voice replied from a +distance, and the first speaker said in a tone very like that of alarm: + +“But they are not here! It must be that some of the rebel force are +nearabout, else how could they have got away, for certain it is that +the Tory lad would hold on to the boy he was so eager to see hanged, +unless separated from him by force.” + +Then was come the time, so I said to myself, when we would be dragged +out from our hiding place, for there was no question whatsoever in my +mind but that the soldiers would immediately search the cellar, since +it was the only spot nearabout where we might have taken refuge. + +It was all very well for the lobster-backs, while they were safe in +Philadelphia and in such large force that there was little danger our +people could do aught of harm against them, to cry out that our army +was nothing more than rag-tag and bobtail which might be wiped out of +existence whenever they were so disposed; but the fact remained that +every Britisher, and I’ll not except General Howe himself, had a +wholesome dread and fear of these same rebels. + +And it was this same fear to which we owed our escape, for when the +first soldier suggested that some of the rebel army must be in the +vicinity, his comrades were greatly alarmed, as could be told by the +sound of their voices when they came together near the building to +discuss the matter. + +We could not hear their words; but had good reason for believing they +were more disturbed in mind regarding what might happen to themselves, +than because of the loss of the prisoner. + +When mayhap five minutes had passed the cold chill of fear ran up and +down my spine, for then I understood from the noise that one of the +lobster-backs was crawling in through the cellar window, and there was +no doubt in my mind but that they had decided to make a search of the +ruins with the expectation of finding us. + +That they would come upon us was almost absolutely certain, if any +decent kind of a search was made, and I said to myself that before the +sun had risen again, would I have a taste of what we rebels were called +upon to suffer when in the hands of that villainous jailor, Cunningham. + +Jeremy, who was lying two feet or more away from me, reached out his +hand to touch me on the shoulder as if by way of sympathy, and I +believe there was in his mind much the same as had come to mine. + +We could hear the second soldier entering; then the third and the +fourth, and I waited, holding my hand over my heart lest its loud +beating should give token of our whereabouts, for them to begin their +work; but to my surprise and utter amazement, instead of making any +search whatsoever of the cellar, they were seemingly content with +crouching on the floor where we lads had been hidden while they were on +the outside. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and yet they remained motionless, +conversing in whispers. Then, suddenly, it was only with the greatest +difficulty I could prevent myself from laughing aloud, for now it was +I understood that these brave soldiers of the uniform of the king were +hiding, fearing lest that rag-tag and bobtail of an army was near +enough to do them harm. + +There was seemingly no longer in their minds any thought of the +prisoner whom they ought to have guarded, or of the approaching force +that should have been warned if indeed the Americans were nearabouts; +but only the desire to save their own skins. + +Now indeed were they playing much the same part that we rebels had been +forced to play, and I shook Jeremy by the shoulder again and again, +striving to make him understand how much of mirth there was in my heart +because the lobster-backs were so completely fooled. + +It did not seem possible they could remain there many moments in hiding +without coming to understand somewhat of the truth, and yet never a +move was made by them as the moments passed. + +At first they talked in whispers, as if fearing some of that rag-tag +and bobtail might be lurking close around outside, and then, when +nothing came to harm their precious bodies, they were less guarded in +speech, while we lay there shaking with mirth to hear them discussing +the chances of being able to rejoin their regiment. + +As the time passed, however, these valiant soldiers of the king came +to have some little regard for the safety of their fellows, and began +speculating as to how it might be possible to give warning that the +Americans were close about in the vicinity of Germantown. + +One man faintly suggested that some other rather than himself, go +out to meet the regiment which it was known would soon come into the +village; but no fellow among them was disposed to take upon himself +such a dangerous task. + +Then came that suggestion which drove from my mind all thought of +merriment, and sent the blood cold through every vein. + +“We might set these half-burned buildings on fire, and our people, +seeing the flames, would know that the rebels were somewhere nearabout, +or at least be cautious in their advance.” + +“And what about ourselves?” one of the men asked, whereupon he who had +made this suggestion which was like, if carried out, to bring to a +speedy end the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, replied: + +“We can doubtless find many such a hiding place as this, for ruins are +plenty nearabout. At all events, the light of the flames will give the +alarm, and our forces must of a certainty come up from Philadelphia to +learn the meaning of the fire.” + +They discussed the matter from every point, but dwelling chiefly upon +their own safety, until having fully decided to build a fire under the +charred timbers, go out through the cellar window, and trust to fortune +for keeping clear of the American force which their imaginations had +conjured up. + +Then I strove as never before, to decide whether we should take the +chances of a hand-to-hand struggle with four men who were armed, while +we had not even a club in the way of a weapon, or remain there amid the +timbers to be burned like mice in the grass. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A WARM PLACE + + +It is needless for me to say my comrades had heard the same which +came to my ears, and I had good proof that at least one of them was +seriously disturbed in mind, when Jeremy clutched me by the shoulder +so suddenly and with such a grip that it was all I could do to prevent +myself from crying outright. + +Until this moment Skinny Baker had made no attempt at throwing out the +gag which was fastened so securely, nor had he resisted me in any way; +but now it was that he began to squirm about vigorously, as if using +all his strength in an effort to free himself from the bonds, for the +cowardly cur began to understand there was good chance he would be +burned to death by those same lobster-backs whom he counted as his +friends. + +As a matter of course I understood, as did we all, that if so be the +Britishers set fire to the ruins while we were among the timbers, then +there was no help for us save we came out to struggle empty-handed +against armed men, which would be much the same as delivering ourselves +over as prisoners. + +The one question was, what we should do, and that, I realized, remained +for me to answer since I called myself the captain of the Minute Boys; +but for the life of me I could hit upon no plan whatsoever. + +To make any attempt at a battle with these lobster-backs was worse +than useless; we had far better walk out humbly and deliver ourselves +into their hands, than stand the chance of being mauled about cruelly +without hope of gaining anything whatsoever in the fight. + +There was little time for a fellow to cast about him as to the +best course, even if there was any best in that situation, because +straightway, without further argument, the lobster-backs began moving +here and there in search of dry stuff with which to kindle a blaze, +and there was no question that within the next five minutes our frail +hiding place would be in flames. + +Meanwhile Jeremy was gripping me yet more tightly by the shoulder, and +I, irritated by this seeming insistence that I should say what ought to +be done, moved ever so cautiously toward him until I could speak in his +very ear, when I asked impatiently: + +“What would you have me do? What chance have we, save to go out and +give ourselves up?” + +“That is to be done only at the last minute,” the lad replied in a +cautious tone, and I added angrily: + +“Is it in your mind that the last moment has not yet come? It seems to +me we are at the end of our tether. There yet remains the poor hope of +fighting, with the certainty of being made prisoners.” + +“I would do nothing of the kind,” Jeremy replied, and although he spoke +in a whisper I fancied I detected in his tone a ring of hope. “When +the fire has been kindled the lobster-backs must, perforce, leave the +cellar without loss of time.” + +“Ay, and then shall we remain here to burn, or to follow them, as seems +for the moment best,” I added despondently, for I no longer had any +hope whatsoever. + +“We shall at least be able to remain alive during a few moments, +and if so be death must come, it will not overtake us while the +lobster-backs can gloat over our sufferings,” the lad said, and I asked +incredulously, for his words, so far as he had spoken, seemed most +foolish: + +“Then you would remain here in hiding until they have done their will?” +I asked. + +“Ay, until they have built the fire, and after that there is still +a fighting chance. You must remember there is more than one opening +through which we can leave this trap, and I count on taking the risk +rather than giving myself up like a lamb to the slaughter,” Jeremy +replied boldly, and at the same time he kicked Skinny vigorously as +token that the Tory cur must cease his struggles, else might the +lobster-backs have token of our whereabouts before they had made ready +to depart. + +If it so chances that anyone reads these lines which I have set down, +then I would ask him to strive in his imagination to put himself in our +place just for a moment. + +Directly below us were four soldiers making ready to build a fire, +most likely under the very spot where we were hidden, and if Jeremy +Hapgood’s plan was carried out, then must we suffer from smoke as well +as heat until the Britishers had left the place. The cellar, at its +deepest part, was not more than five feet, and such a blaze as they +were likely to kindle would reach us almost at the same moment it +fastened itself upon the timbers, therefore were we likely to get a +scorching before the flames had made any headway, if peradventure we +were not first stifled by the smoke. + +However, I was of the mind to do as Jeremy had said. From the time +this company of Minute Boys had been formed, his was ever the wisest +judgment regarding what should or should not be done, and verily even +though it had been young Chris who suggested it, must I have followed +the plan because there was none other, save that of meekly yielding +ourselves prisoners. + +It seemed to me that the lobster-backs had no sooner begun hunting for +dry wood than the fire was started, and, as I had feared, the first +tongues of flame, which came up from a huge pile of charred lumber they +had dragged together, appeared between the timbers almost directly +beneath where I lay, therefore was it that my situation seemed likely +to prove the most disagreeable, if not the most dangerous. + +Meanwhile Skinny continued to struggle as best he might, Jeremy and +Tim kicking him now and then; but without avail. The Tory cur was so +frightened, as well he might be, that he gave no heed to the punishment +inflicted upon him by our lads, but thought only of what seemed a +fact--that he, as well as we, would be burned until we were dead. + +I strove to divert my mind from the pain and from the danger, by +listening intently for the movements of the soldiers, and soon came +to understand that they had lost no time in crawling out through the +cellar window. + +Jeremy had been equally watchful, for when the last fellow went +through the aperture he began crawling toward the end of the timbers +where they had lodged against the cellar wall on the north side, and +at the same time he dragged the struggling Tory with him, as if having +more care to save Skinny Baker from pain than to shield himself. + +I would have followed close on his heels but that young Chris had begun +to move almost at the same moment, and, following him, went Tim and +Sam, therefore was I left the last, as most like was right, since I +counted myself to be the leader and therefore should occupy the post of +greatest danger or greatest pain. + +While Jeremy dragged at Skinny, the other lads pushed the fellow along, +taking no special heed as to gentleness, and even while the smoke was +curling above me, causing my throat to smart and my eyes to burn, I had +a feeling of gratification that the Tory cur was suffering even more +than were we, for in addition to the discomfort caused by the blaze, +was the rough handling he received from those who were trying to force +him into a place of comparative safety. + +I have no very clear idea of how I came out amid the network of timbers +to the bottom of the cellar, and there lay at full length with my face +pressed against the floor of beaten earth, striving to free my lungs +from smoke. + +The lads afterward told me that I would have smothered to death, +but for their pulling at me even as they had at Skinny, because, +before Sam, who was next ahead of me, had gotten out, I was well-nigh +suffocated and had nearly lost consciousness. + +It was Jeremy who forced me to get to my feet that we might go to the +other end of the cellar, where was the aperture through which we had +crept when making ready for the attack upon Skinny, and once there we +were able to breathe the comparatively fresh air, giving the greatest +relief, I think, I ever experienced in all my life. + +The cellar was not large. Already were the timbers aflame and the heat +was growing exceeding painful, yet we gave little or no heed to it, +owing to the pleasure of filling our lungs with that sweet night air. + +I noted that the gag had been taken from Skinny’s mouth, and young +Chris, the last member of the party whom I would have credited with +kindly feelings toward the Tory cur, explained, when he saw I noticed +the fact, that he had removed it with threats to kill the lad if +he made an outcry, because of wanting to save him from the pain of +suffocation such as we had all experienced. + +During an instant I believed such a move to be unwise in the +extreme, for Skinny had but to raise his voice in order to give the +lobster-backs to understand that someone remained in the cellar; but +Jeremy whispered: + +“Have no fear he will try to give an alarm. He knows full well what +will be the result, for I have promised to kill him in cold blood if +he makes the slightest noise, and, besides, he is so nearly suffocated +that I question if he could do very much more than squeak.” + +Well, we stood there breathing in the sweet air, and feeling +uncomfortably warm, while one might have counted twenty, and then I +was so far recovered from the effects of the smoke as to realize that +now was come the time when we must run some risks if we would save +ourselves from a most painful death. + +Therefore it was I said to the lads, not fearing to speak in an +ordinary tone because the crackling of the flames would drown my voice +from any who might be outside: + +“I count on venturing forth now. If so be you hear an outcry, then +look about you for some other means of escape, even though I question +if there be any, for you will know that I have been taken prisoner. +If peradventure the coast be clear, you shall hear of it at once, and +must follow without loss of time, for if we are to make our escape this +night, it is to be done in short order, before the flames have gotten +sufficient headway to light up the village.” + +No one made any attempt at staying me as I crept out through the +aperture. All knew that this was the only course to be pursued, and +perhaps he who might be taken prisoner by the Britishers would suffer +even less than those who remained behind too long. + +So eager was I to learn what we might expect on the outside, that I +gave but little heed to caution, forcing myself out through the narrow +opening as rapidly as possible, and once beyond the wall of the cellar, +I stood up, regardless of whoever might see me, in order to have a +better view of the surroundings. + +Verily it seemed as if the same kindly fortune which had watched over +us thus far, still had us lads in mind, for never a living being was +in sight. The lobster-backs must have fled in the opposite direction, +and if so be we could get beyond the rays of light within a short time, +then was there yet a possibility of our going free. + +I could have cried aloud with joy because of this fortunate +circumstance; but there was no time in which to rejoice just then, and, +bending down with my face to the aperture, I said hurriedly to Jeremy, +who was standing by to learn what I might have discovered: + +“No one is in sight. Come as quickly as you can, for as yet the flames +are not casting any light in this direction, the ruins being afire only +at the further end.” + +There was no need for me to say more. Almost before I had ceased +speaking was Skinny Baker thrust through without ceremony, and as he +came out much like a log of wood, I grasped him by the throat lest he +make an outcry. + +“You needn’t fear that I’ll try to do you any harm,” the cowardly cur +said whimperingly when I relaxed my hold sufficiently for him to speak. +“I have had enough of this fighting for the king, and am done with it +from now on.” + +“Don’t fancy for a single moment, Skinny Baker, that I or any of our +party are afraid of what you may do, and as regards your fighting for +the king, you never have done so thus far. Your work, whatsoever it has +been, was that of a sneak’s, and if you fancy I am inclined to believe +you are done with meddling in this trouble ’twixt the king and the +colonies, then you take me for a greater simple than I really am.” + +By this time the other lads were out of the cellar, and Jeremy seized +Skinny by one arm while I held him by the other, forcing him to bend +low that we might thereby stand less chance of being seen. + +Then we three, followed by our comrades, ran at full speed straight +away from this place of refuge which had like to have been our tomb, +heeding not where we went so that we might gain the cover of darkness +amid the bushes beyond. + +I believe we ran a full half-mile without stopping, and then were come +to a bunch of willows growing by the side of a small brook, where we +threw ourselves down, not only to rest and regain breath, but to decide +upon some course of action, for this travelling at random was like to +be dangerous work while the Britishers were nearabout, as we had good +reason for believing. + +However, the enemy was not so near our halting place that we could hear +or see anything of him, and straightway, as soon as it was possible to +speak, Jeremy said to me: + +“I’m thinking, Richard, that our best course is to make an attempt at +getting to Valley Forge, unless the lads are minded that we shall set +this Tory free.” + +“That we won’t do,” young Chris cried quickly and stoutly. “I am +determined that he shall be held a prisoner so long as pleases me, even +though I take the chances of going to the gallows every hour in the +day.” + +“But what will you do with him?” Jeremy asked, and I replied: + +“We might send him to Valley Forge, and if so be the Weaver of +Germantown yet remains there, I guarantee that he will hold him close +prisoner during a certain time at least.” + +“_Send_ him back,” Timothy repeated. “Have you no idea of going +yourself, Richard Salter?” + +“No,” I replied, and my plans were made on the instant. “We were +ordered to go back to Philadelphia that we might be there in case +of need, and I count on obeying the command, regardless of any such +miserable whelp as Skinny Baker.” + +“I will go with you, as a matter of course,” Jeremy said quietly, as +if there could have been no question as to what he would do. “Why not +let the other lads take charge of Skinny, and find their way either to +Swede’s Ford, or Valley Forge, as the case may be?” + +Not only did this appear to be a good plan, but it was the only thing +I could think of at the moment. Although it was impossible to guess +how we might be of service to the colonies when we were once hiding in +the Jolly Tar inn, I felt that we must go there because of having been +sent, and owing to the fact that the Weaver of Germantown, believing us +to be there, might lay out some important work for us to do. + +It would be more easy for two of us to gain that hiding place while +the lobster-backs were stirred up, as we had every reason to believe +they must be, than for the entire party, and surely we could not hope +to take Skinny with us, nor would it be safe to make the attempt. As I +looked at the matter, I could say in the words of the old adage, that +the game was not worth the candle. + +Better that Tory scoundrel went free and unpunished, than that we +should fail of being at our post of duty whenever we were needed, and +just at the moment I had little care what became of Skinny; but young +Chris settled the matter without much parley, by saying: + +“I am more inclined for Valley Forge than Philadelphia, just now, and +count that Skinny shall have ample knowledge of what it means to be +a prisoner. If so be none of the rest of you are of the same mind, I +shall go on with him alone; but certain it is that whatever plans you +may make, it will be necessary to count me out, unless they are formed +with the idea of holding this young cur in our power.” + +“Timothy and Sam shall go with you,” I replied promptly, as if having +already decided upon such course. “Jeremy and I will strike out for +Philadelphia, and if so be you come upon the Weaver of Germantown in +the camp, tell him that we count on gaining the Jolly Tar inn if we +live sufficiently long.” + +Then I would have given the lads instructions as to how they should +proceed, and perhaps very much advice that might not have been of any +avail, for it seemed to me that as captain of the Minute Boys it was +my duty to instruct each and every one of them, even though they might +know more concerning the matter under discussion than did I; but young +Chris was not minded to listen. + +His one fear was that the Britishers might come stealthily upon us, +thus giving Skinny an opportunity to escape, and just at that time the +baker’s son had more care to holding the young Tory prisoner, than he +had for his own safety. + +Without a word of farewell, or even waiting to learn what Tim and Sam +thought of the proposition, he pulled Skinny Baker roughly to his feet +and started off, crossing the stream and going, as I fancied, in the +direction of the river, which would be his proper course since it must +bring him directly to Swede’s Ford, from which place he could get +information as to the location of Valley Forge. + +“I suppose it is our duty to follow him,” Tim said ruefully as he rose +to his feet. “You are right, Richard, about its being easier for two +lads to go through the city of Philadelphia just now, than for five, +therefore am I minded to do as you commanded; but it would please me +much better to share with you and Jeremy all the dangers.” + +“There is an equal amount of danger in making the attempt to gain +Valley Forge,” I replied, striving hard to speak in a cheery tone. “You +know full well that the Britishers are nearabout; they may be between +us and Swede’s Ford even now, therefore are you as likely to come upon +them to your grief, as are Jeremy and I.” + +Tim turned quickly and followed young Chris, as indeed he had need to, +for the baker’s son was moving so swiftly that in a few seconds he +would have been lost to view in the gloom. + +Then Sam wheeled about as if unwillingly, and finally he also +disappeared from our view, while Jeremy and I lay there on the ground, +each striving to read the thoughts of the other concerning the attempt +to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for verily, after all that had happened, it +would be a most dangerous venture. + +By this time our late hiding place was in flames; we could see in the +distance the sky lighted up as if by a great conflagration, telling +that more than one of the ruins had been fired by the lobster-backs, +and there was every reason to believe that their scheme of alarming +the Britishers in Philadelphia would be successful. + +At that particular time, after having been nearly frightened to death +and then outwitted by a mere boy, General Howe would not be in an +enviable mood, and I could well fancy that all in the city who wore +the king’s uniform and carried muskets, would be called out to defend +his high mightiness against the rag-tag and bobtail that were suddenly +becoming so active. + +Were it not that I must cut this story short because of knowing that +the time is near at hand when I, who am now regularly enlisted in the +Continental army, will be called upon for service, I could set down +many words concerning our efforts to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for the +way was not smooth nor readily traversed. + +I hardly need say that we followed down the river, not only because it +seemed to us to be out of the way of the Britishers, if so be they came +up to Germantown to learn the cause of the conflagration, but also that +we might come upon the city on a course that was familiar to us. + +Even though we were thus beyond what would naturally be the line of +march for those who were going to Germantown, did we come upon squad +after squad, company after company, of lobster-backs, who were hurrying +forward as if believing the Americans were ready to give them battle. + +At such times Jeremy and I hid ourselves in the thicket, or plunged +into the river and remained there with only our heads above the +surface, oftentimes forced to halt a full hour until the enemy had +passed. + +When morning came we were yet a considerable distance from our +destination, and it was not needed any should tell us that we must +remain in hiding during the hours of daylight. + +We went back from the river near to half a mile before finding a +thicket which would seem to serve our purpose, and there, without food, +and suffering from the heat, for the day was exceeding warm even though +so early in the spring, we remained with more or less of patience until +another night had come, when we set out, forced to make many a detour +before finally arriving at the tavern. + +We gained the rear of the building early in the morning--perhaps two +o’clock,--and it was in my mind that we would not be able to arouse +Master Targe without danger of being overheard by some of his Tory +neighbours; but, greatly to my surprise, no sooner had I tapped on the +door ever so gently, than it was opened, and the sour-visaged landlord +bade us enter quickly that he might not seem to have his inn open at +such an hour. + +“Were you expecting us, Master Targe?” I asked in surprise, and he +replied gruffly: + +“I counted on your being here last night.” + +“Why could you have supposed we would have come then?” Jeremy asked in +amazement, and the man gave answer as if he was unwilling even to speak: + +“Those of us who are striving to lend a hand to the colonies, have +means of communicating with each other now and then. You lads must not +hug to yourselves the idea that you are the only messengers which come +’twixt Philadelphia and Valley Forge. Now you will get into the room +you know so well, in order to be prepared for to-morrow’s work.” + +“Do you know what there may be for us to do, sir?” I asked in +astonishment, yet striving to figure out how this man could have heard +that we should have arrived the night previous. + +“You will be told when the time for work comes,” was all the reply he +would make, and when we made to linger, he actually forced us along +the passage and up the stairs as if afraid we might be seen by someone +already in the house, or that we might see more than he intended for +our eyes. + +I took notice of the fact that Master Targe locked the chamber door on +the outside, thus making us much the same as prisoners, and although we +had good reason for knowing the innkeeper was a friend to the Cause, +else the Weaver of Germantown would not have made of this house a +rendezvous, yet was there an unpleasant suspicion in my mind that foul +play might be intended, therefore I said as much to Jeremy when we had +thrown ourselves down on the bed of straw. + +“There is neither need nor sense in borrowing trouble, Richard Salter. +We have been sent to this place, and I would have come even though +knowing beyond a peradventure that Master Targe was a Tory who would +do us all the harm in his power. We have obeyed orders as Minute Boys +should, and without question, therefore, since we have been so lucky as +to escape the lobster-backs all the way from Germantown here, let us be +satisfied.” + +“I can easily be satisfied with what we ourselves have done, and at +the same time feel disagreeable in mind concerning the future,” was +my reply; but Jeremy had no mind to continue the conversation, and +within five minutes his loud breathing told that he had fallen asleep, +therefore I could do no less than follow his example. + +When I was next conscious of my surroundings Master Targe had entered +the room and was shaking me roughly, saying when I opened my eyes in a +dazed manner, as does one who is rudely aroused: + +“It is time for you to be moving, Richard Salter. There are no minutes +to be lost just now, for verily has the time come when we who love the +Cause must bestir ourselves.” + +“What would you have me do?” I asked, springing to my feet on the +instant and thoroughly wide awake, for such a speech as this was well +calculated to put a fellow in possession of all his faculties, and the +reply which the innkeeper gave was such as caused me to start back in +astonishment and fear. + +“I would have you go at once to your mother’s home. The lobster-backs +who lodge there are now at headquarters, as I have just received +information, and if so be you meet with no one on the street who knows +you, then will it be possible to gain admittance unobserved by the +enemy.” + +“But surely I will be made prisoner as soon as the officers come back,” +I replied, and it is not certain but my voice trembled, for it seemed +to me that of all the work which we lads who called ourselves Minute +Boys had done, this venturing into my own home where were lodging three +of his majesty’s officers, was the most perilous. + +“If your mother cannot find a hiding place for her son, then we may +truly say there is none on this earth for him,” Master Targe replied +grimly, and after an instant’s hesitation I asked: + +“Once there, what would you have me do?” + +“It is positive that the Britishers are about to make some move, most +like against our people at Valley Forge. Your mother will do all she +may to overhear what is said between her lodgers; but it would not be +possible, under ordinary circumstances, for her to get out of doors at +a late hour in the night to tell us of that which has been learned, +therefore you are to stay there and act as her messenger.” + +I breathed more freely, knowing that the lodgers never went around +the house, save from the street-door to their own rooms, and had no +question but that if it was simply a matter of remaining hidden, it +could readily be done. Besides, I had for the instant forgotten the +pleasure which would be mine in being with my mother once more, and now +was I as eager to set off as a moment previous I had been halting. + +“Be very careful, Richard Salter, even as you walk through the streets, +for word has come to me since daylight that we who have tried to +aid the Weaver of Germantown are in great danger. I have sent out a +messenger to meet him, fearing lest he should come down from Valley +Forge without giving due warning.” + +“Do the lobster-backs know that he has been playing the spy?” Jeremy +asked in a tremulous voice, and Master Targe replied, as he let his +hands fall by his side in token of helplessness: + +“Ay, lad, God help him and us, they do. How the suspicion can have been +set on foot I fail of understanding.” + +I would have lingered to ask further questions, but that Master Targe +pushed me roughly toward the door as he said: + +“Go out by the rear entrance; your comrade will stay here, and if so +be you have word to bring me in the night, knock softly twice on the +window of the tap-room. You may be certain I shall remain on guard +there to await your coming.” + +Then it was that I hurried home, taking due care, as I was well like +to do after having been warned by the innkeeper, lest I come upon the +lobster-backs. + +It was not a difficult matter for a lad who knew the city as well as +did I, to avoid Britishers, for one could go across this garden or +through that alley without much risk of being looked upon as a fugitive +during the time of daylight. + +Of the meeting with my mother I shall say nothing. It can readily be +fancied how joyful it was, and how great was my pleasure at being with +the dear woman once more. + +It was a full half-hour that she held me in the kitchen, asking what I +had done and how much of danger I had been in, and pressing me now and +then against her breast fervently as she prayed aloud that I might be +spared to her--to her, a widow, whose only son I was. + +As for the hiding place, that was arranged in a simple manner. Directly +over the kitchen was a loft which we used as a store-place for odds and +ends, and there I made for myself a bed where it was possible to hear +my mother as she moved to and fro. + +For the first time since I had pledged myself to act as one of the +Minute Boys of Philadelphia, did I feel that I was no longer in danger +from those who served the king. + +I believe I had thus remained in fancied security no more than one +hour, hugging myself mentally because of finding that my work as Minute +Boy was cast in such pleasant places so suddenly, and then came those +tidings which well-nigh caused my heart to stand still. + +I heard the kitchen door open suddenly, and a hoarse voice ask +hurriedly: + +“Are you alone, Mistress Salter? Are your lodgers in the house?” + +“They have not been here since morning.” + +“And Richard?” + +“He is nearabout,” my mother replied guardedly. + +Then it was that I recognized Baker Ludwig’s voice, as he said +sufficiently loud to be heard in my hiding place: + +“God help us who love the Cause, and may God help the colonies! Much +that we in Philadelphia have done is known to General Howe, by what +means I cannot say. Within the hour Master Targe, landlord of the Jolly +Tar inn, has been arrested, and there was found in his house, hiding in +one of the back rooms, Jeremy Hapgood, who, as I know, was concerned +with your son and mine aiding the Weaver of Germantown in his work.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A NARROW ESCAPE + + +There is little need for me to speak of the terror which flooded my +heart as I heard this announcement of Master Ludwig’s, for verily +did it seem as if the end was come for us who had striven to aid the +colonies. + +From what Skinny Baker had told when he was released from imprisonment +under the lumber pile, the Britishers knew that a certain number of +us lads were banded together as Minute Boys for the purpose of doing +whatsoever might come to hand that would aid the Cause; but most like +up to that time they had not been aware of the part played by the +innkeeper of the Jolly Tar. + +Now, however, all this had been made known to them in some mysterious +manner, and I had no doubt but every last one of us would be hunted +down that we might be brought to answer for what had been done against +the king, even though it was so slight and so poor in results. + +My brain was in such a whirl, and the terror which beset me was so +overwhelming, that during a certain time I was hardly aware of what +took place around me, and then I realized that Master Ludwig was giving +my mother yet further information regarding all this trouble that had +come upon us. + +Striving to put behind me the fear which caused every limb to tremble +as if I was afflicted with an ague fit, I threw myself at full length +on the floor in order that I might hear the better. + +I could only guess at what Master Ludwig had said during that time when +I was entirely given over to fear; but that which he was saying now +threw a little light on the terrible matter. + +“Something happened at Germantown last night which gave the Britishers +a fine fright, and perchance your son may be able to tell us what it +was. At all events, several of the half-burned houses were set on fire, +and when the Britishers gathered there, believing our people were about +to make an attack, it was learned that a party of boys--yours and +mine among them, Mistress Salter--had rescued a prisoner from a squad +of lobster-backs. What was more to the purpose, they took another in +exchange, disappearing almost immediately afterward. How it chanced +that they were tracked to the Jolly Tar inn I cannot say; but some +friend to the king must have seen them entering that tavern, and Master +Targe was arrested. We will hope they have no other proof that he has +served us of the colonies.” + +Then it was my mother told Master Ludwig where I was hidden, and +straightway the baker came up into the loft, asking anxiously if I knew +aught concerning young Chris. + +As a matter of course, I told him how we had rescued the lad after +Skinny Baker had succeeded in causing his arrest, and the story pleased +Master Ludwig amazingly. + +He clapped me on the shoulder again and again, chuckling meanwhile +to himself as if he had heard something most comical, and seemingly +forgetting for the time the peril which surrounded us. + +As a matter of fact, he need have had no concern for young Chris, who +was most likely at that moment safe at Valley Forge. But it seemed to +me in my fearsome trouble, that he should have taken into account that +Jeremy was a prisoner with the awful charge of being a spy hanging over +him, while I must flee for my life, for if peradventure the Britishers +knew I was concerned in this last matter, or if I was one of the +two who entered the Jolly Tar inn the night previous, then would my +mother’s house be searched without loss of time. + +As this idea came into my mind I started up feverishly, crying out, +with little heed as to who might hear me: + +“I must make every effort to leave the city, and at once! There is no +safety for me now save with our army!” + +“Sit ye down, lad,” Master Ludwig said kindly, as he forced me back +upon the makeshift for a bed which I had arranged. “It is certain the +lobster-backs have not mixed you up in this business, else would your +mother’s house have been searched long ere this. I grant you there is +but one course, and that to join our forces at Valley Forge; but let +us consider how it may best be brought about, for I warrant you agree +with me that it is not exactly safe for you to walk boldly through the +streets of the town.” + +“But I dare not wait until nightfall!” I cried, and now so great was my +fear that most like I acted as if having lost all my wits. + +Young Chris’s father took me by the hand, as he said in a most kindly +tone: + +“I would not ask you, Richard Salter, to remain here a single moment +if I did not believe it to be for the best. When I heard that Master +Targe had been arrested, the fear in my mind was that everything had +been discovered by the enemy. Now, however, I am inclined to believe +it was a matter of accident--that you two lads were seen by some +sneaking Tory to enter the house, and the innkeeper taken into custody +on suspicion, else would the lobster-backs have been here in Drinker’s +alley long since.” + +“But even though all this be true, it stands me in hand to leave the +city as soon as may be, if for no other purpose than that I may warn +the Weaver of Germantown,” I cried. “It was his purpose to come into +Philadelphia soon--I believe within the next four and twenty hours, and +unless he can be told of what has taken place, then is he certain to go +directly to the Jolly Tar. Having done so, he will be made a prisoner +on the moment, for it stands to reason the lobster-backs are watching +that place, holding it open as they would a trap, for those who have +been in the custom of visiting Master Targe.” + +“I understand full well, Richard Salter, that you must not only leave +the city as soon as may be, but also get word to Valley Forge. Before +you make the attempt, however, I will go out around the town with my +ears open, and hear what is said on the streets. Wait patiently until +my return, for I promise not to be away above an hour.” + +As a matter of course I could do no less than Master Ludwig suggested, +for surely a difference of sixty minutes in the time of my departure +would neither make nor mar the effort to escape. + +Young Chris’s father went straightway out into the street, my mother +coming into the loft as soon as he had gone and taking me in her arms +as if I was once more a baby, rocked herself to and fro as she pressed +me tightly to her breast, much as though believing my last hour on this +earth was near at hand. + +So great was her grief and so vivid her terror, that I longed most +ardently for the return of the baker that I might set off without loss +of time. Action, however dangerous, was far preferable to remaining +there witnessing the dear woman’s grief and hearing her forebodings in +my behalf. + +I dare say young Chris’s father returned speedily, although it seemed +to me he had been gone a full half-day. On returning, instead of +knocking at the kitchen door to warn us of his coming, he entered +without ceremony, making his way directly to the loft, and saying as +soon as he was there: + +“I believe, Richard, that you had best make the venture now. I +have visited all the coffee-houses where the lobster-backs most do +congregate, and failed to hear anything to cause great alarm. It is +true that you and Jeremy Hapgood were seen to enter the Jolly Tar inn +at a late hour last night, or, perhaps I should say, at an early hour +this morning, and the fact that the door was opened immediately you +arrived, showed the watcher, whoever he might be, that your coming was +expected. Therefore it was reasonable to suppose you were engaged in +some business which was unlawful in the sight of the king’s soldiers.” + +“And they know no more than that Jeremy and I visited the tavern this +morning?” I cried, feeling as if a great burden had been rolled from my +shoulders. + +“Ay, lad, that seems to be the substance of it; but from what I heard +here and there, it appears that the lobster-backs have an idea they +may be able to get more information, if peradventure they can find the +second boy, meaning you. It is evident that neither Master Targe nor +Jeremy Hapgood have thus far been induced to tell who you are, and the +chances for your getting away just now seem to me better than if you +waited until the thick-headed Britishers have come to suspect that +perhaps the son of Mistress Salter, who has before been detected in +treasonable acts, might have been Jeremy’s companion.” + +It can well be understood that after such advice as this I did not +linger in my mother’s house. I was as eager to begin the venture as +Master Ludwig was to have me go, and, kissing my mother fervently, I +went down the narrow stairway into the kitchen, wondering whether I +would ever be able to return. + +Before I could unlatch the door my mother was close by my side, +insisting that I stop sufficiently long for her to fill my pockets with +food, and I could do no less than allow her such poor comfort. + +Young Chris’s father had come from the loft before I was again ready +to set off, and, shaking me heartily by the hand, bade me tell his son +to remain at Valley Forge, or wheresoever the American army might be, +until the Britishers had left Philadelphia. + +“They are to leave, Richard. They are soon to evacuate this city even +though our people do not raise a hand against them, for by this time +they have begun to understand that no good can come of remaining here +in idleness. You boys are to be cautious. Do not force yourselves to +the front when a service of peril is to be performed; but, also, do +not shirk danger if so be you are called upon to meet it.” + +Then I was in the alley, walking rapidly and yet striving not to appear +in a hurry; having a certain sense of relief because I was in the open +air and could no longer see the grief of my mother, and fancying that +every shadow was a lobster-back who had been sent to take me in custody. + +I walked directly across the city without being molested in any way. +Those whom I passed, and you may be certain I did not allow any to come +near me if so be there was an alley-way in which to hide myself, gave +no more heed than if I had been a homeless dog. + +Having gotten beyond where the houses were set thickly together, I +began to believe that all danger was over--that I had once more come +out from among the lobster-backs without harm. There was a song of +thanksgiving in my heart, and I burned to cry aloud in my joy, when +suddenly, as I passed an outbuilding nearby Isaac Norris’s storehouse, +not dreaming there was anyone in the vicinity, a man stepped out from +behind it, and, suddenly catching me by the coat collar viciously, drew +me quickly back within the shadow of the trees. + +Wriggling to the best of my strength, I contrived to look up into the +man’s face, and then did my heart grow heavy as lead in my breast, for +he who held me so securely was none other than Master Baker, Skinny’s +father! + +Then did I say to myself that now verily was I much the same as in the +custody of the Britishers, for this venomous Tory, knowing something of +what I had already done to his son, and most like guessing a portion of +the rest, would not allow the grass to grow under his feet, until he +had turned me over to the lobster-backs as a dangerous spy. + +During a full half-minute I gazed at him and he at me, the one most +likely speculating as to how he could best avenge the injury done his +son, and the other, as I know full well, wondering whether, with such +a charge as Master Baker could make against him, he would be able to +remain long away from the gallows. + +“Do you know where my son is, Richard Salter?” Skinny’s father asked +sharply as he shook me vigorously by the coat collar, and, without +stopping to reflect upon what might be the result of such an answer; +but counting only on giving proof that I was not so chicken-hearted as +his cur of a boy, I replied without hesitation: + +“Ay, Master Baker, he is most like in Valley Forge, at least, he was +headed that way when last I saw him.” + +“So then you have been concerned again in treasonable acts against the +king?” the man snarled, and although my peril was great, it pleased me +wondrously that I could thus aggravate him. + +“How long since has it been an act against the king to serve Skinny out +as he deserves?” I cried mockingly. “Verily his majesty will be kept +busy if he concerns himself with those who would give your son that +which he has earned.” + +“It is not well for you to be so flippant, Richard Salter, for now is +it in my power to send you to prison, and from there, mayhap, to the +gallows.” + +“I grant you all that, Master Baker,” I replied, and was even myself +astonished because the fear which previously beset me had now passed +away, leaving my mind as free from care as if there had never been +such a person in all the world as Skinny Baker’s father, or his majesty +of England. “I grant you all that, and if so be it is brought about, +then may you count to a certainty your son will be served the same +dose, for I guarantee he will be closely guarded until I am once more +at Valley Forge to show that I have come through this city in safety. +What happens to me here, will happen to Skinny at Valley Forge, make no +mistake regarding that, Master Baker.” + +It was a threat uttered at random; an idea which had come into my mind +on the spur of the moment, and yet it told as if the words were true as +Holy Writ. + +Master Baker half staggered back while his face paled, and I understood +he fully believed all I had told him, for indeed it would not have been +strange had we lads agreed with the Weaver of Germantown that Skinny +should be held as hostage for the safe return of Jeremy and me. + +In fact, if we had not been thick-headed, we might have hit upon some +such plan; but even though we had not, the threat which I thus made at +random served nearly as good a purpose as if it had been the truth. + +Master Baker shook me violently, as if he would thus relieve his +feelings and perhaps force a different story from my lips, and when he +was done with such exercise, I, looking him full in the face, asked +tauntingly: + +“Well, why do you not take me to General Howe’s headquarters, and +repeat that which I have just told you?” + +“Did my son know that whatsoever was done to you here in Philadelphia +would be meted out to him?” Master Baker asked after a brief pause, +and I replied without hesitation, as if it was a well-known fact: + +“Ay, he must have, else had he lost his ears. I dare say it will please +him greatly to know that whatsoever comes to him is due to the act of +his father.” + +If I had struck Master Baker full in the face he could not have shrunk +back more quickly, or given evidence of keener pain, and I fancied his +grip on my collar was slightly relaxed. + +Like a flash of light came to me the idea that it might yet be possible +to escape from Skinny’s father, and, exerting all my strength, I +wheeled about even as he held me firmly, lowering my head and butting +him full in the pit of the stomach with such force that he was thrown +against the side of the building with a thud that caused him to grunt +like a pig. + +You can well fancy that I did not lose a single second before setting +off in flight. + +Whether it was that I had dealt the man such a blow as to render him +incapable of pursuit, or if he hesitated to raise the hue and cry +against me because of that fate which might come to his son, I cannot +say; but certain it is that within two minutes after having delivered +the blow, I was running behind the ropewalk toward the river a good two +squares away from Skinny’s father, while never a sound could I hear +from the rear. + +It seemed hardly possible, when Master Baker had his grip on my coat +collar, that I could escape, for the venomous Tory was bent on gaining +revenge because of what had been done to his son. + +[Illustration: BUTTING HIM FULL IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH.] + +Yet I had given him the slip, although it could not have been done but +for the fact that he, like Skinny, was a coward, and when I had made up +that story which shall not be set down against me as a lie, because my +life was trembling in the balance, he was not brave enough to say that +his son should bear, for the good of the king, what might come to him. + +Instead of showing himself a man, he was so far overcome by my words, +together with the blow which I gave him in the stomach, as to literally +be reduced to helplessness. + +However, now that I was free it might be only for the moment, and I +had no reason for loitering anywhere in the vicinity of Philadelphia, +therefore set off stoutly, yet not rapidly because of the necessity of +keeping a sharp lookout ahead. + +To run into a squad of lobster-backs just at this time would have +been much the same as if Master Baker had taken me to headquarters, +and however good an excuse I might have presented for being in that +vicinity, I knew full well it would not be received by whosoever came +across me. + +It was certain now, after all which had happened, that anyone caught +while seemingly making an attempt to leave the city, would be forced to +give a mighty strict account of himself. + +Therefore it was I kept on steadily but slowly, until when, as nearly +as I could say, it was nigh to noon, I saw in the distance, and coming +toward me, a figure which looked strangely familiar, yet I dared not +risk the chance of being seen. + +Taking advantage of the first clump of bushes which grew near at hand, +I hid myself in a clumsy fashion and waited mayhap ten minutes, when +I saw that he from whom I had thus screened myself was none other than +Timothy Bowers. + +One can well fancy the joy which came into my heart when I sprang out +of the hiding place, startling Timothy nearly into shrieking, and we +two lads, clasping hands, went back amid the thicket where we could +talk without danger of being seen. + +I was eager first to know why he had left Valley Forge when there was +so little he could do in Philadelphia, and so much of danger to be +encountered; but straightway learned that so far no information had +been taken to the American camp of Master Targe’s arrest, and indeed, +had I given the matter proper consideration, I would have understood +that there had not been time for any friend of the Cause, however +zealous, to have gained the American army. + +Timothy had been sent by the Weaver of Germantown with a message to the +innkeeper, which was to the effect that he should meet the Weaver among +the ruined buildings of Germantown on the following morning; but for +what purpose, as a matter of course, the lad did not know. + +Then it was I told my comrade of all which had occurred in the city, +and his face grew pale because of the danger to which I had been +exposed, though I dare venture to say he gave not a single thought to +the possibility that he himself was in the greater peril because of +Master Targe’s having been taken into custody. + +Of course there was now no reason for Timothy to continue on. He could +not come upon the innkeeper save he was carried into prison under +arrest, and it appeared to both of us as of the highest consequence +that information concerning the trouble be taken to Valley Forge +without delay. + +Having arrived at this decision we set off at once, and had walked +well-nigh to two miles before realizing that if the Weaver of +Germantown kept the appointment he would have supposed to be made +with Master Targe, then might we pass him in the night, for it was +reasonable to believe he would leave Valley Forge before sunset. + +Therefore I said to Timothy that we might save ourselves both labor and +time by halting at Germantown, and waiting there for the coming of the +man who was doing so much, as a spy, in aid of the Cause. + +When we had decided that this would be the proper course, then came the +thought that we might not be able to find the Weaver, because it was +likely he had some hiding place there, and we could come upon him only +by merest chance. + +However, it seemed necessary we should strive to get this chance, since +there was but little question that if we kept on to Valley Forge during +the hours of darkness we would be likely to pass him on the road, and +thus he be allowed to run into danger without knowing what awaited him +since the arrest of Master Targe. + +In this case fortune favoured us Minute Boys as it seemed she had since +the first day we agreed to do whatsoever we might in behalf of the +Cause. + +We were hardly more than come to Germantown, and were roaming around +amid the half-burned buildings trying to decide where we would seek a +shelter, when we came full upon the man we were seeking. + +It appeared, as we learned afterward, that he had been securely +hidden in a snug place well-known to himself, and saw us approach that +building where we were so nearly burned to death, therefore came out to +greet us. + +In the fewest words possible, I told him of all that had happened in +Philadelphia since I arrived there. + +To my great surprise he did not appear deeply concerned regarding the +matter. I had supposed he would at least show some signs of grief +because Master Targe was in peril of his life, and instead he said +quietly and in a matter-of-fact tone: + +“Then we must make the move so much the sooner, and depend upon others +for information.” + +As a matter of course, I supposed he meant that it would be necessary +to depend upon someone for further information from Philadelphia, +therefore was more than astonished when he said, as if fancying we +understood the entire situation: + +“There is no longer any reason why we linger here. I had best retrace +my steps, and you shall come with me. Although the British are not +overly fond of loitering around the ruins which they themselves have +made, it will be better if we put a greater distance between them and +us.” + +“Meaning that you will go where, sir?” Timothy asked, and the Weaver +of Germantown replied as if surprised because such a question was +necessary: + +“To Valley Forge, as a matter of course. There we will make our +preparations for the next step, and the work cannot be pushed forward +any too quickly, for, unless all signs fail us, General Clinton will +make a movement of some kind right speedily.” + +“General Clinton, sir?” I asked. + +“Ay, lad. Do you not know that he has taken over the command of the +British forces in Philadelphia?” + +I had heard somewhat of the kind, and yet gave no particular heed to +the fact. It mattered little to us rebels, as I believed, who held +command of the lobster-backs, so that it was one of the king’s officers +who would do whatsoever he might toward working us an injury. + +Without waiting for further conversation the Weaver of Germantown set +off at a rapid pace in the direction of Valley Forge, and we lads +followed perforce, since there was nothing else for us except to seek +refuge with those who would do what they might toward saving us from +the enemy. + +By this time I was beginning to know thoroughly well the trail +between the headquarters of the American army, and our captive city +of Philadelphia. It was to me as if I had spent half a lifetime doing +nothing more than walking to and fro between these two points, and now +I followed my leader in a listless manner. + +It seemed to me that I no longer had any part or parcel in this work +of aiding the colonies, for surely I could not venture into the city +again without being taken into custody, and therefore had my time of +usefulness as a spy come to an end. + +If we Minute Boys were to continue striving to do something in behalf +of our distressed country, then must we enlist as soldiers, despite +the fact that we were not of the required age, and I welcomed such a +possibility, for the trade of a spy was not pleasing to me. + +I felt that it would be much more manly to stand up bravely as a +soldier, face to face with the enemy, rather than sneaking here and +there under cover of darkness, hiding at the approach of either friend +or foe, even though by such work I succeeded in doing somewhat of +consequence in behalf of those who were struggling to win for us our +freedom. + +“If all things go well, we will leave camp again early to-morrow +morning,” the Weaver of Germantown suddenly said after we had travelled +mayhap a couple of miles, and I asked in amazement: + +“If we are to leave the camp so soon, sir, why do we go there at all?” + +“Because it is not to be expected we can do this work single-handed. +Already have I been promised a squad of forty men, and with them I dare +venture to say we can accomplish our purpose.” + +I was more in the dark than before, and that Timothy was also blinded I +understood when he asked impatiently: + +“What may be our purpose?” + +“To rescue those of our people who have been taken prisoners,” was the +reply. + +“Do you count, sir, on making an attack upon Philadelphia with forty +men?” I cried in bewilderment, whereupon the Weaver of Germantown +laughed as he replied: + +“If all the information which has been gained be correct, there will +be no need of our making an attack on Philadelphia if so be we would +release our friends who are in custody. There can be no question +whatsoever but that General Clinton counts on evacuating the city +within a very short time, and he will endeavour to do so before our +people can get word as to his movements. Already, it is said, he has +begun sending the heaviest of his baggage across the river, and +yesterday word was brought that orders had been given Cunningham to +forward such prisoners as had not yet had a trial, with the next +baggage-train that started out. Now it stands to reason such time +will come speedily, and I am counting on giving the lobster-backs who +accompany it the surprise of their lives.” + +“With forty men, sir?” Timothy asked quickly, and the Weaver of +Germantown looked at the lad indulgently as he replied: + +“More cannot well be spared. If the business is not to be done with +forty, then I question whether two hundred would accomplish it, and it +were better the smaller number sacrificed their lives, than the larger.” + +“How many men, sir, do you count would be sent to guard a +baggage-train?” Timothy asked thoughtfully. + +“Mayhap an hundred. I question if very many more, for the teamsters +could be counted on to take a hand in the defence of the goods if so be +the train was attacked.” + +“And with the teamsters the force would amount to more than an +hundred,” Timothy said as if speaking to himself, whereupon the Weaver +of Germantown replied cheerily: + +“Make it in round numbers an hundred fifty, and we count on reducing +that strength very considerably by giving them a surprise.” + +“Shall you carry out such a plan, sir, before knowing absolutely +whether the prisoners are with the baggage-train or not?” I asked, and +the reply came sharply, in token that I should have had better sense +than to raise such a question: + +“We shall know before the train starts whether our people will +accompany it or not, even though the Minute Boys of Philadelphia are +laid off from duty temporarily,” he added with a smile. “We still have +friends in the city who can get information as to what may be going on.” + +After this reply, which was much like a reproof, I held my peace, and +we three trudged on toward Valley Forge, I saying again and again to +myself that verily were we rebels come to desperate straits when we +counted on attacking a force of an hundred fifty men with only forty, +and figuring meanwhile that it were better only so small a number +should be killed, much as if their destruction were almost certain. + +Only a few moments previous I had been saying to myself that it would +be nobler for us lads to act as soldiers, being regularly enrolled in +the army, and stand face to face with the enemy, rather than playing +the spy, and yet, now that there was in the near future an action in +which I might take part, my heart grew timorous. + +The odds seemed so great, even though we might surprise this train, +that I felt confident the scheme could not succeed; but believed all +who had part in it must meet with death. + +Then again, there were many chances against our rescuing the prisoners +even though we held our own with those who guarded the train. + +It might be possible a squad of forty men could surprise and drive back +an hundred fifty; but to so disable that number as to be able to go +into their very midst and take out prisoners, who would unquestionably +be closely guarded, was a proposition which seemed to me so wild as to +be almost ridiculous. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE ATTACK + + +And now because I am come so nearly to the time when I must cease +setting down what we lads did--cease because we no longer hold +ourselves as Minute Boys, but have become full-fledged soldiers in +the American army,--it is necessary I hasten over events upon which I +would dearly love to linger, for there is to me a world of satisfaction +in going once more over those times when we put the lobster-backs to +confusion, even though they outnumbered us three or four to one. + +The Weaver of Germantown lost no time on the journey. He increased his +pace as the moments wore on, showing that he was in haste to set about +the plan which he had in mind, and there were moments when we lads were +literally forced to run in order to hold our own with him. + +It was night when we arrived at Valley Forge, and his first care was to +lead us to that hut where our comrades were sleeping, after which he +took his leave, and we saw no more of him until the following morning. + +There is little need for me to say that young Chris and Sam were +thoroughly astonished when we awakened them, for both believed we were +lying at the Jolly Tar inn secure from all danger. + +In my turn I was surprised because of failing to see anything of +Skinny, and the first question I asked was concerning him. + +Then young Chris told us that the prisoner had been taken from them +and was confined in the guard-house as a spy, although it was hardly +probable such charge would hold against him if he should be brought to +trial. + +Believing he would not be wholly safe in the custody of the Minute +Boys, and knowing that it would be in his power to carry much valuable +information to the lobster-backs if he succeeded in making his escape, +the leaders of the army had taken charge of him, and, as Sam said, we +were well rid of the sneaking cur. + +Both the lads were filled with fear and apprehension when I told them +of what had taken place in the city, and you may well fancy that we +were not inclined to close our eyes in slumber during all that night, +for we speculated vainly as to what would be the result in case the +Weaver of Germantown carried out his bold plans. + +Although we had had good proof of what our people could do, there +was never one of us who believed that an attack upon a baggage-train +guarded by at least an hundred lobster-backs, when our force was to +number only forty, could succeed, and before the morning came we, in +our ignorance and lack of faith, had set it down as a fact that those +who went out with the hope of releasing our people from the hands of +the Britishers, would come back to us no more in this world. + +It was yet reasonably early in the forenoon when the Weaver of +Germantown came to the hut where, having breakfasted, we were sitting +idly together discussing this possibility or that as if we were old and +well versed in warfare. + +“If you lads are minded to come with me, then will I show you that +which will warm your hearts in the years to come, when you look back +upon it,” the Weaver said, and I asked if his men were ready for the +venture. + +“We shall set off within the hour,” he replied; “but you need not +consider it your duty to come with us. I am free to confess that there +must of necessity be much of danger in the enterprise, and perhaps it +would be well if you boys were to remain here until the work has been +done, or we have failed.” + +He could have said nothing else which would have aroused us so +thoroughly as did this intimation that we might be afraid to go with +the soldiers, or would be willing to remain at Valley Forge simply +because we might otherwise come to grief. + +I was not alone when I said stoutly, although there was a sinking at my +heart which I could not prevent, that I for one would follow him, and +my comrades were equally determined. + +All the preparations had been made, as we learned a few moments later, +and it was only necessary for us to fall in line at the rear of the +squad. + +Then was begun the march, we heading straight away for the Delaware, +counting to cross that river and lie in hiding somewhere nearabout +Camden until the baggage-train should have crossed. + +All this we did and without adventure, because of the caution which was +exercised by our leader, who, as a matter of course, was the Weaver +of Germantown himself. He, knowing thoroughly well all the country +roundabout, led us at the expense of many a weary mile far out of all +possible danger of encountering the enemy, and to a point on the river +where were boats ready to carry us across, thus showing that he had +made his preparations for this venture some time before. + +During that day and all the night we marched, save while crossing +the river, or when we halted five or ten minutes at a time, and when +finally he gave the word that we were come to our journey’s end, we +Minute Boys were so nearly exhausted that we flung ourselves down +wheresoever we chanced to be and speedily fell asleep, not awakening +again until the word had been passed from man to man that the moment +for action was near at hand. + +It appeared, so we learned later, that if our departure from Valley +Forge had been postponed no more than six hours, then would we have +come too late to effect that for which we hoped. + +The baggage-train had already been sent across the river near to +Gloucester Point, and within two hours after we had come to the end of +our march and were bivouacked in the thicket, the Britishers set off, +counting to gain New York without interference from our people, because +their movements had been shrouded with so much of secrecy. + +Exactly what took place from the time we were awakened until a +veritable battle was begun, I can say very little, because of knowing +comparatively nothing. + +There was much moving to and fro among our squad, and frequent +whispered consultations with the Weaver of Germantown as we marched up +the road to where an ambush was to be formed; but we lads knew nothing +whatsoever concerning the purport of this talk. + +We only understood that an action was near at hand when we were +posted on either side the road in two companies of twenty each, and +then it was we had evidence of the thoughtfulness of this Weaver of +Germantown, for he brought to each of us lads a musket and ammunition, +saying that we were to obey orders so far as firing and re-loading were +concerned, the same as would the men. + +When I asked how it was we had not been armed before leaving Valley +Forge, he replied that the march before us he knew to be a hard one, +and, fearing lest we might fall by the wayside with fatigue, had had +these weapons carried by some of the men to spare us so much of labour. + +If anything had been needed to hearten us in the work to be performed, +this evidence of his kindliness would have been sufficient. + +When he had ceased speaking all the timorousness was fled from my +heart, and, lad though I was, I felt myself capable of holding my own +against half a dozen lobster-backs, although I dare venture to say I +would have cut a sorry figure even if opposed to no more than two. + +It was about seven o’clock in the morning when we concealed ourselves +in ambush along the road. Two hours later I could see, through the +foliage, the advance of a long train, consisting of no less than twelve +heavily-laden wagons each drawn by four horses, and preceded by a party +of men in red uniforms to the number of perhaps fifty. + +Then as the train advanced, I saw an equal force in the rear of the +wagons, and understood that the Weaver of Germantown had not been +misinformed when he was told that a guard of nearabout an hundred would +be sent out. + +In addition to these soldiers who marched, there were two men on the +seat of each wagon, therefore, as I hurriedly estimated the force, we +would oppose ourselves to no less than an hundred twenty--perhaps a +dozen more. + +Although I had felt so bold when the Weaver of Germantown put the +weapon into my hands, now it was that my heart thumped until it surely +seemed that those who were advancing would be alarmed by the noise, and +my tongue had suddenly grown dry as I tried in vain to moisten my lips. + +Fortunately for me, however, we had but little time, after the first +appearance of the train, before the work was begun. + +In my ignorance I had believed that the full number of wagons would +be allowed to go by, and we fall upon the rear guard, where I fancied +were the prisoners, if so be there were any with the train. Instead of +which, when the first of the lobster-backs were opposite our place of +hiding the word was passed from man to man, that when the Weaver of +Germantown sprang out into the open we were to discharge our weapons, +having due regard to aim. + +Then, before I could have counted ten, this man who had played the spy +in Philadelphia, came out from amid the foliage as if courting death, +and shouting to us who were concealed to take good care that every +bullet found its billet. + +At the same instant, even before the lobster-backs fully understood +what the Weaver of Germantown was saying, came the order to open fire. + +Strange as it may seem, I have no knowledge whatsoever concerning that +action, save such as was told me later. It seemed as if with the report +of the muskets I lost all consciousness of self. I suddenly became one +who thirsted for blood, and had forgotten that death might be dealt by +those who were in front of me. + +There is in my mind a dim recollection that I loaded and fired, +re-loaded and fired again, continuing to do so until the barrel of my +musket became heated, and once I believed I heard someone say that the +rear guard had come up--that the prisoners were being driven back by +the teamsters. + +I knew the horses were plunging about; that there were what looked to +be blotches of red on the dusty earth, yet hardly understood that those +crimson stains upon the yellow road was the life blood of the poor +wretches who had come from overseas, without personal reason, to whip +us colonists into subjection. + +I was in a fever; consumed by the desire to add to those red, sprawling +figures that lay stretched out in the dust. + +My mouth was dry; everything swam before me; the trees opposite seemed +to dance, and to have taken on a reddish hue, while before my eyes as I +loaded the musket, it appeared as if both powder and ball had suddenly +become scarlet. + +The hue of blood was everywhere; the thirst to kill was overwhelming, +and during such time as the action continued I was literally insane. + +Then came the time when one of our men seized the musket from my hands, +saying angrily as he flung me back toward the trees, that I should +control myself better than to fire upon those who had surrendered. + +Whereupon I dully asked if the engagement was over, and someone from a +distance, as it seemed to me, replied with a cheer: + +“Ay, lad, over, and with the lobster-backs surrendering like chickens +crowding around a dough-trough!” + +“And the prisoners?” I cried, now suddenly coming to my senses, and +realizing for what purpose we had spilled so much of human blood as I +could see before me. + +“Look yonder!” Timothy Bowers shouted, and only then did I know that +he had been by my side during all the fight; but in after days, when I +questioned him concerning it, he could tell me no more than I myself +knew. + +Having become once more Richard Salter, instead of the crazy lad who +was doing his part as a soldier unconsciously, I ran to the rear where +was a throng of wretched looking men bound by the hands to a long +rope extending from the rear of one of the wagons; but before I got +there the Weaver of Germantown, who was just ahead of me, had cut the +foremost loose from their bonds, and I clasped Jeremy by the neck, so +overjoyed as not really to be able to utter the words that were in my +mind. + +There was good reason why we should rejoice, for had we not beaten the +lobster-backs when they outnumbered us exactly three to one? + +Yet there was no time for us to spend in words, since who could say +that the noise of the attack might not have been heard by the enemy at +Camden, and if we would save our skins after having won such a victory, +then was it necessary to get away from there without delay. + +It had been the purpose of the Weaver of Germantown not only to +release the prisoners; but to capture the train for the benefit of the +Continental army, and therefore it was we took up the line of march +immediately, the British teamsters obeying the Weaver’s orders for the +very good reason that they dared not do otherwise. + +We had won a great victory, but in the doing of it had lost five of our +men who were killed outright, and four others badly wounded. + +Singularly enough, none of us lads had been injured, although, as we +were told afterward, we had conducted ourselves bravely. In fact, the +Weaver himself said we had won the right to be called soldiers, and +that it should be his care to see we were given an opportunity to +enlist. + +Now, if you can believe me, we had not only set free Master Targe and +Jeremy; but nine others beside, all of whom were to have been tried for +various acts of so-called treason when General Clinton had got his army +to some safer point than he believed was to be found in Philadelphia. + +In addition to this, after four days of hard work we actually entered +Valley Forge with the same heavy baggage-train of General Clinton’s, +which had been sent away from Philadelphia early so there might be no +possibility of its falling into our hands. + +We well-nigh came to grief while crossing the Delaware in boats which +were not large enough to freight the wagons safely; but by dint of +transferring the cargoes, or, in other words, making two trips for each +load, we succeeded in gaining the Pennsylvania shore safe and sound. + +It seemed to me that we were hardly more than in camp and rested from +our exertions, when came the news that General Clinton had actually +begun the evacuation of Philadelphia, and then there was so much of +seeming confusion that one found it hard to keep his wits about him. + +It was General Washington’s purpose to follow the lobster-backs on +their march to New York, and no time was to be lost in setting out +after we learned that the Britishers were really on the road. + +Then was the time when the Weaver of Germantown found opportunity to +fulfil his promise to us, and we lads, who a few weeks before had +agreed to call ourselves Minute Boys of Philadelphia, were allowed to +sign the rolls in due form and become soldiers of the Continental army, +being admitted to the ranks by order of the commander-in-chief himself, +whose permission was necessary because we were not yet come to the age +of men. + +Thus it was that we lads who had done some little work for the Cause, +were allowed to stand shoulder to shoulder during that battle at +Monmouth, when General Clinton and his swaggering British officers came +to know full well of what stuff our rag-tag and bobtail of an army was +made. + +It was after this battle, when we were ministering to the wounds of the +Weaver of Germantown, who had stood in the ranks all the day fighting +most valiantly, that we learned why he had never called himself by any +given name during such time as we had known him. + +It was because he belonged to the sect called Friends, who, as you +know, are opposed to fighting, and many of whom were unfriendly to the +Cause. Were I to write his name, which we learned there on that bloody +ground, then you would know that not only he, but those nearest and +dearest to him, regardless of the fact that their faith bound them to +shun warfare, had done very much to aid the colonies in their struggle +against the king. + +It was the Weaver himself, in later days, who told us lads, that +although the work which we did in Philadelphia might not have seemed +of great value, he believed the commander-in-chief would ever remember +what had been done by the Minute Boys of Philadelphia. + + +THE END + + + + +TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: + + + Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. + + Perceived typographical errors have been corrected. + + Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. + + Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75968 *** diff --git a/75968-h/75968-h.htm b/75968-h/75968-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f347c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/75968-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12405 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Minute Boys of Philadelphia | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 5%; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +td {padding-left: 0.5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xxlarge {font-size: 200%;} +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.antiqua { + font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", + "Old English", "Engravers Old English BT", "Collins Old English", "New Old English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75968 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA</h1> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_003"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_003.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“WHICH WAY DID HE GO?”</p></figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_005.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<p><span class="xxlarge">THE MINUTE BOYS OF<br> +PHILADELPHIA</span></p> + +<p>BY<br> +<span class="xlarge">JAMES OTIS</span><br> + +Author of “The Minute Boys of Long Island,” “The Minute<br> +Boys of Wyoming Valley,” “Boys of ’98,” “Teddy and<br> +Carrots,” “Boys of Fort Schuyler,” “Under the<br> +Liberty Tree,” etc., etc.</p> + +<p><span class="antiqua">Illustrated by</span><br> +<span class="large">L. J. BRIDGMAN</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_005a.jpg" alt="publisher's logo"></div> + +<p><span class="large">BOSTON</span><br> +<span class="xlarge">DANA ESTES AND COMPANY</span><br> +PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1911</i><br> +<span class="smcap">By Dana Estes</span> & <span class="smcap">Company</span></p> + +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i><br> +<br> +<br> +THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>Electrotyped and Printed by<br> +THE COLONIAL PRESS<br> +C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U. S. A.</i></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> +</div> + +<table> + + +<tr><td class="tdr"><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Spy</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Suggestion</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33"> 33</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Skinny Baker</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_57"> 57</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Recruits</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76"> 76</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> <span class="smcap">At Swede’s Ford</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96"> 96</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Valley Forge</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_117"> 117</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In Mortal Fear</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_136"> 136</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Carnival</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156"> 156</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">On Duty</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_173"> 173</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In the Lion’s Mouth</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194"> 194</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">At Barren Hill</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_213"> 213</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Retreat</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_231"> 231</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Turning the Tables</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_249"> 249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Warm Place</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_268"> 268</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Narrow Escape</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_287"> 287</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Attack</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_305"> 305</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +</div> + + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">Which way did he go?</span>” (<i>Page <a href="#Page_18">18</a></i>)</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">We kept strict watch ahead and behind</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40"> 40</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">I could kill you and not call it murder</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72"> 72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">This, General Varnum, is Richard Salter</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113"> 113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">He found two lobster-backs guarding the entrance</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_144"> 144</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Scaling the jail wall</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191"> 191</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">In a twinkling Jeremy was upon him</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_258"> 258</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td><span class="smcap">Butting him full in the pit of the stomach</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_296"> 296</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> + +<p class="ph2">THE MINUTE BOYS OF<br> +PHILADELPHIA</p> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br> + +<small>THE SPY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> striving to set down what we boys of Philadelphia +did during a portion of the time when General +Howe and his lobster-backs held possession of +our city, I have no intention of blowing my own +horn.</p> + +<p>If, however, it should appear from what I write +that I have made myself seemingly of more consequence +than is my due, it must be set down as excuse +that I am earnestly endeavoring to give a +true, faithful account of our work, for some of us +lads of Philadelphia did, so we have been told by +those who stand high in the American army, very +much good for the patriot cause in our own small +way.</p> + +<p>It is needless for me to go into details regarding +General Howe’s occupation of the city, for the facts +are well known. I question if there be a boy in +all these colonies who does not remember how we +of Philadelphia suffered when the lobster-backs held +possession of the city.</p> + +<p>It is written in history by this time, that we who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +held to the Cause were sadly put upon by those +whom the king sent overseas to whip us into subjection. +It may be there are some outside this city +of Philadelphia who think we might have done more +in our own defence; but I dare venture to say you +will agree with me, if it so please you to believe all +I have written, when I say that we, meaning men, +women and children, did whatsoever we could for +the Cause at such times as it was possible to do so +without endangering our lives.</p> + +<p>In more cases than one have I seen even the +women render aid which would have cost them the +halter, if so be General Howe, or General Clinton +who came later, had had an idea of what was going +on.</p> + +<p>Do you remember the battle of Germantown, as +some people call it, that fight which took place near +the Chew house? Well, it was about six months +afterward, when the spring had fully come, that +Jeremy Hapgood, my particular friend, and I, who +am by name known as Richard Salter, had agreed +among ourselves that we would attend a vendue of +horses to be held at the London Coffee-House, +which is situate on the corner of High and Front +streets, as of course you know.</p> + +<p>To our minds, the only important matter concerning +this vendue was that there were several +fine animals to be sold, and among them mayhap +four or five which the British officers had seized +from our people nearabout Germantown, claiming +a right to take them in the name of the king because +their owners were said to favor the Cause.</p> + +<p>We lads were not the only persons in Philadelphia +with a leaning towards independence, who +counted to be at the vendue that day, for I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +heard it whispered about by Master Norris, who, +as you know, is a most peaceable man, being a +Friend, that there was a chance some attempt might +be made during the sale to carry off the horses +which had been much the same as stolen.</p> + +<p>Jeremy and I were minded to know what would +be done, hoping there might be some chance for us +to lend a hand, and realizing that it would be a +credit to us if we could say we had had some part +in cutting the combs, however slightly, of these +lobster-backs who paraded the streets shouldering +into the gutters all of our people who dared hold +the sidewalk when their high mightinesses were inclined +to use it.</p> + +<p>Now, as you know, the London Coffee-House +was a famous resort for those minions of the king, +and we lads generally gave that part of the city a +wide berth, not being minded to bear insult, nay, +even blows, when it so pleased the lobster-backs to +inflict them.</p> + +<p>To the end that we might see what was going +on and at the same time remain at a respectful distance +from the red-coated gentry, I proposed to +Jeremy that we meet in front of that shop at the +corner of Front street and Black Horse alley which +was formerly Mrs. Roberts’ coffee-house, and there +we would not only be at a safe distance from the +Britishers who were likely to be in a disagreeable +mood from overly much drinking; but, in addition +could, if need arose, readily make our escape.</p> + +<p>You must know that at the rear of the store was +a gate opening on Chestnut street, where, when +the place had been used as a coffee-house, the gentlemen’s +horses were brought in to the stable, and +through that gate we might readily give any lobster-back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +the slip unless, peradventure, he was +fleeter of foot than we; but there were few in +Philadelphia at that time who could outstrip either +Jeremy or me in a race.</p> + +<p>Well, as we had agreed so we did, and on coming +in front of the shop we could see on the corner +of High street a large throng gathered, nearly +every one of whom, save, of course, the grooms, +wore a red coat, and I said to Jeremy that it was +in my mind Master Norris had repented of taking +any part in the rescue of the horses, after learning +that so many of the soldiers were gathered.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, it would have been a mighty +disagreeable task to run off any of the animals +while such a crowd of officers was nearby, with +here and there a squad of soldiers who had gathered +by themselves, not daring to approach too +near to their high and mighty masters.</p> + +<p>“If Isaac Norris and his friends had any design +to run off the beasts, then the work should have +been done last night while they were stabled, rather +than wait until now, for even the thickest head in +Philadelphia could understand that with so many +fine horses offered for sale, the king’s army would +be well represented at this vendue,” Jeremy Hapgood +said grimly, half turning as if it was in his +mind to beat a retreat, for it would profit us little +to remain so far from the vendue, if peradventure +we were eager to hear and to see all that was +going on.</p> + +<p>The animals had not yet been brought out for +sale, and it appeared to me that the waiting ones +were impatient, so much so, in fact, that there was +seemingly considerable excitement nearby the entrance +to the coffee-house, although what had caused<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +it I could not even so much as guess, and it was +on my tongue’s end to propose to Jeremy that we go +down to the water front nearby the Jolly Tar inn, +where we had for some time kept concealed a skiff.</p> + +<p>Now it may sound much as if I am straining +the truth when I say that we two lads had kept +hidden from the Britishers all this while a boat, +for, as you well know, it was near akin to a crime +for one of us so-called rebels of Philadelphia to +have a craft of any kind in his possession.</p> + +<p>Every boat and vessel on the river had either +been destroyed or taken in charge by the lobster-backs, +as if they were fearful that some of us +enemies to the king might try to get away from +their not overly pleasant company by taking to the +water, and that their hold of Philadelphia would +be weakened if man, woman or child was permitted +to leave the city.</p> + +<p>As I have said, it was on the tip of my tongue +to tell Jeremy that we were but wasting our time +here while we could be more pleasantly employed +elsewhere, when there arose a sudden commotion +nearby the door of the coffee-house, and in a +twinkling I saw three of the red-coated, swaggering +officers fall to the ground as if suddenly stricken +with death.</p> + +<p>Almost at the same instant from out amid the +throng there appeared a man dressed in the garb of +a countryman, who, from outward appearance, +might have been one of the farmers nearby, and +who, thinking more of the dollars than of his country’s +freedom, was ready to serve the Britishers with +meat and vegetables, if so be he received therefor +sufficient of hard money.</p> + +<p>This fellow came out with a bound, and he it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +was who had overturned the lobster-backs. Almost +before I could fairly understand what had happened, +he was coming in the direction of Jeremy and me +at full speed, while behind him rose such cries as:</p> + +<p>“Kill him! A spy, a spy! Take after him, +you idlers; don’t you see that he is a spy and escaping?”</p> + +<p>Jeremy and I needed no further introduction to +this fleeing stranger. The fact that the Britishers +were bent on capturing him, and accused him of +being a spy, which was much the same as declaring +he was one who had devoted himself to the Cause, +was enough to make him our friend, and in a twinkling, +fortunately, I had my wits about me sufficiently +to realize that we could open up to him a +way of escape, if so be the lobster-backs did not +press too closely on his heels.</p> + +<p>I knew full well that if I was seen to give aid +to one suspected of being a spy, my shrift would be +short indeed, for General Howe’s officers made +quick work of us people of Philadelphia who were +suspected of having lost our love for the king. +Therefore it was that I ran forward as if to seize +the man, and did lay hold of him with one hand, +striving as if it was my purpose to detain him, +while at the same time I said loudly, realizing that +the uproar behind us was so great that the words +would not be overheard:</p> + +<p>“Get into the alley-way this side the shop! +There is a gate leading to Chestnut street, if so +be you are minded to go through; but you should +be able to find a hiding place in the old stables, +while Jeremy and I keep on as if in pursuit, making +them think you have passed that way.”</p> + +<p>Then it was I threw myself to the ground, as if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +he who was shouted after as a spy had thrown me +off roughly; but was able to scramble to my feet +before the foremost of the pursuers came up.</p> + +<p>It was well I moved quickly, otherwise Jeremy +might have brought us all to grief, for he failed +utterly of understanding why it was I would do +anything to aid in the capture of the man. He +looked at me in open-mouthed astonishment with +reproach written on every feature of his face, until, +seizing him by the coat-sleeve, I dragged him on +with me as I shouted at the full strength of my +lungs:</p> + +<p>“A spy, a spy! Come all you good people and +catch the spy!”</p> + +<p>“What is the meaning of this?” Jeremy asked +angrily. “How does it chance that you are joining +with the lobster-backs in chasing down one of +our people?”</p> + +<p>“Have your wits about you, Jeremy Hapgood, +else are you like to get me into serious trouble!” +I whispered angrily. “Follow my example, and +it may be that peradventure we can help this unhappy +man who is risking his life for the Cause.”</p> + +<p>Then, literally dragging Jeremy along with me, +I continued on as if in pursuit of the spy, darting +close at his heels up the narrow passage leading to +the ruined stables, and from there to the gate which +let on Chestnut street.</p> + +<p>To my satisfaction, I saw him make a plunge +among the decaying timbers much as does one who, +swimming, dives into deeper water, and without +slackening pace I threw open the gate leading on to +Chestnut street, where I made as if I had hurt my +leg; but all the while continuing to cry:</p> + +<p>“A spy, a spy! Catch the spy!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>“What has come upon you?” Jeremy asked +sharply. “I fail to understand any portion of this +game.”</p> + +<p>“It makes little difference whether you understand +it or not, Jeremy Hapgood,” I replied sharply. +“Your part is to follow my example, if peradventure +you are so thick-headed as not to be able to +look through a ladder. You know as well as I, +that the man went out of here, and I would have +caught him but for the fact that he kicked me on +the knee.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Jeremy began to have an inkling +of how I would help the poor fellow who was so +sorely pressed, and a smile of satisfaction came +over his face which would have been fatal to my +plans if the lobster-backs had come up in sufficient +time to see it.</p> + +<p>It was necessary the foremost of the pursuers +should run a full half-square before they could +come to where we were standing, and no less than a +minute passed from the time I threw open the gate +before the leaders came up, shouting wildly:</p> + +<p>“Which way did he go? Why have you halted +in the chase? Where is he?”</p> + +<p>“He passed out through this gate not many seconds +ago, disabling me by a kick as he went, else +I would have caught the fellow,” was my reply.</p> + +<p>Now, as a matter of course, all this was a lie, +and strictly speaking, so my mother would say, +no lad has a right to tell that which is false. But +I have heard Master Norris, who is as straight a +Friend as can be found in Philadelphia, and a most +truthful man, say that in these troublous times he +believes we are warranted in telling the enemies<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +of our country things which are not true, if so be +good can come to the Cause thereby.</p> + +<p>Surely in this falsehood of mine good must come +to the Cause, if peradventure the man whom I +knew to be hiding under the timbers of the stable, +was indeed a spy who had come down from Valley +Forge, mayhap, with the hope of finding such a +condition of affairs as would warrant our people +in making an attempt to retake Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Now, as a matter of course, we lads knew nothing +whatsoever of military matters, and wondered +greatly why it was all our people should suffer as +they had been suffering at Valley Forge, without +making some attempt to relieve us who were shut +up by the lobster-backs much the same as prisoners.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that if I were a soldier I would +prefer to fight, no matter how great the odds might +be against me, than remain idle, half-starved, half-frozen, +half-clad, awaiting a favorable opportunity.</p> + +<p>However, as I have said, and as you know full +well, my knowledge of military matters was slight, +and in my foolishness, on hearing that a spy had +been discovered in the coffee-house, I believed he +could have been sent for no less a purpose than +to learn what he might to aid our people in making +ready for an attack. And as I stood there by the +gate, with the lobster-backs streaming past me, each +asking querulously which way the game had gone, +I could almost fancy I saw those patriots from Valley +Forge coming down through Germantown to +square accounts.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that the Britishers did +not continue the chase very far up Chestnut street,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +because of not being able to see the man they were +so eager to catch, and after running a dozen yards, +mayhap, one by one they turned back to question +Jeremy and me as to the direction which the fugitive +had taken.</p> + +<p>I thought of what Master Norris had said regarding +truth-telling when it came to a question of +saving a man’s life, and to the best of my ability +I explained how I had seen the man run up the +street after passing through the gate, and then, as +my attention was attracted for an instant to Jeremy, +I turned my head to look again; but saw nothing of +him.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was, so I said, that he must have +taken refuge in some one of the houses or outbuildings +between where we stood and, mayhap, the distance +of a square.</p> + +<p>By this time Jeremy had succeeded in getting +through his head, which it seemed to me had never +been so thick as on this day, somewhat of the plan +in my mind, and bravely did he second my efforts +to throw the lobster-backs off the track.</p> + +<p>He also declared that he had seen the stranger +running up the street; had followed him a certain +distance, and declared that but for the blow which +the fellow gave me, we two lads would have secured +him. In other ways Master Hapgood bolstered +up his story and mine in such fashion, that +unless there had been serious cause for suspicion, +the Britishers could have done no less than believe +all we told them.</p> + +<p>The result was that very speedily we were left +alone, for not above twenty had followed the man +through the alley-way, and many of these had +gone back to the coffee-house to explain how the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> +supposed spy had succeeded in giving them the +slip.</p> + +<p>Within five minutes we were alone, standing in +the gateway where we could see all that might take +place on Chestnut street in either direction, as well +as make certain whether anyone came upon us from +the rear.</p> + +<p>Thus we were, as you might say, absolutely alone, +and Jeremy said to me in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“Now what is your intent, Richard Salter? It +strikes me that this is your affair, and I am well +content to do whatsoever you shall say.”</p> + +<p>I knew not what reply to make, and verily an +older head than mine might have been puzzled to +decide exactly what was best to be done, for there +was need of much caution since a man’s life depended +upon the decision that should be made.</p> + +<p>I had succeeded in saving the stranger, whoever +he might be, for the time being, and now it stood +me in hand to do whatsoever I might toward finishing +the job in proper fashion. But how the matter +was to be worked puzzled me beyond words to +describe.</p> + +<p>Jeremy waited while one might have counted +twenty, for me to reply to his question, and then +repeated it in a different form:</p> + +<p>“You have got your spy underneath the timbers +of the stable, and within a stone’s throw of where +the king’s officers most do congregate. Now, how +are you to prevent the poor fellow from starving to +death?”</p> + +<p>“It is a question which I wish most heartily I +might be able to answer, Jeremy,” I replied soberly, +cudgeling my brains meanwhile for some solution +to the difficulty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>However, there was in my mind the fact that I +could not make any move at once, because of the +danger that the lobster-backs who had gone up +Chestnut street might come back into the yard, +therefore I said to the lad, linking my arm in his:</p> + +<p>“There is nothing which can be done yet awhile; +we must loiter around until night has come, and if +so be the man who is in hiding has as much sense +and quick wit as a spy needs, then will he understand +that we are forced to wait until the hue and +cry has died away before we can venture a hand to +save him.”</p> + +<p>Well, Jeremy had no reply to make to this, and +for the very good reason that there was nothing he +could say.</p> + +<p>He knew as well as I, that for us to approach +the hiding place of the stranger now, while the +lobster-backs were so near at hand and so likely +to come into the yard, would be much the same +as delivering the fellow over to death, therefore +he followed my lead, and we two walked as slowly +away as if there was nothing whatsoever on our +minds save a desire for pleasure, toward the Jolly +Tar inn, where there was good reason to believe +we might meet with some of our comrades.</p> + +<p>It can well be supposed that we discussed this +sudden change in our affairs most earnestly as we +walked along; but without arriving at any very satisfactory +conclusion. We had most like saved the +life of a man that day, and the question which +would come into our minds, despite all efforts to +banish it, was whether or no we might succeed yet +further in the purpose, or if that which we had +done was only to keep him on this earth a few hours +longer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>Certain it was, once the Britishers suspected him +of being a spy, he would suffer the death of one in +event of being captured, for the lobster-backs were +not overly careful about spilling the blood of Americans.</p> + +<p>Now you must know that our boat lay hidden +on the bank of Dock creek, under a pile of lumber +and general building material, where, save strictest +search was made, she would be undiscovered by the +enemy.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that at this time we +boys had very much opportunity to indulge in boating. +The British ships lay so thickly at anchor in the +river off the town that, as Jeremy said, one might +not safely pass a knife-blade between them, and +unless we were minded to go up stream, where was +every chance of being overhauled by one of the +guard-boats at the expense of losing our craft, we +were forced to content ourselves with looking at +her now and then, thinking with a deal of satisfaction +that we had succeeded thus far in holding +that which his high mightiness, General Howe, insisted +we of Philadelphia should not be allowed to +keep in our possession.</p> + +<p>The <i>Jolly Rover</i> was the name of our boat, +and she was not very much to look upon with pleasure, +being nothing more than a skiff, as you might +say, with the forward part decked in, so that we +might venture down toward the Capes even in +stormy weather, without risk of being swamped.</p> + +<p>However, to us she was as valuable, and, perhaps, +as seemly looking as any of his majesty’s +vessels, and it appeared to me that after having +crawled beneath the lumber to get at her, knowing +the lobster-backs were supposed to keep a strict<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +guard nearby, I could better think out any problem +which presented itself to my mind, because of being, +so to speak, under my own vine and fig tree.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that I led Jeremy down toward +Dock creek, turning over and over again in +my mind, as you may well suppose, the chances for +and against our being able to aid that stranger who, +if he acted the truth, and I doubted it not, was laboring +for the American Cause and now had none +on this earth to trust in save us.</p> + +<p>It seemed like the rarest stroke of good fortune +that we should chance to come upon young Chris, +meaning Chris Ludwig, son of Christopher Ludwig, +the baker, who was our especial crony, and +also an equal owner in the <i>Jolly Rover</i>.</p> + +<p>Young Chris was loitering around Front street +nearabout the creek, having nothing especial to +do, for if there was one thing in this world that he +was unfriendly with it was work, and although his +father stood ready at all times, almost too ready, +the lad said, to give him employment, he did his best +to evade it. On this day verily I blessed his +indolence, for, with the exception of Jeremy, he +was the one person in Philadelphia to whom I could +open my heart without fear of being betrayed.</p> + +<p>One might suppose that a sensible lad would go +at once to his father with such information as was +in my possession—dangerous information;—but I +had none to whom I could appeal. My father had +long since been dead; my mother was a widow +who, with what little aid I could give her by earning +a shilling or a sixpence now and then, eked out a +livelihood letting rooms in the house where I was +born, therefore this taking possession of the city +by General Howe was not unwelcome to her in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +one sense, although she was as good a “rebel” as +could be found in all our colony of Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>British officers were inclined to spend the king’s +gold whenever there was an opportunity of ministering +to their pleasure, and many of them hired +apartments in the city rather than be quartered +wheresoever their billets led them. Thus it was +that we had in my home three lobster-backs, all +officers of the Royal Irish regiment, and you can +guess that I heard every day of my life such threats +or suggestions against us of Philadelphia as made +my blood boil, although I dared not speak a word +in protest, else had I gone to the stone jail, or to +join the prisoners in the state house, without delay.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, young Chris was eager +to know where we had been and what was our +purpose at present; but although there were none +in the streets nearby who might overhear my words, +I refused to make any explanation whatsoever until +we were in our snug hiding place beneath the lumber +pile, and so told him, speaking in such a tone +that on the instant he understood something of +great import must be in the wind.</p> + +<p>It required no less than half an hour of skilful +manœuvring for us to get on board the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, +safely hidden beneath the overhanging timbers, for +we were forced to go one at a time lest, otherwise, +undue attention be attracted to our movements.</p> + +<p>But finally we were on board the craft, and then +it was, sparing not words so that the lad might have +full knowledge of all which had occurred during +the morning, I told young Chris of our situation +as it concerned the stranger.</p> + +<p>One might have thought the lad would have been +overwhelmed with fear at the bare idea of harboring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> +a spy, for in our city of Philadelphia in +the year of grace 1778, to do so was such a crime +as the lobster-backs would never overlook until one +had danced at the end of a rope so long as life remained +in his body.</p> + +<p>But Chris was not of that stamp. Instead of +showing fear, it pleased him seemingly to a great +extent that we had been able to do even so much +as hide the spy, and straightway, without thinking +of the danger, he began speculating as to how we +might aid the stranger.</p> + +<p>“I am ready to take the chances of setting off +with him in this boat during the night, going so +far up the river that he may be able to get on +shore without being observed, for, of course, it is +impossible we could make our way below the city +past all the ships-of-war on which strict watch is +kept.”</p> + +<p>“It strikes me that we should first learn where +the man comes from,” Jeremy interrupted. “Certain +it is he ventured into this city on important +business, otherwise he never would have risked his +neck so rashly, and it is for us to learn how his +work may be furthered, rather than say we will +do this or do that because it best suits our convenience.”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” young Chris said quickly. “What +is to prevent us from knowing exactly how he would +have us lend him a hand?”</p> + +<p>“In order to do that, we must have speech with +him,” I replied quickly, “and, moreover, there is +a possibility the man stands in need of food.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris made a gesture with his hand as if +to say I was talking at random, and cried incautiously +loud:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>“What is to prevent your having speech with +the man, and that right speedily? As soon as night +has come I will take my station at Black Horse +alley to give warning if any of the lobster-backs +approach that way. Jeremy shall stand guard at +the gate on Chestnut street, and then you, Richard +Salter, may go in and talk to the man to your +heart’s content, so that you do not give the lobster-backs +an inkling of your purpose before having entered +the shop-yard.”</p> + +<p>Strange as it may seem, this simple plan had +not occurred to me; I had fancied it would cost +us a deal of trouble and could be done only at the +expense of much danger, yet the moment young +Chris had spoken I understood how simple it would +all be, providing the lobster-backs were not loitering +in the neighborhood, suspecting the man might be +hidden nearby.</p> + +<p>However, I was not minded that the lad should +believe he had contrived something which had escaped +my attention, and therefore said, much as if +it had been my purpose all the while to do this same +thing:</p> + +<p>“Of course, that is what must be done. The +question in my mind, however, is whether the man +still remains where we last saw him.”</p> + +<p>“How could he go elsewhere?” young Chris +asked sharply. “He has no means of knowing +but that the Britishers are close about waiting for +him to come out, and because you gave him the +hint where a hiding place might be found, he will +depend upon you to aid him farther, unless he be +a veritable simple.”</p> + +<p>Well, we discussed the matter, each in turn suggesting +the most improbable methods of getting the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +stranger out of the city, and arriving at no satisfactory +conclusion. It seemed well-nigh impossible +we might thus pluck a spy from out the clutches +of the Britishers without bringing ourselves to the +gallows.</p> + +<p>You must understand that in this year of +grace 1778, we of Philadelphia were lying, as one +might say, bound hand and foot at the mercy of +those whom the king had sent to whip us into subjection; +and at the first move man, woman, or +child might make toward doing anything in aid of +their distressed country, then was punishment severe +and terrible to think upon, sure to follow.</p> + +<p>Of course, we could do nothing toward aiding the +spy until night had come, and so excited were we +all that there was no thought in the minds of any +that we might be needing food; but it seemed almost +as if the safety of the man depended entirely on +our remaining aboard the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, hidden from +view, until the favorable moment when we might +take steps in his behalf.</p> + +<p>I knew full well my mother would be anxious +regarding me if I failed to return home at the +accustomed time, and yet it seemed that I must +stay there, if indeed I gave much of any heed to +such fact. I was so puffed up with the idea that it +might be possible for me to do something which +would give me an enviable name among those who +were serving the colonies, that it was as if I had no +home nor anyone who would be concerned whether +I came or remained away.</p> + +<p>Young Chris had no desire to go back to the +bakery even for a few moments, because he knew +full well that his father would find some task for +him to do, therefore was he content to remain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> +with me. Jeremy Hapgood, however, had better +sense than either of us, for he understood he ought +to report himself at home at least once during the +day, and, finding that we were not disposed to come +out from our hiding place until it was sufficiently +dark to carry into execution the plans we had +formed, he set off alone, counting to relieve his +mother’s anxiety, if so be she felt any concerning +him, which was exactly what both young Chris +and I should have had manhood enough to do.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should set down +all that was said by my comrade and me while +Jeremy was away, for we talked much that was +foolish, I dare venture to say. Nor were we in +any way disgruntled as Jeremy crept under the +lumber pile, when the afternoon was nearly half +spent, his pockets bulging with food which he had +brought for us, he being a thoughtful lad where +the comfort of his friends was concerned.</p> + +<p>While we ate greedily, for to tell the truth both +of us were anhungered, he gave us the pleasing information +that no Britishers were to be seen in the +vicinity of where the stranger was hidden.</p> + +<p>It appeared surely as if the lobster-backs had +come to believe that the spy made his way up +Chestnut street, or sought refuge in some of the +buildings there, rather than nearabout the coffee-house, +and, as Jeremy said with a chuckle of satisfaction, +matters were shaping themselves much as +we would desire.</p> + +<p>Jeremy had sufficient good sense to loiter around +the London Coffee-House amid the throng of officers +which frequented that place, hoping he might +hear somewhat concerning the events of the forenoon, +and in this he was not disappointed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>The lobster-backs, it seemed, were discussing over +their ale whether the man who had been chased +was indeed a spy, or some witless creature, as one +of them put it, who had inadvertently said that +which caused suspicion to fall upon him.</p> + +<p>It appears that the man had been in the coffee-house +seemingly for the sole purpose of taking refreshment; +but, so one of the Britishers declared, +keeping his ears open to all that was said around +him.</p> + +<p>Now it so chanced that one of the high and mighty +lobster-backs who sported a sword, had proposed in +a drunken spirit that all within the room should +drink to the health of the king, and this man was +so slow in responding, that instantly the Britisher +asked him if he was for the king or for the colonies.</p> + +<p>Now why it was, the man having come into Philadelphia +as a spy, if indeed such had been the case, +he should have hesitated to give the proper answer, +I failed to understand, nor could Jeremy learn very +much regarding the particulars of what occurred +just at that moment. At all events, the stranger +was immediately accused of being a spy, and when +he indignantly denied it, was asked to go to headquarters +that he might explain his business and tell +why he was in Philadelphia at that time, if indeed +he did not live in the city.</p> + +<p>Without making reply to this suggestion, the man +leaped to his feet, counting to trust to his heels +rather than his tongue to get him out of the scrape. +Whereupon, every red-coat customer in the coffee-house +set chase after him, crying out as we had +heard.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>According to Jeremy’s story, the Britishers were +not greatly disturbed regarding the possibility that +a spy from the American army had been among +them. They rather took it for granted that the +man was of no especial importance; that he could +do them no harm, since nothing of a private +nature had been discussed in the coffee-house. Because +the farmers were allowed to come in from +the country nearabout to sell their produce, it was +not strange that one of them, and this man +was seemingly a farmer by his garb, should be +friendly to the colonies to such an extent as to +hesitate about drinking the king’s health.</p> + +<p>All this was in favor, as a matter of course, of +the man whom we had set out to befriend, for it +told that there would not be a very strict watch +kept over those who might attempt to leave the +city, and again we knew, or believed we did, that +there would be no especial guard stationed nearabout +where the man had disappeared.</p> + +<p>“It is all as plain sailing as a fellow could +wish,” young Chris said in a tone of satisfaction +when Jeremy was come to an end of his story. +“The British are here in such numbers, while our +army is penned up in Valley Forge seemingly unable +to make a move, that General Howe’s officers +do not fancy any danger can come to them +from us rebels; therefore we have simply to carry +out my plan of gaining speech with your friend +the spy as soon as night has come, and you may +set it down as certain, Richard Salter, that you +will not be disturbed however long the conversation +may be between you and the man. However, +I would recommend that you put a stopper to your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +tongue in decent time, discussing how it is possible +for him to get out of the city, rather than striving +to gratify your curiosity.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris’s remarks rather nettled me, although +I would not allow him to see it. I was +a year his elder, and although I had done nothing +which gave proof of my ability to serve the colonies, +I counted that I was quite as able to conduct +an affair of this kind, dangerous though it +was, as he, and preferred in my folly to be looked +on as the leader in this enterprise, rather than as +one who must obey the command of others.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that I failed to make reply to +his remark, and Jeremy was tired of talking, consequently +we three fell silent, crouching in the <i>Jolly +Rover</i> beneath the overhanging timbers until the +sun went down, and darkness covered Dock creek +even as it covered Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>The night had come. There was no longer reason +for us to hesitate or to linger, for we were only +counting on darkness to favor us, rather than the +lateness of the hour, and after assuring myself the +coast was clear, by creeping out amid the timbers +where I could have a fairly good view of the surroundings, +I said in a whisper to Jeremy and young +Chris that the time had come for us to make an +attempt at gaining speech with the stranger.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br> + +<small>THE SUGGESTION</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> General Howe himself had been striving to +make matters easy for us in the attempt to visit the +spy, matters could not have gone more to our satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Singularly enough, we failed to meet with a single +squad of red-coats as we came up from Dock +creek to Black Horse alley, and having arrived +there, could see no one in the immediate vicinity.</p> + +<p>At the London Coffee-House, just outside the +doors, were mayhap half a dozen officers loitering +as if waiting for some friend; but that gave me +no concern, for those who held commissions in +his majesty’s army did not stoop to do such work +as hunting down a spy, because there were plenty +of the rank and file to whom they could detail +anything which was disagreeable or laborious.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that we marched directly into +the yard, taking fairly good care, however, not to +make any great display of ourselves. Having come +to the gate which led on Chestnut street, Jeremy +went outside after we had decided that if either +he or young Chris should see anything which was +of a suspicious nature, they should give the alarm +by each shouting the other’s name, afterward making +their way without delay to the <i>Jolly Rover</i> +where, if so be I was not interfered with, I could +meet them.</p> + +<p>Then it was that young Chris went back to the +entrance of Black Horse alley, and I was left alone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +in the yard to seek out the man whom I had undertaken +to befriend, even though he had not called +upon me for such service.</p> + +<p>I had marked well the place where he disappeared +amid the decaying timbers, and, lying at +full length, I forced my body beneath the rotten +lumber until I was well inside the covering, when I +called in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“Hello there! I am the lad who lent you a hand +this morning!”</p> + +<p>While one might have counted ten there was no +answer to my call, and not until I had repeated it +twice did I hear anything betokening the man’s +whereabouts.</p> + +<p>I was almost come to believe he had taken matters +into his own hands, and, rather than trust to +boys, had set about making his way out of the city. +It was even when I was on the point of backing +out from the uncomfortable hiding place that I +heard a movement beyond me in advance, and then +came a cautious whisper.</p> + +<p>“Is there no danger in my coming out?”</p> + +<p>“None so long as you remain quiet and are +ready to take to cover again at the first alarm,” I +replied, and before the words were hardly out of +my mouth, the man was so near that by stretching +forth my hand I could touch him.</p> + +<p>“Are they searching for me?” was his first question.</p> + +<p>I replied to it by telling him all Jeremy had +learned during the afternoon, whereupon he asked, +as if even at this late hour there was some little +distrust in his mind regarding my honesty of purpose +in striving to aid him:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>“Who are you, lad?”</p> + +<p>“Richard Salter, son of that widow who lives in +Drinker’s alley, and, while the lobster-backs are +here in Philadelphia, gains a livelihood by letting to +them such rooms in our house as we do not occupy.”</p> + +<p>“There was another lad with you this morning?” +he said in a questioning tone, and I replied +promptly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, that was Jeremy Hapgood; but now there +is a third fellow who would strive to save you from +the halter.”</p> + +<p>“And who may that be?”</p> + +<p>“Young Chris, son of Christopher Ludwig the +baker.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Ludwig the baker; then surely that lad +should be trusted,” the stranger said, and in such +a tone as nettled me, whereupon I cried incautiously +loud, speaking sharply:</p> + +<p>“There are none of us three who may fairly be +suspected of doing aught save that which is for the +good of the Cause, else would we have left you +this morning to the mercies of the lobster-backs. +If peradventure one of them had suspected that I +was seeking to show you a hiding place, then would +my shrift have been short indeed. In case you are +acquainted here in Philadelphia, you know where +I must of necessity have been at this moment if so +be they got any hold upon me.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, ay, lad, I understand all that, and you must +forgive me even for seeming to question your honesty; +but when a man is as I am, lying ’twixt the +halter and a bullet, it is not to be wondered that +he questions everyone around him, even those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +who are seemingly doing what they may to lend +him aid.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind that part of it,” I interrupted hastily, +ashamed of having given rein to my tongue +at such a time. “I know not whether it may be +possible for us lads to help you out of this scrape; +but surely it seems to me we might do almost as +much as men, since boys are not so likely to be +suspected by the lobster-backs as those who are older +grown.”</p> + +<p>“You may do as much as men, and even more, +lad. Have you boys here in Philadelphia who love +the Cause, no association such as the Boys of Liberty +in Boston, or the Minute Boys in other colonies?”</p> + +<p>“There is little chance we could have,” I said +with a laugh in which was no mirth. “Perhaps +you do not know how closely we are watched by +the lobster-backs.”</p> + +<p>“I dare venture to say you are in no worse condition +than are other lads who, binding themselves +together with the agreement to do whatsoever they +may in aid of the colonies, have already succeeded +in accomplishing very much. How many are there +of your age, or thereabouts, in this city who may +be trusted?”</p> + +<p>Hurriedly I ran over in my mind those whom I +knew to have favored the Cause, and said at random:</p> + +<p>“A dozen mayhap. There possibly are more; +but I do not now recall others with whom I would +be willing to trust my liberty or my life. But do +you really think boys no older than thirteen or fourteen +years might aid the Cause?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>“Ay, of a verity I do, my lad. Are you not even +now doing that which many a man who claims to be +a true son of the colonies, would flinch at? To +aid a spy in his escape is no slight crime in the eyes +of those who serve the king.”</p> + +<p>“But this was something which happened unexpectedly,” +I replied, “and we would not find a like +opportunity again in a lifetime, I might almost +say.”</p> + +<p>“Ay; but if you and your friends sought for +the opportunity, my lad, you could do very much, +and particularly just at this time,” the man said +earnestly, as if it was of the utmost importance +that he interest me in this matter, and his eagerness +surprised me not a little. “With a dozen lads +who were ready to do whatsoever they might, the +work of men like me, who venture into the enemy’s +camp, might be lessened very greatly, and information +sent out which could not otherwise be had by +our people,” the man continued, now with his lips +close to my ear lest any might overhear.</p> + +<p>“Tell me how it could be done?” I cried eagerly, +now burning with the desire to do something +which should give me a name among those who +were struggling to throw off the yoke of the king, +for until this moment I had not believed it possible +lads like myself would be able to accomplish anything +of importance.</p> + +<p>“Suppose I wanted to send word to Valley Forge, +or to Swede’s Ford, or anywhere else you please, +of what I have learned in this city, and yet desired +to remain here longer in order to gather more +information? How well you lads could serve the +Cause by carrying such message—”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>“Do you mean to General Washington?” I cried +excitedly, now raising my voice so that the man +laid his hand on my lips as he replied:</p> + +<p>“Ay, to him, or to any other officer who might +be waiting for the information. In fact, lad, there +is no need why I should go into detail with you, explaining +how a company of boys could aid the colonies +here in Philadelphia, even as they have aided +them elsewhere since this war for independence began. +Instead of discussing that matter now, let +us set about, if so be it is in our power, to say how +I may get away from the city without loss of +time?”</p> + +<p>“And where would you go, sir?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Anywhere outside the British lines. My purpose +is to reach Swede’s Ford within four and +twenty hours.”</p> + +<p>“Would you take the chances of going down the +river as far as the mouth of the Schuylkill, in a +small boat which is hardly more than a skiff?” I +asked, and then told him of the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, +whereupon he remained silent while one could +have counted twenty, after which he said hesitatingly:</p> + +<p>“I question much, lad, whether it would not be +easier to get away by land rather than water, for +from what I have seen, the lobster-backs are keeping +close guard over the river.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, over the Delaware, but not the Schuylkill, +and if Swede’s Ford be the point you aim at, then +it behooves you to go up the Schuylkill. I dare venture +to promise that we could get the <i>Jolly Rover</i> +out from beneath the lumber pile twixt now and +midnight without any lobster-back being the wiser.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>“Do you think I might dare venture out within +an hour, say?” the man asked, and I replied, without +hesitation:</p> + +<p>“If so be you go with us, and make a move only +when we give the word, allowing that you are my +uncle, or cousin, or whatsoever blood kin you may +choose to say in event of our being overhauled, then +do I believe we might start this moment.”</p> + +<p>He showed himself inquisitive as to my plans, +and I surely could make no complaint as to that, +for the man was giving his life, so to speak, into +my hands, and one could well fancy he would be +curious to know whom he was thus trusting.</p> + +<p>The result of all his questions and my answers +was, that within five minutes I backed out from +beneath the decaying timbers, ran to the entrance of +Black Horse alley, and in the fewest possible words +told young Chris what we were about to do, asking +his opinion.</p> + +<p>He felt quite as confident as I, that at this hour +in the night we might safely make the venture, and +after telling me to bring my spy out into the +open, he ran to warn Jeremy that it was no longer +necessary for him to remain on duty at the +gate.</p> + +<p>The stranger came promptly out at my bidding, +and when he was standing in the yard, while we +were waiting for young Chris and Jeremy to give +the word that the coast was clear, I whispered warningly:</p> + +<p>“If so be we come upon a squad of lobster-backs +who are inclined to question us, it may be as well +that you should claim to be my uncle who has come +down from Germantown.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>“And have you an uncle in Germantown, lad?” +the man asked.</p> + +<p>“Indeed I have not; but what concern might that +be of yours?”</p> + +<p>“Only this, my boy, that if you had one who +lived in Germantown, and I should afterward come +to grief, it might be the worse for him that you +had used his name.”</p> + +<p>It pleased me not a little that the man should be +thus careful for my safety, or for the safety of +those who were near to me, and although I had +had no distrust of him before, I felt every confidence +from this on.</p> + +<p>We lost no time, after young Chris had signaled +that the coast was clear, in setting out from the +shop-yard on the way to Dock creek; but you may +be very certain that we kept strict watch ahead +and behind, lest we should come upon, or be overtaken +by, those whose duty it was to make certain +that “rebels” were not abroad after the sun +had set.</p> + +<p>Now it may seem like some fanciful tale, rather +than reality, that we could thus walk boldly abroad +in the evening when the lobster-backs were supposed +to be on the lookout for everyone who was not of +their kidney.</p> + +<p>But it must be borne in mind that General Howe +had long held possession of the city; that he had +come to believe the American army was powerless +to do anything against him; that he felt confident +the people of Philadelphia would not dare make any +attempt in their own behalf, and, in addition to all +this, his men, officers as well as privates, had really +grown careless, or I might say, lazy. They no +longer were so keen to search out rebels, because +it might take them from their pleasures, and verily +the king’s men in our colony at this time were living +a life of ease and of indolence.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_040a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_040a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">WE KEPT STRICT WATCH AHEAD AND BEHIND.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>Much of what I have just set down was said to +me by the stranger as we walked, now in a group, +and again stretched out in single file that we might +the better guard against an approach of the enemy. +And he spoke thus in order to let me understand +that it was not difficult, if a man was willing to take +his life in his hands, to play the spy upon General +Howe’s army.</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why I should try to make +you believe, lad, that this work of spying upon the +red-coats is a simple matter, for hardly twelve hours +are gone since you saw me fleeing for my life. +That, however, was due to my own carelessness; +but if a man so chooses, he may come into this city +of Philadelphia and remain day in and day out +without being questioned. It is the possibility of +sending away his report, if so be he has one to +make, which oftentimes puzzles him, and therefore +was it that I spoke of you lads binding yourselves +together here as Minute Boys, following the example +of those in other colonies.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that? What’s that?” young Chris +asked jealously, and the stranger, understanding +that we must not hold overly much converse on the +street, made reply by saying:</p> + +<p>“It was a suggestion which I made to your comrade, +and when we are where we can hold converse +without danger of being overheard, or of running +our necks into a noose, I will explain to you what I +have broached to him.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris would have insisted upon knowing +then and there all that had been said between the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +stranger and myself; but Jeremy interrupted him +by whispering sharply:</p> + +<p>“I am not minded to linger here on the street in +such company, even though it be your pleasure! +Our affair is to get this man hidden in the <i>Jolly +Rover</i> until he decides how he will leave the city, +and until he has gone I’d have you bear strictly in +mind, young Chris, that we are not to take more +risks than may be absolutely necessary.”</p> + +<p>At another time and in another place, perhaps, +young Chris would have made some sharp reply, +for he was not overly patient when there was a +suspicion of reproach. But just at this moment +he understood, even as well as we, that he could +not afford to be thin-skinned whatever might be +said, and from then on there was no further need +to urge him to move swiftly toward Dock creek, +until we were come within sight of the lumber pile, +when the four of us halted to make certain there +were no prying eyes nearabout.</p> + +<p>“The coast is clear,” Jeremy said thirty seconds +later.</p> + +<p>And then, without hesitation, he led us to our +hiding place, we following close at his heels.</p> + +<p>Once we were concealed beneath the lumber pile, +I said to myself that this was good token we would +succeed in whatsoever was our purpose, for if we +could come from Black Horse alley in company with +the man who had but so lately been chased as a spy, +and gain our place of refuge without any hindrance, +then were we likely to make names for ourselves as +Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>Even while we were crawling beneath the timbers, +did I repeat to myself the words “The Minute +Boys of Philadelphia,” and they had a pleasing ring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +in my ears, for once we had banded ourselves together +in such a company, and were given by the +leaders of the American army work to do, then +might we count ourselves as being well in the forefront +of those who would free the colonies.</p> + +<p>“It was easily done,” young Chris said when the +four of us were on board the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, and he +spoke much as though he alone and unaided had +brought all this thing about. “Now let us hear +what it was you and Richard Salter had to say that +was seemingly of importance,” he added to the +stranger.</p> + +<p>Whereupon the man, and I could fancy he was +smiling, although owing to the darkness it was +impossible to see his face, because young Chris’ +tone was so high and mighty, began in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“In the first place let me tell you who I am. My +name is Josiah Dingley, and I did live at Germantown +in that house next the Lutheran church, before +the battle; but after that bloody day I cast my +lines in with those who were struggling against the +king, having been lukewarm in the Cause until then. +Because of knowing this city well, I was sent here +near to two weeks ago, and I believe the purpose +of my visit was to prepare the way for some move +which will shortly be made by our people at Valley +Forge.”</p> + +<p>“And have you been in Philadelphia all that +time?” Jeremy asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, I have twice been to Valley Forge, +and was but lately returned when you came upon +me.”</p> + +<p>“And have you learned anything of importance +in all that while?” I made bold to ask, whereupon +the man replied quickly:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>“That is not for me to say, lad. I have come +upon certain things which were set me to learn; +but further than that I must not speak. Now it is +of importance that some other take my place, for +after having played the simple in the London Coffee-House, +I must expect to be recognized if so be +I should chance to come upon those lobster-backs +who were there at that time. I have been thinking +over your proposition that I go out from the city +by means of this skiff, and I am more than inclined +to believe it might be done.”</p> + +<p>“But first let us hear what it was, Master Dingley, +that you had to say to Richard while you two +were in the shop-yard?” young Chris interrupted, +and the spy replied:</p> + +<p>“I will leave that for your comrade to tell you +later. Just now it behooves me to speak of other +matters. Are you lads still of the mind to take +the chances of pulling down the Delaware in this +craft?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed we are,” I replied stoutly. “If so be +you will take the risk for yourself, we lads will +chance it on our part, and I dare venture to say +that between now and daylight we shall not only +have carried you to some point beyond the British +lines; but be back here with the skiff safely hidden +once more. The watch which the lobster-backs +have been keeping over us rebels of late is not as +sharp as it might be.”</p> + +<p>Now it may seem to some as if I spoke at random +in thus declaring that we could go out from +our hiding place, run down the Delaware, and then +up the Schuylkill river so far as this man might +want to go, while the Britishers claimed that they +kept sharp guard over both rivers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>It would seem at first sight almost impossible, +and yet we lads had come to know the movements +of the guard-boats so well that unless something +unforeseen took place, we might venture to state +positively where this or that patrol would be at a +given time.</p> + +<p>I am not minded to make it appear as if there +was no danger in the enterprise, for surely there +was, and in plenty.</p> + +<p>If it should so chance that we lads were taken +while we had Master Dingley on board, and he +was shown later to be the same man who had been +chased out of the London Coffee-House, then might +we reasonably expect to share the same fate as +his, and all know what a spy meets with when he +has been taken within an enemy’s lines.</p> + +<p>In addition to that, if after we had landed the +man we were overhauled by the Britishers, then +would it be indeed difficult for us to explain why +we were abroad at that time of the night, for I am +of the opinion that neither Lord Howe, nor any of +his officers, would accept as excuse for us the fact +that we were eager to go boating, and had simply +hit by chance upon such an hour.</p> + +<p>Whether the odds were in our favor or against +us, however, the die was cast, as you might say, +when we had made the proposition that we would +take Master Dingley away.</p> + +<p>And now that he much the same as declared his +willingness, as well as his desire, that we should +carry out that which was the same as a promise, +it behooved us to make ready for the enterprise in +such manner as if believing we might come to grief +before it was ended.</p> + +<p>In order to do this it was necessary we send<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +some word to our people at home, for while we +might excuse ourselves because of having remained +away so long without announcing an intended absence, +it would be little less than cruelty to keep +silence until morning, since all three of us knew +full well how deeply our mothers would mourn, believing +we had come into some trouble with the +hirelings of the king who were ever so ready to +get us rebels on the hip.</p> + +<p>There was no good reason why all should go out +on such an errand, and therefore it was I proposed +that we cast lots to see who should be the messenger.</p> + +<p>To this young Chris made decided objections. +He declared it was his intention to know what secrets +Master Dingley and I talked while we were +hidden in the old stable back of the shop off Black +Horse alley, and if so be the lot fell on him to +carry word to our parents, then would he miss the +chance of gaining what he believed was valuable information.</p> + +<p>I was truly vexed with the lad because of his +obstinacy, and for bringing up such a trifling matter +at a time when we were engaged in work of +grave import; but, luckily, before I could utter those +angry words which were already in my mouth, +Jeremy said:</p> + +<p>“I am well content to hear what Richard and +Master Dingley may have to tell us, at some later +day, therefore, young Chris, if you are determined +the story must be told you at once, I will take it +upon myself to warn our people that we may be +away from home mayhap four and twenty hours.”</p> + +<p>“Why make it such a long time?” young Chris +asked grumblingly. “There is no question but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +that we shall be back by daylight if we come at +all—”</p> + +<p>“Do not speak so rashly, my young friend,” +Master Dingley said gravely. “There may be +very many good reasons why it would be safer for +you to remain away from home eight and forty +hours, or even longer, than to return at once, therefore +let your people know exactly what you are +about, and how many are the chances against your +returning soon.”</p> + +<p>Jeremy did not wait for any discussion on this +point, but without further delay started from amid +the timbers to gain the outer air, which was a work +of no little time owing to the fact that he must first +assure himself the coast was clear before going +into the open.</p> + +<p>Young Chris and I, who had so often done that +which Jeremy was now doing, gave little heed to +his movements, save as a matter of course that +we kept our ears open to hear any token of a mishap, +and after waiting two or three minutes, at +the end of which time we could safely calculate +Jeremy was speeding on his way, young Chris said +in a peremptory tone:</p> + +<p>“Now, if it please you, Richard Salter, we will +hear what that great secret is between you and +Master Dingley.”</p> + +<p>“It is no secret whatsoever, and a matter that +could better have been told you to-morrow, or the +next day, than now. But since you are so greedy +for the information, and so jealous lest something +had been said of which you are not fully informed, +I will explain the matter.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I told the lad what Master +Dingley had said regarding our forming a certain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +number of Philadelphia lads into a company of +Minute Boys, and straightway the baker’s son was +in an ecstasy of joy.</p> + +<p>It was to him a most happy idea, for Chris delights +in being at the head of whatever may be +going on, and this enrolling himself as one of the +colony’s defenders, even though he might not be +able to serve her to advantage, was much to his +liking.</p> + +<p>Without stopping to consider the matter, he declared +stoutly that we could enroll no less than +twenty lads in such a company, all of whom would +be ready to do whatsoever they might be called +upon, and while he was thus telling what a simple +matter it would be, Master Dingley interrupted him +by saying gravely:</p> + +<p>“Be cautious, lad. Remember that whomsoever +you shall ask to join in such an enterprise much +the same as holds your life in his hands, and make +certain before you speak one word of your secret, +that he to whom you are talking may be trusted +so long as life remains in his body.”</p> + +<p>“I will answer for all of those lads whom I +have in mind,” young Chris replied carelessly, and +I fancied that Master Dingley made a gesture of +impatience, for this matter which might turn so +seriously for all concerned, was being treated altogether +too lightly by young Chris.</p> + +<p>It behooved him, as well as all of us who were +minded to join in the enterprise, to realize fully +with what danger it was attended. If we formed +the company, it should be with the knowledge that +our lives might pay the penalty, for if so be we +were taken while carrying information out of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +city, or bringing it in, then was it certain we would +end our days on the scaffold.</p> + +<p>It was as if Master Dingley understood that it +would be useless to argue with young Chris while +he was so excited, and therefore held his peace, as +did I, while the baker’s son continued to name lad +after lad whom he would urge to become Minute +Boys, many of whom I knew had a leaning toward +the king, or, if they failed to have any decided +opinions themselves, came of such rabid Tory stock +that we could not afford to give up our secret to +them.</p> + +<p>However, it matters little what I thought, or +what young Chris said just then. The work in +hand was to carry Master Dingley beyond the British +lines, and in the doing of it we might meet with +such misadventure that there would be no Minute +Boy business for us in this world.</p> + +<p>After a time young Chris grew weary with carrying +on a conversation in which neither the spy nor I +joined, and during mayhap half an hour we sat +there silently in the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, hearing now and +then the tramp of the lobster-backs as they marched +too and fro in squads to make certain we rebels of +Philadelphia were not plotting against the king, +when came sounds from outside which told that +Jeremy was returning.</p> + +<p>An instant later he was beside me, panting heavily +as evidence that he had been running at full +speed, and unable for the moment to speak.</p> + +<p>“Well?” young Chris asked impatiently, “have +you seen all our people?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” Jeremy panted, “and none of them favored +our going away.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>“Did my mother order me to return home?” +I asked anxiously, and by this time Jeremy had so +far regained his breath that it was possible to +speak.</p> + +<p>“She did not say you <i>must</i> come, but it was easy +to understand her desire you should do so, and +when I said that we had committed ourselves to +aiding Master Dingley, she held her peace, but +looked mightily discontented.”</p> + +<p>“It is not my purpose, lad, to insist upon your +carrying out the promise made, for I understand +full well how dangerous it may be, if your parents +are unwilling you should make the venture,” the +spy interrupted. “You have already done me a +good turn, and if peradventure you believe it your +duty to stay here, then shall I go my way as best +may be, feeling that you lads have saved my life +for a time, at all events. If it is sacrificed now, it +will be through no fault of yours.”</p> + +<p>“We will go as was agreed,” young Chris cried +impatiently. “I have no doubt but that father +would like to have me stay with him in order to +help in the bakery, but when work like this can be +done by us lads, we must not think about what +those at home may have to say regarding it.”</p> + +<p>“That is where you make a grievous mistake, +my lad,” Master Dingley said gravely. “Your +first duty is toward your parents; then shall come +the colony, if you please. But until you are men +grown, remember that the only safe plan is to act +as your mother, who surely is a lad’s best friend, +would have you.”</p> + +<p>“There is no question in my mind whatsoever +but that if we were this moment in our homes, and +should state exactly what had occurred during the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +day, there would be no protest made against our +going with you, sir,” I interrupted, determined that +whether we formed a company of Minute Boys or +not, I would have a hand in this saving of a human +life, at the same time that we got the best of the +lobster-backs.</p> + +<p>“It shall be as you say, lads, although my mind +would be easier if you went with your parents’ consent. +Now when shall we set out?” the spy asked +in a low tone, whereupon I replied, before young +Chris had an opportunity:</p> + +<p>“At once. There is no reason why we should +make delay, save to be certain the river is clear, and +then I propose that we creep down within the +shadow of the bank until we are a goodly distance +from here, after which, unless matters have changed +greatly of late, we shall, I believe, be beyond the +point of danger.”</p> + +<p>Without waiting for the word, Jeremy crept out +toward the water’s edge where was an overhanging +plank that afforded us a famous resting place while +we spied upon the lobster-backs, and within +five minutes he came back, giving us the welcome +information that there was no guard-boat in +sight.</p> + +<p>After that we lost no time. There were few +preparations to make, save that of pushing the skiff +out from beneath the timbers, which was a task requiring +considerable strength, because we were +forced to tip her first this way and then that, in +order to avoid the planks which ran on either side +considerably nearer the water than her height +would admit of passage.</p> + +<p>In this work Master Dingley aided us not a little, +and within mayhap fifteen minutes from the time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +Jeremy had come back, we were out of the hiding +place, creeping cautiously well within the shadow +of the right-hand shore as we started on the dangerous +enterprise.</p> + +<p>Save for the twinkling of the lights from the +fleet, and the hum of voices which came to us from +over the water as the sailors lounged around the +decks of the war vessels talking, there were no +signs of life.</p> + +<p>Shoreward, in our immediate vicinity, it was +dark as a negro’s pocket, with never a sound betokening +the presence of human beings, and Jeremy +whispered in my ear as we two worked one oar +while Master Dingley and young Chris worked the +other, that it was a good token we had got away +thus readily.</p> + +<p>I nervously bade him hold his peace. Until we +were really committed to the work, I had failed +to realize all the dangers, but now that we were +afloat where the lobster-backs might come upon us +at any moment, my heart began to fail me.</p> + +<p>While I would not have turned back now that +my hand was on the plow, so to speak, it would +have pleased me wondrously if we had never come +across Master Dingley, however eager I was to do +whatsoever lay in my power to aid the colonies.</p> + +<p>If we could go out with the soldiers and stand +up in manly fashion against the Britishers, then +might I be proud; but this aiding a spy, with a +shameful death before us if we were captured, was +something to make the cold chills of fear run up +and down a fellow’s spine.</p> + +<p>However, we were embarked in the enterprise, +and it stood me in hand to do whatsoever I might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +toward making it a success, because of the price +which failure would cost.</p> + +<p>There was little we could do just then, save to +row as swiftly as was consistent with silence, for +we dared not lift the oars so that any noise might +be made, because, as everyone knows, the water +carries sound a long distance, and even while hidden +from view, we might betray our whereabouts +through carelessness.</p> + +<p>We were forced to keep on down the river in +order to come to the mouth of the Schuylkill, and +in so doing must pass all the king’s ships. If peradventure +some officer was putting off from the +Philadelphia side to go to his vessel, and we were +come just at that time nearabout his course, then +were we in danger.</p> + +<p>You can well fancy, as we neared the huge craft, +with what caution we worked the oars. It was as +if I hardly dared to breathe; as though the sound +of my heart-beats would give the alarm, and before +we were five minutes on our way I was dripping +with perspiration, caused, I am free to confess, +by fear, while I was almost as wet as if I had +gone over the skiff into the water.</p> + +<p>I have talked later with lads who claimed that +it was impossible the smallest skiff could make her +way, even during the darkest night, past all that +fleet where it was reasonable to suppose the sharpest +of sharp watch was kept; but yet that we did, +going our course without being hailed by man or +boy, by lobster-back or patriot.</p> + +<p>If we had had the power to direct events according +to our own pleasure, matters could not have +worked more favorably for us, because, as I now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +look back upon that short voyage, it seems to me +almost beyond belief that we could have done what +we did without bringing about our ears a very nest +of red-backed hornets.</p> + +<p>Now in order that you may know how the lobster-backs +guarded our city of Philadelphia, and +what danger we lads were running our noses into, +I count to set down here that which I have read +within the week, and it was written by one who +has seen it drawn out in clerkly fashion on a map +belonging to General Howe.</p> + +<p>“The line of intrenchments from the Delaware +to the Schuylkill extended from the mouth of the +creek just above Willow street to the upper ferry +on the Schuylkill. They consisted of ten redoubts +connected by strong palisades. The first redoubt, +which was garrisoned by the Queen’s Rangers under +Simcoe, was near the forks of the roads leading +to Frankford and Kensington. The second redoubt +was a little west of North Second and Noble +streets; the third between North Fifth and Sixth +and Noble and Buttonwood streets; the fourth on +Eighth street between Noble and Buttonwood; the +fifth on Tenth between Buttonwood and Pleasant; +the sixth on Buttonwood between Thirteenth and +North Broad; the seventh on North Schuylkill +Eighth between Pennsylvania avenue and Hamilton +street; the eighth on North Schuylkill Fifth +and Pennsylvania avenue; the ninth on North +Schuylkill Second near Callowhill street, and the +tenth on the bank of the Schuylkill at the upper +ferry.</p> + +<p>“The encampment extended westward from +North Fifth, between Vine and Callowhill, as far +as North Schuylkill Second. The Hessian grenadiers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +were encamped between Callowhill, Noble, +Fifth and Seventh streets. The Fourth, Fortieth +and Fifty-fifth British grenadiers, and a body of +fusileers, were on the north side of Callowhill, between +Seventh and Fourteenth streets. Eight regiments +lay upon the high ground around Bush’s +hill, extending from Fourteenth, nearly on a line +with Vine, to the upper ferry.</p> + +<p>“Near the redoubt at the Ferry was another +body of Hessians. The Yagers, horse and foot, +were encamped upon that hill near the corner of +North Schuylkill, Front and Pennsylvania avenue. +On the Ridge Road near Thirteenth street, and on +Eighth, near Green, were corps of infantry. Light +dragoons and three regiments of infantry were +posted near the pond between Vine, Race, North +Eighth and Twelfth streets. A little below the +middle ferry, at the foot of Chestnut street, was a +fascine redoubt, and near it the Seventy-first regiment +was encamped. Some Yagers were stationed +at the Point House opposite Gloucester.</p> + +<p>“When winter set in, many of the troops and all +the officers, occupied the public buildings and +houses of the inhabitants, also the British barracks +in the Northern Liberties. The artillery were +quartered in Chestnut street between Third and +Sixth street, and the State House yard was made +a park for their use. During the winter, General +Howe occupied a house on High street where Washington +afterwards resided; his brother, Lord Howe, +lived in Chestnut street; General Knyphausen lived +in South Second opposite Little Dock street. +Cornwallis’ quarters were in Second above Spruce +street, and Major Andre lived in Dr. Franklin’s +house in a court back from High street.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>Thus it is you can see that our city was literally +filled with lobster-backs, and not only the city, but +the banks of the river, while in the stream itself +lay their ships-of-war, and we three lads were +forcing ourselves to believe we could move at will, +carrying information to our people at Valley Forge, +or wheresoever it might be wanted, without running +into these red-coated scoundrels who had come +overseas to whip us into loving the king.</p> + +<p>I believe now it would have been wiser had we +gone boldly up the Delaware beyond Frankford, +and there let Master Dingley take his chances of +going across country to the Schuylkill; but he had +spoken as if the only way for us to proceed would +be to pull down the river as far as League island +and then up the Schuylkill, therefore, without considering +how much more of danger lay in that +route than the other, I had consented.</p> + +<p>Therefore was our journey more than three +times what it should have been had we proceeded, +as I now believe, with more of common sense in +our methods.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br> + +<small>SKINNY BAKER</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, after having set down all dangers which +compassed us, as if making ready to tell some tale +of wondrous adventure, I am forced to come down +from my high horse and say that we sailed, or +rather rowed, the boat directly around the city +until we were come to the Falls of the Schuylkill, +without having been hailed by man or child.</p> + +<p>Here it was, as a matter of course, that Master +Dingley counted to set off by himself, and when +he would have praised us for what we had done +in his behalf, I know full well that my cheeks were +mantled with shame, for children half our age could +have performed the work equally as well under the +same circumstances; but yet he put it as if we had +accomplished what might have been brought about +by none others.</p> + +<p>It was a little past midnight when we pulled up +under a clump of bushes that he might step ashore, +and waited there to hear what he had to say regarding +our forming a company of Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>Until this moment we had not ventured to speak +one with another, save in the most cautious of +whispers, and only on such matters as were absolutely +necessary for the working of the craft. But +now we were in comparative safety, he harked back +to his proposition that we band ourselves together +in a company for the purpose of doing whatsoever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +we might to aid the colonies, and took down our +names, together with such information as would +serve to show him where we lived if peradventure he +came into the city, or sent another who would seek +us out.</p> + +<p>The result of all his talk was, as might be supposed, +the agreement on our part to do, without +loss of time, exactly as he had proposed.</p> + +<p>We even went so far as to say that he might, on +any day at the hour of noon, find one of us three +lads loitering roundabout the front of the London +Coffee-House, agreeing to go there regularly as if +it was a post of duty, and to hold ourselves in +readiness to perform whatsoever anyone, who could +show to our satisfaction that he had come from +the American camp, should desire us to do.</p> + +<p>“I’m thinking that before a week has passed I +shall visit at the home of one or another of you +lads, for now that you have agreed to do that which +will provide us with means of sending information +out from the city, whosoever goes there to spy upon +the Britishers may remain, without taking the many +chances of detection by going out himself frequently.”</p> + +<p>Then Master Dingley had very much more to +say regarding our duties, and of what value we +might be to the colonies, all of which it is not necessary +I should set down here, for if so be I ever +bring to an end this poor attempt at a story of the +Minute Boys of Philadelphia, you will see, as one +incident follows another, that which he had set for +us to do.</p> + +<p>He lost no time after receiving our promises that +we would get together immediately to raise our +company of Minute Boys, and also that one or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> +another of us would be in front of the London +Coffee-House each day; but then left us, moving +away at a swift pace as though minded to finish his +journey before sunrise, if indeed that might be +possible.</p> + +<p>It would have pleased me right well if we could +have stayed there within the shelter of the bushes +during a certain time, for I was wearied as if having +labored severely, when, as a matter of fact, I +had worked no harder than I would have worked +had we been out on a pleasure voyage. The anxiety, +the fear that we might come suddenly upon +the lobster-backs, was what had worn me down +almost to the verge of exhaustion; yet I knew +that we must continue on, for unless our journey +was done before daybreak, and our skiff back +in her old hiding place, then were we come to +grief.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that immediately Master Dingley +disappeared amid the bushes, we pulled the +<i>Jolly Rover</i> out into the stream, and, having grown +careless, I suppose, because of coming thus far in +safety without meeting any who might do us an +ill turn, instead of taking due heed to remain +within the shadow of the bank, we kept the middle +of the river, giving little or no heed to the noise +which might be made by the oars. As young Chris +said, it would be time enough to creep along at a +snail’s pace while remaining hidden from view, +when we were come to where there was chance of +being overhauled by the red-coats.</p> + +<p>But however boldly we might go on, our +progress was not so rapid but that there were signs +in the eastern sky of coming day when we neared +Gilson’s point, and even a blind man could have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +said that we would not be able to gain Dock creek +before the sun had fairly shown himself.</p> + +<p>All this at the moment did not seem of very +great importance. We could readily enough find +a hiding place for our skiff during a twelve-hours, +and strike across the city to our homes, contenting +ourselves with the knowledge that we would return +next night to carry the <i>Jolly Rover</i> back to Dock +creek.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was at the next clump of bushes, or +rather thicket, which we came upon, the skiff was +run up on the bank, and we spent no little time in +hiding her securely amid the foliage, after which +we set off at a rapid pace for home, having, as it +may well be supposed, an eye out for any straggling +lobster-backs.</p> + +<p>Strange as it may seem, it was not a Britisher +who brought us for the time being to grief, but +rather one of our people—I might almost say one +of our own comrades.</p> + +<p>When the day had fully dawned we were no +less than a mile from Chestnut street. Then was +the time when it seemed that we might safely come +upon any number of Britishers, for surely lads of +our age were likely to be out thus early in the +morning, for pleasure, if not on some household +errand.</p> + +<p>We were walking carelessly along, feeling that +the matter which we had in hand was well finished, +and congratulating ourselves that, lads though we +were, we had within the past four and twenty hours +saved the life of a man who was struggling to aid +in this war against the king.</p> + +<p>Suddenly we came upon Benjamin Baker, +“Skinny” we called him, a lad for whom I never<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +had any great affection, nor did I consider him an +enemy, save in so far as his father was a rabid +Tory.</p> + +<p>Now if I had had my wits about me, I would +have seen by the expression on Skinny’s face that he +knew more concerning our movements than we +could readily suspect, for there was a certain ugly +leer upon his face as he halted us by coming to a +full stop directly in our path, as he asked:</p> + +<p>“Are you lads out often as early as this?”</p> + +<p>“It seems we are out no earlier than you, +Skinny,” young Chris said with a laugh, and would +have pushed the lad aside in order to continue on +his way, but that Skinny stopped him very suddenly +and caused the faces of us all to whiten, as +he asked in a meaning tone:</p> + +<p>“Why did you leave your skiff down by the +Point? Why not have come around in her?”</p> + +<p>While one might have counted twenty we three +stood staring at him in open-mouthed astonishment, +and then I managed to ask in a voice which +I knew was tremulous with fear:</p> + +<p>“How do you chance to know whether we left +the boat anywhere or not?” And then I added +like the simple that my timorousness had made me, +“we haven’t been out in a boat this many a day.”</p> + +<p>“And yet you hid one in the thicket, Richard +Salter. As a matter of fact, I chance to know +that you came down the Schuylkill. From where, +I can’t say; but my idea is that if the king’s servants +should know you had been spending the night on +the river, it would be necessary to make some explanation.”</p> + +<p>For the life of me I could not have made reply +to the lad at that moment; but young Chris, whose<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +temper is prone to rise beyond all bounds of prudence, +caught him roughly by the shoulder as he +asked angrily:</p> + +<p>“Have you been spying upon us, Skinny Baker? +Have you dared to follow us this night?”</p> + +<p>“And what if I have? Who shall bring me to +account? Surely you three, who must have been +engaged in some business which has to do with the +rebels, will not dare question me.”</p> + +<p>“You shall see whether we dare or not!” Chris +cried in a rage as he seized Skinny by the throat, +and for the instant I believed it was in his mind to +throttle the lad, therefore I sprang forward, catching +him by the arm as I said warningly:</p> + +<p>“Be careful, Chris, be careful!”</p> + +<p>Before I could say more, Skinny Baker, an evil +look on his ugly face, said in a tone as of triumph:</p> + +<p>“Ay, Richard Salter, young Chris, as well as +you and Jeremy Hapgood, have reason to be careful +with me now. I have long had it in mind that +you would play into the hands of the rebels if so be +you had the chance, and now I know it for a +verity.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know it?” Jeremy cried, and +Skinny said, speaking slowly as though it gave him +the greatest pleasure to torture us:</p> + +<p>“I know it because I saw you going down the +Delaware when there were four in your skiff, and +I followed along the bank until having come to the +Point, where I waited, thinking you must return +that way. Where is he whom you had with you?”</p> + +<p>I verily believe anyone could have knocked me +down with a feather, so to speak, when the churlish +lad thus gave us to understand that he was in possession +of our secret. I knew full well it was in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +his heart to use it to our harm whenever he had +the opportunity, and of a verity there would not +be lacking chances in our city of Philadelphia for +him to impart to enemies of the Cause such information +as he had stolen.</p> + +<p>We three lads stood gazing at each other in dismay, +while Skinny, looking first at one and then +another, grinned with delight, for he well knew +how much of fear he had caused us.</p> + +<p>It might have been better for him if he had been +willing to delay his triumph a while longer; but +the evil-minded Tory must needs make it yet more +plain that he held us under his thumb, and said +jeeringly:</p> + +<p>“And now, unless I am mightily mistaken, it is +I who will do the fiddling while you dance to my +tune.”</p> + +<p>I can’t say what there was in the words which +caused me to have a clearer understanding of the +situation than I would otherwise have gained, owing +to my great fear; but on the instant there came +into my mind like a flash of light that this fellow’s +tongue must be stopped at any hazard. That it +was for our own safety he be put out of the way.</p> + +<p>Not for a moment did I dream of committing a +crime; but by putting him out of the way, I meant +that in some manner, such as had not come into +my mind as yet, he must be silenced, or we stood +good chance of being hanged.</p> + +<p>Young Chris, in obedience to my gesture of a +few seconds previous, had released his hold of +Skinny’s throat, and now it was my turn to grab +the Tory by the neck, holding myself ready to choke +him if he should make any outcry, as I said hurriedly +to Jeremy and Chris:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>“This fellow knows so much that if we allow +him to go free this moment, we are likely to find +ourselves under that beast of a Cummingham’s +thumb, for to prison we shall surely go if he wags +his tongue!”</p> + +<p>“And how may we stop him?” Jeremy asked +in a tremulous tone, whereupon I replied, speaking +from impulse as it were:</p> + +<p>“That I know not just now. At least, at such +an early hour, unless peradventure we come across +a squad of lobster-backs, we should be able to force +him to go with us to the old hiding place where +we have kept the skiff, and once there we must +decide upon some plan for keeping his tongue +quiet.”</p> + +<p>I believe of a verity that the cowardly cur +thought we had it in mind to kill him, for straightway +all expression of triumph faded from his face, +and but for my hold on his throat he would have +begged, like the coward that he was, for mercy.</p> + +<p>He did succeed in uttering a few words; but +I was not in the mood to listen to what he might +say, for though he had promised until he was +black in the face to hold his peace, I never would +have given him credit of keeping the truth.</p> + +<p>It was his liberty against our lives, and if so +be any venture, however bold, could save us, I +was determined it should be the Tory who would +suffer.</p> + +<p>Had it been an hour later in the day, I question +whether we could have forced Skinny along, +for whoever had seen us, with me clutching him +by the throat, while Jeremy and young Chris prodded +him from behind, would have known that he +was a prisoner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>Realizing that the instant my grasp upon his +neck was relaxed ever so slightly, he would shout +for help, and he was already pale with fear, I +was forced to keep him half-choked, while but for +Jeremy and young Chris alternately pushing and +pulling, he would not have advanced a pace.</p> + +<p>As it was, however, we succeeded in forcing +him at reasonably good speed, and, as we had +been during the night, so were we now, favored +by fortune, for save here and there a servant girl +out on some errand, we met no person until we +were come within two squares of our destination.</p> + +<p>Then there appeared suddenly, coming from +around the corner of Second street, a squad of +lobster-backs who were beginning their work of the +day by marching to and fro, with the hope of +finding some so-called rebel who had transgressed +General Howe’s laws so far as to bring him within +their power.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that at that moment were we +come to the end of our rope, and had it not been +for Jeremy I truly believe I must have turned tail +and run at my best pace, leaving Skinny Baker to +go wheresoever he would.</p> + +<p>“Keep right on, boys; keep on and make them +think it is all in the way of sport,” Jeremy said in +a hoarse whisper, as he pushed Skinny yet harder, +and began at the same time to cry out that he should +soon learn what it meant to be ducked.</p> + +<p>“The odds are that we shall find ourselves in +the guard-house mighty soon,” young Chris said, +and I could almost fancy that his teeth were chattering +with fear.</p> + +<p>Yet he could do no better than follow the advice<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> +given by Jeremy, because there was no other +course to be pursued, unless we would desert the +prisoner, leaving him free to tell all he knew concerning +us.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for me to so set it down that +you can understand how terrified I was as we +rapidly approached the British squad, for I had +no faith whatsoever that Jeremy’s plan would +work, and if, when we were come within a dozen +paces of them, the corporal who was in command +had called upon me to speak, I believe it would +have been beyond my power.</p> + +<p>He did call upon one of us, however, and it was +Jeremy who acted the part of spokesman—Jeremy +who proved himself brave, braver than +either Chris or I, for he said laughingly, as if it +were one of the best jokes he had ever heard:</p> + +<p>“This lad believes Washington’s ragamuffin +army can march into Philadelphia whenever it feels +so disposed, and we are taking him down to the +creek where we count on washing some of the rebel +ideas out of him.”</p> + +<p>“Dip him deep, lads,” the corporal cried laughingly, +making no attempt to stop us. “It is a pity +you couldn’t have more of the rebels to serve in +the same fashion, for were I in command of this +city there would be less treason talked. Dip him +deep!”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that we will, sir, never fear. I am not +certain that we won’t anchor him out where he can +soak for a while,” Jeremy replied, still laughing, +and at the same time doing all within his power +to force Skinny on at a yet swifter pace.</p> + +<p>That which I have just set down had hardly +more than been spoken when we were past the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> +squad, and hurrying as we had never hurried before +to gain that poor shelter on Dock creek.</p> + +<p>Then it was that young Chris, looking back to +make certain the red-coats were not inclined to +follow us in order to see the sport, called out to +me that unless I was minded to kill Skinny Baker +then and there, it would be best I unloosened my +hold upon his throat.</p> + +<p>Indeed it was time I did so, for the fellow was +literally blue in the face when I looked at him. +Until this instant I had failed to realize how much +force I was exerting, and if peradventure young +Chris had not seen him in time, I verily believe +I should have killed the lad unwittingly.</p> + +<p>Then, when I did release my grasp, and the +fellow could draw a long breath, instead of talking +with us like a decent lad, he must needs go +to begging and imploring, as if he believed it was +in our minds to slaughter him as we would a +pig.</p> + +<p>Even though I had had any sympathy in my +mind prior to that moment, it would have all vanished +with those cowardly words. Instead of +making reply, we forced him on, Jeremy saying +in a tone which told he was making no idle threat, +that unless Skinny went on at his best pace he +would prod him in the back with his pocket knife.</p> + +<p>Skinny quickened his steps. In fact, had we +told him to do anything whatsoever that lay within +his power, so frightened was the cur that he would +have attempted it without making protest, and it +would have pleased me right well to have pummeled +him severely, not because of the threats he had +made against us, but because he was showing himself +such a poltroon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“We’ll soon have him under cover,” Jeremy +said as if believing that young Chris and I needed +heartening, and I could not refrain from asking:</p> + +<p>“What then? If we get him under cover, how +long may we keep him there? Surely we must +set the fellow at liberty before night falls.”</p> + +<p>“That shall depend upon himself,” Jeremy replied +much as though he had already formed some +plan for the future. “If he refuses to do as we +say, then will I hold him there a prisoner till the +crack of doom, if so be he and I stay on this earth +till then.”</p> + +<p>I verily believe I was almost as much dismayed +by Jeremy’s threat as by what Skinny had said +when he first met us, for it seemed as if we were +sinking deeper and deeper into a mire from which +there could be no escape.</p> + +<p>We had begun this piece of work by aiding +a spy, and thereby bringing upon ourselves the +shadow of the gallows. Now had we grown so +bold as to make prisoner of a lad whose Tory +father would unquestionably have no slight influence +with General Howe.</p> + +<p>However, we had made our bed, and must lie +in it. The question to be decided was, not what +would please us, but how we might best shut this +fellow’s mouth, and that was indeed a serious +matter. Let him once be free of us, regardless +of how many oaths he had taken to keep secret +that which had been done this night, he would +break them as a child breaks a bunch of straws, +for there was no truth in the lad, as we fellows +had known this many a day.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we pushed on at our +best pace, for if peradventure we met another squad<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +of lobster-backs, it might not be possible to shut +their eyes as readily as we had those who were +just passed, and our present safety lay in getting +beneath that pile of lumber where there were at +least a few chances we might escape being taken +by General Howe’s men.</p> + +<p>You may rest assured that we hustled Skinny +beneath the decaying timbers, once we were come +to the lumber pile, as rapidly as might be, and in +so doing were we putting ourselves yet farther in +his power, for he would know the secret of our +hiding place.</p> + +<p>If he escaped us to tell his story to the lobster-backs, +then must we find some other refuge, if indeed +we were allowed to go free sufficiently long +to seek one.</p> + +<p>I verily believe Skinny thought he was being +taken to the place of his murder, when we forced +him to his hands and knees, for one could not +gain the shelter save by creeping. It was necessary +we literally shove him along in order to make +any advance; but once we were come inside where +no less than thirty lads might have found a fairly +good resting place, the expression of fear on his +face faded somewhat, and I dare venture to say it +came on mine instead.</p> + +<p>There was no evading the fact that, having gone +so far as we had on this road which was pointed +out to us by Master Dingley, we must hold Skinny +for no one could say how long, since it was imprudent +to depend upon his word; and how might +that be done, I asked myself.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was well for me that at this time +Jeremy, having an eye to our necessities and our +situation, proposed that he go out to our homes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +in order to say we were come safely back to Philadelphia, +and, perhaps, to explain in what situation +we were, as well as to get food sufficient to last us +during four and twenty hours.</p> + +<p>This was no more than a necessity, and I bade +the lad go with all speed, urging that he make +the matter of as little importance to my mother +as might be, lest she, dear soul, should die with +anxiety.</p> + +<p>Now it was that young Chris, having succeeded +in doing his share of carrying Master Dingley to +a place of safety, began to take upon himself the +airs of a leader, and insisted that he also must go +out, leaving me to guard the prisoner, at the +same time claiming that there was no real need +more than one of us should remain on duty at a +time.</p> + +<p>It was true I could take care of Skinny, so far +as preventing him from making any outcry or +escaping was concerned; but at the same time I +was not pleased to remain there alone, although I +can hardly say why.</p> + +<p>However, there was nothing I, or in fact anyone, +could say to change young Chris’ mind after +it was once made up, and when Jeremy hastened +out in order to take advantage of the hour, for +the lobster-backs would not be abroad in any numbers +so early in the morning, the baker’s son went +with him, while Skinny and I were left in that +dreary hiding place, facing each other much, I +fancy, like two Kilkenny cats who only await the +opportunity to spring one upon the other.</p> + +<p>I was not in the mood for conversation, having +so much of disagreeable forebodings in my mind +that I could give heed to little else than the situation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +into which we had plunged ourselves; but +Skinny, eager, as a matter of course, to learn what +he might regarding our plans as they affected himself, +asked in a whining tone, when mayhap we had +remained silent three or four minutes:</p> + +<p>“How long do you count on keeping me here?”</p> + +<p>“That depends, Master Baker, considerably +upon yourself, and yet more upon our willingness +to take your word. You must understand that we +cannot afford to let you go free to carry to the +lobster-backs that information which you have +gained this night by spying.”</p> + +<p>“But unless you kill me outright, I must go at +some time. It is impossible you can keep me here +many days, even though you would dare do such a +thing, for my father will speedily seek the city +through in search of me.”</p> + +<p>I knew full well we could not keep him there +very long, and it was that which was causing me +the greatest anxiety, yet I was not disposed to let +the fellow see that the situation worried me in the +slightest degree; but replied with as much of carelessness +as I could assume:</p> + +<p>“It remains to be seen how long we can keep +you here, and also whether it will be possible for +your father, seek as he may, to find you while +we remain hidden here. We have had this lumber +pile as a rendezvous ever since the lobster-backs +marched into Philadelphia, and as yet it has +been undiscovered.”</p> + +<p>“That may be,” Skinny replied with a world +of truth in his words; “but until to-day there has +never been any serious reason for seeking you out. +I dare venture to say I am the first prisoner you +have attempted to take, and now is come the time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +when the people of the town, meaning those who +are ready to obey the king, will be in arms against +you.”</p> + +<p>“All of which may be true,” I said with a laugh +which had in it little of mirth. “But at the same +time, Skinny, you are bound to stay with us until +we can decide upon some way of letting you go free +without danger to ourselves. If so be you should +make any attempt at getting away while I am on +guard, let me warn you that, in order to save my +own life, I would take yours with no more hesitation +than I would crush a fly.”</p> + +<p>“You would commit murder?” and Skinny’s +face paled, as I could see even in the gloom.</p> + +<p>“I could kill you and not call it murder.”</p> + +<p>“Yet you rebels make a great howl about that +which the king’s men do, if so be they take the +life of one of your kidney,” the cur said with a +snarl which sounded to me much like the hiss of an +angry cat.</p> + +<p>“The lobster-backs kill those whose only crime +consists in striving to free themselves from the +burdens which the king has put upon them, while +whatever we might do to you would be in order to +save our own lives, therefore do I believe we might +be warranted in doing it.”</p> + +<p>This was not a very pleasant conversation for +Skinny, as can well be imagined. After looking +at me sharply as if to learn from the expression +on my face whether I would really dare carry +out the threat, he fell silent, and we two sat there +facing each other, I ready to spring upon him at +the first move he should make giving token that +he was counting on trying to escape, and meanwhile +counting the seconds as they passed, complaining +to myself because young Chris had left +me thus alone.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_072a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_072a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“I COULD KILL YOU AND NOT CALL IT MURDER.”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>I was not overly eager to have the son of the +baker as companion that we might converse on +pleasant subjects, for the time had gone by when +I could make cheery talk with anyone, at least, +until after I was out of this hobble; but it seemed +that two of us should be on guard, if peradventure +it became necessary for one to go outside, +and I dare venture to say that just then I felt quite +as timorous and fearful of the future as did the +prisoner.</p> + +<p>How long we two remained there alone I am +unable to say; but certain it is that it seemed to +me as if a full day had passed before I heard those +sounds which betokened the coming of a friend, for +a friend it must be who approached us boldly, +since I was firmly convinced that the secret of our +hiding place had not been discovered.</p> + +<p>It was Jeremy, good, faithful Jeremy, who went +about whatsoever he had to do in a business-like +manner, wasting no time, not eager to win for +himself the applause of others; but ever striving +to do with all his might that which was set him +as a task whether in behalf of his friends or himself.</p> + +<p>The lad was literally laden with the provisions +he had gathered, and said with a long-drawn +breath as he shoved a bag in front of me:</p> + +<p>“There, thankful am I that the stuff is here at +last! I feared each moment to be overhauled by +some of the lobster-backs who would be curious to +know what I was carrying in this bag, and had +come almost to believe that I should never get +here.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>“Did you see my mother, Jeremy?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I did, Richard, and she greatly fears +you have undertaken more than a lad should.”</p> + +<p>“In that she differs not greatly from myself,” +I said, striving to smile, but making a wry face +instead. “Did she say aught concerning my coming +home?”</p> + +<p>“Only that you must look well to your own +safety, and if so be there was danger in your coming +to Drinker’s alley, it were best you stayed away +a month.”</p> + +<p>“And how about your own mother, Jeremy?”</p> + +<p>The lad made a grimace, which told plainer than +words could have done that he had met with much +opposition at home when he would have returned +to the lumber pile, and there was no need of explanation.</p> + +<p>“And now, what about Chris?”</p> + +<p>“He has taken it into his head that the time is +at hand when he must gather together the company +of Minute Boys, and instead of thinking of +that which we have on hand, he is going here and +there like a dog who seeks a bone, striving to enlist +recruits.”</p> + +<p>I was literally astounded by this information. +It verily seemed as if young Chris was determined +to increase our troubles rather than do whatsoever +he might toward lessening them.</p> + +<p>This was no time in which to raise recruits for +a company of Minute Boys, because if peradventure +he should speak with one who was not inclined to +join, and willing at some later date to reveal what +had been said, then was the secret of our absence +and the knowledge of our hiding somewhere near at +hand with a prisoner, much the same as discovered.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“What shall we do, Jeremy?” I cried in despair. +“It would seem that young Chris is determined +to work us all the harm he may.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, so it is in my mind, Richard, and yet what +is there we can do, save strive to get ourselves out +of this hobble in which that villainous Skinny has +plunged us, giving no heed to what young Chris +may do? You understand quite as well as I, that +even if we had him here this instant, and he was +determined to go out seeking recruits for a company +of Minute Boys, he would set off despite +all you or I might say to him, so pig-headed is the +lad when he takes a whim into his head.”</p> + +<p>I knew full well that Jeremy spoke no more than +the truth. If my heart had been heavy before, +verily it was like unto lead now, for the dangers +were seemingly growing thicker about us, and I +could see no way out of the mire into which we +had been led by our desire to aid Master Dingley.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br> + +<small>THE RECRUITS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Even</span> though I was so woefully distressed in +mind, yet did I have a hearty appetite for that +which Jeremy had brought, and Skinny showed that +the fear of death was not so heavy upon him but +that he could eat like a glutton, for we two fell +upon the food as if we had been famished, eating +like friends and enjoying every mouthful.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Jeremy told us of what he had seen +around town, which was nothing of great importance +either to the Cause or to us while we were +thus mired, as you might say, with a prisoner.</p> + +<p>After the meal had come to an end, and I am +free to confess that we ate more rapidly than lads +who are supposed to have had a decent bringing +up should eat, we, meaning Jeremy and I, talked +of this and that concerning ourselves, but never +once speaking of the present situation, or of what +the lobster-backs might do to us of Philadelphia in +time to come.</p> + +<p>It was as if we dared not give words to the +thoughts which would come into our minds, and we +therefore spoke on indifferent subjects, as if it was +a relief to thus put far from us all the dangers that +hung so thickly.</p> + +<p>Because of knowing that young Chris was engaged +in raising recruits for our company of Minute +Boys, I had no expectation of seeing him until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +perhaps another night had come, therefore was +my surprise great when within two hours after +Jeremy’s arrival we heard the sounds of whispered +voices in that passage between the timbers which +led to our hiding place.</p> + +<p>An instant later young Chris made his appearance, +followed by three lads, all of whom I believed +I had reason to know were friends to the +Cause.</p> + +<p>They were Harvey Norris, Sam Elder, and +Timothy Bowers; good lads and true as I believed, +and yet I would not have had them there at +that time.</p> + +<p>“Talk about raising a company of Minute +Boys,” young Chris exclaimed in a tone of triumph. +“Why I could recruit a regiment in four and twenty +hours, if it was necessary. Look you here! The +first three I came across, and all standing ready +to do whatsoever they may for the Cause, knowing +that we are like to be called upon for dangerous +service—”</p> + +<p>“Do they know in what kind of a hobble we are +this moment?” Jeremy asked grimly, and Tim +Bowers replied as if he was thoroughly well satisfied +with the situation:</p> + +<p>“Ay, that we do, Jeremy, and if it is a case of +holding Skinny Baker prisoner here during the +remainder of this year, I promise faithfully not +to complain at having to perform my part of guarding +him.”</p> + +<p>The other lads made much the same talk; but, +nevertheless, I was not easy in mind. The first +that I had with which to find fault was the coming +of so many into our hiding place.</p> + +<p>It was not probable that six lads, as we now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +numbered, could come in and out from beneath +the lumber pile without finally attracting the attention +of the lobster-backs. Once they were grown +curious as to why we crawled among the timbers, +the secret of our hiding place would speedily be +made known, and if peradventure Skinny Baker +remained at that time our prisoner, then was the +whole fabric of the Minute Boys of Philadelphia +come to the ground.</p> + +<p>However, the mischief, if mischief it was, had +been done, and it was useless for me to borrow +trouble when there was no possibility of avoiding +it. Therefore, striving as best I might to put on a +pleasant face, I asked young Chris what he had +learned in the city.</p> + +<p>It appeared from his conversation that he had +given no attention to anything whatsoever save the +raising of recruits. In fact, he had not even considered +it necessary to go home in order to relieve +his mother’s anxiety; but, finding these three lads +ready to join in that proposition made by Master +Dingley, he must needs come back to where Jeremy +and I were, in order to acquaint us with what he +considered his good fortune, instead of trying to +make out, as I believed we should do, whether the +British officers who had come upon the spy at the +London Coffee-House, were yet minded to search +for him.</p> + +<p>And there was another element of danger in this +work of young Chris’s, which I failed to heed until +after it was too late to remedy the matter.</p> + +<p>He had, and I am free to confess that I was +equally guilty, spoken of our company of Minute +Boys in the presence of Skinny Baker, who, unless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +he was a veritable simple, could understand all that +we proposed to do.</p> + +<p>More than this, while Sam and his comrades +were telling of their willingness to do whatever +might be required, the name of Master Dingley was +mentioned several times, and thus was it that Skinny +Baker could put together all the story of our wanderings +during the night previous.</p> + +<p>If he should succeed in making his escape, he +could tell to the lobster-backs every thing of so-called +treason to the king with which we were +engaged, and, in addition, he had sealed the +doom of Master Dingley if so be he should be captured.</p> + +<p>Well, the mischief was done, and now were there +greater reasons why Skinny must be held close +prisoner, therefore it was I put the matter plainly +to these new comrades who were so proud in calling +themselves Minute Boys of Philadelphia, asking +how we should divide our time, for it was not +reasonable more than two need remain on duty at +once.</p> + +<p>Before we were well into the discussion, for a +discussion did ensue owing to young Chris, who +claimed that he would take sole charge of the matter, +Skinny came to realize more plainly than ever +before, that we counted on keeping him there so +long as our safety demanded it, and he would have +been a simple indeed if he did not understand that +such period of time meant during the stay of the +lobster-backs in our city.</p> + +<p>“Look here,” he said in a tone between a whine +and a sniffle, “you fellows can’t hold me a prisoner +very long. You are bound to get into trouble for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +what you have done already, and every hour you +keep me here only makes it worse.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we can’t keep you, eh?” young Chris cried +jeeringly. “Well, you will find, my fine buck, that +we can hold you as long as we choose, and the +way matters look at present, that will be quite a +spell. In fact, I see no chance of your getting out +of here until your friends, the lobster-backs, have +left the city.”</p> + +<p>“The British troops left the city!” Skinny cried +in alarm. “Why you must be crazy to think of +such a thing! They are like to be here this many +a year, for when the king has whipped you rebels +as you need to be whipped, then will a force of his +troops remain here to see that you don’t do further +mischief.”</p> + +<p>Skinny’s anger had led him to give way to his +temper, and the last words he spoke were very +much in the nature of a threat, causing young +Chris to leap upon the prisoner as if he was minded +to do him bodily harm.</p> + +<p>“Do you dare threaten us, and tell about what +is to be done to rebels?” he cried, giving voice so +loudly that I leaped forward, clapping my hand +over his mouth, for certain it was if any had been +passing the lumber pile just then they would have +heard the outcry.</p> + +<p>“You must remember where you are, Chris +Ludwig!” I cried, and now it was my turn to show +anger. “Are you minded to betray to any who +may be near at hand our hiding place, when you +know what would be the result if we were taken +prisoners? Where is the harm if Skinny makes +threats? That is all he can do, and, to tell the +truth, I have a better liking for the cur when he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> +shows some bit of spirit, rather than whining like +a baby as he has done since we first captured +him.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris struggled to throw off my grasp, +as if it was still his intent to strike the prisoner, +and then it was that Jeremy took a hand in what +was rapidly becoming a scrimmage, by laying hold +of the lad’s arm and literally dragging him back to +the further end of the cave-like hiding place, saying +in a tone which could not be misunderstood:</p> + +<p>“If so be you are minded to play the fool, young +Chris, then has it come time for me to get out of +your company, and leave this Minute Boy association +which has hardly yet been formed, for I have +no desire to show myself on the scaffold, as is +like to be the case if you continue in this hot-headed +manner!”</p> + +<p>But for the fact that Jeremy was not given to +making vain threats, I believe young Chris would +have insisted upon pummeling Skinny because of +what he had said. But he knew full well that +this comrade of ours did not indulge in idle words, +and therefore it was he held his peace, although +with very ill grace, and now was added another to +the many troubles I had come upon since we first +met Master Dingley.</p> + +<p>It was Tim Bowers who attempted to straighten +out matters, understanding that young Chris’s ill +temper might bring us all into trouble, and he said +in a matter-of-fact tone:</p> + +<p>“If so be we are to form ourselves into a company +of Minute Boys, and if also we are to do +such things as are like to bring our necks within a +British halter, then it seems to me wise we should +decide which one shall be our leader. Let us<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +choose a captain now, since there are six of us +who are disposed to make up the company, and +agree solemnly that each and every one will obey +instantly any command he may give.”</p> + +<p>There was nothing more than good sense in this +remark, and I had it in mind to say that Jeremy +Hapgood should be chosen captain of the Minute +Boys, when the lad himself spoke up:</p> + +<p>“It is Richard Salter who shall act as captain of +this company, according to my way of thinking. +He it was who first had the wit to aid Master +Dingley, and I believe he has sufficient of good +sense to pull us through any difficulties we may +get into, if so be we do as Tim has proposed and +obey his every order without stopping to question.”</p> + +<p>“But I don’t want to be captain; there are others +here who can do it better—you yourself, for instance, +Jeremy Hapgood.”</p> + +<p>Now I would not undertake to say young Chris +had it in mind that he should be the commander +of our company; but certain it is I noted an expression +of dissatisfaction on his face, and if so be +I could have trusted the lad to help us out of a tight +place I would have suggested, for the sake of keeping +harmony, that he be chosen leader. That much, +however, I dared not do, and before it was possible +for me to speak, Tim Bowers said quickly:</p> + +<p>“I am ready to serve under Richard Salter, and +to do whatsoever he may command.”</p> + +<p>So also spoke Jeremy, Sam and Harvey, young +Chris holding his peace. I protested, but it was +of no avail.</p> + +<p>All save Chris were determined I should take +upon myself the leadership of the company, and although +I shrank from such a responsibility, it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> +seemed better I assume it than to throw the honor, +for indeed it was an honor, aside that Master +Ludwig might take it up, because I knew +if the lad was allowed his head a sufficient length +of time, he would bring us all into direst trouble.</p> + +<p>After turning the matter over in my mind while +one might have counted twenty, I decided upon such +a course of action as would carry us through, I +hoped, with safety until the morning. To this end +I said to my comrades, striving the while not to +put on any show of authority:</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why all of us remain here +throughout the night, and a good reason why those +of us who can, should go home. Therefore it is +I appoint Jeremy Hapgood and Timothy Bowers +to take charge of Skinny Baker from now until +morning. The rest of us are to crawl out one by +one, taking due care not to be seen by the lobster-backs, +and make such arrangements at home as will +permit of our using the time as best we can for the +benefit of the Cause. Again, it has been agreed +with Master Dingley that one of us would remain +nearabout the London Coffee-House. Because it +must be a lad whom he has already seen, I propose +that young Chris perform this duty. It shall be his +business to loiter nearabout that place from to-morrow +morning until nightfall, picking up whatever +he may from the conversation of the lobster-backs, +and keeping constantly on watch for Master Dingley, +or whoever he may send in his stead.”</p> + +<p>It was perhaps unwise; in fact, at the moment I +made such a selection, I knew that we were taking +more than a few risks in giving to young Chris the +post of duty at the Coffee-House. The most difficult +task the lad found in life was to hold his tongue,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +even when his elders were speaking, and there was +real danger he might, feeling unduly important because +of being chosen for the post, act or talk in +such a suspicious manner as to give the Britishers +cause for looking after him sharply.</p> + +<p>“When am I to come back here?” young Chris +asked as he made his preparations to depart, and I +verily believe he counted on beginning his work immediately, +although there was no possibility Master +Dingley would send anyone into the city before to-morrow +at the earliest.</p> + +<p>“You will come here only when you are sent for, +or after having received some word from the spy.”</p> + +<p>“But he may not show himself for a week,” +young Chris said in a tone of dissatisfaction, and +I replied sharply, for inasmuch as I had been chosen +captain I intended to exercise the authority, mildly +if I might, harshly if it became necessary:</p> + +<p>“Then you will remain on duty there a week, +unless we need you here. There is one thing positive: +We must not come in and out of this hiding +place oftener than may be absolutely necessary. +For us to run to and fro at will is, as you yourself +can see, most dangerous.”</p> + +<p>To this young Chris made no reply; but straightway +crept out between the timbers and was gone, +while Jeremy and I sat looking at each other questioningly, +for there was in his mind much the same +as that which had come into mine, concerning the +possibility that young Chris’s zeal and desire to +show himself of importance might bring us to grief.</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t have done differently,” I said in reply +to the question I saw in Jeremy’s eyes. “He +was angry, or, I will say at least disgruntled, because +you lads chose me for your captain, and it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +seems to me in the highest degree important we +keep him feeling fairly good natured. I do not believe +young Chris would deliberately work us a +harm if things went wrong; but I am afraid he +might allow certain tokens of ill temper to escape +him now and then, which would prove disastrous. +Therefore did it seem to me best that we take the +chances of putting him at the coffee-house where +he can, by his ill temper, do us a bad turn, with the +hope that matters may go as we would have them.”</p> + +<p>Anyone with half an eye could see that Skinny +Baker was decidedly pleased because we were having +so much trouble among ourselves, and he was +ill advised enough to say in a sneering tone:</p> + +<p>“Before you lads get through with this business, +you will understand to your cost that it is a dangerous +matter, not only to take innocent lads prisoners +without rhyme or reason, but also to plot against +his majesty.”</p> + +<p>I had always thought Tim Bowers a mild mannered +lad; but at this moment he showed himself +quite the contrary, for, moving toward Skinny in +a threatening manner, he said sharply:</p> + +<p>“If I am to have a hand in the guarding of a +Tory cur like you, young Baker, bear this well in +mind: That I will take no such words whatsoever +from anyone. It may be cowardly to strike a prisoner, +as I have heard said; but if you make further +talk about plotting against his majesty, then will I +give you such a drubbing as to make you wish there +never had been a king in England who insisted in +sticking his nose into our affairs.”</p> + +<p>I made no attempt to interfere. Tim was to be +on guard during the night, and he should handle +Skinny as best it pleased him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>I was burning to get home that I might talk with +my mother about what we had done, and consult +her regarding future movements. Therefore it +was I said that I would go, and come back again +before daylight. At the same time I suggested that +the other two lads creep out from the hiding place, +one in advance of the other, as soon as night had +come.</p> + +<p>“Be careful in leaving here, and doubly cautious +when you come back,” I added. “According to +my way of thinking, Sam Elder, it would be a good +idea for you, to-morrow, to remain near where +young Chris is on duty. There is a possibility you +may be able to prevent him from the shame of doing +that which would work to our harm.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be there,” was the prompt reply, “and although +it is not in my mind to agree that I or any +other lad can keep young Chris straight, you may +count it as certain I will do my best.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I shook Jeremy by the hand +as if reckoning on being absent a long time. There +was so much of danger surrounding us, and the lad +had ever been a good friend of mine, that no one +might say whether we two could come together +again free, or if by chance our next meeting might +be in General Howe’s headquarters where we stood +accused of treason.</p> + +<p>When I set off for Drinker’s alley I made it my +way to pass nearby the London Coffee-House, and +there, sure enough, was young Chris, parading to +and fro just outside the door in such a consequential +manner that whosoever saw him, and took any +particular note of the boy, would know he had +something on hand which he believed to be of importance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>Fortunately, so I said to myself, no one would +suspect a lad like him of having treasonable designs, +and therefore the lobster-backs would pay little or +no heed to his manner, save it might be in the way +of sport.</p> + +<p>Striving earnestly to dismiss all disagreeable +thoughts from my mind, and verily if I was so inclined +I could find much to cause fear and distress, +I hurried on toward Drinker’s alley, looking forward +to the meeting with my mother as I had never +before done.</p> + +<p>I understood that, because of what I had agreed +upon with Master Dingley, I might not be able to +see very much of her in the future, or that before +many days had passed she might fail of seeing me +because of my being held prisoner, and such thoughts +caused my heart to be very tender toward the one +person in all the world who I knew full well loved +me dearly.</p> + +<p>Mother herself opened the door as I came up, +thus showing that she must have been on the watch +for me, and when she had led me up the stairs +through the hallway and down again into the rear +portion of the house where was the kitchen, explaining +what was her purpose in thus conducting me +secretly, as you might say, I understood only too +well why she had been on watch.</p> + +<p>“Jeremy Hapgood has already told me what you +have agreed to do for the Cause, and although it +gives me a certain degree of pride to know that +a son of mine may be able to accomplish something +in this work of freeing the colonies, yet am I borne +down with grief and apprehension, for already have +you done that which I fear must of necessity bring +the British officers upon you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“What is it you think we have done, mother?” +I asked, trying to assume an innocent air lest she +should understand that my heart, too, was filled with +forebodings.</p> + +<p>“What other could it be than that you have +been so unwise as to make a prisoner of Benjamin +Baker?” she asked as if in a tone of reproach, although +I knew full well that all her heart was full +of sympathy for me and that which I would do.</p> + +<p>“Well, what if we have taken Skinny to where +we kept the boat? I don’t fancy he is of such importance +in this city that there will be any great +hue and cry raised concerning him, if he fails to +go home within a certain time.”</p> + +<p>“It is there that you are making a mistake, my +son, for already has the hue and cry been raised. +Within the hour Master Baker himself came here +to ask if you knew aught concerning his son’s absence, +which goes to show that he must have some +suspicion you are concerned in the matter.”</p> + +<p>“I have no question but that Skinny’s father and +mother will both be alarmed concerning him, and +sorry am I that we were forced to take the little +scoundrel prisoner; but he would have it so by spying +on us. Look you, mother, if we had not taken +him as we did, by this time it would be known that +we aided Master Dingley to escape, and you well +understand what would be our fate in such an +event. It was his liberty or ours, and I chose that +it should be his. If so be we can keep our hiding place +a secret—”</p> + +<p>“For how long, my son? There must be an end +to your holding Benjamin Baker a prisoner. What +do you count on doing with him?”</p> + +<p>“That is a matter which must be referred to Master<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +Dingley when next we meet him, if so be we +are fortunate enough. Certain it is that Skinny +cannot be allowed to go free, else we must flee the +city. My greatest fear is that someone will, while +young Chris is in the plot, finally come to know of +our hiding place. I question much whether the +lobster-backs would take any interest whatever in +Skinny’s absence; but surely they would look after +us if he had a chance to tell them what we did in +regard to Master Dingley.”</p> + +<p>“But they are already taking interest, my son. +Without really playing the eavesdropper, I heard +our lodgers discussing the matter this afternoon. +It seems that Master Baker has been to headquarters, +and while as yet you are not suspected, save +perchance the lad’s father himself may think you +were interested in the matter in some way, it is +believed by the Britishers that the appearance of the +spy who was discovered in the London Coffee-House, +has somewhat to do with Benjamin’s unaccountable +absence.”</p> + +<p>“And did you hear them say that they were +deeply grieved because Skinny failed to show himself +on the street?” I asked in what I intended +should be a jovial tone, but down deep in my heart +was I beginning to grow more timorous even than +ever.</p> + +<p>“It seems to me serious for this reason: They +claimed, during the conversation which I overheard, +that by seeking out Benjamin, it may be possible +for them to come upon the trail of the spy who +disappeared so strangely. It appears that during +the day all the houses on Chestnut street were +searched with the belief that he might have taken +refuge in one of them. Finding that such was not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +the case, they have come to believe he has a hiding +place here where he can come and go at will.”</p> + +<p>During a full half-minute I stood looking blankly +into my mother’s face, not knowing what I could +say that would calm her fears, and at the same time +striving with all my will to down the timorousness +which was coming over me.</p> + +<p>“What do you count on doing with Benjamin?” +my mother repeated after a long pause, and I shook +my head as does one who is at a loss for words.</p> + +<p>From the bottom of my heart I wished I might +be able to tell her exactly what we <i>would</i> do with +him, for verily was he rapidly becoming an elephant +on our hands, and certain to bring us low if the +lobster-backs were taking up the search for him.</p> + +<p>If peradventure Jeremy Hapgood and I were the +only ones concerned in the matter, then would I +believe that he and I might keep the secret during +so long a time that the search for Skinny would be +given up; but with young Chris having a finger in +the pie, and so eager to let it appear that he had +important business on hand concerning the colony, +or the king, or both, it seemed certain something +regarding our movements must speedily leak out.</p> + +<p>However, it was necessary I say that to my +mother regarding our future plans which would +ease her mind, and since we had none, I made a +bluff at it by outlining what I would be pleased +to do.</p> + +<p>“If it so chances that the lobster-backs suspect +us lads of aiding those who come into the city from +the American army as spies, then must we flee, +going to Valley Forge, and even though we may +not be allowed, because of our age, to enroll ourselves +as soldiers, it is necessary we stay under the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +protection of our own people. When that time +comes, we shall take Skinny with us.”</p> + +<p>“But you are thus counting to cut yourself off +entirely from me, my son,” mother said in a tone +of deepest sadness. “Since your father’s death +you, Richard, are all I have left that makes life +worth the living, and with you in the army, or, what +is even worse, a camp follower, I truly believe I +should die of fear and grief.”</p> + +<p>“Yet when Master Dingley made the proposition +which he did, you would not have had me say nay,” +I cried earnestly, and she, dear soul, answered like +the true woman she was:</p> + +<p>“Of course not, my son; but what I would have +had is that you had never met this Master Dingley.”</p> + +<p>“But knowing we did meet him, mother, and +that it was possible for us to save his life, would +you have had me turn my back upon the man, allowing +him to be led to the gallows when it should +please General Howe’s high mightiness to hang +him?”</p> + +<p>“You have done no more, my son, than was your +duty; no more than your father would have bidden +you do were he on this earth. And yet even +that fact does not console me, nor will it give me +comfort when you are away, and I all ignorant of +your whereabouts.”</p> + +<p>Well, we two talked in this strain until it was as +if my heart was near to bursting. Then, striving +to show myself some part of a man, I said with as +much of courage as I could coax into my voice:</p> + +<p>“Since it has all come about, mother, by chance +as you might say, and because I am in a hobble +from which there is no escape if I stay at home as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> +before this thing came about, let us put the best +face we can upon it. Try to believe what seems +reasonable, which is that I shall succeed in keeping +out of the clutches of the lobster-backs, and that it +will be possible for me to see you, if not every day, +at least many times in the week. We will live in +the hope that General Washington counts on leaving +Valley Forge soon, to pay a visit to this city of +Philadelphia.”</p> + +<p>Then it was I tried to persuade her that there was +fair reason for believing our people counted on +making some speedy move, bringing up as proof the +fact that Master Dingley had deemed it of greatest +importance word be sent out of the city to Valley +Forge frequently, and arguing that unless there was +some plan of attack in General Washington’s mind, +he would not be concerning himself regarding the +lobster-backs in Philadelphia, for they were surely +doing no harm to the Cause while they remained +in our city idling their time away with foolish +sports.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was because she wanted to believe all +this might be true, which caused her to lend a favoring +ear to my words, and after we had talked +together an hour, mayhap, she seemed right cheerful +in mind, going about her household duties, the +chiefest of which seemed to be caring for my comfort.</p> + +<p>Had I eaten all she set before me, then must I +have died of over-feeding, for the dear woman appeared +to think, because I had been away all night, +that I must be well-nigh famished, even though she +had sent by Jeremy sufficient of food to keep a +hungry boy satisfied during at least eight and forty +hours.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>It was not yet sunset when she insisted that I go +to bed because of having remained awake all the +night previous, and in truth I was willing to act upon +her suggestion, for my eyelids were so heavy by the +time I had been sitting in front of the kitchen fire +half an hour, that I could keep them open only by +the greatest exertion.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me I had no more than lost myself +in slumber, when I was awakened by mother’s hand +being laid gently on my cheek, at the same time that +she shook me lovingly into consciousness.</p> + +<p>I started up in alarm, for at that moment my +dreams were most unpleasant, I fancying myself in +the power of the lobster-backs.</p> + +<p>When I would have cried out in fear, she placed +her hand gently over my mouth as she whispered:</p> + +<p>“Samuel Elder has come to see you, and claims +it is important that he deliver a message.”</p> + +<p>“Why not let him come up here?” I asked, and +she replied:</p> + +<p>“Because all our lodgers are in the house, having +with them no less than a dozen others from the +Royal Irish regiment, and I fear to have them see +the lad; he looks so startled and frightened that +there would be good reason for them to suspect him +of mischief.”</p> + +<p>“Where is he now?”</p> + +<p>“I have left him in the shed, not daring to do +otherwise, and you are to come down at once.”</p> + +<p>This last portion of my mother’s speech was not +needed, for on the instant she uttered Sam’s name +I concluded young Chris had succeeded in getting +himself into some kind of a difficulty which would +work to our disadvantage, and was putting on my +clothes as rapidly as ever a lad could.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>“Do you believe it will be necessary to go away +from home again to-night?” my mother asked, and +I, fearing the moment had come when I might be +forced to flee for very life, replied with as much +of carelessness as I could assume:</p> + +<p>“If it should so be that I must, mother, I promise +to come back within four and twenty hours, so +do not fret if I go directly away with Sam Elder.”</p> + +<p>“It is useless to warn me against fretting, my +son, for what mother could know that her boy was +in gravest danger, as I fear you are, and not feel +anxiety?”</p> + +<p>I made no attempt to reply to this, else would the +tears have come into my eyes, and she, kissing me +fondly again and again, turned away as I went down +the stairs toward the shed, feeling much like one +who goes to the scaffold.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, matters were not so serious as I had +allowed myself to fear. At least they did not seem +so at the time, for when I was come to where Sam +remained half-hidden in the shed, he told me that +which lifted a great burden from my heart.</p> + +<p>Instead of waiting for the morrow before he +stood watch over young Chris, it appears that shortly +after I went out from the lumber pile, Sam and +Jeremy decided it would be well if he had a look +around in the vicinity of the London Coffee-House, +and there he saw, as had I, the baker’s son parading +to and fro.</p> + +<p>Sam was far too cautious a boy to go directly up +to young Chris, fearing lest the lad might say something +incautiously which would give an inkling of +his purpose. Therefore he remained at a distance +up Chestnut street, seeing nothing especial to cause +alarm until he was startled by a hand being laid<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +upon his shoulder from behind, and, turning, he +saw a stranger, who later he came to believe was +none other than Master Dingley.</p> + +<p>“Who is yonder lad?” the man asked, pointing +to young Chris, and Sam, ever cautious, instead of +replying asked a question in return:</p> + +<p>“Why would you know that, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Simply to gratify a curiosity, young master,” +the stranger replied laughingly, and added, “are +you a friend of yonder lad?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I am.”</p> + +<p>“And are you also friendly with one Richard +Salter?”</p> + +<p>“I may say that it pleases me to look upon Richard +as a friend, more than it does to count young +Chris as one.”</p> + +<p>“And do you know where young Master Salter +is at this moment?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I do.”</p> + +<p>“Can you get word to him from me?”</p> + +<p>“To what end, sir?” Sam asked suspiciously.</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why you should be on your +guard against me,” the man said with a smile, “and +yet I like it well that you are. You need give me +no information regarding Richard Salter; but I +would have you, if so you please, take this word to +him: Say that one whom he aided within the past +four and twenty hours would have speech with him +as soon as may be at the Jolly Tar inn.”</p> + +<p>Having said this the man turned sharply about, +and Sam, believing he had but just had speech with +Master Dingley, came to my home with all speed.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br> + +<small>AT SWEDE’S FORD</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> free to confess that I was somewhat surprised +because Master Dingley had returned so soon, +for I made no question but that it was he who had +spoken with Sam.</p> + +<p>All the fear which had come upon me when I +was first awakened, fled, for I said to myself that +the gentleman had returned, most like, to give me instructions +as to what we should do in the future, for +it hardly seemed possible he could have any work +for us lads so soon after having made the proposition +that we enroll ourselves as Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>I questioned Sam as to what had happened in regard +to the prisoner after I left, and he replied that +Skinny remained as if in a fit of the sulks, speaking +no word to anyone, and seemingly having resigned +himself to the probable fact that he would be held +prisoner until some of his friends succeeded in finding +him.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let him deceive you into the belief that +he remains there willingly,” I said to Sam warningly. +“If the cur no longer appears frightened, +and is putting on meek airs, then you may set it +down as a fact that he is trying to form some plan +to get the best of us.”</p> + +<p>“That goes without saying,” Sam replied laughingly. +“Suppose either you or I were in the same +hobble Skinny is? Do you not fancy we would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +seek in our minds for some way to get the best of +those who held us prisoner?”</p> + +<p>“Ay; but without praising ourselves, I may say +that we have more courage than he, and would +show ourselves decent fellows even while fighting.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t fear but that I understand he will do anything +whatsoever in the way of treachery, and do +you know, Richard Salter, I should not blame him +overly much whatever he did, because the provocation +is great.”</p> + +<p>“He had no business to stick his nose into our +affairs in the first place. Then he would not be in +the lumber pile guarded as he is,” I replied hotly, +and Sam said with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“True enough; but he was well within his rights +from his standpoint. He truly believes we are +rebels past all hope of redemption, and thinks he is +doing only his duty when he aids those who serve the +king, even as we believe it is in aid of the Cause +when we stand ready to do Master Dingley’s bidding +and call ourselves Minute Boys.”</p> + +<p>I could never have found it in my heart to speak +words even of faint praise for such a Tory cur as +Skinny Baker, yet at the same time it pleased me +that Sam stood up for him in such manly fashion, +and I said with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“You may deal out all the praise possible for one +like Skinny, and I will hold my peace, knowing you +are a true lad and one who loves the Cause if there +be any in this lobster-back ridden city of ours. +Now let us make all speed for the Jolly Tar.”</p> + +<p>“I am not minded to go with you,” Sam replied +quickly, and when I asked him why not, he declared +there was no good reason why we two should +remain together in public; that it were better he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +went back to the hiding place with Jeremy, where +he might be needed, and adding that if peradventure +it became necessary, I would visit the lumber pile +sometime during the night; if not, they should expect +me reasonably early next morning.</p> + +<p>“Even though there be no good reason why you +come to us,” Sam added earnestly, “remember +that we shall be eager to know what business +Master Dingley has, and therefore I beg you to put +us out of suspense as soon as it may be safely done.”</p> + +<p>Then Sam hastened away, and I turned my steps +in the direction of the Jolly Tar inn, wondering +not a little whether Master Dingley found in the +host a man who favored the Cause. To me the +keeper of that tavern was a most surly brute, who +surely had no friends among those people whom I +knew, and I could not fancy he was of the kind to +make a confidant of anyone.</p> + +<p>He was standing in the tap-room of the inn when +I entered, and seemingly there was none other on +the premises, for he asked in an ordinary tone of +voice, as if there was no need for secrecy in the +matter, whether my name was Richard Salter.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, I told him it was, and +straightway, without parley, he led me upstairs into +a small chamber at the rear of the house, where, instead +of finding Master Dingley, I came upon a man +who was an entire stranger—one whom I had never +seen before.</p> + +<p>On the instant there came into my mind the fear +that some treachery had been done; that those who +favored the king had taken this means of getting +from me information as to what we had done the +night previous.</p> + +<p>All such suspicions fled from my mind, however,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +when the man spoke, for he said, tapping me on the +shoulder in a most friendly manner:</p> + +<p>“I am sorry that Dingley decided to call upon +such lads as you for aid, because this work which +we would do has in it far too much of danger for +us to lead boys into a road which may end only at +the gallows. However, he has done so, and now +am I come to ask if you can go this night to Swede’s +Ford?”</p> + +<p>“I go to Swede’s Ford?” I repeated like a simple, +and in amazement.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad; there is reason for your visit, and no +need why I should explain. I am come to stay in +this city a few days, and when you have been to +Swede’s Ford and returned, if so be you desire to +have speech with me, come to this inn, and, speaking +only to the landlord, say that you would talk with +the Weaver of Germantown.”</p> + +<p>“And why may it be that I should need to have +speech with you, sir?” I asked curiously.</p> + +<p>“After you have visited Swede’s Ford you will +know better, lad. Where are your comrades?”</p> + +<p>“Nearabout, sir; somewhere within the city,” I +replied, suspicion again coming into my mind that +this stranger might be trying to force from me a +secret with a view of doing us harm.</p> + +<p>The reply seemed to please him, for he said, again +tapping me on the shoulder:</p> + +<p>“Such caution is well, lad, in these times, and I +am glad to see that you understand it. I asked the +question only from a spirit of curiosity, and it is +better, perhaps, that you do not answer. However, +you will say to them, wherever they may be, that if +during your absence any danger menaces, either to +themselves or to our people at Valley Forge, they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +are to come here and have speech with me even as +I explained to you how it should be done.”</p> + +<p>“But what am I to do at Swede’s Ford?” I asked +almost impatiently, for this journey was not to my +liking, and the stranger answered in what was much +to me like a riddle:</p> + +<p>“That you will find out once you are arrived +there. Take no heed as to why you are going, but +simply present yourself at Swede’s Ford anywhere +to-morrow morning after daylight, and the remainder +will be told you.”</p> + +<p>“The remainder will be told me,” I repeated to +myself, dazed rather than otherwise by this proposition.</p> + +<p>Certain it was that the man who was representing +Master Dingley’s interest was quite as careful in his +way as I had shown myself to be in mine. Here +he was proposing that I go on a visit which was not +without some danger, because there was the risk +of being overhauled by the lobster-backs before I +could get there, and even going so far in his caution +as to fail of giving me any inkling of that which +I was to do.</p> + +<p>It was evident that the stranger read, from the +expression on my face, that I was not overly well +pleased at thus being forced to set off blindfold as +you might say, and he hastened to add:</p> + +<p>“Be not vexed, lad, because I fail of explaining +matters at the outset. It is well you should not +know, for if peradventure you were taken by the +Britishers, then would it be impossible to inadvertently +reveal the secret. You are simply to go to +Swede’s Ford, lounge about there as if you had no +particular business, and straightway someone will +accost you, asking if you have been sent by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +Weaver of Germantown. Then may you know that +he is one to be trusted, and follow his instructions.”</p> + +<p>“Am I to go alone, sir?”</p> + +<p>“That is as you may please. If so be you have +an idea that with a companion you could more readily +explain that you had set off simply on a pleasure +jaunt, or in regard to family matters, take whomsoever +you choose. In fact, the orders from Master +Dingley were that he believed you to be a boy of +considerable parts, and one who might be safely +trusted, without definite instructions, to pull through +whatsoever he attempted.”</p> + +<p>I questioned at the moment whether Master Dingley +had said anything of the kind; but rather fancied +that this man, believing I was somewhat disgruntled, +counted to flatter me so I might the more willingly +set off on such a blind chase.</p> + +<p>I made no reply to him; but waited until he +should speak again, and mayhap sixty seconds +passed in silence, whereupon I said with a half +laugh:</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it is your idea that there is nothing +more to be said?”</p> + +<p>“That is exactly it, my lad. Too free a use of +the tongue in times like these, even between sworn +friends, is inclined to danger; therefore, we who +are called rebels had best hold as little converse as +may be, although within the walls of this inn, so far +as Master Targe, the landlord, can arrange matters, +we are safe to speak our minds, yet there is no good +reason why it should be done at all times. Leave +the city whensoever it pleases you, so that you may +arrive at Swede’s Ford reasonably early to-morrow +morning.”</p> + +<p>Then he opened the door, which was surely invitation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +enough for me to go, and I went, turning the +matter over in my mind as I passed through the +passageway leading to the tap-room, and from +thence out on the street.</p> + +<p>Master Targe was standing just outside his door +as I went by him, and he looked at me so earnestly +that I could not but fancy something was in the +wind, therefore halted sufficiently long to ask if he +believed he had seen me before.</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, I have not charged my memory with +you. It may be that you have been hereabout many +a time; but just now I would so fix your face in +my mind that I shall recognize it amid a thousand +when I see you again, for it is likely you may come +here often.”</p> + +<p>Even though Master Dingley had been forced to +leave Philadelphia hurriedly and secretly, it was evident +he had made arrangements for whatsoever +might turn up. Yet I wondered not a little why +this innkeeper should so readily understand that his +guests from outside the city would be needing or +asking for the services of boys, although there were +many reasons why I might believe that the stranger +whom I just left had explained matters.</p> + +<p>Yet, and I asked myself this more than once, how +had Master Dingley had opportunity since we parted +with him at the Falls of the Schuylkill, to make any +arrangements with another?</p> + +<p>There was food for thought in such matter, and +although I could not suspect the man whom I had +just left, I failed utterly of making out how all +this thing had been brought about to so complete an +understanding in so short a time.</p> + +<p>However, it was not for me to speculate overly +much upon the matter, for if I was to obey the instructions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> +given no time should be lost. If I counted +on journeying to Swede’s Ford, then it would require +every effort in order to arrive there at an +early hour next day, and I quickened my pace that +I might the sooner come at the hiding place where +I counted to meet only Jeremy and Sam.</p> + +<p>To my unpleasant surprise, I found young Chris +with the two who were guarding the prisoner, and +because I could not let the lad understand that I +was unwilling to trust him entirely, it became necessary, +in order to explain to Jeremy and Sam that +I was going out of town, for me to tell the whole +story in young Chris’s presence.</p> + +<p>This I did without seeming to hesitate, for the +baker’s son was a suspicious lad, and it did not require +many odd actions or chance words to arouse +his anger.</p> + +<p>Before I had well begun the story young Chris +flew into a passion, and cried out angrily:</p> + +<p>“If I was sent to the Royal Coffee-House to wait +for whosoever might come in search of us, why did +Sam Elder go there also? And if he was there by +accident, why did he not report to me that someone +had come who would have speech with you, Richard +Salter?”</p> + +<p>Sam would have replied, and probably with considerable +temper, if I could judge by the expression +on his face; but when I motioned for him to remain +silent, he obeyed, and I replied to the angry Chris:</p> + +<p>“It is not an overly safe matter in the work we +propose to do, bandying words back and forth, especially +in public. Sam had received the message, +and there was less danger if he came directly to me, +than if he waited to explain to you all that occurred, +at the risk of being overheard. Why should you be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +disgruntled because by chance he was able to do a +portion of the work which had been set for you?”</p> + +<p>“That is exactly why I am disgruntled. The work +was for me and not for him. If he interfered, I +should have been informed.”</p> + +<p>“At the expense of having the secret made +known?” Jeremy asked grimly, and young Chris +cried in a rage:</p> + +<p>“Ay, at every risk, for I was the one who remained +on duty.”</p> + +<p>Then I believed had come the time when I must +assert my authority as commander of the Minute +Boys, and I said with as much of sternness as I +could call up, striving at the same time to show +somewhat of friendliness in my tones:</p> + +<p>“You must remember, young Chris, that this +work is for all of us, and not for one individual. +If it so chance I have set out on some matter, and +you can do it more safely or quickly, then it were +worse than folly for me to complain. Our only +purpose in banding ourselves together as Minute +Boys is to benefit the Cause, and not simply that one +or another may gain glory.”</p> + +<p>I believe that young Chris was secretly ashamed +of having shown himself so foolish, for he said in +a tone of sulkiness:</p> + +<p>“I am only complaining because of being set +about a task and then having another lad hoisted +over my head.”</p> + +<p>“No one was hoisted over your head, Chris. It +so chanced that Sam was there, and the man spoke +to him. He also was a considerable distance up +Chestnut street—not at your post of duty. What +folly it would have been for him to circle around<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +the coffee-house, rather than coming directly to +me.”</p> + +<p>“And I suppose you count on starting for Swede’s +Ford at once?”</p> + +<p>“I certainly do. It is necessary I be there early +to-morrow morning, and I believe it will be well +for me to go as far as the falls in the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, +since there is less likelihood in such course of being +overhauled by the lobster-backs.”</p> + +<p>“Why should you gain all the credit of this +work?” young Chris asked, still in a sulky tone, +whereupon I replied sharply:</p> + +<p>“It is not certain there will be any credit attached +to it; but far more likely, as I figure the +matter, that the one who goes will encounter no little +danger before he has got back to Philadelphia. +Even though the lobster-backs do not interfere, I +am of the opinion that those who would have us aid +them will count that we have only done our duty. +So far as gaining glory in this work is concerned, if +that be what you are after, young Chris, there is +every chance you will be sadly disappointed.”</p> + +<p>“But why should you go alone?” Chris demanded.</p> + +<p>“And why should I not?” I asked, now very +nearly losing my temper.</p> + +<p>“Because two will be necessary if you are to go +as far as the falls in the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, and if there is +no longer need for me to stay on duty nearabout the +coffee-house, then I am of a mind to go with +you.”</p> + +<p>Now it was by no means to my liking that young +Chris should bear me company on this mission, +whatever it might be, for, as I have already said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +he was not a lad who could be depended upon to +keep his temper, or to be prudent, in a time of +danger.</p> + +<p>Yet the thought flashed quickly through my mind +even while he was speaking, that if I should allow +the lad to go with me, then was I removing him from +all opportunity of doing harm to those who were +guarding Skinny.</p> + +<p>Straightway, without apparent hesitation, I said +to him heartily:</p> + +<p>“If so be you are inclined to go, young Chris, I +see no reason why it shouldn’t be done. I shall be +pleased to have company and aid in working the +<i>Jolly Rover</i>, therefore, if you count on going home +to explain that you may be absent some time, make +all possible haste, for I would like to be on the +journey before another hour goes by.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris hesitated as if it was in his mind +to set off without allowing his parents to know +where he went; but when Jeremy suggested that the +work which we would be called upon to do by those +who awaited us at Swede’s Ford might keep us +from the city several days, he concluded to so far +save his mother from anxiety as to let her know +that he intended to go away.</p> + +<p>It would have been better for Chris, I thought +then and have always believed since, if his parents +had ever held him to a rigid accounting of his time. +But since the day I first knew the lad, he seemed free +to go or come as he pleased without regard to any +person or thing.</p> + +<p>I believe the fact of my willingness to have young +Chris accompany me to Swede’s Ford surprised +him, for he looked as if dazed for an instant, and +then went out from the hiding place with more of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +caution and less noisily than I had ever known him +to go before.</p> + +<p>“If I was going away on a mission concerning +which I knew nothing whatsoever, young Chris, although +devoted to the Cause, is not the lad I would +choose for a companion,” Jeremy Hapgood said, +speaking slowly as if reaching out in his mind for +all the possibilities of danger that might come to me +while in young Chris’s company.</p> + +<p>I made reply in what might have been a sorrowful +tone, for I was indeed disappointed that he was to +be my companion:</p> + +<p>“It is better he go with me than that he stay, +for there is such a whirl in his mind regarding our +company of Minute Boys and the possibility of what +they may do, that he will be prone to carelessness, +and might bring trouble upon you who are tied +here.”</p> + +<p>“Why should they be tied here?” Skinny Baker +cried suddenly and hotly. “Why not do as decent +lads would, and take my word that I will never reveal +anything I have seen or heard since you went +up the river with the stranger?”</p> + +<p>“The reason why we don’t do it, Skinny,” Sam +Elder said grimly, “is because your word is not +worth a straw. I have known you ready to lie in +small matters when no good could be accomplished +by it, and surely if we were simples enough to let +you go free, for the sake of revenge you would +break the most solemn oath.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Skinny, for the first time since +we had made him prisoner, flew into a veritable +rage, and it became necessary Jeremy and Sam +should literally hold him by the arms, else would he +have striven to force his way out, while, save that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +I clapped my hand over his mouth, the Tory cur +must have screamed aloud for help.</p> + +<p>“You are bound to gag him!” I cried in alarm.</p> + +<p>Really there was every danger he would arouse +the neighborhood, for no one could say who might +be passing near at hand, and such a noise as we +were then making must of necessity attract attention.</p> + +<p>This proposition frightened Skinny more than +any threat would have done, for straightway he +calmed himself, and said in an imploring tone:</p> + +<p>“Don’t gag me! I promise faithfully to hold +my peace! It will be barbarous to force my jaws +apart during such time as I must stay here! Suppose +one of you lads were in my place, do you +think it possible you could sit here with a smile on +your face, and never make a move toward trying to +escape?”</p> + +<p>“No, Skinny,” Jeremy replied gravely. “I am +quite certain any of us would make a greater disturbance +than you are creating. But we must, as +would you, protect ourselves. Therefore the next +time you raise your voice with the idea of attracting +attention from the outside, I pledge my word that +you shall be gagged in such fashion that your jaws +will not come together within three or four inches, +and thus shall you remain, save at such times as we +are pleased to take the gag out to save you from +being choked to death.”</p> + +<p>“We two will stay on duty all the time you are +away, Richard,” Sam Elder said as if thinking I +needed heartening, as indeed I did. “Go about +your work at Swede’s Ford without fear for us, and +howsoever long you may remain absent, it will only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +be necessary for you to come here in order to find +Skinny, as well as Jeremy and me.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris returned just at that instant, and +I was not able to say privately to my comrades that +which I was counting on doing, for, as I have already +repeated again and again, I did not have sufficient +confidence in Master Ludwig’s son to let him +share all my thoughts. And this not because there +was any fear he had a leaning to the side of the +king; but on account of his recklessness.</p> + +<p>Young Chris announced that he had spoken with +his father, telling him all that had occurred, and +anyone who was acquainted with baker Ludwig, +knew him to be such a thorough friend of the +colonies that if his son could do whatsoever to aid +the Cause, there would be no hindrance from +him.</p> + +<p>Chris had come with full permission to remain +away as long as might be necessary, and, what was +more to the purpose, had no less than seven shillings +in his pocket in addition to a generous supply of +bread and meat, enough to serve us, even though +we should be hungry all the time, at least eight and +forty hours.</p> + +<p>After the lad had displayed his riches, and they +were riches indeed to us boys who were in the +hiding place, for never in my life had I had more +than sixpence at a time, while I knew full well +Jeremy and Sam had hardly seen as much money +in the whole course of their lives, we set off without +delay.</p> + +<p>On leaving the hiding place one crawled out considerably +in advance of the other, and when we +were in the open, strove to move in a careless manner<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +as if we had little heed whether we went this +way or that.</p> + +<p>Twice did we come upon a squad of lobster-backs +who were patrolling the streets to make certain the +rebels of Philadelphia kept snugly under cover, lest +they be tempted to say something disrespectful of +his majesty.</p> + +<p>Each time we came upon the Britishers did young +Chris save us from being marched to the guard-house, +for all the lobster-backs were acquainted with +Ludwig the baker, although they did not know him +for a friend to the Cause, and his son might do +almost as much without reproach from them, as if +he had for sire the rankest Tory in the city.</p> + +<p>This poor attempt of mine at story-telling would +be the more entertaining if I could set down that +we had this or that desperate adventure while making +our way across the city, and yet truth demands +that I must say we went our way as peacefully as +though the king’s troops had never been within a +thousand miles of Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Save in the two cases which I have already mentioned, +we were not molested in the slightest degree, +and even the meeting with the lobster-backs, +thanks to young Chris, was nothing more than a +pleasure as you might say, for it gave me no little +delight to see them so ready to let us pass when we +were engaged in that work which was to them a +crime well worthy of death.</p> + +<p>We went straight across the city until coming to +the river, and there found the <i>Jolly Rover</i> amid the +thicket just as we had left her.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to prevent our setting off at +once, and within half an hour from the time we +had left the lumber pile, we were pulling up stream<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +in a leisurely fashion as if simply bent on sport.</p> + +<p>We arrived at the falls without having met anyone +to dispute our passage, and, leaving there the +<i>Jolly Rover</i> hidden securely, set off on foot for +Swede’s Ford, walking with such purpose that the +sun had not shown himself for more than two hours +when we were at the journey’s end, looking anxiously +around for whosoever was to greet us.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, young Chris and I had +very much to say to each other during the tramp, +for it was not reasonable to suppose two lads would +walk throughout the entire night without holding +converse; but that of which we spoke has no concern +whatsoever with this attempt of mine to set down +the doings of the Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>It needs only to be said that more than once did +I, in as delicate a way as possible, strive to convince +my comrade he must exercise more caution +both in speech and movement, if we were to do anything +whatsoever in aid of the colonies.</p> + +<p>And now a word regarding this place where we +had arrived, and which was hardly more than a +wilderness, save for the breastworks that had been +thrown up some time since by order of General +Washington, to prevent the Britishers from crossing +the river.</p> + +<p>There was also the farm-house which had been +built by a man named John Bull, who was a stanch +Whig, and because of this so-called crime, the Britishers +under General Howe, when they marched to +Philadelphia the year previous, burned his barn for +him.</p> + +<p>The ruins were yet there, of course; but the +house was occupied, or we judged it to be from the +signs of life which could be seen roundabout, probably<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +by the farmer’s family who had no other place +of shelter, save they went into that city which was +held by their enemies.</p> + +<p>There were in the breastworks mayhap twenty +men, who were lounging about as if having no other +aim in life than to take their pleasure, and I fancied +they looked at us curiously, perhaps in an unfriendly +manner, therefore it was I suggested to young Chris +that we remain at a distance on the bank of the +stream, rather than be questioned concerning what +we could not answer even though disposed to make +public all our doings.</p> + +<p>We walked to and fro on the shore striving to +avoid more than ordinary attention, at the same +time that we kept ourselves in view of whomsoever +counted on coming to meet us, and during all the +while, as you can well fancy, both of us speculated +as to why we had been sent to such a lonely place.</p> + +<p>If word had come that we were to present ourselves +at Valley Forge, where was the commander-in-chief, +then might I have understood somewhat +concerning the reason. But why we were to come +here in the woods, as you might say, was past my +guessing.</p> + +<p>In later days, however, I came to realize that he +who takes upon himself such work as we were then +striving to do, must not question the whys and +wherefores; but obey blindly every order which is +given, and do it promptly.</p> + +<p>When half an hour had passed and no one appeared, +young Chris began to lose his patience, and +a stranger might have supposed, to hear him talk, +that we two lads were of great consequence in this +war against the king, for he announced angrily that +if those persons who had sent for us did not appear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +within thirty minutes, he would go away, leaving +them to do their business as best they might.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_112a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_112a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“THIS, GENERAL VARNUM, IS RICHARD SALTER.”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>All this was foolish, as a matter of course, and +I made to it no reply, thus allowing the lad to quiet +down a bit. At the end of another half-hour he +had thrown himself upon the ground, making ready +to go to sleep, when I saw in the distance one +whom I recognized as Master Dingley, and with +him a man in the uniform of our army, evidently a +superior officer.</p> + +<p>The two came directly to where we were standing, +and Master Dingley, taking me by the hand as if +I had been a particular friend of his, said in a manner +that nearly caused my cheeks to flush with +shame because such praise was not warranted:</p> + +<p>“This, General Varnum, is Richard Salter, son +of a widow who keeps a lodging house in Drinker’s +alley, where no less a person than Major Simcoe +is wont to frequent. He is a lad, as I know by careful +inquiry, who may be fully trusted, and I believe +will do whatsoever you have with which to entrust +him.”</p> + +<p>General Varnum, who was a mild-spoken man, +and not such an one as I had fancied would be +chosen to lead a large number of men into battle, +asked many questions concerning my life in the city +since the British had taken possession, and particularly +did he inquire concerning my home, and in +what part of the building the Britishers lodged. +He was curious to learn whether I heard any conversation +between them, or if they spoke guardedly +when any of my mother’s family were near at hand.</p> + +<p>I cannot undertake to set down all of which we +spoke, for a great deal of it seemed to me have no +connection whatsoever with the Cause. It appeared<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> +as if he was gratifying his curiosity, rather than endeavoring +to gain information.</p> + +<p>But when he was come to an end of his questioning, +and during all this time no attention whatsoever +had been paid to young Chris, who lay upon the +grass kicking up his heels in evident displeasure, the +general said to Master Dingley:</p> + +<p>“It is well. You may entrust the lad with the +mission, Josiah; but first make certain if his comrade +is to be relied upon.”</p> + +<p>At this young Chris sprang to his feet as if to +make some angry reply, and I verily believe he would +have given way to his ill temper even in the presence +of the general, had I not caught him quickly +by the arm, looking into his eyes in such a manner as +was much the same as if I had bidden him hold his +peace.</p> + +<p>Then the general walked away, and Master Dingley +turned to young Chris, saying to me meanwhile:</p> + +<p>“Who is this comrade of yours?”</p> + +<p>“The son of Christopher Ludwig, the baker,” I +made haste to reply. “And surely knowing the +father, you can have full faith in the son’s willingness +to do whatsoever you have for his hand.”</p> + +<p>“Is there any reason why you lads may not linger +here four and twenty hours?” Master Dingley +asked.</p> + +<p>I told him we were at his service, yet secretly +hoped he would not keep us in that desolate place +long.</p> + +<p>“Is your company of Minute Boys already +formed?” Master Dingley asked, and straightway +young Chris’s tongue was loosened as he told of +what he himself had done in the way of raising recruits,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +speaking so boastingly, that one who did not +know him might come to believe we had a large +number of lads ready to serve the Cause in whatsoever +way they might.</p> + +<p>I took it upon myself to explain how many had +joined the company, and who they were, whereupon +Master Dingley said:</p> + +<p>“The work which the commander-in-chief would +have you do is such as requires more than ordinary +caution, and of so delicate a nature that General +Varnum, who is entrusted with that part of the +scheme, was not willing you should be informed +of what was on foot until he had had speech with +you. Therefore it was I asked that you come here +to this place, rather than at Valley Forge.”</p> + +<p>“And are we not to see the American camp?” +young Chris asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Now that General Varnum is satisfied regarding +you two, I see no reason why you may not go +into camp this night, if so be you are willing to +tramp over a rough bit of country.”</p> + +<p>“We would tramp from here to New York and +back again, for the sake of seeing the army!” I +cried excitedly, for my one desire throughout all +the long winter had been to see how our brave fellows +bore up under the privations of which we had +but faint idea.</p> + +<p>“Very well; we will set off at once,” Master +Dingley replied.</p> + +<p>And so we did. But nothing was seen of General +Varnum, and before we had gone a mile I +learned that he had ridden down to within a short +distance of Swede’s Ford on horseback, where he +met Master Dingley, and was now returning in the +same manner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>And now comes what at that time was to me +a great mystery. We traveled leisurely along, talking +of this thing and of that concerning the struggles +which our people were making against the king’s +rule, and with no fear that anyone was near to +overhear our words, yet never once did Master +Dingley speak concerning the mission which he +would send us on, and for which we had come so +far.</p> + +<p>It was as if he had entirely forgotten we had +been summoned for some especial purpose, and believed +his sole duty was to escort us to the American +camp.</p> + +<p>Again and again was I tempted to ask why we +had been called to Swede’s Ford; but each time my +heart failed me. Then I said to myself that I +would restrain my curiosity, come what might, never +hinting that I was eager to learn of his purpose, and +waiting with whatsoever patience I could until it +pleased him to explain matters.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br> + +<small>VALLEY FORGE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, while we are traveling over the hills hoping +speedily to cover the seven miles between Swede’s +Ford and Valley Forge, I burning with impatience +for Master Dingley to speak concerning the business +on which we had been summoned, and young Chris +following sulkily in the rear, disgruntled because he +had, according to his belief, not been treated with as +much ceremony as he believed the son of his father +should have, let me set down what at a later day +I read concerning Valley Forge and our people +there.</p> + +<p>It cannot be without interest even to those who +know it full well because of having suffered there, +and to him who would follow my poor attempt at +telling of the doings of our Minute Boys of Philadelphia, +it seems necessary many things should be +known concerning this winter encampment where +was so much of suffering.</p> + +<p>It is perhaps needless for me to say that our +army arrived at Valley Forge on the nineteenth day +of December in the year 1777, and there at once began +the work of building such shelters as would +serve in some slight degree to shield them from the +cruel weather.</p> + +<p>I myself have seen the written orders which General +Washington gave concerning the making of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> +the huts. He directed the commanding officers of +regiments to have their men divided into parties of +twelve, to see to it each company had its proportion +of tools, and that they build a hut for that +number.</p> + +<p>In order to quicken their movements, for General +Washington knew how necessary it was these +shelters should be erected without delay, he promised +to give the party in each regiment which finished +its hut the soonest and in the most workmanlike +manner, a present of twelve dollars. He also offered +a reward of one hundred dollars to the officer +or soldier who would substitute a covering for the +huts, cheaper and more quickly made than boards.</p> + +<p>These are the directions which he gave concerning +the size and style of the building: “Fourteen +feet by sixteen each; the sides, end and roofs made +with logs; the roofs made tight with split slabs, or +some other way; the sides made tight with clay; a +fireplace made of wood and secured with clay on +the inside eighteen inches thick; this fireplace to be +in the rear of the hut; the door to be in the end +next the street; the doors to be made of split oak +slabs unless boards can be procured; the side walls +to be six feet and a half high. The officers’ huts +are to form a line in the rear of the troops, one +hut to be allowed to each general officer; one to the +staff of each brigade; one to the field officers of +each regiment; one to the staff of each regiment; +one to the commissioned officers of two companies; +and one to every twelve non-commissioned officers +and soldiers.”</p> + +<p>Do you remember that pitiful letter which Washington +wrote to Governor Clinton about the middle +of February, wherein he said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>“For some days past there has been little less +than a famine in the camp. A part of the army has +been a week without any kind of flesh, and the +rest three or four days. Naked and starving as +they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable +patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they +have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings +to a general mutiny and desertion.”</p> + +<p>Now I have heard it said that when the army +first went into camp there were eleven thousand and +ninety-eight men, but of this number two thousand +eight hundred and ninety-eight were unfit for duty. +The British army encamped in comfort, almost luxury, +in our land of America, numbered thirty-three +thousand, seven hundred and fifty-six, and nineteen +thousand, five hundred and thirty of these were in +our city of Philadelphia, afraid to move in either +direction save when they sent out squads now and +then to inflict damage upon the people nearby.</p> + +<p>More than once had I heard Major Simcoe speak +of our people under arms as the “Rag-tag and bobtail,” +and yet that same rag-tag and bobtail were +keeping the lobster-backs shut up in Philadelphia, +while they were in the condition which General +Varnum described to General Green when he wrote +to him on the twelfth of February, which same letter +I also have seen, as has young Chris, in which he +says:</p> + +<p>“The situation of the camp is such that in all +human probability the army must dissolve. Many +of the troops are destitute of meat and are several +days in arrears. The horses are dying for want +of forage. The country in the vicinity of the camp +is exhausted. There cannot be a moral certainty +of bettering our condition while we remain here.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>And before this day on which Chris and I were +visiting Valley Forge, Master Dingley told us that +again and again was it almost impossible to find +soldiers in condition fit to discharge the military +camp duties from day to day. That those who +were naked, and there were very many who were +almost the same as without clothing, borrowed from +those who had clothes, while they went out to stand +guard or do such other duties as were required. +And when he said this, Master Dingley added +proudly:</p> + +<p>“Yet, amid all this suffering day after day, surrounded +by frost and snow (for it has been a winter +of great severity), patriotism is still warm and +hopeful in the hearts of the soldiers, and their love +of self is merged into the one holy sentiment of love +for country.”</p> + +<p>If I had been lukewarm regarding the Cause up +to this day when we were traveling over the hills +with Master Dingley, I should have burned, as I +really did then, to have my part of the sufferings +which these men were enduring.</p> + +<p>I felt more keenly than ever how small and pitiful +it was for young Chris and me to complain because +we had been asked to walk a few miles into +the country, to the end that we might be able to do +something in the behalf of our people, when those +brave fellows were suffering bitterly, so we could +teach the king a lesson which he sorely needed.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it is not well for me to set down so +plainly the sufferings of our soldiers at Valley Forge, +and yet why should they not be made known in +order that all who come after us may the better understand +at what cost we of the colonies were fighting +against the king’s troops, who swarmed over<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +the land like as locusts, devouring everything that +could be come at?</p> + +<p>I was ashamed that I had been living in Philadelphia +with plenty of food and ample shelter. +Ashamed that I had not known better concerning +this suffering at Valley Forge, so I might have been +all the more eager to do whatsoever lay within my +power.</p> + +<p>I was yet reproaching myself because thus far I +had not shared in the distress of our people who +were serving the Cause, when we came within sight +of the encampment lying in the valley and along +the sides of the hill, and then it was that suddenly, +as if just remembering why we had come there, +Master Dingley said:</p> + +<p>“Now then, lads, sit ye down where it will be +possible to see our brave fellows who are waiting +an opportunity to fall upon the lobster-backs, and +you shall hear what I would have you do in your +own city of Philadelphia, promising, however, that +there are many chances you may not be allowed to +finish the work, because if so be the Britishers have +an inkling of what you are about, your shrift will +be short.”</p> + +<p>Then it was I suddenly remembered that Master +Dingley was all ignorant of the fact that we had +taken Skinny Baker prisoner.</p> + +<p>It may seem strange I should have forgotten +such an important fact; but the reason of my not +speaking with him regarding it was, that up to this +time he had made no inquiries concerning our movements +in Philadelphia, save as to what we had +done in the way of raising recruits for the Minute +Boys.</p> + +<p>Then, when he seemed to be on the point of telling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +us why we had been called to Swede’s Ford, I made +bold to say:</p> + +<p>“There is one thing, perhaps, which you should +know before explaining the purpose for which you +sent to us. After leaving you, and getting nearly +home again, we found that the son of a Tory, one +Benjamin Baker, had not only seen us in your company; +but knew that we had taken you up the river. +There seemed to be but one thing to do, which was +to keep the fellow safe where he could not tell the +lobster-backs what he had discovered, and the result +of it all is that we are holding him captive in that +place where our boat was hidden.”</p> + +<p>“And you have a prisoner on your hands?” Master +Dingley cried as if in dismay, whereupon young +Chris said boldly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, how else could we do? The lad was certain +to have told his story to the first lobster-back +he met, and if peradventure the soldiers did not believe +him, his father is of sufficient influence to obtain +an interview even with General Howe. It was +his liberty or ours.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, I can see that much, and yet there is great +danger, as it appears to me, for you thus to hold +him in hiding. Of a surety his father will make +search for the lad.”</p> + +<p>“He has already done so, and yet if our comrades +are cautious, holding themselves well under cover +without venturing out more than is absolutely necessary, +I fail to see how Master Baker can come upon +his son,” I replied.</p> + +<p>Master Dingley remained silent while one might +have counted twenty, and then he asked suddenly:</p> + +<p>“Did you tell the Weaver of Germantown that +you had a Tory lad in your keeping?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>“That we did not, sir,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“I was not overly certain that he who called +himself the Weaver of Germantown was a true +friend to the Cause. I had only his word for it, +and there was no reason why I should give him +more of my affairs than was absolutely necessary.”</p> + +<p>“The caution does you credit, lad, yet I would he +knew of it, for it might make some difference in +his movements.”</p> + +<p>“It can’t be helped now,” young Chris said +lightly, as if not considering the matter of any great +importance. “We have got Skinny, and must hold +him so long as we count on staying in Philadelphia, +for no one who knows him would be willing to take +his word on any matter whatsoever, and certain it is +he would betray us to the lobster-backs gleefully, +however he might swear to the contrary.”</p> + +<p>“And one could hardly blame him if he did,” +Master Dingley said grimly, after which he fell +silent again.</p> + +<p>We two lads sat watching him a full minute, mayhap, +when he straightened up as does one who would +throw off some disagreeable thought, and said with +a long-drawn breath that was much like a sigh:</p> + +<p>“What has been done, has been done, and we +must make the best of that which seems to me a dangerous +matter, for it is hardly possible you can +keep the lad prisoner within a lumber pile many +days. However, what comes of that is no affair of +ours just at this time. It remains for me to tell +you why, and how, you can be of service to the +Cause, lads though you are.”</p> + +<p>Now it was I pricked up my ears, for at last, after +what had seemed to be an exceeding long time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +of waiting, we were to learn why we had been summoned.</p> + +<p>“First let me ask if you have heard in the city +aught concerning a change of British commanders?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir, although my mother did say shortly before +we met you, that she heard Major Simcoe +speaking somewhat concerning a change; but what +it was she failed to catch.”</p> + +<p>“Well, lads, we have from reliable authority that +General Howe is to be replaced in command by General +Henry Clinton; but whether that be good news +or ill, remains to be seen. Now, however, I have +to tell you what I question if even the enemy in +Philadelphia are yet aware. It concerns our affairs +with France. That country has acknowledged the +independence of our colonies, and entered into a +treaty with us, which is much the same as saying +that she will stand our friend during the remainder +of this war. Such news came to us six days ago, +which is as if I had said on the first of May, and +to-morrow there will be rejoicings in this army here +at Valley Forge. Therefore I would have you see +and hear what takes place, to the end that you may +tell those of our friends in Philadelphia whom you +can trust, so if peradventure they be weak-kneed in +the Cause it will strengthen them wondrously. It +was for that reason you were asked to come here; +but rather than saying you should journey directly +to this place, General Varnum insisted that first he +must have speech with you to learn if—and now +I am speaking particularly to Richard Salter—he +and his mother could be depended upon to spread +the news in such manner that the telling of it might +not bring them into trouble.”</p> + +<p>I was becoming confused. I had believed we had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +been sent for because of yet greater troubles to the +colonies, and now it seemed that instead of venturing +our lives in the Cause, we were simply to be the +bearers of good tidings, after having witnessed a +celebration by those men who had suffered so much +during the winter.</p> + +<p>“Here is a copy of general orders which have +been issued by the commander-in-chief, and I would +have you lads read it carefully, to the end that you +shall remember it even after you are men grown, +for to my mind this marks an era in our struggle +for independence which promises, for the first time +since we arrayed ourselves against the king, that +we may be reasonably certain of accomplishing our +purpose.”</p> + +<p>Then Master Dingley took from his coat a folded +paper which he handed me, insisting that I read it +aloud, and so I did.</p> + +<p>Even to this day can I remember the words, so +deeply were they then impressed upon my memory, +and I am setting each one down, hoping it may be +possible for me to put them exactly in that order as +I read while we were sitting upon the ground overlooking +the camp at Valley Forge.</p> + +<p>“It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the +universe to defend the Cause of the United American +States, and finally to raise us up a powerful +friend among the princes of the earth, to establish +our liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation, +it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully +acknowledging the divine goodness, and celebrating +the important event, which we owe to His divine interposition. +The several brigades are to be assembled +for this purpose at nine o’clock to-morrow +morning, when their chaplains will communicate the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +intelligence contained in the postscript of the Pennsylvania +Gazette of the 2nd instant, and offer up a +thanksgiving, and deliver a discourse suitable to the +occasion. At half-past ten o’clock a cannon will be +fired, which is to be a signal for the men to be under +arms; the brigade inspectors will then inspect their +dress and arms, and form the battalions according +to the instructions given them, and announce to the +commanding officers of the brigade that the battalions +are formed.</p> + +<p>“The commanders of brigades will then appoint +a field officer to the battalions, after which each +battalion will be ordered to load and ground their +arms. At half-past eleven a second cannon will +be fired as a signal for the march; upon which the +several brigades will begin their march by wheeling +to the right by platoons, and proceed by the nearest +way to the left of their ground by the new position. +This will be pointed out by the brigade inspectors. +A third signal will then be given, on which there +will be a discharge of thirteen cannon; after which +a running fire of the infantry will begin on the +right of Woodford’s, and continue throughout the +front line; it will then be taken up on the left of the +second line, and continue to the right. Upon a signal +given, the whole army will huzza, Long live the +King of France! The artillery then begins again, +and fires thirteen rounds; this will be succeeded +by a second general discharge of the musketry in a +running fire, and huzza, Long live the friendly European +powers! The last discharge of thirteen +pieces of artillery will be given, followed by a general +running fire, and huzza, The American States!”</p> + +<p>“It will be a fine celebration!” young Chris said +excitedly, thinking more of what was to be done<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +in the way of making a noise, than of that which it +signified.</p> + +<p>I could not for the life of me speak, for it seemed +of a verity that this was indeed the beginning of +the end. And I may be pardoned if, way down in +my heart, there was just the slightest feeling of +regret because the war was come to an end so soon +that our Minute Boys of Philadelphia might not have +a chance to show the stuff which was in them; but +I need not have fretted concerning that part of it.</p> + +<p>Before many weeks I was to learn that this show +of friendship on the part of the French nation had +not won for us our independence; there must be yet +much more bloodshed, and ample time in which we +lads of Philadelphia could prove our metal.</p> + +<p>“And it was simply that we might see this celebration +you sent for us?” I said, whereupon Master +Dingley smiled as one might at a foolish child, while +he said in an indulgent tone:</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, there is yet much work to be done, +as you will see. The chief question which concerns +us here is, what will be General Clinton’s policy once +he has taken command of the troops which are in +Philadelphia, and to that end has the Weaver of +Germantown taken up his abode in the Jolly Tar +inn, there to remain so long as the Britishers will +allow. In the meanwhile, however, General Varnum +believes, as do I, that two or three lads who +can move about without attracting attention, may +gain us certain information concerning the events of +the eighteenth day of May.”</p> + +<p>“That is nearly two weeks from now!” young +Chris exclaimed as if disappointed because our work +was not to begin immediately, and I could not refrain +from asking how it was that Master Dingley<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +could set so decidedly a time when we might be +able to do something—how it was he knew exactly +that on a certain day of May we might be of +service.</p> + +<p>“It is because on that day a grand festival is to +be held under direction of General Burgoyne and +Major John Andre, as a sort of farewell reception +to General Howe, for before that day comes, so our +information goes, General Clinton will be here. +This carnival has been called by its promoters, and +I believe it was Major Andre himself who gave the +name, the <i>Mischianza</i>, whatever that may mean. +Then it is, when the officers have given themselves +over to pleasure, that you lads may pick up much +concerning the possible movements of General Clinton, +for it is certain considerable of that matter will +be discussed at such a time. I learned, while in +Philadelphia, that the carnival was to be held at +Master Wharton’s country seat in Southwark, and +that the company will begin to assemble from three +to four o’clock at Knight’s wharf, when they will +embark in a grand regatta. It is from that moment +I count on your being able to follow them.”</p> + +<p>“Then all we are to do is go to a party at Master +Wharton’s, eh?” young Chris asked in a tone of +discontent, and Master Dingley smiled sadly as he +replied:</p> + +<p>“If it is danger you lads are greedy for, I venture +to say that you have enough of it surrounding +you just now. What with the boy prisoner in the +lumber pile; the knowledge that your people, meaning +particularly your father, young Ludwig, are +among those who love the colonies, you will stand a +good chance of being brought up with a round turn +to explain why you are loitering around that party<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +of pleasure seekers, if so be you are not exceeding +cautious. Do not be over eager about running +your neck into peril, for you stand nearby it every +moment of your life from this on.”</p> + +<p>It was in my mind that Master Dingley simply +said this to pleasure us, seeing we were eager to +run our noses into peril, for I failed utterly of understanding +how we could get into trouble.</p> + +<p>I had not the shadow of a fear that Skinny Baker +could succeed in making his escape while Jeremy +and Sam were watching over him, and in eight and +forty hours at the longest I would be there to take +part in guarding him.</p> + +<p>In my folly it seemed to me that we lads, even +though the Britishers did know we came of so-called +rebel stock, were as safe in Philadelphia as we +might be even there at Valley Forge, all of which +goes to show how simple a boy can be who counts +with certainty upon the future.</p> + +<p>There was very much which Master Dingley had +to say to us before we two were allowed to wander +at will through the encampment.</p> + +<p>He explained in great detail how we should set +about going to this carnival with the odd name; +how we must deport ourselves once there, and how +best avoid attracting attention at the same time that +we lingered near enough to the lobster-backs to hear +some part of their conversation, speaking a great +many words which seemed to me needless, because +I believed the task to be so simple.</p> + +<p>Only after he had unburdened himself in what +seemed almost a tiresome fashion, did he set us free +to go whithersoever we would, agreeing to meet us +near General Washington’s marquee, when we were +wearied with sightseeing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>I felt much like a lad who is suddenly relieved +from disagreeable tasks, when we were thus set free; +but before young Chris and I had wandered very +far amid the motley collection of huts, did my joy +turn to mourning, for I saw our people in wretched +condition, although later we were told that they were +much improved since winter.</p> + +<p>And the question came to my mind whether it +would ever be possible for such an army, half-clad, +the majority of them looking as if they had just +come from the hospital, and all seemingly hungry, +for I fancied I could read on the face of each a +desire for food, to do aught of importance against +the king’s men. There was little wonder the lobster-backs +called them rag-tag and bobtail, or that +they were not overly afraid of what the poor fellows +might be able to accomplish.</p> + +<p>I had thought it would be many a long hour ere +we were ready to rejoin Master Dingley, and yet +before thirty minutes had passed I was so heart-sick +at the distressing sights, that I urged young Chris +to come away with me where we might not see so +much to offend the mind and the eye.</p> + +<p>Although young Chris was not a sensitive lad, he +was quite as deeply impressed by that which we +saw as I, and willingly followed me to where Master +Dingley lay on the ground awaiting our coming, as +if he had no other purpose in life than minister to +us.</p> + +<p>Once we were with him again he continued to +explain how we might carry out our mission, and +had so many words regarding it that I was weary +with the hearing, although it would not have been +seemly to show displeasure, because all which the +good man said was intended for our safety.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>I would I might dwell upon what we saw at Valley +Forge next day; but because the general order +explained all that was to be done, it would be simply +repeating the same matters for me to go over every +incident of that day.</p> + +<p>It is enough if I say that everything was carried +out as General Washington had ordered, and we two +lads sat more than patiently, listening to the sermon +which was spoken by Parson Hunter, for at such a +time and amid such surroundings did it seem to me +as if a pious discourse was the one thing necessary to +finish the sad picture.</p> + +<p>How the ragged soldiers cheered General Washington +when the last of the ceremony had come to +an end, and he with his wife and the officers of +his staff left the field to partake of a dinner at his +headquarters—not a feast as you might well suppose, +but a plain, simple meal given in token of +thanksgiving, as I believed.</p> + +<p>The men cheered him to the echo, he turning from +time to time to raise his hat in acknowledgment, and +then he was lost to our view, we going to Master +Dingley’s hut where we found of bacon and corn +bread enough to satisfy our hunger, but not sufficient +to encourage greediness.</p> + +<p>It was near to nightfall by this time, for Parson +Hunter’s sermon had been long drawn out, although +it was calculated to touch one’s heart.</p> + +<p>Then it was Master Dingley proposed we set out +on our return for Philadelphia, claiming that we +might travel with more safety during the night than +in the daytime, and insisting that we take with us +a couple of soldiers as far as Swede’s Ford, lest we +meet with Tories nearabout who would do us harm, +for in this neighborhood of Valley Forge there were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +very few, so we were told, outside the army, who +favored the Cause.</p> + +<p>I was weary and needing sleep, therefore such advice +did not come in a welcome fashion; but I was +soon given to understand that Master Dingley had +a care to our well being, for he insisted that we first +lie down in his hut and sleep two hours, after which +we should set out on our return to Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Everything was done as Master Dingley had announced, +and it was nearabout midnight when, arriving +at Swede’s Ford, we bade adieu to the soldiers +who had acted as our guides—two men from +Massachusetts, and right pleasant companions were +they, who had suffered bitterly all the long winter, +and yet were filled with hope concerning the future.</p> + +<p>They spoke so cheeringly of what it would be +possible for the American army to do once summer +had come, that I was ashamed of ever having fancied +we might fail in our attempt to teach the king a lesson.</p> + +<p>Then young Chris and I set off alone, thinking +to make a short journey of it; but giving so little +heed to our steps that twice we went astray, and the +new day was nearly half spent when we came to the +falls where we had left the <i>Jolly Rover</i>.</p> + +<p>Now it was that, fortunately, I was afflicted with +a fit of timorousness, and declared to young Chris +it would be in the highest degree dangerous for us +to continue on during the daylight.</p> + +<p>We knew full well that under the happiest circumstances +we would meet with lobster-backs a +dozen times before arriving at the place where we +had left Skinny Baker, and it might not be a simple +matter to convince them we were innocent of mischief<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +when they saw us coming from the direction +of the American camp.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I insisted we should lay hidden +in the thicket where the <i>Jolly Rover</i> was concealed, +until night had come, and luckily young Chris fell +in with my ideas, not on account of believing the +danger to be great, but because slumber was so +heavy upon his eyelids that he was eager to take +advantage of an opportunity to sleep.</p> + +<p>In looking back at that time and recalling why +we halted at the falls instead of continuing on, I +can but believe that our movements were directed +by some higher power than any on earth, for had we +gone straight on, as would naturally have been our +inclination, then had our time of usefulness as Minute +Boys come to a speedy end.</p> + +<p>However, as it was we crawled into the thicket; +ate such portion of corn bread as remained from +the store with which Master Dingley provided us, +and then fell asleep, counting to be on our way as +soon as the sun had set.</p> + +<p>Instead of this, however, so weary were we in +body, that when I next opened my eyes it was dark. +I knew by the stars it must be well to midnight, and +hurriedly awakened young Chris that we might get +off as speedily as possible lest another day come +before we were arrived.</p> + +<p>Because of thus over-sleeping, we did not arrive +at the town until within an hour of sunrise, and +then it was too late for us to pull the <i>Jolly Rover</i> +around to the lumber pile. Therefore we left her +where she had been hidden before, and struck +straight across the city at our best pace, for it +seemed absolutely necessary we come to the hiding +place before it was light.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>We were feeling in fine fettle as we drew near +the lumber pile where we counted on meeting +Jeremy and Sam, for it seemed as if fortune was +favoring us in every way.</p> + +<p>We had not come across a single red-coat in our +tramp through the town, which I venture to say was +owing to the early hour, for we all know that +slumber weighs more heavily upon one just before +morning than at any other time, and the lobster-backs +were no exception to this rule.</p> + +<p>We were come to the lumber pile just as the first +tokens of the new day appeared in the eastern sky, +and, there being seemingly no one in the vicinity, I +said to young Chris that we might both venture to +go in at the same time, instead of waiting one for +another, so there would be less danger of attracting +attention.</p> + +<p>I was leading the way, and on crawling through +the passage, fearing lest I should startle Jeremy +and Sam, I whispered loudly before I was come to +the space inside which formed our prison, that they +need have no fear—that we were friends who approached.</p> + +<p>There was no reply to these words of mine, and +I was simple enough to think both the lads had +fallen asleep, even though they had agreed that +one should remain on watch all the time lest Skinny +Baker escape.</p> + +<p>It was dark in there as one might well fancy, +and impossible even to see a fellow’s hand before +his face; but I crept on, counting to give Jeremy +the surprise of his life by shaking him into wakefulness.</p> + +<p>So well acquainted was I with the place that I +could pick out any particular spot by sense of touch,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +and went directly to the spot in which we had left +Skinny, which was a sort of niche or corner, where +we could the better guard him.</p> + +<p>Then I stretched out my hand in either direction, +and as I did so a cry of horror burst involuntarily +from my lips, for I touched nothing save the rough +timbers.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” young Chris asked excitedly, +pressing against me with an effort to pass, +and I replied hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“I fail to find anyone here, Chris. Crawl entirely +around the place, and at once, for if anything +has happened then are we like rats in a trap. +It stands to reason that in case the lobster-backs +have heard aught of our doings, they will be watching +for our return.”</p> + +<p>We were like two lads who had suddenly lost +their senses, as we crept here and there, bruising +our hands upon the rough planking or joists, and +passing and repassing the same place a dozen times, +until when it seemed to me it must be broad daylight, +the fearsome thought forced itself to my +mind that our comrades had been captured.</p> + +<p>Neither Skinny nor those who guarded him were +in the hiding place, and we needed no better evidence +that they had fallen into the hands of the +enemy, for I knew as well as I knew anything in +this world, that neither Jeremy nor Sam would +have taken it upon themselves to carry the prisoner +out of there, whatsoever might have occurred, during +my absence.</p> + +<p>It was at the moment as if I were standing at +the foot of the gallows, with a noose made ready +for my neck.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br> + +<small>IN MORTAL FEAR</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> horror which came upon me when I learned +that our comrades and the prisoner had disappeared, +and realized that they could not have vanished +save through some work of the lobster-backs, +was so overpowering that during three or four +minutes maybe—I had no knowledge of the passing +of the time—I remained silent and motionless, +my hand on young Chris’s shoulder as if depending +upon him in some way for support.</p> + +<p>For the first time since I had known the lad +was he awed into silence. He could not have +failed to understand, as did I, very much of what +had happened, and realized fully the danger which +menaced us.</p> + +<p>For awhile my mind was in such a whirl that +I was not capable of connected thought, and then, +as the moments went by, each bringing nearer to us +that peril which I believed, and almost was the +same as certain, awaited us outside our hiding +place, I began to gather my wits. For the first +time since the terrible blow had come upon me, I +understood that it behooved young Chris and me +to be doing whatsoever we might to insure our +safety.</p> + +<p>And what could we do, I asked myself, clutching +my comrade yet more firmly by the shoulder +as if believing he, without questioning, could give +me the solution to the riddle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>There was no doubt whatsoever but that the lobster-backs +had heard from Skinny that we were +gone on a mission to the American army, and +like to return to that very place. Therefore would +they keep watch for us, and that we had been able +to get in there without being arrested, was due +to the fact that we had come at the one time of +all others during the night when those who watched +would be less keenly on the alert.</p> + +<p>“We must leave here at once,” young Chris said, +starting up as if he would on the instant go into +the open air, and I seized the lad roughly, pulling +him back until he was where I could hold him motionless, +as I said:</p> + +<p>“Have you no better sense than to go out now, +when we know beyond a peradventure that there +will be lobster-backs nearabout watching for us?”</p> + +<p>“But we <i>must</i> go,” young Chris cried helplessly. +“To stay here is to be made prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and to go out is to make certain of being +taken into custody. There is some slight chance +we may escape yet if we but hold ourselves together, +striving to hit upon that which is the wisest +course.”</p> + +<p>“There can be no wise course as we are situated +now,” the lad replied with a choking of the +breath that was like unto a sob. “We are the +same as taken already. Do you fancy for a single +instant that Skinny would hold his peace concerning +the chances of our return?”</p> + +<p>It was as if this question of young Chris’s +brought to my mind a plan, a poor one it is true, +and yet better than none at all, therefore I replied +eagerly, thus showing that the idea had just come +into my mind:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“If so be there are lobster-backs on watch for +us, then must they be of the belief that we have not +yet returned. How we got in here without their +knowledge I know not, save that they must have slept +while on duty, for I dare venture to swear one +or more has been placed over this lumber pile +as guard both day and night. Now we are here, +and with the chance that they yet believe we are +up the river, it behooves us to stay until nightfall +at the very least. Between now and then shall we +decide how we can best go away without attracting +the attention of those who would send us to the gallows.”</p> + +<p>“And think you it will be possible, even after +night has come, for us to get away from here?” +the lad asked in a despairing tone, whereupon I, +to hearten him rather than because I believed such +matter, replied with as much of cheerfulness as I +could assume:</p> + +<p>“It is certain we got in here without being seen, +else they would have nabbed us on the instant, had +our approach been known. There is no chance we +could escape if we ventured out in the open day, +for not only would we stand a chance of being +seen by those who are on guard nearby, but the odds +are that the hue and cry has been raised against +us, and if peradventure we showed ourselves in +the city, someone would be certain to gobble us +up.”</p> + +<p>“But we can’t stay here all day,” young Chris +moaned. “Fancy sitting here eating our hearts +out with fear that each instant may bring the lobster-backs +upon us!”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad; but think of going out and being +haled before a company of British officers who have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +formed themselves into what is called a court martial, +and have them decide whether we shall be +hanged to-morrow or next day.”</p> + +<p>Young Chris made no reply; but, covering his +eyes with his hands, sat with head bent on his +knees, the perfect picture of despair.</p> + +<p>Well might he present such a picture, for look +upon the situation as I could, in the most favorable +light, I saw but little hope of our being able to go +free many hours longer.</p> + +<p>However, it was possible, as I figured the matter +in my mind, for us to remain where we were until +nightfall—only possible; but yet why not take the +chances of remaining alive yet a little longer? Why +rush out as Chris would have me to do, into the +arms of those who would judge us as spies?</p> + +<p>I could not if I would set down all the horrible +ideas which came into my mind during the long +day that seemingly would never come to an end.</p> + +<p>Each minute, full of terror as it was, appeared +to have been lengthened into an hour, and the +hours were like unto weeks, until it was all I could +do to prevent myself from crying aloud in agony.</p> + +<p>Chris still remained with his head on his knee +when I fancied noon had come. It was as if the +lad had given up all hope, and I questioned whether +there might not be some difficulty in arousing him +when I believed our time for action was come.</p> + +<p>Now and then we could hear voices on the outside +of the lumber pile, and these I made certain +were come from those who stood on watch to seize +us.</p> + +<p>More than once did I fancy I heard someone +creeping through the passageway to make certain +whether we were there, and then involuntarily I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +crouched back against the timbers as if I would +force myself through them, straining every muscle +until I felt as sore as if I had been beaten from +head to foot.</p> + +<p>We gave no thought to hunger; in fact, we were +not conscious of lack of food while the mental +agony was so great; but there were times when it +seemed as if I would give half my chances of escape, +if indeed I had any, for water enough to +moisten my throat.</p> + +<p>Fear had dried my mouth and parched my tongue +until it was with difficulty I could speak, when now +and then I would strive to cheer young Chris from +out his terrible despondency.</p> + +<p>However slowly the minutes moved, the day +finally came to an end, as all days will whether they +bring us good or evil.</p> + +<p>While the sun was shining this hiding place of +ours was lighted sufficiently for one to see another; +but when evening came the darkness was +so intense that it was only by the sense of touch you +could determine where was your comrade, even +though he sat close by your side.</p> + +<p>I believe young Chris had remained silent and +motionless a full three hours before this, and then, +when we knew that the day had passed, he said +in the tone of one who has lost all hope:</p> + +<p>“When may it be to your mind that we make a +change? When do you count on taking the +chances of getting away from here?”</p> + +<p>“As soon as I believe midnight has come.”</p> + +<p>“And have you any faith that we may succeed?”</p> + +<p>“Whether I have or no, it is better we make the +attempt. God has thus far been good to us, inasmuch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +as He has allowed that we remain here +throughout the day without being discovered, and +let us hope His goodness will so far continue that +we may be able to get away undetected.”</p> + +<p>“And what then?” Chris asked with a groan. +“Where can we go? Surely not to your home +or mine, for if the hue and cry be out against us, +then will the lobster-backs pay frequent visits to +the bakery and your mother’s house.”</p> + +<p>“Let us not cross bridges until we come to them, +for of a verity we have trouble enough without +looking into the future in search of more,” I replied +sharply, angered because he would persist in +striving to find yet further cause for anxiety when +we had so much upon us. “Our first work is to +get away from here, and if so be we should succeed +in leaving this hiding place, then let us take +the chances of crossing the city once more, making +our way to Valley Forge, where we know beyond +a peradventure we shall be safe from the Britishers; +for however greatly they outnumber our army, +General Howe has not dared to give battle.”</p> + +<p>“There is as little hope we can cross the city +since the hue and cry is most likely out, as that +we can go straight from this place to heaven,” +Chris said despairingly, and once more lapsed into +silence, which was irritating to me, for of a verity +I needed a cheering word now and then even as +much as did he.</p> + +<p>Again and again I cast about me to decide what +we should do if peradventure we succeeded in +getting away from the hiding place; but without +avail.</p> + +<p>Then I fell to counting the minutes, so that I +might have some fair idea of when midnight had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +come, and in all these ways of making the time +seem to pass more quickly, I failed because of the +shadow of the scaffold which was weighting me +down.</p> + +<p>It was at the very moment when I said to myself +that we might as well go out and give ourselves up +at the nearest guard-house, as to make any effort +toward escape, when I heard a soft rippling of the +water just at the mouth of our hiding place nearabout +where we usually moored the <i>Jolly Rover</i>.</p> + +<p>On the instant all that spirit which had been +driven out of me by the horror of the situation, +came back, for I knew that that which I heard was +not the lip, lip, lipping of the tide; but caused by +some living thing, although it might be only an +animal.</p> + +<p>“Do you hear that?” I asked feverishly, gripping +young Chris by the shoulder and pulling him +toward me, as if by such change of position he +might the better distinguish the sounds.</p> + +<p>He, listening for an instant, fell back once more +in helpless fear as he muttered:</p> + +<p>“’Tis only a rat, or something of that kind. +Perchance a cur which one of the lobster-backs +has thrown into the water; but surely nothing that +may be of avail to us, for there is no one who can +help us now.”</p> + +<p>I could have pummeled the lad, so great was my +irritation because he refused even to suspect that +there might be some in the city who would try to aid +us, and perhaps in my anger I said many bitter +things to him; but I had as well have talked to a +stone, so far as making myself understood was +concerned, for young Chris was the same as dead +to the world.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“Whether it be rat or no, I am minded to find +out, for surely something is moving toward this +place against the current.”</p> + +<p>Chris made no reply, and I crept softly down +upon a projecting timber to which we had always +moored the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, and, hardly conscious of +what I did, stretched my hand out over the surface +of the water, striving to feel that which was +causing the ripples.</p> + +<p>Then my heart came up into my throat like to +burst the skin, as I touched the hair of a human +being’s head, and an instant later I was near to +losing consciousness because of the wondrous joy +that came over me, as I heard a familiar voice +ask:</p> + +<p>“Is that you by any good chance, Richard Salter?”</p> + +<p>“Me? Ay, that it is, Timothy Bowers! God +bless you for having come to me at this moment +when I was near dead with fear!”</p> + +<p>“Are you alone here?” and Tim, rising sufficiently +out of the water to clutch the plank on +which I was standing, drew himself up beside me +all unaided, for I was so weakened by joy that I +could not have raised a pound’s weight strive however +I might.</p> + +<p>Mayhap a full minute passed before I was able +to speak connectedly, and then I answered his question +by saying that young Chris was near at hand.</p> + +<p>“How did you get inside here without being +seen by the lobster-backs?” he asked in amazement.</p> + +<p>“That I know not; we came just before break +of day, and saw no one nearabout. The first we +knew that any trouble had befallen our lads, was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +when we found this place empty. Tell me what +has happened?”</p> + +<p>Now, eager as was I to learn the full extent +of the danger which menaced, I clutched Timothy +by the throat so fiercely that he cried out, and +young Chris, hearing the noise, asked stupidly:</p> + +<p>“Who may be there? Who is raising a noise +to give an alarm to those who would hang us?”</p> + +<p>“Arouse yourself, Chris Ludwig,” I cried +sharply, creeping back along the plank to catch +him by the arm, for I was minded he should come +out of this swoon of terror as soon as might be. +“Rouse yourself, for here is Timothy Bowers who +has come to give us information of what has happened, +even though he may not be able to aid us.”</p> + +<p>“How did he come?” Chris asked stupidly, and +as I replied, the idea came into my mind like a flash +of light.</p> + +<p>“He came as we shall go, lad, by swimming! +If he could find his way here, verily we can follow +him out, and we are the same as free this moment!”</p> + +<p>Such words as these could not fail of arousing +the lad from his apathy of terror, and now he +was as keenly on the alert as I would have him, +pressing forward in the darkness that he might put +his hand upon Timothy while the lad told his story, +which we were burning to hear.</p> + +<p>It was little, however, that Timothy Bowers +could tell us when we had recovered sufficiently +from our excitement to listen.</p> + +<p>He knew naught, save that suddenly he saw +Skinny Baker free on the street, and, coming down +to the lumber pile as swiftly as might be, found +two lobster-backs guarding the entrance where we +were in the custom of creeping through into the +vacant space beyond.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_144a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_144a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">HE FOUND TWO LOBSTER-BACKS GUARDING THE ENTRANCE.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>Tim had sufficient sense to understand that if +Skinny Baker was walking the streets free, Jeremy +and Sam must be in the clutches of the lobster-backs, +and straightway he took every precaution +for his own safety, going to the house of a cousin +who lived on Third street beyond Chestnut, rather +than returning home.</p> + +<p>While he lay there in hiding during the day, +his cousin, who was a girl of mayhap fourteen or +fifteen years, went out on the street, where, after +some time had been spent, she gathered that two +rebel lads had been arrested. No sooner was this +information come to her than she ran plumply +against Master Baker, who, pluming himself over +the fact that the British officers were taking some +notice of him now that his son had been able to +give what seemed to be valuable information, was +strutting along the street like any turkey cock.</p> + +<p>She, dear girl, had wit enough to ask him if he +had any news from his son, for Master Baker had +made public the fact that Skinny was missing.</p> + +<p>Then it was the Tory told her that Skinny had +been held prisoner by a party of wicked rebel lads; +but now was escaped, and those who held him +captive were themselves in jail, where, so he said, +he hoped they would stay until they went to their +death.</p> + +<p>It was poor information enough to us who +thirsted for all the details, and I was mystified as +to why Skinny, who was not a quick-witted lad, +nor one who had courage enough to fight his way +through, had succeeded in shaking off Sam and +Jeremy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>However, that was but of little moment so far +as our situation was concerned.</p> + +<p>Our company of Minute Boys had hardly more +than been formed when two of them were prisoners, +with the chance of being hardly dealt with, +and here under the timbers were three more who +must bring all their wits to bear if they would +preserve their freedom.</p> + +<p>When Timothy had come to an end of his story, +I asked him whether he had seen any lobster-backs +on the shore nearby the lumber pile when he swam +down the stream, and he replied grimly, while I +could almost fancy even in the darkness that there +was a smile of content on his face:</p> + +<p>“I had no spare time to watch out for lobster-backs, +knowing if they caught a glimpse of my +head on the stream they would soon let me understand +I had been discovered, therefore I swam on, +giving little heed to anything save my own progress.”</p> + +<p>“But why did you come here, Timothy, when +you knew that the lobster-backs must be waiting +for young Chris and me?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“That was exactly why I did come,” the lad replied +promptly. “There was in my mind a fancy +that you might possibly have done exactly as you +did, and were waiting here in the belief that some +of our Minute Boys would come to your aid. +Therefore it was I cast about as to how I could +best make my way to this place.”</p> + +<p>“You are a true comrade, Timothy Bowers!” +I cried, seizing both his hands with a grip that +caused him to wince with pain. “In all my reaching +out for some means of escape, it never came +into my thick head that one of our lads who called<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +himself a Minute Boy, could or would come to +our aid.”</p> + +<p>“I have come,” Timothy said in a laughing +tone; “but whether it is to your aid or no remains +to be seen. In fact I misdoubt my being +able to help, and have an idea that I shall rather +be a burden upon you, for where two might swim +up the river unseen, three are like to show themselves, +either by noise, or because of so many black +objects upon the surface of the water.”</p> + +<p>“You have brought aid, Timothy, even though +we are taken next minute, for it has heartened +Chris and me, who were well-nigh dead with despair, +to such courage as I doubt not will bring +us through in safety, for a certain time at least. +We are boldened to do great things now, knowing +that at the end of them is, perhaps, our safety, +therefore let us get about the work rather than +remain here thinking of what may happen.”</p> + +<p>“In that you are pleasing me exactly,” Timothy +replied. “I have no desire to linger here, +and if you are minded to follow me, I am ready +to take to the water; but once there I know not +what we shall do, or which way we are to turn. +If I might take you to the house of my cousin, +it would be well; but my aunt has said that if peradventure +I found any of my comrades wandering +around the city, I must escort them to some other +place, for she fears that too many boys gathering +at her home would attract the attention of the +lobster-backs, thereby bringing her in danger of +arrest.”</p> + +<p>“I have thought that mayhap we might find our +way back to Valley Forge,” I suggested, and Timothy +cried on the instant:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>“No, no, do not venture that way! Simcoe’s +rangers went up the road to Germantown this +afternoon, so I heard at the house where I have +been hiding, and who shall say that they are not out +in search of you? You must find some hiding +place in the city, and mark you, Richard Salter, I +am of the belief that it is our business to teach +Skinny Baker a lesson which as yet he has not received.”</p> + +<p>“What?” young Chris cried in a tone of mingled +surprise and fear, “Would you now, when the hue +and cry is out against us, think of paying Skinny +Baker back in the coin which he deserves?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I would,” Timothy replied stoutly. +“The lobster-backs haven’t got us yet, and it +strikes me that we are timorous lads if we give +up at this moment simply because the Britishers +are burning to take us prisoners. It is our business +to do whatsoever we may to aid Jeremy and +Sam, for verily they are in sore distress, and +you would not forsake a comrade at such a +time?”</p> + +<p>The lad caused me to feel shame for myself. +He stood in quite as great danger as did Chris +and I, and yet instead of mourning over his fate as +I had done during all that long day, he was reaching +out in the hope to help others—had already taken +desperate chances on the chance that we might have +come back, and seemed to have cast aside all +thoughts of self.</p> + +<p>Again I clutched him by the hand, and said in a +tone which he must have known was sincerely from +the bottom of my heart:</p> + +<p>“Timothy Bowers, you are a comrade among +a thousand! I have never known but one who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +would do as much for a friend, and that one Jeremy +Hapgood, who you say is now in prison.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that’s where he is, Richard Salter; but if +you and I are half as keen-witted as we claim to +be, it seems to me we should be able to work him +some good, for the lobster-backs feel so secure of +holding this city that they are grown careless, as +you know full well. Once you and Chris are out +of this place, which is much like a rat-trap, I dare +venture to say we can find a chance to hide without +bringing danger upon those who care for us, +and what matters though we go hungry for a day +or two, if so be we do all that which we should?”</p> + +<p>You can well fancy how I was heartened; how +my courage was strengthened by such words as +these from a lad whom I had never believed had it +in him to do brave deeds, and if there was a hero +in the city of Philadelphia that night, I claim it +was Timothy Bowers.</p> + +<p>He had brought me out from the slough of +despond, and I fancied now it was possible for +me to see my way clear, despite the fact that all +those servants of General Howe who wore red +coats were on the lookout to make me prisoner.</p> + +<p>“It shall be you who leads the way, Timothy, +and we are ready at the word, unless, peradventure, +you think better for us to linger here awhile +longer.”</p> + +<p>“This is no place in which to stand idle. The +first move is to get away, for the thick-headed lobster-backs +believe there is no question but that on +your return from Valley Forge—and of course +Skinny told them where you had gone—this will +be the first place you aim at. Therefore if so be +they fail to see you by to-morrow, I’ll go bail<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +they’ll search inside here. We have considerable +of work before us, for it is no child’s play to swim +against the current.”</p> + +<p>“Go you on and we will follow,” I cried, throwing +off my shoes that they might not encumber me +while in the water, and young Chris followed my +example. Timothy himself, I learned by sense of +touch, was already barefoot.</p> + +<p>Then the brave lad led the way down on the +plank where we moored the <i>Jolly Rover</i>, and allowed +himself to sink gently into the water in such +manner as not to raise the slightest ripple, we following +his every movement.</p> + +<p>I must confess, however, brave though I felt +myself to be while he was talking, there was more +than a certain fear in my heart when we came out +from under the timbers, swimming close within the +shadow of the bank, for I feared, and with good +reason, that some of the lobster-backs might be +near at hand watching for just such a manœuvre +as we were executing.</p> + +<p>Even while we struck out, striving to avoid making +any commotion in the water and at the same +time keeping so near Timothy that I could see his +head even in the darkness, I reproached myself +for the cowardly fear and despair which had come +upon me during the day.</p> + +<p>Now, after all my forebodings, we were going +peacefully away from the hiding place without being +molested by the enemy, and all because one +certain lad had come to hearten us, showing that +we were selfish indeed to think only of ourselves +when there were comrades in sore distress needing +aid.</p> + +<p>I believe that the sense of shame caused by my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +having shown the white feather at a time when +I needed all my courage, became so great as to +quicken my wits, for even while we swam I bethought +me of a safe place of refuge if so be we +might gain it, and, hastening my stroke, I pulled +alongside Timothy as I said to him:</p> + +<p>“There is at the Jolly Tar inn the Weaver of +Germantown, who is, as we know, a friend to the +Cause, and it must be that Master Targe, the innkeeper, +is also what the lobster-backs call a rebel. +If one can remain hidden in his tavern, why not all +of us, and there we shall find not only shelter, but +food.”</p> + +<p>“It is the place for us,” Timothy replied quickly, +and with a note of relief in his voice. “Surely +there is no other house in all the city we could +come at so easily as the inn.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course this conversation had been +carried on in whispers, and young Chris heard nothing +whatsoever concerning it; but when we turned +to enter the creek his curiosity was roused, and he +asked almost angrily if I knew whither we were +bound.</p> + +<p>“To the Jolly Tar inn, where is the Weaver +of Germantown,” I replied curtly, and then turned +all my attention to swimming as swiftly as might +be, for now we were come so near a place of refuge +and could see no one on the bank, it surely seemed +as if we should strain every nerve in order to arrive +at the earliest possible moment.</p> + +<p>I heard a smothered exclamation of satisfaction +from young Chris when I had spoken, and knew +that he understood what we might find if so be we +arrived at our journey’s end in safety.</p> + +<p>And this we did, thanks to that same Providence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +which it appeared to me had had direct ruling over +us from the time we left the falls to go to the hiding +place.</p> + +<p>We came up out of the water within a few yards +of the inn, taking due care to make no noise whatsoever, +as you may well suppose, and then, instead +of going boldly into the place, for we knew +not who might be there, we circled around the +building until it had been possible, through the +windows, to see the interior of every room on the +lower floor.</p> + +<p>There was no one to be seen inside save the sour-visaged +landlord, who no longer looked surly to me +now that I had good reason for believing he was a +true friend to the Cause.</p> + +<p>It is not to be wondered at that Master Targe +looked up in surprise when we three lads, dripping +like water rats, and I dare say looking very much +like such animals, entered the tap-room.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted ten he stood gazing +at us as if having no knowledge that he had +ever met any of the party before, and I, fearing he +might be pleased to forget that I had been recommended +to his care, said in a low tone as I came +close to him:</p> + +<p>“We would have speech with the Weaver of +Germantown, and later with you, if it be possible.”</p> + +<p>“Where have you lads come from?”</p> + +<p>“Out of the river,” Timothy replied laughingly, +and Master Targe, taking no heed to what the lad +counted was a joke, asked sternly:</p> + +<p>“Where before that?”</p> + +<p>“Young Chris and I came down from Valley +Forge to our hiding place, not knowing what had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +happened, and but for Timothy Bowers here, I +dare say before morning we would have been in the +hands of the lobster-backs.”</p> + +<p>“Why would you see the Weaver of Germantown?” +the innkeeper asked, and this I thought +was displaying rather too much curiosity, therefore +replied, not curtly; but in such a tone as showed that +I was not willing to be questioned closely:</p> + +<p>“That remains for him to tell you, if so be it +is his mind. Master Dingley sent us here, and I +believe we should have speech with him before saying +aught to anyone else.”</p> + +<p>To my surprise the innkeeper appeared well satisfied +with the reply, and said in a tone of commendation:</p> + +<p>“Verily you are cautious for a lad of your years, +and if so be you continue in the same way, then will +there be less difficulty in doing the work which may +be set for you.”</p> + +<p>Having said this he came out from behind the +bar, where he had been lounging, so to speak, leaning +on his elbows over the wooden counter, and +without bidding us follow him, went through the +next room and up a flight of stairs which I knew +led to the apartments in the rear.</p> + +<p>Timothy would have hung back to wait for an +invitation; but I was minded to take the innkeeper’s +movements as indication that he was ready to lead +us to that man who was called the Weaver of Germantown, +and beckoned for my comrades to follow +me.</p> + +<p>Within two or three minutes we were standing +before this worker for the Cause, who was periling +his life by remaining in the city, and Master Targe +had left the room, closing the door carefully behind<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +him, after which the so-called Weaver of +Germantown took good care to bolt it securely.</p> + +<p>Then, looking from one to the other of us with +much the same surprise as had been shown by the +innkeeper, he asked of me:</p> + +<p>“Did you fail to meet Master Dingley?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed we did not, and came back from Valley +Forge this morning, not knowing that anything in +the way of trouble had occurred.”</p> + +<p>Then the man, as if simply to gratify his own +curiosity, questioned us as to why we were so +soaked with water, and not until I had explained +how it was we succeeded in leaving the hiding place +among the timbers, did he show any desire to hear +what we might have brought in the way of instructions +or news.</p> + +<p>“Your Timothy Bowers seems to be a boy who +can be depended on in time of trouble,” he said in +a tone of satisfaction. “When a lad like him will +undertake to aid his comrades at such risks as he +ventured, one may well put confidence in him. +Now tell me what you heard from the man to whom +I sent you.”</p> + +<p>In order that the Weaver of Germantown might +understand fully all we had seen and heard, I made +an overly long story of the matter, to which he +listened patiently and with deepest interest until I +was come to the end, when he said as if speaking to +himself:</p> + +<p>“Then it appears that he whom you met believed +it would be possible for boys to keep an eye out over +those who are to be at the carnival, with the idea +that something may be learned there. At the time +such a proposition was made to you, it was not +known that your prisoner had escaped, and you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +yourselves in gravest danger of being brought before +a court martial.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and it seems to me we are come to an +end of our rope, so far as serving the colonies is +concerned,” young Chris replied promptly, whereupon +the man looked at him sharply, and said in +what I took to be a tone of irony:</p> + +<p>“When danger threatens you are ready to give +over calling yourself a Minute Boy, eh?”</p> + +<p>“If you accuse me of showing the white feather, +then are you doing a wrong,” Chris replied hotly. +“It is one thing to do all a lad may, taking such +chances as come to those who play the spy; but when +is coupled to it the fact that beyond peradventure +the hue and cry has gone out against Richard Salter +and myself, while every lobster-back in the city has +been instructed to search for us, then does it seem +as if we might question whether there was a possibility +of doing anything, save allow ourselves to be +taken prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“That is as may be, lad,” the Weaver of Germantown +replied as if he was saddened by the fact. +“So that you have come to believe you may not +go out of doors without being taken in custody, +then indeed has your time of service come to an +end, and we need make no further talk regarding +what is desired by those whom you left at Valley +Forge.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br> + +<small>THE CARNIVAL</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I had</span> no idea of being thus cut off from work +as a Minute Boy simply because young Chris had +decided it was too dangerous for us to continue +such service, and speaking perhaps more sharply +than I should have done, I said to this man whom +we had been instructed to look upon in the light +of a superior officer:</p> + +<p>“There is no question of our refusing duty +simply because of danger. It is for you to say +where we shall go, and what we must attempt to +do, you knowing all the circumstances. If, peradventure, +you send us where there is no chance to +escape being taken prisoners, then is the matter +on your head rather than ours. Do not be so quick +to say that we are no longer of any use to the +Cause.”</p> + +<p>“And what say you, Master Bowers?” the man +asked, turning to Timothy, and the lad replied with +a smile, as if he was well content with the entire +situation:</p> + +<p>“I am of much the same mind as Richard Salter. +It does indeed look as though we had little or no +chance of gathering information; but I am ready +to make a try for it even at this moment.”</p> + +<p>“Well said, lads!” the Weaver of Germantown +cried, and clapping young Chris on the shoulder +in a friendly manner, he added, “I have no doubt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +but that your backbone will be stiff by the time you +have seen your comrades begin work.”</p> + +<p>“There is no need of stiffening my backbone,” +young Chris replied sulkily. “I want it to be understood +that I am no nearer showing the white +feather than any other lad in this city; but when +it is a matter of our being hounded by all the lobster-backs +General Howe has here, then does it seem to +me a foolish matter to make any attempt save that +of remaining in hiding.”</p> + +<p>“Then it shall be you who remains in hiding, +and your comrades may go forth to ply their dangerous +business. If there was naught of peril in +this work of ours while we strive to teach the king +a lesson, then could there be no credit attached to +what we do.”</p> + +<p>“I shall go wherever Richard Salter and Timothy +Bowers dare stick their noses,” Chris cried +angrily. “Since you are so sharp for us to show +whether we are like to be timorous, what is the +work you would have us do just now?”</p> + +<p>“Remain in hiding three or four days, mayhap, +and in less than that time the Britishers will tire of +looking for a couple of lads who amused themselves +by making the son of a Tory a prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“That is exactly the question in our minds,” +I interrupted. “I dare not return to my home, +for there are lodging British officers who know +me full well, and where else may we go?”</p> + +<p>“I allow that Master Targe can take care of you +for a few days, and here in this inn, unless something +unforeseen occurs, you will be almost as safe +as at Valley Forge. Content yourselves to remain +indoors, and confined to one room, until I shall +give the word. Then it is my belief that you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +may venture out with no more danger than before +the Baker lad gave his information; but feeling +fairly safe from being taken into custody save +you run upon someone who knows you exceeding +well.”</p> + +<p>Such advice as this was much to my liking; +it was exactly that for which I had come, and on +the instant I felt as if the greater portion of all +my troubles were swept away, save for the fact +that I could not let mother know of my safety.</p> + +<p>However, as to this last I consoled myself with +the thought that she would understand we were +not in custody, if she failed of hearing such news +from those lobster-backs who lodged in her house. +If, peradventure, I had been made prisoner, then +they would surely give her information, for, saving +the fact that they served the king and were ready to +do whatsoever they might to harm us of the colonies, +they were fairly decent men so far as ordinary +acquaintances go.</p> + +<p>Then it was that the Weaver of Germantown +made a signal, by knocking upon the wainscoting +of the door in a peculiar manner, and straightway, +within thirty seconds perhaps, the innkeeper appeared, +whereupon the two men held a reasonably +long conversation in the passageway, speaking in +guarded tones as if it was not their desire we should +overhear the words.</p> + +<p>When it had come to an end, he whom we had +been told to consider our commander, said in a matter-of-fact +tone:</p> + +<p>“You will remain in this house, and the room +next this shall be put in order for you. The +three must sleep in one bed, for Master Targe is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +not troubled with overly much furniture in this +inn of his, and it is not well the rooms that are +ordinarily occupied by lodgers should be dismantled, +lest it appear suspicious to whomsoever might be +inclined to play the spy for the benefit of the Britishers.”</p> + +<p>That we were to be taken care of in fairly good +fashion all of us understood half an hour later, +when Master Targe himself came into the room, +bringing so much in the way of provisions that the +four of us ate a very hearty supper, and I am +willing to swear that young Chris and I stood sadly +in need of the food.</p> + +<p>While we ate the Weaver of Germantown discussed +the escape of Skinny Baker, and asked Timothy +Bowers many questions concerning it; but, as I +have already set down, the lad knew very little beyond +the fact that the Tory cur was at liberty, and +Jeremy and Sam had disappeared.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we understood that the +Britishers were holding them in one place or another +as prisoners, and instead of speaking regarding +what we were to do to aid him in spying, the +man, when he was come to an end of questioning, +immediately set about speculating as to how it +would be possible for us to lend a hand to our comrades.</p> + +<p>Until he had spoken as if it was no more than a +matter of business, this rescuing two prisoners from +the Britishers, I had not so much as dreamed we +might be the means of setting them free; but now, +although no plan had been proposed, a great hope +sprang up in my heart that before we ourselves +had fallen into serious trouble, there was a possibility<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +of showing Jeremy and Sam that the tie +which bound us lads together as Minute Boys was +a strong one.</p> + +<p>“The first task is to find out where the lads are +held,” the Weaver of Germantown said as if speaking +to himself, “and that much I fancy we can +rely upon Master Targe to learn. He has the reputation +of being one who would stand neutral in +this trouble ’twixt the colonies and the king, and +the Tories are of the belief they may soon bring +him around to their way of thinking. Surely, they +say to themselves, he can be no rebel, otherwise +he would not hold himself aloof from them. +Therefore it is that within the past two months +Master Dingley and I have learned very much +from him, he having picked it up here and there +when he had as patrons some of the Tory brood.”</p> + +<p>It is not possible for me to set down all we +said that night, for not until a late hour were we +three lads willing to go into the next chamber +in order to sleep, so eager had we become over +this unformed plan of liberating Jeremy and +Sam.</p> + +<p>If, however, we thought it was a task which +would be set about immediately, then was the mistake +a grave one, for on the following morning the +Weaver of Germantown flatly refused to discuss +the matter with us when we were come into his +room for breakfast, saying, as if the matter no +longer was of great importance to him:</p> + +<p>“We will wait until finding out where the lads +are confined, before making overly much talk.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course this did not prevent us +lads from talking among ourselves, and we foolishly +laid plans one after another, each of which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +I dare say would have been impossible of execution, +while our companion, who it appeared to me, +now that daylight had come, was holding himself +aloof from us, refused to take any part.</p> + +<p>When another night shrouded the city in darkness, +however, we had good proof that the Weaver of +Germantown had not given over doing whatsoever +he might toward aiding our comrades, for then it +was, after the innkeeper had called him out into the +passage for a private interview, that he came back +and said to us, as if the information was something +which gave him greatest satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“Your lads whom you would aid are confined +in the Stone Prison, or, at least, in the work-house +portion of the building, and it would seem as if +the Britishers were eager to give us an opportunity +of freeing them, for there is no place in all the city, +so far as I know, that would be so favorable for +our plans.”</p> + +<p>Now you must know that this Stone Prison was +at the corner of High and Third streets. The jail +itself fronted on High street, and I have heard it +spoken of as the debtors’ prison, while on Third +street was another building joined to the first by +a high wall, which formed part of the yard enclosure, +and this was the work-house. There were, +in the garret of this last building, certain rooms +set apart for prisoners, in case the High-street jail +proved too small to accommodate all who were under +arrest.</p> + +<p>When General Howe took possession of our city +and began clapping into jail all the so-called rebels +he came across, he found himself cramped for +places in which to confine his captives, therefore +even the State House was used for confining prisoners<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +of war. This work-house of the Stone +Prison had ordinarily been used by the Britishers +as a guard-house; that is to say, a place where they +confined their own soldiers who were guilty of some +slight misdemeanor.</p> + +<p>Now, as a matter of course, all us lads knew +the Stone Prison almost as well as we did our own +homes, and I could say to within the length of an +inch where some of the wall had crumbled away +sufficiently to give a fellow a foothold, if he dug +his toes in deeply, because more than once had +Jeremy Hapgood and I clambered up to the top in +order to look over into the work-house, where the +lobster-backs were undergoing punishment for having +been drunken, or disrespectful to some popinjay +of a superior officer.</p> + +<p>“If we only knew in what part of the building +the lads were held,” Timothy Bowers said reflectively, +and the Weaver of Germantown replied +promptly:</p> + +<p>“They are in the attic of the building, of course, +where are the cells, for it does not stand to reason +the Britishers would house them with the red-coats +who are undergoing punishment.”</p> + +<p>“I will undertake to get inside the yard, on +any dark night, within half an hour, if so be the +sentries have not been doubled since I last saw +the place,” I said, and young Chris cried in a tone +of derision:</p> + +<p>“Much good it would do you to get inside the +walls, save you counted on joining Jeremy and +Sam.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay, lad,” the Weaver of Germantown +added quickly. “If so be you know a way to get +to the top of the wall, it may chance we shall hit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +upon a plan of going yet further. It should not +be a difficult matter on a dark night, unless peradventure +unusually strict guard be kept, to gain the +roof of the work-house from the wall at the corner +of the streets. If I mistake not, it comes well in +height to the eaves of the building.”</p> + +<p>“And what then?” Chris asked with a sneer.</p> + +<p>“We should at least be nearer the lads then than +we are now, and the remainder is something to be +figured out at a later day.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that the man refused to hold further +conversation with us, insisting that we go to bed +immediately, and, as a matter of fact, we could do +no less than obey.</p> + +<p>But it was not possible for him to force us to +sleep, and we lay there on the bags of straw many +hours, speculating as to what might be done if we +could gain the roof of the building, or as to how we +could come at those cell-like rooms under the +eaves where it stood to reason our comrades were +held.</p> + +<p>I fancied I had a scheme which could be worked, +if so be the night was stormy; but I refrained from +giving words to it at the time because Chris was +ever ready to make sport of plans formed by another, +therefore held my peace, letting him throw +cold water as he would upon the proposition that +we could do anything toward releasing Jeremy and +Sam.</p> + +<p>On the following day our Weaver of Germantown, +had again seemingly become indifferent to that +which we would do, and held frequent interviews +with Master Targe in the passageway, until we +were becoming wearied of inaction.</p> + +<p>It may seem strange that after we had escaped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +such grave peril, there was even the lightest whisper +of grumbling from us because we were forced +to remain hived up in one room where we were +seemingly in safety. Yet did this inaction so weigh +upon me, that before eight and forty hours had +passed I came almost to believe it would be better +we went boldly out on the street, taking the chances +of arrest, rather than stay there cooped up like +chickens who were being fattened for the killing. +So I said petulantly to this man who could be so +friendly at times, and again appear so distant that +one hesitated to speak to him, whereupon he replied +gravely:</p> + +<p>“If you are to accomplish anything in this world, +lad, whether it be playing the part of a spy, or engaging +in what some might call a more honest pursuit, +the first thing which you must learn is patience. +He who tires quickly because of the sameness +of his surroundings, or because of a treadmill-like +existence, is not the one to climb high in +whatsoever pursuit he follows. To steal from the +Britishers their secrets, or to release two lads who +are held under heavy guard as prisoners, are not +simple matters, and he who expects that either one +or the other can be done off-hand without expenditure +of time, sets himself down as a simple.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course that silenced me, and during +the remainder of the day I strove earnestly to +appear patient, as if it mattered little whether I remained +there, or went abroad.</p> + +<p>One day passed after another, each a weary time +of waiting for we knew not what. Again and +again would young Chris insist that it was needless +for us to be wasting the hours if we counted on +making any attempt to aid our comrades, and to all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +of his complaint and reproaches, for he was not +choice of words, this odd man gave no heed.</p> + +<p>There were, in fact, moments when you might +have said he failed to hear the lad, even when young +Chris was complaining the most loudly.</p> + +<p>Then on a certain day, however, after we had +been cooped up in that small room so long that it +seemed to me almost as if I had spent half my life +there, the Weaver of Germantown said suddenly, as +if the fact had but just been borne in upon him:</p> + +<p>“Now, lads, I believe the hour has come when +you may make the venture.”</p> + +<p>“What venture?” young Chris asked sharply.</p> + +<p>“That of striving to be of assistance to our people +who are fighting against the king.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that we may go out from here?” +Timothy Bowers asked, and there was a joyous ring +in his voice which told how great the relief, and +how little he regarded the possible danger.</p> + +<p>“Since you have been cooped up here General +Clinton has arrived to take command of the troops, +and it is to-morrow that this carnival, which they +call the Mischianza, is to be given. Now I propose +that if you lads are willing to make the venture, you +shall set off at nearabout midnight for Southwark, +and there loiter around, each taking a different station, +to learn what you may from the guests themselves.”</p> + +<p>“What?” young Chris cried in amazement. +“Are we going to the carnival? We whom the +lobster-backs will arrest on sight?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that is my plan; but I am of the mind that +you will not be arrested. As a matter of course +there will be many servants around the grounds, +and Master Targe has secured for you costumes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +which will prove an effective disguise. If you are +sufficiently quick-witted, it should be a simple matter +to mingle with the other attendants, waiting upon +the guests whenever you are called. It is by no +means certain you will gain valuable information, +and yet I believe there is so great a possibility that +we should take advantage of it. Are you willing +to make the trial?”</p> + +<p>“Of course we are, sir,” Timothy Bowers replied +gleefully. “To say nothing of having a +chance to take part in the lobster-backs’ carnival, +it will do me solid good to breathe the fresh air +once more. There have been times since I came +to this inn when it seemed that I would stifle, although +there is no reason why I make complaint +concerning the accommodations at the Jolly Tar, +for he who is in danger of the gallows, as I count +that we three are, should be easily satisfied while +he is allowed to remain at liberty.”</p> + +<p>“But what about our comrades who are held +prisoners in the work-house?” I asked sharply, +thinking that the Weaver of Germantown had forgotten +them entirely, whereupon he said severely, +and in a tone which was much like that of reproof:</p> + +<p>“The imprisonment of two lads is but a trifling +matter as compared with the needs of the Cause. +Many a one must undergo imprisonment, or even +give up his life, and thousands upon thousands suffer +bitterly in order that we may accomplish that +on which we have set our minds. I know to a certainty +that up to the time of General Clinton’s arrival +nothing had been done in the way of punishing +your comrades. I suspect that the Britishers +are waiting until you also can be captured. It is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +equally positive no move will be made immediately; +surely not to-morrow during the carnival, and it +may be that when the festival has come to an end +we shall find time to look after those whom you +would free.”</p> + +<p>And now it is, in order that you may the better +understand what we lads did when we literally +thrust our heads into the lion’s mouth, or to what +purpose we went this way and that, I must go forward +somewhat in my story, telling of what took +place on the following day, even before I finish +speaking of that which we did at the moment when +the Weaver of Germantown set out plainly before +us that we were in fact to act the part of spies, and, +if taken while thus at work, there would be no +question but that the gallows would be our final +halting place in this world.</p> + +<p>Therefore I propose to set down what was done +at this carnival, after which I will come back and +explain how we went about our duties. In telling +of the gaieties which the lobster-backs indulged in, +I count to read from a letter Major Andre himself +wrote to his friends in England, and which now +lies plainly before me, it having been captured at +Monmouth among some of the British camp equipment, +though why it was he failed to send the missive +I do not understand.</p> + +<p>This is what he wrote:</p> + +<p>“A grand regatta began the entertainment. It +consisted of three divisions. In the first was the +Ferret galley, having on board several general officers +and a number of ladies. In the centre was the +Hussar galley, with Sir William and Lord Howe, +Sir Henry Clinton, the officers of their suite, and +some ladies. The Cornwallis galley brought up the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +rear, having on board General Knyphausen and his +suite, three British generals and a party of ladies. +On each quarter of these galleys, and forming their +division, were five flatboats, lined with green cloth +and filled with ladies and gentlemen. In front of +the whole were three flatboats with a band of music +in each. Six barges rowed about each flank to keep +off the swarm of boats that covered the river from +side to side. The galleys were decked out with a +variety of colors and streamers, and in each flatboat +was displayed the flag of its own division.</p> + +<p>“In the stream opposite the centre of the city the +<i>Fanny</i>, armed ship, magnificently decorated, was +placed at anchor, and at some distance ahead lay +his Majesty’s ship <i>Roebuck</i>, with the admiral’s flag +hoisted at the foretop masthead. The transport +ships, extending in line the whole length of the +town, appeared with colors flying and crowded with +spectators, as were also the openings of several +wharves on shore, exhibiting the most picturesque +and enlivening scene the eye could desire. The +rendezvous was at Knight’s wharf at the northern +extremity of the city. By half-past four the whole +Company were embarked, and the signal being made +by the <i>Vigilant’s</i> manning ship, the three divisions +rowed slowly down, preserving their proper intervals, +and keeping time to the music that led the +fleet.</p> + +<p>“Arrived between the <i>Fanny</i> and the Market +wharf, a signal was made from one of the boats +ahead, and the whole lay upon their oars, while +the music played ‘God save the King,’ and three +cheers given for the vessels were returned from the +multitude on shore. By this time the flood tide became +too rapid for the galleys to advance; they were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +therefore quitted, and the party disposed of in different +barges. This alteration broke in upon the +order of procession; but was necessary to give sufficient +time for displaying the entertainments that +were prepared on shore.</p> + +<p>“The landing-place was at the Old Fort, a little +to the southward of the town, fronting the building +prepared for the reception of the company, about +four hundred yards from the water by a gentle ascent. +As soon as the general’s barge was seen to +push from the shore, a salute of seventeen guns was +fired from the <i>Roebuck</i>, and, after some interval, +by the same number from the <i>Vigilant</i>. The company, +as they disembarked, arranged themselves into +a line of procession, and advanced through an avenue +formed by two files of grenadiers, and a line of +light horse supporting each file. This avenue led +to a square lawn of two hundred and fifty yards on +each side, lined with troops, and properly prepared +for the exhibition of a tilt and tournament, according +to the customs and ordinances of ancient +chivalry. We proceeded through the centre of the +square.</p> + +<p>“The music, consisting of all the bands of the +army, moved in front. The managers, with favors +of white and blue ribbons in their breasts, followed +next in order. The general, admiral, and +the rest of the company proceeded promiscuously.</p> + +<p>“In front appeared the building, bounding the +view through a vista formed by two triumphal +arches erected at proper intervals in a line with the +landing-place. Two pavilions with rows of benches +rising one above the other, and serving as the wings +of the first triumphal arch, received the ladies, while +the gentlemen arranged themselves in convenient<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +order on each side. On the front seat of each pavilion +were placed seven of the principal young ladies +of the country, dressed in Turkish habits and +wearing in their turbans the favors with which +they meant to reward the several knights who were +to contend in their honor. These arrangements +were scarce made, when the sound of trumpets was +heard in the distance, and a band of knights, dressed +in ancient habits of white and red silk, and mounted +on gray horses richly caparisoned in trappings of +the same colors, entered the lists, attended by their +esquires on foot, in suitable apparel.”</p> + +<p>Now then, in this letter of Major Andre’s, he +writes many pages concerning what they did when +the knights rode into the field and fought with +lances, and blunt swords, and all that sort of thing, +which it is not necessary I set down. It is this +last which is most important, for in it did young +Chris, Timothy and I figure in great shape, according +to our own belief:</p> + +<p>Here is the remainder of General Andre’s letter:</p> + +<p>“The company were regaled with tea, lemonade, +and other cooling liquors when they entered the +house. On the same floor with the ball-room were +four drawing-rooms, with sideboards of refreshments. +Dancing continued until ten o’clock, when +the windows were thrown open and the display of +fireworks began. At twelve o’clock supper was announced, +and large folding doors, hitherto artfully +concealed, being suddenly thrown open, discovered +a magnificent saloon with three alcoves on each side +which served as sideboards. Fifty-six large pier +glasses, ornamented with green silk artificial flowers +and ribbons; one hundred branches with three lights +in each, trimmed in the same manner as the mirrors;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +eighteen lustres, each with twenty-four lights, suspended +from the ceiling, and ornamented as the +branches; three hundred wax tapers disposed along +the supper table; four hundred and thirty covers, +twelve hundred dishes, twenty-four black slaves in +Oriental dresses, with silver collars and bracelets, +ranged in two lines, and bending to the ground as +the general and admiral approached the saloon. +Then came the drinking of healths, and the toasts, +and after supper the dancing was continued until +four o’clock.”</p> + +<p>That letter gives a pretty good account of the +entertainment, so I have been told. But we three +lads who were at the risk of our lives, saw very +little of what was going on, because we were chiefly +among the servants, save when called upon by the +gentlemen or ladies to bring them this or that in +the way of refreshments.</p> + +<p>You must not suppose that we were among the +“twenty-four black slaves in Oriental dresses,” for +our station was not so high. However it had been +brought about, I know not; but certain it is that the +innkeeper of the Jolly Tar had provided us with costumes +such as the ordinary servant wore, and we +were told how we should present ourselves at Master +Wharton’s mansion in order to be admitted.</p> + +<p>You may say that a person who is telling a story +has no right to go ahead in the narrative in order to +describe something which happened in the future; +but I have striven several times to relate it in a different +fashion, failing utterly, therefore must I do +as I have and let you put it down to the truth, +which is, that I am but a poor apology for a story-teller.</p> + +<p>Now let me hark back to that room in the Jolly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +Tar inn where we three lads were gathered with +the Weaver of Germantown, when he astounded us +by announcing that if we were willing to take the +chances, then might we go to this carnival of the +lobster-backs.</p> + +<p>We all knew full well where was Master Wharton’s +country house at Southwark, and were told +that when midnight was come, we must, having +made up in parcels the dresses which we were to +wear for the occasion, set off, and, if possible, conceal +ourselves nearabout the mansion.</p> + +<p>Then at daylight we were to put on our disguises, +which I may say here consisted simply of +what I fancied was a Turkish style of dress, +made of some green and black stuff that completely +enveloped the body, being brought up tightly +around each ankle, forming thereby a most comical +kind of trousers and tunic all in one piece.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, the clothing would not +serve to hide our faces, and therein the danger lay.</p> + +<p>If so be we did not come upon any who were +acquainted with us, and there was little chance of +such an unfortunate happening save in the case of +those officers who lodged with my mother, then +were we safe in embarking upon the venture.</p> + +<p>We were to present ourselves boldly at the rear +of the house, after having put on our odd clothing, +and from that on it would be the duty of Master +Wharton’s upper servants, or the master of ceremonies, +to direct us to what we should do.</p> + +<p>The only matter of which we were absolutely +positive was, that in event of our being discovered, +then was death almost certain, for there could be no +question but that we had gone there as spies, and +would be dealt with accordingly.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br> + +<small>ON DUTY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is not needed that I should set down all we +said during this night before the carnival, when we +were listening intently, as you may well suppose, to +the advice which the Weaver of Germantown gave +us concerning our behavior.</p> + +<p>I dare venture to say there was no desire for +slumber on the part of any of our company. I +know for fact that I could not have closed my eyes +in sleep even though life had depended upon it, for +every now and then a cold chill of fear would run +down my spine as I realized what would be the result +if I came full upon some one of those officers +who lodged with my mother.</p> + +<p>I do not hesitate to say I was given sadly to timorousness +during that time, and if I ever come across +a lad who claims to me that he can venture upon a +task which may result in his death, without feeling +certain fear and having many forebodings, then I +shall say that he is either devoid of all feeling, or +telling that which is absolutely a lie.</p> + +<p>When midnight had come we were made aware of +the fact by Master Targe entering the room without +the ceremony of knocking, and having with him +three small parcels, one of which he handed to each +of us lads.</p> + +<p>Then without a word, and in a grave and solemn +manner which called up all my fears once more, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +Weaver of Germantown clasped each of us by the +hand, and Master Targe beckoned for us to follow +him.</p> + +<p>This we did, leaving the building by a rear door, +and when we were come to the gateway the innkeeper +said, speaking curtly as if we had given him +some cause for offence:</p> + +<p>“You know as well as I how to find the place +where your work is to be done. Remember that if +things go wrong, and you should be persuaded to +confess how you gained admission to the grounds, +or how you came in possession of the clothes which +you carry, great trouble would not only come upon +me; but you might involve in disaster those who +are working hardest in favor of the Cause—those +who are able to do our people the greatest amount +of good. Now get on, lads; bear in mind that you +must be cautious; that you are holding your lives in +your hands; but strive not to let such fact appear on +your faces.”</p> + +<p>It seemed to me like a sorry send-off, much as +if Master Targe had little hope we would return, +and I have no doubt that both Chris and Timothy +were affected by his words, as was I.</p> + +<p>Instead of speaking when we started down the +street, both the lads remained silent, whereupon I +fancied they were doing much the same as I, that is +to say, turning over the many, many chances against +us in the hope of finding therein some little ray of +hope.</p> + +<p>To tell the truth, I had not the slightest idea that +we could present ourselves as servants and carry +off the part without coming to grief. In the first +place we knew nothing whatsoever concerning such +duties as would be demanded of us, and I said to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +myself that if I was required to serve one of the +guests with the least article of refreshment, I would +have no idea as to how it should be done in the +manner which the lobster-backs were accustomed to +from those who served them.</p> + +<p>There was little or no danger that we would be +overhauled on the street while making our way to +Southwark. It seemed as if the lobster-backs, from +general to private, were devoting all their time and +energies to making ready for this foolish exhibition +of themselves, for I could look upon the carnival +affair as little better than folly.</p> + +<p>The streets were seemingly deserted. We +traversed square after square without meeting a +single person. Never before since General Howe +came into our city of Philadelphia had I ventured +out nearabout nine o’clock or after, without coming +upon one or more squads of red-coats who were +patrolling the streets to see that we rebels kept under +cover.</p> + +<p>As the moments passed and we met with no one +to oppose our progress, I grew bolder, and for the +first time since leaving the Jolly Tar inn, ventured +to speak.</p> + +<p>“We might have waited until morning, and taken +matters more leisurely,” I said with a laugh which +had in it little or no mirth. “As matters stand, we +must hide ourselves somewhere in the shrubbery, +according to directions given by the Weaver of +Germantown, and I am thinking the minutes will +pass slowly, for it can be no less than six or seven +hours we must remain there under cover.”</p> + +<p>“It’s all of the same piece of cloth,” Timothy +added cheerily, and verily that lad was a comrade +after my own heart. “It is better we remain hidden<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +six or seven hours, than that we take what you +might be pleased to call our ease at the Jolly Tar, +and then set off to find ourselves overhauled by the +watch, who, seeing these clothes of green and black, +which most like are after the same fashion as those +worn by Master Wharton’s servants, would soon +come to understand that a plot of some kind was +on foot.”</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should use overly +many words in telling what we did on this night, +for after we were come on duty, seemingly being +the most attentive of Master Wharton’s servants, +happenings came so thick and fast, and withal so +exciting, that to set down our words while we were +walking leisurely toward Southwark, or while we +were in hiding, would be much like a waste of time.</p> + +<p>Had we been so disposed, it would have been a +simple matter for us to have gained Master Wharton’s +house in considerably less than half an hour. +As it was we took our time, seeing no lobster-backs +to interfere with us, and mayhap spent a full hour, +when we were come where it was necessary to +search for a hiding place.</p> + +<p>This we had little difficulty in finding close by the +rear of the yard, where grew a lot of bushes so +thickly that an hundred or more lads might have +found among them safe cover.</p> + +<p>We three lost no time selecting a spot in which +to keep our long vigil, and then settled down with +whatsoever of patience we could assume.</p> + +<p>I had declared that we must not indulge in conversation +while near Master Wharton’s house, and +in this matter Timothy fully agreed with me.</p> + +<p>It would have pleased young Chris better if he +could have spent the time talking on this subject or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +on that, for the lad loved dearly to wag his tongue; +but with Tim and me both setting our faces against +anything of the kind, he could not well do other +than follow our example.</p> + +<p>Surely the remainder of that night passed slowly +and was wearisome. Mayhap if there had been +something to fear the minutes would have sped +more swiftly; but we felt perfectly secure while remaining +among the bushes, and when the day finally +broke it seemed to me as if we had been crouching +there a full week.</p> + +<p>After the sun rose we put on our odd garments, +not without considerable difficulty, because it was +a puzzle indeed to know how they should be worn; +but we finally succeeded in arraying ourselves in +fairly good fashion, and then came the question of +when we should begin our duties.</p> + +<p>Young Chris would have gone directly to the +house as soon as any of the inmates were astir; but +I insisted that we wait until a throng had gathered, +otherwise were we in more danger of detection. +Therefore it was we stayed in hiding until nearabout +eleven o’clock of the forenoon.</p> + +<p>From daybreak until that hour, tradespeople, +servants, soldiers with missives from their superior +officers to whoever was acting as master of ceremonies, +and, in fact, a host of visitors, came and +went until, as I have said, within an hour of noon +I proposed that we make the venture.</p> + +<p>“You shall lead the way,” Timothy whispered, +pushing me on in advance, “and neither young +Chris nor I will open our mouths save to echo whatever +you may say if we are questioned.”</p> + +<p>Now when we came through a light gateway +which marked the rearmost limit of the servants’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +quarters, I fully expected that we would be brought +up with a round turn and asked what was our purpose +in being there. But, much to my surprise, and +greatly to my relief of mind, no one seemingly gave +any heed whatsoever to us.</p> + +<p>We went on through what might be called the +rear yard, until we were come to the outbuildings +where were an hundred or more cooks all busily +engaged preparing for the evening’s festivities, and +had hardly more than made our appearance before +some one of the workers called us lazy fellows, +chiding us because we were loitering when there +was so much to be done.</p> + +<p>Straightway one who appeared to be in authority +set us about this thing or that, until we three were +working as earnestly as if our whole hearts were +set upon making of the carnival a success.</p> + +<p>I hardly know what Timothy and young Chris +did during the remainder of this day. As for myself, +I was not allowed to spend an idle moment. +Never one there cast a look of suspicion toward +me, and it seemed as if all hands were doing their +best to keep me busily employed.</p> + +<p>I ran here with one thing, and there with another; +was ordered into the house to carry chairs +to the lawn, was sent on to the lawn to stretch this bit +of canvas or arrange that group of flags, until before +the afternoon was half spent I was so weary +with work that I could hardly walk.</p> + +<p>What I did or did not do matters little to you, +for, since I have already set down what was done +at this carnival, it is as well if I come at once into +the more adventurous part of the tale; first making +it plain, however, that when the people were gathered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +for the eating, I had nothing to do save bring +from the outbuildings food which I passed to those +gaily-dressed servants who waited upon the guests.</p> + +<p>The greater portion of my labors, when the feast +was at an end, consisted in carrying refreshments +here and there about the grounds as I was ordered +by this lobster-back or that.</p> + +<p>I even served Major Simcoe himself, who had +often visited my mother’s house when he came to +see his friends who were lodging there, without his +giving any evidence that he suspected I was other +than one of Master Wharton’s servants.</p> + +<p>I could see that young Chris and Timothy were +doing much as was I, for I met them now and then +as they scurried to and fro between the shrubbery +and the sideboards, for those officers of the king’s +were not long content if they could not have something +with which to wet their throats, and before +the evening was well begun there were no less than +twenty who had best have been taken away where +the ladies could not see their foolish movements.</p> + +<p>It was after all that folly of fighting on horseback +with lances and swords had come to an end, +and the feast was well-nigh over, that I waited upon +Major Simcoe.</p> + +<p>He had with him three other officers of high rank, +as I fancied from their uniforms, who were discussing +earnestly, while they walked from the house +to where seats had been placed among the shrubbery, +something which was seemingly of importance +to themselves.</p> + +<p>I put myself in their way, hoping to be called +upon for service. Up to this time I had heard +nothing save idle chatter, and it would have disappointed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +me woefully had I gone away from that +carnival without having anything of great weight +to impart to the Weaver of Germantown.</p> + +<p>If Major Simcoe had been eager to do me a great +favor, he could not have gone about it in a manner +that would have pleased me better.</p> + +<p>As I came up, seemingly loitering rather than +waiting to be bidden for service, he called out in a +tone much as he might have used in speaking to his +dog, that I was to bring wine for himself and the +other gentlemen to such and such a place which he +pointed out.</p> + +<p>Never was a command obeyed more quickly that +day I dare venture to say, than this one of Major +Simcoe’s. I felt positive the men were talking of +such affairs as it would please the Weaver of Germantown +to hear, therefore ran at full speed both +going and coming, that I might hear all which was +said, and, as the matter turned, I was not disappointed.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for me was it that I chanced to be +the one who overheard that most important of information, +for in later days it brought me recognition +from those in the American army whom I most +revered.</p> + +<p>When I served the gentlemen they seemingly gave +no heed to me; it was as if I had been no more than +a stick or a stone.</p> + +<p>They began drinking their wine, and it was my +duty as a servant that I stand nearby as if awaiting +further orders, or to take away the glasses, which +of course I did, when came certain words which +caused me to prick up my ears to such an extent +that if the lobster-backs had not been so intent upon +their conversation, they must have suspected from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +the expression on my face that I was something +more than an ordinary attendant.</p> + +<p>Major Simcoe began the conversation, or, rather, +continued it by saying:</p> + +<p>“This Lafayette most like believes he can effect +something by taking post at Barren Hill. Why he +should have left Valley Forge I fail to understand, +save it may be that the rag-tag and bobtail are +about to come out from their dens.”</p> + +<p>“It is well the ragamuffin crowd start soon,” one +of the officers said with a coarse laugh, “else are +they like to be disagreeably surprised. I have no +real complaint to make against our commanding +officers, save that they have set the morrow after an +entertainment of this kind for an important move.”</p> + +<p>The third officer added with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“Fancy turning out when one has hardly turned +in, to march from here to Germantown, if not +further.”</p> + +<p>“It will be further than Germantown according +to my orders,” Major Simcoe added quickly. “My +force has been drafted to General Gray’s division, +and we are to make no halt nearer than three miles +from Barren Hill. I fancy we are like to start immediately +the festivities have been brought to an +end here, if not before.”</p> + +<p>I cannot well set down the conversation from +that point exactly as it took place; but this was what +I learned from the discussion which became heated +after the gentlemen had partaken generously of +wine.</p> + +<p>That General Lafayette had left Valley Forge +was news to me, and I felt quite positive the Weaver +of Germantown was also ignorant regarding it. I +knew, however, from what these lobster-backs said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +that he had halted at Barren Hill, and I made no +question but that this intended movement of the +Britishers was meant as an attack upon the gallant +young Frenchman who had come overseas to lend +his aid to us of the colonies.</p> + +<p>It appeared from the conversation, as I have already +said, that on the following morning General +Grant of the Britishers, assisted by Sir William +Erskine, would set out from Philadelphia, marching +up the Schuylkill; but how far none of the gentlemen +who were talking appeared to know.</p> + +<p>A second force under General Gray, of which +Major Simcoe had spoken, was to advance until arriving +within three miles of General Lafayette’s +position.</p> + +<p>Then was to come a third detachment under Sir +Henry Clinton himself, which would pass through +Germantown up to Chestnut Hill, and from there +on as might be determined.</p> + +<p>Now all this was to be done on the following +morning, and it seemed to me of the greatest importance +that I should get word to the Weaver of +Germantown without delay, for it was then late in +the evening, and he who could gain Valley Forge +before the morrow’s dawning must needs be well +mounted.</p> + +<p>Unless Master Targe could provide horses, we +had no means of making our way up the Schuylkill +save by boat as far as the falls, and thence on foot, +which would give the Britishers ample time to carry +out their plans for surprising General Lafayette, +before we could get word to his ears.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me necessary I should leave the +place at once, and make all speed toward the Jolly +Tar inn. In fact, I was burning to get away from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +those three officers who were taking more of wine +than was good for them, and who demanded that +I bring this or bring that until I was well-nigh distracted.</p> + +<p>Having gone to the house at least the fourth time +for more in the way of refreshment, and chancing +to come upon another fellow who was dressed in +similar fashion to me, I gave him the bottle which +I had just gotten from the kitchen, ordering him, +as if I had the right, to carry it out to Major Simcoe +and attend him and his companions until they +should no longer require any service.</p> + +<p>Fortunate indeed was it for me that this fellow +whom I had lighted upon by chance was no regular +servant of the house, otherwise would he have questioned +my authority.</p> + +<p>As it was, however, being most like someone +who lived nearby and had been hired for that occasion +only, he meekly did my bidding, and then +was I again fortunate in coming full upon Timothy +Bowers, who at the moment appeared to have +no particular service to perform.</p> + +<p>Leading him out of doors where I could make +certain no one might overhear me, I told the lad +that I had heard such information as seemingly +made it necessary for us to seek out the Weaver of +Germantown.</p> + +<p>When he would have asked what it was I had +learned, I put him off by saying there was no time +in which to repeat the words; but begged that he +with me strive to find young Chris, so we three together +might make some move toward getting away +without arousing suspicion.</p> + +<p>No less than ten minutes were spent in finding +the baker’s son, for both Timothy and I were forced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +now and then to cease the search in order to wait +upon some impatient guest who demanded our services; +but finally we three were come together near +the rear of the house, where none save the upper +servants might know we were neglecting our duties.</p> + +<p>I had just began to explain to young Chris why +I believed we should run the risk of leaving Master +Wharton’s grounds without delay, when suddenly +from the direction of the city came the long +alarm roll, as a glare of light burst up from half a +dozen sections at the same instant.</p> + +<p>My heart came into my throat, so to speak, for +there could be but one explanation for all this.</p> + +<p>Our army of rag-tag and bobtail, as the lobster-backs +were pleased to call the “rebels,” had made +an attack, and now was come the time, so I said to +myself, when the Britishers would find out of what +metal we were made.</p> + +<p>I was not the only one who believed that the +American army had at last come out from its hole, +as Major Simcoe said in derision, for every lobster-back +at the carnival was seized with what might +well be called a panic.</p> + +<p>There were hurryings to and fro, and shouts for +the privates who were on guard at every part of +the grounds; cries from one to another while the +half-intoxicated lobster-backs tried to come together, +as if believing it was necessary to defend +themselves.</p> + +<p>In fact, confusion reigned, and all this time could +we see in the direction, as it appeared to me, nearabout +Chestnut and High streets, at what I judged +were the outposts, flashes of light as if the buildings +were in flames.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for me to give a very clear account<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> +of just what I did see and hear at the time, +for I was so excited, so wrought up in the hope, +and the belief, that at last our people were making +a bold attack, I was more like one in a fever than +a lad who has been engaged in a service which requires +that he shall keep his head steady.</p> + +<p>“Our people have made an attack upon the lobster-backs +at last!” young Chris cried, clutching +my arm, and on the instant I clapped my hand over +his mouth, for there were servants standing nearby +who, overhearing his words, would understand that +we were not there by right, and mayhap we might +be taken prisoners even at the very moment of what +seemed to be our triumph.</p> + +<p>It was Timothy Bowers who gathered his scattered +wits more quickly than any of us three, and +coming so close to Chris and me that his face almost +touched ours, he said excitedly:</p> + +<p>“There is no question whatsoever but that our +people are making an attack, and it stands us in +hand to get out of here as soon as may be. Perchance +the opportunity will come when we can be of +more assistance to the Cause than idling around +here with a party of drunken Britishers.”</p> + +<p>Whether we might be of assistance or not, I understood +full well that this was the moment when +we must make our escape from Master Wharton’s +house, otherwise we might find it difficult to explain +our sudden going.</p> + +<p>As the confusion increased, the officers running +to and fro giving orders to the guards, and at the +same time striving to prevent the ladies from understanding +that danger threatened, no one was near +at hand to give much heed to us, therefore it was +I said quickly, stripping off the foolish garments I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +wore without making any attempt to undo the fastenings +properly:</p> + +<p>“Get out of these fanciful rags as quickly as +may be, and follow me!”</p> + +<p>Even as I spoke had I torn from my person all +that regalia of the carnival, and started at full speed +in as direct a line as possible for the flames which +I could see shooting up toward the sky, as it appeared +to me, in almost every direction for a distance +of four or five squares.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course Timothy and young Chris +followed close at my heels, and, fortunately for us, +those of the lobster-backs who were setting out +were too much excited, too thoroughly overcome by +the copious draughts of wine they had drank, to give +any heed whatsoever to matters save such as concerned +their precious selves.</p> + +<p>Verily I believe at that moment every blessed one +of the king’s gang fancied the moment had come +when he must stand up against our rag-tag and bobtail, +and battle for his life.</p> + +<p>Never before nor since have I been so excited +and exultant as when I ran with all swiftness, expecting +to find the Britishers drawn up in battle +array, as indeed we did see them later, and believing +that now was come the time when we of Philadelphia +might pay back in the same coin we had received, +some of that debt owed to those who made +up the king’s army.</p> + +<p>We gave no heed to that which was immediately +before us; but rather kept our eyes fixed upon those +long tongues of flame darting heavenward, which +to us were tokens of greatest hope.</p> + +<p>When we were come well toward Walnut and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +Front streets, I was suddenly seized by some person +who darted from out the shadow of the buildings +nearby, and brought to a standstill so suddenly, that +but for the grip of the stranger upon my coat I +should have fallen to the ground.</p> + +<p>For an instant, I believed, and with good reason, +that it was one of the lobster-backs, who, having +learned what we had ventured upon that day, was +making a capture on his own account.</p> + +<p>I would have cried out to warn my comrades; but +they, so swift was their pace, came full upon me, +staggering from the impact as our bodies met, and +at the same instant I got a fair view of him who +held me.</p> + +<p>Then all my fear was changed to rejoicing, for it +was none other than the Weaver of Germantown +who had thus made me prisoner.</p> + +<p>“What is it? What is it?” I asked excitedly. +“Have our people made an attack?”</p> + +<p>“I am inclined to believe it is nothing more than +a feint; but for what purpose I fail to understand. +However, lads, it has come to us in a good moment, +and it would seem that Providence is on our side, +else I would not have met you. When the first +alarm was given I set off to seek you, and lo and +behold you come into my very arms, as it were. +Now is the time when we may accomplish that +which a twelve-hours ago seemed well-nigh impossible.”</p> + +<p>“Accomplish what?” young Chris cried excitedly. +“Is it true that we may be able to help +our army?”</p> + +<p>But for his haste and excitement I believe the +Weaver of Germantown would have laughed aloud,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +and with good reason, at the idea of Chris’s that we +lads might help those brave fellows who, perhaps, +had come down from Valley Forge.</p> + +<p>However, the minutes were too precious to admit +of anything in the way of levity, and he brought me +to a sense of the situation with the same suddenness +that one who is heated receives a shock when +he plunges into cold water, for he said sharply and +yet in a guarded tone:</p> + +<p>“Now, if ever, is the moment when we may be +able to help those lads who are imprisoned. The +Britishers are fearing for their own safety. Every +man who wears a red coat, save those who are on +guard in different parts of the city, and very like +many of them, will rush immediately to the outposts, +believing an attack is imminent. If so be +we are inclined to take many chances, I am of the +mind that it will be possible to do very much toward +showing your comrades we have not forgotten +them.”</p> + +<p>It was like laying a hot iron on a fresh wound, +these words of his, so far as I was concerned, for +on the instant I was aflame, and it seemed to me +there was nothing, howsoever venturesome, I would +not dare upon just at that moment.</p> + +<p>Instead of stopping to make any explanation, or +lay any plans, the Weaver of Germantown, pulling +me sharply around by the arm, said in a tone of +command:</p> + +<p>“Now lead the way, lad, to that corner of the +work-house wall which you are able to scale, and +lose no time about it.”</p> + +<p>He need not have added these last words, for +with the possibility in my mind that I might take +part in the freeing of Jeremy and Sam, nothing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +short of strength greater than mine could have prevented +my going forward at the best pace of which +I was capable, and there is little need for me to say +that both young Chris and Timothy were equally +eager to carry out this attempt, if so be it might be +made.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me I had never before moved so sluggishly; +my desire was so far in excess of ability, +that it was as if my feet were glued to the streets, +and yet I dare say never before had I run so swiftly.</p> + +<p>The confusion roundabout us increased rather +than diminished. Here, there, and everywhere, I +might say, could be heard the tramp of feet as the +lobster-backs were being rushed to the scene of apparent +danger, and we might have boldly proclaimed +that we were the lads whom General Howe +was eager to hold as prisoners, without anyone +giving the slightest heed to us.</p> + +<p>Excited though I was, and reaching out in my +mind so eagerly toward those imprisoned comrades +of ours, I could hardly repress a smile and a certain +desire to give vent to cheers, as I saw that the +lobster-backs, although outnumbering by three to +one our so-called rag-tag and bobtail of an army, +were thoroughly alarmed now that there seemed a +possibility they might be called upon to stand face +to face with them.</p> + +<p>It had been the boast of all those red-coated officers +whom I had heard talking, that their one aim +was to come up with General Washington’s imitation +army in order to show what British regulars +could do, and now the opportunity was seemingly +theirs, they were overwhelmed with fear.</p> + +<p>One might almost fancy that the braggarts were +trembling, despite the Dutch courage they had imbibed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +during the evening, as they ran here and +there, some of them aimlessly as it seemed to me; +but all incited by the same thought, that those poor +wretches who had starved and been half-frozen at +Valley Forge during the winter, were come to make +reprisals.</p> + +<p>I dare venture to say that as I led the way to the +work-house adjoining the prison, I took the most +direct course possible, never deviating so much as +one yard from a straight line, save, as a matter of +course, where the buildings forced us to make a +detour here and there. Across yards, down alleys, +and whichever way I knew to be the nearest, for all +this part of the city was as familiar to me, and to +my comrades who were following, as was any room +in our homes, we ran at our best speed.</p> + +<p>When, finally, we were come to that place at the +wall of which I had told the Weaver of Germantown, +the flames were yet soaring skyward, although +the tumult in the streets had decreased to +a certain extent because the hurrying lobster-backs +were already out of earshot.</p> + +<p>Never a living being, inside or outside the prison +or the work-house, was to be seen.</p> + +<p>There were lights in the upper part of the building +where we had been told Jeremy and Sam were +held prisoners; but no token of life other than that +could we see or hear.</p> + +<p>“Now is the time when one of you lads must +make the venture in order to learn whether the rest +of us can safely follow,” the Weaver of Germantown +whispered hurriedly. “Whosoever is most +familiar with the wall, and the yard inside, shall go +ahead, and if he comes not into danger, then will +the rest follow. If peradventure he finds himself<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +in the clutches of a guard, then must he give the +alarm by screaming loudly, and we shall have failed +even to the extent of giving the lobster-backs a +third prisoner.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_190a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_190a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">SCALING THE JAIL WALL.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>If he had other to say, I did not wait to hear it. +Knowing full well how I could scale that stone wall, +I started upward, giving no heed that the crumbling +fragments of stone tore the skin from my hands +until they were bleeding.</p> + +<p>Having come to the top, I was too greatly excited +to look down in order to make certain whether +the coast was clear; but immediately allowed myself +to drop inside, and not until then did I wait to +learn whether I might have given an alarm.</p> + +<p>Save for the distant hum where the lobster-backs +were gathering, I heard nothing. So far as any +token of life was concerned, the building which +served General Howe as an additional prison for +us rebels, might have been tenantless; but, and this +question came into my mind almost on the instant +that I looked around me and learned that there +were no guards near at hand, how might we come +at the prisoners even though we were inside the +walls?</p> + +<p>If that which had been learned was true, they +were confined in the upper story, and unless peradventure +we were bold enough to make our way +directly up the stairs through the main door, then +I saw no way of effecting our purpose.</p> + +<p>Even while I stood gazing with dismay at the +gloomy building, and wondering in which part of +it our comrades were confined, something pliable +struck me a sharp blow on the arm, and, turning +quickly, alarmed, I saw dangling from the top of +the wall a thin rope.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>Afterward, when we had finished this adventure, +I learned that the Weaver of Germantown had +some time before counted on making the attempt +of gaining the work-house yard in the same manner +which we were now doing, and began his preparations +by having prepared for him two coils of thin, +stout rope which he could carry readily concealed +about his person.</p> + +<p>It was not needed anyone should tell me what +to do when I saw that length of line dangling from +the top of the wall, swaying to and fro like a +writhing serpent.</p> + +<p>On the instant I laid hold of it, placing my feet +against the stone-work, for I understood full well +that those who were on the other side would use +this to aid them in scaling the wall.</p> + +<p>I had hardly put my weight upon the rope when +it was pulled violently, and I forced to exert all my +strength in order to hold it steady.</p> + +<p>Then I saw a figure above, which I knew to be +none other than the Weaver of Germantown, and +when he had come down to stand beside me, young +Chris followed. A few seconds later Timothy +Bowers did the same, and we four were standing +within the shadow of the wall, turning our faces +mutely toward the man on whom we relied for instruction.</p> + +<p>“One of you will remain here in order to hold +steady this rope, and help whosoever may come +out, to scale the wall,” the Weaver of Germantown +whispered cautiously; but so that we all might hear +the words. “Another will stand by the main door +to give warning if any approach from the street, +while the third is to follow me.”</p> + +<p>“And how do you count on gaining entrance to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +the work-house?” I asked in surprise, whereupon +he replied in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it was a +simple matter thus to venture where, in his case at +least, capture meant death:</p> + +<p>“We shall never again have such an opportunity +as this. I am counting that all those who were +left on guard have gone out into the street to learn +the reason for the alarm, or are in the prison building. +Therefore is it in my mind to walk boldly +inside. If peradventure we come upon the enemy, +then it will be a case of endeavoring to the utmost +to make our escape, and, failing, yield ourselves as +prisoners, with the knowledge that we were taken +in a good cause, for surely he who fails while +trying to aid a friend cannot charge himself with +foolhardiness.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br> + +<small>IN THE LION’S MOUTH</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">During</span> all this time of excitement, which began +with the seeming attack upon the British lines, I +had entirely forgotten that information which I +gathered at the carnival.</p> + +<p>Now, however, when we were about to venture +into the lion’s mouth, as you might say, it came +upon me like a flash, and with it the belief that I +should immediately tell the Weaver of Germantown +what I had heard; but yet, while the words were +trembling on my lips, I held my peace.</p> + +<p>At the same instant there came to me the thought +that if peradventure this man believed the information +of such great moment that our people at Valley +Forge should hear of it without delay, he might, +instead of going on with this attempt to aid our +imprisoned comrades, consider it his duty to turn +about and lose no time in reaching the American +lines.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I showed myself very nearly +a traitor to the Cause, for the imprisonment, or even +the life, of my two comrades might be as nothing +compared with the possible advantage to the colonies +which would come with the repeating of those +words I had overhead.</p> + +<p>When it was all over, and I had time to think +calmly of my course, I gave to myself no little +blame for not having told the Weaver of Germantown, +when we first met him, all that I heard.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +However, I did not, and, fortunately, as it turned +out, no particular harm was done.</p> + +<p>You can well fancy that I did not loiter in the +yard speculating upon these things, for the Weaver +of Germantown had given us no opportunity for +idling. That which I have set down concerning +what I ought to have done came into my mind like +a flash, and as a flash dies out, so did that go from +me until, even though it might be called much the +same as treason, I gave no further heed to the matter.</p> + +<p>And now that which I have to tell sounds at this +day, even in my own ears, much like a fanciful tale +rather than a statement of fact; but yet there was +good reason why our adventure proved to be a +simple one.</p> + +<p>The Britishers were frightened well-nigh out of +their wits, and instead of thinking that they must +care for the prisoners, seemingly gave no heed to +anything save the safety of their own precious +bodies.</p> + +<p>We left Timothy Bowers on guard at the rope +with orders to keep his ears wide open for the +sound of approaching footsteps. Then, when we +were come to the main entrance of the building, +the Weaver of Germantown turned to young Chris, +taking him firmly by the shoulders as if to make +the lad understand that the command which he was +giving must be obeyed without a question, and whispered +sharply:</p> + +<p>“You are to stand here, lad, until either we return, +or you have good proof of our having been +taken prisoners. Keep your wits well about you. +At the first token that any approaches, either from +the prison side or the street, open this door and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +cry out at the full strength of your lungs, after +which it shall be your purpose to save yourself by +going over the wall with the aid of the rope, or in +whatsoever way seems best at the moment.”</p> + +<p>Then he opened the door, which strangely enough +had been left unfastened, and walked inside as if +simply visiting a friend, I following him as can +well be fancied, keeping so close to his heels that +he could not have taken a step backward without +treading on my toes.</p> + +<p>The passageways were lighted by candles, and +I saw on every side doors which were closed, but +evidently led into those rooms serving as guard-houses +for the lobster-backs who had infringed some +of his majesty’s rules regarding the conduct of soldiers +who wore red coats.</p> + +<p>There was little time, however, for me to give +heed to the immediate surroundings. The Weaver +of Germantown continued straight on up the stairs +as if he knew exactly where it was needed he should +go, and, having gained the second story without +hearing or seeing any sign of life, began trying +those doors which led to the rooms at the rear of +the building, at the same time speaking through +the keyholes sufficiently loud for the inmates to +hear:</p> + +<p>“If the lads who are Minute Boys be confined +here, let them give some token.”</p> + +<p>Three times was this repeated at these several +doors, and each instant I stood trembling in my +shoes, expecting that from below, or out of one +of the many rooms, would appear the lobster-back +whom one might suppose had remained on guard; +and then came from the inside of the third apartment +a voice which I knew to be Jeremy’s:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>“Have our people taken the city?”</p> + +<p>Instead of making reply to this question, the +Weaver of Germantown set his shoulder against +the door, motioning for me to do the same, and +then it was that I saw the man exert an amount of +strength which seems almost incredible.</p> + +<p>At the second attempt he shattered the barrier, +carrying away lock and bolt, as a matter of course, +and making so much of a tumult, that if there had +been any lobster-back inside the building he must +have understood what was going on.</p> + +<p>No one appeared to oppose us; no word was +heard from the lower story, or from any of the +other rooms, when I, following the Weaver of Germantown, +after the door was broken in, seized +Jeremy around the neck, kissing him much as I +might have kissed my mother; Sam meanwhile +pressing closely, asking, as I dimly understood, a +multitude of questions as to how we had come +there and what was the meaning of the tumult +abroad.</p> + +<p>The man who had served us such a good turn +in thus coming at the prisoners, was not inclined to +allow us to linger in the work-house, nor did I have +any desire so to do.</p> + +<p>He literally shoved Jeremy and Sam, together +with me, out into the passage, and then made his +way down the stairs at a swift pace, while we followed, +for to have loitered a single instant there +would have been worse than folly.</p> + +<p>At each step we took toward freedom I believed +we must of necessity come upon some of the enemy, +for it did not seem possible, and even now appears +most improbable, that we could have done all which +we did.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>We came down the stairs into the main passage, +out of the door at which young Chris was standing +guard, and then, if you will believe me, the Weaver +of Germantown went directly to the main gate, +where he found free exit, for whosoever had been +on guard and ran out when the alarm that the +Americans were come had been given, did not take +the trouble to fasten the barrier behind him.</p> + +<p>Instead of climbing over the wall by the rope, +and thereby spending many precious moments, we +might have marched directly in as if we were welcome +visitors, gone about our business, and come +out even as we did without a scratch and without +hurrying.</p> + +<p>There was little need to summon Timothy, for, +seeing us open the gate, he came quickly forward, +and we six went out into the street free, even +though we were in the midst of all that British +army.</p> + +<p>We had released two of General Howe’s prisoners +without turning a hair, and now it only remained +that we should find some hiding place.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, the Weaver of Germantown +led us by the nearest course to the Jolly Tar inn, +save when one of us lads suggested that we go +through this alley or across that yard in order to +avoid the possibility of coming upon some of the +lobster-backs; and yet we need not have been afraid +that they would be met, for every blessed one of +those who had come from overseas to flog us into +loving the king, was gathered nearby where it was +supposed our American army was drawn up in line +of battle.</p> + +<p>Even while we ran the rattle of musketry began, +and if anything had been needed to strengthen my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> +belief that a battle was near at hand, that would +have been sufficient.</p> + +<p>I quickened my pace sufficiently to overtake the +Weaver of Germantown, who was a short distance +in advance of me, and, clutching him by the arm, +asked if it were not better we should go where our +people were doubtless making a brave effort to whip +the enemy.</p> + +<p>But he said curtly, and as if he no longer had +very much care regarding what was being done:</p> + +<p>“Even though we should approach directly to +the line of battle which the Britishers have doubtless +formed, it would be impossible to come at our +people. The one duty just now is to ourselves, +and we can only perform it by getting under +cover.”</p> + +<p>Not until we were come to the Jolly Tar, and had +reconnoitred by going to the rear of the building +and looking through the windows to make certain +there were no patrons inside, did we hear the fusillade +from where the flames were shooting up.</p> + +<p>Then Master Targe opened the door to give us +admittance, and his house looked just at that time +as if it was barricaded, he having piled the furniture +against the doors on the inside as if expecting +an attack.</p> + +<p>The sounds of the battle continued; but before +we were again in that room where I had first seen +the Weaver of Germantown, the commotion died +away, the flames subsided, and it was as if whatsoever +had been begun was at an end.</p> + +<p>“Have our people been whipped?” Timothy +asked in a tone of fear, as the door was closed +behind us and Master Targe went down the stairs +to put his tavern in a state of defence once more,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> +and the Weaver of Germantown replied laughingly:</p> + +<p>“I am of the opinion they were not there to be +beaten, lad. Our people knew full well of this carnival +which was being held, and it is in my mind that +some of the younger blood have taken advantage +of the opportunity to give the Britishers a scare, +in which verily they have succeeded.”</p> + +<p>It may be as well here for me to explain at once, +and without waiting for that day when we learned +the particulars, all that had occurred which was so +greatly to the advantage of Jeremy and Sam.</p> + +<p>It appears that Colonel Allen McLane, who was +of General Lafayette’s force that had come to Barren +Hill, decided to break up the entertainment +without very much of danger to himself or to his +men, and, as has been seen, he succeeded most gloriously.</p> + +<p>With one hundred and fifty soldiers in four divisions, +and supported by Clow’s dragoons, those +brave fellows came, each carrying a camp-kettle +filled with light wood on which pitch and tar had +been smeared, down to the first line of British defences.</p> + +<p>There was set on fire the fuel which had been +brought, and the men remained sufficiently long +to make reply to the first volley which the frightened +red-coats fired at random.</p> + +<p>It was only a prank, and verily our men, after +their long time of suffering at Valley Forge, had +earned the right to indulge in a little sport, more +particularly when they could have the intense satisfaction +of seeing all General Howe’s supposedly +brave troops show the white feather as it had been +displayed that night.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>It was all a bit of sport, as I have said, and +yet nothing save a general attack of our people upon +the enemy could have served Jeremy and Sam +such a good turn. But even that opportunity +would have been lost except for the Weaver of Germantown, +who understood on the instant what +might be done, and who was enabled, under Providence, +to come upon us when he had little or no +definite idea as to where we might be found.</p> + +<p>Whenever I am low-spirited, or inclined to believe +that Fortune has dealt hardly with me, I look +back upon that night, remembering what grew out +of the prank which Colonel McLane played upon +the lobster-backs, and then realize full well that +howsoever far we are from deserving favors, there +is above us all a loving care which, finally, if we +give it the chance, leads us into the right way and +to our own safety.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we had made no attempt +at conversing one with another while making our +way from the work-house to the inn; but once +inside the building our tongues were unloosened, +as Jeremy and Sam insisted upon our giving a detailed +account of what had happened since they were +taken prisoners.</p> + +<p>“It is you rather than we who should play the +part of story-tellers,” I said, feeling so overjoyed +at our wondrous success that it was with difficulty I +could restrain from embracing each of the dear +lads in turn, and thereby showing myself a veritable +simple. “What we are burning to know is how +you chanced to have fallen into the clutches of the +lobster-backs, and allowed Skinny Baker to go +free?”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t with our permission that he went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +free,” Jeremy replied laughingly, and young Chris +asked sharply, as if minded at this time of great +joy to find serious fault with those whom we had +rescued:</p> + +<p>“How then did it chance that the lobster-backs +came upon you? Surely it must have been through +some carelessness of your own.”</p> + +<p>“If anyone is to be blamed in the matter, it is you, +Chris Ludwig!” Sam cried sharply. “We might +have stayed there holding Skinny a prisoner until +this time, save for that unruly tongue of yours.”</p> + +<p>“Me?” Chris cried in surprise and anger. +“What did I have to do with it? I was at Valley +Forge when you allowed yourselves to be taken.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that you were; but before going you told +Mark Duren that we were counting on raising a +company of Minute Boys, and in your eagerness +to get recruits, even went so far as to tell him of +our rendezvous, explaining how he might make his +way through the timbers to come at us.”</p> + +<p>“And why shouldn’t I tell him?” young Chris +cried, growing yet more angry. “He is one who +favors the Cause, and showed himself most willing +to join us.”</p> + +<p>“When has he ever favored the Cause? You +knew, or should have known, that he was a close +comrade of Skinny Baker’s, and when that young +Tory was missing, Mark went directly to Master +Baker, reporting to him that which you had said. +There is no need of further explanations, for even +though Skinny’s father be a Tory, he is not a +fool, and straightway, after hearing what Mark had +to tell, he asked for a squad of lobster-backs to +aid him. The first information we had that you +were so incautious as to reveal our hiding place,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +was when Master Baker himself appeared, followed +by two red-coats.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you hear them coming?” Timothy +asked, and Jeremy replied sadly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, we did, and believed it was Richard +Salter and young Chris, therefore stood ready to +welcome them, rather than taking heed to our defence. +Even then, but for Skinny himself, we +might have escaped, perhaps by leaping into the +river; but the currish Tory threw himself in our +way, and betwixt him and his father we were speedily +made helpless.”</p> + +<p>On hearing this story I blamed myself even more +than young Chris, for, knowing the lad as I did, it +should have been my one aim to prevent him from +going out while he was so excited over the matter +of raising recruits for the Minute Boys. I ought +to have known he would have done just the same +foolish thing which he did, thus bringing Jeremy +and Sam to grief.</p> + +<p>At almost any other time I would have read +young Chris a lesson which he would not speedily +have forgotten, because of what he had done; but +at this moment, when our comrades were with +us once more after having been literally plucked +from out the lion’s mouth, my joy and relief was +so great that I could not have found fault or spoken +a harsh word to my bitterest enemy.</p> + +<p>I believed the others felt much as I did, and +young Chris, who now understood what a serious +injury he had done his friends, took refuge in what +was very like a fit of sulks, throwing himself on +the floor in one corner of the room as if he no +longer desired to hold converse with us.</p> + +<p>During a full minute the silence was most painful,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +for we realized how greatly one of our Minute +Boys had sinned against the Cause, and yet +no lad felt inclined to say aught concerning his +crime.</p> + +<p>It was during this time of silence that again I +remembered what had been overheard during my +service as servant at the carnival, and straightway I +repeated, so far as was possible, exactly the words +which I heard from the lobster-backs, the Weaver +of Germantown showing by the expression on his +face that he considered my information of greatest +value.</p> + +<p>“Verily much has been accomplished within the +last four and twenty hours,” the man said in the +tone of one who is deeply impressed, when I had +come to the end of my story, and I ventured to +ask:</p> + +<p>“Then you think that which I heard is of importance?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, of such vital importance that this night +the six of us shall set out, each going by a different +route, in an attempt to gain Barren Hill before +daylight, in order to let General Lafayette know +what he may expect.”</p> + +<p>“But why should each go by a different way?” +Sam asked curiously, and the Weaver of Germantown +replied gravely:</p> + +<p>“Because, lad, after such a scare as the Britishers +have had this night, I am of the opinion that +we shall be more closely shut in than ever before. +Even though they had not been nearly frightened +out of their wits, General Howe or General Clinton +is good soldier enough to understand that this +is the time when they must guard closely against +such people as we are striving to be, lest word be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +carried to the rebels. It is more than likely some +of us will be taken prisoners in the effort to leave +the town, and therefore would I have it that each +goes in his own way, without taking counsel of +the others, to the end that one, if not more, may +succeed in carrying the message. Now then, Richard +Salter, repeat again that which you heard, and +each of you lads, including you, Master Ludwig, +listen intently, so that you may impress it upon your +memory, for we may not safely set down in writing +the information we carry.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I told again, and in the fewest +possible words, what I had heard while serving +the lobster-backs during the carnival, and each of +my comrades, including young Chris, listened with +such eagerness that one might know by the expression +on their faces how hard everyone was +striving to remember all I said.</p> + +<p>Having come to an end of the story, I, without +giving due heed to the words, asked Jeremy Hapgood +how he counted on gaining Barren Hill, whereupon +the Weaver of Germantown interrupted us +quickly, as he said:</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay, lads, none of that! I would have +each of you go independently, not knowing what +the others may do, to the end that we shall have +the more chance of succeeding in our mission, for I +give you my solemn word that at no time in your +lives, however long you may stay on this earth, will +you be charged with so much of vital importance to +those who love the colonies.”</p> + +<p>Then, when we would have lingered, the spy +forced us out of the room, saying as he did so:</p> + +<p>“Waste not one single second; but from this +moment until you can have had speech with General<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +Lafayette’s force, bend every effort to getting +within our lines.”</p> + +<p>He himself set the example by going to the lower +floor, where during two or three minutes he held +a whispered consultation with Master Targe, we +lads standing back meanwhile, for it was evident +he had no mind we should hear that which he +said.</p> + +<p>The innkeeper himself opened the door for us, +and as I passed through, following directly behind +the Weaver of Germantown, this surly-visaged +landlord clapped me on the shoulder in a most +friendly fashion.</p> + +<p>I can conceive of nothing which would have given +me a more vivid idea of the danger attending this +attempt, than that act of his, for it was so little in +accord with his general manner that at the moment +it seemed almost as if he was bidding me good-bye +forever.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was well I should have had this reminder +of what lay before me, for if I had previously +been inclined to carelessness, of a verity +now were my wits quickened. Waiting not to learn +what my comrades might do, I set off, counting to +go by the way of Southwark in the belief that +through that section of the town I could pass with +less of danger.</p> + +<p>Understanding that it would be impossible for +me to travel at a rapid pace all night, I strove to +husband my strength, walking at a fairly good gait; +but without striving to make too much speed at the +outset.</p> + +<p>That I was wise in thus planning to go from Philadelphia +by a roundabout way was speedily shown. +Those revellers who had been at the carnival were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +yet at the place where Colonel McLane had made +his feint, less than half a dozen having returned to +quiet the alarm of the ladies, and I made my way directly +past Master Wharton’s mansion, or counted +on so doing, when I came upon two horses fastened +to the fence of the back yard nearabout where +Chris, Timothy and I had made our entrance.</p> + +<p>By their accoutrements I knew they were animals +belonging to some of the British officers, and +while one might have counted ten I stood gazing +at them enviously. Then came into my mind what +seemed little less than an inspiration, although it +was no more than that old adage:</p> + +<p>“As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.”</p> + +<p>If I was caught striving to gain the American +lines just at that time, then was death certain. They +could do no more than hang me if, while trying +to perform this duty, I stole a horse, although +under all the circumstances I did not give to it +the name of stealing, for this was indeed war, and +to gain the better of an enemy by getting from him +the means of transportation to carry an important +message is anything rather than theft.</p> + +<p>You may well fancy that I did not stand many +seconds within a stone’s throw of Master Wharton’s +house, which was yet reasonably well thronged +with ladies, turning all this matter over in my +mind.</p> + +<p>Immediately I saw the steeds, and the idea came +to me of what great advantage it would be if I +were mounted, not only in enabling me to gain Barren +Hill at an earlier hour, but also in event of +pursuit to make my escape, I quickly unfastened +the bridle of that beast which seemingly was the +better fitted for a long journey.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>Then I slowly led him out through the thicket +into a path of which I had long known, that ran +straight away into the road I would take.</p> + +<p>Having gone an hundred yards or more thus +cautiously, I vaulted into the saddle, and once there +urged the animal into a gallop.</p> + +<p>There was in my mind such a sense of triumph +because of having thus succeeded in making it possible +to gain the American forces while it was yet +time, that I had real difficulty in preventing myself +from crying aloud with joy.</p> + +<p>I said over and over again in my mind that now +was it positive I would outstrip all those who were +bent on the same mission, even including the +Weaver of Germantown, who, because of his longer +experience, should have been able to go to and fro +between Philadelphia and the American lines more +quickly than one who had only done so a single +time.</p> + +<p>In fact, I was so puffed up with pride over what +was no more than an accident, and looked upon it +as if this gaining a steed for my purpose was something +due to my own wondrous abilities, that I +failed to take any heed whatsoever to what should +have ever been in mind—the fact that I was in the +enemy’s country, and more closely surrounded by +lobster-backs on this night, because of the alarm +which had been raised, than at almost any other +time since the Britishers occupied the city.</p> + +<p>However, I was brought to a realization of the +situation and of my own foolishness in striving +to take credit to myself, before I had gone half a +mile from Master Wharton’s country house.</p> + +<p>I gained the main road, and the beast which I +bestrode had settled himself down into a long,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +swinging gallop as if understanding that considerable +of a journey lay before him, when suddenly +there came from a cross road, or lane, the sound +of horses’ feet coming rapidly toward me. Before +I had time to fully realize the situation, a +voice shouted out that I should halt or he would +fire.</p> + +<p>I was not so thick-headed as to fail of realizing +on the instant that I would be in no greater danger +by continuing on regardless of the summons, than +if I stopped and gave the enemy an opportunity of +finding out who I was.</p> + +<p>If they fired, and with true aim, then might I +come to my death. But if I was taken by them +at that time, astride a horse belonging to a British +officer and headed straight away for the American +lines, then there could be no question as to how I +would go out of the world, and but little doubt as +to its being a speedy exit.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that, bending low in the saddle, +I urged the horse on to yet greater speed, and had +the beast loved the colonies as did I, and hated the +king with equal fervor, he could not have responded +more quickly or more gamely.</p> + +<p>At almost the same instant when the horse increased +his pace, I involuntarily glanced over my +shoulder just as half a dozen flashes of light +illumined the foliage nearby, and I heard the whistling +of bullets over my head as the reports of the +weapons rang out.</p> + +<p>I fail even now to understand why it chanced I +was really so brave at that time. There was not +in my mind any thought of injury to myself, or +fear that I might be hurt; but all my anxiety was +lest they cripple the gallant beast that was bearing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +me onward so swiftly, and I literally held my +breath while striving to discover from his stride +or movements whether he had been wounded.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, however, I could see no difference +after this volley which had been fired at comparatively +short range, for the beast was running +swiftly, and with every evidence of strength, as if +this night-race pleased him hugely.</p> + +<p>Now it was I turned my head to gain some idea +of the pursuers, and could see even amid the gloom +that there were not less than six or seven horsemen +in the rear who were seemingly mounted as +well as I. There was in my mind the fancy it +was possible for me to make out that they all wore +uniforms. At least, I heard the clank of swords +in the scabbards, and knew that none of our people +would be so accoutred while in the city of Philadelphia, +therefore even though the volley which had +been fired at me was not sufficient indication of +their character, I had an exceedingly good idea it +was General Howe’s men who were pursuing.</p> + +<p>That it would be a long race I made no question, +for we all seemingly rode good horses. In +fact, it made little difference to me how long they +kept up the pursuit, so that I was enabled to remain +in the lead until having come within hail of +General Lafayette’s outposts.</p> + +<p>There was no speculation in my mind as to why +these horsemen were in that vicinity just then. I +was not so thick-headed as to fail of understanding +that on the night before an important move was to +be made, and particularly within a few hours after +the lobster-backs had good proof the Americans +were not all dead, an unusually strict watch would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +be kept to prevent any from leaving the city, therefore +was it reasonable to suppose those whom I +had thus unfortunately come upon were patrolling +this side of the town.</p> + +<p>“Even though they do me harm, I shall be the +means of luring them away from their post +of duty,” I said to myself with grim satisfaction. +“And if perchance one of the other lads attempts +to make his way out of the city over this same +route, then, although I fail, have I been of some +service.”</p> + +<p>I believe we had been going at racing speed no +less than ten minutes when a single shot rang out +clear and distinct on the night air; but I failed +to hear the whistling of the missile, nor did I feel +any token from the horse that he had been injured.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I could almost have laughed +aloud in joy because they were endeavoring to shoot +me, since it showed, to my mind at least, that they +had grave doubts whether it would be possible to +overtake me, and were come to understand that +their only hope was in crippling the steed.</p> + +<p>Twice within the next five minutes did the report +of firearms come to my ears, after which I +fancied that I had gained a considerable distance +on my pursuers, although as to that I could not be +certain, for their horses were yet running fresh and +strong, as was mine, and one may not safely judge +of distances in the gloom.</p> + +<p>By this time the fellows chasing me knew beyond +peradventure that I was striving to gain the +American lines, and realizing this, they understood, +unless indeed they had been veritable simples, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +I was carrying important information to that rag-tag +and bobtail of an army of which they had so +lately shown themselves afraid.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that they would spare no effort +to overtake me; but while the pace was so hot there +was little chance they could shoot with any accuracy +of aim. The greatest danger, as it appeared +to me just then, was that by some unfortunate accident +their bullets might go in the direction they +desired, and the chase come to an end because of +the wounding or killing of the horse I rode.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br> + +<small>AT BARREN HILL</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> not of a mind to dwell very long on this +night chase, although to me it was most exciting; +but if I should attempt to set down all I thought +or said to myself while the Britishers were so close +in the rear and firing a shot now and then, verily +do I believe I might never come to an end of my +story.</p> + +<p>During the first half-hour, mayhap, the lobster-backs +held the pace fairly well; but at the end of +that time I understood they were falling behind, +and it was no fancy of mine, although again and +again I said to myself that I must be mistaken owing +to the darkness.</p> + +<p>Finally, when it seemed to me I had ridden +a full six hours, although it could not have been +one-third that time, they disappeared from view +in the distance; but whether I had so far outstripped +them, or because of their having turned +back, I could not say.</p> + +<p>However, I was not disposed to take any chances +on the matter, but continued to keep my horse well +in hand, although I slackened the pace to a slow +trot that he might have opportunity to regain his +breath, and all the while listened intently for any +token that those whom I had distanced were inclined +to continue yet further in the chase.</p> + +<p>When another ten minutes had passed we were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +come to a small brook, and I was sufficiently bold +to make a halt there, stopping long enough to give +the faithful beast a few mouthfuls of water. Then, +remounting, I set off at a fairly good pace once +more; but came to a halt very suddenly within the +next quarter of an hour, for I heard the footfalls +of horses in the distance ahead of me.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted twenty I remained +in painful suspense, fearing the enemy had already +started for Barren Hill and I was coming upon +some messengers who had been sent back to Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>I might have known full well, however, that if +I left the city before the soldiers set off, then there +were none ahead of me, for there were few horses +in the town that could have traveled faster than the +one I bestrode.</p> + +<p>During a few seconds I hesitated, questioning +whether it would not be better to strike across +through the shrubbery, rather than take the chances +of meeting whosoever was riding toward me.</p> + +<p>Then came the realization that any who were approaching +from that direction must of necessity be +friends, and I held the road until coming within +sight of two mounted men who were riding at a +reasonably rapid pace straight toward me.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course they pulled up on finding +that I held the middle of the road, and one of them +asked sharply:</p> + +<p>“Who have we here? Who comes from the direction +of Philadelphia? Be you friend to the colonies, +or the king?”</p> + +<p>“My name is Richard Salter; my mother that +widow who keeps a lodging house in Drinker’s +Alley, and if there be in this country a friend to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> +the colonies, then am I he, for within the past two +or three days have I taken my life in my hands, as +you might say, in order to do somewhat of good for +the Cause.”</p> + +<p>“It is plainly evident that you have a very good +idea of your importance and of your abilities,” +one of the horsemen said with a laugh which nettled +me sorely, and I might have made some reply that +would not have been to my credit, but for the second +stranger, who said in a somewhat friendly tone:</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it would be better, young master, if +you told us why you are coming from Philadelphia +at such an hour.”</p> + +<p>“I am riding to General Lafayette at Barren +Hill.”</p> + +<p>“How knew you General Lafayette was at Barren +Hill?” the man asked sharply, now reining his +horse in to my side and grasping the bridle as if he +fancied I might make some effort to escape.</p> + +<p>Whereupon I replied, speaking curtly, because I +was by no means pleased with his tone and manner:</p> + +<p>“I had it from some British officers at the carnival +which was held in Master Wharton’s country +house. Through the Weaver of Germantown were +I and my comrades able to appear there as servants +that we might pick up whatsoever of information +was to be gained.”</p> + +<p>“The Weaver of Germantown!” the first horseman +exclaimed, as if right well pleased to hear that +I had had aught to do with that man. “And you +learned that General Lafayette had gone to Barren +Hill?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, not only that; but I heard the plans discussed +for making an attack upon him within the +next four and twenty hours. Already, most like,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +are three divisions of troops leaving Philadelphia, +one of them led by Sir Henry Clinton. Lord Howe +is so positive he will take General Lafayette prisoner +’twixt now and another sunset, that he has +invited his friends to sup with him when the Frenchman +shall be in his possession and on exhibition, as +you might say.”</p> + +<p>“And you heard all this important matter at the +carnival?” the second horseman asked as if doubting +that I could have learned so much in so public +a place, and I replied, not a little nettled because +they seemingly questioned my word:</p> + +<p>“As one of the attendants, I was waiting upon +three officers who were drinking more than was well +for them, and the matter was discussed without any +attempt at privacy. They most likely believed I +was only a servant who would understand nothing +whatsoever of military matters, even when they +spoke plainly.”</p> + +<p>“And having heard this, what then?” the first +rider cried, as if impatient to get at the end of my +story.</p> + +<p>“Then came the alarm at the outposts, when it +seemed certain the Americans were attacking the +city, and we lads had opportunity to go where we +knew it would be possible to find the Weaver of +Germantown; but he had it in mind that we might +be needing him, therefore met us on the way. +Whereupon we took advantage of the opportunity +to release two of our comrades who were in the +work-house as prisoners. Straightway that was +done, he sent each of us by a different road to get +the information which I had learned, to General Lafayette. +I fancy I am ahead of them all, having +had the good fortune to come upon this horse which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +was hitched in front of Master Wharton’s house, +where his owner, most like, was paying court to +some of the lady guests who yet remained there.”</p> + +<p>Surely these men showed themselves to be inquisitive, +for even now when I had told all my story, +they questioned me yet further, as if every little detail +was of the greatest importance, and I chafing +all the while at the delay, because I believed every +moment would be precious to General Lafayette.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was, when they asked concerning +matters which it appeared to me had no connection +with the Cause, or what might be done at once nearabout +Barren Hill, I said sharply:</p> + +<p>“If you have learned all you desire, gentlemen, +allow me to ride on, for it seems that duty requires +I should have speech with General Lafayette immediately.”</p> + +<p>“And so you should, my lad,” one of the men replied, +speaking heartily and in a most friendly tone. +“We had no right to detain you so long, although +I fancy that because of your having made so quick +a journey, we shall arrive in ample time.”</p> + +<p>“<i>We</i> shall arrive,” I repeated, whereupon he +said, and I fancied that he smiled:</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, for it is our intent to go with you, else +might there be a long delay in your gaining speech +with the General. We had been sent on matters of +little importance to New Jersey; but that which you +tell us seems to make it appear as if our services +are needed here more than there.”</p> + +<p>Having said this the speaker wheeled his horse +around sharply, and started off at a smart pace, I +following him and understanding from the sounds +which came that the second horseman was close in +my rear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>Now it was that these strangers whom I had overtaken +no longer gave any evidence of inquisitiveness. +It seemed as if they had finally begun to +understand how necessary it was we reach General +Lafayette with the least delay, and never a word +was spoken as we three, riding at racing speed now +that the horses had had time to breathe, continued +on until the faint ray of light in the eastern sky told +that the day when General Howe counted to vanquish +and capture General Lafayette was dawning.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, the stranger who was riding in +advance pulled up quickly, and I saw that one of +our soldiers barred the way, while near at hand I +fancied it was possible to see just within the thicket +half a dozen more, therefore did I know we were +come to the American outposts.</p> + +<p>The horseman spoke a few words to the sentinel, +and again pressed on, I following his example as a +matter of course, and holding my eyes wide open +for any token of our people.</p> + +<p>It was not necessary that I watch very closely. +Even though the numbers of the “rebels” were +small, they were exceeding active, and, after having +passed this outpost, we came upon squads or companies +of men moving hither and thither as if some +important movement was about to be executed.</p> + +<p>It was on the tip of my tongue to ask of one or +the other of these men whom I had met, what might +be afoot; but they gave me no opportunity.</p> + +<p>Each appeared eager to arrive at headquarters, +and when we were come there verily was I amazed, +for this French officer who had come overseas to +aid us in fighting the king, was quartered in what +appeared to be a little better than a hut.</p> + +<p>It was, as I saw when the day was fully come, a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +small, rude farm-house, and as we came upon it +just in the grey of dawn, sentries were pacing +sleepily to and fro, while from the general air of +those whom we saw, it was positive the Frenchman +was not borrowing any very grave trouble concerning +what the Britishers might do.</p> + +<p>Considerable talk on the part of the two men +who had come with me, was necessary before those +sleepy sentinels, who had probably been awakened +by our coming, would permit us to enter the building, +and when we did pass inside, entering a room +which had been the kitchen of the farm-house +wherein stood a table on which were remnants of a +meal and with military accoutrements strewn everywhere, +I looked in vain for the commander.</p> + +<p>We stood there in silence mayhap two minutes, +I gazing in wonderment at each of the strangers, +who I now saw wore the American uniform, and +they remaining motionless as if by no means surprised +because we were thus left to ourselves.</p> + +<p>Then the door of the inner room opened, and +there came into this kitchen, little more than half-clad +and looking very sleepy, a young man, who to +me was hardly more than a boy. He was well +dressed, unusually so, as it seemed to me, and I was +familiar with the richness of the lobster-backs’ costumes, +while there was on his face an expression of +annoyance because of having been aroused from his +slumbers.</p> + +<p>I liked the looks of this young fellow. It was +pleasant to see his face, even though there were +traces of vexation upon it. But my heart sank +within me when I realized that this was the French +officer on whom we had laid so many plans, believing +him to be a great soldier, and verily he was no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +more, as you might say, than Jeremy Hapgood or +myself.</p> + +<p>So young was he in appearance, that I could not +believe he had had overly much experience in the +art of warfare, and, like the simple I was, said it to +myself that if this was the General Lafayette from +whom our people expected so much, then might they +expect in vain, or as well look to Jeremy or me for +something brilliant in the way of military manœuvres.</p> + +<p>I had ample time in which to chew the matter +over and thus foolishly discuss with myself the appearance +of this young soldier, for straightway he +entered the room the two horsemen who had come +with me went close to him, and the three talked in +whispers while one might have counted sixty, I +standing by like a goose who rests her body first on +one leg and then on the other without knowing exactly +what to do.</p> + +<p>Then it was that the young officer said to me, +speaking in English, but pronouncing his words in +such fashion that one could readily understand he +was not familiar with the language:</p> + +<p>“It is true, young man, what you heard regarding +General Howe’s intentions while you were playing +the part of a servant?”</p> + +<p>He said this as if asking a question, therefore I +fancied for the instant that he counted on trying +to make me prove the truth of the information I had +brought; but managed to pull myself together sufficiently +to answer him in proper fashion, and then it +was that he began questioning.</p> + +<p>If the two horsemen had shown themselves inquisitive +a short time before, verily was he outstripping +them now, for there was no detail concerning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +the carnival, the movements of our own +people in Philadelphia, or the bearing of the lobster-backs, +that he did not question me upon; and it +seemed as if I stood there a full hour, answering +what was of no consequence, so I argued.</p> + +<p>Having gratified his curiosity, or learned that +which was necessary for him to know, he took my +hand in his in the most friendly fashion, and while +I cannot well repeat the words he spoke, because +of his queer manner of speaking, thereby causing +them to sound differently from the spirit in which I +understood he intended, he caused my cheeks to +flush red because of the words of praise, and wound +up by promising that if it should be at some future +time in his power to reward me for the service I +had done, then would he take advantage of it.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I understood that I was dismissed +when he ceased speaking, and walked out +of the building, hardly knowing what to do until +the man who was standing sentinel directly in front +of the door, and who must have understood I had +come with news of importance, suggested that I go +near where the officers’ horses were being fed, because +there could be had provender for the beast +that had carried me so gallantly.</p> + +<p>This I did, as can well be supposed, and I was +rubbing the horse’s legs with whisps of grass to refresh +him, for I counted on holding possession of +the animal so long as I might, when I was interrupted +by no less a person than the Weaver of Germantown +himself, who said with a smile as he came +up to me:</p> + +<p>“Ah, now I understand how it chanced that you +were so much in advance of me. I also rode after +having walked as far as Germantown, but had not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +the good fortune to get so good a beast as that. +Where did you find him?”</p> + +<p>“At Master Wharton’s country house, where his +owner had left him while he went in to tell the +ladies, most like, that they need have no fear the +miserable rebels would do them harm. It appears +to me, Master Weaver, that you came reasonably +fast, for I rode at racing speed and have not been +here an hour.”</p> + +<p>“You came by a longer course, Richard Salter, +and it is well you did, for those two gentlemen +whom you turned back on the road, were friends of +mine whom I most desire to have with this portion +of the army if so be the Britishers make an attack.”</p> + +<p>“Then you have seen them already?” I asked in +surprise, and the Weaver of Germantown told me +he had just left General Lafayette’s headquarters, +where he had learned from the Frenchman himself +what service I had done.</p> + +<p>“And the Britishers?” I asked. “Do you know +if they came out of Philadelphia according to the +information I gained at the carnival?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, and are well-nigh ready to begin operations. +One of our people came in a few moments +ago with the word that a considerable force was at +Chestnut Hill, and I myself know that Grant’s +troops are halted at the forks of the road leading +to Barren Hill and Matson’s Ford. There is every +reason to believe that General Gray, with at least +two thousand men, is at the ford within three miles +of here this very moment. We are much the same +as surrounded.”</p> + +<p>“And General Lafayette must, of course, surrender, +unless he can turn tail and get back to Valley<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +Forge,” I said, thus showing how little I knew of +the mettle of our people who had passed the winter +amid so much of suffering.</p> + +<p>“I’ll venture to say he won’t surrender, lad,” the +Weaver of Germantown replied grimly, “although +I must confess that he is in what you might well +call a tight box. His only way of escape is by +Matson’s Ford, and the approach to that is held by +at least five thousand Britishers under General +Grant.”</p> + +<p>“And what will happen?” I asked as a feeling of +timorousness came over me, causing, I am afraid, my +face to grow pale.</p> + +<p>“It is for General Lafayette to answer that question, +and you will get reply before nightfall if you +watch the movements of the men,” the Weaver of +Germantown said in what I fancied was a tone of +sadness, whereupon I was such a simple as to exclaim:</p> + +<p>“If it remains with that lad to get these men +out of the trap into which they seem to have walked +with open eyes, then am I afraid their chances are +few, for he knows no more of warfare than does +Jeremy Hapgood.”</p> + +<p>“Unless I am much mistaken, Richard Salter, +within the next four and twenty hours you will have +every reason to change your opinion regarding the +French officer. The Britishers are certain to find +in him a real soldier, according to all I have heard, +and it will surprise me much if this day’s doings +are not greatly to his credit.”</p> + +<p>Just at that moment one of the soldiers came up +to the Weaver of Germantown, and whispered a few +words in his ear, whereupon both went hurriedly +away, leaving me to wonder who this man might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +be who thus kept secret his name, as you might say; +and I speculated not a little as to what position he +occupied with our American army.</p> + +<p>It appeared to me as if he was anxious to conceal +his identity under this fanciful name of the Weaver +of Germantown, and I believed I already had good +proof that he was of more importance, or of higher +rank, if you please, than that of a spy, for since we +arrived at the encampment I noted that all those +who came in contact with him showed no little respect +in their bearing.</p> + +<p>However, I was not left long alone to speculate +upon any matter, for within five minutes after the +man who called himself a spy had left, I was not +only delighted, but decidedly surprised, to see +Jeremy Hapgood engaged in what seemed much like +an altercation with one of the sentries.</p> + +<p>Straightway I understood what had happened. +The lad had succeeded in gaining Barren Hill in an +exceedingly short time, if so be he came on foot, +and now was he doing that which I would have been +forced to do but for having met the two officers +on the road—trying to show that he had fair right +to enter the encampment.</p> + +<p>I hurried forward to where the sentry stood +barring the way, and fortunately for Jeremy Hapgood, +the soldier had not only seen me when I entered +in company with the two horsemen, but had +afterwards seemingly taken especial note of the fact +that I appeared to be on intimate terms with the +Weaver of Germantown.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that the man listened favourably +to me when I explained that Jeremy was one of +the party who had been sent out from Philadelphia +to give warning of what the lobster-backs were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +about, and although it might not have been according +to military usage or law, the sentinel allowed +my comrade to pass him without referring the matter +to a superior officer.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that Jeremy was decidedly +surprised at finding me at Barren Hill, having the +appearance of one who had been long there, and +before he would answer a single question which I +was striving to put, the lad insisted on knowing +how it was I had succeeded in making my way so +rapidly.</p> + +<p>In order to make certain of hearing his story +within a reasonable length of time, it became necessary +for me to go into details regarding all that I +had done since we parted, and Jeremy was as delighted +as a baby with a new toy, when I explained +how it had been possible for me to get possession +of a horse.</p> + +<p>Not until I had come to the very end of my story, +omitting none of the details, did the lad tell me +what had happened to him since we last saw each +other. Although he had not met with much of +adventure, verily had he exerted himself twenty +times more than I, for throughout the entire night +he had traveled, walking at times in order to regain +his breath, but running the greater portion of the +distance; hiding in the thicket whenever he heard +anyone advancing toward him, and taking such +chances as I had not been called upon to take because +of being mounted.</p> + +<p>Verily Jeremy Hapgood had done more for the +Cause than I on this night, and I was ashamed when +he had come to the end of his simple story, because +I made so many words of that which, as compared +with what he had done, amounted really to nothing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>While we stood there within a stone’s throw of +General Lafayette’s quarters, talking about what +we had done since leaving Philadelphia, there was +no little stir in the encampment. It was not necessary +we lads should understand overly much of military +matters in order to know that some important +movement was near at hand, and, considering the +news we had brought, it was not difficult for us to +understand that General Lafayette was making preparation +to meet the enemy; but whether to give them +battle, or retreat, we could not determine.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the men had had rations served +out to them, we lads not sharing in the distribution +of the food owing to the fact that we were not +members of the army, the Weaver of Germantown +came to where Jeremy and I were sitting on the +ground, and said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“This portion of the army will begin to move +very speedily. It is for you lads to join it, unless +peradventure you are willing to take the chances of +being captured by the lobster-backs. You have General +Lafayette’s permission to ride with his staff, +and I advise you to make ready for the start without +delay. The movement about to be executed will +be rapid, and he who lingers ever so little stands a +good chance of being left behind.”</p> + +<p>All this was somewhat of a puzzle to me, and I +would have called after the man, urging that he explain +his meaning; but Jeremy Hapgood clutched me +by the coat-sleeve as he said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“Verily, Richard, this is no time for overly +many words, and I am of the belief that the Weaver +of Germantown would not explain to you the meaning +of all he has said, no matter how you might +implore him. If we are to follow the general’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +staff, let us make ready to do so, and not bother our +heads further.”</p> + +<p>“But it is not for us to leave this place until our +comrades have arrived,” I exclaimed petulantly.</p> + +<p>It came to my mind that after what I had just +done for the Cause, I was entitled to more consideration +than would have been shown an ordinary +lad, and, such a simple was I, that it seemed as if +some special provision should have been made for +the safety of my comrades and myself.</p> + +<p>“Here come Tim Bowers and Sam Elder,” +Jeremy suddenly cried, and, looking up, I saw the +two lads both astride a woebegone looking horse, +riding toward the encampment at full speed.</p> + +<p>Understanding that they might have trouble passing +the sentinel, I went forward, beckoning Jeremy +to follow me.</p> + +<p>Singularly enough, no one paid any attention to +them, which fact was owing, I suppose, to the general +excitement on every hand, and the forming of +the men into columns for marching.</p> + +<p>“How does it chance that you and Timothy are +together?” Jeremy cried, while our lads were yet +some distance away striving to force the old horse +into a faster gait.</p> + +<p>“We met just in advance of General Grant’s column,” +Sam replied laughingly as if it were a great +joke. “He was coming on one road and I the +other, when the troops appeared so close at our +heels that we made a sudden break into the thicket, +running into each other’s arms, causing both of us, +for the moment, no little alarm.”</p> + +<p>“Did you see or hear anything of young Chris?” +I asked as the lads dismounted and turned their +weary steed free.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>“It seems reasonably certain he has been taken +prisoner,” Sam Elder replied gravely. “You may +fancy how near we were to the advance of the lobster-backs, +when while skulking in the thicket we +could hear the men talking with each other, and +there was dropped now and then a word concerning +a boy who had been taken while evidently trying to +carry information to the Americans. Therefore +Tim and I have decided young Chris has been captured.”</p> + +<p>“We also heard somewhat concerning a Tory lad +who had had a hand in the matter,” Timothy Bowers +added, “and while Sam won’t agree with me, +I am of the opinion that Skinny Baker played a part +in young Chris’s downfall.”</p> + +<p>“But how could Skinny Baker have known anything +concerning young Chris’s movements?” I +cried, not inclined to put any faith in what Tim had +suggested. “That Tory cur, in order to have had +any idea of Chris’s whereabouts, must have known +that all of us were at the carnival—meaning those +who were not then in the work-house,” I added +laughingly. “If the miserable coward had had any +such information, you may set it down as a fact that +we would never have been allowed to leave Master +Wharton’s house.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose Skinny knew we were there as +servants, and suppose he counted on bringing about +our arrest? The pretended attack by the Americans +knocked the miserable cur’s plans awry, and +how about it then?” Tim asked as if he had settled +the matter definitely.</p> + +<p>I realized at once that all this guessing might be +exceedingly near the truth, understanding that +Skinny Baker would make as great display of his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +power, if so be there was chance for him to have +us taken as spies, as the lobster-backs would permit.</p> + +<p>It was well within reason that he might have +counted to wait until a late hour, or, possibly, he had +not gotten at the ear of any British officers in time +to make the arrest before the alarm was given that +our people were attacking the outposts.</p> + +<p>From that moment he might have been in pursuit +of us, and we, by going to the work-house, had +thrown him off the track.</p> + +<p>It was not impossible, or improbable, that, having +lost track of us during the excitement of the supposed +attack, he roamed around until coming +accidentally upon young Chris, and had been able +to find enough of lobster-backs near at hand who +would aid him in making the capture.</p> + +<p>At all events, we knew full well that a coward +like Skinny Baker would not have tackled young +Chris alone, and were firmly convinced that our comrade +had been made prisoner.</p> + +<p>But there the matter must rest for the time being, +since we were powerless even to learn where he +might be confined, and although we had known all +the particulars, how were we to do anything whatsoever +at a time when the lobster-backs had, as it +seemed, so nearly surrounded Barren Hill that all +the army under General Lafayette’s command must +be taken prisoners?</p> + +<p>We had little opportunity for further conversation. +It was just at the moment when we had decided +young Chris was in the power of Skinny +Baker’s friends, that the Weaver of Germantown +came up hurriedly, and said in a tone very much like +that of command:</p> + +<p>“Get you ready, lads. If so be you can follow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +the general’s staff on foot, then am I believing all +will go well so far as you are concerned.”</p> + +<p>He had no sooner said this than he seemingly +noted for the first time that Tim and Sam had come +in; but beyond greeting them in friendly fashion, he +paid no further attention to the lads.</p> + +<p>“There is no time for you boys to loiter here; +see to it that you follow the general’s staff,” he repeated +once more, and then walked away, leaving +me undecided as to what I should do.</p> + +<p>With the horse which I had taken from Master +Wharton’s grounds I could readily keep pace with +the officers who made up the general’s staff; but +surely four of us might not ride upon one beast, and +I hesitated, for the moment almost inclined to say +I would take advantage of the opportunity, leaving +them to follow as best they might.</p> + +<p>Then it came upon me that such a course would +be cowardly, if nothing more, and with a sigh I decided +to leave the horse where he was tethered, allowing +whosoever might first chance upon the beast +to take him as a prize.</p> + +<p>“We will all walk,” I said, as if there had never +been the slightest doubt in my mind regarding the +matter. “It is true I have a horse, and you lads +also an imitation of one; but verily you had better +be on foot than trust yourselves to the back of that +bunch of bones; therefore we will take even +chances.”</p> + +<p>Then I led the way toward where I saw the group +of officers, mounted.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br> + +<small>THE RETREAT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> to what happened during the time General +Lafayette was striving to withdraw from the dangerous +position he found himself in after the advance +of the Britishers, I cannot of my own knowledge +speak clearly.</p> + +<p>To me, and my comrades are of the same mind, +the day was apparently spent in moving here and +there blindly, so to speak. It appeared now and +then, from what little I could see in advance of us, +that we were on the very verge of being captured, +and again did it appear as if we had gotten off scot +free, while mayhap half an hour later the danger +was seemingly greater than before.</p> + +<p>If I attempted to set down the details of the +movement which gave good proof of the young +French officer’s ability to handle men, I should +surely make a bungling job of it.</p> + +<p>Therefore it is I count to copy out what I afterwards +read concerning that escape of ours. There +is no good reason why I should do other than use +the words of the man who knew full well what he +was writing about; for we lads had no part or +parcel in that retreat, save as we followed closely at +the heels of the officers’ horses, running now and +then in order to keep pace, and again allowed to remain +idle five or ten minutes at a time, all the while +so confused as to the general purpose of the commander<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +as not to be able clearly to understand anything +save when we crossed the ford, where, during +a few moments, did it seem to me as if we were +safe.</p> + +<p>We conversed very little during that marching +and countermarching, for we were puzzled, and +again it was not seemly we should speculate as to +what was being done, because at times we were so +near General Lafayette himself that he could have +heard our words.</p> + +<p>Here is what I have seen set down in printed +words regarding the matter, and after reading it I +can the better understand why we went here or +there.</p> + +<p>“Lafayette proved himself adequate to the occasion. +In a moment, as it were, his dangers were revealed, +and the one possible means of extrication +resorted to. Dispositions were made as though to +receive Gray; his artillery, by a well directed fire, +encouraged the idea that he proposed to engage.</p> + +<p>“His real aim was, of course, flight, and by the +ford; but to attain it he must pass within a short +distance of Grant, who was nearer to it than himself.</p> + +<p>“He feigned movements as though for an attack, +and by an occasional display of the heads of columns, +he for a time persuaded the Englishman that +an action was imminent.</p> + +<p>“Meantime the troops, as fast as they could come +up, were hurrying across the ford, until at last the +artillery and a body of Oneida savages only remained +on this side the stream. These were also +now brought over, and on the high ground beyond +our men were secure.</p> + +<p>“Grant at last came up and ordered the advance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> +to move on; but it was too late. They saw but a +party of our troops dotting the surface of the water +like the floats of a seine. The prey had escaped.</p> + +<p>“Grant was hopelessly in the rear, and when +Gray’s column closed in there was nothing between +the British lines. The only skirmishing even that +seems to have occurred was between a body of light +horse and the Oneidas. Neither had ever encountered +a like foe, and when the cavalry unexpectedly +rode among the savages, the whooping and scampering +of the one, and the flashing swords and prancing +steeds of the other party, excited such a common +terror that both fled with the utmost precipitation.</p> + +<p>“Irritated and empty-handed Howe marched back +to town, with no one but his own officers to blame +for his ill success.”</p> + +<p>Now it is that he who reads what I have just set +down will understand quite as much as did I, who +took part in the manœuvre, how General Lafayette +succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of the Britishers, +and brought off his men without loss of blood +when it had seemed as if he was in a trap from +which it would be impossible to escape.</p> + +<p>I would it might be possible for me to set down +all that we saw and heard in the camp at Valley +Forge after the French officer had led his men back +in what might well be called a masterly retreat; but +I have not the space nor the time if I am to tell the +story of what we so-called Minute Boys of Philadelphia +did.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary for me to make any attempt +at explaining how saddened our soldiers at Valley +Forge were when General Lafayette and his men +returned in what you may well call full flight. They +had, hoping even against hope, brought themselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +to believe that something of moment was to be done +by this advance on Barren Hill, and when it was +shown to have come to naught, one can readily understand +how great was the disappointment.</p> + +<p>We heard on every hand words which told how +much of confidence the men had placed on the movement; +but none were grumbling. The advance had +been of no avail; yet they were not discouraged.</p> + +<p>Already were our people looking forward to the +time when a second attempt would be made to worry +the Britishers, and predicting that then the result +would be far different.</p> + +<p>It was near to nightfall when we were come to +Valley Forge, and the Weaver of Germantown took +special care to point out to us a small hut nearby +headquarters, which we were to be allowed to occupy, +and went to the extent of getting for us an +order on the commissary for such food as could +be procured by these half-starved men.</p> + +<p>Now although I loved the Cause as well as any +other man or lad in the colonies, my first thought +when we were safe from the lobster-backs was concerning +young Chris, rather than that which might +have been called a disaster to our arms.</p> + +<p>I feared he had allowed his tongue to bring him +into trouble, else did it seem to me he should have +been able to leave Philadelphia secretly, even as we +had done; but whether the fault was his or no, we +had no right to consider it at that moment.</p> + +<p>Unquestionably he had been made a prisoner, for +surely the lobster-backs could not have been talking +about any other lad, because I knew of none who +would have put themselves in the way of thus coming +to grief.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>He was our comrade, a member of our company +of Minute Boys, and it was my duty, I having allowed +them to call me the captain, to set all my wits +at work to release him.</p> + +<p>We had succeeded, even when all the chances appeared +against us, in effecting the escape of Jeremy +and Sam, and I secretly grieved over the fact that +I had cut no better figure in that venture.</p> + +<p>It was the Weaver of Germantown who had done +all the work, and we lads were of little or no assistance +to him, therefore as yet, so it seemed to me, +the Minute Boys of Philadelphia had not shown +themselves to any great advantage.</p> + +<p>It is true we had succeeded in gaining valuable information, +and had brought the same within the +lines; but I burned to do more—to accomplish +something which should make my name known to +those who were staking their lives in battle, or +against starvation.</p> + +<p>It was necessary, so it seemed to me, that our +first work, regardless of what might be needed in +aid of the Cause, was to learn what had become of +young Chris.</p> + +<p>After all that had just happened I felt confident +the lobster-backs would keep a sharper watch over +us rebels than ever before, and if peradventure Chris +had been thrown into prison, then did I despair, even +though we had the aid of the Weaver of Germantown, +in doing anything whatsoever toward effecting +his release.</p> + +<p>However, we would learn all that might be +learned, even though we risked our lives again and +again in the effort, and this much I said to my comrades +when we were eating our scanty meal alone in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +the hut, whereupon Jeremy Hapgood, seemingly of +the same opinion as I had advanced, asked quietly, +as if ready to set off at a moment’s notice:</p> + +<p>“How will you go about gaining this information +which is necessary before we can raise a hand +in young Chris’s behalf? I must confess, Richard +Salter, that I question whether it will be possible for +anyone to aid the poor lad just now, unless, peradventure, +the British march out of Philadelphia, as +it is rumoured General Clinton intends to do, although +I misdoubt it greatly.”</p> + +<p>“The only way, so far as I can see, is to go back +from whence we came.”</p> + +<p>“Into Philadelphia?” Timothy Bowers cried as if +in alarm, and I replied, striving to speak in a careless +tone as if familiar with such desperate ventures:</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, that is what must be done. At the +Jolly Tar inn we may find a hiding place—”</p> + +<p>“Yes, a hiding place!” Sam cried bitterly, “and +where we must keep under cover if we would save +our necks. Of what avail is it to be in that rear +room of the Jolly Tar inn, eating our hearts out +with impatience, as far as aiding young Chris is +concerned?”</p> + +<p>“That is what I cannot say, lad; but certain +it is while we remain here there is no possibility of +our doing anything whatsoever, and if we are in +the city there is a chance, however slight, that we +may see some way out of what is now a blind hobble.”</p> + +<p>Although we Minute Boys of Philadelphia were +not great in numbers, verily were we ready to do +whatsoever came to our hand, and the proof of this +is that when I had thus spoken, never a question<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +was raised against the proposition. All appeared +not only ready but willing to join me in going back +to that nest of lobster-backs, where by this time we +knew were many on the lookout to take us prisoners.</p> + +<p>It was when the matter had thus been settled +among us that the Weaver of Germantown came into +the hut, and I fancy he understood by the expression +on our faces that we had been discussing some matter +which was far from pleasing, for he asked in a +cheery tone, throwing himself upon the floor beside +me, for the hut boasted of neither chairs nor bed:</p> + +<p>“What have you lads in mind now?”</p> + +<p>“To go back to Philadelphia as soon as may be,” +I replied shortly, thinking he would attempt to persuade +us that the venture was far too dangerous.</p> + +<p>“That is exactly what you should do, lads, and +what I am counting on doing myself within the +next eight and forty hours, for now if ever is the +time when we must keep in touch with what the +Britishers are doing. If you set off at once, then +may I delay so long as will be necessary to have +a look about Chestnut Hill.”</p> + +<p>Then he would have laid out our work for us, +telling what we should do here or there, when I interrupted +him by saying:</p> + +<p>“It appears to me that our first duty is toward +young Chris. It is certain, from what Sam and Tim +heard, that Skinny Baker has succeeded in bringing +the lobster-backs down upon him, and we must make +the attempt, even though we fail, to lend him a +hand.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, all that is as it should be; but remember +this: Your first duty is to the Cause, and it is +while you are working in behalf of the colonies that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +you will best be able to discover some way in which +you can help Master Ludwig, if so be he is yet on +this earth.”</p> + +<p>“Do you fancy they might have killed him?” I +cried in alarm, for until the man spoke there had +been no such fear in my mind.</p> + +<p>“It is possible,” the Weaver of Germantown said +slowly and in a subdued tone. “The Britishers are +not feeling overly happy just now, as we can well +understand. The pretended attack on their outposts +showed them that not only the rank and file, but the +officers as well, are afraid of what this rag-tag and +bobtail of an army may do. Then the failure to +overwhelm the troops under General Lafayette, after +Howe had boastingly declared that he would bring +back the general to Philadelphia a prisoner, and +even gone so far as to invite certain cronies of his +to a supper where he might exhibit the captive. All +this, I say, is well calculated to make the lobster-backs +ill tempered, and if so be they succeed in laying +hands upon a spy, and your Skinny Baker can +prove to the satisfaction of any prejudiced person +that young Chris has been working in the interests +of the colonies, then there is the chance that he +may have suffered the death.”</p> + +<p>We lads were literally stupefied at the idea of +such a possibility. We had believed young Chris +might be held close prisoner; but more than that +never entered our minds, and now, after hearing the +Weaver of Germantown speak in such a solemn tone, +while knowing that the arguments he advanced were +sound ones, it seemed to us almost as if we had +learned that Chris was indeed gone from among us +forever.</p> + +<p>The man could readily see how he had disheartened<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> +us by his words, and evidently believed it necessary +to revive our courage if he would have us +set off speedily for the city, therefore he said in +what he doubtless counted should be a cheery tone:</p> + +<p>“Do not look so downhearted, lads. I was but +putting before you the worst side of the case. It +is by no means certain your Skinny Baker could +succeed in proving even to the Britishers that a boy +like young Chris was a spy. Then again, with all +the excitement which has been in the city during the +past four and twenty hours, it might be a difficult +matter even for Skinny’s father to have speech with +any of the Britishers in command. Again, you are +by no means certain young Chris is really in the +hands of the British. Cease to think of him other +than as one whom you count on finding without +delay, and by such means you will not only succeed +better in your work for the Cause, but be in shape +to take a greater advantage of any opportunity +which may come for helping him. When do you +set off?”</p> + +<p>I had not gone so far in my plans as to name +the hour when we would leave Valley Forge. In +fact, had counted on staying where we were at least +another four and twenty hours, for the march from +Barren Hill had been exceeding tiresome, and we +were so weary that a rest seemed absolutely necessary. +But when the man asked the question I replied +quickly, as if it was a matter already settled:</p> + +<p>“We go to-night.”</p> + +<p>The other lads looked up in surprise, as if believing +I had lost my wits to set off when all of us +were leg weary; but no one made any comment save +the Weaver of Germantown, who said in a tone of +satisfaction:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>“That is well. The sooner you can shelter yourselves +in the Jolly Tar inn the better, and even +though the lobster-backs are likely to be on the alert +for us rebels, I believe you may gain entrance to +the city more readily now than later. Just at this +time it stands to reason that they are considerably +upset regarding the failure of their plans, and surely +whoever might be watching out for you—say for +instance, Skinny Baker—will hardly be foolish +enough to think you would come directly back after +having made good your escape.”</p> + +<p>I had committed myself to setting off at once, and +lest the man should think I had been talking at +random, I immediately rose to my feet, saying as I +did so:</p> + +<p>“I fancy we shall be the better able to make the +journey if we set off before our limbs have stiffened, +as they surely will if we remain here idle two or +three hours more.”</p> + +<p>Well, to make a short story out of what might +well be a long one, we left Valley Forge within ten +minutes, the Weaver of Germantown walking with +us past all the sentries to be certain we had no difficulty +in leaving the encampment, and then, when +he would have turned back, I counted to hear from +him some kindly word of encouragement because we +were venturing our necks once more.</p> + +<p>Instead of anything of the kind, he simply shook +us by the hand as if we were going on an ordinary +journey, and then turned to retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>Eager though we were to prove ourselves worthy +to be called Minute Boys, and burning to be of service +to the Cause, there was never one of us who +could put any enthusiasm in this march which might +end in our death.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>We, as I have already said, were weary almost to +the verge of exhaustion, and the miles which lay +before us seemed so nearly interminable that I felt +almost as if we could not cover half of them without +failing utterly.</p> + +<p>No one was in the mood for conversation, and we +plodded on in the darkness, keenly on the alert, however, +for any sounds which should betoken the coming +of an enemy; but hardly conscious whether we +had traversed one yard or one mile.</p> + +<p>I believe it was the possibility young Chris might +have been executed as a spy that had taken the courage +from us to such an extent; but this I do know to +a certainty, that when the day was dawning we were +not yet beyond Germantown, and Jeremy Hapgood +said to me in the tone of one who will not brook +opposition:</p> + +<p>“I can go no farther, Richard Salter. Here +nearby is a house where I believe we may remain +in hiding during the day, and although I am so +hungry that I could eat anything in the shape of +food, yet must I lie by until another night has come, +for my weariness is greater than the desire for something +to eat.”</p> + +<p>“Where may we remain hidden?” Sam asked, +and I understood that he was decidedly of Jeremy’s +opinion.</p> + +<p>Then it was the lad told us of a house which had +been partially destroyed by the Britishers when they +marched into our city of Philadelphia, claiming that +he had visited it more than once while the lobster-backs +much the same as held us prisoners within our +homes.</p> + +<p>Without further parley we followed him, coming +to what had originally been a small cottage, but was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +now hardly more than a ruin, yet here did it really +seem as if we might find safe concealment, for it +was possible, as Jeremy showed us, to gain admission +to the cellar, and surely it must have been a suspicious +lobster-back who would have looked beneath +the charred timbers for a company of lads.</p> + +<p>Although while talking with the Weaver of Germantown +I had been strong in my determination to +do whatsoever I might toward aiding young Chris, +yet was I rejoiced at thus coming to a place where +I could stretch my weary body out at full length, +even though it was only on the bare ground, and +without making any search of the place, for it was +yet too dark to see clearly our surroundings, I threw +myself upon the floor of the cellar and was lost in +slumber almost as soon as I closed my eyes.</p> + +<p>When next I was conscious of existence, the faint +light which came in from beneath the charred timbers +that overhung the cellar walls told me it was +yet day, and I raised myself on my elbow to look +around.</p> + +<p>My comrades, lying even as they had thrown +themselves upon the floor in exhaustion, were yet +sleeping soundly, and dimly I wondered why I +should have been the first to awaken, when the +sound of footsteps just outside the building caused +my heart to come into my throat, as the old saying +goes.</p> + +<p>I knew there were none of our people left roundabout +Germantown, therefore whosoever was approaching +our hiding place must be a Britisher or a +Tory. In my fear, for verily I was timorous, I +fancied we might have been tracked to this place, and +now were come the lobster-backs to take us in custody.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>Pressing my hand over Jeremy’s mouth lest he +should make some outcry on being suddenly awakened, +I shook him into consciousness, and at the +same time motioned with my hand toward the outside, +that he might understand there were possible +enemies near at hand.</p> + +<p>Then we two sat bolt upright, listening intently, +as you can well fancy; learning before many seconds +had passed that there were no less than four or +five persons who had come somewhere near what +had been a window in the cellar wall of the ruins, +and were now taking a rest while discussing certain +matters which concerned themselves.</p> + +<p>So near were they to where we sat listening with +all our heart in our ears, that we could hear distinctly +every spoken word, and before we had thus played +the eavesdroppers a dozen seconds did we come to +understand that fate, or fortune, whatsoever you may +term it, had brought us into the one place of all our +colony of Pennsylvania where we had most desired +to be.</p> + +<p>The first words we heard were spoken in a voice +thoroughly familiar to us, and we looked at each +other in amazement, for it was Skinny Baker himself +who was saying in a whining tone that caused +all the anger within me to spring up, reddening my +face until I knew it must have been nearly the color +of blood:</p> + +<p>“I tell you I heard all those fellows said concerning +what they would do against the king,” the +Tory cur was saying as if in answer to some reproof +or question. “This lad here has been one of the +foremost in starting what they call the Minute Boys +of Philadelphia, and if you know aught regarding +the people of our town, then do you know that Ludwig,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> +the baker, is as rank a rebel as may be found +within the colonies.”</p> + +<p>Jeremy and I gazed at each other in astonishment. +That which we had heard told us our comrade +was within mayhap a dozen paces of where we +sat, and I literally struggled to understand how it +could have happened he was not already lodged in +prison.</p> + +<p>Before any of Skinny’s companions made reply +there came to my mind like a flash of light an explanation +of this matter, and it was much like this: +I believed young Chris had been taken prisoner +within a short distance, mayhap, of Barren Hill, +and put under guard to be carried to Philadelphia. +Skinny, who, there could be no question, was responsible +for Chris’s arrest, had remained with these +lobster-backs in order to gloat over the lad whom +he had brought to grief; but why they had not come +down in advance of the army I failed of understanding.</p> + +<p>However, they must have loitered behind for +some reason or another, or might have come as far +as this place with the main body of troops and +stopped here to rest, for those who wore the king’s +uniform were not overly eager to do more of labour +than was absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>I have said all this came into my mind like a +flash, and it was within one single instant that I settled +the matter, at least, to my partial satisfaction, +and then understood why Skinny was striving to +convince these men of young Chris’s guilt, for one +of them said angrily, with that accent which bespoke +the cockney Britisher:</p> + +<p>“If it so happen good King George can be hurt +by such an infant as this, then is it time we who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +have come to whip these rebels into subjection, turn +about and go home. I enlisted to fight men, not +children.”</p> + +<p>“You watch this fellow a little while, and you’ll +come to understand that there is no child about +him,” Skinny replied vindictively. “Haven’t I already +told you what he has done?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you have, lad, and yet I am not bound to +believe it all. If a chap like you allows himself to +be towed around a city filled with king’s troops +without making any attempt at escaping, then is he +likely to draw the long bow when he explains how +it happened.”</p> + +<p>It was only natural Skinny should be excited and +angry at thus being much the same as told that he +was a coward, and straightway he began explaining +how we lads fell upon him in overwhelming numbers, +and how impossible it was for him to make +any outcry while we were marching him through +the streets.</p> + +<p>This explanation occupied so much time that I set +about awakening Tim and Sam, even as I had +aroused Jeremy, and the expression on their faces +when they heard Skinny Baker talking would have +been to me comical in the extreme, but for our situation.</p> + +<p>A fellow cannot well laugh when he knows that +within the next minute, perhaps, he may find himself +a prisoner, and therefore it was their looks of surprise +and dismay were passed by unheeded.</p> + +<p>When Skinny had told his story with great detail, +and a vast amount of untruth, one of the men +asked as if it was a matter of little importance to +him:</p> + +<p>“And now having pointed out this boy as a rebel,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +what do you count will become of him? Is it in +your mind he shall be dealt with as a spy?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that it is!” Skinny cried in a fury, and I +could well fancy the expression of hatred on the +miserable cur’s face as he spoke. “How else can +he be dealt with after I have told the story of what +he did?”</p> + +<p>“That is as those who hear you may be inclined +to say whether you are telling the truth in the interest +of his majesty, or striving to pay off a private +grudge.”</p> + +<p>I could have hugged the man who made that +suggestion, and really believe I laughed inwardly +when Skinny, now so angry that he could not speak +plainly, snarled:</p> + +<p>“They will believe me when I show what he has +done. It is well known he was among those who +held me prisoner, and I can bring lads who will +swear he did his best to make them agree to become +Minute Boys. If such work as that doesn’t bring +him to the gallows, then can every rebel in Philadelphia +do whatsoever he may without fear of coming +to grief.”</p> + +<p>It was then another voice broke in, saying with +a yawn, as if wearied by the controversy:</p> + +<p>“Why shall we spend our breath talking of what +may or may not be? It simply remains with us to +carry this boy into the city and lodge him in the stone +prison, after which we may go about our business, +and blooming glad shall I be, for this escorting children +around the country for the purpose of having +them hanged later, is not to my liking.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Skinny would have repeated +again the list of young Chris’s crimes; but that one +of the men interrupted him by saying:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>“We’ve heard that yarn once, and there is no +need of your telling it again. I am wondering why +the prisoner holds his tongue.”</p> + +<p>That same thought was in my mind, for young +Chris was never inclined to remain silent when +there was any provocation to wag his tongue, and +now, being almost the same as invited to defend +himself, he said, speaking like a man:</p> + +<p>“Much of what that Tory cur has said is true; +a great deal is made up out of whole cloth. We +did take him prisoner, because while being engaged +in work of our own, he played the spy upon us, and +we were not minded he should run to tell the news +broadcast over the town, for it would look much as +though we had been engaged in some unlawful +transaction. When we laid hands on him, the +wretch was so frightened that he did not dare defend +himself even with his tongue. A lamb going +to the slaughter-house couldn’t have moved more +peaceably or willingly. The only regret I have is +that he who has brought me into this trouble was +not a decent fellow, and surely you who have seen +and heard him can have a fairly good idea of what +a cur he is.”</p> + +<p>Jeremy clutched my hand tightly as if to show +how proud he was because young Chris had spoken +in such a manly fashion, and we lads looked at each +other in triumph, for of a verity we had never +given the lad credit for having so stiff a backbone.</p> + +<p>From the tone of the conversation among the +lobster-backs which followed, I could fancy our +comrade had succeeded in gaining sympathy, if +no more, by his speech, and that Skinny Baker +had fallen even lower in their estimation than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +before; but nothing of consequence to us was +said.</p> + +<p>We now knew that young Chris was to be taken +to the stone prison, and if so be he was confined +there rather than in the work-house, then we might +say with good reason that there was no chance whatsoever +for us to aid him. No matter how favourable +the circumstances were, there wasn’t a possibility +we, even though with a dozen men like the +Weaver of Germantown to help us, could do aught +toward effecting his release.</p> + +<p>However, we had at least learned his destination, +which would prevent us from wasting our time in +trying to discover where he might be, and this was +no little gain.</p> + +<p>More than that, we had gotten some satisfaction +from having thus overheard the conversation between +Skinny and the lobster-backs, since it served +to show us of what mettle young Chris was made, +and if so be it was permitted he should come from +out his troubles, I said to myself that never again +would I doubt his courage, nor never once raise my +voice in reproach when, to my mind, he was speaking +rashly or foolishly.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br> + +<small>TURNING THE TABLES</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> now have I come to that part of my story +which sounds like a fable even to myself, although +I had in it an active part.</p> + +<p>You can well fancy that we lads hidden in the +cellar of that ruined house, kept our ears wide open +for any word or sound which might come from the +lobster-backs, and during mayhap five minutes after +the conversation ended, as I have already set down, +we heard a movement as if one or more of the men +had risen to their feet and were lounging away, +evidently striving to make the time seemingly pass +more quickly.</p> + +<p>Then a moment later came a similar noise, and +we heard Skinny Baker ask in a querulous tone:</p> + +<p>“What’s up now? Where are you fellows +going?”</p> + +<p>“It may be that is none of your concern,” one of +the men replied sharply from a distance. “If so +be we are forced to spend a certain number of +hours lounging around here waiting for our people +to come up, then do we propose to act our pleasure +in the matter.”</p> + +<p>“But I am not to be left alone with the prisoner!” +Skinny cried as if in alarm, and one of the +men replied with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“Are you so brave a lad as to be afraid of a fellow +whose hands are tied, and who, therefore, could +not do you harm even though he be so inclined, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +I fancy he is? Surely you have enough of courage +to stand guard over a helpless prisoner who is +hardly as large as yourself.”</p> + +<p>“It isn’t that I am afraid of him,” Skinny said +in that whining tone of his which always aggravated +me; “but how do I know if some of the rebels may +not come this way while you are gone?”</p> + +<p>“It would be a reasonably active rebel who could +get ’twixt us and our force on either side. You are +penned in here by his majesty’s troops, my young +coward, and no harm can come to you, although +I am free to confess it would not break my heart if +you did see a little grief just now, for I like not the +road on which you are traveling.”</p> + +<p>Then all was silent, and Jeremy Hapgood gripped +me by the hand until it seemed almost as if his +fingers would break through the flesh, while he +looked meaningly toward the opening that had +formerly been the window of the cellar, whereupon +I understood full well that which was in the lad’s +mind.</p> + +<p>The lobster-backs had left Skinny alone with +young Chris, and now was come the moment, at a +time we least expected it, when there was a possibility +of aiding our comrade.</p> + +<p>The only thing which might prevent us would be +that the Britishers had not gone out of sight, and +as to that I determined to learn without loss of +time; for if peradventure we were to make an attempt +at turning the tables, then must our movements +be quick—there were but few seconds in +which to figure how this plan or another might work. +It would be largely a matter of chance.</p> + +<p>And I intended on the instant to make that chance +come my way if possible.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>When I rose cautiously to my feet the eyes of +my comrades were upon me. They understood exactly +that which was in my mind as I had divined +what Jeremy was thinking about, and even in +the gloom I could see each fellow nerving himself +for a struggle, while I crept slowly forward until it +was possible, without too much risk of exposing +myself, to have a fairly good view of the outside.</p> + +<p>Much to my surprise, and greatly to my delight, +not a lobster-back was in sight.</p> + +<p>Because of being unable to see young Chris and +Skinny, I counted that they were sitting, most like, +with their backs against the ruins just at the right of +the window, where they would be screened from +view; but as to their exact position I gave little +heed.</p> + +<p>The only question in my mind was as to whether +the Britishers had gone so far away that we might +make a bold dash to aid our friend.</p> + +<p>We were in the village of Germantown, and this +cottage which had been considerably more than half-burned +by the enemy, stood amid, mayhap, half a +dozen others that were in much the same condition.</p> + +<p>I fancied, in order to explain to myself where the +lobster-backs had gone, that they were simply bent +on seeing what their army had done in the way of +destruction.</p> + +<p>Now we had entered the cellar through this same +window out of which I was peering, and, so far +as I knew, there was no other way by which we +could leave the place.</p> + +<p>It would mean failure and probable capture if +we attempted to crawl through the aperture in plain +sight of Skinny Baker, for while I was not afraid<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +of that Tory cur when he was alone, I knew that +instead of standing up to give us battle, he would +run off screaming to summon the Britishers.</p> + +<p>Our only hope of making this venture a success, +was to creep up on him, but how that could be done +I failed for the instant to see.</p> + +<p>It was Jeremy Hapgood who solved the question, +for while I stood there gazing out, thinking, rather +than striving to see anything in particular, he +clutched me by the coat-sleeve, and, turning, I saw +that all my comrades had gathered close around me, +whereupon I moved away from the window half a +dozen paces, motioning them to follow.</p> + +<p>When we were so far away that there was little +danger Skinny might overhear what we said, I put +into words that which was in my mind.</p> + +<p>Without waiting to make reply, Jeremy began running +around the walls of the cellar like a dog who +is on the scent of game, and before one could have +counted twenty he halted suddenly, motioning with +his hand for us to come up.</p> + +<p>When we stood by his side the matter was as +clear as a pikestaff, for there before us was an +aperture where the walls had crumbled away, most +like under the heat, through which we might have +crawled in couples.</p> + +<p>This was at the rear of the building, so that if we +came into the open we would be to the right of +Skinny, and screened from his view by the ruins of +the building.</p> + +<p>You may well suppose that we did not linger after +finding this opening.</p> + +<p>Jeremy would have pressed forward to be the +first out, and in so doing have been exposed to the +greatest danger, for we could not say but that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> +lobster-backs might be within a few paces from +where we emerged. I pulled him back roughly.</p> + +<p>As captain of the Minute Boys, it was not only +my right, but my duty, to take upon myself the +greater share of the danger, and when he would +have quarrelled with me because of preventing him +from sacrificing his liberty, perhaps, if not his life, +I heeded neither the words nor the looks; but pushed +out through the opening as rapidly as possible, coming +to a stop when my body was half in and half +out of the cellar to have a look around, for I was +not minded to go too blindly into what might prove +to be a trap.</p> + +<p>There was more of surprise than of pleasure in +my mind when I noted the fortunate fact that not +a living being was in sight. The day had well-nigh +come to a close. Already the sun was sinking behind +the distant hills, and I could not believe the +Britishers who were guarding Skinny, would remain +absent very long, for there could be no pleasure +in poking around the ruins of a half-burned village +in the darkness.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I crept outside as rapidly as +possible, and when Jeremy’s head and shoulders appeared +in the aperture, I urged him along by pulling +at his coat collar until I brought him out sprawling +like a crab, Timothy’s head appearing at the very +instant Jeremy’s feet were in the open air.</p> + +<p>In less time than it has taken me to tell it, we +four lads were out of the cellar, standing behind +the ruins for a single instant before making the +rush.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I said to my comrades:</p> + +<p>“Timothy and I will go around to the left until +we have come to that corner nearest where young<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> +Chris is lying. The other two shall stand ready +to leap out at the same moment we do, and if all +of us move swiftly, then have I the idea that we +may prevent Skinny Baker from making any outcry +whatsoever.”</p> + +<p>Without waiting to learn what the other lads +might think of this plan, I clutched Timothy by +the arm, forcing him to follow me while I went at +the swiftest pace possible with due heed to avoid +making a noise, and when we were come to that +corner of the ruins where it was possible to get +a glimpse of Skinny, I saw Jeremy’s head protruding +from around the charred timbers at the other +end.</p> + +<p>Thus far we had seen nothing whatsoever of the +lobster-backs, and even though they had been close +at hand, verily do I believe we would have made an +attempt at a rescue just then, so thoroughly wrought +up and excited were we by the possibility of aiding +our comrade.</p> + +<p>On the instant I saw that Jeremy was ready, I +leaped forward, and fortune favoured me insomuch +that Skinny was sitting near the window on my +side of the building, so close to where I was standing +that with one bound I was upon the fellow, +jamming my hand over his mouth while I strove to +ward off the blows which the Tory cur was trying +to deal me full in the face.</p> + +<p>Now it may seem odd; but at that moment I had +more of a friendly feeling in my heart for Skinny +Baker than ever before, because, for the first time +in his life, did I see him show some signs of manliness. +Therefore when he struggled with me I was +glad to learn he had a drop or two of blood in his +body which was not cowardly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>There was little time, however, for Skinny to +show any resistance. In a twinkling Jeremy was +upon him, and while I held the fellow’s mouth so +that he could make no outcry, my comrade pulled +the coat from his back, tying it around the Tory’s +mouth and head in such a fashion that verily I was +afraid he might be stifled, therefore would have +loosened the rough bandage, but Jeremy whispered +hoarsely:</p> + +<p>“Do not be too tender hearted, Richard Salter. +It is in my mind that no great harm would be done +if this Tory did stifle, although I haven’t the heart +to kill him in cold blood.”</p> + +<p>While Jeremy and I were engaged in fettering +the prisoner, Tim and Sam were not idle. They had +cut the bonds that bound young Chris’s hands, and +were hustling the lad back to the place from which +we had come, gaining the shelter of the corner of +the building just as Jeremy and I completed our +task.</p> + +<p>Up to this moment there had been no thought +in my mind as to what we should do if peradventure +we succeeded in rescuing young Chris.</p> + +<p>Now, however, the matter came to me as one of +greatest importance, and even while we were dragging +Skinny back on the path our comrades had +traversed, did I very nearly come to a halt in trying +to decide this vital question.</p> + +<p>The Britishers, as we knew, were in front of us, +or, in other words, at Philadelphia in great force. +Because of what the lobster-backs said when they +lounged away leaving Skinny alone, we had reason +to believe a certain portion of that force which +counted on taking General Lafayette prisoner, was +at the time in our rear, bound for the city, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> +either course we might take was likely to lead us +directly into the arms of those who served the +king.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that Jeremy had no doubt in his +mind as to exactly what should be done. He continued +on, dragging Skinny behind him, while I, +still clutching the Tory cur by one arm, naturally +followed until we were come to the place from which +we had emerged, and there found Tim and Sam, +having forced Chris to go ahead, already creeping +under cover.</p> + +<p>It was no more than natural we should follow, +and therefore, without any deliberation or intent on +my part, was our plan for the immediate future +settled upon.</p> + +<p>We were forced to shove Skinny through like +a log of wood, Jeremy going ahead to pull him by +the shoulders while I pushed at the fellow’s feet, +and when he dropped with a thud to the floor of +the cellar, I followed, asking in my mind whether +we were not much the same as voluntarily entering +a trap by thus hiding in a place from which it would +be a simple matter for the lobster-backs to take us, +if so be they knew where we were hidden.</p> + +<p>However, as I said to myself in order to still +the doubts which were rising in my mind, there was +no other course just then to be pursued. Go in +whatsoever direction we might from that village of +Germantown, and there was every reason to believe +we would come upon the enemy, after which +there could be no hope of escape, therefore even +though we were captured within the next ten minutes, +was this our only place of refuge.</p> + +<p>A quarter-hour had not passed from the time +Jeremy called to my attention the fact that the lobster-backs<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> +were leaving Skinny and his prisoner +alone, when we were all in the cellar again, and +after clasping young Chris heartily by the hand to +show how rejoiced I was that we had thus far succeeded—although +he must have known it without +the telling,—I set about striving to make Skinny +Baker more comfortable, or, in other words, to +render it less liable for him to be stifled.</p> + +<p>In this work Timothy aided me by tearing off +one of the Tory cur’s coat-sleeves and tying it around +the end of a stick, thereby making a fairly good +gag, which we took care to place between the fellow’s +jaws in such a manner that he could not work +it loose.</p> + +<p>Then, propping him up against the wall of the +cellar where he would be hidden from view of +any who might be curious enough to look inside, we +Minute Boys gathered in one corner of the hiding +place to indulge in not a little crowing because we +had succeeded so well in turning the tables.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we were eager to learn +how young Chris had been made a prisoner, and the +story was soon told.</p> + +<p>He had not been so fortunate as the rest of us in +finding a horse; but was forced to make his way +from Philadelphia toward Barren Hill on foot, and +that the lad travelled swiftly we knew from the fact +that he arrived within four or five miles of General +Lafayette’s position an hour after sunrise.</p> + +<p>Believing himself to be far in advance of the +Britishers, he ceased to exercise that caution which +he should have maintained, and gave little or no +heed to what might be going on about him, when +suddenly he came upon a full regiment of red-coats, +which had halted, probably awaiting orders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>Even then he might have succeeded in persuading +those who questioned him, for as a matter of course +he was seized immediately, that he lived nearabout +and had simply ventured there out of curiosity; but +it so chanced that that miserable cur of a Skinny +Baker was with the regiment, and on getting a +glimpse of young Chris, immediately cried out that +he was a lad whom General Howe had long been +seeking to make prisoner.</p> + +<p>Now why Skinny should have been with a regiment +of soldiers, for he was not a favourite either +with the Britishers or the Tories, and certainly +not with rebels, I failed to understand, save that he +must have come from curiosity alone.</p> + +<p>I dare venture to say that all the Tories in Philadelphia +understood at about the time our people +gave them the famous scare, or immediately afterwards, +that a move against the American army was +about to be made, and, as we know, Skinny was +abroad that night, therefore it would have been a +simple matter for him to have tailed on behind the +first moving regiment he chanced upon.</p> + +<p>At all events, how he happened to be there was +of little consequence. That he was there resulted +in young Chris’s being made prisoner and thus held +throughout all the day, forced to march here and +there while Skinny kept close at his side, jeering +now and then, and again threatening as to what +should be done when they got back to Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>“If I could have smashed his face with my fist, +it wouldn’t have seemed quite so bad,” young Chris +said, interrupting himself in the story; “but my +arms had been tied behind my back, as you found +me, and therefore I could do no more than bite my +tongue, promising myself at some later day, if so +be I lived, that Skinny Baker would repent the moment +when he delivered me over to the lobster-backs.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_258a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_258a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">IN A TWINKLING JEREMY WAS UPON HIM.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span>“I dare say you didn’t bite your tongue so badly +but that you could give him as good as he sent,” +Jeremy interrupted grimly, and young Chris replied, +as if regretting having been so cautious:</p> + +<p>“I thought it best not to make overly much talk, +for there was no telling what the lobster-backs might +do by way of punishment, therefore I let the Tory +villain continue as he would.”</p> + +<p>Well, it seems, as I have already said, that young +Chris, with Skinny guarding him by way of amusement, +was marched here and there at the tail of +the regiment, until about four o’clock in the afternoon, +when suddenly a messenger came up to the +commanding officer, whereupon a guard of four +men was detailed to take the prisoner back as far +as Germantown, there to await the coming of the +troops.</p> + +<p>That was young Chris’s story, and, as I had feared +earlier in the day, his capture was brought about +through his own carelessness, for verily a lad who +would press on blindly at a time when he had every +reason to believe the enemy might be close about +him, was much the same as wickedly foolish.</p> + +<p>However, the mistake had been corrected in some +slight degree. Young Chris was free, so far as being +able to move around the cellar was concerned, +and Skinny had changed places with him; but now +were we all in the gravest danger, for within five +or ten minutes—say half an hour at the longest, +the lobster-backs would return.</p> + +<p>Failing to find their prisoner, it was only reasonable +to suppose they would make careful search,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> +whereupon our hiding place must be discovered. +We were free as are rats in a trap; that is to say, +we could crawl about at will, but were painfully +confined as to the scope of our movements.</p> + +<p>“We are bound to be taken as soon as the guard +comes back,” young Chris said as he brought his +story to a close, and added while glancing toward +the prisoner, “If I want to pay the debt I owe +Skinny Baker, it’s time to set about it.”</p> + +<p>“What do you count on doing?” I asked in +alarm.</p> + +<p>“Giving that Tory cur such a lesson that he won’t +be able to forget it in short order, and unless I +begin the work now, am I likely to be interrupted +before it is finished.”</p> + +<p>“But surely, young Chris, you don’t count on +striking a helpless prisoner?” I cried, catching him +by the arm, and he answered me fiercely, thus showing +that in telling the story he had not given us all +the details:</p> + +<p>“I shall be doing no differently from what he +has done a dozen times this day. I am minded that +he shall know full well what it means to be pummeled +when a fellow can’t help himself!”</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, I had no right to interfere +between young Chris and the Tory villain. +The lad had suffered through Skinner Baker during +the day, and I could not wonder that he was +burning to make reprisals, yet although I hated +that little sneak quite as much as did he, it would +have pained me severely to see him set upon while +he could not raise a hand in his own defence.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, however, I was not called upon to +interfere between young Chris and the prisoner, +for at that moment Jeremy, who had seemingly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> +been plunged in a brown study during all the time +of the story-telling, whispered hoarsely to me as +he laid a restraining hand on Chris’s shoulder:</p> + +<p>“Why should we sit here waiting for the lobster-backs +to come and take us in custody, as they +surely will, for this cellar is bound to be the first +place searched when they find that the prisoner is +missing.”</p> + +<p>“And what may we do?” I asked with a laugh +which had in it nothing of mirth. “If so be you +can point out the direction in which we stand one +single chance out of a hundred of escaping the +enemy, then am I ready to strive for that one possibility,” +I replied sharply, for it seemed to me at +the moment as if Jeremy was talking veriest nonsense.</p> + +<p>Then the lad motioned toward the charred timbers +above our heads, which lay as they had fallen +when the building was burned, and even then I +failed to understand what he strove to convey, until +he said impatiently:</p> + +<p>“Among those burned timbers are hiding places +for a dozen lads like us, and of a verity we are +needing a refuge, therefore why should we sit +here listening to stories which can be told at any +time, when we have the opportunity to put ourselves +out of the way so snugly?”</p> + +<p>Even then I doubted as to whether we might +conceal ourselves there, or, if once hidden among +the timbers, the lobster-backs could not bring us +out.</p> + +<p>However, there was a chance, if so be we were +able to crawl among the ruins, and straightway all +us lads set about making search for some means +of getting to the top of the cellar, where the timbers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> +were lodged like jackstraws just thrown on a +table ready for the player.</p> + +<p>Within five minutes I saw that Jeremy’s scheme +was possible of execution. That we could hide +ourselves there seemed certain; but whether it +might be done in such fashion that the lobster-backs +could not find us, was another matter which +would be settled later.</p> + +<p>However, as to this last there was no good reason +for anxiety. He who crosses a bridge before +he comes to it is indeed foolish.</p> + +<p>Our first task was to find an aperture amid the +ruins into which we could thrust Skinny Baker, +and you can well fancy that we lost no time in +making the search.</p> + +<p>When we had climbed up on the cellar wall +where we could have a view of that mass of half-burned +timbers, I saw that fifty boys might have +concealed themselves from view, and whispered to +Jeremy and Chris to pass me the prisoner, which +they speedily did, handling him with as little care +as if he had been a log of wood.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course he could make no protest, +owing to the gag which forced his jaws wide +apart; but there was a look of terror in his eyes +which I could see even in the darkness, and I understood +that the cowardly cur believed he was +come very near to his death.</p> + +<p>After we had hidden the prisoner young Chris +gave himself no concern regarding anything save +keeping near Skinny Baker, and I heard him whisper +in the coward’s ear as he laid himself down +alongside the lad:</p> + +<p>“Here am I counting to stay, Skinny, and if so +be your friends, the lobster-backs, are like to take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +me prisoner, I intend to choke the life out of your +worthless body before I am carried away again.”</p> + +<p>Of course Skinny could make no reply; but it +was a simple matter to fancy the expression of +terror which came over the scoundrel’s face, for +he must have known, as did I, by young Chris’s +tone, that he would keep his threat to the letter.</p> + +<p>We were all hidden amid the timbers before +there came from the outside any token that the +Britishers had returned, and then it was my heart +much the same as leaped into my mouth, when I +heard one of the lobster-backs cry sharply:</p> + +<p>“Where are the lads?”</p> + +<p>“Where you left them, of course,” another +voice replied from a distance, and the first speaker +said in a tone very like that of alarm:</p> + +<p>“But they are not here! It must be that some +of the rebel force are nearabout, else how could +they have got away, for certain it is that the Tory +lad would hold on to the boy he was so eager to +see hanged, unless separated from him by force.”</p> + +<p>Then was come the time, so I said to myself, +when we would be dragged out from our hiding +place, for there was no question whatsoever in my +mind but that the soldiers would immediately +search the cellar, since it was the only spot nearabout +where we might have taken refuge.</p> + +<p>It was all very well for the lobster-backs, while +they were safe in Philadelphia and in such large +force that there was little danger our people could +do aught of harm against them, to cry out that +our army was nothing more than rag-tag and bobtail +which might be wiped out of existence whenever +they were so disposed; but the fact remained +that every Britisher, and I’ll not except General<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> +Howe himself, had a wholesome dread and fear of +these same rebels.</p> + +<p>And it was this same fear to which we owed +our escape, for when the first soldier suggested +that some of the rebel army must be in the vicinity, +his comrades were greatly alarmed, as could +be told by the sound of their voices when they +came together near the building to discuss the +matter.</p> + +<p>We could not hear their words; but had good +reason for believing they were more disturbed in +mind regarding what might happen to themselves, +than because of the loss of the prisoner.</p> + +<p>When mayhap five minutes had passed the cold +chill of fear ran up and down my spine, for then +I understood from the noise that one of the lobster-backs +was crawling in through the cellar window, +and there was no doubt in my mind but that +they had decided to make a search of the ruins with +the expectation of finding us.</p> + +<p>That they would come upon us was almost absolutely +certain, if any decent kind of a search +was made, and I said to myself that before the +sun had risen again, would I have a taste of what +we rebels were called upon to suffer when in the +hands of that villainous jailor, Cunningham.</p> + +<p>Jeremy, who was lying two feet or more away +from me, reached out his hand to touch me on +the shoulder as if by way of sympathy, and I believe +there was in his mind much the same as had +come to mine.</p> + +<p>We could hear the second soldier entering; then +the third and the fourth, and I waited, holding +my hand over my heart lest its loud beating should +give token of our whereabouts, for them to begin<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> +their work; but to my surprise and utter amazement, +instead of making any search whatsoever +of the cellar, they were seemingly content with +crouching on the floor where we lads had been +hidden while they were on the outside.</p> + +<p>One, two, three minutes passed, and yet they +remained motionless, conversing in whispers. +Then, suddenly, it was only with the greatest difficulty +I could prevent myself from laughing aloud, +for now it was I understood that these brave soldiers +of the uniform of the king were hiding, fearing +lest that rag-tag and bobtail of an army was near +enough to do them harm.</p> + +<p>There was seemingly no longer in their minds +any thought of the prisoner whom they ought to +have guarded, or of the approaching force that +should have been warned if indeed the Americans +were nearabouts; but only the desire to save their +own skins.</p> + +<p>Now indeed were they playing much the same +part that we rebels had been forced to play, and I +shook Jeremy by the shoulder again and again, +striving to make him understand how much of +mirth there was in my heart because the lobster-backs +were so completely fooled.</p> + +<p>It did not seem possible they could remain there +many moments in hiding without coming to understand +somewhat of the truth, and yet never +a move was made by them as the moments +passed.</p> + +<p>At first they talked in whispers, as if fearing +some of that rag-tag and bobtail might be lurking +close around outside, and then, when nothing came +to harm their precious bodies, they were less +guarded in speech, while we lay there shaking with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> +mirth to hear them discussing the chances of being +able to rejoin their regiment.</p> + +<p>As the time passed, however, these valiant soldiers +of the king came to have some little regard +for the safety of their fellows, and began speculating +as to how it might be possible to give warning +that the Americans were close about in the +vicinity of Germantown.</p> + +<p>One man faintly suggested that some other +rather than himself, go out to meet the regiment +which it was known would soon come into the +village; but no fellow among them was disposed +to take upon himself such a dangerous task.</p> + +<p>Then came that suggestion which drove from +my mind all thought of merriment, and sent the +blood cold through every vein.</p> + +<p>“We might set these half-burned buildings on +fire, and our people, seeing the flames, would know +that the rebels were somewhere nearabout, or at +least be cautious in their advance.”</p> + +<p>“And what about ourselves?” one of the men +asked, whereupon he who had made this suggestion +which was like, if carried out, to bring to a speedy +end the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, replied:</p> + +<p>“We can doubtless find many such a hiding +place as this, for ruins are plenty nearabout. At +all events, the light of the flames will give the +alarm, and our forces must of a certainty come +up from Philadelphia to learn the meaning of the +fire.”</p> + +<p>They discussed the matter from every point, +but dwelling chiefly upon their own safety, until +having fully decided to build a fire under the +charred timbers, go out through the cellar window, +and trust to fortune for keeping clear of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> +American force which their imaginations had conjured +up.</p> + +<p>Then I strove as never before, to decide whether +we should take the chances of a hand-to-hand +struggle with four men who were armed, while +we had not even a club in the way of a weapon, +or remain there amid the timbers to be burned like +mice in the grass.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br> + +<small>A WARM PLACE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is needless for me to say my comrades had +heard the same which came to my ears, and I had +good proof that at least one of them was seriously +disturbed in mind, when Jeremy clutched me by +the shoulder so suddenly and with such a grip that +it was all I could do to prevent myself from crying +outright.</p> + +<p>Until this moment Skinny Baker had made no +attempt at throwing out the gag which was fastened +so securely, nor had he resisted me in any +way; but now it was that he began to squirm about +vigorously, as if using all his strength in an effort +to free himself from the bonds, for the cowardly +cur began to understand there was good chance he +would be burned to death by those same lobster-backs +whom he counted as his friends.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I understood, as did we +all, that if so be the Britishers set fire to the ruins +while we were among the timbers, then there was +no help for us save we came out to struggle empty-handed +against armed men, which would be much +the same as delivering ourselves over as prisoners.</p> + +<p>The one question was, what we should do, and +that, I realized, remained for me to answer since +I called myself the captain of the Minute Boys; +but for the life of me I could hit upon no plan +whatsoever.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>To make any attempt at a battle with these lobster-backs +was worse than useless; we had far better +walk out humbly and deliver ourselves into +their hands, than stand the chance of being mauled +about cruelly without hope of gaining anything +whatsoever in the fight.</p> + +<p>There was little time for a fellow to cast about +him as to the best course, even if there was any +best in that situation, because straightway, without +further argument, the lobster-backs began +moving here and there in search of dry stuff with +which to kindle a blaze, and there was no question +that within the next five minutes our frail hiding +place would be in flames.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Jeremy was gripping me yet more +tightly by the shoulder, and I, irritated by this +seeming insistence that I should say what ought +to be done, moved ever so cautiously toward him +until I could speak in his very ear, when I asked +impatiently:</p> + +<p>“What would you have me do? What chance +have we, save to go out and give ourselves up?”</p> + +<p>“That is to be done only at the last minute,” +the lad replied in a cautious tone, and I added angrily:</p> + +<p>“Is it in your mind that the last moment has +not yet come? It seems to me we are at the end +of our tether. There yet remains the poor hope +of fighting, with the certainty of being made prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“I would do nothing of the kind,” Jeremy replied, +and although he spoke in a whisper I fancied +I detected in his tone a ring of hope. “When the +fire has been kindled the lobster-backs must, perforce, +leave the cellar without loss of time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>“Ay, and then shall we remain here to burn, +or to follow them, as seems for the moment best,” +I added despondently, for I no longer had any +hope whatsoever.</p> + +<p>“We shall at least be able to remain alive during +a few moments, and if so be death must come, +it will not overtake us while the lobster-backs can +gloat over our sufferings,” the lad said, and I +asked incredulously, for his words, so far as he had +spoken, seemed most foolish:</p> + +<p>“Then you would remain here in hiding until +they have done their will?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Ay, until they have built the fire, and after +that there is still a fighting chance. You must remember +there is more than one opening through +which we can leave this trap, and I count on taking +the risk rather than giving myself up like a lamb to +the slaughter,” Jeremy replied boldly, and at the +same time he kicked Skinny vigorously as token +that the Tory cur must cease his struggles, else +might the lobster-backs have token of our whereabouts +before they had made ready to depart.</p> + +<p>If it so chances that anyone reads these lines +which I have set down, then I would ask him to +strive in his imagination to put himself in our place +just for a moment.</p> + +<p>Directly below us were four soldiers making +ready to build a fire, most likely under the very +spot where we were hidden, and if Jeremy Hapgood’s +plan was carried out, then must we suffer +from smoke as well as heat until the Britishers +had left the place. The cellar, at its deepest part, +was not more than five feet, and such a blaze as +they were likely to kindle would reach us almost +at the same moment it fastened itself upon the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> +timbers, therefore were we likely to get a scorching +before the flames had made any headway, if +peradventure we were not first stifled by the +smoke.</p> + +<p>However, I was of the mind to do as Jeremy +had said. From the time this company of Minute +Boys had been formed, his was ever the wisest +judgment regarding what should or should not +be done, and verily even though it had been young +Chris who suggested it, must I have followed the +plan because there was none other, save that of +meekly yielding ourselves prisoners.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that the lobster-backs had no +sooner begun hunting for dry wood than the fire +was started, and, as I had feared, the first tongues +of flame, which came up from a huge pile of +charred lumber they had dragged together, appeared +between the timbers almost directly beneath +where I lay, therefore was it that my situation +seemed likely to prove the most disagreeable, if +not the most dangerous.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Skinny continued to struggle as best +he might, Jeremy and Tim kicking him now and +then; but without avail. The Tory cur was so +frightened, as well he might be, that he gave no +heed to the punishment inflicted upon him by our +lads, but thought only of what seemed a fact—that +he, as well as we, would be burned until we +were dead.</p> + +<p>I strove to divert my mind from the pain and +from the danger, by listening intently for the movements +of the soldiers, and soon came to understand +that they had lost no time in crawling out through +the cellar window.</p> + +<p>Jeremy had been equally watchful, for when the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +last fellow went through the aperture he began +crawling toward the end of the timbers where they +had lodged against the cellar wall on the north +side, and at the same time he dragged the +struggling Tory with him, as if having more care +to save Skinny Baker from pain than to shield +himself.</p> + +<p>I would have followed close on his heels but +that young Chris had begun to move almost at the +same moment, and, following him, went Tim and +Sam, therefore was I left the last, as most like was +right, since I counted myself to be the leader and +therefore should occupy the post of greatest danger +or greatest pain.</p> + +<p>While Jeremy dragged at Skinny, the other lads +pushed the fellow along, taking no special heed as +to gentleness, and even while the smoke was curling +above me, causing my throat to smart and my +eyes to burn, I had a feeling of gratification that +the Tory cur was suffering even more than were +we, for in addition to the discomfort caused by +the blaze, was the rough handling he received from +those who were trying to force him into a place of +comparative safety.</p> + +<p>I have no very clear idea of how I came out +amid the network of timbers to the bottom of +the cellar, and there lay at full length with my face +pressed against the floor of beaten earth, striving +to free my lungs from smoke.</p> + +<p>The lads afterward told me that I would have +smothered to death, but for their pulling at me +even as they had at Skinny, because, before Sam, +who was next ahead of me, had gotten out, I was +well-nigh suffocated and had nearly lost consciousness.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>It was Jeremy who forced me to get to my feet +that we might go to the other end of the cellar, +where was the aperture through which we had +crept when making ready for the attack upon +Skinny, and once there we were able to breathe +the comparatively fresh air, giving the greatest +relief, I think, I ever experienced in all my life.</p> + +<p>The cellar was not large. Already were the +timbers aflame and the heat was growing exceeding +painful, yet we gave little or no heed to it, owing +to the pleasure of filling our lungs with that +sweet night air.</p> + +<p>I noted that the gag had been taken from Skinny’s +mouth, and young Chris, the last member +of the party whom I would have credited with +kindly feelings toward the Tory cur, explained, +when he saw I noticed the fact, that he had removed +it with threats to kill the lad if he made +an outcry, because of wanting to save him from +the pain of suffocation such as we had all experienced.</p> + +<p>During an instant I believed such a move to be +unwise in the extreme, for Skinny had but to raise +his voice in order to give the lobster-backs to understand +that someone remained in the cellar; but +Jeremy whispered:</p> + +<p>“Have no fear he will try to give an alarm. +He knows full well what will be the result, for I +have promised to kill him in cold blood if he makes +the slightest noise, and, besides, he is so nearly +suffocated that I question if he could do very much +more than squeak.”</p> + +<p>Well, we stood there breathing in the sweet +air, and feeling uncomfortably warm, while one +might have counted twenty, and then I was so far<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> +recovered from the effects of the smoke as to realize +that now was come the time when we must run +some risks if we would save ourselves from a most +painful death.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I said to the lads, not fearing +to speak in an ordinary tone because the crackling +of the flames would drown my voice from any who +might be outside:</p> + +<p>“I count on venturing forth now. If so be you +hear an outcry, then look about you for some other +means of escape, even though I question if there +be any, for you will know that I have been taken +prisoner. If peradventure the coast be clear, you +shall hear of it at once, and must follow without +loss of time, for if we are to make our escape this +night, it is to be done in short order, before the +flames have gotten sufficient headway to light up +the village.”</p> + +<p>No one made any attempt at staying me as I +crept out through the aperture. All knew that this +was the only course to be pursued, and perhaps he +who might be taken prisoner by the Britishers +would suffer even less than those who remained +behind too long.</p> + +<p>So eager was I to learn what we might expect +on the outside, that I gave but little heed to caution, +forcing myself out through the narrow opening +as rapidly as possible, and once beyond the +wall of the cellar, I stood up, regardless of whoever +might see me, in order to have a better view of the +surroundings.</p> + +<p>Verily it seemed as if the same kindly fortune +which had watched over us thus far, still had us +lads in mind, for never a living being was in sight. +The lobster-backs must have fled in the opposite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +direction, and if so be we could get beyond the +rays of light within a short time, then was there +yet a possibility of our going free.</p> + +<p>I could have cried aloud with joy because of +this fortunate circumstance; but there was no time +in which to rejoice just then, and, bending down +with my face to the aperture, I said hurriedly to +Jeremy, who was standing by to learn what I might +have discovered:</p> + +<p>“No one is in sight. Come as quickly as you +can, for as yet the flames are not casting any light +in this direction, the ruins being afire only at the +further end.”</p> + +<p>There was no need for me to say more. Almost +before I had ceased speaking was Skinny Baker +thrust through without ceremony, and as he came +out much like a log of wood, I grasped him by the +throat lest he make an outcry.</p> + +<p>“You needn’t fear that I’ll try to do you any +harm,” the cowardly cur said whimperingly when +I relaxed my hold sufficiently for him to speak. +“I have had enough of this fighting for the king, +and am done with it from now on.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t fancy for a single moment, Skinny +Baker, that I or any of our party are afraid of +what you may do, and as regards your fighting for +the king, you never have done so thus far. Your +work, whatsoever it has been, was that of a sneak’s, +and if you fancy I am inclined to believe you are +done with meddling in this trouble ’twixt the king +and the colonies, then you take me for a greater +simple than I really am.”</p> + +<p>By this time the other lads were out of the cellar, +and Jeremy seized Skinny by one arm while I +held him by the other, forcing him to bend low<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +that we might thereby stand less chance of being +seen.</p> + +<p>Then we three, followed by our comrades, ran +at full speed straight away from this place of refuge +which had like to have been our tomb, heeding +not where we went so that we might gain the cover +of darkness amid the bushes beyond.</p> + +<p>I believe we ran a full half-mile without stopping, +and then were come to a bunch of willows +growing by the side of a small brook, where we +threw ourselves down, not only to rest and regain +breath, but to decide upon some course of action, +for this travelling at random was like to be dangerous +work while the Britishers were nearabout, as +we had good reason for believing.</p> + +<p>However, the enemy was not so near our halting +place that we could hear or see anything of him, +and straightway, as soon as it was possible to +speak, Jeremy said to me:</p> + +<p>“I’m thinking, Richard, that our best course is +to make an attempt at getting to Valley Forge, unless +the lads are minded that we shall set this Tory +free.”</p> + +<p>“That we won’t do,” young Chris cried quickly +and stoutly. “I am determined that he shall be +held a prisoner so long as pleases me, even though +I take the chances of going to the gallows every +hour in the day.”</p> + +<p>“But what will you do with him?” Jeremy +asked, and I replied:</p> + +<p>“We might send him to Valley Forge, and if so +be the Weaver of Germantown yet remains there, +I guarantee that he will hold him close prisoner +during a certain time at least.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“<i>Send</i> him back,” Timothy repeated. “Have +you no idea of going yourself, Richard Salter?”</p> + +<p>“No,” I replied, and my plans were made on the +instant. “We were ordered to go back to Philadelphia +that we might be there in case of need, +and I count on obeying the command, regardless +of any such miserable whelp as Skinny Baker.”</p> + +<p>“I will go with you, as a matter of course,” +Jeremy said quietly, as if there could have been +no question as to what he would do. “Why not +let the other lads take charge of Skinny, and find +their way either to Swede’s Ford, or Valley Forge, +as the case may be?”</p> + +<p>Not only did this appear to be a good plan, but +it was the only thing I could think of at the moment. +Although it was impossible to guess how +we might be of service to the colonies when we +were once hiding in the Jolly Tar inn, I felt that +we must go there because of having been sent, and +owing to the fact that the Weaver of Germantown, +believing us to be there, might lay out some important +work for us to do.</p> + +<p>It would be more easy for two of us to gain +that hiding place while the lobster-backs were +stirred up, as we had every reason to believe they +must be, than for the entire party, and surely we +could not hope to take Skinny with us, nor would +it be safe to make the attempt. As I looked at +the matter, I could say in the words of the old +adage, that the game was not worth the candle.</p> + +<p>Better that Tory scoundrel went free and unpunished, +than that we should fail of being at our +post of duty whenever we were needed, and just +at the moment I had little care what became of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> +Skinny; but young Chris settled the matter without +much parley, by saying:</p> + +<p>“I am more inclined for Valley Forge than +Philadelphia, just now, and count that Skinny shall +have ample knowledge of what it means to be a +prisoner. If so be none of the rest of you are +of the same mind, I shall go on with him alone; +but certain it is that whatever plans you may make, +it will be necessary to count me out, unless they +are formed with the idea of holding this young cur +in our power.”</p> + +<p>“Timothy and Sam shall go with you,” I replied +promptly, as if having already decided upon +such course. “Jeremy and I will strike out for +Philadelphia, and if so be you come upon the +Weaver of Germantown in the camp, tell him that +we count on gaining the Jolly Tar inn if we live +sufficiently long.”</p> + +<p>Then I would have given the lads instructions +as to how they should proceed, and perhaps very +much advice that might not have been of any +avail, for it seemed to me that as captain of the +Minute Boys it was my duty to instruct each and +every one of them, even though they might know +more concerning the matter under discussion than +did I; but young Chris was not minded to listen.</p> + +<p>His one fear was that the Britishers might come +stealthily upon us, thus giving Skinny an opportunity +to escape, and just at that time the baker’s +son had more care to holding the young Tory prisoner, +than he had for his own safety.</p> + +<p>Without a word of farewell, or even waiting to +learn what Tim and Sam thought of the proposition, +he pulled Skinny Baker roughly to his feet +and started off, crossing the stream and going, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> +I fancied, in the direction of the river, which would +be his proper course since it must bring him directly +to Swede’s Ford, from which place he +could get information as to the location of Valley +Forge.</p> + +<p>“I suppose it is our duty to follow him,” Tim +said ruefully as he rose to his feet. “You are right, +Richard, about its being easier for two lads to go +through the city of Philadelphia just now, than for +five, therefore am I minded to do as you commanded; +but it would please me much better to +share with you and Jeremy all the dangers.”</p> + +<p>“There is an equal amount of danger in making +the attempt to gain Valley Forge,” I replied, striving +hard to speak in a cheery tone. “You know full +well that the Britishers are nearabout; they may be +between us and Swede’s Ford even now, therefore +are you as likely to come upon them to your grief, +as are Jeremy and I.”</p> + +<p>Tim turned quickly and followed young Chris, +as indeed he had need to, for the baker’s son was +moving so swiftly that in a few seconds he would +have been lost to view in the gloom.</p> + +<p>Then Sam wheeled about as if unwillingly, and +finally he also disappeared from our view, while +Jeremy and I lay there on the ground, each striving +to read the thoughts of the other concerning the +attempt to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for verily, after +all that had happened, it would be a most dangerous +venture.</p> + +<p>By this time our late hiding place was in flames; +we could see in the distance the sky lighted up as +if by a great conflagration, telling that more than +one of the ruins had been fired by the lobster-backs, +and there was every reason to believe that their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> +scheme of alarming the Britishers in Philadelphia +would be successful.</p> + +<p>At that particular time, after having been nearly +frightened to death and then outwitted by a mere +boy, General Howe would not be in an enviable +mood, and I could well fancy that all in the city +who wore the king’s uniform and carried muskets, +would be called out to defend his high mightiness +against the rag-tag and bobtail that were suddenly +becoming so active.</p> + +<p>Were it not that I must cut this story short because +of knowing that the time is near at hand +when I, who am now regularly enlisted in the Continental +army, will be called upon for service, I +could set down many words concerning our efforts +to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for the way was not +smooth nor readily traversed.</p> + +<p>I hardly need say that we followed down the +river, not only because it seemed to us to be out +of the way of the Britishers, if so be they came up +to Germantown to learn the cause of the conflagration, +but also that we might come upon the city on +a course that was familiar to us.</p> + +<p>Even though we were thus beyond what would +naturally be the line of march for those who were +going to Germantown, did we come upon squad +after squad, company after company, of lobster-backs, +who were hurrying forward as if believing +the Americans were ready to give them battle.</p> + +<p>At such times Jeremy and I hid ourselves in the +thicket, or plunged into the river and remained +there with only our heads above the surface, oftentimes +forced to halt a full hour until the enemy had +passed.</p> + +<p>When morning came we were yet a considerable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> +distance from our destination, and it was not needed +any should tell us that we must remain in hiding +during the hours of daylight.</p> + +<p>We went back from the river near to half a mile +before finding a thicket which would seem to serve +our purpose, and there, without food, and suffering +from the heat, for the day was exceeding warm +even though so early in the spring, we remained +with more or less of patience until another night +had come, when we set out, forced to make many a +detour before finally arriving at the tavern.</p> + +<p>We gained the rear of the building early in the +morning—perhaps two o’clock,—and it was in +my mind that we would not be able to arouse Master +Targe without danger of being overheard by +some of his Tory neighbours; but, greatly to my +surprise, no sooner had I tapped on the door ever +so gently, than it was opened, and the sour-visaged +landlord bade us enter quickly that he might not +seem to have his inn open at such an hour.</p> + +<p>“Were you expecting us, Master Targe?” I +asked in surprise, and he replied gruffly:</p> + +<p>“I counted on your being here last night.”</p> + +<p>“Why could you have supposed we would have +come then?” Jeremy asked in amazement, and the +man gave answer as if he was unwilling even to +speak:</p> + +<p>“Those of us who are striving to lend a hand +to the colonies, have means of communicating with +each other now and then. You lads must not hug +to yourselves the idea that you are the only messengers +which come ’twixt Philadelphia and Valley +Forge. Now you will get into the room you know +so well, in order to be prepared for to-morrow’s +work.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>“Do you know what there may be for us to do, +sir?” I asked in astonishment, yet striving to figure +out how this man could have heard that we should +have arrived the night previous.</p> + +<p>“You will be told when the time for work comes,” +was all the reply he would make, and when we +made to linger, he actually forced us along the passage +and up the stairs as if afraid we might be seen +by someone already in the house, or that we might +see more than he intended for our eyes.</p> + +<p>I took notice of the fact that Master Targe +locked the chamber door on the outside, thus making +us much the same as prisoners, and although we +had good reason for knowing the innkeeper was a +friend to the Cause, else the Weaver of Germantown +would not have made of this house a rendezvous, +yet was there an unpleasant suspicion in my +mind that foul play might be intended, therefore I +said as much to Jeremy when we had thrown ourselves +down on the bed of straw.</p> + +<p>“There is neither need nor sense in borrowing +trouble, Richard Salter. We have been sent to this +place, and I would have come even though knowing +beyond a peradventure that Master Targe was a +Tory who would do us all the harm in his power. +We have obeyed orders as Minute Boys should, and +without question, therefore, since we have been +so lucky as to escape the lobster-backs all the way +from Germantown here, let us be satisfied.”</p> + +<p>“I can easily be satisfied with what we ourselves +have done, and at the same time feel disagreeable in +mind concerning the future,” was my reply; but +Jeremy had no mind to continue the conversation, +and within five minutes his loud breathing told that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> +he had fallen asleep, therefore I could do no less +than follow his example.</p> + +<p>When I was next conscious of my surroundings +Master Targe had entered the room and was shaking +me roughly, saying when I opened my eyes in a +dazed manner, as does one who is rudely aroused:</p> + +<p>“It is time for you to be moving, Richard Salter. +There are no minutes to be lost just now, for verily +has the time come when we who love the Cause +must bestir ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“What would you have me do?” I asked, springing +to my feet on the instant and thoroughly wide +awake, for such a speech as this was well calculated +to put a fellow in possession of all his faculties, and +the reply which the innkeeper gave was such as +caused me to start back in astonishment and fear.</p> + +<p>“I would have you go at once to your mother’s +home. The lobster-backs who lodge there are now +at headquarters, as I have just received information, +and if so be you meet with no one on the street +who knows you, then will it be possible to gain admittance +unobserved by the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“But surely I will be made prisoner as soon as +the officers come back,” I replied, and it is not certain +but my voice trembled, for it seemed to me that +of all the work which we lads who called ourselves +Minute Boys had done, this venturing into my own +home where were lodging three of his majesty’s officers, +was the most perilous.</p> + +<p>“If your mother cannot find a hiding place for +her son, then we may truly say there is none on +this earth for him,” Master Targe replied grimly, +and after an instant’s hesitation I asked:</p> + +<p>“Once there, what would you have me do?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>“It is positive that the Britishers are about to +make some move, most like against our people at +Valley Forge. Your mother will do all she may +to overhear what is said between her lodgers; but +it would not be possible, under ordinary circumstances, +for her to get out of doors at a late hour +in the night to tell us of that which has been learned, +therefore you are to stay there and act as her messenger.”</p> + +<p>I breathed more freely, knowing that the lodgers +never went around the house, save from the street-door +to their own rooms, and had no question but +that if it was simply a matter of remaining hidden, +it could readily be done. Besides, I had for +the instant forgotten the pleasure which would be +mine in being with my mother once more, and now +was I as eager to set off as a moment previous I had +been halting.</p> + +<p>“Be very careful, Richard Salter, even as you +walk through the streets, for word has come to me +since daylight that we who have tried to aid the +Weaver of Germantown are in great danger. I +have sent out a messenger to meet him, fearing lest +he should come down from Valley Forge without +giving due warning.”</p> + +<p>“Do the lobster-backs know that he has been playing +the spy?” Jeremy asked in a tremulous voice, +and Master Targe replied, as he let his hands fall +by his side in token of helplessness:</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, God help him and us, they do. How +the suspicion can have been set on foot I fail of understanding.”</p> + +<p>I would have lingered to ask further questions, +but that Master Targe pushed me roughly toward +the door as he said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>“Go out by the rear entrance; your comrade will +stay here, and if so be you have word to bring me in +the night, knock softly twice on the window of the +tap-room. You may be certain I shall remain on +guard there to await your coming.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I hurried home, taking due +care, as I was well like to do after having been +warned by the innkeeper, lest I come upon the lobster-backs.</p> + +<p>It was not a difficult matter for a lad who knew +the city as well as did I, to avoid Britishers, for one +could go across this garden or through that alley +without much risk of being looked upon as a fugitive +during the time of daylight.</p> + +<p>Of the meeting with my mother I shall say nothing. +It can readily be fancied how joyful it was, +and how great was my pleasure at being with the +dear woman once more.</p> + +<p>It was a full half-hour that she held me in the +kitchen, asking what I had done and how much of +danger I had been in, and pressing me now and then +against her breast fervently as she prayed aloud +that I might be spared to her—to her, a widow, +whose only son I was.</p> + +<p>As for the hiding place, that was arranged in a +simple manner. Directly over the kitchen was a +loft which we used as a store-place for odds and +ends, and there I made for myself a bed where it +was possible to hear my mother as she moved to +and fro.</p> + +<p>For the first time since I had pledged myself to +act as one of the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, did +I feel that I was no longer in danger from those +who served the king.</p> + +<p>I believe I had thus remained in fancied security<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> +no more than one hour, hugging myself mentally +because of finding that my work as Minute Boy was +cast in such pleasant places so suddenly, and then +came those tidings which well-nigh caused my heart +to stand still.</p> + +<p>I heard the kitchen door open suddenly, and a +hoarse voice ask hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Are you alone, Mistress Salter? Are your +lodgers in the house?”</p> + +<p>“They have not been here since morning.”</p> + +<p>“And Richard?”</p> + +<p>“He is nearabout,” my mother replied guardedly.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I recognized Baker Ludwig’s +voice, as he said sufficiently loud to be heard in my +hiding place:</p> + +<p>“God help us who love the Cause, and may God +help the colonies! Much that we in Philadelphia +have done is known to General Howe, by what +means I cannot say. Within the hour Master +Targe, landlord of the Jolly Tar inn, has been +arrested, and there was found in his house, hiding in +one of the back rooms, Jeremy Hapgood, who, as I +know, was concerned with your son and mine aiding +the Weaver of Germantown in his work.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br> + +<small>A NARROW ESCAPE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is little need for me to speak of the terror +which flooded my heart as I heard this announcement +of Master Ludwig’s, for verily did it seem as +if the end was come for us who had striven to aid +the colonies.</p> + +<p>From what Skinny Baker had told when he was +released from imprisonment under the lumber pile, +the Britishers knew that a certain number of us lads +were banded together as Minute Boys for the purpose +of doing whatsoever might come to hand that +would aid the Cause; but most like up to that time +they had not been aware of the part played by the +innkeeper of the Jolly Tar.</p> + +<p>Now, however, all this had been made known to +them in some mysterious manner, and I had no +doubt but every last one of us would be hunted down +that we might be brought to answer for what had +been done against the king, even though it was so +slight and so poor in results.</p> + +<p>My brain was in such a whirl, and the terror +which beset me was so overwhelming, that during +a certain time I was hardly aware of what took +place around me, and then I realized that Master +Ludwig was giving my mother yet further information +regarding all this trouble that had come upon us.</p> + +<p>Striving to put behind me the fear which caused +every limb to tremble as if I was afflicted with an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> +ague fit, I threw myself at full length on the floor in +order that I might hear the better.</p> + +<p>I could only guess at what Master Ludwig had +said during that time when I was entirely given +over to fear; but that which he was saying now +threw a little light on the terrible matter.</p> + +<p>“Something happened at Germantown last night +which gave the Britishers a fine fright, and perchance +your son may be able to tell us what it was. +At all events, several of the half-burned houses +were set on fire, and when the Britishers gathered +there, believing our people were about to make an +attack, it was learned that a party of boys—yours +and mine among them, Mistress Salter—had rescued +a prisoner from a squad of lobster-backs. +What was more to the purpose, they took another +in exchange, disappearing almost immediately afterward. +How it chanced that they were tracked to +the Jolly Tar inn I cannot say; but some friend to +the king must have seen them entering that tavern, +and Master Targe was arrested. We will hope they +have no other proof that he has served us of the +colonies.”</p> + +<p>Then it was my mother told Master Ludwig +where I was hidden, and straightway the baker came +up into the loft, asking anxiously if I knew aught +concerning young Chris.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, I told him how we had +rescued the lad after Skinny Baker had succeeded +in causing his arrest, and the story pleased Master +Ludwig amazingly.</p> + +<p>He clapped me on the shoulder again and again, +chuckling meanwhile to himself as if he had heard +something most comical, and seemingly forgetting +for the time the peril which surrounded us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span>As a matter of fact, he need have had no concern +for young Chris, who was most likely at that +moment safe at Valley Forge. But it seemed to +me in my fearsome trouble, that he should have +taken into account that Jeremy was a prisoner with +the awful charge of being a spy hanging over him, +while I must flee for my life, for if peradventure the +Britishers knew I was concerned in this last matter, +or if I was one of the two who entered the Jolly +Tar inn the night previous, then would my mother’s +house be searched without loss of time.</p> + +<p>As this idea came into my mind I started up +feverishly, crying out, with little heed as to who +might hear me:</p> + +<p>“I must make every effort to leave the city, and +at once! There is no safety for me now save with +our army!”</p> + +<p>“Sit ye down, lad,” Master Ludwig said kindly, +as he forced me back upon the makeshift for a bed +which I had arranged. “It is certain the lobster-backs +have not mixed you up in this business, else +would your mother’s house have been searched long +ere this. I grant you there is but one course, and +that to join our forces at Valley Forge; but let us +consider how it may best be brought about, for I +warrant you agree with me that it is not exactly safe +for you to walk boldly through the streets of the +town.”</p> + +<p>“But I dare not wait until nightfall!” I cried, +and now so great was my fear that most like I acted +as if having lost all my wits.</p> + +<p>Young Chris’s father took me by the hand, as he +said in a most kindly tone:</p> + +<p>“I would not ask you, Richard Salter, to remain +here a single moment if I did not believe it to be for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> +the best. When I heard that Master Targe had +been arrested, the fear in my mind was that everything +had been discovered by the enemy. Now, +however, I am inclined to believe it was a matter +of accident—that you two lads were seen by some +sneaking Tory to enter the house, and the innkeeper +taken into custody on suspicion, else would the lobster-backs +have been here in Drinker’s alley long +since.”</p> + +<p>“But even though all this be true, it stands me in +hand to leave the city as soon as may be, if for no +other purpose than that I may warn the Weaver of +Germantown,” I cried. “It was his purpose to +come into Philadelphia soon—I believe within the +next four and twenty hours, and unless he can be +told of what has taken place, then is he certain to +go directly to the Jolly Tar. Having done so, he +will be made a prisoner on the moment, for it stands +to reason the lobster-backs are watching that place, +holding it open as they would a trap, for those who +have been in the custom of visiting Master Targe.”</p> + +<p>“I understand full well, Richard Salter, that you +must not only leave the city as soon as may be, but +also get word to Valley Forge. Before you make +the attempt, however, I will go out around the town +with my ears open, and hear what is said on the +streets. Wait patiently until my return, for I promise +not to be away above an hour.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I could do no less than +Master Ludwig suggested, for surely a difference +of sixty minutes in the time of my departure would +neither make nor mar the effort to escape.</p> + +<p>Young Chris’s father went straightway out into +the street, my mother coming into the loft as soon +as he had gone and taking me in her arms as if I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +was once more a baby, rocked herself to and fro as +she pressed me tightly to her breast, much as though +believing my last hour on this earth was near at +hand.</p> + +<p>So great was her grief and so vivid her terror, +that I longed most ardently for the return of the +baker that I might set off without loss of time. +Action, however dangerous, was far preferable to +remaining there witnessing the dear woman’s grief +and hearing her forebodings in my behalf.</p> + +<p>I dare say young Chris’s father returned speedily, +although it seemed to me he had been gone a full +half-day. On returning, instead of knocking at the +kitchen door to warn us of his coming, he entered +without ceremony, making his way directly to the +loft, and saying as soon as he was there:</p> + +<p>“I believe, Richard, that you had best make the +venture now. I have visited all the coffee-houses +where the lobster-backs most do congregate, and +failed to hear anything to cause great alarm. It is +true that you and Jeremy Hapgood were seen to +enter the Jolly Tar inn at a late hour last night, or, +perhaps I should say, at an early hour this morning, +and the fact that the door was opened immediately +you arrived, showed the watcher, whoever he might +be, that your coming was expected. Therefore it +was reasonable to suppose you were engaged in some +business which was unlawful in the sight of the +king’s soldiers.”</p> + +<p>“And they know no more than that Jeremy and +I visited the tavern this morning?” I cried, feeling +as if a great burden had been rolled from my shoulders.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, that seems to be the substance of it; +but from what I heard here and there, it appears<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> +that the lobster-backs have an idea they may be able +to get more information, if peradventure they can +find the second boy, meaning you. It is evident +that neither Master Targe nor Jeremy Hapgood +have thus far been induced to tell who you are, and +the chances for your getting away just now seem +to me better than if you waited until the thick-headed +Britishers have come to suspect that perhaps +the son of Mistress Salter, who has before been +detected in treasonable acts, might have been +Jeremy’s companion.”</p> + +<p>It can well be understood that after such advice +as this I did not linger in my mother’s house. I +was as eager to begin the venture as Master Ludwig +was to have me go, and, kissing my mother +fervently, I went down the narrow stairway into +the kitchen, wondering whether I would ever be +able to return.</p> + +<p>Before I could unlatch the door my mother was +close by my side, insisting that I stop sufficiently +long for her to fill my pockets with food, and I could +do no less than allow her such poor comfort.</p> + +<p>Young Chris’s father had come from the loft before +I was again ready to set off, and, shaking me +heartily by the hand, bade me tell his son to remain +at Valley Forge, or wheresoever the American army +might be, until the Britishers had left Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>“They are to leave, Richard. They are soon to +evacuate this city even though our people do not +raise a hand against them, for by this time they have +begun to understand that no good can come of remaining +here in idleness. You boys are to be cautious. +Do not force yourselves to the front when +a service of peril is to be performed; but, also, do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> +not shirk danger if so be you are called upon to +meet it.”</p> + +<p>Then I was in the alley, walking rapidly and yet +striving not to appear in a hurry; having a certain +sense of relief because I was in the open air and +could no longer see the grief of my mother, and +fancying that every shadow was a lobster-back who +had been sent to take me in custody.</p> + +<p>I walked directly across the city without being +molested in any way. Those whom I passed, and +you may be certain I did not allow any to come +near me if so be there was an alley-way in which to +hide myself, gave no more heed than if I had been +a homeless dog.</p> + +<p>Having gotten beyond where the houses were set +thickly together, I began to believe that all danger +was over—that I had once more come out from +among the lobster-backs without harm. There was +a song of thanksgiving in my heart, and I burned +to cry aloud in my joy, when suddenly, as I passed +an outbuilding nearby Isaac Norris’s storehouse, +not dreaming there was anyone in the vicinity, a man +stepped out from behind it, and, suddenly catching +me by the coat collar viciously, drew me quickly +back within the shadow of the trees.</p> + +<p>Wriggling to the best of my strength, I contrived +to look up into the man’s face, and then did my +heart grow heavy as lead in my breast, for he who +held me so securely was none other than Master +Baker, Skinny’s father!</p> + +<p>Then did I say to myself that now verily was I +much the same as in the custody of the Britishers, +for this venomous Tory, knowing something of what +I had already done to his son, and most like guessing +a portion of the rest, would not allow the grass to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> +grow under his feet, until he had turned me over to +the lobster-backs as a dangerous spy.</p> + +<p>During a full half-minute I gazed at him and he +at me, the one most likely speculating as to how he +could best avenge the injury done his son, and the +other, as I know full well, wondering whether, with +such a charge as Master Baker could make against +him, he would be able to remain long away from +the gallows.</p> + +<p>“Do you know where my son is, Richard Salter?” +Skinny’s father asked sharply as he shook +me vigorously by the coat collar, and, without stopping +to reflect upon what might be the result of such +an answer; but counting only on giving proof that +I was not so chicken-hearted as his cur of a boy, I +replied without hesitation:</p> + +<p>“Ay, Master Baker, he is most like in Valley +Forge, at least, he was headed that way when last +I saw him.”</p> + +<p>“So then you have been concerned again in +treasonable acts against the king?” the man snarled, +and although my peril was great, it pleased me wondrously +that I could thus aggravate him.</p> + +<p>“How long since has it been an act against the +king to serve Skinny out as he deserves?” I cried +mockingly. “Verily his majesty will be kept busy +if he concerns himself with those who would give +your son that which he has earned.”</p> + +<p>“It is not well for you to be so flippant, Richard +Salter, for now is it in my power to send you to +prison, and from there, mayhap, to the gallows.”</p> + +<p>“I grant you all that, Master Baker,” I replied, +and was even myself astonished because the fear +which previously beset me had now passed away, leaving +my mind as free from care as if there had never<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> +been such a person in all the world as Skinny +Baker’s father, or his majesty of England. “I +grant you all that, and if so be it is brought about, +then may you count to a certainty your son will be +served the same dose, for I guarantee he will be +closely guarded until I am once more at Valley +Forge to show that I have come through this city in +safety. What happens to me here, will happen to +Skinny at Valley Forge, make no mistake regarding +that, Master Baker.”</p> + +<p>It was a threat uttered at random; an idea which +had come into my mind on the spur of the moment, +and yet it told as if the words were true as Holy +Writ.</p> + +<p>Master Baker half staggered back while his face +paled, and I understood he fully believed all I +had told him, for indeed it would not have been +strange had we lads agreed with the Weaver of +Germantown that Skinny should be held as hostage +for the safe return of Jeremy and me.</p> + +<p>In fact, if we had not been thick-headed, we might +have hit upon some such plan; but even though we +had not, the threat which I thus made at random +served nearly as good a purpose as if it had been +the truth.</p> + +<p>Master Baker shook me violently, as if he would +thus relieve his feelings and perhaps force a different +story from my lips, and when he was done with +such exercise, I, looking him full in the face, asked +tauntingly:</p> + +<p>“Well, why do you not take me to General +Howe’s headquarters, and repeat that which I have +just told you?”</p> + +<p>“Did my son know that whatsoever was done to +you here in Philadelphia would be meted out to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> +him?” Master Baker asked after a brief pause, and +I replied without hesitation, as if it was a well-known +fact:</p> + +<p>“Ay, he must have, else had he lost his ears. I +dare say it will please him greatly to know that +whatsoever comes to him is due to the act of his +father.”</p> + +<p>If I had struck Master Baker full in the face he +could not have shrunk back more quickly, or given +evidence of keener pain, and I fancied his grip on +my collar was slightly relaxed.</p> + +<p>Like a flash of light came to me the idea that it +might yet be possible to escape from Skinny’s +father, and, exerting all my strength, I wheeled +about even as he held me firmly, lowering my head +and butting him full in the pit of the stomach with +such force that he was thrown against the side of +the building with a thud that caused him to grunt +like a pig.</p> + +<p>You can well fancy that I did not lose a single +second before setting off in flight.</p> + +<p>Whether it was that I had dealt the man such a +blow as to render him incapable of pursuit, or if he +hesitated to raise the hue and cry against me because +of that fate which might come to his son, I +cannot say; but certain it is that within two minutes +after having delivered the blow, I was running +behind the ropewalk toward the river a good two +squares away from Skinny’s father, while never a +sound could I hear from the rear.</p> + +<p>It seemed hardly possible, when Master Baker +had his grip on my coat collar, that I could escape, +for the venomous Tory was bent on gaining revenge +because of what had been done to his son.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_296a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_296a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">BUTTING HIM FULL IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span>Yet I had given him the slip, although it could +not have been done but for the fact that he, like +Skinny, was a coward, and when I had made up +that story which shall not be set down against me +as a lie, because my life was trembling in the balance, +he was not brave enough to say that his son +should bear, for the good of the king, what might +come to him.</p> + +<p>Instead of showing himself a man, he was so far +overcome by my words, together with the blow +which I gave him in the stomach, as to literally be +reduced to helplessness.</p> + +<p>However, now that I was free it might be only for +the moment, and I had no reason for loitering anywhere +in the vicinity of Philadelphia, therefore set +off stoutly, yet not rapidly because of the necessity +of keeping a sharp lookout ahead.</p> + +<p>To run into a squad of lobster-backs just at this +time would have been much the same as if Master +Baker had taken me to headquarters, and however +good an excuse I might have presented for being in +that vicinity, I knew full well it would not be received +by whosoever came across me.</p> + +<p>It was certain now, after all which had happened, +that anyone caught while seemingly making an +attempt to leave the city, would be forced to give a +mighty strict account of himself.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I kept on steadily but slowly, +until when, as nearly as I could say, it was nigh to +noon, I saw in the distance, and coming toward me, +a figure which looked strangely familiar, yet I dared +not risk the chance of being seen.</p> + +<p>Taking advantage of the first clump of bushes +which grew near at hand, I hid myself in a clumsy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> +fashion and waited mayhap ten minutes, when I +saw that he from whom I had thus screened myself +was none other than Timothy Bowers.</p> + +<p>One can well fancy the joy which came into my +heart when I sprang out of the hiding place, startling +Timothy nearly into shrieking, and we two lads, +clasping hands, went back amid the thicket where +we could talk without danger of being seen.</p> + +<p>I was eager first to know why he had left Valley +Forge when there was so little he could do in +Philadelphia, and so much of danger to be encountered; +but straightway learned that so far no information +had been taken to the American camp +of Master Targe’s arrest, and indeed, had I given +the matter proper consideration, I would have understood +that there had not been time for any friend +of the Cause, however zealous, to have gained the +American army.</p> + +<p>Timothy had been sent by the Weaver of Germantown +with a message to the innkeeper, which +was to the effect that he should meet the Weaver +among the ruined buildings of Germantown on the +following morning; but for what purpose, as a matter +of course, the lad did not know.</p> + +<p>Then it was I told my comrade of all which had +occurred in the city, and his face grew pale because +of the danger to which I had been exposed, though +I dare venture to say he gave not a single thought +to the possibility that he himself was in the greater +peril because of Master Targe’s having been taken +into custody.</p> + +<p>Of course there was now no reason for Timothy +to continue on. He could not come upon the innkeeper +save he was carried into prison under arrest, +and it appeared to both of us as of the highest consequence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> +that information concerning the trouble +be taken to Valley Forge without delay.</p> + +<p>Having arrived at this decision we set off at +once, and had walked well-nigh to two miles before +realizing that if the Weaver of Germantown kept +the appointment he would have supposed to be made +with Master Targe, then might we pass him in the +night, for it was reasonable to believe he would +leave Valley Forge before sunset.</p> + +<p>Therefore I said to Timothy that we might save +ourselves both labor and time by halting at Germantown, +and waiting there for the coming of the +man who was doing so much, as a spy, in aid of the +Cause.</p> + +<p>When we had decided that this would be the +proper course, then came the thought that we might +not be able to find the Weaver, because it was likely +he had some hiding place there, and we could come +upon him only by merest chance.</p> + +<p>However, it seemed necessary we should strive +to get this chance, since there was but little question +that if we kept on to Valley Forge during the hours +of darkness we would be likely to pass him on the +road, and thus he be allowed to run into danger +without knowing what awaited him since the arrest +of Master Targe.</p> + +<p>In this case fortune favoured us Minute Boys as +it seemed she had since the first day we agreed to +do whatsoever we might in behalf of the Cause.</p> + +<p>We were hardly more than come to Germantown, +and were roaming around amid the half-burned +buildings trying to decide where we would seek a +shelter, when we came full upon the man we were +seeking.</p> + +<p>It appeared, as we learned afterward, that he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> +been securely hidden in a snug place well-known +to himself, and saw us approach that building where +we were so nearly burned to death, therefore came +out to greet us.</p> + +<p>In the fewest words possible, I told him of all +that had happened in Philadelphia since I arrived +there.</p> + +<p>To my great surprise he did not appear deeply +concerned regarding the matter. I had supposed he +would at least show some signs of grief because +Master Targe was in peril of his life, and instead +he said quietly and in a matter-of-fact tone:</p> + +<p>“Then we must make the move so much the +sooner, and depend upon others for information.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, I supposed he meant that +it would be necessary to depend upon someone for +further information from Philadelphia, therefore +was more than astonished when he said, as if fancying +we understood the entire situation:</p> + +<p>“There is no longer any reason why we linger +here. I had best retrace my steps, and you shall +come with me. Although the British are not overly +fond of loitering around the ruins which they themselves +have made, it will be better if we put a +greater distance between them and us.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you will go where, sir?” Timothy +asked, and the Weaver of Germantown replied +as if surprised because such a question was +necessary:</p> + +<p>“To Valley Forge, as a matter of course. There +we will make our preparations for the next step, +and the work cannot be pushed forward any too +quickly, for, unless all signs fail us, General Clinton +will make a movement of some kind right +speedily.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>“General Clinton, sir?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad. Do you not know that he has taken +over the command of the British forces in Philadelphia?”</p> + +<p>I had heard somewhat of the kind, and yet gave +no particular heed to the fact. It mattered little +to us rebels, as I believed, who held command of +the lobster-backs, so that it was one of the king’s +officers who would do whatsoever he might toward +working us an injury.</p> + +<p>Without waiting for further conversation the +Weaver of Germantown set off at a rapid pace in +the direction of Valley Forge, and we lads followed +perforce, since there was nothing else for us except +to seek refuge with those who would do what they +might toward saving us from the enemy.</p> + +<p>By this time I was beginning to know thoroughly +well the trail between the headquarters of the American +army, and our captive city of Philadelphia. It +was to me as if I had spent half a lifetime doing +nothing more than walking to and fro between +these two points, and now I followed my leader in a +listless manner.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that I no longer had any part +or parcel in this work of aiding the colonies, for +surely I could not venture into the city again without +being taken into custody, and therefore had my +time of usefulness as a spy come to an end.</p> + +<p>If we Minute Boys were to continue striving to +do something in behalf of our distressed country, +then must we enlist as soldiers, despite the fact that +we were not of the required age, and I welcomed +such a possibility, for the trade of a spy was not +pleasing to me.</p> + +<p>I felt that it would be much more manly to stand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span> +up bravely as a soldier, face to face with the enemy, +rather than sneaking here and there under cover +of darkness, hiding at the approach of either friend +or foe, even though by such work I succeeded in +doing somewhat of consequence in behalf of those +who were struggling to win for us our freedom.</p> + +<p>“If all things go well, we will leave camp again +early to-morrow morning,” the Weaver of Germantown +suddenly said after we had travelled mayhap +a couple of miles, and I asked in amazement:</p> + +<p>“If we are to leave the camp so soon, sir, why +do we go there at all?”</p> + +<p>“Because it is not to be expected we can do this +work single-handed. Already have I been promised +a squad of forty men, and with them I dare +venture to say we can accomplish our purpose.”</p> + +<p>I was more in the dark than before, and that +Timothy was also blinded I understood when he +asked impatiently:</p> + +<p>“What may be our purpose?”</p> + +<p>“To rescue those of our people who have been +taken prisoners,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>“Do you count, sir, on making an attack upon +Philadelphia with forty men?” I cried in bewilderment, +whereupon the Weaver of Germantown +laughed as he replied:</p> + +<p>“If all the information which has been gained +be correct, there will be no need of our making an +attack on Philadelphia if so be we would release +our friends who are in custody. There can be no +question whatsoever but that General Clinton counts +on evacuating the city within a very short time, and +he will endeavour to do so before our people can get +word as to his movements. Already, it is said, he +has begun sending the heaviest of his baggage across<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> +the river, and yesterday word was brought that +orders had been given Cunningham to forward such +prisoners as had not yet had a trial, with the next +baggage-train that started out. Now it stands to +reason such time will come speedily, and I am +counting on giving the lobster-backs who accompany +it the surprise of their lives.”</p> + +<p>“With forty men, sir?” Timothy asked quickly, +and the Weaver of Germantown looked at the lad +indulgently as he replied:</p> + +<p>“More cannot well be spared. If the business +is not to be done with forty, then I question whether +two hundred would accomplish it, and it were better +the smaller number sacrificed their lives, than the +larger.”</p> + +<p>“How many men, sir, do you count would be +sent to guard a baggage-train?” Timothy asked +thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>“Mayhap an hundred. I question if very many +more, for the teamsters could be counted on to take +a hand in the defence of the goods if so be the train +was attacked.”</p> + +<p>“And with the teamsters the force would amount +to more than an hundred,” Timothy said as if speaking +to himself, whereupon the Weaver of Germantown +replied cheerily:</p> + +<p>“Make it in round numbers an hundred fifty, +and we count on reducing that strength very considerably +by giving them a surprise.”</p> + +<p>“Shall you carry out such a plan, sir, before +knowing absolutely whether the prisoners are with +the baggage-train or not?” I asked, and the reply +came sharply, in token that I should have had better +sense than to raise such a question:</p> + +<p>“We shall know before the train starts whether<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> +our people will accompany it or not, even though +the Minute Boys of Philadelphia are laid off from +duty temporarily,” he added with a smile. “We +still have friends in the city who can get information +as to what may be going on.”</p> + +<p>After this reply, which was much like a reproof, +I held my peace, and we three trudged on toward +Valley Forge, I saying again and again to myself +that verily were we rebels come to desperate straits +when we counted on attacking a force of an hundred +fifty men with only forty, and figuring meanwhile +that it were better only so small a number +should be killed, much as if their destruction were +almost certain.</p> + +<p>Only a few moments previous I had been saying +to myself that it would be nobler for us lads to act +as soldiers, being regularly enrolled in the army, +and stand face to face with the enemy, rather than +playing the spy, and yet, now that there was in the +near future an action in which I might take part, my +heart grew timorous.</p> + +<p>The odds seemed so great, even though we might +surprise this train, that I felt confident the scheme +could not succeed; but believed all who had part in +it must meet with death.</p> + +<p>Then again, there were many chances against our +rescuing the prisoners even though we held our own +with those who guarded the train.</p> + +<p>It might be possible a squad of forty men could +surprise and drive back an hundred fifty; but +to so disable that number as to be able to go into +their very midst and take out prisoners, who would +unquestionably be closely guarded, was a proposition +which seemed to me so wild as to be almost +ridiculous.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br> + +<small>THE ATTACK</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> now because I am come so nearly to the +time when I must cease setting down what we lads +did—cease because we no longer hold ourselves +as Minute Boys, but have become full-fledged soldiers +in the American army,—it is necessary I +hasten over events upon which I would dearly love +to linger, for there is to me a world of satisfaction +in going once more over those times when we put +the lobster-backs to confusion, even though they +outnumbered us three or four to one.</p> + +<p>The Weaver of Germantown lost no time on the +journey. He increased his pace as the moments +wore on, showing that he was in haste to set about +the plan which he had in mind, and there were moments +when we lads were literally forced to run in +order to hold our own with him.</p> + +<p>It was night when we arrived at Valley Forge, +and his first care was to lead us to that hut where +our comrades were sleeping, after which he took his +leave, and we saw no more of him until the following +morning.</p> + +<p>There is little need for me to say that young +Chris and Sam were thoroughly astonished when +we awakened them, for both believed we were lying +at the Jolly Tar inn secure from all danger.</p> + +<p>In my turn I was surprised because of failing to +see anything of Skinny, and the first question I +asked was concerning him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span>Then young Chris told us that the prisoner had +been taken from them and was confined in the +guard-house as a spy, although it was hardly probable +such charge would hold against him if he +should be brought to trial.</p> + +<p>Believing he would not be wholly safe in the custody +of the Minute Boys, and knowing that it would +be in his power to carry much valuable information +to the lobster-backs if he succeeded in making his +escape, the leaders of the army had taken charge +of him, and, as Sam said, we were well rid of the +sneaking cur.</p> + +<p>Both the lads were filled with fear and apprehension +when I told them of what had taken place in +the city, and you may well fancy that we were not +inclined to close our eyes in slumber during all that +night, for we speculated vainly as to what would +be the result in case the Weaver of Germantown +carried out his bold plans.</p> + +<p>Although we had had good proof of what our +people could do, there was never one of us who believed +that an attack upon a baggage-train guarded +by at least an hundred lobster-backs, when our force +was to number only forty, could succeed, and before +the morning came we, in our ignorance and +lack of faith, had set it down as a fact that those +who went out with the hope of releasing our people +from the hands of the Britishers, would come back +to us no more in this world.</p> + +<p>It was yet reasonably early in the forenoon when +the Weaver of Germantown came to the hut where, +having breakfasted, we were sitting idly together +discussing this possibility or that as if we were old +and well versed in warfare.</p> + +<p>“If you lads are minded to come with me, then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> +will I show you that which will warm your hearts +in the years to come, when you look back upon it,” +the Weaver said, and I asked if his men were ready +for the venture.</p> + +<p>“We shall set off within the hour,” he replied; +“but you need not consider it your duty to come +with us. I am free to confess that there must of +necessity be much of danger in the enterprise, and +perhaps it would be well if you boys were to remain +here until the work has been done, or we have +failed.”</p> + +<p>He could have said nothing else which would +have aroused us so thoroughly as did this intimation +that we might be afraid to go with the soldiers, or +would be willing to remain at Valley Forge simply +because we might otherwise come to grief.</p> + +<p>I was not alone when I said stoutly, although +there was a sinking at my heart which I could not +prevent, that I for one would follow him, and my +comrades were equally determined.</p> + +<p>All the preparations had been made, as we +learned a few moments later, and it was only necessary +for us to fall in line at the rear of the squad.</p> + +<p>Then was begun the march, we heading straight away +for the Delaware, counting to cross that river +and lie in hiding somewhere nearabout Camden +until the baggage-train should have crossed.</p> + +<p>All this we did and without adventure, because +of the caution which was exercised by our leader, +who, as a matter of course, was the Weaver of +Germantown himself. He, knowing thoroughly +well all the country roundabout, led us at the expense +of many a weary mile far out of all possible +danger of encountering the enemy, and to a point on +the river where were boats ready to carry us across,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> +thus showing that he had made his preparations for +this venture some time before.</p> + +<p>During that day and all the night we marched, +save while crossing the river, or when we halted +five or ten minutes at a time, and when finally he +gave the word that we were come to our journey’s +end, we Minute Boys were so nearly exhausted that +we flung ourselves down wheresoever we chanced +to be and speedily fell asleep, not awakening again +until the word had been passed from man to man +that the moment for action was near at hand.</p> + +<p>It appeared, so we learned later, that if our departure +from Valley Forge had been postponed no +more than six hours, then would we have come too +late to effect that for which we hoped.</p> + +<p>The baggage-train had already been sent across +the river near to Gloucester Point, and within two +hours after we had come to the end of our march +and were bivouacked in the thicket, the Britishers +set off, counting to gain New York without interference +from our people, because their movements +had been shrouded with so much of secrecy.</p> + +<p>Exactly what took place from the time we were +awakened until a veritable battle was begun, I can +say very little, because of knowing comparatively +nothing.</p> + +<p>There was much moving to and fro among our +squad, and frequent whispered consultations with +the Weaver of Germantown as we marched up the +road to where an ambush was to be formed; but +we lads knew nothing whatsoever concerning the +purport of this talk.</p> + +<p>We only understood that an action was near at +hand when we were posted on either side the road +in two companies of twenty each, and then it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> +we had evidence of the thoughtfulness of this +Weaver of Germantown, for he brought to each +of us lads a musket and ammunition, saying that +we were to obey orders so far as firing and re-loading +were concerned, the same as would the men.</p> + +<p>When I asked how it was we had not been armed +before leaving Valley Forge, he replied that the +march before us he knew to be a hard one, and, +fearing lest we might fall by the wayside with fatigue, +had had these weapons carried by some of +the men to spare us so much of labour.</p> + +<p>If anything had been needed to hearten us in the +work to be performed, this evidence of his kindliness +would have been sufficient.</p> + +<p>When he had ceased speaking all the timorousness +was fled from my heart, and, lad though I was, I +felt myself capable of holding my own against half +a dozen lobster-backs, although I dare venture to +say I would have cut a sorry figure even if opposed +to no more than two.</p> + +<p>It was about seven o’clock in the morning when +we concealed ourselves in ambush along the road. +Two hours later I could see, through the foliage, +the advance of a long train, consisting of no less +than twelve heavily-laden wagons each drawn by +four horses, and preceded by a party of men in red +uniforms to the number of perhaps fifty.</p> + +<p>Then as the train advanced, I saw an equal force +in the rear of the wagons, and understood that the +Weaver of Germantown had not been misinformed +when he was told that a guard of nearabout an +hundred would be sent out.</p> + +<p>In addition to these soldiers who marched, there +were two men on the seat of each wagon, therefore, +as I hurriedly estimated the force, we would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> +oppose ourselves to no less than an hundred twenty—perhaps +a dozen more.</p> + +<p>Although I had felt so bold when the Weaver of +Germantown put the weapon into my hands, now it +was that my heart thumped until it surely seemed +that those who were advancing would be alarmed +by the noise, and my tongue had suddenly grown +dry as I tried in vain to moisten my lips.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for me, however, we had but little +time, after the first appearance of the train, before +the work was begun.</p> + +<p>In my ignorance I had believed that the full number +of wagons would be allowed to go by, and we +fall upon the rear guard, where I fancied were the +prisoners, if so be there were any with the train. +Instead of which, when the first of the lobster-backs +were opposite our place of hiding the word was +passed from man to man, that when the Weaver +of Germantown sprang out into the open we were +to discharge our weapons, having due regard to +aim.</p> + +<p>Then, before I could have counted ten, this man +who had played the spy in Philadelphia, came out +from amid the foliage as if courting death, and +shouting to us who were concealed to take good +care that every bullet found its billet.</p> + +<p>At the same instant, even before the lobster-backs +fully understood what the Weaver of Germantown +was saying, came the order to open fire.</p> + +<p>Strange as it may seem, I have no knowledge +whatsoever concerning that action, save such as was +told me later. It seemed as if with the report of +the muskets I lost all consciousness of self. I suddenly +became one who thirsted for blood, and had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> +forgotten that death might be dealt by those who +were in front of me.</p> + +<p>There is in my mind a dim recollection that I +loaded and fired, re-loaded and fired again, continuing +to do so until the barrel of my musket became +heated, and once I believed I heard someone +say that the rear guard had come up—that the +prisoners were being driven back by the teamsters.</p> + +<p>I knew the horses were plunging about; that there +were what looked to be blotches of red on the dusty +earth, yet hardly understood that those crimson +stains upon the yellow road was the life blood of the +poor wretches who had come from overseas, without +personal reason, to whip us colonists into subjection.</p> + +<p>I was in a fever; consumed by the desire to add +to those red, sprawling figures that lay stretched +out in the dust.</p> + +<p>My mouth was dry; everything swam before me; +the trees opposite seemed to dance, and to have +taken on a reddish hue, while before my eyes as I +loaded the musket, it appeared as if both powder +and ball had suddenly become scarlet.</p> + +<p>The hue of blood was everywhere; the thirst to +kill was overwhelming, and during such time as the +action continued I was literally insane.</p> + +<p>Then came the time when one of our men seized +the musket from my hands, saying angrily as he +flung me back toward the trees, that I should control +myself better than to fire upon those who had +surrendered.</p> + +<p>Whereupon I dully asked if the engagement was +over, and someone from a distance, as it seemed +to me, replied with a cheer:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span>“Ay, lad, over, and with the lobster-backs surrendering +like chickens crowding around a dough-trough!”</p> + +<p>“And the prisoners?” I cried, now suddenly +coming to my senses, and realizing for what purpose +we had spilled so much of human blood as I could +see before me.</p> + +<p>“Look yonder!” Timothy Bowers shouted, and +only then did I know that he had been by my side +during all the fight; but in after days, when I questioned +him concerning it, he could tell me no more +than I myself knew.</p> + +<p>Having become once more Richard Salter, instead +of the crazy lad who was doing his part as a soldier +unconsciously, I ran to the rear where was a throng +of wretched looking men bound by the hands to a +long rope extending from the rear of one of the +wagons; but before I got there the Weaver of Germantown, +who was just ahead of me, had cut the +foremost loose from their bonds, and I clasped +Jeremy by the neck, so overjoyed as not really +to be able to utter the words that were in my +mind.</p> + +<p>There was good reason why we should rejoice, +for had we not beaten the lobster-backs when they +outnumbered us exactly three to one?</p> + +<p>Yet there was no time for us to spend in words, +since who could say that the noise of the attack +might not have been heard by the enemy at Camden, +and if we would save our skins after having +won such a victory, then was it necessary to get +away from there without delay.</p> + +<p>It had been the purpose of the Weaver of Germantown +not only to release the prisoners; but to +capture the train for the benefit of the Continental<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> +army, and therefore it was we took up the line of +march immediately, the British teamsters obeying +the Weaver’s orders for the very good reason that +they dared not do otherwise.</p> + +<p>We had won a great victory, but in the doing of +it had lost five of our men who were killed outright, +and four others badly wounded.</p> + +<p>Singularly enough, none of us lads had been injured, +although, as we were told afterward, we +had conducted ourselves bravely. In fact, the +Weaver himself said we had won the right to be +called soldiers, and that it should be his care to see +we were given an opportunity to enlist.</p> + +<p>Now, if you can believe me, we had not only set +free Master Targe and Jeremy; but nine others beside, +all of whom were to have been tried for various +acts of so-called treason when General Clinton +had got his army to some safer point than he believed +was to be found in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>In addition to this, after four days of hard work +we actually entered Valley Forge with the same +heavy baggage-train of General Clinton’s, which +had been sent away from Philadelphia early so +there might be no possibility of its falling into our +hands.</p> + +<p>We well-nigh came to grief while crossing the +Delaware in boats which were not large enough to +freight the wagons safely; but by dint of transferring +the cargoes, or, in other words, making two +trips for each load, we succeeded in gaining the +Pennsylvania shore safe and sound.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that we were hardly more than +in camp and rested from our exertions, when came +the news that General Clinton had actually begun +the evacuation of Philadelphia, and then there was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> +so much of seeming confusion that one found it +hard to keep his wits about him.</p> + +<p>It was General Washington’s purpose to follow +the lobster-backs on their march to New York, and +no time was to be lost in setting out after we learned +that the Britishers were really on the road.</p> + +<p>Then was the time when the Weaver of Germantown +found opportunity to fulfil his promise to us, +and we lads, who a few weeks before had agreed to +call ourselves Minute Boys of Philadelphia, were +allowed to sign the rolls in due form and become +soldiers of the Continental army, being admitted to +the ranks by order of the commander-in-chief himself, +whose permission was necessary because we +were not yet come to the age of men.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that we lads who had done some little +work for the Cause, were allowed to stand shoulder +to shoulder during that battle at Monmouth, when +General Clinton and his swaggering British officers +came to know full well of what stuff our rag-tag +and bobtail of an army was made.</p> + +<p>It was after this battle, when we were ministering +to the wounds of the Weaver of Germantown, +who had stood in the ranks all the day fighting most +valiantly, that we learned why he had never called +himself by any given name during such time as we +had known him.</p> + +<p>It was because he belonged to the sect called +Friends, who, as you know, are opposed to fighting, +and many of whom were unfriendly to the +Cause. Were I to write his name, which we learned +there on that bloody ground, then you would know +that not only he, but those nearest and dearest to +him, regardless of the fact that their faith bound<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> +them to shun warfare, had done very much to aid +the colonies in their struggle against the king.</p> + +<p>It was the Weaver himself, in later days, who +told us lads, that although the work which we did +in Philadelphia might not have seemed of great +value, he believed the commander-in-chief would +ever remember what had been done by the Minute +Boys of Philadelphia.</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>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75968 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75968-h/images/cover.jpg b/75968-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f9b2c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/75968-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f30f981 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_003.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d475ed --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_003.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_005.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0853b49 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_005.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_005a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_005a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fd7ef8 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_005a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_040a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_040a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3c3656 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_040a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_072a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_072a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43764cd --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_072a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_112a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_112a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9e6d4b --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_112a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_144a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_144a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..842b13e --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_144a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_190a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_190a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1346f80 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_190a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_258a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_258a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..68be1c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_258a.jpg diff --git a/75968-h/images/i_296a.jpg b/75968-h/images/i_296a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1ac056 --- /dev/null +++ b/75968-h/images/i_296a.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5dba15 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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