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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/76265-0.txt b/76265-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cec77be --- /dev/null +++ b/76265-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6992 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76265 *** + + + + + + THE MUSKET BOYS OF OLD BOSTON + + Or + + The First Blow for Liberty + + BY GEORGE A. WARREN + + AUTHOR OF "THE MUSKET BOYS UNDER WASHINGTON," ETC. + + _The_ + GOLDSMITH + _Publishing Co._ + + NEW YORK, N.Y. + + MADE IN USA + + Copyright, 1909, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + + CONTENTS + + + I. A PUFF OF POWDER + + II. A FRUITLESS CHASE + + III. "HURRAH FOR LIBERTY!" + + IV. ON DUTY + + V. A GREAT NAME + + VI. DOWN THE RIVER + + VII. OLD BERKS' NEWS + + VIII. THE ROAD TO BOSTON + + IX. IN THE ENEMY'S HANDS + + X. LOST + + XI. CLOSE QUARTERS + + XII. A NEST OF TORIES + + XIII. A SERIOUS DILEMMA + + XIV. ON BOARD THE VIXEN + + XV. A FRIEND IN NEED + + XVI. A DASH FOR LIBERTY + + XVII. A SAFE PORT + + XVIII. TROUBLED TIMES + + XIX. "SACHEM" + + XX. PAUL REVERE'S RIDE + + XXI. ALONG THE RIVER + + XXII. "ON TO LEXINGTON" + + XXIII. THE FIRST SKIRMISH + + XXIV. BROUGHT TO BOOK + + XXV. THE BATTLE OF CONCORD + + XXVI. SPOILS OF WAR + + XXVII. IN CAMP + + XXVIII. BOSTON AT LAST + + XXIX. THE OLD WAREHOUSE + + XXX. BUNKER HILL + + XXXI. A MESSAGE FROM CONCORD + + XXXII. A NOTABLE EXPLOIT + + XXXIII. CONCLUSION + + + + + THE MUSKET BOYS OF OLD BOSTON + + + + + CHAPTER I + + A PUFF OF POWDER + + +"That's a queer proceeding, Phil." + +"I should say so. Why, Andy, what is the fellow up to?" + +"Let's watch and find out. Here, dodge down behind this bush out of +sight." + +Puff! + +"Gunpowder!" declared Phil Warrington in a thrilling whisper. "There, +the fellow has turned around. He is running away. I say, Andy, I know +him!" + +"You know him, Phil?" + +"Yes, he is the same boy I told you about this morning. See, there is +the long-tailed muskrat cap I described to you. See it is certainly +the mysterious boy who startled me so here in Concord, and who, I am +mightily certain, I met before that somewhere in Boston." + +"After this boy of mystery, then!" cried Andy. "I am curious to know +the secret of all these peculiar proceedings." + +The scene was wild and wintry, the time March, 1775, the place a +stretch of woods and fields just back of the famous old town of Concord. + +The two boys were Phil Warrington and Andy Sabine. The former was on a +brief visit to his best friend and chum. Phil's father was a merchant +in Boston and Andy's father was a storekeeper in Concord, and the two +men were old-time friends. Andy had spent a month in Boston the year +previous, and Phil was now returning the visit. The latter had left his +home city at a time when loyalty and royalty were beginning a conflict +that had already set the country afire. Phil had brought to the excited +juveniles of the backwoods town not only the keen, snappy vigor of an +all-around intelligent lad nursed by the exhilarating, briny breezes of +the Bay, but the grim echo of the gunpowder days. Those were stirring +times, and everybody was on the tip-toe of expectation, waiting for +something to happen. + +Phil belonged to a club called the Musket Boys of Boston. Its existence +dated back to the day after the famous "tea party," when some Boston +citizens, disguised as Indians, resisted the Stamp Act by throwing +a whole cargo of English tea into the waters of the Bay. Phil had +witnessed that stirring event personally, and that made him an object +of interest to every lively, patriotic lad in Concord. + +Then, too, Phil was one of those boys who had formed themselves into a +committee to visit General Gage at the British headquarters in Boston, +to complain of his rude royalist soldiers. The soldiers had spoiled the +snow slides of the boys on Boston Commons out of malice, taunting them +with being "young rebels." + +Whenever Phil related this incident, he stirred his manly young hearers +to deep indignation and patriotic fervor, and they voted him quite the +hero that he was. + +This all led to stir up more deeply the latent spirit of resistance and +outbreak long smoldering in the bosoms of the ardent youths of Concord. +Their parents talked nothing but war, and were already organizing for +the conflict that seemed inevitable. The boys followed their example, +and many secret meetings of youthful warriors were held in Andy's barn. +They had even drilled like real full-grown soldiers. Phil was the +leader in these operations. In fact, he and Andy had just come from +target practice with the self-same muskets that they now dropped to +the ground as they arose to their feet simultaneously, after curiously +watching a boy about their own age who stood at a distance. + +They had been following some rabbit tracks across the snow when Andy +Sabine uttered the remark which opens our story: + +"That's a queer proceeding, Phil!" + +It was decidedly an unusual spectacle that the two friends witnessed. +About a hundred yards distant the land ran up a small hill. It was +covered with light brush, except at the top, where there was a barren +space. Here, clearly outlined against the dull grey sky, stood a lad +wearing a muskrat skin cap, thinly clad and shivery-looking. + +The stranger, as Phil and Andy saw, had some kind of a parcel done up +in paper. This he had rested on a solitary tree stump. Then with flint +and steel he ignited some tinder he had placed across the top of the +tree stump. As this ignited, he retreated to a little distance. + +The tiny flames curled around the paper, and finally there was a giant +puff. The strange boy watched the ascending smoke for a minute or two +and then pursued his way, disappearing over the crest of the hill. + +"You cut around that way," directed Andy, pointing, "and run across +to him. I'll head him off at the bottom of the hill if he tries to run +away from us." + +The boys had disencumbered themselves of their muskets and game bags to +brace for a dash. Phil somewhat hesitated. + +"I say, Andy," he observed, nodding towards a line of low rail fencing, +"won't we be trespassing?" + +"Where? when?" demanded Andy, somewhat puzzled, staring askance at his +comrade. + +"That's old Jasper Bram's property, isn't it," asked Phil. + +"Yes, and this, too," replied Andy. "What of it? This is not like +Boston--no trespassing around these diggings. Free as the air, Phil, +full range when a fellow wants to make a short cut or chase a rabbit." + +"I don't know about that in this especial case," said Phil to himself, +with a grimace. "Andy don't quite understand our pleasant family +relations with Jasper Bram. I met the old curmudgeon once since I came +to Concord, and I don't fancy a second encounter. Here goes, though, on +a venture!" and Phil promptly started in the direction indicated by his +chum. + +Two things were uppermost in Phil Warrington's mind as he made for the +hilltop--Jasper Bram and the mysterious boy he was after, the latter +first of all, in a speculative, curious sort of way. + +Two nights previous Andy and his friends had held a club meeting in the +roomy loft of Mr. Sabine's old barn. They had wound up with a kind of +banquet. Phil, starting with Andy to escort their guests home, suddenly +remembered that he had left his pocket knife on the rude deal boards +that had answered for the banqueting table. + +"Go on, boys, I'll catch up with you in a minute or two," Phil had +remarked, running back to the barn, which he soon reached. He clambered +to the loft, and by aid of the bright moonlight, made his way to the +table, groped for his pocket knife, secured it, and was about to leave +the place when a sound at one end of the loft caused him to turn +quickly. + +Some one had mounted the sloping roof of an adjoining shed and had +pulled open a narrow wooden window. This person was a boy. He was +reaching towards a barrel on which stood some of the remnants of the +recent feast. + +"Hold on, there!" irresistibly called out Phil. Then, noticing more +closely the outline of the marauder, he added: "Don't run. Take what +you want--nothing to be scared at. I say, haven't I seen you before?" + +In a flash Phil had been interrupted. The stranger, a boy about his own +age, at being so startlingly hailed, had dropped a handful of doughnuts +he had grabbed. He drew back and disappeared as if by magic. Phil ran +to the window in time to see the night marauder slide the slanting shed +roof, reach the ground and flit from view beyond some garden bushes. + +Like a photograph, however, there had been imprinted on his mind the +thin, starved-looking face of the boy and the peculiar muskrat skin cap +with a long tail which he wore. The picture remained vivid for a long +time, the more so as Phil puzzled himself to make out where he had seen +the boy before. He concluded, that it must have been in Boston. + +"The poor fellow must have been terribly hungry," Phil had decided. +"He looked like some refugee in trouble," and Phil later recited the +incident to Andy, and revived it just now as for the second time he had +happened across the strange lad in as strange a way as on the former +occasion. + +This was the first thought Phil had in his mind as he ran rapidly on. +His second thought was of Jasper Bram. + +Phil had heard that name many a time long before he came to Concord. +His father had frequently mentioned it in conversation with Phil and +Mrs. Warrington. From what he had heard, Phil came to understand that +his father regarded Jasper Bram of Concord as an enemy. + +Since the trouble with the British troops in Boston had begun, Mr. +Warrington had met with severe business losses. He was a strong +loyalist, and had refused to side with the English troops in the matter +of supplies in which he dealt. + +One night his warehouse was set on fire in a mysterious way, and was +burned to the ground. There was no doubt in the mind of the merchant +and his patriotic friends that the British soldiers had committed this +outrage. + +A few days later Phil overheard his father remark to his mother that he +was pretty nearly ruined financially by this great loss. He said, too, +that he could not see his way very clear to continue business unless he +could get money or help somewhere. + +Mr. Warrington, in discussing the situation, complained bitterly of a +great business wrong done him some years before by Jasper Bram. He +alluded to trickery, robbery, and stolen documents. He said that if he +could get what Bram legally owed him he could renew business. + +Phil naturally thought of all this when he came to Concord. He made +some inquiries about Jasper Bram, to find that he and his loutish son, +Greg Bram, were very generally disliked. The more so was this true +because they were designated as "regular Tories." + +The day preceding Phil was coming home from the river when he stepped +out of the road to let a sled pass him. Its driver had eyed him +sharply. Phil recognized him as the person whom Andy Sabine had pointed +out to him a few days previous as Jasper Bram. + +The grizzled, mean-faced old man stared hard at Phil. He drew his team +to a sharp halt. + +"Hey, you!" he hailed. "What's your name?" + +"My name is Warrington," replied Phil. + +"Thought so. Heard you were in town, saw you were a stranger. Now +look here, you young cub," and old Bram flourished his whip in a way +so menacing, and his crafty old eyes gleamed with such furious rage, +that Phil was positively electrified--"you come sneaking around again +trying to spy on me, and I'll fill you full of shot and salt and +pepper!" + +Phil's eyes flashed. The insulting tone and manner aroused him +indignantly. Only the age of his challenger prevented the youth from +saying something desperate. He controlled himself, and remarked: + +"Your place? Why I don't even know where it is." + +"Bah! Think I can't figure out that your father sent you here for a +purpose? Think I can't guess you to be the boy that I saw peeking in a +window of my stone shed, if you don't wear a muskrat skin cap now, as +you did then? Just you keep away from me and mine, young Paul Pry, or +you'll get a dose that will lay you up for a while." + +And then with a vicious snort, and shaking his fist venomously, old +Jasper Bram drove on with the sled. + +"Well! well!" the stupefied Phil had commented, staring wonderingly +after the old man, "that's a fine reception for a fellow. My father is +right, and Jasper Bram has little use for our family. A muskrat skin +cap. I never owned one. That half-starved fellow who tried to get the +food at Andy's barn must have made old Bram a visit, too." + +All these varied memories and reflections darted through Phil +Warrington's mind as he now made the ascent of the hill on the land of +the man he knew to be no friend. Soon he reached the summit. + +In an instant his meditative mood took flight. Real action fixed his +attention. The minute Phil came into view of the summit of the hill a +loud call rang out: + +"Stop him!" + + + + + CHAPTER II + + A FRUITLESS CHASE + + +Phil Warrington looked over the landscape to trace the source of the +echoing shout that had reached his ears. It was getting late in the +afternoon, there was no sunlight, but the snow that showed here and +there in patches and drifts dazzled his eyes somewhat. + +"That's Andy's voice," declared Phil. "Ah, I see him, and the +mysterious boy, too! He's coming this way! None too soon, and he surely +did not see me." + +Phil had made out Andy at quite a distance. He was pursuing the boy +who wore the muskrat skin cap. As the young Bostonian had appeared +in sight, Andy had seen and instantly recognized Phil. Not so the +fugitive. His head had been turned to ascertain if he was gaining on +his pursuer. By the time he looked in front of him again, Phil had +jumped aside to shelter himself behind a tree stump. + +There was only one clear course for the fugitive to take. This lay +across the crest of the hill right up to where Phil had secreted +himself. There a shallow ravine, all choked up with bushes, cut the +landscape. The fugitive might here run down the slant which Phil had +just ascended, or he might continue along the plateau, and, passing +near to the Bram farmhouse, come out on the regularly-used country road. + +Phil posed so as to be ready for prompt and decisive action the instant +the fugitive neared him. The latter was a splendid runner, and he +easily outdistanced Andy. For all that, however, he did not let up on +his rapid rate of speed. He came on, panting heavily, and as he neared +the tree stump made a movement that showed to Phil that he was going +to cut to the left. As he did so, he cast a quick glance backwards +to ascertain the nearness of his pursuer. That was Phil's chance. He +arose erect as if on springs and with a swift glide ran right into the +path of the fugitive. The latter, turning his head forward again, did +not have time to dodge aside. He ran squarely into Phil's outstretched +arms, and the Boston boy grappled with him. + +"Got you!" said Phil. "Look here--" + +Thump! + +The force of the collision sent both of the boys flat to the hard, +frozen ground. At first Phil was under. Then a brief roll direct to +the edge of the ravine brought him uppermost. He threw the arms of his +captive outspread, holding them firmly pinioned in that position, and +stared keenly into his face. + +"Let me go," panted the fugitive. "You have no right--" + +"Why," fairly shouted Phil. For the first time at Concord this close to +the mysterious youth, memory and recognition flashed vividly amongst +his varied thoughts. "I know you now. I remember you perfectly." + +The boy under him uttered a desperate cry. He was like some hunted, +trapped animal. + +"Let me loose," he cried, "let me loose, I say!" + +"You're the fellow we snow-balled for carrying water into the British +camp," declared Phil, in an excited tone. "You're the Tory boy of +Boston Common!" + +"Suppose I am?" fairly shouted the boy, quivering all over with +emotion. "You're not my master. Let me go--I'm no Tory. Let go, I +say! That other fellow is coming. I'm as good a patriot as you. It's +dangerous for me to be around here. I won't be held down this way!" + +"No you don't!" said Phil, tightening his grip as his fugitive +writhed, uttering incoherent words and gasps. + +"Yes I do!" + +"Whew!" cried Phil "you've done it, I declare. The mischief!" + +His captive had speedily turned the tables. Massing all his strength, +which Phil suddenly learned was of no mean quality, the fugitive had +wriggled hard, twisting his arm with a maneuver that made Phil's wrists +fairly crack. Then, slipping from under, as Phil from sheer pain +relaxed his grip, the boy gave him a push and sent him over the ravine +headlong. + +Phil did not fall far, for the chasm was not deep. He rather slipped +over the tops of some snow-crested bushes, his head hit a strong +branch, which made him see stars for an instant, and then he came to a +halt, nestled in the centre of intermingled bushes and vines. + +All sight of the upper world was now shut out, and the mysterious boy +was blotted from view. Phil tried to right himself instantly. + +"Ouch!" he cried, as he seized a vine pendant from above. "Ouch! ouch!" +he repeated, as he rustled about. Then he raised his voice loudly: +"Andy! Andy! Help! Help!" + +"Halloa!" came ringing back to him. "Halloa!" nearer the responsive +challenge echoed. + +Phil was content to sit still and await the arrival of help. He was in +no pleasant position. The network of vines and bushes enclosing him +seemed set everywhere with spiky thorns, so that to try to pull himself +out of the pit would be to lacerate his hands and riddle his clothing. + +Finally there was the sound of violent breathing, and Andy Sabine +leaned over the edge of the ravine and peered down. + +"So there you are!" remarked Andy grimly. + +"Yes, here I am," responded Phil, "and in no pleasant fix, I can tell +you. Say, Andy, what of the boy?" + +"Oh, he's slipped us for good," announced Andy. "Last I saw of him he +was running like a whitehead. He's got beyond the grove and out of +sight, and shouldn't wonder if he was going yet. I thought I saw old +Jasper Bram running after him through a break in the trees, but maybe I +was mistaken. Anyhow, we won't catch him this time. Why don't you climb +out?" + +Phil with a wry grimace explained why he did not climb out of the +ravine. Andy went hunting for a long tree branch, lowered it, and Phil +with a few scratches and rips in his clothing finally gained solid +ground again. + +"Well, what are we going to do now?" he asked, with a sigh of relief. + +"Go after our guns and get back home, I reckon," replied Andy. + +Phil straightened out his disarranged clothing and picked some thorn +points from his wrists. Then they started away from the spot together. + +"I say, Andy," observed Phil, after a thoughtful spell, "coming face to +face with that fellow we chased, I find I know him." + +"Aha!" nodded Andy, looking curious, "is that so?" + +"Yes, it's been bothering me ever since the night he appeared at your +barn. I got close to him just now." + +"Should say you did," smiled Andy. + +"And I recognized him all in a flash." + +"Who is he anyway?" + +"A Tory." + +"Well! well! Sure of it?" + +"I ought to be," asserted Phil, "no mistake about that breed of cats in +old Boston town. There's mighty few Tory boys in Boston, for even when +parents lean that way the young fellows side with us. So, when we found +a boy a turncoat to the colonies, we just marked him." + +"As how, now?" inquired Andy. + +"Well, if it was at school, we made life miserable for him. On the +streets it was generally a crowd fight, for the corners flocked +together and the best side won. This boy we just chased I remember +perfectly now. He used to carry drinking water around to the British +soldiers when they were fixing up their barracks." + +"For pay, of course? Maybe he had to take the first job he could lay +his hands to, so he might keep flesh on his bones. He's starved-looking +enough," said Andy. + +"A job from the Tories!" cried Phil with indignation. "Why, we'd tar +and feather one of our crowd if he so much as carried a message for +those impudent, roystering redcoats." + +"Well don't get mad about it," said the easy-going Andy. "This boy was +one of the Tory crowd. Why isn't he with them now, I wonder?" + +"That's it--that's just it," commented Phil excitedly. "What is he +doing here at Concord, and acting like some mysterious spy, too? I +suppose you'll admit that these are times when a good lot of trickery +is going on, as you well know, Andy Sabine. What's more, look at that +funny freak of his with the paper of gunpowder. Signals? Experiments? +Gunpowder!" pronounced Phil very seriously. "It's in the air everywhere +just now, and the word means mischief." + +"What would the boy be spying on here?" inquired Andy. + +"That's what we ought to try and find out," answered Phil forcibly. +"Here we find him, too, right on the land of old Jasper Bram, a Tory +himself. Oh, say, this all means something, you just bet, Andy Sabine." + +"Hello!" was Andy's vociferous answer and interruption at that same +time, and he stood stock still, staring down at the ground. + +They had reached the spot where they had hidden behind the bushes to +watch the boy that had sent aloft that puzzling puff of gunpowder +smoke. A disturbing discovery confronted them. + +Here they had left their hunting traps, and now muskets and game-bags +had disappeared. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + "HURRAH FOR LIBERTY!" + + +Phil and Andy were very much dismayed at the discovery of the +disappearance of their hunting traps. Every boy in Concord who owned a +gun was proud of the fact. Lately this sentiment had grown deeper than +usual, for the feeling of war in the air, the constant drilling of the +local militia, the target practice of the juvenile clubs, had brought +firearms to the front in a vivid way. + +"Well, this is a nice fix, isn't it?" Andy was the first to remark. + +"Some one has stolen our muskets, that is sure," said Phil. + +"Perhaps some of our crowd are playing a trick on us." + +"It doesn't look that way," replied Phil, who had glanced sharply in +every direction. "See here, Andy." + +Phil pointed to a spot where the snow was much disturbed. Then he +started along a trail that showed red and plain on the snow-crusted +earth surface. + +"Why!" exclaimed Andy. "It looks as if there had been a terrible +scrimmage right where we left the musket. And this--why, Phil, this is +blood!" + +"Yes," nodded Phil, reflectively regarding the ground. "Some one has +been hurt or wounded, that is sure," and he started forward, guided +by occasional drops of blood in the snow. These soon ceased entirely. +The boys returned to the spot from which their hunting traps had +disappeared. + +Phil took the situation seriously, trying to surmise what had occurred. +Andy was entirely nonplussed, but his comrade moved restlessly about, +studying the ground. Soon Phil made a new discovery. + +"Some one with a cane or round-ended stick has been around here, Andy," +he announced. + +"What makes you think so, Phil?" + +"See those round marks in the snow? Ah, they're a sure trail. They lead +that way. Come on, this is worth following up." + +"Why, Phil," said Andy, his eyes suddenly brightening. "I guess who +made those marks. They're no tracks." + +"What are they then?" + +"Old Silas Berks' wooden leg. See, just a stride length apart, even and +regular. Yes, Silas has been here. What makes it sure, is that the +marks lead right over the hill in the direction of his house." + +"Do you mean the queer old fellow who came up to the barn to see us +drill?" inquired Phil. + +"Exactly, the old soldier who was in the French and Indian War. That's +where he lost his leg, you know." + +"Why, he wouldn't be so unfriendly as to steal our guns." + +"Certainly not, but I believe he knows all about their disappearance. +We'll go right to his cabin and inquire, anyway." + +After crossing two rises in the landscape the boys came to the river, +and in sight of a hut near its banks. The rude log cabin was a novelty. +Cord wood piled quite high like a stockade surrounded the immediate +plot of ground upon which the structure stood. There was an open +space like a gateway, and the boys entered the little enclosure. Andy +hammered at the door of the cabin. + +"Hurrah for liberty--zip! biff! boom!" shrieked a strident voice. + +Phil was startled and astonished. Before he could question Andy, +however, a chorus of cackling, clucking, and an immense flutter as +of birds, mingled inside of the hut with the strange shout that had +greeted them at their arrival. + +"Silas don't seem to be at home," decided Andy, as the door did not +open. + +"Someone is in there," said Phil. + +"No, that welcome was Silas' parrot. He is the greatest man you ever +met for having pets. He has some homing pigeons that are famous. Wonder +where he can be?" + +"There's someone," said Phil, and just then a plodding but wiry figure +appeared through the gateway. + +"Present arms!" cried old Silas Berks, giving a military salute to the +boys. "Glad to see you. Just been looking for you." + +"I say, Mr. Berks," interrupted Andy eagerly, "have you seen anything +of our guns?" + +"Certainly I have, lad," replied the veteran, with a pleased grin. "I +have them. That's why I was searching for you." + +"How did you come to get them?" + +"Shoulder arms!" explained Berks in triumphant tones. "That was Greg +Bram, the young villain. Aha, there he was as I came up, a musket and +a game bag on either arm. I'd seen you two in the distance, and knew +the trappings. 'Company halt,' says I, and young Bram snickers in my +face. 'Trespasser,' says he, 'it'll cost 'em something to redeem these +fixings.' 'Trespassers, nothing, you young thief, you've robbed my +traps and shot at my homing doves. You'll rob two honest lads, too, +will you?' I unstrapped my belt and larrupped him good and sound. He +got one wallop that bloodied his nose and went off snivelling as to +how he'd get even. Ready--fire!--Pop! If the young villain ever comes +nosing around here to make trouble, I'll turn old Tom loose on him, now +I will." + +"Old Tom" was an old-fashioned cannon planted just outside of the door +of the cabin. There were other warlike tokens scattered about the one +living room of the hut. Phil noted these with interest. There were +several muskets, some swords, a couple of tomahawks and some smaller +weapons, mementoes of old Silas' warlike experience in the war with the +French and Indians. + +"I brought your traps here," proceeded the veteran, "and went looking +for you, knowing you must be somewhere around. Thought I saw you in the +distance, over towards Bram's. I got to looking closer, though, and +the two I finally made out was old Bram and a boy. The old skeesicks +had the boy's arms strapped to his sides and was pulling him in the +direction of his house." + +"Say," broke in Andy excitedly, "what kind of a boy was he?" + +Silas described the lad the best he could from having seen him at a +distance. + +Phil and Andy exchanged meaning glances. They took up their hunting +traps, and after thanking Silas for his trouble in their behalf started +from the hut. + +"Seems to me I heard you come from Boston?" observed the old veteran to +Phil with an inquisitive look. + +"That's right, Mr. Berks," answered Phil promptly. + +"Going back soon?" pressed the old man, his bright restless eyes +sparkling with the interest and vim he put into everything he said or +did. + +"I think in a day or two," said Phil. + +"You're going back to lively times then, young man, lively times," +repeated the old war veteran with a serious shake of the head. "Andy, +look here." + +The old man made a whistling kind of noise with his lips, and from a +dove cote overheard some half a dozen pigeons came flocking down to +his feet. Berks reached into a grain measure standing on a bench and +scattered some feed to the friendly pigeons. + +"Mates in Boston, Andy," said Silas, with a very solemn stare. "I'm an +old soldier, lads, and I can read the signs of the times. For instance, +I shouldn't wonder, no matter how soon one of those Boston carriers +came sailing down into the cote here. A dove with a message under its +wing, see? Keep on drilling your squad, Andy, lad, only when that +message comes--Attention, company! Sleep light, lad, and when a certain +thing happens, day or night, you'll know it by that old field piece of +mine." + +Silas pointed to the rusty old cannon, and Andy looked startled and +impressed. + +"As how, now, Mr. Berks?" he inquired in an eager tone. + +"When old Tom barks," answered the veteran Indian fighter, "you may +know that something serious had broken loose in Boston." + +"Yes, Mr. Berks, and then?" pressed Andy in an intense tone. + +"Then," answered old Silas sententiously--"Shoulder arms!" + +"Hurrah for liberty!" added the parrot, from inside the hut. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + ON DUTY + + +"Well!" ejaculated Andy Sabine, as soon as they were out of hearing of +the queer old man who had returned to them their stolen hunting traps. + +Both Andy and Phil were considerably stirred up by the happenings +of the last few minutes. If old Berks had dealt in hints, they were +certainly strong ones. His forcible remarks had increased their +patriotic fervor, already at high heat with his young friends. Andy +acted as excitedly as if the first gun had been fired and he was +anxious to start right off to meet the enemy. + +"Tell you what," say Phil thoughtfully, "that wise old veteran ought to +know what he is talking about, and probably could tell a good deal more +if he wanted to. Of course, everybody thinks as he does,--if there is +going to be any trouble, it will begin at Boston. I want to be there +when it comes, Andy, if it is only to be near the folks, and I believe +I will start away from Concord sooner than I had planned." + +"I wish I was going with you, Phil," said Andy in a longing tone. "Your +Musket Boys will smell the first powder. My! it would be exciting to be +right in the midst of so much bustle, not knowing how soon a company of +militia might come dashing down the street sweeping everything before +them. Hold on, what are you heading that way for? Aren't we going home?" + +Phil had led the course across the hills in the direction of the road +running by the farmhouse of Jasper Bram. This meant quite a wide +detour from the direct route homeward. But Phil had a purpose in the +digression. + +"I was thinking of the mysterious boy," he explained to his comrade, +"and I don't feel like leaving all of our guessing and running go for +nothing. He may be going back to Boston some time. There he was a Tory. +Why mayn't he be acting for them here in some secret way? I'd like to +know. Mr. Berks said he saw him a prisoner of Jasper Bram." + +"Don't that look queer? Both Tories? I should think they would be +friends, he and old Bram, both being of the same stripe," observed Andy. + +"Yes, it looks puzzling, so I am going to try and fathom the mystery," +replied Phil seriously. "There's the Bram farmhouse. We'll skirt it as +near as we dare and see what's going on." + +"Something is going on right now!" declared Andy suddenly. "What's up I +wonder?" + +At a break in the hills they came within a few hundred yards of the +house where Jasper Bram lived. In front of it was a horse, and into its +saddle a boy had just climbed. + +"That is Greg Bram," said Andy, peering attentively. + +"And that's his father," added Phil. + +The old man was gesticulating as if he were very much excited. He +pointed to a stone shed back of the house and then in the direction of +the town, and finally struck the horse that Greg rode a vigorous slap +on the flank that sent the animal forward like an arrow. + +All the time the boys had been approaching nearer to the house. Their +glance was now transferred to the stone shed behind the house, and +fixed there. It was a low, strong structure with a heavy wooden door, +and had windows crossed with iron bars. At one of these could be seen +the figure of some one within, beating at the bars with a thick club +and then trying to pry them apart. + +"That's our friend with the muskrat skin cap," said Andy. "He is a +prisoner in there and is trying to break out. He can't make it. He has +given it up." + +"No, he hasn't," corrected Phil, a minute later, while they kept +advancing closer and closer to the scene. "He is putting shavings, +splinters and kindling wood in the embrasure." + +"Aha!" cried Andy--"He has set the place on fire! See there, Phil, he +is trying to make his way to liberty by burning out the wooden window +sash." + +Old Jasper Bram had gone into the house and Phil and Andy had ventured +to cross his domain from the road. They were less than a hundred feet +from the farmhouse when Bram came out of it. The old man was making for +the stone shed and had quite reached it, when he started back with a +wild yell of the most positive excitement and alarm. + +Turning, he started a wild run--not into the house, nor near it, but +squarely away from it--his face ashen and working with fear. His arms +were thrown upwards in a sort of a desperate terror and his breath came +in quick gasps. Thus, running, he nearly collided with Phil and Andy. +He did not seem to recognize them, but shouted out. + +"Run--run for your lives! It's doom, it's +death--blown--to--a--thousand pieces!" + +The boys just caught the echo of his disjointed sentences. Bram never +halted nor looked to see if they were following him. He acted like a +person bereft of his reason. Over a rise in the landscape he dashed and +disappeared. + +"Well, this is sensational enough," exclaimed Andy. "Now, what does it +all mean?" + +"It means one thing we must see to," declared Phil, hurrying towards +the stone shed. "That boy in there has started quite a blaze. He must +be about choked with the smoke. We must get him out of there." + +"To bolt again--to leave us in a more puzzling fix than ever?" demanded +Andy. "No sir-ree! Let him out if you like, but not until I am right +behind you, ready to grab the slippery fellow before he plays us +another jumping-jack trick." + +"Hey!" shouted Phil, halting in front of the burning window frame. + +A human face wavered for a moment in the wreaths of smoke clouding the +aperture. + +"Let me out!" shouted a voice in muffled tones. "Let me out, quick!" + +Phil went around to the single door of the shed. It was stoutly secured +by a hasp and padlock. Phil picked up a big stone and smashed the +padlock. Then he pulled open the door. + +"Come out, quick!" he cried. + +Andy had placed his gun against an old box. With his arms outspread +he posed to seize the refugee when he should appear. There was no +necessity for haste or violence, however, for with the opening of +the door a great cloud of smoke floated out, enveloping a form which +struggled past it--the mysterious boy. He was staggering and gasping +and rubbing his smoke-blinded eyes. + +"Thanks," he said, rather faintly. "I'll never try that again--thanks." + +The speaker tottered against the outside wall of the shed for support +and leaned there weakly, getting back his breath and his wits. Then +suddenly he straightened up and peered towards the house and all around +it in a scared sort of way. + +"I--I must get away from here, and--thanks," he spoke for the third +time in a strained and embarrassed tone of voice. + +"Hold on," ordered Andy, firmly planting himself in front the refugee +and seizing his arm. + +The lad shrank and turned a white pallor. Phil, studying him, saw +the old hunted, desperate expression he had noted on two previous +occasions come back into the wan, starved-looking face. + +"What do you want of me?" the unknown lad asked of Andy. + +"What do we want?" repeated Andy, purposely blustering. "That's a fine +question to ask after all the bother and mystery you've made for us. We +want to know a lot, and you've got to tell it." + +"Easy, Andy, gently now," directed Phil. Then, turning kindly and +courteously to the refugee, he said: + +"We first want to give you a good meal--you look as if you needed it." + +The boy's face, for a moment lightened by Phil's gracious words, grew +sad again and he spoke with a dry, choking little laugh. + +"I'm hungry enough," he said, but casting the old scared glance all +about him added hastily: "I can't stay around here! Not a moment--not a +single moment! Don't stop me." + +"You can't go!" shouted Andy, catching and imprisoning both of the +boy's arms from behind, and thus struggling with him. "You're up to +something mysterious. These are times when every loyal Concord boy must +watch out for fellows like you--a Tory." + +At that the refugee ceased struggling. He allowed himself to remain +limply in Andy's grasp, but he fixed an earnest, pleading look on Phil. + +"Do you believe that?" he inquired. "But of course you do, for you +called me a Tory yourself a little while ago." + +"Don't I have reason to?" asked Phil bluntly. "I saw you in Boston +working for the British soldiers." + +"Yes, you did," admitted the captive. + +"Then, how can you explain?" + +The boy cast his eyes down, but it was quite apparent, not in shame. He +seemed thinking. Then with an uneasy start he glanced all around the +place and acted as if he would run for it on the slightest provocation. + +Thinking better of it, he faced Phil in a frank, manly fashion. + +"See here," he said, "you are doing wrong in keeping me here--more +wrong than you dream of. You shouldn't make me tell you what you really +have no business to know, but, if you are true blue, and I know you +must be, I'll tell you something. Let go of my arms--I won't run. Now +then, if I prove to you that I am not a Tory, do I go free?" + +"Yes," said Andy promptly, and Phil gave a nod of assent. + +"All right," said the refugee, as Andy freed his arms. He groped +one hand inside of his jacket and beyond it. He drew out an oilskin +package, opened it, and took from it a folded sheet of paper. + +"Read it," he said, almost solemnly, "and when you have read--forget." + +Andy stared eagerly at the open sheet of paper displayed. Phil, more +puzzled and curious than ever, ran his eyes over the open page. It read: + + Boston, March, 1775. + + All loyal colonists will give this young man, my authorized + messenger, on duty, all the assistance possible. + +"Great guns!" vociferated Andy, and Phil drew back, gazing at the +refugee now with a look of admiration and respect. + +For the passport,--or whatever it might be called, but at all events +official and convincing,--bore a signature that was the watchword of +obedience and fidelity for every member of the Musket Boys of Old +Boston, wherever he might be. + +The paper was signed: + + "JOSEPH WARREN." + + + + + CHAPTER V + + A GREAT NAME + + +"Joseph Warren!" + +That was a great name in those days. It was no wonder that the sight of +it impressed Phil and Andy. With a sort of awe they read it, and their +interest in the homeless, hunted lad who showed it to them increased +greatly. + +Phil Warrington knew Dr. Warren. With a thrilling kind of pride he +recalled an encouraging word from the popular patriot one day, when he +and his comrades were drilling on a vacant city lot in Boston. Phil +felt that he was getting quite an experience as a young revolutionary +patriot. + +He recalled how Gen. Gage had listened patiently to the complaints of +the serious, manly little delegation--how he had said quite earnestly +to a brother officer at his side: "These sturdy young fellows show the +mettle of their rugged sires--if there is ever any serious trouble +these people mean to fight it out." + +There were three names to conjure by in Boston and its neighborhood +in those stirring days,--Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. +These men were the leaders in every patriotic move of the times. They +were the men who, because of their great influence and determination, +were approached with bribes, threats and persecutions by Tory +emissaries and enemies. + +Especially was Dr. Warren the idol of the patriots. In all but official +title he was practically commander in chief of the sturdy New England +"Sons of Liberty," the patiently waiting "Minute Men"--all those +earnest, enthusiastic militia organizations whom the great genius of +Gen. George Washington was so soon and successfully to merge into the +Continental Army. + +Little wonder was it that Andy Sabine felt as if he was getting to be +of some importance in his little world, and that Phil felt a decided +thrill of enthusiasm at being directly concerned in an affair in which +the notable patriot, Warren, was interested. + +All this was leading Phil's mind into an ever-increasing vortex of +speculation and excitement. Every day and its every event of late +seemed links in a strong chain of circumstances, all bearing more or +less on the spirit of war that was in the very air. + +"That's your letter, is it?" inquired Andy in his impetuous, +irrepressible way. + +Before the refugee could answer something startled him. He glanced at +a fringe of timber beyond the house. There was some movement there. +Phil made out Jasper Bram's hired man hauling cord wood on a sledge. +The strange boy seemed aroused at the proximity of others. He dodged +quickly to the rear of the stone shed, out of range of the man and +horse in the distance. Then he beckoned to Phil. In a very flustered +voice he said: + +"I can't stay here. I will get into trouble if I do, but I would like +to see you again." + +"Then come along with us," directed Phil. "We'll cut out of range of +these diggings across to Andy Sabine's barn." + +"Go to town--in daylight!" exclaimed the strange boy in dismay. "I +don't dare to. Is that man out of sight? Yes I must get away from here. +Good-bye, and thank you. Say," added the lad, dropping his voice as a +new thought came into his mind, "You know where the old cooper shop is?" + +"Down the river, yes," nodded Phil. + +"I'll be there until after dark to-night." + +"I'll come and see you there before dark," said Phil. + +The fugitive sped away at this. He cast many a furtive look about +him as he did so. Bram's hired man was now shut out from view by +intervening hills, but the runner never relaxed his speed and went over +a rise in the landscape like a fleet hare bounding for cover. + +"H'm!" observed Andy, approaching his friend. "On the jump again, eh? +He's a lively one. What did you let him go for?" + +"What right have we to stop him?" submitted Phil mildly--"Especially +after that document he showed us." + +"That's so, but it's--it's worrying!" cried Andy in a desperate sort of +a way. "What was he saying to you, Phil?" + +"Oh, he is to see us later," explained Phil. + +"Good!" vociferated Andy eagerly--"when? where?" + +"That's all arranged. That passport of his calls on all loyal patriots +to assist him when possible. So I think the first thing for us to do is +to get up a roaring good meal for him, and carry it to his hideout." + +"Oh, he has a hideout, then, has he?" persisted the inquisitive Andy. + +"Yes, and we are to meet him there about dusk." + +Phil and Andy got some water from the well and put out the smoking +window frame in the shed, and reached home without any further +adventures. There was a good deal that was inexplicable in the +occurrences of the afternoon, but they trusted to later expected +developments to clear the situation. Andy had free range at home, and +within an hour the chums were on the march again. They carried with +them a basket well filled with eatables. + +The old cooper shop was a landmark of Concord. It had once been a grist +mill, but now in moderate weather was used as a work shop by an old +villager, who made kegs, barrels and vats. It was a good hiding place +in winter, for it was not much in use except during the warm months of +the year. + +The boys crossed the bridge over the river. That stream was open. Ponds +and ditches had frozen up, but the river showed clear water and a +steady current, with occasional floating cakes of ice. + +It was getting on towards dusk when Phil and Andy reached the old mill. +It had windows supplied with wooden bars and a great high door. The +latter they found closed. + +"Hello, inside there!" shouted Andy, knocking vigorously on the stout +planking. Phil whistled sharply once or twice. The door ran in a +groove. It was rolled open about a foot. + +"It's us," announced Phil, as a cautious head protruded. + +"Oh, all right," answered the strange boy. "Squeeze in quick. Look +around first though, will you? Weren't followed? Didn't see anybody +lurking about, did you?" he inquired quite anxiously. + +"For a fact, we didn't think about it," replied Andy. "What are you +afraid of, neighbor, anyhow?" + +"Seems, nothing--I am," replied the boy soberly enough. "Principally, I +am afraid of Jasper Bram." + +"Knows you, does he?" interrogated Andy. + +"Only too well--he and his brother, and that son of his, Greg. I've +kept out of his clutches so far. I wouldn't like to get into them now, +just as I am going away from here with my work done." + +"What work?" projected Andy forcibly, his eager soul in his face, his +eyes sparkling with animation. + +The strange boy gave him a keen and then a meditative glance. He +seemed studying seriously some difficult problem in his mind. Phil +saw that he was troubled. The Boston youth, who was a natural leader +of boys, understood that they were dealing with a lad in a strained +position, his nerves all on edge, filled with alarm, on the perpetual +jump and go, and might be scared off the track again by a suspicious +word or an impulse of timidity. + +"See here!" cried Phil--heartily, swinging the basket in his hand, +"never mind Jasper Bram, just now. You take a good solid feed, and then +do your talking if you want to." + +The face of the strange boy changed quickly. His hungry eyes darted at +the basket with avidity. He led the way into a small compartment where +there were working benches and boxes to sit on. + +There was just enough of the sunset light left to allow the boys to see +one another. The strange lad acted embarrassed as Phil made a spread of +the wholesome, substantial food brought from the Sabine larder. Then as +his eyes ranged over the mince pie, cold pork and beans, half chicken, +and some nicely buttered brown bread, they filled with tears. + +"Thanks," was all he could say in a choked, sobbing tone. + +"That's four times you've said it," rallied Andy brusquely. "Once will +do. Nice fellow you are, hanging around half-famished, when the club +would have treated you like a prince after a sight of that passport of +yours." + +"I can't show it to everybody, you know," murmured the boy. + +"If you had shown it to us before you did, we would have made it easy +sledding for you here at Concord," declared Andy heartily. "Now you +have shown it to us, suppose you enlighten us as to a few points that +are burning me up with curiosity." + +"Let a fellow eat, won't you, Andy?" admonished Phil, and he drew Andy +to one side under the pretence of showing him an old cooperage tool +lying on a bench, so as to afford the strange boy a chance to eat in +comfort. + +"Say, he was hungry, wasn't he, now!" whispered Andy. + +"He acts it, I should say," responded Phil, who tried to relieve +any embarrassment on the part of the boy by keeping up a casual +conversation with Andy. The strange lad made him feel sad and glad +both at the same time,--glad to see him enjoy his meal, sad to realize +from the way he partook of the same that the poor wayfarer must have +been half-starved to death. + +"That was good, I tell you!" finally exclaimed the boy in a tone of +mingled contentment and gratitude. + +"And, now what is the next best thing we can do for you?" inquired Andy +impetuously, hot on the trail of information. + +"You can do something for me, for a fact," spoke the boy seriously, and +he looked out of the window across the dreary landscape and down at the +river in a doubtful way. "I don't want to risk staying here any longer +than I have to, so I won't take up much of your time. My name is Burt +Noble." + +"Glad to know you," nodded Andy airily. "Wanted to know you before, but +you wouldn't come close enough to hand." + +"I'll explain that," went on Burt Noble, still seriously, and taking no +notice of Andy's flippancy. "You can guess that I am no Tory from that +passport. Dr. Warren knows me and trusts me. It came right, and it was +right for me to find out what the Britishers were up to, and that was +why I seemed training with the Gage troops in Boston." + +"We understand," nodded Phil encouragingly. + +"Did you come down here to find out something for Dr. Warren, too?" +questioned Andy boldly. + +"Why, yes, in a way," answered Burt with directness. "I had some +private business of my own to attend to, and it all seemed to fit in +together." + +"Jasper Bram, your secrecy, that puff of powder!"--began Andy. "Oh, say +by the way--that puff of powder, what was the mystery of that maneuver? +And say too," added Andy with accumulating excitement, "that fire in +Bram's stone shed. Old Jasper ran from it yelling out something about +'being blown to a thousand pieces.' Why--say, why?" + +"Because he thought there was danger of being blown to a thousand +pieces," replied Burt Noble, with a faintly humorous smile on his face. + +"How was that, now?" persisted Andy. + +"He believed that down in the cellar of the shed there was enough +gunpowder to blow the whole farm to atoms." + +Andy looked "stumped," and Phil was interested and startled. + +"Bram ought to know if it was so," murmured Andy. + +"He thought he did," said Burt. "Yes, Jasper Bram had reason to believe +that there were four kegs of gunpowder under the stone shed." + +"Four kegs of powder!" shouted Andy. + +"Yes." + +"What in the world was Jasper Bram doing with all that ammunition?" +cried Andy in sheer bewilderment. + +Burt Noble did not reply for a moment or two. He looked anxious, +undecided and thoughtful. Phil read correctly from his intelligent, +expressive face that he was debating within himself how much he should +tell them. Finally Burt said: + +"If I can't trust good fellows like you whom I know to be true-blue +fellows, whom can I trust? Here's the whole story in brief. As you +must guess, I have been trying to help Dr. Warren by keeping tab on +the doings and plans of the Britishers. I don't like the sound of the +word spy, but, if it fits me, all right, it's in a glorious cause, +isn't it? I don't know whether you know it or not, but Gen. Gage has +been getting ready for a long time to crush out liberty at one sudden, +powerful blow. They haven't been working in Boston only. They have had +emissaries out all through the colonies, in little towns, sending them +information and ready to act as soon as the word is given." + +"How do you mean?" inquired the intensely interested Andy, his eyes as +big as saucers. + +"Well, for one thing a lot of Tories have been buying up all the +ammunition they could find. I suppose you know what it would mean if +war began, with all our military stores seized or destroyed by the +Britishers." + +"Whew!" whistled Andy in a long-continued series of trills. "I guess I +begin to understand! I heard my father talking something about that." + +"I found out that Peter Bram, at Farmington, who is a brother of +Jasper Bram, was making a regular business of going around secretly +and forming little parties of Tories to help in the general scheme," +proceeded Burt. "I left Boston to sort of look up Peter Bram on my own +account, too. He was away from town, so I came on here to Concord, +hoping to find what I wanted from Jasper Bram. Well, I discovered that +he had been driving around the country--or had sent that precious son +of his, Gregory, visiting stores and buying up powder and shot. That +sent me on the trail of doing some good work for my country. Jasper +Bram knows me, yes, indeed he does," continued Burt, with a serious +shake of the head. "He can hold me, too, if he catches me. He nearly +caught me snooping around his house. He did catch me, for a fact, +to-day, as you know." + +"What has he got against you--what power has he over you?" inquired +Phil, somewhat puzzled. + +"Why, he knows that I am a bound boy--a runaway apprentice from his +brother, Peter Bram." + +"Oh, is that so?" + +"And he sent Greg lickety-switch to town to get a constable to take me +in charge. That would mean going back into the old slave life with that +cruel brother of his." + +"What about the powder, though--get to that!" urged the impatient Andy. + +"Simply this," replied Burt quickly: "Jasper Bram gathered up four kegs +of it, and had it stored in the cellar of the stone shed--a ready-made +arsenal for the Britishers, if they ever got so far as Concord in their +raids. Even if they never used it at all, it was so much out of the way +of us 'rebels,' you see." + +"I don't wonder he was scared into fits when you set fire to the shed," +observed Phil, "but weren't you afraid, too, of being 'blown into a +thousand pieces?'" + +"Not at all," replied Burt calmly. "Jasper Bram didn't know it, but +there wasn't an ounce of powder in that cellar." + +"Eh, how was that?" inquired Andy, with a stare of perplexity. + +"I had removed it." + +"You--you!" stammered Andy. + +"Had taken it away. It took me parts of three nights to do it, without +disturbing the Brams or leaving any trace of my secret midnight +operation. Yes, that gunpowder is all safe out of the clutches of +Jasper Bram, although he little dreams it. And I tested the powder, +too, as you saw on the hilltop." + +"Good! hooray! say, Burt Noble, you're a hero!" shouted the vociferous +Andy, slapping the lad enthusiastically on the shoulder. "Phil, this is +action, real and brisk. My! I wish I could do a thing like that! Burt +Noble, you're smart--yes, you're just grand!" + +"I hope it all comes out right," said Burt. "There's a lot to do yet. I +think I have told you all I ought to." + +"But the powder?" asked Andy. "What became of that?" + +For answer Burt Noble drew a sealed envelope from his pocket. It was +getting quite dusk. He went to the end of a bench, lit a candle, and +came back to the boys. + +"My orders," he explained, "were to return to headquarters and report +any discovery of importance, where it was of local interest, though, +I was also to advise a leading patriot in the vicinity. Here is a +letter," and he handed the envelope to Andy. + +"Why," exclaimed the latter, peering at the superscription by the aid +of the candle--"this is addressed to my father!" + +"Yes," nodded Burt. "Be very careful of it. It tells where I have +hidden the powder--where it can be found by the people who need it +worst, when the first gun is fired." + +"Hello!" shouted Andy sharply just then--"that sounds like it now!" +for of a sudden at the big front door of the old mill there rang out a +vivid, echoing-- + +_BANG!_ + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + DOWN THE RIVER + + +Burt Noble blew out the candle quickly, but not until Phil had noticed +a keen look of alarm in his eyes. Then Burt ran to a window looking +down from the front of the building, and Phil darted to the same +opening. + +"What was that?--Who is it?" asked Andy sharply. + +"It's the Brams, bag and baggage," replied Phil, staring down through +the gathering gloom. + +"Yes, and, Adam Woods, an officer of the law, is with them." + +"And two others!" added Burt Noble in a gasp. "Oh, I feared this! I +shouldn't have come back here. At least, I shouldn't have stayed." + +Burt had run to one side window and then to another. Then he backed to +a bench and stood wavering undecidedly, and evidently frightened. + +Phil had followed his movements quickly. He also glanced out of the two +side windows in turn just as Burt had done. On the ground at the south +side of the mill was Bram's hired man. He was armed with a musket, and +was looking up at the old building. + +On the north side of the building, evidently keeping guard in that +direction, was a man whom Phil recognized as one of the town watchmen. + +"They have got a big log in front there," said Burt. "There they go +again! They are trying to break down the front door. I guess they have +got me this time." + +"Not yet," declared Andy with vim, his eyes snapping with excitement. +"Warrant, due process of law, and all that, eh? The old Tory +curmudgeon! trying to get you into his clutches and shut you up as +his slave, and shut you out from doing your duty by the country he +hates! That's his game, is it? Well, it won't work. We're just going to +circumvent them." + +"I am afraid it is hopeless," said Burt. "Bram has a right to arrest me +as a runaway." + +"Come here for a minute, Phil," came from Andy, paying no attention to +Burt's last words. + +There came another tremendous bang at the door down stairs. Andy +whispered something rapidly to Phil. + +"Come on, Burt Noble," said Phil. "Go ahead, Andy. Hold those fellows +in check as long as you can." + +"You see they saw the light," observed Burt. "I feared being traced +here. After I left you this afternoon I noticed Jasper Bram's hired man +watching me from a clump of trees. Later he passed the old mill here. +He has told Bram and the officers." + +"Never mind. They won't get you just yet," Phil promised confidently. +"Follow me quietly. You do your part, Andy." + +"Rest assured I will!" announced Andy, descending the stairs. + +As Phil and Burt passed him on their way to the rear of the place, Andy +stepped on a big bench and pulled open a little window about ten feet +from the ground. + +"Hey you!" he hailed to Bram, his son Greg and the officers outside, +who poised a heavy tree log on their shoulders, ready to make a run for +the door. + +"Come out of that!" shouted Jasper Bram, dropping his end of the +impromptu battering ram and waving his arms excitedly up at Andy. +"We've got you--oh, pshaw!" + +Here he recognized Andy. His face fell, while that of Andy broke into a +tantalizing grin. + +"What's all this rumpus about, anyhow?" demanded Andy. + +"Don't let him fool you!" shouted Greg Bram to the officers. "It isn't +so cozy in that old barn of a place that Andy Sabine would shut himself +in. The other fellow is in there, too. Make him come out--make Andy +tell." + +"See here, Andy Sabine," spoke up the town officer, trying to look and +act dignified and important, "I suppose you know that it's a pretty +serious offense obstructing the majesty of the law?" + +"Why, I am obstructing nothing," declared Andy innocently. + +"You be!" shouted old Bram. "You've shut us out. Come down and open +that door, or it will be the worse for you." + +"I didn't lock the door. Huh! what have I got to do with your old +door!" exclaimed Andy, in right royal indignation. + +"Well, the boy we're after did. You're harboring him. Do you know what +harboring a criminal means in the eyes of the law, young man?" demanded +the town officer. + +"Bosh!" cried down Andy, "get in the best way you can. I'm not around +opening doors for people." + +Andy shut the window with a slam, for he had parleyed with and delayed +the enemy to some purpose. Of this Andy was apprised by a low whistle +sounding from a distant part of the structure. It was an agreed signal +with Phil Warrington, and Andy now felt very independent and fearless. + +Meantime Phil had led Burt Noble to a lower floor of the old mill, in +pursuance with a suggestion of the clever and quick-witted Andy. Phil +had been in the building several times since his arrival in Concord +during the desultory rambling excursions along the river, and what he +did not know about the place Andy had told him. + +A section of the building reached out over the water. Its floor at +this place was covered with a movable wooden grating. There was still +light enough, as the boys reached this, for Phil and his companion to +discover outlines. Phil pulled the grating up and tilted it against the +side of the room. + +"Now then, Burt Noble," he said briskly, "can you swim?" + +Burt glanced down at the watery pit below, fed from the river, and at +the stream itself, chill and uninviting and carrying frequent ice-cakes +on its surface. He shivered, smiling, but quite anxiously. + +"I can swim," he replied, "but I don't care about trying it in that +ice-water bath." + +"You don't have to," said Phil. "I asked the question incidentally. +Only, if you should happen to duck down or get under, why, I'd feel +easier to know that you could reach shore." + +"Duck down? get under?" repeated Burt in a puzzled way. "Why, how do +you mean?" + +"You've got to get out of this, haven't you?" demanded Phil. + +"I should say so." + +"Well, this is the only route," proceeded Phil, pointing down into +the water runway. "Look down closer. See a big tub there, almost a +hogshead?" + +"Yes, I see it!" answered Burt, staring dubiously. + +"Well, we are going to barrel you up in it and send you adrift." + +"Barrel me up?" repeated the astounded refugee. + +"Just that, and trust to luck that the floating tub will not be noticed +by the man watching out at the south end of the mill." + +The big tub below was an immense affair. It was partially filled with +ice which bore it down about half its depth. Its use at present had +been suggested to Andy through a memory of former swimming exploits in +this same vicinity. Phil slanted a board until it rested on the level +ice in the tub. + +"Slide down," he directed. "Stoop, when you land. Then I'll lower one +of these round covers. It will be loose, and you will have plenty of +air. You can even look out. I will climb down the rafters, and with +that pole yonder help you out into the river. Stay aboard until you +pass the bend in the stream. Then land, and make for Andy's house. You +know where that is?" + +"Oh, yes," responded Burt, "but I don't think I had better go there." + +"What--not among friends? Why not?" + +"Because the Brams will hunt me out. No," said Burt seriously, "I am +through with my work in Concord, and I had better get back to Boston." + +"All right, you know best," said Phil, "only, move briskly, for those +men in front may break in at any moment. And here," continued Phil +drawing some silver from his pocket, "take that." + +"Oh, see here--" remonstrated Burt. + +"It will help out on your route home. If the trifle worries you--wish I +had more--call it a loan until you get on your feet." + +"You're right good fellows, both of you!" said Burt, with enthusiasm +and emotion. "Wait," he added, as Phil touched his arm to urge him into +action, "I want to tell you something." + +Burt drew from an inner pocket of his coat two narrow folded strips of +paper. He cast his eyes down to these as if to distinguish one from the +other. Then he selected one and handed it to Phil with the question: + +"Let me ask you--is your father's name John Warrington?" + +"That is right," nodded Phil, in some wonder. + +"I was sure it was. Let me ask you again. Has he ever had anything +particular to do with Jasper Bram?" + +"Too much, I fear, for his own good, in a business way," replied Phil +promptly. + +"I don't know as this strip of paper I am giving you will be any good +to you," went on Burt, "but the singular way in which I got it made +me treasure it as maybe a--a what you might call it? yes, a clew to +something." + +"But what is it, and where did you get it?" inquired Phil, made very +curious by his father's name coming up amid this strange and unusual +environment. + +"It is simply a paper band marked in ink: John Warrington," explained +Burt. "I found it with a band like it marked with my own name. The +place I found it was in Jasper Bram's house." + +Phil started, and all kinds of curious speculations ran rapidly through +his mind. + +"At Jasper Bram's house?" he repeated. "When did you get into his +house?" + +"Night before last, when they were all away to town," replied Burt. +"The truth is, I was hoping to find some papers that would tell me the +truth about the right of Peter Bram to hold me as an apprentice--hoping +to find out something about my father, who it seems disappeared when +I was a child. There is some mystery about that, about me, and the +Brams hold the key to it, I feel certain. Well," proceeded Burt, with a +sigh of disappointment, "I learned little that was of any use, through +my raid on the desk of Jasper Bram. There was a waste basket full +of old documents, torn to little bits. It looked as if old Bram had +been recently cleaning up his desk, destroying unimportant papers and +putting his affairs in order, maybe for a move, or because he knew we +were going to have a war." + +"It looks that way. Go on," urged Phil eagerly. + +"To me these two paper bands look as if they had held some papers that +concerned your father and myself." + +"Why, it is a sure thing," declared Phil. "But if Bram has destroyed +them--" + +"We don't know that. More like, if they have been of some value to him +all along, they are of value now. I think he has selected what he wants +to save, and has planted it somewhere for safety until he sees how the +trouble in the colony is going." + +"This will be interesting to my father," murmured Phil, pocketing the +strip of paper. "About yourself--I shall start back for Boston in a day +or two. Be sure to come and see me." + +"I surely shall," promised Burt. "Good-by, I hope these people outside +don't discover me." + +At this Burt slid down the plank that Phil had lowered, and landed in +the tub. Phil tilted the board to a beam, and selected a big wooden +cover from the cooper's stock. Not much more conversation passed +between the boys. Phil had some difficulty in placing the cover on the +tub. It was not easy to hold on to the rafters, and, progressing foot +by foot, shove the tub with the pole in his hand towards the river end +of the water runway. + +"Are you all right in there?" inquired Phil at last, as the tub began +to whirl. + +"Right as a trivet," came the prompt reply in muffled tones. + +"Good-by, then!" + +"I'll see you in Boston--many thanks." + +Phil gave the tub a final push, and it passed from his view, out into +the night and into the current of the fast-rolling stream. + +It was then that Phil gave the signal whistle that told Andy Sabine +that the coast was clear. Phil hurried to the ground floor of the +mill and peered out of one of its south windows. He saw Jasper Bram's +hired man still on guard, with his musket, but now facing towards his +companions at the front of the structure. Phil quickly glanced towards +the river. The fast gathering darkness made him strain his gaze to make +anything out. The surface of the river was turbid and broken, and only +because he sought a definite object was he enabled to catch a fleeting +view of the floating tub that he had just sent adrift. + +It moved along with ice-cakes, scarcely noticeable amid the gloom. Phil +watched it rock and drift with the current, and where the river curved +lost sight of it. Then Phil whistled again, and joined Andy near the +front door. + +"Did you manage it?" inquired Andy eagerly. + +"Yes. Burt is safe out of this place," reported Phil with satisfaction. +"It was a grand idea of yours, Andy. We have outwitted the enemy." + +"Hear them grumble!" said Andy. + +There was a great hubbub outside. Jasper Bram, his son, Greg, and the +officer were all talking together at once. Each was suggesting some +different plan to assail the stout barrier and force a way to the +interior of the old mill. Phil ended the commotion by abruptly removing +the bar to the big elm door, pushing it back, and stepping into the +midst of the attacking party, Andy promptly following him. + +"Where's the other boy?" yelled Jasper Bram, with a ferocious look of +hatred at Phil. + +"This is a pretty serious affair, obstructing the majesty of the law," +began the officer, in his former poll-parrot fashion. + +"Obstructing nothing!" interrupted Andy bluffly. "The door's open, +isn't it? If you're looking for any one, you had better be brisk and +find him." + +"If we don't, we'll remember your share in this affair, young man!" +snarled old Bram venomously. + +"You want to be quick about it, then," retorted Andy spicily. "If I +know anything about it, this town will be too hot to hold Tories of +your stripe before long. Come on, Phil, let them have their turn at the +fun, now." + +The boys proceeded from the spot. As they crossed an old bridge, Phil, +who had kept a sharp lookout all along the river bank, pointed to a +place where some ice-cakes had massed in a sort of crevasse. + +"There's the old cooper's tub, Andy," he remarked. + +"Yes," nodded Andy complacently, peering, too. "The cover is off, so I +reckon our friend is safe and far on his way to Boston." + +The chums found it pretty hard to dismiss the stirring events of that +eventful day from their minds. After supper they went out to the barn, +and held a mutual discussion over the situation. They decided to tell +everything to Mr. Sabine. Andy called his father out to the barn, and +they had an interested auditor in the "club room," in the hay loft. + +Mr. Sabine rather curiously inspected, opened, and read the letter that +Burt Noble had given Andy. His eyes brightened. Then his face became +thoughtful, and he said: + +"This is a big piece of work, lads. I would like to know that plucky +fellow who has put just the ammunition the cause needs into our hands. +I will have to report this to the citizens' committee at once." + +Phil and Andy prepared to retire to rest at once, for they were tired +out. For a long time, however, they sat on the edge of the bed talking +about Burt Noble, the hidden gunpowder, and the events generally that +seemed to show that they were approaching the crisis of truly-spirited +times. + +Phil's mind was as well taken up with the discovery of the paper band +taken from Jasper Bram's house and bearing the name of his father. +Somehow, this fitted to the remarks concerning "documents," which Mr. +Warrington had hinted Jasper Bram possessed, and which he had said +involved quite a sum of money. + +"We'll have a great story to tell the club, eh, Phil?" remarked Andy. +"Of course, we can't tell about the gunpowder, but--" + +"We'll be dreaming about gunpowder, if you don't turn in!" cried Phil. +"Tumble in, now!" and he threw a pillow at Andy. It struck his active +bed fellow and knocked him flat, but Andy suddenly sprang up. + +"Hark!" he cried sharply, "what was that?" + +Both listened intently, with the echoes of a dull but unusual +explosion in their ears. Andy ran to the window. Phil was equally +excited. + +"A musket shot," he began. + +"Musket shot, nothing!" retorted Andy, with great animation. "That +was a cannon, and nothing else. Why, I know!" and Andy jumped for his +clothes. + +"Know what?" demanded Phil, scrambling likewise into his garments with +the activity of a wide-awake lad aroused by a fire alarm. + +"Old Silas Berks, Phil! Don't you remember what he told us to-day? That +was his cannon we just heard. Can war have been declared--for that was +Old Tom barking!" + +"Sure as you live!" shouted Phil in an extravagant state of excitement, +and both boys dashed downstairs and out of the house. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + OLD BERKS' NEWS + + +In the rash of the natural excitement of the moment, Phil Warrington +did not realize for some time that they were taking a good deal for +granted. Now, as they reached the street, he checked his speed and that +of his companion with the sharp ejaculation: + +"Hold on, Andy--don't let us start out on a wild goose chase till we +know what we are about." + +"What do you mean? Come ahead. You heard the old cannon, didn't you? +Well, then, fly!" cried the irrepressible Andy. + +"But we are simply guessing at things, don't you see?" demurred +Phil. "Our heads are so full of old Berks and the rest of our day's +adventures, that we imagine--" + +"Not a bit of it!" shouted Andy, on fire with enthusiasm. "Think +I don't know the sound of Old Tom? Didn't it come from the right +direction? Didn't he tell us--aha! what do you say now?" cried Andy +with a positive yell. + +In those days Concord was a small, scattered village, nothing more. +Two minutes running had brought the boys to a sparsely tenanted patch +of ground, with the fields and woods just beyond it. Among the distant +timber was a brilliant glow. It flashed up, died down, and then flashed +up again. + +Phil was impressed with the sight, for his quick eye discerned that the +strange glow was in the precise direction of the queer old stockade +inhabited by Silas Berks, in fact, the radiance seemed to indicate the +exact location of the home of the eccentric old Indian fighter. + +No one else in the town seemed aroused as were the boys. They had a +lonely dash of it across the river, through a fringe of underbrush, up +a rise, and through the trees just beyond the Bram homestead where they +could see the flames through the forest. + +"It's Berks' place, right enough!" declared Andy. + +"And he has fired the cannon to call for help," suggested Phil. + +In about five minutes the boys were descending the last hill their side +of the old hut. That structure, brightly illuminated, was now in full +view. The hut was not on fire at all, but just outside of the stockade +a big haystack was blazing up. + +"No danger of the house," said Phil. "I wonder how it caught on fire?" + +There was a light in the hut as they dashed up to it, and a great +uproar emanated from inside. The parrot was screaming and the doves and +chickens flitting about, and two watch dogs were filling the air with +manifold barkings. The sound of a cracked old bugle mingled with the +general uproar. + +Andy gave the door a push. It was not locked it seemed on the inside, +and it flew open readily. + +"It's us, Mr. Berks," cried Andy, staring at the object of his anxiety. + +Silas Berks lay stretched out on a bed, his face red and perspiring. He +was blowing upon an old brass military bugle with all the power of his +lungs. He removed the mouthpiece from his lips as the boys made their +appearance. + +"Good for you!" he piped. "Say, what's on fire outside?" + +"A haystack," explained Andy. "It can't do any further damage, it's +burned out." + +"Lighted wad from the cannon must have done that," said Silas. "Too +bad--but it's worth the money now you've come." + +"We don't understand it all," said Andy, in a perplexed way. "What has +been happening around here? Was the barking of Old Tom an accident? Why +don't you get up?" + +"Because I can't get up," replied Silas. "I've got a spell--a bad one. +I always get one when I have been over-excited, and I reckon I've had +enough to stir me up this night. You're grand, true boys, you two are. +Remember what I told you, when Old Tom barked, hey? Well, I made him +bark. It's cost me my haystack, but cheap at the price, yes, sir! cheap +at the price." + +The old soldier's eyes snapped as he spoke at first, but the words +finally died down to a faint, droning sound. His eyes closed, and he +acted like a person who had sunk into a sudden stupor. + +"Mr. Berks! Mr. Berks!" called Andy in some alarm, hurrying to the side +of the bed and seizing and shaking the arm of the old soldier. Berks +smiled stupidly and muttered some incoherent words, but he did not open +his eyes. + +"What shall we do, Phil?" inquired Andy quite anxiously. "He certainly +is ill." + +"But he does not seem to be suffering," said Phil. "You know he spoke +of a spell. Leave him alone for a few minutes and see if he doesn't get +better. I'll go and look after the burning haystack." + +Phil found a heap of burning cinders. There was no danger of fire +spreading, and he returned to the cabin, to be greeted with the +animated remark of the parrot. + +"Hurrah for liberty!" + +That familiar cry aroused old Silas. He opened his eyes and smiled at +the parrot and the boys. Then he said. + +"Andy, lad, go to the old cupboard yonder there, will you, and bring me +a bottle of medicine you'll find on the middle shelf." + +Andy found that bottle, and Old Silas drank some of its contents. It +seemed to do him good. He managed to sit up in bed, but not without +considerable wincing, as if the operation caused him some pain, and he +did not attempt to get out of the bed. + +"Don't look worried, lads," he said, in his usual cheery, piping tone. +"I'm simply laid up as a bad lumbago patient for a few hours. As I told +you, when I allow myself to get excited and move around too briskly, it +upsets me and seems to affect a wound I got in an Indian skirmish years +ago. It's a nerve weakness, I guess, and takes me in the limbs. I'll +be well again tomorrow. Front face, now! and Attention, company! I got +some news to-night." + +"From Boston?" inquired Andy eagerly. + +"That's right, lad, from headquarters,--from the seat of war. I've got +a very good friend busy in the cause there. He sent home one of my +pigeons to-night. It brought me a message." + +"Oh, Mr. Berks! what was it?" inquired Andy. + +"Something very important. I bustled around to get my old nag hitched +up to go to town to carry the news to your father or some other good +member of the committee, when I felt my spell coming on. I had just +strength enough to fire off Old Tom, trusting to chance that some one +would hear the report and come up here." + +"Was it important news, Mr. Berks?" inquired Phil, thinking of his +native city and the folks at home. + +"It is, lad," answered the old Indian fighter. "There's a big plot +afoot with the Britishers to squelch the patriots, and I've got wind of +the first section of it." + +"Say, tell us about it," urged the impetuous Andy. + +"Because I know you to be two good, loyal boys, and because you must be +the bearers of a very important message for the good of your country, I +will," said Silas. "You know that the provincial Congress met here at +Concord only a few days ago." + +Both boys nodded. The Congress had been an important and decisive step +with the colonists. Many noted patriots had been present, and the event +had been of great interest to the Sabine family, for its head had been +one of the leaders in the convention. + +"Very well," continued Silas, "the reports of defiance--the +determination of the convention--reached Gen. Gage in Boston. According +to my message from my friends there, the Britishers decided that the +iron was hot, and that now was the time to strike. Warren, Adams and +Hancock were the leading spirits at the Congress. Gen. Gage has decided +to arrest them the hour they set foot in Boston again, send them aboard +a British man-of-war, and ship them to England to be tried for treason. +They hope to crush out the spirit of the masses by taking away their +leaders and hanging them." + +"But they can't do that!" cried Andy indignantly. "It's against the +law. It's piracy. It's--it's--" + +"They mustn't be allowed to do it," interrupted Silas gravely. "You +boys must get back to town at once. Tell your father, Andy, what I've +told you. Warren, Adams and Hancock have left Concord, but I understand +they were going to make the journey to Boston by stages, taking time to +consult militia leaders at the various towns. Tell your father to send +a messenger at once after them, and warn them under no circumstances to +return to Boston, as a plot is on foot to arrest them." + +"We'll do it, Mr. Berks,--we'll be off like a shot!" cried Andy. + +"If we can do anything for you to make you more comfortable--" began +Phil. + +"I'll be right as a trivet in the morning," declared the staunch old +soldier. "Just shut the door tight, and see that the haystack fire is +out, and don't lose any time with that message." + +"My," exclaimed Andy, as he and Phil cleared the doorway on a bound, +"this is just like going off to the war!" + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + THE ROAD TO BOSTON + + +"Phil, it doesn't seem real!" + +"It seems only too real to me, Andy." + +"Well, then, I mean that it appears all like a dream." + +"It's a dream we'll have to keep awake in, if things are as serious as +your father thinks," said Phil Warrington. + +It was pitch dark, two o'clock in the morning, and the situation was +so strongly in contrast with the usual midnight hours spent in sound, +healthy sleep under a hospitable roof, that Andy Sabine might well +think it all had a decidedly dreamy and unreal aspect. + +Four hours previous, Phil and Andy had rushed into the home of the +latter in Concord breathless, excited and full to the brim of the +mystery and importance of the message intrusted to them by the old +Indian lighter, Silas Berks. + +They had to arouse Andy's father, for they found him in bed. When +Andy in a hushed, impressive voice recited the latest adventure of the +night, Mr. Sabine acted very much aroused and serious. + +"This is a matter of grave import, boys," said the sterling patriot. +"I believe in Silas Berks. He is a true-souled man, and his message +fits in with information we had already received. We felt sure +that Gen. Gage and his minions were on the point of making some +demonstration--underhanded as usual--to break up the Sons of Liberty +and the Minute Men. Old Silas has given us a valuable hint. It is +important, indeed, that Dr. Warren and his friends should be warned of +their danger. Let me think for a moment." + +Mr. Sabine paced the floor for some time, plunged in deep meditation. +He seemed to be turning the situation over in his mind thoroughly. + +"I would go on this mission myself," he said at last, "only that I +have arranged to visit some towns north of here in the interests of +our Congress. It is late, yet not a minute should be lost. Dr. Warren +and his friends were to visit Manchester first, then Merrimack, and +then in turn the various towns on the old Boston stage line. I am sure, +according to their plans, they would not reach Boston for some days to +come, but might change their programme and run their head right into +the noose. They must be reached, but how?" + +"I'll tell you, Mr. Sabine," spoke up Phil, promptly and respectfully. +"I am anxious to go on this mission and would have to leave Concord +in a day or two, anyhow. There is no stage coach until Thursday +for Boston. If I could arrange for a horse, I could start off +to-night,--this very hour,--after Dr. Warren. I could keep on until I +overtook the doctor, don't you see?" + +"You're a plucky, loyal lad, Phil," said Mr. Sabine warmly, "only--" + +"Father, let me go to, too!" broke in Andy eagerly, "let me go with +Phil. I've just been dying to really do something. Please let me go, +father!" + +"Impossible," answered Mr. Sabine, and that seemed to end it. But +it did not, for a discussion of nearly an hour's duration followed. +At the end of it, the triumphant Andy was aglow with enthusiasm and +excitement. Reluctantly Mr. Sabine had agreed to send Phil on the +urgent midnight mission after Dr. Warren and his compatriots and Andy +was to accompany his chum. + +Andy left a message of direction for his club mates, and arranged that +some one should see in the morning that Silas Berks was all right. It +was also decided how they should leave his father's two horses, that +they were to ride, to be sent back from whatever town they found Dr. +Warren at, and continue the journey to Boston on fresh-hired steeds, by +stage coach, or part of the way on foot, if they so desired. + +An hour saw them mounted, and bidding Mr. Sabine a subdued good-by in +the stable yard, so they would not disturb the sleepers in the house. +In an hour they were some miles on their route. At two o'clock in the +morning they passed a settlement. + +It was then, traversing a rutty, snow-crusted road, that Andy made the +remark about the unreality of the situation, and now Phil discussed its +merits and their plans freely. + +"It's a nice state of things, when respectable citizens like Dr. Warren +have to hide for their lives and keep away from their friends," he +remarked indignantly. + +"I should say so," replied Andy. "Oh, this thing is going to end in a +fight, and soon, too. Everybody is ready for it." + +Daybreak brought them to a second little settlement, where they found a +farmer milking his cows. They arranged for breakfast here, and slept +two hours in a hay mow while the horses were fed and rested. They +resumed the journey, had another rest at Nashua, and here learned that +Dr. Warren and his friends had been there three days before and could +probably be found at Lowell. + +It was dark the next afternoon when the tired-out horses and the +tired-out boy-messengers reached that town. Both Phil and Andy were +glad to stretch their limbs, and it gave them a feeling of comfort to +watch their wearied steeds enjoying their fodder, housed in comfortable +stalls in the stable of the town tavern. + +A good meal for themselves was the next thing in order. After supper +Phil spoke to the landlord of the inn, first in a general way, and +then began questioning him as to the whereabouts of Dr. Warren and his +friends. + +"Dr. Warren is in town," said the landlord. "He has been here two days. +Adams and Hancock were here too, but they left this morning. Dr. Warren +is staying with one of the selectmen, but he has been holding a secret +meeting with some of our townsmen down at the village hall. I think +you'll find him there." + +"Where is the village hall?" inquired Andy, and the landlord directed +them. + +The place was a rudely-built two-story structure. The boys halted in +front of it, to find it dark and locked up. They decided that the +meeting must have adjourned, and started out to locate Dr. Warren +elsewhere. Phil remarked, however:-- + +"Being a secret meeting, it may be held at the rear of the place. Wait +for a minute, Andy, and I will make a tour around the building." + +Andy stayed in front of the structure, whistling to himself. He saw +Phil pass along the side of the hall. At the extreme end of the +building, Phil halted suddenly and started back. A man had appeared +from a sheltered doorway, as if he had been lurking there. He seemed +to question Phil. Andy saw his companion draw back. The man seized his +arm, and Phil was pulled violently around the corner of the building, +and entirely beyond the view of the startled Andy. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Andy in mingled stupefaction and wonder. "Now what +is the meaning of that, I wonder?" + +He ran along the side of the building. He fancied he heard a muffled +shout in Phil's voice, and ran still faster. Very near to the doorway +where the strange man had lurked, Andy halted with a shock. + +"Hey, there!" challenged a sharp though cautious voice from overhead. +"There you are! Get away from here, quick!" + +A vague pair of arms appeared at an open upper window. They dropped a +square package done up in paper. So suddenly did all this come upon the +wonder-stricken Andy, that, before he could catch the package or dodge +its descent, it struck him squarely on the head, and sent him flat. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + IN THE ENEMY'S HANDS + + +Something had happened to Phil Warrington as he reached the rear of the +town hall building--something unlooked for, sudden and alarming. His +trusty chum had seen only part of the mishap to Phil. The latter was +now struggling for release from the grasp of a brawny villain. + +Just as Phil had passed the deep doorway at the rear of the building, a +man had stepped from its obscure shadows. + +"Hello! who are you, and what do you want?" he demanded sharply. + +Phil was rather startled by the unexpected appearance and keen manner +of the challenger. He was somewhat embarrassed, too. The first thought +suggested to his mind was that here he had obtruded on the sentinel +guarding a secret conclave within the structure. + +"I was trying to find out if there was a meeting here," said Phil. "I +was looking for Dr. Warren." + +"Eh? Warren? What for?" demanded the stranger. + +"I have a message for him." + +"You have?" cried the man eagerly. "Give it to me! I'll take it to him." + +"No," said Phil, "I will deliver it to him myself." + +At that Phil drew back--rather dodged back. The man had acted eager, +and even had reached out as if to seize Phil. Then, too, the boy +noticed his face more clearly. It was an evil face, and his suspicions +were aroused. He saw that, thrown momentarily off his guard, he had +imparted too much to a stranger, and he turned to retrace his steps +quickly to the street. Then the man reached out and seized his arm +firmly, and forcibly pulling Phil with him, jerked the lad around the +corner of the building, out of the sight of the street and of Andy. + +"Hold on,--stop!" demanded Phil, trying to make a resolute stand. + +"I'll take you to Dr. Warren," cried his rough captor quickly. "It's +only a few steps from here. He's waiting for you. Told me if any +messages came to take 'em, or bring 'em to him. I'm his body-guard, I +am. Hurry up, he'll be anxious to see you." + +The glib, eager fellow had said too much, and Phil at once saw that he +was not telling the truth. Dimly as Phil viewed his face, there was +light enough to show it belonged to a person of unprepossessing, if not +absolutely suspicious, appearance. + +"There is no need of quite crushing my arm, if you are a body-guard +of Dr. Warren," said Phil, trying to draw away from the clutch of the +fellow. + +"No, you don't!" said the man, tightening his grasp. "You come right +along with me." + +The fellow was powerfully built. He fairly dragged Phil over the +ground. He was making across a vacant space for a hollow in which stood +a dark rambling building, one-story high, and apparently untenanted. +Phil made a desperate struggle, and set up a shout. His captor placed +his free hand over the boy's lips to silence a further outcry. + +"Ouch!" he ejaculated, as Phil sank his teeth deep across his fingers. +The man was viciously irritated. He dealt Phil a fearful blow across +the side of the head with his clenched knuckles. Phil swayed, and +partly lost consciousness. He believed that the man lifted him up +and carried him. At least, in a half-dazed state he felt that he was +helpless, and when he opened his eyes clearly he was lying on a heap +of straw in some kind of a cellar. + +A lantern burned on a barrel. The man who had captured him was talking +to another man, roughly-dressed and fierce-looking. Phil listened. + +"So, I brought him here," said the speaker. "He's got a message for +Warren. It may be important." + +"I'll soon know," the other man. "Did you get the papers yet?" + +"I was waiting for them when this fellow came along." + +"Get right back and get those papers!" directed the other. "They are +what we came to Lowell for, and we mustn't miss them. I'll attend to +this fellow." + +Phil sprang up the minute his original captor left the place. Inside +his hat was a letter to Dr. Warren from Mr. Sabine. He did not know its +contents, yet at all hazards, he was bound to protect its secrecy. He +seized a stool resting on the floor and held it in front of him as a +shield. Thus armed, he made a rush for the door. + +The man laughed, and so nimbly interposed his bulky form that Phil +could not get past him. In fact, spreading out his arms, he began to +drive Phil back towards a corner of the cellar. + +"Got you caged," he chuckled. "Come, young spitfire, it's no use. Give +up what you've got, or it'll be a double-broken head for you!" + +Phil was in a desperate dilemma, and realized it. He suddenly lifted +the stool and flung it at the man. The latter dodged, evaded it, and +advanced for a final swoop on his victim. + +Phil quickly drew out the sealed letter that Mr. Sabine had written +to Dr. Warren. He crumpled it up, planning to stuff it in his mouth +and reduce it to a pulp, if he choked for it. His assailant read his +purpose, and made a great lunge for him. Phil, about to put his project +in execution, suddenly uttered a little cry. Then, staring beyond his +advancing opponent, he raised the hand containing the crumpled letter +and gave it a fling clear over the head of the man, with the sharp +direction: + +"Catch it, Andy, and--bolt!" + +The man came flat up against the wall as Phil ducked, but, reaching out +a frantic arm, tried to seize his coat. Just then a blow from a stick +of wood knocked him to one side. Andy Sabine followed up the attack by +grabbing Phil's arm. + +"Run!" he cried. "I've got the letter. Out of this, before the other +fellow comes back." + +They could hear the baffled cries of the man back in the cellar as +they ran down a damp, dark passageway and up a pair of steps, and out +into the open air. + +"This way," ordered Andy, guiding his friend down into the hollow, +out of it, and, after that, into the street beyond the scene of their +latest adventure. "We want to steer clear of the Town Hall. The other +fellow is back there." + +"Why! how did you find me, Andy?" panted Phil. + +"Saw you all the time, pretty nearly," declared Andy, "but it wasn't +the right thing to put in an appearance until the right minute. I +noticed that fellow grab you, and ran after you. Got knocked down by +this--" + +"What is that, Andy?" inquired Phil, as Andy lifted his coat from the +belt sufficiently to show the edge of some kind of a long, flat package +stuffed in, next to his shirt. + +"Never mind now--tell you soon," replied Andy. "I knew the package was +not intended for me, but I suspicioned something and stowed it away on +general principles. Then I followed you and the man to that cellar. +When he came out, I sneaked in." + +"To some purpose, friend Andy," commented Phil warmly. + +"And now then, to get to the selectman's house and see Dr. Warren." + +A few brief inquiries directed the boys. They were soon knocking at the +door of the home of a Mr. Longworthy in their quest for Dr. Warren. + +A sweet-faced girl attired in neat homespun welcomed them with a +pleasant smile, and making his mission known led them into the best +room of the house. A man sat at a table reading a book. + +"That is Dr. Warren," whispered Phil to Andy, whose heart was beating +fast at the thought of meeting at last the great colonial leader whom +he worshipped as a hero. + +"Two young gentlemen to see you, Dr. Warren," said the girl. + +"Why, this is young Warrington," instantly spoke the well-known +patriot, as he arose and shook hands warmly with the Boston boy, whom +he remembered and whose father was a cherished personal friend. + +"This is my chum, Andy Sabine, of Concord, Dr. Warren," introduced Phil. + +"Another good colonial name," said their host, and shook hands also +with Andy, whose finger tips tingled with pride and pleasure. "It seems +to me that you both are pretty far from home." + +"We came purposely to see you, Dr. Warren," said Andy. "Phil has a +letter from my father." + +"I had better explain its crumpled condition," said Phil, after Dr. +Warren had broken the seal and perused the note. + +"In a moment," said Dr. Warren, his face growing grave and perturbed as +he read the missive. "This must be acted on at once," he added, almost +to himself, arising and pacing the floor restlessly. "So they are going +to arrest us, are they? I am thankful for the warning, and Adams and +Hancock must know of this without delay. They have gone on to Brookton. +I can join them there day after tomorrow, but they may take a sudden +impulse to go to Boston. Yes, by all means, they must be speedily +notified." + +"Dr. Warren, we can attend to that for you," spoke up Phil. "We could +leave here before daylight. We need only a little rest for the horses." + +"You are brave, true lads," said Dr. Warren approvingly. "We will think +of this plan you suggest. And about the letter?" + +"Tell him all about everything," urged Andy--"clear back to Burt Noble, +and all that," and then Phil began his graphic story. + +Never was there a more interested listener, Andy thought. The +expressive face of Dr. Warren betrayed many sympathetic emotions as +the narrative continued. Surprise, interest, anxiety, satisfaction in +turn played over his noble features. + +"One month more with such loyal lads as you are and Burt Noble to aid +us elders in our patriotic work," he said, with flashing eyes, "and +neither Gen. Gage nor his hireling navy will be on hand to conspire to +kidnap reputable citizens. You spoke of your friend here being struck +on the head, of the man who captured you. I cannot understand that part +of your story." + +"I can," said Andy abruptly and with considerable excitement, he drew +from under his coat the package he had concealed there, and handed it +to their host. + +Dr. Warren undid the paper covering. His face showed consternation as +he brought to light a blank book with many loose papers between its +leaves. + +"Treachery!" he spoke, his tones rising to the deepest excitement. "I +must see Mr. Longworthy at once, and the others. Lads, remain here till +I return," and taking up his hat and placing the book under his arm he +hastened from the room. + +He was gone nearly an hour. Meantime the selectman's pretty daughter +looked in to see if her guests were comfortable. This led to some +conversation and then an adjournment to the kitchen, and the boys +had just finished a feast on some prime hickory nuts and some rare, +rosy-cheeked apples, when Dr. Warren returned with the selectman and +several others. + +These held a long conversation in the best room. It was an hour later +when Dr. Warren came out to the boys. + +"You have done us a great service, lads," he said. "The book and papers +thrown from the upper story of the town hall comprise the secret +records of the Sons of Liberty, a dangerous document for us, in the +hands of the enemy. It seems that the man in charge of the hall is a +traitor, and had agreed for a bribe to give the record to emissaries of +the British, who have mysteriously disappeared. We don't know how to +thank you for all you have done for the cause. It seems hardly right to +ask you to hasten on your mission, to reach Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock +and warn them of their intended arrest. + +"We'll be only too glad, won't we Phil?" cried Andy. + +Definite arrangements were made and detailed instructions given to the +boys. They were warned to look out for British spies. + +At earliest daylight, Phil and Andy, mounted on their refreshed steeds +set off to continue their dangerous but necessary mission. + + + + + CHAPTER X + + LOST + + +"Phil, I'm clear tuckered out." + +"Don't say that, Andy." + +"I do say it, and I mean it, too," declared Andy Sabine in a vehement +tone. "Whew! roar ye winds, and blow ye tempests, blow! I'm chock-full +of snow. Oh! it's great to be a hero on a smooth road in fine weather, +but this--. I wish I was back in Concord." + +"Why not Boston? so brace up and get there!" cried Phil doughtily. +"Leave the reins alone, Andy, we've got to a pass where horse sense is +better than human sense. If old Dobbin's instinct can't direct us to a +harbor of safety and a haven of rest,--well, we've just got to stand +it, that's all." + +It was three days after the boys had met Dr. Warren. Both mounted on +one horse slowly, tediously traversing a dreary solitude amid snow at +some places two feet deep, surrounded by black, tempestuous night, +Phil and Andy realized what it was to be lost in a gloomy New England +forest. + +Everything "had gone just lovely!" Andy had declared only that morning +when they had left Brookton in gay, hopeful spirits. Without mar or +adventure they had executed their mission for Dr. Warren. They had +taken his message to Adams and Hancock, had been praised and rewarded +by those two sterling patriots, had sent the two horses belonging to +Mr. Sabine home and had started for Boston mounted on the only horse +they were able to hire. + +They had taken turns ambling along on the slow-paced old nag. Then as +night came on and a blinding snow storm set in, they had gotten off the +road in some way, and now knew they were lost in a vast gloomy forest, +far from any human habitation. + +The horse steaming, panting, and his head bent low, was plowing his way +forward. Phil called a halt. He got as much shelter as some fir trees +afforded, and spreading out a blanket placed nearly the last of their +oats before the tired animal. Then he and Andy divided some bread and +cheese they had bought in the last town visited. + +Andy suggested that they try and make a lean-to, or some temporary +shelter for themselves and the horse, and wait until the storm abated, +but Phil demurred to this. + +"We'd be snowed under and half-frozen to death," he remarked. "No, +Andy, we must keep on the move. Even old Dobbin, tired out as he is, +says that." + +"How does he say it?" inquired Andy curiously. + +"Watch him move about restlessly, and sniff and head south as if he +realized we mustn't stand still, and as if knew that some habitation or +town is ahead. I reckon we'll trust to horse sense, Andy, and see what +it brings us to." + +After a spell the two youths got themselves in as comfortable a +position as was possible on the single saddle. Phil kept hold of the +reins, but he did not attempt to guide the horse. That intelligent +animal made slow but sure-footed progress. The snow was falling heavily +and swirling all about them. The boys spread the blanket over them. It +served as a tent shelter for themselves and as a partial covering for +the horse. + +"That's a good deal warmer," said Andy. "I hope the old horse doesn't +give out. I never saw such a night, Phil!" + +They conversed casually for some time. Then there was a lapse to +silence. Phil felt Andy lean up against him, breathing heavily. + +"He's asleep, poor fellow," soliloquized Phil. "I'm drowsy myself. This +will be an experience to talk about, I'm thinking. This tent of ours is +getting a pretty heavy roof, it seems to me." + +Phil shook the blanket and dislodged some of the snow that had gathered +there. Then he settled down to make the most of an unpleasant and +dubious situation. The blanket shut out the cold. The faithful horse +seemed to need no guidance, and Phil dozed away before he was aware of +it. + +"Hello!" was his waking exclamation, how long afterwards he could not +estimate. "Why the horse has stopped, and--what's that?" + +A dull crash greeted Phil's ears. Instantly he roused up, threw the +blanket off, and tried to make out where he was and what had happened. + +"Why, it's a house," said Phil--"we are bolt up against it and the +horse has nosed in a window. Andy! Andy!" he shouted, shaking his +companion violently. "We've arrived--somewhere." + +Andy was quickly aroused, and both boys were actively wide-awake in an +instant. They slipped from the horse, to land to the knees in snow. +The horse had poked his nose through the window he had broken and was +sniffing, as if inhaling warmth. + +The house, which occupied a clearing, was built of logs and had a +shed behind it. Phil wandered around to the front of the place. He +knocked loudly at the door several times, then he shouted. There was no +response, and he lifted and rattled the latch. To his surprise the door +gave and opened inwards. + +A pleasant breath of warm air was wafted across to Phil's face. It +gave him a sense of comfort to step out of the cold and storm. In an +old-fashioned fireplace there was a glow of half-burned out embers. +Phil peered around the room, which contained several rude articles of +furniture, but he could not detect the presence of any other human +being besides himself. + +"Funny," mused the boy. "I've made noise enough to arouse a troop. +There doesn't appear to be anybody about the place. Andy! I say, Andy!" +he called out, through the open doorway. "Come in here for a minute, +will you?" + +Andy entered, shaking the snow from his clothing, pleased and excited +at reaching a place of shelter, but fully as much surprised as Phil +at finding no one in the house. There was a candle on the table, and +Phil lit this. He pushed open a rear door, which led into the shed +extension he had noticed from the outside. The lower portion of the +house comprised only one room. There was a ladder running to a scuttle +in the ceiling. Phil took the candle and ascended this ladder. + +"No one up here. Only a garret with a few old traps in it," he reported +to Andy, descending again. "Now, Andy, what do you think of all this?" + +"I don't know what to think," said Andy. "There is a fire, the place +looks and feels as if it had a regular tenant, out of the way, desolate +locality as it is, but where is he?" + +"Well, we'll wait his return," said Phil accommodatingly. "The most +cross-grained old hermit in the world wouldn't refuse shelter to man +or beast on such a wild night as this is. We must attend to the horse, +too. Faithful old fellow! he's done his duty well by us." + +Phil went outside, to find that the horse had strolled around to the +shed. The intelligent animal had nosed open its door partly. Phil +pulled it clear back with some difficulty, for the snow was very deep. +Then he led the horse in. Andy had opened the door leading from the +house, illuminating the shed. + +The place had a quantity of hay in it, and evidently had been used as +a stable on former occasions. It held also some split cord wood. Phil +blanketed the horse and carried an armful of the wood into the house, +replenishing the fire. + +"This is comfort all around," he observed with satisfaction, as the +fire blazed up. + +"Yes," asserted Andy, trying to fix the pane of glass that the horse +had broken, so the snow would not drift in. "Tell you one thing, +though," he added. + +"What's that, Andy." + +"This is a queer old place in the wilderness. There isn't the sign of +bed or food here, no cooking utensils, nothing but wood and hay. Isn't +it funny?" + +"It is queer, Andy," answered Phil. "It looks as if this was a place +that people stayed in once in a while, but didn't exactly live here." + +"Well!" cried Andy, as he happened to bump against the small table that +stood in the center of the room. Its cover rattled off onto the floor. +"Hello!" he added in surprise, as he went to pick up the loosened +cover, and observed its reverse side. "I say, Phil Warrington, here is +mystery on top of mystery!" + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + CLOSE QUARTERS + + +"What now?" inquired Phil. + +"Look for yourself," cried his companion. "House without an owner, +ready made fire to order, table with reversible top. What next, I +wonder! Why, just that--look." + +Andy took up the board from the floor and placed it wrong side up on +the table frame. Then both boys stood staring down at it most curiously. + +Tacked to the surface was a large sheet of paper. It seemed to be a +map. There was a coast line and various stars and dots which seemed to +indicate especial points, like cities or towns. + +"Why," said Phil slowly, "this looks to me like a map of the state +north of Boston. Here's Boston, here's Lowell and Salem,--in fact all +the towns grouped around Boston to the north. Queer, isn't it, Andy?" + +"I should say so. See, here's something more." + +Andy with his finger nail poked out a small folded paper slip from +between tacks which held down the map. He opened this. It was in +pencil writing, and it read: + + "Report from Storm Cove. Goods can be landed. Straight man will + answer signal from the ship." + +"What does this mean, Phil?" inquired Andy, speculative and serious. +"It sounds like smuggling, but what the map and the letter are doing +in this out of the way place, bless me if I can understand!" and Andy +rubbed his head in perplexity. + +Phil did not reply at once, for his eye, wandering reflectively, had +lit on some scraps of paper lying on the hearth, just disclosed as +his feet accidentally disturbed a piece of firewood. He stooped and +gathered up these fragments with the remark: + +"Some one has been tearing up a letter. These pieces may tell us +something." + +For fully half-an-hour Phil and Andy tried to piece the paper fragments +together, but this they found they could not accomplish, as a part of +the torn-up document had evidently been burned in the fire. Many times, +however, they deciphered the names of "Gen. Gage," "Boston," "rebels," +"spies," and the like. + +"There is one thing certain," declared Phil finally, "some one in the +interest of the British has been in this house. If I ventured a guess, +I would say that this is a sort of rendezvous for emissaries of the +British. They may make this lonely spot a place to meet and report, +exchange notes and receive instructions." + +"If that's so," cried Andy excitedly, "at any moment a whole nest of +Tories may come pouncing down on us!" + +"That's right, Andy," assented Phil. "Whether or not, though, we can't +go back out into the storm, and I doubt if anybody is anxious to tramp +through two feet of snow to this place. We had better try and get a +little sleep, hoping it will clear up in the morning." + +"All right," acceded Andy willingly, with a tired yawn. "I declare, my +head aches with all these adventures and mysteries we are running into!" + +They took off their coats and shoes and placed them near the fireplace +to dry. Then, each arranging a wooden pillow, they got as near as they +could within the circle of warmth, and soon dozed into comfort and rest. + +The sun was shining through the south window of the house when Phil +awoke and stirred Andy. Phil went into the shed, gave the horse a few +oats he found at the bottom of their provender bag, and returned to the +room with a little package containing some bread and cheese. + +"That's just an appetizer," observed Andy, smacking his lips over the +light lunch. "Let's get on our way, Phil. I've got to reach a breakfast +of some sort soon. We can't be very far from some traveled road. What +is it, Phil?" he inquired as his companion, at the window, peering out, +uttered a sharp ejaculation, and shook the sash to knock off some snow +on its outside so that he could look out more clearly. + +"Andy," answered Phil quickly, "some one is coming!" + +"Coming here?" exclaimed Andy, springing to the side of his comrade. +"Two men!" + +"I know them both," cried Phil. "Andy, sure as you live, those are the +two men we had the trouble with near the town hall at Lowell." + +"We're in for it," said Andy, dreadfully excited. "They have followed +us here." + +"Scarcely," dissented the more level-headed Phil. "Their coming here is +of course an accident so far as we are concerned." + +"I guess you're right," said Andy. "It shows one guess correct, though. +This is a rendezvous for the Britishers. Why wouldn't they come here? +Now what are we going to do?" + +Phil could not readily reply. They stood watching the two men plowing +through the snow at some distance. There was no question with Phil but +that they were the same persons with whom he had experienced trouble at +Lowell. + +"Get back from the window, Andy," directed the Boston boy. "They may +see us." + +"Suppose they do? They are bound to, sooner or later, aren't they?" +demanded his chum. + +"Well, we needn't invite our fate until it is closer upon us," +philosophically observed Phil. "That's our chance," he continued. "Grab +up your coat and shoes and bolt with me, Andy." + +Phil had run for the ladder leading to the attic. Andy followed him +quickly. Once in the low loft overhead, Phil replaced the ceiling +scuttle carefully. Andy crept away from it. + +"I say," he observed, "go slow. The beams are about six feet apart. The +covering is only strips of tan bark, and they sag like slippery elm." + +"Steady, Andy, get directly over a beam as near as you can." + +"I'm fixed," reported Andy. + +Phil posted himself several feet away from Andy, so that their weight +would not be bulked. He was a trifle uneasy. They knew nothing as +to the plans or dispositions of the men they had seen at Lowell and +now approaching the hut. It seemed impossible that they would not be +discovered if the new visitors remained any length of time. + +The way the tan bark bent and rustled and sifted down into the room +below startled Phil. There were a dozen breaks in the flooring, and +Phil could easily keep the door in sight. Upon this he fixed his eyes, +expectantly and anxiously. + +A moment or two later the door was pushed open. There was a prodigious +stamping of feet, and the sounds of heavy, tired breathing. + +"Thunder!" exclaimed one voice--"that was a hard tramp." + +"Yes," echoed the other. "If royal old King George don't pay us well +for this bit of work, we'll sell out to the enemy!" + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + A NEST OF TORIES + + +"Hush!" whispered Phil warningly to Andy. + +The latter was all a-quiver over the intense situation. + +"Humph," muttered Andy. "I never could keep still and, balancing on +this sharp beam, I'm worse than ever. My, those are two tough-looking +fellows." + +The men came stamping into the room, puffing and panting from their +exertion in the deep snow. They indulged in some casual conversation +about their journey and their satisfaction on reaching warmth and rest. +They kicked off their overboots and sat down near the fire. + +Phil instantly recognized one of the men as the fellow who had held +him a prisoner near by the town hall in Lowell and the other as his +original captor. Listening to the talk he learned that the former was +named Peters, the latter Swithins. + +Peters rested for a minute, then went over to the table to inspect the +map tacked to it. He took up and read the note which Phil and Andy had +already perused. + +"Balfour has been here, Swithins," he reported. "He gives us a point to +report and act on at once." + +"What's that, Peters?" inquired the other man. + +"Storm Cove. It seems he has arranged, and the boat will be met on +signal by a true-blue. Some of the others have been here, too, it +seems, according to the dots and crosses on the map." + +"Good thing," commended Swithins. "Our bad break at Lowell was pretty +discouraging. We can get square, though, by reaching the _Vixen_ and +rushing the landing through at Storm Cove." + +"I'd like to get my hands on the fellow who knocked me down in the +cellar," growled Peters, gritting his teeth savagely. "Those papers +would have been a great haul. Besides, it's gotten the fellow in +trouble who sold us the documents. It was a bad mess." + +"Yes, and we missed finding out the message that boy had for Dr. +Warren. It might have been something of vast importance to Gen. Gage, +for, while we think we are doing great things, planting our supplies +to make a vigorous raid through the colonies, trust me, those fellows, +Warren, Adams and Hancock, aren't letting the grass grow under their +feet." + +"Oh, those two gritty boys were certainly spies, and no mistake," +declared Peters. + +"Well, what's the programme?" + +"We'll rest a bit, put for the coast, hail the _Vixen_ and get aboard. +Then we will either go to Boston and report to headquarters, or, if so +ordered, stay on the warship and help land these goods at Storm Cove." + +"S--st!" again warned Phil. Andy had rustled about. Phil could readily +guess the mental disquiet of his excitable friend. He surmised how +intensely Andy was realizing that they had happened upon "a nest of +Tories." Andy was naturally as brave as a lion, but he could not endure +suspense. Phil was a good deal worried, for every time Andy rustled +about particles of the tan bark dropped into the room below. + +The Boston boy became very serious as he understood plainly that the +affairs in which they were now mixed up were of the gravest import. +The life of the colonies depended on knowing all that was possible +about the plans of the Tories. Should the so-called "rebel" leaders be +imprisoned, or the secrets of the Sons of Liberty and the Minute Men +become known to Gen. Gage, it would weaken the patriot cause very much. + +"The Britishers have had their spies everywhere," reflected Phil. "They +have a regular organization of that class, and these men are at the +head of it. They intend to land something at Storm Cove. We shall have +a good deal to tell our friends when we reach Boston. Oh, the mischief!" + +Peters and Swithins had settled themselves comfortably. The latter had +taken out a small blank book to consult, and Phil was looking for some +further secret developments when Peters jumped to his feet with a start. + +"I say!" he cried, "what was that?" + +"Whew!" uttered Andy recklessly. + +"I guess we're in for it now," Phil told himself. + +"Why, that was a horse's neigh," exclaimed Swithins, also arising to +his feet. "Whose horse? What is he doing here?" + +His partner had pulled open the shed door. He looked sharply at hungry +old Dobbin, calling for oats. He retreated into the room, perplexed and +suspicious. + +"Don't like the look of things," he observed. "What's that, another +horse up in the loft?" he cried suddenly. + +"You've done it!" groaned Phil audibly. + +"I reckon I have!" gasped Andy. + +He had slipped off the beam, bending a piece of tan bark till it +cracked in two. A piece of it had fallen on the head of the staring +Peters. Now there was a gap in the ceiling. + +"Some one up there," declared Swithins convincedly. + +"Come down, you!" shouted Peters. + +Phil and Andy did not respond. + +"Come down, I say! You want this?" + +Bang! Bang! Peters had pulled out his pistol, and two bullets, in quick +succession, scattered the tan bark. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + A SERIOUS DILEMMA + + +"Hold on, I'm coming!" cried Andy quickly. He was, indeed, falling +clear off the beam. He started a descent, grabbed at a dangling strip +of tan bark, and dropped from its end dismayed and disordered looking. +Some loose bark, debris, shoes, a cap and his coat rained down after +him. + +"Who are you, anyhow?" demanded Swithins, striking an attitude of +astonishment mingled with suspicion, and staring sharply at the lad. + +"Who is he?" cried Peters, with a dark scowl. "Ask me. I know. He's the +boy who fetched me that blow back at the old cellar in Lowell." + +"What!" shouted Swithins, fairly bristling with suspicion. + +"Yes. I saw him as he ran. Where's the other? Where is he, I say?" +demanded the fellow, advancing menacingly upon Andy. "Who else is up in +that garret?" + +"Don't you see I'm alone?" inquired Andy doughtily, standing his +ground and shielding his companion. + +"Alone, eh?" sneered Peters, pointing to the mass of debris at Andy's +feet. "One boy don't wear three shoes, does he?" + +Andy saw it was no use trying to shield his comrade, for his own shoes +and one belonging to Phil lay at his feet. The man Peters made a jump +for the ladder and ascended it rapidly. With his shoulder he thrust +open the scuttle, stuck in his pistol, and yelled: + +"This way and out of there, or I'll put this Tory bullet in your rebel +hide!" + +Phil crept over the beams and a minute later stood in the room below. +Peters eyed him with a wicked look as he reloaded his pistol. Swithins +thrust both of the boys into the corner near the chimney, and seating +himself viewed them with a threatening eye. + +"Right you are, Peters," he remarked. "No accidental meeting that with +these fellows back at Lowell, message for Dr. Warren, planted here at +our rendezvous. Regular spies, take my word for it--regular spies. Now +then, what brought you to this place?" + +"Just happened here," declared Andy airily. + +"Tell that to the marines. Search them, Peters. Then we'll consider +this case a little closer." + +Phil and Andy were forced to submit to the rough handling by Peters. +The man emptied their pockets, inspecting their miscellaneous +belongings critically. + +"Humph!" he remarked, as he found Andy's full name scratched on the +German silver of his pocket knife. + +"Aha!" he added, as he glanced at the inside cover of Phil's memorandum +book. "Swithins, this is a real catch. Now then, you two in turn answer +the questions of this here court martial, or it will be the worse for +you." + +"What makes it a court martial, if I may ask?" demanded Andy coolly. + +"Spying!" shouted Peters, with emphasis and a grewsome leer. "A spy is +a hanged man when he is caught." + +"Sort of spies trying spies, eh?" laughed Andy irrepressibly. "Go +on--you're joking!" + +"Your name is Sabine," said the man. "Swithins, this boy must be the +son of the rank agitator we've got on our Concord list." + +"Right enough," responded Andy with pride, "if you mean the kind of +agitator who has over two hundred armed patriots at his call the minute +a redcoat sticks his nose out of Boston Town." + +"Oh, you can't get me wrathy, with all your bold sauce, young +jackanapes," chuckled Peters. "You won't crow so loud, my young bantam, +when they come to wring your neck for this smart spy act of yours. It's +all right," he added to his companion. "T'other one is Warrington. He's +a son of that rich merchant in Boston who wouldn't sell our people +supplies. Why, this catch is almost as good as Warren himself. I think +Gage will know how to handle things with sons of two rebel leaders as +prisoners." + +"Yes," observed Swithins, with a calculating expression in his eye, +"and I fancy those two old rebels would pay a fancy price to ransom +these boys. Come here, I've a private word for your ear." + +The two men went to a remote corner of the room and indulged in a +serious, low-toned conversation. Phil caught an occasional word, such +as "rebels," "spies," "confess," "ransom," "the ship _Vixen_," and the +like. It was easy to surmise the plan of the two men. They intended to +make capital out of their capture in some way. + +Peters finally approached the boys, his reloaded pistol in one hand, +while Swithins, as if by concerted arrangement, went out into the shed. +The former tried to impress and scare the boys by trying to appear +dangerous, but Phil and Andy only looked tranquilly interested. + +"I pronounce you two, prisoners of his royal majesty, King George," +observed Peters grandiloquently, and with a swagger. + +"That sounds real big," observed Andy. + +"We have decided to turn you over to the government, as you are spies," +continued Peters, "and as such by the law of nations are placed in the +desperate cat--cata--" + +"Catalogue," prompted Andy recklessly. + +"Yes, catalogue. No, no," dissented the speaker with a +scowl--"gory,--category. We shall shoot at first attempt to escape." + +"All right," piped Andy cheerily. "You are having all the fun just now, +but when the real trouble begins, somebody will be looking hard for us +and--you." + +Phil had not spoken. He was more thoughtful than Andy. He did not for a +moment believe that they were in any serious danger. They might be kept +for a time in the hands of these men, but when they found there was +nothing of importance to be learned they would be set free. + +For all this Phil very gravely realized that things were working along +the line of war, as Old Silas Berks had said. Every step in their +recent progress, Phil discerned, showed more and more clearly that a +crisis was near. It needed but a spark to set the whole country aflame. +They had helped in their humble way, he and Andy, to upset some of the +plans of the British. He hoped that their further possible usefulness +might be tested when the war broke out. + +It was about an hour later when Peters and Swithins perfected their +plans as to their captives. They strapped Phil and Andy on to old +Dobbin. They left a letter under the map for some confederate who was +expected to arrive at the lonely hut later. + +Then, Swithins leading the horse, Peters walking behind, a pistol +handle sticking out of either side of his belt, the party proceeded on +their journey through the snow drifts. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + ON BOARD THE VIXEN + + +"Give it up, Phil. You couldn't make it in a hundred years." + +"Never say die, Andy. I shall keep right on trying." + +"Wasting time. We'll never get out of this hole except through the door +that let us in." + +"Then it's the door I'll try next," declared Phil dauntlessly. "I've +managed to dig out all the lead that these window bars are sunk in. +Give me a two-foot bar of iron or a stout oak cudgel, and I'd open the +way to liberty in ten minutes." + +"And what then, Phil? A drop into nobody knows how many fathoms of +water, a shot from the ship if we're seen, a two mile swim. No," and +Andy shook his head decidedly. "We're in a bad box, and we've got to +make the best of it." + +While Phil Warrington talked, he was working with the blade of a big +jackknife at the wooden casing of a barred window at the rear of the +hold of the British man-o'-war, _Vixen_. Andy lay stretched on a +mattress on the floor, watching his companion. + +It was over two weeks since the young captives had found themselves +afloat. It had taken old Dobbin and Peters and Swithins all of one day +to reach the coast. The two British spies had signaled a ship in the +distance. A yawl put ashore, the old horse was turned loose, and after +a brief row over the fast-darkening waters, Phil and Andy were hoisted +aboard the _Vixen_. They were immediately conveyed to their present +prison place and locked in. + +The little strong room in the rear hold was an apartment having a heavy +door set in a strong partition and two barred windows about eight feet +above the water mark. Here the boys had remained close captives. An +old mattress comprised their bed. Twice a day a gruff old fellow in a +semi-naval uniform brought them their meals, which consisted of the +ordinary ship fare. The man never addressed them, and they asked him no +questions. + +The lads had seen nothing of either Peters or Swithins until that +morning. The former had been let into the prison room by their jailer +and the door locked behind him. He looked surly and ill at ease, and +Phil decided that he acted like a man who had met with some hitch in +his plans. + +"See here, Warrington," observed Peters, "I don't fancy you care about +taking a trip to England." + +"I don't exactly ask to go," responded the Boston boy. + +"It wouldn't be on request," growled Peters. "There will be a good many +traitors sent over the water before long." + +"Why, what for?" queried Andy, with an innocent expression of face. + +"King George will answer that when they come to trial," said Peters, in +a tone meant to be very impressive. "They're not likely to come back +again,--that is, if the supply of English gallows trees doesn't give +out. You can grin, you impudent young jackanapes," the man continued +to the undismayed Andy, "but you'll laugh the other side of your mouth +before this affair is done with, I can tell you. Once aboard the +traitor's ship, it means that you took a man's chances in acting the +spy on his majesty's loyal subjects, and you'll have to take a man's +punishment." + +"Like a man, exactly," nodded Andy, quite buoyantly. "All right, +governor--bring along your traitor ship, we aren't afraid, only you've +got something else up your sleeve. You aren't the kind to come +consoling us or scaring us without a purpose." + +"I'm not talking to you," snarled Peters wrathfully, turning his back +on the imperturbable Andy. "See here, Warrington, your folks are a good +deal worried over your absence." + +"I'm sorry," said Phil, "but you don't seem disposed to mend the +situation." + +"Yes, I am," declared Peters quite eagerly. "That's what I've come for." + +"Yes, that's what he came for. I told you so," piped Andy airily. "Out +with it, governor." + +"See here, you fellows are pretty young. I've got sons of my own, and +know how it is with boys. My evidence settles your case, so I've been +thinking." + +"He's been thinking!" mimicked Andy. "A penny for your thoughts, +governor." + +"You write a note to your father," plunged on Peters, more rapidly. +"I'll dictate it. You are to say about the awful fix you're in, and all +that. He's to pay a bill for your keep I shall present to him. Well, +say a hundred pounds. Then I'll see that you and your mate here get +home safe. Understand?" + +"No, I don't understand," replied Phil simply. "In other words, you +want to exact a ransom from my father. He is in business trouble, he +has no money to waste on such a villainous proposition as you name. He +wouldn't treat with you on principle. I will write no letter to him nor +have anything to do with the affair, on such a basis." + +"You won't, eh?" shouted Peters, fairly wild with chagrin and +disappointment. "Then I'll find a way to make you sweat for it--you see +if I don't!" And with that the Tory flounced out of the room. + +"You see, we are not going to get out of this except by our own +exertions," said Phil, and forthwith set at work on the barred window. + +The _Vixen_ lay at anchor most of the time. She was quite a distance +north of Boston, Phil calculated, and about two miles from the shore. +Twice she had run down the coast in the night and had sent the small +boats ashore, but on each occasion had returned to her present +anchorage. + +Properly speaking, the _Vixen_ did not appear to be a regular war +vessel, but from what they had seen when first brought aboard of +the vessel, the captives decided that she was on armed duty of some +sort. There were several small cannon on the deck, and a drill was in +progress over their heads for an hour each morning. + +Phil found the bars of the hold window sunk through a frame of oak and +imbedded in lead. He managed to dig out all of the lead that anchored +three of the steel bars. This loosened the bars, but he could not force +them out. It was towards late afternoon when he boasted to his less +industrious comrade of how easily they might escape, if they had some +instrument to bend the bars or force them out of place. + +Both boys hurried each to one of the windows in their prison room, as +some unusual commotion on the deck was followed by shouts echoing from +a distance across the waters. + +"Hello!" cried Andy, peering. "Some kind of a big sailboat is coming to +this vessel. There, she's veered out of range. Wonder what's up, Phil?" + +The shouts grew nearer. The listening boys could trace the apparent +arrival at the side of the ship of the craft they had momentarily +viewed. There were turbulent greetings on the deck. A moment later the +same sailboat fell astern. It was paid out at the end of a rope about a +cable's length, so as to be free of collision with the ship, the rope +was secured somewhere on the deck, and the new arrival floated up and +down at anchorage. + +It was a very large sailboat, and had good breadth of beam and a +sort of storage pit, which seemed to be heavily loaded, and which was +covered by a sheet of canvas battened down at the sides. + +"Wonder what the craft is, anyhow," spoke Andy speculatively. + +"Yes, and what is its load?" supplemented Phil. "I say, Andy, I have an +idea." + +"Speak it out, Phil," directed Andy. + +"You know those men, Peters and Swithins, talked a good deal about a +load they were to order delivered at Storm Cove." + +"I remember," nodded Andy. + +"This may be that load," suggested Phil. "Powder to blow up some town? +Arms for some of the traitorous mob in the settlements? Wish I had a +chance to investigate." + +The mysterious craft gave the boys a scheme for speculation for a long +time. There was considerable uproar overhead. About an hour after the +sailboat had arrived, a small yawl put out from the side of the larger +craft, past the rear hold windows. It contained a man and a boy. The +latter was rowing. His back was to the two interested onlookers. + +When they arrived at the sailboat, the boy held the yawl steady, while +his companion clambered aboard. He lifted the canvas, secured a small +keg, and placed it in the sailboat. + +"Spirits, I'll bet," said Andy. "They'll have a high time on board +here, I suspect. Oh, my!" + +Andy's whole body gave an excited jerk, his eyes bulged, and he pressed +his eager face close to the bars of the window. + +"Look, Phil," he added, staring at the yawl, now coming back to the +_Vixen_. "Sure as you live, that boy is our old friend, Burt Noble!" + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + A FRIEND IN NEED + + +Both Phil and Andy stood breathlessly regarding the lad who had been +the starting point in all their recent, varied adventures. Burt Noble +did not look their way. He appeared more comfortably fed than when they +had last seen him. He seemed at home with his companion. The latter was +of course a Britisher, but that did not disturb Phil or Andy. + +"Back in his old line," observed Andy, as the yawl passed beyond their +range of vision. "Never dreams we're here, does he?" + +"I don't know about that," responded Phil. "Burt is a smart boy. He +is in the confidence of the Tories. Why mayn't he have an inkling of +our dilemma? He may not know in exactly what part of the _Vixen_ we +are under lock and key. He may not even know as yet we are aboard at +all, but he'll find out, trust him for that. Andy, I feel someway that +somehow we are going to hear again from Burt Noble soon." + +In the course of the next half-hour there seemed to be quite a +jollification on board of the ship. There was heavy trampling, as if +some persons were dancing, some singing, boisterous shouts, and these +continued less audibly to the boys as all hands apparently adjourned to +the cabin. + +"It's easy to figure it out," said Andy. "That keg of spirits is the +centre of a general jollification. They're all having a gay time. What +a big chance to get away, if we were only through one of those barred +windows, Phil." + +"Yes indeed, Andy. There is probably little discipline on deck just at +this present time." + +About half an hour before dusk the man who brought them their meals was +heard by his captives approaching the door of their prison place. His +gait they could trace was somewhat stumbling. The eyes of the comrades +met, and expressed a mutual thought. + +"Phil, I have half a mind to tackle him and make a rush for it," +whispered Andy. + +"Not this time, Andy, for some one is with him." + +"Too bad--that's so." + +They could hear their jailer speaking. The door was unlocked, the usual +supply of food and water passed in. + +"There's the young rebels," spoke the man. + +"They look pretty desperate, don't they?" said a voice that thrilled +the captives. "Must be sort of lonesome for them to look out of those +windows about dark and see nothing but sky and water." + +"Burt Noble!" exclaimed Andy, as the door was closed and relocked. + +"He's found us," added Phil quite excitedly. "It won't rest there." + +"Say Phil, did you hear his funny remark about looking out of those +windows at dark?" + +"I did." + +"He meant something by that." + +"We'll take it that way, at any rate," said Phil. "Burt is not the boy +to dream over a chance to help a friend. It won't do for him to forfeit +his position with these Tories for our sake, but, trust me, he will +manage to send some comfort or assistance before he leaves the _Vixen_." + +Phil had great faith in the smartness and fidelity of their mutual +friend. Andy indulged in all kinds of imaginings as to what shape the +efforts of Burt Noble would take in their behalf. He posted himself at +one of the windows, and Phil did the same at the other. + +It was dusk, and dreary waiting in the hold room. Outside, a cloudy +evening was fast setting in. The sounds of jollity from the cabin of +the _Vixen_ were in sharp contrast to the helpless condition of the two +boys and the cheerless prospect upon which they looked. It had been +warmer for a day or two, but night was setting in chill and murky. + +"Something!" suddenly muttered Andy in a quick and excited gasp, and +Phil saw what it was that attracted his watchful, staring eyes and sent +both arms groping through the window aperture and beyond it. + +From overhead some one--of course Burt Noble--had lowered a string. At +its end dangled a package done up in a towel or a piece of cloth of +some kind. In an instant Andy had seized the swaying parcel, broke it +from the string, and had the package inside the prison room. Quickly he +unrolled the cloth. + +It contained a short iron thwart pin and a heavy blunt-edged chisel. +There was light enough to inspect these, and also to make out some +writing in heavy pencil lines on a rough piece of cardboard: + +"No one on deck, yawl at the side," ran the hasty scrawl. "War will be +on inside of a week. Get to Boston, quick." + +"Bravo!" exulted Andy, on fire with delight. "Burt is a smart boy and +a good friend. Phil, to work." + +Without a word Phil seized the thwart pin. Something that would do +staunch prying duty he had wished for all along, and here it was ready +to his hand. He got a purchase on one bar and then another, already +loosened, and the powerful pressure twisted the lower ends out of their +sockets. Forcing the free ends to one side, the avenue to liberty was +open at last. + +"It's a cold plunge," observed Andy, poking his head through the +window, with a mock shudder of discomfort. "I wonder which side the +yawl is on?" + +"Never mind the yawl, Andy," said Phil. + +"Oh,--why not?" + +Phil's eyes were thoughtful as he pointed to the sailboat, a cable's +length in the offing. + +"Andy," he said, "this is a desperate chance we are taking. We may as +well make it complete. Wait ten minutes--by that time it will be dark. +We will swim for the sailboat. We can reach it a good deal less certain +of discovery than if we go fooling around the side for that yawl." + +"Whew!" whistled Andy. "Say, can we make it?" + +"Make what?" + +"Get that big craft afloat and manage it. Why, Phil, if we could--I +say, it must be loaded with important military stores. Oh, say! if we +could sneak them away, get them into loyal hands--what an exploit, what +a feather in our cap!" + +"Andy," said Phil steadily, "we are going to try just that." + +Ten minutes later Phil spoke a single expressive word: + +"Now!" + +And then, one after the other, the two dauntless lads dropped into the +water. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + A DASH FOR LIBERTY + + +Phil floated until he was sure that Andy had landed all right. Then +both struck out for the sailboat, dimly outlined in the night mists at +a short distance. They did not look back, but bent all their energies +towards reaching the sailboat. They clambered aboard of this, out of +breath, dripping, and chilled through. Their first glance was toward +the _Vixen_. + +"Not seen so far," chattered Andy. "What next, Phil?" + +"Cut the rope," ordered his comrade, passing to Andy the big-bladed +jackknife that had been of such service to him in their prison room. +"I'll see to the sail." + +Phil knew all about a sailboat. He had never handled one so large as +the craft they now seemed to have in their control. He immediately, +however, saw that all he had to do was to raise the big sail and use +caution and judgment in its manipulation. + +The craft gave a sudden jerk. It was caused by the taut cable parting +at the final strand into which Andy had cut. Almost simultaneously Andy +uttered a low, expressive cry. + +"Phil," he gasped, "they're coming!" + +"Who? I see. Get to the tiller, Andy, and simply obey orders." + +Phil did not raise the sail. That near to the _Vixen_, its wide surface +outspread, would be a prominent object. To his entire satisfaction he +noticed that the sailboat was drifting away from the _Vixen_. + +Glancing back at the war vessel, Phil discerned what had attracted +Andy's attention. Lights were being prepared near the forecastle, and +descending into the yawl at the side of the ship was a boy bearing a +lantern. A man followed him. + +"Andy," said Phil, "Burt Noble and a sailor are starting out to place a +light on the boat here." + +"And won't find us!" chuckled Andy. + +"I hope they don't even see us. Two minutes more, and they won't be +able to do it. Clever Burt Noble!" + +"Hello! what's happened?" exclaimed Andy, his glance riveted, as was +that of Phil, on the yawl at the side of the _Vixen_. "The light has +gone out." + +"Yes," said Phil. "Burt has accidentally dropped it overboard. He must +know we have escaped, and is causing all the delay he can with the +yawl." + +The sailboat drifted away so rapidly, that by the time a new light was +lowered into the yawl it was a mere speck in the distance. + +"Phil, we've made it!" cried Andy in exultant tones. + +"I fancy we have," acquiesced Phil complacently. "Now then, watch your +knitting, and heave yo! up goes the sail." + +The comrades forgot chilliness and discomfort in a sharp, inspiring run +during the next half-hour. Phil handled the heavy sail superbly, and +Andy obeyed orders promptly. Each felt sure that the friendly darkness +protected them against the possibility of those on the _Vixen_ locating +them, for that night at least. + +They ran down the coast line in a southerly direction, keeping about a +mile from shore and looking out for lights that might indicate another +craft afloat, but met with none of such. As they eased up a little, +Andy called once to his comrade. + +"What's the programme, Phil?" + +"To get this boat fast and sure where those Tories will never be able +to find it again--especially its load." + +"Good! You won't land at Storm Cove, of course." + +"Hardly, seeing we are running south away from it as fast as we can." + +Andy laughed gleefully. The task they were engaged in just suited his +volatile spirits. + +"Imagine what those _Vixen_ fellows will say when they find this boat +gone. Oh, this is a famous adventure, Phil!" + +"We mustn't forget Burt Noble's share in it," observed Phil. "I hope we +meet him soon in Boston." + +"Going to Boston, are we?" queried Andy. + +"That's where we started for, isn't it?" said Phil, with a smile. + +"Yes, but you don't suppose we can ever get into the Bay without being +challenged and stopped by the Britishers?" + +"Oh, I'm not thinking of going to Boston by water route. You see, Andy, +we probably have a valuable cargo aboard, or rather I should say an +important cargo." + +"Munitions of war and all that, eh, Phil?" appended Andy glibly. + +"If I can get my bearings from having been up and down the coast here +more than once," pursued Phil, "I shall feel pretty good when we locate +Sandy Creek." + +"What's Sandy Creek? Where is it?" asked Andy. + +"It's the feeder from a sort of a swamp lake running into the ocean. At +the inland end of the lake is a little settlement called Bordenville. +I have a cousin living there named Ralph Post. He used to be a sailor, +but lives now with a Mr. Eaton, who is a staunch patriot, and who has +done lots of good for the cause. I know of no one who would know just +what to do about the sailboat and its load as well as Mr. Eaton. Then, +too, he keeps posted on everything that is going on, and he can tell us +just how things are in Boston." + +"Capital!" cried Andy. Then there was a spell of silence, while Phil +kept as near to the shore as was wise, trying to catch sight of some +guiding landmark. + +"I know where I am," he said at last. "That rocky point we just rounded +is about a mile north of the creek. Now then, not to miss it in the +dark." + +It must have been nearly midnight when the sailboat stuck in a mass of +high reeds. Phil and Andy waded to the edge of a swampy reach they had +gained through some skilful handling of the craft into the creek and +across the lake Phil had described to his comrade. + +"There, that's the best we can do for the present," declared Phil, as +they stood on solid ground. "It's not far to the settlement. Mr. Eaton +will take care of the boat as soon as we tell him our story." + +They were tired and uncomfortable, but they plodded on cheerfully, +until they came in sight of some houses. All were dark and silent +except one, where a light was burning, and for which Phil was making. + +"Is that where Mr. Eaton lives?" inquired Andy. + +"Yes," replied Phil "and some one seems to be up, judging from the +lights." + +A few minutes later Phil was lifting the heavy knocker of a door of the +house in question. A boy answered the summons, a bronzed pleasant-faced +youth, whom Andy had never seen, before, but at a glance he felt that +he should like him. The boy lifted the candle he bore high above his +head, and stared in wonder and then in perplexity at the two forlorn +wayfarers. + +"Phil!" he shouted, the next moment, his face beaming with a glad, +welcoming smile. "Phil Warrington!" + +"Yes," nodded Phil. "It's me--and this is my friend, Andy Sabine, from +Concord." + +"Why--when--how--what are you boys doing in that trim, at this hour of +the night?" + +"We have just escaped from the Tories, and are bound for Boston." + +"Boston!" echoed Ralph Post, in a startling tone. "Why, Phil, don't you +know that the city is under martial law? The order has just gone out." + +"Whose order?" demanded Andy. + +"Gen. Gage's. No one can leave or enter Boston without a Tory passport." + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + A SAFE PORT + + +At the announcement of Ralph Post, Andy Sabine almost uttered a yell. +His fists went up in the air clenched, and his eyes flashed. + +"Nobody get into Boston? Nobody get out of Boston?" he cried. "Gen. +Gage's orders--the Britishers bossing the country! Why, we'll sweep +them off the face of the earth!" + +Ralph Post smiled indulgently at Andy's ferocious patriotic outburst. +Phil placed a restraining hand on the shoulder of his excitable +comrade. The next instant of thought, however, made Phil take the +situation very seriously. A wave of anxiety crossed his face as he +thought of the folks at home. Then he eagerly turned to his cousin, +feeling that he had further revelations to make. + +"Tell all about it," he said, but Ralph replied: + +"You get to a fire, you two. Why you look half-perished. I fancy," he +added dryly to Andy, "you won't start to wipe out those Boston tyrants +until you've got dry clothes and a good meal." + +"I'm fighting mad, all the same," muttered Andy, and then, a thought of +their last adventure crossing his mind, he added with an exultant grin: +"Those Tories will have one less boat to guard Boston, anyhow." + +Phil thought he had never been so delightfully comfortable, as when a +few minutes later he and Andy occupied two old-fashioned armchairs in +front of a blazing kitchen fireplace big enough to hold a couple of +cords of wood. Meantime Ralph hustled about the room, pulling out a +table, diving into a pantry and placing on the hob a coffee pot. + +"Don't seem to be a bit curious," said Andy, in an undertone to Phil. + +"Oh, he is dying to know all about our story," answered Phil, "only +I guess a look at us tells him we have just gone through some tough +adventure, and he is thinking of our comfort first and foremost. You +see, Andy, Ralph is a fellow of experience. He was on a trading vessel +for two years. He's been twice to Europe and once clear to China. It +would make the hair rise on your head to hear of some of his thrilling +escapes. I reckon he's been so used to have sailors come into the +galley on board ship to eat and rest when working in some terrific +storm, that he can't break the habit of filling up a fellow and getting +him nice and cozy before he sits down to chat." + +Soon, however, they were chatting like three magpies. Ralph was a +capital cook. In a jiffy he had a royal spread, consisting of a dishful +of boiled eggs, bread and butter and steaming coffee, before his +guests. He sat down then, looking them over with a curious glance, but +saying nothing until with a sigh of rare content Phil put down his +knife and fork, with the remark: + +"That was simply fine." + +"Best ever!" added Andy with enthusiasm. + +"Things are bad," said Ralph bluntly, bolting into a subject he knew +naturally to be the one then uppermost in the minds of his young +friends. "It's war, boys, swift and sure. Everybody has waked up. Why, +for two nights we haven't even been in bed at this house. There are +friends coming from all directions, couriers arriving, messages sent +out. Mr. Eaton has made a kind of office of the best room here. Two +men from Lexington arrived just before you did. They are massing some +military stores there, and men, too, and Gen. Gage has to make just one +more move of tyranny to have the Colonial army march down on Boston +and drive him out of it." + +"What has the general been doing?" inquired Andy. + +"He had a plot to capture and hang all of the patriotic leaders. +Somehow, the plot failed." + +Phil and Andy exchanged gratified glances. Each was filled with a +thrill of gladness as they were moved with the mutual idea that their +humble exertions had something to do with this favorable aspect of the +case. + +"Gage has been planting spies and massing secret supplies all over the +colony," went on Ralph. "The main trouble in organizing our army has +been in getting arms and ammunition. Why, in some districts the British +agents have bought up all the loose powder in the country stores. Some +of it they hid, and a lot of it they burned up." + +"The rascals!" flared up Andy. + +"Three days ago," pursued Ralph, "we got word that Gage was ready +to make some big move. We couldn't find out his plans. Day before +yesterday the first part of his plan came down upon the colony like a +thunder clap. He put Boston in a state of blockade, martial law was +ordered. As I told you, no one could leave or come into Boston without +a Tory passport." + +"Why was that, I wonder?" murmured Andy. + +"Why, to prevent the outside colonists from getting word from the +city. Yesterday a courier reached Mr. Eaton, and then went on to warn +Lexington, Concord and the other principal towns. The redcoats are +drilling, massing and getting ready to leave Boston for a raid on +outside towns. We don't know exactly when they are going to strike, but +we shall know before they leave." + +"How? Why?" spoke Andy in rapt interest. + +"We have men inside the lines who are watching every move of the +British. The moment they make a definite start, a signal will be given +to our agents just outside of Boston. Then the arrangements are such +that the news will be spread to the outside towns like wildfire." + +Andy was so wrought up that he was pacing the floor restlessly while +Ralph was talking. Phil was thinking of his folks and his friends. +Phil knew more about Boston than Ralph or Andy. He realized more than +they did the seriousness of the high-handed outrage on the part of +the Tories in striving to subdue the valiant spirits of the patriots. +He knew that the effect of such action would be to deeply arouse the +Musket Boys of Boston to the fighting fever point. + +"There will be bloodshed," he said with conviction, to himself. "If +the war never breaks out, this will lead to trouble for the redcoats." +Then Phil thought of something else, and arose to his feet with the +words: "Ralph, I have something important to tell Mr. Eaton." + +"Hold on, though," was the response--"you've a story to tell first. +Where have you been? Your folks have been inquiring for you everywhere. +They have been worried to death about you." + +Phil detailed the various experiences of his friend and himself since +they had left Concord. Ralph's face worked with interest as they told +of the adventure at the Lowell town hall. It was when they came to +their imprisonment on the _Vixen_ and their escape in the sailboat, +that he became so excited that he could scarcely sit still. + +"Grand!" was his comment, when Phil told of the cutting of the cable. +"Superb!" he added, when they related how they had sailed the boat into +Sandy Creek. "Famous!" he fairly shouted, when Phil narrated the run +across the swamp lake. + +"And there she stuck," concluded Andy, breaking in on the narrative. +"There she is now, and nobody knows how many kegs of powder and how +many muskets she has aboard." + +"Boys," said Ralph starting for the front of the house in a state of +intense excitement, "You've done a big thing. Just one or two clever +tricks like this, and we'll be able to whip the Tories and the redcoats +with our hands behind our backs!" + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + TROUBLED TIMES + + +It was a big thing that Phil Warrington and Andy Sabine had done in +capturing the consort of the _Vixen_, floating it to safe and secret +harborage, and delivering its valuable cargo over to trusted agents +of the continental army. The chums tried to appear simply glad and +modest, when Mr. Eaton, after a visit to the swamp, returned to them +filled with admiration for their act and the deepest satisfaction +over results. For all that, Phil thrilled with genuine pride over the +compliments of the sterling patriot, and Andy held his head an inch or +two higher. + +The big sailboat was found to be loaded with military stores of which +the colonists were in sore need. There were in fact, sufficient arms +and ammunition to equip a whole military company and defend a town. +Mr. Eaton had taken Ralph with him to inspect the boat, he insisted +that his guests had seen enough hardship for one night at least. When +he returned, it was to send Ralph to rouse up some neighbors. Phil +and Andy, worn out with their arduous exertions, went to sleep on the +long settle in the kitchen. When they awoke, it was to find Mrs. Eaton +bustling about the room preparing breakfast. + +She greeted Phil and his introduction of Andy with a welcoming smile, +and, putting on their dry coats and shoes, the boys went outside to +find Ralph at a grindstone in a shed sharpening an old hunting knife. + +"Hello, fresh as larks, eh?" cried the energetic lad cheerily. "Lots of +work been done since you went to sleep." + +"How's that?" questioned Andy. + +"Well, if the Britishers should happen to trace that sailboat, they +will find her cargo gone. Left here on wagons for Lexington and Concord +over two hours ago. I tried to get Mr. Eaton to rig up the boat with +a couple of small cannons, furnish it with some muskets, and I'd go +pirating down the Bay. They laughed at me, so I've got to give up that +wild idea, as they call it, for the time being. Tell you a secret, +though," continued Ralph impressively: "if things get desperate I'll +come back here, get that boat afloat and do something for my country. +She's a trim craft, I tell you--too good to lie rotting in the swamp. +You may yet see her under sail with myself the bold privateer of +Boston bay." + +Ralph was only half-fooling. His suggestion caught Andy immensely. +There was a call to breakfast, and then Ralph took his guests up to his +room in the attic. He showed them a bundle on the bed, beside which lay +the hunting knife and an old-fashioned pistol. Everything indicated +preparation for some emergency, and Phil regarded Ralph inquiringly. + +"Looks as if you were getting ready to go to war," he observed. + +"It's about that," responded Ralph in a spirited tone. "Anybody would +be blind not to see that cannons will soon be booming and the Tories +scampering back to England. I'm going to Boston. Why, I can't sleep +nights thinking of the turmoil and excitement there. I was born to be +in the center of a mix up, always. Yes, I'm going to Boston, and I'm +going to get into Boston, too." + +"Of course we will go with you," said Phil. "I am anxious about the +folks. The Musket Boys will need me, too." + +"Hope I'm not going to be left out of the procession," observed Andy. + +"No, indeed," replied Ralph with unction, and so it was settled. + +Ralph waited until Mr. Eaton returned from the settlement, and had +quite a lengthy conversation with them. The patriot shook hands all +around and Mrs. Eaton kissed the boys good-by in a motherly fashion, +and handed Ralph a home-made wicker basket. + +"When the war is over, Mrs. Eaton," said Andy, "I'm coming back here to +eat some more of those splendid doughnuts of yours." + +"You will find a supply in the basket there," replied Mrs. Eaton, with +an encouraging smile. + +The morning had dawned bright and beautiful, and early spring was +beginning to touch the landscape here and there with green. There +was a pretty good road clear to Boston, and the wayfarers took their +time, planning that they would reach the city after dark, which would +certainly be the best time to make an attempt to evade the British +soldiers in an effort to reach the Warrington home. + +They came across few people going towards the city. In one little +village they passed through, they found business practically suspended. +Nearly all of its residents were gathered on the village green +listening to the oration of a man, who was desperately in earnest in +warning them to prepare for war. + +He aroused a vast patriotic spirit, and when he had concluded his +speech he sprang at once to the saddle of a mettled steed standing by +the horse block, and dashed down the road in the direction of the next +town, probably intent on warning all the colonists along the route. + +At a second little settlement the boys were halted on the highway +and questioned by one of a party of men, all armed with muskets, and +seemingly guarding the road. + +"Things are certainly humming," observed Ralph Post a little later, as, +passing a lonely farmhouse, they observed a stalwart woman and her two +sons burnishing up a sword and two muskets. + +Dusk found them only a few miles from Boston. Phil, who knew the road, +told his companions that they could reach the city within an hour. +Ralph, it seemed, had been instructed to go to a certain place on the +river opposite the city, and there consult with some friends who would +advise them as to the safest way to get past the sentry lines of the +Tories. + +"Perhaps we had better keep off the main road the rest of the way," +suggested Phil. "Besides, I know a good short cut to Dockrell's Mill, +where Mr. Eaton said we would find his friends." + +This was acceded to by the others, and Phil piloted the way along a +by-path and through some stunted timber. Then it was a hit and miss +progress for about a mile, and in the gathering dusk Phil would have +been confused only that they were guided by lights in houses in the +distance. + +"I say, what was that?" exclaimed Andy suddenly, as they took a detour +to escape a reach of swampy ground. + +"Sounded like a horse's neigh and a great floundering in among that +tangle of weeds yonder," said Phil, halting and gazing sharply in the +direction indicated. + +"Mercy!" cried Andy with a decided shock. + +They all stood stock-still. Abruptly upon the quiet evening air and +very near at hand, there rang out a fearful blood-curdling shriek. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + "SACHEM" + + +Ralph drew out the pistol he carried with a quick movement of his hand. +Andy poised the heavy cudgel with which he had armed himself. Phil ran +forward a few feet to try and get within range of a bulky moving object +partially obscured by some high weeds. + +That fearsome yell was not repeated, but its echoes still vibrated in +their ears. It had filled the near woods with alarm, and there was a +vast fluttering and flight of birds among the trees. + +"It's a horse," said Phil, and he peered more closely. Then he ran in +among the rushes. "A horse," and, added Phil instantly: "Why, sure as I +live, a man, too!" + +Phil disappeared partly from view. The curious and startled Andy and +Ralph could dimly make him out wading rapidly behind a screen of high +flags. Then there was a great floundering. The curtain of reeds parted. +There was Phil, struggling with a snorting horse. The animal was +plunging and slipping on a slimy foothold. Phil dragged at the bridle. + +There was another piercing yell as the steed fell over sideways, +apparently submerging a rider. Then the horse righted itself, and +Phil, dodging its prancing hoofs, reached dry ground with the panting, +breathless appeal to his astonished comrades: + +"Andy--Ralph--help me!" + +It took the combined efforts of the three boys--and they were exerted +just in time--to pull the horse upright and onto solid ground. Once +there, the animal stood snorting in fear and exhaustion and quivering +all over like an aspen. Phil slipped his hand along the bridle +and patted the dripping neck of the overwrought steed gently and +soothingly. Then he and his comrades fixed their gaze on the burden +that the horse bore. + +"Whew!" whistled Andy in the profoundest stupefaction. + +"Why," cried Ralph, in surprise and consternation, "It's an Indian." + +"Yes, but his plight!" said Phil, almost shocked beyond expression. +"Boys, this is horrible." + +An Indian the helpless man tied securely flat the length of his body +along the horse's back, certainly was. He presented a strange and +pitiable sight. His attire was in tatters. One half of his head was +shaven clear and was daubed with white paint thickly. On the other +side among the matted hair was a great mass of red paint. His face was +bruised and slashed, and his hands were bleeding with many open cuts. + +The helpless frenzy in the Indian's eyes was terrible. Their frightful +expression made Ralph shudder and caused Andy to shrink back. Phil +was simply full of sympathy. The man's breath showed that he had been +drinking deeply of the pestilent "fire water" of the white man. + +"This is shameful," said Phil indignantly. "Some one has been guilty of +a mean, cowardly act." + +"He looks dangerous," said Andy, but Phil without delay proceeded to +cut the straps and ropes that held the Indian helpless. The man was so +cramped that he almost fell to the ground, once freed. Phil supported +him, easing him to a fallen tree, where the Indian sat swaying for some +moments, his fiery eyes scanning his rescuers one after the other. + +It was still light enough for them to make out that he had been badly +mistreated. The fellow gradually restored circulation to his cramped +limbs. Very suddenly he arose to his feet. He threw out his arms with +a wild, furious gesture in the direction of the city. A guttural +half-choked cry resembling that of some wounded, angry animal sounded +in his throat. + +Phil went to the edge of the swamp, and wetting his handkerchief +in some surface water there returned to the side of the redman and +proceeded to wash the blood from his face. The man did not resent this. +His hard features softened somewhat. Then he braced upright, and a kind +of tragic, heroic pose was his as he folded his arms across his breast. + +"Me Sachem," he said proudly, "King Philip Sachem." + +"I say!" exclaimed Andy sharply to his comrades, "I know who he is." + +"You know him?" repeated Phil vaguely. + +"Yes, I've heard about him more than once. He's hung around lots of +villages for the last ten years. Pretends to be a great grandson, or +something of that kind, of King Philip, the great Rhode Island Sachem, +who was a noted warrior some two hundred years ago." + +"I've read about King Philip in history," said Ralph. + +"This man has been a worthless, idle fellow, who they said didn't +do much except steal and drink 'fire-water.' Since the trouble began +with the British, I've heard my father tell how he has been hired by +the redcoats to try and incite the stray tribes to make the colonists +trouble. He's a bad man, I fear, Phil, and I don't believe you can +trust him far." + +The Indian either did not understand perfectly what Andy was saying, or +was engrossed in a wild crooning he indulged in. This was a sing-song +chant directed toward the city. + +Having finished this, he began a wild war dance. The boys could not but +help watch his maneuvers with interest. Finally he came up to Phil and +looked him fixedly in the eye. He took one of Phil's hands and placed +it on his own head, humbling himself as if trying to convey to the +Boston boy that he was thankful and his slave. + +Starting back, he began an extravagant and expressive pantomime. His +movements were intricate, and Phil had to do a great deal of guessing +to get their meaning. An occasional word in English, however, did a +good deal towards enlightening him. + +When the Indian had finished his eccentric explanation, he made as +if to draw a hunting knife, and then his hands lifted innumerable +imaginary scalps. He uttered what might have been his tribal war +cry. He again placed Phil's hand on his head, humbled himself into a +squatting position, and finally came back to practical life by getting +the bridle and saddle of his horse in order. + +"I've talked finger talk to the South Sea Islanders," observed Ralph, +"but this fellow is too rapid for me. What's he trying to tell, anyhow, +Phil?" + +"Why, as near as I can make it out," said Phil, "he has been sort of +friendly with the Tories. They invited him to Boston. He seems to try +and tell that they got him to give all kinds of information about +various people in the settlements. They gave him plenty of fire-water. +Then they turned him loose. He got hanging around the camp, and stole +something. The soldiers pounded him, tied him to the horse and started +them away from the city. The horse must have swum the Charles River, +and had a wild dash of it into the timber and the swamp." + +"He acts as if he has some pretty hard feeling against the Tories," +said Andy. + +"He has. Oh, he will have revenge! he says," explained Phil. "Poor +fellow--I feel sorry for him." + +Phil handed the Indian some food from the basket, which the man +received gladly. He patted Phil's hand and looked him closely in the +eye. Then he reached into the breast of his hunting shirt and drew +out a buckskin bag. Searching in this, he brought out a piece of very +hard wood a few inches square. It was covered with paint--daubed +characters and pictures. He handed this to Phil. As he did so, he drew +an imaginary circle around Phil. He held up his hands to indicate +numbers--of men, Phil thought. Then the Indian made it plain that he +had given his rescuer a charm or amulet that would disperse all enemies. + +"Good-by," said Phil, heartily shaking the hand of the Indian, and the +latter mounted his horse, made a threatening gesture towards Boston, +and rode away. + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + PAUL REVERE'S RIDE + + +"Well!" remarked Andy, as the Indian was lost to view amid the mazes of +the forest. "There's plenty of variety on the road to Boston, it seems." + +"Phil has made a good friend, at any rate," said Ralph. "Sort of +adopted you, Phil. Those savage fellows mean something when they take a +fancy to a fellow. I'll wager you hear from this man again. That funny +piece of wood he gave you was the most precious thing he possessed. I +know these savages. When I was in the South Sea Islands, a sailor saved +the life of a drowning native. The day we left, that grateful native +came down to the ship with over one hundred mates, beating tom-toms and +hauling aboard a whole wagon load of presents." + +Andy listened to Ralph with a suspicious sidelong look. Ralph was +continually alluding to this and that remote spot on the globe where +he had been, and to Andy it was really remarkable the wide experience +of a person so young. + +"This poor 'Sachem' hasn't many presents to give, I fancy," said Phil, +"but it's just as important to have his good will. The Indians could +annoy us a good deal, with the Tories behind them. I don't think this +man will ever train with them again though. There's the mill, Ralph," +proceeded Phil. "Mr. Eaton has told you what to do, so we will follow +the leader until you find out how safe it is for us to try and get into +Boston." + +"Mr. Eaton told me to see a man named Jewett," explained Ralph. "He +lives in the settlement here. I suppose the first move is to locate +him." + +The boys got nearer to the river and followed its shore until they came +to a little cluster of houses. Ralph entered the yard of one of these, +went to the front door of the house and knocked. He soon came back to +Phil and Andy. + +"The woman in that house has directed me to Jewett's place," said +Ralph. "It's farther down the river." + +At Mr. Jewett's house Ralph remained inside for some time. + +"Did you see your man?" inquired Andy, as Ralph returned to them. + +"No, but I saw Mrs. Jewett. She asked me all kinds of questions, as if +to make sure that I really came from Mr. Eaton. Everybody here acts +with suspicion, and all on the tip-toe of excitement. The woman told me +to go to Dockrell's Mill. I reckon her husband is there. She thought it +over a good deal, and made me tell my story clear through before she +decided to send me to the mill though." + +"We'll soon be in Boston, I hope," said Andy, as they moved forward +once more. + +They finally made out the mill and some surrounding buildings in the +distance. The boys were chatting animatedly, when, passing some bushes, +all of a sudden a sharp, commanding voice spoke the word: + +"Halt!" + +All three stood stock-still, for from behind the bushes appeared a man, +leveling a musket. He had the bearing of a person who would fire at the +least provocation, as he craned his neck to make out the faces of the +party he challenged. + +"Who are you?" he demanded, as Phil stepped forward. + +"My name is Warrington," Phil explained, "I live in Boston, and am +trying to get there with my two friends here." + +The sentry, for such he apparently was, laughed outright. + +"You'll have a time of it," he said dryly. "Smarter fellows than you +have been trying to get out of Boston and into Boston all day long, and +have made a failure of it. You'll have to go back. We have something +to say on this side of the creek, and it's no thoroughfare for anybody +this route, for to-night, at least." + +"We are especially sent to one certain person," said Phil, "and maybe +that will make a difference." + +"Who is it?" inquired the sentinel. + +"Mr. Jewett." + +"Who sent you?" + +Phil told as much in explanation as he thought necessary. + +"You tell a pretty straight story," said the sentry. "If you're up to +any tricks, it won't pay you. Who's that with you, or a little behind +you, as you came up the path?" + +"With us?" exclaimed Phil. "Why nobody." + +"Yes, there was," declared the sentry. "Some one was dodging along +after you. I saw him plainly." + +"I don't see him now," said Phil, peering sharply back the course they +had come, "and it seems impossible that any one would be following us." + +"Well, he's disappeared now," said the sentry. "It may have been one of +our other sentinels. Go ahead. Keep right on this path till you reach +the mill. Don't leave it to do any prying." + +"Why should we?" demanded Andy, who didn't like the preemptory ways of +their challenger. + +"Well, just don't, that's all," continued the sentry. "You may get into +trouble if you do. The bushes have eyes and ears around here just now, +and we don't want any interfering. You had better get through with +Jewett soon as you can, and make your break for Boston lively, for, if +the signs don't fail, before another night there may be a heavy rain." + +"Not with that wind," innocently declared Ralph, who from his sailor +experience prided himself on being an expert weather prophet. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed the sentry. "Not the kind of rain you mean, my +lad--this will be a rain of leaden bullets." + +The boys passed on. They did not even converse now for there was a sort +of gruesome spell over each. Their nerves were on a strain, for every +bush they passed might conceal a sentry. They passed a hut with no +lights or sign of life about it. Near to it and about one hundred feet +from the path was a barn. + +"Some one is in there," said Andy. "I can see a light through the +chinks." + +"Come on, Andy," directed Phil. + +"Yes, better try, no snooking around," advised Ralph. "That sentry told +us to follow our noses, straight." + +But Andy was persistent. He deviated from the regular path, and the +others, irresistibly influenced by his leadership and curiosity, kept +pace with him. They came up against the side of the barn, where a long +wide crack showed between two shrunken planks. + +A lantern hanging from a hook in a rafter illuminated the interior +of an ordinary stable room. In the centre of the barn, saddled and +bridled, magnificently erect and graceful, was the most beautiful horse +Phil had ever seen. The steed stood like some statue of bronze, and the +whole picture somehow thrilled the onlookers in an impressive, heroic +way. + +Seated upon the animal, straight, athletic, was a man as mute and +motionless as if he was planted there. He held the bridle reins loosely +in one hand, but he was posed as if awaiting some word of command upon +which he must act on the instant. His ear seemed bent towards the old +mill building not five hundred feet away. + +"Why," began Andy in a tremor of excitement. + +"S-sh! This way, boys," interrupted Phil, in a quick, cautious whisper. + +"But I know," began Andy again, insistently. + +What Andy knew or did not know was not disclosed at that moment. There +was again an interruption, and Phil was not responsible for it this +time. + +"Look--say, look!" said Ralph. + +Way across the broad Charles River on the Boston shore, from the high +window of the old North Church, there flashed out the bright light of +two big lanterns, the rays shot against some broad reflectors. + +Thrice the lights rose and fell. Immediately from the upper story of +the old mill building, just beyond the spot where the boys stood, a +blue light flamed momentarily in response. Then darkness again and +silence, but the silence reigned for a moment only. There was a shout +inside the barn into which the boys had just peered, the sharp, quick +clatter of the hoofs of a horse on the hollow planking. The watcher +at the window had disappeared. Phil, Andy and Ralph, inexpressibly +excited, ran to the structure and again looked into its interior. + +The man at the window had darted to the big door of the place. He +dashed it open, saying something in a rapid tone to the man on the +horse. Rider and animal were posed as if set on springs. One leap, and +they cleared the threshold. + +The man at the door brought his broad hand down on the flank of the +speeding horse. His voice rose to an eager, exultant shout, urging +steed and rider out into the darkness with the rapidity of an arrow +shot from a bow. A thrill ran through every nerve of the overwrought +spectators, as he cried: + +"Go, Paul Revere! The liberty of America depends upon your mission this +night!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + ALONG THE RIVER + + +"Paul Revere! I told you I knew him!" cried Andy. "Yes, sir, it's war. +I remember--my father--Concord--fast horse--warn the country." + +In an incoherent way Andy made it known to his comrades that he had +seen Paul Revere at a meeting of the Sons of Liberty at his home at +Concord, and that his father had intimated that the intrepid horseman +was listed to act as a courier in the patriotic service. + +"Hark!" ordered Phil sharply. + +Horse and rider had vanished as if into a cloud. Then they had heard +the swift ringing hoofs on the road. These, too, had died away, but +now, echoing on the still air, came a prolonged, vibrating call. + +"Hulloa--oa--oa!" + +Indistinct words followed. Silence again, and then the call repeated. +Shouts of others besides the dauntless night riders echoed out. +Lights began to flash in the distance. More remote, a great bonfire, +a veritable beacon of liberty, blazed out suddenly. Some shots were +heard, and mingled with them was a wild alarm bell, summoning some +little settlement to arms. + +"He has important news," said Andy. "Oh, you can wager he has. He is +to warn all the towns along the road. Ralph, let us get quickly to Mr. +Jewett. I'm dying to find out what is going to happen next." + +"Hey, what are you doing here?" pronounced a gruff voice. + +Andy was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck. He was pushed +forward, jerked back and whirled face to face with his challenger and +captor, the man whom they had noticed at the little window in the barn. + +"Hold on, there," broke in Phil, stepping forward to rescue his chum +from rough treatment. + +"What are you doing, sneaking around here?" demanded the man angrily. + +"We are looking for Mr. Jewett," explained Ralph. + +"Yes, and we know--let go--Paul Revere--let go, I say--and we're true +blue--" + +"Know Jewett, do you?" said the man, somewhat skeptically. "Well, we'll +soon know about that, for here he comes." + +All hands looked in the direction of the old mill. They saw a man +running rapidly towards them. But soon he halted, seemed peering in +among the bushes, and ran back a distance on his course. Then he came +forward again. + +"Watch out close," he called to Andy's captor, as if intent on keeping +running. "Seems to me I noticed a skulker after me when I left the +mill. What of Revere?" + +"Gone," reported the man. + +"Good! The break has come. Before morning six hundred British troops +will be on the road to Lexington. Watch here a bit, then come to the +settlement. We must get ready to greet those redcoats with a warm +welcome." + +The speaker started to hasten on his way, but Andy's captor halted him +with the words: + +"Hold on, Jewett." + +"Eh--why, who are these boys?" exclaimed Jewett, making out for the +first moment the companions of the man who had hailed him. + +"They say they came to see you." + +"I am from Mr. Eaton," explained Ralph. "This is Phil Warrington of +Boston, and my other friend is Andy Sabine of Concord." + +"Yes, yes," nodded Jewett. "Good names, all. What can I do for you, +lads?" + +"We want to get into Boston, where Phil's folks live," said Ralph. + +"Boston!" repeated Mr. Jewett. "Why, lads, before morning, probably +within an hour, you will see that river out yonder covered with boat +loads of redcoats. The British are about to make a raid out into the +country, Lexington first, Concord next. Look out for yourselves, fight +if you can, but don't think of going to Boston. Roberts, take them up +to my house till I get our men in trim for the coming fight, and keep +a lookout for the man I thought I saw keeping track of me back yonder +near the old mill." + +The man who had grasped Andy now released him. The boys did not pay +much further attention to him. Each of the trio felt that a critical +moment impended, and that the situation was serious. Phil looked up +and down the dark river, and then across at the city, where a good +many lights showed, and which he had no doubt, was now in a state of +considerable commotion. + +"I'll go up to the house with you soon," said the man, turning to +attend to something in the barn. + +"We called there on our way here, and know where it is," explained +Phil. "We hardly know what is best to do." + +"As you like," said the man. "Only, you had better follow Jewett's +advice. We have been waiting for a week for what you saw happen a few +minutes since, and it means a good deal, all hands around, I can tell +you." + +"What shall we do, boys?" inquired Phil anxiously of his companions, as +Andy's recent captor disappeared into the barn. + +"Mr. Jewett said Lexington and Concord," observed Andy, in a reflective +tone. "I don't believe that the Tories will ever get that far out, but +I'd like to be in the thick of the excitement." + +"Phil is pretty anxious about his folks," remarked Ralph. "We can't do +much this side of the river except hang around. We have no muskets. We +could learn a lot in Boston." + +"Well, anyhow, we'll see how it looks along the river," said Phil, with +an irresolute sigh. "If we find a boat, I have a good mind to try and +get across the river, even if we came right back again." + +"All right. Let's see what turns up," said Andy, and they started down +the stream and past the old mill. The revelations of the past hour +had stirred them up greatly. Andy talked of the boys training club at +Concord, Phil of the Musket Boys of Boston, Ralph wished the provincial +congress would establish a navy, and give him a chance to show what he +had learned as a sailor boy. + +They proceeded along the river for over a mile before they made any +discovery affecting their plans. Andy had remembered what Mr. Jewett +had said about being followed by some one, and had strenuously asserted +that he had caught sight twice of a lurking figure in their rear since +passing the old mill. Now Ralph, who was a little ahead of Phil, halted. + +"Fellows, the very thing," he cried. "Here's a yawl." + +All hands came to the water's edge with alacrity. There lay a yawl, the +oars set. It was lapping the water unsecured, except for being grounded +at the stern, and it looked as though it had been recently used. For +all that, Andy leaped into the bow, and Ralph sat down in the center +seat and took up the oars. + +"I will keep the lookout," said Phil. "I ought to know these waters +around here pretty well, and if we don't run across some craft of the +enemy before we get across, I am sure we can pick out a safe place to +land. There's a fog coming up from the bay. That will hide us some." + +"Not yet, my young gallivanters!" suddenly spoke a gruff voice. + +From behind a great log near the beach the speaker stepped into view. +Advancing slowly upon them, a musket extended, the young patriots saw a +redcoat soldier in full uniform. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + "ON TO LEXINGTON!" + + +The British soldier walked straight up to the yawl, stepped into it, +and, his gun still extended, sat down in the stern of the boat. It was +all done so easily and naturally, that it fairly took away the breath +of the three astonished boys. + +"Keep right on," said the soldier--"row away, there." + +Andy for once was subdued. He did not doubt but that the redcoat meant +business, and that gun barrel looked ugly and threatening. Ralph +mechanically placed the oars in motion. Phil half-faced about wondering +what would come next. + +It seemed to him that he had caught a vague glimpse of a scudding +figure shift through the fog and melt away at the water's edge, but he +attributed this to a shadow or fancy, his main interest centered on +the big, cruel-faced soldier, who now held himself and his companions +absolutely at his mercy. + +"Row, I tell you," ordered the redcoat. "No fooling, no tricks, or I'll +sink you with lead. Trying to get into Boston, were you?" he chuckled. +"Well, I'll just help you, that's all." + +"Yes, I guess we'll get to Boston," said Andy rather glumly, in a +half-undertone. + +"Sort of dreaded the row across," continued the redcoat. "Then again, +judging from what I overheard you fellows say, I fancy you can tell +considerable to our captain. Blame me, if I've found out anything +except a heap of signaling. Say," he added to Phil, "what was all that +hubbub of shots and shouts and bells I heard down the river?" + +"I wasn't down the river to find out, you see," responded Phil. + +"Wasn't you, now?" said the soldier, in a sarcastic tone. "You're all +very innocent, aren't you? Row faster and steadier, there," he ordered +in a raised, angry tone, as Ralph lagged at the oars. + +Andy had just whispered something behind Ralph. It was to the effect +that he believed boats from the other shore were crossing the river. +If this were true, Ralph foresaw that they would soon ride right in +amongst the enemy. + +"Then we'll be gone for good," Andy declared in a hollow whisper. +"Let's fight for it--here and now." + +"Did you hear me?" repeated the redcoat wrathfully. "Row faster." + +"Not an inch," said Ralph, quietly but forcibly. + +He dropped the oars as he spoke, and sitting erect folded his arms and +faced the soldier like a statue. + +"Andy," he whispered sideways, "there's the old pistol in my belt +behind, get it. I'll make a spring." And Ralph moved slightly forward, +and managed to touch Phil with his foot as a hint that they were up to +something. + +The redcoat uttered a wicked snarl. He raised his musket, and the boys +heard an ominous click. + +"Dodge! duck!" shouted Andy excitedly. "The ruffian is going to +massacre us!" + +Bang! Sure enough the gun went off, but up in the air. The astonished +boys saw the weapon fly up from the hands of the enraged soldier. It +came down in the middle of the boat, striking Ralph. What was more +wonderful, though, was that accompanying this maneuver. The redcoat +performed a series of gyrations that reminded Phil of a man who had +been kicked off a horse in a somersault circle. + +The soldier shot clear back off the boat, arms and feet sawing the +air. He uttered a curdling yell, but its echoes gurgled down to a +gasp as he went under the surface of the water with the dexterity of +a practised acrobat. Next, there sprang over the stern a dripping but +agile figure. + +"The Indian,--Old Sachem!" exclaimed Andy. "Don't!"--began Andy, in a +horrified tone. + +There passed before the boys a rapid, tragic spectacle. They could +readily surmise what had transpired--the Indian had followed them from +the swamp. Whatever his motive to guard them, to try and do them a good +turn for their kindness to him or on the trail of his enemies, seeking +revenge, it was evidently Sachem, as he was generally nicknamed, who +had been lurking around the old mill and later upon the course they had +followed. + +Sachem must have swum after the boat, and at the right moment had +pulled back the redcoat. Now, seating himself at the stern, he reached +back and grabbed out. His wiry fingers were clenched in the bushy +whiskers of the Tory. Sweeping his other hand towards them holding a +keen-bladed knife, he "scalped" the redcoat's luxurious whiskers. + +With a laugh of derision he tossed the handful of hair into the face +of the yelling victim, gave him a hard slap on the face and then a push +that sent the redcoat swimming for shore, probably more scared that he +had ever been before in his life. + +The whole incident had been so rapid, tragical and finally grotesque, +that Andy broke out into a great laugh. It was quickly subdued. Through +the gloom from some near boat came a startling challenge: + +"Who is there?" + +Instantly Ralph grabbed the oars. There was no doubt but that the +British were crossing over from Boston. The shore was near at hand. +All saw that they must promptly reach it or drive straight into a new +dilemma. + +Ralph speedily turned the bow of the boat, and began making for shore. +They all kept silent, the Indian stationing himself at the stern, his +ear bent attentively, his eye trying to pierce the fog and darkness. + +The redcoat he had doused and "scalped" had reached the shore. He was +now running away from his landing place, bellowing out directions to +the approaching boat loads of his fellows. This helped neither them nor +himself, for the gloom hung about like a pall. + +The boys leaped from the boat as they reached the shore. The Indian +faced them with the most extravagant gestures. These plainly indicated +that they were foolhardy to attempt to get into Boston. He turned and +pointed in the direction of the old country road. + +"Lexington," he said. "Boom--boom!" + +Phil nodded actively to indicate to the redman that he understood him. +The latter looked pleased. He placed his finger tip to his lip to +enforce silence, beckoned his companions to follow him, and then stole +down the shore like a shadow. + +It was just in time, for two minutes later the refugees comprehended +that the British were landing. The Indian proceeded at a brisk pace for +over a half a mile. Here there was a thicket, and he led the boys to it. + +Soon, he said sententiously--"wait," and disappeared. + +"Well, Sachem is proving a pretty good friend," observed Andy. + +"I wonder what he is up to now?" spoke Ralph. + +"He wants to act quick," said Phil. "The British are certainly landing +their troops this side of the river. We shall be surrounded by them if +we don't make ourselves scarce." + +The boys could see lights here and there down the river shore. Once +there were some vague shouts, and the echo of a volley of musketry. Way +to the west a reddish glare betokened a house on fire, or some patriot +beacon. + +"The air sort of bristles with action, hey, Phil?" remarked Andy. "I +wish my Concord crowd was here. We'd soon make up some plan to fight or +annoy these bold redcoats." + +"Some one is coming!" said Ralph just then, and thereupon the Indian +stepped into view. To the amazement of the boys he led three horses. +These were army steeds fully accoutred, and at the saddle of each hung +a sabre and a short cavalry musket. + +"Sachem" conveyed to his friends that he had stolen them. He had +evidently located other horses, and according to his pantomime had set +them free. + +"He has happened upon some redcoat detachment this side of the river, +waiting for orders to move," suggested Andy. "Say, fellows, here is a +layout that's famous, eh?" + +"Sachem" pointed again solemnly, and Phil knew that he was indicating +Lexington, and advising them to proceed in that direction. He began +to thank the Indian, but the latter, with a grunt of satisfaction at +having been of service to his friends and at settling his score with +the redcoats, backed away and disappeared. + +"Phil," cried Andy buoyantly, "this is unmistakable, I reckon!" and he +sprang into one of the saddles. + +"I'm more at home on a deck than on a horse's back," remarked Ralph, +"but this strikes me as the proper thing." + +"Yes," said Phil, "we will leave Boston till later. Just now the motto +must be: 'On to Lexington!'" + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + THE FIRST SKIRMISH + + +"Andy! Andy!" screamed Ralph Post. + +But Andy Sabine did not answer. Amid a scene of wild riot and +turbulence, wreathed with the actual smoke of battle, the centre of a +struggling, battling crowd of yeoman and militia, the Concord boy was +swept from view like one on the wings of a cyclone. + +It was wonderful what a few hours time had wrought in the destinies +and environment of the three loyal chums, who had not reached the city +they had started out for, but instead had become involved in the first +sanguinary conflict of the War of the Revolution at its most active, +seething centre. Never could any one of them forget the escapades of +the past night. It was like some dream--the wild dash down the old +country road from the Charles river, inspirited by Phil Warrington's +final heroic decision: "On to Lexington!" + +They made little progress that was not attended by stirring incidents. +There was not a village they passed that was not in a state of +barricade, preparation, or practically deserted. Bonfires were blazing, +men, women, even children were wide awake. Some particular building in +these little hamlets was usually the focus of local military fever. +Here were grouped men with every conceivable weapon from a blunderbuss +to a pitchfork, boys with hatchets, bows and arrows, even slingshots. +Wherever they owned a cannon, no matter how small, it was planted +conspicuously. + +The lack of fear was remarkable. All acted as if an hour long +anticipated had arrived, and they were prepared for the conflict. +Attics and roofs were occupied by men with all their available firearms +by their side. The hedges and timber concealed any number of men on +the watch for the first token of the approach of the foe. On top of +many a hill a great brush fire was kept burning, furnishing a circle of +beacons as far as the eye could reach. + +All this Phil, Andy and Ralph saw, and every advancing mile showed how +well Paul Revere and another messenger named William Dawes had sounded +their warnings to the ready colonists. It was only when they reached +Lexington, however, that the boys realized that the hurry and scurry +and unbottled enthusiasm all led to one central point where the first +stand of the patriots was to be made. + +The little town was being patrolled by men having some semblance of +system and discipline. In fact, as the little group came cantering into +the town, they were greeted with suspicion, were boldly challenged, and +had to explain how they came to be riding horses with accoutrements +manifestly belonging to the enemy. There was a talk of "Headquarters," +and, Phil in the lead, their horses hitched outside of the town hall +building, they were marshalled into the presence of a man upon whom +seemed to rest the leadership of the hundred or more men who were +scattered about the village, many of whom had come from neighboring +settlements to the defence of Lexington. + +Phil told Captain Parker a good deal that was welcome and important. +The startling dash of Paul Revere had been only a warning. Here were +couriers direct from the midst of the British, already on the march +outside of Boston town. Their report was listened to with eagerness and +interest. Then their places were taken by new arrivals. A man would +come in with all the able-bodied male members of his family. A stray +little group of farmers next put in a plea for active service. No +one seemed disposed to shirk a duty--all was loyalty, enthusiasm and +courage. + +"We're here," observed Phil, as he and his comrades stood outside once +more, "and I guess we are going to see the first battle of the war." + +"See it?" echoed Andy vaingloriously. "Why, we're going to be a part of +it. I'm full of fight, myself," and he handled over the sabre attached +to the saddle of his horse, to which he had taken a great fancy. + +Couriers had been sent back on the Boston road. These began to come in +as the hours wore on. The enemy was on the march ten miles, then eight +miles, and now only five miles away. In the meantime, the camp, as it +might be called, began to come into some shape and substance. Buildings +were transposed into forts, and the strongest detachment lurked about +the town hall and at the so-called arsenal of the village. + +"You see, it's military stores the British are after on this raid," +explained Phil. "They know that their capture or destruction will +cripple the cause, and here and at Concord are the biggest lot of these +stores outside of Boston." + +"Why didn't they go quietly about it?" inquired Ralph. + +"They expected to, but, as you have seen, our people were watching +their every move." + +"I bet they will face a tremendous surprise," declared Andy. "Just see +how the people are aroused. There's a patriot in every hedge clear to +Charles river, and the Minute Men are bound to hinder the redcoats from +getting here." + +Phil and his comrades were very proud to be sent on their horses to +carry important messages to outlying squads from Captain Parker and his +assistants. A good many boys of their own age were grouped on a slope +near the edge of the town. Phil and his friends decided to join them. +They picketed their horses at a short distance and shouldering the +muskets they had obtained mingled with the little squad. + +The situation grew more tense as time passed on. The couriers came in +more numerously and swiftly, and in increased excitement. A belt of +timber shut out a sight of the road beyond Lexington, but finally there +rounded its final curve the advance guard of the enemy. + +Phil never could realize how rapidly and sensationally, from the moment +he saw the first British soldier of the invaders, did things develop. +There was skirmishing from the instant they came in sight of the +town. Shots were exchanged with men from behind trees and hedges, in +stable lofts, half-concealed in haystacks. There must have been over +six hundred men in the British detachment, Phil calculated, under the +British officer Major Pitcairn. They were well-disciplined, for they +marched steadily forward, rarely breaking ranks, and seemed to have +some definite point in view. + +It soon became apparent that the stout log house that comprised the +town arsenal, and which held military stores, was the place the +invaders intended to reach. + +As Major Pitcairn came up close to the assembled colonists he suddenly +halted his force. + +"Disperse, ye rebels, disperse!" he cried. "Lay down your arms, ere it +is too late!" + +"Never!" cried several of the Minute Men. + +"Disperse!" went on the British officer, and then, as the Americans did +not move, he fired his pistol. A moment later the British troops let +fly a volley of shots at the Americans. + +"The battle is on!" yelled one patriot. "Give it to 'em, boys, give it +to 'em hot!" And he took aim with his musket and let drive, and all +those around him did likewise. In that first onslaught several were +killed on both sides and a good many were wounded. + +Phil and those with him were forced to disperse. It was in the scurry +to new cover that Ralph made out Andy, who had become separated from +them, borne along with an onpressing crowd. Andy was hatless, and a +red-stained handkerchief bound his head. That he had been wounded there +was no doubt and Phil, made aware of Ralph's discovery, was truly +anxious for the welfare of his redoubtable chum. + +"Halt--get ready!" roared a stentorian voice, and over the crest of +the hill dashed several leaders, directing little groups to action. +Phil, Ralph and several of their own age were stationed behind a marked +battery of bushes. The road space was cleared. Suddenly twenty men +swung around, and Phil saw what was brewing. They carried great round +logs. + +"I'm in for that!" cried Phil, springing from cover, and Ralph joined +him. + +Boom! A great log was dropped in its length and started on a roll down +hill. Boom! Boom! number two and number three followed. The advance +guard of the British, with dismayed yells, sprang aside or ran back. +The bottom of the road was piled up with the logs, presenting a +formidable barrier to the enemy. + +"More logs, rocks,--anything!" was the next stentorian command. All +kinds of debris went scurrying down the hill. The redcoats retreated +down the road, but a special deploy was at work trying to move the +massed logs out of the way. + +The word passed along the hill among the loyal contingent as to what +was planned. They had formed a stout barricade. If they could defend +this and divert the British troops from the road route, they might save +the town. + +The redcoats however, despite missiles and bullets, kept at work trying +to clear the road. Material to continue the barricade was now lacking. +The proposed rush down the hill was deferred while two or three of the +patriot leaders counselled together. + +"Phil, there's Andy again!" spoke up Ralph quickly. + +Phil glanced in the direction indicated. Andy, impetuous, heroic Andy, +was the centre of a group of men and boys. They were rolling a keg, +Andy directing its progress. With a series of forceful yells, in which +Andy led, they halted at the crest of the hill. + +Ready hands drew out the plug in the head of the cask, and a long fuse +was inserted and lighted. The British below saw what threatened, as +Andy balanced the keg so as to allow it to slide lengthwise down into +the barricade. Sharp orders rang out from the British ranks. + +With sudden regularity and discipline the British regiment wheeled, not +daring to face the impending explosion. The keg of powder descended. +A giant puff shot upward, a great detonating report rang out. The +barricade was lifted and scattered about, all ablaze. + +When the smoke cleared the boys knew that Lexington was saved. The +enemy had deployed, and were passing the town on a detour, but still +marching onward among the defenceless towns, carrying death and +destruction in their track. + +Powder-grimed, a veritable wounded warrior, Andy Sabine ran up to Phil +and Ralph, his eyes aflame with the excitement and glamour of the +battle. + +"Get the horses," he said quickly, "and get ahead of those redcoats. +This is just a skirmish. Concord is what they're after, strong, Captain +Parker says." + +Ten minutes later the three chums were mounted on their horses, on +their way to the scene of the first real battle of the War of the +Revolution. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + BROUGHT TO BOOK + + +"Something wrong, Andy!" said Phil Warrington seriously. + +"Hello, is that so? Glad to see you back with the company, Phil." + +The two speakers stood in the lower part of the Sabine barn, dimly +outlined by a lantern hung from a beam. Overhead, active, rapid +footsteps crossed the floor. There was the sound of serious, +business-like voices, although they were juvenile in expression. It was +easy to surmise that the boys marching club was in session, or rather +at practice, for the orders spoken were quite martial and there was the +jingle and clank of firearms. + +Andy had a patch of sticking plaster on one side of his head. Secretly +he was very proud of the grazed skin underneath, which a British bullet +at Lexington had furrowed. With his mates he was a grand hero, and many +a comrade envied him the honor of being the first boy wounded in the +Revolutionary War. + +That had been a strenuous morning for Phil, Andy and Ralph. On their +horses that had safely rounded the British marchers, they had reached +Concord to find that town prepared to meet the enemy, but glad to +receive the latest intelligence of the movements of the British. + +All the night every boy and man in Concord had been doing double duty. +Earthworks had been thrown up, some of their military stores conveyed +into hiding, various points selected where strong resistance to the +invading foe might prove effective, and now all that was to be done was +to wait for the climax of the impending conflict. + +The Minute Men from Lincoln had come in and were soon followed by the +patriots from Acton. Then the British were seen advancing. + +"They are too strong for us," said one of the old veterans of the +French and Indian Wars. "Better lay back until more men come in." And +this was done. Soon the Minute Men from Bedford, Westford, Carlisle, +and other points appeared, until, all told, the ready-to-fight +colonists numbered about four hundred and fifty. They massed themselves +on a hill on the opposite side of the Charles river, overlooking +Concord. + +Andy's family and friends had given Phil and Ralph a royal welcome. Now +since dusk the club had been drilling in the barn loft. Phil and Ralph +had been gone about an hour, when the former returned to report. + +"There may be no attack for some hours yet," he said to Andy. "The +Britishers are moving cautiously. What I have found out is that some +one here in the village is in league with them." + +"And that some one?" asked Andy. + +"Is old Jasper Bram. I have been watching his house. You know old Silas +Berks advised it. Mysterious persons have come and gone away in the +direction of the British troops. Bram is doing something to help them. +I am going straight back there on the watch as soon as I get a morsel +to eat. We may find out something important, see?" + +"Yes, I see," said Andy, "only, don't you miss being here with the +company when the trouble begins." + +"I shall not, Andy." + +Phil went into the house. Andy stood alone in the barn, halting +reflectively. He had spoken of "the company," and he felt quite the +leader and captain. Andy had won a war record. His loyal fellows had +enthusiastically resolved to do and die under his direction, and Andy +intended to do his share when the actual fighting began. + +"Hello, Andy," spoke an interrupting voice and Ralph Post entered the +barn. "S--st!" he added, raising his linger warningly to his lips. +"Talk low. No movement of the British as yet. That's the news your +father sends from headquarters. Say, Andy," continued Ralph in a low +whisper, "there's a spy outside." + +"Eh? what? who?" demanded Andy, with a start. + +"Don't know. He's on the plank running across the two rain casks--head +nearly on a level with the second story of the barn, and he tip-toes +when he wants to look in through the window of the loft." + +"Come with me," cried Andy instantly. "A spy, eh? I can't imagine--aha! +I see." + +Ralph it seemed had entered the barn without being seen by the spy in +question. Andy, quite as fortunate, now glanced around a corner of the +structure. At its other end he made out the lurking form Ralph had +described. Dodging back, he whispered hurriedly to his companion, and +Ralph ran around the barn. Andy himself waited a minute or two, edged +around the corner again, noticed the lurker on tip-toe, calculated his +chances, and with a sudden movement seized the end of the plank and +gave it a swift pull. + +There was a dancing figure over the water cask for a second or two, a +wild clutching at space, and then, as Ralph came abruptly into view, +the lurker missed his hold and disappeared with a yell and a splash +into the cask, full to the brim. + +"Duck him again," ordered Andy, rushing to the centre of attraction. +"Greg Bram! I thought so. Up there, hey? Company to the rescue!" + +Once, twice, a dozen times the would-be spy went under the surface. The +crowd came downstairs and direct to the scene of commotion. It was only +when Greg Bram's plaintive bellowings became weak, showing that he was +nearly exhausted, that the boys let up on him. A dripping, dilapidated +specimen of humanity he staggered from the spot amid the jeers and +hootings of the patriotic boys. + +Phil, after a hurried meal, coming out of the house, saw the end of the +episode. Greg became his guide, for it was to Jasper Bram's that Phil +was bound. The son amid his chagrin and misery made straight for the +parental roof. + +Phil trailed Greg clear up to the door of his home, and then glided +around to the side of the building, posting himself just beyond an open +window looking into the room, up and down which old Bram was pacing, +some rare excitement and a look of satisfaction expressed on his +weazened, avaricious face. As Greg burst into the room, wild with rage +and uncomfortable to the last extreme, the old man stared at him in +amazement and then in wrath. + +"Nice plight you're in!" he cried. "Now, what does this mean?" + +"It means that I want to join the British army and sweep this old town +off the face of the earth!" snarled Greg venomously. "Oh, if I had the +burning of this burg! Oh, if I could massacre the whole crowd of them!" + +"Did you learn anything about where they have moved the ammunition?" +demanded his father. + +"No, I didn't," retorted Greg, "seeing that I didn't have the chance, I +was fool enough to try and find out what Andy Sabine and his crowd were +doing. They caught me. Dad, you show me how to get revenge, and you +needn't pay me a dollar for all those messages to the Britishers this +afternoon." + +"Do you think any of the town people suspect what is really going on?" +were the next words that fell on the ears of the eagerly-listening +Phil, in Jasper Bram's rasping tone of voice. + +"No, I don't think so," replied Greg,--"how could they?" + +"You don't seem to know anything that's important," snarled old Bram. +"This is no time for thinking, or guessing. I'm in for a big reward if +my information to the British enables them to come into the town as +they wish, by the north road. You haven't helped much, Greg, and that's +a fact." + +"Helped!" cried Greg. "I've done nothing but help. You're talking that +way so you won't have to give me anything for all my work. Who found +out all about the plans of the Sons of Liberty but me, and--aha! didn't +I help you bury our dog, yes, our poor old dog, ha! ha!" + +There was a vicious twinkle in Greg's eye and a sneering expression +on his lips. It was evident that he had hit the old man hard at a +sensitive point. There was some deep undercurrent to the remark, for, +like a tiger aroused, old Jasper Bram, with clenched fists and flashing +eyes, sprang at his son as if he would strike him down where he stood. + +"You'll bring that up, will you?" he shouted. "After all I've told you, +you'll threaten me, will you?" + +"Well," retorted Greg, backing away, "I just wanted to show you that +I've helped you out whenever I could. Who else would do it--and keep +his mouth shut? That's the point--wouldn't blab. Why, if the father +of Phil Warrington, drat him! or that young Burt Noble, knew about +burying that dog--" + +"Stop! Stop, I tell you!" roared the old man, "or I'll thrash the life +out of you. Even so much as hint at this thing again, and I'll turn you +out of house and home." + +In his rage old Bram tore about the apartment in a frenzied manner. He +kicked over a chair, he slammed a door, he jammed down the window at +which Phil had been peering and listening. But Phil did not mind this. +He was ready to hasten back to Concord now, for he believed that he had +secured some information of the most vital importance to his patriotic +friends. + +"I see their plan--that of the British," he murmured. "They intend to +enter Concord from the north, where they are not expected, where no +preparations have been made to repel them." + +Phil started on a keen run in the direction of Concord. He was figuring +out how the enemy could make a detour and accomplish a good deal by +getting right upon the boundary of the town without being discovered. + +"One good piece of information, that," he soliloquized. "And about +the dog they buried? What made old Bram so wrathy when his son, Greg, +alluded to that? He meant something, I feel sure. He meant something +of interest to my father and Burt Noble, I believe. That dog business +hides some mystery. I'll make a mental note of it, and I'll think it +over and act on it when we have given the British a double dose of what +we gave them at Lexington." + +Phil halted. Way to the north he caught a sudden alarming sound. It was +vague, distant--the echo of a volley of musketry. His worst fears were +confirmed. The British soldiers had made the detour of the town. He +dashed on with renewed speed. Would he be too late to save Concord? + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + THE BATTLE OF CONCORD + + +Phil Warrington dashed into the barn belonging to Andy Sabine's father, +breathless. Andy and his company had just filed down the stairs from +the loft. Their leader ran up to the scurrying figure of the new +arrival with expectancy in his face. + +"What is it, Phil?" he cried. + +"The Brams have been giving information to the British, and the +redcoats have rounded the town. They are planning to attack us from the +north. I heard some firing in that direction." + +"Out of this!" ordered the impulsive Andy quickly. "Scatter the news! +Tell everybody! I'll get to my father and the committee. Then all hands +meet at the square." + +There was a tremendous bustle. Phil was borne along in the wake of the +dispersing company. He made sure first, though, to secure his musket. +As he ran down the street, in every direction he could hear the ringing +voices of his young friends, scattering far and wide the news he had +just brought into Concord. + +He helped with voice and feet, too, as his share in the action of the +moment. When he reached the square Phil found it the center of a great +commotion. He espied Andy's father moving rapidly from group to group +of the volunteers, and managed to get to his side. + +Phil hurriedly explained what he had heard Jasper Bram tell his son, +Greg, about the plans of the redcoats. He referred as well to the +firing he had heard north of the town. Mr. Sabine looked very much +interested, but was excited and worried. + +"All our forces and points of advantage are bulked at this end of the +town," he said. "We never counted on the British coming from any other +direction. It will have to be a scattered fight. You lads keep out of +trouble. Do your duty, but don't take any reckless risks." + +A short time later Andy and Phil, with the patriotic boys of Concord, +marched out of town and across the bridge to the hill occupied by the +Minute Men and the other patriots that were assembling. Everything was +in a state of excitement. + +"Musket Boys to the front!" cried Andy, and soon he gathered many of +his friends about him. All had muskets, some new and some dating back +to the French and Indian Wars. + +It was not long before smoke could be seen coming from several points +in Concord. + +"Will the British try to burn the town?" was the question on every +tongue. + +"Men, we must protect Concord!" cried Captain Barret, who was in +command. "We'll march down to the bridge." + +In a few minutes the Minute Men, with many of the Musket Boys, reached +the vicinity of the North Bridge. + +"See! see!" cried Phil. "The redcoats are wrecking the bridge!" + +Phil's words proved true. The British soldiers were forcing up the +planking of the bridge. + +"Stop! stop!" cried a number of the patriots. "Let that bridge alone!" + +"Keep back!" was the order from the British commander, and then, as the +Minute Men and the Musket Boys drew closer, he gave the order to fire +on the patriots. + +Bang! bang! bang! spoke up the firearms of the redcoats, and two of the +Minute Men fell. + +"Give it to the redcoats!" was the yell, and then Minute Men and Musket +Boys returned the volley, and several on the Concord side of the +bridge went down, two to rise no more. + +From that moment the fighting became general. The Musket Boys were +in the thick of the fray, and worked as hard as did the Minute Men. +Colonel Smith, the British commander, did all in his power to hold +the bridge, but, more Minute Men arriving, he saw that it would be +impossible to do so, so at last he gave the order to retreat. + +In the meantime, there started up fighting at other points, and a +distant cannon boomed out, followed by the explosion of some gunpowder. + +"Phil, this is war, actual war!" cried Andy. + +"Yes," answered the Boston boy, "and the Musket Boys must do their +duty." + +From the bridge, the redcoats were followed into Concord, and then +another skirmish took place. At last the British commenced to retreat +in earnest. Little did they dream of what that withdrawal was to cost +them! + +In the midst of the excitement Phil and Andy saw a forlorn figure pass +the lines. Some shots followed him from the British groups, but he +dashed resolutely into the midst of Andy's contingent. + +"Ralph--Ralph Post!" cried Andy excitedly. "What news?" + +The sailor boy's face was streaked with powder smut, his hair and +eyebrows were singed, and his coat was burned at the edges. A truly +heroic figure, he waved his hand triumphantly. + +"They're on the run!" he cried. + +"What! we have beaten the British?" spoke Andy. + +"Tooth and nail, horse and foot, van and rear, hurrah!" responded +Ralph, but his cheer, meant to be exultant, was decidedly faint, and he +had to lean against a post, pretty well exhausted. + +"I tell you it has been hot work," continued Ralph, when he had +recovered his breath. "Those redcoats came down on us like an +avalanche. They were just a solid mass, sweeping away everything in +their path except the town hall. That turned them. They got such a +steady hail of bullets from the windows, from the roof and from behind +trees and fences, that they turned double quick. But they made for the +arsenal. Our men simply couldn't withstand such a force, for most of +the crowd on duty there earlier, had been sent north to fight. They're +getting in on us. Oh, dear!" sighed Ralph dolefully. "Those elegant +cannons!" + +"What about the cannons?" inquired Andy impatiently. + +"Spiked, smashed, two of them. The redcoats did it. And the powder--all +that precious powder!" + +"And what about the powder?" demanded Andy. + +"Some barrels emptied into the river. But we beat them--some. A smashed +keg they were rolling along with the other kegs near the river. One +of our men dared everything, ran to the spot, fired his gun among the +loose powder, and that ended it. Why, those redcoats and the Tories +with them ran like scared rats. Then our men put after them. They are +after them now. They have driven the redcoats down the road, just lined +with our skirmishers. It's pop! bang! all the time. A lot of our men +have cut across country to head them off, if they try to return that +way. The rest of our men are just driving the enemy back to Boston on +the double-quick. Oh, we've lost something, but it's a rout, and the +battle of Lexington is won!" + +"Let's follow," cried Andy. + +"Hold on, break ranks! Attention company! Halt!" rang out a cheery, +martial voice. + +A clattering wagon had driven right into the midst of Andy and his +companions. It was recognized at once as the antiquated, familiar rig +of old Silas Berks. + +"Whoa!" roared the veteran Indian fighter, getting to his feet and +waving his hand excitedly. "Fellow-citizens--no; I mean friends, boys, +pile aboard. There's a party of redcoats stuck in the road with four +field pieces just beyond my place. If you want to cover yourselves with +glory, all aboard! the more the better, and I'll show you a capture +worth your while." + +"I heard something about some of the heavy baggage of the Britishers +unable to make the detour of the town, and ordered to get back to the +next village," said Ralph. "Our men have cut off any chance of the +others reaching and helping them." + +"Company--march!" ordered Andy grandly. + +The way the "company" obeyed was to pile into the wagon, those of them +who could. The others, eager and excited, strung along on a run behind +as the crazy old vehicle clattered back on its route among the hills +beyond Concord. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + SPOILS OF WAR + + +Captain Andy Sabine's company consisted of over a dozen boys. All of +them had muskets, and most of them knew how to use the firearms, for +hunting was a great part of the life of the average Concord boy of +those days. + +All were eager for the fray, as the saying goes. They had already +"smelt powder," and old Silas Berks, proud of the junior military +coterie he had advised and once or twice drilled, "calculated" +they could do the work in hand as efficiently as the regular adult +volunteers who were off on more important duty. + +"There's six men in charge of the cannon wagons and two carts," he told +Andy and Phil, whom he had insisted should occupy a place of honor +with him on the front seat of the vehicle. There had been over a dozen +Britishers left in charge of the baggage, but most of them had gone +away to find more and fresher horses to help get the gun carriages out +of the ruts where they had almost broken down. + +Andy and Phil knew the situation they were expected to confront very +well from the garrulous old Indian fighter's report, and made their +plans accordingly. As they drove past the home of Jasper Bram, Andy +noticed that it was all dark and the shutters drawn, and commented on +the fact. + +"I reckon they've made themselves scarce until this scrimmage is over," +said Silas. "It's as well, if they're wise. Take my word for it, if +they have found out that the redcoats have been routed, they won't show +their faces around here for some time to come. Now then, lads, we'll +have to drop the wagon right here. There's only a footpath through +the timber, and we want to be silent and cautious like. My, how this +reminds me of the prime old Indian days! Many a lonely trail I've +followed--" + +"There's a light," said Andy suddenly, as they surmounted the crest of +the hill. + +"Yes," nodded old Silas, peering ahead, "they're your men. Same spot +where I first saw them. Go slow now, Andy. Get your Musket Boys under +orders, and make no mistake in dealing with those fellows." + +Andy's volunteers grouped about him as he imparted his instructions in +low tones. They could see at a miry stretch of the cross-country road +a lot of wagons, some horses and two men with shovels digging around +the wheels of the half-overturned gun carriage. A lighted lantern swung +from a nearby branch. + +About two hundred yards beyond them, where a brush-covered space ended +at the edge of a forest, were four other men, a lantern carried by one +of their number, while the others were selecting and sorting dead tree +branches, as if gathering material to construct a temporary corduroy +road. + +"Phil, we'll divide evenly on the men," advised Andy in a truly +military tone of voice. "I'll attend to the fellows in the road, you +see to it that the other redcoats near the timber don't get away." + +"We are to make them prisoners--if we can!" suggested Phil. + +"I should say it," responded Andy, with the decision of a Napoleon. +"Remember what we heard about Gen. Gage imprisoning some patriots in +Boston. These six redcoats will count for six of our own people, don't +you see?" + +"Very well," nodded Phil. "Come on, fellows." + +Half of the boys followed Andy's sub-commander with alacrity. Phil +was a favorite, and the politic Andy had avoided creating any hard +feeling by appointing a boy who did not really belong to Concord as his +lieutenant. + +Andy and his cohorts advanced cautiously in the direction of the +stalled wagons. Some high bushes and the darkness of the night enabled +them to come almost directly upon the British without discovery. Andy +silently and effectively disposed his "men" in a semi-circle. Then, his +sabre drawn, the naked blade glittering impressively in the lantern +light, he stepped from behind a big bush with the single word: + +"Surrender!" + +"Hi--hello!" cried the Britisher digging under the front wheel of the +gun carriage, and he stared askance at the sudden apparition. + +"Why, you young jackanapes!" began the other man, dropping his shovel +and staring also. + +"Ready!" said Andy, as immovable as a statue. + +The two men started back. From the bushes, focussing them as selected +targets, the muzzles of numerous muskets told them that the situation +was no joke. + +"Stand out in the middle of the road there," ordered Andy. + +"Bill, call the others!" hoarsely spoke one of the men. + +"Raise your voice or make a move outside of what you are ordered, and +we fire," said Andy, quietly but firmly. + +The two men got into the middle of the road. Andy told off four of his +company to get ropes from one of the baggage wagons and tie the hands +of the captives behind them. + +This had scarcely been accomplished when Phil and the others appeared +upon the scene, driving at the muzzle's point the four men who had been +working in the timber. The captives looked immensely sheepish, but they +had no weapons, they were completely outnumbered, and Phil had acted +all through in a way that convinced them that he and his assistants +were in deadly earnest. + +"I guess this is all there is of them," observed Ralph. + +"It won't be soon," growled one of the captives. "There'll be a whole +army following our men back here." + +"I fancy you don't quite understand the situation," remarked Andy with +a triumphant smile. "Your messengers will be lucky if they come up with +the army, as you call it, this side of Boston." + +"Yes, and then they'll have to run pretty fast!" chuckled old +Silas. "I'd tie the other four there," he advised. "Bring 'em to the +wagon and take them to the town jail. As to this wagon truck, _et +settery_--spoils of war, my friends, spoils of war." + +Andy had got a taste of war, and paraded the military feature to the +full as the captured redcoats were marched to the wagon, conveyed and +guarded by the nine members of the company. He put sentinels on duty, +and with remainder of the company grouped about the baggage outfit, +awaited the result of his report sent to Concord. + +It was two hours later when old Silas returned. With him were some +twenty men on horseback, provided with ropes and crowbars, as well as +weapons. They proceeded to get the baggage train righted, fresh horses +in the harness, and were soon able to start with their prizes for +Concord. + +From what they had told, Phil and Andy realized that there was no +danger of another raid on the town in the near future. The British +invaders were in swift retreat, with pursuers hot on their trail. All +along their route they were being peppered constantly with shots from +thickets and houses. Their loss had been heavy, their first effort to +subdue the colonists had resulted in dire disaster. + +The tired boys trailed homeward, feeling glad and proud of the share +they had taken in the heroic episodes of the evening. As the crowd +neared the stockade that surrounded the humble home of Silas, the old +Indian fighter fell behind somewhat in company with Phil and Andy. + +"I say," he observed to the latter, "I feel so good over to-night's +work, it makes me lonely for company. There'll be no more fighting +to-night. Tell your comrades to notify the folks that you are going to +stay with me for a couple of hours, won't you?" + +The boys were anxious to get back to town, for, more fighting or not, +they knew that Concord would be in a vortex of excitement for many +hours to come. There was lots to learn of the experience of others. +However, both Phil and Andy appreciated the good service the old +veteran had given, and they turned into the stockade, past "old Tom," +after communicating their intention to their comrades. + +"First and foremost," said Silas, when they had entered his cozy hut +amid the noisy greetings of parrot, pigeons and other fowls and pet +animals, "I'm going to refresh the inner man." + +It was a prime meal that the famous old Indian fighter speedily had +ready for them--bear steak, coffee, apple sauce and mince pie, +home-made from his own skilled hands. Then Silas brought from the dove +cote two of his favored carrier pigeons, and allowed them to walk about +the table picking up crumbs, while he began writing on a sheet of paper +a brief narrative of the recent battle. + +"That will get to Boston long before the redcoat raiders," he observed, +after finishing the screed, in composing which his guests helped him +considerably. + +"You are going to send that to Boston, Mr. Berks?" spoke Phil, a +speculative look on his face. + +"Yes, right away," nodded Silas. + +"I don't suppose you could do me a service in the same line?" went on +Phil. + +"Why not? I guess what you're after. You would like to get word to your +folks." + +"Yes, sir," replied Phil hopefully. + +"Easily done, lad. There's paper and pencil. Get your letter ready. +I'll send it by the first mail to a friend in a certain house-top in +Boston, who will see that it is delivered before sunrise." + +"Oh, that is great!" commented Andy. + +When Phil had written his letter, he gave it to Silas. The latter +folded the sheet, wrote some directions on its back, enclosed it in a +thin piece of oilskin, did the same with his own letter, and attached +one under the wing of one of the doves, the other under the wing of its +companion. + +Then, the doves fluttering affectionately on his shoulder, he went to +the window, opened it, spoke some pet words, and the trained doves took +flight into the darkness on their route to Boston. + +"I must thank you greatly for that service, Mr. Berks," said Phil. "It +takes a great load off my mind to know that my folks will learn where I +am, and my plans. I've sent a message to my company too." + +"The Musket Boys of Boston?" spoke Andy. + +"Yes, I've told them to expect me among them, and to be sure to keep up +their drilling, for they soon will be needed." + +"That's right," nodded old Silas sagely. "The ball has opened, and +America will soon need the help of every loyal lad who can handle a +musket." + +The old man bustled around getting his pets comfortable. Andy suggested +that it was about time for them to leave for home. + +"Yes, we're due in town," observed Phil. "We'll go by Bram's house. +I've a good deal of curiosity to know if they have left the place." + +Phil recited in detail the conversation he had overheard between the +Brams, father and son, about burying a dog. + +"Why, that was queer," commented Andy. "There's something under that +talk hard to understand, Phil. It looks as if Greg Bram was sort of +hinting at some secret he knew about. And it certainly refers to your +father and Burt Noble." + +"What's that about Bram and the dog?" piped up old Silas curiously. + +Phil repeated his story for the benefit of their inquisitive host. + +"Buried a dog, did they?" said the old man, when Phil's narrative was +concluded. "Why, they never owned a dog. Old Jasper is too stingy to +feed one." + +"That makes it more puzzling than ever," said Phil. "Why, Mr. Berks, +what are you doing?" + +The old man with quite a thoughtful air had taken up a piece of chalk +from a shelf, and had written on the wall just under the shelf the +words: "_Bram buried dog._" + +"Oh, that's my memorandy book," chuckled Silas, his shrewd eyes +twinkling busily. "I have lots of time on my hands. You're interested, +and I'm keeping that memorandy as a reminder. Shouldn't wonder," and +the veteran Indian fighter squinted enigmatically, "if I started out +some day to find out where Bram buried that dog--that never existed, +mind you--and why he did it. When I do, Warrington," and he placed his +hand impressively on Phil's shoulder, "expect a message from me by my +carrier pigeon route to Boston." + +"Hurrah for liberty!" screamed the parrot. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII + + IN CAMP + + +"Count noses, Andy, and be quick about it," said Phil hastily. + +"My own squad are all here, Phil. Look to your own Musket Boys. If the +tally's right, we'd better take leg bail, for the mischief is done, +and--here come the Tories!" + +It was a new scene, that occupied by Phil, Andy and others, the time +nightfall, the spot opposite Boston, near Cambridge. + +Some twenty boys bubbling over with animation and excitement surrounded +Phil and Andy. Each ran his eye over the two groups of which the crowd +was composed. + +"All here," sang out Phil. "Run for it fellows!" + +Down the bank of the Charles river Phil and Andy started on a keen run, +their laughing, gossiping comrades following them. They left behind +them a large yawl and several men, rushing towards it. Out in the +stream there bobbed up some bulky bales and parcels, floating swiftly +with the current. + +"Didn't even see us," said Andy triumphantly, slowing down his gait. +"Trick number two--inside of a week. Those fellows will think it wise +to leave a guard on their plunder, the next time." + +"We don't want to try it too often," advised Phil. "They may set a trap +for us." + +The occasion was a raid on the enemy at close quarters. Affairs had +changed for Phil and Andy and their friends during a month's rapid and +exciting flight. They were now real soldiers, for the continental army +was an actual fact, and they were members of it. + +After the defeat at Concord, Gen. Gage's troops had ventured on no +more forays into the surrounding country. The raiders were taught a +lasting lesson, and had met with a terrible experience in their retreat +to Boston where every inch of the way was disputed. Utterly routed, +harassed at every town and hedgerow by patriot skirmishers, a forlorn, +defeated remnant of the original invading force, they had skulked back +into Boston, "very small potatoes," indeed! + +They had shut the loyalists out of Boston. Now the loyalists retaliated +by shutting the redcoats and Tories into Boston. In fact, the city was +beleaguered. There were points open to the British for an occasional +brief foray into the country across the Charles river, but they did +not dare to go far, for the country, fully aroused by the Concord +incident, had sprung to arms instantly. The result was the formation +of the continental army all over the land, and the New England forces, +forming a well-disciplined camp at Cambridge, virtually held the Boston +redcoats passive. + +Everybody in the colonies was enlisting. Andy had selected nearly a +dozen of the older boys of the Concord marching club, and had signed +the military roster. + +The party, including himself, Phil and Ralph, had gone to Cambridge. +They were accepted as volunteers a day or two afterwards. Many members +of the Musket Boys of Boston managed to cross the river undiscovered in +the dark, and Phil found himself a juvenile leader with his dear old +chums under his official wing, ready to battle for him and the cause of +liberty. + +They had managed to rig up a uniform that distinguished them from the +every-day home boy. They had tents of their own, were under the orders +of strict superiors, and did sentinel duty with their older comrades in +the service. + +The boys fell into the new camp life as if they had been brought up +to it. They were useful in many ways to the general service. Phil had +not yet gone to Boston. It would have been a risky experiment, and, +besides, he felt that his duty lay with the army, and he put off the +visit from day to day. His folks had received the message sent by the +carrier pigeons, so they were assured of his safety, and his volunteer +chums had brought him messages from home when they came to join the +army. + +One night Phil and Andy and their comrades came across a sailboat, +evidently belonging to some Tories who had stolen across the river +probably to exchange sentiments with emissaries from the interior. They +were warmly commended in camp when they reported this prize moored near +its river confines. + +Now for the second time they had made a successful foray. They had +watched from ambush that afternoon a squad of redcoats cross the river +in the big yawl they had just despoiled. The men had left the boat +and had gone into the country to collect flour, horse feed and other +supplies, paying for them in some instances, and in others intimidating +the farmers into giving them the articles for nothing. + +The boys kept on the watch until dark, and saw the raiders load up +the yawl with their plunder. Somewhere the Tories had got a supply of +"fire water." They one and all congregated in a little copse near by to +indulge in a free jollification before returning to camp. Phil and Andy +had directed a cautious visit to the boat. The Musket Boys had taken +prompt action. Every package aboard was dumped into the creek, and the +despoilers had fled in safety just as the Britishers detected the trick +that had been played upon them. + +"Some one to see you, Warrington," said a sentinel, as the party of +young marauders passed into the camp. + +"That so?" returned Phil. "Who was it? Is he here now?" + +"Yes. About twenty new Boston recruits came in to-night. They've been +two days coming by the Breed's Hill route. Forty started, but got +blocked. This man is a neighbor of your family, and he had some message +for you, I believe." + +"I hope there is no bad news," murmured Phil. + +He hurried to the little group of tents where the Musket Boys were +encamped. There was one big tent where half-a-dozen of them bunked. +There was a light in this, and Phil heard conversation within, pulled +open the entrance flap, and noticed a man he knew seated among several +of the boys. + +"How are you, Phil?" the newcomer said arising and greeting the boy +with a hearty handshake. "You see, we are all moving into your camp +gradually." + +"I am glad to see you, Mr. Monroe," replied Phil. "How are the folks?" + +"All well, Phil, only there has been a little trouble, and your mother +wanted me to see you. She sends her love, and has given me some money +to give you." + +"And father--" began Phil. + +"Well, Phil," said Mr. Monroe, "your father is paying the penalty +for being true to his country. You know he and Mr. Powell and Mr. +Clinton have been most active in encouraging recruits for the army and +smuggling them out of Boston. Gen. Gage got wrathy at their success. He +ordered their arrest three days ago, and they are now prisoners." + +"The tyrants! the scoundrels!" flashed out Andy, who had accompanied +Phil and now overheard the conversation. + +Phil was a little pale and worried. + +"What will they do with my father and the others, Mr. Monroe?" he +questioned. + +"I don't think they can do anything much," replied Mr. Monroe. "In the +first place, your father's loyal friends won't appear as witnesses. In +the next place, if the British proceed to any extreme measures, they +will raise a riot. It is only by constantly parading their militia and +firearms that they depress the loyal people of Boston. We are all very +sorry, for since it has been planned to have George Washington take +command of the army and introduce some organization and discipline, +they have been selecting good men as officers, and I believe it was the +intention of your father and his two fellow prisoners to join us in +coming over here to go into active service." + +"That settles it. They shall come!" cried Andy Sabine, whipping out of +the tent, on fire with some new idea that had entered that active mind +of his. + +Phil did not see his chum again that night. The Boston boy reflected +a good deal over the unfortunate situation of his father. He was +afraid that a charge of treason might be made against his parent by +the Tories. Mr. Warrington and his colleagues might be transported to +England, which in those days meant life imprisonment or death. + +Phil saw his commanding officer early in the morning and had a talk +with him over the troubles of the imprisoned patriots. That official +intimated to him that if his father was a member of the continental +army in open conflict with the British, they could not make the charge +of treason, as they might on a subterfuge while he was a mere citizen +under direct British rule. + +"If your father could escape and join the army before any definite +charges were made against him, he would be free from any of Gage's +kidnapping-hanging tactics," explained the officer. + +"Then a way must be found to rescue my father and his friends," +declared Phil. + +He thought over the situation all that morning, and had a talk with +Ralph Post. Together they went to see the commanding general. Phil +asked for a week's leave of absence from duty, and he frankly told the +general that it was his plan to get into Boston in some way to rescue +his father and his friends and to get them safely out to Cambridge. The +general listened gravely to the project. Then he said: + +"You are a brave young fellow, Warrington, and a loyal son. I wish we +could help you. You are welcome to the leave, and take as many of +your comrades as you need. We wished to get some important information +to friends in Boston, and if you decide to attempt to get through the +lines report to me and I will give you a letter. I hope you will be +able to deliver it at a certain address in the city." + +"Thank you," said Phil, and retired to find Andy waiting for him +impatiently in the main tent of the Musket Boys. + +"Andy, I'm going to Boston," announced the boy impulsively. + +"Of course you are," nodded Andy, without betraying any surprise +whatever, "and I'm going with you. I've been thinking it over all night +long, and planning for it all morning." + +"Oh, you have," murmured Phil. + +"Think I'd leave you in the lurch? Think for a moment we're going to +leave your father in trouble? No, sir! Before midnight you and I will +be in Boston. I've arranged it all. I've got a scheme that will get us +across the Charles river as easy as rolling off a log." + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII + + BOSTON AT LAST + + +"Go slow, Phil." + +"We couldn't go much slower if we tried." + +"That's so," returned Andy Sabine. "I meant in the way of caution. Now +then, anchor your side of the old raft with your pole, and I'll do the +same on my side. We've arrived. What's the lookout?" + +"Dismal enough," answered Phil, peering ahead in the semi-darkness of +twilight through a maze of reeds. "I see a big scow loaded with hay. I +hear voices, but they are at the other end of the old craft." + +"That scow is our destination, Phil," said Andy smartly. + +"Oh, is that so?" + +"It is. The voices you hear are Johnny redcoats, and we are simply to +get to the scow unobserved, smuggle down serenely in the hay, and heave +yo! for Boston." + +"Good," nodded Phil cheerily. "So far, very good. It's quite a little +stretch from here to the scow, though." + +"About fifty feet," calculated Andy. "I think we can wade most of the +way. If we have to swim, a little ducking won't hurt us." + +"All right, when you say the word. I'm ready," reported Phil. + +"I say it right now," responded Andy. "Make straight for the center +stern. No noise, now--here we go." + +Andy stepped over the edge of the rude log raft which they had been two +hours poling through the mazes of a swampy river stretch. Phil followed +him promptly. They found the water up to their knees, and, where the +weeds were sparse, up to their waists. At length they had covered all +of the odd fifty feet between the raft and the yawl except about five +yards of clear water space. Here they had to swim for it. + +"Made it," breathed Andy softly, as, dripping but exultant, they both +clambered aboard the scow and snuggled in among the hay, burrowing into +it a few feet. + +"I don't think anyone saw us," remarked Phil. + +"Then we're safe for a free passage across the river," declared Andy. + +The Concord boy had noticed the scow come across the river earlier +in the day. The pilot to which it was attached by a stout cable was a +large yawl, with three pairs of oars manned by stalwart redcoats. They +had come across the stream to gather forage for their horses, selecting +a spot where a coarse swamp hay grew thickly. + +Andy had told Phil this back at the camp at Cambridge, and his comrade +had made his arrangements accordingly. His commanding officer had given +Phil a letter to deliver in Boston. Phil's Musket Boys chums had sent +a cheering word to their parents, and, assuming their old civilian +clothes, Phil and Andy had started out on the desperate enterprise of +trying to rescue Mr. Warrington and his fellow prisoners from the hands +of the British. Now they had made a favorable start in their project, +and it looked very much as if the hardest part of their task, crossing +the river to Boston, had been accomplished. + +The boys lay snug and contented, conversing in whispers when there was +occasion for talk. After a while the scow began to move. They gazed +out from their screen of hay to watch the shore they had just left +fade from view. There was slow and hampered progress when they met the +strong central current of the broad Charles River. After that the scow +proceeded steadily on its course. As it turned now and then they could +make out the river docks and the lights of the city. Then the scow +sided up against a wharf bulkhead and became motionless. + +"What now?" inquired Phil of his companion. + +"We seem to have arrived for good. The boat has brought us over. How +are we going to leave it?" + +"I'll reconnoitre a bit, I guess," answered Andy, and he began to +cautiously work his way beyond the hay into the open starlight. Then he +trod along the extreme edge of the well-loaded craft, and managed to +reach the side of its deck without accident. + +Andy took a look down the wharf, and then bobbed back quickly. He +returned as fast as he could to Phil. + +"The fellows in the pilot yawl have cut loose and are rowing up the +river," he informed his chum, "but a new crowd of men has just come +out from sheds in a big hay yard to unload. There may be twenty of +them--big roystering fellows. They've got pitchforks, and will start +right at work. Let's get out of this, Phil." + +Andy at once led the way along his recent course, whispering his plan +to Phil to spring up on the wharf and make a run for it. A high fence +set back about four feet lined the wharf. It had no break for some +distance. + +"Come on now--hold on!" said Andy, peering past the side of the scow. +"Thunder, Phil! smell that? see that?" + +Smoke was what both boys instantly scented. A flare it was that dazzled +their eyes. Loud shouts greeted their startled hearing. Some careless +smoker among the unloading gang had set fire to the great load of hay. + +"Jump!" said Phil quickly, giving Andy a push. "We can't be in a worse +fix," and both landed on the planking of the wharf. As they did so, +they fairly ran into two men retreating from the blaze. Both were armed +with pitchforks. + +"Hello," yelled one of them. "Smugglers!" + +"Run for it," directed Phil, and down the wharf both put at their best +pace. Andy turned his head to discover the two Tories in hot pursuit +of them, as well yelling loudly for their comrades to join in the +chase. Phil glanced ahead down the wharf, its location and outlines +becoming suddenly familiar to him. As they dodged around a curve in the +planking, Phil suddenly exclaimed! + +"Andy, we're in a trap. If those fellows follow us, it's a sure capture +unless we swim for it." + +The Concord boy saw at a glance what Phil meant. A hundred feet further +on the wharf ended, blocked squarely by the wall of a big brick +warehouse. + +"Now I know where we are," panted Phil. "You see that building? It's +the old warehouse my father used to own before the Tories came and his +business got bad. One of the Musket Boys told me that the redcoats had +confiscated it to their own use for storage. Oh, Andy, I have an idea." + +Whatever his idea, Phil did not pause to discuss it. He knew the old +warehouse like a book. Many a gay ramble he had enjoyed over it from +attic to cellar, and suddenly there had come to his mind a memory of +its outlets where he had escaped playmates in games of hide and seek. +Andy came to a sudden halt as Phil did--directly behind the warehouse +where a hinged wooden grating covered some wharf subway. Phil pulled at +this, and lifted it a few feet. + +"Jump down," he ordered quickly. "Don't be afraid. I know what I am +about," and Andy leaped boldly, and Phil after him, letting down the +grating into place just in time. + +They had landed on a hard clay surface. Holding their breath, they +heard their pursuers running down the wharf. They came to a halt, +blocked by the warehouse wall. Then the lurkers heard a man's voice +ejaculate: + +"Those two fellows have mysteriously disappeared." + +"They must have jumped into the river and swum for it, then," came +the response. "Come, they've slipped us, and we'd better get back to +helping the others shove that blazing hay into the river." + +Phil expressed a sigh of relief and his comrade nudged him with a +chirping chuckle. + +"What's next?" propounded Andy. + +"We've got to get into the building," explained Phil, "and out upon the +street." + +"Can we do it?" + +"I think I know a way, provided things are not too much changed around +the old building since I was last here," said Phil. He groped about, +located a break in the foundation of the warehouse, and a minute later +he had hold of Andy's hand leading him in the darkness across a damp +cellar. The boy located a door at its front end and pushed it open. +They found themselves under some planking, crept along a few feet, and +crawled up a slant of earth leading to the street. + +Phil poked his head out and announced that it was safe to emerge from +covert. They stood on a known street that was deserted, hurried to +the next corner, and, gaining confidence as they got among houses and +shops, felt that they were safe to go their way as unchallenged as the +regular residents of the city. + +"Where first, Phil?" inquired Andy. + +"Home!" answered Phil promptly, and the eager, heartfelt ring in his +voice made Andy think of Concord with a queer, longing thrill. + +After that Phil said little or nothing. Andy was too absorbed in +watching what was going on about him to notice at once the silent mood +of his comrade, but finally he asked: + +"What makes you so quiet, Phil?" + +"The change," answered the Boston boy seriously. "It doesn't seem like +the old town at all. It is so quiet and dreary. In the old springtimes +like this the boys would be out playing Hunt the Grey or Pump Pump Peel +Away, and the shops would be bright and cheery. See those redcoats +parading everywhere, scaring women and children. There seems to be a +blight and gloom on everything." + +"There's your house, Phil," said Andy recognizing the Warrington home +from his former visit to Boston. + +"It doesn't look much like the bright, jolly old place, does it, now?" +asked Phil, rather mournfully. "Just to think of the changes of a +year--father out of business and a prisoner. Oh, it seems to me the +whole city is in mourning." + +"It won't be long, though," declared Andy. "Gen. Washington says he has +come here to drive the redcoats out to sea, and we'll help him at it." + +"The back way, Andy," said Phil, as they neared the house. "You know, +it mustn't get around that I am home. There may be some neighbors in +the house. It might reach the ears of the Tories, and they'd probably +make no bones of shutting up the son of a rebel." + +"And a continental soldier in the bargain," added Andy. "That's so, +Phil. How will you keep from being recognized in the streets when you +go around in daylight, though!" + +"We must make some change in our looks. Here we are." + +Phil had gone around to the kitchen door. He peeped in at a side window +of the other part of the house. He saw some visitors in the sitting +room. He knocked lightly at the kitchen door. Then, with a quick +whisper to Andy, he pushed him forward. In a moment or two the kitchen +door was opened. Phil's mother confronted Andy in the dark. + +"Who is it?" she asked gently. + +"Close the door for a moment, Mrs. Warrington, please, and come +outside, will you? Don't be afraid--I'm Andy Sabine, from Concord." + +"Why--" began Phil's mother in a fluttering whisper, but coming out +upon the steps. + +"Nobody must know that we are here, so don't betray us," went on Andy. + +"We? us?" repeated the gentle lady. + +"Yes, Mrs. Warrington. Phil is with me." + +Phil stepped into view,--to be wrapped in the arms of his mother. + +"My boy! my boy!" sobbed Mrs. Warrington, overcome with emotion. "My +dear, loyal boy! The nation's boy, too, for we have heard of your +bravery. Come in, come in!" + +"No, mother, not until you have got rid of your visitors. No one must +know that we are in Boston until we have had a chance to do what we +came for," said Phil earnestly, "and that is to rescue father and his +patriot friends from the British." + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX + + THE OLD WAREHOUSE + + +Phil Warrington went to bed that night with a good deal on his mind. +There were many saddening changes that oppressed him. His father was a +prisoner. Business and home had been affected by the cruel war. His own +liberty was threatened should he be recognized by the Tories. Danger +would attend every hour he spent in his native city. + +For all that, it was sweet and rarely peaceful to be once again in the +dear old room under the eaves, feeling that sense of safety and comfort +that home only can bring. Both of the chums were tired out, and were +soon fast asleep, without a break in a deep, refreshing slumber until +quite late in the morning. + +Mrs. Warrington had recognized the wisdom of her young guests remaining +under cover as much as possible. The messages with which Phil had been +intrusted by his Musket Boys comrades, she undertook to deliver in a +way that should not disclose the messenger until he was safe and far +again from the nest of the Tories. Phil and Andy were served breakfast +in a windowless room off from the kitchen. Then Mrs. Warrington took +them into a spare room and showed them a lot of old clothing lying on +the floor. + +War times had compelled the Warringtons to dispose of their servants. +Some of these had left odds and ends of their belongings behind them. +The young volunteers soon made a selection, and Phil was transformed +into a common-looking stable boy, while Andy made up as a poorly-clad +city lad who might be anything, from a cook's scullion to a grocer's +apprentice. + +"You see," observed the Concord boy, "hardly anybody knows me here, +Phil, but everybody knows you. You might pass all right among a hundred +people, and then run up against some one who would recognize you at +once. If I were you, I'd bandage one side of my face, and keep that old +hat slouched well down over my eyes, and get a sort of rambling crook +into your walk." + +It was about noon when the two boys bade Mrs. Warrington good-bye, +leaving the house from the rear, and getting quickly into a less +familiar quarter of the city. There were a great many loiterers about +the streets, for the war had practically suspended business, and they +passed without any extraordinary notice in the crowd. + +"I suppose the first thing to do is to deliver that message for the +general," suggested Andy. + +"Yes, I want to get that off my hands," responded Phil. "I wonder who +this Peter Dawson can be? That's the name on the letter. Here's the +street. 'At the sign of the Pestle and Mortar' is the address. There's +no shop going here now, though--moved out. It must be upstairs." + +They were now in the meanest part of the city, which Phil told Andy +in ordinary times was known as a sort of rendezvous for smugglers, +fugitives from justice, and that class of social outcasts. They entered +an open passageway at the side of the building and ascended a rickety +pair of stairs. Phil knocked long and loudly at a door until some one +inquired in the rasping voice of an asthmatic old woman: + +"Who is that, now?" + +"We are looking for Mr. Peter Dawson," said Phil. + +"Who be you?" + +"We're from the man who is waiting," answered Phil promptly, just as he +had been instructed to say by the general. + +"And you want to see the man who knows?" came the quick query. "I +reckon you are all right." + +"She has answered with the counter-challenge the general spoke of," +said Phil to Andy, "so, I guess we're at the right place." + +The door before them was unbarred, and a very old hobbling woman +confronted the Musket Boys, let them into a poorly furnished room, +relocked the door securely, and said: + +"You wait just a bit." + +She left the room for a minute or two, returned to them, and beckoned +for them to follow her. At the end of a long dark passageway she +stepped aside, pushed open a door, and Phil and Andy passed into a +small apartment. It had but one entrance and exit--the door behind +them,--but over at one side a small sashless slit appeared in the wall. +Through this came a quick challenge: + +"If you have anything to say, speak it out. If you have a message, hand +it through here." + +"Adams," said Phil, as he had been instructed. + +"Washington," came the prompt response from behind the wall aperture, +and Phil knew that everything was all right. "Why, say Phil--Phil +Warrington!" + +"Well!" ejaculated the petrified Andy. "You aren't known, or anything! +And in that disguise, too!" + +"I wonder"--began Phil, and then he knew who had spoken his name. There +was a scramble from the slit in the wall, and a minute later a glad, +familiar form bounded over the threshold of the same doorway at which +the two chums had entered. + +"Burt Noble!" cried Phil, and Andy returning the kindly outburst, they +vied with one another to show how glad they were to see him. + +"You did not expect to see me here, eh?" propounded Burt. "I didn't +expect to have you come here, either. Well, we're satisfied, all hands +around. Get through with business, and then I want to know everything +you've done since we last met." + +Burt Noble took the written message Phil had brought him, broke its +seals, and his young face grew very grave and thoughtful as he perused +its contents. He read it over again, tore it into tiny pieces, chewed +these into a ball, and stamped the wet wad into an indistinguishable +mass under his feet. Then he asked Phil. + +"How long will you be in Boston?" + +"Just long enough to get what answer you may have to send to that +message," replied Phil, "and set my father at liberty." + +A queer expression came over Burt Noble's face. He seemed on the point +of making some extraordinary statement. He, however, employed great +control over himself in asking quietly; + +"Do you know where your father and his friends are imprisoned, Phil?" + +"They tell me in the old brick jail that the Tories have used for +headquarters." + +"They were there until yesterday," said Burt. "Then they were removed. +If you will mix in with the people on the streets to-day, you will find +that the rumor is being generally spread by the redcoats that your +father and his friends have been sent to England by order of the King." + +"Oh my poor father--" began Phil sorrowfully. + +"Hold on. Don't go mourning until I have time to tell you that it +is all a Tory lie covered up by a Tory trick. They have removed the +patriot prisoners, sure enough, but only to another part of the city. +What their real plans are I do not know, except that they are going +to send your father and his friends secretly to some other Tory nest, +while the report of their being shipped to England is used as a whip +to scare other patriots from leaving Boston and joining the continental +army." + +"Burt," cried Phil in good deal of agitation, "do you know where my +father is now?" + +"I do," nodded Burt. + +"Is it possible to rescue him?" + +"A good deal easier than from right under the noses of the Tories at +headquarters. At just dark to-night meet me outside of Fanueil Hall. In +the meantime go back home, and don't take any risks showing yourselves +publicly. You can busy yourself sewing this packet of papers somewhere +about your clothes, where it won't be found easily." + +Burt handed Phil a small square packet, heavily sealed. + +"Phil," he said seriously, "those papers are very important. It has +cost a lot of time and risk to get them. They mean success for the +patriots, if their contents can be quickly acted on. Knowing this, I am +sure you will guard them closely." + +"With my life!" declared Phil fervently. + +"To-night it will be every man for himself," continued Burt. "You will +keep close to me whatever happens. The papers--your camp. That must +be your only thought after we have made the attempt to rescue your +father." + +"Do you think we will succeed?" pressed Phil anxiously. + +"Yes," was the simple answer. + +With that Phil had to be satisfied. He and Andy proceeded directly +homewards, after leaving the boy who seemed to be so strangely and +importantly mixed up with the destinies of the American conflict. Phil +told his mother of his meeting with Burt Noble, and Mrs. Warrington +was in a flutter of mingled anxiety and hope. Phil and Andy amused +themselves about the house, playing checkers and rather impatiently +waiting for nightfall. + +It was just after dark that the two young patriots stole by +unfrequented streets out of the neighborhood of the Warrington home. As +they came nearer to Fanueil Hall, they found the public thoroughfare +pretty well crowded. They were watching a British company gaily +bedecked march by, when Burt came between them. + +"It's exactly the best time ever was for our enterprise," he said. "A +regiment of regulars has arrived from London, and the redcoats are +having a jubilee. There will be great carousals before morning, and +spirits distributed pretty freely. Things will be free and easy for the +soldiers, so I hope for the best." + +The speaker led his companions from the spot and threaded several dark +streets. He bade them wait for him finally outside of a little shop, +in front of which hung an enormous wooden key. When he came out, a +grey-haired old man carrying a bag, evidently containing some tools, +was with him. + +"All right, Mr. Bond," he said. "These are friends,--Phil Warrington +and a chum." + +"Friends, indeed," spoke the old man, "if he is the son of the man I'd +like to serve. John Warrington provided me with the means of starting +in business." + +"You'll have a chance to-night to show him how well you have learned +the trade," said Burt. + +The speaker himself carried a large official envelope, but made no +explanation concerning it for the time being. However, as he halted in +the shadow of a large building, he said: + +"I shall leave you here, Phil. I have a message to deliver for a +British officer in this building. There are exactly four men guarding +the stores and incidentally the prisoners here. They are two rooms away +from them. Only the north half of the building they occupy. If you can +manage to get into the untenanted half and reach the room next to that +where the prisoners are kept, the rest will be easy. Trust me to keep +the sentinels entertained while you are at work. I have gone into +details about the situation with Mr. Bond here. Follow his lead, and do +all you can to help him." + +"Why," exclaimed Phil to Andy, as Burt moved away, "this is my father's +old warehouse!" + +"Yes," nodded the old locksmith quietly, "and as both of us know +something of its interior, I fancy we will not have a very difficult +task in reaching the prisoners." + +The bells were tolling eight o'clock when the locksmith and Phil and +Andy forced a door at the extreme south end of the building. They were +ringing out nine o'clock when five silent figures emerged from that +same rear grating through which Phil and Andy had fled from the dock +Tories two nights previous. The old locksmith had departed by the +public street route. The rescue had been successful. + +Mr. Warrington grasped his son's arm affectionately, and took a great, +deep breath of the balmy air as he reached the deserted wharf. Andy was +busy explaining to his two recent fellow prisoners the details of the +rescue. + +Certainly Burt Noble had done his share in entertaining the guards. +The rest was easy. The prisoners had been placed in a room sealed +with thin boards. Their jailers had depended entirely upon their +heavy manacles to keep their captives from escaping. Their prison room +located, a hole had been sawed by the locksmith in the wooden side of +the room. He had crept through, and released the manacles with his +tools. They had reached the open air, and now it was only a question of +getting across the river to the Continental camp. + +"We must go cautiously down the wharf, and try and find a boat to take +us over," said Phil. + +But no boat showed until they reached a break in the fence, affording a +lane leading down to the wharf. Some distance beyond lay a good-sized +yawl, but further was a sort of a cabin boat that showed lights. The +little party stood irresolute. They were undecided as to the best +course to pursue. Phil was half-minded to go back into the city and +find some good shelter for his father and the others, until they could +arrange more safely for their transportation across the river. + +Just then, however, a man turned down the lane, a British officer in +full uniform. He was waving a naked sword and singing loudly. As he +made out the refugees, he advanced straight upon them. + +"Want the admiral--got any admiral round here?" he demanded in a +stumbling voice. "Sent here from England--just arrived. Going to clean +out these rebels, root and branch. Left grand reception to--to inspect +harbor. Duty--am a slave to du-ty." + +"Yes, sir," said Phil. "There is no admiral here, but--" + +"Ha! there's a boat. Ha! my jolly men, get aboard. Insist on duty. +Insist on making inspection at once." + +Phil was delighted. He led the way to the yawl. He managed to guide the +British officer to a seat in the bow, where he sat very pompous and +self-important. Just as the rope was released, there was a shout from +the cabin boat just beyond. Two men with muskets came running down the +planking. + +"Halt, there! who are you?" demanded a stentorian voice. + +"Col. Flashleigh Buckingham, sir!" roared the military dignitary, his +bright epaulettes and gaudy gold braid making their due impression on +the sentinels. "Straight from King George, sir. Sent specially to sweep +out the rebels, and going to do it. Row on, men." + +The dazzled sentinels allowed the boat to pursue its course. The +swaying victim of circumstances in the bow was comically dignified, as +he imagined he was "inspecting" something, in the "line of duty." He +slipped in his seat and his head fell upon his breast. + +"Past the Rubicon," uttered Phil fervently, as they crossed the central +current of the river. + +"Yes, and what a prize prisoner!" chuckled Andy gleefully. + +And the young volunteers knew, as they saw the distant lights of the +camp of the Continental army at Cambridge, that they had done a big +thing. + + + + + CHAPTER XXX + + BUNKER HILL + + +The proudest moment in the life of Phil Warrington had arrived. As for +Andy Sabine, as he described it later to his friends, he felt that he +could keep on fighting for his country till he was an old man under +the generous and appreciative commander who welcomed the two chums at +headquarters the morning after the rescue of the prisoners in the old +city warehouse. + +They had been summoned to headquarters by the general who had given +Phil the message to deliver to Burt Noble, to be welcomed heartily by +that official, but as well to receive a greater honor. A fine-looking +gentleman, a visitor in the camp, sat at a little distance, but noting +the boys attentively while the general was speaking to them. + +"I cannot find words to express my approbation of your prompt and +brave action, my loyal young friends," said the camp official to Phil +and Andy. "It was a right royal rescue, an important capture, and the +packet you brought from another splendid young man of the colonies +cause, has given us information so vital that it may lead us to change +the entire progress of the war. This gentleman has requested that I +afford him an opportunity to thank you in the name of the continental +army." + +The grand-looking man who had sat silent until now, arose and extended +a hand to each of the boys in turn. + +"Philip Warrington and Andrew Sabine," he said--"I shall not readily +forget those names. Young men, your country may well be proud of you." + +And then he bowed them from the room with a friendly, fatherly smile +that thrilled each lad with delight, and Andy did not know whether +he was on his head or his feet as the orderly who accompanied them +whispered: + +"That was Colonel William Prescott!" + +How important the word was that Phil had brought from Boston, the camp +began to surmise as the day wore on. Phil later heard from Burt Noble's +own lips that the latter, as a hanger on of the British army, had +managed to gain access to a secret conclave of the Tory officers, and +had learned of an important military move they were about to make. He +had communicated this to the patriot general, intelligence that led +indirectly to that famous conflict of history--the Battle of Bunker +Hill. + +Col. Flashleigh Buckingham of the British army, much to his disgust was +shut up in the camp prison. Mr. Warrington and his rescued friends were +at once given important military commands. For two days the camp was +under strict discipline. There was constant drilling, and finally the +word went the rounds that at dusk that evening a rapid and important +march of several miles was to be undertaken. + +One hour before dusk an orderly came to the quarters of the Musket +Boys. Phil, inside the tent, heard his name called, and went outside to +be greeted by a genuine surprise. Surrounded by a curious crowd, some +jeering, come curious, there stood Sachem, his old Indian friend. + +There was a new dignity in the manner of the Indian, as Phil shook his +hand heartily. Sachem was stern and erect. He drew his blanket around +him proudly. With a very few pantomimic gestures, he made it clearly +known to Phil that he had spurned the deadly "fire water," and that he +wished to join the army. He posed like an athlete, to intimate that +he could run like the wind. He tallied off numerous fingers, to show +that he could influence a company of braves to join in the cause. +Then he drew out his scalping knife, and the crowd fell back as they +understood that the delight of his life would be to be let loose among +the British, to gather up the scalps of the enemies who had tortured +and humiliated him. + +So persistent was Sachem in his resolve to fight the enemy, so +determined to do that fighting under the leadership of Phil, that the +latter was compelled to entertain the proposition in all earnestness. +He saw his commanding officer and explained the situation. The result +was, that when at dusk the army started on the move, Sachem was in +the ranks, insisting on carrying on his shoulder a load of baggage +representing the trappings of three or four of the volunteers. + +"What is the general up to anyway?" inquired Ralph Post of Phil, as +they rested by the roadside after following the course of the river for +some miles. + +"I can't tell you," answered Phil. + +"You don't suppose they are thinking of closing in on Boston?" + +"We would have to swim over, if we did," replied Phil, "for we haven't +a craft that could get away from the Tory harbor boats. It is some +strategic move." + +"It's action, anyhow," observed Ralph lightly, "and that suits all +hands, judging from the enthusiasm." + +Strict silence had been enjoined on the troops. It was about ten +o'clock in the evening when the army passed through the little town of +Charlestown. This was located on a narrow peninsula to the north of +Boston, but separated from it by rather less than half a mile of water. + +Behind the town lay two small connected hills, which commanded a great +part both of the town and the harbor of Boston. Breed's Hill, which +was nearest to Boston, was about twenty-five feet, and Bunker Hill was +about one hundred and ten feet in height. The peninsula, which was +about a mile long, was connected with the mainland by a narrow causeway. + +In the vicinity of Bunker Hill the army was brought to a halt. Col. +Prescott with some skilled engineers and two field guns silently moved +to Breed's Hill. The soldiers divested themselves of their trappings, +and, under direction, every man began to assist in throwing up a +formidable redoubt. + +"It's no secret now, as to what the colonel is up to," said Phil to +Andy, as they met amid the busy scene. "It seems the British had +planned to get this hill. It would give a great point of advantage. +Well, my guess is that our friend Burt sent word of the Tory plans, and +we have simply forestalled them." + +Tory Boston awoke on that memorable day in June to face a vast +surprise. The laggard redcoats, with wonder and chagrin confronted an +enemy solidly ensconced behind the fort on Breed's Hill. Before noon +several thousand British troops were on the march. Galled by the fire +of riflemen in Charlestown, they ruthlessly set the town ablaze and +came marching for Bunker Hill. + +The word passed round that the continental army would make a stout +stand in the fort. This was the first tactical battle in which the +patriot militia had engaged for many months. Andy's contingent and +Phil's gallant Musket Boys were posted in set positions of difficulty +and danger, and were willing to do the full work of men. + +General Howe was now in command of the combined British forces, and +about half-past two in the afternoon he gave the order to advance in +two divisions, one to storm the redoubt and the other a rail fence +which many continentals were using for shelter. + +Israel Putnam, that brave fighter of old, was on hand, encouraging the +soldiers, and when he saw the redcoats advancing he said: + +"Take your time, boys, don't hurry! Make every bullet tell. Wait till +you can see the whites of their eyes. Aim at their waistbands. Pick +off the handsome coats!"--meaning by the latter words, the officers. +And the gallant soldiers obeyed instructions, as the list of dead and +wounded afterwards testified. + +Though the Musket Boys had been under fire before, this shock of real +battle was tremendous, and for one brief instant they thought to +retreat. But then each lad closed his teeth tightly, and fought to the +best of his ability. They saw men mowed down on all sides of them, but +continued to load and fire, and with good effect. + +"That's the way!" shouted Colonel Prescott, dashing past. "Give it to +'em good and hot!" + +"We will!" yelled Phil, and the others set up a wild cheer. Then the +smoke of battle hid the officer from view. + +The first onslaught quickly drove back the British, but they recovered +and came on again, each in full marching equipment,--a mistake on this +warm day. Once more, and then again the muskets of the continentals +blazed forth, and rank after rank of redcoats went down, many to rise +no more. + +"Hurrah! We're giving them all they want!" cried Ralph Post +enthusiastically. + +The repulse at the redoubt was duplicated at the rail fence, and for +the moment General Howe was nonplussed. But then he reorganized his +shattered forces. Yet even this was of no avail--again the redcoats +went back, with many more left dead on the battlefield. + +"This is battle," spoke Ralph Post to Phil, as the Musket Boys, glad +of a respite from the repulse of their determined enemy, rested on the +ground within the redoubt. + +"They are more than two to one," replied Phil, "but if we can hold them +in check that same way once or twice more they will be beaten." + +The next dash up the hill caused a scene amid which every soldier +engaged fairly lost his head. They were at such close quarters, +assailer and besieged, that the constant fusillade was deafening, the +very air seemed to breathe fire. The younger volunteers were thrilled +at many a brave act of heroism, and sickened and shuddered as they +viewed sudden and terrible death. + +General Howe was now bewildered, for he had not dreamed of such a +determined resistance on the part of the colonists. + +"If this battle is lost, America is lost," said one of his +under-officers. To this Howe did not reply, but bit his lip in deep +thought. + +General Clinton had witnessed the repulses of the British from +Copp's Hill and now he thought it high time to go to General Howe's +assistance. He came over in a hurry, with such soldiers as he could +summon in haste. + +"The rebels must be short of ammunition," said one officer. "They are +holding back their fire." And this was true. + +The ammunition was indeed low, and the Musket Boys had less than three +rounds all around. More than this, the boys were dry, for none of them +had had a drop of water for hours, and the day was growing hotter and +hotter. In many spots the gun-wads had set fire to the dry grass. + +"Here they come again!" was the cry, and once more the redcoats +advanced. The Americans blazed away until all their ammunition was +gone, then fought with swords, clubbed guns, bayonets, sticks, rocks, +and whatever came handy. It was the fiercest hand-to-hand conflict yet +held, and never had the Musket Boys fought more bravely. The din was +terrific, and the thick smoke rolled on all sides. + +"Give it to them, boys! Don't surrender!" cried General Warren, and ran +from one of the trenches. A few minutes later a bullet struck him in +the head, killing him. + +With their ammunition gone, the Americans could not hope to retain +their position and so began at last to retreat slowly. Putnam had gone +to the rear to secure additional men and now he took command, and +under him the continentals fell back to Prospect Hill. Some thought +the British would pursue them, but the redcoats had had enough of the +slaughter. Out of a force of three thousand they had lost more than +a third, including many officers! The American loss was not near so +large, but included many well-known patriots besides gallant Warren. + +Hand to hand in conflict with the foe, Phil and Andy and their brave +young followers contested every foot of the way. Phil, in evading a +sabre stroke from a British officer, dodged, slipped, fell, and rolled +over and over down the hill towards the advancing group of redcoats. It +was like falling into the maw of a devouring monster. Phil's comrades +stood petrified with dread. + +Then a lithe, nimble figure cut the air like a person diving into the +water or from a trapeze. It was Sachem. Just in time he seized the +prostrate Phil, flung him over his shoulder, and bore him harmlessly +amid a leaden hail of bullets into the midst of his comrades. + +One final fusillade, a great huzza of confidence and defiance from the +patriot hosts, and Bunker Hill and its heroes had passed into history. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXI + + A MESSENGER FROM CONCORD + + +The patriots had made no mistake in bulking their bravery to teach the +Tories a lesson at Bunker Hill. The effects of that event was felt +all through the country, not only by the British but by the American. +Bunker Hill had demonstrated a significant fact to the Tories. This +was the powers of endurance of the hardy colonists and their superior +marksmanship. + +Outside of a few regular companies in Boston, the British troops were +men hastily recruited from the rural districts of England. These men +had received little or no training. For years they had lived under the +most rigorous game laws. The result was that some of them had never had +a gun in their hands. When they were given one to fight with, they did +not know how to use it. + +The patriots, on the contrary, were natural marksmen. They had to hunt +for a great portion of their food, and had become very skilful in the +use of the musket. Most of them belonged to train-bands, and the local +militia were well-officered and under fairly efficient discipline. + +It depressed the Tories after the battle of Bunker Hill to review +and analyze these potent facts. There could be no question that one +colonist was a match for two redcoats. Besides this, all over the +country the remarkable exploits of the New England army infused new +courage in the hearts of their brethren to the south. They had held +Boston as in a state of siege for many months, and there were rumors +that Gen. Gage was about to be recalled, and that possibly his troops +might be sent to Canada. + +"If we can only hang out, we will certainly win the game," remarked +Phil to Andy and some others in the big tent of the Musket Boys, one +day. + +"We've got to hold out," retorted Andy. "The only thing I worry about +is the fodder. I say, fellows, can't you pick out some rich and +fat Tory farmer we can make a raid on? Fried chicken, fresh eggs, +doughnuts, pies--anything to break in on the corn meal!" + +All hands laughed merrily. They had become true Spartans in the matter +of appetite. Many a day, more than one of them had tightened his belt +a hole to keep down the cravings of hunger. The country about them +had been drawn on for food, until there was little left to gather up. +Supplies sent from the interior were slow in arriving. Recently, the +Tories had captured a wagon load of food sent from Concord. There were +a good many pale, thin, starved-looking volunteers about the camp, and +there were some desertions on this account. + +Phil knew that the commanding officers were very anxious on this score. +One day, with some "picked men" he went out foraging. They captured a +pig, and managed to buy a keg of maple syrup, but this supply barely +went the rounds of the volunteers in the hospital. + +One morning, Andy, in his tent, was aroused from a doze by the sounds +of the approaching voices of Phil and Ralph. They were conversing +animatedly with some one. As the latter was ushered into the tent, Andy +recognized him as Peleg Patterson, a Concord lad. He knew the boy well, +a good-natured, accommodating fellow, of weak intellect at times. Peleg +was a great admirer of old Silas Berks, and when he was not wandering +about the country, lived for weeks with the old Indian fighter. He had +a drum and was a fairly good drummer. + +"Why, Peleg," said Andy, giving the poor fellow a hearty welcome. +"What brings you here? Thinking of joining the army?" + +"You know better," said Peleg, with a grin. "I'm afraid to shoot. No, +sir--I just came to find you." + +"What about?" demanded Andy curiously. + +"Why--humph, I forgot. You know that's my weakness--always forgetting +things. Lemme see. Yes, I've got it. Your folks said--Your folks +said--I've forgotten it," concluded Peleg, hopelessly and helplessly. + +"Did my folks send you?" pressed Andy. + +"No, they didn't. Some one else sent me." + +"Who was it, then?" + +"I forget--no, I don't. Oh, yes--Silas Berks sent me. Why, of course, I +can't forget that," and Peleg looked almost triumphant. + +"What did he send you for?" asked Andy. + +"I'm stumped again," was the slow, confused reply. "I don't remember," +and the speaker rubbed his head in a vacant, despairing way. + +Andy tried in every way he could to arouse the latent memory of the +boy, but it was of no avail. Peleg could simply not remember. He made +all kinds of grimaces, he stared, he gulped, and finally he burst out +crying. + +"I always was a stupid--not much good I am in the world." + +"See here," said Andy, in a kindly tone, placing a friendly hand on +poor Peleg's arm, "you cheer up. You're a mighty good fellow, and +everybody knows it. We're glad to see you any time, no matter what you +forget. Come ahead, you shall have some breakfast with our mess, such +as it is, and we'll show you all the sights of the camp." + +"Will you, now?" spoke Peleg, brightening up. "Maybe I'll remember it +all, if I give this poor head of mine a rest." + +Andy and his friends certainly gave Peleg a happy hour. He was so +interested in the drill maneuvers, a sight of the big cannons, and the +buglers and the drummers, that, when something unexpected started his +thoughts in a new direction, he aroused like one from a dream, jumped +a foot in the air with a yell, and amazed Andy and his companions with +the words: + +"I remember, now!" + +"Do you?" spoke Andy, hopefully. + +"Yes--look, see." + +Peleg pointed animatedly to an orderly, carrying a sealed letter in his +hand from headquarters to some other part of the camp. + +"Yes," proceeded Peleg excitedly, "old Silas sent a message--a letter." + +"Where is it?" inquired Andy eagerly. + +"It's--I've forgotten again." + +Andy fairly groaned. + +"No, I haven't!" shouted Peleg instantly. "Off with my coat!" + +Andy helped him to remove the garment. + +"Off with my shirt!" + +The crowd was intensely interested, though laughing merrily. + +"Off she comes!" reported Andy, helping. + +"On my back." + +"It looks like a porous plaster." + +"'Tis." + +"Hey?" + +"In an oilskin--strip it off," exclaimed Peleg. "I ain't forgot, this +time. Remember perfectly. Silas said 'we'll hide it under the porous +plaster in an oilskin covering-message-letter.'" + +"Bully for you," shouted Andy, fairly overcome, as he sure enough found +just what Peleg had described, and gave the erratic messenger a sharp, +friendly slap on his bare shoulder. + +"Ouch!" roared Peleg. "Hooray, I mean! My memory is coming back." + +"Good for you!" piped a mischievous member of Andy's company, repeating +Andy's slap. + +"Who told you to hit me?" demanded Peleg. "Now, I'll just butt you for +taking that liberty." + +Half in fun, half in earnest, Peleg made a bolt for the offender. He +turned the laugh quickly. Peleg was an expert at butting. The Musket +Boys held their sides laughing till the tears ran down their cheeks, +as Peleg butted the other this way, that way, head over heels into a +puddle, and bang! into a tent, carrying the canvas to the ground in a +wreck. + +Good nature was soon restored all around, and the kind-hearted fellows, +even the one who had been butted so vigorously, made Peleg feel +comfortable and happy by showing him all kinds of attentions. + +Meantime, Andy had opened and read the note which the porous plaster +had concealed. Phil, watching him, noticed Andy's face draw down sober +and serious. It increased in these expressions as Andy carefully read +again the little note. + +He looked up thoughtfully. Then he beckoned to Phil and Ralph. + +"Come to our tent," he said, in a very impressive tone. "I've something +great to tell you." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXII + + A NOTABLE EXPLOIT + + +"What is it?" inquired Phil quite eagerly, the moment they entered the +tent of the Concord Company. + +"A letter from Silas Berks." + +"Yes, we know that, but what's it about?" urged Ralph. + +"Fellows," replied Andy smartly, his face working with a good deal of +excitement, "we were talking about being hungry a little while ago. +What would you say, if I told you that I think we have a chance to make +the biggest kind of a haul of all kinds of food, and lots of it?" + +"We'd say," cried Ralph enthusiastically, "show us the chance!" + +"Good! Read that letter, both of you. Then Phil, as you know our +commanding general best, if you see anything in the proposition, go to +him and arrange for the raid." + +In turn Phil and Ralph perused the crabbed missive that the old Indian +fighter had sent. It was a strange message. Briefly, it informed +Andy that the writer knew of the needs of the Continental army. From +a friend who had been burned out and robbed by the Tories, Silas had +learned that something strange was going on in the neighborhood of +Berkston. + +His friend had told Silas a strange story. The British had raided the +territory, burning houses, stealing cattle, and driving the colonists +away. Somewhere near Berkston Hills, they had a kind of a rendezvous, +Silas said. Here by spells they came frequently to gather up and carry +to ships on the coast a vast amount of provisions obtained by bribed +agents in the interior districts. + +Recently the Tories had hired a vagrant band of Indians to scour the +country, visiting the settlements, begging, stealing, breaking into +stores, houses and barns, and pilfering generally in both a small and a +large way. They had carried away the whole contents of farmers' smoke +houses, in some instances. At one isolated town the general store was +swept clean. + +Old Silas stated that he was satisfied that these robbers massed all +their stealings at one central point, where the Tory agent bought the +goods for little or nothing, giving in exchange British gold and "fire +water." Their latest headquarters, from what his refugee friend told +him, he believed to be in the vicinity of Berkston Hills. + +Phil and Andy did some thinking, planning and arranging with their +commanding officer. That afternoon they started Peleg home, made +happy with various trifling gifts, and sending a reply letter to Old +Silas, thanking him for his kindly interest in his boy friends and his +fidelity to the cause. + +"Sachem would be the prime fellow to consult about this proposition," +remarked Andy, as, accompanied by twenty of their "picked men," the two +young volunteer leaders left the camp. + +"Sachem has won the confidence of the general by his continued sobriety +and usefulness," explained Phil, "and has been sent off on a mission +where fleet-footedness means something. I think he will be back by +nightfall, but this affair of ours is important, and can't wait." + +There was a brisk march to Berkston. Only a few half-burned buildings +of the little town were visible. The place was lonely and deserted. +The hills lay to the east of the village, and the boys threaded many +a valley and ravine, searching for the place of the rendezvous of the +marauders. + +Just toward the end of the afternoon, as they passed down a +rock-protected glade, Phil made out a human form. It appeared and then +disappeared where the valley turned. + +"Did you see him?" inquired the Boston boy of Andy, who had been +keeping a close lookout by his side. + +"I fancied that I saw something or somebody," responded Andy, "but it +was only a momentary flash. Human or animal, I couldn't make it out." + +"It looked like an Indian to me," declared Phil. "I've got the spot +well in mind. We'll hurry on; leave the men in ambush, and you and I +will do a little investigating." + +"All right," acceded Andy, and this was done. When they came to the +spot where Phil had seen the supposed Indian disappear, the company was +ordered to cover, while their leaders proceeded cautiously around the +turn in the valley. + +"We've struck it," said Phil, after they had proceeded several yards. + +"Yes," nodded Andy convincedly, "for here are a lot of well-trodden +paths, diverging over the hills both ways from this spot. See, +Phil--here's a regular route. Here they end." + +"A cave," said Phil. + +They had met many of these formations in traversing the valley. The +one that now showed its verdure-covered entrance plainly, seemed to +be of considerable magnitude. Phil and Andy entered the place, looking +curiously around them. There was an outer cave, and this narrowed so as +to be a kind of a doorway to a vast inner cavern. The roof of this had +some breaks, letting in the daylight, and, although the place was dim +and gloomy, the intruders could make out their surroundings. + +"I say!" exclaimed Andy, in petrified wonder, staring about the queer +place. Phil was equally spellbound. The cave was simply a great +storehouse. Scattered about were heaps of plunder of every description. +Here was a heap of smoked bacon and ham, there were kegs and barrels, +probably containing molasses, sugar, cider and vinegar. There were +sacks of grain, flour and vegetables, sugar, salt, dried beans, peas +and fruits. Boxes of candles, clothing, bed linen, heaps of firearms +and garden tools--the mixed mass of booty resembled the despoilment of +half-a-dozen towns. + +"Phil," exclaimed Andy breathlessly, "Old Silas was no dreamer. Oh, +what a find!" + +Phil was surprised, in fact fairly agitated, as he realized what all +this plunder meant to the patient, ill-fed continental army. He could +not keep from trembling with anxiety. Here was the booty. How could +they get it to camp? It was extremely improbable that its owners would +leave it long, unguarded. At any moment their intrusion might be +discovered. + +"I'll go for the company," said Andy excitedly. "We'll leave half of +them on guard here. The rest of us will carry off what we can to camp, +and the general will send a full company or two for the rest of the +plunder." + +"We certainly must act quickly and decisively," rejoined Phil, and both +started for the exit from the cave. + +"Ugh!" + +"Wagh!" + +Suddenly from behind a great heap of bags four Indians stepped directly +in their path. They leveled muskets and looked fierce and dangerous. +Just then from outside came the echoes of a series of frightful yells +mingled with the explosion of firearms. + +Phil and Andy made a rush to rejoin their comrades outside, whom they +felt certain had been attacked. Seemingly all hands had fallen into a +trap, their recent progress having been closely watched by redskins in +ambush. The four Indians intercepted Phil and Andy. The youths were +seized, disarmed, and were dragged back into the inner cave, as their +volunteer friends were driven into the place by a party of Indians +nearly double their number. There was scuffling and struggles, some +shots were fired, some blows given, and, at the end of the general +mix-up, the young volunteers found themselves driven _en masse_ into +a corner of the cave. Their weapons were taken from them, and forty +or more Indians squatted on the stone floor about ten feet from them, +fully armed, and in instant readiness to resist and punish any attempt +at escape. + +"Well, we're in a nice fix now, aren't we?" spoke Andy, in a disgusted +tone. "I wish we'd fought to the last second." + +"No one had the chance--it was all so sudden," replied Phil. "It would +have been a massacre, if our fellows had attempted it." + +Beyond the guards the four men who had prevented Phil and Andy from +leaving the cave stood together, evidently holding a council. There was +a noisy pow-wow in a tongue the boys could not understand. + +The apparent leader of the redmen finally approached the Indian guards. +He spoke briefly and rapidly. He seemed to be putting some case before +them for them to vote upon. When he had concluded speaking, a great, +unanimous shout from the entire group appeared to affirm the decision +of the council. + +"They've voted 'Aye' on whatever it is," said Andy. "Now he's coming to +tell us our fate, I'll wager." + +The stalwart savage looked very stern and cruel as he approached Phil +and Andy, recognizing them as the leaders of the intruders. He spoke in +poor English, and his words were few. He gave them to understand that +he knew they were enemies--being colonists--also, that their friends +were the British. They had come to rob the native redskin, as their +forefathers had robbed them. If they were set free, they would bring a +revengeful horde on the trail. Ugh! wagh! they must die! + +The speaker drew back, waved his hand and uttered a sharp, quick +command to the Indian guards. As if by magic the latter dropped their +firearms. Then each one of them drew a knife or a tomahawk from his +belt. + +There was no mistaking their ferocity or their purpose. They were fully +intent on slaying the intruders. It seemed that the scene was to be a +repetition of cruel massacres to which these untutored savages had +been incited several times since the Revolutionary War had begun. + +Phil never could analyze the promptness with which a sudden, wild +suggestion entered his mind. In a flash there occurred to him a vivid +thought. In a kind of erratic desperation his hand went to a breast +pocket. It was to draw forth the singularly engraved and painted token +that Sachem had given him, on that memorable day when he had rescued +that redman from the fugitive horse in the swamp. + +With a vague cry to attract attention Phil raised this in plain view +of the Indian leader. The latter stared, glided forward, regarded +the token fixedly, and spoke sharply to the guards, who fell back +astonished. + +"Whew!" ejaculated Andy. "That was a close shave. Phil, they must know +Sachem. It's mighty lucky you thought of it. They're pow-wowing over +it, see?" + +The four principal Indians were discoursing animatedly. Evidently +Phil's possession of the token mystified and influenced them, and +checked their bloodthirsty instincts, at least temporarily. Finally the +head Indian came up to Phil. He asked some questions about the token, +which Phil truthfully answered. Then he asked about the whereabouts of +Sachem. He seemed troubled and irresolute. He told Phil that a friend, +an agent of the British, who had gone to see about a ship, would be +with them soon, and they would get his opinion about affairs. + +At that moment a peculiar Indian call echoed from outside the cave. It +stirred the savages greatly, and some ran out. It was to return with +one of their own people, though he was not in Indian garb. + +"Sachem!" cried Phil. "We are saved." + +Sachem had returned to camp, and had set out on their trail at once. He +had arrived in the nick of time. He made a short speech to the savages. +He promised them money from the continental general. + +Within an hour the young volunteers and the Indians, each bearing a +heavy load, were headed in the direction of the camp at Cambridge. The +influence of Sachem had won the day. + +As soon as they arrived and Phil reported to the general, a company of +militia was dispatched to bring in the remainder of the plunder. The +camp rang with the exploit, and the army had a royal feast for many +days to come. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIII + + CONCLUSION + + +Into the continental camp a lone juvenile figure had come speeding down +the river bank on a mettled steed. It was Burt Noble. He had slipped +out of Boston at daybreak. Once across the river, he had made for a +friendly farmhouse. Now he rushed up to headquarters, flushed and +panting. + +The young patriot spy was not five minutes in confidential consultation +with the commanding general. As he emerged from his presence it was to +break into a run, after asking some quick questions from a sentry. He +burst into the main tent of the Musket Boys, aglow with delight and +excitement. + +"Well, if here isn't Burt Noble!" shouted Ralph. + +"Great news, grand news!" cried Burt, making for Phil to shake his hand +boisterously. "I've left Boston just in time, they had got suspicious." + +"You said 'great news'?" intimated the curious Ralph. + +"Yes, it's no secret, or won't be, soon. Ah, it's out now! Hear that?" + +Outside, from the direction of headquarters, there echoed a wild, +glorious babble of human shouts, a chorus of trumpets. + +"What is it, Burt?" asked Phil. + +"Boston. The British are evacuating the city!" + +"Hurrah!" + +Such a shout went up from the throats of the assembled Musket Boys, +that it seemed to fairly lift the cover of the tent. They broke loose +then like mad schoolboys on a frolic. They lifted Phil on their +shoulders, and carried him outside in triumph. They took up Burt next, +and, bearing him to the tent of Andy's company, filled the air with +their fervid exultation. + +Like wildfire the news spread through the camp. Then courier after +courier began to arrive from Boston, for the British ships were sailing +out into the bay, and the long blockade was ended. + +Phil looked back in vivid memory over the weary months of waiting and +watching since Bunker Hill. There had been skirmishes, noble acts +of heroism where the volunteers had stolen a march on the enemy and +had secured supplies for the suffering, ill-fed soldiers of General +Washington. Ralph had been one of the party who had sailed a schooner +down the coast clear to New Jersey, and had captured a rival vessel +loaded with powder. + +Then Dorchester Heights, other battles further from Boston, and then +Howe had superseded Gage, and now--victory! triumph! The royal fleet +was sailing for Halifax, leaving the gallant patriots masters once more +of their dear home city. + +It was not until the next morning that a portion of the army, +consisting principally of volunteers from the city, entered Boston. +Their reception was a glad one in public. At homes everywhere supreme +joy reigned over the return of a father or a brother. + +At the Warrington home the hours became a continual round of happiness. +It seemed, indeed, like old times, to have the house free and open, and +filled with kindly, affectionate friends. That first night in Boston +neither Phil, Andy nor Ralph slept a wink. Neighborhood boys, too young +to volunteer, stuck to them tightly, begging for story after story of +their army experiences. The Musket Boys were the heroes of the whole +town. + +Two evenings later affairs were on a somewhat more rational basis. +Phil and his friends and his family were seated in the big sitting +room of the house, listening to an officer who had come from the +camp to explain that within a few days the New England army would +be reorganized to join Washington near New York, when there came a +tremendous thump at the front door. + +Phil went to open it. There stood a man with a covered box in his hand, +dancing from foot to foot in an excited, jubilant sort of way, as he +piped out as cheerily as ever: + +"It's only me, old Silas Berks, and his parrot. Andy, hooroar! +Attention, company! this is the gladdest hour of my life." + +In the effulgence of his happy feelings old Silas set the box on the +step. It tumbled over, its cover came open, and out flopped Polly, +bobbing and eyeing the audience with the ringing sentiment for the +occasion: + +"Hurrah for liberty!" + +It took some time for affairs to settle down to normal. Andy had many +a question to ask about the friends at home. Mr. Warrington gave the +old French and Indian fighter such a warm welcome, that he grinned and +bobbed around in the best rocker in the house, feeling, indeed, that he +was a guest of honor. + +"And now then," observed old Silas finally, his snappy little eyes +blinking mysteriously, "what brought me to Boston? Can anyone answer +that? What brought me to Boston?" + +"You tell it," directed Andy. + +"The dog that old Jasper Bram and his precious son Greg didn't bury!" +cried the old man. + +"What?" exclaimed Phil, arising to his feet in some excitement. "You +haven't found out--?" + +"Didn't I tell you I would?" + +"Yes, but--" + +"And I did," pursued the veteran complacently. "I used to look every +day after you boys went away at that old chalk memorandy of mine under +the shelf. It made me think of you, and then I felt less lonesome. I +puzzled and puzzled, but nothing came of it. Old Jasper came back and +Greg joined the Tory army, and time wore on, and nothing came of the +memorandy until last week." + +"And then, Silas?" urged the impatient Andy eagerly. + +"Then one night there comes to my house Bram's old hired man. He had +dared to ask that vicious old Tory for his wages, and Jasper had given +him a drubbing and turned him out to starve. Well, I took him in. He +is an innocent, stupid sort of a fellow, and he felt great gratitude +towards me. One day I happened to look at that chalk memorandy, and it +comes to me to ask the man if Bram ever had a dog. He said 'No'. Then I +asked him if Bram had ever buried a dog." + +"Go ahead," urged Andy, as the narrator paused to take breath. + +"Well, that hired man looked at me queer, and just laughed." + +"What about?" inquired Phil. + +"He said it was funny, but about the time war broke out he one day met +old Bram and his son carrying a bag and a spade. He asked them where +they were going. Greg Bram told him to bury a dog, and chuckled as if +he had made a smart joke. Well, the hired man watched them, and saw +them bury the bag in a thicket. He thought no more of it until the +day he was discharged by Bram. The old man asked him to get a certain +spade. It was broken by accident, and that was what Bram abused him +for. Bram got another spade. The hired man watched him. He dug up the +bag, and buried it in a new spot. I asked the man where." + +"Did he tell you?" inquired Andy in rapt tones. + +"He did, and I dug up that bag day before yesterday. Then I came here." + +"Why?" spoke Phil. + +"Because in it I found nearly five thousand pounds in notes and gold. +Now, I'm not stealing anybody's money, but I brought that bag right +with me. It's outside on the steps now. I'm taking it to the owners." + +"Who are the owners, Mr. Berks?" inquired Ralph Post. + +"Mr. Warrington, for one. In the bag were papers, and contracts and +deeds. They show that Jasper Bram owes John Warrington over four +thousand pounds." + +"Yes," said Phil's father, considerably moved, "that is true, but he +stole the proofs of it from me." + +"Then there is a document there about one Burt Noble," continued the +old veteran. "It shows that his father left a thousand pounds with +Jasper Bram years ago, to provide for his son. The father, it seems, +got into some trouble that made him flee from New England. In the bag +are recent letters in which the father begs of Bram to send him some +word of his son. They have no date and no signature, but they seem to +come from Mr. Noble, who has joined the continental army somewhere +in the south, but does not come to New England on account of his old +troubles." + +"Then my father is alive!" said Burt Noble, arising to his feet in +fervid emotion. "Oh, this is what my heart longed for! It shall be the +aim of my life to find him!" + +"And we will help you, Burt," declared Phil, as he placed a brotherly +arm across the shoulder of the brave young spy who had been to him so +loyal a friend. + +The bag was brought in and investigated. Its contents were found to be +just as old Silas had described. + +"I shall keep this money and these papers," said Mr. Warrington. "I +shall go about it in a legal way to prove that this money belongs +rightfully to me, except the share that is the property of Burt Noble." + +"Oh, how happy everything has turned out," said Mrs. Warrington, +earnestly. + +"Yes," added Phil, "but it is only an encouragement to go right on in +the path we have chosen." + +"Exactly," nodded Andy. "The war has only just commenced." + +"And we are volunteers until the last redcoat is driven back to +England!" declared Phil. "The next move is to join the reorganized army +of Gen. Washington." + +And how the lads did join the reorganized army, and went forth to +fight valiantly, will be told in another volume, to be entitled, "The +Musket Boys Under Washington; Or, The Tories of Old New York." In that +book we shall see some fierce fighting on Long Island, and learn the +particulars of how the boys came to the rescue of a girl who was in the +power of a miserly Tory who wanted to send her to England against her +will. + +With the money that had been restored to him, Mr. Warrington went into +business once more, and, although the times were very unsettled, he did +very well. + +"And what will you do?" asked Andy of Burt Noble, when the two met one +day. + +"I am off for General Washington's headquarters," answered the young +spy. "I guess we'll meet again." And the boys did meet,--not once but +many times. + +"I rather imagine we've seen some hot fighting, Andy," said Phil. + +"You are right,--but the future may hold hotter fighting still." + +"This war has but begun," came from Ralph. "King George won't give up +yet. We'll have to whip his redcoats many more times ere he will be +willing to admit our independence." + +"Never mind--we'll do it!" cried Andy, with flashing eyes. "From now on +our watchword must be Liberty forever!" + +And the other Musket Boys echoed the sentiment. + + + THE END + + [Transcriber's Note: Inconsistent hyphenation left as printed.] + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76265 *** diff --git a/76265-h/76265-h.htm b/76265-h/76265-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e08f263 --- /dev/null +++ b/76265-h/76265-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7136 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Musket Boys of Old Boston | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + 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.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } +hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +x-ebookmaker-drop {display: none;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap { font-variant:small-caps; } + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +div.titlepage { + text-align: center; + page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; +} + +div.titlepage p { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; + margin-top: 3em; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 4px; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph1 { font-size: x-large; margin: .83em auto; } + +.ph2 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph2 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76265 ***</div> + +<div class="titlepage"> + +<h1>THE MUSKET BOYS OF OLD BOSTON</h1> + +<p>Or</p> + +<h2>The First Blow for Liberty</h2> + +<p class="ph1">BY GEORGE A. WARREN</p> + +<p>AUTHOR OF "THE MUSKET BOYS UNDER WASHINGTON," ETC.</p> + +<p><i>The</i><br> +GOLDSMITH<br> +<i>Publishing Co.</i></p> + +<p>NEW YORK, N.Y.</p> + +<p>MADE IN USA</p> + +<p>Copyright, 1909, by<br> +<span class="smcap">Cupples & Leon Company</span></p> + + +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">A Puff of Powder</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">A Fruitless Chase</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">"<span class="smcap">Hurrah for Liberty!</span>"</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">On Duty</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">A Great Name</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Down the River</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Old Berks' News</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">The Road to Boston</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">In the Enemy's Hands</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">Lost</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Close Quarters</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">A Nest of Tories</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">A Serious Dilemma</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">On Board the Vixen</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">A Friend in Need</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">A Dash for Liberty</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">A Safe Port</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Troubled Times</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">"<span class="smcap">Sachem</span>"</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">Paul Revere's Ride</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Along the River</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">"<span class="smcap">On to Lexington</span>"</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">The First Skirmish</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Brought to Book</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Concord</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">Spoils of War</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">In Camp</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">Boston at Last</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">The Old Warehouse</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><span class="smcap">Bunker Hill</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><span class="smcap">A Message from Concord</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII"><span class="smcap">A Notable Exploit</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII"><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap"> + + +<h2>THE MUSKET BOYS OF OLD BOSTON</h2> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A PUFF OF POWDER</h3> + + +<p>"That's a queer proceeding, Phil."</p> + +<p>"I should say so. Why, Andy, what is the fellow up to?"</p> + +<p>"Let's watch and find out. Here, dodge down behind this bush out of +sight."</p> + +<p>Puff!</p> + +<p>"Gunpowder!" declared Phil Warrington in a thrilling whisper. "There, +the fellow has turned around. He is running away. I say, Andy, I know +him!"</p> + +<p>"You know him, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is the same boy I told you about this morning. See, there is +the long-tailed muskrat cap I described to you. See it is certainly +the mysterious boy who startled me so here in Concord, and who, I am +mightily certain, I met before that somewhere in Boston."</p> + +<p>"After this boy of mystery, then!" cried Andy. "I am curious to know +the secret of all these peculiar proceedings."</p> + +<p>The scene was wild and wintry, the time March, 1775, the place a +stretch of woods and fields just back of the famous old town of Concord.</p> + +<p>The two boys were Phil Warrington and Andy Sabine. The former was on a +brief visit to his best friend and chum. Phil's father was a merchant +in Boston and Andy's father was a storekeeper in Concord, and the two +men were old-time friends. Andy had spent a month in Boston the year +previous, and Phil was now returning the visit. The latter had left his +home city at a time when loyalty and royalty were beginning a conflict +that had already set the country afire. Phil had brought to the excited +juveniles of the backwoods town not only the keen, snappy vigor of an +all-around intelligent lad nursed by the exhilarating, briny breezes of +the Bay, but the grim echo of the gunpowder days. Those were stirring +times, and everybody was on the tip-toe of expectation, waiting for +something to happen.</p> + +<p>Phil belonged to a club called the Musket Boys of Boston. Its existence +dated back to the day after the famous "tea party," when some Boston +citizens, disguised as Indians, resisted the Stamp Act by throwing +a whole cargo of English tea into the waters of the Bay. Phil had +witnessed that stirring event personally, and that made him an object +of interest to every lively, patriotic lad in Concord.</p> + +<p>Then, too, Phil was one of those boys who had formed themselves into a +committee to visit General Gage at the British headquarters in Boston, +to complain of his rude royalist soldiers. The soldiers had spoiled the +snow slides of the boys on Boston Commons out of malice, taunting them +with being "young rebels."</p> + +<p>Whenever Phil related this incident, he stirred his manly young hearers +to deep indignation and patriotic fervor, and they voted him quite the +hero that he was.</p> + +<p>This all led to stir up more deeply the latent spirit of resistance and +outbreak long smoldering in the bosoms of the ardent youths of Concord. +Their parents talked nothing but war, and were already organizing for +the conflict that seemed inevitable. The boys followed their example, +and many secret meetings of youthful warriors were held in Andy's barn. +They had even drilled like real full-grown soldiers. Phil was the +leader in these operations. In fact, he and Andy had just come from +target practice with the self-same muskets that they now dropped to +the ground as they arose to their feet simultaneously, after curiously +watching a boy about their own age who stood at a distance.</p> + +<p>They had been following some rabbit tracks across the snow when Andy +Sabine uttered the remark which opens our story:</p> + +<p>"That's a queer proceeding, Phil!"</p> + +<p>It was decidedly an unusual spectacle that the two friends witnessed. +About a hundred yards distant the land ran up a small hill. It was +covered with light brush, except at the top, where there was a barren +space. Here, clearly outlined against the dull grey sky, stood a lad +wearing a muskrat skin cap, thinly clad and shivery-looking.</p> + +<p>The stranger, as Phil and Andy saw, had some kind of a parcel done up +in paper. This he had rested on a solitary tree stump. Then with flint +and steel he ignited some tinder he had placed across the top of the +tree stump. As this ignited, he retreated to a little distance.</p> + +<p>The tiny flames curled around the paper, and finally there was a giant +puff. The strange boy watched the ascending smoke for a minute or two +and then pursued his way, disappearing over the crest of the hill.</p> + +<p>"You cut around that way," directed Andy, pointing, "and run across +to him. I'll head him off at the bottom of the hill if he tries to run +away from us."</p> + +<p>The boys had disencumbered themselves of their muskets and game bags to +brace for a dash. Phil somewhat hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I say, Andy," he observed, nodding towards a line of low rail fencing, +"won't we be trespassing?"</p> + +<p>"Where? when?" demanded Andy, somewhat puzzled, staring askance at his +comrade.</p> + +<p>"That's old Jasper Bram's property, isn't it," asked Phil.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and this, too," replied Andy. "What of it? This is not like +Boston—no trespassing around these diggings. Free as the air, Phil, +full range when a fellow wants to make a short cut or chase a rabbit."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that in this especial case," said Phil to himself, +with a grimace. "Andy don't quite understand our pleasant family +relations with Jasper Bram. I met the old curmudgeon once since I came +to Concord, and I don't fancy a second encounter. Here goes, though, on +a venture!" and Phil promptly started in the direction indicated by his +chum.</p> + +<p>Two things were uppermost in Phil Warrington's mind as he made for the +hilltop—Jasper Bram and the mysterious boy he was after, the latter +first of all, in a speculative, curious sort of way.</p> + +<p>Two nights previous Andy and his friends had held a club meeting in the +roomy loft of Mr. Sabine's old barn. They had wound up with a kind of +banquet. Phil, starting with Andy to escort their guests home, suddenly +remembered that he had left his pocket knife on the rude deal boards +that had answered for the banqueting table.</p> + +<p>"Go on, boys, I'll catch up with you in a minute or two," Phil had +remarked, running back to the barn, which he soon reached. He clambered +to the loft, and by aid of the bright moonlight, made his way to the +table, groped for his pocket knife, secured it, and was about to leave +the place when a sound at one end of the loft caused him to turn +quickly.</p> + +<p>Some one had mounted the sloping roof of an adjoining shed and had +pulled open a narrow wooden window. This person was a boy. He was +reaching towards a barrel on which stood some of the remnants of the +recent feast.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, there!" irresistibly called out Phil. Then, noticing more +closely the outline of the marauder, he added: "Don't run. Take what +you want—nothing to be scared at. I say, haven't I seen you before?"</p> + +<p>In a flash Phil had been interrupted. The stranger, a boy about his own +age, at being so startlingly hailed, had dropped a handful of doughnuts +he had grabbed. He drew back and disappeared as if by magic. Phil ran +to the window in time to see the night marauder slide the slanting shed +roof, reach the ground and flit from view beyond some garden bushes.</p> + +<p>Like a photograph, however, there had been imprinted on his mind the +thin, starved-looking face of the boy and the peculiar muskrat skin cap +with a long tail which he wore. The picture remained vivid for a long +time, the more so as Phil puzzled himself to make out where he had seen +the boy before. He concluded, that it must have been in Boston.</p> + +<p>"The poor fellow must have been terribly hungry," Phil had decided. +"He looked like some refugee in trouble," and Phil later recited the +incident to Andy, and revived it just now as for the second time he had +happened across the strange lad in as strange a way as on the former +occasion.</p> + +<p>This was the first thought Phil had in his mind as he ran rapidly on. +His second thought was of Jasper Bram.</p> + +<p>Phil had heard that name many a time long before he came to Concord. +His father had frequently mentioned it in conversation with Phil and +Mrs. Warrington. From what he had heard, Phil came to understand that +his father regarded Jasper Bram of Concord as an enemy.</p> + +<p>Since the trouble with the British troops in Boston had begun, Mr. +Warrington had met with severe business losses. He was a strong +loyalist, and had refused to side with the English troops in the matter +of supplies in which he dealt.</p> + +<p>One night his warehouse was set on fire in a mysterious way, and was +burned to the ground. There was no doubt in the mind of the merchant +and his patriotic friends that the British soldiers had committed this +outrage.</p> + +<p>A few days later Phil overheard his father remark to his mother that he +was pretty nearly ruined financially by this great loss. He said, too, +that he could not see his way very clear to continue business unless he +could get money or help somewhere.</p> + +<p>Mr. Warrington, in discussing the situation, complained bitterly of a +great business wrong done him some years before by Jasper Bram. He +alluded to trickery, robbery, and stolen documents. He said that if he +could get what Bram legally owed him he could renew business.</p> + +<p>Phil naturally thought of all this when he came to Concord. He made +some inquiries about Jasper Bram, to find that he and his loutish son, +Greg Bram, were very generally disliked. The more so was this true +because they were designated as "regular Tories."</p> + +<p>The day preceding Phil was coming home from the river when he stepped +out of the road to let a sled pass him. Its driver had eyed him +sharply. Phil recognized him as the person whom Andy Sabine had pointed +out to him a few days previous as Jasper Bram.</p> + +<p>The grizzled, mean-faced old man stared hard at Phil. He drew his team +to a sharp halt.</p> + +<p>"Hey, you!" he hailed. "What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Warrington," replied Phil.</p> + +<p>"Thought so. Heard you were in town, saw you were a stranger. Now +look here, you young cub," and old Bram flourished his whip in a way +so menacing, and his crafty old eyes gleamed with such furious rage, +that Phil was positively electrified—"you come sneaking around again +trying to spy on me, and I'll fill you full of shot and salt and +pepper!"</p> + +<p>Phil's eyes flashed. The insulting tone and manner aroused him +indignantly. Only the age of his challenger prevented the youth from +saying something desperate. He controlled himself, and remarked:</p> + +<p>"Your place? Why I don't even know where it is."</p> + +<p>"Bah! Think I can't figure out that your father sent you here for a +purpose? Think I can't guess you to be the boy that I saw peeking in a +window of my stone shed, if you don't wear a muskrat skin cap now, as +you did then? Just you keep away from me and mine, young Paul Pry, or +you'll get a dose that will lay you up for a while."</p> + +<p>And then with a vicious snort, and shaking his fist venomously, old +Jasper Bram drove on with the sled.</p> + +<p>"Well! well!" the stupefied Phil had commented, staring wonderingly +after the old man, "that's a fine reception for a fellow. My father is +right, and Jasper Bram has little use for our family. A muskrat skin +cap. I never owned one. That half-starved fellow who tried to get the +food at Andy's barn must have made old Bram a visit, too."</p> + +<p>All these varied memories and reflections darted through Phil +Warrington's mind as he now made the ascent of the hill on the land of +the man he knew to be no friend. Soon he reached the summit.</p> + +<p>In an instant his meditative mood took flight. Real action fixed his +attention. The minute Phil came into view of the summit of the hill a +loud call rang out:</p> + +<p>"Stop him!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A FRUITLESS CHASE</h3> + + +<p>Phil Warrington looked over the landscape to trace the source of the +echoing shout that had reached his ears. It was getting late in the +afternoon, there was no sunlight, but the snow that showed here and +there in patches and drifts dazzled his eyes somewhat.</p> + +<p>"That's Andy's voice," declared Phil. "Ah, I see him, and the +mysterious boy, too! He's coming this way! None too soon, and he surely +did not see me."</p> + +<p>Phil had made out Andy at quite a distance. He was pursuing the boy +who wore the muskrat skin cap. As the young Bostonian had appeared +in sight, Andy had seen and instantly recognized Phil. Not so the +fugitive. His head had been turned to ascertain if he was gaining on +his pursuer. By the time he looked in front of him again, Phil had +jumped aside to shelter himself behind a tree stump.</p> + +<p>There was only one clear course for the fugitive to take. This lay +across the crest of the hill right up to where Phil had secreted +himself. There a shallow ravine, all choked up with bushes, cut the +landscape. The fugitive might here run down the slant which Phil had +just ascended, or he might continue along the plateau, and, passing +near to the Bram farmhouse, come out on the regularly-used country road.</p> + +<p>Phil posed so as to be ready for prompt and decisive action the instant +the fugitive neared him. The latter was a splendid runner, and he +easily outdistanced Andy. For all that, however, he did not let up on +his rapid rate of speed. He came on, panting heavily, and as he neared +the tree stump made a movement that showed to Phil that he was going +to cut to the left. As he did so, he cast a quick glance backwards +to ascertain the nearness of his pursuer. That was Phil's chance. He +arose erect as if on springs and with a swift glide ran right into the +path of the fugitive. The latter, turning his head forward again, did +not have time to dodge aside. He ran squarely into Phil's outstretched +arms, and the Boston boy grappled with him.</p> + +<p>"Got you!" said Phil. "Look here—"</p> + +<p>Thump!</p> + +<p>The force of the collision sent both of the boys flat to the hard, +frozen ground. At first Phil was under. Then a brief roll direct to +the edge of the ravine brought him uppermost. He threw the arms of his +captive outspread, holding them firmly pinioned in that position, and +stared keenly into his face.</p> + +<p>"Let me go," panted the fugitive. "You have no right—"</p> + +<p>"Why," fairly shouted Phil. For the first time at Concord this close to +the mysterious youth, memory and recognition flashed vividly amongst +his varied thoughts. "I know you now. I remember you perfectly."</p> + +<p>The boy under him uttered a desperate cry. He was like some hunted, +trapped animal.</p> + +<p>"Let me loose," he cried, "let me loose, I say!"</p> + +<p>"You're the fellow we snow-balled for carrying water into the British +camp," declared Phil, in an excited tone. "You're the Tory boy of +Boston Common!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose I am?" fairly shouted the boy, quivering all over with +emotion. "You're not my master. Let me go—I'm no Tory. Let go, I +say! That other fellow is coming. I'm as good a patriot as you. It's +dangerous for me to be around here. I won't be held down this way!"</p> + +<p>"No you don't!" said Phil, tightening his grip as his fugitive +writhed, uttering incoherent words and gasps.</p> + +<p>"Yes I do!"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" cried Phil "you've done it, I declare. The mischief!"</p> + +<p>His captive had speedily turned the tables. Massing all his strength, +which Phil suddenly learned was of no mean quality, the fugitive had +wriggled hard, twisting his arm with a maneuver that made Phil's wrists +fairly crack. Then, slipping from under, as Phil from sheer pain +relaxed his grip, the boy gave him a push and sent him over the ravine +headlong.</p> + +<p>Phil did not fall far, for the chasm was not deep. He rather slipped +over the tops of some snow-crested bushes, his head hit a strong +branch, which made him see stars for an instant, and then he came to a +halt, nestled in the centre of intermingled bushes and vines.</p> + +<p>All sight of the upper world was now shut out, and the mysterious boy +was blotted from view. Phil tried to right himself instantly.</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" he cried, as he seized a vine pendant from above. "Ouch! ouch!" +he repeated, as he rustled about. Then he raised his voice loudly: +"Andy! Andy! Help! Help!"</p> + +<p>"Halloa!" came ringing back to him. "Halloa!" nearer the responsive +challenge echoed.</p> + +<p>Phil was content to sit still and await the arrival of help. He was in +no pleasant position. The network of vines and bushes enclosing him +seemed set everywhere with spiky thorns, so that to try to pull himself +out of the pit would be to lacerate his hands and riddle his clothing.</p> + +<p>Finally there was the sound of violent breathing, and Andy Sabine +leaned over the edge of the ravine and peered down.</p> + +<p>"So there you are!" remarked Andy grimly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here I am," responded Phil, "and in no pleasant fix, I can tell +you. Say, Andy, what of the boy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's slipped us for good," announced Andy. "Last I saw of him he +was running like a whitehead. He's got beyond the grove and out of +sight, and shouldn't wonder if he was going yet. I thought I saw old +Jasper Bram running after him through a break in the trees, but maybe I +was mistaken. Anyhow, we won't catch him this time. Why don't you climb +out?"</p> + +<p>Phil with a wry grimace explained why he did not climb out of the +ravine. Andy went hunting for a long tree branch, lowered it, and Phil +with a few scratches and rips in his clothing finally gained solid +ground again.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are we going to do now?" he asked, with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Go after our guns and get back home, I reckon," replied Andy.</p> + +<p>Phil straightened out his disarranged clothing and picked some thorn +points from his wrists. Then they started away from the spot together.</p> + +<p>"I say, Andy," observed Phil, after a thoughtful spell, "coming face to +face with that fellow we chased, I find I know him."</p> + +<p>"Aha!" nodded Andy, looking curious, "is that so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's been bothering me ever since the night he appeared at your +barn. I got close to him just now."</p> + +<p>"Should say you did," smiled Andy.</p> + +<p>"And I recognized him all in a flash."</p> + +<p>"Who is he anyway?"</p> + +<p>"A Tory."</p> + +<p>"Well! well! Sure of it?"</p> + +<p>"I ought to be," asserted Phil, "no mistake about that breed of cats in +old Boston town. There's mighty few Tory boys in Boston, for even when +parents lean that way the young fellows side with us. So, when we found +a boy a turncoat to the colonies, we just marked him."</p> + +<p>"As how, now?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it was at school, we made life miserable for him. On the +streets it was generally a crowd fight, for the corners flocked +together and the best side won. This boy we just chased I remember +perfectly now. He used to carry drinking water around to the British +soldiers when they were fixing up their barracks."</p> + +<p>"For pay, of course? Maybe he had to take the first job he could lay +his hands to, so he might keep flesh on his bones. He's starved-looking +enough," said Andy.</p> + +<p>"A job from the Tories!" cried Phil with indignation. "Why, we'd tar +and feather one of our crowd if he so much as carried a message for +those impudent, roystering redcoats."</p> + +<p>"Well don't get mad about it," said the easy-going Andy. "This boy was +one of the Tory crowd. Why isn't he with them now, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>"That's it—that's just it," commented Phil excitedly. "What is he +doing here at Concord, and acting like some mysterious spy, too? I +suppose you'll admit that these are times when a good lot of trickery +is going on, as you well know, Andy Sabine. What's more, look at that +funny freak of his with the paper of gunpowder. Signals? Experiments? +Gunpowder!" pronounced Phil very seriously. "It's in the air everywhere +just now, and the word means mischief."</p> + +<p>"What would the boy be spying on here?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"That's what we ought to try and find out," answered Phil forcibly. +"Here we find him, too, right on the land of old Jasper Bram, a Tory +himself. Oh, say, this all means something, you just bet, Andy Sabine."</p> + +<p>"Hello!" was Andy's vociferous answer and interruption at that same +time, and he stood stock still, staring down at the ground.</p> + +<p>They had reached the spot where they had hidden behind the bushes to +watch the boy that had sent aloft that puzzling puff of gunpowder +smoke. A disturbing discovery confronted them.</p> + +<p>Here they had left their hunting traps, and now muskets and game-bags +had disappeared.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</h2> +</div> + +<h3>"HURRAH FOR LIBERTY!"</h3> + + +<p>Phil and Andy were very much dismayed at the discovery of the +disappearance of their hunting traps. Every boy in Concord who owned a +gun was proud of the fact. Lately this sentiment had grown deeper than +usual, for the feeling of war in the air, the constant drilling of the +local militia, the target practice of the juvenile clubs, had brought +firearms to the front in a vivid way.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a nice fix, isn't it?" Andy was the first to remark.</p> + +<p>"Some one has stolen our muskets, that is sure," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some of our crowd are playing a trick on us."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look that way," replied Phil, who had glanced sharply in +every direction. "See here, Andy."</p> + +<p>Phil pointed to a spot where the snow was much disturbed. Then he +started along a trail that showed red and plain on the snow-crusted +earth surface.</p> + +<p>"Why!" exclaimed Andy. "It looks as if there had been a terrible +scrimmage right where we left the musket. And this—why, Phil, this is +blood!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Phil, reflectively regarding the ground. "Some one has +been hurt or wounded, that is sure," and he started forward, guided +by occasional drops of blood in the snow. These soon ceased entirely. +The boys returned to the spot from which their hunting traps had +disappeared.</p> + +<p>Phil took the situation seriously, trying to surmise what had occurred. +Andy was entirely nonplussed, but his comrade moved restlessly about, +studying the ground. Soon Phil made a new discovery.</p> + +<p>"Some one with a cane or round-ended stick has been around here, Andy," +he announced.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"See those round marks in the snow? Ah, they're a sure trail. They lead +that way. Come on, this is worth following up."</p> + +<p>"Why, Phil," said Andy, his eyes suddenly brightening. "I guess who +made those marks. They're no tracks."</p> + +<p>"What are they then?"</p> + +<p>"Old Silas Berks' wooden leg. See, just a stride length apart, even and +regular. Yes, Silas has been here. What makes it sure, is that the +marks lead right over the hill in the direction of his house."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean the queer old fellow who came up to the barn to see us +drill?" inquired Phil.</p> + +<p>"Exactly, the old soldier who was in the French and Indian War. That's +where he lost his leg, you know."</p> + +<p>"Why, he wouldn't be so unfriendly as to steal our guns."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, but I believe he knows all about their disappearance. +We'll go right to his cabin and inquire, anyway."</p> + +<p>After crossing two rises in the landscape the boys came to the river, +and in sight of a hut near its banks. The rude log cabin was a novelty. +Cord wood piled quite high like a stockade surrounded the immediate +plot of ground upon which the structure stood. There was an open +space like a gateway, and the boys entered the little enclosure. Andy +hammered at the door of the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for liberty—zip! biff! boom!" shrieked a strident voice.</p> + +<p>Phil was startled and astonished. Before he could question Andy, +however, a chorus of cackling, clucking, and an immense flutter as +of birds, mingled inside of the hut with the strange shout that had +greeted them at their arrival.</p> + +<p>"Silas don't seem to be at home," decided Andy, as the door did not +open.</p> + +<p>"Someone is in there," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"No, that welcome was Silas' parrot. He is the greatest man you ever +met for having pets. He has some homing pigeons that are famous. Wonder +where he can be?"</p> + +<p>"There's someone," said Phil, and just then a plodding but wiry figure +appeared through the gateway.</p> + +<p>"Present arms!" cried old Silas Berks, giving a military salute to the +boys. "Glad to see you. Just been looking for you."</p> + +<p>"I say, Mr. Berks," interrupted Andy eagerly, "have you seen anything +of our guns?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I have, lad," replied the veteran, with a pleased grin. "I +have them. That's why I was searching for you."</p> + +<p>"How did you come to get them?"</p> + +<p>"Shoulder arms!" explained Berks in triumphant tones. "That was Greg +Bram, the young villain. Aha, there he was as I came up, a musket and +a game bag on either arm. I'd seen you two in the distance, and knew +the trappings. 'Company halt,' says I, and young Bram snickers in my +face. 'Trespasser,' says he, 'it'll cost 'em something to redeem these +fixings.' 'Trespassers, nothing, you young thief, you've robbed my +traps and shot at my homing doves. You'll rob two honest lads, too, +will you?' I unstrapped my belt and larrupped him good and sound. He +got one wallop that bloodied his nose and went off snivelling as to +how he'd get even. Ready—fire!—Pop! If the young villain ever comes +nosing around here to make trouble, I'll turn old Tom loose on him, now +I will."</p> + +<p>"Old Tom" was an old-fashioned cannon planted just outside of the door +of the cabin. There were other warlike tokens scattered about the one +living room of the hut. Phil noted these with interest. There were +several muskets, some swords, a couple of tomahawks and some smaller +weapons, mementoes of old Silas' warlike experience in the war with the +French and Indians.</p> + +<p>"I brought your traps here," proceeded the veteran, "and went looking +for you, knowing you must be somewhere around. Thought I saw you in the +distance, over towards Bram's. I got to looking closer, though, and +the two I finally made out was old Bram and a boy. The old skeesicks +had the boy's arms strapped to his sides and was pulling him in the +direction of his house."</p> + +<p>"Say," broke in Andy excitedly, "what kind of a boy was he?"</p> + +<p>Silas described the lad the best he could from having seen him at a +distance.</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy exchanged meaning glances. They took up their hunting +traps, and after thanking Silas for his trouble in their behalf started +from the hut.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me I heard you come from Boston?" observed the old veteran to +Phil with an inquisitive look.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Mr. Berks," answered Phil promptly.</p> + +<p>"Going back soon?" pressed the old man, his bright restless eyes +sparkling with the interest and vim he put into everything he said or +did.</p> + +<p>"I think in a day or two," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"You're going back to lively times then, young man, lively times," +repeated the old war veteran with a serious shake of the head. "Andy, +look here."</p> + +<p>The old man made a whistling kind of noise with his lips, and from a +dove cote overheard some half a dozen pigeons came flocking down to +his feet. Berks reached into a grain measure standing on a bench and +scattered some feed to the friendly pigeons.</p> + +<p>"Mates in Boston, Andy," said Silas, with a very solemn stare. "I'm an +old soldier, lads, and I can read the signs of the times. For instance, +I shouldn't wonder, no matter how soon one of those Boston carriers +came sailing down into the cote here. A dove with a message under its +wing, see? Keep on drilling your squad, Andy, lad, only when that +message comes—Attention, company! Sleep light, lad, and when a certain +thing happens, day or night, you'll know it by that old field piece of +mine."</p> + +<p>Silas pointed to the rusty old cannon, and Andy looked startled and +impressed.</p> + +<p>"As how, now, Mr. Berks?" he inquired in an eager tone.</p> + +<p>"When old Tom barks," answered the veteran Indian fighter, "you may +know that something serious had broken loose in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Berks, and then?" pressed Andy in an intense tone.</p> + +<p>"Then," answered old Silas sententiously—"Shoulder arms!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for liberty!" added the parrot, from inside the hut.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</h2> +</div> + +<h3>ON DUTY</h3> + + +<p>"Well!" ejaculated Andy Sabine, as soon as they were out of hearing of +the queer old man who had returned to them their stolen hunting traps.</p> + +<p>Both Andy and Phil were considerably stirred up by the happenings +of the last few minutes. If old Berks had dealt in hints, they were +certainly strong ones. His forcible remarks had increased their +patriotic fervor, already at high heat with his young friends. Andy +acted as excitedly as if the first gun had been fired and he was +anxious to start right off to meet the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what," say Phil thoughtfully, "that wise old veteran ought to +know what he is talking about, and probably could tell a good deal more +if he wanted to. Of course, everybody thinks as he does,—if there is +going to be any trouble, it will begin at Boston. I want to be there +when it comes, Andy, if it is only to be near the folks, and I believe +I will start away from Concord sooner than I had planned."</p> + +<p>"I wish I was going with you, Phil," said Andy in a longing tone. "Your +Musket Boys will smell the first powder. My! it would be exciting to be +right in the midst of so much bustle, not knowing how soon a company of +militia might come dashing down the street sweeping everything before +them. Hold on, what are you heading that way for? Aren't we going home?"</p> + +<p>Phil had led the course across the hills in the direction of the road +running by the farmhouse of Jasper Bram. This meant quite a wide +detour from the direct route homeward. But Phil had a purpose in the +digression.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of the mysterious boy," he explained to his comrade, +"and I don't feel like leaving all of our guessing and running go for +nothing. He may be going back to Boston some time. There he was a Tory. +Why mayn't he be acting for them here in some secret way? I'd like to +know. Mr. Berks said he saw him a prisoner of Jasper Bram."</p> + +<p>"Don't that look queer? Both Tories? I should think they would be +friends, he and old Bram, both being of the same stripe," observed Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it looks puzzling, so I am going to try and fathom the mystery," +replied Phil seriously. "There's the Bram farmhouse. We'll skirt it as +near as we dare and see what's going on."</p> + +<p>"Something is going on right now!" declared Andy suddenly. "What's up I +wonder?"</p> + +<p>At a break in the hills they came within a few hundred yards of the +house where Jasper Bram lived. In front of it was a horse, and into its +saddle a boy had just climbed.</p> + +<p>"That is Greg Bram," said Andy, peering attentively.</p> + +<p>"And that's his father," added Phil.</p> + +<p>The old man was gesticulating as if he were very much excited. He +pointed to a stone shed back of the house and then in the direction of +the town, and finally struck the horse that Greg rode a vigorous slap +on the flank that sent the animal forward like an arrow.</p> + +<p>All the time the boys had been approaching nearer to the house. Their +glance was now transferred to the stone shed behind the house, and +fixed there. It was a low, strong structure with a heavy wooden door, +and had windows crossed with iron bars. At one of these could be seen +the figure of some one within, beating at the bars with a thick club +and then trying to pry them apart.</p> + +<p>"That's our friend with the muskrat skin cap," said Andy. "He is a +prisoner in there and is trying to break out. He can't make it. He has +given it up."</p> + +<p>"No, he hasn't," corrected Phil, a minute later, while they kept +advancing closer and closer to the scene. "He is putting shavings, +splinters and kindling wood in the embrasure."</p> + +<p>"Aha!" cried Andy—"He has set the place on fire! See there, Phil, he +is trying to make his way to liberty by burning out the wooden window +sash."</p> + +<p>Old Jasper Bram had gone into the house and Phil and Andy had ventured +to cross his domain from the road. They were less than a hundred feet +from the farmhouse when Bram came out of it. The old man was making for +the stone shed and had quite reached it, when he started back with a +wild yell of the most positive excitement and alarm.</p> + +<p>Turning, he started a wild run—not into the house, nor near it, but +squarely away from it—his face ashen and working with fear. His arms +were thrown upwards in a sort of a desperate terror and his breath came +in quick gasps. Thus, running, he nearly collided with Phil and Andy. +He did not seem to recognize them, but shouted out.</p> + +<p>"Run—run for your lives! It's doom, it's +death—blown—to—a—thousand pieces!"</p> + +<p>The boys just caught the echo of his disjointed sentences. Bram never +halted nor looked to see if they were following him. He acted like a +person bereft of his reason. Over a rise in the landscape he dashed and +disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is sensational enough," exclaimed Andy. "Now, what does it +all mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means one thing we must see to," declared Phil, hurrying towards +the stone shed. "That boy in there has started quite a blaze. He must +be about choked with the smoke. We must get him out of there."</p> + +<p>"To bolt again—to leave us in a more puzzling fix than ever?" demanded +Andy. "No sir-ree! Let him out if you like, but not until I am right +behind you, ready to grab the slippery fellow before he plays us +another jumping-jack trick."</p> + +<p>"Hey!" shouted Phil, halting in front of the burning window frame.</p> + +<p>A human face wavered for a moment in the wreaths of smoke clouding the +aperture.</p> + +<p>"Let me out!" shouted a voice in muffled tones. "Let me out, quick!"</p> + +<p>Phil went around to the single door of the shed. It was stoutly secured +by a hasp and padlock. Phil picked up a big stone and smashed the +padlock. Then he pulled open the door.</p> + +<p>"Come out, quick!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Andy had placed his gun against an old box. With his arms outspread +he posed to seize the refugee when he should appear. There was no +necessity for haste or violence, however, for with the opening of +the door a great cloud of smoke floated out, enveloping a form which +struggled past it—the mysterious boy. He was staggering and gasping +and rubbing his smoke-blinded eyes.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he said, rather faintly. "I'll never try that again—thanks."</p> + +<p>The speaker tottered against the outside wall of the shed for support +and leaned there weakly, getting back his breath and his wits. Then +suddenly he straightened up and peered towards the house and all around +it in a scared sort of way.</p> + +<p>"I—I must get away from here, and—thanks," he spoke for the third +time in a strained and embarrassed tone of voice.</p> + +<p>"Hold on," ordered Andy, firmly planting himself in front the refugee +and seizing his arm.</p> + +<p>The lad shrank and turned a white pallor. Phil, studying him, saw +the old hunted, desperate expression he had noted on two previous +occasions come back into the wan, starved-looking face.</p> + +<p>"What do you want of me?" the unknown lad asked of Andy.</p> + +<p>"What do we want?" repeated Andy, purposely blustering. "That's a fine +question to ask after all the bother and mystery you've made for us. We +want to know a lot, and you've got to tell it."</p> + +<p>"Easy, Andy, gently now," directed Phil. Then, turning kindly and +courteously to the refugee, he said:</p> + +<p>"We first want to give you a good meal—you look as if you needed it."</p> + +<p>The boy's face, for a moment lightened by Phil's gracious words, grew +sad again and he spoke with a dry, choking little laugh.</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry enough," he said, but casting the old scared glance all +about him added hastily: "I can't stay around here! Not a moment—not a +single moment! Don't stop me."</p> + +<p>"You can't go!" shouted Andy, catching and imprisoning both of the +boy's arms from behind, and thus struggling with him. "You're up to +something mysterious. These are times when every loyal Concord boy must +watch out for fellows like you—a Tory."</p> + +<p>At that the refugee ceased struggling. He allowed himself to remain +limply in Andy's grasp, but he fixed an earnest, pleading look on Phil.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe that?" he inquired. "But of course you do, for you +called me a Tory yourself a little while ago."</p> + +<p>"Don't I have reason to?" asked Phil bluntly. "I saw you in Boston +working for the British soldiers."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did," admitted the captive.</p> + +<p>"Then, how can you explain?"</p> + +<p>The boy cast his eyes down, but it was quite apparent, not in shame. He +seemed thinking. Then with an uneasy start he glanced all around the +place and acted as if he would run for it on the slightest provocation.</p> + +<p>Thinking better of it, he faced Phil in a frank, manly fashion.</p> + +<p>"See here," he said, "you are doing wrong in keeping me here—more +wrong than you dream of. You shouldn't make me tell you what you really +have no business to know, but, if you are true blue, and I know you +must be, I'll tell you something. Let go of my arms—I won't run. Now +then, if I prove to you that I am not a Tory, do I go free?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andy promptly, and Phil gave a nod of assent.</p> + +<p>"All right," said the refugee, as Andy freed his arms. He groped +one hand inside of his jacket and beyond it. He drew out an oilskin +package, opened it, and took from it a folded sheet of paper.</p> + +<p>"Read it," he said, almost solemnly, "and when you have read—forget."</p> + +<p>Andy stared eagerly at the open sheet of paper displayed. Phil, more +puzzled and curious than ever, ran his eyes over the open page. It read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>Boston, March, 1775.</p> + +<p>All loyal colonists will give this young man, my authorized messenger, +on duty, all the assistance possible.</p> +</div> + +<p>"Great guns!" vociferated Andy, and Phil drew back, gazing at the +refugee now with a look of admiration and respect.</p> + +<p>For the passport,—or whatever it might be called, but at all events +official and convincing,—bore a signature that was the watchword of +obedience and fidelity for every member of the Musket Boys of Old +Boston, wherever he might be.</p> + +<p>The paper was signed:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Joseph Warren.</span>"</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A GREAT NAME</h3> + + +<p>"Joseph Warren!"</p> + +<p>That was a great name in those days. It was no wonder that the sight of +it impressed Phil and Andy. With a sort of awe they read it, and their +interest in the homeless, hunted lad who showed it to them increased +greatly.</p> + +<p>Phil Warrington knew Dr. Warren. With a thrilling kind of pride he +recalled an encouraging word from the popular patriot one day, when he +and his comrades were drilling on a vacant city lot in Boston. Phil +felt that he was getting quite an experience as a young revolutionary +patriot.</p> + +<p>He recalled how Gen. Gage had listened patiently to the complaints of +the serious, manly little delegation—how he had said quite earnestly +to a brother officer at his side: "These sturdy young fellows show the +mettle of their rugged sires—if there is ever any serious trouble +these people mean to fight it out."</p> + +<p>There were three names to conjure by in Boston and its neighborhood +in those stirring days,—Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. +These men were the leaders in every patriotic move of the times. They +were the men who, because of their great influence and determination, +were approached with bribes, threats and persecutions by Tory +emissaries and enemies.</p> + +<p>Especially was Dr. Warren the idol of the patriots. In all but official +title he was practically commander in chief of the sturdy New England +"Sons of Liberty," the patiently waiting "Minute Men"—all those +earnest, enthusiastic militia organizations whom the great genius of +Gen. George Washington was so soon and successfully to merge into the +Continental Army.</p> + +<p>Little wonder was it that Andy Sabine felt as if he was getting to be +of some importance in his little world, and that Phil felt a decided +thrill of enthusiasm at being directly concerned in an affair in which +the notable patriot, Warren, was interested.</p> + +<p>All this was leading Phil's mind into an ever-increasing vortex of +speculation and excitement. Every day and its every event of late +seemed links in a strong chain of circumstances, all bearing more or +less on the spirit of war that was in the very air.</p> + +<p>"That's your letter, is it?" inquired Andy in his impetuous, +irrepressible way.</p> + +<p>Before the refugee could answer something startled him. He glanced at +a fringe of timber beyond the house. There was some movement there. +Phil made out Jasper Bram's hired man hauling cord wood on a sledge. +The strange boy seemed aroused at the proximity of others. He dodged +quickly to the rear of the stone shed, out of range of the man and +horse in the distance. Then he beckoned to Phil. In a very flustered +voice he said:</p> + +<p>"I can't stay here. I will get into trouble if I do, but I would like +to see you again."</p> + +<p>"Then come along with us," directed Phil. "We'll cut out of range of +these diggings across to Andy Sabine's barn."</p> + +<p>"Go to town—in daylight!" exclaimed the strange boy in dismay. "I +don't dare to. Is that man out of sight? Yes I must get away from here. +Good-bye, and thank you. Say," added the lad, dropping his voice as a +new thought came into his mind, "You know where the old cooper shop is?"</p> + +<p>"Down the river, yes," nodded Phil.</p> + +<p>"I'll be there until after dark to-night."</p> + +<p>"I'll come and see you there before dark," said Phil.</p> + +<p>The fugitive sped away at this. He cast many a furtive look about +him as he did so. Bram's hired man was now shut out from view by +intervening hills, but the runner never relaxed his speed and went over +a rise in the landscape like a fleet hare bounding for cover.</p> + +<p>"H'm!" observed Andy, approaching his friend. "On the jump again, eh? +He's a lively one. What did you let him go for?"</p> + +<p>"What right have we to stop him?" submitted Phil mildly—"Especially +after that document he showed us."</p> + +<p>"That's so, but it's—it's worrying!" cried Andy in a desperate sort of +a way. "What was he saying to you, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is to see us later," explained Phil.</p> + +<p>"Good!" vociferated Andy eagerly—"when? where?"</p> + +<p>"That's all arranged. That passport of his calls on all loyal patriots +to assist him when possible. So I think the first thing for us to do is +to get up a roaring good meal for him, and carry it to his hideout."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he has a hideout, then, has he?" persisted the inquisitive Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we are to meet him there about dusk."</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy got some water from the well and put out the smoking +window frame in the shed, and reached home without any further +adventures. There was a good deal that was inexplicable in the +occurrences of the afternoon, but they trusted to later expected +developments to clear the situation. Andy had free range at home, and +within an hour the chums were on the march again. They carried with +them a basket well filled with eatables.</p> + +<p>The old cooper shop was a landmark of Concord. It had once been a grist +mill, but now in moderate weather was used as a work shop by an old +villager, who made kegs, barrels and vats. It was a good hiding place +in winter, for it was not much in use except during the warm months of +the year.</p> + +<p>The boys crossed the bridge over the river. That stream was open. Ponds +and ditches had frozen up, but the river showed clear water and a +steady current, with occasional floating cakes of ice.</p> + +<p>It was getting on towards dusk when Phil and Andy reached the old mill. +It had windows supplied with wooden bars and a great high door. The +latter they found closed.</p> + +<p>"Hello, inside there!" shouted Andy, knocking vigorously on the stout +planking. Phil whistled sharply once or twice. The door ran in a +groove. It was rolled open about a foot.</p> + +<p>"It's us," announced Phil, as a cautious head protruded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right," answered the strange boy. "Squeeze in quick. Look +around first though, will you? Weren't followed? Didn't see anybody +lurking about, did you?" he inquired quite anxiously.</p> + +<p>"For a fact, we didn't think about it," replied Andy. "What are you +afraid of, neighbor, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Seems, nothing—I am," replied the boy soberly enough. "Principally, I +am afraid of Jasper Bram."</p> + +<p>"Knows you, does he?" interrogated Andy.</p> + +<p>"Only too well—he and his brother, and that son of his, Greg. I've +kept out of his clutches so far. I wouldn't like to get into them now, +just as I am going away from here with my work done."</p> + +<p>"What work?" projected Andy forcibly, his eager soul in his face, his +eyes sparkling with animation.</p> + +<p>The strange boy gave him a keen and then a meditative glance. He +seemed studying seriously some difficult problem in his mind. Phil +saw that he was troubled. The Boston youth, who was a natural leader +of boys, understood that they were dealing with a lad in a strained +position, his nerves all on edge, filled with alarm, on the perpetual +jump and go, and might be scared off the track again by a suspicious +word or an impulse of timidity.</p> + +<p>"See here!" cried Phil—heartily, swinging the basket in his hand, +"never mind Jasper Bram, just now. You take a good solid feed, and then +do your talking if you want to."</p> + +<p>The face of the strange boy changed quickly. His hungry eyes darted at +the basket with avidity. He led the way into a small compartment where +there were working benches and boxes to sit on.</p> + +<p>There was just enough of the sunset light left to allow the boys to see +one another. The strange lad acted embarrassed as Phil made a spread of +the wholesome, substantial food brought from the Sabine larder. Then as +his eyes ranged over the mince pie, cold pork and beans, half chicken, +and some nicely buttered brown bread, they filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," was all he could say in a choked, sobbing tone.</p> + +<p>"That's four times you've said it," rallied Andy brusquely. "Once will +do. Nice fellow you are, hanging around half-famished, when the club +would have treated you like a prince after a sight of that passport of +yours."</p> + +<p>"I can't show it to everybody, you know," murmured the boy.</p> + +<p>"If you had shown it to us before you did, we would have made it easy +sledding for you here at Concord," declared Andy heartily. "Now you +have shown it to us, suppose you enlighten us as to a few points that +are burning me up with curiosity."</p> + +<p>"Let a fellow eat, won't you, Andy?" admonished Phil, and he drew Andy +to one side under the pretence of showing him an old cooperage tool +lying on a bench, so as to afford the strange boy a chance to eat in +comfort.</p> + +<p>"Say, he was hungry, wasn't he, now!" whispered Andy.</p> + +<p>"He acts it, I should say," responded Phil, who tried to relieve +any embarrassment on the part of the boy by keeping up a casual +conversation with Andy. The strange lad made him feel sad and glad +both at the same time,—glad to see him enjoy his meal, sad to realize +from the way he partook of the same that the poor wayfarer must have +been half-starved to death.</p> + +<p>"That was good, I tell you!" finally exclaimed the boy in a tone of +mingled contentment and gratitude.</p> + +<p>"And, now what is the next best thing we can do for you?" inquired Andy +impetuously, hot on the trail of information.</p> + +<p>"You can do something for me, for a fact," spoke the boy seriously, and +he looked out of the window across the dreary landscape and down at the +river in a doubtful way. "I don't want to risk staying here any longer +than I have to, so I won't take up much of your time. My name is Burt +Noble."</p> + +<p>"Glad to know you," nodded Andy airily. "Wanted to know you before, but +you wouldn't come close enough to hand."</p> + +<p>"I'll explain that," went on Burt Noble, still seriously, and taking no +notice of Andy's flippancy. "You can guess that I am no Tory from that +passport. Dr. Warren knows me and trusts me. It came right, and it was +right for me to find out what the Britishers were up to, and that was +why I seemed training with the Gage troops in Boston."</p> + +<p>"We understand," nodded Phil encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"Did you come down here to find out something for Dr. Warren, too?" +questioned Andy boldly.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, in a way," answered Burt with directness. "I had some +private business of my own to attend to, and it all seemed to fit in +together."</p> + +<p>"Jasper Bram, your secrecy, that puff of powder!"—began Andy. "Oh, say +by the way—that puff of powder, what was the mystery of that maneuver? +And say too," added Andy with accumulating excitement, "that fire in +Bram's stone shed. Old Jasper ran from it yelling out something about +'being blown to a thousand pieces.' Why—say, why?"</p> + +<p>"Because he thought there was danger of being blown to a thousand +pieces," replied Burt Noble, with a faintly humorous smile on his face.</p> + +<p>"How was that, now?" persisted Andy.</p> + +<p>"He believed that down in the cellar of the shed there was enough +gunpowder to blow the whole farm to atoms."</p> + +<p>Andy looked "stumped," and Phil was interested and startled.</p> + +<p>"Bram ought to know if it was so," murmured Andy.</p> + +<p>"He thought he did," said Burt. "Yes, Jasper Bram had reason to believe +that there were four kegs of gunpowder under the stone shed."</p> + +<p>"Four kegs of powder!" shouted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What in the world was Jasper Bram doing with all that ammunition?" +cried Andy in sheer bewilderment.</p> + +<p>Burt Noble did not reply for a moment or two. He looked anxious, +undecided and thoughtful. Phil read correctly from his intelligent, +expressive face that he was debating within himself how much he should +tell them. Finally Burt said:</p> + +<p>"If I can't trust good fellows like you whom I know to be true-blue +fellows, whom can I trust? Here's the whole story in brief. As you +must guess, I have been trying to help Dr. Warren by keeping tab on +the doings and plans of the Britishers. I don't like the sound of the +word spy, but, if it fits me, all right, it's in a glorious cause, +isn't it? I don't know whether you know it or not, but Gen. Gage has +been getting ready for a long time to crush out liberty at one sudden, +powerful blow. They haven't been working in Boston only. They have had +emissaries out all through the colonies, in little towns, sending them +information and ready to act as soon as the word is given."</p> + +<p>"How do you mean?" inquired the intensely interested Andy, his eyes as +big as saucers.</p> + +<p>"Well, for one thing a lot of Tories have been buying up all the +ammunition they could find. I suppose you know what it would mean if +war began, with all our military stores seized or destroyed by the +Britishers."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Andy in a long-continued series of trills. "I guess I +begin to understand! I heard my father talking something about that."</p> + +<p>"I found out that Peter Bram, at Farmington, who is a brother of +Jasper Bram, was making a regular business of going around secretly +and forming little parties of Tories to help in the general scheme," +proceeded Burt. "I left Boston to sort of look up Peter Bram on my own +account, too. He was away from town, so I came on here to Concord, +hoping to find what I wanted from Jasper Bram. Well, I discovered that +he had been driving around the country—or had sent that precious son +of his, Gregory, visiting stores and buying up powder and shot. That +sent me on the trail of doing some good work for my country. Jasper +Bram knows me, yes, indeed he does," continued Burt, with a serious +shake of the head. "He can hold me, too, if he catches me. He nearly +caught me snooping around his house. He did catch me, for a fact, +to-day, as you know."</p> + +<p>"What has he got against you—what power has he over you?" inquired +Phil, somewhat puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Why, he knows that I am a bound boy—a runaway apprentice from his +brother, Peter Bram."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so?"</p> + +<p>"And he sent Greg lickety-switch to town to get a constable to take me +in charge. That would mean going back into the old slave life with that +cruel brother of his."</p> + +<p>"What about the powder, though—get to that!" urged the impatient Andy.</p> + +<p>"Simply this," replied Burt quickly: "Jasper Bram gathered up four kegs +of it, and had it stored in the cellar of the stone shed—a ready-made +arsenal for the Britishers, if they ever got so far as Concord in their +raids. Even if they never used it at all, it was so much out of the way +of us 'rebels,' you see."</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder he was scared into fits when you set fire to the shed," +observed Phil, "but weren't you afraid, too, of being 'blown into a +thousand pieces?'"</p> + +<p>"Not at all," replied Burt calmly. "Jasper Bram didn't know it, but +there wasn't an ounce of powder in that cellar."</p> + +<p>"Eh, how was that?" inquired Andy, with a stare of perplexity.</p> + +<p>"I had removed it."</p> + +<p>"You—you!" stammered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Had taken it away. It took me parts of three nights to do it, without +disturbing the Brams or leaving any trace of my secret midnight +operation. Yes, that gunpowder is all safe out of the clutches of +Jasper Bram, although he little dreams it. And I tested the powder, +too, as you saw on the hilltop."</p> + +<p>"Good! hooray! say, Burt Noble, you're a hero!" shouted the vociferous +Andy, slapping the lad enthusiastically on the shoulder. "Phil, this is +action, real and brisk. My! I wish I could do a thing like that! Burt +Noble, you're smart—yes, you're just grand!"</p> + +<p>"I hope it all comes out right," said Burt. "There's a lot to do yet. I +think I have told you all I ought to."</p> + +<p>"But the powder?" asked Andy. "What became of that?"</p> + +<p>For answer Burt Noble drew a sealed envelope from his pocket. It was +getting quite dusk. He went to the end of a bench, lit a candle, and +came back to the boys.</p> + +<p>"My orders," he explained, "were to return to headquarters and report +any discovery of importance, where it was of local interest, though, +I was also to advise a leading patriot in the vicinity. Here is a +letter," and he handed the envelope to Andy.</p> + +<p>"Why," exclaimed the latter, peering at the superscription by the aid +of the candle—"this is addressed to my father!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Burt. "Be very careful of it. It tells where I have +hidden the powder—where it can be found by the people who need it +worst, when the first gun is fired."</p> + +<p>"Hello!" shouted Andy sharply just then—"that sounds like it now!" +for of a sudden at the big front door of the old mill there rang out a +vivid, echoing—</p> + +<p><i>BANG!</i></p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>DOWN THE RIVER</h3> + + +<p>Burt Noble blew out the candle quickly, but not until Phil had noticed +a keen look of alarm in his eyes. Then Burt ran to a window looking +down from the front of the building, and Phil darted to the same +opening.</p> + +<p>"What was that?—Who is it?" asked Andy sharply.</p> + +<p>"It's the Brams, bag and baggage," replied Phil, staring down through +the gathering gloom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and, Adam Woods, an officer of the law, is with them."</p> + +<p>"And two others!" added Burt Noble in a gasp. "Oh, I feared this! I +shouldn't have come back here. At least, I shouldn't have stayed."</p> + +<p>Burt had run to one side window and then to another. Then he backed to +a bench and stood wavering undecidedly, and evidently frightened.</p> + +<p>Phil had followed his movements quickly. He also glanced out of the two +side windows in turn just as Burt had done. On the ground at the south +side of the mill was Bram's hired man. He was armed with a musket, and +was looking up at the old building.</p> + +<p>On the north side of the building, evidently keeping guard in that +direction, was a man whom Phil recognized as one of the town watchmen.</p> + +<p>"They have got a big log in front there," said Burt. "There they go +again! They are trying to break down the front door. I guess they have +got me this time."</p> + +<p>"Not yet," declared Andy with vim, his eyes snapping with excitement. +"Warrant, due process of law, and all that, eh? The old Tory +curmudgeon! trying to get you into his clutches and shut you up as +his slave, and shut you out from doing your duty by the country he +hates! That's his game, is it? Well, it won't work. We're just going to +circumvent them."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it is hopeless," said Burt. "Bram has a right to arrest me +as a runaway."</p> + +<p>"Come here for a minute, Phil," came from Andy, paying no attention to +Burt's last words.</p> + +<p>There came another tremendous bang at the door down stairs. Andy +whispered something rapidly to Phil.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Burt Noble," said Phil. "Go ahead, Andy. Hold those fellows +in check as long as you can."</p> + +<p>"You see they saw the light," observed Burt. "I feared being traced +here. After I left you this afternoon I noticed Jasper Bram's hired man +watching me from a clump of trees. Later he passed the old mill here. +He has told Bram and the officers."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. They won't get you just yet," Phil promised confidently. +"Follow me quietly. You do your part, Andy."</p> + +<p>"Rest assured I will!" announced Andy, descending the stairs.</p> + +<p>As Phil and Burt passed him on their way to the rear of the place, Andy +stepped on a big bench and pulled open a little window about ten feet +from the ground.</p> + +<p>"Hey you!" he hailed to Bram, his son Greg and the officers outside, +who poised a heavy tree log on their shoulders, ready to make a run for +the door.</p> + +<p>"Come out of that!" shouted Jasper Bram, dropping his end of the +impromptu battering ram and waving his arms excitedly up at Andy. +"We've got you—oh, pshaw!"</p> + +<p>Here he recognized Andy. His face fell, while that of Andy broke into a +tantalizing grin.</p> + +<p>"What's all this rumpus about, anyhow?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him fool you!" shouted Greg Bram to the officers. "It isn't +so cozy in that old barn of a place that Andy Sabine would shut himself +in. The other fellow is in there, too. Make him come out—make Andy +tell."</p> + +<p>"See here, Andy Sabine," spoke up the town officer, trying to look and +act dignified and important, "I suppose you know that it's a pretty +serious offense obstructing the majesty of the law?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I am obstructing nothing," declared Andy innocently.</p> + +<p>"You be!" shouted old Bram. "You've shut us out. Come down and open +that door, or it will be the worse for you."</p> + +<p>"I didn't lock the door. Huh! what have I got to do with your old +door!" exclaimed Andy, in right royal indignation.</p> + +<p>"Well, the boy we're after did. You're harboring him. Do you know what +harboring a criminal means in the eyes of the law, young man?" demanded +the town officer.</p> + +<p>"Bosh!" cried down Andy, "get in the best way you can. I'm not around +opening doors for people."</p> + +<p>Andy shut the window with a slam, for he had parleyed with and delayed +the enemy to some purpose. Of this Andy was apprised by a low whistle +sounding from a distant part of the structure. It was an agreed signal +with Phil Warrington, and Andy now felt very independent and fearless.</p> + +<p>Meantime Phil had led Burt Noble to a lower floor of the old mill, in +pursuance with a suggestion of the clever and quick-witted Andy. Phil +had been in the building several times since his arrival in Concord +during the desultory rambling excursions along the river, and what he +did not know about the place Andy had told him.</p> + +<p>A section of the building reached out over the water. Its floor at +this place was covered with a movable wooden grating. There was still +light enough, as the boys reached this, for Phil and his companion to +discover outlines. Phil pulled the grating up and tilted it against the +side of the room.</p> + +<p>"Now then, Burt Noble," he said briskly, "can you swim?"</p> + +<p>Burt glanced down at the watery pit below, fed from the river, and at +the stream itself, chill and uninviting and carrying frequent ice-cakes +on its surface. He shivered, smiling, but quite anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I can swim," he replied, "but I don't care about trying it in that +ice-water bath."</p> + +<p>"You don't have to," said Phil. "I asked the question incidentally. +Only, if you should happen to duck down or get under, why, I'd feel +easier to know that you could reach shore."</p> + +<p>"Duck down? get under?" repeated Burt in a puzzled way. "Why, how do +you mean?"</p> + +<p>"You've got to get out of this, haven't you?" demanded Phil.</p> + +<p>"I should say so."</p> + +<p>"Well, this is the only route," proceeded Phil, pointing down into +the water runway. "Look down closer. See a big tub there, almost a +hogshead?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see it!" answered Burt, staring dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Well, we are going to barrel you up in it and send you adrift."</p> + +<p>"Barrel me up?" repeated the astounded refugee.</p> + +<p>"Just that, and trust to luck that the floating tub will not be noticed +by the man watching out at the south end of the mill."</p> + +<p>The big tub below was an immense affair. It was partially filled with +ice which bore it down about half its depth. Its use at present had +been suggested to Andy through a memory of former swimming exploits in +this same vicinity. Phil slanted a board until it rested on the level +ice in the tub.</p> + +<p>"Slide down," he directed. "Stoop, when you land. Then I'll lower one +of these round covers. It will be loose, and you will have plenty of +air. You can even look out. I will climb down the rafters, and with +that pole yonder help you out into the river. Stay aboard until you +pass the bend in the stream. Then land, and make for Andy's house. You +know where that is?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," responded Burt, "but I don't think I had better go there."</p> + +<p>"What—not among friends? Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because the Brams will hunt me out. No," said Burt seriously, "I am +through with my work in Concord, and I had better get back to Boston."</p> + +<p>"All right, you know best," said Phil, "only, move briskly, for those +men in front may break in at any moment. And here," continued Phil +drawing some silver from his pocket, "take that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, see here—" remonstrated Burt.</p> + +<p>"It will help out on your route home. If the trifle worries you—wish I +had more—call it a loan until you get on your feet."</p> + +<p>"You're right good fellows, both of you!" said Burt, with enthusiasm +and emotion. "Wait," he added, as Phil touched his arm to urge him into +action, "I want to tell you something."</p> + +<p>Burt drew from an inner pocket of his coat two narrow folded strips of +paper. He cast his eyes down to these as if to distinguish one from the +other. Then he selected one and handed it to Phil with the question:</p> + +<p>"Let me ask you—is your father's name John Warrington?"</p> + +<p>"That is right," nodded Phil, in some wonder.</p> + +<p>"I was sure it was. Let me ask you again. Has he ever had anything +particular to do with Jasper Bram?"</p> + +<p>"Too much, I fear, for his own good, in a business way," replied Phil +promptly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know as this strip of paper I am giving you will be any good +to you," went on Burt, "but the singular way in which I got it made +me treasure it as maybe a—a what you might call it? yes, a clew to +something."</p> + +<p>"But what is it, and where did you get it?" inquired Phil, made very +curious by his father's name coming up amid this strange and unusual +environment.</p> + +<p>"It is simply a paper band marked in ink: John Warrington," explained +Burt. "I found it with a band like it marked with my own name. The +place I found it was in Jasper Bram's house."</p> + +<p>Phil started, and all kinds of curious speculations ran rapidly through +his mind.</p> + +<p>"At Jasper Bram's house?" he repeated. "When did you get into his +house?"</p> + +<p>"Night before last, when they were all away to town," replied Burt. +"The truth is, I was hoping to find some papers that would tell me the +truth about the right of Peter Bram to hold me as an apprentice—hoping +to find out something about my father, who it seems disappeared when +I was a child. There is some mystery about that, about me, and the +Brams hold the key to it, I feel certain. Well," proceeded Burt, with a +sigh of disappointment, "I learned little that was of any use, through +my raid on the desk of Jasper Bram. There was a waste basket full +of old documents, torn to little bits. It looked as if old Bram had +been recently cleaning up his desk, destroying unimportant papers and +putting his affairs in order, maybe for a move, or because he knew we +were going to have a war."</p> + +<p>"It looks that way. Go on," urged Phil eagerly.</p> + +<p>"To me these two paper bands look as if they had held some papers that +concerned your father and myself."</p> + +<p>"Why, it is a sure thing," declared Phil. "But if Bram has destroyed +them—"</p> + +<p>"We don't know that. More like, if they have been of some value to him +all along, they are of value now. I think he has selected what he wants +to save, and has planted it somewhere for safety until he sees how the +trouble in the colony is going."</p> + +<p>"This will be interesting to my father," murmured Phil, pocketing the +strip of paper. "About yourself—I shall start back for Boston in a day +or two. Be sure to come and see me."</p> + +<p>"I surely shall," promised Burt. "Good-by, I hope these people outside +don't discover me."</p> + +<p>At this Burt slid down the plank that Phil had lowered, and landed in +the tub. Phil tilted the board to a beam, and selected a big wooden +cover from the cooper's stock. Not much more conversation passed +between the boys. Phil had some difficulty in placing the cover on the +tub. It was not easy to hold on to the rafters, and, progressing foot +by foot, shove the tub with the pole in his hand towards the river end +of the water runway.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right in there?" inquired Phil at last, as the tub began +to whirl.</p> + +<p>"Right as a trivet," came the prompt reply in muffled tones.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, then!"</p> + +<p>"I'll see you in Boston—many thanks."</p> + +<p>Phil gave the tub a final push, and it passed from his view, out into +the night and into the current of the fast-rolling stream.</p> + +<p>It was then that Phil gave the signal whistle that told Andy Sabine +that the coast was clear. Phil hurried to the ground floor of the +mill and peered out of one of its south windows. He saw Jasper Bram's +hired man still on guard, with his musket, but now facing towards his +companions at the front of the structure. Phil quickly glanced towards +the river. The fast gathering darkness made him strain his gaze to make +anything out. The surface of the river was turbid and broken, and only +because he sought a definite object was he enabled to catch a fleeting +view of the floating tub that he had just sent adrift.</p> + +<p>It moved along with ice-cakes, scarcely noticeable amid the gloom. Phil +watched it rock and drift with the current, and where the river curved +lost sight of it. Then Phil whistled again, and joined Andy near the +front door.</p> + +<p>"Did you manage it?" inquired Andy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Burt is safe out of this place," reported Phil with satisfaction. +"It was a grand idea of yours, Andy. We have outwitted the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Hear them grumble!" said Andy.</p> + +<p>There was a great hubbub outside. Jasper Bram, his son, Greg, and the +officer were all talking together at once. Each was suggesting some +different plan to assail the stout barrier and force a way to the +interior of the old mill. Phil ended the commotion by abruptly removing +the bar to the big elm door, pushing it back, and stepping into the +midst of the attacking party, Andy promptly following him.</p> + +<p>"Where's the other boy?" yelled Jasper Bram, with a ferocious look of +hatred at Phil.</p> + +<p>"This is a pretty serious affair, obstructing the majesty of the law," +began the officer, in his former poll-parrot fashion.</p> + +<p>"Obstructing nothing!" interrupted Andy bluffly. "The door's open, +isn't it? If you're looking for any one, you had better be brisk and +find him."</p> + +<p>"If we don't, we'll remember your share in this affair, young man!" +snarled old Bram venomously.</p> + +<p>"You want to be quick about it, then," retorted Andy spicily. "If I +know anything about it, this town will be too hot to hold Tories of +your stripe before long. Come on, Phil, let them have their turn at the +fun, now."</p> + +<p>The boys proceeded from the spot. As they crossed an old bridge, Phil, +who had kept a sharp lookout all along the river bank, pointed to a +place where some ice-cakes had massed in a sort of crevasse.</p> + +<p>"There's the old cooper's tub, Andy," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Andy complacently, peering, too. "The cover is off, so I +reckon our friend is safe and far on his way to Boston."</p> + +<p>The chums found it pretty hard to dismiss the stirring events of that +eventful day from their minds. After supper they went out to the barn, +and held a mutual discussion over the situation. They decided to tell +everything to Mr. Sabine. Andy called his father out to the barn, and +they had an interested auditor in the "club room," in the hay loft.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sabine rather curiously inspected, opened, and read the letter that +Burt Noble had given Andy. His eyes brightened. Then his face became +thoughtful, and he said:</p> + +<p>"This is a big piece of work, lads. I would like to know that plucky +fellow who has put just the ammunition the cause needs into our hands. +I will have to report this to the citizens' committee at once."</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy prepared to retire to rest at once, for they were tired +out. For a long time, however, they sat on the edge of the bed talking +about Burt Noble, the hidden gunpowder, and the events generally that +seemed to show that they were approaching the crisis of truly-spirited +times.</p> + +<p>Phil's mind was as well taken up with the discovery of the paper band +taken from Jasper Bram's house and bearing the name of his father. +Somehow, this fitted to the remarks concerning "documents," which Mr. +Warrington had hinted Jasper Bram possessed, and which he had said +involved quite a sum of money.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a great story to tell the club, eh, Phil?" remarked Andy. +"Of course, we can't tell about the gunpowder, but—"</p> + +<p>"We'll be dreaming about gunpowder, if you don't turn in!" cried Phil. +"Tumble in, now!" and he threw a pillow at Andy. It struck his active +bed fellow and knocked him flat, but Andy suddenly sprang up.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" he cried sharply, "what was that?"</p> + +<p>Both listened intently, with the echoes of a dull but unusual +explosion in their ears. Andy ran to the window. Phil was equally +excited.</p> + +<p>"A musket shot," he began.</p> + +<p>"Musket shot, nothing!" retorted Andy, with great animation. "That +was a cannon, and nothing else. Why, I know!" and Andy jumped for his +clothes.</p> + +<p>"Know what?" demanded Phil, scrambling likewise into his garments with +the activity of a wide-awake lad aroused by a fire alarm.</p> + +<p>"Old Silas Berks, Phil! Don't you remember what he told us to-day? That +was his cannon we just heard. Can war have been declared—for that was +Old Tom barking!"</p> + +<p>"Sure as you live!" shouted Phil in an extravagant state of excitement, +and both boys dashed downstairs and out of the house.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>OLD BERKS' NEWS</h3> + + +<p>In the rash of the natural excitement of the moment, Phil Warrington +did not realize for some time that they were taking a good deal for +granted. Now, as they reached the street, he checked his speed and that +of his companion with the sharp ejaculation:</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Andy—don't let us start out on a wild goose chase till we +know what we are about."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Come ahead. You heard the old cannon, didn't you? +Well, then, fly!" cried the irrepressible Andy.</p> + +<p>"But we are simply guessing at things, don't you see?" demurred +Phil. "Our heads are so full of old Berks and the rest of our day's +adventures, that we imagine—"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it!" shouted Andy, on fire with enthusiasm. "Think +I don't know the sound of Old Tom? Didn't it come from the right +direction? Didn't he tell us—aha! what do you say now?" cried Andy +with a positive yell.</p> + +<p>In those days Concord was a small, scattered village, nothing more. +Two minutes running had brought the boys to a sparsely tenanted patch +of ground, with the fields and woods just beyond it. Among the distant +timber was a brilliant glow. It flashed up, died down, and then flashed +up again.</p> + +<p>Phil was impressed with the sight, for his quick eye discerned that the +strange glow was in the precise direction of the queer old stockade +inhabited by Silas Berks, in fact, the radiance seemed to indicate the +exact location of the home of the eccentric old Indian fighter.</p> + +<p>No one else in the town seemed aroused as were the boys. They had a +lonely dash of it across the river, through a fringe of underbrush, up +a rise, and through the trees just beyond the Bram homestead where they +could see the flames through the forest.</p> + +<p>"It's Berks' place, right enough!" declared Andy.</p> + +<p>"And he has fired the cannon to call for help," suggested Phil.</p> + +<p>In about five minutes the boys were descending the last hill their side +of the old hut. That structure, brightly illuminated, was now in full +view. The hut was not on fire at all, but just outside of the stockade +a big haystack was blazing up.</p> + +<p>"No danger of the house," said Phil. "I wonder how it caught on fire?"</p> + +<p>There was a light in the hut as they dashed up to it, and a great +uproar emanated from inside. The parrot was screaming and the doves and +chickens flitting about, and two watch dogs were filling the air with +manifold barkings. The sound of a cracked old bugle mingled with the +general uproar.</p> + +<p>Andy gave the door a push. It was not locked it seemed on the inside, +and it flew open readily.</p> + +<p>"It's us, Mr. Berks," cried Andy, staring at the object of his anxiety.</p> + +<p>Silas Berks lay stretched out on a bed, his face red and perspiring. He +was blowing upon an old brass military bugle with all the power of his +lungs. He removed the mouthpiece from his lips as the boys made their +appearance.</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" he piped. "Say, what's on fire outside?"</p> + +<p>"A haystack," explained Andy. "It can't do any further damage, it's +burned out."</p> + +<p>"Lighted wad from the cannon must have done that," said Silas. "Too +bad—but it's worth the money now you've come."</p> + +<p>"We don't understand it all," said Andy, in a perplexed way. "What has +been happening around here? Was the barking of Old Tom an accident? Why +don't you get up?"</p> + +<p>"Because I can't get up," replied Silas. "I've got a spell—a bad one. +I always get one when I have been over-excited, and I reckon I've had +enough to stir me up this night. You're grand, true boys, you two are. +Remember what I told you, when Old Tom barked, hey? Well, I made him +bark. It's cost me my haystack, but cheap at the price, yes, sir! cheap +at the price."</p> + +<p>The old soldier's eyes snapped as he spoke at first, but the words +finally died down to a faint, droning sound. His eyes closed, and he +acted like a person who had sunk into a sudden stupor.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Berks! Mr. Berks!" called Andy in some alarm, hurrying to the side +of the bed and seizing and shaking the arm of the old soldier. Berks +smiled stupidly and muttered some incoherent words, but he did not open +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"What shall we do, Phil?" inquired Andy quite anxiously. "He certainly +is ill."</p> + +<p>"But he does not seem to be suffering," said Phil. "You know he spoke +of a spell. Leave him alone for a few minutes and see if he doesn't get +better. I'll go and look after the burning haystack."</p> + +<p>Phil found a heap of burning cinders. There was no danger of fire +spreading, and he returned to the cabin, to be greeted with the +animated remark of the parrot.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for liberty!"</p> + +<p>That familiar cry aroused old Silas. He opened his eyes and smiled at +the parrot and the boys. Then he said.</p> + +<p>"Andy, lad, go to the old cupboard yonder there, will you, and bring me +a bottle of medicine you'll find on the middle shelf."</p> + +<p>Andy found that bottle, and Old Silas drank some of its contents. It +seemed to do him good. He managed to sit up in bed, but not without +considerable wincing, as if the operation caused him some pain, and he +did not attempt to get out of the bed.</p> + +<p>"Don't look worried, lads," he said, in his usual cheery, piping tone. +"I'm simply laid up as a bad lumbago patient for a few hours. As I told +you, when I allow myself to get excited and move around too briskly, it +upsets me and seems to affect a wound I got in an Indian skirmish years +ago. It's a nerve weakness, I guess, and takes me in the limbs. I'll +be well again tomorrow. Front face, now! and Attention, company! I got +some news to-night."</p> + +<p>"From Boston?" inquired Andy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That's right, lad, from headquarters,—from the seat of war. I've got +a very good friend busy in the cause there. He sent home one of my +pigeons to-night. It brought me a message."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Berks! what was it?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"Something very important. I bustled around to get my old nag hitched +up to go to town to carry the news to your father or some other good +member of the committee, when I felt my spell coming on. I had just +strength enough to fire off Old Tom, trusting to chance that some one +would hear the report and come up here."</p> + +<p>"Was it important news, Mr. Berks?" inquired Phil, thinking of his +native city and the folks at home.</p> + +<p>"It is, lad," answered the old Indian fighter. "There's a big plot +afoot with the Britishers to squelch the patriots, and I've got wind of +the first section of it."</p> + +<p>"Say, tell us about it," urged the impetuous Andy.</p> + +<p>"Because I know you to be two good, loyal boys, and because you must be +the bearers of a very important message for the good of your country, I +will," said Silas. "You know that the provincial Congress met here at +Concord only a few days ago."</p> + +<p>Both boys nodded. The Congress had been an important and decisive step +with the colonists. Many noted patriots had been present, and the event +had been of great interest to the Sabine family, for its head had been +one of the leaders in the convention.</p> + +<p>"Very well," continued Silas, "the reports of defiance—the +determination of the convention—reached Gen. Gage in Boston. According +to my message from my friends there, the Britishers decided that the +iron was hot, and that now was the time to strike. Warren, Adams and +Hancock were the leading spirits at the Congress. Gen. Gage has decided +to arrest them the hour they set foot in Boston again, send them aboard +a British man-of-war, and ship them to England to be tried for treason. +They hope to crush out the spirit of the masses by taking away their +leaders and hanging them."</p> + +<p>"But they can't do that!" cried Andy indignantly. "It's against the +law. It's piracy. It's—it's—"</p> + +<p>"They mustn't be allowed to do it," interrupted Silas gravely. "You +boys must get back to town at once. Tell your father, Andy, what I've +told you. Warren, Adams and Hancock have left Concord, but I understand +they were going to make the journey to Boston by stages, taking time to +consult militia leaders at the various towns. Tell your father to send +a messenger at once after them, and warn them under no circumstances to +return to Boston, as a plot is on foot to arrest them."</p> + +<p>"We'll do it, Mr. Berks,—we'll be off like a shot!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"If we can do anything for you to make you more comfortable—" began +Phil.</p> + +<p>"I'll be right as a trivet in the morning," declared the staunch old +soldier. "Just shut the door tight, and see that the haystack fire is +out, and don't lose any time with that message."</p> + +<p>"My," exclaimed Andy, as he and Phil cleared the doorway on a bound, +"this is just like going off to the war!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>THE ROAD TO BOSTON</h3> + + +<p>"Phil, it doesn't seem real!"</p> + +<p>"It seems only too real to me, Andy."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I mean that it appears all like a dream."</p> + +<p>"It's a dream we'll have to keep awake in, if things are as serious as +your father thinks," said Phil Warrington.</p> + +<p>It was pitch dark, two o'clock in the morning, and the situation was +so strongly in contrast with the usual midnight hours spent in sound, +healthy sleep under a hospitable roof, that Andy Sabine might well +think it all had a decidedly dreamy and unreal aspect.</p> + +<p>Four hours previous, Phil and Andy had rushed into the home of the +latter in Concord breathless, excited and full to the brim of the +mystery and importance of the message intrusted to them by the old +Indian lighter, Silas Berks.</p> + +<p>They had to arouse Andy's father, for they found him in bed. When +Andy in a hushed, impressive voice recited the latest adventure of the +night, Mr. Sabine acted very much aroused and serious.</p> + +<p>"This is a matter of grave import, boys," said the sterling patriot. +"I believe in Silas Berks. He is a true-souled man, and his message +fits in with information we had already received. We felt sure +that Gen. Gage and his minions were on the point of making some +demonstration—underhanded as usual—to break up the Sons of Liberty +and the Minute Men. Old Silas has given us a valuable hint. It is +important, indeed, that Dr. Warren and his friends should be warned of +their danger. Let me think for a moment."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sabine paced the floor for some time, plunged in deep meditation. +He seemed to be turning the situation over in his mind thoroughly.</p> + +<p>"I would go on this mission myself," he said at last, "only that I +have arranged to visit some towns north of here in the interests of +our Congress. It is late, yet not a minute should be lost. Dr. Warren +and his friends were to visit Manchester first, then Merrimack, and +then in turn the various towns on the old Boston stage line. I am sure, +according to their plans, they would not reach Boston for some days to +come, but might change their programme and run their head right into +the noose. They must be reached, but how?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you, Mr. Sabine," spoke up Phil, promptly and respectfully. +"I am anxious to go on this mission and would have to leave Concord +in a day or two, anyhow. There is no stage coach until Thursday +for Boston. If I could arrange for a horse, I could start off +to-night,—this very hour,—after Dr. Warren. I could keep on until I +overtook the doctor, don't you see?"</p> + +<p>"You're a plucky, loyal lad, Phil," said Mr. Sabine warmly, "only—"</p> + +<p>"Father, let me go to, too!" broke in Andy eagerly, "let me go with +Phil. I've just been dying to really do something. Please let me go, +father!"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," answered Mr. Sabine, and that seemed to end it. But +it did not, for a discussion of nearly an hour's duration followed. +At the end of it, the triumphant Andy was aglow with enthusiasm and +excitement. Reluctantly Mr. Sabine had agreed to send Phil on the +urgent midnight mission after Dr. Warren and his compatriots and Andy +was to accompany his chum.</p> + +<p>Andy left a message of direction for his club mates, and arranged that +some one should see in the morning that Silas Berks was all right. It +was also decided how they should leave his father's two horses, that +they were to ride, to be sent back from whatever town they found Dr. +Warren at, and continue the journey to Boston on fresh-hired steeds, by +stage coach, or part of the way on foot, if they so desired.</p> + +<p>An hour saw them mounted, and bidding Mr. Sabine a subdued good-by in +the stable yard, so they would not disturb the sleepers in the house. +In an hour they were some miles on their route. At two o'clock in the +morning they passed a settlement.</p> + +<p>It was then, traversing a rutty, snow-crusted road, that Andy made the +remark about the unreality of the situation, and now Phil discussed its +merits and their plans freely.</p> + +<p>"It's a nice state of things, when respectable citizens like Dr. Warren +have to hide for their lives and keep away from their friends," he +remarked indignantly.</p> + +<p>"I should say so," replied Andy. "Oh, this thing is going to end in a +fight, and soon, too. Everybody is ready for it."</p> + +<p>Daybreak brought them to a second little settlement, where they found a +farmer milking his cows. They arranged for breakfast here, and slept +two hours in a hay mow while the horses were fed and rested. They +resumed the journey, had another rest at Nashua, and here learned that +Dr. Warren and his friends had been there three days before and could +probably be found at Lowell.</p> + +<p>It was dark the next afternoon when the tired-out horses and the +tired-out boy-messengers reached that town. Both Phil and Andy were +glad to stretch their limbs, and it gave them a feeling of comfort to +watch their wearied steeds enjoying their fodder, housed in comfortable +stalls in the stable of the town tavern.</p> + +<p>A good meal for themselves was the next thing in order. After supper +Phil spoke to the landlord of the inn, first in a general way, and +then began questioning him as to the whereabouts of Dr. Warren and his +friends.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Warren is in town," said the landlord. "He has been here two days. +Adams and Hancock were here too, but they left this morning. Dr. Warren +is staying with one of the selectmen, but he has been holding a secret +meeting with some of our townsmen down at the village hall. I think +you'll find him there."</p> + +<p>"Where is the village hall?" inquired Andy, and the landlord directed +them.</p> + +<p>The place was a rudely-built two-story structure. The boys halted in +front of it, to find it dark and locked up. They decided that the +meeting must have adjourned, and started out to locate Dr. Warren +elsewhere. Phil remarked, however:—</p> + +<p>"Being a secret meeting, it may be held at the rear of the place. Wait +for a minute, Andy, and I will make a tour around the building."</p> + +<p>Andy stayed in front of the structure, whistling to himself. He saw +Phil pass along the side of the hall. At the extreme end of the +building, Phil halted suddenly and started back. A man had appeared +from a sheltered doorway, as if he had been lurking there. He seemed +to question Phil. Andy saw his companion draw back. The man seized his +arm, and Phil was pulled violently around the corner of the building, +and entirely beyond the view of the startled Andy.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed Andy in mingled stupefaction and wonder. "Now what +is the meaning of that, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>He ran along the side of the building. He fancied he heard a muffled +shout in Phil's voice, and ran still faster. Very near to the doorway +where the strange man had lurked, Andy halted with a shock.</p> + +<p>"Hey, there!" challenged a sharp though cautious voice from overhead. +"There you are! Get away from here, quick!"</p> + +<p>A vague pair of arms appeared at an open upper window. They dropped a +square package done up in paper. So suddenly did all this come upon the +wonder-stricken Andy, that, before he could catch the package or dodge +its descent, it struck him squarely on the head, and sent him flat.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</h2> +</div> + +<h3>IN THE ENEMY'S HANDS</h3> + + +<p>Something had happened to Phil Warrington as he reached the rear of the +town hall building—something unlooked for, sudden and alarming. His +trusty chum had seen only part of the mishap to Phil. The latter was +now struggling for release from the grasp of a brawny villain.</p> + +<p>Just as Phil had passed the deep doorway at the rear of the building, a +man had stepped from its obscure shadows.</p> + +<p>"Hello! who are you, and what do you want?" he demanded sharply.</p> + +<p>Phil was rather startled by the unexpected appearance and keen manner +of the challenger. He was somewhat embarrassed, too. The first thought +suggested to his mind was that here he had obtruded on the sentinel +guarding a secret conclave within the structure.</p> + +<p>"I was trying to find out if there was a meeting here," said Phil. "I +was looking for Dr. Warren."</p> + +<p>"Eh? Warren? What for?" demanded the stranger.</p> + +<p>"I have a message for him."</p> + +<p>"You have?" cried the man eagerly. "Give it to me! I'll take it to him."</p> + +<p>"No," said Phil, "I will deliver it to him myself."</p> + +<p>At that Phil drew back—rather dodged back. The man had acted eager, +and even had reached out as if to seize Phil. Then, too, the boy +noticed his face more clearly. It was an evil face, and his suspicions +were aroused. He saw that, thrown momentarily off his guard, he had +imparted too much to a stranger, and he turned to retrace his steps +quickly to the street. Then the man reached out and seized his arm +firmly, and forcibly pulling Phil with him, jerked the lad around the +corner of the building, out of the sight of the street and of Andy.</p> + +<p>"Hold on,—stop!" demanded Phil, trying to make a resolute stand.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you to Dr. Warren," cried his rough captor quickly. "It's +only a few steps from here. He's waiting for you. Told me if any +messages came to take 'em, or bring 'em to him. I'm his body-guard, I +am. Hurry up, he'll be anxious to see you."</p> + +<p>The glib, eager fellow had said too much, and Phil at once saw that he +was not telling the truth. Dimly as Phil viewed his face, there was +light enough to show it belonged to a person of unprepossessing, if not +absolutely suspicious, appearance.</p> + +<p>"There is no need of quite crushing my arm, if you are a body-guard +of Dr. Warren," said Phil, trying to draw away from the clutch of the +fellow.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" said the man, tightening his grasp. "You come right +along with me."</p> + +<p>The fellow was powerfully built. He fairly dragged Phil over the +ground. He was making across a vacant space for a hollow in which stood +a dark rambling building, one-story high, and apparently untenanted. +Phil made a desperate struggle, and set up a shout. His captor placed +his free hand over the boy's lips to silence a further outcry.</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" he ejaculated, as Phil sank his teeth deep across his fingers. +The man was viciously irritated. He dealt Phil a fearful blow across +the side of the head with his clenched knuckles. Phil swayed, and +partly lost consciousness. He believed that the man lifted him up +and carried him. At least, in a half-dazed state he felt that he was +helpless, and when he opened his eyes clearly he was lying on a heap +of straw in some kind of a cellar.</p> + +<p>A lantern burned on a barrel. The man who had captured him was talking +to another man, roughly-dressed and fierce-looking. Phil listened.</p> + +<p>"So, I brought him here," said the speaker. "He's got a message for +Warren. It may be important."</p> + +<p>"I'll soon know," the other man. "Did you get the papers yet?"</p> + +<p>"I was waiting for them when this fellow came along."</p> + +<p>"Get right back and get those papers!" directed the other. "They are +what we came to Lowell for, and we mustn't miss them. I'll attend to +this fellow."</p> + +<p>Phil sprang up the minute his original captor left the place. Inside +his hat was a letter to Dr. Warren from Mr. Sabine. He did not know its +contents, yet at all hazards, he was bound to protect its secrecy. He +seized a stool resting on the floor and held it in front of him as a +shield. Thus armed, he made a rush for the door.</p> + +<p>The man laughed, and so nimbly interposed his bulky form that Phil +could not get past him. In fact, spreading out his arms, he began to +drive Phil back towards a corner of the cellar.</p> + +<p>"Got you caged," he chuckled. "Come, young spitfire, it's no use. Give +up what you've got, or it'll be a double-broken head for you!"</p> + +<p>Phil was in a desperate dilemma, and realized it. He suddenly lifted +the stool and flung it at the man. The latter dodged, evaded it, and +advanced for a final swoop on his victim.</p> + +<p>Phil quickly drew out the sealed letter that Mr. Sabine had written +to Dr. Warren. He crumpled it up, planning to stuff it in his mouth +and reduce it to a pulp, if he choked for it. His assailant read his +purpose, and made a great lunge for him. Phil, about to put his project +in execution, suddenly uttered a little cry. Then, staring beyond his +advancing opponent, he raised the hand containing the crumpled letter +and gave it a fling clear over the head of the man, with the sharp +direction:</p> + +<p>"Catch it, Andy, and—bolt!"</p> + +<p>The man came flat up against the wall as Phil ducked, but, reaching out +a frantic arm, tried to seize his coat. Just then a blow from a stick +of wood knocked him to one side. Andy Sabine followed up the attack by +grabbing Phil's arm.</p> + +<p>"Run!" he cried. "I've got the letter. Out of this, before the other +fellow comes back."</p> + +<p>They could hear the baffled cries of the man back in the cellar as +they ran down a damp, dark passageway and up a pair of steps, and out +into the open air.</p> + +<p>"This way," ordered Andy, guiding his friend down into the hollow, +out of it, and, after that, into the street beyond the scene of their +latest adventure. "We want to steer clear of the Town Hall. The other +fellow is back there."</p> + +<p>"Why! how did you find me, Andy?" panted Phil.</p> + +<p>"Saw you all the time, pretty nearly," declared Andy, "but it wasn't +the right thing to put in an appearance until the right minute. I +noticed that fellow grab you, and ran after you. Got knocked down by +this—"</p> + +<p>"What is that, Andy?" inquired Phil, as Andy lifted his coat from the +belt sufficiently to show the edge of some kind of a long, flat package +stuffed in, next to his shirt.</p> + +<p>"Never mind now—tell you soon," replied Andy. "I knew the package was +not intended for me, but I suspicioned something and stowed it away on +general principles. Then I followed you and the man to that cellar. +When he came out, I sneaked in."</p> + +<p>"To some purpose, friend Andy," commented Phil warmly.</p> + +<p>"And now then, to get to the selectman's house and see Dr. Warren."</p> + +<p>A few brief inquiries directed the boys. They were soon knocking at the +door of the home of a Mr. Longworthy in their quest for Dr. Warren.</p> + +<p>A sweet-faced girl attired in neat homespun welcomed them with a +pleasant smile, and making his mission known led them into the best +room of the house. A man sat at a table reading a book.</p> + +<p>"That is Dr. Warren," whispered Phil to Andy, whose heart was beating +fast at the thought of meeting at last the great colonial leader whom +he worshipped as a hero.</p> + +<p>"Two young gentlemen to see you, Dr. Warren," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Why, this is young Warrington," instantly spoke the well-known +patriot, as he arose and shook hands warmly with the Boston boy, whom +he remembered and whose father was a cherished personal friend.</p> + +<p>"This is my chum, Andy Sabine, of Concord, Dr. Warren," introduced Phil.</p> + +<p>"Another good colonial name," said their host, and shook hands also +with Andy, whose finger tips tingled with pride and pleasure. "It seems +to me that you both are pretty far from home."</p> + +<p>"We came purposely to see you, Dr. Warren," said Andy. "Phil has a +letter from my father."</p> + +<p>"I had better explain its crumpled condition," said Phil, after Dr. +Warren had broken the seal and perused the note.</p> + +<p>"In a moment," said Dr. Warren, his face growing grave and perturbed as +he read the missive. "This must be acted on at once," he added, almost +to himself, arising and pacing the floor restlessly. "So they are going +to arrest us, are they? I am thankful for the warning, and Adams and +Hancock must know of this without delay. They have gone on to Brookton. +I can join them there day after tomorrow, but they may take a sudden +impulse to go to Boston. Yes, by all means, they must be speedily +notified."</p> + +<p>"Dr. Warren, we can attend to that for you," spoke up Phil. "We could +leave here before daylight. We need only a little rest for the horses."</p> + +<p>"You are brave, true lads," said Dr. Warren approvingly. "We will think +of this plan you suggest. And about the letter?"</p> + +<p>"Tell him all about everything," urged Andy—"clear back to Burt Noble, +and all that," and then Phil began his graphic story.</p> + +<p>Never was there a more interested listener, Andy thought. The +expressive face of Dr. Warren betrayed many sympathetic emotions as +the narrative continued. Surprise, interest, anxiety, satisfaction in +turn played over his noble features.</p> + +<p>"One month more with such loyal lads as you are and Burt Noble to aid +us elders in our patriotic work," he said, with flashing eyes, "and +neither Gen. Gage nor his hireling navy will be on hand to conspire to +kidnap reputable citizens. You spoke of your friend here being struck +on the head, of the man who captured you. I cannot understand that part +of your story."</p> + +<p>"I can," said Andy abruptly and with considerable excitement, he drew +from under his coat the package he had concealed there, and handed it +to their host.</p> + +<p>Dr. Warren undid the paper covering. His face showed consternation as +he brought to light a blank book with many loose papers between its +leaves.</p> + +<p>"Treachery!" he spoke, his tones rising to the deepest excitement. "I +must see Mr. Longworthy at once, and the others. Lads, remain here till +I return," and taking up his hat and placing the book under his arm he +hastened from the room.</p> + +<p>He was gone nearly an hour. Meantime the selectman's pretty daughter +looked in to see if her guests were comfortable. This led to some +conversation and then an adjournment to the kitchen, and the boys +had just finished a feast on some prime hickory nuts and some rare, +rosy-cheeked apples, when Dr. Warren returned with the selectman and +several others.</p> + +<p>These held a long conversation in the best room. It was an hour later +when Dr. Warren came out to the boys.</p> + +<p>"You have done us a great service, lads," he said. "The book and papers +thrown from the upper story of the town hall comprise the secret +records of the Sons of Liberty, a dangerous document for us, in the +hands of the enemy. It seems that the man in charge of the hall is a +traitor, and had agreed for a bribe to give the record to emissaries of +the British, who have mysteriously disappeared. We don't know how to +thank you for all you have done for the cause. It seems hardly right to +ask you to hasten on your mission, to reach Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock +and warn them of their intended arrest.</p> + +<p>"We'll be only too glad, won't we Phil?" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>Definite arrangements were made and detailed instructions given to the +boys. They were warned to look out for British spies.</p> + +<p>At earliest daylight, Phil and Andy, mounted on their refreshed steeds +set off to continue their dangerous but necessary mission.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</h2> +</div> + +<h3>LOST</h3> + + +<p>"Phil, I'm clear tuckered out."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that, Andy."</p> + +<p>"I do say it, and I mean it, too," declared Andy Sabine in a vehement +tone. "Whew! roar ye winds, and blow ye tempests, blow! I'm chock-full +of snow. Oh! it's great to be a hero on a smooth road in fine weather, +but this—. I wish I was back in Concord."</p> + +<p>"Why not Boston? so brace up and get there!" cried Phil doughtily. +"Leave the reins alone, Andy, we've got to a pass where horse sense is +better than human sense. If old Dobbin's instinct can't direct us to a +harbor of safety and a haven of rest,—well, we've just got to stand +it, that's all."</p> + +<p>It was three days after the boys had met Dr. Warren. Both mounted on +one horse slowly, tediously traversing a dreary solitude amid snow at +some places two feet deep, surrounded by black, tempestuous night, +Phil and Andy realized what it was to be lost in a gloomy New England +forest.</p> + +<p>Everything "had gone just lovely!" Andy had declared only that morning +when they had left Brookton in gay, hopeful spirits. Without mar or +adventure they had executed their mission for Dr. Warren. They had +taken his message to Adams and Hancock, had been praised and rewarded +by those two sterling patriots, had sent the two horses belonging to +Mr. Sabine home and had started for Boston mounted on the only horse +they were able to hire.</p> + +<p>They had taken turns ambling along on the slow-paced old nag. Then as +night came on and a blinding snow storm set in, they had gotten off the +road in some way, and now knew they were lost in a vast gloomy forest, +far from any human habitation.</p> + +<p>The horse steaming, panting, and his head bent low, was plowing his way +forward. Phil called a halt. He got as much shelter as some fir trees +afforded, and spreading out a blanket placed nearly the last of their +oats before the tired animal. Then he and Andy divided some bread and +cheese they had bought in the last town visited.</p> + +<p>Andy suggested that they try and make a lean-to, or some temporary +shelter for themselves and the horse, and wait until the storm abated, +but Phil demurred to this.</p> + +<p>"We'd be snowed under and half-frozen to death," he remarked. "No, +Andy, we must keep on the move. Even old Dobbin, tired out as he is, +says that."</p> + +<p>"How does he say it?" inquired Andy curiously.</p> + +<p>"Watch him move about restlessly, and sniff and head south as if he +realized we mustn't stand still, and as if knew that some habitation or +town is ahead. I reckon we'll trust to horse sense, Andy, and see what +it brings us to."</p> + +<p>After a spell the two youths got themselves in as comfortable a +position as was possible on the single saddle. Phil kept hold of the +reins, but he did not attempt to guide the horse. That intelligent +animal made slow but sure-footed progress. The snow was falling heavily +and swirling all about them. The boys spread the blanket over them. It +served as a tent shelter for themselves and as a partial covering for +the horse.</p> + +<p>"That's a good deal warmer," said Andy. "I hope the old horse doesn't +give out. I never saw such a night, Phil!"</p> + +<p>They conversed casually for some time. Then there was a lapse to +silence. Phil felt Andy lean up against him, breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>"He's asleep, poor fellow," soliloquized Phil. "I'm drowsy myself. This +will be an experience to talk about, I'm thinking. This tent of ours is +getting a pretty heavy roof, it seems to me."</p> + +<p>Phil shook the blanket and dislodged some of the snow that had gathered +there. Then he settled down to make the most of an unpleasant and +dubious situation. The blanket shut out the cold. The faithful horse +seemed to need no guidance, and Phil dozed away before he was aware of +it.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" was his waking exclamation, how long afterwards he could not +estimate. "Why the horse has stopped, and—what's that?"</p> + +<p>A dull crash greeted Phil's ears. Instantly he roused up, threw the +blanket off, and tried to make out where he was and what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a house," said Phil—"we are bolt up against it and the +horse has nosed in a window. Andy! Andy!" he shouted, shaking his +companion violently. "We've arrived—somewhere."</p> + +<p>Andy was quickly aroused, and both boys were actively wide-awake in an +instant. They slipped from the horse, to land to the knees in snow. +The horse had poked his nose through the window he had broken and was +sniffing, as if inhaling warmth.</p> + +<p>The house, which occupied a clearing, was built of logs and had a +shed behind it. Phil wandered around to the front of the place. He +knocked loudly at the door several times, then he shouted. There was no +response, and he lifted and rattled the latch. To his surprise the door +gave and opened inwards.</p> + +<p>A pleasant breath of warm air was wafted across to Phil's face. It +gave him a sense of comfort to step out of the cold and storm. In an +old-fashioned fireplace there was a glow of half-burned out embers. +Phil peered around the room, which contained several rude articles of +furniture, but he could not detect the presence of any other human +being besides himself.</p> + +<p>"Funny," mused the boy. "I've made noise enough to arouse a troop. +There doesn't appear to be anybody about the place. Andy! I say, Andy!" +he called out, through the open doorway. "Come in here for a minute, +will you?"</p> + +<p>Andy entered, shaking the snow from his clothing, pleased and excited +at reaching a place of shelter, but fully as much surprised as Phil +at finding no one in the house. There was a candle on the table, and +Phil lit this. He pushed open a rear door, which led into the shed +extension he had noticed from the outside. The lower portion of the +house comprised only one room. There was a ladder running to a scuttle +in the ceiling. Phil took the candle and ascended this ladder.</p> + +<p>"No one up here. Only a garret with a few old traps in it," he reported +to Andy, descending again. "Now, Andy, what do you think of all this?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think," said Andy. "There is a fire, the place +looks and feels as if it had a regular tenant, out of the way, desolate +locality as it is, but where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll wait his return," said Phil accommodatingly. "The most +cross-grained old hermit in the world wouldn't refuse shelter to man +or beast on such a wild night as this is. We must attend to the horse, +too. Faithful old fellow! he's done his duty well by us."</p> + +<p>Phil went outside, to find that the horse had strolled around to the +shed. The intelligent animal had nosed open its door partly. Phil +pulled it clear back with some difficulty, for the snow was very deep. +Then he led the horse in. Andy had opened the door leading from the +house, illuminating the shed.</p> + +<p>The place had a quantity of hay in it, and evidently had been used as +a stable on former occasions. It held also some split cord wood. Phil +blanketed the horse and carried an armful of the wood into the house, +replenishing the fire.</p> + +<p>"This is comfort all around," he observed with satisfaction, as the +fire blazed up.</p> + +<p>"Yes," asserted Andy, trying to fix the pane of glass that the horse +had broken, so the snow would not drift in. "Tell you one thing, +though," he added.</p> + +<p>"What's that, Andy."</p> + +<p>"This is a queer old place in the wilderness. There isn't the sign of +bed or food here, no cooking utensils, nothing but wood and hay. Isn't +it funny?"</p> + +<p>"It is queer, Andy," answered Phil. "It looks as if this was a place +that people stayed in once in a while, but didn't exactly live here."</p> + +<p>"Well!" cried Andy, as he happened to bump against the small table that +stood in the center of the room. Its cover rattled off onto the floor. +"Hello!" he added in surprise, as he went to pick up the loosened +cover, and observed its reverse side. "I say, Phil Warrington, here is +mystery on top of mystery!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>CLOSE QUARTERS</h3> + + +<p>"What now?" inquired Phil.</p> + +<p>"Look for yourself," cried his companion. "House without an owner, +ready made fire to order, table with reversible top. What next, I +wonder! Why, just that—look."</p> + +<p>Andy took up the board from the floor and placed it wrong side up on +the table frame. Then both boys stood staring down at it most curiously.</p> + +<p>Tacked to the surface was a large sheet of paper. It seemed to be a +map. There was a coast line and various stars and dots which seemed to +indicate especial points, like cities or towns.</p> + +<p>"Why," said Phil slowly, "this looks to me like a map of the state +north of Boston. Here's Boston, here's Lowell and Salem,—in fact all +the towns grouped around Boston to the north. Queer, isn't it, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so. See, here's something more."</p> + +<p>Andy with his finger nail poked out a small folded paper slip from +between tacks which held down the map. He opened this. It was in +pencil writing, and it read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"Report from Storm Cove. Goods can be landed. Straight man will answer +signal from the ship."</p> +</div> + +<p>"What does this mean, Phil?" inquired Andy, speculative and serious. +"It sounds like smuggling, but what the map and the letter are doing +in this out of the way place, bless me if I can understand!" and Andy +rubbed his head in perplexity.</p> + +<p>Phil did not reply at once, for his eye, wandering reflectively, had +lit on some scraps of paper lying on the hearth, just disclosed as +his feet accidentally disturbed a piece of firewood. He stooped and +gathered up these fragments with the remark:</p> + +<p>"Some one has been tearing up a letter. These pieces may tell us +something."</p> + +<p>For fully half-an-hour Phil and Andy tried to piece the paper fragments +together, but this they found they could not accomplish, as a part of +the torn-up document had evidently been burned in the fire. Many times, +however, they deciphered the names of "Gen. Gage," "Boston," "rebels," +"spies," and the like.</p> + +<p>"There is one thing certain," declared Phil finally, "some one in the +interest of the British has been in this house. If I ventured a guess, +I would say that this is a sort of rendezvous for emissaries of the +British. They may make this lonely spot a place to meet and report, +exchange notes and receive instructions."</p> + +<p>"If that's so," cried Andy excitedly, "at any moment a whole nest of +Tories may come pouncing down on us!"</p> + +<p>"That's right, Andy," assented Phil. "Whether or not, though, we can't +go back out into the storm, and I doubt if anybody is anxious to tramp +through two feet of snow to this place. We had better try and get a +little sleep, hoping it will clear up in the morning."</p> + +<p>"All right," acceded Andy willingly, with a tired yawn. "I declare, my +head aches with all these adventures and mysteries we are running into!"</p> + +<p>They took off their coats and shoes and placed them near the fireplace +to dry. Then, each arranging a wooden pillow, they got as near as they +could within the circle of warmth, and soon dozed into comfort and rest.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining through the south window of the house when Phil +awoke and stirred Andy. Phil went into the shed, gave the horse a few +oats he found at the bottom of their provender bag, and returned to the +room with a little package containing some bread and cheese.</p> + +<p>"That's just an appetizer," observed Andy, smacking his lips over the +light lunch. "Let's get on our way, Phil. I've got to reach a breakfast +of some sort soon. We can't be very far from some traveled road. What +is it, Phil?" he inquired as his companion, at the window, peering out, +uttered a sharp ejaculation, and shook the sash to knock off some snow +on its outside so that he could look out more clearly.</p> + +<p>"Andy," answered Phil quickly, "some one is coming!"</p> + +<p>"Coming here?" exclaimed Andy, springing to the side of his comrade. +"Two men!"</p> + +<p>"I know them both," cried Phil. "Andy, sure as you live, those are the +two men we had the trouble with near the town hall at Lowell."</p> + +<p>"We're in for it," said Andy, dreadfully excited. "They have followed +us here."</p> + +<p>"Scarcely," dissented the more level-headed Phil. "Their coming here is +of course an accident so far as we are concerned."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right," said Andy. "It shows one guess correct, though. +This is a rendezvous for the Britishers. Why wouldn't they come here? +Now what are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>Phil could not readily reply. They stood watching the two men plowing +through the snow at some distance. There was no question with Phil but +that they were the same persons with whom he had experienced trouble at +Lowell.</p> + +<p>"Get back from the window, Andy," directed the Boston boy. "They may +see us."</p> + +<p>"Suppose they do? They are bound to, sooner or later, aren't they?" +demanded his chum.</p> + +<p>"Well, we needn't invite our fate until it is closer upon us," +philosophically observed Phil. "That's our chance," he continued. "Grab +up your coat and shoes and bolt with me, Andy."</p> + +<p>Phil had run for the ladder leading to the attic. Andy followed him +quickly. Once in the low loft overhead, Phil replaced the ceiling +scuttle carefully. Andy crept away from it.</p> + +<p>"I say," he observed, "go slow. The beams are about six feet apart. The +covering is only strips of tan bark, and they sag like slippery elm."</p> + +<p>"Steady, Andy, get directly over a beam as near as you can."</p> + +<p>"I'm fixed," reported Andy.</p> + +<p>Phil posted himself several feet away from Andy, so that their weight +would not be bulked. He was a trifle uneasy. They knew nothing as +to the plans or dispositions of the men they had seen at Lowell and +now approaching the hut. It seemed impossible that they would not be +discovered if the new visitors remained any length of time.</p> + +<p>The way the tan bark bent and rustled and sifted down into the room +below startled Phil. There were a dozen breaks in the flooring, and +Phil could easily keep the door in sight. Upon this he fixed his eyes, +expectantly and anxiously.</p> + +<p>A moment or two later the door was pushed open. There was a prodigious +stamping of feet, and the sounds of heavy, tired breathing.</p> + +<p>"Thunder!" exclaimed one voice—"that was a hard tramp."</p> + +<p>"Yes," echoed the other. "If royal old King George don't pay us well +for this bit of work, we'll sell out to the enemy!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A NEST OF TORIES</h3> + + +<p>"Hush!" whispered Phil warningly to Andy.</p> + +<p>The latter was all a-quiver over the intense situation.</p> + +<p>"Humph," muttered Andy. "I never could keep still and, balancing on +this sharp beam, I'm worse than ever. My, those are two tough-looking +fellows."</p> + +<p>The men came stamping into the room, puffing and panting from their +exertion in the deep snow. They indulged in some casual conversation +about their journey and their satisfaction on reaching warmth and rest. +They kicked off their overboots and sat down near the fire.</p> + +<p>Phil instantly recognized one of the men as the fellow who had held +him a prisoner near by the town hall in Lowell and the other as his +original captor. Listening to the talk he learned that the former was +named Peters, the latter Swithins.</p> + +<p>Peters rested for a minute, then went over to the table to inspect the +map tacked to it. He took up and read the note which Phil and Andy had +already perused.</p> + +<p>"Balfour has been here, Swithins," he reported. "He gives us a point to +report and act on at once."</p> + +<p>"What's that, Peters?" inquired the other man.</p> + +<p>"Storm Cove. It seems he has arranged, and the boat will be met on +signal by a true-blue. Some of the others have been here, too, it +seems, according to the dots and crosses on the map."</p> + +<p>"Good thing," commended Swithins. "Our bad break at Lowell was pretty +discouraging. We can get square, though, by reaching the <i>Vixen</i> and +rushing the landing through at Storm Cove."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get my hands on the fellow who knocked me down in the +cellar," growled Peters, gritting his teeth savagely. "Those papers +would have been a great haul. Besides, it's gotten the fellow in +trouble who sold us the documents. It was a bad mess."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we missed finding out the message that boy had for Dr. +Warren. It might have been something of vast importance to Gen. Gage, +for, while we think we are doing great things, planting our supplies +to make a vigorous raid through the colonies, trust me, those fellows, +Warren, Adams and Hancock, aren't letting the grass grow under their +feet."</p> + +<p>"Oh, those two gritty boys were certainly spies, and no mistake," +declared Peters.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the programme?"</p> + +<p>"We'll rest a bit, put for the coast, hail the <i>Vixen</i> and get aboard. +Then we will either go to Boston and report to headquarters, or, if so +ordered, stay on the warship and help land these goods at Storm Cove."</p> + +<p>"S—st!" again warned Phil. Andy had rustled about. Phil could readily +guess the mental disquiet of his excitable friend. He surmised how +intensely Andy was realizing that they had happened upon "a nest of +Tories." Andy was naturally as brave as a lion, but he could not endure +suspense. Phil was a good deal worried, for every time Andy rustled +about particles of the tan bark dropped into the room below.</p> + +<p>The Boston boy became very serious as he understood plainly that the +affairs in which they were now mixed up were of the gravest import. +The life of the colonies depended on knowing all that was possible +about the plans of the Tories. Should the so-called "rebel" leaders be +imprisoned, or the secrets of the Sons of Liberty and the Minute Men +become known to Gen. Gage, it would weaken the patriot cause very much.</p> + +<p>"The Britishers have had their spies everywhere," reflected Phil. "They +have a regular organization of that class, and these men are at the +head of it. They intend to land something at Storm Cove. We shall have +a good deal to tell our friends when we reach Boston. Oh, the mischief!"</p> + +<p>Peters and Swithins had settled themselves comfortably. The latter had +taken out a small blank book to consult, and Phil was looking for some +further secret developments when Peters jumped to his feet with a start.</p> + +<p>"I say!" he cried, "what was that?"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" uttered Andy recklessly.</p> + +<p>"I guess we're in for it now," Phil told himself.</p> + +<p>"Why, that was a horse's neigh," exclaimed Swithins, also arising to +his feet. "Whose horse? What is he doing here?"</p> + +<p>His partner had pulled open the shed door. He looked sharply at hungry +old Dobbin, calling for oats. He retreated into the room, perplexed and +suspicious.</p> + +<p>"Don't like the look of things," he observed. "What's that, another +horse up in the loft?" he cried suddenly.</p> + +<p>"You've done it!" groaned Phil audibly.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I have!" gasped Andy.</p> + +<p>He had slipped off the beam, bending a piece of tan bark till it +cracked in two. A piece of it had fallen on the head of the staring +Peters. Now there was a gap in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Some one up there," declared Swithins convincedly.</p> + +<p>"Come down, you!" shouted Peters.</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy did not respond.</p> + +<p>"Come down, I say! You want this?"</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang! Peters had pulled out his pistol, and two bullets, in quick +succession, scattered the tan bark.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A SERIOUS DILEMMA</h3> + + +<p>"Hold on, I'm coming!" cried Andy quickly. He was, indeed, falling +clear off the beam. He started a descent, grabbed at a dangling strip +of tan bark, and dropped from its end dismayed and disordered looking. +Some loose bark, debris, shoes, a cap and his coat rained down after +him.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, anyhow?" demanded Swithins, striking an attitude of +astonishment mingled with suspicion, and staring sharply at the lad.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" cried Peters, with a dark scowl. "Ask me. I know. He's the +boy who fetched me that blow back at the old cellar in Lowell."</p> + +<p>"What!" shouted Swithins, fairly bristling with suspicion.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I saw him as he ran. Where's the other? Where is he, I say?" +demanded the fellow, advancing menacingly upon Andy. "Who else is up in +that garret?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you see I'm alone?" inquired Andy doughtily, standing his +ground and shielding his companion.</p> + +<p>"Alone, eh?" sneered Peters, pointing to the mass of debris at Andy's +feet. "One boy don't wear three shoes, does he?"</p> + +<p>Andy saw it was no use trying to shield his comrade, for his own shoes +and one belonging to Phil lay at his feet. The man Peters made a jump +for the ladder and ascended it rapidly. With his shoulder he thrust +open the scuttle, stuck in his pistol, and yelled:</p> + +<p>"This way and out of there, or I'll put this Tory bullet in your rebel +hide!"</p> + +<p>Phil crept over the beams and a minute later stood in the room below. +Peters eyed him with a wicked look as he reloaded his pistol. Swithins +thrust both of the boys into the corner near the chimney, and seating +himself viewed them with a threatening eye.</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Peters," he remarked. "No accidental meeting that with +these fellows back at Lowell, message for Dr. Warren, planted here at +our rendezvous. Regular spies, take my word for it—regular spies. Now +then, what brought you to this place?"</p> + +<p>"Just happened here," declared Andy airily.</p> + +<p>"Tell that to the marines. Search them, Peters. Then we'll consider +this case a little closer."</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy were forced to submit to the rough handling by Peters. +The man emptied their pockets, inspecting their miscellaneous +belongings critically.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" he remarked, as he found Andy's full name scratched on the +German silver of his pocket knife.</p> + +<p>"Aha!" he added, as he glanced at the inside cover of Phil's memorandum +book. "Swithins, this is a real catch. Now then, you two in turn answer +the questions of this here court martial, or it will be the worse for +you."</p> + +<p>"What makes it a court martial, if I may ask?" demanded Andy coolly.</p> + +<p>"Spying!" shouted Peters, with emphasis and a grewsome leer. "A spy is +a hanged man when he is caught."</p> + +<p>"Sort of spies trying spies, eh?" laughed Andy irrepressibly. "Go +on—you're joking!"</p> + +<p>"Your name is Sabine," said the man. "Swithins, this boy must be the +son of the rank agitator we've got on our Concord list."</p> + +<p>"Right enough," responded Andy with pride, "if you mean the kind of +agitator who has over two hundred armed patriots at his call the minute +a redcoat sticks his nose out of Boston Town."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't get me wrathy, with all your bold sauce, young +jackanapes," chuckled Peters. "You won't crow so loud, my young bantam, +when they come to wring your neck for this smart spy act of yours. It's +all right," he added to his companion. "T'other one is Warrington. He's +a son of that rich merchant in Boston who wouldn't sell our people +supplies. Why, this catch is almost as good as Warren himself. I think +Gage will know how to handle things with sons of two rebel leaders as +prisoners."</p> + +<p>"Yes," observed Swithins, with a calculating expression in his eye, +"and I fancy those two old rebels would pay a fancy price to ransom +these boys. Come here, I've a private word for your ear."</p> + +<p>The two men went to a remote corner of the room and indulged in a +serious, low-toned conversation. Phil caught an occasional word, such +as "rebels," "spies," "confess," "ransom," "the ship <i>Vixen</i>," and the +like. It was easy to surmise the plan of the two men. They intended to +make capital out of their capture in some way.</p> + +<p>Peters finally approached the boys, his reloaded pistol in one hand, +while Swithins, as if by concerted arrangement, went out into the shed. +The former tried to impress and scare the boys by trying to appear +dangerous, but Phil and Andy only looked tranquilly interested.</p> + +<p>"I pronounce you two, prisoners of his royal majesty, King George," +observed Peters grandiloquently, and with a swagger.</p> + +<p>"That sounds real big," observed Andy.</p> + +<p>"We have decided to turn you over to the government, as you are spies," +continued Peters, "and as such by the law of nations are placed in the +desperate cat—cata—"</p> + +<p>"Catalogue," prompted Andy recklessly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, catalogue. No, no," dissented the speaker with a +scowl—"gory,—category. We shall shoot at first attempt to escape."</p> + +<p>"All right," piped Andy cheerily. "You are having all the fun just now, +but when the real trouble begins, somebody will be looking hard for us +and—you."</p> + +<p>Phil had not spoken. He was more thoughtful than Andy. He did not for a +moment believe that they were in any serious danger. They might be kept +for a time in the hands of these men, but when they found there was +nothing of importance to be learned they would be set free.</p> + +<p>For all this Phil very gravely realized that things were working along +the line of war, as Old Silas Berks had said. Every step in their +recent progress, Phil discerned, showed more and more clearly that a +crisis was near. It needed but a spark to set the whole country aflame. +They had helped in their humble way, he and Andy, to upset some of the +plans of the British. He hoped that their further possible usefulness +might be tested when the war broke out.</p> + +<p>It was about an hour later when Peters and Swithins perfected their +plans as to their captives. They strapped Phil and Andy on to old +Dobbin. They left a letter under the map for some confederate who was +expected to arrive at the lonely hut later.</p> + +<p>Then, Swithins leading the horse, Peters walking behind, a pistol +handle sticking out of either side of his belt, the party proceeded on +their journey through the snow drifts.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</h2> +</div> + +<h3>ON BOARD THE VIXEN</h3> + + +<p>"Give it up, Phil. You couldn't make it in a hundred years."</p> + +<p>"Never say die, Andy. I shall keep right on trying."</p> + +<p>"Wasting time. We'll never get out of this hole except through the door +that let us in."</p> + +<p>"Then it's the door I'll try next," declared Phil dauntlessly. "I've +managed to dig out all the lead that these window bars are sunk in. +Give me a two-foot bar of iron or a stout oak cudgel, and I'd open the +way to liberty in ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"And what then, Phil? A drop into nobody knows how many fathoms of +water, a shot from the ship if we're seen, a two mile swim. No," and +Andy shook his head decidedly. "We're in a bad box, and we've got to +make the best of it."</p> + +<p>While Phil Warrington talked, he was working with the blade of a big +jackknife at the wooden casing of a barred window at the rear of the +hold of the British man-o'-war, <i>Vixen</i>. Andy lay stretched on a +mattress on the floor, watching his companion.</p> + +<p>It was over two weeks since the young captives had found themselves +afloat. It had taken old Dobbin and Peters and Swithins all of one day +to reach the coast. The two British spies had signaled a ship in the +distance. A yawl put ashore, the old horse was turned loose, and after +a brief row over the fast-darkening waters, Phil and Andy were hoisted +aboard the <i>Vixen</i>. They were immediately conveyed to their present +prison place and locked in.</p> + +<p>The little strong room in the rear hold was an apartment having a heavy +door set in a strong partition and two barred windows about eight feet +above the water mark. Here the boys had remained close captives. An +old mattress comprised their bed. Twice a day a gruff old fellow in a +semi-naval uniform brought them their meals, which consisted of the +ordinary ship fare. The man never addressed them, and they asked him no +questions.</p> + +<p>The lads had seen nothing of either Peters or Swithins until that +morning. The former had been let into the prison room by their jailer +and the door locked behind him. He looked surly and ill at ease, and +Phil decided that he acted like a man who had met with some hitch in +his plans.</p> + +<p>"See here, Warrington," observed Peters, "I don't fancy you care about +taking a trip to England."</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly ask to go," responded the Boston boy.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be on request," growled Peters. "There will be a good many +traitors sent over the water before long."</p> + +<p>"Why, what for?" queried Andy, with an innocent expression of face.</p> + +<p>"King George will answer that when they come to trial," said Peters, in +a tone meant to be very impressive. "They're not likely to come back +again,—that is, if the supply of English gallows trees doesn't give +out. You can grin, you impudent young jackanapes," the man continued +to the undismayed Andy, "but you'll laugh the other side of your mouth +before this affair is done with, I can tell you. Once aboard the +traitor's ship, it means that you took a man's chances in acting the +spy on his majesty's loyal subjects, and you'll have to take a man's +punishment."</p> + +<p>"Like a man, exactly," nodded Andy, quite buoyantly. "All right, +governor—bring along your traitor ship, we aren't afraid, only you've +got something else up your sleeve. You aren't the kind to come +consoling us or scaring us without a purpose."</p> + +<p>"I'm not talking to you," snarled Peters wrathfully, turning his back +on the imperturbable Andy. "See here, Warrington, your folks are a good +deal worried over your absence."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Phil, "but you don't seem disposed to mend the +situation."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am," declared Peters quite eagerly. "That's what I've come for."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what he came for. I told you so," piped Andy airily. "Out +with it, governor."</p> + +<p>"See here, you fellows are pretty young. I've got sons of my own, and +know how it is with boys. My evidence settles your case, so I've been +thinking."</p> + +<p>"He's been thinking!" mimicked Andy. "A penny for your thoughts, +governor."</p> + +<p>"You write a note to your father," plunged on Peters, more rapidly. +"I'll dictate it. You are to say about the awful fix you're in, and all +that. He's to pay a bill for your keep I shall present to him. Well, +say a hundred pounds. Then I'll see that you and your mate here get +home safe. Understand?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't understand," replied Phil simply. "In other words, you +want to exact a ransom from my father. He is in business trouble, he +has no money to waste on such a villainous proposition as you name. He +wouldn't treat with you on principle. I will write no letter to him nor +have anything to do with the affair, on such a basis."</p> + +<p>"You won't, eh?" shouted Peters, fairly wild with chagrin and +disappointment. "Then I'll find a way to make you sweat for it—you see +if I don't!" And with that the Tory flounced out of the room.</p> + +<p>"You see, we are not going to get out of this except by our own +exertions," said Phil, and forthwith set at work on the barred window.</p> + +<p>The <i>Vixen</i> lay at anchor most of the time. She was quite a distance +north of Boston, Phil calculated, and about two miles from the shore. +Twice she had run down the coast in the night and had sent the small +boats ashore, but on each occasion had returned to her present +anchorage.</p> + +<p>Properly speaking, the <i>Vixen</i> did not appear to be a regular war +vessel, but from what they had seen when first brought aboard of +the vessel, the captives decided that she was on armed duty of some +sort. There were several small cannon on the deck, and a drill was in +progress over their heads for an hour each morning.</p> + +<p>Phil found the bars of the hold window sunk through a frame of oak and +imbedded in lead. He managed to dig out all of the lead that anchored +three of the steel bars. This loosened the bars, but he could not force +them out. It was towards late afternoon when he boasted to his less +industrious comrade of how easily they might escape, if they had some +instrument to bend the bars or force them out of place.</p> + +<p>Both boys hurried each to one of the windows in their prison room, as +some unusual commotion on the deck was followed by shouts echoing from +a distance across the waters.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried Andy, peering. "Some kind of a big sailboat is coming to +this vessel. There, she's veered out of range. Wonder what's up, Phil?"</p> + +<p>The shouts grew nearer. The listening boys could trace the apparent +arrival at the side of the ship of the craft they had momentarily +viewed. There were turbulent greetings on the deck. A moment later the +same sailboat fell astern. It was paid out at the end of a rope about a +cable's length, so as to be free of collision with the ship, the rope +was secured somewhere on the deck, and the new arrival floated up and +down at anchorage.</p> + +<p>It was a very large sailboat, and had good breadth of beam and a +sort of storage pit, which seemed to be heavily loaded, and which was +covered by a sheet of canvas battened down at the sides.</p> + +<p>"Wonder what the craft is, anyhow," spoke Andy speculatively.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what is its load?" supplemented Phil. "I say, Andy, I have an +idea."</p> + +<p>"Speak it out, Phil," directed Andy.</p> + +<p>"You know those men, Peters and Swithins, talked a good deal about a +load they were to order delivered at Storm Cove."</p> + +<p>"I remember," nodded Andy.</p> + +<p>"This may be that load," suggested Phil. "Powder to blow up some town? +Arms for some of the traitorous mob in the settlements? Wish I had a +chance to investigate."</p> + +<p>The mysterious craft gave the boys a scheme for speculation for a long +time. There was considerable uproar overhead. About an hour after the +sailboat had arrived, a small yawl put out from the side of the larger +craft, past the rear hold windows. It contained a man and a boy. The +latter was rowing. His back was to the two interested onlookers.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the sailboat, the boy held the yawl steady, while +his companion clambered aboard. He lifted the canvas, secured a small +keg, and placed it in the sailboat.</p> + +<p>"Spirits, I'll bet," said Andy. "They'll have a high time on board +here, I suspect. Oh, my!"</p> + +<p>Andy's whole body gave an excited jerk, his eyes bulged, and he pressed +his eager face close to the bars of the window.</p> + +<p>"Look, Phil," he added, staring at the yawl, now coming back to the +<i>Vixen</i>. "Sure as you live, that boy is our old friend, Burt Noble!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A FRIEND IN NEED</h3> + + +<p>Both Phil and Andy stood breathlessly regarding the lad who had been +the starting point in all their recent, varied adventures. Burt Noble +did not look their way. He appeared more comfortably fed than when they +had last seen him. He seemed at home with his companion. The latter was +of course a Britisher, but that did not disturb Phil or Andy.</p> + +<p>"Back in his old line," observed Andy, as the yawl passed beyond their +range of vision. "Never dreams we're here, does he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," responded Phil. "Burt is a smart boy. He +is in the confidence of the Tories. Why mayn't he have an inkling of +our dilemma? He may not know in exactly what part of the <i>Vixen</i> we +are under lock and key. He may not even know as yet we are aboard at +all, but he'll find out, trust him for that. Andy, I feel someway that +somehow we are going to hear again from Burt Noble soon."</p> + +<p>In the course of the next half-hour there seemed to be quite a +jollification on board of the ship. There was heavy trampling, as if +some persons were dancing, some singing, boisterous shouts, and these +continued less audibly to the boys as all hands apparently adjourned to +the cabin.</p> + +<p>"It's easy to figure it out," said Andy. "That keg of spirits is the +centre of a general jollification. They're all having a gay time. What +a big chance to get away, if we were only through one of those barred +windows, Phil."</p> + +<p>"Yes indeed, Andy. There is probably little discipline on deck just at +this present time."</p> + +<p>About half an hour before dusk the man who brought them their meals was +heard by his captives approaching the door of their prison place. His +gait they could trace was somewhat stumbling. The eyes of the comrades +met, and expressed a mutual thought.</p> + +<p>"Phil, I have half a mind to tackle him and make a rush for it," +whispered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Not this time, Andy, for some one is with him."</p> + +<p>"Too bad—that's so."</p> + +<p>They could hear their jailer speaking. The door was unlocked, the usual +supply of food and water passed in.</p> + +<p>"There's the young rebels," spoke the man.</p> + +<p>"They look pretty desperate, don't they?" said a voice that thrilled +the captives. "Must be sort of lonesome for them to look out of those +windows about dark and see nothing but sky and water."</p> + +<p>"Burt Noble!" exclaimed Andy, as the door was closed and relocked.</p> + +<p>"He's found us," added Phil quite excitedly. "It won't rest there."</p> + +<p>"Say Phil, did you hear his funny remark about looking out of those +windows at dark?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"He meant something by that."</p> + +<p>"We'll take it that way, at any rate," said Phil. "Burt is not the boy +to dream over a chance to help a friend. It won't do for him to forfeit +his position with these Tories for our sake, but, trust me, he will +manage to send some comfort or assistance before he leaves the <i>Vixen</i>."</p> + +<p>Phil had great faith in the smartness and fidelity of their mutual +friend. Andy indulged in all kinds of imaginings as to what shape the +efforts of Burt Noble would take in their behalf. He posted himself at +one of the windows, and Phil did the same at the other.</p> + +<p>It was dusk, and dreary waiting in the hold room. Outside, a cloudy +evening was fast setting in. The sounds of jollity from the cabin of +the <i>Vixen</i> were in sharp contrast to the helpless condition of the two +boys and the cheerless prospect upon which they looked. It had been +warmer for a day or two, but night was setting in chill and murky.</p> + +<p>"Something!" suddenly muttered Andy in a quick and excited gasp, and +Phil saw what it was that attracted his watchful, staring eyes and sent +both arms groping through the window aperture and beyond it.</p> + +<p>From overhead some one—of course Burt Noble—had lowered a string. At +its end dangled a package done up in a towel or a piece of cloth of +some kind. In an instant Andy had seized the swaying parcel, broke it +from the string, and had the package inside the prison room. Quickly he +unrolled the cloth.</p> + +<p>It contained a short iron thwart pin and a heavy blunt-edged chisel. +There was light enough to inspect these, and also to make out some +writing in heavy pencil lines on a rough piece of cardboard:</p> + +<p>"No one on deck, yawl at the side," ran the hasty scrawl. "War will be +on inside of a week. Get to Boston, quick."</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" exulted Andy, on fire with delight. "Burt is a smart boy and +a good friend. Phil, to work."</p> + +<p>Without a word Phil seized the thwart pin. Something that would do +staunch prying duty he had wished for all along, and here it was ready +to his hand. He got a purchase on one bar and then another, already +loosened, and the powerful pressure twisted the lower ends out of their +sockets. Forcing the free ends to one side, the avenue to liberty was +open at last.</p> + +<p>"It's a cold plunge," observed Andy, poking his head through the +window, with a mock shudder of discomfort. "I wonder which side the +yawl is on?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the yawl, Andy," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"Oh,—why not?"</p> + +<p>Phil's eyes were thoughtful as he pointed to the sailboat, a cable's +length in the offing.</p> + +<p>"Andy," he said, "this is a desperate chance we are taking. We may as +well make it complete. Wait ten minutes—by that time it will be dark. +We will swim for the sailboat. We can reach it a good deal less certain +of discovery than if we go fooling around the side for that yawl."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Andy. "Say, can we make it?"</p> + +<p>"Make what?"</p> + +<p>"Get that big craft afloat and manage it. Why, Phil, if we could—I +say, it must be loaded with important military stores. Oh, say! if we +could sneak them away, get them into loyal hands—what an exploit, what +a feather in our cap!"</p> + +<p>"Andy," said Phil steadily, "we are going to try just that."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Phil spoke a single expressive word:</p> + +<p>"Now!"</p> + +<p>And then, one after the other, the two dauntless lads dropped into the +water.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A DASH FOR LIBERTY</h3> + + +<p>Phil floated until he was sure that Andy had landed all right. Then +both struck out for the sailboat, dimly outlined in the night mists at +a short distance. They did not look back, but bent all their energies +towards reaching the sailboat. They clambered aboard of this, out of +breath, dripping, and chilled through. Their first glance was toward +the <i>Vixen</i>.</p> + +<p>"Not seen so far," chattered Andy. "What next, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"Cut the rope," ordered his comrade, passing to Andy the big-bladed +jackknife that had been of such service to him in their prison room. +"I'll see to the sail."</p> + +<p>Phil knew all about a sailboat. He had never handled one so large as +the craft they now seemed to have in their control. He immediately, +however, saw that all he had to do was to raise the big sail and use +caution and judgment in its manipulation.</p> + +<p>The craft gave a sudden jerk. It was caused by the taut cable parting +at the final strand into which Andy had cut. Almost simultaneously Andy +uttered a low, expressive cry.</p> + +<p>"Phil," he gasped, "they're coming!"</p> + +<p>"Who? I see. Get to the tiller, Andy, and simply obey orders."</p> + +<p>Phil did not raise the sail. That near to the <i>Vixen</i>, its wide surface +outspread, would be a prominent object. To his entire satisfaction he +noticed that the sailboat was drifting away from the <i>Vixen</i>.</p> + +<p>Glancing back at the war vessel, Phil discerned what had attracted +Andy's attention. Lights were being prepared near the forecastle, and +descending into the yawl at the side of the ship was a boy bearing a +lantern. A man followed him.</p> + +<p>"Andy," said Phil, "Burt Noble and a sailor are starting out to place a +light on the boat here."</p> + +<p>"And won't find us!" chuckled Andy.</p> + +<p>"I hope they don't even see us. Two minutes more, and they won't be +able to do it. Clever Burt Noble!"</p> + +<p>"Hello! what's happened?" exclaimed Andy, his glance riveted, as was +that of Phil, on the yawl at the side of the <i>Vixen</i>. "The light has +gone out."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Phil. "Burt has accidentally dropped it overboard. He must +know we have escaped, and is causing all the delay he can with the +yawl."</p> + +<p>The sailboat drifted away so rapidly, that by the time a new light was +lowered into the yawl it was a mere speck in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Phil, we've made it!" cried Andy in exultant tones.</p> + +<p>"I fancy we have," acquiesced Phil complacently. "Now then, watch your +knitting, and heave yo! up goes the sail."</p> + +<p>The comrades forgot chilliness and discomfort in a sharp, inspiring run +during the next half-hour. Phil handled the heavy sail superbly, and +Andy obeyed orders promptly. Each felt sure that the friendly darkness +protected them against the possibility of those on the <i>Vixen</i> locating +them, for that night at least.</p> + +<p>They ran down the coast line in a southerly direction, keeping about a +mile from shore and looking out for lights that might indicate another +craft afloat, but met with none of such. As they eased up a little, +Andy called once to his comrade.</p> + +<p>"What's the programme, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"To get this boat fast and sure where those Tories will never be able +to find it again—especially its load."</p> + +<p>"Good! You won't land at Storm Cove, of course."</p> + +<p>"Hardly, seeing we are running south away from it as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>Andy laughed gleefully. The task they were engaged in just suited his +volatile spirits.</p> + +<p>"Imagine what those <i>Vixen</i> fellows will say when they find this boat +gone. Oh, this is a famous adventure, Phil!"</p> + +<p>"We mustn't forget Burt Noble's share in it," observed Phil. "I hope we +meet him soon in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Going to Boston, are we?" queried Andy.</p> + +<p>"That's where we started for, isn't it?" said Phil, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you don't suppose we can ever get into the Bay without being +challenged and stopped by the Britishers?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not thinking of going to Boston by water route. You see, Andy, +we probably have a valuable cargo aboard, or rather I should say an +important cargo."</p> + +<p>"Munitions of war and all that, eh, Phil?" appended Andy glibly.</p> + +<p>"If I can get my bearings from having been up and down the coast here +more than once," pursued Phil, "I shall feel pretty good when we locate +Sandy Creek."</p> + +<p>"What's Sandy Creek? Where is it?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"It's the feeder from a sort of a swamp lake running into the ocean. At +the inland end of the lake is a little settlement called Bordenville. +I have a cousin living there named Ralph Post. He used to be a sailor, +but lives now with a Mr. Eaton, who is a staunch patriot, and who has +done lots of good for the cause. I know of no one who would know just +what to do about the sailboat and its load as well as Mr. Eaton. Then, +too, he keeps posted on everything that is going on, and he can tell us +just how things are in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Capital!" cried Andy. Then there was a spell of silence, while Phil +kept as near to the shore as was wise, trying to catch sight of some +guiding landmark.</p> + +<p>"I know where I am," he said at last. "That rocky point we just rounded +is about a mile north of the creek. Now then, not to miss it in the +dark."</p> + +<p>It must have been nearly midnight when the sailboat stuck in a mass of +high reeds. Phil and Andy waded to the edge of a swampy reach they had +gained through some skilful handling of the craft into the creek and +across the lake Phil had described to his comrade.</p> + +<p>"There, that's the best we can do for the present," declared Phil, as +they stood on solid ground. "It's not far to the settlement. Mr. Eaton +will take care of the boat as soon as we tell him our story."</p> + +<p>They were tired and uncomfortable, but they plodded on cheerfully, +until they came in sight of some houses. All were dark and silent +except one, where a light was burning, and for which Phil was making.</p> + +<p>"Is that where Mr. Eaton lives?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Phil "and some one seems to be up, judging from the +lights."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Phil was lifting the heavy knocker of a door of the +house in question. A boy answered the summons, a bronzed pleasant-faced +youth, whom Andy had never seen, before, but at a glance he felt that +he should like him. The boy lifted the candle he bore high above his +head, and stared in wonder and then in perplexity at the two forlorn +wayfarers.</p> + +<p>"Phil!" he shouted, the next moment, his face beaming with a glad, +welcoming smile. "Phil Warrington!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Phil. "It's me—and this is my friend, Andy Sabine, from +Concord."</p> + +<p>"Why—when—how—what are you boys doing in that trim, at this hour of +the night?"</p> + +<p>"We have just escaped from the Tories, and are bound for Boston."</p> + +<p>"Boston!" echoed Ralph Post, in a startling tone. "Why, Phil, don't you +know that the city is under martial law? The order has just gone out."</p> + +<p>"Whose order?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"Gen. Gage's. No one can leave or enter Boston without a Tory passport."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A SAFE PORT</h3> + + +<p>At the announcement of Ralph Post, Andy Sabine almost uttered a yell. +His fists went up in the air clenched, and his eyes flashed.</p> + +<p>"Nobody get into Boston? Nobody get out of Boston?" he cried. "Gen. +Gage's orders—the Britishers bossing the country! Why, we'll sweep +them off the face of the earth!"</p> + +<p>Ralph Post smiled indulgently at Andy's ferocious patriotic outburst. +Phil placed a restraining hand on the shoulder of his excitable +comrade. The next instant of thought, however, made Phil take the +situation very seriously. A wave of anxiety crossed his face as he +thought of the folks at home. Then he eagerly turned to his cousin, +feeling that he had further revelations to make.</p> + +<p>"Tell all about it," he said, but Ralph replied:</p> + +<p>"You get to a fire, you two. Why you look half-perished. I fancy," he +added dryly to Andy, "you won't start to wipe out those Boston tyrants +until you've got dry clothes and a good meal."</p> + +<p>"I'm fighting mad, all the same," muttered Andy, and then, a thought of +their last adventure crossing his mind, he added with an exultant grin: +"Those Tories will have one less boat to guard Boston, anyhow."</p> + +<p>Phil thought he had never been so delightfully comfortable, as when a +few minutes later he and Andy occupied two old-fashioned armchairs in +front of a blazing kitchen fireplace big enough to hold a couple of +cords of wood. Meantime Ralph hustled about the room, pulling out a +table, diving into a pantry and placing on the hob a coffee pot.</p> + +<p>"Don't seem to be a bit curious," said Andy, in an undertone to Phil.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is dying to know all about our story," answered Phil, "only +I guess a look at us tells him we have just gone through some tough +adventure, and he is thinking of our comfort first and foremost. You +see, Andy, Ralph is a fellow of experience. He was on a trading vessel +for two years. He's been twice to Europe and once clear to China. It +would make the hair rise on your head to hear of some of his thrilling +escapes. I reckon he's been so used to have sailors come into the +galley on board ship to eat and rest when working in some terrific +storm, that he can't break the habit of filling up a fellow and getting +him nice and cozy before he sits down to chat."</p> + +<p>Soon, however, they were chatting like three magpies. Ralph was a +capital cook. In a jiffy he had a royal spread, consisting of a dishful +of boiled eggs, bread and butter and steaming coffee, before his +guests. He sat down then, looking them over with a curious glance, but +saying nothing until with a sigh of rare content Phil put down his +knife and fork, with the remark:</p> + +<p>"That was simply fine."</p> + +<p>"Best ever!" added Andy with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Things are bad," said Ralph bluntly, bolting into a subject he knew +naturally to be the one then uppermost in the minds of his young +friends. "It's war, boys, swift and sure. Everybody has waked up. Why, +for two nights we haven't even been in bed at this house. There are +friends coming from all directions, couriers arriving, messages sent +out. Mr. Eaton has made a kind of office of the best room here. Two +men from Lexington arrived just before you did. They are massing some +military stores there, and men, too, and Gen. Gage has to make just one +more move of tyranny to have the Colonial army march down on Boston +and drive him out of it."</p> + +<p>"What has the general been doing?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"He had a plot to capture and hang all of the patriotic leaders. +Somehow, the plot failed."</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy exchanged gratified glances. Each was filled with a +thrill of gladness as they were moved with the mutual idea that their +humble exertions had something to do with this favorable aspect of the +case.</p> + +<p>"Gage has been planting spies and massing secret supplies all over the +colony," went on Ralph. "The main trouble in organizing our army has +been in getting arms and ammunition. Why, in some districts the British +agents have bought up all the loose powder in the country stores. Some +of it they hid, and a lot of it they burned up."</p> + +<p>"The rascals!" flared up Andy.</p> + +<p>"Three days ago," pursued Ralph, "we got word that Gage was ready +to make some big move. We couldn't find out his plans. Day before +yesterday the first part of his plan came down upon the colony like a +thunder clap. He put Boston in a state of blockade, martial law was +ordered. As I told you, no one could leave or come into Boston without +a Tory passport."</p> + +<p>"Why was that, I wonder?" murmured Andy.</p> + +<p>"Why, to prevent the outside colonists from getting word from the +city. Yesterday a courier reached Mr. Eaton, and then went on to warn +Lexington, Concord and the other principal towns. The redcoats are +drilling, massing and getting ready to leave Boston for a raid on +outside towns. We don't know exactly when they are going to strike, but +we shall know before they leave."</p> + +<p>"How? Why?" spoke Andy in rapt interest.</p> + +<p>"We have men inside the lines who are watching every move of the +British. The moment they make a definite start, a signal will be given +to our agents just outside of Boston. Then the arrangements are such +that the news will be spread to the outside towns like wildfire."</p> + +<p>Andy was so wrought up that he was pacing the floor restlessly while +Ralph was talking. Phil was thinking of his folks and his friends. +Phil knew more about Boston than Ralph or Andy. He realized more than +they did the seriousness of the high-handed outrage on the part of +the Tories in striving to subdue the valiant spirits of the patriots. +He knew that the effect of such action would be to deeply arouse the +Musket Boys of Boston to the fighting fever point.</p> + +<p>"There will be bloodshed," he said with conviction, to himself. "If +the war never breaks out, this will lead to trouble for the redcoats." +Then Phil thought of something else, and arose to his feet with the +words: "Ralph, I have something important to tell Mr. Eaton."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, though," was the response—"you've a story to tell first. +Where have you been? Your folks have been inquiring for you everywhere. +They have been worried to death about you."</p> + +<p>Phil detailed the various experiences of his friend and himself since +they had left Concord. Ralph's face worked with interest as they told +of the adventure at the Lowell town hall. It was when they came to +their imprisonment on the <i>Vixen</i> and their escape in the sailboat, +that he became so excited that he could scarcely sit still.</p> + +<p>"Grand!" was his comment, when Phil told of the cutting of the cable. +"Superb!" he added, when they related how they had sailed the boat into +Sandy Creek. "Famous!" he fairly shouted, when Phil narrated the run +across the swamp lake.</p> + +<p>"And there she stuck," concluded Andy, breaking in on the narrative. +"There she is now, and nobody knows how many kegs of powder and how +many muskets she has aboard."</p> + +<p>"Boys," said Ralph starting for the front of the house in a state of +intense excitement, "You've done a big thing. Just one or two clever +tricks like this, and we'll be able to whip the Tories and the redcoats +with our hands behind our backs!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>TROUBLED TIMES</h3> + + +<p>It was a big thing that Phil Warrington and Andy Sabine had done in +capturing the consort of the <i>Vixen</i>, floating it to safe and secret +harborage, and delivering its valuable cargo over to trusted agents +of the continental army. The chums tried to appear simply glad and +modest, when Mr. Eaton, after a visit to the swamp, returned to them +filled with admiration for their act and the deepest satisfaction +over results. For all that, Phil thrilled with genuine pride over the +compliments of the sterling patriot, and Andy held his head an inch or +two higher.</p> + +<p>The big sailboat was found to be loaded with military stores of which +the colonists were in sore need. There were in fact, sufficient arms +and ammunition to equip a whole military company and defend a town. +Mr. Eaton had taken Ralph with him to inspect the boat, he insisted +that his guests had seen enough hardship for one night at least. When +he returned, it was to send Ralph to rouse up some neighbors. Phil +and Andy, worn out with their arduous exertions, went to sleep on the +long settle in the kitchen. When they awoke, it was to find Mrs. Eaton +bustling about the room preparing breakfast.</p> + +<p>She greeted Phil and his introduction of Andy with a welcoming smile, +and, putting on their dry coats and shoes, the boys went outside to +find Ralph at a grindstone in a shed sharpening an old hunting knife.</p> + +<p>"Hello, fresh as larks, eh?" cried the energetic lad cheerily. "Lots of +work been done since you went to sleep."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" questioned Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, if the Britishers should happen to trace that sailboat, they +will find her cargo gone. Left here on wagons for Lexington and Concord +over two hours ago. I tried to get Mr. Eaton to rig up the boat with +a couple of small cannons, furnish it with some muskets, and I'd go +pirating down the Bay. They laughed at me, so I've got to give up that +wild idea, as they call it, for the time being. Tell you a secret, +though," continued Ralph impressively: "if things get desperate I'll +come back here, get that boat afloat and do something for my country. +She's a trim craft, I tell you—too good to lie rotting in the swamp. +You may yet see her under sail with myself the bold privateer of +Boston bay."</p> + +<p>Ralph was only half-fooling. His suggestion caught Andy immensely. +There was a call to breakfast, and then Ralph took his guests up to his +room in the attic. He showed them a bundle on the bed, beside which lay +the hunting knife and an old-fashioned pistol. Everything indicated +preparation for some emergency, and Phil regarded Ralph inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Looks as if you were getting ready to go to war," he observed.</p> + +<p>"It's about that," responded Ralph in a spirited tone. "Anybody would +be blind not to see that cannons will soon be booming and the Tories +scampering back to England. I'm going to Boston. Why, I can't sleep +nights thinking of the turmoil and excitement there. I was born to be +in the center of a mix up, always. Yes, I'm going to Boston, and I'm +going to get into Boston, too."</p> + +<p>"Of course we will go with you," said Phil. "I am anxious about the +folks. The Musket Boys will need me, too."</p> + +<p>"Hope I'm not going to be left out of the procession," observed Andy.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," replied Ralph with unction, and so it was settled.</p> + +<p>Ralph waited until Mr. Eaton returned from the settlement, and had +quite a lengthy conversation with them. The patriot shook hands all +around and Mrs. Eaton kissed the boys good-by in a motherly fashion, +and handed Ralph a home-made wicker basket.</p> + +<p>"When the war is over, Mrs. Eaton," said Andy, "I'm coming back here to +eat some more of those splendid doughnuts of yours."</p> + +<p>"You will find a supply in the basket there," replied Mrs. Eaton, with +an encouraging smile.</p> + +<p>The morning had dawned bright and beautiful, and early spring was +beginning to touch the landscape here and there with green. There +was a pretty good road clear to Boston, and the wayfarers took their +time, planning that they would reach the city after dark, which would +certainly be the best time to make an attempt to evade the British +soldiers in an effort to reach the Warrington home.</p> + +<p>They came across few people going towards the city. In one little +village they passed through, they found business practically suspended. +Nearly all of its residents were gathered on the village green +listening to the oration of a man, who was desperately in earnest in +warning them to prepare for war.</p> + +<p>He aroused a vast patriotic spirit, and when he had concluded his +speech he sprang at once to the saddle of a mettled steed standing by +the horse block, and dashed down the road in the direction of the next +town, probably intent on warning all the colonists along the route.</p> + +<p>At a second little settlement the boys were halted on the highway +and questioned by one of a party of men, all armed with muskets, and +seemingly guarding the road.</p> + +<p>"Things are certainly humming," observed Ralph Post a little later, as, +passing a lonely farmhouse, they observed a stalwart woman and her two +sons burnishing up a sword and two muskets.</p> + +<p>Dusk found them only a few miles from Boston. Phil, who knew the road, +told his companions that they could reach the city within an hour. +Ralph, it seemed, had been instructed to go to a certain place on the +river opposite the city, and there consult with some friends who would +advise them as to the safest way to get past the sentry lines of the +Tories.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we had better keep off the main road the rest of the way," +suggested Phil. "Besides, I know a good short cut to Dockrell's Mill, +where Mr. Eaton said we would find his friends."</p> + +<p>This was acceded to by the others, and Phil piloted the way along a +by-path and through some stunted timber. Then it was a hit and miss +progress for about a mile, and in the gathering dusk Phil would have +been confused only that they were guided by lights in houses in the +distance.</p> + +<p>"I say, what was that?" exclaimed Andy suddenly, as they took a detour +to escape a reach of swampy ground.</p> + +<p>"Sounded like a horse's neigh and a great floundering in among that +tangle of weeds yonder," said Phil, halting and gazing sharply in the +direction indicated.</p> + +<p>"Mercy!" cried Andy with a decided shock.</p> + +<p>They all stood stock-still. Abruptly upon the quiet evening air and +very near at hand, there rang out a fearful blood-curdling shriek.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</h2> +</div> + +<h3>"SACHEM"</h3> + + +<p>Ralph drew out the pistol he carried with a quick movement of his hand. +Andy poised the heavy cudgel with which he had armed himself. Phil ran +forward a few feet to try and get within range of a bulky moving object +partially obscured by some high weeds.</p> + +<p>That fearsome yell was not repeated, but its echoes still vibrated in +their ears. It had filled the near woods with alarm, and there was a +vast fluttering and flight of birds among the trees.</p> + +<p>"It's a horse," said Phil, and he peered more closely. Then he ran in +among the rushes. "A horse," and, added Phil instantly: "Why, sure as I +live, a man, too!"</p> + +<p>Phil disappeared partly from view. The curious and startled Andy and +Ralph could dimly make him out wading rapidly behind a screen of high +flags. Then there was a great floundering. The curtain of reeds parted. +There was Phil, struggling with a snorting horse. The animal was +plunging and slipping on a slimy foothold. Phil dragged at the bridle.</p> + +<p>There was another piercing yell as the steed fell over sideways, +apparently submerging a rider. Then the horse righted itself, and +Phil, dodging its prancing hoofs, reached dry ground with the panting, +breathless appeal to his astonished comrades:</p> + +<p>"Andy—Ralph—help me!"</p> + +<p>It took the combined efforts of the three boys—and they were exerted +just in time—to pull the horse upright and onto solid ground. Once +there, the animal stood snorting in fear and exhaustion and quivering +all over like an aspen. Phil slipped his hand along the bridle +and patted the dripping neck of the overwrought steed gently and +soothingly. Then he and his comrades fixed their gaze on the burden +that the horse bore.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Andy in the profoundest stupefaction.</p> + +<p>"Why," cried Ralph, in surprise and consternation, "It's an Indian."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but his plight!" said Phil, almost shocked beyond expression. +"Boys, this is horrible."</p> + +<p>An Indian the helpless man tied securely flat the length of his body +along the horse's back, certainly was. He presented a strange and +pitiable sight. His attire was in tatters. One half of his head was +shaven clear and was daubed with white paint thickly. On the other +side among the matted hair was a great mass of red paint. His face was +bruised and slashed, and his hands were bleeding with many open cuts.</p> + +<p>The helpless frenzy in the Indian's eyes was terrible. Their frightful +expression made Ralph shudder and caused Andy to shrink back. Phil +was simply full of sympathy. The man's breath showed that he had been +drinking deeply of the pestilent "fire water" of the white man.</p> + +<p>"This is shameful," said Phil indignantly. "Some one has been guilty of +a mean, cowardly act."</p> + +<p>"He looks dangerous," said Andy, but Phil without delay proceeded to +cut the straps and ropes that held the Indian helpless. The man was so +cramped that he almost fell to the ground, once freed. Phil supported +him, easing him to a fallen tree, where the Indian sat swaying for some +moments, his fiery eyes scanning his rescuers one after the other.</p> + +<p>It was still light enough for them to make out that he had been badly +mistreated. The fellow gradually restored circulation to his cramped +limbs. Very suddenly he arose to his feet. He threw out his arms with +a wild, furious gesture in the direction of the city. A guttural +half-choked cry resembling that of some wounded, angry animal sounded +in his throat.</p> + +<p>Phil went to the edge of the swamp, and wetting his handkerchief +in some surface water there returned to the side of the redman and +proceeded to wash the blood from his face. The man did not resent this. +His hard features softened somewhat. Then he braced upright, and a kind +of tragic, heroic pose was his as he folded his arms across his breast.</p> + +<p>"Me Sachem," he said proudly, "King Philip Sachem."</p> + +<p>"I say!" exclaimed Andy sharply to his comrades, "I know who he is."</p> + +<p>"You know him?" repeated Phil vaguely.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've heard about him more than once. He's hung around lots of +villages for the last ten years. Pretends to be a great grandson, or +something of that kind, of King Philip, the great Rhode Island Sachem, +who was a noted warrior some two hundred years ago."</p> + +<p>"I've read about King Philip in history," said Ralph.</p> + +<p>"This man has been a worthless, idle fellow, who they said didn't +do much except steal and drink 'fire-water.' Since the trouble began +with the British, I've heard my father tell how he has been hired by +the redcoats to try and incite the stray tribes to make the colonists +trouble. He's a bad man, I fear, Phil, and I don't believe you can +trust him far."</p> + +<p>The Indian either did not understand perfectly what Andy was saying, or +was engrossed in a wild crooning he indulged in. This was a sing-song +chant directed toward the city.</p> + +<p>Having finished this, he began a wild war dance. The boys could not but +help watch his maneuvers with interest. Finally he came up to Phil and +looked him fixedly in the eye. He took one of Phil's hands and placed +it on his own head, humbling himself as if trying to convey to the +Boston boy that he was thankful and his slave.</p> + +<p>Starting back, he began an extravagant and expressive pantomime. His +movements were intricate, and Phil had to do a great deal of guessing +to get their meaning. An occasional word in English, however, did a +good deal towards enlightening him.</p> + +<p>When the Indian had finished his eccentric explanation, he made as +if to draw a hunting knife, and then his hands lifted innumerable +imaginary scalps. He uttered what might have been his tribal war +cry. He again placed Phil's hand on his head, humbled himself into a +squatting position, and finally came back to practical life by getting +the bridle and saddle of his horse in order.</p> + +<p>"I've talked finger talk to the South Sea Islanders," observed Ralph, +"but this fellow is too rapid for me. What's he trying to tell, anyhow, +Phil?"</p> + +<p>"Why, as near as I can make it out," said Phil, "he has been sort of +friendly with the Tories. They invited him to Boston. He seems to try +and tell that they got him to give all kinds of information about +various people in the settlements. They gave him plenty of fire-water. +Then they turned him loose. He got hanging around the camp, and stole +something. The soldiers pounded him, tied him to the horse and started +them away from the city. The horse must have swum the Charles River, +and had a wild dash of it into the timber and the swamp."</p> + +<p>"He acts as if he has some pretty hard feeling against the Tories," +said Andy.</p> + +<p>"He has. Oh, he will have revenge! he says," explained Phil. "Poor +fellow—I feel sorry for him."</p> + +<p>Phil handed the Indian some food from the basket, which the man +received gladly. He patted Phil's hand and looked him closely in the +eye. Then he reached into the breast of his hunting shirt and drew +out a buckskin bag. Searching in this, he brought out a piece of very +hard wood a few inches square. It was covered with paint—daubed +characters and pictures. He handed this to Phil. As he did so, he drew +an imaginary circle around Phil. He held up his hands to indicate +numbers—of men, Phil thought. Then the Indian made it plain that he +had given his rescuer a charm or amulet that would disperse all enemies.</p> + +<p>"Good-by," said Phil, heartily shaking the hand of the Indian, and the +latter mounted his horse, made a threatening gesture towards Boston, +and rode away.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</h2> +</div> + +<h3>PAUL REVERE'S RIDE</h3> + + +<p>"Well!" remarked Andy, as the Indian was lost to view amid the mazes of +the forest. "There's plenty of variety on the road to Boston, it seems."</p> + +<p>"Phil has made a good friend, at any rate," said Ralph. "Sort of +adopted you, Phil. Those savage fellows mean something when they take a +fancy to a fellow. I'll wager you hear from this man again. That funny +piece of wood he gave you was the most precious thing he possessed. I +know these savages. When I was in the South Sea Islands, a sailor saved +the life of a drowning native. The day we left, that grateful native +came down to the ship with over one hundred mates, beating tom-toms and +hauling aboard a whole wagon load of presents."</p> + +<p>Andy listened to Ralph with a suspicious sidelong look. Ralph was +continually alluding to this and that remote spot on the globe where +he had been, and to Andy it was really remarkable the wide experience +of a person so young.</p> + +<p>"This poor 'Sachem' hasn't many presents to give, I fancy," said Phil, +"but it's just as important to have his good will. The Indians could +annoy us a good deal, with the Tories behind them. I don't think this +man will ever train with them again though. There's the mill, Ralph," +proceeded Phil. "Mr. Eaton has told you what to do, so we will follow +the leader until you find out how safe it is for us to try and get into +Boston."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Eaton told me to see a man named Jewett," explained Ralph. "He +lives in the settlement here. I suppose the first move is to locate +him."</p> + +<p>The boys got nearer to the river and followed its shore until they came +to a little cluster of houses. Ralph entered the yard of one of these, +went to the front door of the house and knocked. He soon came back to +Phil and Andy.</p> + +<p>"The woman in that house has directed me to Jewett's place," said +Ralph. "It's farther down the river."</p> + +<p>At Mr. Jewett's house Ralph remained inside for some time.</p> + +<p>"Did you see your man?" inquired Andy, as Ralph returned to them.</p> + +<p>"No, but I saw Mrs. Jewett. She asked me all kinds of questions, as if +to make sure that I really came from Mr. Eaton. Everybody here acts +with suspicion, and all on the tip-toe of excitement. The woman told me +to go to Dockrell's Mill. I reckon her husband is there. She thought it +over a good deal, and made me tell my story clear through before she +decided to send me to the mill though."</p> + +<p>"We'll soon be in Boston, I hope," said Andy, as they moved forward +once more.</p> + +<p>They finally made out the mill and some surrounding buildings in the +distance. The boys were chatting animatedly, when, passing some bushes, +all of a sudden a sharp, commanding voice spoke the word:</p> + +<p>"Halt!"</p> + +<p>All three stood stock-still, for from behind the bushes appeared a man, +leveling a musket. He had the bearing of a person who would fire at the +least provocation, as he craned his neck to make out the faces of the +party he challenged.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he demanded, as Phil stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"My name is Warrington," Phil explained, "I live in Boston, and am +trying to get there with my two friends here."</p> + +<p>The sentry, for such he apparently was, laughed outright.</p> + +<p>"You'll have a time of it," he said dryly. "Smarter fellows than you +have been trying to get out of Boston and into Boston all day long, and +have made a failure of it. You'll have to go back. We have something +to say on this side of the creek, and it's no thoroughfare for anybody +this route, for to-night, at least."</p> + +<p>"We are especially sent to one certain person," said Phil, "and maybe +that will make a difference."</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" inquired the sentinel.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jewett."</p> + +<p>"Who sent you?"</p> + +<p>Phil told as much in explanation as he thought necessary.</p> + +<p>"You tell a pretty straight story," said the sentry. "If you're up to +any tricks, it won't pay you. Who's that with you, or a little behind +you, as you came up the path?"</p> + +<p>"With us?" exclaimed Phil. "Why nobody."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there was," declared the sentry. "Some one was dodging along +after you. I saw him plainly."</p> + +<p>"I don't see him now," said Phil, peering sharply back the course they +had come, "and it seems impossible that any one would be following us."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's disappeared now," said the sentry. "It may have been one of +our other sentinels. Go ahead. Keep right on this path till you reach +the mill. Don't leave it to do any prying."</p> + +<p>"Why should we?" demanded Andy, who didn't like the preemptory ways of +their challenger.</p> + +<p>"Well, just don't, that's all," continued the sentry. "You may get into +trouble if you do. The bushes have eyes and ears around here just now, +and we don't want any interfering. You had better get through with +Jewett soon as you can, and make your break for Boston lively, for, if +the signs don't fail, before another night there may be a heavy rain."</p> + +<p>"Not with that wind," innocently declared Ralph, who from his sailor +experience prided himself on being an expert weather prophet.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the sentry. "Not the kind of rain you mean, my +lad—this will be a rain of leaden bullets."</p> + +<p>The boys passed on. They did not even converse now for there was a sort +of gruesome spell over each. Their nerves were on a strain, for every +bush they passed might conceal a sentry. They passed a hut with no +lights or sign of life about it. Near to it and about one hundred feet +from the path was a barn.</p> + +<p>"Some one is in there," said Andy. "I can see a light through the +chinks."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Andy," directed Phil.</p> + +<p>"Yes, better try, no snooking around," advised Ralph. "That sentry told +us to follow our noses, straight."</p> + +<p>But Andy was persistent. He deviated from the regular path, and the +others, irresistibly influenced by his leadership and curiosity, kept +pace with him. They came up against the side of the barn, where a long +wide crack showed between two shrunken planks.</p> + +<p>A lantern hanging from a hook in a rafter illuminated the interior +of an ordinary stable room. In the centre of the barn, saddled and +bridled, magnificently erect and graceful, was the most beautiful horse +Phil had ever seen. The steed stood like some statue of bronze, and the +whole picture somehow thrilled the onlookers in an impressive, heroic +way.</p> + +<p>Seated upon the animal, straight, athletic, was a man as mute and +motionless as if he was planted there. He held the bridle reins loosely +in one hand, but he was posed as if awaiting some word of command upon +which he must act on the instant. His ear seemed bent towards the old +mill building not five hundred feet away.</p> + +<p>"Why," began Andy in a tremor of excitement.</p> + +<p>"S-sh! This way, boys," interrupted Phil, in a quick, cautious whisper.</p> + +<p>"But I know," began Andy again, insistently.</p> + +<p>What Andy knew or did not know was not disclosed at that moment. There +was again an interruption, and Phil was not responsible for it this +time.</p> + +<p>"Look—say, look!" said Ralph.</p> + +<p>Way across the broad Charles River on the Boston shore, from the high +window of the old North Church, there flashed out the bright light of +two big lanterns, the rays shot against some broad reflectors.</p> + +<p>Thrice the lights rose and fell. Immediately from the upper story of +the old mill building, just beyond the spot where the boys stood, a +blue light flamed momentarily in response. Then darkness again and +silence, but the silence reigned for a moment only. There was a shout +inside the barn into which the boys had just peered, the sharp, quick +clatter of the hoofs of a horse on the hollow planking. The watcher +at the window had disappeared. Phil, Andy and Ralph, inexpressibly +excited, ran to the structure and again looked into its interior.</p> + +<p>The man at the window had darted to the big door of the place. He +dashed it open, saying something in a rapid tone to the man on the +horse. Rider and animal were posed as if set on springs. One leap, and +they cleared the threshold.</p> + +<p>The man at the door brought his broad hand down on the flank of the +speeding horse. His voice rose to an eager, exultant shout, urging +steed and rider out into the darkness with the rapidity of an arrow +shot from a bow. A thrill ran through every nerve of the overwrought +spectators, as he cried:</p> + +<p>"Go, Paul Revere! The liberty of America depends upon your mission this +night!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>ALONG THE RIVER</h3> + + +<p>"Paul Revere! I told you I knew him!" cried Andy. "Yes, sir, it's war. +I remember—my father—Concord—fast horse—warn the country."</p> + +<p>In an incoherent way Andy made it known to his comrades that he had +seen Paul Revere at a meeting of the Sons of Liberty at his home at +Concord, and that his father had intimated that the intrepid horseman +was listed to act as a courier in the patriotic service.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" ordered Phil sharply.</p> + +<p>Horse and rider had vanished as if into a cloud. Then they had heard +the swift ringing hoofs on the road. These, too, had died away, but +now, echoing on the still air, came a prolonged, vibrating call.</p> + +<p>"Hulloa—oa—oa!"</p> + +<p>Indistinct words followed. Silence again, and then the call repeated. +Shouts of others besides the dauntless night riders echoed out. +Lights began to flash in the distance. More remote, a great bonfire, +a veritable beacon of liberty, blazed out suddenly. Some shots were +heard, and mingled with them was a wild alarm bell, summoning some +little settlement to arms.</p> + +<p>"He has important news," said Andy. "Oh, you can wager he has. He is +to warn all the towns along the road. Ralph, let us get quickly to Mr. +Jewett. I'm dying to find out what is going to happen next."</p> + +<p>"Hey, what are you doing here?" pronounced a gruff voice.</p> + +<p>Andy was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck. He was pushed +forward, jerked back and whirled face to face with his challenger and +captor, the man whom they had noticed at the little window in the barn.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, there," broke in Phil, stepping forward to rescue his chum +from rough treatment.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing, sneaking around here?" demanded the man angrily.</p> + +<p>"We are looking for Mr. Jewett," explained Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we know—let go—Paul Revere—let go, I say—and we're true +blue—"</p> + +<p>"Know Jewett, do you?" said the man, somewhat skeptically. "Well, we'll +soon know about that, for here he comes."</p> + +<p>All hands looked in the direction of the old mill. They saw a man +running rapidly towards them. But soon he halted, seemed peering in +among the bushes, and ran back a distance on his course. Then he came +forward again.</p> + +<p>"Watch out close," he called to Andy's captor, as if intent on keeping +running. "Seems to me I noticed a skulker after me when I left the +mill. What of Revere?"</p> + +<p>"Gone," reported the man.</p> + +<p>"Good! The break has come. Before morning six hundred British troops +will be on the road to Lexington. Watch here a bit, then come to the +settlement. We must get ready to greet those redcoats with a warm +welcome."</p> + +<p>The speaker started to hasten on his way, but Andy's captor halted him +with the words:</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Jewett."</p> + +<p>"Eh—why, who are these boys?" exclaimed Jewett, making out for the +first moment the companions of the man who had hailed him.</p> + +<p>"They say they came to see you."</p> + +<p>"I am from Mr. Eaton," explained Ralph. "This is Phil Warrington of +Boston, and my other friend is Andy Sabine of Concord."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," nodded Jewett. "Good names, all. What can I do for you, +lads?"</p> + +<p>"We want to get into Boston, where Phil's folks live," said Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Boston!" repeated Mr. Jewett. "Why, lads, before morning, probably +within an hour, you will see that river out yonder covered with boat +loads of redcoats. The British are about to make a raid out into the +country, Lexington first, Concord next. Look out for yourselves, fight +if you can, but don't think of going to Boston. Roberts, take them up +to my house till I get our men in trim for the coming fight, and keep +a lookout for the man I thought I saw keeping track of me back yonder +near the old mill."</p> + +<p>The man who had grasped Andy now released him. The boys did not pay +much further attention to him. Each of the trio felt that a critical +moment impended, and that the situation was serious. Phil looked up +and down the dark river, and then across at the city, where a good +many lights showed, and which he had no doubt, was now in a state of +considerable commotion.</p> + +<p>"I'll go up to the house with you soon," said the man, turning to +attend to something in the barn.</p> + +<p>"We called there on our way here, and know where it is," explained +Phil. "We hardly know what is best to do."</p> + +<p>"As you like," said the man. "Only, you had better follow Jewett's +advice. We have been waiting for a week for what you saw happen a few +minutes since, and it means a good deal, all hands around, I can tell +you."</p> + +<p>"What shall we do, boys?" inquired Phil anxiously of his companions, as +Andy's recent captor disappeared into the barn.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jewett said Lexington and Concord," observed Andy, in a reflective +tone. "I don't believe that the Tories will ever get that far out, but +I'd like to be in the thick of the excitement."</p> + +<p>"Phil is pretty anxious about his folks," remarked Ralph. "We can't do +much this side of the river except hang around. We have no muskets. We +could learn a lot in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, we'll see how it looks along the river," said Phil, with +an irresolute sigh. "If we find a boat, I have a good mind to try and +get across the river, even if we came right back again."</p> + +<p>"All right. Let's see what turns up," said Andy, and they started down +the stream and past the old mill. The revelations of the past hour +had stirred them up greatly. Andy talked of the boys training club at +Concord, Phil of the Musket Boys of Boston, Ralph wished the provincial +congress would establish a navy, and give him a chance to show what he +had learned as a sailor boy.</p> + +<p>They proceeded along the river for over a mile before they made any +discovery affecting their plans. Andy had remembered what Mr. Jewett +had said about being followed by some one, and had strenuously asserted +that he had caught sight twice of a lurking figure in their rear since +passing the old mill. Now Ralph, who was a little ahead of Phil, halted.</p> + +<p>"Fellows, the very thing," he cried. "Here's a yawl."</p> + +<p>All hands came to the water's edge with alacrity. There lay a yawl, the +oars set. It was lapping the water unsecured, except for being grounded +at the stern, and it looked as though it had been recently used. For +all that, Andy leaped into the bow, and Ralph sat down in the center +seat and took up the oars.</p> + +<p>"I will keep the lookout," said Phil. "I ought to know these waters +around here pretty well, and if we don't run across some craft of the +enemy before we get across, I am sure we can pick out a safe place to +land. There's a fog coming up from the bay. That will hide us some."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, my young gallivanters!" suddenly spoke a gruff voice.</p> + +<p>From behind a great log near the beach the speaker stepped into view. +Advancing slowly upon them, a musket extended, the young patriots saw a +redcoat soldier in full uniform.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>"ON TO LEXINGTON!"</h3> + + +<p>The British soldier walked straight up to the yawl, stepped into it, +and, his gun still extended, sat down in the stern of the boat. It was +all done so easily and naturally, that it fairly took away the breath +of the three astonished boys.</p> + +<p>"Keep right on," said the soldier—"row away, there."</p> + +<p>Andy for once was subdued. He did not doubt but that the redcoat meant +business, and that gun barrel looked ugly and threatening. Ralph +mechanically placed the oars in motion. Phil half-faced about wondering +what would come next.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that he had caught a vague glimpse of a scudding +figure shift through the fog and melt away at the water's edge, but he +attributed this to a shadow or fancy, his main interest centered on +the big, cruel-faced soldier, who now held himself and his companions +absolutely at his mercy.</p> + +<p>"Row, I tell you," ordered the redcoat. "No fooling, no tricks, or I'll +sink you with lead. Trying to get into Boston, were you?" he chuckled. +"Well, I'll just help you, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess we'll get to Boston," said Andy rather glumly, in a +half-undertone.</p> + +<p>"Sort of dreaded the row across," continued the redcoat. "Then again, +judging from what I overheard you fellows say, I fancy you can tell +considerable to our captain. Blame me, if I've found out anything +except a heap of signaling. Say," he added to Phil, "what was all that +hubbub of shots and shouts and bells I heard down the river?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't down the river to find out, you see," responded Phil.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't you, now?" said the soldier, in a sarcastic tone. "You're all +very innocent, aren't you? Row faster and steadier, there," he ordered +in a raised, angry tone, as Ralph lagged at the oars.</p> + +<p>Andy had just whispered something behind Ralph. It was to the effect +that he believed boats from the other shore were crossing the river. +If this were true, Ralph foresaw that they would soon ride right in +amongst the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll be gone for good," Andy declared in a hollow whisper. +"Let's fight for it—here and now."</p> + +<p>"Did you hear me?" repeated the redcoat wrathfully. "Row faster."</p> + +<p>"Not an inch," said Ralph, quietly but forcibly.</p> + +<p>He dropped the oars as he spoke, and sitting erect folded his arms and +faced the soldier like a statue.</p> + +<p>"Andy," he whispered sideways, "there's the old pistol in my belt +behind, get it. I'll make a spring." And Ralph moved slightly forward, +and managed to touch Phil with his foot as a hint that they were up to +something.</p> + +<p>The redcoat uttered a wicked snarl. He raised his musket, and the boys +heard an ominous click.</p> + +<p>"Dodge! duck!" shouted Andy excitedly. "The ruffian is going to +massacre us!"</p> + +<p>Bang! Sure enough the gun went off, but up in the air. The astonished +boys saw the weapon fly up from the hands of the enraged soldier. It +came down in the middle of the boat, striking Ralph. What was more +wonderful, though, was that accompanying this maneuver. The redcoat +performed a series of gyrations that reminded Phil of a man who had +been kicked off a horse in a somersault circle.</p> + +<p>The soldier shot clear back off the boat, arms and feet sawing the +air. He uttered a curdling yell, but its echoes gurgled down to a +gasp as he went under the surface of the water with the dexterity of +a practised acrobat. Next, there sprang over the stern a dripping but +agile figure.</p> + +<p>"The Indian,—Old Sachem!" exclaimed Andy. "Don't!"—began Andy, in a +horrified tone.</p> + +<p>There passed before the boys a rapid, tragic spectacle. They could +readily surmise what had transpired—the Indian had followed them from +the swamp. Whatever his motive to guard them, to try and do them a good +turn for their kindness to him or on the trail of his enemies, seeking +revenge, it was evidently Sachem, as he was generally nicknamed, who +had been lurking around the old mill and later upon the course they had +followed.</p> + +<p>Sachem must have swum after the boat, and at the right moment had +pulled back the redcoat. Now, seating himself at the stern, he reached +back and grabbed out. His wiry fingers were clenched in the bushy +whiskers of the Tory. Sweeping his other hand towards them holding a +keen-bladed knife, he "scalped" the redcoat's luxurious whiskers.</p> + +<p>With a laugh of derision he tossed the handful of hair into the face +of the yelling victim, gave him a hard slap on the face and then a push +that sent the redcoat swimming for shore, probably more scared that he +had ever been before in his life.</p> + +<p>The whole incident had been so rapid, tragical and finally grotesque, +that Andy broke out into a great laugh. It was quickly subdued. Through +the gloom from some near boat came a startling challenge:</p> + +<p>"Who is there?"</p> + +<p>Instantly Ralph grabbed the oars. There was no doubt but that the +British were crossing over from Boston. The shore was near at hand. +All saw that they must promptly reach it or drive straight into a new +dilemma.</p> + +<p>Ralph speedily turned the bow of the boat, and began making for shore. +They all kept silent, the Indian stationing himself at the stern, his +ear bent attentively, his eye trying to pierce the fog and darkness.</p> + +<p>The redcoat he had doused and "scalped" had reached the shore. He was +now running away from his landing place, bellowing out directions to +the approaching boat loads of his fellows. This helped neither them nor +himself, for the gloom hung about like a pall.</p> + +<p>The boys leaped from the boat as they reached the shore. The Indian +faced them with the most extravagant gestures. These plainly indicated +that they were foolhardy to attempt to get into Boston. He turned and +pointed in the direction of the old country road.</p> + +<p>"Lexington," he said. "Boom—boom!"</p> + +<p>Phil nodded actively to indicate to the redman that he understood him. +The latter looked pleased. He placed his finger tip to his lip to +enforce silence, beckoned his companions to follow him, and then stole +down the shore like a shadow.</p> + +<p>It was just in time, for two minutes later the refugees comprehended +that the British were landing. The Indian proceeded at a brisk pace for +over a half a mile. Here there was a thicket, and he led the boys to it.</p> + +<p>Soon, he said sententiously—"wait," and disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Well, Sachem is proving a pretty good friend," observed Andy.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he is up to now?" spoke Ralph.</p> + +<p>"He wants to act quick," said Phil. "The British are certainly landing +their troops this side of the river. We shall be surrounded by them if +we don't make ourselves scarce."</p> + +<p>The boys could see lights here and there down the river shore. Once +there were some vague shouts, and the echo of a volley of musketry. Way +to the west a reddish glare betokened a house on fire, or some patriot +beacon.</p> + +<p>"The air sort of bristles with action, hey, Phil?" remarked Andy. "I +wish my Concord crowd was here. We'd soon make up some plan to fight or +annoy these bold redcoats."</p> + +<p>"Some one is coming!" said Ralph just then, and thereupon the Indian +stepped into view. To the amazement of the boys he led three horses. +These were army steeds fully accoutred, and at the saddle of each hung +a sabre and a short cavalry musket.</p> + +<p>"Sachem" conveyed to his friends that he had stolen them. He had +evidently located other horses, and according to his pantomime had set +them free.</p> + +<p>"He has happened upon some redcoat detachment this side of the river, +waiting for orders to move," suggested Andy. "Say, fellows, here is a +layout that's famous, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Sachem" pointed again solemnly, and Phil knew that he was indicating +Lexington, and advising them to proceed in that direction. He began +to thank the Indian, but the latter, with a grunt of satisfaction at +having been of service to his friends and at settling his score with +the redcoats, backed away and disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Phil," cried Andy buoyantly, "this is unmistakable, I reckon!" and he +sprang into one of the saddles.</p> + +<p>"I'm more at home on a deck than on a horse's back," remarked Ralph, +"but this strikes me as the proper thing."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Phil, "we will leave Boston till later. Just now the motto +must be: 'On to Lexington!'"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>THE FIRST SKIRMISH</h3> + + +<p>"Andy! Andy!" screamed Ralph Post.</p> + +<p>But Andy Sabine did not answer. Amid a scene of wild riot and +turbulence, wreathed with the actual smoke of battle, the centre of a +struggling, battling crowd of yeoman and militia, the Concord boy was +swept from view like one on the wings of a cyclone.</p> + +<p>It was wonderful what a few hours time had wrought in the destinies +and environment of the three loyal chums, who had not reached the city +they had started out for, but instead had become involved in the first +sanguinary conflict of the War of the Revolution at its most active, +seething centre. Never could any one of them forget the escapades of +the past night. It was like some dream—the wild dash down the old +country road from the Charles river, inspirited by Phil Warrington's +final heroic decision: "On to Lexington!"</p> + +<p>They made little progress that was not attended by stirring incidents. +There was not a village they passed that was not in a state of +barricade, preparation, or practically deserted. Bonfires were blazing, +men, women, even children were wide awake. Some particular building in +these little hamlets was usually the focus of local military fever. +Here were grouped men with every conceivable weapon from a blunderbuss +to a pitchfork, boys with hatchets, bows and arrows, even slingshots. +Wherever they owned a cannon, no matter how small, it was planted +conspicuously.</p> + +<p>The lack of fear was remarkable. All acted as if an hour long +anticipated had arrived, and they were prepared for the conflict. +Attics and roofs were occupied by men with all their available firearms +by their side. The hedges and timber concealed any number of men on +the watch for the first token of the approach of the foe. On top of +many a hill a great brush fire was kept burning, furnishing a circle of +beacons as far as the eye could reach.</p> + +<p>All this Phil, Andy and Ralph saw, and every advancing mile showed how +well Paul Revere and another messenger named William Dawes had sounded +their warnings to the ready colonists. It was only when they reached +Lexington, however, that the boys realized that the hurry and scurry +and unbottled enthusiasm all led to one central point where the first +stand of the patriots was to be made.</p> + +<p>The little town was being patrolled by men having some semblance of +system and discipline. In fact, as the little group came cantering into +the town, they were greeted with suspicion, were boldly challenged, and +had to explain how they came to be riding horses with accoutrements +manifestly belonging to the enemy. There was a talk of "Headquarters," +and, Phil in the lead, their horses hitched outside of the town hall +building, they were marshalled into the presence of a man upon whom +seemed to rest the leadership of the hundred or more men who were +scattered about the village, many of whom had come from neighboring +settlements to the defence of Lexington.</p> + +<p>Phil told Captain Parker a good deal that was welcome and important. +The startling dash of Paul Revere had been only a warning. Here were +couriers direct from the midst of the British, already on the march +outside of Boston town. Their report was listened to with eagerness and +interest. Then their places were taken by new arrivals. A man would +come in with all the able-bodied male members of his family. A stray +little group of farmers next put in a plea for active service. No +one seemed disposed to shirk a duty—all was loyalty, enthusiasm and +courage.</p> + +<p>"We're here," observed Phil, as he and his comrades stood outside once +more, "and I guess we are going to see the first battle of the war."</p> + +<p>"See it?" echoed Andy vaingloriously. "Why, we're going to be a part of +it. I'm full of fight, myself," and he handled over the sabre attached +to the saddle of his horse, to which he had taken a great fancy.</p> + +<p>Couriers had been sent back on the Boston road. These began to come in +as the hours wore on. The enemy was on the march ten miles, then eight +miles, and now only five miles away. In the meantime, the camp, as it +might be called, began to come into some shape and substance. Buildings +were transposed into forts, and the strongest detachment lurked about +the town hall and at the so-called arsenal of the village.</p> + +<p>"You see, it's military stores the British are after on this raid," +explained Phil. "They know that their capture or destruction will +cripple the cause, and here and at Concord are the biggest lot of these +stores outside of Boston."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't they go quietly about it?" inquired Ralph.</p> + +<p>"They expected to, but, as you have seen, our people were watching +their every move."</p> + +<p>"I bet they will face a tremendous surprise," declared Andy. "Just see +how the people are aroused. There's a patriot in every hedge clear to +Charles river, and the Minute Men are bound to hinder the redcoats from +getting here."</p> + +<p>Phil and his comrades were very proud to be sent on their horses to +carry important messages to outlying squads from Captain Parker and his +assistants. A good many boys of their own age were grouped on a slope +near the edge of the town. Phil and his friends decided to join them. +They picketed their horses at a short distance and shouldering the +muskets they had obtained mingled with the little squad.</p> + +<p>The situation grew more tense as time passed on. The couriers came in +more numerously and swiftly, and in increased excitement. A belt of +timber shut out a sight of the road beyond Lexington, but finally there +rounded its final curve the advance guard of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Phil never could realize how rapidly and sensationally, from the moment +he saw the first British soldier of the invaders, did things develop. +There was skirmishing from the instant they came in sight of the +town. Shots were exchanged with men from behind trees and hedges, in +stable lofts, half-concealed in haystacks. There must have been over +six hundred men in the British detachment, Phil calculated, under the +British officer Major Pitcairn. They were well-disciplined, for they +marched steadily forward, rarely breaking ranks, and seemed to have +some definite point in view.</p> + +<p>It soon became apparent that the stout log house that comprised the +town arsenal, and which held military stores, was the place the +invaders intended to reach.</p> + +<p>As Major Pitcairn came up close to the assembled colonists he suddenly +halted his force.</p> + +<p>"Disperse, ye rebels, disperse!" he cried. "Lay down your arms, ere it +is too late!"</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried several of the Minute Men.</p> + +<p>"Disperse!" went on the British officer, and then, as the Americans did +not move, he fired his pistol. A moment later the British troops let +fly a volley of shots at the Americans.</p> + +<p>"The battle is on!" yelled one patriot. "Give it to 'em, boys, give it +to 'em hot!" And he took aim with his musket and let drive, and all +those around him did likewise. In that first onslaught several were +killed on both sides and a good many were wounded.</p> + +<p>Phil and those with him were forced to disperse. It was in the scurry +to new cover that Ralph made out Andy, who had become separated from +them, borne along with an onpressing crowd. Andy was hatless, and a +red-stained handkerchief bound his head. That he had been wounded there +was no doubt and Phil, made aware of Ralph's discovery, was truly +anxious for the welfare of his redoubtable chum.</p> + +<p>"Halt—get ready!" roared a stentorian voice, and over the crest of +the hill dashed several leaders, directing little groups to action. +Phil, Ralph and several of their own age were stationed behind a marked +battery of bushes. The road space was cleared. Suddenly twenty men +swung around, and Phil saw what was brewing. They carried great round +logs.</p> + +<p>"I'm in for that!" cried Phil, springing from cover, and Ralph joined +him.</p> + +<p>Boom! A great log was dropped in its length and started on a roll down +hill. Boom! Boom! number two and number three followed. The advance +guard of the British, with dismayed yells, sprang aside or ran back. +The bottom of the road was piled up with the logs, presenting a +formidable barrier to the enemy.</p> + +<p>"More logs, rocks,—anything!" was the next stentorian command. All +kinds of debris went scurrying down the hill. The redcoats retreated +down the road, but a special deploy was at work trying to move the +massed logs out of the way.</p> + +<p>The word passed along the hill among the loyal contingent as to what +was planned. They had formed a stout barricade. If they could defend +this and divert the British troops from the road route, they might save +the town.</p> + +<p>The redcoats however, despite missiles and bullets, kept at work trying +to clear the road. Material to continue the barricade was now lacking. +The proposed rush down the hill was deferred while two or three of the +patriot leaders counselled together.</p> + +<p>"Phil, there's Andy again!" spoke up Ralph quickly.</p> + +<p>Phil glanced in the direction indicated. Andy, impetuous, heroic Andy, +was the centre of a group of men and boys. They were rolling a keg, +Andy directing its progress. With a series of forceful yells, in which +Andy led, they halted at the crest of the hill.</p> + +<p>Ready hands drew out the plug in the head of the cask, and a long fuse +was inserted and lighted. The British below saw what threatened, as +Andy balanced the keg so as to allow it to slide lengthwise down into +the barricade. Sharp orders rang out from the British ranks.</p> + +<p>With sudden regularity and discipline the British regiment wheeled, not +daring to face the impending explosion. The keg of powder descended. +A giant puff shot upward, a great detonating report rang out. The +barricade was lifted and scattered about, all ablaze.</p> + +<p>When the smoke cleared the boys knew that Lexington was saved. The +enemy had deployed, and were passing the town on a detour, but still +marching onward among the defenceless towns, carrying death and +destruction in their track.</p> + +<p>Powder-grimed, a veritable wounded warrior, Andy Sabine ran up to Phil +and Ralph, his eyes aflame with the excitement and glamour of the +battle.</p> + +<p>"Get the horses," he said quickly, "and get ahead of those redcoats. +This is just a skirmish. Concord is what they're after, strong, Captain +Parker says."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later the three chums were mounted on their horses, on +their way to the scene of the first real battle of the War of the +Revolution.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +</div> + +<h3>BROUGHT TO BOOK</h3> + + +<p>"Something wrong, Andy!" said Phil Warrington seriously.</p> + +<p>"Hello, is that so? Glad to see you back with the company, Phil."</p> + +<p>The two speakers stood in the lower part of the Sabine barn, dimly +outlined by a lantern hung from a beam. Overhead, active, rapid +footsteps crossed the floor. There was the sound of serious, +business-like voices, although they were juvenile in expression. It was +easy to surmise that the boys marching club was in session, or rather +at practice, for the orders spoken were quite martial and there was the +jingle and clank of firearms.</p> + +<p>Andy had a patch of sticking plaster on one side of his head. Secretly +he was very proud of the grazed skin underneath, which a British bullet +at Lexington had furrowed. With his mates he was a grand hero, and many +a comrade envied him the honor of being the first boy wounded in the +Revolutionary War.</p> + +<p>That had been a strenuous morning for Phil, Andy and Ralph. On their +horses that had safely rounded the British marchers, they had reached +Concord to find that town prepared to meet the enemy, but glad to +receive the latest intelligence of the movements of the British.</p> + +<p>All the night every boy and man in Concord had been doing double duty. +Earthworks had been thrown up, some of their military stores conveyed +into hiding, various points selected where strong resistance to the +invading foe might prove effective, and now all that was to be done was +to wait for the climax of the impending conflict.</p> + +<p>The Minute Men from Lincoln had come in and were soon followed by the +patriots from Acton. Then the British were seen advancing.</p> + +<p>"They are too strong for us," said one of the old veterans of the +French and Indian Wars. "Better lay back until more men come in." And +this was done. Soon the Minute Men from Bedford, Westford, Carlisle, +and other points appeared, until, all told, the ready-to-fight +colonists numbered about four hundred and fifty. They massed themselves +on a hill on the opposite side of the Charles river, overlooking +Concord.</p> + +<p>Andy's family and friends had given Phil and Ralph a royal welcome. Now +since dusk the club had been drilling in the barn loft. Phil and Ralph +had been gone about an hour, when the former returned to report.</p> + +<p>"There may be no attack for some hours yet," he said to Andy. "The +Britishers are moving cautiously. What I have found out is that some +one here in the village is in league with them."</p> + +<p>"And that some one?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Is old Jasper Bram. I have been watching his house. You know old Silas +Berks advised it. Mysterious persons have come and gone away in the +direction of the British troops. Bram is doing something to help them. +I am going straight back there on the watch as soon as I get a morsel +to eat. We may find out something important, see?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see," said Andy, "only, don't you miss being here with the +company when the trouble begins."</p> + +<p>"I shall not, Andy."</p> + +<p>Phil went into the house. Andy stood alone in the barn, halting +reflectively. He had spoken of "the company," and he felt quite the +leader and captain. Andy had won a war record. His loyal fellows had +enthusiastically resolved to do and die under his direction, and Andy +intended to do his share when the actual fighting began.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Andy," spoke an interrupting voice and Ralph Post entered the +barn. "S—st!" he added, raising his linger warningly to his lips. +"Talk low. No movement of the British as yet. That's the news your +father sends from headquarters. Say, Andy," continued Ralph in a low +whisper, "there's a spy outside."</p> + +<p>"Eh? what? who?" demanded Andy, with a start.</p> + +<p>"Don't know. He's on the plank running across the two rain casks—head +nearly on a level with the second story of the barn, and he tip-toes +when he wants to look in through the window of the loft."</p> + +<p>"Come with me," cried Andy instantly. "A spy, eh? I can't imagine—aha! +I see."</p> + +<p>Ralph it seemed had entered the barn without being seen by the spy in +question. Andy, quite as fortunate, now glanced around a corner of the +structure. At its other end he made out the lurking form Ralph had +described. Dodging back, he whispered hurriedly to his companion, and +Ralph ran around the barn. Andy himself waited a minute or two, edged +around the corner again, noticed the lurker on tip-toe, calculated his +chances, and with a sudden movement seized the end of the plank and +gave it a swift pull.</p> + +<p>There was a dancing figure over the water cask for a second or two, a +wild clutching at space, and then, as Ralph came abruptly into view, +the lurker missed his hold and disappeared with a yell and a splash +into the cask, full to the brim.</p> + +<p>"Duck him again," ordered Andy, rushing to the centre of attraction. +"Greg Bram! I thought so. Up there, hey? Company to the rescue!"</p> + +<p>Once, twice, a dozen times the would-be spy went under the surface. The +crowd came downstairs and direct to the scene of commotion. It was only +when Greg Bram's plaintive bellowings became weak, showing that he was +nearly exhausted, that the boys let up on him. A dripping, dilapidated +specimen of humanity he staggered from the spot amid the jeers and +hootings of the patriotic boys.</p> + +<p>Phil, after a hurried meal, coming out of the house, saw the end of the +episode. Greg became his guide, for it was to Jasper Bram's that Phil +was bound. The son amid his chagrin and misery made straight for the +parental roof.</p> + +<p>Phil trailed Greg clear up to the door of his home, and then glided +around to the side of the building, posting himself just beyond an open +window looking into the room, up and down which old Bram was pacing, +some rare excitement and a look of satisfaction expressed on his +weazened, avaricious face. As Greg burst into the room, wild with rage +and uncomfortable to the last extreme, the old man stared at him in +amazement and then in wrath.</p> + +<p>"Nice plight you're in!" he cried. "Now, what does this mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means that I want to join the British army and sweep this old town +off the face of the earth!" snarled Greg venomously. "Oh, if I had the +burning of this burg! Oh, if I could massacre the whole crowd of them!"</p> + +<p>"Did you learn anything about where they have moved the ammunition?" +demanded his father.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't," retorted Greg, "seeing that I didn't have the chance, I +was fool enough to try and find out what Andy Sabine and his crowd were +doing. They caught me. Dad, you show me how to get revenge, and you +needn't pay me a dollar for all those messages to the Britishers this +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Do you think any of the town people suspect what is really going on?" +were the next words that fell on the ears of the eagerly-listening +Phil, in Jasper Bram's rasping tone of voice.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so," replied Greg,—"how could they?"</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to know anything that's important," snarled old Bram. +"This is no time for thinking, or guessing. I'm in for a big reward if +my information to the British enables them to come into the town as +they wish, by the north road. You haven't helped much, Greg, and that's +a fact."</p> + +<p>"Helped!" cried Greg. "I've done nothing but help. You're talking that +way so you won't have to give me anything for all my work. Who found +out all about the plans of the Sons of Liberty but me, and—aha! didn't +I help you bury our dog, yes, our poor old dog, ha! ha!"</p> + +<p>There was a vicious twinkle in Greg's eye and a sneering expression +on his lips. It was evident that he had hit the old man hard at a +sensitive point. There was some deep undercurrent to the remark, for, +like a tiger aroused, old Jasper Bram, with clenched fists and flashing +eyes, sprang at his son as if he would strike him down where he stood.</p> + +<p>"You'll bring that up, will you?" he shouted. "After all I've told you, +you'll threaten me, will you?"</p> + +<p>"Well," retorted Greg, backing away, "I just wanted to show you that +I've helped you out whenever I could. Who else would do it—and keep +his mouth shut? That's the point—wouldn't blab. Why, if the father +of Phil Warrington, drat him! or that young Burt Noble, knew about +burying that dog—"</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop, I tell you!" roared the old man, "or I'll thrash the life +out of you. Even so much as hint at this thing again, and I'll turn you +out of house and home."</p> + +<p>In his rage old Bram tore about the apartment in a frenzied manner. He +kicked over a chair, he slammed a door, he jammed down the window at +which Phil had been peering and listening. But Phil did not mind this. +He was ready to hasten back to Concord now, for he believed that he had +secured some information of the most vital importance to his patriotic +friends.</p> + +<p>"I see their plan—that of the British," he murmured. "They intend to +enter Concord from the north, where they are not expected, where no +preparations have been made to repel them."</p> + +<p>Phil started on a keen run in the direction of Concord. He was figuring +out how the enemy could make a detour and accomplish a good deal by +getting right upon the boundary of the town without being discovered.</p> + +<p>"One good piece of information, that," he soliloquized. "And about +the dog they buried? What made old Bram so wrathy when his son, Greg, +alluded to that? He meant something, I feel sure. He meant something +of interest to my father and Burt Noble, I believe. That dog business +hides some mystery. I'll make a mental note of it, and I'll think it +over and act on it when we have given the British a double dose of what +we gave them at Lexington."</p> + +<p>Phil halted. Way to the north he caught a sudden alarming sound. It was +vague, distant—the echo of a volley of musketry. His worst fears were +confirmed. The British soldiers had made the detour of the town. He +dashed on with renewed speed. Would he be too late to save Concord?</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</h2> +</div> + +<h3>THE BATTLE OF CONCORD</h3> + + +<p>Phil Warrington dashed into the barn belonging to Andy Sabine's father, +breathless. Andy and his company had just filed down the stairs from +the loft. Their leader ran up to the scurrying figure of the new +arrival with expectancy in his face.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Phil?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"The Brams have been giving information to the British, and the +redcoats have rounded the town. They are planning to attack us from the +north. I heard some firing in that direction."</p> + +<p>"Out of this!" ordered the impulsive Andy quickly. "Scatter the news! +Tell everybody! I'll get to my father and the committee. Then all hands +meet at the square."</p> + +<p>There was a tremendous bustle. Phil was borne along in the wake of the +dispersing company. He made sure first, though, to secure his musket. +As he ran down the street, in every direction he could hear the ringing +voices of his young friends, scattering far and wide the news he had +just brought into Concord.</p> + +<p>He helped with voice and feet, too, as his share in the action of the +moment. When he reached the square Phil found it the center of a great +commotion. He espied Andy's father moving rapidly from group to group +of the volunteers, and managed to get to his side.</p> + +<p>Phil hurriedly explained what he had heard Jasper Bram tell his son, +Greg, about the plans of the redcoats. He referred as well to the +firing he had heard north of the town. Mr. Sabine looked very much +interested, but was excited and worried.</p> + +<p>"All our forces and points of advantage are bulked at this end of the +town," he said. "We never counted on the British coming from any other +direction. It will have to be a scattered fight. You lads keep out of +trouble. Do your duty, but don't take any reckless risks."</p> + +<p>A short time later Andy and Phil, with the patriotic boys of Concord, +marched out of town and across the bridge to the hill occupied by the +Minute Men and the other patriots that were assembling. Everything was +in a state of excitement.</p> + +<p>"Musket Boys to the front!" cried Andy, and soon he gathered many of +his friends about him. All had muskets, some new and some dating back +to the French and Indian Wars.</p> + +<p>It was not long before smoke could be seen coming from several points +in Concord.</p> + +<p>"Will the British try to burn the town?" was the question on every +tongue.</p> + +<p>"Men, we must protect Concord!" cried Captain Barret, who was in +command. "We'll march down to the bridge."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the Minute Men, with many of the Musket Boys, reached +the vicinity of the North Bridge.</p> + +<p>"See! see!" cried Phil. "The redcoats are wrecking the bridge!"</p> + +<p>Phil's words proved true. The British soldiers were forcing up the +planking of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Stop! stop!" cried a number of the patriots. "Let that bridge alone!"</p> + +<p>"Keep back!" was the order from the British commander, and then, as the +Minute Men and the Musket Boys drew closer, he gave the order to fire +on the patriots.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! bang! spoke up the firearms of the redcoats, and two of the +Minute Men fell.</p> + +<p>"Give it to the redcoats!" was the yell, and then Minute Men and Musket +Boys returned the volley, and several on the Concord side of the +bridge went down, two to rise no more.</p> + +<p>From that moment the fighting became general. The Musket Boys were +in the thick of the fray, and worked as hard as did the Minute Men. +Colonel Smith, the British commander, did all in his power to hold +the bridge, but, more Minute Men arriving, he saw that it would be +impossible to do so, so at last he gave the order to retreat.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, there started up fighting at other points, and a +distant cannon boomed out, followed by the explosion of some gunpowder.</p> + +<p>"Phil, this is war, actual war!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the Boston boy, "and the Musket Boys must do their +duty."</p> + +<p>From the bridge, the redcoats were followed into Concord, and then +another skirmish took place. At last the British commenced to retreat +in earnest. Little did they dream of what that withdrawal was to cost +them!</p> + +<p>In the midst of the excitement Phil and Andy saw a forlorn figure pass +the lines. Some shots followed him from the British groups, but he +dashed resolutely into the midst of Andy's contingent.</p> + +<p>"Ralph—Ralph Post!" cried Andy excitedly. "What news?"</p> + +<p>The sailor boy's face was streaked with powder smut, his hair and +eyebrows were singed, and his coat was burned at the edges. A truly +heroic figure, he waved his hand triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"They're on the run!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What! we have beaten the British?" spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"Tooth and nail, horse and foot, van and rear, hurrah!" responded +Ralph, but his cheer, meant to be exultant, was decidedly faint, and he +had to lean against a post, pretty well exhausted.</p> + +<p>"I tell you it has been hot work," continued Ralph, when he had +recovered his breath. "Those redcoats came down on us like an +avalanche. They were just a solid mass, sweeping away everything in +their path except the town hall. That turned them. They got such a +steady hail of bullets from the windows, from the roof and from behind +trees and fences, that they turned double quick. But they made for the +arsenal. Our men simply couldn't withstand such a force, for most of +the crowd on duty there earlier, had been sent north to fight. They're +getting in on us. Oh, dear!" sighed Ralph dolefully. "Those elegant +cannons!"</p> + +<p>"What about the cannons?" inquired Andy impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Spiked, smashed, two of them. The redcoats did it. And the powder—all +that precious powder!"</p> + +<p>"And what about the powder?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"Some barrels emptied into the river. But we beat them—some. A smashed +keg they were rolling along with the other kegs near the river. One +of our men dared everything, ran to the spot, fired his gun among the +loose powder, and that ended it. Why, those redcoats and the Tories +with them ran like scared rats. Then our men put after them. They are +after them now. They have driven the redcoats down the road, just lined +with our skirmishers. It's pop! bang! all the time. A lot of our men +have cut across country to head them off, if they try to return that +way. The rest of our men are just driving the enemy back to Boston on +the double-quick. Oh, we've lost something, but it's a rout, and the +battle of Lexington is won!"</p> + +<p>"Let's follow," cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, break ranks! Attention company! Halt!" rang out a cheery, +martial voice.</p> + +<p>A clattering wagon had driven right into the midst of Andy and his +companions. It was recognized at once as the antiquated, familiar rig +of old Silas Berks.</p> + +<p>"Whoa!" roared the veteran Indian fighter, getting to his feet and +waving his hand excitedly. "Fellow-citizens—no; I mean friends, boys, +pile aboard. There's a party of redcoats stuck in the road with four +field pieces just beyond my place. If you want to cover yourselves with +glory, all aboard! the more the better, and I'll show you a capture +worth your while."</p> + +<p>"I heard something about some of the heavy baggage of the Britishers +unable to make the detour of the town, and ordered to get back to the +next village," said Ralph. "Our men have cut off any chance of the +others reaching and helping them."</p> + +<p>"Company—march!" ordered Andy grandly.</p> + +<p>The way the "company" obeyed was to pile into the wagon, those of them +who could. The others, eager and excited, strung along on a run behind +as the crazy old vehicle clattered back on its route among the hills +beyond Concord.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>SPOILS OF WAR</h3> + + +<p>Captain Andy Sabine's company consisted of over a dozen boys. All of +them had muskets, and most of them knew how to use the firearms, for +hunting was a great part of the life of the average Concord boy of +those days.</p> + +<p>All were eager for the fray, as the saying goes. They had already +"smelt powder," and old Silas Berks, proud of the junior military +coterie he had advised and once or twice drilled, "calculated" +they could do the work in hand as efficiently as the regular adult +volunteers who were off on more important duty.</p> + +<p>"There's six men in charge of the cannon wagons and two carts," he told +Andy and Phil, whom he had insisted should occupy a place of honor +with him on the front seat of the vehicle. There had been over a dozen +Britishers left in charge of the baggage, but most of them had gone +away to find more and fresher horses to help get the gun carriages out +of the ruts where they had almost broken down.</p> + +<p>Andy and Phil knew the situation they were expected to confront very +well from the garrulous old Indian fighter's report, and made their +plans accordingly. As they drove past the home of Jasper Bram, Andy +noticed that it was all dark and the shutters drawn, and commented on +the fact.</p> + +<p>"I reckon they've made themselves scarce until this scrimmage is over," +said Silas. "It's as well, if they're wise. Take my word for it, if +they have found out that the redcoats have been routed, they won't show +their faces around here for some time to come. Now then, lads, we'll +have to drop the wagon right here. There's only a footpath through +the timber, and we want to be silent and cautious like. My, how this +reminds me of the prime old Indian days! Many a lonely trail I've +followed—"</p> + +<p>"There's a light," said Andy suddenly, as they surmounted the crest of +the hill.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded old Silas, peering ahead, "they're your men. Same spot +where I first saw them. Go slow now, Andy. Get your Musket Boys under +orders, and make no mistake in dealing with those fellows."</p> + +<p>Andy's volunteers grouped about him as he imparted his instructions in +low tones. They could see at a miry stretch of the cross-country road +a lot of wagons, some horses and two men with shovels digging around +the wheels of the half-overturned gun carriage. A lighted lantern swung +from a nearby branch.</p> + +<p>About two hundred yards beyond them, where a brush-covered space ended +at the edge of a forest, were four other men, a lantern carried by one +of their number, while the others were selecting and sorting dead tree +branches, as if gathering material to construct a temporary corduroy +road.</p> + +<p>"Phil, we'll divide evenly on the men," advised Andy in a truly +military tone of voice. "I'll attend to the fellows in the road, you +see to it that the other redcoats near the timber don't get away."</p> + +<p>"We are to make them prisoners—if we can!" suggested Phil.</p> + +<p>"I should say it," responded Andy, with the decision of a Napoleon. +"Remember what we heard about Gen. Gage imprisoning some patriots in +Boston. These six redcoats will count for six of our own people, don't +you see?"</p> + +<p>"Very well," nodded Phil. "Come on, fellows."</p> + +<p>Half of the boys followed Andy's sub-commander with alacrity. Phil +was a favorite, and the politic Andy had avoided creating any hard +feeling by appointing a boy who did not really belong to Concord as his +lieutenant.</p> + +<p>Andy and his cohorts advanced cautiously in the direction of the +stalled wagons. Some high bushes and the darkness of the night enabled +them to come almost directly upon the British without discovery. Andy +silently and effectively disposed his "men" in a semi-circle. Then, his +sabre drawn, the naked blade glittering impressively in the lantern +light, he stepped from behind a big bush with the single word:</p> + +<p>"Surrender!"</p> + +<p>"Hi—hello!" cried the Britisher digging under the front wheel of the +gun carriage, and he stared askance at the sudden apparition.</p> + +<p>"Why, you young jackanapes!" began the other man, dropping his shovel +and staring also.</p> + +<p>"Ready!" said Andy, as immovable as a statue.</p> + +<p>The two men started back. From the bushes, focussing them as selected +targets, the muzzles of numerous muskets told them that the situation +was no joke.</p> + +<p>"Stand out in the middle of the road there," ordered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Bill, call the others!" hoarsely spoke one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Raise your voice or make a move outside of what you are ordered, and +we fire," said Andy, quietly but firmly.</p> + +<p>The two men got into the middle of the road. Andy told off four of his +company to get ropes from one of the baggage wagons and tie the hands +of the captives behind them.</p> + +<p>This had scarcely been accomplished when Phil and the others appeared +upon the scene, driving at the muzzle's point the four men who had been +working in the timber. The captives looked immensely sheepish, but they +had no weapons, they were completely outnumbered, and Phil had acted +all through in a way that convinced them that he and his assistants +were in deadly earnest.</p> + +<p>"I guess this is all there is of them," observed Ralph.</p> + +<p>"It won't be soon," growled one of the captives. "There'll be a whole +army following our men back here."</p> + +<p>"I fancy you don't quite understand the situation," remarked Andy with +a triumphant smile. "Your messengers will be lucky if they come up with +the army, as you call it, this side of Boston."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then they'll have to run pretty fast!" chuckled old +Silas. "I'd tie the other four there," he advised. "Bring 'em to the +wagon and take them to the town jail. As to this wagon truck, <i>et +settery</i>—spoils of war, my friends, spoils of war."</p> + +<p>Andy had got a taste of war, and paraded the military feature to the +full as the captured redcoats were marched to the wagon, conveyed and +guarded by the nine members of the company. He put sentinels on duty, +and with remainder of the company grouped about the baggage outfit, +awaited the result of his report sent to Concord.</p> + +<p>It was two hours later when old Silas returned. With him were some +twenty men on horseback, provided with ropes and crowbars, as well as +weapons. They proceeded to get the baggage train righted, fresh horses +in the harness, and were soon able to start with their prizes for +Concord.</p> + +<p>From what they had told, Phil and Andy realized that there was no +danger of another raid on the town in the near future. The British +invaders were in swift retreat, with pursuers hot on their trail. All +along their route they were being peppered constantly with shots from +thickets and houses. Their loss had been heavy, their first effort to +subdue the colonists had resulted in dire disaster.</p> + +<p>The tired boys trailed homeward, feeling glad and proud of the share +they had taken in the heroic episodes of the evening. As the crowd +neared the stockade that surrounded the humble home of Silas, the old +Indian fighter fell behind somewhat in company with Phil and Andy.</p> + +<p>"I say," he observed to the latter, "I feel so good over to-night's +work, it makes me lonely for company. There'll be no more fighting +to-night. Tell your comrades to notify the folks that you are going to +stay with me for a couple of hours, won't you?"</p> + +<p>The boys were anxious to get back to town, for, more fighting or not, +they knew that Concord would be in a vortex of excitement for many +hours to come. There was lots to learn of the experience of others. +However, both Phil and Andy appreciated the good service the old +veteran had given, and they turned into the stockade, past "old Tom," +after communicating their intention to their comrades.</p> + +<p>"First and foremost," said Silas, when they had entered his cozy hut +amid the noisy greetings of parrot, pigeons and other fowls and pet +animals, "I'm going to refresh the inner man."</p> + +<p>It was a prime meal that the famous old Indian fighter speedily had +ready for them—bear steak, coffee, apple sauce and mince pie, +home-made from his own skilled hands. Then Silas brought from the dove +cote two of his favored carrier pigeons, and allowed them to walk about +the table picking up crumbs, while he began writing on a sheet of paper +a brief narrative of the recent battle.</p> + +<p>"That will get to Boston long before the redcoat raiders," he observed, +after finishing the screed, in composing which his guests helped him +considerably.</p> + +<p>"You are going to send that to Boston, Mr. Berks?" spoke Phil, a +speculative look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, right away," nodded Silas.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you could do me a service in the same line?" went on +Phil.</p> + +<p>"Why not? I guess what you're after. You would like to get word to your +folks."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Phil hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Easily done, lad. There's paper and pencil. Get your letter ready. +I'll send it by the first mail to a friend in a certain house-top in +Boston, who will see that it is delivered before sunrise."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is great!" commented Andy.</p> + +<p>When Phil had written his letter, he gave it to Silas. The latter +folded the sheet, wrote some directions on its back, enclosed it in a +thin piece of oilskin, did the same with his own letter, and attached +one under the wing of one of the doves, the other under the wing of its +companion.</p> + +<p>Then, the doves fluttering affectionately on his shoulder, he went to +the window, opened it, spoke some pet words, and the trained doves took +flight into the darkness on their route to Boston.</p> + +<p>"I must thank you greatly for that service, Mr. Berks," said Phil. "It +takes a great load off my mind to know that my folks will learn where I +am, and my plans. I've sent a message to my company too."</p> + +<p>"The Musket Boys of Boston?" spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've told them to expect me among them, and to be sure to keep up +their drilling, for they soon will be needed."</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded old Silas sagely. "The ball has opened, and +America will soon need the help of every loyal lad who can handle a +musket."</p> + +<p>The old man bustled around getting his pets comfortable. Andy suggested +that it was about time for them to leave for home.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're due in town," observed Phil. "We'll go by Bram's house. +I've a good deal of curiosity to know if they have left the place."</p> + +<p>Phil recited in detail the conversation he had overheard between the +Brams, father and son, about burying a dog.</p> + +<p>"Why, that was queer," commented Andy. "There's something under that +talk hard to understand, Phil. It looks as if Greg Bram was sort of +hinting at some secret he knew about. And it certainly refers to your +father and Burt Noble."</p> + +<p>"What's that about Bram and the dog?" piped up old Silas curiously.</p> + +<p>Phil repeated his story for the benefit of their inquisitive host.</p> + +<p>"Buried a dog, did they?" said the old man, when Phil's narrative was +concluded. "Why, they never owned a dog. Old Jasper is too stingy to +feed one."</p> + +<p>"That makes it more puzzling than ever," said Phil. "Why, Mr. Berks, +what are you doing?"</p> + +<p>The old man with quite a thoughtful air had taken up a piece of chalk +from a shelf, and had written on the wall just under the shelf the +words: "<i>Bram buried dog.</i>"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's my memorandy book," chuckled Silas, his shrewd eyes +twinkling busily. "I have lots of time on my hands. You're interested, +and I'm keeping that memorandy as a reminder. Shouldn't wonder," and +the veteran Indian fighter squinted enigmatically, "if I started out +some day to find out where Bram buried that dog—that never existed, +mind you—and why he did it. When I do, Warrington," and he placed his +hand impressively on Phil's shoulder, "expect a message from me by my +carrier pigeon route to Boston."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for liberty!" screamed the parrot.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>IN CAMP</h3> + + +<p>"Count noses, Andy, and be quick about it," said Phil hastily.</p> + +<p>"My own squad are all here, Phil. Look to your own Musket Boys. If the +tally's right, we'd better take leg bail, for the mischief is done, +and—here come the Tories!"</p> + +<p>It was a new scene, that occupied by Phil, Andy and others, the time +nightfall, the spot opposite Boston, near Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Some twenty boys bubbling over with animation and excitement surrounded +Phil and Andy. Each ran his eye over the two groups of which the crowd +was composed.</p> + +<p>"All here," sang out Phil. "Run for it fellows!"</p> + +<p>Down the bank of the Charles river Phil and Andy started on a keen run, +their laughing, gossiping comrades following them. They left behind +them a large yawl and several men, rushing towards it. Out in the +stream there bobbed up some bulky bales and parcels, floating swiftly +with the current.</p> + +<p>"Didn't even see us," said Andy triumphantly, slowing down his gait. +"Trick number two—inside of a week. Those fellows will think it wise +to leave a guard on their plunder, the next time."</p> + +<p>"We don't want to try it too often," advised Phil. "They may set a trap +for us."</p> + +<p>The occasion was a raid on the enemy at close quarters. Affairs had +changed for Phil and Andy and their friends during a month's rapid and +exciting flight. They were now real soldiers, for the continental army +was an actual fact, and they were members of it.</p> + +<p>After the defeat at Concord, Gen. Gage's troops had ventured on no +more forays into the surrounding country. The raiders were taught a +lasting lesson, and had met with a terrible experience in their retreat +to Boston where every inch of the way was disputed. Utterly routed, +harassed at every town and hedgerow by patriot skirmishers, a forlorn, +defeated remnant of the original invading force, they had skulked back +into Boston, "very small potatoes," indeed!</p> + +<p>They had shut the loyalists out of Boston. Now the loyalists retaliated +by shutting the redcoats and Tories into Boston. In fact, the city was +beleaguered. There were points open to the British for an occasional +brief foray into the country across the Charles river, but they did +not dare to go far, for the country, fully aroused by the Concord +incident, had sprung to arms instantly. The result was the formation +of the continental army all over the land, and the New England forces, +forming a well-disciplined camp at Cambridge, virtually held the Boston +redcoats passive.</p> + +<p>Everybody in the colonies was enlisting. Andy had selected nearly a +dozen of the older boys of the Concord marching club, and had signed +the military roster.</p> + +<p>The party, including himself, Phil and Ralph, had gone to Cambridge. +They were accepted as volunteers a day or two afterwards. Many members +of the Musket Boys of Boston managed to cross the river undiscovered in +the dark, and Phil found himself a juvenile leader with his dear old +chums under his official wing, ready to battle for him and the cause of +liberty.</p> + +<p>They had managed to rig up a uniform that distinguished them from the +every-day home boy. They had tents of their own, were under the orders +of strict superiors, and did sentinel duty with their older comrades in +the service.</p> + +<p>The boys fell into the new camp life as if they had been brought up +to it. They were useful in many ways to the general service. Phil had +not yet gone to Boston. It would have been a risky experiment, and, +besides, he felt that his duty lay with the army, and he put off the +visit from day to day. His folks had received the message sent by the +carrier pigeons, so they were assured of his safety, and his volunteer +chums had brought him messages from home when they came to join the +army.</p> + +<p>One night Phil and Andy and their comrades came across a sailboat, +evidently belonging to some Tories who had stolen across the river +probably to exchange sentiments with emissaries from the interior. They +were warmly commended in camp when they reported this prize moored near +its river confines.</p> + +<p>Now for the second time they had made a successful foray. They had +watched from ambush that afternoon a squad of redcoats cross the river +in the big yawl they had just despoiled. The men had left the boat +and had gone into the country to collect flour, horse feed and other +supplies, paying for them in some instances, and in others intimidating +the farmers into giving them the articles for nothing.</p> + +<p>The boys kept on the watch until dark, and saw the raiders load up +the yawl with their plunder. Somewhere the Tories had got a supply of +"fire water." They one and all congregated in a little copse near by to +indulge in a free jollification before returning to camp. Phil and Andy +had directed a cautious visit to the boat. The Musket Boys had taken +prompt action. Every package aboard was dumped into the creek, and the +despoilers had fled in safety just as the Britishers detected the trick +that had been played upon them.</p> + +<p>"Some one to see you, Warrington," said a sentinel, as the party of +young marauders passed into the camp.</p> + +<p>"That so?" returned Phil. "Who was it? Is he here now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. About twenty new Boston recruits came in to-night. They've been +two days coming by the Breed's Hill route. Forty started, but got +blocked. This man is a neighbor of your family, and he had some message +for you, I believe."</p> + +<p>"I hope there is no bad news," murmured Phil.</p> + +<p>He hurried to the little group of tents where the Musket Boys were +encamped. There was one big tent where half-a-dozen of them bunked. +There was a light in this, and Phil heard conversation within, pulled +open the entrance flap, and noticed a man he knew seated among several +of the boys.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Phil?" the newcomer said arising and greeting the boy +with a hearty handshake. "You see, we are all moving into your camp +gradually."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to see you, Mr. Monroe," replied Phil. "How are the folks?"</p> + +<p>"All well, Phil, only there has been a little trouble, and your mother +wanted me to see you. She sends her love, and has given me some money +to give you."</p> + +<p>"And father—" began Phil.</p> + +<p>"Well, Phil," said Mr. Monroe, "your father is paying the penalty +for being true to his country. You know he and Mr. Powell and Mr. +Clinton have been most active in encouraging recruits for the army and +smuggling them out of Boston. Gen. Gage got wrathy at their success. He +ordered their arrest three days ago, and they are now prisoners."</p> + +<p>"The tyrants! the scoundrels!" flashed out Andy, who had accompanied +Phil and now overheard the conversation.</p> + +<p>Phil was a little pale and worried.</p> + +<p>"What will they do with my father and the others, Mr. Monroe?" he +questioned.</p> + +<p>"I don't think they can do anything much," replied Mr. Monroe. "In the +first place, your father's loyal friends won't appear as witnesses. In +the next place, if the British proceed to any extreme measures, they +will raise a riot. It is only by constantly parading their militia and +firearms that they depress the loyal people of Boston. We are all very +sorry, for since it has been planned to have George Washington take +command of the army and introduce some organization and discipline, +they have been selecting good men as officers, and I believe it was the +intention of your father and his two fellow prisoners to join us in +coming over here to go into active service."</p> + +<p>"That settles it. They shall come!" cried Andy Sabine, whipping out of +the tent, on fire with some new idea that had entered that active mind +of his.</p> + +<p>Phil did not see his chum again that night. The Boston boy reflected +a good deal over the unfortunate situation of his father. He was +afraid that a charge of treason might be made against his parent by +the Tories. Mr. Warrington and his colleagues might be transported to +England, which in those days meant life imprisonment or death.</p> + +<p>Phil saw his commanding officer early in the morning and had a talk +with him over the troubles of the imprisoned patriots. That official +intimated to him that if his father was a member of the continental +army in open conflict with the British, they could not make the charge +of treason, as they might on a subterfuge while he was a mere citizen +under direct British rule.</p> + +<p>"If your father could escape and join the army before any definite +charges were made against him, he would be free from any of Gage's +kidnapping-hanging tactics," explained the officer.</p> + +<p>"Then a way must be found to rescue my father and his friends," +declared Phil.</p> + +<p>He thought over the situation all that morning, and had a talk with +Ralph Post. Together they went to see the commanding general. Phil +asked for a week's leave of absence from duty, and he frankly told the +general that it was his plan to get into Boston in some way to rescue +his father and his friends and to get them safely out to Cambridge. The +general listened gravely to the project. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"You are a brave young fellow, Warrington, and a loyal son. I wish we +could help you. You are welcome to the leave, and take as many of +your comrades as you need. We wished to get some important information +to friends in Boston, and if you decide to attempt to get through the +lines report to me and I will give you a letter. I hope you will be +able to deliver it at a certain address in the city."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Phil, and retired to find Andy waiting for him +impatiently in the main tent of the Musket Boys.</p> + +<p>"Andy, I'm going to Boston," announced the boy impulsively.</p> + +<p>"Of course you are," nodded Andy, without betraying any surprise +whatever, "and I'm going with you. I've been thinking it over all night +long, and planning for it all morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have," murmured Phil.</p> + +<p>"Think I'd leave you in the lurch? Think for a moment we're going to +leave your father in trouble? No, sir! Before midnight you and I will +be in Boston. I've arranged it all. I've got a scheme that will get us +across the Charles river as easy as rolling off a log."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>BOSTON AT LAST</h3> + + +<p>"Go slow, Phil."</p> + +<p>"We couldn't go much slower if we tried."</p> + +<p>"That's so," returned Andy Sabine. "I meant in the way of caution. Now +then, anchor your side of the old raft with your pole, and I'll do the +same on my side. We've arrived. What's the lookout?"</p> + +<p>"Dismal enough," answered Phil, peering ahead in the semi-darkness of +twilight through a maze of reeds. "I see a big scow loaded with hay. I +hear voices, but they are at the other end of the old craft."</p> + +<p>"That scow is our destination, Phil," said Andy smartly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so?"</p> + +<p>"It is. The voices you hear are Johnny redcoats, and we are simply to +get to the scow unobserved, smuggle down serenely in the hay, and heave +yo! for Boston."</p> + +<p>"Good," nodded Phil cheerily. "So far, very good. It's quite a little +stretch from here to the scow, though."</p> + +<p>"About fifty feet," calculated Andy. "I think we can wade most of the +way. If we have to swim, a little ducking won't hurt us."</p> + +<p>"All right, when you say the word. I'm ready," reported Phil.</p> + +<p>"I say it right now," responded Andy. "Make straight for the center +stern. No noise, now—here we go."</p> + +<p>Andy stepped over the edge of the rude log raft which they had been two +hours poling through the mazes of a swampy river stretch. Phil followed +him promptly. They found the water up to their knees, and, where the +weeds were sparse, up to their waists. At length they had covered all +of the odd fifty feet between the raft and the yawl except about five +yards of clear water space. Here they had to swim for it.</p> + +<p>"Made it," breathed Andy softly, as, dripping but exultant, they both +clambered aboard the scow and snuggled in among the hay, burrowing into +it a few feet.</p> + +<p>"I don't think anyone saw us," remarked Phil.</p> + +<p>"Then we're safe for a free passage across the river," declared Andy.</p> + +<p>The Concord boy had noticed the scow come across the river earlier +in the day. The pilot to which it was attached by a stout cable was a +large yawl, with three pairs of oars manned by stalwart redcoats. They +had come across the stream to gather forage for their horses, selecting +a spot where a coarse swamp hay grew thickly.</p> + +<p>Andy had told Phil this back at the camp at Cambridge, and his comrade +had made his arrangements accordingly. His commanding officer had given +Phil a letter to deliver in Boston. Phil's Musket Boys chums had sent +a cheering word to their parents, and, assuming their old civilian +clothes, Phil and Andy had started out on the desperate enterprise of +trying to rescue Mr. Warrington and his fellow prisoners from the hands +of the British. Now they had made a favorable start in their project, +and it looked very much as if the hardest part of their task, crossing +the river to Boston, had been accomplished.</p> + +<p>The boys lay snug and contented, conversing in whispers when there was +occasion for talk. After a while the scow began to move. They gazed +out from their screen of hay to watch the shore they had just left +fade from view. There was slow and hampered progress when they met the +strong central current of the broad Charles River. After that the scow +proceeded steadily on its course. As it turned now and then they could +make out the river docks and the lights of the city. Then the scow +sided up against a wharf bulkhead and became motionless.</p> + +<p>"What now?" inquired Phil of his companion.</p> + +<p>"We seem to have arrived for good. The boat has brought us over. How +are we going to leave it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll reconnoitre a bit, I guess," answered Andy, and he began to +cautiously work his way beyond the hay into the open starlight. Then he +trod along the extreme edge of the well-loaded craft, and managed to +reach the side of its deck without accident.</p> + +<p>Andy took a look down the wharf, and then bobbed back quickly. He +returned as fast as he could to Phil.</p> + +<p>"The fellows in the pilot yawl have cut loose and are rowing up the +river," he informed his chum, "but a new crowd of men has just come +out from sheds in a big hay yard to unload. There may be twenty of +them—big roystering fellows. They've got pitchforks, and will start +right at work. Let's get out of this, Phil."</p> + +<p>Andy at once led the way along his recent course, whispering his plan +to Phil to spring up on the wharf and make a run for it. A high fence +set back about four feet lined the wharf. It had no break for some +distance.</p> + +<p>"Come on now—hold on!" said Andy, peering past the side of the scow. +"Thunder, Phil! smell that? see that?"</p> + +<p>Smoke was what both boys instantly scented. A flare it was that dazzled +their eyes. Loud shouts greeted their startled hearing. Some careless +smoker among the unloading gang had set fire to the great load of hay.</p> + +<p>"Jump!" said Phil quickly, giving Andy a push. "We can't be in a worse +fix," and both landed on the planking of the wharf. As they did so, +they fairly ran into two men retreating from the blaze. Both were armed +with pitchforks.</p> + +<p>"Hello," yelled one of them. "Smugglers!"</p> + +<p>"Run for it," directed Phil, and down the wharf both put at their best +pace. Andy turned his head to discover the two Tories in hot pursuit +of them, as well yelling loudly for their comrades to join in the +chase. Phil glanced ahead down the wharf, its location and outlines +becoming suddenly familiar to him. As they dodged around a curve in the +planking, Phil suddenly exclaimed!</p> + +<p>"Andy, we're in a trap. If those fellows follow us, it's a sure capture +unless we swim for it."</p> + +<p>The Concord boy saw at a glance what Phil meant. A hundred feet further +on the wharf ended, blocked squarely by the wall of a big brick +warehouse.</p> + +<p>"Now I know where we are," panted Phil. "You see that building? It's +the old warehouse my father used to own before the Tories came and his +business got bad. One of the Musket Boys told me that the redcoats had +confiscated it to their own use for storage. Oh, Andy, I have an idea."</p> + +<p>Whatever his idea, Phil did not pause to discuss it. He knew the old +warehouse like a book. Many a gay ramble he had enjoyed over it from +attic to cellar, and suddenly there had come to his mind a memory of +its outlets where he had escaped playmates in games of hide and seek. +Andy came to a sudden halt as Phil did—directly behind the warehouse +where a hinged wooden grating covered some wharf subway. Phil pulled at +this, and lifted it a few feet.</p> + +<p>"Jump down," he ordered quickly. "Don't be afraid. I know what I am +about," and Andy leaped boldly, and Phil after him, letting down the +grating into place just in time.</p> + +<p>They had landed on a hard clay surface. Holding their breath, they +heard their pursuers running down the wharf. They came to a halt, +blocked by the warehouse wall. Then the lurkers heard a man's voice +ejaculate:</p> + +<p>"Those two fellows have mysteriously disappeared."</p> + +<p>"They must have jumped into the river and swum for it, then," came +the response. "Come, they've slipped us, and we'd better get back to +helping the others shove that blazing hay into the river."</p> + +<p>Phil expressed a sigh of relief and his comrade nudged him with a +chirping chuckle.</p> + +<p>"What's next?" propounded Andy.</p> + +<p>"We've got to get into the building," explained Phil, "and out upon the +street."</p> + +<p>"Can we do it?"</p> + +<p>"I think I know a way, provided things are not too much changed around +the old building since I was last here," said Phil. He groped about, +located a break in the foundation of the warehouse, and a minute later +he had hold of Andy's hand leading him in the darkness across a damp +cellar. The boy located a door at its front end and pushed it open. +They found themselves under some planking, crept along a few feet, and +crawled up a slant of earth leading to the street.</p> + +<p>Phil poked his head out and announced that it was safe to emerge from +covert. They stood on a known street that was deserted, hurried to +the next corner, and, gaining confidence as they got among houses and +shops, felt that they were safe to go their way as unchallenged as the +regular residents of the city.</p> + +<p>"Where first, Phil?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"Home!" answered Phil promptly, and the eager, heartfelt ring in his +voice made Andy think of Concord with a queer, longing thrill.</p> + +<p>After that Phil said little or nothing. Andy was too absorbed in +watching what was going on about him to notice at once the silent mood +of his comrade, but finally he asked:</p> + +<p>"What makes you so quiet, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"The change," answered the Boston boy seriously. "It doesn't seem like +the old town at all. It is so quiet and dreary. In the old springtimes +like this the boys would be out playing Hunt the Grey or Pump Pump Peel +Away, and the shops would be bright and cheery. See those redcoats +parading everywhere, scaring women and children. There seems to be a +blight and gloom on everything."</p> + +<p>"There's your house, Phil," said Andy recognizing the Warrington home +from his former visit to Boston.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look much like the bright, jolly old place, does it, now?" +asked Phil, rather mournfully. "Just to think of the changes of a +year—father out of business and a prisoner. Oh, it seems to me the +whole city is in mourning."</p> + +<p>"It won't be long, though," declared Andy. "Gen. Washington says he has +come here to drive the redcoats out to sea, and we'll help him at it."</p> + +<p>"The back way, Andy," said Phil, as they neared the house. "You know, +it mustn't get around that I am home. There may be some neighbors in +the house. It might reach the ears of the Tories, and they'd probably +make no bones of shutting up the son of a rebel."</p> + +<p>"And a continental soldier in the bargain," added Andy. "That's so, +Phil. How will you keep from being recognized in the streets when you +go around in daylight, though!"</p> + +<p>"We must make some change in our looks. Here we are."</p> + +<p>Phil had gone around to the kitchen door. He peeped in at a side window +of the other part of the house. He saw some visitors in the sitting +room. He knocked lightly at the kitchen door. Then, with a quick +whisper to Andy, he pushed him forward. In a moment or two the kitchen +door was opened. Phil's mother confronted Andy in the dark.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" she asked gently.</p> + +<p>"Close the door for a moment, Mrs. Warrington, please, and come +outside, will you? Don't be afraid—I'm Andy Sabine, from Concord."</p> + +<p>"Why—" began Phil's mother in a fluttering whisper, but coming out +upon the steps.</p> + +<p>"Nobody must know that we are here, so don't betray us," went on Andy.</p> + +<p>"We? us?" repeated the gentle lady.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mrs. Warrington. Phil is with me."</p> + +<p>Phil stepped into view,—to be wrapped in the arms of his mother.</p> + +<p>"My boy! my boy!" sobbed Mrs. Warrington, overcome with emotion. "My +dear, loyal boy! The nation's boy, too, for we have heard of your +bravery. Come in, come in!"</p> + +<p>"No, mother, not until you have got rid of your visitors. No one must +know that we are in Boston until we have had a chance to do what we +came for," said Phil earnestly, "and that is to rescue father and his +patriot friends from the British."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +</div> + +<h3>THE OLD WAREHOUSE</h3> + + +<p>Phil Warrington went to bed that night with a good deal on his mind. +There were many saddening changes that oppressed him. His father was a +prisoner. Business and home had been affected by the cruel war. His own +liberty was threatened should he be recognized by the Tories. Danger +would attend every hour he spent in his native city.</p> + +<p>For all that, it was sweet and rarely peaceful to be once again in the +dear old room under the eaves, feeling that sense of safety and comfort +that home only can bring. Both of the chums were tired out, and were +soon fast asleep, without a break in a deep, refreshing slumber until +quite late in the morning.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Warrington had recognized the wisdom of her young guests remaining +under cover as much as possible. The messages with which Phil had been +intrusted by his Musket Boys comrades, she undertook to deliver in a +way that should not disclose the messenger until he was safe and far +again from the nest of the Tories. Phil and Andy were served breakfast +in a windowless room off from the kitchen. Then Mrs. Warrington took +them into a spare room and showed them a lot of old clothing lying on +the floor.</p> + +<p>War times had compelled the Warringtons to dispose of their servants. +Some of these had left odds and ends of their belongings behind them. +The young volunteers soon made a selection, and Phil was transformed +into a common-looking stable boy, while Andy made up as a poorly-clad +city lad who might be anything, from a cook's scullion to a grocer's +apprentice.</p> + +<p>"You see," observed the Concord boy, "hardly anybody knows me here, +Phil, but everybody knows you. You might pass all right among a hundred +people, and then run up against some one who would recognize you at +once. If I were you, I'd bandage one side of my face, and keep that old +hat slouched well down over my eyes, and get a sort of rambling crook +into your walk."</p> + +<p>It was about noon when the two boys bade Mrs. Warrington good-bye, +leaving the house from the rear, and getting quickly into a less +familiar quarter of the city. There were a great many loiterers about +the streets, for the war had practically suspended business, and they +passed without any extraordinary notice in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"I suppose the first thing to do is to deliver that message for the +general," suggested Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I want to get that off my hands," responded Phil. "I wonder who +this Peter Dawson can be? That's the name on the letter. Here's the +street. 'At the sign of the Pestle and Mortar' is the address. There's +no shop going here now, though—moved out. It must be upstairs."</p> + +<p>They were now in the meanest part of the city, which Phil told Andy +in ordinary times was known as a sort of rendezvous for smugglers, +fugitives from justice, and that class of social outcasts. They entered +an open passageway at the side of the building and ascended a rickety +pair of stairs. Phil knocked long and loudly at a door until some one +inquired in the rasping voice of an asthmatic old woman:</p> + +<p>"Who is that, now?"</p> + +<p>"We are looking for Mr. Peter Dawson," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"Who be you?"</p> + +<p>"We're from the man who is waiting," answered Phil promptly, just as he +had been instructed to say by the general.</p> + +<p>"And you want to see the man who knows?" came the quick query. "I +reckon you are all right."</p> + +<p>"She has answered with the counter-challenge the general spoke of," +said Phil to Andy, "so, I guess we're at the right place."</p> + +<p>The door before them was unbarred, and a very old hobbling woman +confronted the Musket Boys, let them into a poorly furnished room, +relocked the door securely, and said:</p> + +<p>"You wait just a bit."</p> + +<p>She left the room for a minute or two, returned to them, and beckoned +for them to follow her. At the end of a long dark passageway she +stepped aside, pushed open a door, and Phil and Andy passed into a +small apartment. It had but one entrance and exit—the door behind +them,—but over at one side a small sashless slit appeared in the wall. +Through this came a quick challenge:</p> + +<p>"If you have anything to say, speak it out. If you have a message, hand +it through here."</p> + +<p>"Adams," said Phil, as he had been instructed.</p> + +<p>"Washington," came the prompt response from behind the wall aperture, +and Phil knew that everything was all right. "Why, say Phil—Phil +Warrington!"</p> + +<p>"Well!" ejaculated the petrified Andy. "You aren't known, or anything! +And in that disguise, too!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder"—began Phil, and then he knew who had spoken his name. There +was a scramble from the slit in the wall, and a minute later a glad, +familiar form bounded over the threshold of the same doorway at which +the two chums had entered.</p> + +<p>"Burt Noble!" cried Phil, and Andy returning the kindly outburst, they +vied with one another to show how glad they were to see him.</p> + +<p>"You did not expect to see me here, eh?" propounded Burt. "I didn't +expect to have you come here, either. Well, we're satisfied, all hands +around. Get through with business, and then I want to know everything +you've done since we last met."</p> + +<p>Burt Noble took the written message Phil had brought him, broke its +seals, and his young face grew very grave and thoughtful as he perused +its contents. He read it over again, tore it into tiny pieces, chewed +these into a ball, and stamped the wet wad into an indistinguishable +mass under his feet. Then he asked Phil.</p> + +<p>"How long will you be in Boston?"</p> + +<p>"Just long enough to get what answer you may have to send to that +message," replied Phil, "and set my father at liberty."</p> + +<p>A queer expression came over Burt Noble's face. He seemed on the point +of making some extraordinary statement. He, however, employed great +control over himself in asking quietly;</p> + +<p>"Do you know where your father and his friends are imprisoned, Phil?"</p> + +<p>"They tell me in the old brick jail that the Tories have used for +headquarters."</p> + +<p>"They were there until yesterday," said Burt. "Then they were removed. +If you will mix in with the people on the streets to-day, you will find +that the rumor is being generally spread by the redcoats that your +father and his friends have been sent to England by order of the King."</p> + +<p>"Oh my poor father—" began Phil sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>"Hold on. Don't go mourning until I have time to tell you that it +is all a Tory lie covered up by a Tory trick. They have removed the +patriot prisoners, sure enough, but only to another part of the city. +What their real plans are I do not know, except that they are going +to send your father and his friends secretly to some other Tory nest, +while the report of their being shipped to England is used as a whip +to scare other patriots from leaving Boston and joining the continental +army."</p> + +<p>"Burt," cried Phil in good deal of agitation, "do you know where my +father is now?"</p> + +<p>"I do," nodded Burt.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible to rescue him?"</p> + +<p>"A good deal easier than from right under the noses of the Tories at +headquarters. At just dark to-night meet me outside of Fanueil Hall. In +the meantime go back home, and don't take any risks showing yourselves +publicly. You can busy yourself sewing this packet of papers somewhere +about your clothes, where it won't be found easily."</p> + +<p>Burt handed Phil a small square packet, heavily sealed.</p> + +<p>"Phil," he said seriously, "those papers are very important. It has +cost a lot of time and risk to get them. They mean success for the +patriots, if their contents can be quickly acted on. Knowing this, I am +sure you will guard them closely."</p> + +<p>"With my life!" declared Phil fervently.</p> + +<p>"To-night it will be every man for himself," continued Burt. "You will +keep close to me whatever happens. The papers—your camp. That must +be your only thought after we have made the attempt to rescue your +father."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we will succeed?" pressed Phil anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the simple answer.</p> + +<p>With that Phil had to be satisfied. He and Andy proceeded directly +homewards, after leaving the boy who seemed to be so strangely and +importantly mixed up with the destinies of the American conflict. Phil +told his mother of his meeting with Burt Noble, and Mrs. Warrington +was in a flutter of mingled anxiety and hope. Phil and Andy amused +themselves about the house, playing checkers and rather impatiently +waiting for nightfall.</p> + +<p>It was just after dark that the two young patriots stole by +unfrequented streets out of the neighborhood of the Warrington home. As +they came nearer to Fanueil Hall, they found the public thoroughfare +pretty well crowded. They were watching a British company gaily +bedecked march by, when Burt came between them.</p> + +<p>"It's exactly the best time ever was for our enterprise," he said. "A +regiment of regulars has arrived from London, and the redcoats are +having a jubilee. There will be great carousals before morning, and +spirits distributed pretty freely. Things will be free and easy for the +soldiers, so I hope for the best."</p> + +<p>The speaker led his companions from the spot and threaded several dark +streets. He bade them wait for him finally outside of a little shop, +in front of which hung an enormous wooden key. When he came out, a +grey-haired old man carrying a bag, evidently containing some tools, +was with him.</p> + +<p>"All right, Mr. Bond," he said. "These are friends,—Phil Warrington +and a chum."</p> + +<p>"Friends, indeed," spoke the old man, "if he is the son of the man I'd +like to serve. John Warrington provided me with the means of starting +in business."</p> + +<p>"You'll have a chance to-night to show him how well you have learned +the trade," said Burt.</p> + +<p>The speaker himself carried a large official envelope, but made no +explanation concerning it for the time being. However, as he halted in +the shadow of a large building, he said:</p> + +<p>"I shall leave you here, Phil. I have a message to deliver for a +British officer in this building. There are exactly four men guarding +the stores and incidentally the prisoners here. They are two rooms away +from them. Only the north half of the building they occupy. If you can +manage to get into the untenanted half and reach the room next to that +where the prisoners are kept, the rest will be easy. Trust me to keep +the sentinels entertained while you are at work. I have gone into +details about the situation with Mr. Bond here. Follow his lead, and do +all you can to help him."</p> + +<p>"Why," exclaimed Phil to Andy, as Burt moved away, "this is my father's +old warehouse!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded the old locksmith quietly, "and as both of us know +something of its interior, I fancy we will not have a very difficult +task in reaching the prisoners."</p> + +<p>The bells were tolling eight o'clock when the locksmith and Phil and +Andy forced a door at the extreme south end of the building. They were +ringing out nine o'clock when five silent figures emerged from that +same rear grating through which Phil and Andy had fled from the dock +Tories two nights previous. The old locksmith had departed by the +public street route. The rescue had been successful.</p> + +<p>Mr. Warrington grasped his son's arm affectionately, and took a great, +deep breath of the balmy air as he reached the deserted wharf. Andy was +busy explaining to his two recent fellow prisoners the details of the +rescue.</p> + +<p>Certainly Burt Noble had done his share in entertaining the guards. +The rest was easy. The prisoners had been placed in a room sealed +with thin boards. Their jailers had depended entirely upon their +heavy manacles to keep their captives from escaping. Their prison room +located, a hole had been sawed by the locksmith in the wooden side of +the room. He had crept through, and released the manacles with his +tools. They had reached the open air, and now it was only a question of +getting across the river to the Continental camp.</p> + +<p>"We must go cautiously down the wharf, and try and find a boat to take +us over," said Phil.</p> + +<p>But no boat showed until they reached a break in the fence, affording a +lane leading down to the wharf. Some distance beyond lay a good-sized +yawl, but further was a sort of a cabin boat that showed lights. The +little party stood irresolute. They were undecided as to the best +course to pursue. Phil was half-minded to go back into the city and +find some good shelter for his father and the others, until they could +arrange more safely for their transportation across the river.</p> + +<p>Just then, however, a man turned down the lane, a British officer in +full uniform. He was waving a naked sword and singing loudly. As he +made out the refugees, he advanced straight upon them.</p> + +<p>"Want the admiral—got any admiral round here?" he demanded in a +stumbling voice. "Sent here from England—just arrived. Going to clean +out these rebels, root and branch. Left grand reception to—to inspect +harbor. Duty—am a slave to du-ty."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Phil. "There is no admiral here, but—"</p> + +<p>"Ha! there's a boat. Ha! my jolly men, get aboard. Insist on duty. +Insist on making inspection at once."</p> + +<p>Phil was delighted. He led the way to the yawl. He managed to guide the +British officer to a seat in the bow, where he sat very pompous and +self-important. Just as the rope was released, there was a shout from +the cabin boat just beyond. Two men with muskets came running down the +planking.</p> + +<p>"Halt, there! who are you?" demanded a stentorian voice.</p> + +<p>"Col. Flashleigh Buckingham, sir!" roared the military dignitary, his +bright epaulettes and gaudy gold braid making their due impression on +the sentinels. "Straight from King George, sir. Sent specially to sweep +out the rebels, and going to do it. Row on, men."</p> + +<p>The dazzled sentinels allowed the boat to pursue its course. The +swaying victim of circumstances in the bow was comically dignified, as +he imagined he was "inspecting" something, in the "line of duty." He +slipped in his seat and his head fell upon his breast.</p> + +<p>"Past the Rubicon," uttered Phil fervently, as they crossed the central +current of the river.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what a prize prisoner!" chuckled Andy gleefully.</p> + +<p>And the young volunteers knew, as they saw the distant lights of the +camp of the Continental army at Cambridge, that they had done a big +thing.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</h2> +</div> + +<h3>BUNKER HILL</h3> + + +<p>The proudest moment in the life of Phil Warrington had arrived. As for +Andy Sabine, as he described it later to his friends, he felt that he +could keep on fighting for his country till he was an old man under +the generous and appreciative commander who welcomed the two chums at +headquarters the morning after the rescue of the prisoners in the old +city warehouse.</p> + +<p>They had been summoned to headquarters by the general who had given +Phil the message to deliver to Burt Noble, to be welcomed heartily by +that official, but as well to receive a greater honor. A fine-looking +gentleman, a visitor in the camp, sat at a little distance, but noting +the boys attentively while the general was speaking to them.</p> + +<p>"I cannot find words to express my approbation of your prompt and +brave action, my loyal young friends," said the camp official to Phil +and Andy. "It was a right royal rescue, an important capture, and the +packet you brought from another splendid young man of the colonies +cause, has given us information so vital that it may lead us to change +the entire progress of the war. This gentleman has requested that I +afford him an opportunity to thank you in the name of the continental +army."</p> + +<p>The grand-looking man who had sat silent until now, arose and extended +a hand to each of the boys in turn.</p> + +<p>"Philip Warrington and Andrew Sabine," he said—"I shall not readily +forget those names. Young men, your country may well be proud of you."</p> + +<p>And then he bowed them from the room with a friendly, fatherly smile +that thrilled each lad with delight, and Andy did not know whether +he was on his head or his feet as the orderly who accompanied them +whispered:</p> + +<p>"That was Colonel William Prescott!"</p> + +<p>How important the word was that Phil had brought from Boston, the camp +began to surmise as the day wore on. Phil later heard from Burt Noble's +own lips that the latter, as a hanger on of the British army, had +managed to gain access to a secret conclave of the Tory officers, and +had learned of an important military move they were about to make. He +had communicated this to the patriot general, intelligence that led +indirectly to that famous conflict of history—the Battle of Bunker +Hill.</p> + +<p>Col. Flashleigh Buckingham of the British army, much to his disgust was +shut up in the camp prison. Mr. Warrington and his rescued friends were +at once given important military commands. For two days the camp was +under strict discipline. There was constant drilling, and finally the +word went the rounds that at dusk that evening a rapid and important +march of several miles was to be undertaken.</p> + +<p>One hour before dusk an orderly came to the quarters of the Musket +Boys. Phil, inside the tent, heard his name called, and went outside to +be greeted by a genuine surprise. Surrounded by a curious crowd, some +jeering, come curious, there stood Sachem, his old Indian friend.</p> + +<p>There was a new dignity in the manner of the Indian, as Phil shook his +hand heartily. Sachem was stern and erect. He drew his blanket around +him proudly. With a very few pantomimic gestures, he made it clearly +known to Phil that he had spurned the deadly "fire water," and that he +wished to join the army. He posed like an athlete, to intimate that +he could run like the wind. He tallied off numerous fingers, to show +that he could influence a company of braves to join in the cause. +Then he drew out his scalping knife, and the crowd fell back as they +understood that the delight of his life would be to be let loose among +the British, to gather up the scalps of the enemies who had tortured +and humiliated him.</p> + +<p>So persistent was Sachem in his resolve to fight the enemy, so +determined to do that fighting under the leadership of Phil, that the +latter was compelled to entertain the proposition in all earnestness. +He saw his commanding officer and explained the situation. The result +was, that when at dusk the army started on the move, Sachem was in +the ranks, insisting on carrying on his shoulder a load of baggage +representing the trappings of three or four of the volunteers.</p> + +<p>"What is the general up to anyway?" inquired Ralph Post of Phil, as +they rested by the roadside after following the course of the river for +some miles.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you," answered Phil.</p> + +<p>"You don't suppose they are thinking of closing in on Boston?"</p> + +<p>"We would have to swim over, if we did," replied Phil, "for we haven't +a craft that could get away from the Tory harbor boats. It is some +strategic move."</p> + +<p>"It's action, anyhow," observed Ralph lightly, "and that suits all +hands, judging from the enthusiasm."</p> + +<p>Strict silence had been enjoined on the troops. It was about ten +o'clock in the evening when the army passed through the little town of +Charlestown. This was located on a narrow peninsula to the north of +Boston, but separated from it by rather less than half a mile of water.</p> + +<p>Behind the town lay two small connected hills, which commanded a great +part both of the town and the harbor of Boston. Breed's Hill, which +was nearest to Boston, was about twenty-five feet, and Bunker Hill was +about one hundred and ten feet in height. The peninsula, which was +about a mile long, was connected with the mainland by a narrow causeway.</p> + +<p>In the vicinity of Bunker Hill the army was brought to a halt. Col. +Prescott with some skilled engineers and two field guns silently moved +to Breed's Hill. The soldiers divested themselves of their trappings, +and, under direction, every man began to assist in throwing up a +formidable redoubt.</p> + +<p>"It's no secret now, as to what the colonel is up to," said Phil to +Andy, as they met amid the busy scene. "It seems the British had +planned to get this hill. It would give a great point of advantage. +Well, my guess is that our friend Burt sent word of the Tory plans, and +we have simply forestalled them."</p> + +<p>Tory Boston awoke on that memorable day in June to face a vast +surprise. The laggard redcoats, with wonder and chagrin confronted an +enemy solidly ensconced behind the fort on Breed's Hill. Before noon +several thousand British troops were on the march. Galled by the fire +of riflemen in Charlestown, they ruthlessly set the town ablaze and +came marching for Bunker Hill.</p> + +<p>The word passed round that the continental army would make a stout +stand in the fort. This was the first tactical battle in which the +patriot militia had engaged for many months. Andy's contingent and +Phil's gallant Musket Boys were posted in set positions of difficulty +and danger, and were willing to do the full work of men.</p> + +<p>General Howe was now in command of the combined British forces, and +about half-past two in the afternoon he gave the order to advance in +two divisions, one to storm the redoubt and the other a rail fence +which many continentals were using for shelter.</p> + +<p>Israel Putnam, that brave fighter of old, was on hand, encouraging the +soldiers, and when he saw the redcoats advancing he said:</p> + +<p>"Take your time, boys, don't hurry! Make every bullet tell. Wait till +you can see the whites of their eyes. Aim at their waistbands. Pick +off the handsome coats!"—meaning by the latter words, the officers. +And the gallant soldiers obeyed instructions, as the list of dead and +wounded afterwards testified.</p> + +<p>Though the Musket Boys had been under fire before, this shock of real +battle was tremendous, and for one brief instant they thought to +retreat. But then each lad closed his teeth tightly, and fought to the +best of his ability. They saw men mowed down on all sides of them, but +continued to load and fire, and with good effect.</p> + +<p>"That's the way!" shouted Colonel Prescott, dashing past. "Give it to +'em good and hot!"</p> + +<p>"We will!" yelled Phil, and the others set up a wild cheer. Then the +smoke of battle hid the officer from view.</p> + +<p>The first onslaught quickly drove back the British, but they recovered +and came on again, each in full marching equipment,—a mistake on this +warm day. Once more, and then again the muskets of the continentals +blazed forth, and rank after rank of redcoats went down, many to rise +no more.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! We're giving them all they want!" cried Ralph Post +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>The repulse at the redoubt was duplicated at the rail fence, and for +the moment General Howe was nonplussed. But then he reorganized his +shattered forces. Yet even this was of no avail—again the redcoats +went back, with many more left dead on the battlefield.</p> + +<p>"This is battle," spoke Ralph Post to Phil, as the Musket Boys, glad +of a respite from the repulse of their determined enemy, rested on the +ground within the redoubt.</p> + +<p>"They are more than two to one," replied Phil, "but if we can hold them +in check that same way once or twice more they will be beaten."</p> + +<p>The next dash up the hill caused a scene amid which every soldier +engaged fairly lost his head. They were at such close quarters, +assailer and besieged, that the constant fusillade was deafening, the +very air seemed to breathe fire. The younger volunteers were thrilled +at many a brave act of heroism, and sickened and shuddered as they +viewed sudden and terrible death.</p> + +<p>General Howe was now bewildered, for he had not dreamed of such a +determined resistance on the part of the colonists.</p> + +<p>"If this battle is lost, America is lost," said one of his +under-officers. To this Howe did not reply, but bit his lip in deep +thought.</p> + +<p>General Clinton had witnessed the repulses of the British from +Copp's Hill and now he thought it high time to go to General Howe's +assistance. He came over in a hurry, with such soldiers as he could +summon in haste.</p> + +<p>"The rebels must be short of ammunition," said one officer. "They are +holding back their fire." And this was true.</p> + +<p>The ammunition was indeed low, and the Musket Boys had less than three +rounds all around. More than this, the boys were dry, for none of them +had had a drop of water for hours, and the day was growing hotter and +hotter. In many spots the gun-wads had set fire to the dry grass.</p> + +<p>"Here they come again!" was the cry, and once more the redcoats +advanced. The Americans blazed away until all their ammunition was +gone, then fought with swords, clubbed guns, bayonets, sticks, rocks, +and whatever came handy. It was the fiercest hand-to-hand conflict yet +held, and never had the Musket Boys fought more bravely. The din was +terrific, and the thick smoke rolled on all sides.</p> + +<p>"Give it to them, boys! Don't surrender!" cried General Warren, and ran +from one of the trenches. A few minutes later a bullet struck him in +the head, killing him.</p> + +<p>With their ammunition gone, the Americans could not hope to retain +their position and so began at last to retreat slowly. Putnam had gone +to the rear to secure additional men and now he took command, and +under him the continentals fell back to Prospect Hill. Some thought +the British would pursue them, but the redcoats had had enough of the +slaughter. Out of a force of three thousand they had lost more than +a third, including many officers! The American loss was not near so +large, but included many well-known patriots besides gallant Warren.</p> + +<p>Hand to hand in conflict with the foe, Phil and Andy and their brave +young followers contested every foot of the way. Phil, in evading a +sabre stroke from a British officer, dodged, slipped, fell, and rolled +over and over down the hill towards the advancing group of redcoats. It +was like falling into the maw of a devouring monster. Phil's comrades +stood petrified with dread.</p> + +<p>Then a lithe, nimble figure cut the air like a person diving into the +water or from a trapeze. It was Sachem. Just in time he seized the +prostrate Phil, flung him over his shoulder, and bore him harmlessly +amid a leaden hail of bullets into the midst of his comrades.</p> + +<p>One final fusillade, a great huzza of confidence and defiance from the +patriot hosts, and Bunker Hill and its heroes had passed into history.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A MESSENGER FROM CONCORD</h3> + + +<p>The patriots had made no mistake in bulking their bravery to teach the +Tories a lesson at Bunker Hill. The effects of that event was felt +all through the country, not only by the British but by the American. +Bunker Hill had demonstrated a significant fact to the Tories. This +was the powers of endurance of the hardy colonists and their superior +marksmanship.</p> + +<p>Outside of a few regular companies in Boston, the British troops were +men hastily recruited from the rural districts of England. These men +had received little or no training. For years they had lived under the +most rigorous game laws. The result was that some of them had never had +a gun in their hands. When they were given one to fight with, they did +not know how to use it.</p> + +<p>The patriots, on the contrary, were natural marksmen. They had to hunt +for a great portion of their food, and had become very skilful in the +use of the musket. Most of them belonged to train-bands, and the local +militia were well-officered and under fairly efficient discipline.</p> + +<p>It depressed the Tories after the battle of Bunker Hill to review +and analyze these potent facts. There could be no question that one +colonist was a match for two redcoats. Besides this, all over the +country the remarkable exploits of the New England army infused new +courage in the hearts of their brethren to the south. They had held +Boston as in a state of siege for many months, and there were rumors +that Gen. Gage was about to be recalled, and that possibly his troops +might be sent to Canada.</p> + +<p>"If we can only hang out, we will certainly win the game," remarked +Phil to Andy and some others in the big tent of the Musket Boys, one +day.</p> + +<p>"We've got to hold out," retorted Andy. "The only thing I worry about +is the fodder. I say, fellows, can't you pick out some rich and +fat Tory farmer we can make a raid on? Fried chicken, fresh eggs, +doughnuts, pies—anything to break in on the corn meal!"</p> + +<p>All hands laughed merrily. They had become true Spartans in the matter +of appetite. Many a day, more than one of them had tightened his belt +a hole to keep down the cravings of hunger. The country about them +had been drawn on for food, until there was little left to gather up. +Supplies sent from the interior were slow in arriving. Recently, the +Tories had captured a wagon load of food sent from Concord. There were +a good many pale, thin, starved-looking volunteers about the camp, and +there were some desertions on this account.</p> + +<p>Phil knew that the commanding officers were very anxious on this score. +One day, with some "picked men" he went out foraging. They captured a +pig, and managed to buy a keg of maple syrup, but this supply barely +went the rounds of the volunteers in the hospital.</p> + +<p>One morning, Andy, in his tent, was aroused from a doze by the sounds +of the approaching voices of Phil and Ralph. They were conversing +animatedly with some one. As the latter was ushered into the tent, Andy +recognized him as Peleg Patterson, a Concord lad. He knew the boy well, +a good-natured, accommodating fellow, of weak intellect at times. Peleg +was a great admirer of old Silas Berks, and when he was not wandering +about the country, lived for weeks with the old Indian fighter. He had +a drum and was a fairly good drummer.</p> + +<p>"Why, Peleg," said Andy, giving the poor fellow a hearty welcome. +"What brings you here? Thinking of joining the army?"</p> + +<p>"You know better," said Peleg, with a grin. "I'm afraid to shoot. No, +sir—I just came to find you."</p> + +<p>"What about?" demanded Andy curiously.</p> + +<p>"Why—humph, I forgot. You know that's my weakness—always forgetting +things. Lemme see. Yes, I've got it. Your folks said—Your folks +said—I've forgotten it," concluded Peleg, hopelessly and helplessly.</p> + +<p>"Did my folks send you?" pressed Andy.</p> + +<p>"No, they didn't. Some one else sent me."</p> + +<p>"Who was it, then?"</p> + +<p>"I forget—no, I don't. Oh, yes—Silas Berks sent me. Why, of course, I +can't forget that," and Peleg looked almost triumphant.</p> + +<p>"What did he send you for?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"I'm stumped again," was the slow, confused reply. "I don't remember," +and the speaker rubbed his head in a vacant, despairing way.</p> + +<p>Andy tried in every way he could to arouse the latent memory of the +boy, but it was of no avail. Peleg could simply not remember. He made +all kinds of grimaces, he stared, he gulped, and finally he burst out +crying.</p> + +<p>"I always was a stupid—not much good I am in the world."</p> + +<p>"See here," said Andy, in a kindly tone, placing a friendly hand on +poor Peleg's arm, "you cheer up. You're a mighty good fellow, and +everybody knows it. We're glad to see you any time, no matter what you +forget. Come ahead, you shall have some breakfast with our mess, such +as it is, and we'll show you all the sights of the camp."</p> + +<p>"Will you, now?" spoke Peleg, brightening up. "Maybe I'll remember it +all, if I give this poor head of mine a rest."</p> + +<p>Andy and his friends certainly gave Peleg a happy hour. He was so +interested in the drill maneuvers, a sight of the big cannons, and the +buglers and the drummers, that, when something unexpected started his +thoughts in a new direction, he aroused like one from a dream, jumped +a foot in the air with a yell, and amazed Andy and his companions with +the words:</p> + +<p>"I remember, now!"</p> + +<p>"Do you?" spoke Andy, hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes—look, see."</p> + +<p>Peleg pointed animatedly to an orderly, carrying a sealed letter in his +hand from headquarters to some other part of the camp.</p> + +<p>"Yes," proceeded Peleg excitedly, "old Silas sent a message—a letter."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" inquired Andy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It's—I've forgotten again."</p> + +<p>Andy fairly groaned.</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't!" shouted Peleg instantly. "Off with my coat!"</p> + +<p>Andy helped him to remove the garment.</p> + +<p>"Off with my shirt!"</p> + +<p>The crowd was intensely interested, though laughing merrily.</p> + +<p>"Off she comes!" reported Andy, helping.</p> + +<p>"On my back."</p> + +<p>"It looks like a porous plaster."</p> + +<p>"'Tis."</p> + +<p>"Hey?"</p> + +<p>"In an oilskin—strip it off," exclaimed Peleg. "I ain't forgot, this +time. Remember perfectly. Silas said 'we'll hide it under the porous +plaster in an oilskin covering-message-letter.'"</p> + +<p>"Bully for you," shouted Andy, fairly overcome, as he sure enough found +just what Peleg had described, and gave the erratic messenger a sharp, +friendly slap on his bare shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" roared Peleg. "Hooray, I mean! My memory is coming back."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" piped a mischievous member of Andy's company, repeating +Andy's slap.</p> + +<p>"Who told you to hit me?" demanded Peleg. "Now, I'll just butt you for +taking that liberty."</p> + +<p>Half in fun, half in earnest, Peleg made a bolt for the offender. He +turned the laugh quickly. Peleg was an expert at butting. The Musket +Boys held their sides laughing till the tears ran down their cheeks, +as Peleg butted the other this way, that way, head over heels into a +puddle, and bang! into a tent, carrying the canvas to the ground in a +wreck.</p> + +<p>Good nature was soon restored all around, and the kind-hearted fellows, +even the one who had been butted so vigorously, made Peleg feel +comfortable and happy by showing him all kinds of attentions.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Andy had opened and read the note which the porous plaster +had concealed. Phil, watching him, noticed Andy's face draw down sober +and serious. It increased in these expressions as Andy carefully read +again the little note.</p> + +<p>He looked up thoughtfully. Then he beckoned to Phil and Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Come to our tent," he said, in a very impressive tone. "I've something +great to tell you."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>A NOTABLE EXPLOIT</h3> + + +<p>"What is it?" inquired Phil quite eagerly, the moment they entered the +tent of the Concord Company.</p> + +<p>"A letter from Silas Berks."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we know that, but what's it about?" urged Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Fellows," replied Andy smartly, his face working with a good deal of +excitement, "we were talking about being hungry a little while ago. +What would you say, if I told you that I think we have a chance to make +the biggest kind of a haul of all kinds of food, and lots of it?"</p> + +<p>"We'd say," cried Ralph enthusiastically, "show us the chance!"</p> + +<p>"Good! Read that letter, both of you. Then Phil, as you know our +commanding general best, if you see anything in the proposition, go to +him and arrange for the raid."</p> + +<p>In turn Phil and Ralph perused the crabbed missive that the old Indian +fighter had sent. It was a strange message. Briefly, it informed +Andy that the writer knew of the needs of the Continental army. From +a friend who had been burned out and robbed by the Tories, Silas had +learned that something strange was going on in the neighborhood of +Berkston.</p> + +<p>His friend had told Silas a strange story. The British had raided the +territory, burning houses, stealing cattle, and driving the colonists +away. Somewhere near Berkston Hills, they had a kind of a rendezvous, +Silas said. Here by spells they came frequently to gather up and carry +to ships on the coast a vast amount of provisions obtained by bribed +agents in the interior districts.</p> + +<p>Recently the Tories had hired a vagrant band of Indians to scour the +country, visiting the settlements, begging, stealing, breaking into +stores, houses and barns, and pilfering generally in both a small and a +large way. They had carried away the whole contents of farmers' smoke +houses, in some instances. At one isolated town the general store was +swept clean.</p> + +<p>Old Silas stated that he was satisfied that these robbers massed all +their stealings at one central point, where the Tory agent bought the +goods for little or nothing, giving in exchange British gold and "fire +water." Their latest headquarters, from what his refugee friend told +him, he believed to be in the vicinity of Berkston Hills.</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy did some thinking, planning and arranging with their +commanding officer. That afternoon they started Peleg home, made +happy with various trifling gifts, and sending a reply letter to Old +Silas, thanking him for his kindly interest in his boy friends and his +fidelity to the cause.</p> + +<p>"Sachem would be the prime fellow to consult about this proposition," +remarked Andy, as, accompanied by twenty of their "picked men," the two +young volunteer leaders left the camp.</p> + +<p>"Sachem has won the confidence of the general by his continued sobriety +and usefulness," explained Phil, "and has been sent off on a mission +where fleet-footedness means something. I think he will be back by +nightfall, but this affair of ours is important, and can't wait."</p> + +<p>There was a brisk march to Berkston. Only a few half-burned buildings +of the little town were visible. The place was lonely and deserted. +The hills lay to the east of the village, and the boys threaded many +a valley and ravine, searching for the place of the rendezvous of the +marauders.</p> + +<p>Just toward the end of the afternoon, as they passed down a +rock-protected glade, Phil made out a human form. It appeared and then +disappeared where the valley turned.</p> + +<p>"Did you see him?" inquired the Boston boy of Andy, who had been +keeping a close lookout by his side.</p> + +<p>"I fancied that I saw something or somebody," responded Andy, "but it +was only a momentary flash. Human or animal, I couldn't make it out."</p> + +<p>"It looked like an Indian to me," declared Phil. "I've got the spot +well in mind. We'll hurry on; leave the men in ambush, and you and I +will do a little investigating."</p> + +<p>"All right," acceded Andy, and this was done. When they came to the +spot where Phil had seen the supposed Indian disappear, the company was +ordered to cover, while their leaders proceeded cautiously around the +turn in the valley.</p> + +<p>"We've struck it," said Phil, after they had proceeded several yards.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Andy convincedly, "for here are a lot of well-trodden +paths, diverging over the hills both ways from this spot. See, +Phil—here's a regular route. Here they end."</p> + +<p>"A cave," said Phil.</p> + +<p>They had met many of these formations in traversing the valley. The +one that now showed its verdure-covered entrance plainly, seemed to +be of considerable magnitude. Phil and Andy entered the place, looking +curiously around them. There was an outer cave, and this narrowed so as +to be a kind of a doorway to a vast inner cavern. The roof of this had +some breaks, letting in the daylight, and, although the place was dim +and gloomy, the intruders could make out their surroundings.</p> + +<p>"I say!" exclaimed Andy, in petrified wonder, staring about the queer +place. Phil was equally spellbound. The cave was simply a great +storehouse. Scattered about were heaps of plunder of every description. +Here was a heap of smoked bacon and ham, there were kegs and barrels, +probably containing molasses, sugar, cider and vinegar. There were +sacks of grain, flour and vegetables, sugar, salt, dried beans, peas +and fruits. Boxes of candles, clothing, bed linen, heaps of firearms +and garden tools—the mixed mass of booty resembled the despoilment of +half-a-dozen towns.</p> + +<p>"Phil," exclaimed Andy breathlessly, "Old Silas was no dreamer. Oh, +what a find!"</p> + +<p>Phil was surprised, in fact fairly agitated, as he realized what all +this plunder meant to the patient, ill-fed continental army. He could +not keep from trembling with anxiety. Here was the booty. How could +they get it to camp? It was extremely improbable that its owners would +leave it long, unguarded. At any moment their intrusion might be +discovered.</p> + +<p>"I'll go for the company," said Andy excitedly. "We'll leave half of +them on guard here. The rest of us will carry off what we can to camp, +and the general will send a full company or two for the rest of the +plunder."</p> + +<p>"We certainly must act quickly and decisively," rejoined Phil, and both +started for the exit from the cave.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!"</p> + +<p>"Wagh!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly from behind a great heap of bags four Indians stepped directly +in their path. They leveled muskets and looked fierce and dangerous. +Just then from outside came the echoes of a series of frightful yells +mingled with the explosion of firearms.</p> + +<p>Phil and Andy made a rush to rejoin their comrades outside, whom they +felt certain had been attacked. Seemingly all hands had fallen into a +trap, their recent progress having been closely watched by redskins in +ambush. The four Indians intercepted Phil and Andy. The youths were +seized, disarmed, and were dragged back into the inner cave, as their +volunteer friends were driven into the place by a party of Indians +nearly double their number. There was scuffling and struggles, some +shots were fired, some blows given, and, at the end of the general +mix-up, the young volunteers found themselves driven <i>en masse</i> into +a corner of the cave. Their weapons were taken from them, and forty +or more Indians squatted on the stone floor about ten feet from them, +fully armed, and in instant readiness to resist and punish any attempt +at escape.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're in a nice fix now, aren't we?" spoke Andy, in a disgusted +tone. "I wish we'd fought to the last second."</p> + +<p>"No one had the chance—it was all so sudden," replied Phil. "It would +have been a massacre, if our fellows had attempted it."</p> + +<p>Beyond the guards the four men who had prevented Phil and Andy from +leaving the cave stood together, evidently holding a council. There was +a noisy pow-wow in a tongue the boys could not understand.</p> + +<p>The apparent leader of the redmen finally approached the Indian guards. +He spoke briefly and rapidly. He seemed to be putting some case before +them for them to vote upon. When he had concluded speaking, a great, +unanimous shout from the entire group appeared to affirm the decision +of the council.</p> + +<p>"They've voted 'Aye' on whatever it is," said Andy. "Now he's coming to +tell us our fate, I'll wager."</p> + +<p>The stalwart savage looked very stern and cruel as he approached Phil +and Andy, recognizing them as the leaders of the intruders. He spoke in +poor English, and his words were few. He gave them to understand that +he knew they were enemies—being colonists—also, that their friends +were the British. They had come to rob the native redskin, as their +forefathers had robbed them. If they were set free, they would bring a +revengeful horde on the trail. Ugh! wagh! they must die!</p> + +<p>The speaker drew back, waved his hand and uttered a sharp, quick +command to the Indian guards. As if by magic the latter dropped their +firearms. Then each one of them drew a knife or a tomahawk from his +belt.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking their ferocity or their purpose. They were fully +intent on slaying the intruders. It seemed that the scene was to be a +repetition of cruel massacres to which these untutored savages had +been incited several times since the Revolutionary War had begun.</p> + +<p>Phil never could analyze the promptness with which a sudden, wild +suggestion entered his mind. In a flash there occurred to him a vivid +thought. In a kind of erratic desperation his hand went to a breast +pocket. It was to draw forth the singularly engraved and painted token +that Sachem had given him, on that memorable day when he had rescued +that redman from the fugitive horse in the swamp.</p> + +<p>With a vague cry to attract attention Phil raised this in plain view +of the Indian leader. The latter stared, glided forward, regarded +the token fixedly, and spoke sharply to the guards, who fell back +astonished.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" ejaculated Andy. "That was a close shave. Phil, they must know +Sachem. It's mighty lucky you thought of it. They're pow-wowing over +it, see?"</p> + +<p>The four principal Indians were discoursing animatedly. Evidently +Phil's possession of the token mystified and influenced them, and +checked their bloodthirsty instincts, at least temporarily. Finally the +head Indian came up to Phil. He asked some questions about the token, +which Phil truthfully answered. Then he asked about the whereabouts of +Sachem. He seemed troubled and irresolute. He told Phil that a friend, +an agent of the British, who had gone to see about a ship, would be +with them soon, and they would get his opinion about affairs.</p> + +<p>At that moment a peculiar Indian call echoed from outside the cave. It +stirred the savages greatly, and some ran out. It was to return with +one of their own people, though he was not in Indian garb.</p> + +<p>"Sachem!" cried Phil. "We are saved."</p> + +<p>Sachem had returned to camp, and had set out on their trail at once. He +had arrived in the nick of time. He made a short speech to the savages. +He promised them money from the continental general.</p> + +<p>Within an hour the young volunteers and the Indians, each bearing a +heavy load, were headed in the direction of the camp at Cambridge. The +influence of Sachem had won the day.</p> + +<p>As soon as they arrived and Phil reported to the general, a company of +militia was dispatched to bring in the remainder of the plunder. The +camp rang with the exploit, and the army had a royal feast for many +days to come.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII</h2> +</div> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Into the continental camp a lone juvenile figure had come speeding down +the river bank on a mettled steed. It was Burt Noble. He had slipped +out of Boston at daybreak. Once across the river, he had made for a +friendly farmhouse. Now he rushed up to headquarters, flushed and +panting.</p> + +<p>The young patriot spy was not five minutes in confidential consultation +with the commanding general. As he emerged from his presence it was to +break into a run, after asking some quick questions from a sentry. He +burst into the main tent of the Musket Boys, aglow with delight and +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Well, if here isn't Burt Noble!" shouted Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Great news, grand news!" cried Burt, making for Phil to shake his hand +boisterously. "I've left Boston just in time, they had got suspicious."</p> + +<p>"You said 'great news'?" intimated the curious Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's no secret, or won't be, soon. Ah, it's out now! Hear that?"</p> + +<p>Outside, from the direction of headquarters, there echoed a wild, +glorious babble of human shouts, a chorus of trumpets.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Burt?" asked Phil.</p> + +<p>"Boston. The British are evacuating the city!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>Such a shout went up from the throats of the assembled Musket Boys, +that it seemed to fairly lift the cover of the tent. They broke loose +then like mad schoolboys on a frolic. They lifted Phil on their +shoulders, and carried him outside in triumph. They took up Burt next, +and, bearing him to the tent of Andy's company, filled the air with +their fervid exultation.</p> + +<p>Like wildfire the news spread through the camp. Then courier after +courier began to arrive from Boston, for the British ships were sailing +out into the bay, and the long blockade was ended.</p> + +<p>Phil looked back in vivid memory over the weary months of waiting and +watching since Bunker Hill. There had been skirmishes, noble acts +of heroism where the volunteers had stolen a march on the enemy and +had secured supplies for the suffering, ill-fed soldiers of General +Washington. Ralph had been one of the party who had sailed a schooner +down the coast clear to New Jersey, and had captured a rival vessel +loaded with powder.</p> + +<p>Then Dorchester Heights, other battles further from Boston, and then +Howe had superseded Gage, and now—victory! triumph! The royal fleet +was sailing for Halifax, leaving the gallant patriots masters once more +of their dear home city.</p> + +<p>It was not until the next morning that a portion of the army, +consisting principally of volunteers from the city, entered Boston. +Their reception was a glad one in public. At homes everywhere supreme +joy reigned over the return of a father or a brother.</p> + +<p>At the Warrington home the hours became a continual round of happiness. +It seemed, indeed, like old times, to have the house free and open, and +filled with kindly, affectionate friends. That first night in Boston +neither Phil, Andy nor Ralph slept a wink. Neighborhood boys, too young +to volunteer, stuck to them tightly, begging for story after story of +their army experiences. The Musket Boys were the heroes of the whole +town.</p> + +<p>Two evenings later affairs were on a somewhat more rational basis. +Phil and his friends and his family were seated in the big sitting +room of the house, listening to an officer who had come from the +camp to explain that within a few days the New England army would +be reorganized to join Washington near New York, when there came a +tremendous thump at the front door.</p> + +<p>Phil went to open it. There stood a man with a covered box in his hand, +dancing from foot to foot in an excited, jubilant sort of way, as he +piped out as cheerily as ever:</p> + +<p>"It's only me, old Silas Berks, and his parrot. Andy, hooroar! +Attention, company! this is the gladdest hour of my life."</p> + +<p>In the effulgence of his happy feelings old Silas set the box on the +step. It tumbled over, its cover came open, and out flopped Polly, +bobbing and eyeing the audience with the ringing sentiment for the +occasion:</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for liberty!"</p> + +<p>It took some time for affairs to settle down to normal. Andy had many +a question to ask about the friends at home. Mr. Warrington gave the +old French and Indian fighter such a warm welcome, that he grinned and +bobbed around in the best rocker in the house, feeling, indeed, that he +was a guest of honor.</p> + +<p>"And now then," observed old Silas finally, his snappy little eyes +blinking mysteriously, "what brought me to Boston? Can anyone answer +that? What brought me to Boston?"</p> + +<p>"You tell it," directed Andy.</p> + +<p>"The dog that old Jasper Bram and his precious son Greg didn't bury!" +cried the old man.</p> + +<p>"What?" exclaimed Phil, arising to his feet in some excitement. "You +haven't found out—?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you I would?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—"</p> + +<p>"And I did," pursued the veteran complacently. "I used to look every +day after you boys went away at that old chalk memorandy of mine under +the shelf. It made me think of you, and then I felt less lonesome. I +puzzled and puzzled, but nothing came of it. Old Jasper came back and +Greg joined the Tory army, and time wore on, and nothing came of the +memorandy until last week."</p> + +<p>"And then, Silas?" urged the impatient Andy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Then one night there comes to my house Bram's old hired man. He had +dared to ask that vicious old Tory for his wages, and Jasper had given +him a drubbing and turned him out to starve. Well, I took him in. He +is an innocent, stupid sort of a fellow, and he felt great gratitude +towards me. One day I happened to look at that chalk memorandy, and it +comes to me to ask the man if Bram ever had a dog. He said 'No'. Then I +asked him if Bram had ever buried a dog."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," urged Andy, as the narrator paused to take breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, that hired man looked at me queer, and just laughed."</p> + +<p>"What about?" inquired Phil.</p> + +<p>"He said it was funny, but about the time war broke out he one day met +old Bram and his son carrying a bag and a spade. He asked them where +they were going. Greg Bram told him to bury a dog, and chuckled as if +he had made a smart joke. Well, the hired man watched them, and saw +them bury the bag in a thicket. He thought no more of it until the +day he was discharged by Bram. The old man asked him to get a certain +spade. It was broken by accident, and that was what Bram abused him +for. Bram got another spade. The hired man watched him. He dug up the +bag, and buried it in a new spot. I asked the man where."</p> + +<p>"Did he tell you?" inquired Andy in rapt tones.</p> + +<p>"He did, and I dug up that bag day before yesterday. Then I came here."</p> + +<p>"Why?" spoke Phil.</p> + +<p>"Because in it I found nearly five thousand pounds in notes and gold. +Now, I'm not stealing anybody's money, but I brought that bag right +with me. It's outside on the steps now. I'm taking it to the owners."</p> + +<p>"Who are the owners, Mr. Berks?" inquired Ralph Post.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Warrington, for one. In the bag were papers, and contracts and +deeds. They show that Jasper Bram owes John Warrington over four +thousand pounds."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Phil's father, considerably moved, "that is true, but he +stole the proofs of it from me."</p> + +<p>"Then there is a document there about one Burt Noble," continued the +old veteran. "It shows that his father left a thousand pounds with +Jasper Bram years ago, to provide for his son. The father, it seems, +got into some trouble that made him flee from New England. In the bag +are recent letters in which the father begs of Bram to send him some +word of his son. They have no date and no signature, but they seem to +come from Mr. Noble, who has joined the continental army somewhere +in the south, but does not come to New England on account of his old +troubles."</p> + +<p>"Then my father is alive!" said Burt Noble, arising to his feet in +fervid emotion. "Oh, this is what my heart longed for! It shall be the +aim of my life to find him!"</p> + +<p>"And we will help you, Burt," declared Phil, as he placed a brotherly +arm across the shoulder of the brave young spy who had been to him so +loyal a friend.</p> + +<p>The bag was brought in and investigated. Its contents were found to be +just as old Silas had described.</p> + +<p>"I shall keep this money and these papers," said Mr. Warrington. "I +shall go about it in a legal way to prove that this money belongs +rightfully to me, except the share that is the property of Burt Noble."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how happy everything has turned out," said Mrs. Warrington, +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Phil, "but it is only an encouragement to go right on in +the path we have chosen."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," nodded Andy. "The war has only just commenced."</p> + +<p>"And we are volunteers until the last redcoat is driven back to +England!" declared Phil. "The next move is to join the reorganized army +of Gen. Washington."</p> + +<p>And how the lads did join the reorganized army, and went forth to +fight valiantly, will be told in another volume, to be entitled, "The +Musket Boys Under Washington; Or, The Tories of Old New York." In that +book we shall see some fierce fighting on Long Island, and learn the +particulars of how the boys came to the rescue of a girl who was in the +power of a miserly Tory who wanted to send her to England against her +will.</p> + +<p>With the money that had been restored to him, Mr. Warrington went into +business once more, and, although the times were very unsettled, he did +very well.</p> + +<p>"And what will you do?" asked Andy of Burt Noble, when the two met one +day.</p> + +<p>"I am off for General Washington's headquarters," answered the young +spy. "I guess we'll meet again." And the boys did meet,—not once but +many times.</p> + +<p>"I rather imagine we've seen some hot fighting, Andy," said Phil.</p> + +<p>"You are right,—but the future may hold hotter fighting still."</p> + +<p>"This war has but begun," came from Ralph. "King George won't give up +yet. We'll have to whip his redcoats many more times ere he will be +willing to admit our independence."</p> + +<p>"Never mind—we'll do it!" cried Andy, with flashing eyes. "From now on +our watchword must be Liberty forever!"</p> + +<p>And the other Musket Boys echoed the sentiment.</p> + + +<p class="ph2">THE END</p> + +<p class="ph2">[Transcriber's Note: Inconsistent hyphenation left as printed.]</p> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76265 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76265-h/images/cover.jpg b/76265-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f5f3ec --- /dev/null +++ b/76265-h/images/cover.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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