THE SUMMONS
It was as if this escape of Archie's had brought an end to anything of
excitement, so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, and to lads who
were burning with impatience to have a hand in great matters, it
appeared that our people were no longer striving to struggle against the
king.
Harvey and I, after having been set ashore by Hiram Griffin, succeeded
in making our way down from Barton's point without meeting anyone who
offered to molest us. Perhaps because of the disagreeable weather the
patrol had sought shelter; but for whatsoever reason they seemingly
disappeared off the face of the earth I never troubled my head, since it
enabled us to gain our homes in safety.
I had fancied a hue and cry would be raised next morning, when it was
discovered that Archie had unceremoniously taken his departure from the
prison; but, so far as concerned the outside world, it was as if nothing
had happened. The lobster backs held their peace; but I was not such a
simple as to believe no effort would be made toward learning who had
given him assistance.
On that morning when I went down to Dock square after having spent four
or five hours in bed; it was with nervous trembling that I came upon a
red uniform, whosoever the wearer, fearing lest I might be charged with
having aided in the escape of a prisoner.
No one appeared to give any attention to me however, and then I listened
for a proclamation by the town crier; but none met my ears, neither did
I see printed notices of any kind referring to Archie.
During the forenoon I came upon Seth Jepson, and believed it was from
him I would first learn the news; but if that lad had any inkling of the
matter he kept a close tongue in his head. Question as I might, it was
impossible to get from him a single word on the matter, and I finally
came to believe he remained in ignorance of the previous night's doings,
more particularly after he asked me with such an innocent air that I
could not believe it assumed, if we did not propose to make some effort
for the relief of our comrade.
He had nothing of importance to report, and I left him in Dock square
loitering about in the hope of overhearing some conversation among the
lobster backs which would interest our friends at Cambridge, as I went
boldly through Queen street.
There it was I met Harvey Pearson, who had come upon much the same
errand as I, and when we were within speaking distance he asked
anxiously:
"Have you heard anything?"
"So far not a word. I have just left Seth Jepson, and it is evident he
has failed of learning the news."
"Can it be the lobster backs haven't missed him yet?" Harvey asked, and
I proposed what might seem reckless:
"Let us walk past the prison and see if anything has been done toward
mending that window."
This we did, taking care, however, not to gaze too intently at the walls
of the jail; but seeming to have our attention attracted toward the
opposite side of the street, yet before we were well come up to the
scene of the previous night's adventure it was possible to see that the
mischief wrought by Hiram Griffin had been partially repaired. The bars,
which he had bent with his oaken stick, were not yet straightened, but
had been put into place after a fashion, and the shattered window was
closed with heavy planks.
There was no longer any question but that the Britishers were well aware
their prisoner had given them the slip, yet why they failed to raise a
hue and cry passed all my understanding. If searchers had been sent out
in the hope of capturing the fugitive, neither Harvey nor I had chanced
to come upon them, which was the more strange because there were many
so-called rebels who lived near to my home, and such section of the town
would have seemed to be the best hunting ground for the red-coats.
Chew it over as we might, neither Harvey nor I could make head nor tail
of the matter. Both of us had the good sense to realize that it was best
to let sleeping dogs lie, and the less inquisitive we showed ourselves
to be regarding Archie, the least likelihood there was we would bring
suspicion upon ourselves.
And now, because during the week that followed nothing of import
happened so far as we Minute Boys were concerned, I will pass over that
time with as few words as may be.
During these days Hiram failed to keep his word in regard to coming
back; Archie remained in camp as a matter of course, since it would have
been the height of folly for him to venture into Boston, and it was as
if Silas had decided to stay with the army.
Seth Jepson seemed striving to show himself exceedingly busy in the work
that had been set him, and took advantage of every opportunity to report
the lightest word he heard from the enemy; but, however, bringing
nothing of importance which would warrant the sending of a message to
our people.
Harvey and I came to the conclusion that the Britishers believed it best
to keep secret the fact that a prisoner could escape so readily, and
since Archie was no great catch, having been taken into custody only
because found prowling around the streets at night, they were fairly
willing to let go their grip of him.
During this time, however, General Gage had not been idle. It will be
remembered that I have set down the substance of an agreement between
the selectmen of the town and the king's representative, to the effect
that any person so disposed might leave the town, after having deposited
his weapons at Faneuil Hall.
I have also stated what Master Nelson and Master Landers had discussed,
and it seemed that the Tories of Boston exerted considerable influence
over General Gage, for after having allowed a few of the people to go
out with their household belongings under the protection of a pass
signed by himself, the governor put his foot down against any women or
children leaving. It was much the same as if he had said he would not
keep his pledged word.
We, who were shut up in Boston, learned that the people of Charlestown,
who formerly numbered nearly three thousand, had become so alarmed that
they left their homes, believing the Americans in Cambridge could afford
them better protection than might be had from the king's hirelings. So
thoroughly panic stricken were the inhabitants, that it was said no more
than two hundred now remained in the village.
We heard now and then of this colony or of that sending troops or money
to our aid, although how the news came I cannot say, and it was
whispered among the people who were true to the Cause, that Rhode Island
had sent as many as fifteen hundred men under Brigadier Nathaniel
Greene.
Connecticut voted to raise six thousand soldiers, and the Provincial
Congress passed an act authorizing the enrollment of two thousand troops
in addition to those who were already in the field.
Nor did the Britishers content themselves with the large force already
in Boston. The Cerberus man-of-war came into the harbor having on board,
in addition to the troops, three generals: Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne.
It was as if General Gage had until this time considered his army too
small to cope with our people, but now that new troops were arrived,
increasing his force to at least ten thousand men, he gathered courage
to impose yet further upon us, and issued a proclamation which declared
the town under martial law, stating in the document that all our people
who favored the Cause were "rebels, parricides of the Constitution." He
offered a free pardon to all who would swear to serve the king loyally,
with the exception of Masters John Hancock and Samuel Adams. These last
two he declared traitors, and offered a reward for their capture.
We in Boston had had but little liberty under the British rule, and now
were to be treated more like prisoners than before, for any red-coat
holding the king's commission could seize us on the streets, or even
take us from our homes, without form of law; but simply because of his
own whim or suspicion.
I had more than once, at the time when it was believed General Gage
would be gentleman enough to keep his word and allow the citizens to
leave the town, urged upon my mother that she seek safety near the
American army, but she, dear soul, hesitated to abandon her home, and I
failed to insist as strongly as I might have done, fearing lest her
going would involve mine also, thus depriving me of an opportunity to
serve the Cause with my company.
Then came the time when the Britisher who called himself a gentleman,
went back on his word, refusing to allow women or children to go out
from the town, and there was no longer an opportunity for her to escape.
As the days rolled on and we neither saw those of our number who had
fled to Cambridge, nor were called upon for any service, it began to
appear to me as if I need not have been so eager to remain in Boston
because of the Minute Boys, since most like there were so many men
joining the American army that lads were no longer considered of any
account.
Then came the day when Hiram Griffin suddenly appeared, coming to my
home at the moment when my mother and I were breaking our fast, and one
might have fancied from his manner and the business-like way in which he
spoke, that no more than a dozen hours had passed since we last saw him.
I literally overwhelmed him with questions, so eager was I to learn of
Archie, and what progress our people might have been making against the
king which had not come to us in Boston, until before each had satisfied
the other's curiosity the forenoon was nearly half spent.
He told me that he and my comrade had arrived at Cambridge the morning
after the escape, having encountered no danger on the way, and being
forced to land at the Penny ferry owing to the fact that the wind blew
so strongly they could not hope to pull the boat down to the Charles
river. Silas had gained the encampment and unfolded his budget of news
before they arrived.
From some of our people who came out of the town under pass from General
Gage, it was learned that no action had been taken by the Britishers
regarding Archie's escape, yet it was not safe for him to venture into
Boston. Silas had remained with the army because, so his father
believed, there was no real need of his coming back until work had been
found for us Minute Boys to do. Master Brownrigg claimed that there were
enough of us in town to get all the information regarding the Britishers
that could be desired. In fact, as Hiram represented it, there was
little need for us lads to act the part of spies while so many of our
people could procure a British pass.
Now, however, was come the time when we lads, were called upon to show
of what metal we were made, and, therefore, Hiram had been sent to
summon the Minute Boys; not on an expedition of a warlike nature, much
to my sorrow, but simply to aid in the work of gathering supplies for
the army at Cambridge.
Our soldiers numbered no less than sixteen thousand, so Hiram assured
me, and while the people from the country round about gave generously
from their stores, it was a difficult matter for the leaders, all
unprepared as they were to care for such a body of men, to keep up the
supply of provisions. It had been decided that, not only in order to
provide rations for our own people, but to aid in cutting off food from
the enemy, the farms on the islands near to Boston were to be ravaged
and everything eatable, whether belonging to friend or foe, was to be
transported to Cambridge, if indeed that might be done.
Now it seems, as I learned later, for he himself was all too modest to
admit having been given command of an important undertaking, that Hiram
had been charged with the work of seizing on Noddle and Hog islands such
provisions as might be found, to which end he was provided with two
small sloops, and had selected from the army four men whom he could
trust to aid him in the task.
As a matter of course such small force was all insufficient to perform
the necessary labor; but he had hit upon the plan of impressing us
Minute Boys into service, and therefore it was that during the night,
and despite the strict guard kept by the Britishers, one of his vessels,
taking advantage of a stiff breeze, had set him ashore near to Hudson's
point, from which place he made his way to my home.
"Now this is my plan;" he said to me when we were done with swapping
information. "You have from now until nearly midnight to call your
company together at the rope walk where I landed. Sometime between then
and daybreak my comrades will either come near to the land in one of the
sloops, or send two or three boats to bring you off, and an hour after
sunrise, if so be everything goes as I have reckoned, we will be putting
aboard a cargo of such stuff as shall fill the stomachs of those who are
loitering near to Cambridge awaiting a good chance to slap his majesty
in the face."
At the time it did not appear to me we Minute Boys were called upon to
play any very heroic part in the so-called "rebellion." It seemed that
there would be little of glory gained in loading the sloops with live
stock, wheat and corn, and yet before the task was accomplished we
Minute Boys of Boston saw what was a veritable battle, although on a
small scale, but with as good an opportunity of shedding one's blood as
the most ardent warrior could have desired.
I smile even at this late day when I think of what a simple I showed
myself to be while setting about the task, for on summoning my comrades
I was ashamed to tell them we were to work like drovers and farmers
rather than as soldiers, therefore led each to understand we were bent
on some secret mission to an island near by. And when one and another
speculated as to the possible danger to be encountered, or of the
opportunities of showing ourselves worthy to be called soldiers, I
nursed such fancies until they believed we were going as an independent
company to slaughter or to capture whole squads of trained, red-coated
soldiers.
As a matter of course I set about the work of getting speech with each
of my company immediately Hiram had finished explaining matters, and so
difficult was it to find them all, scattered about the town as they
were, that night had come before I returned to my home.
Then I had succeeded in warning every member of the company, even
including Seth Jepson, to be at the rope walk on Barton's point,
recommending that they come singly, rather than in couples or squads, so
that there might be less chance to arouse suspicion, and right weary was
I from much running to and fro.
Mother had made ready a hearty supper because of my having fasted at
noon, and Hiram and I ate until the wonder was that we were not so heavy
as to be incapable of active exercise. But when we set out for the
rendezvous I speedily learned that whether my companion had spared the
food, or devoured more than his share, it was possible for him to move
at such a pace as caused me to breathe quickly and hard in the effort to
keep at his heels.
It is not to be supposed that we could go from my home to Barton's point
through the streets without coming upon some of the lobster backs, for
since the town was put under martial law the watch had been replaced by
soldiers, and there were so many of them patrolling the streets 'twixt
sunset and sunrise that one could hardly poke his nose outside the door
without brushing it against half a dozen.
We were not delayed in the short journey, however, because of my
familiarity with the gardens and byways on the route, which admitted of
our making fair progress while shunning the streets, and he who could
have pounced upon us would indeed have been a quicker-witted lobster
back than I have yet seen.
When we arrived at the rope walk we found some of the lads overly
impatient, as indeed they had good cause to be, for those whom I warned
earlier in the day had gone immediately to the rendezvous, therefore
were forced to cool their heels there from six to eight hours, which
must have seemed a long time when you realize that they were literally
burning with impatience to play the part of soldiers, and I could not
but ask myself with somewhat of anxiety, how they might view the
situation when coming to understand that they were to be employed as
drovers, or in carrying bags of grain from the shore to the vessels?
"Are they all here?" Hiram asked me when standing beneath the shelter of
a lean-to which served as store-house, as he surveyed my company.
"Ay, every one of them," I replied carelessly, believing it was possible
to see them all, and as I spoke Harvey Pearson piped up in his shrill
voice:
"All save Seth Jepson. An hour ago he suddenly remembered that he must
attend to some work which his mother had laid out for him, and went off
at full speed, promising to come back before you showed yourselves."
"So! He's the lad you believed might have a leaning toward Toryism,"
Hiram said sharply as he wheeled about to face me, and on the instant I
understood that he doubted the truth of Seth Jepson's excuse for leaving
the company.
"How long did he stay here?" I asked of Harvey, whom I knew to have been
one of the first to arrive at the rendezvous.
"Perhaps a couple of hours. I did not take much heed of the time
because we were all speculating as to what duty might be required of us,
and therefore the minutes passed swiftly."
"Are all the others here?" and Hiram turned once more to me.
In order to be certain this time I called the names of each lad in turn,
and, counting them, found we had thirteen present, which, with Archie
and Silas, whom Hiram said were on board one of the sloops, made up our
full number.
It could readily be seen that Griffin was sorely disturbed in mind
because of Seth's absence, and his uneasiness was speedily shared by
Harvey and me as we put our heads together, trying to make out how the
lad might do us harm.
Once more I came to believe him an arrant Tory who had joined the
company only that he might betray it. This was the first opportunity he
had had to play the traitor, and it seemed of a verity he counted to
take advantage of it, understanding that now was come the time when the
king's men might find us in unlawful assemblage with a member of the
American army in our midst.
"He had no chance to betray us before, and has therefore acted as if his
desires and ours run in the same channel," I said bitterly to Harvey,
striving in vain to hit upon some plan by which we could thwart Seth's
purpose. "Now has come the time when he may lay us all by the heels, and
he intends to do it as surely as you and I stand here."
"Ay, so it appears to me," Harvey replied. "It is not reasonable to
suppose the fellow would have left home knowing he was like to be gone
several days, without first having made everything ready for his
absence. Thus suddenly remembering something his mother told him to do,
is a childish excuse, and shows that he thinks we are a party of idiots
to take any stock in him."
"How long think you would it take a lad to go from here to the
governor's house, have speech with him, and come back?" Hiram asked, and
I knew full well he was trying to figure how many moments of freedom
were left to us.
Harvey declared it might be done in less than two hours; but I was of
the mind that much more time would be required, because even a Tory lad
would not speedily be admitted into the presence of his high-mightiness,
Governor Gage. Then there were the chances that this governor sent by
the king might not be at home, or, receiving Seth at once, some little
time would be required to muster a squad of soldiers, for it was likely
that if they counted on taking into custody thirteen lads and a man a
considerable show of force would be made. Therefore it was I set it down
as three hours before we had good right to expect any result from Seth's
sudden remembrance of his mother's desires.
"We'll make it two hours and run no risk," Hiram said after a moment's
thought, and fell to pacing to and fro as if struggling to solve some
question which he found difficult of answer.
Little was said by us lads as we stood there beneath the shelter of the
lean-to. Each realized that in a short time he might be a prisoner, and
all knew, or believed they knew, that there was much trouble in store
for us through Seth Jepson.
During an hour I believe the only words I heard spoken were concerning
what this lad or that would do to the traitor when the opportunity came,
until tiring of hearing such idle words I said to Harvey impatiently:
"It is of little use for us who are in the frying pan to talk about
throwing another into the fire. Instead of striving to decide how you
may serve out Seth Jepson, when it is likely he will get the first blow
at us, spend your time hunting for a means of escape, if so be the
lobster backs come upon us."
"There is nothing to be done in that line," one of the lads said
bitterly, "unless perchance we turn tail now and go to our homes. Then
would Seth Jepson be in a pretty muddle because of having led the
lobster backs here on what appeared as a false scent."
This idea caught the fancy of many. By our dispersing instantly Seth
would seemingly show himself a lad ready to make mischief among the
king's people. It would be a mighty neat way of turning the tables on
the traitor, and right thoroughly would I have loved to do it but for
the fact that we would be abandoning Hiram.
Before many minutes had passed I came to understand that there was
certain danger of our failing in this the first real work which had been
given us to do, for as the lads discussed the matter they became more
and more impressed with the idea of hoodwinking the traitorous Tory and
the lobster backs at the same time. They began to believe it would be of
more importance thus to prove Seth a liar, than to join in the business
on which Hiram was engaged.
It required all the arguments I could bring to mind, to hold them there
in a body, and so insistent on carrying out their plan did some of them
become, that I was forced to call on Hiram, who speedily put an end to
their insubordination by saying in a scornful tone:
"A fine set of lads are you to call yourselves Minute Boys, who haven't
learned that a soldier's first and last duty is to obey! Because of
seeing some chance to play a trick on a scurvy Tory, you would
straightway throw all orders to the wind, leaving me to return to
Cambridge to make report that the Minute Boys of Boston refuse to follow
where duty calls. Do you not realize that if Seth Jepson brought the
lobster backs here, and failed to find you, he would give to whatsoever
officer accompanied him the name of each and every one, to the end that
'twixt now and morning you might be ferreted out and lodged in prison?
There's like to be two ends to such a trick as you would play, and I'm
thinking he would come out best in the end."
"But by staying we are like to be taken into custody, if so be your
vessels or boats fail to come on time," one of the company suggested,
and Hiram replied in ringing words:
"Ay, and then would you have no reason for shame, since to be captured
while performing a duty is often the fate of a soldier, and does not
work to his discredit; but suppose you refuse to obey the orders which I
have brought, and then are taken, like rats in their nests, false to the
Cause, false to your friends, and false to yourselves? How about it
then?"
It was as if he had lashed them with a whip. The lads shrank back into
the further corner of the lean-to as if unable to stand against his
anger and scorn, and I noted well that those who talked the loudest of
the pleasure of playing the trick on Seth, were showing the greatest
fear of Hiram.
It was all very well, however, to speak of doing our duty; but not so
pleasant to remain there with no means of escape, knowing beyond a
peradventure that within a couple of hours at the longest the lobster
backs would be upon us. While there was no thought in my mind of
sneaking away, I was frightened by the prospect before me, and all the
more so because Hiram appeared so disturbed. He went from the building
to the edge of the water twenty times in as many minutes, striving to
pierce the gloom with his eyes, hoping to see the boats which, according
to his arrangements, should have been there before then.
Finally, when he had remained on the shore gazing seaward longer than
usual, I went to him and asked in a whisper:
"Is there any chance they may have mistaken your plans, and will fail to
come to-night?"
"None whatever, lad, unless some accident has befallen them, for
everything was mapped out as plainly as could be done by words. It was
on Hog island we were to do our first work; one of the sloops was to go
there, while the other, towing all our small boats, should have been off
this point an hour ago."
"What is to be done?" I asked helplessly.
"Nothing save stand here and take our medicine like men. We won't give
over hope until the last minute, for even when the red-coats are in
sight, there may be a chance for us to slip off in the darkness if so be
the boats are at hand."
Then came a weary time of waiting which seemed long because of our
anxiety. I could well fancy there was in the mind of every lad, as in
mine, a picture of the prison into which we would speedily be thrust,
and thus an end be put to all our dreams of glory that was to come while
working for the Cause.
As the minutes passed and we failed to hear any sound from out over the
waters betokening the coming of those who were to meet us, it was only
with difficulty I refrained from crying aloud in my impatience and fear,
and when one of the boys moved suddenly, breaking the silence, I started
in alarm, believing the lobster backs were close at hand.
When two full hours had passed, and we knew beyond a peradventure that
Seth had played the traitor, it seemed as if our time of trial was close
at hand. Hiram paced to and fro along the shore, ceasing either to
return to the building, or make reply when I attempted to speak with
him. All his mind was fixed upon that vague space in the darkness from
out of which he was striving to see that which we so sorely needed, and
then when it did come he was like unto one who has received a cruel
blow. Staggering as if drunken, he said hoarsely to me who chanced to be
standing by his side:
"They are coming, and just in time to save our necks, for I question
whether the red-coats would give us much more of a breathing spell!"
The lads who had been crouching in the lean-to, most like trembling with
fear, now rushed out to where Hiram and I stood knee-deep in the water
as if the enemy was so near that a few more inches of distance might
save us, and there we remained, alternatingly turning landward expecting
to hear the tread of armed men, and straining our eyes into the gloom
to see more clearly the approaching boats.
The first craft which came ashore brought Archie Hemming, and no sooner
did her bow grate upon the shingle than he leaped over, clasping me in
his arms as if I had only recently escaped from the grave, but to my
mind there was no time to indulge in any show of affection, and almost
thrusting him from me, I whispered:
"It is plain Seth Jepson has played the traitor, by going after the
lobster backs to take us into custody while we remain here. There is no
time to be lost; we must embark on the instant."
There was little need for me to urge that the moments were precious.
As three boats, one after another, came up to the shore, our company of
Minute Boys leaped into them until each had its full cargo, and I
believe not more than four minutes passed from the time Archie had
clasped me in his arms before we pushed off and were heading out into
the darkness toward where the sloop lay.
And we had left that shore none too soon, for our little fleet could
hardly have been swallowed up by the gloom before we heard the tramp of
men, and a few seconds later came the sound of angry voices, telling of
the Britishers' disappointment in failing to trap us.
We had turned a neater trick on Seth Jepson than would have been
possible had we gone back to our homes when the matter was first
suggested, for now he might indeed give our names to the king's
officers; but they would fail to find us in Boston town, and who could
say when we had left?