THE DESERTER.
Even after knowing that the deserter was near at hand, we had
considerable difficulty in locating him, and not until after making a
complete circle around the swimmer could I see his head.
As we came alongside he grasped the gunwale to rest himself, and
asked:
"Are you from the oysterman?"
"Ay, shan't we take you aboard now? The pungy is on the other side of
the island."
"The canoe would be overturned if I attempted to come over the rail.
Paddle into shoaler water, an' I'll try it."
"Tired out?" I asked as we worked the craft toward the shore, he still
holding by the gunwale.
"Nothin' to speak of when its a case of escapin' from the Britishers.
I'd tried this a week ago if I hadn't known that the first search
would be made on the island, an' I didn't dare take the chances of
findin' them as would help me off."
We were not many moments in coming to the beach, and then Bill Jepson
clambered over the stern, not being hampered overly much by wet
clothing, since he had come off with nothing save his trousers and
shirt.
"I was willin' to leave all my dunnage, providin' I could say good by
to the bloomin' ship. When we put in here I counted on seein' friends
'most anywhere, for I hail from Baltimore way; but Darius Thorpe's was
the first friendly face I came across. A good honest sailorman is
Darius, an' I knew he wouldn't leave me in a hole if it was possible
for him to lend a hand."
Jepson had nothing startling to tell relative to his escape from the
ship. When the watch was changed he quietly slipped over the side,
dropping into the water without making any disturbance, and swimming
beneath the surface, coming up to breathe only when it was absolutely
necessary, until he was a full half-mile from the Severn.
As we paddled around the island, putting in our best strokes, for we
had no desire to be found in that vicinity when it was discovered on
the British ship that one of the crew had deserted, I asked Jepson how
he chanced to be aboard the enemy's vessel, and while his story
related to a cruel wrong, it was in no wise exciting, or unusual.
Five months before the declaration of war he was taken from an
American merchantman on the flimsy pretex of being an English citizen,
and since then had led what he called "a dog's life" aboard several
of the king's ships. Never before had he seen an opportunity to
escape, and now he knew full well that, if caught, he would be hanged.
Now that we had the man I began to question as to what should be done
with him, for it was certain we must not take the chances of keeping
him aboard the Avenger, and I could well understand that he might not
want to remain if we were to fish in that vicinity.
It seemed almost as if he read that which was in my mind for he said
after a long time of silence:
"I'm only half free now, for your pungy will be searched if you go
anywhere near the Narcissus again, an' the question is, how I am to
get to the mainland?"
"We could put you ashore in Maryland," I suggested.
"Yes, an' I'd starve to death before gettin' anywhere, unless you ran
further up the bay than I allow you've any right to go," he said with
a laugh which had in it nothing of mirth.
"What's the sense of stewin' over that part of it now?" Jerry asked.
"Wait till you get aboard the pungy, an' I dare say Darius will have a
plan all worked out."
"He's a good one, is Darius, an' when he settles on a thing it comes
mighty near bein' sound. We'll wait, an' I'll spell one of you lads
with a paddle, if you'll give me a show."
"After swimming so far I reckon you'd better lay still," I replied,
and from that time until we ran alongside the Avenger not a word was
spoken between us.
If I had expected to see anything affecting in the meeting between the
two old shipmates, I was mistaken.
Darius, who was on the lookout for us as may be supposed, said when he
saw that the canoe had three occupants:
"So you got him, eh? Well, Bill Jepson wasn't born to be drowned,
that's certain."
Then the old man passed us a line, and the deserter said as he went
over the rail:
"I knew I could depend on you, Darius."
"You made a mistake this time, Bill, for if the boys hadn't hogged up
agin it, I'd left you to do the best you could, seein's we're down
here on a bit of work for Commodore Joshua Barney, whose fleet is in
the Patuxent river, as perhaps you have heard."
"Well there! I knew you wouldn't be foolin' round here oysterin' while
able seamen are likely in good demand. I'd be well fixed if I could
run across the commodore just now."
"That's what I've been thinking'. Of course it don't stand to reason
you can stay here a great many hours."
"I must be off before daylight, an' am countin' on your tellin' me
where."
"What do you know about the Britishers?"
"Considerable which has been picked up from the marines who've been on
duty aft. There won't be any move made for two or three days, an' then
they're goin' to strike Washington an' Baltimore at the same time. Sir
Peter Parker goes to our home, an' Captain Gordon will run up the
Potomac. Leastways, that's what we of the gun-deck have heard, an' you
know that what leaks through the sentries is most generally to be
counted on."
"Ever been up the Patuxent river?" Darius asked abruptly.
"Only two or three times."
"Well that's where you ought'er be, tellin' the commodore all you
know, an' if the three of you agree, here's a plan we'll try."
Darius looked at Jerry and me as he spoke, therefore I understood that
we were counted as two of the three to whom he referred.
"I'm agreeable to anythin' you figger out, Darius," Bill Jepson said
as he wrung the water from his scanty clothing.
"Well then, Amos an' Jerry shall take you in the canoe, an' start for
Nottingham within the next ten minutes. Since they left to look for
you I've been fixin' up a sail for the craft, an' with a breeze like
this you ought'er be well across the Potomac by sunrise."
"Don't you need the lads with you?" Jepson asked as Jerry and I looked
at each other in surprise, and, perhaps, displeasure.
"Yes; but not so much as I need to hear from the commodore after he
knows what you've got to say."
"The Britishers are certain to search this craft 'twixt now an'
to-morrow night, an' seein' the canoe is gone, may smell a rat," the
deserter suggested.
"I reckoned all that in with my figgerin'. If you start for the
Patuxent river I shall run over to the Delaware shore an' pick up a
boat somewhere."
"They knew how much of a crew you had when the oyster bargain was
made."
"Well, what if the boys went ashore to go home for a couple of days?
That yarn will go down, I reckon, an' if it don't I'll have to take
the chances for the sake of gettin' you to Joshua Barney as soon as it
can be done."
Darius had evidently considered the plan well, and I understood that
nothing would turn him from it unless one of us flatly refused to
carry it into execution, which, considering all the importance of
getting information to the commodore, I was not prepared to do. At the
same time, the idea of going back to Nottingham in no better craft
than our canoe, was by no means to my liking.
"If you've got it worked out, Darius Thorpe, an' allow it should be
done, I'm ready," Bill Jepson said, "an' it ain't noways strange that
I should be willin' to jump at anythin', considerin' I'm like to go to
the yard-arm if captured now."
The old man looked inquiringly at Jerry, and my partner said slowly
much as if not being exactly certain what he thought of the scheme:
"I'm willin' to go if it so be you want to keep the pungy here; but
'cordin' to my way of thinkin' the chances are against our gettin'
there in the canoe."
"You can do it if the wind don't breeze up, an' it ain't likely to at
this time of the year." Then, as if considering the question settled
absolutely, Darius cried out to Jim, "Have you stowed everythin' in
the canoe?"
"Ay, sir, an' I've taken all the provisions for them, so we'll be left
to suck our thumbs when we get right hungry."
Darius not only planned the journey while we were absent; but had gone
ahead with the preparations as if advised in advance that we would
agree to it.
"Well, there was no use in hanging back, since the thing must be done,
and I had sense enough to know that if we were going to make the
venture the sooner it was begun the better chance we had for
succeeding, therefore I went over the rail into the canoe, where I
found a small sprit-sail, a package of food, and one musket with
powder and balls sufficient for two or three charges.
"We've done the best we could by you, lad," Darius called out as he
saw me examining the cargo. "You'll soon be where you can lay in a
good supply."
"Yes, if we don't go to the bottom first," I replied just a trifle
sharply, whereat Darius replied with a laugh:
"I'll trust you for that part of the business. Bill Jepson should be a
master hand with a paddle, an' take it all in all, you're bound to
push ahead right fast."
"How are we to find you again?" Jerry asked.
"The commodore will attend to that part of it. We'll stay here foolin'
around as agreed upon, for a week--unless we get important news before
then--, an' if you haven't shown up I'll allow that Joshua Barney set
you about other business."
Jerry and Bill Jepson took their places in the canoe, the latter
stepping the small spar to which the bit of canvas was rigged, and as
I ran a paddle out over the stern to take the place of a rudder, I was
astonished at feeling that the little craft was making remarkably good
headway.
Almost at the same moment we started, the pungy was hauled around for
the Delaware shore, and in less than five minutes she was lost to view
in the darkness.
"How is she doin'?" the old sailor asked as he leaned over to watch
the rush of water along the side.
"Better than we could shove her with the paddles," I replied, not
feeling overly inclined to talk very much.
"Then I can't see but that everything is as smooth as grease, an'
what's better'n all else, we're leavin' the bloomin' Britishers astern
in a way to make my heart glad. The wind is likely to increase before
it lessens, so we'll be a good bit on our way by sunrise."
"Ay," Jerry said grimly; "but if you've lived in Baltimore you know
what the mouth of the Potomac is when the breeze comes strong, an' I
don't allow that this canoe would make any too good weather of it in a
heavy sea."
"She should be able to do it all right," Jepson said carelessly, and
then he set about filling a pipe he had borrowed from Darius, as if
there was nothing in the world to cause him trouble.
After he had lighted the tobacco he must needs ply us with questions
regarding Joshua Barney, to which we could make no very satisfactory
replies because of our ignorance; but he seemed to think it his duty
to keep a conversation going, regardless of the fact that both Jerry
and I showed plainly our disinclination to do very much
tongue-wagging.
When an hour had passed, and the canoe was walking along in right
smart style, surprising me by her performance under sail, for I had
never supposed she could be used in such fashion, Bill Jepson said
suddenly:
"Look here, what's the use of all hands standin' watch? Give me the
paddle, an' I'll steer while you lads get a bit of sleep. I'll call
you when its time to take your trick at the helm."
At first I was inclined to hold my place; but thought differently when
I saw Jerry curling himself up in the bow for a nap, and gave the
paddle to the sailor, saying as I did so:
"I don't count on sleeping very long; but if you should come up to the
Potomac before I turn out, it would be a good idea to call me."
"I reckon you think that because I'm a deep-water sailor I ain't fit
to be trusted with one of these Chesapeake cockle shells; but bless
your heart, lad, I've always knocked about in 'em, an' you shall see
that I'll handle you tenderly enough."
I laid down in the bottom of the boat, under the thwarts, and
contrived to make myself so comfortable that in less than five minutes
I was sleeping soundly.
When next I became conscious of anything there was at least two inches
of water under my back, and the spray was coming over the starboard
side at a rate that threatened speedily to founder the little craft.
Jerry, being in the bow which stood higher out of the water, had not
been disturbed.
"What's the matter?" I asked in alarm, crawling out from under the
thwarts with no little difficulty.
"Matter? Nothin' as I knows of," Bill Jepson said as if surprised that
I should have asked such a question. "What made you think anything was
wrong?"
"Why we're half full of water, man, and if it keeps coming in at this
rate it'll soon be a case of swimming!"
"It's a bit dusty, that's all; but the canoe is doin' her work like a
lady. We're well nigh across the Potomac, an' just a hummin'."
The day was breaking, and in the gray light of early dawn I could see
the little craft laboring under her rag of a sail in a manner that
sent my heart into my mouth, although I'm not given to being timorous
on the water.
"We must get in some of that sail," I cried, forced to yell at the
full strength of my lungs in order to be heard above the rollicking
sea song in which Bill Jepson was pouring forth his musical soul.
"Let her go as she is; I'll answer for it that no harm will be done."
Bill said with a laugh as he cut short his song. "We wouldn't be in as
good shape with the paddles, an' that's a fact."
By this time Jerry had awakened, and he, like me, had the idea that
we were storming through it at a hotter pace than the canoe could
safely stand; but the sailor insisted that nothing was wrong, although
he did suggest it might be a good idea if we baled the craft a bit,
and we were forced to act upon his advice in order to save ourselves
from being swamped.
The canoe rode more easily when the liquid load had been taken from
her, and I came to the conclusion that perhaps it might be as well to
let Bill Jepson have his way since we were cutting down the miles in
great shape, and speed was the one thing necessary for us just at that
time.
We were forced to use the baling dishes about every ten minutes before
crossing the mouth of the river, and then the little craft made better
weather of it, to the great relief of both us lads.
No one would ever have suspected that Bill Jepson was a deserter who
would surely be hanged if the Britishers caught him. He sang, told
stories of a wild and terrible kind, mimicked the officers of the
Narcissus, and explained what the Americans would do when the enemy
came up the bay, going into the details of the naval maneuvers as if
perfectly familiar with all the defenses, instead of being wholly
ignorant of everything connected with the war save from an English
standpoint.
It was not a very appetizing breakfast which we had that morning, for
the food, stowed in the stern of the boat, was soaked with water; but
to lads who had never been accustomed to luxuries a little thing like
fasting did not seem to be of much importance.
The breeze, which had been freshening all night, increased with the
rising of the sun, and Jerry and I, unwilling to suggest that the sail
be reefed, saw the little craft humming along under the guidance of
Bill Jepson, when, had we dared assert our authority, she would be
creeping with no other motive power than the paddles in the hands of
two tired boys.
At noon we landed on the southerly side of Hog Point, where I knew a
fisherman lived, and went toward the house hoping we might be able to
get something in the way of provisions, for I had in my pocket the
money which had been paid by the officers of the Narcissus.
Bill Jepson remained in the canoe, to "keep ship" as he said, and
Jerry and I walked through the small growth of timber nearly
encircling the building, with never a thought of keeping ourselves
concealed from view; but yet remaining silent for the very good reason
that we had nothing of interest to say to each other.
Thus it was by mere chance that our approach was almost noiseless, and
when we were come within view of the dwelling, from whence we could
hear the hum of voices, none of the inmates were aware of our
presence.
This man--Jenkins was his name--had a wife and one child, as I well
knew, therefore hearing the sound as of several voices, I naturally
looked out from the underbrush before showing myself, for there was in
my mind the thought that he might have a party of Britishers as
visitors.
One man, and he the owner of the dwelling, was lying on the grass just
outside the window, talking with another who was seated within the
building, whose head and shoulders only could be seen; but one glance
at the face was sufficient to cause me to draw suddenly back as I
motioned to Jerry to advance where he could have a view of Jenkins'
visitor.
It was Elias Macomber who sat at the window, talking with his host on
the outside, and we could readily overhear the conversation.
Under ordinary circumstances I hold that an eavesdropper is the
meanest kind of a person; but considering all the facts of the case,
it seemed just then that it was our duty to learn all we might.
As we came up Jenkins was evidently opposing something which the
traitor had said, for when we were in position to listen, Macomber
cried sharply:
"I shall watch out for the British fleet, an' board the first vessel
that heaves in sight. I reckon I can tell the admiral somethin' which
he'll like to hear."
"But, Elias," Jenkins remonstrated, "even though you don't believe in
the war, surely you wouldn't do that which might work harm to your
neighbors?"
"I'm an Englishman!"
"By comin' here an' settlin' down, you turned into an American, or
should have done so. I claim that a man has no right to hold himself
an Englishman when he moves into another country to live, never
expectin' to go back to the old home. All your interests are here, an'
by holdin' true to the United States you are benefitin' yourself."
"That's all rot. I work for what I get here, an' have no man to thank
for it."
"But the laws of the country protect you; all the advantages to be had
from the town where you live are yours, the same as others, an' when
you take them you have no right to do harm to the land which feeds
you."
"It's no use tryin' to argue me out of it, Jenkins, for you don't know
how I've been treated in Benedict. I'll give the British commander all
the information in my possession, an' it's enough to be of
importance."
Just then a woman's voice from the inside of the house summoned Mr.
Jenkins to some household duty, and I drew back among the foliage yet
further, dragging Jerry with me.
"We'll stay right here till we get our hands on that cur!" my partner
exclaimed when we were so far from the house that there was no danger
the words would be overheard, "an' if Commodore Barney's men can't
keep him a prisoner, we'll turn to an' see what kind of a fist we make
of the job!"
I was of Jerry's mind; but there was nothing that could be safely done
in broad day, and we went softly back to the shore that we might hold
counsel with Bill Jepson.
We found the sailor sleeping peacefully on the warm sand; but had no
compunctions about disturbing his slumbers, and after he was fully
awake it became necessary to tell him the story of what we had done in
the Patuxent, that he might the better understand the situation.
"So the spy is here, an' counts on stayin' till the Britishers come up
the bay, eh?" the old sailor said half to himself. "What have you lads
got in your heads?"
"We're goin' to get our hands on him once more, an' then take precious
good care he don't have a chance to tell the Britishers what he knows
concerning the commodore's fleet," Jerry said hotly.
"An' you count on doin' that first of all, eh?"
"Sure; that cur shan't have a chance to give us the slip!"
"But he said he'd stay till the fleet came up."
"Well?"
"That won't happen for three or four days yet, if all I've heard be
true."
"It makes no difference to us when the vessels come. What we want is
Elias Macomber!"
"What would you do with him, supposin' he was here this minute?"
"Carry him to Commodore Barney, of course."
"Can the four of us get along in the canoe?"
Jerry and I looked at each other in perplexity. It was a fact that the
little craft would not carry four, particularly when one was a
prisoner who might struggle against being taken up the river, and yet
it seemed to me as if we were in duty bound to effect the capture.
"Now this is the way it looks to me," Bill Jepson said slowly, as if
talking with himself, "though, of course, I ain't countin' on
interferin' with you lads in any way: What I've got to tell the
commodore is of more importance than the yarn Macomber can spin for
the admiral, an' Darius Thorpe seemed to think I couldn't see the old
man any too soon. Now if this 'ere sneak is goin' to wait where he is
till the fleet comes, what's to prevent our keepin' on as we started,
an' then comin' back to pull him in? This wind will set us up the
river in great shape, an' within four an' twenty hours we should be at
Nottingham, unless the town has been moved from where I saw it last."
I understood at once that the sailor's advice was good, and should be
followed, yet it went sadly against the grain to go away from that
place leaving the cur free to do us harm if the opportunity presented
itself.
Jerry had much the same struggle in his mind as I, but, watching his
face, I soon saw that he was ready to act upon Bill Jepson's
suggestion, and without waiting for him to give his thoughts words, I
said:
"Very well, if we're to go up the river first, there is no time to be
lost. We must paddle the canoe close inshore until we get around the
point, so that we may not be seen from Jenkins' house, and then we'll
push her for all she's worth."
We no longer remembered that we were hungry; but jumped to the task as
if every moment was precious, as indeed was the case if we would make
Elias Macomber a prisoner for the second time.
As I had said in regard to paddling around the point, so we did, but
once the canoe was so far beyond that she could not be seen from the
dwelling, we hoisted the sail, and I dare venture to say that Bill
Jepson might have run her rail under without hearing any word of
protest from Jerry or me, so eager were we to be on the return
voyage.