RELEASED.
During five long, weary weeks did Jacob and Enoch remain prisoners, and
although they lived in momentary expectation of a public flogging, the
punishment was not inflicted.
Twice more were the boys taken before Colonel Monckton, and on each
occasion he gave them to understand that unless satisfactory answers
were returned to his questions they would be whipped severely.
Jacob, who acted as spokesman, refused to obey the command, as he
did on the first occasion, alleging that he could not explain how the
fetters came in their possession without rendering a third party liable
to suspicion, and claimed he had rather "be flogged until he was nigh
dead" than cause suffering to an innocent person.
The British soldier who had allowed Seth to leave the jail unchallenged
was on duty fully half the time the boys were held as prisoners, and
now and then spoke words of cheer, giving them to understand that they
were indebted to Lord Gordon for their escape from a public flogging.
During the first four or five days of captivity they questioned the
soldier eagerly, and at every opportunity, regarding the possible
recapture of Seth; but he had no information to give them, and this
fact was decidedly more satisfactory than if he had been able to tell
them of his whereabouts, since it showed that their comrade was yet
free.
After a week passed there was no longer any doubt but that Seth had
succeeded in gaining the American lines, and being thus assured
they had saved his life, the boys could have borne even a public
flogging with a certain degree of equanimity, because of what had been
accomplished.
As a matter of course Enoch could have no communication with his
mother, for orders had been given that the prisoners should be allowed
no visitors.
He believed, however, she knew all concerning him that could have been
told, through Lord Gordon.
It was possible for the boys to have a general idea of what was going
on outside, owing to the conversations which they could overhear
between the soldiers, and it seemed as if the one whom they looked
upon as a friend made it an especial point to converse with his fellows
where they might overhear all that was said.
Thus it was they were aware that, on the 24th and 26th of the month,
detachments of British troops went out successfully against the
Continentals; that on the 30th Abercrombie led his men against Lacey
near the Crooked Billet, forcing that officer to flight, killing
nearly a hundred soldiers, capturing fifty prisoners, and destroying or
bringing away all his baggage and stores.
It was on the second day after Sir Henry Clinton arrived in
Philadelphia that Jacob and Enoch were released from prison.
No formalities accompanied this, to them, very desirable change of
condition.
Ten days previous they had been assured by Colonel Monckton that there
was sufficient proof to connect them with Seth's escape, and that their
punishment, unless they confessed, would be exceptionally severe.
Therefore it was that they were quite as much surprised as delighted
when, on this particular morning, the cell-doors were opened and the
officer in charge of the prison announced that they were at liberty to
depart.
"You will be closely watched," he said warningly, "and rest assured
that at the first suspicious action on the part of either, both will
be brought here again. A second arrest will be more serious than the
first."
"If I have my way about it there won't be any second arrest," Jacob
said emphatically, and when the outer door of the jail was opened
he and Enoch darted swiftly through, as if fearing the permission to
depart might be reconsidered if they should linger in leaving.
When the boys arrived at Enoch's home Mrs. Ball was not particularly
surprised to see them nor was it necessary they should make any
explanations as to the cause of their long absence.
She had received, at least three times each week, an unsigned letter
containing full particulars as to their condition, and had known
several days previous that they were about to be discharged.
"Well, Lord--I mean our British friend, is what you might call a
right up and down good fellow, even if he is fighting on the wrong
side!" Jacob exclaimed when Mrs. Ball explained why she had not been
particularly anxious regarding her son during his long imprisonment.
"If all the king's soldiers were like him, I allow there wouldn't be
very much fighting in this country."
"He has taken a great deal of trouble to do a favor to three boys who
had no claim upon him," Enoch added reflectively.
"But he believed Seth was innocent, and began the good work by trying
to prevent his brother officers from killing one who was no spy," Mrs.
Ball suggested.
"Yet Seth was not what you might really call innocent, nor, for
that matter, were any of us, because he did carry information to our
friends, and we stood ready to help him."
"But you were not spies."
"No, mother, not exactly; but much as I hate the British, I am bound to
admit they had good cause for punishing us. I think the time has come
when Jacob and I should join Seth at the first opportunity."
"You mean that you will enlist?" his mother asked anxiously.
"It is our duty; but if you should say that you were not willing
yet----"
"I shall say nothing of the kind, my son. You are old enough to decide
for yourselves, and if you think duty calls you it isn't for me to set
up my own desires against it. You must remember, however, that you
are now looked upon with suspicion by the enemy, and it will not be
as simple a matter to gain the Continental camp as it would have been
before Seth was arrested."
"We shall succeed in doing it, never you fear," Enoch replied in a tone
of assurance, and thus it was settled that at the earliest possible
moment he and Jacob would enlist in the American army.
As the days passed, however, the would-be recruits learned that it was
not as easy to leave the city unobserved as it previously had been.
It was well known General Washington was ready for the summer campaign,
with his troops better disciplined and better equipped than formerly,
and the British officers, understanding that Sir Henry Clinton was
making an estimate of their abilities before assuming command of the
army, were particularly vigilant.
Neither Jacob nor Enoch had ventured to ask for an interview with Lord
Gordon. They understood it might place him in an awkward position if
they did so, and that their gratitude could best be shown by treating
him as an enemy.
Neither had they seen Seth's mother since their release. It was only
reasonable to suppose that Lord Gordon, being an inmate of her house,
had kept her as well informed as he had Mrs. Ball. Therefore the boys
would be serving her interests as well as their own if they refrained
from paying her a visit.
It was arranged that they should take advantage of the first
opportunity to leave the city, without feeling obliged to give Enoch's
mother notice of the fact, and from the hour when they had been allowed
to leave the jail they spent their time roaming around the town, hoping
to meet some one who might be able to aid them.
More than once did they discuss the advisability of setting out alone
in the direction of Valley Forge, with the hope that they might,
before traveling many miles, come upon a detachment of Americans; but
each time the subject was introduced they decided that the chances of
success were against them, owing to the vigilance of the British.
Twice had they been halted by the patrol, when, without any intention
of setting forth on a journey, they had wandered heedlessly near the
outskirts of the city, and warned each time as to what would be the
result if they were discovered in trying to gain the "rebel" lines.
During such enforced idleness they heard much of the carnival, or
"mischianza," as the officers termed it, which was to be given as a
testimonial in honor of General Howe on the eve of his retiring from
the command of the forces, but had not believed they would be in the
city to see the grand display.
The boys knew that General Burgoyne, assisted by Major John Andre, had
charge of the preparations; that a mock tournament was to be a portion
of the entertainment, and that it would be held at the country-seat of
Mr. Wharton on the Delaware River. They heard that a supper-room was
being built for the occasion; that mirrors, pictures, and ornaments
designed to hold candles, were being borrowed from the wealthy
citizens; but yet so great was the desire of both to enroll themselves
as soldiers in the patriot army that neither gave much attention to the
proposed entertainment, until the morning of the 18th of May, when they
were still vainly searching for means of escape.
During that day at least they forgot their desires in the wonderful
scene which was presented.
As a matter of course Jacob and Enoch saw only such portion of the
entertainment as was given in public; but Major Andre himself wrote an
entertaining account to his friends in England which is given here as
interesting, inasmuch as it was the first display of the kind ever made
in North America.
"A grand regatta began the entertainment. It consisted of three
divisions. In the first was the Ferret galley, having on board several
general officers and a number of ladies. In the center was the Hussar
galley with Sir William and Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, the officers
of their suite, and some ladies. The Cornwallis galley brought up the
rear, having on board General Knyphausen and his suite, three British
generals and a party of ladies. On each quarter of these galleys, and
forming their division, were five flatboats, lined with green cloth,
and filled with ladies and gentlemen. In front of the whole were three
flat-boats, with a band of music in each. Six barges rowed about each
flank, to keep off the swarm of boats that covered the river from
side to side. The galleys were decked out with a variety of colors
and streamers, and in each flat-boat was displayed the flag of its own
division.
"In the stream opposite the center of the city the Fanny, armed ship,
magnificently decorated, was placed at anchor, and at some distance
ahead lay his majesty's ship Roebuck, with the admiral's flag hoisted
at the foretop masthead. The transport ships, extending in a line the
whole length of the town, appeared with colors flying and crowded with
spectators, as were also the openings of several wharves on shore,
exhibiting the most picturesque and enlivening scene the eye could
desire. The rendezvous was at Knight's wharf, at the northern extremity
of the city. By half-past four the whole company were embarked, and the
signal being made by the Vigilant's manning ship, the three divisions
rowed slowly down, preserving their proper intervals, and keeping time
to the music that led the fleet.
"Arrived between the Fanny and the Market wharf, a signal was made
from one of the boats ahead, and the whole lay upon their oars, while
the music played 'God Save the King,' and three cheers given from
the vessels were returned from the multitude on shore. By this time
the flood tide became too rapid for the galleys to advance; they
were therefore quitted, and the company disposed of in different
barges. This alteration broke in upon the order of procession, but was
necessary to give sufficient time for displaying the entertainments
that were prepared on shore.
"The landing place was at the Old Fort, a little to the southward
of the town, fronting the building prepared for the reception of the
company, about four hundred yards from the water by a gentle ascent. As
soon as the general's barge was seen to push from the shore a salute of
seventeen guns was fired from the Roebuck, and, after some interval, by
the same number from the Vigilant. The company, as they disembarked,
arranged themselves into a line of procession, and advanced through
an avenue formed by two files of grenadiers, and a line of light-horse
supporting each file. This avenue led to a square lawn of two hundred
and fifty yards on each side, lined with troops, and properly prepared
for the exhibition of a tilt and tournament, according to the customs
and ordinances of ancient chivalry. We proceeded through the center of
the square.
"The music, consisting of all the bands of the army, moved in front.
The managers, with favors of white and blue ribbon in their breasts,
followed next in order. The general, admiral, and the rest of the
company, succeeded promiscuously.
"In front appeared the building, bounding the view through a vista
formed by two triumphal arches erected at proper intervals in a line
with the landing-place. Two pavilions, with rows of benches rising
one above the other, and serving as the wings of the first triumphal
arch, received the ladies, while the gentlemen arranged themselves in
convenient order on each side. On the front seat of each pavilion were
placed seven of the principal young ladies of the country, dressed in
Turkish habits and wearing in their turbans the favors with which they
meant to reward the several knights who were to contend in their honor.
These arrangements were scarce made when the sound of trumpets were
heard in the distance, and a band of knights, dressed in ancient habits
of white and red silk, and mounted on gray horses richly caparisoned
in trappings of the same colors, entered the lists, attended by their
esquires on foot, in suitable apparel."
Major Andre continues his letter with a long and detailed account of
the tournament which followed, and thus concludes:
"The company were regaled with tea, lemonade, and other cooling liquors
when they entered the house. On the same floor with the ballroom were
four drawing-rooms with sideboards of refreshment. Dancing continued
until ten o'clock, when the windows were thrown open, and the display
of fireworks began. At twelve o'clock supper was announced, and large
folding-doors, hitherto artfully concealed, being suddenly thrown
open, discovered a magnificent saloon with three alcoves on each side
which served as sideboards. Fifty-six large pier glasses, ornamented
with green silk artificial flowers and ribbons; one hundred branches
with three lights in each, trimmed in the same manner as the mirrors;
eighteen lusters, each with twenty-four lights, suspended from the
ceiling, and ornamented as the branches; three hundred wax tapers
disposed along the supper-table; four hundred and thirty covers, twelve
hundred dishes, twenty-four black slaves in oriental dresses, with
silver collars and bracelets, ranged in two lines, and bending to the
ground as the general and admiral approached the saloon. Then came the
drinking of healths and the toasts, and after supper the dancing was
continued until four o'clock."
It was while the citizens as well as the soldiery were gathered on
the riverside, watching the imposing spectacle, that Jacob and Enoch,
instead of following the example of those around them and crowding
as near to the water's edge as possible, were standing on a slight
elevation some distance from the Penny-Pot House landing, when they
were accosted by a rough-looking fellow, who, to judge from his dress,
was a farm laborer.
"I allow you two lads have allers lived here in Philadelphia, eh?" he
began, as if more for the purpose of making an acquaintance than to
gain information.
"You surely can't take us for Britishers?" Jacob said laughingly.
"That is not your misfortune," the man replied. "You can be as loyal to
the king in the colonies as if you had been born in London."
"And if we _had_ been born there we might consider it our duty to be
loyal to him; but inasmuch as we are Philadelphia boys the case is
different," Jacob replied boldly, despite Enoch's warning glance.
"It is safer to keep the matter a secret if you count on being
disloyal," the man said with a grin.
"That is impossible in our case, for two who have been in prison five
weeks would be distrusted if they suddenly conceived a love for the
king."
"So General Howe believes you are dangerous characters, eh? It seems
as if he was afraid of the boys quite a considerable, for I have heard
tell how he had old Chris Ludwick's son locked up."
"So he did, and I happen to be that son."
"You?" the man exclaimed with a pretense of surprise. "And who is this
with you?"
"It is Enoch Ball. But hark you, friend, I don't understand that you
have got any right to ask questions, and perhaps I have given you all
the information necessary."
Jacob spoke sharply, for there came into his mind the thought that this
stranger was displaying altogether too much interest in what did not
concern him personally.
"I don't allow you have," the man replied, glancing furtively around,
as if to make certain there were no eavesdroppers near. "If you are
Chris Ludwick's son, you was jailed by the Britishers for helping one
Seth Graydon, said to be a spy, escape from prison."
The man spoke in such a meaning tone there was no longer any doubt but
that his questions meant something more than idle curiosity, and both
Jacob and Enoch turned upon him suddenly.
"What do you know about Seth Graydon?" the latter asked sharply.
"You will learn fully as much if you don't make such a noise," the
stranger replied in a low tone. "I can't say that I know anything
particular about Seth, except that he wanted me, in case I happened
to run across Jacob Ludwick and Enoch Ball, to give them his best
compliments."
"Where is he?" Jacob asked eagerly.
"I allow you can make a pretty good guess, so there's no need of my
going into particulars, especially round here, where the chances are it
might lead a fellow into trouble."
"Where did you come from?"
"It is best not to ask too many questions, Jacob Ludwick. The least
that is said in this 'ere city is the soonest mended. If it should
happen, though, that you knew anything which might be important for
your friends to know, now is the time to repeat it, and I'll take care
it reaches the proper quarter."
"Then you are----"
"I work on a farm up the Schuylkill with a Quaker by the name of
Parker, and am down here to see the brave doings of the king's
officers."
"Do you know where we can join any portion of the American army?"
"For what purpose?"
"We count on enlisting as soon as we are able to leave the city; but
the Britishers have kept a close watch on us since we were let out of
jail, and thus far it has been impossible to get away."
"Take my advice, and stay where you are a spell longer. It won't be
many days before there'll be a change around here, and after that
perhaps you won't be so closely watched. If you should happen to hear
anything that would benefit your friends, and want to sent them word,
you might find me somewhere near about the Blue Anchor, almost any
forenoon, when I have disposed of my produce."
There was no necessity for the man to make further explanations; the
boys understood that in his assumed character of a farm laborer he
was acting the spy, and by bringing in produce to sell would have no
trouble in entering or leaving the city.
It was just such an acquaintance as Jacob had been particularly anxious
to make; but he was disappointed and perplexed because the proposition
that he and Enoch enlist was not received with favor.
"It isn't likely we could learn very much that would interest you,"
Master Ludwick said after a brief pause, "for since our arrest we have
but little chance of hearing any British secrets."
"You are not hindered from roaming around the town as you wish?"
"Oh, no; we are prevented, however, from going very far into the
country, and have been stopped several times by the patrol."
"Then spend your time observing the movements of the troops, and take
particular notice if any activity prevails among the soldiers to-morrow
night. You can be of more service here during the next two weeks than
you could in the ranks."
"But you are in town every day, and can see quite as much as we."
"I only remain here long enough to sell my wares and to drink a pint of
beer at the Blue Anchor. It would seem strange if a farmer was overfond
of watching the soldiers. There are several in town who, during such
time as we are haggling over the price of vegetables, manage to let
me know what they have seen, and when it was made known that we wanted
to increase the number of our friends here, Seth Graydon told General
Dickinson you would be willing to do all in your power."
"Seth was right. We are more than willing; but hardly know how to set
about it."
"There's but little more to do than loiter around the city listening to
the general gossip, and observing the movements of the troops. You boys
certainly are bright enough to know by general appearances if any great
force is making preparations to leave, and even though you have been
under arrest for aiding a boy whom the Britishers called a spy, I don't
think you would be interfered with if you exercised proper caution. It
is especially necessary that our friends are all on the alert during
the next forty-eight hours, and I shall come into town very early
to-morrow morning, and again in the afternoon, so that you will have
two chances to report anything you may have learned."
"Is there reason to believe the British will make a move within that
time?"
"They certainly will, if, as is probable, the Tories between here and
Valley Forge bring in information of what is being done."
"Is General Washington to make an attack?" Jacob asked eagerly.
"Hardly that; but some of his forces will move toward this city
very shortly, and it becomes highly important he should have early
information of what the enemy may do when they learn of it. We have
talked here as long as is safe, for, although people seem intent upon
the brave show General Howe's officers are making, there may be some
whose business it is to pay attention to their neighbors."
The stranger lounged away as if following with his eyes the spectacle
upon the water, and when he was gone Jacob said in an exultant tone:
"It seems that we can be of some service to the cause even if we do not
enlist."
"Yes, and Seth did us a good turn when he said we were ready to perform
our share in the work."
"Yet since we met this stranger, Enoch, we have agreed to become
spies--there is no other name for it--and if we should now be put under
arrest by the Britishers, there would be good cause for dealing out to
us that punishment which Seth escaped."