TORY HOSPITALITY.
Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys
soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in
response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay
of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
"What do you want?"
The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense
darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish
even the form of their host. As a matter of fact, it was only owing to
the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
"We want shelter till morning; some food if you can give it to us
without too much trouble, and are willing to pay for all we receive,"
Jacob replied promptly.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?"
"I am Jacob Ludwick----"
"Chris, the baker's son, eh?"
"Yes, sir," and Master Ludwick was proud, rather than displeased, that
his identity should be known.
"What are you doing here?"
"We're on our way to Mount Holly."
"Why don't you keep on to the town?"
"We thought it would be safer to wait until morning, because the
Britishers may be near there by this time."
Both Seth and Enoch pressed nearer their comrade to warn him against
being too free with details regarding himself; but he did not
understand the movement.
It was as if he believed all the people in the country round about
Philadelphia were friends to the cause, and he was perfectly willing to
give any information desired.
"How near are your troops?"
"They must be at least ten miles back," Jacob replied, and again his
comrades pressed closer to him, while this time Seth whispered:
"Be careful what you say!"
"You can come in," the man said after a brief pause, "and I'll see if
it is possible to give you lodgings. Wait here until I get a candle,"
he added as the boys entered the hall, and the outer door was closed
and barred.
The sound of footsteps told that their host had gone in search of a
light, and Seth took advantage of the opportunity to say in a low tone:
"You had no right to answer his questions, Jacob. How do you know but
that he may be a Tory?"
"It isn't likely."
"Why not? There are as many in Jersey as in Pennsylvania, and you have
told him where our troops are."
Jacob made no reply. He now understood how reckless he had been, and
was chagrined at the idea of making a grievous mistake almost before
they had begun their work.
"There is no reason why you should feel badly about it now," Enoch
said, understanding the cause of his friend's silence. "We can look
out for ourselves, I reckon, and there has been no real harm done even
though he carried the information you gave him directly to General
Clinton, for it isn't likely General Dickinson fancies he can keep his
whereabouts a secret."
"Still I ought to have been more careful," Jacob replied penitently. "I
should----"
The door at the extreme end of the hall was opened, and the man
entered, holding a candle in his hand.
"I will show you to a room where you can remain until morning, and
afterward bring you some food. Follow me," and he ascended the stairs
which led out of the hall. "These are troublesome times, and one should
be cautious about letting strangers into his house; but I don't fancy
you three boys are disposed to do mischief."
"Indeed we're not," Seth replied. "We simply want a place in which to
sleep, and shall go away very early in the morning. Perhaps it is too
much to ask that you bring the food to our room?"
"Oh, no; I would have invited you into the kitchen, but we have
sickness in the house, and it isn't well there should be any noise. Are
the Continentals coming this way?"
"I don't know."
"But you have just left them."
"We have come from where the troops were," Seth replied cautiously.
"And don't belong to the army?"
Seth hesitated sufficiently long for the most obtuse to have understood
that he was about to equivocate, and then said:
"If we were soldiers we should be in uniform, and wouldn't ask for
lodgings."
"Exactly; I see," the man replied with a curious smile, and continued
on up the second flight of stairs into what was evidently the attic of
the house.
On this floor was a long, narrow passage with doors opening from either
side; but the host did not pause until arriving at the extreme end,
when he ushered them into a small apartment, saying as he did so:
"This is the only room we have empty to-night; but so long as the bed
is rest-inviting I suppose it will answer your purpose. I'll bring the
food at once."
Placing the candle on the rude table, the host left the room, and the
boys listened until from the sound of his footsteps they knew he had
traversed the passage, and was descending the stairs.
"He has taken precious good care we shall be well out of the way," Seth
said thoughtfully as he looked around the apartment, in which was a low
trundle-bed covered with the coarsest of clothing, a small, rude table
on which the candle had been placed, and one stool.
There were no windows in the room, and the door was formed of heavy
planks, bolted rather than nailed together.
"He said some one in the house was sick, and most likely we have been
brought up here for fear we might make a noise," Enoch suggested.
Seth opened the door cautiously, and holding the candle high above his
head, looked out.
A heavy iron socket on either side and a third upon the door itself,
with a stout oaken bar lying on the floor of the hallway near by, told
that this particular apartment could be fastened very securely.
"What is the meaning of all this?" Jacob asked in dismay.
"It looks as if some one had been here who wasn't allowed to come
out except at the pleasure of the master of the house," Enoch replied
doubtfully, and an expression of fear came over Jacob's face.
"I don't think we had better stop in this place," Master Ludwick said
decidedly. "I was such an idiot as to tell him who we are, and in case
this happens to be a Tory dwelling, we may have trouble."
"It doesn't seem just right to walk out simply because we have seen
that the door can be barred from the outside," Seth replied slowly.
"But you noticed how anxious the man was to learn about our troops?"
"So would anybody be, whether Whig or Tory, knowing that there is
probably an army on either side of him."
"I think we had better leave while we've got the chance," Jacob said in
something very like fear. "There is no need of taking any risks, and I
am certain there must be other vacant rooms in the house besides this
one. Let us go downstairs softly, and, if possible, get out of doors
without making a noise."
At that instant, as if to show the boys it was too late for them to
retreat, the sound of footsteps was heard once more, and a moment later
the master of the house, or he who acted in that capacity, entered the
room bearing a generous supply of provisions and a jug of water.
"Here is the best I can do for you, lads," he said in a kindly tone,
placing his burden on the table. "If you are hungry this won't come
amiss, and in case your appetites are not keen, there will be no harm
in allowing the food to remain untouched. Shall I call you in the
morning?"
"We would like to leave here by daylight, sir, and will thank you for
awakening us in case we oversleep."
Then the host left the room with a cheery "good-night," and the boys
gazed at each other until a smile overspread the faces of all.
"I allow we were more scared than hurt," Jacob said in a tone of
relief. "He has done what we asked, and in a very friendly fashion.
If it hadn't been for the bar that can be fitted on the door, I never
should have thought anything might be wrong."
Seth held up his hand to demand silence, and the three could hear the
footsteps of their host as he went through the passage.
Enoch, who had not tasted of food since noon, and whose appetite was
keen owing to the long ride and yet longer walk, began an attack upon
the vegetables, in which he was soon joined by his comrades.
A very satisfactory meal did the three make, and as hunger was appeased
their suspicions sank at rest, until, when the repast was ended, there
remained no thought in the mind of either that harm could be intended.
"It is time we went to bed if we count on getting any sleep to-night,"
Seth said as he began to make his preparations for retiring. "Judging
from the looks of the lights, we are within half a mile of Mount Holly,
and should be able to get there before many people are stirring. Say,
push open that door, will you, Enoch? We must have fresh air in some
way and that seems to be the only chance, since there is no window."
Enoch took hold of the latch carelessly, and then with more
determination, as the door failed to open.
"What is the matter?" Jacob asked, noting the look of fear on his
comrade's face, and advancing until his hand also was on the latch.
"Why, it's locked!"
"That was the way it seemed to me," Enoch replied, displaying
considerably less agitation than did Jacob, and Seth turned sharply
around to look into the faces of the two at the door.
"Yes, it is locked," Enoch continued quietly as if in reply to Seth's
question. "We had good reason to be suspicious when we saw that bar on
the outside, and knew there were no windows."
"But what is the meaning of it?" Jacob cried sharply.
"It means that we are in the house of a Tory, who, knowing we have
come from General Dickinson's force, and making a very good guess as to
our business, proposes to keep us here until our report will be of but
little value."
"He wouldn't dare do such a thing," Jacob cried angrily. "When it
is known that he has made prisoners of messengers sent from General
Dickinson the soldiers will tear his house down about his ears."
"It may be he intends to join the Britishers as they come along, in
which case he wouldn't be the first Tory to leave home rather than
submit to American rule."
Seth, having ascertained beyond a doubt that they were locked into the
room, was at once plunged in deep thought, and, observing this, Jacob
asked quickly, almost angrily:
"What do you think about it? Are you going to stay here without making
any fight to get out?"
"I don't believe we should accomplish very much, however hard we might
fight, unless we can devise some better plan of operations than that of
attempting to batter the door down," Seth replied quietly. "And as to
what I think about it, I have already said. Of course the man who owns
the house is a Tory who counts on helping the Britishers by preventing
us to return with the report to General Dickinson."
"And you are willing to stay here quietly?"
"I can't say I am willing."
"But you don't seem likely to do anything toward helping yourself and
us," and now Master Ludwick displayed unmistakable signs of temper.
"I'll show that old Tory what it means to play such a trick on members
of the army!"
He was so enraged that he failed to realize how useless would be his
efforts; but seizing the stool, began to batter upon the heavy door
with all his strength, continuing at this vain work until he was
absolutely exhausted.
Then he threw himself upon the bed, still literally beside himself with
rage, and Enoch said soothingly:
"There's no use flying into a passion, Jacob, for that won't help us in
any way."
"I have let that miserable Tory know we understand how he has tricked
us."
"Yes, and put him on his guard. Until you did that he might have
supposed we were ignorant that the door was locked, and would have
rested contentedly. Now he understands exactly how we are feeling, and
will be on the alert to prevent an escape."
"It is not necessary for him to watch out very sharp, for we can't
accomplish anything more than I have done already."
"And that is simply to dent the door, and splinter the stool."
"Well, what better can _you_ do?" and Jacob leaped to his feet as if
ready for a pitched battle.
"That's what I can't say. Very likely I shall do no more--I certainly
can't do any less."
"Now look here, fellows, what's the sense of quarreling?" Seth asked.
"We're prisoners; came into this trap of our own free will, and one is
no more to blame than another. It strikes me our best plan is to be at
least friendly among ourselves, for ill-temper won't weaken the door,
or show us the way out."
"I am not angry, nor haven't been," Enoch replied. "When Jacob was so
foolish I simply answered his questions, that is all."
Master Ludwick made no reply. He realized that, although his companions
were careful not to accuse him, there was more reason why he should be
blamed than either of his comrades, since he it was who had supplied
the master of the house with such information as was desired.
Jacob was not willing to confess he had been careless, and seemed
angry because his comrades refrained from mentioning the fact. He
threw himself once more upon the bed in a sulky fashion, while Seth
and Enoch, the latter holding the candle, walked slowly around the
apartment, examining every portion of the walls.
"It doesn't seem as if we could work our way out of here," Seth said
when the examination was concluded, and nothing had met their gaze but
the unbroken partitions of heavy boards.
"This room must be directly at the end of the house," Enoch said half
to himself.
"I reckon there can be no question about that."
"Do you suppose it would be possible to cut our way through with
knives? I have a stout one in my pocket."
"We might, in time, if no one molested us, but it is terrible to think
we might be forced to remain here so long."
"It is evident we shan't get out very soon," Enoch said after a pause.
"I propose that we try to get some sleep. I was awake nearly all
last night, and have had a hard day's work. We won't gain anything by
tearing around just now, and a night's rest may put us in better shape
for thinking."
"It doesn't seem as if there was anything else to do," Seth replied,
and immediately laid down on the bed by the side of Jacob, Enoch
following his example.
Despite the gravity of their situation, all three of the boys were
soon wrapped in the unconsciousness of slumber, nor did they awaken
until the closing of the door brought them to a sitting posture very
suddenly.
"Some one has been in here!" Jacob exclaimed as he leaped to his feet,
and seized the latch.
The door was fastened as securely as before.
The darkness was profound, and for some moments the boys were at a loss
to understand it until Enoch said with a mirthless laugh:
"The candle has burned up, that's all. We should have blown it out
before we went to sleep."
"How much good would that have done us?" Seth asked grimly. "We have
got neither flint nor steel with which to light it again."
"I thought last night that we were about as bad off as possible; but
this being forced to remain in darkness seems to make matters worse."
Groping around to learn the reason for the visit, Enoch ascertained
that a supply of food and water had been left on the table, and he
said, as he mentioned this fact to his comrades:
"Here is evidence that we are to be kept prisoners until it is no
longer possible to gain any information concerning the movements of
the Britishers. It must be morning, even though it's dark, for I don't
think the Tory would have paid us a second visit during the night."
Jacob appeared to have recovered from the fit of ill-temper which had
assailed him, and now said as he examined the supply of provisions:
"If it is morning we may as well have breakfast. I wish one of us had
a watch so we could have some idea of time, for we shan't see daylight
while we are cooped up here."
Seth was in as despondent a mood as a boy well can be, when he arose
from the bed to act upon his companion's suggestion; but each was
careful not to let the others understand how hopeless seemed the
situation in this first moment of awakening.
Neither of the prisoners ate with much relish, and the meal was quickly
finished.
Then each gave himself up to his own gloomy reflections, and after
remaining silent nearly half an hour, Enoch said sharply:
"Look here, boys, it doesn't seem possible that we can get out of this
place unaided; but at the same time we shall all feel better if we are
doing something, instead of mooning like this. Now let's decide upon a
plan and go to work."
"I am willing to begin any job, however hopeless it seems, rather than
remain idle," Seth replied promptly. "Do you still think there is a
chance of cutting our way through the end of the house?"
"No; that now seems to me less likely than a good many other plans. Why
not try to raise some of the flooring?"
"But suppose you succeed?" Jacob asked. "You wouldn't be out of the
house."
"True, and we should still be inside if we were in the hallway; yet
I had a good deal rather be there than locked up here. I'm willing to
attempt anything. There is little hope of our succeeding; but at the
same time it is better to make some effort."
"One plan is as good as another," Seth said after a brief pause. "Tell
us what you want to do, Enoch, and Jacob and I will assist to the best
of our ability."
"We all have knives, and plenty of time. Now, suppose we cut through
one of the boards of the floor, at a sufficient distance from the end
to avoid striking the joist, and we should be able to pull it up once
it has been separated."
"But that is a job on which only one can work."
"We will make two divisions. I'll work near the wall, while one of you
begin three feet away from me," Enoch said as he went toward the side
of the room. "I can feel the nails here, and will allow that the joist
extends two or three inches beyond them. Hunt for the second row of
nails, and set about cutting. It is lucky we've all got knives."
Five minutes later Enoch and Seth were busily engaged in the task,
while Jacob stood ready to "spell" the first who should grow weary.
The boards were planed, and, as nearly as could be judged, were of
ordinary thickness.
"It is pine wood, that's one satisfaction," Enoch said cheerily, "and
it shouldn't take long to lift one piece. Then we shall have something
to serve as a lever, if we want to rip out more of the flooring."
"That part of it is true enough; but even when we have taken up as much
as necessary, we are about the same distance from the open air," Jacob
added. "What is your plan if we succeed in this work?"
"I am willing, if you fellows will back me, to break through the
plastering, for of course we shall come upon the ceiling of the room
below, and then jump down, ready to fight our way out."
"We shan't be able to do a great deal of fighting without weapons."
"By pulling the bed apart we can get what will answer as clubs, and
unless there are a number of men in the house we ought to accomplish
something."
"It is a bold scheme," Seth replied; "but I am not certain there isn't
a fair chance for success in it."
"Unless the man of the house is well supplied with weapons, in which
case our clubs would amount to very little."
"We'll do the best we can, and not discuss as to how we may be stopped.
It was agreed when we began that this was to be done only for the
purpose of helping pass the time."
Enoch's cheerfulness had a beneficial effect upon his companions, and
during the next hour Jacob refrained from suggesting difficulties which
might be encountered.
Then came the time when one end of the board was severed, it having
been literally whittled apart.
It was Enoch who first accomplished his portion of the task, and Seth
had so nearly finished that by bending this particular piece downward
it was readily broken off.
Reaching through into the aperture, and exploring by sense of touch,
Enoch announced that there was probably nothing between them and the
apartment below save narrow strips of inch-thick lumber and plaster.
"By taking up one more board we shall have space enough, and I think it
will be best to use this piece to pry the other out."
Owing to the woodwork at the side of the room this plan was found to be
impracticable, and once more Enoch went to work with his knife.
Not until another hour had passed was the task finished, and then,
regardless of the noise, the boys pried the board from its place.
When this had been done they waited in silence several moments, to
ascertain if an alarm had been given, and, hearing nothing, Enoch set
about dismantling the bed in order to get possession of the posts as
weapons.
This was neither a difficult nor a lengthy task, and when he had given
each of his comrades a stout oaken timber, from three to four feet in
length, he exclaimed:
"Now we are ready, boys! Once we begin there must be no delay. Punch a
hole through the ceiling, and then we'll drop down regardless of what
may happen, fighting our best when we are once where anything of that
kind is possible."