THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA
[Illustration: “WHICH WAY DID HE GO?”]
THE MINUTE BOYS OF
PHILADELPHIA
BY
JAMES OTIS
Author of “The Minute Boys of Long Island,” “The Minute
Boys of Wyoming Valley,” “Boys of ’98,” “Teddy and
Carrots,” “Boys of Fort Schuyler,” “Under the
Liberty Tree,” etc., etc.
Illustrated by
L. J. BRIDGMAN
[Illustration]
BOSTON
DANA ESTES AND COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
_Copyright, 1911_
BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY
_All rights reserved_
THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA
_Electrotyped and Printed by
THE COLONIAL PRESS
C. H. Simonds & Co., Boston, U. S. A._
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE SPY 11
II. THE SUGGESTION 33
III. SKINNY BAKER 57
IV. THE RECRUITS 76
V. AT SWEDE’S FORD 96
VI. VALLEY FORGE 117
VII. IN MORTAL FEAR 136
VIII. THE CARNIVAL 156
IX. ON DUTY 173
X. IN THE LION’S MOUTH 194
XI. AT BARREN HILL 213
XII. THE RETREAT 231
XIII. TURNING THE TABLES 249
XIV. A WARM PLACE 268
XV. A NARROW ESCAPE 287
XVI. THE ATTACK 305
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
“WHICH WAY DID HE GO?” (_Page 18_) _Frontispiece_
WE KEPT STRICT WATCH AHEAD AND BEHIND 40
“I COULD KILL YOU AND NOT CALL IT MURDER” 72
“THIS, GENERAL VARNUM, IS RICHARD SALTER” 113
HE FOUND TWO LOBSTER-BACKS GUARDING THE ENTRANCE 144
SCALING THE JAIL WALL 191
IN A TWINKLING JEREMY WAS UPON HIM 258
BUTTING HIM FULL IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH 296
THE MINUTE BOYS OF PHILADELPHIA
CHAPTER I
THE SPY
In striving to set down what we boys of Philadelphia did during a
portion of the time when General Howe and his lobster-backs held
possession of our city, I have no intention of blowing my own horn.
If, however, it should appear from what I write that I have made myself
seemingly of more consequence than is my due, it must be set down as
excuse that I am earnestly endeavoring to give a true, faithful account
of our work, for some of us lads of Philadelphia did, so we have been
told by those who stand high in the American army, very much good for
the patriot cause in our own small way.
It is needless for me to go into details regarding General Howe’s
occupation of the city, for the facts are well known. I question if
there be a boy in all these colonies who does not remember how we of
Philadelphia suffered when the lobster-backs held possession of the
city.
It is written in history by this time, that we who held to the Cause
were sadly put upon by those whom the king sent overseas to whip
us into subjection. It may be there are some outside this city of
Philadelphia who think we might have done more in our own defence; but
I dare venture to say you will agree with me, if it so please you to
believe all I have written, when I say that we, meaning men, women and
children, did whatsoever we could for the Cause at such times as it was
possible to do so without endangering our lives.
In more cases than one have I seen even the women render aid which
would have cost them the halter, if so be General Howe, or General
Clinton who came later, had had an idea of what was going on.
Do you remember the battle of Germantown, as some people call it, that
fight which took place near the Chew house? Well, it was about six
months afterward, when the spring had fully come, that Jeremy Hapgood,
my particular friend, and I, who am by name known as Richard Salter,
had agreed among ourselves that we would attend a vendue of horses to
be held at the London Coffee-House, which is situate on the corner of
High and Front streets, as of course you know.
To our minds, the only important matter concerning this vendue was that
there were several fine animals to be sold, and among them mayhap four
or five which the British officers had seized from our people nearabout
Germantown, claiming a right to take them in the name of the king
because their owners were said to favor the Cause.
We lads were not the only persons in Philadelphia with a leaning
towards independence, who counted to be at the vendue that day, for
I had heard it whispered about by Master Norris, who, as you know,
is a most peaceable man, being a Friend, that there was a chance some
attempt might be made during the sale to carry off the horses which had
been much the same as stolen.
Jeremy and I were minded to know what would be done, hoping there might
be some chance for us to lend a hand, and realizing that it would be
a credit to us if we could say we had had some part in cutting the
combs, however slightly, of these lobster-backs who paraded the streets
shouldering into the gutters all of our people who dared hold the
sidewalk when their high mightinesses were inclined to use it.
Now, as you know, the London Coffee-House was a famous resort for those
minions of the king, and we lads generally gave that part of the city a
wide berth, not being minded to bear insult, nay, even blows, when it
so pleased the lobster-backs to inflict them.
To the end that we might see what was going on and at the same
time remain at a respectful distance from the red-coated gentry, I
proposed to Jeremy that we meet in front of that shop at the corner of
Front street and Black Horse alley which was formerly Mrs. Roberts’
coffee-house, and there we would not only be at a safe distance from
the Britishers who were likely to be in a disagreeable mood from overly
much drinking; but, in addition could, if need arose, readily make our
escape.
You must know that at the rear of the store was a gate opening on
Chestnut street, where, when the place had been used as a coffee-house,
the gentlemen’s horses were brought in to the stable, and through
that gate we might readily give any lobster-back the slip unless,
peradventure, he was fleeter of foot than we; but there were few in
Philadelphia at that time who could outstrip either Jeremy or me in a
race.
Well, as we had agreed so we did, and on coming in front of the shop we
could see on the corner of High street a large throng gathered, nearly
every one of whom, save, of course, the grooms, wore a red coat, and
I said to Jeremy that it was in my mind Master Norris had repented of
taking any part in the rescue of the horses, after learning that so
many of the soldiers were gathered.
As a matter of fact, it would have been a mighty disagreeable task to
run off any of the animals while such a crowd of officers was nearby,
with here and there a squad of soldiers who had gathered by themselves,
not daring to approach too near to their high and mighty masters.
“If Isaac Norris and his friends had any design to run off the beasts,
then the work should have been done last night while they were stabled,
rather than wait until now, for even the thickest head in Philadelphia
could understand that with so many fine horses offered for sale, the
king’s army would be well represented at this vendue,” Jeremy Hapgood
said grimly, half turning as if it was in his mind to beat a retreat,
for it would profit us little to remain so far from the vendue, if
peradventure we were eager to hear and to see all that was going on.
The animals had not yet been brought out for sale, and it appeared to
me that the waiting ones were impatient, so much so, in fact, that
there was seemingly considerable excitement nearby the entrance to the
coffee-house, although what had caused it I could not even so much as
guess, and it was on my tongue’s end to propose to Jeremy that we go
down to the water front nearby the Jolly Tar inn, where we had for some
time kept concealed a skiff.
Now it may sound much as if I am straining the truth when I say that
we two lads had kept hidden from the Britishers all this while a boat,
for, as you well know, it was near akin to a crime for one of us
so-called rebels of Philadelphia to have a craft of any kind in his
possession.
Every boat and vessel on the river had either been destroyed or taken
in charge by the lobster-backs, as if they were fearful that some of
us enemies to the king might try to get away from their not overly
pleasant company by taking to the water, and that their hold of
Philadelphia would be weakened if man, woman or child was permitted to
leave the city.
As I have said, it was on the tip of my tongue to tell Jeremy that
we were but wasting our time here while we could be more pleasantly
employed elsewhere, when there arose a sudden commotion nearby the door
of the coffee-house, and in a twinkling I saw three of the red-coated,
swaggering officers fall to the ground as if suddenly stricken with
death.
Almost at the same instant from out amid the throng there appeared a
man dressed in the garb of a countryman, who, from outward appearance,
might have been one of the farmers nearby, and who, thinking more of
the dollars than of his country’s freedom, was ready to serve the
Britishers with meat and vegetables, if so be he received therefor
sufficient of hard money.
This fellow came out with a bound, and he it was who had overturned
the lobster-backs. Almost before I could fairly understand what had
happened, he was coming in the direction of Jeremy and me at full
speed, while behind him rose such cries as:
“Kill him! A spy, a spy! Take after him, you idlers; don’t you see that
he is a spy and escaping?”
Jeremy and I needed no further introduction to this fleeing stranger.
The fact that the Britishers were bent on capturing him, and accused
him of being a spy, which was much the same as declaring he was one who
had devoted himself to the Cause, was enough to make him our friend,
and in a twinkling, fortunately, I had my wits about me sufficiently
to realize that we could open up to him a way of escape, if so be the
lobster-backs did not press too closely on his heels.
I knew full well that if I was seen to give aid to one suspected of
being a spy, my shrift would be short indeed, for General Howe’s
officers made quick work of us people of Philadelphia who were
suspected of having lost our love for the king. Therefore it was that
I ran forward as if to seize the man, and did lay hold of him with one
hand, striving as if it was my purpose to detain him, while at the same
time I said loudly, realizing that the uproar behind us was so great
that the words would not be overheard:
“Get into the alley-way this side the shop! There is a gate leading to
Chestnut street, if so be you are minded to go through; but you should
be able to find a hiding place in the old stables, while Jeremy and I
keep on as if in pursuit, making them think you have passed that way.”
Then it was I threw myself to the ground, as if he who was shouted
after as a spy had thrown me off roughly; but was able to scramble to
my feet before the foremost of the pursuers came up.
It was well I moved quickly, otherwise Jeremy might have brought us
all to grief, for he failed utterly of understanding why it was I
would do anything to aid in the capture of the man. He looked at me in
open-mouthed astonishment with reproach written on every feature of his
face, until, seizing him by the coat-sleeve, I dragged him on with me
as I shouted at the full strength of my lungs:
“A spy, a spy! Come all you good people and catch the spy!”
“What is the meaning of this?” Jeremy asked angrily. “How does it
chance that you are joining with the lobster-backs in chasing down one
of our people?”
“Have your wits about you, Jeremy Hapgood, else are you like to get me
into serious trouble!” I whispered angrily. “Follow my example, and it
may be that peradventure we can help this unhappy man who is risking
his life for the Cause.”
Then, literally dragging Jeremy along with me, I continued on as if in
pursuit of the spy, darting close at his heels up the narrow passage
leading to the ruined stables, and from there to the gate which let on
Chestnut street.
To my satisfaction, I saw him make a plunge among the decaying timbers
much as does one who, swimming, dives into deeper water, and without
slackening pace I threw open the gate leading on to Chestnut street,
where I made as if I had hurt my leg; but all the while continuing to
cry:
“A spy, a spy! Catch the spy!”
“What has come upon you?” Jeremy asked sharply. “I fail to understand
any portion of this game.”
“It makes little difference whether you understand it or not, Jeremy
Hapgood,” I replied sharply. “Your part is to follow my example, if
peradventure you are so thick-headed as not to be able to look through
a ladder. You know as well as I, that the man went out of here, and I
would have caught him but for the fact that he kicked me on the knee.”
Then it was that Jeremy began to have an inkling of how I would help
the poor fellow who was so sorely pressed, and a smile of satisfaction
came over his face which would have been fatal to my plans if the
lobster-backs had come up in sufficient time to see it.
It was necessary the foremost of the pursuers should run a full
half-square before they could come to where we were standing, and no
less than a minute passed from the time I threw open the gate before
the leaders came up, shouting wildly:
“Which way did he go? Why have you halted in the chase? Where is he?”
“He passed out through this gate not many seconds ago, disabling me by
a kick as he went, else I would have caught the fellow,” was my reply.
Now, as a matter of course, all this was a lie, and strictly speaking,
so my mother would say, no lad has a right to tell that which is false.
But I have heard Master Norris, who is as straight a Friend as can
be found in Philadelphia, and a most truthful man, say that in these
troublous times he believes we are warranted in telling the enemies of
our country things which are not true, if so be good can come to the
Cause thereby.
Surely in this falsehood of mine good must come to the Cause, if
peradventure the man whom I knew to be hiding under the timbers of the
stable, was indeed a spy who had come down from Valley Forge, mayhap,
with the hope of finding such a condition of affairs as would warrant
our people in making an attempt to retake Philadelphia.
Now, as a matter of course, we lads knew nothing whatsoever of military
matters, and wondered greatly why it was all our people should suffer
as they had been suffering at Valley Forge, without making some attempt
to relieve us who were shut up by the lobster-backs much the same as
prisoners.
It seemed to me that if I were a soldier I would prefer to fight,
no matter how great the odds might be against me, than remain idle,
half-starved, half-frozen, half-clad, awaiting a favorable opportunity.
However, as I have said, and as you know full well, my knowledge of
military matters was slight, and in my foolishness, on hearing that a
spy had been discovered in the coffee-house, I believed he could have
been sent for no less a purpose than to learn what he might to aid our
people in making ready for an attack. And as I stood there by the gate,
with the lobster-backs streaming past me, each asking querulously which
way the game had gone, I could almost fancy I saw those patriots from
Valley Forge coming down through Germantown to square accounts.
It goes without saying that the Britishers did not continue the chase
very far up Chestnut street, because of not being able to see the
man they were so eager to catch, and after running a dozen yards,
mayhap, one by one they turned back to question Jeremy and me as to the
direction which the fugitive had taken.
I thought of what Master Norris had said regarding truth-telling when
it came to a question of saving a man’s life, and to the best of my
ability I explained how I had seen the man run up the street after
passing through the gate, and then, as my attention was attracted for
an instant to Jeremy, I turned my head to look again; but saw nothing
of him.
Therefore it was, so I said, that he must have taken refuge in some one
of the houses or outbuildings between where we stood and, mayhap, the
distance of a square.
By this time Jeremy had succeeded in getting through his head, which
it seemed to me had never been so thick as on this day, somewhat of
the plan in my mind, and bravely did he second my efforts to throw the
lobster-backs off the track.
He also declared that he had seen the stranger running up the street;
had followed him a certain distance, and declared that but for the blow
which the fellow gave me, we two lads would have secured him. In other
ways Master Hapgood bolstered up his story and mine in such fashion,
that unless there had been serious cause for suspicion, the Britishers
could have done no less than believe all we told them.
The result was that very speedily we were left alone, for not above
twenty had followed the man through the alley-way, and many of these
had gone back to the coffee-house to explain how the supposed spy had
succeeded in giving them the slip.
Within five minutes we were alone, standing in the gateway where we
could see all that might take place on Chestnut street in either
direction, as well as make certain whether anyone came upon us from the
rear.
Thus we were, as you might say, absolutely alone, and Jeremy said to me
in a whisper:
“Now what is your intent, Richard Salter? It strikes me that this is
your affair, and I am well content to do whatsoever you shall say.”
I knew not what reply to make, and verily an older head than mine might
have been puzzled to decide exactly what was best to be done, for there
was need of much caution since a man’s life depended upon the decision
that should be made.
I had succeeded in saving the stranger, whoever he might be, for the
time being, and now it stood me in hand to do whatsoever I might toward
finishing the job in proper fashion. But how the matter was to be
worked puzzled me beyond words to describe.
Jeremy waited while one might have counted twenty, for me to reply to
his question, and then repeated it in a different form:
“You have got your spy underneath the timbers of the stable, and within
a stone’s throw of where the king’s officers most do congregate. Now,
how are you to prevent the poor fellow from starving to death?”
“It is a question which I wish most heartily I might be able to answer,
Jeremy,” I replied soberly, cudgeling my brains meanwhile for some
solution to the difficulty.
However, there was in my mind the fact that I could not make any move
at once, because of the danger that the lobster-backs who had gone up
Chestnut street might come back into the yard, therefore I said to the
lad, linking my arm in his:
“There is nothing which can be done yet awhile; we must loiter around
until night has come, and if so be the man who is in hiding has as much
sense and quick wit as a spy needs, then will he understand that we
are forced to wait until the hue and cry has died away before we can
venture a hand to save him.”
Well, Jeremy had no reply to make to this, and for the very good reason
that there was nothing he could say.
He knew as well as I, that for us to approach the hiding place of the
stranger now, while the lobster-backs were so near at hand and so
likely to come into the yard, would be much the same as delivering the
fellow over to death, therefore he followed my lead, and we two walked
as slowly away as if there was nothing whatsoever on our minds save a
desire for pleasure, toward the Jolly Tar inn, where there was good
reason to believe we might meet with some of our comrades.
It can well be supposed that we discussed this sudden change in our
affairs most earnestly as we walked along; but without arriving at any
very satisfactory conclusion. We had most like saved the life of a man
that day, and the question which would come into our minds, despite all
efforts to banish it, was whether or no we might succeed yet further in
the purpose, or if that which we had done was only to keep him on this
earth a few hours longer.
Certain it was, once the Britishers suspected him of being a spy, he
would suffer the death of one in event of being captured, for the
lobster-backs were not overly careful about spilling the blood of
Americans.
Now you must know that our boat lay hidden on the bank of Dock creek,
under a pile of lumber and general building material, where, save
strictest search was made, she would be undiscovered by the enemy.
It is not to be supposed that at this time we boys had very much
opportunity to indulge in boating. The British ships lay so thickly
at anchor in the river off the town that, as Jeremy said, one might
not safely pass a knife-blade between them, and unless we were minded
to go up stream, where was every chance of being overhauled by one of
the guard-boats at the expense of losing our craft, we were forced to
content ourselves with looking at her now and then, thinking with a
deal of satisfaction that we had succeeded thus far in holding that
which his high mightiness, General Howe, insisted we of Philadelphia
should not be allowed to keep in our possession.
The _Jolly Rover_ was the name of our boat, and she was not very much
to look upon with pleasure, being nothing more than a skiff, as you
might say, with the forward part decked in, so that we might venture
down toward the Capes even in stormy weather, without risk of being
swamped.
However, to us she was as valuable, and, perhaps, as seemly looking as
any of his majesty’s vessels, and it appeared to me that after having
crawled beneath the lumber to get at her, knowing the lobster-backs
were supposed to keep a strict guard nearby, I could better think out
any problem which presented itself to my mind, because of being, so to
speak, under my own vine and fig tree.
Therefore it was that I led Jeremy down toward Dock creek, turning over
and over again in my mind, as you may well suppose, the chances for and
against our being able to aid that stranger who, if he acted the truth,
and I doubted it not, was laboring for the American Cause and now had
none on this earth to trust in save us.
It seemed like the rarest stroke of good fortune that we should chance
to come upon young Chris, meaning Chris Ludwig, son of Christopher
Ludwig, the baker, who was our especial crony, and also an equal owner
in the _Jolly Rover_.
Young Chris was loitering around Front street nearabout the creek,
having nothing especial to do, for if there was one thing in this
world that he was unfriendly with it was work, and although his father
stood ready at all times, almost too ready, the lad said, to give him
employment, he did his best to evade it. On this day verily I blessed
his indolence, for, with the exception of Jeremy, he was the one person
in Philadelphia to whom I could open my heart without fear of being
betrayed.
One might suppose that a sensible lad would go at once to his
father with such information as was in my possession--dangerous
information;--but I had none to whom I could appeal. My father had long
since been dead; my mother was a widow who, with what little aid I
could give her by earning a shilling or a sixpence now and then, eked
out a livelihood letting rooms in the house where I was born, therefore
this taking possession of the city by General Howe was not unwelcome to
her in one sense, although she was as good a “rebel” as could be found
in all our colony of Pennsylvania.
British officers were inclined to spend the king’s gold whenever there
was an opportunity of ministering to their pleasure, and many of them
hired apartments in the city rather than be quartered wheresoever
their billets led them. Thus it was that we had in my home three
lobster-backs, all officers of the Royal Irish regiment, and you can
guess that I heard every day of my life such threats or suggestions
against us of Philadelphia as made my blood boil, although I dared not
speak a word in protest, else had I gone to the stone jail, or to join
the prisoners in the state house, without delay.
As a matter of course, young Chris was eager to know where we had been
and what was our purpose at present; but although there were none in
the streets nearby who might overhear my words, I refused to make any
explanation whatsoever until we were in our snug hiding place beneath
the lumber pile, and so told him, speaking in such a tone that on the
instant he understood something of great import must be in the wind.
It required no less than half an hour of skilful manœuvring for us to
get on board the _Jolly Rover_, safely hidden beneath the overhanging
timbers, for we were forced to go one at a time lest, otherwise, undue
attention be attracted to our movements.
But finally we were on board the craft, and then it was, sparing not
words so that the lad might have full knowledge of all which had
occurred during the morning, I told young Chris of our situation as it
concerned the stranger.
One might have thought the lad would have been overwhelmed with fear at
the bare idea of harboring a spy, for in our city of Philadelphia in
the year of grace 1778, to do so was such a crime as the lobster-backs
would never overlook until one had danced at the end of a rope so long
as life remained in his body.
But Chris was not of that stamp. Instead of showing fear, it pleased
him seemingly to a great extent that we had been able to do even so
much as hide the spy, and straightway, without thinking of the danger,
he began speculating as to how we might aid the stranger.
“I am ready to take the chances of setting off with him in this boat
during the night, going so far up the river that he may be able to get
on shore without being observed, for, of course, it is impossible we
could make our way below the city past all the ships-of-war on which
strict watch is kept.”
“It strikes me that we should first learn where the man comes from,”
Jeremy interrupted. “Certain it is he ventured into this city on
important business, otherwise he never would have risked his neck
so rashly, and it is for us to learn how his work may be furthered,
rather than say we will do this or do that because it best suits our
convenience.”
“Very well,” young Chris said quickly. “What is to prevent us from
knowing exactly how he would have us lend him a hand?”
“In order to do that, we must have speech with him,” I replied quickly,
“and, moreover, there is a possibility the man stands in need of food.”
Young Chris made a gesture with his hand as if to say I was talking at
random, and cried incautiously loud:
“What is to prevent your having speech with the man, and that right
speedily? As soon as night has come I will take my station at Black
Horse alley to give warning if any of the lobster-backs approach that
way. Jeremy shall stand guard at the gate on Chestnut street, and then
you, Richard Salter, may go in and talk to the man to your heart’s
content, so that you do not give the lobster-backs an inkling of your
purpose before having entered the shop-yard.”
Strange as it may seem, this simple plan had not occurred to me; I had
fancied it would cost us a deal of trouble and could be done only at
the expense of much danger, yet the moment young Chris had spoken I
understood how simple it would all be, providing the lobster-backs were
not loitering in the neighborhood, suspecting the man might be hidden
nearby.
However, I was not minded that the lad should believe he had contrived
something which had escaped my attention, and therefore said, much as
if it had been my purpose all the while to do this same thing:
“Of course, that is what must be done. The question in my mind,
however, is whether the man still remains where we last saw him.”
“How could he go elsewhere?” young Chris asked sharply. “He has no
means of knowing but that the Britishers are close about waiting for
him to come out, and because you gave him the hint where a hiding place
might be found, he will depend upon you to aid him farther, unless he
be a veritable simple.”
Well, we discussed the matter, each in turn suggesting the most
improbable methods of getting the stranger out of the city, and
arriving at no satisfactory conclusion. It seemed well-nigh impossible
we might thus pluck a spy from out the clutches of the Britishers
without bringing ourselves to the gallows.
You must understand that in this year of grace 1778, we of Philadelphia
were lying, as one might say, bound hand and foot at the mercy of those
whom the king had sent to whip us into subjection; and at the first
move man, woman, or child might make toward doing anything in aid of
their distressed country, then was punishment severe and terrible to
think upon, sure to follow.
Of course, we could do nothing toward aiding the spy until night had
come, and so excited were we all that there was no thought in the minds
of any that we might be needing food; but it seemed almost as if the
safety of the man depended entirely on our remaining aboard the _Jolly
Rover_, hidden from view, until the favorable moment when we might take
steps in his behalf.
I knew full well my mother would be anxious regarding me if I failed to
return home at the accustomed time, and yet it seemed that I must stay
there, if indeed I gave much of any heed to such fact. I was so puffed
up with the idea that it might be possible for me to do something
which would give me an enviable name among those who were serving the
colonies, that it was as if I had no home nor anyone who would be
concerned whether I came or remained away.
Young Chris had no desire to go back to the bakery even for a few
moments, because he knew full well that his father would find some task
for him to do, therefore was he content to remain with me. Jeremy
Hapgood, however, had better sense than either of us, for he understood
he ought to report himself at home at least once during the day, and,
finding that we were not disposed to come out from our hiding place
until it was sufficiently dark to carry into execution the plans we had
formed, he set off alone, counting to relieve his mother’s anxiety, if
so be she felt any concerning him, which was exactly what both young
Chris and I should have had manhood enough to do.
There is no good reason why I should set down all that was said by
my comrade and me while Jeremy was away, for we talked much that was
foolish, I dare venture to say. Nor were we in any way disgruntled as
Jeremy crept under the lumber pile, when the afternoon was nearly half
spent, his pockets bulging with food which he had brought for us, he
being a thoughtful lad where the comfort of his friends was concerned.
While we ate greedily, for to tell the truth both of us were
anhungered, he gave us the pleasing information that no Britishers were
to be seen in the vicinity of where the stranger was hidden.
It appeared surely as if the lobster-backs had come to believe that the
spy made his way up Chestnut street, or sought refuge in some of the
buildings there, rather than nearabout the coffee-house, and, as Jeremy
said with a chuckle of satisfaction, matters were shaping themselves
much as we would desire.
Jeremy had sufficient good sense to loiter around the London
Coffee-House amid the throng of officers which frequented that place,
hoping he might hear somewhat concerning the events of the forenoon,
and in this he was not disappointed.
The lobster-backs, it seemed, were discussing over their ale whether
the man who had been chased was indeed a spy, or some witless creature,
as one of them put it, who had inadvertently said that which caused
suspicion to fall upon him.
It appears that the man had been in the coffee-house seemingly for
the sole purpose of taking refreshment; but, so one of the Britishers
declared, keeping his ears open to all that was said around him.
Now it so chanced that one of the high and mighty lobster-backs who
sported a sword, had proposed in a drunken spirit that all within the
room should drink to the health of the king, and this man was so slow
in responding, that instantly the Britisher asked him if he was for the
king or for the colonies.
Now why it was, the man having come into Philadelphia as a spy, if
indeed such had been the case, he should have hesitated to give the
proper answer, I failed to understand, nor could Jeremy learn very much
regarding the particulars of what occurred just at that moment. At all
events, the stranger was immediately accused of being a spy, and when
he indignantly denied it, was asked to go to headquarters that he might
explain his business and tell why he was in Philadelphia at that time,
if indeed he did not live in the city.
Without making reply to this suggestion, the man leaped to his feet,
counting to trust to his heels rather than his tongue to get him out of
the scrape. Whereupon, every red-coat customer in the coffee-house set
chase after him, crying out as we had heard.
According to Jeremy’s story, the Britishers were not greatly disturbed
regarding the possibility that a spy from the American army had been
among them. They rather took it for granted that the man was of no
especial importance; that he could do them no harm, since nothing of
a private nature had been discussed in the coffee-house. Because the
farmers were allowed to come in from the country nearabout to sell
their produce, it was not strange that one of them, and this man was
seemingly a farmer by his garb, should be friendly to the colonies to
such an extent as to hesitate about drinking the king’s health.
All this was in favor, as a matter of course, of the man whom we had
set out to befriend, for it told that there would not be a very strict
watch kept over those who might attempt to leave the city, and again
we knew, or believed we did, that there would be no especial guard
stationed nearabout where the man had disappeared.
“It is all as plain sailing as a fellow could wish,” young Chris said
in a tone of satisfaction when Jeremy was come to an end of his story.
“The British are here in such numbers, while our army is penned up
in Valley Forge seemingly unable to make a move, that General Howe’s
officers do not fancy any danger can come to them from us rebels;
therefore we have simply to carry out my plan of gaining speech with
your friend the spy as soon as night has come, and you may set it down
as certain, Richard Salter, that you will not be disturbed however
long the conversation may be between you and the man. However, I would
recommend that you put a stopper to your tongue in decent time,
discussing how it is possible for him to get out of the city, rather
than striving to gratify your curiosity.”
Young Chris’s remarks rather nettled me, although I would not allow
him to see it. I was a year his elder, and although I had done nothing
which gave proof of my ability to serve the colonies, I counted that I
was quite as able to conduct an affair of this kind, dangerous though
it was, as he, and preferred in my folly to be looked on as the leader
in this enterprise, rather than as one who must obey the command of
others.
Therefore it was that I failed to make reply to his remark, and Jeremy
was tired of talking, consequently we three fell silent, crouching in
the _Jolly Rover_ beneath the overhanging timbers until the sun went
down, and darkness covered Dock creek even as it covered Philadelphia.
The night had come. There was no longer reason for us to hesitate or
to linger, for we were only counting on darkness to favor us, rather
than the lateness of the hour, and after assuring myself the coast was
clear, by creeping out amid the timbers where I could have a fairly
good view of the surroundings, I said in a whisper to Jeremy and young
Chris that the time had come for us to make an attempt at gaining
speech with the stranger.