THE SUGGESTION
If General Howe himself had been striving to make matters easy for us
in the attempt to visit the spy, matters could not have gone more to
our satisfaction.
Singularly enough, we failed to meet with a single squad of red-coats
as we came up from Dock creek to Black Horse alley, and having arrived
there, could see no one in the immediate vicinity.
At the London Coffee-House, just outside the doors, were mayhap half a
dozen officers loitering as if waiting for some friend; but that gave
me no concern, for those who held commissions in his majesty’s army did
not stoop to do such work as hunting down a spy, because there were
plenty of the rank and file to whom they could detail anything which
was disagreeable or laborious.
Therefore it was that we marched directly into the yard, taking fairly
good care, however, not to make any great display of ourselves. Having
come to the gate which led on Chestnut street, Jeremy went outside
after we had decided that if either he or young Chris should see
anything which was of a suspicious nature, they should give the alarm
by each shouting the other’s name, afterward making their way without
delay to the _Jolly Rover_ where, if so be I was not interfered with, I
could meet them.
Then it was that young Chris went back to the entrance of Black Horse
alley, and I was left alone in the yard to seek out the man whom I had
undertaken to befriend, even though he had not called upon me for such
service.
I had marked well the place where he disappeared amid the decaying
timbers, and, lying at full length, I forced my body beneath the rotten
lumber until I was well inside the covering, when I called in a whisper:
“Hello there! I am the lad who lent you a hand this morning!”
While one might have counted ten there was no answer to my call, and
not until I had repeated it twice did I hear anything betokening the
man’s whereabouts.
I was almost come to believe he had taken matters into his own hands,
and, rather than trust to boys, had set about making his way out of
the city. It was even when I was on the point of backing out from
the uncomfortable hiding place that I heard a movement beyond me in
advance, and then came a cautious whisper.
“Is there no danger in my coming out?”
“None so long as you remain quiet and are ready to take to cover again
at the first alarm,” I replied, and before the words were hardly out of
my mouth, the man was so near that by stretching forth my hand I could
touch him.
“Are they searching for me?” was his first question.
I replied to it by telling him all Jeremy had learned during the
afternoon, whereupon he asked, as if even at this late hour there was
some little distrust in his mind regarding my honesty of purpose in
striving to aid him:
“Who are you, lad?”
“Richard Salter, son of that widow who lives in Drinker’s alley, and,
while the lobster-backs are here in Philadelphia, gains a livelihood by
letting to them such rooms in our house as we do not occupy.”
“There was another lad with you this morning?” he said in a questioning
tone, and I replied promptly:
“Ay, that was Jeremy Hapgood; but now there is a third fellow who would
strive to save you from the halter.”
“And who may that be?”
“Young Chris, son of Christopher Ludwig the baker.”
“Ah, Ludwig the baker; then surely that lad should be trusted,” the
stranger said, and in such a tone as nettled me, whereupon I cried
incautiously loud, speaking sharply:
“There are none of us three who may fairly be suspected of doing aught
save that which is for the good of the Cause, else would we have left
you this morning to the mercies of the lobster-backs. If peradventure
one of them had suspected that I was seeking to show you a hiding
place, then would my shrift have been short indeed. In case you are
acquainted here in Philadelphia, you know where I must of necessity
have been at this moment if so be they got any hold upon me.”
“Ay, ay, lad, I understand all that, and you must forgive me even for
seeming to question your honesty; but when a man is as I am, lying
’twixt the halter and a bullet, it is not to be wondered that he
questions everyone around him, even those who are seemingly doing what
they may to lend him aid.”
“Never mind that part of it,” I interrupted hastily, ashamed of having
given rein to my tongue at such a time. “I know not whether it may be
possible for us lads to help you out of this scrape; but surely it
seems to me we might do almost as much as men, since boys are not so
likely to be suspected by the lobster-backs as those who are older
grown.”
“You may do as much as men, and even more, lad. Have you boys here in
Philadelphia who love the Cause, no association such as the Boys of
Liberty in Boston, or the Minute Boys in other colonies?”
“There is little chance we could have,” I said with a laugh in which
was no mirth. “Perhaps you do not know how closely we are watched by
the lobster-backs.”
“I dare venture to say you are in no worse condition than are other
lads who, binding themselves together with the agreement to do
whatsoever they may in aid of the colonies, have already succeeded
in accomplishing very much. How many are there of your age, or
thereabouts, in this city who may be trusted?”
Hurriedly I ran over in my mind those whom I knew to have favored the
Cause, and said at random:
“A dozen mayhap. There possibly are more; but I do not now recall
others with whom I would be willing to trust my liberty or my life. But
do you really think boys no older than thirteen or fourteen years might
aid the Cause?”
“Ay, of a verity I do, my lad. Are you not even now doing that which
many a man who claims to be a true son of the colonies, would flinch
at? To aid a spy in his escape is no slight crime in the eyes of those
who serve the king.”
“But this was something which happened unexpectedly,” I replied, “and
we would not find a like opportunity again in a lifetime, I might
almost say.”
“Ay; but if you and your friends sought for the opportunity, my lad,
you could do very much, and particularly just at this time,” the man
said earnestly, as if it was of the utmost importance that he interest
me in this matter, and his eagerness surprised me not a little. “With
a dozen lads who were ready to do whatsoever they might, the work of
men like me, who venture into the enemy’s camp, might be lessened very
greatly, and information sent out which could not otherwise be had by
our people,” the man continued, now with his lips close to my ear lest
any might overhear.
“Tell me how it could be done?” I cried eagerly, now burning with the
desire to do something which should give me a name among those who
were struggling to throw off the yoke of the king, for until this
moment I had not believed it possible lads like myself would be able to
accomplish anything of importance.
“Suppose I wanted to send word to Valley Forge, or to Swede’s Ford, or
anywhere else you please, of what I have learned in this city, and yet
desired to remain here longer in order to gather more information? How
well you lads could serve the Cause by carrying such message--”
“Do you mean to General Washington?” I cried excitedly, now raising my
voice so that the man laid his hand on my lips as he replied:
“Ay, to him, or to any other officer who might be waiting for the
information. In fact, lad, there is no need why I should go into detail
with you, explaining how a company of boys could aid the colonies here
in Philadelphia, even as they have aided them elsewhere since this war
for independence began. Instead of discussing that matter now, let us
set about, if so be it is in our power, to say how I may get away from
the city without loss of time?”
“And where would you go, sir?” I asked.
“Anywhere outside the British lines. My purpose is to reach Swede’s
Ford within four and twenty hours.”
“Would you take the chances of going down the river as far as the
mouth of the Schuylkill, in a small boat which is hardly more than a
skiff?” I asked, and then told him of the _Jolly Rover_, whereupon he
remained silent while one could have counted twenty, after which he
said hesitatingly:
“I question much, lad, whether it would not be easier to get away by
land rather than water, for from what I have seen, the lobster-backs
are keeping close guard over the river.”
“Ay, over the Delaware, but not the Schuylkill, and if Swede’s Ford be
the point you aim at, then it behooves you to go up the Schuylkill. I
dare venture to promise that we could get the _Jolly Rover_ out from
beneath the lumber pile twixt now and midnight without any lobster-back
being the wiser.”
“Do you think I might dare venture out within an hour, say?” the man
asked, and I replied, without hesitation:
“If so be you go with us, and make a move only when we give the word,
allowing that you are my uncle, or cousin, or whatsoever blood kin you
may choose to say in event of our being overhauled, then do I believe
we might start this moment.”
He showed himself inquisitive as to my plans, and I surely could make
no complaint as to that, for the man was giving his life, so to speak,
into my hands, and one could well fancy he would be curious to know
whom he was thus trusting.
The result of all his questions and my answers was, that within five
minutes I backed out from beneath the decaying timbers, ran to the
entrance of Black Horse alley, and in the fewest possible words told
young Chris what we were about to do, asking his opinion.
He felt quite as confident as I, that at this hour in the night we
might safely make the venture, and after telling me to bring my spy out
into the open, he ran to warn Jeremy that it was no longer necessary
for him to remain on duty at the gate.
The stranger came promptly out at my bidding, and when he was standing
in the yard, while we were waiting for young Chris and Jeremy to give
the word that the coast was clear, I whispered warningly:
“If so be we come upon a squad of lobster-backs who are inclined to
question us, it may be as well that you should claim to be my uncle who
has come down from Germantown.”
“And have you an uncle in Germantown, lad?” the man asked.
“Indeed I have not; but what concern might that be of yours?”
“Only this, my boy, that if you had one who lived in Germantown, and I
should afterward come to grief, it might be the worse for him that you
had used his name.”
It pleased me not a little that the man should be thus careful for my
safety, or for the safety of those who were near to me, and although I
had had no distrust of him before, I felt every confidence from this on.
We lost no time, after young Chris had signaled that the coast was
clear, in setting out from the shop-yard on the way to Dock creek; but
you may be very certain that we kept strict watch ahead and behind,
lest we should come upon, or be overtaken by, those whose duty it was
to make certain that “rebels” were not abroad after the sun had set.
Now it may seem like some fanciful tale, rather than reality, that we
could thus walk boldly abroad in the evening when the lobster-backs
were supposed to be on the lookout for everyone who was not of their
kidney.
But it must be borne in mind that General Howe had long held possession
of the city; that he had come to believe the American army was
powerless to do anything against him; that he felt confident the people
of Philadelphia would not dare make any attempt in their own behalf,
and, in addition to all this, his men, officers as well as privates,
had really grown careless, or I might say, lazy. They no longer were
so keen to search out rebels, because it might take them from their
pleasures, and verily the king’s men in our colony at this time were
living a life of ease and of indolence.
[Illustration: WE KEPT STRICT WATCH AHEAD AND BEHIND.]
Much of what I have just set down was said to me by the stranger as we
walked, now in a group, and again stretched out in single file that we
might the better guard against an approach of the enemy. And he spoke
thus in order to let me understand that it was not difficult, if a man
was willing to take his life in his hands, to play the spy upon General
Howe’s army.
“There is no reason why I should try to make you believe, lad, that
this work of spying upon the red-coats is a simple matter, for hardly
twelve hours are gone since you saw me fleeing for my life. That,
however, was due to my own carelessness; but if a man so chooses, he
may come into this city of Philadelphia and remain day in and day out
without being questioned. It is the possibility of sending away his
report, if so be he has one to make, which oftentimes puzzles him, and
therefore was it that I spoke of you lads binding yourselves together
here as Minute Boys, following the example of those in other colonies.”
“What’s that? What’s that?” young Chris asked jealously, and the
stranger, understanding that we must not hold overly much converse on
the street, made reply by saying:
“It was a suggestion which I made to your comrade, and when we are
where we can hold converse without danger of being overheard, or of
running our necks into a noose, I will explain to you what I have
broached to him.”
Young Chris would have insisted upon knowing then and there all that
had been said between the stranger and myself; but Jeremy interrupted
him by whispering sharply:
“I am not minded to linger here on the street in such company, even
though it be your pleasure! Our affair is to get this man hidden in the
_Jolly Rover_ until he decides how he will leave the city, and until he
has gone I’d have you bear strictly in mind, young Chris, that we are
not to take more risks than may be absolutely necessary.”
At another time and in another place, perhaps, young Chris would have
made some sharp reply, for he was not overly patient when there was a
suspicion of reproach. But just at this moment he understood, even as
well as we, that he could not afford to be thin-skinned whatever might
be said, and from then on there was no further need to urge him to
move swiftly toward Dock creek, until we were come within sight of the
lumber pile, when the four of us halted to make certain there were no
prying eyes nearabout.
“The coast is clear,” Jeremy said thirty seconds later.
And then, without hesitation, he led us to our hiding place, we
following close at his heels.
Once we were concealed beneath the lumber pile, I said to myself that
this was good token we would succeed in whatsoever was our purpose, for
if we could come from Black Horse alley in company with the man who
had but so lately been chased as a spy, and gain our place of refuge
without any hindrance, then were we likely to make names for ourselves
as Minute Boys.
Even while we were crawling beneath the timbers, did I repeat to myself
the words “The Minute Boys of Philadelphia,” and they had a pleasing
ring in my ears, for once we had banded ourselves together in such a
company, and were given by the leaders of the American army work to do,
then might we count ourselves as being well in the forefront of those
who would free the colonies.
“It was easily done,” young Chris said when the four of us were on
board the _Jolly Rover_, and he spoke much as though he alone and
unaided had brought all this thing about. “Now let us hear what it was
you and Richard Salter had to say that was seemingly of importance,” he
added to the stranger.
Whereupon the man, and I could fancy he was smiling, although owing to
the darkness it was impossible to see his face, because young Chris’
tone was so high and mighty, began in a low tone:
“In the first place let me tell you who I am. My name is Josiah
Dingley, and I did live at Germantown in that house next the Lutheran
church, before the battle; but after that bloody day I cast my lines in
with those who were struggling against the king, having been lukewarm
in the Cause until then. Because of knowing this city well, I was sent
here near to two weeks ago, and I believe the purpose of my visit was
to prepare the way for some move which will shortly be made by our
people at Valley Forge.”
“And have you been in Philadelphia all that time?” Jeremy asked in
surprise.
“Nay, lad, I have twice been to Valley Forge, and was but lately
returned when you came upon me.”
“And have you learned anything of importance in all that while?” I made
bold to ask, whereupon the man replied quickly:
“That is not for me to say, lad. I have come upon certain things which
were set me to learn; but further than that I must not speak. Now it is
of importance that some other take my place, for after having played
the simple in the London Coffee-House, I must expect to be recognized
if so be I should chance to come upon those lobster-backs who were
there at that time. I have been thinking over your proposition that
I go out from the city by means of this skiff, and I am more than
inclined to believe it might be done.”
“But first let us hear what it was, Master Dingley, that you had to
say to Richard while you two were in the shop-yard?” young Chris
interrupted, and the spy replied:
“I will leave that for your comrade to tell you later. Just now it
behooves me to speak of other matters. Are you lads still of the mind
to take the chances of pulling down the Delaware in this craft?”
“Indeed we are,” I replied stoutly. “If so be you will take the risk
for yourself, we lads will chance it on our part, and I dare venture to
say that between now and daylight we shall not only have carried you to
some point beyond the British lines; but be back here with the skiff
safely hidden once more. The watch which the lobster-backs have been
keeping over us rebels of late is not as sharp as it might be.”
Now it may seem to some as if I spoke at random in thus declaring that
we could go out from our hiding place, run down the Delaware, and then
up the Schuylkill river so far as this man might want to go, while the
Britishers claimed that they kept sharp guard over both rivers.
It would seem at first sight almost impossible, and yet we lads had
come to know the movements of the guard-boats so well that unless
something unforeseen took place, we might venture to state positively
where this or that patrol would be at a given time.
I am not minded to make it appear as if there was no danger in the
enterprise, for surely there was, and in plenty.
If it should so chance that we lads were taken while we had Master
Dingley on board, and he was shown later to be the same man who had
been chased out of the London Coffee-House, then might we reasonably
expect to share the same fate as his, and all know what a spy meets
with when he has been taken within an enemy’s lines.
In addition to that, if after we had landed the man we were overhauled
by the Britishers, then would it be indeed difficult for us to explain
why we were abroad at that time of the night, for I am of the opinion
that neither Lord Howe, nor any of his officers, would accept as excuse
for us the fact that we were eager to go boating, and had simply hit by
chance upon such an hour.
Whether the odds were in our favor or against us, however, the die was
cast, as you might say, when we had made the proposition that we would
take Master Dingley away.
And now that he much the same as declared his willingness, as well
as his desire, that we should carry out that which was the same as a
promise, it behooved us to make ready for the enterprise in such manner
as if believing we might come to grief before it was ended.
In order to do this it was necessary we send some word to our people
at home, for while we might excuse ourselves because of having remained
away so long without announcing an intended absence, it would be little
less than cruelty to keep silence until morning, since all three of us
knew full well how deeply our mothers would mourn, believing we had
come into some trouble with the hirelings of the king who were ever so
ready to get us rebels on the hip.
There was no good reason why all should go out on such an errand, and
therefore it was I proposed that we cast lots to see who should be the
messenger.
To this young Chris made decided objections. He declared it was his
intention to know what secrets Master Dingley and I talked while we
were hidden in the old stable back of the shop off Black Horse alley,
and if so be the lot fell on him to carry word to our parents, then
would he miss the chance of gaining what he believed was valuable
information.
I was truly vexed with the lad because of his obstinacy, and for
bringing up such a trifling matter at a time when we were engaged in
work of grave import; but, luckily, before I could utter those angry
words which were already in my mouth, Jeremy said:
“I am well content to hear what Richard and Master Dingley may have
to tell us, at some later day, therefore, young Chris, if you are
determined the story must be told you at once, I will take it upon
myself to warn our people that we may be away from home mayhap four and
twenty hours.”
“Why make it such a long time?” young Chris asked grumblingly. “There
is no question but that we shall be back by daylight if we come at
all--”
“Do not speak so rashly, my young friend,” Master Dingley said gravely.
“There may be very many good reasons why it would be safer for you to
remain away from home eight and forty hours, or even longer, than to
return at once, therefore let your people know exactly what you are
about, and how many are the chances against your returning soon.”
Jeremy did not wait for any discussion on this point, but without
further delay started from amid the timbers to gain the outer air,
which was a work of no little time owing to the fact that he must first
assure himself the coast was clear before going into the open.
Young Chris and I, who had so often done that which Jeremy was now
doing, gave little heed to his movements, save as a matter of course
that we kept our ears open to hear any token of a mishap, and after
waiting two or three minutes, at the end of which time we could safely
calculate Jeremy was speeding on his way, young Chris said in a
peremptory tone:
“Now, if it please you, Richard Salter, we will hear what that great
secret is between you and Master Dingley.”
“It is no secret whatsoever, and a matter that could better have been
told you to-morrow, or the next day, than now. But since you are so
greedy for the information, and so jealous lest something had been said
of which you are not fully informed, I will explain the matter.”
Then it was that I told the lad what Master Dingley had said regarding
our forming a certain number of Philadelphia lads into a company of
Minute Boys, and straightway the baker’s son was in an ecstasy of joy.
It was to him a most happy idea, for Chris delights in being at the
head of whatever may be going on, and this enrolling himself as one of
the colony’s defenders, even though he might not be able to serve her
to advantage, was much to his liking.
Without stopping to consider the matter, he declared stoutly that we
could enroll no less than twenty lads in such a company, all of whom
would be ready to do whatsoever they might be called upon, and while
he was thus telling what a simple matter it would be, Master Dingley
interrupted him by saying gravely:
“Be cautious, lad. Remember that whomsoever you shall ask to join in
such an enterprise much the same as holds your life in his hands, and
make certain before you speak one word of your secret, that he to whom
you are talking may be trusted so long as life remains in his body.”
“I will answer for all of those lads whom I have in mind,” young Chris
replied carelessly, and I fancied that Master Dingley made a gesture
of impatience, for this matter which might turn so seriously for all
concerned, was being treated altogether too lightly by young Chris.
It behooved him, as well as all of us who were minded to join in the
enterprise, to realize fully with what danger it was attended. If we
formed the company, it should be with the knowledge that our lives
might pay the penalty, for if so be we were taken while carrying
information out of the city, or bringing it in, then was it certain we
would end our days on the scaffold.
It was as if Master Dingley understood that it would be useless to
argue with young Chris while he was so excited, and therefore held his
peace, as did I, while the baker’s son continued to name lad after
lad whom he would urge to become Minute Boys, many of whom I knew had
a leaning toward the king, or, if they failed to have any decided
opinions themselves, came of such rabid Tory stock that we could not
afford to give up our secret to them.
However, it matters little what I thought, or what young Chris said
just then. The work in hand was to carry Master Dingley beyond
the British lines, and in the doing of it we might meet with such
misadventure that there would be no Minute Boy business for us in this
world.
After a time young Chris grew weary with carrying on a conversation in
which neither the spy nor I joined, and during mayhap half an hour we
sat there silently in the _Jolly Rover_, hearing now and then the tramp
of the lobster-backs as they marched too and fro in squads to make
certain we rebels of Philadelphia were not plotting against the king,
when came sounds from outside which told that Jeremy was returning.
An instant later he was beside me, panting heavily as evidence that he
had been running at full speed, and unable for the moment to speak.
“Well?” young Chris asked impatiently, “have you seen all our people?”
“Yes,” Jeremy panted, “and none of them favored our going away.”
“Did my mother order me to return home?” I asked anxiously, and by this
time Jeremy had so far regained his breath that it was possible to
speak.
“She did not say you _must_ come, but it was easy to understand
her desire you should do so, and when I said that we had committed
ourselves to aiding Master Dingley, she held her peace, but looked
mightily discontented.”
“It is not my purpose, lad, to insist upon your carrying out the
promise made, for I understand full well how dangerous it may be,
if your parents are unwilling you should make the venture,” the spy
interrupted. “You have already done me a good turn, and if peradventure
you believe it your duty to stay here, then shall I go my way as best
may be, feeling that you lads have saved my life for a time, at all
events. If it is sacrificed now, it will be through no fault of yours.”
“We will go as was agreed,” young Chris cried impatiently. “I have no
doubt but that father would like to have me stay with him in order to
help in the bakery, but when work like this can be done by us lads, we
must not think about what those at home may have to say regarding it.”
“That is where you make a grievous mistake, my lad,” Master Dingley
said gravely. “Your first duty is toward your parents; then shall come
the colony, if you please. But until you are men grown, remember that
the only safe plan is to act as your mother, who surely is a lad’s best
friend, would have you.”
“There is no question in my mind whatsoever but that if we were this
moment in our homes, and should state exactly what had occurred during
the day, there would be no protest made against our going with you,
sir,” I interrupted, determined that whether we formed a company of
Minute Boys or not, I would have a hand in this saving of a human life,
at the same time that we got the best of the lobster-backs.
“It shall be as you say, lads, although my mind would be easier if you
went with your parents’ consent. Now when shall we set out?” the spy
asked in a low tone, whereupon I replied, before young Chris had an
opportunity:
“At once. There is no reason why we should make delay, save to be
certain the river is clear, and then I propose that we creep down
within the shadow of the bank until we are a goodly distance from here,
after which, unless matters have changed greatly of late, we shall, I
believe, be beyond the point of danger.”
Without waiting for the word, Jeremy crept out toward the water’s edge
where was an overhanging plank that afforded us a famous resting place
while we spied upon the lobster-backs, and within five minutes he came
back, giving us the welcome information that there was no guard-boat in
sight.
After that we lost no time. There were few preparations to make, save
that of pushing the skiff out from beneath the timbers, which was a
task requiring considerable strength, because we were forced to tip her
first this way and then that, in order to avoid the planks which ran on
either side considerably nearer the water than her height would admit
of passage.
In this work Master Dingley aided us not a little, and within mayhap
fifteen minutes from the time Jeremy had come back, we were out of
the hiding place, creeping cautiously well within the shadow of the
right-hand shore as we started on the dangerous enterprise.
Save for the twinkling of the lights from the fleet, and the hum of
voices which came to us from over the water as the sailors lounged
around the decks of the war vessels talking, there were no signs of
life.
Shoreward, in our immediate vicinity, it was dark as a negro’s pocket,
with never a sound betokening the presence of human beings, and Jeremy
whispered in my ear as we two worked one oar while Master Dingley and
young Chris worked the other, that it was a good token we had got away
thus readily.
I nervously bade him hold his peace. Until we were really committed to
the work, I had failed to realize all the dangers, but now that we were
afloat where the lobster-backs might come upon us at any moment, my
heart began to fail me.
While I would not have turned back now that my hand was on the plow,
so to speak, it would have pleased me wondrously if we had never come
across Master Dingley, however eager I was to do whatsoever lay in my
power to aid the colonies.
If we could go out with the soldiers and stand up in manly fashion
against the Britishers, then might I be proud; but this aiding a spy,
with a shameful death before us if we were captured, was something to
make the cold chills of fear run up and down a fellow’s spine.
However, we were embarked in the enterprise, and it stood me in hand to
do whatsoever I might toward making it a success, because of the price
which failure would cost.
There was little we could do just then, save to row as swiftly as was
consistent with silence, for we dared not lift the oars so that any
noise might be made, because, as everyone knows, the water carries
sound a long distance, and even while hidden from view, we might betray
our whereabouts through carelessness.
We were forced to keep on down the river in order to come to the mouth
of the Schuylkill, and in so doing must pass all the king’s ships. If
peradventure some officer was putting off from the Philadelphia side
to go to his vessel, and we were come just at that time nearabout his
course, then were we in danger.
You can well fancy, as we neared the huge craft, with what caution we
worked the oars. It was as if I hardly dared to breathe; as though the
sound of my heart-beats would give the alarm, and before we were five
minutes on our way I was dripping with perspiration, caused, I am free
to confess, by fear, while I was almost as wet as if I had gone over
the skiff into the water.
I have talked later with lads who claimed that it was impossible the
smallest skiff could make her way, even during the darkest night, past
all that fleet where it was reasonable to suppose the sharpest of sharp
watch was kept; but yet that we did, going our course without being
hailed by man or boy, by lobster-back or patriot.
If we had had the power to direct events according to our own pleasure,
matters could not have worked more favorably for us, because, as I now
look back upon that short voyage, it seems to me almost beyond belief
that we could have done what we did without bringing about our ears a
very nest of red-backed hornets.
Now in order that you may know how the lobster-backs guarded our city
of Philadelphia, and what danger we lads were running our noses into, I
count to set down here that which I have read within the week, and it
was written by one who has seen it drawn out in clerkly fashion on a
map belonging to General Howe.
“The line of intrenchments from the Delaware to the Schuylkill extended
from the mouth of the creek just above Willow street to the upper ferry
on the Schuylkill. They consisted of ten redoubts connected by strong
palisades. The first redoubt, which was garrisoned by the Queen’s
Rangers under Simcoe, was near the forks of the roads leading to
Frankford and Kensington. The second redoubt was a little west of North
Second and Noble streets; the third between North Fifth and Sixth and
Noble and Buttonwood streets; the fourth on Eighth street between Noble
and Buttonwood; the fifth on Tenth between Buttonwood and Pleasant; the
sixth on Buttonwood between Thirteenth and North Broad; the seventh
on North Schuylkill Eighth between Pennsylvania avenue and Hamilton
street; the eighth on North Schuylkill Fifth and Pennsylvania avenue;
the ninth on North Schuylkill Second near Callowhill street, and the
tenth on the bank of the Schuylkill at the upper ferry.
“The encampment extended westward from North Fifth, between Vine and
Callowhill, as far as North Schuylkill Second. The Hessian grenadiers
were encamped between Callowhill, Noble, Fifth and Seventh streets.
The Fourth, Fortieth and Fifty-fifth British grenadiers, and a body of
fusileers, were on the north side of Callowhill, between Seventh and
Fourteenth streets. Eight regiments lay upon the high ground around
Bush’s hill, extending from Fourteenth, nearly on a line with Vine, to
the upper ferry.
“Near the redoubt at the Ferry was another body of Hessians. The
Yagers, horse and foot, were encamped upon that hill near the corner of
North Schuylkill, Front and Pennsylvania avenue. On the Ridge Road near
Thirteenth street, and on Eighth, near Green, were corps of infantry.
Light dragoons and three regiments of infantry were posted near the
pond between Vine, Race, North Eighth and Twelfth streets. A little
below the middle ferry, at the foot of Chestnut street, was a fascine
redoubt, and near it the Seventy-first regiment was encamped. Some
Yagers were stationed at the Point House opposite Gloucester.
“When winter set in, many of the troops and all the officers, occupied
the public buildings and houses of the inhabitants, also the British
barracks in the Northern Liberties. The artillery were quartered in
Chestnut street between Third and Sixth street, and the State House
yard was made a park for their use. During the winter, General Howe
occupied a house on High street where Washington afterwards resided;
his brother, Lord Howe, lived in Chestnut street; General Knyphausen
lived in South Second opposite Little Dock street. Cornwallis’ quarters
were in Second above Spruce street, and Major Andre lived in Dr.
Franklin’s house in a court back from High street.”
Thus it is you can see that our city was literally filled with
lobster-backs, and not only the city, but the banks of the river,
while in the stream itself lay their ships-of-war, and we three lads
were forcing ourselves to believe we could move at will, carrying
information to our people at Valley Forge, or wheresoever it might be
wanted, without running into these red-coated scoundrels who had come
overseas to whip us into loving the king.
I believe now it would have been wiser had we gone boldly up the
Delaware beyond Frankford, and there let Master Dingley take his
chances of going across country to the Schuylkill; but he had spoken
as if the only way for us to proceed would be to pull down the river
as far as League island and then up the Schuylkill, therefore, without
considering how much more of danger lay in that route than the other, I
had consented.
Therefore was our journey more than three times what it should have
been had we proceeded, as I now believe, with more of common sense in
our methods.