THE RECRUITS
Even though I was so woefully distressed in mind, yet did I have a
hearty appetite for that which Jeremy had brought, and Skinny showed
that the fear of death was not so heavy upon him but that he could
eat like a glutton, for we two fell upon the food as if we had been
famished, eating like friends and enjoying every mouthful.
Meanwhile Jeremy told us of what he had seen around town, which was
nothing of great importance either to the Cause or to us while we were
thus mired, as you might say, with a prisoner.
After the meal had come to an end, and I am free to confess that we ate
more rapidly than lads who are supposed to have had a decent bringing
up should eat, we, meaning Jeremy and I, talked of this and that
concerning ourselves, but never once speaking of the present situation,
or of what the lobster-backs might do to us of Philadelphia in time to
come.
It was as if we dared not give words to the thoughts which would come
into our minds, and we therefore spoke on indifferent subjects, as if
it was a relief to thus put far from us all the dangers that hung so
thickly.
Because of knowing that young Chris was engaged in raising recruits
for our company of Minute Boys, I had no expectation of seeing him
until perhaps another night had come, therefore was my surprise great
when within two hours after Jeremy’s arrival we heard the sounds of
whispered voices in that passage between the timbers which led to our
hiding place.
An instant later young Chris made his appearance, followed by three
lads, all of whom I believed I had reason to know were friends to the
Cause.
They were Harvey Norris, Sam Elder, and Timothy Bowers; good lads and
true as I believed, and yet I would not have had them there at that
time.
“Talk about raising a company of Minute Boys,” young Chris exclaimed in
a tone of triumph. “Why I could recruit a regiment in four and twenty
hours, if it was necessary. Look you here! The first three I came
across, and all standing ready to do whatsoever they may for the Cause,
knowing that we are like to be called upon for dangerous service--”
“Do they know in what kind of a hobble we are this moment?” Jeremy
asked grimly, and Tim Bowers replied as if he was thoroughly well
satisfied with the situation:
“Ay, that we do, Jeremy, and if it is a case of holding Skinny Baker
prisoner here during the remainder of this year, I promise faithfully
not to complain at having to perform my part of guarding him.”
The other lads made much the same talk; but, nevertheless, I was not
easy in mind. The first that I had with which to find fault was the
coming of so many into our hiding place.
It was not probable that six lads, as we now numbered, could come in
and out from beneath the lumber pile without finally attracting the
attention of the lobster-backs. Once they were grown curious as to why
we crawled among the timbers, the secret of our hiding place would
speedily be made known, and if peradventure Skinny Baker remained at
that time our prisoner, then was the whole fabric of the Minute Boys of
Philadelphia come to the ground.
However, the mischief, if mischief it was, had been done, and it was
useless for me to borrow trouble when there was no possibility of
avoiding it. Therefore, striving as best I might to put on a pleasant
face, I asked young Chris what he had learned in the city.
It appeared from his conversation that he had given no attention to
anything whatsoever save the raising of recruits. In fact, he had
not even considered it necessary to go home in order to relieve his
mother’s anxiety; but, finding these three lads ready to join in that
proposition made by Master Dingley, he must needs come back to where
Jeremy and I were, in order to acquaint us with what he considered his
good fortune, instead of trying to make out, as I believed we should
do, whether the British officers who had come upon the spy at the
London Coffee-House, were yet minded to search for him.
And there was another element of danger in this work of young Chris’s,
which I failed to heed until after it was too late to remedy the matter.
He had, and I am free to confess that I was equally guilty, spoken
of our company of Minute Boys in the presence of Skinny Baker, who,
unless he was a veritable simple, could understand all that we
proposed to do.
More than this, while Sam and his comrades were telling of their
willingness to do whatever might be required, the name of Master
Dingley was mentioned several times, and thus was it that Skinny Baker
could put together all the story of our wanderings during the night
previous.
If he should succeed in making his escape, he could tell to the
lobster-backs every thing of so-called treason to the king with which
we were engaged, and, in addition, he had sealed the doom of Master
Dingley if so be he should be captured.
Well, the mischief was done, and now were there greater reasons why
Skinny must be held close prisoner, therefore it was I put the matter
plainly to these new comrades who were so proud in calling themselves
Minute Boys of Philadelphia, asking how we should divide our time, for
it was not reasonable more than two need remain on duty at once.
Before we were well into the discussion, for a discussion did ensue
owing to young Chris, who claimed that he would take sole charge of
the matter, Skinny came to realize more plainly than ever before, that
we counted on keeping him there so long as our safety demanded it, and
he would have been a simple indeed if he did not understand that such
period of time meant during the stay of the lobster-backs in our city.
“Look here,” he said in a tone between a whine and a sniffle, “you
fellows can’t hold me a prisoner very long. You are bound to get into
trouble for what you have done already, and every hour you keep me
here only makes it worse.”
“Oh, we can’t keep you, eh?” young Chris cried jeeringly. “Well, you
will find, my fine buck, that we can hold you as long as we choose, and
the way matters look at present, that will be quite a spell. In fact,
I see no chance of your getting out of here until your friends, the
lobster-backs, have left the city.”
“The British troops left the city!” Skinny cried in alarm. “Why you
must be crazy to think of such a thing! They are like to be here this
many a year, for when the king has whipped you rebels as you need to be
whipped, then will a force of his troops remain here to see that you
don’t do further mischief.”
Skinny’s anger had led him to give way to his temper, and the last
words he spoke were very much in the nature of a threat, causing young
Chris to leap upon the prisoner as if he was minded to do him bodily
harm.
“Do you dare threaten us, and tell about what is to be done to rebels?”
he cried, giving voice so loudly that I leaped forward, clapping my
hand over his mouth, for certain it was if any had been passing the
lumber pile just then they would have heard the outcry.
“You must remember where you are, Chris Ludwig!” I cried, and now it
was my turn to show anger. “Are you minded to betray to any who may be
near at hand our hiding place, when you know what would be the result
if we were taken prisoners? Where is the harm if Skinny makes threats?
That is all he can do, and, to tell the truth, I have a better liking
for the cur when he shows some bit of spirit, rather than whining like
a baby as he has done since we first captured him.”
Young Chris struggled to throw off my grasp, as if it was still his
intent to strike the prisoner, and then it was that Jeremy took a hand
in what was rapidly becoming a scrimmage, by laying hold of the lad’s
arm and literally dragging him back to the further end of the cave-like
hiding place, saying in a tone which could not be misunderstood:
“If so be you are minded to play the fool, young Chris, then has it
come time for me to get out of your company, and leave this Minute Boy
association which has hardly yet been formed, for I have no desire to
show myself on the scaffold, as is like to be the case if you continue
in this hot-headed manner!”
But for the fact that Jeremy was not given to making vain threats, I
believe young Chris would have insisted upon pummeling Skinny because
of what he had said. But he knew full well that this comrade of ours
did not indulge in idle words, and therefore it was he held his peace,
although with very ill grace, and now was added another to the many
troubles I had come upon since we first met Master Dingley.
It was Tim Bowers who attempted to straighten out matters,
understanding that young Chris’s ill temper might bring us all into
trouble, and he said in a matter-of-fact tone:
“If so be we are to form ourselves into a company of Minute Boys, and
if also we are to do such things as are like to bring our necks within
a British halter, then it seems to me wise we should decide which one
shall be our leader. Let us choose a captain now, since there are six
of us who are disposed to make up the company, and agree solemnly that
each and every one will obey instantly any command he may give.”
There was nothing more than good sense in this remark, and I had it in
mind to say that Jeremy Hapgood should be chosen captain of the Minute
Boys, when the lad himself spoke up:
“It is Richard Salter who shall act as captain of this company,
according to my way of thinking. He it was who first had the wit to aid
Master Dingley, and I believe he has sufficient of good sense to pull
us through any difficulties we may get into, if so be we do as Tim has
proposed and obey his every order without stopping to question.”
“But I don’t want to be captain; there are others here who can do it
better--you yourself, for instance, Jeremy Hapgood.”
Now I would not undertake to say young Chris had it in mind that he
should be the commander of our company; but certain it is I noted an
expression of dissatisfaction on his face, and if so be I could have
trusted the lad to help us out of a tight place I would have suggested,
for the sake of keeping harmony, that he be chosen leader. That much,
however, I dared not do, and before it was possible for me to speak,
Tim Bowers said quickly:
“I am ready to serve under Richard Salter, and to do whatsoever he may
command.”
So also spoke Jeremy, Sam and Harvey, young Chris holding his peace. I
protested, but it was of no avail.
All save Chris were determined I should take upon myself the leadership
of the company, and although I shrank from such a responsibility, it
seemed better I assume it than to throw the honor, for indeed it was an
honor, aside that Master Ludwig might take it up, because I knew if the
lad was allowed his head a sufficient length of time, he would bring us
all into direst trouble.
After turning the matter over in my mind while one might have counted
twenty, I decided upon such a course of action as would carry us
through, I hoped, with safety until the morning. To this end I said to
my comrades, striving the while not to put on any show of authority:
“There is no reason why all of us remain here throughout the night, and
a good reason why those of us who can, should go home. Therefore it is
I appoint Jeremy Hapgood and Timothy Bowers to take charge of Skinny
Baker from now until morning. The rest of us are to crawl out one by
one, taking due care not to be seen by the lobster-backs, and make such
arrangements at home as will permit of our using the time as best we
can for the benefit of the Cause. Again, it has been agreed with Master
Dingley that one of us would remain nearabout the London Coffee-House.
Because it must be a lad whom he has already seen, I propose that
young Chris perform this duty. It shall be his business to loiter
nearabout that place from to-morrow morning until nightfall, picking up
whatever he may from the conversation of the lobster-backs, and keeping
constantly on watch for Master Dingley, or whoever he may send in his
stead.”
It was perhaps unwise; in fact, at the moment I made such a selection,
I knew that we were taking more than a few risks in giving to young
Chris the post of duty at the Coffee-House. The most difficult task the
lad found in life was to hold his tongue, even when his elders were
speaking, and there was real danger he might, feeling unduly important
because of being chosen for the post, act or talk in such a suspicious
manner as to give the Britishers cause for looking after him sharply.
“When am I to come back here?” young Chris asked as he made his
preparations to depart, and I verily believe he counted on beginning
his work immediately, although there was no possibility Master Dingley
would send anyone into the city before to-morrow at the earliest.
“You will come here only when you are sent for, or after having
received some word from the spy.”
“But he may not show himself for a week,” young Chris said in a tone
of dissatisfaction, and I replied sharply, for inasmuch as I had been
chosen captain I intended to exercise the authority, mildly if I might,
harshly if it became necessary:
“Then you will remain on duty there a week, unless we need you here.
There is one thing positive: We must not come in and out of this hiding
place oftener than may be absolutely necessary. For us to run to and
fro at will is, as you yourself can see, most dangerous.”
To this young Chris made no reply; but straightway crept out between
the timbers and was gone, while Jeremy and I sat looking at each other
questioningly, for there was in his mind much the same as that which
had come into mine, concerning the possibility that young Chris’s zeal
and desire to show himself of importance might bring us to grief.
“I couldn’t have done differently,” I said in reply to the question
I saw in Jeremy’s eyes. “He was angry, or, I will say at least
disgruntled, because you lads chose me for your captain, and it seems
to me in the highest degree important we keep him feeling fairly good
natured. I do not believe young Chris would deliberately work us a harm
if things went wrong; but I am afraid he might allow certain tokens of
ill temper to escape him now and then, which would prove disastrous.
Therefore did it seem to me best that we take the chances of putting
him at the coffee-house where he can, by his ill temper, do us a bad
turn, with the hope that matters may go as we would have them.”
Anyone with half an eye could see that Skinny Baker was decidedly
pleased because we were having so much trouble among ourselves, and he
was ill advised enough to say in a sneering tone:
“Before you lads get through with this business, you will understand
to your cost that it is a dangerous matter, not only to take innocent
lads prisoners without rhyme or reason, but also to plot against his
majesty.”
I had always thought Tim Bowers a mild mannered lad; but at this moment
he showed himself quite the contrary, for, moving toward Skinny in a
threatening manner, he said sharply:
“If I am to have a hand in the guarding of a Tory cur like you,
young Baker, bear this well in mind: That I will take no such words
whatsoever from anyone. It may be cowardly to strike a prisoner, as I
have heard said; but if you make further talk about plotting against
his majesty, then will I give you such a drubbing as to make you wish
there never had been a king in England who insisted in sticking his
nose into our affairs.”
I made no attempt to interfere. Tim was to be on guard during the
night, and he should handle Skinny as best it pleased him.
I was burning to get home that I might talk with my mother about what
we had done, and consult her regarding future movements. Therefore it
was I said that I would go, and come back again before daylight. At the
same time I suggested that the other two lads creep out from the hiding
place, one in advance of the other, as soon as night had come.
“Be careful in leaving here, and doubly cautious when you come back,” I
added. “According to my way of thinking, Sam Elder, it would be a good
idea for you, to-morrow, to remain near where young Chris is on duty.
There is a possibility you may be able to prevent him from the shame of
doing that which would work to our harm.”
“I’ll be there,” was the prompt reply, “and although it is not in my
mind to agree that I or any other lad can keep young Chris straight,
you may count it as certain I will do my best.”
Then it was that I shook Jeremy by the hand as if reckoning on being
absent a long time. There was so much of danger surrounding us, and the
lad had ever been a good friend of mine, that no one might say whether
we two could come together again free, or if by chance our next meeting
might be in General Howe’s headquarters where we stood accused of
treason.
When I set off for Drinker’s alley I made it my way to pass nearby the
London Coffee-House, and there, sure enough, was young Chris, parading
to and fro just outside the door in such a consequential manner that
whosoever saw him, and took any particular note of the boy, would know
he had something on hand which he believed to be of importance.
Fortunately, so I said to myself, no one would suspect a lad like him
of having treasonable designs, and therefore the lobster-backs would
pay little or no heed to his manner, save it might be in the way of
sport.
Striving earnestly to dismiss all disagreeable thoughts from my mind,
and verily if I was so inclined I could find much to cause fear and
distress, I hurried on toward Drinker’s alley, looking forward to the
meeting with my mother as I had never before done.
I understood that, because of what I had agreed upon with Master
Dingley, I might not be able to see very much of her in the future, or
that before many days had passed she might fail of seeing me because of
my being held prisoner, and such thoughts caused my heart to be very
tender toward the one person in all the world who I knew full well
loved me dearly.
Mother herself opened the door as I came up, thus showing that she
must have been on the watch for me, and when she had led me up the
stairs through the hallway and down again into the rear portion of the
house where was the kitchen, explaining what was her purpose in thus
conducting me secretly, as you might say, I understood only too well
why she had been on watch.
“Jeremy Hapgood has already told me what you have agreed to do for
the Cause, and although it gives me a certain degree of pride to know
that a son of mine may be able to accomplish something in this work of
freeing the colonies, yet am I borne down with grief and apprehension,
for already have you done that which I fear must of necessity bring the
British officers upon you.”
“What is it you think we have done, mother?” I asked, trying to assume
an innocent air lest she should understand that my heart, too, was
filled with forebodings.
“What other could it be than that you have been so unwise as to make
a prisoner of Benjamin Baker?” she asked as if in a tone of reproach,
although I knew full well that all her heart was full of sympathy for
me and that which I would do.
“Well, what if we have taken Skinny to where we kept the boat? I don’t
fancy he is of such importance in this city that there will be any
great hue and cry raised concerning him, if he fails to go home within
a certain time.”
“It is there that you are making a mistake, my son, for already has the
hue and cry been raised. Within the hour Master Baker himself came here
to ask if you knew aught concerning his son’s absence, which goes to
show that he must have some suspicion you are concerned in the matter.”
“I have no question but that Skinny’s father and mother will both be
alarmed concerning him, and sorry am I that we were forced to take the
little scoundrel prisoner; but he would have it so by spying on us.
Look you, mother, if we had not taken him as we did, by this time it
would be known that we aided Master Dingley to escape, and you well
understand what would be our fate in such an event. It was his liberty
or ours, and I chose that it should be his. If so be we can keep our
hiding place a secret--”
“For how long, my son? There must be an end to your holding Benjamin
Baker a prisoner. What do you count on doing with him?”
“That is a matter which must be referred to Master Dingley when next
we meet him, if so be we are fortunate enough. Certain it is that
Skinny cannot be allowed to go free, else we must flee the city. My
greatest fear is that someone will, while young Chris is in the plot,
finally come to know of our hiding place. I question much whether the
lobster-backs would take any interest whatever in Skinny’s absence; but
surely they would look after us if he had a chance to tell them what we
did in regard to Master Dingley.”
“But they are already taking interest, my son. Without really playing
the eavesdropper, I heard our lodgers discussing the matter this
afternoon. It seems that Master Baker has been to headquarters, and
while as yet you are not suspected, save perchance the lad’s father
himself may think you were interested in the matter in some way, it
is believed by the Britishers that the appearance of the spy who
was discovered in the London Coffee-House, has somewhat to do with
Benjamin’s unaccountable absence.”
“And did you hear them say that they were deeply grieved because Skinny
failed to show himself on the street?” I asked in what I intended
should be a jovial tone, but down deep in my heart was I beginning to
grow more timorous even than ever.
“It seems to me serious for this reason: They claimed, during the
conversation which I overheard, that by seeking out Benjamin, it may be
possible for them to come upon the trail of the spy who disappeared so
strangely. It appears that during the day all the houses on Chestnut
street were searched with the belief that he might have taken refuge
in one of them. Finding that such was not the case, they have come to
believe he has a hiding place here where he can come and go at will.”
During a full half-minute I stood looking blankly into my mother’s
face, not knowing what I could say that would calm her fears, and at
the same time striving with all my will to down the timorousness which
was coming over me.
“What do you count on doing with Benjamin?” my mother repeated after a
long pause, and I shook my head as does one who is at a loss for words.
From the bottom of my heart I wished I might be able to tell her
exactly what we _would_ do with him, for verily was he rapidly
becoming an elephant on our hands, and certain to bring us low if the
lobster-backs were taking up the search for him.
If peradventure Jeremy Hapgood and I were the only ones concerned in
the matter, then would I believe that he and I might keep the secret
during so long a time that the search for Skinny would be given up; but
with young Chris having a finger in the pie, and so eager to let it
appear that he had important business on hand concerning the colony, or
the king, or both, it seemed certain something regarding our movements
must speedily leak out.
However, it was necessary I say that to my mother regarding our future
plans which would ease her mind, and since we had none, I made a bluff
at it by outlining what I would be pleased to do.
“If it so chances that the lobster-backs suspect us lads of aiding
those who come into the city from the American army as spies, then must
we flee, going to Valley Forge, and even though we may not be allowed,
because of our age, to enroll ourselves as soldiers, it is necessary we
stay under the protection of our own people. When that time comes, we
shall take Skinny with us.”
“But you are thus counting to cut yourself off entirely from me, my
son,” mother said in a tone of deepest sadness. “Since your father’s
death you, Richard, are all I have left that makes life worth the
living, and with you in the army, or, what is even worse, a camp
follower, I truly believe I should die of fear and grief.”
“Yet when Master Dingley made the proposition which he did, you would
not have had me say nay,” I cried earnestly, and she, dear soul,
answered like the true woman she was:
“Of course not, my son; but what I would have had is that you had never
met this Master Dingley.”
“But knowing we did meet him, mother, and that it was possible for us
to save his life, would you have had me turn my back upon the man,
allowing him to be led to the gallows when it should please General
Howe’s high mightiness to hang him?”
“You have done no more, my son, than was your duty; no more than your
father would have bidden you do were he on this earth. And yet even
that fact does not console me, nor will it give me comfort when you are
away, and I all ignorant of your whereabouts.”
Well, we two talked in this strain until it was as if my heart was near
to bursting. Then, striving to show myself some part of a man, I said
with as much of courage as I could coax into my voice:
“Since it has all come about, mother, by chance as you might say, and
because I am in a hobble from which there is no escape if I stay at
home as before this thing came about, let us put the best face we can
upon it. Try to believe what seems reasonable, which is that I shall
succeed in keeping out of the clutches of the lobster-backs, and that
it will be possible for me to see you, if not every day, at least many
times in the week. We will live in the hope that General Washington
counts on leaving Valley Forge soon, to pay a visit to this city of
Philadelphia.”
Then it was I tried to persuade her that there was fair reason for
believing our people counted on making some speedy move, bringing up as
proof the fact that Master Dingley had deemed it of greatest importance
word be sent out of the city to Valley Forge frequently, and arguing
that unless there was some plan of attack in General Washington’s
mind, he would not be concerning himself regarding the lobster-backs
in Philadelphia, for they were surely doing no harm to the Cause while
they remained in our city idling their time away with foolish sports.
Perhaps it was because she wanted to believe all this might be true,
which caused her to lend a favoring ear to my words, and after we had
talked together an hour, mayhap, she seemed right cheerful in mind,
going about her household duties, the chiefest of which seemed to be
caring for my comfort.
Had I eaten all she set before me, then must I have died of
over-feeding, for the dear woman appeared to think, because I had been
away all night, that I must be well-nigh famished, even though she had
sent by Jeremy sufficient of food to keep a hungry boy satisfied during
at least eight and forty hours.
It was not yet sunset when she insisted that I go to bed because of
having remained awake all the night previous, and in truth I was
willing to act upon her suggestion, for my eyelids were so heavy by the
time I had been sitting in front of the kitchen fire half an hour, that
I could keep them open only by the greatest exertion.
It seemed to me I had no more than lost myself in slumber, when I was
awakened by mother’s hand being laid gently on my cheek, at the same
time that she shook me lovingly into consciousness.
I started up in alarm, for at that moment my dreams were most
unpleasant, I fancying myself in the power of the lobster-backs.
When I would have cried out in fear, she placed her hand gently over my
mouth as she whispered:
“Samuel Elder has come to see you, and claims it is important that he
deliver a message.”
“Why not let him come up here?” I asked, and she replied:
“Because all our lodgers are in the house, having with them no less
than a dozen others from the Royal Irish regiment, and I fear to have
them see the lad; he looks so startled and frightened that there would
be good reason for them to suspect him of mischief.”
“Where is he now?”
“I have left him in the shed, not daring to do otherwise, and you are
to come down at once.”
This last portion of my mother’s speech was not needed, for on the
instant she uttered Sam’s name I concluded young Chris had succeeded in
getting himself into some kind of a difficulty which would work to our
disadvantage, and was putting on my clothes as rapidly as ever a lad
could.
“Do you believe it will be necessary to go away from home again
to-night?” my mother asked, and I, fearing the moment had come when
I might be forced to flee for very life, replied with as much of
carelessness as I could assume:
“If it should so be that I must, mother, I promise to come back within
four and twenty hours, so do not fret if I go directly away with Sam
Elder.”
“It is useless to warn me against fretting, my son, for what mother
could know that her boy was in gravest danger, as I fear you are, and
not feel anxiety?”
I made no attempt to reply to this, else would the tears have come into
my eyes, and she, kissing me fondly again and again, turned away as I
went down the stairs toward the shed, feeling much like one who goes to
the scaffold.
Fortunately, matters were not so serious as I had allowed myself to
fear. At least they did not seem so at the time, for when I was come
to where Sam remained half-hidden in the shed, he told me that which
lifted a great burden from my heart.
Instead of waiting for the morrow before he stood watch over young
Chris, it appears that shortly after I went out from the lumber pile,
Sam and Jeremy decided it would be well if he had a look around in the
vicinity of the London Coffee-House, and there he saw, as had I, the
baker’s son parading to and fro.
Sam was far too cautious a boy to go directly up to young Chris,
fearing lest the lad might say something incautiously which would
give an inkling of his purpose. Therefore he remained at a distance
up Chestnut street, seeing nothing especial to cause alarm until he
was startled by a hand being laid upon his shoulder from behind, and,
turning, he saw a stranger, who later he came to believe was none other
than Master Dingley.
“Who is yonder lad?” the man asked, pointing to young Chris, and Sam,
ever cautious, instead of replying asked a question in return:
“Why would you know that, sir?”
“Simply to gratify a curiosity, young master,” the stranger replied
laughingly, and added, “are you a friend of yonder lad?”
“Ay, that I am.”
“And are you also friendly with one Richard Salter?”
“I may say that it pleases me to look upon Richard as a friend, more
than it does to count young Chris as one.”
“And do you know where young Master Salter is at this moment?”
“Ay, that I do.”
“Can you get word to him from me?”
“To what end, sir?” Sam asked suspiciously.
“There is no reason why you should be on your guard against me,” the
man said with a smile, “and yet I like it well that you are. You need
give me no information regarding Richard Salter; but I would have you,
if so you please, take this word to him: Say that one whom he aided
within the past four and twenty hours would have speech with him as
soon as may be at the Jolly Tar inn.”
Having said this the man turned sharply about, and Sam, believing he
had but just had speech with Master Dingley, came to my home with all
speed.