A WARM PLACE
It is needless for me to say my comrades had heard the same which
came to my ears, and I had good proof that at least one of them was
seriously disturbed in mind, when Jeremy clutched me by the shoulder
so suddenly and with such a grip that it was all I could do to prevent
myself from crying outright.
Until this moment Skinny Baker had made no attempt at throwing out the
gag which was fastened so securely, nor had he resisted me in any way;
but now it was that he began to squirm about vigorously, as if using
all his strength in an effort to free himself from the bonds, for the
cowardly cur began to understand there was good chance he would be
burned to death by those same lobster-backs whom he counted as his
friends.
As a matter of course I understood, as did we all, that if so be the
Britishers set fire to the ruins while we were among the timbers, then
there was no help for us save we came out to struggle empty-handed
against armed men, which would be much the same as delivering ourselves
over as prisoners.
The one question was, what we should do, and that, I realized, remained
for me to answer since I called myself the captain of the Minute Boys;
but for the life of me I could hit upon no plan whatsoever.
To make any attempt at a battle with these lobster-backs was worse
than useless; we had far better walk out humbly and deliver ourselves
into their hands, than stand the chance of being mauled about cruelly
without hope of gaining anything whatsoever in the fight.
There was little time for a fellow to cast about him as to the
best course, even if there was any best in that situation, because
straightway, without further argument, the lobster-backs began moving
here and there in search of dry stuff with which to kindle a blaze,
and there was no question that within the next five minutes our frail
hiding place would be in flames.
Meanwhile Jeremy was gripping me yet more tightly by the shoulder, and
I, irritated by this seeming insistence that I should say what ought to
be done, moved ever so cautiously toward him until I could speak in his
very ear, when I asked impatiently:
“What would you have me do? What chance have we, save to go out and
give ourselves up?”
“That is to be done only at the last minute,” the lad replied in a
cautious tone, and I added angrily:
“Is it in your mind that the last moment has not yet come? It seems to
me we are at the end of our tether. There yet remains the poor hope of
fighting, with the certainty of being made prisoners.”
“I would do nothing of the kind,” Jeremy replied, and although he spoke
in a whisper I fancied I detected in his tone a ring of hope. “When
the fire has been kindled the lobster-backs must, perforce, leave the
cellar without loss of time.”
“Ay, and then shall we remain here to burn, or to follow them, as seems
for the moment best,” I added despondently, for I no longer had any
hope whatsoever.
“We shall at least be able to remain alive during a few moments,
and if so be death must come, it will not overtake us while the
lobster-backs can gloat over our sufferings,” the lad said, and I asked
incredulously, for his words, so far as he had spoken, seemed most
foolish:
“Then you would remain here in hiding until they have done their will?”
I asked.
“Ay, until they have built the fire, and after that there is still
a fighting chance. You must remember there is more than one opening
through which we can leave this trap, and I count on taking the risk
rather than giving myself up like a lamb to the slaughter,” Jeremy
replied boldly, and at the same time he kicked Skinny vigorously as
token that the Tory cur must cease his struggles, else might the
lobster-backs have token of our whereabouts before they had made ready
to depart.
If it so chances that anyone reads these lines which I have set down,
then I would ask him to strive in his imagination to put himself in our
place just for a moment.
Directly below us were four soldiers making ready to build a fire,
most likely under the very spot where we were hidden, and if Jeremy
Hapgood’s plan was carried out, then must we suffer from smoke as well
as heat until the Britishers had left the place. The cellar, at its
deepest part, was not more than five feet, and such a blaze as they
were likely to kindle would reach us almost at the same moment it
fastened itself upon the timbers, therefore were we likely to get a
scorching before the flames had made any headway, if peradventure we
were not first stifled by the smoke.
However, I was of the mind to do as Jeremy had said. From the time
this company of Minute Boys had been formed, his was ever the wisest
judgment regarding what should or should not be done, and verily even
though it had been young Chris who suggested it, must I have followed
the plan because there was none other, save that of meekly yielding
ourselves prisoners.
It seemed to me that the lobster-backs had no sooner begun hunting for
dry wood than the fire was started, and, as I had feared, the first
tongues of flame, which came up from a huge pile of charred lumber they
had dragged together, appeared between the timbers almost directly
beneath where I lay, therefore was it that my situation seemed likely
to prove the most disagreeable, if not the most dangerous.
Meanwhile Skinny continued to struggle as best he might, Jeremy and
Tim kicking him now and then; but without avail. The Tory cur was so
frightened, as well he might be, that he gave no heed to the punishment
inflicted upon him by our lads, but thought only of what seemed a
fact--that he, as well as we, would be burned until we were dead.
I strove to divert my mind from the pain and from the danger, by
listening intently for the movements of the soldiers, and soon came
to understand that they had lost no time in crawling out through the
cellar window.
Jeremy had been equally watchful, for when the last fellow went
through the aperture he began crawling toward the end of the timbers
where they had lodged against the cellar wall on the north side, and
at the same time he dragged the struggling Tory with him, as if having
more care to save Skinny Baker from pain than to shield himself.
I would have followed close on his heels but that young Chris had begun
to move almost at the same moment, and, following him, went Tim and
Sam, therefore was I left the last, as most like was right, since I
counted myself to be the leader and therefore should occupy the post of
greatest danger or greatest pain.
While Jeremy dragged at Skinny, the other lads pushed the fellow along,
taking no special heed as to gentleness, and even while the smoke was
curling above me, causing my throat to smart and my eyes to burn, I had
a feeling of gratification that the Tory cur was suffering even more
than were we, for in addition to the discomfort caused by the blaze,
was the rough handling he received from those who were trying to force
him into a place of comparative safety.
I have no very clear idea of how I came out amid the network of timbers
to the bottom of the cellar, and there lay at full length with my face
pressed against the floor of beaten earth, striving to free my lungs
from smoke.
The lads afterward told me that I would have smothered to death,
but for their pulling at me even as they had at Skinny, because,
before Sam, who was next ahead of me, had gotten out, I was well-nigh
suffocated and had nearly lost consciousness.
It was Jeremy who forced me to get to my feet that we might go to the
other end of the cellar, where was the aperture through which we had
crept when making ready for the attack upon Skinny, and once there we
were able to breathe the comparatively fresh air, giving the greatest
relief, I think, I ever experienced in all my life.
The cellar was not large. Already were the timbers aflame and the heat
was growing exceeding painful, yet we gave little or no heed to it,
owing to the pleasure of filling our lungs with that sweet night air.
I noted that the gag had been taken from Skinny’s mouth, and young
Chris, the last member of the party whom I would have credited with
kindly feelings toward the Tory cur, explained, when he saw I noticed
the fact, that he had removed it with threats to kill the lad if
he made an outcry, because of wanting to save him from the pain of
suffocation such as we had all experienced.
During an instant I believed such a move to be unwise in the
extreme, for Skinny had but to raise his voice in order to give the
lobster-backs to understand that someone remained in the cellar; but
Jeremy whispered:
“Have no fear he will try to give an alarm. He knows full well what
will be the result, for I have promised to kill him in cold blood if
he makes the slightest noise, and, besides, he is so nearly suffocated
that I question if he could do very much more than squeak.”
Well, we stood there breathing in the sweet air, and feeling
uncomfortably warm, while one might have counted twenty, and then I
was so far recovered from the effects of the smoke as to realize that
now was come the time when we must run some risks if we would save
ourselves from a most painful death.
Therefore it was I said to the lads, not fearing to speak in an
ordinary tone because the crackling of the flames would drown my voice
from any who might be outside:
“I count on venturing forth now. If so be you hear an outcry, then
look about you for some other means of escape, even though I question
if there be any, for you will know that I have been taken prisoner.
If peradventure the coast be clear, you shall hear of it at once, and
must follow without loss of time, for if we are to make our escape this
night, it is to be done in short order, before the flames have gotten
sufficient headway to light up the village.”
No one made any attempt at staying me as I crept out through the
aperture. All knew that this was the only course to be pursued, and
perhaps he who might be taken prisoner by the Britishers would suffer
even less than those who remained behind too long.
So eager was I to learn what we might expect on the outside, that I
gave but little heed to caution, forcing myself out through the narrow
opening as rapidly as possible, and once beyond the wall of the cellar,
I stood up, regardless of whoever might see me, in order to have a
better view of the surroundings.
Verily it seemed as if the same kindly fortune which had watched over
us thus far, still had us lads in mind, for never a living being was
in sight. The lobster-backs must have fled in the opposite direction,
and if so be we could get beyond the rays of light within a short time,
then was there yet a possibility of our going free.
I could have cried aloud with joy because of this fortunate
circumstance; but there was no time in which to rejoice just then, and,
bending down with my face to the aperture, I said hurriedly to Jeremy,
who was standing by to learn what I might have discovered:
“No one is in sight. Come as quickly as you can, for as yet the flames
are not casting any light in this direction, the ruins being afire only
at the further end.”
There was no need for me to say more. Almost before I had ceased
speaking was Skinny Baker thrust through without ceremony, and as he
came out much like a log of wood, I grasped him by the throat lest he
make an outcry.
“You needn’t fear that I’ll try to do you any harm,” the cowardly cur
said whimperingly when I relaxed my hold sufficiently for him to speak.
“I have had enough of this fighting for the king, and am done with it
from now on.”
“Don’t fancy for a single moment, Skinny Baker, that I or any of our
party are afraid of what you may do, and as regards your fighting for
the king, you never have done so thus far. Your work, whatsoever it has
been, was that of a sneak’s, and if you fancy I am inclined to believe
you are done with meddling in this trouble ’twixt the king and the
colonies, then you take me for a greater simple than I really am.”
By this time the other lads were out of the cellar, and Jeremy seized
Skinny by one arm while I held him by the other, forcing him to bend
low that we might thereby stand less chance of being seen.
Then we three, followed by our comrades, ran at full speed straight
away from this place of refuge which had like to have been our tomb,
heeding not where we went so that we might gain the cover of darkness
amid the bushes beyond.
I believe we ran a full half-mile without stopping, and then were come
to a bunch of willows growing by the side of a small brook, where we
threw ourselves down, not only to rest and regain breath, but to decide
upon some course of action, for this travelling at random was like to
be dangerous work while the Britishers were nearabout, as we had good
reason for believing.
However, the enemy was not so near our halting place that we could hear
or see anything of him, and straightway, as soon as it was possible to
speak, Jeremy said to me:
“I’m thinking, Richard, that our best course is to make an attempt at
getting to Valley Forge, unless the lads are minded that we shall set
this Tory free.”
“That we won’t do,” young Chris cried quickly and stoutly. “I am
determined that he shall be held a prisoner so long as pleases me, even
though I take the chances of going to the gallows every hour in the
day.”
“But what will you do with him?” Jeremy asked, and I replied:
“We might send him to Valley Forge, and if so be the Weaver of
Germantown yet remains there, I guarantee that he will hold him close
prisoner during a certain time at least.”
“_Send_ him back,” Timothy repeated. “Have you no idea of going
yourself, Richard Salter?”
“No,” I replied, and my plans were made on the instant. “We were
ordered to go back to Philadelphia that we might be there in case
of need, and I count on obeying the command, regardless of any such
miserable whelp as Skinny Baker.”
“I will go with you, as a matter of course,” Jeremy said quietly, as
if there could have been no question as to what he would do. “Why not
let the other lads take charge of Skinny, and find their way either to
Swede’s Ford, or Valley Forge, as the case may be?”
Not only did this appear to be a good plan, but it was the only thing
I could think of at the moment. Although it was impossible to guess
how we might be of service to the colonies when we were once hiding in
the Jolly Tar inn, I felt that we must go there because of having been
sent, and owing to the fact that the Weaver of Germantown, believing us
to be there, might lay out some important work for us to do.
It would be more easy for two of us to gain that hiding place while
the lobster-backs were stirred up, as we had every reason to believe
they must be, than for the entire party, and surely we could not hope
to take Skinny with us, nor would it be safe to make the attempt. As I
looked at the matter, I could say in the words of the old adage, that
the game was not worth the candle.
Better that Tory scoundrel went free and unpunished, than that we
should fail of being at our post of duty whenever we were needed, and
just at the moment I had little care what became of Skinny; but young
Chris settled the matter without much parley, by saying:
“I am more inclined for Valley Forge than Philadelphia, just now, and
count that Skinny shall have ample knowledge of what it means to be
a prisoner. If so be none of the rest of you are of the same mind, I
shall go on with him alone; but certain it is that whatever plans you
may make, it will be necessary to count me out, unless they are formed
with the idea of holding this young cur in our power.”
“Timothy and Sam shall go with you,” I replied promptly, as if having
already decided upon such course. “Jeremy and I will strike out for
Philadelphia, and if so be you come upon the Weaver of Germantown in
the camp, tell him that we count on gaining the Jolly Tar inn if we
live sufficiently long.”
Then I would have given the lads instructions as to how they should
proceed, and perhaps very much advice that might not have been of any
avail, for it seemed to me that as captain of the Minute Boys it was
my duty to instruct each and every one of them, even though they might
know more concerning the matter under discussion than did I; but young
Chris was not minded to listen.
His one fear was that the Britishers might come stealthily upon us,
thus giving Skinny an opportunity to escape, and just at that time the
baker’s son had more care to holding the young Tory prisoner, than he
had for his own safety.
Without a word of farewell, or even waiting to learn what Tim and Sam
thought of the proposition, he pulled Skinny Baker roughly to his feet
and started off, crossing the stream and going, as I fancied, in the
direction of the river, which would be his proper course since it must
bring him directly to Swede’s Ford, from which place he could get
information as to the location of Valley Forge.
“I suppose it is our duty to follow him,” Tim said ruefully as he rose
to his feet. “You are right, Richard, about its being easier for two
lads to go through the city of Philadelphia just now, than for five,
therefore am I minded to do as you commanded; but it would please me
much better to share with you and Jeremy all the dangers.”
“There is an equal amount of danger in making the attempt to gain
Valley Forge,” I replied, striving hard to speak in a cheery tone. “You
know full well that the Britishers are nearabout; they may be between
us and Swede’s Ford even now, therefore are you as likely to come upon
them to your grief, as are Jeremy and I.”
Tim turned quickly and followed young Chris, as indeed he had need to,
for the baker’s son was moving so swiftly that in a few seconds he
would have been lost to view in the gloom.
Then Sam wheeled about as if unwillingly, and finally he also
disappeared from our view, while Jeremy and I lay there on the ground,
each striving to read the thoughts of the other concerning the attempt
to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for verily, after all that had happened, it
would be a most dangerous venture.
By this time our late hiding place was in flames; we could see in the
distance the sky lighted up as if by a great conflagration, telling
that more than one of the ruins had been fired by the lobster-backs,
and there was every reason to believe that their scheme of alarming
the Britishers in Philadelphia would be successful.
At that particular time, after having been nearly frightened to death
and then outwitted by a mere boy, General Howe would not be in an
enviable mood, and I could well fancy that all in the city who wore
the king’s uniform and carried muskets, would be called out to defend
his high mightiness against the rag-tag and bobtail that were suddenly
becoming so active.
Were it not that I must cut this story short because of knowing that
the time is near at hand when I, who am now regularly enlisted in the
Continental army, will be called upon for service, I could set down
many words concerning our efforts to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for the
way was not smooth nor readily traversed.
I hardly need say that we followed down the river, not only because it
seemed to us to be out of the way of the Britishers, if so be they came
up to Germantown to learn the cause of the conflagration, but also that
we might come upon the city on a course that was familiar to us.
Even though we were thus beyond what would naturally be the line of
march for those who were going to Germantown, did we come upon squad
after squad, company after company, of lobster-backs, who were hurrying
forward as if believing the Americans were ready to give them battle.
At such times Jeremy and I hid ourselves in the thicket, or plunged
into the river and remained there with only our heads above the
surface, oftentimes forced to halt a full hour until the enemy had
passed.
When morning came we were yet a considerable distance from our
destination, and it was not needed any should tell us that we must
remain in hiding during the hours of daylight.
We went back from the river near to half a mile before finding a
thicket which would seem to serve our purpose, and there, without food,
and suffering from the heat, for the day was exceeding warm even though
so early in the spring, we remained with more or less of patience until
another night had come, when we set out, forced to make many a detour
before finally arriving at the tavern.
We gained the rear of the building early in the morning--perhaps two
o’clock,--and it was in my mind that we would not be able to arouse
Master Targe without danger of being overheard by some of his Tory
neighbours; but, greatly to my surprise, no sooner had I tapped on the
door ever so gently, than it was opened, and the sour-visaged landlord
bade us enter quickly that he might not seem to have his inn open at
such an hour.
“Were you expecting us, Master Targe?” I asked in surprise, and he
replied gruffly:
“I counted on your being here last night.”
“Why could you have supposed we would have come then?” Jeremy asked in
amazement, and the man gave answer as if he was unwilling even to speak:
“Those of us who are striving to lend a hand to the colonies, have
means of communicating with each other now and then. You lads must not
hug to yourselves the idea that you are the only messengers which come
’twixt Philadelphia and Valley Forge. Now you will get into the room
you know so well, in order to be prepared for to-morrow’s work.”
“Do you know what there may be for us to do, sir?” I asked in
astonishment, yet striving to figure out how this man could have heard
that we should have arrived the night previous.
“You will be told when the time for work comes,” was all the reply he
would make, and when we made to linger, he actually forced us along
the passage and up the stairs as if afraid we might be seen by someone
already in the house, or that we might see more than he intended for
our eyes.
I took notice of the fact that Master Targe locked the chamber door on
the outside, thus making us much the same as prisoners, and although we
had good reason for knowing the innkeeper was a friend to the Cause,
else the Weaver of Germantown would not have made of this house a
rendezvous, yet was there an unpleasant suspicion in my mind that foul
play might be intended, therefore I said as much to Jeremy when we had
thrown ourselves down on the bed of straw.
“There is neither need nor sense in borrowing trouble, Richard Salter.
We have been sent to this place, and I would have come even though
knowing beyond a peradventure that Master Targe was a Tory who would
do us all the harm in his power. We have obeyed orders as Minute Boys
should, and without question, therefore, since we have been so lucky as
to escape the lobster-backs all the way from Germantown here, let us be
satisfied.”
“I can easily be satisfied with what we ourselves have done, and at
the same time feel disagreeable in mind concerning the future,” was
my reply; but Jeremy had no mind to continue the conversation, and
within five minutes his loud breathing told that he had fallen asleep,
therefore I could do no less than follow his example.
When I was next conscious of my surroundings Master Targe had entered
the room and was shaking me roughly, saying when I opened my eyes in a
dazed manner, as does one who is rudely aroused:
“It is time for you to be moving, Richard Salter. There are no minutes
to be lost just now, for verily has the time come when we who love the
Cause must bestir ourselves.”
“What would you have me do?” I asked, springing to my feet on the
instant and thoroughly wide awake, for such a speech as this was well
calculated to put a fellow in possession of all his faculties, and the
reply which the innkeeper gave was such as caused me to start back in
astonishment and fear.
“I would have you go at once to your mother’s home. The lobster-backs
who lodge there are now at headquarters, as I have just received
information, and if so be you meet with no one on the street who knows
you, then will it be possible to gain admittance unobserved by the
enemy.”
“But surely I will be made prisoner as soon as the officers come back,”
I replied, and it is not certain but my voice trembled, for it seemed
to me that of all the work which we lads who called ourselves Minute
Boys had done, this venturing into my own home where were lodging three
of his majesty’s officers, was the most perilous.
“If your mother cannot find a hiding place for her son, then we may
truly say there is none on this earth for him,” Master Targe replied
grimly, and after an instant’s hesitation I asked:
“Once there, what would you have me do?”
“It is positive that the Britishers are about to make some move, most
like against our people at Valley Forge. Your mother will do all she
may to overhear what is said between her lodgers; but it would not be
possible, under ordinary circumstances, for her to get out of doors at
a late hour in the night to tell us of that which has been learned,
therefore you are to stay there and act as her messenger.”
I breathed more freely, knowing that the lodgers never went around
the house, save from the street-door to their own rooms, and had no
question but that if it was simply a matter of remaining hidden, it
could readily be done. Besides, I had for the instant forgotten the
pleasure which would be mine in being with my mother once more, and now
was I as eager to set off as a moment previous I had been halting.
“Be very careful, Richard Salter, even as you walk through the streets,
for word has come to me since daylight that we who have tried to
aid the Weaver of Germantown are in great danger. I have sent out a
messenger to meet him, fearing lest he should come down from Valley
Forge without giving due warning.”
“Do the lobster-backs know that he has been playing the spy?” Jeremy
asked in a tremulous voice, and Master Targe replied, as he let his
hands fall by his side in token of helplessness:
“Ay, lad, God help him and us, they do. How the suspicion can have been
set on foot I fail of understanding.”
I would have lingered to ask further questions, but that Master Targe
pushed me roughly toward the door as he said:
“Go out by the rear entrance; your comrade will stay here, and if so
be you have word to bring me in the night, knock softly twice on the
window of the tap-room. You may be certain I shall remain on guard
there to await your coming.”
Then it was that I hurried home, taking due care, as I was well like
to do after having been warned by the innkeeper, lest I come upon the
lobster-backs.
It was not a difficult matter for a lad who knew the city as well as
did I, to avoid Britishers, for one could go across this garden or
through that alley without much risk of being looked upon as a fugitive
during the time of daylight.
Of the meeting with my mother I shall say nothing. It can readily be
fancied how joyful it was, and how great was my pleasure at being with
the dear woman once more.
It was a full half-hour that she held me in the kitchen, asking what I
had done and how much of danger I had been in, and pressing me now and
then against her breast fervently as she prayed aloud that I might be
spared to her--to her, a widow, whose only son I was.
As for the hiding place, that was arranged in a simple manner. Directly
over the kitchen was a loft which we used as a store-place for odds and
ends, and there I made for myself a bed where it was possible to hear
my mother as she moved to and fro.
For the first time since I had pledged myself to act as one of the
Minute Boys of Philadelphia, did I feel that I was no longer in danger
from those who served the king.
I believe I had thus remained in fancied security no more than one
hour, hugging myself mentally because of finding that my work as Minute
Boy was cast in such pleasant places so suddenly, and then came those
tidings which well-nigh caused my heart to stand still.
I heard the kitchen door open suddenly, and a hoarse voice ask
hurriedly:
“Are you alone, Mistress Salter? Are your lodgers in the house?”
“They have not been here since morning.”
“And Richard?”
“He is nearabout,” my mother replied guardedly.
Then it was that I recognized Baker Ludwig’s voice, as he said
sufficiently loud to be heard in my hiding place:
“God help us who love the Cause, and may God help the colonies! Much
that we in Philadelphia have done is known to General Howe, by what
means I cannot say. Within the hour Master Targe, landlord of the Jolly
Tar inn, has been arrested, and there was found in his house, hiding in
one of the back rooms, Jeremy Hapgood, who, as I know, was concerned
with your son and mine aiding the Weaver of Germantown in his work.”