THE “DECLARATION.”
It was useless for me to say anything against this project of
delivering the prisoners to the military authorities, even had I been
so disposed, for all my companions were set in favor of it; yet one had
no more right than another to say what should be done.
Therefore it was I held my peace, noting at the same time that Luther
was gazing at me fixedly from where he lay bound in much the same
fashion as the big Tory.
On the instant it flashed across my mind that the scoundrelly cur was
hoping I might oppose the proposition to hold him and his comrade
prisoners, for when I gave in to the plan a look both of anger and
disappointment overspread his face, and if anything had been needed
to convince me of the course we ought to pursue, this would have been
sufficient.
“Have it your own way,” I said, more as information to Luther Stedman
than because the words were needed. “The question is at what point we
had best land, and who shall go ashore to acquaint our people with what
has been done.”
“That is for you to do,” Sam replied quickly, thus showing that he had
settled the details in his own mind. “It would fall naturally to either
you or Abe, since I am not skillful in the art of wagging my tongue,
and if you will but take one look at Master Decker it can plainly
be seen that he is not in proper condition to show himself among
strangers.”
“It will be the worst day’s work you ever did, this delivering us up
to the Whigs!” Luther cried savagely. “Set us ashore, free and without
delay, and I promise to hold my peace concerning the afternoon’s work;
but so surely as you carry out that which has been agreed upon, so
certainly will every Royalist on our island lay it up against you as a
debt which shall be repaid soon, and with interest.”
“It is exceedingly kind of you, Master Stedman, to agree upon holding
your peace if we set you ashore,” Abel Grant said with a laugh of
derision. “I should be ashamed of these lads if they allowed such as
you to frighten them with threatenin’ words. So far as my part of the
debt is concerned, I will willingly pay it when you an’ hundreds of
your kidney put me in such a position that it is impossible to help
myself.”
If a look could have killed, then of a verity would Abel Grant have
died at that moment, for Luther shot at him a glance such as I have
never seen equaled for venom or hatred.
Abel had already turned the sloop’s bow shoreward, evidently counting
on striking the bulkhead at the foot of Market Street, and while one
might have counted twenty no member of our party spoke. Then it was the
big fellow who took it upon himself to conduct the conversation, and
he was more wise than Luther had been inasmuch as he began to cajole
instead of threaten us.
“It is easy to see that you four be lads of spirit; in fact, it would
seem much as if you had writ proof of it on my head. Now because we
would have used your sloop to our advantage, and not only failed in
the effort, but have been decidedly worsted, I am asking if it is the
part of brave fellows to carry the job so far as to deliver us to
those who, because we are in a different way of thinking, might so
twist that which has happened this afternoon as to make it much to our
disadvantage?”
“Do you count it as a joke to steal a boat in order to save from arrest
a man who had been plotting murder that he might deliver the town
up to the Britishers?” I asked sternly, and he, with such a show of
friendliness as would have deceived me had I not received good proof of
his enmity, said quietly:
“Because of the turmoil in the streets this day, you have come to fancy
that everything which takes place has some connection with what you
have heard about the pretended plot. In this case, however, are you
wronging a friend of yours and a friend of his country.”
“We are not minded to count Luther Stedman as a friend,” Abe
interrupted savagely, and the big Tory went on with a smile:
“Be that as it may; I will change the offending words so that they
shall stand ‘a neighbor of yours and his friend,’ and whatever there
may be of personal grievances between you and my comrade here, you
surely at such a time as this, when an innocent man may easily be
credited with doing wrong, would not work a wilful injury, else am
I mistaken in your faces. We who have been worsted in what I claim
to have been a fair fight, accepting the defeat in manly fashion,
ask that the matter may come to an end by our going quietly away
whithersoever we may.”
“But what about that debt Luther Stedman has spoken of?” Abel asked
fiercely.
“Merely idle words; he has not gotten over being hot because we were
worsted, and spoke without due heed.”
By this time the boat had run alongside the bulkhead at the foot of
Market Street, and I, not minded to continue a useless discussion with
enemies, leaped ashore.
It had been decided by my comrades that I should be the one to lay
information before General Putnam, and noting how useless any further
protest would be, I hastened away to acquit myself of the task that
we might the sooner return to Master Dyker’s dock, where perchance my
father might already be awaiting me.
It was not a simple matter to gain entrance to headquarters once I had
arrived opposite. The guard outside had been redoubled, probably since
the discovery of the Tory plot, and during ten minutes or more I argued
and coaxed in vain to be brought before General Putnam.
The soldiers, not believing a lad of my age could have important
business with the commander at such a time, refused even to listen
unless I was willing to explain all my purpose, and since this I
refused positively to do, it seemed much as though I might not succeed.
Very like I should have failed utterly, but for the fact that in the
very nick of time, when I was pleading most earnestly, Lieutenant
Winterbottom, one of the few Whigs on our island who had enlisted in
the American Army, came my way.
To him I appealed with such earnestness that he could not fail of
giving ear, and because of knowing that my father was one of the
staunchest Whigs on Wallabout bay, he was disposed to do whatsoever he
might.
“It is of the utmost importance that I have speech as soon as may be
with General Putnam, because of somethin’ which has happened within the
hour concernin’ Luther Stedman, whose father, as you well know, is that
Tory who has been tryin’ so long for an appointment in the Customs.
More than this I cannot say; but if you will conduct me to the general
then am I willin’ you should be present durin’ the interview.”
“I am thinking it would be General Putnam who’d say how many should
be present,” the lieutenant replied with a laugh; “but I will do
whatsoever may be, believing you would not have so spoken unless with
serious reason.”
Now I was afraid of having gone almost too far, for what Abel Grant and
my comrades thought was a “serious reason,” might not so appear to the
commander when my story was told; but I had gotten thus along on my
mission, and, as can well be supposed, was not minded to draw back at
the very moment when success seemed assured.
Therefore, but with a timorous fluttering of the heart lest I should
be accused of making a mountain out of a mole-hill, I followed the
lieutenant into the building, and that he had some influence there, low
though his rank in the army was, I understood by the fact that, within
less than ten minutes, I was standing before General Putnam hurriedly
telling, as nearly as was in my power, all that had taken place from
the time Luther Stedman and his friends came on board the Swiftsure.
[Illustration: “I WAS STANDING BEFORE GENERAL PUTNAM.”]
The story was not yet come to an end when, to my great relief, I saw
that General Putnam did not look upon it as a trifling matter, for his
face became unusually grave, and he asked several questions concerning
us three lads and our fathers.
While answering them, and without intending so to do, I let slip the
fact that Sam, Abe and I called ourselves “The Minute Boys of Long
Island,” and the words had no sooner escaped my lips than I expected to
see the general burst into a hearty laugh because of our folly. Instead
of making sport, however, and very greatly to my surprise, he said in a
tone as kindly and familiar as though he was speaking to his equal:
“You lads have done well in forming such an organization, even though
it number but three. The Cause has need of every arm, and lads of your
age, if that which is probable comes to pass, may be of great service.
I shall remember you, Master Lyttle, and it may be will call for
assistance such as boys can give better than men. And now as to your
prisoners: You have done a service this day, such perhaps as your Tory
neighbors may strive to repay in a disagreeable manner.” Then, turning
to Lieutenant Winterbottom, who had remained nearby throughout the
interview, he added, “Take with you half a dozen men, for that number
may be needed while there are so many people abroad, and go with this
lad. Bring back the prisoners he has on board his vessel, and see to it
that they have no speech with anyone until you have arrived.”
Very proud did I feel while marching by the side of the lieutenant at
the head of a squad of soldiers, for verily was I suddenly become of
importance, in my own mind at least; but before having gotten very far
on the way the officer checked in a great measure the feelings of pride
which were springing up in my heart, by saying with a laugh which had
very little in it of mirth:
“I am thinking, Ephraim Lyttle, that in thus striving to work good
to the Cause, you are breeding a large sore for yourselves. I know
Luther’s father, and will give him credit, if any can be attached, for
being a vengeful man--one who is not likely to pass by a lad who has
done him and his such an ill turn as this may prove. There are not many
Whigs on that island of yours, and unless the revelations of this day
have sobered the Tories somewhat, Wallabout bay may soon be all too
small for your comfort.”
“That same thought has already come into my mind, sir, and yet if my
father had known of what has taken place this afternoon, I believe he
would have commanded me to do exactly as has been done.”
“Of that there can be no question, for Master Lyttle is a staunch
friend to the Cause, and counts not the cost when aught of good may be
performed. Shall you go home this evening?”
“That is as my father shall say; he expects to find the sloop at Master
Dyker’s dock.”
“I believe I know your vessel from having seen Samuel Garratt in her
at the Albany Pier. She is a craft on which you could live without
discomfort, and I would have you say this to your father, although
mayhap he will not care to take advice from a man so much younger than
himself. Nevertheless it can do no harm to repeat the words: It would
be better if you three lads cruised about, keeping well to the New York
side for the next week or two, until the excitement concerning this
plot has died out somewhat.”
I would have been a stupid not to have understood what he meant, but
after promising to speak to my father as he proposed, I held my peace,
and nothing more was said until we arrived at the foot of Market Street.
I had fancied that when he was taken away by the guard Luther Stedman
would have said very much that was disagreeable and threatening; but
greatly to my surprise he remained silent. His eyes spoke, however,
as did those of his companion, and in them I read as plainly as words
could have told me, that if ever the time came when they might make
reprisals, I would be called upon to pay the debt.
“The sloop seems the cleaner for bein’ rid of them,” Abel Grant said in
a tone of relief when we had watched the prisoners, surrounded by the
soldiers in such a manner that it would have been impossible for them
to hold any communication with the idlers on the street, march away
until they were lost to view in the distance.
“I cannot say whether we have truly been of benefit to the Cause
this day,” Sam added thoughtfully, and, as I believed then, a trifle
nervously; “but it seems that this much is certain: We have so turned
matters that it becomes necessary to hold together as Minute Boys,
gettin’ as many recruits as possible, for from now on the hand of every
Long Island Tory will be against us.”
“That is much as Lieutenant Winterbottom believes,” I replied, and then
told what message he had sent my father, whereupon Abe cried grimly:
“He is in the right so far as concerns our stayin’ aboard the sloop;
but in the wrong if he fancies one or two weeks will work any change in
the situation. Unless General Washington succeeds in gainin’ possession
of all the country roundabout, an’ can successfully oppose the British
forces who would come near here, then are our lives in anythin’ but
pleasant places, an’ it seems to me much as if Abel Grant was in the
same box with us.”
“Ay, lad, that he is,” Abel replied, “an’ yet a trifle too old to be
called a Minute Boy! I’m thinking I had best apply for the position of
admiral, using this ’ere craft as my flag-ship, an’ allowin’ that the
Minute Boys of Long Island have not only got an army, but a fleet.”
Although Abel spoke in jest, there was to me much in the idea that
might be of advantage in case, as General Putnam had so kindly
suggested, there should be work for us to do. Such a craft as ours
would not only make for us a convenient headquarters, but serve
as means of transport in event of our having journeys to perform.
Therefore it was that I did not join my comrades in the laugh which
followed Abel’s speech, and Sam said jestingly:
“Perhaps Ephraim would not be willin’ to admit an admiral into the
organization, thinkin’ that he ought to hold that position as well as
the office of commander-in-chief.”
Had another lad thus spoken I might have thought there was somewhat of
malice in the words; but I knew Samuel Garratt too well to credit him
with anything of the kind, and replied in much the same tone he had
used:
“Considerin’ the fact that the Minute Boys of Long Island haven’t even
a captain, it strikes me that we are goin’ a little fast to count on
such officers as commander-in-chief and admiral.”
Whereupon Abel said in genuine surprise:
“I had an idea that when you boys made yourselves up into a regiment of
Minute Boys, Ephraim Lyttle was the commander.”
“And so he is,” Abraham and Sam replied emphatically, and, regardless
of all I could say they would not have it otherwise, both stoutly
declaring that it was in their minds from the start that I was to be
the leader.
Now I myself had not been so vain as to believe my comrades would trust
in me to such an extent; but I should be setting down a falsehood
if I said that such a token of confidence did not please me, for if
we should come to do half of that which had been in my mind when we
proposed to call ourselves Minute Boys, then had these comrades of mine
much the same as put their lives into my keeping, and that you must
allow is no slight evidence of faith in another’s ability.
“If I am to be the leader,” and I spoke jestingly, although my heart
was full of gratitude to my comrades, “then my first order shall be
that we get under way, for I can see no profit in loiterin’ here after
the prisoners have been landed, an’ much of possible danger, if it
should be noised around that we gave up two Tories to an officer of
the American Army.”
“That is good sound commonsense,” Abel said approvingly, as he hoisted
the mainsail, “an’ if the general of this ’ere army don’t get any
further astray in the rest of the orders he gives, I for one will be
willin’ to follow as well as obey him.”
Abel took the helm when we were headed for Master Dyker’s dock once
more, and I noticed that in tacking he was careful not to venture very
near the shore, more particularly when we were standing toward the
battery, where was a dense throng of men who appeared even more excited
than when I was among them.
“It is just as well to give them a wide berth,” the “admiral” said when
I laughingly accused him of being afraid of those on the shore. “I am
not allowin’ that that precious Luther an’ the Tory he had with him has
been able to spread the news as yet, seein’s how young Winterbottom is
too good a soldier to let them talk overly much with outsiders while
marchin’ up to headquarters; but others besides them were in the scheme
of stealin’ the sloop, an’ may be able to understand what has happened
as well as if it had been written down plain for ’em, so we won’t be
overly eager to rub noses with any save those whom we know right well.”
We got to Master Dyker’s dock just in the nick of time, for as the
sloop was hauled in to the string-piece Abe’s father and mine came in
sight, and Master Decker, being in advance, jumped on board as he said
hurriedly:
“Now then, lads, get under way as soon as may be, for we are in haste
to reach Wallabout bay.”
Without thinking particularly of what had just happened, I was for
obeying this order without delay; but Abel Grant checked me by saying
gravely to my father:
“I am thinkin’, Master Lyttle, that you had best hear what has been
done in your absence before sendin’ these lads back to the island,” and
then without waiting for questions, Abel gave a detailed account of our
adventures during the afternoon, concluding by repeating the advice
which Lieutenant Winterbottom had given.
If I had any doubts as to whether my father might consider the matter
serious, they would have been dispelled when I saw his face while Abel
was telling the story. He showed the utmost concern, and, after the
tale was done, said slowly and thoughtfully:
“I believe the lieutenant to be in the right. The island is no place
for you lads after what has been done, and yet the question is where
can you spend such time as may elapse before our forces have either
driven out the Tories, or frightened them into submission?”
“This sloop of ours is comfortable enough for lads who count on bein’
Minute Boys,” Sam suggested, and Abraham’s father said:
“If General Putnam had not spoken so seriously regarding the Minute
Boy business, I might be inclined to laugh at it; but if such an able
general and true American as Israel Putnam thinks you lads can be of
service, then it behooves me to hold my peace. As for living aboard
the sloop, I see no reason why it might not be done without hardship.
You need not put to sea; but by running up to the bulkhead at Oliver
Street, nearby where live some good friends of mine, I believe you
would be reasonably safe, and there it would be possible for us to get
word to you at any time. However, if Master Lyttle shall agree with
me that that is the better course, there is nothing to prevent your
carrying us across to the island, so that you do not go ashore!”
In this my father was agreed, and as soon as might be we were on our
way, standing directly across, I in the meanwhile wondering how we
might fare for food, being thus thrown on our own resources, until
Master Decker, taking some money from his pocket, said to my father:
“We will give them enough of silver to provide all hands with food for
two or three days, and before more is needed either you or I will have
seen them again.”
It is not well that I should spend overly much time in telling all the
trifles concerning our lives which had no direct bearing upon what we
would do for the Cause, therefore it is I shall say that we landed
Master Decker and my father on the shore of Wallabout bay, and came
back to where it was proposed we should find anchorage, shortly after
dark.
Sam took upon himself the duties of cook, and we gave him the money
with which to buy provisions, paying but little heed to the possibility
that some of the Tories might seek us out even on that first night
after we had made prisoners of Luther and his companion.
Very jolly it was living aboard the sloop, with plenty to eat, and
going ashore whenever fancy dictated. We spent two idle days, remaining
the greater portion of the time in the cabin or on the deck, and then
came the morning when it was told everywhere in the town that Thomas
Hickey, he of General Washington’s guard who had turned traitor and
joined Tryon’s plot, was to be hanged on the Common for his crime,
he having had a fair trial before the military court, and been found
guilty beyond a possible doubt.
Abel Grant was the only member of our party who cared to witness the
execution, and I venture to say that there were few lads in New York
who remained absent from the horrid spectacle. We felt no doubt but
that the fellow richly deserved death, and yet neither of us had the
heart to see a human being put to death in such a cold-blooded, even
though legal, manner.
Abel jeered at us, declaring that our blood was not as thick as should
be the blood of Minute Boys, else we would not be so chicken-hearted,
and, having seen the misguided man sent into Eternity, was eager on his
return to tell us of the horrible details; but we refused to listen. I
was sick at heart, fearing lest Luther Stedman might have been so far
guilty as to merit a like punishment. I believe it would have haunted
me all the days of my life, had I had a hand in carrying a lad to the
gallows.
The days passed on, and we remained anchored off Oliver Street,
apparently forgotten by every one save Master Decker and my father,
who came from time to time to make certain we were needing nothing and
remained in good health.
More than once before the 9th day of July did I insist that we might
safely return to our homes; but father and Master Decker both insisted
that we were to stay yet longer on the New York side, for it was noised
about among our Tory neighbors that we had sent Luther Stedman to
headquarters as prisoner.
Abraham stoutly claimed that it would be better for us to take some
chances, rather than remain idling our time away to no purpose, and
declared that I had either dreamed the words which I quoted as coming
from General Putnam, or else that officer had entirely forgotten us.
However, Abel Grant and Sam were convinced that we could do no better
than remain in partial hiding, and so we did, until it was told on
the streets one night that Congress had adopted a Declaration of
Independence which would be read on the Common next day by General
Washington, and then, as Abraham said, we were right glad at being on
the spot where we would have plenty of opportunity to see all that
might be going on.
And before the day was come to an end we saw very much that must have
disheartened the Tories, and certainly did put new life into us Whigs.
Within the limits of the story which I propose to tell, there is not
time for me to go into any details as to what our company said or did
during that 9th day of July when it was as if all New York was burning
with the flame of liberty, and therefore shall I content myself with
simply setting down what we saw, for after that time adventures came
thick and fast until more than once we had a glut of them.
It was a fine show which the citizens made as they marched toward the
Common to hear the reading of the Declaration which we firmly hoped
would some day be believed in by all the people of the colonies.
A regular festival with processions, and banners, and music of fifes
and drums, and the huzzas of the people, and the shouting of boys, and
joyous cries of girls and women, until one would have said that already
had we thrown off that yoke which the king would fasten yet more firmly
around our necks.
Marching in brave array was a company of sailors led by that Captain
Bevan who had command of the Privateer brig Clinton when she captured
the French ship La Pomme, and it was as if every one of those seamen
was heart and soul a Whig.
Then came the Sons of Liberty, with banners on which were painted
“Resistance to tyrants,” “All men are created equal,” “George III is
unfit to be the ruler of the free people,” “A Tory is a thing whose
head is in England, its body in America, and whose neck ought to be
stretched.”
After this was a procession of men and women from the markets; then
double-files of citizens, and all this throng had hardly more than
formed themselves in orderly array around the Common, when the sound of
martial music told that the soldiers were coming.
It was a surprise to me to see so many men in uniform, and I could not
force myself to believe that the Britishers might come against us in
greater number. They marched in on the Common from every quarter, as it
seemed to me, until that place was densely covered with human beings,
and in the very center of them, a hollow square, within which sat
General Washington and his aides on horseback.
I did not hear the commander-in-chief read the Declaration, because of
not being near enough; but shouts from those who were within range of
his voice told that the sentiments contained therein were much to their
liking, and if there was any Tory among that multitude he had not the
courage to raise his head so it might be seen, for I heard neither hiss
nor dissenting voice during all the exercise.
When the troops departed we of the sloop were well content to return to
her, not because of being afraid that we might meet any who would do us
harm, for on that day the Tories had little spirit; but in the belief
that our parents might pay us a visit, and yet we did not go.
Just as we were about starting it was noised around among the multitude
of people that the statue of the king which stood on Bowling Green, was
to be pulled down, and all the unfortunates confined in the prisons for
debt were to be released.
It was such a show as we could not well afford to miss seeing, and I
would have taken more chances than I believe we then ran, rather than
have absented myself voluntarily.
And a wild scene it was when night had come. I question whether there
will ever again be in New York such enthusiasm and such a spectacle as
we saw after the sun had set. Long ropes were fastened to different
parts of the king’s effigy, and men and boys tailed on to them,
pulling, and shouting, and screaming until the leaden image tumbled
headlong to the ground, raising a cloud of dust like as if a dozen
cannons had been discharged at the same moment.
It was as if all those people had lost their senses with the downfall
of the statue--as if they believed that by overthrowing the leaden
image they had overthrown the king in America, and a wilder scene I
never expect to witness. However great my curiosity to see what might
be the outcome of it all, for I fancied the revelers were in such a
frenzy that this one act would not satisfy them, I was minded to go
back to the sloop, and was saying as much to my companions when some
one touched me on the shoulder from behind.
Turning I saw Lieutenant Winterbottom, who said in a low tone, as if
not caring to be overheard by those near at hand:
“Do you lads from the island still hold yourselves as Minute Boys?”
“Ay, sir, that we do, an’ shall so long as we live; but thus far it
is simply the matter of a name, for we have had no opportunity of
showin’ what we might do. No one is needin’ our services. We have, in
accordance with your advice, been livin’ aboard the sloop on this side
the harbor; but what may only three lads do for the Cause?”
“Very much, Ephraim Lyttle, if they be so disposed, and are
stout-hearted.”
He spoke in such a meaning tone that straightway I took fire, believing
there was more in his words than as yet appeared, and wheeling upon him
suddenly, I cried hoarsely:
“Do you know of aught we may accomplish that would be of benefit to the
Cause?”
“As for myself, no; but there are others who do, and if you are minded
for a bit of work which is as dangerous as it may be hard, I can show
you the road.”
“Where? How?” Abraham cried so loud that Lieutenant Winterbottom
motioned for him to be more cautious in his speech, and then replied
in a whisper:
“One of you, whosoever is chosen as leader, may come to General
Putnam’s headquarters to-morrow morning at eight o’clock exactly. I
will be there on the lookout, and lead him directly to the general
himself, who has a word to say that may be in accord with your desires.”
Having said this, Lieutenant Winterbottom wheeled about and made his
way through the throng as rapidly as possible, leaving us three lads
and Abel Grant staring open-mouthed at each other, unable to so much as
speak one word.