DETECTED.
Of the parting with my mother the least said the better for my own
peace of mind. As a matter of course she insisted on knowing where I
was going, and for what purpose, after which she gave way to grief as
if I was on the road to certain death, and this although I did my best
to persuade her that the danger was so slight as not to be worthy of
consideration.
Abe and Sam had both taken advantage of the opportunity to run home for
a moment, and when we were together again I had no need to be ashamed
of the redness of my eyes, for theirs were much like mine.
We walked rapidly and in silence, neither caring to indulge in
conversation until the sadness caused by parting from the dear ones had
worn away somewhat, and it goes without saying that we took the most
direct course for Gowanus bay, striking across country, rather than
traveling by the highways where we might be seen by some of our Tory
neighbors.
A full hour passed before a word was said, and then Abe recalled to my
mind that I was not fit to hold myself as leader of Minute Boys, even
though my force numbered only three.
“We have forgotten to bring away any provisions, an’ if two are to
remain on duty while the third goes back with whatsoever of a report we
may have to make, some of us stand a good chance of bein’ hungry before
seein’ Wallabout bay again.”
I came to a full stop, believing it was absolutely necessary we retrace
our steps in order to atone for the neglect; but Sam would not listen
to anything of the kind.
“It is near noon already, an’ if we go back there’ll be little hope
of our seein’ the British fleet this day. To go around by Master
Onderdonk’s, whom we know is a true friend to the Cause, will not take
us out of the direct course more than a quarter-mile, an’ there we can
get what will stay our stomachs until the return of him who goes to New
York first.”
This was good advice, for, as I have said, we had walked a full hour
before discovering our oversight, and, as a matter of course, twice
that length of time would be wasted if we went back at once.
Therefore it was we struck out for the highway, being forced to do so
in order to reach Master Onderdonk’s; but we met no one, either Whig or
Tory, and, therefore, no great harm was done, save as we lost that much
time which might have been saved if I had had my wits about me.
The good man was at home, much to our satisfaction, and when we
explained that we had been set a task by General Putnam, and told how
it chanced we had set off without provisions, he would have loaded us
down like beasts, so eager was he to do that which might further the
Cause.
Because it seemed as if time was precious, we did not remain at Master
Onderdonk’s any longer than was absolutely necessary; but on coming out
on the highway once more, in order to strike across the country again,
whom should we see but Luther Stedman’s father astride his gray mare,
riding toward his home from the direction of Gowanus bay.
The old Tory eyed us sharply as he passed at a jog trot, but spoke
never a word, and when he was beyond earshot Sam said ruefully:
“It is bad luck to meet such as he when we are settin’ out on a task
like this! He has most likely been to give some information to the
Britishers concernin’ our people, an’ now, havin’ seen us, will spread
the fact of our headin’ for the Narrows.”
“Well, an’ how much will that advantage the old Tory?” Abe asked
disdainfully. “Haven’t we the right to travel over the same road he
does?”
“Ay, but it is not of any advantage to our mission that it be known by
such as he.”
“I’m allowin’ it won’t make one hair white or black in the long run,”
Abe replied carelessly, and then he fell to speculating as to what the
Britshers would do if they came to know Seth Hartley was on board the
sloop, claiming to be bound by his parole.
“I reckon we’d find ourselves in trouble, if the red-coats came up this
way,” I replied with an inward quaking. “If it was believed we really
held him prisoner, his comrades would do what they might to set him
free; and in case it was suspected that he staid of his own free will,
then would the officers seek him out as a deserter. In either event,
we’d be in hot water.”
“There’s no need of crossin’ bridges till we come to them,” Abe
interrupted irritably. “We can find trouble enough by lookin’ forward
to what’s in hand, without runnin’ around to hunt for it.”
After that the conversation lagged again, and very little was said
among us until we were finally come to where it was possible to have
a full view of all the king’s ships at anchor, and verily it seemed
as if the Narrows and bay were entirely filled by them. We could see
everywhere on the opposite shore the white tents of the army, until
it was as if the island was completely covered by them, and I said to
myself that our people could not hope to hold out very long, however
desperately and bravely they might fight, against such an array of
disciplined and well-armed men.
Boats were passing from the ships to the shore, some carrying men, and
others deeply laden as if with ammunition. On the decks of the vessels
every one appeared to be busily engaged with this task or that, and
there could be no question about General Howe’s making ready to strike
a heavy blow.
“Can you make out what is bein’ done?” I asked of my comrades after we
had gazed at the thrilling scene a full ten minutes in silence.
“It would be hard to tell what they wasn’t doin’,” Sam replied with a
mirthless laugh. “Say, doesn’t it look as if there were more vessels
than when we sailed down the bay?”
“Sure; you yourself told us that Admiral Howe’s fleet had come in while
we were makin’ the voyage around Long Island,” Abe replied grimly.
“I wonder if General Putnam would like to know exactly how many are
anchored off here?”
“Unless we could tell him how many of the ships were armed, I don’t
fancy the information would be very valuable,” was my answer, as if
I knew it all, although I was such a poor leader as to have forgotten
that we would need provisions during our time of spying. “The question
is what there is to be seen of which he would want to know,” and again
I gazed around, vainly trying to hit upon some one thing of importance.
It was Sam who finally hit upon that which seemed to have a decided
meaning outside the general bustle and apparent confusion.
“Look at the ship-buildin’ that’s goin’ on over there!” he cried,
pointing straight across from where we crouched on the high bank. “They
are makin’ a lot of big scows as if their fleet wasn’t large enough
already!”
We had no difficulty in distinguishing that which he pointed out. I
could see no less than a dozen huge craft made of roughly hewn logs, on
which soldiers were yet working, and I wondered greatly what could be
the meaning of such work until Abe suddenly cried:
“They are gettin’ ready to cross the Narrows, an’ the scows are to
transport the men an’ heavy guns! It must be they count on landin’
hereabouts! I reckon we’ve got somethin’ to tell General Putnam now!”
“But it stands to reason he knows it already,” Sam objected. “Our
people at Red Hook can see what is goin’ on, as well as we.”
“We are to make a report every night,” I interrupted, “an’ if one is to
be made ’twixt now an’ sunrise, it seems as though it should be about
the scows, for I can see nothin’ else that would be of interest.”
“But if he knows about them already?”
“It is not for us to guess what he may know; but simply to tell him
what we have seen. He said there were others nearabout on the same
errand as ours, an’ I reckon he wants to hear from three or four, in
order to make certain that the information is correct. Let’s take due
heed as to what is bein’ done there, an’ then make ready to go back to
New York.”
“Who is to act as messenger this time?” Sam asked just a trifle
impatiently, and I replied laughingly:
“I reckon we’ll have to draw lots again.”
“It isn’t fair to make me do that twice runnin’. I was chosen the last
time, an’ it seems as if you an’ Abe ought to take your chances.”
“So we will,” I said, determined that there should be no ill-feeling
among us Minute Boys if I could prevent it. “You prepare the twigs, an’
we’ll soon settle who shall go.”
Abraham made no objection to this proposition, and soon Sam was ready.
I took first choice, my comrade insisting it should be so, and there
was left in Sam’s hand the shortest twig for him.
“All right, I’ll toddle back, leavin’ you fellows here to have a good
snooze, for of course you can’t do any spyin’ in the night,” he said
cheerily. “Let all three of us see what we can make out, an’ after the
sum of it has been put together, I’ll set off. When am I to come back?”
“The general or Lieutenant Winterbottom will tell you as to that,” I
replied, mentally blessing the good fortune which saved me from a long
tramp across the island, with the chances of being gobbled up by some
of the Tories who might be prowling around in search of a Whig.
When each of us had searched the opposite shore carefully with our
eyes, we told Abe what we had seen that appeared to be of the most
importance, and this, together with what he himself had observed, made
up the information, slight though it was, which he was to carry to the
commander.
It seemed much like a clear waste of labor to make the journey to New
York simply to repeat what we had seen, for there could be no question
but it was already known to our people that the Britishers were
building scows; the order had been given, however, and it was for us to
obey rather than question it.
It was agreed that Abraham should retrace his steps over very nearly
the same course we had just come, when, beyond a question, he would
find the “admiral” and his “crew” on the lookout.
Then would come the cruise to New York, and the making of the return
voyage. If nothing occurred to cause delay, and there was a sailing
breeze, we allowed that Abraham should be back in Wallabout bay by
daylight.
We could not expect him to arrive before noon on the morrow, and it
might well happen, even though no danger threatened, that we should not
see him for a full twenty-four hours. Fortunately, however, the time
of his return was of but little moment, providing no especial danger
threatened, and we agreed that if when the sun set again he had not
come, I would take my turn at carrying the report, trusting to the
chances of meeting him on the way.
He did not take any portion of the food which Master Onderdonk had so
generously supplied, because of there being stores in plenty when once
he was on board the sloop; but set off in light marching order, and
with a cheery word on his lips.
There was no reason whatsoever why I should feel concerned about him,
and yet strange to say, my heart was heavy with the sense of impending
evil when he vanished amid the gloom, leaving Sam and me to remain
where was no possibility we might accomplish anything until the sun had
arisen again.
“It is only a question of a long tramp,” my comrade said when we two
were alone, as if he like myself had some forebodings as to the future.
“There isn’t one chance in an hundred that he will meet with any Tories
in the night, if he follows the course by which we came, an’ we have no
reason to feel anxious concerning him.”
“Then let’s drop the subject,” I said a trifle irritably, for the
suspicion that Sam was thinking of possible evil in Abraham’s path made
me exceeding nervous. “We have nothin’ to do betwixt now an’ mornin’,
save sleep, an’ I’m thinking we’d best get about the job.”
There was little need for us to make any preparations for the night.
A bed out of doors while the weather was so hot would afford more of
comfort than one in a house, and we made ready for slumber by simply
searching for a smooth, level place whereon we could stretch our limbs
at full length.
It was while we were thus engaged that I fancied it possible to hear
the hoof-beats of a horse on the highway, which at this point passed
within less than an hundred yards of the shore, and, motioning Sam to
remain silent, we stood listening two or three moments without hearing
anything, when I came to believe that my ears had deceived me.
“What was it?” Sam asked anxiously.
“Nothin’, else we would have heard somethin’ more by this time,” and I
told him of what I fancied came to my ears.
“You may set it down as a fact that there is no one stirrin’ nearabout
here unless he have business with the British fleet, an’ that could
best be attended to in the daylight,” Sam replied carelessly, as he
laid himself down to sleep.
The spot which we had selected was just within a sparse clump of fir
bushes, which would serve to break the wind and screen us from view
of all save a careful scrutiny. As a matter of course it was open on
the water side, affording an unobstructed view of Long Island, and
when we were stretched out at full length upon the ground, it was
possible to see the riding lights of the vessels, the camp-fires, and
the numberless lanterns which marked the location of the temporary
shipyard, telling us plainly that the work of preparing the scows was
being pushed forward with all possible speed, since men were laboring
by night as well as by day.
Neither Sam nor I were inclined for conversation, nor did slumber visit
our eyelids, and when we had laid there motionless for ten minutes
or more, I heard what was like stealthy footsteps near at hand. That
the same sound had come to Sam’s ears I knew when, without changing
position, he clutched my arm to attract attention, and as if with one
accord we two rose to a sitting posture.
That a human being was approaching there could be no question, and
it seemed equally certain search was being made for somebody or some
particular spot, while every precaution was being taken against
detection. Had I been a fit leader for our little party of Minute Boys,
I would have remembered our meeting with Master Stedman, when he eyed
us so closely without speaking, and have put this fact with that which
came to our ears, in such a manner that the whole situation must have
been made plain.
As it was, however, the thought came into my mind that some one was
coming up thus cautiously in order to spy upon the doings of the
Britishers, and, therefore, believing the newcomer to be a friend, I
was all unprepared for that which we saw a moment later.
The night was not so dark but that we could distinguish quite clearly
objects close at hand, and when the bushes were drawn apart with a
cautious hand we saw the face of Luther Stedman looking down upon us.
Recognition on both sides came at the same instant, and as he suddenly
drew back with a gesture of disappointment, Sam and I sprang to our
feet, both believing it was absolutely necessary for our own safety
that he be prevented from leaving the spot.
As a matter of course we were unarmed, and it was only likely to
suppose if, as seemed to be the case, the sneak had been searching
for us, he was prepared for an encounter; but we gave no heed to such
possible fact, the only thought in our minds being that we must prevent
him from escaping.
Our eagerness to protect ourselves was more than a match for his thirst
to be revenged, and he had not taken above a dozen steps in flight
before we were upon him.
The cur turned at bay, finding that it would be impossible to give us
the slip, and at the same time shouted at the full strength of his
lungs:
“Bear a hand lively, Ezra! The rebels are upon me!”
While uttering this appeal for help he aimed a blow at me, and I caught
it full on the cheek with a sting that came near to dazing me for the
instant; but, fortunately, at the same instant he struck out Sam gave
him one directly under the jaw, felling him to the earth in a twinkling.
“Hold him there!” I shouted. “Here comes the other cur!” and I darted
forward to gain the shelter of a bush, hoping the newcomer might not
see me until I had had time to receive him properly.
In this I was only partially successful, for the second Tory saw me at
the very instant he was pushing swiftly through the light screen of
foliage, and leaped upon my shoulders like a cat.
It goes without saying that we both came to the earth, where we rolled
over and over striving unsuccessfully to get a grip on each other’s
throats, and all the while Luther was screaming for help at the full
strength of his lungs.
My antagonist was no sooner upon me than I recognized him as that Ezra
Billings who lived near to Red Hook with his uncle, as rabid an old
Tory as ever went unhung. The lad was a good twenty pounds the heavier,
had often boasted of his ability to down me in a rough and tumble
fight, and verily now was come the time when he had an opportunity to
make his words good.
Understanding that I must gain a speedy advantage if I counted on
coming off best, it can well be fancied how desperately I struggled;
but he was too much for me, particularly after getting a grip on my
throat which I could not shake off, and then it seemed as if death
stood very near at hand. I could no longer breathe; there came into my
head a buzzing as if a dozen mill-wheels were running at full speed,
and the strength left my arms. I believed myself to be dying; I was
dimly conscious of a crackling sound, and all became a blank.
When I returned to consciousness, which must have been very shortly
after having been deprived of it, my arms were tied behind my back;
I was lying near the bushes, and a dozen paces away two figures were
bending over a prostrate body.
If my life had depended upon it I could not have repressed the groan
which escaped my lips on thus understanding that Sam and I had been
worsted in the fight. We had outwitted the entire British fleet only to
come to grief at the hands of two rascally Tories whom we should have
downed with but little trouble! The career of the Minute Boys had been
cut short very quickly, and in a manner to cause them shame.
As I understood an instant later, Luther and Ezra were binding Sam when
I saw them bending over him, for they soon stood erect, the work having
been finished, and, seeing that I was aware of what was going on, that
Stedman cur said in a tone of reproach:
“So your race is run at last, Ephraim Lyttle! You had the advantage of
me once; but it was short-lived, an’ now my turn has come to give you a
dose!”
There was anger instead of sorrow in my heart as he spoke, and I
cried with no little satisfaction:
“I got the best of you twice, you cowardly Tory, an’ shall live to give
you another taste of the same medicine; but it will have a more lastin’
effect. You counted that the Britishers had paid off your score; but
more than one fleet was needed to hold us!”
[Illustration: “‘I’M ALLOWIN’ THAT A SINGLE VESSEL ... WILL DO THE
TRICK THIS TIME.’”]
“I’m allowin’ that a single vessel, an’ a mighty small one at that,
will do the trick this time,” he replied with a menacing gesture which
caused me to believe he counted on striking one who could not defend
himself, and most like he would have done so but that Ezra Billings
caught him by the arm, at the same time whispering in his ear.
“Don’t be afraid that I’ll make a fool of myself!” he cried
impatiently, throwing off Ezra’s hand. “I understand that he belongs
aboard the frigate, an’ by daybreak to-morrow the scoundrelly Whig
shall be where he can’t slip away in the fog!”
My heart sank within me as he spoke. It was impossible any of our
friends would come that way before daylight, and he could readily put
us aboard a British vessel where would be no chance of escape. The
only wonder in my mind was that he did not set about the task at once,
instead of waiting until morning. Afterward I came to know that the
Tories of Long and Staten Islands had received most peremptory orders
not to make any attempt at going within the British encampment or among
the fleet during the hours of darkness, unless they brought information
of the most vital importance.
It was useless to bandy words with the villain, because, while we were
helpless and in his power, he would get too much satisfaction from an
exchange of threats, and I held my peace while he told of all that he
would do once we were confined in the prison of the frigate from which
we had escaped.
“After we’ve left you safe in the hands of our friends, where you’ll
have a chance to think over your sins against the king, an’ won’t grow
overly fat on bread an’ water, we’ll set about cuttin’ the claws of
that idiot who trains in your company--Abel Grant, an’ by this time
to-morrow we’ll have possession of your sloop. I allow Ezra an’ I can
make better use of her than you have,” Luther said tauntingly, as
he stood over me with hand upraised to shut off my wind if I should
venture to speak, and Sam cried stoutly:
“Don’t count on too many chickens at one time, you sneakin’ Tory!
It will do Abel Grant’s heart good to have a whack at you, an’ I’m
thinkin’ our sloop won’t advantage you much, save when you’re carried
to New York in her to answer for what has been done this night!”
Luther turned as if he had suddenly been stung, and I said, raising my
voice for Sam’s benefit:
“Let him wag his tongue for a while, lad; it isn’t harmin’ us, an’
comes more natural than to stand up in a fair fight like a man. It’s a
long lane which has no turn, an’ he can count to a dead certainty that
our day will come.”
“It will be a good many years hence, Ephraim Lyttle, for once you’re
safely housed on one of the king’s ships, there’s small chance of your
goin’ free in a hurry.”
I winced under the words, knowing only too well that they were true.
Already had the officers of a certain frigate in the king’s fleet cause
to feel sore against us because we had pulled the wool so completely
over their eyes, and even though that trick had not been played, the
son of so well known a Whig as my father, would not soon be set at
liberty. Once aboard the British vessel we could count on staying
there, or in some other prison, for many a day, unless by a lucky
chance our people might come off the victors in the struggle, and just
then so happy a conclusion did not appear probable.
It had never been in my mind that Ezra Billings possessed overly much
sound common sense, but on this night he showed himself the superior of
Luther in that respect, for I heard him say in a low tone, leading his
Tory friend aside as if to speak secretly:
“I’m of the idea that we had better not waste any time in crowin’ over
what we’ve done, an’ it’ll be better that we make our preparations for
the visit to the fleet as soon as day breaks. There’s no tellin’ when
the friends of these fellows may show themselves. Remember that your
father said there were three, an’ we’ve found only two.”
I could see even in the gloom that Luther was startled by the
suggestion that there might be others of our company near at hand, for
he stepped outside the fringe of bushes to look eagerly around, and no
longer showed any very keen desire to taunt us.
After a whispered conversation which we could not overhear, I saw Ezra
Billings start off in the direction of the highway, and Luther began
pacing to and fro where he might see us and at the same time make
certain no one could approach from the road without being observed by
him.
The bushes hid him ever so slightly from our view, and, taking
advantage of this fact, Sam began rolling over and over on the ground
until he was close beside me, when he whispered softly:
“Think you there is any chance Abe may get back before these curs are
ready to take us to the fleet?”
“None whatever, lad,” I replied despondently. “He could hardly go from
here to Wallabout an’ back without stoppin’, ’twixt now an’ sunrise.
Even with a good wind, an’ nothin’ to hinder him in the way, I fail to
see how he might get here until after we’ve been a good twelve hours in
the frigate’s prison.”
“I’m not certain that death wouldn’t be more easy than a prisoner’s
life!” the lad said bitterly, and for the instant I could think of no
cheering word, for the gloom in my own heart was very thick just then.
Suddenly came a ray of light, very faint, but sufficient to set my
heart bounding violently.
“With what are your hands bound?” I whispered ever so gently, keeping
my eyes fixed on Luther to make certain he had no suspicion that we
were holding converse one with another.
“A rope, I believe, which Ezra Billings was wearin’ in the stead of a
belt.”
“Turn on your face. There is just a chance I might loosen it with my
teeth.”
Sam obeyed, but I could understand from the sluggishness of his
movements that he had little faith in my ability to accomplish anything
in such a manner.
It was indeed a rope less than half an inch thick, as I found once
I had set my teeth into it, and, faint though my hope was, I went
feverishly to work, spurred to do that which at another time might have
been impossible, by the picture of the prison aboard the frigate, which
stood out clear and ominous in my mind.
Within five minutes I learned that nothing could be effected by trying
to untie the knot with my teeth, and then I raised my head to see what
Luther might be doing. He still remained on guard, and as I gazed at
the cur Sam whispered:
“I thought you couldn’t do it. Turn around; perhaps I may have better
luck.”
“Wait until I have done tryin’. The knot can’t be untied, but my teeth
are good, an’ if Ezra Billings don’t come back too soon, I may be able
to chew it apart.”
Verily it seemed a hopeless task to thus sever the stout bonds; but
if it could be done our prison doors would not be open so wide, and I
worked as never before, hardly ceasing to draw a long breath, or to
give any heed as to what Luther might be doing.
Let him who thinks my task a simple one, himself try the experience of
cutting a manila rope with his teeth, and he will soon understand that
nothing save sheer desperation could have kept me at the apparently
hopeless task.
The blood bounded violently through my veins when, by the sense of
touch, I knew a single strand had been cut, and I stopped sufficiently
long to whisper to Sam at the same time that I took another look at
Luther:
“It ain’t impossible, lad; but is only a question of time. If Ezra
will stay away half an hour longer I’ll have you free, an’ once we’re
in shape to fight it must be to the death, rather than a long dose of
British prison.”
“Don’t waste precious time talkin’; but keep at the work, if so be it
is possible to cut the bonds. Trust me for knowin’ what to do once my
hands are loose!”