A RASH VENTURE.
When Seth crept away on the poor chance that Barney Nelson might happen
to wander where it would be possible to get speech with him secretly,
I began to realize more thoroughly than ever before the risks which
we who hoped to aid Abel Grant were taking, and it was by no means a
pleasing subject for reflection.
If misfortune came upon us, its lightest form would be imprisonment
on board one of the ships, and it did not require any severe tax on
the imagination to picture the horrors of such punishment. In case we
were discovered and attempted to resist arrest, there would be little
compunction in taking our lives, for as a rule the soldiers of his
majesty believed a dead colonist was of more value than a live one.
Not until Seth Hartley crept through the foliage bent on taking the
chances of being able to attract the attention of Barney Nelson without
exposing himself to the view of the others, did I fully understand
how great was his hazard in this game of life and death which we were
playing.
Even though all the facts could be made known, his commander would
adjudge him a deserter, for there was no question but that he had
remained with us willingly after once having been made prisoner,
instead of insisting upon being treated as a captive, and this in
itself would insure a most shameful death for him in event of our rash
venture going awry.
With this knowledge come upon me thus suddenly, I found it difficult to
prevent myself from calling upon him to return without further effort
to aid Abel Grant, for now it was to me as if he could not escape
detection--as if even the friend in whom he was about to put every
trust, would betray him to death.
If at that moment Luther Stedman had been in my power, I verily believe
I would have murdered him in cold blood, because the miserable Tory
cur was personally responsible for our danger. We had attacked him
only when he came in our way, bent on doing the Cause an injury at
our expense, and to avenge himself for that which he had brought upon
himself, the cowardly whelp had given all his time to the sneaking work
of betraying us to the British.
“If he ever crosses my path again I will deal with him as I would
a vicious cur, giving no heed to my own safety,” I said to myself,
finding some little satisfaction in thus registering an oath of
vengeance, never dreaming how near at hand was the moment when it could
be carried into effect.
It must not be supposed that I gave myself wholly up to such dismal and
vengeful thoughts to the exclusion of everything else. We three lads
were watching with painful intentness everything within our range of
vision, fearing to hear an outcry which would tell that Seth Hartley
had been discovered, and on the alert to give him timely warning of
danger, if indeed that should be possible.
We had spread out before us a most animated picture. As the day grew
older the activity everywhere around us increased. Officers came ashore
from the Good Hope bent on communicating with the commanders of the
land forces, and the boats’ crews awaited their return on the beach,
ready to carry them back to the ship. Squads of ten or a dozen men were
landing at frequent intervals to enjoy a short time of shore leave, and
in our hiding place we were absolutely surrounded by armed men wearing
the uniform of the king.
It only needed that one a trifle more curious than the others should
take it into his head to explore the swamp, and our capture was
inevitable. Therefore it can well be understood that our hearts were in
our throats as we watched keenly every movement of the enemy, and that
the mosquitoes sucked their fill of our blood, for so tensely were our
nerves strung that the stings of the insects passed unheeded.
I will not undertake to say how much of the day was spent before we
lads were startled and angered by seeing Luther Stedman strutting to
and fro amid the idle marines and soldiers. We had given no heed to
anything save the possibility of Seth Hartley’s capture, and it might
have been noon, or no more than nine o’clock in the morning, when
Abraham gripped my arm with a force that almost caused a cry of pain,
as he pointed up shore a short distance, where were two waiting boats
and their crews of sailors.
During a dozen seconds or more I gazed stupidly in the direction
indicated, seeing nothing more than had been passing before my eyes
since the moment Seth disappeared amid the foliage, and then it was
as if the blood in my veins suddenly began to boil, for there stood
Luther Stedman, the Tory cur who had not dared to seek revenge in a
manly fashion, but had cajoled the enemy into acting as his cat’s-paw.
The miserable whelp was swaggering to and fro as if in command of all
the forces, and I knew he was trying to persuade those who were willing
to spend the time listening to him, that he was the most important
thing on the island.
[Illustration: “THE MISERABLE WHELP WAS SWAGGERING TO AND FRO.”]
“He has come here to crow over Abel!” Sam whispered, while Abraham’s
clutch on my arm was tightened, and I pictured to myself our comrade
ironed and helpless in the hold of the Good Hope, forced to listen to
the gibes and taunts of that cowardly Tory.
Now it was that for the moment we forgot Seth Hartley--no longer
strained our ears fearing to hear that which would tell us he had been
taken prisoner by his old shipmates. All our thoughts as well as our
eyes, were centered on that cur whom I hoped some day to have by the
throat where we two were secure from interference.
“I’ll kill that whelp soon!” Abraham whispered hoarsely, and I could
not restrain myself from replying:
“He belongs to me, an’ you’re not to lay hands on him until I have
worked my will!”
It was Sam who saw a gleam of the comical in our thus wrangling as to
who should pay the score we owed Luther, and he whispered as a smile
overspread his face:
“I’m of opinion that you fellows had better get your necks out of the
halter which is well nigh around them, before you squabble over the
question of servin’ Luther out. It strikes me that he has the upper
hands just now, an’ is in a position to say whether he or you may be
allowed to make reprisals.”
My face crimsoned as I realized that Abraham and I had shown ourselves
simples by thus speaking as if it was within our power to do as we
pleased. The odds were strongly in favor of Luther’s laying us by the
heels before we were able to raise a hand against him, for by a single
word he could send a thousand men scurrying after us, whereas we did
not dare even to show our faces.
I tried to look in another direction, for the sight of him caused my
stomach to revolt; but despite my will I was forced to watch his every
movement, and surely never was punishment greater than mine at this
moment. My brain was in a whirl, and it would not have been surprising
if, forgetting all else, I had rushed out to throttle him. If at that
moment my hands had been around his throat, not all the soldiers in the
British army could have torn them away until the breath had been choked
from his worthless carcass.
It seemed to me as if we had been gazing at that Tory a full hour
before there came into my mind the thought of Seth Hartley, and the
danger in which he stood.
During all this while no sound, other than might have been made by the
sailors or marines as they went here and there like children at play,
had come to our ears, and most like it was this absence of danger
signals which allowed us to forget momentarily the man who was staking
his life to aid our comrade.
However, even then I did not bestow much thought upon the friendly
Britisher who might within a short time be dangling from the yard-arm
of the Good Hope, so intent was I, despite my wish, upon watching
Luther Stedman.
From his movements I fancied he was striving to persuade some of the
sailors to take him off to the ship, and I knew full well that his
desire to be there was only that he might jibe Abel Grant when the poor
fellow was unable to make reply or reprisals.
Now and then one of the Britishers would shake his head decidedly, as
if in answer to an entreaty from Luther. Once when an officer came down
to be taken on board, the Tory cur appealed to him, and I could have
hugged the red-coated, gilt-laced servant of the king, when I saw him
shake off impatiently the miserable leech that would have fawned upon
him.
It is impossible for me to say how long Luther Stedman thus strove
to gain a passage to the ship; it seemed as if more than an hour had
passed before he apparently gave up all hope of succeeding, and then,
to my mingled surprise and dismay, he lounged along the beach in our
direction as if having decided to consort no longer with those whom he
was so eager to call friends.
I know not into whose mind the idea first came; but it was to me as if
I had turned it over and over an hundred times, when Abraham clutched
me by the arm, his face crimsoned with passion, as he whispered:
“If that whelp comes this way, an’ gives me but half a chance, I’ll
stake my life on serving him out!”
“An’ it would be stakin’ your life, lad,” Sam said nervously. “Surely
you would not be simple enough to have any dealin’s with him here, when
you know a single cry from the scoundrel would bring all those men upon
us, an’ thus put an end to any effort of ours in Abel Grant’s behalf.”
Just for an instant it was as if Abraham repented of the threat, and
then he shut his teeth tightly, literally hissing the words:
“If he tempts me I shall take the chances!”
So far had anger against the lad who had worked us so much harm gained
ascendency over me, that I was unable to consider calmly the situation.
I forgot, strange as it may seem, that we were surrounded by an enemy
who would discover us at the lightest sound; that the least false move
on our part would insure imprisonment on board the Good Hope, and thus
would be fatal to the chances, if indeed we had any, of lending Abel
Grant a hand. I thought only of the desire for revenge, and held my
peace when I should have insisted that Abraham give over any such wild
thoughts.
Sam did not make further protest, most like because he believed
Abraham’s threat was simply a safety-valve to his temper, and that he
would not be wild enough to do other than remain silent and motionless
within this poor refuge of ours.
As to myself, I gave no heed to either Sam or Abe; but kept my eyes
fixed upon that miserable specimen of a lad who was walking slowly and
carelessly, but yet surely, toward where we lay in hiding.
It seemed to me then, even as it does now, that the judgment of the
Lord was heavy upon Luther Stedman at that moment, causing him to
advance directly to his undoing--as if he had, because of his many
sins against his country, been delivered into our power, and without
allowing the thought to shape itself definitely in my mind, I was
firmly convinced that within a certain short time he would be our
prisoner.
If one of us had held that cur by the hand he could not have moved
more in accord with our feverish desires, for, leaving the sailors and
marines an hundred yards or more up the beach, he came directly along
to where the little creek, which drained the marsh in which we lay,
ran into the sea, and then aimlessly, as if against his own will, he
advanced along the edge of the stream, picking his way daintily over
the soft ground.
Involuntarily I glanced toward Abraham who, on one knee, was
leaning forward like some beast of prey ready to make a spring, and
the knowledge that he was minded to leap upon Luther Stedman, if
peradventure that miserable whelp gave him the opportunity, caused
everything to vanish from my mind save the possibility of revenge.
Even to this day I dare swear Luther Stedman did not come up that
tiny creek of his own free will; but was moved by some stronger power
to deliver himself into our keeping, for verily there was no reason
why any person should strive to pick his way amid that slime, except
bent on duty or revenge, and he had neither in his heart; but came on
carelessly, seemingly ignorant of what he did until within a scant ten
paces of where we lay upon the bed of reeds.
Now it was that even Sam forgot his prudence--forgot that which seemed
positive would follow if we made ever so slight a move, and was
standing to the best of his ability upon the frail platform of brush
ready to join in whatsoever we did.
Even now I fail to understand why it was that the Tory cur did not
so much as raise his eyes; but came on blindly as if with the single
purpose of delivering himself up to us, and we accepted what was
neither more nor less than an invitation from him.
It was Abraham who set the pace, although no more than the twinkling
of an eye could have elapsed from the time he sprang out, as a panther
springs upon his prey, when I was by his side, with Sam so close upon
my heels that he was like to have tripped me.
The first intimation Luther Stedman had of the danger that awaited him
was the splashing of water as we three leaped into the swamp regardless
as to whether we gave an alarm to the Britishers or not, and even then
the miserable whelp did not raise his eyes until we had him firmly by
the throat, both Abraham and I, with a grip which could not be shaken
off, in such fashion that to have uttered the lightest whisper would
have been impossible.
Down, down into the slime we forced him until nothing save his face was
above the surface, and I, literally crazed by anger and the knowledge
that I had the whelp in my power, would have drowned him as one does a
kitten, most like to have repented sorely at some later day, but that
Abraham, having more command over himself, said in a whisper:
“For three to kill one, however much death is deserved, would be
cowardly murder, and, besides, I’m not minded that he shall escape
from this world so easily.”
Then it was that Sam, suspecting what was in my heart, placed both his
hands under that Tory’s head to raise it from the mud, and as he did so
thrust a bunch of leaves, hastily stripped from the bushes nearby, into
the cur’s mouth, for already was he gasping for breath.
It was this movement that restored Abraham and me to our senses, so to
speak, and straightway in the stead of revenge, there came to us the
knowledge that unless we would sacrifice Seth Hartley, must we take
every precaution, for if we were discovered it was certain he would
speedily hang from the yard-arm of the Good Hope.
And now, cautious as an instant before we had been reckless, we set
about trussing him up in such fashion as would prevent his moving hand
or foot, and even while this was being done, there came to me the
question of what would be the next move. We had come there to aid Abel
Grant, but now were we hampered with a prisoner whom, whatever peril
should arise, we dared not set free, and at the same time would not
murder in cold blood even though he so richly deserved such a fate.
It was a venture born of passion, although I afterward strove to excuse
myself by saying that we were literally forced into acting as we did
otherwise he would have discovered us, and now must we pay the penalty
of failing to rule our spirits.
If through this mad act of ours Seth Hartley was captured and hanged,
or if it should be learned that a movement was on foot to release Abel
Grant, then was the blood of both these men on our heads, and in my
heart I cursed the miserable cur who had so far tempted me that I
forgot everything save desire for revenge.
It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by, knee-deep in the mud,
turning all these things over in my mind, for there was much to be done
if we would rectify the mistake, which is a mild term for our act.
As I have said, Sam had on the spur of the moment thrust a double
handful of leaves into Luther’s mouth, which was forced open by our
hold on his throat, and it only remained for us to so fetter his limbs
that he would be powerless to flounder about in the hope of attracting
the attention of his friends.
It goes without saying that we had nothing with us in the shape of a
rope, but I, to make atonement for what just then seemed little less
than a crime, pulled off my shirt, baring my body to the mosquitoes,
and tore the garment into strips. With these we bound the lad whom we
had taken prisoner for a third time, so securely that I question if he
could have moved hand or foot even the fraction of an inch in either
direction.
The sleeves of Abraham’s shirt served for a more secure gag then that
of leaves, and when all this had been done we lifted the Tory from out
his muddy bed on to the frail platform of bushes, where he lay with the
slime forming as it were a shroud about him.
When he was thus secured and in position, a single glance at the cur’s
face was sufficient to tell how severe had been the punishment we
inflicted, for if ever I saw abject terror in the eyes of any human
being, it was reflected from his. I have no question but that the
miserable whelp believed we would kill him off hand, as indeed we had
the right to do if one thinks of the provocation, and the benefit which
his death would be to the Cause.
He watched us mutely, perforce, and with an intentness which told that
he was suffering the agony of death in anticipation, and I, minded
that he should be kept in suspense, motioned Sam and Abe to follow me
yet a little further into the swamp, where we might speak without his
overhearing the words, for I desired he should believe we had murder in
our hearts.
Standing waist-deep in the mud and water where we could keep the Tory
well in view, and were not in danger of being seen by the Britishers
nearabout, we discussed the situation in whispers, realizing now that
the danger was increased tenfold because we had yielded to our desire
for revenge.
“I’m willin’ to agree that we’ve made idiots of ourselves, an’ risked
over an’ over again the life of Seth Hartley by capturin’ that
miserable Tory,” Abraham began before I could speak, and much as if he
knew what was in my mind; “but since we have again made him prisoner,
I promise you that unless I myself am killed he shall not escape, for
from this out he is my especial charge.”
“But surely we cannot keep him here,” Sam said nervously. “It will be a
little short of a miracle if we ourselves can remain without detection,
an’ if peradventure the opportunity should come for us to aid Abel
Grant, how may we be of any service if our movements are hampered by
him?”
“But yet I am not minded to kill him in cold blood,” I said, believing
for the moment that it was in Sam’s mind we should put an end to his
miserable existence.
“God forbid!” the lad whispered fervently. “Yet how may we set him
free, for when it comes to a question of his life or Abel’s, we
must not hesitate, even though by letting him go we have condemned
ourselves?”
“I will take charge of that part of the business,” Abraham said
decidedly, and by his tone I understood that already he had some plan
in mind. “If by any happy chance there comes an opportunity for us to
strike a blow in behalf of Abel Grant, you lads and Seth Hartley can do
as much without, as with me, an’ the success of the undertakin’ will
not be in jeopardy by my absence.”
“By your absence?” I repeated, mystified by the words.
“Ay, that was what I said, an’ when the night comes, if so be I am
still at liberty, it is my intent to take yonder whelp an’ run the risk
of gainin’ Peter Snyder’s hut. Once there, with the old man to lend a
hand as jailor, an’ I dare venture to swear under such guardianship
Luther Stedman will never be able to escape, I may return, unless the
conditions have so been changed that it is unnecessary.”
“The chances are as an hundred to one against your reachin’ Peter
Snyder’s hut, even though you traveled alone, therefore what hope could
you have of makin’ the journey in safety, hampered by a prisoner?” I
cried, absolutely frightened by Abraham’s proposition.
“An’ yet nevertheless shall I make the attempt,” the lad said stoutly
and in a tone which showed that it was useless to combat the decision.
“It seems to me that ever since we set out to do whatsoever we might
for the Cause, all our time has been spent in capturin’ that Tory cur,
only to have him give us the slip later. Now he is in our power, an’
instead of turnin’ him over to some one else, I will make certain that
he works no further mischief.”
I did not continue the argument, and for two reasons. The first because
I was convinced it would be useless to make any attempt at dissuading
Abraham from that upon which he had resolved, and again, I realized
that instead of standing there where the surrounding enemy was cut
off from our view, we were neglecting in some degree, I could not say
exactly how, Seth Hartley’s interests. Therefore it was I said with
more of irritation in my tone than was warranted:
“We must go back where we can keep watch, lest somethin’ should
suddenly demand our goin’ to Seth’s assistance. Once there, however,
let us be guarded in speech, for Luther Stedman believes we have it in
mind to murder him, an’ I would not so far relieve his anxiety as to
let him understand that we only count on holdin’ him prisoner. Because
he has escaped scot free twice before, ordinary captivity will not
cause him any great uneasiness.”
Abraham started back toward the platform of twigs as if eager to put an
end to the conversation lest we insist that he abandon the plan in his
mind, and once gaining that slight refuge from the water and mud, we
looked out again upon the scene presented by the enemy.
So far as could be judged, the slight noise we made in capturing Luther
had not aroused any suspicion. The marines were loitering here and
there; the sailors were waiting by their boats, or lying at full length
on the sand, and one might say with every assurance that we had thus
far done no harm in having given way to our passionate desires.
It was while we remained there silently gazing upon the enemy, that I
saw the marine who had been pointed out to us as Barney Nelson coming
down the incline of the land, as if from the rear of the swamp where we
were in hiding, and instantly a great hope sprang up in my heart, which
I voiced by whispering to Abraham:
“I believe of a verity Seth Hartley has had speech with his friend.
Look you! There goes the marine alone, as if havin’ come from the
direction where Seth was last seen, an’--”
I did not finish the sentence, for at that instant a light splashing of
the water could be heard a short distance away, and as we three gazed
the form of our British friend appeared among the foliage, with an
expression of most intense satisfaction on his face.
Forgetting for an instant Luther Stedman, I half-turned to hear his
story, and was astonished because of the look of amazement which
overspread his face. Immediately I realized that he was bewildered
at seeing the prisoner, and said hurriedly, speaking with the utmost
caution:
“That Tory came our way, an’ it was a case of capturin’ him or bein’
discovered.”
“How did you do it?” he asked as if mystified. “I have not been above
an hundred feet away at any time, an’ yet heard no noise.”
“The slime of the swamp served our friend,” I said, and smiling even
while my anxiety was so great. “We can speak of him later; tell us what
you have done?”
“I have had speech with Barney Nelson, an’ that at a time when I had
well nigh given up all hope of comin’ face to face with him alone.”
“And he?” I asked, fearing to put the question into words.
“He will do whatsoever he may so that it be not against the oath he
has taken to serve the king; but lad, it needs not I should tell you
that even though Barney were willin’ to do everythin’ a man could, the
chances of releasin’ Abel Grant are mighty slim.”
“Is he aboard yonder ship?”
“Yes, as are nigh to two hundred others who were taken prisoners in the
battle. The Good Hope is to be moved up nearer the town when it shall
have been taken, an’ meanwhile all Barney can do is to tell our friend
that we are waiting for an opportunity to lend a hand.”
“Surely you have been successful even beyond my hopes,” I replied
fervently, thankful because this little had been accomplished. “Now
what are we to do?”
“Before seein’ yonder prisoner I should have said there was nothin’
which could be done, save wait in the poor hope that some turn or
chance might show us a way to help him; but now I am all at sea, for
suppose this moment we should find a way open to get at him, how can we
make a move while that Tory is held by you?”
Then it was that Abe explained what was his purpose, and much to my
surprise Seth Hartley seemed to agree with him. Afterward I came to
understand that he was accepting cheerfully the only possible solution
of the difficulty, for we must get rid of Luther, and yet could not
afford to set him at liberty.
“There is no possibility that we shall see Barney Nelson again until
mornin’,” Seth said after a brief time of silence. “His shore leave is
about expired, an’ mayhap he will not have another within eight and
forty hours; but yet must we wait, for in him is our only hope.”
“Will you come back, having left the Tory with Peter Snyder?” I asked
of Abraham, shielding my mouth in such fashion that the prisoner could
not hear the question, and the lad replied:
“That is for Seth Hartley to say. If so be I can serve the plan, then
will I leave the Tory with old Peter, believing he’ll be more faithful
to the charge than any other we could select; but I much prefer to have
the scoundrel in my own keeping, an’ then if the enemy should suddenly
appear, showin’ that he could not fail of bein’ released, I would take
his life with my own hands rather than let him go free again.”
To this blood-thirsty remark Seth Hartley gave no heed; but at once
began outlining a plan for Abraham to get away with the Tory, in the
course of which he said:
“Since it is certain that we shall not be able to do anythin’ in
behalf of Abel Grant within the next four an’ twenty hours at the
least, why not take Ephraim and Sam with you in case you should come
upon such a small force as could be overcome?”
“I will have no one run the risk but myself. If either of the lads went
with me, then would the danger be doubled, since he who thus lent a
hand would be forced to return, an’ one portion of the journey is as
dangerous as another,” Abraham said decidedly. “If it is agreed there
is no real reason for me to come back, then all the risk must be mine.”
“Ay, an’ you are right, lad,” Seth Hartley said quietly, and to one who
was ignorant of the situation there would have been no suspicion that
these two talking so quietly, were discussing a matter which meant the
life or death of all concerned. “We will carry our prisoner out through
the swamp when midnight shall have come, since to trust him to walk
would be dangerous. Then you must be guided by whatsoever occurs, for
no one can say what should or should not be done.”
“Ay, that I know full well, an’ you may trust me to get him there, or
else both of us will die on the way,” Abe said emphatically, and that
ended the conversation regarding the keeping in our custody of Luther
Stedman.
But for the fact that we had a prisoner, our hearts would have been
very light now since communication had been opened up with Barney
Nelson and he had agreed to carry word of our whereabouts to Abel; but
as it was, every nerve was strained to its utmost tension, and when
after a long while Seth Hartley proposed that we try to gain some
sleep, leaving one on watch, I could have laughed at the idea, for
slumber at that moment was as far from my eyelids as was the sense of
security from my heart.