by James Otis
CHAPTER VI
A CLOUDY NIGHT
It was not needed that I should walk very far in order to find SethJepson. He was on the westerly side of the dock when I came into thesquare, talking to two or three lads whom I had good reason to believewere of Tory leanings.
Instead of appearing disconcerted because of my finding him in suchcompany, he acted much as if it gave him pleasure that I was come, andstraightway leaving his companions, advanced eagerly to meet me.
"Have you been up to the prison in the hope of having speech with ArchieHemming?" he asked as soon as we were within speaking distance, and I,suspicious of the lad, believed he thus counted on learning what wemight have in mind to do, therefore replied with somewhat of sourness inmy tone:
"It is too dangerous a matter to be seen loitering about that place,especially for a lad like me, whose father is known to be a Son ofLiberty."
"I have seen Harvey Pearson there more than once, and thought most likeyou had sent him."
By this time it was clear to me that Seth was striving to learn if wehad any plan on foot to release Archie, and striving to appearindifferent, as if to my mind the matter was so fraught withdifficulties that it would be useless to make any attempt, I said:
"If Harvey chooses to loiter where there is great danger of being takeninto custody, it is no affair of mine. On first learning that Archie hadbeen imprisoned, I was so foolish as to say, without really believing itcould be done, that we would form some plan for his rescue; but came tosee right soon that it would be a piece of folly to raise our hands insuch direction."
"And you will let him stay there?" Seth asked as if in surprise.
"Let him?" I repeated laughingly. "It's a question of his being obligedto stay there, and has nothing to do with us. General Gage is the onewho is allowing him to remain there."
Seth appeared perplexed by my seeming indifference, and while one mighthave counted twenty he stood silent as if considering some matter, afterwhich, his face brightening a bit, he led me a short distance towardUnion street, where we might stand in the open with no fear anyeavesdroppers could come upon us unawares, and whispered:
"Believing it would be possible for me to get more information, such asyou say is needed in Cambridge, at the houses of the Tories thananywhere else, I dropped in at Amos Nelson's home, and while there heardhis father talking with Master Landers, saying that a town meeting is tobe held to-morrow evening. General Gage has decided that, if theselectmen will agree, the people who wish to go out of Boston may do sowith their household belongings, provided they leave all weapons ofwhatsoever kind in Faneuil Hall, the same to be returned to them at somesuitable time. Now it seems that the Tories, according to what Amos'sfather said, are opposed to such an arrangement, claiming that once therebels have departed they will not scruple to burn the place, and suchmen as Master Nelson and Master Landers have decided to urge thatGeneral Gage hold the women and children in the town, instead ofallowing them to leave with their husbands and fathers."
Now this was information of value, particularly the latter part of it,and, therefore, much of my suspicions regarding Seth's loyalty vanished.I counted it in his favor that he had given us such a bit of news, andthen came the thought that Silas should add this to the budget he wascarrying to Cambridge, yet I did not believe myself warranted in goingto his home, for Hiram was probably there by this time, and if too manycalled at the house the enemy might grow curious.
In order that Seth should not believe I was eager to leave him, Iloitered in the vicinity a full half hour talking of this and that whichwas of no particular importance, except that all the while I strove totrap the lad into betraying his traitorous desire, if so be he had one,by some hasty word.
He spoke me fairly, even going back to that which I had said to himunder the old wharf, regarding his keeping company with lads who wereknown to favor Toryism, and declared that it would be possible for himto learn more from them than in any other way, speaking with such an airof innocence and earnestness that I almost came to reproach myself forhaving suspected him.
"So long as I am on friendly terms with Amos Nelson, it is a simplematter for me to go into many places where the Britishers congregate,which would otherwise be closed in my face. Amos's father, as you wellknow, is a particular friend of Timothy Ruggles, and thus it ispossible for the lad to be present when the enemies of the Cause meetfor deliberation, as you may understand from what I have told youalready in regard to their purpose of holding the women and children inBoston town as hostages. When I joined your company of Minute Boys itwas with the understanding I do whatsoever I might in behalf of thecolony; but if you believe I should shut off all intercourse with Torylads, then shall it be done."
What else could I say than advise him to keep on the same path he wastraveling? At the time I was impressed by his words; but later, afterhaving had an opportunity to turn them over in my mind, I came to askmyself why he should at that moment have so strongly defended himselfwhen I had charged him with no evil.
The result of this interview was that I not only urged the lad tocontinue as he had been doing; but came to have more faith in him thanever before, yet was I sufficiently prudent to hold my tongue concerningour doings, and he got nothing from me that he could turn to theadvantage of his Tory friends.
With the exception of Silas, Harvey, and Hiram, none of our company knewthere was any hope or intention of striving to release Archie, and I wasdetermined the matter should remain a profound secret if any word or actof mine could compass that end.
Although burning to speak with Silas, when I left Seth it was to saunterin the direction of Queen street as if I walked aimlessly, rather thanwith a purpose, and fortune so favored me that on turning into Corn hillI came upon Harvey Pearson.
"Is it well for you to remain near to the prison after having warnedArchie?" I asked sharply, and the lad replied with a laugh:
"Don't fear that I'll make such a simple of myself as to do anything ofthe kind. I haven't been on Queen street since I warned the lad that wewould be there this night."
"Have you met any others of the company?"
"Yes, mayhap four or five, all of whom are loitering about with theirears and eyes wide open; but I fancy they haven't caught much that wouldbe of value to our people at Cambridge."
"Have you said to other than Silas or me that you count on gettingspeech with Archie to-night?"
"Never a word."
"Then see that you don't. I have just left Seth Jepson, and because ofhis questions it came to me he was eager to learn what we counted ondoing; but I gave him no satisfaction."
Harvey soon set my mind at rest regarding his intention to keep oursecret, and then, still having in mind to find Silas before he shouldleave the town, I roamed up School street, through Treamount, and downHanover until coming to Back street, when, having idled away the greaterpart of the afternoon, I was so lucky as to come upon Hiram Griffin.
Hurriedly I repeated to him that which Seth Jepson had told me, and hereplied with a grin:
"I got all that three hours ago, and Silas will repeat it to ourfriends. But doesn't the fact that Seth brought to you such news asearly as possible, go far toward showing that you were wrong insuspecting him?"
"Ay, that it does, and he spoke me so fairly, explaining at greaterlength than when we first came together under the wharf, why he shouldhold with the Tory lads, that I could not but believe, at least for thetime, in his loyalty. Now, however, having had an opportunity to turnover in my mind his words, it seems as if he was too eager to prove hisdesire to serve the Cause. But what of Archie?" I added, and Hiramreplied:
"We are needing a cloudy night, or, what would be better, a pelting rainstorm before any attempt can be made toward setting the lad free. Incase you can keep secret your intention, and such a night comes while hestill remains where your comrade saw him, it strikes me the matter wouldbe plain sailing; but in the meanwhile have everything in readiness forthe venture."
"Meaning w
hat?" I asked.
"First make sure of two skiffs--three would serve as well--, and havethem hidden at different places, that is to say, one in your ship-yard,another off Barton's point, and the third on the shore of the Common.That done, those who count on taking a hand should decide upon certainhiding places to the end that if we succeeded in freeing the prisonerand were pursued beyond the possibility of taking to the water, eachwould know where he might best be secreted."
"There are many such places," I replied. "First we might find lodgementin the rope walk at Barton's point, or again at our old rendezvous; theburying place near to the Bridewell has in it many a famous hide, as youknow full well. Greenleaf's yard, near the long warehouse, if youchanced to come so far near the Neck--"
"Show me some of these places," Hiram interrupted, "leading me by themost direct way so that I may get my bearings to such purpose that itwill be possible to find them in the darkness."
"You know full well how to get to the rendezvous."
"Ay, we need spend no time over that."
"Come with me to Barton's point," I said, now grown eager throughunderstanding that Hiram was ready to lay plans for the rescue, anddetermined that no loitering of mine should put any obstacle in the way.
Night was already come when I had completed the task of pointing out theavailable hiding places near at hand, and then we two went to mymother's house for supper.
"I'm thinking we had best bottle up forty winks of sleep, if so be weare to make a midnight visit to the prison, for no one can say whetherour business may not keep us a long while," Hiram said once his hungerhad been appeased, and, not waiting to learn what might be my opinion,he went upstairs to my chamber.
As a matter of course my mother was eager to know what might be afoot,for she understood, because of our long absence and Hiram's words, thatsomething was in the wind, and therefore it was I told her what wecounted on doing, and all we hoped it might be possible to accomplish onthe first cloudy or stormy night.
She, dear soul, had naught to say against our purpose, knowing that weof the colonies were fully committed to the struggle against the king;but she grieved because I was like to have so much of a hand in thebusiness.
"With your father in the army it would seem as if a poor woman's onlyson should be left at home to comfort and protect her. Yet I would notsay that which might prevent you from doing what your heart inclines to.You have ever been a good boy, Luke, and it would indeed be a sad blowto me should misfortune overtake you, therefore I pray that you becareful and prudent, undertaking no hazardous enterprise which may beavoided with honor and in view of your duty to the Cause."
It goes without saying that I promised to keep in mind all she had said,striving in so far as lay within my power to do what she desired. Then,following Hiram's example, for mother had promised to waken us near toten of the clock; I went into the chamber where, despite all ofexcitement which was in my mind, I speedily fell asleep by the side ofthe widow's son.
It seemed to me as if I had but just lost myself in the blissfulness ofslumber when mother wakened us with word that the time had come, and wemade ready to set out, Hiram, much to my surprise, taking from behindthe kitchen door a stout oaken stick, too long to be used as a cudgel.
"For what purpose is that?" I asked curiously.
"A whim of mine, lad."
"But it is not a walking stick, nor could it be used in a fight," I saidlaughingly, and he replied:
"Ay, true for you, and yet on the night when the clouds have gathered inthe heavens, and your comrade Archie is still where he can be come atwith somewhat of ease, you may find this a very timely implement tohave."
I failed utterly of understanding his meaning; but since he was notdisposed to make it plain I held my peace, and we two went out into thenight, not by way of the streets, but through the gardens, and alongalleys, where we might pass without coming in contact with theBritishers, or with the patrol.
Before we were well started on our devious way Hiram came to a fullhalt, as he caught me by the arm and pointed toward the sky.
For the instant I could not make out the meaning of his gesture, andthen it was I saw down in the south an inky mass of clouds which seemedto be coming swiftly against the wind, and my heart leaped into mymouth, for verily it seemed as if this would be the cloudy night wedesired. If that dark mass proved what it promised, there would be sucha downpour that the Britishers must keep themselves well within cover.
I was trembling with excitement as we went on, believing the time forour dangerous venture to be near at hand, and I prayed most ferventlythat the tempest which was seemingly gathering upon us, would burstbefore midnight. Then came a cold chill to my heart, as I realized thatI had not had time to gather the skiffs as Hiram advised, because ofhaving been occupied with showing him the best hiding places.
I was nigh to tears as I said to myself that however advantageous thenight might be for our purpose, we could not profit by it because oflacking means of leaving the town by water--as for thinking of goingacross the Neck, if by any fortunate chance we succeeded in releasingArchie, that would be out of the question so closely was the placeguarded.
"It's a pity we hadn't spent a little time getting the skiffs intoconvenient places, rather than looking for a chance to hide," Hiramsaid as if to himself when we came up through Master Hayes's back yardto Middle street, listening there for some token of the watch, for itwould be necessary to continue on as far as Hanover street by thehighway where there was no opportunity of concealment.
"Then you believe this night would serve our purpose?" I said in whatyou might call a tearful tone, for I was near to crying with vexationbecause of having wasted a goodly part of the afternoon loitering aboutthe town when I might have had everything in readiness for a hastyflight.
"Ay, lad, yonder clouds mean plenty of rain and wind, and I am muchmistaken if within the hour the night be not so black and stormy thatyou might pass in the same street a squad of Britishers, and they benone the wiser."
"And it may be a month before such an opportunity comes again," I saidmournfully. "We shall most like have storms in plenty; but never one atexactly the right moment, as this promises."
Hiram made no reply; but having satisfied himself there were no enemiesin the immediate vicinity he strode on in advance swiftly, carrying theoaken stick on his arm as if it were a musket, and I could almost fancyfrom his bearing that he had in mind some purpose which he would striveearnestly to carry out, even though our preparations were not completed.
That this purpose was the rescue of Archie, I need not say, for justthen we had none other, and I trembled with fear at the thought that wemight succeed in freeing the dear lad only to find ourselves pursued,captured and clapped into prison with him, where we would be powerlesseither to aid the Cause or to work to his advantage.
Once at the corner of Hanover street it was possible for me to find theway through gardens and waste land until we were come to Brattle streetchurch, from whence the journey to the prison must be made in the open.
The clouds had gathered so quickly that by this time they veiled thestars until one could hardly see ten paces in advance, therefore we hadlittle hesitation in going boldly to that place where we counted onmeeting Harvey Pearson, nor did we count in vain. The lad came out frombetween two buildings as we approached, and seizing me by the arm, ledus into his hiding place where we might talk, if so be we spoke inwhispers, without danger of being overheard.
"Archie is on the alert, and expects our coming," he said guardedly."Within ten minutes have I clambered up until getting a hold on thewindow ledge where I could tap the glass, and he returned the signal,therefore you need not linger long if you would have speech with him."
"There is no reason why we shouldn't wait here to get our breath," Hiramsaid in an odd tone. "I'm thinking it won't be a waste of time, and halfan hour more or less can make little difference to him since he mustperforce stay where he is."
"How could you tap on the glass?"
I asked of Harvey. "Are there no barsoutside that window?"
"Ay, and in plenty; iron bars standing less than six inches apart; butthere was room to thrust my fingers between and thus come at theglass."
I turned suddenly to lay my hand upon the oaken stick which Hiram hadbeen carrying, understanding now for the first time to what purpose heintended using it, and feeling, rather than seeing, my gesture, hewhispered:
"Ay, lad, you have caught the idea at last. With this we should be ableto make short work of one or two of those bars, providing we are notinterrupted, and if so be there is thunder enough to drown whatsoever ofnoise may be made."
It was well nigh impossible for me to control myself so far as to act inany way approaching a decent fashion. The knowledge that Hiram was notonly bent upon making an effort to rescue Archie that very night, buthad come prepared for it, and the weather promised to be all we coulddesire, so wrought upon me that I was literally atremble with excitementuntil it was difficult to remain in one place five seconds at a time.
That Harvey was in a similar condition I could well understand, when heasked in a whisper so tremulous that only with difficulty could Iunderstand the words:
"Do you believe he counts on doing anything to-night?"
Hiram overheard the question, spoken cautiously though it was, andreplied decisively:
"Ay, lad, that's exactly what I count on doing, and save for the factthat we have no boats ready, matters could not be more to our liking. Inless than half an hour, unless I have lost all power of judging theweather, we are like to have as heavy a thunder gust upon us as thistown has ever seen. What more could be asked? How long think you wemight be forced to wait for another such opportunity?"
"But the boats!" Harvey exclaimed. "Of what avail may it be to releasehim from prison when the Britishers will make short work in their searchafter the day has come?"
"That part of the business is what we must take our chances on, lad. Thehardest portion of the work is to get him out of yonder jail, and thatdone we'll trust to luck for the rest. Have you no skiffs in mind thatcould be come upon by some search?"
"There are boats in plenty near to Long wharf," Harvey replied; "butthere the Britishers have so many men on duty that what between theirguards, marines passing to and fro from the shore to the ships, and thesentinels, it would be impossible to give them the slip."
"How was Silas to get out of town?" Hiram asked, turning to me.
"Master Fish has a skiff hidden near his smokehouse, and the lad wascounting on taking it."
"In all this town do you know of none other?" and Hiram shook meviolently, as if he would force from my mouth that which he most desiredto know.
"The skiffs belonging to our friends are hidden, for by General Gage'sorders all craft that could be found have been taken possession of bythe lobster backs. We might search a full day without coming upon any."
"Well, as I have said, the first thing is to get the lad out of prison.We'll trust to accident, chance, or whatever you choose to call it, forthe balance."
"THE SECOND FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED ME THIS SCENE."]
By this time the rain drops were beginning to fall in token of theoncoming shower, and Hiram stretched out his hand to learn how heavy wasthe downpour, for, screened as we were by the building, one could hardlyjudge of what might be going on.
Then came a flash of lightning, followed by a peal of thunder so loudthat we knew the heart of the storm was directly upon us, and clutchingHarvey and me by the arms Hiram literally burst, as it were, from ourhiding place, as he said:
"Now has come the time; work quickly; have your wits about you, andremember that to waste ten seconds may be the ruin of our plans."
There was little need for Hiram to thus incite us. I was strung up tothe highest tension until it seemed as if all the nerves in my body hadsuddenly been laid bare, and a moment appeared like a half-hour, sokeenly did I realize that the critical time had come.
When we went out into the street the rain was falling like unto a seconddeluge, and it seemed to me I had not taken a dozen steps before myclothing was soaked with water; but I heeded it not save as coolingapplication upon my fevered body.
Harvey led us around the prison until we were come to the window of thatroom where we believed Archie was still confined, and without waiting asingle second--it seemed almost as if while continuing the advance--,Hiram thrust the end of his oaken stick between two center bars,standing there like a statue waiting for the next volley of thunder.
The second flash of lightning showed me this scene which is yet engravenon my memory as if painted upon canvas: Hiram holding one end of theheavy stick like a young giant; Harvey standing beside him looking upwith expectancy written on his face, and I crouching near by ready tofollow the slightest movement of our leader.
Then came the heavy, deafening roll of thunder. Even in the darkness Ifancied I could see Hiram put all his weight and strength upon the oakenlever, and I believed that the bars gave way; but so heavy was thecannonading in the heavens that I could hear no sound, yet, as welearned an instant later, he had not only fetched away the iron screen,but crashed through the glass of the window.
Whether Archie had been aware that we stood there ready to make thissupreme effort, I cannot say; but something must have warned him thatthe time for action had come, because the crash of thunder had not diedaway when I could see dimly his head and shoulders through the aperture.
Hiram must have instantly thrown aside the stout lever which had thusopened the way for Archie's liberty, because, moving with the quicknessof thought, he leaped up as does a cat, seizing the lad by the shouldersand pulling him out into the street as if he had been no more than abundle of rags.
During the merest fraction of time we stood silent and motionless, everynerve aquiver, listening with bated breath for that fatal token whichwould tell that the Britishers inside had been aroused, and then Hirampushed me forward violently as he said in a hoarse whisper:
"Now then, lad, let your heels save your head, and make for Longwharf."
"But the Britishers!" I cried even as I obeyed his command.
"Let them go hang, so that we find a boat wheresoever it may be. Beforethis storm has come to an end we must be out of Boston town, or count ontaking up our quarters in this same prison."
How we ran! Archie clasped my hand--there was no time for words--, andwe two led the way at a swifter pace than I ever showed before, or everexpect to again; but even while putting forth every effort in the racewas my heart grown sore with fear, for truly did it seem that Hiram hadlost his wits to take such chances as would come if we tried to get fromthe Britishers themselves means for leaving the town.
"Better we had attempted to make our escape across the Neck," I said tomyself, burning to speak my thoughts to him who had thus far led ussafely, and yet not daring to slacken pace in order so to do. "There isone chance in an hundred that we might get past the guards during thetempest; but none whatsoever that we shall succeed in making our way bywater, for before we can lay hands on a boat we shall be overpowered."
Luckily I did not dare slacken speed; fortunate was it indeed that Hiramhad his way in the matter, and that he urged us on even while we wereputting forth every effort. Had I been given command at that moment,then it is almost the same as certain we had been taken before anothernight came; but, thanks to the son of that good woman who fed us when wewere hungry, the seemingly impossible was accomplished.
So rapid were our movements from the very beginning of the attempt atrescue, that the thunder tempest was hardly grown to its height beforewe gained the water front at Long wharf, and there to my amazement wemet no one; indeed, we might almost have touched shoulders with a dozenand yet not been able to see them because of the darkness and theseemingly unbroken sheets of water which descended.
Now it was that Hiram took the lead, as if fearful lest our couragemight fail us, and wading waist-deep into the water alongside the wharf,he came upon a small boat which was m
ade fast stem and stern.
We followed close at his heels, not because of belittling the danger;but because there was no other course. The peril would have been greaterhad we attempted to beat a retreat, and since it seemed to me thatcapture was absolutely certain, we might as well go one way as another.
Hiram had not stopped to unmoor the boat; but taking from his pocket aknife, slashed here and there at the hawsers until she was adrift, andthe wind, driving from the south in furious gusts, sent her whirling inthe direction of Hudson's point as if impelled by a dozen pairs of oars.
It was only by the merest accident that we lads succeeded in gettingaboard, for Hiram was like a fury unchained, giving no heed to anythingwhatsoever save that goal which he had set before him. I only know thatArchie and I had been swept off our feet by the waves when the craftwhirled past us, yet we contrived to clutch the gunwale and weredragged, as it seemed to me, an hundred yards before succeeding inclambering aboard.
Then it was my heart sank, for hurriedly looking around as best I couldin the darkness I made out but three forms, and cried in my fear andagony:
"We have freed Archie only to leave Harvey to drown or be takenprisoner."
"Here, help me in!" came from the stern of the craft, and steppingquickly aft, hardly crediting the evidence of my ears, I felt two cold,wet hands that were gripping the stern-board.
Hiram gave no heed as Archie and I pulled the brave lad in; but wasfumbling about in search of oars that it might be possible for him toguide the craft, and thus it was we were driven by the tempest from outthe very midst of the Britishers where they must have been as thick asants in a hill, although, fortunately for us, ill inclined to brave thefury of the blast in the open.
Every red-coated rascal on duty had sought some place of shelter, andHiram must have counted upon this fact when he decided that we woulddespoil the enemy of at least one boat, at the same time taking chanceswhich seemed little short of madness.
Hiram succeeded in finding that for which he sought, and when he was onthe forward thwart with a pair of oars in his hands, pulling only whenit was necessary to give her a sheer from the land, or toward it, hesaid in the tone of one who speaks in a place of security:
"I call that a mighty neat trick, and if so be you lads are lucky enoughto turn the tables once more on the Britishers in the same clean fashionthat we have done to-night, you can count yourselves on the way to earncommissions in the American Army."
"It is you who should have the commission, if this night's work countsin the eyes of our people," I cried, determined that the brave fellowshould have all the credit due him. "Except you had forced us, we wouldnever have made such a venture, for when we left the prison it seemed tome you were little better than a madman to make a try for that which hasturned out so happily."
"There was little of madness in it, lad, when you count that we hadeverything our own way. The only surprising part would have been that wehad come across a Britisher while the rain was pouring down as now. Ihaven't seen overly many of the king's men; but those I have come acrosstook good care of their bodies, and hated like the mischief to do thatwhich might mar the beauty of their flashy uniforms."
Then it was that Archie spoke for the first time since Hiram hauled himneck and crop out through the shattered window:
"If ever the time comes when I can repay you fellows for what you havedone this night, I'll strive hard to make the reckoning even."
"You'll not do anything of the kind, lad, for we have done only ourduty. I'm hoping every one of us would have worked just as eagerly hadthe prisoner been a stranger, for we who count on aiding the Cause mustreckon everyone who loves it, as a friend."
It was Hiram who spoke, and his tone was so fervent, I might almost saydevout, that I was moved by it more than by the dangers through which wehad just passed, and came to understand better what it meant when we ofthe colonies armed ourselves against the king's men.
"I was expecting to see you because of what Harvey told me; but did notthink for a minute you would dare make any effort to set me free,"Archie said after a long pause, and Hiram added with a chuckle of mirthwhich I could hear even above the whistling of the wind and the swish ofthe waves:
"It must have surprised you when that 'ere glass was broken in; but Inoticed it didn't take a great while to get your wits about you."
"I had been warned. Standing near by the window when the lightningflashed, I saw you, and knew what might be your purpose."
"'Tis a great night for business like this," and again Hiram chuckled asif the whole matter was a huge joke. "Here we are in one of hismajesty's own boats, snug as bugs in a wet rug, and being carried fasterthan any ten-oared barge could move, we not raising a hand. Talk aboutgetting out of Boston town! I can't say that it is any great trick, andwe are going as comfortably as possible except, perhaps, that there's alittle too much water about. If this 'ere thunder gust holds out tenminutes longer we should be well off the Penny ferry. It would giveSilas a good shaking up if we got into camp before he did," and Hiramlaughed long and loud, seeming to enjoy making a noise now that we werethe same as free from pursuit.
Then it was that Harvey put me to shame by much the same as proving Ihad not head enough to hold command of the Minute Boys.
"I can see full well why Archie should go to Cambridge," he said, forcedalmost to scream in order to make his words heard above the noise of thetempest; "but what puzzles me is why Luke Wright and I are going? Itappears as if we were advertising the fact that we had a hand in thelad's escape, whereas, by returning to our homes now, and showingourselves to-morrow morning in the usual places, no suspicion would bearoused."
Hiram stared at the speaker as if in surprise during a dozen seconds,and then said emphatically:
"That's no mean head you've got on your shoulders, lad, and it mixes meup not a little because I was such a simple as not to have thought thatfor you and Luke Wright to disappear at the exact time Archie did, wouldbe much the same as confessing that you had a hand in the neat littletrick done at the Britishers' prison."
Now that Harvey had spoken, reminding me of my duty, I could understandfull well how foolish we would be to remain with Hiram and Archie. Wecould gain nothing by going to Cambridge, because Silas was most likealready on his way there carrying such information as had been gathered,and the dullest fellow that ever walked the streets of Boston town couldnot fail to realize how much of trouble we might be laying up forourselves. Therefore it was that I asked quickly of Hiram whether or nohe could work the boat so far in shore that we might land.
By this time we were well off Barton's point, having sailed around theeasterly end of the town, and the tempest was yet as fierce as when weset off.
"Bless your soul, lad, I can put her almost anywhere on this 'ere shore,though I don't claim to be what you might call a sailor, nor even a goodimitation of one: but it's a mighty poor stick that can't work a pair ofoars."
As he spoke he swung the little craft around to the westward, thusbringing the full strength of the wind on the port side, which causedher to make more leeway than headway.
For some moments I was in doubt as to whether he might be able to workthe trick; but he showed himself on this occasion, as he did many timesin the days that came, a fellow bent upon accomplishing that which heset out to do, and I verily believe he would have run his neck closeinto a Britisher's noose rather than admit that this thing or the otherwas impossible for him.
The storm was well-nigh spent when Harvey and I leaped on shore near therope walk; but the wind yet blew strong and steadily so that the journeymight be continued without much labor, if so be Hiram counted on makingland at the Penny ferry.
"We'll see you before many days have passed!" I cried to Archie, and hereplied:
"I hope so, Luke Wright, for even though I am going among friends, outof the king's prison, my heart is sore at parting."
"Never fear but that we'll meet before growing gray headed," Hiramadded. "It's an even bet, though, that th
e two of us don't venture intoBoston town within the next ten days."
