The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 20

"It is surely time," said Scarlett, as he arose and shook himself together like a great dog. "Even the softest cus.h.i.+on grows hard, Master Pennington, when a man waits overlong."

But Pennington made no answer; there was a mocking light in his eyes, as he held back the hangings that they might enter; and an unpleasant smile was upon his lip.

In the centre of the room, which was a lofty one, was a huge table. At the head of this sat General Gage. Upon either side sat Ezra's grandfather and Major Buckstone.

As the latter caught sight of Ezra he arose to his feet and his heavy voice arose with him.

"Ah, my young gentlemen," he saluted. "Well met. I am more pleased to see you than I can express."

"You are very good, Major Buckstone," said Ezra calmly. He bowed to the angry old officer. There was a smile upon his face as though the meeting gave him real pleasure. This rendered the major furious.

"You are impudent, sir," he roared, banging the table with his fist.

"You are insolent! But," in triumph, "there are several matters which we have before us which will make you change your manner in a moment."

He would have continued in this strain, had not Gage said, coldly:

"Kindly remember, Major Buckstone, that I am to conduct this affair."

The major grew purple; however, he saluted silently and resumed his seat.

The British governor-general regarded Ezra speculatively for a moment.

He seemed to be gathering his thoughts. Finally, he cleared his throat and said:

"We have been informed by Mr. Pennington with regard to what pa.s.sed a few nights ago. Also he has told us of his meeting with you," then nodding at the young soldier, who stood stiffly, "and with this gentleman, to-night."

There was a short pause; then the commander of the British continued:

"This dispatch-a paper of the utmost importance in furthering the King's cause-I understand was turned over by you to a certain mysterious person whom you have not named."

Ezra inclined his head.

"It is necessary," and Gage leaned his stout body forward, "that the name and quality of this person be supplied us."

"As to his quality," returned Ezra Prentiss, "I can vouch for that. He is a most excellent gentleman and has the country's peace at heart."

Gage frowned.

"That tells us very little," he said. "The country's peace is claimed by those rascals across the river to be the thing nearest their thoughts.

And yet you see them in arms against the King and his Parliament. You must go further than that, Master Prentiss."

But Ezra shook his head.

"I am sorry," said he. "But that I cannot do."

The displeasure upon the face of Gage increased. He was about to continue; but suddenly his expression changed; he held up one hand and appeared to be listening intently. Then suddenly a smile overspread his countenance.

"It is more than likely that the misuse which you have made of this dispatch will do little harm," he said. "But, for all," with a keen look, "I would like much to have this unknown gentleman's name."

A deep rumbling sound came from off in the distance. This was what Gage's quick ear had heard. Through one of the windows Ezra noted a red reflection glance across the sky.

"They have begun the sally," he thought. But he kept his expression of his concern from appearing in his face; the gaze of Gage was fixed upon him, and it would not do to show any interest except in the matter at hand.

Major Buckstone also caught the sound. He looked at his commanding officer inquiringly.

"You have been prompt," said he.

"It was necessary," replied the governor, dryly. "A great deal of time had been wasted, you know."

The bluff major seemed stung by this and was about to reply; but Gage's upraised hand silenced him. The general gave Ezra his attention once more.

"You have not answered," said he.

"I cannot," returned the boy.

"I would hesitate in ascribing any motive to your actions that would be to your discredit," said General Gage; "but in the face of this answer, what else can I do? Some time since, before that unfortunate occurrence at Lexington, I recall that you tried to be of some service to me, Master George. And your grandfather tells me, though reluctantly," with a twinkle in his eyes, "that there have been numerous other things you have done to serve the King. But he tells me that you have had queer notions-mixed feelings-odd ways of showing your loyalty."

"He has always had too much regard for the colonies," said Seth Prentiss, and from the expression of his face this was nothing short of a crime. "He has done, it is true, many things that helped our cause,"

continued the old merchant. "But he has done them because he thought it the best way to serve the colonies. The King was never in his heart."

There was a pause. The rumble of the guns rolled across the city; the red flashes became incessant in the sky. And as they grew in volume and frequency, so did the good humor of General Gage increase.

"So long as he has served the King's cause," said the commander, "it matters but very little what his reasons were. But this affair of the dispatch is different."

Here Gilbert Scarlett cleared his throat.

"If I may speak a word," said he, and he bowed elaborately, "I will say that I see no great difference in what has already happened and what is happening now."

Gage looked at him inquiringly.

"If the youth has had odd and curious ways of performing his services in the past," said the soldier of fortune, "is it any matter for wonderment that he should have them in the present?"

"Why," said Gage, apparently much struck by this reasoning, "what you say has the ring of philosophy."

He tapped the edge of the table with his finger-tips for a moment. He was a good-natured man when things were working smoothly; and he showed it now.

"Who knows," laughed he, "but what this is some sort of a pleasant surprise he has in store for us? As he deals in mysteries, much as Abdallah does, there is no telling."

He turned to Ezra.

"So," he continued, "we will allow the matter to rest for a time.

Further action can be taken when any developments come to our notice."

"And in the meantime," inquired Major Buckstone, "what disposition is to be made with regard to the prisoners?"

"Oh, I would scarcely regard them in that light," replied Gage carelessly. "We will allow them what run of the city the townspeople have. Never fear but that they will be at hand when wanted. The ways out of Boston are closely watched, my dear major, as Master Pennington can well tell you. They cannot get out, should they desire to do so ever so much."

The major glowered at Ezra, displeased. The old merchant sat silently grim and unbelieving. Pennington, with satire in his eyes, rubbed the palms of his hands together softly.