The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 22

The man took off his nightcap and scratched his head.

"As to health," said he, "I agree with you. But there have been as big rascals walked the decks of s.h.i.+ps as any they've ever bred ash.o.r.e. I remember when I sailed my last voyage in the 'Champion,' we had a skipper that was as great a villain as ever robbed his employers."

At the mention of the vessel's name, Ezra became more attentive.

"The 'Champion'?" said he. "What owners?"

"Prentiss & Son, Boston."

Scarlett gave Ezra a quick look. The boy regarded the innkeeper with interest.

"I recall the old 'Champion' very well. Her timbers are now rotting on a reef in the South Pacific," said he.

"h.e.l.lo," said the man with the rings in his ears. He peered at the boy through the candle-light. "And who might you be?"

"My name is Prentiss," answered the lad. "I am the son of James Prentiss, one of the 'Champion's' owners."

The man thrust out a great broad hand.

"Young gentleman," said he, "if you'll do me the honor, I'd like to shake your hand."

Ezra smiled and gripped the big paw.

"Your father," continued the other, "was the finest man in this colony.

I've sailed for many owners, but he was the best of them all. Your grandfather now," and the ex-sailor's expression of admiration greatly changed, "was a most excellent merchant. But he expected much and gave but little. That little was, to be sure, regularly and promptly paid; but that is the best I can say.

"But James Prentiss was different. He had a heart in his body for a sailorman. And if one went out of his way to serve him, he'd see to it that he was properly rewarded."

"A good quality," commented Scarlett, approvingly. "It is a proof of appreciation and also encourages effort."

"Quite so, comrade," replied the host. "It does that very thing; and I can prove it to you. On the last voyage of the 'Champion,' she had for her master a Hingham man named Pickering. I was her first mate and she carried a mixed cargo for trading among the islands. Pickering was a man who believed in handspikes and belaying pins in his treatment of the crew, and he was not long out before they were all but in a state of mutiny.

"This proved a fortunate thing for Prentiss & Son," continued the landlord. "We ran on the reef one moonlight night with a light wind blowing and Pickering at the wheel. So when he proposed to abandon s.h.i.+p and cargo without an effort to save either, I objected."

"He must have been a coward as well as a bully," spoke Ezra.

"No, he was a knave. I'd never suspected the true reason of it all if it hadn't been for the bos'n. He'd noticed the same sail hanging in our wake for three days, and he spoke to me of it. Then I saw the real truth. Pickering had laid the 'Champion' on the rocks deliberately. Then his plan was for all hands to make away; the stranger was to approach, quietly take in our cargo, and Prentiss & Son would be the poorer for a fortune."

"A very complete rascal, indeed," said Scarlett. "What did you do?"

"Clapped him in irons and warned the strange vessel off with a show of six-pounders. Afterward I got a brig at Valparaiso, put the cargo into her, and disposed of it to good advantage in the regular way. For that service old Seth Prentiss paid me a first mate's wages; but his son,"

turning to Ezra, "your father, was more open-handed. It was through him that I could at last afford to give up the sea and buy out the 'Jolly Rover.'"

They talked in the same strain for a while longer. But a patrol, knocking loudly at the door and bidding them extinguish the light, at last put an end to it.

The seaman innkeeper led his guests to their rooms.

"I can give you no light," said he, "and I'm main sorry for it. But you can manage to sleep without it, I'm sure."

He had said good-night to both, when he knocked at Ezra's door and reopened it.

"Lad," said he in a low tone, "your father was a friend to me. And if I, William Stacey, can do anything for you or your friend at any time, all you have to do is to give it a name."

"Thank you, Mr. Stacey," replied Ezra, gratefully. "I'll remember that."

The meeting with William Stacey was a most fortunate thing for Ezra. He and Scarlett, before many days had pa.s.sed, found that they could not take a step without a spy being at their heels. Their every action, so it seemed, was noted by a sharp-eyed stranger. They at length mentioned this to Stacey; he grinned and observed:

"I didn't expect anything else, gentlemen. People like you are left at liberty so that you'll in the end lead Gage's spies to something worth paying attention to. But I think I can help you at times when you especially want to escape their notice."

And this he did very successfully. Changes of clothing and large wigs, which were then generally worn, combed in various ways, served to throw the spies off the scent at such times as they were worn. And the two made the rounds of the city in all the guises that Stacey's supply of "slops" could provide them with. As sailors, mechanics and common loafers, they sought information as to the British distribution of force; each battery was carefully marked in their minds, for they dared put nothing upon paper; and each item of whispered news that was picked up was remembered.

They soon learned that Gage feared an uprising of the townspeople in case the city should be attacked. He knew that the citizens had rifles in plenty; and to prevent any possible use of them, he caused it to be made public that in case the town arose against his troops, he'd give it over to the torch and take to his s.h.i.+ps.

Then it was proposed that all those who would lodge their weapons at Faneuil Hall might depart from the city with their families and effects.

Thousands immediately complied with this; for a time it seemed that all Boston was on the move. The Provincial Congress made an equally liberal move. All Tories who desired to enter the city were permitted to do so.

But finally the outgoing townspeople received a check.

"The Tories under Ruggles," William Stacey told Ezra, "think it a bad policy to let them go. They claim that the Whig inhabitants are necessary to save the town from a.s.sault and conflagration. They also threaten to lay down their arms and give the King's cause no further aid if the people are not kept within the lines."

The late days of April had pa.s.sed and May was well advanced. From without the news came of the progress of the American cause. Recruits were reported to be coming strongly into their camp. Their works were growing in extent and strength day by day. A Continental Congress had met at Philadelphia and were considering the matter of a commander-in-chief for the colonial army and a.s.suming the general direction of the war.

One day in May, Ezra saw General Putnam march about twenty-five hundred Americans from Cambridge to Charlestown, which was deserted by its population. This little army crossed Bunker and Breed's Hills, came out by Captain Henly's house, and pa.s.sed into the main street near the old ferry. This was to inspire the army with confidence; they had gotten within gunshot of the enemy when they were ordered back, and so returned to Cambridge.

A spirited fight took place on the 17th near Wheeler's Point. On the 21st, two sloops and an armed schooner sailed out of Boston, being so ordered by General Gage. They carried a detachment of troops to Grape Island, their purpose being to seize upon a quant.i.ty of hay which was stored there. Scarlett got the facts of this expedition and related them to Ezra with great gusto.

"The vessels landed the troops on the island and the hay was being placed on board. But they were not long undisturbed. The bells began to ring at Weymouth; the people a.s.sembled on a point of land near the island and fired at the troops. But their rifles could not carry so far.

Then General Thomas, whom I understand is an officer of experience, came up with three companies of your farmer soldiers. Though under fire of the vessels, these launched a lighter and a sloop and so reached the island. The British, like churls, never waited them, but took to their craft and sailed back to Boston.

"Your friends, so I have heard, burned some eighty tons of hay which they could not take off; and also a barn was destroyed. The cattle on the island were then taken to Weymouth."

Some time later there were like encounters at Hog and Noddles Islands near Chelsea. General Putnam and Dr. Warren both took part in these affairs. The British lost about twenty killed and fifty wounded, besides some swivels and light guns.

The fights on the islands became so frequent that the Americans began to venture out with small armed craft and some successes were had, which excited the ire of the British sea-dogs in command of the heavy s.h.i.+ps in the bay.

About this time the army of Gage was largely reinforced; a number of troop s.h.i.+ps arrived, also large quant.i.ties of stores, and a fleet of vessels of war. Thus encouraged, the British governor on June 12th issued his famous proclamation in which he threatened all "rebels and traitors" and offered pardon to those who should lay down their arms. In this latter Samuel Adams and John Hanc.o.c.k were excepted. It was Gage's intention to punish them, so he said, as their actions deserved.

"It will serve one good purpose," said Ezra in speaking of the proclamation to his companion, Scarlett. "It will rouse the people to a greater anger than before."

"Gage is a very dull-witted gentleman," replied Scarlett. "He once had a chance to add a person of experience," here he twirled his moustaches, "to his command, but, by his insults and insinuations, lost him for good."

"He has those now, who will perhaps prove to be of quicker thought,"

said Ezra. "Generals Clinton, Howe and Burgoyne arrived in the frigate 'Cerberus' some little time since. Their hands will be felt, I fear, when the time comes to strike a blow at the colonial army."

"General Gage is going to send forces to occupy Dorchester Heights and the two hills near Charlestown," said William Stacey, upon the day after the proclamation. "He now has ten thousand men and is beginning to take pride in his strength."

Reports ran riot through the city. The British troops, privates and officers both, took on a different aspect. Their appearance grew smarter; they stepped with a jauntier tread, their spirits were higher.

They paraded more frequently; their drums seemed to beat more briskly; their fifes to squeal more shrilly. More artillery was put ash.o.r.e; the gunboats and armed craft of lighter draught became much more enterprising.