The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 24

Once in the street, Ezra made all haste to the "Jolly Rover."

"Something must be done at once," he muttered. "I'll have to contrive to leave Boston within twenty-four hours, or I'm done for."

The first persons he saw at the inn were Scarlett and the landlord in close converse in a far corner of the long room. Scarlett beckoned him at once, and the boy approached them.

"Sit down," said the soldier of fortune, "and as there are two of our shadows keeping us under observation, I would suggest that you do not allow anything that we might say to make you change countenance."

"You have news then?" questioned Ezra.

"Most urgent news for you at least," said Gilbert Scarlett.

He pulled up his soft leather boots and twirled one point of his moustache.

"At first," said he, "like the others here I was not at all sure as to which side you favored in this struggle. But since becoming more intimate with you, I have discovered at least enough," laughing, "to make up my mind."

"A son of James Prentiss could not be for anything else than liberty,"

said the ex-first mate of the "Champion," stoutly.

"Thank you, Mr. Stacey," said Ezra, quietly.

"Well," said the adventurer, "let's to our news. It has transpired," he proceeded to Ezra, "that General Gage will at last make a move. A large body of troops will cross the river with entrenching tools within the next three nights."

"But you don't know exactly when or where?"

"No," replied the innkeeper as the other hesitated. "I had the news from a source that can't be wrong; but it went no farther than to say that the movement would be carried out within three nights."

Ezra sat for a moment regarding his friends.

"There are two reasons, then," he said at length, "why I should leave Boston at once."

The others said nothing, but waited for what was to come.

"I must warn General Ward," continued the boy. "That is the first and most important. The second is that I must keep myself out of a dungeon."

"Your visit to your grandfather, then, has not been without result,"

hazarded the soldier of fortune shrewdly.

"No," said Ezra. "On the contrary, what I heard there was sharp and definite enough." Then he turned to the innkeeper. "Mr. Stacey, I will trouble you to-night for one of your suits of slops and any other thing that may be useful in hiding my ident.i.ty. If you can also direct me to a place where a boat is to be had, I shall be much in your debt."

"No son of your father's can speak of being in my debt," said the old sailor. He pondered a moment while the others watched him. Then he proceeded: "A disguise is simple enough. But a boat is a different matter. However, I think I can do it." Then he laid a hand upon Ezra's arm. "You are running a great risk in making such a venture."

"I would be running one equally great if I did not take it," replied the boy.

"The waters all about the city are fairly choked with armed craft," said Scarlett. "How can we pa.s.s them and get fairly away?"

"We?" said Ezra.

"Why, to be sure, we." The speaker gestured his entire acceptance of the situation. "Do you forget that I promised to stand your friend if you needed one?"

"I would shake your hand, comrade," spoke Ezra, much touched, "if it were not for our being watched."

"Don't give me too much credit," laughed Scarlett, his moustaches pointing upward. "You forget that if you stand a chance of going to a dungeon, I would not be far behind you; for I am not much beyond their suspicions."

"You are right," said Ezra, "and that makes it easier for me to accept your offer." He bent his head toward them and his voice lowered. "It will be a desperate risk, no doubt. But, somehow, I feel that if there is a chance to make the crossing, we will do it."

"Spoken like a lad of mettle," commented the landlord of the "Jolly Rover." "That is the sort of spirit that carries a man well on his way in anything he undertakes."

The remainder of the day they spent together in one of the upper chambers, where they would be well out of the way of all prying eyes and listening ears.

"There is a brig tied up at Burrough's wharf, just opposite Battery Alley," said the innkeeper. "Her skipper is still aboard of her and he is an old s.h.i.+pmate of mine. I can get a dory from him if the case be made plain to his understanding. Then we can put into it some fis.h.i.+ng-tackle, floats, trawls and such like as was used by the fishermen who once drew their living from the harbor."

"An excellent idea," applauded Scarlett. "It reminds me of a little experience I had once in the Bosphorus while I was in the service of the Moslem. And if this ends as fortunately as that, we shall do very well, indeed."

As it was found necessary to get some idea of the anchorage of the heavy vessels and the patrolling guard of the smaller, the ex-seaman got out a long gla.s.s and they ascended to the garret, where from one of the dusty windows they could sweep the bay.

s.h.i.+ps of the line and frigates were there in plenty. Heavy troop s.h.i.+ps, and others which had lately arrived with cargoes of supplies, lay sluggishly tugging at their chains.

"There is nothing to be feared from the seaward," said Stacey. "So there is little or no activity. The smaller vessels are further up in the rivers. So your best plan, as I see it, is to take a small lug-sail in the bottom of your boat, pull straight out into the harbor, and when you think you are beyond the danger line, up with your sail and head for the nearest safe point that you can make."

This seemed a most excellent piece of advice, and after some discussion it was adopted. As night drew on the two ate a hearty supper.

"It will help both our strength and our courage," said Scarlett. "My experience has taught me that a well cared for stomach is a most necessary thing in an adventure."

It was eleven o'clock when they donned some worn fisherman's clothing and each a tarpaulin hat. Both wore their hair clubbed in seafaring fas.h.i.+on; and with them they carried the trawl-lines and other equipment that Stacey provided.

The latter had preceded them; so they stole along, keeping in the deepest shadows, toward Burrough's wharf. They narrowly escaped several guards; but at last came safely to the place where the brig was tied up.

The dory was ready; and Stacey and his friend the skipper were awaiting them.

"There are two strong sweeps, a mast and sail in the bottom of her," the innkeeper told them. "Keep your minds clear as to the position of the war-s.h.i.+ps and guard vessels; pull straight out of the harbor between them, if you can. It is a moonless night, and so far the luck is with you."

The speaker shook their hands as did the brig's master.

"I'm taking a risk in doing this," said the latter. "But, then, every man must do what he can for the cause, and this is my share for the time."

There were low-voiced good-byes spoken, then Ezra and Scarlett stepped into the dory, slipped the sweeps into place, headed out into the dark harbor and gave way.

More and more distant grew the few military lights on sh.o.r.e. Nearer and nearer drew the belt of s.h.i.+p lights; and the vessels themselves began to lift their dark bulks out of the water like huge monsters of the deep, watchful, waiting, full of silent terrors.

CHAPTER XII

SHOWS HOW EZRA AND THE ADVENTURER WON BY THE BRITISH FLEET

The night was moonless and without stars; a fresh breeze was blowing from the landward; this, together with the strong strokes of the rowers, drove the dory forward at a good rate of speed.