The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 40

"They will be driven from the Heights," he declared, grimly.

At once he went to work. Twenty-four hundred men were ordered to embark in transports, rendezvous at Castle William and make a night attack upon the American position. The command of this force was given to the gallant Earl Percy, the same who had come to the retreating column under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith as it fell back in defeat from Lexington in the spring before.

Was.h.i.+ngton saw this movement and sent two thousand men to reinforce General Thomas; and with the reinforcement marched Ezra Prentiss and his friends. Everywhere among the Americans was anxiety to meet the foe.

"I never saw such high spirits anywhere," said Nat Brewster.

"Every man on the Heights seems exultant," said Ezra. "They seem to think victory is ready at their hands."

"And a right good thought that is for men about to engage a hostile force," observed Gilbert Scarlett.

"Did you see the rows of barrels?" asked George Prentiss. "They are filled with earth, and have been placed in front. Upon the enemies'

advance they will be rolled down the hillside upon them."

While things were being made ready, General Was.h.i.+ngton appeared upon the ground to inspect what was going forward and to cheer up the troops.

"Remember, men, it is the fifth of March," he said. "Avenge the deaths of your brethren shot down in Boston."

At fort Number Two, near Cambridge, a fine body of four thousand troops were paraded and made ready to a.s.sault the British lines. This was arranged into two divisions; one was under General Greene, the other under General Sullivan-and the whole under command of General Putnam.

But the fight was not to be just yet. The wind blew up so furiously that the British transports could not reach their destinations; and the surf was too heavy for boats to have made a landing.

The next day the British attack was still further delayed for the same reason; and all the time the Americans were increasing the strength of their works.

"I can find it in my heart to be sorry that the attack was not made,"

Was.h.i.+ngton said to his generals. "Everything was complete for the reception of the enemy; we can hardly hope for a repet.i.tion of the same conditions."

Howe was forced to abandon his project and his troops returned to Boston. His situation was now perplexing and critical. The fleet could not ride at anchor because of the positions of the American batteries, and the British army was unable to drive them from these positions. The Boston Tories, in a panic of fear of what might happen, demanded the protection which had long been guaranteed. No dispatches had been received from London for a long time.

"It looks," grumbled the British officers, "as though we'd been left to get out of a bad sc.r.a.pe as best we can."

"To remain in Boston," said General Howe to the Tories, "will put my troops in great danger."

"But if you don't remain, you will put us loyalists, and all property, in equal danger," promptly answered Ruggles, the Tory leader.

But Howe was now looking at the other side of the picture. The fate of property was nothing to him when his army was in the balance. When he had a.s.sumed command, he had written the ministry many reasons why Boston should be held. But with the great guns upon Dorchester Heights frowning down upon him, he saw many reasons why he should abandon it.

Was.h.i.+ngton desired to gain possession of the city above all else; but he wished to do so without bloodshed if it could be done. However, he went on with his preparations. On the ninth he planted a battery on Bird's Hill and began firing upon the British s.h.i.+pping. Nook's Hill was an eminence greatly feared by Howe and his officers. All along they had felt that if the Americans established themselves upon it, Boston would, indeed, be at their mercy.

Was.h.i.+ngton now directed that Nook's Hill be occupied. A strong detachment was sent there in the night. While the guns were being brought up, Ezra Prentiss noted a soldier impudently kindling a fire behind the hill. He sprang toward the man, crying:

"h.e.l.lo! Put that out!"

The man was a surly fellow and made a short reply. Ezra, without parleying, kicked the blazing wood about and began trampling upon it.

But it was too late, the enemy saw the light, suspected what was going forward, and began to fire. This was the beginning of a night of terror; the American batteries answered at once from Cobble Hill, Lechmere's Point, Roxbury and Cambridge; the British thundered and raved through the darkness like the stubborn fighters that they were. More than eight hundred cannon-shots were fired before morning, and the result was that the American works upon Nook's Hill were stopped and the troops withdrawn.

But at the same time, this event showed General Howe that to attempt to hold Boston any longer would be folly. His horse transports were ordered to fall back to Castle William; all goods which would likely be of value to the "rebels" were confiscated. Ammunition which could not be carried was thrown into the river; guns were spiked and gun-carriages were broken.

While waiting for their s.h.i.+ps to a.s.semble, the city was practically given up to sack by the Tories. This news reached the American lines and Ezra and George Prentiss were greatly worried about it.

"If the British really mean to evacuate, this will make it all the harder for those Tories who are left behind," said George.

"And grandfather is just determined, or stubborn, enough to be among those," answered Ezra, anxiously.

In both their minds was a picture of the grim old merchant, deserted, unprotected and at the mercy of a populace whom he had long reviled. And both fervently hoped that the outgoing of Howe would be at once followed by the ingoing of Was.h.i.+ngton; as an unpatrolled city, even for a short time, might mean the death of Seth Prentiss.

On March sixteenth, as the British were still apparently undecided whether to abandon their now a.s.sembled vessels or no, Was.h.i.+ngton took the step that forced the issue. Once more he ordered a night occupation of Nook's Hill. And this time, in spite of the enemy's fire, he held it.

The effect was instantaneous. At nine o'clock the garrison left Bunker Hill; fleets of boats loaded with soldiers and Tories put out from the wharves of Boston.

Instantly the American troops under Putnam were put in motion. Bunker Hill was occupied; a compact force crossed to Boston from that end; another advanced across the Neck under Colonel Learned. These, under the command of Putnam, at once seized all the important posts and manned them. Ezra, Nat, Scarlett and the others, who had all crossed with Colonel Learned, rode in search of Putnam. When they found that stout warrior in the midst of his work, Ezra saluted and said:

"General, if I and my friends can be spared, we'd like to ride to Sun Court."

"Why?" asked Putnam.

"My grandfather lives there; he may be in danger."

"I understand," replied the general. "Go at once; you have my authority to put down any kind of illegal violence."

So away the five dashed through the streets. The smashed doors and windows of stores mutely told their tale; the rows of razed houses whose timbers had gone to keep the British army warm during the winter, left great gaps and also made the town look queer and strange. Gaunt and wan-faced people feebly cheered the boys as they raced over the stones; bands of eager, wolfish-looking men were already prowling about in search of what plunder the outgoing army had been forced to leave behind.

As they approached Sun Court, a m.u.f.fled roar began to reach their ears.

It was the sound of distant voices, angry, threatening, and high-lifted.

"Push on!" cried Ezra, his face whitening.

Urging their mounts to the utmost, they wheeled out of Fish Street into Prince's. Louder grew the cries; people were pouring into Sun Court from every direction. Turning the corner the five rode over the bricked pavement into the midst of these and to the edge of a huge, swaying, shouting mob gathered before Seth Prentiss' door. A stout man with a very red face and wearing the smock of a butcher stood upon the steps.

"He's had his will with us this many a day," cried this person loudly, "and now his British friends have left him for us to have our will with him."

There was a shriek from the mob, and a tossing of hats and arms.

"Let us have him out of his house," yelled a voice above all the others.

"Let us show him that we, too, have our day."

With one impulse the crowd swept forward; some were battering upon the door and heavy shutters, when the boys and Scarlett came plunging through them.

"Hold!" cried Ezra, as he reached his grandfather's door. He wheeled his prancing horse, as did his friends, and faced the mob. "It is the order of General Putnam that no violence be offered to any one. In the name of the Continental Congress we bid you to stand back!"

The uniforms of the five were new to the men of Boston, but the name of Putnam and the mention of the Continental Congress had their effect, and they hesitated.

But the red-faced butcher urged them on.

"Will you be stopped by a parcel of boys?" he shouted. "Will you be cheated of your revenge by a handful of young upstarts because they came a-riding on horseback and use high words?"

The crowd wavered. The butcher saw this and redoubled his efforts; then Scarlett dismounted and approached him quietly. Hooking his thumbs in his sword belt the soldier of fortune said: