CHAPTER X

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Fortune favored us on this tramp across the island. We met with no person, either enemy or friend, owing to the fact of our avoiding the highways, and within two miles of the spot we had selected in which to do our spyin’ came across Abraham on his way to the sloop.

It was much like finding a needle in a hay-stack, this meeting him in the thicket by accident, and I hailed it as a good augury for the future, causing Abraham to laugh heartily when the thought was put into words.

“It’s like all of these ‘good luck signs,’ brought about by intention. I have had my ears open for you lads from the time of settin’ out, an’, with a fair idea of the course that would naturally be followed, it might have been more strange had we not come together.”

“Have you anythin’ of importance to report?”

“No; everythin’ is much as when you left. The Britishers seem to be makin’ good headway with their boat-buildin’, an’ are workin’ like beavers. So far as I could make out they’re not spendin’ much time tryin’ to learn what our people are doin’, which is accounted for by the fact of their bein’ in such force that it seems like an easy task to overcome us when the preparations have been made.”

Then Abe asked concerning what we had done with the prisoners, and, promising to return at the earliest possible moment to set my mind at rest regarding what General Putnam might say about our tackling Tories when we were ordered to spy upon the enemy, continued on his way, halting an instant later to cry out:

“I found a snug place in which to hide. Look just under the hill for a hole!”

We were at a loss to understand his meaning until having arrived at what we considered our station, and then we found what might be called a cave, although in reality it was nothing better than a place hollowed out by the water. It would serve to screen us from view of any who might creep up as Luther and Ezra had done, however, and we counted it a fortunate find.

Abraham had evidently spent no little time in making the place take on something of the appearance of a habitation, and Sam said in a tone of content as he seated himself on a big rock at the very edge of the hole, where could be had a clear view of the opposite shore:

“I wonder you an’ I didn’t think of huntin’ for somethin’ like this, Eph! We can be as snug as bugs in a rug here, an’ I’m allowin’ we’d be well sheltered in case of a shower. Besides, it’s not such a bad place in which to sleep, an’ seein’s how there’s nothin’ for us to do ’twixt now an’ daylight, why not turn in, for one must travel to Wallabout an’ back when another night has come?”

I was not inclined for sleep just then, having had my fill during the day; but because of the opportunity I stretched myself at full length on the sand, and speculated as to what we Minute Boys might yet be able to do in the way of proving ourselves capable of playing the part of men, until my eyes finally closed in slumber.

When I awakened the day was just breaking, and, arousing Sam, we two crept down to the water’s edge where we washed our hands and faces, a most pleasing duty because of the heat, which promised to be great before noon. Then we ate from the store of food brought from Master Onderdonk’s, which was yet quite considerable, and settled down for a dreary time of watching.

The red-coats were at work on the unwieldy barges when it was possible for us to distinguish objects on the opposite shore, and I had no doubt but that they had spent the night at the same task. So far as we could judge, those on the fleet had nothing better to do than idle the time away, and there was but little movement in the encampment.

The forenoon was no more than half spent when, to our great surprise, Abraham suddenly appeared before the entrance to our cave, having approached so noiselessly that we had no hint of his coming.

“Yes, I made good time,” he said in reply to my exclamation, throwing himself down on the sand as if weary to the verge of exhaustion. “I am allowin’ that one of you will go with the next report, an’ I can stay here until my legs are in better shape, for they are numb with much walkin’.”

“But what about the prisoners?” I asked, irritated because he had not begun at once to tell the story, and he replied carelessly, as if the matter was of but little importance:

“Oh, they are all right; Lieutenant Winterbottom has the curs in charge, an’ will turn them over to the magistrate.”

“The magistrate?” I repeated. “What has the city authorities to do with them? Aren’t they prisoners of war?”

“I could not well make out the drift of the talk between the lieutenant and General Putnam; but the way it appeared to me was that they allowed the Tories couldn’t be held by the army, since they were not soldiers, an’--Well, the fact of the matter is, Eph, I don’t understand it myself, save that they are to be charged with makin’ an assault on you and Sam, an’ the lieutenant will see to it they are held in custody until you two can be there to appear against ’em, which means that they’re safe in jail.”

“Did the general make any complaint because of our capturin’ ’em?” Sam asked.

“It looked to me as if he took it as a matter of course, knowin’ you couldn’t spy on the fleet an’ have them hangin’ ’round makin’ trouble. Luther was chafin’ a good bit under the collar when I left him; but Ezra’s more of a decent fellow, an’ says he won’t forget how you treated him in the matter of the gag. The most important news I’ve brought is that we needn’t make a daily trip to New York unless there’s some decided move on the part of the enemy. What we’re really here for, is to get word into New York as soon as possible after they start to make a landin’, an’ because of the orders given, the sloop will be off Red Hook from now on, so’s to save us a journey to Wallabout.”

This was good news indeed, for that tramp across the island at night was no little of a hardship, and when there was nothing new of which to make report, it seemed to me useless.

Abraham had brought with him an additional supply of provisions, together with a jug in which we could keep fresh water, and by the time the stores were packed away and the bottom of the cave smoothed off somewhat, we were, as I looked upon the matter, very comfortably fixed for three lads who were supposed to be doing military duty.

And now, because of there being nothing of interest to tell concerning ourselves, I propose to pass over without a word all that time when we remained in hiding, as it were, until the moment came that we had information in plenty for General Putnam.

Being able to keep a supply of water on hand, it was only necessary for us to leave our hiding place at such times as the stores ran low, and, consequently, we had no fear of being seen by enemies on land, while it was an easy matter to remain hidden from view of those who passed on the water.

Then came the moment when the British forces were put in motion, and the serious part of our work was begun. Three of the ships, and we came afterward to know that they were the Phœnix, the Rose, and the Greyhound, with two bomb-boats, put off from Staten Island early in the morning of the 22nd of August, and at the same time we could see troops going on board the unwieldy scows that had been building.

On that morning I had awakened just at break of day, and stood leisurely looking out from the mouth of the cave until, the vapors of the night lifting, showed this portion of the British fleet in motion. It can well be understood that I lost no time in arousing my companions.

“I reckon it’s a case of settin’ out for Red Hook as soon as may be, lads!” I cried. “The Britishers are making a move.”

Short though the time was before Abraham and Sam stood near me looking out over the water, the three ships had already gotten under way, and I believed we should set off on the instant to find Abel Grant, for this was that movement which we had been detailed to watch.

Fortunately Abraham had sharper wit, and when I excitedly urged that he start on the journey without a second’s delay, he said, quietly pointing to the flatboats which were anchored off-shore and being rapidly filled with troops and guns:

“Wait until we see in which direction yonder red-coats are goin’, for I reckon the general wants that information as well.”

“Suppose I start off ahead to search for Abel Grant nearabout Gowanus bay, an’ by the time he has pulled inshore you will most likely have come,” Sam cried.

Abraham favored this proposition; but looked to me as the leader to give the word, and Sam set off at once.

Now it was reasonable to suppose that there were others who had been sent down by General Putnam for the purpose of giving timely warning of this movement; but that was no affair of ours, save that I burned to be the first who should arrive with the tidings, and waited with an impatience amounting almost to ill temper, until the ships that were under way came to an anchor in Gravesend bay, and Abraham said, as if well versed in all the arts of warfare:

“Now do we know the whole story, lad. I have counted eighteen of yonder flatboats that, well filled with soldiers, are bein’ brought out from their anchorage, an’ these ships have come across to cover their landin’. Look! All the troops appear to be in motion; the encampment is broken up, an’ we may count on it that within the next two or three hours the force yonder will be on Long Island.”

Now he was as eager as I to be off, and, leaving all our little belongings in the cave, thinking only of getting on board the sloop in the shortest possible space of time, we set out at full speed, regardless of whether Tory eyes beheld us or not, striking straight across to Yellow Hook, and from there along the line of the shore so that we might catch the first glimpse of the Swiftsure.

“We’ve got a good wind for the voyage, and if so be our admiral don’t delay us by havin’ changed anchor-ground, we may possibly get ahead of any others who have been sent here for the same purpose as we,” Abe cried eagerly as we ran.

That the Tories on the island were well aware of the intended movement we could well understand as we pressed forward swiftly, for we met

## parties of two or three coming out from the thicket in every direction,

like flies who have scented molasses, and more than one of the scoundrels gave chase to us as if knowing on what errand we were bound; but our anxiety to be the first in New York with the news, as well as the fear of capture, lent such fleetness to our feet that pursuit would have been useless save by mounted men.

Fortune surely favored us in our efforts, for after passing the bend at Yellow Hook, leaving the highway on our right and keeping close to the edge of the shore, we saw the sloop standing down upon us, while Sam was but a short distance away waving his cap vigorously.

Seth Hartley pushed off in the skiff, bringing us aboard when the sloop was well in, and we waded down into the water waist-deep to clamber on board, so that a few seconds of time might be saved.

Then, once alongside the Swiftsure, and even before the skiff had been made fast, Abel put the sloop about, headed for New York, while we jumped down on the halliards and set the canvas yet more smoothly, counting thus to get every ounce of wind that might come our way.

“I believe we’re the first off,” Abel said in a tone of exultation as he scanned the surrounding waters without seeing other craft nearabout. “By comin’ down shore we’ve gained a good two hours an’ a half of time, therefore you Minute Boys should make the best showing of all the spies that have been loiterin’ on Long Island since the British fleet came into the bay!”

“And how many others, think you, have been engaged in the same task?” I asked.

“Well, judgin’ from what I’d do if I was General Putnam, the shore must have been pretty thickly lined with them, because no dozen men could keep watch of all the likely landing-places.”

The sloop was tended as never before since having been launched, and the helmsman did not allow his eyes to wander in any direction, but kept them on that point toward which we were headed, lest peradventure we might lose a few yards in distance that could otherwise have been saved.

The wind was abeam, and of sufficient strength to send the little craft through the water with a good-sized bone in her teeth, we all the while keeping jealous watch for any who might be putting out from the island.

When we were come off Governor’s Island the men in the fortification there, seeing us straining every effort to get the best speed out of our craft, must have guessed somewhat of our purpose, and would have brought us to, that we might answer their questions. We were not minded, however, to tell of what we had seen to any save General Putnam, and kept on our way, evidently much to their anger, for one man went so far as to point a gun at Abel Grant, shouting words we could not distinguish, but which were probably an order for us to heave to without delay.

“It’ll take more’n a musket ball to stop this ’ere craft,” Abel Grant said laughing, and verily I believe the possibility of danger only served to raise his spirits.

It was low tide when we crossed the river, running the course from the outermost end of Governor’s Island to the battery on Bowling Green as straight as might be, and then it was possible for us to see the long spikes driven in the booms of logs, making a regular set of porcupine quills, which were anchored just below the surface to prevent the enemy from getting up to the city on that side.

We did not give much heed to them at the time, for our desires outran even the speed of the sloop, and at risk of staving the bow in, Abel Grant run her up to the bulkhead in front of the battery, I leaping ashore at the very moment she struck.

Arrived at headquarters, breathless and excited, boiling with the hope that I was the first to bring the news, it was as if no sentry had been placed there, for I failed to hear the man challenge me when I darted past to enter the building, but before he could overtake me, for he did not dare to shoot, I had forced open the outer door, and an instant later stood in front of General Putnam.

He was busily engaged with three other officers; but instead of losing his temper because of my unceremonious entrance, asked hurriedly as he leaped to his feet:

“Has the enemy begun to make a landing?”

“Ay, sir, and in Gravesend bay. We waited long enough to see three ships and two bomb-boats coming to anchor just off the shore, an’ no less than twenty flatboats filled with soldiers had left their moorings, bein’ towed across. The other scows were takin’ the men as fast as possible.”

“How long since this was begun?”

“We saw the first movement at daybreak; but waited until the ships had come to anchor in the bay before leavin’.”

“How does it happen that you have been able to get here so quickly?” the general asked, much as if misdoubting the correctness of my report.

Hurriedly I explained why we were enabled to get aboard the sloop so quickly, and as for the possibilities of our making the trip in quick time, he could see for himself by glancing out at the trees which were bending under the weight of the fresh breeze.

“You have done well, my lad. Where is your sloop now?”

“Just here at the battery bulkhead, sir, an’ all our company are aboard.”

“Hold her there until you get further orders from Lieutenant Winterbottom. How many men will she carry?”

“Thirty, perhaps, if you stow them snugly, and are not afraid of overloadin’.”

The general turned his back on me to speak with the officers at the table, and I waited, not knowing whether the interview was at an end, mayhap four or five minutes, when in the midst of giving hurried orders to the aides who came pouring in as if well aware of what news I brought, he chanced to see me again, when he said in a friendly tone; but speaking so rapidly as to show he had no time to waste:

“You may go to your sloop, lad. There is nothing further to be said until you hear from me again.”

I hurried out, and was no more than in the open air when the sentry whom I had eluded caught me by the collar, as he asked sharply:

“Are the British landed, lad?”

I was in doubt as to whether it was right to satisfy his curiosity, and he, understanding why I delayed in answering, shook me playfully, as he said:

“There can be no harm done by your talkin’, if such be the case, for it must all be known in a few minutes.”

“They are comin’ ashore at Gravesend bay,” I replied, and as he released his hold I ran across the Green, avoiding as best I might those men who would have stopped me, for it appeared that all who were nearabout when I ran so swiftly to headquarters, had an inkling of what was my purpose.

The sloop was made fast to the bulkhead when I gained the water’s edge, and not less than an hundred stood nearby, nearly all of them soldiers in uniform, who were questioning my comrades as to the cause of our coming.

Abel had refused to answer any questions whatsoever until he saw by my return that our report had been made, and then he gratified the curiosity of the by-standers in so far as he believed was right.

Before half an hour had passed we learned that troops had been sent over to the island day after day until the greater portion of our army was ready to meet the invader; but there yet remained so many in New York that the wonder to me was how they might be ferried across, until I saw the whale-boats, skiffs, sloops, and every kind of a craft that could be mustered, gathering nearabout where we were moored.

All was bustle and seeming confusion for an hour or more, and then as rapidly as might be these boats which had been gathered so suddenly, and it seemed to me mysteriously until I learned that the greater number of them had been kept under waiting orders, were loaded to the gunwales one by one with men, after which they set off for the opposite shore without heed to either military or naval formation.

Then Lieutenant Winterbottom came down hurriedly with orders for us to pull around to Peck’s Slip, and wait there for General Putnam and his staff.

“Their horses have already been taken across in a flatboat, therefore you will have no difficulty in ferrying them. Once they are landed, the orders are that the sloop ply back and forth carrying whosoever may apply for passage, and this you are to do so long as any soldiers remain on this side desiring to cross.”

When we had worked the sloop around to the slip we saw nearby fifteen or twenty casks of sea-bread, made of pease meal, hard as flint, and I noticed that as each man passed he took as many as could be carried conveniently, whereupon I asked Abel Grant if he believed such as that was the only food our soldiers would carry with them.

“It’s a good deal more’n some of ’em will want within an hour after the battle has been opened,” he said grimly, and, strange though it may seem, this remark of his caused me to realize more keenly than I had done since we banded ourselves together as Minute Boys, that we were about to know the meaning of the word “war.”

Even here at Peck’s Slip were other boats being laden with heavy, living cargoes, and as each craft started the men on board cheered lustily as if bound on some pleasure excursion, while I asked myself with an inward shudder how many might be alive or dead when the sun had set.

General Putnam and his staff arrived very shortly after we were ready to receive them. Once they had been taken across we found ourselves with ample work to do, for no sooner had we ferried one load than another was ready to be taken on board, and all the while we expected each instant to hear the booming of cannon which would tell that the battle had begun.

Not until night had fully come were we done with our task as ferrymen, and then was the sloop tied up at Peck’s Slip, for we had no further word as to what might be expected of us.

Lieutenant Winterbottom had gone over with General Putnam, and all the order he gave was such as has already been set down here, therefore we were in no little bewilderment as to our proper course of action.

“Accordin’ to my reckonin’ we’re bound to lay here till mornin’, an’ then if so be there are left any soldiers to go across, we’ll continue the work,” Abel Grant said by way of ending the discussion which had arisen among us. “If the lieutenant wants us, failin’ to find the sloop on the other side, he’s got sense enough to understand she would be here, therefore can he get us word whenever it pleases him.”

We were standing on deck while speculating as to what should be done, and I called the attention of my comrades to the number of people on the street, saying:

“After so many have crossed, it would seem as if there could not be a man left in the town.”

“I’m allowin’ that pretty nigh all here are them as hope the red-coats will swallow us up as completely as the whale did Jonah, for it stands to reason that every able-bodied man who wanted to, an’ could, get away, would be on yonder shore, knowin’ as all our people must that every arm is needed,” Abel Grant said, and I fancied for an instant that he was reproving us Minute Boys for thus playing the part of ferrymen when we should be carrying muskets.

“No, no, I don’t mean that, lad,” he said quickly when I put into words my thoughts. “You are already in the service, an’ actin’ under orders, consequently, as I look at the matter, have no right to leave this ’ere sloop until word has been given. It makes an honest man’s blood boil to see so many who should be defendin’ their homes, walkin’ to and fro with the hope that the enemy can do as he pleases.”

“There are two who can’t at all events,” Sam said with a laugh, “an’ they are Luther Stedman an’ Ezra Billings. I wonder how those precious Tories are enjoyin’ themselves about this time?”

“It may be they’ll gain their liberty sooner than we count on, for if the British take this town they will of course set free such as them,” I began, and stopped very suddenly at that point, for not above an hundred paces distant, walking along the water front as if searching for some one, was none other than Luther Stedman himself!

So amazed was I at the knowledge that he whom we had believed was being kept where he could do no further mischief, had liberty to walk the streets, that I stood in open-mouthed astonishment staring at him, and one by one my companions followed the direction of my gaze, each in turn giving vent to an exclamation of anger and of astonishment.

Whether the villainous cur saw us or not I am unable to say, although in view of what happened am I inclined to the belief that he recognized the sloop even before we were aware of his presence. Certain it is, however, that he walked leisurely along the street, ceasing now to gaze on either side, but apparently intent only on gaining such exercise as might be possible from a leisurely stroll, and we four, for Seth Hartley joined with us in our indignation, watched the fellow until he was lost to view in the distance, when Abel Grant cried in a tone of anger:

“It seems that such high and mighty officers as Lieutenant Winterbottom have little care whether common people like us come to grief or not! It was no more work for him to keep those Tories in jail than to set them free, an’ the wonder of it is that we were not attacked while on duty at the Narrows.”

“But why did he allow them their liberty?” I asked, and Abel replied bitterly:

“Because there are some in this ’ere army of ours who don’t attend to their duty.”

We were too thoroughly stupefied to discuss the matter, and as if with one accord went below, where we sat in silence for an hour or more, until Abel Grant said curtly:

“If there’s a cook aboard this ’ere craft, I’m thinkin’ we’d best have somethin’ to eat, for if work is to be done to-morrow we must turn in an’ get a bit of rest.”

My heart was very bitter when I lay down in the bunk that night, and the thought that Lieutenant Winterbottom, who had seemingly been a friend, should have so far neglected us as to allow these Tories their liberty at a time when they might do us grievous injury, kept slumber from my eyelids until a late hour.

Next morning at the break of day we were hailed by the sergeant in command of a squad of men, who claimed to have direct orders from the lieutenant that they be taken across to Brooklyn in the sloop, and from that hour until the sun set again we had little opportunity to dwell upon our fancied wrongs.

And yet during all this day, when it had seemed as if we were on the eve of battle, no sound was heard betokening activity of the enemy.

Had I not seen them with my own eyes, I should have doubted whether the information that they were landed could have been correct, and even as it was I questioned whether they might not have gone back, until late in the afternoon while we were lying on Long Island side, some of our people told of a skirmish that had taken place near Bennett’s Cove, when four Americans were wounded.

It was not an engagement in any sense of the word; but blood had been spilled, and those who, like myself, were beginning to question whether the enemy intended to make an attack, no longer doubted but that the critical time must be near at hand.

We did not see Lieutenant Winterbottom during this day; but just at nightfall a messenger came from Flatbush Pass with an order from the lieutenant that we moor the sloop off the ferry-landing on the Brooklyn side, there to await further commands.

This same man told us that there had been some skirmishing between our advance guard and those of the British; that Colonel Marton of the New Jersey Levies had been seriously wounded, and Master Rutgers, whom all us lads knew well, was killed.

When we had anchored our boat in accordance with the commands received, perhaps fifty yards from the shore, and were all thoroughly tired with the exercise of working the craft from early dawn without a moment for rest, save such as could be had while we were standing to and fro across the river, Abel Grant said as if it was a matter of not overly much importance:

“I’m allowin’ that all hands can’t afford to turn in to-night; no one may say when the bloomin’ Britishers will take it into their heads to make an attack, an’ it would be a pretty kettle of fish if we should be found asleep when most sorely needed.”

“There’s no need of so many words about it, if you count on our standin’ guard from now till mornin’,” Abraham said petulantly, and as a matter of fact the temper of our crew had been sorely tried that day by the fault-finding of those who called themselves soldiers, and yet had never smelled burning powder. “Say what you want done, an’ we’ll come up to the scratch.”

“Then I’m allowin’ that Seth an’ I’ll stand our trick from now until midnight. Ephraim an’ Abe are to take the next turn until four o’clock, when Sam, who professes to be the cook, shall come on an’ make breakfast ready.”

It was a matter of indifference to me, this setting a watch. I did not believe any such precaution was needed, yet at the same time had no intention of running counter to the admiral’s plans when they concerned the handling of the sloop.

I was dissatisfied with myself because we three lads, who had counted so eagerly on being able to do important work as Minute Boys, were come down to playing ferrymen for a lot of half-baked soldiers who had more of insolence than patriotism in their hearts, and when Sam accused me of being sore-headed, I told him that which was in my mind, whereupon he said laughingly:

“I’m allowin’ we lads have considerable to learn about war, an’ perhaps we shall yet have all the chance we want of bein’ shot at. Yesterday mornin’ it seemed certain to me that a battle was comin’ off within an hour or two, an’ up to this time, except for a couple of skirmishes, nothin’ has been done. Our turn will come later.”

“Yes, when there’s no opportunity to win any honor,” I said bitterly, and then threw myself down in the bunk refusing to speak another word.

Half an hour later, perhaps, Abraham and Sam followed my example, and, seeing that we had composed ourselves for sleep, Abel Grant and Seth went on deck, there to keep what I believed to be a useless watch.

Because of the dissatisfaction in my mind concerning the release of the Tories and our being made to play so poor a part when we should have been in the field as soldiers, slumber did not come readily to my eyelids, and it must have been well to midnight before I finally lost myself in Dreamland, only to be aroused a moment later, as it seemed to me, by a noise as if of a terrible struggle on deck, wherein men were striving for the mastery, or for life.

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