CHAPTER III
.
ON DUTY.
As a matter of course we lads had hoped, when we decided to call ourselves the Minute Boys of Long Island, that the time would come when we might be called upon for service of benefit to the Cause; but we never dreamed it possible to become of such importance that an officer of the American Army would summon us for real work.
It cannot be wondered at that we were, for the time being, puffed up with pride, or that we found it impossible to do other than stare into each other’s faces, wondering whether Lieutenant Winterbottom had understood General Putnam aright, when he was told to summon us.
It was Abel Grant who first gathered his wits, and but for the fact that we knew him so thoroughly well, it might have been believed he was making sport, when he said with that lazy drawl of his:
“It strikes me that I didn’t apply any too soon for the situation as admiral with this ’ere organization, cause, now that sich as General Putnam are achin’ to hob-nob with you lads, ordinary citizens like myself won’t stand any show of gettin’ in a word edgeways. Wa’al, why are you standin’ there like chickens that have lost their heads? Ain’t you countin’ on makin’ some arrangements for the visit, or are ye tryin’ to decide whether it’s to be made or not?”
“Of course it is to be made!” I cried sharply. “A message like that which the lieutenant brought is the same as a positive order, an’ if we allow to call ourselves Minute Boys we must take as a direct command any word which comes from those in authority.”
“Then why are you hangin’ ’round here, where there’s a chance of gettin’ inter sich trouble with some of these sore-headed Tories that you wouldn’t be able to come to time in the mornin’? If I was the general in command of this ’ere regiment, I’d order my men off to the sloop mighty quick, so’s to make sure they’d be in proper shape when needed.”
It did not strike me that he, or either of my comrades, was waiting for any word from me, and I replied stupidly:
“If you fellows think we should--”
“If _we_ think!” Abe interrupted with a laugh. “It is for the leader, not the men, to do the thinkin’! Do you order us aboard the sloop?”
“Now don’t be foolish,” I cried irritably, for it annoyed me not a little that my companions should expect the word of command from me, who was better fitted to obey than lead. “We are equal as Minute Boys, an’ one may say as well as another what should be done.”
“Don’t make a fool of yourself!” Sam cried sharply. “It has been agreed that you are our leader, an’ even though there be but four of us, countin’ Abel as a boy, it is necessary that one shall be at the head, else are we like to come to grief if so be we get into a tight place.”
“If you will have it so,” I cried, far from pleased that they believed I must give the word for every trifling movement. “We’ll go back to the sloop where the matter can be discussed without fear our words will be overheard.”
On the instant my comrades wheeled about, turning their backs on the scene of riot and confusion which would under any other circumstances have held us chained to the spot, and without giving heed to the revelers on every hand, marched rapidly up town to Oliver Street, never one of us speaking until we were in the cabin of the Swiftsure with the hatch drawn close to shut out eavesdroppers.
There, in whispers, we discussed the possible meaning of General Putnam’s order, never once guessing the truth of the matter, nor even dreaming that we were to be employed on matters of the utmost consequence to the American Army. It was in our minds that we were needed for some trifling service; but however slight might be the work required, it was enough to fill us with pride that an officer so high in command as General Putnam had seen fit to send a messenger especially to us as Minute Boys.
Finally, after we had turned the matter over and over again, Abel Grant said with a drawl:
“I don’t want it to be thought that the admiral of this ’ere military organization is stickin’ his nose in where it don’t belong; but yet I’m minded to interfere so far as to say I think it’s time for full-fledged soldiers who are ordered to watch over the whole American Army, to turn in. Sittin’ up all night waggin’ your tongues, ain’t any fit way of makin’ ready for the work that’s been cut out by the general.”
Laughingly we followed this suggestion, knowing it to be a good one, and in a twinkling were stowed as snug as herrings in a box, for the Swiftsure had but two small bunks, and when four were crowded into them there was not overly much room for moving about.
Although I turned in so quickly, it was impossible to close my eyes in slumber readily, so excited was I by the words of Lieutenant Winterbottom had spoken. I twisted and turned as best I could while Abel Grant was my bedfellow, and it seemed as if the night must have been well nigh at an end when I lost myself in the unconsciousness of slumber.
Although our appointment with General Putnam was set at eight o’clock, Abel Grant wakened us at the first crack of day, declaring that we had no more than sufficient time in which to prepare for the meeting with the commander, when, as a matter of fact, there was nothing whatever that we needed in the way of preparation, save to wash our faces and hands with exceeding care, for the clothes in which we stood comprised the whole of our wardrobe.
However, as Sam said, it was better to be early than late, and by thus beginning the day at the very dawn, we were able to cook and eat our breakfast leisurely, after which came the question as to whether my comrades would escort me down to Bowling Green, or let me take leave of them at the sloop.
Now it was that I urged one of the others to go in my stead, and, failing in that, insisted that they accompany me as far as might be possible. A full hour before the time appointed did we set out from the foot of Oliver Street, inspecting, as we walked leisurely along, the defenses of New York which had been set up in anticipation of an attack by the enemy.
Thus it was that we had a leisurely view of McDougall’s Battery, the four guns near Trinity Church; of the Broadway Barrier, with its two guns near to where the king’s statue had so lately stood; and of the batteries at nearly all the slips on the East River, as well as at the Coffee House, the Market, the Exchange, and in Broad Street.
After thus viewing a small portion of the defenses which had been erected for the reception of the enemy and defense of the city, it seemed to me of a verity that we need have no fear concerning what the Britishers might do. Ignorant as I was of warfare, it appeared to me then as if New York was so thoroughly defended as to render impossible its capture; but before another twelve months had gone over my head I realized how weak and poor were these so-called batteries and barriers, which in fact deserved no better name than that of barricades.
However, we Minute Boys were not out on this morning to learn the art of warfare, or to criticise the work of those whose duty it was to defend the town. The only important matter before us was this interview with General Putnam, and all the speculations we indulged in tended in the same direction, as to whether, if we succeeded in doing the commander’s bidding on this day, the work would be of such importance that we might really consider ourselves as being numbered among the defenders of the Cause.
The sentinel on the battery at Bowling Green was crying the hour of eight when I, with a great fluttering of the heart, went toward headquarters, which was in the first building on the Broadway, hardly expecting that Lieutenant Winterbottom would remember the rendezvous which he himself had appointed, and wondering what I should do in case of failure to see him.
“Remember, lad, that you are to be just as perky as if the Minute Boys of Long Island numbered one hundred, instead of three,” Abel Grant called after me when I left my comrades at a point where they could see me as I entered the building, in case of my so doing, and be ready to hear the result of the interview immediately I came out. And these words rang in my ears as I walked leisurely toward the sentinel who was pacing to and fro in front of the building.
To my great surprise, even though I had been expecting to see him, Lieutenant Winterbottom came out of the house as I drew near, and with a word to the sentinel on duty, that he might allow me to pass, opened the door.
Taking this as an invitation to enter, I stepped inside, feeling more like a culprit than a lad who had been summoned, perhaps, to do the work of a man, and almost unconsciously I followed the lieutenant as he led the way to the rear room, where I saw seated before a table which did service also as desk, a soldierly-looking and not unkindly appearing man.
There was no need to tell me who he was, for I had seen General Putnam before, and it was evident he remembered me, although the lieutenant appeared to think an introduction necessary, for he made it by saying:
“General, this is the lad whom you wanted.”
“Ay, lieutenant, he and I have met before. You may close the door as you go out, sir.”
This was evidently an intimation that even Lieutenant Winterbottom was not to know what passed between us, and although such fact should have filled me with pride, yet did it cause alarm, for it seemed much as though I was about to be charged with some misdemeanor; but this nervous fear passed away very quickly when the general said after we were alone:
“Well, lad, are you Minute Boys still holding together, or has the fear of what may be done by the friends of those Tories whom you sent to me, induced you to disband?”
“We are yet holding together, sir, though our number is not increasing, unless it so be that we take Abel Grant on as admiral, according to his own suggestion.”
At this the general smiled, as if I had said something comical, and asked humorously:
“So you believe a naval officer necessary, eh?”
“Well, sir, you see we have the sloop, and some one must handle her. Besides, I am thinkin’ that Abel would join us as a Minute Boy were it not for his being so much older, an’, wantin’ to remain with us, he makes as excuse the proposition that we are needin’ a sailor.”
“I can fancy that he may be very useful, if you are yet inclined to labor in behalf of the Cause.”
“That we are, sir, an’ shall feel proud if there be anythin’ whatsoever we may do. Don’t think I am boastin’ when I say that we should be able to perform the work of men, for we lads are of considerable age already.”
“Yes, my boy, these are times when children as well as men grow old rapidly. It is possible for you to be of great aid to the American Army. To my mind the only reason why you may fail of so doing is that the enemy capture you too soon, for hark you, lad, this duty I would put upon the Minute Boys of Long Island, is indeed a man’s work, although I believe you who have been in the custom of sailing around the harbor in your boat, might effect more than good soldiers, because of being less likely to arouse suspicion. In a way, this is what I desire: The enemy’s fleet have already arrived off Sandy Hook, and as yet we have no definite information as to the strength of the force. What I desire is that you shall cruise nearabout the British vessels until it is possible to give us the fullest information concerning them. This is not as simple a matter as you may suppose,” he added on seeing that I was about to interrupt. “Orders will have been given for the arrest of any who may be found in the vicinity of the vessels without having been summoned, and I am free to say that the chances in favor of your being made prisoners are many.”
At this point the general ceased speaking and looked at me inquiringly, whereupon I said, trying to make myself appear as brave as possible:
“We will do all that lads may, sir. When shall we set off?”
“Without delay, and you will make report as soon as you have learned anything definite. For example, we will suppose that you have been able to give us the number and names of the ships lying at anchor before arousing the suspicions of the enemy. In such event, you will send one of your number, as privately as may be, here to me with the information. In the meanwhile the remainder of your crew will stay near at hand, on whatsoever pretext you may devise, to gain further knowledge, and if you see a movement among the fleet which betokens an immediate advance on this city, consider not the hazard of the undertaking, but come to me at once.”
“Very well, sir,” I said, making my best bow, and thinking the interview was at an end, but before I could leave the room he checked me, by saying:
“Open that door, and summon Lieutenant Winterbottom.”
On doing as he directed I found the lieutenant stationed very near the door as if on duty, and without waiting for me to speak he entered, whereupon the general said to him in a tone of command:
“Take this order to the quartermaster’s office, and see that these lads be given of stores sufficient to victual four men for ten days, the same to be delivered at whatever quarter of the city is most convenient for them.”
Then he wrote a few words on a slip of paper, and handing it to the lieutenant, asked of me:
“Have you weapons on board your craft?”
“No sir,” I replied, and with truth, although but for the fact of seeming to speak on serious subjects in a jesting manner, I would have added that we still had the stove leg which Abraham had used with such effect on Luther Stedman’s companion.
“It is not well you should be armed, for you are supposed to be simply lads who are curious to gain a glimpse of the English fleet. At the same time it might not go amiss if you had one weapon aboard, and, Lieutenant Winterbottom, you will see that they are provided with a musket and fifteen or sixteen rounds of ammunition.”
Having said this the general took up some papers from his desk as if considering the interview at an end, and without waiting for further instructions the lieutenant motioned for me to pass out at the door he opened, saying when we were in the hallway:
“So it seems that you lads have become members of the army at short notice?”
“But the task given us is not what I should call a soldierly one, being simply to--”
“Stop, stop, lad! When you entered the room General Putnam sent me outside, which was the same as if he had announced that the interview should be private, therefore it is not for you to repeat, save it may be necessary to your companions, anything which he said. All I need know is where you will have the provisions and the musket delivered?”
“Our sloop is lyin’ at the Oliver-Street bulkhead.”
“And you intend going away in her, I suppose?”
“Ay; we are to leave as soon as may be.”
“The stores will be sent to the foot of Oliver Street, and within the hour if possible.”
Having said this the lieutenant opened the outer door; but did not follow me, and when I was in the street once more there stood my companions on the opposite side, looking, as no doubt they felt, keenly curious regarding the result of the interview.
Without halting, I beckoned for them to follow, and as we walked up the Broadway I repeated that which had been said, much as is set down here, and was not a little surprised to hear Abel Grant cry exultantly:
“Now that’s what I call work fit for the best, an’ the wonder of it is that General Putnam should have entrusted it to those whom he knew as little as he knows us! So you told him I claim to be admiral, eh?”
“I fail of seeing in what way the task can be of such great importance,” I said hesitatingly. “It seems to me any who owned a boat might perform it equally well.”
“That may be,” Sam cried in a tone of satisfaction. “And yet we are the ones whom he selected. It seems to me that by his own showin’ he considered the work of great importance, in addition to bein’ dangerous.”
“Ay, and that is what it is,” Abel Grant declared. “To spy out the enemy’s forces, an’ be able to do it properly, is such big work that the chances of bein’ taken prisoners don’t count, as I’m lookin’ at it. So you told him I was to be admiral, eh?”
“It is certain that if we succeed in the first part of the business our company is to be divided by sendin’ some one of us back to New York,” Abraham said thoughtfully, as if wondering how that might be done, and I confess it had troubled me even when the general spoke; but, not minded to let my comrades believe there was any difficulty in it, I replied carelessly:
“To us who know the island so well, it should not be difficult, after a fellow has been set ashore, for him to make his way here. However, that is somethin’ to be considered later, when we have the needed information.”
“So you told the general that I counted on bein’ admiral, eh?” Abel Grant repeated after a short time, and it seemed necessary I answer the question, else might he keep on asking it until we were wearied with the sound of the words.
“Ay, so I told him,” I replied.
“An’ what did he say?”
“That it seemed to him very necessary we should have some one to take charge of the sloop.”
“Then I am allowin’ that you Minute Boys have no right to interfere with my takin’ charge of the fleet, since no less than General Putnam himself has sanctioned it,” and Abel spoke in a tone of triumph, whereupon Sam added laughingly:
“If one small sloop can be called a fleet, then are you the admiral,” and Abel, heeding not the tone of derision, said soberly:
“Ay, that I am, an’ with none to interfere after once we’re afloat.”
Surely I had no protest to make if Abel Grant wanted to consider himself admiral of a fleet consisting of one small sloop, and, besides, the matter was entirely too trifling, as compared with that we had on hand, to admit of wasting any words; therefore I held my peace, quickening the pace, however, lest the stores which Lieutenant Winterbottom was to send should arrive before we were come to Oliver Street.
Abe would have questioned there on the street as to how we had best set about the task in hand; but I prevented any such carelessness by assuming for the first time my rights as leader of the party, and saying:
“Everythin’ connected with our work is a secret which we should guard if for no other reason than our own safety. Don’t think that I am overly concerned because of myself; but it must be borne in mind that whatsoever may happen to us affects the purpose for which we are sent, therefore are our lives of consequence until we have done what is required.”
This was sufficient to silence my comrades, and not a word was spoken until we were once more in the cabin of the Swiftsure, with the hatch opened so that we might not only see when the men sent by Lieutenant Winterbottom arrived, but also to make certain there was no one within earshot.
Then it was that I began to put into words the thoughts which had been in my mind concerning the way we would set about the work of spying upon the fleet, and much to my surprise found that Abel Grant had already settled upon a plan which seemed so good and reasonable that we could not do otherwise than adopt it at once.
“If you Minute Boys set out takin’ a roundabout course, as if you had a lot of things to hide from other people, then have the Britishers, in case we run across any, as is most likely, good reason to suspect that we are more than curious ones intent only upon seein’ the king’s fleet. Now it stands us in hand to lay in a goodly store of fishin’ gear, an’ there’s your excuse for goin’ through the Narrows. Besides, if we take on board a fare of bluefish, or somethin’ of that kind, we have a reason for loiterin’ among the fleet through wantin’ to sell our wares, an’, in case there are many vessels in the lower bay, fishermen should be welcomed.”
“Yes,” I said, seeming to hesitate, although I knew full well that Abel’s plan was a wise one; “but how may we get the gear, seein’ that we have little or no time to spend. The general’s orders are that we leave at once, or as soon as the stores are taken on board.”
“An’ I see no reason why they should not be obeyed,” the admiral of the fleet replied without hesitation. “I reckon you three Minute Boys can muster strength enough among you to take aboard such provisions as the lieutenant sends, an’ in the meantime I will go down to Jethro Dyker’s. If so be he won’t lend us the gear, I’ll make a dicker, an’ with what money I’ve got, should be able to buy all that will be needed.”
“Abel is in the right,” Abraham said decidedly, and I could not have contradicted him if I would; but furthered his scheme by insisting that he take whatsoever money we had among us to help out in the purchase. It was while we were searching our pockets for small coin, Abel gave another proof that he should have been the leader of the party, instead of only the admiral of a single sloop, by saying:
“No one can tell how long this ’ere cruise is likely to last, more especially if the Britishers, gettin’ suspicious, should gather us all in as prisoners, an’, that bein’ done, what think you your people would suppose had happened?”
“All that is to be counted as the fortunes of war,” I replied loftily, thereby proving myself a simple, for Abel took the wind out of my sails very speedily, when he said:
“It will be the fortune of war if we are taken prisoners; but it comes mighty near to being wicked neglect if you fail of sendin’ some word to the island. What’s to hinder leavin’ a message with Master Dyker, or Jethro, to the effect that you have been sent away on important business? I’m allowin’ your folks can guess the reason.”
“Surely they can, an’ I am a simple not to have thought of such a thing before,” was my reply spoken in as jolly a tone as could be assumed, for I was feeling a bit sore because of having the matter thus called to my attention when it should have been my duty, as the leader, to have thought of it first.
“Then it is agreed that I shall not only bargain with Jethro for the fishin’ gear; but deliver the message?” Abel said questioningly, and, seeing that my comrades agreed, I replied:
“Ay, send whatsoever information you can without arousin’ suspicion, for even though Jethro be a friend to the Cause, I hold that we are not warranted in repeatin’ what has been said by the general.”
Abel set off without further delay, and he could not have arrived at Master Dyker’s dock before a cart, in which were two soldiers and a reasonably large supply of goods, was driven down to the water’s edge.
“Surely the general did not intend we should starve while servin’ the Cause,” Sam said laughingly, as he went on shore to aid in taking aboard the goods.
Never before had the Swiftsure had in her cabin such a supply of eatables. We were provisioned for at least a month’s cruise, with potatoes, salt pork, ship’s biscuit, and even the very best of butter, if you please.
That the store was generous, could be told by that which one of the soldiers said when we had unloaded the cart:
“It is a pity that we who serve in the American Army could not be outfitted in the same fashion! Why are you taking these ’ere stores board that sloop?”
“Because you have brought them, I suppose,” Abe replied with a laugh.
“But I allow they are for the benefit of some of the officers, whereas we who carry a musket must get along on salt fish and potatoes, without any such luxuries as butter and pork.”
“You don’t look as though you came very near bein’ starved,” Sam said laughingly, for the fellow was as fat as a pig made ready for a fair, and he, seemingly realizing that he had spoken foolishly, turned the scarecrow of a horse townward without further parley.
Even before we carried our provisions aboard did we inspect the weapon, and truly it was a good one--as good as could be found anywhere in the American Army, with even more of ammunition than seemed necessary.
We had no more than gotten all these things stowed snugly in the sloop’s cabin when Abel Grant returned, and from the burden which he carried it was evident that Jethro Dyker had made no very serious protest against supplying us with fishing gear.
“I’m allowin’ here’s enough to make it look as if we were out for business,” Abel said as he entered the cabin, and, there seeing the stores which occupied nearly every inch of the deck space, he added as if in alarm: “Who sent all that?”
“Two soldiers brought it,” and Abraham laughed heartily at the expression of dismay on the “admiral’s” face. “Are you goin’ to find fault because we are outfitted in good shape?”
“Ay, that I am,” Abel Grant said decidedly. “Supposin’ a Britisher, havin’ suspicions that we are sneakin’ around the fleet for some other purpose than that of sellin’ fish, should take it into his head to see what we had in the cabin, an’ find all this? Do you allow it would be possible to make him believe we was tryin’ to get an honest livin’ sellin’ fish? Did you ever see a fisherman’s cuddy stacked as full of good things as an alderman’s cellar?”
I began to see that there was sound commonsense in the “admiral’s” protest, for had we been fishermen, as it was intended we should claim to be, the cuddy of the Swiftsure would have had in it no more of provisions than might serve perhaps for two or three meals.
But the goods were there, and we could not waste them. The matter began to present itself to my comrades as it had to me, and we who a few moments before had been so joyous because of the plenty in the larder, now gazed at each other ruefully, until Sam asked:
“Well, how are we to help ourselves? We can’t throw good food overboard?”
“Never!” Abel Grant replied with a sudden brightening of the face as he saw a way out of the difficulty. “We needn’t waste the stuff; but carry it ashore before going through the Narrows. I allow to know of a place where it can be stowed near the shore, an’ we may draw from it as seems necessary.”
This seemed to dispose of the possible difficulty, and, there being nothing to prevent our getting under way, for Jethro had promised to send word to our parents, I suggested that the “admiral” take charge of his end of the expedition.
Five minutes later the sloop was under way, heading with a light wind down the stream on a cruise which would admit of our passing between Governor’s Island and the Brooklyn shore.
The Minute Boys were at last in service, acting directly under orders of the commander, and I promised myself as we sailed slowly down past Bowling Green, that if aught happened to prevent our carrying out the instructions received, it should not be through fault of mine.
“I’ll weigh carefully every word before speakin’, and think of all the possibilities before decidin’ on any course of action,” I said to myself, and the words were no more than formed in my mind when, looking seaward, I saw a skiff, in which were two men, that had evidently just set off from New York.
There was in such a sight nothing out of the ordinary, because small craft were continually plying to and fro between New York and Brooklyn; but in this case it seemed ominous that at the very moment when we lads were attempting to play the part of Minute Boys, Luther Stedman and the big Tory whom we had taken prisoner, should cross our path.
At the instant this thought came into my mind, Abraham said sharply, motioning with his thumb in the direction of the skiff:
“How does it happen, think you, that those two are at liberty? It seemed to me when we turned them over to the squad of soldiers, that they were like to stay in one place for a long time.”
“It must be that, save for the conversation which we overheard, there was no proof they were engaged in any act of treason against the Cause, an’ therefore could no longer be held prisoners,” I said, striving to assure myself at the same time I set at rest the fears of my comrades.
That Abraham was not reassured, and that the others had much the same forebodings as had I concerning this inopportune meeting with the two men whom we had every reason to consider enemies, could be read plainly in the face of my companions, and I set it down as an ill omen.
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