CHAPTER XIV

A WARM PLACE

It is needless for me to say my comrades had heard the same which came to my ears, and I had good proof that at least one of them was seriously disturbed in mind, when Jeremy clutched me by the shoulder so suddenly and with such a grip that it was all I could do to prevent myself from crying outright.

Until this moment Skinny Baker had made no attempt at throwing out the gag which was fastened so securely, nor had he resisted me in any way; but now it was that he began to squirm about vigorously, as if using all his strength in an effort to free himself from the bonds, for the cowardly cur began to understand there was good chance he would be burned to death by those same lobster-backs whom he counted as his friends.

As a matter of course I understood, as did we all, that if so be the Britishers set fire to the ruins while we were among the timbers, then there was no help for us save we came out to struggle empty-handed against armed men, which would be much the same as delivering ourselves over as prisoners.

The one question was, what we should do, and that, I realized, remained for me to answer since I called myself the captain of the Minute Boys; but for the life of me I could hit upon no plan whatsoever.

To make any attempt at a battle with these lobster-backs was worse than useless; we had far better walk out humbly and deliver ourselves into their hands, than stand the chance of being mauled about cruelly without hope of gaining anything whatsoever in the fight.

There was little time for a fellow to cast about him as to the best course, even if there was any best in that situation, because straightway, without further argument, the lobster-backs began moving here and there in search of dry stuff with which to kindle a blaze, and there was no question that within the next five minutes our frail hiding place would be in flames.

Meanwhile Jeremy was gripping me yet more tightly by the shoulder, and I, irritated by this seeming insistence that I should say what ought to be done, moved ever so cautiously toward him until I could speak in his very ear, when I asked impatiently:

“What would you have me do? What chance have we, save to go out and give ourselves up?”

“That is to be done only at the last minute,” the lad replied in a cautious tone, and I added angrily:

“Is it in your mind that the last moment has not yet come? It seems to me we are at the end of our tether. There yet remains the poor hope of fighting, with the certainty of being made prisoners.”

“I would do nothing of the kind,” Jeremy replied, and although he spoke in a whisper I fancied I detected in his tone a ring of hope. “When the fire has been kindled the lobster-backs must, perforce, leave the cellar without loss of time.”

“Ay, and then shall we remain here to burn, or to follow them, as seems for the moment best,” I added despondently, for I no longer had any hope whatsoever.

“We shall at least be able to remain alive during a few moments, and if so be death must come, it will not overtake us while the lobster-backs can gloat over our sufferings,” the lad said, and I asked incredulously, for his words, so far as he had spoken, seemed most foolish:

“Then you would remain here in hiding until they have done their will?” I asked.

“Ay, until they have built the fire, and after that there is still a fighting chance. You must remember there is more than one opening through which we can leave this trap, and I count on taking the risk rather than giving myself up like a lamb to the slaughter,” Jeremy replied boldly, and at the same time he kicked Skinny vigorously as token that the Tory cur must cease his struggles, else might the lobster-backs have token of our whereabouts before they had made ready to depart.

If it so chances that anyone reads these lines which I have set down, then I would ask him to strive in his imagination to put himself in our place just for a moment.

Directly below us were four soldiers making ready to build a fire, most likely under the very spot where we were hidden, and if Jeremy Hapgood’s plan was carried out, then must we suffer from smoke as well as heat until the Britishers had left the place. The cellar, at its deepest part, was not more than five feet, and such a blaze as they were likely to kindle would reach us almost at the same moment it fastened itself upon the timbers, therefore were we likely to get a scorching before the flames had made any headway, if peradventure we were not first stifled by the smoke.

However, I was of the mind to do as Jeremy had said. From the time this company of Minute Boys had been formed, his was ever the wisest judgment regarding what should or should not be done, and verily even though it had been young Chris who suggested it, must I have followed the plan because there was none other, save that of meekly yielding ourselves prisoners.

It seemed to me that the lobster-backs had no sooner begun hunting for dry wood than the fire was started, and, as I had feared, the first tongues of flame, which came up from a huge pile of charred lumber they had dragged together, appeared between the timbers almost directly beneath where I lay, therefore was it that my situation seemed likely to prove the most disagreeable, if not the most dangerous.

Meanwhile Skinny continued to struggle as best he might, Jeremy and Tim kicking him now and then; but without avail. The Tory cur was so frightened, as well he might be, that he gave no heed to the punishment inflicted upon him by our lads, but thought only of what seemed a fact--that he, as well as we, would be burned until we were dead.

I strove to divert my mind from the pain and from the danger, by listening intently for the movements of the soldiers, and soon came to understand that they had lost no time in crawling out through the cellar window.

Jeremy had been equally watchful, for when the last fellow went through the aperture he began crawling toward the end of the timbers where they had lodged against the cellar wall on the north side, and at the same time he dragged the struggling Tory with him, as if having more care to save Skinny Baker from pain than to shield himself.

I would have followed close on his heels but that young Chris had begun to move almost at the same moment, and, following him, went Tim and Sam, therefore was I left the last, as most like was right, since I counted myself to be the leader and therefore should occupy the post of greatest danger or greatest pain.

While Jeremy dragged at Skinny, the other lads pushed the fellow along, taking no special heed as to gentleness, and even while the smoke was curling above me, causing my throat to smart and my eyes to burn, I had a feeling of gratification that the Tory cur was suffering even more than were we, for in addition to the discomfort caused by the blaze, was the rough handling he received from those who were trying to force him into a place of comparative safety.

I have no very clear idea of how I came out amid the network of timbers to the bottom of the cellar, and there lay at full length with my face pressed against the floor of beaten earth, striving to free my lungs from smoke.

The lads afterward told me that I would have smothered to death, but for their pulling at me even as they had at Skinny, because, before Sam, who was next ahead of me, had gotten out, I was well-nigh suffocated and had nearly lost consciousness.

It was Jeremy who forced me to get to my feet that we might go to the other end of the cellar, where was the aperture through which we had crept when making ready for the attack upon Skinny, and once there we were able to breathe the comparatively fresh air, giving the greatest relief, I think, I ever experienced in all my life.

The cellar was not large. Already were the timbers aflame and the heat was growing exceeding painful, yet we gave little or no heed to it, owing to the pleasure of filling our lungs with that sweet night air.

I noted that the gag had been taken from Skinny’s mouth, and young Chris, the last member of the party whom I would have credited with kindly feelings toward the Tory cur, explained, when he saw I noticed the fact, that he had removed it with threats to kill the lad if he made an outcry, because of wanting to save him from the pain of suffocation such as we had all experienced.

During an instant I believed such a move to be unwise in the extreme, for Skinny had but to raise his voice in order to give the lobster-backs to understand that someone remained in the cellar; but Jeremy whispered:

“Have no fear he will try to give an alarm. He knows full well what will be the result, for I have promised to kill him in cold blood if he makes the slightest noise, and, besides, he is so nearly suffocated that I question if he could do very much more than squeak.”

Well, we stood there breathing in the sweet air, and feeling uncomfortably warm, while one might have counted twenty, and then I was so far recovered from the effects of the smoke as to realize that now was come the time when we must run some risks if we would save ourselves from a most painful death.

Therefore it was I said to the lads, not fearing to speak in an ordinary tone because the crackling of the flames would drown my voice from any who might be outside:

“I count on venturing forth now. If so be you hear an outcry, then look about you for some other means of escape, even though I question if there be any, for you will know that I have been taken prisoner. If peradventure the coast be clear, you shall hear of it at once, and must follow without loss of time, for if we are to make our escape this night, it is to be done in short order, before the flames have gotten sufficient headway to light up the village.”

No one made any attempt at staying me as I crept out through the aperture. All knew that this was the only course to be pursued, and perhaps he who might be taken prisoner by the Britishers would suffer even less than those who remained behind too long.

So eager was I to learn what we might expect on the outside, that I gave but little heed to caution, forcing myself out through the narrow opening as rapidly as possible, and once beyond the wall of the cellar, I stood up, regardless of whoever might see me, in order to have a better view of the surroundings.

Verily it seemed as if the same kindly fortune which had watched over us thus far, still had us lads in mind, for never a living being was in sight. The lobster-backs must have fled in the opposite direction, and if so be we could get beyond the rays of light within a short time, then was there yet a possibility of our going free.

I could have cried aloud with joy because of this fortunate circumstance; but there was no time in which to rejoice just then, and, bending down with my face to the aperture, I said hurriedly to Jeremy, who was standing by to learn what I might have discovered:

“No one is in sight. Come as quickly as you can, for as yet the flames are not casting any light in this direction, the ruins being afire only at the further end.”

There was no need for me to say more. Almost before I had ceased speaking was Skinny Baker thrust through without ceremony, and as he came out much like a log of wood, I grasped him by the throat lest he make an outcry.

“You needn’t fear that I’ll try to do you any harm,” the cowardly cur said whimperingly when I relaxed my hold sufficiently for him to speak. “I have had enough of this fighting for the king, and am done with it from now on.”

“Don’t fancy for a single moment, Skinny Baker, that I or any of our party are afraid of what you may do, and as regards your fighting for the king, you never have done so thus far. Your work, whatsoever it has been, was that of a sneak’s, and if you fancy I am inclined to believe you are done with meddling in this trouble ’twixt the king and the colonies, then you take me for a greater simple than I really am.”

By this time the other lads were out of the cellar, and Jeremy seized Skinny by one arm while I held him by the other, forcing him to bend low that we might thereby stand less chance of being seen.

Then we three, followed by our comrades, ran at full speed straight away from this place of refuge which had like to have been our tomb, heeding not where we went so that we might gain the cover of darkness amid the bushes beyond.

I believe we ran a full half-mile without stopping, and then were come to a bunch of willows growing by the side of a small brook, where we threw ourselves down, not only to rest and regain breath, but to decide upon some course of action, for this travelling at random was like to be dangerous work while the Britishers were nearabout, as we had good reason for believing.

However, the enemy was not so near our halting place that we could hear or see anything of him, and straightway, as soon as it was possible to speak, Jeremy said to me:

“I’m thinking, Richard, that our best course is to make an attempt at getting to Valley Forge, unless the lads are minded that we shall set this Tory free.”

“That we won’t do,” young Chris cried quickly and stoutly. “I am determined that he shall be held a prisoner so long as pleases me, even though I take the chances of going to the gallows every hour in the day.”

“But what will you do with him?” Jeremy asked, and I replied:

“We might send him to Valley Forge, and if so be the Weaver of Germantown yet remains there, I guarantee that he will hold him close prisoner during a certain time at least.”

“_Send_ him back,” Timothy repeated. “Have you no idea of going yourself, Richard Salter?”

“No,” I replied, and my plans were made on the instant. “We were ordered to go back to Philadelphia that we might be there in case of need, and I count on obeying the command, regardless of any such miserable whelp as Skinny Baker.”

“I will go with you, as a matter of course,” Jeremy said quietly, as if there could have been no question as to what he would do. “Why not let the other lads take charge of Skinny, and find their way either to Swede’s Ford, or Valley Forge, as the case may be?”

Not only did this appear to be a good plan, but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment. Although it was impossible to guess how we might be of service to the colonies when we were once hiding in the Jolly Tar inn, I felt that we must go there because of having been sent, and owing to the fact that the Weaver of Germantown, believing us to be there, might lay out some important work for us to do.

It would be more easy for two of us to gain that hiding place while the lobster-backs were stirred up, as we had every reason to believe they must be, than for the entire party, and surely we could not hope to take Skinny with us, nor would it be safe to make the attempt. As I looked at the matter, I could say in the words of the old adage, that the game was not worth the candle.

Better that Tory scoundrel went free and unpunished, than that we should fail of being at our post of duty whenever we were needed, and just at the moment I had little care what became of Skinny; but young Chris settled the matter without much parley, by saying:

“I am more inclined for Valley Forge than Philadelphia, just now, and count that Skinny shall have ample knowledge of what it means to be a prisoner. If so be none of the rest of you are of the same mind, I shall go on with him alone; but certain it is that whatever plans you may make, it will be necessary to count me out, unless they are formed with the idea of holding this young cur in our power.”

“Timothy and Sam shall go with you,” I replied promptly, as if having already decided upon such course. “Jeremy and I will strike out for Philadelphia, and if so be you come upon the Weaver of Germantown in the camp, tell him that we count on gaining the Jolly Tar inn if we live sufficiently long.”

Then I would have given the lads instructions as to how they should proceed, and perhaps very much advice that might not have been of any avail, for it seemed to me that as captain of the Minute Boys it was my duty to instruct each and every one of them, even though they might know more concerning the matter under discussion than did I; but young Chris was not minded to listen.

His one fear was that the Britishers might come stealthily upon us, thus giving Skinny an opportunity to escape, and just at that time the baker’s son had more care to holding the young Tory prisoner, than he had for his own safety.

Without a word of farewell, or even waiting to learn what Tim and Sam thought of the proposition, he pulled Skinny Baker roughly to his feet and started off, crossing the stream and going, as I fancied, in the direction of the river, which would be his proper course since it must bring him directly to Swede’s Ford, from which place he could get information as to the location of Valley Forge.

“I suppose it is our duty to follow him,” Tim said ruefully as he rose to his feet. “You are right, Richard, about its being easier for two lads to go through the city of Philadelphia just now, than for five, therefore am I minded to do as you commanded; but it would please me much better to share with you and Jeremy all the dangers.”

“There is an equal amount of danger in making the attempt to gain Valley Forge,” I replied, striving hard to speak in a cheery tone. “You know full well that the Britishers are nearabout; they may be between us and Swede’s Ford even now, therefore are you as likely to come upon them to your grief, as are Jeremy and I.”

Tim turned quickly and followed young Chris, as indeed he had need to, for the baker’s son was moving so swiftly that in a few seconds he would have been lost to view in the gloom.

Then Sam wheeled about as if unwillingly, and finally he also disappeared from our view, while Jeremy and I lay there on the ground, each striving to read the thoughts of the other concerning the attempt to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for verily, after all that had happened, it would be a most dangerous venture.

By this time our late hiding place was in flames; we could see in the distance the sky lighted up as if by a great conflagration, telling that more than one of the ruins had been fired by the lobster-backs, and there was every reason to believe that their scheme of alarming the Britishers in Philadelphia would be successful.

At that particular time, after having been nearly frightened to death and then outwitted by a mere boy, General Howe would not be in an enviable mood, and I could well fancy that all in the city who wore the king’s uniform and carried muskets, would be called out to defend his high mightiness against the rag-tag and bobtail that were suddenly becoming so active.

Were it not that I must cut this story short because of knowing that the time is near at hand when I, who am now regularly enlisted in the Continental army, will be called upon for service, I could set down many words concerning our efforts to gain the Jolly Tar inn, for the way was not smooth nor readily traversed.

I hardly need say that we followed down the river, not only because it seemed to us to be out of the way of the Britishers, if so be they came up to Germantown to learn the cause of the conflagration, but also that we might come upon the city on a course that was familiar to us.

Even though we were thus beyond what would naturally be the line of march for those who were going to Germantown, did we come upon squad after squad, company after company, of lobster-backs, who were hurrying forward as if believing the Americans were ready to give them battle.

At such times Jeremy and I hid ourselves in the thicket, or plunged into the river and remained there with only our heads above the surface, oftentimes forced to halt a full hour until the enemy had passed.

When morning came we were yet a considerable distance from our destination, and it was not needed any should tell us that we must remain in hiding during the hours of daylight.

We went back from the river near to half a mile before finding a thicket which would seem to serve our purpose, and there, without food, and suffering from the heat, for the day was exceeding warm even though so early in the spring, we remained with more or less of patience until another night had come, when we set out, forced to make many a detour before finally arriving at the tavern.

We gained the rear of the building early in the morning--perhaps two o’clock,--and it was in my mind that we would not be able to arouse Master Targe without danger of being overheard by some of his Tory neighbours; but, greatly to my surprise, no sooner had I tapped on the door ever so gently, than it was opened, and the sour-visaged landlord bade us enter quickly that he might not seem to have his inn open at such an hour.

“Were you expecting us, Master Targe?” I asked in surprise, and he replied gruffly:

“I counted on your being here last night.”

“Why could you have supposed we would have come then?” Jeremy asked in amazement, and the man gave answer as if he was unwilling even to speak:

“Those of us who are striving to lend a hand to the colonies, have means of communicating with each other now and then. You lads must not hug to yourselves the idea that you are the only messengers which come ’twixt Philadelphia and Valley Forge. Now you will get into the room you know so well, in order to be prepared for to-morrow’s work.”

“Do you know what there may be for us to do, sir?” I asked in astonishment, yet striving to figure out how this man could have heard that we should have arrived the night previous.

“You will be told when the time for work comes,” was all the reply he would make, and when we made to linger, he actually forced us along the passage and up the stairs as if afraid we might be seen by someone already in the house, or that we might see more than he intended for our eyes.

I took notice of the fact that Master Targe locked the chamber door on the outside, thus making us much the same as prisoners, and although we had good reason for knowing the innkeeper was a friend to the Cause, else the Weaver of Germantown would not have made of this house a rendezvous, yet was there an unpleasant suspicion in my mind that foul play might be intended, therefore I said as much to Jeremy when we had thrown ourselves down on the bed of straw.

“There is neither need nor sense in borrowing trouble, Richard Salter. We have been sent to this place, and I would have come even though knowing beyond a peradventure that Master Targe was a Tory who would do us all the harm in his power. We have obeyed orders as Minute Boys should, and without question, therefore, since we have been so lucky as to escape the lobster-backs all the way from Germantown here, let us be satisfied.”

“I can easily be satisfied with what we ourselves have done, and at the same time feel disagreeable in mind concerning the future,” was my reply; but Jeremy had no mind to continue the conversation, and within five minutes his loud breathing told that he had fallen asleep, therefore I could do no less than follow his example.

When I was next conscious of my surroundings Master Targe had entered the room and was shaking me roughly, saying when I opened my eyes in a dazed manner, as does one who is rudely aroused:

“It is time for you to be moving, Richard Salter. There are no minutes to be lost just now, for verily has the time come when we who love the Cause must bestir ourselves.”

“What would you have me do?” I asked, springing to my feet on the instant and thoroughly wide awake, for such a speech as this was well calculated to put a fellow in possession of all his faculties, and the reply which the innkeeper gave was such as caused me to start back in astonishment and fear.

“I would have you go at once to your mother’s home. The lobster-backs who lodge there are now at headquarters, as I have just received information, and if so be you meet with no one on the street who knows you, then will it be possible to gain admittance unobserved by the enemy.”

“But surely I will be made prisoner as soon as the officers come back,” I replied, and it is not certain but my voice trembled, for it seemed to me that of all the work which we lads who called ourselves Minute Boys had done, this venturing into my own home where were lodging three of his majesty’s officers, was the most perilous.

“If your mother cannot find a hiding place for her son, then we may truly say there is none on this earth for him,” Master Targe replied grimly, and after an instant’s hesitation I asked:

“Once there, what would you have me do?”

“It is positive that the Britishers are about to make some move, most like against our people at Valley Forge. Your mother will do all she may to overhear what is said between her lodgers; but it would not be possible, under ordinary circumstances, for her to get out of doors at a late hour in the night to tell us of that which has been learned, therefore you are to stay there and act as her messenger.”

I breathed more freely, knowing that the lodgers never went around the house, save from the street-door to their own rooms, and had no question but that if it was simply a matter of remaining hidden, it could readily be done. Besides, I had for the instant forgotten the pleasure which would be mine in being with my mother once more, and now was I as eager to set off as a moment previous I had been halting.

“Be very careful, Richard Salter, even as you walk through the streets, for word has come to me since daylight that we who have tried to aid the Weaver of Germantown are in great danger. I have sent out a messenger to meet him, fearing lest he should come down from Valley Forge without giving due warning.”

“Do the lobster-backs know that he has been playing the spy?” Jeremy asked in a tremulous voice, and Master Targe replied, as he let his hands fall by his side in token of helplessness:

“Ay, lad, God help him and us, they do. How the suspicion can have been set on foot I fail of understanding.”

I would have lingered to ask further questions, but that Master Targe pushed me roughly toward the door as he said:

“Go out by the rear entrance; your comrade will stay here, and if so be you have word to bring me in the night, knock softly twice on the window of the tap-room. You may be certain I shall remain on guard there to await your coming.”

Then it was that I hurried home, taking due care, as I was well like to do after having been warned by the innkeeper, lest I come upon the lobster-backs.

It was not a difficult matter for a lad who knew the city as well as did I, to avoid Britishers, for one could go across this garden or through that alley without much risk of being looked upon as a fugitive during the time of daylight.

Of the meeting with my mother I shall say nothing. It can readily be fancied how joyful it was, and how great was my pleasure at being with the dear woman once more.

It was a full half-hour that she held me in the kitchen, asking what I had done and how much of danger I had been in, and pressing me now and then against her breast fervently as she prayed aloud that I might be spared to her--to her, a widow, whose only son I was.

As for the hiding place, that was arranged in a simple manner. Directly over the kitchen was a loft which we used as a store-place for odds and ends, and there I made for myself a bed where it was possible to hear my mother as she moved to and fro.

For the first time since I had pledged myself to act as one of the Minute Boys of Philadelphia, did I feel that I was no longer in danger from those who served the king.

I believe I had thus remained in fancied security no more than one hour, hugging myself mentally because of finding that my work as Minute Boy was cast in such pleasant places so suddenly, and then came those tidings which well-nigh caused my heart to stand still.

I heard the kitchen door open suddenly, and a hoarse voice ask hurriedly:

“Are you alone, Mistress Salter? Are your lodgers in the house?”

“They have not been here since morning.”

“And Richard?”

“He is nearabout,” my mother replied guardedly.

Then it was that I recognized Baker Ludwig’s voice, as he said sufficiently loud to be heard in my hiding place:

“God help us who love the Cause, and may God help the colonies! Much that we in Philadelphia have done is known to General Howe, by what means I cannot say. Within the hour Master Targe, landlord of the Jolly Tar inn, has been arrested, and there was found in his house, hiding in one of the back rooms, Jeremy Hapgood, who, as I know, was concerned with your son and mine aiding the Weaver of Germantown in his work.”