CHAPTER XV

A NARROW ESCAPE

There is little need for me to speak of the terror which flooded my heart as I heard this announcement of Master Ludwig’s, for verily did it seem as if the end was come for us who had striven to aid the colonies.

From what Skinny Baker had told when he was released from imprisonment under the lumber pile, the Britishers knew that a certain number of us lads were banded together as Minute Boys for the purpose of doing whatsoever might come to hand that would aid the Cause; but most like up to that time they had not been aware of the part played by the innkeeper of the Jolly Tar.

Now, however, all this had been made known to them in some mysterious manner, and I had no doubt but every last one of us would be hunted down that we might be brought to answer for what had been done against the king, even though it was so slight and so poor in results.

My brain was in such a whirl, and the terror which beset me was so overwhelming, that during a certain time I was hardly aware of what took place around me, and then I realized that Master Ludwig was giving my mother yet further information regarding all this trouble that had come upon us.

Striving to put behind me the fear which caused every limb to tremble as if I was afflicted with an ague fit, I threw myself at full length on the floor in order that I might hear the better.

I could only guess at what Master Ludwig had said during that time when I was entirely given over to fear; but that which he was saying now threw a little light on the terrible matter.

“Something happened at Germantown last night which gave the Britishers a fine fright, and perchance your son may be able to tell us what it was. At all events, several of the half-burned houses were set on fire, and when the Britishers gathered there, believing our people were about to make an attack, it was learned that a party of boys--yours and mine among them, Mistress Salter--had rescued a prisoner from a squad of lobster-backs. What was more to the purpose, they took another in exchange, disappearing almost immediately afterward. How it chanced that they were tracked to the Jolly Tar inn I cannot say; but some friend to the king must have seen them entering that tavern, and Master Targe was arrested. We will hope they have no other proof that he has served us of the colonies.”

Then it was my mother told Master Ludwig where I was hidden, and straightway the baker came up into the loft, asking anxiously if I knew aught concerning young Chris.

As a matter of course, I told him how we had rescued the lad after Skinny Baker had succeeded in causing his arrest, and the story pleased Master Ludwig amazingly.

He clapped me on the shoulder again and again, chuckling meanwhile to himself as if he had heard something most comical, and seemingly forgetting for the time the peril which surrounded us.

As a matter of fact, he need have had no concern for young Chris, who was most likely at that moment safe at Valley Forge. But it seemed to me in my fearsome trouble, that he should have taken into account that Jeremy was a prisoner with the awful charge of being a spy hanging over him, while I must flee for my life, for if peradventure the Britishers knew I was concerned in this last matter, or if I was one of the two who entered the Jolly Tar inn the night previous, then would my mother’s house be searched without loss of time.

As this idea came into my mind I started up feverishly, crying out, with little heed as to who might hear me:

“I must make every effort to leave the city, and at once! There is no safety for me now save with our army!”

“Sit ye down, lad,” Master Ludwig said kindly, as he forced me back upon the makeshift for a bed which I had arranged. “It is certain the lobster-backs have not mixed you up in this business, else would your mother’s house have been searched long ere this. I grant you there is but one course, and that to join our forces at Valley Forge; but let us consider how it may best be brought about, for I warrant you agree with me that it is not exactly safe for you to walk boldly through the streets of the town.”

“But I dare not wait until nightfall!” I cried, and now so great was my fear that most like I acted as if having lost all my wits.

Young Chris’s father took me by the hand, as he said in a most kindly tone:

“I would not ask you, Richard Salter, to remain here a single moment if I did not believe it to be for the best. When I heard that Master Targe had been arrested, the fear in my mind was that everything had been discovered by the enemy. Now, however, I am inclined to believe it was a matter of accident--that you two lads were seen by some sneaking Tory to enter the house, and the innkeeper taken into custody on suspicion, else would the lobster-backs have been here in Drinker’s alley long since.”

“But even though all this be true, it stands me in hand to leave the city as soon as may be, if for no other purpose than that I may warn the Weaver of Germantown,” I cried. “It was his purpose to come into Philadelphia soon--I believe within the next four and twenty hours, and unless he can be told of what has taken place, then is he certain to go directly to the Jolly Tar. Having done so, he will be made a prisoner on the moment, for it stands to reason the lobster-backs are watching that place, holding it open as they would a trap, for those who have been in the custom of visiting Master Targe.”

“I understand full well, Richard Salter, that you must not only leave the city as soon as may be, but also get word to Valley Forge. Before you make the attempt, however, I will go out around the town with my ears open, and hear what is said on the streets. Wait patiently until my return, for I promise not to be away above an hour.”

As a matter of course I could do no less than Master Ludwig suggested, for surely a difference of sixty minutes in the time of my departure would neither make nor mar the effort to escape.

Young Chris’s father went straightway out into the street, my mother coming into the loft as soon as he had gone and taking me in her arms as if I was once more a baby, rocked herself to and fro as she pressed me tightly to her breast, much as though believing my last hour on this earth was near at hand.

So great was her grief and so vivid her terror, that I longed most ardently for the return of the baker that I might set off without loss of time. Action, however dangerous, was far preferable to remaining there witnessing the dear woman’s grief and hearing her forebodings in my behalf.

I dare say young Chris’s father returned speedily, although it seemed to me he had been gone a full half-day. On returning, instead of knocking at the kitchen door to warn us of his coming, he entered without ceremony, making his way directly to the loft, and saying as soon as he was there:

“I believe, Richard, that you had best make the venture now. I have visited all the coffee-houses where the lobster-backs most do congregate, and failed to hear anything to cause great alarm. It is true that you and Jeremy Hapgood were seen to enter the Jolly Tar inn at a late hour last night, or, perhaps I should say, at an early hour this morning, and the fact that the door was opened immediately you arrived, showed the watcher, whoever he might be, that your coming was expected. Therefore it was reasonable to suppose you were engaged in some business which was unlawful in the sight of the king’s soldiers.”

“And they know no more than that Jeremy and I visited the tavern this morning?” I cried, feeling as if a great burden had been rolled from my shoulders.

“Ay, lad, that seems to be the substance of it; but from what I heard here and there, it appears that the lobster-backs have an idea they may be able to get more information, if peradventure they can find the second boy, meaning you. It is evident that neither Master Targe nor Jeremy Hapgood have thus far been induced to tell who you are, and the chances for your getting away just now seem to me better than if you waited until the thick-headed Britishers have come to suspect that perhaps the son of Mistress Salter, who has before been detected in treasonable acts, might have been Jeremy’s companion.”

It can well be understood that after such advice as this I did not linger in my mother’s house. I was as eager to begin the venture as Master Ludwig was to have me go, and, kissing my mother fervently, I went down the narrow stairway into the kitchen, wondering whether I would ever be able to return.

Before I could unlatch the door my mother was close by my side, insisting that I stop sufficiently long for her to fill my pockets with food, and I could do no less than allow her such poor comfort.

Young Chris’s father had come from the loft before I was again ready to set off, and, shaking me heartily by the hand, bade me tell his son to remain at Valley Forge, or wheresoever the American army might be, until the Britishers had left Philadelphia.

“They are to leave, Richard. They are soon to evacuate this city even though our people do not raise a hand against them, for by this time they have begun to understand that no good can come of remaining here in idleness. You boys are to be cautious. Do not force yourselves to the front when a service of peril is to be performed; but, also, do not shirk danger if so be you are called upon to meet it.”

Then I was in the alley, walking rapidly and yet striving not to appear in a hurry; having a certain sense of relief because I was in the open air and could no longer see the grief of my mother, and fancying that every shadow was a lobster-back who had been sent to take me in custody.

I walked directly across the city without being molested in any way. Those whom I passed, and you may be certain I did not allow any to come near me if so be there was an alley-way in which to hide myself, gave no more heed than if I had been a homeless dog.

Having gotten beyond where the houses were set thickly together, I began to believe that all danger was over--that I had once more come out from among the lobster-backs without harm. There was a song of thanksgiving in my heart, and I burned to cry aloud in my joy, when suddenly, as I passed an outbuilding nearby Isaac Norris’s storehouse, not dreaming there was anyone in the vicinity, a man stepped out from behind it, and, suddenly catching me by the coat collar viciously, drew me quickly back within the shadow of the trees.

Wriggling to the best of my strength, I contrived to look up into the man’s face, and then did my heart grow heavy as lead in my breast, for he who held me so securely was none other than Master Baker, Skinny’s father!

Then did I say to myself that now verily was I much the same as in the custody of the Britishers, for this venomous Tory, knowing something of what I had already done to his son, and most like guessing a portion of the rest, would not allow the grass to grow under his feet, until he had turned me over to the lobster-backs as a dangerous spy.

During a full half-minute I gazed at him and he at me, the one most likely speculating as to how he could best avenge the injury done his son, and the other, as I know full well, wondering whether, with such a charge as Master Baker could make against him, he would be able to remain long away from the gallows.

“Do you know where my son is, Richard Salter?” Skinny’s father asked sharply as he shook me vigorously by the coat collar, and, without stopping to reflect upon what might be the result of such an answer; but counting only on giving proof that I was not so chicken-hearted as his cur of a boy, I replied without hesitation:

“Ay, Master Baker, he is most like in Valley Forge, at least, he was headed that way when last I saw him.”

“So then you have been concerned again in treasonable acts against the king?” the man snarled, and although my peril was great, it pleased me wondrously that I could thus aggravate him.

“How long since has it been an act against the king to serve Skinny out as he deserves?” I cried mockingly. “Verily his majesty will be kept busy if he concerns himself with those who would give your son that which he has earned.”

“It is not well for you to be so flippant, Richard Salter, for now is it in my power to send you to prison, and from there, mayhap, to the gallows.”

“I grant you all that, Master Baker,” I replied, and was even myself astonished because the fear which previously beset me had now passed away, leaving my mind as free from care as if there had never been such a person in all the world as Skinny Baker’s father, or his majesty of England. “I grant you all that, and if so be it is brought about, then may you count to a certainty your son will be served the same dose, for I guarantee he will be closely guarded until I am once more at Valley Forge to show that I have come through this city in safety. What happens to me here, will happen to Skinny at Valley Forge, make no mistake regarding that, Master Baker.”

It was a threat uttered at random; an idea which had come into my mind on the spur of the moment, and yet it told as if the words were true as Holy Writ.

Master Baker half staggered back while his face paled, and I understood he fully believed all I had told him, for indeed it would not have been strange had we lads agreed with the Weaver of Germantown that Skinny should be held as hostage for the safe return of Jeremy and me.

In fact, if we had not been thick-headed, we might have hit upon some such plan; but even though we had not, the threat which I thus made at random served nearly as good a purpose as if it had been the truth.

Master Baker shook me violently, as if he would thus relieve his feelings and perhaps force a different story from my lips, and when he was done with such exercise, I, looking him full in the face, asked tauntingly:

“Well, why do you not take me to General Howe’s headquarters, and repeat that which I have just told you?”

“Did my son know that whatsoever was done to you here in Philadelphia would be meted out to him?” Master Baker asked after a brief pause, and I replied without hesitation, as if it was a well-known fact:

“Ay, he must have, else had he lost his ears. I dare say it will please him greatly to know that whatsoever comes to him is due to the act of his father.”

If I had struck Master Baker full in the face he could not have shrunk back more quickly, or given evidence of keener pain, and I fancied his grip on my collar was slightly relaxed.

Like a flash of light came to me the idea that it might yet be possible to escape from Skinny’s father, and, exerting all my strength, I wheeled about even as he held me firmly, lowering my head and butting him full in the pit of the stomach with such force that he was thrown against the side of the building with a thud that caused him to grunt like a pig.

You can well fancy that I did not lose a single second before setting off in flight.

Whether it was that I had dealt the man such a blow as to render him incapable of pursuit, or if he hesitated to raise the hue and cry against me because of that fate which might come to his son, I cannot say; but certain it is that within two minutes after having delivered the blow, I was running behind the ropewalk toward the river a good two squares away from Skinny’s father, while never a sound could I hear from the rear.

It seemed hardly possible, when Master Baker had his grip on my coat collar, that I could escape, for the venomous Tory was bent on gaining revenge because of what had been done to his son.

[Illustration: BUTTING HIM FULL IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH.]

Yet I had given him the slip, although it could not have been done but for the fact that he, like Skinny, was a coward, and when I had made up that story which shall not be set down against me as a lie, because my life was trembling in the balance, he was not brave enough to say that his son should bear, for the good of the king, what might come to him.

Instead of showing himself a man, he was so far overcome by my words, together with the blow which I gave him in the stomach, as to literally be reduced to helplessness.

However, now that I was free it might be only for the moment, and I had no reason for loitering anywhere in the vicinity of Philadelphia, therefore set off stoutly, yet not rapidly because of the necessity of keeping a sharp lookout ahead.

To run into a squad of lobster-backs just at this time would have been much the same as if Master Baker had taken me to headquarters, and however good an excuse I might have presented for being in that vicinity, I knew full well it would not be received by whosoever came across me.

It was certain now, after all which had happened, that anyone caught while seemingly making an attempt to leave the city, would be forced to give a mighty strict account of himself.

Therefore it was I kept on steadily but slowly, until when, as nearly as I could say, it was nigh to noon, I saw in the distance, and coming toward me, a figure which looked strangely familiar, yet I dared not risk the chance of being seen.

Taking advantage of the first clump of bushes which grew near at hand, I hid myself in a clumsy fashion and waited mayhap ten minutes, when I saw that he from whom I had thus screened myself was none other than Timothy Bowers.

One can well fancy the joy which came into my heart when I sprang out of the hiding place, startling Timothy nearly into shrieking, and we two lads, clasping hands, went back amid the thicket where we could talk without danger of being seen.

I was eager first to know why he had left Valley Forge when there was so little he could do in Philadelphia, and so much of danger to be encountered; but straightway learned that so far no information had been taken to the American camp of Master Targe’s arrest, and indeed, had I given the matter proper consideration, I would have understood that there had not been time for any friend of the Cause, however zealous, to have gained the American army.

Timothy had been sent by the Weaver of Germantown with a message to the innkeeper, which was to the effect that he should meet the Weaver among the ruined buildings of Germantown on the following morning; but for what purpose, as a matter of course, the lad did not know.

Then it was I told my comrade of all which had occurred in the city, and his face grew pale because of the danger to which I had been exposed, though I dare venture to say he gave not a single thought to the possibility that he himself was in the greater peril because of Master Targe’s having been taken into custody.

Of course there was now no reason for Timothy to continue on. He could not come upon the innkeeper save he was carried into prison under arrest, and it appeared to both of us as of the highest consequence that information concerning the trouble be taken to Valley Forge without delay.

Having arrived at this decision we set off at once, and had walked well-nigh to two miles before realizing that if the Weaver of Germantown kept the appointment he would have supposed to be made with Master Targe, then might we pass him in the night, for it was reasonable to believe he would leave Valley Forge before sunset.

Therefore I said to Timothy that we might save ourselves both labor and time by halting at Germantown, and waiting there for the coming of the man who was doing so much, as a spy, in aid of the Cause.

When we had decided that this would be the proper course, then came the thought that we might not be able to find the Weaver, because it was likely he had some hiding place there, and we could come upon him only by merest chance.

However, it seemed necessary we should strive to get this chance, since there was but little question that if we kept on to Valley Forge during the hours of darkness we would be likely to pass him on the road, and thus he be allowed to run into danger without knowing what awaited him since the arrest of Master Targe.

In this case fortune favoured us Minute Boys as it seemed she had since the first day we agreed to do whatsoever we might in behalf of the Cause.

We were hardly more than come to Germantown, and were roaming around amid the half-burned buildings trying to decide where we would seek a shelter, when we came full upon the man we were seeking.

It appeared, as we learned afterward, that he had been securely hidden in a snug place well-known to himself, and saw us approach that building where we were so nearly burned to death, therefore came out to greet us.

In the fewest words possible, I told him of all that had happened in Philadelphia since I arrived there.

To my great surprise he did not appear deeply concerned regarding the matter. I had supposed he would at least show some signs of grief because Master Targe was in peril of his life, and instead he said quietly and in a matter-of-fact tone:

“Then we must make the move so much the sooner, and depend upon others for information.”

As a matter of course, I supposed he meant that it would be necessary to depend upon someone for further information from Philadelphia, therefore was more than astonished when he said, as if fancying we understood the entire situation:

“There is no longer any reason why we linger here. I had best retrace my steps, and you shall come with me. Although the British are not overly fond of loitering around the ruins which they themselves have made, it will be better if we put a greater distance between them and us.”

“Meaning that you will go where, sir?” Timothy asked, and the Weaver of Germantown replied as if surprised because such a question was necessary:

“To Valley Forge, as a matter of course. There we will make our preparations for the next step, and the work cannot be pushed forward any too quickly, for, unless all signs fail us, General Clinton will make a movement of some kind right speedily.”

“General Clinton, sir?” I asked.

“Ay, lad. Do you not know that he has taken over the command of the British forces in Philadelphia?”

I had heard somewhat of the kind, and yet gave no particular heed to the fact. It mattered little to us rebels, as I believed, who held command of the lobster-backs, so that it was one of the king’s officers who would do whatsoever he might toward working us an injury.

Without waiting for further conversation the Weaver of Germantown set off at a rapid pace in the direction of Valley Forge, and we lads followed perforce, since there was nothing else for us except to seek refuge with those who would do what they might toward saving us from the enemy.

By this time I was beginning to know thoroughly well the trail between the headquarters of the American army, and our captive city of Philadelphia. It was to me as if I had spent half a lifetime doing nothing more than walking to and fro between these two points, and now I followed my leader in a listless manner.

It seemed to me that I no longer had any part or parcel in this work of aiding the colonies, for surely I could not venture into the city again without being taken into custody, and therefore had my time of usefulness as a spy come to an end.

If we Minute Boys were to continue striving to do something in behalf of our distressed country, then must we enlist as soldiers, despite the fact that we were not of the required age, and I welcomed such a possibility, for the trade of a spy was not pleasing to me.

I felt that it would be much more manly to stand up bravely as a soldier, face to face with the enemy, rather than sneaking here and there under cover of darkness, hiding at the approach of either friend or foe, even though by such work I succeeded in doing somewhat of consequence in behalf of those who were struggling to win for us our freedom.

“If all things go well, we will leave camp again early to-morrow morning,” the Weaver of Germantown suddenly said after we had travelled mayhap a couple of miles, and I asked in amazement:

“If we are to leave the camp so soon, sir, why do we go there at all?”

“Because it is not to be expected we can do this work single-handed. Already have I been promised a squad of forty men, and with them I dare venture to say we can accomplish our purpose.”

I was more in the dark than before, and that Timothy was also blinded I understood when he asked impatiently:

“What may be our purpose?”

“To rescue those of our people who have been taken prisoners,” was the reply.

“Do you count, sir, on making an attack upon Philadelphia with forty men?” I cried in bewilderment, whereupon the Weaver of Germantown laughed as he replied:

“If all the information which has been gained be correct, there will be no need of our making an attack on Philadelphia if so be we would release our friends who are in custody. There can be no question whatsoever but that General Clinton counts on evacuating the city within a very short time, and he will endeavour to do so before our people can get word as to his movements. Already, it is said, he has begun sending the heaviest of his baggage across the river, and yesterday word was brought that orders had been given Cunningham to forward such prisoners as had not yet had a trial, with the next baggage-train that started out. Now it stands to reason such time will come speedily, and I am counting on giving the lobster-backs who accompany it the surprise of their lives.”

“With forty men, sir?” Timothy asked quickly, and the Weaver of Germantown looked at the lad indulgently as he replied:

“More cannot well be spared. If the business is not to be done with forty, then I question whether two hundred would accomplish it, and it were better the smaller number sacrificed their lives, than the larger.”

“How many men, sir, do you count would be sent to guard a baggage-train?” Timothy asked thoughtfully.

“Mayhap an hundred. I question if very many more, for the teamsters could be counted on to take a hand in the defence of the goods if so be the train was attacked.”

“And with the teamsters the force would amount to more than an hundred,” Timothy said as if speaking to himself, whereupon the Weaver of Germantown replied cheerily:

“Make it in round numbers an hundred fifty, and we count on reducing that strength very considerably by giving them a surprise.”

“Shall you carry out such a plan, sir, before knowing absolutely whether the prisoners are with the baggage-train or not?” I asked, and the reply came sharply, in token that I should have had better sense than to raise such a question:

“We shall know before the train starts whether our people will accompany it or not, even though the Minute Boys of Philadelphia are laid off from duty temporarily,” he added with a smile. “We still have friends in the city who can get information as to what may be going on.”

After this reply, which was much like a reproof, I held my peace, and we three trudged on toward Valley Forge, I saying again and again to myself that verily were we rebels come to desperate straits when we counted on attacking a force of an hundred fifty men with only forty, and figuring meanwhile that it were better only so small a number should be killed, much as if their destruction were almost certain.

Only a few moments previous I had been saying to myself that it would be nobler for us lads to act as soldiers, being regularly enrolled in the army, and stand face to face with the enemy, rather than playing the spy, and yet, now that there was in the near future an action in which I might take part, my heart grew timorous.

The odds seemed so great, even though we might surprise this train, that I felt confident the scheme could not succeed; but believed all who had part in it must meet with death.

Then again, there were many chances against our rescuing the prisoners even though we held our own with those who guarded the train.

It might be possible a squad of forty men could surprise and drive back an hundred fifty; but to so disable that number as to be able to go into their very midst and take out prisoners, who would unquestionably be closely guarded, was a proposition which seemed to me so wild as to be almost ridiculous.