CHAPTER V

AT SWEDE’S FORD

I am free to confess that I was somewhat surprised because Master Dingley had returned so soon, for I made no question but that it was he who had spoken with Sam.

All the fear which had come upon me when I was first awakened, fled, for I said to myself that the gentleman had returned, most like, to give me instructions as to what we should do in the future, for it hardly seemed possible he could have any work for us lads so soon after having made the proposition that we enroll ourselves as Minute Boys.

I questioned Sam as to what had happened in regard to the prisoner after I left, and he replied that Skinny remained as if in a fit of the sulks, speaking no word to anyone, and seemingly having resigned himself to the probable fact that he would be held prisoner until some of his friends succeeded in finding him.

“Don’t let him deceive you into the belief that he remains there willingly,” I said to Sam warningly. “If the cur no longer appears frightened, and is putting on meek airs, then you may set it down as a fact that he is trying to form some plan to get the best of us.”

“That goes without saying,” Sam replied laughingly. “Suppose either you or I were in the same hobble Skinny is? Do you not fancy we would seek in our minds for some way to get the best of those who held us prisoner?”

“Ay; but without praising ourselves, I may say that we have more courage than he, and would show ourselves decent fellows even while fighting.”

“Don’t fear but that I understand he will do anything whatsoever in the way of treachery, and do you know, Richard Salter, I should not blame him overly much whatever he did, because the provocation is great.”

“He had no business to stick his nose into our affairs in the first place. Then he would not be in the lumber pile guarded as he is,” I replied hotly, and Sam said with a laugh:

“True enough; but he was well within his rights from his standpoint. He truly believes we are rebels past all hope of redemption, and thinks he is doing only his duty when he aids those who serve the king, even as we believe it is in aid of the Cause when we stand ready to do Master Dingley’s bidding and call ourselves Minute Boys.”

I could never have found it in my heart to speak words even of faint praise for such a Tory cur as Skinny Baker, yet at the same time it pleased me that Sam stood up for him in such manly fashion, and I said with a laugh:

“You may deal out all the praise possible for one like Skinny, and I will hold my peace, knowing you are a true lad and one who loves the Cause if there be any in this lobster-back ridden city of ours. Now let us make all speed for the Jolly Tar.”

“I am not minded to go with you,” Sam replied quickly, and when I asked him why not, he declared there was no good reason why we two should remain together in public; that it were better he went back to the hiding place with Jeremy, where he might be needed, and adding that if peradventure it became necessary, I would visit the lumber pile sometime during the night; if not, they should expect me reasonably early next morning.

“Even though there be no good reason why you come to us,” Sam added earnestly, “remember that we shall be eager to know what business Master Dingley has, and therefore I beg you to put us out of suspense as soon as it may be safely done.”

Then Sam hastened away, and I turned my steps in the direction of the Jolly Tar inn, wondering not a little whether Master Dingley found in the host a man who favored the Cause. To me the keeper of that tavern was a most surly brute, who surely had no friends among those people whom I knew, and I could not fancy he was of the kind to make a confidant of anyone.

He was standing in the tap-room of the inn when I entered, and seemingly there was none other on the premises, for he asked in an ordinary tone of voice, as if there was no need for secrecy in the matter, whether my name was Richard Salter.

As a matter of course, I told him it was, and straightway, without parley, he led me upstairs into a small chamber at the rear of the house, where, instead of finding Master Dingley, I came upon a man who was an entire stranger--one whom I had never seen before.

On the instant there came into my mind the fear that some treachery had been done; that those who favored the king had taken this means of getting from me information as to what we had done the night previous.

All such suspicions fled from my mind, however, when the man spoke, for he said, tapping me on the shoulder in a most friendly manner:

“I am sorry that Dingley decided to call upon such lads as you for aid, because this work which we would do has in it far too much of danger for us to lead boys into a road which may end only at the gallows. However, he has done so, and now am I come to ask if you can go this night to Swede’s Ford?”

“I go to Swede’s Ford?” I repeated like a simple, and in amazement.

“Ay, lad; there is reason for your visit, and no need why I should explain. I am come to stay in this city a few days, and when you have been to Swede’s Ford and returned, if so be you desire to have speech with me, come to this inn, and, speaking only to the landlord, say that you would talk with the Weaver of Germantown.”

“And why may it be that I should need to have speech with you, sir?” I asked curiously.

“After you have visited Swede’s Ford you will know better, lad. Where are your comrades?”

“Nearabout, sir; somewhere within the city,” I replied, suspicion again coming into my mind that this stranger might be trying to force from me a secret with a view of doing us harm.

The reply seemed to please him, for he said, again tapping me on the shoulder:

“Such caution is well, lad, in these times, and I am glad to see that you understand it. I asked the question only from a spirit of curiosity, and it is better, perhaps, that you do not answer. However, you will say to them, wherever they may be, that if during your absence any danger menaces, either to themselves or to our people at Valley Forge, they are to come here and have speech with me even as I explained to you how it should be done.”

“But what am I to do at Swede’s Ford?” I asked almost impatiently, for this journey was not to my liking, and the stranger answered in what was much to me like a riddle:

“That you will find out once you are arrived there. Take no heed as to why you are going, but simply present yourself at Swede’s Ford anywhere to-morrow morning after daylight, and the remainder will be told you.”

“The remainder will be told me,” I repeated to myself, dazed rather than otherwise by this proposition.

Certain it was that the man who was representing Master Dingley’s interest was quite as careful in his way as I had shown myself to be in mine. Here he was proposing that I go on a visit which was not without some danger, because there was the risk of being overhauled by the lobster-backs before I could get there, and even going so far in his caution as to fail of giving me any inkling of that which I was to do.

It was evident that the stranger read, from the expression on my face, that I was not overly well pleased at thus being forced to set off blindfold as you might say, and he hastened to add:

“Be not vexed, lad, because I fail of explaining matters at the outset. It is well you should not know, for if peradventure you were taken by the Britishers, then would it be impossible to inadvertently reveal the secret. You are simply to go to Swede’s Ford, lounge about there as if you had no particular business, and straightway someone will accost you, asking if you have been sent by the Weaver of Germantown. Then may you know that he is one to be trusted, and follow his instructions.”

“Am I to go alone, sir?”

“That is as you may please. If so be you have an idea that with a companion you could more readily explain that you had set off simply on a pleasure jaunt, or in regard to family matters, take whomsoever you choose. In fact, the orders from Master Dingley were that he believed you to be a boy of considerable parts, and one who might be safely trusted, without definite instructions, to pull through whatsoever he attempted.”

I questioned at the moment whether Master Dingley had said anything of the kind; but rather fancied that this man, believing I was somewhat disgruntled, counted to flatter me so I might the more willingly set off on such a blind chase.

I made no reply to him; but waited until he should speak again, and mayhap sixty seconds passed in silence, whereupon I said with a half laugh:

“Perhaps it is your idea that there is nothing more to be said?”

“That is exactly it, my lad. Too free a use of the tongue in times like these, even between sworn friends, is inclined to danger; therefore, we who are called rebels had best hold as little converse as may be, although within the walls of this inn, so far as Master Targe, the landlord, can arrange matters, we are safe to speak our minds, yet there is no good reason why it should be done at all times. Leave the city whensoever it pleases you, so that you may arrive at Swede’s Ford reasonably early to-morrow morning.”

Then he opened the door, which was surely invitation enough for me to go, and I went, turning the matter over in my mind as I passed through the passageway leading to the tap-room, and from thence out on the street.

Master Targe was standing just outside his door as I went by him, and he looked at me so earnestly that I could not but fancy something was in the wind, therefore halted sufficiently long to ask if he believed he had seen me before.

“Nay, lad, I have not charged my memory with you. It may be that you have been hereabout many a time; but just now I would so fix your face in my mind that I shall recognize it amid a thousand when I see you again, for it is likely you may come here often.”

Even though Master Dingley had been forced to leave Philadelphia hurriedly and secretly, it was evident he had made arrangements for whatsoever might turn up. Yet I wondered not a little why this innkeeper should so readily understand that his guests from outside the city would be needing or asking for the services of boys, although there were many reasons why I might believe that the stranger whom I just left had explained matters.

Yet, and I asked myself this more than once, how had Master Dingley had opportunity since we parted with him at the Falls of the Schuylkill, to make any arrangements with another?

There was food for thought in such matter, and although I could not suspect the man whom I had just left, I failed utterly of making out how all this thing had been brought about to so complete an understanding in so short a time.

However, it was not for me to speculate overly much upon the matter, for if I was to obey the instructions given no time should be lost. If I counted on journeying to Swede’s Ford, then it would require every effort in order to arrive there at an early hour next day, and I quickened my pace that I might the sooner come at the hiding place where I counted to meet only Jeremy and Sam.

To my unpleasant surprise, I found young Chris with the two who were guarding the prisoner, and because I could not let the lad understand that I was unwilling to trust him entirely, it became necessary, in order to explain to Jeremy and Sam that I was going out of town, for me to tell the whole story in young Chris’s presence.

This I did without seeming to hesitate, for the baker’s son was a suspicious lad, and it did not require many odd actions or chance words to arouse his anger.

Before I had well begun the story young Chris flew into a passion, and cried out angrily:

“If I was sent to the Royal Coffee-House to wait for whosoever might come in search of us, why did Sam Elder go there also? And if he was there by accident, why did he not report to me that someone had come who would have speech with you, Richard Salter?”

Sam would have replied, and probably with considerable temper, if I could judge by the expression on his face; but when I motioned for him to remain silent, he obeyed, and I replied to the angry Chris:

“It is not an overly safe matter in the work we propose to do, bandying words back and forth, especially in public. Sam had received the message, and there was less danger if he came directly to me, than if he waited to explain to you all that occurred, at the risk of being overheard. Why should you be disgruntled because by chance he was able to do a portion of the work which had been set for you?”

“That is exactly why I am disgruntled. The work was for me and not for him. If he interfered, I should have been informed.”

“At the expense of having the secret made known?” Jeremy asked grimly, and young Chris cried in a rage:

“Ay, at every risk, for I was the one who remained on duty.”

Then I believed had come the time when I must assert my authority as commander of the Minute Boys, and I said with as much of sternness as I could call up, striving at the same time to show somewhat of friendliness in my tones:

“You must remember, young Chris, that this work is for all of us, and not for one individual. If it so chance I have set out on some matter, and you can do it more safely or quickly, then it were worse than folly for me to complain. Our only purpose in banding ourselves together as Minute Boys is to benefit the Cause, and not simply that one or another may gain glory.”

I believe that young Chris was secretly ashamed of having shown himself so foolish, for he said in a tone of sulkiness:

“I am only complaining because of being set about a task and then having another lad hoisted over my head.”

“No one was hoisted over your head, Chris. It so chanced that Sam was there, and the man spoke to him. He also was a considerable distance up Chestnut street--not at your post of duty. What folly it would have been for him to circle around the coffee-house, rather than coming directly to me.”

“And I suppose you count on starting for Swede’s Ford at once?”

“I certainly do. It is necessary I be there early to-morrow morning, and I believe it will be well for me to go as far as the falls in the _Jolly Rover_, since there is less likelihood in such course of being overhauled by the lobster-backs.”

“Why should you gain all the credit of this work?” young Chris asked, still in a sulky tone, whereupon I replied sharply:

“It is not certain there will be any credit attached to it; but far more likely, as I figure the matter, that the one who goes will encounter no little danger before he has got back to Philadelphia. Even though the lobster-backs do not interfere, I am of the opinion that those who would have us aid them will count that we have only done our duty. So far as gaining glory in this work is concerned, if that be what you are after, young Chris, there is every chance you will be sadly disappointed.”

“But why should you go alone?” Chris demanded.

“And why should I not?” I asked, now very nearly losing my temper.

“Because two will be necessary if you are to go as far as the falls in the _Jolly Rover_, and if there is no longer need for me to stay on duty nearabout the coffee-house, then I am of a mind to go with you.”

Now it was by no means to my liking that young Chris should bear me company on this mission, whatever it might be, for, as I have already said, he was not a lad who could be depended upon to keep his temper, or to be prudent, in a time of danger.

Yet the thought flashed quickly through my mind even while he was speaking, that if I should allow the lad to go with me, then was I removing him from all opportunity of doing harm to those who were guarding Skinny.

Straightway, without apparent hesitation, I said to him heartily:

“If so be you are inclined to go, young Chris, I see no reason why it shouldn’t be done. I shall be pleased to have company and aid in working the _Jolly Rover_, therefore, if you count on going home to explain that you may be absent some time, make all possible haste, for I would like to be on the journey before another hour goes by.”

Young Chris hesitated as if it was in his mind to set off without allowing his parents to know where he went; but when Jeremy suggested that the work which we would be called upon to do by those who awaited us at Swede’s Ford might keep us from the city several days, he concluded to so far save his mother from anxiety as to let her know that he intended to go away.

It would have been better for Chris, I thought then and have always believed since, if his parents had ever held him to a rigid accounting of his time. But since the day I first knew the lad, he seemed free to go or come as he pleased without regard to any person or thing.

I believe the fact of my willingness to have young Chris accompany me to Swede’s Ford surprised him, for he looked as if dazed for an instant, and then went out from the hiding place with more of caution and less noisily than I had ever known him to go before.

“If I was going away on a mission concerning which I knew nothing whatsoever, young Chris, although devoted to the Cause, is not the lad I would choose for a companion,” Jeremy Hapgood said, speaking slowly as if reaching out in his mind for all the possibilities of danger that might come to me while in young Chris’s company.

I made reply in what might have been a sorrowful tone, for I was indeed disappointed that he was to be my companion:

“It is better he go with me than that he stay, for there is such a whirl in his mind regarding our company of Minute Boys and the possibility of what they may do, that he will be prone to carelessness, and might bring trouble upon you who are tied here.”

“Why should they be tied here?” Skinny Baker cried suddenly and hotly. “Why not do as decent lads would, and take my word that I will never reveal anything I have seen or heard since you went up the river with the stranger?”

“The reason why we don’t do it, Skinny,” Sam Elder said grimly, “is because your word is not worth a straw. I have known you ready to lie in small matters when no good could be accomplished by it, and surely if we were simples enough to let you go free, for the sake of revenge you would break the most solemn oath.”

Then it was that Skinny, for the first time since we had made him prisoner, flew into a veritable rage, and it became necessary Jeremy and Sam should literally hold him by the arms, else would he have striven to force his way out, while, save that I clapped my hand over his mouth, the Tory cur must have screamed aloud for help.

“You are bound to gag him!” I cried in alarm.

Really there was every danger he would arouse the neighborhood, for no one could say who might be passing near at hand, and such a noise as we were then making must of necessity attract attention.

This proposition frightened Skinny more than any threat would have done, for straightway he calmed himself, and said in an imploring tone:

“Don’t gag me! I promise faithfully to hold my peace! It will be barbarous to force my jaws apart during such time as I must stay here! Suppose one of you lads were in my place, do you think it possible you could sit here with a smile on your face, and never make a move toward trying to escape?”

“No, Skinny,” Jeremy replied gravely. “I am quite certain any of us would make a greater disturbance than you are creating. But we must, as would you, protect ourselves. Therefore the next time you raise your voice with the idea of attracting attention from the outside, I pledge my word that you shall be gagged in such fashion that your jaws will not come together within three or four inches, and thus shall you remain, save at such times as we are pleased to take the gag out to save you from being choked to death.”

“We two will stay on duty all the time you are away, Richard,” Sam Elder said as if thinking I needed heartening, as indeed I did. “Go about your work at Swede’s Ford without fear for us, and howsoever long you may remain absent, it will only be necessary for you to come here in order to find Skinny, as well as Jeremy and me.”

Young Chris returned just at that instant, and I was not able to say privately to my comrades that which I was counting on doing, for, as I have already repeated again and again, I did not have sufficient confidence in Master Ludwig’s son to let him share all my thoughts. And this not because there was any fear he had a leaning to the side of the king; but on account of his recklessness.

Young Chris announced that he had spoken with his father, telling him all that had occurred, and anyone who was acquainted with baker Ludwig, knew him to be such a thorough friend of the colonies that if his son could do whatsoever to aid the Cause, there would be no hindrance from him.

Chris had come with full permission to remain away as long as might be necessary, and, what was more to the purpose, had no less than seven shillings in his pocket in addition to a generous supply of bread and meat, enough to serve us, even though we should be hungry all the time, at least eight and forty hours.

After the lad had displayed his riches, and they were riches indeed to us boys who were in the hiding place, for never in my life had I had more than sixpence at a time, while I knew full well Jeremy and Sam had hardly seen as much money in the whole course of their lives, we set off without delay.

On leaving the hiding place one crawled out considerably in advance of the other, and when we were in the open, strove to move in a careless manner as if we had little heed whether we went this way or that.

Twice did we come upon a squad of lobster-backs who were patrolling the streets to make certain the rebels of Philadelphia kept snugly under cover, lest they be tempted to say something disrespectful of his majesty.

Each time we came upon the Britishers did young Chris save us from being marched to the guard-house, for all the lobster-backs were acquainted with Ludwig the baker, although they did not know him for a friend to the Cause, and his son might do almost as much without reproach from them, as if he had for sire the rankest Tory in the city.

This poor attempt of mine at story-telling would be the more entertaining if I could set down that we had this or that desperate adventure while making our way across the city, and yet truth demands that I must say we went our way as peacefully as though the king’s troops had never been within a thousand miles of Philadelphia.

Save in the two cases which I have already mentioned, we were not molested in the slightest degree, and even the meeting with the lobster-backs, thanks to young Chris, was nothing more than a pleasure as you might say, for it gave me no little delight to see them so ready to let us pass when we were engaged in that work which was to them a crime well worthy of death.

We went straight across the city until coming to the river, and there found the _Jolly Rover_ amid the thicket just as we had left her.

There was nothing to prevent our setting off at once, and within half an hour from the time we had left the lumber pile, we were pulling up stream in a leisurely fashion as if simply bent on sport.

We arrived at the falls without having met anyone to dispute our passage, and, leaving there the _Jolly Rover_ hidden securely, set off on foot for Swede’s Ford, walking with such purpose that the sun had not shown himself for more than two hours when we were at the journey’s end, looking anxiously around for whosoever was to greet us.

As a matter of course, young Chris and I had very much to say to each other during the tramp, for it was not reasonable to suppose two lads would walk throughout the entire night without holding converse; but that of which we spoke has no concern whatsoever with this attempt of mine to set down the doings of the Minute Boys.

It needs only to be said that more than once did I, in as delicate a way as possible, strive to convince my comrade he must exercise more caution both in speech and movement, if we were to do anything whatsoever in aid of the colonies.

And now a word regarding this place where we had arrived, and which was hardly more than a wilderness, save for the breastworks that had been thrown up some time since by order of General Washington, to prevent the Britishers from crossing the river.

There was also the farm-house which had been built by a man named John Bull, who was a stanch Whig, and because of this so-called crime, the Britishers under General Howe, when they marched to Philadelphia the year previous, burned his barn for him.

The ruins were yet there, of course; but the house was occupied, or we judged it to be from the signs of life which could be seen roundabout, probably by the farmer’s family who had no other place of shelter, save they went into that city which was held by their enemies.

There were in the breastworks mayhap twenty men, who were lounging about as if having no other aim in life than to take their pleasure, and I fancied they looked at us curiously, perhaps in an unfriendly manner, therefore it was I suggested to young Chris that we remain at a distance on the bank of the stream, rather than be questioned concerning what we could not answer even though disposed to make public all our doings.

We walked to and fro on the shore striving to avoid more than ordinary attention, at the same time that we kept ourselves in view of whomsoever counted on coming to meet us, and during all the while, as you can well fancy, both of us speculated as to why we had been sent to such a lonely place.

If word had come that we were to present ourselves at Valley Forge, where was the commander-in-chief, then might I have understood somewhat concerning the reason. But why we were to come here in the woods, as you might say, was past my guessing.

In later days, however, I came to realize that he who takes upon himself such work as we were then striving to do, must not question the whys and wherefores; but obey blindly every order which is given, and do it promptly.

When half an hour had passed and no one appeared, young Chris began to lose his patience, and a stranger might have supposed, to hear him talk, that we two lads were of great consequence in this war against the king, for he announced angrily that if those persons who had sent for us did not appear within thirty minutes, he would go away, leaving them to do their business as best they might.

[Illustration: “THIS, GENERAL VARNUM, IS RICHARD SALTER.”]

All this was foolish, as a matter of course, and I made to it no reply, thus allowing the lad to quiet down a bit. At the end of another half-hour he had thrown himself upon the ground, making ready to go to sleep, when I saw in the distance one whom I recognized as Master Dingley, and with him a man in the uniform of our army, evidently a superior officer.

The two came directly to where we were standing, and Master Dingley, taking me by the hand as if I had been a particular friend of his, said in a manner that nearly caused my cheeks to flush with shame because such praise was not warranted:

“This, General Varnum, is Richard Salter, son of a widow who keeps a lodging house in Drinker’s alley, where no less a person than Major Simcoe is wont to frequent. He is a lad, as I know by careful inquiry, who may be fully trusted, and I believe will do whatsoever you have with which to entrust him.”

General Varnum, who was a mild-spoken man, and not such an one as I had fancied would be chosen to lead a large number of men into battle, asked many questions concerning my life in the city since the British had taken possession, and particularly did he inquire concerning my home, and in what part of the building the Britishers lodged. He was curious to learn whether I heard any conversation between them, or if they spoke guardedly when any of my mother’s family were near at hand.

I cannot undertake to set down all of which we spoke, for a great deal of it seemed to me have no connection whatsoever with the Cause. It appeared as if he was gratifying his curiosity, rather than endeavoring to gain information.

But when he was come to an end of his questioning, and during all this time no attention whatsoever had been paid to young Chris, who lay upon the grass kicking up his heels in evident displeasure, the general said to Master Dingley:

“It is well. You may entrust the lad with the mission, Josiah; but first make certain if his comrade is to be relied upon.”

At this young Chris sprang to his feet as if to make some angry reply, and I verily believe he would have given way to his ill temper even in the presence of the general, had I not caught him quickly by the arm, looking into his eyes in such a manner as was much the same as if I had bidden him hold his peace.

Then the general walked away, and Master Dingley turned to young Chris, saying to me meanwhile:

“Who is this comrade of yours?”

“The son of Christopher Ludwig, the baker,” I made haste to reply. “And surely knowing the father, you can have full faith in the son’s willingness to do whatsoever you have for his hand.”

“Is there any reason why you lads may not linger here four and twenty hours?” Master Dingley asked.

I told him we were at his service, yet secretly hoped he would not keep us in that desolate place long.

“Is your company of Minute Boys already formed?” Master Dingley asked, and straightway young Chris’s tongue was loosened as he told of what he himself had done in the way of raising recruits, speaking so boastingly, that one who did not know him might come to believe we had a large number of lads ready to serve the Cause in whatsoever way they might.

I took it upon myself to explain how many had joined the company, and who they were, whereupon Master Dingley said:

“The work which the commander-in-chief would have you do is such as requires more than ordinary caution, and of so delicate a nature that General Varnum, who is entrusted with that part of the scheme, was not willing you should be informed of what was on foot until he had had speech with you. Therefore it was I asked that you come here to this place, rather than at Valley Forge.”

“And are we not to see the American camp?” young Chris asked eagerly.

“Now that General Varnum is satisfied regarding you two, I see no reason why you may not go into camp this night, if so be you are willing to tramp over a rough bit of country.”

“We would tramp from here to New York and back again, for the sake of seeing the army!” I cried excitedly, for my one desire throughout all the long winter had been to see how our brave fellows bore up under the privations of which we had but faint idea.

“Very well; we will set off at once,” Master Dingley replied.

And so we did. But nothing was seen of General Varnum, and before we had gone a mile I learned that he had ridden down to within a short distance of Swede’s Ford on horseback, where he met Master Dingley, and was now returning in the same manner.

And now comes what at that time was to me a great mystery. We traveled leisurely along, talking of this thing and of that concerning the struggles which our people were making against the king’s rule, and with no fear that anyone was near to overhear our words, yet never once did Master Dingley speak concerning the mission which he would send us on, and for which we had come so far.

It was as if he had entirely forgotten we had been summoned for some especial purpose, and believed his sole duty was to escort us to the American camp.

Again and again was I tempted to ask why we had been called to Swede’s Ford; but each time my heart failed me. Then I said to myself that I would restrain my curiosity, come what might, never hinting that I was eager to learn of his purpose, and waiting with whatsoever patience I could until it pleased him to explain matters.