CHAPTER IX

ON DUTY

It is not needed that I should set down all we said during this night before the carnival, when we were listening intently, as you may well suppose, to the advice which the Weaver of Germantown gave us concerning our behavior.

I dare venture to say there was no desire for slumber on the part of any of our company. I know for fact that I could not have closed my eyes in sleep even though life had depended upon it, for every now and then a cold chill of fear would run down my spine as I realized what would be the result if I came full upon some one of those officers who lodged with my mother.

I do not hesitate to say I was given sadly to timorousness during that time, and if I ever come across a lad who claims to me that he can venture upon a task which may result in his death, without feeling certain fear and having many forebodings, then I shall say that he is either devoid of all feeling, or telling that which is absolutely a lie.

When midnight had come we were made aware of the fact by Master Targe entering the room without the ceremony of knocking, and having with him three small parcels, one of which he handed to each of us lads.

Then without a word, and in a grave and solemn manner which called up all my fears once more, the Weaver of Germantown clasped each of us by the hand, and Master Targe beckoned for us to follow him.

This we did, leaving the building by a rear door, and when we were come to the gateway the innkeeper said, speaking curtly as if we had given him some cause for offence:

“You know as well as I how to find the place where your work is to be done. Remember that if things go wrong, and you should be persuaded to confess how you gained admission to the grounds, or how you came in possession of the clothes which you carry, great trouble would not only come upon me; but you might involve in disaster those who are working hardest in favor of the Cause--those who are able to do our people the greatest amount of good. Now get on, lads; bear in mind that you must be cautious; that you are holding your lives in your hands; but strive not to let such fact appear on your faces.”

It seemed to me like a sorry send-off, much as if Master Targe had little hope we would return, and I have no doubt that both Chris and Timothy were affected by his words, as was I.

Instead of speaking when we started down the street, both the lads remained silent, whereupon I fancied they were doing much the same as I, that is to say, turning over the many, many chances against us in the hope of finding therein some little ray of hope.

To tell the truth, I had not the slightest idea that we could present ourselves as servants and carry off the part without coming to grief. In the first place we knew nothing whatsoever concerning such duties as would be demanded of us, and I said to myself that if I was required to serve one of the guests with the least article of refreshment, I would have no idea as to how it should be done in the manner which the lobster-backs were accustomed to from those who served them.

There was little or no danger that we would be overhauled on the street while making our way to Southwark. It seemed as if the lobster-backs, from general to private, were devoting all their time and energies to making ready for this foolish exhibition of themselves, for I could look upon the carnival affair as little better than folly.

The streets were seemingly deserted. We traversed square after square without meeting a single person. Never before since General Howe came into our city of Philadelphia had I ventured out nearabout nine o’clock or after, without coming upon one or more squads of red-coats who were patrolling the streets to see that we rebels kept under cover.

As the moments passed and we met with no one to oppose our progress, I grew bolder, and for the first time since leaving the Jolly Tar inn, ventured to speak.

“We might have waited until morning, and taken matters more leisurely,” I said with a laugh which had in it little or no mirth. “As matters stand, we must hide ourselves somewhere in the shrubbery, according to directions given by the Weaver of Germantown, and I am thinking the minutes will pass slowly, for it can be no less than six or seven hours we must remain there under cover.”

“It’s all of the same piece of cloth,” Timothy added cheerily, and verily that lad was a comrade after my own heart. “It is better we remain hidden six or seven hours, than that we take what you might be pleased to call our ease at the Jolly Tar, and then set off to find ourselves overhauled by the watch, who, seeing these clothes of green and black, which most like are after the same fashion as those worn by Master Wharton’s servants, would soon come to understand that a plot of some kind was on foot.”

There is no good reason why I should use overly many words in telling what we did on this night, for after we were come on duty, seemingly being the most attentive of Master Wharton’s servants, happenings came so thick and fast, and withal so exciting, that to set down our words while we were walking leisurely toward Southwark, or while we were in hiding, would be much like a waste of time.

Had we been so disposed, it would have been a simple matter for us to have gained Master Wharton’s house in considerably less than half an hour. As it was we took our time, seeing no lobster-backs to interfere with us, and mayhap spent a full hour, when we were come where it was necessary to search for a hiding place.

This we had little difficulty in finding close by the rear of the yard, where grew a lot of bushes so thickly that an hundred or more lads might have found among them safe cover.

We three lost no time selecting a spot in which to keep our long vigil, and then settled down with whatsoever of patience we could assume.

I had declared that we must not indulge in conversation while near Master Wharton’s house, and in this matter Timothy fully agreed with me.

It would have pleased young Chris better if he could have spent the time talking on this subject or on that, for the lad loved dearly to wag his tongue; but with Tim and me both setting our faces against anything of the kind, he could not well do other than follow our example.

Surely the remainder of that night passed slowly and was wearisome. Mayhap if there had been something to fear the minutes would have sped more swiftly; but we felt perfectly secure while remaining among the bushes, and when the day finally broke it seemed to me as if we had been crouching there a full week.

After the sun rose we put on our odd garments, not without considerable difficulty, because it was a puzzle indeed to know how they should be worn; but we finally succeeded in arraying ourselves in fairly good fashion, and then came the question of when we should begin our duties.

Young Chris would have gone directly to the house as soon as any of the inmates were astir; but I insisted that we wait until a throng had gathered, otherwise were we in more danger of detection. Therefore it was we stayed in hiding until nearabout eleven o’clock of the forenoon.

From daybreak until that hour, tradespeople, servants, soldiers with missives from their superior officers to whoever was acting as master of ceremonies, and, in fact, a host of visitors, came and went until, as I have said, within an hour of noon I proposed that we make the venture.

“You shall lead the way,” Timothy whispered, pushing me on in advance, “and neither young Chris nor I will open our mouths save to echo whatever you may say if we are questioned.”

Now when we came through a light gateway which marked the rearmost limit of the servants’ quarters, I fully expected that we would be brought up with a round turn and asked what was our purpose in being there. But, much to my surprise, and greatly to my relief of mind, no one seemingly gave any heed whatsoever to us.

We went on through what might be called the rear yard, until we were come to the outbuildings where were an hundred or more cooks all busily engaged preparing for the evening’s festivities, and had hardly more than made our appearance before some one of the workers called us lazy fellows, chiding us because we were loitering when there was so much to be done.

Straightway one who appeared to be in authority set us about this thing or that, until we three were working as earnestly as if our whole hearts were set upon making of the carnival a success.

I hardly know what Timothy and young Chris did during the remainder of this day. As for myself, I was not allowed to spend an idle moment. Never one there cast a look of suspicion toward me, and it seemed as if all hands were doing their best to keep me busily employed.

I ran here with one thing, and there with another; was ordered into the house to carry chairs to the lawn, was sent on to the lawn to stretch this bit of canvas or arrange that group of flags, until before the afternoon was half spent I was so weary with work that I could hardly walk.

What I did or did not do matters little to you, for, since I have already set down what was done at this carnival, it is as well if I come at once into the more adventurous part of the tale; first making it plain, however, that when the people were gathered for the eating, I had nothing to do save bring from the outbuildings food which I passed to those gaily-dressed servants who waited upon the guests.

The greater portion of my labors, when the feast was at an end, consisted in carrying refreshments here and there about the grounds as I was ordered by this lobster-back or that.

I even served Major Simcoe himself, who had often visited my mother’s house when he came to see his friends who were lodging there, without his giving any evidence that he suspected I was other than one of Master Wharton’s servants.

I could see that young Chris and Timothy were doing much as was I, for I met them now and then as they scurried to and fro between the shrubbery and the sideboards, for those officers of the king’s were not long content if they could not have something with which to wet their throats, and before the evening was well begun there were no less than twenty who had best have been taken away where the ladies could not see their foolish movements.

It was after all that folly of fighting on horseback with lances and swords had come to an end, and the feast was well-nigh over, that I waited upon Major Simcoe.

He had with him three other officers of high rank, as I fancied from their uniforms, who were discussing earnestly, while they walked from the house to where seats had been placed among the shrubbery, something which was seemingly of importance to themselves.

I put myself in their way, hoping to be called upon for service. Up to this time I had heard nothing save idle chatter, and it would have disappointed me woefully had I gone away from that carnival without having anything of great weight to impart to the Weaver of Germantown.

If Major Simcoe had been eager to do me a great favor, he could not have gone about it in a manner that would have pleased me better.

As I came up, seemingly loitering rather than waiting to be bidden for service, he called out in a tone much as he might have used in speaking to his dog, that I was to bring wine for himself and the other gentlemen to such and such a place which he pointed out.

Never was a command obeyed more quickly that day I dare venture to say, than this one of Major Simcoe’s. I felt positive the men were talking of such affairs as it would please the Weaver of Germantown to hear, therefore ran at full speed both going and coming, that I might hear all which was said, and, as the matter turned, I was not disappointed.

Fortunately for me was it that I chanced to be the one who overheard that most important of information, for in later days it brought me recognition from those in the American army whom I most revered.

When I served the gentlemen they seemingly gave no heed to me; it was as if I had been no more than a stick or a stone.

They began drinking their wine, and it was my duty as a servant that I stand nearby as if awaiting further orders, or to take away the glasses, which of course I did, when came certain words which caused me to prick up my ears to such an extent that if the lobster-backs had not been so intent upon their conversation, they must have suspected from the expression on my face that I was something more than an ordinary attendant.

Major Simcoe began the conversation, or, rather, continued it by saying:

“This Lafayette most like believes he can effect something by taking post at Barren Hill. Why he should have left Valley Forge I fail to understand, save it may be that the rag-tag and bobtail are about to come out from their dens.”

“It is well the ragamuffin crowd start soon,” one of the officers said with a coarse laugh, “else are they like to be disagreeably surprised. I have no real complaint to make against our commanding officers, save that they have set the morrow after an entertainment of this kind for an important move.”

The third officer added with a laugh:

“Fancy turning out when one has hardly turned in, to march from here to Germantown, if not further.”

“It will be further than Germantown according to my orders,” Major Simcoe added quickly. “My force has been drafted to General Gray’s division, and we are to make no halt nearer than three miles from Barren Hill. I fancy we are like to start immediately the festivities have been brought to an end here, if not before.”

I cannot well set down the conversation from that point exactly as it took place; but this was what I learned from the discussion which became heated after the gentlemen had partaken generously of wine.

That General Lafayette had left Valley Forge was news to me, and I felt quite positive the Weaver of Germantown was also ignorant regarding it. I knew, however, from what these lobster-backs said, that he had halted at Barren Hill, and I made no question but that this intended movement of the Britishers was meant as an attack upon the gallant young Frenchman who had come overseas to lend his aid to us of the colonies.

It appeared from the conversation, as I have already said, that on the following morning General Grant of the Britishers, assisted by Sir William Erskine, would set out from Philadelphia, marching up the Schuylkill; but how far none of the gentlemen who were talking appeared to know.

A second force under General Gray, of which Major Simcoe had spoken, was to advance until arriving within three miles of General Lafayette’s position.

Then was to come a third detachment under Sir Henry Clinton himself, which would pass through Germantown up to Chestnut Hill, and from there on as might be determined.

Now all this was to be done on the following morning, and it seemed to me of the greatest importance that I should get word to the Weaver of Germantown without delay, for it was then late in the evening, and he who could gain Valley Forge before the morrow’s dawning must needs be well mounted.

Unless Master Targe could provide horses, we had no means of making our way up the Schuylkill save by boat as far as the falls, and thence on foot, which would give the Britishers ample time to carry out their plans for surprising General Lafayette, before we could get word to his ears.

It seemed to me necessary I should leave the place at once, and make all speed toward the Jolly Tar inn. In fact, I was burning to get away from those three officers who were taking more of wine than was good for them, and who demanded that I bring this or bring that until I was well-nigh distracted.

Having gone to the house at least the fourth time for more in the way of refreshment, and chancing to come upon another fellow who was dressed in similar fashion to me, I gave him the bottle which I had just gotten from the kitchen, ordering him, as if I had the right, to carry it out to Major Simcoe and attend him and his companions until they should no longer require any service.

Fortunate indeed was it for me that this fellow whom I had lighted upon by chance was no regular servant of the house, otherwise would he have questioned my authority.

As it was, however, being most like someone who lived nearby and had been hired for that occasion only, he meekly did my bidding, and then was I again fortunate in coming full upon Timothy Bowers, who at the moment appeared to have no particular service to perform.

Leading him out of doors where I could make certain no one might overhear me, I told the lad that I had heard such information as seemingly made it necessary for us to seek out the Weaver of Germantown.

When he would have asked what it was I had learned, I put him off by saying there was no time in which to repeat the words; but begged that he with me strive to find young Chris, so we three together might make some move toward getting away without arousing suspicion.

No less than ten minutes were spent in finding the baker’s son, for both Timothy and I were forced now and then to cease the search in order to wait upon some impatient guest who demanded our services; but finally we three were come together near the rear of the house, where none save the upper servants might know we were neglecting our duties.

I had just began to explain to young Chris why I believed we should run the risk of leaving Master Wharton’s grounds without delay, when suddenly from the direction of the city came the long alarm roll, as a glare of light burst up from half a dozen sections at the same instant.

My heart came into my throat, so to speak, for there could be but one explanation for all this.

Our army of rag-tag and bobtail, as the lobster-backs were pleased to call the “rebels,” had made an attack, and now was come the time, so I said to myself, when the Britishers would find out of what metal we were made.

I was not the only one who believed that the American army had at last come out from its hole, as Major Simcoe said in derision, for every lobster-back at the carnival was seized with what might well be called a panic.

There were hurryings to and fro, and shouts for the privates who were on guard at every part of the grounds; cries from one to another while the half-intoxicated lobster-backs tried to come together, as if believing it was necessary to defend themselves.

In fact, confusion reigned, and all this time could we see in the direction, as it appeared to me, nearabout Chestnut and High streets, at what I judged were the outposts, flashes of light as if the buildings were in flames.

It is impossible for me to give a very clear account of just what I did see and hear at the time, for I was so excited, so wrought up in the hope, and the belief, that at last our people were making a bold attack, I was more like one in a fever than a lad who has been engaged in a service which requires that he shall keep his head steady.

“Our people have made an attack upon the lobster-backs at last!” young Chris cried, clutching my arm, and on the instant I clapped my hand over his mouth, for there were servants standing nearby who, overhearing his words, would understand that we were not there by right, and mayhap we might be taken prisoners even at the very moment of what seemed to be our triumph.

It was Timothy Bowers who gathered his scattered wits more quickly than any of us three, and coming so close to Chris and me that his face almost touched ours, he said excitedly:

“There is no question whatsoever but that our people are making an attack, and it stands us in hand to get out of here as soon as may be. Perchance the opportunity will come when we can be of more assistance to the Cause than idling around here with a party of drunken Britishers.”

Whether we might be of assistance or not, I understood full well that this was the moment when we must make our escape from Master Wharton’s house, otherwise we might find it difficult to explain our sudden going.

As the confusion increased, the officers running to and fro giving orders to the guards, and at the same time striving to prevent the ladies from understanding that danger threatened, no one was near at hand to give much heed to us, therefore it was I said quickly, stripping off the foolish garments I wore without making any attempt to undo the fastenings properly:

“Get out of these fanciful rags as quickly as may be, and follow me!”

Even as I spoke had I torn from my person all that regalia of the carnival, and started at full speed in as direct a line as possible for the flames which I could see shooting up toward the sky, as it appeared to me, in almost every direction for a distance of four or five squares.

As a matter of course Timothy and young Chris followed close at my heels, and, fortunately for us, those of the lobster-backs who were setting out were too much excited, too thoroughly overcome by the copious draughts of wine they had drank, to give any heed whatsoever to matters save such as concerned their precious selves.

Verily I believe at that moment every blessed one of the king’s gang fancied the moment had come when he must stand up against our rag-tag and bobtail, and battle for his life.

Never before nor since have I been so excited and exultant as when I ran with all swiftness, expecting to find the Britishers drawn up in battle array, as indeed we did see them later, and believing that now was come the time when we of Philadelphia might pay back in the same coin we had received, some of that debt owed to those who made up the king’s army.

We gave no heed to that which was immediately before us; but rather kept our eyes fixed upon those long tongues of flame darting heavenward, which to us were tokens of greatest hope.

When we were come well toward Walnut and Front streets, I was suddenly seized by some person who darted from out the shadow of the buildings nearby, and brought to a standstill so suddenly, that but for the grip of the stranger upon my coat I should have fallen to the ground.

For an instant, I believed, and with good reason, that it was one of the lobster-backs, who, having learned what we had ventured upon that day, was making a capture on his own account.

I would have cried out to warn my comrades; but they, so swift was their pace, came full upon me, staggering from the impact as our bodies met, and at the same instant I got a fair view of him who held me.

Then all my fear was changed to rejoicing, for it was none other than the Weaver of Germantown who had thus made me prisoner.

“What is it? What is it?” I asked excitedly. “Have our people made an attack?”

“I am inclined to believe it is nothing more than a feint; but for what purpose I fail to understand. However, lads, it has come to us in a good moment, and it would seem that Providence is on our side, else I would not have met you. When the first alarm was given I set off to seek you, and lo and behold you come into my very arms, as it were. Now is the time when we may accomplish that which a twelve-hours ago seemed well-nigh impossible.”

“Accomplish what?” young Chris cried excitedly. “Is it true that we may be able to help our army?”

But for his haste and excitement I believe the Weaver of Germantown would have laughed aloud, and with good reason, at the idea of Chris’s that we lads might help those brave fellows who, perhaps, had come down from Valley Forge.

However, the minutes were too precious to admit of anything in the way of levity, and he brought me to a sense of the situation with the same suddenness that one who is heated receives a shock when he plunges into cold water, for he said sharply and yet in a guarded tone:

“Now, if ever, is the moment when we may be able to help those lads who are imprisoned. The Britishers are fearing for their own safety. Every man who wears a red coat, save those who are on guard in different parts of the city, and very like many of them, will rush immediately to the outposts, believing an attack is imminent. If so be we are inclined to take many chances, I am of the mind that it will be possible to do very much toward showing your comrades we have not forgotten them.”

It was like laying a hot iron on a fresh wound, these words of his, so far as I was concerned, for on the instant I was aflame, and it seemed to me there was nothing, howsoever venturesome, I would not dare upon just at that moment.

Instead of stopping to make any explanation, or lay any plans, the Weaver of Germantown, pulling me sharply around by the arm, said in a tone of command:

“Now lead the way, lad, to that corner of the work-house wall which you are able to scale, and lose no time about it.”

He need not have added these last words, for with the possibility in my mind that I might take part in the freeing of Jeremy and Sam, nothing short of strength greater than mine could have prevented my going forward at the best pace of which I was capable, and there is little need for me to say that both young Chris and Timothy were equally eager to carry out this attempt, if so be it might be made.

It seemed to me I had never before moved so sluggishly; my desire was so far in excess of ability, that it was as if my feet were glued to the streets, and yet I dare say never before had I run so swiftly.

The confusion roundabout us increased rather than diminished. Here, there, and everywhere, I might say, could be heard the tramp of feet as the lobster-backs were being rushed to the scene of apparent danger, and we might have boldly proclaimed that we were the lads whom General Howe was eager to hold as prisoners, without anyone giving the slightest heed to us.

Excited though I was, and reaching out in my mind so eagerly toward those imprisoned comrades of ours, I could hardly repress a smile and a certain desire to give vent to cheers, as I saw that the lobster-backs, although outnumbering by three to one our so-called rag-tag and bobtail of an army, were thoroughly alarmed now that there seemed a possibility they might be called upon to stand face to face with them.

It had been the boast of all those red-coated officers whom I had heard talking, that their one aim was to come up with General Washington’s imitation army in order to show what British regulars could do, and now the opportunity was seemingly theirs, they were overwhelmed with fear.

One might almost fancy that the braggarts were trembling, despite the Dutch courage they had imbibed during the evening, as they ran here and there, some of them aimlessly as it seemed to me; but all incited by the same thought, that those poor wretches who had starved and been half-frozen at Valley Forge during the winter, were come to make reprisals.

I dare venture to say that as I led the way to the work-house adjoining the prison, I took the most direct course possible, never deviating so much as one yard from a straight line, save, as a matter of course, where the buildings forced us to make a detour here and there. Across yards, down alleys, and whichever way I knew to be the nearest, for all this part of the city was as familiar to me, and to my comrades who were following, as was any room in our homes, we ran at our best speed.

When, finally, we were come to that place at the wall of which I had told the Weaver of Germantown, the flames were yet soaring skyward, although the tumult in the streets had decreased to a certain extent because the hurrying lobster-backs were already out of earshot.

Never a living being, inside or outside the prison or the work-house, was to be seen.

There were lights in the upper part of the building where we had been told Jeremy and Sam were held prisoners; but no token of life other than that could we see or hear.

“Now is the time when one of you lads must make the venture in order to learn whether the rest of us can safely follow,” the Weaver of Germantown whispered hurriedly. “Whosoever is most familiar with the wall, and the yard inside, shall go ahead, and if he comes not into danger, then will the rest follow. If peradventure he finds himself in the clutches of a guard, then must he give the alarm by screaming loudly, and we shall have failed even to the extent of giving the lobster-backs a third prisoner.”

[Illustration: SCALING THE JAIL WALL.]

If he had other to say, I did not wait to hear it. Knowing full well how I could scale that stone wall, I started upward, giving no heed that the crumbling fragments of stone tore the skin from my hands until they were bleeding.

Having come to the top, I was too greatly excited to look down in order to make certain whether the coast was clear; but immediately allowed myself to drop inside, and not until then did I wait to learn whether I might have given an alarm.

Save for the distant hum where the lobster-backs were gathering, I heard nothing. So far as any token of life was concerned, the building which served General Howe as an additional prison for us rebels, might have been tenantless; but, and this question came into my mind almost on the instant that I looked around me and learned that there were no guards near at hand, how might we come at the prisoners even though we were inside the walls?

If that which had been learned was true, they were confined in the upper story, and unless peradventure we were bold enough to make our way directly up the stairs through the main door, then I saw no way of effecting our purpose.

Even while I stood gazing with dismay at the gloomy building, and wondering in which part of it our comrades were confined, something pliable struck me a sharp blow on the arm, and, turning quickly, alarmed, I saw dangling from the top of the wall a thin rope.

Afterward, when we had finished this adventure, I learned that the Weaver of Germantown had some time before counted on making the attempt of gaining the work-house yard in the same manner which we were now doing, and began his preparations by having prepared for him two coils of thin, stout rope which he could carry readily concealed about his person.

It was not needed anyone should tell me what to do when I saw that length of line dangling from the top of the wall, swaying to and fro like a writhing serpent.

On the instant I laid hold of it, placing my feet against the stone-work, for I understood full well that those who were on the other side would use this to aid them in scaling the wall.

I had hardly put my weight upon the rope when it was pulled violently, and I forced to exert all my strength in order to hold it steady.

Then I saw a figure above, which I knew to be none other than the Weaver of Germantown, and when he had come down to stand beside me, young Chris followed. A few seconds later Timothy Bowers did the same, and we four were standing within the shadow of the wall, turning our faces mutely toward the man on whom we relied for instruction.

“One of you will remain here in order to hold steady this rope, and help whosoever may come out, to scale the wall,” the Weaver of Germantown whispered cautiously; but so that we all might hear the words. “Another will stand by the main door to give warning if any approach from the street, while the third is to follow me.”

“And how do you count on gaining entrance to the work-house?” I asked in surprise, whereupon he replied in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it was a simple matter thus to venture where, in his case at least, capture meant death:

“We shall never again have such an opportunity as this. I am counting that all those who were left on guard have gone out into the street to learn the reason for the alarm, or are in the prison building. Therefore is it in my mind to walk boldly inside. If peradventure we come upon the enemy, then it will be a case of endeavoring to the utmost to make our escape, and, failing, yield ourselves as prisoners, with the knowledge that we were taken in a good cause, for surely he who fails while trying to aid a friend cannot charge himself with foolhardiness.”