When Enoch had repaid the debt of gratitude by aiding Lord Gordon to rejoin his troops, and had landed once more on the Philadelphia side of the river, he felt particularly well pleased with the morning's work.
It was, to his mind, a fitting conclusion to the evacuation, and gave him a sense of great satisfaction that he had been enabled to be of service to the generous officer.
"I allow Seth will be pleased twice when he hears of this day's happenings, and I'm not certain but that what we have done for Lord Gordon will afford him nearly as much pleasure as to know that the British have finally left town. I wish he had given me something of less value than this chain," he added as he examined the ornament more closely. "It seems as if this was in some sense payment for the work, although he insisted it was simply to remember him by. However, I could not have refused it."
Then he returned to Drinker's Alley; informed Mrs. Graydon her late guest was in a place of safety, and, that having been done, went directly home toacquaint his mother with the events of the evacuation.
As a matter of course he was on the street when General Arnold, still suffering from the wound received at Saratoga, entered the city with a force of men sufficient to hold it against any ordinary attack, and as soon as the town was formally invested by its rightful rulers he went back to Letitia Street, there to remain until word should be received regarding his future movements.
Enoch's one desire now was to join the army at the earliest possible moment, and he hoped most fervently that he would be allowed to enlist, for there seemed every reason to believe General Washington would attack the British forces during their march across New Jersey.
Late on this same afternoon it was told in the city that Clinton was encamped with his army and camp-followers at Haddonfield, and so lengthy was the train with its appendages that the first division of the force had bivouacked before the last left Gloucester Point, although the line had moved in close order.
It was reported that when the soldiers, the bathorses, baggage and ammunition wagons, the camp-followers and refugees were stretched out on a single road in marching order, they extended a length of twelve miles, and there seemed to be no question but that the American forces would sadly harass the cumbersome column before it could arrive at its destination.
There was great rejoicing in Philadelphia on this first night of the re-occupation by the Continental army.
Those who had been imprisoned because of their devotion to the cause were set free, and for the first time since September was there feasting and joy in the homes of the citizens who ardently desired the independence of the colonies.
It was noon of the 19th when Enoch received the expected summons, and then, to his surprise and delight, Greene entered the house.
"I came with an order from General Arnold," he said in reply to Enoch's eager question, "and you are to carry a message from him to General Dickinson, while I return to the main army."
"Has Washington moved from Valley Forge?"
"Certainly. He started for Coryell's Ferry[F]last night. Day before yesterday Generals Maxwell and Dickinson left camp in order to be ready to harass the enemy during his march, and are now somewhere near the river; but it is impossible to say just at what point they may be found. You are to report to General Arnold at once, and will be furnished by him with a horse and equipment in order to enable you to reach the New Jersey troops. Clinton, so it is reported, left Haddonfield this morning, moving in the direction of Mount Holly, and the general impression is that he intends to pass through New Brunswick. Keep that fact well inmind, for it is somewhere on the west side of his line that you will find General Dickinson, and you must not approach sufficiently near to run the risk of being captured."
"What am I to do after the message has been delivered?" Enoch asked.
"That I cannot say."
"Am I to be allowed to enlist?"
"The order which General Washington gave at Valley Forge is still in force, and you will most likely be considered an aid so long as your services are required—very likely until the army is united. Now I propose to ask your mother for a dinner, although there is no lack of rations in the Continental camp; but it is the last opportunity I shall have for some time of enjoying her extraordinarily good cooking. You must tuck a generous meal under your vest this day, because you won't get another like it for many days to come."
As a matter of course Enoch told his friend of the previous morning's adventures, when he had aided Lord Gordon, and after the story was finished Greene said emphatically:
"It was a good day's work you did, lad, and that is a precious deal more than I would say if you'd helped any other British officer out of town. Gordon, even though he is a lord and an enemy, is an honest kind of a man, and after the spirit he has shown I'd be sorry to see him a prisoner."
Then Greene, observing the expression of sadness on Mrs. Ball's face as she realized that her son wasabout to leave her once more, and would probably be exposed to all the dangers of battle, began to talk on indifferent subjects in order to prevent the thoughts of mother and son from dwelling upon the possibilities of disaster, succeeding so well in his purpose that when the moment for departure arrived both were in a reasonably calm frame of mind.
The spy did not allow any prolonged leave-taking, but hurried Enoch away immediately, saying as he left the house:
"You may depend upon it, Mrs. Ball, that you will receive the earliest possible information of our movements, and I have no doubt but that Enoch will return to the city several times before any engagement can ensue. At all events, remember that nothing serious is likely to occur, so far as the army is concerned, for several days. Clinton, owing to his unwieldy train, must of necessity move slowly, and General Washington will not attack until everything is in our favor."
Then he literally forced Enoch from the house, hurrying him so rapidly toward General Arnold's headquarters that the boy was listening to that officer's instructions almost before he fairly realized he had left home to take part in a campaign.
The duty which was now required of him seemed very slight. He was simply to carry a written communication to General Dickinson, and consider himself under that officer's orders after the task had been performed.
Directions were given that he be furnished witha proper equipment, and in the selection of this Greene took an active part, insisting on several articles which Enoch thought needless; critically examining all that was turned over to the boy, and discarding this or that until satisfied in every respect with the complete outfit.
"I'm rigged out like a nabob!" Enoch said proudly when Greene announced that, everything having been provided, there was no necessity for further delay. "If all the soldiers in the army have as much, I can only wonder where Congress finds the money with which to pay for the goods."
"You are rather more generously equipped than the privates," Greene said with a laugh as he assisted the boy to mount. "This horse with his trappings, the two pistols in your belt, and the purse of money, come to you by right of your being on General Washington's staff."
"But you know I don't really hold that position, Mr. Greene, and oughtn't have any more than belongs to me as a private."
"You have received only what is absolutely necessary to permit of your doing the duty required. You may be several days finding General Dickinson, in which case you must lodge at inns, and will need the wherewithal to pay your reckoning. Remember, Enoch, my boy, that although the British have left Philadelphia, they are not very far away from the town, and if you should chance to be made prisoner the situation would be quite as grave as if the old Quaker had succeeded in retaininghis hold of your ear. Be careful of yourself; don't trust any one too far, unless you know beyond a question that he is a true friend to the cause, and keep your eyes wide open for treachery wherever you may be."
"How long are you going to stay here?"
"I intend to leave very shortly, and it is not impossible we shall soon meet again. You've got a good horse, lad, one that will serve you if endurance is required, or I'm no judge. Be careful of him at the outset, for the time may come when his speed and bottom will be needed for your own safety. We won't say good-by, for now that you're in the service it seems best to dispense with anything of that kind. Be off with you, and don't show yourself too suddenly to Jacob, or he'll die of envy at seeing you in this rig."
The spy struck the horse on the flank with his open hand, causing the animal to leap forward so suddenly that the young courier was nearly unseated.
General Arnold had instructed Enoch to follow up the highway to Badger's Point, where he would find facilities for crossing, and to act with confidence upon such advice regarding the whereabouts of the New Jersey troops as might be given him by the ferryman, who was a true friend to the cause.
Enoch rode leisurely as Greene had suggested; but before arriving at his destination it became necessary to urge his horse at a faster pace, for it was difficult to pass by the country people living on theroad and not stop sufficiently long, in response to their urgent entreaties, to tell them the news.
Although these halts were no longer than absolutely necessary in order to give the desired information, they occupied considerable time, and it was nearly dark when the boy had finished the first stage of the journey.
"Yes, I allow I can ferry you across; but you'll have to swim the horse," the man to whom he had been directed said when Enoch made known his desire. "Have all the Britishers left the city?"
"The last one went before eleven o'clock," Enoch replied, able to speak with certainty as to the time since he had assisted very materially in the departure.
"I allow it'll be many a long day before they're back—leastways that's what I hope. Better take the saddle off, otherwise it'll be soaked. Now lead the horse into the water alongside the boat, and I reckon we can make him swim without any great trouble."
When the skiff was pushed off from the shore, the horse following as if accustomed to acting as his own ferryman, the owner of the craft plied Enoch with questions as vigorously as he worked at the oars, and not until they had landed on the opposite side did the boy have an opportunity of asking regarding the whereabouts of the New Jersey troops.
"You're within three miles of where they allowed to halt to-night. General Dickinson is making for Mount Holly, so I'm told, reckoning theBritishers will strike that place in their march across the State. Keep straight on the road ahead, and you'll hit them before dark, or I'm a Dutchman."
The young courier gave rein to his horse now that the journey appeared so nearly at an end, for he was not only eager to deliver the message, but to be with friends.
The idea of riding around the country at night, knowing that he might at any moment come across detachments of the enemy, was anything rather than pleasing, and he had not been in the service sufficiently long to look upon such matters as ordinary incidents in a soldier's life.
At the end of ten minutes he saw ample signs betokening the passage of a large body of men, and at the end of half an hour drew rein in the midst of the New Jersey forces, who had bivouacked in a pine grove near the main road.
It was not as simple a matter as he had supposed to gain an audience with General Dickinson.
When he was halted by the pickets he fancied that immediately he announced himself as a messenger from General Arnold he would be allowed to proceed at will, instead of which he was detained by the vigilant outpost until the officer of the day could be communicated with, and during fully an hour Enoch sat on his horse, fretting because of the delay, and believing he would have received different treatment if he had been in the garb of a soldier.
The night had come before he was conducted to where General Dickinson was partaking of a supper consisting of cold corn-bread and smoked fish, in company with several of his staff.
Enoch saluted awkwardly, and as he held the bridle of his horse with one hand, extended General Arnold's letter in the other, without speaking.
"Where are you from, my lad?" the general asked as he took the missive, but without looking at it.
"Philadelphia, sir."
"Haven't I met you before?"
"Yes, sir; I am the boy who went into town with Greene before the British left."
"And because of a stroke of rare good fortune at a time when beset by enemies were enabled to bring important information?"
"Yes, sir."
"As a member of General Washington's staff," and there was a curious smile on Dickinson's face as he spoke, "it is proper I invite you to mess with my aids. My orderly will care for your horse."
"If you please, sir, I had rather look out for him myself, and as for rations, I can get them anywhere. I don't fancy the commander-in-chief really meant that I was an aid. It seemed to be only a question of my getting rations at the time."
"And that is all it is just now, lad. Help yourself, if you are hungry. Take care of your own horse if you choose; in fact do whatever pleasesyou during the night. I shall send you on to the main army in the morning."
Enoch bowed, wheeled his horse around and started off irresolutely, not knowing exactly in which direction to proceed, until the general's orderly overtook him and said in a kindly tone:
"If you will follow me, my boy, I will show you where to get provender for your horse and rations for yourself."
"I have two friends somewhere among this force, and would like to find them."
"They are in the same company with Greene, the spy, are they not?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will find them over here to the right. Suppose you let me take the beast? The general's servants will care for him as well as you could. You need have no fear, so far as he is concerned, for he will fare better than you will, I am afraid."
Enoch hesitated just an instant before doing as the orderly suggested, and had but just released the bridle-rein when Seth and Jacob came running up.
Turning toward his friends with a cry of joy, Enoch clasped their hands as if he had never expected to see them again, and Master Ludwick asked in a suspicious tone:
"Where did you get that horse?"
"At General Arnold's headquarters."
"Did you swap him for the beast we took from Wharton's stable?"
"Certainly not; that one was turned over to the army at the same time yours was."
"But how does it happen you are riding, and what are you doing here?"
"I came with a message from General Arnold to General Dickinson."
"Then youarean aid?" and Jacob spoke in a tone of envy.
"Indeed I am not! I'm going to enlist at the very first chance; but of course I had to bring this message, and must go to the main army to-morrow. When that has been done, however, I shall sign the rolls in order to be with you fellows."
"If you ride around on horseback, carrying messages from one general to the other, of course you are an aid," Jacob began petulantly, and then, as if ashamed of himself for showing his ill-temper because his comrade had been favored, he added: "Who knows what Seth and I will be after the battle is over, for we are bound to have one mighty soon, and then there will be plenty of chances where a fellow can earn a commission."
'"You allow that to fret you not a little, Jacob," Seth said reprovingly. "It is the good of the cause you should consider—nothing else."
"I can do all that is in my power for the cause, and still keep my eyes open for a commission," Master Ludwick replied stoutly. "If I had been allowed to go to Philadelphia with Enoch and Greene, things would have been different."
"But isn't being a soldier in the Continental army enough for you?" Enoch asked.
"No, it isn't, and you will find that it ain't enough for you when you get here. I want to do what I can for the cause, and am as anxious as any fellow could be; but after you've stayed around the encampment a spell you'll see that a private don't count for very much, except—"
Master Ludwick was interrupted by the coming of one of General Dickinson's staff, who halted in front of the boys as he asked:
"Are either of you acquainted in this section of the country?"
"Seth and I were over it a good bit last fall," Jacob said.
"Are you boys willing to perform a little extra service?"
Jacob replied very promptly in the affirmative. If he could always be detailed for "extra service" he would be quite content with his lot.
"General Dickinson wants to send some one toward Mount Holly, and he would prefer that whoever goes should volunteer."
"We are ready," Seth said as the officer paused. "What is to be done?"
"The proposition simply is to lounge along the road in an apparently aimless fashion, and, if the enemy are not too near to render it dangerous, enter Mount Holly. The purpose is to learn in which direction Clinton proposes to march from that town, and whether the scout be successful or not, it isnecessary you should return to the command within forty-eight hours."
"When are we to start?" Jacob asked.
"At once. You are to go on foot, and wear nothing which might indicate that you belong to the army."
"Then we are to act as spies," Enoch said in a tone of disappointment.
"No, lad, nothing of the kind, for it is not your purpose to enter the enemy's lines. You will simply be an independent scouting party. If you are willing to perform this work I will wait until your preparations have been made in order to pass you out."
"That won't take many minutes," Master Ludwick replied, and now all traces of his ill-humor had vanished. If he was to be engaged in active service, rather than confined to the dull routine of the camp, it was to him a most desirable change.
"I suppose we are not to carry weapons?"
"Certainly not. Discard everything which might give those whom you meet the impression that you are soldiers."
In less than ten minutes the boys were being escorted out past the pickets, and Enoch said to the officer in an apologetic tone:
"I am sorry to give so much trouble, sir, but would you see to it that some one looks after my horse and the equipment I have left?"
"All your belongings shall be cared for, my boy. Now one last word: It is not impossible that we maybe on the march to-morrow; but you will have no trouble in finding the command. Be prudent; don't take unnecessary risks for the purpose of gaining information, and remember that your errand will have been well performed when you know in which direction General Clinton intends to march after leaving Mount Holly."
Then the boys, saluting, walked rapidly down the road in the darkness, and Jacob said in a tone of satisfaction:
"Now this is what I call the proper kind of a job! I am more than willing to do a thing of this sort; but hanging around the camp, carrying a musket first in one fashion and then another, is what I don't like."
"Yet it is necessary you should know how to do such things before you can call yourself a soldier," Seth suggested. "I suppose you had supper with General Dickinson, Enoch?"
"Indeed I didn't," Master Ball replied, "and I feel as if I could eat almost anything."
"Do you mean to say you haven't had food since you left Philadelphia?"
"Yes."
"But why didn't you say something about it before we left camp?"
"Because it seemed necessary we should start without delay, and I didn't want to appear so girlish as to declare I must have something to eat when there was work to be done."
"I don't call that girlish. A fellow must have a full stomach or he can't do much work."
"We'll get something after awhile. You see we've money between us, now, for General Arnold gave me two pounds before I left, and since it was to be used in the service, I shall be able to get what supplies are needed."
"Let's stop at the first respectable-looking house we see," Seth suggested. "It is getting so late that anything of the kind must be done before the people go to bed, for I don't fancy our reception would be very pleasant if we awakened any one with the proposition to sell us food."
"We won't do that yet awhile. I reckon I can do without my supper two or three hours."
"But you see," and Jacob halted suddenly, "General Dickinson couldn't have intended that we should travel all night, for there is nothing to be learned while everybody is in bed."
"I should suppose if we walked until midnight we would be somewhere near Mount Holly, and then the proper course will be to ask for lodgings at a farmhouse, unless we come across an inn."
With this understanding the boys continued on at a reasonably rapid pace, discussing as they walked the probability of a battle in the near future.
Before they had traveled the length of time agreed upon, lights, apparently of a town, could be seen in the distance ahead, and Seth said in surprise:
"I thought Mount Holly was very much furtheraway; but I must have been mistaken, for there's no question about that's being the town. Do you think it is safe for us to go there before daylight?"
"Why not?" Jacob asked.
"Because if the Britishers intend to strike that place, we may find ourselves in trouble."
"We'd better stay where we are until morning," Enoch suggested. "Suppose we try to get lodgings in that house?" and he pointed a short distance ahead on the right, where could be seen dimly in the darkness a collection of buildings.
With never a thought in their minds that they might meet with enemies quite as dangerous as could be found in the British army, the boys turned into the lane leading from the main road, and went rapidly toward the house.
Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
"What do you want?"
The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host. As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
"We want shelter till morning; some food if you can give it to us without too much trouble, and are willing to pay for all we receive," Jacob replied promptly.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?"
"I am Jacob Ludwick—"
"Chris, the baker's son, eh?"
"Yes, sir," and Master Ludwick was proud, rather than displeased, that his identity should be known.
"What are you doing here?"
"We're on our way to Mount Holly."
"Why don't you keep on to the town?"
"We thought it would be safer to wait until morning, because the Britishers may be near there by this time."
Both Seth and Enoch pressed nearer their comrade to warn him against being too free with details regarding himself; but he did not understand the movement.
It was as if he believed all the people in the country round about Philadelphia were friends to the cause, and he was perfectly willing to give any information desired.
"How near are your troops?"
"They must be at least ten miles back," Jacob replied, and again his comrades pressed closer to him, while this time Seth whispered:
"Be careful what you say!"
"You can come in," the man said after a brief pause, "and I'll see if it is possible to give you lodgings. Wait here until I get a candle," he added as the boys entered the hall, and the outer door was closed and barred.
The sound of footsteps told that their host had gone in search of a light, and Seth took advantage of the opportunity to say in a low tone:
"You had no right to answer his questions, Jacob. How do you know but that he may be a Tory?"
"It isn't likely."
"Why not? There are as many in Jersey as inPennsylvania, and you have told him where our troops are."
Jacob made no reply. He now understood how reckless he had been, and was chagrined at the idea of making a grievous mistake almost before they had begun their work.
"There is no reason why you should feel badly about it now," Enoch said, understanding the cause of his friend's silence. "We can look out for ourselves, I reckon, and there has been no real harm done even though he carried the information you gave him directly to General Clinton, for it isn't likely General Dickinson fancies he can keep his whereabouts a secret."
"Still I ought to have been more careful," Jacob replied penitently. "I should—"
The door at the extreme end of the hall was opened, and the man entered, holding a candle in his hand.
"I will show you to a room where you can remain until morning, and afterward bring you some food. Follow me," and he ascended the stairs which led out of the hall. "These are troublesome times, and one should be cautious about letting strangers into his house; but I don't fancy you three boys are disposed to do mischief."
"Indeed we're not," Seth replied. "We simply want a place in which to sleep, and shall go away very early in the morning. Perhaps it is too much to ask that you bring the food to our room?"
"Oh, no; I would have invited you into thekitchen, but we have sickness in the house, and it isn't well there should be any noise. Are the Continentals coming this way?"
"I don't know."
"But you have just left them."
"We have come from where the troops were," Seth replied cautiously.
"And don't belong to the army?"
Seth hesitated sufficiently long for the most obtuse to have understood that he was about to equivocate, and then said:
"If we were soldiers we should be in uniform, and wouldn't ask for lodgings."
"Exactly; I see," the man replied with a curious smile, and continued on up the second flight of stairs into what was evidently the attic of the house.
On this floor was a long, narrow passage with doors opening from either side; but the host did not pause until arriving at the extreme end, when he ushered them into a small apartment, saying as he did so:
"This is the only room we have empty to-night; but so long as the bed is rest-inviting I suppose it will answer your purpose. I'll bring the food at once."
Placing the candle on the rude table, the host left the room, and the boys listened until from the sound of his footsteps they knew he had traversed the passage, and was descending the stairs.
"He has taken precious good care we shall be well out of the way," Seth said thoughtfully as helooked around the apartment, in which was a low trundle-bed covered with the coarsest of clothing, a small, rude table on which the candle had been placed, and one stool.
There were no windows in the room, and the door was formed of heavy planks, bolted rather than nailed together.
"He said some one in the house was sick, and most likely we have been brought up here for fear we might make a noise," Enoch suggested.
Seth opened the door cautiously, and holding the candle high above his head, looked out.
A heavy iron socket on either side and a third upon the door itself, with a stout oaken bar lying on the floor of the hallway near by, told that this particular apartment could be fastened very securely.
"What is the meaning of all this?" Jacob asked in dismay.
"It looks as if some one had been here who wasn't allowed to come out except at the pleasure of the master of the house," Enoch replied doubtfully, and an expression of fear came over Jacob's face.
"I don't think we had better stop in this place," Master Ludwick said decidedly. "I was such an idiot as to tell him who we are, and in case this happens to be a Tory dwelling, we may have trouble."
"It doesn't seem just right to walk out simply because we have seen that the door can be barred from the outside," Seth replied slowly.
"But you noticed how anxious the man was to learn about our troops?"
"So would anybody be, whether Whig or Tory, knowing that there is probably an army on either side of him."
"I think we had better leave while we've got the chance," Jacob said in something very like fear. "There is no need of taking any risks, and I am certain there must be other vacant rooms in the house besides this one. Let us go downstairs softly, and, if possible, get out of doors without making a noise."
At that instant, as if to show the boys it was too late for them to retreat, the sound of footsteps was heard once more, and a moment later the master of the house, or he who acted in that capacity, entered the room bearing a generous supply of provisions and a jug of water.
"Here is the best I can do for you, lads," he said in a kindly tone, placing his burden on the table. "If you are hungry this won't come amiss, and in case your appetites are not keen, there will be no harm in allowing the food to remain untouched. Shall I call you in the morning?"
"We would like to leave here by daylight, sir, and will thank you for awakening us in case we oversleep."
Then the host left the room with a cheery "good-night," and the boys gazed at each other until a smile overspread the faces of all.
"I allow we were more scared than hurt," Jacobsaid in a tone of relief. "He has done what we asked, and in a very friendly fashion. If it hadn't been for the bar that can be fitted on the door, I never should have thought anything might be wrong."
Seth held up his hand to demand silence, and the three could hear the footsteps of their host as he went through the passage.
Enoch, who had not tasted of food since noon, and whose appetite was keen owing to the long ride and yet longer walk, began an attack upon the vegetables, in which he was soon joined by his comrades.
A very satisfactory meal did the three make, and as hunger was appeased their suspicions sank at rest, until, when the repast was ended, there remained no thought in the mind of either that harm could be intended.
"It is time we went to bed if we count on getting any sleep to-night," Seth said as he began to make his preparations for retiring. "Judging from the looks of the lights, we are within half a mile of Mount Holly, and should be able to get there before many people are stirring. Say, push open that door, will you, Enoch? We must have fresh air in some way and that seems to be the only chance, since there is no window."
Enoch took hold of the latch carelessly, and then with more determination, as the door failed to open.
"What is the matter?" Jacob asked, noting the look of fear on his comrade's face, and advancinguntil his hand also was on the latch. "Why, it's locked!"
"That was the way it seemed to me," Enoch replied, displaying considerably less agitation than did Jacob, and Seth turned sharply around to look into the faces of the two at the door.
"Yes, it is locked," Enoch continued quietly as if in reply to Seth's question. "We had good reason to be suspicious when we saw that bar on the outside, and knew there were no windows."
"But what is the meaning of it?" Jacob cried sharply.
"It means that we are in the house of a Tory, who, knowing we have come from General Dickinson's force, and making a very good guess as to our business, proposes to keep us here until our report will be of but little value."
"He wouldn't dare do such a thing," Jacob cried angrily. "When it is known that he has made prisoners of messengers sent from General Dickinson the soldiers will tear his house down about his ears."
"It may be he intends to join the Britishers as they come along, in which case he wouldn't be the first Tory to leave home rather than submit to American rule."
Seth, having ascertained beyond a doubt that they were locked into the room, was at once plunged in deep thought, and, observing this, Jacob asked quickly, almost angrily:
"What do you think about it? Are you goingto stay here without making any fight to get out?"
"I don't believe we should accomplish very much, however hard we might fight, unless we can devise some better plan of operations than that of attempting to batter the door down," Seth replied quietly. "And as to what I think about it, I have already said. Of course the man who owns the house is a Tory who counts on helping the Britishers by preventing us to return with the report to General Dickinson."
"And you are willing to stay here quietly?"
"I can't say I am willing."
"But you don't seem likely to do anything toward helping yourself and us," and now Master Ludwick displayed unmistakable signs of temper. "I'll show that old Tory what it means to play such a trick on members of the army!"
He was so enraged that he failed to realize how useless would be his efforts; but seizing the stool, began to batter upon the heavy door with all his strength, continuing at this vain work until he was absolutely exhausted.
Then he threw himself upon the bed, still literally beside himself with rage, and Enoch said soothingly:
"There's no use flying into a passion, Jacob, for that won't help us in any way."
"I have let that miserable Tory know we understand how he has tricked us."
"Yes, and put him on his guard. Until you didthat he might have supposed we were ignorant that the door was locked, and would have rested contentedly. Now he understands exactly how we are feeling, and will be on the alert to prevent an escape."
"It is not necessary for him to watch out very sharp, for we can't accomplish anything more than I have done already."
"And that is simply to dent the door, and splinter the stool."
"Well, what better canyoudo?" and Jacob leaped to his feet as if ready for a pitched battle.
"That's what I can't say. Very likely I shall do no more—I certainly can't do any less."
"Now look here, fellows, what's the sense of quarreling?" Seth asked. "We're prisoners; came into this trap of our own free will, and one is no more to blame than another. It strikes me our best plan is to be at least friendly among ourselves, for ill-temper won't weaken the door, or show us the way out."
"I am not angry, nor haven't been," Enoch replied. "When Jacob was so foolish I simply answered his questions, that is all."
Master Ludwick made no reply. He realized that, although his companions were careful not to accuse him, there was more reason why he should be blamed than either of his comrades, since he it was who had supplied the master of the house with such information as was desired.
Jacob was not willing to confess he had beencareless, and seemed angry because his comrades refrained from mentioning the fact. He threw himself once more upon the bed in a sulky fashion, while Seth and Enoch, the latter holding the candle, walked slowly around the apartment, examining every portion of the walls.
"It doesn't seem as if we could work our way out of here," Seth said when the examination was concluded, and nothing had met their gaze but the unbroken partitions of heavy boards.
"This room must be directly at the end of the house," Enoch said half to himself.
"I reckon there can be no question about that."
"Do you suppose it would be possible to cut our way through with knives? I have a stout one in my pocket."
"We might, in time, if no one molested us, but it is terrible to think we might be forced to remain here so long."
"It is evident we shan't get out very soon," Enoch said after a pause. "I propose that we try to get some sleep. I was awake nearly all last night, and have had a hard day's work. We won't gain anything by tearing around just now, and a night's rest may put us in better shape for thinking."
"It doesn't seem as if there was anything else to do," Seth replied, and immediately laid down on the bed by the side of Jacob, Enoch following his example.
Despite the gravity of their situation, all three of the boys were soon wrapped in the unconsciousnessof slumber, nor did they awaken until the closing of the door brought them to a sitting posture very suddenly.
"Some one has been in here!" Jacob exclaimed as he leaped to his feet, and seized the latch.
The door was fastened as securely as before.
The darkness was profound, and for some moments the boys were at a loss to understand it until Enoch said with a mirthless laugh:
"The candle has burned up, that's all. We should have blown it out before we went to sleep."
"How much good would that have done us?" Seth asked grimly. "We have got neither flint nor steel with which to light it again."
"I thought last night that we were about as bad off as possible; but this being forced to remain in darkness seems to make matters worse."
Groping around to learn the reason for the visit, Enoch ascertained that a supply of food and water had been left on the table, and he said, as he mentioned this fact to his comrades:
"Here is evidence that we are to be kept prisoners until it is no longer possible to gain any information concerning the movements of the Britishers. It must be morning, even though it's dark, for I don't think the Tory would have paid us a second visit during the night."
Jacob appeared to have recovered from the fit of ill-temper which had assailed him, and now said as he examined the supply of provisions:
"If it is morning we may as well have breakfast.I wish one of us had a watch so we could have some idea of time, for we shan't see daylight while we are cooped up here."
Seth was in as despondent a mood as a boy well can be, when he arose from the bed to act upon his companion's suggestion; but each was careful not to let the others understand how hopeless seemed the situation in this first moment of awakening.
Neither of the prisoners ate with much relish, and the meal was quickly finished.
Then each gave himself up to his own gloomy reflections, and after remaining silent nearly half an hour, Enoch said sharply:
"Look here, boys, it doesn't seem possible that we can get out of this place unaided; but at the same time we shall all feel better if we are doing something, instead of mooning like this. Now let's decide upon a plan and go to work."
"I am willing to begin any job, however hopeless it seems, rather than remain idle," Seth replied promptly. "Do you still think there is a chance of cutting our way through the end of the house?"
"No; that now seems to me less likely than a good many other plans. Why not try to raise some of the flooring?"
"But suppose you succeed?" Jacob asked. "You wouldn't be out of the house."
"True, and we should still be inside if we were in the hallway; yet I had a good deal rather bethere than locked up here. I'm willing to attempt anything. There is little hope of our succeeding; but at the same time it is better to make some effort."
"One plan is as good as another," Seth said after a brief pause. "Tell us what you want to do, Enoch, and Jacob and I will assist to the best of our ability."
"We all have knives, and plenty of time. Now, suppose we cut through one of the boards of the floor, at a sufficient distance from the end to avoid striking the joist, and we should be able to pull it up once it has been separated."
"But that is a job on which only one can work."
"We will make two divisions. I'll work near the wall, while one of you begin three feet away from me," Enoch said as he went toward the side of the room. "I can feel the nails here, and will allow that the joist extends two or three inches beyond them. Hunt for the second row of nails, and set about cutting. It is lucky we've all got knives."
Five minutes later Enoch and Seth were busily engaged in the task, while Jacob stood ready to "spell" the first who should grow weary.
The boards were planed, and, as nearly as could be judged, were of ordinary thickness.
"It is pine wood, that's one satisfaction," Enoch said cheerily, "and it shouldn't take long to lift one piece. Then we shall have something to serve as a lever, if we want to rip out more of the flooring."
"That part of it is true enough; but even when we have taken up as much as necessary, we are about the same distance from the open air," Jacob added. "What is your plan if we succeed in this work?"
"I am willing, if you fellows will back me, to break through the plastering, for of course we shall come upon the ceiling of the room below, and then jump down, ready to fight our way out."
"We shan't be able to do a great deal of fighting without weapons."
"By pulling the bed apart we can get what will answer as clubs, and unless there are a number of men in the house we ought to accomplish something."
"It is a bold scheme," Seth replied; "but I am not certain there isn't a fair chance for success in it."
"Unless the man of the house is well supplied with weapons, in which case our clubs would amount to very little."
"We'll do the best we can, and not discuss as to how we may be stopped. It was agreed when we began that this was to be done only for the purpose of helping pass the time."
Enoch's cheerfulness had a beneficial effect upon his companions, and during the next hour Jacob refrained from suggesting difficulties which might be encountered.
Then came the time when one end of the board was severed, it having been literally whittled apart.
It was Enoch who first accomplished his portionof the task, and Seth had so nearly finished that by bending this particular piece downward it was readily broken off.
Reaching through into the aperture, and exploring by sense of touch, Enoch announced that there was probably nothing between them and the apartment below save narrow strips of inch-thick lumber and plaster.
"By taking up one more board we shall have space enough, and I think it will be best to use this piece to pry the other out."
Owing to the woodwork at the side of the room this plan was found to be impracticable, and once more Enoch went to work with his knife.
Not until another hour had passed was the task finished, and then, regardless of the noise, the boys pried the board from its place.
When this had been done they waited in silence several moments, to ascertain if an alarm had been given, and, hearing nothing, Enoch set about dismantling the bed in order to get possession of the posts as weapons.
This was neither a difficult nor a lengthy task, and when he had given each of his comrades a stout oaken timber, from three to four feet in length, he exclaimed:
"Now we are ready, boys! Once we begin there must be no delay. Punch a hole through the ceiling, and then we'll drop down regardless of what may happen, fighting our best when we are once where anything of that kind is possible."
Although the youngest of the party, Enoch was looked upon as leader, probably because the idea was his and because he appeared so certain it could be carried through to a successful issue.
"We'll keep right at your back, no matter how foolhardy you may be," Seth whispered as Enoch hesitated.
"I know I can count on you fellows; but the thought has just come into my mind that perhaps one or more may be lamed by jumping through the hole after it has been made. What is to be done then? It seems to me important General Dickinson should know we cannot carry out his orders."
"So it is, and if one is disabled he who is in the best condition must push on to the camp. Two shall stay together here, and the third go back if possible."
"Are you ready?" Enoch asked nervously as he raised his weapon.
"As nearly now as we ever shall be," Seth replied, and in another instant there came a resounding crash as tiny particles of plaster rose in the air.
Enoch had struck the first blow, and his clubopened a hole sufficiently large to admit daylight, thus rendering it possible for the boys to see each other.
Jacob and Seth followed his example, and only three blows were needed, for the barrier had been torn away to such an extent that there was ample space for all three of them to leap down at the same time.
"It isn't more than fifteen feet," Enoch said as he looked into the apartment below. "Of course there are chances we may come to grief; but we mustn't stop to think of them. There has been so much noise that the owner of the house cannot fail to know what is being done."
"We'll follow you," Seth replied.
Throwing his club down, Enoch followed, striking the floor with a thud that must have been heard throughout the building.
"Come on! It's all right!" he shouted.
Seth followed his example.
Jacob dropped his weapon, but hesitated before making the leap. The distance looked very great as viewed from above, and the landing-place particularly hard.
"Come on!" Seth cried excitedly. "We can't afford to waste time now, for the Tory is bound to know what is being done, and we must be out of this room before he gets here!"
Jacob was unquestionably afraid; but the sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs told that it must be done quickly, or not at all, and he let himselfdown by the hands, dropping to his feet from that lessened height.
Enoch did not wait to learn if his comrade made the descent in safety; each instant the noise of the footsteps sounded louder, and, holding his club ready for immediate use, he threw open the door.
The same man whom they had seen the evening previous was in the hallway, running toward them.
He raised his hand, leveling a pistol full at Enoch's head.
"Get back there, you rebel spawn!" he cried in a rage. "Get back, or I'll fire!"
"Come on, Seth!" Enoch shouted, and he flung his club at the Tory, dropping to the floor instantly he did so.
The weapon was discharged at the same interval of time that its owner's arm was thrown upward by the club, and the odds were more even.
"Close in on him now!" Enoch cried as he leaped to his feet and darted forward.
It was as if the boy no longer gave heed to possible danger; the one idea in his mind was that General Dickinson must be told why his order was not obeyed, and he paid no attention to himself, but prayed that at least one of the party might succeed in leaving the house uninjured.
The infuriated Tory struck out with his fist, hitting the boy such a blow as sent him staggering against the wall; but Seth's prompt action turned the tide of battle.
As Enoch was forced back he rushed forwardwith upraised club, bringing it down on the Tory's arm before he could defend himself, while Jacob closed in with a vain attempt to deal a second blow.
The man retreated, but at the same time succeeded in gaining possession of the club Enoch had thrown, and appeared a most dangerous antagonist as he stood with his back to the wall near the head of the stairs, awaiting an opportunity to deal a murderous blow.
Enoch was out of the battle only a few seconds. The partition on that side of the hallway opposite where the Tory was standing had saved him from a fall, and he at once looked around for something that would serve as a weapon.
The pistol which had fallen from the man's grasp was on the floor, and although it would not be effective against a club, might do good service at close quarters.
"Jump in on him!" Enoch cried as he rushed toward the man. "It is only necessary one of us shall get clear—"
He ceased speaking as he was forced to halt.
The Tory brandished his weapon vigorously, holding open a space directly around him, and it was certain that the first who came within reach would be permanently disabled.
"Stay where you are!" the man shouted, furious with rage. "I will kill every one, and swear to those who come in search of you that I did so while defending myself against a murderous assault made without provocation!"
"Stand back from that staircase, and there will be no need of defending yourself! We only ask for an opportunity to leave this house."
"That is what can't be done while I'm alive! Do you suppose I don't know why you came? You have been sent ahead to spy out the condition of his majesty's troops, and shall never go back to make a report. Keep your distance, I say!"
Jacob had endeavored to creep closer, thinking the Tory was not looking at him, and barely escaped a murderous blow from the club.
Although Master Ludwick did not accomplish anything himself, he opened the way for another to do so, and the battle was soon ended.
When the Tory struck at Jacob he put all his strength in the blow, and the impetus, as the weapon swung in the air meeting with no obstruction, caused him to reel and turn partially around.
At that instant, while he was not in a position to defend himself, Enoch flung the pistol as if it had been a rock, and, fortunately, hit the man full on the head.
He fell like one suddenly stricken dead, and Enoch shouted as he leaped over the prostrate body:
"Come on, boys! Keep your clubs, for there's no telling whom we may meet downstairs!"
At the same instant he seized his former weapon, and in two or three bounds was in the hall below.
Seth and Jacob followed closely at his heels, and the latter at once set about unfastening the frontdoor, which was not only locked, but bolted and barred.
The noise of the conflict had alarmed the other inmates of the house, and they came running into the hall with loud screams.
There was no man among them, and the boys breathed more freely.
"Keep back!" Enoch cried sternly as Seth and Jacob worked at the well-fastened door. "We have fought only for our freedom, of which that man would have deprived us, and shall strike even a woman if she attempts to prevent our leaving!"
"You have killed him!" some one shrieked, and the remainder of the group set up a series of the shrillest cries for help.
"He isn't dead!" Enoch shouted at the full strength of his lungs, forced thus to exert himself in order that his words might be heard. "He will recover his senses presently; but you are not to go to him yet," he added as two of the women attempted to pass him. "We don't intend to have another fight if it can be avoided, and it's better he lays where he is for awhile. Can't you open the door, boys?"
"There are more locks and bolts here than I ever saw before," Seth replied nervously. "This house must be a regular castle when it is closed and properly defended."
A second later, just when Enoch was beginning to fear he would really be forced to carry out his threat and strike some of the females to preventthem from going up the stairs, Jacob flung open the barrier.
"Come on!" he cried, leaping into the open air, and his comrades did not delay following his example.
As they emerged the boys could see, far away to the right, a moving column of redcoats, and understood that the enemy was even then passing in force between this house and the town of Mount Holly.
"It stands us in hand to hark back on our trail at the best pace possible, otherwise we may fall into the Britishers' hands!" Jacob cried, running at full speed in the direction from which they had come on the night previous.
They surely had good reason to leave that neighborhood far in the rear without loss of time, for there was cause to fear that scouting parties of the enemy might make prisoners of them, and also that the Tory, recovering from his wounds, would come in pursuit with a force sufficiently large to overpower them.
"We should at least have brought pistols," Jacob said ten minutes later, when they halted at the brow of a hill to regain breath. "The idea of scouting around where there are plenty of enemies, with nothing but a bedpost as a weapon."
"We didn't have as much as that when we left camp," Seth replied with a laugh.
"I won't be caught in such a mess again, even if I am obliged to go against positive orders," andMaster Ludwick was once more allowing his rage to become the master.
"We are bound to obey orders, no matter what the command may be," Enoch said earnestly. "But it is foolish to spend time in getting angry, when we've such a long road ahead of us. Come on, boys, and now that we have so much of a start we can afford to walk instead of run; but must not halt again until we are in camp."
It was destined, however, that the discomfited scouts should not be forced to make a long journey.
After an hour's rapid traveling they were met by a squad of Continental scouts, and told that General Dickinson's force was bearing down on Mount Holly.
"Where is the general now?" Seth asked anxiously.
"Not more than two miles in the rear. Have you seen the enemy?"
"The Britishers are between here and the town."
"Did you see the whole force?"
"We didn't stop for such a critical examination," Seth replied grimly. "Just at that time we were doing our best to escape from the house of a Tory, where we'd been kept prisoners over night, and—"
"Was it a big building on the right-hand side of the road, with four poplar trees in front?" one of the men asked.
"Yes, and the door is painted green."
"I know the house well. A rank Tory by the name of Plummer lives there, and I only hope wemay be given orders to pay him a visit. I've had some dealings with that fellow myself."
Seth would have questioned the soldier as to what "dealings" he had had, but for the fact that Enoch whispered:
"We mustn't wait here to talk; the general will expect us to come to him as soon as possible."
Then, asking for and receiving more explicit directions as to where General Dickinson would be found, the boys hurried forward, and, half an hour later, were detailing their experiences to the commander.
"Not very successful on your first scout, eh?" he said with a smile when the story was finished.
"We have at least learned where the Britishers are," Seth replied grimly, "and, what is more, know that the man Plummer is not a friend of the cause."
"I think it will be a good idea to call on him when we have time. We shall bivouac here tonight, for the sun will set in less than an hour, and you boys are excused from further duty to-day. Early to-morrow morning Master Ball will report to me personally."
"I suppose that means I am to be sent back to the main army," Enoch said just a trifle petulantly when they were so far away from General Dickinson that he could not overhear the remark. "I had begun to hope I might be allowed to stay with you fellows."
"It is better to be an aid on the commander-in-chief'sstaff than running around the country with the risk of being caught again as we were last night," Jacob replied, and once more he was showing unmistakable signs of envy.
"I had rather be with you, and have a chance to earn the sword you are always talking about. Just think how I shall feel if I am sent riding back and forth over the country when a battle is going on."
Seth put an end to the conversation by insisting that they find a comfortable place in which to spend the night, and after he had seen to it that his horse was not suffering from lack of care, Enoch was ready and willing to take advantage of the opportunity to sleep.
The troops were awakened an hour before daylight next morning, and as the boys obeyed the summons to "turn out," they heard the more experienced soldiers talking about the fight which was imminent.
"Is there to be a battle?" Enoch asked of a veteran.
"Hardly that yet awhile, lad; but we've been sent down here to harass the enemy, an' this 'ere early call looks as if we was about to begin our work. I reckon we can count mighty sartin on swappin' shots with the Britishers before nightfall."
"And I am to go back just when it is possible I might do something!" Enoch exclaimed to his comrades, "You will have a chance to distinguishyourselves, while all I can do is to ride where there is no danger."
"Wait till you've seen as much service as I have, lad, an' then you'll bless your lucky stars that you're to be out of the scrimmage. It's well enough to talk 'bout the glory to be won on a battlefield while there's no enemy near; but when you see fifteen thousand or more agin your five or six hundred, the glory don't seem so great."
Master Ludwick looked as if he agreed perfectly with this remark of the veteran's.
Enoch knew he was not warranted in standing there pouring forth his complaints when he had been ordered to report at headquarters, and after such a toilet as it was possible to make, he went to the general's camp.
It seemed to his comrades that he had but just left them when he returned looking unusually glum.
"What's the matter?" Jacob asked. "Ain't you going?"
"That's just the trouble; Iamgoing, and with no time to spare. It's simply a case of carrying this letter, a job that could be done as well by any girl who can ride."
"Don't make so certain of that, my son," the veteran said with an admonitory shake of the head. "There's plenty of danger in scurryin' 'round the country now, when the redcoats are scouting in every direction, and if you are overhauled there's none to help you out. Every man's duty is importantin times like these, even though he may never so much as smell burning powder."
Enoch was silenced by this remark, and, after a hurried good-by to his comrades, set off in search of his horse.
General Dickinson ordered him to ride to Valley Forge, and knowing the general direction after crossing the river, he hastened on without remembering Greene had told him the army had moved.
The result of this carelessness was that he found the winter camp deserted, and was forced to ride further in search of information.
After some difficulty he learned that General Washington's force had been put in motion immediately after Generals Maxwell and Dickinson left with orders to harass the enemy, and had intended to cross at Coryell's Ferry.
It was not until the morning of the 23d that he entered the American camp at Hopewell, and delivered the written message to the commander.
General Washington, who was riding away from the encampment, received the document without remark, and after reading it turned to one of his staff as if such a person as Enoch had never existed.
There was no opportunity for the boy to explain why he had been delayed, and he fell back to the rear of the officers, regretting more than ever that he was not a regularly enlisted private, serving in the same company with Seth and Jacob.
"I ain't fit to do such work as this, and nevershould have tried," he muttered to himself. "Here I am of about as much service as a second tail would be to a dog, and shall only bungle the next thing I am called upon to do, if indeed General Washington is willing to trust me with anything else."
"Hello, lad! You're looking uncommonly glum this morning, even though youareriding when the rest of us are obliged to foot it, and carry our own trunks in the bargain."
A cry of glad surprise burst from Enoch's lips as he saw, on turning, Greene the spy.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, reining in his horse and leaping to the ground.
"Trying to do my duty, though it ain't no ways pleasant while the weather is so scorching hot."
"I didn't know you were in the ranks with the others."
"Why not? I'm only a private, even though I did work 'round Philadelphia during the winter, and haven't succeeded in being given a place on the staff of the commander-in-chief."
"That's exactly what was troubling me when you spoke," Enoch cried. "I am not fit for such a place, and it's lucky I'm not really an aid. I can't even ride from one town to another without making a mistake."
Then Enoch, glad of an opportunity to free his mind, told Greene of all that had happened to him, and the latter said cheerily when the story was finished:
"I don't understand you've got any good causeto complain. That you went to Valley Forge was Dickinson's mistake, even though I did tell you the army had moved."
"But General Washington didn't even ask me why I was so long getting here, and most likely thinks I'm a regular fool."
"I'll guarantee it hasn't so much as come into his mind, or you may be positive he'd said something. I allow you'll hear from it before night."