CHAPTER XII.PUT-IN-BAY.
As a rule the crews of the several vessels shared the old gunner’s opinion regarding Commodore Perry’s intention of giving us all the work possible, now that his squadron was at liberty.
It seems really wonderful, as I look back on those days when I hoped to win fame as a soldier or sailor, how quickly the men came to have confidence in our boyish-looking commodore. Hardly one of them had ever seen him before he arrived in Presque Isle, and yet all were ready to trust their lives in his hands without reserve.
All believed as did old Silas, and every one labored with a will to make theNiagaraready that there might be no delay when our commander found the opportunity to strike a blow.
At five o’clock on that afternoon the last gun had been brought off from the shore, and without waiting until the decks could be put shipshape, word was passed from one craft to the other for all to make sail, following the lead of the flag-ship.
“Now you can see whether I told the truth,” old Silas said triumphantly when theLawrencewas gotten under way, her flags floating proudly in the breeze. “There’s not a craft in the fleet ready for action, and yet off we go in search of the enemy. Precious little time lost in that kind of work, eh?”
Nobody grumbled because of such eagerness, although it kept us all jumping mighty lively when we should have been bottling up sleep after four nights of almost incessant labor; but we toiled and sweated hour after hour as cheerfully as if it was done solely for our private benefit.
By break of day we had arrived off the North Foreland. The vessels were in something approaching proper trim, and half of the men had been told off to take a watch below.
Alec and I were among those thus released from duty, yet we remained on deck when our eyes seemed glued together owing to lack of sleep, in the hope that we might catch a glimpse of Leon Marchand.
Although I have never mentioned the lad’s name since relating the particulars of our second escape from North Foreland, I have not kept silence because we failed to think of him.
Hardly a day had passed but that we held converse regarding the French boy, speculating as to what mighthave been his fate after the soldiers discovered that he had led them on a wild-goose chase, and promising that whenever the fortunes of war should permit we would do our best at finding him.
Therefore it was we remained on deck when we might have been sleeping, even though there was not one chance in a thousand of seeing, or, if we did catch a glimpse of the lad, there could be no possibility of having speech with him.
We sighted no living thing along the entire shore of the North Foreland.
By aid of a glass it was possible to make out the barracks where the troops had been encamped; but they appeared to be deserted, and we had good reasons for believing that the famous descent upon Presque Isle was abandoned.
The British squadron was keeping out of sight also, and I, believing Commodore Perry would make immediate search for them, suddenly discovered cause for alarm.
“Suppose your brother sails either east or west with the hope of coming across Commodore Barclay, is he not leaving Presque Isle unprotected?” I asked of Alec, as if believing he could answer the question in a satisfactory manner. “Who shall say that the much-talked-of expedition is not near the town at thismoment, having awaited just such an opportunity as has now been given?”
Old Silas passed at the moment I spoke, and, overhearing the question, took it upon himself to make reply:—
“Do you think our commander can be so stupid as you are tryin’ to make out? I’ll go bail that we look in at Presque Isle bay as often as once in every four-and-twenty hours so long as the wind serves, an’ while it holds calm there’s little chance the Britishers will land any very great shakes of an expedition.”
“That’s it, exactly!” Alec cried, apparently much relieved by this view of the matter. “I knew Oliver wouldn’t leave his base of supplies at the mercy of the enemy, yet didn’t see exactly how it might be guarded if we were to search for Commodore Barclay’s squadron. There’s no hope of our seeing the French lad, and we’d best take our trick below, Dicky Dobbins, before it expires.”
“That’s where you’re right, lad!” the old gunner cried approvingly. “Never lose a chance to take a rest, and by such means you will always be ready for hot work.”
Then we two lads went to our hammocks on the gun-deck, and, once stretched out at full length, slumber visited our eyelids with but little delay.
We were not awakened until sunset, and then going on deck we saw dead ahead, hardly more than two miles away, the entrance to Presque Isle bay.
Old Silas was in the right when he said we should look in here as often as once in every four-and-twenty hours, for until the 9th day of August we cruised back and forth, watching and praying for a sight of the enemy.
It was on the morning of the fourth day since our fleet came out across the bar, that we received reliable intelligence concerning the enemy from a French-Canadian, who was friendly to the Americans because of his enmity to the British.
Commodore Barclay had gone with his squadron to Malden, there to await the completion of another ship which was nearly ready for sea, and it was generally believed he would remain in that harbor until able to strengthen his fleet by the addition of this new craft.
It seemed that he was unwilling to meet us on equal terms, although having professed eagerness to come at us in any shape, regardless of men or armament, and now had gone into hiding until he might have nearly two guns for every one of ours.
On the strength of this information General Mead decided to disband the militia which had come to the defence of Presque Isle. The larger number of themwere farmers, and it was high time they got into their harvest fields.
Therefore, on this 9th of August the troops marched out of the town, and once more the citizens banded together in military fashion to protect their homes.
This day was destined to bring great changes and decided advantages to all of us, whether ashore or afloat.
The militia had hardly more than gotten out of the town before an hundred disciplined sailors and marines, well officered and under command of Captain Jesse D. Elliott, marched in, and immediately signals were set in token that those on shore desired to communicate with the commander of the fleet.
It can well be fancied that we were overjoyed by the arrival of this sadly needed reënforcement, and the squadron came to anchor just off the bar to receive the newcomers.
The men and officers already on theNiagarawere distributed among the other vessels, and the brig was put under command of Captain Elliott, who took on board with him the force he had brought in.
Commodore Perry now had under his command nearly four hundred men, and the moment had come when he believed it his duty to report as being ready to coöperate with General Harrison, even though by so doing hewould be leaving Presque Isle at the mercy of the enemy.
“I’m allowin’ Barclay won’t have a chance to do much mischief in this section of the country,” old Silas said, when a dozen or more in the watch to which we two lads belonged were discussing the news that had been whispered around, no one knowing how it had leaked out of the cabin. “Our commodore ain’t countin’ on givin’ the Britishers any very great amount of spare time, an’ that famous squadron of theirs will have to move mighty lively in order to steer clear of a row.”
To me it seemed almost wicked, this going away from Presque Isle when it appeared as if the town was in greatest danger; but Alec argued that in war there can be no discrimination, and that, as in all things, “the greatest good to the largest number” is the rule to be observed.
It made little difference, however, what I might have thought of this new order of affairs. The command was given that the fleet make sail for Put-in-Bay, and the town wherein was my mother must be left with no other protection than could be afforded by the armed citizens.
If Captain Elliott had arrived twelve hours earlier, or if General Mead had delayed an equal length of time before disbanding the militia, the situation ofaffairs might have been far different, and my heart would have been less heavy on that morning when we set sail in regular battle order to begin active operations against our country’s enemies.
During such time as we were at sea nothing in the way of a British craft was sighted, and now is the moment when I may set down certain matters regarding the traitor Alec and I had captured.
Until this morning when we left the entrance of Presque Isle bay, some of us never to return, I had believed Nathaniel Hubbard was confined on board theCaledonia; but as we made sail I heard one of the sailors complaining that he was deprived of what might be a last glimpse of home in order to “feed a villanous traitor.”
“Who is it?” I asked, surprised at learning there was any one imprisoned on board theLawrence.
“You should know, seeing that you had a hand in his capture,” the man replied surlily. “Why he wasn’t sent on shore instead of bein’ transferred to this brig, beats me.”
“When was he brought aboard?”
“The night after we crossed the bar, and before the fleet put across to the North Foreland.”
“Are we to carry him with us on this cruise?”
“You’ll have to ask the commodore for that information.I’m not supposed to know what he counts on doin’. It’s enough for me that I must fetch an’ carry for a gallows-bird like him.”
The man was in such an ill temper that it was useless to question him further, and I went to old Silas, as both Alec and I had come to believe was our right.
It was plain to be seen, when I put the first question, that Master Boyd could give much more information than he then seemed disposed to do.
He answered me almost curtly, never volunteering even an opinion, and this was so entirely contrary to his usual manner that my suspicions were aroused.
“It seems to me that Alec and I have the right to know what is being done with the man,” I said hotly. “We captured him without aid from any one, and yet it is forbidden us to know other than that he was put on board theCaledonia.”
“There’s no call to lose your temper, lad, seein’s how the fellow has been held just as you delivered him, except that a change of prisons was made, and I’m allowin’ the commodore ran away with the idea that he might venture thus far without your permission.”
I was ashamed, immediately after having spoken, and the old man’s reply only served to increase my confusion.
“It is proving myself a simple, to speak in such a tone,” I said humbly. “There’s no reason why either Alec or I should know anything regarding the prisoner which the commander wishes to keep a secret.”
“From what I’ve heard and can guess, I allow you two lads will not have the chance to complain of bein’ kept in the dark, so far as he’s concerned, many days longer.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity provoked by his air of mystery.
“Time will show, and you’re young enough to be willin’ to wait a few hours.”
Having said this, old Silas turned away, as if his breath was too valuable to be wasted on one like me, and I went in search of Alec.
He was in the commodore’s cabin, one of the officers told me, and I, not daring to venture there without special invitation, was forced to curb my impatience as best I might.
An hour later, when I had heartily repented having spoken so hastily to old Silas, a sailor came with an order for me to present myself before the commander in his quarters.
“The gunner has repeated what I said, and now I must confess myself a meddling fool before the one man above all others whose good opinion I wish tokeep,” I muttered to myself while obeying the order, and when I finally stood in the presence of the commodore the expression on his face frightened me.
He looked as grave as if about to pronounce sentence of death, and Alec, who sat on a locker near the bunk, was pale and nervous.
“Surely,” I said to myself, “there is no good reason for their making so much ado about the words I spoke thoughtlessly;” for it seemed to me that I had been summoned solely because of what I said to old Silas.
“Richard, did you know that Nathaniel Hubbard was a prisoner on board this brig?” Commodore Perry asked abruptly.
“Silas Boyd told me, when I was so foolish as to question him.”
“You must also understand that we cannot in justice take him into action, and it is certain we shall engage the enemy before many days have passed.”
I nodded my head like any simple, wondering what connection there was between such a proposition and my hasty words.
“You and my brother made a prisoner of the man, and thereby performed most valuable service, because if he had carried to the enemy information of what we were about to do, it is probable the fleet would not have gotten across the bar without a scratch.”
Again I nodded, and thinking now of that interview, I can well understand what an idiot I must have appeared.
“Because of the great service you performed, and also since I believe both you lads may be trusted implicitly, Captain Dobbins and myself decided, before getting under way, that you were the only two who should be allowed to know the outcome of the affair. The man deserves death, for I have no doubt but that he has played the spy upon the people of Presque Isle these many days, but it is an open question if he could be convicted of the dastardly crime, owing to lack of proof. Then, again, your father, Richard, is most eager to save an old neighbor and former friend.”
The commodore paused for an instant, as if at loss for a word, and I looked in amazement at Alec, who sat on the locker, gazing first at his brother and then at me; but it was impossible to read any solution to the seeming mystery upon his face. He answered my glance without a change of expression, and I fancied he was questioning me with his eyes.
“Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy—mistaken mercy, perhaps,—he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself.Therefore it is that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.”
I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at my commander.
“We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and allow it to be believed that he escaped.”
For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor—a man ready to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder.
“I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.”
Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking inthis fashion until we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously.
Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:—
“What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?”
“It has the approval of both your father and my brother.”
“Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.”
“At first I looked at the matter much as I believe you do; but after thinking it over, and I have had ample time, I fancy there is much of good in it.”
“In what way?”
It would be impossible for me to set down here all the arguments Alec advanced in favor of the plan, explaining as he spoke that he but repeated what his brother had said. It is enough if I give the chief points, and it appears to me that the case should be made plain lest we be blamed for what we afterward did.
First the difficulty of proving the man’s guilt was brought up, and I was free to admit that argumenta good one, because we had really seen nothing which would absolutely fasten the crime upon him.
Then came the supposition that, being given a chance to redeem himself, Nathaniel Hubbard might become a better man. If he would do his part in such a plan it was strong reason why he should be set free; but I doubted the man’s desire for reformation.
The shame which would come upon his family with the publication of his guilt was another argument, and I did not try to answer it. The strongest reason for freeing him was a general one, and did more toward convincing me than any other. I knew full well there were many in the United States who cried out that this was an unjust war—that Americans had no right to uphold it, and once it was noised about that a prominent citizen of the town which had begged the hardest for troops was in full sympathy with England, it would go far toward proving to the people at large that the wrongs of us on the frontier were imaginary rather than real.
I know not, even now the words are written, whether I have made my meaning plain; but it is the best I can do in the way of explanation. I know for a certainty that the arguments convinced me even against my will, and when we two lads camedown from the forecastle-deck I was pledged to do whatsoever lay in my power to set Nathaniel Hubbard free in such a manner that the crew of theLawrence, and all others in the fleet, for that matter, should remain in ignorance of our movements.
“When is it to be done?” I asked, as we walked aft, and Alec replied in a whisper:—
“After we have arrived at Put-in-Bay. There we shall come to anchor, and ample time will be given us.”
This was the ending to our conversation, and the matter was not referred to again until the evening of August 15th, when our fleet entered the harbor known as Put-in-Bay.
Then it was that Alec said to me, when our duties were come to an end for the day, and we free to remain on deck or below as best pleased us:—
“The work must be done tonight. I will speak privately with my brother, and do you broach the subject to old Silas. We shall need the assistance of at least one man, and Oliver believes the gunner can be fully trusted.”
Having said this Alec went into the commodore’s cabin, and I approached Master Boyd, who was pacing the forward deck in a manner which told that he had some weighty subject for thought.
“I would have speech with you, if it so be you are at liberty,” I began; and before it was possible to say more the old man interrupted gruffly:—
“Very well, lad; but there’s little need to make many words over it, for I can guess what you would talk about. It goes mightily agin the grain to help such as that traitor; but I suppose it must be done if both the commodore and your father have set their hearts upon it.”
“How did you know what had been kept a profound secret?” I asked in surprise, forgetting for the moment that the old man had intimated as much a few moments before the plan was revealed to me.
“Your father, fearin’ lest I mightn’t take kindly to the job, gave me a hint of what would be done, an’ there’s no likelier spot than this in which to work the traverse. I’ll run the boat alongside near about midnight, an’ you two lads must attend to the rest of the work.”
Having said this much old Silas walked away, as if unwilling to speak further on a disagreeable subject, and I sat on the rail aft, feeling more anger against Nathaniel Hubbard because it was he who forced us to such work, than for what he may have done against his country.
Alec did not remain long below; in less than halfan hour he was by my side, holding up what I soon saw was a key.
“With this we can unlock the door of his prison. He is confined amidships in the petty officers’ quarters.”
“How are we to get him out secretly?”
“That is for us to decide. My brother will aid us so far as may be possible; but he must not take the chances of being known in the business. What does old Silas say?”
“No more than that he’ll have a boat alongside at midnight. That is to be the extent of his work, as I understand it.”
“How can it be done?” Alec said, half to himself, and it was beyond me to answer the question.
In silence we two sat on the rail with eyes fixed upon the deck, trying to puzzle out what would have perplexed older heads than were on our shoulders.