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 the Britishers 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 pleases you 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 you are an 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 is necessary 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 may be 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 further away; 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.
CHAPTER XVI.
TORY HOSPITALITY
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 in Pennsylvania, 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 the kitchen, 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 he looked 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," Jacob said 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 advancing until 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 going to 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 did that 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 can you do?" 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 been careless, 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 unconsciousness of 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 be there 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."