Part 12 (1/2)

Ezra saluted promptly.

”Yes, colonel,” spoke he.

It took some time to get the dispatch in proper order; and when Ezra finally left Prescott's quarters, it was high noon. After a sharp ride to Medford the papers were delivered to Colonel Stark. Then there was another wait while that fine warrior prepared his answer. Darkness had fallen when he arrived at Charlestown once more.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DR. WARREN TALKED IN THE SAME STRAIN]

The bay was rubbed down, rested and fed; its rider stretched himself upon a bench with a biscuit and a slice of beef. The sky had a sort of a bronze hue and the stars burned dimly, like bright rivets set in a giant's s.h.i.+eld.

Ezra, when he had finished his supper, lay looking up at this and wondering at the vastness of it. The lights of camp-fires flared here and there; files of rough, un-uniformed soldiers pa.s.sed and repa.s.sed; bursts of laughter and s.n.a.t.c.hes of song came down from groups whose duty was done.

And across the river, under the same stars, lay the British army; it was perilously near, and it was powerful and deadly if properly guided.

Ezra sat up and looked toward the danger point. Boston was dark, save for a few winking fires; orders had been given long before for civilians to extinguish lights of all descriptions before a given hour. The side lights burned steadily upon the war-s.h.i.+ps; occasionally a singsong cry came from their decks as the watches were changed or a seaman called the hour.

Somehow, it seemed to the boy that this was the sort of night that strange, wild things might well go forward. Odd enterprises might be tried and accomplished under that bronze sky and those dimly-burning stars. Strange people might well meet in all sorts of queer places and mysterious deeds might well happen.

In the midst of these reflections, Ezra came to his feet, a sudden resolve fixed in his mind. A little distance away a group of townspeople were gathered. He approached and said to one of them:

”Do you know of an inn anywhere about that is known as the 'Indian's Head'?”

The man stared a moment, then shook his head. But one of his companions spoke up.

”There is none in Charlestown; but outside,” and he pointed to the north, ”there is a small tavern called by that name. It lies upon a road between Breed's and Bunker's Hills.”

”And which do you think would be the best way to reach it?” inquired Ezra.

”What, to-night?” the man glanced about among his companions. And all seemed to reflect his incredulity.

”And why not?”

”Haven't you heard that the British talk of crossing and setting themselves up upon those two hills?”

”Yes, and of firing upon Charlestown?” put in another.

”They are only wild reports,” answered Ezra. ”Such like get abroad in times like these, but there is no reliance to be placed in them.”

If the facts be told, he had heard the same things himself, and from persons of some consequence; but it would not do to encourage the thoughts of the already frightened townspeople in such channels.

”Well,” said the man who professed to know the inn's location, ”if you don't mind making the venture to such a place, my lad, I'm sure I have nothing more to say.”

His feelings were ruffled at having his warnings made so light of; so without more ado he directed Ezra as to the way to go to reach the inn desired.

”I thank you,” said Ezra.

He went at once to the place where his horse was kept, saddled, bridled and mounted it.

”There may be some risk,” he told himself, as he rode out of the guarded town. ”And perhaps I should have asked Ben or Nat or George to go with me. But there is no time for that, if I am to go to-night. And like as not it is a quiet country place, with never a spice of danger in it.”

The way took him along a narrow road bounded by stretches of grazing land. The sheen of the sky showed him the smooth swelling rise of two large hills ahead, the twinkling, far-off stars seemed peering down searching fearfully for dangers among the darkness.