Part 18 (1/2)

Robert and Rachel could prolong their stay in Boston and enjoy the hospitality of their friends. It was Monday evening the 5th of the month. Berinthia had invited Ruth Newville to tea.

”The soldiers and the ropemakers are at loggerheads,” said Tom, as he came in and laid aside his coat.

”What is the trouble?” Robert asked.

”It seems that a negro hemp-stretcher, down in Gray's ropewalk[42], last Friday asked a soldier if he wanted to work, and the redcoat replied he did. What the ropemaker told him to do wasn't very nice, and they had a set-to. The soldier got the worst of it, and swore vengeance. The redcoat went to the barracks, but was soon back again with eight others, armed with clubs, swearing they'd split the skulls of the beggars. The ropemakers seized their woolding-sticks, and they had it hot and heavy, but the lobsters got a licking. You'd better believe there was a buzzing in the barracks. Pretty soon between thirty and forty of the hirelings, armed with bayonets, clubs, and cutla.s.ses, rushed down to the ropewalk. The ropemakers rallied, but all told they were only fourteen. They showed what stuff they were made of, though, and proved themselves the better men. They whacked the lobsters' skulls and drove them.”

[Footnote 42: Edward Gray, in 1712, purchased a large tract of land on the westerly side of Hutchinson's Lane, now Pearl Street, and erected a ropewalk seven hundred and forty feet long. The large number of s.h.i.+ps built in Boston and other New England towns made it a lucrative occupation. His son, Harrison Gray, was appointed treasurer of the Province. He was a loyalist, and took his departure from Boston upon its evacuation by the British. His property was confiscated to the state. He proceeded from Halifax to London, where he gave generous hospitality to his fellow exiles in that city.]

”Good for the ropemakers,” said Berinthia, clapping her hands.

Robert saw a lighting up of Miss Newville's eyes, but no word fell from her lips.

”I fear,” said Mr. Brandon, ”there will be an outbreak between the soldiers and the people. Since the funeral of Snider, the soldiers have been growing more insolent. The long stay of the troops with nothing to do except the daily drill and parade, and drinking toddy, has demoralized them. The under-officers are but little better than the men, spending most of their time in the taverns playing cards.

Discipline is lax. I shall not be surprised at whatever may happen.”

Miss Newville and Robert sat down to a game of checkers. He debated with himself whether or not he would let her win the first game. Would it be gentlemanly to defeat her? Ought he not to allow her to win? But almost before he was aware of what had happened she was victor, and he was making apology for playing so badly. Again the men were set, and again, although he did his best to win, his men were swept from the board.

”I see I'm no match for you,” he said.

”I am not so sure about that. I saw your mistake. You would soon learn to correct it,” she said with a smile.

Although yet early in the evening, Miss Newville said she must be going home, as her parents might be concerned for her.

”I trust the soldiers will not molest you,” said Mrs. Brandon, bidding Miss Newville farewell.

”I am sure I shall be safe with Mr. Walden,” she replied. There was a meaning in her eyes which he alone understood, the silent reference to their first meeting.

The moon was at its full, its silver light gleaming upon the untrodden snow. There was no need for them to hasten their steps when the night was so lovely.

”Oh, look, Mr. Walden! see Christ Church!” Miss Newville exclaimed.

”Tower, belfry, turret, and steeple are glazed with frozen sea-mist and driven snow.”

The church loomed before them in the refulgent light, a ma.s.s of s.h.i.+ning silver. Above all was the tapering spire and golden vane.

”It is the poetry of nature. Such beauty thrills me. I feel, but cannot express, my pleasure,” she said.

”It is indeed very beautiful,” he replied. ”The snow, the silver, gold, light and shade, the steeple tapering to a point, make it a wonderful picture. Would that you could see on such a night as this the view from my own home,--upland and valley, meadow and forest, walls and fences, leafless oaks, elms, and maples in fields and pastures, pure white and s.h.i.+ning like polished silver in the moonlight, and all the twigs and branches glittering with diamonds. On such nights, when the crust is hard and firm, we boys and girls pile ourselves on a sled and go like the wind from the top of the hill in the pasture down to the meadow, across the intervale, over the river bank, and out upon the gleaming ice. We wake the echoes with our laughter and have a jolly time.”

”Oh, how I should enjoy it,” she said.

Suddenly they heard other voices, and as they turned the corner of the street came upon a group of men and boys armed with cudgels.

”We'll give it to the lobsters,” they heard one say.

”I fear there may be trouble,” Robert remarked, recalling the conversation at the supper-table.

Pa.s.sing the home of Doctor Warren, they saw a light burning in his office, and by the shadow on the window curtain knew he was seated at his writing-desk. Turning from Hanover towards Queen Street, they found several soldiers in earnest conversation blocking the way.