Part 27 (1/2)
”Forty men are stationed there, twenty being kept on duty all the time, and unless you can find one of the lobster backs who would lend his aid, there is no possibility of your doing that for which you came.”
Master Lord spoke decidedly, and as if he believed our mission was come to an end because of the difficulties which lay in the way, whereupon Hiram said in a mild tone, which gave one the idea that he had every confidence in his host:
”Then you would advise that we give it up as a bad job, feeling certain we shall be able to do nothing?”
To my bewilderment Master Lord acted as if surprised because Hiram was willing to abandon the enterprise so quickly, and replied hurriedly:
”If so be you have grown faint-hearted, then turn back now while there is yet time; but if I had taken the chances of coming into Boston town knowing the Britishers were eager to clap me into prison, I would hold to the work so long as I held to life.”
”And that is exactly what we count on doing, Master Lord,” Hiram cried emphatically, as he brought his hand heavily down upon the old man's shoulder. ”We are thanking you for the information given, and now are ready to leave this house if there is likelihood we may bring suspicion upon you.”
”Where would you go?”
”We'll take our chances on the street when night has come.”
”But you are not driven out from here!” Master Lord cried quickly. ”I'm advising that you stay where it is possible to remain securely hidden, until such time as the chance you are waiting for presents itself.”
He spoke like an honest man, and yet on the instant there came to my mind the question as to whether he had any traitorous intent in thus advising us, after having much the same as said we could not hope to succeed in our purpose.
CHAPTER XIII
GRAVE DOUBTS
Master Lord was evidently of the opinion that we could do no better than remain where we were until it should become possible for him to show us whereby we might aid Silas, and I wondered much that he spoke in such a strain, after having declared that the force of lobster backs at the Bridewell was so large that we had no hope of getting at the lad even to give him a cheering word.
This much I ventured to remark, glancing meanwhile at Hiram in order to learn, if possible, what he might think of the matter, for it was come to my mind that our comrade, who was ever eager to be up and doing, had turned about strangely, as if content to spend any number of days in that underground hiding-place.
”There is such a thing as a fortunate accident,” Master Lord replied gravely, ”and in this struggle against the king we of the colonies who are weak in numbers as compared with the force he can bring against us, must ever be on the alert for some turn in affairs which will work to our advantage. It is true that at present there are so many lobster backs on duty at the Bridewell that you cannot hope to come at your comrade; but who shall say how soon the number of sentinels there may be lessened?”
”Have you enough influence among the lovers of the king to succeed in getting inside the Bridewell?” Hiram asked in a placid tone, as if the matter was of but little importance to him, and I fancied Master Lord replied to the question eagerly, as if anxious we should have full faith in him, when if he had been a true man, so it seemed to me, there would have been no question in his mind as to the possibility of our doubting his intentions:
”I believe before many days have pa.s.sed, aye, perhaps by to-morrow, I may be able to drop a hint to the lad that you are here in search of him.”
”On what pretext could you get inside that portion of the Bridewell where the prisoners who were taken at Breed's hill are confined?” Hiram asked in the same quiet, indifferent tone.
”There are many people in Boston, and especially among the Tories, who are curious to see these so-called rebels; some in order to learn if perchance they may have acquaintances among them, and others to jeer at the unfortunates, reminding them how useless it is to struggle against the king's power. I can be of one party or the other; but the time must be ripe before it may be done. In other words, matters must have moved fortunately for me, when there are on guard those of the lobster backs with whom I am acquainted,” and Master Lord spoke as if most eager to convince us of his loyalty. ”In order to make myself of service to the Cause, it has been necessary to be friendly with these red-coated gentry who rule the town.”
”Yes, I can well understand that,” Hiram replied in a tone of content.
”We know you will do for us all that lays in your power, and are ready to take your advice in the matter,” Hiram went on as if the work we had set ourselves was of no especial importance, and my heart burned with anger against him because of his seeming indifference. ”In turning the matter over, I can see that from the standpoint of one who would do the greatest good to the greatest number, you cannot well afford to have this secret hiding-place of yours discovered, and we are not so selfish as to ask that you do other than seems to you wise. Go as far as you prudently can in our behalf, and then leave us to take our own way.”
”You may be certain I shall not abandon the enterprise upon which you have come, so long as there appears any likelihood of success; but when one hits upon a stone wall it is wiser to go around, than to beat his head against the rocks. Therefore when it is shown that I can effect nothing, we will come to a stop; but until then trust in me.”
”Indeed we do, Master Lord, thanking you not only for the willingness to aid us, but for the work in behalf of the Cause which you have already done.”
I was so angry at hearing Hiram thus lay himself down at the feet of the man whom it surely seemed we had every reason to distrust, that I could have risen up against him, crying out all which was in my mind; but, fortunately, I checked the words which were on the tip of my tongue, and threw myself sulkily upon one of the beds, vowing mentally that never again would I put faith in any human being howsoever fair might be his speech.
Then it was that Master Lord set about discussing plans for the future as if we were like to remain in that underground hiding-place many a long day, while Archie and Harvey listened to the conversation in seeming bewilderment, failing to understand, even as did I, this complete change in him whom we had come to look upon as the leader in our hazardous venture.