CHAPTER IX.
The Prisoners Talk It Over.
Before the prisoners retired to their quarters that night they discussed the situation earnestly. Hoppy had no doubt whatever that Raggett intended to use him as the “proper man” for the work of piloting the British tenders and barges in the shallow waters of the bay. He told his companion in misfortune that there was no use in outwardly resisting the plans of the British commander.
“It’s just like this, Win: Raggett knows that you will have no difficulty in getting that three hundred dollars in Boston and that you cannot put forward any excuses to the contrary. I don’t think he would die of a broken heart if you never turned up with the money. What’s such a small amount divided among his crew?”
“It certainly doesn’t look very large, Hoppy, but when he keeps adding to it all the time the total will amount to something. He has started on his new policy, and ’tis hard to tell where it will all end. You know what we heard about his intention to demand tribute from the towns?”
“Supposing the towns refuse to pay tribute, what then?”
“Well, Hoppy, I think that’s rather a foolish question. Why, man, what can the unfortunate towns do but pay? You don’t mean to tell me that they can defy the whole British squadron, do you?”
“Why not?” demanded Hoppy fiercely. “Can’t you see how the thing stands? Raggett won’t take his ship into the shallow waters. He has no proper knowledge of the conditions just outside the bars, and if you were taking any notice you might have heard me purposely exaggerate the danger of trusting to his charts. He won’t take any chances of getting stranded, I can tell you, and he will keep at a safe distance. Then, if he intends to attack the villages he must depend on his barges to land his forces.”
“And what’s to prevent him from doing that?”
“His common sense, man. Supposing he decides to land a strong force, and it must be pretty strong if our people put up any sort of a fight, he must do so at high water. Well, the flats extend for more than a mile to seaward and the landing party must make pretty good use of the time to be able to get away safely before the ebb catches the boats on the flats. Raggett has only about three hundred men on the ‘Spencer,’ and the ‘Nymph’ and the ‘Bulwark’ are not likely to leave their own stations to assist him, unless in case of great need. His landing party might number two hundred fighting men, but I doubt it. That would leave his ship pretty shorthanded in case of disaster to the barges. And why shouldn’t they meet disaster? Are the men of Cape Cod going to imitate old Samoset and say once again ‘Welcome, Englishmen!’? I don’t believe it!”
“But you must remember, Hoppy, that the people are very poorly equipped for a fight against the well-armed enemy?”
“I know that; but, as I pointed out just now, the flats will more than compensate for the difference in that way. There is too much risk about landing a large force and Raggett will not take it. If Eastham, Orleans and Brewster join forces to repel the invaders they will surely beat them.”
“I wish I could look at it in your way, Hoppy, but I can’t. The ‘Spencer’ could get close enough to destroy the salt works, anyway.”
“The salt works be damned! Good God, man! this is war, and something has to go. Her artillery can’t do very much damage to the town which, after all, is only a sparsely settled place. She will be too far off shore for the range, though, of course, she’s bound to do some injury to property. I tell you, Win, that Raggett will make a big show but he will not weaken his ship by detailing two-thirds of his crew for shore work. When he decides on doing it he will take care to have the other ships with him.”
Captain Knowles was a man of tried courage. He would not be found wanting when the test came, but his best judgment would not allow him to take Hoppy’s view of the case. There was great truth in much of Hoppy’s summing up, but to Win it appeared incredible that the outcome of any clash of arms could be otherwise than disastrous to the Americans.
“It’s all very well to say the salt works be damned, Hoppy, but I can tell you the owners of the works won’t let their property be destroyed if they can save it by paying a reasonable sum for immunity. Then, it’s not quite certain that Brewster and Orleans would be able to do much for Eastham.”
“Brewster has an artillery company, though it’s not very well organized. Still, it has two pieces and they could be made useful if properly handled. There’s one thing I’m very sure of; Orleans will put up a good fight if the British attack that town.”
“Yes, I heard Orleans means to fight. I fear it will be a useless sacrifice of life.”
“Well, Win, we had better wait a little longer and postpone the argument until we have more information on the subject. What’s your idea about Raggett’s proposal? Do you think he really desires to see you back with the money?”
“Certainly I do.”
“Well, I don’t. My opinion is that he wants to get rid of one of us. One is enough for his purpose and I have told you what that purpose is; so, Win, I don’t expect to see you again while I’m on this ship.”
“He can’t prevent me from returning with the money.”
“Oh, yes, he can. You can’t reach the ‘Spencer’ without his permission, and while he thinks he can use me he won’t grant that permission.”
“Then you are going to act as his pilot?”
“That’s a hard way to put it, Win. It may be that he wants to correct his charts and in that case I shall be obliged to go with his surveying party. It won’t help him very much, I can promise you. I have an idea of what’s going to happen, but I may be mistaken. I shall have to trust to my wits in the matter; but there’s one thing I can tell you right here, and I want you to bear it in mind: Hoppy Mayo will never turn traitor to his country, though for some time to come he must be trusted to play the game in his own way.”
“All right, Hoppy, I’ll tell them what you said. There’s nobody in Eastham will believe you to be a traitor.”
Win reached his hand and his comrade grasped it warmly.
Next morning Captain Knowles was put on board the schooner. As the little craft made sail and started on her voyage, Hoppy waved farewell to his friend, more than ever convinced that he should not see him again on the “Spencer.”
Captain Raggett sent word to Hoppy that the latter could have the freedom of the ship provided he promised not to attempt to escape. He was also informed that orders had been given to supply him with clothing or anything else he required. Hoppy readily gave the promise and thanked the commander for his thoughtfulness.
As the day went on, Hoppy Mayo noticed that everybody on board the frigate seemed to be very busy. There was no interference with his leisure and from his seat by one of the guns he was an interested observer of the movements of the nimble sailors as they jumped from place to place in obedience to the orders of the officers. So far as he could see, there was no occasion for all the bustle, but at that time he was not aware that this incessant training was Raggett’s way of keeping his men in condition for service at a moment’s notice.
Hoppy’s usually buoyant spirits were depressed by the events of the day before and by the departure of his comrade. During the dinner hour he listlessly followed the movements of a small skiff that was zigzagging its way from the shore, its solitary occupant clumsily handling the oars. When the skiff came within hailing distance of the frigate the oarsman paused as if irresolute about venturing nearer the warship. Soon the sound of music came over the waters and Hoppy started to his feet as he recognized the familiar notes of Phil the Fifer. The officer of the deck, who had been intently watching the skiff, laughed heartily, and if he had any anxiety as to the boatman’s intentions it was entirely dispelled. Hoppy heard him remark to a brother officer:
“That’s the old pedler who amuses the crew with his droll sayings and his fife. He’s a favorite with the captain, but I’m not sure that we can allow him on board now.”
In answer to his hail the skiff came alongside. Phil pulled off his old hat and cheerfully accosted the officer:
“Bedad, Lieutenant Jameson, it’s a cure for sore eyes to see your honor agin! An’ what is all this throuble about that I can’t enthertain me old customers any more with a tune on the old fife?”
“We should be very glad to see you on deck, Phil, but the captain’s orders are strict about admitting strangers aboard.”
“Sthrangers! Well, lieutenant, but that bates the divil. When was old Phil a sthranger among the fine min o’ this ship, I’d like to know?”
“Sorry, Phil, but it can’t be helped this time.”
Hoppy was puzzled at all this and he came to the side to look on. Phil caught sight of him and giving him a significant wink, said:
“Bedad, lieutenant, it seems to me that thim ordhers is aisily broken! That gintleman up there is a sthranger to me, anyway! I don’t remimber ever havin’ seen him before, an’ his uniform ain’t that of the king of England!”
The officer smiled. “Oh, Phil, that’s an American visitor who is spending a few days on board.”
“The Americans is a frindly people, sure enough, lieutenant, an’ I have no doubt they injoy your company, only it’s a mighty quare time to be showin’ off how much they like you! You’ll excuse me, sir,” addressing Hoppy, “but might I ax what part o’ the counthry you came from? Maybe you’d be wantin’ some o’ my little wares for your thrip?”
By this time Hoppy could plainly see that old Phil was playing a deep game and that part of it was his desire to avoid an open acknowledgment of acquaintance with him; therefore, he answered:
“I’m from Connecticut, my good man. Captain Raggett will supply me with everything needful, so I don’t think I require anything from you.”
This seemed to amuse Lieutenant Jameson. “Captain Mayo,” he said, “perhaps the old pedler has some little articles which you may require? If so, there can be no harm in your going over the side to inspect his stock. The orders are not to let strangers aboard, but I don’t see anything objectionable in your examining his stock.”
Phil’s heart beat fast now. He never expected such a chance as this! In a moment Hoppy was in the skiff and while he was pretending to examine the wares, Phil managed to convey to him the purpose of his visit. Hoppy was astonished and grateful for the tidings. As the pair made a great show about bargaining for needles and such things, he whispered how the case stood and asked Phil to tell his friends ashore not to lose faith in him even if some things appeared strange to them.
It was all over in a few minutes. As Hoppy reached the deck with a few small articles, Phil the Fifer was profusely thanking Lieutenant Jameson for his kindness.
“May God bless your honor, but it’s you that knows how to help a poor man! Thim Connecticut Yankees is hard to plaze, though. Now, I won’t bother your honor any longer as I can’t do any business with me good frinds aboard this time. Tell thim I’ll come agin. Goodby, lieutenant, and good luck!”
Then the pedler turned the prow of his skiff shoreward, highly elated that he had succeeded in his mission.