CHAPTER V
IN WHICH GENERAL PUTNAM HAS HIS SAY
“It is a matter of importance, then?” said George, as he walked along at the horse’s side, his face now pointed in the direction of the fort.
“I should hazard that it is of unusual importance,” returned the ensign; “though I have not the faintest knowledge of its nature.”
A few minutes’ brisk traveling and they reached the headquarters; George was at once admitted to the room where he had previously spoken to General Putnam.
The latter was still there, as was General Sullivan, and with them was an artillery captain who was talking volubly and with much excitement. But as George entered he ceased, at a sign from General Putnam.
“Prentiss,” said Putnam, after a moment’s pause, during which he studied the young New Englander carefully, “I have several times had occasion to benefit by your service in somewhat venturesome matters. And now,” here he bent forward a trifle, his hands upon the table in front of him, “that an occasion has arisen, I can offer you another service, which while it may not prove dangerous, seems sufficiently interesting to occupy a youth of your inches for some little time. Would you care to undertake it?”
“That you think it necessary that the thing be done is enough for me,” replied George.
“That is an excellent answer,” said Putnam, his big, round face beaming. “There are, no doubt,” he proceeded, and he glanced at General Sullivan as though in explanation, “numbers of young men in every branch of the service here in New York who could bring this matter to a highly successful issue. But as I am not acquainted with their individual merits, I might make a sad mistake in trying to select the proper one. Here,” and he nodded toward George, “is one of whom I have personal knowledge. That is why I have preferred him.”
The others signified that the reason appealed to them as being a perfectly just one.
There was a short pause. General Putnam seemed to be marshaling his thoughts together; then he said, addressing George:
“New York has been most difficult to control in the present crisis; there were many Tories about Boston, but here they number fully half the population. And their numbers make them dangerous. We have seized upon the persons of the most aggressive of them; but in spite of this a steady opposition continues to be made to everything we do. If this were openly done, it would be a simple matter. But it is carried on secretly. Information of some of our most intimate designs, so we have discovered, is regularly had by our enemies. Our troops are being corrupted; our stores and magazines are in real danger of destruction.
“Of late this Tory system seems to have selected our posts upon the Highlands for especial attention,” proceeded Putnam, and the artillery officer pursed his lips and wrinkled his brow as though in agreement. “Nothing, mind you, is definitely known, but there is a feeling among us all that our work is in some way being steadily undermined. Recruiting has been brought almost to a standstill because we have become convinced that many of those offering themselves have other motives than the preservation of our liberties.
“To-day Captain Hall unearthed some traces of what might possibly be a plot. But I am sorry to say that what he has discovered is not of sufficient directness to warrant our arresting any one. However, it affords us a most excellent beginning for a counter system of espionage; and that is what we have concluded to organize. It is well at first, though, to make no ornate attempts upon them; a modest beginning may bring much better results.”
“The fact that you are unknown in these parts is of some value,” spoke General Sullivan.
Putnam nodded.
“What we have learned shows that stranger recruits are more apt to be approached by the secret agents of the Tories than those known in New York and of settled local convictions,” said he. “And that, as General Sullivan wisely remarks, has value. What we propose is that you make your way to Harlem Heights, say to-morrow, spend a day or two in idling about in a desultory, unattached sort of way. Then go through the form of enlistment with Captain Hall, here, and after that follow up any track that circumstance leads you upon.”
“If you have any facts for me,” said George, “I will take them now; and to-morrow I will do as you suggest.”
“These papers,” said General Putnam, taking up a slim packet, “contain all the information that we have upon the subject. Take them into that room,” pointing to a small inner apartment, “and study them. But commit nothing to writing that might betray you, if found.”
George took the packet and entered the room indicated; seating himself at a window he began to examine the writings, document by document.
However, they yielded no great amount of data, being largely the names of suspected persons and their places of resort. Carefully he read down the list, thinking to come upon something that would give him a handhold.
“The sloop ‘Shark,’ Nathan Parks, master, suspected of carrying information to the British frigates,” met his eye without much meaning.
“Corporal Bacon of the artillery, thought to be in the pay of the Loyalists.
“Thomas Friend, a peddler, and said to be a spy in the pay of Governor Colden.
“Ann Jane Trout, landlady of the ‘Wheat Sheaf,’ an inn long suspected of being the gathering place of the enemies of popular rights.
“The ‘Wheat Sheaf,’” said George, his mind at once focusing upon this name. “That is the place that Merchant Dana directed me to.” He gazed reflectively at the paper for a moment and gradually a smile came into his face. “At nine to-morrow night he specified, I think. I had not thought to go there; but now,” and here the smile grew broader and a sparkle began to dance in his eyes, “well, now it promises to be different, for something may be gained by it.”
Earnestly he scanned the documents. Traces of suspected plots were recorded, especially the one which Captain Hall had come upon the day before. For the most part they seemed the stories of imaginative persons, lacking all the vital points of convincing evidence.
“And yet,” mused George, “where there is much smoke, there may be some fire.” He retied the papers and arising, went into the other room where he laid them upon the table before General Putnam, who was now alone.
“I am ready,” announced he, in reply to the officer’s mute inquiry.
“Good lad,” said the general, heartily; “to-morrow, then, you make a beginning. I’ll have a sum of money sent you to-morrow at your lodgings, for you’ll have some small expenses, no doubt. And now, good luck. Do your best.”
George saluted.
“You may trust me for that, sir,” said he. And then he went out.