by James Otis
CHAPTER IX.
A BOLD STROKE.
Isaac's heart beat hard and fast when he and Nathan were thus left withbut a single man to guard them, for he believed the time had come whenthey might succeed in turning the tables, because surely it would beeasier to overpower one than three.
In this, however, he soon came to understand that he was mistaken.
Had either of the others been left on guard it is possible somethingmight have been done; but Jason Wentworth was not a man to be caughtnapping, and while he seemingly directed his gaze out over the waters,at the slightest movement of either of the prisoners he was on the alertagainst an attempt at escape.
Twice had Isaac changed his position in order to make certain the manwas keeping close watch upon them when his attention was apparentlydirected elsewhere, and each time he saw Master Wentworth's musketraised that it might be ready in case a bullet was needed to check theflight of his captives.
"You had better not try that again," the man said warningly when Isaacshifted his position the third time for no other reason than to makehimself more comfortable. "In a case like this your lives count asnothing, and while I am unwilling to leave you to starve in the woods, Ishall not hesitate to kill either or both, therefore do not make anyfeint at giving me the slip lest my patience should become exhausted."
After that Isaac was exceedingly careful, as was young Beman, to remainsilent and motionless.
While Corporal 'Lige's recruit was ready to encounter serious danger inorder to accomplish his ends, there was no idea in his mind of riskinglife needlessly when there was nothing to be gained.
Young Beman lay face downward, as he had thrown himself when the haltwas called, giving no heed to the conversation between his comrade andMaster Wentworth, and Isaac believed young Beman intended for him tounderstand that he would take no part in an effort to effect theirrelease.
An hour passed and nothing had been heard from the two who had gone insearch of a boat.
It surely seemed as if they must have met with some mishap, and a greathope sprang up in Isaac's breast.
When thirty minutes more had passed Master Wentworth's face gaveevidence of the anxiety which had come upon him, and he looked towardhis prisoners with such an odd expression that Isaac Rice trembled,fearing the man was beginning to believe it would be better to do withthem as his friends had suggested.
Then, when it seemed impossible for Jason Wentworth longer to controlhis impatience, Master White returned as when he departed, and havingthe appearance of one who had walked far and rapidly.
"You found no boat?" Master Wentworth said interrogatively, and the manreplied, as he seated himself wearily near by the prisoners:
"I do not believe there is one this side of Crown Point. Most likely therebels took good care to gather in every craft that was to be foundwithin half a dozen miles of here."
For the first time since the little party came to a halt did Nathanevince any interest in what was going on around him, and now hepartially turned as if to speak.
Isaac, believing he was on the point of telling what he knew regardingthe seizure of boats, covered the boy's mouth with his hand, for he wasnot minded to give the enemy any information.
Master Wentworth observed the movement, and evidently would havedemanded an explanation, but for the fact that at this moment Ezra Jonescame up through the thicket, instead of along the shore.
His report was much like Master White's.
The boat he had expected to find near the trail leading to Sudbury wasmissing, and he had continued on nearly two miles further, but withoutavail.
Again did hope come into Isaac's desponding breast.
The boy had believed Master Jones would surely find the craft in whichhe and Nathan had crossed the lake; but fortune favored the "rebel"cause in that respect at least, for the man must have turned about,when, by continuing on a very short distance further, he would have comeupon that for which he was searching.
"We must go on foot," Master Wentworth said after a short pause, "andthe sooner we set out the better."
"It's all very well for you, who have been resting here, to say that,"Jones replied petulantly. "I've been making a road through the thicketfor a matter of five miles or more, and don't propose to move againuntil after I've had a breathing spell."
"Why didn't you come back by the shore, as you went?"
"Because there are a hundred pair of eyes watching this side of thelake. I could see the rebels on the opposite shore before I gained thetrail, and then it was necessary to keep well hidden in the bushes. Eventhough I had found a boat, it is doubtful if I should have been allowedto pull up this way, for Seth Warner and Ethan Allen are much too keento let any one pass who is headed in the direction of Crown Point."
"They are waiting for the wind to die away before setting out to takethe fort, and if we would save it to the king it is time to be about thework," Master Wentworth said half to himself, but his comrades gave noheed to the words.
Then ensued a long time of silence, and Isaac was well content, for eachmoment of delay lessened the danger, as he believed.
Thanks to the indolence of Masters White and Jones, it was nearlynightfall before they were ready to begin the journey, and then thelatter intimated that he had recovered from his fatigue.
"If we fail to give the warning in time, you and White can take thefault to yourselves," Master Wentworth said angrily, after which heordered the prisoners on in advance once more.
"They have begun to quarrel among themselves, and perhaps our time willcome before morning," Isaac whispered to Nathan as they pushed on inadvance, and young Beman appeared more willing to listen than when thesubject was first broached; but yet he made no reply.
An hour later night had fully come, and the flying clouds so completelyobscured the sky that it was difficult for the travelers to make theirway even along the shore where was nothing, save here and there a pointof rocks, to impede the progress.
More than once did the boys walk directly into the water, and twiceMaster White fell headlong over a fallen tree, despite all efforts tothe contrary, and then it was Jason Wentworth who proposed a halt.
"We are not making two miles an hour at this rate," he said in the toneof one who is offended with his companions. "We may as well stop wherewe are until it is light enough for us to see the way."
Nathan and Isaac came to a halt immediately, and, ordering them to keepclose by his side, the leader of the party sought for a camping-placeamid the shrubbery.
It was not possible to make any choice selection while it was so darkthat one could not distinguish objects a dozen paces in advance, and atthe first cleared space sufficiently large to admit of the menstretching out at full length, Master Wentworth made his preparationsfor the night.
He ordered the boys to lie down; covered them with four or fivesaplings, and on the ends of these he and Master White laid themselvesin such manner that the first movement made by the prisoners must awakenthe captors.
It was the Indian method of guarding captives; but, owing to the absenceof robes or blankets with which to cover the ends of the saplings, thosewho lay on the outside had a most uncomfortable bed.
Isaac, still on the alert for any advantage, observed, rather by senseof hearing than of sight, that Master Wentworth kept his musket closebeside him, while the other two leaned their weapons against the bushes.
It seemed to Corporal 'Lige's recruit as if Nathan Beman had finallycome to understand that escape might yet be possible, for the latterprodded his comrade with his elbow from time to time, as if to preventhim from falling asleep, and Isaac returned the pressure with vigor.
Then, when it appeared as if fully an hour had passed, the heavybreathing of the men told that they were fast asleep, and Nathanwhispered cautiously:
"These fellows ain't so smart as I'd counted on. I've heard father tellhow he outwitted the savages when they had him in the same kind of atrap, an' I can work this if you're ready."
"B
egin at once; there is no time to lose."
Then it was that young Beman breathed loudly as if wrapped in profoundslumber, and tossed about restlessly, all the while pressing againstMaster White.
Isaac did not understand the purpose of such maneuver, but he wascontent with knowing that his comrade had at last consented to make aneffort toward escape.
More than once Master White partially awakened, and grumbled because ofNathan's restlessness; but at the same moment he unconsciously movedaside slightly, and each time he did this the prisoners were so muchnearer liberty.
Then came the time when Nathan whispered:
"He has at last rolled off the saplings, and I can crawl away withoutdisturbing him. Are you ready to follow?"
"Yes. Can't you get the muskets? Two are near our feet, and the other isby the side of Wentworth."
"It is enough if we give them the slip."
"If we get possession of the muskets they cannot send a bullet after usin case one awakens before we are well off."
"I'll try it," Nathan replied as he began wriggling his body out fromunder the saplings, not daring to move in the direction of where MasterWhite lay.
Isaac, literally trembling with excitement, followed his example, and itseemed to him as if half an hour had been consumed in the task, whenreally no more than five minutes were thus spent before the boys were ontheir feet and the men apparently still wrapped in slumber.
Even now Nathan would have made good his escape without an effort tosecure the weapons, and pressed his comrade's arm to intimate that therewas no time to be lost; but Isaac, dropping to his hands and knees,crept toward Master Wentworth.
When the plan had so far succeeded that they were on their feet, a boldscheme came into Isaac's head, and he believed now was come the time forhim to gain the good opinion of Corporal 'Lige, if he should be sofortunate as to see the old soldier again.
Moving with infinite care, and giving no heed to what Nathan might bedoing, the boy crept to Master Wentworth's side, and it was withdifficulty he repressed a cry of exultation as his fingers closed overthe musket.
Cautiously rising to his feet, and at the same instant assuring himselfthe flint was in place, but forgetting that he had no powder with whichto prime the weapon, Isaac stepped back to where he had left hiscomrade.
Nathan was no longer there, but from a short distance away came a slightrustling of the foliage, and Isaac waited, his heart beating soviolently that it seemed positive the thumping must awaken theirenemies.
Before Corporal 'Lige's recruit could have counted twenty, Nathan stoodby his side, and it needed but one touch of the hand to tell the formerthat all the weapons had been secured.
Young Beman had done his work well, for he not only held the twomuskets, but a powder-horn well filled, and a shot pouch heavy withbullets.
Now it was that, having all the advantage, Nathan began to be sensibleof a glow of patriotism, and he whispered to his comrade as he carefullyprimed one of the muskets:
"It wouldn't be a hard task to take these fellows into Sudbury, if wehad something with which to fetter their hands."
"My mother made the cloth of this coat I am wearing, and I promise thatit's as strong as a rope."
Without waiting for a reply Isaac began stripping the garment intonarrow bands, by aid of his teeth, and the noise caused Master Wentworthto half rise as he cried:
"Hey! White! Jones!"
"Stay where you are!" Nathan shouted. "We've got all the muskets, andare in the mood to shoot if you make any trouble. It won't go muchagainst the grain to put a couple of bullets into the two who wanted toleave us trussed up in the thicket, where we would starve to death!"
Master Wentworth sank back upon the ground very quickly, and at the sameinstant must have discovered that his ammunition had not been seized,for he cried to his companions:
"They can't prime the muskets, and it is the same----"
"You'll know whether we can or not if you make any move! Don't think wewere such fools as to forget that part of the business! I've got all thepowder and balls that'll be needed to give you three a solid dose. TieMaster Wentworth's hands behind his back, Isaac, and if he so much aswinks while you are doing it I'll quiet him. Lie down!" he addedfiercely as in the dim light he saw one of the others attempting torise. "If you make any fuss we'll shoot first an' talk afterward!"
It was more than probable one of the men might, because of the darkness,have gotten off without injury; but each knew that should such anattempt be made Nathan could shoot down perhaps two of the party, andeach probably feared it might be himself who would receive the bullet.
Therefore it was that they obeyed young Beman's orders strictly, and assoon as might be Master Wentworth was lying on his face with both handstied securely behind his back.
To fetter the others in the same fashion was neither a long nor adifficult task, because, like the bullies they were, both showed thewhite feather when danger threatened their precious selves, and no morethan fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time Nathan first set aboutmaking the attempt at escape before the prisoners were powerless forharm.
With their hands thus securely lashed behind them, it was impossible forthe men to rise without assistance, and while Nathan stood with themusket raised that he might shoot at the first show of resistance, Isaachelped the prisoners to their feet.
"Now it is you three who will obey our orders, instead of knocking usabout," young Beman said gleefully, "and I'll make the same threatMaster Wentworth did: At the first show of trying to escape, I'll shoot,an' even though it is dark, there's little chance of missing aim, for weshall keep close in the rear. Take one musket, Isaac, and the otherwe'll leave here, rather than hamper ourselves by too much of a burden."
"Do you count on trying to make your way through the thicket while it isso dark?" Ezra Jones asked in a surly tone.
"That's what we shall do."
"Then you may as well shoot us offhand, for if it was hard work when wewere free, what chance have we with our hands tied?"
"If you think that is the best plan I'll follow your advice, and neverso much as wince in the doing of it, for you was one who would have leftus to starve," Nathan said so promptly that the man involuntarily duckedhis head as if fearing a bullet might follow the words.
"Where are you bent on taking us?" Jason Wentworth asked, after he hadsomewhat recovered his composure.
"Our orders were to go to Sudbury, and I think we'd better keep on inthat direction, rather than lose time by carrying you to Ticonderoga. Wecould do that last if we pleased, for our boat is hidden among thebushes nearabout where Master Jones turned back. What say you, IsaacRice? Is it to be Sudbury, or the fort?"
"It is best we see Captain Baker as soon as may be, and if you think wecan find our way through the woods, I'll say nothing against a shortcut, for time presses."
The prisoners were driven like sheep, both boys marching directly behindthem with leveled muskets, and, as may be expected, the advance wasexceedingly slow.
The men stumbled over fallen trees, and each of them fell headlong halfa dozen times before the seemingly long night came to an end; but stillthey were urged on at the best possible pace until sunrise, when a briefhalt was made.
Two hours after the journey had been resumed the trail was found, andfrom that time on until the outskirts of the settlement was gained, theparty marched at a reasonably rapid rate of speed.
Once a glimpse of Sudbury was had Isaac became exceedingly prudent, andinsisted upon calling a halt, while Nathan declared they should pressforward until the prisoners could be delivered to Captain Baker.
"I shan't feel comfortable in mind until all three are off our hands,for there's no knowing how many friends they may have in thesettlement."
"That is exactly why I would halt here," Isaac replied, and Corporal'Lige would have rejoiced had he known how rapidly his recruit waslearning his duties as a soldier. "We do not know in which house CaptainBaker lives, and while making inquiries, sti
ll having the prisoners withus, we might come upon those who would turn the tables once more, beforewe had so much as gained speech with the officer."
"Then what would you do?"
"We are within less than half a mile of the settlement. Let us march theprisoners into the thicket, where they will be hidden from view of anywho may come this way, and while one stands guard over them, the othercan seek out the captain. After that has been done he can take charge ofthe affair, and our work will be well and thoroughly done."
"Who is to remain here?" Nathan asked.
"It shall be as you say."
Young Beman remained silent a moment, and then, with the air of one whohas decided an important question, said:
"You shall go into the settlement, and if either of these Tories so muchas opens his mouth while you are gone, I'll put a bullet through him."
"And you must not hesitate to carry out that threat," Isaac addedfirmly. "Now is come the time when we may prevent any news from beingcarried to Crown Point, and at the same moment deliver Colonel Allen'smessage, therefore blood must be spilled if necessary."
Jones and White looked thoroughly alarmed, while Jason Wentworth saidapprovingly:
"You lads are in the right, from your own standpoint, which is a wrongone, however; but since we have been so dull as to let you get the bestof us, it is but proper we should pay the penalty for disobeyingorders."
"Will you give us your word not to make an outcry if any person shouldpass by on the trail?" Isaac quietly, having no little respect for thisenemy who could look upon the situation so fairly.
"If by giving up my life I can prevent the capture of Crown Point, youmay be certain I shall not hesitate."
Isaac looked significantly at Nathan, as if to say that this man shouldbe guarded more closely than the others, and after the prisoners hadbeen marched into the thicket, where they were completely hidden fromview, Corporal 'Lige's recruit set out, Nathan calling after him:
"Do not loiter by the way, either in going or coming, for I am not quiteat my ease while alone."
"Have no fear I shall delay. It should not be a long task to findCaptain Baker, and most likely you'll see me again in less than an hour.Keep your wits about you, and remember how much mischief may be done ifyou hesitate to shoot when it becomes necessary to do so."