John T. McIntyre

“ The British column had advanced steadily along the old Charlestown and West Cambridge road until it had now reached Menotomy. Lights could be seen flickering at windows; and as the head of the brigade came on, dark forms went flitting and vanishing into the night.
But Nat saw none of this; he was hurried toward the group composed of Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and his aides, which had drawn up before Newell’s tavern. The hoofs of the horses rang loudly as they stamped upon the stones; their bridle chains jingled and they snorted impatiently at the delay. ”

“ Nat and Revere each seized a handle and off they set, trudging manfully. They had gone but a little distance when Nat said to Ezra:
“Now for it; I’m so full of curiosity that I can wait no longer.”
“You see,” began Ezra, “George has been brought up by our grandfather, who is a Tory. All his friends have been king’s men and he has been taught to believe in British rule. As for myself, I have always been a strong Whig like my father—so strong a one,” and he colored a little, “that I never spoke of my brother, fearing that some one would learn of his way of thought.” ”

“ Nat nodded.
“And some people,” went on Ezra Prentiss, in the same quiet way, “remember them to advantage.” Seeing Nat’s questioning look he added: “I mean that there are certain dispositions that take great pleasure in rewarding a good deed—and others that take equal pleasure in repaying an evil one.”
“I suppose there are,” replied Nat, his eyes never leaving the face of the other. “But,” with a laugh, “the doer of good deeds can rest in peace; and the other—well, he can only be watchful.”
As these last words were being spoken Ben Cooper turned. ”

“ But tell me this, Nat Brewster,” tapping the young mountaineer upon the elbow with one finger-tip; “when you come up with Master Royce and his men, what do you intend to do?”
For a moment Nat was startled. He drew hard upon the rein and the big gray came to a stand.
“You are right,” said he. “I’ve been in such haste that the thing entirely escaped me.”
“You can’t fight ’em alone,” spoke the Porcupine wisely. “Of course,” with a grin, “you won’t be exactly alone, but you might as well be. I’m not much good in a fight. I’m not big enough.” ”

“ Here Nat drew rein; turning his head he gazed back toward the mansion.
“It appears that we have created some little stir,” remarked he to the Porcupine, who had drawn up beside him. The dwarf uttered his peculiar, squealing laugh.
“Look at the lights,” said he. “They pop up at window after window, just like fireflies.”
[65] There was also the dim hubbub of far-away voices; it was as though excited men were calling loudly to each other, and that their excitement grew greater with each passing moment. ”

“ It was late at night when Revere and Nat Brewster left Dr. Warren’s house and proceeded along Hanover Street.
“I never expected to hear anything like this,” said the engraver, as he shook his head sadly. “I’d have trusted that boy with my life if need be.”
“I can understand that,” replied Nat. “And that is the feeling that made me hold my tongue till now.”
“However,” spoke the man, “we have other matters to think about. It’s a sore thing to lose a friend, but we’ve no time for grieving. Work is ahead for all of us—work that will mean much for the colonies if we can perform it properly.” ”

“ Revere held up his flaring candle, for the landlady had provided each of them with one; the light danced in their faces and up and down upon the walls and ceilings, throwing their distorted, gigantic shadows along the staircase.
“Nothing,” answered the horseman of the Suffolk Convention, “but the caution of an old traveler. I say nothing against any one, [204] mind you; but it is well to be careful. The sweetest spoken person is not always the one most to be trusted.”
“I think I get your meaning,” spoke Ezra Prentiss. “You are of the opinion that the man below is not altogether to be trusted.” ”

“ But you must know Ezra before he leaves. You’ll like him.”
After Ben had gone, Nat clasped his hands about his knees and continued to gaze across the fields toward Cliveden. The August sun was warm and the insects buzzed lazily about in it, their wings a-glitter. The level, fertile country was new to Nat; up north in the Wyoming valley the rugged hills crowded one upon the other; the grim, defiant forests circled the settlements; the stony earth fought stubbornly against the plow. ”

“ WASHINGTON
The two had ridden no great distance from the river when, close to the roadside, they came upon a small wooden house, from a window of which a light was streaming. This in itself was rather unusual in such a place at such an hour; but, more surprising still, they saw, through the window, a man sitting upon a low bench hammering merrily away at a piece of leather.
“A cobbler,” said Nat, surprised, “and at work so late in the night.”
“His customers must be in great haste,” laughed the Porcupine. “They don’t give the poor man time enough to get his natural sleep.” ”

“ Revere’s face became clouded; a little frown wrinkled itself across the top of his nose.
“Dr. Church,” said he, “is a well-known gentleman who has mixed himself much in the movement. He is a frequenter of my shop; he has written verses that have appeared upon some of my prints.”
“Ah,” said Nat, “a patriot.”
But Paul Revere shook his head. Lowering his voice cautiously, he made answer:
“I’m not so sure of that. He is a member of the Committee of Safety, and, with the exception of Dr. Warren, is the only person who is told of the secret doings of the Sons of Liberty. ”

“ The sudden discovery of this unusual creature was in itself enough to startle a [56] person with weak nerves. But Nat Brewster was not troubled with anything of the sort. It was the words alone that troubled him; the odd-looking imp on the rafter seemed able to read his secret purpose.
“Who are you?” inquired the mountain boy, quietly, after a pause.
The dwarf grinned more widely than ever.
“Don’t you know?” asked he. “Have you been at the Cooper place for two weeks and not heard of me?”
Nat shook his head. The dwarf blinked his small round eyes as though marveling at this lack of information. ”

“ Massachusetts Bay was thronged with troop-ships and frigates, and the colonies were writhing under a series of unjust and oppressive laws.
It was at this time that the four boys who play the leading parts in the story began their experiences. Historical events that led up to the war for independence are met with in every chapter; the great personages of the time figure upon almost every page. From the meeting of the first Congress at Carpenter’s Hall to the stand of the minutemen at Lexington and Concord Bridge, every important step in the movement for national life is touched on. ”

“ And, perhaps,” his grip tightening upon the club which he still retained, “a very important one, considering what Stephen Comegies hinted at.”
After a little his eyes grew accustomed to the wide beams of light with the shadows thickening at their edges; then he began to make out the figures upon the lawn as those of men pacing backward and forward in twos and threes.
“And very impatiently, I should say,” Nat told himself shrewdly, as he watched the men. “They act like persons delayed in something which they are anxious to accomplish.” ”

“ Here Ezra called to his companions and introduced them to the despatch bearer.
“I’m glad to make your acquaintance, young gentlemen,” said he in a bluff, sincere way. “If you’re friends of Ezra, I know you’re friends of the colonies; and I want all such to be friends of mine.” He paused a moment and surveyed them carefully. “Are you Sons of Liberty?” he inquired.
“I am,” replied Ben promptly, “and so is my father.”
“The society has not yet reached the back settlements,” smiled Nat. “So I am not yet a member. But I hope to be before long.”
“Good,” said Paul Revere, clapping him upon the back. ”

“ So without more ado, Nat made his way into the place, followed by his odd-looking ally. There were oaken tables and chairs about the main room, and at the side were others screened by curtains of baize.
“It’ll be more comfortable here, I think,” said Nat, selecting one of these; and so they seated themselves and made known their wants to an attentive waiter. As they ate their thick [228] barley soup with big pewter spoons and nibbled at bits broken from a crusty loaf, their eyes wandered about the great square room and through the door at the people who passed so quietly, up and down. ”

“ A slow smile stole over Ben Cooper’s round, good-natured face. The whole of Germantown called old Stephen “Grumpy Comegies” and Ben had listened to him frequently before.
“It’s fine weather anyway,” insisted Ben. “The harvests are almost ready; the shooting is going to be good; the rabbits and birds are growing fat and plenty. What more can any one want?”
“If they had any understanding,” replied old Stephen, “they might feel sorry that these colonies are being swept by a flood of ingratitude to an honest king.” ”

“ Revere continued to fume and mutter as they rode along toward Bristol, the housetops of which were gradually coming into view. Ben was now riding with him and Ezra had fallen back until his mount was abreast of Nat’s.
“You think, then,” said Ezra, and his tone was low, “that those men were not common thieves.”
“I do,” replied Nat. “A man’s purse would be safe with them, I feel sure. Something of greater value was in their minds, I feel sure.”
“So do I,” replied Ezra. He looked at Nat steadily for a moment and then said with a faint smile, “You’ve met those men before?” ”

“ Almost at any time Gage is likely to take courage and swoop down upon me with a file of men.”
“And how are things in Boston, sir?” asked Ezra.
An anxious look came into the doctor’s fine, worn face. But, for all, there was hope in it also.
“Bad enough,” he answered. “But the people hold out wonderfully. The Port Bill has them upon the verge of starvation; those of us who were rich are now poor—those who were poor are now beggars.”
“Then the law is enforced strictly?” said Nat Brewster.
The doctor laughed bitterly.
“Strictly enough,” said he. “The harbor is covered with British ships of war. ”

“ Ben Cooper longed to put Molly at her best, for her dancing along the road showed that her spirit was as high as his own.
“Where do we make the first stop?” inquired Nat, of Revere.
“We should reach Bristol at sundown or a little before,” replied the man.
“Bristol!” cried Ben. “Why, we could make——”
But Revere interrupted him.
“I know,” said he. “So we could. And [161] we could make some other place, equally far off, to-morrow. Then we could sit for a couple of days at an inn and twiddle our thumbs while the saddle-galls were healing or the nag’s swollen legs going down.” ”

“ Nat shook his head.
“I don’t know. Sometimes crabbed old men delight in making meaningless threats. This may be one of them.”
He hung up his rifle upon a rack in the hall and sat down in a broad seat at the door. The beautiful suburb with its broad fields, white roads and stately houses was stretched out before him.
“Are there many Tories hereabouts?” he asked, after a space.
Ben nodded.
“Yes,” he replied, “a great many. And it’s the same way in the city. With a very few exceptions, it is only those who actually suffer [27] by the heavy taxes who are aroused and speak against the government.” ”

“ AT CHEW HOUSE
Nat Brewster continued to watch the lantern and the two whose way it lighted, until the flame grew faint and flickering; finally a bend in the road hid it altogether.
“So that is old Stephen Comegies,” he said. “Well, I never thought I’d be pleased to see a Tory, but I’m glad to meet this one; for I think he’s clinched my belief that there is some sort of a plot on foot against Congress.”
Through the trees he saw the winking windows of Cliveden, and he regarded them soberly.
“Some people from the north are expected,” he continued, “and they are going there.” ”

“ And, not only that, Nat had seen Ezra’s eyes, full of frankness and friendliness, something that the worthy mechanic had missed; and in spite of his suspicions the young mountaineer felt drawn toward the boy from New England.
“It’s impossible!” were his first words. “It simply can’t be! You were mistaken!”
“Don’t forget what I told you at the beginning,” said the dwarf. “I said it would be hard to believe; I even said I wouldn’t believe it myself just on somebody’s say-so.”
[148] Nat gazed at the speaker in silence. That the misshapen boy was sincere he had never a doubt. ”

“ A little later at the sound of high voices he went to a window overlooking the inn yard. Paul Revere was there, as was also Ezra and Ben, and the former was lecturing the grooms for some shortcoming in their [185] care of the horses. Nat looked and listened, greatly amused at the earnestness of the man from Boston, and as he did so, he indistinctly saw, out of the tail of his eye, a small figure under the brick arch that opened into the yard. Swiftly turning his head in that direction he was surprised and astonished to recognize the form of the Porcupine. ”

“ The young mountaineer’s face expressed the satisfaction that filled him.
“The inn of which the cobbler spoke,” said he, “and Royce and his companions are inside.”
In a few moments the gray and the chestnut were also beneath the shed; a couple of stable hands took them in charge and began rubbing the rain from their streaming coats.
“And now,” spoke Nat, when he saw that they were being well taken care of, “let us go inside; there is sure to be a good fire in the kitchen where we can dry our clothes.”
But the dwarf shook his big head.
“Go in yourself,” said he. “You may be needed. ”

“ Ezra’s father sided with the townspeople. But the grandfather was a Tory. A bitter quarrel was the result and they afterward no longer saw or spoke to each other.”
“I suppose there is a great deal of that,” said Nat. “And if it comes to war, it will be worse.”
They had now risen and walked toward the house. Down the path along which Ben had ridden in entering they saw Mr. Cooper pacing to and fro, with bent head.
“That talk he had with old Stephen Comegies has upset his nerves,” said Ben. “Politics always has that effect upon him.” ”

“ He did not give Nat an opportunity to reply, but at once proceeded.
“Two people may love their country; they may desire with all their hearts to serve it—but each may have a different idea as to how it should best be done. You, for example, think that to defy the king and parliament, to follow the leadership of Messrs. Adams, Hancock, Warren and their like, to take up arms against the lawful governor, is to serve the colonies. ”

“ As he turned away from the group in the coffee-room he noted that the hand of Samuel Adams still rested upon Ezra Prentiss’ shoulder. The whole attitude of the statesman and that of Paul Revere were of perfect [138] trust and confidence in the boy; apparently they would not hesitate to place their most cherished projects in his keeping.
“I can’t understand it,” thought Nat. “I can’t, no matter how I try. Samuel Adams is not a trustful man; he is more apt to suspect than not. And Mr. Revere is not without shrewdness. Both have known Ezra for a long time, so it seems. ”