The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade Part 10

"No, there hain't been n.o.body here sence we come around."

The sergeant and the redcoats, as well as a second lieutenant and another party, examined the region all about the place, but saw nothing of the boys and so concluded that they had gone elsewhere. There was a guard of about a dozen left on the wharf, but none on the bank above, the rest going into the city. The loungers about the place, evidently fearing that they might be pressed into the service, went away, and thus there was no one to give any information to the redcoats, which might have resulted in giving the house another visit.

d.i.c.k sent Harry and Will to the cellar and thence under the wharf to the river, the boys reporting that the tide was high and that there was no getting out that way at that time. Then one of the boys was sent to the upper door to keep a lookout, d.i.c.k going to see him in a few minutes.

"There are redcoats on the Commons, Captain," the boy reported. "A couple of men went by here just now and I heard them talking about it."

"We can leave the house," remarked d.i.c.k, "but we would not get a great way before being discovered, and I think it better we remain here for a time, till dark, perhaps."

"We are caught in a trap," muttered Bob, "but the redcoats don't know it, and that's the only hopeful thing about it."

"We are not caught in a trap exactly, Bob," declared d.i.c.k. "Say, rather, that we are hiding from them, and that as soon as we see a good chance we are coming out and will make a run for it."

"And in the meantime what are we going to do for something to eat and drink?" asked Bob.

"We may find something in the house, but we shall have to take it cold, for as soon as we start a fire we will excite suspicion."

"I found some old clothes in one of the rooms, Captain," said Ben, "and when the coast is a bit clear some of us can go out and get food. I will go, for one."

"Very good, Ben, but not now," replied d.i.c.k.

Later, when there was no one about the upper floor, d.i.c.k, Ben and Harry went out, looking like three vagabonds, and looked about them. d.i.c.k went toward the Commons, and Ben and Harry took their way toward the church to get some food. There were redcoats on the Commons, as d.i.c.k had feared, and he could see more of them in the distance. Then he walked carelessly on, seeing no one who knew him, and made his way as far as a quiet inn down a side street where he was well known, the people being good patriots. On the way he saw many redcoats, Hessians, and other enemies, and he knew that getting out of New York was going to be a difficult task, and one that would require all their energy as well as a deal of craft and caution.

"What, you are still in the city, Captain?" asked the landlord, when he recognized d.i.c.k.

"Yes, there are nearly a score of us who were caught here, but I hope to get away to-night."

"There are lines drawn right across the city and island, and the redcoats will let no one through whom they do not know."

"There is the river," added d.i.c.k. "We are in the old warehouse down there, and if we can get a boat or two we will try to get out of the city that way."

"There are ships in the river, Captain, that are keeping a sharp lookout. I don't want to discourage you, but I am afraid that it will be as hard to get out that way as any."

"I am glad to know all the difficulties there are in our way, for then I shall know how to meet them. It is better to know just what to expect."

"Of course, and I will give you all the help I can."

"Thank you. If I need it, I will call on you."

CHAPTER XI.--Getting Away Under Difficulties.

d.i.c.k secured a basketful of food to take to the boys, knowing that Ben and Harry would procure more, and therefore not taking any more than he could conveniently carry without arousing suspicion. The city was full of redcoats, and at every step he realized the danger he ran, and also that it would increase with every hour that he and the boys remained in New York.

"We must get out to-night as soon as we can procure boats," he said to himself, "There must be some way of getting them, and we must have them, as they are absolutely necessary."

He returned to the stone house, getting in by the lower door without being observed, the other boys returning shortly afterward by the upper entrance.

"It will be difficult to get away by any of the regular roads," declared Ben, "and even if we all had disguises, it is going to be a difficult matter to pa.s.s the guard."

"I was thinking of getting out of New York by way of the river, Ben,"

said d.i.c.k.

"That will be something less difficult, though hard enough, but where are we going to get our boats?"

"There are ships in the river not very far away, and it may be that they will anchor still nearer. The men will want to come ash.o.r.e and we must get hold of at least two boats. I don't think one will be sufficient, even if it is a long boat. Watch the river, boys, and see what are our chances."

The boys ate some of the food which d.i.c.k and the rest had procured, and while some rested, others kept a lookout on the river, on the wharf and on the bank above. At times the paths were well frequented, and men and women could be seen on the walk above, the wharf being now quite busy and then almost deserted, although at no time would it have been wise for the boys in uniform to have ventured out. Well on in the afternoon a ship came up the river and anch.o.r.ed right off the stone house, well out in the stream, another being something above it.

"The bluejackets will be coming ash.o.r.e some time in the evening to enjoy themselves," remarked d.i.c.k. "It will be high tide, and if we can get hold of the boat, we can perhaps hide it under the wharf."

"Unless it is too high," said Bob. "The tides are pretty heavy just now."

"Then we can leave from the wharf itself, but we shall have to do everything with despatch, for it is likely that a watch will be kept on the river and along sh.o.r.e, and the least suspicious act will bring down the night patrol and the watch, as well as the redcoats and sailors."

"No good thing can be had without effort," said Bob dryly, "and if we want our freedom we must work for it."

It was after dark when two boats came ash.o.r.e from the nearest vessel and tied up at the wharf a short distance from the stone house. The sailors went ash.o.r.e, leaving the boats without any one to look after them, but there were men on the wharf and constant pa.s.sing to and fro of men and boys.

"We shall have to wait a while," said d.i.c.k. "When it is quieter there will be more chance to secure the boats."

"Then it may be too late," muttered Bob, "for the sailors will be going back to the ship."

"They will not return till late, for no sailor wants to cut short his sh.o.r.e leave."

"There may be a few minutes when all is quiet, and in the interim we can make a run for the boats and get away."

"Yes, and we must be on the lookout for just such a time."

The boys waited patiently, but it seemed as if no one wanted to go to bed, and as if there would be something going on all night. Finally, realizing the danger of waiting too long, d.i.c.k said to Bob and some of the boys:

"I am going to make my way to the other end of the wharf and get up some sort of disturbance to draw the people away from the boats. You must take that opportunity to seize them and get away. Then I will join you and we will all leave."

"You won't get caught?" asked Bob. "If I thought there was any danger, I would insist on going with you."

"There will be danger, of course, but I will take care of myself."

"I don't think that it will be wise to have too many of us away from the boats."

"No, perhaps not."

d.i.c.k shortly crept out cautiously by the lower door, having a long coat over his uniform, and made his way toward the farther end of the wharf and get up some sort of disturbance to draw the people away from the boats. "You must take that opportunity to seize them and get away. Then I will join you and we will all leave."

"You won't get caught?" asked Bob. "If I thought there was any danger, I would insist on going with you."

"There will be danger, of course, but I will take care of myself."

"I don't think that it will be wise to have too many of us away from the boats."