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H^HhciM

War of I8t2 Series < \

■^\

THE

Search for Andrew Field :

A Story of the Times of 1812

EVERETT T.TOMLINSON

1 i

_^<.S Of CG(Vff,

Of w^';^'

..o^<-?^

1.^

LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers

10 MILK STREET
BOSTON

I.]

.v\

On.

CoPTRIOHr, 1804,
Bv L£E AND SllEPARD

AH right! reterved
Search for Andrew Field

■ ■

Slntbcrsits 9rt«»:
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U. S. A.

J? ■"

PREFACE

THE War of 1812 is a field which has received
comparatively slight attention from modern
story writers. The romance of the Revolution and
that of the Civil War has been more marked because
the issues of those wars were more apparent.

And yet while the causes and results of the war
of 1812 were not so manifest as those of the other
wars, they were no less real. It was a time for the
development of internal, national qualities, and the
confidence and self-respect acquired were not the least
of the results of the struggle.

This story and those that are to follow it were born
of a desire to give our younger people an insight
into the conditions of the times of 1812, a history of
that war, and a glimpse at its results.

It is hoped that this book will create a desire to
follow the fortunes of our heroes through the various
battles on land and sea, and that the lessons of man-
liness which the times demandf' '^f the boys as well
as of the men may not be wholly lost.

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON

Jdne, 1894

mak

CONTENTS

CifArruB Paok

I. "Pressed" 9

II. The News at Home 20

III. A Trip to Kingston 29

IV. David forms a Plan 37

V. A Night Adventure 46

VI. An Escape 65

VII. Andrew's Experience on the Osprey . . 64

VIII. Baffled again 73

IX. Another Voyage begun 82

X. Visiting 91

XI. An Exchange of Boats 100

XII. Outwitted 108

XIII. A DiSCQVERV 117

XIV. An Addition 126

XV. The Hermit's Story 133

XVI. Another Boat I42

XVII. Another Voyage begun 150

XVIII. At Kingston 158

XIX. A Trip to the Osprey I66

XX. An Escape from the Osprey 174

XXI. A SURPISE AT THE HeRMIT'S II0.ME . . . 183

VI CONTENTS

ClIAI'TKU

XXII. TiiK IIioimit's DiscovF.nv

XXIII. A riUSONKK

XXI V^ A CaIKIO Kdll TIIK HOAT .

XXV. A NidiiT Sail amunm thk I.si

XXVI. An Imeiimission . . .

XXVII. A ClIANUK I.N TlIK Coi'llSK

XXVIH. WaTCUI.MJ TIlKlll NKKillBOIlS

XXIX. A.N Additio.n to thk Fleet

XXX. The Voyaoe kesumed . .

XXXI. The Pklsonek's Expkkience

XXXII. The Voyaoe coxtinued . .

XXXIII. An Exciting Race ....

XXXIV. A Sad Home-coming . . .
XXXV. Conclusion

M)-*

PAflK
1!)2

201
209
217
22(1
23r>

2i;i

251
260

2G9
278
287
2!)«
305

«&

pAdK

201
200
217
22«
23r>
2t;i
251
2fiO
2G9
278
287
290
305

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Paok
"What's that white spot ahead thehe''" . . Frontiapiece t^

OnI.V a little IH9TANCE FKOM THEM WAS A SHIP .... 15 ^

Crawling through the winhow, David let himu.i.f fall 56 ^

" Here, what are voij doing ? " called David .... 103 ^.

They waited for the stranoeh to approach 125

Thev both orauued him and lifted him into the boat . 180

"i clapped the n009b right over his head" 208

The HERMIT HAD GRASPED HIS GUN 278

■'V

'«-

-J

rfMM

' I

THE

SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER I

"pressed"

TT was a warm, bright day near the close of
J- May, 1812. On the blue waters of Lake Ontario,
near the eastern shore, there was a little boat in
which sat two young men. The elder of these was
Andrew Field, and in the bow of the little skiff sat
David, his younger brother. All through the morn-
ing these two had been there fishing. In the bottom
of the boat lay some of the bass with which the
lake then abounded.

It was not often in these days that a holiday could
be had. But Andrew's father had well known how
hard he had been working all the spring in felling the
trees, and turning up the sod of this newly settled
country. For their father only ten years before had
left his New England home, where misfortunes had
multiplied, to seek a new home in this wilderness

:■

fti

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

" out West." It is true that now they had neighbors, .
and good neighbors too, but the pioneer life was hard,
and a day free from toil was ahnost unknown. David's
worlc had been largely that of burning the trees which
his father and brother cut, in making pearlash and
potash ; and the last sale had been one that made
these farmer boys feel rich, and the holiday was the
reward at home.

But a lull had just come in their sport. The bass
seemed satisfied, or else had sought other grounds ;
and Andrew and David had waited, but the fish
were no longer biting. A change of bait brought no
better results.

" I don't believe we shall get any more fish here,"
said Andrew. "Let's go down the shore farther
and try trolling." iif.

« All right," responded David. " Where shall we

go?"

"0, we'll go down along 'The Rocks.* Elijah
Spicer told me he made a great catch there the other

day."

David made no objection, though with his eyes he
questioned his brother. "The Rocks," or "Smug-
glers' Rocks" as they were called, were well known
by both the boys, and some strange stories were told
of the deeds which had been done there within the
past few months.

"0, you needn't be afraid," said Andrew. "I

i«^

iciglibors,
was hard,
. David's
eea which
rlash and
hat made
y was the

The bass

grounds ;

: the fish

trought no

[ish here,"
re farther

e shall we

s.* Elijah
3 the other

lis eyes he
)r "Smug-
ell known
3 were told
within the

idrew. "I

" PRESSED "

don't half believe these stories about the smugglers;
and even if they are true, the men wont touch us."

"Well," said David, "you know we promised
mother we would be home in time to help father
with the milking. We shall liave to get home
before dark."

" We '11 get home long before dark," said Andrew,
" But I want to take home as many bass as the Spicer
boys had ; they did bring in some beauties the other
day. We can get them if they can."

David caught a little of his brother's eagerness,
and his scruples and fears were soon forgotten.
They pulled in their lines and then decided to eat
their luncheon before they started, and so left the
anchor as it was. The morning's sport had kindled
their appetites, and the brown bread and dough-
nuts, which made up their lunch, began rapidly to
disappear.

"Andrew," said David, "what was that 'Embargo
Act' I heard you and father talking about last night ?
I have heard of it a good many times, but I never
knew just what it was."

"Why, don't you know?" said Andrew. "You
must have heard about all this trouble we are having
" ith England and France. You know how England
has been taking our men and claiming they belonged
to them ; tbes have seized a lot of our sailors and
made them serve on the British ships."

'■

-y

1 1

THE SKARCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

" Yc8, I know about that," said David; "they call
that 'pressing.' But what is this Embargo? That
can't have anything to do with the men."

"No," replied Andrew. "But the British have
almost ruined our commerce; they made us pay a
tax when our vessels even stopped at their ports.
Things became so bad that Congress wouldn't let
any of our ships leave for a foreign port at all."

" I should n't think that would have hurt England
any," said David.

"It didn't," replied his brother. "England was
glad of it ; it gave her the chance to do all the trad-
ing herself. Besides, she didn't stop taking our
men either."

, " But 1 heard you say last night it was not in force
now."

"It isn't. Congress passed an act which they
called the Non intercourse Act after that."
" What was that ? "

"0, that allowed trade with other nations, but
stopped it with Great Britain and France. But that
has come to an end now."

" Does England still press our men then ? " asked
David.

"0 yes, worse than ever. Don't you remember
how Ethan Greene, who was at our house last winter
and who used to be a sailor in the Chesapeake,
told how the Leopard stopped them off Chesapeake

■■i^.

' they call
TO? That

itish have
us pay a

eir ports.

uldn't let
at all."

t England

igland was
1 the trad-
taking our

lot in force

yhich they
t."

ations, but
But that

;n ? " asked

I remember
last winter
:!hesapeake,
Chesapeake

" PRESSED '

Bay and took four sailors off the Chesapeake with
her? Well, that's what's going on now; only its
worse if anything, for the Englishmen don't always
stop to wait for ships. Sometimes they take men
who are not sailors."

" What do they let them do it for ? " said David
angrily. "I wouldn't if I commanded a frigate
like the Chesapeake."

"0, well, father says," replied Andrew, "that Eng-
land has the strongest navy in the world. Most of
our men are only farmers. What could we do if we
did try to stop it ? They 'd soon stop us. "

"I'd try to stop it any way," was David's an-
swer, as, having finished his lunch, ho turned to
pull in the anchor.

"I'll row first," said Andrew, "and you can
troll going over. You can row coming back if you
want to."

Soon the little skiff was headed for "The Rocks."
David was silent as he held the trolling line, evi-
dently thinking seriously of what his brother hwl
just told him. But a tug just then came at his line
that drove all thoughts of the Embargo Act and the
"press-gang" out of his mind.

"I've got a strike," he called excitedly to his
brother. " It 's a good one, too. "

Andrew dropped his oars and waited for his
brother.

THE SEAKCII FOR ANDKEW FIELD

"Don't pull in too fast. Let him have some of .
the line," he said, cautioning hia imimlsivc younger
brother.

But the baas was in earnest; he was fighting for
his life. The line sent the water into their faces
as the fish darted away. Again and again David
brouf.'ht him nearer the boat, but each time the bass
was away again. Andrew smiled as he watched his
excited brother. He would have offered to help, but
he knew that David wanted to get the fish, and get
him alone. But the struggles of the frantic fish
became feebler; there was less and less resistance,
and finally, with one strong, sudden pull, the fish
was brought out of the water and safely secured in

the boat.

"Isn't he a beauty?" said the excited boy.
"He'll weigh more than any Elijah Spicer had; I
know he will. He 'U weigh five pounds, won't he,
Andrew ? "

" 1 should think he would," said Andrew. " He 's
a good one, anyway."

But they had found the proper grounds. The fish
were hungry and the boys were busy. The hours
passed on, but they forgot to think of time; they
were thinking only of the large catch they would

take home.

"We '11 send over for the Spiccis to come and see
some fish when we get home," said David. "Guess

B some of
3 younger

jilting for
leir faces
lin David
e the bass
itched his
» help, but
1, and get
antic fish
'csi stance,
I, the fish
jccurcd in

2ited boy.

3er had ; I

won't he,

V. " He 's

The fish
The hours
time; they
they would

me and see
I. " Guess

"ONI.V a l.ini.K UlSTANCli I'KOM TIlliM WAS A Mill'." l'aj;c I5.

" PRESSED "

wc '11 have to send over to tlioui one of these big

fellows."

Davi<l raised his eyes to look at his brother, and
then uttered a sharp exelaniation.

"What's that?" said he, pointing out toward the
lake. Only a little distance from them was a ship.
So busily had the boys worked that all unnoticed
had the ship coino up, and now was almost within
hailing distance. Andrew turned quickly to see
what it was his l)rother had just pointed out; the
ship was there, and evidently was going to anchor.
They could hear the rattle as the sails were lowered,
and the voices of the men could be heard distinctly
across the water.

" What is it, Andrew ? " said David, in a voice
supiircssed with excitement.

"1 don't know. It looks like a ship," said
Andrew, smiling. "A ship has three masts, has

n't it?"

David did not laugh; ho was troubled and afraid.

"Let's get out of this anyway."

"There's no use in running away," replied
Andrew ; " if they want us they could soon catch us
anyway. The best thing for us to do is to go on
with our fishing. If wc mind our business, I guess
they will theirs."

But Andrew was not as calm as his words were.
The boys were silent and watched a yawl as it was

•niK SKARCIl FOR ANDUKW FIKLl)

6» !

lowered from the ship's si.lc. They saw eight men
descend and talie their phices, six of them at the

ours.

" Do you think they are smugglers ? " aslied David,

earnestly.

"I shouUl n't wonder if they were," was Andrew's
reply. " Hut at any rate the hest thing we can do
is to go on with our lisliing and not mind them."

Andrew and David l)oth l<ncw it was long since
the time when they should have started for home;
but they were now afraid that, if they started, the
men in the yawl would think they were running
away, and then would follow them anyway. And
what chance would they hove in their little Hat-
bottomed skilT, against six trained men in the

yt^wi ? ...

David felt a jerk at his line; but he had no incli-
nation now to pull it in, even to see what he had.

"You'd better pull in your line," said Andrew,
as he began to row again. "They '11 know we arc
fishing, and I don't think they '11 trouble us."

But the boat from the ship was nearly ashore
now; they had gone two hundred yards from the
boys' skiff, and had not even hailed them. They
saw them row in near the shore, and one man spring
lightly ashore and disappear among the trees that
lined the bunk. The yawl then put about, and
started back, as if for the ship.

Ik.

IKLl)

law eight men
■ tlicm at the

asked David,

was Andrew's
ing we can do
ind them."
vas h)ng sinco
'ted i'or home;
By started, the
were rtinning
anyway. And
cir little flat-

I mcu in the

c had no incU-
•hat he had.
' said Andrew,

II know we are
ihlens."

I nearly ashore
irards from the
■d them. They
one man spring
the trees that
put about, and

"rUKtJSKD"

"Andrew, they're coming' here," and David, in
a low tone, greatly excited. ^ ^^

"Perhaps they want to get some of our llsh," said
Andrew. "We won't charge them much, will we,
David ? " said ho with a smile, which only partly
concealed his real anxiety.

Meanwhile the yawl came on; it was evidently
coming where the boys were. Bnt there was nothing
for them to do but to wait. As the boat came along-
side the skiff, the men rested upon their oars, and
the boatswain began the conversation. Evidently he
was suspicious of the presence of the boys there,
and at that time.

"What are you doing here?" was his hrst

question. „

" Fishing," answered Andrew. " Can't you see ?
and he hcfd up to view one of the largest bass they

had taken.

"Sure you ain't out here to see what men come
ashore?" asked the boatswain.

"Wo only saw one man go ashore." replied

Andrew.

There was a conversation low and earnest tor a

moment in the yawl.

" Where do you live ? " was the next question put

to the boys. ' . .

"0, round the point there," said Andrew, pointing

towards Sackett's Harbor.

THE SEAHCII FOR ANUUKW FIKLD

« Well, you have n't much of a Yankee drawl about
you," said tho boatswain. "I believe you arc an
Englislnnan. You ought to be on board ship in such
linrcs as these. We 're going to have trouble, and
that soon."

David saw his brother become pale, but his voice
was firm as he told the boatswain that he had lived
for ten years on this shore and was born in New

England.

"Well, 'New' England or 'Old,' we want you, and
you'll have to come aboard," said the boatswain.

Another earnest and low conversation took place
on board the yawl. Andrew's face had burned dur-
ing the day upon the water, but the redness could
not hide the pallor that crept over his cheeks.

Finally the boatswain spoke again : —

"We don't want the little fellow, but vre have
need of you. So just come aboard, will ye, and be

quick about it."

What could Andrew do ? Here were seven men, all
strong and armed, and he had not even the old flint
lock he thought of bringing in the morning. To
fight was hopeless; he must obey. A hurried mes-
sage to David for his father and mother, and then
Andrew stepped on board the British boat.

David was left alone. He sat for a moment
stunned. There were tears in his eyes, but they
could not hide the sight of his brother as he sat

" PRESSED "

•awl about
on arc an
lip in suoli
ouble, and

t his voice

had lived

rn in New

it you, and
oatswain.
took place
urned dur-
Incss could
cheeks.

it :ye have
ye, and be

beside the boatswain in the yawl that was now near
the ship. A little wave of the hand was all that
came to David. Ho saw the men appear on deck
and Andrew led below.

He must go back. Almost powerless, David
picked up his oars and began to row for home.

en men, all
he old flint
>rning. To
urried mes-
•, and then
oat.

a moment
8, but they
: as he sat

THE SEAUCU FOU ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER II

THE NEWS AT HOME

THE bitterness in David's heart lent strength to
his arms; he was bitter against his country.
If she had strength enough to make herself indepen-
dent of England, why had she not strength enough to
protect her men after the country was freed from
British rule ? Why should he have been left to carry
the sad news home ? And yet, in spite of the hard-
ness in his heart, David rested for a minute upon his
oars. He now noticed, as he looked toward the ship
riding at anchor so near him, that she was a man of
war. He could sec the portholes and the muzzles
of the guns. He could not help admiring her beauty
as she rested so gracefully upon the water. Wliat
was her name ? And David eagerly looked to see,
for he knew he should have need of that He saw
on the long streamer the word "Osprey," and he
recalled then how often he had heard of this ship,
the terror of the lake.

Even while David was looking, he saw the yawl
start forth again from the ship. What was it

THE NEWS AT HOME

strength to
lis country.
;lf indcpcn-
h enough to
freed from
left to carry
)f the hard-
ute upon his
ard the ship
ras a man of
the muzzles
g her beauty
iter. Wliat
aked to see,
at. He saw
;y," and he
)f this ship,

aw the yawl
i^hat was it

coming for ? Had the sailors repented of their woik,

and were they going to bring back his brother ? IJis

lieart gave a bound as the thought came to him, but

in a moment be saw bow vain was that idea, for the

yawl was pulled rapidly toward the same spot on the

shore where he had seen the man landed only a

little tijne before. He saw the man come out of the

woods and step quickly on board, and the boat start

back for the ship. And even while he was looking

he saw a little puff of smoke rise from the stern of

the yawl, and he heard the whistling of a bullet as it

l)a88ed over his head. Inexperienced as he was,

David did not think these men would shoot him, but

the hint which was given for him to move on, he

was not slow in accepting.

Bending sturdily to his oars, David rowed toward
home. Yet, busy as he was, he could see the ship
weigh anchor and the wind fill out the sails. Her
course seemed to be in a direction opposite to that
which he was taking, and soon the curve in the
shore hid her from David's eyes.

Darkness had come before he arrived at the place
where Andrew and he kept their skiff. Tired
as he was, he leaped quickly on shore, and, leaving
behind him the fish which he had caught that day,
he started on the run for his father's house. It was
only two miles from the shore of the lake, and yet
to him the distance had never seemed so great. But

,/^

.uumuM i iw

^■»...a»^.>^,^,.,..^^./,^g , ^ -j ^ , ^:j ) gg:.^-,j-,--'-«

>.^Tl.S!„i,V,^;a^.iF.' .. :^a-;-^y^^.|;.-j.-i ,gj||g(,^|

-'— fff'vi^*'''-

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

at last, out of the darkness lie could see the oiitlincs
of liis lioiiie. How could lie tell his father and
mother? And yet they must know; and he must be
the one to tell them.

David entered the yard, and Rex, his shepherd
dog, heard and recognized his footstep. lie had
only a word f(n- the dog, which leaped ui)on him in
the warmth of his affection. He had other work to
do, and David, though he was only sixteen years of
age, was not the boy to draw back from a task,
merely because it was diflicult.

But there were many lights in the house. What
was the meaning of that? Had they heard the
news ? But at once he knew how impossible that
was. He stopped a moment, and even as he stopped
the words of a hymn came to him from the house,
which he recognized as a favorite one wdth his
mother.

" On the other side of Jordan, in the sweet fields of Eden,
"Where the tree of life is blooming, there is rest for you."

David felt a lump in his throat as he thought of his
mother, and then he remembered that religious ser-
vices had been appointed to be held that night in
his father's house. David had never been specially
interested in these meetings, which a travelling
preacher held there from time to time; but his

■*r'

. ^i iii.i. miir i iii'iiiirii i i i iit .

THE NEWS AT HOME

ic oiitrmcs
iitlicr and
le must bo

sliejilicrd
lie had
ton him iu
cr work to
u years of
m a task,

se. What
heard the
isible that
he stopped
the house,
with his

I of Eden,
t for you."

ight of his
ligious ser-
it night in
n specially
travelling
>; but his

parents were devout people, and had l)rought
witli them the memories of their New England
church.

In a moment, however, David was glad these peo-
ple were there ; ho thought of a word his mother
often quoted to him, "that in a multitude of coun-
sellors there was safety."

David stepped inside the kitchen door; it was
just as the hymn closed, and his father came out to
meet him. There was a sternness in his father's
look as he started to speak to him, but something in
David's manner checked hira and the reproof was
not given.

" Where is your brother Andrew ? " asked his
father.

And David, all tired and heartsick, broke down
and cried. All the word that he could utter was,
"Pressed."

" ' Pressed ' ! what do you mean ? "

And then David told the story. The day's fish-
ing, the trolling by the rocks, and the seizure of his
brother, all were strangely mixed and told, but at
last his father knew it all. David started back as
ho saw how pale his father was and how near to
falling, and his heart smote him, for his mother had
often told him of late of his father's illness and her
fears for him. In a moment, however, he had
recovered his courage, and taken upon himself the

1^'

TIIK SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

rcsponsiliility of informing the company of his
adventure.

" I '11 toll mother. You stay here," ho said to his
father; and, stepping to the door, he looked within
and saw his mother sitting near, A beckoning with
the hand brought her quickly and (luietly to him, and
then, without a tremor, he told his mother all that
his father had just heard. There was no time for
tears now. Whatever was to be done must be done
at once.

"Let us go in and talk it over with our friends,"
said his mother; and the adventure of the boys was
soon known by all who were present.

The moment of surprise was followed by an out-
burst of anger.

"Ood only knows what will be the end of all
this," said the old preacher. "It's not the first
time they have done this thing, and I 'm afraid its
not the last. If I were ten years younger I'd
shoulder a gun and help to drive these sinners from
our shore. Even the Good Book says, 'Be ye angry,
and sin not. ' "

" But it is n't anger, it 's what we can do we must
think of now," said David's mother.

" Wo can't pursue them ; and even if we could we
should be driven back," said his father, with a groan.

David saw Elijah Spicer over in the corner of the
room looking at him with sympathetic eyes. David

-s ■■.-..

lii'iiiii'- iT^'MltettaiO^

THE NEWS AT HOME

\y of his

laid to his
icd within
ming with
) him, and
cr all that
) time for
st be done

• friends,"
E5 boys was

by an out-

snd of all
t the first
afraid its
ungcr I 'd
mcrs from
! ye angry,

lo we must

B could we
th a groan,
rner of the
cs. David

had no thought of telling Elijah how many bass he
had caught that day; but Elijah whispered to
him, "I was at the garrison to-day, and sold some
fish to Colonel Bettingcr. He aeked me about

you."

"Colonel Bettinger!" David knew him well; ho
had been often at his father's house. Colonel
Bettinger was the very one to help them now. And
so he quickly went to the place where his mother
was sitting and whispered something in her ear, for
the boys were not allowed to speak much in those
days in the presence of their elders.

"The very thing!" exclaimed his mother. And
then aloud she said, "David tliinks it would be well
to go and see Colonel Bettinger."

"And so it would, and at once," said the old
preacher. "He knows these men and their ways."
David could not prevail upon his father to remain
at home, and so together, upon horseback, they
started at once through the darkness for Sackett's
Harbor. It was only a short ride, and in less than
an hour they were in the Colonel's quarters and had
told him all the story.

The Colonel shook his head. " It 's a sad piece of
work. The end is coming soon, for we sha'n't stand
this much longer. We are bound to have another
war with England, and this thing will be settled.
But that doesn't give you back your boy," said he.

TIIK SEAllCII FOR ANDHKVV FIKLI)

"What did you siiy the name of the ship was? " he
in(|uired of David.

"Tiie Osprt'v," replied David. "And I'm sure
its a luan of war."

"Yes, I know," said the Colonel smiling; "hut
that doesn't help it any. 1 know some of the
Osprey's men. I 've met the Captain a number of
times. But he would either deny all this, or not
give up your son," said he, turning to Mr. Field,
"even if he knew; for they know the war is eoming,
and they are getting ready for it, which is more
than we arc doing. I don't know why Congress
can't see what is before us, and that it must be
met."

"Have you any idea as to where the Osprey was
bound ? " said he after a minute's silence, turning
again to David.

"No, only she seemed to be going from mo."

"I have heard she was eoming down the lake, and
I do not think she was going back to Oswego. It
must be there was some snniggling going on."

"I'm sure there was," said David, "for they
landed a nuui right there by Smugglers' Roeks, and
in a little while came for him again. There was
something wrong, and I 'm sure its snuiggling."

"It's more than likely,'' responded the Colonel.
"And if that's so they must have headed for King-
ston. I think your best plan will be to go to

LI)

p was ';:' " ho

d 1 'm sure

iling; "hut
lino of tlic
I iiumher of
this, or not
Mr. FieUl,
• is coining,
ch is more
\y Congress
it must he

Osprcy was
ice, turning

imc."
ic lake, and
Oswego. It
ig on."

" for they
Rocks, and

There was
gling."
lie Colonel,
d for King-
B to go to

THE NEWS AT IKIME

KinL'ston and see what yon can do. I will give you
n letter to the eoininnnder of tht; Osprey, and if he is
the niiin 1 think he is, he may give you l»aek your
hoy. There 'rt a party going to start from here in
the morning for Kingston, and I 'm sure you could
get carried over there with them."

Not strong in hope, and yet not knowing of any-
thing hetter, the little i)arty withdrew from the
Colonel's quarters and went down the village street
to make arrangements for their passage to Kingston.
This was very easily done after their story had hecn
told, and then David and his father started for
home.

It was only then that David hegan to realize how
tired he was. But he knew how much depended
upon him, and how little hia father could do, so
hravely he hent to his task.

Some of the friends were still at his home when
David returned, and when the visit to Colonel Bet-
tinger had been related, and the approval of all had
hecn given to their proposed journey to Kingston,
David took his tallow candle and went up the ladder
to his room in the attic.

He could hear the low and earnest tones of his
father and mother as they talked, while his mother
prepared the lunch for their journey. But silence
soon came over all, and David, after tossing in his
bed and thinking of the stirring scenes of the

t
¥■

■^■.

ikaai^

THE SKARCII FOR AN'DHKW FIKLI)

morrow, nml wondering wlioro and how Andrew
then was, nt last fell into a dcpp sloop, from which
ho was only aroused hy the voice of Iiis mother
calling him in the morning.

"Come, David, its time you and your father were
off."

-<<Miiiiii»LwlHw^a— faa

A TUU' TO KINGSTON

*v Andrew
i(tin which
liH iiiothi'i*

uthor wci'o

CHAPTER III

A TRIP TO KINGSTON

''T^flK three men who were to bo the companions
A of David and his father were waiting when
they arrived at the shore.

"This is a spanlting breeze, and we intist be off at
once," said the one who was to act as skipper. And
in a short time the little sailboat was rapidly skim-
ming the wator. The men looked compassionately
at David and his father, for they knew the story, and
i.) preciated their disinclination to talk, and after
a few questions, and some hopeful words, confined
their conversation to themselves. They were going
over to Kingston to see about some cattle. Their
conversation had little of interest for David and his
father, and they were soon left to themselves.

The long day passed on. The wind was fresh, and
the boat flew like a bird over the water. They
swept round Pillar Point, and David recalled the
day, a year before, when he and his brother had
fished along the shore, and had carried home a beat-
load of fish and pond lilies, and some of the lilies
he could see now, growing in the same place.

I .

i^'

TIIK SEARCH F(»U ANDREW FIELD

"Wo shall make KiiiK'ston by four o'l-lock," said
the skippor. "It isn't ul'teii wo can get a l.rcczc
like this."

"TIh- sooner tlu- better," said Pavid.
"Well, what arc you K'<Miig to do when you get
over there?" asked the skipper.

David turned to his father for a reply. He had
not any clear idea in his own mind.

"1 have a letter from Colonel JJettinger to the
couunander of the Fort, and one to the captain of
the Osprey. We hope she will put in there, and
perhaps we can bring Andrew back with us."

The men said nothing, but the look they gave one
another showed how hopeless they considered the
task to be.

But the Canadian shore was now clearly to be
seen. The walls of the fort and the stone houses of
the town began to rise out of the water.

The little boat was run in alongside the dock, and
in a few minutes David and his father were on their
way ui» the hill toward the fort.

" We 're going back in the morning, and if ye
want to go ye can," called out the skipper.

"We'll see you again anyway," said David, and
he turned to catch up with his father.

"What a lot of ship-building they do here," said
David, as he saw along the shore the shipyards that
seemed to him so new and strange.

"* ';'TBPffB^j|F^ff3n|y"

r.n

A TRIP TO KINfiSTON

clock," said
ijet a breeze

icn you get

ly. lie had

ingcr Id the
e cajttain of
1 there, and
th us."
hey gave one
iisidered the

learly to be
)no houses of

:hc docl<, and
were on their

g, and if ye

ippcr.

d David, and

o here," said
hipyards that

«Yc9, Kincaton is a groat place for ships. The
Osprcy was built licrc, an.l I'm alraid there'll bo
a lot more like her s(.on," said his father, gloomily.
"They 'vc got a good fort here anyway."
"Yes, Chjvcrnor General Frontenac built a fort
here almost a hundred and fifty years ago. Tliero
is n't a stronger place along the lake or the St.
Lawrence than Kiiig8t(m, except Quebec. It's a
centre now. That 's why I have come here."

"Do you see," said David, "what a lot of soldiers
they have hero ? " as he pointed to long lines of strag-
gling redcoats, who were on their way to the fort.
" Yes. They 're going up to dress parade now."
"Shall we sec it?" said David, forgetting fur a
moment the puri)08e of their journey.

"We won't stop for that if we can help it," replied
his father; and David felt ashamed as h' thought
of Andrew. Whci^ was he now ?

"I shouldn't thi^k they'd need so many men
here," said he.

"They don't. It is no good omen that there arc
so many cither. 1 tell you these Hritish mean fight,
and we on the other side are doing nothing. It'll
be a hard fight when it comes, and they 'II be ready
for it, and we won't."

But they were near the fort now. The sentinel
halted them. They gave the letter from Colonel
Bettinger to him, and he gave it to a comrade near.

' -'i.^^i9BHlS^'

/•

(r~^

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"Here, take this to the Colonel. You stay here."
sai<l tlie sentinel to David and his father, *'and wait
till word comes."

In a few minutes they received word that they
were to go to the Colonel's quarters, and passed
within the grounds.

David had never seen anything like the solid
masonry of the fort, and his eyes were open to every
sight.

But in a few minutes they were ushered into the
Colonel's presence. He was a stout man, with a
red face and a pompous manner. His attitude boded
no good for his visitors.

"Well, sir, what do you want of me?" said he.

"I thought Colonel Bettinger's note would ex-
plain," said Mr. Field. "My son has been taken
against his will on board the Osprey, and I thought
you would help me get him back."

"I know nothing about it, sir. Probably the
Captain knew what he was about. We want men,
and when we find one that belongs to us we don't
cure where he came from. You were born in Eng-
land, I presume ? "

"No, sir," said Mr. Field indignantly. "I was
born in Vermont. My father was born in England,
but r belong in America."

" 0, well, ' Once a Briton always a Briton. ' We
planted the Colonies with our men; they really

lELl)

9U stay hero. "
er, "and wait

»rd that they
I, and passed

ike the solid
open to every

lered into the

man, with a

a^ttitude boded

le?" said he.
»te would ex-
s been taken
ind I thought

Probably the
Te want men,
us we don't
born in Eng-

itly. "I was
a in England,

Briton.' We
; they really

A TRIP TO KINGSTON

belong to us now. And when we find a good man
he is ours still."

"Then you '11 not help mc get back my boy," said
Mr. Field olowly.

"1 don't know your boy; besides, the Osprey
isn't here and won't be for two weeks yet. And I
think Captain Snaith knows his work. I let him
run the Osprey, and I run Kingston. Good day,
sir." And the Colonel turned to his desk, from
which he had not risen, and began to write. David
and his father withdrew, and hope seemed to have

gono.

Once outside the garrison David had to take the
lead. His father, dazed and helpless, seemed ready
to give up all hope.

" David, what can we do ? The Colonel won't help
us, and the Osprey won't be here for a fortnight.
Shall we go home?"

"We '11 get a place to sleep in first. Let 's go to
the. tavern where the men are."

A few inquiries and a short walk brought them
to a little place called a tavern by courtesy. Upon
entering, they found their three companions talking
earnestly with a stranger; he was evidently a sailor,
and wore the uniform of the King's navy.

"We 've been holding this fellow till you came,"
said their skipper. "We thought you might like to
talk with him."

3 ' "■

, J

u.a.ujW B mwww ' iwo-n - ^'H" '' ' ! "

»»«K

w*^'

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

« Yc8 ? " said Mr. Field. " Does be know anything
that'll help us?"

" Well, he ought to. He 's from the Osprey.

A man from the Osprey 1 David was all atten-

tion. . . . • V

"Yes," continued the skipper, "he 's just m. Ye

sec, his time was up yesterday, and he thought he

wouldn't wait for the Osprey to come to Kingston.

He just got some friends to sail him over."

" Do you know anything about my son ? " said Mr.

Field turning to the stranger.

"Yer right," replied the sailor. "If he's the

younker thai come aboard the Osprey yesterday, I

know som'at." , „ t^. ^A

"Where is he now? " eagerly asked Mr. Field.
, " Aboard the Osprey I guess," said the sailor with

a laugh.

" Are they going to keep him ? "

"That's .1,0 Cap'n's plan. He'salikely ycunker,
and they need men." ., • .

"lie '11 get off and run away," said David inter-.

rui)ting. ^ . • , •

"0 no, I guess not. The Cap'n gin bun a
couple o' whacks that '11. teach him. He won't go
ashore very often either." , :, »,

"Did he strike him? What for?" asked Mr.

Field. , „ , . ,

"0, well, ye see, his sails was pretty full o wind.

.-r.»»»» *'n>,» J i--i" ;i *M ! «««*'"

nything

.1 atten-

in. Yc
(Ught he
ingston.

said Mr.

[\e 's the
crday, I

I'ield.
ilor with

ycunker,
vid inter-
in him a

won't go

isked. Mr,
[1 o' wind.

*,;

A TRIP TO KINGSTON

Pie had a lot to say about his being a American
citizen, and the Cap'n had to show him who was
boss. But he gin in, all quiet like, and I guess he
won't be troubled any more."

" Where 's the Osprey bound ? " said Mr. Field,
quietly, after a silence.

"0, I don' know. They've got some business
along shore first. By and by they 're comin' here;
but not just yit."

The sailor turned to go. The evening was far
gone now. There was nothing more that could be
done. So David and his father took a candle and
started for their room.

" Guess you 'd better go long home with us in tho
mornin'," called out the skipper kindlj'.

"I think so too," said Mr. Field, and he turned
wearily away.

The early morning found the party started on
their homeward journey. Mr. Field was hopeless,
and David'a heart sank as he saw how pale and weak
he was. What a return it would be, to go home and
add to his mother's sorrow when no me. 'age from
Andrew was given, and his father sick and helpless!
But David was thinking. Must he now give up
and leave Andrew to get away from the Osprey as
best he could ? He knew Andrew would never have
left him in that way, and yet what could he, a boy
only sixteen years old, do ? But he would do some-

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

thing; and in silence he was working over the prob-
lem throughout their homeward journey.

The wind was not so favorable as they hud had
going over; the calm came. David took his turn
at the oars with the men, but his father was down
below stretched upon a rough couch made for him of
coats and blankets.

It was late at night when they arrived at Sackett's
Harbor. The houses loomed up in the darkness as
if they were twice their natural size. How should
he get his father home ? David already felt the
responsibility growing upon him.

But the boat had hardly been made fast to the
dock when he heard a voice calling to him that he
knew right well. Quickly he sprang ashore, and in
a moment his voice could be heard in eager conv.-
sation with some one upon the dock. His father
called, but David did not hear. And when he
climbed upon the dock, and looked around and called
again, no voice replied, and David had disappeared.

:ld

tcr the prob-

hcy hud had
3ok hia turn
cr was down
lo for him of

at Sackett's

darkness as

How should'

ady felt the

fast to the
him that he
shore, and in
niger conv.-
His father
nd when he
nd and called
disappeared.

DAVID FOKMS A PLAN

CHAPTER IV

DAVID FORMS A PLAN

ELIJAH SPICER and his brother Henry were
deeply interested in the visit of David and his
father to Kingston. The boys had been friends for
ten years, and at many a husking bee and picnic
they had been leaders together. Over on Stony
Island they had often been camping, and now there
was on that island a shanty they had built, and
which had formed for them a shelter many a night
in the fall, when they had gone fishing and gunning
there.

When Elijah had returned from the meeting at
David's house, and had excitedly told his father of
the seizure of Andrew, the family had talked over
the affair until late into the night. And when they
had learned of David's departure for Kingston, they
all had hoped for good things.

Mr. Spicer, however, was doubtful of any good
which was to come from the visit; and Elijah had
great respect for his father's opinion.

"Mark my words," said Mr. Spicer. "No good
will come of that visit. The Britishers won't let the

■i

.",8

TlIK SKAUCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

boy go, and besides I don't believe the Osprey has
gone to Kingston. She has too much to do aU»ng
shore yet."

"Do you think she smuggles, father?" asked

Elijah.

"Think! No, I don't think, I know. How do
you suppose some neighbors of ours have so much
when they don't work half as hard as we do ? "

"Well, but when do you think David and his
father will come back from Kingston ? Do you think
they '11 stay there and wait ? "

"No; Mr. Field is a sick man. I 'vc been afraid
this shock would be too much for him anyway," said
Mr. Spicer.

" We can do something to help them, can't we ? "
asked Elijah.

" I don't know as there 's much you can do to
help," replied his father. "If they come back late
at night, you and Henry might be there at the dock
with the horses. That 'U bring them home easier and
earlier if they should come back in the night-time."
It was in accord with this suggestion that Elijah
had acted, and, when darkness came on, and he
had heard from David's mother that the party had
not returned, he had taken his horse and led two
others to Sackett's Harbor. He had been waiting
by the dock for some time, and, although he always
denied that he had fallen asleep there, it was strange

LI)

Osprey has
to do along

;r ? " asked

7. Ilow do
ive so much
do ? "

sid and his
)o you think

been afraid
nyway," said

can't we ? "

u can do to
me back late
3 at the dock
ne easier and
light-time,"
I that Elijah

on, and he
he party had

and led two
been waiting
gh he always
t was strange

DAVID FORMS A TLAN

that he did not hear the boat when it first came to

the dock.

It was his voice David had heard, and to-rcther
the boys had started on the run for the tavern sheds
where the horses were tied.

It was but a few minutes before they were at the
dock again with the horses. Mr. Field, now that he
was so near home, thought he could endure the ride,
and insisted upon going to his own house.

Slowly the little party started for home. Elijah
and David were on either side of Mr. Field to be
ready in case any accident befell him, but all came
safely at last into the farm-yard and found a warm
reception within. Disappointment was keenly felt
by all who were there, but no strong hopes had been
cherished of success at Kingston.

The old preacher was present too, and as he lis-
tened to David's story of his reception at Kingston,
and as he told of the number of redcoats he had seen,
he shook his head and said •. —

« The war 's coming ; it surely is. But we are not
getting ready for it. I wish I could tell some one at
Washington of these last few days on the lake. If
it 's so bad here, it 's surely worse on the seas."

When David that night crept into his bed, which
he shared with Elijah, for a long time he tossed and
rolled, until at last Elijah called out to him, » David,
why in the world don't you go to sleep ? "

■'r

THE SEARCH FOR ANDRKW FIELD

"I can't. I'm thinking of Andrew. I wondo"
what he 's doing now. 1 'm ghul 1 did n't tell mother
how the captain ol the Osprey knocked him down."

"Well, David, what are you going to do about
it?"

"That 's just it," replied David. "Hero 's father,
he 's sick, and 1 don't much believe he 's going to be
any better, at least very soon; and all the time
there 's Andrew probably being pounded and set at
all sorts of dirty work by the 08i)rey'8 men, and he
a wondering why we don't come and get him."

" Why don't you go, then, and get him ? " asked
Elijah.

"Do you think I could?" said David, thought-
fully. "I wish 1 could."

"I'll tell you what," said Elijah. "Leave your
father here, and let the preacher stay here too.
He '11 be glad to help, and he can do the milking and
look after the chores. Then Henry and you and 1
can start out in our boat and cruise along shore, and
perhaps we can do something to help Andrew. If
we can't, we sha'n't lose much ; and they won't take
us, you know. They'd a taken you when they
pressed Andrew if they 'd wanted boys."

"1 believe we can do that," replied David,
thoughtfully. "I don't know whether my father
would let me go. Do you think yours would ? "
"Yes, 1 do," said Elijah. "We haven't done

■WffiwasK^'S'*

DAVID FORMS A I'l.AN

I woiuU""
'11 mntlior
I down."

do about

! 's father,
oing to be

the time
iiid set at
liii, and he
in."

?" asked

, thought-

jcave your
here too.
ilking and
you and 1
shore, and
idrew. If
«ron't take
vhen they

3d David,
my father
Id?"
en't done

much hut talk about what we" could do to help you
since this thinj? happened." ,„ * ii,

MVoll, 1 think it's a good thing, and we 11 (a He
with the folks about it in the morning." And the
boys rolled over in bed and were soon asleep.

Early in the morning their plan was laid before
their parents. Mr. Field was worse than he had
been the night before, and no help could be expected
from him; but David's eagerness seemed to inspire

the others. , „

"How shall we get along here at homo u you go .

said his mother. "There '11 be no one to milk and

help about the place."

"1 didn't know but Mr. Dodd might be willing to

stay here awhile."

"Surely I will," said the preacher. "I favor the

^°« fiitT've lost one son, and 1 don't want to lose
YOU too," said his mother.

David saw her eyes fill and her chin quiver, and
eoin* quickly up to her he said : —

- But they won't take me. If they 'd wanted me,
they 'd taken me with Andrew. We 'II just cruise
along shore and see. We may have a chance to let
Andrew know we are around. If he hears my call,

he 'II know I 'm near."

" Your ' call ' ? What 's that ? " said his mother.
David made three caws like a crow's. "That's

Tlir. SKAIU'II V^m ANDIIEW FIKM)

it," siiitl lie. "I know if Andrew Ims been near
shore and lieard any crows lie '» liHtoned Hharp."

"Well, if Mr. S|)icer is willinj^ for liis boys to j^o
in this busy time of the year, 1 '11 not object to your
goint?; only do be careful."

"All right, mother," said David, already outside
the door, as ho and Elijah started toward Mr.
Sjiicer's place.

Mr. Spicer willingly gave his consent as he said:
"The hay can wait better than Andrew can. How
long do yon think you will be gone?" And before
David could reply, he said, "Not less than six
weeks in my opinion, and may bo longer. So you
had better make your plans for a long journey."

All through the day the boys were busy getting
their supplies for their voyage. Their boat was
hardly large enough for them to use at night to sleep
in except in case of storms, so an old tent that be-
longed to Mr. Field was taken on board. Salt pork
and meal formed their chief supplies, and their guns
and fish lines were to help in securing provisions.
The boys were so busy in arranging for their trip
that they at times almost forgot the object of it all;
but the sad face of his mother, as she watched the
boys and helped them get ready for their cruise,
called David back to himself.

"Remember we're going to get Andrew," he
would say; and his brave words would cheer his

bot'ii iirnr
liirp.

boyH to f^o
'<'.t to your

idy outsido
)\vard Mr.

s he Buid :
;aa How
\nd before

than six
So you
rney. "
isy getting

boat was
;ht to sleep
tit that be-

Salt pork

their guns

provisions.

their trip
t of it all;
atched the
uir cruise,

drew," he
cheer his

DAVID FORMS A IM.AS

n..,lluM-, though David, if he had had half as nuu-h
,..,„,,.,,,,., i„ th. S...T..SS of tlu.ir uudn-taku.g as
bin w.rdH H.MMU..d to iuM'ly, would have been glml.
,5nt wh.MU.ver he felt his heart «iuk, he worked t lu,
,,a,der, and the day was goue almost before he

realized it.

"David," said the old preacher to him as he came
f,om the boat the la.t time, M want you to take the

horse and go over and see Colonel Betti..ger before
von start. You M better get n n..te from bun, fm- .t
;„ay he of some use to you if you shouhl get into

trouble." m f

''I'll go and see him," answered David; imt
notes from American colonels don't seem to count
for much on my journeys. I don't see why our
country can't stand up for its own men just as well

as England can."

«You know, David," said the old man, smiling,
"that our nation is young yet. We have had so
,nany things to settle among ourselves that we have
n't been able to do much outside. But 1 lived in
the time of the Revolution. I saw what men could
do then, and they can do the same now, if the occa-
sion demands it," and the old man's voice became
stronger, and his eyes flashed a little as he spoke.
"But I don't believe this country will ever fight.

I wish it would."

"You will Boon see enough to make you sad, and

TIIK SKAUrir FOR ANDHF.W Frr.1,1)

yot prniid of your country, uiy hoy," said tlio old
innu j^ciilly. " I \vii>; willi (Jcucral (irccuc all through
]ii8 Soutlicrn campaigns, and 1 don't helievo th(4(f
WHH n nobler man in the world, unless it was Wanli-
ington; and I know wo haven't degenerated any
duriu}^ the last thirty-five years."

"Some lime I 'm jroing to ask you to tell me about
Cieneral (Jreeiu'," said David, as he sprauj? upon his
hor8(!'s Itack and was soon lost to sight.

Colonel Bet linger was not liopeful of the issue of
the boys' journey; indeed, bo feared trouble for
them, and said bo. Jhit when David told him nil
their plans, and how the boat was provisioned, and
that their parents had given their consent, he wrote
for him two letters. One was to the commander at
Oswego, nnd the other was a general note, stating
that he knew David Field, and asked all who could,
to aid him in his search for his brother.

David thanked the Colonel, and started for home.
He let his horse come from his swinging gallop to a
trot, and from a trot to a walk. lie was thinking of
the morrow, and what it would bring forth. Suppose
he should be taken ? Was it not a great risk he ran
in going on such a journey ? And his heart sank
within him for the time. And then he thought of
Andrew. He could see him now as he was in the
yawl with his face turned toward him, and waving
his hand in farewell.

DAVID FOUM8 A PLAN

tlio Olil
I through

18 WuhIi-
itt'd any

mo about;
iipun Ills

issue of
uble for

him nil
nod, and
he wrote
mndcr at
, statin}?
lie could,

or home,
illop to a
inking of
Suppose
ik he ran
art sank
lought of
IS in the
I waving

"He's the best brother in the world, and I'll do
Huythinji I can for him," said ho to hiniHolf, a»
his spirits rose again, and he started the ho.so into

He found the family all waiting for him, and the
pale face of his father startled him as he came into
the room. The old preacher read a chapter, an<l all
kneeled down to pray. David thought the old man
was not ono to be afraid of now; and he followed
his words, and felt his own heart grow soft, as the
sweet-voiced old man prayed for his young brother
and that the (Jod of battles would go before him with
the pillar of cloud and fire. ^ _

David thought of many things that night in his
little attic room. When would he sleep there again ?
Would he ever come back? And the "cloud and
l)illar" of the preacher's prayer came back to him,
and he was soon asleep.

.. iti ii »iii y * i . '4 . » ii i r I niiri il nt-<ni. <i H i«iri

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER V

A NIGHT ADVENTOBB

DAVID was up in the morning before the sun.
Yet, early as he was, he liad hardly time to go
out to the barns before he heard Elijah and Henry
calling to him. A hurx'ied brealtfast and a hastily
spoken farewell, and the boys were off.

" David, remember your promise to keep near the
shore, and to come ashore whenever a squall comes
up," was the last word he heard.

"All right," he replied, as he lagged a little
behind the other boys, and turned for a parting look
at the little group on the doorstep, waving their
hands to him in farewell.

Their little cat-rigged boat was all ready when
they came to the shore, and the provisions and cook-
ing utensils and tent were as they had left them.
In a few minutes they had put off, and the little
Pilot (for that was the name of their boat) was soon
in motion, and their journey had begun.

" Father said he thought we should have to look
out for a storm to-day," said Elijah, as he turned his

A NIGHT ADVENTURE

the sun.
line to go
,d Henry
a hastily

near the
ill comes

a little
ting look
ng their

Ldy when
ind cook-
jft them,
the little
was soon

e to look
arned his

eyes toward the clouds he saw out over the lake.
" I don't believe he would have let ua come if we
hadn't taken that tent, and promised to sleep every
night on shore."

" Sometimes we can go to a farmhouse," remarked
David; "though I think there is more fun in sleep-
ing in a tent and cooking your own meals."

"So do 1," replied Elijah; "and we can catch
fish, for 1 have brought our bass-lines along," and
he took out his box of fishing tackle. "You know
we alwnys had great luck out here fishing," and he
looked half laughingly at David.

» You could n't beat the catch Andrew and I had
that day he was pressed. But we shall have time
enough to see who can catch the most before we get
home. I don't think we shall be back right away."

"I don't either," said Elijah, "and if it weren't
for Andrew, I don't know that I should care. This
is more fun than haying. We should have to begin
that pretty soon, and father wants us to get back
in time if we can."

The boat sped on. The wind was rising, and
the air became chilly.

"We 're going down along the Rocks first, to see

if we can find out anything about the Oaprey. If

she 's gone across the lake, we '11 go right back home,

so as to be there to help the men," said David.

"We sha'n't get very far to-day," said Elijah, as

MiiifiiKifl>iAii

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

the spray began to dash over the boat. " I don t
much like the looks of things. We are going t^'. have
some squalls, I know from the way the clouds look."

The boat began to roll, and the air became darker
every minute.

" I guess we '11 put up under the loc of that island
and wait a while," said David, who held the tiller in
his hand.

"That's the best thing to do," said Henry. "I
know a man who came over here fishing, and he got
driven under the lee of this island, and he had to stay
here three days before he could get ashore again."

"That 's a cheerful prospect," said David. "But
we can stand it. We can crawl into the boat if it
rains too hard for the tent, and we *ve got enough
to eat if we can get a fire," said he, laughing.

The rain came with the wind. All through the
day the boys remained there, not more than five
miles from home, and yet afraid to venture forth.
But later in the afternoon the storm abated, and the
wind died down.

" We '11 go on over beyond the Rocks and get a
place to stay to-night," said David.

"Are you going to a house or to camp out?"
asked Henry.

"0, we '11 try the house first and sec. The Smiths
live over there somewhere. I don't know them very
well, but they '11 keep us over night I think."

" I d0!i t

ingt'-. liave
uds look."
lue darker

hat island
le tiller in

onry. "I
and he got
liad to stay
again."
id. " But

boat if it
;ot enough
ing.
irough the

than five
ure forth,
d, and the

and get a

rap out?"

rhe Smiths
them very
ik."-

A NIGHT ADVKN'TURE

" I 'vc heard some queer stories about the Smiths
and the smugglers," said Elijah; "but I don't be-
lie vo half I hear."

As they came ucaicr shore the wind began to rise
again and the rain to fall. The boys were silent,
but they were working and watchful. .The dull
afternoon grew darker all the time.

"It must be after sunset," said Henry. "Do you
know where the Smiths live ? I don't."

"Yes, I know," said David, "and it won't take us
long to get there."

By the time the boys had run the little Pilot into
u cove, and anchored her fast, and covered every-
thing of value in her to keep the rain out, it was
dark, and the rain was coming down harder than
before. It was with great difficulty the boys could
find their way, as they slowly pushed on along the
rough country road.

It was late in the evening when they came to the
Smiths' house, but there was a light in the kitchen
that showed they were at home and awake.

The sharp knock upon the door which the boys
gave brought a hurrying of footsteps inside, and a
moving of the lights. They heard the bolt slip in
the door, but no word of welcome came to them.

Another spell of knocking caused a window in the
chamber overhead to be raised, and a shrill voice
called out, "Who's there ?"

TUB SKAUCll I'UK jiNDUliVV FIKLI)

"Some boys caught in the storm," replied David.
" VVliat boys ? " was the question that cainc down

to tllt'Ul.

"The Field and Spicer boys from over by Sack-
ett's," was the reply.

There was a moment's hesitation, a whispered
conversation, and then the bolt was drawn, the door
was opened, and the boys entered.

They saw three women, or rather one woman and
two tall girls, evidently her daughters, who stood
back and looked shyly, and yet with great interest,
at their belated and wet guests.

"We were caught in the storm," said David, "and
we should like it very much if you would give us
shelter for the night. We '11 [)ay you for all the
trouble we make," added he, after a moment.

"It isn't the money 1 'm thinking of," said the
woman. " I don't see how I can let ye in to-night.
And yet I hate to turn you out in this rain," she
added, as there came a heavier dash against the
windows. "Well, if you '11 sleep on the floor in the
attic, I guess ye can stay," she finally said.

The boys were glad of this welcome, ungracious as
it seemed to be. And as they sat by the fireplace
drying themselves before they went to bed, they told
the story of Andrew's seizure, and of the object of
their journey.

" The Osprey, did ye say V " said the woman,

.1)

A NIGHT ADVENTUUE

ied David,
came down

!r by Sack-
whispered
'n, the door

troman and

who stood

at interest,

»avid, "and
lid give us
for all the
ent.

," said the
n to-night,
rain," she
igainst the
floor in the
d.

gracious as
le fireplace
1, they told
e object of

he woman,

sharply ; and a (piick glance passed from the daugh-
ters to their mother. " Why, that 'a a man o' war,
and you boys could n't do anything if you did find
her. If my man was home, ho 'd tell you so too.
He'll be here pretty quick."

But the boys were all dry and warm now, and ,
asked to be shown up stairs.

The girls took a couple of candles and led the way
to the unfinished attic room. David was impressed
by the number of strong chests that lined the room,
each locked with a heavy padlock. He thought of
what Elijah had said about the Smiths being con-
nected with the smugglers; but the girls had gone
now, and the boys silently were getting ready for
bed. David examined the door, and found it could
be locked only from the outside. "1 don't just like
the looks of things," said he to Elijah; "but we '11
get out of this early in the norning."

But just then they heard a heavy tramping down
stairs, and they knew some men had entered.

"It 's Mr. Smith and Elihu come home, I guess,"
whispered Henry to Elijah.

" There 's more than two of 'em. Hark ! what 's
that ? " said David quickly.

The boys listened, but could hear only the voices
of the persons below as they engaged in earnest
conversation.

"I tell you I know that voice," whispered David,

'liri'iiiiiiitliOTirT - -- -' ■-

;

ii i

» V

TJIK SKAKCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

excitedly. "That's the boatswain of the Osprey,
I know it is. I could tell those tones it' 1 heard
them in China, We 're in a box, boys. I 'm going
down to see what's going on," said he. "You
stay here and wait." And in his bare feet David
crept out of the room, and waited and listened upon
the stairs.

The woman was telling of the coming of the boys;
and as David listened he could hear her tell of their
journey and its object.

"I don't know what you let them in for, anyway,"
growled her husband. " Here's the Osprey close by,
and no one knows what they may sec and hear.
Besides, those chests upstairs are not empty either."

"Well," said the boatswain, "I don't care for the
boys. We 've got this Andrew they 're after. It
may get you into trouble if they suspect anything.
We 're going to have trouble with the United States
anyway pretty soon, and I don't care if we begin
now. These boys don't come alone; there's more
than a party of younkers in this."

"But you don't think we 're going to have a war,
do you ? " inquired Smith.

" Well, it looks that way. You see in the other
war Great Britain was having too much trouble with .
France just then to bother about the Colonies. But
she did n't like to be whipped by a lot of backwoods-
men. She had just as soon have another bout as

^MiwaM

A NIGHT ADVKNTIHE

f Osprey,
t' I heard
[ 'm going
0. " You
cet David
;ened upon

the boys;
ill of their

anyway,"
\' close by,
and hear.
ty either. "
re for the

after. It

anything,
ted States

we begin
re 's more

avp a war,

the other
ouble with .
nies. But
tackwoods-
3r bout as

not. But these boys can't make any trouble. We 've
•rot this fellow, Andrew, at work, and we 've found
out he can work too. We '11 be off in the morning
before they 're up, and they won't siispect anybody 's
bct-nherc. Whew, how it ruins!"

"I don't like their being here at all. They'll
get me into trouble," said Smith. "I guess the
safest thing for me to do will be to look after them
a little myself," and he started for a candle, with
the evident intention of paying the boys a visit in

their room.

David hurriedly and quietly ran back to the boys.
"They're coming up here," he excitedly whispered
to his companions. " The door opens this way ; let 's
hold it if we can." And the boys braced themselves
against the door. It was so dark they could not
see one another's faces, but David was sure the other
boys could hear his heart beat. It sounded to him
like the rapid strokes of a sledge-hammer. " Hark !
he 's coming," whispered he. « If he finds the door
is fast, I don't believe he will try to get in."

The stealthy footsteps drew nearer, the boards
creaked, and their visitor stopped. The light from
his candle came in through the cracks.

"He's coming; he's right here," whispered
David; "now hold on."

The man was by the door, and he was evidently
listening; but no sound came from within. David

THE SKAKCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

gave Elijah a mulge witli his elbow to show the time
of action hud come; btit there was no picssuro
against the door. They heard the bolt steadily and
quietly slipped into its jdace from the outside, and
the retreating footsteps of the man as he went down
stairs with stealthy tread. The door was locked,
and the bova were t.rnnnod

■-s,-,.

LI)

AN ESCAl'K

iw the time
10 pressure
teadily and
mtside, and
went down
raa locked,

CHArTER VI

AN ESCAPE

T-„E tays faced a ,lU»mma. Thoy had no light,
T"Ll Un, with »Hcht„nv.Uc one *ey
could not .CO one anolhert faces. A Uttlo l.„n

T- rrf i:^ -"». '"'r;; ^^^'^

„i „„a li.trnin" to U\c sound of the voices
ping soltly, and Ustemn, ^^^^^ ^^

that ca,ne up '""^^^'-^-./^..^y „„„,d now dimly
MlooKcdontatthc mght. 1 y ^

r^sI^TaCdMralional glimpses of the

"'i'SIhe hest thing we can do is to get out of
tMs "tidEliiah. "Thcythin.they.vegot;.ssu.e,
hntWyninndweacenotsoeasOy augM^ , ^^^^
"Supvose some of them suo.n

"?SJ; .„ honll to have trouble it we stay here£
DavrdUlied," and I think the best thing we can do

THE SEAHCH KOH ANDIM.W FIKI-D

ia to mako a break. It ia u't over ten feet ti; the
j^nnind, uiid I 'm not iifraiil to try thiit. We eiin let
ourselves out of tlic wiiulow, and uiak(> for the boat."

"You go firHt," said Elijah to David. So, care-
fully crawling Ihrough th«' wind(tw, David let hiuisclf
fall to the ground. Henry followed, and then eanio
Elijah; but a8 he was getting ready to let liiumelf
down, a sound from within the houao atartled him,
and letting go, he came to the ground in such a
manner that his shoes serai)ed the sides of the
house, and the noise he made was heard within.
There was a rush for the door, but Elijah had made
for the road with the others, and now they could not
be seen. Secure in the durkness, they waited a
moment for all three to come together, and to see
■what was likely to take place in the house.

Even as they were waiting, they heard the voice
of Smith calling from the window of the room they
had left: "They're gone. Get after them, for if
they get away I 'm a ruined man. They must have
left their boat down by the cove, and we '11 cut across
and get them yet, and atop their talking."

The boys Avaited for no further hint. Together
they started, unmindful of the mud and water that
splashed upon them from the puddles through which
they ran. They never, stopped to take breath imtil
they came all panting to the little Pilot, which lay
just where they had anchored her. It was short

i.-...: .-

;^::;;;."i-i,-i?i,».^=i^.=v-..^-H--^^«'a^' Ynrt'f'-i'mn.'KM ,

ict t(f the
re cnn lot
ho bout."
So, caro-
L't hiiiiscll'
hen cainc
't liiniHcll'
tl(>(l hiiii,

11 HlU'h u
'8 of tllO

d williin.

had made
conhl not
waited a

iiid to SCO

ISO.

the voice
room they
nn, for if
nu8t have
cut across

Together
water that
ugh which
eath until
which lay
was short

■( I, \\\IIN'' I"'-'

\>\ 111 1 I I II'

M-l I I I \l I •

AN KSCAVK

«.nvk to pull up the anchor and take the oars for a
XtloLr. They aid not stop to raise.1^^^^^^^^^^^^
L thoir only purpose now was to put all the dis

Thov heard the voices of the iiion a> incy
:,Z lir oa,., ,0 that the „oi.e thoy made would
"l-rrrrrWca^e into the cove at a>V.

*e,hoa,.dthehoai.wai„.ay. ;^''"X,^-X
iv„n flinv for we cut across lots, xiii-y
here sooner than thcj, loi we ..u

must he somewhere else." ^ ,„,„ ,i,i- "

"If they .«, they are gone from here before th.s
answered Smith. "We might a. well go home and
; romc of this mud off. Tho)--' have heard

what we were saying down ^^"fJ'l^^fl^XT.t
ily "and they'll report it at Sack ett s the first

tog. I don't believe a word of that stor, ah u
S being after their brother. I l'- *- ^">^

are not such fools as to let a parcel <>' J™"'"-" f

off alone like that. But that doesn't help me any.

I wish I never had touched your stuft. __

'. But you 've made some money, have n t you .

said the boatswain. "I don't see what you are

'Tyr^'soe what all the folks around here
thinlotml UeeiasiflwasacousinofBe„ed,ot

Arnold."

! i! « Biii».aina3n*

s^.^r^^^^"'

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"You're in fer it, anyhow," replied his com-
panion. "I'm going back to the Osprey; don't
you want to go, too ? There arc some fellows at
Oswego who are coming aboard. We '11 take care
of you now."

"No, I 'm going home. I don't know what I '11 do
next. I 'm in a scrape sure, and perhaps I will join
you after a little," he added.

" Well, I 'm off for the Osprey. Wc sha'n't be
here again in a good while now. We 've got other
work on hand. Good by," he added, as he turned
to go.

There was silence soon upon the shore, and th.
boys turned again to their oars. "We '11 go down
the shore a little way, and anchor. Some one of us
will have to keep guard, but two can go to sleep, and
we '11 all take turns," said David.

An hour's row brought them to the mouth of a
large creek that emptied into the lake. " Here 's a
good place to anchor," said David. "You two turn
in, and I '11 stay on guard till I get tired, and then
I '11 call one of you."

The long hours of the night passed on, and David
shared his duty with Elijah. The morning light
brought to them a clear day, and they looked out over
the lake to see if they could see anything of the
Osprey.

But the lake was all quiet, and not a sail was to

AN ESCAPE

his com-

ey;

don't

fellows at
take care

tiat I '11 do
I will join

sha'n't be
got other
he turned

;, and th-
1 go down
3 one of us
sleep, and

loutfc of a
" Here 's a
u two turn
[, and then

and David
ning light
id out over
ing of the

sail was to

be seen. "We HI cook our hreaktast on shore,

guc*," said David. •, m;;-!,. "I -vc

"HoW on a minute, David," ""'l ^ 'jf- \ "

heen llshing here l>efore this, and I know th.s

gfound Let's try for some bass; they'd be good

^rlt then, and let Henry and .c go ashore
and get a fi.; started, if we can find any wood d,y

"sfaiiah set the two boys on shore, and then
pushed out to try his h,ek with the fish.

"Tl,is is a fine idaeo to camp in, sa.d Henry.
.1 .riikc to stay here a week. We could p.teh onr
tent under those rocks and have a 8°~

"Yes, and the Osprcy could see .t all it she came
alon , and then what could we do for Andrew? I
want to find some one to help us get h.m out of h,s

%t boystmd some wood that was dry enough to
burn and started back toward the shore. The w,ld
rrrrle. grew profusely there, »nd Henry stopped
to fill his hati and when he came back to the shore
Datd hid the fire started, and Elijah was w>th h,n.
Taning a large bass. Four others, hardly yet dead,

-r.rgtYT:::!::ft might come handy
"S:;"^'ca-rtyb.ak.as. Thcyhadbeen

THE SEAHCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

in the woods so often that camping ont was ar old
experience. The fish they fried with salt pork, and
the berries made a good dessert. Elijah was an
expert with corn meal, and it was but a little time
before' the boys, refreshed and rested, were ready
to rcsiuncttheir journey.

" You h^'d what the boatswain said, did n't you ? "
inquired David. "I have a letter to the commander
at Oswego, and the boatswain said they were going
to take on some men there. I think the best thing
we can do is to push on toward Oswego. Perhaps it
won't be too late after we get there, for it can't bo
that the Osprey has gone ahead of us. She isn't
anywhere in sight now, and the sooner we start out
the better."

To this the other boys agreed, and the Pilot was
soon headed up the lake, the boys keeping well in
near shore.

"The boatswain said last night there would be war
soon between the United States and England," said
David. " I 'm glad of it, and I hope it '11 come. If
England can come in here and take any of our men
right off our own boats, I don't see where the
freedom is. They say we live in the land of the
free."

"Don't you remember last winter up in the check-
ered schoolhouse how we parsed the Declaration of
Independence? Well, that said all men were created

AN ESCAPE

IS ar old
pork, and
I was an
ittle time
3rc ready

I't you ? "
mmander
ere going
jest thing
'erhaps it
; can't be
She is n't
! start out

Pilot was
g well in

lid be war
md," said
come. If
f our men
yhere the
ad of the

;he check -
aration of
re created

cl It Bcems to me, the English are

get him, and yet I thinK « ,

W.« «>ey «•'" ^ .fTT' The wind wa, light, and
So the boj« -"""""-ort dead against them. But
what there was, "» f T ' ^rey. At night they
.hey gained »° ''f °\*;°;;;;L a little within
went ashore, and placed the . tent J
the trees that came almost down to Ore wate k

^'^r:rrirrtS^:u"aU
r r«r Biiia*. - -r:r«s

as Henry, wishmg to take ^"'^'^ ^^ j„„„d
had eanght some fresh ones. Jheberrr^ ,
in as great abundance as ever, and attei
supper they were i-eady i^^'^^. , „ ^^.4 Elijah.
..Shall we keep » g^"^ "^f^'^ ,,,, a fre they

wiii':::.'::-::^"--^^^^^^^^^
r;rwt:rgr:r:^£--»-

UhUndpntsomefreshJ^-n-hre. ^^^^_^^.^
WHh a roanng «« '"'^^^/^^^y bankets, and

:;:terrho:ghr:Mchth;hadcnt.ora

-yir-

THE SEAKCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

bed, and piled high up 'n their tent, they slept as
only boys know how when they are camping in the
woods. Once Elijah rose and placed some fresh logs
upon the smouldering fire, and once David did the
same. He looked out over the water in the moon-
light to see if he could see anything upon the lake.
But nothing was in sight, and the only sound he
could hear was an owl out among the trees, and the
lapping of the little waves of the lake, as they fell
upon the pebbly beach at his feet.

In the early morning, after another breakfast upon
fish caught for the occasion by Henry, the boys set
sail. The day was calm and beautiful, — too calm
for sailing, the boys thought. Another night came,
and again the boys camped upon the shore, and re-
peated their experiences of the previous night.

"We can't be very far from Oswego now," said
David. " It was n't much over fifty miles from home,
anyway. We must be pretty near there now. "

"Yes, I think so, too," answered Elijah, and they
■were not mistaken. In the early part of the next
forenoon they came in sight of the fort.

"What a big place it is," said Elijah, who had
never been from home before, except to the neighbor-
ing settlements. They sailed within the harbor and
admired the place, which to them seemed so large,
situated on either side of the river.

" What a lot of boats there are here ! " said Elijah,

r slept as
ig in the
fresh logs
i did the
he moon-
the lake,
sound he
I, and the
they fell

AN ESCAVE

,„t David did not reply. Elijah turned to see why

""Z^:^ with open .outh, staring at a^shlp
thatlayalongsidethedockthey^^re^^^^^^^^^^^^
followed David's gaze, and saw tne b
floating on which was the word " Osprey. On the
"tTL a man, to whom David pointed, and exc.t-
cdly said, " There 's the boatswain.

fast upon
boys set
too calm
;ht came,
5, and re-
ht.

ow," said
am home,

and they
the next

who had
neighbor-
arbor and
so large,

id Elijah,

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

CIIAPTKR VII
Andrew's experience on the osprey

WHKN Andrew Field had 8te])pcd on board the
yawl, he knew that any resistance on his part
would be useless, and might bring serious trouble
not only upon himself but upon David. Not a word
was spoken by any one as the yawl was pulled back
to the Osprey. Andrew stepped on deck with the
boatswain, who touched his hat and spoke to a man
in uniform who stood watching their return.

"I 've brought a new man," said the boatswain.

The lieutenant smiled, for it was the lieutenant to
whom he spake, and said: "I hope he came willingly.
The King has a good place for able-bodied young
men."

"No sir, 1 did n't come willingly,'-' •eplied Andrew.
"I live, in the United States, and the King of Eng-
iTahd has no right to claim my services. I want to
see the captain."

"You want to see the captain, do you ? " said the
lieutenant with a laugh. "Come with me, and I
think you '11 see him soon enough." And ho led the
way to the captain's quarters. He left Andrew out-

'HRY

n board the
! on his part
ions trouble
Not a word
pulled back
ck with the
ke to a man
rn.

jatswain.
ieutcnant to
le willingly.
)dicd young

led Andrew.

!ing of Eng-

I want to

? " said the

me, and I

d ho led the

Andrew out-

ANDREW'8 EXl'KHIENCE ON THE OSPREY 65

si.le, and stepped within. In a few minutes he
opened the door and called to Andrew to enter.

The captain was a large, full-faced man, and when
he looked at him, Andrew's heart sank. What
could he hope from a man who looked as savagely
at him as did the captain of the Osprey ?

"Then you want to ship aboard the Osprey, do
you ? " said the captain, in a voice that made Andrew
think of their roaring bull at home.

"No, sir, I don't," he replied, quietly. "I was
fishing with my brother out here by the Rocks, and
your men made me come on board. I want to go
home, and I hope you 'II set me ashore and let me

go-"

" I '11 let you go," growled the captain, and, raising

his great fist, he struck Andrew two heavy blows on
either side of his head.

Andrew was almost stunned by the blows, and

could say nothing.

"Take him down to the cook," ordered the captain,
and tell him i» keep him there. ||Too much day-
light wont be good for him just yet."

°And the lieutenant led Andrew away. As he
passed along the deck, almost stunned as he was,
he yet could not help wondering at the great guns
and the number of men he saw. "What do they
want to take me for when they have so many men
already?" thought Andrew bitterly, as he followed

THE SEAKCH FOll AN'DHKW FIELD

his leader. Tliey dt-Hcended into the galley, r.nd the
lieutenant, after a few words to the cook spoken so
low that Andrew could not hear them, left him and
returned to the deck.

Andrew looked up at the cook as the lieutenant
left. He was a short thick-set man, Itut the expres-
sion on his face showed him to Ijc kind-hearted,
and the look lie now cast on Andrew was full of
sympathy. lie had time to notice that he had lost
one leg at the knee, and a wooden stump had taken
its place, which sounded strangely as the cook moved
about the galley.

The cook was the first to break the silence. "1
know, I know all about it. Ye need n't tell mo a
word," said he. "It's (juecr business, but don't ye
give up. You just pitch in and do all ye can, and
wait. The cnp'n Avonld n't thank me for sayin' this
to ye, but 1 'm g(»in' to, just the same. I know, I
know all about it. Ye need n't say a word to me."
And he rattled his dishes and made a great show of
being busy. ^

"Now you just take hold here and help me a little,
and you '11 feel better," he added, as he saw how
downcast and despondent Andrew appeared.

Andrew did as he was told, and in a little while
the cook had drawn from him his entire story. lie
only interrupted by an occasional grunt, and then
rattled his dishes the more. "Bless me! Bless nie!

-1)

cy, f>iul fhe

spoken bo

sft liiin und

lieutenant
the cxprcs-
nd-lioiirted,
wan lull of
lie had lost

had taken
cook moved

ilenoc.

tell me a
lut don't ye
ye can, and

sayin' this

I know, I

ord to me. "

eat show of

me a little,
»e saw how

Ml.

little while

story. IIo

t, und then

Bless nie !

ANDUKW'S KXl'KUIKNTE ON TllK OSI'UKY 67
ye«, yes, 1 know, I know all about it," he Inter-
iected from time to time.

Andrew did not see just how the cook couM know
all about it, but his kindly sympathy was so evident,
that he felt at once that he had found a friend.

"1 suppose you'll be trving to get ashore pretty
soon V " asked the cook. " Yes, yes, 1 know, I know
all about it," he said, when Andrew rei.hed by a
decided nod of the head.

"Wc had a younj? fellow come aboard out by
Nin.^ara, something like you," he added, after a
.nament's silence. " He thought ho 'd go ashore one
ni.ht. 1I(^ started, but I don't think he got there;
leastwise, I never heard he did."
" Why not ? " inquired Andrew.
" Shot," was the reply of the cook.
Andrew started to make another inquiry, but the
cook broke in upon him: "Yes, yes, 1 know, I
know all about it. But 1 want to give ye a little
advice. Don't ye do it. They 'U watch ye sharp
for a time anyway; and my orders is or ye not
to leave the galley. But don't give up, he added
,uietly, as he saw Andrew's face fall. "He P U
come, only ye must wait a spell. I guess yourjolks
won't entirely forgit ye." , , , ^

The reference to his father made Andrew s heart
again sink. He knew how ill he was, and how little
he could expect from David.

Tiir; si;ai{('ii fou andukw kikld

" I Hhii'ii't f(»i%nf to liflp yo," lie niMnl, " wlion the
rijrlit liiiK- poiucs. I iUm'\ wiisti' nny Invo on tlieso
JiritisliciH, though 1 do cook for the Ospi-cy. "

"What ure you doing here, then ?" asked Andrew
in Hurpriso.

"My story 'h a lonj? one. Some time I '11 tell it to
you, but not now," And they turned to their work,
the cook directing Andrew by nn occasiouiil word.
An(h-ew could hear him nuittering to hiniHel.' at
times, "Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," and
often he felt his kindly ghince resting upon him.

Andrew was glad to have found a friend; and he
could see that this simple-hearted man, stinnping
about tl»e galley, and busy with his dishes, would l)c
a helper to him. And the more ho thought about it
the more was he convinced that the cook was right.
Andrew was very certain that he wanted to get away,
but he was just as certain that he did not want to be
shot. He knew orders had been given to watch him,
and that for a time he must appear at least to give
in to the life he would be compelled to lead on ship,
board.

Towards night the lieutenant made his appearance
again, to make inquiry as to how the new man was
getting on.

"We Ml give you something to do on deck by and
by," he said as he departed, pleased with the report
the cook gave him of Andrew's readiness.

t lll l«

.11

" when the
on tliesc

V."

od A nil re wr

11 tell it to
their work,
oiml Word.
liiiiiHel,' lit
ut it," and
n him.
id ; and ho
> stumping
s, would be
ht about it
was right.
) get away,
want to be
ivatch him,
ast to give
d on shi))'

appearance
V man was

jck by and
the report

AXUUKWS KXlKHir.XCK «»N TIIK OSl'UKY

" Ho 's to b»mk with you, and you are to look after
l,i,„," he railed i)ut in a suggestive way to the cook
ua he disappeared.

Andrew, not hop.de«s, but because he saw that
anything else was us.'less, appeare<l to give in to h.s
surroundings. The days were monotonous, and yet
he found his greatest relief in keeping busy. Some-
times he knew then! were storms, but he never ap-
peared on deck. He would not have been allowed to
go there if he had wanted to, and quietly he tr.ed to
make the best of it. He knew the ship was in
motion, but of her destination and plans he was ni
entire ignorance.

Several days passed in this way, and the cook and
he each day became warmer friends. Andrew nmde
himself useful, and his services were appreciated by
his friend. He was a peculiar man, with a nasal
drawl to his words that was often amusing.

"I think you must have lived Down East some
time," Andrew said to him one day.

« Now what makes you think that ? " asked the cook
"You talk like a Yankee. Some of 'em settled

near us." . ., ,. ,

uYes, yes, I know, I know all about it, replied

his friend. "I've heard they talk through their

noses. la that it?" , ,. •

-I guess it '8 because they do.'t talk through their

noses," replied Andrew, laughin'|.

THE SEAUCII FUH ANDREW FIELD

" Well, I did live Down East ; I did n't think you 'd
:i known it, though. Ye see I was raised in Rhode
Island, righi; near to Newport. I tell ye, Little
Rhody 's the place for ye."

" What made you leave there ? " said Andrew, with
a smile.

"Well, I was always on the water, ye see, I
used to carry fish and oysters to Providence. The
first money I ever made was A"!th lolisters. Then
there came a time when I shipped on a coaster.
Them was great days," he added, with a sigh. "I
used to be home every two months, but I ain't got
any home now. My father thought he 'd have to go
with General Greene when he went South. Ye see
he used to run a blacksmi^i shop right near us. But
he never came back.'"

"Why not?" asked Andrew quietly.

"Guilford Court House," was the short reply.
There was silence for a minute, and then he went
on : " My mother did n't live long after that, and
now everybody 's gone. Then I knocked around for
a while, and shipped in '97 on the Constellation.
She could fight, I tell ye," he added, with a look of
pride; "she could just rattle those frog-eating
Frenchmen every time."

" The Frenchmen ! Why, I thought they were our
friends," said Andrew.

"O, they were in '77; but ye see after that things

.ti^

.1)

hink )'ou 'd

I in Rhode

ye, Little

idrew, with

ye sec. I
ence. The
era. Then
a coaster.
, sigh. "I
I ain't got
have to go
h. Ye see
3,1' us. But

lort reply,
m he went
* that, and
around for
istellation.
h a look of
frog-eating

iy were our

that things

ANDREWS EXPERIKNCE ON THE OSPREY

,.ot worse. There was a .ew mean men got the grip
on he French government, and they was out with
^eUy J.1 the' whole world They 'd fight every
bods unless they 'd pay 'em to stop fighting,
"'l did n't know they bothered us.
«0 yes" laughed the cook. "They set their
«hins'on to'take our cargoes and sometimes our mei.
Th V Ised a lot o' laws so we could n't trade much
^^ICL then they turned our Minister onto'

''t^:TZ^ heard of that," said Andrew.

"What did we do about it?" „;„i.ters

« Well, the President sent some special mm,.lers
over the e, and they didn't .care very easy The
ranchers thought -.hey would P^J .'^^ 1 „U
„„v tor them to f.uit bothering us, out our mm.B-
rellld th* " 'r,,,;nd n,il!iona for defence, not one

"tiv^ttrd'of that, hut I didn't know when it

-"--."-r'jJiiXannorr.cS:

all the treatrea we Inl w,th her. ^ ^^ .,,

get together an army, and put Wa h
head; and they give out_ orders ter
French vessels we could."

» When was all this ! " asked Andrew.

ZZ," replied the cook. "The biggest fight

THE SEAKCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

was when tlie Constellation whipped the L'lusur-
gento off St. Kitt's, in the West Indies. That's
where I left my leg," added the cook, pointing with
a smile to his wooden stump.

" Did you take her ? " asked Andrew.

" Take her ! Wall, I guess we did. It was just at
that time that 'Hail Columbia!' came out, and ye
ought to have heard us sing it," and the cook forgot
where he was. " Did ye ever hear it ? " he asked
Andrew; and, without waiting for his reply, he be-
gan to sing as loudly as he could the old battle hymn.
" We 'd had some more times there, only the next
year Bonaparte stepped up and offered good terms of
peace and we took 'em. But where are we now ? "
And the cook disappeared for a minute, and said,
when he returned, " We 're at Oswego. Ever been
here ? "

"No," replied Andrew. He knew they were at
the dock now. He stepped to the scuttle hole and
looked out; he started back with a sharp exclama-
tion. Out on the river he saw a little cat-rigged
boat sailing by, and in it were David his brother,
and Elijah and Henry Spicer.

■■M i Mii i iiJit i nii iii W. i «iiM Wj ii . w nfoa iwla stMC! u«»!»?f

L'lusur-

That '8

ting with

as just at
t, and ye
ok forgot
he asked
y , he be-
-le hymn,
the next
terms of
e now ? "
nd said,
ver been

were at

hole and

3xc]ama-

it-rigged

brother.

BAFFLED AGAIN

CHAPTER VIII

BAFFLED AGAIN

SCARCELY had David uttered his exclamation
of surprise at seeing the Osprey already at
Oswego, when there rose from the ship the call of
a crow. Three times it was given, and David could
not tell just where it came from.

"That's Andrew," he said, excitedly, and from
the little Pilot there arose the response. But no
further call came from the Osprey.

"I know that was Andrew," said David; "that 's
our call, surely. But we can't go aboard the Osprey
and take him ofP. What's the best thing to do

now?"

"I should say take your lette:- and go straight to
the fort. You want to act while the Osprey is here ;
i>nd the sooner we can get to the fort the better,"

said Elijah.

"That's so,'^ said David; "and we 'U keep right
on a little farther up the river. I don't want the
Osprey's boatswain to see me."

" Henry and I '11 go up to the fort, and you stay
here," said David to Elijah.

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"All right," replied Elijah. "I don't want you
gone long, though."

" We sha'n't be any longer than we can helj), you
may be sure of that," replied David, as he changed
his course and drew in towards shore at a quiet spot
beyond the docks.

David and Henry started on the run towards the
fort. But here a great disappointment came to
them ; when they arrived there they found the com-
mander could not be seen. Just how long they
would have to wait they could not learn, but wait
they must; so, with the best grace possible, they
wandered about the grounds and down the street
outside.

"That funny old fellow over there seems to l)e
watching us," said Henry, pointing to the other side
of the street, where a queer-looking little fat man
with a wooden leg was stumping along.

"That's so. I wonder what he wants," said
David, as the stranger beckoned for them to wait
for him as he crossed over to where they were.

"Come, boys, take in sail," he said, as he came

near.

Both boys waited in silence for him to approach,
wondering what he could want of them. "He looks
and talks like a sailor," said Henry to David. .

"And so I am, or was, rather," said the stranger
as he stopped, "before I lost this leg and was afore

BAFFLED AGAIN

int you

?lp, you
jhanged
liet spot

irds the
same to
he com-
ng they
)ut wait
le, they
e street

IS to be
her side
fat man

}," said
to wait
•e.
he came

pproach,
He looks
id..

stranger
!&» afore

the mast. Now I 'm only a cook, and on a Brit-
i8h boat at that. What do ye think o'that?" he

asked.

Both boys were all attention now, and listening.
"I think one o' ye 's named Field," said the

sailor, quizzically.

« Yes, my name 's Field, -David Field," replied

the owner of that name.

"Yos, yes, I know, I know all about it," said the

cook.

"Know all about what?" asked David, eagerly.

"Not so fast, my hearty. Take a reef; bare
poles is enough now. But I guess je know Andrew
Field, then, if your name's David."

"Yea, 1 do. He's my brother, and he's on the
Osprey'uow. Been pressed; and I've followed her
here and have got a letter to the fort to see if I can't
get lim back again. Do you know him ? Are you
froi.1 the Ospi'ey ? "

And the questions oamo so rapidly from David
that the cook laughed and said: "Not so fast,
r .t so fast. Andiew thought he saw ye, and he
give those caws, and if I hadn't clapped my hand
over his mouth I gue.^s he'd a had .he whole crew
after him. But as it was, no daraagt was done. "

"Well, how is he? Is he all right?" asked
David, impatiently.

"0 he's all right. He 'swilling enough, but I

iWiiTiiironinifiipii'irrTiiwmw' ^mmf:

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

don't think he '11 ever make much of a cook ; lie
doesn't seem to take to it."

"Is he cook, then?" asked David.

"Cook! Well, I guess not. I'm the cook;
Andrew is first lieutenant."

" First lieutenant ? What do yo\i mean ? "

"First lieutenant to the cook," replied the
stranf^er.

"Well, we want to gtt him off if we can. I 've
got a letter from Colonel Bettinger at Sackett's
Harbor for the commander of the fort here, and one
to Captain Snaith."

"The one to Cap'n Snaith won't do ye any good;
and I don't much believe the other will either.
Howsomever, yon 'd better try it. But if it docs n't
work, I shouldn't wonder but, if to-night was a
dark night, ye might get a passenger, if he know 'd
where to find ye."

"Will you help him off?" said David eagerly.
"We are down here below the dock, and we '11 wait
all night there."

"Pretty risky for me; but I know, I know all
about it," said the cook. "You'd better try yer
letter to the fort first, and then, if that don't go,
why, mebbe — mind, 1 say mebbe — I can help him
off to-night ; and if you should find him, 1 presume
you 'd take him home, would n't ye ? "

"Take him home ! Well, I should think we would.

BAFFLED AGAIN

ok ; lie

cook;

?d the

. I've
ackott's
md one

y good ;
cither,
doesn't
; was a
know 'd

eagerly.
'11 wait

now all
try yer
cn't go,
elp him
presume

3 would.

That 's what we came for. Thank you ; thank you
for your help, Mr, ? "

"Cook. I'm the cook."

"Thank you, Mr. Cook," oaid David.

The cook chuckled and said : " Cook 's as good as
anything, I guess. Well, I must go back on board.
Andrew's probably gettin' lonesome-like by this

time."

"Tell him we're here, and going to help him,"
said David. " Was n't he surprised to see us ? "

" Surprised ? Why, he would n't believe his eyes.
Howsomever, don't stop to talk any more. You go
up to the fort. But if you don't get what you want,
you 'd better not sleep too hard in yer boat to-night."
The cook started down the street, his wooden leg
striking the ground with a double emphasis as he
walked. The boys turned to wave their hands before
the started back for the fort.

"Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," he
called out, as he disappeared around the corner.

The boys returned to the fort and learned that they
could se«:ure an audience now with the commander.

They found him a silent man, grave and courteous.
" What can I do for you, boys ? " he said, kindly, as
they were brought before him.

"I 've a letter for you," replied David, handing to
him the note which Colonel Bettinger had written
for him.

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

The commander took the letter, and, breaking the
seal, began to read. He read it through the second
time before he made any reply ; then, looking up at
the boys, he held the letter thoughtfully in his hand
and said : —

"This is the third case like this that has come to
my notice within the past week. The trouble is
that these English war vessels won't allow any
search; and they always deny any knowledge of
the facts. They always say they have only British
subjects. 'Once a Briton always a Briton,' you
know, is their motto."

"Yes, that's what they said at Kingston," an-
swered David.

"Have you been to Kingston about this?" asked
the commander.

"Yes, we went there first, for we thought the
Osprey was bound there. "

"She's here now," said the coromandejs. "But
do you know surely that your brother is on board of
her ? He may have escaped."

"No, he 's there," said David, and he related what
had occurred since they came to Oswego.

" It 's bad work. 1 'm not at dl sure I can help
you any; but 1 can give you or send a letter to
Captain Snaith."

"I have one for him from Colonel Bettinger, too,"

said David.

S ^

BAFFLED AGAIN

ing the

second

g up at

is hand

come to
uble is
ow any
edge of
British
n,' you

•n," an-

" asked

ght the

. "But
board of

ted what

can help
letter to

;er, too,"

"I'm afraid neither will be of any great service
to yon," Siiid the commander, smiling. "If he
denies any knowledge of it, why there 's nothing we
can do more. "

David was prompted to a bold stroke. Boys were
always to bo careful in those days when they ad-
dressed their elders; and, besides, he stood in great
awe of the kind-looking commander, who sat before
him. He twirled his hat in his hand a moment, and
then said, with a flush of his face, " If they are strong
enough to take our men away from us when they
don't want to go, 1 don't see why we ain't strong
enough to take them back again. You have lots of
soldiers here."

"You don't understand, my boy," said the com-
mander, smiling kindly at David, abashed now at
his own boldness. " We did make a brave stand for
our liberty; but the English name is still a terror
with mai^, and their navy, you know, is the best in
the world. I don't know that we could take our
men by force back again ; and yet you may live to
see the time when you and others will be given a
chance to try."

" I 'm trying now," said David.

" Yes, I know you are ; but it looks as if we must

try titles with England again. These outrages ate

increasing, and are growing worse because we have

as yet done nothing. But 1 '11 give you a note to

TIIK SKAKCH FOR ANI)"KW FIKLD

the Captain. Or, 8tay, I '11 pivo it to one of our nion
and he can take it; it may be better for yon not to
jro aboard the Osprey."

He wrote a letter and sent for one of his men.
The boys thanked the commander, and, bowing low,
left his presence with the man he had detailed.
When they were outside the fort the sun was setting.
David turned to the soldier, and said, " We Ml go
with you down to pretty near the dock, if you don't
object, and we '11 wait for you there. We may get a
peep at Andrew. " Then he said to Henry, " Perhp.ps
you 'd better go back to the Pilot. We 've been fjonc
80 long Elijah jvon't know where we are, and he may
be wondering wliat has become of us. 1 'U be there

pretty soon."

"All right," replied Henry, and he started on the
run toward the place where Elijah and the Pilot

were.

David kept on with the soldier down the quaint
streets of the old town. On almost any other occa-
sion he would have been glad to stop and examine
the storehouses and great lumber-yards he saw ; but
now other things were in his mind, and night was

■^^l coming on. Silently they pasaed along the streets

'till they came to the river, and then they followed
the docks along the river side.

"You know where the Osprey is, don't you?"
said the soldier.

d on the
;he Pilot

le quaint
ler occa-

examine
saw; but
light was
le streets

followed

BAFFLED AGAIN

)tir uiou
1 not to

is men.
ng low,
Ictailed.
setting,
^e'll go
m don't
lay get a
Perhaps
een fjonc
1 he may
be there

"She was right hero this morning," said David;
"but she is n't here now."

They stopped to inquire of a man who was work-
ing upon the docks.

" The Oaprey ? " said he. " yes, she sailed from
here about two hours ago. "

't you

TlIK SEAUCII FOR ANDKKW FIELD

CIIAPTKR IX

ANOTHKH VOVA(iK llEOUN

DAVID slowly walked buck to the place where
the boyp and the Pilot were waiting for him.
Hut few word« ..re spoken, for David w..8 so keenly
disappointed that he had little inclination to talk
He found the boys waiting and wondering what Lad

become of him. ,, xt ♦

It took but a few minutes for him to relate all that

had ( i'ullen since they had left Elijah.

..I. "s all the harder to get so close to Andrew,

and then lose him," said David. ., ^,.. .

"Never mind, we'll get him yet," said Elijah,

encouragingly. "But we must decide what we will

do now." . , ^ .f „ „„„

« I think we 'd better find out to-night, if wc can,

where the Osprey is going. It may not be of any use

to follow her now." _ .

"Well, you wait here," said Elijah. «I want to
take a little run. 1 'U feel better for it. And 1
think I can find out about it, too."

So Elijah left the boys, and btarted out alone. He
was gone only about an hour, and returned to find

mmm

tmms4iSmMM

ice where
for him.
so keenly
n to talk,
what l.ad

te all that

) Andrew,

lid Elijah,
lat we will

if we can,
! of any use

"I want to
it. And 1

alone. He
i*ned to find

^ ■>'v

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

I m 110

1.8

IL25 III 1.4 III 1.6

PhotDgraphic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WE&STER,N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^/ v*/^

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

ANOTHEU VOYAGE BKGUN

them sittiiig silently in the Pilot, surprised to have
him back so soon.

" What did you hear, Elijah ? " asked Henry.
"They told me down by the dock that the Osprey
was going down among the islands, and then after a
time would probably go to Kingston. Nobody seemed
to know much about her, anyway; but two men told
me this, and I 'm afraid it 's true."

" Well, we '11 all sleep in the cabin to-night. Tt 's
close quarters, but it 's the best we can do, 1 guess.
We sha'n't have to have any guard to-night. Here
in Oswego nobody '11 touch us."

"No, but I think we'd better drop out a little
from the shore and anchor," said Elijah. "It's a
clear night, and no one will run into us."

The boys approved the suggestion, and in a few
minutes the Pilot was safely anchored about twenty
feet from the shore, and the boys had wrapped them-
selves in their heavy blankets, and were soon fast
asleep. So long and soundly did they sleep that it
was late when they awoke in the morning.

Some of David's despondency was gone with the
morning- light, and yet he was far from cheerful.
"What a report to take home!" said he. "It's
worse than Kingston," he added. " You see, we 've
seen Andrew, and yet did n't get him."

"Yes, but you know where ha is, and that he's
all right," replied Elijah.

^gtta^fimMjkwMmi nm

/■

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"That 's so," said David, brightening. "That '11
be some comfort ; but I guess wc 'd better start for
home. "

" Wc can stop there, but I 'm for going on further.
Andrew knows we are following him, and if we get
u good dark night, he can get away, 1 'm sure," said
Elijah.

"It 's time we started," said David, after they had
finished their breakfast.

Henry had secured some milk and bread while
David and Elijah had been talking, and this had
given an added relish to the food they had brought,
which was somewhat dry by this time.

They raised their anchor, and with a strong favor-
ing wind were soon out on the lake. They watched
for the Osprey, but not a sight of her could they se-
cure. At night they repeated their former experience
of camping. The wind was with them all the way,
and at the close of the second day they were once
more in sight of home.

" I think we 'd better leave everything in the boat,"
said Elijah. "Henry and I'll go right up to our
house, and you go to yours. We '11 be over pretty
soon, and I think we 'd better go on again. I guess
father won't object. We 've had pretty good luck on
this trip, even if we didn't get Andrew away," he
added.

The surprise that met David as he entered his

M6i^

• .^^^.^^-^^•■w...-..^^ --^^' i rnf iii r i 't i ' I rt i r iii ifcl i

iikiMi»v\

"That'll
!!• start for

on further,
d if we get
sure," said

2r they had

•ead while
d this had
id brought,

rong favor-
ey watched
lid they se-
experience
,11 the way,
were once

1 the boat,"
up to our
over pretty
1. I guess
iod luck on
away, " he

mtered his

ANOTHEU VOYAGE BEGUN

father's liouso was on the faces of all. His father,
wrapped in a light blanket, was sitting by the win-
dow, and near him was the old minister. His
mother was busy in the kitchen.

"David's here," said his mother, as she brought
him in to his father. -

His father turned to greet him, but the question
that was in his heart to ask, his quivering lips would
not permit hiiii to utter.

"We found Andrew," said David. "At least we
heard him, and heard more of him," and he then
told the story of their travels. He talked far into
the evening. The morrow was Sunday, and these
pioneer people began their observances of the day on
the evening before.

Services were to be held at David's house the next
day, and preparations were to be made on this even-
ing. David helped his mother, and then went up
into his little room in the attic.

"It seems good to sleep in one's own bed again,"
thought David; "though I rather liked that camping
out on the shore. " He did not take much time for
thinking, howevei*, and was soon fast asleep.

All the Spicers and the other neighbors were pres-
ent at the services on the following day, but no dis-
cussion of the trip of the boys was then held. T!ie
day was a serious one to these descendants of the
Puritans, and even David and Elijah found no oppor-
tunity for conversation.

aW U BtM lwi

■'ft

ge THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

But Monday morning brought a conference. Elijah
and Henry, with their father, were early at the house
of the Fields, and the plans of the boys were talked

over.

"I think the boys have done well," said the old
preacher. "They've found out that Andrew is
unharmed, and that 's a great deal. Oswego must be
a great place," added he. "I've never been there."
"0, it is," said Elijah, enthusiastically. "Such
a lot of boats and men I never saw before."

«It was quite a centre of action during the war of
the Revolution, "said Mr. Dodd. " 1 remember hear-
ing how General Burgoyne sent Colonel St. Lcger
with a large body of men from Montreal up the St.
Lawrence and the lake to Oswego. Their plan was
to attack Fort Schuyler." . , . „

"That's a good ways from the lake, isn't it?

said David.

"Yes, about seventy-five miles. It used to be
called Fort Stanwix in the French and Indian war.
But their plan was to take their cannon and supplies
by water up the Oswego River, and through Oneida
Lake, and that would bring them almost to the fort.
When they had captured that, they were going to
drag the boats over to the Mohawk, and go down by
water to Albany. "

"Didn't Colonel St. Leger have some good men

with him?"

^^Um^

lBWia?ii

ee. Elijah
t the house
rcre talked

lid the old
Andrew is
igo must be
sen there. "
ly. " Such

; the war of
ember hear-
1 St. Leger
1 up the St.
>ir plan was

isn't it?"

used to be
Indian war.
and supplies
ough Oneida
t to the fort,
ere going to
i go down by

[lie good men

AXOTIIKH VOYAGK IJKOrN

" Yes, he was joined by some brave men, and some
who were very cruel. Tberc was a Sir John John-
son, who lived down in the Mohawk Valley. Ho
had fled to Canada, and he had raised a regiment
of Canadians and Tories, who had gone over there
too. They were called 'Johnson Greens,' because
they wore coats trimmed with green. Then there
was a Colonel John Butler, who also lived in the
Mohawk Valley, and he raised a regiment of Tories

too."

"I thought he had some Indiana," added Elijah.
"Yes, he did have some," replied the preacher.
"There was an Indian whose name was Thaycn-
dancgca. That meant ' Bundle of Sticks,' in Eng-
lish," he added, with a laugh, as he saw a puzzled
look on the boys' faces. "He had been taught
by a Rev. Mr. Wheelock, at Lebanon, Connecticut.
He was the man who started Dartmouth College.
Bundle of Sticks could speak English, and he
had been over to England. He was the interpreter
for Mr. Kirkland, who was a missionary to the
Indians. He and some other chiefs brought a large
number of warriors."

" I should n't have thought he would have fought
the Americans," said David.

" The English prejudiced him. They told him how
the 'Boston men,' which was the name by which our
colonists were known by the Indians hereabouts,

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

were trying to take their country away from tlicni.
In one sense of tlio word, Bundle of Sticks was a

patriot."

" Well, Colonel St. Lcgcr did n't do much, I have

heard," said David.

"No; the Indians became frightened, and after
the battle of Oriskany he found he had but a small
force left."

But David's mother was imi)aticnt. She wanted
to talk over the plan David had proposed of going
down among the Thousand Islands, and see if they
could not assist Andrew there in getting away from

the Osprcy.

"The boys have done so well on this trip," said
Mr. Spiccr, who had been waiting, not wishing to
interrupt Mr. Dodd, "that I think it would be well
for them to take a trip down there. It 's a good time
of the year; there will be no severe storms, and while
we need them at home, we need Andrew more."

"That's the border line now, along the St. Law-
rence, and there will be more danger from the smug-
glers and the Canadians than anywhere else," said
Mr. Field, who up to this time had taken no part in
the conversation.

"Yes, I know," said Mr. Spicer, "but the Osprey
will land at several places surely. There '« Cape
Vincent, and Clayton, and Gananoque, and perhaps
she '11 go down to Brockville. The boys can keep

»,,

ANOTHER VOYACJE BEGUN

im tlicni.
ks was a

h, I have

and after
t a small

le wanted
I of going
ce if they
iway from

;rip," said
irishing to
Id be well
good time
and while
more. "
c St. Law-
the smug-
else," said
no part in

the Osprey
)re '« Cape
id perhaps
s can keep

near the American shore, and I think the tri^p will
h,,p to make men of them. We shall need men

""" But if we lose our boys we sha'u't have any men,"
said David's mother. / ^^

" It '8 to get our boys back we arc working, said ■

Mr. Spicer, gently. , , . .

It was decided that the boys should start again.
Mr. Spicer, who had often been down the St. Law-
rencc, even as far as Montreal, gave them minute
instructions. He had friends who had settled along
the St. Lawrence at the same time that he had chosen
his home by Lake Ontario, and he told the boys
where they were, and how they were to tind them.

AH day they were busy getting the boys ready
for this, -a longer journey. David's mother was
preparing a large quantity of food, which they cou d
take with them. The boys were getting their old
flint-locks ready, and helping some around David s
home before they started. Mr. Dodd had consented
to remain and look after the chores until the boys
should return, and the day was a busy one

But the next morning, with the litt .Mot well
fitted out, and with provisions and gunfc and axes
on board, and fishing tackle and tents ready, they
thought her equipped for a cruise that might last

W66KS*

The experience the boys had already had, and the

Vl^iWAS^-'^W*^^"^'^'' ^

THP: SKAIU'II FOR AXDKKW I'lKM)

hope of now helping Anilrcw to cseapo from tlio
Osprcy, lilloil thcnj with eiigt'i-noss, und they coukl
hardly wait for tiic tinio of starting to come.

But at last all things were ready, the good by
was said, the little boat was cast off from the dock,
and, the sails filling, they started on their new
voyage, now going in a direction opposite to the one
they had taken before.

"*^ -' .

lull

rom lilt;
ey coultl

good by

he dock,

leir new

the one

VISITING

CHAPTER X

VlSlTfNO

THE boys had a boautil'iil day, and with favoring
winds tb(!y met with no obstacles. At noon
they ate their lunch, but the Pilot steadily kept on
her course.

" What are you going to do for the night ? " asked
Elijah. "Do you think we had better camp out or
put up at a farmhouse ? We have n't had very good
luck, so far, stopping at farmhouses."

"That's so," replied David; "but my father has
friends not far from here and I think we 'd better try
to see them any way. That 's as far as I ever have
been down the lake, and I should like to ask some
questions about the way. I don't think we can get
lost; still, I 'd like to find out some things."

"Well, I hope we shall get there before dark,
then," said Elijah. "I'd rather stay in the Pilot
than take any chances."

David looked at the sun. It was already getting
low, and he did not enjoy the prospect of any more
night adventures.

iiiiMMBllMWlilii

■UltBUlfl

- 'iiifrniBMimfT-'""^^

A -4

THE SKAUCH FOll ANDRKW FIKI.D

"Wo must l.c nonrlv tl.oro," he said, after the
silence that foUowo.l. " Yes, I Icnow now where wo
arc We '11 put in by that large rock you see yon-
der " and he pointed to a great stone that was lying
on 'the shore. "They call that the Ohelisk. They
tell me that it's just in the shape of the monu-
ments the Egyptians nuule and called by that name
That's the place where father luid Andrew and 1
landed the last time we came."

In a little time the hoys had the Pilot Bccurely
anchored, and they ucre on their way towards the
little wood-colored farmhouse they co,ild sec in the
distance. Here a warm welcome awaited them.
Many were the questions asked by these people,
•AfHends of his father. Mr. Potter, the head of the
house, had been a neighbor of Mr. Field's in Vei--
mont, and they had made the journey to New York

State together.

A warm supper was soon ready for them, and the
bovs did ample justice to it; and sitting in front ot
th; great fireplace, on which a small log was burn-
in-, for although it was now summer time the cold
winds from the lake made a little fire most agree-
able, they popped corn and told the story of the loss
of Andrew, and of their previous trips to attempt
his rescue, and their failure. Pavid felt not a little
abashed as the bright eyes of. Mr. Potter's daughter
were on him, but his story was very simply told, and

VISITING

iftcr the
vhorc wo
gee yon-
118 lying
k. They
le momi-
at name.
!W and I

securely
yards the
ICC in the
ed them.
,e peoi>le,
sad of the
s in Ver-
New York

1, and the
in front of
was burn-
e the cold
(lost agree -
of the loss
to attempt
not a little
•s daughter
ly told, and

it drew forth strong comments from his hearers 08

ho went on.

"Then you arc going down the St. Lawrence after
Andrew now, are you?" asked Mr. Potter, thought-

fully. ,. , T^ -1

"Yes; not very far down though," replied David.
«We shall not go very far from Kingston anyway,
for we heard at Oswego that the Osprey was going
to put in there in the course of a few weeks."

"Have you ever been down the river?" inquired

Mr. Potter.

"No," answered David; "but I don't think we 11
be likely to lose our way in a river." ,

"You won't hardly know whether you arc on the
lake or the river, the river is so large; and then
>vhere you are going there '8 a lot of islands. ' Ihc
Thousand Islands' is what they are called."

"I've heard of them, but I don't suppose there
really are a thousand of them."

«I don't know just how many there are, but
there 's a lot. 1 'vo been down there a good many
times, and it's an easy place to lose your way in."

"We're going to stop near Clayton with some
friends; they 'U tell us the way I guess," responded
David, cheerfully. ^

"That's good. It's a great place anyway. It s
worth a trip just to see the river and the islands,, if
you had nothing else on hand."

TllK SEAUCII FOR ANDHEVV FIELD

" Who was the first man to find that river ? " asked
David.

"You know the St. Lawrence empties into a gulf,
don't you ? Well, away back in 1506, a Frenchman
named Denys discovered the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
You see the Frenchmen, even then, were coming
over here after codfish ; they found lots of them oil'
Newfoundland."

"Did Denys sail up the river ? " asked David.

"No; it was not till 1534 that that was done.
Cartier was the man Avho discovered the river. It
was a great find for the French, too. "

" Did they settle along the river then ? "'

".No ; Champlain made a settlement at Quebec in
1608; then they settled along the river and held that
ground till 1763. But they speak of their descend-
ants as French Canadians still."

"Did the French do much ? " asked David.

" Yes, they were very active. Why, in 1673 one
of them named Marquette, and a trader named Joliet,
entered what is now the United States. The Indians
had told them of a great river beyond, and they were
trying to find it. "

"Did they find it?"

" Yes ; it was the Mississippi. They sailed down
that river to about the place where De Soto had
crossed it. Then, in 1682, La Salle sailed down
the Mississippi to its mouth. He named the whole
region Louisiana."

■?" asked

ito a gulf,
rcncliman
L/awrencc.
c coming
them off

avid.

vas done,
river. It

Quebec in

held that

dcscend-

1673 one
ed Joliet,
e Indians
they were

led down
Soto, had
led down
the whole

VISITING

"What became of him ? " inquired David.

"0, ho brought over a colony from France, and
tried to make a settlement at the mouth of the
Mississippi; but he couldn't find the river then.
He sailed on to Texas, and was murdered there."

" And the other people too ? "

"No; they were broken down by sickness and star-
vation, and the most of them died. But a good many
French missionaries, called Jesuits, came up the
river and along the lakes; they were very brave and
suffered greatly at the hands of the Indians. My
grandfather told me about a man who met one of
them in the woods who was a sight. The Indians
had cut off his cars, and slit his nose, and had stuck
splinters into his body and set them on fire."

"He didn't go back again, 1 guess," interrupted
Elijah.

" Yes, he did ; he was on his way back when this
man saw him."

"He was a brave man, then. If those men could
do such things I don't see why we can't be brave
enough to try and help Andrew out of his scrape,"
said David, as Mr. Potter rose and lighted a candle,
to show the boys where they were to sleep that night.

The next morning Mr. Potter gave the boys some
friendly advice and directions; he cautioned them
especially not to tell any one of their purpose, and
to pass as a party of boys fishing, it they met others.

96 THE SEAKCII I'OU ANDREW FIELD

The girls went down to the shore to sec the boys
start, and brought u sack full of doughnuts and three
chickens they had prepared. It seemed that, after
the boys were in bed the night before, the girls had
been busy, and the result of their labors was this ad-
dition to the stores of the Pilot. They were urged to
stop again on their return, and with best wishes for
u successful voyage the Pilot was headed down the
lake ; and so long as they could be seen, the girls
remained upon the shore waving their hands in .
token of farewell.

"If we get Andrew, I guess he '11 want to stop on
our way back," said David. "He always thought
that Potter girl with those black eyes was about

right."

" I don't suppose you '11 want to stop, though, shall

you, David ? " asked Elijah.

David flushed a little and laughed. " We 've got
too much to do now to be talking about girls," he

said.

The day was much like the preceding one. At
noon the boys landed, and, while David and Elijah
were preparing a fire, Henry tried his luck with the

bass again.

«1 think this lake must be full of bass," said he,
when he came ashore with half a dozen beauties.
"The chicken's all right, but it'll keep. We can
cat some chicken and some fish, too, I guess."

the boys
md three
lat, after
girls had
9 this ad-
! urged to
rishes for
down the
the girls
hands in

to stop on
} thought
vas about

lugh, shall

Ne 've got
girls," he

; one. At
ind Elijah
k with the

," said he,

1 beauties.

We can

iss."

VISITING

The boys were more cheerful than when they had
started for Oswego; experience had given thorn con-
fidence, and they laughed and sang as they gathered
about the iire, and ate as only hungry boys camping
out know how. But they wasted no time, and tlio
Pilot was soon under sail again.

"I've been thinking about what Mr. Potter said
about those Jesuits," said Elijah. " They must have
been brave men. "

"So have I; but I tell you," said Divid thought-
fully, "I think it takes just about as much pluck to
do right anywhere. Ever since Elder Dodd has been
talking to me I've thought a good deal about it.
It's just about as hard to live and do the square
thing, as it is to run off and go into the woods and
not cry when the Indians get after you."

"Well, I don't know about that," said Elijah.
" But it 's getting most sunset now. We must bo
in the river, I think."

"Yes, I guess we are," replied David. "That
settlement over there must be Cape \' incont, and wc
can see some land on the other side. Yes, we must
be on the river now. I don't believe we 'd better try
to make for a house."

" ::m let 's stop on this island. It 's a good night,
and we can make a little fire, and in the morning
it 'II be all clear bailing. No more night attacks for
me," he added, laughing.

THE SEAltClI FOR ANDREW FIELD

Accordingly the boys landed and pitched Iheir
tent. Some stunted hemlocks were gmvving on flic
island, which they could see was a large one. The
branches of the trees they proceeded to cut made a
good bed, as they were spread on the ground in the
tent, and the trunks made good logs for the fire.

The boys ate a hearty supper, and slept soundly
all through the night. Some fish were added to
their breakfast, which Henry had caught before the
other boys were awake, and they were soon ready
to depart.

" We must go over to the Reescs'. They can't be
far from here, and we will get some directions from
them. Perhaps they'll know something about the
Osprey. Father wanted us to stop there anyway,
and we '11 have to get some directions from some-
body."

The boys sent Henry down to the Pilot to get every-
thing in readiness to depart, while they were busy
taking down their tent and gathering their cooking
utensils. While they were busily at work Henry
came running to the camp, and excitedly exclaimed,
" There 's a boat a coming, and it 's coming here ! "

The boys rushed down to the shore and saw coming
rapidly towards them a boat pulled by six men, and
one sat in the stern steering.

" What shall we do ? " asked Elijah.

"Stay here, and get ready to put off," said David.

2(1 Ihoir
<5 on flio
ic. The

made a
li in the
fire.

soundly
iddcd to
eforo the
)n ready

can't be
ona from
ibout the

anyway,
im some-
ret every-
irere busy
• cooking
k Henry
iclaimed,

here!"
w coming
men, and

d David.

VISITING

But while they were talking the strange boat came
nearer. Suddenly David grasped Elijah by the arm,
and in a low tone said : " Elijah, do you see who
that is steering? It 's Smith, the man who tried to
trap us that night down by the Rocks."

iiirf^-"^ a^^^ Jffiri.?-.V.li!itJ»i.

100 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER XI

AN EXCHANGE OP BOATS

ELIJAH did not know Smith, and ho was in
great hopes that none of the boys would be
recognized by him. He looked at David, and saw
there was little ground for his hopes, however, and
events soon proved the correctness of his surmise.
The boat had scarcely touched the shore, and the
men glanced suspiciously and angrily at the boys,
before the face of Smith, who had been steering,
lighted up, and he exclaimed: —

" Blamed ef I don't know these boys. You 're
yoimg Field, Thomas Field's son, from over by
Sackett's. These two young fellers with ye, who
be they? 0, yes; you're that party that stayed at
my house not long ago, and left without stoppin' to
say good by or how are ye. How could ye be so

onpolite ? "

David made no reply, chiefly because there was
none to be made. The boys were abashed, and
could find no words to say.

« What ye doin' down here ? " continued Smith,

"W J.

eas m
uld be
id saw
3r, and
irmise.
nd the
! boys,
cering,

you 're
iver by
e, who
ayed at
»pin' to
e be BO

gre was
ed, and

Smith,

AN EXCHANGE OF BOATS

101-

while Ilia companions sullenly stood by and listened.
"I s'pose them Sackett's men sent ye down here to
spend 'nother night with me, did n't they ? "

«No, sir," replied David. "I haven't said any-
thing about you to any one. We came down here on
a different purpose entirely."

"What did ye come fer, then?" asked Smith.
" Come, I want to know. "

" 1 told you we did n't come to see or spy upon
your smuggling, Mr. Smith," replied David.

" Smugglin' 1 Who 's a smugglin' ? " and the faces
of all th^ men grew dark. One or two of them whis-
pered something in Smith's ear, who appeared as if
he were undecided.

He hesitated a moment, and then said to one of
the men, " 0, I don't care much now. 1 'm going to
leave pretty quick. If this trip 's a good one, I 'm
'bout done. Then I don't care how much the young-
sters squeal. " ^^

"But for a few days they might bother us, said

the other.

" That 's so," replied Smith. And, turning again
toward the boys, he said to them, "I don't s'pose ye
came down the St. Lawrence to ship aboard the Os-
prey, did ye ? I hearn tell how yer brother Andrew
shipped, and I thought mebbe you had come too.
They had a likely story to tell on ye at my house,
about yer foUowin' the Osprcy tryin' to git Andrew

102 THE SEAUCII FOU ANDUEW FIELD

off. I knew your folks wasn't quite fools. But
what are ye doin' here, anyway ? "

David made no reply. To tell of his errand would
only excite the anger and ridicule of the party, and
besides he preferred to have them think some other
project than the rescue of Andrew had brought

them. , , n A

"Can't ye talk ?" continued Smith; and, as David

still made no reply, he turned to the men, and held

a conversation for a few minutes in low and earnest

tones with them. " . ,.,v i. a

David and Elijah tried to appear indifferent, and
yet they were listening sharply, trying to catch some
word that would give some clew as to what was
likely to be done with them, and what was best tor
them to do. But listen as they would, not a word
could they catch, and the angry looks the men kept
casting towards them were not reassuring.

Finally Smith, who continued to be the spokesman,
turned towards the boys, and said, " I guess ye 're
waitin' fer the Osprey. Like enough they 'U take
ye on board when they come back. She went by
here two or three days ago. 1 hope ye 've someth.n
to eat in yer boat." , ^ , i.

"Yes, sir," said David. "We 've enough to last

some time."

" Wall, that 's lucky. It 's likely ye 'U have ter
stay here some time," he said; and, taking a heavy

But

to last

llKKi;, WHAT AKK Vi T I">1N

,,? ■ r\l.l.l-.l> l>\\lli." l'-ii;i' lUj-

AN KXCHANQE (»F BOATS

103

axo from one of the men, ho wovit down to tlio hIiopc,
and, stoppiuf? on board tlic Pilot, dclilioratcly niiacd
it, and struck throe or four uharp blows directly ou
the bottom of tho boat. *

"Hero, wluitaro you doing? " called David, excit-
edly, as ho ran down to tho Hhore. "Stop, stop!"
ho called. "0 Mr. Bniith, don't,— don't spoil the
Tilot! How '11 wo ever jj;et home?"

" You won't need to f,'o home right away. Yo can
patch her up, and by the time yc get her ready, yo
can't jjoach on us."

Ho turned to follow the men, who wore laughing
and walking towards tho interior of tho island.
They stopped within sight of the shore, and Smith
soon joined them. They seated themselves upon
the ground, and seemed utterly to ignore tho prca-
encc of the boys.

Meanwhile the boys disconsolately seated them-
selves on the shore, and gloomily watched the Pilot,
as she settled lower and lower. The water was
shallow, and she could not sink, but they heard
her bottom grate upon the stones. They sat in
silence for a minute, and then roused themselves, as
David said: "Come, boys, let's haul her up on
shore. If a storm comes up, she '11 be broken to
jiicces where she is. Besides, wc can see if we
can't do something to set her right."

''That's so," said Elijah, eagerly, and they all

104

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

took liold to pull together; but their combined
strength only served to i)ull the Pilot partly out of
the water.

"Let's take the thing" out of her, and she'll be
lighter," said Elijah, and the boys removed the tent
and food, and in fact everything that was in the
boat. The Tilot yielded to their pull more readily
then, but still they could not haul her out iipon the

bank.

"I wish 1 had some rollers," said Elijah. "We
could run her nj) easily then."

"We can take the oars out of the other boat,"
replied David, " and run her up on them. I wish
we dared to get in their boat and pull off."

" So do I, " said Henry. " But they '11 shoot. "

"Yes; it won't do to try it. Some of us would
get hurt."

But they now had ilic Pilot out of the water, and
np on the bank. They carefully examined her, and
found two holes cut clear through her bottom. They
looked at each other with rueful faces.

"Well, we 're in a pickle sure now," said David.
"I 'm awfully sorry it was your boat, too, Elijah."

"Well, never mind that part of it," responded
Elijah, cheerfully. " Let 's see what can be done."

" Wo can't fax that boat ; we have n't the tools.
We 're in for it; we 're like Robinson Crusoe. Did
you ever read that book ? " said David.

I .-i- i i "-: -"1 Vi ii 'frtii i f jwr tn t i - -" ■ - - - ■^"■-^— ^"^•^■" r . r.i ■■ ; ■■ i ■ .i a-., i

Diubincd
ly out of

le '11 be
the tout
5 in the
readily
ij)on the

,. " We

r boat,"
I wish

30t."

US would

iter, and
her, and
1. They

i David,
lijah."
jsponded
done."
lie tools,
oe. Did

AN EXCHANGE OF BOATS

106

"No," replied Elijah, "but it was about a fellow
Ciimj)ing out, wasn't it ? "

"0, yes; ho camped out pretty much all his life.
There was only one of him too, except Friday. Ho
made another,"

" What 's that ? " said Elijah, as a loud laugh rose
from tho men. They had seemingly ignored the
boys completely.

"They're drinking," said David. "It'll bo a
pretty go for us if they all get drunk. We ain't
more than half a mile from shore. What do you say
to swimming?"

"IJenry couldn't stand it, and I don't believe any
of us could. "

"Well, we '11 wait awhile before we try it," replied
David. " We 've got enough to eat for a time, and
some boat may come along and pick us up. "

"Yes, the Osprey," said Elijah, with a laugh.

Another hoarse yell came from the men. The
words of a song came to them, as they shouted and

sang.

"Do you suppose they'll touch us?" inquired
Ilcni-y, nervously.

"I don't know," said David. "I don't like the
looks of things at all. You stay here. I 'm going
round through the woods and will come up on the
other side there near them. I want to find out what
they are doing. "

'^^mss

106 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELU

And David crept along the shore under the bank
until he had reached the woods, which covered the
other part of the island. The boys saw hiiii disaj.-
pcar among the trees, and they waited anxiously till
something would show that he was safe. But the
sounds of revelry from the men came faster and
louder. Their voices were becoming thick and

hoarse.

"If they 're all drinking, and only drink enough,
we can get out of this," said Elijah to Henry. But
all they could do was to wait and watch. - ■

A half-hour passed, and there were no signs of
David. The songs and shouts from the men had
been more irregular, and not quite so loud for the
past few minutes.

"There's David," said Henry quickly, pointing
out to the woods by the shore.

"That's so," said Elijah, as he saw David crouch-
in* low, and running at the top of his speed along
the shore now. In a few minutes he had reached
them, and out of breath began his story.

"Boys, they 're drunk as lords, every one of 'em,"
he said. " We want to get out of this right away. "

"Didn't they leave any one on guard?" asked

Elijah. " Are you sure every one of 'cm 's drunk ? "

"Yes, I waited till I was sure of every one. Now

we want to pile all our traps into their boat and get

out of this. "

the bank
vcred the
im disaj)-
oiisly till
But the
istcr and
liick and

k enough,
luy. But

) signs of

men had

id for the

, pointing

id crouch-
lecd ah)ng
id reached

le of 'em,"
lit away. "
I?" asked
8 drunk ? "
one. Now
oat and get

AN EXCHANGE OF BOATS

107

« Their boat ? Shall wc take their boat ? "
"Yes," said David, half angrily. "This is no
time to stop and talk over .such things. We '11 leave
'em the Pilot, and she 's worth two of their old tub.
Wc can set a sail in their boat, and that 's about all
you can say for it, anyAvay."

The boys rapidly and silently went to work, and
transferred all their possessions into the other boat.
They had no place to store their provisions in it, so
they covered them with their sail. In a few minutes
they were ready to start.

" You don't suppose they '11 follow us, do you ? "
asked Henry, a little timidly, as he saw one of the
men try to stagger to his feet, but he quickly fell
back, and seemed to be as quiet as the rest.

"We'll give 'em a chance, anyway,'' said David.
"Jump aboard; we will only use the oars first till
wc get behind the island. I guess we '11 try the
other side behind the trees, and go down the river
that way."

The boys pulled rapidly around to the other side
of the island, but had only started down stream when
out from behind the island, in front of them, shot
another boat, coming directly towards them.

■tMiliiiilMia

108

THE SEAKCII FOR ANDREW PIELD

CHAPTER XII

OUTWITTED

THE boys could not turn back. To go ahead was
dangerous, and yet as the lesser evil of the two
they kept on. The boats came nearer together, and
as they passed they could see that the other was
like their own. In it were four men rowing, and a
fifth was steering. But the other boat passed by
without a word, and soon was around the bend and
out of sight.

" Do you suppose they were part of the same gang ?
Maybe they were going to meet those other men on
that island, and that 's what they were waiting for,"
said Elijah.

"Like enough," responded David. "But I think
wc 'd better put in on one of these islands pretty
soon, and not try to get over to the mainland now.
We '11 have to keep watch, and see what we can

see."

" We 're having more trouble with smugglers than
with the Osprey,"said Henry. " We have n't seen
her but once. "

illini

-r'-im-nriirr-rrTr'Hrfhi

OUTWITTED

109

• ahead was
1 of the two
gether, and

other was
rting, and a

passed by
c bend and

same gang ?
ler men on
aiting for,"

But I think
ands pretty
nland now.
lat wo can

igglers than
ave n't seen

The boys kept on their way past the first island,
and headed for the second about a mile away. They
did not use their sail, but depended upon their oars.
They rowed rapidly, and vet talked of the smugglers.

"You see this is a kind of border line along the
St. Lawrence," said David, "and I suppose there's
lots o' chances to dodge the customs. "

"Well, I think," said Eljiah, "that these fellows
work harder to get a living by snmggling than an
honest man does by steady work. "

"So do I," replied David. "I think it's most
always so. Don't you remember Abe Coons at the
checkered school house last winter ? You know he
would copy his sums, and cheat in the class, and I
always said if he had spent half the time in learning
them that he spent in trying to get rid of learning
them, or in cheating in the class, he would have
got along better, and with a good deal less work.
Besides, everybody know he was a cheat. "

" Look, David ! look, Elijah ! " called out Henry.
"That boat's coming back, and they're after us

sure. "

"I believe they are after us," said David, quietly.
"They 've seen us, and the only thing we can do is
to pull as hard as we can for the other island, and
see if we can't hide somewhere."

The boys had a long lead, but strength and num-
bers were in the other boat. The boys were near

i i

110 THK SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

the second island, and soon turned a point which
hid them from their ])iir8uer8.

" Here 's a good place," said Elijah. " Let 's run
the hoat in amtmg those rushes, and we can climh
up on shore. Perhaps they '11 pass hy and not see
us. If they do, maybe we can get away."

So their boat was sent quickly in among the weeds
that rose several feet higher than the boys' heads on
either side of them.

" Shall wc stay hero and wait till they go by ? "

asked Elijah.

"No," said David. "I 'm afraid they '11 see where
we come in here. We '11 leave the boat and go up
behind those trees. I don't know whether this is an
island or the mainland. It looks big enough to be

the shore."

Quickly the boys anchored the boat, and leaped
ashore, and were at once among the great trees that
came almost down to the water. They did not go
very far from the shore, but taking their stand behind
some of the great trunks, they waited for the boat to

pass.

In a few minutes it came around the point, rapidly
sweeping on. In the stern sat the ever present

Smith. ,^

"He seems to have recovered from his spree,'

whispered David.

" Yes, " replied Elijah. " He 's always on deck. "

oint which

" Let '8 run

can climb

nd not see

!r the weeds
s' heads on

oy go by ? "

11 sec where
it and go up
2r this is an
snough to be

and leaped
it trees that

did not go
stand behind
r the boat to

oint, rapidly
ever present

his spree,"

ya on deck. "

OUTWITTKD

111

But the boat swept on, and disappeared around

the other point.

"Tliey're gone, thank goodness'." said Henry,
stepping forth from l)ehiud his tree.

"Wait a little, Henry," called David. "They
may come back; don't be in a hurry."

And the boys waited for a little time, and it was
well they did. For in a few minutes they heard the
other boat coming back, and the voices of the men
in conversation.

"I don't see what you want of the youngsters.
Smith, anyway," said one of the men. "What can
three boys do against us, to say nothing of iho

Osprey?"

" I don't want them, except for a few days. As
soon as the Osprey takes me aboard, I shall feel safe.
But these boys can stir up a great hornet's nest by
rousing the people long shore now."

"You don't want that, I know," said one of them,

with a laugh.

"No, I don't; my neck is better to me than to any
one else, and my Yankee cousins have been looking
for me for a good while. "

"Those boys must be in here somewhere," added
he, as he motioned for the boat to stop. "Let's
go in for a time. We went out around the point,
and they were not in sight, so 1 think they 're in
here."

iffwaiiii

a(\*-i-T^j L- - -

mmm

..J)

112 TIIK SKAUCII FOU ANDUKW FIKLD

"Well, we'll go nshore and see." And tlicy
changed tlicii" comae and landed.

David had taken the precantion to grab some of
their eatables as he had come from the boat, and now
the boys took to their heels and ran into the woods,
where the sight and sound of the men could not reach
them. They kept on for an hour till they came to
the river again.

"This is an island, you sec," said Elijah.

"Yes," said David. «1 guess Mr. Potter was

about right when he said there were a thousand

islands here. Just look at them," and he pointed

ofT to the cast, where many little islands could be

SCCIlf

The boys sat down in a quiet spot, and ate their
lunch in silence. All three were perplexed, and a
good deal cast down. They had lost their boat, and
without the Pilot what could they hope to do ? Here
they were on an island, practically prisoners of a
party of smugglers, who evidently wanted them out

of the way.
' "Towards night we'll go back and see if they

haven't gone," said David. ^

"If they haven't found our boat, and if they ve
gone, we '11 wait till morning, and then try to get
over to Clayton, where that man lives father wants

us to see. " , j • j

So they waited till, as nearly as they could judge,

-r^

.nd tlicy

Bomc of

and now

le woods,

not reach

cumc to

otter was
thousand

e pointed
could be

ate their
:ed, and a

boat, and
lo ? Here
jners of a

them out

ee if they

if they've

try to get

ither wants

juld judge,

OUTWITTED

113

it was four o'clock, and thou they started to return.
Tlicy walked quietly through the woods, and as they
came near to the place where the smugglers had
lauded, they walked with greater caution. In a little
tiuu! they came in sight of the river, and then of the
place where they had landiid.

"Look there, Elijah! " said David.

Elijah looked as David directed, and saw side by
side upon the shore the two boats, — one in which
the smugglers had come, and the other the one they
themselves had used.

"They've found our boat, as sure as you live,"
whispered Elijah.

" Yes, they have," said David. "Now, what 's to
be done. We have n't anything more to eat, and not
even our tent to sleep in, though 1 don't mind that"

So the boys sat down and deliberated. They
talked in low tones, for they did not know whore
their pursuers were.

They could see one man on guard, and as he
yawned and occasionally stepped a little out of his
path, peering off down the shore, it became evident
to the boys, who were watching him, that he was
alone, and that he was impatiently awaiting the
return of the others.

"I tell you what," said David, "I believe we can
get away if there 's only one man there. We 're
sti'onger than he is."

114

THE SKAIUMI FOU ANDUKW FIKLD

« I>.„t not 8tron>,'cr than hin pun,'' BaWl Hlijnh.
»' Well, wliy can't we trap liini ? "

" How ' "

. Wl,v ' 1 -11 cull liim, .m,l he Ml come out int" ll«-
„«Kl.. IlcMl follow .urcly if 1 call. 1 can lead
[•1 ,.„„„d a circle, and I k„o» I can run faster
^ , he can. While he •» Rone, you fellow, can ru.h
Iwn to the .1.0,0, and Ret the hoat and l.r R ;_t
around the ,K,int, and 1 '11 he there ""-If' " '?; "^

" S-|K.Be the other fellow '» there, too," «aul M.jah.
" Shall wo take him, too ? " . , , . 4

■ »No: it he follow, me at all I can .ead h.m on
into the wood,, and 1 '11 leave him there, and 1 11
run round to the .here ; let '. try it, anyway.

"All ri.'ht," reslionded the l...y.. "We 11 wait
„e,..«uriryo"«cthimoff.we.llmakeal.realc

fl.ed own the guard. In a few m.nutc. they .aw
■n .3 and li'ten. He .aid .omethin, they could
r h«.r, ard then started off toward, the wood..
n^hStc. for a momen,, a. he turned an looked
towards the hoat, but only for a moment, lo,
imickly pas.cd out of .ight among the tree.
' Elijalf and Henry made a break, and start d
along the shore for the boat.. Not a man w. m
sight They arrived safely at the place where they
were, and, hastily throwing somo oar. mlo the

filBTitri

«M^

mmmf

ah.

int(t tlio
jiin lead
11 faster
can nisli
hriuj^ it
iboanl."
d Elijah.

him out
and 1 '11

e '11 wivit
» a break

their cycB
they saw
they could
he woods,
ind looked
nt, ior he

IS.

nd started
aan was in
where they
s into the

oLTWirrEl)

115

one they hud coino over in, they were about to

start off. _ ,^

♦'Hold on a minute; turn about 's fair play,
said Elijah, as he seized a hatehet, and striking three
hard, quick 1)1(.\V8 upon the bottom of the other boat;
they saw it rapidly be^;in to lill.

They took the oars and began as hard as they
could to pull the heavy yawl around the point. In
a few minutes they had reached it, and were resting
on their oars, waiting. In a short time David camo
out of the wo().l8, almost breathless, running at the
toj) of his speed. He jumped into the boat, and
the boys began to row. He took the sail and let it
out, and then holding the sheet with his teeth, he
took his i)lace at the oars with the others. The boys
did not seem to heed the direction in which they were
going, if only they could get away from the island.
Just^thcn they saw standing on the shore the figure
of a man, wildly gesticulating, and waving his hands
for them to come back.
"Guess not," said Elijah.

"But they '11 bfl J>iter us," said David, resting for
a moment, and taking the sheet from between his

teeth.

"I fixed their boat. It won't sail very well, I
guess," said Elijah. '" I did it; I did it with my
little hatchet,' as the reading-book said of George
Washington."

116 THE SKAUCll F«)U ANDUKW FIELD

.Ilow did you nx that guard V " he nnkod David.
.0 I called to him to com. there whcMC 1 was and

ectadrinkofwhiKkey. He did n't much want to
U^ the .hiKkey wa« too much ^^-^ fe >w! 1
suppose he Ml catch it when the otlK-vK come ha^^^^^
' 'TlK-y woii't know anything about it, said

"^"wim't they ?"Baid Eli jal. "Just wait till they

trv to get in their hoat."

^ 1 ,;M,mit further conversation.

The hoys rowed on without luriner cui

away. Flimlly Elijah, lo»k"'8 '■""■"V"^ ' ; '„
1 don't know whore wo arc, no,- whco wo ,o go-
it This rivor i. all full of i»land». I don't know
where the shore is; do you?"

" k-„," replied David. "I'm all tnrned round.
The K,ys looked at eaoh other blankly tor a nunnto
The snn was out o£ sight, and darkness was fast
coming on.

crsation.
3y Bailed
"David,
vo'rc go-
on't know

round."
a minute.
J was fast

A msCDVKUY

11'

CHAPTER XIII

A DISrOVEHY

THE boys tried one direction after another, but
whatever the way they turned, they found noth-
injr but islands. DarkncHS was fast coming on, and
the air was becoming chilly.

« David, you are lost," said Elijah, finally.

« Yes, cither I 'm lost, or the way is, I don't know
which. I 'm here, but where the right course to the
shore is, I don't know. And I wish I did," rcsponiW
David, as some drops of rain began to fall.

"Well, let's go ashore," said Elijah. "We can't
sleep in the boat, but we have the tent and the
blankets. I guess they 'U keep us dry till morn-
ing. Let's land here," he added, as they camo near

shore.

"We'd better, I think," said David, and they ran
their boat ashore and after securely anchoriug it, they
found the rain coming down faster, and the darkness

increasing.

"I don't see what we're going to do," interposed
Henry. « I can't see ranch now. And think of the
Pilot, all stove in!"

Jkaim

iMMm

iMAt>a*M*w

118 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

David replied cheerfully. He was not at all in a
cheerful mood, but he must do something to keep up
the spirits of the others.

" It looked to me as if there were some rocks along
the shore here. Let 's get a light and see if we can't
find some sheltered spot we can crawl into for the

night."

They had sUmost nothing to serve as a torch, but
they did manage to get a little light. Carrying the
tent and their blankets, they stumbled on, along what
seemed to be something like a pathway.

Suddenly, David, who was in advance, with a cry
disappeared from view.

"Where are you, David? Are you hurt?" calle('

out the boys.

«No, I'm only bruised. Hold a light over the
edge so that I can answer your question, and see

where I am."

Holding the light over him, they saw that he had
fallen into what appeared to be an opening of a
gorge. He was unhurt, but he could not reach the
edge of the rocks on which they stood.

" Why don't we stay where you are all night ? " asked
Elijah. " It 's out of the wet."

" I don't know where it leads to, this gorge," re-
sponded David, dubiously. "There may be bears or
panthers down there."

" Well, let 's chance it any way," said Elijah, throw-

lesMtMMMIWIlwMaMMHi

it all in a
10 keep up

•ocks along
if we can't
ito for the

I torch, but
u-rying ihe
along what

with a cry

rt?" calle('

it over the
on, and see

that he had
jening of a
>t reach the

ght?" asked

J gorge," re-
' be bears or

Slijah, throw-

A DISCOVEUY

lift

ing down the tent and blankets before hin>, and then
lotting himself down, an example that Henry followed.
The boys found themselves in a circular spot, some-
thing like a well, but with an opening on one side that .
led they could not see whither. The ground was
covered with old leaves, and the icfuso that had
blown in there for years.

" Let 's see what 's here, anyway,*' said Elijah, and
he held his light, and carefully examined the entire
place into which they had fallen.

" Something or somebody 's in the habit of being
here often," he said after a little. "I don't know
whether it 's bears or men. We '11 just stretch that
tent right across this opening, and wc '11 know if any-
thing comes from that side I guess. We might as
well turn in anyway. Somebody '11 have to stay on
guard. I'll do it first, and we'll take turns."

The other boys were soon asleep, wrapped in their
blankets. Elijah sat down and listened. He could
hear the rain as it steadily fell outside the rocks.
There was not much wind, but the little waves of the
St. Lawrence he could hear as they lapped the shore.
FTe thought of home, and half wished lie were there,
as the lonesome sounds of the rain and wind came to
him. Then he thought of Andrew Field and how
lonesome he must be.

" We surely ain't in any bed of roses. We 've lost
our way and here wc are on this stormy night asleep

MUMuMh,

'','imrr'''-'''^

S !i

120 THE SEAllCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

in this cave. After all wc 're better off than Andrew,
and I guess we'll get out of this scrape somehow

together."

Thus he was communing with himself, and the
sound of the rain kept on. Elijah began to nod.
Several times he roused himself, and resolutely tried
to keep guard, but somehow his head would fall for-
ward, and before he knew it he was fast asleep.

It was nearly light when iie awoke with a start.
He shook himself, and, half ashamed, looked round
at the other boys. They still slept on. " Guess we
won't need any guard now," thought Elijah. "I'll
go back to the boat, and see what can be done for
breakfast." But when ho tried to climb the sides he
found no place for a foothold. He turned about to
rouse the boys, when his eye fell on the opening that
was in their bedchamber.

" I might as well do a little exploring on my own
account," said h. to himself. "I'll be back before
the boys wake up."

So Elijah started on his way through the opening.
It was light enough now for him to see his way clearly.
It evidently was a path he was walking in, and, stoop-
ing down, he could plainly see the prints of feet on
the gravel. He walked more slowly, and peered care-
fully ahead of him. He did n't know but men were
somewhere there now, and if they were, it boded little
good for him. But as he had started, he decided to

■Mil

I Andrew,
somehow

, and the
n to nod.
iitely tried
d fall for-
cep.

th a start,
ked round
'Guess we
ah. "I'll
e done for
he sides he
d about to
jening that

an my own
)ack before

le opening*
vay clearly,
and, stoop-
i of feet on
)eered care-
t men were
boded little
i decided to

A DISCOVERY

121

keep on his way until he should find something that
would explain matters somewhat.

He walked for about twenty minutes on through
the gorge. He could sec the sky above him all the
time, and the increasing light made things plainer.
It was evidently a pathway he was walking in, and
it led him sometimes high over the rocks below, and
then again came down to what had once evidently
been the bed of a stream.

His progress was slow, and during the twenty
minutes he had not gone far. But he then came to
a place where the path divided. One part of it led
up over the side of the gorge, and disappeared among
the trees which he saw over the banks. The other
turned to his left, and led he knew not where.

He decided to take the one to the left. He had
taken but a few steps when he came to what seemed
the end. There appeared to be nothing but the smooth
side of the banks. Elijah was puzzled, and was about
to turn b?c,k, when he thought he saw something be-
hind the bushes that grew all along the sides of the
gorge, and peering carefully he saw that tl ) path con-
tinucd. He pushed aside the bushes, and found the
pathway had not ended, but led into a cave. Should
he go on ? Carefully, stealthily, Elijah crept on. Only
a few steps brought him into a large cave, and in this
the little sunlight that came at first only dazzled his
eyes.

If "' '

■i «-»», '* W W »" l iH'".«

122 THE SEAUCIl FOR ANDUEW FIELD

No one beside himBclf was there. That wna evi-
d(>nt, and of that he soon [.atisficd himself. Th<-n he
saw that the cave seemed to be filled with chests and
boxes. Kegs were in one corner, and he saw many
casks on one side. He stepped inside, and his eyes,
now accustomed to the dimness, could plainly see the
great amount of somethiag that was there. What
was it? He began to examine. Casks of brandy,
kegs of powder, and guns he saw. Then there were
axes and hatchets. Evidently he had found the head-
quarters of the smugglers, and these things, which
the hardy settlers needed, they were smugghng.

As Elijah looked about him he half expected to see
the men coming back, and finding him there. He
knew he would receive but little mercy at their hands.
And he trembled as he thought of the appearance
Smith's face would assume if he should discover him

there. ,, , ,

Elijah retreated. As rapidly as he could, he made
his way back to the place where he had left the other
boys asleep. His excited mind saw smugglers all
along the way, but he came safely and soon mto the
place where the boys were.

They were awake now, and looked greatly surprised
as he stepped forth into the open space before

them.

"We thought vou had cleared out and left us, or
else some bear had oaten you up. Where in the world

mmmm

A DISCOVERY

123

wna evi-
TIk'ii ho
bests and
jaw many
his eyes,
ily see the
i-e. What
)f brandy,
there were
I the bead-
igs, which

cted to see
there. He
lieir bands,
appearance
iscover him

d, be made
it the other
ugglers all
an into the

ly surprised
3ace before

left us, or
in the \vorld

have you been ?" asked David, as he looked at Elijah,
whose face had lost none of its excited look.

« 1 've seen something that makes me want to get out

of this. I ' ve found the headquarters of the smugglers."

"Headquarters of the smugglers? What do you

moan ?" asked David. And rapidly Elijah recounted

the story of his morning's walk.

" I tell yoti, we want to get away from this Island
right off," said Elijah. "If those men come back
he°re, as they will soon, and find us here, they '11
make short work of us."

" That 's so," said David. « We 'II leave, and cook
our breakfast on some other island," and with Elijah's
help he was soon up on the rocks. The boys threw
up to him the tents and blankets, and David, lending
them bis aid, soon brought them up out of the pit.

« 1 suppose Elder Dodd would have something to
say about being taken out of a horrible pit," said

Elijah.

« I don't think he 'd say very much if he were here.
IIo 'd put for the boat and leave this region. 1 wish,
though, we could take some of those smugglers' things
away with us," said David.

"Do you think we'd have any right to?" asked

Henry.

" Well, I don't know," answered David dubiously.
"They don't belong to those men by rights. But
then I don't know as they do to us either."

^ifiKUMtMsi--^>ir*ri^tMid^vi,iia i

.,,nwHiiiii. II. III.I.IIIII.. ■■ .1 . i.UiH..UH|i-'ti..

124 THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

The boys had now reached the place where their
boat was. They found cverythh.g as they had left
it and in a very short time they had pushed the boat
out into the current, and were being carried on down
stream at quite a rapid rate.

"Guess we'll land over there," said David, point-
ing to an island. » I think I could find this island of
the smugglers again if I wanted to, don't you. Khjah ?

"Yes I could find it from here. I remember just
how the trees were placed on the shore where we

landed." , i r i.

« Well we '11 go ashore here and get our breakfast
I'm hungry enough to eat almost anything; and I
did n't stay awake all night either to keep guard,
and he looked laughingly at Elijah.

»I'm afraid I didn't stay awake either, replied

Eliiah, ruefully-

Breakfast was soon ready, and the boys were thoi-
ouc^hly readv for it. In silence they sat near the fire,
eating and ihinking, Each one was afraid to express
his thoughts, so full of fear and perplexity was he.

Suddenly the boys heard a voice of some one say-
ing, « Hello, boys!" They looked up, and sprang
every one to his feet.

re their
had left
the boat
on down

d, point-
i^laud of
Elijah?"
nber just
Inhere we

areakfaat.
g; and I
p guard,"

," replied

were thor-
ir the fire,
to express
was he.
e one say-
nd sprang

:^.^>#r>w

llil, 'AMlil. |..| Mil MI.W.M I" Mil, "S' II." I'.'L'.' 1-^

AN ADUmON

126

CilAl'TER XIV

AN AnniTION

TN sllouco they waited for the stranger to approach.
1 When they saw that he was alone, their fear»
subsided a little, for at first they thought the smug-
glers were coining.

The appearance of the man was decidedly peculiar.
Although it was midsummer, ho wore a cap made of
skins His other garments were coarse, and showed
many signs of hard usage. Over one shoulder was
shin.' a gun, and his bullet pouch and powder flask
hung from the other. In his belt were a hatchet and

knife, and in his hand he carried a (ishing-rod.

The peaceful object of his visit became ap|)arcnt

when they saw the rod, and as he evidently was a

man the boys had never seen before, they became

calm and waited for his approach.

Without any further words he came to the place

where they were standing, and seated himself upon

the ground. Not a word had he uttered after his

salutation when he first saw them.

They waited for him to speak. But for a minute

he was silent, scanning their provisions and posses-

I2fi

TlIK SKAUCII FOIt ANDRKW FIKI.D

hioim, niul liis oycs tunicd then towarda thorn with u
kiiully cxpiessiun.

" Fishii)', boys ?" ho lit hist said.
"Not jiiHt now. Wc hiive l)ocn," said David,
cautiously.

" I don't sec nny fish. Oucsa yc did n't have much
luci<. Where y(5 from?"

" O, we canio from over by Sackctt's Harbor," ttaid
David.

"Sackctt'8 Harbor! Why, that's a hmj? ways
from here. Ye must be lost, I guess," and he laughed
quietly.

" We are a little mixed just now," said David.
" We 'd like to get to Clayton, if we only knew the
direction. Perhajjs you can help us."

" 1 can. It's about twelve miles from here."
"Then we're a long way out of our course," said
Elijah.

" What 's yer course ? " asked the str mgcr.
"That's it," said David. " Wc want to go there
and SCO a Mr. Reese."

" O, ye want to see him, do ye ?" and the stranger
looked pleased. " He 's a likely man, fair and square
too. No smuggling, no Tory about him."

"There isn't about us, cither," suid David, eu-
couraged by his words.

" Well, 1 guess that 's so," said the stranger. " I
did n't know when I first see ye but ye were some of

AN ADDITIOM

19t

in N\ ith u

I David,

ivo nmch

lor," said

ng wnys
; laughed

d David,
knew the

0."

rsc," said

go there

! stranger
nd square

>avid, en-

nger. " I
•e some of

those poslcy snuigglera. These ishinds are just full of
them."

David looked at Rlijali inquiringly. Should he tell
the stranger of their experiences? They hardly knew
what to do. JJiit they hegan again at their breakfast,
in which they invited the stranger to join. As ho
already had eaten, ho only took a little, and continued
his talk with the boys. His kindly ways and evident
dislike of the smugglers so encouraged the boys, that
they decided to tell him a part of their story. The
striinger listened with evident interest.

" 1 'vc lived in these parts nigh on to thirty year.
1 know these islands as wtdl as anybody can, I guess.
Help ye? well I ratluM- guess I will."

" Where do you live?" inipiired Rlijah.

" O, over there," said the man, pointing with his
thumb over his shoulder.

♦' I should think your family woidd get lonesome
here," said David.

The stranger's face became clouded, and a dark
scowl came over it. " 1 have n't any family," he
said finally. "H yon were to speak to Mr. Reese of
the Hermit, I think he 'd know who was meant," and
he smiled, sadly it seemed to David.

" Do you live here all alone ? " inquired Henry.

"Mostly. Except when some young fellows like
you come to see me. My story 's worse than yours,"
he said in a low tone. " Perhaps I '11 tell ye about it

.ai8!!waw»^ fSSog/ i ia"iir v ,j.j(Mit«u»i i t i iM i ii i i i »iB

I ^ W I ^ U IIW Jf i i > w i -

128

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

by and by. Did you see anything o' smugglers an
yc come down? But you wouldn't know 'cm if }0U
did see 'em," he added, after a minute's pause.

" We do know 'em,

and we did see 'cm," said

David. And then he told him all about their jour-
ney and the experiences they had had, not omitting
their visit to the smuggler's cave.

He listened with close attention to all that was told
him and then said: " I 've known some places where
they kept things, but I never knew of this one before.
Is it far from here ?"

"No," said Elijah, 'it's right over there," and he
pointed to the island they had left.

" Where 'd ye leave those men, did ye say ? " he
asked. ,

" 0, it was way back yonder," and David pointed
away to the northwest, "It must be as much as
seven or eight miles from here."

" Well, they '11 be here to-day, I guess," said the
stranger. " Probably it was a meet they were goin'
to have on that island, where ye first landed. Well,
boys. I think ye better go home with me to-day. Per-
haps I can help ye with the findin' o' the Osprey.
But I guess we 'd better take a look at that place o'
the smugglers before we go home."

The boys gladly responded, and, going down to their
boat, they were soon joined by their new acquaintance
in his light little skiff, that sat upon the water, the
perfection of beauty and grace.

* 5i!jjijj_Vr^ S

"^sgS5^

gglers an
m if jou

ra," said
icir jour-
omitting

; was told
CCS where
uc before.

," and he

say ? " he

d pointed
much as

' said the
vere goin'
)d. Well,
lay. Per-
ic Osprey.
at place o'

fu to their
luaintanco
water, the

AN ADDITION

129

They soon reached the island where they had passed
the night, and stationing Henry as guard, who was to
whistle if he saw any signs of approaching boats, they
entered the gorge, and, led by Elijah, soon came to
the place where he had found the smugglers' stores.

Tlie stranger looked at everything attentively, and
then said : " Those things have n't been here long.
Ye see they bring 'cm over from the other side, or
else land 'em here from the Osprey and such craft,
and then these fishermen from Clayton and Cape Vin-
cent come out and take 'em back and dispose of 'em.
Mighty queer catches those fishermen get sometimes."

And he chuckled, as he added : " They may find it
a little difiicult to land this catch. Mebbe it wa'n't
hooked as it ought to have been. But we'll leave
everything here just as we found it, and go to my
house for a spell. Ye can't do anything to-day,
unless ye want to go and see Mr. Reese," and he
looked inquiringly at David.

" I guess we won't go there to-day, anyhow," said
David. " You know all about the river, and that was
all we wanted to learn from Mr. Reese."

"Well, come on then. Let's be goin'," said the
stranger, and he led the way back to where the boats
were. Henry had not seen any sign of the smugglers,
and there was nothing save their own voices and the
cries of some birds to break the silence of the great
river.

: S

TllK SKAUCIi FOU ANDUKW I-IKLD

The strancrcr led the way, and they were soon
sweeping on with the current down the stream Ihe
boys put up their sail, and yet with that to help heu
o-u-s they found it dilV.cult to keep up with the l.ttle
skilT, so powerful were the strokes of the stranger as

he led the way.

« I wonder who he can he," said Elijah in a low
tone " 1 hope he's all right. 1 dont just like the
idea' of spending a day in a stranger's 1-";^ espe-
cially here among these smugglers," he added, after a
minute's silence.

» Well we 've got to trust somchody, and he cer-
tainly do'esn't love these smugglers. That's in h.s

favor," replied David. .. , , „,i

" That 's all good, and he looks besides as if he had
had trouble himself. Did you notice his face when
we were telling how they took Andrew 1 '
« Yes, btit all that 's in his favor."
But the boys were working too hard to keep up
with the stranger now, to waste any breath in conver-
sation. He had now changed his course and seemed
to be going eastward, as well as they could judge
The islands were so numerous here, and the cumnt
in xnany places swept them so swiftly on, that they
had not the slightest idea where they were.

In a little time, the stranger turned towards one o
a little group of islands, all nearly of the same size and
appearance. They all seemed to be thickly covered

I."VZ

AN ADDITION

vcro soon,
sam. The
help their
, the little
itrangci- as

11 in a low
at like the
lOuse, espe-
dcd, after a

mA he cer-
lat 's in his '

as if he had
J face •when

to keep up
th ill couvcr-

and seemed
could judge.
I the current
on, that they
re.

)\vards one of
same size and
ickly covered

with trees and there was nothing to indicate that any
human being dwelt on any of them. The burning
sun, which was now high in the air, the swiftness of
the current, the unbroken silence over all, combined
to render the boys silent and thoughtful. They did
not speak, but grounded their boat near the other, and
stepped upon the shore.

The kindly voice of their guide, and the pleasing
way in which he spoke of their rowing on that hot
summer day, served to reassure the boys, and with
lighter hearts they followed him as he started toward
the interior of the island.

" I don't believe you boys could find my house if
you tried all day," said he, as they walked along
together.

"I don't see any signs of it now, anyway," said
David.

"And yet its right here before your eyes."
" Where ? " said the boys together.
And leading the way within the brush, they saw,
entirely concealed from the view of any one who
might be passing, a small house built of logs.

The four posts of the house were trees left standing
as they had grown, and with their branches only cut
away to make room for the building. The logs that
made the sides, were covered over with branches of
fir, and branches of the same tree also served to con-
ceal the roof, which was thatched.

jl i il l >l « 4t., »...»< * ! j JgJ UlB WH ■

132

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

The sti-aiigcr led the way around to one side, nnd
through a door only large enough to admit of their
entrance they stepped inside the house.

A large dog leaped up to meet his master, and
looked with suspicious eyes towards the strangers. A
couple of kittens, asleep before their master's return
•^ by the fireplace, rose, and stretched, and yawned, as
they came in. A little fire was still on the hearth,
evidently the remains of that by which the stranger
had cooked his breakfast.

Rude chairs and tables were in the room, and a
ladder which led to the chamber above. A little rude
cradle was in one corner, covered with quaint little
quilts, evidently the work of patient hands. The boys
looked at this, and then smiled at one another, but
said nothing. The stranger saw their glances fol-
lowing the sight of the cradle, and his face became
grave at once, but he made no remark.

He patted the dog's head and spoke some quiet
words to the kittens, and then, turning, said pleasantly
to the boys : —

" Well, we 're home at last. I did n't do the fishin'
I intended to, but I guess I can do more 'n that if I
help you. And I guess I can," he added cheerfully.
"Now let's sit down and we'll get somethin' to eat,
and then we'll talk about your trip. What do you
propose to do first?"

"SaSS?^

■ J W . ' <»U" '

. A ■

)

«,

THE HERMIT'S STOUY

Ids

side, find

it of their

aster, and
angers. A
er's return
yawned, as
he hearth,
le stranger

)om, and a
little rude
uaint little
The hoys
nother, hut
fiances fol-
ace hccainc

some quiet
1 pleasantly

the fishin'
'n that if I
cheerfully,
thin' to eat,
hat do you

CHAPTER XV

THE hermit's STOUY

DAVID recalled the warning Mr. Potter had
given him, that ho should tell of his plans
no more than he should find necessary, and that he
should he especially careful with strangers. He
looked at the old man, who sat silently stroking his
long white heard, and occasionally running his hand
through his hair, as long and white as his beard.

The face he saw reassured him somewhat, and yet
he could not tell very much, for he had iio very defi-
nite plans formed. They had been so bMsy in getting
out of the clutches of the smugglers, and had lost
their way so completely, that he felt he was in a
quandary.

" We 'd like to get over to Clayton. We have no
very definite plans, only we want to help Andrew off
from the Osprey; we know she is bound for Kings-
ton, but she won't go there for some time yet. We
thought we 'd cruise around here for a few Cays, and
if we did n't get any chance to help him, we 'd go
over to Kingston and wait. If you can direct us to
Clayton, we shall be very glad," said David.

134 THE SEAKCIl FOR ANDREW FIELD

The hennit smiled, and was silont and thoughtful
for a lew xninutes. Then, turning again to Pand
ho said pleasantly, "1 s'posc you boys are a h Ic
^vary of a stranger. You don't even know n»y name,
he added. He smiled again, as he saw the bo s
slightly confused, and showing in then- fuecs the
truth of his surmise.

" Wall, I don't blame ye. But, boys, 1 've a mn.d
to help ye. I believe ye can get your brother out
of the clutches of those fellows." , ,, „

David's face brightened. His conndence had been
restored by the stranger's evident sympathy and, lost
as they w re, he knew they must be helped by some
one 'we surely have no cause to be susjncious
of you," replied David. "You've been very kmd to
„8, and we shall be only too glad of your help.

"I never saw your brother, but I've had some ex-
perience with the British myself." Hi« face became
grave and his eyes grew hard as ho spoke.
'"Is that so? "said David. "What was xt? Would

you mind telling us 'i" ^ ^ ,^ . lu ^,,^1,

^ "No; though it's something I don't talk much
about. But then," he added, with his quaxnt sm.le
again appearing, "I don't have many neighbors round

'"Ctu btcame silent, and after a short pause
the hermit began his story.

uMy people settled near Albany down on the Hud-

Jill. i.<mmMri«iiiw.i^iirii-r-i —»-.-«««»«»■»*«»»--

loughtful
,0 David,
e a little
ly name,"
the boys
faces the

ve a mind
lotlicr out

3 had been
r, and, lost
d by some
suspicious
jry kind to
iclp."
d some ex-
ace became

it? Would

talk much
uaint smile
hbors round

short pause

on the Hud-

TlIE IIKUMIT'8 STOUY

135

8on. Tlmt's a great river, but it isn't so beautiful
ns this St. Lawrence. We had come from New
IIaiui)shirc when 1 was a baby, and 1 don't remember
tlir journey at all."

"My father came from Vermont," said David,
"but only ten years ago."

"Well, we settled near Albany. It was a hard
life, and my father broke down. He had chills, and
fever, and rheumatism; sometimes he wasn't out
of bed for weeks. I was the only boy, and as I grew
up the work fell more and more on me. When the
war of the Revolution broke out my father was a
strong Whig. 1 was then only eighteen years old,
but my father wanted me to enlist, and I wanted to,
too."

'" Why did n't you, then ? " asked Elijah.
"I couldn't leave home very well. What with
father sick and no one but women in the house,
it wasn't safe; but I still did a little," he added.
" I 'd go fer a month and serve in the army» and then
come home. There was a lot of men who did that. "
" I don't see how they could depend on the army,
if the men were likely to have to go home every
month," said David.

"They couldn't very much; but when we were
there, we worked hard enough to make up for it.
Well, things worked on till by and by Ccneral
Burgoyne came along with his army. You know

TlIK SEARCH von AN'DKKW FIKI.D

hi« plan was to take an niiny an.l come ftoni Canada,
ami another army was lo .••muc up the lln.ls.m from
New York to All)any an.l meet him, and between
them they weri; to sweep the fiehl clean,"

"Yea, I ve heard of that," said David. "Hut it

didn't work." , ., ' t. r i .

"No, Imt some thinfrs did. Well, while the fight-
ing was going on around Stillwater and Saratoga 1
was in the army most of the time. Burgoync had
a lot of Indians, - that 's what he called 'cm, - I
called 'cm fiends. Whenever they had a fight, these
Indians would go to scalping the dead. Boys, I
can't tell ye all," and the hermit, with his face
strangely working, was silent for a time.

After a brief pause he began again: "When I was
at Bennington I heard them tell how a beautiful gul
over by Fort Edward, named Jane M'Crea, had been
killed and scalped; it made my blood boil, I tell
you. My time was up then, and I started fer home
through the woods, nervous like fer my folks as they

were all alone."

Again he was silent for a few minutes, and the
boys looked sympathizingly from him to one another.

« Well," resumed the hermit, " when 1 got home 1
found that on the very day the Indians had killed
and scalped Jane M'Crea some others had been
killed and scalped too."

" Who were they ? " asked Elijah, softly.

TIIK lir.UMlT'S STOKV

i:i7

1 Oanndii,
Isoii from
I Itotwccn

" But it

the fight-
■Saratoga I
goync had
I 'cm, — I
ight, iheso
1. Boys, I
;h his face

Vhcn I was
autiful girl
a, had been
boil, 1 tell
d fer home
.Iks as they

es, and the
me another,
got home 1
I had killed
B had been

"My father and moUx^- and two little sirtters. (>
bovs, I never .iin t.i: you about that day! My
mother was the best woman in all this world, and
th.y had.rt siuvred even her, and the two little
sisters I had. I went back to where my home was,
and there was nothing but a black spot of ashes and
charcoal. Some friends had con»e and buried the
dead, so that when I got there 1 had almost nothing

in the world." ,,

"What awful devils those Indians were, said

David.

" Well, do you know, I did n't find it in my heart,
sad as I was, to blame the Indians so much. They
didn't know any better; that was the way they
always did in war. But I did blame the British;
that they, who were of the same stock that we were,
should let loose on their own brothers such incarnate
fiends as those Indians, seemed to me to be a good
deal worse than the ignorant savages ever could be.

"That's so," said David. "Whenever I have
heard about it, 1 never could understand how they
could have done it. Since Andrew has been taken,
I know a little more, though. What did you do ? "

"I couldn't do much of anything; I was dazed,
and almost crazy. I did go to General Gates and
asked him what he would do; but he was such a
pompous little weakling -why I'd as soon go to
my dog here as to him!"

•«£ilWJ«aNiiii*Mlili>

TIIK SKAKCII I'OU ANDUKW I'IKM)

"But didn't lio do auytliin<; or Hiiy anythini? nt

nil?"

" V(>8, he wroto a letter. You hci; ho iiuuiy others
had HiilTored, that the feolinij; was getting miglify
strong. O yes, (lonoral Gates, the little dandy, sat
down and wrote a letter to (Seneral Burgoyue."

"What did he say?"

"0, he told how more limn a hundred men,
women, and children had been killed by the nillians
Burgoync had hired."

" What did Burgoyno do ? "

"Nothin'. Over in England there was a man
named Burke who called the Indians 'gentle hyenas.'
1 never saw any hyenas; but if they're worse 'n
Indians, I don't care to. But Burgoync could n't
keep 'em in a bit; it was Indian natur', ye sec."

All sat silently for a little while. Then David
said, " Well, you have as good cause — better too
than I — not to love these British."

"'^, but I have n't told ye all yet. There 's some-
thing worse yet."

" Worse yet ? " asked David, in a tone of surprise.

" Yes, a good deal worse. I stayed round Saratoga
for a time and fought in the army. But I had an-
other sister; she and I was all there was left of our
family. SIkj had married a Presbyterian minister
down in New Jersey. She wanted me to come down
there, and after a time I went. Her husband could

■•-tnj

«MM

■»««

TIIK IIKUMII'S STOUY

i:;!)

y otlu'iH

ini^'lity

luly, Silt

kI men,
nitlianB

a man
hyenas.'
worse 'n
could n't

CO."

n David
otter too

's Bome-

surprise.
Saratoga
had an-
ift of our
minister
nie down
nd could

finht as well as preach; ho was brave as a lion, and
one! of the stronj^'est men I ever knew. \V(!ll, ymi
know, perhaps, the IJritish were pretty thick around
there. It was near Now York, and thcri; were lots
of Conliiunital troops in New JtM-sey too. Wusliiuji-
ton had his quarters at Morristown, and used to do
all he could to protect the j)eo])le. One time the
IJritish thought he was goin' to make a move; so
they sent a lot of Hessians up to check him."

" Hessians ? What were they ? " inf,uired Henry.

"0, they were some men King Georgo and liJs
henchmen hired to commit murder over here. They
were so busy making war with other countries, and
were so angry at the Colonies for bothering them at
such a time, that they got a lot of men from Hesse,
in Germany, to come over here and tight for them.
They were a beastly lot. They could n't speak a
word of English, and for cruelty they could beat
the Indians themselves. I think the Americans
hated the Hessians a good deal worse than they did
the Indians, for they were white.

"Well, one day a body of these Hessians were
marching to meet Washington, and they halted in the
village whei'e my sister lived. She was standing in
the doorway with her baby in her arms — " Here
the hermit halted in his story and again was silent.

When he resumed, he pointed to the cradle the
boys had seen when they first entered his house,

140

Tin: SKARCII FOR ANDUKW FIKM)

iind Hilid: "That crfxllo nvor ihcro waw lu'v Iml.y's.
I iiuulf it nivM.'ir, ivml it was llionjrlit t(. 1m^ » >rn«iit
picc! of W(.ik. Many n tinu I 'vc incl^od l..-r littlo
tot to Bleep in it wlien tlie moHier wuh at work.
Well, that (lay she hI.mhI in tlie .loorwny holding 1m'«-
baby in her arms. One of those niseally IleHKinns
raised his «.Mni, — and what do you supiiose he diil ? "
The hoys wero silent; they know what was eouiinjr.
" Ho shot her, — shot hor and her hahy, too. O
what times those wore!" frroaned the hermit. "Men
were not men, they wore beasts. The people, 1 tell
you, were stirred up as the Hessians marched on.
My sister's husband, ho just roused them, and led
the men on ; they had no wadding, and he just ran
into the church an.l lirought out an armful of tune-
books. 'Give 'em Watts, boys! give 'em Watts!'
said he. You see Watts was the man's name that
wrote those tunes. Well, my hrother in law, ho
was shot a few months later, — shot by a sentinel.
They all hated him, did those Britishers; and while
they said it was a mistake of their picket, I believe
they did it on purpose.

"1 was more crazy than ever then. I went into
the army, and did n't stay for a month this time, but
I stayed till it was through. And boys," he added,
"when I was at Yorktown, when Cornwallis surren-
dered, if you 'd been alive then, I think you could
have heard my yell of delight way up here. I stood

'^,.

■Mmm mum

■ Imlty'a.
a ^n■<'!lt
icr IKtlo
it work.
Idinj? licr

u'di.lT'
I coming.
, too. O
t. "Men
;)lc, 1 tell
•clicd on.

and led

just ran
1 of tnne-

W.itts!'
lumc that
1 law, he

sentinel,
and while

I believe

went into
I time, but
he added,
lis surren-
you could
. I stood

TIIK IIKUMIT'S STORY

141

it nil right till the war wiis over, and then I did n't
know what to do with myself. 1 just ftdt as if I'd
nothing worth livin' for. Wo I came away up hero
after a little, and 1 've been here ever since."

" I suppose you hate the Uritish worse 'n ever,
now," said Klijah.

"No. I had hard feelin's for a Mme, Imt I reckon
there 's One will judge 'em rig?' 1 can't do it.
However," ho said, after a moment's pausj, "I
guess it does n't go agin the grain any foi mo t > help
ye get your brother out of their clute! es; ami I don't
believe ye '11 be afeard to trust me a little now, will
ye? A little bit," he added, with the quaint smi:-^,
again appearing on his face.

"We were n't much afraid any time," siud I ^vid,
as the hermit rose and left the house.

■" — ^

MMMMMMiMAMiMMi

THE SEAKCll FOR ANDUEW TIELl)

CHAPTER XVI

ANOTHER BOAT

THE boys in silence looUed at one another. The
hermit's story had touched their hearts, and
now that he had gone out and left thorn alone, they
had little desire for conversation.

" What fools we were to feel afraid of him ! said
David, rising and going to the window. He looked
down the long sweep of the St. Lawrence. He could
see eddies here and there in the swift current, and
>vherever he turned his gaze, he beheld islands, some
bare and rocky, and some green and fertile.

He was thinking of the hermit's story as he stood by
the window. " Poor man," thought he, " he has had a
sad experience. T don't wonder that he wanted to run
away from it all, and get down here where everything
is so quiet. It doesn't look much like smugglers or
British here. I wonder where Andrew is, and if
father is no worse, and how mother is getting on.

And with a sigh David turned as he saw the hermit
coming up from the shore. The sun was just setting,
and in the evening glow, as he saw the bare white

<..s<j^ , !

:%■

iinwwmw ii iiii *-

ANOTHER BOAT

143

thcr. The
earts, and
ilone, tlicy

iiim ! " said
He looked

He could
arrent, and
lands, some
le.

he stood by
le has had a
inted to run
; everything
mugglers or

is, and if
ting on."
V the hermit
just setting,
; bare wliite

head of the old man, and his long white beard, and the
evidences of sorrow so plain upon him, his heart soft-
ened. " He must look like some ' •■ tliose old patri-
archs Elder Dodd was telling me about. I guess
Abraham and Moses must have looked something like
tliat. O, well, I hope he '11 be able to help us, any-
way," he added, as the old man entered the house.

" We '11 have some supper now, boys," said the
hermit cheerfully. "I think that'll be better than
adding my sad story to yours."

In a little ^hile the boys drew up their low stools
around the rude table, and the evening meal was soon
eaten.

"I know these smugglers. I've known 'en^for
years. They look upon me as out of the world, I
guess. They never bother me, and I never bother
them," said the hermit.

"Did you ever know where they hid their goods
before ? " asked Elijah.

" I 've rather suspected I knew. But I did n't often
bother about 'em. I had a good reason for going in
this place you found."

« What was it ?" asked David.

"I'll tell ye by and by. Guess we better go to
bed now, and talk over our plans in the mornin'.
Our heads '11 be clearer tlien, and we can see some
things that don't look very plain now." And he led
the way up the ladder to tlie room above.

«55^

■MMMT

1 ■'

I-

144 THE SEARCH FOtt ANDKEW FIEU>

He ,,„a no candle, and iu tl,c dim If f "'« ^^ta^
f,™t could make little of the room >"=«• ^'^ " ^
.„it remained only for a few m.nates though
Btonned to talk a little before he «ent helow

•Tthink rU sleep below. I most ahvajB do. and
J^, ,vi«, the dog, it'll do no harm to be on guard
Tlittl You can »ee now, can't ye?" he add d^

:*»,! can Bce some now," re„lied Pavid. " "Wlvere
shall we sleep? On the floor? 1 don't see any beds
Cermit turned to the side of the room and le
down something like a shelf. " Tl>esc go all round
• thfroom A ot could sleep here. My brother m

.>'^ -t ladbeen in Palestine once (.hat's the Holy U,u ,
•• ■'^j^now), and he said some of the houses there w.e
•Cfthat plan. So I thought beds ou the «de of he
house would be all right on the St. Lawrence H.e ,f
the, were in Palestine." And he gave each boy a
heavy blanket and went down staus.

Early in the morning, the boys were awakened by

the sound of voices below. They all came near the

laddcH, and listened eagerly. „„,„,.. „i4

uYd* are out pretty early, ue.ghbor Heath, sa,d

tV.e hermit. " What's np now ? "

.0 ™"thin' much. I just stopped on my way up
the river Ye hain't seen some boys round anywhere,

■■"The tays overhead looked at one another, and lis-
Jedstarply. The reply of the hermit would now

ANOTHEU BOAT

; boys at

The hci-

lough lie

s do, and

on guard

Idcd.

« Where
my beds."
m, and let
all round
brother in
loly Land,
there were
side of the
cc River if
!ach boy a

I'akened by
le near the

[eath," said

my way up
d anywhere,

her, and lis-
; would now

146

They

tell the story of his friendship or opposition,
waited hreathiessly.

" Boys ! I don't have boys, — I wish sometimes I
had," they heard the hermit reply. " What your
boys been doiu' ?"

" Tliey aiu 't my boys. They 're some spyin' mis-
chief-makers. They stove in a boat up on Wells
Island. I guess they were sent down here by some-
body to see what they could see."

"Most everybody likes to see these islands. I
think they're wonderful."

'*0, you need n't talk like that. You know what I
mean. I ain't afeard o' your peachin', but them
boys we want to detain a few weeks. Jest detain, gM|
that's all, — detain 'em, you know."

« What for ? " said the hermit.

" 0, so they could n't spile everything. Ye see the
Osprey might come along in a week or so, and then
there'll be no trouble. But if they should stir up
the officers before that time, 1 don't know what '11 be
to pay."

"Where's the Osprey now?" asked the hermit
innocently.

"O, she's over on the other shore. But she 's a
corain' back inside o' two or three weeks I don't mind
tellin' ye. I never see sech a man as you. You don't
care a tuppence about money. Well, ye hain't seen
the boys, ye say ? " He waited for the hermit to reply,

146

TlIK SEAHCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

and the boys overhead almost stopped breathing. As
he said nothing that they could hear, they felt re-
lieved when the loud voice of the stranger called out
as he stood in the door: "If yc see anything on
'em, yc might come over and tell us. It won't hurt
you any." He closed the door, and went out. The
boys watehcd him from the upper room as he went
down to his boat, and, stepping .luickly into it, was
soon out of sight among the islands.

Then the boys came down the ladder, and warmly
greeted their host. The same quaint smile w*8 on
his face as he spoke to them they had seen the day be-
fore, and it deepened as he saw the friendly feeling the
boj's had for him so plainly shown upon their faces.

''Had some mornin callers before yo were up,"

8a><i ^^^- ^ . , .. Tin

" Yes, we heard you talking," said David. Why
did n't he see our boat ? We left it right on the shore
by yours. If he 'd seen it, we 'd been goners."

"O 1 took pains last night to take it round on
the other side of the island. I 'vc a good boathouse

there too."

After breakfast the hermit drew the boys around
him, and inquired as to their further plans. After
listening to what David had to say about going over
to Clayton, he shook his head, and said, — ^

"Clayton's a good twelve mile from here. Ye
don't know the way, and besides I don't believe Mr.
Reese could tell ye any more 'n 1 know.".

•■■*..atr

ANOTHER BOAT

147

thing. As
ey felt re-
called out
iiything on
won't hurt
out. Tho
as he went
into it, was

\v(\ warmly
lile TM18 on
the day be-
f feeling the
leir faces,
s were up,"

vid. "Why

on the shore

ers."

it round on

)d boathouse

boys around
lans. After
it going over

m here. Ye
t believe Mr.

" I think that 's so," said David ; " but what do you
advise ? "

"Well, it seems to me," said he slowly, "that the
best plan 's to stay right hero quiet like for a while.
You heard what my neighbor Heath had to say about
the Osprey. Well, I don't believe he knew just
where she is now. But you 're as apt to find her near
hero as anywhere. Ye see right over there," and he
pointnd to the east, " is what 's called the Lost
Channel. But I tell you the Osprny knows how to
find it, and I can almost always tell when she or any
other boat 's coming."

" How ? " asked D.-xvid.

" Why, there 's the most wonderful echo you arer
heard right over there. H a man speaks in a whis-
per, you can hear it forty rods, I guess; and 1 hear
'em when they go through there. "

"Do you think we'd better stay right here? I
thought," said David, "if we went to Clayton, pi
haps we could get another boat. We never can
to Kingston in this tub we have."

"So you can't," replied the hermit. "But what
would you say if I brought out a new boat, cat-rigged,
new sail, and just built ? "

" Say, " said David. " Why, I 'd say you were the
best man in the world — almost, " he added, With a
laugli.

"Well, come on then, and see for yourselves," and

148 • TllK SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

the hermit, rising, led the way around to the other
side of the island. There, covered hy trees and
branches, was a boathouse built of logs, very simi-
lar to the house he lived in, only smaller.

In it the boys saw a new cat-riggcd boat, larger
by considerable than the Pilot. She was new and
^^?l^le a little rough, was evidently a staneh and
strong craft, and built with an eye to speed.

-Sh-'s a good one," said Elijah, enthusiastically.
"But you wouldn't want to let us boys take her,
and go over to Kingston, or cruise round among the
islands. We might get caught, and your boat get

taken "

"That '8 so," said the hermit. "She might get
catched and 1 don't think I care to lend her to a

parcel of youngsters." , ^ ^ ,, • v,«r.oa

The bovs' faces fell. They had had their hopes

raised only to be the more cast down when they

seemed to be blasted.

"No," said the hermit, with a smile, 1 don t

helieve 1 want to lend her, but I rather think 1 d

like to sail her."

« Sail her ? what do you mean ? Of course you d

like to sail her," said David.

"Yes 1 'd like to sail her. I have n't been out in
her but a few times, and 1 think I 'd like to sail her
some more. 1 think I 'd like to sail her to Kings on
and take you boys along for a crew," and he smiled
as he watched their faces.

he other
recB and
jry simi-

it, larger
it'W, and,
inch and

iastically.
take her,
imong the
' boat get

might get
i her to a

heir hopes
when they

, "1 don't
think 1 'd

lurse you 'd

been out in
I to sail her
to Kingston
I he smiled

AXf)TIIKK BOAT

149

The hoys were not slow to express their enthusiasm.
The old man watched them quietly, as they ran
around the boat, praising her good points, and talk-
ing of Iheir proposed trip.

Finally they became quiet enough for the hermit
to say, "I 'vo been thinking a good deal about this
business o' yours. I 'vo about made up my mind
that we 'd better stay here for a few days and stock
up the boat, and get ready for a cruise. The Osprey
won't be goin' to Kingston for some time yet, and if
we start in a few days, and go careful like, we can
get there before she docs, and have time to prepare
a welcome for her. We'll want to sail mostly
mornin's and nights, and stop off in the middle of
the day, so 's not to call attention to us. And by
not goin' very fast we can get there in time, and yet
learn what we can on the way. It may be Andrew
has got away before this."

"I don't think so," said David. "But I think
your plan 's fine. It 'a just the thing, and I don't
know what we can do to show you our thanks."

" 0, you need n't do anything. I 'm glad to have
a chance to help you in such a work as this. Como
and see my farm, boys. We '11 have time to see to
that before we go."

?«^»*s**««Wis»aasffiaswBs^

4-,^

X60 THE SEAUCll FUli ANDREW FIELU

CHAPTER XVII

ANOTHER VOYAGE BEGUN

THE hermit led the way to the shore, and, bid-
ding the boys jump into his skiff, quickly
pulled over to the nearest island. Here he landed,
and with the boys started inland.

They soon saw that the thick evergreens were
only around the edge of the island, which v .s about
the size of the one on which he made his home.
All the interior had been cleared, and laid out as a
garden. Beds and rows of vegetables were there,
and some rose bushes grew in one corner.

" I brought those roses from New Jersey. There
was only one little root, but it lived; my sister had
lots of them; they grew all over one side of her

house."

The hermit was silent and thoughtful, and the boys
did not care to break in upon his sadness. They
examined the garden, and were enough of farmer
boys to appreciate its treasures.

« I never saw such cucumbers and summer squashes,
did you Elijah ? " said David.

;, and, bid-
.ff, quickly ^
he landed,

reens were
1 V 18 about
! his home,
lid out as a
«-ere there,

sey. There
ly sister had
side of her

and the boys
Iness. They
h of farmer

aer squashes,

ANOTHKH VOYAGE IlKCUN

ini

«No," replied Elijah; "nor such strawberries;
but it needs weeding."

"Tliat's so, boys, it does," said the hermit, who
had caught the last word. "And that's just what
we came here for. I don't want to go away and
leave my garden like this; but it won't take very
long, and if you '11 help, wc can start the sooner for
Kingston."

The boys turned to the work with a will. And as
they worked the hermit talked.

« Ye see these five islands here V Well, this clump
belongs to me. Nobody seemed to want it, and I
just put in a claim and got it. Saves me the trouble
of fences on my farm," he said, with a laugh, "this
having every lot separate. I kept a cow one spell
over here, but I gave that up. Then over on that
island to the left I used to keep hens; but the foxes
was too much for me."

"Foxes? Where did they come from?" asked

Elijah.

" In the winter time they 'd come over on the ice.
The bigger islands have lots of 'em. Why, this
river is a great sight in the winter. You can drive
right across from one side to the other with a horse
and sleigh. And then the bears and wolves are not
wantin', either. I used to trap them and foxes, but
I don't any more."

"We do over by Sackett's Harbor," said David;

152

THE 8EAKCII FOR /MinREW FIELD

"but wc (lun't get 80 iniiny as you do hero. I s'poao
your firth arc bigger too."

" Well, wc do get some pretty big ones. I caught
a muscallonge last suunncr that weighed by the stcel-
yards when I got him home just forty-seven poiunls."

"I never saw such a big one as that," said David.

" No ? " said the hermit. " When I got him in <he
boat I just had to jump right a-st raddle on him and
hammer his head with a hickory club. I did n't
know but he 'd smash the boat all to pieces."

"I wish we could get some now," said Elijah; but
catching the look upon David's lace, he added, "Wc
sha'n't have time, of course."

"No," replied the hermit. "I don't believe wo
will have time, and besides it 's a little early for
'em. After we start for Kingston, we might try it
when we 're creeping along."

The boys worked on busily through the day. It
was a relief to find something to do on shore. The
hermit talked more and more freely with them, and
gave them many a story and fact from the war of the
Revolution.

On the third day the hermit took the boys over to
his garden, and they began to pick some of the
vegetables.

"Some o' these I started under glass," said he,
as he found some unusually large. " We '11 take
'em over and store 'em in the boat. "

I s'poso

I caught
jy tlie stccU
I'n poumls."
aid David.
, him in tho
311 liiin and

I didn't

Elijah; but
ddcd, "Wo

believe wo
c early for
night try it

he day. It
ihoi-e. The
1 them, and
B war of the

loys over to
ome of the

i," said he,
We'll take

AXOTIIKK VOYAGE BEGUN

isa

"What for?" askfd David. ..

"(), I '11 toll yo a little later. We want to gft
rca<ly to-day, and we Ml stock nj) the boat, and I want
to put on board Bome of these garden things that'll
keep for a while."

The vegetables were soon added to the stores
that were placed that day on board the little sloop.
Everything about the place was looked after, and the
dog, it was decided, should go with them on the
following day, for that was the time chosen for their
dopartnre.

The hermit's little skiff was to be taken in tow
also. IJhinkets were placed in the little cabin, and
everything was ready for a voyage.

"What shall wo do with this boat wo brought with
us?" asked Elijah.

"It is n't our boat only by a fair exchange," said
David. "We '11 leave that here. If we come back
we '11 need it, and if we don't come we '11 get along
without it."

After an early breakfast on the next day, the
little party s.et sail. The wind was good, but it
was only because the hermit knew where the currents
ran that they could make much headway.

They sailed by the island where the smugglers' cave
was, and looked carefully to see if there were any
signs of men, but it was as quiet and peaceful a sum-
mer day as that on which they had landed there.

■iKinniniwiimiiwiii

hmmw

154 TIIK KKAUril Foil ANDKKW KIKLD

"O, tlwy won't opme inm-h uronml iliirt iHliiiul,"
Hui.l the h.-nnit. "Tlicy mny Inivo Honu-l.ody vu
gimrd; but it's sonic otluT islim.l wlicir we Ml l.c
likrly to Hco 'cm il' wc hc(« 'cm iit all. Tlicy nin't
much ulciiid ..' I.cin' cau-l.t, but they pi-obiibly think
it's a little salVr to meet on some other Hpot, ami
only come here when they want to bring somcthin'
or take it nway."

As it cume on towards noon, the hermit turnetl
to the boys, and said, " 1 guess we'll land and rest
awhile. 1 don't much want to meet them men, and
if wc stop awhile in the middle of the day, 1 think
wc won't be so likely to sec 'em."

So they landed, anchoring the boat about twenty
feet from the shore, and landing by the aid of the

little skill'.

» If any o' you boys is good at fishin' ye might try
ycr luck around here. OIT by those weeds is good
fishin' ground," said the hermit.

"Henry 's the lishcrman of the party," said David.

" Well, you and Henry go out and try your luck.

' ' Elijah and 1 '11 try to get some dinner ready, and

we '11 cook your lish. Some would go pretty good

now.

So, while the hermit, with Elijah's aid, was mak-
ing a fire and preparing some potatoes and corn
bread for dinner, David and Henry went over to the
place he had indicated and began to fish. They

r til II

nMm

LI)

liiH iHliind,"
)mclii)(ly i>n

MH! \Vl' Ml lu'

Tlu'v 11 i n't
i)hiil»ly tliiiik
)M' H|)*)t, and
ijj; soiiu'tliin'

iM'uiit <iirm'(l

iiul ami ri'Ht

cm men, inul

day, I think

ubout twenty
»e uid of tho

yc mi>?ht try
vccds is good

" said David,
try your luck,
er ready, and
;o pretty good

aid, was mak-
oes and corn
Lilt over to the
fish. They

ANOTIIKU VOYAUK UKlirN

ir.f)

found thiMii hungry, and buss after Wuhh ciimo into

the hoat.

"Thia Itcatfl 'The Rocks* all to pieces," said
Henry. "I never saw such ti place," he added, aw
hirt line liegan again to cut the water. "This is
the biggest one yet," lie exclaimed, as Ik; rose and
dropped his r(»d and began to pull in the (ish by the
line. "I don't s'pose this is the best way to catch
'em, hut I want the fish mostly just row," as with a
sudden pull he lifted the great bass into the boat.

"'Sh, Henry," said David. "Look over there to
your right. Do you scjc anything there by tlu; rocks
at the end of the island ? "

Henry stood for a moment and looked carefully
where David had indicated; but he could see nothing

unusual.

"1 could almost swear T saw a man run from ono
(»f those rocks to the other. I feel almost sure of
it," said David.

Henry looked all about. He could sec and hear
nothing unusual.

"I guess we 'd better go back to camp," continued
David. "It must be 'bout dinner time. Yes, it is,"
he added, as a faint shout came from the camp.

The boys reeled in their lines, an^' started to
take up their anchor.

"Henry, there is somebody there, right behind
that big rock. I just saw 1 im dodge down. He
doesn't want to be seen, that's sure."

150 THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

" Who is it, do you suppose ? "

"I dou't know any more than you do. But I 'm
sure he 's been watching us for a good while. I 'm
most afraid it 's for no good purpose either. It may
be he 's one of the smugglers. "

But bending to their oars, in a few minutes they
weio back at the camp. The others wore highly
pleased at the catch they brought in, and they all
were soon seated beneath the trees a little back from
the shore, as they ate their dinner and talked over
their plans.

The hermit looked grave when David told him ho
had seen a man, and was sure he had been watching
them.

"It may have been only a bird you saw."

"It wasn't a bird, it was a man," said Henry

st »utly.

"Well, all wo can do is to do nothing just now,"
said the hermit. "We won't put out till towards
night, and we '11 keep quiet till then."

In the afternoon he told them more of his plan.
It was to go on towards Kingston, and to keep from
being seen much on the way. When they arrived
there, if the Osprey was not in, all they could do
was to wait. They could sleep on the boat, and
wait for events.

The hermit proposed that, when the Osprey did
come, he should take the part of an old farmer, and

KLD

o. But I 'm
while. I 'm
her. It may

minutes they
wore highly
and they all
tie back from
I talked over

I told him ho
leen watching

w."

' said Henry

ig just now,"
till towards

e of his plan.

to keep from

they arrived

;hey could do

the boat, and

le Osprey did
d farmer, and

ANOTlIi;U VOYAGE BEGUN

try to go on board, or see the cook or steward, and
sell some of the vegetables he had brought. He was
so positive that they would be much larger than any
that could be had in Kingston that he was sure he
could make a sale.

His greatest desire was to get on board the
Osprey, and into the cook's galley if possible.
Then he could see Andrew and get in a few words of
conversation.

".' think I '11 take one of you boys with me if I do
get on board the Osprey," he said. "Henry, you
could pass for my boy, could n't you ? "

" Sure pop ! " said Henry, with a laugh.

"Boys, there comes a little sailboat around that
•Island over there ! " exclaimed Elijah, suddenly
pointing to the no/th.

They all at onje arose, and stood watching the
stranger as she came rapidly on, evidently headed
for the island where they were.

"Boys, that's the Pilot," said David, in a low
tone.

They all looked carefully, and Elijah responded,
"It is the Pilot, sui 's you are born." And with
the others he started after David, and ran to the
shore.

<rf

I —ii W P

158 THE SEARCH I'UK AMJUEW i'HiLD

CHAPTER XVIII

AT KINGSTON

ELIJAH was not mistaken. They could plainly
see on the bow of the ai)proacliing boat the
name " Pilot," which he himself had painted there,
though he would have known the boat anywhere, even
if the name were gone.

Tlie hermit and the boys waited upon the shore for
the Pilot to approach. Two men were in her, one
upon the bow, and the other steering, whose face
was hidden by the sail.

The boat came about when nearer the shore, and
the face of the man who was steering could then be
seen. "It's Smith," called out David and Elijah
together.

The call produced a marked effect upon the sailor,
for he at once changed the course of the boat, and
without a word started off down the river. " Here !
here ! you 've got our boat," called out Elijah ; but
the only response was a laugh from Smith, who kept
the Pilot off from the island.

Elijah and David had almost start^^d into the river

tSiiiiiMiS

M^MWIUMa*

NiaOTMaitMMMe

;a«r^'^

ELD

could plainly
liing boat the
painted there,
ny where, even

I the shore for
•e in her, one
;, whose face

the shore, and
could then be
id and Elijah

ipon the sailor,
the boat, and
iver. " Here !
ut Elijah ; but
nith, who kept

i into the river

SmMZ'.-

AT KINGSTON

169

in their excitement, but the voice of the hermit called
them back.

" Hold on, boys, ye can't swim after her," said he
quietly. All that the boys could do was to watch the
Pilot under full sail, disappearing as rapidly and as
suddenly as she had come into sight.

" What a shame ! She 's our boat, and we could
have got her," Elijah said, and lie shook his fist at
Smith, who turned and waved his hand derisively at
them as he went out of sighi, behind the nearest island,
" I think we 'd better be starting, boys," said the
licrmit. " They may come back, and we don't want
to receive callers just yet."

" Maybe he 'd bring back the Pilot," said Henry.
The hermit laughed. "They might, that's true;
but I fear they 'd bring her back full o' men. They
might take some passengers away with 'em, too.
We could n't do much against 'em. No, boys. 1 'm
sorry, b\it we must not stay here, and the sooner we
get . t the better." And the old man began to
arrange things on board for their departure.

« She 's a pretty boat," said he. " If she don't leak,"
and he laughed a little, " she 'd sail most as fast as
mine, though I have n't any name for mine."

In a few minutes they started. The boys were in
no mood for conversation, and for miles they sailed
on in silence.

When the sun had set, they came in near shore and

160 THE SEARCH FOtt ANDREW VlhLD

anchored for the night. The air was still, and the
night was nr.ld, so they at once fell in with Ihe
hermit's suggestion that they should stay on board

till morning. ,j , .. i „„ i

uMv opinion is," said he, "that we'd better keep
a wat'ch to-night. I guess I'm a little more used to
being up nights than you are, so I '11 stay awake to- ,
night. If I get tired, I '11 call one o' yc to come and

S|)ell me." , ^ .-, , i

" Elijah m.kes a good guard," said David laugh-
ingly, as he saw him color a little at the recalling of
his night at the smugglers' cave. ^^

" Well, I '11 call him then if I want to sleep, said

the hermit.

But they were not molested that night. And on
the following day they saw no one. They anchored
a.rain the next night, and Elijah insisted upon stand-
i,'g guard. No one accused him of having been
asleep on duty, for no one waked up to sec.

*' We'll get into Kingston to-day," said the hermit,
» if we have no bad luck. It 's been some time since
1 've been there, but I feel pretty sure o' my bearings.

In the afternoon they came in sight of the Cana-
dian town. They talked over their plans for the
immediate future, and decided that they would not
approach through the harbor, but would enter at one
side, and then make some inquiries as to the where-
aljouts of the Osprey.

F.LD

still, and the

in with Ihc

iay on board

d better keep

more used to

itay awake to-

to come and

David laiigh-
hc recalling of

to sleep," said

light. And on
They anchored
tied upon stand-
f having been
p to sec.
aid the hermit,
some time since
o' my bearings."
lit of the Cana-
r plans for the
they would not
)uld enter at one
as to the where-

AT KINGSTON

161

Accordingly they passed the open harbor and kept
on till the place lay behind them. Tiiey carefully
scanned the vessels lying at the docks as they passed
by, but could see none that answered the descrip-
tion of the Osprey. Near sundown, they made fast
to a remote little dock, after having obtained per-
mission from its owner, who dwelt in a little house
near by.

" You boys stay here," said the hermit, after they
had eaten their supper, " and I '11 go up and find
out what I can."

The I'oys consented, and sat by the dock while he
was gone. In about two hours he returned, bringing
some piiek;i<5es he had obtained at the stores.

" The coast 's all clear, boys. The Osprey is n't in
yet, but they expect her every day now. All we cau
do is to wait."

" I 'd rather ivork in your garden than wait here,"
said Henry. " Why did n't we stay over on your
island, instead of waiting here ? "

" Well, my boy," said the hermit, " you know we
did n't have very good mail service over there. The
coach does n't come every week, as it does over at
your place, and the Osprey's u-en did u't send me a
letter telling me abou!. tbeir plans. If they had, we
might have waited there. But we had to find out
about the boat first of all."

Henry looked abashed, and started to apologize.

,•

n il w i WOT Wil l i i i juwrii ri T irnr n r"'""'^"^

Ill TllK SEAUCU FOK ANDKEW FIELD

« never mind," said the old man gently. « 1
haven't forgotten how 1 UBcd to feci vhe. I was a
b Eve.; time my father would start for Albany,
ut ieast when 1 was to go, why 1 used to count the
„ours for a week before. But then Albany was a
groat town in them days," and the old man s.ghcd.

"Everybody in Albany's a Dutchman is n the?
asked Eliph. " I think I 've hoard so."

uit was settled by tlr. Dutch," said the old man,
his quaint smile appearing on hi« face agam. 1 hey
called it Fort Orange."

« Where 'd yon like to live best? Down near
Albany, or in New Jersey?" asked David.

« Weli I had hard times and good times m both
place.," replied the hermit. '^ They 're different.^ 1
don't know '8 I could say which was better to me.

uDo you know where they got that name New

Jersey? "asked Elijah. ... Tnrd

uYes. It was given as a compliment to Lord

Carteret, who once had been a governor of the island

of Jersey in the English Channel."

uThey settled there pretty early, didnt they:

asked David.

« Yes There were some Puritans that came over

from L^ng Island and settled at l^lv-^««f ^^ /"
1G64, I've heard my brother in law say. Ihen, two
voars after that, some Connecticut people came and
Bottled at Newark. They used to thmk that Perth

jUIHWHliililllMW

1ELL>

1 gently. "1
wluMi I was a
i-t for Albany,
I to count the
Albany was a
d man sigbod.
lan is n't he ? "
o."

d the old man,
" They

AT KINGSTON

163

again.

Down near
David.

. times in both
re different. I
cttcr to me."
;hat name New

limcnt to Lord
lor of the island

, didn't they?"

, that came over
Elizabcthtown in
say. Then, two
people came and
think that Perth

Amboy, which was one of the capitoLs of the Colony
in the early days, (Burlington was the other,) would
be a bigger city than New York."

"I'd like to see New York. It must be a big
place," remarked David.

" Yes it 's," said the hermit. " It had moat forty
thousand people in '78, and it must have as many 's
a hundred thousand living there now."

" Whew ! " said Elijah. " I mean to see it some
day."

The next day the Osprey did not appear. Day fol-
lowed day and still she did not come. A week had
gone, and still there were no signs of her. The boys
began to grow impatient. The old man tried to quiet
them as best he could, but waiting was the most
difficult work these active boys could do.

One day the liermit returned and said, ''I've made
uv my mind to change our quarters. We '11 go round
in the harbor, and I 've found a place that will be a
ffood one for us. The man that owns the dock will
let us stay there."

When their boat was under sail again, the exhilara-
tion of the motion so stirred the boys, after their tire-
some waiting, that they ran for miles out into the
lake. But when thoy did return, it was to their new
quarters within the harbor.

The main reliance the boys had for passing the
time was to draw from their companion some of

iiIliJiiilMJliiiianiiiniii'ir" " ' ''" " "'"''*"

i'l

164 THE seahcu for andrew field

the many incWcnt. and .toric, ..ith -•>-'■'-;■"

and privatiouB of the women, the,.- eyes wm.ld flash.

.c[„oBtwid> I l.ad lived then. I ''» ''»™ '«'\»
hand u, those doings," said Henry, one day attc ho

and Francis Marion. . 4 »v. R,iii,h

"Yon may have a chanec yet to test the Brit.sh,
„,bov"»aid the old man quietly. " Bnt war ,s a
'::^L :fns, and the amonnt of snffering and

T7e.~—irCs„fferin, and misery
too" .-emarked Pavid eagerly. "Now here wo are
tying to r,nd my brother Andrew. Thoy just stole
h7r There 's no other word for it except stote. A,>d
I don't k,!ow b,.t it'll kill m, father and mothe.-," he

°'!irmtt -cheer up, Pavid," said the old man
rJy •' Here we are to help him off. and I behove
t'"cInbedo,.e.Bntifwcare.od„anyhm^«
mast keep brave hearts, you know. 1 le had
ft . k oT these things lots o' times down on my
M^d, when I 've been shut in durin' *e w.njer -d
haven't seen the face of a man, wo.nan, or ctald
three months at a time."

,s>»»tl»W*l»'

AT KINGSTON

165

ELR

rhicli lie waB
more of the
C8 than much
heard of the
the Buffcringa
would flash,
•d have had a
day after he
jrgcant Jasper

st the British,

' But war is a

suffering and

ing and misery
\v here we are
They just stole
cept stole. And
md mother," he

id the old man
iff, and I believe
do anything, we
f^ I 've had to
!3 down on my
' the winter, and
aan, or child for

"That's so," said David, "so I'll try to bo bravo

abotit it."

" But it 's getting dark now and we 'd better turn in,
I guess," said the hermit. The boys responded, and,
after seeing that everytljing was secure, they turned
in for the night. No guard was kept here, for it was
not considered necessary.

David was the first one awake in the morning, and
as he dressed and was about to go on deck he heard
voices on the dock. " Yes, yes, I know. I know all
about it," said one in a voice that sounded strangely
familiar.

Elijah was awake and staring at David. " Come,
Lige, come. That 's the cook of the Osprey or my
name 's Jonah," said David.

M«k.

^mm»*'^ '-

16G

THE SEARCH FOR ANl>U!;w FIELD

CHArTER XIX

A TRIP TO THE OSPBEY

TN a moment, David a„d Elijah -ovd P"«""8 J^
1 tho hatchway. Walking along .l.c d„k jut a
little in front of them were t»o men, cv.Jcntly Bailo ..
? hem had a wooden leg, which BtrncU the
p:;:c,uent »ith »■> emphatle thump at every step ,ta

"rH-Hhe cook of the 0»pvey. It i», =» .me'a
von -re born, Elijah Spiecr," whimpered Band.
"^ Just then there came an emphatic nod from the
m'rtith the wooden leg as he talked w,t h. com-
panion , and they could hear the words, Yes, ,c»,
1 know, I know all about it."

Ehja , looked at David and smiled. " Ye, you r
ri^t • said he. " It is the cook. Shall we ha.l InmJ

David hesitated. His first thonght was to call out
,0 Wm and make himself known. If the coo Ijad
b.en alone he would surely have done so Bu the
sight of the sailor with him caused hrm to hes, ate^

^"no. Let -8 go down in the cabin agam and we U
talk it over," he replied.

LI)

A rUU' TO THK osruKY

167

peeving over

a dock just a

dcntly sailorH.

:h struck the

every step its

, is, as sure's
d David,
uod from the
with his com-
•ds, " Yes, yes,

" Yes, you 'ro
we hail him ? "
was to call out
I the cook had
le so. But the
n to hesitate,
again and we 'U

Upon (ho rotiirn of the hoys, Wwy fomul the h.-r-
mit and Henry aliomly astir, wlio listoncd eagerly
to what the hoys had to say.

" You did well not to hail the cook, hoys," said
the hermit. « You might have spoiled cvorytlung.
Now I '11 leave you hoys to get some breakfast, and
I '11 follow the cook. 1 may bo able to learn some-
thing. Don't leave the I)- and don't show your-
selves very much on deck, .o added, as taking his
skin cap ho departed.

The boys were too excited to care much for eating,
but they managed to get something ready and sat
down to th(!ir breakfast.

" I think tlio Oay)rcy 's here somewhere," said David,
« tliough I could n't sec her anywhere. I looked all
over the harbor."

« I don't believe the cook stumped it ashore," said
Elijah. " He might use his wooden leg as wc boys
used to use a log when wc were learning to swim.
But I guess he did n't swim across the lake."

"I'm going to look again," said David, as he started
up the hatchway once more, disregarding the call of
the boys to be careful. But in a moment ho re-
turned to announce that not a sight of the Osprcy
could be had. They put away the few dishes that
composed this part of the outfit of the hermit's boat,
and sat down to wait. Occasionally some one of them
peered over the hatchway, and out over the harbor and

■j 3?ri??^^^K'.0^^'S-'^-^=S^?|

THE HKARCII von ANDKKW FIF:M)

along tlio (locks, but iiolliiiig of the Biitish sliip or
tiu) hoi'init could In scon.

The liouTH passed on. The sun clinihcd liif^li. Tlicy
felt the heal of the Hunnuer sua ujmn Iho water, but
Btill the lieiiuit did not appear. ?

"It's time for dinner, boys. Let's get it rca'ly
BO that when the hermit comes he'll find something
hot, for ho '11 be lunigry, as be went away without any
breakfast," said Elijah, wishing to do something to
rouso David from Mie state of discouragomcut into
\kuich ho had fallen,

David responded mechanically, and helped to pel
some potatoes and to cnl some of the dry corn bread.
Hut just as the boys had all things ready, the hermit
appeared on board, his face all wet with perspiration,
Oiid his -. ir cap in his hand.

•' Teli ;rou what it is, boys, Canada's said to bo a
T'- oicy cold place, bnt a coon skin's cap 's better down
li'uong the islands than here."

He drew his sleeve across his forehead, took off his
coat, and looked around at the boys. David had not
said a word, but his eager look, which never left the
hermit's face, told all that was in his mind.

The old man smiled and said gently, " I 'sposo
you want to know what I found out, don't ye ? " and
without waiting for a reply, or the emphatic nods
which the boys gave him, ho said at once, " Well,
I 've found out that the Osprey 's here."

I ELD

ritiuh Hlii|i or

id liigh. They
tliu water, but

Rct it rcfi'ly
ud 8()iiu-tliiii^
y without any
somctliing to
'agomcut into

iclpcd to |ie"l
ly corn bread,
iy, the hermit
1 perspiration,

said to be a
8 better down

i, took off his
)avid had not
lever left the
nd.

tly, " I 'sposc
n't ye? "and
nphatic nods
once, " Well,

-J

•'git'^ -'g'i'^ JMWMti^f^gaa E

"^^.W

^>,

t^^..

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1^ 121 12.5

■UUi.

1.3

Photographic

Sciences

CorDoration

IL25 114 ii.6

r,'

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SS0

(716)872-4503

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Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

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i:^^

A TRIP TO THE OSPREY

169

" Where is she ? " asked David eagerly. " I could n't
see her anywhere in the harbor, and 1 looked all over
too."

" Well, I guess the reason you could n't see her in
the harbor was because she was n't there. She 's out
around the point and is a good half a mile from the
shore. I could n't find out whether she was coming
in or not."

And the hermit told the story of his morning's
adventures. When he stepped out upon the dock,
the cook was not to be seen, but he had followed in
the direction indicated by the boys. For two hours
he had searched, but not a sign of the cook could he
find, and he had begun to doubt the correctness of
the boys' discovery.

But at last he had left the streets, and came down
along the docks ; and as he had turned tlie corner, he
saw riding gracefully at anchor, about a half-mile
out from the shore, a great ship which he at once
took for the Osprey. An inquiry made at the dock
proved the correctness of his conclusion, but he could
find no one who seemed to know anything of her
destination or plans.

" 1 passed for a farmer, at least I tried to and I
guess I did," he said, his quaint smile appearing for
a. moment. " And I am a farmer down among the
islands, only J don't just fence in my lots as most
other farmers do."

170

THE SEARCH FOK ANDREW FIELD

" Wc '11 talk over now what's the best thing to do,"
he said, as he seated himself at the little table with
the others. " 1 think my plan 's about the best one,
the plan I told you of coming over."

" About your going on board the Osprcy V " asked
David.

" Yes," replied the hornjit ; " only I don't want to
go alone. You see I don't know your brother when I
see him, and I don't oven know the cook, though I
don't feel so sure of him anyway as you boys do."

" Which one of us do yo- want to go with you ? "
inquired Elijah.

" Wall, 1 think Henry 'b the best one. He 's the
youngest, and the one they '11 be least likely to sus-
pect. He knows Andrew, and he knows enough to
keep his tongue inside his mouth. I call that a good
education, don't you ? Some men never learn enough
to keep theirs there."

"Polder Dodd told me that was the reason why
CKsar was such a success, that ho knew what he
could n't do and did n't try to do it," said David. " I
wonder if we knew before we came here," he added
quietly.

" Yes," said Elijah, " and I heard Elder Dodd say
that that was just the reason Napoleon made such a
mess of it at last, because he did n't know what he
couldn't do."

" Well we know what wc can do, and wc 're gojng

.... nj-mi i i i ^"^-""-'-*'""--^'---"—^^"-"'"-"

A TRIP TO THE OSPREY

171

to do it too," said tlio licrmit cheerfully, and the faces
of the boys grew brighter at his words.

" If we only can get Andrew," said David eagerly.

"You mustn't lose heart now that you've got to
the pinch," said the hermit. "All you 've been doin'
lias been just for this. Now you must be a man, and
I know you will."

"Yes, sir; I'm ashamed of mj'self," said David.
" But when I think of what may happen to us all, I
tell you I am a little fearful."

" We must get to work then, at once. The Osprey
may not be goin' to make a very long stop, and wo
mustn't get the dumps. Now, Henry, you're my
boy, you know. I 'm a farmer, and I 'ra goin' to take
some of these here big new potatoes, such as won't
come to light in Canada in a month yet, and I 'm
goin' over to the Osprey and see if I can't sell some.
It may give me a chance to see Andrew, and it may
not. You must go witli me, and we '11 have to leave
some things to Providence. But we must be off at

once.

And he led the way to the little skiff, into which he
put some of the largest and best potatoes and other
vegetables, " Just as samples, you know," he said to
the boys, and in a few minutes he and Henry were on
their way.

They pulled around the point, and there lay the
Osprey at anchor, less than half a mile away. They
neither of them said anything, though the hermit

0i*i,f''m\,

172 THE SEAllCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

noticed the white face of Henry, and smUed as he
saw the h,olc of determination about h.s mouth.
.He'll do," he said to himself, as he saw they were
now within hailing distance of the Osprey.

In a few minutes they were alongside the ship, and
were hailing the men on deck.

Tl want to see the steward," called out the herm.t
"I've got some new potatoes and green stuft here i

"^fDon'Lk ye can sell anything here," called out
one of the sailors. "There's been too many o you
Kanuck farmers here already." „„,„tnp^

uyou tell the steward I've some new potatoes
here. I think the Cap'n 'd like some, and I know no
other farmer's had any to sell."

The man disappeared for a moment, ^^^d then re-

turned to the ship's side with two officers. Just what

hey were Henry could not tell. He was afraid of

the boatswain, from what the boys had said ; but he

could not tell whether one of these was he or not.

One of the officers called out to the hermit and
said, "The steward isn't here. He's gone ashore.
What have you got ? " he asked. ^

u New potatoes, and big ones, too," said the hermit,
tossinsj two or three on deck.

"They look good," he heard one say to the other.
« I'm tired of the old dried up things we ve had for
n^onths. We might call the cook. PerhapB he d
know."

I as ho
mouth,
ey were

hip, and

1 hermit,
ff here I

ailed out
ly o' you

potatoes
know no

then re-
Fust what
afraid of
d ; but he
tr not.
jrmit and
le ashore.

he hermit,

the other,
've had for
hapS he'd

A TRIP TO THE OSrREY

" I 'm not going to bother about it. I don't run the
dufllc," said the other, and he turned upon his heel
and wallced away. The heart of the hermit sank for
a moment, but the other officer stopped for a minute,
and said, " You ean come aboard if you want to see
the cook. I don't think he '11 mind getting some of
those things. You take this man into the galley," ho
said to a sailor standing near, and then he too turned
and walked away.

The hermit and Henry made the skiff fast to the
Osprey, and the old man said to Henry in a low tone,
"You come too., Keep your eyes open and your
mouth shut. Now 's our chance." And he clambered
up on deck, an example which Henry speedily followed.

The sailor led the way to the galley. As he en-
tered, he said to the cook, " Here 's a farmer 's got
some new potatoes. The second officer told me to
bring 'em to you. The steward 's ashore, and you do
as you want to," and turning back he left them there.

The hermit and Henry entered the galley. Directly
opposite, on a low stool, sat Andrew Field. He turned
as the two came in, and a look of intense surprise
swept over his face as ho saw Henry Spicer, his old
neighbor and friend. But he was silent as ho saw
the warning look in Henry's eye. The cook had
been looking for a moment sharply at his visitors,
especially at Henry, and then he said, " 0, yes, yes,
I know, I know all about it"

j^:ftS>K»iffl5S!»W*»W!

174

:11E SEARCH FOB ANUIIEW FIELD

CHAPTER XX

AN ESCAPE FROM THE OSPREY

rr^HE hermit turned to the cook with a look of sur

prise ;

...... "Know all about it? Know all about

what ' What do you mean ? " He was more anxious
than ho cared to shosv. Andrew meanwhile went on
with his work, though, if one had looked carefully,
he would have seen that his hands were trembling,
and that his face was paler than usual.

The cook only chuckled by way of reply, and said,
"You wanted to ship some taters aboard the Osprey,

did ye ? "

"I have some new potatoes, and I thought I might
sell enough for a few messes for the officers," replied

the hermit.

« Where was they raised ? " asked the cook, thump-
in- with his wooden leg, as he busied himself about
the galley. "I know; O, yes, I know, 1 know al
about it. They was raised down near Oswego was n t
they? " he asked, stopping and looking sharply at

Henry. , .„

Henry was abashed; he could find no words to

say, as the cook went on: "I thought very likely

ook of sur-
i all about
)re anxious
ile went on
1 carefully,
trembling,

r, and said,
the Osprey,

ght I might
rs," replied

ook, thump-
mself about
I know all
(vego was n't
; sharply at

no words to
; very likely

AN KSCAl'E FROM THK OSl'IlKY

175

they was raised near there, as tlie last time 1 sec ye,
ye were busy in that town. Did ye keep the 'pint-
mcnt ye made there ? " and he gave a hearty laugh.

"O Mr. Cook," said Henry, "you promised to
help us at Oswego; I know you won't go back on us
now.- We want to get Andrew off this boat. You
know it as well as I do, and he will have to get off
if his father and mother arc to live. It's most
killed them."

" Who said I would n't help ? I 'm agoin' to, and
my time's 'bout up in this blasted Britisher too.
Guess mebbe 1 '11 go long too. But we hain't long
to talk about it; got to make plans lively. Ye see
I got paid off yesterday, and it 's a good time fer me

to leave."

" What do you think 's the best thing to do now ? "

asked the hermit.

"Well, I 've been thinkin' o' this matter for some
time," he replied. "I just thought these boys
would n't give up, even if they did find the Osprey
had gone, and had n't waited fer 'cm to pay us a
visit. Are the other boys here, too? Have ye got
a boat handy, or anything ? "

'Yes," replied the hermit. "The other boys are
ne:. here, and we 've got a little cat-rigged boat that
we know '11 sail as fast as any on the lake."

"Well, then, it strikes me 'twould be a good
thing fer yer boat to drop out near us some dark

)\
\

:iv

176

THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELI>

night pretty quick. The Osprcy 's goin' to stay hero
fcr about a week, so 1 heard one of the oflicers a

say in'.

"I think that's a good plan," said the hermit;

"but how '11 we know?"

"Well, I tell ye," said the good-natured cook, "ye
want a dark night. If ye could come out near here
BOKic dark night, we 'd be on the lookout, and Andrew
here could fall overboard accidental like; and you
perhaps could pick him up, who knows ? You can
swim can't ye, Andrew ? " said he, turning to him.

Andrew smiled and nodded assent. "I think,"
said he, "if you could get a little skiff and come out
some dark stormy night, why David could give his
call, and I 'd know you were here. Then if I jumped
overboard, you can pick me up."

"Suppose, then," said the hermit, «we leave it
this way. The first rainy night we have we '11 come
out between ten and twelve o'clock. If we ain't hero
by twelve, you '11 know wc 're not coming. If we
come, we '11 lay by near you, and David will give his
call. You must be sure and answer it," said he to
Andrew, " when you jump into the water. In case
you don't find us, you are not so far out but you
can swim ashore. How does that plan strike you ? "
"That's good," said Andrew, "and I wish it
could be done to-night."

"I don't believe to-night '11 be dark enough,"

AN ESCAPE FROM THE OSPREY

177

replied the hcrinit. "But what will you do if you
want to get off ? " said he to the cook. " You can't
swim much with a wooden leg."

"I know, 1 know all about it," said the cook,
stamping his wooden leg upon the stove. "The first
day wo get when it 's stormy, or shows the night 's
goin' to be dark, I '11 go ashore and I won't come
back. But where '11 I meet you ? " he added.

The hermit told him what kind of a boat they had,
and where she was. The cook then told them they
had better go ashore, as some one might suspect
something if they talked any longer; and even while
he spoke a sailor came to the galley and called out,
"What are you doing down there ? Waiting for this
countryman to grow some potatoes ? "

"No, I don't want any of his taters," said the
cook. "They're no good, and the sooner you get
'em ashore the better, if you want anything to eat
yourselves to-night. "

The hermit and Henry went quickly to the ship's
side, and in a few minutes were in their skiff pull-
ing rapidly for the shore.

"I call that a pretty good day's work," said the
old man, " if the cook does as he agrees. "

"Don't you think he will?" asked Henry, anx-
iously.

"Yes, I do," replied the hermit. "Leastwise, he
seems all fair and square."

s;'^''»ya»«-^!*^midBt£i.*Km-'-i««*^t!:?-v'-';c:.^T^.^"-.r^^^

, i i

178

TlIK SKAHCH FOU ANDKKW FIKLI)

They reported the reHiiltH of their virtit to Dnvid
and Klijiiii upon tlieir return. David wuh all entliu-
Biasm, and wanted to wtart that very night. Tho
hermit ealnied liini with hirf (luict words, and uh-
Bured him that the night would bo so clear that
they could do nothing in it.

It proved as ho predicted. The stars were shin-
ing, and over the water they could see, hb if it were
only twilight.

The following night was no better, and the next
was the same. David chafed and fumed, while the
others waited j)atiently. Hut when they awoke on
the following morning the clouds were heavy, and by
ten o'clock a fine, misty rain set in. It continued
steadily all the afternoon, and just at night who
should come aboard but the cook; his face was all
aglow, and his wooden leg thumped as if it shared
in his pleasure.

"Most's good as the Constellation," ho said,
looking around upon the cabin. " Why, this is only
a picnic," he added.

" You would n't call it a picnic, I guess, if you 'd
waited here as we have," said David, gloomily.

"Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," said the
cook. " Why, you 've been waiting for this very
night. I guess it was just made fer ye."

They waited until about ten o'clock, when a heavy
fog had set in. Tho rain had ceased to fall, .but the

»4«W«»^*"

i. ft1 ' '^'TT.W i nj ..i; j ..i ^f»» n .

to Pnvid
ill t'Utlm-
;ht. Tho
, uud UH-
ilcar that

'crc shin-
it" it were

the next
wliile the
awoke on
vy, and by
continued
night who
ce was all

it shared

he said,
his is only

1, if you 'd
nily.

," said the
this very

en a heavy
ill, .but the

AN KHCAl'K FROM TIIK OSPUKY

179

air was heavy and damp. Not a star could l»e soon;
and if thoy looked ahead, thoy could see but a few
foot. The hermit and David stepped into the skiff,
leaving tho others in the boat to await th(!ir return.

Now that the time of action had como, David wns
cool and collected. The hermit, who know the way,
gave tho directions, and the skiff went slowly on.

"Do you suppose he can find us in such a night as
this ? " asked David in a whisper, of his companion.

"O, I guess so," said the hermit, cheerfully.
" But I don't think we 'd better talk much ; tho
stiller we keep, the better. Now go ahead."

In a little time the hermit called in a whisper to
David to stop rowing. Rising in his place, he peered
through the darkness. David could see nothing
himself, and he wondered at the confidence of his
companion. They had stopped rowing, and the her-
mit silently was using one oar as a paddle, and in
stillness was sending the little skiff onward.

Suddenly David saw looming right up before them
a great bulky body, which he knew must be the ship;
he almost gave a cry in his surprise and excitement,
but a whisper from the hermit silenced him. He
still continued to use his paddle, and changed his
position till he knew he was near the cook's galley.
Then, resting a minute, he whispered to David to
give his call.

The cawing of a crow rose on the still air, and

W^mmmmm

m I 1 ^

180

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

then everything was silent. David waited as it
seemed to him an hour, and no response came; he
could hear some one moving about on the ship, and
that was all.

"Give it again, David," said the hermit, "and a
little louder." And the cawing rose again in the
darkness. But this time there was a sharp answer
on the ship; a single caw arose, and there was a
splash in the water, not far from them. The hermit,
with two or three rapid strokes, sent his skiff in the
direction whence the sound came. In less than a
minute they saw the form of a man struggling in
the water, and they both grasped him and lifted him
into the boat. It was Andrew, wet, and panting
more from the excitement than from his exertions.
The hermit gave three or four strong strokes, and sent
the skiff a number of yards away.

"Hush, boys! Keep perfectly quiet. They can't
see us, but they may hear something; we must stay
where we are for a little. "

In the mean time there was confusion on board the
ship; there were shouts and shots, but none came
near them. Soon they heard a boat lowered and
sent out from the ship.

It was an anxious time for David and Andrew.
They could not see each other's faces, nor that of the
hermit, but they could hear the oars of the boat that
was evidently near them.

:;ed as it
came ; he
ship, and

it, "and a
lin in the
rp answer
lerc was a
he hermit,
kiff in the
38S than a
jggling in
lifted him
id panting
exertions.
8, and sent

They can't
must stay

a board the
none came
)wered and

d Andrew.

that of the

le boat that

[

"W illi I »»

AN KSCAPE FROM THE OSPItEY

181

"It 's that fellow we took over by Sackett's Har-
bor," they heard one say. "I guess he '11 never get
pressed again. What a fool to try to escape on a
night like this! Why, he couldn't tell which way
was shore." The boys felt their own boat in motion,
but David was sure it was not going back. They
could see the ship again now, so close were they to
it; but the skiff kept on around the ship, and only
stopped when it was on the farther — the lake side.
Then all was again silent, and not even the sounds
of the boat that was searching for them could be
heard. They dared not speak, and could only wait.
It seemed to David that they remained there, scarcely
daring to breathe, for hours.

But at length the skiff began to move again.
David had lost all idea of locality ; he could not tell
even the direction in which they were to go. But
the skiff kept on quietly and steadily, leaving the
ship behind.

It seemed to David a long time before the hermit
spoke, but at last he did, telling the boys to take
their oars and i w is he directed. They kept on,
David no longer trying to keep any idea of time;
and he was greatly surprised when they found them-
selves alongside the hermit's boat, to receive an
enthusiastic welcome from the watchers there.

"Yes, I knew you'd come," said the cook. "I
knew, I knew all about it."

182 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

«Wc must leave here at once," the hermit said.
"There 's no wind, and we can't sail. We '11 have to
use the long oars and row ; I can find my way if it
is dark. But go we must, and at once."

The boat was at once pushed off, and headed for
the lake through the blackness and fog.

SUUl'RISE AT TIIK UEUMITS IIOMK 183

nit said.
1 have to
way if it

jaded for

Cn AFTER XXI

. A SURPRISR AT THE HERMIT'S HOME

NOT a word was spoken l.y any one except \.y
the hermit, as ho gave directions, tor hours.
The boat was sent onward steadily and quietly.
There were only four of the long oars on board,
BO the boys relieved one another, the hermit and the
cook refusing to stop rowing even to rest. ^

At last the morning came, but the fog remained.
The quiet confidence of the hermit inspired the
others, although not one of them had the least idea
of where they were. The sun had been up for two
hours before it had burned the fog away, and then all
stopped to rest and eat. ,. ^i-

There was nothing except water and a dim outline
of the shore to be seen. Not a boat was in sight,
and the feeling of loneliness seemed to be upon every
one But the breakfast brought renewed life and
cheer, and the wind, which now began to rise, in-
creased their hopefulness.

«I know, 1 know all about it," said the cook to
the hermit; "but I hope you've got your bearings.
I don't know where we are."

184 THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

"I do " said the hermit, with a smile. " Hut we
have n't thouglit a bit of where we 're goia', nor v/hat
we 'd best do now. What do you think, boys !

"I don't know," said David. "K wo had the
Pilot, I should want to start for home right away^
We 've been gone a long time now. Why, it must
be past the Fourth of July. I 'vc hardly kept track

of the days." . • . -f »

"Yes July's got a good big hole eaten into it,
replied 'the hermit. "I think we'd better all go
back to my island. Perhaps you could rig up the
boat you borrowed from the smugglers. If you can t,
you might strike out by land, and go cross-cut along
shore, though that 's uncertain, as you don't know
the way. We 'd better go right back to my place

now." . , . .., „

Andrew looked at David, questioning him with a
dance. David nodded his head emphatically, and
then said aloud, «I 'm sure that 's the best thing to
be done now. We can talk over our plans on the

"" The boat was now rapidly sailing towards home.
The relief from rowing was a pleasure to all, as they
sat near the hermit, and watched him direct the
course. David and Andrew lived in a very undemon-
strative age, and any show of affection was regarded
as akin to weakness ; and yet the hermit often smiled
as he saw them sitting close by each other, and talk-

• Hut we

lor v/hnt

8?"

had the
ht away.
, it must
!pt track

into it,"
iv all go
g up the
rou can't,
cut along
m't know
my place

im with a
lally, and
t thing to
.ns on the

rds home.
,11, as they
direct the
' undemon-
.8 regarded
[ten smiled
', and talk-

A SUHPRISE AT THE HERMIT'S HOME IBf.

i„g in low tones. David was telling his brother of
allhis experiences in trying to rescue him. Andrew's
face showed his interest, and a grave look came
over it as ho heard of his father's illness.

"Andrew," said the hermit, "you must have had
a tough time/ it. Did they keep you shut up in
that stuffy little cook's galley all the time ? "

Here the cook broke in, and said, "It wasn't a
stuffy galley at all. It was the best galley on the
lake. 0, I know, I know, all about it."

All the party laughed, and Andrew said, "I did
have a hard time of it. They kept me shut up pretty
well. This is only the second time 1 've seen the
open sky since I was pressed."

" What was the other time ? " inquired David. .
"0, they brought me up on deck one day, when
we 'd'been out about three weeks, I guess, and asked
me if I would n't like to serve before the mast now.
I told 'em, ' No. ' I did n't want to serve at all, and
that they had no right to make me. I guess I made
a mistake, as they gave me a dreadful flogging, and
sent me back to the galley to stay till I thought I 'd
like to serve. My back has n't got well yet. I can
hardly lie on it now." , , ^,

"How'd you get away last night?" asked the

hermit. , i^ n

" 0, I waited till I heard David's call. I tell you
my heart came right up in my throat. 1 was all

18G

TIIK SKAUCII FOU ANDUKW FIKLl)

rondy to mnki^ a break, but I waited till I heard it
the second time, and then 1 made a rurth from the
galley, and gave the call, and just jumped over the
rail. If y<m had n't picked me up, I Ruess 1 would n't
have served on the Osprey or anywhcM-e else again,"
he said, with a laugh. "I can laugh now, but I
couldn't then."

♦'You don't want to laugh too loud yit, though,"
said the hermit. "You remember about the man
who crowed before he was out of the woods, don't
yc? Well, we're not in the woods yet, to say
nothin' o' bcin' out."

"They can't get us now," said Elijah. "We 'vo
as good a boat as there is on the lake, and the
Osprey never '11 follow us down here."
*«Mel)be not," replied the hermit; "but there's
some smugglers round here."

This reference to the smugglers brought out the
story of their meeting with them, to which Andrew
listened with keen interest. In this way most of
the day was consumed, and as night drew on they
found themselves near the river. They kept on
their course for a little ways, when the hermit
turned and said, " What shall we do for the night ?
1 'm most sure I could find my way even ih the
dark; but I 'm a little fearful it might not be just
the thing. We might strike a snag."

" Let 's anchor near the shore, and stay aboard all
night then," said the cook.

lioanl it
roiii llic
over the
^oiild n't
again,"
NV, but I

though,"
the mnn
Js, don't
, to say

"We've
and the

■j there 's

t out the
I Andrew
r moat of
on they
kept on
10 hermit
lie night ?
sn iti the
at bo just

aboard all

A SUUI'UISK. AT TIIK IIKUMirS llOMR 187

This ])lan was approved y)y all. The anchor was
cast, and the watch so arranged that no one had more
than two hours of standing on guard. As all were
tired from tlic previous night's exertion, this made
the duty fall lightly on all.

Karly on the following morning they were astir,
and were soon on tljoir way down the river. The
wind kept fair, and the bracing air of the summer
morning upon the water, and the escape of Andrew,
kindled the spirits of the entire party. The cook
again and again was sure that "ho knew all about
it," and the boys were almost certain that he did,
as he prepared their meals for them now, — a duty
he had at once taken upon himself.

"Isn't that a boat, Andrew?" said David, point-
ing down the river near the shore to a little speck
moving over the water.

"Yes," said Andrew, after a minute's careful
search. "Yes, it 's a skiff, and has one man in it.
He acts as if he were coming out into the river."

As the sailboat swept on, the other boat became
plainer. They could see now that the man in it was
as interested in them as they were in him. In a
little while they were within hailing distance, and
the man in the skiff called to them to stop.

The hermit brought his boat around, and as the
sail flapped in the wind, and the motion ceased, the
skiff came alongside.

rt^ m i- ■ i -Mr ii - ^ > W> " ii« i M ii im m a ai

188

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"Mornin', Mr. Ogdcn," said tho newcomer to the
h(>rmit. "You've quite n party aboard. I didn't
know as you ever liad vlHitors. "

The hernut smiled, as he saw the boys look up at
the mention of his name, and then he replied to
tho newcomer, "Good mornin', Mr. Reese. I don't
have many callers, that 's true, but these l)oy8 were
talkin' some of comin' over to sec you. They 're
from over by Sackctt's Harbor." And in a few min-
utes the story was told. Mr. Reese urged the boys
to go homo with him; but now that Andrew had
been rescued, they had no object in view in going to
his home, and besides they were anxious to get away
soon.

"I s'pose you 've heard the news," said Mr. Reese
to the hermit.

" What news do you mean ? " asked he.

"Why, the war ? " replied Mr. Reese.

" War ? Has war been declared ? " asked all
together.

"Yes," said Mr. Reese. "A man came along on
horseback yesterday on his way to Cape Vincent,
and he told all about it. Ye see the 'submission
men, ' who wanted to have no war, were defeated in
the last election, and the ' war men ' had it their
own way. So on June eighteenth Congress declared
war. At least that 's what the messenger said/'

" Well, we 're in for it, " said the hermit. " We 're

A SUUl'UISK AT TIIK IIKKMIT'S HOMK

189

bound to catch it along tho river. Hut tell me, arc
wi- in liny shape for a war with Kngland ? "

"0, the British have about a thouHand vessels, and
sonic of them arc tho most powerful boats afloat.
In our navy we have about a do'/.en, and none of
them arc of largo size. We 'vc got some niiserablo,
cheap little affairs, called gunboats, besides, but
they don't amount to much. "

" I 'm glad it 's come," said Andrew. " I 've had
enough to show me that we 'd better fight. We beat
'em once, and if pluck '11 do it we can again. I
believe in spelling America with a gr*'at big A. If
the British take our men, we ought to try to get 'em
back, anyway."

Tho little party was all excitement now. They
said good by to Mr. Reese, and were soon oflP down
the river.

"This makes matters worse," said tho cook. "I
haven't got any home to go to, but I don't know
when I '11 get there now. If it was n't for this leg,"
and he brought his stump emphatically down, "1
know where 1 'd be. Yes, yes, I know all about it,"
and he looked ruefully at his wooden leg. "I've
been in the navy before, and I 'd like to be there
again."

"Mr. Ogden," said Andrew, turning to the her-
mit, "do you think we'd better go to your house
now ? Had n't we better land and start for home ? "

190

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

The old man smiled. "You'd have as much
trouble on laud as you would on the lake These
boys have been «rith me a good while now, and they
did n't even know my name. I guess you 'd better
follow my advice now, and go down to my place,
and fit out that boat before you start. This war,
you see," he added, thoughtfully, "changes my plans.
Then here 's the cook," he added. "If he 's goin'
with you, he could n't stump it through the woods."

"Of course he's going with us," said Andrew.
" He 's no home, and we '11 keep him. One good turn
deserves another. He 's had a tough time in life."

" Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," murmured
the cook, greatly touched by the sincerity in Andrew's

words.

"You just go 'long with me to-night," said the
hermit, "and to-morrow we '11 see what 's best to be
done. I 'm sure that 's the best thing to do."

The boys assented. They were watchful now, and
more silent, as they came among the islands. They
pointed out the places where they had been to
Andrew as they passed, and he looked upon the
beautiful scenes with keen interest.

"That's the island over there where the smug-
glers' cave is, is n't it ? " asked Elijah, as the her-
mit changed his course and steered to the east.
Andrew looked up quickly to where Elijah pointed,
and the story of the cave was told lor his benefit.

as much
These
and they
'd better
ly place,
'his war,
uy plans.
3 's goin'
woods."
Andrew,
good turn
in life."
iiurmured
Andrew's

' said the
best to be

0."

now, and

is. They

been to

upon the

;he smug-
3 the her-
the east.
I pointed,
euefit.

A SURl'llISE AT THE HERMIT'S HOME

191

"Yes, that's the spot," said the hermit; "but I
don't think we '11 stop there, leastwise not to-day,"
he added, thoughtfully.

An hour brought them in sight of the hermit's
island.

" He has the neatest little house in there you ever
saw," said David to Andrew. " It 's right among the
trees, and you never could see it from one side of
the island if you looked a week."

But they were ready for a landing now, and as soon
as the boat was made fast, they all started for the
hermit's house. Henry was in advance, and disap-
peared among the trees. In a minute ho came back
with a blank look upon his face. " Why, the house 's
all burned up," he said. They all started upon the
run, and found his v/ords too true. Only a heap of
ashes stood where once the house had been. "Go
down to the boat-house, boys," said the hermit. In
a few minutes they returned upon the run, with the
news that not a boat was there, and that the boat-
house itself was only a mass of charred ruins.

liiiHiWiimnuMWi'tn

192 rUE SEAKOH lOE ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER XXn

THE HEBMIT'B DISCOVEBV

T-HE hermit said not » wo,d. He ca™'-"!;"-
1 amlned the premises, to see if any '»«> °"^^
maraudc-s could be found. Mot.oumg to David to
r„r: him, he left the party hy the ™ns of h.s
home and taking the slciff rowed over to h,s farm.
He« another scene of wanton waste was sp.;^ on
before them. Hi, garden was m rums E>_™ "'«
r^rbushes had been broken down, and h,s beds o£
vegetables destroyed.

His face only grew the harder, as he '" * ;»"'
before him, and, without saying a word, he led the
^i back to the place where the othe,. were wa.tmg.
On l,i way np from the shore, he stopped a imnnte
ash saw the dead bodies of his kittens, wh.ch had
e identl, bad their brains dashed out sgamst a tree.
Vte lers were awaiting their 'f". f^'l*. °"
.be ground near where the hermit's home for thuty

''".We m aUWru in now and help you build another
housT," said Andrew. " I 'm af raid a 1 th,, has
happened to you because you -ve been a tr.end to ns.

refuUy ex-
race of the
David to
lins of his
is "farm."
spread out
Even the
his beds o£

w the ruins
, he led the
ere waiting,
id a minute,
, which had
linst a tree,
n, seated on
le for thirty

(uild another
all this has
riend to us.

THE HERMITS DISCOVEKY

193

"Well, I think very likely it was the party that
passed us on our way to Kingston that paid me a
visit," said the hermit. "Tliey evidently didn't
thank me for interfering with their plans."

" That 's just the reason why we want to do you a
good turn now."

The hermit smiled, and was silent a moment.
" No, boys, " said he, " it 's all changed now. You see
war 's been declared, and that changes everything.
I don't think 't would be a very good place to live
in down here now. They can't get my islands away
from me, but they 'd burn every house I built."

"Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," inter-
posed the cook.

"No, I won't stay here, for a while anyway," con-
tinued the hermit. " You hain't any boat at all now,
and I guess I '11 sail away and take ye all home the
first thing I do. There 's nothing here to keep me
any longer. They did n't leave me oven the cradle.
Not as I needed it, though. No, I '11 go along with
ye. Leastwise if it 's agreeable to you, I will," he
added.

The boys' eyes sparkled. " That 's the very thing, "
said David. "If the war's come we'll need your
help, and you '11 need a home. I know my father
and mother would be glad to have y©u stay at our
house just as long as you wanted to. You and the
cook too."

# I

194

THE SKAKCIl FOR ANDREW FIELD

"That 's 80," said Andrew, emphatically.

"I thinl< one of 'em might go over to our houp.e
and stay," said Elijah.

The hermit smiled and said, "We '11 sec about it;
but the first thing we 'vc got to do now is to see how
wc 're going to get to your house. But I 've a new
l)lan to suggest. I don't love those smugglers any.
They 've never been friends o' mine, though 1 never
had any trouble with 'cm afore. But now, ye see,
war 's been declared. All that truck o' theirs over
in the cave is fair spoils now. I wouldn't mind
making a little prize money on our way out, would
you ? " and he looked around upon the company.
" Do you think we could do it ? " said Andrew,

quickly.

" I rather think we could. I had a little experience
in that line, though it was some time ago," replied
the hermit. " But we can't do anything to-day.

" By and by I '11 take a run over to the island, and
see how the land lies."

As the afternoon passed on, the hermit took his
skiff, and with the cook he started for the island
where the cave was, leaving the boys on his island,
with a caution to keep themselves out of sight, and
to wait patiently for their return.

It was eveiing when they came back. The boys
had meanwhile pitched their tent in a clump of
hemlocks, out of the sight of all passers by. They

THE HERMIT'S DISCOVERY

19:

our houRS

about it;
to sec how
[ 've a new
glcrs any.
gh 1 never
)W, ye sec,
iheirs over
In't mind
out, would
npany.

d Andrew,

experience
;o," replied
;o-day.
island, and

it took his

the island

his island,

1 sight, and

The boys
\ clump of
i by. They

had some supper ready when the exploring party
returned, and they had long been Avaiting for them.
Elijah had stood as u lookout, and reported that no
boat had come in sight.

Seated on the ground in front of the tent, the fire
covered as soon as the supper had been prepared to
prevent the smoke from being seen, they were ready
to listen to the report of the hermit's expedition.

"We didn't see anything or anybody on our way
over. The cook here thought we had n't better land
where we had before, but go round to the other side
of the island, so I followed his advice, and I guess
'twas well I did,"

" Why, did you see any one ? " inquired David.

"Just wait a minute and I '11 tell ye," replied the
hermit. "We went round to the west side, and run
the skiff in behind some rocks out o' sight. I did n't
think the cook could walk very well with that
wooden leg o' his, so I left him to watch the skiff,
and told him to whistle if he saw any one."

"Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," mur-
mured the individual referred to.

" Well, I crep' in through the trees pretty still
like, till I got round where I was in among the trees,
and yet could see the beginnin' o' the gorge. Well,
what do you s'pose I see when I got i# sight o' the
place ? "

"What did you?" asked Henry excitedly. "A
man ? "

*id«MMbMlMMMiaM

196

THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

"Yes, that's just it. There sat a man on the
ground, croas-leggcd like a turkey."

"Like a what ? " asked Andrew.

"0, my brother in law said that was the way
those fellows over in Turkey sat, with their legs
crossed like a wilier chair. Well, that 's the way
this feller was. He wa'n't right in front o' the gorge,
but a little to one side, and kind o' hid in some
bushes. If we 'd come up as we first thought, — as I
thought," he added, "as the cook gave a grunt, —
why, he could have seen us, and we could n't have
seen him at all. 'T was lucky we did follow the
cook's plan,"

The hermit hastened to resume his story as a " Yes,
yes, I know," began to come forth from the cook's
lips.

" Well, ye see, I was puzzled like fer a little. I
did n't know whether anybody was inside. I rather
suspected there was. But while I was a waitin'
and puzzlin' my head, 1 see the guard take his gun,
and stand up and listen like. lie seemed to hear
some rne, though I could n't hear anybody where I
was. Pretty quick he crept out to the edge o' the
bushes, and peeked out across the river. 'T was
plain he see somethin', fer he looked and listened a
long time. Just then there came a whistle, and he
jumped up and stood there waitin'."
"What did he do then?" asked Henry,

lan on iho

s the way
their IcRS
's the way
' the gorge,
d in gome
ght, — as I
I grunt, —
Id n't have
follow the

as a " Yes,
the cook's

a little. I
. I rather
} a waitin'
kc his gun,
aed to hear
iy where I
edge o' the
ir. 'T was
[ listened a
tie, and he

THE HERMIT'S DISCOVERY

197

"Pretty quick I heard two boats a coniiii', «n I
peeked out from whore I was. One of 'em was the
boat you left here, and t' other was a bigger one. "

"Tiicn they did steal our boats," said Andi-ew.
" I just knew 't was those smugglers thut did the
damage round here."

"Like enough," responded the hermit. "Indeed,
I have n't rauch doubt of it. Well, pretty quick the
boats landed, and I heard another whistle. This
time the guard answered it, and ran down to the
shore. 'T was n't long before I saw 'em a tuggin'
and puUin', bringin' the biggest lot o' guns and
l)i8tol8 up to the gorge ye ever saw. They went
back — there was five on 'em — again, and made as
many as a dozen trips, I guess. "

"Did they bring guns and pistols every time?"
asked David.

' 1 was a goin' to tell ye. They brought up guns
enough to supply a regiment, I guess. They left the
guns all there by the openin' o' the gorge, and one of
'era stayed with the guard, and four of 'em went
down to the boat and brought up a chest. 'T was
heavy, I guess, from the way they tugged at it. "

" What was in it ? " asked Henry.

"Not looking in it, I can't say," said the hermit,
smiling. "The four who brought the chest carried
it in out of sight. They were gone about an hour, I
guess, and then they came out. Then they all sat
down on the ground and began to talk. "

198

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"I could n't just hear what ihoy was a savin' whore
I was, 80 I crcftt round a littl(! nearer. Then 1 see
that one of 'cm was that felhn- that was stccrin' that
boat o' yours, —the Pilot I think you said was the
name of her, though I don't name my boats."
"Then 'twas Smith," said David, excitedly.
" What Smith ? " asked Andrew, and they stopped
to toll of their adventures with that individual
before the hermit resumed his story.

" I could hear every word they said where I was,
and I tell you I was mighty interested in what they
did say. It seems they knew of the war 's bcin'
declared, and they were scared. I found out that
they had three other places where they kept things.
They had been bringin' everything to this place for
the past few days, and clearin' out the others. They
didn't feel very safe like over them, but I heard
Smith say, ' Nobody on earth would think o' lookin'
here,' and 'This was the safest one of 'em all.'
They did n't know they had such a good audience, I
guess," said the hermit, chuckling. "Well," he
resumed, " it seems they 're afraid of the Canadian
officers now as much as they are of ours, for the war
puts an end to all kinds o' tradin', and they like
prize money over there as well as we do. "

« How long did the men stay there ? " asked David.

"0, they talked on for an hour, I guess," said the

hermit. " It seems they had brought most all they

THE HERMIT'S DISCOVERY

199

rln' whore
riieu 1 SCO
iorin' lluvt
d was the

8."

ey stopped
individual

lerc I was,

what they

ir 's bein'

1 out that

;pt thinjis.

i place for

ers. They

ut I heard

: o' lookin'

; 'em all.'

audience, I

Well," he

3 Canadian

for the war

i they like
>

iked David.
8," said the
3Bt all they

wore fTDin

to. Two more trips, I hoard 'om say,
was all Ihoro was to niako, au<l thoy 'ro goin' to
make Vm to-night. Thon thoy 'ro goin' to get a
boat to come and take 'cm all away."

" When in tho bont coming ? Is it the Osprey ? "
askod Andrew.

" I don't know. Very likely it 's the Osprey, but
I did n't hear. Now if we do anything, we '11 have
to do it to-morrow or next day. They '11 be takin'
the things away pretty quick, and our prize money '11
all be gone. But I think we 'd better turn in now."

The boys had prepared a bed of the branches they
had cut, but it was not thought wise to have any fire.
The air was cool, but, accustomed as they were to an
outdoor life, they little minded that.

A guard, it was decided, was necessary, and the
cook insisted that upon himself should devolve that
duty. "I know, I know all about it. Besides, I
can't do the trampin' some o' ye can, so I want to
do what I can." And with the cook seated on the
ground, with his back against a tree, and yet in a
position where he could command a view of the camp
and river both, the rest of the party entered tho
tent. They were soon asleep, and silence reigned

over all.

The night was only partly gone, when Andrew
thought he heard some one calling. He roused him-
self, and listened sharply.

200

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"Mr. Ogdon! Mr. Ogdon!" heonnld honrit plainly
now, and (luickly risiiif?, without diHtuH-ing the
other sleepers, he stepped forth out of the tent. The
cook was there, and whispered to him to come
quickly with him. Andrew followed to the place
where the cook had been on guard, when his com-
panion suddenly pulled his arm, and asked him to
stop and listen.

Andrew obeyed. He listened, and then, turning
♦quickly, listened again. Above the rippling of the
waters on the shore he heard something that startled
him. It was the sound of oars falling regularly into
the water.

ir it plainly
irliiiig the
tent. The
n to come
} the place
n his com-
ked him to

icn, turning
pling of the
hat startled
gularly into

A PKWUJ»KR

201

CHAPTER XXIII

A PRISONER

THERE was a boat evidently approaching; there
was no attempt made to muflle the oars. As
the sound of them became plainer, Andrew could
hear voices in conversation. lie crept nearer the
water and took his stand behind a tree on a bank,
high over the river beneath. He was completely
hidden from the view of any one upon the river, and
yet ho could see, though somewhat dimly, what was
occurring there. There was no moon, but the stars
could be seen, and his eyes were accustomed now to
the dimness.

As the boat came under the bluff on which Andre\7
Btood, he jMjrceived that two men were in it, and
that they rested on their oars there. He could dis-
tinguish their words now, as they conversed, and he
listened closely.

"Don't you think, Smith," said one, "that we'd
better land and look over the hermit's island a little ?
Mebbe he 's been back."

"No, he hasn't," replied Smith, for it was this
omnipresent smuggler in the boat. "Those boys

^pp— •>•*»"

202

TIIK SKAHCII FOK ANDUKNV FIKU)

wi'ic trying ns hard as over thoy could to p-i out o'
tliiH rivcM". Don't you remember how thcv ailed to
MH when they hcc uh ii Hiiilin' l>y in their l)Oftt 'i Wall,
this iiere hermit were with 'em, and they was tryin'
to >?et away. "

"Well, if you thoufrht tlu-y was tryin' to <ret away,
what did yc want to set his HtulT aliro here the otlier
day, for ? "

"0, he 'U come hack; but not jest yot. I hardly
think we 'd better stop now. He is n't here, and if
he was he could n't bother us. The boys is gone
now, and we've got all our stiilT together; and it
won't be but a day or two afore we git it off, and then
good by to the whole crowd, I say."

Their voices dropped a little, and Andrew could
only catch the word " chest." It was repeated several
times, but in what connection ho could not learn.
But after a brief pause their voices rose again.

" Wall, Smith, we '11 do as you say ; only I thought,
seein' as we was right here, it would n't do any harm
to take a little look at things and sec,"

"No use," replied Smith, and Andrew heard the
oars dipped in the water again, and then the sounds
became fainter and soon ceased to be heard. Andrew
hesitated. Should he return to the camp and rouse
the sleepers ? They could do nothing now, for the
boat had gone, and evidently was not coming back
soon. On the other hand, when he thought of what

out o'

llrd to

Wall,

tr} in'

, away,
i other

hardly
and if

» gone
and it

nd then

I could
several
; learn.

Iiought,
\y harm

ard the
sounds
Andrew
d rouse
for the
ig back
of what

A rnisoNEu

203

Hmith hud said about everything being there in the
cave now, and that soon all would be taken away, ho
hardly knew what to do. Ibil he soon (U'cided that
he would rouse the party, and that a eonsultation
would be \\w best.

Accordingly, he retunu'<l to the camp. In a
moment all were awake and gathered together in
front of the tent, listening to Andrew's story. All
were silent for a time, waiting for the hermit to
speak; but as ho remained silent and thoughtful,
Andrew said, "Did I do right to rouse you out to-
night, Mr. Ogden ? 1 did n't know whether to do it
or not."

"Yea, Andrew, it was just right," replied the
hermit slowly. "But I've been thinkin' what's
best to bo done Ye see, whatever we do, we 've got
to be in a hu ry about. Yo did n't hear 'em say
what day they was comin' back to the cave, did ye ? "

"No," said Andrew. "This man. Smith, said in
a day or two. That 's all 1 heard."

" My opinion is that we 'd better start early in the
mornin' and go to the cave, and then git out just as
lively as we can."

"What, this morning?" asked Andrew.

"Yes, this mornin'," replied the hermit, a little
sharply. " We '11 have to start afore sunrise. Now
the rest on ye, ye go to sleep, and 1 'II go down and
get the boat ready. I guess we 've got pretty nigh

iBiiuiiiiW ii

204

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

enough to eat, and it's lucky we have, fer we won't
get much on this island. 1 '1! call ye in the mornin',
and now all of ye turn in. I' 11 be all the guard we
need, and I'll fix the boat in shape."

He refused all offers of aid, and started for the
shore. The rest of the party waited a few minutes,
and then decided to follow the hermit's suggestion,
and were all soon asleep in the tent.

It was still dark when the low voice of the hermit
aroused them. They were quickly with him, and in
silence they all started for the boat, the hermit in
advance and the cook acting as rear guard.

The sail was raised, and the tent put on board.
The few eatables that could be secured from the
ruins of the garden were taken, and soon the party
was slowly moving on over the river. The wind was
light and the progress accordingly was slow ; and it
was broad daylight before they came in sight of the
island on which the cave was.

"1 think," said the hermit, "that we 'd better fol-
low the course the cook and I took. We '11 go round
to the other side of the island first, and come at the
cave that way. Then, if the way 's all clear, we '11
bring the boat around. "

" Do you think we '11 find any one there ? " asked
Elijah.

"Wall, I rather suspect wj shall," replied the
hermit.

we won't
mornin',
guard we

i for the
minutes,
ggestion,

le hermit
1, and in
lermit in

)n board,
from the
the i)arty
wind was
w; and it
;ht of the

better fol-

go round

»me at the

ear, we '11

?" asked

J pi led the

A I'KISONEU

205

"What 'U vo do if there 's two or three of 'cm ? "

in<iuirod David.

"If there's too many, why we '11 pull out and
leave, for it won't do to tarry in this region very
long. But I don't like to leave them things here
without tryin' to get 'em. However, I think 1 'd
rather lose 'em than to leave ?uy o' you boys here
and have to take only part o' ye home. What 'd
your father and mother say to that?"

The boys were silent again. They had great con-
fidence in their leader, but the glances they cast at
one another occasionally showed that they all were
a little afraid, and all alike afraid to confess it.

The boat was soon landed on the spot the hermit
and cook had found on their piKivious journey, and
the little party leaped ashore. Each carried a gini,
for although they did not expect to use them, they
know they might be thrown upon the defensive. The
cook was left to guard the boat, and all the rest of
the party, except Andrew, the hermit soon sent back
to the boat, preferring to have only one with him
as he went to see what was before them.

In what seemed to the boys a very short time,
Andrew came back to the boat on the run. To the
boys' eager questions he only replied that they were
to stay where they were until they were summoned,
and that all he knew was that the hermit had left
him when they were about a hundred yards from the

I " ■ m i l l

mm^

206

TIIK SEAUCIl FOU ANUUEW FIELD

cave, and had gone on alone, and that he hud soon
returned to Andrew and told him to run for the boat,
as fast as ho coukl, and bring to him a coil of rope,
which he said was in the cabin.

This rope Andrew (piiciily took, and was soon out
of sight again among the trees. The boys were all
impatience now, and it was only with the greatest
dilliculty that the cook could prevent their following
the course which Andrew had taken.

in about an hour Andrew returned and told them
that they all, including the cook, were to follow him
as rapidly as they could, and he started off through
the trees again toward the cave. The cook was soon
hjft far behind ; but he could see where the boys had
been, and as he puffed along he occasionally found
time to stop for a moment and wipe his fore-
head and ejaculate, '" Yes, yes, 1 know, I know all
'about it,"

It was a strange sight he saw, when finally he
came up to the boys and found them with the hermit
near the entrance to the cave. Fast bound to a tre<}
was a man, a stranger to the cook; his arms were
clasped about a tree, and his hands tied on the other
side. The prisoner could not see the party without
turning his head, and as this was impossible, except
to a slight degree, he could not see the cook as he
came up.

"I was just a tcUin' the boys," said the hermit,

hud soon

the boat,

1 of rope,

soon out
i were all
! greatest
i'ollowint?

told them
dUow him
f through
was soon
boys had
illy found
his fore-
know all

finally he
he hermit
I to a tre'i
irms were
the other
:y without
lie, except
ook as he

e hermit,

A PRISONER

207

" about this fellow as you came up. You see, when
1 crept on through the \^ oods, and by and by came
in sight of the gorge, I could n't see any guard. I
thought that was mighty funny, and did n't know
but he was inside. I was just a goin' to creep up
and peek in, when what should I see but this here
guard," and he pointed to the stranger, "a sittin' un-
der one of the trees fast asleep. The sun was a shinin'
right into his face, and his gun had fallen over on
the ground. I noticed his head had kind o' fallen
over on one side, and I thought 1 might just catch
him with a rope jest same as 1 snare sturgeon some-
times; so 1 sent Andrew on the run back to the boat
for a rope 1 knew was there. I was mortal 'fraid
the fellow 'd wake up afore Andrew could get back
again, but thank fortune he didn't, fer all the suni
was a shinin' right plump inter his face." ^ i

"I'd been awake all night," called out the pris-
oner. " I guess you 'd be tired out if you 'd been a
liftin' and puUin' all night long. 1 don't know 's
I care much if 1 did get asleep. Smith might have
staj-d himself; he's always shovin' the mean part
off on me. "

"Just say good by for us, will you, to Mr. Smith ? "
said David. " I understand he thought we left him
the other night without being as polite as we ought
to. Tell him, if he'll bring back the I'ilut, we'll
say good morning too."

mmmm

208 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"Well," continued the hermit, "I made a noose
in the rope, and crept up still 's I could. I kep' a
stoppin' behind most every tree, fearin' he 'd wake
up and I 'd have to try another plan to quiet him.
But I got up there within a yard o' him afore he
stirred, and then, just as he was beginnin' to move,
I clapped the noose right over his head, and I had
him like a sucker."

" What 'd he do ? '* asked David, laughing.

"Why, I don't jest know. He acted like as if he
was goin' to say somethin', but he kind o' grabbed
at his neck, and I drew the rope so tight he could n't
even squeal. I did n't give him any time either, for
1 just called Andrew, a'ld before he knew it, we had
him a huggiu' that tree, just as ye see him now.
But we must be at work," he continued. "Henr}-,
you stay on guard here, and see that this man
does n't get away ; and if ye see any signs o' any
one coniin', jest shout or whistle as loud as ye
can." And, leading the way, he dropped over into
the entrance to the gorge, an example which the
others quickly followed, and soon were out of sight
on their way to the cave.

de a nooso
I kep' a
he 'd wake
quiet him.
n afore he
i' to move,
and I had

ng-

ike as if he

o' grabbed

le could u't

either, for

it, we had

him now.

" Henry,

this man
a;ns o' any
oud as ye
I over into
which the
it of sight

-,.#y'i'^^/

, i.Ai'i'i.ii I HK Mni>i': Kii;ii I ii\ i.i; in-

/\,^un\h<i\<\ Sliute^

■ All." \'m1'- -l'^-

.-■■■■ ■ i «fc ^^B*>i^'

mm^rmi tii m' mfi »^i >r'

A CAUGU FOB THE BOAT

209

CHAPTER XXIV

A CARUO FOR THB BOAT

" I ^flE little party soon found its way to the cave.
"^ As they approached, the hermit increased his
caution, being a little fearful of guards or men being
there. But they were not molested, and soon stood
within the cave.

" What a lot there is here now," said David.
"There's twice as much as there was when we
were here before, isn't there Elijah?"

" Yes," said Elijah, " I guess there's moro'n that."

But the hermit, who took entire control, soon made
an investigation.

" It 's mostly guns and powder. They 're either
goin' into the war themselves, or else they 're goin'
to make some money out of it. O, no," he added in
a moment, "here's some other stuff. I don't just
know what. It's cloth, though, of some kind. To
make women's dresses of," he said, after an exami-
nation. " My ! but its fine."

Each one of the party was soon loaded wivh all
that he could carry, and they commenced their n turn.
There was some difficulty in getting that which they

210

TIIK SKAKCII rOli ANIJKKW VIVAA)

:{■

carried up out of the entrance of tlic gorge upon tho
ground. But this was done aftor a time, and the
rosultH of their journey made quite an imi)08iug pile,
when hea|)ed together.

" Now 1 propose that the cook go round and bring
tlio boat here. It won *t tal<o very long, and while
he 's doin' that, wc '11 go in after some more. I siis-
pect that path we see in there's a shorter cut, but 1
don't believe we'd better make any new investiga-
tions. We 've got the hardest day's work before us
we ever had," said the hermit, as the cook set out
through the woods, and the hermit, after examining
the rope that boimd their prisoner, led the way into
the gorge again.

Two more trips were made before the cook had
brought their boat. He was now left to guard the
prisoner, and to k( ep a watch for in crruptions from
without. After two more trips had been completed,
the hermit proposed that they should load what they
had on board their boat. " In case we have to hurry
away," he said.

When this work had been done, and they were re-
turning for another trip to the cave, Andrew suddenly
stopped and exclaimed : —

"Don't you remember how, last night, I said I
heard Smith speak of a chest? You know they
talked lower when they were speaking of it, but
maybe it's something in the cave."

I' g . i ir.n. BIB

ipon tlio
and the
ling pile,

1(1 bring
id wliilc

I 8II8-

lit, but 1
[ivestiga-
Dcfore US
: set out
iainining
way into

;ook bnd
uard the
ouB from
)inf)letcd,
bat they
to hurry

were re-
8uddenly

I said I
ow they
)f it, but

A CAKCO FOU TIIK HOAT

Stl

" That 'h 80," said Klijah. "Let's hjok again and
Bcc if we can't find it."

So the party searched diligently when they came to
the cave, hut no trace of a cliest could be found. A
search outside proved to be ecjually fruitless, and at
last each made his load of that which ho found, and
together they returned to the shore;.

The hermit had said nothing when Andrew had
Bpt)ken of a chest, though he had entered diligently
into the search for it. IJut when they had deposited
their loads on the boat and come bock to the gorge,
he turned to their prisoner and said, " Where 's that
chest Smith brought here ? "

*• Don't you wish you knew ? " said the prisoner.

« I think wc shall know, but if we don't, I think
the exchange of so good a man as yo<i, if we take you
over to Sackett's Harbor, will be worth about as much
as what was in that chest. Come, now," ho added,
"you tell us where it is, and like enough, when
we get through here, you might get away. Who

knows ? "

The prisoner hesitated. Finally he said, " Who

are ye, anyway ?"

"0, these boys live over by Sackett's Harbor.
We 're all going there too."

"Then you ain't custom officers V" asked the pris-
oner eagerly.

" No sir ! " said David with emphasis.

212

TIIK 8KAUCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

" Well, I don't know," said the man slowly. " I
don't owe Smith any love. lie never did deal squarely
with me, and he got mo into it agin my will. Ho
said we d malic a pile o' money, and then clear out.
I haven't had a shillin' yet. lie's always a goin' to
get me some. But I don't know what 's in the chest
anyway," he added. " I don't know as it 's any good.
What '11 ye do, if I tell ye where it is ? "

" O, w '11 go away and leave you here. We ought
to take ye 'long with us, and shut ye up as a prisoner
of war. But if ye tell us pretty quick now, I guess
we '11 let ye off."

" 0, but I don't want ter stay here now. Smith '11
kill me sure. But I don't want to go with you either."

"Well, I'll tell you what we'll do," said the
hermit. " We '11 take you off 'n this island, and land
you on another, and you can then shift for yourself."

" But I would n't have any boat, and what could
I do?"

The hermit perceived that the fellow was a little
simple-minded, so he changed his tactics.

" We 've got a skiff here and we '11 put you mto it,
and you can go where you choose, just as soon as you
tell us where that chest is hid."

" Well, then, it 's right in the side o' the rock in
this openin' to the gorge. I don't know's there's
anything in it, and they didn't tell me, but I
see 'em put it there. There's a rock comes out

^^^^^^

A CAIUJO FOR THK BOAT

right thcro on the left, and it 'b in tht'ie. Now lot
mo go."

" Not yet, wc '11 wait and bgo what 's this yon 'vo
boon tcllin' ns," said tlio hermit, as ho Htartcd for the
spot indicated by tho priHonor.

" Strango if they did put anything of value right
here," said Andrew.

" 0, I don't know," said the hermit. " Sometimes
the most open spot '» the best to hide things in. They
don't think o' lookin' there. They most always will
go a peckin' about tho other places, and just step
right over and never think o' lookin' in such places
as this." And as he gave an added pull, the rock
fell out, and disclosed a small iron-bound chest
that nearly filled the space into which it had been

placed.

*' I don't believe I can get it out alone," said ho
after two or three strong pulls. "Take hold here
with me, Andrew."

They pulled hard together and tho chest started.
" How '11 we ever get it out of this and up on the
ground ? I wish we ccld open it and take what 's
in and leave the old chest i>chind. But it's fast, and
I don't believe we can get it open at all," ho added,
"at least without tools."

The hermit went back to the prisoner. "Now,"
said he, " If wo untie you and let you go, what '11
you do?"

214

THE SEARCH FOK ANDREW Fn:LI)

" I '11 tivkc that skiff and leave," he replied.

" I don't much like the idea o' letiin' you go. No
one knows where you'll go. But 1 don't think you
can hurt us any, as we're going to leave, too." And
he untied the ropes and let the man go free.

They stopped for a few minutes to watch him as
he tried to run for the shore. Just before he came to
the skiff Andrew called out, "Hold on a minute."
And running down to the boat he took one of tho
oars away, saying, » We didn't agree to give you two
oars. One will paddle you off as fast as you ought

to go."

The man stood up in the skiff, and- used his paddle
so vigorously that he was soon hidden from view by
an intervening island.

" 1 'm more 'n half afraid we made a mistake in
letting him go. He didn't know much, and I think
we could have found out about the chest from him.
But, however, he's gone, and we must finish our
work. The boat's got a good cargo now, and I don't
dare load her much more, for we may want to make
time, perhaps, in leaving these islands."

" But we want this chest," he added, as, taking the
rope which had bound their prisoner, he made it
double, as he wrapped it around the chest, and at the
other end, inserting a long oar, he arranged for all of
them to pull together.

The chest responded to their united efforts, and

■-—

A CAllGO FOR THE BOAT

215

go. No
link you
." And

1 him as
came to

minute."

le of tlio
you two

3U ought

is paddle
1 view by

istakc in
i I think
rom him.
inish our
id I don't
to make

aking the

1 made it

ind at the

for all of

Torts, and

soon they had it ont upon the ground. It did not
tike long to get it on board Uic boat, but a careful
examination showed them how hopeless was the task
of opening it without the proper tools.

Most of the party were now eager to depart. Iho
boat was well, though not heavily loaded, rd they
be.'an to fear th .t they might be intcrrupto* u their
labors. They did not know the exact condition of
affairs along the river, and they were afraid of

trouble. . . ^ -i

But the cook insisted upon another visit to the cave.
» I know, I know all about it. You did the best ye
could, but after all you know you arc only lubbers, —
iust landlubbers or sailors on this 'ere fresh-water
pond I know I could find something else in the cave.
Sure, but I 'd like to try it. Come on, and make one
more trip, and then we '11 start."

The boys all looked at the hermit. What should
they do ? They all felt there was an added risk
in remaining longer, and yet the possibility of any-
thin- of value being left in the cave troubled them.
They had caught a little of the fever of winning prize
money, and a trip to the cavo would only take a few

minutes. -j 1.1 ,

Finally the hermit nodded his head, and said they
would go, only he preferred that Andrew shoud
be left to guard the boat. He winked at Andrew as
he said, "Henry hasn't been into the cave much.

216

THE SEAUCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

lie 's got pretty sharp eyes, and it 's only fair that he
should go in part of the time."

Andrew very readily consented, and took liis station
as guard as the party entered the gorge, and soon
disappeared from view. They wasted no time in con-
versation but almost ran in their eagerness to reach
the cave, and give it the final investigation, prepara-
tory to their departure. Henry, who had made fewer
trips than the others, was the most eager of all, and
kept a little in advance of the rest.

They very soon reached their destination and were
just preparing to enter, when the hermit suddenly
stopped, and exclaimed, " What 's that ? " They all
stopped to listen.

The echoes of a gun-shot were 80.in>l •■ through the
gorge. As they looked at one anc li ■ i consternar
tion, suddenly the shrill sound of n whistle three
times repeated came to their ears.

"That's Andrew," said David. "He's shot the
gun, and run in after us a little ways to give us the
whistle. He must have seen something. That 's his
warning."

The hermit had already started on the run to go
back, and he called out, " Come on, boys, we 've no
time to lose," and the entire party, as fast as they
could, followed him.

-ammMtmrnm

Iiat he

station
1 soon
in con-
reach
•epara-
fewer
II, and

i were
ddcnly
ley all

gh the

rterna-

three

ot the

us the

's his

to go
*ve no
B they

A NIGHT SAIL AMONG THE ISLANDS

217

CHAPTER XXV

A NIGHT SAIL AMONG THE ISLANDS

WHEN Andrew had been left to guard the boat,
he at first had taken a seat upon the bank
near by. He was extremely anxious, and had not
favored this last visit to the cave. But his friendship
for the cook, and his remembrance of the kindness he
had received at his hands, had caused him to keep
silence. But now that the boat was well loaded, and
the chest had been placed on board safely, he wanted
to set sail at once.

He had been but a minute upon the bank, when
he rose and began to walk back and forth along the
beach. Not a sight or sound out of the usual course
came to him, but he was still very nervous.

u ^}.,r could n't they be satisfied to let well enough
alone ? We 've got a good load now, and more than
enough to keep us from sailing very fast. I wish we
had started, for it 's getting late," He glanced at the
sun, which was now low in the west. " It '11 be dark
before we know it," he added, impatiently. -

He turned and walked up the little knoll on which
their prisoner had been standing when he was taken.
" Perhaps there 's a better view up there," he said to

218 THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

himsilf. It was but a little climb, and when he stood
there he felt amply repaid for his change of location.
Tlie islands lay thick around him, and yet there was
a long view of the river as he looked down the stream.
« 1 believe I can see (ivo miles straight down stream,"
he said. " Wiiat u giand river it is. There 's a pretty
strong current down there I guess from the looks of
things. But 1 wish I was at home. I *d like to know
how father is," and his impatience redoubled.

Suddenly he stopped as he was looking away down
the river. "What's that little white spot? Docs it
move ? I believe upon my life it 's a sail," and he
scanned the whole scene with the utmost care.

It certainly moved. He waited for a minute to
confirm his impression, and to be sure that he was
right, then he seized his gun, and, rushing into the
gorge, discharged it. Not quite satisfied with this,
he ran in for a short distance, and whistled shrilly
through his fingers.

His summons as we know was heard by the explor-
ing party, and in a very short time they were, with the
exception of the cook, standing by Andrew's side, and
gazing earnestly in the direction he pointed.

One glance was enough for the hermit, who called
out, « It 's a sailboat, sure. 1 don't know as it 's any
one to bother us, but we must n't wait to see. You
stay here and help the cook out," he said to Elijah,
" and the rest of us will go down and get the boat
ready to start right away."

'aili n! i jmn* it au^ m'f ^ ' *«^^» ' -

M^ii^:^n>m^*jt*^itmmmmmiu,mmmn»nimi

he stood

location.

icre was

stream.

stream,"

I a pretty

looks of

to know

ay down

Docs it

" and he

linutc to
t he was
into the
vith this,
id shrilly

lie explor-
I, with the
I side, and

vho called
3 it 's any
see. You
to Elijah,
b the boat

A MUllT SAIL AMONG THE ISLANDS 219

Elijah remained to help the cook, who soon camo,
pulling and very red in the face, up to whore he stood.
A hearty pull placed him on the ground.

"What 's in the wind?" said he, wiping his stream-
ing forehead.

"0, there's a boat coming, that's all," replied
Elijah dryly. "We sha'n't stay to celebrate the
declaration of war. Come on," he called out, as
he ran for the shore. The cook followed as rapidly .
as he was able, and the party, which had been impa-
tiently awaiting their arrival, at once set sail.

The hermit soon steered the boat among the islands,
so that no view down the river was to be had. But it
was more heavily laden than they had supposed, and
their progress was slow. The boys were so nervous
and excited, that the hermit felt called upon to try
ai d calm them.

« We sha'n't cast overboard any of our cargo just
yet," he said quietly. " I don't believe that boat was
after us anyway. They can't see us now, and we '11
keep on. I 'm not sure but we 'd better go over to
Clayton and dispose of our cargo. What do you think,

Andrew?"

« How far is it to Clayton?" Andrew inquired.

« Well, it 's a good ten mile, and out of our course.
Still I'd think that was the best plan if it wasn't
getting so late," he said, as he glanced at the sun.

« I don't like to put in there. I 'd like to keep

220

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIKLD

right on home. Wc can get rid of our stuff at
Sackott's Harbor, and I don't like to stop. Wo
sha'n't have any trouble along the lake shore, I
guess, any way," said Andrew.

" I 'm not so sure of that," replied the hermit.
"But Htill I'm perfectly willin' to keep right on.
I want to sail in the night too, as well as in the day.
You can't sleep in the cabin, 'cause there is n't room
with all the stuff we've got here. I'm goin' in a
new course, and I don't want to stop much if I can
help it. At least for this night," he added.

*' We don't want to stop cither. I 'm afraid of that
boat we saw. I don't believe 'twas on any good
errand," said Andrew.

« Well, I 'm hungry now, and I know there 's some-
thin' to eat aboard. If the cook '11 just see to that
part of it, I '11 mind the tiller, for I don't like to trust
her much to any one in the dark, and in this new
channel too."

" Yes, yes, I know, I know all about it," said the
cook, as he responded to the hermit's suggestion and
disappeared belc jf.

But he soon returned with something the boys
could eat, and soon they were in better spirits. The
boat kept steadily on, and while the progress was not
rapid, still, as the wind held good, they drew away
from the familiar sights at a fair rate of speed.
"We've never been this way, have we?" asked

VJI.^

stuff at
p. Wo
Bhoro, I

hermit,
ight on.
the day.
n't room
ain' in a
if I can

d of that
my good

! 's some-
e to that
e to trust
this new

' said the
stion and

the boys
•its. The
s was not
rew away
peed.
I?" asked

A NIGHT SAIL AMONG THE ISLANDS 221

David. "It's a little dark, but it looks like a new
course to me."

" No, we 've never been this way," replied the hermit.
" It's a little longer, and not quite so safe, for there 's
some rocks pretty near the channel here."

The boys were silent for a time, and no sound came
to their ears but the lap of the river against the sides
of the boat as they sailed on.

" I don't quite understand this war, anyway," said
Henry after a time. " Is it all just about pressing
men, as Andrew here was ? "

" I have n't been where I could follow it very close,"
said the hermit; "but I guess that's the prime thing,
though. You know that, while England acknowledged
the independence of the United States after the other
war, she never felt just like giving up all her claim
on us. Besides, that war did cost a heap, and the
taxes in Great Britain were fearful. Why, their debt
had increased from 13,300,000 in 1689 to $700,000,000
in 1768. And the spark that set fire to the powder
magazine was because they tried to let up on their
own taxes by layin' it on to the Colonies. Then when
they had all the expense o' the war, and had to give
up the taxes and Colonies too, why, it made a bad
matter worse."

" What did the war of the Revolution cost ? Do
you know ? " asked Andrew.
" Not exactly," replied the hermit. " I guess no-

M*-

222 THE SEARCH FOR ANDUEW FIELD

body docs. But I hoard 'cm say how it cost us about
$135,000,000 iu specie."

" 1)0 you kuO^v wliat it cost the British ? " asked

David.

"They said (some o' our lucu, I mean) it cost the
Britishers a heap more 'n tliat. Leastwise their debt
was increased duriu' the war about $600,000,000."

"How many soldiers were there in the British
army ? " inquired Elijah.

" They probably never had more than forty thou-
sand at any one time."

" Did we have more'n that ? " asked David.
«No, we never had more'n that in the regular
army. We liad some minute-men, who served as I
did at Saratoga and Stillwater, and then they'd go
home. They did n't often count for nmch. Our
regulars were just about the same as the British

forces."

«' How 'd they wind up that war, anyway ? " asked
Andrew. " Did the British just clear out after Corn-
wallis surrendered, or what did they do ? "

" my ! no," replied the hermit. " They cleared
out of Savannali in July, 1782. They did n't leave
Ciiarleston till the next December, and they never
left New York till the twenty-fifth day of November,

1783."
"Was New York the last place they left?*' said

Andrew.

..^MJ"-.,^-^-^- --L- ' ' ' ' ""

t us about

11 ? " asked

t cost the
their debt
0,000."
iie British

forty thou-

:id.

he regular
lervcd as I
they'd go
uch. Our
the liritish

ly ? " asked
after Coru-

hey cleai'ed

id n't leave

they never

November,

left?*' said

A NKJllT SAIL AMONG TUB ISLANDS 223

" It was the last on the coast, but they held on to
the forts north of the Ohio River about a dozen years
longer. Well, ye sec," continued the hermit, « they
could n't quite give up all the grip they had all at
once. And they 've kept a pcstcrin' us ever since. ^ 1
don't know so very much about that part, for T vo
lived mostly alone down here on this river; but I've
heard 'em talkin' about these things when 1 have met

JK30ple." m • ff

» 1 wonder whatever became of the Tones alter
the war closed," said David.

"0,some on 'em settled down and tried to make
the best of it. But there was a lot that left with the
British troops. Some up North went over to Canada
and Nova Scotia, and some down South went to the

West Indies."

« Yes, yes, I know," interrupted the cook. " I were

there myself."

" Yes," said the hermit, " a good many came back
after a while, and a good many did n't. But I wish
none on 'em had come. 1 tell you, boys, don't you
ever go back on your own country. Maybe you'll
have to light in this war. if you do, jest remember
you're finishin' the other, -kind o* clinchin' the na.l
like. They 've bothered our ships and stole our men.
I tell you, after such an experience as Andrew's had,
a man, if he does have to fight, will want to fight
hard, and end the whole thing. I'm afraid we'll

224 THE SKAUCU FOR ANDREW FIELD

have a touRh time, though. Yo sec, it'« like orcniu'
an old 8orc, and it's been Boro all the time. 1 don t
behove much in fightin' unlcBS ye have to. Hut if yo
do have to, why you want to piteh in and f.ght bo you
won't have to do it again for a long time."

Andrew and the boys became Bilent and thoughtful.
They were thinking of their homcB, and the prospect
that Bome of them might have to fight in a long and
bloody war made them Bcrious. They were hardy
boys, and no cowards, but they had had enough expo-
riencc to know that war was a terrible ev.h

"I'll never forget my experience oft ht. Kius m
the West Indies when the Constellation took the
French frigate L'InBurgcnto. Vcb, yes, 1 know, said

the cook. , , tj A

« We don't. Tell us about it," sa.d the tfoys ; and •
the kind-hearted cook repeated the story he had
already told Andrew, of his former naval experiences,
interjecting many a "Yes, yc8, 1 know, among his

words

But the night wore on. One by one the boys
dropped off to sleep, each making a pUlow of his
arm, or half reclining on the rude seat.

Only the hermit, the cook, and Andrew remained
awake, for they were too anxions to sleep, thoroughly
tired though they were.

« It'll be light pretty quick, 1 guess, said the her-
mit at last, who had not left the tiller during the

A NIGHT SAIL AMONC TIIK ISI VN»S

225

ofcnm

, 1 don't
Hut if yo
[ht BO you

lioughttul.
3 prospect

1 long and
ci-o hardy
ough expo-

t. Kitt's in
1 took the
;now," said

Mbys; and
ry he had
sxperiences,

among his

,^i...ht. - I don't j.iHt know wl.oiT wc arc, but wo '11
Boon be out ..I- the islands. When it's light, 1 11
know just where I am."

II,, had hardly uttered the wonls, when, with a
Hharp sound the boat, running in nca- shore, struck.
The shock awakened every one, a.ul in a moment
they were over the side trying to shove her ofl for
«he was in shallow water. But their united ellorts

failed to move her.

-What '11 we do?" said Andrew. "She s fast
aground. I 'm afraid we 'U have to take some of her
cargo out befo.c we get her off."

"Guess wc won't have time," said the hermit,
quietly, as he pointed over toward the east, where
they saN^ a boat about the size of theirs coming
toward tlUm under full sail.

e the boys
How of his

w remained
, thoroughly

?aia the her-
• during the

226

THE 8KAIICII FOR ANDHKW FIKLD

CIIAI'TEU XXVI

AN INTKHMIHSION

THE hermit, in a low voice, gave directions tliiit
everything in the hoat k1iou1»1 be covered, and
then that tliey were to wait for the other boat to
conic nearer, and no one was to speak, save himself,
unless he was directly Hi>ol<en to.

The men in the other boat had sighted them, and
changed their course so as to come nearer. When
they had run close in, it was seen that they were a
party of seven men; but, as they wore no uniforms,
it was inii)088ible to determine to which side of tlic
river they belonged.

''Hello, boys! got aground r " one of them called
out, as they came up.

" Yes," said the liermit. " Wc 're fast aground on
a rock."

"You ought not to have been out sailing so early
in the morning. Could n't see to steer your course,"
laughed one of the men.

"Well, you seem to have had better luck than M'e
did, if you don't believe in sailing so early in the
morning," said the hermit, in reply.

vJii4,

!:li)

•ectioiiH that
i-ovori'd, and
tlirr l»oai to
ave hiiuHcIf,

d them, and
ircr. When
tliey were a
no unifoniiB,
1 sidf of the

them culled

it aground on

ling so early
pur course,"

hick than we
early in the

AN INTKUMISSION

'227

Tlio man laughed again, and then said, " Where 'd
ye conu! from V "

"O, from down the river. I hail l)ad luck; Homo-
body set lire to my house, and 1 'vo had to move.
These boys were with me."

"Well, did ye see any other men down below?"
inquired the spc; kcr.

"Yes," said V,\(* hermit (juiekly, "there were a
lot of 'em df .vn on one of the islands. (Juess they 'd
got somctli'itg there they were afraid would get
owny. I ♦hink they were the ones thiit set my house
afire. They did j r, w^ariL any nigh neighbors, I
giiesH," said the ^ L'iiiit.

The men sj)okw quickly ' -gethcr, and then the one
who bef Jie i ad been the «i >!.esman, eagerly inquired,
"In wl at direction from here ar« they? Can you
show us the way ? "

The hermit indicated with his head the direction
in which the others were, and then said, as the
])arty v i* preparing to leave, "I wish you'd take
hold and help us off here. Give us a tow before
you go."

The men laughed good-naturedly and said, " We '11
throw you a rope ; wc '11 haul, as you push. But
be quick about it, for we must be off."

The combined efforts seemed to be enough, and
they drew the boat back from the rock on which she
had struck. Fortunately, the wind had been light

228 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW Fn:LD

at the time, so that the hard pull was all that was
needed to get her off. As soon as she was free the
other party, with a hastily spol^cn farewell, set sail,
and were soon lost to view.

"That's what I eall a close shave," said the her-
mit. "I think those men were Canadian officers.
They 're after the smugglers, and when they saw we
didn't fit the description of 'em they had, they never
thought of making investigations here. I hope the
smugglers '11 think it's our party when they meet
'cm. I wouldn't mind bein' there to see that

meet. "

"That's just about the way Mad Anthony Wayne
did at Stony Point," said the cook. "He crept up
and took the fort with his men in the night, and the
British gunboats did n't know anything about it till
morning came, and he turned those guns right on to
the boats in the river. 1 tell you there was a scur-
ryin' there then. I guess they thought the people
up in the fort had gone mad, seein' as they didn't
know anything about the fort's bein' taken. So these
smuoglers'll think it's a funny piece of business if
they°'re chasing us and find a boat coming right
from our direction alter them. I guess they '11 be

surprised."

" Well, I hope they '11 have a good time at the sur-
prise party," said Elijah, with a laugh. " 1 'd like to
go to one first rate. Do you remember that one we

AN INTEUMISSION

229

that \v'.8
free the
set sail,

the hcr-
1 officers,
y saw we
hey never
hope the
ihey meet

see that

iiy Wayne
crept up
t, and the
»out it till
ight on to
as a scur-
the people
ley did n't
So these
business if
ling right
they '11 be

at the sur-
I 'd like to
hat one we

had at your house last spring, David ? Those Potter
girls were there, wasn't they, Andrew ? "

"I «ruc8S so, " said Andrew. "But the question
is, where are we? We may get another surprise
party down here before we know it. Wlint 's to be
done now ? " said he, turning to the hermit.

"I think we'd better run in among these islands
somewhere, and lay by for a while. Not just here.
Ye see we don't want to be seen much, and we need
a little rest. So I think we '11 stop for a little any-
way, and towards night we '11 start on again. When
we get out into the lake, then we '11 go day and
night till we get you and our cargo safely landed.
But we 've got to be careful. "

The plan was approved by all, and, going directly
out of their course about half a. mile, they landed.
The first thing they did was to give the boat's keel
a very careful examination. No damage had been
done, they found, as the rock on -.vhich she had struck
was fortunately a flat one.

They were in a little cove that gave sufficient
depth of water for the boat, and yst was sheltered
from the sight of any who might be passing. There
was a little debate at first as to whether any fire
should be kindled or not, for fear the smoke would
reveal them, but it was decided to have a small
fire, and then to put it out as soon as the breakfeast
was cooked.

mxmmmmmKO^

230

THE SEARCH FOU ANDREW Fn<:LO

The hermit had phiced on board his entire supply
of pork in a barrel of brine before they had started
on their previous trip for Kinj^ston. Some of this
was still left, and of it, with some corn bread and
fish which Ilcnry caught, and some berries that
David and Elijah picked, they made their breakfast.
They were all in fairly good spirits, and in high
hopes that they would be able to continue their
journey without further interruptions.

It was decided that a guard should be kept, and
Andrew was chosen to stand first. All the rest of
the party spread their blankets on the ground, and,
stretching themselves upon them, were soon asleep.

Andrew, in spite of his weariness, was very watch-
ful. He was not satisfied to remain awake merely,
but he went out on the points alternately and scanned
the river carefully in every direction.

The sun climbed high, and noon arrived. This
was the time agreed upon when he was to call the
others, and after they had had their dinner he was
to be relieved, and he was then to turn in for his
nap.

Before he roused the others, however, he kindled
a fire and made all things ready for dinner. It was
only when this had been done that he roused the
sleepers, and they all came at his call.

Andrew was thoroughly worn out, and after he
had eaten a little, he took his blanket, and, going off

IBif 'f-TWft'f*-

AN INTERMISSION

2:u

by himself, was soon asleep. The heririlt had insisted
upon standin<? guard himself during the afternoon,
))ut the exciting scenes through which they had
lately passed, and the rest which they had had in the
morning, caused the boys to remain for a time after
they had finished their meal.

"I guess we 're in about as tight a box as lots of
the men were in the war you were telling about,"
said David to the hermit-

The hermit smiled and said, "There were some
pretty tight squeezes fer our men in those days. I
saw a man who was at New London when Arnold,
the old traitor, went there with his British fleet."

" How was that? " asked David.

" Well, you see, the New London people fer a long
time were afraid they were goin' to be attacked, I
guess maybe they got a little careless after a while.
Ye see, there was two forts at New London, one on
each side o' the harbor; one of 'era was Fort Gris-
wold and the other Fort Trumbull. Well, one
mornin' when the New London folks waked up, there
was a great fleet just bearin' right down upon the
town. It had been agreed that Fort Griswold should
fire two guns whenever there was an alarm. Well,
when they saw the fleet they fired the two guns, as
they had agreed to d'», and then right away the
British boats fired three, which was the signal the
Americans arranged when a victory had been gained.

232 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

Ye see some one had told 'em the sisrnals that had
been fixed upon. The country folks didn't know
what to make of such firin' as that. Well, the
New London folks was scared to see a great tleet
right in upon 'em before breakfast. The women and
children was runnin' cryin' through the streets, and
out into the country. 'T was a good thing they did,
for the British jest set fire to the town, and burned
it all pretty much." ^

"Was that the tight place you meant? said

Elijah.

" Not exactly, " replied the hermit. " Ye see Fort
Trumbull wasn't much of a fort; 'twas just a bat-
tery facin' the water on three sides, and open behind.
Cap'n Shapley had just twenty-three men and eight
guns, and two o' the guns was no good. Well,
when Cap'n Shapley saw the Britishers a comin', he
just loaded the cannon, six on 'em, with grape, and
told his men to be ready to spike the guns. He let
'era have the grape, and then yelled, 'Drive in the
spikes,' and then they all ran down to their boats and
started to row across the river to Port Griawold. '
" Did they get over there ? " asked Elijah, excitedly.
"Well, seven on 'era didn't; they was wounded

and taken." ,

"Did Arnold make any attack on Fort Griswold /

asked David. , ■

"Yes; and the worst of it was that wich the

laai'iaifiri'inMniA

AN INTERMISSION

233

British there was a battalion of Tories, from New
Jersey, too. The British Colonel's name was Eyre,
and he sent a white flag up to the fort and told 'em
to surrender. The American Colonel's name was
Ledyard, — there 's lots of folks by that name there
yet, —and he tallied it over with his cai)tain8, and
they said they 'd stay by the fort. Well, they had
an awful fight. There was lota more of the British
than of the Americans. They made lots o' rushes,
and could n't get in for a long time ; but there was
so many of 'em they just could keep supply in' men
for them that was shot down, ye see. And after
a while they forced their way in. Colonel Ledyard
saw the end was comin', and he ordered his men to
stop firin'. But the British just took a nine-pounder
and shot grape into that little huddle o' men that
was left after they had surrendered. Colonel Eyre
and one major had been killed, and then Major
Bromfield was in command o' the British. He see
they had stopped firin', and he rushes in and yells,
' Who '8 in command o' this fort ? ' '1 was, but you
are now,' said Colonel Ledyard, handing him his
sword. Well, that rascally Britisher drew back
that sword right there and then, and run it into
Ledyard's body up to the hilt."

The boys' eyes flashed. " What did the men do
then ? " they asked. '

« Why, nothin'. They had surrendered, and before

234

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

they knew it tlic British and the Tories were firin'
right into 'cm there in the fort."

"What, after tliey ' daurrendered ? " aske*! Elijah.

"Yes, after they'd surrendered. Hardly any es-
caped. A few jumped over the walls, and managed
to get away. "

"What did they do with that major?" asked

David.

"Promoted him, on Sir Henry Clinton's recom-
mendation," replied the hermit, rising and walking
towards the shore. The boys thoughtfully took their
blankets and went to join Andrew, who lay fast
asleep under the trees.

■^

c firln'

Elijah.
!iny «'»'
lanagod

asked

recom-
i^alking
ok their
lay fast

%«,

A CHANGE IN THE COLUSE

235

CHAPTER XXVII

A CHAN(JK IN THE COURSE

'T^IIE hermit let the entire party sleep until the
■^ middle of the afternoon. But about three
o'clock he roused them all, and called a council.
The boys declared themselves to be thoroughly rested,
and ready for any work that might be before them.

"I 've been a thinkin' of our boat," said the her-
mit. " Ye see she 's pretty well loaded. It keeps
her from sailin' very fast, specially when there 's six
of us besides the load. "

" What do you think can be done ? " said Andrew.
" We don't want to throw overboard any of our cargo
unless we have to. We 've worked so hard to get it,
we don't want to lose it now if we can help it."

"No more do I want to lose it," said the hermit.
"I don't care so much about the prize money as
you youngsters do, I suppose, but I don't want those
rascally smugglers to get it again either. Ye see,"
he added, " I suppose we 're all in the Canada waters
yet, though I 'm not sure o' that. But I suspect those
men we saw were Canadians."

" Well, what can we do, then ? " inquired Andrew.

'9-:r

230

TlIK SKAHCII FOK ANDUKW FIKLl)

" I don't 8oe any way out of it, except to take our
chances. Maybe we slm'n't meet any more men.
Who knowB ? "

" But 1 want the boat to sail right whether we meet
'em or not," replied the hermit. "I don't want 'cm
to catch us if we do meet 'cm. Now I think it 'd
be a miglity good ]tlan to fix that load so that we
can throw out the ballast. 1 believe if wc could take
out'those rocks, and there 'a a lot of 'em we 've got
in there for ballast, we could fix our cargo so that
we could sail a good deal faster than we can now. "

"That's the very thing!" exclaimed Andrew, and
he led the way to the boat, and they all began at
once to re;, range the cargo.

It was no light task the boys had before them.
The cook was placed on guard, and the remainder
of the party worked hard under the direction of the
hermit.

"I don't think the cook ought to be singing, do
you ? " asked Andrew of the hermit, n a the words of
a sailor's song came to them from the guard. "I
suppose he 's happy, but other men may stop to hear
the music. "

"No, you 'd better go up and tell him to stop it,"
replied the hermit.

Andrew went to where the cook was stumping back
and forth along the shore, and singing at the top of
his voice.

.^y

A CHANGE IN THE COURSE

237

"Yes, yea, I know, I know all about it," rcj licil the
cook, when Andrew cautioned him to be silent.

Andrew returned to the boat, and the singing
ceased. "We sha'n't t.et this done before five
o'clock," said he, as ho began to work again.

"That's as early as we ought to start," said the
hermit. " But when wo do start, I think wo 'II find
a big difference in the time we make."

"Where do you think this war's likely to7bo
fought ? Down around New York, I presume, is n't
it ? " inquired David.

"I don't think ao," said the hermit. "I think a
good deal of it will be along this Canadian line.
Then I think there 's likely to be a good many sea
lights, too."

" But we have n't any navy," said David. "Did n't
Mr. Reese say we only had a dozen boats in the whole
country ? "

"Yes, but you '11 see how soon they '11 be made,
though. I reckon you '11 see some of it around
Sackett's Harbor. Probably Dearborn will have
command o' this end."

" Well, if we can only get home, I don't care if
we do see some of it," said Elijah.

The hermit only smiled. " Out in Michigan Terri-
tory there 's a place they call Detroit. That 's a kind
of a key, you know. I guess they '11 see a little
blood spilled out there. Probably Hull will have

238

TIIK SKAHCII FOR ANDREW FIEM)

coiniiiand al tliiit end. If I wuh n't ho old, T think
1 'd hiivo a hand in it, soincwhcres. Hut tlirn I ain't
80 old but I can Ijt-at yuu Ijovh now in lifting," he
Buid, as ho gave the heavy chest a pull, and put it
into ])08ition.

By five o'clock they were ready to start. They
returned to the camp. Henry relieved the cook, and
the latter began at once to prepare something for
them to cat before they sailed.

"Ye see," he said, "we may be so busy aftrr we
weigh anchor that we won't think o' eatin'. O,
I know, 1 know all about it."

His plan was approved, and in a short time he had
their meal ready for them.

"What '11 we do if wo find somebody after us when
we start ? " asked David. " I hope we slia'n't sec
anybody, Canadians or smugglers either."

"We '11 do the best we can. Our skins are worth
more to us than this stuff here, — yes, more 'n the
boat too," replied the hermit, "It may be that
we '11 have to leave that and take our chances on
land."

"We won't till we have to," said Andrew, decid-
edlv. "We have n't come as far as this, and done
all this work, to give it up without a fight."

"I don't much want to fight, specially with these
boys aboard," said the hermit. " But we won't cross
any bridges afore we come to 'cm."

■'-T'

A (JllANdK IN THE C0UU8E

239

th these
a't cross

In nbont a half-hour they set «ail. The iiid
threatened to die <h)wn as Biinset (h-ew near, hut they
made Home projrress, though it waH slow. The i)oy8
fjrrcw impatient, and Elijah finally said, as he saw
the sail flapping' a little, and how slow their progress
was, "Don't you think we'd better row, some of

us ? "

"No," replied the hermit. "It'll make a noi; o,
and besides 1 want to save our strength. \Vc may
have to row hard by and l)y."

The breeze soon freshened a liltl'' but the boat
still made very slow headway. They had not covered
more than two miles since they had left their last
camping-ground, and two hours had almost gone.
Andrew and the cook were in tlie bow, keeping a
very careful lookout ahead, and the hermit, though
lie was steering the boat, kept a lookout on every
side. The party was silent and anxious,

"Andrew," called the hermit, "what's that white
spot ahead there up beyond that island on your

right ? "

Andrew and the cook looked where the hermit
indicated, and called out in a moment, "It looks
like a sail. Yes, T believe it is a boat," Andrew
added, after a careful scrutiny.

At once there was excitement on board. The faces
of the younger boys became pale, but none of thein
uttered a word.

240

rriK 8RAKCII FOIl ANDREW FIKLI)

The silence wrb broken by the hermit. "There 'g
no help for it, boys. Wo 'vo got to go back. 1 Ml
run behind the i»lan(l, and then I'll go back a milo
or HO and cross over farther to tht; west. I guess
we Ml have to put in there for a while. That boat
ahead may be all right, but 1 'm too bashful to meet
strangers right here."

Accordingly, the hermit changed the boat's course,
and as the wind threatened to die out entirely, ho
called out to the boys, "I guess ye can take those
oars now. There 's four on 'em, and a little rowiu'
nuiy help us on. 1 know where I '11 go."

The boys took the oars, and the added impetus
they gave, and the fact that now the current was
with thorn, sent them on at a more rapid rate. The
JHland soon hid the sail from their view.

" I wisli wo could have cut around by some of those
other islands," said Andrew. "I don't like a bit to
go l)ackward8. "

The hermit smiled as he said, "When you 'vo had
a little more experience you '11 be glad to do most
anything to keep from meetin' a boat full o' men.
That boat may be all right, but I don't want to take
any chances."

The party continued silent, and for an hour the
hermit kept on, the boat being headed duo west.
The boys rowed steadily, and yet their progress
was slow, too slow to suit their impatience.

-T

'Then- '8
ck. 1 Ml
:;k a inilo
I guess
'hat boat
1 to meet

's courso,
;irely, ho
ike those
le rowiu'

inipetiiH
rent was
ito. The

e of those
M a bit to

•u 've had

do most

1 o' men.
nt to take

hour the

luc west.

progress

A CHANr.K IN THE fOL'USK

241

It was alniimt dark when tlio hermit finally waid,
"I jincss we 've vroiic fur t'lutugh now. I know this
iHland, and rij?hr, ahead there 's a cove, soniolhin' liko
the one we was in this inornin'. There 's hii^h
trees rij^lit down l»y the banks, and if we run her in
there, and take down the sail, and can keep quiet, I
don't think any boat in Christendom cotild find us.
It is n't more 'n twenty feet from the river either, and
Bi) we can keep a irood lookout. 0, I know yc feel
disappointed like, l)ut yon 'II have to take an old
man's word that it 's all rij^ht,"

They soon had the boat made fast in the covo,
which extended into the island parallel with the
river, and distant from it only about twenty feet
The ni«!;ht was now upon them, although it was not
so dark but they could easily see and distinguish the
objects along the shore.

"Boys, wo '11 have to stay here for a day or two.
It 's a good place to hide in, and the only thing we
can do is to hide for a whihs, and throw those fellows
off our track. I half suspect they 've gone up ahead
of us, anyway, and are kcepin' a pretty sharp look,
out for us when we come out o' the river into the
lake," said the hermit.

"Then you think that boat we saw up ahead of
us was the one that hailed us when wo were fast
aground on that rock ? " said Andrew.

"Yes, I do," said the hermit "Course, I don't

'f'

242

TIIK SKAUCH FOU ANDREW FIELD

know, but if they met those smugglers behind us
they had a chance to Icnrn some things."

"Then we 'd have done better," said Andrew, "not
to have put in when we did at all, but to have kept
on our way."

"Not at all," replied the hermit. "They'd a
caught us sure, then. Ye see, our boat couldn't
sail then as it can now, since we cast overboard the
ballast. We 're all right. Besides, to-morrov 's
Sunday, and we don't want to sail en that day if we
can help it. "

"My folks always begin to keep Sunday on Satur-
day night," said Elijah. "They say that 's the way
all the folks do in Massachusetts."

" Hush ! " said the hermit. " What 's that ? " and
the entire party stopjjed to listen. The sound of
voices in conversation came to them clearly.

"It's a boat on the river, there. It's coming
too," added the hermit. "We '11 go down near the
shore, and keep inside the shadow o' the trees, and
see what it is if we can."

They all stepped carefully and crept to the shore.
Out in the dim light upon the river they could see a
Bail, and it was coming towards them.

— r -■"" — ' —

WATCHING THEIR NEIGHBOliS

243

ohind iiH

•ew, "not
lavo kept

rhcy'd a
could n't
joard the
norrov 's
day if we

on Satur-

8 the way

at?" and
Round of

9 coming
near the

trees, and

;he shore.
[>uld see a

CHAPTER XXVIII

WATCHING THEIR NEIGHBORS

''r^IIE boys could hear the voices of the men on
-*- the boat, but they could not distinguish the
words. They could see that there were three men
on board, but their features or faces they could not
discern.

The boat ran into the narrow channel between the
island on which the boys were, and the one which was
opposite to thorn, distant not more than a hundred
yards.

" They 're going to land over there as sure 's you're
born, Andrew," whispered David to his brother.

" I believe they are," whispered Andrew in reply.

The three men were evidently preparing to. do just
what David had suggested. They ran the boat up
to the shore, and, jumping out, hauled her up on the
beach. They were talking the most of the time, but
tlieir words could not be heard on the island where
the boys were, and so they could learn nothing of
their plans.

The boys in the dim light could see that the men
were making preparations for the night, and, leaving

iiritaifcwit-iaM*^/ 1

^^hSStfaa

244

THE SEARCH FOlt ANDKEW FIELD

tlie cook to watch tlicm and to report their move-
ments if they made any, the rest silently withdrew,
and came back to their camp. Here they conversed
in low tones, and talked over the situation.

" We '11 have to keep some one on the lookout all
the time now," said the hermit. "1 don't know, of
course, but it 's my firm opinion that that boat over on
the other island has something to do with us. If it
has, we've got to make it our business to find out
theirs."

"How 1 wish we had our row-boat that we gave
that fellow we took prisoner down on the smugglers'
island. That must be more'n fifty miles from here,
and he's gone with it too," said Elijah.

" He 's gone, that 's sure," said the hermit, " but
that island is n't more than five or six miles from here.
Ye see, when you're sailin' in a light wind and agin'
the current, ye don't go very fast."

" Well, 1 guess I 'd better stay on guard to-night,"
said Andrew. " The cook 's a good man, but he '11 be
telling the other party pretty quick that he knows all
about it."

"That's the very thing," said the hermit. "You
stay for one part of the night, and I '11 stay for the
other. Yes, 1 know," he said, as the other boys
voluntered their services, " but I guess it '11 be Andrew
and myself that'll have to watch those fellows, for
a whiie anyway."

WATCHING THEIR NKIGIIBORS

245

ir movc-
^ithdrow,
onvcrscd

okout ail
know, of
t over oil
18. If i«-
find out

we gave
tiugglers'
rom here,

nit, "but
roin liere.
ind agiu'

to-night,"
t ho '11 be
knows all

t. " You
ly for the
;her boys
e Andrew
Hows, for

In a few minutes, Andrew went down to the place
where the cook was standing, and sending him back
to the camp, seated himself in the shadow of a tree,
and with his back braced against it, commenced his ^r\i
vigil. * ) \

The long hours passed on, but not a sound came
from the other island. When he thought that half
the night had gone, i\a nearly as he could judge, he
went back to the camp, and roused the hermit, who
then took his place as watchman, and Andrew turned
in for such sleep as he could get.

It was broad daylight when the hermit came back
to the camp to find every one astir. He reported
that no movement had been made in the other camp,
and that if it were not for the presence of their boat
it would never be suspected that any one was there
at all.

" Some of the boys can go on duty now," said the
hermit. " But I don't believe they 'd better take their
stand where Andrew and I did. It 'a a little too open
there. Just a little further down stream there 's a
clump of hazel bushes growin' up on the shore, and
they '11 hide anybody, if he'll lie down flat on the bank
behind 'em."

David was chosen as the new watchman. He fol-
lowed the hermit's instructions, and, going around
through the trees, crept up behind the hazel bushes,
where, lying flat on his stomach, he could peer out

246

THE SEAKCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

!ti

tluoiigli the bushes at the opposite island, without
the possibility of being seen himself.

For two full hours he lay there, before there was a
movement made on the other island. Then he saw
the three men come out from among the trees, and
proceed to cook their breaiifast upon the shore. One
of them fished as the others prepared their breakfast,
and David became almost as much interested in watch-
ing his success as he would have been if the sport
were his own.

The men ate their breakfast, and then sat down
upon the bank and smoked. One of them seemed to
be protesting against the others, but what the question
was that they were discussing David could uot ascer-
tain. Finally, they all three arose, and together they
pushed the sailboat off from the bank, and down into
the water.

David started to rise and to run for the camp to
report their movements, but he hesitated a moment,
and then decided to remain a little longer, and see
what they would do. If they hoisted their sail, he
should run back to the camp. If they did not, he
should remain and watch.

David watched as they swung the boat around, to
take it along the shore. As they ('id so, a low ex-
clamation burst from his lips, and he watched more
eagerly than before.

They drew the boat along the shore for abou-. fifty

WATCHING TUKlll NEIGHUOHS

247

1, without

cro was a
n he saw
trees, and
)re. One
breakfast,
in watch-
the sport

sat down
leemed to
e question
uot ascer-
ither they
down into

e camp to
1, moment,
r, and see
ir sail, he
id not, he

around, to
a low ex-
jlied more

abouL fifty

feet, two pulling' on shore, and one standing on board
to keep ber off with an oar. When they had brougbt
her to the place they sought, they anchored her about
ten feet from shore, and the man who was on board
took the little skiff which was in tow and pushed

ashore.

David watched now with intense eagerness. But
the men soon disappeared among the trees, taking
something which they carried in a bag with them.

In the course of an hour David was joined by
Elijah, who stretched himself on the grass by David's

side.

"Elijah, do you sec that boat over there?' whis-
pered David.

"It's the Pilot, as I'm alive," whispered Elijah
excitedly in reply. "And yes," he added, " that 'a the
hermit's skiff they 've got there too."

"I believe you're right," said David, after another
look. " Now, Ligc, you go back to camp, and tell 'em
what we've found out. The hermit said, you know,
that he felt sure tbat party over there had something
to do with ours, and he was right. Hurry up," he
added as Elijah seemed to hesitate. " They ought to

know about it."

His companion withdrew, but he was soon joined by

Andrew and the hermit, who came creeping to his side.
" The boys were right," said Andrew in a whisper
" Yes, they were," said the hermit, « and Elijah

248

THE SEARCH FOK ANDREW FIELD

spoke the truth when he said they had my skiff. I 'd
know it anywhere."

" Where do you suppose they got it?" asked David.

" Well, we know wlio had it anyway," said the her-
mit. " They 've eitlier caught him, or else he 's joined
'em. Probably that 's what ho 's done."

" 0, look there, quick," said David in an excited
whisper. "Look up in that tree over beyond the
boat. Tliere 's a man up tlierc. What 's he doing ?
He's got a glass in his hand. Look at him, quick ! "

Tile others looked as they were directed. Tlieic,
high up in a tall pine tree, sat a man on one of the
liighcst branches. With a spy-glnss he seemed to be
sweeping +he river.

" Do you suppose he can see us from up there
where iie is V " asked Andrew.

" I guess not." replied the hermit, " though we M
better go right back and take the mast out o' the boat.
That might attract his attention among the trees
from up there where he is. I '11 stay here and you go
and ship it. Do it as quietly and quickly as ye can.
Hold on a minute thoup:h," he added, as the man they
had been watching \ up his glass, and prepared to
descend. " Hold on, and we '11 see what 's going to be
done next."

They watched the man as he slid down the tree and
was lost to sight among the branches. But in a
moment he appeared with his companions upon the

WATCHING TIIEIU NEIG1IH0U8

249

bank, and they seemed to be holding an earnest con-
versation, although none of the words reached tho
listeners.

Soon they all three stepped into the skiff, and, row-
ing rapidly away, disappeared from sight behind the
island.

"That's funny," said Andrew. "What do you
suppose they're up to now?"

"Gone to the ijiectin'-housc, maybe," said David
with a laugh. " It 's Sunday, you know."

" They 've gone over to one of tho other islands, to
make some more observations, I think," said the
hermit quietly. "Now's your time to go back and
see to that mast. Ye better go right ofif."

Andrew and David ran back to the camp, and,
telling their companions of their experience, they
were all soon at work, and in a little while the mast
was lying upon the ground.

Leaving their companions in the camp, Andrew
and David rejoined the hermit behind the hazel
bushes. He reported that nothing had occurred
during their absence, and no signs of the men were
now to be seen. The Pilot lay at anchor where they
had left her, and not a sound came over the water.

"They've been gone an hour at least, haven't
they?" inquired Andrew.

"Yes, T should say so; as much as that anyway,"
replied the hermit.

250

THE SEARCH FOU ANDUKW FIKLl)

'^It'8 a Hluiino they 'vc got (ho Pilot," contimiod
Andrew. " Many 's the good turn she 'a done us ;
and there she is now so close by."

A thought struck Andrew, " Why can't wo got
her?" said he. "We couldn't sail away in her
yet, but if I could get her, and bring her into the
cove beside your boat, wo could leave her, or wo
could maybe take her away with us when we went.
We sha'n't start for a day or two yet."

"There's a big risk in it," said the hermit.
"These men are likely to return at any minute now,
for I think they only went away to try and get a
better view on some other island. If they should
come back while you were there, I should be afraid
of trouble."

"Well, I believe it's worth trying for anyhow,"
replied Andrew. "1 could swim over to where she
is and bring her over here into the cove inside of
fifteen minutes."

"Well," said the hermit, dubiously, "I don't know
but it's worth trying; I don't suppose they'd ever
think o' lookin' in this cove for her. Your only
trouble would be if they come back while you 're
try in' to get her. But if you want to try, we '11 keep
watch while you go."

But Andrew was already throwing off his clothes,
and, diving into the river, in a moment he was on
his way, swimming towards the Pilot.

iontinuctl
done us ;

't wo got
y in her
into the
iv, or wo
we went.

! hermit,
nute now,
ind get a
cy should
be afraid

anyhow,"

ivhore she

inside of

on't know
ey 'd ever
STour only
lo you 'ro
Ne 'II keep

is clothes,
he was on

AN AUDITION TO TllK FLEKT

251

CHAPTER XXIX

AN ADDITION TO THE ¥LKRT

ANDREW was a strong swimmer, and in a sh-nt
time he had crossed the channel and reached
the Pilot. The hermit and David had watched him
with intense interest, dividing their attention be-
tween Andrew and the points of the island, around
one of which they had feared every moment to sec
the other boat returning. They knew that Andrew's
life might pay the forfeit of his daring, if the men
returned and discovered his purpose.

Andrew drew himself out of the water, and stood
on the Pilot's deck. Ho looked around, but he could

find no oars.

"There are no oars here," he callcii out to his
companions. " What had I better do ? "

"Get a branch up there on the shore, and per-
haps you can pole her across," replied the hernnt.
"We 'II keep watch; but be quick."

Andrew at once followed the hermit's suggestion,
and, taking a dead branch from the shore, he drew
up the Pilot's anchor and pushed her out into the
river. He sent her easily from the shore, but soon

252

THE 8EAKCH FOH ANDREW FIKLI)

found tho water WHS ho tlcc}) that lii« pole waa use-
IcsH. lie at once juniped ovcrhoard, and, taking hold
of the atern, began to churn the water, and to push
from behind. The littU^ boat began to inovo again,
but her progroas aeenied very alow. Still Andrew
kc[)t on, and steadily ahc ncared the shore.

David meanwhile waa in a fever of excitement.
Coming out from behind tho buahea, he ran up and
down the shore, watching for the other boat to ap-
pear around cither point of the ialand.

But all thinga have an end, and after a time
Andrew had pushed the Pilot across the channel and
regained the shore. His companions eagerly seized
the painter, and atarting on the run, drew the boat
along tho shore, and soon had her around the point
and within the cove, and made her fast beside the
hermit's boat. The maat was taken out and placed
on the ground along with the other. Meanwhile,
Andrew had dressed in all haste, and now joined
them just as they had finished their work.

"That's what I call a pretty good day's work,'*
said the hermit, looking at the two boats, lying side
by aide, with evident satisfaction.

"Yes, that 's so," responded Andrew, a little dubi-
ously. " Only 1 don't just like this kind of work on
Sunday. Why, my mother doesn't even cook on
that day, but docs it all on the day before."

"No more do I like it," replied the hermit; "but

^ V

AN ADnrnoN to tiik flket

268

war times change most cvci ything. Somo of tho
frrcatcHt battles have been fou^'lit on that day. But
there '8 one thing I 'm pretty sure of, and that »«
that those men, when they come back and fmd their
boat g.mo, won't stop for Sunday or anything else if
they get any suspicion of where she is. "

"I know that," said Andrew, "and I suppose we 'd
hotter go right back there where we were, and keep
an eye on them when they do come back. My, but
won't it be a sight to see 'em! 1 only hope they
■won't see us."

"We'll have to divide our cargo now," said the
hermit, " and put part of it aboard the Pilot. Somo
of us '11 sail in her, too. Tl.at '11 make it a good
deal easier, and I think we can make a heap better
time leaving this country with two boats than we
could with one, I suppose the others '11 want to
know 'bout this, for if any on 'em should go down
where we were, and find us gone, they 'd be likely to
do something. David, you go back to the camp and
tell 'em what we 've been a doin', and Andrew and
I '11 go back to where we were, and keep a lookout."
As they started at once David left thorn and went
back to the camp. When he had t3ld his story they
were all eager to go down on the bank and watch for
the return of the other men, but the cook "knew,
yes, he knew all about it," that that would be the
very thing they ought not to do. " Ye see," said he,

1 ■•'

254

THE 8KAUCII FOll ANDUKW FIKLD

"tlicy Ml look mif^lity Hlinrp wlion thoy got back, for
that boat, and ovory extra one ti,... • on }i;u;ird will
increase tbo chances o' some one bi Js' Hcen. "

The boys acknowledged the force of it is words,
and each did his best to curb his curiosity. Avtcr a
little while, so restless had they become, that the
cook turned to Elijah and said, "If yc think ye can
crawl down there without Icrln' seen, it might do no
harm fer ye to go and hud out what 'a goin' on.
Then ye can come back and (I'il mb."

Elijah needed no second biddinj,':, nnd starting off
throtigh the woods, i>"on dlHappeareo from sight.

"I think this is about the tightest squeeze we've
had yet," said David. "If they begin to look round
much when they come back, 1 'm afraid we 're
goners. "

" Can't we fight ? " said Henry. " We 've got
twice as many 's they have."

" We don't want to fight at all, if wo can help it.
I 'd rather give up both boats, and all the stuff we
took, than to take you boys into a fracas now. Some
on ye might not go home, and home 's better 'n all
the prize money in the world. At least, I guess the
hermit 'd agree with me, fer neither one of us has got
such a place on this earth," said the cook, rising and
looking about to see what arrangements he could
make for providing something to eat. " Some o' ye
might find some berries on this side o' the island.

on.

A#„o.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

!■•

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

AN ADDITION TO TIIK FLEET

255

S'pose ye look and seo. Yoii 'd be out o' sight o' the
other men, and it'd kind o' serve to keep ye buay,"
he added, as the boys started to follow his susgestion.
Elijah, when he loft the camp, had taken the
regular route to the hazel bushes. He found the
hermit and Andrew lying flat upon the ground, one
watching one point of the island, and the other the
other. Not a sound had been heard as yet to indi-
cate that the three men they had seen were now in
existence. But Elijah had hardly stretched himself
on the ground beside the others, when the quick car
of the hermit detected a sound that caused him to
start. " 'Sh, boys," said he. "I think there 's some-
thin' a comin' round the point on the left over

there."

"They went around the other point when they

left," whispered Andrew.

"Yes, but it doesn't follow," said the hermit,
"that they're obliged to come back the same way
they went, does it? They've been explorin' s.ll
round. But hush! here they come. Now we'll see

what they '11 do."

The skiff with the three men in it came slowly
around the island, one man rowing, and tlie other
two seated in the stern; they were engaged in ear-
nest conversation, and evidently were not pleased at
the results of their investigation. They came on,
apparently taking no thought of their sailboat until

•«

256

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

they were witliin fifty feet of the place whore she had
been anchored, and were not much more than that
distance from where our watchers wore hidden.

Suddenly one of the men started, and pointed
excitedly to the spot where the Pilot had been
anchored. The oarsman stopped pulling, and both
the men who were seated in the stern stood up and
looked anxiously around.

Elijah laughed as he saw their consternation ; but
a quick glance from the hermit silenced him, and all
three waited to see what the party would now do.
Their tones became louder, and their words were
clearly heard by those who were behind the hazel
bashes.

" I don't believe you 've got the right island," said
one in the stern. "The boat is n't here, and I don't
think you can find your way among these pesky
islands. 1 'd as soon look for a needle in a haystack
as try to find my way round here."

"Know the way," replied the oarsman. "I could
find my way here in the dark."

"Well, then," replied the other, " where 's the
boat gone, I 'd like to know? "

The third man, who had taken no part in the con-
versation, here interrupted them, and calling their
attention to a spot on the shore, said: "It is the
right place. Sec, there 's where we made a fire
when we cooked our breakfast. "

3rc she had
than that

Jdcn.

[id pointed
had bcon

■, and both

ood up and

lation ; but
im, and all
d now do.
vords were
the hazel

land," said
md I don't
lese pesky
a haystack

« I could

here 's the

in the con-

lUing their

"It is the

lade a fire

AN ADDITION TO THE FLEET

257

"That's so," muttered the other. "But what's
become o' the boat ? "

" Mebbe she 'a dragged her anchor and got into the
current," said the other.

The oarsman, acting upon the suggestion, pulled
rapidly around the point, saying, " Well, if she 's
got loose, she 's gone with the current, and we '11 go
down stream, and see if we can find her, "

"They 've gone," said Elijah, as they disappeared
around the point " Thank goodness ! I was afraid
they 'd come over here. "

"They '11 come back again pretty quick," said the
hermit. " We '11 just lay low here, and wait for
developments; they'll come, if we wait."

It was a good hour before the watchers heard the
sound of the returning oars. The men were silent as
they came back, until they reached the place where
the Pilot had been anchored.

"I tell you," said one, "she never got adrift Dj
ye s'pose she could drag her anchor and get so far
away from here that we could n't find her after a
good hour's searching ? I know better. "

" Well, where is she, then ? " responded the oars-
man.

"I don't know where she is, but I tell ye some
one 's took her. It 's some o' them fellers we 're
lookin' fer. I knew they could n't get out o' ^ho
river with all we 've got on the lookout They 're

7i^?^V^?a¥?.-:;>;:r:5S9S:^"-.*v;';??g»i!i^iE "? ,!-<:

f'-'fe'"'-!^-*!!*¥lJS(.~'S!^'^

2B8 THE SEAUCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

down here somcwhcros among those islands. It 's
fool-work wc 've been a doin'."

"Let's go ashore and sec if we can sec any signs
<,' anybody havin' been here," said the oarsman
Acting at once upon this suggestion, they landed
and began to search all along the shore for any
traces of visitors having been there. But the most
careful search failed to reveal any evidence of any
one having been on shore. They resumed then-
places in the skiff and contim.ed their deliberations.
" Yo see, there is n't even the mark of a boot-heel
on the shore there," said one. "They come along
here in a boat, and p«t took her in tow. Mebbe
they 'vc hid her somewhere among the islands here.

The little party behind the bushes glanced ner-
vously at each other at these words, and their ner-
vousness was not lessened any when they saw the
oarsman pick up his oars as if he were preparing to
act upon this suggestion. But he hesitated a minute,
as he said, « Well, I don't know. If they re hid,
it can't be very far away, for we haven't been gone
long, and there is n't much wind. Mebbe we d bet-
ter take a turn round here, though," and he glanced
towards the island on which our party lay hidden.

«0 pshaw!" said the third man, "they havent
tried 'to hide her; they '11 try to get out jest as soon
as they can. You know Tom said that they said
they was goin' to Sackctt's Harbor. I tell ye they ve

ids. It 's

any signs
oarsman,
ey landed
■e for any
t the most
ice of any
mcd their
ibcrations.
a boot -heel
:omc along
»\v. Mebbe
ands here."
lanced ncr-

I their ner-
ley saw the
preparing to
)d a minute,
;hey 're hid,
t been gone
3e we 'd bet-
i he glanced
ly hidden,
hey haven't

jest as soon
at they said

II ye they 've

AN ADDITION TO THK FLEET

259

started. They can't get by our men; and yet my
'pinion is that we 'd better start out at once and
go up where they are. If they should see the Pilot
they 'd think 'twas us, and let her get \v without a
shot. Wo 'd better pull as lively 's we can, and tell
'em about this. They '11 never git by us and them
too." .

The suggestion struck the others forcibly, and the
oarsman, picking up his oars again, began to pull as
rapidly as he could up the river. They soon were
out of sight, and the three watchers behind the hazel
bushes rose and started for the camp.

iHi

260

THE SEARCH FOtt ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER XXX

THE VOYAGE RESUMED

T-HE story of the watchers was eagerly listened to
T by all. And when the hermit told of the eager
haste with whieh the three men had started to go to
the f^ ends, the enthusiasm of Henry broke forth.

H ah!" said he, "now we're the same a.
.,0™ They -ve cleared out for good, and we can
rTanv toe I wish we eonld go right away."
"^^CXi," said the hermit. "I think we have
the most seri'ous business of the whole tr,p yet

'twhyfhow's that!" inquired Henry, looking
anmewhat crestfallen,
"well they 've got a line 0' pickets np near the

lake I gu-J- ^"P"^* *» """•"• ""■' '°' Tn
a tough job ^ettin- through 'emi but 1 guess we ean

doTt Leastwise we 'U hope so, and we won't gue
"^'r^t:::: we startT" persisted Henry.

"ll'Tt^i^^teM'^tter stay here for awhile.
If they don't see anything of us for a few days, they

TlIK VOYAGE RESUMED

261

istencd to
the eager
3d to go to
>ke forth.
3 same as
nd we can
away."
Ilk we have
,e trip yet

ry, looking

up near the
s goin' to be
;ue88 we can
3 won't give

}ted Henry.

tor a while.
>w days, they

may conchide that we 've run the blockade, and
give up some o' their sharp lookouts. They '11 look
miglity sharp for a while now, 'specially when these
men go back with their story."

"Did you know any of these men ? " inquired the
cook of the hermit.

"No, I guess not; though one of 'em made me
think he was in that boat that helped us off when
we struck that rock up yonder."

"So he did me," said Andrew. "I was sure I 'd
seen him before. But I think Mr. Ogden's just
right about this starting 0)it for home. I 'm just as
anxious as any of you to get home, and I think I 've
as good a right to feel so," he added, as a shadow
crossed his face at the thought of his father. " But
if we wait awhile, I think we '11 stand a better chance
of getting by them than if we start right off."

This proposal of the hermit was concurred in, and
the party set about doing the best they could to pass
the time. On the following day they carefully ex-
amined the Pilot, and found that the holes which
their former acquaintance Smith had cut in her bot-
tom had all been thoroughly repaired, sd that she
did not leak a drop. A part of the cargo was trans-
ferred to her, and it was agreed that Andrew should
sail her when they started again, and that David and
the cook should form his crew. They were to keep as
closely as they could in the wake of the hermit's boat

262 THE 8EA1UH FOK ANDREW FIELD .

But the time hung heavily on the boys' hands. Do
what they would, the hours were slow in passing,
and they all declared that they would rather take
their ehances in passing their enemies than to
remain there in enforced idleness. Henry took ns
lines and fished with his accustomed success off the
rocks on one side of the island, for the hermit was
not willing for him to Tcnture out in the stream,
where he could be seen by any passing boat.

They kindled no fire, except such as was absolutely
necessary in cooking their meals. And their favorvte
occupation was listening to the stor.es wh.ch the
hermit and the cook would tell them about the strug-
Kles of the Revolutionary times.

"One o' the hardest things," said the hermit one
time, as they were all seated on the ground after eat-
ing their dinner, "was the life of a poor man af er
the last war was finished. It took a good wlnle for
the Colonies to get together, even after they were
all free from Great Britain. One wanted one thing,
and another didn't, 'specially if the other wanted it
pretty bad. That made a bad weakness, ye see, for
there was n't many laws, and what there was was u t
very good. It 's something like the weakness the
* United States has had in not protecting her sailors
from the English press-gangs. Well, as I was a
sayin'," he continued, « a poor man had a pretty hard
time of it. What with breakin' the ground, and

mumM

tlMM

wmb-

THE VOYAOK UKSI;MK,1)

263

ands.
a passing,
athcr take
8 than to
,ry took his
cess ofY the
hermit was
the stream,
at.

B absolutely
icir favorite
i which the
it the Strug-

hermit one
nd after cat-
r man after
od while for
;r they were
id one thing,
ler wanted it
8, yc see, for
e was wasn't
weakness the
g her sailors
as I was a
a pretty hard
ground, and

chMirin' the trees, and the lung ways to take what
little stuff he could raiao to nuirkct, ho was kept
pretty well ground down. Tht^y M take a man, if
tliey wanted to, and throw him into prison for <febt.
It didn't make any dilT(M-ence how poor ho was, or
how many babies he had at home, or if his wife was
sick abed. If ho could n't pay up, they could put
him in jail, and just leave bis family to take care o'
themselves or starve, juat as they sinv lit."

" Was this after the war, or before ? " atkcd Elijah.
"0, after it," replied the hermit. "It was while
we was a gettin' together into one country. Wo
had lots o' country, but mighty few good laws, till
all the Colonies had agreed to the Conatitiition.
Then they had a good Ijasis to build on, ye see, and
things after a while got better."

"I should have thought the pooi»lc would have
rebelled?" said David.

"0, they did, some," said the hermit, "leastwise
they tried to. I 've heard 'em tell about somo
fanners roimd Worcester and Springfield (they 're in
Massachusetts, ye know) that was gettin' poorer and
poorer every year. Nobody could collect any debts,
and there was only a little business done. Finally
things got so bad, with the courts tryin' to collect
the debts, that they did have a little rebellion.
There was a man there named Shays, Dan'l Shays,
he led 'em on. It did n't amount to much, but it

vmmm

264

THE SKAUCII von ANDHKW FIKLI)

scared the other Coh>uie8 Bome, 'cause none on 'em
knew which one would be the next to catch it I
giicHH it helped thin.tis on Ihou^^h."

" Wlien was this Shiiyh Uehiillion ? " asked David.
«'0, 'twas in 1787," said the hermit, risinj; and
f,'oin«? down to the shore. The others followed liim,
and Ihc boys, seating theinsidves on the sides of the
l)Oiit8, swung their feet, and looked the iiicture of
im|)atienco.

♦' When do yon think we can start ? " said Andrew
finally. " Wo 've waited three days now, and it seems
to me it '11 be safe to go pretty soon."

"Well," replied the hermit, "1 was a thinkin' wc
could maybe start to-morrow. We want to put out
before it's fairly light, and then hide somewhere
durin' the day, and go on again at night. I 'd
go in the night all the time if I only was sure o'
the channel here. I don't want to get aground
again, 'specially if these fellows are on the watch

yet."

"No more do I," replied Andrew. "But when
they 'vc been waiting three days, and have n't seen a
sign of us, it seems to me it 's safe to think of going.
I don't want to do anything rash," he added, "but
when I think of father sick at home and mother a
worrying, why it seems to me I 'd be willing to take
some chances."

"So we will," said the hermit, "and T think it '11

•no on 'em
btch it. I

<cd David,
i-ising nnd
owed liim,
Idea of the
liicture of

lid Andrew
nd it seems

;hinkin' wo
to put out
somewhere
ight. I 'd
vns sure o'
et aground
I the watch

"But when
'0 n't seen a
Ilk of going,
added, "but
d mother a
ling to take

r think it '11

THE VOYAGK RESUMED

265

be safe to try it in the mornin'. We '11 be gcttin'
everything all ready now."

A careful inspection of the boats was had, the
masts were set up, and the sails made ready, so that
as soon as they came aboard in the morning an
immediate start could be made.

The boys were so excited that they could eat but
little of the supper that night which the cook |ire-
parc<l. They were talking of their journey, and the
possibility of running the blockade, and when they
would rcaclvhomc.

Wrapped in their blankets, it was a long time
before sleep came to them, and it seemed to David
that he had only just fallen asleep when the hermit
roused them, and they came forth from the tent.

" It 's about three o'clock, as near as I can judge,"
said he, "and we 've a fine mornin' to make a start.
"It's rainin' some, and going to be dark and

cloudy. "

The boys found a gentle rain falling when they
were awake, and the darkness gave no sign of the
morning's approach.

"It does n't seem to me it 's midnight yet," said
Elijah, "but I suppose it is, for Mr. Ogden knows.
But I 'm ready to start if it isn't nine o'clock."

They placed thv tent on board, and their blankets,
and all the cooking utensils they had used, and in
a short time they were out on the river started for

(S*sre?ai™rfi'''w?aMiw»a«e«?WK?«ffW«^'i^^^

•-I»^,"«Wi.— V"^

THE SEARCH FOK ANDREW FIELD

home. The hermit had cautioned them all to be
silent, and so, if any words were spoken, they were
in low or whispered tones.

"It's strange," said he, "how we never can get
a breeze when we want it. There 's hardly any air
stirrin' this mornin'," as he glanced at the river,
noting how slow was the progress they were making.

" Don't you want us to row ? " asked Elijah.
"That 'II help some."

" No," replied the hermit. " It 'II make too much
noise, and we nmst keep near together. I can hardly
see the Pilot now."

They kept on, in spite of their slow progress, for
some time after the sun had risen, as the rain con-
tinued to fall, and the clouds shut out some of the
light. But about nine o'clock, as the rain ceased,
the hermit began to look about among the islands
for a place to land. He soon found an island that
suited him, and he ran the boat in under the shelter
of some overhanging trees. The Pilot followed his
example, and soon both boats were made fast, and
the boys all leajjcd ashore.

They were in a little bay that indented the island,
which appeared to be much larger than the one on
which they had last landed, and, while it furnished
a somewhat retired shelter, was still open to the
view of any one approaching from the east.

"There's no use in taking the masts out here,"

all to bo
liey were

■ can get
f any air
the river,
I making,
i Elijah.

too much
in hardly

gross, for
rain con-
le of the
n ceased,
e islands
land that
le shelter
owed his
fast, and

le island,
;e one on
'uruished
n to the

it here,"

THE VOYAGE UESUMEI)

267

said the hermit, as he lowered the sail. " The boat
can be seen so plain that a bare mast won't call any-
body's attention to it. I reckon we have n't made
more than five miles."

"We must have sailed more 'n that," said the

cook.

"I mean in a straight course," replied the hermit.
"Ye sec, we've had to back and fill so much, and
dodge in and out among the islands, and all that,
with the current, keepH us from goin' ahead very
fast. When we once get out o' the river, we '11 let
her fly. Then we '11 make some time. "

The party were soon eating the breakfast which
the cook prepared on shore, and then they all turned
to the hermit for instructions for the day.

" We '11 have to hang round here all day," said he.
" By and by, when we 've got rested up, and had our
dinner, we '11 make a little tour. Perhaps, if we go
out on the other side o' the island, we may be able
to see something."

Time hung heavily on the boys' hands till early
in the afternoon, after they had eaten their din-
ner, when, leaving the cook in camp to stand on
guard, and giving him instructions to fire his gun if
anything alarming occurred, they started out to
make a tour of the island.

They walked to the farther side, and there obtained
a full view of the river stretching away before them.

lUMuliii'imiiiif"^''

268

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"This is a great river, isn't it, Andrew?" said
David, enthusiastically.

"Yes," replied Andrew. "Most too great just
now. I wish we were out of it."

But whichever way they looked, not a sign of boat
or man was to be seen, and, as the hour was growing
late, they started to return to their camp.

"It looks like clear sailing now, boys," said the
hermit, " and we '11 put out. " But hardly had he
uttered the words, when the report of the cook's
gun was heard. As they were almost in camp now,
they started on the run, and as they reached it they
saw a man near shore, sitting in a little skiflf, who,
looking curiously at them, quickly began to row,
and was soon out of sight.

"That was our prisoner," said the boys together.

"Yes, I think it was," said the hermit, soberly,
" and his visit does n't promise any good for us
either, I 'm afraid."

THE rUlSOKER'S EXPERIENCE

269

IV ? " said

jrcat just

;n of boat
s growing

" said the
y had he
he cook's
amp now,
ed it they
kifif, who,
n to row,

ogether.
, soberly,
od for us

CHAPTER XXXI

THE prisoner's EXPERIENCE

WHEN our party had released their prisoner
on the island where the smugglers' cave
was, he had used the one oar which Andrew had left
him as a paddle, and had soon put several islands
between him and his captors. When he was well out
of sight, he seated himself, and though he continued
quietly to paddle on, he was in great perplexity as
to what course he should pursue. He had spoken
truly when he told the hermit that he had no love for
Smith, and that he had received nothing as his share
yet for the work he had been engaged in for the past
six weeks. Besides, he had had no vicious tenden-
cies, and had been drawn into the enterprise more
from weakness of character than from any other
cause. The smugglers, some of whom had known
him long, and were well acquainted with his gen-
erous heart and weak will, had drawn him with
them, regarding him as one who could be used with
profit by them, and as not likely ever to make
trouble for them or among them.

:im i fii » > »i

. MUuw il' M" ^ii J ^ «'i iiil ( iWIII I'W ll l '»i

270

TflE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

But the man was troiiblod now. He was think-
ing, as much as his dull brain was capable, ol what
was the best course for him to pursue. Should he
go home? But others were suspicious of him there
now, and, as the war had broken out, he was afraid
of what the consequences might be to him. Should
he look up the smugglers ? In his mind he could
see the savage face of Smith, as he told him how he
had been taken prisoner, and that his captors had
taken all they could carry away of the valuables
stored in the cave. At this last thought he fairly
shuddered, and quickly glanced about him as if ex-
pecting the brutal smuggler to appear immediately.

But the problem was soon settled for him, for the
current had been carrying him rapidly down the
stream during his meditations, and he had been all
the time half unconsciously paddling with his oar,
and so adding to the impetus of the stream. It was
not long before he came in sight of the sailboat
which our party soon after saw from the island.
Seeing that escape was now impossible for him, if
he were inclined to try to flee, he made a virtue of
necessity, and changed his course so as to meet the
sailboat as she came on. As soon as he had
started, a sudden thought seemed to strike him, and
using his paddle with all his strength, he made the
skiff fairly fly as she went on to meet the boat. He
had caught sight of the man at the tiller, and had

ms think-

D, Oi what

Should he

him there

ivas afraid

. Should

he could

in how he

tptors had

valuables

he fairly

as if ex-

ediately.

m, for the

down the

I been all

a his oar,

1. It was

e sailboat

he island.

or him, if

L virtue of

meet the

s he had

him, and

made the

boat. He

-, and had

THE PRISONER'S EXPERIENCE

271

recognized him at once as the man he feared to
meet,— the brutal leader of the smugglers, Smith

himself.

The latter looked up in great surprise as the skiff
came alongside the boat, and his face grew black as
ho recognized the stranger. " Why, Tom," said he,
" what ye doin' here ? We left you to guard the cave.
Ye know what I told ye if anything happened there,"
and he clinched his fist and scowled, as he looked
threateningly at Tom.

The latter was badly ff ightened, but, putting on as
bold a face as he could, and trying to stop his heart
from beating so rapidly, he finally managed to say,
"I was a comin' down here to meet ye, jest as fast 's
I could. There 'a a gang o' men at the cave, and
they took me prisoner, but I managed to get off,
though I had to paddle with one oar."

"A gang o' men at the cave!" gasped Smith.
" Who was they ? D' ye know ? "

"No, only some on 'em was boys. Yes, I did hear
'em say somethin' aboub Sackett's Harbor. They
either come from there, or are goin' there."

Smith's face grew blacker still. "Was there an
old man in the party ? One what wore a skin cap,
and had long white hair and whiskers ? " he added.

"I should say there was," said Tom, feeling at
his throat at the reference to the hermit. "There
was another feller too with a wooden leg."

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"I don't know him," said Smith, turning to his
companions in the boat. " But them other fellers I
know. It 's the Field boys. I wish we 'd never
bothered with 'em. I thought they 'd cleared out a
long time ago. But we must git after 'cm. If
they 've got our stuff, we can catch 'cm sure." And
taking tne skiff in tow, he called to Tom to come
aboard the Pilot (for it was the Pilot he was sailing),
and at once began to give his attention to his work,
and the little boat went rapidly ahead.

He turned from time to time to his companions, of
whom there were now four, including the escaped
prisoner, and savagely growled out his complaints.
"I went and took my wife and three gals off my
place over beyond Sackett's, and jest had to abandon
that farm. They 're in Canady now, and will have
ter stay there. If I lose my share in this deal now,
why I 'm out of my place over there too, fer I did n't
have time to trade it afore the war broke out, and
now I 'm half 'f raid they '11 jest confiscate it ; fer
I 'd about laid my plans ter git inter some o' these
Canadian regiments."

His companions made no reply, for they all were
afraid of him, and, now that trouble was ahead for
them all, they were silent and morose.

"Yes," continued Smith, "ef them boys gets
away, I 'm a goner. I tell ye," he added savagely,
" we 've got ter get 'era. Then there 's them fellers

' 'il l! ! w ii ift';^ ^^ «!HJ^a ^ BHW ' MW'

ng to hia
r fellers I
! 'd never
ired out a
'cm. If
■e." And
1 to come
B sailing),
bis work,

anions, of
e escaped
)mplaints.
Is off my
abandon
will bave
deal now,
r I did n't
} out, and
ite it; fer
le o' tbese

y all were
abead for

boys gets

savagely,

em fellers

THE PRISONER'S EXPERIENCE

273

we was ter meet to-day. Seven on 'cm, ye know.
Wbat Ml tbey say if tbcy find our stuff gone ? Tiioy '11
say we lied to 'era, and didn't have it at all, and
like cnougb they '11 think we jest got 'em here to
catch 'em in a trap. We '11 git both sides agin us,"
and ho gave the tiller a savage jerk as he brought the
boat about. "Tom, 1 b'licvc ye 've liod to me."

*' I wish I had," answered Tom. " But it 's gospel
truth. They most killed me," and ho called their
attention to the marks upon his neck.

"What'd they do? Try ter bang ye?" asked
Smith.

"Yes," said Tom. "Tbey choked me to make me
tell where you was. But I didn't let on anything I
knew, and tbey most killed me too," he added.

" Well, ever sence we give up the Oswego end o'
this business, and the Osprey finished her deal, we
haven't bad luck enough to float a chip. But it
isn't too late yet," and Smith glanced at the sun to
see the time of day.

The party sailed on up the river, but saw no trace
of the fugitives. They visited the cave, and the dis-
covery tbey made there only added to Smith's fury.
As tbey came out of the gorge he thought of the
chest, and, rushing eagerly to the spot, be made the
crowning discovery of the day. His rage knew no
bounds. He swore great oaths, and kicked poor
Tom so savagely that he could not have made any

i » ! H> « MMiwmw.im<»> r

274 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

reply if he would. But in a little while ho became
cahacr, and the party resumed their journey.

It was not long before they met the seven men who
had assisted in getting the hermit's boat off the rock
on which it had struck. These were not officers,
as the hermit had thought, but men who had made
an appointment to meet with the smugglers, and
arrange a deal whereby the guns and ammunition
should be taken off their hands.

When they had related their story, Smith looked at
them for a minute contemptuously, and said, " You 're
a fmc lot, you are. Why, those men you helped off
that rock had on board most all the stuff you was
intendin' to get of us. You 're a pretty shrewd lot,

you arc."

The surprise of the strangers at this report was
equal only to their chagrin. Coming as they had,
expecting to drive a sharp bargain, and to have an
opportunity of helping on their own cause at the
same time, to be thus outwitted by a lot of Yankee
boys was more than they could endure.

"Well, I'll tell you what," said one of them.
"They have n't got very far, and they can't go very
fast with all that load on board. We '11 all turn in
and help catch 'em. Why they were on the Canada
side when we saw 'em too. We can get them yet.
Just start right on, and we '11 go along too."

The pursuit was at once begun. They sailed by

a i in>i»iiiii'i i i» .iii i i iii i i mmti i

MHMMHHI

! ho became

ney.

en men who

uff the rock

lot ofiiccra,

had made
gglers, and
ammunition

ith looked at
id, "You're
u helped off
[uff you was
shrewd lot,

1 report was
as they had,

[ to have an
cause at the
t of Yankee

»ne of them.

jan't go very

11 all turn in

a the Canada

;ct them yet.

too."

ley sailed by

THE I'RISONER'S EXPERIENCE

275

the place where the hermit's boat had been fast
aground, but, as we know, not a vestige of their
party was to be seen. They were securely hidden
from the view of all passers-by.

"I know they can't get away. They must be
farther up the river. Wo don't want to try and
follow them, but to get ahead of 'em and catch 'em
as they go by. We can make a pretty good lookout,"
said one of the men.

"That 's the idea," said Smith, confidence begin-
ning to return once more. "There's eight o' our
men right straight ahead, jest waitin' for us to come.
Now wo '11 just use 'cm all, and if we don't find the
other boat, why, I know we can outsail her with all
that load and get by her. Why, there 's six or seven
o' them besides all their freight."

"Yes, there was six o' the men and boys," said
the other, "for the most of 'em looked like boys.
That's what makes me so mad."

"Well, that old fellow that wore a coon's cap has
got a coon's head under his cap. I know somethin'
about him. I don't believe he '11 be any such fool as
to run right into a trap set for him. He won't try to
make for Sackett's right off. He '11 more likely
hide fer a time, and try to sneak out nights. But
we '11 set a watch fer him, and 1 tell ye if he can git
by it, he 's most welcome to, "

When they met the friends of Smith at their

276

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FHCLD

appointod place, tlioy were as cngor as ho to join
in the pursuit of tliose who had taken tlicir possoH-
sions, and were confident that the others could not
have gone by them, and they at once went to work
to arrange a lino of watchers, and, as they now had
fifteen men, this was easily done.

At intervals, among the islands, a man was sta-
tioned, and at the approach of any boat, day or night,
ho was to give the signal agreed upon with his gun.
Eight of the men were placed on duty at a time, and
the others were to relieve them at intervals. As
this gave a good reserve, and the day was divided
into six parts, the burden did not fall heavily on
any one. Smith himself was busy day and night and
seemed tireless in his energy. Tom, the ex-prisoner,
had been kept to carry communications from one
point to another, and was a kind of nautical errand
boy for Smith.

As the time passed, and the hermit's party did not
make their appearance, grave fears began to be
expressed by the watchers that they had escaped
them, and even Smith was not without serious
apprehensions lest this might be true. A party of
three joined them, and at their own suggestion
they took the Pilot and the little skifF, and started
on a tour through the islands, while the others con-
tinued on guard.

The result of their expedition we know already,

THE PHISONEU'S EXPERIENCE fffj

hut the report which they brought when at last they
had rowed back to their companions, at once renewed
the hopes of Smith and his friends.

"Ye see, they have n't got away. Now we '11 get
'em sure, and both boats too," said he, exultingly,
and the courage of all was strengthened.

But when three more days had passed, and still
there were no signs of the party, their hopes agnin
began to fall. On the morning of the fourth day,
the one on which our friends had set sail, Smith
had sent Tom to call some of the watchers to him
to consult as to whether they should make another
tour of the islands or not. It was on this errand
Tom had gone when he was seen by the cook.

278

THE SEARCH FOK ANDREW FIELD

CHAPTER XXXII

THE VOVAUE CONTINUED

THE Bight of their former prisoner greatly dis-
turbed the members of our party ; tlicy looked
at one another in blank dismay, and only the hermit
seemed to have presence of mind enough for action.
Just before the prisoner passed out of sight around
the point, he had called out to him, "Here, herel
hold on a minute ; we want to speak to you. We 'vo
got a good word for ye, hold on a bit." But his
words produced no effect upon the fugitive, except to
make him redouble his efforts to get out of sight.
He had not even turned his head towards them when
he had been spoken to, and it was but a very brief
time before he disappeared from sight.

The hermit had grasped his gun, and seemed half
inclined to try the effect of a shot ; but as he did not
wish to injure the man, and besides was fearful of
the effect of the sound of a gun-shot upon others,
whom he feared might be near by, he had restrained
himself, and laid down the gun.

"That man means mischief, I believe," said
Andrew. "He said he did n't waste any love on

-T. , ■ ,'»n«w.t i ;.!,M.» iu.v^M--«a i' ti i M iiii wmv'JHl<MtlUi-y>W'*yj*i) i ^aaS

atly dis-
y looked
e hermit
r action.
t around
■e, here 1
We 've
But his
except to
of sight,
em when
fery brief

;med half

16 did not
fearful of
in others,
'estrained

ve," said
y love on

■'IliK iiKKMli li\ii i.K\-l'l.ii III- i.iN.' Tai;! 27S.

■ifr.-'i.'V ,r -■■ -"■•.•VF.FJ-'flV1.ff>.;& ■

I Vnlir'AlM'il - . .

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED

279

Smith. Maybe he does n't, but he has n't any to
spare for us either. I don't like the looks of things
at all."

"No more do I," replied the hermit. "And fur-
thermore, we must n't stop to ' view the landscape
o'er,' as the tune-book says. We'll start right
off."

The boys responded to the hermit's call, and in a
few minutes they were ready to start, the party
being divided the same as before, — the hermit in
charge of his boat, and Andrew at the tiller of the
Pilot. The boats were in excellent sailing form
now, and with the ballast thrown overboard from
each, and the load divided, there was no reason why
they coiild not make rapid progress. They were all
silent for a time, however, and Andrew's aim was
to keep his boat as near the other as it was possible
for him to do.

They all were anxious, and a sharp lookout was
kept by each boat. They were expecting every
minute to see an armed party set forth in pursuit, or
else hear a sharp summons to surrender; but they
had sailed steadily on for twenty minutes, and not a
sound to disturb them had been heard, and not a
sight of man or boat had been seen.

It was then that the hermit stopped for a few
minutes, and waited for Andrew to come alongside
When the Pilot had approached, the hermit took an

280

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

axe, and, stsindingup, cut two places in the rail about
six inches deep, forward and on either side; hi- then
took two pieces of rope and tied them to the tiller.
When he had finished this work, he threw the axe
aboard the Pilot, and called to Andrew to do as he
had done.

"What for?" asked Andrew. "What did you
cut those places for ? "

"Well, ye see," replied the hermit, "we're likely
to come to close quarters, and I don't want any one
to be seen. They 're a kind of port-holes like, and
we can peek out o' them and see our way ahead
without exposing ourselves. Then, too, when I get
my bearings, ye see, I can lie right on the bottom o'
the boat, and yet I can manage the tiller after a
fashion, too."

Andrew thought the advice was good, and though
it was a trial to him to strike the Pilot with an
axe, he, too, soon had his boat fixed as the other was.
He threw the axe back to the hermit when he had
cut the places in his own boat, and prepared to start
on again.

" Wait a minute," said the hermit. " We did n't
make any plans afore we started, and we have n't
much time to now; but we haven't seen anybody
yet, and 1 hope we sha'n't That fellow was in a
row-boat, and with a fair wind we ought to get away
ahead of any o' them. But I think we 'd better keep

mn-i

rail about
! ; hr- then
tlie tiller.
w the axe
do as he

; did you

're likely
t any one

like, and
yay ahead
'hen I get
bottom o'
T after a

id though
t with an
other was.
in he had
;d to start

Ve did n't
I have n't
1 anybody
was in a
> get away
etter keep

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED

281

together, as near 's we can, and not stop when night
comes, either."

" There 's a moon to-night, is n't there ? " inquired

Andrew.

"Yes," said the hermit. "That is, some, but
it is n't' full. But I guess it'll be light enough to
see our way, if we can only get out into the lake
before it gets dark. Then we '11 have a clear course
and a square race. "

« What 's that over yonder ? " interrupted Henry,
pointing to a white spot over towards the east. They
all started at his words, and looked in the direction
in which he had pointed.

"It looks like a sail," said the hermit, after a
careful scrutiny. " It does n't seem to move any. It
may be only a rock, but it looks very much like
a sail It may be it 's only a rock, " he repeated, after
another careful look; "I can't jest tell. It isn't a
movin* any, but I guess we 'd better be." And at his
word Andrew cast off the painter of the Pilot, and
both the boats were soon under way again. The white
spot in the distance did n't appear to move, and it
was not long before it was out of sight, as the boats
passed behind another island.

As they sailed on, and no interruptions occurred,
the confidence of the boys began to return; they
knew the hardest task was yet before them, and that
the time of trial would be when they came out from

iiinaiHiJ'.iniite&toBJMi

282

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

among the islands and started for the open lake.
There, if anywhere, their enemies would meet them.

But as none had yet appeared, and as the wind held
fair, their hopes rose. Henry patted the head of
the hermit's dog, which was with them in their
boat, and began to ask questions as he saw the her-
mit's face assume a look of increased satisfaction as
they sailed on.

" I just wish, " said Henry, " we had a flag up there
at the masthead ; it would look pretty good to those
fellows when we pass by. I wonder which was the
first boat that ever carried the stars and stripes,
anyway ? "

It was a small war vessel named the Reprisal,"
said the hermit; and at Henry's look of interroga-
tion, after carefully looking in every direction, he
continued : " Ye see, durin' the Revolution, we were
poorer than we are now, though that 's poor enough ;
80 Congress commissioned a lot of private persons
to fit out privateers. Sometimes Congress did this,
and sometimes it was one o' the States. In '75,
Congress ordered fourteen war vessels to be built;
they were not very big, but they and the privateers
did a heap o' damage to the commerce of Great
Britain."

" Was the Reprisal a privateer ? " asked Henry.

" No, she was one o' the fourteen ; but she was a
good one. Why, in '77 she and another one they

iiit>»

jpen lako.
ect them,
wind lield

head of

1 in their
w the her-
}faction as

g up there
Mi to those
;h was the
d stripes,

Reprisal,"
interroga-
ection, he
1, we were
r enough;
te persons
s did this,
In '75,

be built;
privateers

of Great

Henry,
she was a
' onfi they

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED

named the Revenge went over and took a cruise
right among the British Islands. Why, they almost
put a stop to commerce for a little while, but they
quit pretty soon. It was that Reprisal that first flew
the stars and stripes at her masthead."

"Diilu't they go over there again after that?"
asked Elijah.

" Yt'8. In '78 there was a cap'n named John Paul
Jones; he had a man o' war called the Ranger.
W)iy, he did almost as much agin damage as the
Reprisal and Revenge did. Sometimes he was n't
satisfied to fight on shipboard, but he just landed
and went for the towns. He was a Scotchman, too;
but he was more American than Scotch, so he never
stopped for that. He landed on the coast of Scot-
land as much or more 'u he did on the coast of

England."

"How many vessels did we capture from the
British in that war?" asked Elijah. "It must have

been a lot."

"It was," replied the hermit. "1 don't s'pose
any one knows exactly, but T 've heard we took about
seven hundred."

"Whew!" said Henry, **I guess they had a lot of
prize money. What did this John Paul Jones you
were telling about do after that? Did he fight any

more ? "

"0 yes," replied the hermit. "Ye see, our navy

284

THE SEARCH FOll ANDREW FIELD

was n't very well managed ; there was no head to the
government mueh then, anyway. We biiilt some
boats, but the bigger and heavier British oner, could
take 'cm or burn 'em. Franklin, after we got help
from France, bought some boats of them. Well,"
continued he, " in '79 he fitted out a fleet of five,
and gave this Paul Jones the command of it. Only
one of 'em was of any size, and that was so old it
was fairly rotten; they named her the 'Bonhomme
Richard.' Ye see, Franklin used to be a printer in
Philadelphia, and he 'd got up an almanac which he
called 'Poor Richard's Almanac' So they took that
name for this boat, 'Goodman Richard.'"

" Where did this Paul Jones go to fight ? " asked
Henry.

" 0, he went over to the east coast of Scotland and
England again. He had lots o' trouble with his men,
and more with his captains. They wasn't any o'
them used to doin' anything they didn't want to.
Well, he cruised round there for a month or two,
and then, in September, '79, his fleet fell in with two
British frigates. One on 'em was called the Serapia,
and she carried forty guns, and the other was named
the Countess of Scarborough, and had twenty-two
guns. It was o£f Flamborough Head they met, and
they had one of the toughest sea fights that ever was
heard of, T s'pose.">

" How 'd it come out ? " asked Henry.

head to the
built Roine
oner, could
re got help
u. Well,"
cet of five,
f it. Only
is so old it
Bouhomme
a printer in
ic which he
ey took that

it?" asked

cotland and
th his men,
J n't any o'
't want to.
ith or two,
in with two
;he Serapia,
was named
twenty-two
ij met, and
at ever was

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED

«0, Jones, after a little while, got the nonhommc
Richard and Serapis tied together. They fought
for two hours, and I s'pose the slaughter was some-
thing fearful. Both boats got on fire a number of
times, but at last the Serapis surrendered. But the
Richard was so used up, that ne.xt morning she

sank."

'* What became of the other boat?" said Elijah.
"I think you said her name was the Countess of
Scarborough. "

"0, well, ye sec, the rest o' Jones's fleet didn't
help him much; ho had to fight the Serapis all
single-handed like. But the other vessels finally did
pitch into the Countess of Scarborough, and at last
they took her."

"That was a great fight," said Henry, excitedly.
" What ever became of this John Paul Jones ? "

"0, afterwards he entered the Russian navy. I
never heard much of him after that, except that he
died in poverty and neglect."

" What a shame ! " said Elijah. " But then that 's
not the meanest thing our country ever did ; they 'd
fight to get free, but they did n't take care of their
men after they were free. Just look at this scrape
of Andrew's."

"That's what's goin' to be settled in this war.
We've got to learn to hold up our own heads; we
always was afraid o' big foreign names. Just look

286 TIIK SEAHCn FOR ANDREW FIELD

at the French. Why, all they did pretty much was
to Bct UB on in our war with EngUind. They did n't
nice England, and was glad of anything that would
give her trouble. Do Oraftse did give ub a good deal
o' help when we took Cornwallis, but that's 'bout

all they did."

"That's the island and the place where we lost
the Pilot," said Henry, pointing to the shore by
which they were passing. "I'd like to have some
of 'em see us now,— just see us, that 's all, as we go

sailing by."

"I'm afraid you'll have «i chance to be seen,
then," said the hermit, as ha pointed to a sailboat
just putting out from a little cove. He had hardly
uttered the word, before there was a puff of smoke
Bcen where the boat was, and a sharp report rang
out. In a moment this was followed by another,
and another, till they counted eight shots. " We 're
in for it no'-," sa-r^ the hermit, pointing to two more
sailboatP that now came in sight,— one from the
east, aid one from the west. "If the wind holds
good, L 'm not much afraid. Give Andrew and his
crew a cheer," and a shout rose from the hermit's
boa'^ which was quickly answered from the Pilot

ELD

tty much was

They did n't

g that would

18 a good deal

that '8 'bout

«rhcre we lost
the shore by
to have some
I all, as we go

! to be seen,
to a sailboat
le had hardly
puff of smoke
p report rang
i by another,
[Ots. " We 're
ig to two more
one from the
le wind holds
ftdrew and his
1 the hermit's
u the Pilot

AH EXCITING UACE

287

CHAPTER XXXIU

AN EXCITING RACE

' I ^HR sight of three sailboats in hot pursuit pro-

-*■ ducod a keen excitement among our friends,
who wore trying to escape. The hermit was cool
and collected, but the white face of Henry, and his
trembling voice, showed how frightened he was.
Elijah however had nothing to say, and stood ready
to follow out the slightest suggestion the hermit
might make.

For a few minutes they sailed on in silence, but
the tears that were in Henry's eyes finally led the
hermit to say, "Now, Henry, we have come to the
real tug. You must try to show yourself a man.
It does n't take much courage to keep a stout heart
when everything goes smoothly, but it 's when the
real test comes that a man shows himself."

"I know it," said Henry, "and I '11 try to be as
brave as I can."

"That's right," responded the hermit. "Now I
want you all to keep your heads below the rail.
They ain't more than four hundred yards away, and
I 'm afraid, if they don't overhaul us pretty quick,

■hmHIK

288 THE SEAllCIl FOB ANllUEW IIEI.K

they'll try a -hot, ami wo M 1,-ttcr W rt.TO they
e„ .-t -oe much o" ■,.." And ealllnK o,.t to A.,arow
Thavo Im party tollo. In. .■x,„u|,l,. the hor,m
W,„.eltdro,,H out of .iKl... and uU the other. d.a ^

""tLouX*; hole, he had cut, EUjah and Henry
kept a. harp lookout ahead, and the hermit .teered ,
h . boat by mean, of the ro,.. he had t.ed to the
tmer. In thi. way they .ailed on for hall an hour,
without a word iMing .poken by any one

Tl,e hermit then rai.ed him.elf a little to ge .
,„„d look at their pur.uer.. The .IbM he .aw d.d
Tot re...ure him, for he turned to hi. eompan.on.
^d^id, "Theyre^aininsonu.. They 're atlea,ta
hundred yard, nearer than they were before If he
wind hold, good, and we can only get out into the
Take before they can overhaul ua, 1 think we stand a
pretty fair chance o' leavin' 'em bchmd.

A .hout hero aroac from their pu.-.uer., but a. the
hermit quickly cautioned the other, to remam eon-
ce d no reply wa. given. But when the amuggler.
;t!;ed th'at'their call, received -o -P™'"; *«?,
Led three .hot. at the Hying boat.. Look at that^^
'Id the hermit quickly, pointing to two hole, the
"met. had cut in their .ail. "1 don't l«l>eve we
„nt to .tand on deck very much. H- '"»'■'
Lid get dark, and we could only get out .nto the

lake!"

uMi«iM il i*l*: ' #"

wluMO they

b to Andrew

the hermit

others dill

1 and Henry
rniit steered
i tied to the
ml£ an hour,
e.

ittle to get a
it he saw did
H companions
y 're at least a
lefore. If the
; out into the
nk we stand a

d."

er», but as the

to remain con-

the smugglers

response, they

'Look at that,"

( two holes the

jn't believe wo

How 1 wish it

rot put into the

AN FA'CITINC. HACK

280

The hermit's dn^', which luul been a very quiet
and docile uuMuber of llio party up <<) thiK time, mid
liad obeyed every word of his master, here suddenly
leaped out on deck, and liegan to bark furiously at
the pursuing Ixtats. Before the hermit could speak
sharply to him, and order him back by his side,
another shot came from the boat nearest them, and
it was answered i>y a sharp yelp from the dog.

"He's hit hard," said the hermit, as the dog
crawled towards him. "Take your knife," said ho
to Elijah, "and put him out o' his misery."

Elijah did as he was direeted, and in a moment
threw the body overboard. "Poor Bony!" said the
hermit. " Ye sec, he was named for Napoleon liona-
parte. I always called him Bony for short. He 's
been a good dog, but he 's found out what it means
to be careless like, and not obey orders when he 's
runnin' a blockade."

He here took another look at their enemies, but
the mere showing of his head brought a shot from
them, which buried itself in the boat's side. "I
guess they 're a little perticular about bein' watched,"
said he, with a smile. "But they 're gainin' on us.
The most 1 fear is from that boat over to the west.
Ye see, we 've got to turn that way when we get into
the lake, and they 're steerin' straight ahead. That
means they 're a goin' to try and cut us off afore
we can get out into the open water. — What 's that

290

THE SKAKCII FOR ANDUEVV FII<:LD

they 're a saj in' ? " said he, sharply, as a shout arose
from the boat directly behind them.

"They 're callin' out to us to lay by, and give 'em
the cargo, and they '11 let us go on without touchin'
us," said Henry.

The hermit smiled, and said, "I guess not. I
don't take kindly to any scch offers from them.
We '11 stand jest as good a chance to keep right on,
'specially as I believe, "pon my soul, the wind 's a
comin' up," he added, as a fresh gust struck their
sail. "I guess I'll take another peep at that
boat over to the west. That 's the one I 'm most
afcard of."

The sight he saw evidently interested him, for he
kept his head above the rail so long that a shot from
the boat directly behind only served at last to make
him take his place again. "Thank ye," he said.
" Ye 've some good shots, but two inches 's as good 's
a whole lake here. That boat over there has broken
something. I could n't jest make o>it what. They 've
dropped away behind, and all tlie men are in the
stern a lookin' at something. It 's way back of the
wholo fleet now, and the other boats haven't been
gainin' any on us for the last twenty minutes."

"Did you get a good look at the Pilot?" asked
Henry. " I wonder how they 're a making out in

her."

" 0, the Pilot 's gained on 'cm. She 's right up

■■■"'■5"

nout arose

1 give 'em
t touchin'

IS not. I
om them,
right on,
wind 's a
'uck their
p at that
I 'm most

lim, for he

shot from

st to make

' he said.

as good 's

lias broken

They 've

are in the

ack of the

ve n 't been

ites."

it?" asked
ing out in

's right up

AN EXCITING RACE

291

with us now. You could almost talk with Andrew if
you wanted to."

Henry acted upon the suggestion at once, and
called out to the boys. A "Hurrah!" and "All
right!" came back to him. "They're all right,"
said Henry, more cheerfully, "and if one boat's
given out, and the others ain't gainin' any, I don't
see why we can't get away from 'em. "

" If this wind keeps up, we 're all right," responded
the hermit, "and from the looks o' things, I think
we 're goin' to get some rain. That 's what we want.
I don't care if it blows great guns, for with our
boats and the load we 've got we can stand a heavy
sea first rate. "

Conversation then ceased for a time, and the boats
flew on. From time to time the hermit raised his
head, and took a look at their enemies, and reported
slight gains, or else that they were about the same
as they had been. Elijah, from his lookout, re-
ported that he was sure he could see the waters of the
open lake not more than two miles ahead.

The wind was now rising, and the sun had almost
set. There was a look of confidence and determina-
tion in the hermit's face that served to reassure
Henry, and they all began to pluck up courage.

"There comes your rain," said Elijah, as a few
spatters fell upon his face. "That's what you've
been a-wishing and praying for. "

' ;'

292 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"That '8 what I want," said the hermit, as he roae
to take another survey of the river. A shout and
shot from behind greeted his appearance, and as he
dodged baek he said, "In a few minutes, Mr. Smug-
der, ye can't tell my head from the water. The
Pilot '8 gone ahead 0' us. She 's a good sailer. But
1 'm afcard those fellows straight behind are gamin
a little. My boat's a good one in a rough sea,-
better 'n theirs, 1 suspect,- - and if we only can keep
'c,« off till we get into the lake, 1 'II landje sate
and sound at Sackctt's Harbor pretty quick.

But the race continued. The wind was now blow-
ing much harder, and they could see the white caps
up ahead in the waters of the open lake. The few
drops of rain had increased, and now there was a
steady downpour. They all wrapped themselves m
blankets, and sat in silence waiting for the issue of
the exciting chase. The darkness was fast coming
on, and the . ight gave promise of being a stormy

"""It 's just the kind of a night to do what we 're
trying to. 1 wish that pesky boat behind us would
break' somethin'. Whoever 's a «f »^' ^l- -f^
stands his business. 1 guess they 're geitin a little
desperate like," he added, as more shouts arose, and
several shots were fired. "But we're most out in
the lake now. It can't be more'n a quarter of a
mile away,can it?" he asked Elijah.

AN EXCITING RACE

293

J he roae

lout and

ind as he

r. Smug-

er. The

er. But

e gainin'

jh sea, —

can keep

d ye safe
>»

low blow-
rhite caps
The few
ere was a
nselves in
[le issue of
ist coining
; a stormy

hat we 're
[ us would
her under-
tin' a little
, arose, and
lost out in
jarter of a

" '0, I know, I know all about it,' as the cook
says," responded Elijah, gleefully. "We're right
there. At least we will be in ten minutes. If they
catch us, they '11 have to hurry up about it. Least-
wise they will if you feel as sure o' yourself in the
open water as you say you do. "

"I know we '11 sail better than they can in such a
niffht as this on the lake. I 've looked their boats
over, and I 'm sure o' that, though I 'm not quite so
certain about the Pilot as I 'm o' this boat we 're
in."

The hermit took another look, and reported that,
in the darkness which now was fast settling down,
he could see the Pilot a little in advance of them,
but he could also see that their pursuers were as near
as ever behind them.

"Keep a sharp lookout on the Pilot," said the
hermit to the boys. "I don't believe they could
hear us in this rain, and I don't just know what 's
best to be done. I 'm inclined to think we 'd better
keep right out towards the open water for a good
ways. Mebbe we can throw these fellow . off a little
in that rough water. "

"No, the Pilot's headed westward," said Elijah,
as they reached the lake. "I guess Andrew's home-
sick, or mebbe he thinks those fellows would sail
right on towards Sackett's Harbor, and wait there
for us."

Jbk

294 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

"Well 1 g"C8S it '8 all right," responded the her-
,nit. as he glanced at the boat behind which he
could still dimly see in the darkness. But they le
a sailin' a good deal better 'n 1 thought they could in
such water's this."

The wind was now blowing hard. The water was
rou-vh, and frequently the waves dashed over the
boat With great difficulty they took a reet in the
sail, but they dared not try to go ashore, as none of
them was acquainted with the locality, and besides
they preferred to trust their chances on the water.
Another reef was taken, and it was almost under
bare poles that they sped onwards. But the wind
was with them, and drove them on swifter and faster
They could see nothing of the pursuing boats, and
not a sign of the Pilot appeared.

It was past midnight before the storm abated,
and then a thick, damp fog set in. There was
little wind to aid thein, and the water continued
rou-h and boisterous. Elijah and Henry took turns
at rowing, each keeping a sharp lookout for rocks
or islands ahead, when not so engaged.

But no accident befell them during the night, and
they worked steadily on, eagerly waiting for the
morning. With the first faint streaks ot ight they
looked out over the lake for friends and foes. Bu
not a trace of the smugglers' boats or of the Pilot
could be seen.

Jiiii I 'i -r-"-"^-^

MMlllHII'lrT-"" ' ^ r-iinii.yiiMM^t»IMMaf iy'(||(

the her-
hich be
they 're
could in

ater was
3ver the
)i in the
i none of

I besides
lie water,
st under
the wind
nd faster,
oats, and

II abated,
'here was
continued
took turns

for rocks

night, and
[ig for the
light they
foes. But
; the Pilot

AN EXCITING RACE

295

"I 'm afraid somethin' 's happened to the Pilot,"
said Elijah, gravely.

The hermit made no reply, except to give his
careful attention to the boat. They were about three
miles from shore, and the morning breeze now swept
them on. The fog was gone, and the waters soon
became calmer. It was nearly noon before they
sighted Sackett's Harbor. "We hadn't bettor put
in to the Harbor," said Henry. "We'll go about
two miles this side, and land where we keep the
Pilot. I wish I knew where she was. But Andrew
Field 's as good a sailor as there is on the lake, and
1 guess she 's all right."

In less than an hour they came in sight of their
landing place, and the first thing they beheld was
the Pilot alongside the little dock, and the cook
waving his hat, and beckoning to them from her
deck.

[

296

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW l-'IELL)

CHAPTER XXXIV

A SAD nOME-COMINO

THE hermit's boat 5(oon took her place along
with the Pilot and her crew were listening
with interest to the cook's story. It seems that, soon
after darkness had come on the preceding night,
Andrew's party had lost all sight of the hermit's
boat, and also of their pursuers; but being rea-
sonably sure of their course, they had kept on.
They had taken reefs in their sail, and had been in
great fear lest the Pilot should spring a leak in the
strain she was having, for they knew she had been
only patched up since Smith had cut the holes in her

bottom.

But they had come on safely, and had arrived at
the dock only about half an hour before the hermit
came. " We saw a sail out here," said Henry, "and
we hoped it was you, but we were not certain. But
it's all right now."

"Andrew and David just cleared out as soon 's we
got here," said the cook, "they were so anxious to
get home. I told 'era to go on, and I 'd stay here on

itDtmmmmmim

,ce along
listening
;hat, soon
ig night,
hermit's
jing rea-
kept on.
i been in
ak in the
had been
les in her

trrived at
le hermit
nry, "and
ain. But

joon 's we
mxious to
ly here on

A SAD HOME-COMING

297

guard till you came, for we knew you when you were
away back yonder."

" Now you boys just all go home and see yor
folks," said the hermit. "The cook and 1 '11 stand
guard here; and by and by you come back, and
we Ml decide what 's best to be done. Come, clear
out now ! Off with ye ! "

The boys needed no second bidding, but started
on the run. It w^s less than two miles to the home
of Andrew and David, and they must pass by that
to go to their own. As they approached they saw a
gathering of people in a lot not far from the house.

"Henry, there's somebody being buried there,"
said Elijah, excitedly.

"It does look so," said Henry. "I wonder who it

can be ? "

But by this time they had come near enough to
see the sad procession turning to leave the lot in
which they had been standing.

It was a sad picture which the boys saw. In
advance was the old minister, his head bared, and
the few long gray locks he had left were blowing in
the warm wind of the summer's day. Beside him
walked David, whose grief seemed uncontrolled.
Behind them walked Andrew and his mother, —
Andrew quiet and calm, and trying hard to sup-
port her in her sorrow. The few friends and
neighbors which the sparsely settled country gave

BBS

298

THK SKAUCII KOU ANDKEW FIELD

were there, all walking behind tlio members of the
fiiinily. Among the first of these Elijah recognized
his own father and mother, but the customs of
the day forbade more than a smile of recognition,
and a slight motion with the hand to indicate to the
boys that they were to follow in the rear of the litth;
procession, as it turned towards Andrew's honie.
Tiic boys quietly took their places behind the others,
and walked with slow and solemn steps towards the
home which no more should know the kind-hearted
and suffering man whose body they had just laid to
rest in the little field, set off from the others by a
new fence.

When all had entered the house, the aged minis-
ter, after he had read a chapter from the Bible,
called upon all to kneel, and then he closed the sad
services by a prayer that was both long and fervent.

When tfiey rose from their kneeling position, the
women went at once to the kitchen to prepare the meal
which always at that tira.! followed the service for
the dead. The men and boys were left alone.

Elijah and Henry hardly knew what to say or do.
Their hearts went out to their friends in their grief,
but they could find no words, and for some time
there was an awkward silence.

Finally Henrj-, moving quietly, came to where
David was sitting, and drew his hand within his
own. David was the first to speak.

•«»•

ir\

A SAD HOME-COMING

209

"It '8 a pretty sad homp-coiniiip after all, TTcnry,"
said he. "We lia.l ii't but jimt jiot to tlic toj) of t'le
hill when we saw them a coming. I didn't know
just what it was, till I heard Andrew ory right out
loud, and then I knew. We ran as fast as we could,
and met them just as they were going into the bury-
ing-ground. IJut 1 'm glad you got hon>e all safe."

"Yes, do you know, and father kissed me," said
Ilenrv. " Why, 1 never knew him to do such a thing
as that before in my life."

"But I'm glad you've got a father," replied
David. "Mine 's gone. And to think how wc only
got home to be just in time to help put him in the
ground. They were just starting out for the bury-
ing-gronnd as wc came in sight of the house. But
I'm glad we could help mother. Poor mother!"
And at the words the tears came again into David's
eyes, and he covered his face with his hanSs.

Henry could think of nothing more to say to com-
fort his friend, and so he sat in silence by his side.
It was a sad and still company. The old minister
was the only one who spoke at all, and he only at

intervals.

They were all summoned to the other room in a
few minutes, and the meal was eaten in silence. No
one felt like talking, and the loving glances the
mother of Elijah and Henry cast from time to time
upon her boys, were all the language used. When

M Hl l 'l i iWi )»iii M»'n i MII) I .Ji.ai i ) i l ' "!ii

300

TIIK SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

tlio moal wns fmisliofl, thoy nil cnmo Imrk into the
living-room, and the good old proaohor look the
Rilde and again read a long chn{)tcr and mado a
fervent prayer. The liymn which David had heard
as he approached his home on the day of Andrew's
seizure was sung:

" On the other side of Jordan, in the sweet fields of Eden,
Where tl»e tree of life is blooming, there is rest for you."

The hymn was the last of the sad services of the
day, and the company prepared to depart. Andrew
took his weeping mother to her room, and there
stayed with her, while Elijah and Henry, with their
father and mother, were all who remained to help
in the duties of the household.

Seated in the room together, there was silence
for a time, until David said, "Elder Dodd, I wish
you 'd tell me about father."

"There isn't very much to tell," said the old
man. "He seemed to become weaker and weaker
every day. He did n't talk very much, but when he
did it was about his boys. He thought he never
should see Andrew again, and he was in fear all the
time that you would get into the enemy's clutches.
I suppose you know that war 's been declared since
you went away ? "

"Yes," replied David. "We heard of it down the
river. "

A SAD IIOMK-COMINO

301

"Well," resumed tho prenclw'r, "ubout a week nfi:o
a fever set in with your father; he was otit of his
head, and his face looked as if it was on lire. Tho
doctor came and bled him. Yes, he Ijled him three
times, l)ut it did n't seem to do any good. He kept
getting weaker and weaker; an<l three days ago ho
just went to sleep, and did n't wake up again. Wo
didn't want to have the funeral till you came home
if wo could help it, so we waited just as long as we
could. Finally, we couldn't wait any longer; and
then, as you know, we had just started for the bury-
ing-ground when you came. I think your coming hag
done your mother great good, for I don't know what
would have become of her if you boys had not got
back home pretty soon after her other trouble.

"But you must have had some strange experi-
ences," continued he. "You have been gone so
long. We were all afraid you would n't come back
at all. Elijah, can't you tell us something about
your trip?" he said, as David arose and left the
room to go to his mother.

Elijah, thus addressed, began an account of their
journey. His story lost nothing in its interest, as
the boy, excited at the memory of what he had been
through, graphically told of all their adventures.

" Then these two men — Mr. Ogden and tho other
man — what did you say his name was?" asked Mr.
Spicer, waiting for a reply.

niin III > 'i i>i : > i 'i ' «

mmmMtimmum

302

TIIK HKAllCII FOR ANDIIKW I'lKLU

"\VV never knew h'lH name," Hiiid Klijiih. "Wc
ftlways railed him the cook. But he 'h an oUl sailor,
and lined to live down in Rhode Island."

"Did you Huy," continued Mr. Spieer, "thatthcBC
men are down hy the dock now, and luive all thia stuff
you hrought with you in the hoats there ? "

"Yes," said Elijah. "They were going to wait
for UH to come hack. I guess they Ml think wc 've
kept them waiting a good while."

"Well, we'd better go right down there, then,
now," said Mr. Spicer. "Elder Dodd can look after
things here a little; and Henry, I guess you can do
the chores to-night over at our house, and Elijah and
1 '11 go down to the dock, and see what 's best to do
with your boats and the men."

His suggestion was at once acted upon, and while
Henry started for home, Elijah and his father set
out on horseback for the dock. They found the men
waiting there, and becoming somewhat impatient
at the long delay. But after Elijah had introduced
his father to them, he told briefly the experience
that Andrew and David had had since their re-
turn. The hermit was full of sympathy at once,
and the cook began to murmur, " Yes, yes, I know,
I know all about it."

"We never can thank you enough, I am sure,"
said Mr. Spicer, "for keeping our boys out of this
terribl'i trouble."

A SAD lloMK.-COMINd

•My.\

"0 wo worn f?la<l to do wliiit wo (miiM," naid llio
luMiuit. "Tlioy 'ro likoly yi.mi^'rtt.Ts, aiul you 'vo a
right to ho proud of thoni. They 'vo fint good HtulT
ill 'cui, und wo was ghid to (h) wluit wo did. Bo-
Hi(h'S, tlioy'vc got ns out of lrouhh\ too," and ho
hriolly told of tiic hurniug of his home, and tho
danger thorc was ah)ng tlio Itordor lino.

"But you must n't Htay horo; it'll ho dark protty
quick," said Mr. Spicor. Now my idea is, that you
two mon, with Klijah to help you, had hcttor sail
around to Saokott's at once. 1 '11 go hy land, and
Boc Colonel Hettinger, aiul arrange for tho caro of
your cargo, and then you can come right back to our
house. "

His scheme was agreed to, and in a few minutes
both boats were under sail on their way to Sackctt'8
Harbor, which was distant by water about three
miles. Mr. Spicer went by land, riding one horse
and leading the other; and as he had only two miles
to go, ho arrived hjng before the boats.

It was a strange story he had to tell Colonel Bot-
tinger when ho was ushered into his presence; but
ho found a willing listener, and was often interrupted
in his account by the Colonel's exclamations.

When his story was finished the Colonel said:
"They're great boys. They've done a great piece
of work, and something must be done for them. I '11
detail a squad of men to look after this prize stuff

■■I

H*K'^^«i

.. , «y»r^«.^»-,tf»tP.,-Jr;t»:(!.l,<aE£&ii».

THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

of theirs, and to-morrow you can come over and
we '11 see what 's to be done."

Accordingly, when the two boats arrived, they
found a squad of soldiers awaiting them. The cook
was a little abashed at the sight at first, but when
he understood their errand, he was sure he knew all
about it.

It was finally decided that the cargo should be
unloaded at once and carried to the garrison. This
took some time, and it was dark when, at last, after
Mr. Spiccr had obtained two more horses, the little
party of four set out at a rapid pace for the honie
of Andrew and David. The house was all dark, and
silence was over all, when they rode up before the
door and called to Andrew for admittance.

t r^***^k

over ai)(l

•ed, they
The cook
but when
knew all

ihould be
m. This
a at, after
tlie little
the home
dark, and
eforc the

CONCLUSION

305

CHAPTER XXXV

CONCLUSION

IT was a warm welcome the travellers received,
when Andrew came to the door with a candle
in his hand. Mr. Spicer and Elijah insisted upon
going on to their own home, as they knew that
Henry was there alone; but the hermit and the cook
were cared for by Andrew.

The hermit was as gentle as a woman, and only
grasped the hand of Andrew, and whispered, " Keep
up your heart, my boy. Your mother '11 need you
more than ever now." Andrew responded only by
a pressure of the hand, and as soon as his guests
had eaten, he led them to the room above and left
them for the night.

It was a sad household the visitors found on the
following morning. Mrs. Field was warm in her
thanks, and declared that the one bright spot in her
life now was that her boys had both come safely
home. She listened with pleasure to the stories the
hermit told of the courage of the boys, and often a
smile would steal over her sad face as his word-*
became specially warm.

;,-» vmit'mm. ' '.' I'l w i ia'.'ciniwitmn*'

306

THE SEAUCH FOR ANUKEW FIELD

About nine o'clock the Spiccr boys rode up to tho
house and dismounted. It was soon decided that
they and the hermit should go over to Sack(:tt's
Harbor to consult with Colonel Bettinger about their
property, and that Mr. Spicer should soon follow.
The cook declined to go, declaring that his wooden
leg so bothered the horse he rode on the previous
evening, that he was in constant danger of being
thrown.

The little party set forth at once, and met with a
warm greeting from the Colonel. He insisted upon
hearing their story in full, and often turned from
the hermit, who was the spokesman, to the boys, to
whom he gave words of praise in full measure.

"I think you boys have shown yourselves men
enough to have a place in tVie army. I think we
shall liave need soon of all the men we can get. But
about your prize money," he continued, "I suppose
you want to know about that Well, I 've had your
guns and stuff stored, and it'll take a little time
before we can just say what your shares will be.
But the chest I 've had brought in here ; it 's heavy
enough to have something good in it. There 's no
law about it, if it does. But we '11 soon see what is
in it," he added, rising; and, going to the door, he
sent a message for a carpenter to come and bring
some tools.

It was a difficult job to open the heavy chest, and

""^

CONCLUSION

307

while the work was going on the boys stood by in
silence, watching the work with intense eagerness.
At last the fastenings were cut loose, and the cover
was raised.

"Ho!" said the Colonel, "it looks as if it was all
lead," and he took bar after bar of solid lead out of
the chest, and laid them on the floor. "It's likely
they wanted some bullets. That 's what they were
going to do, — run this lead into bullets. Perhaps
we won't disappoint them much, for it may get into
bullets after all."

The boys were disappointed, as they had hoped
that something more valuable than lead was in the
chest. They said nothing, however, but silently
watched the process of taking out the lead bars.

They came to the bottom, and lead was all they
found. " That 's all there is, boys. It 's good stuff,
and will bring you something, but not so much as I
had hoped, " said the colonel, " and not so much as
you had hoped either, I fear. " A.nd he looked around
upon the faces that showed only too clearly their
disappointment.

The hermit had been silent all the while, and had
been carefully watching the work. It was only
when the Colonel had finished speaking that he said,
" Do you see, Colonel, how much thicker one end o'
that chest is than the other? Mebbc there's some-
thin' in there."

, •

308 THE SKAUCII FOR ANDREW FIELD

A careful examination convinced the carpenter
that there was some kind of a receptacle in the
heavy end of the chest, and he at once began to
cut there. It was slow work, and seemed to the on-
lookers needlessly so, as they watched his work.
After a time the carpenter broke through the wall,
and, inserting his hand, drew forth a heavy leather
bag. The boys' eyes sparkled, and the Colonel him-
self was greatly excited.

"You open it. Colonel," said the hermit, quietly.

The Colonel did as the hermit suggested, and
drew out several pieces of gold. "It's English
money," he said. "They 're crowns." Another bag
was also found inside, and then they counted their

possessions.

" It is n't 80 very much, after all," said the Colonel.
"I suppose it's about three hundred dollars in our

money."

"Three hundred dollars!" said Henry to hia
father, who just then came in. "Why, wo never
can spend it in a lifetime."

The Colonel only smiled as he replaced the money
in the bag, and turned to the hermit and Mr. Spicer
for instructions.

" I think we 'd better leave everything here with
you till we know about the other stuff, too," said
the hermit; and it was finally decided that that
should be done.

»3

u /

iiii i llMWillUlMM^^

rpcntcr
in the

cgaii to
the on-

j work.

lie wall,
leather

lel him-

quietly.
ted, and
English
ither bag
ed their

Colonel.
rs in our

y to hiiJ
wo never

tie money
r. Spicer

hefe with

that that

CONCLUSION

809

"Come over again in a few days, perhaps in
about a week from now," said the Colonel, "and
we'll settle everything up."

They bade him good by, and set out for home.
The boys were greatly excited, and could talk of
nothing but the prize money and what they would do
with their share. They had spent the money, in
their mind, in three or four ways, before they drew
up at Andrew's door.

During the week which must elapse before they
went to Sackett's Harbor again, the hermit and the
cook remained at Andrew's, and were made to feel
at once they were members of the family. There
were many things about the place that needed their
careful attention. The hermit busied himself about
the barn, making some repairs that were sadly
needed, while the cook insisted upoa relieving Mrs.
Field of many of her duties in th? house. Henry
and Elijah were back and forth every day between
the places, and a part of the time the visitors spent
at thoir home. The rugged times left little oppor-
tunity for grief, and Andrew's mother roused herself
to do the work which she knew must be done. But
hours of sorrow came to her, and the boys became
her cohsolation many a time. "I must live for my
boys," she would say, and resolutely ^usy herself in
their behalf.

After the division had been made by Cjlonel

310 THE SEARCH FOR ANDREW FIELD

Beitinjicr, each member of the party found himself
in possession of a aum which, while small in itself,
made the possessor feel rich. And in the purchasing
power of his money he was so.

The hermit and the cook remained for some time
with them, at the urgent request of Andrew and his
mother. But they became more restless every day.
The boys would find the hermit in the yard seated
under one of the great maple trees. When asked for
the cause of his sadness^ he would at first make no
reply, but would admit finally that he was thinking
how homeless he was. When told that he would
always find a home with them, he would smile and
assure them that he appreciated their kindness, but
that he must soon decide what he should do. His
home among the islands had been burned, and in-
deed it was not safe for him to attempt to live there
in such times anyway.

One day, when a month had passed by, and he
and Andrew were talking in this way, they saw far
down the road a man or boy coming on horseback
towards them. When finally he drew rein 'ear
thorn, holding forth a letter, he asked if either of
them was Mr. Ogdcn.

The hermit rose, and taking the missive, broke
the seal and read. Andrew watched his face as he
read, but he could make nothing of the impression
the contents made upon the reader.

h ?

himself
1 itself,
'chasing

[ne time
and his
ery day.
d seated
isked for
make no
thinkinp^
16 would
mile and
ness, but
do. His
and in-
ive there

', and he
y saw far
lorscback
•ein 7 ear
either of

ve, broke
face as he
mpression

CONCLUSION

811

When he had finished the second reading, he
handed the letter, without a word, to Andrew, who
read the following note.

The Barracks, Sackrtt's Harbor, Nbw York,
August 20, 1812.

Mr. James Ogden, Esq. —Dear Sir: It has come to
my positive knowledge that Edward Smith, the smug-
gler, whom you met in several encounters, has proved to
bo a traitor to his country. He has been enrolled in the
British navy at Kingston, and by his traitorous act his
property becomes confiscated. It has occurred to me
that the farm he owned a few miles beyond the Spicers',
now that by confiscation it is no longer the property of
Smith, you yourself might desire to secure. If so, I
think I could aid you. I understand that it has a good
log hoube on it and a small barn. Kindly let me know
your wishes. Your obedient servant,

Edward Bettinger.

Andrew looked at the hermit. "Mebbe, mebbe,"
he said, slowly, in reply to Andrew's glance, "that's
what I 've been a waitin' for. We '11 go over there
and take a look at the place anyway."

Accordingly, they rode over there on the following
morning. The place was deserted, but the hermit
was delighted. There was a long view of the lake
from the house, which especially pleased him, and
he at once decided that if he could make suitable
arrangements, he would take the place. These were

il.MIMtMf ' -"^-VJBflMWIP*

312

TIIK SKAKCIl I'OU ANDHEW IIKLD

ciisily settled after a visit to the Colonel, and the
lierniit and the cook soon took up their abode in
Sinitii's former liomc.

Here they lived until the war was ended, when
they went baek to the iHliiuds on which the hermit
had formerly mude his home; Itut every winter they
eauu! baek to the farm which once had belonged to
Smith.

As for Smith himself, occasional reports came of
his deeds, but he never returned to disturb the new
possessor of his old liome. Occasional rumors also
came of a man who was Smith's constant companion,
and the boys had no difficulty in recognizing him as
the prisoner they had taken at the cave of the
smugglers among the Thousand Islands.

It was not long before Andrew began to make
visits to Mr. Potter's, where the boys had stopped
over night on their journey in search of their
brother. The visits only ceased when the black-
eyed Potter girl, of whom David had spoken to
Elijah, came to Andrew's home to stay.

The times became harder and harder; the war
began to make its sufferings and demands upon all.
After Colonel Bettinger had made several visits, it
was finally decided that the boys should enlist.
Andrew and David went into the navy, and Elijah
and Henry entered the army. The old preacher
remained at home with Andrew's wife and mother.

CONCLUSION

r.i3

nnd llic Iiennit and the cook wfre frt'qiiont vihitors
lliero, and were of grout assistance during the ubseuce
of tlio boys.

What befell our heroes wo must leave for another
story, to be called "The Uoy .^oldiers of 1812."
How and where they met Smith again, how they
took a prisonoJ- and how one of the boys himself was
captured, how they conducted themselves in some
of the great battles, how the hermit dealt with a
deserter, and many other experiences they had, we
shall there relate ; but that they acquitted them-
selves in all ways like men, every one must know
who has followed them in these pages in their search
for Andrew Field.

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will! liavi- li>n>f »lnit- pasHiil tlu' fiimnilarlrs iil' yiiiilli, yrl'wlui riininilicr with
plrasuru thu K>'i>hili intiri'ntinK (»'•> th.it iliil hi> iiiiii'h tii liitrrtst, inHtriict, and
rntrrtain thi'lr youiiKi'r Vi'ars. ' I'hu Uliie anil tlif tiray ' is a title tlial is suf-
catlvfol" t" ■ •

Ivt' i>r tlic natnri.' anil Kpirit of tin.' lati'st scrit'S^ wliili' the naniu
ir is Hiillirirnt w irraiit nP the ahsiirhinK Htyk'nt narrativv, 'I'his

lii'ii-ntly liiilica
dI'Olivkk Ol-TI

xcrit's is as hriitht anil iiilirtaininK as any wiirli that Mr. AliAMH has yet put
t'lirth, anil will lu- as t'at;i'rly piriisi'il as any that has hnrnu his nainc. It would
not III' lair to tin; pro>pi't'tivi' rt'ailer to di'prive him of Ihe /vst which conii'S
, from tlir uni'xpi'i'ti'd liy rntirini; into a synopsis of Ihi' Htory, A word, how-

' fvcr, should III* said in fi'^ard to tlu* lu'aiitv and appromiati'ncsH of thu liindin^,
which inukc'S it it most itttructivv volume." — Jloslon IliiJjftl.

Woodvllle Stories. By Oi.ivI':r Oriif. Six volutnes. Illiis-
tratecl. Any volume koIcI 8ei)arately. Price per volume, $1.25.

1. HIvh mill lliiiiiblx; ok, Tiik Miksiun ok IlKHriiA Ohant.
a. Ill Mchool Miiil Out; OK, Tub I'oNiyjK.sr op ]{ii iiaku (Jkant,

3. Wutvli Miiil Walt; OH, Tim Youno I'ikhtivks.

4. Work Hiiil Win; ok, Noddv Nkwman on a Ckiiisk,

a. llo|i« iinil llikv<>; OK, Fanny Okant among tiik Indians
e. Ilnntn nnil WiiHt<s ok, Tiik Viuino I'ii.ot op Lake Ciiamplain.
"Tliounh wo are not so young as we oiu?c wire, wc relished these stories
almost as much as the lioys and ffirls for whom they were written. 'I'hcy were
really refreshing, ewn to us. 'I here is inui h in tlieni whieh is cali'iilated tu
inspire a generous, healthy ambition, and to make distasteful all readin); tend-
ing to stimuliitu base desires." — Fitchhiirg Heveillt.

The Starry Flajf Serlos. By Oi.ivkr Optic. In six volnnies.

liliiKtrated. Any volume solti separately. Price per volume,

$1.25.
1. Tli«i Stnrry FIbk; oh. The Youno Fisherman of Cape Ann.
'i. ItrcitklUK Awtiy; ok, The Foktunes of a Stuiient.

3. Hc«<k rtnd Find; oh. The Aoventuhes of a Smaht Hov.

4. Kri'ukH of Fortums ok. Half koind the VVokld.
n. Mukit or lln^ak; ok, The Uich Man's Dauuiitf.k.

H. Down the River; ok, ISuck Bhadkokd and the Tyhants,
"Mr. Adams, the celebrated and popular writer, familiarly known as Olive;i
Oi'TIC, seems to have inexhaustible funds for weavinir toj;ether the virtues of
life; and, notwilhstandin); he has written scores of books, the same freshness
anil novelty run throujjh them all. Some people think the sensational element
predominates. Perhaps it does. Iliit a book for youn^ people needs this, and
so long as good sentiments arc inculcated such books ouj;hl to be read."

Just His Luck. By Oliver Optic. Illustrated. $1.00.

" It deals with real flesh and blood boys ; with boys who possess many noble
qualities of mind; with lioys of generous impulses and large hearts; with bovs
who delight in playing pranks, and who are ever ready for any sort of mischief;
and with boys In whom human nature is strongly engrafted. Thev are boys,
us many of us have been; boys in the true, unvarnished sense oTthe woi^;
boys with hopes, ideas, and inspirations, but lacking in judgment, self-control,
and discipline. And the book contains an apprn^iriate moral, teaches many a
lesson, and presents many u precept worthy ot being followcu. It is a cupitiU
book for boys."

LEE AND 9HEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOOUE FREL

btliMtkii&t

Optic. Six
no ninl K^ny,
il M.'|i;iialt'l_y.

rnloii,
lix KlRht.
lililoii,

ii'ld of juvenile
I |iH«-iiilMityin, U
it liy tliDunaiiiU

ri'iiu'iiiIxT with
Hi, instruct, iiiiij
title tliMt Is A\i(-
wliilf the nanu!
iiiirrativv. 'I'liiH
IMS liiis yet put
Kiinv. It would
«t wliiih couii-s
A word, how.

ofthv liindlh);,

Dines. Illtis-
:>lume, $1.25.

rHANT.

D (Jkant.

IDIANS
ClIAMPLAIN.

.>d thcHU Ktorii'S
tn. 'I'licy were
is calrulated tu
II rvadint; tviid-

six volmnes,
: per volume,

^\rK Ann.
Boy.

•HANTS.

own ii8 Olivkh

er the virtues of
same freshness

ational element
needs this, and
read.'"*

l>e

$1.00.

iess many noble
arts ; with hovs
orl of mischief;
Thev are boys,
ie of' the word;
:nt, self-control,
teaches nian^ a
. It is a capitiU

OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS

The Great WoMtrpii HorlcH. Hy Oi.ivi.k Optic-. In six vol-
iiiiK'H. IlliiHtrntfd. Any voltime »olil Hcpuratcly. I'ricc per
volume, $1.50.
1. (litiiiK Wt-M; OH, TilK I'KHil.s OK ,\ Poor Hoy.

)l. Out \Wlll ; OH, Koi'OIIINO ir on TIIK (iHKAT I.AKEH.

8. i.Hktl llrffXfM; oh, TiIK C'H|■|^K OK TIIK S\I.VANIA,

4. <lolii|{ Nniitli; OH, Vai'mtini, on tiik Ari.ANTic t'oAxr.
n. Itowii Hiiiilli; OH, Yacht Auvkntihkh in I'I.ohiha.
fl. I'p the Itlviir; OH, Yaciitino on tiik Mimsisnii'I'I,

"Tills Is the latest series of lionks issued hv this popular writer, and deals
with lile (Ml the (ireat Lakes, for which ii careful study wus maile liy the author
ill A suinuier tour of llie iiiimense water sources of America. The story, vvhii'li
carri«:H the s.nne hero throiiuh the six btKiks of the Neries, is always entertaiiw
iii^, novel sceiu'H and varied incidents ^ivini; a constantly chaii^iii^ yet always
attractive aspect to the narrative. ()I.1VKH Ul'TIc has written nothing better,"

The Yacht Chib S«*rloH. By Oliver Optic. In nix volume«.
Illiistrnted. Any volume Hold separately. Price per volume,
$1.50.
1. Little Itobtall; OR, TiiF. VVhrck or tiik Pknohscot.

9. Till* Ynrlit <;liih; oh, Tiik Young Boat IIuildkhs,
8. Moiiey-^lnkt-r; oh, tiik Victory i tiik IIasii.isk,

4. Tlic ('oiiiliiK Wiivc; oh, Tiik Thka: ihk ok IIioii Rock.

n. The Itomitt Club; oh, Ouh (iirlh / loat.

n, OecHii Horn; oh, Tiik Ckimsk op t.i. C'i.uii4.

"The series has this peculiarity, that all of .is const Uient vnli.neH are Inde-
pendent of one another, and therefore each story is complete in its<'lf. Oliver
Oi'TU: is, perhaps, the favorite author of the iio'ys and y;'-)* of tb's country, and
he seems destined to enjov an endless popularity, lie deserv. his success,
for he makes very inti'restln|( stories, and inculc'ites none bni the best senti.
ments, and the 'Yacht Club' is nu exception to thi lul — AVw J/f , 1
yoiirnal and CoHritr,

1. t
ice

EFREE.

Onward and Upward Series. By Oliver Optic.

volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately

per volume, $1,25,
1. Klelil and Foroat; or. Tub Fortunes op a Fa ' '. 1
8. I'lane and Vlank; ok, Tiik Mishaps op a Mk< .ia: . .

3. Desk and I>«l>lt; ok, The Catastkoi-iikh of t Clxh :.

4. Crlnnrln anil Oroimtree; on. The .Sea Swasiib! ok a -. mlor,

5. lllvouao and Kattle; or, Tiik STHuaoLES ok a .Soi.diei'.

6. Men ami Shore; or. The Thami-s op a Tkaveli.eh.

"Paul Karringford, the hero of these tales, is, like most of this author's
heroes, a youoK man of hi^h spirit, and of hiuh aims and correct urinciples,
appearinK in tne different volumes ns n farnier, it captain, 1 bookkeeper, a
soldier, a sailor, and a traveller. In all of them the hero inects with very
exciting adventures, told in the graphic style for which the author is famous,''

The Lake Shore Series. By Olivkr Optic. In six volumes.
Illustrated, Any volume sold separately, 1 lico per volume,
$1.25.
%, ThrouKh by Dayllf(ht; or, The Youno Engineer of the Lakb

Shore Railhoad.
S. lilghtnlni; KxpreHs; or. The Rival Academies,

3, On Time; oR, The Young Cai'taxn of the Ucavga Steamer.

4, Switoh Off; oh. The War op the Students.

5, Brake Vii; ok. The Young Pkacemakehs.

O. Bear and Forlteur; or, The Young Skipper of Lake Ucavoa,
" Oliver Oi'TIC is one of the most fascinating writers for youth, and withal
one of the best to be found in this o- miv past age. Troops of young people
h.iiii; over his vivid pai;es; audnotone' : i' ■ n ever learned to be mean, ignoble,
cn^vardly, selfish, or to yield to any ■. Ii . !■ . i anything they ever read Ircm his
fKn." — Providence Press.

LEE AND 8HEPARD, BOSTON. SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOBUE FREE,

LEE AND SHEPARD'S ILLUSTRATED J UVENILES

J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS

The Fortunes of Toby Trafford. By J. T. Trowbridge.

Illustrated. $1.25.

" If to make chiklrcii's stories as true to nature as the stories which the
masters of fiction write for children of a larj;er growth be an uncommon
achievement, and one that is worthy of wide recognition, that recognition
should he given to Mr. J. T. Tkowuhidok for his many achievements in this
diflicult walk of literary art. Mr. Tkowbridoe has a good perception of char-
i acter, which he draws with skill; he has abundance of invention, which he
never abuses; and he has, what so many American writers have not, an easy,
pniccful style, which can be humorous, or pathetic, or poetic." — V?.//. Stoddard
in New York Mail.

THE START IN HFE SERIES. 4 volumes.

A Start In Life; A Story of the Genesee Country. By
J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.00.

In this story the author recounts the hardships of a young lad in his first
endeavor to start out for himself. It is a tale that is full of enthusiasm and
budding hopes. I'he writer shows how hard the youths of a century ago were
conipi'lled to work. This he does in an entertaining way, minglicig fun and
adventures with their daily labors. The hero is a striking example of the
honest boy, who is not too lazy to work, nor too dull to thoroughly appreciate
a joke.

Biding His Time. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.00.

" It is full of spirit and adventure, and presents a plucky hero who was willing
to ' bide his time,' no matter how great the expectations that he indulged in
from his uncle's vast wealth, which he did not in the least covet. . . . He was

employment in a humble way, and proves that he is a persevering and plucky
young mM\." — Boston Home Journal.

The Kelp Gatherers: A Story of the Maine Coast. By
J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.00,

This
shore

story, - , , .

depicting which the author is an acknowledged master.

Tlie Scarlet Tanager, and Other Bipeds. By J. T.
Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.00.

Every newstor, which Mr. Trowbridge begins is followed through succes
sive chapters by thousands who have read and re-read many times his precedinfi
tales. One of 'his greatest charms is his absolute truthfulness "- '

^is bonk is full of interesting information upon the plant life of the sea-
•e, and che life of marine animals; but it is also a bright and readable
V with all the hints of character and the vicissitudes of human life, in

He does not
depfct little saints, or incorrisrible rascals, but just boys. This same fidelity 10
nature is seen in his latest book, " Ihe Scarlet Tai

nature is seen in his latest dook, •• 1 iie .^cariei i'ariaj?er, and Other Bipeds."
There is enough adventure in this tale to conim.enc' it to the liveliest reader,
and all the lessons it teaches are wholesome.

LEF AND SHEPARD, BOSTON. SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE

INILES

ROWBRIDGE.

)ries which the
:in uncommon
hat recognition
vemcnts in this
ceptlon of chiir-
ition, which he
ve not, an easy,
R. H. Stoddard

JUNTRY. By

lad in his first
enthusiasm and
entury ago were
in);liii^ fun and
example of the
ighly appreciate

■ated. $1.00.

who was willing
t he indulged in
et. . . . I^ic was
I after heard of a
urney to Boston,
y him, but seeks
:ring and plucliy

; Coast. By

t life of the sea-
;ht and readable
f human life, in

. By J. T.

I through succes-
les his precedinf;
ss. He does not
s same fidelity 10
d Other Bipeds."
! liveliest reader,

JE FRcL

J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS

THE TIDE-MILl, STORIES. 6 voIuincB.
Phil and His Friends. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated.
$1.25.

The hero is the son of a man who from drink cot into debt, and, after havinu;
civcn a paper to a creditor authoriEini» him toTiecp the son as a security li>r
his claim, ran away, leaviiii; poor I'hil a bond slave. The story involves a
irreat many unexpected inciilents, some of which arc painful, and some comic.
Phil mantully works for a year, cuncellinij his father's debt, and then escapes.
The characters are strongly drawn, and the story is absorbingly interesting.

The TInkham Brothers' Tide-Mill. By J. T. Trowbridge.

Illustrated. $1.25.

" The Tinkham Brothers " were the devoted sons of an invalid mother. The
story tells how they purchased a tide-mill, which aflerwa. . -, by the ill-will and
obstinacy of neighbors, became a source of much trouble to tiicni. It tells also
how, by discretion and the exercise of a peaceable spirit, they at last overcame
all difficulties.

"Mr. Trowbridge's humor, his fidelity to nature, and story-tellmg power
lose nothing with years; and he stands at the head of those who arc furnishing
a literature for the young, clean and sweet in tone, and always of interest and
value."— The Continent.

The Satin-wood Box. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated.

$1.25.

" Mr.TKOWDRlDGE has always a purpose in his writings, and this time he
has undertaken to show how very near an innocent boy can come to the guilty
edge and yet be able by fortunate circumstances to rid himself of all suspicion
of evil There is something winsome about the hero; but he has a singular
way of falling into bad luc^, although the careful reader will never leel the
least disposed to doubt his honesty. ... It is the pain and nerplexity which
impait to the -lory its intense interest." — A>>-af«.«? Standard.

Tlie Little Master. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

This is the story of a schoolmaster, his trials, dis.ippointments, and final
victorv It will recall to many a man his experience in teaching pupils, and
in managing their opinionated and self-willed parents. The story has the
charm which is always found in Mr. Tkowiihidi.s's works.

" Many a teacher could profit by reading of this plucky little schoolmaster."
— yournal of Education.
His One Fault. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

"As for the hero of this story, ' H is One Fault ' was absent-mindedness. He
forgot to lock his uncle's stable door, and the horse was stolen. In seeking to
recover the stolen horse, he unintentionally stoic another. In trying to restore
the wrong horse to his rightful owner, he was himself arrested. After no end
of comic and dolorous adventures, he surmounted all his misfortunes by down-
right pluck and genuine good feeling. It is a noble contribution to juvenile
literature." — Woman's yournal.

Peter Budstone. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

" Trowdridge's other books have been admirable and deservedly popular,
but this one, in our opinion, is the best yet. It is a story at once spirited and
touching, with a certain dramatic and artistic quality that appeals to the literary
sense as well as to the story-loving appetite. In it Mr. Trowbridge has not
lectured or moralized or remonstrated; he has simply shown boys what they
are doing when they contemplate hazing. By a good artistic impulse we are
not shown the hazing at all ; when the story begins, the hazing is already over,
and we are introduced immediately to the results. It is an artistic touch also
that the boy injured is not hurt because he is a fellow of delicate nerves, but he-
cause of his very strength, and the power with which he resisted until overcome
by numbers, and subjected to treatment which left him insane. His insanily
takes the form of harmless delusion, and the absurdity of his ways and talk
enables the author to lighten the sombreness without weakening the moral, in
a way that ought to win all boys to his side." — '"*' /"— v.v

-The Critic.

LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREL

,ia'illi«lWllW»llrll««riif>ailiMir'r'l'lli!ift-rilii

— »i|ii ji iia<ria»iri'i uiriiiiS#i!te».i.¥*;-*ari?-;i ■i,sV'irt4.faig<

J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS

THE SILVER MEDAL STORIES. volii nen.

By J. T. Trow-

Tlie Silver Mndal, and Other Stories.
UKiotiE. Illustrated. $1.25.

There were some schoolboys who had turned housebreakers, and amon(f their

r hinder was a silver medal thai had been f^iveii tn one John Harrison liy the
lumane Society for rescuinjr from drowninif a certain Henton Barry. Now
lienton Harry was one of the wretched housebrcakrrs. This is the summary
of the opening chapter. The story is intensely intcicstinff in its serious .is
well us its humorous parts.

His Own Master. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

"This is a iKMik after the ty|)ical boy's own heart. Its hero is a pluckvyouni;
fellow, who, seeing no chance for himself at home, determines to make Ins own
way in the world. . . . He sets out accordingly, trudges to the far West, and
finds the ro.id to fortune an unpleasantly rough one." —Philadelphia Inquirer.

" We class this as one of the best stories for boys we ever read. The tone is
perfectly healthy, and the interest is kept up to the end." — Boston Home
Journal.

Bound in Honor. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25..

This story is of a lad, who, though not guilty of any bad action, had been an
eye-witness of the conduct of his comrades, and felt " Bound in Honor" not
to tell.

"The glimpses wc get of New England character are free from any distor-
tion, and their huiaorous phases are always entertaining. Mr. Tkowuridge's
brilliant descriptive faculty is shown to great advantage in the opening chapter
of the book by a vivid picture of a villa,j^e fire, and is manifested elsewhere with
equally telling eflect." — Boston Courier.

The Pocket Rifle. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

"A boy's story which will be read with avidity, as it ought to be, it is ;o
brightly and frankly written, and with such evident knowledge of the tempera-
ments and habits, the friendships and enmities of schoolboys." — New York
Mail.

" This is a capital story for boys, Tkowbkioge never tells a story poorly.
It teaches honesty, integrity, and friendship, and how best they can be pro-
moted. It shows the danger oi hasty judgment and circumstantial evidence;
thitt right-doing pays, and dishonesty never." — Chicago Inter-Ocean.

The Jolly Kover. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illustrated. $1.25.

"This book will help to neutralize the ill effects of any poison which children
may have swallowed in the way of sham-.idventurous stories and wildl , fictitious
tales. 'The Jolly Rover' runs away from home, and meets life as it is, till he
is glad enough to seek again his father's house. Mr. Trowbridge has the
power of making an instructive story absorbing in its interest, and of covering
a moral So that it is easy to t;ike."— 'CAr/.v//a« Intelligencer.

Yoiingr Joe, and Other Bovs. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illus-
trated. $1.25.

" Young Joe," who ;.ved at Bass Cove, where he shot wild ducks, took some
to towr for sale, and attracted the attention of a |x>rtly gentleman fond of shoot-
ing. This gentleman went duck shooting with Joe, and their adventures were
more amusing to the l>oy than to the amateur sportsman.

There are thirteen other short stories in the book which will be sure to please
the young folks.

The Yagrabonds: An Illustrated Poem. By J. T. Trow-
bridgr. Clotli. $1.50.

"The Vagiibonils " are a strolling fiddler and his dog. The fiddler has been
ruined by drink, and his monologue is one of the most pathetic and efieclive
pieces in our literature.

LEE AND SHEPARO, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREL

Jy J. T. Trow-

ers, and amnn^ their
dIiii Harrison l)y the
Jcnton Barry. Now
Phis is the siininiary
n^ in its serious as

lustrated. $1.25.

:ro is a pluckvyounj^
ines to make liis own
to the far West, and
iladelphia Inquirer.
er read. The tone is
id." — Boston Home

lustrated. $1.25..

I action, had been an
)und in Honor" not

Free from any distor-
Mr. Tkowuridge's
the opening chapter

ested elsewhere with

lustrated. $1.25.

ought to be, it is ;o
edge of the tempera-
Iboys." — Nrm York

■ tells a story poorly,
est they can be pro-
inistantial evidence;
nter- Ocean.

ustrated. $1.25.

oison which children
5 and wildl , fictitious
Its life as it is, till he
ROWBKiDGE has the
rest, and of covering
er.

IVBRIDGE. Illus-

ild ducks, took some
.leman fond of shoot-
heir adventures were

ivill be sure to please

By J. T. Trow-

The fiddler has been
lathetic and eSective

LOGUE FREL

% ■

»*:

(•■'