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H^HhciM War of I8t2 Series < \ ■^\ THE Search for Andrew Field : A Story of the Times of 1812 BY EVERETT T.TOMLINSON 1 i _^<.S Of CG(Vff, Of w^';^' ..o^<-?^ 1.^ y LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers 10 MILK STREET BOSTON \ \^ I.] A ^ .v\ 'O ^ 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 T 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 n %^ 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 I 1% r L «& 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 is ■'V i '«- -J 'U \ \ 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 if 1^ :■ fti jK ^ K 1 10 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 1 " PRESSED " 11 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 12 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 ' 13 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. 14 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 r "ONI.V a l.ini.K UlSTANCli I'KOM TIlliM WAS A Mill'." l'aj;c I5. " PRESSED " 16 wc '11 have to send over to tlioui one of these big fellows." Davirning. To urried mes- •, and then oat. a moment 8, but they : as he sat 20 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 ,D THE NEWS AT HOME 21 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^*'''- 22 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 23 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^' 24 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 26 \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. 20 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 27 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^ as 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." :% -<,» 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 35 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- / ^ 36 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 37 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 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 39 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 mm 40 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'* V DAVID FORMS A I'l.AN 4t 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 42 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 I) 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 48 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 I 41 TIIK SKAUrir FOR ANDHF.W Frr.1,1) I I 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 4$ 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, aniAii 48 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." vr I) " 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 49 " 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 ?" 4 30 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 51 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 1! i » V 52 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 53 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 54 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 66 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 56 THE SEAHCH KOH ANDIM.W FIKI-D n 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 ■( I, \\\IIN'' I"'-' \>\ 111 1 I I II' M-l I I I \l I • i AN KSCAVK m «.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^^^^"' &8 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 59 I 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 I 60 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 61 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- m 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 63 ,„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, i G4 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- M) '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 I I 66 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. es 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 09 " 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, appearend 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. 74 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 ii BAFFLED AGAIN 75 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: 76 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 77 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. 78 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 79 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 80 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 1 BAFFLED AGAIN 81 )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 82 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 e /a ^ ■>'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. k^ CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques ANOTHEU VOYAGE BKGUN 83 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 /■ 84 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\ f "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 85 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. J aW U BtM lwi y r ■'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 D 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 h: " 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, 88 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 B9 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*^^"^'^'' ^ 90 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 91 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 02 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 08 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." u ~T 94 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." !T ■?" asked ito a gulf, rcncliman L/awrencc. c coming them off avid. vas done, river. It Quebec in held that dcscend- d. 1673 one ed Joliet, e Indians they were led down Soto, had led down the whole VISITING 95 "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 07 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. 7 98 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 99 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 X 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- 7 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. 1 L 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. " I '^^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 D 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 JJ 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. " A oint which " Let '8 run can climb nd not see y" !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 f 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 J 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 D 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'''-'''^ I 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 I I ■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 r .,,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 I :^.^>#r>w llil, 'AMlil. |..| Mil MI.W.M I" Mil, "S' II." I'.'L'.' 1-^ V. *^ n 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 I n 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 - T 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 m 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 T 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 ■ f \ ) «, 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. I 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. 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 m 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 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 1 ANOTHEU BOAT ; boys at The hci- lough lie w. 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, 10 '. mm 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>n MH! \Vl' Ml lu' Tlu'v 11 i n't i)hiil»ly tliiiik )M' H|)*)t, and ijj; soiiu'tliin' iM'uiit ?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.