He thought about his family with bittersweet sadness. He missed his mother and grandfather, and recalled the last day he had seen them in Plymouth, England. He and his grandfather had gone to the local tavern, The Crow’s Nest. While his grandfather was drinking with friends, Jamie had gone outside to sketch the ships in Plymouth harbor. A group of sailors and a junior officer came over and invited him to see their ship.
It was a grand vessel, a man-of-war named H.M.S. Vengeance, heavily armed, and sitting majestically upon the sea. He agreed to their invitation, but when he tried to tell his grandfather where he would be, the sailors took him prisoner and kept him in the ship’s hold until they were out to sea headed for the Caribbean.
Three months later, the ship was attacked by a French privateer, who had sent them limping into Boston Harbor.
Then King George closed the port and no ships were allowed out other than the King’s Royal Navy.
He worried over the pain that his loss must have caused his family, who probably thought him dead by now. He had sent two letters, but had no reply and wondered if they ever made it home. Over the past year, he had become accustomed to living in Massachusetts, and had good friends here. He felt torn between two places, both with people he considered his family.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the money Mr. Roberts had given him. In his palm there was enough to take him all the way back home. If he was able to get passage on a ship headed for England, he knew he would never see Sarah or their friends again.
Why did it have to come to war? Why couldn’t the King make peace with the Colonists and try to work things out? Was he an American or an Englishman? It appeared it was no longer possible to be both.
Like a child torn between two quarrelling parents, if he were loyal to one, then he was a traitor to the other. When he considered all that the Colonists had been through under King George’s rule, he felt strongly that the Colonists deserved the right to rule themselves.
The rebels were prepared to fight the entire British army and navy for their freedom. Somehow the thought of leaving Sarah and her father now seemed wrong.
Nearly a year ago when he had almost died from infection after losing his hand, they had taken him into their home and nursed him back to health. He felt he owed them his life, and the Sons of Liberty still needed his help for their cause.
Jamie looked at the money in his hand. He shoved it back into his pocket and headed for Roxbury.
Table of Contents
Chapter 18: Dr. Church
The next morning, Jamie, Sarah and Jonathan drove their wagon to Cambridge. Jonathan pulled up to a large elegant manor house, and parked among the many wagons and carriages out in front.
“This is Hastings House,” Jonathan announced as he jumped down, “Our new headquarters. I must see Dr. Warren, so come along.”
Sarah and Jamie would have liked to spend some time exploring the town of Cambridge, especially the stately building that Jonathan had identified as Harvard College.
Inside, the great manor house was crammed. Jamie and Sarah stood in the main foyer, looking up at the beautiful brass chandelier hanging from a three-story ceiling. The gilded framed portraits on the sweeping stairway caught Jamie’s eye.
Jonathan found Dr. Warren in the parlor, surrounded by people who were all talking at once. Jonathan waved at him and he nodded in reply.
“Everyone!” announced Dr. Warren, “Everyone, please! Take a chair and sit down. Our meeting will begin in just a few minutes!”
The noise in the large room fell to a murmur and Dr. Warren said,
“Thank you, everyone, for coming. I know that many of you have traveled a long distance to be with us today and we are very grateful for your support. Some of you have come from Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut to help us in our time of need, and your friendship will never be forgotten."
"Let me begin by telling you that we are in the process of trying to establish some order here. We have many people willing to serve, but we are still getting organized, so please be patient. As you know, our recent attack by the British has left us with many wounded men. They are being cared for as best as we can do it, but we are short of doctors and medicines. If anyone can help us, please tell me now.”
Several people raised their hands and told him how they could help. A man in the back stood up and spoke.
“I will be most happy to help treat the wounded, but I must go into Boston to retrieve my medical supplies and medicines first.”
Jamie and Sarah recognized the voice and they turned to see Dr. Church standing in the back of the room.
“Thank you, Dr. Church, that would be excellent,” replied Dr. Warren.
Dr. Church nodded and sat down. Dr. Warren continued.
The meeting went on for another twenty minutes. Jamie spotted Paul Revere and he waved over the heads of the crowd. When Revere finally made it through the mob, he asked,
“Have you heard the news? The British are arresting people in Boston who are suspected of helping our cause. They’ve arrested my cousin, Ben Hitchbourne, and put him on the prison barge, the HMS Preston.”
Jonathan replied, “You’d better not go back into Boston tonight.”
“I must see Rachel!” Revere declared, “I need some of my things and some money to live on.”
“Where are you staying?” asked Jonathan.
“At the Cooks’ house,” he replied, “and Henry Knox is staying with me.”
“Perhaps we can get a message to Rachael,” Jonathan suggested. Dr. Church suddenly appeared at his side.
“A message? To whom?” he asked.
“My wife, Rachel,” replied Revere, “I need some money and some of my things.”
“I’m going into town to get my medical supplies. I shall be happy to stop at your home and take her a message.”
Revere smiled and nodded, “Thank you. But how will you get out of Boston?”
Dr. Church spoke to Jonathan and Revere, ignoring Jamie and Sarah.
“Most of the guards at the Neck know I’m a doctor, so I can come and go as I please.”
“Good,” Revere nodded, “I’ll write a letter. She may give you some money for me as well.”
Dr. Church nodded, “Of course. I’ll bring it back when I return.”
“Thank you,” Revere nodded. Jonathan simply nodded at Dr. Church when he left them, but Sarah and Jamie exchanged worried looks.
As soon as they were alone, Sarah said urgently, ““He’s going into Boston! You know what that means!”
“Yes,” Jamie nodded, “He’s going to tell General Gage everything that’s been going on here and our plans to fight the British when they come out. He’s got to be stopped!”
“But how?”
Jamie shook his head, “I’ve got to follow him.”
“But Father said-“
“I know what your father said!” Jamie replied sharply, “But someone’s got to stop Dr. Church! Your father may get angry with me, but I’ve got to take the chance.”
Sarah hated the idea of Jamie going into Boston alone. “It could be dangerous, especially now-“ she began.
“I know! Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
They saw Dr. Church leaving at the front door.
“There he goes,” Jamie said.
“But how will you stop him?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll figure out something. I wish you could come, but your father would be furious if you did.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but knew he was right.
She grabbed his arm firmly, declaring, “Be careful!”
He read the concern in her eyes and gave a wry smile, “Don’t worry. I will.”
It didn’t take Jamie long to find a wagon heading into Boston, and he hitched a ride. Although Jamie had lost sight of Dr. Church, he hoped he would be able to find him again before he sent a message to the general.
It was a warm, sunny day, and the t
raffic at Boston Neck was heavy. More people were deserting Boston, and others had left their homes in the countryside for Boston, because no Tory supporters of the King felt safe outside of the city with rebel armies roaming the countryside. Jamie thanked the driver for the ride and hopped down to walk the rest of the way.
At Marlborough Street, he crossed the busy road and headed for Dr. Church’s house. He saw no one there and waited for nearly an hour. He wondered if Dr. Church had already sent the red headed woman to the general’s house. He headed over there and found Joshua tending the horses.
“Have you seen that red-headed woman here today?”
“You mean the lady whose purse you stole? No, I haven’t. No sign of her man, Dr. Church, either.”
“Well, then,” Jamie replied, “I’m going over to the Revere’s house. See you later!”
North Square was filled with military men in red and blue uniforms. At the Revere’s, Jamie rapped upon the wooden front door and Mrs. Revere grinned broadly when she saw him.
“Jamie! Come in, lad! It’s good to see you!”
The children gave him a noisy welcome. Mrs. Revere hustled him into the kitchen and sat him down at the table.
“You must be starving! Tell me, have you seen Paul?”
“Yes, just this morning. He’s very well and has sent a letter to you through Dr. Church.”
“Yes, he delivered it, and I sent along a reply and a hundred and twenty-five pounds as well.”
“What?” Jamie became worried, “But aren’t you worried that something may happen to it?”
Mrs. Revere smiled, “Oh, no! Dr. Church is a most trustworthy gentleman. He’ll do right by us. Now try some of this rabbit pie. Will you be staying the night?”
Jamie hadn’t thought of it, but decided it might be a good idea.
“If you have room-“
“Oh! Certainly! We’ve more than enough room! You’ll stay with us, Jamie.”
All during his meal, Mrs. Revere and the children chattered on about how things had been going since the battles at Lexington and Concord. Neighbors were saying goodbye to friends. The goods at the market were in such high demand that prices were soaring, and what was available was of poor quality. Some shops were closed and boarded up as their owners had left town. Mrs. Revere complained of the awful price she had to pay for a bit of tough meat.
“But I don’t imagine we’ll be here much longer, as Paul said in his letter. He intends for us to join him in Watertown soon.”
Jamie’s eyes widened with interest, but as he was about to ask a question, there was a sturdy knock at the door. All the children raced to see who would be the first one to open it and Mrs. Revere scurried after them.
“It’s for you, Jamie!” cried Mrs. Revere over the rowdy voices of the children.
When Jamie went to the door, he found Joshua standing there with his hat in his hand, smiling politely, although looking somewhat uncertain over all the fuss that the children were making over their visitor. Jamie went outside and closed the door behind him.
“What brings you here?” he asked.
“I thought you’d want to know. I saw Dr. Church leaving the general’s house, just a short while after you left.”
“So he was there!”
“Yes, and a young man met him at the door. He had wavy, red hair and lots of freckles. I tried to follow them on foot, but they had a horse. I lost them on Marlborough St., so I came straight here.”
Jamie nodded in understanding.
“Do you know who that young man was with Dr. Church?”
“No, but I’ve seen him around before.”
Jamie felt a rush of gratitude. He held out his hand and Joshua shook it.
“Thanks. I’ll report everything that’s happened when I return to Roxbury.”
Joshua explained, “I’d better get back to the general’s house. If I’m away for too long, Mr. Heath will notice.”
“I hope to see you again soon.”
"So do I, but I won't be working for the general after this week. I've joined the rebel army. I'm going to help drive the British out of Boston!"
Jamie grinned and shook Joshua's hand furiously.
"That's great news! Then I'll be seeing you in Watertown!"
Joshua nodded and waved as he jogged away.
Jamie sighed heavily. He wondered what Dr. Church would do now that he had informed General Gage of the rebels’ plans.
Table of Contents
Chapter 19: Church Disappears
Jamie found another ride out of Boston in the morning, and arrived at the farm when Sarah was washing the breakfast dishes. He told her everything he had learned about Dr. Church, and she became alarmed.
“We’ve got to warn Mr. Revere not to trust Church!” she exclaimed.
Jamie regarded her pensively as thoughts simmered in his head.
“Your father will probably give us chores to do.”
She smiled, “I also heard him say he has to go to Cambridge tomorrow. And since we may not be safe here alone, he’ll just have to take us with him, right?”
Jamie smiled and shook his head, “You’re so clever!”
“Well, one of us has to be!” she teased.
He picked up a saucer from the tub of dishwater and flung water at her, dousing her hair. Sarah screeched and swatted him with the dish towel repeatedly until he surrendered in helpless laughter.
The next day when they arrived at Hastings House, the grounds were crowded with wagons, carriages and horses. In the distance, Jamie saw hundreds of men drilling in formation, and some were loading and firing their weapons.
While Jonathan went to find Dr. Warren, Jamie and Sarah searched the house for Paul Revere. Mr. Holbrook greeted them warmly, and when they asked if he had seen Paul Revere, he looked over the heads in the room and called to him.
Revere weaved his way through the crowd to join them.
“It’s good to see you again. Where’s Jonathan?”
“He’s with Dr. Warren. But we must speak with you,” replied Sarah.
“Sir,” Jamie looked around, then asked quietly, “Did Dr. Church bring you a letter from your wife?”
Paul frowned and shook his head, “Why, no. He told me that when he delivered my letter, Rachel was not at home, so he left it with my daughter Sara. He said that he stopped by again on his way out of Boston but no one was there.”
Jamie and Sarah exchanged wide-eyed looks.
“Why do you ask?” prompted Paul.
Jamie explained, “Because I saw your wife and she told me that she wrote you a letter and enclosed one hundred and twenty-five pounds for you and gave it to Dr. Church. He went to General Gage’s house and delivered her letter into the General’s hands.”
Revere cried in disbelief, “Dr. Church? You must be mistaken! Did you see him go into the general’s house with the letter?”
“Well, no, not I…but his groom saw him leaving the General’s house.”
“Who’s the groom?”
“A good friend of mine, Joshua, who has given me information about what’s been happening at the general’s house.”
Paul folded his arms across his chest, looking pensively at each of them. Finally, he asked, “When did you last speak to Rachel?”
“Yesterday morning,” replied Jamie.
“And you saw Dr. Church take a letter from Rachel to General Gage?”
“Well,” Jamie paused, “I didn’t actually see the letter in his hand, but Mrs. Revere told me that she wrote one and gave it to him!” Jamie insisted, “And I have no idea where he is now.”
Paul Revere began to pace the small room, rubbing his hand over his chin.
“Nor do I. Perhaps I should write another letter to Rachel. Are you able to get into Boston again?”
“Yes, I have a note from Mr. Roberts.”
Jamie reached into his pocket and showed it to him. Pleasant surprise grew on Revere’s face.
“Ah! This is wonderful! Perhaps
you can get some things for me!” Revere exclaimed, “I need my engraving supplies from my shop. Paul Junior will know what to send. And I will give you a letter for Rachel telling her what you have told me. Wait while I write the letter and you can take it to her tomorrow.”
They were ushered into a library where Paul sat down and quickly scratched out a letter for Rachel.
Sarah leaned to Jamie’s ear and whispered,
“I want to go with you to Boston!”
“But how can you? You have no written permission to get past the guards. And your father will never let you go.”
“Then I’ll sneak out! He’ll be away all day working on the redoubt in Roxbury. He’ll never know that I’m gone, and I’ll return in time to make dinner.”
“But how will you get past the soldiers?” Jamie asked.
Sarah sat thinking as Jamie waited. The only sound in the room was the scratching of Revere’s quill upon paper.
Then slowly, her eyes lit up with excitement.
She smiled confidently, stating, “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”
Table of Contents
Chapter 20: The Code is Broken
Back home that evening, as soon as the dishes were done and the kitchen was tidy, Sarah and Jamie went outside to talk privately in the barn.
“I have something to show you!” Sarah exclaimed, digging the papers from her pocket.
“What is it?”
“The coded letter! I think I’ve figured out some of the words on it!”
Jamie took the letter and examined it. Looking at all the strange symbols on the paper, he couldn’t imagine how it could possibly have been done.
“I began thinking about what the most common small words were in English, “ Sarah explained, “and I came up with the, to, in, is, are, was, be, of, I, a, an, and as. Then I looked for groups of symbols in the letters that were 1 to 3 symbols long. Then I started a separate letter on this paper, making blank lines for symbols that I have yet to decipher, and filling in all the symbols that represented “I” or a. Then I thought that the word the usually comes after another short word, like to, at, or in. Once I thought that I had found all the words of the, I filled those into the blanks, and used the symbols for t, h, and e to fill in the rest of those blanks. And then I began thinking about words that had double letters, like ee, or oo, and tried different combinations until I came up with words that make sense. For instance, look at this word here-”