CHAPTER V
HOW JASON COLLYER CAME TO THE "PLOW AND HARROW"
Once he had gotten the candle-light well out of his eyes, Ezra foundthat the darkness was not quite as thick as he had supposed.
"All of which suits my purpose very well," he told himself, wellpleased.
He had no idea of proceeding any great distance in the direction inwhich he was heading. He had promised to meet Ben Cooper at the placewhere the church tower reared itself above the tree-tops towardChelmsford; and this he determined to do.
"If I fail to keep my promise, Ben will begin to imagine all sorts ofthings," mused Ezra. "And, also, I'll need to talk over this matter withhim before I do anything."
He rode along until his horse's hoofs sounded hollowly upon the timbersof the bridge.
"The sound will no doubt reach the house," he muttered, "and perhapsthey will be listening for it."
In the middle of the bridge he wheeled his steed and slowly recrossed;then dismounting he led the animal into the woods and struck out upon acourse parallel with the road. The way was much darker here because ofthe overhang of the trees; he was compelled to proceed with the utmostcare in order to avoid accidents.
"I said you had eyes like an owl, old fellow," said he to the bay. "Nowprove that I did not overpraise you; for a misstep means, perhaps, abroken leg."
And the horse, as though in answer, stepped gingerly along, his manebrushing Ezra's shoulder, and his nose pointed toward the ground. In ashort time they arrived opposite the house of Abdallah; the mastiffsmust either have got scent of, or heard them. At any rate they brokeinto a tremendous barking.
Now Ezra spoke to the bay and it stopped. His hand sought the longpistol in the holster and his eyes were fixed upon the dark, silenthouse across the road.
Then the door opened and a flare of light shot out upon the neglectedgarden. Abdallah appeared in the doorway, and behind him was JasonCollyer with a shaded candle in his hand.
The Oriental spoke sharply to the clamoring brutes and they instantlysubsided. Some words passed between the two men, and then both went in;and the door was closed and all was darkness and stillness once more.
Ezra waited a while; then, as the dogs appeared to be silenced for good,he spoke to the horse and once more started on. Almost immediately thedogs recommenced their barking and once more the boy brought the bay toa halt. With his hand upon the pistol he watched the house, expectingthe door to open. But this time it did not, and the mastiffs made thenight echo with their uproar.
"It would seem that they are now tied up," said Ezra after a little. "Itis a lucky thing for me that Abdallah was so minded. Otherwise I wouldhave had them at my throat before this."
Again he spoke to the horse and they proceeded upon their way throughthe trees. The mastiffs grew all but frantic in their ravings; but stillno sign came from the house.
"I suppose the owners of such beasts grow accustomed to their noise intime," thought the lad. "And in that I am fortunate, too; for ifAbdallah and his friends had taken it into their heads to make a search,they must have surely found me."
About a hundred yards beyond the house he ventured into the road. Asthis was soft and he walked the horse, no sound of hoofs was heard. Itwas a good half mile farther on that he got into the saddle, andgathered up the reins with a breath of satisfaction.
"Now for the hamlet with the church tower," he said, and he touched thebay with the spur and went loping down the dark wagonway.
There were stars in the sky, but no moon; a faint sheen filtered throughto the earth, and as the road was of a light-colored soil, the boy couldtrace it faintly as it stretched on ahead of him. From among the treesthat still continued to line the way, there came the mysterious shadowsand sounds of the night; but Ezra Prentiss was not a lad to give suchthings much heed, but went plodding steadily on, his eyes bent keenlyahead, his whole attention given to making his destination in as short atime as possible.
A number of times he fancied that he caught dull, indefinite sounds inhis rear; indeed, he once drew in his horse and listened. But as nothingmore followed, he credited the noises to the whispering voice of thenight, and so rode on.
At length he came to a place where the timber had been cleared away;fences were erected and the ground broken by the plow. Off to the leftwas a small group of houses, and above them, strongly marked against thebackground of stars, was the church tower that he had pointed out toBen.
"Plowed ground is slow traveling," he said to himself as he slipped fromthe saddle, "but as I don't know the roads hereabouts, it's the best Ican do."
But as luck would have it, he found a place in the fence where the railscould be slipped.
"A gate," said the boy, well pleased. "Well, that can mean only onething; there's a path hereabouts, somewhere."
He mounted once more and gave the horse its head. In a moment it hadpicked out the path, invisible to Ezra, and went plodding along withlowered head. This led across some half dozen fields; at each fence Ezrawas forced to get down and lower the bars. At length he found himself inthe midst of what seemed a level green. There were scattered houses allabout, their windows cheerfully lighted; the doors of some of them stoodopen, for the night was not unpleasant.
"And there is my old acquaintance, the church," said Ezra, as he noted alarge lantern swinging over a doorway. "And judging from the peoplepassing in, there is a service going forward."
He led his horse across the green and finally encountered a man bearinga lantern.
"I ask your pardon, sir," said the boy, "but is there any place ofpublic entertainment in this village?"
"There is," replied the man with the light. "Directly before you--whereyou see the door standing open--is the 'Plow and Harrow.'"
"I thank you," said Ezra.
He made his way to the place indicated. It was a two-storied,clean-looking place with a sanded floor, polished oaken tables and astout, white-aproned landlord.
A thin man, with a straw in his mouth, took the horse, and Ezra enteredthe inn. At once his eye fell upon Ben Cooper, seated at a table, with arasher of bacon and a dish of eggs before him.
"Hello," said Ben, pausing in his attack on the provisions. "You've gothere at last, have you? I'd almost given up hope of you for the night,and so ordered my supper."
"And very good it looks," said Ezra, regarding hungrily the bacon, theeggs, the huge white loaf and the great square of golden butter.
The stout landlord approached, wiping his hands upon his apron. Hesmiled in a pleased fashion at Ezra's words.
"Can I bring you some, young gentleman?" asked he, good-humoredly. "Thebacon is most excellent. It has just the faintest tang of the smoke init, and that adds vastly to its flavor. The eggs are fresh laid; thebread is our own baking, and the butter of this countryside is the bestin all the colony, perhaps."
"How could I say no, after that?" laughed Ezra. "As you put it, it isreally fascinating. But first I'll have some water, a towel and soap."
In a little while, freshened up with these latter articles, he wasseated opposite Ben, with the wholesome food before him and doing it thejustice that its excellent qualities deserved.
"I don't know how you found it," said Ben, as their meal proceeded, "butthe people along the road I took are heart and soul with the colony.Almost everywhere, I heard of men settling their affairs that they mightbe off to the army."
"That's good news," said Ezra. "Settling their affairs, eh? Very likely,then, what I heard General Ward say about a week ago is pretty close tothe truth. Speaking of the many desertions, he said that very likelythey were caused by the men having been called away from home at amoment's notice to repulse the Lexington column. No one had time to makepreparations; some left their families without even a good-bye, otherswere known to have mounted their plow horses, leaving the plows in thefield."
"The circulars, which I read and distributed, seemed to touch the rightspot," said Ben Cooper. "The people seemed to realize that if they letthe army under
Gage get the better of them now, their liberties would begone forever. All are patriots in this section."
Ezra made no answer to this, but went on with his supper. There was anexpression upon his face, however, that caught Ben's attention; thelatter gazed curiously at his friend for a moment and then asked:
"What is it? Come now, don't deny that you've got news of some sort.When you take on that look, I'm sure that something has happened."
Ezra smiled.
"This time," said he, "you are right. Something has happened." He leanedacross the table and lowered his voice. "You say that all in thissection are patriots. But I have found a nest of British spies right inthe heart of it."
Ben stared at him.
"There are Tories everywhere," said he, at length.
"I am not speaking of Tories," said Ezra, "but of what looks like aregularly organized system of British espionage."
Then he related his experiences to Ben, who sat in round-eyed wonder,drinking in the story. When he had finished there was a long silence;then Ben said:
"It seems to be a sort of place of call for them, with an officer of theBritish service in command?"
Ezra nodded.
"But," continued Ben, "it all seems very queer to me. Why is such astrange person as you describe this Abdallah to be concerned in it? Andwhy is a place, so out of the way as that one, selected as aheadquarters?"
"To be out of the way, must be an advantage in a matter of their kind,"smiled Ezra.
"No doubt. But that is not just what I mean. This adventurer, GilbertScarlett, for example, brings a packet of papers from Cambridge. Theyare read upon your delivering them; and you are sent with an answer to agentleman at a place near Charlestown. Why is that? It would have beenmuch simpler and less inconvenient to have sent the message to the'Indian's Head' in the first place."
Again Ezra nodded.
"I get your point," he said. "And I have been thinking over the samething ever since I left Abdallah's house."
Ben glanced quickly at his friend; there was that in his tone thatattracted his attention.
"And you have made up your mind to something, I know," said he.
"Not altogether. But I have figured out some possibilities. This spysystem, while under the supervision of a British officer, has beenorganized by Abdallah. He was imported by Gage for just this purpose. Itis possible that it is his profession. Experience has probably taughthim to isolate himself. But his spies, who are perhaps unknown to eachother, are scattered all about. When they have anything to report, theysend a rider who can be trusted; and he in turn carries the answer, ifone is called for, to a person who stands close to Gage and hiscounselors."
Ben rapped the oaken table smartly with his knuckles by way of applause.
"Good!" cried he. "That is just the way of it!" He looked at his friendin high admiration for a moment. "And it is very fortunate that youstumbled across it. Yes," thoughtfully, as he renewed his inroads on thebacon, "Abdallah is the chief spy, as you think. His little tilts withMajor Buckstone show that plainly enough."
They discussed the matter for a long time, over the remnants of theirmeal. The fact that the British had discovered the practically unguardedcondition of Boston Neck worried the boys not a little. One swift rushof the trained regiments of the King might undo all the good that hadbeen accomplished. They spoke in low voices, for the landlord, and nowand then some other of the inn people, were constantly about; at lengthsome patrons entered and took seats at no great distance.
Safe in a hamlet where practically all were united in hatred of the lawsof Parliament, the boys gave little heed to those who came or went. Thenewcomers ordered elaborately of the fare of the "Plow and Harrow"; thehost, in high good humor, bustled about giving them his best attention.
"Your horses, gentlemen," said he, "should be rubbed down and unsaddled.It will do them much good."
"Leave them as they are," said one of the strangers; "we may requirethem at----"
The thin hand of one of his fellows tugged at his sleeve.
"Sh-h-h!" whispered the owner of the hand, warningly.
The first speaker laughed.
"But you are right," admitted he, with great candor. "It is a wellestablished fault of mine that I talk too much."
It so chanced that Ben Cooper sat facing the strangers. He caught thelandlord's words and the answer that followed. He also heard the warning"Sh-h-h!" and saw the tug at the speaker's sleeve.
Lowering his voice, he described the scene to Ezra.
"Why," said the latter, "there is something familiar about that."
"Just what I thought," agreed Ben. "The warning reminds me a great dealof what you have just told me of your acquaintance Jason Collyer."
"I wonder," said Ezra, "could it, by any chance, be he?"
"If it is, he has followed you," replied Ben.
As Ezra was opposite his friend, his back was to the newcomers; but somelittle distance away there was a broad framed mirror, and by sitting ina certain way he discovered that he could get a very good view of them,indeed.
There were four in the party and all were attired in the soiled dress offarm laborers. However, three of them bore themselves in a swaggeringmanner much out of keeping with their apparent station. And all of themwore pistols belted at their waists. The fourth man, and much thesmaller, sat in a shadow and for a time Ezra could not make him out.However, he finally turned his head to reply to a remark of one of hiscompanions and his countenance was fairly reflected in the glass. Therewas no mistaking the furtive eyes and ferret features. It was JasonCollyer.
When the lad made this discovery known to Ben, the latter became greatlyexcited.
"He's followed you. You thought he suspected you all along, and you wereright."
"And who, I wonder, are these others that he has brought with him?" saidEzra, regarding the reflections in the glass with much interest. "Theylook like tall, active fellows, and of a stamp that would not hesitateat a trifle like a man's life."
"Would they dare, do you think, attack us here?"
"Why not? Jason Collyer has learned that I did not ride in the directionof Charlestown. He probably suspected my presence among the treesopposite Abdallah's house when they came out and then made a quietinvestigation later. That is why no one answered the second cry of themastiffs. When he learned positively that I was not what I seemed, hegathered this small, but very competent-looking force and made after me.In his eyes I am a dangerous person; and in days like these, dangerouspersons are not treated very gently, as you know."
"True enough," replied Ben, his round face seeming to grow rounder as heexamined the strangers. "But, still, there is so much danger of a hueand cry being started in a place like this."
"They have not overlooked that," Ezra told him quietly. "The fact thatthey desired the landlord to leave their horses ready for mountingproves that."
"Well, what do you think we'd better do?" asked Ben, a combativeexpression coming into his face.
"Nothing as yet. We must first see what they intend doing, and actaccordingly."
They had no great while to wait, for one of the men arose and cametoward their table. He leaned familiarly upon it, gazing into each oftheir faces in turn. He was a hard-featured man with a great thatch ofreddish hair; and a wide, mocking sort of grin displayed a set ofstrong, yellow teeth.
"I give you good-evening," said he, the grin growing wider.
"Good-evening to you," replied Ezra, with great coolness.
The man examined them once more. Then he continued:
"You are strangers hereabouts, I take it."
Ezra leaned back and regarded the speaker in turn.
"And, sir," said he, "I'd take the same of you."
The mocking grin lost a little of its tone; and a flush came into thecoarse, heavy-featured face.
"Hah!" said the man. "You are very apt in your answers, I see."
"It's a habit that's like to grow upon one after a little experiencewith the world," answer
ed Ezra, evenly.
"You are very young to have had much experience of any sort," spoke theman. He pushed back the platters and cups in a most offensive way andseated himself upon a corner of the table.
"Age does not always bring experience, any more than it brings manners,"returned Ezra, pointedly.
The grin disappeared entirely; two points of anger showed in the man'seyes.
"You grow more and more apt in your sayings," spoke he. Then in ajeering way: "I have no doubt but that you think yourself a smart andproper youth, indeed."
"And you may also have no doubt, sir," replied the boy, "that there aremany things that pass through your mind that give me very littleconcern."
A subdued burst of laughter came from the man's comrades; his facedarkened and he rose up from the table, his hands clenched. What hewould have done Ezra never knew; just then the lad caught the reflectionof Jason Collyer in the mirror; he was beckoning the man away. And, witha shrug of the shoulders and a snap of his strong jaws, he obeyed.
"They aim to fasten a quarrel upon us," breathed Ben. "Have you yourpistol?"
"No," replied Ezra. "It is in my holster."
"And mine," said Ben. "I had no idea that we'd ever need them here."
Ben was ready enough when left to himself but when accompanied by Ezra,usually left the planning of any important step to him. And now, as helooked at him, expecting some ready ruse that would enable them to evadedanger, he was not disappointed. Ezra's face was confident andunruffled. Indeed, there was a humorous twinkle in his eyes, as he said:
"I want you to make some sort of an excuse to go outside. It must be agood one or they will prevent your going. When you get there, slip offthe bridles of two of their horses and loosen their saddle girths. Doyou understand?"
"Perfectly," answered Ben.
The four men were whispering together and casting undisguisedly hostileglances at the boys. The landlord and some of the inn's people wholingered about noticed this, and began to exhibit concern.
Ben Cooper arose with much self-possession.
"Landlord," said he, "what is our bill? Your inn is a fairly good one,but much too uncomfortable for persons who desire to be unmolested."
The stout host mentioned the sum, and Ben put a hand in his pocket. Alook of dismay came into his face, and turning quickly to Ezra he said:
"I'll have to see to my saddle-bags. I'm growing very careless of late."
He hastily crossed to the door, and went out. The hard-faced man roseand went to a window overlooking the space before the inn; he stoodthere with his back turned to those in the room, his whole attitudeindicative of watchfulness.
"That won't do," said Ezra to himself. "If my plan is to come toanything he must not stand there."
He was casting about in his mind for a means of drawing the man'sattention from Ben, when Jason Collyer spoke to the host.
"Landlord, I take it that you are not troubled a great deal with Toriesin these parts."
"No, gentlemen," replied the stout man fervently, "I am thankful to saythat we are not. Those who were of that way of thinking went their wayinto Boston; you see, it was made unpleasant for them hereabouts. Ifthey loved Gage and his army so well, we thought it better that theyshould be there where they could see them every day."
"And quite right," spoke Jason Collyer. Ezra noticed that he no longertook the trouble to keep in the background. At first he had done so, butnow, apparently, his plans had changed. "Quite right," repeated JasonCollyer. "Such folks are most dangerous, and scarcely of the kind thathonest folk care to mingle with."
From indications, the subject of Tories was one that had great interestfor the stout host of the "Plow and Harrow." He puffed out his cheeksand smoothed the white apron carefully.
"Preserve me from any such!" said he. "They come sneaking into one'shouse, prying and asking questions. And all the time they have it intheir hearts to send one to the gallows. They should be dealt withhardly!"
"They are a poisonous tribe," said Jason Collyer. He darted a covertlook at Ezra as he said this, and the boy noted a smile of satisfactionupon his thin lips. Like an inspiration, the other's intention flashedupon the boy.
"He's sounded the landlord upon this subject with one thought in hismind," Ezra told himself. "He'll tell him that Ben and I are Tories; andso these friends of his will be left to work their wills with us."
Ezra was not a lad to sit and ponder while something to his injury wasgoing forward. With the solution of the other's plan, came a counterplotwith which he hoped to balk it.
"If you will pardon me, sir," spoke he, leaning forward, his elbows uponthe table, "I would like to agree with you in what you have said. Thegreatest enemies of the colonies are those who should naturally be atone with us--the Tories."
"Truly spoken, young gentleman," beamed the landlord, "and very wellspoken too."
Jason Collyer was about to say something, but Ezra calmly waved himdown, riveting the host's attention with a look.
"And, as you say, sir," with a little bow, "they intrude themselves intoone's very house with the basest of intentions against one's peace. Andthey come when least expected, also in many guises."
He looked coolly toward the man who still stood watching from thewindow, and proceeded, slightly lifting his voice:
"It is all but impossible to detect them in time. One seldom suspectsthem. For example," and he gestured toward the man at the window, "thatgentleman over there, for all we know, may be a Tory."
Ezra knew perfectly well that the next few moments must precipitate astruggle. In order that Ben might have an opportunity to do his work,the watcher at the window must relax his attention.
The raised voice and the boy's bold insinuation had the effect which heintended. Instantly the man turned from the window, a snarl upon hislips; he approached Ezra menacingly.
"So, my lad, I hear from you again," spoke he, gratingly. "Perhaps ifyou knew me better, you would not be so ready with your tongue."
Ezra regarded him quietly. That his ruse had succeeded greatly delightedthe young patriot; but he concealed his pleasure under a mask ofindifference.
"As you suggest," replied he, "if I knew you better, I might hesitate inspeaking to you." He was looking the man coolly in the eye; it wouldtake a practiced hand like Ben Cooper's but a moment to strip off abrace of bridles, and he did not now care what action the red-haired manmight take. So he proceeded with even greater nonchalance than before:
"And it is also possible that, in the same case, I might go to evengreater lengths than I have."
For an instant the man glared at the boy as though dazed by hisboldness. Then he leaped toward him in a fury.
But Ezra was prepared for the attack. Like a flash he was upon his feet;the heavy oaken table fell, with a crash of crockery, before the man;unable to stay himself, he went sprawling over it. Ezra's quick eye hadnoted the concerted action of the man's friends at the moment of theattack. All had leaped up, their hands fingering the locks of theirpistols.
But the boy gave them no time to think after the fall of the table. Witha series of soft-footed bounds he reached the window. Placing his handsupon the sill, he vaulted out into the night, and ran toward a group ofhorses, at no great distance from the door.
"This way," cried Ben Cooper. In another moment the boys were in thesaddle and tearing madly away from the "Plow and Harrow."