ing all the chances,
and that night's work caused me to believe that he who goes boldly about
a matter, is in no more danger than the timorous one who strives to make
certain the way be clear before he sets out.

We came straight across from the river, landing well to the south of the
Powder House, where were scrub oaks enough to afford a partial hiding
place for the boat, although I doubted not that she would be come upon
by the Britishers before another day had passed.

"It will be better she is taken by the lobster backs empty, than with us
in her," Hiram said grimly when we drew her up on land, and it can well
be fancied that I was of the same opinion.

Now was come the most hazardous portion of the journey, for if we ran
against the watch, or a red-coated squad, we were come to grief and like
to join Archie instead of aiding him.

There was little sense in standing on the shore discussing the danger,
therefore we set off at once across the Common as if headed for the
Bridewell, until we were come to within an hundred yards of it, when we
left the Alms house on our right, going over Beacon hill and thence
across to the mill pond. It was a roundabout way to gain Salem street,
where Silas Brownrigg lived; but it seemed to me the safest, although
even by such a course we twice narrowly escaped the patrol, saving
ourselves by taking refuge first in a garden, and then by sneaking
behind Master Mountford's house.

So that we escaped the danger I did not count fatigue, and felt very
well satisfied with fortune when we finally stood at the door of Silas
Brownrigg's home, knocking cautiously lest we arouse other than him whom
we desired to see.

It was not such a difficult matter to waken the lad, even though it was
past midnight, for in those troublous times the people in Boston who
favored the Cause slept lightly, young or old, never knowing how soon a
red-coated squad of men might demand admission in the name of the king,
having come through some whim of General Gage's, or of his
understrappers.

Silas was not greatly surprised at seeing us. During the day while Hiram
and I lay in hiding on Noddle island, he had gone to my home in search
of me, and there learned from my mother that I had set out for
Cambridge.

Before nightfall Seth Jepson gave him information that Archie was lodged
in prison on the charge of attempting to carry news to the "rebels,"
and he would have been dull indeed could he not have guessed t