s, most like because it was believed we could not break through the
net General Gage had thrown around us.

We arrived at the ship-yard without interruption, and then it behooved
us to move with more of caution, for if so be the guards saw three lads
embarking in a skiff, there would be little delay in halting them by
means of a bullet.

Under what remained of a small wharf which had fallen into decay long
before I could remember, we kept the craft, so securely hidden that he
who would seek her out must needs have sharp eyes, and we had pulled
away the timbers in such manner that it was possible to get on board and
make ready for hoisting the mast and sail before hauling her out into
view of any passer-by.

After making certain that we had not been observed, the three of us let
ourselves down between the rotten timbers into the skiff, and while
Archie and Silas took up the oars, I made ready for hoisting the spar,
which was of no great weight or size.

"Now then!" Archie whispered. "It is not so dark but that we can be seen
a long distance away, and until we are sheltered by the shore of
Charlestown, it will not be well that we indulge in much speaking."

He gave way on the oar at the same moment; Silas did the same, and we
were no more than well out from under the old timbers than I saw, even
while raising the short spar, one of the guard-boats within less than an
hundred feet.

It was the only time we had ever come upon the king's men in the dozen
or more voyages we had made from Boston town simply through a spirit of
bravado, and my heart leaped into my mouth, so to speak, for it seemed
certain we were about to be called to an accounting before having gotten
well started on our first mission in behalf of the Cause.

[Illustration: "I COULD HAVE TOSSED MY HAT ABOARD THEIR CRAFT."]

Fortunately Archie was a quick-witted lad, as I have said before,
otherwise we should have been made prisoners in a twinkling; but he
backed water with his oar before we were well out from the shadow of the
old dock, thus forcing the skiff among the timbers instantly, and we
three sat like statues, our hearts thumping loudly as trip hammers,
waiting to learn whether the enemy had seen us.

There were no less than ten men in the guard-boat, and they were so
busily engaged trying to explain one to the other exactly what General
Gage ought to do in order to put a speedy end to the rebellion, as to
have given no heed to anything near