Anne was eager to ask him if he knew anything of her father, and William Trull owned that he did.
“’twas your father who some way got word to Newburyport and Portsmouth men to be ready to fight,” he said. “’twas cleverly done, they tell me, but no one has found out how.”
“I know,” said Anne, “because I helped.” Then remembering Captain Stoddard’s caution, she put her hand over her mouth. “I must not tell,” she said.
The sailor looked at her in astonishment. “Even the children are ‘rebels,’” he declared, “and helping when chance comes. ’Tis a great country. I’ll not question you, child, but I’ll tell my little girls about you, and that you helped to send the English home. Your own father will soon be telling you how the Americans drove the English; but you must keep a kind thought for me.”
“Oh, I do wish you would stay and be an American, Mr. William Trull, and bring your little girls to live in Province Town,” said Anne.
“Who knows?” said the sailor. “It may be I’ll be coming back with my family. I like this country well. Your father will be coming to Province Town soon, never fear,” he added, “for now Boston port is open to all, and the fishermen are going in and out as they please.”
Amanda had not been much interested in what the sailor had to say. She was thinking that Amos must be very hungry; and when William Trull climbed aboard the big vessel and the sloop dropped behind near the Province Town shore, she was greatly rejoiced.
It was not long that the “Peggy” was alone. Men on shore had been watching and were quick to recognize the sloop, and a boat was sent out. Amanda recognized that her father was in it, as well as Captain Enos and Jimmie Starkweather, and called out in delight. There was an anxious crowd on the beach, and Mrs. Stoddard and Amanda’s mother ran eagerly forward to greet the little girls, and to ask what had become of Amos.
It was soon evident that Jimmie Starkweather and the other boys were inclined to be envious of Amos’s good fortune; and when Mr. Cary made his own boat ready to sail for Barnstable to bring Amos home Jimmie was very proud to be selected to accompany him.
“How shall we ever feel safe about thee, child?” said Mrs. Stoddard, as she and Anne walked toward home. “Are you always to be seeking your father without telling us? If you had but waited you would have saved us all this worry, and Amos would now be safe at home.”