Captain Enos nodded. “There’s a half dozen good Province Town men ready to come, and as many more from Truro, if a dozen would help,” he found a chance to whisper.
“We’ll talk of this later,” said Anne’s father. “I only hope you’ll get safe back to Province Town harbor from this trip.”
“No fear,” laughed Captain Enos. “General Gage is doing his best to starve Boston out. Maybe we Province Town men can do the cause of Liberty good service if we can bring in loads of fish for the people.”
“It’s hard to have British troops quartered on us,” replied Nelson. “General Gage is taking rough measures with everybody who opposes him. Dr. Joseph Warren tried to stop the fortifications on Boston Neck, but ’twas no use. And word is being sent to settlements to be ready to furnish men. We’ve got supplies in Concord, and Americans have been drilling for some time. We’ll be ready for war if war comes. I’ve a message for the Newburyport men to be ready to join us, but I see no way of getting out of Boston. You’re a brave man, Captain Stoddard, to come into harbor.”
Captain Enos’s face brightened as he listened to John Nelson.
“I’d find no trouble in slipping down the coast to Newburyport,” he said eagerly.
“Maybe,” responded Nelson, “tho’ there’s no need for my telling you that there’s British craft cruising all about, and a man caught with a message to ‘rebels,’ as they call us, stands no chance.”
“I’d keep my message to myself,” answered Captain Enos.
“So you could, a message by word of mouth; but this is written, and has a drawing as well. I have it under the lining of my coat. But there’s no way for me to get out of the town. I’m well known by many of the English.”
“Let me take it.” Captain Stoddard’s voice was eager. “’Tis ill-luck that we Province Town men are to have no part in this affair. I’ll get the paper safe to Newburyport. Tell me to whom I am to give it.”