But John Nelson shook his head. “You’d be caught, and maybe sent to England,” he answered.
“I’ll not be caught. And if they catch me they’d not find the papers,” he promised, and before they parted Nelson had agreed to deliver the package that day. “I’ll give it to Anne,” he promised. “It will not do for me to meet you again. There are too many eyes about. Let Anne walk along, with that tall girl yonder, about sunset toward the South Meeting House, and I’ll give it to her.”
Captain Stoddard nodded, and walked away.
“Anne,” he said when they met in the Freemans’ sitting-room just before dinner, “you can be of great help to your father and to me. But you must be wise and silent. When you walk with Rose this afternoon your father will meet you and hand you a flat package. Thrust it inside your frock, and say nothing of it to Rose, or to any one, and bring it safe to me.”
“Yes, indeed, Uncle Enos,” the little girl answered. “Am I to ask Rose to walk with me?”
“Yes, toward the South Meeting House,” answered Captain Enos, “about an hour before sunset.”
“If I keep silent and bring the package safely, will you forgive me for hiding in the boat?” pleaded Anne.
“Indeed I will, child, and take you for a brave girl as well,” he replied.
Anne was joyful at the thought of another word from her father, and Rose was quite ready to go for another walk.
They had just turned into King Street when John Nelson met them. Anne wore the pretty cape Rose had given her and her father slipped the packet into her hand without Rose seeing it. She grasped it tightly, and held it under the cape. “Be a good child, Anne, and do whatever Captain Stoddard may bid thee,” her father said as he bade her good-bye.