"Bussin' on it!" exclaimed Zeke, when he came up. "I would like to know what the magistrate and Jeems Howard has been aboard that boat for. You see, we were watching that boat to find out whether or not she was going to stay at anchorage until to-morrow, and that's the way we happened to see them."
"Let them go," said Enoch. "They have probably been telling the captain about our rebellion there in the court-room."
"Well, he can't do anything," said Zeke. "If he turns his guns loose on the town——"
"He can't do that," said Caleb. "War has not been declared yet."
"There is no telling what these Britishers will do when once they get their dander up. But I was just saying, suppose he did turn them loose; we have got two four-pounders that we could bring to bear on the schooner, and make her drop down away from there. But I hope that he won't get away before morning. If he does, I shall be sorry that we did not attack her to-night."
"Where are you going in such a hurry, anyway?" asked Enoch.
"I am going down to see Wheaton about it. If you hear that cheer sounded to-night you will be on hand, won't you?"
The boys said emphatically that they would, and then Caleb went on to tell him what they had done to get ready for the assault, not forgetting to give all the praise to their mothers.
"That's right," said Zeke. "If all the boys were as plucky as their mothers we would have easy times of it. I haven't got any gun to take; but I have a pitchfork handy, and you will see some red dust on it before this thing is over."
"Oh, I hope they won't fight," said Enoch. "We will get a bigger crowd than they can show——"