CHAPTER XI.–Getting Away Under Difficulties.
Dick secured a basketful of food to take to the boys, knowing that Ben and Harry would procure more, and therefore not taking any more than he could conveniently carry without arousing suspicion. The city was full of redcoats, and at every step he realized the danger he ran, and also that it would increase with every hour that he and the boys remained in New York.
"We must get out to-night as soon as we can procure boats," he said to himself, "There must be some way of getting them, and we must have them, as they are absolutely necessary."
He returned to the stone house, getting in by the lower door without being observed, the other boys returning shortly afterward by the upper entrance.
"It will be difficult to get away by any of the regular roads," declared Ben, "and even if we all had disguises, it is going to be a difficult matter to pass the guard."
"I was thinking of getting out of New York by way of the river, Ben," said Dick.
"That will be something less difficult, though hard enough, but where are we going to get our boats?"
"There are ships in the river not very far away, and it may be that they will anchor still nearer. The men will want to come ashore and we must get hold of at least two boats. I don't think one will be sufficient, even if it is a long boat. Watch the river, boys, and see what are our chances."
The boys ate some of the food which Dick and the rest had procured, and while some rested, others kept a lookout on the river, on the wharf and on the bank above. At times the paths were well frequented, and men and women could be seen on the walk above, the wharf being now quite busy and then almost deserted, although at no time would it have been wise for the boys in uniform to have ventured out. Well on in the afternoon a ship came up the river and anchored right off the stone house, well out in the stream, another being something above it.
"The bluejackets will be coming ashore some time in the evening to enjoy themselves," remarked Dick. "It will be high tide, and if we can get hold of the boat, we can perhaps hide it under the wharf."