"Unless it is too high," said Bob. "The tides are pretty heavy just now."
"Then we can leave from the wharf itself, but we shall have to do everything with despatch, for it is likely that a watch will be kept on the river and along shore, and the least suspicious act will bring down the night patrol and the watch, as well as the redcoats and sailors."
"No good thing can be had without effort," said Bob dryly, "and if we want our freedom we must work for it."
It was after dark when two boats came ashore from the nearest vessel and tied up at the wharf a short distance from the stone house. The sailors went ashore, leaving the boats without any one to look after them, but there were men on the wharf and constant passing to and fro of men and boys.
"We shall have to wait a while," said Dick. "When it is quieter there will be more chance to secure the boats."
"Then it may be too late," muttered Bob, "for the sailors will be going back to the ship."
"They will not return till late, for no sailor wants to cut short his shore leave."
"There may be a few minutes when all is quiet, and in the interim we can make a run for the boats and get away."
"Yes, and we must be on the lookout for just such a time."
The boys waited patiently, but it seemed as if no one wanted to go to bed, and as if there would be something going on all night. Finally, realizing the danger of waiting too long, Dick said to Bob and some of the boys: