Then it was that Alec said to me, when our duties were come to an end for the day, and we free to remain on deck or below as best pleased us:—
“The work must be done tonight. I will speak privately with my brother, and do you broach the subject to old Silas. We shall need the assistance of at least one man, and Oliver believes the gunner can be fully trusted.”
Having said this Alec went into the commodore’s cabin, and I approached Master Boyd, who was pacing the forward deck in a manner which told that he had some weighty subject for thought.
“I would have speech with you, if it so be you are at liberty,” I began; and before it was possible to say more the old man interrupted gruffly:—
“Very well, lad; but there’s little need to make many words over it, for I can guess what you would talk about. It goes mightily agin the grain to help such as that traitor; but I suppose it must be done if both the commodore and your father have set their hearts upon it.”
“How did you know what had been kept a profound secret?” I asked in surprise, forgetting for the moment that the old man had intimated as much a few moments before the plan was revealed to me.
“Your father, fearin’ lest I mightn’t take kindly to the job, gave me a hint of what would be done, an’ there’s no likelier spot than this in which to work the traverse. I’ll run the boat alongside near about midnight, an’ you two lads must attend to the rest of the work.”
Having said this much old Silas walked away, as if unwilling to speak further on a disagreeable subject, and I sat on the rail aft, feeling more anger against Nathaniel Hubbard because it was he who forced us to such work, than for what he may have done against his country.
Alec did not remain long below; in less than half an hour he was by my side, holding up what I soon saw was a key.
“With this we can unlock the door of his prison. He is confined amidships in the petty officers’ quarters.”