“One of the most pressing needs of the British army now encamped in Boston,” said the doctor, “is for barracks to shelter them during the coming winter. The artisans of Boston have refused to undertake the building, and so bricklayers, masons, plasterers and carpenters are largely in demand. If you were one of these now”—and he looked at Nat speculatively, “you’d be able to get inside the lines and perhaps gather information of great value to us.”
“I have done a great deal of rough carpentry,” said Nat. “And though I am no great mechanic, still, I may do, if they are badly pressed for men.”
“Excellent!” said Dr. Warren, greatly pleased. “Lose no time in applying to the officer in charge.”
This Nat did, later in the same day; and his services were snapped up eagerly at much higher wages than usual.
“Those villains of Whigs will not take honest work in the king’s service,” complained the red-faced captain in charge of the work. “They’d rather stand about the streets meditating treason and throwing black looks at decent persons who uphold the laws.”
So during the days that followed Nat sawed, planed and nailed in the midst of the British with great energy. And all the time he watched keenly and listened for any news that might be of importance. At night he patroled the streets with Revere and his thirty mechanics; and there was little that escaped their sharp eyes and alert minds, for they scattered into every part of the town where they thought there might be a movement of the king’s troops.
Nat saw very little of Ben Cooper, and nothing at all of Ezra for some days; finally one evening as he sat at supper at the “Dragon” Ben burst in upon him.
“Ezra has been recalled to Philadelphia,” he stated. “He starts in the morning, so be ready and you can pick us up on the way.”
“I’m going to remain in Boston,” said Nat, calmly.
“Going to remain in Boston!” Ben almost gasped these words, so great was his astonishment. “Why, what for?”