“I agree with Mr. Shaw,” said Captain Heman Smith. “It seems natural to think that if Captain Raggett wants a ransom he must send word ashore to the prisoners’ friends.”
“Aye, that’s the logical way of looking at it,” assented the chairman. “They certainly cannot be ransomed with whatever property Captain Raggett has already taken from them. The whaleboat and cargo are in his possession, but it seems he does not consider them as other than the spoils of war. We should hear from him soon unless he intends to hold our neighbors for some other purpose.”
“His intention may be to add them to his own crew,” said Selectman Freeman. “This practice is common with the British when they capture an American vessel, and it goes hard with the American seaman who refuses to obey; I have heard of flogging and other cruel punishments being inflicted on such unfortunates.”
“Hoppy Mayo and Win Knowles will never turn traitors to their own flag,” asserted Peter Walker.
This was greeted with approval. That either of the prisoners should fight against his country, no matter what the penalty of refusal might be, was not to be thought of by any Eastham man.
“Don’t see what he wants them for, then,” cried Obed Sparrow. “He has idle men enough on his hands already. Why, there’s nothing for his crew to do now as there are no boats running since the whaleboat was taken.”
“Well, Neighbor Sparrow, that’s very true; but if Captain Raggett is holding our friends for any ulterior purpose, we should very much like to know what that purpose is. How we are going to find out is the puzzle.” As the chairman said this he looked around the hall as if seeking enlightenment.
But there was none forthcoming. Every avenue through which information could be obtained seemed closed, and the hopelessness of further effort was apparent to all. The discussion lagged and the people were on the point of dispersing when the strains of a fife were heard. The musician was still at a considerable distance from the town house, but Master Peter Walker had heard the tune before, so he said:
“That’s Phil the Fifer coming around again on his journey through the Cape. I wonder what trade the old man expects to pick up these hard times?”
Then a sudden idea seemed to possess Peter and, jumping to his feet, he startled the meeting by exclaiming: