“Why not go yourself, Hoppy?” asked Win.
“If you will permit me,” interposed Raggett, “I may say that I think you stand a better chance of being successful, Captain Knowles. You are a born diplomat”—flatteringly—“and I also understand that you have relatives in Boston who are in prosperous circumstances, so that if the worthy Snow refuses to aid you, there is still a chance for you to borrow the money from your friends. I also confess I enjoy Captain Mayo’s ready wit, and his presence aboard will enliven us during your absence.”
This confirmed Hoppy’s suspicion that Raggett had an ulterior motive in his proposition. They could certainly raise the three hundred dollars in Boston, but he could get it just as easily as Win. Why, then, was Raggett so anxious to keep him and let Win go? He remembered Raggett’s meaning looks during the study of the chart, and his remark about having the “proper man” in mind for pilot. Hoppy Mayo’s alert mind was working hard now. In the matching of wits with his fellows, Hoppy had rarely come off second best, but this case was different. To be pressed into the service of his country’s enemies and to aid them in a campaign of destruction against all he held dear was a position from which his soul revolted. Alone in the hands of determined foes, he would be powerless to resist their demands. Posterity would class him with Benedict Arnold and the disgrace would lie on his family forever. Dartmoor, or even death, were preferable to this.
“What do you say, Hoppy,” asked Win anxiously. He felt uneasy at his companion’s unusual silence.
Captain Mayo looked at the British commander, but the latter met the Cape Codder’s eye unflinchingly. Turning to Win, Hoppy said:
“Yes, Win, I think Captain Raggett’s plan is the best. I shall be all right until your return.”
“Then the matter is settled,” said Raggett. “Captain Knowles, you will kindly stand ready to start for Boston tomorrow morning.”
CHAPTER IX.
The Prisoners Talk It Over.
Before the prisoners retired to their quarters that night they discussed the situation earnestly. Hoppy had no doubt whatever that Raggett intended to use him as the “proper man” for the work of piloting the British tenders and barges in the shallow waters of the bay. He told his companion in misfortune that there was no use in outwardly resisting the plans of the British commander.
“It’s just like this, Win: Raggett knows that you will have no difficulty in getting that three hundred dollars in Boston and that you cannot put forward any excuses to the contrary. I don’t think he would die of a broken heart if you never turned up with the money. What’s such a small amount divided among his crew?”