He then finished the work of throwing the arms into the sea.
“That’s a good job satisfactorily done. Now I have a few words to say, Dunton, and when you hear them you will know how we stand. You and your men are my prisoners. The schooner is my prize. I have no desire to treat you harshly, though you must feel that I owe you nothing in the way of civility. My people, as you can see, are now in force on the beach, and when the flats are dry, as they will be in a short time, I shall deliver you to the proper authorities in Eastham. However, I want you to know that I have had no help from any of your men in this business. They obliged me by getting drunk, and you have yourself to blame for that. If you hadn’t defrauded them of their proper allowance of grog they might be sober now! Captain Raggett treated me decently and for his sake I shall see that you have nothing to complain of ashore. Now you understand?”
“You’re a d——d traitor and you’ll suffer for this when the frigate returns!” cried Dunton venomously.
“That reminds me, Dunton, of what you said when we had that little conversation at Provincetown. ‘No back talk from prisoners,’ I think you remarked? As to being a traitor,” here the American’s eyes flashed and his tone became hard, “well, that’s according to the way you look at it. A traitor to what? Why, man, you show your stupidity by saying so! You thought because I made no fuss about becoming your pilot that you had me on your side! When I consented, Dunton, it was with the firm intention that this schooner and all on board should find a resting place at the bottom of Cape Cod bay if I found no other way out. You should thank God for the storm; it surely saved your lives! It was a case of one man against twenty-three and the one man had only his wits to depend on—but he won! One Yankee licked twenty-three Britishers! How will that news be received on the ‘Spencer,’ Dunton? There, I have said enough for the present and I’m not going to gloat over your defeat.”
There was no answer from the beaten and humiliated Dunton.
CHAPTER XVI.
Conclusion.
The news of Hoppy Mayo’s exploit caused intense excitement in Eastham and the neighboring towns. The Orleans militia company and the Brewster artillery hastened to the Eastham beach and assisted in guarding the captured British. The prisoners were escorted to Crosby’s tavern where they were hospitably entertained. The remainder of the cask of rum was brought ashore and it was welcomed by all those who liked a gill. At first, the British tars were bewildered in their strange surroundings when they recovered from the debauch of the morning, but they accepted the new conditions in the best possible spirit and were soon on the friendliest terms with their captors. Local tradition in Eastham has preserved the memory of that night of revelry at Crosby’s when friend and foe clasped hands and clinked glasses as brothers. Phil the Fifer lilted his merriest notes and Peter Walker’s ballads were sung and evoked enthusiastic applause from all hands.
Hoppy was hailed as the hero of the hour. He bore his honors with great modesty and disclaimed any extraordinary merit for the part he had played.
Win Knowles had not yet returned to Eastham and some were of opinion that there was something queer about his failure to return to the “Spencer,” but Hoppy strenuously maintained that Win had acted wisely, as his chances of doing any good with the money were slight. Besides, he had told Win not to feel anxious about the matter.
Hoppy gave a full account of his adventure to the Committee of Safety. The worthy chairman warmly expressed the Committee’s appreciation of their townsman’s gallantry and resourcefulness, but he had grave doubts about Captain Raggett’s attitude when the news should reach him. He would surely exact retribution for an act which humiliated the pride of King George’s navy.