“Anyway,” said Dicky presently in a low voice, looking around to be sure they were completely alone on the rocks, “I did the best I could. I took three letters to Tiverton and back—and I knew what they was meant for too.”
“True for you, boy,” said Jack, slapping him on the back; “and now tell me, what do you think I fetched you down on these rocks for?”
“Dunno.”
“Well, then,” said Jack very softly, “sumpin’ ’s up to-night. I’ve knowed it for more ’n a week, and I tell you because we want your valuable sarvices.” Jack could not refrain from giving Dicky this little dig. “And I’ve pledged my word, as you are a safe boy and ain’t a-goin’ to blow the gaff.”
“You’re right there, Mr. Bell,” answered Dicky proudly. “I ain’t the sort to blow the gaff.”
“Well, then, listen to me and come close, so I can speak easy. There’s a plot on hand to-night to bag Gineral Prescott. He’s a long-headed old feller, although he is mighty proud, treatin’ quarterdeck folks like they was foremast people. But he knows more ’n most of ’em what to do, so that’s w’y the patriots is hankerin’ arter him. At nine o’clock to-night a boat is goin’ to be pulled acrost the bay, and Cap’n Barton with twenty men’s goin’ to sneak up to the Overing House, where the Gin’ral is stayin’, while they’re fixin’ reg’lar headquarters for him. They’re goin’ to take the house by boardin’—I dunno what the soldiers’ word is for ketchin’ him with a rush—and they’re goin’ to put him in the boat and take him back to Providence Plantations. Now the redcoats is monstrous keerless about standin’ watch round the Overing House—they’ve got a sentry or two that marches up and down and then goes and stands in the corner o’ the house by the chimney—but Cap’n Barton wants some one to give him the word about twelve o’clock to-night when the coast is clear.”
“And I’m to give the word,” cried Dicky, jumping with delight.
“Not if you act that a-way,” answered Jack severely. “When sailor men has got work in hand they don’t go bawlin’ out and jumpin’ like a lizard over it. They says ‘Aye, Aye, sir,’ and then they goes and does it.”
Dicky, quite crestfallen, awaited Jack’s next words.
“I’d give the word myself, for I ain’t under no promise to Cap’n Forrester. He just told me the redcoats would see that I didn’t git away—and they do watch me pretty sharp—so most likely I’d be the very one they’d suspect. So I says to Squire Stavers: ‘There’s that little tow-headed Dicky Stubbs that I knows has got a head on his shoulders and a pair of eyes as is worth sumpin’—and he kin hang round the house and won’t nobody think it’s nothin’ but stayin’ out ag’in his mother’s orders’—and you’re that chap,” said Jack Bell, giving Dicky a friendly thwack that nearly sent him head foremost into the sea.