"Don't forget, Rolfe," he said—"one if by land; two if by sea!"
Rolfe turned to us.
"Gage has officers watching every road outside of Boston; but Paul will teach them how fast news can travel." He glanced at the sky; rain fell heavily. "It won't last," he muttered; "there'll be a moon to-night; Paul, you had best row across now. The oars are muffled."
They saluted us and walked rapidly down Green Lane, wrapped to the eyes in their riding-cloaks.
"If Shemuel is at the 'Wild Goose,'" I said, "perhaps he has news for me."
We entered the inn and found it deserted by all save a servant, who recognized us and bade us welcome.
"The Grenadiers are out to-night, sir," he said to me. "All our company has gone to join the Alarm Men at Lexington and Concord. There is not a soul here, sir, except me."
"Where is Shemuel?" I asked.
"He is watching the Province House, sir; General Gage entertains to-night. It is all a ruse to quiet suspicion, sir. But we know what is on foot, Mr. Cardigan!"
Mount had dropped into a chair; the rain dripped from the red thrums of his buckskins; his fox-skin cap was soaked. There was blood on his hands; the servant brought a basin and towel.