to keep our
secret, and then, still having in mind to find Silas before he should
leave the town, I roamed up School street, through Treamount, and down
Hanover until coming to Back street, when, having idled away the greater
part of the afternoon, I was so lucky as to come upon Hiram Griffin.

Hurriedly I repeated to him that which Seth Jepson had told me, and he
replied with a grin:

"I got all that three hours ago, and Silas will repeat it to our
friends. But doesn't the fact that Seth brought to you such news as
early as possible, go far toward showing that you were wrong in
suspecting him?"

"Ay, that it does, and he spoke me so fairly, explaining at greater
length than when we first came together under the wharf, why he should
hold with the Tory lads, that I could not but believe, at least for the
time, in his loyalty. Now, however, having had an opportunity to turn
over in my mind his words, it seems as if he was too eager to prove his
desire to serve the Cause. But what of Archie?" I added, and Hiram
replied:

"We are needing a cloudy night, or, what would be better, a pelting rain
storm before any attempt can be made toward setting the lad free. In
case you can keep secret your intention, and such a night comes while he
still remains where your comrade saw him, it strikes me the matter would
be plain sailing; but in the meanwhile have everything in readiness for
the venture."

"Meaning what?" I asked.

"First make sure of two skiffs--three would serve as well--, and have
them hidden at different places, that is to say, one in your ship-yard,
another off Barton's point, and the third on the shore of the Common.
That done, those who count on taking a hand should decide upon certain
hiding places to the end that if we succeeded in freeing the prisoner
and were pursued beyond the possibility of taking to the water, each
would know where he might best be secreted."

"There are many such places," I replied. "First we might find lodgement
in the rope walk at Barton's point, or again at our old rendezvous; the
burying place near to the Bridewell has in it many a famous hide, as you
know full well. Greenleaf's yard, near the long warehouse, if you
chanced to come so far near the Neck--"

"Show me some of these places," Hiram interrupted, "leading me by the
most direct way so that I may get my bearings to such purpose that it
will be possible to find them in the darkness."

"You know full well how to get to t