re was such a company as the Minute Boys of
Boston.

No time was lost in getting under way for the short voyage to Hog
island. It seemed to me that Hiram Griffin believed every moment
precious, for he urged the crew of the sloop to their utmost, and once
we were on our course, he questioned the helmsman if he was steering in
as nearly a straight line as might be possible.

As may be supposed, Archie, Silas and I came together immediately we
gained the deck of the sloop, for there was much we had to say to each
other, although the lads so lately from Cambridge could not tell me more
concerning the doings of our people than Hiram had already done.

Archie would have spent the time giving words to his gratitude because
of what Harvey, Hiram and I had done toward effecting his release; but I
was not minded thus to waste the precious moments when he might,
instead, be telling me what he had seen while with our army.

We three were talking fast and earnestly, having ample food for
conversation; but I took heed to the efforts which Hiram was making
toward a speedy arrival at our destination, and my curiosity became so
great I could not refrain from asking if he feared pursuit.

"I do not _fear_ it lad; but according to my way of thinking the chances
are more than even we shall be followed speedily, for those lobster
backs whom Seth Jepson led to the rope walk will be thick-headed indeed
if they fail to understand that we left Boston town by water. It is
possible they may charge him with having led them on a wild goose chase;
but I'm not figuring that such will be the case."

"And you believe they may come in pursuit?"

"Well, it will amount to much the same thing, though I allow that their
chief purpose won't be to take us into custody."

"Why then should they give chase?" I asked in surprise, and Hiram
replied in a low tone, as if he feared lest the other lads might
overhear him:

"You must know that our people in Cambridge are not the only ones who
need to be fed. The king's men are famous meat-eaters, and General Gage
is not such a simple but that he has understood some time since that two
birds might be killed with one stone if he acted promptly. To prevent us
from getting supplies in the country back of Boston town would be
impossible; but he can take steps to stop us from picking up what may be
found on the islands, and in so doing not only deprive the Americans of
such an amount of food, but take possession of