The Boy Spies of Philadelphia. Otis James
wrists. Do you suppose he intended to do so?"
"That is exactly the idea, and we can thank – our friend for having thought of it. Let me see if we can get them off in the darkness."
Aided by Seth's directions Jacob had little difficulty in removing the fetters, and he whispered as he handed the leg-irons to Enoch:
"Put these under your coat."
"Why?"
"It may be of service to him who has assisted us, in case the fetters disappear as if Seth wore them out of the prison. We will throw them away once we are free, if indeed we ever are."
At this instant the cell-door was opened softly, and the boys heard a hoarse whisper:
"It is time!"
"That is the signal!" Jacob said nervously. "Now, Seth, follow close at my heels. Don't speak to any one, nor show signs of fear. This is the moment when we shall succeed, or find ourselves in a worse plight than before. Are you ready, Enoch?"
"Go on! I'll keep close behind Seth."
The three boys, trembling with suppressed excitement, hardly daring to breathe, stepped out into the corridor with as much boldness as it was possible to assume.
No one could be seen save the sentry at the outer door, and he stood, musket in hand, more like a statue than a living being.
The thought came to Jacob that this guard could not have been the one who gave them the signal, otherwise he would have made some gesture for their guidance, and as they walked straight toward him the boy believed the bold scheme was already a failure.
The soldier remained motionless until Jacob was so near that he could touch him, and then he swung open the heavy door.
Jacob stepped out on the sidewalk almost fearing to turn lest he should see that Seth had been detained.
The prisoner followed without molestation, and as Enoch emerged the door closed, the creaking of the heavy bolt as it was shot into its socket telling that the prison was barred once more; but the prisoner was on the outside.
CHAPTER V.
THE PATROL
Seth appeared like one in a daze as Jacob and Enoch, ranging themselves on either side, hurried him up the street.
Knowing what apparently convincing proof there was against him, the prisoner had given up all hope from the moment he was locked in a cell, and his escape, having been effected so readily and so quickly, seemed more like a dream than a happy reality.
Until they arrived at Sixth Street, which was as far as the town extended in that direction, not a word was spoken, and then Jacob, unloosening the bag of provisions which he had carried over his shoulder, said as he handed it to Seth:
"Here is sufficient food for two days. You are to make your way toward Valley Forge without thinking of fatigue, for should you be captured again no one can save you from a disgraceful death."
"But tell me why I was allowed to come out of jail?"
"A friend of yours, whose name must never be mentioned, arranged everything. We had only to go in and walk away with you."
"What friend have I got who is so powerful?" Seth asked in amazement.
"We are bound never to speak his name in connection with your escape, for what he has done this night would seem like treason to those who did not believe our story. You will guess in time, and it is enough now that you are free."
"But am I not to see mother?"
"You must go without delay. We will tell her what has happened, if she doesn't hear from other sources that a prisoner has escaped, and she would be the first to insist that you hurry away from this town, rather than linger where those who might capture you would be certain to kill."
"Where are you going?"
"We have been advised to return home; but depend upon it, Seth, we shall see you in the Continental army before many days have passed, for now it is our firm intention to enlist at the first opportunity. Remember that you will not be safe until you are with our friends, and that it is likely you can continue the flight uninterruptedly during the hours of darkness. When the morning comes you must be more cautious. Now don't linger. Good-by, Seth dear, and remember that we will see you again as soon as possible."
The escaped prisoner clasped his friends by the hands for a single instant, and then turned as if reluctant to leave them.
Jacob pressed Enoch's arm in token that the parting must not be prolonged, and the two hurried away, leaving Seth to complete the work which had been so well begun.
"It seems as if we were running away from him," Enoch said five minutes later when they were hurrying down the street.
"And that is exactly what we are doing. So long as we stayed he would have lingered, and time is too precious to him to admit of its being spent in idle conversation."
"Even now it hardly seems possible we have really gotten him out of prison."
"That is because matters moved so swiftly after we began. Thank God there is no question about his freedom, and, with so many hours the start, I don't believe he is in much danger of being overtaken."
"Not unless his escape is discovered very soon."
"That is not likely to happen, for at this hour none of the Britishers would visit him, and we may count on the whole affair remaining a secret until some time after sunrise to-morrow. Of course I shan't think of going to Germantown to-night, and shall sleep with you once more."
"Mother will be glad to see us back. The fact of your asking for provisions most likely caused her to believe we were going on a journey, and I know how worried she will be until we are with her once more."
The boys were walking at a rapid pace.
The streets were deserted, and there appeared little likelihood of their meeting any one before arriving at Enoch's home.
It seemed as if everything was working in their favor on this night, and Jacob was on the point of giving words to his happiness because of the successful issue of their scheme, when the measured tramp, tramp, tramp of men told that an armed force was abroad.
"It is the patrol!" Enoch whispered. "Now unless we can keep out of sight there is a chance for trouble!"
"Don't run!" his companion said sharply as he was quickening his pace, evidently with the intention of darting into the nearest doorway. "Flight would arouse suspicion, and most likely we have been heard talking. Our only course is to walk boldly on, as if we had good reasons for being abroad at this hour."
That they had been observed even in the darkness was apparent as the officer commanding the patrol stepped quickly toward them, and the boys involuntarily halted.
"Who are you, and what are you doing abroad at midnight?"
"I live in Germantown," Jacob replied, not thinking it wise to mention his own name, for Ludwick the baker was well known to the enemy, "and am visiting my friend, Enoch Ball, who lives on Letitia Street. We have been out in the country, and were delayed longer than was anticipated."
"I have heard it mentioned that young Ball and Chris Ludwick's son were friends of the spy who will soon be hanged," one of the soldiers said.
"Is the baker your father?" the officer asked sharply.
"He is."
"And you and the spy are cronies?"
"Yes."
"Fall in then! It will be as well that we have a full explanation as to why you are out at this time of night."
"Do you mean that we are prisoners?" Enoch asked in dismay.
"Exactly, and as I do not propose to give further explanation, you may as well move on at once. Don't attempt to play any tricks, or it will be exceedingly unpleasant."
Not until this moment did Jacob remember that he and Enoch were carrying the fetters which had been removed from Seth's legs and arms, and now he deplored most bitterly his excess of precaution in taking them away from the