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James Otis >> Neal, the Miller
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NEAL, THE MILLER
A SON OF LIBERTY
BY JAMES OTIS
CHAPTER 1 THE PROJECT
"I FEAR you are undertaking too much, Neal. When a fellow lacks two years
of his majority--"
"You forget that I have been my own master more than a year. Father gave
me my time before he died, and that in the presence of Governor Wentworth
himself."
"Why before him rather than 'Squire White?"
"I don't know. My good friend Andrew McCleary attended to the business for
me, and to-day I may make contracts as legally as two years hence."
"Even with that advantage I do not see how it will be possible for you to
build a grist-mill; or, if you should succeed in getting so far with the
project, how you can procure the machinery. It is such an undertaking as
Andrew McCleary himself would not venture." " Yet he has promised me
every assistance in his power."
"And how much may that be? He has no friends at court who can--"
"Neither does he wish for one there, Stephen Kidder. He is a man who has
the welfare of the colonists too much at heart to seek for friends near
the throne."
"It is there he will need them if he hopes to benefit New Hampshire."
"Perhaps not. The time is coming when it behooves each of us to observe
well the law regarding our arms."
"You mean the statute which declares that' every male from sixteen to
sixty must have ready for use one musket and bayonet, a knapsack,
cartridge-box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints?' "
"There is none other that I know of."
"Then I shall not be a law-breaker, for I am provided in due form. But
what has that to do with your mill? I think you will find it difficult to
buy the stamped paper necessary for the lawful making of your contracts
unless you dispose of your outfit for war or hunting, which is the best to
be found in Portsmouth."
"That I shall never do, even if I fail in getting the mill. Do you know,
Stephen, that I was admitted to the ranks of the Sons of Liberty last
night?"
"The honours are being heaped high on the head of the would-be miller of
the Pascataqua," Kidder replied, with a laugh. " Do you expect the Sons of
Liberty will do away with the necessity for stamped paper?"
"Who shall say? Much can--"
Walter Neal did not conclude the sentence, for at that instant two men
passed, and a signal, so slight as not to be observed by his companion,
was given by one of the new-comers, causing the young man to hasten away
without so much as a word in explanation of his sudden departure, while
Stephen Kidder stood gazing after him in blank amazement.
The two friends whose conversation was so suddenly interrupted were
natives of the town of Portsmouth, in the Province of New Hampshire; and,
had either had occasion to set down the date of this accidental meeting,
it would have been written, October 26th, 1765.
As has been suggested, Walter Neal's ambition was to erect a grist-mill a
certain distance up the Pascataqua River, where was great need of one,
since land in that portion of the province was being rapidly settled; and,
although without capital, he believed it might be possible for him to
accomplish his desires.
He was favourably known to the merchants of Portsmouth, and thanks to the
efforts of his friend, Andrew McCleary, -ten years his senior, -several
tradesmen had intimated that perhaps they might advance sufficient money
to start the enterprise in a limited way.
Neal had inherited a small amount of property from his father; but, like
many of the farmers in the New World, he was sadly hampered by the lack of
ready money. During several weeks prior to this accidental meeting with
Stephen Kidder, he had been forced to temporarily abandon his scheming in
regard to the mill, that he might try to raise sufficient money with which
to pay the annual tax, already more than burdensome, upon his small
estate.
As Neal hastened after the two men who had given him the signal to follow
them, the most engrossing thought in his mind was as to how the amount of
four pounds and seven shillings in cash could be raised without a
sacrifice of the cattle from the home farm.
Ephraim Foulsham had partially agreed to advance the sum if he could be
secured by a chattel-mortgage, and when Neal overtook those in advance he
was speculating upon the possibility of getting the amount that day, lest
execution should be issued against him.
That which he heard, however, speedily drove all thoughts of a personal
nature from his mind. "Master McCleary would be pleased to see you, and
quickly," one of the men said, in a low tone, when the three were where
there was no other to overhear the conversation.
"Is it important I should go at once?"
"Yes; unless you would break the oath. you took last night."
Neal waited to ask no more questions. Ten minutes later he was at Samuel
Leavitt's store, where he knew McCleary would be found at this time of the
day.
Before Neal could speak, his friend walked quickly out of the building
toward the shore of the harbour, giving the would-be mill-owner an
expressive look, which plainly told that he was to follow.
Not until McCleary was at a point where no one could approach him without
being seen did he halt, and then Neal was by his side.
"A messenger must be sent to Boston at once," the elder man said, in a low
tone. "It is not generally known that you have been admitted to our
association, therefore you are the one to go."
"When shall I start?"
"At once; there is no time to be lost. Will you ride my horse? "
"My Own will serve me better; suspicions might be aroused if I should be
seen on yours."
"Very true; I had not thought of that. You are to make all speed, and go
direct to Master Revere's. Say to him that George Messerve, who has been
appointed distributor of the tax stamps for New Hampshire, will arrive in
Boston shortly, if, indeed, he is not already there. Tell Master Revere
that the feeling in our section grows stronger against this last
imposition every day, until there is danger lest the excesses which marked
the 26th of August in Boston may be repeated here. He will understand what
it is we want him to do."
"Shall I have time -"
"You will not have time for delay. Start at once, and as you perform this
mission, so will you be benefiting yourself in the project of the mill."
"It does not require I should know that in order to be faithful to the
trust imposed upon me. I was about to ask if I should have time to attend
to raising the amount of my taxes, for I have twice been warned that they
are due".
"I will see to it that you do not suffer by the delay. Go at once, and let
nothing detain you; we expect the message will be delivered early to-
morrow morning." Neal's home lay two miles west of Portsmouth, and
without waiting to attend to the business for which he had visited the
town, he hastened toward it at a rapid pace. His mind was easy in regard
to the payment of the taxes, for McCleary would keep every promise made,
and when he returned it should be possible to make the necessary
arrangements with Ephraim Foulsham within twenty-four hours.
When he arrived in view of the log-house which his father had built twenty
years previous, Walter understood that something out of the ordinary
course of events had happened. The doors of the barn were open, and his
mother stood in front of the building, as if in deepest distress. A
portion of the rail-fence which enclosed the buildings was torn down, and
the cart that had been left by the side of the road was no longer to be
seen.
"You could not borrow the money? " his mother said, interrogatively, while
he was yet some distance away.
"I haven't had an opportunity to see Master Foulsham. What has happened?"
"The worst, my son, that could befall us at this time. The officers have
attached the cattle and the horse. Even if you can borrow money, the costs
of the action will eat up all we had to live on this coming winter."
"The horse gone!" Walter exclaimed, as if in bewilderment.
"We could better spare him just now than the cattle, because of the work
yet to be done."
Neal was not at that moment thinking of the farm duties, nor yet of the
mill, which was more distant in the future than before, but only of the
fact that it was necessary he should be in Boston on the following
morning.
Hurriedly he explained to his mother why it was he must leave home, and
added in conclusion,-
"Master McCleary has promised that I shall not suffer because of the delay
in paying the tax, and I am certain he will keep faith with me."
"And do you intend to leave home now?"
"I must; there are those who depend upon me, and they shall not be
disappointed."
"I am afraid, Walter, you are pursuing the wrong course. It is best that
wiser and older heads than yours should be concerned in the struggle which
must come, if the people resist this new tax."
"Father would have done as I am doing; and, since I am to fill his place,
it is fit I should do what I can."
"But how will you reach Boston without a horse or money?"
Walter hesitated. By returning to Portsmouth he could get the animal which
McCleary had proposed he should ride, and yet to do so would delay him
greatly, in addition to the possibility of arousing suspicion against his
friend.
By leaving the main road six miles farther on, and striking across a tract
of wooded country, the distance could be reduced materially; but even then
there would remain at least fifty miles to be traversed.
"I can walk to Salem," he said, at length; "and there, William Cotton will
provide me with a horse."
"It is a desperate journey, and dangerous, if some should learn why you
had undertaken it. I--"
"You would not bid me stay, mother, but rather urge me forward. I have no
time to lose."
"You will at least wait until I can put up some food."
"Yes; it will be necessary to eat, I suppose. Bread and cheese will be
enough, and even that must be got together quickly."
Mrs. Neal made no attempt to dissuade her son from his purpose. That which
he had said concerning his father had been sufficient to silence her on
the score of danger; and, when the small store of provisions were wrapped
in a stout piece of cloth and placed in the pocket of his coat, she kissed
him, but did not dare trust her voice to speak.
With a stout hickory stick as a walking-cane, Walter set out, and there
was sufficient in his mind to provide ample food for thought during the
first two hours of the journey. He was not at all certain that, now that
the cost of making an attachment of his property was to be added to the
amount of his tax, Ephraim Foulsham would be willing to advance the money;
and, even if the sum could be raised in such a manner, it was so much
increased that he could not hope to see the wished-for mill under erection
until another season at the earliest.
At the end of the second hour he had accomplished at least nine miles of
the distance, and could well afford to indulge in a brief halt while
partaking of his food.
"Nine miles from home means eleven from Portsmouth," he said aloud, as if
the sound of his own voice gave him encouragement. "By this path Salem
cannot be more than twenty-four miles away, and I must make it in five
hours in order to reach Boston by sunrise. It can be done if I do not
allow myself too much time in which to rest my legs, and-"
He ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant, as if they had
descended from the clouds, two horsemen stood before him.
The moss-covered path had deadened the sound of the animals' approach as
they came up from the rear.
Walter recognized both the new-comers. The foremost was Samuel Haines, a
man who had made an unsuccessful attempt to get the appointment to
distribute stamped paper in New Hampshire, and the other James Albert, a
half-breed Indian, who was well known in Portsmouth as a quarrelsome
fellow, ready to take part in any business, however disreputable, so long
as he was provided with an ample supply of rum.
Walter nodded familiarly to Haines, but paid no attention to the Indian.
"Wait a moment, Master Neal," the former said, gravely, as Walter
attempted to pass him. "Where are you going that you cannot stop for a
short converse? "
"On business which admits of no delay."
"Do you expect to walk from here to Boston before daylight?"
"Who said I was going to Boston?"
"Perhaps I guessed as much."
"Then kindly guess that I can't wait here simply for the pleasure of
talking with Master Haines."
"I shan't try to do that, my rebellious friend. When Jim gets ready---"
Walter half turned to see what part the Indian was to play in this
interview, and as he did so the fellow's arms were around him, pinioning
his own to his side.
"What is the meaning of this?" he cried, angrily, as he tried in vain to
release himself.
"It means, Master Neal, that I wish to see the message you carry," and
Haines, dismounting, hastily searched the prisoner's pockets.
"You have found yourself mistaken as sadly as when you believed the king
would give you the dirty work of selling stamped paper," Walter said, with
a laugh, noting the look of disappointment on Haines's face when he failed
to find any document.
"You have been intrusted to deliver the message by word of mouth, and it
will serve my purpose as well if I prevent you from calling on that
seditious Revere. Here, Jim, tie him to a tree with this," and Haines drew
from his saddle-bags a piece of stout rope.
It was in vain Walter struggled; taken at a disadvantage as he had been,
he was powerless, and in a few moments was bound securely to a tree, while
his captors threw themselves on the ground in front of him, as if to make
a long stay.
"If you repeat what you were told to say to Revere, I will see to it that
you are made more comfortable," Haines said, after a long pause.
"And what then? "
"We shall make certain you don't return to Portsmouth for two or three
days, that is all."
"If I have a message to deliver, I will keep it to myself, instead of
intrusting it to you," Walter said, grimly; but his mind was sorely
troubled, for he realized that if he should be delayed here no more than
four hours the information he was to give might arrive too late.
CHAPTER 2 THE ESCAPE
During the hour which followed Walter's capture the two men remained close
at hand, while their horses were allowed to stroll along the path, eating
grass, and at the expiration of that time the animals could no longer
either be seen or heard.
"Go and bring them back, Jim!" Haines said, in a peremptory tone. "It
would be a hard job for us if they should stray too far."
The half-breed hesitated an instant, as if undecided whether to obey this
command, and then, rising slowly to his feet, he slouched down the path
lazily.
After the brief conversation which had followed the capture of Walter,
neither of the men had spoken until this moment; but as soon as his
comrade disappeared among the bushes, Haines said, in what he intended
should sound like a friendly tone,-
"I am sorry to see a promising young man like you, Neal, led astray by
these fanatics, who dream of opposing his majesty's just and wise laws.
You have too much solid sense to train in any such company."
"You seem to have a remarkably good opinion of me," Walter said, grimly.
"So I have, lad, so I have. I know you have been hoping to build a mill of
your own on the Pascataqua, and am interested in the project, for it is a
sensible one: there is plenty of money to be made in that section."
"According to appearances now I shan't reap any very large harvest this
year."
"It depends upon yourself. If you had kept proper company there would have
been no attachment made to-day.
"How did you know anything about that?" Walter asked, sharply.
"I heard the matter discussed, and feel certain you would have been given
more time but for your own very unwise move last night."
"Then you know-"
Walter stopped suddenly on realizing that he was about to betray a secret,
but Haines finished the remark.
"That you enrolled yourself among that rabble who call themselves the Sons
of Liberty? Yes; I know it, and so do others."
"It seems I am of more importance than I fancied. I never supposed
anything I did could make any difference to the good people of Portsmouth;
but I was mistaken."
"It concerns right-minded people anywhere when a boy who stands on the
threshold of manhood makes a grievous mistake."
"That remains to be proven."
"And it will be speedily, as you must learn to your cost. If you really
want a mill on the Pascataqua, I will show you how it can be built at
once."
"I should like to learn the secret."
"Abandon the evil companions you have chosen, reveal such of their plots
against his majesty's officers as you are acquainted with, and I guarantee
that a sufficient sum of money to put up the buildings and purchase the
machinery shall be loaned you within twenty-four hours."
"I am a fool not to have understood the drift of your conversation before
it reached this point," Walter said, hotly. " I had rather never own a
mill than get it as you propose; and as for evil companions,' I am proud
to have been allowed to join them."
"You will soon regret it."
"So you have said before; but since I have little faith in such
predictions, suppose you change the subject by explaining why you hold me
prisoner, and how long I am to be kept in this uncomfortable position? "
"There is no reason why both questions should not be answered. You are to
remain in my custody till George Messerve arrives in Portsmouth, in order
that your friends may not intimidate him, and it will be necessary to stay
exactly as you are several hours longer."
Walter asked no more questions. He understood it was the purpose of his
captors to keep him out of sight, that McCleary might believe his
messenger had gotten through to Boston in safety; and, in the meanwhile,
someone else would be sent to warn the newly-appointed distributor of
stamped paper of something - Walter could not divine what - which might be
attempted against him.
Ten minutes passed in silence, and then the voice of the half-breed could
be heard far away in the distance, calling to his comrade.
With an exclamation of impatience, Haines rose to his feet, gave a
careless glance at the rope which bound Walter, and then replied to the
Indian as he went quickly in the direction from which the hail had come.
Left alone, Walter looked around, as if expecting to see some one who
might aid him, and then tugged and strained at his bonds, trying to wrench
free either hand or foot.
The rope had been tied too securely to admit of his slipping a knot, but
it was nearly new, and the prisoner's heart beat fast as he realized that
by exerting all his strength it would be possible to stretch it a trifle.
If he could succeed in making his escape immediately, all might yet be
well; but if he was forced to remain there until his captors returned,
there was little chance he would have another opportunity.
Regardless of the pain, he writhed and twisted until bead-like drops of
perspiration stood out on his forehead, and at the instant when he was
convinced all efforts were useless, that portion of the rope which
confined his wrists suddenly loosened sufficiently to enable him to
withdraw one hand at the expense of no slight amount of skin from the
knuckles.
Once he was thus far on the road to escape, the remainder was
comparatively simple.
With the hand which was free he untied the knots, and in less than five
minutes from the time Haines disappeared among the foliage, he was at
liberty.
The only thought in his mind now was to take such a course as would best
enable him to elude his pursuers, and he knew full well that the half-
breed could track him where the white man would be wholly at a loss to
find a trace of his movements.
"Its hard to turn back, but it must be done," he said, half to himself, as
he hesitated the merest fraction of time, and then ran down the path in
the same direction from which he had come.
He had hardly started when the sound of horse's hoofbeats caused his cheek
to grow pale. He had regained his liberty only to lose it!
Involuntarily he glanced backward, and then a low cry of satisfaction
burst from his lips.
The horse coming down the path was riderless. It was the animal Haines had
ridden, and apparently much the better steed of the two.
Turning quickly, Walter ran toward the horse, seized him by the bridle
before he had time to wheel around, and in another second was in the
saddle.
A short riding-whip hung from the pommel, and with this the fugitive
struck the animal sharply as he forced him directly into the underbrush
toward the south.
Fortunately, Walter was well acquainted with this section of the country,
having been over it many times with his father, and knew exactly which
direction to take in order to gain that portion of the forest where it
would be possible to ride at a reasonably rapid gait before venturing on
the path again.
His escape, however, was not to be as simple as at first seemed. Before he
was twenty yards from the starting point a loud cry in the rear told that
his departure had been discovered, and this was followed almost
immediately by the report of a pistol.
"If you don't do anything worse than shoot, I shan't come to much grief,"
he said, with a laugh. " Master Haines is not as wise a man as I have
supposed him to be if he thinks it is possible to bring his game down by
firing at random, for he surely can't see me."
Walter failed to realize that his movements could be plainly heard, even
though he was hidden from view by the foliage, and soon the sounds of
pursuit reached his ear.
"There is no need of the Indian while my horse is floundering among the
bushes," he muttered to himself. "Haines has mounted the other animal, -
was probably on his back before I started, and counts on riding me down.
He can do it, too!" Walter exclaimed, in a louder tone. "Once he is where
I can serve as a target, the chase will be brought to a speedy end."
Now he understood that if he hoped to escape he must return to the path,
where the horse would have an Opportunity to show his speed, and he
wheeled him suddenly around, regardless of the risk of coming directly
upon Haines.
Fortunately his pursuer was not as near as he had fancied, and soon he was
riding at the best possible pace over the narrow path. He had emerged
beyond the spot where the half-breed was stationed, and before him was
nothing to jeopardize safety; it only remained to distance the white man.
Two miles were traversed in a remarkably short space of time, and then he
was on that portion of the road which ran in a straight line through a
sort of clearing. That it was possible for his pursuer to see him during a
certain time was shown, as a bullet whistled within an inch of the
fugitive's head.
"That makes two shots, my friend," he said, as if to keep up his courage.
" Unless I am mistaken, you had only a couple of pistols, and by the time
they are reloaded I shall be screened by the bushes again."
That his calculations were not correct was shown as a second ball passed
uncomfortably close, and a third tore through his coat-sleeve, causing the
warm blood to gush down over his hand.
"Only a scratch, nothing more!" he shouted, and then he was among the
friendly shelter of the trees again.
The horse upon which Haines rode could not hold the pace, and when half an
hour had elapsed no sound of pursuit was heard.
It was time Walter gave the captured animal a breathing spell, if he hoped
to reach Salem as he had calculated, and he brought him to a standstill
while he pulled off his coat to examine the wound on his arm.
It was rather deeper than a scratch, but yet nothing more serious than to
cause a goodly show of blood, and Walter put on his coat again without a
thought that any bandaging might be necessary.
This done, he rode on at a more leisurely pace, but listening intently for
any sound betokening the approach of his enemy.
Nothing occurred to cause him alarm, and it was not yet sunset when he
drew rein in front of William Cotton's store.
That gentleman was in and disengaged, as was seen when he came to the door
for a view of the new arrival.
"What! Is it you, Walter Neal?"
"There is no doubt about it in my mind, although my joints are so stiff
from long riding that if I was less acquainted with myself I might believe
I was only a portion of the saddle," Walter said, laughingly, as he
dismounted, and added, in a graver tone, "I must speak with you alone,
Friend Cotton."
"I am alone now. Take your horse to the stable, and come back at once."
"I will leave him where he is; perhaps it will not be well for you to know
anything about him." And then hurriedly entering the store, Walter
explained why he must reach Boston without delay, after which he gave a
brief account of his misadventures.
William Cotton, although a sympathizer with those who were about to offer
resistance to the commands of his most gracious majesty, was a prudent
man, and feared to be known as a disloyal citizen.