2
Often in calm weather Jack and Solomon amused themselves and the otherpassengers with pistol practise by tossing small objects into the airand shooting at them over the ship's side. They rarely missed even thesmallest object thrown. Jack was voted the best marksman of the twowhen he crushed with his bullet four black walnuts out of five thrownby Mr. Girard.
In the course of the voyage they overhauled _The Star_, a four-mastedship bound from New York to Dover. For hours the two vessels were soclose that the passengers engaged in a kind of battle. Those on _TheStar_ began it by hurling turnips at the men on the other ship whoresponded with a volley of apples. Solomon discerned on the deck ofthe stranger Captain Preston and an English officer of the name of Hawkwhom he had known at Oswego and hailed them. Then said Solomon:
"It's a ship load o' Tories who've had enough of Ameriky. They's acuss on that tub that I helped put a coat o' tar an' feathers on in theOhio kentry. He's the one with the black pipe in his mouth. I don'tknow his name but they use to call him Slops--the dirtiest,low-downdest, damn Tory traitor that ever lived. Helped the Injuns outthar in the West. See that 'ere black pipe? Allus carries it in hismouth 'cept when he's eatin'. I guess he goes to sleep with it. It'sone o' the features o' his face. We tarred him plenty now you hear tome."
That evening a boat was lowered and the Captain of _The Snow_ crossed ahundred yards of quiet sea to dine with the Captain of _The Star_ inthe cabin of the latter. Next day a stiff wind came out of the west.All sail was spread, the ships began to jump and gore the waves and_The Star_ ran away from the smaller ship and was soon out of sight.Weeks of rough going followed. Meanwhile Solomon stuck to his task.Every one was sick but Jack and the officers, and there was not muchcooking to be done.
Because he had to take off his coat while he was working in the galley,Solomon gave the precious letter into Jack's keeping.
Near the end of the sixth week at sea they spied land.
"We cheered, for the ocean had shown us a tiger's heart," the young manwrote. "For weeks it had leaped and struck at us and tumbled us about.The crossing is more like hardship than anything that has happened tome. One woman died and was buried at sea. A man had his leg broken bybeing thrown violently against the bulwarks and the best of us werebumped a little.
"Some days ago a New Yorker who was suspected of cheating at cards onthe complaint of several passengers was put on trial and convictedthrough the evidence of one who had seen him marking a pack of theship's cards. He was condemned to be carried up to the round top andmade fast there, in view of all the ship's company for three hours andto pay a fine of two bottles of brandy. He refused to pay his fine andwe excommunicated the culprit refusing either to eat, drink or speakwith him until he should submit. Today he gave up and paid his fine.Man is a sociable being and the bitterest of all punishments isexclusion. He couldn't stand it."
About noon on the twenty-ninth of November they made Dover and anchoredin the Downs. Deal was about three miles away and its boats came offfor them. They made a circuit and sailed close in shore. Each boatthat went out for passengers had its own landing. Its men threw a ropeacross the breakers. This was quickly put on a windlass. With therope winding on its windlass the boat was slowly hauled through thesurge, its occupants being drenched and sprinkled with salt water.They made their way to the inn of The Three Kings where two men stoodwatching as they approached. One of them Jack recognized as the manSlops with the black pipe in his mouth.
"That's him," said the man with the black pipe pointing at Solomon,whereupon the latter was promptly arrested.
"What have I done?" he asked.
"You'll learn directly at 'eadquarters," said the officer.
Solomon shook hands with Jack and said: "I'm glad I met ye," and turnedand walked away with the two men.
Jack was tempted to follow them but feeling a hidden purpose inSolomon's conduct went into the inn.
So the friends parted. Jack being puzzled and distressed by the swiftchange in the color of their affairs. The letter to Doctor Franklinwas in his pocket--a lucky circumstance. He decided to go to Londonand deliver the letter and seek advice regarding the relief of Solomon.At the desk in the lobby of The Three Kings he learned that he musttake the post chaise for Canterbury which would not be leaving untilsix P.M. This gave him time to take counsel in behalf of his friend.Turning toward the door he met Captain Preston, who greeted him withgreat warmth and wished to know where was Major Binkus.
Jack told the Captain of the arrest of his friend.
"I expected it," said Preston. "So I have waited here for your ship.It's that mongrel chap on The Star who got a tarring from Binkus andhis friends. He saw Binkus on your deck, as I did, and proclaimed hispurpose. So I am here to do what I can to help you. I can not forgetthat you two men saved my life. Are there any papers on his personwhich are likely to make him trouble?"
"No," said Jack, thinking of the letter lying safely in his own pocket.
"That's the important thing," Preston resumed. "Binkus is a famousscout who is known to be anti-British. Such a man coming here issupposed to be carrying papers. Between ourselves they would arresthim on any pretext. You leave this matter in my hands. If he had nopapers he'll be coming on in a day or two."
"I'd like to go with you to find him," said Jack.
"Better not," Preston answered with a smile.
"Why?"
"Because I suspect you have the papers. They'll get you, too, if theylearn you are his friend. Keep away from him. Sit quietly here in theinn until the post chaise starts for Canterbury. Don't let any onepick a quarrel with you and remember this is all a sacred confidencebetween friends."
"I thank you and my heart is in every word," said Jack as he pressedthe hand of the Captain. "After all friendship is a thing abovepolitics--even the politics of these bitter days."