“I’m afraid, Mr. Chairman, Master Walker thinks as little of my judgment of horseflesh as he does of my preaching.” This was a gentle thrust at Peter’s irregular attendance at church. Indeed, it was general knowledge that Master Walker had written some verses sarcastically insinuating that the ministers of the period were in no way the equals of the great men whose cure of souls had been the glory of ancient Eastham. There was renewed laughter, this time at the expense of the redoubtable Peter. “Master Walker will have his joke, reverend sir,” said Squire Harding Knowles with mock severity, “but we sadly want someone to enliven us at present.” “No offence, Squire Knowles,” replied the minister heartily; “no offence at all. With all his joking, it seems to me that Master Walker has given us a hint of great value in our present dilemma. Until we devise some means of communicating with our imprisoned neighbors, I think we may assume that they are not idle on their own behalf. Perhaps we had better wait yet awhile for tidings.” “I agree with Mr. Shaw,” said Captain Heman Smith. “It seems natural to think that if Captain Raggett wants a ransom he must send word ashore to the prisoners’ friends.” “Aye, that’s the logical way of looking at it,” assented the chairman. “They certainly cannot be ransomed with whatever property Captain Raggett has already taken from them. The whaleboat and cargo are in his possession, but it seems he does not consider them as other than the spoils of war. We should hear from him soon unless he intends to hold our neighbors for some other purpose.” “His intention may be to add them to his own crew,” said Selectman Freeman. “This practice is common with the British when they capture an American vessel, and it goes hard with the American seaman who refuses to obey; I have heard of flogging and other cruel punishments being inflicted on such unfortunates.” “Hoppy Mayo and Win Knowles will never turn traitors to their own flag,” asserted Peter Walker. This was greeted with approval. That either of the prisoners should fight against his country, no matter what the penalty of refusal might be, was not to be thought of by any Eastham man. “Don’t see what he wants them for, then,” cried Obed Sparrow. “He has idle men enough on his hands already. Why, there’s nothing for his crew to do now as there are no boats running since the whaleboat was taken.” “Well, Neighbor Sparrow, that’s very true; but if Captain Raggett is holding our friends for any ulterior purpose, we should very much like to know what that purpose is. How we are going to find out is the puzzle.” As the chairman said this he looked around the hall as if seeking enlightenment.