United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
About noon on the twenty-ninth of November they made Dover and anchored
in the Downs. Deal was about three miles away and its boats came off
for them. They made a circuit and sailed close in shore. Each boat
that went out for passengers had its own landing. Its men threw a rope
across the breakers. This was quickly put on a windlass. With the
rope winding on its windlass the boat was slowly hauled through the
surge, its occupants being drenched and sprinkled with salt water.
They made their way to the inn of The Three Kings where two men stood
watching as they approached. One of them Jack recognized as the man
Slops 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 turned
and walked away with the two men.
Jack was tempted to follow them but feeling a hidden purpose in
Solomon's conduct went into the inn.
So the friends parted. Jack being puzzled and distressed by the swift
change in the color of their affairs. The letter to Doctor Franklin
was in his pocket--a lucky circumstance. He decided to go to London
and 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 must
take the post chaise for Canterbury which would not be leaving until
six 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 with
great 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 and
his friends. He saw Binkus on your deck, as I did, and proclaimed his
purpose. So I am here to do what I can to help you. I can not forget
that you two men saved my life. Are there any papers on his person
which 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 famous
scout who is known to be anti-British. Such a man coming here is
supposed to be carrying papers. Between ourselves they would arrest
him on any pretext. You leave this matter in my hands. If he had no
papers 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 they
learn you are his friend. Keep away from him. Sit quietly here in the
inn until the post chaise starts for Canterbury. Don't let any one
pick a quarrel with you and remember this is all a sacred confidence
between friends."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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