Abel Grant burst into a hearty laugh, Seth Hartley joining him, and I was puzzled to make out what those two could see in the situation that should provoke mirth, until our “admiral” cried as soon as it was possible to speak: “So you think they would send a whale to catch a herrin’, eh, Ephraim Lyttle? Verily you must think that the Minute Boys of Long Island are of vast importance in the eyes of the king’s officers!” and again the foolish fellow gave voice to his mirth. “Then why is she headin’ directly for the sloop?” I asked angrily. “If she holds her course much longer we shall find ourselves under her stem!” “Have you forgotten that the channel is on this side?” Abraham asked, not laughingly, but as if he pitied me because of my ignorance. “Besides, she’s minded to do our batteries all the harm possible, an’ therefore is pumpin’ shot into ’em at short range.” I began dimly to realize that I had given my comrades due cause for mirth, and to cover the confusion which began to creep over me, I asked of Seth: “Can you see any others of the fleet?” “There are none in sight yet, as should be the case if they were sailin’ in line of battle. I allow that this ship is alone; come to see how much of mischief may be done while the Americans are supposed to be in a bit of muddle over losin’ the battle.” It did not seem to me possible that this could be the true explanation, for I failed to figure how it might advantage the Britishers to send a single ship where it really seemed that our people should be able to sink her, and as if he read my thoughts, Seth added: “It don’t stand to reason the field-pieces ashore can do her much in the way of harm; but if she should get into serious trouble there are enough other ships to come to her rescue.” Even though there was so much of danger to us, and although I was growing timorous as she advanced, it would have been impossible not to have admired the magnificent spectacle of this enormous hulk sailing slowly up the river, her larboard ports all aflame as the guns were discharged, and the decks crowded with men who lined the rails as if to show how insignificant they considered our efforts to do them an injury. “Surely if one vessel can come here unharmed, it is only a question of when the British admiral is ready to do the work, an’ then New York is in the possession of the king’s forces,” Sam said mournfully, speaking as if simply giving words to the thoughts in his mind, and Seth Hartley replied, but with no ring of triumph. “Ay, lad, he who could think otherwise would be short-sighted indeed, an’ I’m of the opinion that already is your General Washington askin’ himself how he can best save his army.” “Then the Cause is lost?” I cried, and Seth said as he laid his hand on my shoulder: “Ay, if we count New York as bein’ the only place in rebellion against the king; but we in England have believed that the other colonies would put up a stiffer fight than might be looked for here.”