In the distance we could see four vessels of the enemy’s fleet, lying with guns trained on the town, and we knew that, hidden from view by the island, the remainder of the vessels were ready to work death and destruction at the bidding of that red-coated officer who represented the king in North America. “I don’t reckon we shall be any the worse off if we make the most of what stores are aboard,” Sam said with an evident effort to speak in a jovial tone. “I’m goin’ to cook the very best supper possible, an’ we’ll have it ready when Abel Grant gets here, for I fancy he’ll be sharkish after his long pull an’ longer tramp.” It was a decided relief to have something with which to occupy one’s time, and all hands turned to with a will to help the cook, prolonging the work as much as possible in order that the supper might not be ready before Abel arrived. Under more pleasant circumstances we would have considered the meal a veritable feast, so plentiful and varied was it; but who can wonder that we felt as if we no longer had homes, and were remaining near our birthplace only by sufferance of those whom we knew to be deadly enemies? Even Seth Hartley appeared ill at ease, and thinking that possibly he might be regretting having cast in his lot with ours when everything was so dark and threatening, I taxed him with having such thoughts, whereupon he said, speaking so heartily that I could not have doubted him even had I been so disposed: “I am givin’ no heed to myself, lad. It was not with the belief you would win a speedy victory that I much the same as turned deserter, for I knew beyond a reasonable doubt there must be many dark days. It is because you lads, whom I have come to consider as very good friends, are in such distress of mind while I am unable to say or do anythin’ that may give relief. My father an’ mother are both dead, but I can come somewhere near guessin’ how I’d feel if knowin’, as you do, that they’d been turned out of house an’ home.” I shook his hand heartily; it was all I could do, for had I trusted myself to speak at that moment the tears must have come first, and what kind of a figure would the commander of Minute Boys cut if he blubbered like any baby? Well, we made ready the feast, and although it was nearly nine o’clock in the evening before Sam was willing to admit that his work was done, Abel still remained absent. “He has found friends with whom he lingered,” Seth Hartley said, striving to speak cheerily. “Like enough he has never fancied that you might be anxious if he remained away so late.” We waited another hour without hearing anything from our “admiral,” and then at Abraham’s suggestion we went through the motions of eating; but if the other fellows came as near being choked by the food as did I, the feast was anything rather than a success.